OF THE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,

FOR

FIFTY YEARS:

FROM

MARCH 1789, TO MARCH, 1839.

BY ALDEN BRADFORD, LL. D.

Editor of Massachusetts State Papers: Author of History of Massachusetts; of Remarks on State Rights; an early Member of the Mass. Historical Society; and Hon. Member of Historical Society of New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

"The unity of government, which constitutes you one people, is now dear to you. It is justly so for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquillity at home, of your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly value."-Washington's Address.

"The State governments are an essential part of the federal system. Consolidation is an effect which all good men would deprecate. Too much provision cannot be made against consolidation. It would subvert the new Constitution. The State governments are the safeguards of the federal Constitution: they will protract the period of our liberties. They will afford a shelter against the abuse of power; and will be the natural avengers of our violated rights."-Ames.

"By enlarging the basis of our system, and increasing the number of States, the system itself has been strengthened. Consolidation and disunion have thereby been rendered equally impracticable. Each government, confiding in its own strength, has less to apprehend from the other; and, in consequence, each enjoying a greater freedom of action, is rendered more efficient for all the purposes for which it was instituted."-Monroe.

BOSTON:

SAMUEL G. SIMPKINS.

FIRST OF JULY:

1840.

Checked May 1913