he never more hears from his lost relations; he sees not a moment's freedom; his labors are incessant, but not for himself; his toils are perpetual, and the fruit consigned to his oppressor; he bids an eternal adieu to contentment, to hope and to enjoyment; he learns to brook insult by its repetition; and his only remedy for pain is habit and endurance.

But for what purpose, was he brought from his country? Why was he forced from the scenes of his youth, and from the cool retreats of his native mountains? Was it, that he might witness the saving knowledge of the gospel? That he might become a Christian? Did they desire to open his prospects into a future life? to inform his clouded soul of immortal joys; and aid him in his pilgrimage to heaven? No. He was deprived of freedom, the dearest pledge of his existence. His mind was not cultivated and improved by science. He was placed among those who hate and despise his nation; who undervalue him, even for that of which he is innocent, and which he could not possibly avoid! He is detested for his complexion, and ranked among the brutes for his stupidity. His laborious exertions are extorted from him, to enrich his purchasers; and his scanty allowance is furnished, only that he may endure his sufferings for their aggrandizement. Where are the incentives, that may induce him to become a Christian? Alas! they are crushed beneath a mountain of desperate and hopeless grief; his views of happiness are depressed, so that he must almost doubt of his natural claim to humanity.

"Had he religion, think you he could pray!
"Ah no! he steals him to his lonely shed,

"What time moist midnight blows her venom'd breath;
"And, musing how he long has toiled and bled,
"Seeks shelter only in the arms of death."

Much, indeed, may be said in praise of the noble and benevolent exertions of many individuals, to promote humanity, order, civility and virtue among those unhappy nations. They have spared no pains, nor expense; they have en countered the dangers of those inclement climes, and the perils of a barbarous land. Their good will in this godlike work has been blessed. They have been found doing their duty; and they shall not lose their reward.

Were the nations, which bear the Christian name, generally engaged in this work-were they desirous to meliorate

the condition of savage nations, they might, by a proper course of conduct, at length, remove those prejudices from their minds, which now form insuperable bars to the most benevolent attempts of individua.s and societies. Savages derive their views of the character, government and religion of Christian nations, not from the testimony of a few individuals, but from the conduct of those nations. They reason thus: "If Christian nations believe and practise their religion, we are sure it is the worst in the world; therefore, we will not embrace it. But if Christians do not practise their religion, it is surely, because they do not believe in it; and if they do not believe, nor practise it, why should we? Why should it challenge our assent and conformity, who do not understand it, when those who do, disregard its dictates ?"

There is no certain evidence, that the Africans are inferior to the Asiatics or Europeans in their natural make; and it is highly probable, that their mental powers are impaired, only by their peculiar habits. We have already noticed the figure the people of Egypt and Carthage once made among the nations of the earth. The former were, for many ages, the oracles of science; and the latter were not only the greatest of the ancient commercial nations, but among the most warlike, having produced the second, if not the first, great commander of antiquity.

Some attempt to prove, from the consideration of their color, that they are naturally inferior to white nations. Their color is merely the misfortune of their climate, arising from the heat of the sun and their way of life. Many talk about the mark set upon Cain, and suppose the Africans his descendants-never considering, that the family of Cain perished in the deluge. The blackness of the Africans is perfectly well accounted for from the regular operation of natural causes ;* and their inferiority in various respects, from neglecting the proper use of those advantages, which, in other quarters of the globe, have been improved with

success.

Whether they are now at the ultimate point of depression, er are to sink still deeper, is known only to the omniscient Ruler. It is impossible to reflect upon their present situation, but with emotions of surprise, grief and compassion.

See a learned and ingenious treatise on this subject, by the Rev. Dr. Smith, President of Princeton College.

Hapless children of men! when shall light and order pervade the cheerless regions, where you dwell? What power shall heave the adamantine bars, which secure the gates of your dungeon, and bring you forth? When shall the cherub hope smile on you from heaven, and, with a compassionate voice, call you to the pleasures of reason? to the delights of immortality? In the natural course of events, your destiny seems hopeless; no force of words can suitably describe or deplore your case; and your only hope of relief is in Omnipotence. Your deliverer must be a being of almighty power, wisdom and goodness. To that Being, then, let me commend you to his favor-to his grace-to his everlasting mercy.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE PRESENT STATE OF AMERICA.

THIS important part of the globe claims no share of notice in tracing the great line of history. It is generally considered as unknown to the civilized world, till discovered by Columbus, in 1492; yet, since that period, it has risen rapidly into consideration. Truly important by its vast extent, and the immensity of its natural wealth, in the comparatively short period of three centuries, it has been the theatre of a series of grand and interesting scenes.

