then reading daily. In St. Paul's Epistle wish to be informed of those bistorical to the Romans, Chap. XV. verse 4. means, whereby I may know, by whose he says, “ For whatsoever things were authority those books, when formed written aforetime were written for our into their present collective state, were learning, that we through patience and designated holy inspired scriptures. comfort of the scriptures might have It is my firm belief that if these books hope. Here it is evident, that those were more candidly examined, and more scriptures which Paul speaks of to the rationally considered, the truth, and Romans as being of comfort to them, rationality of christianity would be were written " aforetime; tong before better understood; but instead of which, this letter of his to them; therefore this the schools teach their youth to read epistle (could not be then scriptures of and think according to the creed of the Romans. In II Timothy Chapter their respective Church: thus it is that III. verse 15 and 16. St. Paul tells his the mind is nurtured into an established friend Timothy that “ all scripture is prejudice, superstition, and bigotry, given by inspiration of God; and," that which will ever remain so, unless reafrom a child thou hast known the holy son, by free inquiry, resumes her governscriptures." This epistle of Paul is a ment. part of the New Testament, but St. Paul does not here tell his friend Timothy, ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. that this letter of his, which he was then

LETTER VII. writing to him, was to be considered as

•• Remember that the disorders of the Sovi are not a part of the holy scriptures; no, because Paul only alludes to those scriptures,

to be cured by furce and violence.” which his friend Timothy had known Cardinal de Camus.--Pastoral Insiructions. 1688. from his childhood. Hence, I think that JULIAN, the Roman Emperor, who nothing can be more clear, than that the fourished in the fourth century from the authors of those narratives, and those Christian era, and when that religion had admonitary letters, which comprise the long been established in Rome, observing book of the New Testament, do not that wild beasts were less furious against any where assert, that what they were mankind than the generality of christians writing should be considered as a part towards those christians who thought of the holy inspired scriptures. Not differently from themselves, was deteronly from the clear evidence of those mined to restore the ancient pagan sysbooks themselves but likewise by com- tem, which was particularly mild and toparing them with other historical docu- lerant, and, according to luis views, better Inents, it will be found that the apostles calculated to insure peace and harmony only alluded to those holy inspired to society. For this he has been desig. scriptures, which did then exist, (the nated the Apostate by all christian wriDid Testament) because the New had ters since that period; but whatever no being at the time. Moreover some epithets they may please to give him, of the apostles were dead before the or whatever abuse their spleen may beothers had written; consequently many stow on his inemory, they cannot deny of then were igoerant of some of those that he was a great philosopier and a books: and all of them were unacquaint- very acute and sensible man.

His life, ed with them collectively, as they haul if written impartiai.y, would afford much no existence in such a state 'till inore instruction ; but christians are not likely than a century after the death of the te doiiim justice on account of their preanthors. It is not what may be thought juices. His writings evince great judge of those books, from their intrinsic cor- ment and discrimination, and will amply sideration that I solicit your atten.ion; repay the Stufent for his labor iu perubut because I have the opinion of many sing them.--In his thirri Epistle, speakable writers, such as Mr. Evansor, ing of'ile cliristian, by the name of GaliDr. Waits, Dr. Priestly, - Dr. Horsley, /icans, lie lias these remarkable words:--*c. all of whom, I have no doubt, " I will not suffer them to be dragged to ivere sincere christians, and of unques- “ the Altars, nor the least wrong to be oftionable erudition and abilities; yet “fered them. They are rather mad they all differed very widely in their “ than wicked. Let us endeavour, if it is juegments of those books. only possible, to make them hear reason .

“and to gain them by gentle means; we breathed with regard to the late Mrs. “ought not to hate, but to pity them. Southcott. But perhaps his wisdom has

They are already but too unhappy by taught him to turn a deaf ear to their 't deceiving themselves in the most essen- thoughtless malice.-I am willing, in the “ tial thing upon earth.”—Now,although present instance, to consider bim possam no courtly parasite, and have the mis essed of sentiments as amiable and liberal fortune to be devoid of that superstitious as those of Julian, which I have quoted veneratiop for kings and princes, which as my text, and to allow that he acts acdisables many people from bolding in just cording to the dictates of sound policy. abhorrence the tyrannical Villain and He knows that there is no species of suithe public Robber, because, forsooth, perstition that human credulity will not lie is disguised from his fellow men by embrace, if it is presented in the shape of some high sounding but unmeaning nick religion. Ile is well aware too, of the name; is waited upon by a set of ser- manner in which we receive all our ideas; vants dressed like merry andrews, and and consequently is convinced that the rides in a gaudy chariot besmeared with errors of the mind are not voluntary erthe most ridiculous pictures calige coats rors, and, therefore, can, never be cured of arms.--Although, I say, I cannot pay by constraint or persecution. He is fully a stupiil homage to a set of wortjiess sensible that if these people are deluded, drones, merely because they are concealed TIME, the tryer of all things, will do lieneath the pony of title and the splen- more to open their eyes than violent opdour of equipage, yet I trust I shall ever position, which would oviy strengiben have the candour to praise merit, even them in their faith, because, like the when discovered in the Augeau Stable Saints of old, they woulil deem it an infalof a Court.

