motive for the prorogation or not, we are glad to learn that the desirable event contem: plated, has at length taken place. The following is the substance of a communication, made by Mr. Canning to the foreign ambassadors at the court of St. James—“That in consequence of the repeated failures of the application of his Majesty's government to the court of Spain, relative to the recognition of the independent States of South America, his majesty's servants have come to the determination to send charges d'affaires to the States of Colombia, Mexico, and Buenos Ayres, and to enter into treaties of commerce with those respective States, on the basis of the recognition of their independence." This we consider as a decisive step in opposition to the wishes of the whole Holy Alliance, which we accordingly find in a state of great perturbation at the measure. But it is all in vain. Britain will maintain her treaties of commerce -for commerce is her life and her idol-with as much determination as if they had been treaties of alliance offensive and defensive. And in opposition to the determination of Britain and the United States to favour the independence of our southern sister republicks, we do not believe that any party to the Holy Alliance will be found mad enough to give them any farther serious trouble. It appears that measures are also in train to declare the independence of the Brazils. At the court of Lisbon, the British minister and the agents of the Holy Alliance are trying all their diplomatick skill in opposition to each other-the one to persuade the Portuguese monarch to consent to the independence of the Brazils, the other to dissuade and deter him from consenting to such a proposal. The British court, however, appears at length to have determinately, and at the hazard of all consequences, taken this ground-We shall recognise the independence of all the South American States, with your consent, if we can obtain it; without it, if you refuse. This is surely to be viewed as a most important event, not only in relation to South America, but to Europe likewise. Britain has never been a party in form to the Holy Alliance; but yet to a considerable extent she has been so in fact. She has been influenced by their counsels, and has in many respects, though not entirely, coincided with their measures. She has been exceedingly loth to break with them, or to do any thing without their consent and concurrence. To all this, we hope there is now an end, and that the stand she has taken will have a wide and happy influence in Europe, in favour of human rights and human happiness. We shall briefly chronicle several items of intelligence by the late arrival, of less importance than that to which we have allowed so large a space.-The President's message to Congress was received, and published with laudatory remarks, in the London papers of the 7th and 8th of January.-It is said to be in contemplation "entirely to withdraw the present corn laws," and that the anticipation of this" has created a great sensation in the city (London) and on the corn market."South American securities, particularly Mexican mining shares, had greatly advanced in value, in consequence of the recognition of the independence of Mexico and Colombia.-Another expedition to Africa, to explore the course of the Niger, is said to be resolved on.-Disturbances still continue in Ireland. Prosecutions have been attempted against two distinguished advocates of the Irish cause, but the Grand Jury have refused to indict them.

FRANCE.-The French prime minister, M. Villele, retains his place under the new monarch, and is likely, it is said, to be better supported than heretofore, in the Chamber of Deputies and in the House of Peers. The emigrants from France during the revolution, are to receive an indemnity, in annual payments. Thus the present holders of the property which once was theirs, will not be disturbed in their possession; and yet the emigrants will receive something like an equivalent. This appears to be a wise and equitable arrangement; and if the emigrants are contented with it, a cause of dissatisfaction and discord, which it was apprehended would be lasting, will be removed.-There is much complaint, say the English prints, among the editors of the French papers, with respect to the declaration by Britain of the independence of the South American States. The Etoile says-" The principles of Austria, Russia, and Prussia, as well as France, are at variance with what she has done." There is no doubt of the truth of this. But although there will be much growling, we believe there will be no fighting, about this bone of contention. It will, we think, go hard with the Holy Alliance if there is; and we suspect, blind as the parties that compose it are, they have sagacity enough to perceive that the farther they proceed in this business, the worse it will be for themselves. Their agents at Paris have, it is said, sent a note on the subject to the cabinet of St. James. A few notes of this kind will probably terminate the controversy. The French finances appear to be in a flourishing state. We are also told, in the English papers, that France is on the point of declaring the full independence of Hayti. This has so often been falsely reported, that it seems reasonable to suspend our belief of the fact, till it actually takes place.A royal ordinance is published in the Paris Moniteur, for raising an army of 60,000

men.

