"Here my Father's house was reared; Here my infant children played Beneath the oak's wide-spreading shade." But, in all the essential advantages of life, America is her superior; and these I wish to seek for my Sons' and for my Daughters' sake. You have promised me a welcome; and well you know the value of the boon you offer. The Americans have already given me a place in their homes and in their hearts and soon I shall come to claim it ;-until then and always, I remain, My dear Sir, Your faithful Servant, And affectionate Friend, SARAH MYTTON MAURY. LIVERPOOL, 31ST DECEMBER, 1846. ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAY I ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON. THE STATESMEN OF AMERICA. THE PRESIDENT AND PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE first time I saw the President was on the first of January, 1846, the morning after the arrival of myself and my son (the Doctor), at Washington. On New Year's day it is the privilege of every American and his family to pay their respects to the Chief Magistrate of the country, at the White House. Wishing to see this republican ceremony, so unlike any custom of Europe, we repaired to the residence of the President about one o'clock, and not having had time to deliver any of our letters of introduction, we went alone. The crowd was immense, but perfectly well conducted; no pushing forward, no murmuring, no jostling; each was solicitous to avoid, if possible, annoying his or her neighbor, and anxiously apologised if such an accident happened; all were neatly dressed, many of the female portion with much elegance, and the men carried their hats high up above their heads to keep them out of the way. I have been in all sorts of crowds, in England and France; at theatres, operas, churches, balls, routs, elections, and ceremonies of various kinds, both public and private, but I have never seen any assemblage of persons so orderly, respectful, patient, and well mannered as the American people on that day. The Democracy behaved like a lady. The President stood in the reception room, and Mrs. Polk at a little distance; they received their guests as they were able to approach; the greeting was friendly and courteous on the one side, and respectful and kind on the other. My son and myself approached with the rest, and I simply introduced myself as an English lady, without even mentioning my name. "I am delighted, madam, to see you here," said the President, shaking me cordially by the hand. I then introduced my son, saying that I should hope to see the President again. "At all times, madam, you will be most welcome." 66 And he has faithfully kept this encouraging promise; in public and in private I have ever received from him and from Mrs. Polk the utmost kindness and consideration. This was my first introduction in Washington, and at this time, it must be remembered that the United States were at variance, and might soon be at war, with Great Britain. Nor should it be omitted that the Americans, a high-minded and sensitive people, jealous of their honour, have been the subjects of vulgar and ignorant remark by English travellers. But these circumstances never seemed to recur to their recollection; or rather they appeared additional reasons why they should extend to me a more than ordinary share of courtesy and hospitality. I was a stranger, a woman, and an invalid;— this was enough for them. In my various interviews with the President he was ever cautious of making any remark which might even by inference give me pain, and he treated my feelings with respect as one devoted to the interests of my country, but as regarding America with every hallowed sentiment of gratitude, admiration and love. And this consideration for my position as an Englishwoman, was universal throughout the Union. The Honourable James Knox Polk entered upon the office of President of the United States on the 4th of March, 1845. He is a native of North Carolina, and was born on the 2d of November, 1795. His father, who was a farmer, removed to Tennessee in 1806, and in this state Mr. Polk continues to reside. The ancestors of this family, in common with those of many of our distinguished men, emigrated from Ireland. He received his professional education in the University of North Carolina, and was distinguished for his great assiduity and success, particularly in the study of mathematics. In 1820 Mr. Polk was admitted to the bar, commencing his career in Maury county. In 1825 he was chosen to represent his district in Congress, and in 1835 he was elected speaker of the House of Representatives. The President is of low stature; his address is mild and perfectly unassuming, and the tones of his voice are gentle and agreeable; his forehead is broad and high; his eyes well set, of dark gray, and the mouth is expressive of much firmness. I should think that he is habitually grave and thoughtful, for though I have often seen him smile, I have never seen him indulge in laughter. The President refuses a favour more kindly than any one I have ever heard perform that most ungracious duty of one in power. I was, on one occa sion, present when a gentleman pressed very hard for an answer to an application for a consulship. The President said that he had not had time to examine the list of candidates; that it was a very long one, and that for the moment he was wholly unable to give any reply. The gentleman had the bad taste to reiterate his request; three times the President repeated his original words, and always with forbearance and patience. The art of conferring a favour is as difficult as the art of refusing it; but the sagacity and good feeling which called into active service Slidell M'Kenzie and the veteran Major General Gaines, are proofs that the President understands the one as well as the other. Mr. Polk is attached to the Presbyterian church; but his sympathies extend to all denominations, and during my residence in Washington he attended the Roman Catholic chapel, when, I believe, a sermon for the relief of the Irish poor was preached. I have understood that his attendance at church is strict and constant, and in every relation of private life he is exemplary and well beloved. Though the individual reign of the President is limited by the constitution of the country to a certain term of years, no dynasty among the sovereigns of the earth holds tenure on more immutable grounds than the Presidents of America. OPINIONS OF COLONEL POLK. The following are extracted from Governor Polk's Inaugural Address, delivered at Nashville, on the 14th of October, 1839, in presence of the two Houses of the General Assembly: UNITED STATES BANK. "The federal government has at different times assumed or attempted to exercise powers which, in my judgment, have not been conferred upon that government by the compact. Among these I am free to declare my solemn conviction that the federal government possesses no constitutional power to incorporate a national bank. The advocates of a bank insist that it would be convenient and expedient, and that it would promote the general welfare;' but they have, in my judgment, failed to show that the power to create it is either expressly granted, or that it is an incident to any |