\S ^.V' ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 11.25 £f |£° 12.0 ■lUU ■ 1.8 U 11.6 FhotograiJiic Sciences Corporation A. 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTIR,N.Y. 14StO (71«)«72-4S03 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICiVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian^ fnttitut* for HittorJcal Microraproductions / Inatitut Canadian da microraproductiona hiatoriquaa Tachnioal and Bibliograpliie NotM/NotM taehniquM at bibliographiquM Th« Inatitut* haa anamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy wliicli may ba MbiiographieaHy uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction, or which may aignificantly ehanga tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chaekad balow. L'InatitHt a microfilm* la maillaur axamplaira qu'il lul a it* poaalbia da aa procurar. 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Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure ere filmed beginning in the upper left hend corner, toft to right end top to bottom, ee meny fremes aa required. Ttie following diagrams iilustrste the method: l.es certes, piencltes, tabiaeux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimto * des taux de rMuction diffArents. Lorsque to document est trop grand pour Atra reproiduit en un seui clictiA, ii eet film* A pertir de I'engto supArtour gauche, de gauche A droite, et de lieut en bea, en prenant to nombra d'Images nAcessaire. Las diagrammee suhranta lllustrent to mAtliode. i 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 JT^ '^^MiM , ^-J^fe,,' ' €r . mm. '* -'rft'' a.ic /w^ i-t' ►'.«-„ .Jf., ^^^F ^*k ^ /.i ,*;,'- Kfevi^fe^' i£ 4* Wj^^^r^ Ir' " .,n fe ■■ »* :: ,^y a ,. *.^ 1 r * ' / &' / , *. K- '^ ■ " '4' ^^ 'P r^ ■"-'?' %'. ^ -?^^ » - ,^h'"< ii t' •'•'*^'^^''^'^' • at-*?' A'^'^-JE^ t/;i .■> t:.^ N ti»e Itberfset of^l|i United ,«n^ent coipniM.of ^a^into iVfit^^j' i^ ^ / O' '^^w « ftfWty of common* tS^^t ^''"^ y4riv^tii„U lifter the lf4kle.o? »ew worid huMt fupp6rted by a fy^em of «pine, munUr ^ «»¥ m Amewcai but. in Europe and Africi. She ha^ i^;^^"^ >"!f ^'»« ^ it. for herftrength, commoS S^ S oft"*"' "^^^ "^ ^"^-^ - ^ WP«W Of the ^<^ of the new continent. With. Gxf^u^^. r*^ j^ MM 1^4^^, ♦ epoch of M' her luttonkl ^^,>i|*j(k de coQknmce witl| laded to hCf lii|' .Jl^hiM)^ of IM rryoliiMpni tHe sufluenfa of Anwilkt ' vhiph the Unii^ 5ti^ A#Wt •«»* ^^ w^Mtm to whsfb that «i^«^«yf#yiii ^A^^^ «l^ *(i^ '^'^ manl^md firea| \ that ftile ^m^MSf M fice^ hel^(« im- ^ i2Ll|«ndtli^fiNhi^ hM cgtewMi^r^f fi^ ^ |p^«^ t6-3£|kttiMf iiripi^.^ rtvd^vaSott m ihe^ UteJhtitHh Ai^et m^^^'&i^^^*^^ f^lonie* on thtlf «<^itl^t, hd| JWe h«^ ^Iwlis^^ « HrtfH« Hiti^ tifUd *»r ^ »»«^ ^ Icnglit l«r tht owf» «f ffoidKA itod^Kpaa «n|.rincipled mdfviduala, Wiilch Itave certainty tamlfhpfli pot M%e4, tW J^oiy <4 the rcv6tut4n» 'flitch has aUefifeA jptie Uttpr. ;The |^nn w^l, howev4 ere long' pats iwiy,' M iftumi^| peice iir^^v» Um other nations t>if Europe at liberty to contem|>latc withflpl^^- fficc, not only their own fituation, but the rc&urce$oif Fi^Cft drawn forth into aaion und'er the irifluence of an energ^i^^ go, vprnment, founded on the will of the peopU, and adminiftered at an expenfc far lefs than what the penfioned inmiona of it» for« tocr corrupt f purt alone devoured. Whenever that period af. rives, and arrive it will, it needs nOt a fpirit ^f infpir^ion to aflfert, that (he other nations of Europe mjift fiibmit to a tho- rough rtfotinatibn, or be contcftt to behold their pomtnerce^ a|ri- iculttire, and ^population decline. ■ .'*» ^m^Mw^^x hav* llNnMni iaflueiue^ tndy^ Siiyitiiig to the m, Mater, the meehanic, aiid the indu^fi^ — ppp^* normv* IbelSb atom found the y»itedL Stat^ adyai^eoiis ; the oeascuted in Fiance or IngUiid fc«ve there |ou«dj«,^,^^^ ^ivea, property and libeit/ are ftcurei :||«|e thc^ ^' ^ 1^ «i»ey^<*edpcafelromtroubUng, liS ^^ Kor can any doubt he entertiined, but ^Mbort peripd jhe^ pf fcienc^ aa weH aa the contertiphtive i5««p«.r;m^».i • yLy^ Ibpher, will ^nd the fhom of Coiuinbia e^Iy rrfiiiil|S|^ lMrwi&«. ^ducatkm i. litodtng tpnh ilM illuminpt^i' „y,, and Its influence on the ri^ng |enenUo# ^idd th^, in ail their ether purfuitt, ^\Si The inhabitants of £utppe are not TPj|flifi .| thei^ Cmmau ble drpumftaniw. ji* chanps of civil aijd leligfotti libeny the advantages of an e»ten^ve and fertile, Wt uncultivated eoaatry, pf an in^reaftng commerce^ un^aclded and un^icumbemi by Navy and impoUtif ^duties imd impofts, Jiave alteaity i»^^ numbeia to leave iu bofcta-^nun^ which the i^JkuMf pcrfecutuw and Ihe awlul profpeftaof intelMoe ^viSm or alrfea ilavesy, will continue tp infreafo. ITie attention of ^uropp f^fenenil, a|id of Ci^-Biitain in partic^r^being thus d«a*^^e new world, the Editor^ ,fei» l^sh^'T"^ '^^^ „„dertoo|c the |.|k. wlS^ he hoperhe^a. la^fotw! dfegree ac^mpH^ed in th* fallowing vo. ' fumes, of affording his countrymen an opportunity pf bcc^i„- '::;^lf^'^^'^^^^^^ntM Europeans^the .Z"s 0iat led to the eftablifhment and independence of the United §^tcs^.the nature of their |overnment...their prefent fituation M advantages, together with their future profpefts in commerce, nunufafturcs and agricultmr. Tliis formed the principd defign of the work i but he farther wiihed with this to conneft a gofc- ?alv,ewof the fituation of th6 remaining European pofleffions in America and the Weft-India iflands; this has been therefore ?ttcm|»ted, and nearly a volume is dedicated alone to this fubjeft Tti thi <^ii il' t< < -1 - 1 rR'/; £••1,; . V i 'J - fe. Si'!, ii*- N ^'ii ''t ^'>. '"'■■1: |«!^' ■»;■. VOL. I. ■;>*,•>• -^„ « ) A'«, t,y ■V-. M mK « .<4»'; .■"#?' - St inhabited* continent .i but the 'the i^iltany, thttiheeni Jif • »eW itNirM J ind fevend 1 1...,,.^. 'witlott of thi. opinion. Int^o^ . , AriftoUe, we are tdd thtl t ^ rmifkad ftr be)roiU the pilUri of My witered with navigable riv. .«iwrf WM diilani i jfe^ diye i^fa», iMml^ induced the difcoveim to fttO* ■ ^tAlJff^Mged the colony, «riWd i^ m (ub|eai of the ftate not to attempt 1^1 Thia tceount ii aM^eonfoaieiiiy^l, -* who rdatea, that the Trriina iifmM the new-difcov^^ iilaiid, but wem. niwia tdr ftate r^afonts Senkca, quoted la fupport oRthia bcUeli '*«i>iPi mkody ever believed the e)iiy one Biorb; arid the difcb\ sry pdrlited ;leil|f tft^St by' Leif, the fi>a of Enc,; the. ^feoverer ef '^ nd. a ,does not appear that thc^ reached fat Cher than o^ which coaft they met With the £f(^imaUx, od' ;fe ; nor ihotdd the tale of die German^ tailed' 'TVclz/^ oqebf tlie erew, invalidate t^e account. He was one iilaymiffir^; buit Toon returned^ leapifclg and fmging with ^' 4kt Mf. It is not to be dfetiied^ that North America produces the^ true vine; tut it ib fouhd' in far lower latitudes than our adventure's could reaclit ']^ the time employed in their voyages, Which' was ^cdmprt- l^ded its a very fmall fpace. T^ere appears no reafoh * If ^he reaA;r, hoWever, wifltiei to examUw.thlf^ttrioiu queftidn fttU ftfibcif^ be will meet with all that ean be faid utton the fu^jeft, in Williams'* M»fuifyt nUt Ike ttulh oj tht tradilunt conctrning tkiDifi0Hrf tf Amrka ty PriMt Utubg. S^ttv *»Sce alfo Im lay 'i Aecwnt of /SmfbcAjf, page 377, ad Edit. ^^H ^^V '^1^ , ^^n^'^ 1 m.^i ■^Klk ^Hkt-. I^Hk ^^KHiikiiv ^H ^^^Hffiri^ B ^H|^^|i ^H^i ^Kt^-Y i '^i eS^i are tSi m-. idrlilted CTcr c^ » than lUix, oil' irfiflt ;h bow» >refent* talM' as oiict ith all difco- orfeuiF , 'o con- to fifOlw it to bie ut it i* Id reach realon $0 doubt of the difcovery; but aa the land waii m ^^ponsized nor any advantages madis^ it, it may g^onjeft that they reached no farther than thfebatytSiV: \ ^country of Labradon Ii;t Ihort^ it is from a tauch lat^ ' 'liSodthat we muft date the real difcovery of America*?> Tov^arda ^the clofe of* the i^th century, the navigation of EW* 'fCMWB ynp fcarceily exjCendied beyond the limits of ffkc Mediteitttf' lieui, ^ TKe marinter's compalsihad been invented and in com- jnjpn uCe for more than a century; yet with the help of tbif il^re guide, prompted by the mdft ardent "IjfHrit pf difcc(very, "^imd encouraged by the patronage of ^^nces; the maruiers'of 'fhofe days rarely ventured from the 'light 'of' land. Thty acquired great applaufe by failing ajoing iHi coafl of Africa afld jdifcoyeruig fonie of the netghbouriiig^ iilands ; and aftti* pufhing ^heir refearpheS ^ith'tl^ |iNi||efl induftry and per^ Severance for more thap half a century, the Portuguc^ 9vho were the moft fortunate and 'ie#j;<|rpriring^ extendicl their' dificoveries Southward no fairther*f%4iai^lthe equator. > ^ The rich commodities of the 'B»SL' \»ii$ for iever^ agtf |)een brought into Europe vby the yf9ll^^-^:.iCo^L0tM an4 '^:hc Mediterranean; and it ' had '"n/^T^ being a fphere too narrow for hU( a^l^Jldft^ J^^^^^ excuriion to the northern j|e«t, j^'^^ll^llittid'II^P^' ..the coalls of Iceland, to. which the ' "^lllf^l^l^plplQil^^ lotions had begun to refort on account !of ii^ji|wcy> Af i^avieation, in every direflion, was now fbefon^^ ttn^erprifing, he pfpceeded beyond that ifland, the 7hu^ of the ancients, and advanced, Ibyeral degrees with<^ ill tW polar circle. Haying fatisj^ed hb pi^riofity by a voyage which .tended more to enlarge his kndwiled^- qIT na<- v^ a^rs^ than to improve hi^ fortune, he entered into the •i iiervici^ of % famous fea-capjtain, of his own nune and fa- mily. This man commanded a fina^ fi^uadron, fitted out zi hi* own expence, and by Fruifing fometimes agajuft the ' iiahometans, fometimes againft the; Venetians, the rivals of his count^ry ii> tradcf had acquired both wealth and repu- tation. With him Columbus continued for feyer^ years, no lefs 4i^ingui{hed for his courag?, thai> for his ek^rU cnce as \ failor. At length, in an obllinate engagement, off ihe coaft of Portugal, with fpme Venetian Caravels, re- V^ttming richly, laden ifpv^ the Low Countries, the veflel >.^ board which ((e ferved ^ook fire, together wi^h one of the enemy's (hips, to which it was fall grappled. In this dreadful extremity his intrepidity and prel'ence of mind -did not foriake him. lie threw himfelf into the fea, laid, hold (»f a floating ear, and by the fupport of it, and his dexterity in Iwimming, he reached the fhore, though above two league j| diftant, and faved a life referyed for great undertakings. H^- 2)ISC0VJtK7Mf AMi r4^' . A*feol^a^ he recovere4 ftrength for Uw journey, he repaired jto Lifbon, where imny of his countrymjefi were fettled. They foon conceived fueh a favourable opinion of his merit, as Well its jtalents, that they warmly folicited hifi^ to remain in that kiqg- ^ dom, where his naval (kill and experience could not fail of re;idenDg him confpicuous. To every adventurer, animated either with curiofity to vifit new countries, or with ambition jto diftinguiih hiipfelf, thjB Portuguefe fervice was at that time extremely inviting. Columbiis liftened with a favorable ear to the advice of his friends^ and having gained the efteem of a Poirtuguefe lady, whom hp married, fixed his refidence in LilJaon. This alliance, initead of detiching him from a fea- nring life, f:ontributed to enlarse the fphere 'of his naval Knowlec^e, and to excite a deiire of extending it ftill far- ther. ' i^is' wiiPe was a daughter of Bartholomew Pereftrello, one of the captains employed by Prinpe Henry in his ear- )y navigations, and who, under his prote&ion, had difcorj" vered and planted the iflands of Poito Santo and Madeira. Columbus got poQieffion of the jouri^9 p&d diarts ef this experienced nayigaibr, and from thetai,^i^vne4:|$^ courfe which the Portuguefe' had held in ini|p^p:th«ii; diCcpverifl as well as the various circuml^nces wlu^ guided ^ encc raged them in their attempts. ' Tlie S^ai^^' thefe footl and inflamed his fayourite pafi^on; and while he contea^ plated the map^, and read the defcriptions of the n< countries whi<:h Pereftrello ^ad ^n, his impatience to ^ yifit them bepme irrefilUblCr In order to indulge it,, HlP^ made a voyage to Madeira, and continued during feveral years to trade with that ifland, with the Canariel^ the Azo^ res, the fettlements in Guinea, and all the other ^ijplaces which the Portuguefe had difco^ ^red oi^ the continent of Afritia*^ Ely the experience which Columbus acquired, during fui variety of voyages, to alinoft every jpart of the globe with which, at that time, an^ intercourfe was carried on by fea^ he waj) no# become one of the moft fkilful navigators in £urope^ But, not fatisfied with that praife, his ambition, aimed at thing mor^. T^e fuccefsful progref^ of the Portuguefe i|»vi gators had awakened a fpirit of cu'riolity and emulation, whic fet every man of fcience upon examining all the circumfiancc that led to the difcoveries which they had made, or that ajFord<| ied a profpe£fc of fucceedihg in any new and bolder undi^r|a) ing. The mind of Columbus, naturally inquiiitive, cat of deep reflection, and turned to fpeculations of this kiitd» fo often employed in levolving the principles upon which Portuguefe had founded their fchemes of difcovery, ao^^ths ■f* pi^^qr^RrW4fili:^^(4. \ ■V ]|{|^e m iillhich t)\ey tu|d csgriiied the^.on, that he gradually l|egan IP ^rm ^ i^d^a of improving upon $heir pUn, and,of ac^oipplilh- j^c difcpyeries w,h^c|i hitherto they had attejnpttqd in vain. ' To ^n4 out a paiTase by fea to tl^e ^afl Indies, was the g^eat ,^je^ i|i vieiAT at that ^riod. From the time that the P^or^i. , csusfe doubled Cape de Yerd, this was the point at which they, , j^ll^tefl in all their navigations, and in fojmparifon yrith it, jSX ^Heir ^i^cpve^ies m A/rica apjpearcd incqnnderabljB. T^h.e feV« ,|ility ,and riches of Ipdia 1^ peon knpwn for mapy a^es ; iu (pices ^d o|l^y yuluaole cpmi|io^ities were in' higb requeft > j^hroUjg^qut Eu^pe, t|pd the yaft wealth of the Venetians artf* |ng from .their hayiM er^rpfled this trade, had raifed the ^nyy .^jTall ijatjons, ^i^t how intent fpeyer ^he Portugi^efe wei.nBv ,^pop 4i^(pove^mg a new route to thofe defirable rejuott^, th^, ^if;ar<;hed :for it only by jfuering towards the fbuth, »j|i hopes of .arriyji^j^ at Indja, by tit|i}ing to' the eaft, after they had failed roi^idtl^e fartber extnc^ity of Africa. This cpurfewasftill unkncuvn, and, evchif difcpvened,.>yas of liich immenfe length, ■t^at a v,9yMe f;irom|^i|ii^6pe to India muft l^ve appeared) at that ^enjod, ig^ l^ndklii^ ofv.ery uncertain .,|,ii^ue. ;]|j^(»e i^aafim^ a ceiitury }aA beer| employed in advan-^ §<4^ing frain J^^^ "^i^^ i^ thd,equator ; a much longer fpace of Jjygif^jl^t.eli^^ the more' extenfive navigation ^rom that V, to^India iiouldjbe'tt^om^ Thefe refte£):ipns upon (he un- ^\ffertain(y, the ^r«4. 1 ^^Princip|es ^and arguments, of various kinds, an4 di;nyf:d from ' c^j^K^nt fpurces, induced him ^o .adppt this ppinion, feemujgly .as ^himrrifal as it was new apd ^tr^ordinary. The .(phen(^al .figuie of the pairth was known, and its magnitude afcertained , yitdx fomc degree pf accuracy. From this ,it was evident, that . jtbe cpntinentft of iEurppe, A^.and Africa, a$ far as they yere ^^l^pwn.at ihat time, ^rxned but a final! portion of the,ter^aq^je- l^'C<|!ju-globe, It was a fuitable idea concerning the wiit^om jind beneficience of the Author of Nature, to believe t^at tbo, yaft fpace, i^ill une](ploi[ed| jwas joot jcqycrc^^enfireljr by wj^Rc i (jcemi iut occupied: by iduntviel ftt fnr che to« \Auiioti of ihan. It nffti^ iik^ife ^xtikritely probtMe^ iiuii tW iolitliffeht, on this fl«b of thfe gloBil, v iibihricid ly arpw pbrfional family of lahd ih the other KemifpK«M. TK^ cbnehl* itdMB tbnic^rtiing the exiftenice of another cohtinettt, dnwn ffbiti ihe fiiure aind fttuaure of the gt6bfc, W^fife cdftfimidd by^ tU ohfervatiijns and cdnjc^rei of rnddeftl navigatort; A fo^iipitQi pilbt, having ftretthtfd farther to thfj wdi than Mrav tifU^l at that thttev^bdk ttp a pi^ce of tiihbtn- ax^ificially etrVed, J^oMti^ ti^oh tfii^ fea : and as it was dirilrih toWirdi hiih by t ^eMty wind^ h^cdhtloded that it(:a«)efrd& fdtMuflknoWnlM»4y liWeit ih tHkt quarter. Columhus^ br6th>dl(aibnii peculiar tO the Eaft !ni^cb M tak %r beybndthe Hmiti to Vhic9i A% 'uifb^^i^ had e«%r ^vkhc^d, fecmed to confirm thefe exaggt<#ated iCcdUnts of "the itticfertds. ^y his inagrtififcent defcription of he kingdoms of Cathay and Ct^ango, and of many other cottiltn<» he nanlic^s of M^ich Wef^ onknoWn in lEurope, India appiehred be a regibn bf vaft tidtttu ^rofe thefe accdmits, ti^hich, haW- er'defeftiVe.Wefe theiiioft icCUrate that the people ofEurti^ iiidfecfeivi^ at thut perlbd, ^hh refjpeft to the remote parts of lAt taft, "l^lAtiflibiis ^Vr ^ juft'cbticliifion* He «dnteitd64i i v^ I.'. t\9if in ptopo^ion as^he continent of India ftretcheil Qut| toward* the Eaft, it muft in confequence of the fpherical figure of the . ealth approach nearer to the iflands which had • lately been difcoyered to the weft of Africa ; that the dif- tance from the one. to th,e other was probably not very confi- derable ; and that the piofi dire£fc, as well as- fhorteft courfe, t» the remote reg^jpns of the £aft, was to be JFoupd by failing due weft. This. notion concerning the vicinity of India to the weftern parts oi OMr continent, was countenanced by fome eminent writeiT amon|^ the ancients, the fan£):ion of whoife authority was aeceflary, in that age, to procure a favqurtble reception to any tenet. Ariftotle thought it probable^ Uwfr the Columns of Hercules, or Straits of Gibraltar, were^ hot far removed from the Eaft Indies, and that there might be a communication by fea between them. Seneca, in terms ftill more explicit, affiiins, that, witli a fair wind, one might fail from Spain to India in a few days. The lamMi» At- lantk iiiand deferibed) by Plato, and fuppofed by nu^ny to' be 4II . r^ country, beyond which an unknown ' continent was fituate^ is repreCented by him as lying at no great diftanc^ from Spain^ After weighing all tbefe particulars^ ColumbuS) in whofe charafter the modefty and diffidence of tifue genius yrt% united with the ardent enthufiafin of a proje^r, did not reft with fuch abfolute aflurance' either upon . his own arguments^ or upon J^e authority of the ancients, as not to confult fuch of h\i contemporaries a^' were capable «f comprehending the nature of the evidence wKich he produced in fupport of his opinion^ As jcarly a» the year one thou&nd four hundred and feventy-four, he communicated jiis ideas concerning the probability of dif- covering) new countries, by failing weftwards, to Paul, a phyfician of Florence, eminent for his knowledgie of eof- mographyr and who, from the learning as wdl as candour* which he ditcovers in his reply, appears to have '^ been well intitlcd to the confidence which Colum^uist placed in himv lie wrarmly approved of the plan, fuggeftcd feveral hJBcs in confirmation of it, and encouraged Columbus to perfevere in an undertaking, fo laudable,, and which muft redound fo m\^ch to the honour of his country,- and the benefit of- Europe. To a mind lefs capable of forming, and of e|Lecuting great defigns than that of Columbus^ all thofe reafonings, and ob- , iervations,^ and authorities, would have ferved only as the foundation of (bme plaufible and fruitlefs theory, which might have fumiihed matter for ingenious cUfcourfe, or fanciful con- DnCOVERY OF AkMRiCA, 9 jefture. But witH hi| fanguine and }fcnMrprifing temper fp6^ bilation led4lire£Uy toaftion. Fully fatisfied himletf withrefpeft to the trtith of his fyilem, he was impatient to bring it to the te(l of • experiment, and to fet out upon a voyage of difcnyery. The firft ftep towai^ds this was to fecure the patronage of foihti 6f the conft* derable powers in Europe, capable of und|;rtaking fuch an enterprifc. ' Ai long abfence had not extinguilhed thd afieftion which he bore, to his native country, he wifhed that it (hould rea^ the fruits of his la- Iwurs and inventions With this V^ieiy, he laid hiif fcheme before the fenate of Oenoa^ and making liis country tli||liirft tender of his fervice Offeted to fail under the bannerHr of the republic, in quefb tiif the tieW regions whi^h he exp.e£lcd to difcover. But Columbus had refided for fo many years in foreign parts, that his countrymen -Were unacquainted with his abilities and chara£ler ; and, though a maritime, people, were fb little accuftomed to diflant voyages^ thai they could form no juft idea of the printiples on which he founded his hopes of fuccefs; l*hey intonfideratel^ rejeUed his pfopofaU as the dreaniof a bhimeri^al p^oje^or^ and 16ft for ever the oppor- tunity of reilofing their euSj as weU as his perfonai good, qualitiesr^ were thoroughly known ; and at ths homier hindered it probable that his fcheme was not ajfto^'fher' yifionatyj the lattetekempted him from the fufpiciohof ahjr iinifter intention in propofipg it. Accordingly, (he kin|^ IiiEen«4 to him in the moft gracious manner, and referred^ the conitderation of his plan to Diego Ortiz, bifhop of Ceuta, ahd two Jewifh phyiicians; eminent cofmographerS, whom he was accuftomed to confiilt in matters of this kind. As in Genoa, ignorance had oppofed and. difappointed Columbus ; in Lifbon,- he had to dombat with pre. judice^ an enemy nO lefs formidable/ The perfons,' according to whofe decifion hii fchenne Was to.be s^pted. or rejefted, had been the thief dirc^ris of the Poi^tuguefe navigations, and had adVUed to B i^ hUedvsRY OF AMinrei^. k*tthfdti pttf»$jb io India, by (Faring i courfe dircAIy opp6^0 tb that which Columbus recommended as (horter and ttt6tt ttrtnH^ They could not, therefore, approve of his ptopofaly without fob--' mitting to the double mortification, of condemning thefr owii theory, and of acknowtedgjng his fuperior fa^city. After teafing, him with captious c^Ueftions, and ilarting innumerable Objeflions^ V^ith aView of betraying him into ftich a particular exphnaf ion of hi» fyftem, as might draw from him a full difhidi Cohimbus feen|t!d lb point out. John, forgetting on this oecaAon the icntiments bt!-' coming a monarch, meanly adopted this pejfidious- cOunlcl. Btlf the pilot, chofen to execute Columbus's pten> had neither the genius, nor the fortitude of its author. Con^ty winds jirofe, no tight of approaching land appeared, his Coun^ filiiled, and he re<<^ turned to Liftton, ejcecrating the proje£l as t^Wy extravagant and dangerous, t, Upon difeoVering this dilhonoutable traiifaftioA, CoHtinbus felt ^e indtg;iation natural to an ingenuous mind, and in the *warmt9k oiF his refentment determined to break off all intercOurfe with « fiatibh capable of fuch flagrant treachery. He inftantly cpiitteid the kingdom, and iind^ in Spaun tdwards the clole of the year enc fhoufand four hiindredfind eighty-four. Ad he was now at liberty to court the proteftion of any patron, whom he ^eojtild fcl. Btir ither the iirofe, n» nd he re- tmbus felt le vrarmtH rfe with » ^ittddthe yfewr ont? at liberty en vmijfU field to ^h^ national a^ vity and love <)f glory. Under circumflwc^sf fousfavomable, it was ii^poflthlefor Columhu* to make r^pid piro|rc;(f with a iMtioo, naturally {Low a;nd dilatory Vfi lipnping all itji ,rcfol)|tion^. His cKara6ter, howetvcr, wa» a4^ qijrably adapted to that of the people, whofe confidence apd pro<- te£Uon he /qlicited* He was grave, thoi^h courteous in his At- por,ttne^t ; cireumlpd^ io hif words and anions ; irreproachadtle in his moral; ; and exemplary ii) his at^c^tipn to all the duties and funftions of religion. By qualities (b rel'pe^ble, he not only g»inc4 nany private frien«^, ,but aci)uire4 iuicli general cfteem, that, nntwiAhibi^^i rhe p^aijMiels of his app^aranee, i^i^t^lHe to th« mc> diocnty^hisiorjune, he ,wa^ not coni]4ei^4iBasp^e ^^eatuver, to whom indiffi^e Iwl- luggeiUd a vifionary proj/c^, hut Vftn re- ceived as a pierion t9 y/hofe propodtions fieriot^s attention was due* Ferdi9%Rk4.3Q.4 IfahejUUi thou^ fully occupied by their operationf againA the MoorA* paid to much regard to Columbus, ^ t9 remit ^e ^^onfideratioa of his pja^i to tbe queen's coofeiTor, jferdiiiii^knd de Jalaycra. ^e confuted ^uch of hi$ cpuntiyme^ ^ were Cuppo^d heft quati^ to de)ci4e wUb refpe^i to a fubje^ of this kind. J^ija true fcjlej(^e had, hitherto, made Io lil^tlie progrels in Spain, that ^he pretV^ded philofophers, feleifted to judge in a matter of fuch momenti diidnot comprehend the liril prinpplf^S upon which Cor lumbfi^ fi^maded his conje^ures a,t^d hopes. J^me of them, from mi(U^e9 notions CQUf^eri^ ing the c^menfions of the globe, contend- ed that 9 vo^rage to thofe remote pacts of the e^ft, wi^ich Columbus expend tp diicQver, cpuld not l)e performed i|i leff ^c^ three year;. Qthers coni^ludec}, ths^ either he would find the oceaiji to he of inJinite ^te^t, ^ccocdin^ to th^ opinion of fome ancient phi- h>fo{^Qrs ; Pr« if he (houldper^ft i^ peering toinrarda the weft be- yond a certain point, that the convex figui;e of the globe would preye|]|t his return, and that he muft ineyit»bly periih, in the vain attempt to f^f^ a conmrnniff^tion between the two cp|)ofite h^f- phfp-ej;, .which mature had for ever disjoined, £y en without, df^igoiag t0.eat^r jmto ^y particular diCjpihifEon, mapy rejefted the fcheme in 'general} mpcm t^, credit of a xoaxii^ ui;\4er wh^ch the ignorant ^nd une«terpri(ing jihelter thoptifelyei % every age, " That it is pr«fumpliuqi|$ in any perfon, to fnppofe that he alone pof^efilps k,nf^wledge fuperior (o aU the cei^ pf mankuod, united." They maimaif»ed, that if there wece really apy fuch \?ould the wipilom and £igacity of former^ges have, ieft the ^lo^ pf thi» invention to an obfcpre Gepoefe pilpt. B a !• h required ill Columliui'i pfttCence and addreft to negocUte whH men capable of advancing fuch ftrange proppfitiona. He had td contend not only with the obftinacy of ignorance, but With what is ftill more intraCUble, the pride of falfe knowledge. After in- numerable conferences, and wafting Ave years in friiitlefs endea- vours to inform and to fatisfy judges fo little ipa|>ab|e of deciding With propriety, Talavera, at laft, made fufh an uiifayburable report to Ferdiriaif4 and Ifabella, as induced them to acquaint Columbus; that until the war Vith tke Moors (hcyild be brought to a period,* it would be impnidlBnt to engage in any new and expenfiVc! enterprifc. ' . ; Whatever care was tj&en to foften the harflinefs of this decla- ration, Columbus corifidered it as a final rejection of his propof|ls. But happily fbrlhankihd, the fuperiority of genius,^hich is capa- ble of forming great a^d tincomihon defignSj is t^fually accompanied with an ar4ent enthufiafm, which can neither bi cdbled by delays^' Vior clamped bV difappointment. Columbus was of thif fanguind temper. Thbugh he felt deeply the cruel bloW glVen to his hopes, and retired' immediately Arom a court, where he hiad been aintifed fo long with Vain expe^tioni, his confidence in the juftheTs of his own fyftiem did not dltminilh, and his impatience to deihdnftifate the inith of it by an aftual experiment became greater than ever, ilaylng cburted the prbteflion of fovereign dates without fuccefii,' he a'pplied, next, to perfons of inferior rank, and addreflied fticcef- iflvely the dukes of Medina Sidonia, an^ Medina Celt, who, though fubje6):S, were pofleiTed of power and opulence more than equal to ^he"enterprife Vhich he proje8:ed. His fiegociations with them proved as fruitlefs, is thbfe in -witich he had bele learning, and of fome credit with Queen ifabella, to whom he was l^nown perfonally. He was wsrmly attached toC(^umbus, with wkofe abilities as well as inte- grity he hsd many opportunities of being acc|uaioted. Prompted by cttriofity or by frieadfhip, he entered upon to accurate examina- dion of his Tyftfeon, in eonjiinftibn with a phyfician fettled in the heighbouthood, who was a coiifiderable proficient in mathematical knowledge. Tliis inveftigatton fatisfiiedthem fo thoroughly^ With ^fpeft to the folidity of the priiicipies on which Columbus foun<^ isd his opinion, and the probabi}iiy'of fuccefs iin executing the plan Which he propofed, that PerejB, In order to prevent his country ifrom being- deprived of the glory and benefit, which^jnufl. accrue to the paApons of fuch a gnlnd enterprife, ventured to write to Ifabella, conjuring her to confider the liuttar anew, with the Attention which it merited^ Moved by the reprefentations of a perfon whom flie refpefted, liabella d(efired Peres to repair immediately to the village of Santa F6,^in which, on account of the fiege of Granada, the court refi- |ded at that time, that (he might cenfer with him upon thi^ import- ant fubjeQ. The firft efFe& of their interview was a gracious in- vitation of 'Colun^bus baflk to i;ourt, accompanied with the pre- fent of a fmall fum to equip him for the Journey. As there was 710W a Certain profpeCk,.that the war with (he Moors Wbuld fpeedi- ly be brought to an happy iflue by the redufiiop of Granada, which Would leave the nation at liberty to engage in new under- takings ; this, as well as the mark of royal favour, with which Co- lumbus had been lately honoured^ encouraged his friends to ap- pear with greater confidence than formerly in fupport of his fcheme. The chief of thefe, Alonfo de QuintaniUa, comptroller of the fi- nances in Caftile, and Luis de Santangel, receiver of the ecclefi- aftical revenues in Arragon, whofe meritorious zeal in proinoting this great defign entities their names to an honountble place in hiftory, introduced Columbus to many perfons of high rank,, and ^nterefted them warmly in his behalf. H DjfSCaVJiHY pf 4¥MMiCA. IM it W«s Bol M Mfy nutter to tnfpire Fcdtwuul with f»vouiv thU i«ntun«ntl* H« AiU rcfardid Colurobu»'s projeft at cxtrava- giuit and chioMrical ; tnd an order to render the efforts of hia parti.. lam ineibftual, he had the addrefa to employ in thia new negocia- ^figk witJ^ him, Cmm of the perfona who had formerly pronounced )ii# ifheme |o be impnQuoble. To their aftoniflunent, Columbu* Ippeaifd helpie them with the (ame confident hopea of fuccefa ai fbrmeiiy, aiifl infifled upon the fame high recontpence. He pro- paff4 that a Xr.«»u Aeet (hould be fiued out, under hia command, to «|(empt the difeovery, and demanded to be appointed herediury «d»ir«l «ltd viceroy of aU the (eaa and landa which he (hould dif- fover, md to l^ye the t*nth of tliw profits arifing from them, fiet. tied irfevpcab^ upon himfelf and his difcendants. At the if ma ti|D«, h«l 9#BVf4 to adwancfj the eighth part of the (ism neceOary for aejcoimplilhu^ hit deiign, on .condition that be (hould be enti. tied lo • ppoportional flure of bcne^t from the fdyentun. If the enieiffiie fliovld feotnlly nntery, he made n^ (lipulation for any rew«Ml or emqlument whatever^ lnfk»4 of viewing this coodu£^ 9$ the^easeft«videm» ^f hi» i^^ perfuaAoa with refpea to the itf ith whom ColumbuA treated, bcgpn mftnly -to calculate the cKpence of the expedition, end the valiae of the irewiMFd which he domandfd. The expcncc^ moderate aa it wait, they leprefented to be toe great for 3pain, in the prefent exhauded (late of its (inanqis, Tb^ contended, that |heih«imur»mid«melwmfnt«cWniedby CoiLumbua, wcreexorbi. lant, eilcn if he (hould perform .the utmoft of what he had promii- dl ; and if «|| \i>k (iingiiine hopes (hould prove iUufw, fu<^ yaft «oncei3i«n» to An»a4vcotucer would be deemed not only inoonTidc. ntc, bit jiiflkMbms* In this impofiiag pri> of caution and pvu- dence, tlwir«iHnion i^peered (o pUefibJe, and wis fo w^Mmly &^ ' ported b^ Ferdinand, that Iiab«ma declined giving wpy countenan^ io 'Celumbucj end abruptly bro^e offF the negociatioti with him yuhiich (h^ihad l»egun. • T^ was mote mortifying to Columbus th^n 9^; the di(appoint-' mcnts which he had Wlherto met with* Tlie invitation to court Iram I&faelU,. like en uncxpeCled ray of light had opened fuch {HTofpei^ of iuccefsj as encouraged him to hope that hu labours were at an end; hut v darknels and uncertainty returned, and his mind, Arm as it was, could hardly fupport the (hockd- (iich |in unfomfeehireveEfiB. He withdrew in deep anguiih from court, with an, inti»ition of prqfecuting his voyage to S^ngland, as.hM U^L refource,. OttCWtlLY Of AMtmCJi^ h f»vourv txtr»v«- it parlir negocia- Buunced olumbu« uccefft ai He pro- orediury lould 4>(- h«in, iJBt- thc ifnift neceflary i be rf>i- i prooiil- iv€h v.aA inqoi^idc* and pKU* . [>pqint* to court aed fuch ^ Ul»qur» [imed) and icV. ol^iiicK Iropi couvt, lasliiisUft Abottt that tiiM OffMiadi furrendercd, and Fei^bM^ lindMMMi^ la, In triumphal ponpt took foffefCion of a city, the ftdvAlon d^ which extirpated a foreign pow«r from the heart tf ihelr domiiri^ •na, and rendered them mafters nf all the provincea, eiliendinf from the bottom of the Pyrcneea to the frontiera of Fortugal* As the flow of fpiriti which accornpaniee Tuccefa fliwaiee the nmid, and rendera it enterpriftng, Q^intaniUa and Santangel, the vlf^hnt and difceming patrona of Columbua, took advantage ef thie fa- vourable fituation, in order to make one effovt nMVt in bdtalf of their friend. They addreifed thcmfelvca to IfabeUa, andtefieir exprelfing fome furprife, that (he who had al%m7a been the muni- Acent patronefa of generous undertakings, fhouM hcfit ate le lon^ CO coMntenance the moft fplcndid ^hemt that had ever been prtf* pofiid to any moiuirch ; they repreiented to her/ldiat C riik hia 9wn life and fortune in the execution of hia feheme, he gave the moft fatiafylng evifdeoce both of his integrity and liepeiring money, engaged to adVanee immediately the (iim that was requifite. , Columbus had, proceeded fome leagues on his journey, wheh'the melfenger from Ifabella overtook him. Upon receiving an account^ of the unexpe^d revolution in his favour, he returned direftly to Santo Fe, though fome remainder of diffidence dill mingled it- felf lyith his joy. , But the cordial reception which he met with from Ifabella, together with the near profpe£l of (cttiiig out upon that voyage which had fo long, been the objeft of his thoughts and wifhes^ fooAr efFaeed the rembmbranee of all- that he had fu£Fered in Spain, during ei^t tedious years of folicitation and fufpence. The negociatioili now went forward with- facility and' difpfttch, and a treaty of capitulation with Cohanbus was figned on the ieventeenth of ApriV one thouland four hundred and ninety-two. The chief articles of it Were,^ x.' Ferdinand and Ifabella, as foVe- reigns of the ocean, conftituted Columbus their high admiral inallf ^ ^he feas, iflaads, and continents* which ihould be difcovered by! his>induftry ; and ftijpulated, that he and his heirs for ever Ihould enjoy thia o^ce, with the fame powbrs and prerogatives wUch belonged to the high admiral of Caltile,' within the linlits of his jurifdi£lion, a. They appointed Columbus their viceroy in aE* the iflands and continents lA^hich he fhould difcover ; but if, for the better adroiniftration of ajf&irs, it ihOuld hereafter be neceifary to eftablifli a feparate goVensor in any of thofe countries, they au- thoiifed Columbus to name three perfons, of whom they would chufe one for that office ; and the dignity of videroy, with all \ti mununities, was tikewife to be hereditary in th6 family of Columbus. 3. They granted to Columbus and hi» heim fot ever the tenth of the free profits accruing from the produ£kiqns'>nd commerce of the countries wl^ich he (hall difcover.- 4. They declared,- that if any controyerfy or law-fuit fhall arife with refpe6fc^tb any mercantile tranfafbion in the countmes which ihould be difcoveried, it (hould' be determined by the fole authority of Colwnbus, Or of judges to be appointed by him. 5. They pennitted Columbus to advance one-eighth part of what ihould be expended in preparing for the expedition, and in carrying on commerce With the countcieai' which' h« (hould difCover, and intitled him,' in' return, to an' eighth part of the profit. Though the name of Ferdinand appears conjoined with that of Ifabella in this tnnA&ion,his diftruft of Columbus was dill fo vic-~ lent that he rcfjafed to take any part in the enterprife as King of Arragon. As the whole expence of the expedition was to be de- frayed by the crown of Caflile, Ifabella referved for her fubje£U QVLRY Of AMERICA, 17 cif that kingdom iwi»itlufivg right to all the bencHts which might T^dound from4ts mccefs. ' As loon as the treaty was figned, Ifabella, by hct attenticii and aftivity in forwarding the preparations for the voyage, endeavour- ed to make Ibme reparation to Cblumbus for the time Svhich he had loft in fruitlefs foHtitation. By the twelfth of May, all that depended upon her was adjufted ; and Columbus waited on the king and queen, in order to receive their final :n(lru£tions. EVcry thing refpeding the dcftination and condufl of the voyage, they comniiltid implicitly to tjie diCpol'al of his ptndencei But, that they might avoid giving any juft Caufe of offence to the king of Portugal, they ftriAly enjoined him not to approach near to the Portuguele fettlements on the coaft of Guinea^ ol- in any of (he other countries to which the Portuguefe claimed ri^ its difcovercrs. Kabella had ordered the Ihipsj of which ColumhuSwas to take the f no confiderable biirden, was commanded by Columbus^ as admiral, who gave it the name of Saiita Matia^ out of refpefl for the BleiTpd Virgin, whom he honoured with fingular devotion. Of the fecond, called the Pinta, Martin PinsSon Wis captain^ and hit brother Francis pilot. The third,^ named the Nigna^ was under the command of Viricefnt Yanez Pinzon. Thcfe two were light veffels, hardly I'upcrior in burden or force to large boats. This fquadron, if it itlcrits that name, was viflualled for twelve months, and had on board niniety men, moftly laiUihs, together with a few adventurers / w^ho followed the fortune of Columbus, and lomc gentlemen of likbella's court, whom fhe appointed to accompany him. Though the expeuce df the undertaking was one of the circumilances which chiefly alarmed the court of Spain, and retarded fo long the nego- elation with Columbus, the fum employed in fittin■. ^•■,< DISCOVERY OT AMIRICX ^ fknck of navigation, and ftretched into unfrequented and unknown {foas. The firft dayf as it was very calm, he made but little wayn ;but on the fecond, he loft fight of the Canaries ; and many of the (ailors, deje&ed llready and diimayed, when they contemplated the 4>ol(b>e£> of the undertaking, began to beat their breads, and to (hcd lUil's, as if they were n«yer more to behold land. Columbus com- ' forted them w|t& liflurlbccs of fuccefs, and the prol'peft of va(l c#ealth, in tfajti^ opulent regions whither he ivas condu£ling thtth, 't'hi$ early ther progrefs, and concealed dangerous rocks, or romc/Jirge tnCt pfland, whic^ ha4 funk, they knew not hpw, in tha|^ l,umbus endeavpured to periuadc them, tl^t what h ought rather to have encouraged them, andJIvas to heif;;onft a fign of approaching land. At the fame )t^^ a b^Uk«g and carried them forward. Several birds vMjHken h|»^^ ^he {hip*, and dire6led their flight towards tm; w«iftVfl^^hic ponding crew refunjed fpnje degree of i'pirit, an4 l^fegarfjo cnti^ tain frefli hopes* • A» the Portiiguefe, in making their difcovcf Irs, did not d'part far frwh the? )H>aft of Africa, they concluded tnat birds, whofe flight they obfcrved with great attention, did pot venture to any conrid:rablc diilance from land. In the infancy of navigation, it was not known, that birds often ilretch their flight to an immenle- diilance from any Ihore. In failing towards the \yeU-Indian ifl«nds,^birds are often feen at the diftance of two hundred leagues from the nc^rell c6ait. Moane's Nat. Hift. of Jamaica, vol. i. p. 30. Catelby faw an owl at fea, when j^be fliip was Ax hundred leagues diilant from land. Nat. Hilt, of Carolina, pref- ' •-2/ PISftOVERYCF AUMRICJ. •t lurtoenth ■ • Ufoil the firft of the weft I reckoning, . f<^<^ any Spa- I panaries ; butj([j|i t with an ■ length of. niifilMKk tite the 1 f^^Mf^mKM jlaceiitfcey his Arapge 'ailgrs ima- ary of the ^ their far- Utfi^e tra^ CpT iftt to cnter paying ]|juch regard to the vaip promifes and raih con- an indigent foreigner, as to hazard the lives of fo many ot Qi^^wn fubje£b, in proiiecuting a chimerical fcheme. They- affi|*m^ that they h||Nully performed their duty, by venturing fo £iir in ad unknown aflid hopelels courfe, and could incur no blame, for refi^ii^ to f(ollow^4 any longer, a defperate adventurer to cer-> lain deftru&ion^ Thoy contended, that it was neceflary to think ^ rtturning to Spain, while their crazy veifels were ftill in a coV: dki<^ ^ keep the fea, but expreifed their fears that the attempt y«r<^v^(^rove vain* is tU^ wind, which had hitherto been fo favour- theircourfe, mini render it impoflible to fail in the oppofite loQ.: AH agrecdr that Columbus {hould be compelled by e to adopt a modVe on which their common fafety depended, Tl^e of tlsc more alKracious prppofed, as the mod expeditious and in methflid . |6r getting rid at once of his remonftrances, . to [^ him into the ica, being perluaded that, upon their return p. |, Hift. NatWdle de M. BufTon, torn. xvl. p. 32. From which it appears, that this indication of land, on which ColumhOs feems to have relied with Tome confidence, was extremely uncertain. This obfervation is confirmed by Captain Coo}c, the moft extcnfive and experienced navigator of any age or -nation. ** No one yet knows (fays lie) to what diftancc any of the oceanic birds go to fea •, for my own part, I do not believe that there is one Jn the whole tribe that caii be relied on in pointing out tlie vicinity of land.*' Voy^c^ towards the SbutJi Me, vol. i. p. 875, M Z>nCCVERlre» AHEfiitA, to Spain, the detth of an unfiicceftful projeAor would Aeilc little concern, and be inquired into with nd curioiity. ColuRibui was fuUy ienfible of his perilous fittfation. He had dbferved, with ^reajt uneafinefs, the fatal opera^bH of ignorance, and of (ear in producing dil'afFedion auniong hisj^vw, and iaw that it was now ready to buf ft out into open >B^pN^ He ff l^'^^'ill^ however, perfeCk prefence of mind. HejIfieaealSYeem ||^9iip|^ of their machinations. ^lotwithftanding the agihili^ ahdliiAm't Cude of his own mind, )ae appeared #itha ^heerfiil cptinteniiUcei like a man fatisfied with'^he progrefs vrhich He had mtide, and (Con- fident of fuccefs. Sonfettmes he employed all the a^l pf infihu- ation to foothe ' his men. Sometim^ he endeavqutcid to ^Pt^ upon their ambition or avarice, by magn^ent del'c|'iptioha b^h^ fome and wealth which they we^rcabout to acquire^ Oh oth«# eiccafionS, he aflumed atone of authbrity, and threatened them with vengeance from their fovereign, if, by their daftardly beha- viour, they (hould defeat this noble effort to promote the glory of God, and to exalt the Spaniih name' above that of every othf# nation. > Even with feditious faiiors, the words of a man wh<^m they had been aecuftomed to reverence, wereweighty and pwfua' five, and not only reilrained them from thofe violent ekcefles, which they meditated, but prevailed with them to accompany their admiral for fome time longer. \ As they proceeded, the indications of approaching land feenied to be more certain, and excited hope in proportion. The birds began to appear in flocks, making towards the fouth-weft. Colurar bus, in imitation of the Portuguefe navigators, who had been guided^ in feveral of their difcoveries, by the motion of birds, altered his courfe from due weft towards that quarter whither they pointe4 their flight. But, after holding on for feveral days in thi^ new direCUon, without aiiy better fuccels than formerly, having feen no objeft, during thirty days, but the fea and the fliy, the hopes of his companions fubfided fafter than they had rifen ; their fears revived with additional force ; impatience, rage, and defpair, ap- peared in every countenance. All fenfc of fiii|prdination waS loft ; the officers, who had hitherto concurred with Columbus in oplni-!* •n, and fupported his authority, now took part wicK tl- ^ private men ; they aflemblcd tumultuoufly on- the deck, expo tluiated with' their commander, mingled threats with their expoftulations^ and reiquired him inftantly to tack about and to return to Europe. Columbus perceived that it would be of no ivail to have recourfe. to any of his former arts, which having b^en tried fo often, had loft their efFed \ and that, it was impofliUe to rekindle any zeal for the fuccefs oi the expedition among men, in whofe breafts fear had extinguiihed every generous Ifentiment. He (aw that it was J>IS<4>rERY C^F AMERICA. »^ ]hQ kls vup to think of employing either gentle or fevere m^afureii,. io quell. a mutiny fo general and fo violent. It was nQccITiry, QVk all theie accounts, to foothe paflions which he could np longer tommandj and to give way to a torrent too impetuous to be <;heck«dA He promifed fokmnly to his men that he would comply with their veaueft, provided they would accompany him, and obey hit comF mands for three days longer^ and if, during that time, land wer« not difcovered, he would then abandon the enterprife^ and dire^ his courfe towards Spain. Enraged as the Tailors were, and impatient to turn their faccft igain towards their iiative country, this propofition did not appear fo them unreafonable. Nor did Columbus hazard much in confim^ lAg himfelf to a term fo (hort. The prefages of difcovering land were now fo numerous and promising, that he deemed them infa)li« b^e. , For fome days the founding line reached the bottom, and ' the foil which it brought up indicated land to be a^ no great dif' tance. Thie flocks of birds increafed, and were compofed not only 6f fea fowl, but of fuch land birds a& could not be fuppofed to fly far from the fliore. The crew of the Pinta obferved a cane floating "Oirhich feetned to hail!!te been newly cut, and likewifea piece of tim- ber artij^talty canf^ The failors aboard the Nigna took up the branch 'of a tree with red berries, perfelUy frefli. The eloudsv around the Jetting fun a(Iwned a new appearance : the air was more mild and warm, and, during night, the wind became unequal and variable^ From all thefe fymptoms, Columbus was fo confident of being near^land, tha% on the evening; of the eleventh of 0£lober^ after public prayers for fuccefs^ he ordered the fails to be furled, and the fliips to lie to, keeping ftrid: watch, left they Should be diiven aihore in the night. During this interval of fufpence and expe£bition» no man fliut his eyes, all kept yppn deck, gazing in- tently towiards that miarter where they expend to dil'cover th% hnd, which had been fo long the objed; of their TyiAies. About two houjrs before midnight, Columbus ftanding on the fore-caftle,> obferved a light at a diftance, and privately pointed it out to Pedro Guttierelz, a page of ^the Queen^s wardrobe. Guttierez . perceived it, and calling to Salcedoy^eompt roller of the fleet,all three (itvr it in motion as if it vctrc carried from place to place. A lit- tle after midnight, the joyful found of land, landf was heard from the Pinta, which kept always ahead of the other Slips. But, hav- ling been fo often deceived by fallacious appearances, evey man was I now become flow of belief, and waited, in all the anguijQi of un- I certainty and impatience, for the return of day. As foon as morn. jing. dawned, Friday, Oftober i2, all doubts and fears were difpel. jlcd. From, every fhip an ifland was feen about two leagues to the ^^ HtSCOVERY 0^ AMERICA, T0Mf HirHofe flat ahd verdant fields, well ilorcd with wood, and wiiten^ with many rivulets, prcfentrd the afpe£l of a dclijjhtfut cconcertcd plan : and ^fling, in the warmth of their admiration, from one extreme to another, they new pronounced the man, whom they had fo lately reviled and threatened, to be a perfon infpired by 'Heaven with fagacity and fortitude more than human, in order to accompliih a dcfign, fo far beyond the ideas and conception of all former ages. As foon as the fun arofe, all their boat$ were mantled and armed ^ They rowed towards the ifland with their colours dlfplayed, with warlike mufic, and other martial pomp. As they approaclied the coa(l,theyfaw it covered with a multitude of people, whom thehovcl- ty of the fpeftacle had drawn together, whofe attitudes and geftures cxprefled worider and aftonifliment at the {Irange objects which prefcnted themfelves to their view. Columbus was the firft Euro- pean who fet foot in the New World which he had difcoVcred. He landed in a rich drefs, and with a nailed fword in his hand< His men followed and kneeling down, they all kiffed the ground which they had fo long defired to fee. They next ereflled a cru- cifix, and proftrating themfelves before it, returned thanks to God for conducing their voyage to fuch an happy ilTuel They then took folemn pofTeflion of the country for the Crown of Caftilc and Leon, with all the formalities which the Portuguefe were accuf- tomed to obferve in afts of this kind, in their new difcoveries. The Spaniards, while thus employed, were furrounded by many of the natives, who gazed, in filent admiration, upon a£lions which they could not comprehend, and of which they did not forefee the confequences. The drefs of the Spaniards, the whitenefs of their ikins, their bekrds, their arms appeared ftrange and furpriling. The vaft machines in which they had traverfed the ocean, that fecmed to move upon the waters with wings, and uttfcred a dread- ful found refembling thunder, accompanied with lightning and fmoke, ilruck them with fuc4i terror, that they began to refpeft their new gueds as a fuperior order of beings, and concluded that they were children of the Sun, who had defccnded to vifit the c?irth. :,: DtSCOVlRY or AMERICA. ;»4 The Euinopeaat wen hardly left amaicd at the feens wim Ik^ fpre them. Every kerb, and (hrub, and tree, mm different fird% thofe which flouriflied in Europe* The foil feemed to be richi hi' ' bore few marks of cultivation* The climate, even to Spaniard, felt warm, though extremely delightful. The inkabitanti appear* ed in tbe fimple innocence of nature, entirely naked. ^Xheir black hair, long and unturledi floated upon their (houldert, or wae bound in - treflet around their heada. They had no beards, #nd every part of their bodies waa perfe£Uy iinooth. Their com* plexion was a duflty copper colour, their features Angular, rather than difiigreeable, their afpeft gentle and timid. Tliough not lailv they were well (haped, and aftive. Their face^ and feveral parts of their body, were fantaftically painted with glaring colours. They were fhy at firft thx-ough fear, but foon become familiar with the Spaniards, and vrith tranfports of jay received from them .hawks-bells, glaiii beads, or other baubles, in return for which they gave fuch provifionras they hfd, and fome cotton yam, the only commodity of value that they could produce. Towards evening, .Columbus returned to his (hips, accompanied by many of the iflanders in their boats, which they called canoes^ and though rudely formed out of the trunk of a fingle tree, they rowed them with furprsling dexterity. Thus, in the firft interview between the inhabitants of the old and new worlda, every thing was con- du£Ud amicably, and to their mutiul {atisfaftioo. The former, enlightened and ambitious, formed already vaft ideas with refpefib to the advantages which they might derive from the regions thac began to open to their view. The latter, fimple and undifceming, had no forefight of the calamities and defolation which were ap- piBut as he refolved to careen his fliips in that place, he fent fome Spaniards, together with one of the people of San Salvador, to view the in- terior parts ^f the country. They, having advanced above fixty miles from the (hore, reported upon their return, that the foil was richer and more cultivated than any they had hitherto difcovered \ that, befides many fcattered cottages, they had found one village, containing above a thoufand inhabitants ; that the people though naked, feemed to be more intelligent than thofe of San Salvador, but had treated them with the fame refpe£iful attention, kiffing their feet, and honouring them as facred beings allied to Heaven ; that they had given them to eat a certain root, the tafte of which refembled roafled chefnuts,and like wife a fingular fpeciesof corn called maize^ which, either when roafted whole or ground in meal, was abundantly palatable; that there feemed to be no four-footed animals in the coun- try, but a fpecies of dogs, which could not bark, and a creature refemblinga rabbit,but of amuch fmaller fize ; that they had obferved iiame oirnaisents of gold among the people, but of no great value. DitSCOVERY OF AMERICA. '7 Tfacfe meflbngen had prevailed with fome of the natives to ac- company them, who itifbrmed Colurobua, that the gold of which they made their omamenti wa« found in Cuianacan, By thi« word they meant the middle or inland part of Cuba ; but Colum- bua, being ignorant of their language, as well as unaccuftomed to their pronunciation, and his thoughts running continually upon his own theory concerning the ditcovcry of the £a(i indies, l.e was led, by the relemblance of found, to fuppofe that they ^M>ke of the Great Khan, and imagined that the opulent kingdom of Cathayt delcribed by Marco Polo, was not very remote. This induced him to employ Ibme time in viewing the country. Ho viiited almoft every harbour, from Porto del Principe, on the north coaft of Cuba, 40 the eaftem extreaaiity of the inland ; but though delighted with the beauty of the fcenes, which every where prcieuted ^hemielves, and amaxed at the luxuriant fertility of the ioil, both which, from their novelty, noade a more lively ifapieflion upon his imagination*, he did not find gold in iucU quantity a« was fuAcient to iati&fy either the avarice of his fol. towers, or the expedations of the court to which he was to return* The people of the country, a» much aftoni(hed at his eagerncls in quell of gold, as the Europeans were at their ignorance and Urn* ; plicity, pointed, towards the caft, where an iUand which ibey called Hayti was fituated, in which that metal was more abundant than among th<;m. Columbus ordered his fquadron to bend its courfe thither ; but Martin Alonfo Pinion, impatient to be thq fitfi who fliould take poffeffion of the trealures which this coun- try was fi^poied to contain, quitted his companions, regardlefs I of all the admiral's fignals to flacken fail until they ihould come up with him» ColuB]l>u8, retar^d by contrary winds, di^ not reach Hayti^ 1 till the fixth of December, He called the port where he firfl touched St. Nicholas, and the idand itfelf £fpagnola, in honour of * III « ktter of t}w Admirar* to Ferdinand and Ifabella, he defcribet one of the I harbours in Cuba, with all the enthuTiaftic admiration of a difcoverer. — >•'! difco- vercd a river which a ^Uey might eaiUy enter ; the beauty of it induced mc to jfoundi and I foiwid'f«oii| five; to eight fathom» of ytrater. Having proceeded a Iconriderable way up the river, eycry thing invited me to fettle there. The beauty I of the river, the ciearneft of the water, through which I could fee the fandy bottom, the multitude of pahn-tret* ttf di^ent kinda, the talleft and fineft I had feen, and I an infinite number of other large and Qouriihing treea, the biids, and the verdure lof the plains, are fo wonderfully beautiful, that this country excels all others ag ■far as the day furpaflcs the night in brightnefs and fplendour, fo that I gften faid, ■that it would be in vain for me to attempt to give your highneffes a full account i* lit, for neither my tongue nor my pen tould come up to the truth, and indeed I lam fo much amaaed at the fight of fuch beauty, that I knqm oat how to defcribe lu" J^ifeof Columb, c. 90. D B •9 DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, the kingdom by which he wm employed; and it is the only eoufi# try, of thofe he had yet difcovered, which hat retained the nam* that he gave it. As he could neither meet with the Pinta, nor have any intercourfe with the inhabitants, who fled in great con- ftemation towards the woods, he foon ouitted St. Nicholas, and failing along the northern coaft of the ifland, he entered another harbour, which he called the Conception. Here he was more fortunate} his people overtook a woman who was flying from them, and after treating her with great gentlenefs, dilmiflied her with a prefent of fuch toys as they knew were moft valued in thofe regions. The delcription which (he gave to her countrymen of the humanity and wonderful qualities of the ftrangera ; their admiration of the trinkets, which Aie (hewed with exultation ; and their ^ager- nefs to participate of the fame favours ; removed all their fears, and induced many of them to repair to the harbour. The Arange objefts which they beheld, and the baublea which Co- lumbus beftowed upon them, amply gratified their curioftty and their wilhes. They nearly refembled the people of Guana- hani and Cuba, They were naked lilie them, ignorant, and Ample; and feemed to be equally unacquainted with all the afts which appear moft necelfary in poliflied focicti<;is; but they were gentle, credulous and timid, to a degree which rendered it eafy to acquire the afcendan^ oycf them, efpecially as their exceflive admiration led them into the fame ^ror with the people' of the other iflands, in believing the Spaniards ^o be more than mortals* and defcended immediately from Heaven. They pofliefled gold in greater abundance than their neighbours, yrhi^h tHiey readily exchanged for bells, beads, and pins; and in this unequal traffic both parties were highly pleafied, each confidcring themselves as gainers by the tranfa^ion. Here Columbus was vifited by « prince or cazique of the country. He appeared with all the pomp known' among a fimple people, being carried in a fort of palanquin upon the |hpvlders of four men, and attended by many of his fiibjcQis, whp fcfyefl him with great refpeft. His deportment was grave and ftate|y, very refierved towards his Awn people, but with Columbus and the Spaniards extremely courteous. He gave the admiral fom^ thip .plates of gold, and 4 girdle of curious workmanH' ip, receiving in return prefents of fmall value, but highly acceptable o him. Columbus, ftill intent on difcovenng the lyiines whic)^ yielded gol^. continued to interrogate all the natives with whom he had any intercourfe concerning their fituation. They concurred in pofnting out a mountainous country, which they called Ciboaf at lome diftance from fhc? fea, and farther towards the | paft, Striif k with this founc^i which :ippearcd to him the fanje ^^' g**^!^ DISCOVERY OF AMSAiej, with Cipanft th« name by which Marco Polo, and other tn- vellera to the eaft, cUftinguiflied the iflands of Japan, he no longer doubted with refpc^ to the vicinity of the countries which he had diicovcrcd to the remote parta of Afia ; and, in full expefiation of reaching loon tlu^fe regiona which had been the obje£l of his voyage, he dircAed hia courfe toward* the eaft. He put into a commodious harbour, which he called St. Thomaa^ and found that diftrift to be under the government of a powerful cazique, named Guacanaharif who, aa he afterwarda leamed» waa one of the five fovereigna amoi>g whom the whole ifland was divided. He immediately fent meflengera to Columbua» who, in his name, delivered to him the preleat of « maikt eurioufly fiihioned, with the ears, nofe, and mouth of beaten gold, and invited him to the place q| bia refidence, near th« harbour now called Cape Francoia, fome leagues towarda the eaft. Columbua dilpatched fome of his officer* to vifit thi* prince, who, u he behaved himielf with greater dignity, feemcd to claim more attention. They returned, with fuch favourable accounta both of the country and of the people, a* made Columbua impatient for that interview with Guacanahari to which he had been invited, ' ^ ' He ^iied for '|hui purpofe from St. Thoma*, on the twenty- fourth oif December with a fair wind, and the lea perfeftly calm ; and as, amidft the multiplicit> of his occupatioi^, he had not ihut his eyes for two days, he retired at midnight in order to take fome ^pepofe, having committed the helm to the pilot, with ftrift injunc- tions npt ^o .qut i^ fur a moipent. The pilot, dreading no danger, carelefsly left the helm to an unexperienced cabin boy, and the ihip, carried away by a current, was daflied againft a rock. The violence of the (hock awakened Columbus, ^e fan up to the deck. There, all waa confufion and defpair* He alone retained prefence of mind. He ordered fome of the failor* to take a boat, and carry out an anchor aftevn \ bi^t, inftc;ad of obeying, they made off towarda the Nigna, which was a)>put half a league dif- tant. He then commanded the mails to be cut down, in order to lighten the Ihip ; but all his endeavours were too late ; the veffcl opened near the keel, and' ^Ued io fad with water that its lofs was inevitable. The Imoothtif^is of the fea, and the timely afliftance of boats from the Nigna, enabled the crew to lave theji: |ives. As foon as the iilanders heard of this difafter, they crowded (6 the (hore, with their prince Guacanahari at their head. Inftead of taking advantage of the diilrefs in which they beheld the Spaniards, to attempt any thing t<^ their detriment, they lamented their misfortune with tear* of fincere condolence, Not latisfied with this unavailing expreOion of their fympathy« $m J>JStOVEhY &F AMKRICA, th«y ^put to fiea » number of canoes, and, under tbe 4ire£)iiQit «f the Spaniarcb, afi^ftied in laving whatever could be got outr of the wreek ; and by the united labour of lo many hands, ^aioft every thing of value was carried aihore. As faft a« the goods were landed, Guacanahari in perlon took charge of them, flfy hi* orders they were all depofited in one place, and ^r: ad centinelk wiere polled, who kept the multitude at a diftance, in Order to prevent them not only from embezzling, but from in>r (^«fttng too ourioufly what belonged to their guefts. Nex* xhorAing thiS' prince viftted Columbus, who was now on boar^ the Nigna^ and endeavoured to conlble him lor his lob, by qifertng^all that he poiOefled to repair it*. ThO condttioa of Columbus was fuch, th^t he ftoiod in nec(i «(f confolafion. lie had hitherto procured no ipt^igence of ^ th^ Piota^ and no longer doubted but that his treacherous aSocit ale had' let Istil for Europe, in order to have the merit of carrying tSn firft tiding^, of the extraordinary dificoveriei which had been 9^, and to pre-occupy lb far tjie ear. of t.b«ir fovereign, 94 ^ rob him ojf the gloi>y and reward t» ¥6hi«h lit w^s juAly eru tilled. Thecc roa^ined but one velfel, «n4 tH^ ^ lxn»l|iei]b an4 moft crazy of th^ fquadron, to traverie fu€^ a va|t OMSn, and carry £» ifiany men back t0 Europe. £a«l| >f (hofe cificamfUnces was aUit>t|i part of Spajb, as all our property was put together in one place near his paiM:e, until ths bcmfes' which he wanted to prepare for the cuftody of it, were emptied- He ink« miediately placjd a.guard of armed inen, who watched during the whole night, and thofe on (hore lamented as if they had been much interefied in our lofs. The people are fo affledionate, fo tradable, and fo peaceable, that I fwear to your ilijthneOeft, that there is not a better race of men, nor a better country in the world, Tlieylowe their neighbour a« themfelves; theiif converfftion is the fweeteft and mildeft in the world, cheerful, and always accompanied with a fmile. And aU Aiough it is -true that they go naked, yet your highnelfes may be aflured that they liave many vety commendaije cuftoms ; the king is. fcrved with great ftatc, and his. ^haviour.u fo decent, that it ia plea^t to fee him, as it is likewife to obierve the wonderful memory which, thefe people have, aiid their dclire of knowing every diing, which leads them to inquire into its caufes and.effe£ls." Life of Columbus, e. 3B. It is probabk that die Spabiards were indebted for this om the levity natural tb Sv\9rf, vr irm». die hopes of unaffing wealth in a country which a^Qrded fu^ promifing fpecimens of its riches, many offered ;Vol|inUrily ^o )b|f among the number of thofe who (hould leem^in* Nothing was Aow wanting towards tihe je^mcvtipfi pf .*hH fche^fie, butto obtain the confent of Guat^aah^ri ; amd h^ v^- fufpicious fifhplicity Toon prefented to the admiral a f^VtO^^I^ opportimity ol propofing it. Columhms having, m the Jb^ft 4nanner he could, by broken words and Ogn«f ejppreOed fetme Huftofuy to know the caufe which had moved tjke iflanderS' tO Ay with fuch precipitation upon the approach of his Q^ips, Ahfi caziqwi infbnned him that the county was inyish ini^ded hy the incurlions of certain people, whom, he cHled CarrifkenKKf^ wk» inhabited feveral iflands to the fouth^eaft. {Fhefe ;lie deff^ibed as a fierce and wat-like race of men, who d^ygh^ in: bloody afwl devoured t^e il(fh of the prilbners who were fo ,uoHappy as .t<> fall into their hands ; and as the Spaniards, at their £rfl appear* ance, were fuppoied to be Carribeans, whetm the natives, how- ever numerous, durft not face in battle, they ha.d FQCQurfe tp their i^fual method of fecuring their fafety, 1^ fly afforded him the profpefl of an additional fecurity againft their attacks. He inftantly offered him the afliftance of the Spaniards Ito repel his enemies ; he engaged to take hum and his petiole ■under the prote£tion of the powerful monarch ,wlioim he ferve4» land offered to leave in thc^ ifland fuch a number of his nien a* Ifhould be fufficient, not only to defend the inhabitants from ■future incurfions, but to avenge their paft wrongs. I> DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. ' Hie oraduldut prince clofed eagerly with the propo&l, ttA thought himfelf already fafe under the patronage of beings fprung from Heaven* and fupe^ior in p Wer to mortal man. The ground was mariied out for a fmall fort, which Cdunibus called Iktoidad, becaufe he had landed there on Chriftmas day. A deep- ditch' was drawn around it. The ramparts were fortified with palliiades, and the great- guni, faved out of the admiral's ihip, were planted upon them. In ten 4^s the work was finifhed ; that fimple race of iqen bbourinnwll$il^confiderate afliduity in erefting this firft monument of their own fervitude. During this time Columbuav by his carefle^ and lib<^rality, laboured to increaie the high opinio'k which thff nj^ives entertained of the Spaniards. But while he endeavoured't# .tl^pire them with confidence in their difpo^tion to do good, he wilhed likewife to give them fome ftrikin^ idea* of their power to puniih and deftroy fuch as were the objefts of their indignation.' With this view, in pirefence of a vaft affembly, he« drew up his men in orcter of battle, and made an bftentatioiis but innocent bows. Thef* rude I>eople, fthmg^s to the ufe of- iron, aa4 unacquainted with any hoftUe weapons^ but arrows of reeds poiiei^ with the bones of fi(hes, wooden fwords, and javelins hardened, in the fire, won- dered and trembled. Before this furprife or feax* had time to abate, he ordered the great guns to be finned. The fudcbn ex^loAon ftruck them with fuch^terror^ that tlfef^lelT. flat to the ground, co- vering their ftces with their hands >«nd when they beheld the af- toniflting efieft of the bullets among the trees, towardsr which the cannon had oeen pointed, they concluded that it was impoffible to reftft men, who h«d the command of fuch deftru^ve inftru- ments, and who came armed with' thunder and lightning againft their enemie^ ,:^/ After giving fuch imprelRons b^lh of the beneficence an4pow- €t of the Spaniards, as might have rendered it eafy tojgpreferve an afcendant over the minds of the natives, Columbus appointed thirty- eight of his people to remain in the ifland. He entrufted the com- mand of thefeto Diego de Arada, a genilcMU^ of Cordova, invefting him with the fame powers which he himfelf had received from Fer- dinand and.Iftlbella ; and fiirniflied him with every^thing requifite for the fubfiftence or defence of this infant colony. He ftrifbly enjoined them to maintain concord among themielves, to yield an unieferved oll||diehce to their commander, to avoid giving ofFence to the natives by any violence or exaftion, to cultivate the friend Ihip of Guacai^ari, but not to put themfelves in his power, by ftrageling in finall parties, or marching too far from the fort. He promifed to revifit them foon, with iuch a reinforcement of I bUcdi^kiy dp AMikiSA. m length u might enable them to take full pofleflton of tlie cosun-* try, and to reap all the fruits of their difcoveries^ In the mean time, he engaged to mention their names to thd King and Queen and if pbte their sierit and ferviceft in the moft advantageous light. \ , Having thus taken every pirecaution for the fecurHy of thU Colony, he left Navidad on the fourth of January, otie {Hoiirand four hundred and ninety-three, and fteering towards tlkeaftv dif-> tovered, and ]|ave names to moft of the JA^^iours on the northern toaft of the ifland. On the fixth, he ^eflvtad the Pinta^ and foon Came ujp with her, after a reparation of more than dk weeks* Pinson endeavoured to juftify his ''ohdu£t, fay jpretending that he had been driven from his roiirie by ftjxfs J^ -vtreather^ and jl^revented from returning by contrary winas; " The admiral, though' he ftill fufpe6:ed his perfidious intentions, and knew well what he urged in his own def<'nce to be frivolous as well as falfe^ was fo fenlibie that it Was rot a proper time for venturing upon any high ftrain of authori'.y, and felt fuch fatisli6tion in this junftion with his eonibrt, \^hi6h delivered him from many dif- quieting apprehenfions, that, lame as Pinzon's apology was, he ad- mitted of it wKh'out difficulty, and reftofed him to favour* During his abfence from the admiral, Pinzon had vififed feveral harbours i^ the iflandj and acquired fome gold by trafficking with the natives, but had made no dil'coVery of any importance^ From the condition Qf#is fltips, as well as the teriiper of hitf ttlcftj Columbus now foun^.it necelTary to haften hi» return to Europe; The former, having fuifered miich during s Voyage of fuch an Uniriinil length, were extremely leaky.* The latter ek- preifed the utmoft impatience to revifit their native ccluntry^ from which they had been'fb long abfenf, and xHiwre fhey had things fo wonderful and un-heard of to relate^^ Accbt^iigty on t|e fixteenth of Januat^j^ he direaed his courfe towards the tiortli-fci% and fdon loft fight of land, tie had on board folne o^ the natives^ whom he had taken from the different iflands which Jie difcovercd; and befides the gold, which was the chief objeft of rcfearCh* he had.^ totloi&ed fpecimens of all the produdiona which were likely to bectfme fubjefts of commerce in the feve- ral countries, ^1 well as many unknown birds, and other natural turiofities, which might attraa the attention of tht learned, or ixcite the wonder of the people. The Voyage was profperou* to the fourteenth of February, and he had ad|tfnccd neaf fiVfe hundred leagues acrofc the Atlantic Ocean, when the wind began to rife, and Continue (6 blow with increafing Mrage, which termi- <»tcd in p furious hurricane. Every expedient that the naval M DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. ikill-^nd experience of Coluinbus could devife was employed, in order to fave the fhips. But it was impoflSble to withfUnd the •violence of the ftorm, and. as they were ftill far from any land,' .deftruflion lipem^d inevitable. The Tailors had recourfe to pray- ers to Almighty God, to the invocation of faints, to voMfs aild charms, to every ^hing that religion di£lates, or fuperftition fug- jgcils, to the affrighted mind of man. No profpeft of dcliver- .ancc appearing, they abandoned themfelves to defpair, and ex- pe£lbed every moment to be fwallowed up in the waves. Beiides the pafTions which naturally agitate and alarm the hunnnfmind in fuch awful fituatigjns, when certain death, in one. of his moft terrible forms, is before it^ Columbus had to endure feelings of diftrefs peculiar to himfelf. He dreaded that all knowlei^e of the amazing difcoveries which he had made was nowtoperifh; ^mankind were to be deprived of every benefit that might have been derived from the happy fuccefs of his fchemes, and his own j:iame would defcend to pofterity ^aik that of a vaih deluded i adventurer, inileid of being tranfmitted with thejionor due to . the author and conduflor of the moft i^eble enterprife that bad .ever been undertaken. Thefe reflexions extinguifhed all ienie of his own perfbnal dagger. Lefs afibAed with the l0fs tune, had I alone been 19 danger, both becaufe my life is a debt that I owe to the Supreme Creator, and becaufe I have at other times been expofed to the moft im- minent hazard. But what gave me infinite grief and vexation was, that after it had plcafed our Lord to give me faith to^ underuke tjiis enterprise, in which I h»d now been fo fuccefsful, that my opponents would have been convinced, ahd the glory of your highnefles, and the extent of your territory increafed by me ; it ihould I pieafe the Divine Majefty to ftop all by my death. ^11 this would have been more I tolerable, had it not been attended with the lofs of thofe (ben whom I had carried | with me, upon promife of the greateft profperity, whofeeing themfelves in fucbl diftrcfs, curfed not only their coming along with me, but that fear and awe of me,\ which prevented them from returning as they had often refolved to have done, f Jhit beAdes all thiS} my forrow was greatly increafed, by recoile^ng that I had! iployed, iu thftand the a any land,' rfc to pray- > vovfs and rftition fug- of dclivcr- ir, and ex- •s. Befidcs cum 'mind in of his moft : feelings of nowlet^e of w to pcrifli; t might have ne$, and hi» raih deluded lonor due to »i!ife that had [hedall fenfc B lofs (of Ufe, [lad attempted Mfi parchment, of the courfe ches of the y that he had th, vhich he fully flopped me fortunite tance to -ihe A ^tter which he Mxafion, exhibits dence, hii public for this raisfcp- that I owe to the d to the moft im- ' s, that after it had in which I hjd nvinced, ahd the by me ; it (hould Ihave been more lom I had carried ihemfelves in fucb jr and aweof nie»j |ed to have done. I hefting that I had mSCOVEJ^Y OF AMER^ICAt 95 At length Providence interpoTed, to fave a life referved for other fervices. The wind abated, the fea became calm, and on the evening of the fifteenth, Columbus and his companions difcover- cdland; and though uncertain what it was, they made towards it. They fdon knew it to be Si. Mary, one of' the Aeorcs or weftem iftes^ fulgeft to the crown of Portugal. Thd%, after a violent conteft with the governor, in which Columbus dif- played no lefs fpirit than prudence, he obtained a fupply of fVefh provifions, and whatever elfe he needed; One circumftance, however, greatly difqjuieted him. The Pinta, of which he had loft fight on the firft day of the hurricane, did not appear; he dreaded for ibme time that Ihe had foundered at fea, and that all her crew had periftied : afterwards, his former fafpicions recur- red, and he became apprchenfive that Pinzon bad borne away for Spain, that he might reach it before hiiti, and, by giving the' firft account of his difcovenes, might obtain fome (hare of hi^ fame. ^ In order to prevent this,, he left the Azores on the twenty- ilburth of February, as foon as the weather would permit. At I no great diftance firom the coaft of Spain, when near the end of his voyage, andf feemingly beyond the reach of any difafter, another ftorm arofe, little inferior to the former in violence ; and after driving before it during two days and two nights, he was forced to take flielter in the river Tagus. Upon application i ' ■ ' ■ [left my. two font at fthpol HX Cordova, deftltute of friends, in a foreign country, I when it could not in all probability be known that I had done fuch fervices at; Ijnight induce your highnefiTes to remember them. And though I comforted myfelf Iwith the fvth that ou« Lord would not permit that, which tended fu n\uch to the |glory of hit church, aod which I had brought about with fo much trouble, to remain imperfeA, yet I confidered, that on account of my fins, it w^ his will to ieprive me of that glory, which I might have atuined in this world'. Whil(^ in^ 'lis ci&ble that you might fus, on his part, en- joyed the iatisfa^on of defcribing the in>portance of his difcbve- fies, and of bei^yr aoyf able to prove the foUdity of his fchemes to thofe very pr^iions, who wi(h an ignorance difgraceful to ^hemielyes, and faya^ to their country, had (^te)y rcje^ed tl^em as ^he projed:s pf a viiionary or defignmg adventurer. Colum)3US was fo impatient to return to Spain, tha| he remained pnly five days in Lilbon. On the fifteenth of March he arrived ^n the port of Palos, fevcn months and eleyen deys front the time when hf: fct out thence upon his voyage. As foon a^ his ihip was difcovered approaching tie port, all the inhabitants of Palos ran eagerly to the ihore, in order to welcome their relations and fellow -citizens, and to hear tidings of their voyage. When the profperous ilTue of it was known, when they beheld the ftrang^e people, the unknown animals, and Angular produ£lion^ brought froq^ the countries which had been difcovered, the effufion of joy was general and unbounded. The bells were rung, the can- iibn fired; C.iluipbus was received at landing with royal ho- nours, and a|l the people, in folemn procefljon, accompanied him u)d his crew to the church, where they returned thanks to Hea- Veiii which had fo wonderfully conduded and crowned with fuc- cefs, a voyage of greater length and of more importance, than had been attempted in any former age. Qn the evening of the fame 4ty, he had the fatiSfa6hon of feeing the Pinta, which the vio- lence of thfe tempeft had driven fair to the north, enter the )urbour, The firft pare of Olumbus was to inform the King and Queen, who ^^fcrc then at Bircelbna, of his arrival and fuccefs. Ferdi- nand arid Ifabella, no left a(^oni/hcre with admiration and appkufe. His entrance into the city was conducted, by order of Ferdinand and Ifabdla, with pomp fuitable to the great event, which added fuch difUnguiflied luftre "* to their reign. The people whom he brought along with hiifi from the countries which he had difcovered, marched firft, an4 by their lingular complexion, the wild peculiarity of their fea- | tures, and uncouth finery, appeared like men of another fpecies*' Next to them were carried the ornaments of gold, fafiiioned by the rude art of the natives, the grains of gold found in the mountains, and dud of the lame metal gathered in the rivers. After thefe appeared the various commodities of the new lif. co\ered countries, together with their ' curious produftions, Columbus himfelf doled the procefllon, and attra^d the eyes •f all the (peftatdrs, who gazed with admiration on the ertra« •rdinary man, whofe fuperior fagacity and fortitude had con- du£^ their countrymen, by a route concealed from paft ages, to the knowtedge of a new world. Ferdinand and Ifabella re> ceived him clad in their royal robes, and feated upon a throne, I under a magnificent canopy. When he approached th^ ftood { up, and raifing him as he kneeled to kifs their hands, command- ed him to take his feat upon a chair prepared for him, and to give a circumftantial account of his voyage. He delivered it with [agravityandcompofurenqlefsfui^bletotke difpofition of the Span- i(h nation, than to the dignity of the audience in wKich !ke fpoke,and with that modefi fimplicity which charafterifes men of fuperior minds; who, fatisfied with having performed great aftions, ^otirtnot vain applaufe by an oftentatious difplay of thei. exploits; When. he had finiflied his narration, the King and Queen, kneeling [down, offered up folemn thanks to Almighty God for the dif- j covery of thofe new regions, from which they expefbed fo many [advantages to flow in u^qn the kingdoms fubjeft to their govern- [ment.'^ Xvery mark of honour that gr?ititude or admiration could fugged was conferred upon Columbus. Letters patent were if- lued, confirming to him and to his heirs all the privileges con- tained in the capitulation concluded at Santa Fe ; his family was' ennobled ; the King and Queen, and, after their example, the courtiers, treated him, on every occafion, with all the ceremoni- ous rcfpe& paid to perfons of the higheft rank. But what pleaf-^ him moil, as it gratified his a£live mind, bent continually upon great obje^, was, an order to equip, without delay, an armament sf fuch force, as might enab|e him not only to take pofieifion of le countries which he had already difcovered, but to go in fearch thofe more opulent regions, which he ftil) confidently expeft- bd to find. i^ DISCOVERY OF AfitBRICJt While preparations were making for this expedition^ the fame of Columbus's fuccefsful voyage (pread over Europe, and excited gf^Acral attention. The multitude, ftruck with amazement when they I beard that a new world had been found, could hairdly be- lieve an event fo mifcb above their conception. Men>3f fcience, capable of comprehending the nature, and of difcerning the effe&s of thi* great dilcovery, received the account of it with admiration andgoy. They Ipoke of his voyage with rapture, and congratu* lated one another upon their felicity, in having lived in the period when, by this extraordinary event, the boundaries of buiQan Iuiowledg9 were fo much extended, and fuch a new Held of inij^iryrand obfervation opened, as would lead mankind, to a ]^feift a fdntiment was confirmed by the obiervations which he made coqceiining the produ£Uons of the countries he had dtfcovered. Qold-^ was known to abound in India, and he had met with fuch promifing, famples of it in the iflands which he vifited, as led him to believe that rich mines of it might be .found. Cotton, another produ£lion of the Eail Indies, was com- mon there. The pimento of the Iflands he imagined to be a fpeoi«» of the £aft-India pepper. He miftook a root, fomewhat rdSbmbliag rhubarb, for that valuable drug» which was then fUppofed to be f plant peculiar to the £aft-Indies. The birds brought home by him were adorned with the (ame rich plumage \«hic^ diftinguifhes tholie of India. The alligator of the one country appeared to be the lame with the crocodile of the other. After weighing all thefe circumftances, not only the Spaniards, ^ut the other 'nations of Europe, feem to have adopted the 4^»inic^i, of Columbus. The countries which he had difcovered were confidered as a part of India. In confeqi^ence of this notion, the nanie of Indies is given to them by Ferdinand and I&hclla^ in a ratification of thdr former agreement, which was granted to Columbus upon his' return, Even after the error which gave rjfe to this opinion was detefled, and the true pofition of the New World was afcertained, the name has remained, and the appellation of Wejt Indies is given by all the people of Europe to the country, and that of ludinns t» its inhabitants. DISCOVEJir OF JMSXICA ^ the fame id excited icnt when lardly be- if fcience, the effcfts admiration , congratu- 'ed in the mdaries of I new field nkind to a ons of the rere formed ifion of the oufly tohi» irt of thofe iral name of ition$ which jries he had and he had which he it might be IS, was com- [ined to be a fomewhat was then The birds hch plumage of the one of the other. Sjianiards, Mopted the Id difcovered «ce of this srdiiiand and which was r the error id the true .name has ;iven by aU Indians t» The name by which Columbus diainguiflied the cpui^iiit -which he had difcovered was £d inviting! the fpecimens of; thc||r riches and fertility, which he produced, were fo ^qiifid^nble, and the reports of his companions, 4elivere4 freciuently wUk tha exaggeration natural to traveller* j favourable^ m ^o «xci|e-,e wonderful fpirit of enterprlfe among the ^paoiafdU* s'P^OOjh little accu(|tomed to naval expeditions, th^yweie in-patient Ae> let out upon the voyage. Volunteers of every nnk foUciteid to be employed. Allured by the invitifkg pr<^e^ which opened to their ambition and avarice, neither the lefigth nor dan- ger of the navigation intimidated them. CautiQus as Fetdinaivd Was, and averfe to every thing* new and. adve>itur(VU.s, he fe^ms to have catched the bme fpirit with his fubje^s. IJnder its influ- ence, preparations for a £econd expedition were carried ^on with a rapidity unufual in Spain, accd to ^n eXjtCQt that WQuld be deemed not inconiiderable in the prefect age. .The 'flciet coO' fiiled of feventeen (hips, fome of which wjejrt of^goed bu|i^don. It had on board fifteen hundred perfons, . smopg vifhom .we>6 many of noble families, who had ferved in ' honorable < ftations. The greater part of thefe being deiUned^a remaiii'in the country, were furnifhed with every thing requifite for coi^queft, «rt fettle- ment,' with all kinds of European domeftic animals, with /uch feeds and plants as were moft likely .to thrive in t^e climate i>f the Weft Indies, with utenfils and inftruments of evejry iort, and wit)i fuch artificers as might bemoft ufeful ii^an infant colqiiy. But, formidable and well provided as this fleet was, ^rdjnand and Ifabella did not reft their title to the pofTeflion of the newly- difcovered countries upon its operations ilone. The>example of the Portuguefe, as well as the fuperflition dfrthe^ge, jnade-it^ neceffary to obtain from the Roman pontii^ a g^|int^,of .thpfc t«> ritories which they wifhed to occupy. The Pope> as thenviair and reprefentatiVe' of Jefus Chrift, w«s fupppf«d tq hawc a q^t , of dominion over all the kingdoms of the earth. Alpxander VI. I a pontiff infamous for every crime which < difgraces bttg»antty» filled the papal throne at that time, r As he .was born Ferdinand's lfubje£l, and very folicitous to Secure the prote£Uon.of 9p;)ip,.;in lorder to facilitate the execution of his ambitious, fchcmes/in favom: lof his own family, he was qxtreiKiely ■ willing to.,,g/'atify the ISpanifh monarchs. -By an aft of liberality which, coft hi^ toothing, and that iprved^to eftablifh the juriftUCHon andipreten-i jfions of the papal fee, he granted in full ];lg^t to Ferdanandaad jirabella all the countries inhabited by Infidels, which they, had lifcovcred, or fliould difcovcr; and,^- in vlrttie of tllat .powf Caftile vaft regions, to the pplTefRon of whlch.hei h«iife}f vms- ■46 hticdrtRY 6/ AuikkA. upon the Spaniards. Zeal for propagatiaA the Cl^rifti Ivas the conftderation employed by Ferdinana in foliciti fb fu* (rem having any title, that he wat^jBmcquainted witK tl lituation, and ignorant even of their exifta^ce. Aa it waik, heceflary to prevent this grant from interfering with that f6nnet» ly made to the croWn of Poi|ugal, he appointed that a lin«, fuppofed to be drawn from pole to pole, a hundred leagues to the w^ftward of tht Azores, (hduld ferve as the limit between them ; and in the plenitude of his power,, beftowed all to the eaft of this imaj(inary line upon the Portuguefe, alid ail t(^ the weft of it Itian faith iployed by Ferdinana m foliciting thif bull, and is mtftitioned by Alexander as his chief motive for iiru- ing it. In order to n;ianifeft (ome concern for this laudable obje^' feveral friars, under the direftion of Father Boyl, % Cataloni^ monk «f great reputation, tt |poftolical vicar,^ were appointed to accompany Columbus, and io llj^ote themfelves to the inftruC'< tion of (he natives. The 'Indians Whom Columbus had brought alpqg with him, hiving received fome tin£lure of Chriftiali Itnow* |cdge,' were teiptizcld- with mi^qh foljlhnity, the king himfelf, the ' ]^rince his fon, and the chief perfons of his court, ftanding as their godfathers. Thofe firft fruits of the New World have noC been followed by fuch an incre«fe as' pious men wiflxed^ and had reafon to expeft. Ferdinand and IfabeUa, having thus acquired a title, wHic^ Watf then deemed completely valid, to extend their dif<;overies, and to eftabtifli their dominion over fuch a confiderable portion of the gfobe, nothing. noW retarded the departure of the dieet.- Columbus was extremefy impatient to revifit the Colony which he had teft', and to purfue the career of gfory upon which he had entered. He fet fail' from the b^y of Cadiz on the twenty- fifth of September, and touching again at the ifland of Gomera, he fteered farther towards the fouth than in his former voyage. By holding this courfe, he enjoyed more fteadily the benefit of | the regular winds, which reign within the* tropics, and was « carried towards a large duller of iflands, fituated confiderably toj the eaft of thofe which he had already difcovered; On the* t wen* ty-fixth day, Nov. 2, after his departure from Gomera, lie mads land. It was one of the Caribbee or Leeward if&nds, to which he gave the name of Defeada, on account of the impatience of his crew to difcover feme part of the NeW WOrld. After this he 1 vifited fuccefli vely Dominica, Marigalkntie, Antigua, San Juan dc Puerto Rico, and feveral' other iflands, fcattered in his way as he advanced towards the north-weft. All thefe he found to be in* habited by that filsrce r&ce of people whom Guacanahari had pkiii^ ed. in fuch frightful colours'. His defcriptionS appeared not] fo have been- exaggerated.- The Spaniards never attempteciAg fpirit of the natives ; and in their habit»* lipns were found>elics of thofe horrid feafts which they had inade upon the bqdies of their eneqniel taken in ii^an , But as Columbus was eager to know the ftate of the colony which he had p&nted^ and to^iupply it with the neccflaries of which he fiip|ibfed it to^be in want, he made no ftay in any of thofe iflands, and proceeded dire6tly to Hifpaniola. When he arrived or Nav{dad, the (lation in which he had left thd thirty-eight*men.tlki^ the command of Arada, he Was aftoniflied that none of them appeared, and expefted every moment to fe6 them runnilig with tranfports of joy to welcNrnfe their country^ men» Full of folicitude about thehr fafety^ and foreboding in his mind what had befallen them^ l\e rowed inftantly to land,^. All the natives from whtom he mig^iMVe received infbrmatidn had: fled. But the fort which he hM bUllt was entirely demolffhed;' aiid the Mattered garmenrs, thct broken arms and utenfils fotttered about it, left no room to ^ubt conceminl^'the unhappy* ftio'* of the garrifon. While tti« Spaniards Wcfe {bedding teari' over thole lad memorials of their fellow-citisens) a brother b^- the caxiifuie Guacanahari arrived. From him Columbus received' a particular . dcnil of what had happened after his departure' from the ifhnd. The familiar intercourie of , the Indian* With the Spaniards tended gradually to diminilh the fuperftitiout veneration with which tlieir firft appnarance had^infpired that Ample people; By their own indifcretion and ill conduAs^ the ' Spaniards fpeedily eifilced thofe favourable imprefllons, and foon'^ convinced the natives, that they had all the wants^ and weak*^ neflcs, and patfions of mem As fc>on as the pewerful reftraint . which the prefence and authority of Coliimbus impofed wat * withdrawn j the garrifon threw off all regard for th voked injuries at length exhauftcd their patience, and rpuzed their courage. The cazi^ue of Cibaoj whofe country the Spani- ards chiefly infeflxd on account of the gold which it contained^ jiurpnfed and cut off feveral of them, while they draggled In as Iperfcft fecurity as if thieir conduft had been altogether inoffenfive. |He then aflembled his fubjefls, and furrounded the fort^ fet it on F i» DISCOVERY Qf AMEKtCA ^re. Some of the Spaniards were killed in deliendinf U, lAie fed perilhed in attempting to make their efeape by eroding, an ana of }he Tea. Guacanahari, whom all their exaftion^ ha>by fheif united labour, as to afford them ihelter and feeurity.. Thie rWtng eity, the firft that the £(Uropeans founded in the New W6rhl, he* named liabella, in> honour of his patronefs the Queen of Caftile.^ Jn carrying on this neceilary work, Cokimbue had^ not only €• fufbtin all the hardfhips, and to encounter all the difficulties, to which infant coloniet are eicpofed when they fettle in an imcultivated country^ but he had to contend with what was mofe iniupcnsble,- the lazinefs^ the impatience, apd mutinous difpoiition of hiS" foUowera. By the enervating influence of a hot climate, the natural ina6Uvity of the Spaniards feemed toincrcafe. Many of them were gentlemen,. unaccu(Vbmed to the fatigue of bodily labour, and all had engaged in the enterprife with the fanguine hopes excited by the fplendid and exaggerated deficrip- tions of their countrymen who return'.rd from the firft voyage, ov by the miftaken opinion of Columbus, that the country which he had diieovery was either the Cipango of Marco Polo, or the Ophif, from which Solomon imported thofe precious commoditie)- whieh 'fuddenly diffufed fuch extraordinaiy riches through his Kingdom. But when, inftead- of that golden harveft which ^ey hadexpeAed' to reap without toil or pains, the Spaniards 9JSC0VERY &FAME11ICA» 4I liw their profpcA of wealth was remote at well at uncertain, «nd that it could not be attained but by the flow and perfrvering efforts of tnduftry, the difappointment of thofe chimerical hopes «ccafioned fuch dcjeAton of mind as bordered on defpair, and led to general difcohtent. In vain did Columbua endeavour ^ revive their fpirits by pointing out the fertility of the foil, and Exhibiting the fpecimens q( gold daily brought in from different parts of the ifland. They had not patience to wait for th6 gradual returns which the former might yield, and the latter they dcfpifed as fcanty and inponfiderable. The fpijit of difafiec- tion fpread, and a confpiracy was formed, which might havp been fatal to Columbus and the colony. Happily he difcovered it, and feizing the ring-leaders, puniflied fome of them, iient others prifoners into Spain whither he difpatched twelve of the Qiips which had ferverl as tranfports, with an ^meortous ia^ iheir talenlLs ancl induilry, and they had np fuph high value (ov gpld as to put their ingenuity and invention upon the &retch |in order tp obtai^ it. The fmall quantity of that precious 'metal fvhich they pofleiTed, >yas either picked up in the beds of thtj fivers, or waflied ix^^ the mountain^ by ^Ue heavy rainf %)aaH |aU within this tropics. But, f^om thofe ind*fations, thq Spaniards coujd fio longer doubt that the country conta^ne4 ri.c^ treafures in its bowels, of which they hoped fppn to be n^tfters, ^n pi'der to (ecure (he cpmniand of this v^lusiblii province, Coluiqb'us ere^d a ImaU fort, to whiph he gave the name of St. '{'homas^ by way of ridicule uppii fome of hi« Incredulous followers, wtio would not believe that the country produced gold, untU they (aw it with their own eyes, tsv^ ^uqhed it with l^eir hands. '^The account^ t^ofe promifing appearance! of ivealth ip thf^ pountry of Cibao, ca|:ne very feafpnal^iy to coinfpr^ the defpondr IngcoUiny, which was jefFefUd with dift|re(fes of various ^nds. Xhe ftocJc of provifions which had been brou|>ht froiq Europe, was moftly confumed*, wHat remained ^as fo ipuch corrupted yy the heat and nioiiiure of the/ f liaaate, as to be almof^ unfit for ufe; the natiyes cultivated To fmall a portii^n of gtound, and. with fp/little Ikill, that it hardly yielded wbsit was . fufiicient for thei^ pwnitubfi^en^e : the SpamaViis at IfabeJUa had hijtHertQ neither time nor leil'ure to clear the ibil, fo aS to reap any con- iiderable fruits of their own . induftry. On all thefe accounts, they bsfame afraid of pierifhing with hunger, and were reduced already to a fpaAty allowance.* At the 0ime time the difeaies predominant in the torrid s;one, and which ragq chiefly in thofe uncultivated 4;ountries^ where the hand of induftry has not Opened the woods, drained the niar(h9S, and confined the rivers within a certain channel, began to fpread aipong them. Alarmed al( the violence and iiniifual fymptoms of thofe maladies, they exclaimed again(l~ Columbus and his companions in the formeij' voyage, ytha by their fplendid but deceitful defcriptions of Hifpaniola, had allured them to quit Spain for a barbarous i^neultivated land, \yhere they muft either be cut off by famine, or die of. unktiown d^^empers. Several of the officers and perfons of note, inflead of checking, joined in thofe feditious Complaints. Faither Boyl, the apoflolical vicar, was one of the inofl turbulent and outrageous, It required all the authority •!f: fiiSCOVMRY OF AMERICA, 44 fn4 •#4'^ M CsA\mhu$ to r&«eftabli(b fut^dr^Mwn flfid trsa^uUi^ JQ the colony. , Threats an4 promifet We/e alter* liaitely employed for this purpoie; but nothing contributed niore to fiotbthe the nnakontents than the profpeft of finding, in the mines Qf Citwo, I'uch a rich flcure of treafure as would be a recompence ior tjU, their iaj^ermg^ and efRfic^ the inemory of Ibrmer difitppoifitOlcnti. When, by hit ^wearied endeavours, concord »nd otder Wjprft fo far rcftored, thai he could venture to leave the iiland, Colum- Vus refdiyed to p^rfue his diiicoveries, that he might be able to afcertain whether thole new countries wkh which he had ojjiened' a communication were conp,e£bd with any region of the earth> already linown^ or whefiher they were to bd confidered as p feparate portion of the globe hit^^rto unyidtcd; He appointed^ il|jis' brother Don Diego, with the afliftaxWreolv a council of officers, tp govern tha ifland in his abiisnfe; and gave the CoRlil^and of f body of fibers to. j^on Pedro: AAargacita,. with whicb he was t& yiitt the difierept parts of the. iilatul, and) endeavour to efla^iilk^ the authority of the Spaiuards. among the inhabitants* Hiving) jieftthem yery particular' injiruftions with rtipdEt to their con- 4u^ he weighed aniphor on. the twen^y-fburth of April, with^ one ihip and two fmall.bsrhfli under his command^ jBl^hng tf tedious voyage of full fiy*. months, hebad a trial of-altnoft alt^ the numeroiU Cuba, he was entangled in. a lah^rin|(k formed by an-incfedibttf' number of fmaH iflands, 40v whic)^. h&.^ve the name of th^ Queen^s-Garden. In this unknown : courfe, apiong; rppks and fhelves, he was reared by contrary winds, aifanlted with furious' l\orms, and alarmed: with the terriHethuiider and- lightning which is (dian a|moft ince^ant between the tropics. At length his provifion& felLihort; his crewt exhaiifted with fatigue, as* well as hunger^ murmured and threatened, and were feady to proceed to the nioit defperate extremities againft him. Befet with danger in fuch various fdrms^ he Was obliged to keep con- tinual watch,, to obierve every occurrence with his own eyes, to ilTuc every order, and to fuperintend the execution of it. On no occafton, was the extent of his (kill and experience as a na- vigator fo mucii (ried. To thefe the fquadroipi owed its fafety. I But this unremitted fatigue of body, and intente application o^ mind, overpowering his conftitiition, though naturally vigorous and robuft, brought .on a feirerifb diforder, which terminated in la lethargy, that deprived him of fenfe and memory and had almoil - broved fatal to hif life. H [ PJSCOVEKY OF AMtHtrCJ. v *- ""'■' 1^ " ■ ' "■.•■,■ . '" ■ But, cm lEuf return, Sept. ayth, to Hifpanifljla, the ludden .emotion of J<^ which he felt upon meciting with hit brother Bar- tholomew at ifiibdla, occaflftmed fuch a flow of fpirits a*^ contri- buted gready to llis recovery. It was now thirteen years fince the two b('<*thers, whom fimilarity of talents united in dofe friendi- fliip, had feparated from each other, and 4unng Ithat long period ^hcre had been no intercourfe betwden jthete. Barthojomev^, after ^niOfin^ his negociation at the icovit of England, h4d fet out for ^pain by the way of France. At Paris he received an acccouht of the extraordinary dii'coveries which his brotltor had made in hif firft voyage, and that >he was then preparing td embaric on a lecond elcpil^dition,. ..Though this naturally induced hiin to purfue his- journey with the utmbft difpatch, the admiral had lail^ for Hifpaniola before h^ reached Spain. Ferdinand and Ifabelia rcr Ceived him With the refpeft due to the neareft kin&nan of a perfoq whoTe merit and Ibnrices rendered him fo confpicuous ; and a^ they knew wrhat confolation his prefence would afford to his brother, they perfuaded hidl to take (he command of three ihips, whicli l^ey had appoixited to carry provifions to the colony of Ifabelia. He cotild notithave ahrived at any junQ»ire when Colutfibuf ilood more in need cf a fiiend capable of aififting him with'his' counfdsii^r of dividing with him ^e cares and burden of govem- i|i£nt. For although the provifions now brought from Europe, afforded a' temporary' relief tfi the Spaniardfii from the calaufkities of famine, the fupply wasiiot in fuch quantity as td fupport them long, and the iiland did not hitherto yield what was fuffiei- ejit for l^heir fuftenance. They were threatened with another danger, ftill more fori^dable than the return of fcarcity, and H'hich 'dema|ided more immediate ' attention. No fooner did Columbus leave the ifland on his voyage of difcovery, than' the ibldiers under Margarita, as if they had been fet free from difci- pline and fubordination, Ikorned all reftraint. Inftead of cpn- fprming to the prudent infli-uftiods of Columbus, they difperfed in flr^ggUng parties over the tCland, lived at difcretion upon the i^itives, wafted their proviitons, fei^ed their women, and treated that inoffcoiiye race with all the infolence of military oppreflion. A9 long as the Indians had any profpe£l that their fufleririgs i^ight pome to a period by the voluntary departi^re of the invat ders, they fubmitted in filcnce, and diiifembled theiir forrow ; but they now perceived that the yoke would be as permanent as it was intolerable. The Spaniards had built a town, and furround- ed it with ramparts. They had creeled forts in different places. Xhey had'enclofed and fown fevend fields. It was apparent that they came not to vifit the country but ^6 fettle in it. Though the pumber of thdfe Grangers was inconftderable, the flate of cu]itiY;^t BJSCarMkY of AliMMtCl^, ^ 4!dn UBopt tl^ nide people wai fo nttptrfi^ft, ailit itt iiach exa6^ proportion to their own confumptiod, tint it wlur With dilEculty' they could afFoid fubfiftence to thei( new guofU. Their own modf df life was fo indolent and ina£tiv^,- the vrirmth of the cli- mate fo enervating,- the conftifutbn ^f their bodies naturally fo feeble* and fo unaecuftomed to the laborious exertibns of induftry,' that t$ey n^ere ftcisfied with a proportion of food linazingly fmall. A handful of maixe, or a little of the infipid bread made of a caflada-root, was fuficient to fupport men, Whofe ftrength and fpirits were not cjthaufted by any vigorous efforts either of body^ or mind. Tlie Spaniards, thou^ tfie ntoft abftemious of all the European nations, appeared to them excei&vely ^oracioul. ,One Spaniard confumed as much as feveral Indaant, This iBeennefs of appetite fiirprized them fo much, and feemed to them to be fo infa- tiabkt, that they fuppofed the Spaniards had left dieir own coiMitryj becaiife it did not produce as much aswas re^fite to gratify tlleir immoderate deftre of foody and had come Mnong them in ^eA of nouriihment. Self-prefervation prompted them to wiih for the ^parture of gucfts who waAed fo faft their fleader ftock- of piVv vifions. 1 «^ injuries- which they fufiered, added to tiieir impati- ence fort a v.lit^ They had long expeded that the Spaniards vroiild reti.tt or their own accord* They now perceived that, in order to avert the deftru&ion with which they were threatened, either by the flow confumption of fioiine, 411 by the Violence of their oppreiTors, it was neee'ififfy to «ffume''cotirage, to attack thofe formidable invaders with united foit% and driVe lliem from the fottlements of which they had violently taken poifeflion.^ Such were the fentiments which univeifaUy prevailed aihdnji (ke Intfons, v^en CoKwAus returned to Ifabella.- In Aimed by ihe unprovoked outrages of the Spaniards-, with a degree of rage of which their gentle natures, formed to fuffer and fubmk, feemed highly fufoeptible, they Waited only for a lignal tewn their leaders to fall upon the' cobny. Some of the caraqlMA had alreacty furprifed and cut off feveral' ftragglers. The dread of this impending, danger united the Spaniards, and re-eftabliihed l9ie authority of Colundbus, as they faw no profpcA of fafety I but in committing themfelves to his prudent guidance, it was now neceffary to have wcourfe to atma^ the employing- of which l^gainft the Indians, Columbus had hitherto avoided with the giir^ted folicitude. Une^al? as the clbnflift may feem, between Irhe naked inhabitants of the New World,' armed with cluba^ jfticks hardened in the fire, wooden ^ords,- and arrows pointed Iwith bones or flints ; and troops accufliomed to the dil'cipline, land provided with the infliruments df deftruAion known in ihe Eurc^ean art of war, th^ fituation of the Spaniards was J* ^ Pf^^mM^V QF sAh^BkiCA ~^. ft|^ frodi ^i^g4o;f«»|lpl IrcKh 4an§Br« The vail lUiyii4orit]r the natives, ill miMbor,, conaf«n(i>leid* oten 7 defeiUiit An h»ndful qf n^en Mr^ about to>eafiomiter a whokj nitioiiu Oike advede eVentj or eveii any- ad^Nnib cMajr in' lUrternunipg: the >fat«> of the i^ar^ n^gbt pfove fatalt io- die Siwniarda^ • Goiifctoua that' fuocefa depcpclKi on the! vigour and rapicUt^ of hia offera* tiona, Colufabusi iniUntl^ affenriilod' bia forcetj They^ were reduced to a very, fnAU number. Diieafea,. otigendefisd byfthe warmth and- humidity of the countty^ or o^ftoiie^ by thdir own lic^ntieturne^ had ; n^ among^them wi^niMch'. violence ; expierienee, had < not ' yet taught thesli the- art etfhidr^ of curing theie, or thd precaution! re^ifite for guarSUng them?; two-third* of the original adventttfert we:re> deadj and many of thofewho- furvivftd were iii^pable; o^ f«rvke< "the body which Codc< t!he field tffk Marchfiati, 1495^ confilted only of two huncfated fdot^ tWeotyv hor% and twenty lafgel^dogft!; and how fti^ge foever it may feem to menti^durinig': the night, when U9di||:i||iMl|^ troops: are le^ft .capable, joladiiiig' with union knd concfil, ai^ obtained an eafy and bk^efsviftoty.' The- con> fternation with which the Indians were filkd by the noife and havoc made: by the fire<*amiSj by the impetuous ^force of Columbus employed. :f6n their liberty, (hat they had reCoUffe to an expedient for obtaining deliverance from this? I yoke, whith dem6n{£rates the excefs of theif impatience and def-* Ipair, They foi^med a fCheme of ffarving thoft bpprcffors whom they durfi not atteihpt to expel ; and from! the opinion which they lentertained with refpeft to the voracious appetite of the Spani- [ards, they concluded the execution^ of it to be very prafticable^ G \ hp t>jtscar£Rr ctr America. •?&>> Witli this view they fuipended all the opet-ations of agriculture i^ they fowed no maiae, they pulled up the roots of the manioc or cafTada which were planted^ and retiring to the mod inacceffible parts of the mountams,< left the uncultivated plains to their ene- mieSr This defperate refolution produced in fome degree the ef- fc^ which they expefted. The Spaniai^ds Mtere reduced to ex- treme want; but they received fuch feiifonabl fupplies of profi* tiV)ns {]^am Eurppe, and found fo many refources in their own. ingenuity and ii^duftry^ that they fu'ffiered^ no great tofs of men.* The wretched Indians were the viAims of theilr own iU>concen>< ed policy,. A great multitude of people^ ihut u{» in the moun* tainous part of the country, without any' food but the fpontaneoui> produ£lions of the earth, Toon felt the utmoft diftlreifes of fiunine.' This brought on tonta^ous; difeafes;: and, in the courfe of a feW months, more than a third* part of the inhabitants of the ii^nd pe- rlfhed, after e;fcperiencing mifery in all its Various forms* ' But while Columbus was eftabliihing the'foundations. of the Spa* nilh grandeur in the New Worldvhis enemies laboured- with unwea- ried afliduity to deprive him of the glony and rewards, which by his fervices and fufferings he was intitled to enjpy.> The hardflups una- voidable in a new fett]£meBt,the calamiticsocc^fioned'by an unhealthy climate, the diiailers attending a voyage m unknown feas,- were d\h reprefent^d'as the efFe£b of his veftlefs and inconfiderate ambition* His prudent attention to preferve difcipline and fubordination was denominated excefa of rigour ; the punifknients which he in- fli£ted upon the mutinous and difprderly were imputed to* cruelty.^ Thefe accufations gained fuoh credit in % jealous court, that a com- niiflioner was appointed tp repair to Hifpaniola, and to infped: in- to the 6ondu£k. of Columbus. By the recommendation of his ene- mies, Aguadd, a* groom of the bedrchanl>er,» was» the perfon tO' whom this, important truft' was. cionmiitted.) But in thi» choice' they feemtohave been more inAuenced by' the obfequious attack-' mcnbof the n^an to their intereft^ than by his capacity^ for the (b- tion. FuHjed up with. fuch fudden elevation, Aguado-difplayed in the exercife q$ this- office j< all Uie frivolous- felf-importtince, and a^d with all the'difgufting, infolence, which ai« natural to little minds, when raifed to une:£pe£bed dignity, or employed in func- tions to which they arcnot e^u^l.. By liflbning with eagprnefs to every accufation againfl: Columbnsj and encouraging, not only thC/ malcontent Spaniards, but even tl\e Indians^ to produce their grievances, real or imaginary, he fomented the fpirit of diifention in the ifland, without eftablifhing any regUlation,of public utility,^ or that tended to redrels the many wrongs, with the odium of which he wiflied to load' the admiral's adminiftration. As Colum- bus felt fenfibly how humiliating l^is fituatioamuftcbe, if haihould DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, fi* remain in that country while fuch a partial infpeftor dbfervcd hi« motions, and controuled his jurifdiflion, he toc^ the. refolution of ]«tuming to Spain, in order to lay a full account of all hit tranf- aftions, particularly with refp^£l to the points in difputc hetwee^ him and hi* adversaries, before Ferdinand and Kibella, from whole juilice afid difcei^ment he rxpefted an equal and a favourable dtf- cifton. He committed the. adminiftration of affairs, during hit abfence, in one thoufand four hundred and ninety-fix, to Don Bartholomew his bcother, with the title of Adelantado, or Lieu- tenant Govemorl By a choK- ' '.fs fortunate, and which proved ithe fource of many calx les tu " colony, he appo. '^^^ . Franciis Roldan chief juftvee, with very extenlive powers. ^n retwaing to Europe, Columbus held a courie different from that yrkich he had taken in his former voyage. He lleered almofi due eaft fpm Hifp^miola, in the parallel of twenty-two degrees of latitude; as experience had not yet difcovered the more certain and expeditious method of (Iretching to the northy in order to fall in virith the i'outh-weft winds. By this^ ill-advifed choice,' which, in the infancy of navig^ttion between the N«w -and the Old Worlds^ fan hardly be imputed to the admiral as a defe^iin naval fkill, he was expofed to infinite fatigue and danger, in » perpetual druggie with the trade-winds, which bk>W, without va- riation fpm. the eaft between the tropic«. Notwithftanding the almoft infuper^^e di0iculties of fuch a navigation, hie perfifted iit his courie with his .ufu4 patience and firmnefs, but made fo little way, that he was three months without feeing land. At length his provi&ons began to fail, the crew was reduced to the fcant/ I allowance' of fix ounces of bread a-day for each perfon. The admiral fared no better than the meaneft failor. But even in thi^ extreme diftrpfs, he retained the humanity which diftinguiflies his Ichara&er, and i^fufed to comply with the earneftfolipitations of jhis crew, fome of whom propofed la feed Mpon the Indian prifon.' jers whom they were carrying .over, and others infifted to thrpw^ Ithem over-board, in order toleifen the (popfumptipn of their fmalU lilock. He reprefented that they were hitman beipgs^ ^educed' by a common calamity to the fame, condition ^i(h themie^veS, and*' Entitled to (hafe an equal fate*, His authority and ren^oitft\'anecS'- iiflipated thofe wild idea.s fuggefted by defpair. Nor ha4 they lime to recur, as they came foon within itght of the coaft of Spain^ irhen all their fears and fufferings ended. Columbus appeared at court with the modeft but determined- lonfidcnce of a man conicious not only of integrity, but of having erformed great fervices. Ferdinand and IfabeUa, aihamed of ictr own facility in lending to& favourable an ear to frivolous or C 3 jS^ piSCQVE^Y QF AMERICA. ^U'-founded accCkfations, receiye4 hjm \^}^h fuch diftihguiihe^' marks of refpciEl, as covered his enemies with (hame. Their cen- sures and calumnies were no more heard of at that junfiure. Jhp gold, the pearls, the cotton, and othe^ (Commodities of value which Colii^bus produced, feemed fully to refute what the mal-contents )iad p^opogatcd with rcfpe^ to the poverty of the country. By ^educing the Indians to obedienpe, and impofing a regular tax upon thcm^ Yic had'(ecure4 to Spain a iarge acceflion of new fub. je£):st and the e(labli{hipent of a revenue that promifed to be con- fiderable. By the mines which he Jiad found owt and examined, a fource of wealth flill more copious >vas opened. Great and un- expe£i:ed as thofe advantages were, Columbus rcprefented them pnly as preludes to future acquifuions, and as (he earneft of more jimportant diipoyeries, rvhich he flill meditated, and to which thofe |ie had a||ready made would conduft him with cafe and certainty. ^hi aUentiye irotif^der^tion of all thefe circumflances n\ade fucH )ipprefl)on, not on|y u{>on liiabella, who was flattered with the idea of being the patrbn^fs pf all Columbus's enterprifes, but even upon ^erdinand, Vi'h'p having originally exprefTed his dil'approbation of his fchemes, was ilill apt to doubt of their fuccefs, that they rc- (plved to lupply the colony in Hifpanidla with ^very thing which pould render it a permanent eftabUfhment, aAd to furnifh Colum- bus with fuck ajleet, (hat he might proceed to fearch for thofe {lew countries, of whof<: "eyiftence he' feemed to be coiiQdent. The: meafures ihoft propej; for accompliihing both thefe defigns y^ere concerted with Columbu^. Dilcovery had been the fole obje£^ of the (irit voyage to the New World ; attd though in the fecond, (i:^t}emefit ha^ been propofed, the precautions taken for j|hat piii-pQl^ jiad eithet been infufHcient, or iiyere rendered ineffec- tual by the i|)6tin0us fpirit of the Spaniards, and the unforefeen calamities arif^ng from various caufes. Now a plan was to bi: formed of a regu^at colony, that might ferye as a model to all fu- ture e^ablifhments," Every particular was confider^d'with atten- tion, a^ld the whole atranged with a fcrupulous accuracy. The precife (ii^mber of adventurers who fhouldbci permitted to embark was fixed; They were to be of different ranks and pfo^cf^ons; and the prqportion of eath was iftablilhed, according to their ufc- Sfulnefs and the wants of the colony. " A fuitable number of wo- jnen was to be chofen to accompany thefe new fettlers. As it was j the firft objed to railc proviftons in a country where fcarcity of JFood ha4 been the occafion of To much diftrefs, a confiderable body of hufbipdmen was to be carried over. As the Spaniards had then no conception of derivirtg any benefit from thofe produftions of the New World which have fince yielded fuch large returns of j itrealth to Europe,' but had formed magnificent ideas, and enter' DISCOVERY OF AMERIC4. at jtatned fanguine hopes with refpefl to the rifhes contaified in th« mines yrh^ch had been difcovered, a band of wprkmen, (killed in ihe various prt^ employed in digging and refining the precioi^ metals, was prc^vided. AU thele emigrants were to receive pay ;>nd fubftftence for fo'fpc years, at the public expencc. Thus far the regulations were prudent, and well adapted to th« end in view. But as it was forefeen that few wotdd engage vo> Juntarily to fetj^e in a country, whole noxious climate had been fatal to {q Tt\va.y of their countrymen, Columbus propoied to tran^ port to Hifpaniqla fuch maUfa£fcors as had been convi£led of criineS| ;which, though capital, were of a iels attrocious nature ; and that /or the future a pertain proportion qf the o^ende rs ul'ually lent to jthe gallies, (liould be condemned to labour in the mines which were to be opened. This advice, given without due refleftion, was as incon^derately adopted. The prifons of Spain, were drianed, in order to coUe^ members for the intended colony ; and ^he judges empowered to try criminal^, were in(kru&ed to recruit it by theii- fujture ieotenpe^. It is no.t, however, with /ucJbi ms^terials, that the foundations of a I'ociety, deftined to be permanent, Ihouid be laid. Ipdullry, lobriety, patience, and mutual confidence are indilpenfably requifite i^ an infant iiettlement, where purity of morals muft contribute more towards eftajblifhing order, than the operation or authority of laws. But when I'lich « mixture o^ what is corrupt is admitted into the original conftitution of the political body, the vices of thofe unfound and incurable memberin ;>vill probably infe£l: the whole, and muft certainly be produ£tiye of violent and unhappy efFe£b. This the Spa9iards fatally expe- rienced; and the other £urope^n nations having fucceflively imi- tated the praj6lice of Sp^in* in this particular, pernicious cpnfe- quence^ have foU9wed ^n thei)r iiettlement^, which can be imput- ed to no other caufe. Thougl^ Columbus obtained, with great facility apd difpatch, the royal approl^ation of every meali^re and regulation that he p^opof- cd, his- cn4eavours to car^y them into c:|fcecution were fo long re- tarded, as mull haye tired out the patience of any man, }efs acpuf- tomed to encounter and to furmount difliculties. Thole delays were occafioijed part]iy by tl^at tedious formality and fpirit of pro-, craftination, with which the Spaniards conduf): bufinei's ; and part- ly by the exhaiifted ftate of the trealury, which was drained by the expence of celebrating the marriage of Ferdinand apd IfabeUa's on- ly fon with Margaret of ^uflria, and that of Joanna, their fecond 4aughter, with Philip arbhduke of Auftria ; but mufl be chiciQy imputed to the malicious arts of Columbus's enemies. Aftoniihied at the reception which he met with upon his return, and overawed ^y his prefencc, they gave way, for fome time, to a tide of favour H DtSCOVMRY or AMMRICjI. too ftrong for them to oppofe. Their enmity, however, wai to* inveterate to remain long inaAive. They refumed their oppera- ttona, and by the afliilance of Fonl'eca, the minider for Indian af. Aiirs, who was now promoted to the bifhopric of Bajados, they threw in fo many obilacles to protra£l the preparations for Colum- bus's expedition, that a year elapfed before he could procure twq (hips to carry over a part of the fupplies deftined for the colony, •nd aUnoil two years were fpent before the fmall fquadron wai| equipped of which he himfelf was to take the command. This fquadron confifted of fix fliips only, of iio great burden, and but indifferently provided for a long or dangerous navigation. This voyage which he now meditated was in a courfe different, from any he had undertaken. As he was fully purfuaded that the fert^e regions of India lay to the fouth-wefl of thofe countries which he had difcovered, he propofed, as the mofi certain method of finding out thefe, to fUnd dire£lly fouth from the Canary or Cape de Vcrd iflands, until he came under the equinoftial line, and. then to ftretch to the weft before the favourable wind for fuch a courfe, which blows invariably between the tropics. With this idea he fet fail, on May the thirtieth, one thoufand four hun- dred and ninety-eight, and touched firft at the Canary, snd then at the Cdpe de Verd iflands, on July the fourth. From the for- mer he difpatched three of his (hips with a fupply of provifions foir the colony in Hifpaniola : with the other three, he continued his voyage towards the fouth. No remarkable occurrence hap- pened till July the nineteenth, when they arrived within five de-* grees of the line. There they were becslmed, and at the fame time the heat became fo exceflive, that many of theif wine (lafks burft, the liquotin others foured,iand their provif^Ons corrupted. The Spaniards, who had never ventured fo far to the fouth, were afraid that the (hips would take Hre, and began to apprehend the reality of what the ancients had taught concerninf^ the <^ftru£^ive qualities of that torrid region of' the globe. They were relieyed, in fome meafure, from their feaxs by a feafonable fall o^ rain. This, however, though fo heavy and unintermitting that the men could hardly keep the deck, did not greatly mitig^ate the intenfe- nefs of the heat. The admiral, vfhp With his ufUal vigilance had in perfon direfted every operation, from the t>eginnin^.of the voyage, was fo much exhaufted by fatigue and want of (leep, that it brought on a violent fit, of the gout, accompanied with a fever, All thefc ^ircumftances confh^ined him to yidd to the importUi. nities of his crew, and to alter his courfe to the north-weft, in order to reach' fome of the Carribee iflands, where he might refit, and be fupplied With pn«'ifioiis. ocean ma ' DlSiiQmfiY Of AMBlklCA O, Ofi the fir ft of Auguil, the man ftationed in the roun4 top fur* priled them with the joyful cry of land* They ftood iovizx^ it« and difcovered a eonfiderabl^ ifland, which the admin^l called Trinidad, » name it ftiU re|ain»< It lie* on the Coaft of Gu^ana^ neartlie mouth of the Orinoco* Thif, though a riycr oi^y.of the third or fourth magnitude in the New World, far furpafles aoy of the ftreama in our hemifphere. It i'olli towards the ocean fuch a vaft body of water, and rulhea into it with fuch impetuous force, that when it meeta the tide, Which on that eoail rife* to an uncommon height, their coUifion occaftona a fwcH and agijtation of the wavea no Icfa furpriiing than formidable* In tl^a confli^^ the irrefiftible torrent of the river-fo far prevails, that it frcQicns the ocean many leagues with its flood* Columbus, before he could , perceive the danger, vra* entangled among thofe adverfe current» and tempeftuous waves, and it was with the utmoft diijiiCMUy that he efcaped through a narrow ftrait, which appcaifid fo tremci>dous» that he called it La Boca del Drago. As foon as v^ conftematio» which this occaftoned, jiermitted him to refleCl.upon thfo nature of ati appearance fo extraordinary, he difcemed i|i» it a fource of comfort and hope. He jtf ftly concluded, that fuch a raft body of w;iter as this river contained, could not be. fupplied by any ifland^ but muft flow through a coimtry of immenfe e;|tcnt, and of con- fe.quenie that he was npw arrived at that ccntinent which it had hong been the obje£l:.of his wiflDcs to difcover. Full of this idea, . Ihe ftood to the weft along th^ eoaft of thofe provinces which are InQW known .by the names of Paria and Cutnana. He .landed in IfeVeral places, and had fome intercourfe with the people, who re> |fembled thofci of Hifpaniola in their appearance and manner of ife. They wore, at ornaments, fmaU plates* of gold, and pCarlft of confiderable valtie, which they willingly exchanged for ropean toys. They feemed to poffefs a better underftanding, and greater courage, than the inhabitants of the iflands. The country »oduced four-footed animals of feveral kinds, as well as a great variety of fowls and fruits. The admiral was fo much delighted /ith its beauty and fertility, that witli the warm enthuftafm of a ifcoverer, he imagined it to be the paradife dercribed in Scrip-' ire, which the Almighty shofe for the reftdencc of man, while le retained innocence that rendered him worthy of fuch a habita- ion. Thus Columbus had the glory not only of difeovering to inkind the exifl«nce of a New Worldy but made conftdcrable ^rogrefs towards a perfe6fc knowledge of it ; and was the firft man 'ho conduced the Spaniards to that vaifc continent which has en the chief feat of their empire, and the (burce of their trea- »re$ in this quarter of the globe. The Jhattered conw off the yoke: Such wu thd diAtafted ftate of the colony when Columbui landed at St. DomingOi He waa' aIloni(hed to find thbt the thrto fliipa which he had dirpatChed from the Canariea were not yet ar« rived. By the unikilfulnefs of the pilots, and the violence of cut- rents; they had been carried a hundred and Itxty n^a iv. the weft of St. Domingo, and forced to take Ihelter in a harboui;^ the pro* vince of Xaragua, where Roldan and hil feditiotttfollowera were cantoned. . Roldnn carefully concealed from the Commanders of the Ihips his infurreftioh againft the adelantadd, fiid eniploying his ut- ihoft addr^ik to gain their Confidence, perfuaded them to fet on ihore a confiderable part of the new fettiers Whom they brough' over, that they might proceed by land tip St; Domingo; It re4uii .^ cd but few argumenta to pi'evail ^ith thbf^ men to efpoufe his caufe. They were the tefufe of the jals bf Spain^ to whbm idle- nefs, licentibufnefa, and deeds of violen|be Were familiar; and they returned eagerly to a eourfe of life nearly refembling that to Which they had been accuftoiiled. The commanders of the (hips per- ceiving, wheii it Was tdo late, their imprudence in difembarking fo many of their mehj ftood away for St. Domingo, and gbt (afd ihto the port a feW daya after the admiral ; but thdir ftoCk of p<'o« vifions wa| fo Wafted during a Voyage bf fucH lung continU&iicC| that they brought little relief to the colony; By this^ittiki^ion with a band of fuch bold ahij dcfpcrate i^otA^ ates, Roldan became extremely formidable, and ho lefs extraVagiiil in his demands. Columbus; though filled With riifcntiiieht at hlS ingtititude; and highly exal'perated by tlr? 'ni;>lenCe of hiJt fol- lowers, made no hafte to take the field. He trembled at the thoughts of kindling the flames of i civil war. In Which, whatever party prevailed; the power and ftrength df both niuft be fo much wafted; as might encourage the common bni^my to unite and com-> plete their deftru^ion; At the fame time, he obl'crved, that ^he prejudices and pafllons Which incited the rebels to take arma, had fo far infefted t'hofe Who ftill adhc)-ed to him, that many of th'etu were adverfe; and all cold to the fervice. From fuch fentinients with, refpeft to the public intereil, as well as ffotn this view of his H ^ .^ISCp^JEA^ aJ? ^MSfilCA, qfnx i^tuatton, h« chofc to n^gociate ratjh^r tbiin to fight. By t| . SpSioTuhle proclanpation, offering free pardon to fuch as diould me-* latsit by returhing to their duty, he'mtadc; impreflion upon fome. of t]^p malcontents. 3y engaging to grant fuch as Chould d|efire it t|ie lijberty of returning to Spain^ he allured aU thofc unfortunate adventurers, who, fiom ftcknefs and difappointmentf were difguftedi with the countiy. By promifing to re-eftabU(h Roidan in his for<' i^icr o^ccj he Xpqthed hyis pride ; and by complying with moft of his demands 'in behalf of his followers, he fatisfied their avarice, i^hus, gradually and without bloodshed, but after many tedipusne" gpciations, he dii|ip|lved thi^ dangerous condiinatipn which threat*' ^hed the colony with ruiu ; and rei^red the appearance of order^ regular govjcmment, and tranquillity. ' ^ . In tonfn(^ ninety-two, Ojeda was permitted to fet out for fhe New World, {n order to direft his courfe, the biihop com- municated t« If im fkie admiral's journal of his laft voyage, and his pharts of ||h) f o^ntrie8 which he had difcovered. Ojeda ilruck put jpfp HP t\pw ps^th of navigation, but adhering fervilely to the rcAite yhiph Columbus hrd taken, arrived on the coaft of Paria. |le traded with the natives, and ftanding to the weft, proceeded as far as Cape de Vela, and ranged along a conliderable extent of coaft beyond that pn which Columbus had touphed. Having ^hus afcertained the opinion of Columbus, that this country was a part of the continent, Ojeda returned in Oftober, by way of liifpaniola to Spain, with fome reputation as a difcoverer, but with little benefit to thofc who had raifed the funds for the ipxpedition. Amerigo Vcfpucci, a Florentine gentleman, accompanied Ojeda P this voyage. In what ftatioh he ferved, is uncertain ; but as u ^^istt^mRYot AmBim:A, he v^s an ixpencncield Cnlor, and eor thai'hte had the glory of having firft diJicovercd th«5 ctottti-. nent in the New World. Amerigd's account was drawn tip iiidt only with art, but with fomc el^ance. It contained an amufing^ hiftory of his voya^, 4nd judicious obfervations upon the Hatur * prodn£):!o]i^ the inhabitants, and the cuftoms of the cduritH^I ^ which ho had vifited. As it was the firft defcription of any pairt * of the New World that v^as publilheid, a j^rformance fo well cal- culated to gratify the palHon of mankind for what is hew and marvellous, circulated ripidiy^ and was read .with admiratidh. The coanityj of which AhxefigQ was fuppofed to be the difcoverer, «ame gradually to bfe called by his name. The capricid of maMkihd, pfteil as uiiaecoiint^le as uhjuft, has {lerjietuated this error, By the umvetfal cohfent of hatidns, AMEiiicA is the n&me bfeftoxitred on thi$ new quarter of the ^obe. The bold pretenfions 6f a for- tunate impoftor hSve robbed the dilcoVercr of the NeW^ World qf a diftin£lidn which belopg^d td him. The name of Amerigo, hfes ' fupplanted that of Columbus ; and miahkind may regret an a£lt of injuftite, which, hayingreCeived the fat^ioii of time, it is now too late t<>redr¥^, and accpired in hi!» vd^pi% the (kill ahd inform^iort'li^^h cjuali- fied them to imitate his ej^ample. Alonzo Nigno, whd had ferved under the admiral in his lafl: expedition, fitted out a fin'gle ihtp, in conjunftion with Chriftopher Guerra, a merchaht of SeVflte, and failed to the coa which Pinon had ftopt Ihort, wa» more fiuliy d^ftoyered*-^ "the fu^cefafuL voyage o£Gama to the ^ajft In^jiet hayii^iS eneo^i;*^d the King of ForiMgal toEt out a fleet fo powerful^ as not only to cariy on trade, but to, attempt conqueil,. he gavethe.co^nmad of it to P^dr^t Alv^ez Cabrah In order to avoid t^e coaft of Africa, vrhete he. was certain o£ meeting w;ith va|-iable bf<;e7es, or frequent calmSj which miglit retard his vpyage^ Gabral flood out tp fea, and/Iiept fo far to the weft* that, to hia furprife) ^ he found hi|i^felf uppq. the flipre of lan unknown t^puntry, in the t.enth d^gf-ee heypndthe line* He. imagined,, at firil^ that ^n by thename ofBrafil* Heiandedt and haVing^form-k eA a Very, high idea of the. fertility ofaheifoil^andagreeablenersuf the cliiiiale, he^took poflelfionof it for the crown of Portugal, and' ^Cpatched a. Ihip^to Liibon with an. account of this event, which appeared to be no left important than it was, une]cpe£led« Co- lumbus's difcovery of the New World wa& the effort of an a£^ive gf^i^^s^ enlightened ^r fcience, guided by e^perie(icain, on this account^ .as having loll by the enterprife of Coluinbb^, and imputed it to hisr mifconduft and incapacity for government j that a country abound- ing in gold had yielded nothing of valUe to its conquerors^ Eveft Ifabella, who from the favourable opinion which fike entertilined •f Columbus, had uniformly prote6led him, was ftiaked at length SihaPkkYliiJfMkkicA: ii in- but vy Itie ^titt^r md boldhefft o^ his jictufers, and begaA M ftifpel^ ihat a difaffe£tion io goneral muft Have been occafioned by re^l IrieVantei; whidh called iok redfe^a. The Bifhop oF fiajadaii| itfith hift iifuai iniriiiofity againft Columbus, encouraged thefe fut l^itiohs, a increafing valUe, made Ferdinand confidcr the conceflions in the capitulation as extravagant and impolitic. He was afraid of jesntrufting a fubjeft with the exercife of a jurifdi£Hon that now appeared to be i'o truly extenfive, and might grow ilo lefs formi- dable. He ihipired Ifabella with the fame fuipicions ; and under Various pretexts, equally frivolous 2nd unjuft, they eluded all Co- |i)mbus's requifitions to perform that whith a folemn compa£l bound them to accomplifh. After attending the court of Spain |br nearly two years, as an humble fuitor, he found it impoiEble to ' remove Ferdinand's prejudices and apprehenfiom ; and perceived^ ^ DtSCOlTEKYOF AMERICA, •t liengtli, th«r he' laboured in vtin, when he urged ■ t »r ' of ju^ tice or merit to an interefted and unfeeling prince.. Eiut even this uhgenecous return did not difcourage liim from purlViing the great objeft which firll called forth hia inventite ge- nius, and ejccitcd him to attempt diticovery. To 6pen a new paf- Ikge to the £a{l Indies was his original and favourite fchemc. This dill engroflfed his thoughts ; and either from his own obler- vations in his voyage to Paria, or from fome obi'cure hint of the natives, or from the accounts given by Baftidas and de la Cofa, of their expedition, he conceived an opinion that, beyond the conti- nent of America, there was a fea which extented to the Eaft In- dies, abd hoped to find fome narrow (Irait or narrow neck of land' by wl»h a CQinmunication might be opened with it and the part of the itcean already known. By a very fortunate conje£iure, he fuppofed this (Irait or ifthmus to be fituated near the gulph of Daricn. Full pf this idea, though he wal now of an advanced age, worn out with fatigue, and broken with infirmities, he offered, with the alacrity of a youthful adventurer, to undertake a voyage which would afcertain this important point, and perfeft the grand fcheme which from the beginning he propoled to'accompliih. Several circumilances concurred in difpofing Ferdinand and Ifa- bella to lend a favourable ear to this propolal, They were glad to have the pretext of an honourable employment for removing, f^om court a man with wHofe demands they deemed it impolitic to comply, and whofe fervices it was Indecent to negle£l. Though unwillingto^rcward Columbus, they were not infenfible of his merit, and from their experie nee of his (kill and condu£l,' had reafon to give credit to his conjeflures, and to confide in his fuccefs. To thefe coniidentions, a third ipufl: be added of ftill more powerful influence* About this time the Portugucfc fleet, under Cabral, arrived from the Indies; and, by the richnefs of its cargo, gave the people of Europe a more perfe£l idea, than they had hitherto betn able to form, of the ppulience and fertility of the Eafl. The Portuguei'e had been more fortunate in their difcoveries than the Spaniards. They had opened a communication with countries where induflry, arts, and elegance flourifhed; and where com- merce had been longer eflabliihed, and carried to greater extent, than in any region of the earth. Their firft voyages thither yiielded immediate, as well as vafl returns of profit, in commodi- ties extremely precious and in great requefl. Lifbon became im- mediately -the feat of commerce* and of wealth ; while Spain had on- ly the expediation 6f remote benefit, and of future gain^ from the wefljern world. • Nothing, then, could be more acceptable to the Spaniards than Columbus's offer to condufl them to the eafl, by f^ route which he expefted to be fhorter, as well as Lefs dangerous. - . ■ ' ■ % ■'S "» ^avc ;rto rhc I the tries im- lon- the I the lUS. DISCOVERY OF AME^ICAi 94 than that which the'Portuguefe had takqn. Even Ferdinand was routed by, fuch a profpeft, and warmly approved of th^ under- taking. ' ' But, interefting as the objeft of hia voyage was to the t>ation, Columbus could prAcureonly four fmall barks, the Urged of which did not (btcced feveiity tons in burden, for performing it. Ac- cu domed to braVt danger, aixl to engage in arduous, undertakings with inadequate force, he did not hefitate to accept the, command o^f this pitiful fquadron^ His brother Bartholomew, and his fe- cond fon Ferdinand, the hidorian of his a£lions, accompanied him. He failed from Cadiz on the ninth of May, and touched, as ufual, at the Canary iflands *, from thence he purpofed tQ have dood direAly for the continent ■, but his largcd vciTel was fo clum- fy and unfit for fervice^ as condrained him to bear away for Hifpa^ niola, in hopes of exchanging her for fome Hiip of the fleet that had carried out Ovando. When he arrived off Sti Domingo, on June the twenty-ninth, he found eighteen of thefe diips ready loaded, and on the point of departing for Spain. Columbus im^ mediately acquainted the governor with the dedination of his voyage, and the accident which had obliged him to alter his route. He requeded permiflion to enter the harbour, not only that he might negociate the exchange of his'fliip, but th^t he might ^ake (helter during a violent hurricane, of which he difccrned the ap; proachfrom various prognodics, which his experience and iagacity had taught him to obfervc ; on that account, he advifcd him like- wife to put off for fome days the departure of the fleet bound tp Spain. But Ovando refufed his requed, and defpifed his coun- fel. Under circumdances in which humanity would have afforded refuge to a dranger, Columbus was denied admittance into a ceun^ try of which he had difcovered the exidence and acquired the poffcilion. His falutary warning, which merited the greated at- tention, was regarded as the dream of a viflonary prophet, who ar- rogantly pretetided to predifi: an event beyond the reach of human fore-(ight. The fleet fet fail for Spain. Next night the hurri- cane came on with dreadful impetuofity. Columbus aware of the danger, took , precautions againd it, and faved his little fquadron. The fleet dedined for Spain met with the fate which th an injured man,- and to punifh' the oppreObiv of an thnocetit people. Upon thelgnorant and fu- perftitious race of men, who were witner(tti<|f t]jfis occurrence, it made a difFeicift inrpreffion. tr^Ba an opinion,^which vulgar ad- miration is apt to entertain With iQefpeJlE ^ perforin who have dif* tinguiihed^theniielves by their fagacity and inventions, they betiev- ed Columbus to be poffeffed of fupeillXt||raI powers, and imagined that he had conjured up this dreadful ttorir by nOigical art, and incantations^ in order to be avenged of Hijii enemies; Colunibu^ foon left Hifpanioh,' July 1^4, wh<^ he met with fueh an inhofpitalj^e recejrtion, ai^d ftood towai^^^Ul^he Continent.' After a tedious and dangerous vofiige, he difcovliied Guknaia, an' lAihd not far diftant £k>m the coaflk of Honduras; Thefe he had an interview with fomie inhabita^f of the Continent, who arri- ved in a large Canoe.' They ap^ared to be a, people more «ivi. lized^ and who had made greater pirogrefs in the knowledge of ufe-' ful arts, than any whom he had hitherto difCovered. In return to' the inquiries which- the .yfMiniards^madiMi vince of Vcragua, under the command of his brpther, and to return himfelf W*Spain, in order to procure what vas rcquifite for rendering the <^abU(hment permanent. But the ungovcrn- atle fpirit of the people under h|« command, deprived Columbus of the glory of planting the firft colony on the continent of America. Their ^niblence and rapacipufncfs provoked, the natives to take.arms, and as thffi^ >«e're a jliore hardy and warlike face of men than the iiihnbiUnts of the i4ands, they cut off pai;! of the Spaniards,. ahtjUobligedithe reft to abandqf^ 9, Action which was. found to be untena^e..-' r . This repulfe,^ th^ S^rft that^he Spaniards met with from any of the AiT>erican natiqps, was not the only micfortune that befel Columbuis'; it was followed b^ a fucceflion of all the dilafters to which navigation is expp|j^, ^ Furious hurricanes, with violent florms of thunder tj^d l|^htnihg, threatened his leaky vcffels with dcftruftion ; whi|e ijits d||'contentcd crew, exhaufted with fatigue, and deilitute of proyi^^Nn^, was unwilling or unable ^o executf^ his commandib. Qne of his fliips perifhed ; he was obliged to abandon apotflR^, as unfit fotj fervice ; and with the two which remained, he fitted that paruof the contipept which in hi^JtHj guifti he named the Coaft of Vcxatiorl;, and bore away fdr Hifpa> niola. New diftreiTes awaited iim in t|iis voy^e. He was driven back by. a violent fcmpeft froin the cpaft of .Cuba, his fljips fejl foul of one another, and wert fo muf h {battered by the ihock, t|iat with the utmoft difficulty they reached Jamaica, on June 24, where he was obliged ^o run them aground, to prevent them from (inking. The meafure of his calamities fcemed pow to be full, He was caft a{hore upon an iQand at a confiderable diftance fron^ the only fettlement of the Spaniards in America. His Ihips were ruined beyond the poflibility of being repaired. To convey an apcount of his fituation to HifpanioU, appeared impra£licable ; and without this it was vain to expeCl relief. His genius, fertile in refources, and mod vigorous in thofe perilous extremities when feeble minds abandon themfelves to defpair, difcovered tl^e only expedient which affoidcd any profpe£t of deliverance. He had recourfe to'the hofpitable kindnef^ of the native% who confidcred the Spaniards as beings of a fuperior nature, were eager, on every occafton, to n\4nifler to their wants. From them he obtained two of their canoell, caih formed out of the trunk of a fingle tree hol- lowc*". \yith fire, and (o mif-ftiapen and aukward as hardly to merit the hajne of Boats. In thefe, which were fit only for creeping slong the coaft, or c ofling from on«^; fide of a bay to another, Mendez, a Spaniard, and Fiefchi, a G«n<|ere, two gentlemen parti^vj mlarly attached to Columbus, gallantljfc«|fere4 to fct out f^ »«| ' ' III ^11 li! ii i:is ^4 fJtnCOVEkt OF AMEk^CA. I'pmioh, u)[>6n a voyage of above thirty leagues. This they acco pUfliedin ten days, after furmountin^ incredible dangers, and en- '. jdnring fuch fatigu?, that fe^veral of the Indians who accompanied f hem fuqk under it, and died, llie attentiqn paid to them by the goverpor of Hifpaniola was neither fuch as their courage merited, nor the d|{^rcfs of the perfons from whom they came required* Pyando, frbn^a mean jealoufy qf Coiumbu$ was afraid of allowing him to fet foot'in tKe ii^and under his government. This ungene- rous paHion hardened ftis heart againft every tender fentiment, which rt^fle^ion upon the iervices and misfortunes of that great man, or pompa^pti lor his own {^Uovlr-citizens ' involved in the (iune calamities, mud have excited. Mehdez and Fiefchi fpent (Bight months in foliciting relief for 'their comiftahder and afTociatcs, without any profpc£fc of obtaining it. During this pciripd, various pafSons agi^te(|tl]^e niind of Colum- |>us, and his companions iii adyerlity. At firft the eicpeftation oi fpeedy deliverance, from the fuccefs of Mehdez and Fiefchi 's yoyagCj cheered the fpirits pf the inoTl defpdnding. After fome time ihc more timorous began to fufpe^ that they %ad mifcvrpcd in their darin^ attempt. At length,' eyen the moft failiguine con- cluded that they had perilhed. The ray pf hope which had broke; in upon them, made their condition appear !now more difmal. Defpairj Heightened by difappointment, lettled in every bieafl. Their htft refburce had faijed, and nothing remained biit the prof- •peft of ending tllcir mlfcrabls days) among naked favages^ far from their couiitry'and their friends. The leamen in a tranfport o^ ragCj rofc in open mutiny, threatened thclife of Columbus, whom they reproached as the author bf all their calamities, feized t'eii canoes, which he had purchafcd from the Indians, and deipiftng iiis retnonftranccs and entreaties, m^de off with them to a diflanC part of the illand. At the famq' time the natives murmured at the long' refidcnce of the S](>aniards in their country. As their^ induftry' was not greater thah that of their neighbours in Ilifpa- nipla, like them they found the burden of fupporting fo many ftraneers tp be altogetlicr intolerable. They* began to bring ih provifions vl'ith reluftance, they furnifhed them With ia fparing hand, and threateried to withdraw thofc fupplics altogether. Such a refolution muft have been quickly fatal to the Spaniards. Their fafety depended upon the good-wiU pf the Indians ; and unlefi they could revive the admiration and reverence with which that finiple people had at firft belield therri, deftruftion Was una- voidable. Though the licentious proceedings of the mutineers had,' in a great meafurc effaced thofe impreflions which had been To favourite tP the^papiards, the ingenuity df Columbu^ Cugi* ^cAcd a hapjpy artiHcc, that not only reftorcd but heightened th^ k DliCOV£RY 0F AMERICA. -15 Ijigh opinion which the Indians, had originally Chtertairfcd o( them. By his (kill in aftronomy he knew that thpre was ihortly to be a total eclipfe of the moon. He aflembled all the principal perfons of th? diftrift around him oh the day befote it happened^ and, after reproaching, them for their flcklenefs in withdrawing their afFeftion arid ifliftatice fi-om thei^ whdiri they had lately re*, vcred, he told them, that {hp Spaniards wet-c lervants of the Great Spirit who dwells in heaven, w|io rtiade and goveiiis the world ; that he, offended at their refufnig to fupport men wlib were the ohje£ls of his peculiai^ faVouf, waS preparing to punifli this crime with exemplary fpverityj and that very night the mooh (hould withhold :Jher lijjsht^ and appear of a bloody hue^ zi a iign iaf the diyifie'^rath^ and an emblem of the vengeance feady to fall upoi;i them. To this maitvellous predidUon lome of them lidened with ^the carelcfs indifference peculiar to the people of America < jpfthers, if/iih the credulous aftonilhment natural tp barbarians. But when the^oon began gradually to be (darkened, and at length ttippeared of a red colour^ all were ftruck with terrof. They : .m with conftematioii to their . houfes, and returning inffantly to (Columbus loaded with provifions, threV: them at his feet, con- juring him to intertede with the Great Spirit to avert the def- tru£lion with which they were threatened. Columbus, feeming to be moyed by their entreajkies, promifed to comply with their dic^fire. The ^clipfie went off, the mOon recovered her fpkudouf) &nd from that Jay the Spaniards wete not otily fiimifhed profufe-' ly with provifioQS^ but the natives, with fupetllitious attention, ivoided every thing that t6uld give them offen-v. During thofe traniaftions, the muti>:.