Initial commit of ebook 78724 filesHEAD main

author: www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> 2026-05-22 14:03:50 -0700
committer: www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> 2026-05-22 14:03:50 -0700
commit: 3382aca3ecb1698014cee2f91f78a48274a44b3c (patch)
tree: c25b1ab68d468d8804bbd027a8533102a5b446c9 /78724-h
4 files changed, 5811 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/78724-h/78724-h.htm b/78724-h/78724-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac48ba2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/78724-h/78724-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,5811 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
+    <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no,date=no,address=no,email=no,url=no">
+    <title>
+      Six months in America. | Project Gutenberg
+    </title>
+    <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover">
+    <style>
+body {
+  margin-left: 10%;
+  margin-right: 10%;
+}
+
+h1,
+h2,
+h3,
+h4,
+h5,
+h6 {
+  text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+  font-weight: normal;
+  clear: both;
+}
+
+p {
+  text-indent: 1em;
+  margin-top: 0.51em;
+  text-align: justify;
+  margin-bottom: 0.49em;
+}
+
+.p2 {
+  margin-top: 2em;
+}
+.p4 {
+  margin-top: 4em;
+}
+
+.fs170 {
+  font-size: 170%;
+}
+.fs150 {
+  font-size: 150%;
+}
+.fs120 {
+  font-size: 120%;
+}
+.fs80 {
+  font-size: 80%;
+}
+.fs60 {
+  font-size: 60%;
+}
+.lsp2 {
+  letter-spacing: 0.25em;
+}
+.bold {
+  font-weight: bold;
+}
+.noindent {
+  text-indent: 0em;
+}
+
+.corr {
+  text-decoration: none;
+  border-bottom: thin dashed blue;
+}
+.x-ebookmaker .corr {
+  text-decoration: none;
+  border-bottom: none;
+}
+
+hr {
+  width: 33%;
+  margin-top: 2em;
+  margin-bottom: 2em;
+  margin-left: 33.5%;
+  margin-right: 33.5%;
+  clear: both;
+}
+
+hr.tb {
+  width: 45%;
+  margin-left: 27.5%;
+  margin-right: 27.5%;
+}
+hr.chap {
+  width: 65%;
+  margin-left: 17.5%;
+  margin-right: 17.5%;
+}
+@media print {
+  hr.chap {
+    display: none;
+    visibility: hidden;
+  }
+}
+
+hr.r5 {
+  width: 5%;
+  margin-top: 1em;
+  margin-bottom: 1em;
+  margin-left: 47.5%;
+  margin-right: 47.5%;
+}
+
+div.chapter {
+  page-break-before: always;
+}
+h2.nobreak {
+  page-break-before: avoid;
+}
+
+table {
+  margin-left: auto;
+  margin-right: auto;
+}
+
+.pagenum {
+  /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+  /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+  color: #a9a9a9;
+  position: absolute;
+  left: 92%;
+  font-size: small;
+  text-align: right;
+  font-style: normal;
+  font-weight: normal;
+  font-variant: normal;
+  text-indent: 0;
+} /* page numbers */
+
+.center {
+  text-align: center;
+  text-indent: 0;
+}
+
+.smcap {
+  font-variant: small-caps;
+}
+
+/* Images */
+
+img {
+  max-width: 100%;
+  height: auto;
+}
+img.w100 {
+  width: 100%;
+}
+
+.figcenter {
+  margin: auto;
+  text-align: center;
+  page-break-inside: avoid;
+  max-width: 100%;
+}
+
+/* Transcriber's notes */
+.transnote {
+  background-color: #e6e6fa;
+  color: black;
+  font-size: small;
+  padding: 0.5em;
+  margin-bottom: 5em;
+  font-family: sans-serif, serif;
+}
+
+/* Illustration classes */
+.illowp100 {width: 100%;}
+    </style>
+</head>
+
+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78724 ***</div>
+
+<div class="transnote">
+TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
+
+<p>Some minor changes to the text are noted at the <a href="#transnote">end of the book</a>.
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i002_2" style="max-width: 105.5625em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i002.jpg" alt="Spectators observing a waterfall.">
+  <figcaption style="margin: 0 2em">
+    <p class="noindent">
+    <span>G.T. Vigne delṭ</span>
+    <span style="float: right">T.S. Engleheart.sculpṭ</span>
+    </p>
+    <p class="center fs150">NIAGARA.</p>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<h1 class="center">
+SIX MONTHS<br>
+<br>
+<span class="fs60">IN</span><br>
+<br>
+<span class="bold">AMERICA.</span>
+</h1>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<p class="center" style="line-height: 2em">
+<span class="fs150">SIX MONTHS</span><br>
+<br>
+IN<br>
+<br>
+<span class="fs170 bold">AMERICA.</span></p>
+<p class="p4 center">
+BY<br>
+<br>
+<span class="fs120">GODFREY T. VIGNE, ESQ.</span><br>
+<br>
+OF LINCOLN’S INN, BARRISTER AT LAW.</p>
+<p class="p4 center fs120">
+VOL. I.<br>
+</p>
+<p class="p4 center" style="line-height: 1.5em">
+LONDON:<br>
+<span class="lsp2 p2">WHITTAKER, TREACHER, &amp; CO.</span><br>
+<span class="fs80">AVE MARIA LANE.</span><br>
+</p>
+<hr class="r5" style="margin-bottom: 0">
+<p class="center">
+1832.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<p class="center">
+<span class="fs80">LONDON:</span><br>
+Manning and Co., Printers, 4, London House Yard,<br>
+St. Pauls.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span></p>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="SIX_MONTHS_IN_AMERICA">
+    SIX MONTHS IN AMERICA.
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>
+  <span class="smcap">Reader</span>,
+</p>
+
+<p>I will not inflict upon you the penalty of
+preface or dedication, being fully persuaded that
+you would care for neither; and therefore if
+you are disposed to follow me to America, I will
+inform you at once, that after having seen the
+greater part of Europe, I went on board the
+packet, George Canning, on the 24th of March,
+1831, and sailed from Liverpool for New York,
+with my note-book, sketch-book, gun, and fishing
+rod—alone, unbewifed and unbevehicled, as
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span>a man ought to travel, and with the determination
+of being, as far as an Englishman can be,
+unprejudiced; and of seeing all I could of the
+United States in the space of about six months.</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, I beg of you to remember
+that I do not profess to tell you what may be
+seen in a year. I may be allowed to mention,
+that the George Canning is one of the best of
+the twenty-six packets that sail from Liverpool
+to different parts of North America. Every
+possible comfort and every reasonable luxury is
+at the command of the passenger; and, whether
+he be confined to his state-room from the effects
+of sea-sickness, or indulging a most Atlantic
+appetite, and quaffing champagne to the memory
+of Columbus, he cannot fail at the end of his
+voyage to be loud in the praises of her excellent
+commander, Captain Allyn. We saw an average
+number of young whales, but contrived to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span>miss the icebergs and the sea-serpent; and after
+an excellent passage of twenty-three-days (the
+voyage from Liverpool, at this season of the
+year, being scarcely ever less than thirty), we
+sailed through the Narrows into the splendid
+bay of New York. The passage so named is
+about three quarters of a mile in width, and
+defended by four or five hundred pieces of
+cannon. The most prominent object is a diamond-shaped
+fort, which appears to rise out of
+the water, and is called Fort La Fayette, because
+it fired its first salute in honour of that General,
+upon his arrival on the shores of America in
+1824. The fort on the New Jersey side, as if
+in opposition to its French-named antagonist,
+is known by the very English name of Fort
+Tomkins.</p>
+
+<p>On the Long Island beach is seen New
+Utrecht, a small sea-bathing place, and celebrated
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span>as the spot where the British troops,
+under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, were
+landed without opposition, previously to their
+attack of New York in 1776. Numerous vessels
+of different sizes that had been detained outside
+by contrary winds, were working their way
+through the Narrows at the same time, and
+presented a most animating spectacle. They
+were from all parts of the world; the sun shone
+full upon their white sails; the broad bright
+pine-streak reddened beneath his declining rays,
+and added a characteristic elegance to the appearance
+of the American ships, which taken as
+a class, are certainly handsomer than those of
+any other nation. That the trim and figure of
+a British merchantman are usually inferior to
+those of America, is owing to the circumstance
+of there being no tonnage-duty in America;
+and therefore, their ships are constructed for
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span>the carriage of a given number of tons with
+the greatest speed; but by the British method
+of rating their ships, a merchantman can be
+constructed so as to carry more than her legal
+tonnage without paying for it; of which John
+Bull very properly takes advantage by swelling
+out his ships as much as possible, so long as he
+can avoid the liability of being charged at a
+higher rate.</p>
+
+<p>We had scarcely entered the bay when the
+wind dropped; steam-boats were plying in all
+directions, and one of them coming alongside, I
+was glad to avail myself of her assistance, and
+arrived at New York before sunset. Within
+two minutes after I had landed I found myself
+in the Broadway, the principal street and promenade
+in the city. At two o’clock on every
+fine day, all the fashion and too-gaily dressed
+beauty of New York are to be seen there. It
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span>contains the finest shops, and altogether has a
+very lively and city-like appearance, which,
+nevertheless, suffers considerably on account of
+the houses being mostly built of red brick. Its
+width, I should say, is about the same as that
+of Oxford-street; in length it is, or rather will
+be when finished, about three miles. The
+courts of justice hold their sittings in the city-hall,
+a large and handsome building of Massachusetts
+white marble and brown free-stone,
+which stands in the centre of what is called the
+Park, a green open space on the side of the
+Broadway. The prison, a gloomy-looking structure,
+is too conspicuous, and exceedingly handy,
+being so near to it that a “ponte de ’i sospiri”
+might be thrown across from one to the
+other with great effect. But it is not in the
+contemplation of the most refined and magnificent
+works of art, that the European traveller
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span>in the United States must expect to derive his
+principal gratification. The public buildings in
+New York for the different purposes of charity,
+education, and commerce, are very numerous;
+but there are none that can lay claim to his
+particular attention: in a few hours, with a
+little assistance from a cabriolet or an omnibus,
+he might see all that is worth his notice in the
+city, considered merely as a collection of buildings,
+containing 200,000 inhabitants. It is the
+extraordinary energy and urgency of commerce
+that will chiefly attract his attention. The wharfs
+on the North river are flanked by superb steam-boats,
+daily and hourly employed in the conveyance
+of thousands; those on the East river, by
+double and triple lines of the most beautiful
+merchantmen; while the three streets which run
+successively parallel to them might be taken for
+one enormous warehouse, the pavement being
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span>nearly blocked up with merchandise from every
+country, and exhibiting a rattling and somewhat
+dangerous confusion of carts and cranes, that is
+quite beyond a “private gentleman’s belief,” till
+he has seen it. Although the actual numerical
+tonnage of the trade of New York is four times
+less than that of Liverpool, yet the appearance
+of bustle and business is far more striking at
+New York: the reason is, that there is so much
+more retail trade carried on in the latter city
+than in Liverpool, or any other city in the
+world. Innumerable boats descend the North
+river, laden with timber, or live and dead stock,
+and provisions for the markets of New York,
+and carry back a petty and varied cargo of
+wearing apparel and other necessaries that are
+wanted in the interior.</p>
+
+<p>Although Philadelphia is a larger place, the
+balance of trade between New York and that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span>city is usually, if not always, in favour of New
+York. Imported goods sold at Philadelphia, on
+account of the New York merchants, are paid
+for in bills made payable at Philadelphia. The
+banks at New York discount these bills, which
+as they become due are satisfied on demand by
+payment in specie; so that there is a constant
+flow of hard dollars from Philadelphia to New
+York.</p>
+
+<p>In order to see the city in perfection, the
+North river must be crossed, and a fine view is
+obtained from any of the rising grounds on the
+opposite bank. But to include a distant view
+of the city and the bay in the same drawing,
+I should recommend a station on Staten Island,
+or on the opposite heights about Gowanus.
