evening before was among the crowd of simple citizens, at the head of the government; while he who held the first office of the state the preceding evening, is returned again to the class of simple citizens-is full of the qualities that constitute true greatness."*

After various and repeated insults from the French government (in A. D. 1798) the United States found it necessary to arm in their own defence. They had for years endured with a patience of which there is scarcely any example in the history of states, all the contumely and wrongs which successive administrations in France had heaped upon them. Their ships were every where captured; their ministers were but prisoners at Paris; while agents, some of whom were indeed clothed in the sacred character of ambassador, had endeavored to excite in America the seeds of civil war. The United States resolved to arm by land and by sea. The command of the army was bestowed on General Washington, which he accepted because he said he was convinced " that every thing they held dear and sacred was threatened; though he had flattered himsel that he had quitted for ever the boundless field of public action, incessant trouble, and high responsibility in which he had so long acted so conspicuous a part." In this office he continued the short period of his life. On the 12th day of December, 1799, he was seized with an inflammation in his throat; which terminated his valuable life in two days, in the 68th year of his age and in the 23d year of American Independence; of which he may justly be regarded as the founder. He died fully impressed with those sentiments of piety which had given vigour and consistency to his virtue, and had adorned every part of a life blameless and illustrious.

In 1801, came on the election for a new President of the United States, and Thomas Jefferson was elected President, and Aaron Burr Vice-President. The

* Duke de la Rochefaucault Liancourt.

next election took place 1804, when Thomas Jefferson was elected President, and George Clinton Vice-President,

At the time of the completion of the new constitution, and the first sitting of the new congress in 1789, the union consisted of no more than thirteen States; but since that period seven others have been added, in the manner prescribed by the Constitution. Kentucky, which was formerly a part of the state of Virginia; Vermont which was a part of New-Hampshire, were raised into states in the year 1791: and in 1796 Tennesse, formerly a part of North Carolina, was admitted as an independent state. Since that period the Maine, the territory north-west of Ohio, the Indian territory, and Mississippi territory, have been recognized as states belonging to the federal government; and in 1803, Louisiana was ceded by Spain to the United States of America for fifteen millions of Dollars. Louisiana was discovered by Juan Ponte de Leon in 1512; it afterwards came into the possession of the French, who about the middle of the last century claimed and possessed, as Louisiana, all that part of the new continent which was bounded on the south by the Gulf of Mexi co, on the north by Canada, and on the east and west indefinitely, comprehending a greater extent than the United States.

The new system of Republican government in these states, secures to individuals two important privileges; the security of their persons and property by the habeas corpus act, and trial by jury. It unites the res pective states of the union in a much closer confederation than the helvetic union brought the Swiss Cantons, or even the compact which united the seven united provinces of the Netherlands, formerly: In many important points, it may be justly said, to be such a form of government as the world had not before seen.

The president, the senate and house of representatives, form the executive and legislative body.

No specific portion of property, whether real or personal, is required to be possessed as a qualification for a representative, a senator, or president: nor is any one excluded on account of the religious principles which he professes; Jews, and Roman Catholics, are as eligible as any other class of citizens. The house of representatives is chosen every two years by the people of the several states; every person who has resided for six months in any county, rented a tenement worth forty shillings per annum, and paid taxes, is qualified to vote for a delegate to Congress. The only legal requisites in a candidate are, his having attained twenty-five years of age; having been seven years a citizen of the United States; and at the time of his election, an inhabitant of the state by which he is chosen. The holding any place of honour or emolument, is an absolute disqualification. In this representation, there is no distinction of knights, citizens, and burgesses, it not being made out of counties, cities, and borroughtowns; for exclusive rights and peculiar privileges of corporations (as in England, and elsewhere) are unknown in the United States.

The design of the federal constitution is, that the number of representatives in congress shall not exceed one to every thirty thousand, but that each state shall have at least one representative.

The senate of the United States is composed of two senators from each state, chosen, not from the people at large, but from the legislatures of the several states. No one can be chosen a senator who has not attained thirty years of age, who has not been nine years a citizen, and is not a resident of the state where he is chosen: he cannot hold any place of honor, trust, or profit. These senators, when assembled, are to be divided into three classes; those of the first class shall vacate their seats at the expiration of the second year; those of the second class, at the end of the fourth year, and of the third class, at the expiration of the sixth year,

The President of the United States, in whom is vested the executive power, and who must not be under thirty-five years of age, is chosen by the nomination of each state, which, for this purpose names two, and the person upon whom the largest number of suffrages falls obtains this rank, which is held for four years. In like manner the Vice-President is to be elected, and for the same term. The latter is president of the senate. All the officers of the federal government are to be paid for their services at a rate to be settled by law, and out of the treasury of the United States.

The most effectual precautions have been adopted by the patriotic and judicious framers of the federal constitution, to repress the spirit of ambition, and views of aggrandizement, inherent in human nature, by every individual being chosen for a short term, from his being inhibited from enjoying any kind of post, or receiving, without permission, any kind of present.

RELIGION. Every person in this country enjoys the fullest privilege of following that manner of worship, which he deems most acceptable to the Deity.

The population of the United States at present is six millions,† of this number five millions two hundred and fifty thousand are employed in cultivating the Soil.The remaining seven hundred fifty thousand persons reside in cities or pursue avocations other than agricultural. Of this last number five hundred thousand are mechanics or artificers. The remaining two hundred and fifty thousand persons are supported by trade, by exercise of learned professions, by independent fortunes, and avocations neither agricultural or mechanical.

Those highly distinguished offices are at present filled by Thomas Jefferson and George Clinton.

Upwards of half a million of whom are slaves, or black people ! !But, to the honour of the two countries, and the great satisfaction of all the friends of humanity, the nefarious traffic in human flesh, is now wisely abolished by the American and British governments; the act of abolition to be carried into effect after a certain period of time, which is now nearly elapsed.

According to a statement of the Secretary of the treasury, the following foreign goods are annually consumed in the United States, viz.

All other articles, dry goods, &c. &c.

40,000,000

The empire of Abyssinia is indifferently called Abyssinia, Abasi, or Habessinia, from the Arabic Herbesh, which signifies a mixture, the country being peopled by various nations; but the inhabitants themselves call it Itjopia, or Ethiopia. It has also been known, though absurdly, by the name of Prester John's country. It extends from thirty-two degrees to forty-five degrees E. longitude, and from seven degrees twenty minutes to about sixteen degrees N. latitude. It is bounded on the north by the kingdom of Nubia; on the E. by Azamia, and a vast chain of mountains which separate it from the Red Sea; on the S. it is bounded by Alaba, called by Mr. Bruce, Galla; and on the W. by parts little known.

The Abyssinian empire appears to have been from its first foundation entirely despotic; and, according to their annals, there never was a period of time since its first origin, when the princes of this country did not claim an absolute right over the lives, liberty, and fortunes of their subjects, as well as an uncontrolable au