*^er6 hu madr repeated littempts to pafs over to Hifpaniola in the 6r.r>'-io3 which they had feized.. But, froni their oWn mifconduflj or Lae violcnte of the winds and currents, their efforts "Vvere al! MOaccefsful. Enraged ^t this dif^ppointment, they ndirched towards tiiat part of the iiland where Colunlbus remained, threat^ing him with nfcw infults and danger. While they were advancing^ an ^cnt, happened, more cil-tiel and afflifi^ing thain any Calamity which he dreaded from them. The governor of Hifpaniola, whofe mind was ftill filled with fome dark fufpitions of Columbus, fent a fmall bark td Jamaica, not to deliver his diflrcffed countrymen, but to (py out their condition. Left the fympathy of thofe whom he ctrp'roycd fltould afford them relief, contrai-y to his intention, he gave the oJmmand of this veffel to Efcobar, an inveterate enemy of Colum- bus, who adhering to his inftru£tions with maligant accuracy caft Anchor at fome diftance from the ifland, approached the fhore in a fmatllsoat, obferved the wrstehed plight af the Spani^rrds, deliver- K a iiiSCOVERY Of AM£R$CA, ed a letter of empty compliments to' the admiral, received his aii- fwer and departeds When the Spaniards firft dcfcried the veffel !ftahdin{r towards the ifland, every heart exulted, as if the long ex- peAed hour of their deliverance had at length arrived ; but when it difappfarft them. They /rbt<^ Over in chains, U> be tried for his crlmek, and thircadt)i isltii9«r|i^ from the 35th to the 136th degree weft longitude frpm London^ ilretching between 8090 and 9000 nyles in lengthy an4 ih its greateft breadth 3699. It fees both hemifphires, has two fum- mers and a double winter, and enjoys all the variety of c|iinatef which the earth affords. |t is waihed by th^ two great oceans. To the eaftward it has the Atlantic, which diviiie^ it from Europe and Africa ; to the weft it hat the Pacific or Gci^t $outh $ea, by which it is feparajted from Afu. By thefe feas it may, and does^ carry op. a dircBi jpommerpe with the^ other three parts of the world. ^ No^TH ^Vis South Contikskt. America is not of equal breadth throughout its Whole extent ; but is divided into two grsat continents, called North and South America, by an ifthmu^ 1 50Q miles long^ and which at Darien, about Lat. 9* N. is pnly 6© miles oyer. This ifthmus form$, with the northern and fouth- crn continents, a vaft gulph, in which lie a great number 6i iflands, palled iht Weji Indies, in contradiftin£lipn to the eaftem parts of Alia which are called the £ajt Indies. CiLrfATE. Between the New World and the Old, the^b ^re feveral very ftriking differences ; but the n^oft remarkable is the general predominance of cold throughout the whole extent of A* .erica. Though we cannot, in ai^y country, determine tke precife degree of heat merely by the diftance ol the equator, be- caufe the elevation above the fea, the nature of the foil, Ac. affe^ the climate ; yet, in the ancient continent, the he^ is much more in proportion to, the vicinity to the equator than in any pan of America. Here the rigour of the frigid zone extends o»«r kalf that which fhould be temperate by its pofiticn. Eim in tko£l 8o GENER4I, PESCRIPTION. latitudes where the winter is fcarcely felt on the Old continent^ it reigns with great fevcrity in America, though during a fhort period. Nor does this odd, prevalent in the New World, con- fine itfelf to the temperate zones ; but extends its influence to the torrid zpi^e, alfo, confiderably mitigating the excefs of itt^ hcati Abug t)io cf ftcrn poaft| the climate, though more fipiiUr to that of the torrid zone in other parts of the earth, is neverthelefs confiderably milder than in thofe countries of Ada and Africa which lie in the fame latitude. From the fouthern tropic to the extremity of the Americans continent, the cold is faid to be much greater th^n in parallel northern latitudes even of America it(elf. For this fo remarkable difference between the climate of the New continent and the Old, various caufes have been afligned by different authors. The following is the opinion of the learned Br. Robertson on this fubjc£l:» <^ Though the utinoil extent of Amcfie* tpwayds the north be not yet dilcovered, we know that it advances nearer to the pole than either Europe pr Afia. The latter ha^e large feas to the north, which are open during part of the year; and, even, when covered with ice, the wind that blows over them is lets intenfely cold than that which b^ows over land in the fame latitude*. But, in America, the land ftretfhes from the river St. Laurence towards the pole, and fpreads out immen(e- ly to the weft. A chain of enormous mountains, covered with fnow and ice, runs through all this dreary region. I'hc wind p^i&ng over fuch an extent of high and frozen land, bccgmes fo impregnated with cold, that it acquires a piercing k^nnefs, which it regains in its progrefs through warmer climates; and is not entirely mitigated until it reaches the gulph of Mexico, Over all (Jte continent of North America, a north* we (lerly wind and ex- eefiive cold are fynonymous terms. Even in the moft fultry weather, the momt nt that the wind veers to that quarter, its pene^ trating influence is felt in a ^ranfition from heat to cpld jpio lef^ violent than fudden. To this powerful caufe we may afcribe the extraordinary dominion of cold, and its violent ifi-roads into the iputhern provinces in that part of the globe. *^ Other cauies, no leis remarkable, diminifh the a£live powet* of heat in thofe parts of the American continent which lie be- tween the tropics. Jn all that portion of the globe, the wind blows in an invariable diredbion from eaft to weft. As this wind holds itu.courfe acrofs the ancient continent, it arrives at the eountries which ftretch along the weftcrn flio^re of Africa, in- flamed with all the fiery particles which it hath collefted from the fultry plains of Afia, and the burning fands in the African ^farts. The coaft of Africa is accordingly the region of the OF AMERICA. %t inoft fervent hear, and it expofed to the unmitigated ardour of the torrid zone. But this fame wind, which brings fuch an accef- (ion of warmth to the countries lying between the river of Sene* gal and Cafraria, traverfes the Atlantic ocean before it reachea the American fliore. It is cooled in its paif>«ge oVtr this Vaft bo- dy of water ; and is felt as a refrefhing gale along the coafts of Brafil and Guiana, rendering thofe countries, though amongd the warmed in America, temperate, when compared with thofe which lie oppofite to them in Africa. As t^is wind advances in its courfe acrofs America, it meets with im^nenfc plaint covered with impenetrable forefls ; or occupied by large riven, marfhes, and. flagnating waters, where it can recover no conftderablf^ degree ojfir heat. At length it arrives at the Andes, which ru i from north to fouth through the whole continent. la paffing <.> ec their ele- vated and frozen fummits, it it> fo thotMudiiy cofik^ thft the greater part of the countries beyond then^^jMly /e<^ thmivdoor to which they feem expofed by their fituatidn, in-tlie otn|#'i>ro- vinccs of America, from Terra Firma weftwardto the Mexican empire, the heat of the climate is tempered, in fomlSi^placety by the elevation of the land above the fea ; in others, by |hcir ex- traordinary humidity ; and in all, by the enormous mountains fcattered over this tra£b. - The* iilands of America in the torrid zone are either fmall or mountainous, and are fanned alternately by refrefhing fea and land breezes. " The caufet of the extraordinary cold towards the fouthern ii* mits of America, and in the feas beyond it, cannot be afcertained in a manner equally fatisfying. It was long fuppofied, that a yaft continent, diftinguifhed by the name of Terra Aufttalis Incognita^ lay between the fouthern extremity of America and the antarctic pole. The fame principles which account for the extraordinary degree of cold in the northern regions of America, were employ- ed in order to explain that which is felt at Cape Horn and the adjacent countries. The immenfe extent of the fouthern conti- nent, and the rivers which it poured into the ocean, were men- tioned and admitted by philofophers as caufes fufficient to occa- fion the unufual ien(ation of cold, and the Hill more uncommon appearances of frozen feas in that region of the globe. But the imaginary continent to which fuch influence was afcribed having been fearched for in vain, and the fpace which it was fupppi^ to occupy having been found to be an open fea, new conje^rei mud be formed with rsfpe£l to the caufes of a temperature ..of cli- mate, fo extremely different from that which we experience in countries removed at the fame diflance from the t^poftte pole* Mi QENEkAL DESCRIPTION " The moil obvious and probable caufe of this fuperior degref' of cold towards the fouthern extremity of America, feetns to bcs the form of the continent there. Its breadth gradually decreaCes as it n retches from Sti Antonio fouthwslrds^ and from the bay of St. Julian to the flraits of Magellan its dimenftons are tdiicU con- tmft;:d. On the call and weft fides, it is waihed by thf iilantic and Pacific oceans. From its fouthern pointy it is probable that an open fca ilretches to the 8ntar£iic pole. In whicht vcr of thefe dire£lions the wind blows, it is cooled before it approaches the MiiFcUanic regions, bv pafTing over a vaft bod^ of water; nor is the land there, of fucK extent, that it can recover any con- ';fiderable degree of heat in ifs progrel's over it« Thefe circum- ftanccs concur in rendering the temperature of the air in this dif- ■txi&. of America mure ftmilar to that of an infular, than to that of a continental climate }'knd hinder it from acquiring the fame de-^ ^ee ofjumhie? -heat with places in £urope and Afw, in a corref- pondti^^ northern latitude. The north wind is the only one that reaches this part of America, after blowing over a great continent. But, froift an attentive furvey of its pofxtion, this will be found to havd a tendency rather to diminifli thah augment the degree of heat. The fouthern fvfremity of America is proplerly the ter- mination of the immt- ' -c of the Andes, which ftretches near- ly in a direlil Hn- from nyrth to fouth^ through the whole ex- tent of the cantiaent. The inofl: fultry regions in South Ameri- ^ifca, GuJunaf luiafil, Pa^aguayj and Tucuman^ lie many degrees to ' the ?!alt of the Magellanic re«»ions. The level country of Peru, Which enjoys the tropical heats, is fituated confiderably to the w6ftofthem* The north wind, then^ though it blows over land^ d^es not bring to the fouthern extremity of America an increafe of heat coUefted in its palTage over torrid regions ; but, before it arrives there, it muft have fwept along the lummit of the Andes, and come impregnated with the cold of that -frozen region." Another particularity ii^ the climate of America^ is its excefliVe moiilure in general. In fomis places^ indeed, on the weftern coaft, rain is not known ; but^ in all other parts, the moiftnefs of the climate is as remarkable as the cold.-— The forefts wherewith it is every where covered^ no i^Dubti partly occafion the moifture of its climate ; but the moft prevalent caule is the vaft quantity of waWr in the Atlantic an4 Pacific oceans, with' whitk America is environed on all fides* Hence thofe places where the conti- nent is narroweft are deluged with almoft perpetual rains, accom- panied with violent thunder and lightning, by which fome of them, particulai'ly Porto Bello, are rendered in a manner unin- habitable. erior clegrcf! fenns to be lly decreafics n the bay of '. THuch cun- thf vtlantic »robable that hich< ver of I approaches V of water j ;rcr any con- hefe ciicum- r in this dil- an to that of the fame de* , in a corref- 3nly one that at continent. viU be found the decree of pierly the tcr-' tretches near- tie whole ex- iouth Amcri- ny degrees to ntry of Peru, erably to the Mrs over land^ a an increafe but, before it if the Andes, region." i its exceflive the weftern : moiilnei's of s wherewith the moiilure vafl quantity hibk America :re the conti- rains, accom- rhich fome of nanner unin> OF AMERICA, M This extreme motfture of the American climate is produAivc of much larger rivers there than in any other part of the world. The Danube, the Nile, the Indus, or the Ganges, arc not com- parable to the Minillippi, the river St. Laurence, or that of the Atn.izons; nor iirc luch large lakes to be found any where as thole whirh North America ailords. To the fame caufe we arc iiHo partly to aicrihc the exccfltve luxuriance of all kinds of ve- getables in almod all parts of this country. In the fouthern provinces, where the moifture of the climate is aided by the warmth of the (un, the wood» are almod impervious, and the furface of the gruftnd is hid from the eye, under t thick covers ing of (hrubs, herbs, and weeds. — In tV '>rthem prqivinccs, the furcds are not encumbered with the :uriance of vegeta- tion ; ncverthelct's, they afford trees mij get of thclr^kind than what are to be found any where elic. iJHHikHK From the coldnefs and (he moiilure of Amet^l^njI^Bu malig- nity of climate has been inferred, and aiTerted by^ IW. dte^ PlM|f| in his liecherches Philofophiquei, Hence, according to his hypotncfis, the fmallnefs and irregularity of the nobler animals, arid the fizc and enormous multiplication of reptiles and inlefls. , But the fuppofed imallnefs and Icfs ferocity of the American animals, the Abb^ Clavigcro obferves, inflead of the malignity, de- monflrates the mildnefs and bounty of the clime, ; f we give credit to Buffon, at. whofc fountain M. dc Paw has drank, and of -^hofe teflimony he' has availed himfelf againft Don Pernetty. BufFoni^ who in many places of his Natural Hiflory produces the fmallnefs of the American animals as a certain argument of the malignity of the climate of America, in treating afterwards of favage ani-r mals, in Tom. II. fpeaks thus: *f As all things, even the mod h^Q creatures, are fubje£^ to natural laws, and aniinals as well as men dire fubjeiEled to the influence of climate and foil, it appears that the fame caules which have civilized and poliflied the human fpecies in our climates, may have likewiie produced fimilar t^ffeQs upon other fpecies. The wolf, which is perhaps the fierceft of all the quadrupeds of the temperate zone, is however incompa- rably lefs terrible than the tyger, the lion, and the panther, of the torrid zone ; and the white bear and hyeha of the frigid zone. In America, where the air and the earth sre more mild than thofe of Africa, the tyger, the lion, and the panther, are not terrible but in the name. They have degenerated, if fiercenefs, joined to cruelty, made their nature ; or, to fpcak more properly, they havfe only fuftcred the influence of the climate: under a milder (ky, their nature alfo has become more mild. From climes which are immo. derate in their temperature, are obtained drugs, perfumes, poifons, La W". IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 ■tt liii 12.2 IB -.n 1112.0 ■ 4.0 |25|U IJ4 ^ 6" - ► Fhotographic Sciences Corporalion 23 WBT MAIN STRUT WIUTII(,N.Y. MSm (716)S72-4S03 .^ 0^' Gf climate. The fize of our qttldmj| M || a biyw^ compared with that of an elephant, the ,llunooJi«Pp^iiaii^e. Tiie larged of our birds are but fmall, if CilMllffiell jlltirthe oflrich^ the condore, and ca/dar«." So far whole text we have copied, becaule it i» contrary to Ifaw writes t^ainfl: the climate of America, and to leif in many bther places, 'lf.tM large and fierce animals are natives of intbmperate climes^'. and(iauiU and trant^il animals of temperate climes, as M, Buffon lia^ here e^blifhed ; if mildnefs of climate influences the difpo-^ fition and cuftoms of animals, M. dc Paw does not well dcdtice l^e malignity the bread of animals which do^ot exercife the virtue of.|>gopaMiricn. .Caierpillars, ci:abs, butterilies, beetles, Ipiders^frogB, MMTpoads,. were for the moH part of an enormous cocpulsnee in their j||ccieii, and .multiplied beyond what can be Imagined, Panama; isiiinfeft- ed with ierpents, Carthagena with clouds of enonQious^t%.Por- tobello with toads, SurinsuB with kakerlaeas^ or eucarach^^ Gu».d. aloupe, and the other colonies of the iflands, wi^ beetjba^ Quito with niguas or chegpes, and Lima with lice and bugf^^^Tj^^S-* cient Kings, of Mexico, and the emperors of Peruj f^ndq||^liiir» meatis of ridding their fubje^ of thofe infefls which.Hi^ m|mI|' them, than the impoiition of an annual tribute of a certain quantity^ of lice. Ferdinand Cortes found bags full of them in the palao!!^ of Montezuma." But this argument exaggerated as it is, praHrpm nothing againll the climate of America, in general, much left againil that of Mexico. There being ibmc lands in America, in which, on account of their hea^ humidity, or Avant of inhabitants, large iufcfls are found, and exceffively multiplied, will prove ativ* mod, that In Ibme places tlte furface of the earth is infe&ed, a« , he lays, with putrefa^ion ; but not that the foil of Mexico, or' (hat of all America, is llinking, uncultivated, vitiated, and abandon* cd to itfelf. If I'uch a dedufkion were juft, M. de Paw might alfo fay, th^t the foil of the old continent is b.rren, and ftinks ; as in many countfies of it there arc prodigious multitudes of monftFous- inle&s, noxious reptiles^ and vile animal^ as in the Philippine illes, in many of thofe of the liidian Archipelago, in fcveral countriea . of the fouth of Afia, in many of Africa^ and even in fome of ,Eu* • rope. The Philippine ides are iiifefted with enormous ants and mon(b-ous butterflies, Js^n with fcorpions, fourh of Afia and Africa with ferpents, Egypt with afpS, Guinea and Ethiopia with armies of ants, Holland with field-rats, Ukrariia with toads, as M. de Paw himielf afHrms. In Italy, the Gampagna di Roma (al- though peopled for fo many ages,) with vipers; Calabria with farantulas ; tlie Ihores of the Adriatic fea, wirii clouds of gnats ; and even in l^rance, the |)opulation of which iis fo great and fo ancient, whofe lands are io well cultivated, and whole climate is fo celebrated by the French, there appeared, a few years ago, ac- %. 8^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION cording to M, BulFon^ a new fpecies of field-mice, larger than f h» common kind, called by him Surmulots^ which have multiplied exceedingly, to the great damage of the fields. M. fiazin, in his Compendium of the Hiftory of Infe£b, numbers 77 fpecies of bugs, which are all found in Paris and its neighbourhood. That lariige^-caiutal, as Mr; Bomare fays, fwarms with thofe difguftful inie<^« 'it is tru*:, that there are places in America, wher&the mult&iiiei of.infefls, and filthy vermin, make life irkfome;'but we do:^||t know that they have arrived at fuch exccfs of multi^ plicatj^U^ai to depopulate any place, at leafl there cannot be fo many ftxampies .produced of this caufe of depopulation in the new as in |)|^ ol^ continent, which are attefled by Theophraflus, Varro, Pliny^ |bd biher at^hors. The ^c^s depopuk^sd one place ii^ Gaul^^nd the locufts another in Africa, One of the Cyclade< wa» dep%ulated by mice; Amiclas, near to laracina, by fer- peats; another place, near to Ethiopia, by fcorpions and poifon- ou».^^^;. imd another by fcolopenflras ; and,|iot i'o diftant from otir'ol^times, the Mauritius was going to have been abandone4 ^^^iecouut of the extraordinary multiplication of cats, as \v« ^an ' itmiember to have restd in a French author. With refpeft to the.fize of Hthe infe£b, reptiles, and fuch anir mats, M. de Paw makes ufe of the teftimony of Mr. Dumont, who, in his Miemoirs on, Louifiaina, fays, that the frogs are fo large there that they weigh 37 French pounds, and their horrid croaking imitates the bellowing of cows. But M- t fuch monflrous fize, that they exceed all thofe whi^h h^ve been difcovered in the new wo||^d. We kiK;^ very Weft, that fome ' American hiflorian fays, that a certain |r%;Uitic fpecies of ferpents *is to be found in the woods, which attrad men with their breathy and fwallow them up ; but we knonf alfo, that feveral hiftorians, both ancient and modern, report ik^ faniB thing of the ferpents of Afia, and even fomething more. Magaflhenes, cited by Pliny, , faid, that there were ferpeints found in Afia, fo large, that they fwallowed entire ftags and bviUs. Metrodorus cited' by the fame author, affirms, th|it in Afia there were ferpents which, by their breath, attr^fted btrds, however high they were or quick their flight. Among the moderns, Gemelli, in Vol, ,V. of his Tour of the world, when he treats of the animals of the Philippine ifles fpeaks thus : " There are ferpents in thefc iflands of immo4eratp OS AMERICA. «7 firt ; there is one called Ibitifty very long, whith fiirp'.ncUng it- feif by the tail from the trunk of 'a tree, waits till (lags, bear% and alio men pais by, in order to attraft them with its breath, and de- vour them at once entirely ','* from whence it is evident, th^tthis very ancient fuble has been common to both continents. Further, it nfay be alked, In what country of America could M. de ^iM find ants to equal thofe of the Philippine iflands, called ' Julum^ rel'pcdiing which Hernandez affirms, that ihcy Mt^ fix fingers broad in length anil one in breadth ? Who has evier feen in America butterflies fo large as thofe of fimirbon, Ternatf, the Philippine ifles, and all the Indian archipelago ? The largeft bat of America (native to hot fliady countries), which is that called by BufFon va'ipiro^ is, atcording to him, of the lize of a pigeon. La rougettCf one of the fpecies of Afiay is as large as a raven ; and the rouftttCf another fpecies of Afia, is as big as a large hen. Its wingSj when extended, meafurt f^dm tip to tip three Parifian feet, ai)d according to Gemelli) who meafured it in thtf Philippine ifles, fix palms* Mi BufFoh acknowledges the excefs in fize of the Allatic bat ever the American fpecies, but denies it as to number. Gemelli fays, that thofe of the iflaiid of Luzon were fo numerous that they darkened the air^ and that the noife which they made with their teeth, in eating the fruits of the woods, was heard at the dil^nce of two 'miles. M. de Paw fays, in talking of ferpents, " it cannot be afHrmed that the New World has Aiown any fer^ pcnts larger than thofe which Mr. Adanfon faw in the deferts of Africa." The greatefl ferpeht found in Me;cico, after a diligent fearch made by Hernandez, was iS feet long : but this is not to be cpmpared with that of the Moluccas, which Bomare fays is 33 feet in length ; nor with the anocanjada of Ceylon, which the fume author fays is more than 33 feet long ; nor with others of Afu and Africa, mentioned by the fame author. Laflly, the ar- gument drawn from the multitude and fize of the American in- fefts is fuUy^a weighty;vi|'^e argumenl^rawn .from the fniallnels and fcarcity of :nuaikupin|l^ aiid both deted: the fame ignorance, or rather the ^e voluntary and ftudied forgetfulnefs, of the things of the old continent. ^' with refpeft to what M. de Paw haS faid of the" tribute of lice in Mexico^ in that as ^ell as in^mal^y other things he diiboyers his ridiculous credulity. It is true that Cortes found bags of lice in. the magazines of the palace of king Axajatatl. It is alfo true that Montezuma impofed fuch a tribute, not on all his fubjefls, however, but only on thofe who were beggar*.' ; not on account of the extraordinary multitude of thofe infefts, as M. de Paw aiHrms, but becaufe Montezuma, who could not fufFer idlenefs in bis fubje^s, refolyed that that miferable fet of people, who couM I m I e$ CSN£RAL DES^CRIPTIOir -.m * 1.- ■ ipot IdKMr, Auuldat'letll be occupied in louftn^themfdvcs. Thi^r wa» ^etrue reafonof fuch an extravagant tribute, as Torqucquada, Betaneointi ando^her HiAomAns relate; and. nobodyr ever before thou^it of that 'M^ich M^de Paw afiimis, mer * Thofedifguiling.infe£ks poflibly abound*.- •• much in tl^e hair and cloaths of American bti^rs^ 'a$ of any jp#or and uncleanly low people in the world ^ buttl^cre is not a dkiu)b|l«>.<«hat if any OovereiMi of Europe was to e;catt' fu<^h a tribute •frioni-^ poor in his domioions^ ^*not pnly bagft, but-igreat vefTeU ■Hghlibe filled with >tfaem. , :^- A9J|^KtGBNE». jAt the tiJtie America wasdiUJcavered, it was foitt&d inhabited by^ a paeeiof men no lels diifereiit from thofe in the 0)11^1^$ |»art» of the %rarld) than* the ^Ij^ate and natural pro- ' 4u£tt0B» of thifr eotitini^t are different frqAV thofe of Europe, Afia, or AfrieaV One great peculiarity in the riativc Americans is their, colour^ and the identity of *it throu^out the whole .ex tent of the continra^. tntipifope and Afia, the people who inhabit the nii^ithem countries ue of a fiiirer complexion 'than thofe who d^veU more to the fouthward* In the torrid zone; both in Africa and Afia, the native* arc ex^rely black, or the next thing to it.- This, however, muH: be ttn|erftood with fcmiB limitation. The people of Lapland, vrho inlidbit the rqoft northerly part of Eu- rope, are by no means fo fa|v as the inhabitants of Bvitain ; nor are the Tatars fo fair as the. inhabitants of Europe who lie under the fame paralklsof latitude. Neverthelefs, a 'Laplander is fair wB|n compaikd with an Aby(Iinian,'and a Tatifar if compared w^^ a native of the Molucca illands.^-~In Amenca^ this diflinc- ticn of colour was not to be fpund. In theltirridaQnc there were no negroes, and in the temperateandfrigid tones there were no white people. AH of them wfere^of a kind of red copper coi- lour, which Mr. Forfter dbfetved, inthe Pefferays of Terra del Fuego, to have fomcthifig. of a gkifs refemhtKng that nietal. It 4oth not appear, hcKweven^that this asilliN^^^ath ever been inquired into with Sufficient accuracy. T^ilcl|f|»^tants of the inland parts of South Ainerica, where the continent isiwidcft,andeonfciiuently the influence of the fun the mofr powerfutf have never been compared with thofe of Caaada,f^>r inore northerly parts, at leafl: by any perfon of credit. Yet this ought to have been dcme, and that in inany inilances too, before it could be affertedib pofitively as moil authors 40, that there is not tl^ kaft difference of com- plexion amoal the natives of America. Indeed, fo many fyftems have been fonned concerning them, that it is very difficult to «btain a true knowledge of the moft fimple fa£ls. If we may jbelieve the Abbe Ray nal, the Xaliforniafcs arc fwarthier than OF AMERICA, «9 :r Co- ra del I. It' juired partft wntly been Icaft , and lively «)m- ftenu :ult to c may thaa t^ Mij^icans ; and fo ttofitive is he in thit opinion, that he gives a leafon for it. «' This diiFeren^c of colour," (ays he, " proyes, that the civilized life of fociety fubverts, or touUy changes, the order and laws of naftire, tince we find, under the temperate zone, a favage people that arc blacker than the civilized nations of the tor- rid zonp." On the other hand. Dr. Robertfon clafles ^U the in. habitants of' Spanifh America together with regard to colour, whethef they arc civilized -or uncivilized *, and when he fpeaks of Cali/ornja, takfU'&o noticb of aay peculiarity in their cdgtur more than others. The general aftpearance of the indigenous Americana in 'various diftri£ls b thus defcJribed by thcChevalier Pinto : ** They are all of a topper colour, with fome dtyerfity of ihade, not in proportion to their ^(lance from the equator, but according to the degree of elevatij^ of the territory in which they refitte. l^ofe who live in a high coiintty are fairerithan thofe ^n the marfhy low lands on the<<:oaft. Their face as fo\ind ; farther removed, perhaps, than that of any people from an ovqi (biape. .Their forehead is fmall ; the extrc!pil|y of their ears far from the face'; their lips thick ; their nol'c flat; their eyes black, or of' a chefnut colour, fmaU, but capable of dffcefning objc^at a great diflance. Their hair is always thick aind' fleek, and withquiany tendency to curl. At the firfl afpcft, a South American ap|>ears to be mild and innocent ^ but, on a more attentive view, one difcovers in his countenance fomcthing wild, diftruftful and fullen." The fpUoyring account of the native Americans ifgiv^n by Don Antonio Ulloa,, in a Work intitled Memoires /hilo/ophu^uej^ hifto' riques et phyjiquts^ conurnant^ la dccduvtrte dc I' Aiaeriq^Utcly publiihed* / The American Indians are naturally of a colour bordering upon red. Their fre(|uent 1E^xpofure to the fun and wind changes it to their ordinary dufky hue. The tediperature of ^e air appears to have little or no influence in this refpeft. There is no perceptible - difference; ia complexion between the, inhabitants of the high and thofc of the low parts of Peru} yet^c climates are of an extreme di^erence. Nay, the^^iidians who live as ^ as 40 degrees and Upwards fouUk or north of the equator, are not tdbc diftinguifhed, in point of colour, from thofe immediately under it. There is alfo a general conformation of features and perfon, which, more or lefs, chara£ierifeth them all. Their chief diftinc- tions in thefe^refpefls are a fmall forehead, partly covered with hair to the eye-brcfws, little eyes, the nofe thin, pointed, and bent to. wards the upper lip ; a broad face, large ears, black, thick, and lank hair ; the legs well formed, the feet fmall, the body thick and muf- cular ; little or no beard on the face, ancl that little never extend- ' M 90 G£N£AAl DUCAtPflOlf Ipg beyond afmall part of the chin and upper lip. It rnxftaSifi be fuppofed thai this general defcription cannot apply, in all iti parts, to every individual ; but all of them partake fo much of it, that tibey may eadily be diftinguifhed even from the mulattocs, whi^ conie ncaren to them in point of colour. llie refemhlance among afl the American tribes f$ not Icfs re- markable in rcfpcft to their genius, character, manners^ and parti« cfular cofioms. The moil diflant tribes are, in thcTe refpc£b, as fi' milar as though they formed but one nation. Afl th<^ jtndian nations hive a peculiar pteafure in painting their bodies of a red colour, with a certain fpecies of earth. The mine off Giiancavetica was formerly of no other ufe than to fupply them, ^ith this material Yor dyeing their bodies ; and the tinnabar ex- tra^d from it was app)iecd and white of their com- |»lexions.' The Indians of Peru have now indeed abandoned the cuftom of painting their bodies : but it was cbmsnon among them before they were con(|uered by- the Spaniards ; aaid it ftitl remains the cuftom of all thofe tribes who have preferved their liberty. The nothem nations o£ America, befides the red colour which i& predominant, employ alfo blacky whitte, bkie, and jpnaeoy m paints jng their bodies. The adfuftmcnt of thefe co!oij||s is a nntter of as great confidbra- lion with the Incfians of Louimma and the vaft regions extending to the north, as the dmament* of dredi among the moil poliihed na- tions. The buixnefs itfelf thi^ call JIf ocfdcAer, and they do not fail to apply all their talents and aiifiikiity to accomplilb it in the moil finiihed manner. No kdy of the greatisil £B on theii: bodies. They introduce the colours by making pun&utes on their fkins, and the extent of furfMHi which this ornament cc vers is proportioned to the expliuts ihey have performed. Some paint only their arms, others both their arms and legs ; others again their thighs, while thofe who have attained the fummit of warlike renown, have their bodies painted from the waift upwards. This is the heraldry of the Indians ; the devices of which are probably more exivftly adjufted to the merits of tbc pcrfoni who bear them than thofe of more civiliaed countries* Befides thefe ornaments, the warriors alfo carry plumes of fea* thers on their headS) their arms, and andes. I'hei'e likewife are tokens of valour, and none but fuch aai h^,c been thu9 diftinguilh* cd may wear them. The propenfity to indi^nce is equal among all the tribes of In* dians^ civilised' or favage. The only employment of thofe who have prefeiKF«d t^eir independence is hunting and fiiking* Ii| A>me diftrids the wmnen ex/e^s^^ a little agriculture in raifing Indian com and pompions, oJFuwich they form a fpecir j of ali- ment, by Vuifii^g them together : they aUb prepare the oic tnary beverage in ufe among them* taking care, at the iame time, of the children, of whom the father! take no charge. Th^ fdpiale Indians of alLthe^conqiiered regions of South Ame- rica praiftice what is call^ the «rct(;(a word which an^ong them iignifiesi tlfivation^J \% jponllfts in thawing forward the hair from the crown of the head t^on the brow, and cutting it round from (he ears to above the eyes ^ that the forehead and eye-brows are entirely covered. The fame cuftom takes place in the No- tbern countries. The female inhabitants of both regions tie the red of their hair behind, fo exadiy on the (ame fafliion, that it might be fuppofed the e£Fe& of mutual' imitatibnt This however being impolTtUe, from the vaft diftance'^'that feparates them, is thought to countenance the fuppofition of the whole of America Iking originally planted -with one racc^ of people. M a ■ ' ^ ■' i,«. GENERAL DESCRIPTION This cudom does not take place among the males. Thofe of the higher parts of Peru wear long, and flowing hair, which they i^rckon a great ornament. In the lower parts of the fame coun- try they cut it fliort, on account of the heat of the climate ; a cir- cumftance in which they imitate the Spaniards. ITic inhabitant* of Louifnna pluck out their hair by the root, from the crown of the head forwards, in order to obtain a large forehead, others wife denied them by nature. The reft of their hair they cut as fliort as poflible, to prevent their enemies from feiaing them by it in battle, and alfo to preyent them from cafily getting their fcalp, fliduld they fall into their hands as prifoners. The whde race of American Indians is diftinguiflied by tfiick-, nefs of flcin and hardnefs of fibres; circumftanoes which pro- bably contribute to tliat infenftbility to bodily pain, for which they are remarkable. An tnftance of this infcnfibility occurred in an Indian who was under the neceflTity of fubmitting to l^e cut for the ilone. This operation, in ordinary cafes, feldom laft^ above four or five minutes. Unfavourable circudftances in his cafe prolonged it to the uncommon period of 87 minjfites; Yet all this time the patient gave no tokens Of th« extreme pain commonly attending this operation ; he complained only as a per- fon does who feels fome flight uneafinefs. At laft' the ftonc was cxtra^ed. Two days after, he exprefled a defirc for food, and on the eighth day from the operation hc quitted htsbed^ free from pain, although the wound was not yet thorou^Iy cloied. The fame want of fenfifanlity is obfervcd in cafefa of fraftui^s, Avounds/ and o^her accidents of a fimilar nature. In all thefe calea their cure is eafily effcfted, vidthey feem to fuffer, lefs prefent pahi ' than any other race of men. Ilie flei4Is that have been taken up in their ancient burying-grotinds are of a greater thickncfs than tha^ bon6 i|S commonly found, bsing from fix to fevien lines from the outer to the inner fHperficies. The fime is nemarked as to the thicknefs of their flcins. It is natural to infer from hence, that their comparative infenfi- biiity to pain is owing to a coarfer and ftrongcr organization than that of other nations. The cafe \yith which they endure the feve- rities of climate is another proof of this. The inhabitants of the higher parts of Peru live amidft pei-petual froft and fnow. Al- though their clothing is very flight, they fupport this inclement temperature without the lead inconvenience. Habit, it is to be confefled, may contribute a good deal to this, but much alfo is to be afcribed to the compaft tixture of thci^r Ijkins, which d^fAid them from this imprcflion of cold through their pores. The northern Indians refemble them in this refpeft. The ut- moft rigours of the winter fieafon do n6t prevent them from Of AMERICA. 98 fonowing the chtce almoft naked. It is true, they wear a kind of woolen cloak, or lometimcs the ikin of a wild braft, upon chrir ihoulden ; but bcfidci that it covert only a fmall part of their ^ody, it would appear that they ufe it rather for ornament than warmth. In faft, they wear it indircrimtnatcly, in the feve- xities of winter, and in the fultrieft heats of fummer, when neither Europeans nor Negroes can fufFer any but the flighteft doathing. They even frequently throw afide this cloak when they go a-hunting, that it may not embarrafs them in traverfing their forefts, where they fay the thomi and undergrowth would tajce hold of it ; while, on thcr contrary, they Hide fmoothly over the fufface of their naked bodies. At all times they go with their heads uncovered, without fulFeringthe leaft inconvenience, cither from the cold, or from thofe toufs de foleity which in ILouifiana are fo often fatal to the inhabitants of other climates. Dress. The Indians of South America difttnguifli themfelvet by modern drelTcs, in which they afFeft various taftes. Thofe of the high country, and of the valleys in Peru, drefs partly in the Spanifh fa(hj|pn. Inftead of hats they wear bonnets of coarfe dou. ble ^loth, the weight of whidi neither feems to incommode theni when they go to warmer clinutes, nor does the accidental want of them feem to be felt in fituations where the moft piercing cold reigns. Their legs and feet are always bare, if we except a fort of i'andjds ttade of the fliins of oxen. The inhabitants of South America, con^pared with thofe of North America, are defcribed^s genially more feeble in their frame } lefs vigorous in the efforts «f 'their mind; of gentler difpofitions, more addifted to pleafure^ and funk in' indolence. — ^This, however, is not vniarerfally the cafe. Many of their nations are as intrepid and entcrprifing as any others on the whole continent. Among the tribes on the ' banks of Oroonoko, if a warrior- afpires to the poft of captain,' hiji probation begins with a long faft, more rigid than any ever obferved by the moft abftemious hermit. At the clofe Qf this the chiefs affemble; «nd each gives him three laihet with a lu|;e whip, applied fo vigoroufly, that his body is almoft flayed. If he betrays the leaft fymptom of impatience, or even of fenfibility, he is difgrsced forever, and reje^d as unworthy of the honour. After fome interval, his conftancy is proved by a more excruciating trial. He is laid in his hammock with his hands bound faft ; and an innumerable mi,iltitude of venbmous ants, whrtfc bite occafions a violent < pain and inflammation, are thrown upon him. The judges of his merit ftand around the hammock; and whilft thefe cruel infe£b faften upon the moft fenfil^e parts of h!s body, a figh, a groan, or an involuntary mo- tion expreffive of what he fufl'ers, would exclude him from the 94 OENEJtAl DESCRIPTION fUgility of which ht u ambhiout. Even after this evittenea, hll fortitude is nofc deeiped to be fufficicntly al'certained, till he has Aood atioCher teft more fevere, if poflible, than the former. He is again fufpendcd in his hammockt and covered with the leaves of the palmetto, A ^re of ftinKing herbs is kindled underneath, fo a* he may feel its heat, and be involved in fmoke. Though f(!Orched and almoft fuflfbcated, he muft continue to endure this with the fame patient inlenfibility. Many perifli in this efliiy of their firmnefs and courage ; but fuch as go through it with applaufc* receive the enfigns of their new dignity with much I'olemnity, and arc ever after regarded as leaders of approved ' refolutiun, whofe behaviour, in the moft trying fituations, will do honor to their country. In North America, the previous trial of a warrior is neither fo formal nor fo fevere : Though, even there, before a youth ift permitted to hear arlhs, his patience and fortitude ^re pro. ved by blows, by fire, and by infults, more intplerable to a haughty fpirit than either. Manmbrs and Customs. Of the mannerf and cuftoms of the NortE Americans more particularly, the following is the moft con- Itftent account t^at can he coUe£kcd from the beft informed and moft impartial writers. When the ^uropemft firft arrived in America, they found the Indians quite naked, except thofe parfi^ which even the moft un-i jpultivated people ufually conceal. Since that time, however, they generally ufe a coarfe blan)(,et, which they buy^of the neighbours ing planters. Their huts or cabins are made of ftakes of wood driven into the ground, andfovered with branchea of ireea pr reeds^ They lie on the floor either on mats pr on the fkin^ of wild beafts. Their diihcs are of timber ; but their fpoons are made of the fkulls of wild oxen, and |heir knives of flint. A kettle and a large pla^ conftitute almoft all the whole utenfils of the ^muly. Their diet confifts chiefly in what they procure by hunting ; and lagamite, or pottage, is likewife one of their moft comtnon kinds of food. The moft honourable furniture ainongft them b the fcalps of their ene. mies ; with thpie they omam|ent their huts, which are eftcemed.in proportion to the number of this fort of fpoilsv llie chara^r of the Indians is altogether founded upon their fircumftances and way of life. A people who are conftandy em- ployed in procuring the means pf a precarious fubfiftence, who live by hunting the wild animals, and who are generally engaged in war with their neighbours, cannot be fupjio&d to enjoy much gaiety of temper, or a high flow of fpirits. The Indians therefore arO'in gcnerad grave even to iadnefs; they, haVe i^>!thing of that g^y vivacity peculiar to fdme nations of £arope^ and they def-: Of AUtktCA, ^$ their ly em- who igagcd much Irefore \i that def. ^ife U. tltetr behaviour to thofe about than ii regular, maittA^ fend rerpe£lfuh Ignorant of the arta of amufcmcnt, of wbadi that of faying triflea agreeably is one off the mod confideraUc, they never fpcak but when they hive foraething important to «bfervet and all their aftiona, Worda, and even looka, are attended with fomo meaning. Thia ia extremely natural to men who are almoft contin^ uilly engaged in purfuita which to them ar« of the higheft impor* tance« Their fubfiftence dependa entirely on what they procure With their handa ; and their livea, their honour, and every thing dear to them, may be loft by the finalleft inattention to the defigna of their enemies. At they have no particular objeH to atlaoh them to one place rather than another, they fly wherewr ihey cxpeft t<» find the necefiariea of life in greateft abundance. Cities, which are the elTtiftt of agriculture and arts/ they have none. The rentiun fo. Liberty, therefore, 4 the prevailing paflion of the An^jericans; and theft* govOhiment Mhder the influence of this fentimeat, is better fecured than by the wifeft political regulations. They are very ftr, however, from defpifing all fort of authority ; they are atteittive to the voice of wifdom, which experience has conferred on the aged, and diey inlift under the banners of the chief in whofe valour and Boilitary addrefa they have leanied to repofe their confidence. In every' fociety, therefore, there ia to be confidered the power of the chief and oi the elders ; and according as the government in> cHncs more t» the cme or to the other, it may be regarded' as monarchical, or as a fpecies of ariftocracy. Among thofe tribes which are m<^ engaged in war, the power of the chief is natural, ly predomintot ; bcfsuife the idea of having a military leader wa|> 95 GENERAL I>ESCRIPTrOX the firftfoqrbe of hiii fuperiority, aatd the continual exigcnile* of th«r ftate iMuOrfng fuch a leader, will continue to fuppoFt, and even tx> enhance U. Hit power, however, is rather perftiafive than coercive ; he^ is reverenced as a fitther, rather than feared as a ^ monarch. He has, no g^ards^ no prifons, no offices Of juilice, and one aft of ill-judged violence would pull him frre va« OF AME^Ij::Ai *r re v»- iMaUe kind from our commifliohers ; fot they nevc^;^iiifi4cr &, ' treaty as of any >veight» unlefs every, article ih it Krii^jlficd by fuch a gratification* *'/■'' It often happens, that thofc different trii|^ or nations* Mat- tered as they are at an immenfe diftance from one another^ mect# in their excurfions after prey. If there fubfifts no ammoAty be-, tween them, which feldom.is the cafe, tjbey behavQ in. ihe.iooft; friendly and courteous manner; but if .they happe|i to be in K ftate of war, or if there has been no previous intercourfe betweect them, all who are not friends are dec»ned enemies, and they fi^ht with the moft favage fury. ;$ War, if we except hunting, is the only employment of th»^ men; as to every other concern, and- even the little agriculture they enjoy, it is left^o the women. Their motfticommdn motive, for entering into war, whqn it does not arife from an accidental rencounter or interference^ is either to revenge themielves for the death of fome loft friends, or to aAquire prifoness, who may. afTift them in their hunting, and whom they adopt, inio their, fociety. Thefe warA are^ either undertaken by^ikmie private ad« venturers, or at the inftance of the wholes community. In tha latter cale, all the young mep. wJho: tue difpofe4.to:gp out to bat<% tie (for no one is compelled contrary to his inclination )« give a. bit of wood to the chief> as. a token of their dd&gntp accompanyi him; for every thing among thole peo]^ is tran(a£bad with a great deal o£f'^eremony and many, forms. The chi^w:ho i&to ble as hie could delire. A variety of other fupcrftitions; and cere- monies arjQ: oblerved. One of t^, moft hideous is, jetting the yrar^kettlQ on the fire, as an emblem, that, they are going out to devour their enenpiie^ ; which amodg f<;mie options muft formerly have beqn the cafji;, fince they l^tt continue, to expjrefs it in clear terms, and ufe an etnblem ri{^tfica]:U: of the andem, uiage. Then they difpatch .". porcelane, or large ih^,< to their allies, inviting theni to come alpng, and drink the blopd ofjtheir.enemies. They think yiat thoieia their alliance muft opt onliy adopt their enmi- ties, but have their reientment waund up to tlu^ ,&mc pitch with themiclves. And indeed no peopjiecarry their friendfliip or their refentment fo far as they do ; and this is wha|: fhould be expe£led • f!rom their peculiar circiimftances : that prin<;iple in human nature I which is the fpring of the focial affe^ions, a£^ with fo much thegrear ter force the more it is reftrained. The Americans, who live in imall iocieties, wh9 fee few obje£is and few perfous, become woderfully attached to thofe objefls and perfons, and cannot he deprived of them N . ■ -■ ' ^ GMNEItAl DESCAlPtiOiT vrtthotft lifeUng thcmfelves mife^rable. Their ideas are too confinali td eAabl^ them to entertain jufft fentiraents of humanity, or uni- vcrfal benevolence. But this very circumfbncc, while it makes thiB*hi cruel and favage to an incredible illgrec towards thofe with Whom ththclr faces painted with various colours fo as to make an awful appcar> ance. Their breajfts arc adorned with a gorget or medal, of brafs, copper, or Tome other metal ; and that dreadful weapon the (calp- ing-knife hangs by a ftring from their neck. The great qualities in an Indian iyar are vigilance and atten- tion, to give and to avoid a furprife ; and indeed in thefe they arc fuperior to all nations in the worl4«: Aocuftomed to continual wandering in the forefts, having; their perceptions Sharpened by keen neceflity, ajpd livtng./n. ev«ry rbfpe& accordinzjto nature, their external fenfes' have .a> dc^^e of acuteneJTs wflni at iirft view appears incred%h;.' They<:an trace out their enemies at an .immcnfe 4iiftan,ce hf t^e fmoke of th^ir fires, which they fmell, and by tlbue ti^fcks of their feet on the ground, imperceptible to an Euroj^eah eye, but which they can count and'diftinguifh with the utmoft facility. They cah even diftinguifti the different nations with whom they are acquainted, andean determine the precife time when ^hey paffed, wbei^ bq European could not^ with all his glafles, difl:ingui0i foQtt|eps a^ all. Thefe circum^ dances, however, are of fmall knportaiace, . becaufe their ehemies are no lefs acquainted with thetfi. When they go out, therefore, they take care to ^bi4 making ufe df my thing by which they might run the danger of a difcoYery. They light no fire to warm themfclves or to /prepare tlxieir vii^ua}s; they Ue clofe to the ground all the day, and trav4^ only in the ni|;ht; and marching along in files, he that ck>fes the rear diligently covers with leaves the ttiBts of his awn feet tnd of theirs wlio preceded him. When they halt to refresh themfelwes, fcouts are ferit out to re- connoitre the country ^uid b(a|, itp every place where they fuf- pefib an enemy to lie concc^t^d* In' this manner they enter unawares the villages of heir fo^; and while the ^owcr . " the nation are engaged in hunting! mafliacre all the children, w« i, and helplel's old men, or make p^ij^iiieye of as many as they can manage, or have ftreng^h enough to be u&ful to their nation. But when tJie enemy is apprifed of their dedgn, and coming on in am^ againft them, they thyow themfelV^ fiat on the ground among the withered herbs and leaves, which their faces are paint- ed to refemble. Then they allow a part to pafs unmoleftedj when all at once with a tremendous fhout, rifihg up from their ambufh, they pour a ftorm of mulket bullets on their foes. The party attacked returns the fame cry. Every one Ihelters himfclf with a tree, and returns the fire of the advcrfe party, as foon as they raife themfclves from the ground to give; a fecond fire. Thtis does the battle continu6 until the one partv is fo miicti weakened as Na ' • « toe GtN^RAt DESCRIPTION fo be incapable df further refifUnce; But if the force on eich -fide contimies nearly equil, the fierce fpirits of the favages, in- flamed by the lofs of their friends, can no longer be reftrained. They abandon their diftant war, they rufh upon one another with dubs and hatchets in their hands, magnifying their own courage, and irifulting. ^eir enemies with the bittereft reproaches. A cruel !eombat ~niues, death appears in a thoufand hideous forms, which would eongeal the blood of civilized nations to behold, but which roufe the fury of lavages. They trample, they infult , oyer J^e dead bodies, tearing the (icalp from the head, wallowing in their ^fpod like wild beafts, and fometimes devouring their flefli. The fbme rages' on till it meiets with no reitftance *, then the' prifoiiers are fccured, thofe unhappy meli, whofe fate is a thoufand times more^rcadful than theirs who have died in the iield. The Conquerers fet up a hideous howling to lament the friends' they- have loil. They approach in a melancholy and fevere igloom to their own village; a meflciiger is Tent to announce their arrival, and the women, with frightful flirieks, conie out to mourn ilhek dead brothers ioqi' thttt ^huthands. When they are arrived, the chief rcilatfts in a 'Iqw iVdftce to the^lders, a cir^umftantial ac- count of. every ;parti$u|tir«^ ihe expedition* The -orator pro- ■claims idoadlhis account to' the people I and as he mentions the names of thofe who ImmiNis f^lie^ the {hrleks of the v^men are redoubled. Tibo mtfi too join in tkiefe cries, accordkig as each is moll connededwith the deceafied by blood or iriettdfliip. The laiQt ceremoi^ is the proclamation of^the yi£kory : each individual then forgetSr his private misfortiinoft, and ynn% in the triumph of the nation ; all tears are wiped Irofti tiusir eycl* «iidr by an unac- countable ti^fition, th^ paisi«n,t^ ihoiiient from (he bitterneis of forrow to an extravagance pf ji^. But. the treatment of' the pri- foner<, whofe fkteall this time remains undecided, is what chiefly chara£lerifes the favages. We havci alfi^y mentioned the ftrcngt;h of their afiFe£bions or refentmentf. jCnltwidi t^e^oft intenfe warmth within the walls of their own vilt^e, f44ona extend beyond them. They f^el no- thing for the enemies of their nation ; and their refisntment is eafily extended from the individual who has injuri^d them to all others of the fame tribe/ The prifoners, who have themfelvCS the fame feelings, know the intentions of their conquerors, and are prepared for them. The perfon whq has taken the captive attends him to the.cottag^, where, according to the diftribution made by the elders, he Is to be delivered to fupply the lofs of a citizen. If thofe who receive him have their family weakened by war oi ^yhich him, o to em cerned met w nation A fcafl they c feene on the refined body, a his nai -mouth, finger, which fingers joints, immedi themal ed bit faces w ,they ha tendon ar^ emj that cai hours; getlier. their fu to refi-c a variei ileep, 1 and rei again ti matche tinualli out his after hs having having human poured —they with p OIF AMERICA. fOt of ind war or other accidents, they adopt the captive into the fatnilyi of which he becomes a member. But if they ha^'e no occafiotijfor him, or their rcfentment for the lofs of their friends be too high to endure the fight of any conneftcd with thofe who were con- cerned in it, they fentence him to death. All thofe who Ivave met with the fame fevere fentence being coUe£lcd, the whole nation is aflembled at the execution, as for fome great folemmty. A fcaffold is ere£led, and the prifoncrs are tied to the ftake, whe|^ they commence their death-fong, and prepare for the enfuini^ feene of cruelty with the moft undaunted courage. Their enemies, on the other fide, are determined, to put it to the proof, by the moft > refined and exquifite tortures. They begin at the extremity of htt body, and gradually approach the more viral parts. One plucks out his nails by the roots, one by one ; another takes a finger into his ■mouth, and tears off the flefli with his teeth ; a third 'thrufts the finger, mangled as it is, into the bowl of a pipe made red hot, which he fmokes like tobacco; then they pound his toes and fingers to pieces between two ftones; they cut circles about hh joints, and gafhes in the flefliy parts of his limbs, which t^eyiear immediately with red-hot irons, cuttings burning; and pinching them alternately; they pull off this flefli, thus mangled and roaft- ed bit by bit^ devouring it with greedinel's, and (tnearing tlwir faces with the blood in an enthufiafm of horror and fury. When cthey have thus torn off the flefli, they twift the bare nerves and tendons about an iron, tearing and fnapping them, whilft others ar^ employed in pulling'and extending their limbs la every w^ that can increafe the torment. ' This continues often five or fix hours; and fometimes fneh is the flrength of the favage, days to- getlier*. Then they frequently unbind hitn, to give a breathing to their fury, and to think what new torments they fliall infli£l, and to re&efli the ftr^ngth of the fufierer, wh(^ weaned out with fuch a variety of unheard-of- tortures, often falls into fo profound a .fleep, that they are obliged to apply the fire to aijlike him, and renew his fuffeiiags. He is^gain faftetted to the ftake, and again they renew their cruelty; they ftick him all Ofver with fmall miitches of -wood tliat eafily takes fire, but burns floWlyi they con- tinually run fliarp reeds into every part of his body ; they drag out his teeth with pinchers, and thruft out his eyes ; and laftly, after havi ng burned his flefli from the bones^ with flow fires ; after having fo mangled the body that it is all but one wound ; after having mutilated his face in fuch a manner as to carry nothing human in it ; after having peeled the flcin from the head, and poured a heap of red-hot coals or boiling water oi^ti^ naked fl^uU -—they once more unbind' the wretch ; who, blilid, ImH^aggering with pain and weaknefs, aflaulted and pelted upon eyery ^i witl|^ J^ u» GKlJ%ltAL J^S^CHIPTJON ■■■-■»■ !>t«nd ftones, now upittow down, falling into their fires at 1^ ftep, run* hither and%i «|it of rompaiBon, AirXf hi^ continues his ihfults even of their ignorance of the art of tc^riiMsnrtitngt pointing out himfclf more exqaifite methods, and more fenfibh parts of thibody to be aSiftedv The women have tins part of courage as Hi^ill as the men ; and it is ;i^ rare for •n likdian to behave otherwife as it would be for any European to fuffer as an Indian, Such U the. wonderful power of an early iaft^ipn, and a^ftrociousthirft^; glory, ♦* I am brave and in- trefwl: (exclaim; the favage ill the fecc of his tormentors); 1 do not fear death, norany kind of tortures; thofe who fear them arc cowards i they are l«(s than wotnea ; life is nothing to thofe that have courage; May niy enemi^b? confounded with delpair and rage I O^J that 1 coiild dcysttir them, and drink th«r blood to fhelaftdro^*' But ndither the intrepidity on one fide, nor the -inflexibility on the^ o^K^ are among themfelves matter of aftoniftiment : for vengeance,, and fortitude iu the, midft of torment, are duties which they confidcr as facred ;: they arc the cffefts of their earli- eft education, and depend i^pon principles inftillcd into them from their infancy* On all otl^fer occJkfions they are humane and com- pafltoqate. Nothing can exceed th6 warmth of their aiFcftion towards their 'fficnds, who confift of all thofe who live in the lame villag^e* are in alliance with it : among theie all things arc commonj, and this, though it may in part arife from their not «^^po^5^vcry diftinft notions of feperatc property, is chiefly to mr ^ OS AmRicji.^;^^ W9 *x be attributed to the ftrength of their atta^h^ent ; btfcafufe in «& V' ' ibnoiif the yanout tekent of their regard for their imm6si fr£enPUAcil of timk «hie% who give order* lor every thing .iirhieli nay eMfeletlwBV^to eelehrate it with pomp and magnifi- j8«pi«l S «nd the niiHdl0(na^g nation* aie invited to partake of the iiiMeUlhiiMlit* At Ji|i»«lli«» alt who have died fince the preced- "'iiii Ifeaft ol the kiM ^ tiim out of theur graveti Even thofe ji^io have heori interred at th)e greateft diftaac^ from the viUagea ■^^^gently ibu^t fcnvimd conduced to thit rende&vous of the t|lii^ which ekhibitft a fcene of horror beyond the power of def- criptiun. When the feaA ia' coasUAeAi the bodiei are drefled^ in tbfe fineft ikina whieh can be procured, .and after being expofed for fome time in thia pomp, are again committed to the earth with gimtt io^nity^ which i» fticceedipd by funeral gwnea. Thfttr tafte for war^ which form* the chief ingredient in their dwralUr, give* a flyrong, hiaa tatliekre^i^flfii., Areikoui, ov th9 god of battle, f» nsverfd aa the giieat god of the Indiana. Htm th^ iivrok# be%n ^ go into the field ; and aecording a» hi» ii^m^vn'4 msimm yk favowraUe to, thm, Hktf conclude they mi he more pr UU dti^kful Soom tlitiffM worfldp the fun iui4lB«oa} «mong otherf^ there are a nttmhur of tradition*, reU* tive to th^ creation of the Mi^orld and the hiftpry of the goda:: pt*^ mtm W^^ ftdamt'thn €jfecia«r fahl^hMir whifh »r« ftill mm ^iM and inpim^> Mm re Hg,i% is. HOI tlie fffrf^l^%^ dN^i^Vthe U4im»i im^iJdffifi^hetrthiKJr^i^e (omUim ' dt«b9i|ifton for 1M «ifiMr^ iMr gods, 1ih«^ pay thm ^ fm .«f wdHhip. M)») att.vttde Mo9^ howfver^ they «we ftrong- ly i|ii^ to fuper^mki;!^ Th^y b«Uftve in the e^id^l^ of f, nititipttof good an^^'IA^'gni^^ «r kim^ who imerfere in the afr fiMr» ejf mortala, «ttd 'pffi^^,0 (m^ftuj^ts^ ^.mUtry, It ik from tho evil genw, w^w^j^,, ^t^oj^ dl^«t^ firoceipd •, and ol:iHpi% *'^*^ iJAppofed to ,he -infpi^ by '^Wi^^^Ph >^<^ ^sfliiBftQi^y ui their dreamy 'wi^ the^ k<««^^Pw^^l>^e"eY6ntf i.L'0|«y are called in t^ %l0 ^MmR^ of the ndi^^n^ «i« £>ppo&d 4«^'lNs infqdiafld by the gsmi >v.]!^^h?r they wiU get over 4lf dift^^ »nd m what way they m^ft bft treated. . But thefo^^iila are extt«niCly fimple in their fyilen» of phyfic, and, in alin^l^ overy^ ^Kcf (e, direft the ju^gleF to the &me remedy. The patift^ is iniEMBd in a narrow <#N^i» |n tb*; midft of which U » ftone redrhot j on thi* they th«o^ water^ untit he is well foaked with the warm v^pOurand his ^wn fwe8rt> Then they huiiy hint ^rom thia bagnio, and plunge him fuddenly into the * er. 'rtuacoarlc method, which cofts many their lives, thnk$d, ointed in sry lt|ing i magnifi- ke of the e preced- vea thofe B viUigcs tils of the er of def- trefled^ in I expofed MTth with I in their 41, Qt thp ». Htm an a» hi» lude they p the fu|i i^tis, reU* Ipdi; J»»- leftjTOQg* Midf cir fy^&em ' ^er to t^e. i»i% in> the ritcr, uQtii lat, Thcrv rly into the heir lives, ■:m*A OF AM^RICAi t^ often p9rf6rnu very extraordinary cuxts; "flie jtigglert/ have likcWile the ufe of fonie fpecifica of wc^dejrfiul efficacy ( ai|4 aUL the favages are dexter6ii» in cuHni| Wbundthy ^ .a{q|4iq|tMipt o^ herbs. But the power of thefe/enifdicl il ^j^^ibyt jttiiWM ^^ the magical ceremonie« with which twn: are ajJBrtillllA^tfd;. Though the women generally bear t^ iMOmiia ffO^ <( tic economy^ their condition is far frorii haiiig^ fo J^ilSnit pears. On the contrary^ the grepteft fefee^is paid W Um . mm to the fcmalg fex. Tht women even holnbcttr eounciis^aB4)|tVi their (hare in all dcliberationaWhiclr concern ibft iUte^^ toiy^ut^^ ii pra£lifed by fome nation;i, out is i^ ^Mifali in moft,.|b«y <^<^, tent themlelves wiih one wife; but a drt^ienrce is admitted imafy . of adultery. No uation of the Americans is without '$^ regular mir^ riage in which there are many cerenfoaiet } the pritntipal pf wl^l|{|k ' is, the bride's prefentpg thebiddfymimwitli.a plate of their c)#rn# The women^ though ladibit.ineoatineMil^IfrjQ rei»ai;kable fbfr ^kmff tity after i^ltrH^e* Liberty^ in its lUliextent, beiiigrtI»i|^|Ui| pafltmi 'of th« lo. dianS| t^eir ediMstiflai , it ;^teficd iir^f |[ ifMlQMr as to . che^ this difpofttioH to the uttnoft. 'ktilil^'-^m^ ar9 n^veiitt^ any a^^coont cha(||jH with blows, ai|il^4N]e) f0EJe;.jpU4pii^^fe& re- *|primanct«d.' Re^tk;^ tbey: fay^ ^tjHMf^ ^^^Mffli^ ' vbe» Ikff.je^^ Ott^^^lf it» and 'hMt^^glS^ d^«ir;fiu4^i^rtinot, blet^vef)ri||^ryi|H|lcnKa might 'dii^liKlir.ff^^Hkli^^ fpi* ^•r «iii8PP« my^0^^mii^ dcp«n#ii^'- w _ irub^rdi.. nations *fm ftrong pei||l^ who ||it«t'MueiiC6 atno^f&N^lf^ll'ftf^ f» Iwld in^greal ^fteero, nv^ ttt^lMl'^nereafed t^,i^iM|j^M^''^i''*M^^ vnth'.^cimtivr, oradpVfsd-lKkr hau| with,* JHf^|Mi|l|^^ .»a.. , , . Coi^tro^etfie*; ty. 1% jgeneral, hoW«||rer,. th^ o^p^dcr. abfents himfclf ; the frteiide^lp^ c;oi]t!plimen;s of ■ condaj^gj^e to thofe of the perfon th«t hatred mdVdersd, *rThe head of the family at . agih apr pears with a number of pri^ents,.thq delivery of which he accom- jpanies with afonira^^eech* The;wh|^le ends 3s ufual, in mutual Vol, -I. .;.,i;'' • I i €> ' ' ' • *r,-4lil«ii'i iH CENEkAl OESCRtFTION 9i »f. feaflSngI, rotrgS} #hd danta. If the thtrrcE^r is committed I»y tme •f tlii ikme fnull^ ttr. ciftin, Unt cabin has the fuW right of judg- MeM ^mH'h^f ilrftei' tb ^iwifll tlfe gtimy with death, or to ^iHbil fttMr, ^WifMil^^ivtt km rccompetit^ to the wife ^.f^f^v^ tHPffi ffite fuch acrxine, however, very ^^?^^^^^k''^ ***^ ^'^**"**^ to fhofc but fe^^ trAl iit lbMiet)»Hig fx^culiar to itn?If. Among lfi|Hdn»Ritfiidfl9itdll|^ lhedi|iiriyor t chief is hcKditary, %m f^mik$^ {^kmBmkktUlaiuliit nne. When this happens ik ^ timmrJSi* Ihofl re%6iihle nittrofi tit the ttibe xttxiktt ^pf6 bf Wiioin Ide pl^db io fumHA. ■M'^mht^pm^m "tVA^I^K^iM B^ fev**« fiichtms vt chiefs, i WfAgr^li^fe^ vkiitt^ tiii46reVktand Chic * «»t-^. «-., :^.^.«. jdultery in a y^ii;^ by ctittlhg otf |f^ |«M th« cbru is ripe (^flll^^lre;'atid» et that of 'tht ^^Igittmiilirilcdiit (vireai «ge, ifthlMigft |i iekaaitendserof^^ t"^^t^ i0 be extroiMy [Miity, #at hil re^ly^ ^KOfui) by iHBAfimdiilg ,Mytt*chu,raid)ie, iiid he ha:d (^t$i Urittft hive eh(|»ftfd^ ikdw rii) tehiembratKfi to tlil tl^i^y^iii. The mah ^o,nted« tbil ni' ., _. ^^ isoj^^tie^^«|e: 1br,|»efidekthe whitenefs of „his hair tmd^ liud, Wk^MbM^^m^ amo^ bent to the ground; without, howelrer, ihowiQ^^oithlsr kirki of dtbilit^tir* fuflfer- inj. This happened in ifi^, fhis fongerity, attend^s^ g^ew ral wfth uninterrupted health, is probably the ctmfcqUenle in part ^ of their vacancy from all ffirious thought and emp!o)iaent, joinjeil* alfowith the robuft texture and conformition of their bodily. If the Indlins didii0t teftroy one aiiother in thcjr almpft StAmm ply appeatec^^ Mr AMSRICJ. i«7 pfTpftuit WMT*, »nd if itwir habits of intoxkation were not fo univerliil and inci^rahle, the^ would l^t:, ol aU the races of men who inhabit the globe, the moft likely |<^ fn^tn^ not only the bounds, but the enjoyments, of anVpat Ufe to^lKti^ mtmoft dura^imi* Let ua now auend tp^flfher pii^iirft M^Hwlte)»;^f0n |iyen of the aboriginal inhabitaiitt of the I^ew Wafli. t|« yketafd, 4 accounted for. l>e follb\viM V^fpf^ M ini}iftfifi0$» we find adduced as a remai^^ii|e;wa[^ Qjf t|^ Mpnatf tl^ft of blood. That nation >cing|t;iiii?kr?ri^& to be ma«fe wri|ofUfr, a^#to arri4;i» one df Aeyg|j«tW- longing tO^llMnt, Uwt tkp was ftiwMMbd naked, mm her %»>k»|| and fc&4p5n|fyi^b ropes m one oftbevcu^ *j[.nt1jpjfe|^ ^ 'm!^V^M^gg^'m!^!*m Ap reveng4fvd ieiM»«r<£ou{d not let |p " of killing OMjK^tf |ifr enemic|>. T^t liazard.of ^, ,the favagc |i|; conceal^ lavage^ and ' Perceiloni^ J^m -.way* and^hat j^ flyingByap ^recite4 "tltf wen? 4ifc wicker fi^^ on which §lk «ro^A^ As the we** by the French fort,|iflbtf^;|livieres, whhout n^^lmowing where (he was, flic peisiitere44canqc f ull of favag^a|p|Mid, fearing they might be Iro({^lM|irin a^in into the woods, #here flic remained till funfet. Coatinumg her ^ogle, foon after fhefawTrois Rivieres; jnd leB OESERAL DB^CRtPTtON ill Wit then difrovere^ by a party whom (he kn«w to be Huroni, t nation in alliance with th« Algon<|uinf. She then fquattcd down behind a bulh, calling out to theiA that (he waa not in a condition to be feen, bccaufe file waa naked. They immediately threw hei- • blanket, and t^eQ oonduAed her to the fort, where iho recounts fdhvr ftoiry. Perlbnal (Mmrage ha» bcel« denied them. In prpof of their puliUaiiiinlty, the following incident! are quoted from CharlevoI>: by Lord Kamea, in '..^ (ketches of the Hiftory of Man, ** The fort de Veroherea in Canada, belgagjing to the French, waa, in the year 1690, attiCke4 hf fomc Iroquois. They approached filently, pre^rit^ to fcali the paliCide, when Ibmc mu(kct (hot made thf»i retire, Advjiiidng a (ccond time, they were again r^ qpulfed, ytrondering they c0uld dlfcover none but a woman, who Waafeen everywhere, Th|» i«fia Madame de Vercherea, who appeared aa refolute a« if fvpported by a riumeroua garrifon. The hopea of ftonhitig a pbice without Mtn to defend it occafioncd reiteratfeii} *^ci|!lf . A^^ two' days jR|E|fB^ t|i9y retired, fearing to fa{(Biiiibrcieiit^%-jil^^^^^ 'i^i yean i|^, a party of the /. ;A ' '^^ ^^ ^^^^(^ thijfdrt'fouiKXpW^^ tlvMagirl Ike fMrbpHctOr, ^a^ bttt WM le (hut the iui Ijlkre waa not *^ rfiMi) 'iHit one raw >«'kih h^ •(fll^W^^iQimetimci in qne ce c^^^ial0»rC^^ _ u ■ - Ja. . «: j^ - 0Mtt^ ■ without' laitje Ration a>|»pif>i • pf fourteen, gate. With the yoiil fddier. $hi(}i«^ed> place and in order to i^ ^i^ipoirtunely.'^' fucceil." Thet9 xa iMlli^ncc;1t || an it)4>vidut(: 6f tWir^^tM^y vent nuinbe^of any (bet. Kveii: bcr8,'they dar^ notme^ this \^nt.of ^oiun^e, t! knowii, tna^ a (mall ' bcKiy of regular troop; Itirpriied them in of the wooidniAy^i (ifigl^lmUatlfii^Mt^ 4 opeQ'Combati ofW' bi^vrHb ane^ual Ik £|lpeiru>rity of bum- notwithibnding, i|ay, itihaa.j^n routc4 • mttch fuperior yrhen th^ li#V9 ^(Is, where the f^ftt take th«ir aim w>t|i tj^^ xitmoft certiHtt^^ y;!^^ immediately r«^#^, ^eat, withoi^pif ing thejmaja^^^^t^^ route. I^nay eafily be fuppj^i^ that ap on^ Jf>!thia Igi^d muft pr<«4^ce con- fufion even among the (ieadt«^|^|^poopa, when they er« they lie in ambuih. ji» ;& , Perfidy combined with crueUy has been alfillffn^^e a part of their charafter. Don Ulloa relates, T^t the iniluuaa of the country ^al nil lc< «h^ obi unl f«> Th| to hac di( OF AMERICA 109 ^lled f^Mtchet, in LouIliaiM, laid • plot of mtflacreing in one night every indivitluil belonging to the French colony eftabliflied there. This plot they lAiMlly execnted, nocwithfUiMiing the teeming gtiod underftanding that fiabftAed t t iwn them >nd «hcfe European neighbours. Such wai the iw ig »y which they oblerved, that no perlbn hadtfi9pebhiiQtorefupe'it.iH^ iflimrt^o tfjB'i^e from labour feemti b be the utmoft wiAipf «;& AiiM^ictUfK , They will continue whol^ |days ftretchcd in their ti^^npirks, or feated on the earth, withoiit changing their podure, raiitng^^eif eyes, or uttering a fmgle word, / They cannot compile the (Sc^ip^uc^i^f days^fnor of weeks. The I different arpe6b of the moon alot|^j|i||i^ their attention as a mea- fure of time. Of the year th^jhntve no other conception than what is fuggefted to them by t^e alternate hcat of fummer and cold of winter ; nor have they the Icaft idea of applying to this period the obvious eomputpition Q&Uie months which it contains. When it is aflced of any old maipfiri Peru, even the moft civilized, wha^, age he is of p-the only c^lTvnsi' he can give is the nuniber of cicii- ques he has feen. It often happens, too^ that they onlyjrccoUcft the moft diftant of thefe princes in whofe time cert^n cirtiupftan-^ ces had happened peculiarly memorable, while of thofe that Jived in a more recent period they have loft all remembrance. The fame grofs ftupidity is alledged to be obfervable in thofe Indians who have retained their original , liberty. They are never I detcr« I iS Dln- rcquire. te juiUy mc cha- his v>ft cndcncc people, {play an t to tvc- As t(i ; and a arth can lefs con- ' nations ity; nor no* value tc want, deration he will rinter, a the 9oldlr ^ com- uccccd- bandpns the cold ur feemb le whplp without le word, s. The as a mea- ipn than and cold S period When cd, what, ofcicif- rccoUcft Hj^ftan-, lat lived in thofc re never OF AMERICA. U> known to fix the dates of any events in their minds, or to trac^ the fuccefiion of circumftances that haVe arifflli from fuch events, 'i'hcir imagination takes in only the prefent,' and in that only what intitnafely concerns themfclves. Nor can difctplinc or inftru^on 6vcrcoftie this natural defe£^ of apprehenfion. In faft, tht 6iK jefted Indians in Peru, who have a cbntinuit intercourfe with the Spaniards, who are furnifhed with curates perpetually occupied in giving them leiTons of religion and morality, and who mix with all ranks of the civilized fociety cftabliihed among them, are aU mod as {lupid and barbarous as their cbuntryoien who have had no fuch advantages. The Peruvians, while they lived under the government of their Incas, preferyed the records of certain re- markable events. They had alfo a kind of regular government, defcribed by the hiflorians of the conqueft oiF Peru, This go. verninent originated entirely from the attention and abilities of their princes, and from the regulations enafted by them for di- iefting the conduft of their fubje£ls. This xntieint degree of c:vi. lization among them gives ground to prefun^ that their legiflatorS i'prung from fome race more enlightened than the other tribes of Indians | a race of which no individual feems to remain in the prefcnt times. ^ '. ' Vanity, and conceit are faid to be blended" with their ignorance and tr^achcry^ NbtwllMatidin^ all thi^ fuffcr from Europeans, they ftill, it is Cud, c&nfid*ir thcmfdviw aitfa ttice of men far fupe-' ribr to their cohquerors.' tliU proud belief, arifing from tlweir perverted ideas of excellence, is uniirerial 'over the whole known continent of America. They ido not think it pofiible that any people dOx be fo intelligent is themfelvts. When they are de- te£l^.|n any of their plots, it is tliPaM' common obfervation, that . the Spiniards, or Vtmi^cbchaSy wiutt ib be as knowing as they are. Thofe of Lbuifiana,'iind the cottiild^ adjiu^bnt, are equally vain of their fuperior uhderftailidtilg, confounding that quality with the cunning which they theirml^ coiiftantly pra£Bfe. The %yhole ob)e£^ of' their tranfaftions is to over-reach (hofe with whom thfcy deal.' Y,et though faithtefs thcmfelves, they never forgive the breach of promife on thepirt of otherj. While the Europejvu feck their amity by preft<^t6 obtamf This pompous faculty of - miking^fpeeches t» aMo*on^ '^ftw grounds on which they con- ceive themfelve»to be "fiitonrrior to the nations of Europe : They imagixie it is theisr cloi^^#ee that^rocures them the favours they aik. The fubjelU^d IwHans convcrfe precifely in the fame ftyle. Prolix and tedioiiis, they never Know when td fto^; fo that, ex- ceptiiig by the difference in language, it w6uld be impoHible, in this refpeft, to dii!Unguini a civilized Peruvian from an inhabi- unt of the ihoft, favage d^ftii&s to thi^^north\ywd. Bijt fuch piitial^^ dfetac|w4 v^^ »* |he above, were they even free from ,raif|iif!^cfentitioB, are not tSte juft ground upon . which to form an^'ellu|»te of their charafter. Their qualities, good and bad (Wthey pertainly poffefs both,) their way of life, the ftate of fociety among fhem, with all the circttmftanccs of their condition, onght to be confideved in connexion, and In regard to > their mutualinfluqpce. ^ch a view h^ been given in the precede '*ing part of tUtmrtti^ firom wbic|>« it i« hoped, thcif real iha- raijl^, may be eamy dedncfsd. - :, . Many of t|ie difagree^tle tirjuiu ekKibited in ^ anecdotes juth quoted, ace indeed extracted from Don UUoa^..an^uthor of credit and reputation ; but VSpi^iniard, ^nd Evidently biaflbd in lo«ne den ^ree by a f in* formation, , and who, though himfelf a fubjeft of nSpain, appears fuperior to prejudice, and difdains in his defcription the gloffes of policy. , *" r. . Concerning the ftature of the .Americans, M. dc Paw fays, m general, that^aUhough it is not equal to the ikature of the Caftili- aqp, there is but little (^fllence bttltliyOBn them. '.But the Abb^ Clavigero evinces, that m^ IndiaA>^.i«f|K^ inhabit thofe countries lying between 9 and 40 deglfcs 0f' north latitude, which are the limits of the difcoyeries of the Sps\^i^rds,. are more than five Parifian feet in height, and that thofe that do not reach that fta- ture are as few in number amongft the Indians as they, are amongft' the Spaniards. It is befides' certain, that many of tho(h nationSj, as the ApackeSy the Hia^iie/e, the Pimefe^ and Cockimies, are at leaft as tall ^s the talleft Europeans ; and that, in all the vaft ex- tent of the New World, no race of people lias been found, except the Efquimaux, fo ^diminutive in ^ture as the Laplanders, the Samojeds, and Tartars, in the nortlr of the Old Continent. In this refpe£l, therefore, the inhabitants of the two continents are upon ah equality. Of the ihape and ehara£ler of the Mexican Indiansj the Abbe gives a moft advantageous defcription ; which he aiferts no one who reads it in America will contradif):,. ii^lefs he views them with the eye of a prejudiced mind. :|^ fs tree, that Ulloa fays, in fpeal^O^i^ the Indians of Quito^ he had obferved, "that imperfe!|"|l(9||»le abounded among them ; that they were either irregularly (iiiaainuirve,- or monftrous in fome other refpeft ; that ,.they became either infenfible, dumb, or blind^ -or wanted fome Hmb of their body." Hav^ing therefore inapde ' fome inquiry . re- fpe£ling this fingularity of the Quitansj the, Abb^ found, that fuch defe£U were neither caufed by bad humouis, nor by the climate^ but by the Hiiftaken and blind humanity bf their parents, whO) in order to free their children froih the hardlhips and toils to which the healthy Indians are fuhjefted by the Spaniards, fix fome defoirmttyor weaknefs upon them that i^eyt may become ufe- lefs : a circunn(£jince of mifery which does not happen in other countri^ of Amierica, nor in thofe places of the fame kingdom of Quito, where the Indians -are under no fuch oppreflion. M. de Paw, and in agreement with him Dr. Robertfon, fays, that no deformed perfons are to be found among the favages of America ; becaufe, ItlTe th^ ancient Lacedemonians, they put to death thofe children which are born liunch-backed, blind, or dcfedive in any limb ; but that in thofe countries where they are formed into P iti GENERAL DESCRIPTIOy Ibcieties, and the vigilance of their rulers prevent ^he murder of Aach inlFants, the number of their dcfqrmed individuals is greater than it is in any other country of Europe. This would make an exceeding good fi^ution of the difiicuUy if it were true : but if, poflibly/ there hat been in America a tribe of favages who have finitated the bi^rbirou^ example of the celebrated Lacedemonians^ it is certain that thole ituthors have no grounds to impute fuch inhumanitfjlr to the reft of the Americans ; for that it has not been the prafitiee, at leaft with the far greater part of thofe nations, is to' be demonftrated from the atteftations of the authors the befi ac(]uainted with their cuftoms. No ai^gument agamft thie New World can be drawn from the colour of the American* : for their colour is lefs difbint from the jwhite of the Europeans thin it is from the black of the Africans, and a great part oiP the- Aiiatics.' Thehair of the Mexicans, and of the {greater part of the Indians, is, as we have already faid, coarfe and thick % ton their fa6e they appear to have little, and in general none on' t^r arms and kgs : but it is an error to lay, as^ M. de Paw does; "^lat they are entirely deftitute of hair in ill the other parts of the body. This ii one of the many palTages of the Philofophical Refearehes, at/ which the Mexicans, and all the other nations, fauh fmile to find an European philofopher fo eager to diveft them of the drefs they had from nature. Don UUda, indeed in the defcription which he gives of the Indians of Quito, fays, that hair neitner grows- upoh the men nor upon the women when they arrive at puberty, as it does on the^reftJlfliKmkind ; but whatever ithguhHty may attend the Quhana^^ 'lir^dccafion this circumftance, there is i^ do|ibt, that among the Anwrieaas in general, the period of puberty is accompanied with the &me fymp- toms as it is among other nations of the world. In faft, with the North Americans, it iidi%racefut to be hairy mi the body. They fay it likens thorn to hogs. ■ They therefore pluck the hair as faft as it appears. But the traders who marry their women and pre- vail on them to difcontinue this pra£|ice, fay, that nature is the fame with them as with the whites. As td the be«rds of the men, had BufFon 6r de PaW known the pains amd trouble it cofts them to pluck out by- the roots the hair that gtoWi on their facesj, they would have feen that nature had not been deficient in that refpc£fc. Every nation has its cuftoms. "^ I have feen an Indian beau, with a looking-glafs in his hand ffays Mr. Jefferfon), examining his face for hours together, v ana plvfcking out by the roots every hair he could difcover, with a kind of tweezer made t)f a piece of fine brai's wire, that had beentwiftjcd round a (tick, and which he ufcd with great dexterity." ■■«*'^ IS OF AMERICA, «»S The very afpeft of an Angolan, Mandigan, or Congan, would have (hocked M. dc Paw, and made him recal that cenfurc which lie pafles on the colour, the make, and the hair of the Americans. What can be imagined more contrary to the idea we have of beauty, and the perfe£lion of the human frame, thap a man whole body emits a rank fmell, whofe vas a real tail. If wc were, in like manner, to go through the nations of Afi* and Africa, we jQiould hardly i^nd any extenfive country, where the colour of men is, not darker, where there are not (longer irre-" ^uUfitics Qbfcrvfd, and grofler ^efe^s to be found in them, than M. 4e Paw finds fault with in the Americans. The colour of the latter is a good deal clearer than that of almofl all the Afri- cans .and the Inhabitants of Southern Afia. Even their alledged fcantinefs of beard i^ coihmop to the inhabitants of the Philippine lilands, and of all the Indian Archipelago, to the famous Chinef(i, Japanefe) Tartars, aud^many other nations of the Old Continent. The imperfe&^onji of the Americans, however great they may have been reprefented, are certainly not comparable with the defe£is of that iiQmenfe people, whofe chara6ler we have (ketched, and others whom we omit. M. de Paw reprefents the Americans to be a feeble and difeafed fet of bations i and] in ofder to demonftrate the weaknei's and dif- order of theif phyAcal conflitution, adduces feveral proofs equally ridiculous and ill founded, and w'hich it will not be expelled we ihou].d enumerate. He alleges, among other particulars, that they were overcome in wreftling by all the Europeans, and that they -funk under a moderate burden ; that by a' tomputation made, 200,000 Americans were found to have periQied in One year fre 1 carrying of baggage. With refpe£l to the firft point, the Abbe Clavigero obferves, it would be neceiTary that the experi- ment of wrefUing was made between many individuals of each ^continent, and that the -^vifiiory ihould be atteftcd by the Ame- ricans as wel| as> the Europeans. It is not, however, meant to iniift, that the Americans are ftronger than the Europeans. They may be lefs ftrong, without the human fpecies having degenerated in them. The Swils are ftronger than the- Italians; and ilill we. do not believe the Italians'Sre degenerated, nor do we tax the cli- mate of Italy. The inftan^e of 200,000 Americans having died in one year, under the weight of baggage, w^re it true, would not convince us fo much of the weakneis of the Americans, au of vnc inhumanity of the Europeans. In the ulDne manner that thofe soOjOoo Americans perifhed, 20p,opo Pruflians >vould alfo have ^erifhed, had'they been obliged to make a jburnry of between 300 and 400 miles, with 100 pounds of burden upon their backs ; if they had collars of iron about their necks, and were obliged to carry that load over rocks and mountains ; if thofe who became exhaufted with fatigue, or wounded their feet fo as to impede their progrcfs, had their heads cut off that they znight not retard OF AMERICA. '«f j^e p^ce of the reft ; and if they were not allowed but a finall morfel of bread to enable them to fupport fo fevere a toil. Lcs Cafas, from whom M. de Paw got the account of the aoo,ooo Americans who died under the fatigue of carrying baggage, relates alfo a}l the above-mentioned circumftances. If the authdr there- fore is to be credited in the laft, he is alfo^ to be credited in' the firft. But a'philofopher who vaunts the phyfical and moral qua- lities of Europeans over thofe of the Americans, would have done better, we think, to have fuppreifed fa£ls fo opprobrious to the Europeans therpfelves. ' , Nothing in fa£l demonftrates fo clearly the robuftnefs of the Americans as thofe Various and lafting fatigues in which they are v. jContinually engaged. M. dc Paw fays, that iy hen the New Wiprld was difcovered, nothing was to be feen but thick woods; that at prefent there are feme lands upcultivated, not by the Am^ericans, however, but by the Africans and Europeans; and that the foil in cultivation is to the foil which ijs uncultivated as 2000 to 2,000,000. Thefe three aflertions the Abbe demonftrates to be precifely as many errors. Since the conqueft, the Americans alone have been the people who have fupported all the fatigu parifon of the Americans, are very few in number iii the king- dom of New Spain, are charged with the culture of the fugar/ cane andtdbacco, and the making of fUgar; but the foil deftined for the cultivation of thofe plants is not with refpe£l to all the cultivated land of that country in the p "-oportion of one to two thoufand. The Americans are the people who labour on the foil. They are the tillers, the fowers, the weeders, and the reapers of the wheat, of the maize, of the rice, of the beans, and other kinds of grain and pulfe, of the cacoa, of the vanilla, of the cotton, of the indigo, and all other plants ufeful to the fuftenance, the cloath- ing, and commerce of thofe provinces ; and without them fo little can be done, that In the year 1762, the harveft of wheat was abandoned in many places on account of a ficknefs which pre- vailed and prevented the Indians from reaping it. But this is not all } the Americans are they who cut and tranfport all the necef- fary timber from the woods ; who cut, tranlport, and work the ftones ; who make lime, plafter, and tiles ; who conftruft all the Buildings of that kingdom, except a few places where none of them inhabit ; who open and repair all the roads, who make the canals and iluices, and clean the cities.. They work in many aaincs of gold, offilver, of copper, &c. they are the fhephcrds, GENERAL DESCRIPTION herdfmen, weavers, potters, baflcet-makers, bakers, covriers, day- labourers, &c. in a word, they are the perfons who bear all the burden oiF j>ubJic labours. Thefe, fays our juftly indignant au- thor, are the employments of the weak, daflardly, and ufelefs Americans ; wh;ile the vigorous M. de Paw, and other indefatigable Europeans, are occupied in writing inve£Uves againft them. Thefe laboun, in which the IndiaiS^ are continuaHy employed, certainly atteft their healthiaefs and (Ircngth- ; for if they are able to undergo fuch fatigues, they cannot be difealcd, nor have an exhaufted ftream of blood in their veins, as M. dc Paw infinuates. |n order to nuke it. believed, that their conflitutions are vitiated, he copies whatever he finds written by hiftorians of America, whether true or falfe, refpe^ing the difeaf|s which reign in fome particular countries of that great continent. It is not to be deni. ed, that in fome countries in the wide compafs of America, men are expofed more tban elfewhere to the diftempers which are oc- cafioned by the intetuperature of the air, or the pernicious quali- ty of the aliments ; but it is certain, according to the aflertion of many refpe^blq ^uthors acquainted with the New World, that th^ American -countries are, for the moft part, healthy ; and if the Americans were difpofed to retaliate on M. de Paw, and other European authors yho write as he does, they would have abun- dant fubje6l of materials to throw difcredit on the clime of the Old Continent, and the conftitution of its inhabitants in tl^e en- demic diftempers which prevail there; Laftly, The fuppofed feeblenels and unfound bodily habit of the Americans do not corn;fpond with the length of thei^ liVes. Among thofe Americans whofe great fatigues and exceifive toils do not, anticipate their death, there are not a few who reach the age of 80, 90, and too or more years, as formerly mentioned,; and what is more, without there' being obferved in them that de-p cay which time commonly produces in the hair, in the tefeth, in the (kin, and in the mufdes of the human body. This phenome- l^on, fo much admired by the Spaniards who relide in Mexico, cannot be afcribed to any other caufe than the vigour of their conflitutions, the temperance of their diet, and the falubrity of their clime. Hiftorians, and other perfons who haye fojourned there for many years, report the i^^ut thing of other countries of the Ncv World. As to the mental qualities oFtl^e Americans, M. de Paw has not been able to difcover any other chara£lers than a memory fo feeble, that to day they do not remember what they did yefter- day *, a capacity fo blunt, that they are incapable of thinking, or putting their ideas in order ; a difpofition fo cold, that they feel no excitement of love ^ a daftardly fpirit, and a genius that is OF AMERICA, ««* < t ers, day- r all the nant au- di ufelefs sfatigablc em. Bployed, r are able - have an ifinuates. vitiated, America, I in fome be deni. rica, men h are oc- »U8 quali- fertion of arid, that ind if the md other ive abun- |Ae of the tl\e en- habit of leif liVes. ive toils each the ntioned; that de^ tebth, in lenome- Mexico, of their ibrity of sjourned intries of Paw has *mory fo d yefter- tking, or they feel that i« torpid and indolent. Many other Europeans, indecid, ind: what is ftill more wonderful, many of thofe children or defcendants of Europeans who are born in America, think as M. de Paw does ; fome from ignorance, fome firom want 6f rfeflcAion, atid otheri from heredjtary prejudice and prepoffeflion. 'But all this and more would not be fuf&cient to invalidate the teftimonie's of other Europeans, whofe authority have a great de^ more weight, both becaufe they were men of great judgment, laming, and knowledge of thefe countries, and b«cattfe they gave thi^r tefti^ mony in favour of ftrangers againft their iown countrymen. In particular, Acofta, whofe natural and moral hiftory even de P|iw commends as an excdUnt auorA, employs the whole fixth book in demonftrating the good fenfe of the Americans by an explanation of their ancient government, their laW«, their hiftories in paint- ings and knots, calendars, &c. M. de Paw thinks the Americans are beftial; Acoftaj on the other hand, reputes thofe perfons weak and prcfumptuous who think them fo. M. de Paw fays, that the iBoft acute Americans were inferior in induflty and faga- city to the hideft nations of the Old Continent ; Accfta extols the civil government of the Mexicans above many republics of Europe. M. de Paw finds, in the moral and political condifft of the Americans, nothing but barbarity, extravagance, "and brutali- ty ; and Acofta finds there, la^ws that are admirable and worthy of being preferved for ever. M. de Paw denies them courage, and alleges the conqueft of Mexico as a proof of their cowardice. ** Cortes (he fays,) conr quered the empire of Mexico with 450 vagabonds and 15 horfes,' badly armed ; his miferable' artillery confifted of fix falconets, whidi would not at the ^refent day be capable of exciting the fears of a fortrefs defended by invalids. During his abfence the capital was held in awe by the half of his troops. What men ! what events !- — It is confirmed by the depofitions of all hiftbri- ans, that fh<: Spaniards entered the firft time ints Mexico without making one fingle difcharge of their artillery. If the title of he- ro is applicable to him who has the difgrace to occafion the death of a great number of rational animals, Ferdinand Cortes might pretend to it ; otherwife I do not fee what true glory he has ac- . quired by the overthrow of a tottering monarchy, which might have been deftroyed in the fame manner by any other alTaflln of our continent." Thefe paffages indicate either M. de Paw's ig- norance ^f the liiftory of the conqueft "of Mexico, or a wilful fuppreffion of what^Vould openlj- contradift his fyftem : fince all who have read that hiftory know well, that the conqueft of Mexico wa» not made with 450 men, but with more than 200,000. Cortes hiriifelf, to whom it was of more importance ."Q GENERAL DESCRTPTIOIf i ill if i than to M. de4^iw to make hit bravery confpicuous, and his coiw quell appear glorious, confefTes the cxccflive number of the allica vho were under his command at ^he ftege of the capital, and combated with more fury againll the Mexicans than the Span- iards themfelves. According to the account which Cortes gave to the emperor Chales V. the fiege of Mexico began with 87 horfes, 848 Spanifli in&ntry, armed with guns, crofs-bows, fwords, and lances, and upwards of 75,000 allies, of Tlafcala, Huexotzin- co, Cholula, and Chalco, equipped with varipus forts of arms ; with three large pieces of cannon of iron, il fmall of copper, and 13 brigantines. In the courfe of the fiege were aflembled the nu- merous nations of the Otomies, the Cohuixcas, end Matlazincas, and the troops of the populous cities of the lakes ; fo that the army of the befiegers not only exceeded 200,000, but amounted to 4,ooo,ooOj|,aasording to the letter from Cortes ; and befides thefe .3000 boats anii canoes came to their afltilance. Did it betray cowardice to have fujAained, for full 74 days, the fiege ol un opea city, engaging daily with an army to large» and in parr provided with arms fo fttperior, and at the fame time having to v/ithftand the ravages iail' famine ? CaQ they merit thQ charge of cowardice, who, after having loft feven of the eight parts of their city, and about 50,000- citizens, part cut off by the fword, part by famine and ficknefs, Continued to defend themfelves until they were fu- rioufly affauked in the laA hold Which was \?ft them ? Accor(^ing to M. de Paw^ *' the Americi»ns a^ firft Were not believed to b^ n^, but rather fatyrs, or largp apes, which might be murdered iv^thout remorfe or^replroach. At laft, in order to add infuit to the oppreflion of thofe times, a pope made an origi- nal bull, in which he declared, that being defirous of founding' biihopries in the richeft countries of America, it pleafed him and the Holy Spirit, to acknowledge the Americans to be true men : in fo far^ that without this decifion of tin Italian, the inhabitants of the New World would have appeared^ even at this day, to the eyes of the faithful^ a race of equivocal men. There is no ex- ample of fuch a decifion fince this ^obf 'has been inhabited by men and apes." Upon this paflage the Abbe animadverts, as be- ing a Angular inftance of calumny and mifreprefentation ; and gives the following hiftory of the decifion alluded to.- "Some of the firft Europeans who eftabliihed themfelves in America, not leis powerful than avaricious, defirous of enriching themfelves to the detrimeifit of the Americans, kept them conti- nually employed, and made^ ufe of them as .flaves : and in order to avoid the reproaches which were m[ade them- by the.bifhops and miffionarics who inculcated humanity, and the giving liberty tt» thofe people to get themfelves inftru£led in religiotu that they JPF AMERICA, 1 »« id his con* >f the allic* :apital, and , the Span- fortes gave 1 87horfcs, rs, fwords, rluexotzin- s of arms ; •opper, and lied the nu- datlazincas, fo tktt the t amounted >efide8 thefe id it betray oi un open rr provided > withftand cowardice, lir city, and t by famine ey vere fu- ? were not lich might in order to e an origi- ' foimding^ ed him and true men : inhabitants day, to the is no ex- nhabited by >rerts, as be- tation; and lemfelves in f enriching hem contt- id in order the.bifliops ving liberty n, that they k Imight do their duties towards the church and their families, alledg- ed, that the Indians Were by nature flaves and incapable of bdng >n(lru6ied; and many other falfehoods of which the Chronicler Herrera makes mention againft them. Thofe zealous /ecdefiaftict being unable, either by their authority or preaching to free thofe unhappy converts from the tyranny of fuch nuferS) had recouHe to the Catholic Kings^ and at laft obtained frcm their juftice ard clemency, thofe laws as favourable to the Anaericana u honoura- ble to the cpurt of Spain, that compofe tlM Indian eode^ nvhich were chiefly dution of IndMn children ; had afterwards fome Indi- ana amongft our pupils *, had^rticulur knowledge of many Ame- Hcan reAors, many noMct, and numeroua artifts ; atteiuivety ob* fenred' Mietir clianrtEker, their gicnhis, their dirpofition, and manner of ihinlLing ; and fiiiave cxaittinrd beildcs, with the utmoft diU- gtnce, 4AMliir awekm 4iillory,'th^rr religion, their govcmnient, their )aw« and their cuftmns. After Tttch ton«r experience and ftudy of them, f r » m ^n^ ftdi ^wtlMttghicourret^eBetwhlrd to decide without danger «f«ri4iij|,riv«l ^ fim in Europe/' £kit aMiough wc ftid«Ad ^wpbc/k, ihat, in tbe torrid dimates of thel^rfKABcM, u.w «ered Ughcr sudiaacots of huvmn excellence and ingenuity than luve ever bee» known amlong tribes in a {knilar Hate of (bciety in , any pint 4)1 tiie woild. M. de iPinr «fiBrt:l3vrt: y fiu arc arrived among a piotifhed people.** JBut if by money wt are to 4mder(buui a pieicc 'Of metal wkh the ftamp of the pdnce or the ptiblic, the want of it 4* a na^on k no token oi barharky. The Akhei|ians employed oxen for money, as the Romans did Iheep. The Romans had - ao ^^oined money till the time of Scrvma TuUios, xior tlie P«<;fians until the reign of Darius Hy ilafpes. But if by money is underilood a fign reprefenting the" value of merchandile, .tke Mesdcans, and other'ratSdns of Anahuac, employed money m tiieir commetcs. The oatae, of which they made conftanc v$» in the tnarkft to pure ^^r<» w4iatevcr fr vm" doriUo4 tht «onilru6kion of gvchei* M. do Paw sfinru, that tht pahct of Modlc««UB» wu iioiArin|| eira tiMa a. hm» But ii ia^^certatts fvont tk« aftraiaiion of ali tAr> hiftoriaaft of Menka, th«b tht wmy .iA'a Hi4(b¥jrV- that they noe oidy adwntoA ^^^ dayt t« tlM' ^^iWV %ot M6'lMdSif of tlic cxc^ offB& in thee ? but hoi««ve» fltoVlfl^^idniEM}; endefevAur ta ltvt.fitii8A7c,. pvayiaig Godcontkivalty ItyilRfft ff^M He creet^d tbctt ; thoi* a«t hui pc«pei«y. Bj i» thy falAtcr, aslU loviBs thee ftill more, tbMi I db: repofie in him thy thougliiiH Mift will kabe'-an unhappy end^ wiU die in » dcfperate or fuddm. mannttrt or xmW be killed and devoured by wild'< bcaiib. ■ •• . *' Meek niot, my fiany the aged or the impearCtfb, Scitm nbtfbiiif whom ye fee fall into fome fblly or ttenfgareffion^ normalM kiav rcu^ proeches ;, but reAr^n thyfolf,. and> beware left tbottfMl^itftd'thj fame cvreir which offends thee io> another-. Go' net -wdrt thou not called, nor interfere in that whk^ does not concern th«e; Endeavour to manifefl thy goodt bRyiing in all* tftiy words and Jkr- tions. In converfatiori^ do not lay dry handi upon another, nor fpeak too much, nor interrupt or difturb another's difoburict When any one difcourfes witb thee, hear him attentively, and hold thyfelf in an eafy attitude, neither playing with thy feet, nor putting thy mantle to thy mouth, nor fpitting^ ♦oo Often, nor look^ ing about you here and there, nor riling^ up frequently, if thou art Q 2 2 "4 GEN'ERAL DESCRIPTJON fitting; for fuch aftiohs are indications of levity arid ldw-brceding.'»^ —He proceeds to mention feveral particular vice* which are to be avoided, and concludes, — " Steal not, nor give thyfclf to gaming •, otherwife thou wijt be a difgrace to thy parents, whom thou oughu eft rather to honour for the education they have given thee. If thou wilt be viituouf, thy example will put the wicked to (hame. No more, my fon ; eiujugh his been Taid in difcharge of the duties of a father. With thcfe councils I wifh to fortify thy mind. Re- fute, them jnatf nor a^'in eontvadidion to them; fo^ on them thy life and all thy h«ppin«& depend.^' ■t-».) I- An iH|il.l. lAs ranging on the fame fide with the Abbe Clavige- ro, the ingeiUQus ^r. JelFerfoii deferves pairtici4ar atteAtioh. Thi;^ gentleman, in his notes bn thev$tatevof Virginia, ^c. has tlaken-oc-: csfion to con^bat the qpinions ofBuffdn ;, and feems to have fully refuted them both by argumei^ and f»^. The French philc ^o-: pher aiTerts, "That Uvi^ngoature is lefs a^Uve^ lefs energetic, in the New World than in the Qld<"' Heiaffirmf, li That the ani- mals common to both contineAtis are fmallcr V Aodarioi, 2. That tl:)9fe peculiar to the New are on an infect' jfeale^ ' ^ That thofe -wbi(»h have l>een ^omeiticated in both have deijpnerated in Ame- ritca* And 4. That it exhibits fewer fpecies' bf liying creatures. The eAufe of this he afcribes to the diminution of he^t in America,* . and t0;ilhe prevalence of humidity from the ^Jltenfion piF its lakes $nd WMeis over a prodigious furface. In- other y^rds, he affirms, that heat is friendly and taoj/lure adverfe to the p^pdu^ion and de- velopement of the large quadrupeds. '; ' Tb^ bylpotbefis, that moifture is unfriendly to kttimal growth^ ^T. Je^erfoh ihows to be contradi6fced by obfervs^ion and experi- ence. It is by the afiiftance bt heat and mcnfturc that vegatables areelabdrtted'from the elements. Accordingly we find, that'Ah«: more biunid climates produce plants in greater pi-ofufion than the dry. Vegetable* are immediately or remotely the food of every aniittial ; and frooi t^e uniform <^tration of Nature's laws we dli- cern, that, iii.pipt^rtion to the quantity of food, animals are not only multiplied Jo their niuhbers, but improved in their fize. Of this laft opinion is the Count de Buffon himfelf, in another part of his worl; : " £a general, il paroit que les pays un ^cu/rouit convlenn'^nt mieuX a nos boeufs que les pays chauds, et qu'ils font d'autan,t plus gros et plus grands que le climat eft plus humiik et plus abondans en paturages. Les boeufs de Danemarck, de la Po- dolie, de I'Ukraine, et de la Tartaric qu'habitent les Cilmouques, font les plus grands te tous." Here, then, a race of animals, and one of the largeft too, has been increafed in its dimenfions by cold and moifture, in dircft oppofition to the hypothefis, which fup- ' pofes that thcfc two circumftanccs diminilh animal bulk, and that Of AMERICA. *25 le- ques, , and r C0I4 fup- 1 that it h their cdntraries, heat and drynefs, which enlarge it. But to tjry the queitidn on more general ground,' let us take two portions of the earthy Europe and America for inftance, Sufficiently exten* five ^o give operation to general caufes ; let us confider the cir- cumftances peculiar to each, and obferve their eifef): on. animal nature. America, running through the torrid as well as temperate zone, has more heat, cdlle£lively taken, than Europe. But EuropCi according to oiir hypothecs, is the drieiK They are, equally adapt- ed then to animal produ£fcions; each being endowed; with, one of thpCe jcaufes which befriend animal growth,. and with one .which oppofes it. Det lis, then, take a comparative ViciW^of the qutdx^peds of Europe and America, prefenting them to the eye in three differ- ent tableis i in one of which fhall be enumerated thofe found in both countries ; in a iecond, thofe found iiri one only ; in a third, thots which have been domefticatcd 4a both. To facilitate the compariron, let thofe of each table be arranged in gradation, ac- cording to their fizes, from the greatcfl tp the frtialleft,, fo far as their fizes can be conjeflured. The weights of the large animals Aiall be exprefled in the Englilh avoirdupoife pound and its deci- ma;ls; thofe of the fmaller in the <^nce and-its-decimals. Thofe which are marked thus*, are zEtval weights of particular fubjeAsj deemed ambngil the largefb of their ipecies. ^hofe marked thusf , are furniflie^ py-jud^^fH's P^^'^'^^v^Y^^^-^^^^^'^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ Se- cies, and faying, from conjefture onfy, what.the largeil individual they had feen would probal>ly have v^eighed. The other weights are taken from 'Me flrs. ^ufFon and D'Aub&ntOn, and arc; of fuch fubjcGks as came cafually to their hands for d«fie£lion., ** Comparative View of the Quadrupeds of Europe and of America. TABLE I. Aboriginals of ht'h, - Mammoth - - Buffalo; Bifon - - - White bear. OUrs bhi}c • Caribou. Renue Bear. Ours - - - Elk. Elan. Original, palmated Red deer. Cerf - - Fallow deer. Daim - - - Wolf. Loup _ . _ lloe. Chevreuil , - - - Glutton. Glouton. Carcajou Wild cat. Chat fauvage Lynx. Loupcervier - - - Beaver. Caftor - - Badger. Blaircau .... Red fox,, Renard - - Europe. America. lb. lb. •1800 >53-7 •410 288.8 167.8 69.8 56.7 •273 +30 25- 18.5 13.6 ♦45 13-5 GLNIR4L DtRSCR^IPTION 'IKIK lyn" j^i^A'"M ■ '. ■■-■■■ ^ "^ ■ . ■ ' . ,. Europe* ^All^ripa. ■ft.:'- IS. 1 ^ f.9 ' ^i.fi*' • » • ■: ■ A:^ ^2 »-9 ' f^ 02. ; '.'^^r > ^ 1 Sii «te. :«,♦»,■, u *•• K'. " f if A ML J^ |l. ASori^inats of one anty. hn MiiiiiitUiiiii <■> FB. »*>*M<—^i hiitw' Ok Motriidttai W^d ihee^ BMi(tti«t|a. Wadgdtif, Lmk^9.., !*«•«■ It*- I-'."'"*-- J,!»IHi^; Jb^Jiit - -: - PutQisi. PcAecat ,-- r ■ f^tn^i^ ■' - -'.■,*•■ "- I)^t!^an. MuOcrat Ectfreufl. Ilfjanti^ - • Rat. Eat • *■ -. - \mT^ T-. -• ':' ^' ^--ur . Lerdt. ]i)onnQiA(f ^ - Toupc. Mole r'. -'' - Hamfter - - - - «■ - ^9 AMERICA. I i III 'rVl'iill 1 1 II ^■tpJafcHIM'Wyi*!* m • «; ! -w ■ * ■ ■ m- tapir - gri Tanuinuiiii m. Cougar etf K. Artliric* ii, CoQtar of S. Aaitt-iciir Oottot tAtak Paco rilii*-. - - - - Serval llDtll^ Unau - Sirif c^vienne KincaJQu Tatotl Rabaffou Urfota. Urchin iUccoont Raton Co«lt 534- +450. - 05-4 - 75. 43.6 Slgth. Ai - - Iftpljou Ouarini Sapajou Coaita - • TatQU Encubert Talou Apr Tatou CacKica - • Little Coendou . • Opoflum* Sariguc Tapeti Margay - 3«-7 - ,«7i - at.8 116.3 - 16.3 • »8. ^ - 9'» - ^5 evii6f«. \^ '\'*'i-rid'\ •■ tn ' iiryf ' " AMtltrCA. a^3 >^ Aioud Mpi^«tt^ Qn4>tnu ^ulkm . ^rWIP-* .'P •• -■ •< .a... . jfUWk - - " - - - +8, Supt^iu S|iou - . 1.8 WMi^ig, Cochond'Inde xJS SifH^tt. %tfa&n - - i.^ Immr grey Ctmmtl . tx,^ E^fofer " " " ^'-^ iieci ii|ttint9i • - . JO. 02, Stgoiiift^i Sii^ Ftftchlft 6 » lae GENE HAS DESCRIRTION ** Tht refult of this vievir isj that of 26 quadrupeds conunoh t6 both countries* feven are faid to be larger in Anierica, feven of equa! fizKy andia nut fufllciciUly ej t a mined. ISO that the firft table iiri. peaches the firft.m<^ber of the aflertion, that of the Animals com- mon to both countrjei the; American are fmalleft, "£t cela fans aucune exceptiottl^* '.'It 41ti>Wsl it not jud, in all the latitude in which its authoi; 'lifti idyaz^iced it, and probably not to fuch a de« gree as to found it.^^m^{lidn l^tween the two countries. »* ProceedU^ itP: the^JEpcond table, which arranges the animals found in one ^f.^hit tmro jcowntries only, M. de BufFon obferves, that thtftapMr, the^phtatVdf America, is but of the fize of a fmalt cow. To preferve our. (;tiitiparifon, Mr. Jefferfon ftates the >trild boar, the elephant Qfr£uit|»e a^'Uttfemore than half that^iize. He has made an dk wii^ foiifi^ or Cylindrical horns, an animal of America, and pecidiar to x%\ becaufe he has feen many of them himfelf, and more of their horns ; and becufe, from the beft infor- mation, h IS certain that in Virginia this kind of elk has aboundcfd much, and ftill exifts in fmaller numbers. He makes the American hare or rabbit peculiar j l>eItevi|Bg it to be different from both the. Buropean animjuii of thofe denominations, and calling it therefore by its Algonouin name WMbus, to keep it diitin£l from thef6, Kalm is of the fame opinion. The f^^uirrcls are denominated from a knowledge derived from daily fight of them, becaufe with that the European appellations and defcriptions feem irreconcileabte. Thefe are the only ii^nces in which Mr. Jeiferfon departs from the authority of M. de BufFon in the conftruftion of this table ; whom he takes- for his grQund-work, becaufe he tlijnks him the beft informed of any naturalift who has ever written. The refult is, that there are 1^ quadrupeds peculiar to Europe ; more ,than four times as many, to wit 74, peculiar to America ; that the firft of thiefe 74, the taphir, the largeft of the animals peculiar to America weighs more than the Vrh«^e column of Europeans'; and confe^ qoently this fecoiid table difproip^s the fecond member of the afler- tion, that the animals pccull^ to the New World are on a fmaller feale, fo far as that a(Ierti )y weak* The bor.:ls of the ni»ft intimate of all focieties, that of the fame family, an. feeble ; and one family has no attachment to another. Hefiice no union^ no republic^ no focial ftate, can take place among them. The phyfi«al eatifeiiriove gives rife t« the morality of their manners^ Their heart ia frozen, their foci- ety cold, and t^eir empire cruel. They regard their flemales as ierVants deftined to labour^ or as beafts of burden, whom they load unmercifully with the produce of their huntings )and oblige^ without pity or gratitude, to perform labours which often exceed their ftrength. They have few children, and pay. little attention to them. Every thing muft be referred to the firit caufe i They are indifferent, becaufe they are weak ; and this iiklifForence t<» the fex is the original (lain which difgraces Nature, prevents her from expanding, and, by deftroying the germs of life, cuts the root of fociety. Hedle man makes no exeeptibn to ^hat has been athr^anced. Nature by denying him the faculty of love, has abufed and contradied him more than any other animal." A humila|ing pifture indeed } but than which, Mr. Jefferfon aifures us, never was one more unlike the original. M. BufFon grants, that their ftature is the fiune as that of the men of Europq^ and he might have admitted* that the Iroquois were larger, and the Lenopi or Dela wares taller, than people in Europe generally are : But he fays their organs of generation are fmaller and weak- er than thofe of Europeans ; which is not a faft. And as to their want of beard, this error has been already noticed. " They have no ardour for their female."— It is true, that they do not indulge thofe exceffes, nor dil'cover that fondnefs, which are cuilomary in Europe ; but this is not owing to a dcfe3: ia na- . ture, but to manners. Their foul is wholly bent upon war. This is what procures them glory among the men, and makes them the admiration \>f the women. To this they are educated from their carliefl youth. When they purfue game with ardour, when they OF AMERICA, »a» htax the fatigues of the chace, when they fuftain and fuffer patient- ly hunger and cold, it is not fo much for the fake of the game they purCue, as to convince their parents and the council of the nation, that they are fit to be inroUed in the number of the war- riors. The fongs of the woman, the dance of the warriors, tl>e fage counfel of the chiefs, the tales of the old, i\it triumphal entry of the warriors returning with fuccefs from battle, and jthe refpe^l paid to thofe who diilinguifh thcmfelves in battle, and in jlUhdu- ing their enemies, in ihort, every thing they fee or hear, tends to infpire them with an ard'-nf defire for military fame. If a young man were to difcover a fondnefs for women before he l^s hieen to w; r, he would become the contempt of the men, a|i4 the fcurn pud ridicule of the women; or were he to indulge )iimlelf with a captive taken in war, and much more were he to offer violence in order to gratify his luft, he would incur indelible difg;>ace. The feeqriing frigidity of the men, therefp^e, is the effed: of man- ' pers, and not a d^||^ of nature, They ^re neither toore defec- tive in ardour, nor more impotent with the fennale, than are thp whites i-educed to the fame diet and exer^ife, " They raife few <:hildrcn,"?-rThey indeed ralfc fewer childreii Jthan we do $ the caufe^ of which ajrc to be foundt not in a differ- ence of nature, but of circum^nce. The women very fre^uent^ \y attending tbje men in their parties of war ar^d of hunting, child- bearing becoifies extremely ifjconveijient to them. It is faid, therefore, that they have learned the praftice of procuring abor- tion by the^ ufe. of fome vegetable ; and that it even extends to prevent conception for a, confulerable time afti&r. Paring thefe parties they are cxpoled to numerous hazards, to exceRlve e«er- tioais, to the gfeateft ejttr^mitie* of hunger. Even a,t their homes, the nation depends for food, thrptt|(^ a c^ertainpart ojF eyery year, on the gleanings of the foreft >, that is, ^they experience a famine PQC:e in every year, Wi^h all ani^mals, if the £Bm4c |be badly fed, or not fed at all, her young periih ; and, if bo^ male aixd female be redu(:ed to like want, generation becomes lels ja£Uve, lefs pro- du^ive, To thjB obftacLes, then, of want and hazard, which Na- ture! Hal 0ppqfe4 to the multiplication of wil^ animals, for the purpole of rcftraining their numbers within certain bounds, tho^ of labour and voluntary abortion arc added with the Indian. No wonder, then, if they multiply leis.than we do. Where food is regularly fupplied, a fingle farm will ihow more of cattle than a wh(4e country of forefts can of bufialoes. The fame Indian wo- men, when married to white traders, who feed them and their cluldren plentifully and regularly, who exempt thern froni exf ef- iive drudgery, who keep them flationary and unexppfed to acci-. R 2 i3« GENERAL DESCRIPTION ijii ' „, Hi dent, produce end raife as many children as the white women. Inftances are known, under thefe circumflances, of thcfir rearing a dozen children. ' Neither do they feem to be " deficient in natural afFeAion/' On the contrary, their fen Ability is keen, even the warriors weeping moft bitterly on the lofs of their children ; though in general they endeavour to appear fuperior to human events. Their friendihips are ftrong, and faithful to the uttermoft ex- tremity. A remarkable inftance of this appeared in the cafe of the late Col, Byrd, who wasfent to the Cherokee nation to tranf- Z&. fome bufinefs with them. It happened that fome of our dif- brderly people had jufl killed one or two of that nation. It was therefore propofed in the council of the Cherokees, that Colonel Byrd (hould be put to death, in levenge for the lofs of their coun- trymen. Among them was a chief, called Silouee, w'ho, on fome former occafion, had contra&ed an acquain^nce and friendihip with Col. Byrd. He came to him evedMpInt in his tent', and told him not to be afraid, they (hould nc^ill him. After many days deliberation, however^ the determination was, contrary to Silouee's expe£Ution, that Byrd (hould be put to death, and fome warriors were difpatched as executioners. Silouee attended them ; 9nd whei) they entered the tent, he threw himfelf betweeii them and Byrd, and f'id to the warriors, ** This man is my friend : before you get at him, you muft kill me.'- On which they re- turned ; and the council refpefted the principle fo much as to tth cede from their determination. That " they are timorous and cowardly," is- a charafter with which there is little reafonlo charge them, when we recolle£l the manner in yrhich the Iroquois met Monf. — * ^ who marched jjnto their country ; in which the old men, who fcorned to fly, ox to furvive the capture of their town, brayed death like the old Romatis in the time of the Gauls, -and in which they loon after revenged themfelvey by fackihg and deftroying Montreal. In lhort| the Jndian is brave, when an enterprife dep«hds upon bravery ;«ducatiqn with him making the point of honour coniift in the deftruftion of an enemy bydratagem, and in t^he preferva- tion of his own perfon free from injury : or perhaps this is nature, while it is education which teaches us to honour force rather than fineflfe. He will defend himfelf ?gain(l an hoft of enemies, al\vays chooltng to be killed rather than to furrender, though it be to the whites^ who he knows will treat him well. In other fituar tions, alfo, he meets death with ijiore deliberation, and endures- (tortures with a firmnefs unknowfi' a)mo(l to religioi}^ en^huliafm •mon^ us, OF AMERJCjf, >8S Much lefs are they to be charafterifed as a people of no viva- city, and who are excited to aftion or motion only by the calU of hunger and thirfl. Their dances in which they fo much delight, and which to a European woi '. ue the moll i'evere exercilie, fully contradift this; not to mention their fatiguing marches, and tho toil they voluntarily and cheerfully undergo in their military expeditions. It is true, that when at home they do not employ themfelves in labour or the culture of the ibil : but this, ag«in, is the eSc& of cufloms and manners which have ailigned that to the province of the women. But it is faid, " they are averfe to fociety and focial life." Can any thing be more inapplicable than this to a people who always live in towns or in clans ? Or can they be faid to have no repuUigue, who cohdud all their affairs in national councils ; who pride themlelves in their national charac- ter } who conlider an inl'ult or injury don^^o ah individual by a ftranger as done to the whole, and refent it accordingly ? To form a juA'^^imate of their genius and mental powers, Mr. Jefferibh oblerves, more fafts are wanting, and great allow- ance is to be made for thofe circumftanees of their fituation which call for a difplay of particular talents only. This done, we Qiall probabiy find that the Americans are formed, in mind as well as in body, on the fame model with the homofapicns Europaus, The principles of their fociety forbidding all compulfion, they are to be led to duty and to entorprife by perfonal influence and perfuafion. Hence eloquence in council, bravery and addrefs in war, become the foundations of all confequence with them. To thefe acquirements all their faculties are direded. Of their bravery and addrefs in war we have multiplied proofs, becaufe we have been the fubje£ls on which they were exercifed. Of their eminence in oratory we have fewer examples, becaufe it is difplayed chiefly in their own councils. Some, hpwever, we have of very fu|>erior luftre. We may challenge the whole oratipns of Demoilhenes and Cicero, and of any more eminent orator, if Europe has furnifhed more eminent, to produce a tin- gle paifage fuperior to the fpeech of Logan, a Mingo chief, to Lord Dunmore^hen governor of this ftate. The ftory is as fol- lows ; of which, and of the fpeech, the authenticy is unqueftion- able. In the fpring of the year 1774, a robbery and murder were committed on an inhabitant of the frontiers of Virginia by two Indians of the Shawanee tribe. The neighbouring whites, according to their cuilom, undertopk to puniih this outrage in "a fummary way. Colonel Crefap, a man infamous for the many murders he had committed on thole much-injured people, coUeded a party, and proceeded down the Kanhaway in queft of y.e^gtance. Unfo;rtunatcly a canoe of women and children, ydth M* GENERAL DESCRIPTION otu) man only, was fcen conning from the oppofite (hore, unarmed, tnd unf(4rpe£ling any hoftile attack from the whites. Crefap and his party concealed thcmfelves on the bank of the river ; and the moment the canoe reached the ihore, Tingled out their objefis, •nd at one fir« killed every pcrfoo in it. This happened to he the family of LogMi, %vho had long been diftinguifticd as » friend of the whites. Thii unworthy return provoked Ms vengftanc«4 He accordingly fignaliscd hlmiclf in the war which cnfucd. In the autumn of the fame year a decifive batf lie was fought at the mouth of the Great Kanhaway, between the cclleded forces of the Shawances, Miqgoes, and Delawares, ■nd a detachnieni of th« Virginia qailitia. The Indians were defeated, . tnd fu«d for peace. Logan, however, disdained to he iocn among (he fupiplUsts t bu|, le|l the fincerity of a treaty Ihould be diftrufted from which fo dii^inguiflied a chief abfeht- cd himfelf, he lent by a meilicnger the following fpeech, to be delivered tq Lord Dunaaore i-***' I appeal to any white man to ^y if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat { il CVfjr he pama cold aod naked, and he cloathed 1: \n\ aifOt. During the courif 'of tlie bft long and bloody war, Logan remained idlie in bi^ cabin, an advocate for p *ky women and children. There ru^s not a drop pf my blood in tike veio* of any living cloture. This (filled on me for re- venge, I have fought it ; } ^v« killed matiy •, I have fully l^luitted oay vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace ; hut do not hubour a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logaa nevcr^ felt feur. He will not turn on his heel to fav« his life. Who is there to Alouro for Logan ? — ^-Not one.'' To the preceding iMcdeted in favour of the American cha- xa£ler, may be added the fcdlowing by Dlr. Benjamin Franklin, The Indian mmn, when young, are hunters and warriors : when old, counfeUoFS ; for all their government m by the counCsl or advice of the fages. Hence they generally ftudy oratory { the beft fpeaiker having the moft influence. The Indian women till ■the ground, drf fs the food, nurfe and bring up the children, and preferve and hand down to pofterity the memory of public tranfaftions. Thefe employments of men and women are account- ed natural and honourable. Having few artificial wants, they have abundance of leifure for improvement by converfation. — ; Our laborious nunncr of Itfe, compared with theirs, they efteem OF AMERICA, 4 *' thiiigt that We need ho meeting to be inftruAed iil ; becaufe our "mothers taught them to us wh bitants of Sut-opcj afford fufflcient grounds for determining them, al fome b^ve do^e^ to bd a racci of Hu^ radically diffctent from all dthcH ? In thia queftiofl; to aVoid being tedidu*. We ftiall confine our- felves to what has been advanced by Lord Kames; who is of Opinion, that thei-e are many different fpecies of men, as well as ^f Other animals ;.and give^ an hypothefis, Whereby he pretejids his opinion may be maintained in a confiftency* with Revelation. " If (fays he) the only rule afforded by nature to clafTing animals can be depended on, there are different races of men as well as of dogs : a mafUff differs not more from a fpaniel, than a white man from a ne^ gro, ot a Laplander from a Dane. And, if we have any faith in Pro- vidence, it ought to be ta. Plants were treated of different kinds, to fit them for different climates ; and fo were brute ani^nals. Certaia S ft* C £ NER.AL D tSC HIP Tt0}f itt^thaiaii men are not fitted ei{uany for every Idttnite. HicMf it.'fcMlce '• cliffutd but ^what ^'haturai to ff6lper3tMid^0UtHh ]| yktA there i> not a t-limateittit where fornix meh'dcgenrratb* Dettk tidt then onadogyiekdiis to cundude, that, iii dure ire- different clinutes 6n ttte^fince -x)f thb rglobe, fo thor^ ire different inices df iieii' fitted for ttheiic di fferent cltmates ? ** Mi Bufibn^'lrbtartfae rttk^ That smmak which -eafn ^ roeirate together^ and Avhofe progeny cah lalfo^rctinreatie, are nf oneipecies; coRchittcs^ that all -men (arc of onfe racedr ipecies *, and endeavours td fap|K»tt>ti«tt 'fa1pouth^optnidn,dby^afmbi^ tfO food 'oi- mHer iicddcnta] ctttfti, taU ^e y8rictie»th8t 'dre founi^ tinbngiig'the j^tneticans; the pro. ininenoe nf th(e :puden^ libtiVetfat amefi^the Hottdntot'WiMnen'} or the hMtkni^^ nb'Id^ntiiHperilit aHU}ngf tkrfeinak SarAelMles'? 1-^It is In Vatn. to aferifae ^^he dinpate'the'kyw fiatiirc vf ihe 'Ef-^ 4|«iinatn|« the finadhnefaof thch-'feet^x^ Hie tMnrgibtm fise of their hcada< It is :e]^lnfiy in vaih toMbe tb diirlate ihe low- ftature «f Che Laplanders, 'or their «gly Vf fage* The ^cli colourbf nes> groes^.thffir Ufil, .flatnofe, cttl|>ed wiooKy 4iaifV a»d fanlc fmeH, dif^ tinguifli them froin e^rery other race fucik difference of climate'between Abyffinia and N<|gro*land as to pro-' ^ucethefe ilriking di^ffan^ncea*- "Mor flull our Aithor's ingenipHS hypothelis concerning, tite (cjctrendties of heat and ecAdi'purehaie Idltl impunity with x^fe& totl^e laHow coni|4eicionof the SiDnoiedes, Laplanders, and Cfeeh- lattders« The Fin^anders^ and norkkern Korwc^^ians, liv^ in a cli- mate not Icfs cold than diat of the. people mentioned ; dmd^yet are fair beyond other £uropeans. I fay rnore^ thereare ^hany inftan- ces of races of people preferVing their x)riginal cdour, in climates very different from their ow^n ; but not a Angle inftance o/ the contrary as far as I can learn. Hicre have been four conplcte generations of negroes in Pennfylvania, without any vi&ble change of colour ; they continue jet -black, as originally. Thode wlio af- cribe all to the fun, ought to conlkler how little probable it is, that the colour it iinprcflcs on the parents ibould be communicated |0 their infant children, who neVcr faw^ the iun : I Akmld be -ai l^on induced to believe with a ^yermannaturalift, whofe'name bi** tfc^ped me, that the negro colour ia living to-ainaneient euAom in Africa, of dyeing tfaeikin blac;k. Let a '£uropean, for years, ex- poCe hixnfelf to the fun in a hot cMioaate, till he be quite brown ; hi^ Chi in ] wh tur (»' ai* AMEBIC A, 'd^ cliUdrcn will ney^tUpl(f fsr b«y« the Cwc cojnpJF^ipji, i^ifh tJffjfc , if) Europe. Frpm th.r, ift^ncre of diffei:ent ra^qj ojT n^eij, frpm thu VAi;iqu§ tf9app|:%^^c^; difijko^Mqns of d*#pr:c^t nation* ; which he; rr<;^o^ tq hpj^ii^' dil^erc^nces, as vfelVlA thofeof colpus, fl»^Hr9,!&c^>iij^h«(^juig(ttiiVi.: med, up his> ^4^c^, he coficludics thus:: « U pou funimj|tig up thft wh(^e particulars mentioned: ahove, woi^ld one:he(»tate & moment: to adopt t|ie fqllpvjring opifiipn, were there nOiCountorfaikincii^f ;; evidence, viz. "That Cod created many pairs of thehuman cMfV- difFerinjj from'^ach othpr, both ea^ternally .an4 u^4v-Qa%.; iKtIiHe Btte^thoTe pairs for different climate^ an^ 2^?4 fH^h pt NS ifl Uii.> proper climate J and the peculiarities o^ thfl o^|gi^4 p^, vfflf^. prcl'ervcd entire in thq^r, dfrcei^4)U)M i whp* having n^ f^/l&i|MlS«> but tl^cijr mtural tak'n^ts^ were left to g^thi?r kl^oyrj^dge (s^m- «V?a pcricnce J ai^^, in particular, were l^ft ($a tribs^ »o^jfm *. kn- . g^a^p for itfelf ; ^^ figfxs yfcre fu^iesit f«r t)i« origtXMdli paxes, w^ithouiany languftgei l^ut whajb nature fuggeifts; fn^tluita Uoguagi^ was formed gradually as a trih,<; iiKriBafjrd i%k nunbciSy and. in 4ifiBrBnt occupjations, to mak^ fynefik nei^tfbxy i*\J^ut ^ia ©pinion, hpweyer plaufiWe, we ar« i|pt pjcpu^tsd U> adopt: being taught a different Icffpn by R?veUji9n, viz, T^a* Qo^ created but> a ftoglc pair of t\e Ipman fpepies, Ti^pwi^ Wft c^ickfif. dpuht the authority of ^<^ yet hi* .a<^;quja< of ^h«><;i:<»^ion of man is not a little puzzling, afi^ frmed, i^r ww« IO«n formed origin^y for difiercnt climates, A)J n»W n^uft h»ve (^km the^tme language, viz. That of oHx firft pareij^f , And yfh»% ^i ^U Upm* rfw woft contradiaory tp that«ccp^fft,.is,the &yagp ftat(p; Adaim,** M^k* infor^us, w?s ci^dj|ic4 % hfa l^ak«r wUh au e^ctn^ 4«gjr«e of knowledge ; and hfi cer^ioJy ^?s ai> e^tccl^cut precegfcgr to ^i« chijdrco »nd their pro^ny, ^mo^ii whom hp lived ms^i^y gci^erfU^^^f . >y hcwf then the de||enen[cy of al| men v.nto the f^y^gp (l^te? To accQua( for that difmal cataftrpphc, nJa9kin4 mu^ ^aye fyilfer/ed fqjipe ter- rible cqijyulf^on. That tf rr^le tjonynlfitin i|j V^yeslfjd to us in^ the hiftory of the totycr of BJab^d, contained in t^ieiMh copter of Qene/is, Mfhich is, «That, for manv centuyitw *itcr th^ d^MgCi, the whole earth was of one language, and of one (peech ; that they united to build a city on a plain in the Ijind of Shinar, with a tow- er, whofe top might reach unto heaven ; that the Lord, beholding the people to be one, and to have all onts language, and that no- ^hin|; would be rettrained from thei?» which t^iey imagined to do^ ....... ^ S »'■ '•■ M '4^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION "M Foniifounided their language that they might not underf^ond one ^nt othtr, and fcattcrcd them abroad upon the face of all the earth/ Htte light breaks forth in the midft of darknefs. By ponfoundina the language of men, and fcattering them abroad upon the fafe of all the eturth, they were rendered favages, A^nd to harden then^ for thfetr lieyr habitations^ it was neceifafy that they (hould b^ di-. vidbd into dHBefent j^inds, fitted for different climates. Without an immediate change of qonftitution, the builders of Babel could nptf pbfltbly have {ubfifled in the burning region of Guinea, nor in the frozen region of Lapland; houfes not being prepared, nor fipy other conv^|ii(en^e tp prote£l them againft a deftruClive cli. mate.H.' Weinay firft remark, on his Lord{hip*s hypothefis, that it isevi. dekltfy incomplite *, for, allowing the human race to have been di- vided into dijierent fpecies at the confufion of languages, a^d that each (peciet was adapted to a particular climate ; by what mean> 4iirere they to get to the climates proper for ^em, or how were they to know that fuch climates exiAed ? How was an American^ if'oi' inftance, whfp languifliing i^ m improper climate at Babel, to^ cet to the land of the Amazons, or the banks of the Oroonoko, in his own country f or how was he to know thefe places were more proper for hi^i than others ?~:Tlf, indeed, we take the fcripture phrafe, MThe hotdfidUerfd them tAroad upon the face of aH the earth,^' in a certain fenfe, we may account for it, If we fuppofe that the different fpecies were immediately carried off by a whirl- wind, or other fupiernatural means, to their proper countries, the difficulty will vanifh ; but if this ishi^ Lordihip*s interpretation,, itis certainly a very lingular one^ ' Before entering uppn a c6nfideraiion of the particular argu- ments ufed by our author lor proving the diverfity of fpecies in the human race| it- will be proper to lay down the following ge- neral principlrS) which may fervf as axioms^ (i.)'When we affert a mtdtiplicity of fpiscief in the human race ; we bring in ft fuper- IMtural caufe to folve a natural phenomenon : for thefe Qiiecies are fUppofed to be the immediate Work of the Deity. (2.) No prrfon has a right to call any thing the immediate effeft of omnipotence, ynlels by exprefs rdyelaiioh from the Deity, or from a certainty ^hat no natural ^aufc is fufEcient to produce the effeft. The rea. fon is plain.' The Deity is inyifible, and fo are many natural ^aufes : when we fee an effefl therefore, of which the caufe does not manifeft itfelf, we cannot ^now ^vhether the immediate caufe is the Deity, or an invifible natural powp^. An example of this we liave in the phenomena of thunder and earthquakes, which Vere often afcribed immediately to the Deity, but are now dif- fpyqred ^o be the cffe^s of ele£li;icity. ' (3.) No perfon can affert OF AMERICA, Mi jaatural caufes to be itlfaificient to produce fuch and fuch efFefts, unlefs he perfeClly knows all thefe caufcs and the limits of their power in all ppfTiblc cafes j and thi$ no man has ever' kno\>m, or can know, By keeping iq' view thele principles, which we hope arc felf-evident, we will eafily fee Lord Karnes's arguments to con-r fift entirely in z petitio prtncipii,'—\n fubftatice they are all reduced to this fingle fentence : " Natural philofophers have been hitherto unfuccefsful in their endeavours to account for the difference* pbfervcd' among mankind, therefore thefe differences cahnot be accounted for from natural caufes."' His Lord(h!p, however, tells us in the paff^gel already <|uoted, that " a ^aftiff differs not more from a Kpaniel, than a Laplander " from a t)ane ;" that " it is vain to afcribe to climate the low /lature pf the Laplanders, or their ugly vifage."— Yet, in a note on the word Laplanders, he fubjoins, that " hy late accounts it appears, that the Laplanders are only degenerated Tartars; and that they ^ and t^': Hi^ngarians originally fprung from the fame breed of men, anci tr< r ihe fame couptry." — ^The Hungarians are generally )iandi nv i; d well made, like Danes, or like other people. The Laplanders, he te|ls us, differ a:s much from them as a maftiff from a fpaniel, Natural caufes, therefore, accprditig to Lord Karnes hitnfelf, ihay'caufe two individuals of the fatne fpecies of mankind to ^i^er froip ^aph other as much as a mafliff does from a fpanielf While we a^e treating this fubjeft of colour, it may not be amifs to obferve, th^t a very remarkable difference of colour may accidehtly happen to individual^ of the fame fpecies. In the idhmus of Darien, a (ingular ri^ce of men have been difcovered.— . They are of low ftature, of a feeble- make, and incapable of en-. during fatigue. Tbcir colour is a dead milk white ; not refembling that pf fair people amon^ Europeans, but without any blufh or fanguine fpmp^exion. Their (kin is covered with a fine haliy down of a chajky white ; the hair of their heads, their eye-brows, and eye-lafhes, are of the fame hue. Their eyes are of a fingular form, and fo weak, that they can hardly bear the light of the fun ; but th^y fee clearly by moon-light, and are moft aftive and gay in the night. Among thfe negroes of Africa, as well as the natives of the Indian illands, a fmall number of thefe people are produced. They arc called Albifuts by the Portuguefe, and Kacler- taket^ by the Dutch. This race of men is not indeed permanent ; but it is fufHcient to fhdw, that mere colour is by no means the chara£leri{lic of a certain fpecies of mankind. The difference of colour in thefe individuals 1$ undoubtedly owing to a natural caufe. To confti- '3g*?» 1- "i'-'Vm ^ t4? GENEHAl D^ESChlPTION tutCi t)ifp(, ai^ettf m^of this colour, it would, only be iiecef- iffsy tfa^t thift cauif, which at prtfeat is merely accidental, (hould bcccMM permanent^ and we cannot know but it may be fo in foQiB part,! of the world. ^ If a. difference in, colour if no cHarafitetiftic ^f a different fpc^ cief of m^nVindr niucb leCi can ^ difference ipi ibture be thought ,i^u.}c ^re a^ much under the eommon ftze, as the Fitagonians are (aid to be above it. Neverthelefs we a^e not tpr i|ii«)|iQCJ that either' of thcfe are fpecific difFerences; feeing the I«apianders-fnd Hungarians are both of the fame fpecies, and yet the former are |^nerally almoft ^ foot (horter than the Utter ; and iif % difference Af climate, or ot^er accidental caufes, can make the pt^oplc ol om^ country a foot (horter than the com^- jtnon ^e of niankiad^ undoubtedly accidental caufes of a contrary nature inay nvke ^o(e of aaothei: country a foot tj^Uer than other Though the fun ha»nndoubte41y ^fta>^ein,*heproduaio» of tiate fwarthy colour of tboie n^tionf which are mo^ ej^pofed to bis influence ; yet the msmner of living to which people are ?$- cu(l»nied,\thcir vifibHals, their employment, &c^ mu^ Contribute very much to a did^rence of eonpl^xion. There are fome kind^ of colouring roots, which, if mixed with the food of certain ani- Tp%\iy wiU tinge even their bonei of a yellow colour. It cannot be thougbt any great def^ret <^. credulity to infer from this, that if theie.root» were mixed wil^ the tpod of a white in?n^ they nugjhti without a miracle, tiue y» p^ pt a, yellow colour. If a man ^d wom^n were both to ^ ibod or tlhls kind for a length 9f time, till they became.aa4t 9rtxtra£ei^df$4t'^^ i* imppflfible, withput the intervention pt Divine power,, o^ Of ^bme extraordi- nary natural c;iufe, ^ut their children muft be of Uv; fame colour ; and was the fame kind of foQ4 to be continned fof feveral genera, tions, it is more than P>^^^1^ ^bat this cplpur mi^ht i»fift ^h^ continued ufe of any ki|)^^ of foo4 whatever. Of this indeed we ha^v? no ex»n|iles» byt we have ^n evaqiple of changps much mpTf wonderf^). it is f.Uowed on all band^, that it i^ more eafy to work ^ change up^ the body of » man> or any other animal, th^in v|>o« his mind. A man tha^ is natural- ly choleric may indeed learn to prevent the bad efiEe^ of his paf- f?on by reafon, but the paltion Ufelf will remain as imniutable as his colour. -But to reafon in a manner fimilar to Ix>r,d Kvjaef • though a man (hould be naturally {choleric, or fut^ej^ tp^ny pther padlon, iahy (hould his children be fo ?^This way of rcf^oning^ t>f AM£RJ€A. <<# hewever^lanftbte^ is bytto ttrean* condufivc, m tivitt «p^>etc •frpm iJwfollowi'ing^paiGlge in Mr, :For{ber'« Vafjfage. June gth. "** Thb officers who could not yet relUh their bit ]lirovi(i«>ai after the 4«frefhraents of New ZmutAt had ordered their 4:»kck dc^^ mentioned p* 135) t^ be kUM : this dgiy,(there' fore, w« ditied for iht firft timb oa. a leg of it roafted ; wliich isfted fb e^iSAy ^^ mutton, ihM k ivas tbfd^tely uadiftiaguiOu able. In our (dd xeiintrieS) A^ere animal food is fo much ufedt and vfieic to lie carnivorous imrhapa lies in the nature of mch,«ir is indifpenfid>ly nece&ry to the .prdfcrvation of their lidalth and ftrength, it is ftmnge that there ihould exift a Jewiik avtr^n'flefii, whfen hogs the mc^ uncleanly of all animals, are «felen without fcruple. Nature feems exprefsly to hav6 intended them lor this ttfe, by making their dff^pring fo very numerous, and liieir inereafi: fo c^utdc and freqiient. It may beobjefted, that tklB'Bxalted d w gia c of i»At«ft which we t^ferve in our do|gs, in* i/lfke$ us %«dth>|{i«at unwillingMefe to kill and tat them. But h Is owing to the time we fpend on %he fcducpttion of dogs, that they acquire 'tfao{e'eminieUtt|uaiitie6 ^wfakh attach them To much to us. ^e natural 4|ttaiitiss of our Aogi may receive u wonderful im- provement } 'but'vducslticinrmttfti^ve its affiftance) without ^which Uie human mind itielf, though capdbtetrf an innaenfe expaniton, i'Cmains' :in a very contrafted iftate. In N(^ JKculandi and (ac- cording to Ibrmer acctwnts of voyages) in «he tropsoal :ifles df the South. Sea, the ^ dogs sdre the moft iftupid^ ^ll«ntmab imaginaUc, and'do nbt'fisem to fasve'the lekft advantage 'ihtpoint of iagacity overoui- aHef, which Mt eoDamoidy thade tiie emUems offiUi. nefs. Inthcl'foirinercountipy they'^aieftd upionfiCh, in hl^ Hkewife graft itew in. ftihCb : ^e NtHr 45«8$and ddgs af« fed Oh die remains df their maftei->i<)fiei^ ; tHfy'^it Ihfe'boUte of x>ther dogs ; and the puppies iMcAiie 'ttue MBiAimb^ froA their births We had a young New 2Si8iitind'p«ippy dtaiMiird, whith had ceitaihlyWd tio opportunity ^ taiHMg i^y thing but the-ihlitfaer's mitk befctte we purcfhafed it : ifiOM^fver, it •'eagerly ideVoured« pottion <^ the Hefli and bonos of the dog on which we dined to-day ; while feveral others df ihc European ibreed taken 'on 'boBrd it xtke Cape, turned from it without touching it. " On the fourth of Au{|uft, uppy, and eat df it with a ravenous appetite. This is a proof how far education may go «, V 144 CkNEkAL t)£^CklPfidN ,$n producing i/oA prcfpatgating new inftin£l» in animals. Europei^ii rica has mofb' probably been peopled ?' Difcoveries long, ago mtfde' inform us,- that' an- iAtercburfo bie-' Iween the Old Continent and America might be carried on with facility from the north-weft extremities of Europe and^the north- caft boundaries oT Afia. In the mi\(h century the Norwegian* OF AMERICA. >45 'X clifeovered Greenland, and planted a colony |here» The com- munication with that country was renewed in the lad century hy Moravian miflionarles, in order to propagate their doftrine iti that bleak and, uncultivated region. By ■ them W are informed chat the norths weilk coaft of Greeifland is feparated from America by a very narrow ilraiH' that 9% the bottom of the bay it it high* ly probable that they are united { that the Efquimaux of America perfe£Uy refemble the Greenlanders in their afpeft, drefs, and mode of living { and that a ^^ravian mtifionary, well acquainted with the language f^* d md^ having vifited "'■" ccuntry of the Efquimaux, fouuw, to h.. itftofiifhment^ that ...eyfpoke the fame language with the Greenlanders, and were in ev^ry refpefi: th^fame people. The fame fpecies of animals, too, are found in the contiguous regions. The bear, the wolf, the fox, the hare, the deer, the roebuck, the elk, frequent the fprefts of North America, as well as thofe in the north of Europe* Other difcoveries have proved, that if the two continents of Ada and America be fepirat(^d at all, it is OfUy by a narrow ftrait. From this part of the Old Continent, alfo, inhabitants may have pafled into the New ; and the rejfemblance between thii In- dians of America and the eaftem inhabitants of Alia, would in- duce us to conje&ure that they have a common origin. This is the opinion adc^ted by Dn Robertfon in his Hiftory of America, where we find it accompanied with the following narrative. " While thofe immenfe regions which ftretched eaftward from the river Oby to the fea of Kamtfchatka were unknown, or im- perfe£lly explored, the north-eail extremities of pur hemifphere were fupppfed to be fo far diftant from any part of the New World, that It was QOt eafy to concave how any communication fliould have been carried on between them. But the.Rufltans, having fubjefted the weftem part of Siberia to their empire, gradually extended their knowledge of that Vad countty, by ad< vancing towards the eafl into unknown provinces. /Thefc were difcoVered by hunters in their excurfions after game, or by fol' diers employed in levying the taxes ; and the court of Mofcotv efliniatcd the importance of thofe countries only by the fmall addition which they made to its revenue. At length, Peter the Great afcended the Rufllan throne : His enlightened comprchen- fiye mind, intent upon every circumdance that could aggrandize his empire, or render his reign illuflrious, ° dil'ccrncd confc- quenccs of thofe dil'coverics, which had elcaped the obfer\'ation of his ignorant predeceflbrs. He perceived, that, in proportion as the regions of Alia extended towards the eaft, they mufl ap- prorlch nearer to America ; that the communication between the T i4^ '!, GENSRHL DESCItlPTIO^ two tentinennf^ if^^di had long been fearched for in vain, Woullt frtkiMy he tovtnif.ixuthii (Quarter; and that, by opening thh intercourfe^ fonie.|4rt d/ fhte wealth and commerce of the well- em it'brld night Ce^made.to flo\^ into hi» dominions by a neW channel. 8u(^ aii'tibjeA fuiled a genius that delighted in grand -fchenies; Peter drew up'iriftruAions with his own 'hand for profetuting this dcfign,. and gave orders for carrying it into e^ecution^ ** His (ucccflfors-adopllcdl his idea, and p'Urfued his plan. The dflScers whom the Ruffian court employed in this fervice, had to ftruggte itfiih fo many ^ftcuUies, that their progrel^ wa« eiiitremdy ■ fldw. fihcduraged by feme faint traditions aihoing 'the pi^opk of Siberia con^erhing a fuccefsful voyage in the year 164^ round the north-tfilt prdttiohtory of Afta, they attempted (o follow the &ne courie. Vcflfels w'cre 'fitted out, with tHih vjew, at different times, from f he risers Lena and Kolyma ; but in a.frozeh oceaii; which nature Teems not to'have dcftined for navigation^ they were e:ltpofe4 to many :difafler8, without being; able to aCcbm{^llth their purpofe. No vcffel 'fitted out by thtt Rufiian court cirer doubled thk»f6mlidabIiB cape ; we are indtibt- ed for what is known 6f ikok -nittreme regtotis of Afia, to the^ difeoveries made in ekcuriibtii 'by Iznd. Infill thofe provinces^ an opinion' prevails, that coiiHtries of great extent and fertility lie at no confidierable diftanee from their own coafts. Thefe thb' Rufliaiis imagined to be pan of America ; and feveral circum^ ftances coMurred not only in confirming thdm in this belief^ b&t in perfuading them that foitie portion of that cqntinent could not be very remote. Trees of Various 'liindji, tihknown in thofe naked regions of Afia, are driven i^pbn ithe coiU'iiy an eafterly wind. By the fame wind floating ice is Wought thither iit a few days ; flights of bii'ds arrive annually from the fame quarter ; and a tradition obtains among the inhabitants, of an ihtercourfe former- ly carried on with fome countrtes fituated to the eafl. " After weighing all thefe particulars, and comparing the pofi- tipn of the countries in Afia which they had difrovered, with fuch parts in the noith-weft of America as were already known ; the Rullian court formed a plan, which would have hsrdly Occur- red to any nation lefs accuilomed to engage in arduous under- takings and to contend with great dIfHculties. Orders were iflu- €d to build two veffels at Ochotz, in the fca of Kamtl'chatka, to fail on a voyage of difcovcry. Though that dreary uncultivated region furnifhed nothing that could be of ufe in conftrufting them but fome larch-trees ; though not only the iron, the cordage, the fails, and all the iiumcvous articles rcqurfit6 for their equip- ment, but the provifions for viftualling them, wore to be carried OF AMERTCA. M7 through the immenfc dcfcrts oC Siberia, Aomg, riven of dificulf navigrtion, and roads almoft impaffablp, the nM^date of the fove- reign, arid the perfeverancc of the people, at |S|ift. furmounted fv«. ry objilacle. Two veflela were fini(hed4 and^under the command of the captain* Behring and Tfchirikow» iaile^from Kamtfchatka in q^eft of the New WorJd, in a quarter wkktit it had never been {approached. They ftiaped their courie toward^ the eaft ; and though a iftorm ioop feparated the veffttb, whifh a«rer rejoined, ' and many difafters bcfel them, the, expc^ionla froi^ |he voyage were not altogether frudrated. £ach olthe conjiteahdersdifcoi' vered land, whicU to them appeared Co jM^jaari of the Ataifericaii conMinejf^t ; and, according to their obfehnrtiens, itiecma to be fi* jtuited wijthiii a few degrees of the northi>^eft coaft of Galiforniaj^ Each (en)t fome of his people afliore : bat ia0ke place the inhabi- tants iled as the Ruflians approached^ in Midilaeri. they carried off thofe whd landed, and d^ftf oyed thdir boats. The violence of thp weathir, and the di4<«& of . their .cfew^ obliged hofk to quit jthis inh<)fpitahle coafL 1^; ^heir rctiwm tHef touchbd M feye- ral iilands, which ftreatch in » ibhaiii fi-om eail to weft be- %ytttn the country whidh they had <4ifitovered' and the coaft of Afia. They had fome intercourfe <^i|h !the pative^ who fee^md %o them to refemble the North ^ineripin^ -Th^ presented to the Ruifians the ealuniet, or pipo of peace, which if a fyndkd of friendihip univerfaj among the people of North ^n^irica, apd an vfage of arbitrary inftitutioq peculiar %o ^hem." The more recent and ajccurate difeoveries of the ilhiftrioiis ^avigaor Cobkie, and his fucceljfor Ckrkc, have brought 'th6 matter ftill nearer to ceVtaihty^ The fea, from the fouth of Behring's 'Skniits to the prefcent of iQe^ between ,A0> and Ame4* GENERAL DESCRIPTION w fubjeA; to great viciflitudet ftnce the deluge. Ancient and modiern Hifturies confirm the truth which Ovid has fung in the nanw of l^thagoraC} ^tdeo ego quottjufirat quondam foUdiJima telluSj '% Efe/ntum ; vidiJaRas ex aquore terras,' >H- \Ai' prefcnt they pibugh thofe lands over which' flitps formerly (tUieo^ and. now they WH over lands which were formerly culti- vatedt c|rth<|aakes ^ad^lWallowed fomc lands, and fubterraneous firea have thilawn ujpt dlh||f : the rivers have formed new foil wtthrtheir ittiuVj^ feitretreatlng from tl^e (hores has lengthen- ed the land i^i^^«Mi ^t^liyy.- and advancing in others has dimi- niihed it| ]$ ^RiJI|^c^v^l^^ ti^ritoriea which were formerly tinitedl) and fd»u|wiJBpa#. ftraits and gulphs. We have examples of all thefe tevo|i^nt*in the pail century. Sicily was united to the continent' m> conjeftyf*. of tbft'^mii ^ that great calamity happened. If a gireat eaah|Ufc]u9i flionld over- whelm tlie ifthmus pf Suez, and the«f,4l(ouU|^«ii^ (lime, time as great a fcarcity of hilloriana asthci#kifcr»jMMM|^ the deluge, it would be doubted, in 300 er fbc^tJiirMfter^ whether Afta had ever been united by thar jtim' to^^frica ; and many would firmly deny it. , C" ^ ' ," Whether that great event, the feparation of the continents, took place before or after the population*^ of America, is as im- pofRble as it is of little moment for tit to know ; but we are in- debted to the above-mentioned navigators for fettling the long difpute about the point from which it was eflfe^d. Their ob- servations prove, that iri one place the diftance between conti- nent and continent is only 39 miles, not (as the author of the Recherches Philofophiquts fur lesAmricains would have it) 800 leagues. This narrow ftrait has alio in the middle two iflands, which would greatly faciliute the migration of the Afiatics into the New World, fuppofing that it took place in canoes after the xTonvulfion which rent the two continents afunder. Befides^ it may be added, that thefe ftraits are, even in the fummer, often filled with ice ; in winter often frozen. In either cafe mankind might find an eafy pafiage ; in the laft, the way was extremely ready for quadrupeds' to crofs and (lock the continent of Ame- rica. But where, from the vaft expanfe of the north-eaftem world, to^ fix on the firft tribes who contributed to people the New Continent, now inhabited almoft from end to end, is a matter that baffles human reafon. The learned may make bold and ingenious conje£iurcs, but plain good fenfe cannot always accede to them. As mankind increafed in numbers, they naturally protruded one another forward. Wars might be another caufe of migra- tions. There appears no reafon why the Afiatic north might not be an pjkinia virorum, as well as the European. The over- teeming country, to the eaft of the .Riphcean mountains, muft find it neceifary to difcharge ;ts inhabitajits : the firft great wave •** CENKRAl DESCRIPTION of people was forced furwtrd by the next to it, mora tumid and more powerful thaq iifelf : fucceflive and new impulfet con-i tinually arriving, (hort r^H was given to that which i'pread over a more eaftern tra£l ; diiVi|rbed again and ag'iin, it covered frefli regions} at lengthy reaching the fartheO limits of (he Q14 World, found a new one, with ample fpave to occupy unmolelf' ed for ages { till Colunfbus curfed then^ by 4 difcovery, which brou^t again new fins ^nd new death* to both worldf, **Ths inhabitants oftHe New World (Mr^ Pennant ebferve*,) , vhii;h w^ h>ve fo re- cently receirpjy tattdmtt that America could r^peiye itii inhabitants (at leaft the bulk of tliem) from any other place than eaftern Afu. A few proofs may b« added, taken from puAnm* or dreilet com-r mon to the inhabitants of both worlds ; fqme h»v« becsiji long exr ;tin^ in the 0)d, otherl remain in both in full force, " The cuftom )if Ccalping was a barbarifm.in ufe with the Scy- thians, who. carried about them at all times this lavage mark of triumph ; they cut a ciit^ round the neck, and dripped off the ikin as they would that of an ox. A little image foMn,d ainon{[ the Calmucs, of a Tartarian Oeity, mounted on a horfe, and ^tting^ on a human ikin, with (icalps, pendent from the bread, fully illuf. trates the cuftom of the Scythnn progenitors, as deiciribcd by ihcj Greek hiftorian. This ufage, as the £ul-opean> know by horrid experience, is continued to this day in America^ The fe- rocity of the Scythians to their prifonera extended to the re- mqteft part of Afia. The Kamtfchatkans, even at the time of their difcovery by the RuiBans, put their prifoner^ to death by the mod lingering and excruciating inventions ; a praAice in full force to this very day among the aboriginal Americans. A race of the Scythians were diled Anthropophagi^ ttom their feeding on human flefh. The people of Nootka Sound dill make a repad on their fellow creatures : but what is more wonderful, the fa- vage allies of the firitiih army have been known to throw the mangled limbs of the French prifoners into the horrible cauldron^ and devour them with the fame relifli as thofe of a quadruped. " The Scythians were faid, for a certain time,' annually to tranf^ form themfelves into wolves, and again to rcfume the human fliape. The new difcovered Americans about Koofka Sound) ai^ this time difguife themfelves in drelTes made of the (kins of wolvet^ and other wild beads, and wear even the heads fitted 4o their own. Thefe habits they ufe in the chace, to -circumvent the ani. mals of the field. But would not ignorance or fuperdition afcribe ■i^' Pt AMEkiCA, «5i lo i fupewil||>hl iNlpinrpoff thefk temponry txpedients to de. ceive the bruto ^Mdiiti ? *< In their nurchet, the Kuntfchatlliht never went abrcaft, but followed One another in the fame thQ. The fame cuilom i» exaftly obferVed by^the Americanlb : <* "Hie Tungilfi, the mod. numerous nation refident in Siberia^ prick their facea with fmall punAurea, With a needle, in Varioue Ihapea *, then rob into them charcoal, fo that the marka become indelible* Tbia cuftom ia dill obferved in feveral parta of Ame- rica. The Indiapi^iin the back of Hudfon'a Bay, to this day^ perform tbi operktHM exaftly in the iame manner, and punfture the Ikin into varioua figures ; as the natives of New Zealand do «|t prefent, i&li ss the ancient Britons did with thr icrb glaftum^ Or woadt and th^ Virginians, on the firft difcovery of that country by the Englifh. ** The Tunguii ufe canoes made of birch-bark, di^lended ;-> .'