the death of an American who fell in the conflict. The authorities, who were little disposed to engage in such a transaction, admitted him to bail; but the mob at Lockport furiously rose, compelled the securities to withdraw their bond, and retained him in prison. The general government claimed his release, as being indicted for a political offence, for which the British ambassador undertook to answer; but the supreme court of New York decided, that the two nations not having been at war, the present must be considered a common charge of murder, to be tried by the criminal court of the state. Thus affairs continued in an agitated and irritating position till the 12th October, when a jury acquitted him as not having been concerned in the outrage. In August 1841, a new ministry was formed in Britain, at the head of which was Sir Robert Peel. One of the first objects to which they turned their attention was the adjustment of the American boundary dispute. With this view a special mission was sent, composed of Lord Ashburton, head of the commercial house of Baring, one of the most distinguished in the country. His lordship arrived in 1842, and an active correspondence was immediately opened between him and Mr Webster. Though encumbered with some difficulties, it was conducted on both sides with an earnest desire for a pacific termination. Accordingly, in August 1842, a treaty was concluded, in which this long-pending question was at length adjusted. The line was drawn nearly according to the award of the King of Holland, to which Britain, though not quite satisfied, had formerly given her consent, while America had rejected it; so that the concession was mainly on her part. The senate, after a debate of four days, ratified it by a majority of thirty-nine to nine. In the course of 1842, considerable agitation was excited by an attempt made in Rhode Island to change the state-constitution, and establish it on a more democratic basis. Such an alteration was in fact considered legitimate if introduced by a convention called by the legislature according to certain forms. The popular leaders and their adherents, however, assembled, and, alleging that they formed a majority, organized a new system on the basis of universal suffrage, appointing their chief, Mr Dorr, the new governor. They had even sympathizers in New York and Boston; but the president pronounced decidedly against so irregular a movement, intimating even his determination, if necessary, to employ force in its suppression. The state-government mustered an armed body, by which it was speedily put down,-Dorr and his adherents having either fled or dispersed. Soon after, they assembled anew, 700 strong, and took post on a hill, which they fortified with five pieces of cannon. The militia of the state being then called out, to the number of 3000, again attacked and dispersed them, with scarcely any bloodshed. In the general government, during the two last years, a confused agitation of parties has prevailed, without any striking collision. Mr Webster has resigned, and the Whig party have become entirely alienated from the present administration, while the democratic faction by no means give it their full confidence. The result of the new election, which comes on in spring 1845, is thus very uncertain. About half the states continue either to repudiate their debts, or at least to pay neither principal nor interest. It is fair to state, that their conduct meets with decided reprobation among the respectable part of their own citizens, as well as among suffering parties in this country. The last North American Review has an excellent article, expressing hope that the suspension is merely temporary, but, if otherwise, denouncing it as a complete forfeiture of the national character. It announces that their proud system of freedom will thus be dishonoured, and their boasted aim to make it the admiration and model of other and future nations will be completely frustrated. In fact, the consequence has already been a severe aggravation of the embarrassments of the general government, whose most advantageous proposals for a loan in Europe have been peremptorily rejected. It has thus been able to carry on its current expenses only by loans at home on onerous terms, or by the issue of treasury notes. Of the latter, there were outstanding in 1843, 10,093,000 dollars. By strict economy the current expenses were reduced from 26,366,000 dollars in 1842 to 23,078,000 in 1843. The territory beyond the Rocky Mountains, to which the Americans have given the name of Oregon, has become a source of controversy with Britain. In 1818, when the subject was merely speculative, a temporary convention was formed, that, without prejudicing the claim of either party, the region should be left free to the vessels and subjects of both. In 1827, this agreement was prolonged for an indefinite period, leaving it, however, open for either party to press its claim, upon giving twelve months' notice. The activity and good management of the Hudson's Bay Company have nearly monopolized the fur trade, and driven the Americans out of the region. This exclusion is viewed with jealousy; while adventurous squatters are aspiring to form settlements in some of the fine valleys that lie between the mountains and the ocean. Hence, some of the turbulent members of congress do not hesitate to call upon the government to annul the convention, and prosecute the claim even at the hazard of war; but it is not probable that any measure so rash will be adopted, especially under so severe a pressure of financial difficulty. |