1804. | 
States at their laft feffion, and that in ail 
probability, by this time the expedition 
has gone on to its deftination. 
The Red River was vifited many years 
ago, and even fettled as high as Natchi- . 
tockes. On refpecétable authority it has 
been afferted, that this river is navigable 
by boats, one thouland miles beyond Nat- 
chitockes. It is Jaid to run througha 
country abounding in rich prairies, where 
neat-cattle and horfes range in innumer- 
able herds, as independent as the aborigi- 
nal inhabitants. 
The Arkanfas, which has been already 
traced more than a thoufand miles, is 
likewife worthy of being explored with the 
utmoft care, and to the greateft extent. 
At the head of one of the branches ot the 
Arkanfas, there is aflerted to be a {pacious 
plain and valley, annually encrufted (like 
the foil in fome {pots about the Perfian 
Gulf) with native talt, in quaniity ‘ufh- 
cient to impregnate this river with its 
briny quality and to make it a falt river, 
for more than fix hundred miics. The 
mafl-s of virgin filver and gold that 
glitter in the veins of the rocks which un 
derlay the Arkanias itfeif, and mingie 
with the minerais ncar certain others of its 
ftreams, and offer themfelves to the hand 
of him whe will gather, refine and convert 
them to ufe, deferve alfo to be particularly 
mentioned. 
After this view of the general ftate of 
politics in the United Staves, it may be 
expected that fome notice fhould:be taken 
of th: local agitations which have taken 
place in particular States from elections ana 
other cauies which have operated to pro- 
duce differences of opinion in the body of 
the people. In no State have thefe agita- 
tions proceeded further, or excited more 
attention and intereft throughout the 
Union than in the State of New York. 
The vice-prefident of the United States, 
and the a of the State of New 
York, were nominated as candidates for 
the office of governor. For tome time it 
was fupvofed, and more particularly by 
the warm trieads of the vice-prefident, 
that the election would be ftrongly con- 
tefted and the divifion of intereft nearly 
equal. But, in the end, the chief gained 
a fignal victory 2nd cutitripped his anta- 
gonift by a majority unexpectedly large. 
While this coneft was in a courfe of 
preparation, many publications of a moft 
acrimonious chara¢éter were iffued from 
the prefs. Among thefe we may mention 
an anonymous pamphlet, entitled ‘* Az 
Examination of the Charges againfi the 
Vice-Prefident of the United States, by 
ARISTIDES.” 
Half-Yearly Retrofped of American Literature. 
123 
This pamphlet, which was generally 
read, and for fome wecks excited a con- 
fiderable degree of attention, was foot 
followed by ‘* Az Anfwer to the Examina- 
tion, Gc.’ which allo obtained an exten- 
five circulation. It is not remarkable that 
publications fuch as thefe, abounding in 
inveétive and perfonality, and difcufling | 
fubjeéts in which almoft the whole com- 
munity were, or imagined themfelves to 
be, interefted, fhould have engrofled much 
of the popular feelings during the continu- 
ance of this animated frugele. But it is 
evident that they are of too local and tem- 
Se a character to be known or remem- 
red beyond the circle and the occafion 
on ace they had their birth. 
Under the head of politics we may 
mention Mr. Drayron’s ‘* View of 
South Carolina, as refpects ber natural 
and civil Concerns.” 
Tis work exbibits a political view of 
the State, its conftitution, laws, manners, 
&c It prefents a general account of the 
difcovery and fettlement of the province, 
while it wasa Britifh colony. Then fol- 
lowsa defcription of the face of the coun- 
try, its mineral and vegetable productions, 
and its ¢limate. TY ie delineation of the 
face of the country is 11 general accurate 
and well drawn. The character of the 
climate is illuftrated by meteorological 
tables, by tables of difeales compiled by 
a medical fociety at Charlettown, and by 
many other valuable documents and ob- 
fervaiions. One of the moft valuable parts 
of this performance is the detail it contains 
of the agriculture and rural economy of 
South Carolina, and particularly the ac- 
counts or the culture of thole important 
articles, rice and cotton, which is icarceiy 
to be found elfewhere more clear, com. 
prehenfive and {atisfactory. 
Some few remarks on ‘* Negro-flavery,”* 
are likewite found; which, however, do 
not feem to place that fubject in any new 
point of light. A very good account is 
alfo offered of the minmuacbanes: inland 
navigation and foreign commerce of the 
States. 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
Within the period of this Retrofpect, 
the venerable Dr. PrresTLEY has pub- 
lifbed in four volumes, “ The General 
Hiftory of the Chriftian Church, from the 
fall a) the Weftern Empire to the prefent 
time.’—-Two volumes, containing the 
Hiftory of the Church until the fall of the 
Weltern Empire, bad been publithed be- 
fore his departure from Bricain. 
The late lamented death of this excel. 
Jent man will, in the minds of his numer- 
ous friends, greatly enhance the value of 
this 