«r ribs of wood^ and nicely fcwed togcthton The Canadian, and huny other. American oationa, ufe no bther fort of boata^ The paddles of the Tungufi are bread at each end } thoie of the ^ ?.«- pie near Cook's river^ and of OonaUfthaj are of the fame f )nn. ** In burying of the dead^ many of the American nations, place the corpfe at full length, after preparing it according to their cuftoms ; others place it in a fitting pofture, and lay by it the moft valuable doathing, wampum, and other nutters^ The Tar- tars did the fame i and both people igree in covering. the whole with earth, fo as to form a tunmlus^ barrow, or carnedd. " Some of the American nations hang their de^ in trees^ Certain of the Tungufii obferve a fimilar cullomn " We can draw fome analogy from drefs : conveniefncy in that article muft have been Confulted^on both cont^ cn^s, and origi- nally the materials muft have been the fame, lu: ikins of birds and'beafts. It is Angular, that the Conic bonnet of the Chinefe (hould be found among the people of Nro^ka. I cannot give into the notion, that the Chineie contributed to the population of the New World ; but we can readily admit, that a {hipwrcck might furniih thofe Americans with a pattern for that part of the drefs. " In refpefl to the features and form of the human body, aU moft every tribe found along the weftern coaft has fome i'tmili- tude to the Tartar nations, and ftill retain the little eyes, I'mall AofM, high cheeks, and broad faces. They vary in fize, from, the lufty Calmucs to the little Nogaians. The internal Ameri- cans, fuch as the Five Indian nations, vyrho are tall of body, ro- buft in make, ^nd of oblong faces, ^re derived from a variety among the Tarurs themfelves, The fine race of Tfchutiki fecm ■.-■ /■i.^n?^- .I'D.- » if 151 \ eENErAj.J)£SCRi • -■ ' ■■ ■ -'^^ji .*> ' '^ to be the ftock fro^ vff^ IHofe An^i Tfchutiki, again, from that fine race pf . or inhabitants of Kabarda. ^ " But about Prince. WiUiam'9 Sound beg^s a race chiefly diftinguiflied by their drefii, j^eir catioesy ^Mdthvir in(|,ruinent» of the chace, from the tribes to the foMth oT th.r The reafon of their low ftature is Very obvious } thefe dwell ia^ a moil fevcre climate, amid'ft penury of food ; the former in one much more favouraUe, abundant in proviiions ; citcumftances that tend to prevent the degeneracy of the human frame, At the ifland of Ounalafcha, a diale£l of the Efquimaux is in ufe, which was continued aloiag the whole coafl from thence north' ward." The continent which flocked America with the human race poured in the brute creation throu^ the fame paflage. Very few quadrupeds continued in the peninfula of Kamtfchatka '^ Mr. Pennant enumerates only 25 which are inhabitants of land ^ all ih? reft pcrfifted in, their migration, and fixed their refidence in the New World. Seventeen of the Kamtfchatkan quadrupeds are found in America : others are common oilly to Siberia or Tartary, having, for unknown caufcs, entirely evacuated Kamt- fchatka, and divided themfelves between America and tl>c parts of Afia above cited. Multitudes again have defcrted the Old World even to an individual, and fixed their feats at diftances moft remote from the fpot from which they took their departure ; from mount Ararat, the reding place of the ark, in a central part of the Old World, and excellently adapted for the difperfton of the animal creation to alt its parts. We need not be flartled (fays Mr. Pen- nant) at the vaft journeys many of the quadrupeds took to arrive ■ i^^ fc?' #-.-:.^ tic ^--v^ '■■..'■■^•^» >53 ma of wandering ^juve been con- r^ip^ of travelling 0r^sinipas ?— To endea- riscerjEainly a trouble worthy i not to attempt it would bo MiM f wiyii dif Goa to man.'* |;IW#i' o^folly ib d^ f points beyond the human ability td ndedlable : the fa6ls ate indifputabl^ We boncealiedi In ftlch cafes, faith ']|i|tliefi It would containly be the height Being ^ho broke open the great fountains of the deep lA dwft tlf^ 4«1"^^ to compel the difpei-fion of ntaiikifid td people the globe, direfted the confufioit of lahguagii— spowert itifcrior iii their nature to thcife. After thefe wondrous proofs of Omnipotence, it will be abfurd to deny the poflibility of infufing inftin8: into th^ brute creation. Deui i^ enhind ^nitorum i " God himfelf is th^ foul of brutes :*' His plea- fure muft have determined their will, and direfted feVeral fpecies^ and even thdl w^ole genera^ by impulfe irrefiflible, io moyeby flbw prdgrellidh to their deflin contu when 5ryby Natural r, and I has *W^. 'i, ^l^f !>55 M, > *j 'i«,^«^ Frii;ijUilRi4n -iwalls, lixgp. whh the le plac^ the L plainly feen ; in |n|>foughed. , . ;.. IP^ kinds : they are artificial tu- 5r the dead ;• or they arc of a great- Btendinl the adjacent country ; and- fciaily ccmftru^ed, or adva.ntage is ta- 5i to raife the^n .iinto a fortification. the Mufkij^um, are ftti»ted )n of that river with the Ohio T^tU-' They confift of a number of walls Ijitclies, &c. aitogcthor occupying a fpaCe; r in length, and from about 150 to 25' %vn^.as it has been ca^ed* is a large level, ' Piji^l^lfsj^in^rly in thr, form cf a fquare, the fides of %yKich aini^|i|ni^i^^ parches in Icngtii, Thefe wr.Ils are, iri geiieral, lifeout 'if> feci; in height above the level on which they il^nd, and about^;%o feet in diameter at the bafe, but at the top they ajreniuchn^rrovyer ; they are at prefent overgrown with ve- getables of 4ifferent kinds, and, an^ong others, with, trees of feve- ^ ral iFcct diameter. The chafms, or opting in the walls, were pro- bably it^tended for gate- ways ; they arp three in number at eath (ide, befides the fmaller openings in the angles^ Within the walls there are three elevations, each about fix feet in hieight, with regit, lar afcents to them : thefe elevat ions confiderably reiemble Tome of jhe eminence^ already mentioned, which have been difcovered near the river Miffiflippi. This author's opii^ion is, Tliat the To|ticas, or fome other Mexican nation, weye the people to whom the mounts and fortifications, which he has dcfcribcd, o\^e their exiftence ; and that jhofe people were probably the defcendants of the Danes. The fonqer part of this conjeflure is thought probable, from the iimilarity of the Mei^ican mounts and fortifications defcribed by the Abbe Clavigero, and other authors, to ^hofe defcribed by our author ; and from the tradition of the Mexicans, tlut they came from the north-weft ; for, if we can rely on the teftimony of late travellers, fortifications fimilar to thofe mentioned by Mr. Bsh'ton ' have been difcovered as far to the north as Lake Pepin ; and >ve find them, as we approach to the fouth, even as low as the coafts of Florida. The fecond part of our author's conje£^ure appears not fo well fupportcd. U 2 \. «^6 !«*»■■ tals,lii(ii^ilumbus, ks extent, rivers, mount|ins, &c, of the Aborigines, and of the firft peopling this continel^t, .we (hall next turn our attention to the Difcovery and Settlement of I^okth America, SUMMAR pUNT OF THE FIl^ST AND SETTLEMENTS O F AMERICA. fX> IK CHRONOLOGICAL ORDZR, >fitai Ic. of Iftiall fi^fcovered in the reign of Henry VII, jtfts and Sciences had made very confiderable m ;nMK'gMl^ Many of the firft adventurers were men of and le:Mn£ and were careful to preferve authentic re- p>fgc|uch ,of^eir proceedings as would be interefting to poiL rhefe records afford ample documents for American Perhaps no people on the globe can trace the hiflory . Pl^^rigin and progrfefs with fo much precifion as the inha- Sf^of North Amedca ; particularly that part of them who inhabit the territory of the United States. The fame which Columbus had acquired by his firft difcoveries or this weftem continent, fpread through £urope and in- 1496 fpi^ed many with the fpirit of enterprize. A.< early as 1496, four years only after the f\rft difcovery of America, John Cabot, a Venetian, obtained a commifllon from Henry VII.. to dilcover unknown lands and annex them to the crown. In the fpi ing he failed from England with two {hips, carrying with him his three fons. In this voyage, which was intended for China, he fell in with the north fi4e of Terra Labrador, and coafted northerly as far as the 67th 4jegr6e of latitude. *497*"-^Thc;^next year he made a I'econd voyage to America with his fon Sebaftian, who afterwards proceeded in the difcoveries which his father had begun. On the 24th of June he difcovered Bonayida, on the north-eafl fide of Newfoundland. Before his return he trayerfed the coaft from Davis's Straits to Cape Florida. 1502.— -Sebaftian Cabot was this year at Newfoundland; and on his return carried three of the natives of that ifland to Henry V|I, ^M,:-M - , \ ^ ijl DISCOVERIES AND.'^^m^' ^t3.-^In the fpring of 1513, John Ponce^'M p ^rinn,, Rico northerly; difcovered the conti|M|)it in 30® SHSbrttt ^ He landed ittf April, a^iyToh ili4ie|< thi p i|ijj| |i try^|round wro ed with verdure, and in full bloom, lli^ (fliNifnflance iill him to cbU the cbuiftiy .P$rl^ 1^^ J|^^;^|j^^ common name for North and South Am«cici^, ' ^ J^Cn. 1516— In 1^16, Sir Sebaftiaif Gabot apd ' plored the coaft as far as Brazil in South A| This Vaft extent of cotint^, the coaft ed,' r^fmalned"" unclaimed" and unfettted by^'i (except by the Spaniards in South A^neriu) from the time' of its difcovery", 1524.— nd aiQ:^^ John VerrS2tano, a Florentine, to America foj^ the "pi making difcoveries. He trayerfed the CQfii^J|^ l^Jtudaf^'S^ ^(Qt? north. In a fecond voyage, fome tiji^^|i|t^i^e 1^ lo^." ' 1525— ^TlTe n^xt year Stephen Qomez, the |rfl Sp«iiiar(i,,wha came upon the American coaft for difcov^ry, fa||[^di from Qi^ttJj^ Spiitn,> to Cuba and Florida^ thence north wa^ci to CapeRaao,44% latitude 46'' north, in fcarch of a north-weft {^(ra^e to the ^fl|%« MIndies. v- -^.J^;':'.- »584"*-|"i ^^^ fpring of 1534, by the direaion of Fral£ee9 I. ii fl^t was ^ted out at St, Male's in France, with defign tojifekA difcoveries in Atnerica. The command of this fleet was given to Jshriei Cartier. He 'arrived at Newfoundland i^ May of this year^ Thence he failed northerly ; and on the day of the feftival of St, Lawrence, he found himfelf' in about latitude 48^* 30' north itt the midft of a broad gulf, which he named St. Lawrence. He gave' the fame naipe to the river which emtics into it. In thia^ voyage, he failed as far north as latitude 51**, expefling in vain to find a palTag^ to China. 1535.— The next year he failed up the river St; Lawrence 30P leagues to the gr.^at and fwift FaJl. He called the country New France ; built a fort in which he fpent the Winter, and returne(| in the following fpring to France. ^ » 154s. — In 1542, Francis la Roche, Lord of Robewell, was fcnt to Canada, by the French king, with three ftiips and 200 men^ Women and children* They wintered here in a fort which they had built, and returned in the fpring. About the year 1550, a large humber of adventurers failed for Canadaj but were never after heard of. In 1598, the king of France commiffibned the Marquis de la Roche to conquer Canada, and other countries not pofieflied by any Chriftian prince. We do not leajrn however, fa iBii i i i i M ■ I nmmamtmuaiai w Of itOkTH AhA^RtCA, Wi'r^'. «; -I,',' (.. U "^^^ )^er »ttempt^4 to eitecute ^U conpuJ^M^ itv t^y' fui^^Vttempts wert inadlc to fctdc Ca * " ^ fQtiiiy. »535-— On the i^th of May, 15^ Fejr^iQand df p*^^j mien, befides feaix^en) failed frpm Cuba, having fdr jbil^ ic conqucft jpF Florida.^ On the gdth pf May* he arrivcji t,o Stbto, from \yiience he travelled northward 459 league* frpiti the Tea. Here he difcovered a riVer a quarter of a mile 154& wide and ^9 fathbms deep, on the b^nH of which he died t^H and was buried. May jlj^a, aged 42 year». Alverdo hi* fuece^o^ buik Ipftn brigaptines, and the year foUowilig i»Bihar1fed vpon the riVer* In 17 ^y he proceeded down ^e riVer 40O le?gH?^> wh?re he judged it to be 15 Icggues wide. ^(^ tiie Jafj^ene|s of the rjvjr at thdt place of his epharkation, ^^ mcluded its four^e inufl haiH: been 9t leaft 4Qd leagues aboVG» 10 th|| the whole len|;t% of ^e river in his opiniQn m^ft have b'ften moc9 tlmi '^^ tf^pttes. A9 hei pafTed down the |t.iver, he ioui^d it opeiiied by; lytrp; ^^h* into the gulph of Mexico. The(i» ujrc^mftanfes led ^ tQ CQiitc^^4^, th^l thii^ rivef, fo ea<^y difcover- > -«a, w^ the one which we now call the A^^^^^ yan,'6, i549. ITbis year JCing IJenry VU. granted a peailon for li(ie to Sebaftian Cabot, in copfider:^tioix of the import^Qt fi:r- Viti^'he had rend^re^^to the Ifling^otm by hU 4i(eoVejri(;s in Anxe* rica.'/ ,' ' ■' ' - ' ' " ".. > '-jH',.. • ■ 1562.— 'The admiral pf France, Ch^ttillpn, earl^ in this yeaf f<^nt out a fleet under the connmiand of John R^ihAlt* Hp arrived 9t Cape F^rancis on the coafl of Florida, near wliich, qq. the £rft of May, he difcovered and entered, a riv«|r whiiqh he c^ed M^y river. It is more than probable that river is the fiinie which we now cairSt> Mary's, %yhich forms a part of the fouthem bounda- ry of the United States. As he coafted northward he difcov«:vd. eight other rivers, one of which he called Port Royal, and failed up it fji^veral leagues. On one pf th^ rivers he built a fort and called it Cbarks, in which he leftt 4 colpny under the^ direftion of Captain Albert. The feverity.pf AJibert's mcftfures excited: a mu^ tiny, in which, to the ruin of the cdipnyj he was.fljiin. Two, years after, Chatillon fent Rene Laudonier, with thrieo (hips^ to. Florida. In June he arrived at the ^xytv M^y^ on which he built a fort, and, in hono^ to his King, Charlje^s IX» he called it. Carolinff, In Augu(l, this year, Capt. Ribalt arrived at' Florida the fecond. time, with a fleet of fey en veflels to recruit the colony, whichi. two years before, he, had* Uff UodtCr thf .dijrcftiaiv.of the .unfortu- nate Capt., AlKfrt. r**" . <*—• ^*iJ AN^i£rfLt mber foUowii^g, Pedro'l^ehndeSy'^with fi.. wr-w^ |Li1>kIt mp ttib riv^ otk^hiclt W1^ fefUeiL iii^ ig kiin in tiua^bers, criiel|v nuflacred* him ana Hi '■M§Uri0J^i having i& (his \<^ay (^ken poffefli biiilt thifol^ forts, and left 0em ga^rifdned will s. ^udoniei-'ind'^ his colony dif Majt^fU^er, T«reiv- 6f the fatoW Ribalt^ took ihtalAife Mid efc^apcd 1561^.— A fleet of three llA^as (hiV|aii' font (torn txtncif t# l^lorlda, under the command'^bKlMniJbique de Gourges; The oIm jcft of thisex;tediti9n was to dif^flfefsthe Spahiardsof fhit plan 9!^ FldridaWhichth«>yhadcruegy^dunj»ttifi^^ '•eliedth^ef 15^8 years feiefore. tic artitfed on the cdaft of Honda; Apr^' .'156$, and foori aftef rrtade a fucfcefiiful attack upoii ti||f, Ibrts. llie reccMt Cruelty of Mdlndes-and his coqnpany e«cit fevengc va^ tfte bread of Courges, aifd toi^eid tklk unjuttifiat>l|^rin. ' dple c^ i»i;aIiation. He took thd f oits (. . put xAbtL olthe Spatilanb to the hi/qrdti and havingl{urn)ed and demolifked all their for- ttefles, rc!lu«Alil(|tp Fjrancie. Curing thi^ fi^ty years next after thi» , event, the Frencltenteiiprizf^d no feitlemehtsiii. America^ ^ 157C — Captaiprrobifhef Wa[sfent this year to find out a nor^h* «reft paflage to the Eaft^ndies. • the firft landi W^icH he mad|^ ^he coaft w^a Cape, which, Jri honour to the Queen, he i^ledi ^ueem EBzt^k^^Ftreiand. In coafting northerly he discovered thitf ftraits which bear his name^ He pfofecuted his ^rch for a pll^; , fl^ into the wefternoceab fill he Was prevented iby the icrf, ai^T ^beif" returned to England. }tl^'-^^^ *5?9»i ^*r Humphrey Gilbert obtained i patent from queen Elizabeth, for Isqids not yet poflcfledby any Chriuian prince, provided be wouM take poflelfion Within fix^ears. With »58'3. this enccfeiragement lie foiled for America, on the firft of Auguft" 15.83, anchored ih Conception Bay. Afterward he difcoVeted and took poffbflion of St. John's Hafbour, and the country fouth. N>In purfuing his difcoveries he loft one of his Ihipsr on the flioals of Sablon, and on his return home, a ftbrm overtook him, in which he was unfortunately loft, and the intended fcttle- ment was prevented. 1584.— This year two patdn^s were granted by queen Elizabeth, one to Adrian Gilbert, (Feb. 4) the other to Sii' Walter Raleigh,, for IShds not pofteifed by any Chriftian prince. By the difeftlori of Sir Walter, two^fliips were fitted and fent out, under the com- niand of Philip Amidas, ind Arthur Barlow. In July they arrived on thecoaft, and anchored in a harbour leVfen leagues weft of the Roanoke. On the 13th of July, they, in t formal matinef,, took poffeflion of the. country, and, in honour of their virgin f .- if mkTH AiMktCi V- |ueen Elizabeth^ they c^led it Vir^nia, Till Country was Jctiown by the general nioie of Ho] ' W0V I R G I N I A b^kcame' the cpmmon name^ for all Noi(tH ^ , 158^.T-Thfe next year. Sir Walt* Raleigh GreenvilLc tQ America, Vtth feven fliipi. He ar^iv]|g^^^BC|||^ - con HarbourUn June; Having i^ati^ned a colony of^ a hundi«^ P^Pl? ^^ Roanoke, under i^he dire£iion.ofi^|««J^j|^ Lane, he coafted noiieih-eailerly as fai^as Chefapeek Baj|^*and tie* turned to £iigland. >•■ m ir,' ,■ The colony undet Capt. Latieikiwtjdiired extreme hardikips, and muft have periflied, had not Sir Francis Drake fortunately re- turned to Virginitji and carried thein to England, .^fter having inade fever^l iconquefts foir the queen ki the. Witfl Indies and bthcr places; A fortnight after, Sir Rithafd Gteenville ahived with new' irecrults ; snd^ althouglf lie did not find the colopy which he had $efore left, ik^d knew not but they had periibedi -hit had the hiflbnefs to leave $b men at the famc| place, l^ » ^ ig87<^>^The year following, Sir Walter TetitaQOtI|e» cottpafty io Virginiai^ under Governor Whiter with a charter and twelve feiBftants; In July he artived at Reanoke. ^Not one of the lie- con.d company remait^ed; He determined, however, to rifque a ^rd colony. Accordingly he left 115 people at t^e old fettle-. iiji^Dt, and returned to England^ ,^'- ,, This year (Aug. i^) Mahteo W^ baptized in Virginia. He ^as the firft native Indian who received that ordinance ixv thai part of America. On the 48th of Auguil, Mrs. Dare was deU- yered of a daughter, whom flie called Virginia. She was tjie firft Englifh child that was born in North America., ' 1590. — 'In the year 1590, GoVernor White came over to Virginia with fuppHes and recruits for his cdfony ; but, to his great grief, not a man was. to be founds Thcy^ had all miferably famiflied with hunger, or were maflTaCred by th^ Indians. i6o2.-> — In the fpring of this year, Bartholomew Gbfnold, with 32 perfons, made a voyage to North Virginia j and difco-^ veered and gave name^ to Cape Cod, Martha VVineyard, and Elizabeth Iflands, and to Dover Cliff. Elizabeth Ifland was the place which they fixed for their firft fc;'J:ment. But the courage of thofe who were to haVe tarried, failing, they all went on board and returned to England. All the attempts to fettle this continent which were made by the Dutch, French and Englifh, from its difcovery to the prefent time, a period of 1 1 o years, proved ineffeftual. The Spaniards only, of .all the European nations, had been fuccefsful. There is no account of there hav- . W ^ . ' . . »■'» Jfi^iSCOVERlEi Ahib S£TTlEMEUT$ 6i^ European family, at this time, in all the ytiV^exterti dufiktiilll'Hm Florida to Greenland. ■Martin Pritig and Witlianl fi^own ifetn thig year fent ihef Raleigh, with two fmail veflels, to make difcove- rieiVJlflVolth Virginia. They came ikpon the coaft, which was brolnif' with a ntuhitutle of iflands, in latitude 43* 30^ north. They coafted foUthward td Cape Cod Ba^j thene^ round the Cape into a commodious haHsour in latitude ^t* 25^ where they went afhore ahd tarried feven weeks, during which time they loaded one of their vefleis tvith fafl&fraSj and returned to £ng^ Iand< • Bartholomew Gilbert, itt a Voyagte to South Virginia, in fearch of the third colony \thich had bednleft ihertf by OoVernOr White in 15^7, haying touched' at feve/al of the Weft-Indiif Iflands, landed near Chefapeck Bay, where, in a (kirmiib with the Indians, ho and fdur of his men wen! unfortunately flain^ The reft, without any fiittller fearch fot* the cdony, returned to Ei^gland. France, being at this time* in a ftate of tranquility In cqnfe* qaence of the edift of Mania in Ibvour of the Proteflants, paAed by K mry IV* (April 1598) and of the peace f/fhh Philip king of Spain and Portugal, was indui^d to purfue her difcoveriet int Ameriea. Accordingly the king (igned a patent in favour of De Monst (1603) ^^ ^^^ '^^ country from the 40th to the 46th degrees of north latitude under the name of Acadia, 1604 '^^^ next year Dc Mons ranged the cOaft from St. Law- rence to Cape Sable, and fo rojund to Cape Cod, i605.-*-»In May 1605, George's I Hand and Pcntecoft Harbour wore difcovered by Capt. Ceorge "Weymcuth. In May he ctt-* tered a large river in latitude 430 ii^ (variation 11* 15' wed) which Mr. Prince, in his Chronology, fuppofes mud have been Sagadahok ; but from the latitude, it was more probably the Pifcataqua. Capt. Weymouth carried with htm tu England five •f the natives. 1606.— In the Springof this year, James I. by patent, divided Virginia into two colonies^ The fouthtrn included all lands be- tween the 34th and 41ft degrees of north latitude. This was flyled ihe^rfi Colony ^ ttnder the name of South Virginia, and was granted to the' London Company. The norjhern^ called the fe- cond colony, and known by the general name of North Virginia, included all lands between Che 38th and 45th degrees' north lati- tude, and was granted to the Plymouth Compny. Each of thefe colonies had a council of thirteen men to govern them. To prevent difputes about territory, the colonies were prohibited to plant within an hundred mi^ei of each other. There appears /'':^\ or NORTH AU$JtICJ. ««« |0 be an inconfiftency in thefe gi-ant«| a* the linds lying between the 3Bth and 41(1 degrees, are (overrd by both patents. Both the Lqpp^on and Plymouth c«»npanies enterpri^ced £ettl«- ments within the limits of their rei^f^ive grants. With vhat Cuccefswill now be mentionedt Mr, Pierey* brother of the Earl of Northumberland, in the i'ervice of tl^e London Company, wpnt over with a colony to Virginia, and difcpvered Powhatan, |iow James River. In the mcaira time the Plymouth Company font Capt. Henry Challons in a veflel of fifty-Ave tons to plant a cc^lony in North Virginia; but in his vpyage he was taken by a Spaniih fleet an carried to Spain, 1607.— The London Company this fpring, fentCapt. Chrifto- April a6. pher Newport with three veflels to South Virginia. Qn the 26th of April he entered Chefiipeek Bay, and landed, and foon after gave to the mofl (buthem pointy the J4ay 1 9. name of CaffC Jfenry, which it (lill retains, Having elefted Mr. Edward Wingfield, prefident fof the year, they next day landed all their men, an4 began a iettle- ment on James river, at a p^ace which they called James- Jfune 2S. Town. This is the firfl town that wa? fettled by the Engliih in Norlh Ameriea. The June following Capt, Newport failed for England, leaving with the prcftdent Pn« hun* dred and four perfons. 'Ai$g%fi 22.~^In Augud died Captain Bartholomew Gofnold^ the hril projedor of the i'ettlcment, an^ one of the council, The fol» lowing winter Jara?S'Town was burnt. During this time the Plymputb company fitted out two (hips under the pommand of Admiral Rawiey Gilbert, They failed for Nortji Virginia on the gifl pf May, with one hundred plantr crs, and Capt. George Popham for the 1 prefident. They arrived in Augufl, and fettled about nine or ten leagues to the fouthward of the mouth of Sagadahok river. A great part of the cglony, however, difheartened by the feverity of the winter, returned to England in December, leaving their prefident, Capt. Popham, with only forty-five men. It was in the fall of this year that the famous Mr. Robinfon, with part of his congregation, who afterwards fettled at Plymouth In New-England, removed from the North of England to HoU laud, to avoid, the cruelties of pcrfecution, and for the fak,e of enjoying '* purity of worfhip and liberty of confciencc." This year a fmall company of merchants at Dieppe and St, Ma- le's, founded Quebec, or rathi 1 the colony which they fent, built a few huts there, which did not take the fornvof a town until (he feign of Lewis XIV, 1.64 J>tSCOV'ERJES\ AND SETTLEMKr ':% i i6o8.^The Sagadahok polony fuffered incredibit ' aniiiiip^ after the departure of their friends in December, ^n the depth of winter, which was extrenjiely cold, their (lore-hdufe caught fiic and was confumed, with moll of (heir proviftons and lodgings. Their misforf unps ^ere incrcafedt Toon after, by the death of their prefident. Ra\yley Gilbert was appointed to fucceed him. Lord Chief Juftice Popham made every exertion to keep this colony alive by repeatedly fonding them fupplics. But the cir- cumftance of his death, whic|h happened this year, together with that of prefident Gilbert's^ being called to England to fettle his affairs, broke up the colony, and they all returned with him to England. \ The unfavourable reports which thefe firft unfortunate adven- turers propagated refpe&ing the country, prevented any furthe^ attempts to fettle North Virginia for feveral years after. 1 609.— ^The London company, laft year, fent Capt. Nelfon j with two fiiips, and one hundred and twenty perfons, to James- Town; and this year Capt. John Smith, afterwards prefident, ar- rived on the coaft of South Virginia, and by failing up a number of the rivers, difcovered the interior country. |n September, Capt. Newport arrived with feventy perfons, which increafed the Folbny to two hundred fouls. ' Mr. Robinfon and his congregation who had fettled at Amfter- dam, removed this year to Leydcn, where they remained more than eleven years, till a part of them came over to New-England; The council for South Virginia having refigned their old com- fniflTion, rec|ue{led and obtained a new one ; in confequence of which they appointed Sir Thomas Weft, Lord de la War, general of the coj(ony; Sir Thomas Gates, his lieutenant; Sir George Somers, admiral ; Sir Thomas Dale, high marflial ; Sir Ferdinand Wainman, general of the horfe, and Capt. Newport, vice admiral. Jfune 8. — In June, Sir T. Gates, admiral Newport, and Sir George Somers, with feven ihips and a ketch and pinnace, having five hundred fouls on board, men, women, and children, Jfufy 24. failed from Falmouth for South Virginia, In crofling the Bahama Gulph, on the 24th of July, the fleet was overtaken by a violent ftorm and feparated. Four days after Sir George Somers ran his veifel afKore on one ' of the Bermuda Iflands, which, from this cirpumftance, have been called the So- mer Iflands. The people on board, one hundred and fifty in number, all got fafe on (hore, and there remained until the fol- lawing May. The remainder of the fleet arrived at Virginia in Auguft. The colony was now increafed to five hundred men. Capt. Smith, then prefident, a little before the arrival of the fleets d been very badly burnt by means of fome powder, which had OF NORTH America, ♦«5 fCctdcntaUy caught fire. This unfortunate circumftance, together with the oppofition he met with from thofe who had lately arri- ved, induced him to leave the colony and return to England, which he accordingly did on the lad of September. Francis Weft, his fucceflbr in office, foon followed Kim, and George Piercy was elefled preftdent. 1610.-— The year following^ the South Virginia or London company fealed a patent to Lord De la War, conftituting him Governor and Captain General of South Virginia. He foon af- ter embarked for America with Capt. Argal and one hundred and fifty men, in three ihips. The unfortunate people, who, the year before, had been Chip- wrecked on the Bermudas Iflands, had employed themfelves du- ring the winter and Ipring, under the direAion of Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, and admiral Newport, in building a fldop to tranfport themfelves to the continent. They embarked for Virginia on the 19th of May^ with about one hundred and fif- ty perfons on board, leaving two of their men behind who chofe to ftay, and landed at James-Town on the 23d of the fame month. Finding the colony, which at the time of Capt. Smith's departure, confided of five hundred fouls, now reduced to fixty, and thofe few in a diftrefled and wretched fituation, they with one voice refolved to return to England ; and for this purpofe, on the 7th of June, the whole colony repaired on board their velfels, broke up their (ettlement, and failed down the river on their way to their native country. ' Fortunately, Lord De la War, who had embarked for James. Town the March before, met them .the day after they failed, and perl'uaded them to return with him to James-Town, where they arrived and landed the lOth of June. The government of the colony of right devolved upon Lord De la War. From this time' we may date the efFe£lual fettlement of Virginia. Its hiftoiy, from this period, will be given in its proper place. As early as the year i6o8, or 1609, Henry Hudfon, an En- gli(hman, under a commiiTion from the King his mafter, difcover- ed Long Ifland, New-York, and the river which ftill bears his name, and afterwards fold the country, or rather his right, to the Dutch. Their writers, however, contend that Hudfon was fent out by the Eaft-India company in 1 609, to difcOver a north-weft paffage to China ; and that having firft difcovered Delaware Bay, he came and penetrated Hudfon's river as far as latitude 43*. It is laid however that there was a fale, and that the Englifti objeft- ed to it, though for fome time they negleftsd to oppofc the Dutch fettlement of the country. t56 DISCOVEkim AND SETTLEMENTS i6ip,-^In i6tOi Hudfon failed again to this country, then called by the Dutch Naw Netherlands^ and four years after, the St»tq!r|pencral granted a patent to fundry merchants for an ex- clufivc trade on the North river, who the fame year, 1^614 (1614) built a fort on the weft fide near Albany, From this time we may date the fettlement of Now-^York, the hiftory of which will be atinexcd to a defcription of the State. Conception Bay, on the Ifland of Newfoundland, was fettled io the year 1 6 1 q, by about forty planters under governor Johii puy, to whom King James had given a patent of incorporation. Champlain, a Frenchman, had begun a fettlement at Quebec, l^gS, St Ct-oix, Mount Manfel, and Port Royal were fettled about the fame time. Thefe fettlements remained undifturbed till 1613, wheij the Virginians, hearing that the French had fettled, If/ithin their limits, fent Captain A -gal to diflodge them. For thia purp^fe he failed to Sagadahok, took their forts at Mount Manfel, St. Croix, and Port Roynl, with their veflfels, ordnance, cattle, and provifions, and carried theoj to James-Town in Vir-. f^rn^, Qufbet was left in poffelFion of the French, 1 6 1 4.-— This year Capt, John Smithy with two fhips and forty- five men and boys, made a voyage to North Virginia, to naake qxi periments upon a gold and copper min^, ^is orders were, to fiih and trade with the natives, if he fliould fjkil in his expefia-* tiofikS with regard to the mine. To facilitate this bufinefs, he $ook with him Tantum^ an |ndian> perhaps one that Capt. Wey-i mouth carried to England in 1605. In April he reached the Ijlafid Monahigan in latitude 43^ 30'. Here Capt. Smith was dire£)»d to ftay and keep pofleflion, with ten men, Jbr the pur^ poAe of making a trial of the whaling bufmefs, but being difap- pointed in this he built feven boatSi in which thirty-feven men ipade a very fuccelsful fi&ing voyage. In the mean time the cap- tain himfelf, with eight men only, in a fmall boat, coafted from Penobfcot to Sagadahok, Acocifco, PalTataquack, Tragabizanda, now called Cape Ann, thence to Acomak, where he Ikirmifhed with fome Indians ; thence to Cape Cod where he fet his Indian, Tantum, a^ore and left him, and returned to Monahigan. In this voyage he found two French Ihips in the Bay of Maffachu- felts, who had come there fix weeks before, and during that time, had been trading very advantageoufly with the Indians, It was conje£lured that there was, at this time, three thoufand In- dians upon the Maifachufetts iHands, In July, Capt. Smith embarked for England in one of the vef- iels, leaving the other under the command of Capt. Thomas Hunt, to equip for a voyage to Spain. After Capt. Smith's de- parture, Hunt perfidioully allured twenty Indians (one of whom OT NORtit AMERICA. l($f '^t&SquantOf afterwards fo ferviceablc to the Engliih) to come cftt board his fliip at Petuxit^ and fcven more at Naufit, and carried them to the Ifland of Malaga, Where he fold them for twenty pounds each, to be flaves for lifft This condu61:, which fijces an indelible ftigma upon the charafter of Hunt, excited in the br<£a(li of the Indians fuel: an inveterate hatred of the Englifh, as that, for many years after, all commercial intercourfe with them was rendered exceedingly dangerous. Capt. Smith arrived at London the laft of Augufl:, whelfe he drew a map of the country, and called it New-England, From this time Nbrth-Virginia affumed the name of Neu-Engtand, and the name Virginia was confined fo the fouthern colony. Between the years 1614 and 1620, feveral attempts were ma veral colonies, not grown into independent ftates, were firft fet- tled, it will be necefTary that I fhould jufl mention, that the next year after the fettlement of Plymouth, Captain John Mafon, obtained of the Plymouth council a grant of a part of the prefeift ftate of New-Hamp- fhire. Two years after, under the authority of this grant, a fmali colony fixed down near the mouth of Pif- cataqua river. From this period we may date the fettlement of New-Hampfhire. ^ 1627. — In 1627, a colony of Swedes and Fins came over and landed at Cape Henlopen ; and afterwards purchafed of the Indi- ans th: land from Cape Henlopen to the Falls of Delaware on both firiies the river, which they called New Swedeland Stream, On thisi river they I ^ilt feveral forts, and made fettlemcnts. i6s8. On the 19th of March, 1628, the council for New-Eng- land fold to $ir Henry Rofwell, and five others, a large traft of land, lying round Maftachufetts Bay. The June following, Capt. John Endicot, with his wife and company, came over and fettled lt>21 1^23 ^68 Discoveries AND SETTLEMENTS ki Naumkeag, now called Salem. This vsras the firft fettlemen|^ which was made in MaiTachufetts Bay. Plymouth, indeed, whiclx is now included in the Commonwealth of Maflachufetts, was fet* tied eight years before, but at this time it was a feparate colony, under a diftinft government, and continued fo until the fecond charter of MaiTachufetts was granted by William and Mary in 1691 ; by which Plymouth, the Pr'ovinte of Maine and Sagadahok were annexed to Maflachufetts^ J^une 13, 1633.-— In the reign of Charles the Firft, Lord Bal- timore, a Roman Catholic, applied for and obtained a grant of a tra£b of land upon Chefapeek Bay, about one hundred and forty miles long, and one hundred and thirty broad. Soon after this,' in confequence of the rigour of the laws of England a^inft the Roman Catholics, Lord Baltimore,; with a number of his perfecu-' ted brethren, came over and fettled it, and in honour of queen Henrietta Maria, they called it Maryland. • The firft grant of Conne£licut was made by Robert, Earl of Warwick, prelident of the council of Plymouth, t6 Lord< 1631 Say and Seal, to Lord Brook and others, in the year 1631. In confequente of feveral fmaller grants made afierwards by the patentees to particular peffons, Mr. Penwick made a fettlement at tlie mouth of Connediicut river, and caUed ^635 it Say brook. Four years after 9 number of people from Maflachufetts Bay came and began fettlements at Hart- ford, Wcthersfield, and Windfor, on Connefticut river. Thus- commenced the Englifh fettlement of Connecticut. Rhode Ifland was firft fettled in confequctice of religious per* fecution. Mr. Roger Williams, who was among thofe who ear- ly came over to Maflachufetts, not agreeing with fome of his brethren in fenti'mcnt, was very unjuftifiably baniflied the 1 635 colony, and went with twelve others, his adherents, and fettled at Providence in 1635. From this beginning arofe the colony, now ftate of Rhode-Iiland. 1664.— On the 20th of March, 1664, Charles the Second granted to the Duke of York, what is now called New-Jerfey, then a part of a large traft' of country by the name of New Ne- therland. Some parts of New-Jerfey were fettled by the Dutch as early as about 1615. 1662. — In the year 1662, Charles the Second granted to Ed- ward Earl of Clarendon, and feven others, almoft the whole ter- ritory of the three Southern ftates. North and South Ca- 1664 rolinas and Georgia. Two years.after he granted a fecond charter, enlarging their boundaifies. Thr proprietors, by virtue of authority veftad in them by their charter, engaged Mi*. Locke to frame a fyftem of laws for the government of their in- OP AM £ RICA. i6s' tended colony. Notwithft^nding thefe preparations; n(7 1669 efFe£fcual fettlement was made until the year 1669, (though one was attempted iii k667) when. Governor Sayle came ovct* With a colony, and fixed on a neck of land between Alhley and 'Cdop<:r Rivers. Thus commenced the fettlement of Carolina, Which then included the whole territory between the 29th and ^6th 36' degrees, north latitude, together with the Bahama Iflands, lying between latitude 22" and 27*" north. 1681. — iThe' Royal charteir for Pehiifylvania waS granted to "W il- liam Penn on the 4th of March, 168 1» The firft colony t68a came over the next year, and fettled under the proprietor, William Penn, who a£ied as governor from Oftober 168a to Auguft 1684, The firft afTembly in the province of Pennfyl- vania was held at Chefter, onAhc 4th of December, 1682; Thus William Penn, a Quaker, juftly celebrated as a great and good man, had the honour of laying the foundation of the prefent populou i and very flourilhing State of Pennfylvania; The proprietory government in Carolina, was attended with fo inany inconveniences^ and occafioned fuch violent dilTentions among the fettlers^ that the Parliament of Great-Britain was indu- iced to take the province iinder their immediate care; The pro- prietors (except Lord Granville) accepted of j^.22,500 fterling, from the crown for the property and jurifdi£tion. This 1 729 agreement'was ratified by aft of Parliament 'n 1 729. A claufe in this aft referved to Lord Granville hxs eighth fhare of the property, and atrears of quit-rents, wli»ch tosjv'riued legally veftedin his family till the revolution in 1776, i.iud Gianville'S fhare made A part of the prefent ftate of North Carblini. About the year 1729^ the extenfive territory belonging to the pre ,>r»etors, was divided into North and South Carolina; f'ley remained fepa- rate royal gOvetnnients until th6y became independent ftatet. Fdr ih'6 rdief of poor indigent people of Great-Britain and Ire- land, and for the fecurity of Carolina, a projcft was formed for planting a colony between the rivers Savannah and Alataqiaha. Accordingly application being made to king Geor^;e the 1 732 Second) he iflucd letters patentj bearing date June 9th, 1 ;32, for legally carrying into execution the benevolent plan. In honor of the king, who greatly encouraged the p^n, they cuilcd the new province Georgia, '''wenty-one truftees were appointed ia Conduft' the affairs relating to the fettlement of the province. The November following, one hundred and fifteen perfons, one of whom was General Oglethorpe, embarked for Georgia, where they arrived, and landed at Yamacraw. In exploring the country, they fou»d an elevated pleafant fpot of ground on ihts Vol.1. Z ' 17b DiSdOVERIES ANH SETTLEMEl^fS bftnk of a navigable rivcfj upon which they marked out a towh^ and froMi the Indian name of the river which pafled by it, called it Savannah. From this period xve may date the fettlement oi Georgia. The country'' now called Kentucky, was well known id the In633 1635 1635 1664 < i66g 1682 North-Carolina, about 1-728 Georgia, Kentucky, Vermont, 1732 1773 Territory N. W. of Ohio river. N. W.-l river, j about 1764 ^787 By the French. • By Lord De la War. By Governor John Guy. By the Dutch. By part of Mr. Robinfon's con- gregation. By a fmall Englifh colony neat the mouth of Pifcataqqa f iycv. By the Swedes and Fins, By Capf. John Endicot & comp, ' By Lord Baltimore, with a por lony of Roman Catholics.' By Mr, Fenwick, at Saybrook, near the mouth of Conne^licut ^ river. ■ By Mr. Roger Williams ani his perfecuted brethren. Granted to the Duke of York by Charles IL and made « diftinfi: government, and fet- tled fome time before this by the Englifh. By Governor Sayle, , ^, r By William Penn, with a coi- \ lony of Quakers. "Eretted in a feparate eoyern- « ment, fettled before by the [ Englift. By General Oglethorpe, By Col, Daniel Boon, By emigrants from ConneSI^ cut and other parts of New England. ' r By the Ohio and other compa- \ nics. The above dates are from the periods, when the firft permanent fett^emcnts were made. Z a NORTH AMERICA, BpUNDARIE^ AND fiXJENT, N, OKTH America comprehends all that part of the wefteri^ continent which lies north of the Ifthmus of Darien, exten^infil porth and fouth from a)}out the loth degree nprth latitude to the; north pole ; and eaft and weft from the Atlantic to the Patcilio Ocean, between the 45th and 165th degrees weft longitude from London. Beyond the 70th degree N. Lat. few dilcovcries have been made. In July 1779, Capt. Cook proceeded as far as lat. iji°f when he c?me to a folidbqdy of ice extending fion^^ ^on-^ tinent to continent. Bays, Sounds, Straits, and Islands. — Of thefe (except thole in the Uiited States, %vhich \yc ftiall defcribe under thj^t ^ead) we know little more than their names. Baffin's Bay, lying betwieen the 70th and 80th degrees N^ Lat. is the largeft and moft nothern, that has yet been difcovered in North America. It opens into the Atlantic ocean through Baffin's and Davis's Straits, between Cape Chidley, on the Labrador coaft, and Cape Fare- ivell. It communicates with Hudfon's Bay to the fouth, through a clufter of idands. In this capacious bay or gulph is James lil- and, the fouth point of which is called Cape Bedford ; and the fmaller iilands of Waygate and Di(ko. Davis's Straits feparate Greenland from the American continent, and arc between Cape WaHijigham, on James Ifland, and South Bay in Greenland, where they are about 60 leagues b^oad, and extend from the 67th to the 71(1^ degrees of latirudij «bove Diiko ifland. The moft fouthern point of Greenland • called Cape Farewell. Hudfon's Bay took its name fro:,. Henry Hudfon, who difco- yered it in 16 ip. it lies between 51 and 69 degrees of north la- titude. The eaftern boundaiy of the Bay is Terra dc Labrador » the northern part has -u ftraight coaft, facing the bay, guarded with a line of ifles innumerable, A vaft i>ay, called the ^rchiwinnipy. Sea, lieis within it, and opens into Hudfon's Bay, \y means of gulph Hazard, thiough which the Beluga whales pafs in great numbers. The entrance of the oay, from the Atlantic ocean, af- ter leaving, to^ the north. Cape Farewell and Davis's Straits, i^ between Reiblution iiles on the north, and Button's ifles, on the, JLabrador coaft, to the fouth, forming the eaftern extremity o^ Hudibn's Straits, NORTH A At f: RICA, '73 The coafts are very high, rocky and rugged at top; in fpme places precipitous, but fomctimes exhibit extenfive beaches. The Sflands of Saliibury, Nottingham, ajid Diggcs are very lofty and paked. The depth of water in ^he |i>^,d Diftrid of Maine $ Rhode Ifland Conneflicut ^ N 130,000 Cape Breton I. \ a,000 New-Brunfwick Itfova-Scotia -I |1 I I *1 3 St. John's Ifland in 1783 M Newfoundland Ifland Nuwier of JitMtUHts. CkUf Towns. Windfor, Rutland Portfmouth, Concord Bofton, Salem, Newbury P«ft Portland, Hallowell Newport, Providence New-Haven, Hartford New- York, Albany Trenton, Burlington, Brunfwick Philadelphia, t^ncafter Dover, Wilt'iin^on, Newcaftle Annapolis, Baltimore Richmond, ^erfl>wrgh, NorfoUi^ Lexington Newbem, Edenton, Halifai( Charleflon, Columbia- Savannah, Augufla Abingdon Marietta Kingfton, Detroit, Niaj Quebec, Montreal Sidney, Louifburgh Fredericktown Halifax Charlottetown Placentia, St, John's 85.539 387.787 96,540 68,825 •37.946 340, lao »84,i39 434.373 59,094 319,728 747,610 73.677 393.75» •49.073 82,548 [35.691 .35.000 5.000 7,000 o >• J 5< g \ Greenland f i f^Eaft Florida S 1 Weft Florida « j Louifiana I New Mexico California ^Mexico, or New-Spaiu fO,ooo New Herrnhut Auguftine Penfacola New Orleans St. Fee St. Juan Mexico THE UNITED STATES. SITUATION AND EXTENT. Nfilea. n'"*2^u *!^°) Between Breadth 1^40/ Degrees^ '3i» and i6^ North Latituae. nd 04* W. Long, from Philad. . 96^ W. Long, from London. Uegreesi r3i»and46*> Nortl { 8" E.andaL4«W. I64«and96« W. L BOU NDARIZ S. B ' o u N o £ o north and eaft by Biitifh America, or the provin^ ees of Upper and Lower Caruda, and New Brunfwit'< ; fouthcaft, by the Atlantic Ocean ; fouth, by eaft and weft Flori « ; weft, by the river Mifliffippi. In the treaty of peace, concluded in :783, the limits of the Amcr tican United States are more particularly defined in the words fo^. lowing : " And that all difputes which might arife in future on the fubjc8: of the boundaries of the faid United States may be pre- vented, it is hereby agreed and declared, that the following are and {hall be tbeir boundaries, viz. From the north-weft angle of Kova-Scotia, vi2. That angle 'whi<^ is formed by a line drawn due north from the fource of St. Croix B.iver to the Highlands, along the faid Highlands, which divide thofc rivers that empty thcm- fielves into the river St. Lawrence, from thofe which fall into the Atlantic Ocean, to the north-wefternmoit head of Conne^icut thence down along the middle of that river to the forty- nver fifth degree of north latitude ; -from thence by a line due weft on the faid latitude, until it fttikes the river Iroquois or 'Cateraquy •; thence along the middle of the faid river into Lake Ontario, through the middle of the faid Lake, until it ftrik^s the communi- cation by water between that Larke and Lake Erie ; thence along the middle of the faid communication into I^ake Erie, through the middle of the faid lake, until it arrives at the water communication betSveen that iake and Lake Huron ; thence through the middk: of the faid ila^ke to the water communication between that lake and Lake Superior; thence through Lake Superior northward of thp Ifles Royal and philipeaux to the Long Lake ; thence through the middle of the iaid JLong Lake, and the water comrnvnication be- tween it and the Lake of the Woods to the faid Lake, of the Woods ; thence through the iaid lake to the moft northwcftcrn point thereof, and frran thence, on a due weft courfe, to the iRi- ver Mifliffippi ; thence:by.a>line to be drawn along the middle of the faid River Mifliffippi, until it ffiall interfeft the northernmoft part of the thirty-firft degree of north latitude. South, by a line to be drawn due eaft from the determination of the IJjje laft men- tioned, in ehe latitude of thirty-oue degrees north of the equator. 1)6 (GENERAL DESCRIPTION I ",' to the middle of the River Apalachicola, or Catahouche ; thenco Uong the middle thereof to its junflion with the Flint River ; tlience (Irait to the head of St. Mary's River ; and thence down along the middle of St. Mary's River to the Atlantic Ocean ; eaft, by a line to be dfawn rlong the middle of the River ''k. Croix, from its mouth in the Bay of Fundy, to its fourcc ; and from its fource dire£lly north, to the afofcfatd Highlands, which r^ivide the rivers thac fdl Into the Atlantic Ocean, from thofc which fall into the River St. Lawrence, comprehending all iilands ^"ithin twenty leagues of iny part of the ihores of the United States, and lying between lines to be drawn due eaft from the p6ihtj where the alfotefaid boundaries between Nova-Scotia on the one part, and Eail-Florida on the other, (hall refpe£Uvely touch the Bay of Fun.' dy and the Atlantic Ocean, excepting fuch iflands as now are, or heretofore have been, within the limits of tlie feid province of NoVa-Scotia. The following :nlculations were made from aEiual meafurement of the bejtmaps by Thomas HvtChiks, geograp/ur to the United States^ p The territory of &. United States, contains by computational tiiiUion of fquare mile^, which arc 640,000,000 of acter Deautl for water Acres of land in fhe United States, 51,000,000 589,000,000 That part of the United States comprehended between the weffe boundary line of Pennfylvania on the eaft, the boundary line be" tween Great Britain and the United States, extending 'from the river St. Croix to the north-weft extremity of the Lake of the' Woods on the north, the river Mifliflippi, to thie mouth of the Ohio, on the weft, and the river Ohio, on the fouth, to the afore-< mentioned bounds of Pennfylvania, contains by computatioir about four hundred and eleven thoufand fquarc miles, in which 9in &63,o49,ooo acres Dedufl: for watet 43,040,000 To be difpofed of by order of Congrefs \ ^ ^^ «« ,;ri.-c when purchafed of the Indians, / 2«9.0«>o»«>^ °f »""• The whole of this immenfe extent of unappropriated weftern territory, containing as above ftated, 220,000,000 of acres, and fe- veral large trails fouth of the Ohio*, have been by the cefllon * Ceded by North C>iroIina, South CaroUaa and Georgia, with certain referva- tion for the Indians ajK.'. other purpofes, as wiH be mentioned hereafter. "OF THE UNITED STATES. »77 uche ; thenco Flint River J thence down : Ocean ; eaft, cr St. Croix, ; and from its ich fHvidc the vhich fall into "tthin twenty ites, and lyin^- \ti wljere the one part, and le Bay of Fun- as now are, or id province of furement of the '.e United States^ computation i >,ooo of iCtCS »,ooo 3,000 ween the weft ndary line be- ling'from the ie Lake of the loutk of the I, ta the aforcJ computatioir tiles, in which )00 acres \,6oic* of acres,- Iriated wieftern j acres, and fe- |y the ceflioa certain referva* Ireaftcr, of Tome of the original thirteen dates, and by the trcity of pease, transferred to the federal government, and are pledged as a fund for finking the debt of the United States. Of this territory tho Indiid.-s now polFcfs a very large proportioti. Mr* JelFcrfon, ia his report to Congrcfs, Nov. 8, 1791, dcfcribes the boundary line between us and ilic Indians, as follows: "Beginning at the mouth of the Cayahogana, which falls into the fouthernmofl part of Lake Erie, and running up the riVer to the portage, between that and the Tufcaroro or N. E. branch of Mufkingum : then down the faid branch to the forks, at the c ro (Ting place abovo Fort Lawrence; then weftwardly, towar ' the portage of tho Great Miami, to the main branch 6f thai :, then down the Miami, to the fork of that river, next beU old fort, which was taken by the French in 1752 ; thence uue wed tu the river De la Panfe, a branch of the Wabafh, and down that river to tho Wabafh. So far the line is precifely determined, and cleared of the claims of the Indians^ The tra£l comprehending the whole country within the above defcribed line, the Wabalh, the Ohio, and the wedern limits of Pennfylvania, contains about 55)000 fquare miles. How far on the weftern fide of the Wabafh, the fouthern boundary of the Indians has been defined, we know not. It is only underdood, in general, that their title to the lower country, between that river ahd the Illinois, was formerly cxtinguifhed by the French, while in their pofTelFion. EJimate of the number of acres of watery north and Xoefiatard of the river OhiOf within the territory of the United Stafes, ' In Lake Superior, Lake of the Woods - , Lake Rain, &c. - R.ed Lake, » - - Lake Michigan, Bay Puan, - ^ - Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, - - Lake Erie, wedern part, Sundry fmall lakes and rivers, Acres. 2»»952,78o »>»33»8oo 165,200 10,368,000 1,216,000 5,009,920 89,500 2,252,890 301,000 43,040,00© A A IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) IQ 1^121 125 1.1 m ^" ■^ 1^ 12.2 [£ 1^ 12.0 | l.2 5 | U |L6 Hiolograiiiic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STMIT WEBSTIR.N.Y. MSSO (716) •72-4503 4^ \ i^s GEtfERAL DESCRIPTION EJliiHate of tki- 'number of acres of water within the Thirteen United States, ' In the Ukes as before mentioned In Lake Erie, wej^wardof t^ryline extending f|:om the nolth-weft corner of i'ennfylvania, due north, to tlie boundary between t|b Britiih terri- 43,040,000 tory and the United l^tates, 410,000 In Lak« Ontario, , - 2,390,000 Lake C^amplain, Chefapeck bay. 500,000 'i»7»o,6oo Albemarle bay. m m 330,000 Delaward bay. * ^ 630,000 All the rivers Withiii the thirteen ftattis, including the Ohio, 2,000,000 ' ^J 7,960,000 , fotal 51,000,000 LAKES AND RIVERS. It may in truth be faid, that no part of the vrorld is fo well watered with fprings, rivulets, rivers and lakes, as the territory of the United States. By means of thefe various /Ireams and col- le£lions of water, the whole country is chequered intoiflands and peninfuks. The United States, and indeed all psrts of North America, feem to have been formed by nature Cor the mbft inti- mate union. The facilities of navigation render the communica- tion between the ports of Georgia and N^w-Hampfhire, far more expeditious and pra£l:icable, than between thofe of Provence and Picardy in France ; Cornwall and Caithnefs, in Great-Eritain ; or Gallicia and Catalonia, in Spain. The canals propofed be- tween Sufquehannah, and Delaware, between PaCquetank and Elizabeth rivers, in Virginia, and between the Schuylkill and Sufquehannah, will open a communication from the Carolinas to the wcHcrn countries of Pennfylvania and New- York. The im- •provements of the Potomak, will give a paflage from the^outhern States, to the wef^ern parts of Virginia, Maryland, Pennfylvania, ■and even to the lakes. From Detroit, to Alexandria, on the Po- tomak, fix hundred and feven miles, are but two carrying places, wliich together do not exceed the diftance of forty miles. The canals of Delaware and Chefapeek will open the communication from South-Carolina to Ncw-Jerfey, Delaware, 'the mod popu* OF THE UNITED STATES. »7$f lous par!B of Pennfylvania, and the midland coufitries of New« York. Were thefe and the propofed canat between Aihley ahd Coopers river in South Carolina, the canals in tlw northern parts of the (Ute of New- York, and thofe of Maifachufetts.and New Hampfhire all opened. North America would thereby be convert-, ed into a clufter of large and fertile iflands^ eommunicatipg witk each other with cafe and little expence, anjfl in many infUnces without the uncertainty or danger of fhMkas^ There is nothing in other parts of the globe which refembles the prodigious chain of lakes in this part of the World. They may properly be termed inland feas of JFrefli %«rtter; and even., thofe of the fecond or third clal's in magnitude, are of larger cir* cuit than the greateft lake in the eaftern continent. Some of the moft northern lakes belonging to the United States, have never been furveyed, or even viiited by the white people ; of courfe we have no defcription of them which cain be relied on as accurate^. Others have been pattially furveyed, and their relative fttuatioii. determined.x-^'The bed account of them which we have been able to procure is as follows : Ths Lakb or thi Woodi, the moft northern in the United States, is io called from the large quantities of wood growing on its banks; fuch as oaks, pines,, firs, fpruce, i&Ct This lake lies, nearly eaft of the fouthend of i,ake Winnepeck, and is fuppofed to be the fource or condu£ior of one branch of the river 3our- bon, if there be fuch a river. Its length from eaft to weft if faid to be about feventy miles, and in Tome places it is forty miles wide. The Killiftinoe Indians encamp on its borders to fifh and hunt. This lake is the communication between the Lakes Winnepeck and Bourbon, and Lake Superior. RaiWy oa Long Lake lies eaft of the Lake of the Woods, apd is faid to be nearly an hundred miles long, and in no part more than twenty miles wide, Eaftward of this lake, lie feveral fmall ones, which extend in a ftring to the great (larrying place, and from thence into Lake Su* perior^ Between thefe little lakes are fcveral carrying places, which r^der the trade to the north-weft. difficult, and exceeding- ly tedious,^ as it takes two years to make one voyage from MichiU limakkinak to thefe parts. Lai^b SurERioa, formerly termed the Upper Lake, from its northern fituation, is fo called from its magnitude, it being the- largeft on the continent. It may juftty be termed the Cafpian of America, and is fuppofed to be the largeft body of frefli water on the globe. According to the French charts it is fifteen hundred miles in circumference. A great part of the coaft il bounded by A A 2 i8o CENBRAL DESCRIPTION rocks and uneven ground. The water is pure and tranfparent, and appears, generally, throughout the lake, to lie upon a bed of huge rocks. It has been remarked, in regard to the waters of this lake, with how much truth \ pretend not to fay, that al- though their furface, during the heat of fummer, is impregnated with no.fmall degree of warmth, yet qn letting down a cup to the depth of about a fathpm, the water drawn from thence is cool and refrefhingf . * ? ^The fituation pf this lake, from the mofl accurate obfervation^ which have yet been made, lies betueen forty-fix and fifty de- gree$ of north latitude, and between nine and eighteen degrees of weft longitude, from the meridian of Phila.'^lphia. There are many iflands in this lake, two of them have each land enough if proper for cultivation, to form aconfideraW-^ pro- vince efpecially Ifle Royal, which is not lefs than an hundred miles long, and in many places forty broad. The natives I'uppofo thefe iflands are the refidence of the Great Spirit. Two. very large rivers empty themfelves into this lake, on the I north and northreaft fide i one is called the Nipegon, which leads to a tribe of the Chipeways, who inhabit the borders of a lake of the fame nattie, and the other is the Michipicooton river, the fource of which is towards James's Bay, from whence there is but a ftiort portage to another river, which empties itfelf into that bay. .1 Not far from the Nipegon is a fmall river, that juft before it enters the lake, has a perpendicular fall from thfe top of a moun- tain, of more than one hundred feet. It is very narrow, and ap- pears at a diftance like a white garter fufpended in the air. There are upwards of thirty other riyers, 'which $mpty them- felves into this lake, fome of )vhich are of a confiderable fize. On the fouth fide of it is a remarkable point or cape of abqut fixty miles in length, called Point Chegompgan. About a hun^ dred 'miles wefl of this cape, a confiderable river falls into the lake, the head of which is compoled of a great afTemblage of fmall i^reams. This riVer is remarkable for the abundance of virgin copper that is found on and near its banks. Many fmall iflands, particularly on the eaflern fliores, abound with copper ore, lyiilg in beds, with the appearance of copperas. This metal might be ^fily nude a very advantageous article of commerce. This hike abounds with fifli, particularly trotti and flurgeon ; the former weigh froin twelve to fifty pounds, and are caught almoft any lea- fon in the year in great plenty. Storms afFe£l this lake as much as they do the Atlantic Ocean ; the waves run as high, and tne navigation is equally dangerous. It difcharges its waters from the Ibuth-eaft coiner through the Straits of St, Marie, which are OF THE UNITED STATES. iBi them- (ize. abqut hun- ito the fmall ormer ly lea- much id the i from ch are jibout forty miles long. Near the upper end jof thefe (Iraits is a' rapid, which though it is impolhblc for canoes to alcend, yet,- when condu£led by fareiul pilots, may be defceuded without danger. • - '. "^hough Lake Superior is fupplied by near, forty rivers, knany pf which are large, yet it does not appear that one tenth p^rt of the waters which are conveyed into it by thefe rivers, is difcharg- ed by the above*mentioned ilrait, ^^w^'iifuperabun dance of water can b^ difpofed of only by evaponttioat. The entrance into this lake from the ilf-aits of St. Marie, a|F6rd$ pne pf the moll pllafing prol'peAs in the worH* On thteft may be Icen n»ny beaintl/ul little iflahds, that extend a coofiderable yray before you ; and on the right an agreeable fuccelfioiv of finall points of land, that proje£l a little way into the waller, aind contribute with the iflands, to render this delightful bafoo ca^m, »nd fecure from thofe tempeftuous winds, by which the adjotqitig lake i% frequently troubled. V Lake Huron, into which you enter through the f^i-aits of St. Marie is next in magnitude to^ Lake Superior. It lies between 43^ 3a and 46® go' of north latitude, and between fix and eight degrees weft longilude. Its circumference is about one thoufand jQiles. Oi^ the^north fide of this lake is an ifland one hundred miles in lenj^th, and no more than eight miles broad. It is cai? led Monataulin, fignifying a pl?.ce of fpifits, and is cohfidered as facred by the Indians. On the fouthweft part of this lake is Sa- l^anaum Bay, about eighty miles in length, and about eighteen or f That fuch a fupfrabundance of water fliould be dirpofed of by^Vaporation is no fingular Circuniftance. There are fome feas in which there is'a pretty juft ba- lance between the Waters received from rivers, brooks, &c. and the wafle by e\'a- poration. Qif this the Cafpian Sea, in Afui affords an inftance ; which, though 'it receives feveral large rivers, has no outlet. There aie others, to fpeak in bor- rowed language, whofe expence exceeds. their incomt ; and thefe would faon be- come bankrupt, were it not for the fupplies which they conflantly receive front 'latrget colleftions of water, with which they are connefled ; fuch are the Black aod Mediterranean Seas ; into the former of which there is a conf^ant -current (Vom the Mediterranean, through the Bofphorus of Thrace ; and in(l> the latter from the Atlantic, through the Straits of Gibi;ahar. Others again derive more from their tribuUry ilreams than they lofe by evaporation. Thefe give fife to large rivers. Of 'this kind are the Dambea- in Africa, the Winipifeogee in New-Hamplhire, Lake Superior, and other waters in North America ; and the quantity they difcharge, is only the difference between the influx and the evaporation. It is obfervable, that on the (bores the; evaporation it much greater than at a diftance from them on the ocean. The remarkable clufter of lakes in the middle of N«»^th America, of which Lake Superior is one, was doubtlefs dcfigned by a divine Pro- vidence, to furnifh the interior.parts of the country with that fupply of vapours, without which, like the interior parts of Africa, they muft have been a meredefert. It may be thought e(]ually furprizing that there (hould be any water at all dif- charged from them, ai that the quantity Ihould bear fo fnull »proportio.i to what they receive a i9a GENERAL DESCRIPTION I ^ twenty miles broad. Thuitder Bay fo called from the thunder that is frequently heard there^ Ues aboUfe h(^f way between Saga ■.J'&w naum fiay and the north-weft comeif 'f tillft rtVer it fort St. Jofeph, from which there is a road, bearing lii^b^fteiii):, to Detroit. The Powteviratamie Indian^, who have ibc^*^ two ■ hundred fighting men, inhabit this river oppbfite fort S|. Jdfeph, Between Lake Michigan .on the weft, and L(akcs fiiuron«'^St. Clair, and-the weft end of Erie on tht^ea^, is a fine trail of coun- try, peninfulated, more than two hundred and fifty miles in length, and froiiione hundred and fifty to twohuiijdredinbre^h. The . banks of the lakes, for a few miles inland^ are £indy and barren, producing a few pines, ftirub oaks^ and cedars.' Back of this, from cither lake, the timber is heavy and good, and the foil luxurunt. Lake St. Claik, lies about half way between LakeHuro%, and Lake Erie, iind is about ninely 'miles in circumference. It receives the waters of*, the thrcfB great takes, Supenor,^^ Michigan and Huron, and difcharges them throughlthe rivJ^oV jlrait, called ^ Detroit, into Lake Erie. This lake is of an ova^ form, and navi- gable for large veflels. , The fort of Petroit is fituated on the weftern bank of the river of the fame name, about nine miles be- low lake St. Clair. The fettlements are extended on both fides of the Arait or river for many miles* towards Lake Erie, and fome few above the fort. '.wvw it' lift '^ two'- ron*' St. of coun- length, !• The barren, Lis, from xurunt, i Huro%, ICC, It lichigan t, called J . id navi- i on the ' liles be> th fides nd fome -xw* M Of THE UNITED STATES, 183 Lake Erie, is fituated between forty-one and forty-three de- grees of north latitude, and between 3" 40' and 8* degrees weft longitude. It is nearly three hundred miles long, from eaft to weft, and about forty in its broadeft part. A point of land pro- je£ls from the north fide into this lake, feveral miles, towards tlie fouth-eaft, called Long Point. The iflands and banks toward* the weft end of the lake are fo infefted with rattle-fnakes, as to render it dangerous to land on them. The lake is covered near the banks of the iflands with the large pond-lily ; the leaves of which lie on the furface of the water fo thick, as to cover it entirely for many acres together; on thefe, in the fummer fearon,lye myriads of water-fnakes baiking in the fun. Of the venomous ferpents which infeft this lake, the hifliilg fnake is the moft remarkable. It is about eighteen inches long, fmall and fpeckled. When you approach it, it flattens itfelf in a moment, and its fpots, which are of various colours, become vifibly brighter through rage; *t the fame time it blows from its mouth, with great force, a fubtile wind, faid to be of a naufeous froell ; and if drawn in with the breath of the unwary traveller, will infallibly bring on a decline, that in a few months Jddttft jprove mortal. No remedy has yet been found to counteraft its baneful influence. This lake is of a more da&|p!J|(p| navigSfHoii than any of the others, on account of the craggy ihocks which proje£i into the water, in a perpendicular di- ' fcftion^ m»ay miles together from the northern fhore, affording no Iheker frina Aorms. . PTef<|u« IfliQ is on the fbtith-eaft ihore of this lake, ab out lat. 4 2** ' tt&, Wfom this to. Fort Le Beuf, on French Creek, is a portage .•f fifb)r-#n(^iBiles and a h^lf. About twenty miles n^ith-eaftof this is a^fl^^portage of nine miles and a quarter, betwe n Cha- toughque Cntdk, emptying into Lake Erie, and Chatoughque Lake, a water of Allegany river. Fort Erif iftands on the northern Ihore of Lake Erie, and the weft bank (jf! Niagara river, in Upper panada. This lake at its north-eaiflr end, cfxnmunicates with lake Ontario by the river Ni- agara, which runs from fouth to north, about thirty miles, includr •sng its windings, embracing in its 'courfe Grand Ifland and re- ceiving T^wanto Creeks from the eaft. About the middle of this river are the celebrat«l falls of Niagara, which arc reckoned one of the greateft natural curiofities in the world. The waters which fupply the river Niagara rife near two thoufand miles to the north- weft, and fading through the lakes Superior, Michigan, -Huron, and Erie^ctceivWg in their courfe, conftant accumulatiftde of Niagara river„^ its entrance into Lake Ontario; Tbitfort, and that at Detroit, contrary to the treaty of 1783, are yet in pofleifion of the Britifli do^rernment. Laki Ontario, isr fituated between forty-thfee and forty-five' degrees north latitude, and belyeen one and five weft longitude^ Its form is nearly ovil. Its gieateft length is from fouth-^ei(^ to north-eaft, and in cifcumfereoM about fix hundred mtles^ It aboundl with fifti of an excellent flavour, among whidi,are the Oiwegb bafi, weighing three or four poundf. It receives the wkiers of ; the Cheneflee riy«Nr from the fouth', and of Onondago, «t Fort Ofwcfgo, froin the fiMith^eaft, by which it communicates, through^ Lak«0(ieidft and Wobd Creeky with ftlphtwk river. On the noith-eaft, thia lake dHbh^r itielf ibrpii^ Ike river Catalan qui, which at Mohtred, takes <^ na»ie-c0N|^^^lvrence, tntQ thcr Atlantic: Qceam '^ About eight miles from the wed end of f^# Ontario, is a iiBu^: rious caverni. which the Mefiifaugas I]id(a»^ odi JM'«)tt^0'dA* mjj tiam^ of kouje of tht Devil, The mounftinf whieli boeder on the lake, at this place, break off aibruptlyi and Mrily| preeipipe oif two hundred feet perpendicular defc4iit;f^a|fiic^ljw^ the' cavern begins; The firft openiirg is lu^'ioAia^l^^t^i^iimatl:. men conveniently to walk alH'eaft^.. It xontimies a§2|nM|dPiefa^^^ for ievehty yards in a horizontpl dirfi^oii. llienll^llMit ^ii^ * perpendicularly fifty yards, which may be de%eiide4;bn^ irregular fteps from one to four feet diilant from each other. It then con> tiniiea forty yards horizontally, at the end of, whicb is another perpendicular defcent, down which there are no depi^v/Tbe cold here ia intenfe. In fpring and autumn, there are, oitce in about' a week, cxplofibns from this cavern, which fiiake the ^pfbund for fixteeh miles round. ^ * ,LaR£ Champ lain, is next in fize to Lake Ontarloi and liea near^ eafl from it, forming a part of the dividing line between the ftate of NeW-York, and the ftate of Vei»K>nt« 'It took its name ft-oma French goverrtor, whofe natne was Champlain, who ' wai drowned in it. It Was lMfbre^alled\GoSrl«r's Lake. It ii ' about eighty miles in length from nOflli to fouth, and in its broliitej^ part, fourteen. It is well ftored W^ i^(h, and the land on 1^ borders and on the banks of ita rit^ei^^^ good. CrowA r Foiilt and Ticonderoga are fituated On t^he bacnks of this lake^ near* the fouthejrn part of it. or fiiE Onited stated. «»5 tween , wh« A It i»^ in its A Hind ' Lake Giouci, licsto the fouthward of Chimplain, and is t inoft clear, beautiful colleAion of water, about thirty-fix miles Ion J, and from one to feven miles Wide. It emDofoms more ihan \vio hundred iitands, fbme fay three hundred and fixty-five; very few of which ari any thing more than barreW rock, covered with heath, and a few cedar, fpruce, ^ hemlock trees, and (hruba» that harbout abundance of rattle-fhakes. On eath fide it is (kirt- ed by pfodigious mountains, froth which large c|uantities of red cedar are every year carried to New-York for (hip-timber. Thd lake is full of JKIhes, and Tome of the bed kindi among which are the black Ofwego bafs and large I^ckled ttouts. The water of this lake is about one hundred feet above the level of Lake Cham- plain. The portage between the two lakes is one mile and i half i but witli a fmall rxpence might be reduced to (ixty yards*, and with one or two locks might be made navigable through for bat- kcaux. This lake, in the JFrench charts, is called Lake St. Sacra- ment ; and it is faid thSt the Roman Catholics, in former times^ were at thd pains to pix>icure this Water for facram^ntal ufes iii all their Churches in Canada : hence probably it derived its name. The Mississipri RiviR, is the great refcrVoir of the waters of the Ohio and Illinois, arid their numerous branches from the eaft ; and of the Miflburi and other rivets from the weft; Thefe migh- ty ilreartis uhitedj aVe borne down With increafing impetuofity^ through vaft forefts and meadows^ and difcharged into the Gulph of Mexic^i The great length and uncommon depth 6f this river, and the ekceiliye muddinefs and falubrious Quality of its waters^ after its junAi of the river/ Wh^H rttnl with iHMriy 'cq|^ velocity againft the ftrcam^andafliii; the afccnding boats/ tlHr eurrtoncafl tUia ftafon dcffeonda at thtf yit« of about five ffltlea an'hour; IntautMitm, when tM Watera are IIdv^, \t doiet hot Vtih fafter than two tnih», &Ut it ia rapid In fifch parts of the riVfer aa'have eluHen of iiiands, fhoal*,- and fand-banka. The circiinrfferdnce of many of ibefe; ftioala being! fev^ral milea^ the' Voyage ia'^Ios^gery and in fipitte perta moo^ daii^roui than in the %ring. The q^vchandiae neceflkry for the oofhrncrtfe of the upper ittttleitienlfr on e» near the MiiQdpf i^ i%$onyi«^ in eho luring and aUtumft in battaaiiNy rowed by ci^M9e«> tr twenty meng %rid carrying ahoui forty lona* From N4w QrWana tc( 4he'XlKiioi«, th* Voyiige iA commonty performed in eigkl or fen wecJIa* ^ paro« ^itnu number of ifiands^ fome of which aire «f ^osat extent, inr- •MJMrfe this atighty river< Its depth taemtfci aa ydu afdeiid ii. :|t» Waters^ after ovcrftowing its banha betbw: t;^e llirer* Ibberville fivthe ciift, and the river Rouge on die-wvUi, never iviuni within Ihera again, there biing ttnmy ou or ftfenm, )ff which they' are cor^d^dd into'the bay of Mexico, »bre c^eelitty-on the weit fide of the Mifflflippi, dividing the coumlrf into numerous iiltods. Thefe iinguhritiea diftinguilh it from every other known river in thrxvoiid. Below the IbbeMlIe, the hmd begins tc be very low dnbisth fiiies of the rtVer 4ci«oi« the coUtitCy, and gradually de- diilea aa it at»prb^lie0s neoirer to the Tea. Hiiit ifiiiid of N^w Or- Ibana^ and the htndii^pOAte, ai^ to all appearance of li^ Ibng ii find' water and grtet y holly formed in the fame manner. And it is certain that whdfi La Salle (ailed down the Milfiifippi ta (ho Tea, tho openiag^of thait river WM very dift'ereRt from what ir is- at prcfent. ' The neater you approach to' the ^fea, this truth becomes more ftriking. The bars that crols moft of thefe ftfiall' channels open- ed by the current, have been umtiplied by ttteapa of the trees Of THE VNIT£D STATES. ••? mnr'ic^ down vith the ftreann} one of which tkopfed by its raiH« or branches in a i][iallpw part, i» fufiicicnt to pbAru6^ the pifla|9 of thouUnds more, and to fix (hcvfi at the. (amc place. Aftonifli^ ing coHcdions Qf tre^ s are daily fccn in faffing between the Baltse «ad the Miffouri. No human force being fudicteat for teiaovii»g them, the mud carried down by the river f(|rves !• bind wn4 cement them toijether.. They are gradually covered, ahd every inundation no^ oi^y extends their length end brchdtb, but addt another layer to their height. In lefs than ten yearl taitef cane«i Ihrubl, end a4[uatic tifnbcr grawon tbeis, Mid fomp |»«tnts and jiflands, which forcibly (hift the, b^d of ihc river* • Nothing can be aflerted w;ith .certainty^ rtfpffting the length of this river. Its fource is not ^nown, but fuppolc/i to be up4 9vards of three thouCMid mijey, from 4>P ^ M ^h( fiyer ruhs. Wie only know, that from St. Anthoq/f (aUvip l9t..4j*f, it gjiidcf x^ith a pieafant, dear current, and receives jnuny Ufjg^ »o4 very cxtenfive tributary dreams before its jiui^tioa with th<^ .Mvilbunf without greatly increafing tne breadth of the Miflillippit though Ithey, do .its depth an^ fapidity^., ,The muddy \vfitcrs- of the . Miffouri difipolour ^tbe lower part of the river, till it empties ttfelf into the Ixiy of Mexico, The Miffouri is a longer, broad? cr, and deeper rivc^ (than the ^fliflippi, and affords a more exteniive tiavigatton; it is, in fa^ %he principal ilycr, contri- buting more to the common ftresun than does the MiirifTippi, I(. ]t>asbeen a(«ended by . French traders about twelve or thirteen hundred miles, and from the depth of water, and breadth of the river at that diftan.ce, i^ appeare4 to be navigable many milea further. . From the MiiTouri river, to nearly oppofitethc Ohio, the weft^ «rn bank of the MiiTiifippi, is,, fome few peaces excepted, higher, than the eaftei[n. From Mine au fer, to the Ibberville, the eaftern, bank is b|j^r than the we^ern, pn which there is not a Ongle< difcernible n^ng of eminence for the diftance of fcven hundred and fifty miSi.t», From the Ihbervilic to the fca there are no eminences on eithtsr Ade, though the eaftern bapk appears rather the higheftof the two, as far as the £ngli|h turn. Thence the banks gradually diminiflt in height to the mc^uths of the river, , where they are not more than two or three feci higher than the common furface of the water. The (lime which the annual floods of the river MifllfllppL- l^aves on the furface of the adjacent IHorcs. may be compared with that of the. Ni)e>; which ^poUts. a fimilar manure, and? for nufiiy centuries pad has infured the fertility of Egypt. When itf ban]^ n^all hayfs beep cultivated as the excellency of its B» 2 ■ ■ t88 \ GENERAL DESCRIPTION III foil and temperature of the climate deferve, its population wilV equal that of any other part of the world. The trade, wealthy and power of America, may, at fome future period, depend, and perhaps centre, upon the MiiTiffippi. This alfo refcmbles the Nile in the number of its mouths, all iffuing into a fea, that may be compared to .the Mediterranean, which is bounded on th The whole river, which is more than two hundred and fifty yards, wide, falls perpendicularly about thirty feet, and forms a moil pleating cataraft. The rapids below, in the fpace of three hundred yards, render the defcent confiderably greater ; fo that when viewed at a diftance, they appear to be much higher th^n they really are. In the nriddle of the falls is a fmall ifland, about forty feet broad, a'ud fome what longer, on which grow a few cragged hemlock and fpruce tre'es ; and about half way between this ifland and the eaftern fliore is a rock, lying at the very edge of the fall, in an oblique pofition, five or fix feet broad, and thir- ty or forty long. Xhefe falls are peculiarly fituated<, as they are approachable without the leaft obftrudkion from any intervening hill or precipice, which cannot be faid of any other ?onfiderable fall, perhaps, in the world. The country around is exceedingly beautiful. It is not an uninterrupted plain where the eye finds no relief, but compofed of many gentle afcents, which in the ipring and'fummer are covered with verdure, and interfperfed with little groves, that give a plcafing variety to the profpeft. A little diftance below the falls, is !^ fmall ifland of about an - acre and an half, on which grow a great number of oak trees, al> moft all the branches of which, able to bear the weight, are, in the ' proper feafon of the year, loaded with eagles neits^ Their, in- OF THE UNITED STATES. tS^ ftin£iive wifdom has taught them to choofe this place, as it it fe» cure, on account of the rapi4s above from the attacks either of man or beaft. From the beft accounts that can be obtained from the Indians, we learn that the four moil capital rivers on the continent of North America, viz. the St. Lawrence, the Miilifliippi, the river Bour- bon, and the Qregon, or the river of the Weflb, have their fourcet in the fame neighbourhood. The waters of the three former, are laid to be within thirty miles of each other ; the latt?r is rather farther weft. This (hews that thefe parts are the higheft lands in Noirth Ame- rica ; and it is an inftance not to be paralleled^ in the other three quarters of the globe, that four rivers of fuch magnitude ihould take their rife together, and each, after running feparate courfes, difcharge their waters into different oceans, at the diftance of more than two thoufand i|iiles from their fources* For in their paflage from this I'pot to the bay of St. Lawrence, caft ; to the bay of M exi* CO, fouth ; to Hudfon's Bay, north •, and to the bay at the ftraitt of Annian, weft ; where the river Oregon is fuppofed to empty itfel^ each of them traverfes upwards of two thoufand miles. The Ohio is the moft beautiful river on earth : its current gen- i^e, waters clear, and bofom iinooth and ' unbrokjsn by rockt and f apids, a finglc inftance only excepted. It is one quarter of e piile wide at Fort Pitt : five hundred yards at the moutii of th# Great Kanhaway : twelve hundred yards at Louifville ; and the rapids, half a mile, in fome few places below Louifville : but ite general breadth does not exceed fix hundred yards. In fpme places its width is not four hundred, and in one place particular* ly, far below the rapids, it is lef;; than three hundred. Its breadth ^n no one place exceeds twelve hundred yards, and at its jun^on with the MiffilTippi, neither river is more than nine hundred yards wide. Its lengthy as meafured according to its meanders by Captain Hutchins, is as follows ; 1 Froi^ Fort Pitt Miles. Miles. s To Log's Town i8i 9 Mufklngum ^5 1 3 Big Beaver Creek 10 i lO Little Kanliaway 12 i 4 Little Beaver Creek 13 i 11 Hockhocking 16 5 Yellow Creek 1* i 12 Great Kanhaway 82 i 6 Two Creeks 21 i 13 Guiandot 43 i 7 Long Reach S3 i 14 Sandy Creek Ml 6 End Long Reach i6| 15 Sioto 48 i ,190 ' \ CENERAl DESCRIPTION 1 K^ Tfl ) Little Miami 126 ^ 23 Buffalo RWcr 64 1 j ^1 Licking CpccH 8 24 Waba(h 97 1 '- 18 Great Miami ^6 1 25 Big Cave 4« i ^9 Big Bones 32 1 26 Shaikvtance Kiver 52 i iO Kentucky ''44 J 27 Cherokee Rivejp »3 ti Pwapids ♦ 77 i 28 Maffac It tx Low Country »55 1 29 MifliflSppi 46 ,1188 . In common winttt vna fpring flooiis, it sISords thirty or forty feet water to LouifviUe, twenty-five or thirty f««5t Ijoifiip Jifles** rapid$> forty milel?bove the mouth of the Gr^t l^Wmiiy, 9n4 ^ fugicienc^at all tines for light- batteaux and canoes to ff^^ jPto^ The rapids aro in latitude a8^ 8'. The inundations of^iH|psvar begin about the l^ft of^Maiich, and fubftde in July, auimEtheyr frequently happen in other months, fot}utlm|:8 which carry thret^ hundred barrrels of flour, from the MbitibiJiJK|lt^ or Voul ritove Pittiburgy have feldom limg to wie^^pPlrjiiter ofily, ing thefe floods a firft y;»|e man of war nur^jK!''car|i(ed from- ifviUe to New Orleans, if the fudden tunis.of th«fim;aii^ ftrength of its current will admit a fafe i(leerag9^ml|j^% tfa« opinion of Col. Morgan, who has had all the mtanswpj ^ u n^iVhere it i* three hundr^ yards Vride. Thence to Redftnn« by wMer is fifty niles^ by land thirty. Then tor the induth pf Gheii river by 'HMOfi'^xty miles, by land twenty-eight, (he width cdn« tmvdtkg J^^^S^tti hundred yards, and tht navigation good for-^ ' bcMtta^^ Thdhce the vfidth is ^nit two hundred yirds to th« iric, fifty' miles higher, and the navtgatioki ^^uently rapHEs; which however whh a fwrll of tiro or ecoma y^fery pafiable for boais» It then %imiu V^t iQ«,^fl|68d(bnSi, fixty-fim nilds fUrthor to the head i'ir iwUeyl^Pmiiiting only folne iiiiiaU rapidd andi falls' of one or two l9et'p ligation for ten milts to tho Turkey foot. Thence f of very mounfainous road. Will's? creek, at the mouth of which was Foit Cumberland, is thirty or ^rty yvtdi wide, W affords no navij^ation as yet. Cheat river, afiother confiderable branch of iki Monongahela, is' two hundred fja4s wide at its mouth, anc^on); hundred yards at the dunkafd's fettlement, fifty miles highee. It is navigable for boats, except i6 dry feafdns. The boundary between Virginia and Pcftnfylva- mt cBoflessit about three- or four miles above its mouth. Hie Aliegfiny river, with » flight fwell, affords liavigalion for %ht bgteaux. to- Venango, at the miouth of French creek, where it is two hundred yards wide ; and it is praGtifad even to Le BcEuf»^ in \ i^tf QENMkAL DESCRIPTION from wiiente there is * portage of fifteen miles and a half (tf I^refque Ifle on Lake. Eric. The country watered by the Mifllfllppi and its eaflern branch- es, cpniiitutes five-eights of the United States ; two of which five- eights are occupied by the Ohio and its waters ; the refiduary ftreams^ which run into the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic, and the St. Lawrence, water the remaining three-eights^ Before we quit the fubjeft of the wcftern waters, we will tdke a view of their principal connections with the Atlantic. Thefe are four^ the Hudfon's fiver, the Potomak, St. Lawrenc6, and the Milfiflippi/ Dpwn the laft will pafs all the heavy commodities. But the navigation through the Gulf of Mexico is fo dangerous, and tfa^t up t)ie Mifltflippi fo difficult and tedious, that it is thought probable that European merchandize will n6t be convey- ed through that channeU It is moil likely that flour, timber, and other heiiavy articles will be floated on rafts, which Will them- fiilves be an article for fiile as well as thcrr loading, the naviga^ tors returning by land, as at prefent^ There will therefore be a tom{totition betn^eeh: the Hudfon, the Potomak, and the Stw Lawrence rivers for the refidue.of the commerce of all the coun- try weftward of Lake Erie, on the tva:ters of the lakes, of the Ohio, and upper parts of Mifliflippi. To go to New- York, that part of the trade which comefs from the lakes or their water* muft firft be brought into Lake Erie^ Bet'Cveen Lake Superior and its waters and Huron are the rapids of St. Marie, which will permit boats topafs, but not larger vcflels. Lakes Hui'on and Michigan af- ford comifiunication with Lake Erie, by veifels of eight feet draughty That part of the trade which comes from the waters of the Mifllflippt muft pafs from them through fome portage into the waters of the lakes^ The portage from the Illinois river into a water of Michi- gan is of one mile only. From the Wabafli, Miami, Muflcingum or Allegany are portages^ into the waters of Lake Eric, of from one tt> fifteen miles. When the commodities are brought into, and have pafGed through Lake Erie, there is between that and Ontario, an interruption by the falls of Niagara, whcrcjhe portage is of eight miles; and between Ontario and tlie Hudfon's river arc portages of the falls of Onondago, a little above Ofwego, of a; quarter of a mile ; from Wood creek to the Mohawk river two miles } at the little falls of the Mohawk river half a mile, anrf from Scheneftady to Albany fixteen miles. Befides the increafe' of expence occaftoned by frcqutnt cbange^f carriage, there is an" encrcafcd rifk of pillage produced by committing merchandize to a' greater number of hands fucceflively. The Potomak offers itfelf^ under the following circumflance. For the trade of the lakes ancJ their waters weftward of Lake Eric, when it Ihall have Ibtered 'K €f THi: UNIT£PSTAtES. ^H' it ttt ranch- h fivc- iduary nd the 11 t«kke Thefe irid the , odities. gcrous, at it is ionvcy- timber, 11 them- naviga.; ore be a the SU ic coun- j, of the )rk, that crt muft : and its permit igan af- iraught^ fliflippi of the Michi- gum or •om one ito, and Ontario, ,ge is of iver arc of a; Ivcr two lile, anc^ lincreafe' Ire is an- lizeto »' trs itfell^ Ikes cn(£ ibtered tliit iike^ it tnaft co&ft along its fotAhertil fliore, M GENERAL DESCRiPTtOVf . Particular deforiptionr of th« other rivers in the United SuccM^ ^ are refierved to be give A in the geographical account of the ftates^ through which they refpc^ively flow; One general obfer^atibnf refpefting the rivers, will, however, be naturally introduced here^ tod that is, that the entrances into almoftall the rivers, inlets and- tnys, fr6m New-Hampihire to Georgia, aie from fouth-eaft to north-weft; • BAYS, ir'he coaft of the United Si^s is indented with numeV'oui bay^y fome of which are equal in fixe to any in the known world. Be- ginning at the northr eafterly part of the continent, and proceed- ing fbuth^wefterly, yoU firlt find the bay or gulphof St^ Law-' rence,' which receives' the waters of the river of the faliie nuiter Next ave Chedabuktd iind Chebukto Bays, In Nova-Scotia, th«^ tatter diftinguifked by the lois of a French fleet in a formed wai^ between France and Great-Britain.> The bfay of Fundy, betweeh Nova-Scotia and New-Brunfwiek,' i» vemarkable for its tides, which rife to ^ height of fifty or fixty feet, and flow 'fe rzpidty as to overtake animah which feed upon the flKOte. Paflamaqttbd^, PenobCcoty Broad and Cafco Bays,' tie along the coafl of th»diftriA^- of Maine. Ma(faehufretts<>^Bay fpreadat eaftward of Bofton,' and is comprehended between Cape Ann on the north,- and Gapt Cod on the fouth; The points of 'Bofto» harbour are Nahiinf and AI- derton points; Faffing by Narraganl'et and other biays in the ftate' of Rhode-Ifland^ you enter Long-Ifland Souiyd, between Montauk- point and the Maine. This Sthindi as k is calltid^ is a kind 6f in- land fea,< fronCi three to twenty-live miles broad, and about' one^ hundred and forty miles long^ extending the wliole' length of the ifland, and dividing it from ConneAicut; It communicated with the ocean at both ends of Lon^Ifland, and aifords^ a very hft and convenient inland navigation* The celebrated ftrait, called HeU^GatCi is neiar thd Weft Cind of this founds about eight miles eaftward of New -York city, and is remarkable for i£$ Whirlpools^ which- make a tremendous roaring at certain times of tidew Thefe whirlpools areoecflfiohed'by the narrownei's and crookednefs of the pafs^ arid a bed of rocks which extend ouite acrofs it; and not by the meeting of the tides from eaft to wefty as has been conje£Uired, becaule they meet at Frogs- point, feveral miles above. A ikilful pilot may with fafiety con* du6l a Ihip of any burden through this ftrait with the tide, or at ftill water with a fair wind*. * The following ingenious geological remarks of Dr. MitcheH's, qr certain nii-> ritime paru of the fttte of New-York, dtfervc a pbtcc la this confit£U«n : OF THE UNITED STATES, *55 Bdaivare Bay it fixty miles long, from the Cape to the cjntnnce «f the river Delaware to Bombay-hook ; and Co wide in fome partt, as ;that a (hip, in the middle of it, cannot be feen from the land» 2t opens into the Atlantic nor^h-weft and fouth>eaft, between •Cape Henlopen on the right, and Cape Ma^' o|i |he lefjt. Thefe Capes are eighteen or twenty miles apart. The Chefapeek is one of the lar^eft bays in the 4cnowa world. Its entrance is nearly £. N. £. and $. S. W. betw«Mt d^ Charles, lat. 37® 12', and Cape Hency, lat. 37^, in Virginia^ it is twelve miles wide, and extends two hundred and feventy miles to the northward, dividing Virginia and Maryland. It is from feven to eighteen miles broad, and generally as much^as nine fathoms deep ; affording many commodious harbours, and a £ife and eafy navigation. It receives the waters of the Sufquehannah, Potomak^ Rappshannok, York and James xiyer^ whi^h^areall Urge and navigable. .*' from tbeXitryeyoFihe foffil* ip tbeCe parts of the .A>ncxican coa(tone:bccomei( 0ftd o/tkijime Ji'rtj afmtttrudt with the Jiigkt/l 4ips, Pyrauett CtuuM/uSt and Anics^ mi like tkm Jefittutetfmttals rndpetrtfaSuns. The occurrence of m horizontal ftrata, and the frequency of vertical layers* lead ns fmther to fuppofe ikat theft are not fecondarj ctlltSiens of mineralst tut art t«rtai»ly in a JUu of primeval arrangement. The Steatites, Amianthus, Skotri, feldJpatKMiea, Garnet, Jajpar, Shifiu$f Afhtfiut |nd Qitatii^ muft all be confidered ti primitive Jofils^ and by ntrntteu/f an alkvidt naiuTf,. ^yhat ii^erence remaifM aiow to be dnwni from this ftateaent of hBtt, bqt that ,the ftfliionablfc ppinioh of coniidering thefe maritime parts of our country as flats, hove up from the deeps by the fea, or brought down from the heights by 'the tip vers, ftands .\uxfupported by.reafon, and cpntrai^i&ed by ex{>erie(tce ? A mofe lyobablf fipiiuoa m, that I.ong Ifla^d, and the adjacent continent were in fwmer Am* contiguous, or only feparated by a fmall river, and that the Arait which now divides Arm, wa« formed byfucceffive inroads of the lea from theeaftward and weft ward in the courfe of age^. This coi^cAure i> fupported by the fajQs which follow, ^wit ; jt. The foffil bodies on both (hores have a near ^e> femblance. s. The rocks ana iflands lying between are formed of fimilar mate- (lials. 3. tn feveral plact^t, particularly at White-Stone and Uell-^ate, the dif- tance from land to 4and -is ^ery fmaU. ' 4. Wherever the (hpre is not compofed ti folid fodk, therv the water continues to ta^e great encroachments, and to caufr the high hjmlu to tumble down, not only here, but at Mon£lon, Newton, and clfewbnv, at this very day. 5. The rocky piles in the Sound, called Execution, and St^p{^)ag-Stoaes, and thofe named Hurtleberry Ifland, Pea lOand,, Heart Ifland^ and many rapre thatlie up and down, are (^9ng ci^cum^ances in favour of this opinion , For from feveral of them all the earthy matter, as far as the higl\- eft tides cm reach, has long fince been carried away, and from the reft, the fand and gravel continue to be removed by daily attrition ; as is the cafe with the Bro- t)ier^ Ryker's, Blackwell's, and other iflands. €. There is a tjradition arpong 4hal race of men, who, previous to the Europeans, poflefled this trafl of country ; (that at fome diftant period; in former times, their anceftors could ftep front rock ^rock, and crofsthisarmof the fea onfoot at HeltGate." ' I, i C G 2 1)6 GRSERAl DESCaiPTJON FACE OF THE COUNTRY, Th« traft of country belonging to the United States, is happi* ly ^wicgated with pUite and mountains, hills and rallies. Soim parts are rocky, particularly New -England, the north parts of New>Yock, and New-Jer&y, and a broad fpace, including the feveral ridges of the long range of mountains which run ibuth-* wefiward through Pennfylvania, Virginia, North-Carolina, and part of Geer^, dividing the waters which, ftow into the Atlantic from thofe which fall into the MiflllTippi. In the parts, eaft of the AUegany mountain*, in the fouthcin dates, the country for bt veral hundred milea in length, and (ixty or feventy, and fome* times n^orc in breadth, is level and intirely free of ftone. It ba| been a queftion agitated by the curious, whether the extenftve traft of low, flat country, which fronts the fevend ftates I'outh of New- York, and .extends back to the hills, has remained in it« prefent form and fituation ever ftnce (he flood: or whether it haq been made by the particles of earth which have been waihed down from tl^e* adjacent mountains, and by the accumulation of foil from the decay of vegetable fubftanees *, or-by earth wa(he4 out of the bay of Mexico by the gulf ftream, and lodged on th« coaii ; or by the recefs of the of can, occaiioned by a change in fome other part of th'e earth. Several phenomena deferve confi- doration in forming anT opinion on this qucflion. 1. It is a faft, well known to every peirfon of obfervation whq has lived in, o^ travelled through the fouthcm ftates, that marine 0>elU and other fubftances which are peculiar to the fea fhore, are almoik invariably found by digging eighteen or twenty feet below the furface of the earth. A gentleman of veracity has afferted ; that in finking a well m^-:y miles from the fea, he found/ at the depth of twenty feet, everv appearance of a fait mar(h ; that is^ marfh grafs, marfh mud, and brackifli water. In dlltihis flat coun- try until you come to the hilly land, wherever you dig a) w«ll^ youfijid the water, at a certain depth, frefli ana tolerably gbod; but if you exceed that depth two or three feet, you come to a faltiih or brackifh water that is fcarcely drinkabh^ ind th«c«rth dug up, refembles, in appearance and fmell, that wh^^is'd^i lift onthe edges of thi fait marihes. 2. On and near the margin of the rivers are frequently fiound fand bills, which appear to have been drifted into ridges by the force of water. At the bottom of feme of the banks in the xivers^ fifteen or twenty feet below the furface of the earth, arc wajhed out from the folid ground, logs, branches, and leaves of trees ; and the whole bank, from bottom to top," appears ftreaked with layers of logs, leaves and fand. Thefe appearances are (ben far up the rivers, from eighty to one hundred miles from the fea, IV OF TH^ UNITED STATES, '97 wtiere, when the riverf ar« low, the banks »r« from fifteen t« twenty feet high* A$ you proceed down the riven towards the fea, the banks decreafe in height, but Hill are formed of layers ol fand, leaves and logs, iome of which are entirely found, and ap- pear to have been fuddenly covered to a conftdcrable depth. 3. It has been obferved, that the rivers ip the fouthem States frequently vary their channels; that the fMramps and low grounds are conftantly BlUng up ; and that the land in many places annual- ly infringes upon the ocean. It i& an authenticated faft, that no longer ago than 1771, at Cape Look-out on the coaft of North- Carolina, in about latitude 34^ ^ty, there was an exctUent harbour, capacious encrgh to receive an hundred fail of (hipping at a time, in a gocd depth of water:, it is now entirely filled up, and is folid ground. IniUnces of this kind are frequent along the coaft. ' It is obfervabli^, likewife, that there is a gradual defcent of about eight hundred feet, by meafurement, from the foot of the moun« tains to the fea board. This defcent continues, as it demonftnio ted by foundings, fa;r into the fea. 4. It is worthy of obiervation, that the foil on the banks of the rivers is proportionably coarfe or fine according to its diftance from the mountains. When you firft leave the mountains^ and for a confiderable diftance, it is obfervable, that the foil is coarfe, with a large mixture of fand and fhining heavy particles. As you proceed toward the fea, the foil is lefs coarfe, and fo on } in pro- portion as you advance, the foil is finer and finer, until, finally, is depoftted a foil fo fine, that it confulidates^ into perfe£i clay; but a clay of a peculiar quality, for a great part of it, has intermix- ed with it reddiih -ftreaks and veins, like a fpecies of Qchre ; brought probably from ihc-ted-lands which lie up towards the mountains. This clay,^ when dug up and expofed to the weather, will diiTolve into a fine mould, without the leaft mixture of fand or any gritty fubftance whatever. Now we know that running waters, when ^^Ulbid, will depofit, firft, the coarleft and heavieft particles, medi- Mely, thofe of the feveral intermediate degrees of finenefs, and ultimately, thofe which are the moft light and fubtle ; and fuch in jfafk is the general quality of the foil on the banks of the fouthern jrivers. 5. It is a well-known fa£l, that on the banks of Savannah river, about ninety miles from the lea in a dire£l line, and one hundred and fifty or two hundred, as the river runs, there is a very re- markable coUeAion ofoyfter Ihclls of an uncomm. a fize. They run in a north-eaft and fouth-wcfl: dired:ion, nearly parallel to the fea doail, in three diftin6l ridges, which together occupy a jpace of feven miles in breadth. The ridges commence at Savan- ll t9>8 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Mh river, and have been traced aa far fouth a» the riorthcra branchea of the Alatamaha river. They are found in fuch qiwn- ^ties, aa that the indigo plantcra carry them away in Urge ix>ac load*, for the purpofe of nuking lime water, to be ufed in the manufafture of indigo. There are thoufand« a;id' thoufandii of lona ftill re»Mmag*i The ^ueftion is, how came they here ? It cannot be fuppofed that they were carried by land. Neither »a it probable that they were conveyed in canoea, or boata, to I'uch a diftance from the place where oyftera are now fouqd. 'fhe uncavilixed natives, agreeable to their roving manner of living^ would rather have removed to the fca fiiore, than have been at iuch immenfe labour in pcocuring oyftera^ Befidea, the difficul- ties of conveying them would hnve been infunnountable. They vrould not only have had a ftrong current in the river againft them, an obfbcle which would not have been eafily overcome by the Indiana, who have ever had a great averfion to labour ; but could they have furmounted this difficulty, oyflers conveyed I'uch a diftance, either by land or water, in fo warm a climate, would have fpoiled on the paflage, and have become ufclefs. The cirr cumftance of thefeihelK being found in fuch quantities, at fo great a diftance frem the fea, can be rationally accounted for in no ether way, than by fuppoTing that'the fea (hore was formerly near this bed of Aiells, and that the ocean has llnce, by the operation of icertain STATES, MOUNTAINS. m ' *Thc tnd of country eait of Hudfon'i river, comprehending ^art of the State of. New- York, the four NeW England States, and Vermont, is rough, hilly, and in fome pa\rts mountainous^) Thefe mountaina will be more partkubrly del'cribed under NcW England^ In all parta of the worlds and particularly on, thift weftern continent, it il obfervable, that a» you depart ftom the ocean, or from a rtver, the land gradually riCea ; and the height of land, in common^ ia about equally diiunt from the water OA either fide, iThe Andes, in South America^ form the height of land between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans^ The high Iand» between the diftrift of Maine and the province of LoWer Canada, divide the riveri which fall into the St. Lawrence, norths and into the Atlantic, fouth^ The Green MouA^aina, in Vermont, divide the waters which flow eafterly into Connecticut river, from thofe which fall wefterly into Lake Chatmplain, Lake George^ and.Hudfon's River. Between the Atlantic, the Miflli&ppi, and the lakes, runs at long range of mountains, made up of a great number of ridges^ Thefe mountains extend not th-eaftcrly and fouth-weflerly, iiearly parallel to the fea coaft, about nine hundred miles in length, and from fixty to one hundred and fifty and two hundred miles in l>readth. Mr. Evans obferves, with refpeft to that part of thefe mountains which he travelled over, viz. in the back part of Penn- fylvania, that fcarcely one acre in ten is capable of culture. O^his, however, is not the cafe in all parts of this range. Numerous traGts of fine arable and grazing land intervene between the ridges. Irhe differenctkiges which compofe this immenfe range of moun- tainSi have different naiiies in different ftates. . As you advance from the Atlantic, the firfl ridge in Pennfyl- yania, Virginia, and North-Carolina, is the Blue Ridge, or South Mountain, ivhich is from one hundred and thirty to two hundred miles from thci fea. Jftctween this and the North Mountain fpreads a large fertile vale ; next lies the Allegany ridge i nCxt beyond this is the Long Ridge, called the Laurel Mountains, in a fpur •f which, about latitude 36^, is a fpring of water fifty feet deep, ^ery cold, and it is (aid, to be as blue as indigo. From thefe fe- veral ridges proceed innumerable namelcls branches or (purs. The Kittatinny mountains run through x the northern parts of New Jerfey and Pennfylvania. All thefe ridges, except the Allegany, are feparated by rivers, which appear to have forced their paflfages through folid rocks. The principal ridge is the Allegany, which has been defcrip. lively called the tack-bone of the United States. , The general «^ % 1«0 GENERAL DKSCRtPTIOtt fcittered erto|iping want of them name for thefe mountAms, taken colkftively, feem» nol yet to lia^tf been determined. Mr. Evana calU them the EndUft Mountains i others have called them the Appalkehlan ^otitltiini, from a trib« of Indfaini who live en i river which procd^dl from this mountain^ Called the Appalachicola. But the moft cofnmon nliime is the Allegany Mountains, fo called, cither from tlie principal ridge of the range, or from their running nearly pindlel to iHe KSXtffgtsf or Ohio river ; w^nich, from its head wllerS, till h tilitSBi^libd theiMifliflTippi, ia known and called h^ ttift named^ Alleging River, by the Seneca and other tribes w the Sil^|ifattonSy whd^ once inhabited it. Thefe mountains ar« tet C< and broken, rifing here and thete !ntiB>'|!;( each other, but ftretch along in Unifo^il mile high. iThey fpread as you proccc terminate in high perpendicular blulft*^ \WS^ln\§kim\\j fubfide into 1 level country, giving rife to the f^iUi' which rim (butherly mtothe Gulf of Mexico. They afford many curious phenomena, front which naturalifU have deduced m«ny theories of the earth, tkme of them have been whimfical enough \ Mr. Etans fuppofes that the moft obviouS' of the theories which have been formed of the eiith is^ that it was originally made out of the ruins of another. ** Bones antl Ihells which efcaped the fate of fofter animal fubftances, vtt find mixed with the old materials, and elegantly preferved in the Idofe ftones and rocky bafes of the higheft of thele hills." With deference, however, to Mr. Evans's opinion,' thefe appeSran* ces have been much more rationally accounted for by fup« poitng the reality of the flood, of which Mofes has given us va account. Mr. Evans thinks this too great a nuracle to obtain belief. But whether is it a greater miracle for the Creator to alter a globe of earth by a deluge, when made, oc to create one new from the ruins of another ? The former certainly is not left- credible than the latter. ** Thefe moutitains,**^ lays our author* ** exiftcd in their prefent elevated height befoire the deluge,' but not fo bare of foil as noW.^ How Mr. Evans came to be fo cir- cumftantially acquainted with thefe pretefided fa^, is dificiilt t/» determine, unlefs we fuppoib him to haire been ap Antediluvian^ and to have I'urVeyed them accurately before the convulfions of the deluge ; and until we can be fully aiTured of this, we mu(t be expufed in not aifentiiig to his opinion, and ia^l^icring to the old philofophy of Mofes and his advocates. W« have every y reafon to believe that the primitive ftate'of the earth was totally ^nietamorphofed by the firft convulfion of nature at the time of "' fluge; that the fountains of the great deep were indeed broken D J Tiit VKtTlb STATES. •Oft 4^, ih^ that tho ▼•ribii»>i«. of thi ewrth wer« aiflWcful, ana thrown into every po9iblc ikgree of conftifion and diforder. Hence thofe vaft piles of mounuini which lift their crtggy cliffii to the clou4«, wete proh»Wy thrown together from the iloeting niint of the eirth : and this ronjcaure is remarkably confirmed hy the vaft number of fofliU and other marine nmvin which arc found Sfobadedonthetops of mmiiltainai in the interior parts of continents Ivmotc from the fca, in aU parts of the world hitherto explored* liie various cirevmftsnces attending thefiJ marine bodies leave ui to conclude, iM theV were adually generated, lived and died in the very bedlim^ll. Chey are found, and therefore thefe bcdj» muft haVe origiiW bmttthe bottom of the ocean, though now in many inibne^eH^W fcveral miles above its furfsce. HenM it appears thatmouiJwIad tontinents were not primary produc* tions of nature, bUtWll"V*ry diftant period of time from the cre- ation of the world; i time long enough for the Jfraia to have ac- quired their greateft degree of cohefion and hardnefs ; and for the teftaccous matter of marine fliells to become changed to a ftony fubftance} for in the fiiTuresof the lime-done and other ftrata, fragments of the fame ihell have been frequently found adhering to each fide of the cleft, in the very ftate in which they were ori- ginally broken ; fo that if the fcveral parts were brought together, they would apparently tally with each other exaftly. A very confi- derable time therefore muft have elapfcd between the chaotic ftate of the earth and the deluge, which agrees with the account of Mofes, who makes it a little upwards of fifteen hundred years. Thefo obfervations are inteiiided to ftiew, in one inftance out of many^ others, the agreement between revelation and reafon, between the account which Mofes gives us of the creation and deluge, and the prefent appearances of nature. SOIL ANP VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. In the United States are to be found every fpecies of fo;^ that the earth affords. In one part of them or another, they p^ ^uce all the various kinds of fruits, grain, pulfc, and hortuline plants and roots, which are found in Europe, and have been thence tranfplanted to America, and befides thefe, a great variety of na- tive vegetable productions. The natural hiftory of the American States, particularly of New- England, is yet'.|n its infancy. Several ingenious foreigners, fkilled in botany, hav^ vifited the fouthern, an^ !bme of the mid- dle ftates, and Canada ; and thefe ftates have alfo had ingenipus botan^s of their own, who have made confiderablc progrcfs in defcrlhing the produ^ona of thofe parts of America which they bo 20» GENERAL DESCRIPTION liave Vifited ; but New>England feems not to have en'gagc<^f^ attention either of foreign or American botanifts. There nevef yf^i an attempt to defcribe botanically, the vegetable produ£fcion» of the earftern ftates, till the Rev. Dr» Cutkr, of Ipfv^ich, turned ^i» afttentioif to the fubjeft. The rcfuk of his firft enquiries has ^en pu()lifhed in the firft volume of the " Memoirs of the Ame- riean Academy of Arts and Sciejnces." Since that period, the poftor has paid very particular attention to this, his favourite ^udy ; and tlie public may fbortly expt*ft to be gratified and im- proved by his botanical defcriptions and difcovcries. The produdtions of the fouthern fliates are likewife far front being well described, by any one aut^or^ in a work profeffedly £or that pvirpofe ;[ btit ar6 hiofily intermixed with the produftion» of other parti of the world ; in the large works of European botanifb. This- renders it difficult to iele£i: and to give an accurate and conne&ed account of them« To remedy this -incenveniencey and to refcue the republic from tlie reproach of not having any authentic and feientific ai^count of its natural hiftory, Dr. Cutler,, who has already examined nearly all the vegettibles of Nev-£ng- hnd, intends, as foon as his leifure will admit, to pubHfh a botani- cal work, of confiderable magnitude,, confined principally to the produflions of the New- England (tates. Dr. Barton, of Philadel- phia, I am informed, is tolte3:ing materials for a work of a fimL kr nature, to comprehend the middle and ibuthern ftates ; fo that both together will form a complete natural hiflory of the Ameri- can itateis. As far as poflible to take advanta^ oJF thefe, as well a^ of other works of a fimilar kind, the natural hiftory of the ve- getables, animals, birds^ reptiles, infe£ls, fifties, &c, peculiar to the American continent, will be feparately coniidered in the lafi volume of this work ; to which the reader is referred. POPULATION. According to the ccnfus, taken by order of Congrefs, in 1799, the number of inhabitants in the United States of America, was three millions nine hundred and thirty thoufand, nearly. In this number, none of the inhabitants of the territory N. W. of the ri- ver Ohio, are included. Thefe added, would undoubtedly have increafed the number to three millions nine hundred and fifty thoufand, at the period the ccnfus' Was taken. Theincreafe fince, oti fuppofltion that the inhabitants of thp United States double once in twenty years, has been about four hundred thoufand : fo that now, 1794, tliey are increafed to four millions three hundred and fifty thoufand. To thefe muft be added, the vafl influx of inhabitants into the States, from the different countries of Euk rope ; with their natural incrcafe ; which taken at a moderate cal- culation will make the number at leaft five millions of fouls. OF THE VNTTED STATES, ao3 The American republic is compofed of almoft all nations, lan- guages, charafters, and lytligibns, which Europe can furnifh ; the greater part, however, are defcended from the Englifh ; and all may, perhaps with propriety, he diftingviiihin^ly denominated Federal Americans, It has generally been confidered as a faft, that, of the human' face, more males than females are horn into the world. The pro- portion commonly fixed on, is as thirteen to twdre, ~ Hence an argument has been derived againft Polygamy. Thj^ larger num-' ber of males has been believed to be a wife appointment of Pro« vidence, to balance the deftruftion of the males in war, by fea,. and by other occupations more hazardous to life than the domef- tic employment of the female fex. The following table, formed from the cenfus of the United States, in which the males and* females are numbered in differenjt Columns, fumiihes a new proof of the truth of the i:ommon opinJKWj as it refpefts the United State^s*^ : Vermont • New-Hamplhire Diftria of Maine^ Maflachufeus ' r Rhode Ifland ConneAi^ut New-York JJew-Jerfey ? Pennfylvapia Delaware Maryland 9 w Virginia ICentttcky r • ^orth Carolina • 3outh Carolina Georgia • Territory $• of Ohio TABLE. Male*. I Fenjialet. 44.763 40.505 70,937 70,»69 _ 1 »8a,74« 311818 »»4.9*6 )6i,9aa 86,667 817,736 »07,ad4 a*7t07i 8».«»« »47'494 73.898 , »7.»47 16.548 190,58* 3«.65* 117.44* »^a«3>0 83.«87 so6,b63 aa,384 »oi,395 815,046 aSigas 140,710 66,880 «5.739 15.36s £xcer$, 4.«58+ 777 7,840 «.5«« 9.50s 3.380 »».373 ».540 5.859 ia,oa5 3,289 6,784 6,418 »i408 >i»83 Sex. Males. Femalek. 4o. ■do. Malea. do. do. do. do. dot do. do. do* do, do. It.i$ remarkable, that the excefs in all the States is on the fide of males, except in MaiTaphufett^, Rhode lAand, and Connefticut. * Mr. Bruce, in hit Travels, affirms, that iq that tra€l of country from the Ifth- mus of Suei to the Straits of Babelmandel, which contain* the three Arabiat, the proportion it fuliybiir women to one man. t In the co|un)nt o^ the cenfus, in which are noted ullolhcr/ree perfons and Jlavts, the male* and femalei are not diftinguilhed, and are therefore not regarded in this table. t the males and femalet are not diftinguilhed in the diftrift of Maine, in the late Do 2 264 GENERAL DESCRIPTION In thefe States the females are confiderably the moil numerous. This difference is obviouily to be afcribed to the large migration* irom all thefe States to Vermont, the northern and weftern parts oif Niw-York, the territory N, W, of Ohio, Kentucky, andPenn^ fylvania, ana fome to almoft all the fouthern States. A great pro- portion of thefe migrants were males } and while they have ferv-> ed to increafe the proportion of males in the States where they have fettled, as is firi^ingly the cafe in Vermont and Ken- tucky, to which the migrations have been moft numerous, an4 where the males are to the females neurly as ten to nine, they have ferved to leffen the proportion pf m4es in the States from whence tliey emigrated. The number of flaves, in 1790, in all the States, was fix hun- ' drcd ninety-feven thoufand fix hundred and ninety-feven. The increafe of this number fince, owing to faluttry laws, in feveral of the States, and the humane exertiofis of the government in fa-] vour of their emancijiation and the prevention of any further iQ\- portatton, hasi happily been fmall, aii4 wiU be lefs in future, CHARACT?:R A»D MANNERS, Federal Americans, coUei^ed together from various coun? tries, of different habits, formed under different govexnments^ have yet to form their national charafter, or we may rather fay, it is in a. forming iiate, They have not yet exilled as a nation long enough for us> to form an idea of what v/ill be, in its maturity, its prominent features. Judging, however, from its prefent pro- mifing infancy, we are encouraged to hope, that, at fome^ future period, not far dif|ant, it will, in every point of view, be refpe^r able. * Until the revolution, which was accomplilhed in 17? 3, Euro- ropeans were ftrangely ignorant of America and its inhabitants, They concluded that the new world mttfi be inferior to the old, The count de ^uffon fuppofed, that even the animals in that coun- try were uniformly lefs than in Europe, and thence concluded that, <• on that fide the Atlantic there is a tendfency in nature to belittle her produftions," The Abbe Raynal, in a former edition of hif works, fuppofed this ieSuKng tendency ^ or influence, had its ef- fcfts on the race of whites tranfplanted from Europe, and thence had the prefumption to affert, that ^* America had not yet produt ced one good poet, one able mathematician, nor one man of^Cr jfxius, in a fingle art or fcience.'* Had the Abb6 been juftly in^ formed rcfpe&ing the Americans, we prefume he would not-have made an affertion fo ungenerous and injurious to their genius s»p4 OF THE UNITED STATES^ ^•6 literary ehara&er. This affertion drew 'from Mr. JefFeilbn th* following reply: • ' *^ When wc (ball have exifled a» a people as long as the Greeks fdid before they produced a Homer, the Romans a Virgil, the French a Racine and Voltaire, the Engliih a Shakefpeare and Mil* (ton, fhould this reproach be ftill true, we will inquire from What unfriendly caufes it has proceeded, that the other countries of Europe and quarters of the earth, ihall not have infcribed any name in the roll of poets. In' war we have produced a Wafhing- |ton, whofe memory will be adored while liberty (hall have vota- ries, whofe name .wi^l triumph over time, and will, in future ages afTume its juil ftatiun among the moft celebrated worthies of the world, when that wretched philofophy (hall be forgotten, which would arrange him among the degeneracies of nature. In, phyfics we haye produced a Franklin, than whom no one of the prefent age has made more important difcoveries, nor has enriched philo- fophy with more, or more ingenious iblutions of the phaenomena pf nature^ We have fuppolicd Mr. Rittenhoufe fecond to nq ^ftronomer living : that in genius he muft be the (irft, becaufe |i« is felf-taught. As an artift, he has exhilnted as great proofs of mechanical genius as the world has ever produced. — He has not pot indeed made a world ; but he has^ by imitation, approached fiearer i|ts Maker than any man man who has lived from the cre« potion to this day. As in philofophy and war, fo in government, in oratory, ii> painting, in the plaftic art, we might (hew that America, though but a child d yefterday, has already given hope- ful proofs of genius, as well of the nobler kinds,- which aroufe the )}eft feelings of man, which call him into afi:ion, which fubftantiate his freedom, and condiift him to happinefs, as of the fubordinate^ which ferve to amufe him only. We therefore fuppofe, that this reproach is as unjuft as it is iinkiod ; and that, of the geniufes which adorn the prefent age, America contributes its full (hare. For comparing it with thofe countries, where genius is mod culti- vated, where are the moft excellent models foj art, and fcaffold- tngs for the attainment of fcience, as France and England, for in- ftance, we calculate thus: the United States contain three mil- lions of inhabitants, France twenty millions, and the Britiih iflands ten. We produce a V/a(hington, a Franklin, a Rittenhoufe. France then (hould have half a dozen in each of thefe lines, and Great Britain half that number equally eminent. It may be true that France has; wc are but juft becoming acquainted with her, »nd our acquaintance fo far gives us high ideas of the genius of her inhabitants. It would be injuring too many of them to name particularly a Voltaire, a finffon, the conftellation of Ency elope- se6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION 'W difts, the AbM Ra3mal, hfanfelf, Ac. &c. We therefore hav« reafon to believe (he can produce her full quota of genius." The two late important revolution! in America, which h^ve been fcarcely exceeded fince the memory of man, I metn that of the declaration and eftablifhment of independence, and C!Kat of the adoption of a new form of government lyithout bioodlhed, have called to hiftoric fame many noble and 4ii(Uligui(he4 ^l^^r4^rs who might otherwife have flept in oblivion, *' But while we exhibit the fair fide of the charafter of the, Fe-^ BE RAL Americans, we would not be thought blind to their faujts, ** If there be an obje£l truly ridiculouji in nature, it is an Am/St ricah patriot, figning refolutions of independency with one hand, and with the other brandiOiing a whip over his af&ighted flaves.'^ Much has been written to (hew the injuftice and iniquity of enflaving the Africans ; fo much, as to render it unneceflary here to fay any thing on that part of the fubjeft. We cannot, howe- ver, forbear introducing s few obfervations refpe^ng the influ- ence of flavery upon policy, morals, and manners. From calcula- tions on the fubjeft, it has been found, that the expence of niain-* taining a (lave, efpecially if the purchafe money be included, is . much greater than that of maintaining a free man ; this, however, is difputed by fome ; but fuppofe the expence in both cafes be equal, it is certain that the labour of the free man, influenced by the powerful motive of gain, is, at leaft, twice as profitable to the employer as that of the (lave. Befides, (lavery is the bane of induftry. It renders labour among the whites, not only unfa(h- ionable, but difreputable. Induflry is the offspring of necelfity rather than of choice. Slavery precludes this neceiilty ; an4 in-- dolence, which. ftril^es at the root of all focial and political hap- pinefs, is the unhappy confequence. Thefe obfervations, with- out adding any thing upon the inji^ftice of the pra£tice, (hew that (lavery is impolitic. Its influence on manners and morals is equally pernicious, The negro wenches, in many inftances, are niirfes to their mif- trefTes children. The infant babe, as foon as it is. born, is deliver? ed to its black nurfc, and perhaps feldom or never taftes a drop of its mother's milk. The children, by being brought up, and conftantly aflbciatmg with the negroes, too often imbibe their low ideas, and vitiated manners and morals, and contra£b a negnl/h kind of accent and dialed:, which they often carry with them through life. To thefe I (hall add the obfervations of *a native* of a (late which contains a greater number of flaves than any of the others. Although his obfervations upon the influence of flavery were in- ♦ Mr. Jcfferfon. np fHE t/NlTEJ> STATES, **7 hav9 with- fliew tended for a particular ftate, they will apply equally well to all places where this pernicious praftice in any confiderable drgree prevails. / ** There muft doubtlefs," he obferves, . " be an unhappy influ. eiice on the manners of our people, produced by the exiftence of flavery among us. The whole ccnnmerce between mafter and ^^ve is a perpetual exercife of the moft boifterous paflions, the moft unremitting defpetifm on the one part, and degrading fubmiflions on the other. Our children fee this, and learn to imitate it; for man is an imitative animal. This quality is the germ of all edu- cation in him. From his cradle to his grave, he is learning to do what he fees others db. If •; parent could find no motive either in his philanthropy or his fclf-love^ for retraining the intemper- ance of a pallion towards hit &nre, it fliould always be a fufficient one, that his ehild is prefeitt. But generally it is not fufficient. The parent ftorms, the child looks on, catches the lineamenjts of wrath, puts on the (ame airs in the circle of fmaller flaves, gives a loofe to his worft of paflions, and thus nurfed, educated, and daily exercifed in tyranny, cannot but be ftamped by it with odi- ous peculiarities. The man muft be a prodigy who can retain his manners and morals undepraved by fuch circumftances. And with what execration Ihould the ftatefinan be loaded, who, per- mitting one half of the citizens thus to trample on the rights of the other, transforms thofe into defpots, and thefe into enemies ; deftroys the morals of the one part, and the awtorpatrU of the other. For if a flave can have a country in this world, it muft be any other in preference to that in which he is bom to live and labour for another ; in which he muft lock up the faculties of his nature, contribute, as far as depends on his individual endeavour, to th» evaniflunent of the human race, or entail his own miferable con- dition on the endlefs generations proceeding from him. With the morals of the. people, their indufiry aUb is deftroyed. For in a warm climate^ no man will labour for himfelf who can make ano- ther labour for him. This is fotrue, tlbatof the proprietors of flavei a very fmall pn^ortion indeed are ever feen to labour. Apd can the liberties of a nation be thought fecure when we have removed their only firm bafis, a convi6lion in the minds of the people that thefe liberties are the gift of God ? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I refleft that God is juft : that hisjuftice cannot fleep for ever : that confidering numbers, nature, and natural means only, a revolution of the wheel of fortune, an exchange of, fituation, is among poflible events : that it may become pro- bable by fupematural inference ! — The Almighty has no attribute which can take fide with us in fui^h % conteft. But it is impofli- m ,1 m 111 ■e8 ' GENERAL l>isckt>tl(fli' , Ue to be temperate and to purfue this fubjeft thrcUgn tbe VarimMi confiderations of policy, of monls, ofiiiftory, natural and civile We muft be contented to hope they will force their way into every one's mind. I think a change already perceptible^ fince die origin of the prefent revolution. The fpirit of the mafter is abating, that of the (Uvvfr riftng from the duft, his <;on- /dition mollifying, the way I hope preparingi under the aufpices of Heaven, for a total emancipationr, and that tins is di^ofed, inl the order of events, to be with the confient oi their njafters, ra^ ther than by their extirpation," ' Under the Federal governmrnt) frtun-.the meafufes already adopted, we have rcafon to belieVeJthat all flaves in the linked States, w;ill in time be emancipated, in a manner mo& conftftent with their own happincfs, and the true iotereft of their proprie- tors.. Whether this will B9 effeAed by tran%orting them back to Africa ; or. by colonizing them in (bme part of the American ter- ritory, and extending to them their alliance and pretedion^ until they {hall have acquired ftrex^th fufficient for dieirown defence $ or by incorporation with the whites ; or in feme other w^, r&* mains to be determined. In the middle and northern flates, there are comparatively but few flaves; and of courfe there is lefs difficulty in giving theM theii: freedom. In Maflachufetts alone, and we mention it to> their diftinguifhed honor, there are none. Societies for the manumiflion of flaves have be^n inftituted in Philadelphia, New* York, and other places, and laws have been enafted, and other ^ea^res taken, in the New>£ngland States, to accomplifli thtf fame purpofe. The Friends, commonly called Quakers, have evinced the propriety of their name, by their goodnefs in origi- nating, and their vigorous exertions in executing this truly hu- . mane and benevolent delign. The Englifli Language is univerfally fpoken in the United Stjites, and in ^t buflnefs is tranra6fced, and the records are kept* It is fpoken with great purity, and pronounced with propriety ill New England, by perfons of education; and, exceptmg fomeiew.. corruptions in pronunciation,. by all ranks of people. In the. middle and fouthern States, where they have had a great influx of foreigriers, the language, in many inftances, is corrupted ^fpecially in pronunciation. Attempts are making to introduce an unifor- mity of pronunciation throughout the States, yrht^h for political, as well as other reafoAs, it is hoped will meet the approbation and encouragement of all literary and influential charaSiers. Intermingled with the Americans, are the Dutch, Scotch, Irifliy French, Germans, Swccds, and Jews ; 9II thcfe,^ except the OF THE UNITED STATES, ao9 Scotch ahd Irt(h| retain in a greater or lefs degree, their native language, in which they perform their public worfliip, converfe and tranfafl their bufinefs with each other. The time, however, is anticipated, when all improper diftinc- tions (hall be abolilhed; and when the language, manners, cuftoms, political ^nd religious fentimcnts of the mixed mafs of people who inhabit the United States, {hall become fo aifimilated, as that all nominal diftin£lion (hall be loft in the general and honourable name of Americans. .! G O V E R N M E N T. IJKtiL the fourth of July, 1776, the prefent United States were Briti(h^ colonies. On that memorable day, the Reprefen- Utives of the United States of America, in Congrefs alTemblcd, made a folemn declaration, in which they afllgned theil' reafons for withdrawing their allegiance from the King of Great Britain. Appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of their intentions, they did, in the name and by the authority of the good people of the colonies,, folemnly publiih and declare. That thel'e United Colonies were, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States ; that they were abfolved from all allegi- ance to the Britiih crown, and that all political connexion be- tween them and Great Britain, was, and ought to be, totally dif- folved } and that as Free and Independent States, they had full power to levy war, conclude peace, contrail alliances, ^(lablKh commerce, and do all other a£b and things, which Independent States may of right do. For the fupport of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the prote£l. >n of Divine Providence, the delegates then in Congrefs, (ifty-five in number, mutually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their facred honour. At the fame time they, publiihed articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the States, in which they took the title of ^' The United States of America," and agreed, that each State fhould retain its fovcreignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurifdi£):ion, and right, not exprefsly dcliegated to Congrefs by the confederation. By thcfe articles, the Thirteen Uaited States (everally entered into a firm league of friendihip with each other for their common defence, the fccurity of tlicir liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, and bound them- felves to aififl each other, againil all force, offered to, or attacks that might he made upon all, or any of them, on account of religion, fuyercignty, commcice, or any other pretence whatever. E E ltd GENERAL PESCJtIPTiaif BttC for the more convenient management of the general inlerefli «f the UnitjBd States, it was determined, that Delegates fhoiild be annually appointed, in Tuch manner as the Legiflature of each State flioutd dire£l, to meet in Congrefs the firft Monday in Hcarttnher of every year ; with 'a power referved to each State to recall its delegates, or any of thom, at any time within the year. Mid to fond othen in their ftead for the remainder of the year. No State was to be reprefefi^ed in Congrefs Ly lefs than two, or more than feven members ; and no per Ion could be a delegate for more than three years, in any term of fix years, nor was any perfon, being a delegate, capable of holding any dflice under the United States, for wbich he, or any other for his benefit, fhould receive any falary, fees, or emolument of any kind. Tn determining queftions in Congreft, each State was to have one vote« £very State was bound to abide by the determination^ of Congrefs in all queftions which were fubmitted to them by the confederation. The articles of confederation were to be in- variably obfcrved by every State, and the Union to be perpetual : nor was any alteration at any time afterwards to be made in any of the articles,' ' unlcfs fuch alterations were agreed to in Congrefs, and afterwards confirmed by the legtflatures of every State. The articles of confederation were ratified by Congrefs, July, 9th, 1778. ' ■ Thefe articles of confederation being found inadequate to the purpofes of a federal government, for rcailbns hereafter mention- ed, delegates were chofen in each of the United States, to meet and fix upon the neceflfary amendments. They accordingly met in convention at Philadelphia, in the fumtmer of 1 787, attd agreed to propofe the following conflitotion for the confideration of their con flituents : CONSTITUTION. WE, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfefl union, cflablilh juftice, infure domeflic tranquility, pro- vide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and fecurc the bleflings of liberty to ourfelves and our poflcrity, do ordain and eftablifh, this Conllitution for the United States of Amiprica, . ARTICLE I. Sf.ct. 1. All legiflative powers herein granted (hall be vefl;ed in a Congrefs of the United States, which (hall confifl 0/ a Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives. OF THE UNITED STATES, att Sect. u. The Houfe of Repref«ntativc« Ihall be compofed of membefs chofen every fccond year by the people of the Cv ral ftates, and the eleftort in each (bte (hall have the qualificn* tions requifite for ele£lors of the moA numerous branch of the flate legiflature. No perfon fhall be a rcprefentative who Hull not have att1^n- ed to the age of twenty-five years, and been feven years a citUen of the United States, ai\d who (hall not, when ele^d, be an in- habitant of that (late in Which he (hall be ohoGon, Reprefentatives and direft taxes, (hall be apportioned among the feveral dates which may be included within this Union, ac- cording to their refpcftive numbers, which (hall be determined by adding to the whole number of free pcrfons, included thofe bound to fervice for a term of years, and excluding Indians not tixed, three-fifths of all other peribna. The adual enumeration (hall be made within three years after the firfl meeting of the Congnsfs of the United States, and within every fubfequent term of ten years, in fuch manner as they (hall by law 4ire£l. The number of reprefentatives (hall not exeeed one for every thirty thoufand, but each ftate (hall have at kail one rcprefentative ; Af)d until fuch enumeration (hall be made, the (late of Ncw-Hamp(Hire (hall be entitled to choofe three, MaiTachufitttS ei^ht, lOlode* Iflandand Providence.Plantations one, Connefticutfive, New-York fix, New-Jerfey four, Pennfylvania eight, Delaware one^ Mary- land fix, Virginia ten, North-Carolina five, South-Carolina five, and Georgia three. When vacancies happen in the repi^efentation of sny (late, the executive authority thereof, (hall iifue writs of eleftion to fill fuch vacancies. The Houfe of Reprefentatives (hall choofe their Speaker and £>ther officers ; and (hall have the fole power of impeachment. Sect. III. The Senate of the United States (hall be compofed of two (enators from each flate, chofen by the legiflature thereof for fix years; and each fenator Qtali have one vote. Immediately after they (ball be afiembled, in confequence of the Srft eleftion, tliey (halj be divided as equally as tnay be into threte clalTes. The feats of the fenators of the firfl clafs (hall be vacated at the expiration of the fecond year t of the fecond clafs at the expiration of the fourth year ; and of the third clafs at the expiration of the fixth year, fo that one third may be cholen every fecond year } and if vacancies happen by refign^tion, or Otherwife, during the receis of the legiflature of any (late, the exe- cutive power thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legiflature, which (hall tlicn fill fugh V*c4i»cies, E E 2 SI9 GENERAL DESCRIPTION No perfon (hall be a fenator who fliall not have attaiflf d to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United: States, and who (hall not, when elcded^ lie w» inhabitant of that (late for which he (hall be chofcn. The vice-preftdent of the United. States (hall be prefidcnt of the fenate, but (hall have no vof«, unlefs they be equally divided. Tbt* fenate (hall choofe their other olHcers, and alio a prefi'lent pro temporCf in theabfence of the vice-prefvdent,. or when he (hall cxercife the office of prefident. of t-he United States. Th^ fenate (hall have the fo\c power to try all impeachments* When iiftting for that purpofe, they fhall be on oath or afiirma- tton. When the pEeftdent of the United States is tried the chief jufticf fhall prefide : And no perfon (hall be convi£led, without the concurrence of two-thirdt of the members prefent. Judgment in cafes of impeachment,' (hall not extend further- than to removal from oflice, and difquali(ication to hoU rnd en- joy any o(Hre of honour, truft, or pro(it under the United States; but the party convided (hall neverthelefs be liable and fubjc£l to indi£lment, trial^' judgment, «ind puni(hment according to law. SfiCT. IV. The times, places, and manner of holding elec- tions for fenators and reprelientatives, fhall be fubfcribed in eacK. (bte by the legiflature thereof; but theCoi.g;c%r!i mayat any time by hw, make or alter fuch regulations, except as to. the places of. chooftng fenators. The Congrefs (hall alTemble at leaft once in every year, andi fuch meeting (hall be on the (irft Monday in December, unlefs^ they (hall by law appoint a different day. ' Sect. v. Each houfe (hall be the judge of the cle^on^,, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority o£ each (hall conditute a quorum to do bufinefs ; but a fmaller num- ber may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorifcd to com-i pel the attendance of abfent m^embers, in fuch manner, and under fuch penalties as each houfe may provide. Each houfe may determine the rules of its proceedings, punilh its members for diforderly behaviouf, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member. ^ Each houfe (hall keep a journal of its> proceedings, and from time to time publilh the fame, excepting fuch parts as may in their judgment require fecrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either houfe, on any queftion, (hall at the defire of one fifth of thofe prefent, be entered on the journal. Neither houfe, during the feilioti of Congrefs, (hall, without the confent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any o^hcr place than that in which the two houfcs (hall be fitting. OF THE UNITED STATES, •#9 iSccT. VI. The Senators and Reprcfentntivcs flisHl receive a compenlation for their Services, to be afccrtained by law, and paid out of the trcal'ury of the United States. They fliall, in all call'*, except treaibn, folony, and breach of the peace, be privi- Icdgcd" from arrell during their attendance at the lieflion of their rcipc^livc houti:«, and in going to and returning from the fame ; and for any fpeech or debate in either houfe, they (hall not be <]uc{li(>ncd in any other place. No fcnator or reprefcntative (hall during the time for which he was defied, be appointed to any civil oHice under the authority of the United States, which fhall have been created, or the emo- luments whereof fliall have been increafed during fuch time; and no pcrlon holding any o(Hce under the United States, fhall be a member of either Houfe during his continuance in office. Sect. vii. All bills for raifing revenue (hall originate in the Houfe of Reprclcntatives ; but the Senate may propofe or con- cur with amendments, as on other bills. Every bill which (hall have paffcd the Houfe of Reprefenta- tives and the Senate, (hall, before it becomes a law, be prefented to the Pre^dent of the United States ; if he approve, he fhall fign it, but if no^^ he (hall return it, with his objeflions, to that houfe in which it originated, who (hall enter the objcd:ions at large on their journal, and proceed t6 re-confider it. If, after fuch re. fronfideration, two thirds of that houfe (hall agree to-pafs the bill, it (hall be fent, together with the objeflions, to the other houfe, by which it (hall likewife be re-confidered, and if approved by two thirds of thai houfe, it (hall become a law. But in all fuch cafes the votes of both houfes fhall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the perfpns voting for and againd the bill (hall be entered on the journal of each houfe refpeftivciy. If any bill fhall not be returned by the Prefident within ten days, Sundays excepted, after it (hall have been prefented to him, the fame (hall be a law, in like manner as if he had figned it, unlefs the Congrefs, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in v/hich cafe it (hall not be a law. Every order, refolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives may be neceflTary (except 6n a queilion of adjournment) (hall be prefented to the Prefident of the United States ; and before the fame fhall take cfFeft, fhall be approved by him, or, being difapproved by him, (haP be re- paflTed by two thirds of the Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives, according to the rules and Hmitatioi)s prefcribcd in the cafe of a bill. •M GENERAL DEStRIPTION Ssct. VIII. The Congrefs (hall have povfer, To lay and coUcA taxes, duties, impofts, and excifes ; to puy the debts and provide for the common defence and general wel- fane of the United States ; bat all duties, impoft, and excifet (hall be uniform throughout the United States ; To borrow money on the credit of the United States ; To reguhtt commerce with foreign nations, and among the fe- veral States, and with the Indian tribes ; To eftablifh an uniform rub of naturalisation, and uniform laws wn the fubjcft of bankruptcies throughout the United States ; To coin money, regulate the v^e thereof, and of foreign coin, tnd fix the ftandard of weights and meafures ; To provide for the puniiHment of counterfeitlag the fecuritiei and current eoin of the United States ; To eftablilh pod offices and poft roads } To promote the progrefs of fcience and ufeful arts, by iecuring for limited times, to authors and inventors, the excktfive right to Cheir reljpeAive writings and difcoveries ; To conflitute tribunals inferior to the fupreme court ; To define and punifh piracies and felonies committed on tho high feas, and oitences againft the law of nations ; To declare war, grant letters of marque and rt^rifal, and make rules con^cerntng captures on land and water ; To raife and fupport armies, but no appropriation of ihoney ta that ufc fhall be for a longer term than iwo years } To provide and maintain a navy ; To make rules for the government and regulation tif the land and naval forces ; To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, fupprefs infurre^lions, and repel invadon^^ To provide for organizing, arming, and difciplining the militia, and for governing fuch part of them as may be employed in the feirvicc of the United States, rfcferving to the States ref);>eftivtly, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the difcipline prefcribed by Congrefs ; To exercifc exclufivc Icgiflatioi in all cafes whatfoever, over filch diftrift, not exceeding ten miles square, as rtiay by ceflTionof particular States, and the acceptance of Congrtefs, become the ieat of government of. the United States ; and to exercife like authority over all places purchafed by the confertt of the legifla- ture of the State in which the fame fliall be, for the ereftion of forts, magazines, arfenals, dock-yards, and other needful build- ings : — And ' , >""' ,^^ 0F THE UNITED STATES, sii To make all laws' which (h«ll be neccflary and proper for car- rying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vedcd by this conftitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or nfficer thereof. Sect. ix. The migration or importation of fuch perfons, as any of the States now exifting (hall think proper to admit, (hall not beproh.bitcd by the Congrefs prior to the year one thoufand eight hundred and eight, but a (ax or duty may be impol'ed on fuch importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each pcrfon. