Fifth Annual Gallatin Project
Col. Monroe Pauses to Rest from his Northern Tour of Inspection
by Elaine Ackerson for the site on January 21, 2018
There was excitement in the air on July 22 at Albert Gallatin's home, Friendship Hill, as neighbors gathered to meet the Chief Magistrate of the United States, Col. James Monroe.
Friends and neighbors congregated at the Gallatins' home, Friendship Hill to meet with Minister (Ambassador) Albert Gallatin and his distinguished guest, the Chief Magistrate of the United States, Col. James Monroe.
The Chief Magistrate recalled Minister Gallatin from his duties in Paris at the court of Louis XVIII (Bourbon), not as a sign of disapproval but rather to discuss domestic and foreign matters. By the time Mr. Gallatin reached the Federal City, Col. Monroe had departed the Federal City to tour and "inspect" the Northern region of the country, with plans to join Mr. Gallatin at Friendship Hill as he journeyed back to the Federal City.
Allowing a day for Col. Monroe to rest from his travels and meet privately with Mr. Gallatin, they hosted Mr. Gallatin's neighbors for the full day on July the 22nd in order to learn of local concerns and share their own news with their guests.
It is a rare thing for the citizenry in a rural area to meet the Chief Magistrate of the country personally and spend the day with him sharing their concerns about how national affairs impact their area. To learn of the Chief Magistrate's hopes and concerns for his country drew even more interest. Curiosity in general, and interest in news Mr. Gallatin might have from Europe also enticed the neighbors to spend the day.
Mr. Gallatin began the morning with questions for the Chief Magistrate regarding the tour of the northern sections of the country but three months after his inauguration. Quite naturally, the purpose of that tour needed to be made clear so that Mr. Gallatin's neighbors understood why Col. Monroe was not in the Capitol City.
First, it was made clear that while Col. Monroe had been elected and inaugurated as President of the United States, he was continuing with the term used by Gen. George Washington when referring to himself as holder of that office. Although Chief Magistrate has certain judicial overtones, it primarily refers to the role of "head of state". This role sometimes entails judiciary functions, but is more specific to the person referred to as such in their capacity as head of state.
Of concern to the Chief Magistrate was diplomatic matters with Spain and France, in particular Spain's claims on areas of the United States and the Western Hemisphere in particular. Col Monroe also indicated he wanted to meet his constituents and learn their concerns.
Opening the day's discussion, Col. Monroe described himself as a simple Republican. He clarified that as meaning that he preferred to interact directly with the citizenry. Therefore, he made his tour northward to visit with the citizens and, as a military man to view the nature of the country's defenses and what improvements were needed to prevent another war such as "Mr. Madison's War".
Messrs. Gallatin and Monroe invite you to view the short video collage of the day that is on YouTube.