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der navigation too hazardous to be pursued to any consider. able extent. Some privateers, however, were fitted out, which succeeded in capturing several valuable prizes, on board of which were arms, and other munitions of war. During the last three years of the war, an illicit trade to Spanish America was carried on, but it was extremely li mited.

Sec. 112. AGRICULTURE. Agriculture was greatly interrupted during this period, by the withdrawing of laborers to the camp-by the want of encouragement furnished by exportation, and by the distractions which disturbed all the occupations of society.

The army often suffered for the means of subsistence, and the officers were sometimes forced to compel the inhabitants to furnish the soldiers food, in sufficient quantities to prevent their suffering.

The trade

Sec. 113. ARTS AND MANUFACTURES. with England, during this period, being interrupted by the war, the people of the United States were compelled to manufacture for themselves. Encouragement was given to all necessary manufactures, and the zeal, ingenuity, and industry of the people, furnished the country with articles of prime necessity, and, in a measure, supplied the place of a foreign market, Such was the progress in arts and manufactures, during the period, that, after the return of peace, when an uninterrupted intercourse with England was again opened, some articles, which before were imported altogether, were found so well and so abundantly manufactured at home, that their importation was stopped.

Sec. 114. POPULATION. The increase of the people of the United States, during this period, was small. Few, if any, emigrants arrived in the country. Many of the inhabitants were slain in battle, and thousands of that class call

ed tories, left the land, who never returned. Perhaps we may fairly estimate the inhabitants of the country, about the close of this period, 1784, at three millions two hundred and fifty thousand.

Sec. 115. EDUCATION. The interests of education suffered in common with other kindred interests, during the war. In several colleges, the course of instruction was, for a season, suspended; the hall was exchanged by the students for the camp, and the gown for the sword and epaulet.

Towards the conclusion of the war, two colleges were founded-one in Maryland, in 1782, by the name of Washington college; the other, in 1783, in Pennsylvania, which received the name of Dickinson college. The writer, whom we have quoted above, estimates the whole number of colleges and academies in the United States, at the close of this period, at thirty-six.

REFLECTIONS.

Sec. 116. The American revolution is doubtless the must interesting event in the pages of modern history. Changes equally great, and convulsions equally violent, have often taken place; and the history of man tells us of many instances, in which oppression, urged beyond endurance, has called forth the spirit of successful and triumphant resist ance. But, in the event before us, we see feeble colonies, without an army-without a navy-without an established government-without a revenue-without munitions of war -without fortifications-boldly stepping forth to meet the veteran armies of a proud, powerful, and vindictive enemy. We see these colonies, amidst want, poverty, and misfortune-supported by the pervading spirit of liberty, and guided by the good hand of Heaven-for nearly eight years sustaining the weight of a cruel conflict, upon their owr soil. We see them at length victorious; their enemies sullenly retire from their shores, and these humble colonies stand forth enrolled on the page of history—a free, sovereign, and independent nation. Nor is this all. We see a wise government springing up from the blood that

was spilt, and, down to our own time, shedding the choicest political blessings upon several millions of people!

What nation can dwell with more just satisfaction upon its annals, than ours? Almost all others trace their foundation to some ambitious and bloody conqueror, who sought only, by enslaving others, to aggrandize himself. Our independence was won by the people, who fought for the natural rights of man. Other nations have left their annals stained with the crimes of their people and princes; ours shines with the glowing traces of patriotism, constancy, and courage, amidst every rank of life, and every grade

of office.

Whenever we advert to this portion of our history, and review it, as we well may with patriotic interest, let us not forget the gratitude we owe, as well to those who "fought, and bled, and died" for us, as to that benignant Providence, who stayed the proud waves of British tyranny.

Let us also gather political wisdom from the American revolution. It has taught the world, emphatically, that oppression tends to weaken and destroy the power of the oppressor; that a people united in the cause of liberty are invincible by those who would enslave them; and that Heaven will ever frown upon the cause of injustice, and ultimately grant success to those who oppose it.

UNITED STATES.

PERIOD VI.

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE FORMATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

Extending from the disbanding of the army, 1783, to the inauguration of George Washington, as president of the United States, under the Federal Constitution, 1789.

Sec. 1. During the war of the revolution, the American people had been looking forward to a state of peace, independence, and self-government, as almost necessarily ensuring every possible blessing. A short time after its termination, however, it was apparent that something, not yet possessed, was necessary, to realize the private and public prosperity that had been anticipated. After a short struggle so to administer the existing system of government, as to make it competent to the great objects, for which it was instituted, became obvious it that some other system must be substituted, or a general wreck of all that had been gained would ensue.

Sec. 2. At the close of the war, the debts* of

These debts were of two kinds, foreign and domestic. The foreign debt amounted to near eight millions of dollars, and was due to individuals in France-to the crown of France-to lenders in Holland and Spain. The domestic debt amounted to somewhat more than thirty-four millions of dollars, and was due to persons who held loan office certificates to the officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army, &c.

the union were computed to amount to more than forty millions of dollars. By the articles of confederation and union between the states, congress had power to declare war, and borrow money, or issue bills of credit to carry it on; but it had not the ability to discharge debts, incurred by the war. Congress could recommend to the individual states to raise money for that purpose, but at this point, its power terminated.

Soon after the war, the attention of that body was drawn to this subject; the payment of the national debt being a matter of justice to creditors, as well as of vital importance to the preservation of the union. It was proposed, therefore, to the states, that they should grant to congress the power of laying a duty of five per cent. on all foreign goods, which should be imported, and that the revenue arising thence should be applied to the diminution of the public debt, until it was extinguished.

To this proposal, most of the states assented, and passed an act granting, the power. But Rhode Island, apprehensive that such a grant would lessen the advantages of her trade, declined passing an act for that purpose. Subsequently, New-York joined in the opposition, and rendered all prospect of raising a revenue, in this way, hopeless.

The consequence was, that even the interest of the public debt remained unpaid. Certificates of public debt lost their credit, and many of the officers and soldiers of the late army, who were poor, were compelled to sell these certificates at excessive reductions.

Sec. 3. While the friends of the national government were making unavailing efforts to fix

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