New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-01

commanders in the Revolutionary army, and de-
voted both by the pride of ancestry ard personal
tastes to the minute investigation OF the history
Of the war for Independence, the author of this
vslume has brought rare familiarity with the
subject, reflective and philosophical mind, aud
admirable literary culture TO the composition Of
his work. He differs from mostrreyious writers
On the same theme by his more profound com
prehension of the causes Of the REVOLUTION ana
his successful endeavor 70 trace tho events OF
tho epoch TO the principles in which they had
heir origin. His volume is rather discourse
on the political history of tho Revolutionary Pc
xied. than description of is prominent ihc'-
Sent.. He unolds the ideas with which the
men of that day we're inspired, aneiyzes theil
motives of action, and eypounds the genersi
l.ws which controlled the succession of events.
Net that he deals in purely abstract or theoTen-
cal considerations. Far from it. He combines
The practical view Of affairs with the phiioSophi'
cal explanation Of their causes. In discussing
<as various topics which are embraced IN the
pian of his work, lie evinces great political "a
saeity as we'll as shrewd historical tact. His
6eineatious of character, especially that OF
Franklin, exhibit acute discrimination, SYM
Dathy with the higher order Of personal quail
lies, and elicitous choice Of the language Of
Dsrsl portraiture.
The relation Of the people Of the Colonies to
NE British Government at the date immedi-
ately prior TO the Revolution is the subject OF
vigorous discussion in the commencement OF the
velume. Mr.. Grecne forobly sets forth the dit
Abrence between the American population at
that time, and the subjects of the European
raonarchies. The latter were in @ state Of
transition from the abuses of the Middle Ages.
They were awakening to consciousness Of The
tue character Of feudal institutions, and be-
ginng to emerge from their degradation. The
vsssal grudged the labor which his ancestors
hsd cheerfully rendered to their lords. The
peasant hated the noble who trampled down lbs
s,ain with his dogs and horses, and forbade him
- protect the vegetables which be had planted
for the food OF his children from the depreda-
tons of rabbits and hares. The merchant
dreaded monopolies; the manufacturer was
alarmed by the fear of new Adicts; the man OF
1etters sighed for freedom of thought; the rch
nan for liberty to use his wealth to advantage;
tae soldier for promotion by service; every class
q socety, in short, was eager for the correction
Of ancient abuses, and the establishment Of {
better order Of things.
But no such contradiction between the gov
srnment and the people existed in the American
Oelonies Of Great Britain. There everything
was fresh and vigorous with tho vitality OF new
\ Ne. The influence of the Middle Ages bat
u passed away; feudal abuses, there were none
the people were accustomed to regulate thei
domestic affairs for themselves, and we're con
tent TO leave their foreign interests in the hand
Of the mother country in return for her pro,ec
hen. But this was not state Of abiect depend
snee. 1t was rather the dependence of the in
dustr;ous child upon the thrifty pa-ent-a habit
suthving the necessity from which it spraug.
They had no wish for sudden or violent changes.
They loved their mother country with lively
recollection of early associations and endoar-
nents. To 60 TO England was to go homo.
The history Of England was the commencement
q their own. Her great men were their great
men. Her literature was their literature. The
glory of her flag was part of their own title to
honor. But in the brief historical space Of nine
years, all this was forever changed. The thir-
teen colonies became thirteen United States
with name, q flag, history Of their own.
The causes of this national revolution, accord
hg to Mr.. Greene, arc 10 be found, first, in the
colonial system itself. The restrictions on in
dustry soon became almost intolerable. As new
branches of production were opened, new
lhackles were forged, and every fresh enterprise
vas promptly discouraged by acts Of prohibition.
Thc relation of England to the colonies was tins
converted into mere affair of pounds, sbillings,
and pence. She found in them o valuable mar.
hot both of consumption and supply. The raw
material which she received from them Yves sent
back prepared for use. Her ship-owners grew
6cb by carrying the certain freight to and fro.
Ghe had the exclusive right of buying and selling,
and therefore commanded her own terms. This
relation was not Of kind TO last. 1t produced
On the part Of the cOloniSts feeling Of distrust
and suspicion, though combined with flial
reverence, and on the side of England, sense OF
arbitrary power which could not fail 10 result in
contempt for her dependents. The feeling was
aggravated by British ignorance of America.
Few Englishmen had any accurate ideas con.
Derning the character of the Colonies. They
scarcely knew their geographical position. OF
HE history of the colonsts, they were almost