State to prevent the practice of duelling. It is one that is at variance with reason and common sense, and in direct opposition to every human and divine law. We conceive that this custom has not one good quality to recommend it. It does not always, and, indeed, but very seldom, establish the character of men, either for true courage or honour. Death, indeed, ends the quarrel, but does not clear the reputation. In all duels one party must be wrong; and it not unfrequently happens that both parties are so. For two men, therefore, to aim deadly weapons at each other's bodies, where error and the passions inseparable from humanity interpose between them, is a species of madness unknown to barbarous nations, and disgraceful in our happy country, enlightened as it is by the bright rays of science and the mild beams of pure religion. We would recommend to the legislature of the State, to pass such laws to prevent duelling as will compel men to bring what they may term their honourable grievances to the proper tribunals, our Courts of Justice. In these places, consecrated to truth and justice, passion, revenge, and mistaken notions of modern honour, will be overcome, and a practice so immoral and, above all, so abominable in the sight of God, be banished from our land. It is only necessary for men who possess character and influence to aid, by precept and example, the proper authorities in removing an evil so fraught with mischief-that, for light and trifling causes, so frequently severs the tender ties that endear us to each other; regardless of the most delicate feelings, wantonly reduces to despair a lonely female and her helpless children; and rudely, in open daylight, in defiance of all law, and with persons to witness the extraordinary act, deprives us of men whose talents and private virtues contribute so much to elevate our state to the proud rank it now holds in the Union of our happy country."-Morning Chronicle, January 18, 1824.

The reasonings of the Grand Jury are good, and may be hailed as auspicious rays of Southern Light. We hope they will conduct to happy results in regard to duelling; and we request the reader carefully to observe how pertinently many of the remarks will apply to national conflicts. Of the custom of public war, as well as of duelling, we may truly say"We conceive that this custom has not one good quality to recommend it."-" In all duels"-and in all public wars

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one party must be wrong; and it not unfrequently happens that both parties are so. For two men, therefore"-and much more for two armies of men-" to aim deadly weapons at each other's bodies, is a species of madness."-" It is only necessary for men who possess character and influence to aid, by precept and example, the proper authorities in removing an evil so fraught with mischief.""

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.

March 23, 1824. THE Committee on Indian Affairs, to whom was referred the resolution of the 6th of January, instructing them to inquire into the expediency of repealing an act, entitled, "An act making provision for the civilization of the Indian Tribes adjoining the frontier settlements," passed on the 3d of March, 1819, Report:—

That they have examined the subject embraced by the resolution, and beg leave to submit the following statement:

The Committee have carefully examined the measures which have been adopted, for the disbursement of the annual allowance made by this law, and find them very judicious, and such as are best calculated to effectuate the benevolent designs of the Government.

All the schools are increasing, and so urgent is the wish of the Indians to have their children educated, that numerous applications are refused from the limited means which the schools possess. The time of the children is not wholly devoted to their books, while at school; the girls are instructed in such arts as are suited to female industry in civilized life, and the boys are required to devote a part of their time in acquiring a knowledge of husbandry. The advances of male and female, in these branches are most satisfactory, and have already had no small influence in inducing their parents to become less fond of an eratic life, and more inclined to have fixed residences, and rely for their support on the cultivation of the ground. Such has been the effect of the above circumstances, combined with some others not more influential, that at many of the places where schools have been established, the Indians have constructed comfortable dwellings, and now cultivate farms of considerable extent. They have become the owners of property necessary to agricultural pursuits, and for the conveniencies of life.

The annual appropriation of ten thousand dollars, has encouraged the benevolent and pious, in many parts of the country, to form associations and collect donations, with the view of aiding the humane purposes of the government. Hundreds of such associations are now in active operation; and they are much cheered in their exertions by the rapid advance to civilization which the Indians have made.

It requires but little research to convince every candid mind, that the prospect of civilizing our Indians was never so promising as at this time. Never were means, for the accomplishment of this object, so judiciously devised, and so faithfully applied, as provided in the above act, and the auxiliary aids which it has encouraged. It is believed to be an essential part of any plan for Indian civilization, that, with the rudiments of education, the males should be taught the arts of husbandry; and the females to perform those domestic duties, which peculiarly belong to their stations in civilized life.

These are combined in the exertions now making; and, from the good which has been done, the most pleasing anticipations of success are confidently cherished. There are many Indian nations, within our boundaries, who have experienced no aid from these efforts; being restricted in the means, the benefits are, consequently, limited. But the Committee are assured, that the continuation of the appropriation, seconded by the liberal and increasing aids which are afforded by voluntary contributions, will gradually, and most effectually, extend the benefits of the law to the remotest tribes, who inhabit our extensive domain. This will be a work of time, and for its accomplishment, great labor and perseverance will be necessary. The progress, however, of this work, may be more rapid than any can now venture to anticipate. The instruction and civilization of a few enterprizing youths, will have an immense influence on the tribes to which they belong. As the means are constantly applied, the numbers reclaimed will increase, and an increase of members will insure, in a geometrical proportion, success for the future. The civilization of the Indians has been viewed as a work of great national importance, by many whose talents and public services have rendered illustrious the annals of our country. This was an object of great solicitude with Washington, and to all who succeeded him. Prior to the passage of the above law, the attention of Congress was invited to the subject, in almost every annual message from the Executive. If the policy of this measure were considered merely as a question of pecuniary interest, it is believed that but few would hesitate to sanction it. That it inculcates the most friendly disposition, on the part of the Indians, no one, well informed on the subject, will venture to deny.

