"With patriotic pride we review the life of our Washington, and compare him with those of other countries who have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient and modern names are diminished before him. Greatness and guilt have too often been allied; but his fame is whiter than it is brilliant. The destroyers of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his virtues. It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and darkened the splendour of victory. Such was the man whom we deplore. Thanks to God, his glory is consummated. Washington yet lives on earth in his spotless example-his spirit is in heaven. Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic general, the patriotic statesman, and the virtuous sage; let them teach their children never to forget that the fruits of his labours, and of his example, are their inheritance."

In pursuance of a law enacted in 1790, a place had been selected on the Potomac, a few miles above Mount Vernon, for the permanent seat of the national government. Within a district ten miles square, which was called the District of Columbia, a city was laid out, to which the name of Washington was appropriately given. Public buildings having been erected, the officers of government removed to that place in 1800, and in November of that year, Congress, for the first time, there commenced its session. A second census of the people was now ordered, and in the following year completed. They then amounted to 5,319,762, having in ten years increased nearly one million four hundred thousand. In the same number of years, the exports increased from nineteen to ninety-four millions, and the revenue from $4,771,000 to $12,945,000. This rapid advance in the career of prosperity has no parallel in the history of nations, and it is to be attributed principally to the institutions of the country, which, securing equal privileges to all, give to the enterprize and industry of all free scope and full encouragement.

Since the year 1801, war had existed between the United States and Tripoli, one of the Barbary states, on the coast of the Mediterranean. No memorable event occurred until 1803, when a large squadron under On the command of Commodore Preble, was despatched into that sea. arriving before Tripoli, Captain Bainbridge, in the frigate Philadelphia, of forty-four guns, was sent into the harbour to reconnoitre. While in eager pursuit of a small vessel, he unfortunately advanced so far that the frigate grounded, and all attempts to remove her were in vain. The sea around her was immediately covered with Tripolitan gun-boats, and Captain Bainbridge was compelled to surrender. The officers were considered as prisoners of war; but the crew, according to the customs of Barbary, were treated as slaves. At the capture of this frigate, the enemy rejoiced and exulted beyond measure. Lieutenant Stephen Decatur conceived the design of retaking or destroying her. Commodore Preble, applauding the spirit of the youthful hero, granted him permission to make the attempt. In February, 1804, he accordingly sailed from Syracuse, Sicily, in a small schooner, having on board but seventy-six men-entered undiscovered the harbour of Tripoli, and advancing boldly in the teeth of a battery, under the guns of which the Philadelphia had been towed and anchored took his station alongside the frigate. Perceiving the crew in consterna tion, Decatur sprang on board, his men followed, and with drawn swords rushed upon the enemy. The decks were soon cleared, some being killed and others driven into the sea. A heavy cannonade upon the frigate from the batteries on shore and the corsairs near was now commenced, and several vessels of war were seen approaching. She was therefore set on fire and abandoned, none of the party being killed and but four wounded. Throughout all the piratical states, this brilliant exploit exalted the reputation of the American arms. The president, in reward of his address and bravery, promoted Lieutenant Decatur to the rank of post captain in the navy.

While the squadron remained before Tripoli, other deeds of heroism were performed, evincing a love of fame and a devotion to country unsurpassed in Grecian or Roman story. The events and operations of this, war shed a lustre upon the American name, gave experience and character to the officers, and prepared them to acquire greater glory in a contest with a nobler foe. They were equalled, however, by an enterprize on land, bold and romantic in its conception, and exhibiting in its execution. uncommon address and decision of character. William Eaton, who had been a captain in the American army, was at the commencement of this war consul at Tunis. He there became acquainted with Hamet Cara manly, whom a younger brother had excluded from the throne of Tripoli. With him he concerted an expedition against the reigning sovereign, and cerned to the United States to obtain permission and the means to undeke it. Permission was granted, the co-operation of the squadron recommended, and such pecuniary assistance as could be spared was afforded.

To raise an army in Egypt, and lead it to attack the usurper in his dominions, was the project which had been concerted. In the beginning of 1805, Eaton met Hamet at Alexandria, and was appointed general of his forces. On the 6th of March, at the head of a respectable body of mounted Arabs, and about seventy Christians, he set out for Tripoli. His route lay across a desert of one thousand miles in extent. On his march, he encountered peril, fatigue, and suffering, the description of which would resemble the exaggerations of romance. On the 25th of April, having been fifty days on the march, he arrived before Derne, a Tripolitan city on the Mediterranean, and found in the harbour a part of the American squadron destined to assist him. He learned also that the usurper, having received notice of his approach, had raised a considerable army and was then within a day's march of the city. No time was therefore to be lost. The next morning he summoned the governor to surrender, who returned for answer, " My head or yours." The city was assaulted, and after a contest of two hours and a half, possession gained. The Christians suffered severely, and the general was slightly wounded. Great exertions were immediately made to fortify the city, which were partially successful. On the 8th of May, it was attacked by the Tripolitan army. Although ten times more numerous than Eaton's band, the assailants, after persisting four hours in the attempt, were compelled to retire. On the 10th of June another battle was fought, in which the enemy were defeated. The next day the American frigate Constitution arrived in the harbour, which so terrified the Tripolitans that they fled precipitately to the desert. The frigate came, however, to arrest the operations of Eaton, in the midst of his brilliant and successful career. Alarmed at his progress, the reigning bashaw had offered terms of peace which, being much more favorable than had before been offered, were accepted by Mr. Lear, the authorized agent of the government. Sixty thousand dollars were given as a ransom for the unfortunate American prisoners, and an engagement was made to withdraw all support from Hamet. The nation, proud of the exploits of Eaton, regretted this diplomatic interference; but the treaty was ratified by the president and senate-and thus ended the war in the Mediterranean.

