of the States having made no returns for a number of years. The returns show about a thousand pieces of cannon, and only about $10,000, muskets. There is great necessity for a reform in our militia system. The Mint. The value of coins made at this establishment from its commencement to the 31st December last, is $16,992,781. Net cost of the establishment $531,306. State of the Revenue.-The Committee of ways and means have reported to Congress an estimate of the receipts and expenditures for the current year. Expenditures, Receipts, Deficiency in 1820. minated on the 6th of March, in the renewed acknowledgment, on the part of Ferdinand, of the constitution of 1812; the convocation of the Cortes under that constitution; the throwing open the dungeons of the inquisition, and the liberation of its victims; and a general amnesty to all who had embarked in the revolution. This has been accomplished with little bloodshed. The mass of the population seemed to favor the patriots, and some of the troops sent against them deserted to their standard. Under these circumstances, Ferdinand instead of vainly opposing the wishes of the people, at length yielded what he never ought to have refused. He re-established $26,299,164 that form of government which he had 22,525,665 before solemnly sworn to support, and which if Spain be capable of freedom, will much more promote his own glory and the happiness of his kingdom, than the miserable decayed system which he has been compelled to abandon. $3,733,499 They have also submitted estimates for the year 1821. Expenditures, Receipts, Deficiency in 1821, $23,375,009 $3,655,009 The Committee say, that the reasons are powerful and cogent against resorting to internal duties and direct taxes, in a time of profound peace; and yet they do not expressly recommend a resort to loans. They strenuously recommend economy in the management of our public affairs, and conclude with a resolve requesting the President to "cause such a plan to be prepared, as will enable Congress at its next session, to make such reductions in the various branches of public expenditures, as may be required by the state of the finances and the public good." The constitution of 1812, and which is now restored, is a limited and representative monarchy, resembling in its general structure that of Great Britain, but more free in theory. One representative to the Cortes is allowed to every seventy thousand inhabitants, and the king is assisted by a ministry which he is permitted to select for himself, but from a nomination presented by the Cortes. In this respect, the king is more restricted thau in Great Britain, and the Cortes have more power than the English Parlia ment. Ferdinand has certainly acted wisely in granting the just demands of his people, although at the point of the bayonet. He has probably saved his crown, and rescued the nation from the horrors of a civil war. Revolutions are only to be stayed in their commencement, and then only by force where justifiable and sufficient, or by timely concession. Exhausted and impoverished as Spain is, force on the The Bankrupt Bill has been nega- part of the government was out of the tived in the Senate. The bill requiring cash payments on the future sales of public lands, and fixing the price at one dollar twenty five cents per acre, has passed both houses and waits only the signature of the president to become a law. The Bill establishing a new Tariff has not yet been disposed of. Its fate is doubtful. FOREIGN.-SPAIN. The insurrection in Spain, which commenced on the 3d of January, ter question, had there been ever so just a cause for arraying it against the insurgents; and Ferdinand unless he wished to see the bloody scenes of the French revolution re-enacted in Spain, had no alternative but to make the concessions he has made. Whatever may have been thought of his talents heretofore, no one will say that in doing justice to his subjects in this instance, he has not acted the part of wisdom. The effects of the revolution will not be confined to Spain. Other countries in Europe, and especially Germany, are in a state of agitation, and strong efforts are making on the part of the people to wrest from their rulers what they deem their constitutional and natural rights. Many of these old governments appear to want revision, and surely those who administer them will not refuse to learn from the examples of France and Spain, that if they would preserve their power they must correct abuses, and that the happiest and strongest government is that which is founded in the affections and confidence of its subjects. The Spanish colonies in South America will look with strong interest to this change of government in the mother country. The patriots, flushed as they are with their recent successes, will derive fresh courage from this event, while the royalists, whose principal reliance was upon the aid they received and were constantly expecting from Ferdinand, will feel in a corresponding degree depressed. would seem as if their protracted struggle must now soon terminate in favour of the revolutionists, unless Spain (which is not to be expected,) should be able to prosecute the war with fresh vigor, or unless the new ministry should have sufficient wisdom to offer such terms to the colonies as would induce them to return to their submission. GREAT BRITAIN. A plot to assassinate all the English Ministry has been detected. It was headed by one Arthur Thistlewood, and the plan was, to perpetrate the deed while the ministers were assembled at a dinner given by Lord Harrowby. About thirty of the conspirators had assembled in a loft in the neighborhood, provided themselves with arms, and were preparing to sally forth, when a party of the police officers assisted by a guard, broke in upon them, and after an obstinate struggle secured some of the ringleaders. Many of the conspirators escaped in the confusion, and one of the police officers, named Smithers, was murdered in the