and Kentucky has gained more than fifteen thousand annually, numbering at the last census nearly six hundred thousand. But in point of gain in numbers, Ohio takes the lead of all her sister states, having increased from 1810 to 1820, 350,674, and, at the last census, was noted down at 518, 434.

Having now digressed a little from the track of history, without entirely losing our way, we shall return to the thread of our work, as connected more particularly with the doings of our government.

state.

CHAPER XVII.

President Monroe's Administration.

Mr. Monroe was sworn into office as President of the United States, on the fourth of March, 1817, and entered on his duties, under favourable auspices. On his accession to the presidency, the country was in a prosperous War had ceased, and with it much of the asperity of political excitement, and party bickering. But to repair the losses of the war, and to regain the commercial prosperity which had been nearly annihilated, was not the work of a moment. Much of the commerce to which our attention had been turned, had fallen into other hands, and ship building excepting for the navy, had been nearly forgotten. Our country was inundated by foreign fabrics, and the specie which had been borrowed at a great premium was fast leaving the country. But still, the inaugural address of the president was encouraging, and he anticipated a return of our former prosperity.

During the summer and autumn of 1817, the president made a tour through the northern and eastern sections of the union, where his presence was welcomed with the greatest cordiality, and party feeling seemed merged in national patriotism. But, in this journey, the national interests were a principal object. Large sums had been

appropriated by the national legislature for the defence. of the sea coast, the safety of our inland frontier, the increase of the navy, and the establishments of national docks; the superintendence of which was committed to the president. That he might discharge his duties with fidelity and judgment, he determined to obtain the necessary information by personal observation. From Washington, which he left on the first of June, he went by land to Boston, passing through the principal cities on his route, amidst the congratulations and benedictions of a happy people. From Boston, where he spent several days, he passed through Salem, Newburyport, and Portsmouth to Portland, whence his course was directed to Plattsburgh, New-York. This important post occupied his attention several days. His course thence was directed to Detroit, through Ogdensburg and Sacketts' Harbour. On the 17th of September, he arrived at Washington, having travelled three thousand miles in little more than three months.

On the first of December, congress convened; and the message of the president stated that our national credit was rising, and that the defences of the country were in a state of forwardness; that arrangements were made with Great Britain, to reduce the naval force of the two countries on the lakes; that each country was to retain possession of the Islands as before the late war; and that our foreign relations were of a pacific character. He also specially recommended the officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army, to the notice of congress, and pressingly advocated a repeal of the internal duties, as needless to be continued any longer.

Mississippi was admitted into the union, as an independent state, on the eleventh, with the usual formalities. In the course of the same month, an expedition which had been set on foot against Florida, by foreign ådventurers, was checked by the troops of the United States. The actors claimed authority under the colonies of South America, and had formed an establishment at Amelia Island, a Spanish province. The American government therefore saw proper to take possession of the Island, and break up the haunt of a lawless banditti.

Another establishment similar in its profession and practices, was formed at Galvezton, an Island on the Texas coast belonging to the United States. Slaves in considerable numbers were thus smuggled into the country, and importations of goods were made through the same channel, in a clandestine manner. A naval force, with troops was sent against them, and the Island surrendered without loss of blood.

During this session several important bills passed the ordeal of congress, particularly that for the relief of revolutionary officers and soldiers. In April 1818, Illinois adopted a state constitution, and in December following, was admitted into the union.

In May 1818, the president left Washington, to view the extensive shores of the Chesapeake bay, and embarking at Annapolis, examined the coast and waters, with a view of ascertaining the propriety of establishing a naval depot in that vicinity, and having accomplished the object of his visit, returned through Virginia, to the seat of government, which he reached on the 17th of June. He every where experienced the same welcome reception which he met in his tour through the northern states during the preceding year.

On the 27th of May, the president and senate ratified the treaty, concluded between Mr. Russel and the Swedish government, and the same was ratified by the king of Sweden, on the 24th of July following.