lible evidence of the truth of their sys Royalty is a soil seldom congenial | tem.--As an enlightened christian, and to virtue and talent; consequently a single one whose mind soars far above the slatrait of goodness, or ability, in the cha- vish priest-led-berd who bear that name,

, racter of a Prince, should attract our at- he is conscious that religions persecutitentiov as the brilliant gem of the glow on cannot be defended upon the pure vorm, shining with more lustre through and simple principles of our holy religion the dark night of corruption. I am

ma as taught by Jesus, and therefore has deabout to praise our gracious Prince Re- termined that these people should be left gent, because it strikes me that he pos- to themselves, and permitted to worship sesses a miud superior to vulgar prejul- the Gods after their own manner, indices. I cannot conceive him entirely stead of listening to the cry of “Crucify, ignorant of the sentiments promulgated Crucify," from an ignorant, bigotted, and by the time serving writers of our daily misguided populace.--It is because I Journals, or of the opinions of the great choose to consider that our good Prince bulk of society, relative to a particular has been governed by motives like these, Sect of Christians, and the celebrated that I attribute to him sentiments as female, whose name will be handed down amiable and as wise as those of JULIAN; to posterity as their founder, with as bút lesi the illnatured, or envious, should much eclat as Arins, Socinus, William deny bim the approbation I would give l'enn, or John Wesley. The Newspapers him for christian charity, or philosophie have been continually attacking both her liberality, I will endeavour to prove that and her followers, in the most scurrilous he deserves the same mee:l of applause manner, and calling for legislative inter- for the enlighteneil policy his conduct, ference to suppress ber doctrines; and on this occasion, has displayed.--Some the populace have been constantly wish- persons may say that the conduct of ing that the holy prophetess herself was princes ought to be attributed to their either burnt, or imprisoned for life. advisers; but they should recollect,

, ; These matters cannot have escaped the that it is their foolishi and wicked actions attention of a prince, whose business it alone that their ,inisters are accountable is to make himself acquainted with every for, and that every act of, grace, wisthing which concerns the people who suf- dom, and clemency, usually proceeds fer him to be their head servant. He from the monarch himself. Upon this must be aware of their clamour, and the principle, therefore, I tbink proper to persecuting spirit whic

spirit which tijey have applaud the judgment and prudence

NOTE FROM THE BRITISH TO THE AMERICAN

MINISTÉK $.

of our prince, in preventing any legisla- | Dexation to the Uni:ed States, was the declared tive interference with regard to the new vbject of the American Government. If, in corsemillenial doctrine of our prophetess, quence of a different course of events on the conti-. and shall proceed to give my reasons nent of Europe, his Majesty's Government had for so doing.

been unable to reinforce the British armies in CanaOur Prince (acting for his father) da, and the United States had obtained a decided is the sovereign head of the church, súperiority in that quarter, is there any person or state religion of this country, and who doubts that thy would have availed then“ Defender of the Faith. ” This selves of their situation to obtain on one side ot' eina faith is a branch of a system called nada iiuportant cessions of territory, if not the ena christian, from the name of its founder, tire abandonment of that country by Great Britain? and first instituted, as the almanacks Is the American Government to be allowed to pertell us, about 1815 years ago.

sue, so far as its means will enable il, a system of ac(To be continued.)

quisition and aggrandisemeni tothe point of annexing

entire provinces to their dominions, and bis Majesty AMERICAN DOCUMENTS.

to be precluded trou availing liimself of his means, so far as they will enable hivi, to retail those points

wbich the valor of British arms may have placed in Continued from page 192.

his power, because they happen to be siunated within the territories allotter! under former treaties

to the Government of the Uniied States? Such a Ghent, Sept. 4, 181.4. principle of negociation was never avowed at any “ The undersigned have the honour to acknow period antecedent to that of the Revolutionary ledge the receipt of the Nore of the American Government of France. If the policy of the Plenipotentiaries, dated, the 24th ultimo.---It is United States liad been essentially pacific, as the with unteigned regret that the undersigned ob- American Plenipotentiaries' assert it ought to be, serve both in the tone and substance of the whole from their political institutions, froin tlie habits of Note, so little proof of any disposition on the their citizens, and from their physical situation, it part of the Government of the United States to might not have been necessary. 10. propose