+On this head the British public will soon be
+satisfied. Before I quitted America, I was
+favoured with a sight of the most exact and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>admirable drawings to be used as materials for
+the next view at the Colosseum in the Regent’s
+Park, which I understood was to be that of New
+York and its environs. It is singular that, as in
+London, they should all have been taken from
+the top of St. Paul’s church. Unless I were
+anxious to write either an almanack or a guide-book,
+I think I need not here say more about
+New York; reserving for another place any
+remarks that apply generally to one city as well
+as another. I will merely add, that I should
+strongly recommend every one to visit the Museum
+before he commences a tour; and that
+the city contains two excellent theatres, of which
+that in the Park is the more fashionable: I
+heard the English version of the “Cenerentola”
+performed in very good style: I was delighted
+with the singing of our countrywoman. Mrs.
+Austin, and I laughed heartily at the drolleries
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>of Mr. Hackett, who is an unrivalled mimic of
+the eccentricities of his countrymen. An Italian
+opera is confidently expected by the next season.
+At present the first society in New York, which
+is very good, is seldom to be seen at the theatre.
+In my ignorance, I was very much astonished
+the first evening I went there, at seeing a multitude
+of persons, who would have thought it a
+gross mistake not to have been taken for gentlemen,
+sitting occasionally in the front and almost
+always in the back seats of the dress circle, with
+their hats on, in the presence of ladies, who
+were scattered in different parts of the same box.</p>
+
+<p>Now, New York, if not the most refined, is
+certainly, strictly speaking, the most fashionable
+place in the Union, and it is not to be wondered
+at, that foreigners who have just landed from
+Europe and who very probably go to the theatre
+on the first evening of their arrival, should
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span>thence imbibe strange and unjust ideas of the
+best American manners. I have heard that common
+sense is the characteristic of the Americans;
+and I think there is great truth in the remark;
+but I do not like it when it is so <i>very</i> common.
+These republican De Courcys are very fond of
+wearing their hats: I never was at church in
+the United States, without observing individuals
+(I do not say many), who would evidently have
+been very sorry to have been thought guilty of
+any impropriety, putting their hats on when the
+service was over, in the very body of the church.
+These are no trifles when considered as part
+of the national manners. But in the United
+States there is no standard for manners: their
+political independence is oftentimes imperceptibly
+identified with independence of behaviour
+that procures for individuals an unfavourable
+opinion, of which the men and their minds are
+alike unworthy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span></p>
+
+<p>It was the twenty-third of April, St. George’s
+day, when I left New York to commence my
+tour; the members of the St. George’s Society
+were going to dine together, and the huge banner
+of the saint was waving from one of the upper
+windows of the City-hotel, as I emerged from
+the gloomy recesses, in enormous establishments
+ycleped single-bedded rooms, and proceeded to
+the wharf where the New Brunswick steamers
+are to be found, and where it is coolly and most
+intelligibly intimated to the traveller, in very
+large letters, that he can have “Transportation
+to Philadelphia,” at a very trifling expense.
+These steam-boats are necessarily very large;
+being frequently destined to carry three or even
+four hundred passengers: they are constructed
+in the best manner for obtaining the greatest
+proportionate space and a free circulation of air.
+They may fairly be said to be three-deckers.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>The working-beam is usually placed at a great
+height above the upper-deck, and the whole of
+the engine is so much raised that no inconvenience
+arises from the heat of the boilers.
+When one of these steamers is seen approaching
+from a distance, the confusion of green and white
+galleries gives it very much the appearance of
+a moving summer-house. The rapidity with
+which we moved across the bay procured me a
+constant change of scene: the banks were dotted
+with small villages, but I observed but few gentlemen’s
+seats. At a distance, on the right,
+stands the town of Newark, a considerable place,
+discernible by its white steeples. We passed
+Perth Amboy at the mouth of the Rariton river;
+the first British settlement in New Jersey.
+The governor’s house, the picquet and guard-house,
+can be seen from the river. The governor’s
+house resembles a Gloucestershire spinning
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>mill. I was landed at New Brunswick,
+where I found conveyances awaiting the arrival
+of the steamer in order to carry its passengers
+across the country to Bordentown. Notwithstanding
+that this road is one of the principal
+thoroughfares between New York and
+Philadelphia, yet I was fairly and quickly jolted
+into the conviction that although it was probable
+I should travel over many that were as bad, yet
+that I could not by any possibility find one that
+was worse. Allowances are to be made for the
+roads I afterwards saw, in the back settlements;
+but the condition of this one was really disgraceful.
+There was a great deal of wood on every
+side; but it can hardly be called forest, being
+what is here termed second-growth wood. A
+great part of these lands had been cleared by
+the earlier settlers, but were allowed to remain
+uncultivated, and to be overgrown whenever a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span>soil of greater fertility and sufficiently protected,
+was discovered in the interior of the country.</p>
+
+<p>Bordentown, is a small, but neat and pretty,
+village on the banks of the Delaware. On the
+outskirts is a large and rather irregular brick
+building at the extremity of a court-yard, which
+is flanked by stabling and other outhouses, with
+extensive gardens and pleasure grounds behind
+them, laid out a l’Anglais. This is the residence
+of the Count Survilliers, better known, in
+England at least, as Joseph Buonaparte. I was
+provided with an introduction to his Excellency,
+and paid him a morning visit. His reception of
+me was exceedingly courteous. The instant he
+appeared, I was most forcibly struck with the very
+strong resemblance he bore to the later portraits
+of Napoleon. His person, I should say, was
+rather larger; the expression of the eye was the
+same, though more subdued; the same hair, the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>same shaped head, and the same contour of
+feature generally, with a darker complexion, and
+a good set of teeth. I should say, the principal
+difference was observable in the mouth, which
+seemed more inclinable to the jocose than the
+sanguinary. After some conversation, which was
+carried on in French, and turned chiefly on
+the subject of European travel, his Excellency
+showed me his pictures, which are numerous and
+interesting. He has several fine Murillos, and
+a most beautiful Madonna by Vandyke. He
+has many portraits of his own family; among
+these is one of Napoleon in his coronation robes,
+and the well-known picture of the First Consul on
+horseback, crossing the Alps. I felt an emotion
+which I will not attempt to describe, when, as we
+passed round the room, he paused before the latter
+picture, and drew my attention to it, remarking
+that it was the original, by David. The cabinet
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>of statues and mosaics is also very fine, and the
+collection altogether by far the best in America.
+His Excellency occasionally mixes in society
+both at New York and Philadelphia, and talks
+without reserve of his former situation, “Quand
+j’etais roi d’Espagne.” “Dans mes belles
+affaires,” are occasionally introduced in his conversation.
+By his advice I subsequently mounted
+the observatory in his grounds. Thence I enjoyed
+a very fine view of the country on the
+opposite side of the Delaware, whose broad and
+rapid stream was flowing beneath me; on the
+left, the river seemed to lose itself among the
+distant woods of Pennsylvania; on the right, at
+a distance of about six miles, is Trenton,
+made notorious by the daring passage of the
+Delaware, and the subsequent defeat and capture,
+of a body of Hessians, by General Washington,
+on the night of the 25th of December,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>1776, during a violent storm, and when the
+danger of the revolutionists was at its crisis.</p>
+
+<p>Bordentown is about twenty-six miles from
+Philadelphia. The next day I proceeded to
+that city in a steam-boat, which stopped for
+passengers at every considerable village on the
+well-wooded, but flat and uninteresting, banks
+of the river. At length Philadelphia makes its
+appearance, stretching for nearly three miles
+along the western side of a bend or angle of
+the river. This view is certainly a fine one,
+but it would be much improved by the appearance
+of a few more steeples or lofty structures.
+From the water two or three only are visible
+above this immense assemblage of red houses;
+and yet the city contains nine episcopal churches,
+a great number of public buildings, and charitable
+institutions without end.</p>
+
+<p>Great attention is paid to the education of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span>the poorer classes: the constitution of Pennsylvania
+declaring, “That the legislature shall, as
+soon as convenient, provide by law for the
+establishment of schools, in such manner that
+the poor may be educated without expense.”</p>
+
+<p>Philadelphia has been often described. The
+streets cross each other at right angles: those
+running parallel with the river are numbered,
+second, third, fourth, &amp;c.; the others usually
+bear the name of some fruit or tree. The word
+street is usually omitted: in describing the way,
+a person would tell you that the place you
+were looking for was in Walnut, below fifth;
+Sassafras, above second; Mulberry, between
+seventh and eighth, &amp;c. These streets run over
+a distance of two miles, from the Delaware to
+the Schuyllkill river, which enters the Delaware
+about nine miles to the south of Philadelphia.
+The Bank of Pennsylvania is a small building,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span>but elegantly designed from the Temple of the
+Muses, on the Ilyssus, near Athens.</p>
+
+<p>The new Mint of the United States was
+unfinished, but promised to be a chaste and
+beautiful building, on a larger scale, from the
+same model. On the 4th of July, 1776, the
+Declaration of Independence was signed, and
+afterwards read from the steps of the State-house,
+where the state courts of justice are now
+held. The room in which this took place had
+been fitted up for La Fayette in 1824, as the
+most appropriate place for levee tenure; but
+when I saw it, it was occupied by workmen, who
+had instructions to replace every thing as it was
+when it acquired its present reputation.</p>
+
+<p>The Academy of Fine Arts much exceeded
+my expectations. Although the most conspicuous
+pictures were those of American academicians,
+yet here and there the eye was attracted
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>by a Vandyke, a Rubens, a Guercino, and a
+Salvator Rosa, or some good copies from them.
