scarcely conjectured, so equally were the parties balanced. But, at length, the conventions of eleven states* assented to, and ratified the constitution.

Sec. 11. From the moment it was settled that this new arrangement, in their political system, was to take place, the attention of all classes of people, as well anti-federalists as federalists, (for, by these names, the parties for and against the new constitution were called,) was directed to General Washington, as the first president of the United States. Accordingly, on the opening of the votes, for president, at New-York, March 3d, 1789, by delegates from eleven states, it was found that he was unanimously elected to that office, and that John Adams was elected vice-president.

NOTES.

Sec. 12. MANNERS. The war of the revolution, as was observed in our notes on the last period, seriously affected the morals and manners of the people of the United States. The peace of 1783, however, tended, in a measure, to restore things to their former state. Those sober habits, for which the country was previously distinguished, began to return; business assumed a more regular and equitable character; the tumultuous passions, roused by the war, subsided; and men of wisdom and worth began to acquire their proper influence.

The change wrought in the manners of the people, during the revolution, began, in this period, to appear. National peculiarities wore away still more; local prejudices were farther

North Carolina and Rhode Island refused their assent at this time, but afterwards acceded to it: the former, November, 1789; the latter, May, 1790.

corrected, and a greater assimilation of the yet discordant materials, of which the population of the United States was composed, took place.

Sec. 13. RELIGION. Methodism was introduced into the United States, during this period, under the direction of John Wesley, in England. This denomination increased rapidly in the middle states, and, in 1789, they amounted to about fifty thousand.

During this period, also, the infidelity, which we have noticed, seems to have lost ground. Public worship was more punctually attended, than during the war, and the cause of religion began again to flourish.

The com

Sec. 14. TRADE AND COMMERCE. merce of the United States, during the war of the revolution, as already stated, was nearly destroyed; but, on the return of peace, it revived. An excessive importation of goods immediately took place from England. In 1784, the imports, from England alone, amounted to eighteen millions of dollars, and in 1785, to twelve millions-making, in those two years, thirty millions of dollars, while the exports of the United States to England were only between eight and nine millions.

On the average of six years posterior to the war, the extent of this period, the imports from Great Britain into the United States, were two millions one hundred and nineteen thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven pounds sterling; the exports nine hundred and eight thousand six hundred and thirty-six pounds sterling, leaving an annual balance of five millions three hundred and twenty-nine thousand two hundred and eighty-four dollars, in favor of Great Britain.

The commercial intercourse of the United States with other countries was less extensive than with England, yet it was not inconsiderable. From France and her depen dencies, the United States imported, in 1787, to the amount of about two millions five hundred thousand dollars, and

exported to the same, to the value of five millions of dol lars.

The trade of the United States with China commenced soon after the close of the revolutionary war. The first American vessel that went on a trading voyage to China, sailed from New-York, on the 22d of February, 1784, and returned on the 11th of May, 1785. In 1789, there were fifteen American vessels at Canton, being a greater number than from any other nation, except Great Britain.

During this period, also, the Americans commenced the long and hazardous trading voyages to the North West Coast of America. The first of the kind, undertaken from the United States, was from Boston, in 1788, in a ship commanded by Capt. Kendrick. The trade afforded great profits, at first, and since 1788 has been carried on from the United States to a considerable extent.

The whale fishery, which, during the war, was suspended, revived on the return of peace. From 1787 to 1789, both inclusive, ninety-one vessels were employed from the United States, with one thousand six hundred and eleven seamen. Nearly eight thousand barrels of spermaceti oil were annually taken, and about thirteen thousand barrels of whale oil.

Small quantities of cotton were first exported from the United States about the year 1784. It was raised in Georgia.

Sec. 15. AGRICULTURE. Agriculture revived at the close of the war, and, in a few years, the exports of produce raised in the United States were again considerable. Attention began to be paid to the culture of cotton, in the southern states, about the year 1783, and it soon became a staple of that part of the country. About the same time, agricultural societies began to be formed in the country.

Sec. 16. ARTS AND MANUFACTURES. The excessive importation of merchandize from Great Britain, during this period-much of which was sold at low prices-checked the progress of manufactures in the United States, which had been extensively begun, during the war of the revolution. Iron works, however, for the construc

tion of axes, ironing of carriages, and the making of machinery, &c. &c., were still kept up in all parts of the United States. Some coarse woollen and linen cloths, cabinet furniture, and the more bulky and simple utensils for domestic use, &c. &c., were manufactured in New-England.

Sec. 17. POPULATION. The population of the United States, at the close of this period, was nearly four millions.

Several colleges were

Sec. 18. EDUCATION. established during this period-one in Maryland, at Annapolis, called St. John's college; a second, in 1785, at Abington, in the same state, by the Methodists, called Cokesbury college; a third, in the city of New-York; and a fourth, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1787-the former, by the name of Columbia college, and the latter, by that of Franklin college. The North Carolina university was incorporated in 1789.

The subject of education, during this period, seems to have attracted public attention throughout the United States, and permanent institutions, for the instruction of youth, were either planned or established, in every section of the country.

REFLECTIONS.

Sec. 19. The history of the world furnishes no parallel to the history of the United States, during this short period. At the commencement of it, they had but just emerged from a long and distressing war, which had nearly exhausted the country, and imposed an accumulated debt upon the nation. They were united by a confederation inadequate to the purposes of government; they had just disbanded an army, which was unpaid, and dissatisfied; and, more than all, they were untried in the art of self-government.

In circumstances like these, it would not have been strange had the people fallen into dissensions and anarchy, or had some bold, ambitious spirit arisen, and fastened the

yoke of monarchy upon them. But a happier destiny awaited them. In this hour of peril, the same Providence, that had guided them thus far, still watched over them, and, as victory was granted them in the hour of battle, so wisdom was now vouchsafed in a day of peace. Those master spirits of the revolution, some of whom had recently retired from the camp to the enjoyment of civil life, were now called to devise the means of securing the independence which they had won. Perhaps they exhibited to the world a no less striking spectacle as the framers of our excellent constitution, than as victors over the arms of Britain.