Placed in a situation every way so auspicious, motives of commanding force impel us, with sincere acknowledgment to Heaven, and pure love to our country, to unite our efforts to preserve, prolong, and improve our immense advantages.

AMERICA AND EUROPE.

With respect to the nations of Europe, their situation appears so awful, that nothing short of Omnipotence can predict the issue; although every human mind must feel the miseries it endures.

Our course is plain; they who run may read it. Theirs is so bewildered and dark, so entangled and embarrassed, and so obviously under the influence of intrigue, that one would suppose, if any thing could open the eyes of our misled citizens, that the deplorable situation of those people could not fail to effect it.

1797.

NATIONAL PROSPECTS.

That the prospect before us is fair, none can deny ; what use we shall make of it, is exceedingly problematical. Not but that I believe all things will come right at last; but, like a young heir, come a little prematurely to a large inheritance, we shall wanton and run riot, until we have brought our reputation to

the brink of ruin, and then, like him, shall have to labor with the current of opinion, when compelled perhaps to do what prudence and common policy pointed out, as plain as any problem of Euclid, in the first instance.

1784.

It should be the policy of United America, to administer to the wants of other nations, without being engaged in their quarrels ; and it is not in the ability of the proudest and most polite people on earth, to prevent us from becoming a great, a respectable, and a commercial nation, if we shall continue united and faithful to ourselves.

1788.

AMERICA'S FUTURE,

I look forward, with a kind of political faith, to scenes of National Happiness, which have not heretofore been offered for the fruition of the most favored nations.

The natural, political, and moral circumstances of our nascent empire justify the anticipation.

We have an almost unbounded territory, whose natural advantages for agriculture and commerce equal those of any on the globe. In a civil point of view, we have the unequalled privilege of choosing our own political institutions, and of improving upon the experience of mankind, in the formation of a confederated

government, where due energy will not be incompatible with the unalienable rights of freemen; and the information and morals of our citizens appear to be peculiarly favorable for the introduction of such a plan of government.

In such a country, so happily circumstanced, the pursuits of commerce and the cultivation of the soil will unfold to industry the certain road to competence. To those hardy soldiers who are actuated by the spirit of adventure, the Fisheries will afford ample and profitable employment; and the extensive and fertile Regions of the West will yield a most happy asylum to those, who, fond of domestic enjoyment, are seeking for personal independence,

The prospect of national prosperity now before us is truly animating, and ought to excite the exertions of all good men, to establish and secure the happiness of their country, in the permanent duration of its freedom and independence. America, under the smiles of Divine Providence, the protection of a good government, the cultivation of manners, morals, and piety, can hardly fail of attaining an uncommon degree of eminence in Literature, Commerce, Agriculture, improvements at home, and respectability abroad. 1789.

NATIONAL REPUTATION.

The virtue, moderation and patriotism, which marked the steps of the American people, in framing, adopting, and thus far carrying into effect our present system of government, have excited the admiration of nations.

It only now remains for us, to act up to those prin ciples, which should characterize a free and enlightened people, that we may gain respect abroad, and insure happiness to ourselves and our posterity.

FOUNDERS OF THE FABRIC OF FREEDOM.

Happy, thrice happy shall they be pronounced, hereafter, who have contributed any thing, who have performed the meanest office, in erecting the stupendous FABRIC OF FREEDOM AND EMPIRE, on the broad basis of independency; who have assisted in protecting the rights of human nature, and establishing an Asylum for the poor and oppressed of all nations and religions.

AMERICA, AN ASYLUM FOR THE OPPRESSED.

Under an energetic General Government, such regulations might be made, and such measures taken, as would render this country the Asylum of pacific and

industrious characters from all parts of Europe; encour age the cultivation of the earth, by the high price which its products would command; and draw the wealth and wealthy men of other nations into our bosom, by giving security to property, and liberty to its holders.

1787.

It is a flattering and consolatory reflection, that our rising Republics have the good wishes of all the philosophers, patriots, and virtuous men, in all nations; and that they look upon them, as a kind of Asylum for Mankind. God grant, that we may not disappoint their honest expectations by our folly or perverseness. 1788.

THE WORLD'S GRANARY.

I hope, some day, we shall become a Storehouse and Granary for the World.

THE HOME OF INDUSTRY.

It is a point conceded, that America, under an efficient government, will be the most favorable country of any in the world, for persons of industry and frugality, possessed of a moderate capital.

It is also believed, that it will not be less advantageous to the happiness of the lowest class of the people, on account of the equal distribution of prop