are identified with the most peaceful policy in which a nation can be engaged.

The observations I have submitted to thy attention, are general, and founded rather on my own professional experience, than on any personal acquaintance with the Indians; whenever I may obtain such an acquaintance, I hope I shall not be negli. gent in improving every suitable occasion, conducive to the welfare and happiness of a people, so deservedly objects of thy kind attention. In addressing thee, on this subject, I have considered thee as representing many friends of the Indians, and I have frequently expressed myself in the plural, for in this case, as in any other that is virtuous and good, I am satisfied thou would feel a great regret to stand alone. I trust, therefore, thou will receive this communication as addressed to thee, on behalf of every advocate of Indian rights throughout the nation. To present unmeaning compliments, would be quite as foreign to my object, as to thy wish, but having formed an attachment to thy native country, I naturally incline to finish an address to its chief citizen,-with sincere desires for it pros perity and happiness. The eagle wing of its mighty influence, will be ere long extended from one ocean to another, and in taking its flight, these natives of the woods are sheltered under the shadow of its wings; they become adopted children of the eagle, and may they never be forgotten, neglected or oppressed, nor have just occasion to appeal to him, who in the might of his power holdeth the thunders of Heaven in his hand, and in the condecension of his goodness," heareth the young eagles when they cry."

Franklin objected to the selection of the eagle as a national emblem, on account of its being a bird of prey; but that eminent philosopher, however, remarkable in general, for accuracy of judgment, seems, on this occasion, to have forgotten, that an emblem cannot be unworthy a nation which inspiration has formed sufficently expressive, to pourtray some of the most benign attributes of omnipotence.

The state in which a superintending Providence found this nation, the rank to which it has been raised, and the further eminence to which it is destined, the leadings of the hand of

supreme mercy, the many instructive events in its history,→ the manner in which it has been preserved, all bear some degree of resemblance to that peculiar goodness alluded to in the scripture history of a most ancient nation. "The Lord's portion is, his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings; so the Lord alone did lead him."*

I am rejoiced to find peace and righteousness, springing up and promising to flourish, in the councils of the American nation towards the Aborigines of their country. In leading on in this great work may thou be bold, and blessed, as to every step of thy progress in a cause, which there is reason to hope ascends in the view of omnipotence, as incence at the foot-stool of him whose delight is mercy,-whose name is love. The consolations which arise from benevolent actions, when grounded on a pure motive, resemble the honey-dew of Heaven, descending to shed its sweet fertilizing influences on the increase of talents, auxiliary to virtue ;—which, like the fruits of true piety, as sacred laurels, mantle round the living head,-beautify the bfier, and grow greener on the grave.

May peace rest on thee, and thine, is the sincere and farewell wish of thy

Respectful friend,

JOSEPH LANCASTER.

* Dúteronomy,-Chap. 32, v. 10, 11, 12.

TO BURWELL BASSETT.

HONORED FRIEND,

LANCASTERIAN INSTITUTE, BALTIMORE,

29th of 2d Month, 1820.

ACCORDING to my promise, I again call thy attention to the important subject of national education, including the advantages of the Lancasterian system of instruction, as adapted to American youth.

These interesting objects become more momentous, when we consider, that in your state and national representations, at least three thousand legislators annually assemble for deliberation. This number is so often renewed, that in the course of twenty years, near thirty thousand persons are likely in succession, to occupy that station, from the multitude of changes by secession, decease, or new elections. In the English representative bodies, during the same period of time, not more than three thousand persons will be required to fill the same station, as the elections are for seven years. and the peerages for life. In this country, you know nothing of septenial parliaments, or hereditary legislators; this difference in your constitution, has augmented your representation with the increase of your people. Between the multiplied population of the old, and the addition of new states, it is not unlikely, that the total number of delegates over the Union may now be nearly double the amount, at the establishment of your independence. Double your states, and you will require sixty thousand persons, to be qualified, to fill the highest stations which a free man can honor or occupy in his country. Add to this your judicial officers, and A civil magistrates, you will require two hundred thousand persons qualified to be your agents, and representatives. Under such new and changing circumstances, that your state legislation and wisdom, may become synonimous, universal education must interpose its preserving power. There is

no country in the world, but this, in which the people have such weight in the government, and that government so constituted, that none of its privileges can be perpetuated, nor any of its institutions possess stability, but as they are rooted and grounded on knowledge. Let any man search the habitable earth, and find, if he can, another nation, whose future prospects and prosperity, depend upon education to an equal extent. The period when those principles which are to constitute the future character of a nation, become predominant, is the precise instant for blending with the national feelings, the full sense of the importance of universal instruction, and the most active zeal for its promotion. Now is the time, for the conviction of future grand results to strike deep root in the public mind, for the principles of philanthrophy, piety and patriotic feeling, to rally the whole nation, from the rising youth, to the venerable old man, under the banner of knowledge. On the subject of timing measures of such consequence, I have dwelt largely in my letter to HENRY CLAY. Definite measures, now come under consideration. How can education be carried to scientific perfection ?-How can its elementary benefits be extended to all the children of a nation ?- Where population is dense, proper measures may easily be effected, where the district is thinly peopled, a difficulty will impede their progress, and yet the latter sections of a country may afford some of the brighest and best "gems of genius," which ever adorned a nation, or caused mankind to rejoice. The first consideration, is to bring the subject home to the heart of the nation.-Let all the leaders of the people, editors of newspapers, or periodical works, combine their energies, to promote general attention to the subject, to revive and rivet in the minds of their fellow citizens, the dormant conviction of its advantages, so as to impress them more clearly, and render the impression firm and lasting. To leave a good principle as an inheritance to the future age, the minds of young men of the present day, require to have this subject familiar to their view, clothed with light, in all its bearings. A few repetitions of this public measure, in unity of action, would so instil and ingrain the minds of men with the subject, that nothing short of the extirpation

of the whole nation, could obliterate those feelings which evince knowledge to be the best pillar to the constitution, as giving perpetuity to its benefits.

Any great work must prosper, when it finds a friend, a potent ally, in the conviction of every heart. The friends of education need be under no alarm, about the demonstration of its civil and moral effects, provided they are zealous in promoting its utility on a national scale.

The establishment of national schools in Scotland, was attended not only by a total change in the moral character of the nation, but produced a re-action on the minds of the rich, in favor of education, and at present so popular, and universal, is the sentiment in its favor, that if a man should neglect to educate his children, he would become a bye word and reproach to the whole community. Even the inhabitants of a village, would feel themselves under a similar reproach, if they did not erect suitable school edifices and give proper encouragement to teachers. This re-action, and accumulated degree of public spirit, has produced an effect, superior to the legislative energy which gave it birth. In consequence of general education, Scotchmen have carried their talent to the market of the world, and commanded their price. Like the industrious bee, they have winged their flight over the fertile fields of the earth, and gathered their honey from innumerable flowers, to enrich their parent hive. What has been the consequence of improved morals, increased knowledge and industrious exertion? Does not Scotland's mountains and fastnesses present to view, plantations, as forests of beauty, bursting by surprise on the vision? Do not flocks whiten those plains, the stillness of which, once was interrupted only by the prancings of the war horse and the shouts of robbers.

The wilderness and the deserts of Scotland, now rejoice and blossom as the rose, and instead of the briers or thistles, to offend and render nugatory the cares of the husbandman, immense fields covered with grain diffuse their fragrance, and beautify the scene around.-Inhaling the breezes, as the breath of Heaven, they seem to bend their heads, as if in silent gratitude to that sovereign majesty, by whose blessing on the knowledge