were discussed by the most enlightened and patriotic men of the country-and happily for us the doctrine of independence prevailed. A committee appointed for that purpose, reported a "Declaration of Independence," (drawn up by Mr. Jefferson one of the committee) which was finally adopted by the congress, July 4th 1776; and by which it was declared that "these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are ab. solved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is, and ought to be totally dissolved; that as free and independent States they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things, which independent States may of right do."

The States by their delegates in congress, on the 9th of July 1778 entered into articles, by which they confederated together in their sovereign capacity, under the style of "The United States of America." By these articles the States entered into a firm league of friendship with each other "for their common defence, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare-binding themselves to assist each other against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretence whatever."

Each State retained its "sovereignty, freedom, and inde. pendence; and every power, jurisdiction, and right" which was not by the terms of the confederation expressly delegated to the United States; the powers of the general government were defined, and under this confederation these powers were exercised in full force, until March 4. 1789, when the constitution of the United States took effect.

By this constitution certain powers are conferred upon the general government, and of course are relinquished by the States-but it is provided by an amendment, that the powers not delegated to the United States by the constitu.

tion, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

General La Fayette in delivering a sentiment regarding the constitution of the United States, pronounced it "a happy compound of state rights, and federal energy.”

In construing the powers of the federal government, two contending political parties have found grounds of difference, which have kept up a wall of division between them ever since the organization of our government; the one being jealous of the powers of the federal government lest the sovereignty of the States individually might be impaired or lost, contrary to the design of the confederation, and thus the government become consolidated; whilst the other professes not to desire this latter result, but contends for a liberal construction of the powers of the general government, and fears disunion. Both of these parties have ever had able and numerous advocates and adherents, but have both at times advocated the extremes of their respective doctrines; still it is supposed that in sentiment, both desire that the general government should exercise all its legitimate powers, and thus effect every object of the union, and that the sovereignty of the States may remain as unimpaired as the nature of the confederacy admits. The difference therefore lies in the means adopted, to arrive at the same end.

QUESTIONS ON THE PRECEDING.

How many States entered into the original confederation?
What caused them to oppose the government of Great Britain?
Of whom was the first congress composed?

What is said of the Declaration of Independence?

By whom was it written, and what was its import?

When, and by what body were the Articles of confederation

entered into?

What was the import of these Articles?

What was the style of the confederation?

When did the constitution of the U. S. take effect?
What was the observation of La Fayette concerning it?
What are the views of the contending political parties?

OF THE POWERS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

The powers of the Federal Government may be divided into Executive, Legislative, and Judicial; and these are each to be accepted in a limited sense, and as defined by the constitution of the United States.

OF THE EXECUTIVE POWER.

The executive power of the United States is vested in a president, who is chosen by the electors of each State appointed in such manner as the legislature of each State directs by law; and these electors are equal in number to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State is entitled in congress.

The President holds his office for four years, but may be sooner removed by impeachment for, or conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanors.

Qualifications. The President must be a natural born citizen, of the age of thirty-five years, and must have been fourteen years a resident of the United States.

Chief powers and duties. He is Commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States, and also of the militia of the several States, when in the actual service of the United States.

He grants reprieves and pardons, for offences against the United States (except in cases of impeachment.) With the advice and consent of the Senate, he has power to make treaties, to appoint ambassadors, public ministers and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and other officers of the United States, whose mode of appointment is not otherwise

prescribed by law. He fills vacancies that happen during a recess of the Senate, by granting commissions that expire at the end of the next session; and he may convene both or either of the houses of congress on extraordinary occasions. No bill, though it may have passed both houses of congress becomes a law, until presented to the president; and if he approves, he signs it, and this done it becomes a law: if he do not approve, he returns it with his objections, to the house where it originated. The house then proceeds to reconsider it, and if the bill is approved by two-thirds of both houses, it becomes a law, without the signature of the president. When the president thus returns a bill with his objections to its passage, he is said to put his veto upon it. It is the duty of the president to inform congress from time to time, of the state of the union, and to recommend such measures of public utility as he deems expedient; to see that the laws are faithfully executed; to commission the officers of the United States, and to receive ambassadors and other public ministers from foreign powers.

The salary of the president is $25,000 per annum.

The vice President, is elected in the same manner, and for the same term, and he is ineligible without the same qualifications as the president.

Chief powers &c. He is President of the Senate of the United States, but is not entitled to vote, unless that body is equally divided.

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In case the president is removed, or dies, resigns, or be comes unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, they devolve upon the vice president, who has in that event the same powers and duties as the president. The salary of the vice President is $5,000 per annum,

QUESTIONS ON THE PRECEDING.

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How are the powers of the Federal Government divided?
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In whom is the executive power vested?

How is the President chosen?

How long does he hold his office?

How, and for what causes may he be removed from office?
What are the qualifications of the President?

Can you enumerate his chief powers and duties ?

What is meant by the President's putting his veto on a bill?
What is the President's salary?

How is the Vice President chosen?

What are his qualifications?

Can you enumerate his powers and duties?

When do the powers of the President devolve upon him?
What is the salary of the Vice President?

OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

The Secretary of State, is nominated by the President and appointed by him, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. He holds his office during the pleasure of the power appointing him. He is subject to be removed on impeachment for, or conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

Chief powers and duties. He conducts the business of the Department of State, under the direction of the President; and performs such duties, as from time to time are enjoined upon him by law, or entrusted to him by the President. He forwards commissions and instructions to the public ministers and consuls of the United States, and corresponds and negotiates, with public ministers from foreign States and Princes. He has the custody of all books, records, and papers relating to our affairs with foreign nations, and of all others pertaining to the Department of State. He receives every bill, resolution, or vote, that is passed by congress carefully preserves the originals, and causes them to be recorded in books provided for that purpose; and it is his duty to cause them to be published in one public news