Carolina, and Dahlonega, in Georgia. These several branches are under the control of the di rector of the mint at Philadelphia. The records of these several establishments are kept in the appropriate office, in the Treasury Department.

CHAPTER LVIII.

Secretary of War.

THE War Department is an extensive building near the President's house, which contains various rooms, to accommodate the several officers attached to the establishment.

The Secretary of War has charge of the army, and of the forts and garrisons of the United States. He is also charged with Indian affairs; that is, the execution of treaties with the tribes of Indians along our western frontier.

He is charged with the providing of muskets, cannon, and other munitions of war, and their preservation in the different arsenals throughout the country. He is charged with the marching of troops to their destination; the providing and transporting of military stores, &c.

In time of peace the duties of this officer are extensive, but in time of war, they are in the highest degree arduous and responsible.

The army is under the command of a MajorGeneral, who is styled the commander-in-chief, and who has his head-quarters at Washington. There are two divisions of the army, at the head of each of which is a Brigadier-General. The

aggregate of the army is about eight thousand men, and the annual expense is about four millions of dollars.

CHAPTER LIX.

Secretary of the Navy.

THE Navy Department is near the President's house. The duties of the Secretary, are to take charge of the Navy; to see to the building of ships, their equipment, and their fitting out with men and stores; to see to the care of them while in ordinary, that is, laid up in port; to plan voyages and cruises; in short, to superintend the whole business of the Navy.

There are several Navy Yards in the United States, where vessels are built, refitted, and taken care of while in ordinary. These are vast establishments, and attended by great numbers of persons. The principal are at Washington, Philadelphia, Norfolk, and Charlestown, near Boston.

At Washington there is a board of Naval Commissioners, consisting of three officers of the navy, whose duty it is to see to the detail of constructing and employing the public vessels, under the superintendence of the Secretary.

The Navy, though on a small scale, acquired great reputation in the war with England of 1812, and it is now a favorite with the nation. The whole number of ships, sloops, and steam vessels, belonging to the United States, is about ninety. The whole number of persons employed in and about them is nearly ten thousand. The annual expense is about seven millions of dollars.

Postmaster-General.

THE General Post Office is a new marble edifice at Washington, about half way between the Capitol and the President's house. Here the Postmaster-General has his office. He is assisted by a deputy postmaster, and various other officers.

The number of post-offices in the United States is about fourteen thousand: the whole extent of all the post routes is about one hundred and fifty thousand miles; the annual transportation of the mails is near thirty-five millions of miles. The annual income is about four millions of dollars; and the expenditure nearly the same.

The President has the nomination of all post masters whose income of office is over one thousand dollars a year: all others are appointed by the Postmaster-General. His salary is six thousand dollars.

CHAPTER LXI.

Attorney-General.

THE province of the Attorney-General is to advise the President in matters of law; to manage cases in which the United States are interested before the United States court, &c. He resides at Washington, and has a salary of four thousand dollars.

Several eminent lawyers have held this high station; among them William Pinckney and William Wirt, both of Maryland.

CHAPTER LXII.

Patent Office.

THE Patent Office is one of the finest edifices in the United States, and is situated near the General Post Office. Here models of new inventions are deposited, and the Superintendent issues letters patent, or patent rights, for new and useful inventions.

By virtue of these grants, the patentees are enabled to have the exclusive making and vending of their inventions for fourteen years. The object of this is to encourage useful improvements, by giving the profits thereof to the inventors for the stipulated period.

The models now lodged in the Patent Office are numerous, ingenious, and interesting, though many were destroyed in the Patent Office, burnt down a few years since. Those which exist, afford a pleasing evidence of the ingenuity of our countrymen. The whole number of patents issued since 1790, is over twelve thousand.

Beside these models, there are various articles of curiosity, belonging to the government of the United States; such as the uniform worn by Washington when he took leave of the army; various rich gifts presented by foreign princes; and a great collection of specimens in natural history, particularly ornithology, conchology, botany, &c.

The Patent Office is under the charge of a Superintendent, who is assisted by various draftsmen, clerks, and others. The whole establishment is subject to the supervision of the Secretary of State. It is one of the most interesting objects at the seat of government.

CHAPTER LXIII.

Judiciary.

THE Judiciary of the United States consists of a Supreme Court, nine Circuit Courts, and thirty District Courts. The judges are nominated by the President, and submitted for approval or rejection, to the Senate. They hold office during good

behavior.

The Supreme Court is composed of a chief justice and eight associate judges, who hold a court every winter at Washington. Each of the judges also attends a certain circuit, comprising several districts. In each district he holds a Circuit Court at stated times, being assisted by a local judge, called a district judge. The District Courts are held by the district judges, alone.

All these circuit and district courts are inferior to the Supreme Court, and their decisions are liable to be overruled by it. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial tribunal in the country, and its decisions are final. It can even decide upon the acts of Congress, and declare them to be unconstitutional, and therefore void.

It will be remarked, however, that cases which arise under state laws, between citizens of the same state, cannot be brought before the United States Court. This court has jurisdiction (that is, the power of acting and judging) only in cases which arise under the laws of Congress, or between citizens of different states, and a few other cases. The state courts adjudge all cases between their own citizens.