America was discovered just after the revival of letters; a time, when the public mind in Europe had been recently roused to action and enterprise. The discovery of so important an object formed an era in the civilized work, by exciting desires and spreading temptations; by rousing the latent fires of ambition; by giving birth to new schemes of policy and speculations; and by originating numberless projects and enterprises, which often disturbed the repose of Europe, and terminated in wars and revolutions.

For an account of those things, we must refer our readers to the histories of Europe; and we wish it were in our power also to refer them to an able, impartial and elegant history of our own country. In the following chapter, it will be our endeavour to present a general view of the present state of America, preparatory to which, a brief sketch will be given of its history since its first settlement.

The American continent extends from about 56 degrees of south latitude to unknown regions about the arctic pole. Its length is more than ten thousand miles; and its mean breadth has never been ascertained, but would fall between two and four thousand miles.* On the east, it is washed by the Atlantic, and on the west, by the Pacific ocean. This continent extends through all climates, comprehends every species of soil, and every conceivable line of geographical feature. It abounds in extensive and beautiful plains, majestic rivers, lofty mountains and prodigious lakes. Its lakes are worthy of the respectable name of inland seas; and its rivers are many of them of such size, that were it not for their rapid current and fresh water, they would be mistaken for bays and arms of the ocean. Its plains are clothed with luxuriant vegetation; its mountains rise with awful grandeur, pierce the clouds, and seem to prop the skies.

The soil of America, if it has no certain claim to superiority, is at least equal to that of Spain, Italy, India, or China. In the United States, as far as we can remark on that article, there is no deficiency. The prodigious exports from several of the states, although in their infancy, are a proof, that the country is made naturally fruitful and rich; and through the whole extensive chain of settlements from the coast of Labrador to Cape Horn, and from thence to California and Kamschatka, the countries are generally healthful.

Nature has thrown the American continent into two grand divisions, separated by the isthmus of Darien. South America is distinguished by the size of its mountains and rivers. The Andes lie on the western coast of South America, and extend the whole length of that continent. These are the most extraordinary mountains in the world, whether we regard the length of their chain, the breadth of their base, or the elevated height of their summits.† The elevation of Chimborazo is more than 20,000 feet above the level of the sea. They extend the whole length

* Supposing the length of America to be 10,000 miles, and the number of square miles 15,000,000, then its mean breadth must be This cannot be far from the truth.-Ed.

1500.

It has been ascertained, that the Himmaleh mountains, between Thibet and Kemaoon, are considerably higher than the Andes. See Worcester's Gaz.-Ed.

of South America; and, indeed, the Allegany mountains in North America, are thought to be a continuation of the same mountains, only interrupted by the gulf of Mexico.

The rivers in South America are no less remarkable, than the mountains. They rise in the eastern declivities of the Andes, down which they rush in numberless torrents and cataracts. From the foot of the Andes, they must wander across the continent to the Atlantic ocean, the distance of 2000 miles. In this long course, which is increased by numerous meanders, they receive a multitude of streams, and, while yet at a great distance from the sea, their volume of water becomes majestic, broad and deep. They roll on with increasing grandeur, and meet other rivers as large as themselves. Before they reach the ocean, their channels are more than an hundred miles broad, and appear, as already said, like an arm of the sea; such are the Oronoke, the river Plate, and the Amazon.

The mountains of North America are inferior to the Andes; but the rivers in the northern division are nearly equal with those of the south. The Mississippi, the Oregon or Columbia, the Bourbon or M'Kenzie's, and the St. Lawrence, pursue each a different direction, and reach their several oceans at the distance of 2000 miles. But the chain of lakes in North America, to which the river St. Lawrence forms an outlet, has no parallel in any other part of the world. The principal of these, are Ontario, Erie, Michigan, Huron and Superior. We may calculate, that, at some future period, the country about those lakes will be settled, and they will afford a vast inland navigation of incalculable importance to that country.

In addition to the rich and productive soil of South America, the bowels of the earth are stored with precious metals. Mexico and Peru abound with the richest mines in the world. This, at first, rendered South America the most dazzling object in view of the powers of Europe; but the deep forests and more hardy climate of North America promised wealth only to persevering labor and industry. In the event, the precious metals of the South have ruined the most powerful nation in Europe, while the labor and industry of the North, have given existence to a new empire, which will shortly be able to set all Europe at defiance.