and 18,038 inhabitants; but the increase has been very considerable since. It contains nineteen edifices for public worship, of which nine are for congregationalists, three for episcopalians, and two for baptists; the friends, Roman-catholics, methodists, sandemonians, and universa lians, have one each. There are also seven free-schools, besides a great number of private schools. The harbour is capacious enough for 500 vessels to ride at anchor in good depth of water, while the entrance is so narrow as scarcely to admit two ships abreast. The wharfs and quays in Boston are about eighty in number, and very convenient for vessels. Long Wharf, or Boston Pier, in particular, extends from the bottom of State-street 1743 feet into the harbour, in a straight line. The breadth is 104 feet. At the end are 17 feet of water at ebb-tide. Long Wharf is covered on the north side with large and commodious warehouses, and in every respect exceeds any thing of the kind in the United States. Charles river and West Boston bridges are highly useful and ornamental to Boston, and both are on Charles river, which mingles its waters with those of Mystic river, in Boston harbour. Charles river bridge connects Boston with Charles-town in Middlesex county, and is 1503 feet long, 42 feet broad, and stands on 75 piers. West Boston is 3483 feet long, stands on 180 piers, and exceeds the other as much in elegance as in length. The view of the town, as it is approached from the sea, is truly beautiful and picturesque. It lies in a circular and pleasingly irregular form round the harbour, and is ornamented with spires, above which the monument of Beacon hill rises pre-eminent: on its top is a gilt eagle bearing the arms of the Union, and on the base of the column are inscriptions commemorating some of the most remarkable events of the late war. The town is governed by nine select men, chosen at an annual meeting in March, when twelve overseers, twelve constables, and some other officers are chosen. Attempts have been made to change the government of the town from its present form to that of a city; but this measure, not according with the democratic spirit of the people, has as yet failed. Salem is the second town in this state. It contained in 1790, 923 houses, and 7921 inhabitants. It is a very commercial place, and is connected with Beverly by Essex bridge, upwards of 1500 feet in length, erected in 1789. The harbour is defended by a fort. Plymouth was the first town built in New England, and peopled principally by the descendants of the first settlers. The rock on which their forefathers landed was conveyed in 1774 from the shore to a square in the centre of the town, where it remains as a monument. The situ ation of the town is pleasant and healthful. Portland is the capital of the district of Maine. It has a most excel lent, safe, and capacious harbour, and is one of the most thriving commercial towns in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 1795 a fort, a citadel, and a battery of ten pieces of cannon, were erected for its de fence. HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT,] An account of the first settlement and early history of Massachusetts has already been given under the general head of New England. In consequence of the revolt of the American colonies from the authority of Great Britain (of the origin and progress of which an account has been given in another place,) on the 25th of July, 1776, by an order from the council at Boston, the declaration of the American Congress, absolving the United Colonies from their allegiance to the British crown, and declaring them free and independent, was publicly proclaimed from the balcony of the state-house in that town. A constitution, or form of government, for the commonwealth of Massachusetts, including a declaration of rights, was agreed to, and established by the inhabitants of that province, and took place in October 1780. In the preamble to this it was declared, that the end of the institution, maintenance, and administration of government, is to secure the existence of the body politic; to protect it, and to furnish the individuals who compose it, with the power of enjoying, in safety and tranquillity, their natural rights, and the blessings of life; and that, whenever these great objects are not obtained, the people have a right to alter the government, and to take measures necessary for their prosperity and happiness. They expressed their gratitude to the Great Legislator of the universe, for having afforded them, in the course of his providence, an opportunity, deliberately and peaceably, without fraud, violence, or surprise, of entering into an original, explicit, and solemn compact with each other; and of forming a new constitution of civil government for themselves and their posterity. They declared that it was the right, as well as the duty, of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being; and that no subject should be hurt, molested, or restrained in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience, or for his religious profession or sentiments, provided he did not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship. It