clusion of peace the defects began to be felt. Each State assumed the right of disputing the propriety of the resolutions of Congress, and the interests of an individual State were often placed in opposition to the common interest of the union. In addition to this, a jealousy of the powers of Congress began to be excited in the minds of many of the people.

Without a union that was able to form and execute a general system of commercial regulations, some of the States attempted to impose restraints upon the foreign trade that should indemnify them for the losses they had sustained. These measures, however, produced nothing but mischief. The States did not act in concert, and the restraints laid on the trade of one State operated to throw the business into the hands of its neighbour. Thus di vided, the States began to feel their weakness. Most of the Legislatures had neglected to comply with the requisitions of Congress for supplying the Federal Treasury; the resolves of Congress were disregarded; the proposition for a general impost to be laid and collected by Congress was negatived by Rhode Island and NewYork.

In pursuance of the request of Virginia, most of the States appointed delegates who assembled at Annapolis in 1786, to consult what measures should be taken in order to unite the States in some general and efficient government. But as the powers of these delegates were limited, they adjourned, and recommended a general Convention to meet at Philadelphia the next year. Accordingly in May, 1787, delegates from all the States, except Rhode Island, assembled at Philadelphia, and appointed Gen. Washington their president. "After four months deliberation, in which the clashing interests of the several States appeared in all their force," the convention agreed to a frame of government which was finally agreed to by all the States; and on the 30th of April, 1789, Gen. Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States. From this auspicious moment the American Republic has steadily advanced in a tide of prosperity and growing power.

WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION.

This period continued for eight years. Washington, the leader of the armies of the United States, who conducted them through the perilous and successful strug gle for Independence, now received the unanimous. suffrages of his countrymen to administer their national government. "His administration, partaking of his character, was mild and firm at home; noble and prudent abroad." The principal events which took place during this period were, the Indian war on our Western frontiers-the Whiskey Insurrection, in Pennsylvania-Jay's treaty with Great Britain, and the establishment of a National Bank and Mint.

"During this period, the arts and 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 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 policy of the United States." The United States at the close of this period, contained about 5,000,000 of inhabitants

ton.

J. ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION.

In 1796, Mr. Adams was elected President, and continued in the office four years. The principal events during this time, were― -the difficulties with the French Government-the death of Washington, and the transfer of the seat of the national government to Washing The greater part of Mr. Adams' administration was the subject of much popular clamour, owing to several imprudent laws which were passed during his presidency. Such were the "Alien" and "Sedition Laws," the act for raising a standing army, and the act for imposing a direct tax, and internal duties. These causes, with some others, caused so much opposition to Mr. Adams, that it prevented his re-election to the presidency

JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION.

Mr. Jefferson's administration commenced in 1801 and continued for eight years. The most prominent events during this period were-the purchase of Louis. iana-the War with Tripoli-Burr's conspiracy, the outrage upon the Chesapeake, and the laying of an Embargo.

The bitterness of party spirit during this time raged with some violence, and it interrupted in some degree that general harmony which it is always important to the welfare of our union to cultivate. Trade and commerce progressed with great rapidity. The European nations being at war with each other, and the United States remaining neutral, our vessels carried to Europe the produce of our own country, and the produce of other countries. This is commonly called the carrying trade, and was very profitable to our citizens. After the year 1807, the commercial restraints laid by France by her Berlin and Milan decrees, and by Great Britain by her Orders in Council, began to curtail our trade, and the Embargo laid by our Government at the close of the year interrupted it still more.-The Arts and Manufactures still progressed, and the population of the United States, at the close of Mr. Jefferson's adminis tration, amounted to about 7,000,000.

MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION.

On the 4th of March, 1809, Mr. Madison was inducted into the office of President, and continued in office eight years. This period was distinguished for the Second War with Great Britain. When Mr. Madison entered upon his office, the state of the country was in some respects gloomy and critical. France and England were at war, and they issued against each other the most violent commercial edicts, in violation of the laws of nations, and injurious to those nations who wished to remain neutral. After a series of injurious and insulting acts, on the part of the government of Great Britain

and its agents, the government of the United States declared war against that power, June 18th, 1812, which continued about three years.

The seat of war on the land, was principally on the frontiers of Canada, of which province it was the object of the Americans to take possession. The war at that point continued with various success on the part of the Americans and British. The Americans, however, were able to effect but little towards accomplishing the designs of their government. The situation of the contending parties at the close of the war was nearly the same as it was at the commencement; on the ocean, however, it was different. The splendid success of the American navy in various engagements, raised it to a high elevation, and taught her proud rival a lesson which will not be forgotten. During Mr. Madison's Presidency, in 1816, a National Bank was established with a capital of thirty-five millions of dollars.

MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION.

Mr. Monroe commenced his administration in 1817, under many favourable circumstances, the country was fast recovering from the depression of commerce and a three years' war. The political feuds, which had, since the revolution, occasioned so much animosity, were now gradually subsiding, and there appeared in the administration a disposition to remove old party prejudices, and to promote union among the people. A spirit of improvement was spreading throughout the country: roads and canals were constructed in various parts of the union. The principal events which took place in Mr. Monroe's administration were the war with the Seminole Indians -the passage of an act by Congress granting a pension to the indigent officers and soldiers of the revolutionthe cession of Florida to the United States by the Spanish government, and the visit of Gen. Lafayette to the United States.

J. Q. ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION.

Mr. Adams was elected President in 1825, and continued in office four years. The principal events during this period were the Treaty with Colombia-the Pana ma Mission, and the death of the two venerable patriarchs of the revolution, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, on the fiftieth anniversary of Independence. During this period, the people of the United States were divided into two parties in reference to the Presidential election; one party desirous of retaining Mr. Adams during another term of office, the other upholding General Andrew Jackson as a suitable candidate for the office of President. Party spirit now raged with violence, each party upholding their favourite candidate, and traducing the other. Upon counting the votes, it appeared that a large majority were in favour of Andrew Jackson; and on the 4th of March, 1829, he was inducted into the office of President of the United States, according to the form prescribed by the Constitution.

JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION.

General Jackson took the oath of office as president of the United States, March 4th, 1829, and was continued in office eight years. The leading measures of his administration were carried out with an uncommon degree of energy and determination. In 1832, the bill to recharter the United States bank was passed by Congress, but being vetoed by the president, it was lost. In 1832, also, Congress passed a new tariff bill. This act was considered so grievous in South Carolina, that a convention was assembled, who published an "ordinance," nullifying or forbidding the operation of the tariff laws within the limits of that state. This act called forth a proclamation from President Jackson, stating that "such opposition must be repelled." Hostile preparations were now made on both sides. The gathering storm was allayed by the passage of the compromise act, introduced into Congress