It has been said that the Americans have no national character. Without stopping to inquire in what this consists, we may observe, that, according to the testimony of travellers, the aspect of society in the United States is distinguished by many striking peculiarities from that of Europe. Though the number of learned and scientific characters is much smaller than in France and Britain, the mass of the population are better informed than in either of these countries. They are not merely better educated, but they derive from their habits more practical sagacity and good sense. Indeed, the political and physical situation of the United States explain whatever is peculiar in the character of the people. Their migratory habits enlarge the circle of their ideas, and destroy those local prejudices and attachments which belong to the European nations, where successive generations continue to vegetate on the same spot, and tread in the same circle. Reading the journals universally, and knowing a little of what is doing both in their own country and the world generally, they betray none of the clownish awkwardness which springs from conscious ignorance.. Placed often in situations where they have to work their way and supply their wants with little assistance from others, they are inventive, persevering, full of resources, not easily deterred by difficulties. The prejudices of birth and rank, which fetter industry in Europe, have little existence in America; men change their profession as often as it suits their interest, and never deem any honest occupation disreputable. Enjoying abundance, and depending on no ; man's patronage, they are free, open-hearted, unreserved, and, perhaps, somewhat rough in their manners. Accustomed to rely much on their own arm, they are manly, brave, high-spirited, and enterprising. Of these qualities they exhibited many brilliant proofs during the late war. The shameful defeats sustained by land at first, which would have subdued the spirits of men of less energy, only provoked them to greater efforts and, at the close of the war, the American arms were everywhere victorious, both by land and sea. The triumphs of the navy, gained by men without experience over an enemy renowned for skill and courage, and inured to war by twenty years of victory, have few parallels in history. The issue of the contest has raised the American character in the eyes of the world, and nobly sustained the ancient reputation of republican valour. There is nowhere so much public spirit in the body of the people as in the United States. Daily exercised in judging of public measures, and taught to consider themselves as members of the commonwealth, they feel a personal interest in the fortunes of their country. They are proud of her glory, and jealous of her honour, in a degree some times offensive to foreigners. Though parties are loud and violent in their contests, these are but the wholesome exercises of free and generous spirits in the field of honourable ambition. The people at large are proud of the government, because it is a monument of their superiority to other nations. They are attached to it, because by its composition, its conduct and views are always in harmony with their opinions and inte rests. They feel its influence more by the protection it gives than by the burdens it imposes. All its offices are open to their ambition; and neither birth, profession, nor any form of religious belief, is a bar to their hopes. Doubtless the government of the United States is not exempt from the errors and imperfections that adhere to all human institutions. But compare its public conduct with that of the old governments of Europe. How calm and reasonable is its language; always addressing itself to the understanding and the solid interests of the people, never to their passions or prejudices. It seeks no aid from superstition, supports no gainful impostures, and uses none of that disgusting cant with which the old governments of Europe varnish over the degradation of the people. It is a stranger to state craft and mystery. All its acts are done in the face of day. It promotes knowledge, religion, and learning, without the preference of particular sects, and without debasing them by falsehoods beneficial to the ruling powers. It is the only government in the world that dares to put arms freely into the hands of all its citizens. From Maine to Mississippi, it commands a prompt and ready obedience, without any other weapon than a constable's staff. In a word, it secures property, satisfies opinion, promotes the developement of industry and talent with a rapidity hitherto unexampled; and, with the smallest sacrifice of individual rights and property on the part of the people, it accomplishes all that the most expensive and powerful governments pretend to. OF THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA. PART FIRST. CHAPTER I. OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE UNITED STATES, THE boundaries of the United States were determined by the treaty of peace of 1783, which confirmed the independence of the Republic. Northern Boundary.-According to the second article of this treaty, the northern boundary extends from the source of the St Croix river, which falls into the bay of Fundy, northward to the elevated ridge of mountains which separate the waters that run into the river St Lawrence, from those that empty themselves into the Atlantic Ocean, along this same ridge to the most north-western source of Connecticut river, and thence along its current to the forty-fifth degree of north latitude: From this point the line runs due west on this parallel to the river Iroquois, or Cataraquis, along the channel of this river to the Lake Ontario, through the middle of this lake and that of Erie, Huron, and Superior, following the line of water communication between each, and through this last lake, in a northern direction, to the isles Royales, or Philippeaux, to and across Long Lake, and the Lake of the Woods, as far as the most north-western point of the latter, thence by a due west line to the river Mississippi. From this point the Westcrn Boundary extends along the middle of this river to the thirty-first degree of north latitude. Southern Boundary.-From the place where the thirty-first parallel intersects the Mississippi, by a line running due east to the river Apalachicola, or Catahouche, following the stream of this river to its junction with Flint River; thence in a direct line to St Mary's, and along the middle of this river to the Atlantic Ocean. The Eastern Limit passes along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean northward, till it reaches the mouth of the river St Croix, in the bay of Fundy, and thence to its source; including all islands within twenty leagues of the American coast, except those within the limits of the British province of Nova Scotia. Louisiana, which was afterwards ceded to the United States, and more than doubled their original extent, was so imperfectly known at the date |