are well watered, and afford excellent land, in many parts, particularly on the large streams, that of the first quality. The climate is temperate and healthy; indeed I would not be guilty of exaggeration were I to say, that the advantages which this country possesses to render it salubrious, are many and superior. Those lofty and barren mountains, defying the labor and ingenuity of man, and supposed by some as placed there only to exhibit omnipotence, contribute to the healthiness and beauty of the surrounding plains, and give to us that free air and pure water which distinguish our country. These advantages, calculated to make the inhabitants healthy, vigorous, and intelligent, cannot fail to cause this country to become interesting. And there can be no doubt, that the Cherokee nation, however obscure and trifling it may now appear, will finally become, if not under its present occupants, one of the garden spots of America. And here, let me be indulged in the fond wish, that she may thus become under those who now possess her; and ever be fostered, regulated, and protected by the generous government of the United States.

'The population of the Cherokee nation increased from the year 1810 to that of 1824, two thousand, exclusive of those who emigrated in 1818 and 1819 to the west of the Mississippi; of those who reside on the Arkansas, the number is supposed to be about five thousand.

The rise of these people in their movement towards civilization, may be traced as far back as the relinquishment of their towns; when game became incompetent to their support, by reason of the surrounding white population. They then betook themselves to the woods, commenced the opening of small clearings, and the raising of stock; still, however, following the chase. Game has since become so scarce that little dependence for subsistence can be placed upon it. They have gradually, and I could almost say, universally forsaken their ancient employment. In fact, there is not a single family in the nation, that can be said to subsist on the slender support which the wilderness would afford.' pp. 6-7.

After stating several other facts, showing the progress of the Cherokees in civilization, and the arts of life, he proceeds to say; 'There are three things of late occurrence, which must certainly place the Cherokee nation in a fair light, and act as a powerful argument in favor of Indian improvement.

'First. The invention of letters.

Second. The translation of the New Testament into Cherokee. • And third. The organization of a government.

The Cherokee mode of writing, lately invented by George Guest, who could not read any language nor speak any other than

1

his own, consists of eighty-six characters, principally syllabic, the combinations of which form all the words of the language. Their terms may be greatly simplified, yet they answer all the purposes of writing, and already many natives use them.

The translation of the New Testament, together with Guest's mode of writing, has swept away that barrier which has long existed, and opened a spacious channel for the instruction of adult Cherokees. Persons of all ages and classes may now read the precepts of the Almighty in their own language. Before it is long, there will scarcely be an individual in the nation who can say, "I know not God, neither understand I what thou sayest," for all shall know him from the greatest to the least. The aged warrior, over whom has rolled three score and ten years of savage life, will grace the temple of God with his hoary head; and the little child, yet on the breast of its pious mother, shall learn to lisp its Maker's name.'

The government, though defective in many respects, is well suited to the condition of the inhabitants. As they rise in information and refinement, changes in it must follow, until they arrive at that state of advancement, when, I trust, they will be admitted into all the privileges of the American family.

'The Cherokee nation is divided into eight districts in each of which are established courts of justice, where all disputed cases are decided by a jury, under the direction of a circuit judge, who has jurisdiction over two districts. Sheriffs and other public officers are appointed to execute the decisions of the courts, collect debts, and arrest thieves and other criminals. Appeals may be taken to the Superior Court, held annually at the seat of government. The legislative authority is vested in a general court, which consists of the national committee and council. The national committee consists of thirteen members, who are generally men of sound sense and fine talents. The national council consists of thirty-two members, beside the speaker, who act as the representatives of the people. Every bill passing these two bodies, becomes the law of the land. Clerks are appointed to do the writings, and record the proceedings of the council. The executive power is vested in two principal chiefs, who hold their office during good behaviour, and sanction all the decisions of the legislative council. Many of the laws display some degree of civilization, and establish the respectability of the nation.

'Polygamy is abolished. Female chastity and honor are protected by law. The Sabbath is respected by the council during session. Mechanics are encouraged by law. The practice of putting aged persons to death for witchcraft, is abolished, and murder has now become a governmental crime.' pp. 9-11.

Our readers will agree with us, we believe, that these particulars savor a little of the marvellous, especially when considered as uttered by the voice of an Indian; yet we have no doubt of their truth. The Cherokees have written laws, and a representative government, though not, as far as we can learn, of a very republican cast. The chiefs have found little difficulty, probably, in persuading the people, that they know not how to govern themselves. Power is a strong argument, and this the chiefs had entirely in their own hands. They deserve credit, therefore, for giving up as much of it as they have done; and it may be expected, that the same spirit of concession will hereafter operate in accordance with circumstances, till a free government shall grow out of the present aristocratical system. The Cherokees exhibit a novel spectacle; but the result is not difficult to conjecture. A community of civilized Indians is an anomaly that never has existed, nor do we believe it ever will exist. Bring the Indians up to this mark, and you put them on a level with whites; they will then intermarry, and the smaller mass will be swallowed up by the larger; the red skin will become white, and the Indian will be remembered only as the tenant of the forests, which have likewise disappeared before the march of civilization.

