themselves and their fellow citizens, to express to him the high sense they entertain of his private virtues and public services.

Called by the voice of a nation of Freemen to the first office in their power to bestow, you can possess no higher evidence of their approbation of your past conduct, and of their confidence in the able and faithful discharge of the important duties assigned to your present station. Nothing can add to the force of this testimony, founded, as it is, with uncommon unanimity on the sense of a free and enlightened people.

We learn, with great satisfaction, that your present Tour is connected with the object of carrying into effect the measures of general defence proposed by the Congress of the United States, and that you have deemed them of sufficient importance to merit your personal attention. On this subject, permit us to say, that our citizens feel a deep and lively interest. This state, from its local situation and exterior frontier, is peculiarly subject to become the theatre of war; and the city of New-York, while it affords the strongest temptation, is much exposed from its natural position to the attempts of a foreign enemy. Although in the late contest it has not actually been assailed, we may presume it may, without arrogance, be said, that the extraordinary and spirited exertions of our citizens, powerfully supported by the patriotic efforts of the people of this and a neighbouring state, taught the enemy to believe. that such an attempt could not be made with impunity. The wisdom of our government is displayed by the measures now undertaken, to provide in time of peace, the security required in time of war; and we feel the highest confidence that, under your auspices, that security will be afforded, for every future emergency. The present happy condition of our country, in general, demands our highest gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of events, and opens to our view great and interesting prospects. In a state of profound peace, after a conflict, in which the rights of the nation have been vindicated and the honour of the American name been exalted, we see a great people united amongst them

selves-devoted to a government of their choicepossessing a country as fertile as it is extensiveevincing a spirit of enterprize in the various employments of agriculture, commerce and manufactures-ardent in the pursuits of science, and in cultivating the arts which adorn civilized society, and advancing in population, power and wealth, with a rapidity hitherto unexampled. The destinies of such a people, with the blessings of Providence, cannot be anticipated, and defy calculation.

It is your happiness, Sir, to have commenced your administration at a period thus propitious and interesting; and we have no doubt it will be your great ambition to bestow on these important objects all the patronage in your power, and justify the high expectations which have been formed.

That the pleasing prospects we have indulged may be happily realized, and that your administration may, in all respects, effectually promote the best interests of the United States, and that you may long live to witness the prosperity of your country, and enjoy the esteem of a virtuous people, is the ardent wish of those on whose behalf I have the honour to address you.

In behalf of the Corporation of the city, I have the honour to be, with sentiments of the highest esteem, your obedient servant.

J. RADCLIFF.

TO WHICH THE PRESIDENT MADE THE FOLLOWING REPLY:

To the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New-York.

FFLLOW-CITIZENS;

In performing a duty enjoined on me by the Constitution and Laws of the United States, I cannot express the satisfaction which I derive from the intercourse to which it leads, with so many of my fellow citizens ; from the opportunity it affords to behold, in person, the blessings which an all gracious Providence has extend

ed to them.

and

In executing the laws which Congress have wisely adopted for the national defence, the Atlantic and inland frontiers of this state, by their exposed situation, are entitled to particular attention. I am aware too, that this populous and flourishing city, presents, in times of war, a strong temptation to the cupidity of an invading foe. It is in the spirit of the laws which I am called to execute-it is in the spirit of the people whom I represent, to provide amply for the security of every part, according to the danger to which it is exposed. In performing this duty, I shall endeavour to be their faithful organ.

The present prosperous condition of our country is, as you justly observe, the best proof of the excellence of our institutions, and of the wisdom with which they have been administered.

It affords, too, a solid ground on which to indulge the most favourable anticipations as to the future. An enlightened people, educated in the principles of liberty, and blessed with a free government-bold, vigorous, and enterprizing, in the pursuit of every just and honourable attainment-united by the strong ties of a common origin, of interest and affection-possessed of a vast and fertile territory-improving in agriculture, in the arts and manufactures-extending their commerce to every sea-already powerful, and rapidly increasing in population, have every inducement and every means whereby to perpetuate these blessings to the latest posterity.

The honourable termination of the late war, whereby the rights of the nation were vindicated, should not lull us into repose the events attending it show our vulnerable points, and it is in time of peace that we ought to provide by strong works for their defence. The gallantry and good conduct of our army, navy, and militia, and the patriotism of our citizens, generally, so conspicuously displayed in that war, may always be relied on. Aided by such works, our frontiers will be impregnable.

Devoted to the principles of our government from my earliest youth, and well satisfied that the great blessings

which we enjoy, are, under Divine Providence, imputable to that great cause, it will be the object of my constant and zealous efforts to give to those principles their best effect. Should I, by these efforts, contribute, in any degree, to the happiness of my fellow citizens, I shall derive from it the highest gratification of which my mind is susceptible. JAMES MONROE.

"After this ceremony the officers of the artillery and infantry, and many distinguished citizens waited. upon and were presented to him. The Society of the Cincinnati, with their respectable Vice President, Gen. Stevens, at their head, also waited on him and presented an address, by Judge Pendleton, one of the members."

TO JAMES MONROE,

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

SIR-The New-York Society of Cincinnati, take this opportunity, when your important duties as Chief Magistrate of the United States, have procured for this city the honour of a visit, to present to you the assurances of their respect, and of their cordial disposition to support, with all their power, the measures which the wisdom of the government shall adopt, to promote the honour and welfare of our beloved country.

Your presence Sir, recalls those patriotic emotions in which the Society of Cincinnati originated; and as at distinguished individual among the officers of the revolutionary war, of which the Society was composed, you are associated with the pleasing recollections, which we cherish of the result of that ardent struggle.

We beg you to accept our sincere wishes for your personal happiness, and the assurance of our high esteem and consideration.

H

To which the President made the following reply:

The opportunity which my visit to this city in the discharge of important public duties has presented, of meeting the New-York Society of Cincinnati, with many of whom I was well acquainted in our revolution, affords me heartfelt satisfaction. It is impossible to meet any of those patriotic citizens, whose valuable services were so intimately connected with that great event, without recollections which it is equally just and honourable to cherish.

In your support of all proper measures for the national defence, and advancement of the public welfare, I have the utmost confidence. Those, whose zeal and patriotism were so fully tried in that great struggle, will never fail to rally to the standard of their country, in any emergency.

JAMES MONROE.

"The President, after receiving his visitants, -was attended by the committee of arrangements, and escorted by a squadron of cavalry, to the quarters provided for him at the elegant establishment of Mr. Gibson, in Wall-street. Previous to dinner, the President, accompanied by Gens. Scott, Swift, Morton, and Suits, visited the United States Arsenal.

At 5 o'clock the gentlemen on duty, the Vice President, the Hon. De Witt Clinton, Governor elect, the Hon. Rufus King, together with several of the President's former brethren in arms, Gen. Stevens, Colonel Willet, Colonel Platt, and the committees of arrangements and of the corporation, dined with the President at his quarters.

In the evening the City Hall and Theatre were brilliantly illuminated and decorated with appropriate transparences, exhibiting, perhaps, one of the most beautiful spectacles that can be well imagined.