The President leaves Washington—arrives at Baltimore—visits North Point and Fort McHenry—is addressed by the Corporation—leaves Baltimore and enters the state of Delaware—lands at Fort Mifflin—proceeds thence to Philadelphia—addressed by the Cincinnati—visits the Navy Yard, the Franklin Seventy-four, and the Public Institutions.
Availing himself of a season of comparative leisure, the President left Washington City, on Saturday the 31st of May, with an intention of prosecuting the object of his tour, through the Northern and Eastern departments of the Union. His departure from the capital, was made in so unostentatious and private a manner, that most of the citizens were ignorant of that circumstance, until it was announced to them, by the daily Intelligencer, when he was already many miles on his journey. The necessity of his return to the seat of government, previously to the ensuing fall, made it incumbent on him to travel with as much celerity as the avowed purposes of his journey would permit; and, to do this, he was desirous to pass through the intermediate towns, with as much privacy as possible. The disposition of the citizens, however, did not, in this particular coincide with his own, and his approach to Baltimore, being already anticipated by the citizens of that place, they determined that he should be publicly received, and conducted, by a military escort, to his quarters. A corresponding desire to receive the President in a manner suitable to his elevated rank, and with a respect due to his eminent public services, soon evinced itself in all the principal cities, through which he would be obliged to pass, and preparations were every where making, to pay him the highest possible honours.
Consistently with his own desire to avoid all kind of parade, he selected a moment for his entrance into the city of Baltimore, when its inhabitants would, in all probability, be engaged in their devotional exercises, and when he might repair to the apartments which had been provided for him, without himself being molested, and without attracting the attention of any part of the community. It was no sooner known, to a few individuals, that such were the President’s contemplations, than intelligence was spread about the town, and a large cavalcade of citizens on horseback, and a troop of the city cavalry, immediately proceeded to the Washington road, where they met the President, and, after an interchange of civilities, attended him to the Fountain Inn. Here he was welcomed by a number of the most respectable and distinguished citizens, and in the afternoon attended the church of the reverend Dr. Inglis.
Early on the following morning, accompanied by generals Smith, Winder, Stricker, and Swift, and a number of military officers, he visited the breast-works which had been thrown up for the defence of Baltimore, during the war, and thence repaired to the battle ground, at North Point. A personal view of this scene, must have been peculiarly interesting to the President, as well as to the gentlemen present, two of whom, generals Smith and Winder, had been attached to the troops within the line of fortification; and another, general Stricker, had the good fortune to command, in person, that division of the army, which on this spot, on the 12th of September 1814, sustained the conflict with the British regulars under colonel Brooke, the successor in command to major-general Ross, who fell soon after landing his forces, in a skirmish brought on by the American light party, under major Heath.
In this contest, the American militia, with the exception of the 51st regiment, and a few companies of the left battalion of the 39th, behaved with uncommon coolness and intrepidity, and general Stricker must have enjoyed much gratification, in the opportunity of verbally detailing, to the President of the United States, upon the same ground, the events of a battle, which, setting aside the flight of the left flank, if it had a single fault, it was the fault of having been fought too long, and which relieved one of the most distinguished and patriotic cities in the union, from the desolating consequences of a visit from the enemy; established the character of the American arms; and saved millions of property from capture and destruction.
Having returned from this early excursion to his quarters in the city, the President was waited on by the mayor and corporation of Baltimore, by whom he was addressed in the following words:
“Baltimore, June 2, 1817.
“To the President of the United States.
“Sir—We, the mayor and city council of Baltimore, embrace with great pleasure, this opportunity of personally congratulating the chief magistrate of the union on his arrival at this place.
“Your determination, in the commencement of your administration, to visit several of the most important places in the union, is auspicious of happy consequences; not satisfied with previous knowledge, or second hand information, you are anxious that, on your part, nothing shall be wanting to promote the commonwealth.