9.-1. Memoria de los Ramos del Ministerio de Relaciones Interiores y Esteriores de la Republica, leida en las Cámaras del Soberano Congreso en los dias 9 y 14 de Enero del Año 1826.

Memoria de Marina, presentada a las Cámaras por el Secretario de Estado y del Despacho del Ramo. Mexico, 1826.

2. Memoria, que en Cumplimiento del Articulo 120 de la Constitucion Federal de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, leyó el Secretario de Estado y del Despacho universal de Justicia y Negocios Eclesiásticos, en la Cámara de Diputados el dia 3, y en la Senadores el dia 4 de Enero de 1826, sobre los Ramos del Ministerio de su Cargo.

3. Aquila Mejicana de Mayo y Junio, 1826.

4. Memoria del Secretario de Estado y del Despacho de la Guerra, presentada a las Cámaras en Enero de 1826. Mexico.

5. Memoria de Marina, presentada a las Cámaras por el Secretario de Estado y del Despacho del Ramo. Mexico, 1826.

THE ancient states of Mexico, in their new condition of civil freedom, and of national independence, are a most interesting subject of contemplation to the inhabitants of this country. The conquests of Cortez, like, nearly all the rest of Spanish America, have ceased to be humble dependants of Spain, walled around by the narrow maxims of impolitic monopoly, with which the council of the Indies impoverished the mother country, and oppressed her colonies. Like her sister republics, too, Mexico, is pressing forward in the race of improvement, with all that speed and vigor, which liberal institutions never fail to impart. She has rejected the central system, which the Colombians deemed necessary for their country and alone fitted to their situation; and in imitation of us, has adopted the more auspicious form of a federal government. Lying contiguous to our territory, inviting by her position to the closest commercial intercourse with her, and professing so many political principles in harmony with ours, Mexico assuredly yields not to the other emancipated regions of the New World, in her claims upon the attention of the United States.

The official documents, enumerated at the beginning of this article, exhibit a cheering picture of the rapid advancement of these important regions to the tranquil state of well ordered government. The early promise of their independence was unpropitious; but its approach to maturity continues under every most favorable omen. The memoirs of the respective heads of department afford us the means and the opportunity of explaining, a little in detail, the public concerns of the renovated realms of Montezuma.

The condition of the army and navy of the republic as exhibited by the minister Gomez Pedraza, deserves a passing word, although these do not interest us so much as her civil institutions. Her forces are undoubtedly adequate to her defence against the exhausted resources of Spain. They actually consist of a ship of the line, a frigate, a corvette, six brigs, four schooners, and eight gunboats, for the sea; and 22,750 standing troops, and 21,577 effective militia. The surrender of the castle of St. Juan de Ulúa has left these forces no immediate offensive service to perform; and their defensive duties are chiefly precautionary. The government is making every exertion to provide means for the education of officers for both navy and army, in which they are very deficient. Vigor, discipline, and activity will be infused into their military and marine by the acquisition of Commodore Porter; and if Spain should persist in her insane obstinacy in refusing to acknowledge their independence, his bold and busy talents may yet again be signalized on the shores of Puerto Rico and Cuba. But as to this, the deliberations of the Congress of Panamá will probably determine.

The foreign relations of Mexico are not yet in a perfectly settled state. The republic has interchanged diplomatic agents with Colombia, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and the United States. Her independence has been recognised by Prussia, also; and France, with some other powers, indicates an awkward anxiety to engage in commercial intercourse with her, without being willing to accede to fair terms. Treaties are in the course of negotiation between the republic on the one hand, and England and America on the other; but are not finally accomplished. President Victoria enters cordially into Bolivar's idea of the Congress of Panamá, from which the happiest effects are anticipated upon the reciprocal friendly feelings of all the free nations of the New World.

The relations of Mexico with Spain remain unchanged; and we apprehend will for a long while so continue. Spain is not likely to emulate the prudence of Britain in our own case, and make a virtue of necessity. Procrastinating the evil day of decision, she will sooner suffer all her possessions to be wrested from her by the revolutionary tempest, than condescend, like a ship's crew endangered at sea, wisely to abandon a part of her riches to secure the residue, and save herself. She holds good to the character given of her, centuries ago, by Sir Francis Bacon. The Spaniards and Spartans,' observed the philosopher,, ' have been noted to be of small despatch. Mi venga la muerte de Spagna. Let my death come from Spain; for then it will be sure to be long a coming.' We conceive her chance of reconquering the colonies to be perfectly desperate. In May last, the Mexican legislature determined to receive no proposition from Spain or any other power, but on the basis of independence; and never to give any tribute or indemnity as the price of independence; and at the same time made it highly penal for any Mexican to recommend either, whether in public or private, verbally or in writing. And is it possible that after this they can be persuaded back to vassallage? Subdued they cannot be by the force of Spain.

The Catholic religion, our readers well know, is established by the constitution as the religion of the republic. In consequence of this, the government have despatched a minister to Rome, to endeavor to arrange its relations with the apostolic see; but the subservience of the latter to Spanish influence, renders the issue of the negotiation somewhat doubtful. It seems, that, although the Pope has professed a disposition to place himself at the head of the church in the new states, on a footing satisfactory to them, yet, not long since, he addressed a circular letter to the American ecclesiastics, urging them to rise against the