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Primary sourceBook1820

The Tour of James Monroe Through the Northern and Eastern States

S. Putnam Waldo · 1820

A contemporary account of Monroe's 1817-1818 presidential tour, describing his travels and public reception.

A contemporary account describing Monroe's travels and public reception during his presidency.

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The Tour of James Monroe Through the Northern and Eastern StatesPDF · 362 pages
S. Putnam Waldo, The Tour of James Monroe, Silas Andrus, 1820.

About this source

What it is

This book, written by S. Putnam Waldo and published in 1820, describes President James Monroe's travels through the northern and eastern United States in 1817 and 1818. It includes a sketch of Monroe's life and descriptions of the places he visited.

Why it matters

Written while Monroe was still president, this account shows how a contemporary observer presented Monroe's public tours to readers of the time, including descriptions of the enthusiastic crowds that greeted him. It offers a window into how a sitting president's travels were publicized and celebrated.

  • Why might an author choose to write about a president's travels in such detail?
  • The book quotes lines about crowds watching Monroe pass — what does that suggest about his popularity?
  • What might this account leave out about the purpose or politics behind Monroe's tours?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Monroe on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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