opening of the session, the president, having alluded to the struggle of the Greeks for liberty, and having expressed, as the organ of public sentiment, the sympathy of the nation in their behalf, a resolution was presented to the house of representatives, by a member, providing for the expenses incident to the appointment of an agent, or commissioner to Greece, whenever the president should deem such appointment expedient. Although congress did not deem it expedient to adopt the resolution, it being indefinitely postponed, it served to call forth the warmest expressions of regard, on the floor of congress, for that oppressed people, and to elicit the attachment of the country to the principles of rational liberty.

"In offering the resolution, Mr. Webster stated, it was far from being his wish, in any manner, to commit the house, in this or any of the political contests of Europe; but the president of the United States having, in his message to congress, not only expressed a belief that the Greek nation, in its present struggle with its opposers, had the good wishes of the whole civilized world, but also advanced the opinion that the Turkish dominion over that country was lost forever; he thought that, if such were the fact, it was important that congress should act upon the subject. The main object in view was to obtain from this house an expression responsive to the sentiment of the message, in reference to the sacrifices and sufferings of that heroic people-sacrifices and sufferings, which ought to excite the sympathy of every liberal minded man in Europe, as well as in this country. But, whatever might be the case with other nations, we certainly ought not to be restrained from expressing, with freedom, what are our views in relation to the Greek cause, so far as may be done without committing ourselves in the contest. And he really did hope that we should show to the world, that there is, at least, one government which does entertain a proper view of that barbarous despotism, which, under the eyes of Europe, has been permitted, by a system of the foulest atrocity, to attempt to crush an interesting Christian nation.

"In most of our large towns and literary institutions,

meetings were held in reference to this subject, and resolutions adopted, expressive of sentiments alike honorable to our citizens as members of a free community, and as friends of humanity. They spoke a language worthy of the cause which called them forth, and such as the circumstances of the age require. They are a proof, too, of the existence and the energy of that principle in the American people, which removes them farther from the supporters of legiti macy than the breadth of the Atlantic, and is a safer bulwark than its billows."

To this it may be added, that, at a subsequent period, large contributions were made throughout the country, and forwarded to the constituted authorities of Greece, to aid them in achieving the liberties of that interesting people.

Sec. 27. On the 27th of May, 1824, the eighteenth congress closed its first session. Among the most important bills which were passed, was one for abolishing imprisonment for debt; and a second establishing a tariff of duties on imports into the country.

Each of these bills caused much debate in the national Legislature, and excited no small solicitude among those classes of citizens whose interests were likely to be most affected by them. The bill for abolishing imprisonment for debt was necessarily qualified and guarded, giving no immunity to fraud, and containing the requisite checks to shield its benefits from abuse. The bill for a revision of the tariff occupied the house of representatives for ten weeks, and was at length passed only by a majority of five. On the occasion of its final decision, only two members, out of two hundred and thirteen, were absent.

Sec. 28. In the course of the summer an event occurred, which caused the highest sensations of joy throughout the union; 'this was the arrival of the Marquis de Lafayette, the friend and ally of the Americans, during the former war with Great Britain, and who eminently contributed, by his fortune, influence, skill, and bravery, to achieve the glorious, objects of their revolutionary struggle

Sometime previously to his arrival, the marquis had expressed his intention of again visiting the United States. This being known, Jan. 7th, 1824, congress authorized the president "to offer him a public ship for his accommodation, and to assure him, in the name of the people of this great republic, that they cherished for him a grateful and affectionate attachment." In the following June, the legislature of Massachusetts authorized the governor of that commonwealth to make such arrangements for the honorable reception of the marquis as comported with the dignity of the state. In other parts of the country, early measures were adopted to receive with honor the man who had acted so disinterested a part towards the United States, and whose life had been devoted to the cause of rational liberty.

The delicacy of the marquis prevented his accepting the invitation of government to take passage in a public ship; but he soon after embarked on board a private vessel.

The time of his embarkation being known, the prayers of millions were offered for his safety from the dangers of the ocean. At length intelligence of his arrival was announced, and was received by every proper demonstration of joy.

He landed at New-York, on the 16th of August, accompanied by his son and M. L. Vasseur, his secretary, and was welcomed by thousands to the land where, more than forty years before, he had displayed a disinterestedness, a benevolence, a heroism, nearly unparalleled in the annals of time.

"From New-York, Lafayette passed through the country to Boston, constantly receiving the most enthusiastic congratulations of the people. Not only at every place where he stopped, but as he passed along the road, thousands came to catch a glimpse of him, and bid 'Welcome, Lafayette.' Having visited most of the principal towns in Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, he returned again to New-York. During this tour, it is impossible to convey in general terms an adequate idea of the excitement into which the country was thrown. Committees were constantly arriving from distant towns at the places where he stopped, to solicit the honor of receiving him, and to know on what day and at what hour his arrival might be expected. In some instances, gentlemen, residing at a distance from his route. directed the news of his approach to be sent them by expresses. Meantime the general was so obliging as to allow