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus (hall not be fufpend- «d, unlefs when, in cafes of rebellion or invafion, the public i'afety may rccjuire it. No bill of attainder or ex poft fa£io law (hall be palTed. No capitation, or other direft tax, (hall be laid, unlefs iu proportion to the ccnfus, or enumeration, herein before dire£ied to be taken. No tax or duty (hall be laid on articles exported from any State. — No preference (hall be given by any regulation of com< mcrce or revenue to the ports of one State over thofe of another : nor (hall ve(fcls bound to or from one State, be obliged to enter» clear, or pay duties in another. No money (hall be drawn from the treafury, but in confequcnce of appropriations mad<^ by law ; and a regular flatcmcnt and ac- count of the receipts and expenditures of all public money (hall be pubU(hed from time to time. No title of nobility (hall be granted by the United States. — And no perfon holding any o(Ece of profit or truft under them, (hall, without the confent of Congrefs, accept of any prel'ent, emolument, ofHcCy or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign (late. SxcT. X. No fbte (hall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederatioiri •, grant letters of nnrque and reprifal ; coin money ; emit bills Qf credit ; make any thing but gold and filver coin a Under in payment of debts ; pafs any bill of attainder, ex poft faflo law, or law imparing the obligation of contrails, or grant 9ny ti^ of nobility. No State (hall, without the confent of the Congrefs, lay any ajnpofts or duties on imports o» exports, except what may be ab- folutely neceflfary for executing its infpeftion laws ; and the net produce of all duties and impofts, laid by any State on imports or exports, (hall be for the ufe of the Treafury of the United States ; and all fuch laws (hall be fubje^ to the revifion and con- troul of the Congre(s. No Sute (hall, wrihout the confent of Congrefs, lay any duty of toniuge, keep troops, or (hips of war, in tiBie of peace, enter into any engagement or compa£l with i ; i ti6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unlci9 aftually invaded, or in fuch imrtiincnt danger as will not admit of delay. ' . " ARTICLE JI. Sect. i. Tlie executive power fhall be vetted in a Prefident of the United States of An^crica. He (hall hold his office during the term of four years, a ferior officers, as they think proper, in the Prefident ^lone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. The prefident fhall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the reeefs of the fenate, by granting commiffion* Which fhall ejcpire at the end. of their next feiTion. F » MiS. GENERAL DESCRIPTION ^ECT. 3. He; fliall from time to time give to the Congrefs ink form^ipn qf the flate, of the uniony and recommend to their con- fideration fuch meafures as he fliali judge neceflary and expedi-. ept ; he inf)S '^^ vCxtraordinary occafions, convene both houfes, o^ either of them, and in cafe of difagreement between them, with relpeO; t<> the time of adjouriunenk, he iQay adjourn them to fuch time as he fliall t*nm)ik proper ; he (hall receive ambafiadors anfl other pviBItc miqiftjers^; ht; fhaU take care that the laws be ffiith- foUy executed) and (ball commiiTion all the officers of the United $tat^<. Sact. 4« The Prefident," Vice-Prefident, and all civil officers of the Unittrd States^ fliall be rempvcd from oiHce on impeach- ment for^ and convif^ion of, treafoR, bribery, or other high crimes and mildemeanorsy ARTICLE UL Sect. t. The judicial power of the United States Ihall be Veiled in one fupreme court, and in fuch inferior courts, as the> t^ongrefs may £rom time to time ordain and eftablifh. The judges, both of the fupreme and inferior courts, flia!! hold their offices during g(>od behaviour, and fhall, at flated times, receive for their fervices, a compenfation, which (hall not be diminiflied dur^ng;- their continuance in office. S£Ct. 2. The judicial power ihall extc^nd to all cafes, in taw apd equity, a rifmg under this conflitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which fhall be made, under their au- thority ; to all cafes affe&ing ambaffadors, other public miniflers, and confufs ; to all cafes of admiralty and maritime jurifdifti^m : to controverfies to which the United States fhall be a party ; to controverfies between two or more States, between a State and citizens of another State, between citizens of different States, between citizens of the fame State daiming lands under grants of. different States, and between a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign States, citizens, or fubjefls. In all cafes afFcding aqibafladors, other .public nunifterS) and (;onfuls, and thofe in which a State fhall be party, the fupreme cqurt fhall have original jurifdiftion. In all the other cafe9 be- fore mentioned, the fupreme court fhall have appelate jurifdiftion, both. as to law and fa£i, with fuch exceptions, and under fuch re- gulations as the Congrefs fhall make. The trial of all crimes, except in cafes of irppeachment, fhall l^e by jury ; and fuch trial fhall be held in the State where the laid crime fhall have been committed ; but when not committed within any State, the trial fhall. be at fuch place or places as the Congrefs may by law have direfted. OF THE UNITED STATES, 419 Sect. 3, Trcafon agamft the United States fliall confift only in levying war againft' thenx, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort^ No perfon Ihall be convided of treafon^ unlefs on the teftimony of two witnefles to (he fame overt aft, or on confeifion in opeia court. The Congrcfs (hall have power to 4^1a^|^hi6 puniniment of treafon, but no attainder of treaf on Aiall worf corruption of blood* -or forfeiture, except during thic life " Sect, u Full faith and crc t (hall fete given in eath State to the public afts, records, audjudiciii' proceedings of ^ every other State. And thte Congrefs may by general laws prefcribe them^n- ner in which fuch a6U, records, J*«ld prccecdings fliall he prdi/^ed, and the eflFeft thercbf, . Sect. 2. The citizcri of each Ikate fhall be cnjtit}ed to 41 pri- vileges And immvimtiefi of citizens in the feveral $tates^ A perfon chained in any State with treason, felony, or Qthef crime, who (hall flee from juftice, and be found in another"St|te, (hall, on demand of the executive authority of the State fro|}i which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to 'the Sjate having Jurifdi£lion of the crime^ , ,. • No perfon held to fervice pr labour in one State, under the laws thereof, efcaping into another, (hall, in confequei^;^ of .tny law or regulation therein, be difcriarged from fuch (eivicc or la* ^our, but (hall be delivered up on claim of the sj^ty ig whoUn ^uch fervice or labour may be due. : r;. Sect, ^p New ^tes may be admitted by the Congilefs into this union, E»u^ i)o new State (hall be formed or ereded within thejurifdii^tiq^of »nx other Sutc; nor any State jbe formed by the jun^ioi) of two or i^ore States, or parts of States, without the confenlt of the le^iflature;? o^ t^p States conce^rned as wejil as of th^ Congrefs^ The Congrefs fliall have power to difpofe of and make all nccd» f ul rules and regulations refpe^ing the territory or other property belonging to the United States ; and nothing ip this conftitution (hall be fo conftrued as to prejudice any clainp of the Uiiited States, or of any particular State, Skct» 4. The United States (hall guarrantce to every State in this union a republican form of government, and (hall protefl each of them againft invafion; and on application of the legifla- ture, or of the executive, when the legiflature cannot bo con- vened, againd domeftic violence. F 2 2 20 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ARTICLE V. The Congrefs, whenever two thirds of both houfcs fliall deem it neceflary, fhall propofe amendments to this conflitution, or, on the application of the legiflatures of two thirds of the fcveral States, fhall call a convention for propoHng amendments, which, in either cafe, fhall be valid to all intents and purpofes, as part of this conftitution, when ratified by the legiflatures of three fourths of the feveral States, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mod6 of ratification may be pro- pofed by the Congrefs : provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thoufaild eight hundred and . eight, fhall in any manner aSeEt the firfl and fourth claufes in the ninth fc£Uon of the firfl article ; and that no State, without its confent, fhall be deprived of its equal fuffrage in the Senate. ARTICLE VL All del>ts contrafted, and engagements entered into before the adoption of this conflitution, fhall be as valid againfl the United States under th^S conflitution, as under the confederation. This conflitution, and the laws of the United States, which fhall be made inpurliiance thereof} and all treaties made, or which Ihall be made, under the authority of the United States, fhall be the fupreme law of the land ; and the judges in every State fhall be bound thereby, ar/y thing in the conflitution or Iaw$ of any State to the contrary notwithflai^ding. The Senators 'and Reprefentatives before mentioned, and the Members of the feveral State Legiflatures, and all Executive and Judicial OfHcers, both of the United States apd pf the feveral States, fhall be bound by oath or affirmation to fupport this con-, flitution ; but no religious tefl fhall ever be required as a qua^^ fication to any office or public trufl uiyier the United States, , ARTICLE Vn. The ratification of the conyentions of nine States fhall be jfuf- ficient for the eflabUfhment of this conflitution, between the States fo ratifying the fame. DONE in ConveTition, by the unanimous confent of the States prejeatt the feveiUeenth day of SeptemheTt in the year jof our Lord One thoufand Se- ven Hundred and Eighty f even, and of the Independence of the United States of jJmerica the Twelfth. In Witneft thereof v/e have here- unto fuiferihed our names- GEORGE WASHIl^GTON, Prejdent. Signed aJfo hy all the Delegates which were prefent from twelve States, Atteft, WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary, OF THE UNITED STATES, aai In CONVENTION, Monday, September 17, 1787. PRESENT, Xhe States of Ntno-Ham^tre, Majfachujettt^ ContuBicutt Mr. Hamlltom from New-Torky Netv-Jerfey, Penn/ylvania, Delaware, Marylandt yirg'mia. North Carolina, South Cardinal and Georgia. -^ Resolved, The the preceding conftitutioh be laid before the United States in Corigrefs affembled, and that it is the opinion of this Convention, that it fhodld afterwards be fubmitted to a Con. vention uf Delegates, chol'en in each State by the people thereof j under the recommendation of its legiflature, for their affent and ratification ; and that each Convention aflfenting to, and ratifying the fame, ihould give notice thereof to the United States, in, Congrcfs aflembled. Rssoi.VEiy, That it is the opinion of this Convention, that as foon as the conventions of nine States Ihall have ratified this con- (litution, the United States in Congrifs afTembled fhould fix a day on which eIc£^ors fhould be appointed by the States which fhall have ratified the lame, and a day on which the eleflors (hould afTemble to vote fot- the Prefldent, and the time and place for commencing ^proceedings under this Conflitution. That after fuch publication, the ele^burs fhould be appointed, and the fena- tors and reprefentativcs ele£led ; that the eleflors fhould meet on the day fixed for the eleftion pf the prefident, and fhould tranf> mit their votes certified, figned, fealed, and directed, as the con> ftitiition requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Con- grefs affembled ; that the fenators and reprefentativcs fhould cOn> vene at the time and place afTigned ; that the fenators fhould ap- point a prefident of the fenate, for the fole purpofe of receiving, opening, and counting the votes for prefident ; and that after he IhaU be chof'cfh, the Congrefs, together with the prefident, fhould, withouX delay, proceed to execute this conflitution. By the unanimous order of the Convention, GEORGE WASHINGTON, Prefident WILLIAM JACKSOl^, Secvetary, In CONVENTION, SeptemSer 17, 1787. I R. WE have now the honour to fubmit to the confideration of the United States in Congrefs afTembled, that conflitution which has appeared to us the mofl advifeablc. The friends of our country have long feen and defired, that the power of making war, peace, and treaties, that of levying money and regulating commerce, and the correfpondent executive and judicial authorities, fhould be fully and efFeftually vefled in the ■«*' a«4 GENERAL DESCRIFTIOtf general government of the union ; but the impropriety of delegate ing fuch extenfive truft to one body of men is evident. Hence rdults the ncceflUy of » different organiution. It is obvioiifly impraJ9;tcabie, in the fcjdeiraji government of tl^fe Stated, to fecure ,aU rig|its of independent (bvereigrity to each, intf' yet provide fonr the intereft an4 laiTcty of all. Individuals enter- ing into fociety muft give up a fhare of liberty tQ prftferve the rei^ The magnitude of the facrilice muft depend as well on fituation tind circumftances, as on t}ie objeift to be attained. It is at all times difficult 10 ^aw with precilion the live between thdk rights which niuft '^B furrendered, and thofe wl^ch may be rtfer^^ed ; and on 4heprifent occafioa.this difiiculty was iocrvuife^ by m dii(^renc6 among Ihe fevcr^ States as to their lituitiop, ^x|ent, habits, »i)4 parttc|ilar intere**!., > In all our deiiberatiofis on this rubje^ wie lej^t (le^dily ih bv^ view, that whicit apptars to us the ptHiS. iti:t6f eft of every tm* Atnerican, the toAlblily tmprrifed on 6uir mihds, led each Stale in the convention to bte lefs rij^d ini points of inferior magnitude, thah might have been dtheiwi^ cxpe^ed ; and thus the conftltution, which we now prieferit, ife llic rifutt df a fpirit of amity/ and of that mutuftf dfclerence atiA contfeifion which the peculiarity of our political fituation rem dteted indifjpenftble. Thit it will meet the futl and entire ipj^robation of ev«ry Slac^ ik hot pei'haps to be expelled : but each will doubtlefe cbnfiie^t t^iitt had her interefts \ctn alone confulted, the confe(|nenccil might have been patticulafly difagreeible bt injurious to'oth«rs: that it is liable to as few exceptions as cottld reaf6nab|y hav« l^n «xpc£fced, we hope and believe : that it may promote the laftin| welfare of that country fodear to us all, and fecurt her fril^d^ 3nd happinefs, which is out moft ardent wi(h. With grett refp©^ we have the hohour to be, 3ir, your J^JCf cellency's mdft bbeditnt, and humble fervknts, GEORGE WASHINGTON, Pr£/fl(i||f^ipR9tifmoiM fay Congnli^ tHlat there fl^aU be notleff ^n one. hundred ^n^Mkiitivea^ nor lels. iitm imtt nfm^«m\ijf*- 5* vweyr rivedof life, liberty, or property, w«||bm)t dne;rprocefa«ffiUwv; nor fhall private property be^ taken fat:p«l4tc:iif*' -whfa«ntrjufify (hall exceed twienty dollars, the x\f^ '\>f trial by jury < fliatt tiiffpfdbrvedk and no fift^ tried b^ a jury, (hall' be ^ei^fe ft- es^iiSlldin «ny court of the United Sca^ |Ai*tt ^|;ftMii^( t^ the , A»i^^ Ex^fiive^baa Oiall ttoCi b^ slM[i«lMl iior i^xceiW fines im^ofed,,nor crueland unuAial i^ntatmetttfiiifliiGbd. ^ Aar. XI. The etMomeratioii in th^ i6oa^tution^t^«f eertaiii rights, ihall not be conftrued to deny or4ifpatage otheit retained bji^ie people. ^ >|LiiT. Xll, The powers not delegated to the United States by - ^e conftitufi^n, nor prohibited by it to the States, are referved to the States refpe£):ively, or to the people. iThe following States have ratified all the foregoing articles of amendment to the conftitutton of the United States, vi^. Majry- . land, North > Carolina, South Carolina, NewrYork, Virginii|^ and Vertnont. N fubftance, but the fhadow only p£ re- prefenlation, which can never produce proper information in the, legiflature, or infpir^ confidence in the people>^hc taws will therefore be generally made by men little concerned itij and un.* acquainted with, their efiFefts and confequencea. The Senate have the power of altering all money bills, and of originating appropriations of money, although they are not the im> mediate reprefentatives of the people, or amenable to them, thefe Oi'tiit UNITED StATSS. uafg: fend tHeIr other gr^at powers, viz. their power ^n the appoint- ment of AnlA!EM^rit!|ind all puhlic ofRcers, in making treaftet, and trying!;^ j^^ thetr influence upoMi and eonneC' ■iiCTi:;,withf'f| |j||PJi ||||^ ' From thefo 'circumftances, thdr:4t||]yiHflH|^^^i^^gsf»>li|&ig~'« conftant'exifting 'body* il^ir being one cfjn|qpleto ' >lny and every balaudt in ^^Ifjgil^j^p^^^^ggillpiffB^tflkdiiniHiilh what u(urpatioa libi^l0#bft)iep^ple. ' ii to conftruaed alii tXf^ fudieiarifi of the ^llirlral ttricati, ^ilM^««|^«!pyd i^ JW^W'liiiMBiii^Wlltl^fe by 't 'great part''(>ft'i|>:«io|itMi-i ilchy ^%i^re(S' the- po«rf*5'*'- ' fdeA^1»l;thib;0i^«li(^ advice^ a|dr will generally^ be SreSkcd by minions and favourite*, ^he Win bedfiinte a tool to the Senate ; or a Counc^ of State ^irill f^jfW out Qfi>l|N|t' principal officers of the great departmrats, the wdrfl and mftft' dangerous of all ingredients for mcli a Council in a Ittc country ; for they may be induced to join in any dangeWilii. «|^^reflive meafUres to ihelter themfclvci^and prcA^ent an in- ||iif| uitb thdf own mifbondua in offcei ||||^t, had a con- ftitutional Council been formed, as'%^' C«& OENBRAL DE^CKlPTiON lttLnMMI990ilfei Ul The Prefident of the United States has the unreftrained power of granting pa|?don for treafons, which may be (bmetimes exer* cifed to fcrcen from punifliment, thofe ^hom he had fecretly in- ftigatcd to commit the crime, and thereby piwvent the diii^overy of his own guilt. ,, *» % declaring all treatiee A|piremeM>|i:^» «| live and Icnate have, in many >!oUe9| %i^ tion, which might have been ftVicdd^ refpefl to treaties, aijd rehiring ||m|' pit filntatives, where it could be «e ^ IJIldf r their «>vn conftru£UiMi olltlli olll^bfaumera^d powers, the Con||e^, trade aoe refult of their proceedings. It was oecetTiu y, therefore, to form their calculations, on a fcale com- menfuratc to fo large a portion of the globe. Thus a very important difficulty arofe from comparing the ex- tfcnt of the country to be governed, with the kind of govern- er THE UNtttD STATES. t^^ ■lent which it would be proper to eftabliih in it; It hat been *n opinion, countenanced by high authority, ** that the natural property of i'mali ftatet is to be governed as a republic •, of mid- ling ones, to be fubjeft to a immarch ; and of large empires, to ^ Apr*yed by a defpotic prince ; and that the confe4{uence is* that, in order to preferve the principles of the eilablifhed |overn- ^ent, the ftate muft be fupportef^lh the extent it has acquired ; and thit the fpirit of the ftatC|4riU alter in proportion ts it ex- tends or contrafts its limits.***^ l^his opinion feemsto be fup. ported nther than eoti|ra|iM, by the hiftory of the govem- meots in the did w^rNt Here then the difficulty appeare<|'ijit full view. Oa |lili|ifi4l, the United States containing m tm- menfe extent 4fl#rit<^r, ibCe^tdtttg to the foregoing opinion, a 4erpotic govehiinMSiH luriia beft adsipted to that extent. Oil the «ther hand, it was vreU known, thai|. ti6wever the citizens of the ^nited States aHght, with pleafulv fubmit to the legtfimat^ rcftraints of a republican cohftitution, they would rejeft with indignation, the fetters of defpotifm. What then was to be done? The idea of a confederate republic prcfetited itielf. A kihd«v- iconftitution which has been thought to have *^ all the internal advantages of a republican, together wijth the external , force of a monarchial government." Its deCcription is, *' a convention, by which Icveral ftates agree to become members of a larger one, which th(^ intend to efta- bliih. It i« a kind of affembliige of focieties, that conftitute a nem one^ capable of increafing by means of farther aflbciationf .'* The expUnding quality of fuch a government it 'peculiarly fit- ted for the United Stateis, the grcateft part of whofe territory is yet uncultivated. But ^t^iilc this form of government enabled them to furmount the difficulty laft mentioned, it condu£led , them to another. U left them aflmoft without precedent or guide ; and eonlcquently without the benefit of that inflrudion, which, in many cafes may be deidved from the conftitution, hiftory and experience of other nations. Several aifociations have frequently been called by the name of confederate ftates, which have not, in propriety of bn« guage, deferved it. The Svifs Cantons arc eonne^Ud only by alliances. The United Netherlands are indeed an aflemblage of focieties; but this alfem|>lage coniUtutes no new 0n« ; and there. fo|5p, it does not correfpond with the full definition of a confede- rate republic. The Germanic body is compofed of fuch dii'pro" portionate and difcordant materials, -and its ftru&ure is fo in* • Montefquleu, b. 8. c. 20. t Moiitef(^uieu, b. 9.. c. *. Gg 8 m8 G£X4^4L, DESCKtfyjON tric«te ana coq^|^ex/ th«t little ufcfvjl knowledge could be dnwti from it. Ancient hiftory difclofes, and barely difclofes to our view, fomc confederate republics-rihe Achacn leaguc--4lie l^y- cian confederacy, and the Aiiip|^ionic council. But f^ |aa« recprded concerning their conftttutiona are fo few and g^cra|, and thftr hiftorieaarefounnifirked and defe£live, ikhat no iattifac- tory information can be co|le|y /rom them, concerning mfwy par- ticular circumfbnccs i froni «ft '(^curate dii^ernment and f(>mpa«>. rifon of which alone, legitimatiibd pra6Ueal inferences c^ be niade from onecpnftit|utioii to|l|ltlpf^^ Befidea, t)ie fituatioaand dtfpnitons of thofo confederacifli |^"ti| ftaie of fociety, man- lieri»^^^ in them, wewf%.ii|(pp|}||o.-n. thofe of the United States, that the moft ci»Yf4 difli^ii»|| tt^d have fup- plied but a very fmaU fund of applic«fa|| renuMrla. Thus, ii» forming this fyilem, tl|C^. were deprived of many 4dvantagB% which the hiftory and cxpc^rience ^otlfpr agei and other WUQ? tric^ would, in other cafes, have afforde4 them, ' j ' (1 We may add, in thi» place, that the fcience of government ^. fclf, feequ yet to bealtrioft in its ftateof infancy. Govemifients, in general, havevbeen the reiult of force, of fraud, and of gf^i* dent. After a period of fijj; thoufatid years has elapfed, fimie;^ creation, the United States exhibit to the world, the firft ifill|m^ ^k far as we- can lea^^ bf » nation, unattacked by cxter|ia|, ^e, unconvulfed by domeftiq itUurreaions, affembling voluntarilf^ d«i» liberating fully, and deciding ci^ly, concerning that fyftem of government, under which they would wiih that they and thei^r poftcrity ihouldlive^ The ancients, fo enlightened on other fub- je£U, were very uninformed with regard to this. They lofnn fcarcely to have had any idea of any other kind, of government^ than the three Ample forms, defigned by the epitluits, monarchial, ariftocratical and democratical. Much and pleafing ingenuity Kas been exerted, in modem times, in drawing entertaining p«|rallipl| between feme of the ancient conftitutionsand fome of t|ie mixjed governments that have fmce cxifted in Europe, But on ftri^ examinatidn, xhe anftancesof refemblance will be found to be few and weak ; to he fuggefted by the improvements, which, in fub- fequent ages, haxro been made in government, and not to be drawn immediately from' the ancient conftttutiono themfelves, as they were intCKided and underftood by thofe who framed them. One thing is very certain^ that the do6brine of reprefentation injo-> vernment was altogether unknou to the ancients. The know, ledge and praftice of which, is cifcntial to evxiry fyftem, that can poffefs the qualities of freedom, wifdom and energy. OF TUB UNITED STATES, ••9 Reprcfentation is the chain of communication between the peo* pie, ind thofe, to whom they have Committed the exercire of the powers of government. This chain may conftfl of one Or more Unki : -but in all cafci it (hould be fulHdently (Irong and dif- 1|p be left without guide of precedent' was not the only diff- cu%, in which the convention wcfre involved, by prbpofing to their conftituents a plan of a codlederade republic. TKey found themfelves embarraflfed with another, df jpt'culiar ddicMy'lnid im- portance ; I mean thsU of drsuvini a pro|>^ line betw||B the na- tional government, and thl^6^ernm(Bnts oJTthe feverii Wlllk \ ti was eafy to difcover a proper and fatisfaftory princij^ on the fubjea. Whate^ei^ '^^A of $bvtth(i^ire(^,as be- ionaing to the government of the Unit^^tai^S } but tcfMush thia principle is found and fatisfaftory, its ap()licatioii to -raii^ulir cafn would be accompanied with i^ch di/Hculty } 'be^aim' m m application, room mufl: be allowed for great difcretiolnSn^ lUlttt^ of conftruftion of the principle. In order, to leffi^ the dimculty, arifing from difcretionary conftru6|iMi je^ an enumeration of particulIlP tnftancefi, in wlUgk ition of the principle ought to take plaice, has been att< " much indudry and care. It ia only in mathematical fcUttie that p line can be defcribed with mathematical precifibn. But; iipon the ftri^eft inveftigation, the enumeration will hi tiUmii *9 be lafe and unexceptionable; and accurate too in as grei^ i degn^ %» accuracy can be expe£led, in a fubjeft of this nature* After all, it was neceflary, that, on a fubjeft fo peculiarly deli- cate as^lhis, much prudence, much candour, much moderation and Inuc^ liberality, (hould be exercifed and difplayed, both by the fedeivl government and by the governments of the feveral ftates* Ana it is to be hoped, that thefe virtues will continue to be ex- erci^ and difplayed, when we confider, that the powers of the federal government and thofe of the flate govemmenta are drawti from fOufces equally pure. If a difference can be difcovered be» tween them, it is in. favor of the federal government, becaufe that gbvcimmentjs founded on the reprefi6ntation of the u/hoie vimovf} whereas the government of any particular ftate is founded only on the reprefentation of a part, inconfiderable when compared with the whole. It is not more reafonable to fuppofe, tltat the tion were obliged to encounter in the courfe of their proceedibgs, let us view the end, which they propofed to accomplifli. ? In forming this fyftem, it was proper to give minute attetllion to the intoreil of all the parts ; but there was a duty of dill ^igh» er import-^to feel and to |hew n predominating regard to the fu. pcrior interefts of the whole. If this great principle had not prevaikdy the plan before us would dever have made its appear- ance. ' The aim of the convention, was to form a fyftem of good and efficient government on the more extehfive (bale of the United States. In this, and in every other inftance, the work (hould be Judji^ed with the fame fpirit, with which it was performed. A principle of duty as well as candour demands this. It has Veen remarked, that civil government is neceffary to the perfeftion of ifociety : We rem-rk that civil liberty i» neceffary to the perfcftion of civil government. Civil liberty is natural liberty itfelf, divefted only of that part, which, placed in thiB go- vtmment, produces more good and happinefs to the community, than ^! it h«d roinained In the individual. Hence it follows, that civil liberty, while it reftgns a part of natural liberty, retains the free and generous exercife of all the human fucuUies, fp f^r as it is coinpatible with the public welfare. In confidering and developing the nature and end of the fyf* tern before us, it is necefTary to mention another kind of lib^rty^ which may be diftinguiihed by the appellation of federal liberty. When a Angle government is inflituted, the individuals, of which it is compofed, furrender to it a part of their natural independ* cnce, whicji they before enjoyed as men. When a confederatip republic is inflituted, the communities, of which it is compofed^ furrender to it a part of their political independence, Which they before enjoyed ati States. The principles, which diretiled, in the former cafe, what part of the natural liberty of the man ought to be giv^n up, and what part ought to be retained, will give Ami- lar direftions in the latter cafe. The ftatcs fhould refign, to the national government, that part, and that part only, of their poli- tical liberty, which placed in that government, will produce n^ore good to the whole, than if it had remained in the feveral ilates. While they refign this part of their political liberty, they retain the free and generous exercife of all their other facuU tics as flates, fo far as it is compatible with the welfare of the ge> neral and fuperintending confederacy. Of Tti£ ifNlTED STATES.' 831 Since ^ates jks well as citizens are reprefeiited ir the conftitu- tion before us, and form the objeQs on which that conftitution i» propofed to operate, it was neceflary to qotice and dt&ne Jederal as'well as civil liberty. Vy^,«iOw fee the great end which they propofed to acdbmpiiih. Itiiiip to frame, for their con ftituents, one federal and njitioiul ec^Mtution — a conftitution, that would pfckdticc tl«p advantages of good, and prevent the inconveniebccft of h|d gQnremment — a conftitution, whofe beneficence «iid energy Wi6u]4,|kirvadei |th« whole union ; and bind and embrace the inteiefta of ever^^^jpaW —a conftitution, that would enfure piacsa, frQedi>||| Jpld happii^s, to the ftates and people of America* > i r f>**' We are now natundly led to examine the means, bjr whichj^iey propofed to accamptifli thiiend. But previoufly to ^r entering upon it, it will not be tmph>per to ftate fome general and leading principles of government, which will receive particular applica* tion in the courfe of our inveiligationf. There neceffarily exiftamwery government, ^r^ which there is no appeati;«6#-'wKieht for that reafon,' may be termed fupreme, abfolute and lincontroulable. Where 4ati thi9 power refide ? To this <|uefti<»i, iWiters on difierent governnientt will give diillreiil^ aiid^ers. Afiibrding to BIackftohe;^'iH%i>^ country, this^tt^er is lodged Itt^eBritilh parlianfiftit^ Und the? parliament «lvy atte^ the^liti of government ; and its powei' ii" abfolute wititeuf coftttoh Hit idea of a conftitution, limiting and fitperiQtending the operations of legiflative authority, Teems not to hivefaeen accurately lixIstleV in this kingdom. There are, at'liinf no graces of pra6it«i, eottformable to fuch a principle. l|^^ntroul the power aUd condudldf the legiflaiure fay an |^ the AmetPNi ftates. »,|^litican, i^hdhaa not cofl|ld«£red, with fulficlent ^litical fyftetns, would aiifWer, that in their go- iijpveiAe pon^eir was vefted in %|kh conftitutions. ichesa ftep nearer to the||ibi; 'but' does not truth is, that, in the Atnerieim govti^rnments, the ite and uncontroulable ■pawisf remains in tlie people. ^ lonft^tumt are fii|>eri6r to thehr legiflat^yi ; fo the people'%e fuperlor tb their ccbiftitutions. Indet^tllplbperiori. ty,^|^ls laft inilance, is mu^tk greater ; for thl |il||^ poflcfs, ove^ fwtr conftitutions, conlir#l in aB, as well aslA right. The confequence is, that the people Qiay change' the cdnftitu. tions whenever, and however they pleafe. This is a right, of which no pofitive inftitution can ever deprive them. ' ij li! GENERAL bESC^tPflON 'Thefe important truths, are far from being merely fpeculative i To their dperation, wfe are to afcribc the fcene, hitherto unparat^ leled, which America now exhibits to the world — a gentlei a* peaceful^ a voluntary ard a deliberate tranlition from one confti^. ttiition of government io another. In other parts of the ^lydrld, Ac idet of rcvoiutibns in government is, by a mournful an| in- diflbltibte ilSbciatidiiJi canne£led with. the idea of wars, and all the rd^ffellivefteps in improving the knowledge of gO' vwrn^Mbftt, atfd ^^rdiiiag 1^ happinefs of fociety and Mankind. With filent pleafure and admiriktibn we view the foi^ce and JH^dViilehdd,' i$i this f«ittrment throughput tlie Unit^ States, that tiitfr f«^^i¥efh£ 'power refides in the people; and that tfaey never can |»rt witit it.- It Btcy be called the PoffOfM in p6Utics. Thers can r^Aferei» no fuperior principle of iborreftfon. * ' -P ^ -= .v *;> , ; The leading principle in politics, and<^at Which ^lervades the American conftitutions, is, that the fuprene power relldes lathe people; their conftitution opens' wi^ a folemnand pcai^cal re- cognition oi this principle, ** WEyTKir PEOPLE or «|i« Igni- te n States, in oi-ddr to form a more perfe£): untot<) tftlpffli juftice, &c. no QRDAIM AKnVESTABLISH this eonftit^#in, for the United States: of Atmeric»^^ It is announced fa tl«(^^li|ne, it receives its polltiltStlexiftc^cifft'Om their authority-^t^iW^^ andeftablilKt Whit is the neceflary confeqtience^l ordain and eftabUfli, have' the power, if ^ey ttl repeal and annul.- — A proper attention to thia tisfy the nrinds of feme; who contend for the Tights. Its eftablifhment, I apprehend,' has more force, written on the fubjca^^it renders th|s truth?«indc«rtitat^^tl>co- plc have a right to ;&> what they pleafc, witk.i!i:g»rd t^^ilie gor vernmient. . - ' . ■■'■■| ♦* ' >■• -fe^? . Therefore, feven in a fuiglc gbv«rnment, if the poweaftM^the people feft on the fame eftabliflunent, as is cxpreffod in this con- Hitutton, a bill of rights is by no means a neceffary meafure. In a government poffelted of enumerated polwers, luch a meafure would be not only unneceflary, but prepoflerous and dangerous : OF THE UNITED STATES, *33 >iv)ie»cerome this notion, that in the United States there is no fe- curity wihout a bill of rights ? Have the citizens of South Carolina no fecurity for their liberties ? they hove no bill of ngh^. Are the citizens on the eaftern Ade of the Delaware lefs free, or lefs fe- cured in their liberties, than thofe on the weftem fide ? The State of Ncw-Jerfey has no bill of rights^— ^The State of New- York has no bill of rights.— >-The ftates of Connefiicut and Rhodo- Ifland haVft no bill of rights^ I Hnow not whether I have exaftly enumerated the States who have thought it unneceflary to add « bill of rights to their conftitutions ; but this enumeration will ferve to fhew by experience, as well as principle, that even in (ingle governments, a biU of rights is not aa eflential or neceflary meafure.— -But in a government, coniifting of enumerated powers, fuch as is adopted by the Ut^i^ed States, a bill of rights would not only be unneceflary, but, in my humble judgment, highly impru- dent. In all focieties, there are many powers and rights, which cannot be particularly enumerated. A bill of rights annexed to a roti 'tution, is an enumeration of the powers fefcrved. If we at- Ce. can be neceflkry only to thofe, who pafs the fee, and referve only afentdbaargi^ Vfe To eVeiry fuggeltion concerning a bill of rights, the citizens of the Unite4 States may always fay, WE reserve the richt to OO WHAT W» VLBASS. This obfervation naturally leads to a more particular confidcr. ation of the government before us. In order to give permanency, ftability and fecurity to any government, it is of eflential import- ance, that its legifl^ture fhould be reflraincd ; that there fliould '^fe; 'ill >d4 GENERAL DESCAlPtlOM not only be^ what wc call a pafflw, but an aSive power ovtt it | for of all kinds of defpotifmj this is the moft dreadful, and th« moft dtfllcult to be corrected. It is therefore proper to have efficient reflrainis upon the legif. lative body< Thefe reftraints arife from different fburces : In the American conftitution they are produced in a very conftdcr* able degree, by a divifion of the powef in the legiflative body it^ felf. Under this fyflem, they may arife likewiftf from the inter, ference of thofe officers^ who are introduced into tl)e executive and judicial departments. They may fpring alfo from another fource ; the eleftion by the people ; and finally, under this confti« tution, they may proceed from the great and Uft refprt— from the PEOPLE themfelves* In order to fecure the preiident ftjpm any dependence upon the legiflature, as to his falary, it is provided^ th^t he (hall, at fUted times, receive for his ferviccs, a compenfatioo that fha)l neither be increafed nor diminifhedf during the period for which h« fhall have been elefted, and that he fhall not receive, within that pert« ed, any other emolument from the United States, or any of them individually. To iecure td the judges independence, it is ordered that they fhall receive for their fervices, a compenfation which fhall not be diminifhed during their continuance in office. The Congreis may be retrained, by the ele£Uon of its confUtueiit partSu, If a legiflature fhould make a law contrary tp tj^ conftitution, or ep'* , prefEve to the people, they have in it their power, every (ccon4 year, in one branch, and every fixthyear in the other^ to 4ifplace the men, who ad: thus inconfiflent with their duty ; and if this is not fufficient, they have flill a farther power ; they may< aflume into their own hands, the alteration of tKthe tenant. There is flill a further reilraint upon the legiflature—f^e ^uali. fied negative of the prefident. This will be attended with very important advantages, fpr the fecurity and h^ppincfii of the people of the United States. The prefident will nptbe a ftl^aoger to the country, to its laws, or its wifhes. He will, undes Uut Conftitu- tion, be placed in ofifice as the prefident of the whole vuiion, and be chofen in fuch a manner, that he may jufUy be ftUed th( ma.n or THiB People ; being elefted by the different puts of the United States, he will confiderhimfelfasnot palrticularly interefl- ed for any one of them, but will watch over the whole Kjrith pa^ ternal care and affeftion. This will be his natural conduft, to re. commend himfelf to thofe who placed him in that high chair, and. it is a very important advantage, that fuch a man mufl have every law.prefentiMi to him^ before it can become binding upon the OF THE UNITED STATES. «35 United States. He will have before him the fuUeft information of their fttuation, he will avail himfelf not only of records and offi. ciaV communications, foreign and domeftic, but he will have alfo the advice of the executive officers in the different departments of, the general government. If in confequence of this information and advice, he exertife the authority given to him, the effeft will not be loft— he returns his objed:ions, together with the bill, and uniefs two thirds of both branches of the legiflature are now found to approve it, it does not become a law. But even if his obje£lions do not prevent its paC fmg into a law, they will not be ufelefs ; they will be kje£lions fhall have been made, it is provided, in order to fecure thegreateftde- gree of caution and refponfibility, that the votes of both houfes ihall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the per* fons, voting for and againft the bill, ihall be entered in the jour- nal of each houfe refpe£itively. Thus much with regard to the Conftitution itfelf, the diftribution of the legiflative authority, and the reftraints under which'lt is exercifed. On the whole, though there are fome parts of the conftitution which we cannot approve ; and which, no doubt, by the powers vefted in congrefs, and the legiflatures of the different fta'tes, for that purpofe, will in due time be altered or correfled, as prudence ihall di%te ; yet there is much, that entitles it to the refpefl of every friend to the freedom and happinefs of mankind : — ^the peo. pie retain th and the patriots, who devote their talents and time, at the expence of their private interefts, to the toils of enlightening and dire£ling their fellow citizens, and thereby refcue citizens and rulers of re- publics from the covtmr' , and too often merited, charge of ingra- titude. Pra£li .ndu. frugality, tempei ' n^oderation, and the whole lovely train ot republican virtues. Baniih from your borders the liquid fire of the Weft-Indies, which, while it entails poverty and dileafe, prevents induftry, and foments private quar- rels. Venerate the plough, the hoe, and all the implements of agriculture. Honour the men, who with their own hands main- tain their families, and raife up children who are inured to toil, and capable of defending their country. Reckon the neceflity of labour not among the curfes, but the bleffings of life. Your towns will probably ere long be engulphed in luxury and effeminacy. If your liberties and future profpe£b depended on them, yoUr career of liberty would probably be fhort ; but a great majority of your country, muft, and will be yeomanry, who have no other depen- dence than on Almighty God for his ufual blefling on their daily labour. From the great excefs of the number of fuch independent ^rmers in thefe States, over and above all other clafles of inha- bitants, the long continuance of your liberties may be reafonably prefumed.l* * ' " Let the faaplefs African fleep undifturbed on his native fhore* and give over wilhing for the extermination of the ancient pro- prietors of this land. Univerfal juftice is univerfal interefl. The moft enlarged happinefs of one people, by no means requires the degradation or deftruflion of another. It would be more gloriou^ to civilife one tribe of favages, than to exterminate or expel a fcore* There is territory enough for them and for you. Inftead of in- vading their rights, promote their happinefs, and give them no reafon to curfe the folly of their fathers, who fuffered your'i} to fit down on a foil which the common Parent of us both had previoufly afligned to them : but above all, be particularly careful that your own defcendents do not degenerate into favages. Diffufe the means of education, and particularly of\religious inftru£lion, through your remoteft lettlements. To this end, fupport and ftrengthen the hands of your public teachers. Let your voluntary contributions confute the difhonourable pofition, that religion can- not be fupported but by compulfory eftabliihments. Remember that there can be no political bappinclii without liberty ; that there »$• OENERAL DESCRIPTION ein bt «kO liberty ml^iout morality : and that there can be no mOb rality without religion." " It i« now your turn to figure on the face of the earth, and in the annaU of the world. You poiTeit a country which in left than • century will probably contain fifty millions of inhabitants. You have, with a great expence of blood and treafure, refcued your, fclves and your pofterity from the dominion of Europe. Perfe^ the good work you have begun, by forming fuch arrangements and inftitutions, as bid fair for enfuring, to the prefent and future ge- nerations, the bleflings for which you have fuccef%fuUy con- tended." " May the Almighty Ruler of the Univerfe, who has raifed yovt to independence, and given you a place among the nations of the earth, make the American Revolution an era in the hiftory of the world, remarkable for the progefllve increafe of human hap« pineis !" Having coniidered the Conftitution in its theory, it now remains ' to contemplate it as reduced to pra£lice ; or rather the government arifing out of it : and here the United States prefent to our view, « pifture very different, from any we behold in the various coun* tries of Europe. In the United States we fee the people raifed to their due im« portance, reforting to firft principles, averting their own, inde-i pendance and forming a government for themfelves ; and when eleven years experience had convinced them of its infufficiency to fecure the important ends for which they defigned it, we again be'' hold them laying it afide, and difcarding the contemptible argun menta that would render innovation formidable, raifing a new and more perfeft fyflem in its place, publifhijrig it in their own name and giving it energy and efFe£l, by their own willing fubmifllon to the laws and regulations it enjoins-— >here then we..contemplate the government fpringing from its right fource ; originating with the people, and exercifed under the guidance of a conftitution formed agreeable to their fovereign will. On the contrary, if we carefully examine the Conftitutions, or what are fo called, in Europe, wO ihall find that they have had their origin in governments, prior formed by conqueft and ufurpation ; and that what appearance of order they have afTumed, what portion the people poifefs in them, or what provifion they make for the fecurity of their liberties or property, have all been gradually procured by the people, ftrug. gling againft the feverity and opprelllon of the feudal fyflem* Such was the origin of our Magna Charta, Habeas Corpus A£fc, and Bill of Rights, and fuch has been the origin of the fmall portion of liberty, which the other European nations poflefs. It is to America we mufl look for the firft and bright example, of a nation Of THE UNITED STATES. «8d fitting clown in peace, caufing a defe£kive government to paA away without a groan, and erefting another in its ftead more benecfiial^ and more congenial with its wi(he|* The goodnefs of a government, muft be eftimated by the (hare which the people at large have in it, the benefits they derive from it, and the fmall portion of individual liberty and property fur- rendered for its fupport. If we apply this criterion to the go. vernment of the American empire, we (hall find that it has a ftrong claim to our approbation, th^ whole of it may juftly be con- fidered as in the hands of the people. Its beneficial influenopj may be fairly concluded from the rifing importance, and rapid improvements of the United States ; and the fmall portion of pro. perty furrendered for its fupport will appear evident, if we c Ditto to the Vicc-Prefident Judges. Compenfation to the Chief Juftice Ditto, to five aflbciate Judges, at 3,500 dollars per annum each - . Ditto, to the Judges of the following diftrifts, viz. Maine - New Hampfbire Vermont - '« Maflachufetts - . . Rhode Ifland " • - • Connecticut - ~. New York - . ' - Ncwjerfey « - Penn(ylvania • , , Delaware, - » Maryland - \. - * Virginia - . Kentucky - " . North Carolina - / - $outh Carolina * Georgia ... Attorney General - - - Dob. Dels. 25,000 6,000 4,000 4,000 >,oo« 80Q 1,200 800 1,600 »,5<» XjOOO ;,6qq 800 ii500 x,8oo 1,000 1,500 1,800 1.500 30.00^ 43>2«o •4« GENERAL DESCRIPTION l"i: il|l \ ill';,:! MEMBIKI or TUB •■NATI AND HOUSE Ot RBrRBIIKTATlVllff AND THBIK OmCERS. Confittfiaum t$ ihi Mmiert tf Ccnjre/s, efiimating tie attenJatut of the mhohfoifjix montit. Speaker of the Houfe of R^refentatives at twelve > dollars per daiy •• - a)i90 One hundred and thirty-four members, at fix dol- lars per day ... 146,730 Travelling expences to and from the feat of go- vernment « - •' 35,000 Secretary of the Senate for one year's falary f 1,50a Additional allowance eftimated for fix < months, at two dollars per day [^ 365 1,865 Principal clerk to the Secretary of the Senate, for 365 days, at three dollars per day • 1)095 ' Two engrofling clerks to ditto, at two dollars per ^ day each, for 365 days - - 1,460 Chaplain to the Senate, eftimated for fix months, at 500 dols. per annum - - 350 Door-keeper to the Senate, one year's fabry 500 iVfiiftant door-keeper, do. do. - - 450 Clerk to the Houfe of Reprefentatives, one year's falary » - Additional allowance, eftimated for fix months, at two dollars per day { 1,500 365 1,865 Principal clerk in the office of the clerk of the Houfe of Reprefentatives, for 365 days at 3 dols. per day 1,095 Two engrofling clerks at two dollars per day each, for 365 days - ■ - - i)46o Chaplain to the Houfe of Reprefentatives, efti- mated for fix months, at 500 dols. per annum 1250 Serjeant at Arms for the fame time, at 4 dols. per day ' 730 Door-keeper to the Houfe of Reprdentatives, one year's falary - -> - 500 Afliftan^ door-keeper do. do. . . 4110 •1 85,89* pkfAs VNtT^A STArik »ii TrBASUAY DxrARTMINT. Secretary of the Treafury ' - Two principal derki at 800 dollars each Five clerks at 500 dollars each - • Meflengtr and office-keeper Comptroller of th6 Treafui-y Principal clerk ' - • •> Thirteen derki at 500 dollars each M effenger and office-keeper • • Treafinrer - - - - Prliidpalderk Two derks at 500 dollars each Melfenger and office-keeper Auditor of the Treafury .... Principal clerk - - - Fourteen clerks at 500 dollars each Salary of the meffenger Conuniflioner of the revenue Principal and fix other clerks, on the bufinefs of the revenue, li^ht houfes, general returns, and flatonents, &c. ... Meffenger and office keepdr • <- Regifler of the treafiiry • . Three clerks on the itnpofl, tonnage, and excife accounts ... Two ditto, on the hooks and records relative to the receipt and expenditures of public monies Two ditto, on the duties affigned to the regifler, by the a£ts concerning the regiflering and re- cordingj enrolling and licenfing fhips or vcflels Three ditto, for drawing out, checking, and if. fuing, and taking receipts for certificates of the domeflic and aflTumed debts Three ditto, on the books of the general and par. ticular loan offices, comprehending,theinterefl, accounts, and chinked dividends, at thc^evecaJl loan offices ^ . . Dols. Dols. 8,500 i,6oo 8,500 850 a,^60 860 7,850 6,500 850 1 10,800 2,400 600 1,000 100 4,100 2,400 8oq 7,000 250 J 1 »o,45o 8,400 3»500 « 250 6,15© 2,O0O 1,500 1,000 1,000 *.50o t,50€lL I 1 M« GENERAL DSSCRIPTtaU Doli. Six clerks on the books an J records which relite 'to the public creditors, onthefeversi defcrip- tions of (lock and trantfers Two ditto, on the books and records of rigi Acr- ed debt, including the payment of its interAft One ditto, to complete the arrangement of the public fecuritiea in books prepared for their reception in numerical order Two ditto, on the books of the late government One tranfcribing clerk Two office-keepers incident to the feveral offices of record, at 250 dollars per annum each DSPARTMINT or StATI. The Secretary of State Chief Clerk Four clerks, at 50O' dollars each Clerk for foreign languages Office-keeper and meffenger 3i0OO t,ooo 500 1,000 £0O 500 C 3»500 800 a,0QO »5o Mint of th& United States, Dire£^r of the Mint Aflayer - - - . Chief coiner - - - Engraver «» - - * Three clerks, at 500 dollars each The Director ediniates ten or twelve workmen at 65 dollars per week - ^ - s^ooo 1,500 i,5<»o 1,500 i>600 3.385 X>oIs« iSfOoo 53>750 6,800 ii,»85 * The dire£lor obrerves, that three clerks we cfttmated to provide againft a con. tingency; but of the three eftimated for laft year, only one had been employed, and that at 400 dollars per annum, excepting three months laft winter, for which one other was paid at the rate of 500 dollars per annum. OF THE UNITED STATES, •48 Dels. Dolt. DlVARTMENT Qt WaR. > The Secretary of the Deptrtment Principal clerk ... 8,000 800 •> Six clerks, at 500 dollars each - • 3,000 s Meflenger and ofHce>kecper • • «60 Accomptant of the \v»r department Seven clerks, at 500 dollars each s,2oo 3.500 7.o;o 4, ,00 Lkvd OrrjctRi. For New Hampfliire Maflachufetts Rhode Ifland Connefticut New-York New-Jerfay Pennfylvania Delaware Maryland % Virginia ¥ North Carolina $outh Carolina Georjgia ^p too >,oop >»S0© 700 >»5'J0 600 a cob >.500 s,ooo a, 000 700 i?,7$o »3,«50 GOVERKMENT OF THE WeJ.TERN TsRRITOXY. DifiriS North Weft of the River Ohio, Governor, for his falary as fuch, and for difcharg- ing the duties of Superintendant of Indian Affairs, Northern Department - 2,000 The Secretary of the faid diftrift - 750 Three Judges at 800 dols. each - - 2,400 (Stationary, office-rent, &c. - - 350 ':i' T- 5,500 I I a 111 li 1 1 rnii. fi illlllli ill ill! ?44 GJ^.^J^A^ pSSC^J,PTICl^ PoU* Ctf, DiJlriSt Seut^ Wejh afthe.Riwr Ohio, Governor, for his falary as fuch, and for dif- charging the duties of Superintendant of In- dian AjRfairs, Southern Department SjOQO Secretary of the faid di{lri£l - • T50~' Three Judj^es at BoQ dels, each - 2,400 ' Stationary, office-rent, &c. • - jj^p $»59? Pensions granted by the late Goveiinment. Ifaac Van Voert, John Paulding, and David Williams, each a penfion of ^OO dollars per annum purfuant to an a£l of Congrefs of 23d Nov. 1780 - Dominique I'Eglize, per aA of Congrefs of 8th Auguft, 179a - - Jofeph Trayerfe per ditto Youngef^ children of the late major-general Warren, per aft of the 1 ft July, 1780 Samuel ^^Kenzicj Jofeph Bruflels, and John Jordon, per aft of 1 0th Sep. 1783, entitled to a pcnfion of 40 dollars each per annum £liz. Bergen, per aft of 21ft Auguft, 17^1 Jofeph De Beauleau, per aft of 5th Augyft 1782 « - - Richard Cridley, per afts of 17th Nov. «77S| and 26th Feb. 1.781 Lieut. Col. Toufard, per aft of 27th Oft. 1 78$ 12Q 120 53 33. 100 444 40 360 • 8,367 7$ Grant to Baron Steuben, &c. His annual allowance per aft of Congrefs 3)5?0 Annual allowance to the widow and orphan children of Col. John Hsrding, per aft of 27th February 1793 - 450 Annual allowance to the orphan children of Ma- jor Alexander Trueman, per fame aft 300 Annual allowance for the education of Hugh Mercer, fon of the late major-general Mer- cer, per aft dated ad March^ ^793 ~ 499 3.6£« air T^jB UNITEm STATES, DoU. For the Incipemtax. and Contingbiit BXFEMCES RBtATIVE TO THE ClVI|. List EsTAitisHMENT*. Secretary of the Senate, his eftimate ' t 3)000 Clerk of th« i^oufe of Reprefen^tiycf , hi|l do. 7,000 •45 Ctt. » 0.090 Treasury Department. Secretary of the Treafury, per eftimate Comptroller of the Treafury, per do. Treafurer, per do. Commiflioner of the Revenue, per do. Auditor of the Treafury, per do. Regifter of the Treafury (including books for the public ftocks) per do. Rent of the Treafury - - - Ditto, of a houfe taken for a part of the office of the Regifter - - - Ditto, of a houfe for the ofEce of the Com- miflioner of the Revenue, and for part of the office of the Comptroller, and part of the office of the Auditor Rent of a houfe for the office of the Auditor, and a fmall ft;ore for public papers Wood for the department (Treafurers except- ed) candles, &c.. ... 500 800 400 300 500 a,ooo 650 940 266 66 440 i.aoo .7,896 66 Department of State. Including the expence which will attend the publication of the laws of the firft feffion of the third Congrefs, and for printing an edition of the fame to be defti1but ■ ■' 2,700 * Under thii head are comprehended fire-wood and ftationary, together with p^mtin(> work, and all the contingent expence* of the two hoofe* of Congrefi, rent and office f xpenfes of the three feveral department!, viz, Trnuiry, State and War> and alfo for the Mint of the United Sutcs. 'iiirii! i i!ll,-' Wj i;!i:i m ill:' •46 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Defartment of War. Secretary at War, per flatement Accomptant to the war department Cts. 1,200 *3.2S8 33 Total Dollars 397,201 6 An additional EJlimateyfor making good deficiencies for theftipport <^ the Civil tLiJl eJlabliJkmtnt,Jor aiding the fund appropriated for the payments of certain o§tcers.of tht Courts^ Jurors and Witneffes^feir thefupport of the Light-houfesy and for other purpqfes, i! Dols. Cts, To laake good deficiencies for the fupport of the Civil Lift for the year 1 793. Extra clerk-hire, in the o(Bc& of the Secretary of ■ ' •> State, in preparing documents for Congr^fs 600 For an index to the laws of the ad Congrefs 200 Soo The Secretary at War, his eftimates to make good fo much ftiort, eftimated, for contingent ex- penccs for the year 1793, - • Additional compenfation from 1 ft Oft. »793> to 31ft December following, to certain public oiHcers, by aft paffed the fecond of March, «793*- Auditor oi the Treafury, at 500^ dols. per ann. Commiflioners of the Revenue, ditto Comptroller of the Tieafury, at 500 dols. per annum - - - - Regiftcr of the Treafury, ditto 205 76 »2S 125 300 62 50 6a 50 '375 1,380 76 • By the faid aft, this additional compenfation commenc;£d the firft of April. ,793, the two quarters preceding the firft Oft. i793« w*'* P»»^ °"* °^ ^^ ^""f; 4,169 dollars, gr«tted in the appropriation of 1,589,044 76-100 dollars for the purpofe of difcharging claims admitted in due courfc of fettlemeat of the Trct^ Liy. PiF |:^£ UNITED STATES, 44^ Mxpenecs of Cotnmifioners of Loans for Cierk-hire find Stationary^ from \ft March 1793, to 31/8 December 1794. The accounts of many of the faid commifltoners having been tratifmitted to the ti^eafury, under an idea that legiflative provi* fton will be mtdt for defraying the faid expences, the following ftatement, extrafted from their faid accounts, fo far as the fame have been rendered, will fhew the amount thereof at each loan- oSce, viz. Pols. Cts. Nbw-Hampsh;rb, Eftimate 697 i Massachusetts, Account rendered in the month of March I . Do. from ift April to 30 June Do. from^ift July to 30th Sept. Eftimate from ift October to 31ft December, the fame as the preceding quarter 3a6 12 816 97 865 85 865 85 68 83 190 381 74 48 5,874 79 RHODE-Iit'ANO. Account rendered from ift March to 31 ft do. Ditto from ift April to 30th June £flimate from ift July to 3 ift Dec. Connecticut. Account rendered from ift March to 30th June - * - - - - 408 94 Do. from ift July to 30th Sept. - 256 52 Eftimate from ift 0£l. to 31ft Dec. - 256 52 64» 5 New-York. Account rendered from ift March to 3ift March .... Do. from ift April to 30th June Do. from ift July to 30lh Sept. Eftimate from 6th 0£l. to 31ft Dtc. t New-Jerset. Accoun^ rendered from ift March to 31ft March ..... Do. from ift April to 30th June Do. from ift July to 30th Sept. , Hiftiraate from ift Oft. to 31 Dec. 5»S »,430 38 1,303 81 1,303 81 921 9ft 26 8 54 5» 54 5a 4.- 55 3 S21 't\ I'll m M^i Pennsylvania. Accduht rendered froiii tft March to 31(1 do. 154 16 EfUmaite from i(i April to 31(1 Dec. - I131) 44 Account rendered from ift March to 3 ill do. Eftimate frbm ift April to 31ft Dec. Maryland. Account rendered from id to 31(1 March Eftimate from nalties, having laft year proved infufficient for the difcharge of the accounts of clerks , Skc. to 1,541 62 25 225 110 50 99« 50 »5<> i;ioa 397 16 74» »9 ^49 5 649 5 a,a^e 4^ 800 127 47 877 50 380 43 380 43 1,265 83 940 23,622 25 As Ctii ,54* <5a »50 i;ioa 1,2^6 4^ •40 13,622 25 THE t/NlTkb STATES, Vrliicli they were appointed, a fuitt for the pre- fent year is eftimated, in order to provide againft a fimilar contingency, of . • For the maintenance and fupport of Hght-houfei beacons, public pitrs and {leakage of chan- nels, bars and (hoals, and for occafionMl im- provements in the cpi^ruftion of kmterns^ and 61 the lamps and mMeri^s ufed there- m - - To make good a deficionlcy in the eflimate for 1792, for the fame objefts ... r or the expences towards the fafe-keeping and profecuting of perfons committed for offences againft the United States . . . . For the purchafe of hydrometers for the ufe .of ithe officers of the Cuftomis and Infpcflors of Revenue for the year 1794 • - ' JFOR THE CoiNAGE OF COPPER AT THE MiNT OF THE UNITEb StAtE^. To replac^ (p much advanced at the Bank of the United States, fbr the purpofe of ah importa- tion of copper, utider the fuperintendehcy of the Direftor of the Mint To pay f6r copper purchafed in the year 17^3 For the purchafe of ditto 1794 - Arrears of Penfion due to the Widow and Or- phan children of Col. John Harding, For theit allowance from ifl of July 1792, td the 31(1 of Dec. {793, per aft of Congrefs, dat^ ed Feb. 27, 1793, at 450 dollars per annum Arrears of Penfion due to the Orphan childreti of Major Alexander Truman For the allowance from ift July, 179a, to the 31ft Dec. 1793, per a£t of Congrefs, dated 27th Feb. 1793, «t 300 dollars per annum For the indemnification of the eflimate of the late major general Green, for certain bonds entered into by him, during the late war, upon the principles of the aft of Congrefs for that purpoie, dated 27th April, 179a K K 349 Dolfc Ddi, ia,ood sb,6oo 4,060 ■ ■ ' >4,ooo 4,cdo 1,500 Si^o^ io,bob 7»35«> 7»350 84,700 675 fM 450 »»»aS lili' i i I ' i «J5« GEtfEkAL BESCRIPtlOit^ JW i balance (lated by tbe Auditor dS the Treat- fury to be due to faid eftate, in which is in-^ ' ckided intereft d^te on bonds flrom their dates^ to 12th April 1793 A 4 * • A To defray the eicpeiKes inddtnl to the floating and printing the public accoiuils for theyeai* 1793, in compliance wkh the order of th^ Houfe of ReprefentativcS| of jotth Dec, fj^^i For the di&harge of fuch demands againft the United States, not otherwifie provided for, as ihall. have been afeertained and admitted in due courfo of fettlement at the treafury, and which are of a nature according to the u£rg« thereof to require payment in fpecie •* Dols* thU. 33.**7 goo S»066 5i8oo Total^^ ^47^699) 79 I iP'i" J^imateofthe Expeucei of the iVar Departmatt, for theyttw 1794. AMOUNT OF PAY, DoU, Ctj* General Staff - . " - "- - - ^ 14>779 The fir ft fub-legion - - - - - - 7i».«aS fecond fub-legion - - - - ,- 70, sad third fub-legion • - - - - 7,i,fta8 fourth fub-legion - - - - •* 78^8- Subfiftencc - - - - - - - 3»*»567 7$ Forage - - - - - - - - J^j^S*^ Cloathing - - - - * - - i4a,000 Equipments for the Cavalry - - j- 7»3*4- i Horfes for the Cavalry, - - - 16,000 Bounty - - - «■ - 5»O0O Hofpital department - - - - - - 20,00a ORDNANCE DE'PAltl^MENT. ^^ For the falaries of ftore-kcopcrs at the different Arfc- nals ' - - 3>9»2 Rents .-----. - 1,083 Labourers, Ac. - - - - - - - I1720 The expences of new carriages for 230 pieces of brafs field artillery, at the different arfenals of the United States, averaged at 140 dollars each - - 32,100 ^0T THS UNITED STATES, The «xpences of new carriages for 1 34 iron cannon, garrilbn carriages, averag^ at 50 dollars each The expence of ao mortar beds, at 40 dols. each Repairs of i4,0QQarms at two dollars each Clearing of ia,ooo do. at 25 cents, in the different ar- fenals . . - * Repairs of fortifications at Wefl Point The expence of caiMng 5Q brafa field pieces out of the uieleis mortars - • 7 One hundred tons pf lead, at 8. 8-3 dols, per hun* dred ■• ^ » - Seventy-^ve tons of gun>powder, at 20 dols. per hundred ^ <* ^ One thou(and rifled muikcts, at 12 dolsj each Equipments for cavalry ^ * Ten thoufand knapfacks, at 5Q cents each « Ten thoufand cartridge boxes, at one dollar each Two thoufand tents, at iq dollars each One hundred horfenfan's tents, at 20 dollars each Twenty officers marquees, at 150 dollars each • For a magazine and buildings proper to conflitute a magazine an4 ?r|enal above Albany, in the ftate of New Yorl^ . - - !^or the purchafe of ground for ditto •. for the lame objeQs in a i'uitable polition above the flUs of Delaware - - ■» Defoniive prote^on of the frontiers For defraying the expences of the Indian department Quarter Mailers department - •• Contingencies of War department Invalid Penflone^s - * - Dols. Cts. 6,700 800 28,000 3,000 10,000 »7>333 ,34 30,000 12,000 8,250 5,000 10,000 20,000 2,000 3,000 6»OOQ 1,000 6,OOQ » 39,000 50,000 150,000, 30,000 8p?239 55 m Total. Dollars 1,45 7 9835 69 Circumflances having rendered it neceffary to attend to the de-r fence of the frontiers, as well as the fortifications of the principal ports of the United States, a confiderable addition mufl be made tq this eftimate for the prefent year. ' TOTAL EXPENDITURE. Qn the firfl of thcfeeftimates relating to the civil lift, or expenditure for the fupport of government du- ring the year 1794, including the incidental and / contingent expences of the fcveral departments and offices ^ - - , 397,201 6 ' K K 2 * km % m m A5> GENERAL DESCRIPTIOJ^^ On the fecond relating to certain deficiencies in for- mer appropriations for the fupport of government, to a provifionin aid of the f^nd heretofore eftabliih- cd for the compenfation of certain officers of the courts, jurors, witnefles, &c. to the maintenance of light-houles, beacons, buoys and public piers, and to certain other purpofes therein fpecified — The third relating io the department of War, compre- hending the probable expenditure of that depart- ment for the year 1 794, including certain ext'^io. - dinaries for buildings, repairs, arms and mii^ >ry ftores, amounting to 202,783 dollars and 34 cents^ and a fum of 80,239 dollars and 55 cents, for pen- Dols. Gtl. 147,689 78 (ions to invalids, - - »,457»*35 ^9. <■ I " * ' ■■■■■■■■< To^al amouifit 2,002,741 53 FINANCES. I The funds, out of which appropriations may be made for the foregoing purpofes, are— >tft. The fum of 600,000 dollars referved annually for the fupport of government, out of the duties on im- ports and tonnage, by the a£): making proviiion for the debt of the llniied States, and which will accl-ue in the year i794.-r-adv The furplus of revenue and income beyond the; appropriations heretofore charged thereupon, to the end of the fame year 1794> The ftatement herewith fubmitted, fhews a furplus to the end of 1793, of 2,534,212 dollars, and £[2 cents, which it is believed may be relied upon, . . , StatemeiU oftht Revenue of the United States, and jff^opriation* charged therem^ to the end of the year I793> BEVENUI. , . . •'■''/ Proceeds of the duties on imports and tonnage, and of fines, penalties and forfeitures, from the com- mencement of the prefcnt government to the 31ft of December 1791 r ■ -• ' - - Proceeds of duties on fpirits diftilled within the United States, for half a year, ending the 31ft of Dec. 1791, agreeable to accounts fettled at the trea- fury » - - ■ - Doh. Cts. 6.534>263 ?4 »4»i849 98 0F THE UNftkD STATES' 'M Dols, Ctt. Proceeds of duties on imports and tonnage^ and of fines, penalties, and forfeitures for the /ear i79P> agreeable to accounts fettled at the treafury 4)^^5>559 Proceeds of duties on fpirits didilled within the United States in the year 179s, agreeable to Re- counts fettled at the treafury 294,344 35, to which add the difference between the faid fum, and the amount eftimated for 1792) for accounts remain- to be fettled 105,655 dollars and 65 cents 400,000 Proceeds of duties on imports and tonnage, and of fines, penalties and fo|:feitures for the year 1 793, eftimated nearly the fame as for the year 179a 4,617,510 proceeds of duties on fpirits diftilled within the United States^ in the year 1793, leftimated at the fame as for the year 179a jCafli received into the treafury to the end of the 1791, from fines, penalties and forfeitures, and for balances _ . jCaiih recibivedintp the treafury to the end of the year 1792, for arms and accoutrements fold, fines and penalties, balance of accounts fettled,' aiid on ac- count of the dividend delared by the bank of the United States, to June 30, 179^ - 21,860 8^ Cafli received into the treafury during the year 1 793, un account of patents, 636 dollars of cents and half cents coined at the mint, 1,154 3-100 ^Pi- lars, balances' due lindfcr the government 8,448, 58-1O0 doUai's ; and on oii account of dividends declared by the bank of the United States, from the ift of July, 1792, to the 30th of June, 1793, 40OjO0O ".335 93 38^500 dollars ^_ J - - Eftimatedproduift' of the dividend to be declared from the ift of July to the 31ft of Dec. 1793, be- yond the intereft payable to the bank on the loan of , two millions - - 48,732 61 10,000 16,801,112 23 - APPROPRIATIONS. Dates of Afls. 1789, Aug. 20. For treaties with the Indians Sept. 29. For the fervice of the year 1 789 1790, Mar. 26. Forthe fupportof government for the year 1790 Dols. Cts. 20,000 693,000 754,658 99 H4 q£N£M4l P^SCHI^T^^N, 'a' l' Dolt. Cm. 120,000 1790, July I. For intjcrcourre vitb/oreign nations, for the ycn$ 1790, 1791, «nd 1792 For ratiiifyin|( the claims of Johii M'Cord - - - tf309 71 July 2a. For treajties with certain Indian tribes ao,obo Aug. 4. For ipltercfl on th^ debts, foreign and domcftic, for the year 179I1 cli- mated 9( - - 2^060,861 40 For ditto ditto lyfj * 1,849,194 74 for ditto ditto 179J - 2,849,194 73 For the eflablifl^ment of cutters 10,000 10. For finifliing the light-boufp on Portland-head - i>50P Fpr the relief of difabledfoldicrs and fe^men, and certain other perfonsi j;48 57 IS. For fundry objefts - 933,21$} 97 For the reduction of the public debt, being furplus of revenue to the end of the year 1790 li^l^t^ifS ^Q I7yi, Feb. II. For the fi^p|>ort of government du- ring the year 1731,, and for other purpofes - - 740>33a <[q March 3. For a recognition of the treaty with Morocco - - ?P>POQ For compenfations to the officers of the judicial courts, jurors, and wit- lielTes, fad for other purpofes ; be. jngnetprpoeed^of Rnes, penalties^ and forfeitures, to the end of the year 1791 For rafing and adding another reei- iment to the military eftabliih- ^055 33 gunent to tne military xnent, and for making farther pro- vifion for the prote6kion of the frontiers Dec. 31. For the iupport of government for the year 1 79a 1792, April 2. For finishing the light-houfe on Baldhcad - For the mint eflablifhment 13. For compenfating the corporation of truftces of the public grammar fchool and academy of Wilmington ^t5$i ^4 312,686 20 1,059)222 81 4,000 7,00a Of THE UNITED STaTE^. Mwy t. F«r th* procefltion of the frontiers, and other purpofei -^ For intereft at 400,000 dollar* receiv<< ed on account of a loan horn dhe bank of the United State* of S^StSod dolUn^ to Dee. $tf 1793 i. For fundry objeAs « . « For compenfating the fervic^s of the fete Col. Oeor^ Gibl'on For an advance on^aocountof the clkim of John fi^o^im Cutting vjf$t Febii 91 For imtercourfe wit%! foreign nations tor flie yfear tf^^ - - - a8. For the ferVice 6f the*»year i79'3 For intereft on a loan of 8oo,coo dol- lars from tfi« Bank of the X3ni\itd' State8,.to 31ft Dec. 1793 For defraying the expence of cldi4i'a of courts, jurors and witnefles, be- in^ the net proceeds of fines, pe- nalties and forfeitures,- to the end of the year 1^91 ... March 2. For treaties with the Indian tribes north weft of the river Ohio For the relief of Elijah Boftwick For defraying certain fpccific de-. mands - • - Dob. Ct«. 673,500 a«.75S ♦» *4f497 9^ 1,000 2,000 40,ootf «*»31l 301 46 100,000 »45 4» 59.»07 4» 14,266,899 41 Balance being the eftimated furplus of* revenue to the end of the year 1 793, CoUe&ed and to be colle£led, beyond (he appropriations charged thereon 2,534,212 82 Dols. 16,801,112 23 /The produft oTthe duties on imports and tonnage, for the pre- fent year, is eftimated, according to the afcertained amount, in th» preceding year. This eftimate is juftiHed by the abftra£l herewith alfo fnbmitted, exhibiting the produf^ for the two firft quarters of the prefent year, as founded on returns received at the treafury^ l^eing 2,568,870 dollars and 22 cents, The produd for the two hi m^ m ■ m ill I :f'| ill •5$ Mmkinifig Quarters is not computed at high u thi • at the two firft, becaufe circumftahces afid information render it pfd^^able; that it will bfe lefs, and that the drawbacks payable within the lad, will be more conftd^rable than thofe payiible within the firft half year. The dcertatined produ£fc of r793,''theuatei of duty being the fam«, is deemed the fafeft guide. Some favings upon the fum appropriated for different purpofes may render this eftinuted furpUis more confiderable than it flated : but while the extent of thefe favings cannot be deemed very great, their amount (thefe purpofes not being yet fuHy fatisfied) tan- not be pronounced. If the produftof the year 1794, fhould equal that of the prefent year, the fund will be more than fuflicient for the appropriation propoied to be charged upon it. If thi) cannot entirely be counted upon, it is hoped that a reliance may be en- tertained of its proving at leaft adeqiute. jihflraS of the New jimouni of Duties on Jmporit and Tonnage, whUi bovf atcrutd in the United States during thefirfi andfecond Quarters of the Tear 1795. STATES. ijt dr. Ending ^\Ji. »d Qr. ending TeiMi ameunt. iUrck 17^3, 3»lk June 1 Dols. Cents. DoU. Cent!. Dols. Cents. N. Hampfliire . 26,393 «<5 , 26,3^^ 26 Maffachufefts 7,823 ^2 3.4 340,621 5 3.4 348,444 58 1-2 Rhode Ifland 1,665 53 67.078 9'3 68,744 45 Conne£licut «6,394 47 70,507 »4 96,902 31 Vermpnt - m New York 122,419 49 532,542 45 654,961 94 New Jerfey Pcnnlylvania 9H 31 1,879 4 a>8o3 35 157.5*3 93 586,000 743.5*3 93 Delaware , '29 7 . 2,319 71 2,448 78 Maryland 49.5" 54 3-4 161,987 28 3-4 211,499 83 i-i Virginia Kentucky 40.993 '5 104,182 62 1-2 »45.»75 77 »-« N. Carolina *5.37« 75 3-4 16,696 93 ,' 42,068 68 3*4 S. Carolina 91,040 54 106,547 64 197,588 18 Georgia «7.9*3 23 2,367 67 30,290 90 V Dcdua N. Hamp. 551,721 54 1-4 1,893 4« I-* 2,019,124 44 2.570.84598 ^-4 Vermont. - 82 33 1,97575 1-2 Net amount. 54.9,828 II 3-4 2,019,042 II 2,568,870 22 3-4 But there is a provifxon alfo to be made for the payment of in-- tereft on the balances found by the commiilioners for fettling ac- f anmtar. Cents.' S5I H 45 >a 3» 1-2 5i 94 >3 35 «3 93 ^8 78 ^983 15 77 i-a 1-2 >8 68 i8 18 3*4 ^0 90 4598 i-4 75 75 1-2 y ■ Counts between the United and individual States, in favour of ccrtun Uates. The annual Aim of intercft upon thofe balances, it 1 aSiQ-j^S dollars and 8 cents, computed according to tlie proportions by which intereflt is a'djuded on the aflfumed debt. If Congrefs (hall think proper tb make the requifite provifion out of the dutieson im- ports and tonnage, it will be neceffacy to its cfBcacy, that a pri^ ority be fecured to it t an objeft which will require attention in making Uic appropriations above contemplated* Itiscon- ^dered, that there will be dill no hazard of deficiency ; and if there fhould be any^ it would fecm moH proper, that it fhould fall on the appropriation for the current fervicc, to be fupplitd, till further provifion can be made, by a loan* A provifion for paying, during the year 1794, intcreft on fuch part of the domeflic debt, as may remain unlubfcribcd, will como under a like confidcratioht ' It appears pro^T, UktJWifc, to notice, tliat no provifion has yet been made, for pitying the yearly intcreft, on the two million loan had of the bUnk of the United , Stages.. The bank has hitherto difcountcd the amount of that iiitereft out of its divi« d^nds on the ftock belonging to the Uhitea States, but Tor want of an approbation the bufinei's cannot receive a regular adjufl- tUtnt at the trealiiry. An appropriation of fo much of the divi- dends as m9)r hfi fieccflary towards the payment of the inhered will obviate the difficulty.— -The fecond inftalment of that Ipan has been comprifed in the foregoing view ; becaufe it is imagined that Congrefs may judge it expedient to provide for its payment out of the foreign fund, as they did with -regard to the fifft in- ftalment. The ftatement herewith alfo communicated, exhibit^ the prefent fituation of that fund, (hewing a biilance unexpended of five hundred and feventy-feven thoufand, two hundred and eighty-four dollars, and fifty-fix cents, liable to the obfi^vation at the bottom thereof. State of Monies trans/erred to thtUniud States^ out of the proceeds of Foreign JLoanSi To this fum paid to France for the ufc of St Domingo - - DolS. Payment to France of 3 millions of Hvres, ^ purfuant to an agreenicnt with M. Ternaat - - - Ditto for mifcellaneous purpofcs paid to M. Tenant - - - - Inftalment due to France, September 3d, *793» »j50o,ooo livres No. V. L t Dr. ^26,020 544.500 49,400 272,250 i ■(! s^^ GENERAL tfESCRIPTlM Inftalmpnt due to France November ^tb^ *793> i)000,oo6 livrei. On which there hn& bccii j^d t>ots, 1 78^879 35 Balahcc to be paid •* « 2^620 65 181,500 Payirient Aiade to foreign of-' ficers - . Referved to be paid Dol$. 66,089 ff ia5,aa7 13 »9».3»6 9* This fum expended in pur- chafes of the public debt^ : viz, 1793, Feb. 4, Ditto 19, Sept. 2, DoU, r 0,000 234,901 89 5,000 Inflalment to the bank of the United States Balance fubjed to further difpofitioa 334,gdi 8(/ 200,000 577,284 5G Dols. 3,077,173 35 By this funi drawn by the trcai'urcr on the commiffioners in Am* ilerdam. ' , , ■ ■ ' . - • . -. , Cr, Florins 5*649>62* 8-*2,3d5,769 13 Frotn which deduft the amount of bills L fold to the bank of .. ^ , the United States^ afterwards furren- dered 4955000 ^— 200,000 1,154,621 a-8 1,105,769 »3 By this fum applied in Europe to the payment of interefl, for which provifion was made out of domeftic funds, and thereby virtually drawn to the United States, viz. Intercft from the ifl; of Feb. 1791, to the ill of Dec, .J 1793, paid and to » ., Pols, a>077»»73 35 —. -r— ^ 3ut in judging of the expediency of making the provifion inti- mated, it is neccffary to take into confideration, that pn the firft of June 1 794, a fecond inftalment of 1,000,000 of florins, of the (papital of the Dutch debt, became payable ; for which, by the h&, advices, it appeared problematical, oy^ing to the fituation of the affairs of Europe, whether provifion could be made by a fur- ther loan. This circumftance is an obftacle, to the immediate ap- plication of the reftdue of the foreign fund according to its dcfti- ngition— -that being the only refoUrce yet provided, out of which the inftalment of the Dutch debt can be paid, if a farther loan cannot be procured in time. Mpre decifiye information on the point may every day be expelled. In the m'^an time, no inf:onver^ien^e can enfue frohn applying a portion of that refidue |;o the payn>ent of the tnflalitient of the two million loan— r-the degree in which it ^iU intrench qpoi^ the means in pofleflion for fatisfying |the enfi^ini^ inftalment of the Dutch debt, being rafily fufceptible of a fubftitute. And there will be time enough fo^ providing ope, if a loan Ihould not be obtained. By an arrapgement made with the bank, tlie intereft of the firft inftalment ceaied the laft of December 1792, though the payment could not legally b^ conl'ummated till July following, A proviiion fof payn^ent on the fecond inftalment at the end of the prefent year will continue this dcfirable courfe, and work a public faving ; though, owing to the lopg credits given for the duties, anticipations of their proceeds, by temporary loans, n^ay \)e neceflary to |he being prepared for the exigences of the cur- rent fervice. Thus the pfefenf eligible fituatiop of the United States, com- pareJ to that of Great Britain, or Europe at large, as it refpcfts taxes or comributi as, for the payment of all public charges, ap- pears manifeft. ♦ The precife account of fumi thus paid for intercfl:, car.not be definitively pronounced till the completion of the lettlement of foreign accounts, now going 9D at the trcafury. 1^ 4< 2 t^ iii m s. ! Ik. « a6p Q^J^EMAl DSS.CRJPTJON In the United States, the average proportion of his earnings, which each citizen pays per annum, for the fi^pport of the civil, military, and naval eftablifhments, and for tHe difcharge of the intereft of the public debts of his country, Sec. is about one dol- lar and a quarter. In Great Britain, the taxes of thefe objefts, on an average, ai^punt t© above two guineas per annum to each perfon. iiencc it appears, that in the United "States they enjoy *^* M^^f"^* of * free government and mild laws, of perfonal li- 3*^.''*^y»j'"'^.P^°*®^'°" °f P''°P'''ty5 fo^ nearly one tenth part of the fi^m which is paid in England. for the purchafe of fimilar be- nefits, too' generilly without the attainment of them. The Ame- rican citizen likewiie has the profpeft of the taxes, which he J)ays, finall as they are, being lelfened, while the fubjefts of allthq old European governments can have no cxpc£latiou but of their bur^eps being inprcafed. SOCIETY, OF THE CINCINNATI. This Society, inftituted immediately on the clofe of the war, in 1783, has made fo much noife both in Europe and America, and has derived fuch dignity and importance from the charafters who compofe it, that it is thought proper to infert the inftitutioit at large, for the information of "the uninformed, and for the grar tihcation of the refpe£table iT|embers of the Cincinnati, who wifli to have their friendly and charitable intentions fully underftood by all claifes of their fellow citizens. It originated with General Knox, who, with the good inten-, lion of reconciling the minds of his military brethren to the prir vate life on which they were foon to enter, projefted the plan. Knox imparted his propclals to certain officers. They were af- terward communicated to tl^e^'lcvcral regiments of the rcfpeftivo lines, and an officer from each was appointed, who, with the ge- nerals, fliould take the fame into confideration at a meeting to be held on the 10th of May, at which Baron Stuben, the fenior officer prefent, prefidcd. At their next meeting on the 13th, the plan, having been reviled, was accepted. The iubflancc of it was — *' The officers of the American army do hereby, in the moft folemn manner, alTociate, conftitute, and combine thcmfelves, into one Society of Friends, to endiire as long as they fhall endure, or ANY OK THEIR ELDEST MALE POSTERITY ; and iu failure there- of, THE COLLATERAL BRAICcReS, WHO MAY BE JUDGED WOR- THY OK BECOMING ITS SUPPORTERS AND MEMBERS. Thc offi- cers of the American Army, having generally been taken from the citizens of America, poffelo high veneration for the charafter of that liluftrious Roman, Lucius Quintius Cincinkatus, and thcrc- W I) K - ic ofH- from iftcr of being refplye4 to follow Jiis cjK?m|^le, by retfirnipg to tlijcir citi- ^senhiip, they tKipK ttiey may with propriety 4enom|pat« themf (clvcs The Society of the Cipcii^nati. . The following principles jhall be in|imutab^e--Tan inc^llant attention to pre&rye inviolate the .exalted riehts and liberties of human paturq, for which they have fought j>nd blcd^ — A^n unalterjible ,deteripination to promote and cherish between the relpe^ive flutes, union and national iio- nour — rTp. render permanent, cordial affcclion, and the fpirit of brotherly kindpefs among the olRccr^s- — jnd to extend afts of b*;- peficence toward thofe pfilcers and their families, who nfia^y un- fortunately be' under the ricceflity of receiving it. The .general fociety w:ill, (or,the lake of frequent communications, be diyidcd into {late focieties ; a,nd thqfe again into luch diilrids as ihallbe direCled by the ftate ipcieties. The ftste fbcieties fhall meet on the fourth of July annually, ^nd the genera,l fociety on the ,firft Monday in May annually, lb long ,as they flial? deem it neceflaryj and afterw.ard at leall once in every three years. The ftate foci- ctics to have a prefident, vice-pre/idcnt, I'ecretary, treafu*:er, and affiftant-treafurer. The meeting of the general fociety ihall cpn- fift of its oflicers, and a reprefentation from each ftate fociety, in number not exceeding five, whole experices Ihall be borne by their refpeftive ftate focieties. In the general meeting, the pre- fident, yice-prefident, I'ecretary, afliftant-fecretary, trealurer, and afliftantrtreafurers-general, fhall be chofen to ferve until the next jneeting. Thofe officers who are foreigners, art- u be confidered as members in the focieties of any of the ftates in v/Iiich they may happen to be. As there are and will at »U lime? i.e'mer in the rcfpeft^ye ftatps epiinent for their abilities and ->".( ritiijim, whole views may be direfted to the fame laudable objeJLs with thofe of the Cincinnati, it fhall be a rule to admit f 'i tharafters, n^ ho- norary members of the fociety for their own lives only : provid- ed that the number of the honorary members do not exceed a ra- tio of one to four of the officers and their dcfcendants. The lociety ffiall have an order, by which its members ffiall be known and diftinguiffied, which ffiall be a medal of gold of a proper fize to receive the propofcd emblems, and to be lulpended by a deep blue ribbon, two inches wide, edged with white, dcfcriptivc of the union of America and Franco." The fociety at the laid meeting dircfted, tliat the prelideni -ge- neral ffiould tranfmit, a: loon as might be, to each of the follow- ing charaftcrs, a medal containing the order of the fociety, viz, the chevalier dc la Luzerne, tlie Sieur Gerard, the count d'Efta- ing, the count de Grafl'c, the count de Barras, the chevalier 'I'Eftouchcs, the count de Rocliainbcau, and the gcnti als and co- •oucls in the army ; and Iliould accjuaint them, that "the lociety *ft6t GENERAL DESCRIPTION .III' I m mm db Ihemfclvcs the honor to confider them as members." They alfo rcfolved, that the members of the feveral ftate fopietics (houI4 kflTsmble a» foon as might be for the choice of their officers ; ^' that general Heath, baron 3teuben, and general KnoX| be a committee to -w^h on the cotpmaiider in chief, \vith a copy of the inflitution, and requeft him to honor the fociety by pbcing hi^ name at the head of it." They likewife defired general Heath, to tranfn^it copies of the i^ditutibn with the proceedings thereon, to the commanding officer of ^\w foi|thern army, the fenior offi- cer in each ftate,. from Pennfylvania to Georgia inclufivc, and to the commanding o(^cer of the Rhode-Ifland line, requefting them to take fuch meafures as may appear to them ncceffary for expe- diting the eflablifhment of their ftate focietieSy Circular letters were accordingly written ; and the plan of the Cincinnati carri-. ed into execution, without the leaft oppofition being given to it by any pne ftate, or body of men in any. A pamphlet was at length publiflied, figncd Cass i us, dated Charlefton, Ofto'oer lo, 1783, entitled, ConHderations on the Society or order of Cincinnati ; with this motto", " piow ye the trumpet in Zion." It was thought to have been written by yEdanus Burke, Efq. one of the chief juftices of South Caro- lina ; and is well executed. The author undertook to prove that the Cincinnati erefted two diftinft orders among the Ame- ricans — rift, a race of hereditary nobles, founded on the military, together with the powerful families, and firft-rate leading men in ♦he ftate, whofe view it would ever be, to ruk: and 2dly, The people or plebians, whofe only view was, not to be opprcffed ; bqt whofe fate it would be to luffer oppreffion under the inftitu- tion. Remarking upon the reafon for the members being called the Cincinnati, he exclaims — " 'As they were taken from the citi- zens, why in the name of God not be contented to return to ci- tizcnfliip, without ufurping an hereditary order ? or with what propriety can they denominate themfelves from Cincinnatus, with an ambition fo rank as to aim at nothing lefs, than Otium cum Dignitate, retirement and a, peerage? Did that virtuous Roman^ havInjT fubducd the enemies of his counii-y, and returned home to tend his vineyards and plant his cabbages, confer an hereditary order of pcrragc on himfelf and his fellov/ foldiers ? I anfwer No ; it wns more than he dared to do. When riear the end he fays, — With regard to myfelf, I will be candid to own, that al- though I am morally certain the inftitution ',vill entail upon us the evils I have mentioned ; yet I have not the moft diftant idea. that it will come to a diffolution. The firft clafs, or leading gen- try in tiie ftate [of South Carolina] and who will always hold flu'. government, will find their intercftin fupporting a diftinftlon ihai OF TH£ UNiTEJy STATES, •63 will gratify their ambition, by removing them far abov« their fellow citizens. The middling order of our gentry, and fubftan- tial landholders, may fee its tendency ; but they can take no ftep to oppdfe it, haying little to do with government. And the low- er clafs, with the city popuhce, will never reafon on it till th|cy feel the fmart, and then they will have neither the power uor ca- pacity for a reformation. " The alarm became general, the extreme jealoufy of the new republics, fufpeAcd danger from the union of the loaders of their late army, and efpeclally from a part of the Inftituiion which held out to their poflerity the honor of being admitted members of the fame fociety. To obviate %11 gcounds of jealoufy and fear, thf general meeting of the fociety recommended an alteration of their inftitution to the flato foctetieSj which had. been adopted. By this recommendation it was propofed to ex- punge £V£RY THING THAT WAS HBlRZOITARY, and tO rctaifi litt'e clfe than their original name, and.a focial charitable. inili- tution for perpetuating their perfonal friendfhip, and relieving the wants of their indigent brethren.- The Institution of the Society, as altered a7td amended at their ^r/i General Meeting at ^HiLADELf HI A, May^ 1784. *' IT having pleafed the fupreme governor of the univerfe 'i0 give fuccefs to the arms of our country, and to eilabli(h the' United States free and independent : Therefore, gratefully to commemorate this event — to inculcate to the lateft ages the duty of laying down in peace, arms affumed for public defence, by forming an inftitution which recognizes that moflr important principle — to continue the mutual friendlhips which commenced under the preffure of common danger, and to effcftuatc the a^ of beneficence, diftated by the fpirit pf brotherly Lindnefs, to- wards thofe officers and their families, who unfortunately may be under the neceffity of receiving them; the officers of the American army do hereby conftitute themfelves into A fociety of friends: and, poifeffing the highefl veneration for the chara&cr of that illuilrious Roman, Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, denomi- nate themfelves the society of the Cincinnati., Sect. I. * The perfons who conftitute this foe Jp, are all the commiffioned and brevet officers of the army and^pvy of the United States, who have ferved three years, and who left the fervice with rcoutation : all officers who were in aftual fcrvice at the conclufion of the war; all the principal ftafF-officers of the continental arrny ; and the officers who have bean deranged by I n m ! .jfl*; im '!!illJi;'i i'l i 'II -II;-. I 'I 'I mw 2 «^4 dMjtlA£ hiYck jf^i^^ tht feViSrtl rfeliltitlbrts dr CbriferiJfi, updrt'tlie dJfftrenV reroftW* of tite'i^ri^y. ' '■■ ' •i^iTdV. 11. '* Th^fe' i,lrc- iffb KdrtfUted i'nto thU'fodety, the hlil trid prefent rfnnift^rs of ^fi rfio'il citrifiiah majftifiv t6 the Uhke^ States ; afl th« g^^rah and cdlbMti off regiMcfnts and legidnv of ah^ land fdrCt^s; all tkt adrhinis and captiaii'ni of the navy, ranking as coU>ncls, who have co-operated with the ai-thics' of the United States m thdr e^ttrtioni fdr liberty; «n^iWch other perfoni aft'havd been admitted' by the reifpfeThe bufmers of thie ;*cheTal meeHng fhall be-ii-ld i-egulatc the diftribution of furplus funds; to appoint oliicers for th'e enfuing term — and to conform the bye-laws of flate meetings to the ge- neral objcfts of tiie inftitutibh; Sect. V. * The focieiy ftiall be dividtdlnto ftitfe-meetings : «chr meeting fliall have a prcfidcnt,. vice*p«fid?pt, fecrctary 4j treafurer, refpeftivcly to be chdten by a majority of votes annually. Sect. VI. * The (late meetings fhall be on the anniverfary of independence. They fhall concert iuch meafun;s as may conduce to the benevolent purpofes of the fociety; and the fe- veral ihtc meetings fhall, at luitable periods, make applicatioa to tlicijr refpefUve legiflaturcs for grants of charters. Sect. Vll. * i»ny member removing from one ftatc to another, is t.i be f .fidered, in all refpe^s, as belonging to the meeting of th^ illate in which '.e {hall aiSlually re^de. Sect. V.m. * Ti»e ftate-meeting ihall judge of the qnalifi- cation of its members, admonilit, and, if neceltary, expel any one who may conduft himfelf unworthily. Sect. IX. * The Picretary of each ftate-mccting (tiall rcgillcr the name|r of the members refident in each ftate, and tranlinit a copy thci«tf to the fecretary of the foelety. Sect. X. * In ordei" t > form funds for the relief of unfor- tunate members, their widows and orphans, each ofiicer fhall deliver to the treafurer of the {late-meeting,, one month's pay. Sect. XI. 'No donation Ihall be received but from the citi- zens of the United States. bs THE t/^ITEli sfATE^, i6$ Sect. XII.' 'The funds of each flate-mcetirtg (halt be loaned to the (late, by pcrmiflion of the Icgillzture, and the interefl only^ knnually be applied for the purpofet of the Ibcicty ; and if, in procefs 6F time, difficulties (hould occur in executing the inten- tions of this fociely, the legidatureiK of thci fevcral flatcs (hall be fcntitled tu make fuch equitable difpofltion as may be moft torref- pondent with the origiilal defign of the Conftitution. Sect. XIII. *The fubjeas of His nioft Chriftian majefty^ inembers of this foelsfy, iriay hold meetings at theif pleafure, and form regulations for their police, conformable to the obj?£i:s of the inftitutiori, and to the fpirit of their government. SecT. XIV. 'The fociety (hall have an order; which fliall be an eagle of gold, fufpended by a deep blue ribbon, edged with white, defcriptive of the union of America and France, bearing 6n it^ breaft the emblems defcribed, as follows. 'The! pHncipal figure to be Cincinnatus, three finators prc> fenting him with a fword and other military enligns ; On a field in the back ground his wife Handing at the door of the cottage i near it a ploughj and other inftruments df hufbandry. Round the whole, omnia reRqitit fervare rempuhUcam. On the revcrfe, the fun Hfing, a city with open gates, and vcflels entering the port ; Fame crowning Cincinnatus with, a wreath, infcribed, virtutis pranu^ km. Below, hands joining, fupporting a heart, with the mdtto, ffio perpetiid. Round the whole, Societas Cincinhalorttnt ihfiituia A. D. t^^.* AGkiCULTURE. 'i' k B three important objeAs of attention in the United States tri>ibii mny uc laKCl^ as x for ten years part. la^r average 01 i{ip annua^ in porxauu ^91,4'; 3 raccoon ^ 9,580 fox ' «3'354 t'wr 740 wolverin 27,670 martit^ 30,600 mufgualh . ' i45,7?o beaver 7,798 rabbit and ^vhite hare 35,89 T otter 10,785 kidd ■1' 6,700 fiftier 161,371 deer. ;.•:' 11,760 cat 470 elk 32,540 minl^ 720 feals » h ■. 9,790 wo^f 983 lamb. To thefe muft be added a fmall quantity of furs, and about fix or eight thoufand f'-cr not yet fold, the veflcl having been de- layed on her paflka^ "a this enumeration, the quantity im- ported by thf Hudlon-s Bay Company is not noticed. Of thefe wc fliall fpeak whi n tn aiing of that part of the Briti(h fettle- mcnii. — TI>c chief of thele fui<5 are paid for in Englifti manu- factures. — Not more than a fourth part of them, beaver and deer ikins excepted, if fo much, are done any thine mort to in England than beat, lorted, and re-packcd ; a great portion are re-fhiped to Germany, and diiperled through the various parts of the Em- pire, France, &c. — -Some are (hipped from London dire£b for France, and fome to RufTia, China, &c. at immenfe profits. This valuablejrade, which is carried on through Quebec, wil'^ a great part of it fall into the hands of the Americans, as foon as the fortifications, which the Britifh poffcfs in their northern territories, fhall be r^ftored. To this confideration, rather than to the pretended compalfion fpr the Royalifts, may be attributed the delay of that reftitutioK. The period when this reftitution tnufi be made, is ho^vever arrived : a period which the Britifh go- vernment have long anticiprted with forrow. Such are fome of the commercial refources and profpc^s of the ynited States. But for various realons, the advantages for trade which nature has fo liberally given the Americans, have never, till fince tliQ ^{lablifhment of the prcleut government, been properly improved. Before the revolution. Great Britain claimed an exclufive right to the trade of ht;r American colonies. This right, which fhe in- flexibly maintained; enabled her to f *' own price, as well oi^ / Of TH£ UNITED STATES. , ^^ the articles which fhe purchafed from them, as upon thofc of her own manufaftures exported for their confumption. The carrying* . frade, too, was prelervcd almoli exclufivcly in her own handa^ which afforded a temptation to the carriers, that was often too powerful to be withftood, to exa6l exorbitant commifllons and freights. Although wc will not even hazard a cpnjeflure how much Great Britain enriched hcrlelf by this exclufive trade with her colonies, yet this we may fa) , that by denying them the pri- yilege of carrying their pwn produce to foreign markets, Ihe de- prived them of the opportunity of realizing, i n their full extent, ^he advantages for trade which nature has -n them. The l^te war, ^hich brought about the j tion from Great Britain, threw the commercial affairs of / Into great con- fufion. The powers of the ol4 confederation were unequal to the complete exccutiqn of any meafures, calculated efFeflually to . recover them from their deranged fituation. Through want of power in the old Congrefs to cojlefl a revenue for the difcharge of their foreign and domeflic debt, their credit was deftroyed, and trade of confequence greatly embarrafTed. Each (late, in her de- fultory regulations of trade, regarded her own intereft, while that of the union was neelc^ed. And fo different were the intereftt of the feveral flates, that their laws refpefling trade often clafh- ed with each other, and \yere produ£^ive of unhappy confequen- jces. The large commercial States had it in their power to opprefs their neighbours ; and in fome inftances this power was dire£ll/ or indireflly exercifed. Thefe impolitic an4 unjuflifiable regu- lations, formed on the imprcfRon of the moment, and proceeding from no uniform or permanent principles, excited unhappy jea- loufies between the clafhing States, and occafioned frequent flag- nations in their trade, and in fome inftances, a fecrecy in their {Commercial policy. 3ut the wife meafures which have been adopted by Congref?, undef the prefent efficient government of the United States, have extricated them almofl entirely from thefe embarrafTmcnts, and put a new and pleating face upon their pub- lic affairs. Iiivefted with the adequate powers, Congrefs have formed a fyflem of commercial regulations, which enable them to meet the oppofers of their trade upon their own ground ; a fyflem which has placed their commerce on a refpe£lable, uniform, and intelligible footing, adapted to promote the general interefls of the union, with the fmalleft injury to the individual States. The countries with which the United States have had their chief commercial intercourfe are Spain, Portugal, France, Great Britain, the United Nethherlands, Denmark, and Sweden, and fheir American pofTefTions, RufTia, &c. &c. &c. and the articles \m m IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 I 1.25 IftilM |2j5 ■tt Bi ■2.2 Sf LS, 12.0 ■biku Fh0lDgra[Jiic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTIR,N.Y. I4SM (71«)«72-4S03 V v^ GM^MMAl DESCRIP: of MpOBt which «0|i|Ultt|c^ at pnfent, the W0t of thtt cmnn^erct 0»«i, K1TAI.I, 4c. Copper Or« Skimmers and ladles Kg Anchors 8|ieet Crapnails M«nDft|^ure4 Mu0cets ]ff on, the toil Cutlaflet "\ ^% ICnivet and ^rks ■ Skot for caonoii Chefts of carpenters too^ifc ■ -^ ia^- ■■■ ■ Nails llfil rods, ilbCf Waggon boxes . . *^«>P» Pots, kettles, and othqr qi(Unga 1 Axes /Cannot) 1 1 Hqet SwiveU praVriaiplKilivei Shot for cannoi\ 3cythes Lead, Sheet Locks and Wts Pig ^veU §M NAVAt STOKER. ■ Hemp Rofin ^ Cablet and cordage Turpentine ritek Sail clol^ T««r L SAOViaioNa. Itice Dried fi(h flour Pickled fiik Ship ftuff Cheefe \ Rye meal Lard Indian meal Butter buckwheat meal Saufages ' Oat meal Carcafes of mutton ' Muftard Neats tongues Bread Oyfters pickled 9eef Potatoes 4 Pork Onions Crackers Other vegetables. Hams and bacon Reeds Venifon and mutton hamsr ..ili^' *p MoUiTea Madeira and otkAr win* Rum, Ameriean Bottled ditto Rum, Weft India Vinegar Brandy EiTence of Spruce Brandy^ Peach Beer Gin Ale Ditto Porter Ditto Dioo holtled Cordials • * LiVft atocKi Horned Cattle Deer Horfes Hogs Mules Poultry Sheep iilttei, Mki^iciNxi, Ac* Glauber falts Saflafras wood
, Reaver " .Mwtin V . ; t,, , i. *, ^i^.c t^ ^i Ji^liT itki msckppt k-.. ^' CSkhu and Furs. eonHnuM.J Ctif m>air. r Mink Moufeandeik . MufquaAi Deer (kins Call Seals , - ^ox ' Bear, wolfi^ and tygeir ' ' Wolveren Otter , Sq[uirrel, and Ratcoon, . Sundry otlier ikini and fur& Saddles, men^' Shoes, men^* atid ^omens' Bridles Boot» , > Whips, Bootlegs Coadi and other carriage!' hamefs Leather tanned and drefled Waggon and cart geers' TIMBER WORlt. Framesof^jveflelii^^^ . filOWS' Frsnaes of houfes windows and doors' AOUSK rVRMiTVRB. Ml m I IIP w tables qiopks , Bedilead* Clock ^afes Deik* ^ - Ghefts Bureaus Chairs, Windfor t Sophas and fettees- Chairs, Ruih 5 '^ ^ ■ CARI|-|[AGSS. Coaehei^ Phaetons, ftc. Chariots^ v Waggons and cart^ wooft. ' Staves «nd heading Boxes and brakes Shingly, Blocks Shook caiks Oirs Ca&» ^ Oars rafterS' laths Trunnels Hoops '^ Cedar and oak knees' Hoop-polet Breaft hooks ^j^>^ Mafts tParlings Bowfprit» An<^hor ftocks Booms • CJedar'pofti-"-'^'^ '•'-''^'■^'" • Spars ■Otk boards and plank ^ THE irifitEl^ WAtESi ., Pine balk Pine boards and plank Maft hoop's Axe helves Truft hoops Yokes and bowes for oxeA Lock ftocks Worm tubs ^ „ , Wheel bari-ows Mohogany, Ipgwood, *St,c, Waggon and cart wheeli dak, pine, &c. [kory, Ac; Spokes and FelHel Cords of Oak,' pine, hit- Spinning wheels Ditto of oak bark Tubs; pails, &c. Oak biilrk, ground ^owls^ di(hes^ platters, Atf^ m iland fpikes Pumps , Other boards and plank Scantling jj f Oak, pine, &ci *| < Ditto, ditto V^ [^ Mahogany Lignum vitae Logwobd and nicaraguja Aflies; pot t A(hes, pearl Apples . Bricks Boats Bellow» foi- fiiiiths Brimftone Blocking ot lampblack fiayberrieS Cider Ditto Wtled Chalk CoctQii Candle% myrtle viraie Wax Tallow Spermaceti Coals Craneberries Corks Corn-fans buck Ruffia Canes and walking-fticks Feathers American cotton 8k wool-cards Flints Flax Grindftones Glafs ware Nankeens aVNORIEir Nutti Oil whale Oil fpcrmaceti Oil linfeed < Spirits of tuipentiiie porcelain or duaft war^ j^owder, gun Powder, bait Pomatum Paints Pipes Printing preffel Printing types Plaifter of pwril Soap , Starch Snuff ' Steel . Silk, raw Silver, oldl Salt Stone ward Vol. I. Nn •^4 \ OEHERAh DESCniPtl fSwHfkna ttHatmnkJ Dftto for windows Ditto ounufafturefl Honey «i. Hops Hay Hats Horns Homtipi Indigo Lime Tallow Twine Towdoth Toys for children tin t>itto manuftfture4 Vamifli Whalebone^ Ac. Yellow or queen's ward Wax, bees Tobacco ~ Myrtle, &c. The proportion of their exports, and their value to the nation! before mentibned, and to their dominions refpe^Uvely, as they ffbodinthe year 1791, isasfoUowSi* svMMARY Or i^pORTs, Ending Sept. J I, 1791. Doli. CUs tB the dominions of lluifia - - • To the dominions of Sweden To the dominions of Denmark • •« Ttf the dominions of the United Netherlands « To the dominions of Great Briuin - • To the Imperial ports of the Auftrian Netherlands and. Germany - •■ To Hamburgh Bremen, and other Haafe towns - To the dominions of France - - To the dominions of Spain . * To the dominions of Portugal * . « To the Italian Ports - - a To Morocco . - •• To the £aft Indies, generally . - To Africa, generally - - ' - To the Weft Indies, gjcnerally •> To the North Weft Coaft of America To Europe and the Weft Indies fdr a market 3iS70 21,866. z a77»«73. 53 1,634,815. 6 7*953i4i». %x 362,010. fl(t 64»aS9' *5 4,298,762^ i6 1,301,286. gl5 «»«3>^696» 47 31,726. 94I 3,660. 50 318,628. 4^ 168,477. 92 69»434- S^i 31380. «*9»«74. 5 To the above, add the amount of two quar- terly returns afterwards received from Char- lefton, Sou^h Carolina. } »7*57i.55<' 45 817,651. 18,399,201 45 OF THE UNITED STATES. •75 The exports of the year ending joth September i79t» apount* ^d in value to twenty-one miUtdns, five thoufand five hundred »nd fixty-eight pomi4s» frpni which time th«y.h«ve been |[ndu* ally on thf; increafc. The export* of the year ending 50th September 1793, aalkount* pd to a6>ooo,ooo of dollars, being an excefs of 5,ooO|OOQ above the preceding year. The exports of the year ending 50th September 1 794, exceede4 ^o,OQO/>QO of dollars, Mr. Tench Coxe in his Fiew of tit Umud Sfata, fays, that ** Lefe than half the ihips and' vefliels belonging to the United States, are fufficient to tranfpprt all the commodities they coiv* fume or hnpojt." Thje imports of America, confiftmoftly of articles oowhicb ^uropeui fhduftry has been exhaufted, an idea of their extent, jM well as of that of tb* American navigation, depending on their commerce, will appear by the following tables, containing abr ^nCts of duties on the imports, and on the tonnage of veflcls en* fcred into the different poru of the United States, ii| the ye|f / SUMMARY Nm 9 v ?i (I) « f5 s o s«^ S M :k S ^ a O tan i3 ■qr <4 « »o I 1^ ij 5. tn'o »£ -^ 60^ VO U300 Ob >4 9» 00 1 ll .-^ -M-P-J*- Mh- 00 00 00 M -* eo^ ovo •*>•*> r- e«5 *o ^ <*3 •5? 4l4 ^ ei r«-oo 1^ a> .^ »* ««t« 10 ^^ O^oo 00 •« 0^^ »«-«•» v© w M ^ iCVfi ^vo t^vo o •^\0 «5 ^ IT 0^ "< ^S g^ •it #• •« fli. •• „ o^ o^vo *<> ^ M5 eo 5pvo ^^ 5 1*^ 6 Q •>• ^S,' ■^ h- S-c^-S < ^O •a 0% "500 -^ o - ^ ^J '^ 9»vO O ^OiOOVO r>U3'09t »C f-O VO « «5 VO 00 >o CO US cr> eo eo ^ »< »ovo <^ Q • • • r« 9)«00 vp ooo<2 o 'o t— 'H vo 0^ vo "3 I *< « t4 W) CO VO <4 *4 00 *« £ i 3= vo 00 5 ei' eo ^ VO eo vo S^B i. s u- o s.a ■H 60 o «I««~|H w A r} ^ «> e» r^eovo r~ ej »c eo »* O^ •* ^'^^■^lOiQCOtOM o ** 0^^ .4» d^ eft O 00 "O « eovd »o eo 10 eJ 4" ^ « N ibwvovo eoeoeoovo •* eo " " O 0^vo Q^» K'5 C4 (« U V V T'-^ i -5 'C S-2UU.2 <>o -C o " u .— •t^'^ WiJiJr u WW.** vi » »» 4 M H H P P 9 -?j 2 (^ CO H (« .at PQ D -«i i. H? < bO' c P< •c M S iz: ti^ £ s ^ « J OV -< m ' S! ■o.„ H V M *j G ■ to , va I- CO 8^ kT M iJ H c§ H o u« P P <4 u tM •s Q 8 P H u w M H < t ^ th o h CO PQ ».- < « A 5 < bO e P< M ^ V Z M (S 5 u* O u c •)! 'A S5 -c H u - rd 4>> a o ^ .*(' *n H H < H o M CO et to o « r»ao ^00 •^ OS • • • • 1^ ^O M o i4 «b M eo -00 00 ^ O •« r« eo O '♦'00 ^ Ok M VO O 00 OS »^ r» ^ 00 «»< iC OS CS Q "^ >o . . . . . os'«o iC O VO it« 00 M 00 VO U) eo ^ « OS •< eo lo eo WAV* S •< « r«» PN ei i !^ ** • CO p» MS ^ ' IS O H wj *o vo wi o o" -St" *• vo U5 eJ I-- ■ -1 -,■■ eo -r*^ r>f eo H4« ^ Osvo ^00 ^ r- O r* op O »< vo CO CO « O eo cooo lo r^ vo vo O OS 0) VA «5 O 1 o r^ US OSOO U) T)< CO t^VO vo vo lO CO « so CO eo OS r~ CO OS »- 00 vo r^vo r- ^ r\ rv A •« «s CO « t^ O vo 't" vr O 6 «9 M H < ^00 Tf M US o» CO OSOO p*oo r~ . X ej « CO O o» ^ Jl ei W500. CI r^ 13 ,-, 00 'H « r>- ■S M3 « M ©J "^ U Tf vo O U5 O eOVO CO CO60 t*"30 ^vo OS *• r- OS CO CO t^ w e> CO •*• « e» w O OS Tfi eo rj« CO CI. 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H « w w •J ••Qoq>«os't'»o*»l'-»oO ^<4^6 Si's 3.^ '*'^ «^^<5 <5s«i i^\o ft Otoo SO In «o v> M ^iri»0' •o »» O •* 00 ao 00 vo «n 00 •o NO ^ VO ON W^ & » •n i sSs6 00 •« 00 O «n 06 (^ ov yt N o\ ^ • ' ov «^ •^ •I ^ ►< ^ • tr> Ov s *• S ^^ o«^< ^^' S >« -3 K*il§^ii-5rgx3c3| «i, 5.13 B CO M •8o ^? OEl^BkAL DASCR ikij0r It may be i^teifiry here to notice the prtncipil refiriAioii^; impofitiona^ and prohtbitioni fuftained by the United States ini their trade with the different European kingdoms, in contrail with thofe fufbined by theifi in their trade with the Britifli Dominions; ^ -v J..^. '5; 1 ;... ( Of their commercial 6bje£b, SrAfi) receiveri/avorably, their bread, (lufF, falted ^(h, wood, (hips, tar, pitch, and turpei^tine. On their meals, however, •• well as on thofe of other foireign countries, when re-exported on their Colonies, they have lately impofed duties, of from half a dollar to two dollars the barrel, the duties Iwin^ (d proportioned to the current price of their own flour, as that both together are to make the conftant fmn of nine dollars per barrel They do not difccfurage the rite, pot and pearl afli, falted provi- fions, or whale oil of the United States ; but thefe articles being in fmall demand at their markets, are carried thither but in a imall degree. Their demand for ric^e, however, is increaflng. Nei- ther tobacco, nor indigo are received there. Amerijcan comi^erce is permitted' with their Canary Iflands, under the fame con- ditions. The Spaniards, and their colonies, are the aftual confumers of what they receive from the United States. The navigation of the United States is free witii the kingdom of Spain ; foreign goods being received there in their fhips; on the fame conditions as if carried in their oWn, or in the Veflt^ls of the country of which fuch goods are the manufa&ure or produce; Portugal receives favouraUy American grain, bread, falted fifh, and other falted proviAons, wood, tar, pitch and turpentine; For flax-feed, pot and pearl-afli, though not difcQuraged there is little demand. American fliips pay 20 per cent, on being fold to Portuguefe fubje£b, and are then free bottoms. Foreign goods, except thofe of the Eall Indies, are received on the fame footing in American veflels, as in their ownj or any •thers } that is to fay, on general duties of from twenty to twenty^ eight per cent, and confequently their navigation is unobftrudied by them. Tobacco, rice and meals are prohibited. The Portuguefe and their colonies confume what they receive from the American States. Thefe regulations extend to the Azores, Madeira, and the Cape de Verd iflands, except that in thefe, meals and rice are received freely. France receives fiivourably American bread ftuff, rice, wood^ pot and pearl afties. A duty of five I'ous the kental, or nearly four an half cents is lixs of receive >W^: THM USiTED $TATM9^ tli ,1 •■- \Ai OB American jUr^ vitch, tnd tuipcmiiie. Whal« dUt ptf fix livret the kenul, and tfc the only foreigii whale oik admtttedi Of the ftatea, 2||idigo paya ftve livrei on |he kcntpl \ their owii two and an half: but a diilS^rence, of fM*lity» ftUl more than ft ^ffercnce of duty, preventa ita feeking that market. Salted beef ia received freely for i«-e\poration, but if for iiome confumption, it paya fiye livrea the kentiu. Other fiilted proviflona pay that duty in all calec, and falted filh it «iade laic* ly to pay the prohibitory one of twenty livrea in the kenu^ American fliipa are free to tearry to Franiee all foreigh goods which may be carried in their Own or any other veflela^ except tobaccoea not the growth of the ftatea i and they pahicipate lnritH the French (hipa in tho excluAve carriage of Vrhale oila and to- baccoea. . During their bonnier goVemnlfcnki the tobafcco was under a monopoly t but paid no duties, and AmericSn (hipa were fireely ibid in their porta, and converted iilto nStional bottomi. Ihk firft natioMl aflembly took from American fliipS thia privilege t they emancipated tobacco from ita mOnopc^y, but fUbjeAed it t6 duties of eighteien livrea fifteen foua the kentsl, fcarried in their bwn, and twenty-five livrea if tarried in Ahieriisin vefTcli) a dif^ ference more than equal to the freight of the article; The French nation have however offered to enter inio i new treaty of coihmerce with the United Sutes on more liberal terms and in the mean time have relaiked feme of the above reftraihti snd feveritieai GssAt BmiTJiiii receivea frdtn the (iat^i pot iln^ pearl alhes frecj while thofo of other nationa pay a duty of two ihiliingaand three-pence the kental. There is an equal diftinftion in favour of their bar iron, of whith article^ however^ they do not pit>- duce enough for their own ufe4 WoOda are free from America^ iXrhilft they pay fome fmall duty from other coutatrie*. Theiir tar and pitch pay itdi fterling the barrel; from Other aliea countries they pay about a penny and a third morei Their tobacco, for Britifli confumption, pay is. 3CL Aerlihg the pounds tuflom snd excife^ befideS hcaVy ekpences of Collec- tion. And ricci in the fame cafej pays 7s. 4d. fterling the hun- dred weight ; which, rendering it too ddir aa an article of com* men foodj it ia confequentljr ufed in very fnull quantity. The falted fifh^ and other falted pxovifiona of the United StateS| except bacon, are prohibited; Bacon and Whale oil are under prohibitory duties ; fo are the ^alns; mealsj and bread, as to Our internal confumptiena unlefs in times of fuch fcarcity aS auy raiib ©01 . Vol. 1. ll i«a GtNBAAl bMSCklPftim ''<%^ "im the price of wheat to 508. fterling the quarter, and otfaer^inf and meals in proportion. American fliips, though purchafed and navigated by Britifll fubje^, are not pehhiited to be ufed, even in our own trad* with them. While the veflels of other nations are fecured by ftsfhding laws, which cannot be altered, but by the concurrent will of the thre« branches of the EHtifh legillature^ in bringing hither any pro^ duce or manufalbire of the country to which they belong, which may be lawfully carried in any Veifels, American Ihips with the fame prohibition of what is foreign, are further prohibited by t ftariding law ( 1 a Can II. aS. §< 3,) from bringing hither all and any of their own domeftic produdions and manufaftures. A fub"* fequent zBt^ indeed, has authorifed the executive power to per» mit the carriage of their produftions in tlMir own bottoms, at its fele defcretion } and the permiflion has been given from year to year by proclamation, but fubje£l every moment to be withdrawn en its iingle will, in which event, American veffsls having any thing of the kind on board, ftand interdiSed from the entry of all Brittik ports. The difadvantage of a tenure which may be fo luddenly dtfconttnued Was experienced by the American mtr* chants on a late occaflon, when an official notification that this kiw would be ftriftly enforced, gave them juft appreheafions for the fate of their veflels and cargoes which they had difpatched of deftined to the pons of Great Britain. The ibinifter indeed, frankly exprefled his perfonal conviftion that the words of the order went farther thui was intended^ at.d fo he afterwards offi- cially informed them ; but the embarraffineata of the moment were real and great, and the poffibility of thri; renewal lays their commerce to this country under the fiime fpecies of difeourage* ment as to other countries, where it is regulated by a (tngle le-* giflator ; and the diftinftion is too remarkable not to be noticed, ^at the navigation of the American States is excluded from the fecurity of fixed laws, while that fecurity is given to the naviga- tion of otherSk American veflels pay in our ports is, gd. fterting per ton, light and trinity dues, mor« than is paid by our own fliips^ except in the port of London, where they pay the feme as Britifh. The greater part of what we receive from them is re-exported to other countries, under the ui'elefs charges of an intermediate depoiit and double voyage. From tables publiflied in London, Mid compofed from the books of our cuftom-houfes, it appears tiKat of the indigo imported here in the year »778— 4— 5) one third was re-exported ; and from a document of authority, we ■■.>*' ^f THE UNITED STATMS, tS) le«m that of the rice and tobacco imported here before the wari four-fiths were re-exported. The quantities fent here for re-ex- portation fince the war, are confiderably diminiihed, yet lefs fo than reafon and national ihitereft would diftate. The whole of their grain is re-exported when wheat is below 5ps, the quarter, and other grains in proportion. The principal fa^, relative to the queftion of reciprocity of commercial regulations, between Qreat Britain and the United States of Amerif:a, have, by a gentleman who had accefs to every lleceflfary information for the purpofe, been thrown into the form of a table, whi upoi^ any terms. She charge^ a duty on Ame- rican fail cloth, made up in the United States for Britilh ftiips. She prohibits the impoictati- on of goods from feveral parts of her dominions into others, in American veffels, upon any terms. ^he jprohibitt the importation O9 THE PNITBD STAtBS Admit Britiih veiTels intoali their ports, fubjed: to a tonnage duty of 44 cents, or 24 fterling pence, more than Ame«-ican vef- fels, and an addition of one tenth to the amount of the impoft ac«> cruing on their cargoes. They do not impofe extra light money on Britifh veifels in any of their ports. They admit ^he navigating of Britifh veifels by natiye or other feamen, ad UHtunt, They admit the employment of Britilh built ftiips by £ngli{h fubje£ts, in every branch of trade, upon the terms of 44 cents extra per ton, and one tenth extra on the impoft ariiing from ^heir cargoes. They do not charge a duty ox\ Britifti fai^ cloth, made up in G. Britain for American ihips. They admit the importation of goods from any part of thei^ dominions into another, in Bri- tifh veftels, on the terms of 44 cents per ton extra on the veflel., They admit the importation of \ gMNEMAL PSSCRIJ^T'lO. QftlAT BXITAIK, fooidf into Great Britain, by American veflielt, from any other country thain the Vnitea States. She prohibit^ the iinportat^on B' to Great Britain from the nit^ Stately by American vei[- ^els, of all goods not produced ^ the United States, She prohibits the iinportation 91 any goods pnyioufly broj^ght into t^ United States, from the laid States into Great Bri- tain, %vtijL in Qriti(b yeflel^. Sheptphibit^the e^ortation ^f feveral articles from Great Britain to the United States. ; I ( t '. r ', jt I ■• I . U She lays duUes of varioui ratei^ upon the exportatioa of many, articles ^o the United States. She prohibits the importation of all manufa€bures from the United States, invo h^r European 4 They prohibit none of the able terms of time, fome of thfe agricultural produ£lions of G.' principal agricultural proauc- Britain or her dominions, ^ous of the United States, and others at all times. THE IjfliJffEh STATiS, «l i thei f f}ltSAT BRITAIM f |t is underftood that by trea- ty flic grants fome favours, ^hich. are not extended to th^ United States. She prohibits the importation fsf fome American articles, in American Ihtps, or any but Brir tilh (hips, into her £uropean 4ominions. She does not permit an Ame- rican citizen to import goods into fome of her dominions, and to fell them there, even in Britifh veffels. In other parts of her dominions, Ihe lays an extra tax on him, or his fales. She impofes heavy duties on certain articles of the produce qf the American fiiheries, and inl'upportable duties on others, in fcNne parts of hen dominions ; and in other parts, (he prohibits their importation. She prohibits the confump. ^ion of fome American articles, of which (l^e permits the im- portation. ' * She prohibits the importa- tion of American articles from forei n countries, into the Bri- tifh dominions, even in her own jbipf. THI UMITBD ST4Titl They treat Great Briui|i af favourable as any nation ^hatr ever, a» tp (hips^ imports^ and exports^ an4 ii>'a^ other fe- fpe6ls. *' They dq not prohibit the im- portation of any Britilh article in Briti(h veiTels, or any but American veffels^ They permit a Britilh WtiSL to import goods into all their ports, in jiny ve(rels, and to fell them therp >/ithout~any eytr^ tax on him, or his fales. They impofe only (ivc per cent, on ,; and .loa4 moTfi* A^d bow, it may be aflud, arf Um Untte4 States requited for thus ftrengthening the acknowledged bulwark of Great Britain, by annually giving a complete lading to the Vnequalled quantity of 230,009 tons of her private veflfels f Their fliips arp feized, tind detained, in the regular courfe of her trade ; and their feamen are iitsprcfied from their fcrvi^,^ ii;i. px-. der to fight againft their friends and allies ! Tub United Nsthcivi.amps prohibit the picMedbeefj^ pork,^ meals aqd bread of all forts, coming from the United |Statea» an4 lay prohibitory duty on their fpirits diftilled from grain. All other of their produAions are received on varied duties, which may be reckoned on a medium at about three per cent. The -United Netherlands confume but a fmall proportion of what they receive from America : the refidue is partly forward- ed for confumption to the inland parts of Europe, and partly re- Ihipped to the other maritime countries. On the latter portion they intercept between the Americans and the confumer, fo mucl) of the valuQj as is abforbed by the charges attending an interme- diate depofit. Foreign goods, except fome Eafi Indi^ article!, are received by them in veQiels of any nation. . American ihips may be fold and naturalised there w:ith excep- tions of one or two privileges, which fomewl^i^ leffen their value. Denmark lays confiderable duties on the tobaqco and rice of the United States, even if carried in their own velTels, an4 half as much more if carried in theirs, but the exa£l amount of thefe dutiea is not perfe^ly known here. They lay fuch as amount to prohibitions on American indigo and corn. Sweden receives favourably grains and meals, (alted provii ficns, indigo, and whale oil, from the United States. They fubje£l: their rice to duties of fixteen mills the pound Vcight, carried in their own velfels, and of forty per cent^ addi* tional on that, or s 2,4 10 mills, carried in American or any Others. Being thus rendered too dear as an article of common food, little of it is confumed with them. They coinfume more of their tobaccoes, which they take circuitoufly through Great firi* tain, levying heavy duties on them alfo ; their duties of entry, town duties, and excife, being four'dollars, thirty-foiir cents the hundred weight, if carried in their own veifels, and of forty per cent, on that additional, if carried in American or any other Teffels. They prohibit altogether, American bread, fifli, pot a|id pear( «(hes, flax-feed, tar, pitch, and turpentine, wood, except oak tim" her uad maft) and all foreign maaufiSurcs. / t/Ntt£D STAfkB, ^1 Unit«4 mlwark ; to the ^eilbU ? e of her c^ ift PT-. ef^pork» itea, an4 d duties, r tent, ortion oi forward- partly rc- ;r portion •, fo mucl| [1 intetmc-. :jcciv<4 by rith excep- jffen their ' ttnder fo ntaivy reftHftiont and (irdhibitidii^, th^ iiivigttloMi of America with them, is reduced abHoft to nothing. With thd lieighbourt tt tlM Statci*^ id Mder iA thin((t tbuhIa harder prefent» itfelf. Spaim and PoKtOoAt fefufe (o fhof« parts of Aitietka vrf(|ch they govemi all direft intercourfe with any people but them- felv(BS. The commodities id mutual demand between them and their neighbours muil be carried to be exchanged in fome port of the dominant c ties, not fo heavy •§ to have been comjUained of } but they ite heavier in the Dutch pofleffibns on tha continent. Td fum up thefe R^riBionSf ib ftr ai they ar^ important : * , • / lit Evaori. American Ifread (luff i« at moft times xiiidit prohibitory duties? in England, and confiderably dutied oh ekpcntatiipn ftcm Spain to her colonies. Their tobaccoes are heavily dutiCd in England,' SWedeh* and France, and prohibited in Spain and Portugal. Their rice is heavily dutied in England and S^i^eden,' and pr&f hibited in Pottugah Their fifii and fatted pro'^ifions are pfv^ibifed in England, and imder prohibitory duties in France. Their whale>oils are prohibited in England and Portugal. And theiriveffels aife denied nacuraliiation in England^ and of hte m Frances Ih Tui West lNDiC». All intercourfe is pi'ohibited with the poffefli'ons of Spain and l^ortugal. Their (alted proyifibns and fi(h are prohibited by Eng^nd. Th^ir falted pork, and bread OaxtEy except maise, are received under temporary laws only, in the dominions of if ranee, andi (heir falted fifb pays there a V^eighty duty. Ihr TH£ ARTICLE OF NAVfGATION. The carriage of their own tobacco is heavily dutied in Sweden, and lately in France. They can carry no article, not of their own prpduftion, to the Brltiih ports in Europe. Nor even their own produce to her Amexican poflbflions. Such being the reftriftions on the commerce and navigation, of the United States,, the queftion is, in what way they may beil be removed, modified, or countera£bed ? As to commerce, two methods occur. By friendly arrange' ments with the fevcral nations with whom thefe reftridions exift: or, By the feparate a£t of their own legiflatures for countervail* ing their efFe£is. There can l^ no doubt, but that of thefe two, friendly arrange^ mcnt is the moil eligible. |n^ead of embarraffing commerce THE UNITED STATES^ b8§ )iiliidler'|^e8 of regulating lawt, duties and prohibitions, could it be relieved from, all its ^ckl^ in all pa|-ts of the world— com- merce which muft be procefted. This can only be done by poflefiirg a refpeftable body of citizen-seamen, and of artiftt and eftablifhments in readinefs for ihip^building* Were the ocean, which is the common property of all, open to the induftry of all, fo that every perfon and veflel ihould be free to take employment wherever it could be found, the United States would oeruinly not fet the example of appropriating to themfelves, exclufively^ any portion of the common ftock of oc^ cupation. They would rely on the enterprize and a£livity of iheir citizens for a due participation of the benefits of the fea* faring buiinefs, and for keeping the marine clafs of citizens equal to their obje£b. But if particular nations grafp at undue ftiares^ and more efpccially if they feize on the means of the United States to convert them into aliment for their own ftrength, and withdraw them entirely from the fupport of thofe td whom they belong) defenfive and protcd:ing meafures become neceffary on the part of the nation whofe marine refources are thus invaded^ or it wfii be difarmed of its defence *, its produflions will lie at the mercy of the nation which has poflefted itfelf exclufively of the means of carrying them, and its politics may be influenced by thofe who command its commerce./ The carriage of their own commodities, if once eftablifhed in another channel^ cannot be refumed in the moment they may defire. If they lofe the Tea- men iind artifts whom it now occupies, they lole^ the prefent means of marine defence^ and time will be requifite to raife up Others, when difgrace or lofles fhall bring home to their feelings the error of having abandoned them, llie materials for^main- taiiiing their due ihare of navigation are theirs in abundance ', and as to the mode of ufing e wife in a government to attempt to give a direAioq to the in- duftry of its citizens. This, under the quick-fighted guidance of private intereft, will, if left to itfelf, infallibly find its T>wn way to the moft profitable employment ; and it is by fuch employ, ment that the public profperity- will be moil efFe£lually promoted. To leave induftry to itfelf, therefore, is, in almoft ffvery cafe, the foundeft as well as the fimpleft policy." ** This policy is not only recommended to the United States, by confiderations which afFe£l all nations ; it is in a manner diflated to them by the imperious force of a very peculiar fituatiun. The fmallnefs of their population, compared with their territory, the conftant allurements to emigration from the fettled to the unfetfled parts of the country; the facility with which the lefs indepen- dent condition of an artifan can be exchanged for the more inde< pendent condition of a farmer; thcfe, and fimilar caufcs, confpire to produce, and for a length of time muft continue to occafion a fcarcity of hands for manufafturing occupation, and dearnefs of labour generally. To thefe difadvantages for the profecution of manufa£lures, a deficiency of pecuniary capital being added, the profpeft of a fucccfsful competition with the manufaftures of Europe muft be regarded as little lefs than defperate. Extenfive manufafturcs can only be the offspring of a redundant, at leaft of a full population. Till the latter (hall chara£lerife the fituation of thi^ country, 'tis vain to hope for the former." " If, contrary to the natural courfe of things, an unfcafonable and premature fpring can be given to certain fabrics, by heavy duties, prohibitions, bounties, or by bther forced expedients, this 'will only be to facrificc the interefts of the cofnmunity to thofe of particular clafles. Befidcs the mifdire£i;ion of labour, a virtual monopoly will be given to the pcrfons employed on fuch fabrics ; and an enhancement of price, the inevitable confequence of every monopoly, muft be defrayed at the expence of the other parts of the fociety« It is far preferable that thofe perfons (hould be engaged in the cultivation of the earth, and thjit we (hould pro- cure, in e'xch^ge for its produ&ions, the comnikodities with OJ^HE UNtTBD STATES* •95 whick foreigners are able to fupply ut^in frcater pcrfeAion,..«nd upon better term*." > Thit Tnode of reifoning is founded upon faAs and principles^ which have certainly refpeAable pretenAons. If it had governed the coririuft of nations more generally than it has done, there is room to fuppofe, that it might have carried them fafter to prof- perity and greatnefs than they have attained by the purfuit of maxims too widely oppofitc. Mod general theories, ho\f cver^ admit of numerous exceptions, and there arc few, if any, of the political kind, which do not blcnil a confiderable portion of errof with the truths they inculcate. in order to form an accurate judgment, how far that which has been juft (lated ought to be deemed liable to a fimilar imputa- tion, it is neceflary to advert carefully to the confiderations which plead in favour of manufactures, and which appear to recommend the fpecial and pofitive encouragement of them, in certain cafes, and under certain realbnable limitations. It ought readily to be conceded, that the tjultivation of the earth, as the primary and mod certain fource of national fupply ; is the immediate and chief fource of fubfiftence to man; as the principal fource of thofe materials which conftitute the nutri- ment of other kinds of labour ; as including a ftate mod favour- able to the freedom and independence of the human mind ; one, perhaps, mod conducive to the multiplication of the human fpe- cics ; has intrinfically a drong claim to pre-eminence over every ether kind of indudry. But that it has a title to any thing like an exclufive predilec- tion in any country, ought to be admitted with great caution. That it is even more prodti£tivc than every other branch of induf- try, requires more evidence than has yet been given in fupport of the pofition. That Its real intereds, precious and important as, without the help of exaggeration, they truly are, will, be ad- vanced, rather than injured, by the d'le encouragement of manu- faftures, may be fatisfaftorily demon ^rated. And the expedien- cy of fuch encouragement, in a general view, may be (hewn to be recommended by the mod cogent and perfuafive motives of national policy. It has been maintained, that agriculture is not only the mod produ£live, but the only produ£live fpecies of indudry. The reality of this aflertion, in either refpeft, has, however, not been verified by any accurate d'tail of fafts and Calculations; and the general arguments, which lire adduced to prove it, are rather fub- tle and paradoxical, than folid or convincing. Thofe which maintain its exdufiVe produflivenefs are to this cfFeft ;— Labour bedowed upon the cultivation of land produces •96 V, GENERAL DESCRll^rfe^ "'iB'. m enowgh, hot only to repkee all the neceflary expences incurred iij the bufinefs, and to maintain the perfons who are employed in it* but to afford, together with the ordinary profit on the ftock or capital of the farmer, a nett furplus, or rent for the landlord or proprietor of the foil. But the labour of artificers does nothing more than replace the ftock which employs them, or which fur- nilhes materials, tools and wages, and yield tht ordinary profit upon that ftock. It yields nothing equivalent to the rent of land; nei- ther does it add any thing to the total vatUe of the nvhok annual produce of the land and labour of the country. The additional value given to thofe parts of the produce of land, which are wrought into manufaflures, is counterbalanced by the value of thofe other parts of that produce which are confumed by the manufafturers. It can therefore only be by faving, or parfimony^ not by the pofitive/ro//«5iwii5/} of their labour, that the clafles of artificers can inany degree augment the revenue of fociety. To this it has been anfwered, that inafmuch as it is acknow- ledged that manufa£luring labour re-produces a value equal to that which is expended or confumed in carrying it on, and con- tinues in exiftence the original ftock or capital employed, it ought on that account alone to efcape being confidered as wholly un- produ^ive : that though it (hould be admitted, as alledged, that the confumption of the produce of the foil, by the clafles of arti- ficers or manufacturers is exa£tly equal to the value added by their labour to the materials upon which it is exerted ; yet it would not thence follow, that it added nothing to the revenue of the fociety, or the aggregate value of the annual produce of its land and labour. If the confumption for any given period amounted to i given funii and the Increafed value of the produce manufac- tured in the fame period to^zlltejum, the total amount of the con- fumption and produ6lion during that period would be equal to the twofumsj and confequently double the value of the agricultu- ral produce confumed. And though the increment of value pro- duced by the clafles of artificers - (hould at no time exceed the Value of the produce of the land confumed by them, yet there would be at every moment, in confequence of their labour, a greater value of goods in the market than would exift indepen- dent of it. The pofition, that artificers can augment the revenue of a fo- ciety only by parfimony, is true iu no other fenfe than in one, which is equally applicable to hulbandmen or cultivators. It may be alike afiirmed of all thefe clafles, that the fund acquired by iheir labour, and deftined for their fupport, is not, in an ordi- nary way, more than equal ^o it. And hence it will follow^ bP THE i/N^TEb $TAfk^i i9l iiial augmentations of the Wealth or capital of the community, fexcept in the inllance of feme extraordinary dexterity or (killi fcan only proceed, with rcfpeft to any of them, from the (avings of the more thrifty and pai-fimonious. The annual produce of the land drtd labour of i. fcountry caii only be encreafed in two ways— by fome improvement in the produHive powers of the ufeful labour, which adually exifts with- in it, or by fome increafe in -the quantity of fucH labour : that with regard to the firft, the labour of artificers being capable of greater fubdivifion and fimplicity' of operation than that of cultivators, it is fufceptible, in a proportionably greater degree; of improvement in its prodiiSive pozoersy whether to be derived from an acceflion of flcill, or from the applicatiori of ingenious machinery; in which particular, therefore, the labour employed in the cultute of land can pretend to no advantage over that engaged in manufa£l:ures : that with regard to an augmentation of the quantity of ufeful labour^ this, excluding adventitious tircumftancesj mufl depend eiTentially upon an increafe of capitate which again muft depend upon the favings made out of the re- venues of thofe Who furnifh or manage that^ which is at ainy time employed, Whether in agriculture^ or in manufaftures, or ift any other Way; But while the exclufive produ£livehefs of agricultural labbut* has been thus denied and refuted, the luperiority of its produc- tivenefs has been conceded without hefitation. As this concef- fion involves a point of confiderable magnitude, in relation to maxims of public adminiflration^ the grounds on whith it refts arc worthy of a diflin£): and particular examination; One of the arguments made ufe ofj in fupport of the idea, may be pronounced both quaint and fuperficial : it amounts to this — > that in the produ£lions of the foil, nature co-operates with man ; and that the efFeft of their joint labour muft be greater than that of the labour of man alone^ ThiS) however, is far from being a neceflary inference. It is Very conceivable, that the labour of man alone laid out upon a work requiring great fkill and art to bring it to perfeftionj may be more produftive in value, than the labour of nature and man combined, when dire£led towards more fimple operations and ob- jefts ; and when it is recollcfted to what an extent the agency of nature, in the application of the mechanical powers, is made auxiliary to the proiecution of manufaflures, the fuggeftion which has been noticed lofes even the appearance of-plaufibilityr It might alfo be obfcrvcd, w.ith a contrary view, that the labour employed in agriculture is in a great meafure periodical Vol. I. ' Q Q r \d It f 'i m; i^' irgS GENERAL DESCRIPTION and occaAonal, depending on feafoni, liable to various and long^ intermiifions; while that occupied in many manufaflures i» conftant and regular, extending through the year, embracing in fome inftances, night as well as day. It is alio probable thafr there are among the cultivators of land more examples of re- mifihefs than among artificers^ The farmer, from the peculiar fertility of hi& land, or (bme other favourable circumftances, may frequently obtain a livelihood, even with a eonfiderable de- gice of carelefsnefs in the mode of cultivation ; but the artifan clan with great difHculty effeft the fame objeft, without exerting himfclf pretty equally with all thofe who are engaged in the fame purfuit. And if it may likewife be alfumed as a fa£l^ that manu- fa£lures open a wider field to exertions of ingenuity than agricuU ture, it would not be a drained conjefture, that the labour em- ployed in the former^ being at once more conftant, more uniform^ and more ingenious, than that which is employed in the latter^ ,will be found at the fame time more prbdu£live« But it is not meant to lay ilrefs on obfervations of this nature ; they ought only to ferve as a counterbalance to thofe of a fimi- lar complexion. Circumftances fo vague and general, as well 9.% fo abflra£l, can afford little inftruftion in a matter uf this kind. Another, and that which feems to be the principal argument offered for the fuperior produftivenefft of agricultural labour, turns upon the allegation, that labour employed on manufa£lurss yields nothing equivalent to the rent of land ; or to that nett furplus, as it is called, which accrues to the proprietor of the foil. But this di(lin£lion, important as it has been deemed, appears rather verbal thiLnJubJiantiaU It is eafily difcernible, that what in the firft inllance is divided into two parts under the denomination of the ordinary profit of the dock of the farmer and rtnt to the landlord, is in the fccond inllance united under the general appellation of the ordinary profit on the ftock of the undertaker ; and that this formal or verbal diftri- bution conflitutes the whole difference in the two cafes. It feems to have been overlooked, that the land is itfelf a flock or capital, advanced or lent by its owner to the occupier or tenant, and that the rent he receives is only the ordinary profit of a certain itock in land, not managed by the proprietor himfelf, but by another to whom he lends or lets it, and who, on his part, advairccs a fccond capital to ftock and improve the land, upon Nvhich he alfo receives the ufual profit. The rent of the land- lord and the profit of the farmer are therefore nothing more ikiKti the ordinary profits of two capitals belonging To two different OF TliE UNITED STATES, *n perfons, and united in the cultivation of a farmt is in the other cafe, the I'urplus which arifes upon any manufaflory, after replacing the expences of harrying it on, anfwers to the ordi- nary profits of one or more capitaU engaged in the profecution of fuch manufaflory. It is faid one or more capitals; becaufe in hSt, the fame thing which is contemplated in the cafe of the farm, fometimes happens in that of a manufaftoiy. There i« one who furniihes part of the capital, or lends a part of the money, by which it is carried on, and another who carries it on with the addition of his own capital. Out of the furplus which remains, after defraying expences, an intcreft is paid to the money-lender for the portion of the capital furnilhed by him, which exa£Uy agrees with the rent paid to the landlord; and the refidue of that furplus cpnftitutes the profit of the undertaker or manu- fa£lurer, and agrees with what is denominated the ordinary profits of the flock of the farmer. Both together make the ordinary profits of two capitals employed in a manufaflory ; as in the other icafe the rent of the landlord and the revenue of the farmer compofe the ordinary profits of two capitals, employ- ed in the cultivation of a farm. The renjt therefore accruing to th,c proprietor of the land, far from being a criterion of exdufive produRivenefs, as has been argued, is no criterion even of fuperior produAivenefs. The '4|ue{lion mud ftill be, whether the furplus, after defraying ex- pences of a given capital^ employed in the purchqfe and improve- ment of a piece of land, is greater or lefs than that of a like capital employed in the profecution of a manufa&ory ; or whether the whole value produced from a given capital and a given quantity of labour, employed in one way, be greater or lefs than the whole value produced from an equal capital and an equal quantity of labour employed in the other way ; or rather, perhaps, whether the bufinefs of agriculture or that of manufac- tures will yield the greatefi: produft, according to a compound ratio of the quantity of the capital and the quantity of labour which are employed in the oranches of manufa£lures in which a given capital \yiU yield a greater tota| produ£l, and a confiderably greater nett produft thar^ an eaual papita^ invefted in ^he purchafe and improvement of lands ; and that there are alfo fome branches, in which both the groce and ^he nett produce will exceed that of agricultural in- duiliy, according to a compound ratio of capital and labour. But it is on this lad point that there appears to be the greatefl room for doubt. |t is far lefs diflficult to infer generally that the^ nett produce of ppital engaged in manufaflurins enterprifes . is greater than that of capital engaged in agriculture. The foregoing fuggeflions arc not defigned to inculcate an ppinion that manufa^uring induflry is more produ6iive than that of agriculture. They are intended rather to fliew that thq reverfe of, this propofition is not afcertained; that the general argiimentj^ which are brought to eflablifh it are not fatisfaftory ; and, confequently, that a fuppofition pf the fuperior produQ:ive- nefs o£, tillage ought to be no obflacle to lidening to any fub- i^antial inducement to the encouragement of manufaftures, whicl^ may be otherwife perceived to e?cift, through an apprehenfioi^ that they may have a tendency to divert labour from a mpre to <; lefs profitable employment. It is extremely prabable, that on a full and accurate deyelope- xnent of the matter, on the ground of fa£): and calculation, it would be difcoyered that there is no material difference between the aggregate produflivenefs of the one, and of the other kind of induflry ; and that the propriety of the encouragements, which may in any cafe be propofed to be given to either, ought to be determined upon confiderations irrelative to any comparifon of that nature. But without contending for the fuperior prpdu^ivenefs of manufaiEluring induftry, it may conduce to a better judgment of the policy, which ought to be purlued by the United States re- fpe£ling its encouragement, to contemplate the fubjeft under fome additional afpcfts, tending not only to confirm the idea, that this kind of induftry has been improperly reprelented as unprodu^ive in itfelf ; but to evince in addition, that the efla- bliihmcnt and diffufion of manufactures will have the effeft of .Tendering the total mafs of ufeful and produ£live labour, in a fonununity, greater than it would otherwife be. In profecutlng this difcufTton, it may be necelTary briefly to refume and review fome of the topics which have been already touched. OF THE UNITE If STATES, 3pt It Inefs of lent of tates rc- under |he idea, ited as le efla- Iffeft of kr, in a JTecutlng review To affirm that the labour of the tnanufa^urer is unprodu£live, ))ecaufe he confumes as much of the produce of land as he adds value to the raw materials which he manufa£itures, is not better founded, than it would be to affirm, that the labour of the far- mer, which furniflies materials to the manufa£iurcr, is unproduc- tive, becaufe he confumes an ^quai value of manufactured articles. Each furnilhes a certain portion of the produce of his labour to the other, and each dellroys a correfpondent portion of the pro- duce of the labour of the other. In the mean time the main- tenance of two citizens, inftead of one, is going on ; the flate has two members inflead of one : and they together confume twice ^he value of what is produced from the land. If inftead of a farmer and artificer, there was a farmer only, |ie would be under the neceffity of devoting a part of his labour to the fabrication of cloathing and other articles, which,he would procure of the artificer, in the cafe of there being fuch a perfon ; and of courfe, he would be able to devote lefs labour to the cul- tivation of hjis farm, and would draw from it a proportionably lefs produ£):. The whole quantity of produ£lion, in this {late of things, in provifions, raw materials and manufa£lures, would cer- tainly not exceed in value the amount of what would be produ- ced in provifions and raw materials only, if there were an artificer as well as a farmer. Again — -If there were both an artificer and a farmer, the lat- ter would be left at liberty to purfue exclufively the cultivation pf his farm. A greater quantity of provifions and raw materials would of courfe be produced, equal, at lead, as has been already pbferved, to the whole amount of the provifions, raw materials, and manufa£bures, which would exifl: on a contrary fuppofition. The artificer, at the fame time, would be going on in the produc- tion of manufa6lured commodities, to an amount fufficient not only to repay the farmer, in thofe commodities, fomhe provi- fions and materials which were procured from him, but to fur- jiifti the artificer himfelf with a fupply of fimilar commodities for his own ufe. Thus, then, there would be two quantities or values in exiftence inftead of one ; and the revenue and con^^ lumption would be double in one cafe, what it would be in the other. If in place of both thefe fuppofitions, there were fuppofed to be two fanners and no artificer, each of whom applied a part of his labour to the culture of land, and another part to the fabri- cation of manufaftures ; in this cafe, the portion of the labour of both bellowed upon land would produce the fame quantity of provifions and raw materials only, as would be produced by the pntirc fum of the labour of one applied in the lame mannner, and 80« GENERAL DESCRIPTU the portion of the labour of both beftowed upon manufactures, -would produce the fame quantity of manufa£lures, only, as would be produced by the entire fum of the labour of one applied in the fame manner. Hence the produce of the labour of the two farmers would not be greater than the produce of the labour of the farmer and the artificer ; and hence it refults, that the la- bour of the artificer is as pofitively produ£live as that of the far-^ mer, and, as pofitively, augments the revenue of the fociety, The labour of the artificer replaces to the farmer that portion of his labour with which he provides the materials of exchange with the artificer, and which he would otherwife have been com- pelled to apply to manufaftures ; and while the artificers thus enables the farmer to enlarge his ftock of agricultural indudry, a portion of which he purchafes for his own ufe, he alfofupplits himfdf with the manufaSured articles of which he Jiands in need. He does ftill more — Befides this equivalent which he gives for the portion of agricultural labour confumed by him, and this fup- ply of manufa£iured commodities for his own confumption, he furnifhes iJLill a fuiplus, which compenfates for the ufe of the capital advanced either by himfelf or fome other perfon, for carrying on the bufinefs. This is the ordinary profit of the ftock employed in the manufaAory, and is, in every fenfe, as effective an addition to the income of the fociety' as the rent of land. The produce of the labour of the. artificer, confequently, may be regarded as compofid of tjwee parts ; one by which the pro- vifions for his fubfillenco and the materials for his work are pur- chafed of the farmer; one by which he fupplies himfelf with manufa£iured neceffaries : and a third which conftitutes the pro- fit on the ftock employed. The two laft portions feem to have been overlooked in thisfyftem, which reprefents manufa£luring induftry ai» barren and unproduftive. '. In the courfe of the preceding illuftrations, the produfts of equal quantities of the labour of the farmer and artificer have been treated as if equal to each other. But this is not to be un- derftood as intending to aflfert any fuch precife equality. It is merely a' manner of exprc'f'on adopted for the fake of fimplicity and perfpicuity. Whether the value of the produce of the la- bour of the farmer be fomewhat more or lefs than that of the artificer, is not material to the main fcope of the argument, which hitherto has aimed at (hewing, that the one^ as well as the other, occafions a pofitive augmentation of the total produce and reve- nue of the fociety. It is now proper to proceed a ftep farther, and to enumerate the principal circumftances, from which it may be inferred. That A at THE UNITED STATES. 803 manuhfturing eftabliAimenti, nort only occafion a pofitive aug* mentation of the produce and revenue of the fociety, but that they contribute eflentially tp rendering them greater than they could poflibiy be, without fuch eftablifliments. Thefe circum- ftancea are^ 1; The divifion of labour. a. An extenfion of the ufe of machinery. 3. Additional employment to clafles of the c(Mnmunity not or- dinarily engaged in the buftnefs. 4^ The promoting of emigration from foreign countries. 5. The fumiftiing greater fcope for the diveriity of talent* and difpofitions which difcriminate men from each other. 6. The a£Fording a more ample and various field for enter- , prize. 7. The creating, in fome inftances, a new, and fecuring in all, a more certain and fteady demand for the furplus produce of the foil. Each of thefe circumftances has a confiderable influence vpon the total mafs of induftrious effort in a community : together, they add to it a degree of energy and effeft, which are not eafily conceived. Some comments upon each of them, in the order in which they have been ftated, may ferve to explain their impor* tance. I. As to tlit divifion of labour, , It has juilly been obferved, that there is fcarcely any thing of greater moment in the economy of a nation, than the proper di- vifion of labour — The reparation of occupations caufes each to be carried to a much greater perfe£lion than it could poflibiy ac- quire, if they were blended. This arifes principally from three circumftances. ill. The greater fliill and dexterity naturally ^'efulting from a conilant and undivided application to a tingle objeft— -It is evi- dent, that thefe properties muft increafe in proportion to the feparation and iimplification of obje£b, and the fteadinefs of the attention devoted to each ; and muft be lefs, in proportion to the complication of obje£ls, and the number among which the atten- tion is diftra6led. fid. The economy of time, by avoiding the lofs of it, incident to a frequent tranfition from one operation to another of a differ- ent nature.