Just previous to these occurrences, an election of stirring interest had taken place. The two great political parties in the United States were still distinguished as federalists and republicans, and were then of nearly equal strength. Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the same number of votes for the office of president, and so strenuously and with such acerbity did the parties contest the matter, that it was not until after thirty-five ballotings that the former was elected over the latter. Colonel Barr next offered himself as a candidate for the governorship of the state

over him. Stung s

of New York; but having already lost the confidence of his party by re ceiving the votes of the federalists in the house of representatives against Jefferson, he failed also in this, and General Morgan Lewis was elected to the quick by these failures, Burr is said to have plotted a scheme to divide the Union, or to erect an independent state from the Spanish dependencies adjacent, to have for its head himself. First, however, his heated passions goaded him on to recompense himself for all that he had lost, by some deep-laid revenge against the men who had mainly been the cause of his political undoing. Foremost among them stood Alexander Hamilton, a man as pure in politics as he was emi nent in talents and profound in judgment: a man always of unblemished character, the friend of Washington, and a statesman whose proud name to this day is emulated. Such an one Burr deemed a fitting sacrifice to appease his injured honor. Hamilton was accordingly drawn into the acceptance of a challenge, and of course fell, mortally wounded. But the indignation of the country was aroused in consequence against the slayer, who fled with all haste to avoid apprehension and a trial for murder.

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For a time he sunk into merited obscurity. At length, his conduct showed that he had not been idle, though unobserved. In the autumn of 1806, his movements in the western country were such as to attract the attention of government. He had purchased and was building boats on the Ohio, and was engaging men to descend that river. His declared pur pose was to form a settlement on the banks of the Washita, in Louisiana; but the character of the man, the nature of his preparations, and the incautious disclosures of his associates, led to the suspicion that his true object was either to gain possession of New-Orleans, and then establish a separate government for the country watered by the Mississippi and its branches-or to invade, from the territories of the United States, the rich Spanish province of Mexico. From the first moment of suspicion, he was closely watched by the agents of government. At Natchez, while on his way to New-Orleans, he was cited to appear before the Supreme Court of the Mississippi territory; but he had so enveloped his projects in secresy, that sufficient evidence to convict him could not be produced, and he was discharged. Hearing, however, that several persons suspected of being his accomplices had been arrested at New Orleans, and elsewhere, he fled in disguise from Natchez, but was apprehended at Tombigbee, and conveyed a prisoner to Richmond. Two indictments were found against him, one charging him with treason against the United States-the other with preparing and commencing an expedition against the dominions of Spain. In August, 1807, he was tried upon those indictments, before Chief Justice Marshall. Full evidence of his guilt not being exhibited, he was acquitted by the jury. The people, however, believed him guilty; and by their desertion and contempt, he was reduced to a condition of the most abject wretchedness. The ease with which his plans were defeated, demonstrated the strength of the government; and his fate will be an impressive warning to those who, in a free country, listen to the suggestions of criminal ambition.

During the first four years of Mr. Jefferson's rule, he continued in office the members of Mr. Adams' cabinet, with the exception of appointing James Madison, of Virginia, Secretary of State, and John Breckenridge, of Kentucky, Attorney General. In the course of his second term (extending to 1809), his official advisers were changed, with the exception of James Madison. George Clinton, of New York, was elected Vice Presi, dent; Albert Gallatin, of Pennsylvania, was appointed Secretary of the Treasury; Henry Dearborn, of Massachusetts, Secretary of War; Ro bert Smith, of Maryland, Secretary of the Navy; Gideon Granger o

Connecticut, Post-Master General; and Cæsar A. Rodney, of Delaware Attorney General.

In 1803, Louisiana was purchased from the French government for sixteen millions of dollars. The title being given under Napoleon, and including nearly the whole vast region beyond the Mississippi, was called in question by the British: but the president, Mr. Jefferson, made immediate preparations for taking possession of the territory, and for correctly defining its boundaries, and for other purposes tending to the increase of knowledge and extension of the fields of science. Captains Lewis and Clarke, the former of whom was private secretary to the president, were selected as proper persons to head the expedition on this occasion. Never was an arduous undertaking accomplished with more ability and prudence. Accompanied by thirty-five persons, mostly soldiers, they embarked at St. Louis, in suitable boats, on the 16th of May, 1804, and ascended the Missouri to its stupendous falls, a distance of three thousand miles. Finding the season then too far advanced to attempt crossing the Rocky Mountains, they built a fort named Mandan, wherein they wintered. Early in the succeeding April, they were again in motion, and having reached the crest of the great rocky chain, although impeded by its everlasting snows and suffering from want of provisions, they rapidly descended. After travelling four hundred miles thus, they reached the navigable waters of the Columbia; and following its course six hundred and forty miles fur ther, were recompensed for all their toils and privations by hearing the sound of breakers from the ocean, and viewing with their glad eyes the Pacific. They wintered at the mouth of the river, and hastened back by the same route the following spring. They reached St. Louis on their return, in September, 1806, after an absence from all civilization of more than twenty-seven months, having travelled altogether seven thousand five hundred miles. Only one of the party, who was of a sickly constitution, had died.