was also enacted, that the several towns, parishes, precincts, and other bodies politic, or religious societies, should, at all times, have the exclusive right of electing their public teachers, and of contracting with them for their support and maintenance. That all moneys paid by the subject to the support of public worship, and of the public teachers, should, if he required it, be uniformly applied to the support of the public teacher or teachers of his own religious sect or denomination, provided there were any on whose instructions he attended; otherwise it might be paid towards the support of the teacher or teachers of the parish or precinct in which the said moneys should be raised. That every denomination of Christians, demeaning themselves peaceably, and as good subjects of the commonwealth, should be equally under the protection of the law; and that no subordination of any sect or denomination to another should ever be established by law. It was likewise declared, that as all power resided originally in the people, and was derived from them, the several magistrates and officers of government vested with authority, whether legislative, executive, or judicial, are their substitutes and agents, and are at all times accountable to them. That no subject should be arrested, or deprived of his property or privileges, but by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land. That the legislature should not make any law that should subject any person to a capital or infamous punishment, excepting for the government of the army or navy, without trial by jury. That the liberty of the press is essential to the security of freedom in a state; and that it ought not, therefore, to be restrained in that commonwealth. That the people have a right to keep and bear arms for the common defence; but that, as in times of peace armies are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be maintained without the consent of the legislature; and that the military power should always be held in exact subordination to the civil authority. The legislature of Massachusetts consists of a senate, and a house of representatives, which, together with the governor and lieu governor, are elected annually by the people: electors must be t one years of age, have freeholds of the annual value of three or personal estate to the value of sixty pounds. To be eligibl office of governor or lieutenant-governor, the candidate must h sided in the state seven years, and during that time have beer of a freehold of one thousand pounds. Senators must have five years in the state, and have possessed a freehold to the v three hundred pounds, or personal property to the value of s dred pounds. A representative must have resided one year in th which he is chosen to represent, and have been seised therein hold estate to the value of one hundred pounds, or been posse personal property to the value of two hundred pounds. From ti sons returned as senators and counsellors, being forty in all, ni annually elected, by joint ballot of both houses; for the purpose vising the governor in the execution of his office. All judicial o the attorney and solicitor-general, sheriffs, &c. are, with the ad the council, appointed by the governor The judges (except j of the peace, whose commissions expire in seven years, but may newed) hold their offices during good behaviour. RHODE ISLAND. SITUATION AND EXTENT. Miles. Degrees. between S41-26 and 42-10 north lat. } Sq. 1,30 RHODE ISLAND and Length 47 Breadth 37 BOUNDARIES AND DIVISIONS.] dence Plantations, which together form the smallest of the U States, are bounded on the North and East by Massachusetts; o South by the Atlantic Ocean; and on the West by Connecticut. state is divided into the five following counties: Counties. Chief Towns. ISLANDS, HARBOURS, AND RIVERS.] Narraganset bay cont several fertile islands; the principal of which are, Rhode Island, C nonicut, Prudence, Patience, Hope, Dyer's and Hog Islands. Bi Island is the southernmost land belonging to the state. Rhode Isla from which the state takes its name, is about fifteen miles in leng and about three and a half broad, on an average. The harbours a Newport, Providence, Wickford, Patuxet, Warren, and Bristol. T state is intersected in all directions by rivers; the chief of which Providence and Taunton rivers, which fall into Narraganset Bay. CLIMATE, SOIL, AND PRODUCE.] Rhode Island is as healthy a co try as any in America. The winters, in the maritime parts of the sta are milder than in the inland country; the air being softened by a s vapour, which also enriches the soil. The summers are delightful, espe cially in Rhode Island; where the extreme heats, which prevails in other parts of America, are allayed by cool and refreshing breezes from the sea. This state produces rye, barley, oats, and in some parts, wheat, sufficient for home consumption; and the various kinds of grasses, fruits, and culinary roots and plants, in great abundance, and in perfection: cider is made for exportation. The north-western parts of the state are but thinly inhabited, and are more rocky and barren than the other parts. Iron ore is found in great plenty in several