SPAIN. An article in one of the French papers says-"We have no news from Spain of any importance. The letters state that a private treaty was entered into between France and Spain in December, by which Ferdinand binds himself, within three months, to amend the amnesty, and resist all attempts to re-establish the Inquisition."-Thus it appears that Spain must be bound by treaty to be less severe with her own subjects, and less bigoted and bloody, than she would be, if left to herself. What must be the character of that government, that wants to be more tyrannical and intolerant than it is permitted to be-by the Holy Alliance! It is officially announced that 22,000 French troops will remain in different parts of Spain.

PORTUGAL. Of this nation, if nation it can be esteemed, we have heard nothing worth mentioning, except what we have stated in another article.

TURKEY AND GREECE-for they are no longer the same. Greece is not now, and we trust never again will be, a part of Turkey. An article under the same heading that we have adopted, in the papers last received from Europe, says—“A full confirmation had been received of the accounts of the defeat, by the Greeks, of the Turkish fleet off Candia, on the 12th and 13th of Nov. This was considered the most important naval engagement fought during the war; the Ottomans having lost 50 ships of all classes."-The most recent accounts all go to show, that the reports of the successes of the Greeks of late, which first reached us by rumour, did not exceed, but considerably fell short of the truth. A Pacha has lately been defeated and lost his life, who was leading a corps of troops to the relief of Patras. It is said that the Pacha of Egypt has engaged to furnish 18,000 troops for another campaign, and has received high promises of remuneration. We doubt the truth of this. But whether true or not, we have now little anxiety for the safety of Greece, except from the intermeddling of the European powers.

RUSSIA, AUSTRIA, AND PRUSSIA.-From these great and powerful European states, little has reached us within the past month, except a short article under a London date of Jan. 14, which says—“It is asserted in a private letter from Paris, that in general this vigorous act of the English cabinet (recognising the new South American States) is the first blow given to the Holy Alliance; and that it is a fact that the cabinets of Madrid, Paris and Petersburgh, have long been preparing a division in South America, which the sudden recognition of England has now overthrown." If this be true, as it probably is, the secret is out. The English cabinet determined to prevent a Russian and French force going to America; and failing to do it by negotiation, has done it effectually in another way. It is said too that the controversy between Turkey and Russia, about the provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia, has been amicably settled; and that the Russian minister was received, in consequence, by the Porte, on the 11th of December.

ASIA AND AFRICA.

From these large portions of the globe, we have nothing farther to report for the present month, than what will elsewhere be found in our pages, relative to the important concern of Christian missions-We may mention, indeed, that it appears by the English papers, that the horrible African slave trade is still prosecuted in the most shameful and cruel manner by vessels under the flags of France and the Brazils. It is enough to chill the blood with horror, to read the accounts of the murders and inhuman practices of various kinds, which still abound as much as ever, in this truly infernal traffick, carried on by nations calling themselves Christian.

AMERICA.

It will be joyful news for Mexico, Colombia, and Buenos Ayres, when the information reaches them that their independence has been recognised by Britain; although they must have been in expectation of this desirable event for some time past. There were but few occasions on which General Washington manifested great excitement, while he commanded the American army. A dignified and well sustained self command was his peculiar characteristick. But when authentick information that our independence was recognised by France reached the American army, he caused it to be immediately announced; and in the cheering that instantly followed, he participated with such enthusiasm that he threw his hat into the air, and huzzaed as loud as he could. We have been told this by an officer of veracity who had witnessed what he told. The most of those who are now alive, have little conception of the joy which was felt when a single powerful European monarch declared us an independent people; but these few, at least, will sympathize, on this occasion, with our brethren in the republicks of the South. The joy in that region will also be increased by the late decisive success of the republican arms in Peru, by which the military force of Old Spain in that quarter has been annihilated. It is now fully ascertained by an official statement, that "The liberating army, under the command of General Sucre, completely defeated the Spanish army, on the 9th inst. (Dec.) on the plains of Guaman

quilla. Their commander, General La Serena, was wounded and taken prisoner; with Generals Canterac, Valdez, Caratata, and other chiefs, officers, and men; of course all the enemy's baggage, stores, &c.-General Canterac, who remained in command on La Serena's being wounded, capitulated to General Sucre, with the express stipulation, that the fortress of Callao should be surrendered to the liberating army."` Accounts which appear to be authentick, state that the fortress of Callao has been surrendered, agreeably to stipulation, with a Spanish ship of the line, and one or two smaller vessels of war, which were in the port.