-— This depends on various circumftances ; the tranfi- tion itfelf, the orderly difpofition of the implements, machines, and materials employed in the operation to be relinquiflied, the preparatory fteps to the commencement of a new one, the inter- ruption of the impulfe, which the mind of the workmen acquires, irom being engaged in a particular operation ; the diftra£lions. ^04 6EkEkAt ffESCRtPTiOi hefitation^j attcl ^luCUncet| which attend the paflage /rofn on# kind of bufinefit io ilnothen 3d. An extenfion of the ufe o^ machinery.— A man occupte felf a diilin£l trade, the artiH who follows it, has all the advanta« CCS which have been enumerated^ for improvement in his parti- cular art ; and in both ways the invention and application of machinery are extended. And from thefe caufes united, the mere (eparation of the occu- pation of the cultivator, from that of the artificer, has thcfefFcfl of aygmenting the produ^ive powers of labour, and with them the total mafs of the produce or revenue of a country. In this' fmgle view of the fubje£)i, therefore, the utility of artificers of manufa£lures, towards promoting an increafe of produ^ive induf- fry, is apparent. II. As to an extenfion of the 'uje of machinery^ a point tohkh^ though partly anticipated^ requires to be placed in one or tao addition- al lights. The ertiployment of machinery forms an item of great impor-' portance in the general mal's of national induftry. 'Tis an arti- ficial force brought in aid of the natural force of man ; and, to all the purpofes of labour, is an increafe of hands ; an acceflion of flrcngth, unincumbered too by the expence of if intaining the labourer. May it not therefore be fairly inferred, that thofe oc- cupations, which give greatefl fcope to the ufe of this auxiliary, contribute mod to the general ftock of induftrious effort, and, in confequence, to the general produfl of induftry ? It will be taken for granted, and the truth of the pofit ion re- ferred to obfervation, that manufa£luring purfuits are fufceptible in a greater degree of the application of machinery, than thofe of agriclilturc. If fo, all the difference is lofl to a community, which, inftead of manufafturing for itfelf, procures the fabrics requifitc to its fupply from other countries. The fubftitution of foreign for domeftic manufa£iurcs, is a transfer to foreign na- tions of the advantages accruing from the employment of ma- chinery, in the modes in which it is capable of being employed, with moft utility and to the greateft extent. The cotton mill invented in England, within the laft twenty years, is a fingle illuftration of the general propofition which we have advanced. In confequence of it, all the different proccffes for fpinning cotton are performed by meaAs of machines, which ur tHB UNITED STATES. ao5 itt put in notion by water, and attended chiedy by wonpien and children } and by a fmallcr numl* of perfona, in the whole^ than are re<|uiQte in the ordinary it.jde of fpinning'i And it it an advantage of great moment that the operationif«f 'this lAUl continue with convenience) during the night, ni¥0 a* through the day. The prodigious eifeA of fuch a nMchii^MS raiUy con' ceivedi To this invention is to be attributed «i^nttiUy, the im* menfe progrefs ^^hich has been fo fuddenly madf in thia country i^ the various fabrics of cotton* III. As to the additional employnuiu of ctafes of the cowmunityf not ordinarily engaged in the particular bufinefst ^ This is not aflitong the lead V!iluable of the means, by which tiwmufafi^uring inflitutions contribute to augment the general flock of induAry and produftion« tn places where thofe inftitutions prevail, befides the perfons regularly engaged in them, they affprd occafional and extra employment tp induftrioua individuals and families, who are willing to devote the leifure refulting from the intermif^ons of |heir ordinary purfuits to collateral labouri, as a refource for multiplying their acquifitions or their enjoyments* The huibandman himfelf experiences a neiv fource of jprofit and fupport froin the increafed induftry of his wife and daughters } invited and ftimulated by the demands of the neighbouring ma< nufadoricf* fiefide this advantage of oCcafional employment to claiTes hav- ing different occupations, there is another of a nature allied to it| uid of a Itmilar tendency.— 'lliis is the employment of perfons who would otherwife be idle, and in many cafes a burthen on the community, either from the bias of temper, habit, infirmity, of body, or fome other caufe, indifpofing or difqualifying them for the toils of the country. It is worthy of particular remark, that, in general, women and children are rendered' more ufeful, and the. latter more early ufeful, by manufa^uring eftablifliments, than they would otherwife be. Of the number of perfons employed in the cotton manufa£korics of Great Britain, it is cofiiputed that four fevenths nearly are women and children ; of wk#m the greateft proportion are children, and many of them oi a tender age. Thus it appears to be one of the attributues of manufactures, and one of no fmall confequence, to give occalton to the exertion of a greater quantity of indudry, even by. the fame number of per- fons, where they happen to prevail, than would exift if there were no fuch efl^abliihments. IV. As (0 the promoting of emigration from foreign couritries. Men relu^ntiy quit one. courfc of occupation and livelihood kx 9 3o6 ^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION for another, unlcfs invited to It by very a|>par«nt and proximfte advantages. Many, who would go from one country to tnother, if they had a {)rofped of conthiuing, With more benefit, the cal- lings to which they have been educated, will often not be tempt- ed to change their fituation by the hope of doing better in (ome other way, Manufa£lurerswho,liflcning to the powerful invita* tionit of a better ^ricc for their fabrics, or their labour ; of great- er cheapnefs of proviAons and raw materials ; of an exemption from the chief part of the taxes, burthens and reftraints, which they endure in Europe ; of greater pcrfonal independence and confcquence, under the operation of a more equal government ; and of what is far more precious than mere religious toleration, a perfcft equality of religious privileges ; will probably flock from £urope to the United States to purfue their own trades or pro- fcirtons, if they are once made fenCblc of the advantages they will enjoy, and are infpired with an ^fTu ranee of encouragement and employment. If it be true then, that it is the intercfl of the United States to open every poITlble avenue to emigration from abroad, it affords a weighty argument for their encouragement of manufafiiures ; which, for the reafons juft afltgned, will have the ftrongeft ten- dency to multiply tho inducements to it. Here is perceived ?n important refourcc, ' not only for extend, ing the population, and with it the ufeful and produ£live labour of the country, but likewifc for the profecution of manufafturcs, without dedu£ling from the number of hands, which might other- wife be drawn to tillage ; and even for the indemnification of agriculture for fuch as may happen to be diverted from it. Many whom manufafturing views may induce to emigrate, will after- wards yield to the temptations, which the particular fituation of the United States hold out to agricultural purfuits. And while agriculture will in other refpcfts derive many fignal and unmin- gled advantages from the growth of manufafturcs, it is a problem whether it will gain or lole, as to the article of the number of pcrfons employed in carrying it on. v. As to the furni/hiiig greater fcope for the diverfily of talents and diffiofttions, which di/<,riminate menj'rom each other. This. is a much more powerful mean of augmenting the fund of natior»il induftry, than may at firft fight appear. It is a jullcbfcr- vation, that minds of the ftrongeft and moft aftive powers for their proper objcfts fall below mediocrity, and labour without cf- fcft if confined' to uncongenial purfijits : and it is thence to be inferred, that the rcfults of human exertion may hi imm'cnfcly in- crcaied ty divcrfifying its objcAui.'^ When all the different kinds of induftry obtain in a community, each individual can find liis fF THE UNI ED ST A fS. 307 ipvepcr clement, and can call into aftivity t\m. wholp ;<»Mr of Y nature. And the community it benefitted by the ces of reipeftive n\$rmberi, in the manner in which cuch m firrve : with moil eS ply themlielvea with fubfiftenee from thair own foil ) and mahtt* fafturing nations, as far as cireumftanccs permit, endeavour to pro- cure from the (ame feurce, the raw materials neccflary for their own fabrics. This difpofition, urged by the fpirit of monopoly, is fbmetimea even carried to an injudicious extreme. It feema not always to be recollefted, that nations who have neither mines nor manufaAures, can only obtain the manufaftured articles, of which they ftand in need, by an exchange of the produfts of their foils ; and that if thofe who can beftturnifh them with fuch arti- dea are unwilling to give a due courfe to thia exchange, they muf^ of neceffity make every poflfihle ciibrt to manufacture for them- felves; the eifeft of which is, that the manufafturing nations abridge the natural advantages of their fituation, through an un- willingnefa to permit the agricultural countries to enjoy the ad- vantages of theirs, and facrifice the interefts of a mutually benefi. cial intercourfe tp the vain projeCl of felling every thing and buy- ing nothing, fiut it is alfo a confequence of the policy, which has been no- ted, that the fqreig.n'^mand for the produfts of agricultural coun- tries, is, in a great degree, rather cafual and occafional, than cer- tain or conftant, To what extent injurious interruptions of the demand for fome of the flaple cummodities of the United States, may have been experienced from that caufe, muft be referred to the judgment of thofe who are engaged in carrying on the com- merce of the country ;^ but it may be fafely affirined, that fuch in- terruption are at times very inconveniently felt, and that cafes not unfrequently occur, in which markets are fo confined and rcftrifted, as to render the demand very unequal to the fupply. Independent likewife of the artiScial impediments, which are created by the policy in queilion, there are natural caufes tending to render the external demand for the furplus of agricultural na. tions a precarious reliance. The differences of feafons in the countries which are the confumers, make immenfe differences in the produce of their own foils, in different years, and confequent- ly in the degrees of their neceflity for foreign fupply. Plentiful harveils with them, efpecially if fimilar ones occur at the fame time in the i>. entries which are the furnifhers, occafton of courfo a glut in the markets of the latter. Confidering how faft and how much the progrefs of new fet- tlements in the United States muft increafc the furplus produce of the foil, and weighing fcrioufly the tendency of the fyflem which prevails among moft of the commercial nations of Europe, lyhatever dependence may be placed on the force of natural cir- cumflances to counteraft the efFefts of an artificial policy, there bcrf *ffE UNITED STATES* 8^9 •pfNllrlbong mlbiis to regard the foreign demand for thi (iirplua at too uncertain a reliance, and to defire a fubilitute for it, in an cxtenfive domefttc market. To fecure fucli a market, there ii no other expedient than lor the United btaten to promote manufafturing eftabliflinenla. Manufafturert, who conftitute the moft numeroua clafa, after the cuUivatora of land, are for that reafon the principal confumert of the furplus of their labour. This idea of an extenfive domedic market for the furplui pro> duce of the foil, ia of the firft conl'equence to the United Statea. It it of all things that which moft effe£kually conducea to a flou* rt(hing ftate of agriculture. If the eifeft of manufa^riea were to be the detaching a portion of the hands which would be otherwife engaged in tillage, it might poflibly caufe a fmaller quantity of landa to be under cultivation: but by their ten- dency to procure a more certain demand for the furplua produce of the foil, they at the fame time, caufe the landa which are in cultivation to be better improved, and more productive. And while, by their influence, the condition of each individual farmer is meliorated, the total mafa of agricultural prMuftion will pro- bably be increafed : for this muft evidently depend as much, if pot more, upon the degree of improvement, than upon the num- ber f ' acres under culture. It merits particular obfervation, that the multiplication of ma- nufaftories not only furnifhes a market for thofe articles which have been accuftomed to be produced in abundance in a country, but it likewife creates a demand for fuch as were either unknown, or produced in inconfiderable quantities. The bowels, aa well as the furface of the earth, are ranfacked for articles which were before neglefted. Animals, plants, and minerals acquire a utility and value, which were before unexplored. The foregoing confiderations feem fufEcient to eftablifh, as ge- neral propofitiona, that it is the interefl: of nations, and particular- ly of the United States, to diverfify the imduflrious purfuits of the individuals who compofe them — >that the eftablifhment of manufaftures is calculated not only to increafe the general flock of ufeful and produ£iive labour, but even to improve the (late of agriculture ir. particular; certainly to advance the interefl; of thole who are engaged in it. There are other views, that we {hall hereafter take of the fubje£l, which, it is conceived, will fcrve to confirm thefe inferences. Previous to a further difcufTion of the objeftions to the encou- ragement of manufa6lures, which have been flated, it will be of ufe to fee what can be faid in reference to the particular fituation 3*P GENERAL DESCRIPflON |«;''-B ;4| \fl:f-:/ of the United States againfl the concluiions appearing to refult from what has been already offered. It may be obferved, and the idea is of no inconfiderable weight, that however true it may be, that a flate, which pofleflTcs large ,tra£is of vacant and fertile territory, and at the fame time fecluded from foreign commerce, would find -ts intcreft, and the intereft of agriculture, in diverting a part of its population from tillage to manufaftures ; yet it will not follow that the fame is true of a ftate, which, having fuch vacant and fertile territory, has at the fame time ample opportunities of procuring from abroad, on good terms, all the fabrics of which it (lands in need for the fupply of its inhabitants. The power of doing this at leaft fecures the great ad- vantage of a divifion of labour, leaving the farmer free to purfuc cxclufively the culture of his land, and enabling him to procure with its products the manufactured fupplies requifite either to his wants or to his enjoyments. And though it (hould' be true, that in fettled countries the diverfification of induftry is conducive to ah increafe in the produ£live powers of labour, and to an augmen- tation of revenue and capital, yet it is fcarcely conceivable that there can be any thing of io folid and permanent advantage to an uncultivated and unpeopled country, as to convert its waftes into cultivated and inhabited di{lri6ls. If the revenue, in the mean time, ftiould be lefs, the capital, in the event, muft be greater. To thcfe obfervations, the following appears to be a fatisfaftory anfwer, at leaft fo far as they concern the American States. If the fyftem of pcrfcft liberty to induftry and commerce were the prevailing fyftcm of nations, the arguments which dif- fuade a country in the predicament of the United States, from the zealous purfuit of manufaftures, would doubtlefs have great force It will not be affirmed, that they might not be permitted, with few exceptions, to ferve as a rule of national conduft. In fuch a ftate of things, each country would have the full benefit of its pecu- liar advantages to compenfate for its deficiencies or difadvantages. If one nation were in condition to fupply manufaftured articles on better terms than another, that other might find an abundant indemnification in a fupcrior capacity to furnifh the produce of the foil. And a free exchange, mutually beneficial, of the com- modities which each was able to fupply, on the beft terms, might be carried on between them, fupporting in full vigour the indul- try of each. And though the circumftanccs which have been mentioned, and others which will be unfolded hereafter, render it probable, that nations merely agricultural, would not enjoy the fame degree of opulence, in proportion to their numbers, as thole which united manufaftures with agriculture; yet the progrcflivc improvement of the lands of the former might, in the end, atone for OF THE UNITED STATES. 3t> an inferior degree of opulence in the mean time;, and in a cafe in which oppofite confideration are pretty equally balanced, the op- tion ought prrhaps always to be, in favour of leaving indudry to its own direftion. But the fyftem which has been meijtioned is far from charafter- izing the -general policy of nations. The prevalent one has been regulated by an oppofite I'pirit. The confequcnce of it is, that the United States are to a certain pxtent in the fituation of a country precluded from foreign commerce. They can indeed, without difficulty, obtain from abroad the manufa£lured fupplies of which they are in want ; but they experience numerous and very injurious impediments to the emilfion and vent of their own commodities. Nor is this the cafe in reference to a finglc foreign nation only. The regulations of feveral countries, with which they have the moft extenfive intercourfe, throw ferious obilruc-. tions in the way of the principal (laples of the United States. In fuch a pofition of things, the United States cannot exchange with Europe on equal terms ; and the want of reciprocity would render them the viftim of a fyftem, which would induce them to confine their views to agriculture, and refrain from manufaft«rcs. A conftant and increafmg neceffity, on their part, for the commo* dities of Europe, and only a partial and occaiional demand for their own, in return, could not but expofe them to a ftate of iiiipoveriftiment, compared with the opulence to which their po- litical and natural advantages authorife them to afpirc. Remarks of this kind are not made in tiie fpirit of complaint. Tis for the nations, whofe regulations are alluded to, to judge for themfelves, whether by aiming at too much, they do not lofe more than they gain. 'Tis for the United States to confider by what means they can render themfelves leaft dependent on the combinations, right or wrong, of European policy. It can be no fmall confolation to them, that already the mea- fures which have embarrafled their trade have accelerated their internal improvements, which, upon the whole, have bettered their affairs. To diverfify s^pd extend thefe improvements is the fureft and fafeft method of indemnifying themfelves for any in- convcniencies which thofe or fimilar meafures have a tendency to beget. If Europe will not take from them the produfts of their foil, upon terms confiftent with their intercft, the natural reme- dy is for them to contract as faft as pofTible their wants of her. The convcrlion of their wafte into cultivated land is certainly a point of great moment in the political calculations of the United States. But the degree in which this may pofTibly be retarded by the encouragement of munufaftories, docs not appear to counter- vail tlie powerful inducements to aftordinjj that encouragement. {■■'■ iM-V 1 )i t « 1 [I u t r I » H I' 3<« GENERAL DESCRIPTION An obfervation made in another place is of a nature to have; great influence upon this queftion-c^lf it canijot be denied that the interefts even of agriculture may be advanced more by having i'uch of the lands of a (late as are occupied under good cultiva* 'tion, than by having a greater quantity occupied under a .much inferior cultivation; and if manufactories, for thd* reafons aflign' ed, muft be admitted to have a tendency to promote a more fteadyr •nd vigorous cultivation of the lands occupied, than would hap.< pen without them, then it will follow* that they are capable of indemnifying a country for a diminution of the progrefs of new fettlements ; and may fcrve to increafe both the capital value and the income of its lands, even though they fliould abridge the number of acrels under tillage. ' ^ But it does by no means fallow, that the progrefs of new fettle- ments will be retarded by the extenfion of manufactures. The delire of being an independent proprietor of land is founded on fuch ftrong principles in the human bread, that where the op. portunity of becoming fo is as great as it is in the United States, the proportion will be fmall of thofe, whofe fituations would otherwife lead to it, who will be diverted from it towards manu' faftures. And it is highly probable, as already intimated, that the acceflion of foreigners, who originally drawn over by manu- fa&uring yiews, will afterwards abandon them for agricultural, will be more than equivalent for thofe of her own citizens, who may happen to be detached from them. The remaining obje&ions to a particular encouragement of manu- faftures in the United States now require to be examined. One of thefe turns on the poiition, that induftry, if left to it- fell', will naturally find its way to the mod uieful and profitable employment : whence it is inferred, that manufafturcs, without the aid of government, will grow up as foon and as fail, as the natural date of things, and the intetcd of the community may require. Againd the folidity of this hypothefis, in the full latitude of the terms, very' cogent reafons may^be offered. Thefe have re- lation to the drong influence of habit and the fpirit of imitation, the fear of want of fuccefs in untried enterprifes, the intiinfic difficulties incident to fird eflays towards a competition with thofe who have previoufly attained to perfeftion in the bufmefs to be attempted, the bounties, premiums, and other artificial encou- ragements, with which European nations fecond the exertions of their own fubjefts in the branches in which they are to be rivalled. Experience teaches, that men are often lb much governed by what they arc accudomed to fee and praftifc, that the fin?plcft OF THE UNITED STATES. 313 and moH obvious improvements, in the mod ordinary occupa^ lions, are adopted with befitation, relu£Unce, and by flow grada* tions. The fpontancous tranfition to new purfuits, in a commu- nity long habituated to different ones, nMiy be expelled to be attended with proportionably greater difficulty. When former occupation! ceal'e

mbinaltons-<^to defclat their effefts^ if formed, »nd to prevent their being formed^ by dcmenftrating that they jnuft in the end prove fruitlefs. Whatever room there may be far m expe£Ution that the in- duftry of a people, under the direftion of private intcreft, will 4jpon equal terms find out the mcll beneficial employment for itfelf, there is none id a reliance that it will ftruggle agatnfl the force of unequal terms, or will of itfelf furmount all the adven- titious barrief* to a^ fuccefsful competition, which may have been ere^bcd either by the advantages naturally acquired from praAice and previous polleflion of the. ground, or by thoie which may have Xprung from pofitive' regulations and an artificial policy. This general reflefUon might aloi>e fuffice as an anfwer to the obje£lion under examination, exclufively of the weighty confide- rations which have been particularly urged. The objeftions to the purfuit of manufaftures in the United States, which next prefent themfelves to difcul&on, reprefent an impraQicabtlity of fuccefs, arifing from three caufes— fcarcity of hands, dearnefs of labour, want of capital. Tlie two firft circumftances are to a certain extent real, and, within due limits, ought to be admitted as obftacles Xa the fuccefs of manufafturing enterprife in the United States. But there are various cpnfiderations which leflen their force, and tend to afford an affurance that they are not fufficient to prevent the advanta. geoua prolecution of many very ulcful and extenfive manufac- (oricf. With regard to fcarctty of hands, the fa£l itfelf muft be appli< ed with no linall qualification to certain parts of the United States. There are large diftri^ which may be confidered as ^^^f TWVNITED STATES, 8>S. pt«tt7 fully peopled, and wbii:li, noiwithftanding a continual . drain for diftant fettlementa, are ^hicjltly intcrfperfed^ with flou- rifhing and increafing towns. If thefe di(lri£ls have not already reached the point at which the fcarcity of hai^d* cpafes, they are . not remote from it, and are approaching faft ^>^ards it : and hav- . ing, perhaps, fewer attraftions to agriculture thap fon^e other parts of the union, they exhibit a proportioaahly ftrooger ten- dency towards other hinds of induflry. In thefe diflrids may , be difcerned no inconliderable maturity for manufaduring efta« bli(hments. ^ But there are circumftances, which have been already noticed with another view, that materially diminifli every where the effef^ of a fcarcity of hands. Thefe circumftances are--<-the greit ufe which can be made of women and children ; on which point a very pregnant and inftru&ive faft has been mentioned ; the vaft ' cxteiii^oi^ ^ivejA by late im|>roivements to the employment of ma* chinePj vltich> fi^ftkuting the agency of fire and water, has pro- digiouf^y le^ened the nece(&ty for manual labour ; the employ- n^ent ot perfons ordinarily engaged in other occupations, during the feafons, or hours of leifure ; which, beiidet giving vorfcmea, in different arts and trades, who, by expatriating froqa Europe, have improved tliieir own condition, and addled to {the induftry and wealth of the United States. It it a natural inference f** m the experience they have already had, that in proportion as ii.ii. Uni- ted ^tates fhail prefent the countenance of a lieirious profecution of manuf^£iures, in proportion as foreign artifts fliall be made fenfible thai the ilatc of things there affords a moral cettainty of employ- ment and encouragement competent numbers of European workmen will tranfplant them&lves, effeftually to enfufe the fuccefs of the dedgn. How indeed can it otherwife happen, Conltdering the various and po>v^rfu) inducements which the fitUiatipn of America offers, addre fling thcmfelves to fo many ftrong paflions and feelings, to fo many general and particular interefts ? It may be affirmed, therefore, in refpe£l to hands for carrying fin tnanufa£^ures, that they will in a great meafure trade npon a foreign (lock *, referving their own for the cuUivafiof> of fheir S « a " ' " 3«S G£tf£kAi A£SeAtPtid^: lands itid thtt ttutiilihg df thUr ikipt, at far ii chin€ttr anct dTr- cumftanc«* dial) inctifte. It li hot uhWonhy of ttmark, that thfe objeftitn to tK« fucccb of manUfaClures, deduced froni th« f<:arci. ty of handi, it alike applicable to tradd ind navigation, and yet thefe ire pelcetved to floui-ifli, Withdut any fenfible impediment ffOtt th«t ciufe. As to the deil-ntift 6t libbur, ahdth«r dt the obllacles alledged, tiMi hai t-ektion principally td two circumftances ; one, that which has be^n juft diftufled, the fca^city of hands; the other* the greatnefs of profits. As far as it is a eonfequencc of the Icarclty of hands, it is mitt- gated by all the confiderations which have been adduced as lelFen.- ing that de^ciency. It is certain too, that the difparity in this rcfpe^ between Tome of the moft manufa£iuring parts ^f llurope and a large proportion of the tJnijied States, is not nearly fo great as is ciommoniy imagined. li is alfo much lefs in regard to artifi- cers and manufacturers than in regard to country labourerls «, and yrhile- a carc|fu! compjit^rifon (hews that there is, in this particular, much exaggeration^ it if alfo evident, that the effe^ of the degree of difparity which does tr4y exift, i^ diminilhed in proportion to the ufe wh^K ^n^n be made of mafrhinciy. To illi\ftme this U6i idea--rLet |t be fuppofcd, that the difFer- pntc of pricC} in two countries, of a given quantity of manual la^. bour requifite to the fabrication 6f a given article is as ten, and that fome mschanic rpwERiji introduced into both countries, which performing half the neceifary labour, leaves only half to be done by hand, it is evident, th^ the di^rence in the coft of the fabrications of the article in queftion, in the two countries, as far as it is connefted with the pfice of labour, will be reduced from ten to five, in confequence of the introdu£^ioii of thaf (OWEK. This circumftance is worthy of the mod pa^tipulaf attention. It diminifhes iinmtnfely one of the objeAions, moft ftrenuouHy urged, againil the fu^ipefs of manufactures in the United States. For the United States to procure all fuch piachines as are - k^.own in any part of Europe can only require a proper provi- fion and due pains. The ^npwledge of feveral of the moft im- I portant of them they already poflefs. The preparation of them there is in moft cafes practicable on nearly equal terms. As far as they depend on water, foftie fuperiority of advantages may be claimed, from the uncommon variety and greater cheapnefs of fituations iidapted to mill feats, with which different parts of the United States abound. fftnPKS OtllT.SD:$ TATES: ♦'I - Sd fi>f b$ thff lyaftieft of Ubouf ma^ be'a'confeqdcno« of th4 greatneft of profits in afiy bi^nch of btifinefs; it it no obAacle to its focccfs. The ondtirtaker can afford tb pay the price. Therd are groonda to conclude^' that undcrtakcra of manufac^ iurei in America^ can at thni time affbrd to pay higher wage* to the workmen they employ than are paid to fii^ilar wbrkiinen in Europe. The pjrice of fdreign fabric* in flkei markets of the United States, which will fbr a lonf^ time regulate the prices of the dome (lie onea^ may be conftdered as compounded of the fol* lowing ingredients t'^^Tbe firil coft of materials, including tht taxes, if any, which are paid upon them where they are madei the expence of grounds, buildings^ machinery, and toola; the wages of the perfons employed in the manufaftory ; the profits on the capital or flock employed; the commiflions of agents t# purchafe them where they are made ; the expence of tranfportation to the United States, including infurance and other incidental icharges; the taxes or duties, if ai^, and fees of office which are paid on their exportation'; the taxes or duties, and fees of office which are paid on their importation. As to the firfl of thefe items, the coil of materials, the advan- tage, upon the whole, is at prefent on th« fide of the United States, and the difference in their favour mufl increafe, in pro- portion as a certain and extend ve domeftic demand fhall induce the proprietors of land to devote more of their attention to the produ£lion of thofe materials. It ought not to efcape obfervation, in a comparifon on this point, that fome of the principal manu« fa£luring countries of J^urope are much more dependent on foreign fupply for the materials of their manufa&ures, than the United States, who are capable of fupplying thcmfelves with a greater abundance, as well as a greater variety, of the requifite matetrials. As to the fecond item, the expence of grounds, buildings, ma- chinery, arid tctols, an equality at leafl may be afTumcd; fince advantages in fome particulars will counterbalance temporary difadvahtages in others. As to the thitd item, or the artidle of wages, the comparifon certainly turns againfl the United States ; though, as before ob- ferved, not in fo great a degree as is commonly fuppofed. The fourth item is alike applicable to the foreign and to the domeftic manufa£lure. It is indeed more properly a refult than a particular tb be compared. But with refpe£lto all the remaining items, they are alone ap- plicable to the foreign manufa£lure, and in the flri£le{l fenfe, ex- traordinaries ; conflituting a fum of extra charge on the foreign «•• eENthAL BtttChtfTIOIt |! m Jilli! ill' ftbricy which cannot be dlimated at left than ftvm 15 to ft per cent, on the coft of it at the manufiAoiy. The fum of extra charge may confidently be regarded at more than a counterpoife for the real diflerence in the price of labour, and ia a fatiafaAory proof that manufaifturea may profper i^ defi. ance of it in the United State*. To the general allegation, connefted with the circumftanfea of fcarcity of handa and the dearneft of labour, that extenfive ma. nufaftures can only grow out of a redundant or full population, it will be fufficient to anfwcr generally, that the faft haa been otherwife. — ^That the fituation alledged to be an eifential condi> tion of fuccefa, haa not been that of feveral nationa, at periods when they had already attained to maturity in a variety of manu- faflures. The fuppofed want of capital for the profecution of manu* fa£lure8 in the United States is the mod indefinite of the objcc« tions which are ufually oppofed to it. It is very difiicult to pronounce any thing precife concerning the real extent of the monied capital of a country, and iltU more concerning the proportion which it bears to the objefts that in- vite the employment of capital. It ia not lefs difficult to pro- nounce, how far the efFe& of any given money, as capital, or, in other words, as a medium for circulating the induftry and pro- perty of a nation, may be increafed by the very circuniftance of the additional motion which is given to it by new obje£U of em- ployment. That effect, like the momentum of deilcending bodies, may not improperly be reprefented, aa in a compound ratio to mafs and velocity. It feems pretty certain, that a given fum of money, in a fituation in which the quick impulfes of commercial aAivity are little felt, will appear inadequate to the circulation of as great a quantity of induftry and property as in one in which their full influence is experienced. It is not bbvious why the fame objeAion might not aa well he made to external commerce as to manufa&ures, fince it is manifeft that the immenle tra£b of land, occupied and unoccupied, are ca- pable of giving emplo)rment to more capital than is a&ually be- llowed upon them. It is CpHTAtN THAT THt UmITKD STAT&S orrsx A VAST ritin rpa tHi aovamtaoiovs KMrtovMENT or CAriTAL, but it does not follow that there will not be found, in one way or another, a fu^cient ft^nd for the fuccefsful pro- fecution of any fpecies of induftry wjiich i^ XiktXy to prove truly beneficial. The following confiderations are of a na^^ur^ tp remove all in- quietude on the (core of want of capita^. d'tTHl UNITXD STATES. I'f Th« introduftion of binki, u ku Iwcn Ihewn on tnctllierocca* fion^ hat • po%ircrful tendency to extend the aAiye capktl of » country. Experience of the utility of thefe inftitutiont is multU plying ther* *n the United Sutei, It is probable that they will be eftal.ioted wherever they can cxift with advantage; and yherevcr they can be (upported, if edminiftcrcd with prudence, they will add new energies to all pecuniary operations. The aid of foreign capital may fafcly, and with confiderable latitude, be taken into calculation. Its inftrumentality has been hmg experienced in their external commerce } and it has begun to be felt in various other modes. Not only their funds, but their agriculture and other internal improvements have been animated by it. It has already, in a few inftances, extended even tu their imnufadures. It is a well known fa£k, that there are parts of Europe, which have more capital than profitable doireftic obje£U of employments .Hence, among other proofs, the large loans continually furniihed to foreign (Utes. And it is equally certain, that the capital of other parts mfty find more profitable employment in the United States, than at home. And notwithfUnding there are weighty in- ducements to prefer the employ meat of capital at home, even- at lefs profit, to an invcilment of it abroad, though with greater gain, yet thefe inducements an over-ruled, either by a deficiency of employment, or by a very material difference in profit. Both thefe caufes operate to produce a transfer of foreign capital to the United States^ It is certain, thai various objefts in America hold out advantages, which are with dificulty to be eq^ialled elfe- where ; and under the increafin^y favourable impreffions, which are entertained of its government, the attra&ions will become more and more ftrong. Hiefe impreffions will prove a rich mine of profperity to the country, if they are confirmed and ftrength- ened by the progrefs of their affairs. And to fecure this ad- vantage, little more Is neceffaryr than to fofter induftry, and cul- tivate order and tranquility at home and abroad. It is not impoffible, that there may be perfons difpofed to look with a jealous eye on the introduftion of foreign capital, as if it were an inftrument to deprive their own citizens of the profits of their induftry: but perhaps there never could be a more un- reafonable jealoufy. Inftead of being viewed as a rival, it ought to be confidtred at a moft valuable auxiliary ; conducing to put in motion a greater quantity of produftive labour, and a greater portion of ufeful enterprife, than could exift without it. It is at leaft evi- (lent, that in a country fituated like the United States, with an infi- aite fundof refources, yet to be unfolded, every farthing of foreign i«« >! '' capital, which ia laid out in internal amelioratifMia, and In induf- trious eftablifhmonts of a permancrtt natul«, ia^a precioui acquis fiiion. ■' > And whatever be the objcftt wh(ck ortgtnaHy altraft foreign capital, when once introduced, it may be direfted towards' any purpofe of benefi^tal exertion, which i$ d^re^. And to detain it in the United States, there can be 'no expedient fo efFe£lual as to enlarge the ^ere, within which it ihay 1^ ufefuily employed; though introduced merely with views to Speculations in the funds, it may afterwards be rendered fubfervient to the intereds of agriculture, commerce, and manufaCkures. ^ , But the attraftioiik of foreign capital for the dircft purpofe of manufactures ought not to be deemed a chimerical expe£lation. There are already examples of it, as remarked in another place. And the examples,* if the difpofition be cultivated, can hardly fail to multiply. There «re atfo inftances of another kind, which ferve to ftrengthe'rt the expeCbtion ; enterprifcs for improving the public communications^ by pitting canals, opening the ob- ilruflions in rivers, and ereCking bridge«> have received very ma- teria^ aid from the fame fource." i ;t . When the manufafturing eapitaliil of Europe Qiall adveit to the many important advantagtii which have been intimated i|i the courfe of thefc remarks, he cannot but perceive very powerful inducements (o a transfer of hunfelf and his capital to the IJnited States. Among the rafleftions' which a moil interelling pecu- liarity of fituation is caltulatcd to fuggf reliance on the aid of foreign capital, towards the attainment of ihe 'objclft in view, it ia fatisla^ry to have good grounds of affurance, that there are domeftie refources of themielves adequate to it. It happens, that there is a fpecies of capital, aftually exiftingt within the United States, which re- lieves from all inquietude <)n the fcore of want of capual-"- This is the funded debt. The eife£l of a funded debt, as a fpecies of capital, has been noticed upon a former occafion; but a more particular elucidation of the point feems to be required by the ftrefs which is laid up- on it. Public funds anfwer the purpofe of capital, from the eftima- tion in which they are ufually held by monied men : and confe- if tUi UNITED SfiTES:^ 391 i^udMtly frSm the cafe tml difpatch with which fhey can be turn- 'e«l into ihoney*?' T1|ts Spicily of prompt cqhtrovrrtibility into nioney, vCaufei i'ltzniiit of ftock to be in a great number of c^'^ couivatdat to aj;^tnent iircoin. — And where it does net happeji to* fuit the party'^yho ia to receive, to accept a transfer of ^clc, the party who i^ tb pa^i isjiever at a lofs toi*1ind elfewhere a |)ur- cKafer of his ft<^ck, who l^riU furnifh hiin m.lieu of it| with the coin of wH^ch \it ftands (n need. I Hence in a ^ou be the true and accurate view of the hiaf ler-^ ' •. ■ n - ..-.-.•:. As to the point of the annual revenuo. requiAte for payment Idif imerdk and rcdempcioti of principsf : >-'" < As a detfctiiiiiiatif pft)pfertion ^ilttendto perfp5^aity in the re«. forring, let it be fti^pofed, that the ahnual revenue to be applied, confefpdnding ^ith the modification of ilie fi'per cent, ftock of thtf UWted Stater, tt' ht the ratio, of ci^ht upon the hundred ; that ni; Ttt the firil iilftance, fne on accoui^t of intereft, ard two on ac- ^ouhVof pi^ificipal. ."iilfitfs far it is evident, that the cap^?l deftroyed to :he capital cj'^c^lted',^ V'puld \itix no greater proportion than 8 to 100. There ^§ul9 ileHvit^dUWti ft6m the total ihafs of other capitals a fum of eight dollar* to be tfajd to the public creditor ; while he would be p^eM^P^^ ^^'"^ ^^ ^e hundred dollars, ready to be applied to any purpio^,.: to be et^bi^rked in any enterprife, which might appear to Ikiiii eligible^— Here then the augmentation of capital, 4r the exc^fs of that Vi|iich is produced, beyond that which is d^ftroydd; Is e^Uif tP ninety-two dollars. Vol. I. Tx ■III' ife aaa GENERAl bESCRIFTtOii . To this conclufion it nuy be objefted, thtlthe fum of eight cioI< Urs is to be withdrawn annually, until the whole hunJred is ix* tjinguilhed, and it may be inferred, that in procefs of time a ca- pital, will be dcftroyed equal to that Which is at iirft created. But it is neverthciefs true, that auring the whole of the inter- val, betwe the extent of the annuity appropriated to the payment o^lSnt. jintered and the redemption of the principel of the debt; but in this too much has been conceded. There is at mod a temporary transfer of fome other capital, to tlic amount of the akhuity, from thofe who pay to the creditor who receives ; which he again reftore* tn the circulation to refume the offices of a capital. Th^ he do^ OF THE UNITED STATES. m itither immediataly by employing the money in fotoe brtnch of indu'ftry, or mediately by lending it to fome other perfon who doet fo employ it, o|r by fpending it on hi* own maintenance. In f itber fuppofition, there ii no deftniAioii of capital : there ia no- thing more than a fufpcnfion of ita motion for a time, that ia, while it ia pafling from the handi of thofe who pay into the public cof- fera, and thence through the public creditor into foqia other chan- nel of circulation. When the payments of intcrcft are periodical and quick, and made by the in^rumentality of bank the divcr- fion or fufpcnfion of capital may almoft be dei ninated moment tary. Hence the dedu&ion on this account is far lefs than it at firft fight appears to be. There is evidently, as far as regards the annuity, no deftruftion nor transfer of any other capital, than that portion of the income of each individual, which goes to make up the annuity. Ti^J land which fumifliea the farmer with the fum which he is to con- tribute remains the fame } and the like may be obferved of other capitals. Indeed, as far as the tax, which is the objefk of contri* bution (as frequently happens when it does not opprefs by its weight) may have been a motive to greater exertion in any occu- pation ; it may even ferve to incr^fe the contributory capital. This idea ia not without importance in the gen sral view of the fubjca. ' It remains to fee, what further dedu^on ought to be made from the capital which ia created) by the exiftence of the debt, on ac- count of the coin which is eniployed in its circulation. This is fufceptible of much lefs precife calculation than the article which has been juft difcufTcdf It is impofllble to fay, what proportion of coin is neceilkry to carry on the alienations which any fpeci? s of property ufually undergoes. The quantity, indeed, varies ac- cording to circunii^nces. But it may ilill without hefitation be pronounced, from the quicknefs of the rotation, or rather of the tranfitions, that the medium of circulation always bears but a fmall jproportion to tht amount of the property circulated. And ii is |hence £itisfa£k>rily deducible, that the coin employed in the ne- '|gOC}ljtioQS of the funds, and which ferves to give them aftivity as ^i;a|^||il|^ k< W lefs than the ^um of the debt negotiated for tliBj i i it p o f e of bufinefs. It ouipft juit, however, to be omitted, that the negociation of the funds becomes itfelf a diilinA bufinefs, which employs, and \>y employing, diverts a portion of the circulating coin from other purfuits. But making due allowimce for this circumftance, there js no reafon to conclude, that, the effeft of the diverfion of coin jn t^M whole operation bears any confiderable prgportion to the' Tt 2 1 3M QENBRAJL JXES^R^lPTlO^iy otnount ,of the capital to^ which i^ g^ives, ai^ivijty:, • (The Sum of the debt }n circulation is continually at the coiilmtnd of ai^y Mtct^X toterprife ; the coin itfelf, which circulate! it, is ncve^ more thai\ momentarily fufpended froni its ordinary funfifion^; It experiences an inccffant and rapid • %;f,.an4 refluj; tp and f^^ip the channQls of [nduflry to thofe of ,fpe(:u],ations in the funds. There are flrpng circumilfinces in cqnf.rmation of this theory. The force of moaied capital which has been difpiayed in Great Britain, and the height to which every fpccies of induttry has grow,n up under it, defy a folution jFi^am, the quantity of coin 1/^hich that kingdom has ever pofleffcd. Accordingly it has been, co-eyil with its funding fyftem, the prevailing opinion of the inenof bufinefs, and of the generality o£ the moft (agacious theorifts of that country, that the operation of the public funds as capital has contributed to the e^Fe^ in queilion. >Vmong the Americans appearances thus far favour the fame cooclufion. Induftry in general feems to have been rcranimated. T^ere are fymptoms in- dicating an extention of their commerce. Their nayigation has certainly of late had a conflderable fpring, anf^ there appears to bf in many parts hf the Union a command pf capital, ^rhich, till lately fincc the revolution at lead, was unlcnown. But it is at the fapie time to be acknowledged, that other circumflfances have concurred, and in a great degrep, in producing the prefcnt ftate of things, and that the uppearances are not yet fu,fficiently decifive to b^ entirely relied upon. In the quefliion under d^ircuiTion, it^is important^ to 4i(^ing]^lQ^ between an abfolitte increafe of capital, or an acceiUon of real wealth and an artificial increafe of capital, as an engine of bufinefs, or as an inftrumcnt of induftry and commerce. In the firft fcnlc, a funded debt has no pretenfions to beings deemed an increafe 'of capital ; in the lad, it has pretentions which are not eaiy to be controverted. Of a fimilar nature is bank credit, and,, in an in« ferior degree, every fpecies of private Credit, » But though a funded debt is not in the fird indance, an ^fyli^t^ .increafe of capital, or an augmentation of red wealth; yet;,; by fervingas a new power in the operation of indudiy, it b»f Vfith*« certain bounds a tendency to increa(c the real wealth of kp!C0^n- nity ; in like manner as money borrowed by a thrifty fai|E|er, to be laid out in the improvement of his farm, may, in the etlO) add to his dock of real riches. There are refpeftable individuals, who, from ayi^jf averfiipn to an accumulation of public debt, are unwAling to concede to it any kind pf^utility, who can difccrn no good to alleviate the ill with which they fuppofe it pregnant : who cannot be perfuaded, that it ought in any fenfc tp be viewed as an increafe of capital, led it ftiould. 0FTHS UNITEP ST4TfiS. 325 he iofer^d^ fts itiiaterroneoudy been inrCraj^jt Qntaui^^H^t tH.e pjorc deit thp more ct^th^t the grfniff' tbf Iffrtk'nt the iffoitf //^ lltjjtngs of the communily. , ,.^^ ^x .Bujt it; inj;jcrirhith regard the pufar Where this critical point is, we cannot pronounce wi,tH, preci- fion, but it is impofllble to believe, (hat tTiere i&hpt fuch a point, and al mo ft equally difficult to doubt, 'but tbat mod of th^ old go> yeinmcnts of Europe ar6 nearly arrived at it. And as, thc-^yicifiitudes of nations be^et a perpetual tendency to the accumulation of debt, there ought to be in every govern- incnt a perpetual, anxiovs, and unceafing effort to reduce that, v'hich at any tim,e ex ills, as fafl as fhall be pra£licable, conftdcnt- \y with integrity and good faith. Rcafpnings pn a fubje£^ cpmprehcnding ideas fp abflra£l: and complex, fo little reducible to prccife calculatipn as thpfe which enter intp the qucfUonjuft difcuiTed, are always attended with a danger of running into fallacies. Due allowance ought therefore to be mjide fpr this pofTibility — But as far as the nature of the ifubjed: admits of, it there appears to be fatisfa£lory ground for a belief that the public funds operate as a refource of capital to the citizens of the United States, and if they are a refource at all» it is an cxtcnfive one. t To all the arguments which arel)rought to evince the impra&i- cability of fuccefs in manufa£luring eflablifhmcnts in the United States, it might have been a fufHcient anfvyer to have referred to the experience of what has been already done — It is certain that feveral important branches have grown up and flourifhed with a rapidity and fuccefs which furprifes not pnly us, but the Ameri* \\ \\ fS. ■K I. t*^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION ..:■' ! 'cansthemfeJvM} afFording ap eneoun^ihg aflurance of Aiaceft ii\ i&tuM attempts ; of thelb it may not be improper to enumerate the pioft eonfiderable, ' I. Tanned and tawed leather} drefled ikins, (hoes, booty and Dipper*, hamefs, and fadlery of all kindt;, portmanteaus and trunks, leather breeches, gloves, muffs and tippets, parchment and glur, ^. 3ar and Oieet iron, (leel, nail rods, and nails, implements bf httlbandry, ftoves, pots, and other houfehold utenftls, the fteel and iron work for carriages, and (hip-building, anchors, fcalc beams and Weights, various tools of artificers, arms of different minds, the manufafture of thefe la(l has of late ^itninifhed for vant of demand. - ItL Ships, cabinet wares and turnery, wool and c6tton cards, 'itfd other machinery for manufaftures and hufbandry, mathema- tical inftruments, cooper's wares of every kind. ' tVf Cables, ifail-eloth, cordkge, twine and pack-thread. V. Bricks ai>d coarfe tiles, and potters wares^ < VI. Ardent fpirits pnd malt liquors, VII. Writing and printin^j paper, (heathing ai:d , "•npfng pa^i per, pafte-boards, fullers or prefs papers, paper hang s,^ VIII. Hats of fur and wool, an4 o$ mi^i^tuiTS of i^cn.— Wo. mens (luff and filk (hoes. IX. Refined fugars. X. Oils of animals and feeds, foap, fpermaceti afid tallow candles. XI. Copper and l)rafs wares, partteularly utenfils for diftil- lers, fugar refiners and breyrers, ai)d irons and other articles for houlehold ule— -philofophical appafatus, Ac, XII. Hn wares fpr moil purpbfes of ordina)ry ufe. Carriages of all kinds. SnufF, chewing and fmoaking tobacco^ Starch and hair powder. Lampblack and other painters C(4ours. Gunpowder. Befides manufaftories of theie articles which are carried on as regular trat^es, aind have attained to a conftderable degree of matu- rity, there is a vaft fcene of houfehold m;»nufaduring, which con- tributes more largely to the fiipply of the community than could be imagined, without having made it an objeft of particular in- quiry. This obfervation is the plcaftng refult of the inveftigation to which the fubje£l has led, and is applicable as well to the fouth- cm as to the middle and northern ftates ; great quantities of coarfe cloths, coatings, fetges, and flannels, linfey-woolfeys, hoiiery of >vool, cotton, and thread, coarfe fuflians, jeans and mullins, i:hteked iiid ftriped cotton and linen goods, bedticks, coverlets XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. xvii. OF THE t/kitti> StAt£6, ««t "and 4fo«inferpiaAei, tow linem, cotrfe fliirtinfs, fheetinft, Moliog and table lineh, and various mixturea of Vtbol and cotton, and of* totton and Aax, are nude in the houfehold way, and« in. many inftanc^s to an extent not only fufl^cient for the fupplyi of the families' in which they are made, but for iale^ and evea- in fome caf(is for exportation* It is computed in a number pi. diftrifts, that tWo thirds^ three fourths^ and even four-fifths, of, all the clothhig of the inhabitants are made by themfelvjes; The, importance tf fo great a ptogrefs, as appears to have been made in family manufaflur^ Neither does the above enumeration comprehend all the articles- that are manufaftured iu re^ula^ trades; manyotherl otetir which are equally well eftabliflied, but which not being of equal impor- tince have been omitted; and th^re are many attempt^ ftill in their infancy, which though attended with very favourable ap ipearances, could not have been properly comprifed in an enume^ ration of iAlanufa&ories already eftablilhed; There are • other articles alfo bf great impdrtance, Which, though .ftriftly fpeaking»i manufaftur^V *^ omitted, as being immediately connel^ed with* huibandi^, fuch at^ flouf, pot aild pdarl alh, pitch, tar^ turpen> tine, and the like; Tliere remains to be noticed an obje6Uon to the encouragement of manufadures, of a naturd different from thofe which queftion the probability t>f futcefs*— ^This is derived from its fuppofed ten- tency to ^iVe * nlonopoly of advantages to particular clalfes at the (ixpence of the reft of the coihmunity. Who, it is affirmed, would be able to procure the requifite fupplies of manufaQured articles on betterterms from foreigneirs than from their own citizens, and who it is alledged) ate reduced to the neceflit^ of paying an en>' hanced prite for Whatever they wantj by eve^y meafure which bbftrufls the free competition of foreign commodities. It is nbt an nhreifonable fuppdfition^ that meafures which lerve tb abridge the free competition of foreign articles have a tendency to occafion an aiaikufa£fcure»* 'In a national view, a temporary enhancement of prke mnft alwiiysvbe>iM«U>eompcnfated by a p<$rin9«ient reduc- ti«M'0{:>it. ..■ i:i::-r,'ry.-^h^- ■■['... .' It *« A.reikf^ipn %yhKh may > with pri^riety be; indulged here, that this eventual. ditniBtv.iJQft ol th^ prices ^f nunu^i^red arti> des, Which is.' the refult of internal manuf4£):Ufing eftabliflwi^nts, has a direft and very important tendency- 10 bfpefit pgfi<;ulture» It enables the farmer to procure, with a fmallef q^antity of his labour, the manufai6bured prodifcee of whie^ he (lands in need, and confequently increafe& the Value of bis ineome and p>'operty< Thb objc^ons which are c^taroonly made to the expediency of encouraging, and to the probability of fuccecdingJo manufa£lur< ing purfuits in the, United St?tes, having nbiw been difcuflfed, the conftderations which have appeared in the courfe of the difcuf- fion, recommending that fpecies of induflry to the patronage <;^ the American government, will be materially ftrengthened by a few general and forae particular topics, which have betn naturally refcrved for fubfequent notice. I. There feems to be a moral certainty, that the trade of » coun- try, which is both manufa£luring and agricultural, will be more lucrative and profpecous than that of a country; which isi merely agricultural. One reafon for this is found in that general effort of nations, to procure from their own foils the articks of prime neceflity re* quifite to their own confumption and u£b, and which £erves to ren* der their demand for a foreign fupply of fuch articles in a great degree occa&onal and eontingrnt. Hence, while the^necefiities of nations exclufively devoted to agriculture, for the fabrics of ma* nufafturing dates, are cpnllant and regular, the wants of the latter for the produ^s of the former are liable to very conilderable flue- tuation and interruptions. The great inequ^ities refulting from OF THE UNITED STATES. V 3*9 difference of fcafons have been ejfewhere remarked : this unifor- mity of demand on one "fide, and unfleadinefs of it on the other, muft necelTarily have a tendency to caufe the general courfe of the exchange of commodities between the parties to turn to the difadvantage of the merely agricultural dates. Peculiarity of fituation, a climate and foil adapted to the produftion of pectiliiar commodities, may fometimes contradi£l the rule; but there is every reafon to bclieVe that it will be found in the main a juft one. Another circumftance which gives a fuptriority of commercial advantages to dates, that manufa£lure, as well as cultivate, confids in the more numerous attraftions which a more diverfified mar- ket offers to foreign cudomers, and in the greater fcope which it affords to mercantile enterprife. It is a pofttion of indifputable truth in' Commtfrce^ depending too on very obvious reafons, that the greated refort will ever be to thofe marts, where cointnodities, while equally abundant, are mod various. Each difference of kind holds out an additional inducement, and it is a pofttion not lefs clear, that the field of enterprife mud be enlarged to the' merchants of a country, in proportion to the variety as well as the abundance of commodities which they find at home for ex- portation to foreign markets, ' < A third circumdance, pfcrhafJSrtbt inferior to either of the other two, conferring the fuperiority which has been dated, has' relation to the dagnations of demand for certain commoditicts,'- which at fome time or other interfere more or lefs with the fale of all.— The nation which can bring to market but few articles,' is likely to be more quickly and fenftbly affe&ed by fuch dagna- tions, than one which is always poireifed pf a great variety of commodities : the former frequently finds too great a portion of its dock of materials, for fale or exchange, lying on hand — or is obliged to make injurious facrifices to lupply its wants of foreign articles, which are numerous and urgent, in proportion to the limdlnefs of the number of its own. The latter commonly finds^ itfelf indemnified by the high prices of fome articles for the low prices of others — and the prompt and advantageous fale of thofe articles which are in, demand enables its merchants the better to wait for a favourable change, in refpe£l to thofe which are not. There is ground to believe, that a difference of fituation, in this particular, has immenfely different effe^s upon the wealth and profperity of nations. From thefe circumdances colle£lively, t\vo important inferences are to be drawn *, one, that there is always a higher probability of a favourable balance of trade, in regard to countries in. which ma- Vol. I, U u m ss« CENERAL DESCRlPTiaif i PI nufaflurct, founded on the bafisof a thriving agriculture, flourifhy than in regard to thofe which are confined wholly, or almoft: wholly, to agriculture •, the other, which is a conlcquence of the firft, that countries of the former defcription are likely to poflei» more pecuniary wealth, or money, than thofe of the latter. Fa£ls appear to correfpond with this conclufion. The impor^ tations of m^nufaftured fupplics fcem invariably to drain the mere- ly agricukural people of their wealth. Le£ the &tuation of the manufkfluring countries of Europe be compared in this particular with that of thofe countries which only cultivate, and the dif- parity will be Ilriking. Other caufes, it is true, help to account for this difparity between fome of them } and among, thefe caufes^ the relative flate of agriculture ; but between others of thcni, the mod prominent circuinfbnce of dii&militude arifcs from the com- pyrative flate of manufactures^ In corroboration of the fame idea, it ought not to efcape remark, that the Weft India iflands, the fojils of which are the moil fertile,, and the nation, which in the gl^^^teil deg.ree Supplies the reft of the world, with the precious meuls,. exchange to a lofs with aknoft' every other country. As far as experience in America may guide, it will lead to the fame conclufion. Previous to the revolution, the quantity of coin poileCfed by the colonies, which now compofe the United. Statesy appeared ,to be inadequate t<^ their circulation, and their debt tp Great Britain was progreflive. Since the revolution, the ftates, in which manufactures have moft. increafed, have recover- ed ffifteft from the injuries of the late war, and abound moft in pecuniary resources. It ought to be admitted, however, rn this as in the preceding cafe, that caufes irrelative to the ftate of manufactures account, ia a decree, for the phenomena remarked. The continual progrefs of new fettlements, has a natural tendency to occalion an unfa- vpuvablc balance of trade, though it indemnifies for the inconve- nience, by that increafe of the national capital which flows from the converfion of wafte into improved lands: and the different degrees of external commerce which are carried on by th6 differ- ent ftates, may make/material differences in the comparative ftate of their wealth. The firft circumftance has reference to the deficiency of coin, and the increafe of debt previous to the revo- lution ; the laft, to the advantages which the moft manufacturing ftates appear to have enjoyed over the others, fince the termina- tion of the late war. But the uniform appearance of an abundance of fpecie, as the concomitant of a flouriftiing ftate of manufactures, and of the re> 0¥ THE UNITED STATES, 33t the a» the the re- veife where they do not prevail, afford a (Irong prefumption of their favourable operation upon the wealth of a country. Not only the wealth, but the independence and fecurity of | country, appear to be materially connefted with the profperity of manufadures. Every nation, with a view to thofe great objects, t}ugl}t to endeavour lo pofiefs within itfelf all the ciTentialsof n^h tional fupply* Thefe compcife the means of fubiiilence, habita- tion, cloathing, and defence. The poflefTion of thefe is necdTary to tTie perfeJElion of the bo- olitic, to the fafettj '- «vcU as to the welfare of the iocicty ; the .. ant of cither is Xh^ >vant of an important or^an of political life and motion ; and in the various critical events which await a ftate, it muft feverely fed the effe£ls of any luch deficiency. The extreme etnbai-raJGrments of the United States during the late war« from an incapacity of fupplying themfclves, are ftill matter of iceen recolleflion : a future warmi^,ht be cxpe£ted again to ex- emplify the milchiefs ^nd dangers of a Situation, to which that incapacity is ftill in too great a degree applicable, unlefs changed by timely and vigorous exertionji. To effe^ this change, as faft asfhall be prudent, merits all the attention and all the zeal of their public councils : k is the next great worlc to be accompliChed. The want of a navy to protc£l the external commcxce of the United 'States, as long as it {hall continue, j:i;iuft render it a pe- culiarly precarious reliance for the fupply of eflentiaji articles, nd muft ferve to ftrengthen prodi^oufly the argument^ in favour of jaanufaAures. To thefe general conAderaftions a^ added Tome of a more par- ticular nature. Their diftance from Europe, the great fountain of manufaftur- jfd fupply, fubjc^s them, in the exifting ftate of things, to incon- venience and loU in two ways^ The bulkinefs of thofe commodities wliich are the chief pro- ^u£fcions of the foil, npceftarily impofes very heavy charges on their tranfportation to diftant markets. Thefe charges, in the calies in which the nations, to whom their produ£ls are fcnt, maintain « competion in the fupply of their own markets, prin- cipally fall upon them) and form material deduflions froQi the primitive value of the articles furnifhed. The charges on manuo fa£lured fupplies carried from Europe are greatly enhanced by the fame circumftance of diftance. Thefe charges, again, in the cafes in which their own induftry maintains no competition in their own marjcets, alfo principally fall upon them, and aro an addi- tional caufe of extraordinary dedudion from the primitive value of their own produfls, thefe being the materials oT exchange for ^l>e foreign fabrics which they confume, U u a 33> GENERAL DESCRIPTION . & ft I '■*'• ^ The quality and moderation of individual property, and th^ growing fettlements of new di(lri£ls, occaftoned in the Unite4 Stjitcs an unufuul demand for coarfe ipanufa£lures, the charges of Which being greater in proportion to their greater bulk, augment the difadvantage which has been juft dcfcribed. As in mod countries domedic fupplies maintain a very^confi- derable competition with fuch foreign produ£lions of the foil ai^ are imported for laic ; if the extenfive eflablifliment of manufafto* ries in the United States does not create a fimilar competition in refpc£l to manufaflured articles, it appears to be clearly deducible^ from the conflderations which have been mentioned, that they mud fudain a double lofs in their exchanges with foreign nations, drongly conducive to an unfavourable balance of trade, and very prejudicial to their intereds. Thefc difadvantages prefs with no fmall weight on th^ landed intered of the countiy ; in feaCons of peace they caufe a ferious dedu£lion from the intrinfic value of the produ^s of the foil : and in cafe of war, which fhould either involve themtielves, or any other nation, poifedlng a confiderahle fhare of their carrying tr:tdc, the charges on the tranfportation of thbir commodities, bulky as mod of them are, under fuch circumdances, could hard- ly fail to prove a grievous burthen to the farmer, while obliged to depend in fo great a degree as he no\v does upon foreign mar- kets for the vent of the furplus of his labour. As far as the profperity of the fifheries of the United States is impeded by the want of an adequate market, there arifes another fpecial reafon fordefiring the extenfion of man uf azures, fiefides the fifli, which in many places would be likely to make a part of the fubfidence of the perfons employed, it is known that the oils, bones, and Ikins of marine animals, are of extenfive ufe in vari- ous manufa£lures ; hence the profpefl of an additional demand for the produce of the fifheries. One more point of view only remains, in which to confider the expediency of the utmod encouragement being given to ma- nufa£lures in the United States. It is not uncommon to meet with an opinion, that though the promoting of manufaflures may be the intered of a part of the Union, it is contrary to that of another part ; the northern and fouthcrn regions are fometimes reprefented as having adverfe in- tereds in this refpeft ; thofe are called manufa^uring, thefe agri- cultural dates, and a fpecies of oppofition is imagined to fubfid between the manufafturing and agricultural intereds. This idea of an oppofition between thofe two intereds has been the common error of the early periods of every country, but ex- perience gradually dilFipates it j indeed, they are perceived lo OF THE. UNITED STATES. $S$ le agn- fubfift often to fuccour and to befriend each other, that they come at length to be confidered as one ; a fuppofition which has been frequently abufed, and is not univerfally true. Particular encou« ragcments of particular manufa£lurcs may be of a nature to facri- gcc the intcreds of landholders to thofc of manufafturers ; but it is neverthelefs a maxim ,weU eftabliihed by experience, and gene- rally acknowledged, where there has been fufficient experience! that the aggregate profperity of manufaftures, and the aggregate profperity of agriculture are intimately conncfted. In the courfe of this difcuflion, various weighty confidcrations have been addu- ced operating in I'upport of this opinion. Perhaps the fuperior (leadinclsof the demand of a domeftic market for the furplus pr«- (luce of the foil is alone a convincing argument of its truth. Ideas of a contrariety of intcreds between the northern and fouthern regions of the United States, are in the main as unfound- ed as they are mil'chievous ; the diverfity of circumftances, on whith i'uch contrariety is ufually predicated, authorifes a direft contrary conclufton ; mutual wants conftitute one of the ftrong- cft links of political conne£lion, and the extent of thefe bears a natural proportion to the diverfity in the means of mutual fupply. Suggeftions of an oppofite complexion are ever to be deplored, as unfriendly to the fteady purfuit of one great common caufe, and to the perfe£l harmony of all the parts. In proportion as the mind is accuftomed to trace the intimate conne£tion of interefls which fubfift between all the parts of a fociety, united under the fame government*, and the infinite variety of channels, which ferve to circulate the profperity of each to and through the reft, in that proportion it will be little apt to be difturbed by folicitudes and apprehenfions which ori- ginate in local difcriminations. It is a truth as important as it is agreeable, and one tow hich it is noteafy to imagine exceptions, that every thing tending to eftablifli fubftantial and permanent order in the affairs of a country, to increafe the total mafs of induftry and opulence, is ultimately beneficial to every part of it. On the credit of this great truth an acquiefcence may fafely be accord- ed from every quarter to all inftitutions and arrangements, which promife a confirmation of public order, and an augmentation of hational refource. * But there are more particular confiderations which ferve to for- tify, the idea, that the encouragement of manufafturcs is the inte- reft of a|' paits of the American Union. Ir the northern and middle dates fhould be the principal fcenes of fuch edablidimeuts, they would immediately benefit the more fouthern by creating a demand for produ£lions, fome of which they have in common with the other dates, and others of which arc either peculiar to 134 GENERAL DESCRIPTION, ¥ •! them, or more abundant, or of better quality, than elfewhere, The(e productions principally arc timber, flax, hemp, cotton, wool, caw filk, indigo, iron, lead, furs, hides, (kins, and coals ; of thefo articles cotton and indigo are peculiar to the fouthern dates; as are hitherto liao and coal, flax and hemp are, or may be raifed in greater abundance there than in the more northern dates ; and the wool of Virginia is faid to be of better quality than that of any other (late; a circumilance rendered the more probable by the refle£lion, that Virginia embraces the lame latitudes with thn fined wool countries of Europe, and their padure is fimilar. The climate of the fouth is alfo better adapted to the produ£lion of fiUt. The cxtenfive <:ultivation of cotton can, perhaps, hardly be e;xpe£lcd, without the previous edablifliment of domcdic manu- faflories of the article; thefe in fome of the States have been eda- blifhed, and have already arrived at a degree of perfe£iion and rcfpe^ability hardly to have been expcded in the time; and' the fured encouragement and vent for the others, will refult frem fimilar edablidiments in reipe£l to ihem. . If then it fatisfaClorily appears, that it is the intered of the United States generally to encourage manufactures, it merits par. ticular attention, that there aro circumdances which render the prefent a critical moment for entering with zeal upon the impor« tant bufinefs ; the effort cannot fail to be materially feconded by a tconfiderable and increafing influx of. money, arifing from the numbers who have, and which dill continue to transfer themfelves and capitals from the Old World to the different States ; in con- fequence of foreign fpeculations in their funds-^and by the dif- orders and oppreflions which exid in different parts of Europe. The fird circumdance not only facilitates the execution of ma. nufafturing enterprifes, but it indicates them as a necelTary mean to turn their increafing population and capital, to advantage, and to prevent their being eventually an evil. If ufeful employment be not found for the money of foreigners who are daily taking up their rcfidence in the United States, and for that which is carried to the country to be invefted in purchafes of the public debt, it Will quickly be re-exported to defray the expence of an extraor- dinary confuniption of foreign luxuries ; and didreffing drains of their fpccie may hereafter be experienced to pay the intereft and redeem the* principal of the purchafed debt. This uleful employment too ought to be of a nature to produce folid and permanent improvements. If the money merely ferves to give a temporary fpring to foreign commerce, as it cannot pro- cure new and lading outlets for the produ£ls of the country, there will be no real or durable advantage gained ; as far as it fhall find its way in agricultural ameliorations, in opening canals, OF THE UNITED STATES, 395 and in fimiliar improvement^ it will be produ&ive of fubftantial utility ; but there i> reafon to doubt, whether in fuch channeU it is likely to find fufficient employment, and (UU more, whether many of thofe who pofliefs it will be as readily attrafled to obje6b of this nature as to manufa£iuring purfuits, which bear greater analogy to thofr to which they have been accuftomed, and to the fpirit generated by them. To open the one field, as well as the other, will at teaft fccure a better profpe£i of ufeful employment, for whatever acceflton of population and money there has been or may be. There is at the prelent jun6iure a certain fermentation of mind, a certain aflivity of fpeculation and enterprifc, which, if proper* ly dire£lcd, may be made fubJervient to ufeful purpofes; but which, if left entirely to itfelf, may be attended with perhicious effcfts. . The diflurbcd flate of Europe inclining its citizens to emtgra* tion, the requifite workmen will be more eafily acquired for dif- ferent manufa^ures than at another time; and the efFe6i of mul- tiplying the opportunities A employment to thofe who emigrate, may be an increafe of the number and extent of valuable acquis fitions to the population, arts, and induflry of the United States. To find pleafure in the calamities of other nations^ would be criminal, but for the Americans to benefit themfelves by opening an afylum to thofe who fufFer inxttnfequcoce of them, is as juf- tifiable as it is po)itic. A full view having now been taken of the inducements to the promotion of manufaflures in the United States, accompanied with an examination of the principal obje£iions which are urged in oppofition thereto by fome of their own citizens, it is proper, in the next place, to confider the means by which the promotion of them may be eftefled, as introductory to a fpecification of the obje&s, which, in the prcfent (late of things, appear the mod fit to be encouraged, and of the particular meafures which it would be idvifable for them to adopt in refpe£l: to each. In order ta a better judgment of the means proper to be re- forted to by the United States^ it will be of ule to advert to thofe which have been employed with fuccefs in other countries. The principal of thefe are— I. ProttSing duties — or duties on thofe foreign articles which are the rivals of the domejlic ones intended to be encouraged. Duties of this nature evidently amount to a virtual bounty on the domeftic fabrics, fincc by enhancing the charges on foreign articles, they enable the national manufacturers to underfell all .their foreign competitors. The propriety of this fpccies of en- eouragcmerit need aot be dwelt upon, as it is not only a clear re- h 1^ ai^SAAL DESCklPTtdt^ m^^ fult from the numerous topics which have been fuggefted, but ii ftn£Honcd by the laws of the United States in a variety of in{lan< CCS ; it has the additional recommendation of being a rtfource of rcvcnuc-^Indeed all the duties impofed on imported artrelcs, though with an cxclufive view to revenue, have the effe6l in contemplation, and, except where they fall on raw materials, wear a beneficent afpeCl towards the manufaflur^s of the country. II. Prohibitions oj rival articUs, or dutjes equivalent td prohibitions . This is another and an cfhcacious mean of encouraging their national manufa£lures, but in general it is only fit to be employed when a manufafture has made fuch a progrcfsj^and is in fo many hands as tO'Cnfure a due competition, and an r, ^equate fupply on rcafonable terms. .Of duties equivalent to prohibitions, there are examples in the laws of the United States, and there are other cafes to \yhich the principle may be advantageouily extended, but they are not numerous. Confidering a monopoly of the domedice market to its own manufaflures as the reigning policy of manufa£luring nations, a fimilar policy on the part of the United States in every proper iniUnce is di£bted, it might almoft be faid, by the principles of diflributive juftice ; certainly by the duty of endeavouring to fe> cure to (h^ir own citizens a reciprocity of advantages. III. Prohibitions of the exportation of the materials of manufaElures. The deftre of fecuring a cheap and plentiful fupply for the na- tional workmen, where the article is either peculiar to the coun- try, or of peculiar quality there,' — thejealoufy of enabling foreign workmen to rival thofe of the nation with its own materials, are the leading motives to this fpecies of rcftraint. It ought not to be affirmed that this regulation is in no inftance proper ; but it it certainly one which ought to be adopted with great circumfpec- tion, and only in very plain cafes. It is fccn at once, that its im- mediate operation is to abridge the demand, snA keep down the price of the produce of fortic- other branch of induftry generally i'peaking, of agriculture, to the prejudice of thofe who carry it on ; and though, if it be feally eflfentixl to the profperity of any very important national manuia&ure, it may happen that thofe who are injured in the firft iniflance, may be eventually indemni- fied by the fuperior (leadinefs of an exteiifive domeftic market depending on that profperity ; yet, in a matter in which there is fo much room for nice and dif&cult combinations, iii which fuch oppofite confiderations combat each other, prudence feems to di£tatc, that the expedient in qucftion ought to be indulged with a fparing hand. iJF THE UNITED STATES, 337 IV. Peeuniary iounties, Thii his been'.found one of the mod efficacious meani of encou* raging manufaQures, and it is, in fomc views, the bcO:. Though ft has not yet been much prafiifed upon by the government of the tJnited States, unlefs the allowance on the exportation of dried and pickled fifli and falted meat could be confidered as a bounty this method of enoouraging manufaftures, though lefs favoured by public opinion than fomc other modes, has its advantages. 1. It is a fp«cies of encouragement more pofitive and dircfl than any other, and, for that very reafon, has an immediate ten- dency to ilimvlate and uphold new cntcrprifes, increafing the thanccs of profit, and Uiminifhing the rifks of lofs, in the fird attempts. 2. It avoids tha inconvenience of a temporary augmentation of price, which is incident to fomc other modes, or it produces it td a lefs degree ; either by ma!cing no Edition > the < harges on the rival foreign article, as in the cafe of protef^ ' ' :; duties, or by mak- ing a fmaller addition. The fitll happen; nhen the fund for the bounty is derived from a diffcren* ■ '^jcft, which ir ;v or may not increafe the price of fome other a; ticl* according to the Aature of that ohjeBi ; the feeond, ivhen the fund is derived from th^ f^oie or a fimilar obje6l of forei^ manufafiure^ One per cent, duty on: the foreign article Converted into a bounty on the domedic, will have an equal efFe£i with a duty of two per cent, cxclufi ve of fuch bounty ; as the price of the fofeign commodity is liable to be raifed, in the one cafe, in the proportion of one per cent; ; in the other, in that of two per cent. But the bounty when drawn from anothet foui'^e is calculated to promote a rcdu£iion of price ; becaule, without laying any new charge on the foreign article, it ferves to introduce -^ ^Competition with it, and to increafe the total ^antity o^ the <..ti jIc in the market. 3. Bounties have hot, like high prote£)ting duties, a tendency ^o produce fCarcity.' An increafe of price is not always the im- mediate, though, whefd the progfefs of a domcflic mahufaflure docs not ^ounteraft a rife, it is commonly the ultimate cffe& of an additional duty; In the intisrval between (he laying^of the duty, and a proportional increafe of price, it may difcourage importa- tion, by interfering with the profits to be expefted from the fale of the article* 4. Bounties are fometimcs not only the bed, but the only pro«: per expedientj for uniting the encouragement of a new objcfl of agriculture with that of a new obje£l: of manufaflurc. It is th6 intercft of the farmer to have the produflion of the raw material ]>romoted, by countera£ling the interference pf the foreign m%te- X X. 338 G£N£RAL DE%CRtPTtOl4 •■ \' rial of the fame kind — It is the intercft of the manufa£lurcir to IwVtS the material abundant and cheap. If, prior to the domedic pro- duftion of the material in fufficient quantity to fupply tlic manu- faftufcr on good terms, a duty be laid upon the importation of it froiTv abroad, with a view to promote the railing of it at homcy the intcreff both of the farmer and manuFafturer will be differvcd — hy either dcftroying the rcquilite fupply, or raifmg the price of the article beyond what can be afforded to bp given for it by the (Conduft.i^r of an infant manufafture, it is abandoned, or fails, and th«fc being no domeftic mnnufaAories to create a d "nand for the raw material which is raifed by the farmer, it is in vain, that the competition of the like foreign articlt may have been dc- ftroycd. It cannot efcape notice, that a duty upon the importation of art article can no otherwife aid the domeflic produfliion of it, than by giving the latter greater advantages in the home market. It can have no iiilluence upon the advuntagct)us falc of the article produced in foreign markets, no tendency, therefore, to promote its exportation. The tru€ way to conciliate thcfe two intercfts, is therefore to lay a duty on foreign manufa£tures of the material, the growth of which is defirod to be encouraged, and to apply the produce of that duty by way of bounty, cither upon the produ£l:ion of the material itlelf, or upon its manufafturc art home, or upon both* If this is done the manufafturcr of the United States will com- meuGC his cntcrprifc under every advantage which is attainable, as to quantity or price of the raw material ; and the farrtier, if the bounty be immediately to him, is enabled by it to enter into a fucccfsful competition with the foreign material ; if the bounty be to the manufacturer on fo much of the domeflic material as he conlumes, the operation is nearly the fame ; he has a motive of intereft to prefer the domeflic commodity, if of equal qualify, even at a higher price than the foreign, fo long as the difference of price is any thing fhort of the bounty which is allowed upon the article* Except the fnnple and ordinary kinds of houfehoJd matlufac- turc, or thofe for which there are vM'y commanding local advan- tages, pecuniary bounties are in mofl cafes indifpenfable to the introdutlion of a new branch* A flimulus and a fupport not lefs powerful and direft is, generally fpeaking, cfTential to the over- coming of the obflacles which arife from the competitions of fupe- rior fkill and maturity eli'ewhcrc* Bounties are efpecially efTen- fial in regard to articles upon which thofe foreigners, who have been accuflomed to fupply a country, are in the prafticc of grant- ing them. OF THE UNITED STATES, 339 Tlic continuance of bounties on manufafturcs long cftabllihcd, tnuft almofl always be of queftionable policy ; bccaule a prcfump- tion would arifc in every I'uch cai'e, that there were natural ana inherent impediments to lucccfs. But in new undertakings they are as judifiable, as they arc oftentimes neceflary. There is a degree of prejudice againft bounties, from an appear- ance of givin'g away the public money, without an immediate confidcration, and from a luppofuion that they fcrvc to enrich particular clallcs at the expence of the community. '^' , But neither of thcic (burccs of diflike will bear a ferious exa- mination when applied to an infant ftate. There is no purpofe to which public money can be more beneficially applied, than to the acquilition of a new and ul'cful branch of induHry ; no confidcra- tion more valuable than a permanent addition to the general flock of produflivc labour. As to the fccond fource of objcftion, it equally lies agairift other modes of encouragement which are admitted to be eligible. As often as a duty upon a foreign article makes an addition to its price, it caufes an extra expence to the community, for the bene- fit of the domeflic manufafturer, A bounty docs no more. But it is the intercfl of the fociety in each cafe to fubmit to a tempora- ry expence, which is more than compcnlated by an incrcafe of in- duftry and wealt+i, by an augmentation of refources and indepen- dence ; and by the circumftance of eventual chcapncfs, which has been noticed in another place. It would del'crvc attention, however, in the employment of this i'pecies of encouragement in the United States, as a reai'on for moderating the degree of it in the inftances in which it might be deemed eligible, that the great diftwce of the United States from Europe impofes very heavy cliarges on all the fab;'ics which arc brought from thence, amounting from »5 to 3P per cent, on their value, according to their bulk. V. Premiums. Thefe are of a nature allied to bounties, though diftinguifhablc from them 'n fomc important features. Bounties are applicable to the whole quantity of an article pro-, duiced or manufaftured, or exported, and involve a corrclpondcnt expence.— rPremiums fervc to reward fomc particular excellence or iuperiority, fomc extraordinary exertion or (kill, and arc dif- pcnied only in a fmall number of cafes ; but their efFe6l is to fli- mulate general^ effort — contrived fo as to be both honorary and lucrative, they addrefs themlclves to different pafllons, toucliing the chords as well of emulation as of intereft, — They are accor- dingly a very economical mean of exciting the enterprise of a whole community. X X 2 1^ 34© GENERAL DESCRIPTION i< -.Ml Ml Ml. ll-* .11 There are various focieties in different countries, whofe objei^ is the dirpenfatidn of premiuips for the encouragement of agricuU ture, arts, manufaftures, and commerce ; an4 though they are for the moil part voluntary afibciations, with comparatively flendei: funds, their uti^ty has been immenfe. Much has been done by this mean in Great Britain ; Scotland in particular owes materi- ally to it a prodigious amelioration of condition. From a fimilar eftablifhment in the United States, fupplied and fupported by the Government of the Union, vaft bene^ts might reafonably be exr pe£ted. VI. The exemption of the materials of manufuSiures from duty. The policy of that exemption as a general rule, particularly ir> relation to new eAablifliments, is obvious. It can hardly ever be advifeable to add the obflruflions of fifcal burthens to the difficul- ties which naturally emharrafs a new manufafture ; and where it is matured and in condition to become an objed: of revenue, it is, generally fpcaking, better that the fabric, than the material^ fhould be the fubjeft of taxation.—- Ideas of proportion between the quantum of the tax and the value of the article can be more eallly adjufled in the former than in the latter cafe. An argu- ment for exemptipns of this kind in the United States is to be derived from the pra^ice, as far as their neccfTities have permit- ted, of thofe nations whom they are to meet as competitors in their own and in foreign markets. There are, however, exceptions to it ; of which fomc examples will be given under the next head. The laws of the Union afford inflances of the obferyanqe of the policy here recomrnended, but it will probably be found advifeable to extend it to fome other cafes. — Of a nature, bearing fome affini- ty to that policy, is the regulation which exempts from duty the tools and implements, as well as the books, clothes^ and houfe- hold furniture of foreign artifts who come to refidc in the Unite4 States ; an advantage already fecured to them by the laws of the Union, and which it is in every view, proper to continue. , VII. Drcwbacki of the duties which are impofed on the materials of mantifafiures. It has already beez^ obfcrved, as a general rule, that duties on thofe materials ought, with certain exceptions, to be foreborne. Of thefe exceptions, three cafes occur^ which may ferve as exam- ples— one, where the material is itfelf an objeft of general or ex- tenfive confumption, and a fit and produftivc fource of revenue — another where a manufa£lurc of a fimpler kind, the competition of which with a like domeflic article is defired to be roftrained, par- takes of the nature of a raw material, from being capable, by a further procefs, to be converted into a manufafturc of a different kind, the introdu£iion or growth of which is defired to be cn< OF THE l/NITE^ STATES. 34* talerials kties on eborne, cxam- or ex- :nue — ttion of [d, par- [, by a Ifferent Ibc en- jcouraged—r^ thit:d, where the material hfelf is a pcoduftion of ^he country, and in fuIEcient abundance to furnifh a cheap and plentiful fupply to the national manufafturers. Under the firfl: defcription comes the article of molafles. It is not only a fair objeft of revenue, but being a fwect, it is juft that the confumcrs of it {houl4 pay a duty as well as the confm^ers of fugar. Cottons and linen in their white ftate fall under the fecond def« cription— a duty upon fuch as are imported is proper to promote the domeftic manufafiufe of iimilar articles in the fam'e (late — a drawback of that duty is proper to encourage the painting and ftaining at home of thofc which are brought from abroad. When the firft of thefe manufaflures has attained fufiicient maturity in a country to furnifh a full fupply for the fecond, the utility of the drawback ccafes. ^The article of hemp either now does or may be expe£led foon to exemplify the third cafe in the United States. Where duties on the n^aterials of manufaftures are not laid for the purpofe of preventing a competition with fome domedic pro- duction, the fame reafons which recommend, as a general rule, the iexemptions of thofe materials from duties, would recommend, as a like general rule, the allowance of drawbacks, in favour of the jnanufafturer : accordingly fuch drawbacks are familiar in coun- tries which fyftematically purfue the buftnefs of manufaflures ; which fumifties an argument for the obfervance of a fimilar poli- cy in the United States ; and the idea has been adopted by the laws of the Union , in the inilances' of fait and molafles. And it will be found advantageous to extend it to fome other articles. VIII. Tfie encouragement of new inventions and difcoveries, and of the introduElion into the United States of fuch as have been made in other 'Countries^ particularly thofe which relate to machinery. This is among the mofl: ufeful and unexceptionable of the aids which can be given to manufa6):ures. The ufual means of that en- fouiageme^t are pecuniary rewards, and, for a time, exclufive privi- leges. The prft muft be employed according to the occafion, and the utility of the invention or difcovery. For the laft, fo far as rcfpefts " authors and inventors," provifion has been made by law. But it is defireable, in regard to improvements and fecrets of ex- traordinary value to be able to extend the fame benefits to intro- ducers, as well as authors and inventors ; a policy which has been praftifed with advantage in "other countries. Here, however, as m fome other cafes, there is caufe to regret, that the competency «f the authority of the National Government to the good which "light be done, is not Avithout a qucftion. Many aids might, be given to indufli y ; many internal im])rovcnKnts of primary mag* 34» GENERAL DESCRIPTION^ hitudc might be promoftd, bj' an authority operating throughout the Union which cannot be cffeftcdty an authority confined \yith. in the limits of a Tingle {late. But if the Legiflature of the Union cannot do all the good that might be wifhed, it is at Icafl defirable, that all may be done which is pra£ticable. It is cuftomary with manufafturing nations to prohibit, under fevcrc penalties, the exportation of implements and machines, which they have either invented or improved. There are already pbje6l:s for a (Imilar regulation in the United States ; and others may be expe£ked to occur from time to time. The adoption of this line of condufl: leems to be dtftated by a principle of recipro- city. Greater liberality in fuch refpefts might better comport with the general fpirit of the country ; but a fclfilh and exclufive policy in Europe will not always permit the free indulgence of a ipirit, which would place America upon an unequal footing. As far as prohibitions tend to prevent foreign competitors from de- riving the benefit of the improvements made in the United States, diey tend to increafe the advantages of thofe by whom they may have been introduced, and operate as an encouragement to ex- prtion, IX. Jif-dicious regulations for the infpeElion of mamtfaSiured covu pipditief. This is not among the leaft important of the means by which the profperity of manufa£lures may be promoted. It is, indeed, in many cafes, one of the moft efl'cntial — -contributing to prevent frauds upon corjfujiiers at home, and exporters to foreign coun- trics^to improve the quality and preferve the clxarafter of the national manufaflures ; it cannot fail to aid the expeditious and advantageous fale of them, and to ferve as a guard againll fuccefs* ful competition from other quarters, The reputation of the flour and lumber of fome {bates, and the pot-aih of others, ha? been efla- blifhed by an attention to this pointy And the like good name might be procured for thofc articles, wherefoevcr produced, by a judicious and uniform fyftem of infpe£iion throughout the ports of the United States. A like fyftem might alfo bg extende4 \yhh advantage to other commodities. X. The facilitating of pecuniary remittances f ram place to place-rr This is a point of confiderable moment to trade in general, and to manufa£lure in particular ; by rendering more eai'y the pur- chafe of raw materials and provifions, and the payment for manufa£lured fupplics. A general circulation of bank paper, which is to be cxpeftcd from the inftitution lately eflabliflied in the United States, will be a moft valuable mean to this end. Of THE UNITED STATES, u% ^aElurcd com- XI. Thf facilitating of the tran/portation of commodities. Improvcmrtits favouring tjiis objcft intimately concern all thcf domcftic intcrefts of a community : but they may, without irn- oropriety, be licntioned as having an important relation to manu- fafturcs. There is, perhaps, fcarcely any thing which has been better calculated to aflfift the manufaftures of Great Britain than the amelioration of the public roads, and the great piogrefs which has been of late made in opening canals. Of the former, moft parts of the United States (land much in need ; for the latter they prefcnt uncommon facilities. The fymptoms of attention to the improvement of inland navi- gation, which have lately appeared in fome of the United States, mud fill with pleafurc every breaft warmed with a true zeal for tlie profperity of that country. Thcfc examples, it is to be hoped, will ftimulate the exertions of the government and citizens of every ftate. There can certainly be no objeft more worthy of the cares of the local adminiftrations ; and it were to be wilhed, that there was no doubt of the power of the national government to lend its direft aid on a comprehenfivc plan. — This is one of thofe improvements which could be profecuted with more efficacy by the whole, than by any part or parts of the union. There are cafes in which the general intereft will be in danger of being facrificed to the coUifion of fome fuppofed local intcrefts. Jea- loufies, in matters of this kind, are as apt to cxift as they are apt to be erroneous. The following remarks are fufflciently judicious and pertinent todeferve a literal quotation: " Good roads, canals, and navigable rivers, by diminifhing the expence of carriage, put the remote parts of a country more nearly upon a level with thofe in the neighbourhood of the town. They are, Upon that account, the greateft of all improvements ; they encourage the cultivation of the remote, which muft always be the. moft extenfive circle of the country ; .they are advantageous to the town, by breaking down the monopoly of the country in its neighbourhood ; they • arc advantageous even to that part of the country. Though they introduce fome rival commodities into the old market, they open many new markets to its produce. Monopoly, befidcs, is a great enemy to good management, which can never be univcrfally efta- blilhed, but in confequence of that free and unlverfal competition which forces every body to have recourfc to it for the laku of felf-defcnce. It is not more than fifty years ago that fome of the countries in the neighbourhood of London petitioned the parlia- ment againft the extenfion of turnpike roads into the remoter counties. Thofe remoter counties, they pretended, from the cheapncfs of labour, would be able to fell their grafs and corn '' 3i4 OEN^HAL DESCRiPflO'H ::M!:.i V'-'. H, "ll mm. cheaper in the London market than themrdves, and they wbuU thereby reduce theJNr rents, and ruin their cultivation. Their rent«, however, have arifen, and their cultivatiion has Beisn im- proved fince that time." • Specimens of | Spirit, fimilar to that which governed the coun- ties here fpokcn of, prefent themfelves too frequently to the eye of an impartial obferver, and render it a wifh of patriotifm that the body in America, in whofe councils a local or partial fpirit is leaft likely to predominate, were at liberty to purfue and promote the general interefl in thofe in (lances in which there might be danger of the interference 6f fuch a fpirit. The foregoing are the principal of the means by ^hich the growth of manufaftures is ordinarily promoted. It is, however not merely neceflary that the meafures of government, which have a direft view to nianufaflurcs, Ihould be calculated to aflifl: and proteft thcmj but that tbofe which only collatcirally afFcflf them in the general courfe of the adminiftration, (hould be guard- ed from any peculiar tendency to injure them. There are certain fpecies of taxes which are apt to be bjppreflive to different parts of the community, and, among other ill effcfts, have a very unfriendly afpeft towards manufadiures; Such are all taxes on occupations — -which proceed a<:cording to the amount of capital fuppofed to be employed in a buflnefs, or of profits fuppofed to be made xh it : thefc are unavoidably hurtfut to induflry. It is in vain that the evil may be endeavoured to be mitigated by leaving it, in the firfl inflance, in the option of the party to be taxed to declare the amount of his capital or proJfitS; Men engaged in any trade or bufmefs have commonly weighty reafons to avoid difclofures which would expofe, with any thing like accuracy, the real flate of their affairs^ They mofl frequent- ly find it better to rifque opprefTion than to avail themfelves of fo inconvenient a refuge : and the confequenec is, that they often" fuffer opprefTion. When the difclofure too, if Ihad^ is n6t definitive. But con- troulable by the difcretion, or, in other Words, by the paffions and prejudices of the revenue officers, ft iS not only an ineflFcftual prbteftion, but the poflibility of its being fo is an a^itional rca- fon for not reforthi^ to it. Allowing to the public officers the moft equitablte difpofitions, yet where they are to exercife a difcretion, without Certain data, they cannot fail to be often mifled by appearances. The quantity of bufinefs which feems to be going on, is in a VaflE number of cafes, a very deceitful criterion of the profits Which are made, yef it is perhaps the befl they can have, and it is the cm.Q oil which they will moft naturally rely ; a bufinefs, thefefore, which may Of fliE UNITED >STATE^. iij father require aid from the government, ihan be in a capacity to be contributory to it, may find itfclF^ruOied byr the miftakcA tonje£lures of the affcflbrs of taxes. Arbitrary taxes, under which denomjAation are comprifed all ihofe that leave the quantum of the tax t» be» raifed on each per- fon to the discretion of certain officers, are as contrary to the genius of liberty as to 'the maxims of itiduflry; In this light they have been viewed by the moft judicious obfervers on go- vernment, who have bellowed upon tliem the feverefl epithets of reprobation, as conftituting one of the word features ufually to be met with in the pra£lice 6f defpotic governments. It is certain :leail,that fuch taxes are particuUrly inimical to the fuccefs of n^anufa£fcui'ing induilry, and ought carefully, to be avoided by a government which defires to promote it. The great copioufnefs of this fubjeft has infcnfibly led to i longer preliminary dii'cuflion than was originally contemplated^ or intended. It appeared proper to inveftigate principles, to confider the objeftions which have been brought forward againft the eftablifhment of manufa£lures in the United States^ and to endeavour to edablifli their utility on general principles, which have, long expfcrience for their bafis : It now remains to fpecify fome of the obje£ls which appear particularly to merit;^ and which will require the encouragement of the government of the United States to bring them to perfefliont In the fele£lion of obje£ks, feveral circumdances feem entitled to particulaf attention : The capacity of the country to furnifb the raw material—the degree in which the nature of the manu- fa£lure admits of a lubditute for manual labour in machinery-— the facility of execution — ^thc extenfivenefs of the ul'es to which the article can be applied-^its fubferviency to other intereds, particularly the great one of national defence. There are, how- ever, objefls to which thefe circumdances are little applicable, which, for fome fpepial reafons, may have a claim to encourage-* ment. ' A defignation of the principal raw material of which each manufa£lure is compofed, will ferve to introduce the remark* upon it.— As, in the fird place, IRON, The manufafturers of this article are entitled to pre-eminent rank-^None arc more effential in their kinds, nor fo extenfive in their ufes. They conditute in whole or in part the imple- ments or the materials, or both, of almod every ufeful occupa- tion. Their indrumcrUality is every where confpicuous. Y y u^ GENERAL IbESCKiFTIOif, It it fortunate for the United Sutes that they have peculiar advantages for deriving the full benefit of thi« mod valuable material, and they have every motive to improve it with fyf- tematic care. It is to be found in various parts of the United States, in great abundance and of almod every quality ; and fuel, the chief inftvument in manufafturing it^ is both cheap and plen- ty.— This particularly applies to charcoal \ but there are pro- duftivfs coal mines already in operation, and (Irong indications that the material i& to be found in abundance in a variety of other places. The kinds of iron manufa^ures, in which the greateft progrefs has been made, have be*' ^ nicntioned in another place^ and need not be repeated ; but the.c \ti little doubt that every other kind, with due cultivation, will rapidly fuccccd. It is worthy of remark, that fcveral of the particular trades, of which iron is the bafis^ arc capable of being carried on without the aid of larg6 capitals. ' Iron works have very greatly inctcafed in (he United States, and are prolecuted with much more advantage than formerly* The average price before the revolution Was about fixty-four dollars per ton, at prefent it is about eighty ; a rife which it chiefly to be attributed to the increafe of the manufaftures of the materiah The (lill furtlfier extenHon and multiplication of fuch manu' fafturcs will have the double eifeft of promoting the extra£iion of the metal itfelf, and of converting it to a greater number of profitable purpofes. ThoTe manufaftures, too, unite in a greater degree than almofl any others, the feveral requifites which have been mentioned, as pioper to be confulted in the fele£lion of obje£ls. > . The only further encouragement of manufa&ories of this article, the propriety of which may be confidered as unqueflion- able, feems to be an increafe of the duties on foreign rival com- modities Steel is a branch which hast already made a confiderable pro- grefs in the United States, and fome new enterprifes, on a more exienfive fcalc, have been lately fet on foot. The facility of carrying it to an extent, which will fupply all internal demands, and furnilh a confiderable furplus iof exportation, cannot be doubted. The duty upon the importation of this article into the United 3tatcs, which i;^ at prelent feventy-five cents, per cwt jmay, it is conceived, be fafely and advantageoufly extended to >oo cents. It is defirable, by dcc^ilvc arrangements, to fecond f'l»e tffTon;^ which are mah'ing in fo very \[aluable a branch. OT THE UNITED STATES. Uf The United States already in a great meafure fupply them- fblves with nails and fpikes ; they are able, ind ought certainly to do it entirely. The iirll and moft laborious operation in this inanufa£lure is performed by water-mills; and of the perfont afterwards employed a great proportion are boys, whole early habits of induftry are of importance to the community, to the preilent fupport of their families, and to their own future com- fort. It is not iela curious that) true, th;\t in certain parts of the United States, the making of nails is an occafional family manufafture. The expediency of an additional duty on the importation of r^ole country .caQ wifh ^cat ea,fe be procured apiong them- felves. Various )cinds of edged took for the ufe of mechanics are ^Ifo naade, and a conflderable quantity of HqHow wares ; though the bufinefs of cafting has not yet attained the perfe£lion which Tnight be wiihed. It is however improving, and as there are rel'pe^ble capitals in good l;tands, embarked ip the profecuitpn of thofe branches of iron .mai^ufaj^oric^, which are yet in their in- fancy, they may aU be contemplated as objeQs not difHcult to be acquired. To ijnfure the en.d) it feems equally fafe and prudent for the governo^ent of the An^^rijcan States to extend the duty, ad valo^ rtntf upon all imported manufactures of iron, or of which iron is the article of chief value, to ten per cent^ Fire arms and other military weapons may, it ic conceived, be placed, without inconvenience, in the clafs of articles rated at ^fteen per cent. There exift already in the American States manufa£lories of thcfe articles which only require, the flimur lus of a certain demand to render them adequate to the fupply necefiary. It would alfo be a material aid to manufa£lories of this nature, as well as a mean of public fecurity, if provifion was made for an WtnmX purchafe of military weapons, of their own manufafiiure, Y y a u^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION !,:f': to a certain determinate extent, in order to the fonnation of arr fenals ; and to replace from time to time'fuch as (hould be with* drawn for ufe, fo as always to have in Aore the quantity of each kind, which (hould be deemed a competent fupply. Imported manuf be included. The material is a natural produdion of the country.. In many parts of the United States, mines of copper have aClually been wrought, and with profit to the undertakers. And nothing 1^ eafier than the iptrodutlion of it from other countries, on mo- derate terms, and in great plenty. Copper-fmiths apd brafs-founders, particularly the lormer are numerous in the United States ; fome of \yrhom carry on bufinefs to a refpedable extent. To multiply and extend manufaiEtories of the materials in quefr ^ion, is worthy of the attention and efforts of the federal govern- ment. In order to this, it is defirable for them to facilitate a plentiful fupply of the materials ; and a proper mean to this end is to place them in the clafs of free articles. Copper in plates and brafs are already in this predicament ; but copper in pigs and bars is not ; neither is lapis calaminaris, whi^h, together with copper and charcoal, conflitute the component ingredients of brafs. The exemption from duty, by parity of reafon, ought to embrace all fuch of thefe articles as are obje£ls of importation. An additional duty on brafs wares will tend to the general end in view. Thefe now ftand at five per cent, while thofe of tin, pewter, and copper, are rated at Icven and an half. There appears to be a propriety in every view in placing brafs wares upon the fame level with them ; and it merits their confideration whether the duty upon all of them ought not to be raifed to ten per cent, * / " ii!i OF THE UNITED STATES, 849 LEAD. There are numerous proofs, that this material uboutids in the jUnited States, and requires little to unfold it to an extent, more {ban equal to every Jomeilic occafton. A prolific mine of it has long been open in the louth-wcftern parts of Virginia, and under a public adminidration, during the lute war, yielded a confider. able fupply for military ufe. This is now in the hands of indi- viduals, who not only carry it on with I'plrit, but have eliabliih- ed manufactories of jt at Richmond in the lame ilate. The duties already laid \ipon the importation of this article, either in its unnianufa^lurcd or manufa£lurcd (late, infure it a de- cifive advantage iii the home market — which amounts to confi- derable encouragement. If the duty on pewter wares fliould be nifcd, it would afFord a further encouragement. Nothing ellis occurs as proper to be added. POSSILCOAL. This, as an important indrumcnt of manufa£lurcs, may, without impropriety, be mentioned among< the fubje£is of the prelisnt re- marks. A copious fupply of it would be of great confcquence to the ^ron branch : As an article of houfehold fuel alio it is an intereft- ing production ; the utility of which mud increafe in proportion lothe decreafe of wood, by the progrefs of fettlement and culti- vation. And its importance to navigation, as a>> immenfe ar- ticle of txanfportation coaft-wife, it fignally exemplified in Great Britain. It is known, that there are feveral coal mines in Virginia, now worked, and appearances of their exiflence are familiar in a num- ber of places. The expediency of a bounty on all this fpecies of coal of home production, and of premiums, on the opening of new mines, un- der certain qualifications, appean' to be worthy of the particular attention of the American government. The great importance of the article will amply juftify a r6albnable expence in this way, if it Ihall appear to be necelfary to, and fhall be thought likely to aniwer the end. WOOD. Several manufactures of this article flourifh in the United States. Ships are jjow here built in greater perfection, and cabi- net wares, generally, are made little, if at all inferior to thoie of Europe. Their extent is fuch as to have admitted of confider- able exportation. An exemption from duty of the feveral kinds of wood ordi- «5« GErn'' *L nESCRIPTlOH narily ufcd in thefe mat ' ('):i.;<:s icems to be ill that is rfquifue by wiy of encouragement. It is recommended >y the confider. ttion of a Itmilar policy being purfued in other countries, and by the expediency of giving equal advantages to their own work* men in wood. The abundance of timber proper for (hip-build* ing in the United States does not appear to be any objeftion to it. The increafing fcarcity and the growing importance of that article, in the European countries, admonifh the United States t0 commence, and fyftematically to purfue meafiires for the prefrrva. tioh of their (lock. Whatever may promote the regular edablifh* ment of magazines of (hip-timber is in various views deftreable, SKINS. s There are fcarcely any manufsAories of greater importance to the United States than of this article. Their dirc£l and very hap. py influence upon agriculture, by promoting the raiftng of cattle of different kinds, is a very material recommendation. It is pleating, too, to obferve the extenfive progrefs they have made in their principal branches ; which are fo far matured as al- moft to defy foreign competition. Tanneries in particular are not only carried on as a regular bufinefs in numerous inftances, and in various parts of the country, but they conftitute in fome placet a valuable item of incideiMal family maiiufaAures. Reprefentations however have been made to the government, importing the expediency of further encouragement to the leather branch in two ways; one by increafing the duty on the manufac- tures of it, which are imported; the other by prohibiting the ex- portation of bark. In fupport of the latter, it is alledged, that the price of bark, chiefly in confequence of large exportations, has ril'en within a few years from about three dollars to four dollars and a half per cord. The exportation of this article will however be checked by |he improvements pnade in this article of manufafture in Europe, and by the extenfion of them to the States. Thefe improvements are,— -1 ft, A more judicious ufc of the bark itfelf, by extra£ling more of its qualities by boiling it after it has been taken out of the pits in the hitherto common method of ufing it. This method, if attended to properly, will render two thirds of the quantity heretofore ul'ed unneceffary. 2dly, The fuperccding the ulic of bark in tanriing altogether by the introdu£lion of articles of lefs expence in its (lead, for which a patent has been obtained by an inhabitant of England. It is however, perhaps an additional reafon for the prohibition, that one fpecies of the bark ufually exported frpm the United States Ls in fome fort peculiar to the pountry, and the material of Of THE UNITED STATES. 96 > I very valuable liye, of great ufe in fome other manuikAurei, in which the United State* have begun a competition. There may alfo be thia argument in favour of an increafe of duty. The objcfl is of importance enough to claim decifive en- couragement, and the progrefa which has been made, leaves no room to apprehend any inconvenience on the fcore of fupply from luch an increafe. It would be of benefit to this branch, if glue, which is now rated at five per cent, were ntade the obje£l of an excluding duty. It is already made in large quantities at various tanneries ; and, like paper, is an entire economy of materials, which, if not ma> nufa^ured, would be left to periih. It may be placed with ad- vantage in the clafs of articles paying fifteen per cent, on impor- ution. GRAIN. Manufa£hires of the fcveral fpecics of this article have a title to peculiar favour, not only becaufe they arc mod of them imme- diately connefted with the fubfiftence of the citizens, but be- caufe they enlarge the demand for the mod precious produfls of the foil. Thaugh flour may with propriety be noticed as a manufaClure of grain, it were ufelelis to do it but for the purpofe of fubmit- tiag the expendency of a general fyftcm of ififpcflion throughout the ports of the United States, which, if eflablifhed upon proper principles, would be likely to improve the quality of their flour every where, and would rife its reputation in foreign markets. There are, however, confiderations, which {land in the way of fuch an arrangement. Ardent fpirits and malt liquors, are next to flour, the two prin- cipal manufaflures of grain : the firfl has made a very extenfive, the lad a confiderable progrefs in the United States: in rcfpefl to. both, an exclufive polTeffion of the home market ought to be fecured to the domedic manufa6lures as fad as circumdances will admit. Nothing is more practicable, and nothing more de- firable. An augmentation of the duties on fpirits imported into the States would favour as well the didillation of fpirits from molailcs at that from grain ; and tq iccuie to a nation the benefit of a ma- nufacture, even of foreign materials, is always of great, though, perhaps, of fecondary importance. It would therefore be advantageous to the States that an addi- tion of two cents per gallon be made to the duty on imported fpirits of the fird clafs of proof, with a proportionable increafe 35 « (GENERAL tiESCkiPTiOI^ 1 :«i:j' •iiM 'I ■ ■ ' ■ m I'll! on thofc' 6f higher proof; and that a rcduftion of one per ttnij per gallon be made fi'om the duty on fpirids difttlled within thti United States, beginning, with the firft clafs of proof, and a pro- portionable dedu&ion from the duty en thoi'e of higher proof. It is afcertained, that by far the greated part of the malt li- quors confumed in the United States are the produce of their do- mcAic breweries. It is deftrable, and in all liklihood attainable, that the whoU confumption fhould be fupplied by themfelves. The malt liquors made in the States, though inferior to the bed, are equal to a great part of thofe which have been ulually imported ; the progrefs already made is an earneil of what may be accompliflied ; the growing competition is an aflurahce of im- provement ; this {houkl be accelerated by meafures tending to in- vite a greater capital into this channel of employment. To-render the encouragement of domeflic breweries' decifive,' it may b« advifeable for the government to fubftitute to the pre- fent rates of duty eight cents per gallon generally ; and it will deferve to be confidered by them as a guard againft invafions, whether there ought not to be a prohibition of their importation, except in ca>rks of conHderable capacity. Such a duty would banilh from their markets foreign malt liquors of inferior quality^ and the beft kind only would continue to be imported until fup- planted by the efforts of equal fkill or care in the States* Till that period, the importation fo qualified would be an ufe- ful ftimulus to improvement ; and in the mean time^ the payment of the increafed price, for the enjoyment of a luxury, in order to the encouragement of a mod ufeful branch of domeftic in- duflry, could not reafonably be deemed a hardlhip. As a further aid to the manufaftures of grain, though upon a fmaller Icale, the articles of flarch, hair powder, and wafers, may with great propriety be placed among thofe which are rated at fifteen per cent. No manufa£lures are more fimple, nor more completely within the reach of a full fupply from their domeftic fources ; and it is a policy, as coAimon as it is obvious, to make the importation of them the objefts either of prohibitory duties, or of exprefs prohibition. FLAXANDHEMP. Manufaftures of thefe articles have fo much affinity to each other, and they are fo often blended, that they may with advan- tage be confidered in conjunftion. The importance of the linci. branch to agriculture — its happy efFefcls upon houfehold induftiy — the eafe with which its materials can be produced in the United States to any requifitc extent — the great advances which have OF THE UNITED STATES, 353 been already made in the coarfer fabrics of them, efpecially in the family way, conliitute claims of peculiar force to the patronage of the American government. This patronage maybe aflForded in various ways; by promoting the growth of the materials ; by increafing the impediments to an advantageous competition of rival foreign articles; by dire6lboun^ ties or premiums upon the home manufacture. Firft, As promoting the growth of the materials, A ftrong wiih naturally fuggefts itfelf to the friends of Ame. rica, that fome method could be devifed of affording a more dirc£fc encouragement to the growth both of flax and hemp, fuch as would be effe&ual, and at the fame time not attended with too great inconveniencies. To this end, bounties and premiums offer themfelves to conftderation ; but no modification of them has yet occurred, which would not either hazard too much expcncc, or operate unequally in reference to the circumfUnces of different parts of the Union, and which would not be attended with very great difficulties in the execution. Secondly. As to increafing the impediments to an advantageous fompetition of rivtd foreign articles. To this purpofe, an augmentation of the duties on importation is the obvious expedient ; which, in regard to certain articles, ap- pears to be recommended by fufHcient reafons. The principal of thefe articles is fail-cloth, one intimately con- nefted with navigation and defence ; and of which a flourifhing manufa£lory is eftablifhed at Boflon, and very promifing ones at feveral other places. It is prefumcd to be both fafe and advifeable for the American government to place this in the clafs of articles rated at ten per cent. A ftrong reafon for it refults from the confideration, that a bounty of two pence fterling per ell, is allowed in Great Britain upon the exportation of the fail-cloth manufactured in that kingdom. It would likewife appear to be good policy for the States to raife the duty to feven and an half per cent, on the following ar- ticles : drillings, ofnaburghs, ticklenburghs, dowlas, canvas, brown rolls, bagging, and upon all other linens, the firft coft of which, at the place of exportation, does not exceed thirty-five cents, per yard. A bounty of twelve and a half per cent, upon an average, on the exportation of fuch or fimilar linens from Great Britain, encourages the manufa£lure of them, and increafes the ubftadcs to a fuccelsful competition in the countries to which they are fent. The quantities of tow and other houfehold linens manu- faftured in different parts of the United States,, and the expcc- Vol. I. Z z m $H- \ GENkRAt nESCkiPtlON tations which are derived from fome late experiments, of bein^ able to extend the ufe of labour-faving machines in the coarfer' fabrics of linen, obviate the danger of inconvenience from art incrcafe of the duty upon fuch alrticles, and authorife the ex- pe£lation of a fpecdy and complete fuccefs to the endeavours) which may be nfed for procuring an internal fupply^ Th'rJly. As to dire6i bounties, or premium* upon the manvfaHured articles. To afford more effc£lual encouragement to the inanufaftur e, and at the fame time to promote the cheapnefs of the article for the benefit of navigation, it would be of great ufe for the American government to allow a bounty of two cents per yard on all fail- cloth which is made in the United States from materials of their own growth ; this would alio aififl the culture of thofe materials. An encouragement of this kind, if adopted, ought to be eftablifh- ed for a moderate term of years, to invite to new undertakings and to an extenfion of the old. This is an article of importance enough to warrant the employment of extraordinary means in its favour^ COTTON. There is fomething in the texture of this material, which adapits it in a peculiar degree to the application of machines^ The fignal utility of the mill for fpinning of cotton, not long fince invented in i!ngland, has been noticed in another place ; but there are other machines fcarcely inferior in utility, which, in the different mahufafclories of this article, are employed either cxclufivcly, or with more than ordinary effe£k. This very im- portant circumflance recommends the fabrics of cotton, in a more particular manner, to a country in which a dcfcft of hands conili-* tutes the greateft obftacles to fuccefsj ' The variety and extent of the ufes to which the manufaflures of this article are applicable, is another powerful argument in their favour. And the faculty of the United States to produce the raw mate- rial in abundance, and of a quality which, though alledgcd to be inferior to fome that is produced in other quarters, is nevcrthelcfs capable of being ufcd with advantage in many fabrics, and is pro- bably fufccptible of being carried, by a more experienced culture, to much greater perfection, fuggefts an additional and a very co- gent inducement to the vigorous purluit of the cotton brunch in lis levcral lubdivifions. How much has been already done has been dated in a preceding part of thefc remarks. milli trair COtt( Tl OF THE UNI^TED STATES. 355 In addition it may be announced, that a fociety is formed with » capital, which is expcfted to be extended to at leafc half a million of dollars; on behalf of which meafures are already in train for prolecuting on a large fcale the making and printing of cotton goods. Thelie circumftances confpirc to indicate the expediency of the government removing any obftruftions which may happen to ejiift to the advantageous profecution of the maniifaftories in queftion, and of adding fuch encouragements as may appear ncccflary and proper. .Cotton not teing, like hemp, an univerfal produftion of the country, it affords lei's alturance of an adequate internal fupply ; but the chief obje£iion arifes from the doubts which are entertain- ed concerning the quality of the national cotton. It is alledged that the fibre of it is copfiderably fhortcr and weaker th.in tha.t of fomc other places; and it has been obl'crved as a general rule, that the nearer the place of growth to the equator, the better the quality of the cotton ; that which ct.mcs fiom Cayenne, Su- rinam, and Demarara, is faid to be preferable, eyen at n)atcrial diflFerence of price, to the cotton of the iflands. While an expefiation may reafonably be indulged, that with due care and attention the cotton in the United States may be made to approach nearer than it now does to that of regions lomcwhat more favoured by climate ; and while fafts authorile an opinion, that very great ufe may" be made of it, and that it is a rcloiirce which gives greater fecurity to the cotton fabrus of America than can be enjoyed by anv whi :i' depends wholly on external lupply it will certainly be wife, in %'Ery view, to let their infant manu- fafturers have the full bt i.cnt of the beft materials on the cheapeft terms. It is obvious, that the nc •^iTity of having lueh materials is proportioned to tic mlicilfulnefs and inexperience of the work- men employed, wl.o, if inexpert, will net fail to commit great wafle, where the materials they arc to work with are of an in- different kind. To lecurc to the national manufafturers fo cfTential an advan- tage, a repeal of the prefent duty on imported cotton is indif- pcniable. A fubftitute for this, far more encouraging ifo domcftic produc- tion, will be to grant a bounty on th;'. vintton grown in the United States, when wrought at a home manufaftory, to which a bounty pn the exportation of it may be added. Either, or both, would 4o much more towards promoting the growth of the article than the merely nominal encouragement which it is propoled toabolifh The firft would alio have a dirc6l influence in encouraging th^. manufafturc. !* P" ; fi 35S GENERAL DESCRIPTION MM The bounty, which has been mentioned as exifting in Great Britain, upon the exportation of coarfe linens not exceeding a certain value applies alfo to certain defcriptions of cotton goods of fimilar value. This furnifhes an additional argument for allowing to the ma- nufafturers the fpecies of encouragement jufl fuggefted, and in- deed for adding fome other aid. One cent per yard, not lefs than of a given width, on all goods of cotton, or of cotton and linen mixed, which are manufa£tured in the United States, with the addition of one cent per lb. weight of the material, if made of national cotton, would amount to an aid of conAderable importance, both to the produflion and to the manufafture of that valuable article. And the expence would be well juilified by the magnitude of the obje£l. The printing and ftaining of cotton goods is known to be a dif- tinfl bufinefs from the fabrication of them. It is one edlly ac- complifhed, and which, as it adds materially to the value of the article in its white ftate, and prepares it for a variety of new ufes, is of importance to be promoted. As imported cottons, equally with thofe which are made at home, may be the obje£b of this manufa&ure, it is worthy of confideration, whether it would not be for the advantage of the States that the whole, or part of the duty, on the white goods, ought not to be allowed to be drawn back in favour of thofe who print or flain them. This meafure would certainly operate as a powerful encouragement to the bufinefs, and though it may in a degree counteraft the original fabrication of the articles, it would probably more than compenfate for this diladvantage in the rapid growth of a collateral branch, which is of a nature fooner to artain to maturity. When a fufficient progrefs (hall have been made the drawback may be abrogated, and by that time the domeflic fuppiy of the articles to be printed or ftained will have been ex- tended. If the duty of 7^ per cent, on certain kinds of cotton goods were extended to all goods of cotton, or of which it is the prin- cipal material, it would probably more than counterbalance the effeft of the drawback propofed, in relation to the fabrication of the article ; and no material objeftiou occurs to fuch an .extenfion. The duty then, confidering all the circumftances which attend goods of this defcription, could not be deemed inconveniently high ; and it may be inferred, from various caufes, that the prices of them would flill continue moderate. Manufaftories of cotton goods, not long fince cftablinied at Be- verly, in Maflacufetts and at Providence, in the ftate of Rhode Ifland, and at New-York, and condufted with a perfeverance cor- OF THE UNITED STATES. $61 rcfpondlng with the patriotic motives which begun them, feem to have overcome the firft obftacle* to fuccefs, producing cordu- roys, velvfrrets, fuftians, jeans, and other fimilar articles, of a quality which will bear a comparifon with the like articles from Manchefter. The one at Providence has the merit of being the firft in introducing into the United States the celebrated cotton mill, which not only furnifhes the materials for that manufa£lory itfelf, but for the fupply of private families for houfehold manufafiiure. Other manufaftories of the fame material, as regular bufineflirs, have alfo been begun at different places in the State of Conne3:i- cut, but all upon a fmaller fcale than thofe above mentioned. Some eflays are alfo making in the printing and ftaining of cotton goods. I'hcre agrc I'everal fmall cftabli(hments of this kind alrea- dy on foot. w o o t. In a country, the climate of which partakes of fo coniiderable a proportion of winter, as that of a great part of the United States, the woollen branch cannot be regarded as inferior to any which relates to the cloathing of the inhabitants. Houfehold manufactures of this material are carried on, in different parts of the United States, to a very interefting extent ; but there is only one branch, which as a regular bufinefs, can be faid to have acquired maturity ; this is the making of hats. Hats of wool and of wool mixed with fur, are made in large quantities in different ftates, and nothing feems wanting, but an adequate fupply of materials to render the manufacture commen- lurate with the demand. A promifxng effay towards the fabrication of cloaths, cafllmeres, and other woolen goods, is likewife going on at Hartford, in Conneilicut. Specimens of the different kinds which are made, evince, that thefe fabrics have attained a very confiderable de- gree of pcrfeftion. Their quality certainly furpaffes any thing that could have been looked for, in fo fliort a time and under fo great difadvantages, and confpires with the fcantinefs of the meJins, which have been at the command of the direftors, to form the eulogium of that public fpirit, perfeverance and judgment, which have been able to accomplifh fo much. Meafures, which tend to promote an abundant fupply of wool of good quality, would probably afford the moft efficacious aid that prefent circumftances permit to this and fimilar manufac- tures. To encourage the raifing and improving the breed of (heep in the United States would certainly be the moft defirable expedient for that purpol'c ; but it may not be alone fufficicnt, cfpecially as vr^'M. 'I iii •$• OENERAl DESCRIPTION .1 -■14 it it yet. • problem, whether their wool is capable of fuch a de- gree of improvement as to render it fit for the finer fabrics.' Prrmiunta would probably be found the bed means of pro. muting the domeilic, and bounties the foreign fupply ; and they ought of coMrie to bo adjufted with an eye to quality as wel} as quantity. A fund for this purpofc may be derived from the addition of s| per cent, to the prel'ent rate of duty on carpets find carpeting imported into the dates ; an increafe to which the nature of the articles fuggeds no objeftion, and which may at the lame time furnilh a motive the more to the fabrication of them at home, towards which fome beginnings have boon made, SILK. The produftion of this article is attended with ^reat facility in mod parts of the United St:Ues. Some plcafing ed'ays are making in Connc£ticut, as well towards that as towards the manufafture of what is produced. Stockings, handkerchiefs, ribbons, and buttons, are made, though as yet but in imall quantities. A manufaOoi y of lace, upon a fcale not very extenfive, has been long memorable at Ipl'wich in the State of MaiTachufets. An exemption of the material from the duty which it now pays on importation, and premiums upon the produftion, feem to be the only Ipecics of encouragement advifeable as fo early a dagc. GLASS. The materials for making glafs are found every where ; in the United States there is no deficiency of them. The fands and dones called Tarfo, which include flinty and cliryftalline I'^b- dances generally, and the falts of various plants, particularly the lea-wccd kali, or kelp, conditute the effcntial ingredients. An extraordinary abundance of fuel is a particular advantage enjoy- ed by America for fuch manufactures ; they, however, require large "•>: itals, and involve much manual labour. Different manufaftorics of glafs are now on foot in the United States. The prel'ent duty of iz^ per cent, laid by the dates on all imported articles of glafs amount to a conliderablc encourage- ment to thofe munufa£iories ; if any thing in addition is judged eligible, tVc mod proper would appear to be a dircft bounty on window glafs and black bottles. The fird recommends itlelf as an objeft of general conveni- ence, the lad adds to that charafter the circumllancc of being an important item in breweries,. A complaint is made of great deficiency in this rcJpcft, ! 4 v--('>> 4\*i« 6f THE UNITED ^TATE^. 9S^ furh I do- ries. IS of pro- I and they as wel| its ddition of t carpeting ture of the I lame time n at home, : facility in are making tianufafture sbons, and s. enfive, has hufets. ich it now £lion, feem IS fo early a :vc ; in the fands and talline I'vib- icularly the [icnts. An Itage cnjoy- |er, require Ithe United le ftates on I cncouragc- In is judged bounty on i\ convcni- of being Ic of great GUN POWDER. No ftnall progrefs has been of late made in the manufaAure of fhis important article ; it may, indeed, be confidered as already cdabliflied, but its high importance renders its farther extenfiort ■ very dcftreable. The encouragements which it alrtady enjoys, are a duty of ten pej cent, on the foreign rival article, and an exemption of fait- petr«, one df the principal ingredients of which it is compofed, from duty. A like exemption of fulphur, another chief ingre- tiicnt, would appear to be equally proper. No quantity of thin article has yet been produced from any intenal fourccs of tho States. This confideration, and the ufe made of it, in finiihir ,;; the bottoms of fhips^ is an additional inducement to placing it in tho clai's of fircc- gix>dst RegulatiMM for the careful infpe£lion uf the article would have a favour^l^ tendency. t> A f R R. Manufa£loncs oi' paper are among thofe which are arrived at the greatcd maturity in the United States, and are almofl adequate to national fupply. That of paper hangings is a branch in which reCpeflable progrefs has been made. Nothing material fcems wanting to the farther fuccefs of this valuable branch, which is already prote£led by a competent duty on Amilar important articles. In the enumeration of the I'evcral kinds made fubjeA to duty on importation into the Slates, fhcathing and cartridge paper have been omitted ; thcfe being the mod fimple manufa£lures of the fort, and neceflary to military fupply as well as Ihip-building^ recommend themfelvcs equally with thofe of other defcriptions to encouragement, and appear to be as fully within the cumpalis uf domedic exertions. PRINTED aOORS. The great number of prcflfcs dilTeniinatcd throughout the Un- ion fedm to afford an affurance, that there is no need of being in- debted to foreign countries for the printing of the books which arc ufed in the United State*. A duty of ten per cent, on the importation, which is now charged upon the article, will have a tendency to aid the bufincfs internally. It occurs, as an obje^ion to this, thai it may have an unfavour- able afpeft towards literature, by raifing the prices of books in univcrfal ufe, in piiwuc families, fchools, and other feminaries of learning ; but, the diffeicace, it is canceivcii, will be without effeft. , As to books which ufuaih' Eft the libraries of the wealthier ciaffes, and of profelfional men, futh ^ra augmentation of prices ^9 GENERAL DESCRlFTiar 1 1 f ' ' I III as might be occafioned by an iddhtoiul duty |{f five per cent, would be too little felt to be an impediment to tfie ac4uirition. And with regard to books which may be fpegally imported for the ufe of particular feminaries of learning, and of public libraries, a total exemption from all duty would lie advife^e, which would go far towards obviating the objcftion juft mention- ed. j As to the book^ in moft genend limily ufe, the conftMity and univerlality of the demand would enfure exertions to fumiib them in the different ftates, and the means are completely ade- quate. It may alfo be expefted ultimately, in this and in other cafes, that the exten{u>n of the domeftic manufa£iure would con- duce to the cheapnefalof the article. It ought not to pafli unpi^rked, that to encourage the print- ing of books is to em^ktuigqnp manufa£ture of paper. Rl^FINED SUGARS AND CHOCOLATE Are among the number of extenfive and profperous domeftic manufa£turcs, in the United Slates. Drawbacks of the duties upon the materials of which they are rerpe£lively ihade, in cafes of exportation, would have a bene- ficial influence upon the nianufa6lure, and would conform to a precedent which has been already furniflied in the inftance of molafTes, on the exportation of diftilled fpirits. Cocoa, the raw material, now pays a duty of one cent per lb. while chocolate, which is a prevailing and very fimple manufac- ture, is comprifcd in the mafs of articles, rated at no more than five per cent. There would appear to be a propriety in encouraging the ma- nufacture by a fomewhat higher duty en its foreign rival, than is paid on the raw material. Two cents per lb. on imported choco- late would, it is prefumed, be without inconvenience. ' WINES. The manufafture of wines, is an bbjeft worthy of legiflativc attention and encouragement in the United States. Succefsful experiments have already been made, by fome new fettlers of French people, on the river Ohio, which evince the praftibility of the manufafture of wines of excellent quality ; and as grapes are the fpontaneous produftion of all the United States, and, by culture, might be raifcd in any defirable quantity, and in great perfeftion, this manufafture, with proper legiHative encourage- ment, might be carried on to fuch an extent, as greatly to di- minifh, and in time, perhaps, wholly to preclude foreign im- portation?. aPTHM UNiTMD STATES. $61 MA>LB. IVOAlt 'llie BUiittfa^Tt 0f maple fuga/^ though it has for irtatiy years beeqb,i6am!^i^' ill the fmall way, , in the eaftern States, has but lii^^ieli'l|)^Me an dbjeft of pubiit atteittion.--*The eallern s indimiii^te' iStites furntlh • fufident number df maple trees to fufM^^tfie Unltrd States With the article of fygaf ; and, it is aT- krBB&i of a quality " equal, in the ofiiniot^iF competent judges, td Itie bcft fugars imported from the Wen India Iflands." A ^erfonj whofe judgment on this fubjeft ir much to be relied on, as' well from his ejcperienee in tl#bufiilefii, al his eftablifhed charaftcr for cSndor and 3itgrity|;'lkflt Jnvtn it as his opinion. **That four aftive and induit. 'ous men^^eR {iVovided with ma- terials and conveniencies proper for c JRying on the bufinefs, may make, in a common feafon, whH||lj|ls from four to fix Weeks, 4odolbs. of fugar, that is tt^^mii to each man." If fuch be the amazing produftof fix weri||s labour of an individual, jwh^t may be expelled from the labov^ of the many thoufands of people who now inhabit, and may hereafter inhabit, the ex- tenfive tra£ls of country which abound with the fugar maple tree ? This manufa£lure is fo importtnt and interefting, that it refpe^s the wealth and profpcrity of their country, and the caufe of humanity, that it dcferlfes the countenance of eveiry good citieen, and even national encouragement « No lefs than eighteen millions of pounds of Weft India fugars, manufa£lured by. the hands of flayes, is annually imported into and confumed in tlie United States* In proportion as this quantity can be leflened by their own manufafturers, by the hands of freemen, the wealth of the United States will be increafed, and the caufa of humanity promoted. The foregoing heads comprife the moft important of the feveral kinds of manufa£lures which have occurred as requiring, and, at the fame time, as moft proper for public encouragement in the United States ; and offer fuch mcafures for affording it, as have appeared beft calculated- to ani'wer the end propofed. The meafures, which have been fubmitted, tnough fome of them may have a tendency to infure the revenue, yet when taken aggregately, they will, for a long time to come, rather augment than decreafe it. There is little room to expert that the progrefs of manufac- tures will fo equally keep pace with the progrefs of population as to prevent even a gradual augmentation of the produ£t of the duties on imported articles. As, neverthelei's, an abolition in fome inflances, and a reduc- Vol. I. 3 A W'- i M It 3tf« GENERAL DESCRIPTt^tT tion in others of duties which have been pledfcd for the puMi It is eridicMf^liriiri glance, that they will not only be adequate to this^ but' a confiderable furphls. There is reafoA to Relieve that the progrefs of particimriai* nufa£lures in the United States haa been much retarded by th«' wuiit of ikilful Workmen ; and it often happens that the capital* employed arc not equal tp the purpofirts of engaging workmen of a fuperior kind from J|urope« Here, in cafes worthy of it, the auxiliary agency of go^db'oraent would in all probability be ufe- ful. There are al£i>< i^aliMblc workmen in every branch who are prevented from emigibtin§ I'olely by the want of means. Occe- ftonal aids to fuch perfpn^, properly adminiftered, might be i fouree of valuable acquifition to the States. The propriety of ftimulating by rewards the invention and introduction of uieful improvements is admitted without difficul- ty. But the fuccefs of attempts in this way mud evidently depend much on the manner of condu£ling them. It is proba- ble that the placing of the difpenfation of thofe rewards under fome 2'*"oper difcretionary dire£lion, where they may be accom- panied by collateral expedients, will ferve to give them the I'ur- cA efficacy. It Teems impraflicable to apportion by general rules fpecific comperiations for diicoveiies c** unknown and dif- proportionate utility* The great ufe which any country may make of a fund^f this nature to procure and import foreign improvements, is particu- larly obvious. Among thefe^ the article of machines form a moft important item* The operation and utility of premiums have been adverted to, together with the advantages which have refulted from their dif- penfation under the dire£lion of certain public and private foci- dies. Of this, feme experience has been had in the inftance of the Pennfylvania fociety for the promotion of manufa6iures and ■ ufeful arts ; but the funds of that afl'ociation have been too con- tracted to produce more than a very fmall portion of the good • to which the principles of it would have led. It may confident- . ly be affirmed) that there is fcarcely any thing which has been ; dcvifed better calculated to excite a general fpirit of improve- ment than the Inftilutions of this nature. They are truly in- valuable. OF THE ON it ED STATES. l%% In countrlet where thtr« it great private wp lih much may b« ^^lUBto^ by the volunttry eontributiMU of patriotic individuals ; b\k in a community fuuaee4.'(like that of the I'lyt^d States the pykiiie pinrfc muft fiipply 4h|t.ao^lanoy of private refuurce. In ftock is ten million dollars, one fourth of which is in gold and filver ; the other three fourths in that part of the public debt of the United States, which, at the time of payment, bears an accruing intcreft of fix per cent, per a»num. Two millions of' this capital ftock of ten millions, is fubfcribed by the Preftdent in' behalf of the United States. The ilockholders arc to continue a cor-: porant body by the aft, until the 4th day of March tSii ; andi are capable, in law, of holding property to an atnount not ex> ceeding, in the whole, Afteen million dollars, including the afore- faid ten million dollars, capital ftock. The corporation may not at any time owe, whether by bond, bill or note, or other con- traft, more than ten million dollars, over and above the moniei then aftually depoftted in the bank for fafe keeping, unlefs the contrafting of any greater debt (hall have been previoufly au- thorifed by a law of the United States. The corporation is not at liberty to receive more than iix per cent, per annum for or upon its loans or difcounts, nor to purchafe any public debt whatever, or to deal or trade, dtreftly or indire£ily, in any thing except bills of exchange, gold or filver bullion, or in the fale of goods really and truly pledged for money lent, and not redeemed in due time, or of goods which fhali be the produce of its bonds ; they may fell any part of the public debt of which its ftock fhall be compofed. Loans, not exceeding 100,000 dollars, may be made to the United States, and to particular ftates, pf a fum not exceeding 50,000 dollars. Officers for the purpofes of difcount and depofit only, may be eftabliflied within the United States, upon the fame terms, and in the fame manner, as ftiall be praftifed at the bank. Four pf thefe ofEccs, called Branch Banks, have been alTea4y efta* 3A8 I'M IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) J^ ^^ ^^ ^.f ^ .