1. Papers and Correspondence relative to the Arctic Expedition under Sir John Franklin. by the House of Commons to be printed March 5, 1850. 2. The Franklin Expedition, or Considerations on Measures for the Discovery and Relief of our Absent 1. Report from the Select Committee on Public Libraries; with the Minutes of Evidence. 2. Report of the Commissioners appointed to in- quire into the Constitution and Government of the British Museum; with Minutes of Evidence. 3. Annual Report of the Trustees of the Astor Library of the City of New York. 4. Reports, etc., of the Smithsonian Institution, 1. Speech of HENRY CLAY, of Kentucky, on the Resolutions of Compromise offered by him to settle and adjust amicably all Questions arising out of the 2. Speech of SAMUEL S. PHELPS, of Vermont, on 3. Speech of JOHN M. BERRIEN, of Georgia, on Mr. Clay's Proposed Compromise. 4. Speech of SOLOMON U. DOWNS, of Louisiana, on the Compromise Resolutions of Mr. Clay.. 5. Speech of DANIEL WEBSTER, of Massachusetts, on Mr. Clay's Compromise Resolutions. 6. Speech of HORACE MANN, of Massachusetts, on the Subject of Slavery in the Territories. 7. Letter of HON. HORACE MANN to his Constitu- 8. Report of the Select Committee of Thirteen, of the United States Senate, to whom were referred 1. Mahomet and his Successors. By WASHING- 2. The Life and Religion of Mohammed, as con- tained in the Sheeah Traditions of the Hyât-ul- Kuloob. Translated from the Persian. By REV. The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul; with Dissertations on the Sources of the Writings of St. Luke, and the Ships and Navigation of the An- cients. By JAMES SMITH, Esq., of Gordanhill, III. SLAVIC LANGUAGES AND Literature Historical View of the Languages and Literature of the Slavic Nations; with a Sketch of their Popu- The History of Greece. By GEORGE GROte, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States; with a Life of the Author, Notes, IX. LAING'S OBSERVATIONS ON EUROPE IN 1848-9 Observations on the Social and Political State of the European People in 1848 and 1849; being the 1. — 1. The Reform Spirit of the Day. By 2. The American Legend. By BAYARD NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW. No. CXLVIII. JULY, 1850. ART. I.-Memoirs of SIR THOMAS FOWELL BUXTON, BART. Edited by his Son, CHARLES BUXTON, ESQ., B. A. Second Edition. London: John Murray, 1849. 8vo. pp. 614. WE resume our sketch of Mr. Buxton's labors and character as a philanthropist with some account of his efforts for the abolition of slavery and for the final suppression of the slave trade in the British dominions, showing how he conducted. that cause which Mr. Wilberforce had formally committed to his care in 1821. The history of the abolition of the British slave trade in 1807, shows that that measure was not a solitary and unconnected act, not the work of a temporary faction, not done inconsiderately or under a passing impulse; but that it was the legitimate result of a long succession of contests obstinately fought and victories gallantly won, the results of which had made the nation free, powerful, and Protestant. The great political questions involved in the dispute as to the rightful succession to the throne having been virtually set at rest about the middle of the last century, and the preponderance of the House of Commons in the British Constitution being established, the minds of men were turned towards those improvements in the social condition of the people which were so much needed. Then began that revival of religious feeling, which the fervor and activity of Wesley and Whitfield spread through the whole body of the nation, which aroused the Established Church, created the Evangelical party, and, aided by the advance of education and general intelligence, built up a public opinion to which the abolitionists could appeal for reform. Then Granville Sharp, Clarkson, Stephen, Macaulay, and Wilberforce accomplished what many before them, as pure and high in purpose as they, had considered, despaired of, and abandoned. No record would be more full of interest than one which should fully set forth the motives by which these men were impelled, the allies by whom they were assisted, and the various fortunes through which they waged that war which ended in their great victory. We know of no contest in which the principles of good and evil appear in forms more simple and severe, or in which the defenders of the right were impelled by purer motives. For the early abolitionists arose "because of the oppression of the needy, and because of the deep sighing of the poor." They appealed to humanity in behalf of mankind; and by their discretion no less than by their zeal, by self-command as much as by inflexible adherence to the principles of justice, they proved themselves worthy to plead such a cause before such a tribunal. They gained their cause; and by abolishing the British slave trade, they accomplished a work whose importance we cannot estimate; for they pledged the most powerful nation of Christendom, that nation which has most influence over the civilized world, and most power over the barbarous the great Colonizer, which sends the living advocates of its home-bred principles to flourish and grow strong in every quarter of the world, they pledged this nation and its descendants to maintain, wherever their power extends, the principles of freedom. They left their successors a long and arduous task to perform; but they left them their example. Let us see how those upon whom the duty of fulfilling this pledge first devolved acquitted themselves of their task. Sixteen years had now passed since the abolition of the British slave trade. But the interval had not been one of repose for those who had triumphed in that long contest. The voice of warning mingled with the first cry of congratulation: "You have crossed the Red Sea, indeed," wrote Dr. Burgh to Wilberforce," but Pharaoh may follow your steps, and aim at some abridgment of the deliverance; keep then |