parts of this state; there is also a copper mine, mixed with iron strongly impregnated with load-stone. Abundance of lime-stone is also found here. POPULATION, TRADE, AND MANUFACTURES.] The state of Rhode Island, in 1790, contained 68,825 persons, of whom 948 were slaves. The town of Bristol carries on a considerable trade to Africa, the West Indies, and to different parts of the United States; but by far the greatest part of the commerce of Rhode Island is at present carried on by the inhabitants of the flourishing town of Providence, which had, in* 1791, 129 sail of vessels, containing 11,942 tons. The exports from this state are, flax-seed, lumber, horses, cattle, beef, pork, fish, poultry, onions, butter cheese, barley, grain, spirits, cotton and linen goods. The imports consist of European and West Indian goods, and log-wood from the Bay of Honduras. Upwards of 600 vessels enter and clear annually at the different ports in the state. The amount of exports from this state to foreign countries for one year, ending Sept. 30, 1791, was 470,131 dollars; and in 1794, 954-573 dollars. The inhabitants of this state are rapidly improving in manufactures. A cotton manufactory has been erected at Providence. Jeans, fustians, denims, thick sets, velvets, &c. are here manufactured, and sent to the southern states. Large quantities of linen and tow-cloth are made in different parts of this state for exportation; but the most considerable manufactures here are those of iron; such as bar and sheet iron, steel, nail-rods, and nails, implements of husbandry, stoves, pots, and other household utensils; the iron-work of shipping, anchors, and bells. So RELIGION AND LEARNING.] Liberty of conscience has been inviolaby maintained in this state, ever since its first settlement. little las the civil authority to do with religion here, that no contract between a minister and a society (unless incorporated for that purpose) is of any force. It is probably for these reasons that so many different sectshave ever been found here; and that the sabbath, and all religious institutions, have been more neglected in this than in any other of the New England states. A college called Rhode Island College, is established at Providence. It is a spacious edifice, and contains upwards of sixty students. It has a library, containing nearly 3000 volumes, and a valuable philosophical apparatus. CHIEF TOWNS.] The principal towns in the state of Rhode Island are, Providence and Newport. The former is situated at the head of Narraganset bay, on both sides of Providence river, over which is a bridge 160 feet long and 22 wide. It is a large and handsome town, containing several elegant buildings, and about 6,400 inhabitants. Newport is situated at the south-west end of Rhode Island. The harbour (which is one of the finest in the world) spreads westward before the town. The entrance is easy and safe, and a large fleet may anchor in it, and ride in perfect security. Newport contains about 1,000 houses. HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT.] This state was first settle Massachusetts. Mr. Roger Williams, a minister, who came over i England in 1631, was charged with holding a variety of errors, a on that account forced to leave his house, land, wife, and child Salem, in the dead of winter, and to seek a residence without th of Massachusetts. Governor Winthrop advised him to pursue his to Nehiganset or Narraganset bay, which he did, and fixed hin Secunk, or Seekhonk, now Rehoboth. But that place being with bounds of the Plymouth colony, governor Winslow, in a f manner advised him to remove to the other side of the river, the lands were not covered by any patent. Accordingly in 163 Williams, and four others, crossed Seekhonk river, and landed : the Indians, by whom they were hospitably received; and thus la foundation of a town, which, from a sense of God's merciful dence to him, he called Providence. Here he was soon after by a number of others; and though they were secured from the I by the terror of the English, yet they for a considerable time su much from fatigue and want: but they enjoyed liberty of consci which is still maintained in this state. The constitution of Rhode Island is founded on the charter gr by Charles II. in 1663; and the frame of government was not e tially altered by the revolution. The legislature of the state consi two branches: a senate, or upper house, composed of ten member sides the governor or deputy-governor, called in the charter assiste and a house of representatives, composed of depaties from the se towns. The members of the legislature are chosen twice a year; there are two sessions of this body annually, viz. on the first Wedne in May, and the last Wednesday in October. } 4,7 BOUNDARIES AND DIVISION.] CONNECTICUT is bounded the North by Massachusetts; on the East by Rhode Island; on South, by the Sound which divides it from Long Island; and, on West, by the state of New York. It is divided into eight counties, as follows: Chief Towns. Fairfield New Haven Middleton New London RIVERS AND BAYS.] The principal rivers in this state are, the Con necticut, Housatonick, Thames, and their branches. The whole |