cess to the government officers, but the letter was at length placed in the hands of an officer of the rank of colonel. To this letter the following reply was received:

“To Commodore Kearny, &c. :

"Ke, Guardian of the young prince, member of the Board of War, member of the Imperial Cabinet, and Governor of the two Kwang Provinces, states, in reply to the subject of the 10th of the 9th month, (13th October,) that I have received your polite communication relating to the English commerce. I, the Governor, have ever hitherto treated the merchants of every nation with the same kindness. Moreover, the Americans who have come to Canton, have had free commerce, month after month, and year after year. These merchants have

been better satisfied with their trade than any other nation; and that they have been respectfully observant of the laws, is what the august Emperor has clearly recognized, and I, the Governor, also well know. How, then, should I not rather on the cessation of difficulties with the English, wish to show favor to them?

"Now, I have ordered the Hong Merchants, with the said English nation's merchants, to devise beforehand, and to wait the arrival, in Canton, of the Imperial Commissioners, Great Ministers of State. When I shall have received the newly-devised regulations concerning the free trade of the English, then I, the Governor, together with the Lieutenant-Governor and Tartar-General, will' immediately deliberate upon the proper adjustment of the regulations, and will make a representation to the Emperor, that he may hear and direct what shall be done.

"Decidedly it shall not be permitted that the American merchants shall come merely to have a dry stick, (that is, their interests shall be attended to.) I, the Governor, will not be otherwise disposed than to look up to the heart of the great Emperor, in his compassionate regard towards men from afar, that Chinese and foreigners, with faith and justice, may be mutually united, and for ever enjoy reciprocal tranquillity; and that it may be granted to each of the resident merchants to obtain profit, and to the people to enjoy life and peace; and universally to participate in the blessings of great prosperity, striving to have the same mind.

"This is my reply."

Communication was also made in regard to the claims of the merchants, who had addressed Commodore Kearny, in relation to grievances they had suffered, and losses they had sustained.

The manner of sending these letters to the governor created quite a consternation among the Hong Merchants, who endeavored to re-open the former channel of communication-through their own hands; but the impropriety of that system had been discovered, and was thereafter discarded.

This last letter, it will be perceived, gave the promise of a speedy treaty, which should recognize our right to trade, protect our merchants, and place us in the same commercial position about to be enjoyed by Great Britain. At a period a few months later, the same subject was resumed, and a still more positive promise given; this second promise was not called forth by any new request, but was made a portion of a letter in reply to one regarding reparation for injuries sustained by Augustine, Heard & Co., American merchants. It will speak for itself.

"On a former occasion, the Governor received your honor the Commodore's communication, requesting him, in his behalf, to solicit the favor of the august emperor, to allow merchants of his honorable nation to trade upon the same terms

as those granted to merchants of other nations,' &c. As in duty bound, the Governor, having already addressed the emperor clearly upon the subject, waited the coming of the High Commissioners at Canton, where they were in concert to attend to the foreign relations; but the Tartar General, Eleepie, having arrived at this city, but a short time elapsed, when, most unfortunately, on account of disease, he went out of office' (i. e. deceased), so that whatever may be just and equal in the trade of each nation remains unsettled. It is, therefore, necessary to wait the arrival of his successor; and when some plan is adopted, then a personal interview may be held with your honor the Commodore, and face to face, the relations between the two countries may be arranged, and the same be reported to the Emperor. This is my reply."

A reply was sent to this letter, stating that the Commodore had not power to negotiate a treaty with the Chinese, but that he should transmit their communication upon that subject to his Government for their action, and that they might appoint some officer who would have full power to enter into the proposed treaty. And further stating, that the Governor was mistaken in supposing him to be asking a favor, for that he was, on the contrary, only demanding a right.

After remaining at Macao for some time, during which we need note little else, except the capture of the Ariel, a noted opium smuggler under the American flag, and other prompt measures to suppress that illicit traffic, and a trifling correspondence, which may be found on the files of the Navy Department (also partly published in the Senate Document already referred to), Commodore Kearny sailed from Macao, and, in June, 1843, arrived at Honolula, Oahu, Sandwich Islands. Here a correspondence took place between Kamehameha III., the King, and the Commodore. It appears that the former, under pressure of adverse circumstances, and to discharge certain large demands upon him, had made a provisional cession, under protest, of his dominions, to Capt. Lord George Paulet of H. B. M. ship Carysfort, and that no provision had been made respecting the rights and interests of the United States, or her merchants. Upon receiving this information, Commodore Kearny dispatched to his Majesty Kamehameha, and to Capt. Lord George Paulet, a protest against the provisional cession, and notifying them that he would hold them respectively liable for all injuries to American merchants and American com

merce.

