A. Caswell

A COMMUNICATION

ON THE

IMPROVEMENT OF GOVERNMENT:

READ BEFORE THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL

SOCIETY,

AT A MEETING ATTENDED BY

GENERAL LA FAYETTE,

OCTOBER 1st, 1824.

BY CHARLES J. INGERSOLL, Esq.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE SOCIETY.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRINTED BY ABRAHAM SMALL.

1824.

At a Stated Meeting of the AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, held October 1st, 1824, at which their associate GENERAL LA FAYETTE, was present, the following Communication was read by Mr. CHARLES J. INGERSOLL; and it was resolved, that a copy be requested of him for immediate publication by the

Society.

WM. H. KEATING,

Secretary.

ON THE

IMPROVEMENT OF GOVERNMENT.

THE last half century, so prolific in the materials of history, is most remarkable for those changes of government which practically began with the American revolution. The spirit of conquest, succeeding that of chivalry, was followed by that of commerce, which gave way to the spirit of independence that prevails; and fundamentally affects all political institutions: Not those only, which are immediately under its operations; but all the rest. Commerce, and the Press, rapidly disseminate improvements, and add great influence to intelligence. Thirty millions of educated people, now in Europe and America, more than there were a few years since, and their number increasing in geometrical ratio-all intensely studious of political philosophy-create another empire within every state, continually seeking ascendancy. And this empire, though separated