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of provisions, they proceeded south and settled at Savannah. The next year a large company of poor persons arrived and commenced clearing up the wilderness; but the trustees finding many of these emigrants idle and inefficient, made liberal offers to any one who would settle in the colony, and this induced hundreds from Scotland, Germany, and Switzerland to emigrate.

In 1638 George Whitefield, the most celebrated preacher of modern times, visited the colony, His benevolence and piety had led him to explore the habitations of the poor in England, where he found hun dreds of helpless orphan children, and his object now was to establish an orphan asylum in Georgia, where they might be trained up in the paths of virtue and religion. In 1740 about twenty-five hundred emigrants had settled in the colony; more than fifteen hundred of these were from among the poor of Europe, or persecuted protestants, and for their support the trustees had expended nearly $500,000.

At this time the Spaniards had possession of Florida, and Oglethorpe, fearing that they would combine with the Indians and invade Georgia, undertook an expedition against St. Augustine; this expedition proving unsuccessful, the Spaniards threatened to subdue Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. Oglethorpe applied to South Carolina for assistance; but alarmed at their own danger, the people of that colony prepared only for their own defence. The general, hoping to be able to resist the enemy till aid should arrive, collected all his forces at Frederica; soon after a Spanish fleet arrived, and landed more than three thousand men. Oglethorpe, learning that the Spanish army was separated into two divisions, determined to attack one of them by surprise. He advanced his troops in the night within two miles of one division; then selecting a small band, he advanced nearer, and, while observing the situation of the enemy, a French soldier in his service fired his musket, and deserted to the Spanish camp. The general, fearing that this deserter would make known to the enemy his bad situation, devised a very happy expedient, by which his little army escaped. He wrote a letter to this French soldier, instructing him to make known to the Spaniards the weakness of the English forces, and urge them to attack Frederica; and that he should persuade them if possible to remain on the island until the expected reinforcement should arrive from South Carolina. He also cautioned him not to drop a word respecting the attack which a British fleet was preparing to make upon St. Augustine. He concluded by promising him a large reward for his services. The letter was sent by a Spanish prisoner, who promised to give it to the deserter; but instead of this he carried it directly to the Spanish general, as was expected. The deserter was now supposed to be a spy, and was put in irons. Soon after three vessels of war appeared off the coast; the Span ish general supposing this to be the reinforcement spoken of in the letter, determined to attack the English without delay. Oglethorpe, anticipating his designs, placed a party of his men in ambuscade, and falling suddenly upon the Spaniards, killed many, and threw the rest into disorder. Thus defeated, and fearing the approach of the reinforcement, the enemy embarked and left the coast as soon as possible. By these successful manœuvres Gen. Oglethorpe saved his own, and perhaps all the neighbouring colonies. The trustees of Georgia being disappointed in their expectations, gave up their charter in 1752, when the king soon after established a government over Georgia similar to those in the other colonies, and it then began to flourish.

The present constitution of Georgia was formed in 1798, and amended in 1839. The governor is elected by the people, and holds his office for two years; his salary is $3000 annually, and with the other executive officers he is required during his term of office to reside at Milledgeville

The state is divided into forty-six districts, and each district is entitled to one senator. The representatives are proportioned to the population. including three-fifths of the people of colour. The counties, according to their population, have from one to three members. The general assembly meets annually in November, at Milledgeville. The state is divided into eleven circuits, with a judge for each. An inferior court is held in each county, composed of five justices, elected by the people every four years; those courts possess the powers of courts of probate. The judges of the supreme court are elected for three years by the legis lature; and the judges of the inferior courts and justices of the peace, are elected for four years by the people. All white male inhabitants, who shall have resided in the county in which they vote six months preceding the election, and shall have paid taxes in the state for the year previous, are entitled to the right of suffrage.

MAINE.

THE first permanent settlement in Maine was made in Bristol as early as 1625, at Pemaquid point. In an old fort once called William Henry, and afterwards Frederic George, built of stone in 1692, and taken by the French in 1696, are found grave-stones of a very early date, and in other places coffins have been dug up, which bear indubitable evidence of a remote antiquity. In 1635 the district was granted by the British crown to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and he appointed a governor and council. In 1647 a government was established by the settlers. In 1652 the state of Massachusetts purchased the territory of the heirs of Gorges for $5334. In 1691 it was incorporated with Massachusetts, by a charter of William and Mary, and continued under its jurisdiction until it became an independent state. It had long a sufficient population to become a state, and efforts were made for this purpose in 1785, 1786, and 1802; but the inhabitants were averse to a separation. In 1820, however, a constitution was formed, and it was admitted to the Union as a sovereign state.

