SOUTH AMERICA. 287 



Since the independence, the population has in- FOU R 



JOVRNEY. 



creased from three to ten millions. A fine navy - 

 has been built ; and every thing attended to 

 that could ensure prosperity at home, and respect 

 abroad. 



The former wilds of North America bear ample 

 testimony to the achievements of this enterprising; 

 people. Forests have been cleared away, swamps 

 drained, canals dug, and flourishing settlements 

 established. From the shores of the Atlantic 

 an immense column of knowledge has rolled into 

 the interior. The Mississippi, the Ohio, the 

 Missouri, and their tributary streams, have been 

 wonderfully benefited by it. It now seems as if 

 it were advancing towards the stony mountains ; 

 and, probably, will not become stationary till it 

 reaches the Pacific Ocean. This almost immea- 

 surable territory affords a shelter and a home to 

 mankind in general; Jew or Gentile, king's-mari 

 or republican, he meets with a friendly reception 

 in the United States. His opinions, his perse- 

 cutions, his errors, or mistakes, however they 

 may have injured him in other countries, 

 are dead, and of HO avail on his arrival here. 

 Provided he keeps the peace he is sure to be 

 at rest. 



Politicians of other countries imagine that in- 

 testine feuds will cause a division in this common- 

 wealth ; at present there certainly appears to be 

 no reason for such a conjecture. Heaven forbid 



