President James Monroe in Action, Early in the Era of Good Feeling

After leaving Boston, Monroe traveled to the nearby town of Salem, Mass. There a committee, led by one of its most prominent citizens, Benjamin Pickman, Jr., invited Monroe to attend a reception. The President wrote to Pickman and the committee, both to express his gratitude and to assure them that he would be sympathetic to their needs.

Letter Signed with Monroe’s handwritten revisions, early July 1817, to the Committee of the Town of Salem. “The respectful invitation to visit the town of Salem was highly gratifying to me; and the flattering reception I have met with has excited emotions which I am unable to express. With regard to the important interests which are noticed in your address, they shall always receive from me, while I have the honor to administer the government, every encouragement, which is consistent with a due regard to the other great interests of the country. And I earnestly hope that your ancient town may long continue to enjoy that prosperity to which its commercial industry and enterprise have so largely contributed.”

In discussing his responsiveness to the hopes and needs of New England as expressed to him by Salem, Monroe crossed out “…it is equally the disposition and duty of the American government and people to cherish and support them…”, and inserted a much more personal “they shall always receive from me…,” expressing his own intended personal concern and involvement. It was outreach just such as this that made his presidency so successful. The integral address leaf is still present, and the letter has been folded, both of which indicate that this may be the mailed copy and not a retained draft; yet Monroe’s cross-outs remain.