They understand the motives of the government, and properly appreciate it. So far as the benefits of this policy are extended, will this feeling be cherished, and it affords the safest guarantee against future wars. To say nothing of the valuable lives which have been lost in the Indian conflicts we have had, how much treasure has been expended in our defence! More money was expended in protecting the exposed parts of our country from Indian depredations, during the late war, than would be required, if judiciously applied, to secure the great plan of Indian civilization.

Shall we, from recent injuries, indulge a spirit of hostility against these unfortunate people? The principles of humanity, and the dignity of our government, forbid it. There is much in their condition to excite our sympathies, as men, and our protection, as Legislators. They have been driven from this wide domain, to a territory far less desirable and of limited extent. They are constantly receding, as we are advancing.

The Indians are not now what they once were. They have partaken of our vices, more than our virtues. Such is their condition, at present, that they must be civilized or exterminated;

no other alternative exists. He must be worse than savage, who can view with cold indifference, an exterminating policy. All desire their prosperity, and wish to see them brought within the pale of civilization.

From the various lights in which the Committee have viewed the policy of this law, they are convinced that it is founded in Justice, and should not be repealed. They therefore submit to the House the following resolution:

Resolved, That it is inexpedient to repeal the law making an annual appropriation of ten thousand dollars for the civilization of the Indians.

N. B The foregoing paragraphs are not the whole of the pleasing Report; but these extracts will afford some consolation to balance the regrets occasioned by the Georgia demands respecting the Cherokees. We recollect no other Report in Congress, more expressive of enlightened and Christian philanthropy. EDITOR.

REMARKABLE DUELS IN MODERN TIMES.

IN a former Volume of the Friend of Peace we had occasion to notice a battle of two Judges in one of our Western States. In the course of the last Summer the following account appeared in our Newspapers :

"We learn from Arkansas that on the 26th of May a duel was fought on the bank of Mississippi, in Tennessee, between the Hon. Andrew Scott and the Hon Joseph Selden, both Judges of the United States court for the territory af Arkansas;-when at the first fire the latter was shot through the heart, and expired immediately, leaving a numerous circle of friends to lament his folly and his contempt of the laws which he had sworn to respect!" Centinel.

In copying this account we have retained the title Honorable; we think however that the epithet infamous would have been more pertinent. What morals are to be expected in a community whose Magistrates or Judges are known to be murderers?

The same paper from which the battle of the two Judges was taken, contained also an account of a duel between Lieut. General Lord Londonderry and Ensign Battier. As a punishment for this offence, it is said, the Ensign's "name had been struck from the half-pay list," and his Majesty through the Commander in Chief in General Orders, had expressed his concern and displeasure" that an officer of Lord Londonderry's high rank and military reputation should have committed himself in a personal collision with an inferior officer."

We have since seen the "General Orders" of the Duke of York, containing the King's reprimand of Lord Londonderry. His Lordship's concern in the duel is represented as a "transaction at variance with the principles of subordination, and therefore of a tendency injurious to the discipline of the army."-If we have not misunderstood the General Orders, the ground of his Lordship's blame is supposed to be, his accepting a challenge from an officer so much inferior to himself in rank. From which it would seem that had he fought with an equal and killed him he would have escaped the reprimand! We hope however, that more was intended than is expressed, and that preserving "discipline" in the army was not the only object.

Professor Griscom, in his Travels, gives the following account of a duel fought between two Clergymen in Brussels.

"One circumstance which I was credibly informed of, has thrown great discredit on the Protestant cause. Two English ministers, while in the exercise of their clerical functions, quarrelled with each other; a challenge was given, and accepted, and the dispute was settled by pistols. Thus reconciled, they resumed their stations in the church, and still continue to preach."

The American battle of the two Judges, the British battle of the Lord and the Ensign, and the Brussel's battle of two Clergymen, afford some idea of the height which civilization has attained in the several countries; or rather the depth of Gothic barbarism from which they have yet to emerge. Duelling among Clergymen would perhaps be unpopular in Britain, and in the United States. But if the practice is honorable, why should Ministers of the Gospel be denied the road to fame? And in what respect is it more criminal or more inconsistent for Ministers to fight duels with each other, than to encourage their hearers to fight in the wars of Princes or nations?

EIGHTH REPORT OF THE LONDON PEACE SOCIETY, ABRIDGED.

AFTER a brief introduction, and a call on the "Christian professor," on "Fathers" and "Mothers" to exert their influence in the cause of peace, the Report proceeds as follows:

"The Ladies of Lymington, Gisborough, and Leeds, have set a praiseworthy example to the rest of their sex, by the establishment of Female Auxiliary Peace Societies. To these we have