the United States. Yet, what an uproar was there raised on that occasion! Scarcely an opponent of the president or his party, but at once denounced, in terms the most unqualified, the cruelty, barbarism and injustice of the administration, in inducing in those unsophisticated and simple Indians a determination, for filthy lucre's sake, to “desert their father's bones!"

Michigan was at this session of Congress admitted a state; making the twenty-sixth, and twice the original number declaring for independence in the year '76-doubling the number in half a century, and trebling the population. Messrs. Lyon and Norvell appeared as senators from the new state, and being duly qualified, took their seats. Mr. Crary was her first member in the House of Representatives.

In the pleasant town of Alton, Illinois, on the Upper Mississippi, a riot, resulting in bloodshed, unhappily occurred in the month of November. It appears, that the Rev. Mr. Lovejoy, an abolitionist, with a few others holding similar opinions, had resolved upon establishing a paper in this piace, for the dissemination of religious principles and their peculiar views. The majority of citizens being opposed to such a measure, duly notified the reverend gentleman and his friends, that they would not be allowed to carry into effect their intentions. Instead of regarding this expression of “public opinion," they inconsiderately determined to continue their operations. The press and printing materials were landed, and carefully stored in a large stone warehouse near the wharf, in which it was understood Mr. L. and his friends had determined to make a stand, and were prepared with arms and ammunition, to defend their property. Night had no sooner arrived, than the populace, with shouts and missiles, made their appearance before the stronghold of the misguided religionists; here they demanded entrance and a parley; which being of course refused, they commenced, in some sort, an assault upon the building. Now, to complete the folly of its inmates, a shot was fired from an upper window, which took effect in the mob, mortally wounding one said to be merely a spectator. Fireballs were thereupon furnished to the assailants, who hurled them from every direction upon the roof of the store-house, and a fire was speedily kindled in several places. Fire-arms were also procured, and the slaying of the stranger was soon to be avenged. Perceiving too late that his fortress was untenable, Mr. L. attempted to escape-but fell, before taking many steps, pierced with bullets. His associates yielded themselves up, and were suffered to depart unharmed; but the mischievous press and types, which had mainly caused the trouble, were instantly carted down to the river's bank, and, being broken in pieces, were sunk, some forty fathoms deep.

Treaties were this year concluded with a number of half-civilized and barbarous nations; i. e., the American Indians, modern Greece, Siam, and Muscat. By the very liberal and enlightened interference of the ruling European powers, Greece had lately been rescued frem the unwarrantable usurpation and galling thraldom of the Turks. A government had been organized for the Greeks, and King Otho set upon the throne. An accredited agent of the United States had been established in Athens, near the court of his majesty; and a commercial arrangement was now negotiated between the two countries, reflecting honour in a high degree upon the liberal policy which dictated it.

At the royal city of Bankok, in the kingdom of Siam, a treaty of amity and commerce was concluded, between Edmund Roberts on the part of the United States of America, and Chau Phaya Phraklang, first minister of state for his magnificent majesty of the kingdom aforesaid. It was there done on the last day of the fourth month of the year Pi marong-chakara-sok (“of the dragon"), and here finally ratified by bis excellency Martin Van Buren, on the 24th of June.

With the sublime Sultan of Muscat, Seyed Syeed Bin, another equally important negotiation was entered into, at the royal palace, on the sixti day of the Moon Samada Alaured, in the year Allhajra; and an agrecment was finally effected, affording much satisfaction to all parties. Va rious presents of importance were transmitted by his affable majesty Seyed Syeed Bin, to his excellency Martin Van Buren: but as they could not in consonance with the principles of this government be accepted by him, they were partly placed in the National Institute at Washington, and otherwise properly disposed of. A due acknowledgment being rendered in form, the friendly feeling existing between the respective nations may now be considered firmly established.

