Public feeling in the States unfriendly to Great Britain. reign-built vessels owned by Americans-ration for the affair of the Chesapeake. There which, during this restriction from foreign was an indispensable preliminary, however, voyages, might engage in the coasting trade, that the President's proclamation* of the 2d were to give bonds, in double the value of the July should be previously withdrawn. Before cargo, to re-land the same within the United this should have been done, he stated that he States. "Thus"--Mr. Hildreth forcibly remarks had no authority to enter on any negotiation, in regard to the legislative proceedings of his and even declined to specify the reparation own countrymen on this occasion-" on the which he was empowered to offer. As the. mere recommendation of the executive, almost President declined recalling the proclamation without debate, with closed doors, without Mr. Rose returned home, and the settlement any previous intimation to the public, or op- of the difficulty was postponed. portunity for advice from those most able to give it, was forced through, by night sessions, Throughout the irritaand the overbearing determination of a maing discussion which enjority at once pliable and obstinate, an act sued, the disposition of the American Repubstriking a deadly blow at the national indus-lic is to be taken into account, as evidently try, and at the means of livelihood of great operating to protract and embarrass negotianumbers; the real nature and inevitable opetion. That disposition was unquestionably ration of which seem to have been equally the reverse of amicable towards Great Britain. misapprehended by the cabinet which recomWhilst the effort was made to remain strictly mended, and by the supple majority which neutral, the heart of the nation was not in its conceded it." The embargo thus imposed was profession of neutrality. Ever since the acces afterwards made still more stringent by sup- sion of the Democratic party to power under plementary measures denouncing severe pen- Mr. Jefferson-who was inaugurated into his alties, and excluding foreign vessels from the first Presidency on the 4th arch, 1801-the coasting trade altogether. war spirit against Great Britain was steadily growing up, with some few exceptions, amongst On the 25th Decem- the inhabitants of the United States. Under ber Mr. Rose, envoy extraordinary of Great the administration of that rigid republican and Britain, arrived in the United States, with in-philosopher of the Rousseau school, the idea structions from our government to offer repa- of quarrelling with Great Britain seems to have become, by degrees, palatable rather than : otherwise to the party who raised him to the Mr. Rose's Mission, "In whatever spirit that instrument was is sued, it is sufficiently obvious, that it has been productive of considerable prejudice to his ma-chief Magistracy, and these formed a large jesty's interests, as considered to his military and majority. We do not forget, however, that : other servants in the United States, to the honor in the very respectable minority, chiefly in the of his flag, and to the privileges of his ministers accredited to the American government. From Eastern States, who participated not in the of fortune, talent, education, moral and religi- } apprehensions which existed, has authorized me Whilst Great Britain had reason to be exe!! » to proceed in the negotiation upon the sole dis continuance of measures of so inimical a ten-tremely cautious in negotiation, for, as we shall dency."-Mr. Rose to Mr. Madison, see hereafter, France had laid a deep plot against her through the United States!-the was highly prejudicial to the United States. latter country, on the other hand, would jeal- Their commerce had received the severest ously, but most unworthily, guard against con-blow it had yet suffered, from the hands of ceding, except for its own obvious benefit, and not always even then, anything likely to strengthen the hands of the British Government in the terrible contest it was waging with that colossal despotism which threatened to bear down and obliterate, beneath its withering tread, the last vestige of free institutions in Europe.* their own rulers. Despair settled on the minds of all who depended for their livelihood on the sea. Merchants gloomily anticipated the time when their ships should sink beside their wharves, and grass grow in their streets. The British Order in Council-they said—had left them some traffic, but the acts of their own legislature had cut every thing off. By men who were never tired of asserting their free and inalienable right to the highways of the ocean, the ocean had been treacherously abandoned. Act, 1st March, 1808. substituted, on the 1st March, 1808, a non-intercourse act, whereby all commercial transactions with either of the belligerent powers was absolutely prohibited, but the embargo was taken off as to the rest of the world. This act, however, contained a clause (§ 11.) authorizing the President, by proclamation, to renew the intercourse between America and either of the bellige rent powers who should first repeal their obnoxious orders in council or decrees. "This non intercourse act"-observes Mr. Alisonhad the effect of totally suspending the trade between America and Great Britain, and in * In his message to Congress of 5th November, 1811, Mr. Madison, at that time president, spoke thus with reference to what he termed "the hostile inflexibility of Great BritainCongress will feel the duty of putting the United States into an armour and an attitude demand-flicting upon both these countries a loss tened by the crisis, and corresponding with the fold greater than that suffered by France, with national spirit and expectations.' But four which the commercial intercourse of the United States was altogether inconsiderable." 