<^ .« I 1.0 ^lii 1^ m m I.I £f uo 12.0 u >» 1. Hiotogrephic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WnSTIIt,N.Y. t4sn (716)t7a-4S03 3H \ ^ (mfm^ iwiiiiiiiiig^ |)lta«d,v; y!». ar Boil 3*^'*:" \t' %■• * ->^^M*x'.« -■h. ^ -^ > Milt Bil IWfliiftti I ,3^5^'i&^-:^" •.H^i ft S^ itT il» .3E<*i#ijff *c "Oft p*^» Ao«#P|f t|rf^|||C9*f«l for which, »m l^ ,lh^' imcBty ^f(^ ?ji?t|HUy f ncDunign govejr|iori» m ?rrcating a ,|Sii|^ - ^Ij$(p0iiil of' the letter, ha« oft«n hilifft; __ ..^ _ ^ . _^ . |»f Ihofc whoft propcarty i» exh»tt(l«4 ^ iUHfiippbrt. J^^ jpoUey pf k«teping ftaw4inf »nni^ was, fully invclligatei, it WouWbc fwod to h«vf! it* qrigin* not ia the jcaloufwa of one nation with x^ffi^ U> another, hut in thi||||Hri!^ pjrtittiples aikdifearl of differed governiaents, i^ith i^sfpcja^^teiu! ftibjeas at home. The faft !i» : notof4ou^|^t the drigttrel if^lk of the old govcrnmesnts!, has been in conqjpl and wCiirpation^^lNw itf thcaa which iuhfti^ in Europe, h^o originated wheipe'^h^ ought, (I'-oro t»»^ people) the confc^g||ir trodfit ^v ItM ip cowplyi rather chufiog, in cafe of a war, to>t|-uft toitlie energy and efccrtipni^ of the militia, than thu? to rilk |b^||i^ lh^Q»fl^, ol. a iniUt?ry ftandlng force. • /.' NAVAL STREKGTH. Marine ftltingtb^ in a ftrilk fenfe, the United Statcj^ llav* fifone, many ol ihek" inerchanta veffels might, however, i^M^^ JBOhVerted into* ihipii df war of confiderable force, •a|^^||N^ fitusttion and irefdufces will enable th^iA t& «ftabliA(^tfiiS^l|^nt « navy equal fo thftt of any nation iM^«,«lNi»^,^4^ , deCeVmine on fo doing, and that they 'ml&''WS^i^^nB^barjrt9 ktalii^ *1Kd fupport tt naval power, tltfttt'1^ie'ii|t1e;^^^ Th^idual; habits of their dtizens attii^ 1^iWf|^j^||^ They will ejt«rdie it for i^ihe beft nor fafeft inftrument of defence. For eiit^^ thefe pur* pofes, the fea is the field on whi<^ they Ihould meet ««i Eiii^ pean enemy. On that element it is heceifary they ibould lli^- fore po(Fef8 fome power. To aim at fuch a navy at Hie'greeteir nations of Europe poiTefs, would be a fbolllh and wieked wiAe of the energies of their citizens. It would be t/i^''pM on their own heads that load of military expence, which ttiikes the £u- aOPXAN LABOURSR CO SVPFBRLESS TO BED, AMO MOISTENS HIS BREAD wii;i| THE SWEAT Or HIS BROW. It will be enough if they enable themfelves to prevent infult^, from thofis nations of Europe which are weak on the fea, becaufe circnm. ftances extiftt which render even the ftronger ones weak as to them. Providence has placed the richefl And moft defcnceleis European pofleflipns at their door ; has obliged their moft pre- cious commerce to pafs as it were in review before the United States. To protect this, or to aflail them, a I'mall part only of their naval force will ever be riiked acrofs the Atlantic. The dangers to which |he elements expofe them there are too well known, and the greater dangers to which they would be expolicd at home^ were any general caliunity to involve their whole fleet* • »794- y V|6l gMkERAL DESCRlMBk ■they can attack t1ienfi>^ detachliiJ%i>niy ||>nd#^1^ lii^ Uffitectv States (6 make thfmfelVei eq^I to what ^^^^^%' ni^ HietacK EWmfiiifmaller force tlian any of ihe natt6n«'of' Europe rnijiy Httach/wUl be rendered e^Ujd or fuperior hy%b ^ij^^ndl %^th whidi trty check may be repaired with the Amirtciiti^ ^kUlrtb&s with Eurdlpean powers Will be irreparable tiH too laie, A fxnall nav^l force then is fufficient for the Stitcii aiidi^fmall or^Ma'neceffary. What this Cbould be» w* will not undertake to fay rit ihould, howerer, by no meant be fo great at they are ablb Ad Wl^ in* Mr. Jefibrfon obfcrvec, that Virginia aUuM, can ly fpare without diftrefs, a ^miUioik M doUars, or thn»| thpu&nd pounds ; fuppolls this fum to be applied to tb| crettMfii'W^Mry* e fingle year's contribution would buildi equip, nan,! •n^iim to %i|^|^ three hundred ^un». \'ji»^0tll^-^mt confederacy, exerting themfelves i« th« fimael|>roportidn^Pyiid|ti^ the faaae lime fifteen huii4ri4 .jaaminlBn^ contributions would fet up aniiry '^cf^q^SMTliimwNid guns. Britilh ikips of the line average fe>< vent]^-iix igdina, and their frigates thirty-ei|^t. Eighteen hub* ,dr«d guns' thitm would form a fleet of thirty (Kips, eighteen of .Ifihilhi might be of the line, and twelve frigates^ Allowing eight mml^l^e JSriti/h average for every gun, their annual expence, induditigifuibriftcnce, cloathing, pay, and ordinary repfiirs, woul4 be about itwdlve hundred and eighty dollars for every gun, or two million three hundred and four thoufand dollars for the whole. This js only ftated as one year's poifible exertion, without decir iding whflUier more or lefs than a year's e^ccrtion Ihould be thuf ^pp)ied« or would bisnccelfary^ ft ELI ox ON. , Thb conftitution of the United States difcovers in no one in# (lance more excellence than in providing againft the making tit any law refpeftingan tfiaitijktneni of religion, or prohibiting the free exercife of it. And the conftitutious of the refpeftivc States are equally entitled to praife in this refpeft, in them reli- gious liberty is a fundamental principle^ And in this important article, the American government is diftinguiihed from that of every other nation, if we excbpt France. Religiisn in the United States is placed on its proper bads ; without the feeble and unwarranted aid of the civil power, it is left to be fupported by its own evidence, the lives of its profeflbrs, and the Almighty care of its Divine Author. AH being thus left at liberty to choofe their own religion, the people, as might eafily be fuppofcd, have varied in their chpice. The bulk of the people denominate themfelves Chrif' dt^i* (/J^nfJEH STATSS^ $h a#ncy^^ iuitttf^ rtHgion, and s^6t civiUtton ; 4* imaMefliiry antfa^e yd Ihcirniligksillo thsHtk* CItriiUn* profeft ibeivi^ligion «ndev variotit fernlt, and #tf1i diffciMik ideas of ita 6oeMst^i iit6im»i tu, alid pinecepta* "^ The felloWing dent{f)tALUTS,PjlftSB«tKWlANa, DuTCK RavoiMaD CM||)k,()P, EiiloorAtiAMi, BArxuTf, tJiriTARiAiiaf QuAitsjrl^t «p||k Fkiimdi, MsTHOoisra, RtOM^N Catholics, Gaani^it |^V' THtKAMs, GiaMAN Calviniits OS pRiiayTsaiA^s, }$4*^ VJ|AMI, TuMKItS, MtrMOMIpTS, Un IVEESALISTS, and $|IA»> Bit. *' C0NGaiGATIOtfAI.ISf», Of thefi: the Congregattonalifta are did 19<^ llj^ei^Us; In RiW England alone, befidea thofe whtth art iatter«d' liiroUf^ the middle and fouthern States, thtire are not lefa than • thoufaii^ cohiregations of this denomination, via. ;ir- III New Hamp(hire Mailachufetts Rhode lOand Connefticut Vermont (fay) Total 8Q0 - * tooo It is difficult to fay what is the prefent ecclefiaiHical conftitur titfnofthe Congregational churches. Formerly their ecclefiafti- cal proceedinga were regulated, in Maflachufetts, by the Cam- bridge Platform of church difcipline, eftabliflied by the fynod in 1648; and in Conne£ltcut, by the Saybrook Platform of difci- pline; but fince the revolution, lefs regard has been paid to thefe coniUtutions, and in many inftancea they are wholly difuled. Cengreg^tionalills are pretty generally agreed in this opinion, that, .'* Every church or particular congregation of vifible faipts, in gofpcl order, being furniflied with a Paftor or Bilhop, and Walking together in truth and peace ; has received from the Lord Jcftts full power and authority ecdeliaftical within itfelf, regular- ly to adminifter all the ordinances of Chrift, and is not under any other ecclefiaiUcal jurifdiftion whatever." Their churches, with feme exceptions, difclaim the term Indeptndtnt, as applicable to them, and claim a iiilerly reUtion to each other. GB^ERAl PSSdttFfiffm CWibfA'IbAaitfWer ^ the eldiN^ ilid ^^lMirme9eni(m ot'ikd «3iuralia»aiiembled at iiflbii, t|i «1mi y^r i§ff%t 'll^lHii ^ftMoht pn>p<^^i#'tfa|av^ order of tli« Oeiieral G«uHj it ap^^iiH^ tiMf tlMclmrcbelfitcliN i»crio4» ^pi<^iSM to Kbld conmittf^iir^ %irltt< '^ili'Ol^riil'the IbHbwingads, ¥i«*'''--- -■ ^'"^^' :■ '-''''' ^ fe'^vv . • ♦• l^^iiisariy cire and prayer One fdr anotlief , ; 14 aJJirding teUtff^By communicating of theiir gilfta ttl temporal ot Ybi^ttuj nHsdeuljies. In Maintaining unity and fMbtce^ by giving account oniJB to Another of t^ieir public a£Uona, when it ts properly de« fired; to ftreHgthen one another in their regular aic^iniilmions } iii|i^cular by a concurrent teilimony agailnft pb'fenVjiifHy cen- fiMltl)! To feek and accept help ft'Om, and afford hel]^ to eath other^ in cafe of diviiiona and contentions, whereby the peace of any Ihiin-Clifis difturbed; in matters of more than ordinary impor- tance, as the oir4ina{ioi»|' riiftallation, removal, and depolition of -paftol-s^r bilboii^i ill doubtful and difficult queAions and m ,\-^ htm ihai or^i fetWibiip, liid harmony^ (ii Jifi|i|^MM^, iiul firi«|idlfi^vice^«nd iiliftibcc in ecdifitftictl niattej% whitk ibnii«rlyl fiiMAttl bMwetn tliem ii matuir, of diip? iii^a ^t» inanjr, ii^td fay to mod people of the dcn^miibitibiu At^tfoif^ iaatiin, or • redtfiin td i pffftic^ cohfdrmible to the otpiuil 'jprin^iplis oi^ th# GongregAlidiul churchei, is an eyent^6i-6-ear- keitty dcfired, ttyn confidently expe^ed by' them. '^ G!nn|l«gatbnaiilb alt divided in dpinictoi rdpe£ling ^ 4oc- in^ctof the gofpel, and (he propct* fubje6b of it* orcPiiliM. The body of them are Cillrjltiitb ; a refpcCbUe propoi^ibn Ire What may be deniiminalvd Hcpkenfian Calvinifts; be6»ESBYT,liliA,#,ii. Next to the CcHigregationalifts, l>re(|^^)^^ «tt the moft no- inefous denomination of Chriftians'iniiMiOnitedi^iies. T^ have a con^itution by which they regulate «11 tht;ir,4|^^^ftibl proceedings, anda«onfeflionof faith, which all chliirQp|lll:ers and chtircli members are required to fubfcribe. HMC%,t)iey bave preferved a fingular imifonnity in their religious fenti- ments, and have condufted their ecclefiaftical affairs with a |iplat dqpree of order and hafmdny. The body of the Preibyterians inhabit the middle and (buthem Stiites, and are united under the fame coniUtution. By this con« ftitution, the Prftlbyterians who are governed by it, are divided into Synods and fev^nteenPreftyteries; viz.—- Synod or New York fiye prefbyteries, ninety>four congregations and fixty*one fettled minifter^ — Synod of Philadslphia, five prefbyterics, ninety- two congi^gatiohs, and yfixty fettled minifters, befides the minif- ters and congregation^ belonging to Baltamore ptefbytery.— Sr. NOD OP Vi&ciNiA, four prefbyteries, feventy congregations, and forty fettled minifters,, eicclufive of the congregations and minifters of Tranfylvania prefl>ytery .—Synod of the Caeoxi* NAs, three prefliyteries, eighty-two congregations, and forty-two fettled minifters, the minifters and congregations in Abington preft>ytery not included. If we fuppofe the nupiber of congre- gations in the prefbyteries which made no returns to their, fy- nods, to be one hundred, and the number of fettled minifters in the fame to be forty, the whole number of preft>yterian congre- gations in this cpnhe6lion will be four hundred and thirty-eight which are fupplied by two hundred and twenty-three fettled minifters,and between feventy and eighty candidates, befides . 3B ^9 GSNERAL nSSCRIFTiaU m MWdMMjL.of prdiki^miniftien who li«ve BJ» ^MrtkuUr thvp$» Sidk of the fynodi liMet aiinutllyv beficbs, whidi ihty^lMyo ^oint isiMliig, by^ jketr commifltOBors, ontetyMr, ill ftiieril 'j^ Preibyferlin churdhes ue governed |iy oHiireg^iofHiH "^f Siyteri«l( tad Tynodical aflcmblkt: thefo alftnibliet^^poaiii no civil jurirdiftion. Their power u wholly inor»l ot fpi^uil, ind that oidy miriiflerial or dedarative. They poffefa by their #|pnfti- tutl^n^e right of re<|uiring obedience to the rulct of theil^ib- cicitiettand of excluding the diibbedient from the privilegea of the eharch} and the powers requifite fdr obtainiag evidence and infli^pljl cenfure ; but the higheft pMatflimenti to which their aitthcli|l^ extends, is to exclude the contnitnacioui and impenitent fr<^ tlw congregation to which they belong. "lite Cfivi^H StsiiON, which is the congregational aiTMsbly of judllMtory, c,Qmiienjk' *" tiliJ^UMiTiBt StatJI or 4?^iii CA. This gtand Allmiy Si^ fifti:of an equal d^QgaUott of bifhopt and elders front each j>ref- bytM)r within thjdlr jurifd&ioil, by t1^ title of ConftUflioni(|^.to the Geninral AflTembly, Fourteen conunUIIoneri nuke a <|MilM^m. Th«| General Aflcmbly conftitute the bond of union, pea^ cbr> ItfpMulence, and mutual confidence among all their clunichni* #nd have pow«r toreceiyc and iflue all appeals and renErrnces Vhich may regubtfiy be brought before them from inferior jud^a- toiia; to regdate a^ fcjrreft the proceedings of the fynfpl^ 4^c.. To the General Ai^i9lily«lfo belongs the power of co^tin|« reafoningi and judging in controverfies refpefting do^Nlt^e |nd diri^plTne; of reproving, warning^ or bearing teftlmei% ii^ft iymoo o!^ New York and New Jerfey. live c{iifre§ confift of minifterf ' and ir^ng elden ; each clafs delegate* ^^b i^itiiftera and an elder fo.rml^nt them in fynod. Fron) tjic Wi( planting of the Jliyilhurclfes in New York and l#ir j^fty^ they liave, uuHilir i^ dlrti^on of tht clafles of Amftefdam, heen formed exi^|^^d'|he ^lan yas agreed upon and (tttled : and an adequate reprefentation froni the feveral States being prefent, they again revifed the book of con>mon prayer^ which is now publiih- ed and generally adopted by their churches. ' They alfo agreed upon and pubUihed fey enteen canons for the gpvemment of their churchy the firft of whiph declares, that "there (ball, in this .phurch, be three orders in the miniftry, viz. Bishops, Priests, and Deacons." (^ At the fame time they agreed Upon a Conftitution, which pro- vides that there fliall be a general convenlion of the Proteftant Epifcopal Church in the United States, on the fecond Tuefday in September, of evfcry third year from 1789 — ^That each ftate is Pt THMUNITID^ STAaLM. ■'. - • " ^pltitled t« a reprefentation of both jthe deny aipd 1| ^^ limn, •nimy (aid depuiic^ not excet^l^km cholen by the conveaUon of th« 8ute--Y1i«t Rl(9^ church, when three ^r mor^ are prefent, (hall, ii^ IjBcff'^liifiiidf jOonTenliMM, form 9 feperaUi hpylie, with a right tp Qtiginiil£fua4 pTOp^e a^ for the concurrence of the'houfe of ^^pifli^i^flgltni-- pofed of clergy and laity } and with a poWer t0 i&igm^alU palildr by the houfe bf deputies, unlefs adhered to be ^^Uiftba jolihe other houfe— That eV^ry.^ifhop fluil confine the i^rcAe I9f hia epifcopal offet' to jMa proper diocefe-7-IVt n6 j^rftip Jhall be admitied^t^ J^ drdeh, until examined by thii UQ^ and two prelbyteirMf^ Ihall W be ordained uiftil'fi^flu^ havo lubfcriM the'«bltowtng declaration-." 1 do bejii^ ti* |ioly Scriptwea of the Old and Mew Teftament toW tiMif%roi^ p^Co^t and to contlih alt thlngt neteOai^y to ftlvaM V >^ I er of their churches in the United States is not a&eiHtai^ $ M New England there are between forty and fifty; but ii) t1i6 fouthern Otytes, they.arp much more numerous. Four BiChops. vfs. of Conneifticut, New York, Pennfylvania, and Virginia, hlo« beien ele&ed by the conventions of their refpeftive Suutf a, and have been duly confecrated. The former by. the Biihops of the Scotch Church, the three latter, by th» 3iihops of the Englilh church. And thefe, in September ij^^t united in the confe- cration of a fifth, eleoed by the convention of the ftate of Ma- |7land. BAPTISTS. The Baptifts, with feme exceptions, are upon the Calviniflic plan, as to doflrines, and independents as to church government and difcipline. Except thole who are ftyled " open communion baptifts," of whom there is but ope aflbciation, they rcfufe to pomniunicate in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper with other flenominations ; becaufe they hold that immerfion only is the true baptiim, and that baptifm is ncceffary to communion ; it is, therefore inconfiftent, in their opinion, to admit unbaptized per- fons to join with them in this ordinance ; though they allow mini^rs of other denominations to preach to their congregations, and to a (Tift in ordaining their miniflers. They have regular colleged eflablifhmcnts, and maintain a pnflant communication with each other by means of annual and f f. 9ENMK4LM9CA^PTi$ifW >tlwCI| iSb^iUoiiay u th&f ftooid in the ■ *»'■- -^ Ifaflkcfitilfettt H _.^')iaipipflMre — New Hupplliirt <|.|^(Mdftock — Newlili|^|Mi« mA Vfrmfliit Wtrreii — H»9mmm$t, . Idmi — Hhii M Maflkchufettt '^r •- Rhode lii»if#|qimiic .^ ^ ^onneftifwft:^'';'-'-' .^ vW^.'illipjlfUild eml Viffliii* -ii V yirgbit Bk — Ditto — , Ditto 17 •Dovir ditto ^ Ditto * Lower do.f & Kehukey Ditto and Nfirth C»roltna Ditto ' * Ditto s Ditto and North Carolina if •Middle ditto — 80 .t^il^r ditto .. - at iMUftOikjditto^ ^ e« * South Kentucky ti. Ditto 83 North Kentucky •U.- Ditto t% Ohio — t5 Holfton •— a6 Sandy Creek — 87 Yadkin — s8 Charlefton -— 89 Bethel — • go Georgia -r- Ditto North Carolina Ditto Ditto South Carolina Ditto Georgia Nqtt —The nine Affpcittion* in the above lift nuurlwl • meet in • General Committee by their reprefent^tivet at Richmond, in the month of May annually. f A reparation of thefe Aflbdationa hat fince tak^ ^ace, and this now bean the name oithe Virginia Portfmouth AflTociatioa ''HP%. '^' ■ Fomth Wtam<»y&itwnii|ii Firft WfdMfilqr in 0fti>U ^ ., IVaefiivjr aftiif Um iii Wad. in ^ HiM FrUhy in tilifHiit TWrdFridtyuijiS^ nirdTiMfdiylaOaokir^ FantOi WfaiMii% k |||itr FiffftW«4iwrd«yia>M 'mHSmf^Myiuoekim ^ TPH SMuidiy in Aii^ak'mti tUrd Friday in Auguft i' '^** Wednefdty an 8^ Splttd Friday ipQ^phii^AH, Firil Friday in |&y«,dO«i; Fourtli Saturday in May, A sd _^ Firft Saturday ilk May and Ofti^U «« Fourth Satuoiay in Ma/, ft ift in Oft. 1% Second Sat. in June, ^ 4th in Oa. «g *' Foui«i Fri^y in May and Oftober i*^ May and Oftober ♦ ... ^q, Firft Saturday in June, A ad itf 01^ i J Fourth Sa£urday in 0£bber -i to fourth Saturday in April ft Sc^ it Fourth Saturday in Oftober -* a6 Second Saturday in Auguft q Second Saturday in May and Oftober »a Churchtea not belonging to AiToci- ations, . Seventh Day Baptifta TTotal 45a 100 is* #a 564 60979 "■^-."ft*i Since H 1^ 1 '' s ^H 1- . 11 ►"» H H HHi * ffl H ^^Bai •■ H S' «.««li mscilpfiaif Since the tbo#l perMi;i|, M^counts of fix OT^er aflcNKiaUfnii naf# t^hf4;1|iP^«tidy 'nwC'^VM^tng to^akk. account tikeh bySMr. J^v»rtorK ^eiinfylvani* £wlaware y»^ma We%pf Ten^itory North Carol^ * Decedcd Territory South Carolina Georgiji Total '"'•fa'" :5?r.f ad 1.,-^* 9 #1 ■ »5T n-^ . 4® 1^ 68 48 868 »5 4« 33 710 47 ♦ 8» i 39 it 15 ap 9 7 1 *^3. 21 6 a8 9 422 7»'i6 8S0* 3"4 1610 39»7 «^79 1^ 4% 77§ 3105 30 88^ 4012 3184 h$f5 To this account, it is prefumed, that'ubout two thoufand five hundred members, and forty-five churches, ought to be added— making the whole number of churcbes about nine hundred and ten, and the members about fixty-feven thoufand. But at lead three times as many attend their meetings for public worftiip as have joined their churches, which| we may i'uppofc, are in prin- ciple Baptifts, thefe will make the whole number of that deno- mination in the United States two hundred and one thoufand, or a twenty-fifth part of the inhabitants. The leading principles of the regular or particular Baptifls are — The imputation of Adam's fin to his poflerity ; the inability of man to recover himfetf ; e£Feftual calling by fovereign grace ; juf- tification by the imputed righteoufnefs of Chrift ; baptifm by im- mcillon, and that on profcflion of faith and repentance ; congre- gational churches, their independency, and reception into them upon evidence of found converfion. M,: . «<€"' OT^JiS\(fNlT£D Sa'HTfS. ^rr Ij H t T A R t A N S. The Unitaritns, or at tliey are dcoominned, though not with ftri£l pibpriety, Socinians, are far from being nameroua in the Uifkttcd Statet,., tl^, ||i)Lyf|^.,bDwever, receiv^ confiderableji addi- tions of l|keilr(^i|mMiiApartt^«f Great Britain} theg(^crout •fcuch^^^£^|y|^|j||^l ^hriiUana, to thccaufe «f civ>}^d res Ugi9^8 J^Mn^yi^ltj^^^ out at objc£l» of the dread and Trnm^mpfj^mf^^ every manoeuvre has been ||rie% and cVeiy jnj l fe pe exerted to ftnk them in thc.edecm of t|lij^f|^tfyi|pn»»,jt^ confequ^^ that many |)li|h^,|^1^e |o^nd| b neoifla^/:^* fipell^^a rc/i,dence in a- country lpn»'^f f>— 4iis name will live in the afFe£lions of fucceeding ages, whila thole of his pcrfccutors will ,be configned to the infamy they merit. It will he unneCeifary here to fay any thing on the peculiar tenets of the Unitarians, asUhey have been of late fo amply. and ably diculfcd, and iii.a variety of forms, sdaplcd to every clafs of 1 •;r M Vol. I. i^t GgNERALDESCXlPTIOir rea^lers,* we fhali therefore paifs to a confideration of the peeplef called Quakers* Qo A K E a a. IfM^denothmhtlion of Chri(tians arofe a&ottt the'yekr 1648^ atiii were firft toUe£led into religious focieties by dieir highly refpeft- ed elder, Osoact Fd-x. They emigrftteii^ to America ia early as i 6-56. The firfl fettlei^s of PehnfylvailiA Were all of thir dtetio. mination t aiulcheniitaiber of theif meelingvin the United* States^ it prefent, is about three hundred akid twenty. ^ Their doftrinal tenets nSay be* coneifely exprefifed af follows— « In common with other ChriflliartS,- tftn^ believe inr One Eternal God, and in Jefus Chrift the Mefliah and! Medialbf df the new Covenant. To Chrift alone, in whofe divinity they believe,' they give the title of the Word of God, and not to the fcriptures ; yet they nrofefs a high efteem for the facred writings, in fubordinttk. on to the Sjurit who indited them, and believe that they are abfe| through feith,,^ to make men wife to falvation— They reverence the exceilient precepts of Scripture, and believe them pra£H-but allow fuch of the female fex as appear to he qualified, to cxerci.fo l^heir gifts for the genei^ edification of the church. They hdid thalL as there is one Lord and one faith, fo his bap ' tifm is one i;i nature and operation, and that nothing /hort of it can make ufr living members of his myftical body ; nnd that bap- tifm with water belonged to a difpenfation ii^^rior to the prc- fient. With refped: to the Lord's Supper, fhey believe that communication between Chrift and his church is not maii^tained by that nor any other external ordinance, but only by a real participation of his divine nature, through faith ; that this is the fupper alluded to in Rev. iii, 20-«««nd that where the fubftance is attained, it is unneceflary to attend to the fliadow. Believing that the grace of God is alohe fu^cient for falva« tion, they can neither admit that it is conferred on a few only, while others are lefjt without it ; nor, thus averting its uoiver- fality, pvi they lim>t it$ operation to a partial cleanfing of the foul from fin, even in this ljfe-«vQn the contrary they believe that God doth vouchfafe to afllft the ob dient to fubmit to the guid^ ance of his pure fpirit, through whofc aljfiilancc they are enabled to bring forth fruits unto holinefs, and to ftand perfeEl in their prefent rank. As to oaths, they abide literally by Chriid's pofitive injuncv tion, ^'SwEAa not at all." They believe that ** wars and fightings" are, in their origin and effd^, utterly repugnant to the Qofpel, which breathes peace and good-will to men*. They alfo are firmly perfuadcd, that if the benevolence of (he Gofpcl were generally prevalent in the minds of men, it. would efFc£lu- * During the lata yrar, (bme of their numbert contrary to this article or their faith thought it their duty to take up arms in defence of their country. Thit laid the foundation of a feceffion from their brethren, und they now form a (ieparatc congregation in phiU^elphia, by the nan^e Qf the *' Refilling or iightiqg Qua 3^8 #» cENmd^ AfiscniprJKfM' trA,*, Ally Invent them firdAoppi^ffing mudi mere from enfiMrtiigr^ tlib^'^ethren, of whttevw f^ntif^lexion ; alul would eyeit inflay eil^-tH^r tfeattnent of ihe briite creation; "Which would nci longer groan the viftims of their avarice, Of of their falfe ideav of^tttifvUc^-^Thty jph>fefs that their printiptcs, which Inculcate fubmiCTidii to ^e liWi iff < all cafes wher«n confcienfe i»* not yiotatfed^ area ieCurrty to the falutary piir|fofea of goirernn^ent* But they hold that the civil nia(|i(lratehwn«i right to interfere ih matters of religion, and think perijKSutioi», in apy degree un- wai'hintablet They rgeft the ufe of thofe^ iiiiines of the months and days, which, having been given In kMout of the heroes «r gwb ^ the kedtkettf orif^innUid in then- Qattefy or fu]ilerftitioni *, anid the Cuftom of fpeakinj; ti? a'fingle p*rfoh Itt the jp|ural nuili^ri as having, arifen alfo from motives of adu|i|i6nf CompUmentSi fuperfluUy of apparel br furniture^ outvfard (hews of «cjoictifi| or mourning, and obfervationa of ; days and times, they deem in- compatible with the iimplicity and fincerity of a Chiiftian life-r^ii and'thiey condemn public diverifions, gaimipg and' other vaaii ^ jinniiemenLtl of the world, They require no formal fubfcripttoti to any* arii%|c5^' cither as the pondition of memberftiip, or to t{ui* lify. 'for thfe fervice of the church, To effd^' the falutary purpofe$ of diftipUitt', ^pNTHtv^ Qo A R TE R L y , and Y ? A k tV meetings are eftablilhed. A monthly . tueeting is compofcd of foveral ncighboUring> Congrc^tions. It* bufinefs is to provide for the fubfiftence of the |ioorj and fpr the education of their offspring— fto judge of the fvuderity and fiiT nefs of perfpns appearing to be cohvihcedof the niAlgious prin- ciples of the fopitty, and djfiring to be idmifctcd-to memberftiip j ^to excite diie attention jo the djfcharge of religious and moral duties ; to deal with diforderly membcr£-^ttt appoint overfeers to lee that the rules of their difcipline are put in praflice---tQ allow of marriages, &c,+ » * In the prefent ftruggle of liberality and humanity, a|ainft av^ice aodcrtalty, in defence of the Blacks, the Quake as have had the rignal honow of having firft fet the illuilrious example of aiming at a total emancipation. + Their mode of marrying i» as follows— Thofe who intend to marry, appear ti^ther, and propofe their intention to the monthly meeting, and if not attended by their parents or guar,dians« produce a written certificate of their conCnrt, fign. cd in the prefcncc of witnefles. The meeting then appoint* a committee to in- quire whether they are clear of other engagiimcntt ferpefting marriage ; ' and if at • a fubffquent meeting, to which the purties alfo come aft j declare the continuance of their intention, no o6je£lions are reported, they have the meeting's confent to folemnize their intended marriage. This it done in a public meetingfor worfliip, towards the clofe of whicti the parties ftand up and folemnly take each other for hufband and wife. A certificate of the proceedings is then publicly read, and figned by the parties, and afterwards by the relatioAs and others as wit|»C%^» which clofes the folemnity. A quarterly meeting iscoi^pofed of fcvend monthly meeting* At thia meeting are produiced wrttlell anfWers from monthly meetings, to certain «|ueftion8 r^lpeaing the conduft. 9f their members and the n^eejing's qir^^y^r j^fcem, tfeaewnrnti thus recewed, are digefted and font hy ttpWienjativeii tt> ific vcirfv meetiijg, i^pca^iy^ $he ^uuftry, they al^o think th^w«^y |WJn ,h? C^fliandii: ^ Accordingly j^ ^ U^^^ place with t^ofe of the i»en; bM^ %^ratcly and wkhout the power of making rules, ?^^^^»ttne _ Their elders and njirj^fters have ,^e?i„gs peculiar to th^i^es. n '^^^^'^KS.^Ued meetings of mini%s and eld^^g^ nera^ly held ,p the ^ompafe pf cadi inpnthly, quaS^^ yearly meeting^for^he purpofe of ^excltiiig each other to the difcharg. of their le>.^ dutie^f .^i^n, advW lo'ih^ whomay appear w<^k,^c. They alfo, in jthe intervals 6^^ yearly meettngs, |yc^ c<^ti6cates to thofc pinifter, who trave}' abroad in the work of the miniary. ^^^ Tbe year^ mcc^n^ l^cld in London, in 1675, appointed a njce^ing to be held m that pity, for the pun>ofc of idwSnk or aOifting in cafe^ of Ibffering for confoie^ ^e, cilled a ^,°' fng for fuffcnngs, which is yet cjontinued, It i, compofcd of Friends under the pame of correfpondents, chofen by the fcveral quarterly meetings, who refid- in and near the city. This meeting IS entrufted with the care of printing snd diftributing books, and with the management of its ftock. Ind confidered as I ftandmg conimittee of the yearly meeting. J„ „o„c of their meetings have they a Prefident. as they believe Divine wifdom alohe ought to pnrflde ; not has any member a right to claim pre- eminence over the reft. *^ 8«* CEtrSMAl DESCRIPTION MStHOpitTt. The Methodift denomination of Chriftiarts arofe in England »n 1 739 s a|i4 i9)adc their firft appearance in America abbut twen. ty-four yeaw llnce. Their gpneral ilyle is, " The United , So- cieties of the Methodift Epifcopal ChurcW." They profeft themfelves to be '* A company of xAiexi having the form and fcekirig the power of godlinefs, united in order to pray togc» ther, to receive the word of ejchoitation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their falvation.'* Each fociety i» divided into claffes of twelve perfons; one of whom is (iiled iiie Leader, whofe bufiii^fs it is to Tee eacH perfon in hit daft once a week, in order to enquire how thci^ fouls profper, to advife, reprdye, comfort, or exhort as bccafion may require} and to receive contributions for the relief of Church and Poor, In order to admiMon iiito theij- focieties they rfe^uire onl^one condition, vi*. ♦* Aitfirt U fia from ihe wrdik to cmt, i. e. a defire to be faved from kheir fins." It Is expdfted of alt who continue in their fidcietics, that they ^oi^ evidence their defire of falvation, by doing no harm, by ayoidilME jJji manner of evil, by doing all manner of good, ^ they have ability apd opportunity, ei'pecially t6 tbc houfchold of fiiiih; cmployin|thcm preferably to others, tuying of one another, ««/^ they can h firved htter^elfewjure^ and helping each Other in .bufmeiisr^An4 alfo b^ aUendifig upon all the ordinan. cesof pod J fuch as public worlhip, the fupper of the Lord, family, and private prayer, fcajr^hing the fcriptures, and failing pr abftinence. jhe)ate ^t, Johp Wefley is confidered as the father of this olafs of Mcthq^ifts, who, as they deny feme of the leading CalvihiftipdpAripc'r and hold fome of the peculiar tenets of Arminius, may be called A^mi^^j^n Methobistsu— The late Mr. Whitpfield ^as the lea4er ef the Calvii«istic MEtHODisTs, who are not very numerpus in the United States, the greater part being how formc4 into Independent Calvinift jchurches, or mixed with Congrcgationalifts and Prefbyterians* In 1788, the number of Wefieian Mctjipdifts in ^he ynite^ States ftood as follows : P^elaware \ . Pcnnfylvania j New Jcrfcy - • New Vo»'k r peorgia - - . South Carolina North Carolina Virginia - Maryland • soil 6779 ^4.356 ii,oi7 ^99^ »75» 2004 Total 43,2§? ■m'- ^ngltnd t twen* ted, So- profe^ )tm and \y toge» ck over ork out f twelve «ft it is l enquire it exhort ' tot the i(to theii: r* t9 fitt eir fin*." that they harm, ky good, a;s hioufehold a of one piffg each ordinan*. he Lor^t id fafting :d as the fome of [p peculiar )Pl8TS!i-» IviifisTiC \ed States, Calvinift lerianst United or THE UNITED StMTEX i«3 199* 2004 , Siiide thitefUmate of their numbervwu ttl(eii| Iktaim few fcai- tering fooictiin have been cdlefted^ in diffirent puru off the New EngUnd Statc% and their nunlMrt incMafed tnetharputt; (• that in 179^ die whaik connexion amountdd tp fifty^feyentheu^ land fix hundred) and tvrentypone. To fuperintend the HMt^M* dift connexion in America^ tlwy had^ in fj9$, twehiihopv^ttitr*' ty elders, and fifty deac«ms.^ ROMAM CaITHOXICS. Tlhe whole number of Romait CAxAOtics' ih tfief United $Utes it eftioMted at aboiit fi^y tlun^and ; oHe half of which ard in the State of Maryland. Their ptculiar ahd leading dbftrines andJBittiBtt are too generally known to' need a recital here; They havlt Ji Bisaor, who refides in Baltimore, and many of thetf dongregrtJons are large and refpeAable. ■ ' ■ -'■<- •■ ■ * ,,'■•' GxiiiAIt LtJTHERAKS AND CALVIlTISTf. The German inhabitanta in thefe ftatel, who princip^y be- long to Pennfylvania and New York, are divided into JMriety of fe^ { the principal of which are Lvthbraks, CAi^iipii|sT», MoRAviAMs, TvwxiRs, and MfNMioMiSTs. Of thefe the (krman Lutherans are the moft numerous. Of this denomina« tion, ind the Germrn CalVinifts,. who are next to them in num- bers,- there are upwards of fixty miniftcrs in Pennfylvmiift-rfand the -former have twelve, and the latter fix churches in the ftate of New York. Many of their churches are large and fplendid, and in fome inftances furnilhed with organs* Thefe two deno- minations live together in the greateft harmony, often preaching ifk each other's churches, and fometimes uniting in the credion of a church, in which they alternately worlhip. M O R A V I AN S. The Moravians are a refpeftable body of Chriftians in thefe States. Of this denomination, there were, in 1788, about one thoufand three hundred fouls in Pennfylvania ; via. at Bethlehem, between five and fix hundred, which number has fince increafed —•at Naiartth, foUr hundred and fifty*— at Litiz, upwards of three hundred. Their other fetttements, in the United States, arc at Hope, in New Jcrfey, about ofic hundred fouls ; at Wachovia, on yadkin river. North Carolina, containing fix churches. Be- fidcs thefe regular fettlements, formed by fiich only as arc mem- bers of the brethren's church, and live together in good order ♦nd harmony, tl\crc are iti different parts of PfTinlylvaTiia, Mii- I«4 ettrikiit HiiisviitjtTia/i ^fV^' t)dahd, and Neyr JeiTsy, aAd^ia the dtiite ofrH«Wpo^V (fthb^ l^rfd) K«W T^dc^ inubildphM, LancafterfiVorlutbwhf riAc. Mngtegatittiii «f th^ braib^mH ^^Atf have thctfi ow^tMr^g jmd huniftertfi ind Hotd UielifM~pviiietplBS,'n . n i>r-. They call themfelvea **The XJmirxb ButtHRtir 6r the l*ROTE«fADT Eri»edpAt GHVRtH." They are called Mora. Vians, beetufe the^rft feujer* in ihe EngUfii dqimnion»;;were chiefly emigrants from Nlonyp|^ tlieie werei.ti^e rfn^n^ntaofl geouine defcepidai^^s of the antieht llnited Brf^ffn, e|iabli^«(i in Bohemia, and Moravia, aacarty aa (he year <;^'$6. ^^ut the im<^le of the laft century, they left thejr na^jjyi? cjwntiy to avdd perfecution^ i(nd to enjoy Liberty of .cen{i:ici)ypji|j,^jhe true etercifeof the religion of their forefathers. Th^y were received -in,&iy Vinea^ blilhed Proteftalit churches* l^hey retain the diftnplfAe of «heir ancientf ehtii'ch, and niak^ ufe of Eptfcopal ordination, if(iich has been handed down to them' iii adire6t linb of fuceeflion for more than three hundred years/* ' They prof^fs to live in ftriS obedience to the ordinances of Chrift, fuch as the obfervatioh of *He Sabbath, Infant Baptifnt, and the Lord's Supper; and in addition iothefe,^ they pra^ice the foot wafliingi the kifs of love, «n«i the ufe of tho lot* ■ ' • ''■'•^ They were introduced into America by count Zin^endorf, and fettled at Bethlehem, which is their principal fettlcment in America as early, as 1 7.41. Regularity, induftry^ injgeoui(y, and economy, are chara£terillics of this people/ '..,'" * See David Crants' Htft. bf ^Tfw 'tocieiit iMl- ittttiLtitii VtMA'^tfUhnoh ,Church» tranflated . from tl»-G«fai»aii» kf diet t^Bfi B«i#a»io |#|;1Vol^.'^ Loadoa, 1780. Thofe w^ wiflt to obtain a t^miugh pd Jnipart^'kaoi|^)e)i^($ of their rf. ligjous fentiments aqd cufionu, in^y (it thiem excellently ruin9|.edvp in a plain, but nervDUt iUle, in * An expofitibn of Chriftian Dofifrine, at t«flght4n'tbe Protef- tant church of the. Iftiited Brethren,! written in .German, by .A« Gj:S^n|enklK and tranflatcd and publiflied in Engliih in 1784. , , ' j: .' i*'*^ : riftc.' THE Mora- int. aofk putt)ie ttfry to iitd thef sy were! ^ vret« lany fc- ugulCine tartt Di- iWi' year theefb^ df their <^iich »flion for Ounces of Bap^ifn*t pitaAicfc liendorf, Lcment in ity^and ■ of their i^ ingenbtC ^ ^jyjS UiflTEb^ STATES. T V N R B Rt. i*-* The TuMKiRi are To called in derifion, from the word Tun^k< PN, to put a morfd infaMce, The Englifli wdrd that conveys the proper meaning of Tunkers is Sops or Dippers, They have been aifo called Tumblers from the manner in which they pcrforiii bap. tifm, which is by putting the perfoiii while kneeling, head firft under water, fo as to refemble the motion of the body in the ac- tion of tumbling. The Germans found the letters < and ^ Hke d •nd j^;' hence the words Tunkers and TumlilerSi have been cor- ruptly written Dunkefi and Dumplef s* The firft appearing of tl.cfs people in America was in the year 1719, when about twenty families landed in Philadelphia, and di^rfed themfdvei in various parts of PeaYifylvania. They are wlut are called General Baptifts, and hold the doftrihe oi^gen^. ral redemption and general (alvation. They ufe great ^]|innefs of drefs and language, and will neither /wear norfighty nor go to laWf nor take interejl for the money they tend. They commonly wear their beardsU^keep the firft day Sabbath, except one con- gregationx-^have the Lord's Supper with its ancient at^i^ants of Love-feafts, with walking of feet, kits of charity, and i^ht hand of fellowflifp. They anoint the fick with oil for their ri;covery, ami tife the trine immertion, with laying on of hands and prayer, even while the perfon baptifed is in the water. Their church government and difcipline* are for the moft part fimilar with thofe of the Englifli Baptifts, except that ev6ry brother is al- lowed to fpeak in the congregation } and their beft fpeakcr is tifually ordained to be thtkir minifter. They have deacons, and deaconelfes, from among their ancient widows, and exhorters, who are all licenfed to ufe their gifts ftatedly. On the whole^ jndtwithftanding their peculiarities, they appear to be humble, WEtL-MEANiNG Chuistians, and have acquired the chara£ler of the Atfrm/^/^* Tunkers, Their principal fettlement is a Ephrata, fometimes called Tun- kers To%vn, in Lancafter county, fixty miles weftward of Phila- delphia, It conlifts of about forty buildings, of which three are places ai wprftiip ; one is called Sharon, and adjoins the flftcr'a apartment as a chapel ; another j belonging to the brother's apart- ment, is called Bethany. To thefe the brethren and fiftprs, refort, feparately to werihip morning and evening, and feme- times in the night. The third is a common church, called Zion, where all in the fettlement meet once a week for public worfhip, .^ * It would be exceedingly happy for mankind, if this epithet could be be« ftqwed on the profcfled followers of every other religious perfua&on, VoU 3 a i^^^^4f^ x^^^C'^ip THyn The brethren have idopted the WItte Frier'i dref% with fome •Iterations ; the fiflera that of the nuns ; and nuny of both like them have taken the vow of celibacy. AIF, however, dornot keep the vow. When they marry, they leave their celU and go among the majrried pepple. They fubfift by cultivating thf(ir landi, by attending a printing office, .% grift mill, a p^per mill,,in oil mill, Ac. and the fifters by f|^ti^ii^, vreaying, (ewii^g, jAc, They at firft fl^pt .on t^rd couches, but nqw on bedi, and. have otherwife abated nuach of their former fevei;ity, This.coQgrega* tion keep the feyenth day Sabbath. Their finging ia charming, owing to the pleafantnefs of their voices, .{the variety of pa^rts, and the devout , manner of perfonoance, ,Bcfides this cpngrtega*. tion at Ephrata, there were, in 1779, fourtjSipn .others in Various other parts of PennfyWtkpia, and (biue Jn Marylai^. ^The whole, exdufive pf thofe in Maryland, aii^uoted to upwaf4&liJhment, When foUy.completedii Smne, in conQ^guence of its operation, •f conduced by the Son of God| will be difpofed and enabled. In this prefent ftatei to make fuch improvements in virtue, the only rational preparative for happinefs, as that th^y fhall enter upon the enjoyment of it in thtftpext ftate* Others who have proved incurable under the me;(ns Whieh have been ufed ^ith them in thia ftat^,. iaftead of bein^ haj^y In the next, will, b'q awfully miferable ; not to continue fo finally, but thi| they msy be convinced of their folly, and recovered to a virtuous frame of sand: and this will be the effeft of the future torments upon many } the conf(^quence whereof will be their fidvation, they being thus' fitted for it. And there may be yet other ftates, be- fore the fcheme of God may be perfeftedi and mankind univer- fally cured of their moral diforderS) and in this way qualified for, and finally, inflated in, eternal happinefst But however many, ilates fomeof the individuals of the humani fpecies may pafs through) and of however long contiiiuance they may be, the whole ia intended to fubferve the grand defign of univer/at hap- pineftf tnd will finally terminate in it} infomuch, that th^ Son of . <«0i^and Saviour o^. m«» will not deliver up his truft into the < halidsof his Father, who committed it to him, till he has dif- <;hirged his obligations in virtue of it; having finally fixed all vien in heaven, when God will heAU in Alt/* The number of this denomination is not known. The open advocates of this fcheme are few ; though the number is larger who embrace the doftrinn of the falvation of all men, upon prin- ciples fomewhat fimilar, but varioufly differing from thofe on which the above-mentioned fcheme is grounded. Ankle Umivtrfitijls, where the reader nay find tita a fumanry ef dw ug*' asentt for aad againfthif fchetoe. 3D a ai% dKNEnmi JOESCRIPTIOM The latter ciifii of Untverfilifts hive • nei^ fcheme, differing effentMlly from that of the former^ which they rejeft as ihcon<' fifte^nt and. abAird : and they cannot conceive how they whcr embrace tt> caft, ** wiih «ny degree of propriety, be called llNtVftRlAiiiTi, on Apoiiqiic principles, at ii doca not appear that they have any idea of being favcd by, or in th^ Loid, with aii everiading, or with any falvaiion." Hence they call them " Phakiiaicai \JHi\iA$.,^.%it, ^ho arb ti/itUitg <« j*P/j^ ihmfelves,^ It is difficult to fay what is Ui^ prefent fclieme bf the denomi- nation of which We are now fpeaking ; for they differ hot only from sU other Univerfal^ffs, and frohti eath (Aher, but even from iiiemfelves at different periods^ tlie reader, lioweVer, may form in idea of (bme of their ienets fif-bm what fdllows, colleftcd fromf ifijeleUer referred to in the note. This letter, Hvrittdtt by i Man «if fii-ft tate talents, and thcf head of the denomination, and pro- fdfltng tb reftify miftakes refpeAing doftrines propagated uiider^ the Chriftian name — to give the iharafter bf a C^^i^'^TtNt U^lViiiSAti^f — and to acquaint the world with their ksal- ientiSjnents, we have reafon to coftdude, gives as truti an account of their fchlhiie ai can be obtained. From this letter it ajppears, that they belietre '* that Religion of fomt fort or othtr^ is a pitblic benefit ;" and that every pcrfon ia» tt liberty, and is boiind to ftipport what he conceives to be the true Religi6n-»Thali (Public worftiip on tvcry firft day of the week, is an incumbeiu duty on altvaX lover! of divine huth— that prayer, asit iinidicates truft tn, and dependenee on God, is part of his worihip-^They believe that, the Deceivtry who bc' guilcd £ve^ and not out 'fiififArinti themfelves, did the deed which brought fuin and death on all the hurtian race— ^Tfaat thferd are two clailes of fallen finners— the Angels who kept nOi their firft eftate, and the hu Man mature, deceived by ihe for- mer, and a/|^ar«nt(y deftroyed confequent thereon ;-^hat a jufi God, in the law given by Moles, has dehbunced death and the curie on every one who coniinueth not in ail things, tuHttenin the hook of th lam to do them — but that theyame God was manifelted in the flcih as the head of every man^ ma<2e linde^ the law, to re-. deem them that are undet the Idzu, being made d curfe for lA«»— . that he tafted death for every man, being is SaViour, not of a fetu only, but of ail men— and tha^ the declaraftion of thia is tho Gofftet. They believe that when God denounces on the human race, woes, wrath, tribulation, death, damnation, Ac. in the Scriptures, he fpeaks in bis Icgiffative capacity, as the juft God who will l>y * Mr. Murray'* «« Letter to a tx'mid," p*ge fD, ^t. printed ovBofton, 1791. or ttiM vKtTkbsfAfti. ^ «0 ntant cUtt tki fuill/>— (ha wh«n he fpcikt of mdrcy, gftofi peace, of life ■• the gift of God, end filvatioQ in whole or in pert, he fpeikft in the chancer of the jujt G^d mni Saviioiif,»-tlMt (ho former ia the laoguage of the Uw | the Utter u the language of the Gofpil. They believe that the Prince of Peace came to rtv« the hn* MM ntunu from the power and dominion of the Dtvilf and hie worka-<4hat he came to dcftroy the lattdt, that he might fave the former-<-That **Sin is the work of th^ Devil— that he U the Worktr and Dmt of whatever givea offence*'— That Jeftu, at .l(ho Saviour of the world, flull fcparate from hi* kingdomi both tho tvii Worker and hit evil works ; the evU Worktr in the chara&er of $oMs — the tvit i»rks in the charaftcr of taref. They fupp9fo thatwlttt il wicked in mankind, is reprefentcd by the evitjied fown by the evil One inhuman ii4l«rtfj and that "when the ^wer of the evil feed, and all the evtt (bed Ibwn^ (hall be repa<» htedfrom the ft^ed which God fowed, then the feed which i* properly God's feed^ will be like him who Ibwed it, /ere znd hofy." They confider all ordinances at Hufefy Jkadpwsj yet they ieiebrate the Lord's Supper, by eating and drinkiiig wine — and fome of them Aippofe that every time they eat bread and drink, Wine, they comply with our Lord's injunftion, ** Do this itt remembrance of me." Various other opinion^ prevail among them refpc^ing this ordinance, and that of baptifm. They "admit of but one baptifm, the baptizer Jefus Chrift} the cle^ talents made ufe of, the Holy Ooft and fire">-^yet they are wil-; ling^ in order to avoid contention, " to become all things to ali men," andtobaptiae infamts by iraiNKLiNO, or aovets by' immersiont— or to but thcfe two chataflers, viz. unbelievers of the human tace^ ind the fallen angels, (hall be placed, thi/owiwr* on the n^A<, the latter on the /«/< hand of ^their Judge ; the one under the denomination of Jheep^ for Mrhofe fal- Vation the Saviour laid down his life — the other under the deho- mmation of goaW, who are the accutftd, whofc nature he paflcd by— « The human nature," u ei tht Jhtep or unbelievers of the human race, "as the offspring of the everkfting Father, and the fanfand that they will fuifer no punifliment after it— for " i^ is not faid," they fay, ** that they (hall be everlajlingly puniflied with deilrudion." They explain their i4ea of everfafiing punj^ment n^dfufering. the pain of eternal fire, thus, " Were it poffibU to find a culii^ary fire that never would be extinguiflied, but remain in the ftri£le(t fenfe of the word, everlajling or c/erna^lhould any member of the body pafs through that burning flame, .though but a moment of time had been thus fpcnt in pafling through; yet even in that moment^ it would Tuffer the pain of eternal /re." But whether they believe it ^o/^^/e that there (hould be fuch a fire, or that unbelievers ihall be doomed to fufFcr the punijhmUes. Jhat^t is lawful to pra^ife^ vocal mujic with dancing in the Chriftiap^rhurches, if it be prac-^; tif(^d iti praifing -^hc Lord. . That thei^' ^^^I'ch is come out of tj^ebrdel:, of rta|)^al;gener:itiqn^ to be as Chrift wa^) an4i^Ka^- thofe who have wivel.M-c.as though they had4»one; Thiat.by thefe means HIpayen begin^ upon earth, and they thereby loie their earthly and fenfual relation to Adam the firft, and come to be tranfparent in their gid^as, in the bright and heavenly vifto;is of God. That fon*e of tKeir people are of the hunibcr of ^he. hundred and forty-foi^r thousand) wlip We^e. redeemed from tKe earth, and were npt denied with wpnien. That the word ever- lalling^ when applied to the punilhtilgnt of the wicked, mcf&'hi' only a /iwii/crf period, except in the cufe of thofe to Ho fall ft am iheir church ; and that for fuch there is no forgivcricfs, nelilier iti this world lior that wliich is to <^ome.' That it is urilafwful id fwear, ^amc^ ot' lilb cbttipfimdnts-^lalnd that water b'aptifiW''ahdt the Lord*s Siipfier are abbfiflied. That Adam's fin 'is not im- puted to his 'pollerity— and that the (lo£ibrifies of eleflioii and rcprobati6ri arc to be Tcjefted.'" The difcipfine df this deriomiriatibn is fouhded ofi the fu?pi()ofed perfeSion of their feadefs. The Mother, or thfe' Eleft Lady, it IS faid, obeys Cod through Chrift. £Mro^«o« elders obey^ ' her. American labou^jqHr^', arid Common' people obey them' : whild con. fcflion ismade of every i'ccret thing, froini the oldeft: to the youhgeft. Thte people afe made to believe that they ar^ feen through imd throu^i in the g^fpel glafs 6f petfbfbion, by their teacher^, Who behold the fta'te of the dead,' and innumerable worlds of fpirits good and bad. * . Thefe people are generally inftruftcd to be very induflrious, and to bring in according to their ability^ to keep up the meeting. They \faiy in their e'xercifcs; Their heavy dancing, as it is called, is performed by a perpetual fpringing from the houfe floor, about four inches up and doWn, both in the mens and womens apartment, moving about with exti'aordinary tranlport, Tmging fomctimes one at a time, fometinies more. This elevation affe£ls the nerves, fo that they have intervals of Jhudderingy as if they were in a ftronq fit of the ague, they lometimes clap hands and leap fo as to ftrike the joills above their heads. They throw ofF their outfidc garments in thefe cxcicifcs, and fpend their ftrength very cheerfully this way. Tlicir chiet fpeaker often calls for attention ; when they all flop and heai- feme harangue, and then fall to dancing again. They aflcit *hat their dancing is the tukcn of the great jov and happiuels Vol. I. 3 E ■ m m CENMkAl DtSCAlfflOi^ «f the new Jttujakm jtatt{ ^vA denote* tlie viOory evef ittii One of the poftures which increafts among them, is turning round veryfwift for ah hour tt two. Thisy they lay, it tc {how the great power of Ood* '^y ^ They foxnetimes fait on their knees and make a found Kke the roaring of many waters^ in groana and cries to Gody as they fay^ for the wicked world who perfeCute fhem;* J X w ». The Jaws are tfot numerous in thef Vntfed States. They liave, however, fynagogues at Savannah^ Charkflon, (South- Carolina) Phttadelphia, New>York, and Newport.^ Befides thofe who reftde at thefe plates, there are others fluttered ;n different towns in the United States^ The Jews in Charlef^onv among ether pe^uKaritie's in bury-' ipg their deady have thefe : After the luneral dirg return will fpeedtly arrit^ey though they do not venture to fix the precife time. The whole number of perfons who profefs the JewiOk religiony in all parts of the world, is fuppofed to be about three millions,- who, tu their phraft rx, are witnefles of the unity of God in all the nations in the world.' Befides the religious felb here enumeratedy there are a few of the German inhabitants in Pennfylvania, who are ftylcd SwiKSEiLviAMs, and, in Marylandy a fmall number called NicoLiTEs OK New QuAibERs<; but the diftinguiihing fcnti- ments of thefe fe£ts are not material, con&ding^ chiefly of a few peculiarities. ♦ Vk Adam»»i «» View of *eligioiw." Article Shakirs. HIST O R Y Of »pe ftlSE, PROGRESS, ANp ESTAJBLIJ5J3MSNT QV THE INP^PENPENCS I Of T»B UNITEP STATES OF AMERICA* IN addition to what we have already written of the difcovery and fettlement of North America, we {hall give a brief hiftory of the late war with Qreat Briuin, with a fketch of the event* which prefceded and prepared the way for the revolution. This jgeneraH view of the hiftory of the United States will ferve as a fuitable introduj^ioji to the p^rtifTular hiftories of the fevcr4 Aatei, whi|:h wiU be ||iven in their proper placea. America was originally peopled by tfncivilizcd nations, which ^ved tnoflly by hunting and fifhing. The Europeans, who firl^ vifited thefe fhores, treating the natives as wild beads of the fore^ which have no property in the woods where they ronm, planted the ftandard of their refpeftive maimers where they firfl landed, and in their names claimed the country by right of dij^ coveryf Henry the Seventh of England grafted to John Cabot and hi$ thr^e fons a com«niflion, *< to navigate all p>rta of the ocean for th^ purpofe of difcovering inlands, countries, regions, or provinces, either of Qentiles or InHdels, which have been hi- therto unknown to all Chriilain people, with power to fet up his ftandard, and to take poflelUon of the fame as vaflals of tho (:rqwn of England/' By virtue of this coinmiflion, in >498» 8«;a 89^ HISTORY OF THE Sebadian Cibot explore^afed t6ok polTefllon of a gfeat part of the North American coimncnt, iii the name ahd on behalf of the King of England. The country thus difcovcrcd by Cabot, was poneiTed by nu- merous tribes or nations of people. As thefc had been till then unknown to all other princes or flates, they could not pofTibly have oivred their allegi^rice or rubje£libh to any foreign pdwer 6n earth ; they nmft have therefore been independent communities, and as fuch, capable of acquiring territorial property, in the jfame manner as other natiotis. Of the various principles on which a right to foil has been foi;nded, there is none fupcrior to immemorial occupancy. . From wliat time the Aborigines of America had refided therciii, or from w^a^ place they inigrate4 thither, were quedions of doubtful folution, but it was certain that they had long been fole occupants of the country. In this ilate no European prince could derive a title to the foil from dif- covery, becaufe that can give 9 right only to lands and things whiqb j^uher fiavfe never been owne'd oif poffelfed,* or whjcff, af- ter being owned or poffeflcd, have been voluntarily deferted. The right of the Indian nations to the foil in their pofleflion was founded in nature. It was the free and liberal gift of heaven to them, and fuch as'ho forcij^nei" coiild HghtfuUy annul. The blinded fuperfliti on of the times regarded the Deity as the par- tial God of Chriflians, and not as the common father of faints and favages. The pervading ' influence of philofophy, reafoq, and truth , has, fince that period^ jgiven us better notions of the rights of mankind^ and of the obligations of morality. Thcfe linquefli'onably are not confined to particular modes of faith, but extended univerfally to Jews and Gentiles, to Chriilians and infidels. Unfounded, however, as ^he claims of European Sovereigns to American territories were, they feverally proceeded to aft upon tliem. By tacit confent they adopted as a new law of na- tions, that the countries which each explored fhould be the abfolute property of the difcoverer. While they thus fported with the rights of unoffendinjg nations, they could not agree in their refpeftive fharcs of the common fpoil. iThe Portuguefe and Spaniards, inflamed by the fame fpirit of national aggrandize- r.ent, contended for the exclufive fovcreignty. of what Colum- ' js had explored. Animated by the rancour of commercial . :aloufy, the' Dutch and Portuguefe fought for the Brazils. Contrary to her 'genuine ihterefts, England commenced a war in order that her contra.band traders on the Mexican coaft claimed by the King of Spain, might no longer be fearched. No farther back than the middle oF the'prefcnt century, a cdnteft concern- AMiRlCAN REVOLVriON, ing 1)nun(larles of American territory belonging to neither, oc- caltoned a long and bloody war between France and Engrahd. ' Though Queen Elizabeth and James the FiM denied thfe au- thority of the Pope of Rome to give away the country of infidels, yet they fo far adopted the fanciful diftinftion between thciHghts of Heathens and the rights of Chriftians, as to make it the foun- dation of their relpeftive grant?,. THcy freely gaVe away what did not belong to them with no other provifo, than that f* the territories and diftri£ls fo granted, be not previoufly occupied and poireffed by the fubjefts of any other Ghriftain prince or date.'* The firft Englifli |)iitent which was given for the purpofe of colonizing the country difcovercd by the Cabots, was granted by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Humphry Gilbert, in 1578, but thik proved abortive. In 1584, Ihe licenced Walter Raleigh, "to fearch for Heathen lands not inhabited by Chriftian people/' and granted to him in fee all the foil "within two' hundred leagues of the places where his people fhould make their dwellings and pbidings." Under his aulpices an inconfidcrable colony took pofleflion of a part of the American coaft, which now forms North-Carolina. In honour of the Virgin Queen his foverejgn, he gave to the whole country the name of Virginia. Thcfe firft fcttlers', and fevcral others who followed them, were either de- ftroyed by the natives, removed by fucceeding navigators, or died without leaving any behind to tell their melancholy ftory, for they were never more heard of. No permanent fettlemen^ was efFefted till the reign of James the Firft. in the courfe of little moie than a century, was the Englifh North American continent peopled and parcelled out into diftin£l governments. Little did the wifdom of the two preceding cen- turies forefee the confequences both good and evil, that were to rcfult to the old world from difcovering and colonizing the new. When we confider the immenfe floods of gold and filver which have flowed from it into Europe, the fubfequent increafe of induftry and population, the prodigious extenfion of commerce, inanufa£tures, and navigation, and the influence of the whole on manners and arts, we lee fuch an accumulation of good, as leads us to rank Columbus among the greateft benefaftors of the hu- man race : but when we view the injuftice done the natives, the extirpation of many of their numerous nations, whole names arc no more heard : — The havoc made among the firft fettlers ; — The flavery of the Africans, to which America has furniflied the temptation; and the many long and bloocly wars which it has occafioned, we behold fuch a crowd of woes, as excites an ap- prehenfion, that the evil has outweighed the good. i |9» HJSTO^Y OF Tli4 In vain do we look among ancient nations for examp)|!S of colonies eftablifhcd on principles of policy, fimilar to thofe of the colonies of Qreat-Britain. England did not, liHe the ret publics of Gresf c, oblige her Tons to form diftant communities ii^ the yriles of the earth. Like Roi^e (he did not give )and^ as a gratuity to fol4iers, who became a military force for the defence of her frontiers^ She did not, like Carthage, fubdue the neigh- bouring ftate^, in order to acquire an exclufive right to their commerce. No conquejl was ever attempted over the Abori- gines of America, Their right to the foil was difregarded, and (heir coMntry looked upon as wafte, which was open to the occupancy and ufe of other nations, \t was fonfidered that fet- tlements might be there formed for the advat^tage of thofe who (hould migrate thither, as well as of the Mother Country. The rights and interefls of (hp fiatiye proprietor)^ were, all this time, deemed of no apcpunt, What ^as the extent pf obligations by which cplopief planted finder thqfe pirpt^mftances were l:K>und to the Mother Country^ is a fubje£l of nipe difpulfion. Whether thefe nrofe from nature and the conl^itution, qr from compa^, if^ a queftion iieceiTariiy f:onnefted yfith many others. While the friends of UnIoi> contended that the king of England had a property in the foi^ pf America, by virtue of a right derived from prior difcovery ; and that his fubjefls, by migrating from one part of his domi- nions to another, did not ledfen their obligations to obey th^ . fupreme power of the nat^oii, it was ijiferred, that fhe emigrant; %o Englifh America continued to owe the fame obedience to the king and parliairxenf, as if they had never quitted the land of ^heir nativity^. But if as others contended, the Indians were |he only lawful proprietors of the cquntry in which their Creator had placed them, and they fold tlji^ir right to einigrapts who, as; men, had a right to le»yc their native country, and as fubjefls, had ordained cliartcred permiiliop to do fo, it follows from thefe prcmifes, that the obligations of the colopif^ to their parent fbte muft have refulted more from compafl, and the profpe^ of reci- procal advantage, than from natural obligation. The la^er opi-r nions feem tq have been adopted by feveral of fhe colonifts, par* ticularly in New-England. Sundry perfons of influence in that country always held, that birth was no tieceffary caufe of fub- jc£lion, for that the fubje^ of any prince or ftate had a natural natural right to remove to any other ftate or quarter of the globcj efpecially if deprived of liberty of confpience, and th^t* "P°" fuch removal, his fubjeflion cealed. The validity of charters about which the emigrants to America were uniyerfally ai^xious, refts upon the fame foundation, if ideal Whai tiulli no ri gram reigr godai there Thefe they their tieithe J>rince did nc a parli of advi prbtcflt their Abori- ed, and to the hat fet- >fe wh« ^ The lis time, i planted Country, m nature cceffarily )f Uniot> I the io\\ fcovery ; his domi- o\)ey thq emigrant? ice to thq c land of ans were ir Creator s whoj '^ s fubjcfts, xom thefc arent ftatc .^ of rcci- la^cr opir •nifts, par- tce in that ife of fub- \ a natural the globe, that, upon to America latidn, \^ AMERICAN REVOLUTidit, tile right of the fovereighs of Engbnd to the foil of America wa« ideal, and contrary tp natural juftice, and if no one can give What is not his oWn^ their charters were on feveral accounts a nullity. In the eye of reafon and philofophy, they could give no right to American territory* The only Validity which fuch grants could have, war, that the grantees had from thei^ fove^ reign a permiflion to depart from their native country, and ne^ gociate with the proprietors for the purchafe of the foil, and thereupon to acc(uire a powef of jurifdiftion fubjeft to his crown* Thefe were the opinions of many of the fettlers in New-England. They looked u|ton their charters as a voluntary compaft between their fovereign and themfelVes, by which they were bound neithtr to be fubjeft to, nor fcek protection from any other prince, nor to make any laws repugnant to thofe of England : but did not Coufider them as inferring an obligation of obedience to a parliament, in which they were unreprefented* The pro('pe£ls of advantage which the emigfslnts to America expe&cd from the prbteGbion of thdir natiVe foVereign, and the profpeft of aggran- difement Which their native fovereign elcpe£led from the exten- lion of his empire, made the former very folicitous for chattersy ind the latter Very ready to grant (hem^ Neither reafoned elearly on their nature, nor well underflood thei^" eictent. In lefs than eight yeafs ont thoufand five hundred miles of the fea coiid were gf^nted away, and fo little did they who gave, or they wha iiccepted of charters, undcfdand theif own (ra(nfa£lions, that in feveral cafes the fame groUrid was covered by conf radi^ry grants, and with ar. abfurdity that can only be palliated by the igno- rance of the parties. Tome of the grants extended to the South Sea, oVer a country whofe breadth i$ yet unknown, and which^ to this day is unexplored. Ideal as thefe charters wefe^ they anfwe'red a temporary pUr- {>ofe. The Cofonifts repofcd confidence in them, and were excited to induftry on their credit. They alfo deterred Euro- pean powers froin difturbing them, bccaufe, agreeable to the I'afe law of nations, relative to their appropriation of newly difeoo Vered Heathen countries, they inferred the proteftion of the fovereign who gave them. They alfo oppofed a barrier to opctv and grofs encroachments of the mother Country on the rights of the colonifls; a particular detail of thefe is not now ncccflary. Some general remarks may, neverthelcfs, be made on the early periods of colonial hiftory, as they caft light on the late revolu- lution. Long before the declaration of independance, feveral of the colonies on different occafions declared, that they ought not , to be taxed but by their own provincial alfemblies, and that they confidered fubjcftlon to a£ls of a Britifli Parliament, in w\\\ch ^m \'i m. '\\\^ Urn, i9^ HISTORY Of the they had no reprefenUtion, «s a grievance. It is alfo iv6rth^ of being noted, that of the thirteen eolonit^s, formed into (laui[ at the end of the war,- no one (Georgia e^tcepted) was fettled at the expence of goveritment. Towards th^ fetttemient of that fouthern froiltidr, conftderablc fums had at different times been granted by pa'rlitoiint, but the twelve more northern provinces had been who% fettled, by private ad\/.cnturert, without. any advantjes froin the national trcafury^ It dues no^ aftpear, from cxifting record^ that any cotnpcnfation for their lands was ever made to, the Aborigines of America by the croytrn or pa\rliamcnt' of England ; but policy, as well as juflicc, ted the coloi^ifts to' |>urchafe and pay fuf- What they occupied.. This was ^one in almoft every fettlement, and they prol'pcrcd moft, who, by juf- tice a(»d fcindnefs to^k the gicatcil painS to Conciliate, the good- will of the Aa'tives^ , It ii in vixh to look for wellrbalan'ced co^flitutipns in the early periods of Colonial hidory. Till the revolution in the year 16&8, a period fubfeqVicnt to the fettlement of the colonies, England herfelf cfip, f^arcely be faid to have h^d a fixed confli- tution,. At thiii; fcVttitful a:i;a the line ytAi firil dra>vn bety'een the privileges df fubje£i$, and "the prerogatives of fovcreigns. The legal, and eonftitutional hiftory of the, colonies, in their (iarly periods, thei'efor^e< 4fFord& biit lUtlc indru^ion It is fuf- licient in general to 6brcrve, that in lefs than eighty years from the firfl pcrniahent Englifh f^tdement in North- America ; the two original patents gfantcd to the Plymouth and London Com- panies were divided^ and fubdivided, into twelve dilUnfl and uncoAneAed provinces, and in fifty years more a thirteenth, by the name of Georgia, was added to the i'uQChern extreme of, pre-* vious eflablifhments. To each of chefe^ after variotls changes, . there was ultimately granted a fomi of government rcfembling, in its mod eircntial parts, as far as 10f!:al cirCumflances would permit,' that which was eflablifhcd in the parent date. A minute dcicription of condi- tutions, which no longer exid, would be both tedious and un- profitable. In general, it may be oblervcd, that agreeably to the fpirit of the Britifh conditution, ample provifion was made for the liberties of the inhabitants. The prerogatives of royalty and depcndance on the mother country, were but feebly impreflcd on the colonial forms of government. In fome of the provinces the inhabitants chofe their governors, .nndall other public officers, and their legiflatures were under little or no controul. In others, the crown delegated mod of its power to particular pcr- fons, who were alio inveded with the property of the foil. In thofc which were mod immediately dependent on the king, he rope, a lands growth profit^. natural but flov The governn has raif >nd ma I ledgcd (HcerciCed no hi|hcr prerogatives over the colonifti than over. Ihetr fellow fubjeas in EngUna, ind hi* power over the pro* Vinfetal legiflitive aflethblict wU not greater than what he wae conftitutionally Veiled with, oveir the Houfe ot Commont in tho mother country^ From the acquiefcence of the parent (btc, iKd (jpirit of her conftitution, and daily experiences the cploniftf grew up in a belief, that their local aflembliei ftood in the lame relation to thttn^ a» the parliament of Great-Britain to the inha«> bitant* of that illandt the bencftta of legiflation were conferred on bothv onty thtxmgh thefe conftitutional channcltk U ia remarhable^ xhkx though the Englifli pofibflions In Amt<^ Hea were hy inferior in nitunl richea to thofe whitfh fell to th# lot of o(h«r Europeansi yet the fccurity of property and of H* bcrty, derived from the Engliih conftitutioii) gaVe them a (on* foquehce to which the colonies of other powers^ though fettled at an earlier day^ have not yet attained* The wife and liberal policy of England towarda her eoloniel, during the firil century and half) after their fettlement^ had a conftderable influence in exalting them to thia pre-eminence. She gave them full liberty to govern themfelvea by fuch laws aa the local legiflaturea thought * neceflaryv and left their trade open to every individual in her dominionti She alfo gave them the ampleft permiiBon to pur- iue their rcfpeftivc interefta in I'uch manner u they thought proper, and refcrVed little for herfelf^ ibut the benefit of their mde, and that of a political union under the fame head» The colonies, founded by other powers^ experienced no fuch indul* genciest Portugal and Spain burdened theirs With many vexa- tioua regulations^ gave encouragement only to what waa for their own intereft, and puniihed whatever had a contrary tendency. France and HuUand did not adopt fuch oppreflive maxims, but wefO) in faA, not much lefs rigorous and coercive* They parted, as it were, with the propriety of their colonies to mercantile aiTociationS, Which fold to the colonifts the commodities of £u» rope, at an enormous advance, and took the produce of their lands at a low price, and) at the fame time, difcouraged the.. (irbWth of any more than they could difpofc of, at excef&ve profit^. Thefe oppreflive regulations were followed with their natural confequence : the feitlements thus reftri&ed advanced but (lowly in population and in wealth. The Englifh Colonies participated in that excellent form of government with which their parent iile was bleiled, and which has raifed it to an admirable height of agriculture, commerce, and manufaftures. After many ilruggles, it had been acknow- ledged to be elfential to the conl^itution of Grcat-Britaifi, that Vol. I. 3 F 1! A^ '''Ji'MTORydFtki Ac people couW nol be oompellctl t6 pay tny taxes, nor he hqu»d by my laws, but fuch as had been granted or enaded with dte confent of themrelvea, or of their reprcfentativet. It vra* alfjS one of their privileges, that they could not be afFcaed either m'ihdr property, their Kbertiea, or their perfons, but by the unanfmoiis confent of twelve of their peers. Prom the operation df ihefe general principles of liberty, and Che wife policy 6f Gr«(t-Britain, her American fettlements in- ereafed hi nunlber, wealth and refources, with a rapidity which furpaflied all previous calculations. Meither ancient not modern hiftory can produce an example of Colonies governed with equal #4ftiMn, or flourifhing with equal rapidity. In the (hort fpace ef hn4 hiirt-thehce^ population was rapid, and the inhahitants generally poflefTcd that happy ftate of mediocrity, which favours the improvement both of mind and body, ' ~" New- York joined New-England, hut did not incritafe wltK equal rapidity, A fcW, by monopolizing large trafts of landi reduced many to the ' necellity of being tenants, or of removing to other provinces, where land could be obtained on more fa- vourable terms. 1 he increafe of population, ,in this provinci^, was ncverthblefs great, when compared with that of old coun* tries. This appears from the following ftatement of their num*' hers at different periods. In 1 756, the province of New-York contained eighty-three thoufand two hundred and thirty-thre^ whites, and in 1771, oni huhdred' and forty-ftvwht thoufand on* hundred and twcnty-foUr, ari increafe Of nea;]y two for one, in the fpace of fifteen yesirJ,' • ' • * ""; • Plehrifylvania was at fii li' fittkdf Under the aufpiccs of the cei lebrated William Penn, who introduced ;* number of indud'rious inhabitants, chiefly bf the feft of Quakers. The populatidn oi this country advanced equally with that of the Ncw-_.ig!!ind |)rovinccs. Amohg the inducements operating on foreigner^ to fottlc in Pennfylvartia was a moft excellent form of provincial li !| .1 li I.I '! I: I 404 HISTORY Of THE goyemmentf- AvKich fecured the reIigiou» •• well n the civil rights of its inhatiitants* While the Mother Country laboured under tH-Appreflliye ecclefiaftical eflablifhmont, and while partialities of the fame. Kind were fan£lioned by law, in fisme of the American provinces, perfeft liberty of confcience, and an exaft equality of «11 fe6U, Was in every period, a part of the conditution of Penn- fylvania, Quaker fimplicity, induftry, and fhigality, contributed, in like manner, to the flourilhin^ of that province. The habits of that plain people correfpond, admirably, with a new country, and with republican conftitutions« Oppofed to idlenefs and extra- vagance, they combined the whole force of religion, with cuftoms and laws, to exile thefe vicc« from their fociety. The iirfl quaker fettlers were foon followed by Germans, whofc in- duftry was not inferior to their own. The emigrants fVom other countries who fettled in Pennfylvania, followed thefe good ex- amples, and induftry and frugality became predon\inant virtues over the whole province. The policy of a Loan-Office was alfo eminently beneficial. The proprietaries of Pennfylvania fold their lands in fmall tra(b, and on long credit* The purchafers were indulged with the liberty of borrowings or\ intereft, paper bills of credit, put of the Lpan- OiEce, on the mortgage of their Unds« Perhaps there never vras an inftitution which contributed more to the happincCs of the people, or to the flouri(hing of a new country, than this land Loan-Office fcheme. The province being enriched by the cha^ intereft of its loaned paper, was thereby enabled to defray the cxpences of government with cioder^te taxe«. The induftriou^ farmer was furniOied with the mesns of cultivating Snd (locking his farm. Thefe improvements, by increafing the value of the land, not only eftabliihed the credit of the paper, but enabled the borrower, in a few years, to pay off the original loan with the produftions of the foil. The progreflive improvement of Penn- fylvania may be eflimat.'d from the increafe of its trade, \n the year 1704, that province imported goods from the Mother Coun- try, amounting in value only to eleven thoufand four hundred, and ninety-nine pounds fterling, but in 1772, to the value of five hundred and feven thoufand nine hundred and nine pounds, an incresfe of ncavly fifty for one, in little more than half a cen- tury. In Maryland and Virginia, a policy lefa fivourable to popula- tion and ibmewhat different from that of Pennfylvania, took place. The church of England was incorporated V'ith the firft i'ettlemcdt of Virginia, and in the lapfe of time* it alfo became tht? eflabliihed religion of Maryland, In both thefe provinces, \o^^ AMERICAN ]^£VOLUtlON, 405 rightt under itict of lerican ility of ' Penn- ed, in abits of ountry, d e»tra- 1, with ^ The hofe in* im other ;ood ex- t virtues al. The aCb) and e liberty he l^pan- Te never pincCs of this land ;he thai: fray the [duftriou^ (locking le of the enabled with the |of Penn- In the ler Coun- hundred ic of five lunds) an laU a ecu* lo popula- Inia, took the firft scatne th«} Lees, lopj before the American revolution, that church po(re(red"a legal pre> eminence, and wM maintained at the expence, fiot'i^Iy of its own members, but -of all other denominations. Thui:«deterred great numbers, efpecially of the Preibyterian denomiinitton, who had efnigrated from Ireland, from fettling within tfa^ limits of thafe governments, and fomented a fpirit of difcord betweeih thofe who belonged to, and thofe who difl'ented from the eftabliihed church. The iiril^ emigrants from England for colonifing America, left the Mother Country at a time when the dread of arbitrary power was the predominant paflion of the nation. Except the very modern charter of Georgia, in the year 1732, all the Englilh Colonies obtained their charters and their greateft number of European fottlers, between the years 1603 and t688. In this period a remarkable ftruggle between prerogative and privilege commenced, and was carried on till it terminated in a revolution highly favourable to the liberties of the people. In the year 1691, when the Englifh Houfe of Commons claimed freedom of fpeech, *' as their ancient and undoubted right, and an inheritance tranfmitted to them from their anceftors ;'* King James the Firfl replied, ** that he could not allow of their ftyle, in mentioning their ancient and undoubted rights, but would rather liave wilhed they had iaid, that their privileges were derived from the grace and permifllon of their fovercign," This was the- opening of a difpute which occupied the tongues, pens, and iwords, of the mofl a£ilve men in the nation, for a period of ieventy years. It is remarkable that the fame peri<)d is exa£ily co-incidcnt with the fettlcment of the Englifli Colonies, James, educated in the arbitrary fcntimrnts of the divine right of Kings, conceived his fubjeAs to be his property, and that their privileges were mat* ters of grace and favour flowing from his generofity. litis high claim of prerogative excited oppufition in fupport of the rights of the people. In the progrefs of the difpute, Charles the Firft, fun of King James, in attempting to levy Oiip^money, and other revenues without conient of Parliament, involved himfelf in a war with his fubje£ls, in which, after various conflicts, he was brought to the block and fuffereU death as an enemy to the con- fUtution of his country.- Though the monarchy was redorcd under Charles the Second, and tranfmitted to James the Second, yet the fame arbitrary maxims being purfued, the nation, tenacious of its rights, invited the Prince of Orange to the fovereignty of the ifland, and expelled -the reigning family from the throne. While thefe fpirited exertions were made, in fupport of the li- berties of the parent ifle, the Englifh Colonies, were fettled, and chiefly with inhabitants of that cUfs of |icoplc, which was mpft 4*6 HISTORY OF THE •7^5 hoftiIie,t(} the claims of prerogative. Every, tranfaAion in that period of JEngUfli hiftory^ fupported the pofition (hat the people have a right to refift their lovereignf when he invades their li« hertieS) ^nd to transfer the crown from one to another, when the good of the community requires it. The Enj^liih Colonifts were from their firft fettlement in Ame- rica, devoted to liberty, on Engliih ideas, and Englifh principles. They not only conceived thcmlelves to inherit the privileges of fnglifhrnen, but though in a colonial fituation, a^ually poflcdcd ihcm. After a long war between King and Parliament, and a Revn« lution-^thefe privileges were fettled on the following iundamen'. tal principles ; *' That it was the undoubted right of Engliih fub}tf£b, beiiAg freemen or freeholders, to give their property, only by their own confent. That the Houfe of Commons exer. cifed the fole right.of granting the money of the people of Eng- land, becaufe that Houfe alone, rcprcfented them. The taxrs were theiiree gifts of the people to their rulers. I'hat the autha- ritry of fovereigns was to be exercifed only for the good of their fuhje^. That it was the right of the people to meet together, and peaceably to confider of their grievances — to petition for a redrefs of them, and finally, when intolerable grievances were unrcdrelTed, to feck relief, on the failure of petitions and rcmon-* ilrances, by forcible means," Opinions of this kind generally prevailing, produced, among the Colonifts, a more determined Ipirit of oppolition to all en- croachments on their rights, than would probably have taken place, had they emigrated from the Mother Country in the prc-» ceding century, when the do&rines of pafTive obedience, non. refidance, and the divine right of kings, were generally received, That attachment to their fovereign, which wa* diminifhed in the firft emigrants to America, by bein^j removed to a great dif, tance from his influence, was ftill farther diminifhed in their (defcendant^. When the American revolution commenced, the inhabitants of the Colonies^ were for the mod part, the third and fourth, and fometimes the fifth or fixth generation, from the original emigrants. In the feme degree as they were removed Jrom the parent ftock, they were weaned from that partial attach. ment, which bound their forefathers to thi place of their nati- vity. The affeftion for the Mother Country, as far as it was a natural pafTion, wore away in ructellive generations, till at lart it had fcarccly any e^iftcnce. The mercantile intercourfe, which conne^s difPerrat coun- tries, was, in the early periods of the Engliih Colonies, far ihort of that degree, which is neccifary to perpetuate ai friendly union. AMERtCAlf AtiVOth TiOif, 4flf n that people ticir U« len the 1 Ame. iciples, icgcs of oiTciTed t Revo» idainen^ Englilh ropcrty, ns cxcr- of Eng- ic taxrs L« autho- of their together, ion for » ces were 4 rcmon-* I, among to all cn» ve taken the prc- ice, non- received, nifhcd in jreat dif-» I in their aced, the third and from the removed ial attach, their nati- it was a till at lart tnt coun- far (hort dly union, Mad the firft great colonial eflibliflimeftts been made in the Southern Provinces, where the fuitablettcra of native cotnthbdt^ ties wontd haVfr maintained a brilk and' direft trade Vkh Eng- land— 4he eonftant exchange of good ofiRces betvireen the two countries would have been more likely led' at the extremities. This refults from the nature of things, and is thfl eternal law of cxtenfive or dctacKcci cmpli*e. Cdlonifts, growing, up to maturity, at fuch an immei}f<^ di^ance from the feat of go- vernment, perceived tl^e obligation of dependence much more feebly, than the inhabitants of thjs parent ifle, who not only faw but daily felt, the fangs of power. Th ries of the Puritans kept alive the remembrance of the fufferings of tlieir forefathers, and infpii'ed a warm attachment, both to the civil and religions rights of human nature* In the Southern Colonies, flaVery nurtured ai fpitit of liberty among the free inhabitants. All mailers of (laVes who enjoy perfonal liberty will be both proud and jtfaloul of their freedom* It is, in their opinion, not only an enjoyment, but a kind of rank and privilege* In. them, the haughtinefi of domination combines with the fpirit of liberty. Nothiag could mofc elfeftually ani- mate the oppolkion of a planter to the claims of Great-Britain, than a conviflion that thofe claims in their extent degraded him to a degree of dependence onhis fellow fubjefls, equally Humiliating with that which exiftcd between his Haves and himfelf.J The (late of fociety in the Colonics favoured a fpirit of liberty and independence. Their inhabitant^ were all of one rank. Kings^ nobles, and biihops, were unknown among them. From their hrfl fettlements, the Engliih , provinces received impreifions fa- vourable to democratic forms of government. Their dependent fituation forbad any inordinate ambition, among their native fons and the humility of their fociety, abdrafled as they were from the fjjlendour and amufcments of the Old World, lield forth few allurements to invite the rcfulcnce of fuch from the Mother Coun* try as afpircd to hereditary honours. In modern Europe, the AMERICAN REVOLUTION: 40^ i^e^»ins of the feudal fyftem have occifioned an/brder of menL fuperior Co that of the commohaltty, but^ al few of that dala migrated to the Cblotiiei; they vCerc fcttkd with the jrebmaiiry* Their inhabitant!, unactuftdmed to that difUn£Uoh of ranks, which the policy of fiufope hac eftablifhed, ^ere ftrongly iijnprefled with an opinion, that all mtti aire b;^ nature equal; Th^ could not eafily be perfuaded that their gtants of land; or their civil jrights^ flowed from the munilicente of Princes; Many of tfaeni had neVer heard of Magna Charta; arid thofc who knew the cir* cumiUnces of the Remarkable period of Englifh hiftory; Wheii Chat was bbiained, did not reft tKelr 61aimS tb liberty and pro- l^erty on the tranfaftionS of that itripbrtam d»y. They looked tip to Heaven as the fource of theif rights, «tn«i claimed, i^6£ from the prbmifeS bf kings; bfit from the parent of the univerfe. The political creed of tn American Colbnift was {h6rt but Tub. ftantial;. He believed that God rhade all mankind originally e(||ual: ihathci endowed theni with the rights bf life, property^ and as niuch libefty as viti colififtehi with the rlghis of others* That he had beftowed on his tiaft family of the human raie*» the earth fbi- their filppbrt; and that all government was a pbli-i tical inftitutloft bctitreen meft natufally equal; not for the aggtah-> ditenteflt bf one, oi* a few, but for the general happinefs of tho'^ ivhole community. ImpfeiTcd With fentimcnti of this kind^ they grew up, from their eaHieft infancy, with that cfonHdencei which is well calculated to infpire a itvc for libertjr, and a pre- ^oiTeflloti in favor cf independence. in cbrifequeniie bf the vail extent of vacant cbuntry, eVery Colonift was, o^ eafily' might be, a freeholder. Settled on lands of his own, he was both farmei and landlord — ^producing all the heceflaries of life from his bwn grounds, he felt himfelf both free and independent. Each individual might huht!*, fifb, or fowl without injury to hii heighbouri. Thefe immunities which, in bid countries, are guarded by the faii^ion of pdnal laws, and inonbpolizied by a few, are the con^ikion privileges of all in Ame- rica. Colohifts, growing up in the enjoyment of fuch rights, felt the reftraint of laW more feebly than they, who are educated in countries, where long habits have made fubmiflion familiar. The mind of man naturally reli(hes liberty-— wherever from the extent of a new and unfettled country, fome abridgements thereof are ufelefs, and others impra£licable, this natural defire of freedom is ftrcngthened, and the independent mind revolts at the idea of fubjeftion. The Colonics were alfo preferved from the contagion of mini- ilerial influence bv their diilance from the metropolis. Remote • Vol. h - •'- ■ 3 G ' • •■ '■''^'■- ■' ' i.d HtStOtLY OFtHM '■--n^ Irom the feat of poWcr and corraptton, they were not ovenr-M^cfci hy the one^ nor debauched by the other. Few were the mean» 6f detaching individuaU from the intoreft of (he public. High offiibea were neither fufficiehtly nuteerous nor lucralite to pur- «h»fe many adherenti, and the moft valuable of thefe wertt con-' fjbrred on natives of Britain. EVcry nan occupied that rankt only, Which hi^ owri industry, or that of his near aneeftora^ had procured him^ £ach individual being cx^X qti(t«m all mesota of filing to importance, but by hia perfonal talents, Wa^ cncQuragi^ to make the moft of thofe with which he W9s endpwed. . Frof- peds of this kind ex '.ittfd emulation^ and produced an entetprif-^ ing laborious fet of men, not eaftly overcome by dif&culties, an^ full of projed:Si for bettering their conditioni* I'hflf cfnervating opulence o( Europe had not yet reached thef colonilUr* They were deftitute of ^Id and filver, but abounded in the riches of nature* A fame'nefs of ciccumftances and occu^ pations created a great fenfe of equaUty^ and difpofed them to union in any Cbmtnon caufe', from the fuccefs of Vrhicb, they might expcf^ to partake of equal advai^tages* TKe Colonies were ccMntiunittes of feparate independent indi- viduals, under no general influence, but that of their perfoniil feelings and opinions^ They were not led by powerful faililies^ nor by great of&cers in church or ftate^ Refiding chie% on lands of their own, and employed in the wholefome labours of. the field, they were in a great meafure ftrangers to luxui^.-^ Their wants were few, and among the great bulk of th^ people, for the mo{l part, fupplied from their own grounds. Their en- joyments were neither far-fetched, nor ^rly purchafed, and were fo moderate in their kind, as to leavcf both mind and body unimpaired. Inured frpm their early years to the toils of a Coun- try life, they dwelled in the midft of rural plenty. Unacquain- ted .with ideal wants, they delighted in perfonal independence. Removed from the preiTures of indigence, and the indulgence of affluence, their bodies were ftrong, and their minds vigorous. The great bulk of the Britifh colonics were farmers, or planters, who were alfo proprietors of the foil. The merchants, mechanics, and manufa£turers, taken coUcfiively, did not amount to one fifteenth o^ the whole number of the inhabitants. While the cultivators of the foil depend On nothing but Heavca and their own indufUry, other claflies of men contraft more or lefs of fervillty, from depending on the caprice of their cuftomers. The exccfs of the farmers over the collsftive numbers of all the other inhahitf^nts, gave a caft of independence to the manners of the pcoplci^ andi.diiTufed the exalting fentiments, which "have always predominated among thofe who are cultivators of their s, or 4MER/C4H KEVVIUTION, ^ r ^ Awn grfnaoC to th« |»w».(^ their mother icoHmry; in their fubmittiiBg to have fuch Jiaws as they made to be repealed by the king} and (Heir obeying fuch r^riftions a» were laid on their trade by Pafiiament. The Utter were often evaded, and with impunity, The other fmall checks were fcarcely felt, ai^ fpir a \aa^ time wejre imno refpejfijt* I njurioui to their iiUerefl;Sr llbder thefe favourable circumftancei, polenief in the new IfTorld had advanced nearly to the magnitMde of « nation^ while the greateft part of Europe waf almoft wholly ignorant of thftir progrefs. Some tfibitrary proceedings of jgovernors, proprietary partialities, olr den^qpratica) jealoui»es, now and- tb'^n interrupted tl^e political calm whieh generally prevailed among them, but thefe and other oecafional impediment;^ pf their profperity, for the moft part, foon fubfided. The ipircumiboceis of the country afforded b^t little (cope for the intrigues of politi|;ian8, or the turbulence of demagogues. The colonics being but remotely affiedcd by the bi^ftlings of the old wvas (carried by only a fing^e vote to make the attempt, i but ' after the adoption of the meafure, there wa$ an immediate unidn of all parties, and all were equally sealous in carrying it into execution. The expedition was eommitted to General Pepr ' perellj and upVirardsf pf five thoufand men were fpeedily raifed for the fervice, and put under his command. This fiorpe arrived ft Canfo on the 4th of April : a Britifli marine force from the ;Weft-.Indif;sj'fpmmap4cd by Commodore Warren, which arriv- : ed in the fame ntdnth, a£led in f oncert lyith thefe \^vA forces. Thcif combined operations were carried on with fo much judg- ment, that an (he 17th of June the foftrefs' capitulated. The war in which |jQui{bourgh was ta)cei^« was fcarcely ended ■ yihexi another began, in whi^h the colonies were diftinguiihed pkrties. 1'he redu&ion qf that fortrefSj by colonial troops, muft 'have given bofh fp France and England, enlarged ideas of th« value of Aroericaii territory, and might have given rife to that cagernefs for extending (he boundaries of their refpeftiye colonies • -which foon af(!er^ by a collifion of claims to the fame ground, laid the foundation of a bloody war between the two nations. It is neither pcflible not ntcelTary to decide Ofi the rights of either to • ^he hnds abbut which thi^ conteil began. )t is certain %hil the profpe£U of cpAydiiience and future advantage had much more influence 011 both, than the confideratiohs of equity. As' the contending ppwers conftdered the rights of the native inhabiutits of no accotint, it is iiot wpnderful that they fhpuld not agree in fettling their own. The >yar was brought pninthe follpwing man^ ner: about tbe year 1749, a grant of fix hundred thpufand acres pf land in the neighbbuirhood of the Ohio, was made out in fa- vour pf certain perfpns in Y^eflminfler, London, and Virginia, who had afipciated undef the title of the Ohio Company. At this tittle France was in ))oireflion of the country, on both fides of the mouth of the Mifliffippi, as well as of Canada, and wifhed to fotm a communication between thefe two extreniities of her territories in North America. She was, therefore, alarmed at the fcheme in agitation by the Ohio Cpmpany inafmuch as the land granted to them lay between her northern and fouthern fet- ^len^ents. R«mon(irances againft Britifh encroachments as they ' were called, haying been made in vain by the Governor of Cana- da, the French, at length, in 1753, feized fom& Britifli fubjc£ts who were ti'^ding among the Twightwecs, a nation of Indians ^ear the Ohio, as intruders on the land of his Moil Chriflian • Majeflyj and fent them to a fort on the fouth fide of Lake Erie, ^he Twightwecs, by way of ret^iation for capturing Britifh trar AMERICAff REVOLUTION. 4IJ nnia. iders, whom they deemeil their allies^ feize4 three French tn. ders, and fent them to Pennfylvania, Thft Frerrch perfifting in their claimia to the country on the Ohio, as part of Canada, ftrengthened themfelvcs by erefting new fort» ' its vicinity, an4 at length began tp feize and plunder every iihtifli trader found pn any part of that river, Repeated complaints of thefe violen- ces being made to the Gbvernor of Virginia, it was at length determined to (en4 > fuitable perlbn to (he French commandant near the Ohio, .to demand the reafon of his hoftile proceedings, nd to infift on his evacuating a fort he had lately built, Major Wafliington, being then bu» little more than tw«nty-one years of agi9, offered his fervioe, which vras thankfully accepted. The diftance to the French fettlemeAt was more than four hun- dred miles, and one half of the rout led through a wildeVnefs, inhabited only by Indians, He pevertlielefs fet out in an un- commonly levere feafqn, attended o|i}y by one companion. From Winchefter, he proceeded on foot, with his provifions on his back. When he arrived and delivered his meflage, thik French commandant refufed to comply, and claimed the coutitry as be- longing to the King his mafter, and declared that he (hould con- tinue to feixe and fend as prifoner^ to Canada, every Engliflim^ that Ihould attempt to traide on the Ohio, or any of its branches. Before lilajor Wafhington returned, the Virginians had fent out workmen and n^aterials, to ere£^ a fort at the conflux of the Ohio, and the Manongahela, While they were engaged in this woiJc fhe French came upon them, drove them out of the country, and ere3x4 % regular fortification on the fame fpot. . Thefe fpirited proceedings overfet the fchemes of the Ohio Company, but its members both in England and America were too power- ful to l^rook the difappointment. It was therefore refolved to inflrud: the Colonies to oppofb with arms the encroachments of (he French on the Britifh territories, as thefe iveflern lands were called. In obedience to thefe inflru£lions, Virginia raifed three hundred men, put them under the command of Colonel Wafh- ington, and fent them on towards the Ohio. May 28^ 1754) >n engagement between them and a party of French took place, in which the latter were defeated. On this Mr. de ViUier,' the French commandant, marched down with nine hundred itieq, befides Indians, and attacked the Virginians. Colonel Wafhing- ton made a brave defence, behind a fmall unfiniflied intrench- ment, called Fort NeceiTity; but at length accepted of honoura- ble terms of capitulation. From the eagernefs difcovered by both nations for thefe lands, it occurred to all, that a rupture between France and England (oulsl no( be far diflaqt. It was a^fo evident to the rulers of t^e 4H KiSTORY OF THti lalteTi thit the Colonies wouM l>e the mod convenient ccntN df opcntion for reprefllng French encrotchments. To driw forth their Colonial rcfourceii in an Mntform fyftem of operationi, then, for the firft time, became an obje& of public attention. To digeft i plan for this purpofe, a general meeting of the Governora, pnd moft tnlwential members of the Provincial Aflembliea, wis held at Albany in 1754. The commifTionera, at this congrefi, were unenimoufly of opinion, that an union of the Colonies wai .neceflary, end they propofed a plan to the following effed, "that • grand council ihould be formed of members, to be chofcn by the Provincial AHTembliep, which ^council, together, with a Go-r vcrnor, to >be appointed by the Crowti, (houU b« authorised to make general laws, and alio to raife money from ell the' Colonies .Ibr their common defence," The leading members of the Pro. vinoisl Aflemblics weit of opinion, that if this plan wai adopted, they could defend thcmfidves from the Fi-epch, without any •fliftance from Qreat Britain. This plan, when font to £og< land, wa» not afcepteUe to the Miniftry, ana in lieu thereof, they propofed, *' that the Governors of ell the Colonies attended by ohbor two members of fcheir refpe&ive couu^ils," whifh were for the moft pert of Roysl appointment, " ihould from time to .time concert ineafHres for the whole of the Colonies ; ere£^' forts, and raife troops with a power to draw upon the BritHh treafury Jn the ^rft inftance; but to be ulttmat^y re-imbuffed by a tax to |>e laid'On fhe Colonies by en a^iof PirUanient," This wis as much difraliihed by the Colonifts, as the former plan had been by the 9riti0i Miniftry, *I*he pfiaciple of feme general power^ npe. Ttliof .Oh the whole of the^Ct^onies, was ftill kept i^ mind, f hou^ dropped for the prefent. The minifterial plan laid down ebove was tranfmitted to Go? vemor Shirley, and by him communicated to Dr. Franklin, and fcisopinion thereon re^efted, That fagacious patriot font to tho Governor an afifw^r in writing, with remarks upon, the propof* ed plam in which, by his ftrong reasoning powers, on the firft viewoftht new fubjcft, he anticipated the fubftance pf a con- froverfy, which for twenty year^ cnr^ploycd the tongues, pens, fjeind fwdirds »f bot^ count ries, • The policy of repvelHng the enchroachments of the French •B the BHtilk Colonics was generally approved both in England •nd America. It was therefore relolvcd to tal^e cfFcftual mea- fures for driving them from the Ohio, and alfo for reducing Ni- agara, • Crown-Point, and the other pofts, whiph they held with- in the limits claimed by the King of Great Britain. To effcft the firft purpofe, General Braddock was font from /| Ireland to Vir^inja, with two re|iments, and W ^^T^ j°*°**^ t CCPtM 'o dnw entioni, on* To ivernort, [i«9f wai congrefi, »nieft vrai a« "that ihofcn by ith • Go. orifcd to Colonies ihe Pro- I tdopted, ihout any t to Eng- A thereoft • atunded hifhwere m time to iXcG^' fof t», (h treafuty )y t tax to w »s much een by the •wcri op«- il|i mind, ed to Go, nVl»n» ^^ ent to the \c propof- the firft ;e pf a con^ jues, pens, AMEKtCAif KirOLVTtOlt, 4i| >n m the French England cftual mea- •ducing Ni- held with- s font from /| i^re joi»«d fciy 11 miny more, ■» ■mounted i«k tho whole, to two thoufltnd two hundred men. He was a brave men, but deftilute of the other quiliiicatient of a great officer. Hit haughtinefa difgufted the Americana, and hia feverity made him difiigreeable to the re- gular troopi. He particularly flighted the country militia, and the Virginia officers. Colonel Wafhington begged hia permiffion to go before him, end fcourthe wooda with hid provincial troops^ who were well acquainted with that (iervice, but thia waa re-> fufed. The General with of)r thoufand four hundred men pufli- ed on incautioufly, till he fell into an ambufcade of French and Indians, by whom he waa defeated, and mortally wounded, June 9, 1755. The regulara, aa the Britifh troop* at that timo Were called, were thrown into confuiion, but the provincial! more ufed to Indian fighting, were not fo much diliconcerted* They continued in an unbroken body under Colonel Waftiing- ton, and by covering the retreat of the regulars, prevented their being cut off entirely* Notwithftanding thefe hoftilitics, war had not yet been for- mally declared. Previous lo the adoption of that mcafure, Great-Britain, contrary to the ufagea of nations, made prifoners of eight thoufand French failors. This heavy blow for a long time crippled the naval operations of France, but at the fame time infpired her with a defire to retaliatr , whenever a proper opportunity (hould prefent itfclf* For two or three yeara after Braddock's defeat, the war was carried on againft France Without vigour or fuccefs : but when Mr. Pitt was placed at the head of the miniilry, public affairs aflumed a new afpeft. Vi^ry every where, crowned the firitifh arms, and, in a fhort time, the French were difpoflefled, not only of all the Britifh territo:^- ries on which they Had encroached, but alfo of Quebec, the capital of their ancient province, Canada. In the courfe of this war, fome of the colonies made exertions fb far beyond their reafonable quota, to merit a re-iuiburfement from the national treafury, but this was not univeri'ally the cafe. In confequence of internal difputes, together with their greater liomeflic fecurity, the neceflary fupplies had not been railed in due time by others of the Provincial Affemblies. That a Britiih Minifter fhoiild depend on colony legiflatures, for the execution of his plans, did not well accord with the vigorous and decifivc genius of Mr. Pitt ; but it was not prudent, hy any innovation, to UTitate the Colonies, during a war, in which, from local circum- ftances, their exertions were peculiarly beneficial. The advan- tages that would rcfult from an ability to draw forth the refourccs of the Colonies, by the fanK: authority, which commanded the wealth of the Mother Country, might in thel'e circumftances i, V 4tfi . HfSTQItYOFTHi htverulgefted t}^ id«««f,lp;^Qg the Colonies by authority o^ the Britifli (pftrliimem.. Mr. Pitt is Tpid to have tolid Mr. Franklin, '* thai when the war clofcd, if he (hould be in the miniftry, he would lake.mcarures to prevent the Colonies from having a power to refufe or delay the fupplies that might be wanted for national purpofes/' but did not mention what thofc mealUrel (hould be. As often as money or men were wanted from the Colonies,- a requifttion was made to their legtiUtures. The(c were, generally and cheerfully complied with. Yhcir ex- ertions with a few exceptions were great, and manifeftcd a leii- ous defire to carry into effeA the plans of Great-Britain for reducing the power of France/ In the prdfec«tion of this wat^ the ird^anCageS which Cre4t-r Britain derived from the Colonies were feverely felt by her enemies/ Upwards of fear hundred privateers, Which were fitted out of the ports of the Britifli Colonies fuccefsfully cruized on French property. Thefe not only ravaged the Wefli-India iflands belonging t« his moft ChriftiaH Majcily, but made many captures on ih4 coaft of Franee. Befides dilireflmg the French nation by privateering, the Colonies furniflied twenty-three thouiand eight hundred men, to co-operate with theBritifh regular forces in North-Ameriea.- They aKo fent powerful aids, both in men and provifions^ out of their own limits which facilitated the rcdiiAion of Martinique,- and of the Havannah.' The fuc- cefs of their prfvateers-^he eo-operation of their land- forces-— the convenience of their harbours^ and their contiguity to their Weft-india iflands, made the Colonies great aCquifitions to Bri- tain, and formidable adverfaries to France. From their growing> hnportanee the htter had much to fear. Their continued union Ukrith Great-Britatnr threatened the i'ubVerfion of the commerce and American poiTeflions of France. Afttt hoftittties had raged nearly eight yeari,' in >763a gene- ral peaee was eoneluded/ on terms, by Which France ceded Ca- nada to Gireat-Britain.- The Spaniards having alfo taken part in thd "War,- ^ere, at th? termination of it^ induced to relinquifh- to th tioti, or, at leait, the wiihek of many, to ireduCe him to the com- mon level. From motives of thia kind, a great part of £arope not long Ance combined againid Venice ■, ind foon after «gain(b liouia XlVth of France. With the fame fufpiciouft eye was the naval fupcriority of Oreat-BHtain viewed by her hcighbouri* They were^ in general, difpofed to favour any convulfion which promifed a diminution of heir, oVergrown power. The addition to the firitilh empire of tiew province, equal \h fcxtent to old kingdoms, not only excited the jealoufy of Euro- pean powers, but occafibned doubta In the thindt of enlightened Britifh politiei^ns, whether or not fuch imitienfe acquifltiont of teirritory Would contribute tb the felicity of the Parent Stati. They ftw, or thought they faw, thtf feed* of difunion planted in the too widely extended etnpire* Power, like all things human, has its lin^itS) and thfcre is a point beyond which the longeft and (harped fWord fails of doing execution. To combine in oile uniform fyftem of gbvernment, the eJktenfiVe territory then fub- Jefied to tV.t Britilh fway, Appeared, to men of refleftion, a woric of doubtful pi-aAicability : nor iVet^ they miftaken in their conjcfturtst The feeds of diftord were toon planted, and fpeedily gi'ew up to the tending of the empii'e. The high notions of liberty and independence. Which were nurtured in the Colonies, by their local fituation, and the ftate of fociety in the new world, were increafed by the removal of hoftile neighbours. The events of the war had alfo giVt^n them fome experience in military opera- tions, and fome confidence in their own ability. . Forelieeing their future importance, from the rapid increase of their lumbers, and extenfton of their commerce, and being extremely jealous of their rights, they readily admitted, and with pleafure indulged, ideas and fentiments which were favourable to independence. While combuflible materials were daily coUefting in the new world, a fpark to kindle the whole was produced in the old. Nor were there wanting thofe who, from a jealoufy of Great- Britain, helped to fan the flame. From the firfl fettlement of Engltih America, till the clofe of the war of 1 755, the condu6t of Great-Britain towavds her Co- Vol, I. 3 H '1 m «; I i;« "'hWdWdff fki .In ^e ^r(i pprioc)^ GrcatrjSritain rcgardied tlid province as inftru-i jm^nts,o^coni|nercc, .Without charging nerfeif with th^^ care of t,^jfi^^ intc^rnal ppliptjj .or. fcckintf a revenue "firorrt them, "ffie .contented hciiTel T vi|;h a i^onbpoly of illicit tntde. She' treated them n& a,judiciou$ mother does. her dutitul cKildrem "ifhcy (Iiared .,in eyery priyili^ge ponging to her aative font, and hul- ilightly felt the inconveniences of fi^ordinatiqni Small was tKe catalogue of grievances with which ^ven dcmotratical jealoufy ^charged the parent State, antecedent to' the period before men< tionedi The following appeait- to Kave been the cKiefj An aft .pfrthc.Bi^itilh 1*arli^mdnt for prohibiting, the cutting down pitch _and ta^, trees,; not beipg within a fcnqe or encloiurej and fuhdry 'a^ which operate^ ^^aipi^ colonial nianufa£lurcs/ fiy one of -^tji€ifej it was mad^ jUcgal ;|fter. the si4th of June, i 75^, to ereft in the Colonies, any mill or other engine for flitting or rolling of ;iign, or any platingj forge , tO; ;»*rork with,* tilt hammetf or any luxno^e. for making (li^el* ^ By another^, hatters were retrained j fro^ taking more than tw,o apprentices at a tiine^ or any for lefs than ieven years, and from employing negroes in the bunnefsj The Qplonifl^ ,werft alfo pi^ohi^ited frpip tranlportiing hsts, and Jionae, inanufaftuned...Vo,ollen$, from one province to another. Thcfe, ;regulation« were, for the moft part evaded^ but if carricecution, would haVe been flightly inconvenient^ and only ,to.9few« Xhe articles, the manufa,£iiM-ing of Which were thus ; prohibited^ could be purchafed at a cheaper rate from England^ and the hands who made them, oould be as well employed in agriculturoi , t. . Though thcfe teftriftions were a fpecies of affront, by theii' implyiDg, that the Colonidts had not fenfe enough to difcover Aeif own intereft^ and though they feemed calculated to crufti their native talents, aiid to keep them in a conftant llate of infe- riority, without any hope of arriving at thoib advantages, to which, by the native riches of their country, they were prompted to afpire ; yet if no other grievances had been fuperaded to what cxifted in 1763* thcfe would have been foon forgotten, for their preffure was neither great, nor univerfaU T^e good rpfulting to the colonics, from their conne£lion with Great-Britain, infinitely outweighed the evil. Till the year 1 764, the colonial regulations fccmed to have no other obj^a but the common good of the whole empire ; excep- tions to the contrary were few, and had no appearance of lyftem. When the approach of the Colonies to manhood made them M^ RfCA^RKVpl VTJOK 4*9 onesi iftru'-' >, ..TB. caro reaied tWcy idliul- as t^e aloufy iinen- \n aft 1 pitch fiindry one of ereftin ning of or any [Vraincd for left mTmcfsj tts, and ,notlier« carrijeii |nd only re thus nglandj [oycd in )y thtii* Idifeover |to crufh of infc" iagcs, to U'ompted to what |for their ilting to Infinitely have no ; exccp- [f lyllem. Ldc thein fnore capable pf^refifling impofitions, Greit-Britain changed the wjcieni lyflein^urKlcr Vfiiiii? htr iCbtoM^s'had'lortg 11Mi*ia f ; .•->- ■; t:!'- T"' itJ.- licfs of human naiiire is iulApi^t tj^ ajpcttuitit^fof tbat d^and orf tlie one .H'4e, an^ tW i'(^fufal'bh Vhk otjfier, Mtrhidh bccafibficd'th^ fcyolution/ It waii hatuWl for Oteai-B,Htai,H td wift lioir Jitf ex,' (enfionof her atithority oVer the -Ciolonies^ arid iiqiiaQy fp " fbi* |hem^ on theif approach to maturity, 10 1)6 11)01-6, impaUeht of fubordination, aitd to refift every inpovaUoin,.ior Wrcaiinff the 4?^ree of , their dependence, , Tl]ke fad fliory of Colonial opprefllon, commenced in the year I '^64. Qreat-Britain then adopted hew rej^uUtions refppfii^hg'hei Colonies, which after 4ifturbing the ancient harmony 'of' the two cou|itries for about twelve ycarSj terimhiktc4 ip.' tlvi difAiem- bcrmcnt of the empire;" ' ■■ •.-,:'■;--.. .0 !♦'-,).,..> The(e confifted in reftri^^ing their former (;ommerce, but mdie efpecially' m fubj&^ing them to taxation, by the British Parlia^ ment. ^y adhering to the fpirit of the navigation ^i^, in th6 courfe of a century, the trade of Grcatrl^ritairi had iucreafdd far beyond the expc£^atioh of her i^olt fanguine fons, but by rigidly enforcing the 0ri£l letter of |hc lame, in a different Atuatioii of public affairs, e^elks dire^ly the rcVerfe were produced, Fron| the enterprising commercial fpir^ pf the coldnifts, the trade of Amcr^fa, after filling all its prdper channels, fvyeHed out on every fide, and overflowed its proper banks with a rich re- dundance, In the cure pf evils, which arc clofely conn^£l£d with the caufcs of national profperity, vulgar precaution ought not to be employed, In fcverely checking a contraband tradej which was only the overflowing o( ai) cxtenfive fair trade, the remedy was worfc jhan the difcafe, For fomc time before and after thfc termination of the war of 4755, a confidcrablc in^ercourfc had been carried on between the l^ritifh and Spanifli Colonics, confiding pf the manufafiurcs of Great-Britain^ imported by (he former, An4 fold by the latter} by which ' the Britilh Colonies acquired gold and filver, and werb enabled to make remittances to the Mother Country. This trade, though it did not claih with the fpiri( of the British oavi^atii^ 3 li a I iffl 4*« HlifORYOF THE hr hwi$ ^«s forbidden by tHei,r letter. On account of the «dv^ntage^ ^Hiiph al) parties, and particularity Creat-Brit^i^i reaped from thi^ jntcrcourfe, itha4 lon^.been winkeq at by perfops in power; but at tijie pepod bcfore-iner^tiqned*, fome iicw regulations were adopt- ed^, by which it was ^itnpfi def^roy^d, This >ya« efe^d by arm64vct4ter9, whofeconinian^eTS were en|'oine4 ^otaHe the ufual cuftoi^-hoi^fe oathv^ an^ to a^ in tl\e capacity of revenue officers^ So fudden a ftoppage of an a.frcuftoined and beneficTal coniinerce, by an.unufuayy pgi^i cxeciition pf old laws, was a ferio|isb|ow to. t^f Northern Cojopies, It was their nusfor^une, that thougH ^jjipy ilce4 in ^ee4 of yaft i^uaiitities of JB^itifh manufaftures, their foundry produced very litt|c that afForde4 a direft remittance to pay for thct|t. They were, therefore, under a neceflity of leeking cl^wl^eire, a inta^H^t for, th<'^>^PT®4^fyere .^ealoust of their adventurous coinmercial fpirtt, and of their increafing number of feam^n* Thei^ f ffcual fufferings were ^reat^ but their apprehc nfions v/ere greater, inftead of viewing the Paifent State as they had long done, in the )ight of an afFe^ionate mother, they conceived her, as beginning to^ be influenced by the ni^rrow views of an illiberal ftep-dame. After the 29th of September, 1764, the- trade between the Britifh, an4 the French, and Spani(h (Colonies, ^yas in fome degree ]egalifed, but M^der circumftances, that brought no relief to the Colonics, for it was loaded with fu(;h enormous duties, as were e<}uivalcnt to a prohibition. The preamble tP the a£l for this purpofe was alarming, *' Whereas it is juft a.nd necclftry, that a ^feyenue be railed in America, for defraying the expcnccs of de- fending, prote£ling, and fecuripg the fame, We, the Commons, ^c. tpwar4s raifing the fame, give and grant i^nto your MajcAy^ the fum of" (here followed a (pecification of 4uties upor\ foreign clayed fugar, indigo^ and cofTee, of foreign produce, upon all wines, except French, upon all wrought filk, and all calicoes, an4 tipon every gallon of molafles and fyrups, being the produce of a colony not under the dominion of his Majcfty). It was alfo gnawed, that t^e moni9S arifing from tlic importation of thcfc ■'■y-, AMERICAN REVOiufiOX^ i*f age«i ;but lopt- Iby ufual icers^ icrce, nw to. lOUgH I their {ice to seking^ route, dothcr fh and ey ac- Itimate •fc gave :^proca^ parties hich, fo. Great- drained^ [ppofing jnturous Theit greater. ', in the itting to^ leen the le degree ]f to the I as vrer<^ for this articles into the Colonies, 'fliould be paid into the rtceipt of htV J^ajefty's exchequer, there to be entered feparate, ^and rtTervcd' to be difpofed of by Parliament towards defraying the tieceflary expences of defending, protefting, and fccuring America. TiU that aft pafled, ho aft avowedly for the purpoTe of rev«^ liue, 4nd y^ith the ordinary title and recital of fuch, wait to be found in the parlbhientary flatute book. The wording of if Made^ the Colpnilb fear, that the Parliament woiild go 6n, in charging them with fuch taxes as they pleafed, and for the fupport of fucH Military forpe as they (hould thini. proper, The aft was the more^ difgufting, beoaufe the monies arifing from it were ordered to be paid in fpecie, v^d regulations were adopted, againli: colonial paper money, To obfiruft the avenues of ac(j[ui ring gold and iil*^ yer, and at the fame time to ipterdift tht ufe Of paper money* appeared *j the Colonlfts as a farther evidence that their interefts yere fsither mifunderilood ^ or difregafded. ^e impofition of duties, for the purpofe of raiiing a revenw in America,^ was Fonfidered a$ '^. '-^ngerous innovation, but the methods adopted for fecuring their ilftion, were refented as arbitrary and un« conftitutional. . y-v^ enafted by Parliament, that whenever offences fliould oe cginmitted againft the afts, which impoied them, the profecutor might bring his aftion for the penalty in the courts of admiralty, by which means the defendant loft the aid- vantage of beipg tried by a jury, and was fubjefted to the neceflity of having his cafe decided upon by a (ingle man, a creature of of the Crown, whofe falary was to be paid out of forfeitures adr judged by himfclf } and Jlfo according to a courfe of law, which Exempted the profecutor from the trouble of proving his accufa« tion, and obliged the defendant, either to evinbe his innocence, or fo fuffer. By thefe regulation?, the guards which the conftitution had placed round property, and the fences which the anceftors of ^oth pountries had erefted againft arbitrary power, were thrown down, as far as they concerned the Colonifts, charged with vio? l^ing the laws, for railing a revenue in America, They who direftcd public affairs in Great Britain feared, tha^ if the colleftion of thefe duties was enforced only in the cuftoma- ry w"y, payment would be often eluded. To obviate that difpoi^ fition which the Colonifts difcovercd to fcrcen one another, in difobeying ofFenftve afts of Parliament, regulations were adopted, bearing hard on their conftitutional rights. Unwilling as th6 Colonifts were to be excluded by the impofuiun of enormous duties, from an accuftomed and beneficial line of hufmefs, it is not wonderful that they were difpofed to reprcfent the innova- ^ionsof the mother country in the moft unfavourable point of J^iew. The heavy lofles to which many individuals were ful^ ^pftedy and ^he general diftrcfs of the (ncrcantilc iutcrcf^ in (ci jm 1 I \ I Vfr4.tof tliQ-pldc^ CoIoQies, foure^ the, in^s,of many^ Thf>^ iftiC' Mother Country {^ul4 infringe h^r, ojvn. conftitytion,' ta «rimp^' Iho commerce . of hc^^ Culonicji, wa^ a fruitful fMbje^ oiF di:(ihinvi!^ioni I but th<5fc muirmunngs would have, eya{)orj(ited in >vordf5, had, Great Britaifi proceeded to i^o farther innoyatiqns, Inikadr of thi^ fl^e adopted; the npycl, ^ea pf raiftng from the Ci^lfi^WSf ai>: ?%i9nt. revennc, by diie,^ iinteriial taxes, lai4_ ty »p(hori(y of hfr pjifUamcnt, Though all the (Jolopifts, difrclifhed,, apd man7» from the prcf, AvFO-of aflual fufl^fifigs, con^Jlainedof thc.^ritiih reiWi^ion^ oi^ their) mmu£>^ure£ apd cp^nnvtircc, yet a. great n|^aj||^:ity vyas, :ity, but anvient uiage. JD.uring tlie &r(i hundred and E,£ty yp^^ qf their exiilence^ they had been left t9 tax themfelvcs, and in their ow^ way. |f there were any exceptions to this general -rule, t;hby were top inconH- derable to merit notice. In the war of 1755, the events of which were f^eih in the recplle^on of every one, the Parliament had in no inftancp attempted to raife either n\(:n or money in tlie Colonies by its o\^n authority. As the clai^ of taxation on on^ fide, and the fefufal of it on the other, vy^s the vay hinge oq^ which the revolution turned, it merits a particular difcuflfon. Colonics were formerly planted by warlike nations, to keep their enemies in awe, to give vont to a furplus of inhabitants, or to difcharge a number of difcontcntcd and troublcfoniie citizens. But in modern ages, the fpirit of violence, being in fome mcar lure iheathed in commerce, colonies have been fettled, by th^ nations of Europe, for the purpofes of trade. Thel'c were to be attaiatid by their raifing, for the Mother Country, fuch commo- dities as (he did not produce, and fupplying theml'clves from her with fuch things as they wanted. In fubferviency to thltfe views^ Great Britain planted Colonies, and made hws^ obliging thcw to. A M E^Rfi M' Mtdi, trtro M m tions^ m the ijit th<^ o(thc tntra^i he ctn- Vui, tp f, af au- iejr<;han-. ^ tifadc J ;ipt, %yas .artcred^ fOV qnly ul'age. c* they If there inconfi- ,f which [cnt had; in th^ oi) on? inge o)?, tQ keep lants, or; [citizens. W mcar I, by th? e to be commor Tom her reviews^ thcroto, \:ihy tor her ^It* their ^tt^diifis A^hHrH fll« llriiMcd, ktiA' ^\\ tTninr tion) flie forbad them to procure manufa3:urers from anyi nthor ^ntt 6ftii&g\b^ei'6r cviki the prodafts /ofifiBuropfaaa to«4nt«!(ies« H^rHicb t^uld filial her, Without being firft brought .to' hc:t,f0rt»i ^By a ViHety o^ laws fhe reguUted their tradt, in fueha-minfMr^ as was tlhdtJghr trfofli eoilducive to iheir mutual adVint^gCf^aiad^icr (Vwrt pai'ticular \\^eifa»e. This principle ^f cdnpipercial'toonopply run tiird^gh Hitlers' iliin iWenty^tiine ^sl&s oft l*airUamcni), froift l66d to 1784. lit all chefe afts the iyft^Iof commettc w^S'n looihmerciat rb^uktti&n ' ttnd reftralnt.' -^ .ii ^«'ti4v'^ '- - •. ■■■ i-jr.!. 'wot? While GrtaVBrtt^m attended to thi% fir^ fyftem of cbldhkitibn, her Am^riciin fettlements^ though expofed in ithknowh tlimates, and unexplored wildeh^flfes, grftW md 'flbtirifhed, and' in the fame proportion tlie trade' and riches- df the ' Mother Country in- treafed. Some eftiniate'maly be made of' this ihcreafe, from the following (latement ; the whole e^j^rt t»de of England, includ- ing that to the Colonies, in the year 1704, atnounted to £6jSO()i6oo ftcrling: but fo ithmenfdy had' the 'Cttldniesincreafed,' that the exports to therti alone in the year 1772, amounted to £'6.022,132 fterling, and they were yeatly increafing. In the fliort fpace of fixty-eight years, the Colonies added nearly as much to the export commerce of Great Britain, as Ihe had grown to by a progreflivc increafc of improvement in 1700 years* And this incrcafc of co- lonial trade was not at the expcnce of the general trade of the kingdom, for that increafcd in the fame time from fix millions to fixtccn millions. In this aufpicious period, the Mother Country contented her- fclf with^excrcifing her fuprcmacy in fuperintcnding the general concero^ of the Colonics, and in harmonifmg the commercial in- tcreft of the whole empire. To this themoftofthem bowed down with fuch a filial fubniiflion as dcmoniftrated that they, though ?4M xu\lflimftY6^FtHi hflitf fubjeAed tt> paHwmfo^tiry Uxet^ 'could be kept in due fubor- dioAtion, wid ia perfe& rubfcKvic^cy tp the grand, views of colo- ■miation. ■ .*■ . r^ ' , , ; * ^^ ;,,;, ..j^i. Immediateljr ifter the pteee of Parii^ 1763; i nvnr &mi yfti opened. The nationiil de'b^ of Great Britain theki' aftioUnted toi ,0116' hundred and.fbrty-eight milliona^ for which afi iiiterefl of mcarly five milltoni was annually paid« Vt^Kile tHo|lt^tifll Minif: ter was digtfting plani for dimihiihing thi% aina»ijig^;^}oild;of dcbt^ - heconcetifedthe idea df raifing.a fub(bnti«l peviHtt^in'the Britiih Colonies^ from taxes laid by the Parliament of the ^Parent State^ On the one hand it w*ai urged^ that the. late war originated on •account of th^ Coloiiies-i-thit it was rt»fonable, more efpeeialiy ts it htd terfninated in a manner fe favourable to their interei^, that they ihould contribute to the defhiying the expcncei it had oceafionedi Thus hi both parties were agreed $ but Ordit Britain contended, (hat her ParU^naent, as the fupreme power, was con- ftitutiondlly Veiled with an authority to hy th6m on every part of the empire^ This doftrine^ plaufible in itfelf^ and conformable (0 the letter of the Britifli conftitution^ when the whde domini- ovis were reprefented in one aifembly, wasireproi>ated in the Co- l 'ii-!Vtviei^y^ mi' nifls ? Shall our fubjefts, educatctl by our care, and defended trf our inni, prefume to queftion the rights of Parliament, to which Vff. mrfi obliged to fubmit ?'* Refleflions of this kind, congenial to t^ natural vanity of the human heart, operated fo extenfively, that the people of Great-Britain fpoke of their Colonies and of their Colonids, as a kind of pofleflion annjexed to their pcrfons. The love of power and of property on the one ftde of the Atlantic were oppofed by the fame powerful palfions on the other. '1 he dilpofttion to tax the Colonies was alfo ftrengthened by tH^ggcntcd accounts of their wealth. It wiis faid, ** that th6 American planters lived in aifluence, and with inconfiderable t9xes while the inhabitants of Great-Britaih were borne down by fuch oppreflive burdens as to make <■ bare fubitftenee a matter of ^ extreme difHculty." The oiBcers who had ferved in America, during the late War, contributed to thili ddlufion. Their obfer- vations were founded on what they had feen in cities, and at a time, when large fums were fpent by government, in fupport of fleets and armies, and when American commodities were in ^eat demand. To ^ treat with attention thofe Who came to fight for them, and alfo to gratify their own pride, the (^lonifls had made a parade of their riches, by frequently and fumptuoufly entertain- ing the j^cntlemen of the Britifh army. Thefe, judging from what they faw, without confidering the general flate of the cduntry» concurred in rcprefenting the Colonifts as very able to contribute largely towards defraying the common expences of the empire. The charters, which were fuppofed to cotitiiin the principles on which the Colonics were founded, became the fubje£l of feri- ous invedigation on both fides. One tWufe Was found to run through the whole of them, except that which had been granted to Mr. Penn ; this was a declaration, "that the emigrants to Ame- rica fhould enjoy the fame privileges, as if they had remained, or had been born within the realm ;" but fuch was the fubtilty of difputants, that both parties cbnftrued this general principle fo as t6 favour their rcfpeftive opinions. The American patriots contended, that as Engtilh freeholders could not be taxed bu» by reprefentatives, in chufing whom they had a vote, neither could the Colonifts : but it was replied, that if the Conolifts had re- mained in England*, they muft have been bfiind to pay the taxes, impdfed by Parliament. It was therefore inferred, that though taxed by that authority, they loft none o-' the rights of native Engliflimen refiding at home. The partrfans df the Mother Country could Tec nothing in charters, but fecurity againft taxes- by royal authority. The Americans, adhering to the fpirit more than to the letter, viewed their charters as a fhield againft all taxes, not impofed by reprerentatives of their own choice. This AMERICAN REVtnUTION, ^1 eonftni£iion tbey contended to be esprefsly recognized by the- charter of Maryland. In that, King Charles bound both himfclf and hit .(ucceirors, not to affcnt to any bill, fubje£ling the inhabi- tants to internal taxation by external legiAation. The nature and extent of the conncfkion between Great-Bri- tain and America was a great conftitutional queflion,-, involvings many interefls, and the general principles of civil liberty. To decide this, recourfe waa in vain had to parchment authorities, made at a diftant time, when neither the grantors nor grantees of American territory had in contemplation any thing like the pre- (ent ftate of the two countries. Great and flourifliing Colonies, daily increafing in numbers, and adrcady grown to the magnitude of a nation, planted at an iir.« menfe diflance, and gove^^ned by conilitutions rei'embling that of the country from which they fprung, were novelties in the hif- tory of the world* To. combine Colonies, fo circumftanced, in one Uniform fyftem of government with the Parent State, requir- ed a great knowledge of mankind, and an extenHve comprchen- fion of things. It was an arduous bufinefs, far beyond the grafp of ordinary ftatefmen, whofe minds were narrowed by the forma- lities of laws, or the trammeb of office. An original genius^ un- fettered with precedents, and exalted with juft ideas of the rights of human nature, and the obligations of univerfal benevolence, might have ftruck out a middle line, which would have fecured as much liberty to the Colonies, and as great a degree of fupre. macy ta the Parent State, as their common good required : But the helm of Great-Britain was not in fuch hands. The fpirit of the Britiib conflitution on the one hand revolted at the idea, that the Britifh Parliament fhould exercifc the fame unlimited authority over the unreprefentcd Colonies, which it exercifed over the inhabitants of Gi'eat Britain. The Colonifls on the other hand did not claim a total exemption from its authority. They in general allowed the Mather Country a certain undefined prero- gative over themy and acquiefced in the right of Parliament to make many a£ls, binding them in many fubje£ls of internal po- licy, and regulating their trade. Where parliamentary fupre- macy ended, and at what point colonial independency began, was not afcertained. Happy would it have been had the queftion never been agitated, but much more fo, had it been compromiied by an amicable compaft^ without the ]|iorrors of a civil war. The Enelilh Colonies were originally eftablifhed, not for the fake of revenue, but on the principles of a commercial monopoly. While England purfued trade and forgot revenue, her commerce Jncrcafed at leaft fourfold. The Colonies took off the raanufac- 3 X a . «•♦ HISTORY OF THE tttr«s of Great-Britain, and paid for them Mnth provifiont or mvME materials. They united their ann»- in war, their commerce and thci .^undU in peace, without nicely iiivelligating the term* on which the connexion of the two countries depended. A perfe£l ca}m in the political world is not long to be cxpeft- ed. The reciprocal happinel's, both of Great-Britain and of the Colonies, was too great to be pf |ong (juration. Jhe calamities of the war of i ^55 ha^ (carcely ended, when the germ of anothee war was plnnted, which foon grew up and produced deadly fruit* At that time (1764) lundry relblutions paflfcd the Britifti Par- liament relative to the impofuion of a ftamp duty in America, which gave a general alarm. By them the right, the equity, the policy, and even the ncceifity of taking the Colonies was foe* inaliy avowed. Thcl'c relblutions being confidercd as the preface of a iyftem of American revenue, wer^ deemed an introduflion to evils of /nuch greater magnitude^ They opened a profpefl of opprcfllon, boi^ndlcf)* in extent, and endleiis induration. They were nevcrthelefs not immediately followed by any legillatiye »&. Time and an i^nvitation were given to the Americatis to fuggell: any other mode of taxation that might'be equivident in its pro- ducQ to the ftamp ad:: but they obje£led, not only to the nK>de, but the principle, an4 fevcral of their alTemblies, though in vain, petitioned againft it. An American reuenue \^as in £ngland 4. very popular meafure. The cry in favour of it was fo flrong, as to confound and filentre the vqice of petitions tp the contrary. The equity of con^pclling the Americans to contribute to the common expences of the empire fatisfied znany, who, without enquiring into the policy or juftice of laxing their um'eprefented fcllow-i'ubje£ls, readily afleiited to the meafures adoptedby the Parliament for this purpofc. The profpefl of eafing their own ' burdens, at the cxpence of the ColonilU, dazzled the eyes of gentlemen of landed interefl, fo as to keep out of their view the; probable conicquences of the innovation. ' The pmnipotencp of Parliament w^s fo familiar a phrafe 01^ both fides of the AtUntic, that few in America, and ftill fewer in Great-Rritain, were imprefled in the firft inftance, with any idea of the illegality of taxing the Colonies-. The illumination pn that lubjeft was gradual. Tlie refolutions in favour of an American ftamp aft, which paflcd in March 1764, met with no oppofuion. In the courie of the year which intervened between thefe relblutions, and the pafling of a law grounded upon them, the lubjeft was better underftood, and conftitutional objcftions againft the meafure were urged by feve- ral both in Great-Britain and America. This a{loni{hed and chagrined the Britifh miniflry; \>\it as the principle of taxing AMERICAN REVOLUTION, !•» lit ions [arch /hich la law and 1 fcve- and laxins America had been for fomc tinte determined upon, they were un- willing to give it up. Impelled by .1 partiality for a long cherifti- ed ideal Mr. Grenvillc brought into the Houfc of Commons his long expefted bill, for laying a (lamp duty in America, March, 1765. By this, after paifing through the ufaal forms, it was cnaftcd, that the inftruments of writing which are in diily iile. among a commercial people, fhuuld be null and void, unlets they were executed on (lamped paper or parchment', charged with i duty impofed by the Britifh Parliamcni. **" When the bill was brought in, Mr. Charles Townfcnd con- cluded a fpeech in its favour, with words to the following cfFc6tt f And now will thefe Americans, children planted by our care, nouriflied up by our indulgence, till they are grown to a decree of ftrength and opulence, and prote£ied by our arms,' will they grudge to contribute their mite to relieve us from the heavy weight of that burden which we lie under?" To which Colonel Barre replied, n ** They planted by your care P No, your oppref- fions planted them in America. They fled from tyranny to a then uncultivated and inhoi'pitable country, where they expofcd themfclves to almoft all the hardfhips to which human nature is liable; and, among others, to the cruelty of a favage foe the moft fubtle, andl will take upon me to fay, the mofl formidable of a nypeo. pie upon the face of the earth; and yet, a£luatcdby principles of true £ngli{h liberty, they met all hardfhips with pleal'ure compared with thofe they fufPered in their own country, from the hands of thofe that fhould have been their friends---They nourifhcd up by your indulgence P They grew up by your negle£l of them. As loon as you began to care about them, that care was exercifed in fending perfons to rule them iri one department and another, who Were» perhaps, the deputies of deputies to fome members of this Houfe, fent to fpy out their liberties, to mifreprefent their a£lions, and to prey upon them.-r— Men whofe behaviour on many occafions, has caufcd the blood of thefe fons of liberty to recoil within them. : — Men promoted to the higheft feats of jullice, fome, who to my knowledge, were glad, by going to a foreign country, to efcape being brought to the bar of a court of juflice in their own. — They proteftcd by your arms? They have nobly taken up arms in your defence, have exerted a valour, amidft their conflant and laborious induftry, for the defence of a country whofe frontier was drenched in blood, while its interior parts yielded all its little favings to your emolument. And believe me, remember I Ihis day told you fo, that fame fpirit of freedom which aftuated that people at firft will accompany them flill : but prudence for- hids me to explain myfelf farther. God knows, I do not at this fjW fpeak from any motives of parly heat ; Avhat I deliver arc 439 HISTORY OF THE "'••^mmiim*. the genuine Tentiments of my heart. However fuperior to mc in general knowledge and experience the refpc£lable body of thi« Houle may be, yet I claim to know more of America than mod of you, having fecn and been converfant in that country. The people, I believe, are a» truly loyal at any fubjc£li the King has, but a people jealous of their liberties, and who will vindicate them, if ever they (hould be violated : but the fubje& is too deli- cate — 1 will fay no more." During the debate on the bill, the fupporters of it inftlled much on the Colonies being virtually reprefented in the fame manner as Leeds, Halifax, aad Ibme other towns were. A recur« rence to this plea was a virtual acknowledgement, that there ought not to be taxation without repreientation. It was replied, that the. connexion between the ele£lors and non-eleftors, of Parliament in Great Britain was lb interwoven, from both being equally liable to pay the fame common tax, as to give fome fecu> rity of property to the Utter ; but with refpeft to taxes laid by the firitilh Parliament, and paid by the Americans, the fituation of the parties was reverfed. Inflead of both parties bearing a proportionable (hare of the fame common burden, what was laid on the one, was exa£lly fo much taken off from the other. The bill met with no oppofition in the Houfe of Lords, and on the aad of March, 1765, it received the royal affent. The night after it pafled. Dr. Franklin wrote to Mr. Charles Thorn- fon, " The fun of liberty is fet, you mud light up the candles of induflry and economy." Mr. Thomfon anfwered, '* He was ap- prehenftve that other lights would be the confequenee," and foretold the oppofition that fhortly took place. On its being fuggefted from authority, that the ftamp officers would not be fent from Great Britain ; but felefled from among the Americans, the Colony agents were defired to point out proper perfons for the purpofe. They generally nominated their friends, which affords a prefumptive proof, that they fuppofed the a£l would have gone down. In this opinion they were far from being fin< gular. That the Colonifts would be uftimately obliged to fubmit to the damp a£^, was at firft commonly believed both in England and America. The framers of it, in particular, flattered them- felves that the confufion which would ariie upon the difufe of writings, and the infecurity of property, which would refult from ufing any other than that required by law, would compel the Colonies, however reluftant, to ufe the damp paper, and confequently to pay the taxe* impofed thereon ; they therefore boaded that it was a law which would execute itfelf. By the terms of the damp aft, it was not to take effcft till the fird day of Nc yember, a period of more than fcvcn months after its palling* AMERICAN REVOLUTION 48t mtln >f this n mod Tho tg has, ndicato )o deli- tnftded he fame . recur- kt there replied, tors, of ;h being infi fecu- I laid by fituation aearing a was laid iier. )rds, and It. The a Thom- andles of J was ap- ice," and its being d not be mericans, rfons for s, vrhich ft would leing fin« :o fubmit England red them- difufe of ;ld rcfult d compel ipcr, and therefore the terms lay of No- $ paffing* This gave the Colon! fts an opportunity for leifurely canvafTing the new fubjeft, and exanyning it fully on every fide. In the firft part of this interval, ftruck with aftoniihment, they lay in filcnt conftematton, and could not determine what courfe topur- fue. By degrees they recovered their rccolleflion. Virginia led the way in oppofition to the (lamp i£l. Mr. Patrick Henry brought into the Houfe of BurgelTes of that Colonyi the follow- ing rofolutions, which were fubdantially adopted : Refolved, That the firfl adventurers, fettlers of this his Majef- ty's Colony and dominion of Virginia, brought with them and tranfmitted to their pofterity, and all other his Majefty's fubjefls, fince inhabiting in this his Majefly's faid Colony, all the liber ies, privileges, atid immunities that have at aity time been held, en-* joyed, and poflefled by the people of Great Britain. Refolved, That by two royal charters, granted by King Jan.::! the Frift, the Colonies aforefaid are declared, and entitled to all liberties, privileges, and immunities of denizens, and natural fub- jefts, to all intents and purpofes as if they had been abiding, and born within the realm of England. Refolved, That his Majefty's Hegc people, of this his ancient colon)^ have enjoyed the rights of being thus governed by their own aflembly, in the article of taxes, and internal police, and that the fame have never been forfeited, or yielded up, but have been conftantly recognized by the king and people of Britain. Refolved, therefore. That the general aflembly of this Colony, together with his Majefty, or his fubditutes, have, in (heir re- prefentative capacity, the only exclufive right and power, to lay taxes and impofts upon the inhabitants of this Colony, and that every attempt to Veft fuch power in any other perfon or ;!rrron» whatfoever, than the general aflembly aforefaid, is illeg:.!, and unconilitutional, and unjud, and hath a manifeft tendency to deftroy BritiOi, as well as American liberty. Refolved, That his Majefty's liege people, the inhabitants of this Colony, are not bound to yield obedience to any law or or- dinance whatever, defigned to impofc any taxation whatever upon them, other than the laws or ordinances of the general af- fcmbly aforefaid. Refolved, That any perfon, who fliall, by fpeaking or wri- ting, aflert or maintain, that any perfon or perfons, other thati the general aflembly of this Colony, have any right or power to impofe, or lay any taxation on the people here, fliall be deemed an enemy to this his Majefty's Colony. Upon reading thefe refolutions, the boldnefs and novelty of them affefted one of the members to fuch a degree, that he cried out, "Treafon! Treafon!" They were neverthelefs, well re- 488 tilSTCRY OF THE ccivcci by the people, and immediately forwarded to the othef provinces. They circulated extenfivcly, and gave a fpritig to all the difcontentcd. Till they appeared, moil were of opinion, that the a£l would be quietly adopted. Murmurs, Indeed, were com- mon, but they I'ccmcd to be iUeh, as would limn die away. The countenance of forclpo^bblcH Colony as Virginia, Confirmed the wavering and cpnboMencd the timid. Oppufttion to the (lamp a6);. from that period uil'umcd a bolder faco. The fire of liberty hlnzcd forth from the prcl's ', fume wcll-judfjed publication*' fct the rights of the Colonics in a phiit., but (Irong point of view^ The tongues and tlw pens of tlw well-informed citixons laboured in kindHnffv the latent fparks of patrioti-f'tu. The flame fpread from brcalt to breafl;. till the conHngiation became general. In this bulinels, New-Knglartd had a principal fhare. The inhabi- tants of that part of America, in particular* confidered their obli- gations to the mother country for pad favours, to be very incon* lidcrablc. They were fully iut'ormcd, that their forefathers were driven by perlecution to the woods of America, and had there, without any cxpenCe to the parent flate, cITcdlcd a fcttlement amidft rude creation. Their rcfentmcnt for the invafinn of their accuflomed right of taxation was not fo much mitigated by the- recollection of late favours, as it was heightened by the tradition of grievous fuflcrings, to which their anceftors, by the nU«Ps of England, had been lubjc^ed. The defcendants of the exiled, persecuted, Puritans, of the lafl century, oppolcd the ftamp a6^ with the lame Ipirit wich which their forefathers were actuated,. Avhcn they fet thcmlclves agaiull the arbitrary impofitions of the houfc of Stuart. The heavy burdens, which the operatron of the (lamp aft would have impofcd on the Colonids, together with the precedent it would cftablilh of future cxaftions, furniflied the American pa- f riots with arguments, calculated as well to move the palTions, as lo convince the judgments of their Fellow Colpnifts. In great warmth they exclaimedj "if the Parliament has a right to levy the ft:imp duties, they may, by the lame authority, lay on us- jmpofts, exciics, and other taxes, without end, till their rapaci- ty is latisficd, or our abilities are exhauftctl. We cannot at fu- ture clcdions, dilplace thefe men, who i'o lavifhly nrant away our property. Their feats and their power arc independent of us, and it will reft with their gcnerohty where to Hop, ih transfer- ring the cxpences of government from tlieir own to our Jhoulders." It was fortunate for the liberties of America, that newspapers wcic the lubjcft of a heavy ftamp duty. Printers, when unin- llueutcd hy government, have genenlly arranged thcmlclves on American revolution. ii3 Itie fide oif liberty, nor are they lefs remarkaMo for attention to ■ m HtSTORVotfkM ''«3«Kr- lead, .In one of its branches, be ' conftituted by the people omn* wrhom it exercifed unlimited power. That with refpeft ttf (Grrcat-Britain, it was fo cdnftituted— with refpeft to America it . was not. They therefore inferred, that its power ought not t<» be the fame over both countries. They argued alfo, that the dele- gation of the people was the fource of power in regard to taxa- tion, and as that delegation was wantinjf ' in America, they con- cluded, the right of partiament to grant away. their property could not exiil. That the defe£live reprefentation in Great- Britain fliould be urged as an argument for taxiiig the Americans^ without ^^3' reprefentation at all, proved the incroaching, nature of power. In(l^ead of convincing the Coloiiifts of the propriety of their fubmiffion, it demonilrated the wifdom of their refiflance ; for, faid they, " one inVafion of natural right is made the juftifi- cation of another, much more injurious and dppreflive."^ The advocates for parliamentary taxation laid great (Irefs on the rights, fuppofed to accrue to Great-Britain, on the fcore of her Slaving reared up and pfotefled the Etiglifh fettlcments in Ame« rica at great expence. It was, on the other hand, contended by the Colonifls, that in all the wars which Were common to both countries, they had taken their full (hiire, but in all their own dangers, in all the difficulties belonging feparately to their irtua- tion, which did not immediately concern Great-Britain, they were left to themfelvcs, and had to flruggle through a hard in^ fancy ; and in particular, to defend theml'elves, without any aid from the Parent State, againll the numerous favages in their vici< nity. Thit when France had made war upon them, it was not on their own account, but as appendages to Great-Britain. That confining their trade for the exclufive benefit of the Parent State, was an ample compenfation for her prote£lion, and a fuf- ficient equivalent for their exemption from parliamentary taxa- tion. That the taxes impofed on the inhabitants of Creat-Bri- tain were i|ncorporate(^ with their^ manufaftures, and ultimately fell on the ColoniUs, who were the confumerSr The advocates for the ftamp a£^ alfo crntended, that as the Parliament was charged with the defence of the Colonies, it ought to poffefs the means of defraying the expences incurred thereby. The fame argument had been ufcd by King Charles the Firft, in fupport of fliip money ; and it was now aniWered in the fame manner, as it was by the patriots of that day. *' That the people who were defended or proted:ed were the fitted to judge of and to provide the means of defraying the expences incurred 'on that accoutit." ' In the mean time, the minds of the Ameri- cans underwent a total transformation. Inftead of their late peaceable and ftcady attachment to the Britifh lution, they were AMERICAN JLEVOLUTION. 435 4aUy advancing to the oppoiite extreme. A new ^pde of clif-. |>|aying JxfenttQent againft the friends of the flamp a^ began in Maifachufetts, and was fallowed by the other Colonies. A few gentlemen hung out, early in the morning, Aiiguft 14, on the limb of a large tr^e, towards the entrance of Boilon, two effigies^ one defigned for the (lamp maiier, the other for a jack boot, with a head and horns peeping out at the top. Great numbers both from town and country came to fee them. A fpirit t^f en- thufiafm was diffufed among the fpe£lators. In the evening the whole was cut down and carried in proceffion by the pppulojce Ihouting •• liberty and property for ever j no ftamps." They next pulled down a new building, lately ercfted by Mr. Oliver the Aamp mafter. They then went to his houfe, before whiph they beheaded his effigy, and at the fame tin^e broke his windows. Eleven days after, fimilar violences were repeated. The mub attacked the houfe of Mr. William Storey, deputy regiftcr of the court of admiralty-^broke his windows — forced into hi[s dwel- ling ho^fe, and deftroyed the books and files belonging to the faid court, and ruined a gizat part of his furniture. They next proceeded to the houfe of Benjamin Hallowcl, Comptroller of Uxq cufloms, and repeated fimilar excefles, and dr^nk and deflroyed His liquors. They afterwards proceeded to the houfe of Mr. Hutchinfon, and foon deraoliihed it. They carried off his plate, furniture, and apparel, and fcattered or deflroyed manufcripts and other curious and ufeful papers which for thirty years he had been colle£iing. About half a dozen of the meaneft of the mob were foon after taken up and committed, but they either broke jail, or otherwife efcaped all punifhment. The town of Boflon con- demned the whole proceeding, and for I'ome time, private gentle« men kept watch at night, to prevent further violence. Similar difturbances broke out in the adjacent Colonies, nearly about the fame time. On the g'^th Auguil, 1765, the people in NeW'Port in Rhode-Iftand, exhibited three effigies intended'^fpr Meflrs. Howard, MofFatt, and Johnfon, in a cart with halters about their necks, and after hanging them on a gallows for fume , time, cut them down and burnt them, amidil the acclamations of . thoufands. On the day following, 'the people colle£led at the houfe of Mr. Martin Howard, a lawyer, who had written in defence of the right of parliament to tax the Americans, and de- molifhed every thing that belonged to it. They proceeded to Dr. Moffatt's, who, in converfation, had fupported the fame right, and made a fimilar devaftation of his property. In Conne£licut they exhibited effigies in fundry places, and afterwards committed them to the flames. 