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Maine is diversified, and has an uneven surface, but is not generally mountainous. On the western side of the state, east of the White mountains in New-Hampshire, an irregular chain of high lands commences, and passing north of the sources of the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers, and south of the sources of the Aroostook, extends eastwardly to the eastern boundary of the United States, and terminates at an isolated peak denominated Mars Hill, 1683 feet high. This chain, which is not continuous, the British, before the late treaty, claimed as the highlands described in a previous treaty. Katahdin, between the east and west branches of the Penobscot, 5300 feet above tide-water, is much the highest land in the state, and constitutes a part of the above range, if such it can be called. The rest of Maine is hilly, though the hills are not very elevated; the land on the sea coast, for the distance from it of from ten to twenty miles, is not in general very fertile, but further inland, its quality is greatly improved. The uncleared lands are of great extent, and furnish a vast amount of pine and other timber. Lumber cut and sawed may be regarded as the staple production of the state, and is exported to the amount of about $10,000,000 annually. The state is well adapted to grazing, and the wool produced is estimated at $2,000,000 annually. Lime is manufactured, particularly at Thomaston and the vicinity, to the annual amount of $100,000. A fine building granite is found at Hallowell, and is extensively exported; the Hall of Justice in the city of New-York is composed of it. Previous to the year 1807, the wars in Europe gave to the United States much of the carrying trade of the

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world, and Maine engaged largely in commerce, and neglected her land for this superior source of wealth; but when the embargo, non-inter course, and war crippled her commerce, her agricultural resources were developed.

Maine has a sea-coast of over two hundred miles, indented by nume⚫ rous bays, and protected by numerous islands, and has more good har bours than any other state in the Union. Ships are extensively built, no1 only for their own use, but for a foreign market. The fisheries employ many of the inhabitants, and are not only a source of wealth, but are a nursery of seamen. Maine in point of shipping is the fourth state in the Union.

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The government consists of a governor, senate, and house of representatives. The governor is elected by the people, and holds his office for one year; a council of seven persons to advise the governor is elected annually, by the joint ballot of the legislature. The senate consists of thirty-one members, elected by the people; the house of representatives consists of one hundred and fifty-one members, elected annually by the people. The right of suffrage is possessed by every male citizen of the United States of twenty-one years of age and upwards, excepting paupers, persons under guardianship, and Indians not taxed, who have resided in the state for three months next preceding an election. The elec tion must be by written ballot. The judiciary is vested in a supreme judicial court, and such other courts as the legislature shall from time to time establish. The judges are appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, and hold their offices during good behaviour, or until they are seventy years of age. In a similar manner are appointed the attorney general, the sheriffs, coroners, registers of probate, and notaries public.

VERMONT.

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THE first settlement of this state was at Fort Dummer, in the south east part of the state, by emigrants from Massachusetts. New-Hampshire claimed the territory from 1741 to 1764, and granted many townships in it to proprietors, which were thence called the "New-Hampshire Newgrants," and comprise now many of the best towns in the state. York also claimed the territory, and obtained a grant of it from the British parliament in 1764. These conflicting claims exceedingly harassed the inhabitants. At the commencement of the revolutionary war, Congress dared not admit Vermont to the Union, though the state proclaimed itself independent, for fear of offending New Hampshire and New-York, especially the latter. Vermont had a difficult part to act, and it conducted itself with great wisdom and patriotism. The British hoped to be able to detach it from the American confederacy; and its leaders, without committing themselves, flattered these hopes, and saved its exposed frontier from attacks, while no portion of the Union showed a more devoted patriotism, or contributed more, according to its means, to the common cause. The "Green Mountain boys" were characterized by daring bravery in the revolutionary struggle. In 1790 New-York was induced, by the payment of $30,000, to withdraw her claims to the territory; and in 1791 Vermont was admitted to the Union, whose independence she had extensively contributed to acquire.

The surface of Vermont is hilly or mountainous. A few townships along the margin of lake Champlain may be regarded as level, extending from five to ten miles from it; but otherwise the surface is generally un even, consisting of hills and valleys, alluvial flats, gentle acclivities, ele

vated plains, and lofty mountains. The range of the Green mountains, so named by the French from the evergreens which cover them, and which have given name to the state, extend quite through it from north to south. From the line of Massachusetts to the southern part of Washington county, it constitutes a lofty and unbroken range, keeping nearly a middle course between Connecticut river on the east and lake Champlain on the west, and dividing the waters which fall into each. Though the passage across the mountains in this part is arduous, yet by the construction of good roads, and a judicious location of them, it is much less so than formerly. In the southern part of Washington county the Green mountains are separated into two ranges. The highest of these ranges passes west of the middle of the state to the Canada line. The highest peaks lie in this range, which are Camel's Hump, generally called Camel's Rump, 4188 feet high, and the Chin, in Mansfield mountain, 4279 feet high; and it is remarkable that the whole is cloven down to its base, admitting a passage for Winooski or Onion river through it, the mountain approaching oftentimes so near the river as scarcely to admit a road along its banks, and affording much sublime and romantic scenery.