+There were a few landscapes by Ruysdael, and
+a fine Murillo: the subject was the Roman
+daughter. The productions from the English
+school, were portraits of John H. Powell, Esq.
+by Sir Thomas Lawrence, of John Kemble by
+Sir M. A. Shee, and another of Dugald Stuart
+by Sir H. Raeburn. Any person conversant
+with the pictures of this latter artist, would have
+recognised this, by the usual green colouring in
+the back-ground. There were five admirable
+portraits by Mr. Stewart, the American artist,
+of the Presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson,
+Madison, and Monroe. The best full-length
+portrait of Washington is that in the Fauneuil
+Hall at Boston; but as a half-length this is, I
+believe, considered the original. They were all
+remarkable for their easy and unsophisticated
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span>attitudes. Mr. Stewart has been dead about
+five years. Mr. Hardinge has also very great
+merit as a portrait painter; but Mr. Sully has
+the reputation of being the first in America. A
+portrait of Sir Thomas Lawrence, by that gentleman,
+is a most successful imitation of the
+style of the late president. He exhibited also
+an excellent full-length portrait of General La
+Fayette; and Mr. Tuman, a scarcely inferior
+artist, is at present employed in painting another,
+of Mr. Penn, which will occupy a place
+beside the General in the Hall of Independence.
+I also observed a composition-landscape, by Mr.
+Fisher, which had very great merit. It was well
+remarked in the preface to the catalogue, that
+so many of the pictures did not need indulgence,
+in comparison with that which had heretofore
+been cheerfully, and with justice, conceded to
+them. This was very true of a large proportion
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>of them, but some nevertheless, needed it not a
+little; and in fact had no business there. It is
+a pity that the Americans do not take warning
+by the constant outcry that for so many years
+has been justly raised against the swarm of
+portraits that annually cluster on the walls of
+Somerset-house. They might well devote more
+of their time and talent to historical painting.
+With the exception of the “Sortie from Gibraltar,”
+by Colonel Trumbull, and another very
+indifferent picture, there were, I think, no historical
+pieces in the room appropriated to
+modern events. The Americans cannot plead
+a want of subjects: the revolution is not half
+illustrated; besides, they may depend upon it,
+portrait painting is a very aristocratical thing
+after all, and should not be generally encouraged,
+on that account. In running over the
+walls of a modern exhibition-room, the eye is
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>fatigued by its endeavours to avoid an encounter
+with the features of individuals in a new character,
+to which many of them never had the
+slightest pretensions, except upon canvass.</p>
+
+<p>The water-works on the Schuyllkill are probably
+the finest in the world: they can scarcely
+be praised too highly for beauty of design,
+simplicity of construction, and real usefulness.
+A dam, sixteen hundred feet in length, is
+thrown across the river, by which the stream is
+backed up for several miles, and an enormous
+water-power thus created. The solid rock has
+been excavated, in order to obtain what is
+termed a race; and by means of huge double-forcing
+pumps, worked by four immense wheels,
+the water is thrown up into an ample reservoir,
+fifty-six feet above the highest ground in the
+city. It is calculated that each wheel and pump
+could raise one million two hundred and fifty
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>thousand gallons in twenty-four hours, if allowed
+to play without intermission. The rising ground
+in the neighbourhood of the water-works affords
+the best and nearest general view of the city.
+Thence I visited the botanical gardens of Mr.
+Pratt, containing a very fine orangery and a
+choice collection of exotics, and delightfully
+situated on the east side of the Schuyllkill, which
+spreads out to a great extent immediately beneath
+them, with banks wooded to the water’s
+edge. In a very few years this fine scene is
+destined to be unnatured. By this time a rail-road
+is commenced, which will run from Philadelphia
+to Columbia, a distance of eighty-two
+miles: it will there join the great Pennsylvanian
+canal, which has been finished nearly all
+the way from the eastern side of the Alleghany
+mountains. In order to pass these, a rail-road
+on inclined planes, will be constructed; by
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>which the rich mineral productions on the
+western slope of the mountains, consisting
+chiefly of iron and bituminous coal of the finest
+quality, will be quickly forwarded to Philadelphia
+in any quantity. The greatest height of
+the Alleghany mountains in Pennsylvania, is
+thirteen hundred feet. The rail-road I have
+mentioned, will pass at a short distance from the
+water-works; and therefore, in all probability,
+no very long period will elapse before the
+vicinity will become a coal-yard.</p>
+
+<p>The porcelain manufactory is not far off.
+I was told that the material was little inferior
+to that of Sevres, but I found the painting
+indifferent. French China is still preferred,
+and superiority cannot yet be expected in this
+department.</p>
+
+<p>In my way back to the city, I visited the
+Penitentiary of Pennsylvania. This is the most
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>extensive building in the United States. The
+front is 670 feet in length—very handsome, and
+bearing a baronial and gloomy appearance, in
+the style of our old English castles. Its area
+is a square, with a tower at each angle of the
+prison wall. It is intended that eight corridors
+should radiate from an observatory in the centre
+of the area, but only three are in use at present.
+These contain the cells, and command a
+free circulation of air, and a plentiful supply
+of water. The only punishment adopted, is
+solitary confinement. This Penitentiary is too
+young an establishment to afford a perfect confidence
+in the opinions of those who are favourable
+to its system. The reports of the inspectors
+are, however, extremely encouraging. The first
+and present warder (Mr. Samuel R. Wood)
+was only appointed in June 1829. This gentleman,
+who is well known as a kind of second
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>Howard in his way, has visited many of the principal
+prisons in Europe; and now finds employment
+for his talents and his humanity in, I
+believe, his native city. Every crime committed
+in the state of Pennsylvania, on this side of the
+Alleghany mountains, that is punishable by imprisonment
+at all for the space of one year or
+more, is to be expiated by solitary confinement
+within this Penitentiary. That at Pittsburg, on the
+Ohio, receives those whose crimes are committed
+on the western side of the Alleghany. Every
+prisoner is allowed to work at his trade; or if he
+have none, or one that he cannot follow in his
+cell, he is allowed to choose one, and is instructed
+by one of the overseers, who are all masters of
+different trades. Mr. Wood, in his last report,
+gives it as his opinion, that a prisoner who has
+two years or upwards to remain in prison, can,
+in his solitary cell, earn sufficient to clear all his
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>expenses from his admission till his discharge.
+The Philadelphia system differs from that at
+Sing-sing, in the state of New York. At Sing-sing,
+the prisoners are brought out to work
+together, but are not allowed to speak to each
+other. At Philadelphia they never work together;
+and from the time of his admission, one
+prisoner never sees, or speaks with, another. My
+English ideas were not a little startled at first,
+when I found that high treason is expiable by
+solitary confinement for not less than three, nor
+more than six years; and that the punishment
+for the second offence was solitary confinement
+for ten years. Treason against the state of Pennsylvania
+is here alluded to. By the articles of the
+constitution, treason against the United States
+shall consist only in levying war against them;
+or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid
+and comfort. No person shall be convicted of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses
+to the same overt act, or on confession in open
+court. Congress shall have power to declare the
+punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason
+shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture,
+except during the life of the person attainted.
+Treason against the United States is a capital
+offence. Murder, in the second degree, that is,
+murder committed in a sudden quarrel, but without
+malice prepense, is punished by solitary
+confinement at labour for three, and not more
+than six years; for the second offence, for a
+period not exceeding ten years. The punishment
+for burglary is solitary confinement for not less
+than two, nor more than ten years; for the second
+offence, for a period not exceeding fifteen years.
+For robbery, or being accessory thereto before the
+fact, the period is for not less than one, nor more
+than seven years; for the second offence, for a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span>period not exceeding twelve years. Mayhem,
+kidnapping, horsestealing, perjury, &amp;c. are all
+punished by solitary confinement for different
+periods. Almost every species of forgery, or
+aiding, abetting, or commanding the perpetration
+of a forgery, whether it be of the coin of the state,
+or have reference to the sale, utterance, or delivery,
+or having in possession the metallic plate
+used in the forging of any note of any bank incorporated
+in the state of Pennsylvania; or forging,
+defacing, corrupting, or embezzling any charters,
+gifts, grants, bonds, bills, wills, conveyances, or
+contracts; or defacing, or falsifying any enrolment,
+registry, or record; or forging any entry
+of the acknowledgment, certificate, or endorsement,
+whereby the freehold or inheritance of
+any person or persons may be charged; or of
+counterfeiting the hand or seal of another with
+intent to defraud; or the privy or great seal of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>the state of Pennsylvania, is punished with
+solitary confinement for a period of not less than
+one, nor more than seven years; and for the
+second offence, for a period not exceeding ten
+years. It is expected that few offenders will
+run the risk of solitary confinement for a second
+time.</p>
+
+<p>When first received, the prisoner is left
+alone, and it seldom happens that he does not
+ask for a Bible, and work, after the lapse of a
+few hours. A Bible and a few other religious
+books are allowed him. In a few days the withdrawal
+of his employment is felt, and adopted
+as a punishment, with the most obstinate and
+hardened. The chaplain occasionally visits the
+prisoners, and on Sundays he takes a station
+whence the words of prayer and exhortation can
+be heard by every prisoner in his cell, as they
+echo along the vaulted roof of the corridor.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span></p>
+
+<p>If any punishment can be said to be dignified,
+that of solitary confinement has a claim
+to that epithet. Justice to society is nobly
+done, not only in the removal of the prisoner
+in the first instance, but, secondly, by enabling
+him to return, as it were, to the world, a
+wiser and a better man. The end of solitary
+confinement is the reformation of the criminal,
+by obliging him to think who never thought
+before. If reflection can be awakened, and
+conscience can obtain a hearing, its advantages
+will be readily acknowledged. The prisoner is
+forced to commune with his own soul: the all-powerful
+voice of ridicule is absent and unheard;
+remorse is not stifled, and penitence is not put
+to flight, by the sneers of a dissolute companion:
+with no one to admire, and applaud his resolution
+to be “game”—to submit, is the only
+alternative.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span></p>
+
+<p>In England the system could not, generally, I
+think, succeed. The effect of solitary confinement
+might be the same on the moral character
+of the prisoner, but unless something like a permanent
+means of getting a livelihood be secured
+to him, after his removal from the prison, the
+principal and best object of the punishment
+would not be obtained. This would be extremely
+difficult in a country of small extent,
+with a superabundant population, and a supply
+of labour far exceeding the demand. The
+regenerated offender might, perhaps, contrive
+to avoid observation; but if necessity compelled
+him to labour for his subsistence, it is probable
+that he would not find employment; and the
+necessary consequence would be, that all his
+good resolutions would vanish at the approach
+of want.</p>
+
+<p>No country is so well adapted for the experiment
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>as the United States of America. Enterprise
+is abroad in every direction, and labour
+is well paid. When the period of confinement
+is at an end, the criminal may wander to any
+corner of that vast continent,—and go where
+he will, the wages of industry are always at his
+command. He is in little fear of being recognised
+by his fellow-prisoners, because no prisoner
+is allowed to see another. His former
+associates in crime are dispersed, or in prison, or
+in the grave; and the hope that attended him in
+his cell is realised, by the facility of gaining a
+new character, and friends who are ignorant of
+his crime. It should be added to this notice of
+the Penitentiary, that every cell opens into a
+small paved court-yard, in which the prisoner
+can take exercise; and that the system has not
+been found prejudicial to health of mind or
+body, as had been anticipated.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span></p>
+
+<p>I visited the Museum at Philadelphia, which
+is said to be the best in the United States. It
+contains a skeleton of the mammoth; a fine
+collection of Indian curiosities and American
+animals: the most extraordinary of these is,
+perhaps, a specimen of the gigantic raya or ray,
+or devil-fish, measuring twelve feet in length,
+by fifteen in breadth; and weighing more than
+2000 lbs. In the gallery are arranged a number
+of portraits, chiefly of distinguished Americans,
+which are said to be admirable likenesses; but
+certainly not valuable as paintings. I was
+much better pleased altogether with the museum
+belonging to the Academy of Natural Sciences.
