circulated through the country.* The perspicuous and simple style of Paine, his keen powers of ridicule, directed against the Bible, and above all, the gratitude which multitudes felt for the aid his pen had given to our revolution, contributed to impart to him a peculiarly powerful influence. His vicious life, however, and the horrible enormities, committed by the French revolutionists, gave such a fearful comment upon their principles, as at length, in a great measure, to bring them into discredit, and to arrest their growing influence.

Section XXXVI. Trade and Commerce. These flourished, during this period, beyond all former example. In 1797, the exports of the United States, of all kinds, amounted to fiftysix millions, eight hundred and fifty thousand, two hundred and six dollars. The imports amounted to seventy-five millions, three hundred and seventy-nine thousand, four hundred and six dollars. Our vessels visited every part of the world, and brought wealth and luxuries from every country.

Aside

Section XXXVII. Agriculture. from the importance of agriculture, as furnishing us with the greatest portion of our food, it began now to derive greater consequence, as furnishing materials for our manufactures, and, still more, as contributing largely to our exports. In 1796, it was estimated that three-fourths of the inhabitants of the United States, if not a greater proportion, were employed in agricultural pursuits.

Section XXXVIII. Arts and Manufac= tures. During this period, manufactures attracted the attention of government. Mr. Hamilton, secretary of the treasury, made a report to congress, on the subject, in which he set forth

* Godwin's Political Justice, and Paine's Age of Reason, powerfully urged on the tide of infidelity. An enormous edition of the latter publication was printed in France, and sent to America, to be sold for a few pence only and where it could not be sold, it was given away.

their importance to the country, and urged the policy of aiding them. Since that time, the revenue laws have been framed, with a view to the encouragement of manufactures, and their promotion has been considered as a part of the settled policy of the United States. Although the flourishing state of commerce commanded the attention, and absorbed the capital of the country, in some degree, to the exclusion of other objects, still manufactures made considerable progress.

Section XXXIX. Population. The inhabitants of the United States, at the close of this period, amounted to about five millions.

Section XL. Education. The adoption of the federal constitution placed the political affairs of the United States on a permanent basis, and since that period, learning has flourished.

In 1791, the university of Vermont was established at Burlington; Williams' College, Massachusetts, in 1793; Union College, at Schenectady, New-York, and Greenville College, Tennessee, in 1794; Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, in Maine, 1795. An historical society was formed in Massachusetts, in 1791, and incorporated in 1794. It has published twelve volumes of documents, designed to illustrate the past and present state of the country.

Reflections.

XLI. A short time since, we were occupied in considering the United States struggling for independence, under Washington, as a leader of their armies. Under his guidance, we saw them triumpn, and become a free nation. We have also seen them, with Washington at the head of the convention, forming our excellent constitution. We now see them with Washington their chief magistrate, taking their place among the sovereignties of the earth, and launching forth on the full tide of successful experiment.

Under Washington, as our leader, we won our independence; formed our constitution; established our government. And what reward does he ask for services like these? Does he ask

diadem? Does he lay his hand upon our national treasury? Does he claim to be emperor of the nation that has risen up under his auspices? No-although "first in war-first in peace -first in the hearts of his countrymen,”—he sublimely retires to the peaceful occupations of rural life, content with the honour of having been instrumental in achieving the independence, and securing the happiness of his country.

There is no parallel in history to this! By the side of Washington, Alexander is degraded to a selfish destroyer of his race; Cæsar becomes the dazzled votary of power; and Bonaparte, a baffled aspirant to universal dominion.

66

Washington has been the theme of eulogy in every nation. "His military successes," it has been well said, were more solid than brilliant, and judgment, rather than enthusiasm, regulated his conduct in battle. In the midst of the inevitable disorder of camps, and the excesses inseparable from civil war, humanity always found a refuge in his tent. In the morning of triumph, and in the darkness of adversity, he was alike serene; at all times tranquil as wisdom, and simple as virtue. After the acknowledgment of American Independence, when the unanimous suffrages of a free people called him to administer their government, his administration, partaking of his character, was mild and firm at home; noble and prudent abroad.*

* Inchiquin's Letters.

UNITED STATES.

Period VI.

DISTINGUISHED FOR ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION.

Extending from the inauguration of President Adams, 1797, to the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, as president of the United States,

1801.

Section I. On the 4th of March, 1797, Mr. Adams, in the presence of the senate, of the officers of the general and state governments, and a numerous concourse of spectators, took the oath of office, as president of the United States.

The condition of the country, at the close of Washington's administration, and the commencement of Mr. Adams', was greatly improved from that of 1789, the period at which the former entered upon his office.

At home, a sound credit had been established; an immense floating debt had been funded in a manner perfectly satisfactory to the creditors, and an ample revenue had been provided. Those difficulties, which a system of internal taxation, on its first introduction, is doomed to encounter, were completely removed; and the authority of the government was firmly established.

Funds for the gradual payment of the debt had been provided; a considerable part of it had actually been discharged; and that system which is now operating its entire extinction, had been matured and adopted. The agricultural and commercial wealth of the nation had increased beyond all former example. The numerous tribes of Indians, on the west, had been taught by arms and by justice, to respect the United States and to con unue in peace.