They were made for more: not only for seasons, for days, and for years, but for SIGNS.

These relations are not only apparent to the most superficial observation of man, but many of them remain inexhaustible funds of successive discovery, perhaps as long as the continued existence of man upon earth.

Who can witness the movements of that tremulous needle, poised upon its centre, still tending to the polar star, but obedient to his distant hand, armed with a metallic guide, round every point of the compass, at the fiat of his will…

The influence of all these discoveries upon the condition of man is no doubt infinitely diversified in relative importance; but all, even the minutest, contribute to the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

It is a maxim of British commercial law that it is lawful for the citizens of one nation to defraud the revenues of other nations.

The author of the maxim was a man famous throughout the civilized world,--a man of transcendent talents, who fixed, more, perhaps, than any other man of the same century, his impress on the age in which he lived, and upon the laws of…

In some respects it has been greatly to the advantage of those laws, but in others as much to their disadvantage and discredit, of which the maxim of which I now speak is a signal instance.

He was the first British judge who established the principle that it is a lawful thing for Englishmen to cheat the revenue laws of other nations, especially those of Spain and Portugal.

Judge Buller heard Lord Mansfield say that the object of the exception in regard to Spain and Portugal was to encourage--yes, to encourage--the smuggling trade.

The object was that smugglers should not only escape the effect of their villany, but should be actually encouraged by government in its perpetration.

What is the natural effect of the promulgation of such principles by such authority?

What can it be but to encourage frauds on the revenue of other nations?

When a principle like this goes out, sanctioned with the legislative authority, it will have its effect on the nation.

If an English merchant, subscribing to this principle, goes to establish himself in a foreign country, he goes as an enemy, warranted, by the sanction of his own courts and Parliament, to do anything that can defraud its revenue.

There is a feeling, but too prevalent, which distinguishes between custom-house oaths and other oaths.

The committee would hail, with feelings of hope and encouragement, the virtual alliance of great and mighty nations for this union of efforts in the promotion of the cause of science.

Long enough have the leagues and federations between the potentates of the earth been confined to alliances, offensive and defensive, to promote purposes of mutual hatred and hostility.

Adams thus expressed his opinion of the state of public affairs: "The late session of Congress has been painful to me beyond all former experience, by the demonstration it has given of degenerating institutions.

I have seen this before; but the worst symptom now is the change in the manners of the people.

The continuance of the present administration will, if accomplished, open wide all the floodgates of corruption.

Slavery, the Indians, the public lands, the collection and disbursement of public moneys, the tariff, and foreign affairs--what is to become of them?

Adams remarked, on the electioneering addresses then made, preparatory to the next election of President: "This practice of itinerant speech-making has suddenly broken out in this country to a fearful extent.

The tendency of all this is to the corruption of popular elections both by violence and fraud.

Again, in October ensuing: "One of the peculiarities of the present time is that the principal leaders of the political parties are travelling about the country from state to state, and holding forth, like Methodist preachers, to assembled…

That, in the absence of military service, demagogue policy is the first and most indispensable element of success, and the art of party drilling the second. 3d.