We take satisfaction in this notice of our seminary as evincing your estimation of liberal studies, and your interest in the education and character of American youth. Our Academic functions cannot fail to derive dignity and effect from the countenance of the civil authorities; and our pupils to find incitements to excellence, in all the demonstrations of sympathy in their pursuits and destination, given by those who fill exalted stations. We bid you welcome, sir, to an establishment coeval with the foundation of the State, and the object of public and individual favour through many successive generations. While, however, its connexion with the history of past times, and the number of sons which, in the lapse of nearly two centuries, it has annually dismissed from its care, are circumstances which naturally excite a degree of interest, we are sensible, that antiquity alone, tho' venerable, is an inadequate basis of respect. from men of intelligence and reflection. We would hope, that this cherished seminary has other and stronger claims to complacent regard from every friend to the best interests of man, every patron of intellectual and moral excellence.

With the rudiments of good literature, and the elements of science, it has been the constant and elevated aim in this institution, to inspire the minds of youth with those principles of virtue and piety, with those manly sentiments, and with that pure love of truth and duty, which are the most valued ingredients of character, and which are best calculated to form the man and the citizen.

By pursuing such a course, this ancient school has sought to preserve, in close alliance, the interests of religion and learning, of faith and charity, of liberty and order.

Desiring to train those who are under our charge for the whole public and for mankind, we deem it an essential part of our office, to endeavour to temper the prejudices and feelings incident to particular attachments and geographical divisions; to exhibit the evidence and authority of our common faith with a due moderation in respect to peculiarities of opinion and

mode; and to encourage free inquiries into the nature, the value, the dangers, and the preservatives of our republican institutions, with a just reserve upon those controverted questions which tend to inflame the spirit of party.

We present to your view, Sir, that portion of the youth of our country, now resident within these walls; and are happy to bear testimony to the many pledges they give of their regard to the interesting objects of literary pursuit, and to those attainments on which their future usefulness must depend.

May they and all the sons of this University, ever cherish those generous affections, and aim at those solid acquirements, which shall bind and endear them to their country, and render them approved instruments in advancing the interests and honour of our nation, and strengthening and protecting its precious institutions.

In these indications of the purposes of public education, we are persuaded, sir, that we refer to objects which you deem worthy of high regard.

We congratulate you on the auspicious circumstances which attend the commencement of your administration. Accept our wishes and prayers for its happy course and issue; and indulge the expression of our desire, that whilst you, by the favour of Heaven, upon the exercise of the appropriate duties of your high station, obtain the happiness of seeing the associated communities over which you preside, safe and prosperous, it may be our privilege, by fidelity and zeal in our allotted sphere, under the smile of the same good Providence to co-operate in the work of patriotism, by diffusing the light of knowledge and the saving influence of religion and morals.

July 7, 1817.

JOHN T. KIRKLAND.

THE PRESIDENT'S ANSWER

to the Address from the Corporation of Harvard Uni

versity.

SIR-I am deeply impressed with the distinguished.

attention with which the President and Fellows of Harvard University, have been pleased to honour me on my present visit. Nothing is more interesting to my own mind, and nothing can be more important to our common country, than the cultivation of science and liberal literature. The principal support of a free government, is to be derived from the sound morals and intelligence of the people; and the more extensive the means of education, the more confidently may we rely upon the preservation of our public liberties. What

ever doubts may once have been entertained upon the subject of the stability of a republican government, and of its capacity to promote the public interest, the progress of our own, must now have satisfied the most sceptical mind, and awakened the strongest conviction of its energy and excellence.

The venerable University, over which you preside, has long been a great ornament of our country. It seems exceedingly well adapted, in its organization, to give the best instruction. It has matured in its bosom many of those, who, by their patriotism, their piety, and their learning, have conferred lasting benefits on mankind. Most sincerely do I wish that it may continue to be a public blessing; and, under the smiles of Providence, increase in usefulness. An institution, which endeavours to rear American youth in the pure love of truth and duty; and while it enlightens their minds by ingenuous and liberal studies, it endeavours to awaken a love of country, to soften local prejudices, and to inculcate Christian faith and charity, cannot but acquire, as it deserves, the confidence of the wise and good. You do justice, therefore, to my feelings, in believing that such an institution must possess my highest regard, and that I shall always take a lively interest in its prosperity.

JAMES MONROE.

To the Rev. President KIRKLAND.

I must be permitted to express my unqualified admiration of this Address and Answer. The elevated rank

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sustained by the President of Harvard University, in the scientific and literary world; the rank, above all ranks, held by the President of the United States, in the political world, imparts a consequence to their opinions, which can neither be increased or diminished by that of a private individual. But when the President of a literary institution, instead of limiting the minds of his pupils to "particular attachments; geographical divisions, and peculiarities of opinion; trains those under his charge for the whole public, and for mankind," no one can withhold the expression of his high respect, nor help declaring his approbation. When the Chief Magistrate of the only REPUBLIC on earth, instead of rejoicing in that mental degradation, and gross ignorance, which is the foundation of despotic power, declares, “The more extensive the means of education, the more confidently may we rely upon the preservation of •ur public liberties;" every one must approve of the sentiment, applaud the man, and delight in his administration.

After examining all the different departments of the sciences in this important institution, the President of the United States, received from the President of Harvard University, the Degree of Doctor of Laws, the highest honour he could bestow.

The President, in his exalted station, did not omit to manifest his respect for one of his predecessors-the venerable JOHN ADAMS. He visited him at his own mansion, in Quincey. The interview must have been one of the most interesting that can be imagined. It must have been pursued with "thoughts that breathe, and words that burn." This venerable patriot, with

"locks bleached with eighty-five years, must have poured out a soul, swelling with gratitude to the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS, that he had sustained THE REPUBLIC from infancy to manhood; and that he had preserved one of its ardent defenders, to preside over its destiny. The President, in this hoary headed statesman, recognized one of the earliest advocates of American Freedom, and must have thanked his God, that in retirement, he was in the full enjoyment of those blessings, which he, so largely, contributed to acquire for his countrymen.

The President has the happiness to reflect, that he has enjoyed the intimacy, and secured the confidence of all his illustrious predecessors; a felicity which few, if any of his successors, can hope to enjoy. WASHINGTON has departed; and the path he made from temporal to immortal glory, must, ere long, be traversed by ADAMS, JEFFERSON, and MADISON.

The contracted limits of this work has inhibited the writer and compiler of it from giving such historical accounts and geographical descriptions of the important places, through which the President passed, as would have been gratifying to his own feelings, and perhaps not altogether destitute of amusement and information to his readers. The same restraint prevents him from expatiating, to any extent, upon Boston and its environs.

Boston has been settled by Europeans nearly two centuries. It is situated upon a peninsula, united to the main land upon the south, by a narrow neck of land extending to Roxbury. It has an inner and an outward bay, spreading before it to the east, making a harbour,