tion from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. But if I may even flatter myself that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit; to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue; to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare by which they have been dictated.

How far in the discharge of my official duties I have been guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them.

In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my Proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the index to my plan. Sanctioned by your approving voice, and by that of your representatives in both horses of Congress, the spirit of that measure has continually governed me; uninfluenced by any attempts to deter or divert me from it.

After deliberate examination, with the aids of the best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, under all the circumstances of the case, had a right to take, and was bound in duty and interest to take, a neutral position. Having taken it, I determined, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain it with moderation, perseverance and firmness.

The considerations which respect the right to hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion to detail. I will only observe, that according to my understanding of the matter, that right, so far from being denied by any of the belligerent powers, has been virtually admitted by all.

The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of peace and amity towards other nations.

The inducements of interest for observing that conduct,

will best be referred to your own reflections and experience. With me, a predominant motive has been to endeavor to gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress, without interruption, to that degree of strength and constancy, which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortune.

Though in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error; I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service, with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.

Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, and ac tuated by that fervent love towards it, which is so natural to a man who views in it.the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations; I anticipate, with pleasing expectation, that retreat, in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws, under a free government; the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors and dangers.

SYNOPSIS

OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF MAINE, NEW-HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND AND CONNECTICUT.

The constitution of this state was formed in 1819, and went into operation in 1820.

The legislature consists of a senate and a house of repré sentatives. The two bodies together are styled, The Legis tature of Maine.

The number of senators can not be less than twenty, nor more than thirty-one. They are chosen by districts. The number of representatives can not be less than 100, nor more than 200. Representatives are apportioned among the towns. A town having 1,500 inhabitants is entitled to one represen tative; having 3,750, two; 6,750, three; 10,500, four; 15,000, five; 20,250, six; 26,250, seven; no town being entitled to more than seven. Provision is made for changing the number when it shall have reached 200.

A senator must be twenty-five years of age when his term of service commences; must have resided in the state a year; and for three months next preceding his election he must have resided in the district for which he is elected. Representatives are eligible at the age of twenty-one; in other respects their qualifications are the same as those of senaA naturalized citizen must have been such five years, to be eligible to either office.

tors.

The legislature meets annually at Augusta, in May. The executive power is vested in a governor, elected annually. He must be thirty years of age; a natural born citizen of the United States; have been five years a resident of the state. His term of office commences on the first Wednesday in January. A council of seven members is an

nually chosen by joint ballot of the senators and represen tatives, to advise the governor in the executive part of the government. There is no lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state and a treasurer are chosen annually by joint ballot of both houses of the legislature.

The annual election is held on the second Monday in September.

The judicial power is vested in a supreme judicial court, and such inferior courts as the legislature may from time to time establish. All the judges are appointed by the governor and council, and hold their offices during good behavior, but not beyond the age of seventy years. Justices of the peace hold their offices seven years. All judicial officers are appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the council.

The right of suffrage is enjoyed by every male citizen twenty-one years of age, (except paupers, persons under guardianship, and Indians not taxed,) who has resided in the state three months next preceding an election.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

A constitution was established in 1784; which was altered and amended in 1792, and is now in force.

The legislature consists of a senate and a house of representatives. The two bodies together are styled, The Ĝeneral Court of New Hampshire.

The senate consists of twelve members, chosen by the people in districts. Representatives are apportioned among the towns; each town, or incorporated township, containing 150 ratable (taxable) polls, being entitled to one representative; and for every 300 additional polls, an additional representative.

A senator must own a freehold estate of the value of two hundred pounds, lying within the state; be thirty years of age; have been an inhabitant of the state seven years immediately preceding his election; and he at the time reside in the district for which he is chosen. A representative must have an estate of one hundred pounds in value, at least one