Page:Niles' Weekly Register, v12.djvu/15

 NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER No. 1 of V in Xll.] BALTIMORE, SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1817. [whole vb. 187. Hoc olim memiviusse juvahit. — Virgil. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED MY H. NILES, AT THE HEAD OF CHEAPSIDE, AT §5 PER ANNUM. The terms of the Weekly Register are five dollars per annum, payable in advance. Complete files of the work, from September,1811, may be had as follows: For the 6 years' subscription, up to Sept. 1817, §30 extra supplements to vols. 5, 7, 8 and 9, 4 §14 If desired bouond, an additional charge of §7 1/2 cents per vol. for binding. There are two volumes in a year. Copies bound, or in sheets, may be obtained at Salem, Boston, Newport, New York, Albany, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Baltimore, Richmond, Norfolk, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Leesburg, Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans, free of additional cost to the purchaser for freight, also at Pittsburg, Louisville and Cincinnati, and soon hereafter at Chilicothe, at a small advance, partly to meet the extra cost of transportation. We this day commence the 12th volume of the WEEKLY REGISTER, with a fixed resolution to persevere in its old and approved plan, with all the industry and care needful to a continuance of the flattering reputation which is now attached to the work. The editor, always happy in the advice of his friends, and willing to correct and acknowledge an error, if properly informed that he has committed one, has had too much experience in his profession, is too well defended by [what he hopes is] an honest pride, and has too great a regard for the good opinion of his most respectable and still growing list of subscribers, to be diverted from his course by the criticisms of fools or falsehoods of knaves; each of whom have, for a considerable time past, exerted themselves not a little to injure the REGISTER. The ground that he stands upon enables him to look down upon such, and laugh at their silliness or despise their malignity. There are two subjects to which the editor wishes at this time to draw the attention of his friends - the first is, in respect to the proposed publication of a volume, or supplement, of revolutionary speeches, stations, etc. the other is the much to be desired general index. The former has excited great attention. Letters from all quarters are received urging the editor to attempt the collection-we insert two of them below as specimens of the rest. It is now determined that the attempt shall be made, and those possessed of papers suitable for the work, are earnestly requested to forward them immediately-or, at least, to furnish copies of them. If either of these are desired to be returned, they shall be most carefully handled and faithfully sent back. If this work is accomplished at all, the editor expects to complete it in October or November next. It is to be hoped that the materials will be sufficient to make a volume of the usual size. In making out the general index (a work requiring no little share of patience and perseverance) considerable progress has been made; and it is expected to be completed with the present volume. The arrangement has been adopted after much reflection; and it is believed that, with a little attention to its general principles, it will be hardly possible for gentlemen possessing it to experience any difficulty in immediately referring to any article sought for, or to trace any chain of events or things happening at a particular place, their time and prominent feature being also inserted in the index. Revolutionary speeches, orations, &c LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. Kentucky, 15th February, 1817. DEAR SIR - In my letter of the 25th December, 1816, I merely adverted to the subject suggested by an anonymous correspondent, respecting the publication of a supplement to contain Revolutionary Orations, &c. Since the date of my letter I accidentally reverted to the communication of your correspondent, and a re-perusal of it gave me stronger impressions than I had at first entertained of its importance, and interest, and essential utility. You ask, "Can the materials be got? Would the publication be sufficiently patronized?" and "respectfully solicit answers to these questions from all the friends of the REGISTER." As a firm friend to the editor to the editor and the work, I would respectfully suggest my views upon this interesting subject. I advanced my opinion in my last letter to you, but my reasons for that opinion were but faintly, if at all, expressed. That America is one day to be a great, a mighty and a powerful nation; that she will make a figure upon the page of future history, which will dazzle the eyes and win the admiration of future generations; that the track which she is destined to pursue is her political revolution, through the vast system of nations, will be marked by beams of solar-like effulgence, is not merely the visionary whims of a bewildered imagination, nor the theoretical suggestions of a prejudiced mind; but is amply testified by a retrospection of events, as well as by existing appearances. But, sir, in order to propel her in that track of splendid illumination, and secure to her that character of transcendant greatness, much, and very much, depends upon the present generation. To the snail-paced progress of other nations to refinement in the arts; to fame in arms; to wealth, grandeur and prosperity, we exhibit a curious and vivid contrast. If we take a retrospective glance at the early conditions of our country, and view her in the limited space of forty years, rising from the humility of colonial dependence, to the proud and commanding and exalted station that she now holds among the nations of the earth, the mind of the republican is struck with the liveliest emotions, and is immediately prompted to enquire, what will be her situation at the expiration of the next forty years. It is not for me, nor you, nor the most sagacious mind, to tell--But as it has never yet been ascertained, that nations have certain fixed limits presented to them, at the end of which, when they arrive, they must retrograde, we are justified in the conclusion, that if we are but true to ourselves, we shall, before many years, behold America answering the loftiest expectations of her most partial friends, and involving, (if I am allowed the expression) in a complete national eclipse, all those petty nations, that now hoot at her grandeur and envy VOL. XII                        A