the

preenter into an alicable discession of the several cautionary provisions now under discussion. That, points submitted by the undersigned in their of late years at least, the American Governinent former communication. The undersigued are per- have been influenced by a very different policy: tecily aware, that in bringing forward those points by a spirit of aggrandisement not necessary for consideration, and stating with so much frank- own security, but increasing with the extent of ness, as they did, the views with which they their empire, fias been too clearly manifested by were proposed, they departed from the usual their progressive occupation of Indian territories-course of negociating, by disclosing all 1. obs by the acquisition of Louisiana; by the jects of their Government, while those which the recent attempt to wrest by force of arms from a American Government had in view were withheld; uariou in anity, the tivo Floridas; and lastly, by the but in so doing they were principally actuated avowed intention of permanenly annexing the Caby a sincere desire of bringing the negociation nadas to tiie United States. It then security of the as soon as possible to a favourable termination, British North American dominions requires any saand in some measure by their willingness to coni- crifices on the part of the United Siates, they must ply with the wishes expressed by the American be ascribed to the declared puliry of' 11.at Gorerne Plenipotentiaries themselves. It is pertecıly true ment in making the war not one of self defence, that the war between his Majesty and the United nor for the redress of grievances, real or prelended, States was declared by the latter ver upon the but a part of a system of conquest and aggrandisepretence of maritime rights alledged 10 be asserted by ment. The British Government, in its present situaGreat Britain, and disputed by the United States. tion, is bound in duty to endeavour to secure its

If the war thus declared by the United States had North American dominions against those attempts been carried on by them for objects purely of a al conquest, which the American Government have maritiine nature, or if the attack which had been avowed to be a principle of their policy, and made on Canada had been for the purpose of diver- which, as - such, will undoubtedly be renewed, sion, or in the way of defence against the British whenever any succeeding war between the two forces in that quarter, any question as to the boun- countries shall afford a prospect of renewing them daries of Canada might have been considered as un- with success. The British Plenipotentiaries pronecessary ; but it is notorious to the whole world posed that the military possession of the Lakes, thal the conquest of Canada, and its permanent an. from Like Ontario to Like Superior, should be

to their

more

secured to Great Britain, because the command of Quebec becomes interrupted, was not in contemthose Lakes would afford to the American Govern-slation of the British Plenipotentiaries who con. ment the ineans of commencing a war in the heart cluded the treaty of 1783, and that the greater of Canada, and because the command of them, on part of the territory in question is actually unocthe part of Great Britain, has been shewn by ex-cupied. 'The undersigned are persuaded that an perience, to be attended with no insecurity to the arrangement en this point might be easily made, United States. When the relative strength of if entered into with the spirit of conciliation, withthe two Powers in North America is considered, it out any prejudice to the interests of the district ili should be recollected that the British doniinions in question. As the necessity for fixing some bouna that quarter do not contain a population of 500,000 dary for the north western frontier has been mupersons, whereas the territory of the United States Inally acknowledged, a proposal for a discussion on contains a population of more than seven millions ; that subject cannot be considered as a demand for that the naval resources of the United States are al a cession of territory, unless the United States are hand for attack, and that the naval resources of prepared to assert that there is no limit to their Great Britain are on the other side of the Atlantic. / territories in this direction ; and that, availing The military possession of those Lakes is not, there themselves of the geographical error upon which fore, necessary for the protection of the United that part of the treaty of 1783 was founded, they States. The proposal for allowing the territories on will acknowledge no boundary whatever ; then the southern banks of the Lakes above mentioned unquestionably any proposition, to fix one, be it to remain in the possession of the Government of what it may, must be considered as demanding a the United States, provided no fortifications should Targe cession of territory froin the United States. be ciected on the shores, and no armament per- | Is the American Government prepared to assert mitted on the waters, has been made, for the pur-such an unlimited right so contrary to the evident pose of manifesting, that security and not acquisi- intention of the treaty itself? Or, is his Majesty's tion of territory is the object of the British Go-Government to understand, that the American vernment, and that they have no desire to throw Plenipotentiaries are willing to acknowledge the obstacles in the way of any commerce which the boundary from the Lake of the Woods to the people of the United States may be desirous of | Mississippi (the arrangement by a convention in carrying on upon the Lakes in time of peace. The 1803, but not ratified) as that by which their Goundersigned, with the anxious wish to rectify all

vernmen' is ready to abide. The British Plenipomisunderstanding, have thus more fully explained tentiaries are instructed to accept favourably such the grounds upon which they brought forward the

a proposition, or to discuss any other line of bounfiropositions contained in their former Note res

dary which inay be submitted for consideration. It. pecting the boundaries of the British dominions in is with equal astonishment the undersigned find North America. They do not wish to insist upon declined signing any provisional article, by which

that the American Plenipotentiaries have not only them beyond what the circumstances may fairly require. They are ready, amicably to discuss the the Indian Nations who have taken part with details of them with a view to the adoption of any