+It is much smaller than the other, but far more
+scientifically arranged.</p>
+
+<p>The Dock-yard at Philadelphia contained,
+when I visited it, a sixty-gun frigate, nearly
+finished; and the Pennsylvania, a four decker,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span>with a round stern, also in an unfinished state,
+and destined to carry one hundred and forty-four
+guns. This enormous vessel is two hundred
+and twenty feet in length, and fifty-eight across
+the main-beam. Her timbers seemed light, in
+proportion to her immense size; they certainly
+do not appear to be thicker than those of an
+ordinary British seventy-four. The great
+strength of the knees, however, are said to
+compensate for the apparent weakness of her
+other timbers. There were no workmen employed
+upon her, and saltpetre was strewed
+over her wherever it would lie. She is larger
+than the old Santissima Trinidad, destroyed at
+Trafalgar; but not so large as a Turkish ship
+of the line, launched, I believe, since the battle
+of Navarino. All the guns of the Pennsylvania
+will be thirty-two-pound carronades on the
+spar-deck, and long guns on the others. Her
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>anchor weighs more than 11,000 lbs. With
+such a tremendous weight of metal, it is probable
+that she would not be able to stand the wear
+and tear of the long blockades in which many
+of our ships were employed during the war.</p>
+
+<p>The timber of the live-oak, so called from
+its being an evergreen, is supposed to be imperishable.
+This tree grows almost exclusively
+in the Southern States; but is annually becoming
+more scarce and valuable, as the extreme
+slowness of its growth cannot keep pace with
+the demand: the Americans will probably find
+themselves obliged to plant it, before another
+quarter of a century has elapsed.</p>
+
+<p>The following treatment of the different
+kinds of timber used in the American navy is
+recommended in the report of the Secretary
+of the Navy for 1829. Live-oak should be
+immersed for twelve months in water, then
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span>taken up and placed under cover to protect it
+against sun, rain, and high winds. Its immersion
+is recommended by the fact that it
+renders it less liable to split. White-oak which
+is inferior to the British white, or navy-oak,
+should be docked about eighteen months in
+fresh, or two years in salt water; then taken up
+and sawed into such sizes as may be required,
+then placed under cover for about two or three
+years. Yellow pine should be docked about
+twelve months; then taken up, sawed, and
+covered for two years. Mast timber should be
+immersed and covered in mud till wanted for
+use. All timber ought to be cut when the
+greatest portion of sap is in circulation, at some
+time from the first of November to the end
+of February; it should then be immersed in
+water, and never taken out but early in the
+spring: and it was given as an opinion, that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>if all timber underwent this process, the ships
+might last double the time they otherwise would.</p>
+
+<p>I went to both the principal theatres, but
+did not think that either they or the performances
+were as good as at New York. I saw
+Mr. Cooper, the famed American actor, in some
+old play, of which I forget the name. His voice
+is extremely good: I remember that I thought
+him dignified, but rather stiff, without however
+being the least awkward in his acting. I also
+saw young Burke, as Doctor Pangloss. His
+acting I thought admirable, and most humourous;
+and his violin playing is quite extraordinary
+for his age. His tragedy is very little
+inferior to his comedy.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>The United States’ bank at Philadelphia is a
+beautiful building, being a copy from the Parthenon,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span>with such alterations as were absolutely
+indispensable in order to render it fit for purposes
+of business. It has no side columns; but the
+portico is a splendid specimen of the Doric. The
+Ionic pillars in the interior, were brought from
+Italy. The present United States’ bank, was
+incorporated by Act of Congress on the 10th of
+April, 1816, and is chartered till the 3d of
+March, 1836. It paid a bonus to Government
+of 1,500,000 dollars. Its capital is 35,000,000
+dollars, divided into 350,000 shares of 100 dollars
+each; 70,000 shares were subscribed by
+government, which therefore became a proprietor
+of one fifth. After a thorough investigation of
+the right of Congress to pass an act of incorporation,
+this bank was first called into existence
+in the year 1791, when General Washington
+was president; and its charter expired in the year
+1811. The two opposing parties of Federalist
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>and Democrat had in effect began to show themselves,
+though not exactly by those names, in
+1787. In 1790, Mr. Hamilton, the secretary of
+the treasury, made his celebrated report on the
+state of the public debts contracted during the
+revolutionary war. He proposed that the debts
+of the continental Congress and those incurred by
+the States individually, should be funded by the
+general government, and that the interest should
+be paid by taxes on articles of luxury and on
+ardent spirits. This, it was thought, would give
+too much power to the Federal government, in
+opposition to the rights of the States separately
+considered; and it was on account of their conflicting
+opinions respecting this federal measure,
+that the two parties who supported or opposed
+the new constitution, first acquired the names of
+Federalist and Democrat. Their first differences
+under these appellations, were on the bank question,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span>which afterwards became, and is now to a
+certain extent, a test of political principle. Its
+establishment had been opposed on constitutional
+grounds by Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison; by
+the former in the executive cabinet, and by the
+latter in congress, and both distinguished Democrats.
+It was asserted that congress had no
+power to create corporations. The Federalist
+was in favour of a liberal construction of the
+articles of the constitution, and an extension
+of the powers thereby vested in the federal
+assembly or congress of the United States, in
+opposition to what are termed state rights,
+or powers claimed separately by the states
+in their individual capacity. The federalist
+was said to be friendly to Great Britain, and
+to be indifferent to the principles of the French
+revolution. He was in favour of the Alien law,
+by which the president was enabled to compel
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>suspected foreigners to leave the country; and
+of the Sedition law, which provided for the
+prosecution and punishment of false and malicious
+accusations against the president and
+members of congress. In fact, these measures
+were passed by congress during the administration
+of John Adams, who succeeded General
+Washington, and was the second and last
+of the federal party elected to the office of
+president. The democrat regarded the principles
+of the federalist as far too aristocratical
+for the atmosphere of America. He was a
+strict interpreter of the articles of the constitution,
+and kept a careful watch, lest the federal
+government, in its united capacity, should
+usurp any powers which he considered as the
+rights and privileges of individual states. Under
+the overwhelming influence of the democrat
+principles, which have been on the increase
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>more and more from the first year of Mr.
+Jefferson’s presidency, the federalist party have
+experienced a great decrease in number, and
+their principles have lost much of their rigidity.
+In fact, the two parties may be said to be nearly
+extinct, even in name; the terms Federalist and
+Democrat being rarely mentioned now.</p>
+
+<p>The federalist was always the enemy of
+universal suffrage. He was for imposing a
+substantial qualification on every voter; on the
+principle that property, and not persons, should
+be represented. In Pennsylvania for instance,
+the right of suffrage is possessed by every freeman
+of the age of twenty-one years, who has
+resided in the state for two years next preceding,
+and who within that time, has paid a state
+or county tax, assessed at least six months before
+the election: and a poll tax of <ins class="corr" id="TN1" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;original text: fifty cents. per annum">fifty cents per
+annum</ins>, confers this right upon individuals who
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>are not in circumstances to pay any other.
