tions of our enterprising and industrious citizens, was an event, by every one anxiously desired, and every where justly appreciated.

Peace being established, the administration had only to pursue a course, adapted to the altered situation of the country. President Madison therefore, turned his whole attention to advance those interests, and remedy those defects, which the experience of the late war had developed, as peculiar to the American people. The resuscitation of trade and commerce, the re-establishment of the finances, the institution of a National Bank, to prevent in future, the embarrassments of government through the want of pecuniary resources, with many other salutary acts, characterise the close of his administration, and bear ample testimony to the comprehensiveness of his views and the accuracy of his judgment.

In his retirement, like his two illustrious predecessors, from the most honourable and exalted office, in the power of a free people to bestow, he is enjoying the respect, gratitude and veneration of his fellow citizens. He was called to the presidency in a very difficult period of our history, and though perhaps better qualified for the discharge of the duties of that office in times of peace and tranquillity, it was nevertheless his lot, to guide the helm of government, during the only serious and alarming war, in which his country had been engaged since that of her independence. He was ever distinguished as a scholar and a statesman; his imagination lively but not ardent; his wit refined and poignant; his penetration quick and discriminating; and his reserve in affairs of state, was habitual, politic and wise. No breach of promise could be imputed to him, for he was guilty of none. His views concerning the best interests of his country, for the most part, first appeared in his measures adopted, or recommended to the legislative branch of gov ernment; and his honesty as a statesman was never questioned, although frequently surrounded by intrigues and beset with importunities. It is also observed of him, that in his public life, he rarely resorted to any trick of expediency, but uniformly sought to govern men more by their reason than their passions. His political writings from the day of his earliest efforts, to the last of his public life, are particularly distinguished for a style at once easy, natural, and classically English; they were intended not to dazzle, but to convince; not to amuse the fancy, but to satisfy the

understanding. His colloquial powers are also mentioned as being both instructive and agreeable, sometimes exerted in political or philosophical discussion, and sometimes employed in the playfulness of wit and humour, according to the different situations in which he may be placed.

In conclusion, it may with confidence be observed, that the mind of James Madison is of the very first order. It unites simplicity with grandeur, dignity with moderation, and delights more in the mildness of persuasion, than in the harshness of reproof.

It is doubtful whether America has ever produced a more excellent Statesman; it is certain, that she has never seen a more honourable and upright man.

JAMES MONROE, ESQ.

Fifth President of the United States.

FEW American statesmen have been so distinguished for the length of public life, or eminent services rendered their country, as James Monroe. He was a native of Virginia, born upon the banks of the Potomac, in the year 1759. Although his ancestors were respectable, and among the earliest emigrants to this country, he had, in early life, to rely wholly upon his own exertions for success. He had no powerful family connexions to support him; no paternal inheritance to give him importance in society. He however had received a regular collegiate education at the university of William and Mary, in his native state. Ardently devoted to his country, he took part in the revolutionary war, when but a youth, and on several occasions was distinguished for his undaunted courage. He was among those who literally shed their blood in the cause of independence; and the firmness and gallantry of his conduct, in every instance, ensured for him the respect and esteem of all those with whom he acted. As early as 1776, he obtained a commission in one of the regiments raised in Virginia, and joined the army at New-York, under the command of General Washington. He was in the battle fought at Haerlam Heights, and at White Plains, as also in those of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. But he was, perhaps, more particularly distinguished in the celebrated" Victory of Trenton," than in any other; in which he performed a very active part, and received severe wounds, with which he long lingered, and which he barely survived. Some particulars of that important event, at that time so inspiriting to the almost disheartened Americans, are given by General Wilkinson, in his Memoirs, and must be read with interest by all who feel for their country's honour.

"It was broad day," observes the General, " and the storm beat violently in our faces. The attack had commenced on the left, and was immediately answered by Colonel Stark, in our front, who forced the enemy's picket and pressed into the town, our column being close at his heels. The enemy made a momentary shew of resistance, by a wild, undirected

re from the windows of their quarters, which they abandon1, as we advanced, and made an attempt to form in the ain-street, which might have succeeded, but for a six-gun attery, opened by Capt. T. Forrest, under the immediate der of General Washington, at the head of King's-street, hich annoyed the enemy in various directions; and the ecision of Capt. William Washington, who, seconded by ieutenant Monroe, (afterwards President of the United tates) led the advanced guard of the left column, perceiving at the enemy were endeavouring to form a battery, rushed rward, drove the artillerists from their guns, and took two eces in the act of firing.

"These officers were both wounded in the charge; the ptain in the wrist, the lieutenant through the shoulder. hese particular acts of gallantry have never been noticed, d yet they could not have been too highly appreciated; for the enemy had got his artillery into operation, in a narrow reet, it might have checked our movement, and given him ne to form and reflect; and if he had retired across the idge in his rear, and taken post, he would have placed a file between us, which, in our half naked, half frozen contion, he ought to have defended against our utmost efforts; d we in turn might have been compelled to retreat, which uld have been fatal to us.”

Such distinguished acts of bravery, as were displayed by ? young Monroe, could not escape the notice of his country, d we find him successively promoted, through the various ades of office, to that of the command of a regiment, to be sed in his native state. He was also, about this period, pointed, by the government of Virginia, a military comssioner, in which capacity he visited the army in the thern states. His conduct, in the performance of the ties of this office, like that which had characterised him iformly before, was such as to meet with the undivided dunqualified approbation of his country.

During this period of life he had become sincerely devoted Washington, a warm admirer and imitator of Jefferson, I the companion and friend of Madison. It is no common ise to be associated with such names, and the high estition in which he was held by them, was subsequently explified, by their several selections of him for the most portant commissions and appointments, and confiding to n the discussion and arrangement of the primary interests the nation, both at home and abroad. After having serv

ed his country in the field, he was, towards the close of th war, called to a seat in the highest councils in his nativ state, and in 1783 he was elected a member of the old co gress, in which he was instrumental, among the venerab sages of the republic, in effecting the formation of the prese constitution of the United States. He was one of thos however, who partook of the fears of Patrick Henry, that to much power was vested in the general government, at tl expense of the rights and sovereignty of the several state and was particularly anxious to guard against the influenc of what were considered the aristocratic features of th document. Time, indeed, has convinced him, as it has co vinced many of his cotemporaries, that their apprehension were groundless, and shown, that although there was some thing to be dreaded from the consolidation and the excess executive authority, there was also something to be feare from anarchy. After long debates, an infinite deal of an madversion, through the medium of the press, and the mos violent altercations of party, the constitution has found it just balance, and the good and wise of every description o citizens, now unite in opinion, that the presidential power i so checked, that, whether in the circumstances of peace o of war, it is impossible for the chief magistrate to abuse, t any serious extent, the trust committed to his hands.

Having studied law, Mr. Monroe afterwards, for som years, pursued the practice of the law; but his principa course of life has been political. In the legislature of Vir ginia, and in the new congress of the United States, he was uniformly distinguished as being one of the most intelligent active, and efficient members.

ment.

In the year 1794, soon after the commencement of the French Revolution, he was chosen, by President Washing ton, to represent the United States, near the French govern Being devoted, from his earliest years, to the cause o liberty, the warmth of his sentiments for the rights of man and the freedom of nations, led him, in some measure, to de part from the sage and cautious policy of that illustrious patriot, by whom he was recalled. This occurrence took place at a time when party spirit prevailed to an uncommon degree in this country, on the subject of the revolution in France, and when a majority of the members of General Washington's administration, as well as a majority of their fellow-citizens, were opposed to the principles and policy adopted by the then rulers of the French Republic.

Mr.