affray. Charges of high treason have been exhibited against those who were arrested, and they have been sent to the Tower; in addition to which, the coroner's inquest found a verdict against ten of them for the murder of Smithers. The conspirators were from the lowest ranks of the people, and none of the parties which divide that country appear to have been implicated in their horrid enterprise.This plot will probably disgust all the moderate reformers, and strengthen the hands of the ministry, by damping for a season the spirit of opposition, and inducing them to unite in deprecating a violence subversive of the very foundations of all government. If England is to be revolutionized, it will not be accomplished as in France by assassinations and murders. Obituary. For the Christian Spectator. Memoir of Master, Howard F. Randolph. Every event which illustrates the glory of him, who, "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings perfecteth praise," must be highly pleasing to every friend of the King of Zion. To youth the value of the Redeemer must appear great, when they see persons as young as themselves, adorning his religion in life, and rejoicing in the supports and consolations of his grace in the prospect of approaching death. The subject of the following biographi cal sketch was, very early in life, noticed with affection by his pious acquaintance, and during his last sickness, he excited their admiration, by the submissiveness of his deportment, and the strength of his hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. The remark which one who frequently visited him in his sickness, made to the writer of this memoir, well expressed the feelings of many I have often read and heard of the manifestation of the power of religion in the sickness and death of children-I have sometimes thought that the partiali ties of friends gave too high a colouring to their representations; but the case of young Howard surpasses all that I ever expected to witness in a child, and, indeed, every thing of the kind, that has come to my knowledge.' Master, Howard F. Randolph was born in New-York, Sept. 19th, 1807. He was the oldest of three children, and was an only son. When he was very young, he manifested a sweet, mild, and governable temper. As his mind opened, he evinced more and more, a peculiar affection for his parents, a readiness to do what they required, and a desire to serve and please them. When he supposed that he had incurred their displeasure, he was always uneasy until he had obtained their forgiveness and smiles. His sisters and acquaintance shared in the tender feelings of his beart. A regard to truth was one of the virtues which adorned his character through life. So closely did he adhere to it in all those circumstances which tempt most children to falsehood, that his parents could always place confidence in what he said Before he was five years of age, he felt such a dislike towards those children whom be discovered to be addicted to lying, that he would not play with them. Often would he speak of those children who did not regard the truth, as being very bad children; and frequently was he heard reproving those whom he detected in falsehood, in a very solemn and appropriate manner. Lying, as such, as far as could be discovered, appeared to be an object of his aversion; for when the falsehoods of his play-fellows had no concern with bis own little plans and wishes, he would show as prompt and as decided an opposition to them, as when they were uttered with a view to injure him. When his little sisters related any thing that was strange, and that he supposed not to be strictly true, he would instantly check and admonish them. Never was he heard, so far as the writer can ascertain, to use any profane language. If his play-fellows, at any time, used obscene and impious expressions, he would condemn and admonish them; and those whom he knew to be addicted to the practice, he would by no means make his familiar companions. Such language appeared to shock him. When he heard it in the streets, from old or young, he would hasten into the house, as though he had a pursuing foe. When he was about six years of age, one of his sisters entered a complaint against him to his mother for turning a neigbouring boy, who was playing with them, out of the yard. His mother, upon the representation of his sister, reprimanded him, saying, Howard, why did you behave so rudely, as to turn littleout of the yard, who came to play with you and your sisters? Howard immediately replied, Mother, he used bad words, and I was afraid my little sisters would hear him.' These things were treasured up in the mind of his mother, who was pleased with every thing that looked like piety in her son. The circumstance, however, which first led her to indulge a serious hope, that his heart might possibly be savingly impres sed with religious truth, will be seen in the following anecdote, which she relates with much interest: "Mr. R. and myself were both sick. Our little son, who had just entered upon his seventh year, forgot his play, and sat with us for hours silent and pensive. One day our pastor came to converse and pray with us. Howard was in a retired place in the room, and was so still that no one noticed him. After our pastor had taken his leave, I was reminded of the presence of my son, by hearing him in a low voice at my bed side, saying, Mother, mother? Is that you, Howard, what do you wish, my son? O, mother, is not that a good man O, how I love to hear bim talk and pray! He conducted in a similar manner at different times, when persons came in to converse and pray with his parents. Through the whole of his life, Howard manifested a readiness to attend public worship, especially on the Sabbath.When he was at religious meetings, he was always still, and seemed to be attentive. His mother would sometimes say, Howard, you sit so still, and your mind appears to be so intensely fixed on what the minister says, I am afraid it will injure your health-perhaps you had better stay at home this afternoon.' 