Obituary. The ordeal of death by water prevailed to a fearful extent, about the close of the last and beginning of this year. The ships Bristol and Mexico were wrecked upon Far Rockaway and Hempstead beach, and one hundred and thirty-nine lives lost, though the vessels were within & cable's length of land. In the case of the latter vessel, the unfortunate passengers were mostly frozen to death before yielding themselves to the raging surf. Men fell from the rigging stiff, into the waves, and were washed upon shore with their eyes open, staring frightfully into the countenance of the beholder. Women lay upon the sand hardened into ice, with their infants frozen to their breasts; the faces of the children being drawn awry, with tear-drops still upon their cheeks, as if they perished in the act of crying. One little girl was picked up holding a half-eaten cake to her lips-another with her knees bent, and hands clasped upward. A stalwart negro, apparently a sailor, was found with a most agonized and terrible expression of countenance-as if his soul had fled with cursing and defiance. The steamship Home, from New-York to Charleston, South-Carolina, was wrecked on Cape Hatteras, in July, and ninety lives were sacrificed-an extremely limited number escaping. The ship was entirely new, but so slightly made, that in the short space of an hour from the time of her striking, not a vestige of the vesssel remained visible. Died, in June, Hon. Nathaniel Macon, of North-Carolina, Æ 83. At Schenectady, Ex-Governor Yates, of New-York. Also, Hon. Henry R. Storrs, of New-York. In Maryland, Governor Kent, E 58. At Boston, T. G. Fessenden, editor. In Paris, Major Henry Lee, of Virginia In Windsor Castle, 20th June, William IV. of England, & 73. In London Lord William Seymour; General Sir John Smith, and Admiral Dacres. Also, Joseph Grimaldi, Esq., " the clown." In Sweden, Gustavus Adol phus IV., ex-king.

A. D. 1838. In the executive nessage to Congress at the beginning of this year, alluding to the pecuniary embarrassments of the nation the year previous, the president remarked: "The industry and prudence of the citizens, are gradually relieving them from the disabilities under which so many of them have laboured; judicious legislation, and the natural and boundless resources of the country, have afforded wise and timely aid to private enterprise; and, together with the activity always characteristic of the people, have already, in a great degree, caused the business of the land to resume its usual and profitable channel."

In relation further to financial affairs, his excellency took occasion again warmly to urge upon public attention that celebrated Sub-Treasury system, which was intended to provide so effectually for the collection, safe-keeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue. By this favourite measure, the president designed the public money should be withdrawn altogether from the keeping of banks, and placed in the hands of certain receivers-general, to be appointed in various quarters of the Union, and subject to the order and control of the Treasurer of the United States. On the 29th of March, the Senate again passed the bill, by a vote of twenty-seven to twenty-five, this being a lesser majority by four votes

than it received on the previous test. In the House, after a long and stormy debate, on the 22d of April the bill was again negatived, one hundred and twenty-five nays against one hundred and eleven yeas declaring it for this session hopelessly lost.

On the 13th of August, the banks throughout the country concluded, generally, to resume specie payments; but in the course of sixty days thereafter, the moneyed institutions of Philadelphia resolved again to suspend, and their example was followed by the interior banks of Pennsylvania, as well as those of most of the states south and west. The banks of New-York, however, and New-England, continued to pay specie, and fulfil all demands against them.

A special messenger was despatched by government this year, to Lon don, for the purpose of inquiring into and settling up a somewhat curious affair. James Smithson, an Englishman, wealthy and eccentric, or rather philanthropic, dying without near kin, it was found upon examination of his will that he had bequeathed the great balance of his property, £100,000, to the American government, for the purpose of founding in the United States an institution for the increase and diffusion of useful knowledge among men." Although difficulty was apprehended with the courts of law in England relative to this bequest, none was experienced. Distant connexions of the very liberal and worthy testator raised objections, it is true, and attempted to contest the validity of the will by asserting a want of sane mind in its maker; but the British probate judges, as well as the master of the rolls refused to entertain their complaints, and an order was finally given for the transfer of funds to the American agent, in compliance with the wishes of the deceased philanthropist. It may appear strange, that nothing has yet been done to carry into effect the grand object of this munificent donation; many years have elapsed since the receival of the money, yet the combined wisdom and discrimination of the great body of gentlemen composing both houses of Congress, has only been able to place the cash at interest. Mr. Van Buren, during his administration, called upon the learned of the nation for their written opinions and advice in this matter, but no one was able to submit a satisfactory plan for the proper fulfilment of the specifications and desires of the truly great Mr. Smithson.

