CHAPTER XIII.

THE PRESENT STATE OF AMERICA.

THIS important part of the globe claims no

share of notice in tracing the great line of history. It is generally considered as unknown to the civilized world till discovered by Columbus, in 1492; yet, since that period, it has risen rapidly into consideration. Truly important by its vast extent, and the immensity of its natural wealth, in the comparatively short period of three centuries, it has been the theatre of a series of grand and interesting scenes.

America was discovered just after the revival of letters; a time when the public mind in Europe had been recently roused to action and enterprise. The discovery of so important an object formed an æra in the civilized world, by exciting desires and temptations....by rousing the latent fires of ambition....by giving birth to new schemes of policy and speculation; and by originating numberless projects and enterprises which often disturbed the repose of Europe, and terminated in wars and revolutions.

For an account of those things we must refer our readers to the histories of Europe; and we ardently wish it was in our power also to refer them to an able, impartial, and elegant history of our own country. In the following chapter, it will be our endeavor to present a general view of the present state of America, preparatory to which, a brief sketch will be given of its history since its first settlement.

The American continent extends from about 56 degrees south latitude to unknown regions about the arctic pole. Its length is more than ten thousand miles, and its mean breadth has never been ascer tained, but would fall between two and four thousand miles. On the east it is washed by the Atlantic, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. This continent extends through all climates....comprehends every species of soil, and every conceivable line of geographical feature. It abounds in extensive and beautiful plains....majestic rivers....lofty mountains, and prodigious lakes. Its lakes are worthy of the respectable name of inland seas; and its rivers are many of them of such size, that, was it not for their rapid current and fresh water, they would be mistaken for bays and arms of the ocean. Its plains are clothed with luxuriant vegetation....its mountains rise with awful grandeur, pierce through the clouds, and seem to prop the skies.

The soil of America, if it has no certain claim to superiority, is, at least, equal to that of Spain, Italy, India, or China. In the United States, as far as we can remark on that article, there is no deficiency. The prodigious exports from several of the states, although in their infancy, is a proof that the country is made naturally fruitful and rich and through the whole extensive chain of settlements from the coast of Labrador to Cape Horn, and from thence to California and Kamschatka, the countries are generally healthful.

Nature has thrown the American continent into two grand divisions, separated by the isthmus of Darien.

South America is distinguished by the size of its mountains and rivers. The Andes lie on the westrn coast of South America, and extend the whole ength of that continent. These are the most extrardinary mountains in the world, whether we regard he length of their chain, the breadth of their base, or he elevated height of their summits. The elevation of Chimborazo is more than 20,000 feet above the evel of the sea. They extend the whole length of South America; and, indeed, the Allegany mountains n North America, are thought to be a continuation of the same mountains, only interrupted by the Gulph of Mexico.

The rivers in South America are no less remarkable than the mountains. They rise in the eastern declivities of the Andes, down which they rush in numberless torrents and cataracts. From the foot of the Andes they must wander across the continent to the Atlantic Ocean, the distance of 2,000 miles. In this long course, which is increased by numerous meanders, they receive a multitude of streams, and, while yet at a great distance from the sea, their volume of water becomes majestic, broad, and deep. They roll on with increasing grandeur, and meet other rivers as large as themselves. Before they reach the oceant their channels are more than an hundred miles broad, and appear, as already said, like an arm of the sea: Buch are the Oronoke, the river of Plate, and the Am

azon.

The mountains of North America are inferior to the Andes, as is every other mountain on earth; but

the rivers in the northern division are nearly equal with those of the south. The Missisippi, the Oregon, the Bourbon, and the St. Lawrence, pursue each a different direction, and reach their several oceans at the distance of 2,000 miles. But the chain of lakes in North America, to which the river St. Lawrence forms an outlet, has no parallel in any part of the world. The principal of these are Ontario, Erie, Michigan, Huron, and Superior. We may calculate that, at some future period, the country about those lakes will be settled, and they will afford a vast inland navigation of incalculable importance to that country.

In addition to the rich and productive soil of South America, the bowels of the earth are stored with precious metals. Mexico and Peru abound with the richest mines in the world. This, at first, rendered South America the most dazzling object in view of the powers of Europe: but the deep forests and more hardy climate of North America promised wealth only to persevering labor and industry. In event, the precious metals of the south have ruined the most powerful nation in Europe, while the labor and industry of the north have given existence to a new empire, which will shortly be able to set all Europe at defiance,

In glancing an eye at the natural advantages of the new continent, we must not forget to add, to the considerations of soil and climate, an immense sea-coast, numerous fine harbors, and an unequalled inland navigation, by means of rivers, bays, and lakes, comprising all the advantages of commerce.

Such was the new world discovered by Columbus. This continent, containing nearly half of the dry land of the globe, exclusive of islands, lies opposite and forms a balance or counterpoise to the old world. This great continent, when discovered by Columbus, was found inhabited by savages. The nations of Mexico and Peru were the most improved of them all; but they were far less so than the Tartars and Scythians of Asia. These savages, in most parts of America, were thinly scattered over a wide country.

From whom these nations descended, or whence they came, is uncertain. Nothing conclusive is discoverable on that head from their oral histories and traditions-from their language, manners, or customs, or from any monument found in all the continent, or any other part of the world. Dr. ROBERTSON has conjectured on this subject with his usual elegance of style and manner; and, with uncommon force of imagination, has constructed a bridge from Africa to South America, on which they might pass; which bridge he has sunk by earthquakes, or worn away by the attrition of the Gulph Stream. In fact, it is of little consequence from whom the natives of this country were descended; but, were it otherwise, conjectures and theories are vain and groundless. By reason of a total want of evidence, the subject rests in darkness.

The new world opened an inviting prospect from afar to myriads in Europe. They had no scruples of conscience in seizing upon a country inhabited by savages, whom they considered as having no more right to the land than the beasts of the forest. Thou

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