'No mother,' he would reply, 'I love to be at meeting, and to hear the minister preach and pray.' He would sometimes go to meeting without his mother, as by ill health she was frequently prevented going; and he would take his two sisters with him. When seated, he would tell them that they must behave well, and attend to what the minister said. Often, when he returned home, he would complain of them to his mother, "My sisters will not behave in church as they ought; they are all the time looking round the house, and they do not sit still.' When he was between six and seven years of age, Howard was seized with a violent fever, and his life, for some time, was despaired of. The Lord, however, saw fit to raise him from his bed of sickness; but he never afterwards enjoyed perfect health. A material change took place in his constitution, and he often spoke of his infirmities, and of death, with a degree of composure and solemnity that were truly interesting and gratifying to his pious acquaintance. In this connection we may with propriety mention the following circumstance: A short time before his last sickness, he was noticed to be very cheerful and composed, and to be engaged in bumming a hymn from Dobell's Collection. At length his little heart was so full, that he came to a pious aunt, and with great earnestness said, 'O, aunt, this is one of the prettiest hymns I ever saw.' He then read it as follows My soul the minutes haste away, [We regret that our limits prevent us from giving the hymn at length.] When Howard had recovered, in some measure, from the violent attack of fever which has been noticed, he was so well as to be able to go to school. To the exercises of the school he was very attentive, and in the whole of his deportiment he was so orderly and submissive, that he attracted the notice, and gained the approbation and affection of his preceptors. His application was always too great for his health; and he evinced inore than an ordinary talent for learning. In the year 1817, bis parents consulted with their pastor with regard to sending him to an instructor in the country. Howard was pleased with the idea,but, upon the whole, it was feared that his health would not permit him to go through a regular course of learning, and the plan was given up. He continued to go to school in the city, and occasionally to spend a season with his friends in the country. In the spring of 1819, Howard was so unwell that his parents, at the advice of his physician, sent him into the country to spend the summer season.Here he occasionally went to school, but his teacher soon advised his friends to keep him at home, as he perceived that application to study daily injured him. More particular attention was now paid to his health. But alas! no human precautions or aid could be of any avail. The canker was gnawing at the root of this lovely flower. During the summer his mother frequently visited him. Howard appeared solemn and thoughtful; often spoke of his being unwell, and of the solemnities of death and judgment; and he attended to the instructions and prayers of his mother with great seriousness. At one of her visits, he observed that he feared be had not acted as a dutiful child, and asked with much tenderness and concern, Mother, if I have not obeyed you, do you think that God will forgive me, if I should now be a good boy? On this his mother pointed out to him the willingness of Christ to save sinners who repented, and that he would have mercy on him if he was sorry for sin, and would avoid it. This seemed to give great satisfacton to Howard. In the autumn of this year, his health very visibly declined, and it was deemed proper to bring him home that he might have that medical assistance which the city afforded. Some time in October a great quantity of blood was discharged from his lungs. After this he declined rapidly, and was confined to his room until his death. At first he appeared somewhat anxious to regain his health, and the thought that he was sinking under an incurable disease, very deeply affected him. He expressed strong desires to get well, though he did not seem agitated at the idea of dying. His frequent wishes to live, rendered his condition very trying to his pious friends, and in some measure weakened those fond hopes which they entertained of his being reconciled to the will of God. and What A few days after his return from the country, and very soon after the season of his bleeding at the lungs, just mentioned, his pastor called to see him. At this time his mind was composed and solemn he appeared desirous to be instructed in the way of life. The presence of his pastor seemed to cheer him. He received him with a smile and affectionately enquired after his welfare. The following conver sation took place. Well, Howard, bow are you, and how do you feel in your mind.' 'I feel pretty well' But you are quite sick and feeble, are you not? 'Yes, but it is right that I am sick. Why do you think so? Because I am wicked.' Do you really feel that you are wicked, and deserve all that you suffer? Yes.' Have you felt that you was wicked before this last sickness?— 'Yes, last summer when I was in the country I thought a good deal about it.' did you see in your heart, or in your conduct, which led you to think that you was wicked? I thought that I had not loved my parents, and had not obeyed them as I ought to have done. Did this seem very wicked?' 'Yes.' Did you feel that you had offended God in not loving and obeying your parents as you ought?" 'Yes.'Did you feel that in other things you had offended God?' I know that I have sinned against him.' 'Do you really feel, Howard, that it is a very wicked thing not to love and serve God? Yes.' 'Do you really think that God hates sin in every one, old or young? 'O yes.' Do you wish that God would not bate sin ?' No, but I wish I was not a sinner.' Would you rather have your heart changed, than that God should change?' 