The American government sent, in 1805, another expedition under Ma10r` Pike (afterward conspicuous for his bravery in the war of 1812), to trace the yet unknown head of the Mississippi. It was found in a direction almost due north, not rising from any great natural range, but in a flat marshy region, and passing through a number of little lakes, the chief of which, named Leech and Red Cedar, contend for the honour of giving birth to this noble American river. Its length, too, proved to be at the mutual junction a little less than half that of the Missouri, which, therefore, ought properly to rank as the main stream. Pike, on his return, was sent to explore the course and origin of the Arkansas and Red rivers. The former he found very broad, flowing through a country richly stocked with game, and having its source in the Rocky Mountains. He attempted then to descend the Red river, but entered by mistake on the Rio del Norte, and proceeding into the Mexican territory, was made prisoner by the Spaniards, but was well treated and soon after released.

Since the peace of 1783, Great Britain and the United States had each incessantly complained that the other had violated the spitulations contained in the treaty. The former was accused of having carried away negroes at the close of the revolutionary war; and of retaining in her possession certain military posts situated in the western wilderness, and in the limits of the United States-in consequence of which the Americans were deprived of their share of the fur trade, and the Indians incited to make incursions upon the frontier settlements. The latter were accused of preventing the loyalists from regaining possession of their estates, and British subjects from recovering debts contracted before the commencement of hostilities.

Now, however, a new and more pressing cause of disturbance arose between the two nations. Great Britain had always found it impossible

to man her numerous fleets by voluntary enlistments, and was, therefore in the habit of levying by force her subjects and compelling them to serve as sailors on board her ships of war. Desertions taking place frequently under such a state of things, she claimed a right to search for her sailors, even on board of neutral vessels while traversing the ocean in pursuit of their lawful business. In the exercise of this pretended right, citizens of the United States were sometimes by mistake and sometimes by de sign, claimed and held as British sailors.

But not in this mode only were the rights of the United States invaded and their interests sacrificed on the ocean. Owing to the extermination of the French navy by Great Britain, the commerce between France and the West Indies was almost exclusively carried on in American ships. To cut off France from this privilege also, British orders in council, dated May, 1806, declared all ports of consequence under the control of France to be in a state of blockade, though they were not at the time invested with a British fleet; and American vessels attempting to enter those ports were captured and condemned. In retaliation, Bonaparte issued his Berlin decree, of November, 1806, proclaiming the British islands in a state of blockade, and of course authorizing the capture of all neutral vessels attempting to trade with those islands. Not deeming this sufficient to prevent American vessels from trading with his enemy, the French emperor shortly thereafter issued another decree, from Milan, denouncing every neutral vessel which should submit to be searched or visited by any British cruizer, and confiscating all ships so submitting 'whenever found in any of his ports. By these measures of both nations the commerce of the United States was suddenly and most strangely made illegal; merchants of course suffered severely, and with united voice they loudly demanded of the government redress and protection from such violations of the laws of nations.

In June, 1807, an event occurred which for a time concentrated upor Great Britain the whole weight of popular indignation. The frigate Chesapeake, an American thirty-six gun ship, refusing to allow a search on board her for British deserters, was fired into by the Leopard of fifty guns, and three men killed and eighteen wounded. The Chesapeake being unprepared for action, struck her colors, and was boarded by a detachment from the Leopard, when the crew were mustered and four men forcibly carried away as British deserters. The truth upon investigation was ascertained to be, that three of them were citizens of the United States, who had been impressed by the British and afterward escaped from their service. One of these men they hanged, another died in prison, and the remaining two were subsequently returned to the decks of the Chesapeake, whence they had been taken.

It is true this act was promptly disavowed by the authorities at London, but as they delayed to make reparation, and refused to give any guarantee that the like should not transpire again, the hostile feelings which had been aroused in the breasts of the community were neither extinguished nor appeased. The president accordingly recommended to Congress the passage of a law laying an indefinite embargo, which was thereupon enacted. He also, by proclamation, prohibited all British ships of war from continuing in or entering the harbors of the United States; and in these measures he was fully justified by the public sentiment, with perhaps one exception. In the New England states the embargo occasioned dis content and clamor. The members of the federal party, who were more numerous there than in any other quarter of the Union, with one consent pronounced it a measure unwise and oppressive. Public meetings were accordingly called, in different parts of the country, and counter resolutions passed; alternately sustaining and denouncing the acts of govern

ment.