UNITED STATES.-Agreeably to the hope and the expectation which we have heretofore expressed, a president of the United States has been elected, with less conflict of opinion and excitement of feeling, than was experienced on a former occasion, when the choice was referred to the House of Representatives of Congress. On the first ballot, John Quincy Adams was elected, by the vote of thirteen States. Of the unhappy controversy which took place in the House a few days previously to the election, between the Speaker and another member, we have elsewhere taken notice. We think that the highest praise is due to Gen. Jackson, who had the largest number of electoral votes, for the true magnanimity which he discovered, in taking Mr. Adams by the hand, on the evening of the day on which he was chosen President, and congra tulating him on his success: and also in delicately declining an entertainment which his friends offered him, or rather in persuading them to forego it themselves, that no party rancour might be fostered on the occasion. "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city "The hero of New Orleans has received many a wreath of military glory, but no portion of his life has exhibited a real greatness of mind, equal, in our judgment, to that which he has displayed on this occasion. It has had the happiest influence too in checking party animosity in those who were disappointed-and it was certainly a disappointment of no ordinary kind-in his not obtaining the presidency. The decision is made; and as we know that many fervent prayers were offered that it might be wisely and happily made, let us hope that these prayers have been heard and answered. We have long thought and inculcated, that when a president of the United States has been constitutionally chosen, he ought to have at once the united support of his fellow citizens, that a fair and unembarrassed experiment may be made of his administration. If it proves to be wise and good, and manifestly conducive to the public welfare, support and approbation ought to be cheerfully continued—If otherwise, then, and not till then, has the period arrived, in which any disapprobation may be expressed, which is not inconsistent with the laws of our country and the principles of the Christian religion. We see not how the peace and good order of society can ever be maintained, or Christian duty be suitably discharged, on other terms than these. The president elect is certainly qualified, in a very eminent degree, for the high office with which he is about to be formally invested. Is it not right that he should have a fair opportunity to discharge all its trusts and duties with success? We pray that he may attempt this in the fear of God; and we rejoice to have seen that he has already, in his excellent reply to the committee of Congress that informed him of his election, distinctly recognised his dependance on Divine aid. His station is exceedingly arduous as well as important. Let those who know the value of prayer, offer it fervently to Heaven, that he may be guided and blessed in his whole administration; that his example, as well as his official acts, may benefit the community; and that thus his personal happiness and the publick good may be most effectually and extensively promoted.

Congress has been occupied with a variety of important concerns which we cannot pretend even to enumerate. In none have we felt a deeper interest, than in that which relates to the Indian tribes on our borders. The unhappy Aborigines of our country, are certainly placed in a predicament that is little short of a dilemma. If they remain in their present location, it is much to be feared that their race will eventually become extinct. If they remove, many tender ties which bind them to the "places of their fathers' sepulchres," must be sundered, and they must be planted anew in a region less favourable to their immediate civilization and to the benign influence of the gospel. We believe that our national government is really disposed to do them justice, and even to treat them with humanity and indulgence.-We wish we could say as much of all the state governments. But considering their circumstances, and our prejudices and cupidity, it is probably impossible for the government to take a course which will satisfy all who are interested in this concern. It will certainly be peculiarly griev ous for those Indians who are already as well educated as the mass of our own population, and who have also embraced the Christian religion, to be sent away into a how?. ing wilderness, where neither the blessings of civilization, nor the privileges of the gospel, can be enjoyed for a long time to come. And yet it appears, by a very sen sible address which the Choctaw tribe have, within a few days, presented to Congress, that they must remain in a degraded state, if they stay where they are. Whether it is

