ADVERTISEMENT.

HAVING observed with regret the imperfect manner in which the last edition of Presidents' Messages was executed, it occurred to me that a correct and handsome edition, from their commencement to William H. Harrison's inaugural address, would not be unacceptable to my fellow citizens; believing as I do that, of all great national documents, few perhaps are more deserving permanent preservation than those which emanate directly from the head of the executive government. Their intrinsic value and importance must be coeval with our national existence; they have respect no less to the interests of after times than to those of the present day; for while they mark the several great epochs of its political history, they at the same time afford the best exposition and clue to the right appreciation of its administrative proceedings. Apart from their public utility, these documents must ever be considered of great value, from the high rank they deservedly retain in their literary reputation, as gems of republican eloquence and rhetorical skill, exhibiting specimens of some of the purest models of style which are to be found in our language.

In the progress of this work through the Press, great care has been taken to avoid typographical errors, while its contents have been revised and diligently collated throughout from the best existing authorities. Prefixed to this edition will be found a highly-finished portrait of General William H. Harrison, together with a graphic sketch of his life, from which politics have been carefully excluded, as my sole object is to present, in a popular form, the leading features of his public career to the present time-the work being essentially a standard book of reference for the American people, entirely irrespective of parties or their political creeds.

With the view of rendering the work more permanently complete, it is my intention to prepare, as occasion may require, printed in a uniform style, the subsequent addresses and messages, in a supplemental sheet, which will be supplied at a trifling cost, and may at any time be bound up with the volume.

112 Fulton-st., March, 1841.

EDWARD WALKER.