INTRODUCTION. 15 



manity, may cast a momentary shade on our 

 domestic harmony, it only proves the extent of 

 individual liberty among us, and the wisdom 

 and foresight of those who originated the politi- 

 cal machinery with which our Republic is di- 

 rected. 



Prosperity on every side invites to action. 

 Within the last few years the commerce of the 

 country has increased beyond the most sanguine 

 anticipations, and throughout the civilized world 

 there is hardly to be found a haven where tne 

 genius of traffic, and the enterprising spirit of 

 our people have not displayed the constellation 

 of the Union. Every quarter of the globe is 

 tributary to our advancement, and the tropics 

 and the zones have swelled with their richest 

 productions, the growing wealth of the land. 



Our navy is respected abroad, and the Ameri- 

 can seaman pursues in the remotest region a 

 hazardous duty, under the protecting shadow of 

 its wing. 



Individual prosperity is national wealth, and 

 pours into the coffers of the State, a redundant 

 harvest, through every inlet of commercial en- 

 terprise. The genius of. the country is the pro- 

 tection of trade. Our geographical position re- 

 moves us, in a great degree, from the hazards of 

 collision with other nations, and little appears 

 left us, but to improve the advantages, and bring 

 into action the abundant resources, which Provi- 

 dence, as it were in wasteful bounty, has scat- 

 tered throughout the land. Nor have these been 

 neglected. If we look to the internal improve- 

 ment of the different sections of the country, it 