“That a city, which bore so conspicuous a part in the national defence, should first be honoured with the presence of the chief magistrate of the union, is as flattering as it is national: and we sincerely hope that your observation of our position, and means of defence, may enable us before another war to bid defiance to any enemy.
“When, sir, we review your long-tried, faithful, and able services; when we consider the increasing harmony and concord of the United States; when almost universal peace reigns among the nations; we augur great and lasting happiness to the United States, in giving full scope to the development of her faculties in the arts and sciences, in agriculture, manufactures, and commerce; and in the permanent exhibition of the advantages of a form of civil and political government, superior to any that has hitherto existed.
“To our fellow citizens, it is a most interesting spectacle, to see the chief magistrate of this great and powerful nation, making an official tour through their country in the style of a private citizen, guarded only by the respect paid to the high station he occupies, and the affections of a virtuous people.
“We, sir, wish you, in the sincerity of our hearts, a pleasant tour through the states; a happy return to Washington; a reputation and satisfaction in your presidency, equal to any of your predecessors; and finally, the reward of a well spent life in an eternal world.
“We, are sir, with sentiments of very great respect, your obedient servants,
“George Stiles,
“Mayor of the City of Baltimore.
To which address this answer was made by the President:
“To the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore:
“Fellow citizens—The sentiments which you have communicated, have afforded me very great satisfaction. They are just, as to the objects adverted to, and to me, they are generous and kind.
“It was impossible for me to approach Baltimore, without recollecting, with deep interest, the gallant conduct of her citizens, in the late war, and the happy results attending their exertions. The glorious victory which was achieved by her, and in which her citizens bore so distinguished a part, at a very important epoch, not only protected this patriotic city, but shed great luster on the American name.
“Experience has shown us our dangers, and admonished us as to the means of averting them. Congress has appropriated large sums of money, for the fortification of our coast, and inland frontier, and for the establishment of naval dock yards, and for building a navy. It is proper that those works should be executed with judgment, fidelity, and economy; much depends in the execution, on the executive; to whom extensive power is given, as to the general arrangement, and to whom the superintendence exclusively belongs. You do me justice in believing, that it is to enable me to discharge these duties with the best advantage to my country, that I have undertaken this tour.
“From the increased harmony of public opinion, founded on the successful career of a government, which has never been equaled, and which promises, by a further development of its faculties, to augment in an eminent degree, the blessings of this favoured people, I unite with you in all the anticipations which you have so justly suggested.
“In performing services, honestly and zealously intended for the benefit of my fellow citizens, I shall never entertain a doubt of their generous and firm support. Incapable of any feelings distinct from those of a citizen, I can assume no style, in regard to them, different from that character; and it is a source of peculiar delight to me, to know, that while the chief magistrate of the United States, acts fully up to this principle, he will require no other guard than what may be derived from their confidence and affection.
“James Monroe
“Baltimore, June 2d, 1817.
After this ceremony, in his own name, and in the name of the corporation, the mayor cordially invited the President to a public dinner, the acceptance of which, in consequence of his previous arrangements, and from motives of public concern, he felt himself obliged to forego.
At eleven o’clock of the same day, and attended by the same officers who had conducted him to the Point, he proceeded to the examination of the armament and garrison of Fort McHenry, which had gallantly withstood the bombardment of the enemy, upwards of twenty-four hours. The batteries on the occasion, to be sure, had been opened, but the shot falling very far short of the assailants, the firing, form the fort, ceased, or was maintained, only at intervals, to show that the garrison had not sunk under the tremendous showers of rockets and shells, incessantly thrown into batteries; and thus painfully situated, without the power of retaliating the attack, the brave and determined soldiers endured their mortification, with an unyielding spirit, during the whole bombardment, which continued until seven o’clock of the morning of the fourteenth. One of the late papers of that city observes: “Had colonel Armistead, who was then, and is now the commanding officer of the fort, been told in the year 1814, that in the year 1817, he would have witnessed on that very spot, then shaken by the exploding thunders of the enemy’s fleet, the presence of the chief magistrate, congratulating him on the issue of that event, how exhilarating would then have been his sensations.”