that a dark skin and the abject character of a slave, have obtained an indissoluble as sociation in the American mind, from the general and long continued slavery among us of the wretched Africans; or whether some other cause may be assigned for the fact, a fact it certainly is, as the Choctaws state, that no measure of education, or virtuous conduct in an Indian, will secure to him all the rights and privileges of an American citizen. We do not indeed know that this is the case in all the states of the American union; but it is demonstrably so, in those which are contiguous to the most of those tribes whose removal is contemplated. On the whole, the proposal of the President seems to us as reasonable as any that can easily be devised-to provide a tract of country which shall be sacredly and perpetually set apart for those who choose to remove; but not to compel the removal of any who prefer to remain where they are. This, however, will not satisfy those who have set up a claim to their lands; and we see no alternative but that the strong arm of the general government should be extended over the poor Indians, and afford them an effectual pro

tection.

There are some other subjects which have been before Congress, particularly that submitted in the senate by Mr. King, of New York, and opposed by Colonel Hayne, of South Carolina, relative to an application of the avails of the publick lands to the gra dual abolition of slavery, on which we should remark, if our limits would permit.-We may, perhaps, advert to this last topick, on a future occasion.

But we feel that we should not sustain our character as Christian advocates, nor redeem a pledge which we have repeatedly given, if we should put an end to our present view of publick affairs, without joining our protest with that which we have seen with pleasure in some other religious journals, against the flagrant violatian of the Lord's day, by a visit lately made on that day by the President of the United States with about forty gentlemen of distinction-members of Congress, officers of government, and private citizens—to the national ship of war North Carolina, lying in the waters of the Potomac. We do not recollect another example in our country of such a deliberate, and formal, and conspicuous disregard of the Sabbath, and of the feelings of the Christian publick. It was deliberate, for the party set out on Saturday; it was formal, for the most exact arrangements were made for the occasion; and it was conspicuous, for the President of the United States was at the head of the party, and a detail of the proceedings is given in the National Intelligencer. We suppose it may be thought and said by some, that the attendance of the party on publick worship on board the ship, ought to prevent the complaints and censure of the friends of religion. But verily we consider this circumstance as an aggravation of the offence. That attendance, considering its concomitants, only produced a double profanation—a profanation of the worship as well as the day of God. The account states-"Upon the arrival of the President, Secretary of the Navy, &c. on board the ship, three hearty cheers were given by the crew, with appropriate music from the band, and immediately thereafter a salute was fired, the effect of which was grand." The whole ship was then inspected, and afterwards that performance took place, which, by a wretched misnomer, is called “divine service.” ́ Will any one who knows what divine service is, say that it was, or could be suitably performed, in circumstances like these? We think not-We think that it was most mournfully profaned. If there was a real desire in the party to witness in what manner publick worship is celebrated on board a ship of war, why were not orders expressly given, that every thing unbecoming the day and the service, should be entirely forborne? Had this been done, the day and the worship of God had been honoured, instead of being desecrated. We have not heard what was the text of the chaplain, but we think it had been well if it had been Exodus xx. 8. "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," and if he had preached plainly, the truth which that text contains. We cannot conceive of a more incongruous medley than cheering, playing martial airs, repeatedly firing the batteries of a ninety gun ship, manning the yards, preaching, psalm singing, praying, festive dining, and the coming and going of three boats' loads of passengers-all within a few hours, and on the Sabbath day. We hope that this is not to be the introduction of a fashion which is to be followed hereafter. We were glad to find that our president elect was not one of the party; and we do earnestly hope, and indeed firmly believe, that he will both set a better example himself, and prevent, during his administration, any such gross violations by the officers under him, of a sacred institution, the religious observance of which is most unquestionably connected with the happiness and prosperity of our country, whether we consider them as resulting from natural causes, or as proceeding from the smiles and benediction of the God who ruleth over all.

To Correspondents.

We shall be thankful to any of our correspondents who will furnish us with good memoirs, of moderate length, of the late Rev. Drs. Livingston and Romeyn.

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

APRIL, 1825.

Keligious Communications.