with hungry ferocity to weak and unoffending Mexico, with all the greater intensity because the expansion northwards of the mighty Republic will be stopped by unconquerable Canada. The absorption of Mexico is not likely to lead to any European complications that would render difficult or impossible the aggression of the American Union. But the case of Cuba is far different, and may involve other European countries besides Spain. An attack upon this island, in addition to its other attractions in American eyes, has in those of the North-which conquered the South, on the plea of its maintenance of negro slavery-the charm of a new crusade for the abolition of that pernicious institution. Cuba, while it remains a Spanish colony, may support slavery; but as a conquered State, finally annexed to the American Union, the doom of slavery within its borders would be pronounced by the President for the time being, supported by the Washington Legislature, amid the sympathies of Great Britain and France, and of all Europe, Russia not excepted. The subject has long been familiar to the American mind as one that demands action, and that will most certainly receive it, sooner or later-if not in the present generation, in the next. All other questions that imperil the peace and the liberty of the American people sink into insignificance compared with the growing lust of dominion, and the tendency to the concentration of political power at the expense of the free local governments. This is the latent and inherent disease in the system, which, unchecked, must inevitably lead to the downfall of the ultra-democracy that knows not how to restrain itself, and that, in the day of some overwhelming calamity, will seek and find a master or tyrant, and a restrainer. Such has been in all ages and in all countries the doom of an unbridled Democracy. Such must be its doom in America, unless its people take warning in time, and learn to profit by the bitter experience of the past, and shape the present and the future in such a manner as to prove to all men that a brighter and more beneficent era has dawned upon the world in a new hemisphere than ever shed light upon the old. But this dream of a possible Utopia afar off, will not blind the eyes of thoughtful observers in other countries to the superior advantages and greater safety of a wise liberty, guarded and fenced around by the prudent restraint which separates liberty from licence; and that, if it cannot eradicate popular ignorance, can at all events render it innocuous, by denying it political privileges and power over the fate and fortunes of wiser people, and of the great country to which both the wise and the foolish belong. INDEX. "A Summary View of the Rights of ADAMS, JOHN, proposes Washington Adams, Mrs, her account of the official Adams, Samuel, candidate for Presi- Adet, M., French minister, denounces African slave-trade, aversion to, by Ames, Fisher, on the dangers from 384. Amusing story by Franklin, 308. Arnold, Benedict, his defection or trea- Barré, Colonel Isaac, denounces the Bernard, Mr, Governor of Massachu- Boston citizens forbid the landing of Botetourt, Lord, Governor of Virginia, "Bounty jumping," 397. Brandywine, defeat of Washington at, 94. British and French boundary disputes, 16. Bunker's Hill, battle of, 72. Burgoyne, General, capitulates to Gen- Burke, his estimation of Benjamin Burr, Aaron, nominated for Vice- Calhoun, John C., Vice-President un- Carlisle, Lord, his commission to America, 97; his estimate of the Carleton, Sir Guy, proclaims cessation Central Government, American dislike Centralisation of power favoured by Chatham, Lord, his opinion of pro- Chesapeake and Shannon, engagement Civil War in America, the real motive Clay, Henry, his objections to slavery, Clinton, George, nomination of, as Clinton, Sir Henry, fails to relieve Colden, Lieutenant-Governor of New Colonies, their proposed representation 237; effect of its publication, ib. Connecticut troops, panic among, at Convention of the Colony formed, 225. Cornwallis, Lord, takes Yorktown, 101; surrenders with his whole Corrupt government predicted by and R. R. Livingston, 84, 150, 151; 'Discourses on Davila,' by John Dunmore, Earl of, Governor of Vir- Eastern Confederacy, formation of, Ellsworth, Oliver, nominated as Presi- Fabian policy adopted by Washington, Fairfax, Hon. William, 9. Fairfax, Lord, friendship with Washing- Fanueil Hall, convention held in, 44. Fort Sumter attacked by General Rip- France, waning of her power in Amer- FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, appointed agent |