On entering the fort the President was received with a federal salute, and after finishing his examination of its condition, he was escorted to Whetstone Point, where the third brigade of Maryland militia, under general Sterrett, formerly of the 5th regiment, had assembled for the purpose of being reviewed. The field was covered with people of every rank, among whom the appearance of the chief of the republic, produced general and lively satisfaction.
In the course of the afternoon, the President visited the Washington Monument, at Howard Park, and the City Monument, at Washington Square, and at five o’clock he received, at his quarters, the personal salutations of the officers of general Sterrett’s brigade.
The President, after experiencing these warm and patriotic attentions, departed from Baltimore at seven o’clock on the morning of Tuesday, the 4th of June, in one of the steam boats which had been chartered, by the corporation, for his exclusive use and accommodation, and to which he was accompanied by the municipal authorities of the city.
In the evening of that day he arrived at Newcastle, on the Delaware, where he was met by commodore Murray, and captain Stewart, of the Franklin 74, and a number of officers and citizens. The following day (Wednesday) he was occupied in visiting the Pea Patch, and other points of contemplated military and naval defence, and receiving from the citizens of the state of Delaware every demonstration of respect.
Suitable arrangements had previously been made by the naval, military, and civil authorities at Philadelphia, to receive him with all proper marks of distinction; and the barge of the Franklin, properly decorated, and manned by sixteen expert seamen, handsomely arrayed in uniform, was in attendance at Fort Mifflin, to convey him from that garrison to the city. Early on the morning of Thursday the 6th, the President landed at Fort Mifflin, where he was received by colonel Moses Porter, the military commander of the district, under a national salute, and having finished the inspection of the fort, he immediately conducted to the barge, and accompanied by his suite, (General Swift of the United States engineers, and his secretary, Mr. Mason,) and the officers already mentioned, he was rowed up the river Schuylkill, and about three o’clock on the afternoon arrived at Gray’s ferry, where he was received by the volunteer cavalry of Philadelphia, and a large assemblage of citizens on horseback. After partaking of some refreshment, he proceeded towards the city, along the Hamilton road, accompanied by the escort. On his arrival at High street bridge, a federal salute was fired by the company of flying artillery, under captain Richard Bache, and on crossing he received the honours due to the commander in chief, from the brigade of infantry under brigadier-general Thomas Cadawallader, who had himself attended the President from Gray’s ferry.
The brigade, which on this occasion exhibited an unusually brilliant appearance, both as to numbers and equipment, was composed of a battalion of artillery under lieutenant-colonel A.M. Prevost, captain Bache’s company of flying artillery, a battalion of infantry under colonel Clement C. Biddle, and a detachment of riflemen. The cavalry escort was commanded by captain William Rawle, the command of whose company (the 2d cavalry,) devolved on lieutenant John Hall, assisted by cornet E.S. Fullerton.
The whole of the troops having been reviewed by his excellency, and the line of march being formed, the procession entered the city through the principal streets. As they approached the more populous neighbourhoods, the crowd of spectators which had been accumulating during his progress, became very great, and the windows of the houses, as he passed, were filled with the beauty and fashion of the city. The President, having alighted at the Mansion House hotel, was conducted by several distinguished citizens, to the apartments prepared for his reception, where he was immediately waited upon by the officers of the first brigade of Pennsylvania militia, as also by the officers of the brigade which had escorted him.
On the following morning, at six o’clock, the President, accompanied by his suite, visited the Academy of Fine Arts; and after having breakfasted, he was waited upon by Robert Wharton, esq. mayor, Joseph Reed, esq. recorder, and the presidents of the select and common councils, who, after expressing their warmest congratulations on his arrival in the city, and their regret, that his short stay would preclude their rendering him further civilities, accompanied him through the public prison, with the economy and discipline of which, he expressed much satisfaction. He then visited the Pennsylvania Hospital, Peale’s Museum, and Mr. Sully’s Gallery of Pictures.