+That corruption to a great extent is generated
+by this system, is admitted on all hands; it is
+obviously a matter of course that it should be
+so. Even in democratic America there are to
+be found thousands who readily acknowledge
+the real causes of their prosperity to be identified
+with those that have prevented this system
+from figuring in its real colours; and who freely
+admit that it proceeds from a comparative
+exemption from taxes; an unbounded extent
+of country; an admirable spirit of enterprise;
+a population not too large, and a consequent
+abundance of employment—not from the existence
+of a peculiar political system.</p>
+
+<p>But to return to the subject of the United
+States’ bank. When Mr. Jefferson and the
+democrats came into power, the renewal of the
+bank charter was discussed as a party question.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>At this period excitement was at its height;
+and the federalists made themselves so conspicuous
+by their indiscriminating opposition
+to those measures of commercial restriction
+adopted by the democrats in power, against
+Great Britain, in compliance with the policy
+of the new French government, that they were
+considered by a large proportion of the American
+nation, as the apologists for the conduct
+of a country already regarded in the light of
+a public enemy. Yet such was the general
+opinion of the good that had been diffused
+throughout the Union by the bank, that the
+question of the renewal of its charter, was
+only lost by the casting vote of the president
+of the senate, and by one vote in the house
+of representatives. In less than three years
+after the expiration of the charter in 1811,
+the war with Great Britain having taken place
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>in the mean time, the finances were in a state of
+incredible embarrassment; and the re-establishment
+of the United States’ bank recommended
+by Mr. Dallas, who was then secretary to the
+treasury, received the sanction of Mr. Madison;
+and the measure passed both branches of congress
+during the ascendency of that very party
+which was previously opposed to it.</p>
+
+<p>In consequence of the non-renewal of the bank
+charter, bank credit to the amount of 15,000,000
+of dollars was withdrawn from the public service,
+and a number of local banks immediately
+sprang up.</p>
+
+<p>Freed from the salutary control of the
+United States’ bank, they commenced a system
+of imprudent trading, and excessive issues,
+which speedily disordered the currency of the
+country; and notwithstanding all her resources,
+and all her patriotism, in the last year of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span>last war, the United States were on the eve
+of bankruptcy, solely for the want of some
+national institution that would have assisted the
+exigences of government, and supported a circulating
+medium of general credit throughout
+the Union. The loss of the United States
+during the three years when there was no bank,
+was estimated at not less than 46,000,000 of
+dollars, sustained exclusively by want of a sound
+currency and an efficient system of finance.</p>
+
+<p>The United States’ bank has established
+branch banks at twenty-two of the principal
+commercial cities of the Union. When it was
+first opened there were, as we have seen, but
+two parties in the country, both acting from
+motives purely patriotic. The number is now
+increased, and interest is not now, as it was
+then, left out of the question. The bank
+charter does not expire till 1836; but the sentiments
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>of the president on the subject of its
+renewal, which so deeply involves the commercial
+happiness of the Union, cannot but be
+speculated upon with peculiar interest, even at
+this distance of time.</p>
+
+<p>It is said that General Jackson is unfavourable
+to its renewal. In his message of 1830 he
+expressed an opinion, that the bank had failed in
+the great end of establishing an uniform and
+sound currency. This is supposed to have reference
+merely to the circumstance of the bank,
+not in all cases redeeming the bills issued by
+any one of its branches indiscriminately at all
+the others. But it would be an obvious injustice
+to oblige the bank to any such measure:
+the attempt would be quite incompatible with
+its existence; as it is evident, that if the exchange
+were unfavourable in one State, and
+favourable in another, the flow of notes from
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>the State where it is unfavourable, would soon
+suspend or contract all the operations of the
+bank; and the very evil of an inequality of the
+currency, which the establishment was designed
+to remedy, would be increased by a vain attempt
+to perform impossibilities. I need not, however,
+pursue this subject further; but will only
+add, that all reasoning and experience seem to
+favour a belief in the advantages which the
+banking establishment has conferred on the
+country. It is, besides, in possession of a considerable
+surplus fund, after deducting seven per
+cent., which will enable it to meet any contingences
+that may arise. In lieu of the United
+States’ bank, an establishment to be termed a
+national bank, founded on the credit of the
+government and its revenues, has been proposed
+by General Jackson and others. Five hundred
+agents are employed at the present moment in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>transacting the affairs of the United States’ bank;
+but the enormous increase of patronage which
+would accrue to the government by the establishment
+of the proposed National bank, would be
+nothing in comparison with the power that would
+be vested in it, from its having under its control
+the dispensation of bank accommodations to the
+amount of at least 50,000,000 of dollars. When
+these consequences are considered, it is difficult
+to conceive how such a plan could find support
+among the subjects of a government professing
+to be thoroughly democratical.</p>
+
+<p>The society of Philadelphia is, taken all
+together, the best in the United States. The
+gay season is during the winter months. Balls
+and concerts are then frequent and well attended:
+in this respect I was unfortunate, as I was in
+that city in May—but I was partly recompensed
+for my loss, by the promenade in Washington
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>Square, which, although shady enough, and
+prettily laid out, is not what the most <ins class="corr" id="TN2" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;original text: fashionble">fashionable</ins>
+promenade in Philadelphia ought to be;—and
+I could not but remark, that the display of
+beauty and elegance to be seen there about
+six o’clock on the afternoon of a fine day, was
+most richly deserving of a better place of parade.
+I cannot in conscience assert that, as far as it
+went, I thought it equal, and yet I am scarcely
+willing to pronounce it inferior, to the splendid
+cortège of Kensington gardens.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>I had come to the conclusion that I should
+not be able to descend the Mississippi to New
+Orleans. By the time that I should arrive
+there, the extreme heats of an American summer
+would have been prevailing in that very unhealthy
+climate, and a stranger is almost certain
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span>to be attacked by fever and ague. The voyage
+down the river occupies five or six days; the
+voyage up the river is not performed in less
+than ten or twelve; and I was consoled by
+learning that the voyage is exceedingly tedious,
+as the low banks offer no variety of scenery
+for many days—so much so, that upon rising
+in the morning, a person might almost be
+persuaded he had not moved from that part
+of the river where he had been the previous
+evening. I therefore determined to make a
+tour through part of Pennsylvania: I had heard
+much of the beauty of the scenery, of the trout
+fishing, and “all that,” and accordingly having
+engaged a place in the coach to Harrisburg,
+the capital of the State, I started by it, at the
+nondescript hour of two in the morning, and
+arrived at Harrisburg the same evening. The
+road lay through a well-cultivated, but not particularly
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>interesting country; at least I did not
+think so, for it rained in torrents the whole
+morning; and although I was inside the coach,
+one arm was completely wet through, in consequence
+of the oilskin panels being but loosely
+fastened. The great heat of summer renders
+it necessary that the conveyances should be as
+airy as possible; the panels, which are made
+either of leather or oilskin, are rolled up in dry
+weather; but the “gentleman in the corner”
+sometimes comes off very badly on a cold or
+rainy day. In addition to this, it must be
+remembered that the American coaches usually
+carry nine inside, and do not afford too much
+liberty to the legs. The three passengers who
+sit in the middle, lean their shoulders against
+a broad leather strap, which passes across the
+coach; and as this occasionally gets unhooked
+in passing over a forest road, their heads are
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>instantly thrown in contact with the stomachs
+of those who are behind them.</p>
+
+<p>The most considerable place we passed was
+Reading, which has much the appearance of a
+second-rate country town in England. Viewed
+from the Sunbury road, by which I returned to
+it in my way back to Philadelphia, its situation,
+in a fine surrounding country, appears to much
+greater advantage. We passed no other place
+of note but Lebanon; in the vicinity of which is
+to be found some of the finest arable land in
+Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is delightfully situated
+on the Susquehanna. It was here for the first
+time I saw that beautiful river; in breadth about
+three quarters of a mile. Its clear and shallow
+stream is not really slow, but at a little distance
+it appears as tranquil and unruffled as the surface
+of a lake. Immediately opposite to Harrisburg
+is an island, from either side of which a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>long wooden bridge is thrown to the opposite
+bank of the river. Harrisburg is the capital of
+Pennsylvania, and is a thriving, neat and pretty-looking
+town, containing about four thousand
+inhabitants. The House of Assembly, or Capitol,
+as it is always called in America, is built on
+an eminence. The sittings of the senate and
+house of representatives of Pennsylvania were
+held first at Philadelphia, then at Lancaster, and
+subsequently for nearly the last twenty years at
+Harrisburg, which, from its central situation, has
+been found much more convenient. The chamber
+where the representatives hold their sittings
+is very large, with separate desks for every two
+or three members, disposed in a semicircle, in
+the same manner as in the French chamber of
+deputies. The chair in which the Speaker sits
+was filled by the celebrated patriot John Hancock,
+when he presided in the assembly, by the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span>members of which the declaration of independence
+was signed in the state-house at Philadelphia.
+The senate and representatives had just
+finished their sittings, after having passed only
+two hundred and sixty-seven Acts. I saw a list
+of them. They chiefly related to internal improvements;
+and many of them made honourable
+provision for old soldiers, or the widows and
+families of old soldiers, who had served in the
+revolutionary war. An experiment, which would
+have been deemed serious in an older country,
+was on the eve of trial: an Act had been passed
+for levying a tax on personal property throughout
+the state. The bulk of the taxes had
+hitherto been paid by the land owners, and a
+new assessment made once every three years.
+The annual tax is at the rate of one, two, or
+three dollars the acre, according to the value of
+the land. The owner of personal property only,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span>however, enjoyed an immunity, of which the
+present measure was intended to divest him, by
+making him pay a tax of one dollar in a thousand.
+Every individual will be obliged to swear to
+the amount of his personal property; and should
+he be supposed to swear falsely, an officer will
+be empowered to compel the production of any
+deed, bond, note, or bill, or of any writing
+being evidence of a debt owing to him. However,
+the general opinion seemed to be, that the
+graceless impost would be acquiesced in as one
+of fairness and necessity. On account of the
+enterprise of canals, railroads, and other improvements,
+the state debt of Pennsylvania is
+larger than that of any other of the Union,
+amounting to 14,463,161 dollars,—the debt of
+New York amounting to nearly 9,000,000 dollars.
+The individual State debts are very likely
+to be increased rather than diminished, in the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>end; but as no State debt has in any instance
+been increased except for the purposes of internal
+improvements, the augmentation of the
+debt will but add eventually to the prosperity
+and wealth of the State. Suppose any state,
+New York for instance, were to borrow 4,000,000
+dollars for some public work, as a canal or rail-road,
+at a fixed rate of interest, and that the
+capital borrowed were to be reimbursable in the
+year 1850. Such a rate of tonnage would be
+levied on the canal or railroad as would, after
+payment of the interest, leave a sinking fund
+available for the redemption of the capital borrowed,
+and the State would be left in possession
+of a large tract of country rendered productive
+and valuable on account of the additional facility
+afforded for the carriage of produce to market.
+Once only since the formation of the constitution,
+and during the presidency of John
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span>Adams, has a direct and general property-tax
+been imposed by the federal government in time
+of peace.</p>
+
+<p>The view from the dome of the capitol at
+Harrisburg is very fine; but a much better is
+obtained from the summit of a hill about a mile
+behind the town, although, perhaps, the town
+itself is not seen to such advantage. A great
+part of the surrounding country is very well
+cultivated; corn-fields, pasture, and woodlands,
+are distributed over hill and hollow; and occasionally
+here and there is perceived a small
+farm-house, of a neater and more English appearance
+than any I had yet seen. On every
+side the landscape is terminated as usual by a
+boundless forest. The Susquehanna seems to
+lose itself through a gap in the Blue Mountains;
+and throughout the whole of its course, which
+is visible for a great distance, its banks and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>beautiful islands are clothed with the richest
+foliage to the water’s edge. I proceeded along
+the north bank of the river towards Duncan’s
+Island, and after a ride of eight or nine miles,
+I arrived at the gap I have just mentioned.
+Its scenery forcibly reminded me of the Rhine
+at Drachenfells. The abrupt and lofty hill on
+the left is not surmounted by a “castled crag,”
+but it overhangs, perhaps, a nobler river, whose
+banks are covered with the forest trees of America,
+instead of being formally scarped for the
+culture of vines, trimmed like gooseberry bushes.
