The Journey Home

On February 3, 1832, Tocqueville and Beaumont left Washington for their return trip to France. They went by stagecoach to Philadelphia and then to New York City. They collected all their accumulated papers and prepared for their long sail home. They were suprised by a ten day delay in leaving New York, but busied themselves with more visits.

They finally left New York on February 20, 1832. There were no particular upsets on the return voyage and they must have been glad to be home after a whirlwind ten month tour.

"I leave America after having employed my time there usefully and agreeably. In general, two years are necessary to get a complete and exact picture of the United States. Yet I hope I have not wasted my time. . . ."

Tocuqeville, letter to his brother (Pierson 678)

You have now completed the virtual tour of Tocqueville's America. Now, please return to the Virtual Tour Starting Page or, like Tocquville and Beaumont, go to Le Havre. You can read Tocqueville's Democracy in America, or further explore the journey and writings of Alexis DeTocqueville from this index of projects. We at AS@UVA hope you have enjoyed your Tocqueville journey!

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