Notes.

Section XXX. Manners of the Colonists. The change in respect to manners in the colonies, during this period, consisted chiefly in a gradual wearing away of national distinctions and peculiarities, and a tendency to a still greater unity and assimilation of character. The rapid increase of wealth, and the frequency of intercourse with Europe, began to introduce among the colonies the tastes, and fashions, and luxuries of European countries. But the introduction of them produced little enervation of character among the people of America. Such an effect was counteracted by the bloody, but successful war with the French and Indians, and the boundless prosperity which seemed to open to the country, and call forth its energies. Instead, therefore, of a growing weakness in the colonies, we perceive a more vigorous spirit of commercial enterprise, pervading the country; a consciousness of political importance becoming confirmed; and a deep and ardent love of civil liberty breathing over the land.

Section XXXI. Keligion. The only religious sect introduced into America, during this period, was that of the Shakers, or Shaking Quakers, who arrived from England in 1774, and settled at Niskayuna, near Albany.

Although the spirit of religious intolerance had disappeared from the colonies, and the puritanical severity of the north had become much softened, yet until the commencement of the French and Indian war, the religious character of the colonies had remained essentially the same. But during this war, infidelity was extensively introduced into the army, by means of the foreign English officers and soldiers who were sent into the country. From the army, it spread itself into society, and pro

duced a considerable relaxation of morals, and a looser adherence to principles.

Section XXXII. Trade and Com= merce. During this period, trade and commerce made great advances; the annual amount of imports from Great Britain, was about two and a half millions of pounds sterling, from 1756 to 1771: from 1771 to 1773, it was three millions and a half annually, on an average.-The annual amount of exports of the colonies to Great Britain and elsewhere, was about four million pounds sterling, at the close of this period. The articles of export, and the nature of the trade of the colonies, were essentially the same as stated in the notes to period third.

In 1769, the number of ships employed by Great Britain and the colonies, in the trade with the colonies, was one thousand seventy-eight, manned by twenty-eight thousand nine hundred and

ten seamen.

The whale and other fisheries in the colonies had become of great importance. In 1775, there were employed in the fishery generally, and in carrying the fish to market from New-England, one thousand four hundred and fifty vessels of all descriptions, of one hundred thousand tons burthen, and eleven thousand fishermen and seamen.

Section XXXIII. Agriculture. During this period, a gradual progress was made in agriculture, but it does not need any specifick notice.

Section XXXIV. Arts and Manufac= tures. Great Britain still continued to oppose the progress of arts and manufactures in the colonies, and, therefore, there was but a moderate advance of these interests, during this period.

Section XXXV. Population. At the close of this period, the white and black population of the colonies did not vary greatly from three millions.

Section XXXVI. Education. In the year

1769, the college at Hanover, New-Hampshire, was founded, and called Dartmouth College, in honour of the earl of Dartmouth, who was one of its principal benefactors.

In 1770, the University in Rhode-Island called Brown University, was established at Providence. It was incorporated in 1764, and first located at Warren. At this place the first commencement was held, 1769.

Reflections.

XXXVII. The preceding short period of our history presents several interesting subjects of reflection. The American colonies became the theatre of a bloody conflict, attended by all the appalling features of savage war. Although feebly supported by England, and embarrassed by the want of political union, they surmounted every obstacle, and compelled the French, their enemies, to depart from their shores for ever.

But no sooner was this conflict ended, than they began to feel, with added weight, the hand of British oppression.-Not humbled, however, by injustice, nor crushed by severities, they vigorously put forth their strength in commerce, trade, and agriculture. They spread innumerable sails upon the ocean; they converted forests into meadows and wheat fields; established seminaries of learning; founded cities; and built churches to God.

Nay, more-we see that those very steps, which were taken by the mother country to cripple the American colonies, were so ordered as to add to their strength. By leaving them to bear the war of 1756 almost alone, she showed them that they could not expect defence from her; she taught them the necessity of relying upon their own energies; gave them an opportunity to learn the art of war, and to ascertain their own strength.

The long line of British acts, designed to crush the colonies, and to keep them in humble subjection, passed, as they were, in wilful ignorance of the feelings and power of America, awakened the spirit of the revolution, and laid the foundation of a great nation.

What a lesson may tyranny gather from this! And how thankful should we be, that a just Providence is above, who regards the affairs of men-who turns aside the trampling heel of oppression, and causes the blood wrung out by tyranny to cry from the ground, and to call forth the spirit of liberty!