3 K a 43^ HIsItORY OFTHE ¥' H i M ' ll! In New- York, the {lamp mafter having rcfigned, thd ftanjfi papers were taken into Fort Qeorge, by Lieutenant Governor Golden, Nov. \, The people, 4ifliking his political fcntiments, broke open his (lable, took out his poach, and carried it in triumph through the principal (Ireets tp the gallows. On one e|id of thin they fufpended the efKgy of the Lieut. Governor, having in hid right hand a (lamped hill of lading, and in the other a figure of the devil. After fomp time, they carried the apparatus to the gate of the fort, and frptn thepce to the bowling-green, under the muz<; zles of i\ic guns, and burned the whole amid the acclamations of inany thpufands. They went thcn(:e to Mayor James's houfe, ftripped it of ^very article, and confumed the who^e, beqaufe he was a fricn^ to the ftamp aft. The next evening the mob re-alTembled, and inftiled upoN the ^ieutenafit Governor deliycHng the ilamped papers into their hands, and threatened, in cafe of a refufal, to take them by force, After fo^e negpciatipn, it was agreed that they ihouldbe deliver- ed to the. corporation, and they were depofited in the ^ity hall, Ten boxes of the fapie, which came by another conveyance, were burned. 1 uc ibmp a£l was not lefs odious to many of the inhabitants of the Britifh Weil-India iflands, than to thofe on the continent of North America. The people of St. Kitts obliged the (lamp of- fictr and his deputy to rcfign. Barbadoes, Canada, and Halifax, fubmitted to the aft, ^ But when the fhip which brought the ilamp papers to Phila. delphia, firfl appeared round Glouceiler Point, :'U the veifels in the harbour hoiiled their colours half mail high. The bells were rung muffled till evening, and every countenance added to the appearance of fmcere mournings A large number of people af- fembled, and endeavoured to procure the relignation of Mr. Hughes, the (lamp diftributor. He held out long, but at lengtl^ found it ncceflary to comply. As opportunities offered, the aiTemblies generally paflfed refolu* tions, afferting their excluf^ve right to lay taxes on their confti- tuents. The people, in their town meetings, inftrufted their repre, fentatives, to opppfe the ilamp aft. As a ipecinien of thefe, tlie inftruftions given to Thomas Forfter, their rep re tentative, by the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Plymouth, are fubjoined. In thefc the yeomanry of the country fppke the determined language of freedom. After expreffing the higheft efteem for the Britiih conftitution, and fettling forth their gric. vances, they proceeded as follows : ♦' You, Sir, rcpreicnt a ppaple, ^^'ho pre not only defcended from the firft fetilcrs of this country, but inhabit the very Ipot they firft pofiefTed. Here was firfl laid the foundation of th? AMERICAN REVaiUTION, 437 Britifh empire, in this part of America, which, from a very (hall beginning, has increafed and fpread in a manner very furprifing* and idmoft incredible, efpecially, when we conftder, that all thif has been effefted without the aid or aiTiftance of any power on earth ; that we have defended, protefted, and fecured ourfelves againil the invafions and cruelties ..of favages, and the fub|;lety and inhumanity of our inveterate and natural enemies, the French; and all this without the appropriation of any tax by ftamps, or ftamp afis, laid upon our fellow fubje£b, in any part of the King** dominions, for defraying the expence tnereof. This place, Sir, was at firft the afylum of liberty, and we hope, will ever be pre- ferved facred to it, though it was then no more than a barren wiidernefs, inhabited only by lavage men and beafts. To this place our father;}, (whofe memories be revered) poifefled of the principles of liberty in their purity, difdained flavery, fled to cir joy thofe privileges, which they had an undoubted right to, but were -deprived of, by the hands of violence and oppreflion, in their native country. We, Sir, their pofterity, the freeholder^ and other inhabitants of this town, legally aflembled for that pur. pofe; poflfeffed of the fame fentiments, and retaining the fame ardour for liberty, think it our indifpenlable duty, on this occalion, to exprefs to you thefe our fentiments of the ilamp lEtf and its /atal confequences to this country, and to en- join upon you, as you regard not only the welfare, but the vory being of this people, that you (confident with our allegiance ts the King, and relation to the government of Great Britain) dii'r^. garding all propofals for that purpofe, exert all your power and influence in oppofition to the ftamp a6l, at leaft till we hear the fuccefs of our petitions for relief. We likewifc, to avoid diJf- gracing the memories of our anceftors, as well as the reproaches of our own confciences, and the curfes of pofterity, recommend jt to you, to obtain if poiTible, in the honourable houfe of rcprc- fentatiyes of this province, a full and explicit aflertion of our rights, and to have the fame entered on their public records, that all generations yet to come may be convinced, that wc have not only a juft fenfe of our rights and liberties, but that we ni;ver, with fubmiflion to Divine providence, will be flaves to any pow. er on earth." The expediency of calling a continental Congrefs to bie compof- cd of deputies from each of the provinces, had early occurred to the . people of Malfachui'etts. The aflembly of that province pa (Ted a refolution in favour of that meafure, and fixed on New- York as the place, and the fecond Tuelday of Oftober, 1765, as the time for holding the fame, Soon after, they lent circular letters to the Ibcakcrs of t]\e feveral afTembles, rcjucfting their concurrence. M« HISTOkY OF THE ! i! 'This lirft advihce towards continental union was fecondcd m jSovith-Carolina, before it had been agreed to by any Oolony to th« fouthward of New-England. The example of this province had a confiderable influence ih recommending the meafure to othersi who were divided in their opinions, on the propriety of it. The aflcmblies of Virginia, North'Garolina, and Georgia, were prevented by their Governors, from fending a deputation to this l^ongrefs. Twenty-eight deputies from MaiTachufetts, Rhode* Ifland, Cotinefticut, New- York, New-Jcrley, Pennfylvania, De- laware^ Maryland, and South-Carolina, met at New- York ; and after ihature deliberation agreed on a declaration of their rights, and daa ftatenient of their grievances. They aflerted in flrong j|terms,lheir exemption from all taxes, not impofed by their own re- prefentatives. They alfo concurred in a petition to the King, and memorial to the Houfe of Lordis, and a petition to the Houfe lof CoMmons. The Colonies that were prevented from fending their reprefentatives to this Congrefs, forwarded petitions, fi. tnilar td thofis which were adopted by the deputies which at> Htended. While a variety of legal and illegal methods were adopted to ''i6ppofe'the (lamp aft, the firft of November on which it was to commence its operation, approachetl. This in Bofton was ufher- ed in by a funeral tolling of bells. Many (hops and ftorcs were ihut. The effigies of the planners and friends of the ftamp aft were carried about the ftreets in public' derifion, and then torn* in pieces by the enraged populace. It was remarkable that though a large crowd was aflembled, there was nbt the leall violence or difordcr. At Portfmouth In New-Hampfliire, the morning of Nov. i, was ulhered in with tolling all the bells in town. In the courfe of the day, notice was given to the friend^ of liberty to attend htr funeral. A cofEn neatly ornamented, infcribed with the word jLiberty in large letters, was carried to the grave. The funeral proceflion began from the flate hottfe, attended with two unbra- ced drums. While the inhabitants who followed the coffin were in motidh, minute guns were fired, and continued till the corpfe arrived at the place of interment. Then an oration in favour of the deceafed was pronounced. It was fcarely ended before the cofpfe was taken up, it having been perceived that fome remains of life were left, at which the infcription was immcniately altered to " Liberty revived." The bells immediately exchanged their melancholy for a more joyful found, and fatisfaftion appeared in every countenance. The whole was conduced with decency, and without injury or infult to ariy man's perfon or property. In Maryland, the effigy of the ftamp maftcr, on one fide -of ir own re- wliicJi vfzs written, " Tyranny," on the other, " Oppreflion," «nd acrofi the bread, ** Damn my country, I'll get money," wa» carried through the flreets from the place of eoniineihent to th« whipping poft, and from thence to the pillory* After fuffering many indignities, it was firft hanged, and then burnt* — The general averfion to the (lamp aft was, by fimilar ihethods^ in a variety of places demonftrated. It is remarkable, that th« preceedings of the populace on thefe occafions, were carried on with decorum and regularity. They were not ebullitions of » thoughtlefs mob, but for the nioft part planned by leading men of charafter and influence, who were friends to pea^e and order. Thefe, knowing well that the bulk of mankind are more led by their fenfes than by their reafon was i» *ven to hey agreed proper coft r f hofe that Rioterr and f thing that "this was id, that no- commence'' :K had been reat Britain ig had fup- irawn from to the ela- weakening »ther hand« le G}lonieS| which, in trfe of thefc the Houfe [he ftatr. of Iwhich con- difpofuion I Parliament, Lftinguiftied lie Houfe of former, in ii, I will Intation arc of nature. whatever is It to take it American revolution.'^ 44i from him without his conf(pnt. Whoever attempts to do it^ attempts an itijury ; whoever docs it, commits a robbery." Mr. Pitt, with an original boldnefs of ekprrlTton, judilied the Colo- nifts in oppofing the (tamp aft, " You have no right," faid hej *• to tax America. I rejoicp that America has refi (led. Thrco millions ot our fellow fubjeSs fo loft to every fcnfe of virtue, af tamely to give up their liberties, would f>e Ht inflruments to make flaves of the reft." He Concluded w(th giving his advice, tha^ the fliamp zGt be repealed abfolutcly, totally, arid immediately,—' that the reafori for the repeal be afligncd, that it was founded on an erroneous principle. " At the fame time." faid he, *' let thd fovereign authority of this country over the Colonies, be allcrtect in as ftroifg terms as can be devifed, and be made to extend t fcvery point of legiflation whatfocver ; that we may bind theif' {rade, confine Aicir manufaGEurcs, and cxcrcife every power, Jexcept that of taking their money out of their pockets without their consent." The approbatiori of this illuftrious ftatefmanji whofe didiinguilhed abilities had raifed Great-Britain to the higiied pitch' of renown^' infpircd the Amerfcans with additional confi- dence, in the re£titude of their clatms of exemption from partia« mentary taxation, and emboldened them to farther opp'oritioA^ when at a future day, as fhall be he'reafter related, the proje^ of 4n American revenue wai rpfumed. After much debating, and two protcfts in the Hb'ufe of Lords, and p.^ITmg' an a£l " for fe- curing' the dependence of America on Great-Britain," the repeal of the ftanip aft was fiiialiy carried March 18, 1766. This event ^avc great joy in London; Ships in the river Thames difplayed their cbfours, ind houfes were illutnihated all ov6r the city. It '^as no fooncf knowh in America,' than the Colonifts refcinded l^hcif rifolufibns,' and recommenced (heir mercantile intercourfe with the Mother Country. They prefented their Komefpun cloaths to tlie poor, and imported more largely than ever; The churches refounded with thankfgivings, and their public and pri- vate rejioicings knew no bounds.' By letters, addrefliesj and other Aneans, aln^oft all the Colonics (hewed unequivocal marks of ^^knowledgen^nt ahd gratitude. So fuddefi a calm recovered after fo violent a ftofm, is without a parallel in hiftory. By the judicious facrifice of one law, the parliament of Great-Britain procured an acquiefcence in all that remained; There were enlightened patriots, fully imprefted with an idea, that the immoderate joy of the Cglonifts was difproportioned to the advantage they had gained. '/ The ftamp aft, though repealed, Was not repealed on American principles. The preamble afTigncd as the reaibn thereof, " That Vol. I, 3 L . 44« HISTORY OF THE the collcaing the Teveral duties and revenues, » By th« faid aA was dircAcd, would be attended with many inconveniences, and produftive of confequenccs dangerous to the commercial interefU of thefe kingdoms." Though this reafon was a good one in England, it was by no means fatisfaftory in America. At the fame time that the (lamp aa was repealed, the abfolute, unlimited fupremacy of parliament was, in words, aflcrted. The oppoferf of the repeal contended for this as effential ; the friends of that meafure ac^uiefced in it to ftrengthen their party, and make furc of their obje6t. Many of both fides thought, that the dignity of Great-Britain required fomething of the kind to counterbalance the lofs of authority, that might refult from her yielding to the clamours of the Colopif^?. The ad for this purpofe was called the Declaratory Aft, and was in principal more hoftile to Ame- rican rights than the ftamp aft ; for it annulled thofc refolu- tions and afts of the Provincial Aflemblies, in which they had aflerted their right to exemption from all taxes, not impofed by their own reprefcntatives ; and aUb enafted, " That the parlia- ment had, and of right ought to have, power to bind the Coloniec, in all cafes v hatfoever." The bulk of the Americans, intoxicated with the advantage they had gained, overlooked this ftatute, which, in one compre* henfive fentence, not only deprived them of liberty and property, but of every right incident to humanity. They confidered it as a falvo for the honour of parliament, in repealing an aft, which had fo lately received their fanftion, and flattered themfelves it would remain a dead letter, and that although the right of taxa- tion was in words retained, it would never be exercifed. Unwil- ling to contend about paper claims of ideal fupremacy, they re- turned to their habits of good humour with the Parent State. The repeal of the ftamp aft, in a relative conneftion with all its circumftances and' confequences, was the hrft direft ftep to American independency, llie claims of the two countries were not only left undecided, but a foundation was laid for their extend- ing at a future period, to the impoiTibility of a compromife.— > Though for theprefent Great-Britain receded from enforcing her claim of American revenue, a numerous party, adhering to that i'yftem, referved themfelves for more favourable circumftances to enforce it ; and at the fame time the Colonifts, more enlighten- ed on the fubjeft, and more fully convinced of the reftitude of their claims, were encouraged to oppofe it, under whatfoevcr form it fhould appear, or under whatfoevcr difguife it fhould cover itfelf. Elevated with the advantage they had gained, from that day forward, inftead of feeling themfelves dependent on Great-Bri- AMEHICAN REVOLUTION, 445 ►cy re- Ite. ith all ftep to ^cre not !Xt«nd- kifc— • [ing her to that iftance* [ighten- Jtude of Itfoevcr (hould taiDi they conceived that, in refpef^ to commerce, (he was depen- dent on them. It inspired them with fuch high ideas of the im> portance of their trade, that they confidered the Mother Country to be brought under greater obligations to them, for purchafing her manufafturcs, than they were to her for proteAion and the adminillration of civil government. The Freemen of Britifh America, imprelTed with the exalting fentiments of patriotifm and of liberty, conceived it to be within their power, by future combinations, at any time to convulfe, if not to bankrupt, th« nation from which they fprung. Opinions of this kind were ftrengthened by theii local fitua- tion, favouring ideas, as extenfive as the unexplored continent of which they were inhabitants. While the pride of Britons re- volted at the thought of their Colonies refufing fubjeftion to that parliament which they obeyed, the Americans with equal haugh- tinefs exclaimed " (hall the p^tty ifland of Great-Britain, fcarce a fpeck on the map of the world, controul the free citizens of the great continent of America ?'* Thcl'e high founding pretenfions would have been harmlefs, or at moft, I'pent themfelves in words, had not a ruinous policy, untaught by recent experience, called them into ferious aflion. Though the ftamp a£l was repealed, an American revenue was ftill a favourite ohjeGt with many in Great-Britain. The equity and the advantage of taxing the Colo.-iifls by parliamentary au- thority vere very apparent to their underllandings, but the mode of efFefling it, without hazarding the public tranquility, was not fd obvious, Mr. Charles Townfend, afterwards Chancellor of the Fxchequer, pawned his credit to accomplifh what many (o earneftly defired. He accordingly brought into parliament, in fyS-j, a bill for granting duties in the BritiOi Colonies on glafs, paper, painters colours, and tea, which was afterwards enabled into a law, If the fmall duties impofed on thefc articles had preceded the ftamp aft, they might have pafled unubfervcd : but the late difcufUons occafioned by that aft, had produced amongll the Colonials, not only an animated convi£lion of their exentp. tion from parliamentary taxation, but a jealoui'y of the defigns of Great-Britain. The fentiments of the Americans on this lubjcft bore a great refemblance to thofe of their Britiih countrymen of the preceding century, in the cafe of (hip money. The amount of that tax was very moderate, little exceeding twenty thoufand pounds. It was diflributed upon the people with' equality, pnd expended for the honour and advantage of the kingdom, yet all thefe circumftances could not reconcile the people of England to the impofitioii. It was entirely arbitrary, *' By the fame right,'* 3 L a 444 HISTORY OF THE ,., (aid they, *< any other tax may be impofed." In li|ie mani I ^hc Americans confidcrcd thefe fmall duties in the nature of ait entering wedge, defigned to make way for ethers, which would be greater and heavier. In a reUtiye coni)c£lion with late ads ol parliament, refpeAing domedic manufii£iurcs aiid foreign com- / pierce, laws for impofing taxes on Britifti commodities exported p the Colonics, formed a complete circle of opprefTion, from which there was no po^ibilily of elcaping. The Colonifts ha(i Dceni previoully, retrained from manufacturing certain articles for t^eir pwn confump^ionr Other a£ls confined them to the ^xclufiveufe o^ firitiih nierchandize. The addition of duties put them wholly in the power and difcrction of Great-Britain ; ♦* Ny bers fwore that they would be. revenged. Mr. Harrifon the col- Icftor, Mr, Hallo well the comptroller, and Mr, Irwiae the ia* AMERICAN REVOlVTtOif, 44f tpeftor of imports and exports, were fo roughly handled, as to bring their lives in danger. The windows of fome of their houfes Were broken, and the boat of the colleftor was dragged through the town, and burned on the common. Such was the temper and difpofition of many of the inhabitants, that the coitimiflion- ers of the cuftoms thought proper to retire on board the Romney man of war ; and afterwards to Caftle William. The commif* fioners, from the firft moment of their inftitution, had been an eye-fore to the people of fiofton. This, though partly owing to their gftive zeal in dete£ling fmugglers, principally arofe from the aflbciation which exiftcd in the minds of the inhabitants, between the board and an American revenue. The declaratory aft of 1.766, that revenue aft of 1767 ; together with the pomp and expence of this board, fo difproportionate to the fmall income of the prefent duties, confpired to convince not only the few who were benefited by fmuggling, but the great body of enlight' ened freemen, that farther and greater impofitions of parliamen- tary taxes were intended. In proportion, as this opinion gained ground, the inhabitants became more difrefpeftful to the executive officers of the revenue, and more difpofed, in the freiizy of pa- triotifm, to commit outrages on their perfons and property. The conftant bickering that exifted between them and the inha. bitants, together with the fteady oppofition given by the latter to the difcharge of the official duties of the former, induced the commiflloners and friends of the American revenue, to folieit, the proteftion of a regular force, to be llationed at Bofton. In com- pliance with their wilhes, his Majefty ordered two regiments and fome armed veflels to repair thither, for fupporting and affiding the officers of the cuftoms in the execution of. their duty. This reftrained the aftive exertion of that turbulent fpirit, which fincc the paffing the late revenue laws had revived, but it added to the pre-exifting caufes thereof. When it was reported in Boilon, that one or more regiments were ordered there, a meeting of the inhabitants was called, and a committee appointed to requefl the Governor to iiiue precepts fer convening a general affembly. He replied, "that he could not comply with their requefl, till he had received his Majefty's commands for that purpol'e." The anfwer being reported, Sep- tember 13, fome fpirited refolutions were adopted. In particular, it was voted, that the fclcft mc.i of Bofton (hould write to the feleft men of other towns, to propofe, that a convention be held, of deputies from each, to meet at Faneuil-hall, in Boilon, on the 22d inflant. It was afterwards voted, " That as there is appre- ^nfioi^ ia the minds of many, of an approaching war with 44» til STORY OF THE Franccj thofe inhabitants, who are not provided, be requeued to furni(h themfelves forthwith with arms." ^ Ninety-fix \owns, and eight diftrifls, agreed to' the propofall made by the inhabitants of Bodon, and appointed deputies to attend a convention, btit the town of Hatfield refufed its concurrence • ' ■ . , • .« , ■ ■ • When the Deputies met, they condufked^themfelvei with mode, ntion, difchimed all legiflative authbtjty, advifed the people W pay the^eateft deference to government, . and ^o wait patiently for a rairefs of their grievances from h\^ Majefty's wifdom and mof the conflitution, for in England a man charged witl> a rrirr ';, hnd u right to be tried in the country in which his offence ,vv<:, Ijppo- fed to have been committed. "Jufliceis regularly and i.,ipartiallv' adminiftcrcd in our court," faid the Colonifts, '* 'nd yet by di- reftion of Parliament, oftendcifs are to be taken by force, toge- ther with all fuch perfons as may be pointed out as witneSfes* and carried to England, there to'bc tried in a diftant land, by a jury of (irangcrs, and fubjeft to all the diiadvantagcs which refult from want of friends, want of Witneffcs^ and want of m.oney." The Houfe of Burgoffcs of Virginia met foon after official ac- counts of the joint addrcffes of Lords and Commons on this fub- jeft reached America ; and in a few days after their meeting, paf- Icd rcfolutions expreffing " their rxclufive right to tax their con- ftituents, and their right to petition their Sovereign for redrefs of grievances, and the. lav.' fulnefs of procuring the concurrence of the other Colonies in praying for the royal interpofition in favour of the violated rights of America ; and that all trials for treafon, or for any Qrimc whatfoever, committed in that Colon v, Vol, L 3 M ■ : ii i; i^ HISTORY OF TII£ ought'to be before his Majcfty's courts within the faid Colony $ ind th»t the feizing any, pcrlpn rcfiding in the faid Colony, fuf-^ peeled of any crime Whatfoever committed therein, and fending (i]ch perfon to places ]>eyond the fea to be tried,- Was highly dero- gatory of the rights of Britifh fubje£ls." The tAxt day Lord Botctojuft, the governor of Virginia^, fent for the Houfe of Bur- ge(fes and addreifed them as follows : " Mr. Speaker and gentle^ menof t'he Houfe of Burgefles, I have heard of your refolves, andtlUg^.^Vof their effefis. You have made it my duty to dir^ fjaltjp yiQil^^A you are diffolved accordingly." ^il^i^^^ of North-darolina adopted vefolutions, firoilarto thofeol Virginia,! for whieh Tyron their governor diflblved them* The raen^rs of the Houfe of .Burgeffes in Virginia, and of the AiFembly of North-Carolina,- after their diflblution,, met as privato gentlemen, ehofe theip late fpeakers moderators, and adopted re- folutions againfV importing Briti{h goodsr The non-importation agreement was in this manner forwarded by the very meafures vhlch were intended to curb the fpirit of American freedom, from which it fprung. Meetings of the afToclators were regu- larly held in the various provinces.- Committees were appointed to exarrtrne »11 veffels arriving from Britain. Cenfures were freely paffed on fuch as refufed to concur in thefe aflbciations^ and their names publifhed in the newfpapers as enemies to theiv country. The regular afts of the Provincial Aflemblies were not fo much relpcfted and obeyed as the decrees of thefe committees, the af- fociations were in general, as well obferved as eould be expefted, ootwithflanding there were iome collufions. The fear of mobs, of public refentment and eon-tempt, co-opciating with patrlotifm, preponderated over private intereft and eonvcnieuce. One of the importing merchants of Bofton, who hefitated in his compli- ance with the determination of the inhabitants, was waited upor* by a committc of tradclmen, with an axeman and carpenter at their head, who informed him, " that one thoufand men were waiting for his anfwer, and that if he. refufed to comply, they could not tell what might he the confetjuencc," He complied, and the newfpapers foon after publilhed, that he did it voluntarily. In Boflon, Lieut. Governor Hutchinfon endra'oured to pro- mote a countcr-aiTociation, but without effeft. The friends of importation objeftcd, that till Pailiament made provifion for the punifhment of the confederacies againft importation, a counter- alloc iat ion woul'd anfwer no other purpolc, than to expofe the alTociators to popular rage. The BoJlonians, about this time, went one ftep farther. They re-fiiipped goods to Great-Britain, inftcad of ftoring them as for- merly. This was relbiyedupon in a town meeting, on the infor- AMtRlCAN REVOLVTION. *43^ fnafion of an inhabitant, who communicated a letter that lie' had lately received from a Member of Parliament, in whicli it was &id, " that (hipping back ten thoufand pounds worth of ^oods would do more than ftoring a hundred thoufand." This turned the fcalc, and procured a majority of votes for re-fliipping. Koi f fome capital mere ver would have roufed the bulk of the people, had fioll brought the dil'pute between |hc two coutitries t^ •^^feilp^'iut which every individual was intcrefted. • ^^Vli- On reviewing the condu£l of the Britiiih miniftry refpefting the Colonies, much weaknefs as well as folly appears. For a fuccefr fion of years there was a ftcady purfuit of American- revenue, bu( great inconfiftence in the proje^ for obtaining it, In one moment: the Parliament was for enforcing their laws, the next for repeal, ing them. Doing and undoing, menacing and fubmitting, drains ing and relaxing, followed each other- in alternate fucceflion The objeft of adminiftration, though twice relinquiftied as to prefent efficiency,, was ii^variably burfued, but without any unity pf fyftem, On the gth of May, 17G9, the King in his fpeech to Parlia* ment highly applauded their hearty concurrence, in maintaining ^he execution of the laws in every part of his dominions. Five 4ays after this Ijpeech, Lord Plillfborough, Secretary of State for ^he Colonies, wrote to Lord Botetourt, governor of Virginia: <« 1 can take upon me to affure you, notwithftandingin formations to the contraiy, from men with fa&ious and feditious views, that his Majcfty's prefect adminiftration have at no time entertained a ^cfign to propofe to Parliament to lay any farther taxes upon America, for the purpofc of raifing a revenue, and that it is at prefent their intention to propolc the next felTion of Parliat mcnt, to take off the duties upon glafs, paper, and colours Vpon confidcration of fuch duties having been l:»id contrary to the true principles of commerce." The governor was alfo inform- ed, that "hisMajcfty relied upon his. piudi^nce and fidelity, to make fuch an explanation of his Majcdy's raealurc^ as would tend to remove prejudices, and to rc-eftablifli mutual con fidentx and affcAion between the Mother Country and the Colonics." Ill the exaft Ipirit of his inftruftions, Lord Bofctouvt addrcirod the Virginia AU'onbly as follows: " It may poffibly be objccae*^ tliatas his Majefty's prefent adminiftration are not immort»l, their (ncceflbrs ma- be inclined to r/ ■ :npt vo undo what the prcient >^fe SX..'' m»Mi 454 HISTORY OF THE minifters (Kail have attempted to perform, and to that objeAion | can give but this anfwer, that it isvmy firm opinion that the plan I have dated to you will certainly take place, that it will ne* ver be departed from ; and fo detecmined am I for ever to abide by it,' that I will be content to be declared infamous, if I do not tothe Uft hour of my life, at all times, in all j>laces, and upon all ocAW^j^NWi' eitert every power, with which I either am, or ever Uy invefted, in order to obtain and maintain for the America, that fatisfaflion which I have been atitho. ^|||romi(e this day, by the confidential fervants of our Iveveign, who to my certain knowledge, rates his ^f % iugh, that lie would rather part with his Crown, than prefi^ ii>by deceit." Thafs tflurances were received with tranfports of joy by the Virginians. They viewed them as pledging his Ma^edy for Te- furity, that the late defign for railing a revenue in America m^s tbandoncd, and never more to be rcfumed. The Affembly of Virginia, in anfwer to Lord Botetourt, expreflcd themfelvcs thus : >*,♦ We are fure our moft gtacious fovereign, under what- ever changes may happen in his confidential fervants, will re-> main, immutable in the ways of truth and juflice, and that he is incapable of deceiving his faithful fubjeflii ; and we efteem your Lordfhip's information not only as warranted, but even fan£kified \>Y the royal word." How far thefe folemn engagements with the Americans were obferved, fubfequent events will demonfVrate. In a pei-fe£l: reli- ance on them, mod of the Colonids returned to their ancient habits of good humour, and flattered themfelves that no fu- ture Parliament would undertake to give or grant away their property. From the royal and miniftcrial aflurances given ^ in favour of America in the year 1769, and the fubfequent repeal in 1770, of five fixths of the duties which had been impofed in 1767, toge- ther with the confequent renewal of the mercantile intercourfe between Great Britain and the Colonies, many hoped that the contention between the two countries was finally doled. In all the provinces, excepting Maffachufetts, appearances fccmed to favour that opinion. Many incidents operated there to the pre- judice of that harmony, which had begun elfcwhere to return. The (lationing a military force among them was a fruitful I'ource of uncafincfs. The royal army had been brought thither, with the avowed dcfign of enforcing lubmiffion t/o the Mother Coun- try. Speeches fiom the tlirone, and addrcftcs from both Houics of Parliament, had taught them to look upomthc inhabitants as a faftious, turbulent people, >vho aimed at throwing off all lubor- AMERICAN REVOLUTION i^6 bjc6tion I t the pUn will ne. T to abide f I do not d upon all n, or ever lin for the ecn aUtho. Its of our rates his own, than joy by the :fty for fe- mcrica Wis Lffembly of themfelvcs mdcr what- ,ts, will re-. d that he is 'deem your ;n fanftified ricans were icifeft reli" :ir ancien* ihat no fu. I away their favour of In 1770, of I1767, togc- lintercourfe led that the led. In all fccmed to I to the pre- to return, litful I'ource lither, with Ither Coun- loth Hoalcs jibitants as a all lubor- liifution to Gr«>t Britain. They, on the other hand, were accuC tomed to look upon the foldicry as indruments of tyranny, f«nt on purpofc to dragoon^ them out of their liberties. Reciprocal infults fourcd the tempers^ and mutual injuries embittered the pafllons, of the oppofite parties : befides, fome fiery fpirits who th||ught it an indignity After nn hearihg before that board, in which Dr. Franklin reprefented the" province of Maflfachurctts, the Governor and Lieut; Coverrior were acquitted. Mr. Wedderburne, who de- fended the acdiJKd royal lervanta, in the courfe of hisipleMUngf), inveighed againft Dr. Franklin in the fevereft li fttnenter of the difputes between the two countlli|i^ ;i ] prote£kion to this venerable fage, that being (be:||^ of ^ chufetts, ' he conceived it his duty to inform hit eonftiti letters written on public affairs, calculated to ovr tered conftitution. The age, refpeftability> and ei rafter of the fubjeft of Mr. Wcdderburne's phili li attention of the public on the tranfa&ion. The luiult offered to one of their public agents, and efpecially to 'one whp was both the idol and ornament of his native country, funk deep in thjO minds of the Americans. That a faithful fervant, whom they loved and almoil adored, Ihould be infulted for difcharging^his official duty, rankled in their hearts. Dr. Franklin was alfqjp- mediately difmifled from the o^ce of deputy pod-mader generll, which he held under the crown. It was not only by his tranf- midipn of thefe letters tha^|^e had given offence to the Brltifh miniftry, but by his popular writings in favour of America. Two pieces of his, in particular, had lately attra£ted a large fhare of public attentipn, and had an cxtenfiv(? influence on both rid|s the Atlantic. The one purported to be an edift from the k|M of PrufTia, for taxing the inhabitants of Great-fir itaitiijis defc^ndants of emigrants from his dominions. The other was #ititled^ "Rules for reducing a great empire to a fmaU one." . In both thefe he bad expofed the clain%s of the Mother-Country, and the proceed- ings of the Britifh miniftry, with the fcverity of poignant fatire. For ten years there had now been but little intermiflion to the difputes between Great-Britain and her colonies. Their rcfpcc- tive claims had never been compromii'ed on middle ground. The calm which followed the repeal of the (lamp aft, was in a few months difturbedby the revienue aft of the year 1767. The tran- quillity which followed the repeal of five fixths of that aft in the year 1770, was nothing more than a triice. The refcrvation of the duty on tea, made as an avowed evidence of the claims of Great-Britain to tax her colonics, kept alive the jealoufy of the colonifts, while at the fame time the Rationing of a (landing army in Madachufctts — the continuance of a board of commiflloners in Boflon-— the conflituting the governors and judges of that pro- vince independent of the people, were conftant (burccs of irrita- tion. The altercations which, at this period, were common be- Vol. I. . 3 N IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 m JM moo ^ Ug 12.0 |K8 < 6" / ^/ V V Hiotograjdiic Sciences Corporation '^.V^ 33 WIST MAIN STRUT WfUTIR,N.Y. 145M (716)t72-4S03 '^ 4> ^ tween the royal governors and the principal a0ennblie>, togetmf' with nymerous vindications of the ckims of, America, made thcf iubjcft familiar to the colonifts. The ground of the coiitroverfy Vas canvafied ineVery company. The more the A|q|idricans read, rei%rie4, and conVerfed on thefubjcft, (he nxoravi'ei^e tll^eon* «dF their right to the excV^iive difpo&l ^l^heir prop«e(^^ v red by a determinatioh to refift all encroaehm<|ipii»^ mf Britifli liberty. They were as flbrongty ciiip II to r^tfttfo and reitft parliamentary taxatioii^iiV'; ^9f Qreae-Britain^ of their r%ht to deiAand^idr Ifltoatoittf 'l^ two^ounfrfes being thus inreconcileably op4 rr, the partial calm vhwh fbIIowe> was liable to diilurha'nce from every iicident.'^lfiftfer liidi circumftancies, nothing lefs than the moft ^^ard^d '0ndlift on both itdes could preV^eht a renewal of the l^rov^rfy. Inftead of foU'owing. thafe prudential meSfuret' wl^h would have kept the ground of the dffjpuM' out of fight ftH^^plitic fcheme was concerted between the Britifii mintftrf £aft-India Company, which plac^ the claimi of Greal^ alid of her colonies irt'hoftile array againft each other. Masters were now ripe for the umpit extremities on the pttrt of the Americans;- and they were brought on iufthe foll<(i#i«ig^ n atme r; Though thecountry. In the midft of this eonfufion three (hipa laden with tea arrived it Bofton ; bitf ib much were the captain* alarmed at the difpoiU iaon^mk fe«iaed to prevail among the pe|ople,that they offered, provM^tig theyiijl^d obtain the proper difeharges ^(|{^;j^ tcf^ Kon^p(l^t», cuftom-houfe, ^^ governor, to fivifhottt Unding their cargoes. ^, The parties < they du^ft not order the tea to bey the difcKs^es required. The ihips, tl obliged to remain in the harbour; bu|| tenftve,that if they remained there the tea ImiU quantities, and difpofed of i)i fpite of i pr^vttnt it, refolved to deftroy it at once, executed with equal fpeed and fecrecy. Tltt^' |h# above-mentioned dificharges had been refufed, atliund^r^jr Itipople drefled like Mohawk Indians, boarded the flu|i^ a^d threw inter the Tea their whole cargoes, conlifting of threi hon* dred and forty-two chefts of tea; after which they retired with. ajat making any further difturbance, or doing any more damage, ]Nf0>t«i was decoyed in other placet, though the fame fpiritj^waji evCdty where manifefted. At Philadelphia the pilots Werm -est^ joined not to condui6fc the vefTcls up the river ; and at New-York, ihoiagh the gpvernor caufed fome tea to be landed un(£er tW proleftion of a man of war^ he was obliged to deliyer it up to the Cufl:ody of the people, to prevent its being fold*. The deftruftion of the tea at Bofton, which happened in No* ven^r t773) was the immediate prelude to the difafters attending civil difcord. Government finding themfelves every where in- fulted and defpifed, refolved to enforce their authority by all pof Able means } and as Bofton had been the principal fcene of the riots and outrages, it was determined to pun ifh that city in an exemplary manner. Parliament ^va^ acquainted by a meflage from his Majefty with the undutiful behaviour of the city of Bofton, as well as of all the colonies, recommending at the fame time the moft vigorous and fpirited exertions to reduce them to obedience. The parliament in its addrefs promifed a ready compliance ; and indeed the Americans, by their fpirited behaviour, had now loft many of their partifans. It was propofed to lay a fine on the town of Bofton equal to the price of the tea which had been deftroyed, and to (hut up its port by armed vciTels until the re^ fra£lory fpirit of the inhabitants ihould be fubdued ; which it was (bought muft quickly yield, as a total ftop would thus be put to th^ir trade. The bill was ftrongly oppofed on the fame grounds 3 N 8 '/4'^'^' l'i\- 09 HtttOtiYOFTHM tBst the other hid been ; and \i was predi^di that infteadMll having any tendency to reconcile or fubdue the Amciicani, it^ would infallibly exafperate thiim beyond any pofilbjlity of recon- dliatioli. The. fetitiona, Mgainft it, prefented by tite colony^ •gent, jpo^ted out the iame ^onfequencea in thte ftroftg(4l||nnf , Ifld li^Aili^ft pofitive manner ifeclared that iffj^ A to i, or to foi;ae other colony, if neceiTary, to be tried Tor t|^ (t;i|i|iofed crime. ., ;' • Thefe three bills having pafled To eaftly, the mtniftry propofed a fouirlD, relative to thf government of Canada } which, )f1^ iaid,^ huid tibt been fettled 0nany*propcr' plan, fiy thialjiUt m extQ|t of that pro:|iiiiice WH greatly enlarged ; its aflnirs wut an end led by the ^e£led, and Ufpleafure lew gover- len cbofen to; < this office on account of hi» beinf^ well acquainted in Amert- <;#,' and generally .. agreeable to the people } but human wif- dom could not noV point out t method by wHich the flaae coi44 be allayed., The firfta^ of hii office as ^overno^ W|^ If ffaiov* the aiTetXbly to .$alem^ a townieveate«n nules feqttainceof the tkt a^. ' When this was intiml^^j bly, they itplim by requefttng him ^o humiltltion fo« deprecating the wrath of h< a refiilak When met at Salen, they pafl(0d| ing'the i^effity-6f a genera^ congrd's comf all the provinces, in order to take the al large' into conlidcration ; and five gent the|r oppofition to the Britifli nieafuresi werlfl that of Maflfachuretts Bay. They then pre dition to dr^w up a declaration, containing a detai races they Uboured under^dtnd the ne<^ffity ofexetting thp^ felVes af^ainft laiwlefs power ; they fet forlh 'the difregard (howa to their petitions, aiid the attempt of Great-Britain to deftroy their ancient conftitiition .; and concluded with exhorting the inhabitants power, fuch renunciation of every thing imported redrefs of grievances could be procured. Intelligence of this declaration vas carri(iid to thi^ f oyeif|t)r on the very day that it was completed 4 on which he cUfiUved. the aiTembl^. This yras followed by an addrefs from the inhabitants of Salem in favour of thofe of Bollon, and concluding with thefe remarkable words : " By ihutting. up the port of Bollon, fome imagine that the courfe of trade might be turned hither, and to pur benefit ; but nature, in the formation of our harbour, forbids our becoming rivals in commerce with that convenient mart ) and wefe it otherwife, we mud be dead to every idea of juftice, loft to all feelings ^f humanity, could we indulge one thought to feize on wealth, and raife our fortunes on the ruin of our fuf- fcring neighbours." " . It had been fondly hoped by the minifterial party at home, that the advantages which other towns of the colony might derive from the annihilation of the trade of Boilon would make them readily acquiefce in the meafure qF fliutting up that port, and rather rejoice in it than otherwife ; hut the words of the addrefs above mentioned fecmed to preclude all hopd of this kind; andfubfe- quent tranfa^ions Ibdn manifeHed it to be totally vain. No foqher did intelligence arrive of the remaining bills paflfed in the femon of iy'y4, than the caufe of Bofton became the caufe of all ibe colonies. The port-bill had aheady.occafioncd violent corn- el -V #«• HISTORY OF THE mMioht throughout them all. It had been reprobated in prorfii." fbial nwettngs, ^ndrcfiftan^e even to the laft had been recommend* cd againft fueh pj|^^re£&on, . Jn Virginia, the iftof June, th« (i»y oiryhMh th4^ port of Bofton was to be (hut up, was held at *f^j|j^i|BilMtio^ and a public interceflion in fv/fMroi Ame- Thc ftyle of the prayer en|bined at this time l^^ould give the p^ple one hea)rt and of|9 mind, iinrefy inya^on of the Aniericaa rights**^ I'he tti did not content themfelves witli^ a£U of imended in thei ftronge(t nukin«| a general ^iB^oiues, as fuUy periliaded that an iittempt to an trbkrary manner was in reality an attacl( muft ultimately end in the twin pf ihcm ii|!|«lWf|iPf!picv of New-York and Pennfylvania, however, wcrt left Sanguine than the reft, being fo dqfely connefted in tthe way of trade with Creat^firitain, that the giving it up en- tirely appeared a matter of the moft ferious magnitude, and not to bqt thought of \m% after every other method had fiiiled, The inteljiigence of |^ rtmaining bills refpefiiing Bofton, however, Ipvoad a'freill^lltiritn throughout the continent, and fixed thofe ¥^110 ha4 fec^lied to be the moft wavering. The propofal of fl^^^'yk'*^^ ^°''^™^"*^'^ intercourfe with Britain waji again pro- pofe^ €on|li^butions for the inliabitanti of Bofton were raifed in every nnarter; and they eyery day received addreQcs com. mending them for the heroic courage with which they I'uftained their calamity. The Boftonians on their part were not wanting in their endeavours to promote the general caufe. An agreement was framed, which, in imitation pf former times, they called, a Solemn League and Covenant, By this the fubfcribers moft religioufly bound them* ielves to br^k off all communication with Britain after the moDth of Auguft enfuing, until the obnoxious a^s were repealed ; at the fame time they engaged neither to purchafe nor ufe any goods imported after that time, and to renounce all connexion with thofe who did, or who refi^red to fubfcribe to this covenant; threatening to publifli' the names of the refra&ory, which at this time was a punifhment by no means to be defpiCed. Agreements of a fimilar kind were almoft inftantaneoully entered into through, put all America, General Gage indeed attempted to counterafl the covenant by a proclamation, wherein it was declared an ille* gal and traiterous combination, threatening with the pains of law fuch as fubfciibed or countenanced it. But matters were too far gone for his proclamation to have any effe£i:. The Americans reported the f;harge of illegality on his own |>roclamatipn} anUin* AUERtCAtf kEt^OLUTidit. 4rhe I a£U <^ t general Uempt to aiiatUcV howeyoPi Dpe^ed in J it up «ti- s^ and not iled, The j however, fixed thofc iTopofal of ^ again pi^o- vrcrc raifcd [re{[cs comy i'uIUmed fifted that the law allowed Athjefib to meet in order to confider of their grievances, and^ aflbciate for relief from opprel&oq. Preparations were now made for holding the general congrefa fo often propofed. Philadelphia} u being the mod cailr^«^ god conllderable town, was pitched upon for tht placie ing. The delegate! of whoni it waa to be by the reprefentatives of each province, from two to feven fof each colony, .tb( more than one vote. The firft cougrcfii* phia, in the beginning of September a^f^ one delegates* The novelty and impotiai cited an untverfal attention; and their coul4 not but tend to render them refpc , The firft tSt of congrefs vcas an approbation^ &fa&chufetts Bay, and ui exhortation to contiaue fpirit with which they had begun. Supplies .fcr the fu inhaUtants, whom indeed the operation of tha port-bill had te- duced to great diftreis, were ftrongly recoapiiended; and it waa declared, tbat in cafe of attempts to enforce the obnoxious iSt* by arms, all America fhould join to a(fift» the town of Bofton; and ihould the inhabitants be obliged, during the courfe of hoftilitics^ to remove farther up the country, the lofTes they tni|;l.t luftala ihould be repaired at the public expense. ^ They next addreffed General Gage by Ilstter; in which, hav" ing ftated the grievances of, the people of Maflachufetts colony^ they informed him of the fixed ^nd .unalterable determination of all the other provinces tt> fupport their brethern, and to oppofe the Briti(h »€ts of parliament', that they themfelves were ap- pointed to watch over the liberties of America v and intreated him to difift from military operation^, left fiich hoftilities might be brought on as ^ould fruflrate all hopes of reconciliation with the parent ftate« The next ftep was to publifli the following, declaration of their rights* Declaration or Rights. The good people of the feveral Colonies of New-Hamfhire, Maflachufctts-Bay, Rhode-Iiland, and Providence Plantations, Connc£licut, New- York Ncw-Jcrfey, Pennfylvania, NewcafUe, Kent, and Suflex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Caro- lina, and South Carolina, alarmed at the arbitrary proceedings of the Britifti Parliament and Adminiflration, having feverally elc£l. ed deputies to meet and fit in General Congrefs in the city of Philadelphia, and thofe deputies fo chofen being aflembled on the 5th day of September, after fettling feveral ncceffary preli- •»£», HISTORY OF TH£ Winartet,- proceeded to take into their moiiferious confideirattoff thebeji nmntof attaining the rtdrefs of grievances. In the firft •1m», they, if EngiiOiinen, (and as their ancellors, in like cafes, lave ilfili% done, for averting and vindicating Uieir rights and of the EngliQi Colonies^ in North Ame- il^wa of nature, the principles of the En- the icveral Chartlbrs or Compafts, have , That they are entitled to life, liberty, p!ft ney^r ceded, to atiy fovereign .power ^^rpofe'of either without ^irconfent* ^^at our anceftors wdre, at the time of their ^_ Mother-Country, entitled to ill the ri|lits, ^Mttunities, of free and natttral'bom fubje^ with-' i&lh6ty>lm of England. Refblved^ «. c. 3. ,TJiati by fuch emigration, they neithei" for- feited, furrendered^ nor loft, any of thofe rights. Halved, «♦ ind petition tlfej|i^ '"'^' *^^" }Jrof4$ciitioHil, pfohibitdi^ ptDchi|||^^| ihe fame, are illegal* Refolyed, tr. c. 9; That the kee; Colohiei, in time of peacej without.! of that colony in which fuch armjl^ itl Rifqlvedj n. t, 16. It » indifpenf vehWMlntj and rendered effentiat by thai thf cotyftituefit braiithes ofthelegtl , each other; that, theirefore, the exercife bfl fieveral Colbnies, by a Cotincil appointed duruif ^^ppfipMiiRptne Grown j is unconftitutional, dan^crou^ and deftitli^vW m th« iVeedom of American legiflation. Alt and each of which, the aforefaid Deputies, inr l^hal^ of themfelves and their conftituents, do (Claim, deittind^ and in'ffft dn^ as their indubitable n((hts and liberticf, which' cannot be le- gally taken from thcm^ altered or abridged by an^, p6Wer V^hafj ever, without their own confent, by their ReprCfiinitativev in their Teveral provincial iegiflatures. ReCnlved, n. c. Thai the following A&% of Padiament are in-' fringemcnts and violations of the rights of the Colon'^is: and that (he repeal of them is cfTentially neccflary, in oi^der to re« ftore harmony between Great-Britain and thfe American ' denies, Vllir The fcVeral Afts of 4 Geo. III. ch. 15. and; ck 34.— ^5 Geo. HI. ch; 25.-16 Oeo^ III. ch. 591. — 7 Geo. III. Ch. 41. and ch. 46.-8 Geo. in* ch* 8 a; which impofe duties for the purpofe of taifing a revenue ini America, extend the powers of ihe Admi- hlty Courts beyond their ancient limits, deprive the American fubjc^ of trial by Jury, authorife the Judges' certificate to in- demnify the profecutor from damages that he might othcrwife be liable toy re'-J*» '<-,.. .|66 HisranYOFTHt: ihe^^romifiittlng any offence dcfcrihrd in the faiil Aft nut officer ' i^aln, to be indiftedind tried for the liune in uny fltire or coun- ty within the rcdlm, Alib'ftfV three Afti puflcd in the U(l Seilimt of ParNamenr, for the yon and blocking up the harbour of Boilon, fpr al« Itr Mkd government of MaflHchufetta'Aay, and that Aft for Che better adminiftration of 9 fame Sedion for eftablifliing the . th« Provinee of Quebec, aboliihing i(h lawa, andercCking a tyranny there, total a diflimilnrity of religion, law, ghbouring British Cc^oniei, by the end treal'ure the faid country wu con- in the fame Sefllon for the better piovid* ing itmiide tjuartera f9r ul&«era and Ibldicra in hia Majefty't fer* vice in North>America» Rololved, That this Congrela do approve* of the oppoAtion made by< the inhabitanta of the Mairachuietta-Bay, to the execu- tion of the fiud late Afts of Parliament \ and if the fame fhall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in fuch cafe, all America oii^t to fupport them in their eppofuiom . Kefplved) That the removal of the people of Bofton into the country, woukl be not only ejitremdy difBcutt in the execution but To important in its confequenccs, as to ree^iuire the utmoft dc- libcrntion before it is adopted. But in cai'e the Provincial Meet* ing of that Colony fhall judge it ahfolutely nccelfiftry, it ia the.opini- on of this Congrcfs, that all Amcricii ought to contribute towards cccompcnfmg them f»r the injury they may thereby iufHin. Kcl'oK'cdy 'I'hat thia Congrel's do recommend to the inhabitants of Malfuchuietts-'Bay, to Uibmit to a fufpcnfion of the adminiftra. tion of jufliicc, where it cannot be procured in a legaV and peace- able manner, under the rules of the charter, and the laws founded thereon, until the elfcUs of our application for the repeal of the A£ks by which their charter-rights arc infringed, is known. Relolvcd unaniinoufty, That every perfon who fhall take, ac- cept, or aft under any commifnon or authority, in any wife de- rived from the aft pafTcd in the lafl; Scthon of Parliament, chang- ing the form of Csbvernmcnt, and violating the charter of tiic Province of Mafluchul'cttS'Bay, ought to be held in dctcflatlon^ and confidered ^% the wicked tool of that dcfpotifm which u preparing to dcitroy thofe rights which Gud, nature, and com- pa6l^ hath given to America. i(fi4ik or court' 4874. Refolved unanimoiifly t))«t the p«npl« omnHmlmd th^ Mifei ftchulcttihay, b« advticd ftill tu conduft themrelvM p«it«lbly^ «ow«rdi his K«c«Urncy Gonenl C*go, «nd h)i Majtfty'i t#M>i ", now {Utioncd in tho town of Buftdii, n far m ««ik ^VUfipiV. * Aft with their immcdiit* fafety and, the feourity «f t|t|9)f ji ) •voiding and difcounttnnidnf every yi * " ---^^.11^?. property, or any ini'uU to l|| troa|^( | ' firmly perfevere In the lint ||i ^emfelvea mn the defenftve. Refolved, That the reislng, or In AmeHra, in order to tranfport . triti of offences, committed within ^ rica, being againft law, will juftify^ liftance and reprifal. A copy of a Utter to General Gage il ind, agreeable tu order,, figned by the fowl j PhiMt^t,mn li, 1771. "Si a, "'■ " The inhabitants of the town of Bofton have inf^med us tho Rcprcfentativcs of his Majcfty's fnUhful fubjcfti In att the Co* loniea from Nova-Scotia to Georgia, that ilie' fortlfiottlbns erc^ ing within that town, the frequent invafiona. of priMe properly, and the repeated inlults they receive from the foldicry, hath given them great real'on to fufpeft a plan is formed very diftiuaivc to 'them, and lending to overthrow the libcrtiea of America, " Your EKellcncy cannot be a ftrangcr to the fentimentsof Ame- rica with refpeft to the late Afts of Parliament, under the execu- tion of which thofc unhappy people are opprcfled; the npproba. tion univerfally exprcflcd of their conduft, and the determined rcfolution of the Colonics, for the prcfervntion of their Common Rights, to unit^ in their oppofition to thofe Afts. In confequenco of thefe fentiments, they have appointed us the guprdians of their rights and liberties, and we are under the dcepell concern, that whilft we are purfuing every dutiful and pcueable meafure, to procure a cordial and cffcftual reconciliation between Great Bii- tain and the Colonics, your Excellency fhould proceed in a man. ner that bears fo hoftilc an appearance, and which even thofe op. prelHve Aflis do not warrant. We entreat your Excellency to confidcr, what tendency this conduft muft hayc to irritate and force a people, however well difpofed to peaceable meafurcs, into hoftilities, which may prevent the endeavours of this Congrcl's to re (lore s good undcr- ftanding with a Parent State, and may involve us in the horrors of a civil war, j O a 46i ^Ht^TORYOFTHB ^. . . . '* ■ ''* In order therefore to (|uiet the minds, tnd remove the reifon* ablcjealouficf of the people, that they may not be driven to a ftate of ''delperation, being fully perfuadcd of their pacific difpofttioti |Owa|fia')he King^a troopt| could they he aflured of their ovm ^''ll^'tyxi^li^t i^fp y^ ^^^ difcpntinue Ihe fortifica^ioni in ind ^^~"f ny further ^yaftona of private property fo^^eri, and give orders tlut the tiywn apd country nuy be open, bchaU of the Genenl Copgreis, pEYTQN RANDOLPH, Prefident.'^ fitvour of a nou-iinportation and noq- Fgood} until the a£ls were repealed by uppn tea, coffee, wine, fugar, an4ilH)r laflel^inHippii^ America, as well as the Bofton port-aft, au4 the thr^ramm |^^ed ii^ the preceding fefllon of parliament* The neiii^jregulatioiliagainil the importation and confuroption 0| l^ritiilf co||flqiDditlie» were then drawn up with great fq^emnityi pnd lYic^ excluded wi(h feti^rning the ^anx|cft thanl^s to thofe members pf parliament who had with fo much ieal, though v^itl^. put any (Vicccfsi oppofed the obnoxious a6U of parliament. Their next proceedings where to frame a petition to the King. an addrefs to the Britifl^ nation, and another to the colonies; all of which where fo much in the ufual ftrain of American language for iome time paft, that it is ncedlcfs to enter into any particular account of them. It is I'ufficient to fay that they were all drawn up In a inaf^crly n^anner^ and ought to have imprefled the pepple of this f ountry with a more favourable idea of (he Americans (han they cou|d at that time be induced to entertain. . . All this time the difpofition of the people had correfponded with the warmel^ wiihes pf Consrefs. llie firft of June had been kept as a fail, not pnly thjrpughout Virginia, yrhere it was firft propofed, but through the whole continent. Contributions for the diflreflcs of Bof^on had been raifed throughout America, and people of all ranks feemcd to be particularly tQtichjed with them* Even thofe who feetned to be mod |ikely to deriye advantage^ from them took no opportunity, as has been already inflanced in the caic of Sulcm. The inhabitants of Marble-head alfo (hewed a noble example of magnanimity in the prclent cafe. Though fitu. ated in the neighbourhood of Boflun, and mod likely to derive benefit from their diilrclTes, they did not attempt to take any advantage, but gencroufly offered the ufe of their harbour to the Boflonians, as well as their wharfs and warehoufes, free of all cxpcnce. In the mean time the Britiih forces at BoiUn wer^ fponded Udbeen ru firfl m$ for ica, and them* ^antagcs iced in :wed a ^h fitu. 1 derive le any to the of all wer? AMERICAN REVOLVm^OH. ^ continually increifing in number, which frMUy ■ugmenNd tb« gcneril jealoufy and dirai^ioni the 'country ivtr^ ratdy to rUb •t a moment's warning t and the experiment was made by | a Hdfe ahnn that thercoQummicadon bctwctn ' iry waa ivbc cut ol^ in OMier to reduce a compliance with the aftl^|f ParliaiMl the country people aflemUediB greet ni^ fatitfied till they hed lent nMfleofei the truth of the report. ThcTe form the town's people, that if th^' as to make a furrender of their not think itfclf bound by fuch exam| breaking their original clufrter, had ^fting bctWfeea them, and left them proper. The people in every other refpeft man! determination to adhere to the p)an they The new counfellors and judges were obligfcd'^io i^Min their offices, in. order tu prcferve their lives and propcrtiefrnoi^ the fury of the multitude* In fome places they Ihut up'^lihe avenuef to the court-houfes ; and when required to make way |br the judges, rt'plied, that they knew of none but fuch H were ap?> . pointed by the ancient ufage and cuftom of the province. Every where they nianifefted the moft ardent defire of learning iht art .of war; and every individual who could bear arms, was moft af. fiduous in procuring them, and learning their exercife. Matters at taft proceeded to fuch an height, that General Oage thought proper to fortify the neck of land, which joins the town pi Bofton to the continent, This, though undoubtedly a pru- dent meafure in his fituation, was exclaimed againft by the Anie* rtcans in the moft vehement manner ; but the General, inftead of giving ear to their rcmonftrances, deprived them of all power of a£ling againft hlmfelf, by feizing the provincial powder, pmuni* tion, and military ftoros, at Cambridge and Charleftown. This excited fuch indigilation, that it was with the utmoft di^culty the people could be roftraincd from marching to Bofton and at* tacking the troops. £vpn in the town iti'elf, the company of cadets that ufed to attend him difbandcd themfelves and return- ed the ftandard, he had as ufual prcfented them with on his ac- celfion to the government. This was occaAoncd by his having de« prived the celebrated John Hanpock, afterwards prcfident "of the conijrefs, of his commiilion as colonel of :he cadets. A ftmilar ipftance happened of a provincial colonel having accepted a feat in the new council ; upon which twenty-four ofEccrs of his rc;- |iment refi^ned their coipmiflions ifi one day. 47^ STORY OF In the mean tMM^fe t|feeting was held of the principal inhahl, taqU of tb« towas Myaeani to Bofton. The- piirport of thia was iHt^ifty to renounce aU.obedience to the late »£ls of parliamcnti |[eillent to indemnify fuch as (hould be proi- itit;. the membera of the he# council were rights of their (Ountry s all ranks and de- im th^ ufo of arms ; and the receivers ordered not to deliver it into the ^^Hieir own hands till the conflitution vlacial congrefa difpofe pf it other- ^e fortifications on Bofton Neck was •, however, they ftill pretended their 14 to any hoftile meafurea; afferting only j^ermination not to fubmit to the a£is of par- ly fo much complained of^ The Gdver-^ if pofllble, called a general aflembly ; ^council had reitgned their feats, that he was inducetl^iit toiuntermand its fitting by proclamation. This mea- fuise, howvreri was deemed illegal ; the aifembiy met at Salem ; and after waiting, a day for the Governor, voted themfelves into • provtnrtttcial congrefs, of which ]M[r. Hancpck was chofen Pre. fident. A committee was inftantly appointed, who waited on the governor with a remonftrance concerning the fortifications on Bofton Neck ; but nothing of confecjuence took place, both par, ties mutually criminating each other. The winter was now com- ing on, and the Governor, to avoid (juartering the foldiers upon the inhabiti^nts, propofcd to ercft barracks for them ; but the lelcft men of Bofton compelled the workmen to defift. Carpenters were fcnt for to New-York, but they were refufed ; and it w»« with the utmoft difHculty that he could procure winter lodgings for his troops. Nor was the difficulty lefs in procuring clothes; , as the merchants of New- York told him, that " they would 4^ever fupply any article for the benefit of men fent as enemiei; to their country." This difpofition, known to be almoft univerfal throughout the continent, was in the higheft degree l'?.tisfa£bory to congrefs, Every one faw that the enfulng fpring was to be the ieai'on for commencing hoftilities, and the moft indefatigable diligence was ufed for the colonies to be well provided againft fuch a formicla- ble enemy. A lift of the fencible men in each colony was made out, and efpccially of thofe who had fervcd in the former war j of whom they had the fatisfaftion to find that two-thirds wtre ftill alive and fit to bear arms. Magazines of arms were collec- ted, and money was provided for the payment of troops. The governors in vain attempted to put a ftop to thetc proceedings by •V!li,.^» AMERlCAIf REVOLU. 41i al inhabU F this was arliamentt Id b« pro* mcil were ks and de< s receivers L into the >nftitution t it othef- Neck waJ tided their erting only »a» ofpar- :he Goiver- d affembly ; that he was This tnea- t at Salem i mfelvcs into chofen Pre, aitcd on the ifications on ;c, both part as now com- jldiers upon )ut the lelcft Carpenters ; and it w»« ter lodgings ing clothes; / they would as enemies •oughout the to congrefs, ic I'ealon for iiligcnce was ;h a formida- ny was made jformer war ; -thirds >^^«e were coUec- Iroops. The oceedin§sby inft proclamations : the fatal period wasnowi|rH|red.; and the more the iervants of government attempted to repitoiil the fpirit of the Ame* ricans, the more violent it appeared. The beginning of ftrife between the nr^nt lonies was like the letting out of waters, caufes love was changed intofufpicion that^ ill will, and foon ended in hoftility. Pi procal intercil, urged the expedtency fjire honour, and mifconceived digiiit) reflion. Undecided claims and doubtf influence of wifdom and humility ml promifcd,, imperceptibly widened into aiifii Hatred at length took the place of kind aI ties of war were fubftituted in lieu of thei From the year 1 76B, in which a military^ oned in Bofton, there was a conilant fucceifipii looks, and geftures. The inhabitants were the foldiers, and they againft the inhabitants, on the latter as the inftruments of tyranny, and the latter on the former as fiditious rioters, or fraudulent fmuggters. In this irri- table ftate, every incident, however, trifling, made a fenfible im- preflion. The citizens apprehended conftant danger from an armed force, in whofe power they were ; the foldiers, on the other hand, considered themfiplves as in the midft .6f their ene- mies, and expofed to attacks from within and without. In pro- portion as the breach between Great-Britain and her colonies widened, the diftruft and animoftty between the people and the army increafed. From the latter end of 1774, hoftiile appear- ances daily threatened that the flames of war would be kindled from the coUifion of luch inflamn;table materials. Whatfoever was done by either party by way of precaution, for the piirpofes^ of felf-defence, was conilrued by the other as preparatory to an intended attack. Each difclaimed all intentions of commencing hoftil^ties, but reciprocally manifeflcd fufpicion of the other's, fmcerity. As far as was prafticable without an open rupture, the plans of one were refpeftivcly thwarted by the other. From' tvery appearance it became daily more evident that arms mufti oUimately decide the conteft. To fuffer an army that was foon expe6led to be an enemy, quietly to fortify themfclves, when the inhabitants were both able and wilting to cut them off, appeared to feme warm f'pirits the height of folly ; but the prudence and moderation of others, and cfpccially the advice and recommen. dation of Congrcis, rcft^rained their impctuofity. It was a for. tUnate circumftance for the colonics that the royal army was poft. cd in New-England. The people of that nothcrn country have UtTsi: ^$TiSim.Y OF THE tKetr'.paflfion^ more ynder the command of reafon and intcfefty than in th<| fouthern latiuides, where a warmer fun excites, » grifialer jJigi|je of irafcibility. One ralh ofFenfive a£lion againf^ this early period, though fuccefsful, Jiiighthave t^e catife of America. It IJirouJid have lofl and weakened the d^fpoiition of the other l^he patient and pbUlie New-England |eir fituation, fubmitted to many infults, In civil wars or ^ resolutions, it is :e who (IriiEes the firft blbw. The favour of the attacked, and the dif- lofe who are the fird to imbrue their i^or the fpace of nine months after the tthe behaviour of the people of Bofton i^ imitation, by thofc who wifli to overturn S|ts^< ^ they condu£ied their oppoiition witk They avoided every kind of outrage and vio- plice and gpod order among themfelves^ fuccefs- fully en^ga^|sdi the other Colonies to make a common caufe with t^em^fsnyl covntera6ted General Gage fo eife^ually,- a9 to prevent his doinf any thing for his royal mafter, while by patience and moderation they ikreened themfelves from cenfure. Though refolved to beistr as long as prudence and pblicy diflated, they were ad the tnne preparingr for the la ft extremity, "ithcy were fur- nifhing themfelves with armsr and ampunition,- and training their militia. ProviHons were alfo eolle&cd and fllored in diiferent places^ particularly at Concord, about twenty miles f(om Bofton. Ge- neral Gage, though zealous for his royal mafter's intereft, dif- eovered a prevailing defire after a peaceable aceommodation.' He wifhed to prevent hoftilities by depriving the inhabitants of the means neccffary for carrying them on. , With this vic%v he determined to deftroy the ftores" which he knew were coUeftcd for the fupport of a provincial army^ Wifhing to accomplifh ' this without tiloodflied, he took every precaution td effefi: it by furprife, and without alarming the country. At cfcven o'clock at night on April i8, eight hundred grenaneord, under the command of Licutenant-Colonpl Smith, Neither the fccrccy with which this expedition was planned, the privacy with which the troops marched out, nor an order that no one inhabitant fliould leave Bofton, were fufficicnt to prevent intelligence from being fcnt to the country militia, of what was going on. About AMERlCAlf R£VOI/t/tlO^, .*U two 1 into fcWo in the mOrning one hunidred and Xhttty oFthd Lekiiiglt^inU litiii had atTembled to oppofe theth, but the Air b^i^g chilly, and intelltgente rerp«£iing the regulars ontodHaifi, |)j^ '«|l^ )^^^ fed^ with orders to appear again at beat of afecond tiiM to the number of feVdily,- o-dock in the morning) and the Briti their appearance. Major ntcaimi) 'W'.^ rode lip to thenl tnd oalM eiiuti ^' down your arms and difperfe.* on which he advanced neare^-««idi9( hit foldicrs to fire. This Was doi&c ' of the militia was the confequenci;, wis neyerthelefs continuedi Indivi upon) though difperfing, returned idjlitia were killed on the green ; a fe# had begun to difperfe* The royd ■poncord, and executed their commiiifibn/ f tMfenty-fbur pbunders-'-'threw five htindre4 rivers and wells^ and l^roke in pieces about fixty barirels of flours Mr. John Butterick of Concord, major of a minute regiment^ not knowing what had paffcd at Lejtington, ordered his men n^ to give the firft fire^ that they might not b^ the aggrefibrs* Upon his approa^ching near the regulars, they fired^ and killed Captain Ifaac Davis, and one private of the provincial minute meii^ The fire was returned, and a ikirmilh cnlucd. The King's troopS haying d<>ne their bufinefs, began their retreat toWards Bofton^ This was condufled with expedition, for the adjacent inhabitants had aflfembled in arms« and began to attack them in every direct tion. In their return to Lexington they were exceedingly an-* noyed) both by thofe who prcfled on their rear, and others who pouring in on all fides, f cd from behind (lone walls^ and -^h like coVsrts, which fuppliedthe place of lines and redoubts^ Lexington the regulars were joined by a detachment of nine hundred men, under Lord Piercy, which had been fcnt out by General Gage to fupport Lieut.enant-icolonel. Sl9ith« This rein- forcement having two pieces of cannOa awed the provincinls, and kept them at a greater diftance, but they (Continued a conflant, though irregular and fcattei ing fire, which did great execution* The clofe firing from behind the walls by good mark (men, put the regular troops in no fmall confufion^ but they neverthelefs kept up a briik retreating fire on the militia and minute men< A little after (unfct the regulars reached Bunker's Hill, worn down with exceflive fatigue, having marched that day between thirty and forty miles. On the next day they «roired Charleftown ferry and^rcj^urned to Boftun. .? " Vol. i. 3 P 40 M'MTaHY OF Tftt .ttl^K)* never wtre n^ovt ^htin four hundred provincials engaged dt €»tt« time, and often Kiot fo many ; a$ fomc tired and gave oUt^ other|^»4p>iip and took their places^ There was fcarcely any OJJUllJi(BM>l''KWf|^jiiiii)i)l[ them; officers and privat^f fir0d.wheni a royal uniform, without Vrahing for ^IITieir knowledge of the epuntry enabled by crofling fields and fences, and to the Kilig?s troops who kept ,to the IdUiBd, one hundred and eighty prifonet^. Of the provincialt (ht wounded and miffing. I eontroverfy, it was fortunate for ll'ft. blood was drawn in New-England. Intry are fo conne£ted with each other 1, ptditics, and a general equality, that the' klKIM^HMPIti^ individual inteir;ft the wh<^^ and made them comPw^w^<| Ik common caufc. The blood of thofe who were killediit Lexington and Concord proved the firin cement of an ejttellfive unioRi, « ' To prevent the people within Bofton from co-operating with their countrymen without, in cafe of an adault, which %vas now daily expc£led« General Gage, April 22, agreed with a cotmhittce of the town, that upon the inhabitants locking their arms in Faneuil- hall, or any other convenient place, under the care of the feleft men, all fuch inhabitants as were inclined, might depart from the town, with their families and effeCb. In five days after the rati- fication of this agreement, the inhabitants had lodged one thou- fand Icven hundred and feventy-eight fire arms, fix hundred and thirty-four piftols, two hundred and feventy-threc bayonets, and thirty-eight ^lunderbulfes. The agreement was well obfervcd in the beginning, but after a fhort time obftrufticns were thrown in the way of its final completion, on the plea that perfons who went from Bo (Ion to bring in the goods of thofe who chofe to continue within the town, were not properly treated. Congrefs remon- ftrated on the infraftion of the agreement, but without efFe£]:. The General, on r farther consideration of the confequences of mioving the whigs out of Bofton, evaded it in a mapncr not con- fident '.vith good faith. He was in fome meafure compelled to adopt this difhonourable meafure, from the clamour of the torics, who allcdgcd, that none but enemies to the Britifli government were difporcd to remove, and that when they were all fafe with their families and effefts, the town Would be fet on fire. To prevent the provincials from obtaining fupplics which they much wanted, a" quibble was made on the meaning of the word effcfts, AMERICAN REVOJ^UXION. I75 wlikH was eonibrued by the general ai not including merchaodtcc' ;^By this cpnilrudion, unwarranted by every rule of genuine in* < terfnretatton, many who quitted the town were deprived of their, ufual rcfources for a fupport. Paffports \ttxn n<)ti ui||iw|||(jjjly ic 1 fufed, bat were given out very flowly^ aiM|p|l^;'|mnn^JWiM conduced that families were divided,^*' from their hufbanda, children from^ tli and infirm, from their rclatioB| and ff ^ vered a difinclinattonib part with thj ing that, on their account^ the pK'Ovic making an aftault on the town, aflurancc that the inhabitants had d| at coyer for violating the agreemcnt^^ mation, in which he aflcrted that ho A trary. A fety might have i'ecreted 4h all the training arms were delivered u|h;^^i|l|ii^^ the Generalfactjjficed his honour, to pf(4loy i the tories. Contrary to good faith he fairly entitlelkyv 'fiuren«iiiien» ligfUift! tih« Britiih burned fliore ftrongty: thktf'>«>ver^^ NbdiM Tug* took i^ffeffion of, the br«sft« of t^^jj^ fifi^JJiiki^^ »n4 •ffo^iations (iibfenNiRipi "" " *'" "*"" jiii^fo-an«UiitoMiBr>y the fftcffc4tie§of ho. ribotttitry, to> doi yshiCflfy«r Iheir p^blio iTtnrVatlon of their )i|i|Pti¥i. Htthert(» «^y^ /i«MA |^li^pl«»P^ >rs. ^, their ;miUt«ry iregu? 1^1^ under 'the old e(Ul ^ce of the Colonies, the ixC yiy years, enrolled u|ifiomp«mfSy kws lor this ptit^ofo«|^sd nevf» IjliHtte months ]»revidi(if't%i^|<«^ smtnigemcnts, which' IM -iMiieit ling the Colonics from hoftilefrtneh etfion turned sgainft the trooptof th« igasines,: and arfenals, by the conftttutioti of th^ (^mHPIpPl^ in the . keeping of his Majefty. Immediately after t||H|^eiiKil||pii^ b^ thcfe w«re' for the mod part takei| poffeOion^'^^f ^^^S^°^^ ''^^ Colonics, by parties of the provim ciallmlitlkl ''Hr)C4^^ in which was a (matl royel garrifon, was furpje|fderatc even among the Americans, but 'that 6vent juftified a bolder, line of oppofition than had been adopted.— Sundry citizens having been put to death by Britifh troops^ ielf-prefervition dieted nfieaiures which, if adopted under other cireumftahces, would have difunited the Colonifts, One of the moil important <^ this kind was the railing an aroiyJ^ Men of warm lempers, whofe courage exceeded their prude&ce, had for monthjiriirged the nccefilty pf raiting troops ; but they were re- ftrained by the more moderate, who wi0ved ()ut the Colonies might avoid extremities, or at lead that they might not lead in bringing them on. The Provincial Congrefs of Maifachufetts be- ing in iellion at the time the battle of Lexington was fonght, voted that ^' an army of thirty thoufandmen be immediately raifed . that thirteen thoufand Hx hundred be of their own province, and that a letter and delegate be lent to the feveral Colonies of New-Himplhire, Connedicut, and Rhode>Iflandt In eonfe^uence of this vote, the butinel's of recruiting was begun, arid in a fliort time a provincial army was paraded in the vicinity of Bofto^i, ^hich, though far below what had been voted by the Proyincia) AMZmCAN'REVOZV^^Mpk 477 ^' CongreftI wai .duieh fnperior in numbeis WUlielfiijniI m«^» Tb« v-^nil^d of this force v^ given to Genenl Wird*. Hill thetBHtiih troops confined tfaemielves t^ fot* ^ ^Sth of April, tMtffetiiMing an only Ibr^^tHi pttffvfo of oblervatioq jM^ appeared in thevftiUture ff ,« ch«K| man/ lefs wilHtif tq fwpbfl t^ P< ter the Briufli had exMnnfBnom^ot adopted, witkbut fi^cAbg^^'au^ without giving offence or hai hittle not only f unu&ed the^^ g^: for railing an army, ' hut ioQpiit prq^ie£l* ' Amtdil; ^e moft anti fbitaiil^: 'and.rifquing life itfeU^ itghwi a (ecret €gh would Irequiii^ hev.mekft determined friends, for befcf^eMhe hravery.and difciplinlk <4^ Vrautd (hake their heads and la^i^' wiiht you futcefs, biit I fear that your iii»illliip|iP^^'twi(Mld'lkMiny crown 58' >l»tt|«!, tnd/^ confcquenoe mf the > toimiihllfonf Jsrti, and r fertificttSbnt, i#diJlMiifii>>| the PmvmciMls^ but j)n«y ftroek for their fupport* ^iayi (?«trt&ncd to the New«£fi|^ ' ^ j^ioiit'lhe Colenitt. The 4»- Iriiametit to enfoiiee liibmUfiMi >t«| W Lexington bftlle, «ame to^4hi i^the iame 4iine. It w»*^ £a{9>(>fed in Confc^uence of the foroiWP» *»d Eiiit brdera to proceed unmfditixif to ■ :frott to ci ^fcirctfwrftances the Amerjaha hsid good rcifon .„ ,w^,^-- thSfhoftiliStes would foon be cait4od on yigoroufly iri'^lillllcliufeii, *and i(ifi#«b apprehend that, fooner or later, each p^^^'-H^GiM'^ the theatre of war. "The more fpeedily, theM«|^ i^fifey, wear* prepared for that event, the better chahle^^ilV* for defehdittg owrfclvei." Previews to khia peri, od, 6r ra«he«^to tli« jgth qf ApYl!, 1775. t^c difputc had been carried on tf Ihe pen, or at moft by affociation* and Icgiaativc aai-, 4>ut frotn^his time forward it was cohdufted by the fword. ifhl ^ifis ^» arrived when the Colonies had no alternative, but eithci^^ #bmit to the mercy, or to refift the power of Great- Britii«. An unconquerable lave of liberty could not brook the idca%f fiibmiffion, while reafon, more temperate in her decifions fugicaed to the peopk t'neir infufhciency to make effeaual op- p&fitiori. They were fully apprised of the powfir of Brium— they kn^w that her fleets covered the* ocean, and that her flag hadwa^ed in triumph through .the four quarters of the globe; hut the animated language of the timfe was, ♦* It is better to die freemen than to live flaves." Though the juRicc of their caufe, and the infpiration of liberty gave, in the opinion of difmtereftcd judges, a fuperiority to the writings of Americans, yet in the latter mode of condufting their oppofition, the candid among thcmfclves acknowledged an inferiority. Their form of govern- ment was deficierit in that decyion, dijpatch, ?nd coercion, whick are neceflary in military operations. In the year 1775, a martial fpirit pervaded all ranks of men m th Colonics, Thi^y believed their liberties to be in danger, and AMKKHAI9 RUraiUttO^, m t crown ictt&bni, Ulft* Vttt fupt^rt. «w4tiny' The 4#- itfllon 10 le to;!tliA itmt •«»* dti(^ to tMidreifen yigoraufty later, each B fpoedily* the better . J this peri- : had been legiftative the fword. lative, but of Great. brook the ' declfions Feftual op- Briuin— It her flag the globe; jtter to die caufe, and lifmtereftcd yet in the iiiid among of govcrn- ion, wh^ck Is of men in tanger, and inr^. g^eiplly difj^llKl lo rtf<|«i» iheir Uvea for their •(UUiih^ meiit* Their jlgn«drMic« of. the militery «rt prev«ttt«4 the^iiNsiib. inf th« «hilil«M of WMr with that esi£ln^i» ofi4|^ if iodulftd^ mifhl>lN(v^ dimped their ho| ihtt there wwrlilll* i/mm to. do l]^' country. Thiy 'tMlMti Jkhemreti their firft attemilt migllf; bf uofuccl admit of a repeiicfton lel ithfi,4|q|leHi teUy exterminate:, M#v)ii|ilidei| loi^ft purfa decidei fliilto«te'^|i|nr iiilthi wealth of Brittiiin. ^ihV/ th» Hfhoie difp^^te would be. iitgagmtfiitm Elevated with th^tli ih«>,^ of «#n£iq)iejni«et, by an baled by ^caUutatjl^ about the exteatir^i of tl^ war, the people of Atnetica feci ndqily in an appdtl to Heaven for the vii Al tile tittttihe Colonicaadojptc4thil» Spirited cefeliililvi^ jfUXMSt^ not 1 fingle ibip of werii nof fo much aa an'lrnwd viffd that their Ifap^ ioBritain; thta w«i The. lowe of pro^ ai|iitiated vota- [fiNli thcmCelyea ihould be laid eft/and «nj«»y aabfiBrarediii- ' uth ol Iny kind. It had often towns ley at the mercy of the n both known and believed^ but petty was 4>forbed in the love ol/ltbei rtes of the equal righta ,of human with the idea, that though their wli||» in alhf% they xoitld retire to f he wc^mk the lujtury. of being free; on thia octal C0hgre(3 by Chriflopfaer Gadtden, on* of delegates, "Our houTes being conftruifted wood, though deitroyed may be rebuilt} b^l is loft for ever." The fober difcretion of the prefent age will fure than admire, but can mqre eafily admire th^g^miUie the fervid zeal of the patriots bf 1775^ ^ho in idea'j^kii^i^jed- pro^ perty in the caufe of liberty, with the cafe that they nqiilr* lacri- ^ce almoft every other conftderation for the acquiQtion of property. / The Revenues of Britain were immcnfc, and her people were habituated to the payment of large fums, in every form which contributions to government have aiTumed; bat the American Coloaies pol&fTcd neither money nor funds, nor were their peo- ple accuftomed to taxes equal to the exigences of wa^ , The conieft having begun about t^xatipn, to have railed money by taxes, for carrying it on would have been impolitic. The temper Bfthe tioies precluded the necefllty of atteni|>ting the dangerous Ito >' BtStOttYOtTUe * aS|»' ..'■ *||i expedietit, for fueh wis the enthufiafm of the ^aj^ that' rhtf^tfv lonift« g«vo tip both their pqrfonal fervices artd their property to •the^JIphMfi^^ 1^ vague promifci that they fliotld it a' future ^^l^|i^4|i.l||||j^ Without enquiring into the foHdity of thtf period of pnyment, tl|C^ relburcea of thd ' '(iim generalyafluraAcef/.thBt allcxpencet itely be equallfedi' The Parent State ftatefiMn and officera, but the de« It exerdfed in th^ Colonica, precluded that <^raAi«i|i 'knowledge which ia had experience and f:|)pefatio>ns. The^ipoiition of the finan- ^ the moid effedj^l inod9,of drawing forth watl» whkli fcarce any" of l|ie inhibi* Itcquaantadk Arroa and aintnunittoa were nilmoft who^^iilficicnt t and, though th% couiitr)( ebeunded with the matednla of which they are manufaftured, yet there was neither time nor artifta enough to fttpjply an army with the meanf of de* fence. The country waa deftitute both Ofvfortificationa and eu'- gineers. Amldft foinany difcouragements there were fome flat- tering drcumftanc^.- Thfs war could not be> carried on by Great-Britain,- but to ft great' dilJidvantage, and at an immenfe cxpence. It waa eafy for"Miniflcrs at St.James's tci plan cam- |Migns, but hard wei the fate of the oificer from whom the exe- cution of them i|f' the woods of America was expefted. The country was fo ^JEenfivCi and abounded 'fo much with defiles, that by^'i^ciMiMing and retreating, tire Americans, though they could n^l^ ffiiM|(!|tteri yet might (are themfdves from being /Con- quered^ /P&Slttthora of the a£ts of parliam;.nt for reftrdining the trade of ^^';6c4onies were mod excellent recruiting officers for the Congrelk* They impofed a neccilityon thoufands to become IbldieN. r' All other buftnefs being fufpended, the whole refour- ccs of llle country were applied in fupporting an army. Though the Colonills were without difcipline, they poflfeffed native valour. Though they had neither gold tlor niver, they poflefled a mine in the cnthuiiafm of their people. Paper for upwards of two years produced to them more folid advantages than Spain derived from her fupcrabounding precious metals. Though they had no ihips to protc£): their trade or their towns, they had ftm* plicity enough to live without the former, and enthufiafn^ enough to rifque the latter, rather than fubmit to the power of Britain. They believed their caufe to be juft, and that Heaven approved their exertions in defence of their rights. Zeal originating^ from AMEKlCA^ JkSi^0l(/TfOK. ih ^erty to • future ty of thtf eft of th6 exp«nce» ent Sute t the de* pvecluded whkh it I, Th«re mfineft of riencetnd thttfiAftn- wifif Joth ^ iiihibi' ere 4kno(i i with tVi» WM neither leans of de* MIS and tQ' re foMie flat- ried ott hy m immenfe I plan cam- am the exe- saed. Th« with defiles, hough they being /Con- arAintttg the [ offiters for to becom* hole rcfour- Though .fled native ley jroffcffed upwards of than Spain •hough they jcy had ftm- [\afn\ enough of Britain, len approved linatingfwm Ibcii awiives fupplied the place of difeipline, sndinfpiMcTeieoQ- *tfilence and,faUitary arddur which overleaped all difficuitics. . . Refiftanoe being reTolvedupoo by Ihe AMifri7^i Hntd\Yoftii£ ';m- |,ip:':ik3a»»^' ^'. v cfnt^ce i^ efaiping unhurt from cngagementi, U much frett# thaif young recruiu fuppofe. About tha Uttor end of May, • great part of thi fdnforcc- melttk '^fty fteeple of the meeting«houfe formed a pyramid of fire above the reft, and ftnick the aftoniihed eyes of numerous beholders with a magnificent but awful fpeCUcLc. In Bofton, the heights of every kind were covered with the citizens, and fuch of the king's troops as were not on duty. The hills around the adja^ cent country which afForded a fafe and diftin£i view, were occu- pied by the inhabitants of the country, Thoufands, both within and without Boflon, were anxious fpeftators of the bloody fcene. The honour of BritiO troops beat high in the breads of many, while others, with ;- xeener fehfibility, felt for the liberties of a great and growing country. The Britilh moved on but flowly, which gave the provincials a better opportunity for taking aim. The latter, in general, re- ferved themfelves till their adverfaries were within ten or twelve rods, but then began a furious dilcharge of fmall arms. The ftrcam of the American fire was fo incefiant, and did fo great execution, that the king's troops retreated i.. diforder and pre- cipitation. Their officers rallied them, and pulhed them forward wiih their fwords, but they returned to the attack with great 3 Q 2 4^ HISTORY PF THE veluClincfe^. Tbe Americans igain referved their fir« till thtifi •dveifaries were near, and then put them a fccond time to flight, General Howe and the officers redoubled their exertions, and \Were«t iaft, Aieceraful, though the foldiers difcovered a great • Mrerfton to going <»i, By this time the powder of the Ameri- eanil>eg»n toSmtp fu\, that they were not able to keep up the Ml Hit 'I 4m^^M. Ij liM ft ^' ^^"^^ '"'^' The Britifh alfo brought fome cannon ihe iofide of the jstreaftwork, from end to. fhipSj batteries, and field «rtil|ery wa$ in the rear were goaded on by their ||(K«s attaekcd on three fides at once. Un« ' 1 retreat from it was ordered, but the fipi^'^illlit made refinance with their difcharged 1^ lien clubs, fo long that the king*s troopS| %||pfil|^ltt«|lili4 fl^drks, had half filled the redoubt before jii%i;«»K^i^(oth«m, -■ Wmw thefe operations were going on at the breafl work an4 redoubt^ the ^ritifh ligl^f infantry were attempting to force the left point of the foi^er, that they might take the American^ line in flank. uThcugh they exhibited |:he mod undaunted courage^ they met with an pppofition which called for its greatcd exer- tions. The provincials here, in Uke manner, referved their fire till their adverfaries were near, and then poured >t upon the light infantry, with fuch an inceilant flream, and in fo true ^ direftipn, as mowed down their ranks. The engagement was kept up. on both fides witb great refolution. The peri'everihg exertions of the King's troops could not compel the Americans to retreat, till they obfervcd that their main body had left the hill. This, when begun, expofed them to new danger, for it could not be effe^led but by marching over Charleftown Neck, every part of whiph was raked by the (hot of the Glafgow man of war, and of two floating batteries. The inceffant fire kept up acrofs this Neck prevented any confiderable re-inforcement from joining their countrymen who were engaged ; but the few who fell on their retreat over the fame ground proved, that the ap- prehenfions of thofe provincial officers wlio declined pafling over to fuccour their companions, were without any folid foundation. The number of Americans engaged amounted only to one thoq. fand five hundred. It was apprehended that the conquerors would pufh the advantages they had gained, and march immedi- ately to American head quarters at Cambridge, but they advan- ced no farther than Bunker's Hill ; there they threw up works for their own fecurity. The provincials did the fame on Piofpc^ AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 4«5 1 thciv flight, IS, an4 i great ^.meri- up the cannoi^ end to. ;ry wa$. y their :. Un- out the charged , troopS| ' t before ovk ?n4 orce the catt line courage, eft exer- ;hcir fire ipon the fo true A cnt was levering ierican$ left the for it Neck, low man kept up nt from w who the ap- paflingj y folid le thou- kqucrors immcdi- advan- works >iofpc^ flill in front of them. Both were guarding againft an attack, and |>oth were in a bad condition to receive one. The lofs of the peninfula deprefled the fpirits of the Americans, and their grrat lofs of men produced the fame efFc£l on the Britifli. Thort have been few battles in modern wars, in which, all circumft^nces cono ftdcred, there was a greater deftru£lion of men thi| engagement. The lofs of the Britiih, as acl ticral Gage, amounted to one thoufand and Bfty^f, commiflfioned officers were killed, and {lKVf(0y wounded, The battle of Quebec in 1759, ;V| Britain the Province of Canada, was not' fo d«| officers as this affair of a flight entrenchment^ a few hours. That the oflicers fufFered fo ted to their being aimed at. None of the pre gagement were riflemen, but they were all gc whole of their previous military knowledge had been &rivfe4| from hunting, and the ordinary amufemcnts of fpprtrm^tt, TWife dexterity which by long habit they had acquired in hitting bf^ftsj^ birds, and marks, was fatally applied to the deftru£lion of Britifli " pfficeri. From their fall much confufion was expe£led; they vfCYC therefore particularly fingled out. Mofl: of thofe who were near the perfon pf General Howe were either killed or wounded, but the General, though he greatly expofed himfelf, was unhurt. The light infantry and grenadiers loft thrce-fou^s o^peir men. Of one company not more than five, and of another, not more than fourteen efcaped. The unexpefte4.refiftance of the Ameri- cans was fuch as wiped away the re^oiches of cowardice, which had been caft on them by their enemies in Britain. The fpiritcd condufi of the Britifli oflicers merited and obtained great applaufc, but the provincials were juftly entitled to a large portion of the fame, for having made the utmoft exertions of their adverfaries neceflary to diflodge them from lines, which were the work only of a fingle night, The Americans loft five pieces of cannon, Their killed amounted to one hundred and thirty-nine. Their wounded and mifling to three hundred and fourteen. Thirty of the former fell into the hands of the conquerors. They particu. larly regretted the death of General Warren, To the pureft patriotifm and moft undaunted bravery, he added the virtues of domcftic life, the eloquence of an acccompliflied orator, and the xvifdom of an able ftatcfman. Nothing but a regard to the liberty of his country induced him to oppofe the meafures of Govern. mcnt. He aimed not at a feparation from, but a coalition with the Mother Country. He took an aftivc part in defence of his coun- tiy, not that he might be applauded and rewarded for a patriotic 486 HISTORY OF THE v** fpirit, but becaufe he was, in the bcfl fenfe of the word, t real patriot. Having no interefted or pcrfonal views to^anfwer, tht friends of liberty confided in his integrity. The foundnefs of his judgment, and his abilities as a public fpeak^^r, enabled him '^ "l^o pnaik« « diftinguifhed figure in public councils, but his intrepi- *4it)( tiod i^S^fli seal induced his countrymen to place him in the I ^ithin four days after he was appointed a Major : t- noble facriBce to a caufc which he had efpoufed |irinciples. Like Hampden he lived and like iniverfally beloved and univcrfally regretted, re celebrated in an elegant eulogiiim written t^y. •j^^^B^^^'^lattguagc equal to the illuftrtous fubjefi:. The .l^fi^l^^MpjPpirleftown, though a place of great trade, did not y|rdH^h^^|^iBie pVovincials. It excited refentment and execration, '^ but H^ iiiy difpolition to fubmit. Such was the high-toned ftate ' of the public mind, and fo great the indifiFerence for property, ' whon put in competition with liberty, that military conflagrations, , thougli they diflreflfed and impoverilhed, had no tendency to fubVlue the Colonifls. They might anfwer in the old world, but were not calculated for the new, where the war was undertaken, not for a change of mafters, but for fcuring eflential rights. 1 he a£lion at Breed's Hill, , or Bunker's Hill, as it has been commonly called, produced many and very important confequences. It taught tib Britifh fo much rcfpcft for Amettcans intrenched be- hind works, that their fubfcqucnt operation ^vere retarded with a caution that wafted away a ^bole campaign to very little purpofc, It added to the confidenibc the Americans began to have in their own abilities; but inferences, very injurious to the future inter- cfts of America, were drawn from the good conduft of the new troops on that memorable day. It infpired fome of the leading members of Congrefs with fuch high ideas of what might be done by militia, or men engaged for a (hoft term of eniiftment, that it was long before they aflentcd to the efiablifhment of a perma- nent army. Not dlftingulfhing the continued exertions of an army through afcries of years, from the gallant efforts of yeomanry of the country, led direftly to aC^Jon, they were flow in admitting the i neceflity of permanent troops. They conceived the country | might be defended by the occafional exertions of her fons, with, out the expence and danger of an army engaged for the war. In I the vrogrcfs of hofl;ilities, as will appear in the fequel, the militia loft: much of their firft ardour, while leading men in the councils I of America, trufting to its continuance, ncglcftcd the proper timcf of recruiting for a feries of years. From the want of pcrfevcrance I in the militia, and the want of a dilciplined ftanding army, llicj AMEHICAN kEi^OLUtiOif, i^ rbrd, treal infwer, the mndnef& of snabled him his intrcpi- him in the ted a Major lad efpoufed ed and like ly regretted, gium written ubjeft. The rade, did not id execration, jh-toned ftate for property, conflagrations, > tendency to •Id world, but as undertaken, il rights. Ihc )cen commonly fequences, I* intrenched be retarded with a little purpofc. :o have in their le future inter- iuft of the new of the leading It might be done cniiftment, that lent of a perma- tions of an army yeomanry of the n admitting the [cd the country her fons, with- 1 [or the war, I" Luel, the militia in the councils the proper time It ofpcrfevcranco .nding army, M wiiere , Mufic! for which arms were at firft taken up, was more than once brought to the brink of deftru£lion. jn other places the fame determined fpirit of refiftance appeared on the part of the Americans. Lord North's conciliatory fcheme was'Utterly rejeded by the aflemblies of Pennfylvania and New- Jerfey, and afterwards in every other colony. .The cojpnneftcc^w * ment of hodilities at Lexington determined the Qokmy pf ]MeW'< York,- which had hitherto continued to waver, t0 reil ; and as the fituation of New- York rendera H ^ an attack from the fea, it was refolved, before J||0;i Britiih fleet, tb fecure the military flores, few ol^ and children, and to fet fire to the city if it^waf^^HJ pable of defence. The exportation of provifioiia^ prohibited, particularly to the Britifli fifhery on t|»ft^|liiaik» of Newfoundland, or to fuch colonies of America as fliould* a^^iere to the Britifli intereffc. Congrefs refolved on the eftabliihinent of an army, and of a large paper currency in order to fupport it. In ^ the inland northern colonics, Colonels Eaftan an4 £than Allen* ■ V without receiving any orders from Congrefs, or communicating their defign to any body, with a party of only two hundred and fifty men, furpril'ed the forts of Crown Point, Ticonderoga, and. the reil that form a communication betwixt the Colonies and Ca- nada. On this occafton two hundred pieces of cannon fell into their hands, befi«les mortars, and a large quantity of military (lores, together with two armed veffcls, and materials for the con(lru£lion of others. After the battle of Bunker's Hill, the provincials erefted for- tifications on the heights which comnnanded Cbarleftown, and ilrengthened the reil in fuch a manner that there was no hope of driving them from thence, .t the fame time that their aflivity and boldnefs ailoniflied the Britifli officers, who had been accuflomed to entertain too mean an opinion of their courage. The troops, thus fliut up in Bofton, were loon reduced to dif- trefs. Their neceiTities obliged them to attempt the carrying off the American cattle on the iflands- before Bofton, which produ- ced frequent Ikirmifties ; but the provincials, better acquainted with the navigation of thefe fhorcs, landed on the iflands, dcf- troyed or carrycd off whatever was of any ule, burned the lighj houfe at the entrance of 'the harbour, and took prifoneft the workmen Yent to repair it, as well as a party of marines who guarded them. Thus the gairilbn were reduced to the neceffity of fending out armed veFds to make prizes indHcriminatcly cf all that came in their way, and of landing in dllFcrcnt place* to plunder for fubf^cucc as well us they could. -; JtUTdltYdF fiiM .'• « ■ ,r.' . ■ ^ ' ■ The Congrefs, j^i the mean time, continued t<{aA witii ill thU vigour which its epAftituents had expefted. Articles of confede* ration and perpiftual- union were drawn up and folemnly ai;r«cd uponi ty whicK tH^bound themfelves. After the aSlicm of Qunker's Hill, however, Wf^ipi the power i &f Qit0^*flfi^tsm^mt»1kd lefs formidable in the eyes of America *. c "^^-^iijgiiijjiip^fj prt^ceded formally to juftify their proceed- i^rawn up in ierma iftore exprdfiivlej and well attenfSon^ (faid they) for men who exercife their rea- the divine Author of our exiftence intended i race to hold an abfolute property in and un- others, marked out by His infinite goodnefs obje£fcs of a legal domination, neVer rightfully >e(tftil^?'lt6 the t>eglnning of their colonization ; their dutiful, zealou»vWand,,urefu.l fervices during the war, though (o recently and amn^ ackd^wledgeji it) the mbfl honorable manner by his Maje(ly,^y the late kinj|[f and by par- liament, could not fave them fr9m t^e in1^nd44 )lM|pvations. Parliament was influenced to adopV the peo^ic^lit fp^p(lb'} and afluming a new power over them, has 'in 4h^ <»!Hi|t«ie q|f eleven ybars given fuch decifivc fpecimens of the ||pi^ tlltid 4!0nf do, fent over fleets and armies to enforce them* " We have purfued cverjr temperate, every refpeftful meafure j ive have even proceeded to break off all commercial intercourre with out" ffUQW'fubj^fts as our laft peaceable admonition, that our attacliiliint to no nation on earth would fupplant our attach« mcnt to iUS«nir: this we flattered ourfelves was the ultimate ftep ^^ r^^iS^^f^fy. i, But fubfequent events have mown how vain Was tfliljinHiiLtdKfiinmfMt mrtrl«ratirtn in our enemies f moderation in our enemies Commons, in their addrefs in the month of Febru^ip, JOti(|^j^|a^^ at that time a£lually exifted in the provincf^ pf Mii^^ufett's Bay ; and that thofe concerned in it hadbi^Countfnjiiiiced and encouraged by unlawful combinations and eng9j[f nients entered into by his Majeily's fubjc£b in feverat of the colonies } and therefore they befought his Majefty that he Would take the moft effe£hial meafures to enforce due obedience to the laws and authority of the fupreme legiflature. Soon after the commercial intercourfe of whole colonies with foreign coun- tries waS' cut off by an a£l of parliament; by another, feveral of them were entirely prohibited from the liberies in the feas near their coaffs, on which they always depended for their fubfift- ence ; and large reinforcements of fhips and troops were immedi« atcly fent over to General Gage." " Fruitlefs were all the intreaties, arguments, and eloquence of an illuffrious band of the moil diftinguifhed peers and commoners^ who nobly and flrenuoufly afferted the juffice of our caufe, to flay, or even to mitigate, the heedlefs fury, with which thefe accumulated outrages were hurried on. Equally fruitlefs was the interference of the city of London, of Briflol, and many other rcfpcftable towns in our favour." After having reproached parliament. General Gage, and the Britifh government in general, they proceeded thus : " We are reduced to the alternative of choofing an unconditional fubmif- fion to tyranny or refiftance by force. The latter is our choice. We have counted the cod of this conteft, and find nothing fo dreadful as voluntary llavery. Honor, juflice, and humanity, forbid us tamely -to furrender that freedom which w received from our gallant anceftors, and which our innocent pofterity have a right to receive from us. Our caufe is juft ; our union is perfcft ; our internal vefources are great ; and, if neceffary, foreign afTiftance is undoubtedly attainable. We fight not for glory or conqucfl ; we exhibit to mankind the remarkable fpcfta- cle of a people attacked by unprovoked enemies. They boafl of their privileges and civilization, and yet proffer no milder con- AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 49» r con- ditions than fervitude or death. In our own native land, in de- fence of the freedom that is our birthright, for the proteflion of our property acquired by the honeft induftry of our forefathers and our own, againft violence aftually offered, we have taken up arms ; we ftiall lay them down when hoftilities {hall ceafe on the part of our aggreflbrs, and all danger of their being Jl renewed fhall be removed— and not before." Thefe are fome of the mod ftriking paflages in the i||pdaration of congrefs on taking up arms againft Grfsat-Britain^ imd ' dated July 6th, 1775. The determined Spirit which[ it {k«lliyit» oujj^t to have convinced England, that the conqucfli (OJF ^jnii^c* W^ event fcarce ever to be expeflcd. In every o^^l(|^ei& an equal fpirit was (hewn; and the rulers of the Britiih. Jutian hfd the mortification to fee thofe whom they ftyled rebels and tirtitors, fucceed in negociations in which they themfelves Were utterly foiled. In the palTing of the Quebec bill, miniftry had flattered themfelves that the Canadians would be fo much attached to them, on account of reftoring the French laws, that they would very readily join in any attempt againft the colonifts who had reproba- ted that bill in i'uch ftrong terms : but in this, as in every thing elfe indeed, they found themfelves miftaken. The Canadians having been fubjeft to Britain for a period of fifteen years, and being thus rendered fcnfible of the fuperior advantages of Britifh government, received the bill itfelf with evident marks of difap- probation ; nay, reprobated it as tyrannical and onprefllve. A i'cheme had been formed for General Carleton, governor of the province, to raife an army of Canadians wherewith to a£l againft the Americans ; and fo languine were the hopes of adminiftration in this refpe^l, that they had fent twenty thoufand ftand of arms, and a great quantity of military ftures, to Quebec for the purpofe. But the people, though they did not join the Americans, yet were found immoveable in their purpofe to ftand neuter. Appli- cation was made to the biftiop ; but he declined to interpofe his influence, as contrary to the rules of the Popiih clergy : fo that the utmoft efforts of government in this province were found to anfwer little or no purpofe. The Britifh adminiftration next tried to engage the Indians in their caufe. But though agents were dilpcrfed among them with large prefents to the chiefs, they univerl'ally replied, that they did not underftand the nature of the quarrel, nor could they diftinguifti whether thofe who dwelt in America or on the other fide of the ocean were in fault : but they were furprii'ed to fee Englifhmen aflc their afliftance againft one another ; and advifed them to be reconciled, and not to think of flicdding the blood of 3 R a 4^2 HISTORY OF THE . their brethren. To the reprefcntations of Congrefs they paid more refpefl. Thefe ifet forth, that the Englifli on the other fide of the ocean had taken up arms to cnflavc, not only their coun. trymcn in America, but the Indians alfo ; and 'it the latter (hould enable them to overcome the colonifts, they themfelves would foon be reduced to a (late of flavery alio. By argumeiits of this kind thefe faviges were engaged to remain neuter ; and thus the colontftt iw'ete fifeed from a moft dangerous enemy. On thisoc- ever, they were driven by a party of Indians whom General Carleton had employed. The provincial army was now obliged to retreat to the ifland of which they had at firll taken poflfefliun ; where Generel Schuy- ler being taken ill, Montgomery was left to command alone. His iiril (lep was to gain over the Indians whom General Carleton had employed, and this he in a great meafure accomplifhed ; after which, on receiving the full number of troops appointed for his expedition, he determined to lay fiege to St, John's. In this he was facilitated by the reduftion of Chamblee, a fmall fort in the neighbourhood, where he found a large fupply of powder. An attempt was made by General Carleton to relieve the place ; for which purpofe he with great pains colIe£lcd about one thoufand Canadians, while Colonel Maclean propofcd to raife a regiment of the Highlanders who had emigrated from their own country to America. But while General Carleton was on his march with thcfe new levies, he was attacked by a fuperior force of provincials, and utterly defeated ; which being made known to another body of Canadians who had joined Colonel Maclean, they abandoned AMEttlCA^ KEyolUTIOIf. m I reduce , which , {hould ind men I §chuy- whence nouth of I, and on ;er. On n, gover- ! in war; e to keep ng all the [lented his :d even in :e. Point, he lationed at to prevent f the illand h he could 1 with Gc- ).ut finding ry confidc- ince, how. General the ifland jjrel Schuy- I alone. His ^l Caileton tied; after (ted for his In this he I fort in the irdcr. An place ; for le thoufand a regiment irn country thcfc new Incials, and ler body of labandoncd "9?^Li'*^ him without ftriking • blow, and he wu obliged to retmt to Quebec. The defeat of General Carleton waa a fufficient recoinpenc« to the Americana for that of Colonel Ethan Allen, which Had hap* pened fome time before. The fuccefa which had aAtsiid«4 tlUt gentleman againft Crown Point and Ticonderago had him to make a fimilar attempt on Montreal *, but b^iii|| the militia of the place, fupporfed by a dctacl he waa entirely defeated and taken prifoner. As the defeat of General Carleton and the clean's forces left no room for the garrifon of St. for any relief, they now confented to furrenderi fonera of war ; but were in other refpe&s treated manity. They were in number five hundred regulars and two hundred Canadians, among whom were many of the French no- bility, who had been very adive in promoting the caufe of Britain, among their countrymen. General Montgomery next took meafures to prevent the Britifh (hipping from pafling down the river .from Montreal to Quebec. This he accompliihed fo eifeftually, that the whole were taken. The town itfelf was obliged to furrender at difcretion ; and it was with, the utmoil difficulty that General Carleton eficaped in an open boat by the favour of a dark night. No further obftacle now remained in the way of the Americans to the capital, except what arofe from the nature of the country } and thefe indeed were very confiderable. Nothing, however, could damp the ardour of the provincials. Notwithftanding in was now the middle of November, and the depth of winter was at hand, Colonel Arnold formed a defign of penetrating through Woods, morafles, and the moft frightful folitudes, from New. England to Canada, by a nearer way than that which Montgo- mery had chofen; and this he accompliihed in fpite of every difficulty, to the aftonifhment of all who faw or heard of the attempt. This defperate march, however, cannot be looked upon as conducive to any good purpofe. A third part of his men under another' Colonel had abandoned him by the way, under pretence of want of provifions ; the total want of artillery ren- dered his prefence inlignificant before a place flrongly fortified; ind the fmallnefs of his army rendered it even doubtful whether he could have taken the town by furprife. The Caliadians in- deed were amazed at the exploit, and their inclination to revoit froih Britain was fomewhat augmented; but none of them as yet took up arms in behalf of America. The condernation into which the town of Quebec was thrown, proved detrimental ra- [ther thanotherwife to the expedition; as it doubled the vigilance 496 HISTORY or THE and lAlvity of the inhabitin^ti to prevent any furprife; and th« appearance of ccmnon danger united all partiea, who, before the arrival of Arnold, were contending moft violently with one ano- ther. W WM therefore obliged to content himfelf with block- i.fih(t avenuca to the town, in order to diftrefa the garrifon »rovirion»; and even this he waa upablet^doefFcAu- of the fmall number of hia men. ^,9iraa not much mended' by the arrival of General The fbrce he had with him, even when united lold, waa too infignificant to attempt the re. ee fo ilrongly fortified, efpecially with the aflif. mortara apd field-pieces. Aftqr the fiege had through the rnqnth of December, General Montgome- ry, cottiifcioua that he could accomplifti hia end no other way than by furprife, refolved to make an attempt on the lad day of the year 1775. The method he took at thia time waa perhapa the bcfl that human wifdom could devife. He advanced by break of day, In the n^dfl of an heavy fall of fnow, which covered his men' from the fight of the enemy. Two real attacka were made by himfelf and Colonel Arnold, at the fame time that two feigned attacka were made on two other placea, thus to diftraft tht number of (lavea, it waa necellary that a mtU(ia Ihoiild be kept conftantly on foot to keep them In awe. During the diflblution of the afliembly the militia-law expired ; and the people, after comphining of the danger they were in from the negroes, form* . ed a convention, which -naAed, that each country ihould raile e quota fpr the defence of the province. Dunmore, on thii, removed the powder from Williamlburg i which created fuch dii- Gontisnta, that an immediate quarrel would probably have enfucd, had not the merchants of the town undertaken to obtain liitis- fiiftion for the injury fuplpc^ied to be done to the community. Thia tranquillity, however, waa Toon interrupted ; the people, alarmed by a report that an armed party on their way from the man of war where the powder had been depofited, aflcrnbled in >rms, and determined to oppofe by force any farther removals. In fome of the conferences which paffed at this time, the Gover- nor let fall fome unguarded expreffions, fuch a^ threatening them with fetting up the royal ftandt^rd, proclaiming liberty to the negroes, deftroying the town of Williamfburg, 4ic. which were afterwards made public, and exaggerated in fuch a manner as greatly to increafethc public fertr eu'. The people now held frequent alTembHes. Some of them took up arms with adeiign to force the governor to rcdore tlic powder, atnd to take the public money into their own pofleflion : but on their way to Williamfburg for this purpofe, they were met by the receiver-general, who becagie fecurity ' . the payment for Vol. I. . 3 S 498 HISTORY OF THE the gunpowder, and the inhabitants promifed to Uke care of the magazine and public revenue. By this infurre£lion the governor was fo much intimidated, that he lent his family on board a man of war. He himfelf, however, iffiied a proclamation, in which he declared the beha* viour of the perfon who promoted the tumult treafonable, ac- cufed the people'of difaffedion, &c. On their part they were by no m«an|^«^de&cient in recriminating \ and fome letters of his tO/Bri(ft|a:^l|j||^ about the fame time difcovered, confequences enfued «(i$i«pi^ ^'mthr to thofe which had been occafu>ned by thofe of Mf^rlpielktnfon at Bofton. Itt this, fiiif'tkf tonfufion the Governor thought h neceflary to fortify iy« |NilHse with arttilery, and procure a party of marine» to goam it. Lord North's conciliatory propofal arriving alfo about the hate time, he ufed his utmoA; endeavours to caufe the people to comply with k. The arguments he ufed weve fuch as mufl do him honour ; and had not matters already gone to fuch a pitch, ^t is highly probable that fome attention would have been paid to them. '* The view, he faid, in which the colonies ought to behold this conciliatory propofal was no more than an earned admonition from Great-Britain to relieve her wants : tha( the utmoft condefcendence had been ufed in the mode of appli- cation ; no determinate fum having been fixed, as it was thought mofc worthy of Britifh generoiity to take what they thought could be conveniently fpared,^ and likeWife to leave the mode of railing it to themfelves," &c. But the clamour and diflbti^a£iion were now fo univerfal, that nothing elfe could be attended to. The Governor had called an affembly for the purpofe of laying this conciliatory propofal before them ; but it had been little at- tended to. The affembly began their feffion by ini^uiries into the ftate of the magazine. It had been broken into by fome of the townfmen ; for which reafon fpring-guns had been placed there by the Governor, Which difcharged themielves upon the offenders at ::heir entrance : thefe circumflances, with others of a llmilar kind, railed fuch a violent uproar, that as foon as the pre- liminary bufinefs of the feffion was over, the Gdvcrnor retired on board a man of war, informing the affembly that he durft no loR»;r trufl himfelf on ihore. This produced a long courfe of difputation, which ended in a pofitive refufal of the Governor to trud himCelF again in WiHiamfburg,.even to give his aifcnt to the bills, which could not be palled without it, and though the af- fembly offered to bind themfclves for his perfonal faiety. . In his turn he rcqiiefled them to meet him op board the man of war, where he then was; but this propofal was rejcftcd,and all further !,*>' AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 499 cerrefpondence containing the leaft appearance of friencHhip was difcontinued. Lord Dunmore, thus deprived of his government, attempted to reduce by force thofe whom he could no longer govern. Some of the mod flrenuous adherents to the Briti(h caufe, whom their zeal had rendered obnoxioua at home, now repaijrfd t» hi|n. He ' was alfo joined by numbers of black flavei. Wi(lki|HrfiBLjiul the afliftance of the Brtttih (hipping, he was £nr iiiiMpi!|p tb carry on a kind of predatory war, fuffick||ii^^|^" ia4 cxaT- perate, but not to fubdue. After fome in<5it8lits of fioflcn^ indeed, was peculiarly unhappy. After hayi^fiiled in their attempts to leave the town, General Cager :him|yhttted to allow them to retire with their efFe£ls ; but *)^^ii^iMi|tt^^ what reafon does not well appear, he refufed to f^i^^fw^^ppfe. When he refigned his place to General Howt itl1C|iM|piV775, the latter, apprehenfive that they might give intd|ifm^ , of the /ituation of the firitiih troops, ilrtfUy prohibit«iii «ny pcrfoii from leaving the place under pfiin of mili« tary executibn. Thus matters continued till the month of March 1 7 76, when the town was evacuated. On the ad of that month, General Wafliington opened a bat- tery on the weft (ide of the town, from whence it was bombarded with a heavy fire of cannon at the fame time ; and three days after, it was a( lacked by another battery from the eaftern fhore. This terrible attack continued for fourteen days without intermiffion ; when General Howe, finding the place no longer tenable, deter- mined if poflible to drive the enemy. 'from their works. Prepa- rations were therefore made for a mod vigorous attack on an hill called Dorchefler Neck, which the Americans had fortified in fuch a manner as would in all probability have rendered the- enterprife next to defperate. No difficulties, however, were fuf- ficient to daunt the fpirit of the general ; and every thing was in readinefs, when a dorm prevented this intended exertion of firix. tifh valour. Next day, upon a more clofe infpeftion of the works they were to attack, it was thought adviieable to defift from the cnterprife altogether. The fortifications were very ftrong, and extremely well provided with artillery ; and befides other implements of deflru£lion, upwards of one hundred hogf^ heads of ftones were provided to roll down upon the enemy 9\ they came up ; which, as the afcent was extremely deep, mafk have done prodigious execution. Nothing therefore now remained but to think of a retreat ; and even this was attended with the utmoft' difficulty and danger. The Americans, however, knowing that it was in the power of Briti{h general lo reduce the town to alhes, which could not have been repaired in many years, did not think proper to give the leaft moleftation ; and for the Ipace of a fortnight the troops were employed in the evacuation of the place, fiom whence they carried along with them two thoufand of the inhabitants, who duril not ftay on account of their attachment to the Britilh caufe, from BoHon they failed to Halifax ; but all their vigilance could AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 2^ Bofton; om they mull of fituatipn mhappy. General ■ effeds; ; refufed General ey might , -ftriaiy 1 of mili- af March ted a bat- >mbarded ays after, «. This rmiflion ; Ic, dctcr- Prepa- ;k on an fortified ered tho- were fuf- l was in n of firi>« of the to defift re very d befidcs ed hogf- snemy a«^ :p, muj^ retreat; danger, [)ower of iuld not to give ^c troops ice they Its, who kh caufe. be could not prievent a number of valuable ihips from falling into the hand* of the enemy. A confiderable quantity of cannoh arid ammupi^ tion had alfo been left at Bunker's Hill and Bofton Neck; and itt the town, an immenfe variety of goods, principally woollen and linen, of which the pirovincials ftood very much in neeli(hcd. The favourers of this fyftem were em, barraflcd, and all their arguments weakened by the perfcvcrance of Great-Britain in her fchemes of coercion. A probable hope of .afpecdy repeal of a few a£b of Parliament would have greatly in« creafed the number of thofe who were advocates for reconciliation. But the certainty of intelligence to the contrary gave additional force to the arguments of the oppofite party. Though new weight was daily thrown into the fcale, in which the advantages of independence were weighed, yet it did not preponderate till ibput that time in 1776, when intelligence reached the Colonics ;of theaA of Parliament pafled in December 1775, for throwing them out of Britilh protcftion, and of hiring foreign troops to iflift in cffcfting their conijucft,' Refpefting the |i»ll it was laid, \ 502 HISTORY OF THE **that proCeft^on and allegiance were recit>rocaI, and that the refufal of the firft was a legal ground of juftification for withhold, ing the laft.*' They confidered themfelves to be thereby dif. charged from their allegiance, and that to declare themfelves in* dependent was no more, than to announce to the world the rea^ political ftate in which Great Britain had placed them. This aft pimlll* J^t the Colonifts might conftitutionally declare them. ipji^ili|j^pendent, but the hiring of foreign troops to make war timiiflipiit demonftrated the neceflity of their doing it immedi* AH^yir^l^j^key reafoned that if Great-3ritain called in the aid of ^|i|^|il^ito crufh them, they muft feek fimilar relief for their own prefervation. But they well knew this could not be ex* peCked, while they were in arms againfl: their acknowledged So- vereign, They had therpfore only a choice of difficulties, and muft either (eek foreign aid as independent dates, or continue in the aukward and hazardous fituation of fubje£ls, carrying on war from their own refources, both againft the King, and fuch mer.. f;enaries as he chofe to employ for their fubjugation. Nece(rit)r not choice, forced them on the decifion. Submifllon, without obtaining a redrpfs of their grievances, was advocated by none I who pofleflTed the public confidence. Some of the popular lead-> crs may have fecretly wiflied for independence from the begin* ning of the controverfy, but their number was fmall and their I fentimcnts were not generally known. While the public mind was balancing on this eventful fubjeft,] fcveral writers placed the advantages of independence in various points of view. Among thefe Thomas Paine in a pamphlet, under the fignature of Common Sen/e, held the moft diftinguifhed rank. The (lile, .nanner, and language of this performance was calcu< Jated to intereft: the paflions, and to roufe all the aftive powers of] human nature. With a view of operating on the fentiments oft I religious people. Scripture was prefled into his fervice, and the I powers, and even the name of a king was rendered odious in the I eyes of the numerous Colonifts who had readsnd ftudied the hif-J tory of the Jews, as recorded in the Old Tefbment. The folly] of that people in revolting from a government, inftituted by Hea>[ ven itfelf, and the oppreffions to which they were fubje6led inj confequence of their lufting after kings to rule over them, afFordJ ed an excellent handle for pre-pofleifing th« Colonifts in favourl of republican inftitutions, and prejudicing them againft kihglyl government. Hereditary fucccflion was turned into ridicule.! The abfurdir*' of fubjcfting a great, continent to a fmall iflandoni the other fide of the globe, was rcprcfentcd in fuch ftrikin^ lami guage, as to intereft the honour and pride of the Colonifts in r^j nouncing the government of Great- Britain, The neceflity, tb«l AMiRICA^ kEt^OLVTlON. 5<5J and that the for withhold, thereby dif. themfclves in* inrorld the rei^ cm. This tk declare them- s to make war ting it immcdi' in the aid of dief for their lid not be cx» nowledged So- lifBcultics, and or coutinue in larrying on wir and fuch mer- on, Neceflity, liflion, without rotated by none e popular lead- •rem the begin* fmallandtheirl advantage, and practicability of independence were forcibly de- monftrated. Nothing could be better timed than this performance) it was addreiTed to freemen, who had juft received convincing proof, that Great- Britain had thrown them but of her proteClion* had engaged foreign mercenaries to make war upon them, an|which grafps at great obje£b, and influenced by that; timid poUcy which does its work by halves. Mofl of them dread- kd the power of Britain. A few, on the fcore of inteveft, or an xpe^ncy of favours from royal government, refufcd to concur vith the general voice. Some of the natives of the Parent State, irho having lately fettled in the Colonics, had not yet exchanged Dropean for American ideas, together with a few others, con- tientioufly oppofcd the meafures of Congrefs ; but the great bulk Y the people, and efpccially of the fpirited and independent part ths community, came with furprifing unanimity into the pro* |tft 9f independence. 504 HISTORY OF THE The Americans, l^ and c«^t Jou,t ^khfiir iu^ D.'fHc has kdpt amongus, in ttmos, of. peace, Aandin^ ifxniefif without the oonfent df our legifla'tures^ , , v : - Uv ' b ^ i»WI«JS noyo "He has jefFc&ci^:torlcender the militaty inidependdtU'bf, and fuperior to^ the ciwl power. ' -J r • > .-Atn ii m) •■ « '■'•^ H« ^^akcoinblnediwtth othersto . fubjeltcus .to a jUrifdiftion foreign' 'tiyoar conftttution, and uaacknowlledged by. :qus' la ws ; (filing. Ms^iiKint to their a6ls of pretended legiilation :? -'~,ui»l\.- > I t" For qwil^i'ii^g large bodies of afmed troqps amoilg us ; . ' V For piroteS^ingf them, by a mock-tria}, from punifhmcnt for any ihurder».>Which they ihduld Convmt Q(k thf iiihabitat^p^ o£ t'beie Slates: .: . : ■ ■■ .; -'ovMih --J / •, : , si-n...v t .V ** For. cutting off our trade with, all, pa fits of ih-i. yv^orl^jK^iv >;;i — ." For impHofing;taxe&on Mi without otir^conferu Jt^xl t»vfirf'^oc.j r. . T«i« For depviviug uss, ia nuiny ; ic8fiEia,i,0|f )the >hene£it!s of xtuVhi^ jwfy'; ^-w i » fJvfc &:!■ ^ImiJ pw tt jnfJiij bicri bftn ^nMJint'iiiys >n'» " For tranfporting us beyond i>fi?rt*H0';lB«qtwi:d:rfar.-^i»ti?P^4 OiFences :' 'j i\V :.'i? '(o ?9"; i.'r3l*?-n:p>; M ,:;■:<>: -.^.h ^U •* ■ Yoj. -I. :ii oJ prtiIii»fj xng province, cftaMiflnng therein an arbitrary government^ and! enlarging its boundaries, fo as to render it at once an example and fit indrutnent for introducing the fame abjjblutc rule into thcfe colonies : '* For talcing away our charters, abolifhing our moft valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of out governments t " For fuf|»ending our own legiflatures, and declaring themfelves invefted with jiower to legiflate for us in alt eafes whatfoever. " H« hal abdicated* government here, by declaring us out of his protcdtion^ and waging wat againft us. " He \iA* plundered our feas, ravaged our coafts^ burnt our towns, and deftroyed the lives of our people. ** He is, at this time^ iranfporting lal-ge armies of foreign mer- • ccnaries to complete the works of death, defoktion, and tyranny, already begun wkh circumftances' of cruelty and perfidy fcarcely paralleted in the mod barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. " He has conilraineii our fclloW'Citizens, taken c^tive on the high feas, to bear arms- a^ind their counifry, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themfelves by their hMids.. '*^ He lft£ excited domefti ^t ^ *" *^^ iNDiriiroiMT Statu ; that they are abGol^^ed from all allegiance to the Britifh crown, and that all political cofincftion between them and the State of Gvcat- Britain it, apd ought to be, touUy diflbived ; and that as free jand Independent States, they h»ye full power to levy war, con- clude peace, contraA alliances, cftablifli commerce, wd to do all 4}ther »6U and things which Independent States may of right do« And for the fupport of this DecUratto^, with a firm rdiance on the prote&ion of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lively our fortunes, and our facred honour*" Previous to this a circular letter had been fent through each colony, ftating the rcafons for it ; and fuch was the snimofity now every where prevailing againft Grrat>Britain, thut it met with univeriid approbation, except in the province of Maryland alone. It was not long, however, before the people of that co. lony, finding themfielves left in a very dangerous minority, thought proper to accede to the meafures of the reft. The manifefko it* ielf was much in the ufual ftyle, ftating a long lift of grievances, for whijch redrefs had been often applied for in vain s and for thefe reafons they determined on a final feparation ; to hold the |>eople of Britain ^s the reft of mankind, " enemies in wai:, in ' peace friends." After thus publicly throwing off all allegiance and hope of re- conciliation, the colonifts foon found t)iat an exertion of all their ftrength was required in order to fupport their pretentions. Their arms, indeed, had not, during this fcafon, been attended with fuccefs in Canada. Reinforcements had been promifed to Colonel Arnold, who ftill continued the blockade of Quebec 4 but they did not arrive in time to fecond his operations. Being fenfible, however, that he muft eithef defift from the enterprife, or finifli it fuccefsfuUy, he recomnieqced in form ; attempting to bum the ftiipping, and even to ftorm the town itfelf. They were unfuccefsful, however, by reafon of the fmai|lne(s of their num- ber, though they fucceeded fo f^r as to burn a number of houfes in the iuburbs ; and the garrifon were obliged to pull 4own the remainder, in order to prevent the fir^ from fpwading. As the provincials, though unable to reduce the town, kept the garriibn in continual alarms, and in a very difagreeable fituation, fome of the nobility collected themielves, into a body under the command of one Mr. Beaujeau, in order to relieve their capital ; but they were met on their march by Che provincials, and io cu- 3Ta 508 * ^^^^STORY OF THE ' • • • tifety 'defeated, that tii«y wtfre never aftcrwaids able to attempt any thing. The Americans, however, had but little reafon to* pluine thcnifclves oti this fuc^cfs. Their waht of artfHe* y at laft convinced tlieip, that ii* was iihprafticable in their fituatittn to re- duce 4 place To ftrongly fortified : the fmall-pox at the fame time' rnad^ its appearance in their camp, and carried off great numbers^ intitiiidatiwg theVeft W fuch a degree, that they defcrted in crowds. To add^t^'^l^^ir hiisfortuties, the Britiih reinforcements unexpeft- cdly 9p.p(eafeit, however, had got between (them and their boats; ib that they were obliged to take a circuit through a deep I'wamp, wliile they were clofely purfued by both parties at the fame time, who marched for' fomc miles on e^ch fide of the fwamp, till at laft the miferable provincials were fheltered from further danger by a wood at the end of the fwamp*. Their Gene^ ral, however, was taken/ with two hundred of his men. By this di(afl;er the provincials loft all hopes of accompli(hing any thing in Canadii. They dcmolifhed their wor]^, and carried off their aiillery with the utmoft expedition. They were pur- fued however, by General Burgoyne ; againft whom it was ex^ pc£led that they would colle£l:ed all their force, and made a reio^ lute ftand. But they were nr w too much difpirited by misfortune to make any further exertions of valour. On the i8th of June the Britifli general arrived at Fort St. John's, which he fonnd abanw doned and burnt. Chamblee had fhared the fame fate, as well as aU the vcflcls that were not capable of being dragged up againft the current of the river. It was thought that they would haye made fome^ refidance at Nut Ifland, the entrance to Lake Champlain* but this alfo they had abandoned, and retreated acrofs the lake to Grown Point, whither they could not be immediately followed* Thus was the province of Canada entirely evacuated by the Ame- ncani»; whofe lofs in their retreat from- Quebec was not calculat' ed at Icfs thr.n one thoufand men, of whom four hundred fell at •bnce into the hands of the enemy at a place^called the Cedur;, about fifty miles above Montreal. General Sullivan, however, who conduced this retreat after the affair of General Thonifon, Was acknowledged to have had great merit in what he did, ai3id received the thanks of Congrefs accordingly. This bad luccefs in the north, however, was fomewhat com- pcnfated by what happeoed in the I'outhern colonies.— ^We have formerly taken notice that Mr. Martin, governor of North Caro- lina, had been obliged to leave his province and take refuge on board a man of war. Notwithftanding this, he did not dd'pair pf reducing it again to obedience. For this purpofc he applied itm HISTORY OF THE to the Reguhton, • darini; fct of banditti, who lived in a kind of independent ftatc { and though confidered by government aa rebela, yet had never been molefted, on account of their num- bers and known {kill in the ufe of firc-arma. To the chiefs of thefe people commtifiona were fcnt, in order to raife fome regi* menta} and Colonel Mcdonald, a brave and enterprifing officer, waa appointed to command them. In the month of February he ere^d the king's ftandaid, iifued proclamations, &c. and coU leded (one forces, expcAing to be foon joined by a body of re* gular troopa, who were known to be (hipped from Britain to a£k againft the fouthern colonies. The Americans, fenfible of their danger, difpatched immediately what forces they h?d to a£l againft the royalifts, at the (ame time that they diligently exerted them. felvea to fupport thefe with fuitable reinforcements, Their prefent force was commanded by a General Moore, whofe num. bers were inferior to Mardonald; for which reafon the latter lummoned him to join the king's ftandard under pain of being treated aa a rebel. But jMoore, being well provided with can* nop, and confcious that nothing could be attempted againft him, returned the compliment, by acquainting Colonel Macdonald, that if he and his party would lay down their arms, and fubfcribe an oath of fidelity to Copgrefs, they fhould be treated as friends \ but if they perfifted in an undertaking for which it was evident they had npt futficient fVrength, they could not but cxpeft the fevereft treatment. In > few days General Moore found himfelf at the head of 9ight thoufand men, by reafon of the continual fupplies which daily arrived from all p&rts. The royal party amounted only to two thoufand, and they were dcftitute of artil- lery, which prevented them from attacking the enemy while they had the advantage of numbers. They were now therefore obliged to have refource to a defpcrate exertion of pcrfonal valour; by dint of which they efFeAed a retreat for eighty miles to Moore's Creek, within fixteen miles of Wilmington, Could (hey have gained this place, they expe£fced to have been joined by Governor Martin and General Clinton, who had lately arrived with \- ronfiderable detachment. But Moore with his army purfucd them fo clofe, that they were ob'^iged to attempt the paifage of the creek itfelf, though a confiderable body of the enemy, under the command of Colonel Cofwell, with fortifications well planted with cannon, was pofted on the other fide. On attempting the creek, however, it was found not to be /ofdablc, They were obliged therefore to crofs over a wooden bridge, which the pro* vincials had not time to deflroy entirely. They had, hpwevcr, by pulling up part of the planks, and greatijig the remainder in order to render them flippery, made the paffagc fo difficult, tha; AMEklCAN klVdtVftOlf. Sii the royatiftt could not attempt it. In this fituition they were, on the a 7th of February, attacked by Moore, with hia luperior army, and totally defeated with the loft of their general «nd fiioft of their leaders, •» well aa the heft and braved of their men. Thus was the power of the Provincials clUbliihed in' North- Carolina. Nor were they Icfs fucCefaful in the province of Vir- ginia : where Lord Duntnore, having long continuedl in ufelefs predatory war, wns at lad driven from cVery creek and rwd in the province. Tiie people he had on board were diftrefled ta the highcd degree by confinement in fmall vcflels. The heat of' the fealun, and the numbers crowded together, produced a pedi« lential fever, which made great haVock, efpecially among the blacks. At lad, finding theniCelves in the ulmod hazard of pe- rifhing by famine as well as difeafe, they fet fire to the lead valu. able of their vcflels, referving oiily about fifty for themfelves, in vrhich they bid a final adieu to Virginia, fome failing to Florida^ fome to Bermuda, and the red to the Wed Indies. In South Carolina the Provincials had a more formidable ene« fny to deal with. A fquadron, whofe objeft was the reduftion of CharledvWn, had been fitted out in December 1775; but by reafon of unfavourable weather did not reach Cape Fear, in North>Carolina, till the month of May 1776; and here it met with further obfbcles till the end of the month. Thus the Ame- ricans, always noted for their alertnefs in raifing fortifications, liad time fo drengthen thoie of Charledown in fuch a manner as rendered it extremely difficult to be attacked. Thtf Britifh fqua- dron confided of two fifty gun (hips, four of thirty guns, two o^ twenty, an armed fchooncr, and bomb-ketch; all under ttit command of Sir Peter Parker. The land forces were commanded by Lord Cornwallis, with Generals Clinton and Vaughan. As they had yet no intelligence of the evacuation of Bodon, General Howe difpatched a veffel to Cape Fear, wi»h fome indruftionsj but it was too late ', and in the beginning of June the fquadron anchored off Charledown bar. Here they met with fome diffi- culty in crofling, being obliged to take out the guns from the two large fhips, which were, notwithdanding, feveral times in danger of dickihg fad. The next obdacle wa» a drong fort on Sullivan's IflantI, fix miles ead from Charledown ; which though not completely finiChed, was very drong. However, the Bri- tifh generals' refolved without hefitation to attack it ; but though an attack was eafy from the lea, it was very difficult to obtain a co*operation of the land forces. This was attempted by landing them on Long-Ifland, adjacent to Sullivan's Ifland on the ead, from which it is feparated by a narrow creek, faid not to be above. ' ^»« WSTORYPF TliM two feet deep at low.; water, Oppofite to this ford the Provin- cials had poflied a (irong body of troops,, >vith cannon and en- trenchments ^ whii^ General Lcc was polled on the main land, with abridge of boats betwixt that and SulHvaq's Iftand, fo that he could at pleafure fend reinforcements to the troops in the f6)t oh Sullivan's Ifllnd. ! On the part. of the firitifh, fo many ey all ftuck fail; and though two of them were difentangled, they were found to be totally unfit for fervice: the third was burnt^ that ft^e might nut faU into the hands of the enemy. ' Thfe attack was therefore confined to the five armed (hips and bombrketch, between whom and the fort a dreadful ftte enfued. The Bridol fuffered exceflively. The fprings on her cable being fliot away, fhe was for fome time entirely expofed to the fcnemy's fire. As the enemy poured in great quantities of red-hot balls) fhe was twice in flames. The captain {Mr. Morris), after receiv- ing five wounds, was obliged to go below deck in order to have his arnh amputated. After undergoing this operation he returned to his place, where he received another wound, but ftill refufe4 id quit his flation^ at lafl he received a red-hot ball in liib belly iswhich inftantly put an end to his life. Of all the officers and fcxtmqn who flood on the quarter-deck of this veffcl, not one ^leaped without a wound excepting Sir Peter Parker alone; whole intrepidity and prefence of mind on this oceafion was very re- markable. The engagement lafted till darknefs put an end to if Little damage was done by the firitifh, as the worxs of the eiic- my lay To low that many of the fhot flew over ; and the fortifica- tions, being compofcd of palm-trees mixed with earth, were ex- tremely well calculated to refifl the imprcflTion of cannon. Dur- ing the height of the attack, the proviuciaf batteries remained for fome time filent, To that it was Concluded thai they had been | abandoned ; but this was found to proceed only from want of powder; for as foon as a fupply of this neceffary article was ob- tained, the firing was rcfumcd as brifk as before. During the whole of this dcfperatc engagement it waS found impoffiblc for the land forces to give the leaft affiftance to the fleet. Th< AMMkiCAN REVOLtJtiOit, 313 the Provln- lon and en- t main land, and, fo that is in the f6it 1, that it was )r an attack : provided for bomb ketch ; mid-day the . and began a Lake their fta-i t) en Blade the ,e main land} uck faft; and e found to be It^c might not vned (hips and ul fire enfued. icr cable being to the enemy's red-hot balls, , after receiv- order to have n he relumed aill refure4 all in hib belly ic officers and elTcl, not one r alone; whole was very re- t an end to it' KS of the ehc- d the foi tifica- rth, were cx- annon. Dur- s remained lor |they had bc<;n Vom want o» Irticle was ob- Diiring the impoffiblc for [c fleet. The ni^'l^'(^ next ient a letter to General Walhington } but a» it wa» direfled ^ '^To; George Waihington, Efq." the general refu" fed to accept of it, as not being dire£bed in the ftyle fuitable to H^s ftation. To c^viate this obje^on^ Adjutant-gitneral Paterfon Iva* fent with another letter^ dire&ed •* To George Walhin^oQ*^ &c; &t*,Sc£j' But though a very polite reception was given to the bearer; Gisneral Wafliington utterly ftfufed the letter ;^ nor eould any explanation of the Adjiidant induce him tOateept ol it. The only interefting part of the converfation was that velat« ingto the powers ^f the comftiiflioners^ of which I»oi'd Howe was ie>new The adjutant told him, that thefe powers were very. extenrtve; that the ooihmiffiQners were determined to exert themfelves to theviitmoft^io order to bring about a reconciliation > and that he hoped the general would confider this vifit a* a ftep towards it. General W.afhington replied, that it did not apjiiear . that thdfe powers con ft fted in any thing ^eKe than granting par*' dons ; and as America had committed no offence, (he afited no forgivenefs, and was only defending }^t un<|ue(iionable rights.- The decifion of every thing being now by confent of botte parties left to the fwofd, no time was loftj but hoftiliti^s com- menctd as foon as the Britiih troops could be cbllcfled. This^ hoiyevcr, was not done before the month of Auguft } when they landed ^without any Oppofition on Long Ifland, oppoftte to the Ihore of Staten Iflahd. General Putnam^ with a large body of troops, lay encamped and ftrongly fortified on a petiinl'ula on the oppofite fhore, with a range of hills between the armies, the prinx cipal pais of which was near a place cM^ JFlat-hi/h, Here the centre of the Britifh army, confiding of Heflians, took pofl ; the left, wing, under General Grant, lying near the ihore i and the • right, confining of the greater part of the Britilh forces, lay un- der Lord Perey, CornwalUs, and General Clinton. Putnam had ordered the paiTcs to be fecured by large detachments, which was* executed as to thofe at hand i but one of the utmod importance, that lay at a diftancc, was entirely negle£led. This gave an op- portunity to a large body of troops under Lord Percy and Clinton to pais the mountains and attack the Americans in the rear, while AMERICAir MEV4>IUT10N, 5«« . lOiey w«e'«ngaged whh the |Iefii>n* in front. Throu^li thift piece of ne|{U^nce their defeat became' inevitable* l^hoiit wl^p •were engaged With the Heifians firft j^ceiVed their miftalen; And began a retreat towards the tartiif^ but the- pal(j^ge was in-^ tercepted by the firitiih troo|A, who drpve them bade into tlU woodi« Here they w.et« met by the Hefllan»V anlil Chua wcr£ they for many hoi^rs ^aughter^ between the vtm ^Mititei^' no ^y of «fcape reinatning but by breaking €hrdagh -tHe BrltlQi troops, and thus regaining their cam^. In this kttcaipt many |i6rtibed';f and the right wiiig, «ngage4 with General Grant* (bared the lame Cue. The vifiory was complete; and the Americans loAf on this fatal day {Auguft ft7th) between -three and four thou- fand men, of whom two thoufand were kiUed in the battle or pitrfuit. Among thefe a regiment, conj&ding of young gentlemen of fortune and family in Mar^'land, wasalmoft entirely cut in pieces, and of the furvivors not one efcaped without a wound. The ardour of the Britilh troops was now fo great, that they ^ou ^fcarce be reftrained from attacking the lines of the provin- cu i; fat this there was now no occafion, as it was certain the^ ' . id not be defended* Of the Britilh only ftxty-one were Icilled in this engagement, and two hundred and fifty*feveA wounded. Eleven hundred of the enemy, among whoin wfcre three generals, were taken prifonerft, <> " As none of the American commatnlers thought it prbper to> riik another attack, it was refplved to abandon their camp as foon as pofllble. Accordingly on the night of the 2^'th of Ai)tguft, the whole of the continental troops were ferried over with the utirtoft (ecrecy and fiience ; fo that in the morning thie Britiih had nothing to do but take pofleflion of the camp and artillery which they had abandoned, ' ^ '> This viftory, though complete, was very far from beingTo dcci- five as was at firfl imagined. Lord Howe, ^fuppofing thar at would be fulBcient to intimidate the Congrefs into i'ome terms, fcnt Ge- neral Sullivan, who had been taken prifoner in the late a£iion, to congress, with a meflagc, importing, (hat though he could not confidently treat with them as a Icg-^l airembly, yet he would be very glad to confer with any of the members in their privntc capacity j fetting forth at the fame time the nature and extent of his powers as a commiflioner. But the Congrefs Were not to he fintimidated to derogate in the lea ft from the dignity of charader they had alTumed. They replied, th^tt tlie congrefs of the free and independent dates of America could not confillehtly fend any till its members, in anothei^ capacity thait that which they had pmblicly affumcd ; but as they Were extremely dcfirous of rcftor- 3 U » k^ftmn to their soumtry ttpon eqiiitible oondieions^ they woulA Hl^int •committer of their h«Jy to wait upoa him, tmd learn what pippofali h9 ha4 IQ ma)Mc/ Tht».pro4uccd 3i)i|ew f:««|tfi^irence. The ^romymt'tee apiK>inte4 by congreffv was compefeiC of Or, Frankliii, Mr. Adama, and Mr» Rutledge, They^^ were very politely received by his Lord^ 0uf s hm^« «oi»fereiPQe .proy«d a$ fruitlefs a| before indepency had been ieehired* and the ftaal anfwer ctf the deputies wai, thit they «ii»efp cxtnmely willing to lenter into any treaty wit^ Qreat* Britus.tlttI mii^t ccmduce to the good of both mttion^ but tlni 0iey would n»t treat in any other chaia^r than that of indepen^ dent ftates. Thi| pofitiv^ declaratioa inftantly put an end ta •U hopel^f reconcxiiation*, and it waa refolved to profecute the war y^ith 'the uttnoKi vigour. Lord (lowe, after publiOiing a aianifefto, in which he declared the ref^ifal of congrefs, and that he himfelf wa« willing to confer with all well diipofed perfona about the roeana of reftoring public tranquillity, fet about the mod proper methods for reducing the city of New- York . Here the prov^ial troops were, polled, and from a great number of bat- tpriea kqpt continually annoying the Britifli (hipping. The £aft River lay between them, of about twelve hundred yards in breadth} which i,he Eritiih troops were extremely defuous of palling. At laft the {hips having, after an; inc'effant cannonade 9f feveral days, filenced the moA troublefome batteries, a body of troops was fent up the river to a bay, about three miles diftant, where the fortifications were lefa .ftrong than ih other places, ^iere having driven off the provincials by the cannon of the fleet, ilkey marched dire^^ly towards the city } but the enemy finding that they fhould now be attacked on all fides, abandoned the city, and retired to the north of the iQand, where their princi- pal force was coUefted. In their paifage thither they (kirmiftjed with the _,Britilh, but carefully avoided a general engagement i and it was obferved that they did not behave with that ardour and impetuous valour which had hitherto marked their charaftcr, The Britiih and provincial armies were not now above two miles diftant from each other. The former lay encamped from fhore to ihore for an extent of two miles, being the breadth of the idand, which though fifteen miles long, exceeds not two in any part in breadth. The provincials, who lay dircftly oppofite, had ftrengthcned their camp with many, fortifications j at the fame time, being maftcis of all the paffes and defiles betwixt the two camps, they were enabled to defend themlelves againftan. army, njuch more numerous thap their own ; and they had alfo ftrongly fortified a pafs called King's Bridge^ whence they coul4 Iccure a paifage to the contipefit in ^afe of any misfortune, Hc?