Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 001.djvu/206

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204
Register.—Foreign Intelligence.
[May

Washington, March 5.—The ceremony attendant on the entrance of the president elect on the duties of his arduous station was simple but grand. He was attended from his private residence by the vice-president elect, and a large cavalcade of citizens on horseback, marshalled in due order. The president reached the Congress Hall a little before twelve; and after the vice-president had taken the chair, and had the oath of office administered to him, a pertinent address was delivered by him on the occasion. This ceremony being ended, the Senate adjourned, and all the officers of state, and judges, attended the president to the elevated portico erected for the occasion, where, in the presence of an immense concourse of citizens and foreigners, the president rose and delivered a speech of considerable length; wherein, after enumerating all the advantages of the constitution, and the flourishing state of their commerce and finances, he calls upon the assistance of all his fellow citizens in support of that government which protects every citizen in the full enjoyment of his rights, and is able to protect the nation against injustice from foreign powers. In regard to their manufactures, he says, that as they have the raw materials—the production of their own soil and industry—they ought not to depend, in the degree they have done, on supplies from other countries. He recommends that their great naval resources should be carefully fostered in time of peace, and that their land forces should not be neglected; but that it ought always to be held in view, that the safety of these states, and of every thing dear to a free people, must depend in an eminent degree on the militia. He rejoices that he enters on the discharge of his duties in the time of peace, and adds, that it shall be his sincere desire to preserve it, on just principles, with all nations, claiming nothing unreasonable of any, and rendering to each what is its due. After some well expressed compliments to his predecessor, he concluded a speech, replete with moderation and firmness, when the oath of office was administered to him by the chief justice of the United States. The oath was announced by a single gun, and followed by salutes from the naval yard, the battery from Fort Warburton, and from several pieces of artillery on the ground. Mr Monroe was the American minister in this country in the year 1793, and afterwards in France. He served in the first American war, and lost a leg in it. He is supposed to be rather inclined to the Washington school.

The British consul at New York, in consequence of the misery and wretchedness of those who had emigrated from Britain to the United States, has offered to them a settlement in the British dominions of Canada, or Nova Scotia, and issued a public notice to that effect. Passports have already been granted to 340 persons to proceed to Upper Canada.


BRITISH AMERICA.

A notification has been issued from the colonial department, to such as intend to emigrate to Canada, informing them that it is not the intention of government to provide any gratuitous means of conveyance this season; and that no person can proceed to North America as a settler, with any prospect of success, unless he departs from Europe early in the season, that is, before the 1st of June.


SOUTH AMERICA.

April 7.—The Portuguese government having transferred to Brazil some seeds of the tea-tree, have succeeded in naturalizing this plant at Rio Janeiro. It is cultivated at this moment with success by several Chinese, who have gone there for that purpose.

The Independent general, Marino, has entered into a treaty with the governor of the island of Trinidad, granting a free trade to his Britannic Majesty's subjects with the Independent districts of Venezuela, on condition that the Independents shall have the same privileges at Trinidad.

Most contradictory accounts are still received from this quarter of the globe. A letter, purporting to come from an officer connected with the revolutionary army, to his friend at Philadelphia, speaks of the most horrid cruelties, and disgraceful enormities, practised both by Independents and Royalists, particularly by the armed vessels, without regard to age, sex, or country; that the streets of St Thomas were filled with refugees from the Main, who were existing on the charity of the island. Another writes from the head quarters of the army of the republic of Mexico: After exulting in their success both by land and sea, and the excellent disposition of the inhabitants, the letter concludes by saying, that "We are already on our march—our army is daily increasing—and I have no doubt that I shall soon write you from the capital of Mexico, after having fixed the standard of liberty in every house of that populous and wealthy city."

General Bolivar and Admiral Brion have declared the whole coast of the Spanish Main in a state of rigorous blockade. The West Indies, and the whole surface of the Atlantic, is infested with privateer vessels under the flag of the South American Independents, which have committed great depredations.

The Portuguese took possession of Monte Video on the 20th January, without firing a shot, and have issued proclamations declaring oblivion of all past opinions; that the security of persons and property is guaranteed by the Portuguese army, and granting them a free trade with all nations.

The quiet manner in which this transfer has been effected, proves that an amicable understanding must exist between the government of the Brazils and the Indepen-