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OF

THE UNITED STATES,

FROM THE PEACE OF 1815 TO 1830.

BY SAMUEL PERKINS, ESQUIRE.

NEW YORK:

PUBLISHED BY S. CONVERSE.

DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT, SS.

BE it remembered, That on the fifteenth day of October, in the fifty-fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America, Samuel Perkins, of the said district, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as author, in the words following, to wit:

Historical Sketches of the United States, from the peace of 1815 to 1830. By Samuel Perkins, Esquire."

In conformity to the act of the congress of the United States, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned;" and also to an act, entitled "An act supplementary to an act, entitled An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

CHARLES A. INGERSOLL,

Clerk of the District of Connecticut.

A true copy of record, examined and sealed by me.

CHARLES A, INGERSOLL,

Clerk of the District of Connecticut.

Sleight & Robinson, Printers, 26 William Street.

PREFACE.

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THE favorable manner in which a work, entitled "A History of the late War," has been received, has induced the writer to continue a history from the peace of 1815 to the end of the first session of the twenty-first congress, May 31st, 1830.

Its objects are to give a correct and connected ac

count,

1st. Of the military and naval transactions, embracing the Algerine war; the measures taken to suppress piracy; and the Seminole war :

2d. Of the proceedings of congress and the executive relating to important subjects of general policy: 3d. Of judicial decisions on constitutional questions:

4th. Of diplomatic discussions :

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5th. Of the affairs of Europe, and the republics of Southern America, so far as they affect their relations with this country.

In the course of the fifteen years embraced in this history, many important constitutional questions have arisen, been fully discussed, and the opinions of the several departments of government expressed on them. Though most of the subjects are familiar to the community, it is thought that a concise and connected view of the leading principles on which the government has proceeded, during this period, might be useful.

Few occasions have occurred to call into exercise American valor. Such as have, are highly honorable to the country. One object of this work is to preserve a record of them, and bring them to the recollection of the citizens. They are now to be found only in the fugitive publications of the day.

The diplomatic discussions have been highly important and honorable to the nation. Their principal object, on the part of the United States, has been, to obtain redress for injuries; on the part of other nations, to avoid or procrastinate the claims. Another object has been to place commercial intercourse on a footing of a fair and liberal reciprocity; and a third, to abolish the slave trade, and the practice of priva

teering; the government uniformly adopting the Washington policy of avoiding all political connections. A view of these discussions, which is attempted in this work, is interesting, as it affords a knowledge of the feelings and policy of other nations towards this.

The work is not intended as an electioneering object. At the same time, it is not the wish, nor within the power of the writer, to conceal his views of the prominent measures of the several administrations within the period, or to prevent the operation which a candid view of past transactions may have on public opinion. In expressing them, however, he trusts it has always been done with a sacred regard to private character.

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