^? AMERICAN REVOtUTION, ««7 tim, and is Lordt ideponcy l^QT6at« .buttUat indepen^ m end ta [ecute thd bliihing » ' ;d p.erfont t the moft Here t^he jcr of bat- tig. The ;d yards in dcCitpus of I cannonade cs, a body lei didanti her places, the fleet, ny finding Ldoned the ^ leir princi- (kirmifhed gagcmeut \ hat ardour charaftcr, above two mped from ircadth of lOt two in ly oppofite, |n&}at the tetwixt the againil an |ey had alfo they coul4 Gtipenl ' Wtlhingtoti, in Order to inure the provincials to: aftual fbivicOi and at the fiime time to annoy the cinemy as muchaapoflit blie* employed hia troopa in continual ikirmiihea; by Which it, 4yaa obfcrved that they foon recovered their fpirita, and behaved With their ufual boldnefa. Aa the fituation of the two armies was now highly inconvenient for the Britilh generaU, it waa refolved to make fuch movemenl^ W might OUige General Wafhiitgton to relinquifli hia ftft>ng fitu" 4^tiOn« Th« poflefllon of New- York had b«ien lefi benefidal than Was ^9tpefted, It had been concerted among the Provincials, that the < city ihould be burnt at the time of evacuation ; but as they Wero forced to depart with precipitation, thej^were prevented from putting this fchemle in cxectition. In a few days, bowever, it Was attempted by fome who had been left behind for that pur- pofe. Taking advantage of a high wind and dry weather, the ■ town Was fet on fire in feveral places at once^ by means of com. buftibles properly placed (or that purpofc; and notwithflianding tht mod allive exertions of theioldiery'and failo.rs, a fourth paii( of the city was confumed. v On this occafion the Britilh were irritated to the higheft degree and many perfons, faid to be incendiaries, were without mercy ' thrown into the flames. It vn.s determined to force the provin-r fial army to a greater diftance, that they might have it lefs in their power, by any emiflaries, to engage others in a fimilar at'* tempt. For this piirpofe, Gen. Howe having left Lord Percy with fuffictent force to garrifon New-YorHi he embarked his army in flat-bottom boats, by which they were conveyed through the dangerous paflage called HeU Gate^ and landed near the town of ^ Weft Chefl;er, lying on the continent towards Conne£licut. Here having received a fupply of men and provifions, they moved to ^ew-Rochelle, fituated on the found which feparates Long Ifland from the continent. After this, receiving flill frcfh reinforce, fiients, they made fuch movements as threatened tp difl:rei's tho provincials very much, by cutting off their cbhvoys of provifions from Connefticut, and thus force them to an engagement. This, however, General Wafhington determined at all events to avoid* He therefore extended his forces into a long line oppofite to the way in which the enemy marched, keeping the Bmna, a river of confiderable magnitude, between the two armies, with the North River on his rear. Here again the provincials continued for lome time to annoy and fliirmifli with the Royal army, until at laft, by fome other manoeuvres, the Britifli general found means to attack them adVantageoufly at a place called the IVhite Plains, and drove them from fomc of their pofts. The viftory on this occafion was much lefs fomplete than the former : hpyevcv it oblig::d the prc*^ \ 5i» HISTORY OF THE viiicidt once more to fhtft their ground, and to rdribit farthief <«{» the country. General Howe purfued for fome time } hut ■ tt hiflU finding all his endeavours vain to bring the Americans to a pitch* ed battle,, he determined to give over fuch an Meters chtce, and employ himfelf in reducing the forts which the provincials ilill retained in the neighbourhood of New* York. |n this he met with the moft complete fuccefs. The Americanly on thf ippreach of the Britifti forces, rptreated from King's Bridge into forfe Wafliingtoni and this, as well an Fort Lee, which lay it| fhft neighbourhood, wa« quickly reduced, though the garrifon made their efcape. Thus the Jcrfeyu' were laid entirely open to j^he incurfions of the Britiih troops; and fo fully were thefe province! taken ppflcflion of by the Royal army, that its wiiitcf-quarterf extended from New-Brunfwick to the river Delaware* JIad any number of boats been at hand, it is probable that Philfdelph^ would now have fallen into their hands, All thefc, however, had been carefully removed by the Americans. In Uev| of thi^ cntcrprifc, Sir Henry CUrjton undertook an expedition to Rhode- Ifla^d, and became mafler of it without lofmg a man. His cxpe, ditioti was alfo attended with this further advantage, that the A*PCt rican fleet under Commodore Hopkins was obliged to fail as far a^ poflflble up the river Providence, and thus remained entirely uf^-f jefs. The fame ill fuccefs continued to attend the Americans in other mrts. After their cxpulfion from Canada, they had croffed the lake Champlain, and taken up their quarters at Crown Pbint, a5 we have already mentioned, Here they remained for fome, tim(? in fafcty, as the Britilh had no vcffels on the lake, and confe- quently General Burgoyne could not purltic them, "i o remedy this deficiency, there was no polfible method, but either to con- ftruft velTcls on the fpot, oj: to lalce to pieces fome veffcls already conftrufted, and drag tlicm up the river into the lake. This, however, wajs effcfted in no longer a fpacc than three months; and the Britifli general, after incredible toil and difficulty, faw himfelf in poffellion of a great number of veffcls, by which means he was enabled to purfue his enemies, and invade them in his turn, The labour undergone at this time by the fea and land for-f ccs muft indeed have been prodigious; fmcc there were convey cd over land, and dragged up the rapids* of St. Laurence, no few, cr than thirty large long boats, four hundred batteaux, befidesf vaft number pf flat bottomed boats, and a gondola of thirty tons, The intent of the expedition was to pu{h forward before winter to Albany, where the army would take up its winter-quartcrs, and next fpring effecl a junC^ion with that under General Howe Tvhcn it' was not doubted that the united force and Ikill of thcfc two comnxandcrs would fpecdily put a termination to the war. American REVotVTtoff, Bin ■ ' fiyretfbn of the difficulties with which the ec(utphietrt of ihii jteet hAdi been attended, it was the beginning df Ofiober before iNe tfK|»edition 4buld be undertakc!n. It Mrds now, however, by Wer^ jud^ allowed to be completely able to anfwer the purpofe Ibr which it was intended. It confifted of one large vefTcl with three kifts,' carry ling eighteefn twelve pounders; tWip fchooner*} the «ne carrying fourteen, the oth«r twelve fix-pounders ; a large fla^botttmned radeau with iiJc tWenty- four, and fix twclve-poun' deif I'^lind' a gondola with eight ninc-pounders. > Befides thef# th^ Velr« twent<' « iTi;^. •^ finaller fize, call ' , vuoats, cat* iyinl each a pieou s.^ brat, ordance from nine *,o twenty^four pounders or howitsers* Severa) long-boat:; were fitted out in the fiine xtiannetTj and befides all thefc^ there were a vaft number of boats and tenders of Various fi^es, to be ufed as tranfports for the troops and baggage. It was manned by a number of feleft feameni and the guns were td be ferved by a detachment from the corps of artillery; the .officer! and foldiers appointed for this expedition Were alfo chofen out of the> whole army* To oppofe this formidable armament the Americans had only a Very ihconfiderable force, commanded by Cenefal Ai;noId; who. After ^gaging part of the JBrittfh fleet for a whole day, todk ad* Vantage of the darknefs of the night to fet fail without being per- eeived, and next morning was out of fight; but he was fo clofely Jkurfued by the Brittlh, that on the fecond day after he was over« taken, and forced jpo • fecond engagement. In this he behaved with great gallantry; but hit force being inferior to that of ^e enemy, he was obliged to run his ffaips aihore and fet them on fire< A few only efcaped to Lake George; and the garrifon of Cirown Point having deilroyed or carried off every thing of value^ retired to TiConderago. Tliifher General Carletoti intended to have pur. (ued them ; but the difficulties he had to encounter appeared fo many and fo great, that it was thought proper to march b4ck into Canada, and defifl from any further operations till next fpring. Thus the aflbirs of the Americans feemed every where going fo wreck : even thofe wno had been mofl fanguine in their caufc began to waVer. The time, alfo, for which the fo^dicn had en- lifted themfelves was now expired ; and the bad fucccfs of ther preceding campaign had been fo very difcouraging, that no per- ibn Was willing to engage himielf during the continuance of a war, of which the event fcemcd to be fo doubtful. In confc. ^oence of this, therefore, General Waihington found his army decreafing in flrcngth ; fo that from thirty-thou(and men, of whom it'Confifted, when General Howe landed x}n Staten Ifland, fcarce a tenth part could.now be mudercil. I'd aflift the chief comman^ der as much as pofilblcj General Lee had colle^d a body of forces 5«d MtSTORYOtTHt In the north iW on hit wjiy fouthwitd, hivtnf la i b Mi tl iy taken up his lodging at lome diftance from hit tioof^ infbnmiiM Was.given to Colonel Harcourl, whb happerwd •! thit |im»0lii in the neighbourhood, and Lee was nude prilbpen The lol^ ^ this general was much regi^tted, the more erpecioUy n }i^ wat p ! Atperior quality to any prifoner in the pofliefliefn flthe colOi^Ali and could not therefore be exch jngcd. St* ^eUM^I&cers UTifep offered in exchange; for him and refuM^Mt^^ the€oii|||4k|yi highly irritated as its beifig reported that Ke lyaa «Dr,bett«alt#iNlC» defrrltfr^ having been a half .pay officer ilk the BltUlH Itrm^ the commencement of the war^ In confequenee of thtnlhey jpl^ ft proclamation, threatening to retaliate 'on the prifoners ill ih«ft pofllttflion whatevr- punifliment fhould be in0i^d oi;i^any of tkolb taken by the Britt(h, and efpecially that thtiir condu^ fhouU b« regulated by the treatment of General Lce« ' In the mean time they proceeded with tlpe moft indefatJgd^ diligei^e fo recruit their army, and bound their foldters to fiirvo fur a term of three years, or during the continuaAceof the war^ Th(p army defigned for the enfuing campaign w^i to confift o^ • eighty-eight battalions*, of Which each province. l«ras to Contribute its ^oCa-, and twenty dollars Were offered us n bounty to each foldicr, beftdes an allotmmt of lands at the end of the War» In this ajlotment was ftipulated, that eacirfoldier (faould haVeonci hundred acres; an enfign one hundred and. fifty*, a lieutenanf two hundred; a captain three hundred; a major fOur hundred) a^^utenant-colonel four hundred and fifty; and a colonel five h^iredl No lands were promifed to thofe who inlifted only for three years* All officers or (bidiers difabled thntugh wounds receive^ ilithe fervi'ce to enjoy half-pay during life. To defray the expihce, congrefs borrowed five millions of dollars at five per cent ; for payment of which the United States became furety< At the fiMn* tinl«t ih order to animate the people to vigorous ex- ertiiMiis, ri dellairation was publifhed, in which they (et forth tlte necejfnty there was for taking proper methods to infure fuccefs in their caufe : they endeavoured to palliate as much as poflible the misfortunes which had. already happened; and reprefented the true cauie of the prcfent dliftref& to be the fliort term of enlift- ment. This declaration, together with the imminent danger of Phila- dclphta, determined the Americans to exert theml'clves to the ut- 'moft in orc^er to reinforce General Waftiington's army. They foon received farther encouragement, .however, by an exploit of that general againft the Heflians. As the Royal army extended in different cantonments for a great way, Geni Wafhington, perceiving the imminent danger to which Philadelphia wa> AiaEktCAk Rkvoivfitiif, ^u kmti to miilce (bme Mmpt on Uiti^ ^ifiorii of tlk ly which l«y tt«^treft * the town ; >^ J2?^'*¥J''^<*»<^<*W^ While Ht^a^. WlWith the thitdi di*eftlrtg his cobf fe to « ferry fym raiies ' ««Vft fijeiftort, ihtiiridert^^ at midnight, anil at. «Ck the JHeOiaht a< bkak of day. Btiihy rd^fotj of varidui' ith- fcdi«ent«, Jrwai cigfit of thd morning Itefort he ^ould feadi thd |Ufceof hisdeftination; Thi enemy, KoWevcl-.dia not pertMire hU approach till iHcy Were fuddqhly attaclcd. Colonel Ralle Vho tonittkftdcd^herti, drd an thrt c^^^ from a hfayi ^riil ii^pCJr^eticc^ b«cer j hut cirtsi^ thin^ wis inAich con- fofJon, thai rio «ffoftt of t^iloiir of fkill coiild noW r^lrWe mjttters. The colonel hlmlellP was mortalty woutided/his troops w^fij eh- * iffiny brolten, iMf artHiery feiicdj m about One thoufapd laien ^ TC» a^ioH, th^fu^ ili^rti^^^^ of liO very dCcifiVe nature,' wAi fupcicnt a| thav liWe to tiirti the fortune of war in favoii^ of America* It tcntfc4 gi-Citly ' to leffen the fcir which the ^^In- ' Cials had of the HeHians, at the ISune time it eduany «lMtt^ the confiderjcft which the Britift' had tilt noW put iH'them.r^ ketn- /orcemcrits Came into General Wailiiiigliin^ foth'at he Was fooii in a condition to leaVe Pli^dfelphia, and take' up liU quarters at Trenton. Emboldened by & fi^ccefk, he do- termined to make an attempt on a divifion Olthi' J^ritiih forces ftationcd at Maidenhead, a thwn fituated half wary^HtHeen Tren- ton, and Princeton. This ctmfiftcd of three regiments under the command of Colonel Mawhood, an oiBccr of gV^at merif. The tropps were furpi [fed on their march ; but th» expedition' con AA«ct .of iMrly4ix ^i- of BridRi and Hefliant, • regivcnt of light horfc, tind a ^iMdy «f Ipyii^^^ '^*^<^ *^ New- York, , The remainder of there*; %i|k firvcnteem battalion^ and another ^body of light horfle, wer« ' ,||»lilMiid at New- York under $ir mtiify, Clinton. Seven hftta^ J^g^ weroJUM^ned at Rhode-Iflind* After a iiKfkfe failiagih^ •arrived aijrK s |»mitiy»f the Delaware \ but thcrff received cfltlin i^||ell||rn^ tlbft im navigation of the river wa» fo effoCkially ^i^uAedt tkH fno pombiJUy of forcing a pafTage' remained, t^on 1^ k vtu Miblved to proceed farther fouthward lo Cheftpcak B^ in Biaryiandt from whence the diftancc to Philadetphlt^aa not very greati and where the provincial army vrould find Icfe advantage from the nature of the country then in the Jerleya. The navigation from Delaware to Chefapeak took up the beft part of the month of Augu^.and that up thrbay itfclf Wa» cx^ tremely difficult «nd tedioua. At hft, having failed up the river "iXk as far aawu praftjcable, the t)-0((»pa were |anded without op* pofition, and fet forward on their inteilded ijrpedition. On the news of thei^ arrival in Chefapeak, <}en«ral Waftiington left the Jerfeya, and haftened to the relief of Philadelphia % and in the beginning of Septembier met the Royal army at Brandy-wine Creek about mid-day, between the head of the Elk and Philadcl. phia. Here he adhered to hia former method of {kihniihing and haralfing the Royal army on itn march j but aa this proved infuf' ^ ficient to ftop ita progrefs, he retired to that fide of the Otieknex' to Philadelphia with an intent to difpute the paflitge. Thi* brought on a general engagement on the i t«th of September,' in which the Americans were worfted thro|U|^ the fuperior difci' pline of the Britifh troops { and it was only through the appro6ch of night that they were faved from being entirely deftroj'ed. On (his occafion the provincials loft aboqt one thoufand in killed an^ wounded, befidcs four hundred taken prifoners, The lofs of this battle proved alfo the lofs of Philadelphia. — General Wafhington retired towards Lancafter, an inland town at a Confiderable diftance from Philadelphia. Here, however, the Britifli general took i'uch meafures as mu ft have forced the pro- vincials to a fecohd engagement { but a violent rain which laftcd a day and a night prevented his deflgn. General Waihington^ though he could not prevent the lofs of Philadelphia, ftill adhered to his original "plan of diftreffing the Royal party, by laying ■mbulhes and cutting off detached parties : but in this he was lei's fuccefsful than fortherly ; and one of his own detachments, which lay in ambufti in a wood, were themfelves iiirpriicd and entirely ' defeated, with the lofs of three hundred killed and wounded, br^ fides a great number taken, and all their arms and baggage, 3 X a m .*. ir/«r^jrr«rrw '0tnM HoiMc now perceiving that the Amerieiiit mmn|<| ]i4| vdlture another battle even for the fake of thiH" ^^m^ tmlfmm piacedWe poffe fTmn of it on the j6th of September. Hia firft ^m 'f] JWW then to cut olT, by me|Mof ftrong br tteriea, th^ «oinmim^aiivk| ruttd notwtthftaiidiiig the oppofition of ihme American armtl veflbjat one of Which, carrying ihtrty4x gMUy ;M^lftt«|mV Hi# nejff tiik wai to open a communication witlTit by I'm } an^ w* _. . _. _, „,, tM| wal t' work of no fmall difficulty. A vaft nMmbcl'if teti«#ifi «n4 / tort% had been erefied, and immciife hMfi|i|nel f6vmA likf cAlf^'*' ^efriie^ from whence tl^cy took thttrname, fuuk in di« riwr^l^ preN^cnt ita nagivation. Aaithe flee^ ^.vaa fcnt jound^to |h« tnou^ of the river, in order to co-operate with the army, thta work, howt ever dilfiru|t, was accoppliflied ; nordid theprovinciaU give much oppo£tion, aa well knowing that all pUcei of this kind were now pntenable. Consral Walhington, however^ took the advantage of the royal army b^ing divided; to attack the camp of the princi- cal divifion of i^^h||;layiet German-town, in the neighbourhood pr Philadelpliia, In this |ie me^ with very liule fuccefa ; for tHoug^» however, pf f arryiiig off their cannon, though purruc4 for a confi^rablc way, after Jiaving three hundred killed, fix hundred wojinded, ^ind upwards of four hundred taken prifoncrsi among whom were fifty-four officers. On the Briiilh fide, tbo Jofs amounted to jfouj: hundred and thirty wounded and prUoMeis and feventy kijlcd J but among the laft were Geneial Agnew and polonel Bird, yiritHfomc other excellent offif:crs, There ftijl remained twp ftiong fort? on the Delaware to be Ycr <3uccd. Theit were Mud Ifiand and Red Ban);. The variouj pbHruflioni^^^hich t^c < Amqriicans had throvyn in the way render, cd it neceflary to bring up the Augufta, a flup of the line, and the Merlin frigate, to the attack of Mud Ifland ; but during the heat pf the a£lion both were grounded. Upon this, the Americans lent jdown four- fire-lhips, and direded the whole fire from their galleys againll them. The former were rendered ineffec- tual by the (tfourage anU (kill of the Britilk feamen ; but during the engagement both the Augufta and Merlin look fire and were burnt to afties, and the other fliips obliged to with- draw. The Americans encouraged by this unluccelsful pttempt proceeded to throw new obfttuftions in the way ; but the Britiih jpcncral having^foMJid means to convey a ni|mbcr of cannon, an4 4'' m ■0ii^^fut»tmt . f^\n gun(l|o| of Utf {ejrt by Ufui^ lad line which mouiit«4)kCivy onnun, tU« ga|]qi • vi|prc»u« defiBfK^;^r one day, pcrcdving^ ^Kg^, ipaking f9r a f|if|lr4 nflkult on !)« next, K the, night* Thofc Vho d^<|||4fd IUd» [^iuitn|p4%itnd ahiDdoiied tl on tht. pppfpfcK i»&A*|iplt nwnbcr of thf) Anwricafi &t|»p«, pif .i|ii|Bn|i|kl||^^ eoliraly dcilitute of »ny proU^Uon, |iUe4 uy :||i Cl¥or in l%night.tiine. Seventeen, : hoi(i;«Yer, r«i|^«ine^ «iif|i«hllh9tA9Mllin» r»« them «|Wfs apid burnt th^ tpiyrfi; venltlietr falling Into the eneiny'i h«ndt# ' .u . Thus the campaign of 1777 in Penfy^fj^a conditdadt/ttccfii^* fully on the pattoftht Britiih^ In thO |!hP^39^^*>'> ^ViHi^^ wore • different afpe^. Thi fxpedjt^pyip' 1^ 4^irtf^ ' 4 been projedcd1>y the-firitilh niiniftiy Uv^^ i|i|^ thod that could be taken to cm(k.thif^^f^B^IJ^}^ Tht four provipceaof New-Engla^ J^ :Q^jii)l%ii^^^ deracy againft Briuin, and w^ i^f^i{id«i!cd ^ tJii% ni^fc five in the continuation of i^; iji^it' WRI though^ th«t(,»li: impreflton made upon them would OQPlnbutQ in an 9Sfi^4a|||anf per to the reduf^ton of all tho reft^ f^, thia purpoiCa, Vf^^np pf four thoui'and thofen firitifli troop^andihr^ thoufand Gidf >Nrt« fc«ree.,fuf. |iicientto defend them properly. They had ffidl^ttre omitted' to fortify a rugged eminen^ce called St0irMilii die top of which pverlobktd and.eifefluaUy commanded the 1«rjbi^worJt$ ; vaitily Innagitiing' that the difliculty of the aftiefit w^d 1»e ibfficltiit to |>reveht Ihe enemy from takht| ppfieflioh of iiv Oh the appnoacj^ pf the fiirfl; divifion or the army, the provihciala abandoned and "^et fire to their outworks; and fo expeditious were the Britifh iroops, that by the 5th of July every pod Was fecured that was judged necefi'ary for invefting it completely. A road vas fuon after made td the very Summit of that eminence ^hich the Ame- ricans had with fuch confidence fuppofed could not be afcendcd, •nd fo much \i^ere they now difheartened, that they inftantly fAnn^iKMl the ktt enttodly, taking the road to Skenefborough, a |dacoth Overtaken. Their armed yeffels confided only of five galleys; two of which Were taken, and three blown up ; on which they fet fire to their boats and fortification at Skenefborough. On this occafion the provincials loft two hundred bouts, one hundred and thirty pieces of cannon, with all their isrovifions and bagr ^agc. Their land-forces under Colonel Francis made a bi-avo defence againft General Fraler: and being greatly fuperior in number, had almoll overpowered him, when General Reidefel ^th a large body of Germans came to his aflidance. The Ame^ ricans were now overpowered in their turn ; and their cominar.r del being killed, they fled on all fides with great precipitation. In this a£iion two hundred Americans were killed as many taken prifuners, and above fix hundred wounded, many of whom pe- rifhed in the woods fur want of aflidance, Ikiring the engagement General Sinclair was at Cafilcton, about fix miles from the place; but indead of going forward to Fort Anne, the next place of drength, he repaired to the woods which lie between that fortrcfs and New-England. General Burgoync, however, detached Colonel Kill with the ninth regi- ment, in order to intercept (uch as (hould attempt to retrei? towards Fort Anne. On his way he met with a body of tbeenf my, faid to be fix times as numerous as his own; but after an. cncagcmcnt; of thrpQ hourS; they were obliged to retire will} I , f,.ir B omitted t<> p of MirWcH ,rkij vainly fttfficlentto «ivfloned an4 e the Britifh iTtiV that was oad vas foon ich the Ame- t be afccndcd, they inftantly sncfborough, a baggage, with off, were fcnt icrals wcvc de- re purfued antl of five galleys I on which they jorough. On ;», one hundred ifions and bagr made a bniva ily fuperior in :neral Reidefel c. The Amc. their cominar.r it precipitation, as many taken of whom pe- ls at Caaicton, ling forward to cd to the woods lland. General the ninth reg»- [cmpt to retreat body of the ene' In ; but aticr an to retire viiJ^ f^fiMt tim^ Merican REvq£^ti0if. i^f many di^^ers, 4^f{(>airin|i of being aUeto ton Anne, xhe^ Jti ^fe IQ it and rettrel to \\ thc<« eng«igctii^;|JLthe lofs of kiUed and , ^ il army did not ^i^tk Ivo hundred melb^ Bl?rg6|9« .wa» ppt^ M^tia fufpcnd hjii operations a^ %x^ ^^^9k^^ft^^ov^^ for the arrivaf ^il hi* teliti; provif^li^S( 4te^ out'eniploycd t^ intervai in makini if9vU i *9U|h the cotiQtry about j$]t^ ^Anii^,, aftd in 0elring^ a ^^flTag* for^^U troop* to proiseed againli<linounte4>fith equal, f^ttfnce and re£q|uti0n by the army. Xnjfc^it, aftetr unftcrjSping tbe utmoU difficulty that could be tindergoviei sindQjkaking eiVery, exertion that man eould make, he arrived Wit|^ His army befo.r<^| Fort Edward about the end of July. Hire 0^^ had been for fome time endeavouring to r^^crutt the ihatteficfd Amc^ rican forces, and had been joined by General i^incjair with tho remains of his army ; the garrifon of Fort George tlfo, fituatedl on the lake of that name, had evacuated the place and retireidto Fort Edward. But on tl>e approach of the royal army, they retired from thence alfo, and formed their head quarters at Saratoga. Not- withftanding the great fucCcfles of the Britiih Generitl, they Ihowed not the leaft difpofttion to fubmit, but feemed/dnly to confider how they might make the moil efSeftual refi (lance. For this pwrpofe, the militia was every where raifed and draughted to join the army at Saratoga ; and fuch numbers of volunteers wero daily added, that they foon began to recover from the terror into which they had been thrown. That they might have a comman- der whole abilities could be relied on, General Arnold was ap- pointed, who repaired to Saratoga with a confiderable train of ar- tillery; but receiving intelligence that Colonel St. Leger was proceeding with great rapidity in his expedition on the Mohawk River, he removed to Still-water, a piace about half-way between Saratoga and the junftion of the Mohawk and Iludfon's River, The Colonel, in the mean time, had advanced as far aa Fort Stan, the fiege of which he preffcd with great vigour. On the 6th of Auguft, underdanding that a iupply of provilions, elcort- [ «d by eight or nine hundred men, was on the way to the fort, he difpatched Sir John Johnfon with a (Irong detachment to in- tercept it. This he didlbeffeftually, that befidcs intercepting the provifions, four hundred of its guards were (lain, two hundred [taken, and the reft efcaped with great difficulty. The garrifon, however^ were not to be intimidated by this dii'aftcr, nor by the threats or reprcfentations of the Colonel: on the contrary, they |inj,de leveral fucccfsful fallies uijder Colonel Willct, the fecond i ,» hi ^ttituttd out of the 'ii^j ttiy, Jiflfcd throiU)(i r' '"*" Ar#4!lQ their affl faV(jiar*bl6 fituafton tic|^ wer^fil6ai. ^i^V^^rM: ^«yj foH yy^i'Xp^i^'^^^Mttii Bttrgoyne haid Immt d*f!ttit«l with gre?t fljWf^ftpi', |nk"i^*>W flying before the pPoviftckU. On { f hiir he w»s <^iti It^d iiot bc^ Gefl$il:||^;__ Siutt^'fe'S ter'lWMtti,' pains v)f«pp^^ the enemy { fo ddiii th^y thought |>n)^er; and the retreat ithout the lo& of the tents and Tome of >ret^ |he mean time, notwiftanding all thd Titftiined) found that he muft ftill en- he had made with fo much labour and etlOpi^iipPe Wetneis of the Asaibn, or by :ffiofmdfAhe brought from Fort George could not airriveai hit' camp without the rao{{ prodigious toih On hetj^ng of the fle|e ttt were to » cngaymenlr-^i Mlilia ili y ^pj i p ii ip ■ ■ i i» ii pi!i i^jtigi;yfaifc) t|l%fiigh .the d«rlinef»ol&t)ic ipghtt i#W«iK»rw^^^ igjt. k«y« done* aivliis m«o b«^iicp«iiitii^il|dt^ rounds ' t#'iHieh.' /- . •^^'■hi ••*#.^ ^- - ^^ ^n" ^lis^m W ^ Cennral Burgdijpnej tkt»^ di(ap|>tfirili^irr4(ilNtl(|iii|»t on Bcn^ iiingtoh^ aptplied himfelf with mdehtiffSblt diligence to. procure provifions^ from Fort Gtorgef Imd having at length amaifed a lufficienfc quantky to lad , fof ^ -iltttmfa,, he threw a bridge of boats over, the river Hudfon^ whiijih h<^ oroflied about • the middle of Scpcember^ encampihj^ on the hilb and plains n^ar Saratoga. As loon as he approached fche provincial army, at this fcime encamped a^ Stillwater under General Gatea|)ie determined to make an attack } for which purpofe hi^apil^iin&U; at the head of the central divifion of his army, luM^p^^afeneial Fra&r and Colonel Breyman on the rights with' €^C|iM||l3l,^)^^ lips on the left. In this pofitton he adwitacira towards the ene- tny on the igth of Septemben But the Amctitans did not now Wait to be attacked : on the contrary^ they attacked the central ' divifion with the utmoft braVery ; and; it was not until Generalj Philips widi the artillery came up that they; could be repuUcd. On this o Iwer by levcral trufty perfons whom he dil'patched different ways^ ftating his prefent difkrefTed fituation, and mentioning that the .. provilions and other nccelTaries he had would only enable him to hold out till the i uth of 0ntiiyQiQ4< to diers ■tVlamnm "^tihii^^- #«iifg||iti|^ H^immua^t^ move tonarM^ etllnf^f'f-aiiMani'p^ fifteen hundriJiilliM toiiibnn mt«n(iM^, if poflible, tOf )|iin|ai!|; #iroii^ it in ord«# f^efFcArrif^efrett. '!Bb* detaclnnent, - howev«r^ had hot pFoceeded far ivhpn a dreadful attack was madier upC^^liUilcft wiiig. of thtrfiritifh army^ which wa» v^ith great difficiOT)F'^il&rer\redfr6m being, entirely broken by a reinforcetiient>liVot»ght up' by GeneraV Fraler, who was killed iiv; the attacks After the froopa had with the moft defperate efforts^ regainied their camp, ii was moft fu^rioufly aflaulred by General Arnold;; who^'hotwithftanding all oppofition, would have forced the ehtrenchmenti^lml^h^not received a dangerous wound, which obliged him to l«^r|R« /^^P'hus the attack failed on the teft^ but on the right tihfe-»felt^^ ^foj |i>/%yelve hundred, exelufwe of the Germans i but the grcateft miitfortune was^ that tne dnemy had now anopen-< ing 'on the right and rear of the Britifli forces, fo that the army was threatened with entire deftru&ioh. This obliged General Burgoyne once more to fliift his pufiiion, that the enemy might alfo be obliged tb alter theirs. Tiiis was accemplifhed- on the night of the 7th, without any lofs, and all the next day he con- tinued to olVcr the cacmy battle ; but they were now too well afl'urcd of obtaining a complete viftuty, hy cutting off all fup" plies from the Britifh, to rif)s. a pitched battle. Wherefore they advanced on the right ftde, in oi'der to inclofe him entirely; which obliged the General to direct a retreat towards Saratoga. But the enemy had now ftationed a great force on the ford at Hudfon's River, fo that the only poUibility of retreat was by i'ecuring a palTige to Lake George ; and to effefl this, a body of workmen were detached, with a ftrong guard, to repair the roade and'bridges thut led to Fort Edward. As foon as they were gone, however, the enemy. fcemcd ao prepare for an attack ; which ren- de)oifo.t4i%i|:i,'^iC«me nf- iceffary to convey the praviiions over Imdt^ 5bi -tlfts e^J^M^tnc dan- iger, it wu rerolve«l^6, inarch by night 4ilJp(%J|i|dwar4,. forcing 4he paflages at the lords either above < 0MiJ b »t ( ii l { Jth# pl|CKl^>,j|ic] ift order to cfFefl: this the vnai^ eiAly, it 'W9& ff^^tmd'it^t the foU ■diers ihpuld carry their provifions <)n, their hack>s, X^iV^i^g be- hind their baggage aiod ©very other irf^vafihrangc, But .bcfoi;e this could be executed, inteiligcnce was received tha^t the cncm<^'^ had raifsd ftrongentrcnchments oppofite tq t^e ^ds, well pro- vided with cannon, and that they had UJkewire taken poiTcfllon of ihe rifing i^round between Fort George a|id.i''or.t ^w^d, w}iic)i in like manner was provided with cannon, AH thifi time the American army was incicafing by the conti- nual arrival of militia and volunteers from all parts. Their par- ties extended all aiong the oppolite hank of Hudfon's River, and fome had even paQied it in order to obfcrve the leail jnovemcnt 4of the Britiili army. The whole force uqjder Qfi^eral Gates was computed at ftxteenihoufand men, whilethe a^giy under Geucrsl Burgoyne fcarce amounted to fix thoufand iMi^^Hpty^^rt of tl^c camp was reached by the grape and rifle fliot ^f fjl^e cncm^y, bc- Udes a difcharge from their artillery^ which W8S almod inceflant. In this ftate of extreme diflrefs and danger, thte army continued •with the greateflfonftancy and perfeverance till the evening of the f. 3th of Oftober, whtin an • inventory of provisions he^ng taken, it was found that no more retrained than what were rulHcient to ferve for three days ; and a council of war being called, it w3s wnanimoufly determined that there was no method now re;naity' ing but to treat with the enemy. In confequcncc of this, a nc^ gociation was opened next day^ which Ipcedily terminated in a capitulation of the whole Britifh arni^y ; the principal article of which was, that the troops were to have a free paffage to Britair, on condition of not ferving againft America during the war. On this occafion, General Gates ordered his army to keep vilhin their camp while the Britiih foldiers went to a place appointed for them to lay down their arms, that the latter rhight not have the additional mortification of being made fpc^cles of fo mclani- choly an event. The number of thofe who furrendcred Sara- toga amounted to five thouland feven hundred and fifty, accori^- ing to the American accounts; the lid of fick and wounded left in the camp when the army retreated to Saratoga, to five hundred and twenty-eight ; and the number of thole loft by other acci^- d^ntiS fince the taking of Ticonderoga, to near thjee thouland, •3 V 9 :m 1R^ MisrowrorTMM Thirt^-tiNi>bnfs ficM^iecet, f«e«n time, had failed up the North River, and 4li|nlyii4|il|wo forts called Montgomery and Clirn , ton, Mly^ftf^f^^ Cp tt(Mt| i| iwi , anfl another plaee cabled Continental Vil)ag^,lf^lrhyas alio another b9om of little Icfs value at Fort Gonftitution, The lofs of the Britifh army was but fmall in number, though fotne j|&ccrs of great merit were killed in the diffci^ent attacks, Another attack was made by Sir James Wallace with fomc 'frigates, and a body of land forces under General Vau^han. The placb which iii9«Mr fllffeired was named Efopus : the fortifications were deftroyed, and the town itfelf vas reduced t» a^ies, as tha( palled Gontimnatli V illarge had been before, But thefe '^ftiHt^tllfei, of whatever importance they might be, were now difi^rdcd by both parties. They fervcd only to irritate the AmOripanSi fluihed with tlieir fucceis ; and they wero utterly infufficicnt to raife the fpirits of the Briti^, who were now thrown into the utmoft difmay, On the 1 6th pf March i-^-jS, Lord Noith intimated to the houf« of commons, that a paper had been laid before the king by •$he French ambaffador, intimating the conclufion of a^d alliance between the dlpurt of France and the United States of America, The preliminaries of this treaty had been concluded in the end of the year 1777, and a copy of them ferit to congrcfs, in order to counteraft any propofals that might be made in the mean time by the Britilh miniftry. On the 6th of February 1778, the articles were fortpally figned, to the g«*rat fatisfajElion of the French i\ation, . They were in fubftancc as follows ; 1. If Great Britain fbould, in confenfederate4 4, Should liny of the, Weft India iflands be reduced by ft»nc«^ ihcy fhould be ^emed its property. «# , , 5. No formal treaty with GreattBritain Qiould be conoladed ei^ thenby France or America without the confcnt of eacbctther; and it was mutually engaged 'that they (hould not jay dowi^rtheir armd -till the independence of ithe SiUtcs had been furmaUy a<;l(now- Jedgcd. . • 6. The contraAing parties mutually agreed to invite thofe pow* era that had received injuries from Creat-j^citain to join the com- mon caui'e^ 7, The United States guaranteed to * .apce all the pofleflionc in the Weft Indies which (he (hould conquer; and France in her |urn guaranteed the abfolute independency of the States, and their fupremc authority over cvcuy .^ouQtry they poiTetTed, or inight acquire during the war^ The notification of fuph a treaty as thip could not be looked upon as a declaration of war. On its being apnounced to the f Ihtir numr berlefs blunders apd-mifcarriages in evety inftanpc. Many were of opinion, that the only way to extricate the nation from its trou- ble was to acHnowlodgc the independency of Ame^^a at once t and thus we might ftill do with a good grace what muft inevitably be done at laft, after expending much more blood and treafure than had yet been lavifhcd in this unhappy conteft. The minif- terial party,' however, entertained different ideas. Inftigatedby ambition and folly, it was determined at once to refent the inter- ference of :France, and profecute hoftilities againft America with more vigour than ever, (hould the terms now offered be re- jeftcd. ^ The Americans, in the mean time, afliduoufly employed their agents at the courts of Spain, Vienna, Prultia, and Tufcany, in order, if po(Tible, to conclude alliances with them, or at Icaft to procure an acknowledgment of their indepcncy. As it had been reported that Britain intended to apply for afllftancc to RuiCa, the American commiflGoners were enjoined to vfe their utnjoft influx ence with the German princes to prevent fu^h auxiliaries from marching through their territories, and to endeavour to procure the recal of tlie German troops already fent to America. To France they offered a ccflion of fuch Weft India iflands as (hould be taken by the united ftrcngth of France ^and America ; and ^ould Britain by their joint endeavours.be difpolTeffed of New- fpundland, Cape Breton, and (jova Scptia, the(ip territories (houH 534 HISTORY Of THE ' 'He (SiikitA betwixt the tW'riationt, and Great-Britain be totally ■ exclciibil from tMI fifhery. > The propofaU to the Spanifli court Ivctv^^^'liMfih care they fhould think proper to efpoufe their qoar. rd, the Alllerican State* ihould aflift in reducing-Penfacola under the dominie^ ^£)f Spain, provided their fubjefta were allowed the free navigation of the Mtfllflippi, and the ufe of the harbour of Pcnfacola ; and they further offered, that if agreeable to Spain, they would declare war againd Portugal, fliould that power expel the American (hipa from ita ports. In the mean time, the troops under General Burgoyne were prepsiring to embark for Britain accord' " to the convention at Saratoga; but in the interim, congrefs pofttively .refufcd them permilFion fo to do, having difcovered that fome finifter dcfigns were hairboured on the part #f Britain, and that they only wanted an opportunity to join the other troops at Philadelphia or New<> York. The Teafon for a^ion was now approaching $ and congrefs was indefatigable in its preparations for a new campaign which it was confidently faid wovfid be the lail. Among other methods taken for this purpofe, it viras recommended to all the young gentlemen of the 'colonies to form themfelvcs into bodies of cavalry to ferve at their own expence during the war. General Wafliington at the fame time, in order to remove all incumbrances from hiSkar- my, lightened the baggage as much as poiTible, by fub(iituting farks and portmanteaus in place of chefls, and boxes, and uHog pack-horfes inftcad of waggons. On the other hand, the Britifh army,'cxpefting to be fpeedily reinforced by twenty thoufand men, thought of nothing but concluding tKe war according to their wiflics before the end of the campaign. It was with the ut> mod concern, as well as , indignation therefore, that they receiv* ed the news of Lord North's conciliatory bill. It was univerially looked upon as a national difgracc ; and iome even tore tha cock- ades from their hats, and trampled them under their feet as a tc« }(en of their indignation. By the colonifts it was received with 'Indifference. The Britifli commiiTioners endeavoured to make it fi public as poflTible • and congrefs, as formerly, ordered it to be printed in all the ncwfpapers. On this occaflon Governor Tryon jnClofed feveral topics of the bill to General Wafhington in a let- ter intreatirig that he would allow them to he circulated ; to which that general returned for anlwcr a copy <;»f a ncwl'paper in which jhe bill was printed, with the rcfolutions of congrefs upon it, Thiefe were, that whoever prefumcd to make a feparate agreement with Britain fhov^i be deemed a public enemy ; that the United (States couW not with any proprit'ty keep corrcfpondence with tjie fpmmiflioncrs ur4il .their incWpendcnce was acknowledged, AMERICAN REVOLUTION. sm tibetottUy tanifli court I their qHor» acoU under allowed the harbour of e to Spain, power expel rgoyne were unvcntion at efurcd them lifter dcfigns only wanted >hia or Ncw^ congrcfs wa» which it wa» lethods taken ng gentlemen valry to fcrvc iVaihington at ^s from hiswar- fubftituting [es, and ufing i, the Britifti ;nty thoufand according to |s with the ut- it they receive as univerlally ore tha cock- ir feet as a tc- jreccived with rd to make it Idered it to be ivcrnor Tryon jgton i'^ *' **^' |ted ; to which iper in which ■refs upon it, ,'ate agreement at the United jondencc with icknowledgcd, &nd the Brttifli fleets and armfes removed from America. At the fame time, the colonies w^re warned not to fufFer themfelvoi to be deceived into fecurity by any oflFers that might be made; but to ufe their utmofl endeav^urf to fend their quotas with all dili- gence into the field. The individuals with whom thp commif- ftohcrs converfad on the fubjc^ of the conciliatory bill, generally returned for anfwcr that the day, of reconciliation, was paft} and that the haughtinefs of Britain had eXtinguilhed all filial regard in the breafts of Americans. About this time alfo Mr. Silas Deanp arrived from France with two copies of the treaty of commerce and alliance to be figned by Congrefs. Advices of the mod agreeable nature were alfo receiv-. ed from various parts, reprefenting in the moft favourable light the difpofitionsof the European powers ; all of whom, it was faid, wiflied to fee the independence of America fettled upon the moil firm and permanent bafis. Confidering the fuuation of matters with the colonifts at this time, therefore, it is no wonder that the commiflioners found themfelvcs unable to accomplifli the errand on which they came. Their propofals were uttdrly rejefl- ed, thcmfelves treated as fpies, and all intercourfe with them interdi£led« But before any final anfwcr could be obtained from congrefs, Sir Henry Clinton had taken the rcfolution of evacuating Phi- hdelpbia. Accordingly, on the loth of June^ after having made all neceflary preparations, the army marched out of the city and crofledthe Delaware before noon with all its baggage and other incumbrances. General Wafliington, apprifed of this defign, had difpatched exprelTcs into the Jerfeys with orders to eolleft all the force that could be afliembled in order to obftru£l the march of the enemy. After various movements on both fides, Sir Hen- ry Clinton, with the royal army, arrived on the 27th of June at a place called Freehold ; where, judging that the enemy would attack him, he encamped in a very ftrong fituation. Here Gfr- I neral Wafhington determined to make an attack as foon as the I army had begun its march. The night was fpent in making the jneccffary preparations, and General Lee with his divifion was ordered to be ready by day-break. But, Sir Henry Clinton, juftly [apprehending that the chief objcfl: of the enemy was the bsggage, [committed it to the care of General Kn/phaufen, whom he order- led to fet out early in the morning, while he followed with the [reft of the army. The ^attack was accordingly made; but th,. Britifh general had taken fuch care to arrange his troops pro* [pvly, and fo effeftually fupported his forces when engaged with [the Americans, that the latter not only made no- impreflion, but [were with dif&culty prclerved from a total defeat by the advance # 0f Genent Wafliington with the w))ol#trmy. The ftritiA ^rodpi effected their retreat with the loft of three hundred men, of whom many died through mete fatigue without any wound. In thif rftion General Lee j^ni charged by'^Gtineral Wafhington with diibbrdienceand mifconduft in retreating before thtBritifh arniy^ He WdS tri<|d by a tourt-martial, ghd fentcnccd to a temporary fufpeniton from his command. After they had arrived at Sandy Rook, a bridge of boa;s was by Lord- Howe^ direftions thrown from thence over the channel WhiC^ feparattfd the ifland from the iniin land, and the tro<>p« were conveyed aboard the fleet : »fter tvhich they failed to New-YorlTj After fending forte light de- ^chmcnts to x^tch the enemy's motions, General Wafliington marcel; J to\vard& the NF^djk River, where a great forcd had beeir eolleftcd to join him, ana u^erc it was n New Yorfc. It con- lifted of one fhip of ninety guns, one of eighty, fxk of feventy- four, and four of fiAty-four, beftdes feveral large frigates; and, cxclufiVe of its compliment of failors^ had fix thoufand marines ■nd foldiers on board. To oppofe this the Britiih had only fix fhips of lixty-four guns, three of fifty, and two of forty, with ibme frigates and floops^ Notwithftanding this inferiority, how- tvcr, the Britiih admiral pofled himfelf fo advantageoufly, and fhowed fuch fuperior fbill, that d'Eftaing did not think proper to attack him. He therefore remained at anchor four miles oS Sandy Hook till the 22d of July* without effefting any thing more than the capture of fome veffels, which, through ignorance Df his arrival, fell into his hands. The next attempt of the French admiral was, in conjunftioit with the Americans, on Rhode Ifland. It was propoled that d'Eltaing, with the fix thoufand troops he had with him, fhould make a defcent on the fouthern part of the idand, while a body of I the Americans fhould take and dellroy all ihq Britiih (liipping. On the 8th of Auguft the French admiral entered the harbour as I was propoicd, but found himfelf unable to do any material danng?, Lord Howe, however, inftantly fet fail for Rhode-Ifland ; and! d'Ellaing, confiding in his fuperiority, immediately came out of I the harbour to attack him. A violent ftorm parted the two ileetsJ and did fo much damage that they were rendered totally unfix fori aftion. The French however, fufFered moft ; and feveral <'f I n, of whom d. In this ngton with kitilh army J B temporary cd at Sandy ions thrown md from the B fleet : «fter >n*c light de- Wafliington red had bee» cd that fom* ;p»ratk>n» for April Count idron of fhip» >f Virginia in I employed in 'oitt. It con- fiji of feventy- 1 frigates ; and^ )ufand marines had only fi* :>f forty, with eriority, how- itageoufly, an<* >t think proper four miles off ing any thing ugh ignoiance in conjiinftiort propoled that fh him, ftould /hileabodyof| Iritifh {hipping- the harbour as I laterial dam^igf, ide-Ifland; and cly came out m the two ue'^ts> [totally unfi^ ^n and levcrul of] Aii£^ii^if iiEt^blt/fioiir. Bit ilMr (hips being aft^|iyn^ •ttacked fingly by the Briiilh, very •arrowly efieaped lleMif*uktnf On |he tcttli of AuguA he rc'« tiimed to KefTpQvt mut^ynr^ fliacttcedcondifion; and, not think-* Ing kioircif bfcL tker^ ifrlled two days Kfttfr for fiofton . Cenerat SuUiviui hid UriYork arrived off the coaft of Georgia in the month of December ; and though the enemy wer« very ftrongly polled in an advanugeoua fituation on the fhore, the Britifti troops made good their landing, and advanced towarde Savannah the capital of the province. That very day tbey de* featcd the force of the provinciala which oppofed them ; and took poiTeflion of the town with ful^ celerity, that the Americana had not lime to execute a rei'olution they had taken of fetting it on ftre. In ten days the whole province of Georgia waa reducedi Sunbury alone excepted ; and this waa alfo brought under fub« je^on by General Prevoft in his march north wards. Every method was taken to fecure the tranquillity of the country ; and rewards were offered for apprehending committee or aifembly men or fuch as they judged mod inimical to the Britifli interefts. On the arrival of General Prevoil, the command of the troops naturally devolved 09 him as the fenior officer } aind the conquefl of Carolina was next projc£tcd. In this attempt there was no fmall probability of fuccefs. The tountry contained a great number of friends to the Britifh go- vernment, who now eagerly embraced the opportunity of dcclar-* ing thcml'elvcs ; many of the inhabitants of Georgia had joined tlie royal ftandard ; and there was not in the province any conft- derable body of provincial forces capable of oppofing the efforts of regular and well disciplined troops. On the firft news of Ge- neral Prevoft's approach, the loyalifls aiTembled in a body, ima- gining themfelvcs able to (land their ground until their allies ihould arrive ; but in this they were dil'appointcd. The Ameri- cans attacked and defeated them with the lois of half their num- ber. The remainder retreated into Georgia ; and after under- going many difHculties, at laft elFciled a junCtion with the Britifh forces. In the mean time, General Lincoln, with a confiderable body of American troops, had encamped within twenty miles of the town of Savannah ; and another (Irong party had pofted themlelves at a place called Briar's Creek, farther up the river of the lame name. Thus the extent of the Bfitt(h government was likely to be circumfcribed within very narrow bounds. General Prevoft therefore determined to dillodge the party at Briar'* AMERICAN REVOLUTION. %m Creek : and tha Utter, trtiftifig to their ftrong fituatioiii inrl l)eing •■emilii in their guard, fuffercd themfelvea to be furprifed on the 30th of March 1779 { when they were utterly routed, with the lo(a of four hundred killed , and taken, befidea a great number ■drowned in the river or the (wampi. . The whole Artillery, ftorea Itoggage, and almoft atl the arma,of this unfortunate party were taken, fo that they could no more make any (land ; and thui the province of Georgia waa once more freed from the enemy, and a communication opened with thofe placea in Carolina where the royalifta chiefly reiided. The vi&ory at Briar'a Creek proved of confiderable fervice to the BritiAi caufe. Great numbers of the loyalifts joined the army, and confiderably increafed its force. Hei^ General Prevoll was enabled to ftretch his pods farther up the river, and to guard all the principal paflea ; fo that General Lincoln was reduced to a ftate of inaftion \ and at )aft moved off towards Augufta, in order to proteft the provincial aflembly, which waa obliged to fit in that place, the capital being now in the hands of the firitiftt. Lincoln had no fooner quitted hia poft, than it was judged a proper time by the Britifli general to put in execution the grand fcheme which had been meditated againft Carolina. Many di{H- cultiea indeed lay in his way^ Hie river Savannah waa fo fwelled by the exceflive rains of the feaibn, that it feemed impaflable ; the oppofite (hore, for a great way, waa fo full of fwamps and marfhcs, that no army could march over it without the greateft difficulty ; and, to render the paflage ftill more difficult, General Moultrie vn.% left with a confiderable body of treopa in order to oppore the enemy's attempts. But in fpite of every oppoT^tion, the eon« ftancy and perfeverance of the Britifli forces at laft prevailed. General Moultrie waa defeated, and obliged to retire towards Charleftown ; and the viAoriousarmy, after having waded througli the marOiea for fome time,^ at laft arrived in an open country, through which they purfued their march with great rapidity to- wards the capital { wb*!e General Lincoln remained in a ftate of fecurity at Augufta, imagining that the obftacles he had left in the way could not be furmounted, Certain intelligence of the danger to which Charleftown was expofed, however, aroufed the American general from his lethargy. A choien body of infantry, mounted on horfeback for the greater expedition, wasdifpatched before him ; while Lincoln himf'elf fol- lowed with all the forces he could colle£l. General Moultrie too, with the troops he had brought from the Savannah, and fome others he had colle£lcd fince his retreat from thence, had taken ]>o9el{ion of all the avenues leading to Charleftown, and prcpare4 3 Z » ^w HISTORY OF THE fur a vigorous defence. But all oppofttion ]n-oved tnelSeAual. The Americans were defeated in every eilcduntef ; aad retreattB^ continually, al}pw to make himfelf mafter of, Port Royal, another ifland poffefied of an excellent harbour and many othc;r natural advantages, frpi;n its iltuation alfo commanding all the fea- (coaft from Charleftown to Savannah River, The American gene- ral, however, did not allow this to be apcomplilhed without op- pofition. Perceiving that his opponent had occupie4 an advan- tageous poft on St. , Jqhnis ifland preparatory to his enterprife againft Port Royal, he atleiopted, on the aoth of June to diflodge him from it ; but after an obilinate attack, the provincials were ob- liged to retire with confiderable lofs. Qn this occafion the fuc- pefs of the Bdti(h arnis was in a great meafure owing to an armed ^oat ; which galled the right flank of the enemy lo eiFe£lually, that they could dire& their efforts only againft the ftrongeft paM of the lines, which proved impregnable to their attacks. This difappointment was inftantly followed by the lofs of Port Royal, which General Prevoft took pofleflion of, and put his troops into proper ftations, waiting for the arrival of fuch reinforcements as were necelTary for the intended attack on Charlel^own. In the mean time, Count d'Eftaing, who, as we have already obferved, had put into Bofton harbour to fcftt, had ufed hi&utmoft eilorts to ingratiate himlelf with the inhabitants of that city. Zealous alio in the caUfe of his mafter, he had published a procla- mation to be dilperfed through Canada, inviting the people to return to their original frjcndftiip with France, and declaring that all who renounced their allegiance to Great-Britain fhould cer- jt^inly fii^d & protc£lor in the I>ing of France. All bis endeavours, JMERJCAN REVOIVTJON. 54f «ftual. reatia^ ?n ihok L of th^ : prepi*- in the n attack, ufi&cient id; and fo that id be the ftom be- . jamea'i^ itcd fome rigates. — ; lit Royal, my oth«;r 1 the fea- cah gena- thout op- in advan- jnterprife diflodge were ob- i the fuc- an armed Fcftually, igeft paM; s. This »rt Royal, oops into jcments as [c already his utm/oft Ihat city. a procla>- Ipeople to ■iring that lould ccr- Ideavpurs, liowevef, proved infufiicient at this time to produce any revb. liition, or even tp |brm a party o^ any icdnfequence among the Canadiaris^ As foon as the French adnoiral had reiiited' his fleet, he tool^ the opportunity^ while that of admird Byron had bee^ (hattered by a ftprm, of iailing to the Weft Indies. < During his operJrtionf there, the >^mertcans having reprefet\ted his ca^du£fc as totally unferviceable to them, he received or4en^ i^rom Europe to aflift the colonies with all poflible I'pced. | j In compliance with thefe orders, he ^re^bed his couife to- wards Georgia, wi^h a defign to recover ttiat province out of the hands of the enemy, and to pur. it, as well as South Carolina, in fuch a pofture of defence as woyld efFcftually fecUre theit^ front any future attack. This feettied to be^ an eafy matter, from the little force with which he knew he fhcJiild be oppofed: and the next objefb in contemplation was no le(p> than the deftru£iion fof the Britilh fleet and army at New- York, ^d their total expulr fion from the continent of America. Full of thefe hopes, the French commander arrived off the coaft of Georgia with a fleet of twenty-two fail of the line and ten large frigiites, His arriv.^! was to little expelled, that feveral veflels laden with provifions and military ftores fell into his hands: the Experiment alfo, a veffel of fifty guns, commanded by Sir James Wallace, was taken after a (lout relillance. On the continent, the Britiih troops were divided. General Prevoft, with an inconiiderable part, remained at Savannah ; but the main fordK was under Colonel Maitland at Port Royal. On the (ir(l appi^rance of the French fleet, an exprefs was difpatched to C61onel Maitland : but it was intercepted by the enemy ; fo that before he could fet out in or- der to join the commander in chief, the Americans had fccured mod of the paflfes by land, while the French fleet efFe^ually blocked up the paiTage by fea. But by taking advantage of creeks and inlets, and marching over land, he arrived juft in time to relive Savannah. D'Eftaing, after making a gafconade of what had happened at St. Vincent's and Grenada, had allowed General Prevoft twenty- four hours to deliberate whether he fliould capitulate or not. This time th? general employed in making the beft preparations he could for a defence; iind during this time it was that Colonel Maitland arrived. D'i: my had deftroyed fome (liips of great value, the Britilh troops arrived in time to fave a great number of others. On this occa- fion about one hundred and twenty veflels of different fizes were .burnt, and twenty carried off; and an immenle quantity of pro- vifions defigned for the ufe of General Wafhington's army was either deftroyed or carried off, together with a great variety of naval and military ftores. The ^i^et and army returned with lit- tle or no lofs to New-York, The fuccefs with which this expedition was attended, foon gave encouragement to attempt another. The Americans had for fome time been employed in the ereftion of two ftrong forts on the river; the on? at Verplanks Neck on the eaft, and the other at Stoney Point on the weft fide. Thefe when completed would have been of the utmoft fefviee to the Americans, as command' ing the principal pafs, called the King's Ferry, betweon the nor- thern and fouthern colonies. At jprefent however, they were not in a condition to make any effeftual defence ; and it was j therefore determided to attack them before the work fhould.bc completed. The force employed on this occafion was divided! into two bodies; one of which direftcd its courfe againft Ver-j planks, and the pther againft Stoney Pojm, TIjc former vasl AM£Ri<:,AN itZmiUTlON. 548 rent wM rnUrn Having U»e gmeer»t tht bing refolv- , irswascrc^ [general Pre- i to retire to d to comply ; $ accordingly s were every undred were i Polaiki, and hopes of the iraofitie* took ng eight days rench to their ployed in the hduous in dif- e Collier was ithcws, with a a. Their fira lough the ene. Bri'tiCh troops On this occa- ent fizes were lantity of pro- )n*5 army was reat variety of irncd with Ut- CcfflM(M^ded Vy G«neiral Vaughan, the latter by General Pattifon, Vf^ile the (hipping wa»under the. 4iirefti9in.t>f Sir George Collier. GtfRonl Vaughaa met with np.refiftuuae,, the enemy abandoning their works, and fetting fire to ev^^ry thing cambuiUble that they coMld njpt carry ofFk At^oqey Ppiat, how^ever, a vigorous de-: fence was nHde, though the garrifo|v Avas at laid obliged to C9pi-t tttlate Uj^n honourable conditions. , To fecure the poiTeffion of r this laft, which was the more important of the two^ General; Giintoa removed from his former fituation, and encamped in fiich a manner that General Wafliingtoa could not give any affif- tance. The Americans, however, revenged themfelves by diftrefltng, with their numerous privateers, tiie trade to New- York. This occafioned a third expedition tp Cpnne&icut, where thefe privateers were chiefly built and harbouivd. The command was given to Governor Tryon and to General Garth, an. ofEcer of know valour and experience. Under convoy of a confiderable number of armed veflels they landed at Newhaven, where, they .'demoliihed the batteries that had been ere£):ed to op- pofc fhem, and deftroyed the {hipping and naval (lores ; but they fpared the town itfelfj as the inhabitants had abftained from firing out of < their houfes upon the troops. From Newhaven they marched to-^Fairfield, where they proceeded as before, reducing the town alfo to afhes. Norwalk was next attacked, which in like manner was reduced to afhes ; as was alio Greenfield, a fmall feaport in the neighbourhood. Thefe fuccefifes proved very alariping as well as i /irKCwtal to i the Americans; fo that General ^/"alhington d^Li^rmmei at all events to drive the enemy from Stoney Point. I or this pfrpole he fent General Wayne with a detachmert ci" cho'en men, di- refting them to attempt the recovery of it 1 y furprile. On this occafion the Americans (hewed a fpirit and rcfolution exceeding any thing they had performed during the courfe of the war. Though after the capture of it by the Britifh the fortifications of this place had been completed, and were very (Irong, they attacked the enemy with bayonets, after pafling through a heavy fire of mufquetry and giape-(hot ; and in fpitc of all oppofition, obliged the furviving part of the garrifon, amounting to five hv."..- dred men, to furrender themfelves prifoners of war. Thougli the Americans did not at prefent attempt to retain poffeflion of Stoney Point, the fuccefs they had met with in the [Cnterprife emboldened them to make a fimilar attempt on Paulus Hook, a fortified poft on the Jerfey fide oppofite to New-York ; I but in this they were not attended with equal fuccefs, being oblig- ed to retire with precipitation after they had mr.Jc themfelvas mafters of one or two pofls. '1.4 ^4- HiSifmrotlPiit J'. ler ejcpeditiort of '^gy^ter unportaince Was flonir pr»je^«f ed on the part of the AA^^rieiUik. This wai agdftft • pod on th«^ rivlct' Pendhfeotf on>' account it was learned, that the Indian houfes were'Iargc, convenient, and even elegant ; their grounds were excellently cultivated, %nd their gardens abounded in fruit-trees and vcgetablcvS of all kinds fit for food. The whole of this fine country was now by the Ameri- can general converted into a dcfart. Forty towns and fcttlemcnts, bofidcs fcattcred habitations, were demolilhed ; the fields of corny the orchards, the plantations, were utterly laid waftc ; all the fruit-trees were cut down , and fo great had been the induftry of the Inldians, that in o(ic orchard cue thouiand five hundred of thefe were deftioyed. The quantity of corn wafted on this occa- fion was fuppcfed to amount to one hundred and fixty thoufand bufhels. In fhort, luch was the dcfolafcion, that on the American army's leaving the country, not a houfe, not a field of corn, nor a fruit-tree, was left upon the ground, nor was an Indian to be feen throughout the whole track. Wc muft now take a view of the tranfaftions in the fouthern; colonies ; to which the war was, in the year 1780, fo cffcftually transferred, that the operations there became at laft decifive.— ■ The fuccefs of General Prevoft in advancing to the very capital of South-'Carolina has been already related, together with the ob- ftaclcs which prcventc i him from becoming maftcr of it at that time. Towai J thr .id of the year 1779, however, Sir Henry Clinton fct fail irom New- York vith aconliderable body of troops, intended for ci'.i:; attack of Cnarleflown, South-Carolina, in a fleet of fhips of war and traniports under the command of Vice- Admiral Aibuthnot. They had a very tedious voyage *, the weather was uncommonly bad ; feveral of the traniports were loft, as were alfo the gteateft part of the horfcs which they car- ried with them, intcndc§tlriaf they effe£lcfi Cornwall is and Licutcnant-Colonal Taslcti n under hi:a, were alio extremely aftive in intercepting fuch reinforcenwwrs and fup- j>livs as were feiit to the American gf^neral. Thry totally defeated ^ A Z M HISTORY OF THE t coniiderable body of cavalry and militia which was proceeding to the relief of the town ; zxxd^ alfo made themfelvea maftert c^ fome pods, which gave them in a great degree the command of the country^ by which means great fupplic^ of provifiont feU Into their ^^/^ Such WM the fta^e of things, and Fort Sullivan had alfo been taken by tAe king's troops, when on the i8th of May General Clinton agatf^^jftHnmoned the town to furiynder ; an offer being made, as had bisen done before, that if they furrendered, the lives and property of the inhabitanta fliould be preferved to them.— <> Articles of capitulltion were then propoi'ed by General Lincoln ; ))ut the terms were not agreed to by General Clinton. At length, however, the town being clofely invcfled on all fides, and the preparations to Rorm it in every part being in great forwardnefs, pnd the ihips ready to move to the aflault, General Lincoln, who ' had been applied to for that purpole by the inhabitants, fur-r rendered it on fuch articles of capitulation as General Clinton had before agreed to. This was on the 4th of May, which was one month and two days after the town had been firll fummoned to Surrender. A large quantity of ordnance, arms, and ammunition, were found in Charleftown ; and, according tp Sir Henry Clinton's account, the number of priibners taken in Charleilown amounted to five thoufand fix hundred and eighteen men, exclufive of near a thoiffand Tailors in arips ; hut according to General Lincoln's account tranfmitted to the Congrefs, the whole number of conti- nental troops taken prifoners amounted to no more than two thoufand four hundred and eighty leven. The remainder, there- fore, included in General Clinton's account, mufl have confifled of militia and inhabitants of the town. Several American frigates were alfo taken or deftroyed in the harbour of Charleftown. The lofs of Charleftown evidently excited a confiderable alarm in America : and their popular writers, particularly the author of the celebrated performance intitled Common Senfe, in fome other pieces made ufe of it as a powerful argument to lead them to more vigorous exertions againft Great-Britain, that they might the more efFeftually and certainly lecure their independence. While Sir Henry Clinton was employed in his voyage to Charleftown, and in the fiege of that place, the garrifon at New- York feem not to have been wholly free from apprehenfions for their own fafety. An iatcnfe froft, accompanied with great falls of fnow, began about the middle of December 1 -7-79, and fhut up the nagivation of the port of New-York from the lea, within a feW days after the departure of Admiral Arbuthnot and Gene- pi Clinton, The Icvciiiy of the wcaiher intrcafcd to fo grea| AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 549 ceding «rt of ian4 of ins fell o been renertl r being M lives tieni.— » ncoln ; length, and the irdnefs, ,n, who Its, fur-T Clinton ich was nmoned in, were Clinton's [ounted ■ degree, that towards the middle of Januaiy all communication* %vith New- York by waur were entirely cut off, and as many tew ones opeiied by the ice. The inhahitants could fcarcely be faid (o be in an infular (late. Horfcs with heavy carriages could go over the ice into the Jerfeys from one iil^nd to another. The paflage in the North River, even in th6 '.trideft part fhpin New- York to psulus Hook, whicV^^was two thouCind yaffjs, was about the 19th of January pra£licable foi the hesvieft fi^ipipii : an event which had been unknown in the memory ^pf map. Pro? vifions were loon after tranfported uppp fledges, and a datach- ment of cavalry marched upon the ice from New.^taten Ifland, which was a diftance of eleven miles. The city of Ncw>York being thus circumHanced, was «:onfider-> ed as much expofed to the attacks from the continental troops ; and it was ftrongly reported that General Washington was medi- tating a great ftroke upon New-York with his whole fjfHxe, by different attacks. Some time before this. Major General Pattifbn, commandant at New- York, having received an addrefs from many of the inhabitants, offering to put themfelves in military array, he thought |he prefent a favourable opportimity of trying the fincerity of their profeflions. Accordingly he iffued a pro- clamation, calling upop all the male inhabitants from (jxtcen to iixty to take up arms. The requifition was fo readily complied with, that in a few days, forty companies from the fix wards of the city were inrolled, officered, and under arms, to the number of two thoufand Ax hundred, many fubflantial citizens .I'crving in the ranks of each company. Other volunteer companies were formed ; and the city was put into a very flrong pofture of dc-> fence. No attack, however, was made upon New- York, whatever dc- fign might originally have been meditated : but an attempt was made upon Staten Ifland, where there were about eighteen hun- dred men, under the command of Brigadier-general Sterling, who were well intrenched. General Waftiington, whofe army was hutted at Morris-Town, fent a detachment of two thoufand feven hundred men, with fix pieces of cannon, two mortars, aiid feme horfes, commanded by Lord Sterling, who arrived at Staten liland early in the morning of the 15th of January. The advan- ced pofts of the Britifli troops retired upon the approach of the Americans, who fornicd the line, and made fome movements iu the courfe of the day; but they withdrew in the night, after having burnt one houfe, pillaged fome others, and carried ott' with them about two hundred head of cattle. Immediately on the arrival of the Americans on Staten Ifland, Lieutenant-general Jtnyphaufen had embarked iix hundred men to attempt a paffage. 630 HISTORY OF THE and to fupport General Sterling : but the floating ice compelled! them to return. It i», however, imagined, that the appearance of thefe tranfports, with the British troops on board, which the Ancricans could fee towards the clofe of the day, induced the latter to make fo precipitate a retreat. Aftwr Charleftown had furrendered to the kinf 's troops, Genc- vA ClintoQ UTued two proclamations, and alfo circulated a hand- bill aofCfngft the inhabitants of South Carolina, in order to induce thcin to return to their allegiance, and to br ready to join the kingV'^ tr^ps. It was faid, that the helping hand of every man was wanted tO danger, while any do'ibt could remain of their fuccefsj fo jiow that this was certain, he trufled that one and all would hear- •tily join, and, by a general concurrence give effeft to fuch ncccf- fary meafurcs for that purpofe as from time to time might be poir^pd out. Thofe who had families were to form a militia to remain at home, andoccafionally to aflcmble in their own di(lri£^s, whfen required, under officers of their own choofing, for the maintenance cf peace and good order. Thole who had no fami^ lies, and who could conveniently be fparcd for a time, it was prclunscd, w ould rhecrfully aflift his Majefty's troops in driving their oppreliors, adling under the authority of congrcfs, and all the rrjiicfies of war, far trom that colony. For this purpofe it was faid to be neccTary that the young men fhould be ready to alTcmble when required, and to fervc wlt)i the king's troops for any f»x months of the enfuing twelve that might be found re, .quifite, under proper regulations. Tl'^'y might choofe o^icers to each company to command them ; and were to be allowed, when on fcrvice, pay, ammunition, and provifions, in the fame man- ner a^ t,h.e king's troops. When they joined the army, each man was to be furniflied witli a certificate, declaring that he was only engaged to ferve as a militia-man for the time fpecified j that he was riot to be marched beyond North Carolina and Georgia ; and that, when the time was out, he was freed from all claims what- ever of military fervice, excepting the pommon and ufual militia- jduty where he lived. He would then, it >v'S fs^d, have paid Jiis debt to his country, and be intijled to enjoy undifturbed that peace, liberty and property, at home, which h,e had contributed to fecure, 'J'hc prochimations and publications of General Clin- )Lon appear to have produced feme effcft in South Carolina; though they probal)]y operated chiefly upon thpfc who were be- fore not niucli inclined to the caufe of American independence. 7"wo hundred and ten of the inhabitants of Charlcflown fignecj I P^ addrcl's to Gcncvul Clintor ' Admiral Arbuthnot, Ibliciting AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 65^ compelled ippcarancc which the iduccd the jps, Gene- ed a hand- r to induce to join the every man t ; and that ng's friends fucceft*. fo would hear- fuch nccef- ne might be a militia to wn diftrifts, "ing, for the lad no fajni- timc, it was ps in driving ircfs, and all is purpofe it I be ready to 's troops for be found re, ife officers to [owed, when le fame man- ly, each man he was only |fied ; that he reorgia ; and claims what- ufual militia- Id, have paid lifturbed that contributed cneral Clin- |th Carolina; 'ho were bc- idepcndcncc, ;ftown fignefJ lot, loliciting to be readmitted to the charafler and condition of Britifh fubje£iSf the inhabitants of that city having been hitherto conftdered i» prifoncrs oil parole i declaring their difapprobation of the dc of American independence ; and exprcfllng their regret, tha ter the repeal of thofe flatutes which gave rife to the „tr4; in America, the overtures mandc by hr» Majefly's commidijl had not been regarded by the congrcfs. Sir Henry Clint< one of the proclamations iflued' at this J^e, declared, that perfons ihould thenceforward appear In arms ia order to the eftabliOiment of his Majcfty's govemmc tn'^lliat (^hi| (hould under any pretence or authority ver att( compel any other perfon or perfons to do To ho der or intimidate the king's faithful and loy... ing his forces or otherwife performing thofe di ance required, fuch perfons (hould be treated wit fevcrity, and their eflates be immediately fcizcd in order confifcated. Mean time the ravages of war did not prevent tlfii, ^AJuisticdl^^' from paying fomc attention to the arts of peaces On the 4th '$t' May an a£l pafled by the council and houfe of reprefentatives of Maflachufett's Bay for incorporating and eftablifhihg a fociety for the cultivation and promotion of the arts and fciences. ' Some doubts having arifen in the Congrefs, towards the dole of the preceding year, about the propriety of their aflembling in the city of Philadelphia, it was now refolvcd that they {hould continue to meet there : and a committee of three members was appointed, to report a proper place where buildings might be provided for the reception of the Congrcfs, together with an cfti- itiate of the cxpence of providing fuch buildings and the neceflary offices for the feveral boards. It was alfo refolved by the con- grcfs, that a mohument ihould be ere£led to the memory of their late general Richard Montgomery, who fell at Quebec, in tefli- mony of his flgnal and important fervices to the United States of America^ with an infcription exprcfTive of his amiable charafter and heroic atchievements ; and that the continental trcafurci-s ihould be direfted to advance a fum not exceeding three hundred pounds to Dr. Franklin to defray the cxpence ; that gentleman being delired to caufe the monuncient to be executed at Paris, ox in fome part of France. It was likewifc refolvcd by the congrefs, that a court (hould be eftablifhed for the trial of all appeals from the court of admiralty of the United States of America, in cafes of capture: to confift of three judges, appointed and commilTion- ed by congrefs, and who were to take an oath of office; and that the trials in this court (hould be determined by the ufage of nations. b^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT'3) 1.0 I.I 11.25 UilM 125 u us lU 111 14.0 Hi U 11.6 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WBT MAIN STRKT WeBSTIR,N.Y. I4SM (716)«72-4S03 '>^>^^ ^ ^.V' '^ V . Tfie dii&culti«s of the Congrefs and of the people of Amtiricii ^lii^^Beeii greatly increafed by the d^pNciation of ibeir paper-curJ At the timtf when thril aflembly of Rhode Ifland, was appointed to congratulate the French general on his arrival : whereupon he returned an anfwer, in which he informrd them, that the king his mafler had fent him to the afliftanceof his good and faithful allies the United States of America. At prefen*:, he faid he only brought over the vanguard of a much greater force deftined for their aid ; and the king had ordered him to afl*ure them, that his whole power fhould be exerted for' their fupport. He added, that the French troops were under the flri^^eft dil'u- Vol.1. 4 B . y.i «^^. msTi^My dF tkM plii)e;nid, aAing under the orders of Gcnei^l Wa^ingtoM| would live with the Americans as their brethren. A fchetne was foon formed, of making a combined jtttltk witll £nglifii (hips and troops, under the command of Sir f^nrj Clin' ton- and Admiral Arbuthnot, againft the French fleet «ld tt^pf «t ]il%ode-Ifland. Accordtngly a confiderabte part <^ thD iy made.about this time in thci Jerfcystjby General Knyphaufen, with Seven tlraufand Britifii troops tinder his command, to furprife the advanced pofts of Ge"g'^^*» Major Andre, Adjudant General to the Britiih army, wa, a principal agent in 4 B ? -•*-,: -^ .?^jK<.. f^'-- HISTORY or THi \ thii tnnfadiloh : or, if the overture of joining the ICtiig*« troopi came firft from Arnold, thi» gentleman was the perfon employtd to concert the affair %ith him. More muft have-heen Mrif^- naily comprehended in the fcheme than thi ihere delbrtionof the American caufe by ArAoId; but vrhat^er 'defigna had been formed for promoting the views of the BritKh government, they were fru(^rated by the apprehending of Major Andre. He was taken in dirguife, after having afluihed afatfename, on the'sjd 4 of September, by- three American fotdiets; td whom he dieted ieonfiderable rewards if they^ would have fufe^Wd htmtoc^pei but without effeft. Several pipers written by Artiold ^tre fdnuk upon him ; and when Arnold had learned that Major Andre wfet was feized, he found means to get on hoard a birge, and toefeape to one of the King's fhips. General Wafliington referred thlB cafe of Major Andte to the examination and decifion of a boaird of general officers, confifting of Major Geheral Green, Mi^oir . -General Lord Sterling, Major General the Marques de If Fayettei Major General the Baron de Steuben, two Other Majinr Genenill, and eight Brigadier Generals. Major Andre was examined befmpe them, and the particulaiis of his caiie inquired into ; and they re- ported to the American commander in chief, that Mr. Andre came on (hore from the Vulture floop of War in the night, on an interview with General Arnold,^ in a private and fecret manner j that he changed his drefs withiti the American lines ; and, under a feigned name, and in a difguifed habit, pafled the American woiks at Stoney and Verplank's Points, on the evening of the. aad of September ; that he was taken on the niorning of the 23d at Tarry-town, he being then on his way for New-York : and that, when taken, he had in his poiTeflion feveral paper* which contained intelligence for the enemy. They therefore determin- ed, that he ought to be coniidered as a fpy from the enemy } aiid that, agrw^bie to the taw andufage of nations, he ought t^||||||r death. Sir Henry Clinton, Lieutenant General Robertfc^^pd the late American general Arnold, all wrote preiCng lettcif. to General Wafhingten on the occafton, in order to prevent the decifion of the board of general oi^cers from being put i0k«te : But their applications were inefFe£lual. Major Anc^ WIS hanged at Tappan^ in the province of New-York, orrthe ad-or Oftobcr. He met his fate with great firmnefs ; but f^eifed fcmiewhat hurt that he was not allowed a more military dei^h, for which he had folicited. He was a gentleman of very amiable qualities, liad a taile for literature and the iint arts, and poiTefled manyaccompliftiments. Hi^ death, therefore, was regrettedeven by his enemies ; and the Icvcrity of the determination concern- ing him was much exclaimed againfl in Great-Britain. It was, however, generally acknowledged by impartial pcrl'ons, that there AMERICAS KEVOIVTION. m mean f the as** and hich rmin* ;ai«i Cpd to lit the srce: yr» ad of >ea)fed th, for tiahle IflefTed Id even icern- ^t was, i there %r«t notlimg in the execution of this utifertimate gentknltan but what WM petfeAly confonant to the rules of war. Arnold was made a brigadier general in Cm King's Tervice, and ^liihed an addrefs to the inhybittnts of America, dated horn New- York, Oftdber 7, in which he Endeavoured to juftify hi> defertidn of their caufe. He faid that when he firft engaged in it, he conceived the rights of his country to be in danger, and duty and honour called him to her defence. A rediefs of griev- ant«s li^SS his only aim and objeft: and thercfoie he acquiefced wiwilliiigly int tike declaration of independence, becaufe be thought it precipitate. But what now induced him to defett their caufe was the difguft he had conceived at the French alli- znto, and at the refufal of Congrels to comply with the laft terms offered by Great-Britain, which he thought equal to "all their expei^tiohs and to all t!;eir wiflies. The Americans, however, accounted for the conduftof Ar. tioldin a diflRerent manner. They alledged that he had To kl- volved himfelf in debts and difficulties by his extravagant man. nier of living in America, that hh had rendered it very incon- venient for him to continue there: that after the evacuation of Philadelphia by the Britifli troc^s, Genird Arnold, being in- veiled with the comtiiand oi that city, h\d made the houfe of Mr. Penn, which was the beft in the city, his head quarters. This he had f limifhed in an elegant ai;id expenfive manner, and lived in a ftyle far beyond his income. It Was mantfeft, they faid, that he could at firft have no great averfion to the French alliance, be- caufe that wheil M. Gerard, minifter plenipotentiary from the court of France, arrived at Philadelphia in July fj^iif General Arnold early and earneilly folicited that minifter, with his whole ipte, to take apartments and bed and board at his hoofe, until i^nmiji^ houfe could be provided by order of the Coflgrels. This dipf jHl^erard accepted, and continued with him ktmt weeks. 1(|if:Fitnch minifter refided upwards of fourteen months in Phi- !jyipiit|~ during which time General Arnold kept up the moft ilrleotllj^^lmd intimate acquaintance with liim, and there was a 4W^ili^|£i^ 1^^ of dinners, balls,, routes, and concerts: iltln«t lil^ muft have believed, that in General Arnold hf'uid mund and left one of the warmeft friends the court of Wiaaaiet^Min Americii He was alib-one of the firft in congra- ' |U{ating the Chevalier de la Luzerne, the fccond french mimT- ter. About this time complaints and accui'ations were exhibited againft him by the government of Philadelphia for divers mal- pra£iices: among which charges were, tlie appropriation of goods and merchandize to his own ufe^ which he had feized as Britifh property in Philadelphia in July 1778. It was determined by w% afiV HnrOKYOfTHE a CQurt'^rttal that hii condua wts highly repvehenfibte; but h« was indulgently Ir^ed, and was therefore only reprimanded by the commander in chief General Waihington. It wa» in thefe ciroimftancet, th« Americana faid, bankrupted in reputation and fortune, loaded with debts, and having a |rowing and enpenfive family, that General Arnold firft turned his thoughts toward* joining the royal army. After the defeat of General Gates by Earl Cornwallis, the latter exerted hioMelf to the utmoa in extending thffprogre^ ^f the Britiib armt, and with confiderable effeft. But on« fn- terprife which was conduced by Major Fergufom proved wr fuccefsful* That officer had taken abundant paina to difcipline fome of the tory mijitia, as they were termed; and with- a party of thefe and fome Britilh troops, amounting in the whole to about one thoufandfour hundred men, made incurfcons int9 the coun- try. But on the 7th of Oaober he was attacked by a fuperior bbdy of Americans at a place called King's Mountain, an^ totally defeUted, One hundred and ftfty were killed in the aftion, and eight hundred and ten made prifqucrs, of which one hundred and fifty werf ^founded. Fifteen hundred (land of anna al(o • fell into the baii^ of t^ A«n«»'**?»» ^^o^* ^^^ ^** inconfide- l«ble. But the republic of Holland and the United States of America, At the beginning of the year 1781, an affair happened in America, from which expeaations were formed by Sir Henry Clinton, that fome confiderable advantage might be derived to the> '■^t% p??- AMEktCA^ AMl^ClUflO^. $8^ Mith« led by I tbefo >n voA icofive lit, the irogreCi red vunr fcipUne • party ib about MSCOIUV-' fuperior 4toUlVy ion, and hundred irmaallo aconitde* TtrletoQ, rj with a eked and thoufand grounded, killed, vere kill- ket, yr?« nd. Op ont rupture I treaty 9^ and the Ipened in ]ir Henry [ed to the irdyal eaufe. The long contimiance of , the war, and th^difficuU ties under which the Congrefa laboured, had prevenral their troopi from being properly fupplied with neceflariet and coveni* tncict. In tonfequence of this, on the firftof January, the American troops that were hutted at Morris T«wn,|i and who formed what Was called the Pennfylvania Line, turned out, be- ing in number ^ut one thoufand three hundred* and declared, that they would ferve no longer, unlefs their grievancea were ror drefled, as they had not received their pay, or been fumifhed with the neceflary cloathing or provifiona* It is laid that they were fomewhat inflamed with liquor, in confequence of rum having been diftributed to them more liberally than ufual, New- Year's Day being confidered as a kind of feftival* A riot enfued» in which an officer waa killed^ and four wounded: five or fix of the infurgents were alfo wounded* They then coUeAed the ar- tillery, ftores, provifions, and waggons, and marched out of the ' ctmpk They paflied by the quarters of General Wayne, who fent a meflage to them, requefting them to defift, or the confequences would prove fatal. They refufed, and prooeeded on their march till the evening, when they took poll on an advantageoua piece of ground, and elefi»d officers from-among themfclves. On the fecond, they marched. to Middlebrook, and on the third to Princetown, where they fixed their quarters. On that day a flag of truce was fent to than from the officera of the American camp^ with a meflage, defiring to know what wen their intentions^ Some of them anfwered* that they had already fcrved longer than the time for which they were enlifted, and w vJi ferve no lon> ger; and others, that they would not return, ur-'efs their griev- ances were redrefled* But at the fiime t}me they repeatedly, and in the ftrongeft terms, denied being influenced by the lead dif- aflieflion to the American caufe, or having any intentions of deferting to the enemy. Intelligence of this tranfaftion was foon c detached Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton, With three hundred cavalry, three hundred light infantry, (^« fievei^th regiment, the firft battalion of the feventy-firft regiment *nd two thrce-poundera, to oppofe the progrefs of Morgan, not doubting but that he would be able to perform thia fervice effcc« tually. The firitiih troops came up with the Americans under General Morgan on the a 7th of January. The Americans were dnhvn up in an open wood, and having been lately joined by fome militia, were more numerous than the Britifli troopa under Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton ; but the latter were fo much better dtfciplined, that they had the utmofl confidence of obtainiag a ipeedy viAory. The attack was begun by the &rk line of infant, ry, cbnftfting of theieventh regiment and a corps of light infant' ry, with a troop of cavalty placed on each flank. The firft bat* talion of this feventy-firft and the remainder of the cavalry form- ed the refisrve. The American line foon gave way, and their militia quitted the field ; upon which the royal troops, fuppofing the viftory already gained, engaged with ardour in the purfiiit, and were thereby thrown into fome deforder: General Morgan's corps, who were fuppofed to have been routed, then immediate- ly faced about and threw in a heavy fire upon the king*^! troops, which occafioned the utmofl confufion araoogft themj^nd they were at length totally defeated by the Americans, ^our hun- ^red of the Britiih infantry were either killed, wounded, or taked prifoners : the lofs of the cavalry was much Uffs confident- ble ; but the two thrcc-pounders fell into the hands of the Ame- ricans, together with the colotlirs of th^ feventh regiment ; and all the detachment of royal artillery were either killed or wound- ed in defence of their colours. Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, however, made another effort ; having affcmbled about fifty of A»iERICJIf RErHlt/TT&if, ill hh Ctvalry, he charged ind repulfed Colonel Waihington'i hoffr, rttook hit baggage^ and.killed the AoMricantwho weraappomtcd , ka guard it. He then retreated to Hamilton'a ford^ neaflhe n^uth oCfiuUock'a creek, carrjring with him part of hit baggage^ and 4leftroying the reouindei^' Thia defeat of the truopa under IWleton waa a fevtre ftroki* to Lord Comwallia, aa the lofa of hia Ifght infantry waa agreat dif- '>lvanuge to him. The day after that events he employed in coL letting th^ remaifia of Tyleton'i corpa; and endeavouring td Ibrm a junaibti with Ce«eral'Liflie, ilrho hid bein dl^lered to mirth to%#arda Khn with ahddy of Brlisfk troopa front Wynneftorough. Confiderable exiirtiona were ihon tnadti by part of the army, Without baggige, to retake the prlfonera in the handa of thtt Ame. rieaha^ and to intercept General Morgani corpi oh tta retreat to the Catawba. But that American ofiiceri after hia defeat of Tirlei. ton^hadaaad# forced marchea up into the country, and croffed tM Catawba the evening b^ore i great rain, which fwelled the iwer to fuch a degree^ aa to prevent the rqyal army from crolSng forfeveral daya; during which time ihe firitiih prifoncra wero gut Over th^ Yadkili ; whence Ihey ptttee^ded to Dan River, which th^alfo pafled, and on the %%ih of February had reached CcHtrt-hbufe in the province of Vjr|ini<^v.^ > Lord Corriwallia emplojr-sda halt of two daya in coUeaing, (mi^ flour, an4 in deftroying fuperfluov^ haggf ge and all hia itiM^m excepting thofe laden with ho%ital ftorca, lalt, and ammu^!^, ' and four referved empty irt readinefa for fick or wounded* B^ing thuB freed fraroall unneceffary incumbrances^ h« marched through North Carolina with great rapidity, and penetrated to the remtteil extremities of that province on the hanks pf tbd O^ Mia pro- ijrefs waa foraetimcs impeded by partie^of thf l^tia, and fome ikirmiftes cnfticd, but he met with no yery^.c^ifinfenWe oppott- tiom On the ift of February, the k^^«PQop|«t)ae4 the Catawba at M'Cowan's Ford, where C5f««|ijgi^idfo„, with • party of American militia, was polled, in orfef to oppofc their paflage j but he falling by the firft difcharge, the royal troopa made good their landing, and the militia retreated* When Lord CornwiUis arrived at Hilllborough, he creaed the kihg's ftandard, and invited, by proclamation, all loyal fubjca» to repair to it, and tO^lanH forth and take an aaive part in affifting his Lord/hip to reftore order and government, fje had, been uught to believe that the king's frierids were numerous in that part of the coun- try; but tjie event diU not confirm the truth of the reprcfcnt^ lions that had been given. The royalifts were but few in num- her, and Ibmcof them too timid to join the king's ftandard. There Vol. L 4 C \... itr^TonroFTJtM ^w^indeed, iboM two hundred who we#e proccwUiic to HiUANkfOttih, und«> Colonel Pylc, in oider to avow their tt- Ucljinent* the roytl mufe i but they wera met atfcidenuUy, end furrounaedbyadettchmentirom the American trmy, by whom « number of them are faid to have been killed when they weiv boding for <}uartefv without fttliag the lead tefiibneo. Mean while General Green wM marching with gi«at expediftion with the tr^pa under hia^ coaumud, in order to form a junaion with other corpa of Ameri«a» troopa, that h« might tttencl^ be enabletl t9 put *n efTeOupi Aop to the progrefi of Lord CnmwalHi* In other plAueafoaie confsdamble idvtntaget were obtained by the royal, armi. 4ki thte 4th V January, Tome (hips of war with a nttmber of Iranfportty on board whieh wai a larg^ body of troop* under the command of Brigadter-Oeneral Arnold^ arrived M Weftover, about on« hundred andtorty miles foom the Capeatir Virginia, where the trtiopa immediately tended Mdmirched to Richmond ; which they reached wiUhout oppoTitiony ^ mili^ jthat was cotteaed having vetfeatcd on their approach. Lieute- cnam-Colonel Simcoe married from lienoe with a detachment of BritifhWoopa to W«fth«nH Where tWey dellroyed Mie of the iinca fbundafiea foricannon in America,, and a hi-ge qatn^y of ftoretand cannon. General Arnold, on hia arnval at Rkh. mond, found there krge^uahibiei of (alt, rum, rall-doth, tobacco^ •ri^echer mei^handife t and that partof thefeee^modltiea which It^aipublie pfttperty he deftroyed.' The Bthifli troops sftcr- Wards attacked and dirperfld fome faiall parties of the Ameri- cans, took Tome ftoresand a few pieces of cannon, and the 20th ^f the fame niotith marched into Portfmouth, On the ^sth, Captakt BsvcUy, with feveral Oiips of wftr/and a body of trobp* under the •onwiMindof Major Craig, irriyed in Cape Fear riVer, -The troops ilittJbid:^! nine miles from Wilmington, and on the aStH- 4i»t*f^i!4 U*t W It was underftood that their having 'poflcffiont*! thai iftSWn, and being mafters of Cape Fear river, would be pr©^*aive of very beneficial effeas toLord Corn- 'Wallis's arttiyy ^ - • General Greene having effeaed a junaion abbut the 10th of March with a continental regiment of what were called eighteen -months fneuy and two large bodies of militia belonging to "Virgi- nia and North Carolina, fonncd arcfolution to attach the Britifh troops under the command of Lord CornwaHis* The American ai-my marched from the High Rock Ford on the tathof the Thqnth j and on the i4th arrived at Guildford. Lord Cornwallis^ fi^m the information he had received of the motions of the American general, concluded what were his deftgns; As they ^pjroached more nearly to each other, a few Hurmi/hcs enfued AMERICAN, MSKOIVTION, &Ph between fome ndvaficed parties, in- w^^ieh tW king's t|«#pt had the advantage. On the morning of t)ie 15th, Lord Cornwallis inarched with hia troopa at day.break in order to meet the Ame- ricana, or to attack them in tl^eir engimpmcnt. About four xnttcs from Guildford, the advanced jnani of the Bt^itifh army, 4»>mmanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarkton, fell in with a corps 4>f 4he Amer^ans, confiainf of Lieutenant-Colonel Lee'a legion, , fo^ 3ack Mnuntain men and Virginian mjlittat with whom he M « Ittvere fkkmi&i, haft whom he at length ^Ugcd to retreat. The greatly part of the /country W which the aaipp happened , lira wildenMsia, with a few cleared field* in^riperffd^ The Anifencan army* which was fupei ior to the royal in point of nn^nbeca, waa pofted on a riling ground about a mile and. a half from Guildford couij^ufe. It waa drawn up in three Ijnca: tl»cffx»t line ;»ra» compoTed of the VortH (?arolinia^ n»iUtia, * »«ider the command of the Gen^a Aujt^r ^n4 IB^ton j t'.c fecond line of Virginian militia, commimded by the Generals Stephens end Lawfon, fcsnuing tw<» b^Pigpdci ; the tbifd line, confiaing of two brigades, one of Virginia and one <>f Mainland continental ti-oops, commanded: by Cene»rf Huger «nd Colonel WilUar^, , Lieutenani-Colonel Wafliingtjm, w:*tb tbe dngoona of theliril and third regiments, a detachment of light infcn^ compofed 9!, continental troops, and a regiment of rilfnwn under Colonel. Lynch, formed a corps of obfervation £pr Xht fecurity of thetj^> right flank. Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, with his legitjn, ^ detfch» " mentof light, infantry, and a corps of riflemen under Colonel Campbell, formed a corps of obfervation. for the fecurity of their left flank. The attack on the Americjin awy WJM difeft^d to be, made by Lord Oomwallis ih the fo^owing order: Otf. tlie right, the^rcgimcnt of Bofe and t^c feventy-firft, ; regiment, i led by Major-Gcneral Leflie, and fupported by the |irft battalion of guards ; on the left, the twenty-third an,d thirty ^third regiments, led by Licutcnant-Coloncl Wcbfter, and fupported by the grena- diers and fecond battalion of guards comnwndcd by Brigadierr General O'Uara; the Yagers and light infantry of jthe guards remained in a wood on the left of the guns, and the cavalry in the road, ready to aft as circumflances might require. About half an hour after one in the afternoon, the aQion com- menced by a cannonade, which laired about twenty minutes ; when the Britiih troops advanced in three columns and attacked the North Carolinian brigades with great vigour, and foon obli- ged parl^ of thcfe troops, wh ihe^jaaipp; N 564 HISTORY OF TH$ bec charge without poHtive orders^ excepting to proteft any of the corps from the mod evident danger of being defeated. The exc^flive thicknefs of the Woods rendered the. Britifli bayonets of little ufe, and enabled the broken fsorps of Americans to make frequent {lands wi^h an irregular fire. The fecond battalion of the guards firfl gained the clear ground near Guildford court- houfe, and found ji corps of continental infantry, fup^rior in fiumber, formed ift ah open field on the left of the road^ Defi-r rous of. Hgnalizing tbemfelves, they immediately attacked an^ foon defeated thern, taking twb fix-pounders : but as they pur-> fued the Americans into the,\yoqd with too much ardour, they were thrown into popfufion by a heaVy fire, and inflantly <:harge4 and driven back into the field by Lieutenant-Colonel Wafhing- ton's drjigoons, with the lofs of (he fix-pounders they had taken. But the American cavalry were afterwards repulfed, %nd thei |Wo fix-poundcrs again fell into the hanjds of the Britifh troops. The fpirited exertions orBrigadier-C^eneral O'Haj-a and of LicuH tenant-Colonel Tarleton, greatly contnbuted to bring the a£iion to a termination. The BritHh troqps haying at length broken ^he fecond Maryland regiment, and turned the left flank of the American?, got into the rfear^of the Virginian brigade, and ap- peared to be gaining their right. Which would haye encircled the whole of the continental troops, when General Greene thought it prudent ^o order a retreat. Many of the American miliii<\ difperfcd in the kyoods ; but the continental troops retreated in good order to Rcfdy Fork River, and croffcd at the ]Ford about three miles from the field of a£^ion, and there halted. When they had polleftcd their ftragglers, they retreated to the iron- works j ten miles diftjfht from Guildford, where they encamped. They loft their artillery and two waggons laden with ammuni- tion. It wy the gallantry of the Britifli trpops, with the lofs, as k is faid, of feventyrfive killed and one hundred and fiifty woupded. General Greene then raifed the fiege, and retired » with hi? army behind the $^uda, to a ftrong f^tuation within (ix:>, teen miles of Ninety-ftx, On the 18th of April a large body of Britiih troops^ under the tl^e cpmmand of Major-General Philips and Qrtgadier- and barl^ houfea full of hides and bark, and great (Quantities of tobac- c% A like deftru^on of ilores and goods was made in other pjtirts of yirginia. From the aocpupt already given of fome of the principal mili-> tary operations of the preient year in America, it appears, that though f:pcifiderablel^ advantages had been gained by the royal troops, yet no event had taken place fi'om which it could ration- ]illy, be expe£led that the iina| termination of the war would be. favourable to Great-3ritain. It was alfo a disadvantageous cir-r. cumftancc that there was a mifunderilanding between Admiral Arbuthnot and. Sir Henry Clinton, and a mutual difapp.rohation of each other's condu£l. Ihis was^manifcfl from their difpatches to government, and efpecially from thofe of General Clinton, whpfe cxpreflions refpc6ling the condu^ of the Admiral W'tix by r^o means c<|uivocal, ' ' Or Gapd cOnfil Frenc line ai ceivec £ngli{ vem« prefent now cpn duty an with thci commanc of reHdei permittee they wou of yiolem as poilibf* ment* B V ^^e Amer dcnces of On the V irgmia, wnder the of which, ed upon I encounter procuring Clinton, 1 and his inf pcricncedi chiefly hof gencc, and .^^*f AMEktCAlf kEVOLUTtON, B^i ' Dn the t6th tH March i^Cti) a partial aftipii happened off the Capes of Viif inia, between the fleet undkr Admiral Arbuthnof^ > cOnfifting of (even fliipft ^f the line and one ftfty-gun (hip, and h French fqukdron, conrifliiig of the farw number of fliips trf tlte line and one forty-gun lhip« Some of the ibrps: in both fleets re- ceived confiderable damt^e in the lAion, and the lefs of the Engliflt was thirty killed^ and feventy-throe wounded; but n« fliip was taken on either fide. The Biritifb fleet hdd, hoMrever^ confiderdbly the advantage ; as the French Were obliged to retire, and were fuppofed to be prevented by this a^.ion from carrying troops up the Che&peak, in order to attack Cenelral Arnold and impede the progrefs of Lord Comwallis. But it was; an unfortut- tiate cirCumftance, that fome time befbre this engagement the Romulus, a (hip of forty-four guns, was captured by the Fren^ C|ff the Capes of Virginia. JLprd Comwallis, after his viftory pVcr General Greene at Guildfbird, proceeded^ as we have feen, 'to Wilmington, where he arrived on the 7th of Ap^iU But before he reached ths; place, he published a proclamation, calling upon all loyal fubjcfiv t^ftand forth and take an a£iive part in reftoring good order and government ; and declaring to alt perfons who had engaged in the prefent rebelKon againft bis majcfty's authority, but who were now convinced of their error, and deftrous of returning to theii' duty and allegiance^ thsit if they would furrender themfclves with their arms and ammunition at head quarters, or to the officer commanding in the diftrift contiguous to their refpe^ve places of refidence, on or before the soth of that month, they would be permitted to return to their homes upon giving a military parole ; they would be prote^ed in their perfons and properties from all forts of violence from the Britifb troops and would be reftored as foon as poffible to all te privileges of legal and conftitui "X govern- ments But it does not appear that any confiderabL umber ol ^ the Americans werfe allured by thefe promifeS to give any evi- dences of their attachment to the royal caufi;. s On the soth of May^ hiis Lordfhip arrived at Peterlburgh in Virginia, where he joined a body of Britifli troops that hf d been under the command of Major-General Philips ; but the command <^ which, in confequence of the death of that officer, had devolv- ed upon Brigadicr-gencral Arnold. Before thi$ jun£lion he had encountered conftdcrable inconvcriicnccs from the difficulty of procuring provifvons and forage ; fo that in a letter to Sir Henry Clinton, he informed him, that his cavalry wanted every thing, and his infantry every thing but (hoes. He added, that he had ex- perienced the diflreffes of marching hundreds of miles in a country chiefly hoftile, without one aftive or ufeful friend, without intelli- gence, and without communication with any part of the country. itUfdkiroFtMM On the a6th b^JUne^ tbou^ fix milei fi'bnii WilliartfliKfgfi^ Lteutenant'Colonei Simccie, and three hundi'ed and. fifty of tht Queen's rangeri, iiH^H eighty mounted yagers^ were attacked by « much fuperior body of the Aiherfcanai but whom they repuifcd with great gallantry and with equal fucctffs, making four ofRceri and twenty private Wert prifoners. The lofa of the Ameritans ^«n this uEtioii ta faul to have been upward* of one hundred and twenty, and that ol\he Britifli troops not more than forty. On the 6th of July an afbion happened near the Green Springs in Virginia, between a reconrioiteriMg party of the Americans un<» der General Wayne, amountiftg to about eight hundred, and a Urge part of the Britifli army 'under LOrd Ccmiwallif ] in which the American) had one hundrefd and twenty-feve'n kilted and wounded, an^d the lofs of the royal troops is fuppbfed to baVe been confiderably greater.' It waji an aftion in Which iid fmall Yiegree of military Jkill and courage ^as exhibited by the Ameri- vans. In a variety of (kirmiihes, (he Marquis la Fayette very hiuch diftinguifhid himfelf, and difphyed the ntmoft ardour io the Afherican cau(<^k In South Carolina, i!A aftion happened oti the 9th of Septeriibeif' hekrEifta Springs, beti^coloneI Stuart and a much ftfj^eriof body of Americans, faid to amount to more thart four tTidiifahd, under the comthand of Central Greene. It was ih obfliiiati en-* gagcment, and lalled near tWa hours ; but the Americans Were ^defeated, ahd tWo oT their fi^-pounders fell into thfe hands of thd £ngli(h. the lofs, hoWcvClr, of the royal troops Was Very confi- derablei Amounting to more than four hundred killed and Wduhd* ed, and upWafd)i of two hundred mifllhg. In the couirfe pf the fame month, General Arnold was feoi on tin expedition againd: New-London, in Conne£licut, where he dcftroycd a gireal part of the (hipping, and an immenfc quantity of naval ftores, European manufa&ures, ind Eaft ahd Weft India commodities^ The to^v^n itfelf was alfo burnt, Which is faid to have been unavoidable on account of the exploiions of great quan- tities of gunpowder which happened to be ixV the ftorehoufcs that Were fet on fire. A fort^ of which it was thought neceflfary to gain poflenion in this expedition, was not taken without conH- deraUc lofs. This was fort Orifwoldj which was defended by the Americans with great gallantry, and the aflault was made by the £ngii(h with equal bravery. The British troops entered the works with fixed bayonets, and were oppol'ed with great vigour by the garrifon with long fpears. After a moft obftinate defence of near forty minutes, the aCTailantS gained potTeilion of the fort, in which eighty-five Americans were found dead, and* fixty AMERICAS MMVOLUTION. 5% of th« epuired oi&ceri leriKsm * red and Springt am un* , Aid a Which led tnd to haVe loi fmtU Amtri- tt« very rdourio ptei^be^ [>i ubdet ftfjieriof hoiifahd, iiiatfc en* ns Were ds of thd ry confi- & fcoi on rhere he quantity ft India faid to eat quan- tufes that effary to (ut confi- inded by made by tercd the It vigour ; defence the fort, nd» fixty wonnded, moft of them mortally. Of the Brttifli troopi Major Montgomery was killed by <^ fpear in entering the American works ; and one hundred and iiinty«-two men were alfo killed and wounded in this expedition. Notwithftanding the fi^al advantages that Lord Cornwallis had obtained over the AmertcanSi hia fituation in Virgir^a began by degrees to be very critical : and the rather becaufe he did not re- ceive thofe reinforcements and fuppliikfs i^om Sir Henry Clinton, of which he had formed expe^tiuns, and which he conceived to be neceflfary to the fuccefs of his operatiqns. Indeed, the commander in chief was prevented from fending thofe reinforce- ments to Lord Cornwallis which he otherwife might have done, by his feari refpefting New-York, againft which he entertained great apprehenfions that General Wafliington intended to make a very for^nidable attack. In hCt, that able American general ap- pears . to have taken much pains, and to have employed great finefle, in order to lead Sir Henry Clinton to entertain this imagi- nation. Letters, expreflive of this intention, fell into the hands of Sir Henry, which were manifeftly written with a deflgn that they Oiould be intercepted, and only with a view to amui'e and de- ceive the Britifli General. The projeft was fuccefsful ; and by a variety of judicious military manoeuvres, in which he completely out-Generalled the Britifh commander, heincreafed his apprehen- fions about NewiYork, and prevented him from fending proper afltftance to Lord Cornwallis. Having M a confiderable timts kept Sir Henry Clinton in perpetual alarm in New- York, though with an army much inferior to the garrifon of that city. General Waihington fuddenly quitted his camp at White Plains, croflcd the Delaware, and marched towards Virginia, apparently with a deftgn to attack LoYd Cornwallis. Sir Henry Clinton then re- ceived information that the Count de Grafle, With a large French fleet, was expefled every moment in the Chefapeak, in order to co-operate with General Wafliington. He immediately endie'a- voured, both by land and water, to communicate this information to Lord Cornwallis ; and alfo fent him aflurances, that he would either reinforce him by every poilible means in bis power, or make the bed diverfions he could in his favour. In the mean time , ^ Lord Cornwallis had taken pofTcIfion of the. polls of York Town and Glouceller in Virginia, where he fortified himielf in the bed manner he was able. On the a8th of Auguft, Sir Samuel Hood, with a fquadron from the Weft-Indies, joined the fquadron under the command of Ad- , miral Graves before New- York. It was then neceffary, on ac- 4;ount of the fituation of Lord Cornwallis, that they ihould im- Vol. I. 4 D HISTORY OF THE mediately proceed to the Chefapeak ; but Tottie time appears t9 have been needlefsly loft, though Admiral Hood waa extremely anxious that no delay might be made. They arrived, however, in the Chefapcaki oh the 5th of September, with nineteen fliips of the line ; where they found the 43ount de GralTc, who had anchored in that bay on the 3eth of Auguft with twenty-four (hips of the lipe. The French Admiral had previoufly landed a large body of troops, which had been brought from Rhode Ifland, and who immediately marched to join the American army under Ge- neral Wafhington. The firitidi and French fleets came to an «6iion on the fame day in which the former arrived in the Chefa> peak. On board the Britilh fleet ninety were killed "Tand tWo hundred and forty-fix wounded : fome of the (hips were greatly damaged in the engagement ; and the Terrible, i fcvcnty-four gun ihip, was fo much fliattered, that it Was afterwards found necef- fary to fct fire to it. That this a£lion had not been favourable to the £ngli{h, was manifefled from the event : the fleeti continued in fight of each other for five days fucceflively, and fometimes were very; near ; but at length the French fleet, all anchored with- in the Cape, fo as to block up the paflagc. Admiral Graves, who was the commander in chief, then called a counfel of jvar, in which it was refolved that the fleet fliould proceed to New- York, that thctfliips might be there put in thebefl^ ftate for the fervice . «nd thus were the French left mailers of the navigation of the Chefapeak. Before the news of this a£lion had reached New- York, a coun- cil of war was held there, in which it was refolved, that five thou- fand men Ih6uld be emi)arked on board the kings ihips, In order Co proceed to the aflTiilance of Lqrd Cornwallis. But when it was. known that the French were abfolute mafters of the navigation of the Chefapeak, it was thought inexpedient to fend off that rein- forcement immediately. In another council of war, it was re- folved, that as Lord Cornwallis had provifions to lafl. him to the end of O&ober, it was advifable to wait for more favourable ac- counts from Admiral Graves, or for the arrival of Admiral Digby, who was expe£led with three fl\ips of the line. It was not then known at New-York, that Admiral Graves had determined to re- turn with the whole fleet to that port. In the mean time, the mofl: effcd.ual meafurcs were adopted by General Waftiington for furroundingthe Britifli army under Lord Cornwallis. A large body of French troops under the command of Lieutenant-General the , Count de Rochambeau, with a very confidcrablc t,rain of artillery, afllflcd in the cntcrprife. The Americans amounted to near eight thoufand continentals, and fiv9 thouiand militia. General Wafhington was inveflcd with the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. S7» authority of commander in chief of thefc combined forces of Ame. rica and France. On the 29th of September, the inveftmcnt of York Town wascomplete, and the Britifli army quite blocked up. The day following Sir Henry Clinton wrote a letter to Lord Cornwallii, containing affu^ncca that "he would do evcr>' thing in hia power to relieve him, and fome information concerning the fteps that would be taken for that purpofe. A duplicate of this letter was Cent to his Lordfliip by Major Cochran, on the 3d of Oftober. That gentlemen, Who was a very gallant officer, went in a veffel to the Capes, and made his way to Lord Cornwallis, through the whole French fleet, in an open boat. Hi got to York Town on the 10th of the month ; and foon after his arrival had his head carried off by a cannon ball. After the return of Admiral Graves to New- York, a council of War was held, confifting of flag and general officers, in which it was rcfolved, that a large body of troops fhould be embarked on board the king's (hips as foon as they were refitted, and that the exertions of both fleet and army fliouldbe mAde in order to form a junftion wiih'Lord Cornwallis. Sir Henry Clinton himfclf cm- liarked on board the fleet, with upwards of fcven thoufand troops, on the 18th ; they arrived off Cape Charles, at the entrance of the Chefapeak, on the 24th, where they received intelligence that l.ord Cornwallis had been obliged to capitulate five days before. It was on the 19th of Oaober that Lord Cornwallis furrcndei^ e4 himfclf and his whole army, by capitulation, prifoncrs to the combined armies of America and France, under the command of General WafKington, He made a defence fuitablc to the charac- ter he had before acquired for courage and military fltill ; but was compelled to fubmit to untoward circumilances and fuperior num» bcrs. It was agreed by the' articles of capitulation, that the Bri- ti(h troops were to be prifoners to the United States of America, and the feamen to the French king, to whofe officers alfo the Bri- ti(h veflels found at York Town and Glouccfter were to be deli- vered up. The Britilh prifoners amounted to more than fix thou- fand ; but> many of them, at the time of furrcndcr, were incapable of duty. A confidcrable number of cannon, and a large quantity of military ftorcs, fell into the hands of the Arnericans o« this occafion. ,. As no rational cvpcftation now remained of a fubfugatipn of the colonies, the military operations that fuccccdcd in Anjeiica were of little confequence. Some inconfidcrable aftions and fkiimiflies did indeed take place after that cycnt ; in which the refugees difl:ingui{hed themfelvc», and dUcoycrcd an inveterate : Americans. On jrjimofity againft 4 D « 5th of May 1 782, Sir 67« HISTORY a F TkE : Guy Carletoo arrived at .Kew>York, being appointed to the com- mand of the Briiirh trodpa in America in the room of Sir Henry Clinton. Two diya after his arrival, he wrote a If tter to Gene<« ral Wafhington, acquainting h'im, that Admiral Digby waa joined with liimfeif in a commiffio|i to treat for peace with the people ' of America j tranfmitting tc» hini| at the (ame time, fome papers tending to manifefl the pacific difpofition of the government and people of Britain towards thofe of America. He alfo defired a paflport for Mr. Morgan, who^^a appointed to tranfmit a fimilar letter of compliment to the congrefs. General Wafliington de- clined ligning any padport till l^e hu^ taken the opinion of con- grefs upon th.it meafure ; and by ^m he''waa dire6ied to refufe any pafTport for fuch a purpofe. However, another letter waa fent \o General Wafhington, dated the ad of Auguft, and figned by Sir Guy Carleton and Rear Admiral Digby, in Which they informed him, that they were acquainted by authority that nego- ciatlons for a general peace had already commenced at Paris ; that Mr. Grenville was invcfled with full powers to treat with all the parties Ut war ; and was then at Paris in the execution of his commiflion. They farther informed him, that his Majefty, in order to remoye all obdaclcs to that peace which he fo ardently wiChed to reftore^ had commanded his mini (lers to direA Mr.' Greriville, that the independency of the thirteen provinces fliould be propofed by him, in thefiifl inftance, inflead of making it the condition of a general treaty. But lome jealoufies were Enter- tained by the Americans, that it was the defign of the Britifli court either to difunite them, or to bring them to treat of a peace feparately from their ally the king of France : they therefore re- folved, that any '^.an, rr body of men, who ihould prefume to make any feparatc or partial convention or agreement with the king of Great-Britain, or with any commiflioner or commiiTioners under the crown of Great-Britain, ought to^ be confidcred and treated as open and avowed enemies of the United States of Ame- rica ; and alio that thofe ftates could not with propriety hol^ any conference or treaty with any commiflioners on the -part of Great-Britain, unlefs they fhould, as a preliminary thereto, either withdraw their fleets and armies, or elfe, in pofitive or exprefs terms, acknowledge the independence of the laid ftates. They ilfcex^ne Eciblved, that any propofitions which might be made by the coyrt of .Great-Britain, in any manner tending to violate the treat5tX4rfbfifting between them and the king of France, ought to iW^JU^^d with every mark of indignity and contempt. 0^'|he 30th of November, 1^82, the provifional articles of -'peaceSrid reconciliaticm between Great-Britain and the Ameri- r^l^in 1^ were figned at Paris ; by which Great^Britain ac- .,. V »* in re- to the They by the U to s of leri- ac- AMZRiCAN RMVOIUTIOS, 573 knowledged the independence andr fovereignty of the United States of Americi. Thefe article* Were ntificd by a definitive treaty, Septeinber 3d, «783, , Thia p^ce waf ncgociated on the part of Great-Britain by Mr. Of«vald/%and the definitive treaty was figned by Mr. Hartley ; and on the part of the Unitfd Sute* by John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamiil Franklin, Efquires.* Thus ended a lung and arduoui confii^ in which Great-Bri- tain expended near an hundred millions of money. With an hun- dred thoufand liveK, an4 won nothin^k Anysrica endured every cruelty and diHrefs from her enemies; loft many lives and much treal'jr'; ; but delivered h^rfetf -from | foreign dominion, and gainL«^. a rank apidng the'riitionsTf the earth. Holland acknowledged the independence of the United States on the i9tK of April, 1782; Sweden, February 5th, 1783; Denmark, the sjth of February ; Spain, in March, and Ruifia, in July 1 783. No fooner was peace reftored by the difinitive treaty, and tho Britifli troops withdrawn from the country, than the United States began to experience the defefts of their general govern- ment. While an enemy was in thd country, fear, which had firft impelled thr colonies to aflbciate in mutual defence, con- tinued to operate as a band of political union. It gave f* t\^ refolutions and recommendations bf Congrefs the- force of lav. s» and generally commanded a ready acquiefcence on thepUrt of 'he , State legidatures. Articles of confederation and perpetual union had been framed in Congrefs, and fubmittcd to the confederation of the States, in the year 1778. Some of the States immediately acceded to them; but others, which had not unappropriated lands, hefitated to fubfcribe a compa^, which woiild giv^ an ad- vantage to the States which pofTefled large tra£ls of unlocated lands, and were thus capable of a great fuperiority in wealth and population. All obje£lions, however, had been overcome, and by the accefTion of Maryland, in March 1781, the articles of confederation were ratified, as the frame of government for the United States. Thefe articles, however, were framed during the rage of war, when a principle of common fafety fupplied the place of a Coer* cive power in government, by men who could have -had no exf perience in the art of governing an extenfive country, and under circuindances the moil critical and' embarrafling. To have ofj^fiir* ed to the people, at that time, a fyftem o^ go^(ernnlent arfge4 with the powers neceflary to regulate and tontroiil the cohtenapjj^^ interefts of Thirteen States, and the poifeifions of million^^ - . J * This IVeaty, with other Paperi, will be found in the Appeadix Fourth Volume of tbi« work. ,574 JfiSttfRYCFT/tE people, might hive raifed f Jploufy between the States of in th« minds of the people at Urge, that wuuld have weakened the ope- rations of the war, and perhaps have rendered an union impradi> cable. Hence the numerous defers of the ccmfederation. On' the conclufton of peace, thele defef^s began to be felt. Kach (late aiTumed the right of difputing the propriety of the re- folutions of Congress, and the intereA of an individual State was placed in oppofition to the common intereft of the union. In addition to this lource of divifion, a jealoufy of the powers of Congrcfs began to be excited in the minds of the people. ' This jcaloufy of the priv,ilpgcs of freemen had been roufed by the opprelfive afts of the Britiih parliament : and ito fooner had the danger from this quarter ceafcd, than the fears of people changed their objeffc, and were turned againd their own rulers. In this fituation, there were not wanting men of induftry and talents, who had been enemies to the revolution, and who em- braced the opportunity to multiply the apptchcnfions of the peo- ple, and increafethe popular difcontentP, A remarkable inftancc 6f this happened in ConneAicut. As foon as the tumults of yrar had fubfided, an attempt was made to convince the people, that the aft of Congrefs paffed in 1778, granting to the officers of the ermy half-pay for life, was highly unjuft and tyrannical; and that it was but the firft ftep towards the cftablllhment of pen- fions, and an uncontrouilable dcrpotifm. The aft of Congrcfs, paiTed in 1783, commuting half-pay for life, for five years full pay, was dcfigned to appekfe the apprehcnfions of the people, and to convince them that this gratuity was intended merely to indemnify the ofi&cers for their loffes by the depreciating of the paper currency, and not to"eftabli(b a precedent for the granting of pcnfions. This aft, however did not iatisfy the people, who luppofcd liiat the officers had been generally indemnified for the lofs of their pay by the grants made them from time to time by the Icgifliturcs of the fcveral States. Befides, the aft^ while it gave live years full pay to the officers, allowed but one year's pay to the privates; a didinftion which had great influence in exciting and continuing the popular fcrmeuj, and one that turned a large fhare of the- public rage agaipft the rtflhiccrs thcmfelvcs. The moment an alann was raifed refpefting- this oft of Con^ grcfs, the cncjnies of their independence became aftivc in blow- ing up the (lame, by fpreading reports unfavoijrable to the general povcrnmevnt, and tcn<.Ung to create public diirenfions. Ncwfpa- pers, in fomc parts of the country, were filled with inJlanlmatory publicaiious; while falfc reports, and giountllofs infinuationS W?re Jndullriouny ciiculated to the prejudice of Congrcfs. and the offi •very i .,.':f«Hsten( ipeAj. •trwy, i the dill tyrant! Conn States V of chat I liws, di coUeftin appointi meafiifei cet. In n'ugator) the half. five year the aflei Againft tl ofRepre to concu Durin officers « juftbefor had form Whatc its defign The ofte from pop Notwi) end read; viz. the education taken by fupported converfati were nece would noi year 178^ people, ar minority, 1 tion fubfi( reftored to Several me !>f in tK« the ope* impradi> I. be felt, (f the re- nal State ke union* owera of t • t oufcd by oner had I people I rulers, iftry and who em» the pco- : inftance ta of yrar iple, that era of the ical; and t of per>- Congrcfs, ^'cars full I people, ncrely to ig of the granting )plc, who lificd for time to , the aft^ iwed but liad great leu^, and ainii the i of Con. in blow- ic general Ncvvfpa- anlmatory finuationS |rcfs. and ^tVi the oificerf of iM >te amiy. Among • pcopUi f«elin.I« .live to ZZn^'^V'^'^'^'^'' '«^'»^*'" '^y had beca fSTi;? 1^ "?"•• **"** "** '"* «' *"**"« • powerful •#cftj.thi ^t^Umm fltnerUi the officer, of the t^„t J!r "^ '^"' «»o''-ciU«en., ««| Congreli become the tynnt. of their country. Connearcut w.i the fe.t of thi. un«ifi„ef., .hbough other ! ItT! '^'^:^ *»»]»»« o^"fio». Bur the inhabifntl of .h.t State «cuftomed to order, .„d e due fubordinaikm to the law., did not proceed to outrage.; they took their ufual mode of «« ri ''• ''""^ -"'*'' State^ffembled in town m.^^ £^n,'T.T*? '^r'' '"" ""^'^«»»<'". «d confult Chat meafure. ihould be adopted to procure . redref. of their grievan- ce.. In thia. convention, which was held at Middletowm fome migttonr relolve. were paffed. expreffing the dilapprobatioii of the half-pay aft, a„d the fubfe,uent commutatipn of the grant for five year, whole pay. The feme fpirit alfo difcovcred itfelf iiv •gainft thp afts m favour of the officer, wa. framed in the Houfa ot Reprefentativea, »nd notwithftanding the Upper Houfe rcfufed - to concur in the incafure, it wa. fent to Congref^ During thi. fituation of affair., the public pdiitta againft ,h« officer, wa. augmented by another circumftance. The officer, juftbcfore the dilbanding of the army, a. ha. already been not cS had formed a focicty, called by the name of the cLnnati, Whatever were the real view, of the f«mer.ofthi.i„ftitution .t. defign wa. generally underftood to be.harmlef. and honourable. The oftenfible view, of the fociety could not however fcreen it from popular jealoufy. Notxvithftanding^ the difco,;tent. of the people were general, and ready^to burft forth in fedition, yet me/of information via. the officers of government, the clergy, and perlbn. of liberal education, were moftly oppofed to the unconftitutional ftcps taken by the committees and convention at Middlctown. They lupported the propriety of the mcafures of Congreft. both bv converfation and writing, proved that luch grants to the army were neceffary to keep the troop, together, and that the expence womtl not be enormous nor opprcffivc. During the clofe of the year 1783 every pofliblc exertion was made to enlighten the people, and fuch was the effeft of the arguments ulcd by the TVlc'I""^ V^" *"'«'""•"« "^ '^' ^^""^^"8 y^'^ *he oppon. on fubfidcd, the com:„ittccs^ were difmiffed, and tranquHUty leftored to the State. In May, the Icgilkture Were able to car.y i-evcral meafures which had before been extremely unpopular ^9< MiSTfikYOirMM An rA wm (Mffcd gnntihg tht Inpc^ of ftvf |llt Iwnl. to Coin* grefs; anotlMr giving grot tncM Mf^ !"'' ^ ''^ *^ •^P"^* * ""^ ^ veral town* wtn ineorpoiil^ ili^tb iKIflnftyi |ff^it!i|M^ f9rl$itt^ puq>o(e of raguUting the expfiri|of thckitjil^ Slid Acu£tating tW , collcAion of dabtt. ,v The oppofuion to thi congieffiowl' tft* in fiwrour of the oSL cers, and to the order of tbm Ci^cinoalJ, did net rile to the kmm pitch in the other Stutct M in Connefticut i yet U produced much difturbance in Maflachufettt, and fome others. JeaUmfy of power had been univerfally fprcad amoilg the people of the United States. The deftniAion of the old forms of govemments» end the licentioufnefs of wiir, had, in a great mealiire, broken their habita of obedience; their paffiona had been inflamed by the cry of defpotifm; and like centineb, who have been fuddudy fiirprifed by the approach of an enemy, the ruftling of a leaf was fuflBcieht to give them an alarm. This fpirit of jeatoufy operated with other caufes to relax the energy of federal o{|enu tiona. DuiUng the war, Vaft fums of paper currency had been emit- ted by Congrefa, and large quantitiea of fpecie had been intro- duced, towards the clofe of the war, by the French army, and the Spanifh Hide* Thia plenty of money enabled the States to comply with^ the irft^ requifitions of Congrcft; fo that during two or three y^nrti- the federal treafury waa, in fome meafure, fupplied. But when the danger of war had ceafed, and the vaft importationa of foreign goods had leflened the quantity of circu- lating fpecie,' the Statea began to be Very remifs in furnifhing their proportion of moniea. The antithilation of the credit of the paper bills had tptally %pped their circulation, and t|ie fpecie waa leaving the country in cargoes for remittances to Great-Britain ; ftill the luxurious habits of the people, contrafted during the war, called for new fupplies of goods, and private gratification feconded the narrow policy of ftate intercft in de- feating the operationa of the general government. Thusthercvenueaof Congrefs were annually diminifhing; fome of the States wholly negleaing to make provifion for paying the intercft of the national debt; others making but a partial provifion, until the fcanty fupplies received from a few of the richeft States, would hardly fatisfy the demands of the civil lift. This weaknefs of the federal government, in conjunftion with the flbod of cirtificates or public fccurities, which Congrefs could neither fund nor pay, occafioned them to depreciate to a very in'confidcrable value. The officers and foldters of the late army, and thofe who furnifliod fupplies for public exigencies, 'm to Conw \ anddto •tingttttr tilt thtfeaw «(lmuch Umfy of B of th« rntnentit f broken id by the (vMuAy 9f a ieaf jeidoufy »1 openu sen emit- en intro- rmy, and States to it during meafure, 1 the vail of circu- irniihing le credit , and t}ie tances to ontra£led d private ft in de- Ing; fome »r paying a partial few of the civil :ion with Congrcfs :ciate to a f the late (igencics, fff'''h-£ 577 ffiry heir no- ft part of lited by ipo>' ' luch at ¥Mrt 4 of that fup- ieinand from their »Syly»y»lmM wi«i|M(w^W intereaof b«r dtbli, nr own Ulic nolM in «pihiii|e for thofe of the WnUed Stwef . The re- feUTift of iHm SlM«:ir« imiiifiifiiy.but ih« wm not abl^to aUkt {iin^Mal payments, even in • 4tpreci«t«4 paper curr»nq|.f * l||irachuliitts, in her le^ to coO^y'lMy ^ith t|i»ie^ailt. tions of (^ongrefs, and fatitfy |he 4«na«dl 4f ^ own dreditori, Iftid a heavy tax upon the peofle* t1>it was the iaunediitt Cittle or the rebellion in that State, m 17!$,^ t^i^vy «M|kiying . on the States added to bunlcnt of th^ fikioie nitt^ upqyi '||lboft every eorporation within it t e, decline^ «r 1^^ in ^itin^tofi of public credit } a relaxation and ^omsptioH of jUpkaers, md • fi«e ufe of foreign luxuries } ^ decay of tra4| ahd i^Mfaftures, with a prevailing Scarcity of money; and>i«|^»I^Miliv>4M«Uin. volved in debt to each other. TheGt iH^4|)p|ii l^^hdugh more remote caut'es of the infurreaion. It wIl'lAMvi^ w|tich the peo- pie were required to pay, that called |lk||| Jto feel t^e evil*, yrhich we have enumerated— this caUed forth all th^tr rtther grievances.; and the firfl aft of violence Committed wa* the burn- ing or deftroying of the tax-bill. This feditiun thrfw the State into a convulfion which laded about a year ; courts of juftice. were violently obftrufted } the coll«£bion of debts was fufpended i and a body of armed troops, under the command of General Lincoln, was employed during the winter of 1786, todi^perie the infurgents. Yet fo numerous were, the itter in the coun- ties of Worcefter, Hampfhire, and |l>f r^bfliirt ud fo obftinatcly combined to oppoie the execution of law by force, that the go- vernor and council of the State thought proper not to intruft General Lincoln with military powers, except to -lift on the de- fenfive, and to repel force with fwce, in cafe, the infurgents fhould attack hiin. The leaders of tlie rebels, however, were not men of talewts; they were defperate« but without fortitude *, and even Avhile!^ they .were fupported ,Iii| difperfed the nflielft-rdrove the leaders from thft' State; «fftdre^or«d tnfar- d by the F bills of logue of by emif- ics. The I a new iiids in- intereft (its, the irgc the irienced ce were n (lances )nifliing winces, them of iH: have the in- enablcd a legal i iflued Hum of hafe of h mer- id for lichard.1 ^^t and bill*, which occaftoned the latter at 'various times to «ppi^e<;iate. Thus was introduced a difference Ipwecn the Bul^fli fterling mo^ey and the currencies of the cdonics, which .4remailis ttt this day;* ^, ^^ ,Th6 adwntai^ th^ c6loat«*had derived ,S0ha. bills of criedit, vnder the Britift govemm^, fugg«»ft^ to Cohgrefs, in 1 775, the idea of iffuing biUs for tljeypurji;^ of ctrryijpg on the war -, and this was perhkps their onlydcpg^ient. -Money could not be raifed by taK8tionwi«>it could not be borrowed. The fir (l emi (hons liad no other effe& upon the niedium of commerce, than to drive ihe fpecie froni circulation. But when the paper lubftituted foV fpecie had, by repeated emifltons, augmented the funVjin ciriduU- tion, much beyond the ufual fum of fp4cic, the bitti» begah'to lofe their value. The depreciation toiitinU^ in pro|>ortioh to the fums emitted, until feventy, «n. inentary apparent fbnd in the pHte of articles; innumerable a&A of collufipa and evafion among the diihonefl: ; numbcrlefs injuries done to, the honeft; and finally a total diCrcgard of all fuch regu- lations, ffftf^ the confequential Qontcmpt of laws and the authority of the magiflrate. , , ;? < : ; ' , During thefe (liquations of bufincfs, occafioncd by the varia- ble value of toioney, people lofl fight, in fome meafure, of the fteady principlies which had before governed their intercnurft: with each othjQI'* Speculation followed and relaxed the rigour of conunercial i^blig^ioiis. Indui^iy l|||^ife hfd .fuffered by the flood of money which had del^gflR|MpS^tatep«r The prices of produce had rifen in pro* portion to t^^uantity of money in circulation, and the demand for the commodities of the country. This made the acquifition of money eafy, and indolence and luxury, with their train of defolating confequences, fpread themlelvcs among all defcriptiuns of people. But as foon as hoflilities between Great-Britain and America were fufpeYided, the fcenc was changed. The bills emitted by Congrefs had for fome time before ceafed to circulate; and the ipecie of the country was foon drained off to pay for foreign goods, the importations of which exceeded all calculation. Within two years from the clofe of the war, a fcardty of mo-nty was the general cry. The merchants found it inipoirible to coU left their debts, and make pun6iual remittances to their creditors in Great-Britain ; and the coni'umers were driven to the neceffity ^ of retrenching their fuperfluities In living, and of returning to their ancient habits of induflry and economy. This change was however progrefhve and flow. In many of the States which fuffered by the numerous debts they had con- trailed, and by the diftreffcsof war, the people called aloild for cmiflions of paper bills to fupply the deficiency of a medium. The de{)reciation of the Continental bills was a recent example • of the ill elFcfts of fuch an expedient, and the impoflibility of AMERICAN REVOIVTION, 5«t fi^Pll^inf; the credit of p^>Qr wa$ .urgtd by the bppbrers of tbi Hitt^ure as a fubftantial argument ugainft adopting it. But n!#hi(t^ would ftlence the popular clamour; and tqilkny tMii oi the Hrlib talents ^d eminence united their «;p|ce# with tliat of the populace. P^per money had formerly maififaincd its credit^ su^ been of Tingular utility; and pail exp^bence, notwithftanding a change of circumftances,^^ was a|i argulnent in itft favoar that hore down all oppofition. ^, Pennfylvania^ i(lthQugh one of the richcd States in the union, ~ wit the firftv-to.ecnit bills of credit, as a fubflitute for fpecie. But the revolution had removed the necedity of it, at the fame time that it had deftroyed the means by which its former credit had been fupported. Lands, at the ckvfe of the war, were not riftngin value-^ills on London could not fo readily be jportihix fed, as while the province was dependent on Great-Britf iii9->-the State was fplit into parties, one of which attempted to defeat tht meafures moft popular with the other-^attid the jdepreciMion of continental bills, with the injuries which >it had done to indivi- duals, infpired a general diftruft of all pubK&proniiles* Notwithftandinga part of the money was IdmBied 0Q good land- ed fecurity, and the faith of that wealthy Stitei^edj|is ftWealfo emitted a large {i^liviihi ^ p«y the intetcft of thepublic aebt i but the iu ,r ..VI* 't «*W*»le4 ^ n'ehncholy proof (if thtt,l^»Mifi|R|^ «*f» »g »»^f ^liich al^yt feUowft 4 MUsialMm of the vm^ ^l^fvery mt^'tfocket without obUging hhtrto earnir %> Mft ''^%*j|l^^ the|^ftituto-piflfed in a& for making one hunilred, th«b£lli4|fQiliHi^ J9^^^^ much more than ftiflkient lof % **^*^1?FiWll^^^* Stttftt «*wn .without any ipeete. JKi^ rlinhd Proirtfltnt^ c^poM the a^with^ Skm* rgtiini. added f^relhrVigbr te. the relblikionNif P^l^ip^d them to enforce the (Hieme by alligal liiwry nature. They pafied an ad, or- ■#fditor Oioukl rofufe to take their biU$^ for >^e debtor might lodge the fum due, with a i 'p<8icf, who (hould give notice of it in the pid^ic paperrj and if tlie creditor did not appear »nd receive the mopey within fix nionths from the firft notice, his debt ftould be fe#* fci^ed. This ^a aftoniftied all honeft ^en ; and even the promo- ters of paper inoncy-making in other ftates, and other puinciplei, reprobated this aa of Rhode Wand, as wicked and oi^reflivc, 3u^ the State was governed by faaion. During the cry for paper mon^y, a number of hoifterous, ignorant m*n were eleaed into the legiflaturc, fronj t^ fmaller towns in the State. Finding thcmfelvca united with a majority in opinion^ th^y formedand exect»ted;any plan theii; inclination fuggcftcd; thifeyoppofed every jne^tire that was agreeable to the mercantile intcrcft j they not 'only mad«^ ba^ laws to fuit their own wicked purpofes, but ip. pQintcdthelt own corrupi^^ics^tursM^ fill ihe judicial and esecu- tive departments. Theii mon«y depreciated lufficicntjy to aor iAver all their vile purpilfiiiiin the dilcharge of debts-^ufinela almoft totally ccafed» aU 0nftdence was loft, the State was thrown into confufton at hom^ and was executed abroad; Maffachufetts Bay had the good fortMne».amidft her political calamities, to prevent an emimon of bills of credit. N^w Hamp. any juftice N>r lilifictl Btnt ' It 1» d H0m¥ > Jil/ r i»«nira^>w~ irtWttm^itKm at thp ^cortnnfc#(ici» Which ^ik to fc ^^^^\^\ or ^^M fKe^^ lli# whi tlwty. 1* AaMM ft. ---, ««expXco»»....to"»ft 4:»>« i»i.hven««e. refulung . , Wh^e the^^vatcs were in ^ t»,fi«efsbylWiiow», .^i,l reguUtion..t^t ^^'^'^'^^^^Jymy.^.^ktA ,0 Ae Weft-lndie. W< ^"^ir^^ilSjoo «»*ch.n.. for m ■ - ■ . ir^d'l «fUUflnjui Jl||»ip^#*'P(fW^^^ ^ the part of Ameticf, l^.«l#|^«^^^:^^^ th. States.-^ lo h^W .poff#«« « P^x^ vTere infcfted With popular rt»: Many of the State. »«'^»^?*"V L L^UrtLv w^^^ ^^ . pu^.4i*UV the a^^^^^^^^^^^ objeas of fpeculation ; C^- ;;^» «»a f*':?"^*!'"^^ ;„d the Umtt«l%Uteithci^ oedit grefc loft tlicir rf li?e^« W »"***'"' ^^t- »ri4.wp«"rtapce. s _ > : J ^j the ttf^cftaWiihrnent of ^^*w«..0b evils of themfclvcs. were ov^. aeu i«r & pwce. d« of di,,ftu.g , fom of govZ- ig^«4ual to the omiMiciMofUw union. The firft%«ioB .1^ |H.rpo(o w« tt^ hy Mr. Mtddifon, and he iS^ 2 S^iL^.fr^?*'*"' i^ ■ ^•'^ Conftitmion, which bin. Other., who we^confuming L nSt Imp:"!:^ J '%^T States, had ui intM^Aad tndtMMtmMi oi 91% jOffoCm^v^ iw4ti^ pq^ the propofed pi^^OttfUwfetjtwftjij'^^Thcff rofpie&l <^ I wcr ii l M fiQplo)«Miiit for IhWingt tvd'tlte cfilif|iaient of t vm m v^ t il Tfmghcd MMtMihok Sta«^ which sbomi^bi fta«rtaiMt«^' an4 Ufo with fe«p(m,t««Kiiif to^advoctt«( f9nf adoptkA ttCllM Iwi^ iyiUo} ; but thofeStaei^ or parts of Stateaj il4iieh dep(nitti4^i|f|f oti agriculture, were afraid that x«al foreiicouragHif «n A itl0 $m arurin^^y narrowing the grounds of competkioaainoni Mklncr* for poachafiog and carrying their pt^ee, wwld iHfnilkliii' profits. Some of this dcfcription ther»f{»re coiiedivtd flat' \tii6f had a. local intereft ill refuting the neWi^ftem. Individuals who had great infl^<^nc6 |n Slate 1«|ri|bfiiilt< i^ 1irh|> held pro&uble pUeei under them, were unw«p|| t4«0||jkV agosrernmenl' which, hy dimiiiiaiing the piHjif'er d&^^^ >^puIde«^tu»Uy diminifh thdr own foKpomnei^V others, whtf loo)ted forward to feau in ' the Keneral governiiehl, e)r kif #ft<^ under i«« authority, had the faqae inte^ie^ realbn f# fi^tmt&ng ^ action. Some from jeatcni^plliiertywitfeafiraiflo^l^ing tod lit^lil^ power to^hcir raters $ otfters, fi;om an honcfl: atfmttipn to^^agifan%|:t|iei«^^«f^ii»tfy4 were £t>rp»jring the w^y tdnaiiofUl iJi^6miLH^n the lepanlt$ State! iiito a nitiohal maftt «ew coitftittitlon } the Httel- gloried fti it» whtth could agtiiib the hurnsn br«a%1ti» duals for and agatnft the action el" thc( : fome whnle elaffer of pcKypIe weri of public creditors expeiEled payihent emblifhment of an efficient government^ fecidcdly for its adoption. Such at tiVed ort trho^ being cjiear of debt, wi(hed faf a fixed «aedium ofeimilation and the free courfe of law, were friends of 4 conilituti(»i whjch jpr6hibits the iffuing of paper money and all interference between debtor and creditor/ ]n addition tothefe« the ^peat body of independent men, who faW the ncceflity of ait Energetic general government, and who, from the jarring hiterefts ef the different States, eould not forefee any probability of getting i better oncAhan was projpofcd, gave their fupport to what the federal ccm^ention had pr«)j*ded, and their influence effe&ed its eftahliC^ment. After a full conflderation^ and thorough diftuf- 4ion of its pti^cfples, it was ratified by the conventions of eleven of the eHgittM^htneen Stales, ahd the accefllon of the other two was foon e«|^3bed^* 1 ne ratification of it was celebrated in mbA; ■ • The fotlowiity «tT»tt>^ ift 1^ irfc W ibc order, time, Ac. in which the^e- tal States i^iifisdlUiri^iiisf at f:lMi^ Kkjtrity, their ind iklaries, Dslawirf, Oetenher ji Peniifylvania, Oscember 13, Nevr-Jtr&y, Oeeemhertgii Georgia, JaniMFy t| Connc£Ucut, January 9, Mailtt«hufett», fcbruaty ^ »7•^ 17W. MSaisBOttfly 46 to aj unantnoufly lananimottfly laS to 40 >89 to 168' *9 . i,"i ^*:f'^! ttitipli liogMl oTthct rot #1 iment« . red oit fixed tndali thefe< ' of an terefb jettinif lat the; d iti irtuf. levea rtWQ mo(t> 4iwe- *9 ifUM 4*7 tlte St^^hilirs«nt prdctffi % Wliich iMr ^MjWlltritiyflitiilt dFtHi tinffi^vef befott ex^ibUta in Airteritt, Wii^lpA «»Berienc4 o^ wthOlf dUc^rcr |Im dfea* ^f thlf BClir ^#k^HbutiM|^(^^ |0vev«iiiid«^-$lNiUii theory;i| fttmsSm |:iitdif»^. tmit^^aiMif ^tllft' httty, and tp Uy thf ^Wa^Moik^ national greatineft, white it abrid|ei nbne of th^ Itltf;' States, or Off the vepjtle, ^ conftHuli^ havl(ig been nltiled by eleven of th^ (bit and t^^entativet having bieen chofepk^^^cf^ 'tk theri^i they met at KeW- York, and coi&ii^ imderit*^ tlieoUConi^ and confedliil^ money, expired without t figh or groan, iu iMw Congreft, with mdj^ imd^ powers, t^^^ ^, . _ ,_„,^^,^,i, partly Mtionil, and p*rtly ic^ktfUkcefvMim therr place; #iy» great hy 6f aU w^ wiihed fivr^llWlpil 4i,t»».5unM^st«^^^- ; ^. "' ' . . ^<-^ ^ ThMi|h ||^ had prevised miN )60iiftiliition, there fris^iSiw die ^j^^n about the V^-^^,. ihould be appobted its Tufit^e exo^i^ e|i^cr, "jfli^iiiit! aswellantifederaliftsufeder^HJfoF '" " for ajod «Minft the nevr tat^f^foemi , tamed (hdr eyet'on tb^ Ivti^'i^fMsmitM^ Rioft propet pfklbn to 1^ their flirft Ptt6i"^ pot a weU.iixfonh^d ih4*vidu4 in the Ut in^On himfelf only excited) wHpwatI be called to the executive adminiftratipj|°i of government. Unambitious of farther to hi» farm in Virginia, and hoped to be e] public fervice ; but his country called him to fill the higheft ftation in its gift. That hoi , lie good, which had uniformly influenced him to devote both hji y> time and talents to the Service of his country, got the better #j^^' love of r'etirement, and induced him once more to ^pga(||^|^^^ ' great bullnefs of making a nation happy.^ ITie imelUg^cseft 1||^ eleftion being communicated to hitti, whi|e on his farmio Virj^st^ he fet out fooq after for NcwrYork^ OiiW w»y thither, the road . was Crowded with numbers inxiouf to fee the Man of the people. Eicorts of militia, and of gentlemen of the ^r^ chaqtfi^ and fla^ tion, attended him from State to State, and he \^ euery wnere received with the highcil honours whiah a gralelul i&d admir. i Mw4^ad, April aS, tiVk «3 tfrjft J5I SoMlbiGarolina May NemrKimpihire, June »3» «49 t6- f^ 76 a», _ . 57 *> i^' r-" : 11 Virgiaia, June »6. ^9 «» 79 »« New-York, July b6, JO t© tj J North Carolina Nov. 87, ,. I7t9i »93 to 75 ut Rhode Illaod, May *9» - »79P» • Vermont, Janu^ >Oft >79>i by a great majority, lUmXW^Yt , i- ■■?,ltf>a .- ; ■ ing iMopto couU coolbr. ^iipi of ow|niiili^i«p wtw.f^ii^ fe$te4 to bim by llUt ittl^Mtwm'if'JbmaSL wtij pkw* of oqfife' auence througb wMi^ U MflH to ^l^ «f w>>><;>> b^ jMpM fu«h moaei!^ umfum^ i|ifw«rtptin«re Ml ;fyery iffai|#J|ill|^ to hit fittMUob. So grMi were Um lumpfitt wkb wjiicl^>e w«t lotded, that tbev could (fureety hsvc COmI to pro||p|i neft iin the mind of eny ordinary man ; but nothUif WM ever difcovered in thia extnordHMu oteaiioat he behaved to all «en with th^ CO another. He wai tn^y ^real in ddbrviag coninry, but much ireate r m not ))ein| .elated Gny'a Bridge. oyer the S^HuykiU^ which liad to pafa, waa ht|^ decorated wi|h laurela At each p|!!fit^!iw|re «rf£M ma|nifi|^t archei fcia, efl«KpM»t. of the ancient iteman tr;uti«^ on each Im dribe bridgietbaa)in»relih#ubbe,7. Aa Mr^ W^t Innoin pittti^ the bridge, a youth e«rn9metiud wUh fpHga of UwN^ affifted by machinery, 1^ dtNy^' above hia head; tttMigV imf^ktHtsmd by hii|», a ilvic crown of wutili Upwarda of twen- ty ^Koiiilid citiiMH^ linpl the fences, Setds, and avcnuet, between " ^ ' l^fkiyie^b,^^^^^^^ !^^ thejp lie waa cow. " t numei^ u»d relpeMle Itody of the ik <^jn (d^^ enter^nnpent provi<|^ of th . %y.. were (ttcc9i4cd fay a bapdf ia the evei^llig,.' ' ■' .:-^i'' Cf9fed tlie Delaware, and landed on a^ with three cheer* by the inhabit When he came to tHe brow of the hill^. itoD, a triumphal arch 'wa» ereftcd on the bridge, t^^^'^Aion of the la ' le inhabU FthebUl,. ed OR the he crowfi tirels and fiber a6th ifcription, ters. On dreffed in baikets of ing hdies, inlUnt he wins ode ; ftmvwl tlieir 4owm on the Hit fitattion on thb occa. in Dec. tf^hUfm eiame tfweet ttebm«;ft«|ikefae. A«^iir A»«| tiM left 1 iM(fililoit their belo^ itti; iiMit|ift«l with vllat . ; ^t, wfani the liliivi^lliBi _ li^ -|fll the veflUi U.%M herhour APpIl^^ oreAed end defjMWted tot M$ " * " ',1 jpf^i«ufed itfelf throiiii r .:Ki Br]rMfi%l ..1H<*. .-the StO^i itheli liMtved and congntulalld •W**** of^ cornoration. H^ totMl^frw^h hMl 'OV UMB llWinRlliiil tMtTB feonel^hleiitlljll W9t 19 the mmfitd wei citixiBiH^ tn htUJm^}lg iBtti Iem- l^ft tihing the Wgniet <* J do iblemnl)^ Ihirllnited States.'* Qtk^^c$e»&^^, their «*n|Afna in^^titeir refpearie offered up^Sc P«yert for the Plffii ^n»**<* St^MpAbout noon a proceflion., tudc of ci|^«, moved ffom the PraSdei H|U. Whe^k they came vjthin a fin^t the troops formed a line on both fides of t™ w.y, »„, Mr. Waftiington, accompanied by the Vlee,Prefidenti i Adams, pafTed into th? Senate Chamber. Immcdiat* accompanied by both honfes, he went into the ga Broad-ftrcet, and before them, aAd an |D|menfe ^pcwme «t cmeens, took the oath prefcribed by the*conftitutio«, which was .dminiftered by-R. R. Livingfton, th? ChanceHor of the Sutc Of If cw. Yori^, An awful aicncc prevailed amo^ tl» fpeftators dunng this part of the ceremony. It was a mimi^^l'moa ^bhme political joy. The Cha«c,%,thc^r^^him Prefident of the United States, Thit^ i^J^^^^ charge of thirteen guns, and by thr^l^ifion lii^ts, from¥ near ten thoufand grateful and a|Feaio^te hearts. Thef reftdent hoMred moft relpeafiilly «, the p«^^ and ^he iir«lkunded »jpm with their scclamatiplis. M tim retired to ie Senate Chai^er* ^herc he made an anima^flKech to both houfes ; in Vhich his language notonly^pi^^s own feelings on thi* k:i 1 iMT^m tke people in iwiitiiiiAlM ' '|l» Wren ^ eanh tt once. ti^HHAije^ bf'thif J nujf, l^lMggfi Wao «BliMlfiM^f but, WnfeCir I wa| ^ 'likT^'VllJgioMAeifiil^ o^ hil ••' a. -> .