which many of the islanders must be annually consigned, on account of their ignorance of such an inestimable discovery.

The botanical omissions in these volumes are of the less consequence, because the Tonga Islands produce the same plants as Otaheite; and although, according to Forester, some others not indigenous in the latter, flourish in the former, yet the inquiry with regard to them seems to be rather curious to the naturalist than useful to the public.

There is one part of the history which we read with much uneasiness. Cook says of these places, at the time of his visits, 'No one wants the common necessaries of life. Joy and content'ment are painted on every face, and an easy freedom prevails in all ranks of people;' and that worthy navigator, when he quitted the situation, after a stay of between two and three months, consoled himself with the thought, that he had improved the condition of this remote quarter. Very different was the state of things when Mr. Mariner, after the lapse of about thirty years, arrived: there was neither peace at home nor abroad; the island which was the seat of government had been divided into petty states, that were constantly at war with each other; and ten or twelve years of hostility with the neighbouring islands, were terminated only by the fatigue and anxiety the elder Finow had endured from incessant action. It is true that his successor, from his pacific character and enlightened judgment, presents a more tranquil prospect, and we shall be happy to learn from succeeding adventurers that the condition of repose is regained, which was the theme of eulogy and admiration with Captain Cook, and which acquired for these stations the pleasing appellation of the Friendly Islands. ART. IV.-The Emigrant's Guide; or, a Picture of America, exhibiting a View of the United States, divested of Democratic Colouring, taken from the Original, now in the Possession of James Madison, and his Twenty-One Governments. Also a Sketch of the British Provinces delineating their native Beauties, and superior Attractions. By an Old Scene-Painter. 8vo. London. 1816.

B

Y late advises, it appears, that no less than 2000 Dutch Quakers are on the point of embarking for the single State of Pennsylvania; and that more than 300 of the number are already on their way to Philadelphia. A redundant population, and the mighty changes that have lately taken place in the attitude of the different powers in Europe, have produced a spirit of emigration to these shores unexampled in our former history. The tendency of the species to increase beyond the means of subsistence, in old countries, is conclusively established by the speculations of Malthus and others, and is now in course of proof, by the unerring test of experience. The old world is discharging the superflux of human kind into the new. The unsettled regions of the west-the shores of the Pacific-the boundless tracts of South

America attract the emigrating spirit of adventure, and are sufficiently extensive to absorb the surplus population of Europe for centuries to come.

The recent changes in the political state of Great Britain-her transition from extended warfare to profound peace, by which, it is calculated, one third at least of her population is thrown wholly out of employ, and the rest more or less seriously affected-has had the effect of introducing amongst us an impoverished class of persons, many of them well skilled in the useful arts, but destitute of pecuniary resources-unused to our country; unacquainted with friends; but desirous of employment; which they cannot obtain. There are, moreover, amongst them, many who, instead of complying with the wishes of their government, that they should resort to Canada, prefer our institutions and our laws. The intense severity of a Canadian winter is ill adapted to the feeble frame; and necessity of health, no less than a desire of comforts, drive some to the milder atmosphere experienced in the south and in the west beyond the Alleghany mountains. But, a deficiency of means, that bar to human advancement,-a want of friends to counsel, and associates to encourage, in the important undertaking of a western settlement-preclude many from availing themselves of its advantages. The English and the Swiss, ignorantly bigotted in favour of their natala sola, usually continue at home, in the delusive hope of better times, enduring every hardship and oppression, until absolute want, dearth of employment, and consequent danger of starvation, compel them to seek an asylum in foreign lands. The great majority of that class of emigrants, accordingly, become reduced, before their departure, to a sum barely adequate to defray their steerage passage, and probably a month's board in America. The uninformed individual considers, that, in this time, something at least may present itself for his acceptance, until better can be procured; not adverting to the immense competition for employment, arising from the unprecedented influx of labour not only from his own nation,-but from every state in Europe.

Now, we cannot but recommend, that some information, on these points, be collected and circulated, in order that emigrants may not be deceived in their expectations; and be enabled, in good time, to regulate their plans accordingly. On their arrival here, where are the selected friends to counsel them? the companies to associate them in their ranks? the advisers, employers, patrons? the instructors to communicate information, such as can be relied upon for its authenticity? the patriots to lend assistance? On these points, the unfortunate emigrant is frequently as destitute, as he is of the means to command employment. He learns, indeed, the prodigious advantages of the western country resounded in every company, where he can gain admittance; but how is he to attain any share of them? How can he move to the scene of action? and, when there, what is he to do?-Here he is com

pletely at a loss without any one to direct him. Some interested individuals, indeed, have offered land on their own terms, and invited the settlement of emigrants, on a credit apparently favourable, in the view of the uninstructed; who have been used to the high rents of lordly proprietors in Europe.

But, we will at once dismiss such palliatives as these, by asking, if it be worth while to take an under lease from men who have previously purchased lands? how much more so must it be to purchase, at prime cost, on the original terms of Congress, and at their extended credits? A case has come to our knowledge, where Congress have granted, to a company of respectable gentlemen, between 3 and 400,000 acres of the finest land, situated on the river Tombigbee, above fort St. Stephens-on a credit of fourteen years; when it is to be paid for at the rate of only four dollars per acre. The situation is favourable for raising grain of all kinds,-cotton, tobacco, sugar, the vine and the olive; the two latter of which are the professed objects of the French gentlemen associated with the expedition, and are to be cultivated by practical labourers, from the vineyards of France and Italy. The first division, consisting of about twenty-five gentlemen, sailed from Philadelphia the beginning of May, for Mobile, in the schooner Commodore Macdonough; and we shall await with some impatience an account of their proceedings, which we may occasionally introduce to the notice of our readers. A glance at the map must satisfy any one, that, in the latitude and longitude of Mobile, perpetual spring and summer must reign. The river Tombigbee* lies rather to the northward and westward of New Orleans; and, if the accounts of it we have heard be correct, it must, as we judge from its position, be particularly propitious to delicate constitutions, and those accustomed to mild climates.

