Remarks on the Statistics and Political Institutions of the United States ... - Sir William Gore Ouseley - Google Books

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rights; and would probably find, in the vast resources of the North American colonies, a means of practically awarding "the greatest share of happiness to the greatest number" of our countrymen.

May 7, 1832.

W. G. O.

N.B. The works and authorities that have furnished data for these remarks, besides those quoted, are the Laws of the United States, American Almanac (Boston), Register of Department of State, Sword's Almanac and Ecclesiastical Register, Quarterly Register of American Education Society, Statistical Views by Watterston and Van Zandt, and American Congressional and State Papers, in addition to private notes, &c.

The tables in the Appendix do not pretend to perfect correctness: whoever may make an experiment in obtaining precise and accurate returns upon the subjects here treated, will find that it is neither an easy, nor very seductive task.

B

CONTENTS.

Introductory. Misconceptions on the subject of America in

Europe. Contradictory accounts of travellers. Arguments

suited to European governments not often applicable to the

United States. Government of that country well adapted to

the circumstances of its inhabitants

Nature of American Republic generally misunderstood in

Europe. Its dissimilarity to the republics of antiquity, or

to those of more modern times. Contrast between the

American republic and that which succeeded the first French

Revolution. Of a federal union

Supposed defects of American form of government examined.

Proneness to war. National feelings towards England.

M. de Talleyrand's observations on that subject. M. Politica.

Advice of Washington on the foreign policy to be adopted

by the United States

Examination of objections to the political institutions of the

United States continued. Effects of very large constituencies

not such as have been anticipated. Corruption not general.

The representative bodies in America not de facto dele-

Supreme Court of the United States. Its judicial indepen-

dence and high character. Diplomatic agents particularly

Has jusisdiction in all cases

State Judiciaries." Asso-

interested in its proceedings.

touching the law of nations.

Misrepresentations of the domestic manners of the Ameri-

Many of the peculiarities of the social system of the

United States not attributable exclusively to the republican

form of government. Advantages and defects compared of

American and English systems

Financial and general prosperity of United States. Its pecu-

liar causes considered. Principally attributable to a free and

protecting government. Mexican and South American re-

publics compared with the United States. Report of Mr

M'Lane on the finances of the United States. Opinions of

Revue Britannique and Quarterly Review on economy of

American government

Statements of Quarterly Review on the subject of United States

examined. Supposed insecurity of property. Conservative

United States government well suited to the American peo-

ple. Testamentary disposition not interfered with by the

laws. Division of property. Conservative principle of

American government resides in numerical majority. Pub-

Revue Britannique on Finances of the United States. Letters

of General Bernard and Mr F. Cooper, published by General

Lafayette, containing answers to the statements of Revue

General Bernard's remarks.

Department of state and foreign

affairs. War department. Treasury department. Admin-

istration centrale, &c. State expenses. Tolls and public

roads. Clergy. Militia. Summary. Mean expense to

each individual in France and America of public charges.

Extract from General Bernard's letter

Captain Hall's estimate of mean charge to each inhabitant of the

United States. Mr F. Cooper's remarks on the Revue Bri-

tannique. Mr Cooper's estimate of mean public charge

Quarterly's remarks on American statistics. General and

state expenditure. General Bernard's and Mr Cooper's

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