were imported altogether, were found so well, and so abundantly manufactured at home, that their importation was stopped.

Section XCI. Population. The increase of the people of the United States, during this period, was small. Few, if any, emigrants arrived in the country. Many of the inhabitants were slain in battle, and thousands of that class called tories, left the land, who never returned. Perhaps we may fairly estimate the inhabitants of the country, about the close of this period, 1784, at three millions two hundred and fifty thousand.

Section XCII. Education. The interests of education suffered in common with other kindred interests, during the war. In several colleges, the course of instruction was, for a season, suspended; the hall was exchanged by the students for the camp, and the gown for the sword and epaulette.

Towards the conclusion of the war, two colleges were founded-one in Maryland, in 1782, by the name of Washington college; the other, in 1783, in Pennsylvania, which received the name of Dickinson college. The writer, whom we have quoted above, estimates the whole number of colleges and academies in the United States, at the close of this period, at thirty-six.

Reflections.

XCIII. The American Revolution is doubtless the most interesting event in the pages of modern history. Changes equally great, and convulsions equally violent, have often taken place; and the history of man tells us of many instances, in which oppression, urged beyond endurance, has called forth the spirit of successful and triumphant resistance. But, in the event before us, we see feeble colonies, without an army-without a navy-without an established government-without a revenue-without munitions of war-without fortifications, boldly stepping forth to meet the veteran armies of a proud,

powerful, and vindictive enemy. We see these colonies amidst want, poverty, and misfortune-supported by the pervading spirit of liberty, and guided by the good hand of Heaven-for nearly eight years sustaining the weight of a cruel conflict, upon their own soil. We see them at length victorious; their enemies sullenly retire from their shores, and these humble colonies stand forth enrolled on the page of history—a free, sovereign, and independent nation. Nor is this all. We see a wise government springing up from the blood that was spilt, and, down to our own time, shedding the choicest political blessings upon several millions of people!

What nation can dwell with more just satisfaction upon its annals, than ours? Almost all others trace their foundation to some ambitious and bloody conquerer, who sought only, by enslaving others, to aggrandize himself. Our independence was won by the people, who fought for the natural rights of man. Other nations have left their annals stained with the crimes of their people and princes; ours shines with the glowing traces of patriotism, constancy, and courage, amidst every rank of life, and every grade of office.

Whenever we advert to this portion of our history, and review it, as we well may with patriotick interest, let us not forget the gratitude we owe, as well to those who "fought, and bled, and died" for us, as that benignant Providence, who stayed the proud waves of British tyranny.

Let us also gather political wisdom from the American revolution. It has taught the world, emphatically, that oppression tends to weaken and destroy the power of the oppressor; that a people united in the cause of liberty are invincible by those who would enslave them; and that Heaven will ever frown upon the cause of injustice, and ultimately grant success to those who oppose it.

UNITED STATES.

Period VX.

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE FORMATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION,

Extending from the disbanding of the army, 1783, to the inauguration of George Washington, as president of the United States, under the Federal Constitution, 1789.

Section I. During the revolutionary war, the American people looked forward to a state of peace, independence, and self-government, as almost necessarily ensuring every possible blessing. A short time was sufficient, however, to demonstrate that something, not yet possessed was necessary to realize the private and publick prosperity that had been anticipated. After a short struggle so to administer the existing system of government, as to make it competent to the great objects for which it was instituted, it became apparent that some other system must be substituted, or a general wreck of all that had been gained would ensue.

Section II. At the close of the war, the debts* of the Union were computed to amount to somewhat more than forty millions of dollars. By

* These debts were of two kinds, foreign and domestick. The foreign debt amounted to near eight millions of dollars, and was due to individuals in France-to the crown of France-to lenders in Holland and Spain. The domestick debt amounted to some more than thirty-four millions of dollars, and was due to persons who held loan office certificates to the officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army, &c.