The Seminole Indians, urged on as is supposed by foreign emissaries who resided among them, and several murders were committed, but the Indians refused to give up the guilty, alleging that the whites were the original aggressors. In consequence of this refusal, general Gaines was ordered to remove discretionally, such Inlians as were still on the lands ceded by the Creeks to he United States.

In the execution of this order one man and woman was killed, and two women made prisoners. Soon after this, the Indians fired on a second detachment who resisted them, and a skirmish ensued, in which several were kil led and wounded.

Shortly after this event, lieutenant Scott, with a de

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tachment of forty men, seven women, and some children, ascending the Appalachicola, with supplies for the garrison at Fort Scott, were attacked, and the whole party killed, excepting six men, who made their escape, and a woman who was taken prisoner.

From this time, the war became serious. The Indians, in considerable numbers, were embodied, and an open attack was made on Fort Scott, to which general Gaines with about six hundred regular soldiers was for a time confined. Information of this state of things being communicated to the department of war, general Jackson was ordered, December 26, to take the field, and directed if he should deem the force with general Gaines, amounting to one thousand and eight hundred men, insufficient to cope with the enemy, "to call on the executives of the adjacent states, for such an additional militia force as he might deem requisite." On the receipt of this order, general Jackson prepared to comply; but instead of calling on the executives of the neighbouring states, especially on the governor of Tennessee, who lived near his residence, he addressed a circular to the patriots of West Tennessee, inviting one thousand of them to join his standard.

At the same time he wrote to the governor of Tennessee, M'Minn, informing him of the appeal he had made to the men whom he had led to victory on the plains of Talledega, Emuckfau, and Tohopeko, and added, "should the appeal prove inefficacious, I will embrace the earliest opportunity of making the requisition on you for a like number of drafted militia." The call of general Jackson was promptly obeyed, and the thousand volunteers, officered by the general, or by the volunteers themselves, were ordered to Fort Scott.

Before taking up his march, he wrote, Jan. 12th, to the secretary of war, apprising him of the appeal he had made to the Tennesseeans, assigning as his reason for such a step, that he deemed the force with general Gaines, one thousand eight hundred, insufficient, and "that the greater portion of this number were drafted militia from Georgia, who might apply for their discharge at the expiration of three months from the time they

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were mustered," about the time he should probably reach Fort Scott. To this communication the secretary replied-"I have the honour to acquaint you of the entire approbation of the President, of all the measures which you have adopted to terminate the rupture with the Indians." Believing that the Seminoles could not be subdued, unless they were followed into Florida, general Jackson marched upon St. Marks, a weak garrison, where a portion of them had taken refuge. Possession of the fort was taken easily, and occupied by Jackson as an American post. The main army then marched to Suwaney river, where they consumed an Indian village. At this time the court martial was held, at which Alexander Arbuthnot, and Robert C. Ambrister were tried and con..demned to death. Two Indian Chiefs were hung without trial. The following is extracted from the doings of the court.

"The court, on examination of evidence, and on mature deliberation, find the prisoner, Robert C. Ambrister, guilty of the first and second charges, and do therefore sentence him to suffer death by being shot. The members requesting a reconsideration of the vote on this sentence, and it being had, they sentence the prisoner to receive fifty stripes on his bare back, and be confined with a ball and chain, to hard labour for twelve calendar months. The commanding general approves the finding and sentence of the court, in the case of A. Arbuthnot, and approves the finding and first sentence of the court, in the case of Robert C. Ambrister, and disapproves the reconsideration of the sentence of the honourable court in this case.

"It appears from the evidence and pleading of the prisoner, that he did lead and command within the territory of Spain, (being a subject of Great Britain,) the Indians in war against the United States, those nations be ing at peace. It is an established principle of the laws of nations, that any individual of a nation, making war against the citizens of any other nation, they being at peace, forfeits his allegiance, and becomes an outlaw and pirate. This is the case of Robert C. Ambrister clearly hown by the evidence adduced.