Troubles on the Canadian frontier now began to attract considerable attention. For some years previous to this, the Lower Canada legislature had been annually embroiled by means of a close and acrid division between the ancient French, or liberal, and modern English, or royalist parties. Monsieur Papineau, speaker of the Assembly, was at the same time editor of a violent anti-government newspaper; and his friends being latterly in majority, had refused to vote the usual supplies for support of her majesty's appointed officers. This state of things could not last. An outbreak occurred in the city of Montreal in November, 1837, between two parties of the rival populace, in which blood was shed; the military attempted to quell the disturbance, and were resisted with violence; drums beat to arms in every French quartier directly, and the liberalists marshalled themselves to the number of near three thousand, under Papineau and one T. S. Brown, a brawling sort of person, an American, who had taken an active part in the original street affray. They commenced fortifying themsleves in an old French fort near St. Denis; but presently sustained a vigorous attack from the queen's forces, which, however, were speedily compelled to retreat with considerable loss. The next affair resulted very differently; Colonel Wetherall attacked the insurgents at St. Charles, and completely routed them; his own loss was but trifling, while that of the adverse party was two hundred killed, many wounded and prisoners, and the town which harboured them destroyed. The "rebel" leaders, including Doctors Wolfred Nelson, and Cote, escaped, and a

reward was set upon their heads. The fearful close of the rebellion in that region, was at St. Eustache-where the houses in which the deluded liberalists had taken refuge were surrounded in the night and burned over them, while those who attempted to escape from the flames were shot down, or bayonetted without mercy.

While these things were transacting in the Lower Province, the lurid glare of similar scenes was bursting forth in the Upper. William L Mackenzie, for a number of years editor of a factious paper in Toronto was ordered to be arrested on behalf of the government. Receiving timely information of this proceeding, he made his escape, and at once raised the standard of revolt. It is said a majority of the citizens of that place and neighbourhood were decidedly in favour of remodelling the system by which they were controlled; and as there was at that time but a handful of British troops in the garrison or at the nearest posts, the city might in all probability have been seized without the least difficulty, and Governor Head himself made a prisoner. But alas, for the insurrectionists and all their new-blown hopes! although a thousand men at once responded to the call of the agitator, and spiritedly marched to his camp, a short distance back of the city, the all-important time was spent in idle braggadocio and dallying, and the cause forever ruined. Thore lagged the "rebels" and their coward leader, within sight, almost, of a well-supplied arsenal and the most admirable fortifications, until a fresh body of troops, with an active commander, had time to arrive from below. Thenceforward the history of their operations presents nothing but a "stale, unprofitable" account. Colonel Moodie was shot, it is true, in a sort of running fight; and this event, perhaps, so frightened or so satisfied the riotous revolters, that they threw down their arms and opposition and quietly submitted to their former masters.

The subsequent attempts of the few who had refused the proffered amnesty, or were inimicable to it, are only characterized by the extrem ities of imprudence and folly but as the American government was nearly involved in a war with Great Britain thereby, a passing review of the events, may be considered worth while. At the outset, we may remark that, perhaps, no misfortune so great as success could by any possibility have waited upon the motley company of enthusiasts who now, for a short period, so often attempted the invasion of the Canadas. The game was in reality not worth the waste of powder.