About ten o’clock he was received at the navy yard. On his arrival on board the Franklin seventy-four, a federal salute was fired from that vessel, and at his departure the salute was repeated. A large number of citizens were invited on board by captain Stewart, who had an elegant collation prepared for his distinguished guest, and the company.
When the President returned to his quarters, the officers of the Cincinnati presented to him the following address:
“To James Monroe, President of the United States.
“Sir—Embracing the occasion which your attention, as chief magistrate, to the military defences of the United States has afforded, it is with peculiar pleasure that the members of the Pennsylvania Society of Cincinnati, a portion of the surviving few, who were your associates in arms during the war of the revolution, approach to renew their personal intercourse, and to assure you of their cordial support of the firm and impartial administration of the government, which by combining in its measures, domestic tranquility, with the respect of foreign nations, they confidently anticipate, will promote the best interests of the United States, and insure to our citizens, the advantages of social harmony and individual happiness.
“That you may participate those blessings, and enjoy the grateful esteem of a happy people, is a sincere wish of your faithful friends and respectful fellow citizens.
“Signed by order, and by the unanimous vote of the society,
“D. Lenox, President.
“Horace Binney, Secretary.
“Philadelphia, June 6, 1817.
To this address the President answered:
“To the Members of the Pennsylvania Society of Cincinnati.
“Fellow citizens—In attending to the military and naval defence of the United States, nothing can be more gratifying to me, than to meet the surviving members of my associates in arms, who distinguished themselves in our revolutionary contest. I can never forget the dangers of that great epoch, nor be indifferent to the merits of those who partook in them.
“To promote tranquility at home, and respect abroad, by a firm and impartial administration, are among the highest duties of the chief magistrate of the United States. To acquit myself in the discharge of these duties, with advantage to my fellow citizens, will be the undeviating object of my zealous exertions. Their approbation will be the highest recompense which I can receive.
“James Monroe.
“Philadelphia, June 6, 1817.
A meeting had been previously called of the civil officers of the general and state governments, at the United States district court room, on the 5th of June, at twelve o’clock, noon; at which John Steele, esq. collector of the port of Philadelphia, was appointed chairman, and Peter A. Browne, esq. secretary. A report was presented by the committee of arrangements appointed at a previous meeting, in which they recommended the formation of a committee, to consist of seven United States’ officers, and seven state officers, to wait on the President of the United States, and to tender him the congratulations of this meeting, on his visit to the city of Philadelphia. A motion was accordingly made and seconded, and it was unanimously resolved, that such a committee should be appointed. The following named gentlemen were selected: John Steele, Robert Patterson, David Caldwell, William Duncan, William Jones, and James Glentworth, esquires and Dr. John White; United States’ officers. Joseph B. M’Kean, John Goodman, Thomas Truxtun, Joseph Reed, Timothy Matlack, Jacob Rush, and Peter A. Browne, esquires; state officers.
It was also moved, that Thomas M’Kean, esq. late governor of the commonwealth, should be added to the committee; but, it being ascertained that a severe indisposition would prevent Mr. M’Kean from leaving his house, his name was for that reason withdrawn, though it was immediately and unanimously resolved that it should appear on the minutes.
In conformity with these resolutions, the committee waited upon the President, and acquainted him with the proceedings of the meeting.
Among other objects of the President’s inspection, during his stay in this city, were the Custom House, the Bank of the United States, and the vacant ground at the Drawbridge, proposed as the site for the erection of a new Custom House. He had taken an opportunity also, to visit the late governor M’Kean, Mr. Thomas Willing, and the widow of Robert Morris, esq. whose eminent financial services, during the revolutionary war, still live in the memory of his survivors.
