sand and seventy-eight, manned by twenty-eight thousand nine hundred and ten seamen.

The whale and other fisheries in the colonies had become of great importance. In 1775, there were employed in the fishery generally, and in carrying the fish to market from New-England, one thousand four hundred and fifty vessels of all descriptions, of one hundred thousand tons burthen, and eleven thousand fishermen and seamen.

Sec. 33. AGRICULTURE. During this period, a gradual progress was made in agriculture, but it does not need any specific notice.

Great Bri

Sec. 34. ARTS AND MANUFACTURES. tain still continued to oppose the progress of arts and manufactures in the colonies, and, therefore, there was but a moderate advance of these interests, during this period.

Sec. 35. POPULATION. At the close of this period, the white and black population of the colonies did not vary greatly from three millions.

Sec. 36. EDUCATION. In the year 1769, the college at Hanover, New-Hampshire, was founded, and called Dartmouth College, in honour of the Earl of Dartmouth, who was one of its principal benefactors.

In 1770, the University in Rhode Island, called Brown University, was established at Providence. It was incorporated in 1764, and first located at Warren. At this place the first commencement

was held, 1769.

REFLECTIONS.

Sec. 37. The preceding short period of our history presents several interesting subjects of reflection. The American colonies became the theatre of a bloody conflict, attended by all the appalling features of savage war. Although feebly supported by England, and embarrassed by the want of political union, they surmounted every obstacle, and compelled the French, their enemies, to depart from their shores for ever.

But no sooner was this conflict ended, than they began

to feel, with added weight, the hand of British oppression. Not humbled, however, by injustice, nor crushed by severities, they vigorously put forth their strength in commerce, trade, and agriculture. They spread innumerable sails upon the ocean; they converted forests into meadows and wheat fields; established seminaries of learning; founded cities; and built churches to God.

Nay, more-we see that those very steps, which were taken by the mother country to cripple the American colonies, were so ordered as to add to their strength. By leav ing them to bear the war of 1756 almost alone, she showed them that they could not expect defence from her; she taught them the necessity of relying upon their own energies; gave them an opportunity to learn the art of war, and to ascertain their own strength.

The long line of British acts, designed to crush the colonies, and to keep them in humble subjection, passed, as they were, in wilful ignorance of the feelings and power of America, awakened the spirit of the revolution, and laid the foundation of a great nation.

What a lesson may tyranny gather from this! And how thankful should we te, that a just Providence is above, who regards the affairs of men-who turns aside the trampling heel of oppression, and causes the blood wrung out by tyranny to cry from the ground, and to call forth the spirit of liberty!

UNITED STATES.

PERIOD V.

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.

Extending from the commencement of hostilities by Great Britain, against the American colonies, in the battle of Lexington, 1775, to the disbanding of the American army, at West Point, 1783.

Sec. 1. On the 19th of April, 1775, was shed at Lexington, Massachusetts, the first blood in the war of the revolution-a war, which terminated in the separation of the American colonies from Great Britain, and in their change from this humble character and condition, to that of free and independent States.

Sec. 2. The causes, which led the colonies to take up arms against the mother country, deserve a distinct recital in this portion of our history, as they will clearly show the justice, the wisdom, and the necessity of those acts of resistance, to which, at that trying period, resort was had.

"The independence of America," it has been observed, "was found by those, who sought it not." When the Fathers of this country left Great Britain, they had no intention of establishing a government independent of that of England. On the contrary, they came out as colonists, and expected still to acknowledge allegiance to