The Eighth Period will extend from tl.e Inauguration of President Adams, 1797, to the Inauguration of Thomas Jefferson as president of the United States, 1801. This period is dis tinguished for ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION.

The Ninth Period will extend from the Inauguration of President Jefferson, 1801, to the Inauguration of James Madison as president of the United States, 1809. This period is distinguished for JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION.

The Tenth Period will extend from the Inauguration of President Madison, 1809, to the Inauguration of James Monroe, as president of the United States, 1817. This period is distinguished for MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION, and the late WAR WITH GREAT BRItain.

The Eleventh Period will extend from the Inauguration of President Monroe, 1817, to the present time, and is distinguished for MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION,

UNITED STATES.

Period X.

DISTINGUISHED FOR DISCOVERIES.

Extending from the Discovery of San Salva dor by Columbus, 1492, to the first perma nent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607.

Section I. The carly discoveries on the Continent of America were made by the Spaniards, English, and French.

In these, the Spaniards took the lead; and have the honour of first communicating to Europe the intelligence of a New World.

For several years previously to the discovery of America, the attention of Europe had been drawn to the enterprises of the Portuguese, who were attempting to discover a passage to the East Indies, by doubling the southern extremity of Africa.

Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, roused by these enterprises, and strongly persuaded that a western passage to the East Indies was practicable, by steering across the Atlantic, determined to ascertain the point by experiment.

Accordingly, after encountering various difficulties he sailed from Spain, Friday, Aug. 3, 1492, with a small fleet, under the patronage of Ferdinand and Isabella, then on the united thrones of Castile and Arragon; and on the 12th of Oct. 1492, discovered the Island San Salvador. This Island is three thousand miles west of the

Canaries, the most western land known at the time of Columbus' discovery,--and is now known as one of the Bahamas.

Columbus, after maturing his plan, first offered to sail under the patronage of the Senate of Genoa, but they treated his pro ject as visionary. He next solicited the patronage of the Portuguese, but was denied.

Disappointed in these applications, and despairing of assistance from Henry VII. of England, to whom he had sent his brother Bartholomew, but, who, being captured, did not reach England for several years: Columbus next laid his plans before Ferdinand and Isabella.

Ferdinand was long deaf to his application; but through the favour of Isabella, who listened to his plans, a treaty was made with him. The queen sold her jewels and defrayed the expense of his outfit and voyage. His fleet consisted of the Santa Maria, Pinta and Nigna, with ninety men, victualled for a year. The whole expense was the small sum of about sixteen thousand dollars.

Columbus, when he sailed, expected to land in India; but Providence was opening his way to an unknown world. He first touched at the Canaries, and thence stretched westward into seas as yet unexplored.

After sailing about two months, the crew became anxious and discontented. They were appalled at the extent of their Voyage, and despaired of accomplishing the purposes for which it was undertaken. Columbus, however, in the midst of mutiny, and while every heart around him sunk under the most gloomy apprehensions, remained firm and inflexible. He contrived to pacify the spirit of rebellion, by promising to return, if land should not be discovered within three days.

The night of the 11th of October, 1492, was memorable to Columbus, and to the world. Convinced from appearances that and was near, he ordered the sails furled, and a watch set. No eye, however, was shut. All on board was suspense and sleepless expectation.

About midnight, the cry of land! land! was heard on board the Pinta. The morning came,-October 12th O. S.-and realized their anticipations. The island was distinctly in view. The occasion demanded an acknowledgment to HIM, who had 30 auspiciously guided their way. All, therefore, bowed in humble gratitude, and joined in a hymn of thanks to God.

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It has been stated, and perhaps with truth, that Columbus expected to And a western continent; but still the best authorities unite in saying, that his object was to discover a western passage to India.