The King replied to this protest, stating the circumstances under which the cession had been made, and expressing a belief that his dominions would very shortly be restored to him.

On the day succeeding to this reply, the principal American merchants at Honolula, hearing that the Commodore intended continuing his cruise, united in an address, begging him to remain until the affairs of the islands should assume a more settled aspect, or until the arrival of other United States ships of war, "that may be adequate to the maintenance of those interests which the Government of the United States is disposed to cherish and maintain." To gratify as far as possible the wishes of his countrymen, he remained at Honolula for some time, but the period for which his crew had been engaged was fast expiring, and before any definite settlement had been made, left the islands; after touching at Monterey, he arrived at Norfolk on the 31st day of April, 1844. The engagement of his crew expired May 1st, the next morning. Since this time, he has been waiting orders.

Not to interrupt our narrative, we omitted stating that in January, 1835, Captain Kearny was married to Miss Josephine Hall, of NewYork, a lady highly esteemed for the elegance of her personal attractions, and the accomplishments of her mind. By this marriage he has had one son, named James Lawrence Kearny, after his uncle, Captain Lawrence. Mrs. Kearny died in 1849.

It cannot be expected that in this hasty sketch we should have given full justice to the subject of it; in truth we have passed over many years with few words, and left unnoticed many glorious actions; but we have faithfully endeavored to make the best use of our space, and to point out those circumstances which have been attended with results beneficial to the general interests of our country; as, for instance, his long defence of the southern coast against the plundering expeditions of British privateers, during the war of 1812; his dispersion of the pirates both in the West Indies and the Mediterranean, and his prominent services in opening an intercourse with the Chinese government-an intercourse which has since become matured, and is daily adding wealth to our merchants, and to our revenue.

There is not now in the United States Navy any officer who has seen a greater amount of sea service than Captain Kearny; upon reference to the Navy Register for 1850, we find that during forty-two years connec tion with the navy, he has been twenty-four years and three months in service upon the seas. The service of Captain John Downes is placed at exactly the same length of time; and upon further reference, we find that the nearest approach to either of these is Captain Wadsworth, who has seen twenty-four years of sea service. Both of these last named entered the service several years previous to Mr. Kearny.

Thus the services of this gentleman have extended over the greatest portion of the last half century, and we are happy to say, he is still as capable of actions as glorious as those we have feebly essayed to describe, should an opportunity for like exploits occur.

In person, Captain Kearny is of medium height and heavily built; for his countenance we refer our readers to the excellent portrait which accompanies this sketch; it is open, generous, and intelligent, still it bears unmistakable impress of force of character and energy of mind. His manners are affable and easy, always heightened by good humor and mirthfulness, or, to give a still more easily recognised description, he is a "gentleman of the old school," untouched by the desecrating foppery and self-conceit which forms so great a part in the characters of most gentlemen of the present day. Still in the prime of life, enjoying excellent health, and possessing a reputation for upright integrity, unflinching courage, and consummate ability, the like of which has fallen to the lot of but few, we cannot believe that his services have ended; we still expect to find his name mingled with great actions, which shall confer upon himself still brighter wreaths of fame, and bring to his country more endurable honors, and increased prosperity.

NEW YORK FINANCES.

SPEECH OF H. B. STANTON.

THE Course of the Federal Party in this country has ever been one of encroachment upon popular rights. It has sought continually and unceasingly to organize and consolidate a power which should draw into the hands of the aristocratic few the weaith and honors of the country. Chartered privileges, protection to manufacturing capital, amalgamation of the money power with the government treasuries; the creation of a numerous army of government creditors, the subsidizing of vast numbers of contractors, jobbers and office holders, with the money obtained for government stocks, and the propitiation of large landed interests, by the construction of public works in their neighborhood, and all measures tending to these results identify the old Federalists, no matter under what name they may be known for the time being. And it has been the custom of the party to change its name when it becomes odious through the explosion of some temporarily successful fraud. It has also been the case that that party, being a minority, has never obtained municipal, state, or federal power, except through dissension adroitly introduced into the ranks of the people at large who compose the Democratic Party. The great mass of the people who create the wealth of the country, present usually a passive resistance to that small aristocratic party which is continually seeking to obtain, through specious laws, an inordinate share of the wealth originating in popular industry. Whenever the people can be thrown off their guard and divided, this plundering party seizes power, plunges the State in debt, squanders the proceeds among its adherents with a lavish hand, making most of the short time that intervenes before the re-united people hurl them from power, covered with odium, but surfeited with the flesh pots. A period of shattered credit and public dishonor, to be repaired by individual frugality and direct taxation, always marks the retirement of Federalism from power. The financial history of the State of New-York is peculiarly illustrative of the truth of these remarks; and the last message of Governor Hunt affords a rare specimen of the unblushing effrontery with which, while the obligations of a recently enacted constitution are acknowledged, means of evading it are deliberately suggested. While these suggestions do little credit to his genius, they utterly destroy any character as an honest executive officer that he might otherwise have possessed.