3d March, 1809. years before, upon the passing of the embargo act, The Intelligencer, an official journal, did not hesitate to write in this inflammatory strain :"The national spirit is up. That spirit is invaluable. In case of war it is to lead us to conquest. Nothing of note ocIn such event, there must cease to be an inch of curred between the passing of the nonBritish ground on this Continent." And this intercourse act and Mr. Jefferson's retirement was when the second Order in Council had only been heard of, but not yet made public. With a from his second term of office on the 3d of government, so fiercely thirsting for strife with March, 1809. He declined presenting himself Britain, was friendly negotiation likely to be suc- for election a third time, both because-as cessful? Was an amicable adjustment of difficulties possible with the spirit which possessed he stated-he considered a third tenure of them? Hildreth cites a remarkable incident office would be alien from the spirit of the conwhich exhibits, in a strong light, the unhappy stitution, and because, as it seems, he was hostility to England at this period (1807-8). How strong and prevalent this antipathy to England thoroughly weary of the cares and distracwas, fully appeared on the floor of Congress. Ations of public life. On the eve of his retiresuggestion by Livermore, of Massachussetts, that, ment into private life his language was this never did prisoner released from his chains feel such relief as I shall on shaking off power." He was a man of great ability; since the United States were driven by invincible necessity to choose between the belligerents, a regard as well for commercial interests as for the independence of nations, ought to induce them to side with Great Britain, was received with marked indignation, almost as if there had been but, unfortunately, both for Great Britain and something treasonable in it.". his own country, his strong anti-British pre judices stood very much in his way in admi- not stifled when republicanism in France had been fairly shackled and put under-foot by military and imperial despotism; so that his heart, it seems, still went lovingly with the ruthless soldiers of France, even when the "sacred" flame of republicanism had long vanished from the points of their swords. But, if Mr. Jefferson's administration, in point of French predilections, was bad, that of Mr. Madison, his successor, was vastly worse. Both were decided in their bias towards Napoleon Buonaparte; but whilst the former was too dextrous and wary to be made the tool of French intrigue, the latter-there is too much gled in its toils. (To be continued.) BERLIN DECREE. "1. The British islands are placed in a state of nistering, with impartiality and wisdom, the government with which during eight years he was entrusted. We can make allowance for the perplexities and annoyances of the time during which he held the reins of power; but, had Washington been in his place, with his dignified and sagacious views of relations with Great Britain, we have little doubt that he would have brought his country through the dark and trying time, not by nourishing the war-spirit as Jefferson did, but by firmly facing and repressir g it. It was an inauspicious circumstance that, just at that critical time, the chief magistracy of the United reason for believing-was completely entanStates should have been vested in a man whose heart was filled with hatred of Great Britain; and who had more than once patronized and placed in positions of authority dis affected subjects of the British Crown.* Liberally endowed, as he unquestionably was, with natural talent, this was greatly recommended and rendered in a very considerable blockade. 2. Every species of commerce and communication with them is prohibited; all letdegree practically influential, by agreeable ters or packets addressed in English, or in the manners and plausible address. As to his English characters, shall be seized at the postreligious opinions, we believe that all that can office, and interdicted all circulation. 3. Every British subject, of what rank or condition whatebe said in their favor is this-that he admired ver, who shall be found in the countries occupied the morality of the Gospel. His belief in by our troops, or those of our allies, shall be any of the articles of the Christian faith what- made prisoners of war. 4. Every warehouse, soever would seem equivocal, if on no other to a subject of Great Britain, or coming from its merchandise, or property of any sort, belonging account, from his letter to the notorious Tho manufactories or colonies, is declared good prize. mas Paine, in which he invited that avowed 5. Commerce of every kind in English goods is and immoral enemy of divine revelation to longing to England, or emanating from its workprohibited; and every species of merchandise bethe bosom of his country, with "prayers shops or colonies, is declared good prize. 6. The for the success of his useful labors." A dis- half of the confiscated value shall be devoted to ciple-as he was—of that philosophy which been seized by the English cruizers, for the losses indemnifying those merchants whose vessels have overthrew the throne of the French monarch, which they have sustained. 