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purpose of warming the feet at the firecustoms which the climate only can excuse.

In summer, invitation to tea parties is made verbally by a servant, the same day the party is given. In winter the invitation is more ceremonious.

The barber arrives on horseback to perform the operation of shaving; and here, as in Europe, he is the organ of all news and scandal.

OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

The President and Vice-president of the United States are elected for the term of four years, commencing on the fourth day of March, and necessarily remain at Washington during the session of Congress; but in the recess thereof, they retire to their usual place of residence. The President, when at the seat of government, lives in the house destined for him, which is furnished at the expense of the nation. The Vice-president,

who is president of the senate, has no similar mark of distinction, but lodges at an inn, or private house, at his own expense, like other members of Congress. The yearly salary of the former is twenty-five thousand dollars; that of the latter, five thousand only; but he is not subject to any extraordinary expense, while the President, according to established custom, spends more than his salary in the expenses of his table.

In case of the death, resignation, or removal of the President from office, his powers devolve upon the Vice-president.

POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT.

1. The President is commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States, and also of the militia, when called into actual service.

2. He is authorised to require, when he thinks proper, the written opinion of any of the chief officers of the executive departments, upon any subject which has relation to the duties of their respective offices.

3. Except in cases of impeachment, he is authorised to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States.

4. He is empowered by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to make treaties, to appoint ambassadors, ministers, and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all military and other officers, whose appointments are not otherwise provided by law. His appointment, or decision, must be approved by two-thirds of the senators present in Congress.

5. He has also power to fill up vacancies during the recess of the senate, which, during the next session, are submitted to their decision.

6. On extraordinary occasions, he may convene or adjourn either or both Houses of Congress.

7. He is authorised by usage, though not by the constitution, to suspend, annul, or revoke the powers of a minister, consul.or other officer, without the advice of the senate, and even without giving any reason for such suspension or removal. The President himself, or any other officer of the United States, may be removed from office for treason, bri

bery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours, for which they must previously be impeached and convicted.

All commissions are signed by the President and Secretary of State.

The national council is composed of these two officers, and the heads of the Treasury, War, Navy, and Post-office establishment.

OF THE CONGRESS.

The Congress of the United States, in whom all legislative powers are vested, consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

The members of the House of Representatives are chosen by the peeple every second year. They must have attained the age of twenty-five, and been citizens of the United States during the same space of time, and inhabitants of the State in which they are elected. The number of representatives, for the year 1815, is a hundred and eighty-seven, or one representative for every forty thousand perwhen the number shall amount to two

sons;

hundred, it is so regulated, that there shall not be more than one for every fifty thou

sand persons.

Vacancies are filled by writs of election, issued by the executive authority.

The House of Representatives choose their Speaker and other officers, and have the sole power of impeachment.

The Senate is composed of two senators from each State, chosen by the legislature for the term of six years; and the seats are so vacated, that one-third are chosen every second year. A senator must be thirty years of age, nine years a citizen of the United States, and an inhabitant of the State in which he is elected.

The President of the Senate has no vote, unless the votes be equally divided.

The Senate has the sole power of trying all impeachments. In case of trial of the Chief Magistrate, the Chief Justice is to preside.

Senators and members of the House of Representatives receive a compensation of six dollars per day during the session, besides travelling expenses, fixed at the rate of a day's pay for every twenty miles.

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