Great Britain in the present contest may be inmodifications which the American Plenipotentiaries cluded in the peace, and inay have a boundary or their Government, may have to suggest if they assigned to them, but have also thought proper are not incompatible witų the object itself. With to express surprise at any proposition on the subrespect to the boundary of the district of Maine, ject having been advanced. The American Plenie and that of the North Western frontier of the potentiaries state, that their Government could not United States, the undersigned were not prepared

have expected such a discussion, and appear to anticipate the objections contained in the Note resolved, at once, to reject any proposition on this of the American Plenipotenziaries ; they were in- head; representing it as a demand contrary to the structed to treat for the revision of their boundary acknowledged principles of public law, tantamount

lines, with the statement which they have subse- to a cession of one third of the territorial dominious - quently made, that they had no authority to cede of the United States, and required to be admitted any part, however insignificant, of the territories of

without discussion. The proposition which is the United States, although the proposal lett it thus represented is, that the Indian Nations, which open to them to demand an equivalent for such have been during the war in alliance with. Great cession either in frontier or otherwise. The Ame- Britain, should at its termination be included in rican Plenipotentiaries must be aware that the the pacification; and, with a view to their perboundary of the district of Maine has never been

manent tranquillity and security, that the British correctly ascertained ; that the one' asserted at

Government is willing to take as a basis of an arpresent by the American Government, by which

ticle on the subject of a boundary for those nations, the direct communication between Halifax and the stipulations which the American Government

contracted in 1795, subject, however, to modi- boundary line between the hands of the United fications. After the declaration, publicly made States and those of the Indian Nations, is therein to those Indian Nations, by the Governor-General expressly defined. The general character of the of Canada, that Great Britain would not desert treaty, is that of a treaty with independent nations ; them, could the American Government really and the very stipulation which the American Plenim persuade itself that no proposition relating to those potentiaries refer to that the Indian nations shou! Nations would be advanced ; and did Lord Castle- sell their lands only to the United States, tends to reagh's Note of the 4th November, 1813, imply so prove that, but for that stipulation, the Indians had great a sacrifice of honour, or exclude from discus- a general right to dispose of them. The American sioa every subject, excepting what immediately re. Government, has now for the first time, in effect lated to the niaritine questions referred to in it? declared that all Indian Nations within its line of When the undersigned assured the American Ple- demarcation are its subjects, living there upon sufni potenciaries of the anxious wish of the British ferance, on lands, which it also claims the exclusive Government that the negociation might terininute right of acquiring, thereby menacing the final in a peace honourable to both parties, it could not extinction of those nations. Against such a systems, have been imagined that the American Plenipoten- thic undersigned mast kirmally prciest. The unr. tiaries would thence conclude that liis Majesty's dersigned repeat, that the ternis on which the prot Government was prepared to abandon the Indian position has been made for assigning to the Indian Nations to their fale, nor could it lave been fore- Nations sunie bovsday, manifest no unwillingness seen that the American Government would have to discuss any other proposition directed to the considered it as derogatory to its hononr to admit same object, or even a modification of that which? a proposition by which the tranquillity of those is offered. Great Britain is ready to enter into Nations might be secured. The British Plenipo- the same engagements with respeet to the Indians fentiaries have yet to learn, that it is contrary to living within her line of demarcation, as that the acknowledged principles of public law to in- which is proposed to the United States. It can, clude Allies in a negotiation for peace, or that it is therefore, only be from a complete ruisapprehencontrary to the practice of all civilized nations to sion of the proposition that it can be represented propose that a provision slioull be made for their as being not reciprocal. Neither can it, with any future securiiy. The Treaty of Grenville establislied truth; be represented as contrary to the acknowthe boundaries between the United States and the ledged principles of public law, 'aş derogatory to Indian Nations. The American Plenipotentiaries the honour, or inconsistent with the rights of the must be aware, that the war which has since broken American Government, nor as a demand required ou: has abrogated that treaty. Is it contrary to the to be admitted without discussion. After this full established principles of public kiw for the British exposition of the sentiments of his Majesty's GoGovernment to propose, on behalf of its Allies, vernment on the points above stated, it will be for that this treaty shail, on the pacifications be con- the American Plenipotentiaries to determnine, whesidered sulject to such modifications as the case ther they are ready now to continue the negociamay render necessary ? Or, is it unreasonable 10 lions; whether they are disposed 10 refer to their foropose, that this stipulation should be amended, Government for further instructions; or lasily, and that on that foundation some arrangement whether they will take upon themselves the responshould be made which would provide for the exist- sibility of breaking of the negociation allogether, ence of a Neutral Power between Great Britain The undersigned request the American Pienipoand the United States, calculated to secure to both tentiaries to accept the assurances of their high a longer continuance of the blessings of peace?

5