James Monroe Visits Beaufort, 1819

In light of the upcoming Presidents' Day holiday, I'd like highlight the 5th President's visit to Beaufort in May of 1819.  

POTUS #5 was a great admirer of President George Washington, POTUS #1.  Just as George Washington had done, Monroe took to the roads and waters to unify the nation. 

Monroe broke his tours into 3 segments covering over 2000 miles in all. While undertaking those journeys, he became the first president to ride a steamboat (from Baltimore to Philadelphia) and the first sitting president to travel as far west as the Michigan territory.

Monroe also oversaw the addition of some Spanish territory along the Gulf of Mexico by peaceful means. The Adams-Onis Treaty set up a new boundary with the Viceroyalty of New Spain. During his Southern Tour in 1819, Monroe stopped by Beaufort for a few days on his way to check out the recently ceded Florida territory. 

On May 3rd, the inhabitants of the town learned that President Monroe would arrive in a few days. According to the Savannah Daily Republican newspaper, most of the citizenry took to their horses and assembled to greet the President at the Port Royal Ferry Crossing along the Whale Branch River [quite near to the current location of the Whale Branch Bridge]. "On entering the town he was handsomely saluted by a company of artillery, commanded by capt. [sic] Burke, and received the salutations of the Intendent..."  (which was what the mayor of Beaufort used to be called). The text of his welcome and the President's response were printed in the newspaper issue.  

The next day Monroe visited Fort Marion (AKA Fort Lyttelton) and was guest of honor at a dinner held in Beaufort College where a number of toasts were offered. These toasts are included in the Savannah Daily Republican newspaper as well. Toasting others was a key component of political and social life in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Though the President's visit was brief, it was noteworthy to the citizens of Beaufort District. Monroe's journey to all parts of the United States set a precedent for the extension of Gen. Lafayette's Tour of America in 1824-1825 that would include Lafayette's visit to Beaufort on March 18, 1825.  

The Library system will be closed Monday, February 16, 2026 in honor of Presidents Day.