The message contains a clause which presents to the people, on behalf of the Whig Party, the issue, whether the policy adopted by that party in 1838, and which brought the State to the verge of ruin in 1842,-which was repudiated in that year by the people, and finally extinguished in the constitutional provisions of 1846, shall be revived in spite of that Constitution, and the career of debt and bankruptcy again entered upon. This issue presented by the Governor, was met in the Senate by a speech on the part of the Hon. H. B. Stanton, which for eloquence of diction, strength of reasoning, and soundness of principle, has been seldom equalled in our State Senate. The whole Whig pretence of friendliness to internal improvements, is shown up in a masterly manner, and demonstrated to be really but a desire to reward partisans at the expense of the improvements and of the welfare of the people at large. The style of Mr. Stanton, as an orator, is far more polished and complete, more simple in its structure, more effective

in its delivery, and more marked by breadth of scope and comprehensiveness of view, than is often witnessed in those great normal schools for statesmen, which compose the governing powers of the States. His speeches are not a collection of facts and detached notions, all supposed to have some reference to the intended object of the telker, and, therefore, all tumbled out together, pretty much as the materials of a house are dumped on its proposed site; but he has evidently made oratory a study, and constructs his oration suitably for the occasion, as an opulent architect constructs a building for its proper uses. He prepares himself with a profusion of the best materials, and adapts them fitly to each other, and under the rapid execution of his great skill, the design of his genius rises symmetrically and beautifully before the eyes of his audience. On the present occasion, commencing with the history of the canal policy, Mr. Stanton draws clearly the line between the true internal improvement system of the Democratic Party, which sought to build great and useful works for the benefit of the whole people, and that spurious policy of the whigs, which sought only to plunder the people, under pretence of serving them.

Speech of MR. STANTON, on the Governor's Message, delivered in the Senate, Jan. 11, 1851. Mr. PRESIDENT,-1 thank senators for their courtesy in postponing till this morning, at my request, the consideration of the resolutions referring the annual message of the Governor to appropriate committees. Parliamentary law, as well as our own rules, make this the proper occasion for discussing the message. I propose to avail myself of this opportunity to examine that part of it which recommends an amendment of the Constitution, so as to coufer upon the legislature the necessary authority to create a loan, on the credit of the State, of seven or eight millions of dollars, to be appropriated to the early completion of the Erie canal enlargement, and to pledge the future surplus revennes of the canals for the redemption of the loan.

Such an amendment of the Constitution can be effected only by a radical change in the essential features of the 7th article, commonly known as "the financial article." The 3rd section of that article, which provides for the annual distribution of the surplus revenue of the canals, between the Erie Canal enlargement and the completion of the Genesee Valley and Black River canals, "in such manner as the legislature shall direct," must be modified. The 10th and 12th sections, usually denominated "the debt-restraining sections," must be effectually destroyed. The former section permits the State, in order to meet casual deficits in revenues and expenses not provided for, to contract debts whose aggregate amount shall not at any time exceed one million of dollars. The latter section forbids the contracting of any debt (except as before specified) unless it be for some single work or object, and unless the law creating the debt shall impose an annual tax for paying the interest thereon as it falls due, and for discharging the principal within eighteen years-such law not to take effect until it shall have been submitted to and ratified by a majority of the people at the polls.

To understand fully these provisions of the Constitution, which the Governor proposes to modify and destroy, it is necessary to trace the events which led to their adoption.

At

In 1817, the State of New-York commenced the construction of the Erie Canal. that time, and during its subsequent progress, auxiliary funds were set apart for the payment of the debts contracted for the work, which yielded sufficient revenue to pay the annual interest thereon, and, with the tolls, to discharge the principal within just about the period limited in the 12th section to which I have alluded. The Canal was completed in 1825, at a cost of eight or nine millions.

In 1835, in accordance with what seemed to be the demands of public sentiment, the Democratic Canal Board, in reply to a memorial referred to them by the Assembly, recommended the enlargement of the Erie Canal. The report to that effect was drawn by Governor Bonck and Mr. Flagg. I ask special attention to the financial principles which the Board proposed as the basis of the enlargement. They say “ In urging upon the Legislature the importance of authorizing, at the present session, such an enlargement of the Erie Canal as is conceived to be necessary to adapt it to the increasing trade of the country, the Canal Board desire to have it distinctly understood that they do not recommend such an expenditure of money upon this work as will interfere with the arrangements now in progress for accumulating a sun sufficient to pay the Erie and Champlain Canal debt, and for restoring the auction and salt duties to the