7. No vessel comand brought its unhappy occupant to the ing directly from England, or any of its colonies, guillotine, his sympathies were thoroughly the present decree, shall be received into any har or having touched there since the publications of with France and against Great Britain. Nur-bour. 8. Every vessel which, by means of a false tured under the congenial associations of declaration, shall have effected such entry, shall French republicanism,t his sympathies as be confiscated, as it they had also belonged to be liable to seizure, and the ship and cargo shall with many others of his countrymen-were England. 9. The prize court of Paris is intrusted * Duane, for example, to whom Mr. Jefferson gave a colonel's commission in the U. S. militia, and the editorial charge of the Aurora newspaper, had been shipped off just before from Calcuttahaving been detected in attempts to excite disturbance and insurrection in that city. We do not mean to say he approved of its bloody atrocities: perhaps the wildest democrat in the United States would have hesitated there. with the determination of all questions arising out of this decree in France, or the countries occupied by our armies; that of Milan, with the decision of all similar questions in the kingdom of Italy. 10. This decree shall be communicated to the kings of Spain, Naples, Holland, and Etruria, and to our other allies, whose subjects have been the victims, like our own, of the injustice and barbarity of English legislation. 11. The ministers of foreign affairs, of war, of marine, of finance, and of justice, of police, and all postmasters, are charged, each in his own department, with the execution. of the present decree." CITIES AND TOWNS OF CANADA. COBOURG. lished designed to accomplish the two-fold object of securing a permanent endowment for the college, and affording to the holders of those scholarships the opportunity of obtaining an education for themselves or their friends, on the easiest and most advantageous terms. In the township of Hamilton, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, and at the lower end of a fertile and extensive valley, sloping upwards gradually from the water's edge, stands Cobourg, the capital of the United Counties of Northumberland and Durham. Built on a gravelly soil, the town enjoys the advantage of time-and that a larger number of students dry, clean streets, which are judiciously laid out, broad, and well planked on either side. Few places present from the Lake a more pleasing ensemble than does Cobourg, and the tourist will be still further gratified at finding, on landing, that this really pretty town requires not distance "to lend enchantment to the view," but that it is clean and well-built, presenting to the most careless observer evidences of daily-increasing and well-deserved prosperity. We believe that we may state with correctness that the prospects of Victoria College were never more promising than at the present than at any previous period (115) are now enjoying the benefits of an education at this college. The winter session commences the last Thursday in October, and the summer session the third Wednesday in June. In addition to Victoria College there are the following educational establishments: -The District Grammar School, Cobourg Church Grammar School, besides a great many other excellent private schools: the Diocesan Theological Institute was for many years in successful operation and produced several of the scholars who now adorn the pulpits of vince, it is, however, now merged into Trinity College, Toronto, where the same results, only on a more extended scale, are be coming visible. In the engraving which accompanies this description, but few of the public buildings are to be distinguished,-Victoria College-the the Anglican Churches throughout the ProCourt-Ilouse-and a portion of the Anglican Church. Victoria College is built on rising ground, somewhat in the rear of the town, and commands a fine view of the town and lake. It was completed in the year 1836, at The Court-House, which occupies a very a cost of nearly £12,000, raised by the volun- conspicuous position in the plate, is a large tary offerings of the Methodist body in England and commodious building. Cobourg contains and Upper Canada. The land on which the places of worship for members of the English building stands was the gift of Mr. Spencer, a Church, the Church of Scotland, Free Church, resident of Cobourg, and in June 1836 the In- Wesleyan Methodist, Episcopal Methodist, stitution was opened under the name of the Congregational, Bible Christian, and Catholic "Upper Canada Academy," by the Rev. persuasions. The Banks and Insurance Office Matthew Ritchie, who for the period of three Companies all have branches, thriving establishyears occupied the position of Principal. For ments, and the man of business will find every six years the Academy continued in operation, facility for the conducting of his business. and in the year 1841 application was made to The Jail and Court-House, a handsome stone' Parliament, and a University charter was ob- building, has been built at a short distance tained, by which the name was changed to from the town, and forms the nucleus of a "Victoria College," and in June 1842, opera- small village which has sprung up round it tions in the collegiate department commenced. since its erection. A dredging machine is in The preparatory school, however, has been con- constant operation, cleaning out the basin and tinued in connection with the College, and forming a safe harbour of refuge, which students are prepared for entrance on the colle- on a late occasion, during almost a hurricane, giate curriculum, or receive such sound prac-afforded perfect shelter to the steamer Princess tical education as is fitting for those not in- Royal, on her passage from Kingston to the tended for the learned professions. westward. In order to provide more fully the pecuniary The extensive cloth factory of Messrs. Macmeans necessary for the efficient operation of kechpie and Winans is the largest establishthe Institution, scholarships have been estab-ment of the kind in the Province, and affords VOL. II.