+At a short distance from the gap, the river is
+crossed by an enormous wooden bridge of eight
+arches, which is very nearly half a mile in
+length. The bridges in America are usually
+of wood, of admirable construction, neatly
+painted, and covered over like many of the
+bridges in Switzerland. The piers are of stone
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>of great size, and buttressed towards the stream.
+This bridge is the largest of the kind I have
+seen any where.</p>
+
+<p>In the garden of the inn, or tavern, as it
+is usually called, is an Indian tumulus, about
+fifteen feet in height, hemispherical in shape,
+and evidently once much higher. These tumuli
+are to be seen in various parts of Pennsylvania,
+and in fact, in all parts of America;
+often two are found at no great distance from
+one another. At Liverpool, in that state, are
+two of them, about three quarters of a mile
+apart; but one had been ploughed over by
+the Gothic proprietor of the soil. At first it
+is not difficult to infer from this, that a great
+battle had taken place in the vicinity, and that
+each party had adopted this place for the burial
+of the dead,—that universally, and eternally
+distinguishing characteristic between mankind
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span>and those of the brute creation that make the
+nearest approaches to humanity. Where, however,
+they are found singly, the researches of
+Mr. Jefferson and of others, induce us to believe
+that they were heaped together upon other
+occasions. In one which he opened, Mr. Jefferson
+conjectures that there might be as many
+as a thousand skeletons; and appearances indicated
+that it had derived its origin and enlargement
+from a custom of collecting the bones of
+the dead on the spot at different times. They
+were deposited in layers, but in the utmost
+confusion of relative position; the bones of the
+most distant parts of the body being crowded
+together. Those of infants and half-grown
+persons were found among them. These tumuli
+are sometimes composed of earth, and sometimes
+of loose stones, like the cairn and carnedd of
+Scotland and Wales.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span></p>
+
+<p>The conjecture, that they were either raised
+over the dead in battle, or in accordance
+with the custom supposed by Mr. Jefferson,
+is the more probable, on account of the bones
+being always found in quantities. The European
+tumuli, of whatever age or nation,
+have either been heaped up over the ashes of
+some distinguished person, or are found to
+contain but a few coffins, of rough-hewn and
+loose stone. In America, I believe, none are
+supposed to cover the remains of one person
+only, deeply buried as in Europe, under the
+superincumbent mass; but in the tumuli of
+America the external coating of earth will easily
+crumble away when disturbed, and will frequently
+discover the bones at a trifling depth
+beneath the surface. Arrows and other implements
+of war are frequently found amongst
+them. The formation of these tumuli is no
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>where understood to be a modern custom. The
+Indians have a feeling of reverence for them,
+and use them as land marks; but the most aged
+are unable to furnish any clue to the discovery
+of their antiquity. The knowledge of their
+own ancestors is confined to three or four generations,
+and nothing certain is known of the
+aborigines who formed these tumuli. Humboldt
+himself, in his “New Spain,” after a learned
+dissertation on the subject, is obliged to admit
+that “the general question of the first origin of
+the inhabitants of the continent, is beyond the
+limits prescribed to history, and is not perhaps
+even a philosophical question.” There can be
+no doubt that they were a distinct race, and more
+civilised than the wild Indians of the present
+day, whose Asiatic origin is also a subject of
+dispute. Humboldt believes that the analogy
+between the languages of Tartary and those of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>the new Continent extends to a very small
+number of words. He adds, that the want of
+wheat, oats, barley, rye, and of all those nutritive
+gramina which go under the name of cereal,
+seems to prove that if Asiatic tribes passed into
+America, they must have descended from pastoral
+people. We see in the old continent,
+that the cultivation of cereal gramina, and the
+use of milk were introduced as far back as we
+have any historical records. The inhabitants of
+the new continent, cultivated no other gramina
+than maize. They fed on no species of milk,
+though the lamas alpacas, and in the north
+of Mexico and Canada, two kinds of indigenous
+oxen, would have afforded them milk
+in abundance. These are striking contrasts
+between the Mongol and American race. However,
+in the Transactions of the Literary and
+Historical Society of Quebec, there has lately
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>been published a “Catalogue of a few (ninety-six)
+remarkable instances, which induce a belief
+of the Asiatic origin of the North American
+Indians. By Major Mercer, R. A.” These I recommend,
+as they are very interesting. Robertson
+says that “the Esquimaux Indians, are the
+only people in America who, in their aspect and
+character, bear any resemblance to the Northern
+Europeans.” They differ from all the other
+Indian tribes in their language, disposition, and
+habits of life. He thence infers the probability
+of their having originally passed over from the
+North-west of Europe, and adds, “that among all
+the other inhabitants of America, there is such
+a striking similitude in the form of their bodies,
+and the qualities of their minds, that notwithstanding
+the diversities occasioned by the
+influence of climate, or unequal progress of
+improvement, we must pronounce them to be
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>descended from one source—the north east of
+Asia.” It may be here added, that Cuvier, when
+speaking of the mouflon of the Blue Mountains,
+informs us, that it is the only quadruped of any
+size, the discovery of which is entirely modern,
+and gives it as his opinion, that perhaps it is only
+a Siberian goat that has crossed the ice.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>The junction of the Susquehanna and Juniata
+rivers, takes place at Duncan’s Island. The
+latter is a much smaller river, varying from one
+to two hundred yards in breadth. In some
+places its thickly forested banks rise to a great
+height above the gloomy-looking stream, whose
+dark placidity is occasionally disturbed by small
+rapids, or falls, as they are termed, though they
+hardly deserve the name. I observed a sunken
+raft, and one solitary fish-hawk (osprey). The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>road continues along the side of the Juniata for
+several miles; it then leaves it, and conducts the
+traveller to Lewistown. I observed nothing
+remarkable in this place. Its situation, however,
+is picturesque, as it is surrounded with abrupt
+hills and rising grounds of different elevation,
+with plenty of forest, as usual. The distance
+from Lewistown to a place called Brown’s Mills,
+is not more than five miles. Here I found an
+excellent country inn, kept by an Irishman, and
+a most delicious trouting stream, running rapidly
+through the woods, and emerging close to the
+inn. It is wadeable in every part, and swarms
+with trout, some of them weighing more than
+three pounds. Those killed with a fly, do not
+average more than half a pound in weight; but
+it is no uncommon occurrence to kill five or six
+dozen in two or three hours. When I was there,
+and in fact during the whole time I passed in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span>Pennsylvania, the season was early, and the
+weather cold and unfavourable, so that I killed
+but very few fish. A severe walk of twenty-five
+miles through the forest, and across a range of
+hills known by the name of the Seven Mountains,
+brought me to Belfont; a large and thriving
+town, conspicuous from being placed on a hill
+in the midst of a very pretty country. Close to
+Belfont are three full mountain streams, or
+creeks, as they are called in America. Spring
+creek in particular, contains an enormous quantity
+of trout, of about the same size as those at
+Brown’s Mills; but the weather was still
+unfavourable, and it was all in vain that I waded
+down the stream for nearly four miles. I took
+but seven or eight moderate-sized fish. The red
+hackle is considered the best general fly. The
+other streams are known by the names of the
+Bald Eagle, and Logan’s creek. The former
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>takes its name from a bald eagle’s nest, that was
+annually built in the vicinity, or, which is more
+probable, from a tribe of Indians so called, who
+resided there. At the head waters of the other
+creek, is still seen the place of residence of the
+celebrated Mingo chief, Logan,—whose eloquent
+message to Lord Dunmore, is too well known
+to need insertion here. Many of the aged
+inhabitants of Belfont still remember him. His
+fate resembled that of Demosthenes and Cicero:
+he perished for his eloquence. An old officer
+of the United States army, who, soon after the
+close of the revolutionary war, was ordered
+to make surveys of the country watered by
+the Alleghany river, informed me that Logan’s
+nephew, a remarkably fine young Indian, dined
+with him one day in his tent, and that he
+asked him what became of Logan. I killed
+him, was the reply. Why did you kill him?—The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>nation ordered it. For what reason?—He
+was too great a man to live: he talked so
+well, that although the whole nation had intended
+to put any plan in execution, yet, if
+Logan did not approve of it, he would soon
+gain a majority in favour of his opinions. Was
+he not then generally in the right?—Often;
+but his influence divided the nation too much.
+Why did they choose you to put him to death?
+If any one else had done it, I would certainly
+have killed him: I, who am his nephew, shall
+inherit his greatness. Will they not then kill
+you also?—Yes: and when I become as great a
+man as Logan (laying his hand on his breast
+with dignity), I shall be content to die! He
+added, that he shot him near the Alleghany
+river. When informed of the resolution of the
+council of his nation, Logan stopped his horse,
+drew himself up in an attitude of great dignity,
+and received the fatal ball without a murmur.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span></p>
+
+<p>From Belfont I proceeded on foot over the
+mountains to Philipsburg, on the western slope
+of the Alleghany ridge. The distance was about
+twenty-eight miles. After walking for several
+hours along the side of the Bald Eagle creek, I
+arrived at the foot of the Alleghanies. They
+are composed of sandstone, and are more extensive
+than any in the States on this side of the
+Rocky Mountains, though their height is inconsiderable.
