ursell JAMES MY PHILLIPPO, AUTHOR OF "JAMAICA: ITS PAST AND PRESENT STATE," ETC. "Venient annis sæcula seris Quibus Oceanus vincula rerum Laxet novosque Tiphys detegat orbes, Atque ingens pateat tellus Nec sit terris Ultima Thule.” Sen. Med. LONDON: PEWTRESS & CO., 4, AVE MARIA LANE; J. HEATON & SON, 21, WARWICK LANE, PATERNOSTER ROW. MDCCCLVII. PREFACE. In presenting the following pages to the public, it will be expected that they should be accompanied by a few remarks by way of preface, explanatory of the Author's object in their publication, and of the circumstances which have induced him again to obtrude himself upon public attention. The substance of this volume was contained in Lectures delivered before various Literary and Scientific Societies. In preparing these Lectures the Author had recourse to every publication within reach, referring to the subjects on which they treat. Thus, in addition to his own personal observation and experience, he has endeavoured to condense, from authentic but widely-scattered sources, as large a mass of information as possible into the smallest compass consistent with perspicuity. In pursuing his task the writer was particularly struck with the fact, that, although histories of, and tours through, the United States are so numerous, no book existed, so far as he was able to ascertain, that could be put into the hands of an emigrant, or of any one anxious to acquire general information on the United States, conveying such knowledge as he would naturally desire, within reasonable limits and at a moderate expense. The present volume, therefore, by its embracing so wide a range of topics, carefully collected and systematically arranged, -comprehending, indeed, almost every conceivable subject connected with the United States,-and presented in so compendious a form, the Author flatters himself will be regarded as supplying an important desideratum. The Author is permitted to append to this preface the opinions of DR. WILLIAMS, of New York, and Dr. Wayland, of Providence, to whom he had the pleasure of submitting his manuscript during his late visit to the United States. The REV. WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, D.D., New York, says: "The subscriber has had leisure to peruse but a small section in manuscript of the proposed work of Mr. Phillippo on the Institutions of the United States. "Its Author, for many years an efficient and honoured missionary in the British West Indies, will be found, as the subscriber believes, to have scanned our country with the eye of an intelligent and practised, but kindly observer. And his new work will not, in interest or intrinsic merit, fall behind his former volume on Jamaica (the scene of his residence and toils),—a book which, some years since, introduced him so favourably, and to so many readers, in both America and Britain.” The REV. F. WAYLAND, D.D., LL.D., Providence, Rhode Island, says: tr "I have read the table of contents of Mr. Phillippo's work on the United States. The topics which he has selected seem to me to embrace all the most important points of interest which at once attract the attention of an enquirer concerning this country. From Mr. Phillippo's habits of correct observation, and from the knowledge I possess of his work on Jamaica, I have no doubt that his statements will be found eminently reliable and deeply interesting. I may also remark, in addition, that the success of Mr. Phillippo as a missionary in Jamaica, and the results of his labours for the improvement of that island, must endear him to every friend of humanity." How far the writer has succeeded in accomplishing his object, and in justifying the opinion formed of his qualifications by these distinguished men, it remains for the public to determine. CONTENTS. PAGE. PHYSICAL DIVISIONS, EXTENT, CHRONOLOGY, &c, OF THE AMERICAN CONTINENT.— Geographical position. Extent. Political divisions. How distinguished. Scriptural vidence of the unity of origin of the human family. Probable migration of the first inhabitants of America. In what manner, and from what part of the world peopled. Obscurity of the early history of the North American Indians. Various theories on the subject. General conclusion as to the origin and early condition of the Indian tribes. Opinions of the identity of these both in North and South America, by the EXTENT AND NATURAL DIVISIONS OF the United STATES.-Chief towns. Characteristic features of the country. Mountains, prairies, lakes, rivers, springs, islands. Past and present general boundaries and extent. Original number of States. Comparison with other nations. Situation of its frontier coast in regard to Europe.. EARLY HISTOry after DiSCOVERY BY EUROPEANS.-When first colonized by Europeans. In what localities, and by what nations. The Pilgrim Fathers. Subsequent exclusive possession by the British. Progress in civilization. Rupture with the Mother country, and its causes. Determined conduct of the colonists. Results and termination of the war. Its influence on the national character. Present population. Its late and con- tinued increase. Observations of Sir William Molesworth and Lord John Russell........ FORM OF GOVernment ADOPTED.-Its nature and character. By whom originated. As- similation of the rules and practices of the Congress to those of the British Houses of Parliament. Powers of the supreme legislature. Chief officers of Government: their necessary qualifications for office. Mode of appointment. Supreme. Court of Judicature. Judges. Extent of jurisdiction. Judicial establishment Description OF THE CAPITOL AT WASHINGTON, AND THE NATURAL BEAUTIES OF ITS SITUATION. The Hall of the Senate and House of Representatives. Principal mem- bers of both Houses. Amount of talent among the members compared with that in the past age: Webster, Clay, Calhoun, and others. Mode and character of debate in |