Monroe, James (1758-1831) To the Inhabitants of the town of Saco
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03400 Author/Creator: Monroe, James (1758-1831) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Letter signed Date: 22 August 1817 Pagination: 1 p. ; 32 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Monroe as President during his tour of the country after his victory in the election of November 1816. This tour echoed the famous tours of America President George Washington made in 1789 and 1791. The tour inaugurated what is known as the Era of Good Feelings. This letter expresses pleasure at the respectful greeting he had in Saco, Massachusetts, in the District of Maine (Maine did not join the Union as a separate state until 1820). Monroe was in Saco on 15 July 1817, but this letter is written over a month later from Boston and directed to William Moody, a tavern owner and senator in the Massachusetts General Court. Stresses the need for national unity. Says every part of the territory, as far as is possible, needs to have security, a possible reference to the attacks made by British naval forces toward the end of the War of 1812 that many in Maine blamed on the poor management of the Madison Administration, in which Monroe was Secretary of War 1814-1815. Says the confidence Saco expressed in him is reciprocated and hopes he contributed to the happiness of the American people.
To the inhabitants of the town of Saco.
Fellow Citizens
I receive with great sensibility the cordial assurance of your personal respect & regard. That the principal object of my tour is of great moment must be manifest to all; since the confidence of the whole nation in [inserted: their government is greatly] strengthened by the complete security, as far, as this is practicable, of every part of our territory.
The confidence you express in [inserted: me] I cordially reciprocate: and if by a faithful discharge of my duty I may [inserted: providentially] contribute to the happiness of the whole American people, both your and my most ardent wish will be fully accomplished.
James Monroe
Boston 22 Augt 1817
Directed to Hon Wm Moody
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.