'Yes.' 'Now, Howard, do you feel the necessity of preparing to appear before a holy God, and do you pray every day, and often in the course of the day, that God would have mercy on you as a sinner, and as a great sinner? Yes, I try to.' After much conversation in this strain his pastor prayed with him, and he seemed much moved. He very affectionately desired his pastor, when taking leave of him, to visit him again soon, and as often as he could. 6 An evening or two after this, his father was standing by his bed, and looking in silence upon his afflicted and suffering son. Howard looked him in the face with great earnestness, and clasping his hands in a posture of fervent prayer, exclaimed with peculiar emphasis, O my father, I pray that the Lord may have mercy on you.' From this time, he was frequently seen to be engaged in prayer for his parents, and sisters. In a few days his pastor visited him the second time, when they had a conversation as follows- Well, Howard, do you feel composed in your mind, and are you able to meditate on your condition in a solemn and devout manner?" 'I believe so Do you feel as anxious about your soul, about death, and about eternity as you did when I was here last?' 'Yes.' What makes you feel composed?' 'I hope Jesus will hear my prayers.' 'Indeed, that is a great thing Howard. What makes you think that Jesus will hear your prayers Why, I seem to think so.' Do you love Jesus?' "Yes.' 'Are you sure?' I believe I do.' . But why do you love Jesus?' He is good, and I think he will have mercy on me.' you love to think of him, and to pray to him for mercy as much as ever?' 'Yes.' "Do you want to serve him as much as ever? Yes. Do you think that you would love and serve him, if you was well?' 'Yes.' But do you not think it is very hard that you are sick?' 'No, it is right that I am sick.' 'Do you not wish to be playing in the street with your little companions? No. But, hark, don't you hear some in the street how cheerful and lively they are? would you not be glad if you could be among them?' Some of them are bad boys.' Would • Do you rather be sick than to be among bad boys? Yes.' Would you rather pray, than to play, if you were well?' 'Yes.' But, now, Howard, do you think your prayers will save you? Jesus will hear our prayers.' Do you hope in his mercy more than in the merit of your prayers?' I think I do. Do you trust in Christ's merits solely for salvation?' I believe So. Dare you venture your all on him? I know that Jesus is the only Saviour.' But can you trust in him as the only Saviour?' 'Yes.' His pastor spent some time in opening to him, in a plain and familiar manner, the way of God's accepting penitent sinners through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ; to this he listened with great attention. On the 14th of December, Howard became very ill. He observed to his parents, 'I do not think now that I shall ever recover; but all will be right. A few days after, he was asked what his feelings were, when he thought that be should never get well, and that he might die very soon. He replied, I cannot tell my mind now. have such severe pain; but when I was in the country, and when I was alone, I thought much about death, and felt much sorrow because I had so often sinned.' I From this time until his death, he had frequent seasons of the most distressing pain. His physician, more than once, remarked, that he had rarely witnessed so great a sufferer. About the 6th of January 1820, after the family had retired to rest, his mother, being in the same room, heard him talking. She feared that his mind was disordered, and hastened to his bed to ascertain its state. Do you want any thing my son?' said she. Howard replied,No, mother, you cannot do any thing for me. I wish you would go to bed: I am afraid that you will fatigue yourself and get sick. Do, mother, go to bed. The next morning he was seized with violent pains which continued for several hours. After they had, in some measure subsided, his mind was very solemnly exercised, and looking earnestly in his mother's face, said, 'Ï wish I had a right view of the Lord now.' She told him that he must pray to the Lord to grant him such a view. He replied, 'I do, mother, and last night I was praying that he would, when you came to me, and I was praying for you, and for father, and for my two little sisters. I am too weak to talk: I wish that dear friend who has been so attentive to me (his pastor) would come and pray with me.' The next Sabbath morning, being asked whether he would not rather spend the following Sabbath in heaven than in this world, he answered with much deliberation and solemnity, that he would, if the Lord pleased. During the day he was in great distress of body, but endured it without a complaining word. In the evening his mother manifested great anxiety to do something to relieve his pain. Howard observed it and remarked, Mother, you cannot do any thing more for me; but there is one thing which I can do-1 can trust in the Lord.' His mother replied, "that is the greatest support which you can now have, my son.' 'Yes,' said Howard," and I can cast all my care upou him.' Seeing her weep, he said, Mother do not cry. I wish you would be comforted.' A friend observed, I hope, Howard, that the Lord will comfort your mother.' This sweetly composed his miud. Being asked by another whether he was willing to die, he said, 'Sometimes-I shall be willing-I fear I have not been patient-may the Lord's will, not mine be done.' He then spoke to his father, saying, 'You have done a great deal for me--I have many kind friends I am a great trouble to you all.' Being assured that no one esteemed it a trouble to serve him, he rested quietly About this time, in one of the interviews which his pastor had with him, he expressed in a very clear and satisfactory manner, his love to the Lord Jesus Christ, his entire dependence on his merits for salvation, and his willingness to live and suffer, or to |