-B employment to nearly two hundred hands. THE CHRONICLES OF DREEPDAILY. "The consumption of wool," says Smith's Canada, "amounts to about 225,000 lbs. per annum, 175,000 of which is Canadian, and the remainder imported; (we have reason to believe that we do not err in stating that the quantity manufactured has increased very considerably since Mr. Smith wrote,) every variety of cloth is manufactured in this establishment."** In addition to this important factory there are numerous grist mills, foundries, tanneries, gypsum mills, saw and planing mills, breweries, &c. Steamers are daily callers on their passages up, down, and across the lake, while stages run in every direction. In 1845 the population of Cobourg amounted to nearly 3400 souls; at the present time it is considerably over 4000, souls. "A short time since (vide Smith's Canada) a subscription was raised in Cobourg, for the purpose of constructing a bridge across the Otonabee river, a steam ferry-boat being at the same time intended to ply on Rice Lake, so as to give the inhabitants of Otonabee and the adjoining townships a passage to the lake." The undertaking, from some local causes, did not succeed at the time; but measures have since been taken to supply the wants of the trade of the back townships. The township of Ilamilton is generally well settled and contains a large number of excellent well-cultivated farms, on which a large proportion of the fine cattle and sheep that annually carry off the prizes at our agricultural fairs are raised: to the improvement of the breed of sheep, in particular, have the farmers of these counties applied themselves, and the texture of the fabrics manufactured at the Ontario mills afford conclusive evidence of the complete success of their labors. About two miles from shore, and nearly half-way between Port Hope and Cobourg, is a rock on which a light-house has been built by the government. Cobourg is distant from Toronto 70 miles, from Kingston 95, and from Montreal 293 miles. We applied to the head of this establishment for any information that might be interesting, but we regret to say that our application, as is almost invariably the case, has remained unanswered: we are consequently exonerated from any blame that might be otherwise imputed to us for passing over so curtly our notice of this, certamly the most extensive establishment in Upper Canada. We state this, that the public may judge how difficult a task it is to col No. VII. CONCERNING THE DOMINIE AND THE DUCAT. DOUBTLESS the whole civilized world has heard tell of the memorable and never-to-be-forgotten contested election case of the Royal Burgh of Dreepdaily. I would therefore be but retailing "piper's news" if I rehearsed how Mr. Treddles McShuttle, the great Glasgow powerloom weaver, had the assurance to oppose Sir John Sumph for the representation of the Burgh, and on being defeated, brought the matter by petition before the House of Commons. It is advisedly that I use the word 'assurance," in speaking of McShuttle's conduct. For three hundred years, at the most moderate computation, had the Sumphs been returned for Dreepdaily. The seat, in fact, had become an heir-loom, so to speak, to which the family had acquired a moral prescriptive right; and when the manufacturer made his appearance as a candidate, sober folk regarded him as but few degrees better than a common highway foot-pad. Sir John, I need hardly observe, was returned with drums beating and colours flying, and his adversary being maddened at the defeat which he had so righteously sustained, and having, moreover, plenty of lucre to spare, (it was a perfect coining of sillar with the weavers during the war,) determined to bring the matter before Parliament. For more than six months did the proceedings last, and I speak within bounds when I say, that two hundred witnesses, at least, on both sides of the blanket, were carried up to London, in order to answer such interrogatories as the lawyers might think fit to propound to them. It would have been something extraordinary if I had been passed over in this general impressment. From time immemorial the barber's shop has been regarded as the fountain-head of news or intelligence of every description, and, accordingly, I received citations from each of the competitors. Little, if anything, could I say, either pro or con, on the matter at issue, but having an anxious crav lect information, where we receive no assistance. Each ing to see the world, especially without cost ore is quite ready to condemn on the score of incorrect to myself, I prudently held my tongue, touch or insufficient information; but, as is too often the case, is unwilling to contribute the information required, ing the paucity of the information which I although, perhaps, the sole source from whence it can be obtained. possessed. |