+The most elevated part of the ridge
+in Pennsylvania does not, as I have said before,
+exceed 1300 feet; but at the other peak, in Virginia,
+it rises to 3950 feet above the level of the
+great western rivers, being two or three hundred
+feet higher than Ben Lomond. The High Peak
+on the Rocky Mountains is the highest mountain
+in the United States, and attains an elevation
+of 12,500 feet. Mount Washington, the
+highest of the White Mountains, is 6234 feet
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span>in height; Mansfield, in Vermont, the most
+lofty of the Green Mountains, is somewhat
+higher than Ben Nevis in Scotland, as it
+rises to 4279 feet. I ascended the Alleghany
+by a good road, that wound gradually up the
+side of the mountain, and after a walk of about
+three hours and a half, I was in full contemplation
+of the most extensive forest view I had
+ever yet beheld. I have seen many of the dark
+and impenetrable pine forests in the north of
+Europe, where the mountains are far higher,
+and the scenery proportionably grander, but I
+never remember a forest so interminable as that
+I am speaking of. One small patch of cultivation
+was perceivable in a very distant valley,
+called, I believe, Penn’s Valley. The vast
+thickets of Norway, Sweden, and Russia, are
+chiefly of pine trees, and are grand and gloomy
+enough, but sometimes tiresome from their
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span>monotony. Nature has painted them with her
+usual ability; but the colouring she has employed
+may be compared to that of a drawing
+in Indian ink, equally creditable to the artist,
+but not so pleasing to the eye as a many-tinted
+picture. There are plenty of pines on the
+Alleghany, but there is also an immense assemblage
+of other trees. A lady informed me, that
+being desirous of sending to England specimens
+of the different woods of this part of the country,
+she collected fifty-two without any difficulty; but
+there are many more than these. The principal
+material of the American navy is, as I have
+before noticed, afforded by the live-oak, so called
+from its being an evergreen, and from its elasticity,
+extreme durability, and other generous
+properties. The leaf of this tree resembles the
+ilex of Spain and England, but is rather larger,
+and more pointed. It is not found in Pennsylvania—growing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>in the southern States chiefly,
+in Georgia and the Carolinas, whence it is conveyed
+to the different dock-yards of the Union.</p>
+
+<p>There are here, nevertheless, more than
+thirty varieties of the oak, each bearing a distinct
+fruit: of these, the white-oak, which is
+inferior in quality but comes the nearest to the
+navy-oak of Great Britain; the red-oak, the
+black, and the rock, or scrub-oak, are the most
+common. The other trees of the forest, are
+usually the Spanish-chestnut (two varieties)—the
+horse-chestnut is not indigenous in America,
+but thrives well; I saw one at the Manor near
+Baltimore—the hickory (two varieties); the
+black-walnut; the American-poplar, or tulip-tree,
+the pride of the American forest, and
+growing frequently to an enormous size; yellow,
+white, spruce, and hemlock pines—the larch is
+not found, or is rarely to be met with, in the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>United States: I have not seen them in the
+Canadas—bass-wood, or common English-lime;
+sugar-maple, white maple, red and white elm,
+willow, sassafras, black and yellow birch, ash,
+gum-tree, beech, iron-wood, mulberry, dog-wood,
+rhododendron in great quantities, kalmea,
+latifolia, hazel, red and white cedar, clematis,
+virginiana, indigo, and a great variety of ferns
+and wild vines.</p>
+
+<p>In the autumn, or fall, as it is universally
+and prettily termed in America, the forest view
+is excessively beautiful, in consequence of the
+brilliant assemblage of colours exhibited by the
+diversity of foliage collected together. My eye
+roved over a constant succession of mountain
+and valley, and hill and hollow, all alike clothed
+in the glorious forest garb, whilst the more
+distant tints became bluer and bluer, till they
+faded away at the farthest verge of the horizon.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span>The Indian had long been driven or bought out
+from this part of the country; but the rocks and
+thickets of the forest beneath me had doubtless
+concealed many an ambush, and witnessed many
+a carnage. They had responded to the sharp
+twang of the rifle, and re-echoed the more terrific
+war-whoop; but during the time that I
+remained on the top of the mountain, all around
+me was as silent as the place was solitary, with
+the exception of the occasional stroke from the
+peaceful axe of the back-woodsman, that resounded
+from a glade about a mile from the
+spot where I had sat down to rest myself.</p>
+
+<p>I soon afterwards passed the Moshanan
+Creek, in which an expert fisherman on a favourable
+day can kill any quantity of trout he
+pleases. Beside the bridge, is a small and solitary
+tavern, kept by an Englishman from Gloucestershire.
+With him resides an old man
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>named Joseph Earl, a complete specimen of the
+real backwoodsman; just such a character as
+Leatherstocking, in Mr. Cooper’s novel. He
+will take his rifle and his knapsack, and frequently
+absent himself for weeks at a time in
+search of game. If he kill a deer, he will carry
+off the skin, and hang up the venison in a secure
+place, and from his intimate acquaintance with
+the mountains, and every settler who lives in
+them, no long time elapses before he can command
+any assistance he may require. The principal
+tenants of the forest are the cougar or
+painter (panther), as it is very improperly
+termed; the bear, the wolf, the lynx (called the
+cat-a-mount), the wild cat, the marmot, the racoon,
+the opossum, and red and grey foxes. The
+deer, which in some places is very abundant, is
+the <ins class="corr" id="TN3" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;original text: cerous virginianus">cervus virginianus</ins>, a species unknown in
+Europe, of a size between the red and common
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>fallow deer, with a small palmated horn. Beside
+this there are but two species of deer found
+in the eastern States, the moose deer, or great
+Siberian elk, and the American elk, four of
+which were exhibited in London some years
+ago under the coined name of wapiti, and which
+have bred very well in England. Other kinds
+of deer, and goats, and sheep, and an antelope
+from the Rocky Mountains, are exhibited in the
+Zoological museum. The reindeer is found in
+the colder latitudes of Lower Canada, where it
+exists in large herds. A species of stag of
+gigantic size, with enormous horns, which Humboldt
+considers as a distinct species, is very
+common in the forests and plains of New California.
+He thinks it probable that the horns
+which were displayed by Montezuma to the
+companions of Cortez, as objects of curiosity on
+account of their immense size, belonged to this
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>animal. A species of the same genus as the
+European chevreuil, or roebuck, is also found in
+Canada and some of the States. It is larger, and
+longer eared than the European animal. Of the
+cervus virginianus, or common deer of America,
+a single hunter will sometimes kill two or three
+in a day; but will more often go without a shot,
+as they are very wild, and their sense of smelling
+exceedingly acute. A still day is unfavourable;
+a windy day is the best, as the sportsman
+can then come very near them on the windward
+side. The cougar is their greatest enemy, but
+is luckily not very common. A few years ago
+an American gentleman who had taken up his
+shooting-quarters at the tavern I have just mentioned,
+wounded a deer, and tracked it by the
+blood. On coming up with it, he observed a
+cougar on the animal; he fired, and had the
+satisfaction to see it drop dead. When he
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>approached, he saw another, that had crouched
+behind the body of the deer. He disabled him,
+and killed him with the third shot. As he was
+returning, he killed another deer, and brought
+all the four skins with him to the tavern. The
+old Englishman shewed me the scalp of a deer
+that had been killed during the last season: a
+cougar was in full pursuit of him; and the deer
+took to the water close by the tavern. The
+cougar sprang on him in the water, but made
+off when he saw one of the old man’s sons approaching
+with a rifle, from which the poor deer
+received his death-wound immediately afterwards.
+I found that there was a penalty of five
+dollars for killing a deer at this season of the year.</p>
+
+<p>The winged game of these forests are—the
+wild turkey, which being pursued with avidity
+by the sportsman, is becoming more scarce every
+day: it is larger than the tame turkey, and its
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>plumage closely resembles that of the dark-coloured
+domesticated bird, but is rather more
+brilliant; the pheasant, which is a species of
+wood-grouse; the partridge, which should rather
+be termed a quail, but which is, in fact, as I
+have hereafter noticed, neither one nor the
+other; the woodcock, snipe, pigeons, and wild
+fowl, in great abundance.</p>
+
+<p>The largest snakes found in these forests, are
+the rattle-snake, the copper-head, or moccasin-snake,
+so called from its yellow colour, resembling
+that of the moccasin, or Indian sandal; and
+the black-snake. The latter grows to the length
+of seven or eight feet, and even longer. It
+moves with great rapidity, is a species of the
+boa-constrictor, and its habits and manner of
+taking its prey are similar to those of that tremendous
+reptile. The bite is not poisonous.
+The copper-head is a very dangerous snake, as
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>it gives no warning like the rattle-snake. Its
+name is its description, as far as it goes. Its
+length is about three feet. The rattle-snake is
+too well known to need much description: it
+invariably raises its tail and rattles before it
+strikes, so that, in general, it can be easily
+avoided. The Indians consider this as proof of
+its noble nature, and accordingly they never
+destroy it, believing that it has something divine
+in it. A large rattle-snake would measure four
+feet in length, perhaps, or a little more, but is
+very thick in proportion. When about to attack,
+it suddenly coils itself, with the tail raised, and
+rattling in the middle of the coil, and can strike
+from nearly its whole length. It is a very
+spirited animal; and from its moving but slowly
+out of the way, is destroyed with little difficulty.
+Much has been said of the extreme danger of
+its bite, and of the number of persons bitten;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span>but like the accidents from canine madness in
+England, they are far more often heard of than
+met with. It is most probable that a person
+would die, unless immediately assisted,—or have
+at all events a very narrow escape, if bitten on
+any part of the body that happened to be naked;
+but if struck through his clothes, so great a
+proportion of poison is by them absorbed, or
+prevented from coming in contact with the
+blood, that the bite, if taken in time, is not
+dangerous.</p>
+
+<p>It is a well known and singular fact, that
+the body of a person bitten, will sometimes
+change whilst under the influence of the poison,
+to the colour of the snake that bit him. The
+plant called the rattle-snake weed (bidens frondosa)
+is a remedy used by the Indians, and
+sometimes, I was credibly informed, with great
+effect. The leaves and root are boiled in milk
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>and used as a poultice; the milk is also taken
+internally. In Mr. Pratt’s botanical garden at
+Philadelphia, I saw a specimen of another plant
+which is also considered efficacious (polygela
+senaga) called by the French “l’herbe a serpente
+a sonnettes.” It grows in damp and shady
+parts of the woods, to a height of about two
+feet; has a small pointed leaf, and a single
+fusiform root, resembling a piece of stick-liquorice.
+I was, however, assured by a physician
+of eminence at Philadelphia, that the
+only remedy he had never known to fail, was
+the speedy application of a cupping glass to the
+wound, and a large tea spoonful of ammonia
+in a wine glass filled with water, administered
+every hour till the symptoms took a favourable
+turn. It is well known that hogs soon destroy
+every snake in the woods around a settlement.