In New York alone, there are at this moment nearly two thousand British emigrants, whom neglect on our part has driven to the necessity of soliciting the commiseration and assistance of their own government. The applications were made to the British Consul, and by him forwarded to the ministry at home; the result of which has been published in the following advertisement:

Notice to British, subjects.

His Britannic Majesty's Consulate, New York, 28th February, 1817. Having laid before my government the distressed state of the numerous emigrants who arrived at this port during the last year and made application at this office for aid to return to Great Britain and Ireland, or to his majesty's colonies in Upper Canada, and having promised to give public notice to them of the result, I hereby inform such British subjects as can produce satisfatory evidence of good conduct and industrious habits, that I am authorized to place all such in a

*We are happy to learn, as a striking proof of the enterprise and spirit of the times, that a steam boat has been constructed to run from Mobile and navigate the Tombigbee.

situation whereby they may obtain the important privileges of settlement in his majesty's provinces of Upper Canada or Nova Scotia. JAMES BUCHANAN.

N. B. Passports have already been granted at this office to 340 persons to proceed to Upper Canada.

From the above, it is evident, that the policy recommended by the author of a late work on North America,* who subscribes himself a British Traveller'-but whom we apprehend to have been, in reality, a British spy, is now actually adopted by the government of England. That policy consists in a rigorous system of colonization, by pouring large supplies of population into the Canadian territories; so as to endeavour at forming a counterpoise to the United States; or at least to raise up the local means of future annoyance. We mention it that our rulers may be upon their guard, and that our fellow citizens may not hesitate to sanction those measures which have for their object the defence and security of our country. We by no means wish to interfere with Great Britain, in the policy she may think fit to adopt, with regard to the regulation of her own subjects; or to rival her in the display of attractions;-but we do think, that, when a number of our fellow creatures repair spontaneously to our shores, because they are distressed, and anxious, but unable, to find employment-it is our duty, as a generous and hospitable people, to attend to the hardship of the case, and to seek and offer a suitable remedy. If Great Britain will undertake to provide for these emigrants, it is well; but, finding them among us, fatiguing our citizens, as they do, with their importunity to be rendered useful, we think it would be no more than consistent with a just character of liberality to afford to these persons an opportunity of enrolling themselves in companies for the settlement of our western territory. We have heard, as yet, of but a few detached societies for this purpose; assuming no regular form, and admitting none but those who can advance the sum of one hundred dollars at least. Such are the emigrant societies in the eastern states. But, no specific plan has been hitherto proposed for embodying the individuals destitute of resources, and rendering their services valuable in the grand scheme of western colonization.

We would suggest, then, in the absence of any other, and till a better shall be communicated (which we earnestly wish may be the case), that there be an Association of 500 persons, at least; whose individual example shall mutually stimulate to exertions, which, if isolated, they might be wholly incompetent to render successful. From these a committee of twenty-four persons or more, with a chairman, treasurer, and secretary, should be chosen by a general assembly of the body, and be entrusted with the conduct of their affairs. We would have an agent appointed by the government of the United States, to confer with the representatives

The Colonial Policy of Great Britain.

of the company, and to reside at the chief seat of their destination. Congress, it is presumed, would not refuse grants of land to respectable bodies on the most indulgent and liberal terms; especially were the application made through a proper channel, and sanctioned by the due authorities. At a suitable spot, adjacent to some one of the great western rivers, that empty into the Atlantic Ocean the Mississippi, the Scioto, or the Ohio-it is proposed to fix upon an eligible scite, for a town, or city; the ultimate magnitude of which would be assisted, as well as the joint interests of the different companies of settlers secured, by the various bodies being brought as much as possible near to each other. In this view it would be proper, that all the companies should emanate from one spot, and look to one rallying point; where the proposed agent of Congress should reside. Hence the distribution of lots should diverge as radii from a common centre, to every point in the circumference, describing an entire circle. Protection and assistance might thus with greater facility be extended equally to the various quarters, and mutual support, so necessary to incipient success, would be the happy result of compact order in the arrangement.

It cannot be doubted, we think, that much good would come of all this; but the first question naturally is, how is it to be accomplished? Whence the necessary funds? Let it be inquired, what would be the expense of transport for 500 persons, and also of rations for the whole during one year: omitting entirely the consideration of the chace, fowling, and fishing, as sources for a supply of fresh food. Will it exceed the probable sum to be expected of three or more opulent storekeepers, in return for the exclusive privilege of opening stores by themselves or their agents in the new district during a limited term of three or five years? In such case, it would be necessary to leave open the option of procuring articles for private family use from any of the great cities, in order to guard against any undue combination or monopoly; but no other stores should be licensed excepting those belonging to the contractors. A more eligible course might be, to obtain a loan on prior mortgage of the land; the interest to be defrayed out of the second year's crop, and soforth, until the redemption of the principal at the expiration of the debt granted by Congress; it being understood, that the mortgage is to be first satisfied, before the payment of the purchase money. This point, it is presumed, Congress would not object to yield, in order to forward the important interests at issue in this question; since, by so doing, they will not have parted with any essential right, or in any degree have endangered the fulfilment of their just claims.

Thus far it may seem that the proposed settlement is suited more particularly to persons accustomed to agricultural pursuits, and the trades connected with it; but, it is conceived, that, by selecting a position at the extremity of one of those states, in which knowledge is duly estimated, or in such parts of the Missouri, In