About the middle of December, 1837, twenty-eight men, principally Canadians, with one Reusellaer Van Rensellaer, an American, and William Lyon Mackenzie, the afore-mentioned leader, went upon Navy Island and established anew a camp. Here they issued their manifestoes, calling upon the patriots of Canada, and all others who might be friendly to their cause, to join them. In the space of three weeks, between three and four hundred volunteers appeared; some coming from the United States and some from Canada, while all brought with them a greater or lesser supply of arms and ammunition. On the 29th of December, the steamboat Caroline was transferred from Buffalo to Schlosser landing, the design being to ply her between that point and Navy Island as a ferry-boat. For one day she passed back and forth, and was moored at night before the ware house at Schlosser; but about midnight the watch on board was alarmed by the approach of a boat with muffled oars, apparently full of men. The Caroline was boarded and her crew quickly overpowered, one or twc being killed and several wounded; she was then cut from her fastening and towed out into the stream, where she was set on fire and deserted by her captors. The boat drifted slowly down towards the rapids, while the increasing light of its conflagration shot up in flaming streams, until all was finally lost in the fearful plunge over the Niagara. Twelve per sons connected with the boat were reported missing; supposed to have

been killed or wounded in the attack and lost with the boat in going over the falls. The next morning, but a few burnt and charred remains of the vessel were discernible floating with the eddies beneath the cataract.

This affair was the instant cause of difficulty between chief authorities at Washington and the English chargé d'affaires. Colonel M'Nab, commanding her Britannic majesty's forces at Chippewa, had avowed his responsibility for the cutting out of the Caroline-and a public meeting at Buffalo thereupon demanded reparation for the injury at the hands of government. Mr. Secretary Forsyth without delay intimated to Mr. Fox, the British envoy, that redress, and a discountenance of the proceeding, would be necessary. The royal minister at first stammered a little in attempting justification: but it was soon made plain that the "rebels" had in possession a quantity of arms belonging to the American government— and then it became his turn to assume the style dictatorial, and tell what would be necessary for Mr. Forsyth to do. President Van Buren then issued a proclamation, denouncing altogether the revolutionary movement, and calling upon all good citizens in the United States strictly to preserve their neutrality. Generals Scott and Wool, with United States' marshal Garrow, and a body of regulars, were sent to guard the frontier and preserve the integrity of the United States. The public property which had been abstracted was speedily recovered, and important arrests of the insurgents made-though this last measure was rendered of little effect by their being all bailed out of durance by their infatuated friends, whatever the amount of security demanded.

The patriot encampment upon Navy Island was sustained just a month, and then broken up. It was reported a large force of British was stationed at the village opposite, and batteries upon both sides of the river were erected, balls and shells being at intervals cast idly back and forth. No attack, however, was made, and nothing accomplished by either party. The patriot commanders in the middle of January went into retiracy, having with much judgment commended the forces under them to their own discretion. But the excitement was not by any means allayed, or the subject allowed to rest. A Mr. T. J. Sutherland assumed the vacant generalship, and forthwith embarked largely in the proclamation business; his documents were published from no particular head-quarters, but all the world was notified, in the loudest possible manner, that the downfall of British rule in Canada was at hand; and all those whose hearts were now burning to participate in the glorious enterprise of effecting the same, were called upon to come and join his standard, or the golden opportu nity would be forever lost.

Some hundreds of individuals were found ready to volunteer for the new army, and we next hear of their pitching upon a small island for rendezvouz, which was situated in the river near Detroit, and known by the im posing name of Gibraltar. Names are not things, however, and this island was quite unlike its dignified patronymic; for, although from five hun dred to one thousand fighting men, with three hundred and ninety stand of arms, were stationed upon it, they thought proper to evacuate the premises without striking a blow. They made use of their boats to escape to the American main-land, upon hearing that a large force of British regulars was about to attack them from the other side. Colonel Worth, with his command, stood ready upon the shore to receive them, and in the coolest and most gentlemanly manner possible, deprived them of their arms and ammunition, and then permitted their departure, in perfect freedom, whithersoever they listed. This interesting occurrence took place about the 24th of January.

About the 1st of February, it was reported in Detroit that the patriots had re-organized anew, and were now about to make a sudden and over