The first constitution of this state was formed in 1777. The present constitution was formed July 4th, 1793, and has since been amended. The governor is elected annually by the people. He must be a citizen of the United States, and have resided in the state for four years next preceding his election. The lieutenant-governor is elected in the same manner, and

must have the same qualifications; and in case of the of the gov

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ernor, or his inability to serve, succeeds to the office. As lieutenant-governor, he is president of the senate. The supreme executive council consists of the governor, lieutenant-governor, and twelve persons chosen by the people. The senate consists of thirty members, each county choosing at least one. Some are entitled to more, according to their population. The house of representatives consists of two hundred and thirty-one members, elected annually by the people. Every representative must be a citizen of the United States, must have resided in the state for two years, the latter of which must be in the town for which he is elected. The supreme court consists of five judges, elected annually by the legislature. The supreme court sits once a year, and the county courts twice, in each county. There is a court of chancery which holds a session in each county, each judge of the supreme court being chancellor of a circuit. The secretary of state is elected annually by the joint vote of both houses of the legislature, and the treasurer is chosen by the people. The right of suffrage is enjoyed by every person who is full twenty-one years of age, a citizen of the United States, of quiet and peaceable behaviour, and who has resided in the state for one year next preceding an election. A council of censors is appointed once in seven years, whose duty it is to inquire whether the constitution has been preserved inviolate, and whether the legislature and executive branches have performed their duty as guardians of the commonwealth; whether the taxes have been justly laid and collected, and the public moneys have been properly disposed of, and the laws have been duly executed.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

THIS territory, ten miles square, is situated on both sides of the Potomac river, about two hundred miles from the ocean, lying between the states of Maryland and Virginia, and ceded by them in 1790, to the United States, for the purpose of becoming the seat of the federal government. It is under the immediate jurisdiction of Congress, and contains the cities of Washington, Alexandria, and Georgetown. The population in 1840

was 43,712; of whom 30,657 were whites, 4,694 slaves, and 8,361 free coloured persons.

The site was selected by Washington, in accordance with a clause in the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases over such District, not exceeding ten miles square, as may, by the cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of government of the United States. The location was happily chosen. It is central to the Atlantic states and easily accessible to the Western states. It contains one hundred square miles. surface is gently undulating, with some low marshes, but many comman, ding eminences, furnishing extensive and fine views. The soil is naturally sterile, but the climate is healthy and the air salubrious. Agriculture is not a primary object of attention; nor is it pursued with the same success that it would be, if its soil were better adapted to the purpose.

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The commerce of the District is considerable; but having the large city of Baltimore in its immediate vicinity, with superior advantages, it can never become very commanding. By the fine river, the Potomac, it has a ready access to the ocean. This river is navigable for vessels of the largest class to Alexandria, six miles below Washington, where it is a mile wide, and from thirty to fifty feet deep; and vessels of a large class come up to the United States' navy-yard at the junction of the east branch with the Potomac at Washington. A branch of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal terminates at Georgetown, and is extended seven and a half miles to Georgetown. By this means a large amount of flour and other produce comes down from the interior, which enters mostly at Alexandria, and some of it at Georgetown. The business at Washington relates chiefly to the accommodation of the national legislature, with its various departments, foreign ambassadors, and the numerous persons which are necessarily drawn around it.

There are two colleges in the District. Georgetown college, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded in 1799. The Columbian college, under the direction of the Baptists, was founded in 1821. Congress meets annually at Washington, on the first Monday of December, unless otherwise provided for by law. The president of the United States, and the other chief officers of the government, reside at Washington; and the Supreme Court of the United States sits here annually, on the second Monday in January.

KENTUCKY.

THIS state once belonged to Virginia. It was first explored in 1769–70, by Daniel Boone, an enterprising hunter; and the first permanent settlement was made, in '1774, at Harrodsburg. Until Wayne's treaty in 1795, The first it was continually exposed to incursions from the Indians. Kentucky was newspaper was issued at Lexington, August 28th, 1787. separated from Virginia in 1786, after which it had a territorial government until 1792, when it became a state and was admitted into the Union. Cumberland Mountains run on the south-east border of the state, and send off spurs which extend into its eastern part, rendering it mountainous. The Cumberland range divides this state from Virginia. A tract along the Ohio river, from five to twenty miles wide, is broken and hilly extending through the whole length of the state. But the hills are gently rounded, and are fertile to their tops, with narrow valleys between them of great fertility. Along the margin of the Ohio with an average width of one mile, are bottom lands subject to periodical inundations. Between the hilly tract on Ohio river, the mountainous country in the eastern