+They eat them, and are seldom known to suffer
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>from the bite, owing, it is said, to the quantity of
+fat in their system. Almost every wild animal
+is their enemy; small birds will often peck at
+them, although at the same time credence is
+certainly to be given to the stories of fascination
+or terror by which small animals, such as squirrels
+and birds, are sometimes rendered unable to
+escape from them. Deer will crush them to
+death, by jumping on them with all their four
+feet brought close together. I was frequently
+told that rattle-snakes were common here and
+there; but still I never saw one: the fact is,
+that they generally lie concealed. A person
+travelling in the woods, will sometimes come
+suddenly upon fifty or a hundred of them basking
+on the rocks. They all retire as the cold
+weather approaches, and lie torpid during the
+whole winter; so that a sportsman is in no
+danger from them. A French gentleman, who
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>a year or two ago was shooting grouse very
+early in the season, on the mountains in New
+Jersey, was suddenly struck near his hip by a
+rattle-snake of the largest size; thanks to his
+loose fustain trowsers, the fangs did not touch
+him; the brute could not extricate itself, and
+hung upon him till stunned by repeated blows
+from his gun.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>Philipsburg is rapidly increasing, under the
+advantages of English superintendence: it contains
+about eight hundred inhabitants in the
+town and environs. It is almost exclusively the
+property of one English gentleman, who is
+master of nearly 70,000 acres in that part of the
+country. While I partook of his hospitality, I
+was agreeably surprised by the circle of English
+society, which I found collected under his roof.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>Several English have made Philipsburg their
+place of residence. Its advantages consist in a
+remarkably healthy situation on the western
+slope of the Alleghanies, where the descent is so
+gradual as to be hardly perceptible; an easy
+and constant communication with Philadelphia,
+and Pittsburgh on the Ohio; excellent trout-fishing,
+and shooting in the forest; a very cheap
+market (a sheep or deer can be bought for a
+dollar), and excellent medical advice. Uncleared
+land may be purchased at one, two, or three
+dollars an acre.</p>
+
+<p>The large beaver dams in this neighbourhood
+afford the finest pasture imaginable. They run
+for several miles along the side of the Moshanan
+Creek. What is now called a beaver dam, is
+not merely the fence or dam which that industrious
+animal had thrown across the stream, but
+the whole meadow over which the water was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>spread in consequence of its being arrested in its
+course. The beaver was held sacred by the
+Indians, and their habitations were probably
+undisturbed for centuries. The stream, when
+checked in its career by the dam which those
+extraordinary animals had constructed, found its
+level, of course, in every nook to which it could
+gain access; and tree and shrub rotted away
+with so much moisture. As the beaver was
+destroyed, or driven out by the progress of
+civilization, the dams gave way, and the stream
+soon returned to its former channel, and the
+bottom of the pond or dam is converted into a
+fine meadow, exceedingly valuable for the purposes
+of the grazier. A person may travel
+through the forest for many miles, and will
+suddenly emerge upon a green open space, with
+scarcely a tree or shrub upon it, although at the
+same time it be surrounded by a leafy wall of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>the loftiest forest trees. An English gentleman
+had just commenced a farm on one of these dams,
+and I rode about six miles through the woods to
+visit him. The place had much the appearance
+of an English park, which deer and other wild
+animals would frequently cross, and sometimes
+within rifle-shot from his window. It was more
+than a mile in length, with the shape and
+appearance of a billiard table.</p>
+
+<p>At Philipsburg, and in the neighbourhood,
+are several iron works. I visited a curious
+screw manufactory there: the machine for heading
+the screws was invented on the spot, and
+probably there is not such another to be found
+any where. It turned out about sixty screws
+in a minute, and finished them off with a neatness
+that would excite the surprise even of a
+mechanist.</p>
+
+<p>I have before mentioned that Philadelphia
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span>will shortly be connected with the Ohio river,
+by means of the Columbia rail-road, from which
+the great Pennsylvania canal will soon be finished
+to the foot of the Alleghany mountains, where
+it will be joined by another rail-road, which will
+pass the mountains, and communicate with
+Pittsburg. Another rail-road will, most probably,
+be constructed, so as to intersect the
+same canal a little above Huntingdon. It will
+come from the bituminous coal district, which
+lies about Philipsburg and Clearfield county,
+and is spread over a great extent of ground
+on the western slope of the Alleghany. Plenty
+of stone or anthracite coal is to be found in many
+parts of Pennsylvania, and in vast quantities;
+but the bituminous coal used in the transatlantic
+cities is supplied either from Liverpool, from
+Nova Scotia, or from Virginia. The particles
+of the Virginia coal, however, are too much
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>divided, and it more resembles the coal used
+by a blacksmith, than the Newcastle coal. I
+have understood that bituminous coal has been
+lately discovered, although in very small quantities,
+in Pennsylvania, on the eastern side of
+the mountain. The anthracite coal throws out
+a very powerful heat, but is very troublesome
+and unmanageable, requiring a long time before
+it will kindle properly; burning without flame
+or smoke, and creating an unpleasant and rather
+unhealthy dryness in the atmosphere of a room.
+An experiment had been successfully tried in
+New York, by which the anthracite coal had
+been rendered subservient to the purposes of
+the steam-engine. It was contrived that a
+stream of hydrogen-gas, generated by part of
+the engine, should flow constantly over the
+burning coal, so that a powerful flame was thus
+fed under the boiler. But in all cases where a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>manageable fire is required, the bituminous coal
+is far preferable. By means of the Philipsburg
+rail-road, the whole country will be supplied
+with this valuable mineral, at a very moderate
+expense, from the inexhaustible stores on the
+western slope of the Alleghany. The necessity
+of making cheaper iron is becoming daily more
+imperative in the United States. For this end,
+to say nothing of the carriage of timber, the
+Philipsburg rail-road will be very advantageous,
+as it will bring down the coal to be converted
+into coke, to be used in the smelting furnaces;
+and it will pass through the midst of the Juniata
+iron district, where more than twenty forges and
+furnaces already exist in full activity; and whose
+increasing importance calls for a more adequate
+and expeditious mode of conveyance than it at
+present commands. The whole country will be
+much benefited; and independently of the real
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>and lasting advantages to be gained by the
+construction of the Philipsburg rail-road, an
+early attention to the plan, from the proper
+quarter, will be but justice to the exertions of a
+gentleman, who, with his brothers before him,
+has devoted time and capital to the enterprise,
+and has called into existence a highly respectable
+community, and the most thriving and
+useful settlement in the back woods of Pennsylvania.</p>
+
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i002" style="max-width: 105.5625em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/i104.jpg" alt="View of a river from afar near trees and some fields.">
+  <figcaption style="margin: 0 2em">
+    <p class="noindent">
+    <span>G.T. Vigne delṭ</span>
+    <span style="float: right">T. S. Engleheart, sculpṭ</span>
+    </p>
+    <p class="center fs150">NORTHUMBERLAND, ON THE SUSQUEHANNA, PENNSYLVANIA.</p>
+    <i>Published by Whittaker &amp; C<sup>o</sup>. April 10, 1832.</i>
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>I left Philipsburg, and returned to Belfont,
+whence I took the road to Northumberland. In
+about six hours I again came in sight of the
+Susquehanna, flowing through an extensive
+valley, with its lofty southern bank robed to the
+very summit by a covert so thickly interwoven
+as to be absolutely impassable. I proceeded
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span>down the side of the river till I arrived at the
+ferry at Dunnsburg. Here I met with a piece of
+singular incivility and impudence. The insolent
+young Charon allowed me to place my luggage
+in his leaky bark; but as I was proceeding to
+take my seat, he “calkilated,” with the most disagreeable
+twang (at least, I thought so) that I
+had yet heard, “that I must pay him a fip (five-penny
+bit) before I put my foot into his boat.”
+It was all in vain that I pointed to my portmanteau,
+intimating that it would be “assets” for
+the payment of my passage to the other side.
+Nothing would satisfy him but my fip beforehand;
+and I was obliged to pay it. It appeared
+that some stage-passengers had gone off without
+paying, and he did not wish to be cheated a
+second time. The guard who arrived with the
+mail, was so enraged at his conduct, that he
+actually took out one of the horses, crammed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>him through the river, and arrived safely on the
+other side with the letter-bags.</p>
+
+<p>Within a mile or two of Dunnsburg, are
+some Indian tumuli; but I did not stop to see
+them. I travelled onward through a most delightful
+country, abounding in black-oak; the
+bark of which is sent down the river, and shipped
+off in great quantities for England, where it is
+used in dying. I enjoyed a very fine view
+from the hill over which the road passes near
+Moncey; but I afterwards saw the same prospect
+to much greater advantage, from Northumberland.
+This place contains about two
+thousand inhabitants, and is most delightfully
+situated on the neck of land that separates the
+northern and western branches of the Susquehanna.
+The celebrated Dr. Priestley spent the
+latter years of his life in this place. He died
+about twenty-five years ago. I was assured by
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span>an old and intimate friend of his, who was with
+him but a few minutes before he died, that there
+was great foundation for a prevalent belief, that
+for some months previously to his death, he
+changed his opinions in favour of the divinity of
+Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Good land, in a state of cultivation, is worth
+twenty, thirty, forty, or even a hundred dollars
+the acre, in this part of the country. The average
+profits of land amount to twelve and a half
+per cent. Thirty bushels of wheat is a good
+crop. The wages of the married labourer are
+fifteen dollars a month (the United States dollar
+is equal to 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>). Single men, who board at
+the house of their employer, receive but ten.
+Wherever I made inquiry, I found the rate of
+labourers’ wages to be much the same throughout
+the States.</p>
+
+<p>I crossed the western branch of the Susquehanna
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span>by a new and handsome wooden bridge,
+built as usual on stone piers. Its length was
+1316 feet, and it cost 70,000 dollars. I then
+immediately ascended the heights on the other
+side. From them I had a full view of both
+branches of this “shining river,” an appellation
+which none deserves better than the Susquehanna.
+I preferred the scenery around Moncey
+to that in the direction of Wyoming. The sun
+was declining behind the precipice on which I
+stood, which was thrown more and more into
+shade, as the red rays glanced through the
+pines on its summit, and swept downward into
+the broad and beautiful valley beneath me.
+The windings of the river were visible to a
+great distance. Although considerably larger,
+it strongly reminded me of the Thames seen
+from Richmond-hill. Its tranquil lake-like
+stream meandered through the country, encircling
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span>several islands: at one time gliding in
+silence through the forest, or emerging to roll
+its waters over a rich and extensive meadow, it
+freshened every thing in its course; and when it
+had fully performed the task of ornament and
+usefulness allotted to it by nature, it seemed to
+lose itself through a gap in the Blue Mountains,
+from which in reality it issued.</p>
+
+<p>Beautiful as it is, yet, were this England, I
+could not help thinking, how different would be
+the appearance of the country! I am gazing on
+a view, as splendid as any one of the same
+character I ever beheld in any land,—I see before
+me a noble river, winding its way through
+an exquisite landscape, of hill and dale, and
+wood and verdure, abounding in every resource
+that could make a country life agreeable; but
+it is in vain that my disappointed eye roves over
+the scene, and rests on the most magnificent
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span>situations for park and palace: where, thought
+I, are the “stately homes of England?”—where
+is the marble-fronted hall, and the village
+church beside it, with its spire pointing to the
+heavens? The powerless genius of embellishment
+wanders disconsolate along the beautiful
+banks of the Susquehanna, and bitterly complains
+that he is fettered by the spirit of democracy.</p>
+
+<p>I am far from meaning to infer in the above
+passage, that there is any lack of churches in
+the United States. On the contrary, they are
+numerous. As an Englishman, I am here speaking
+merely with reference to situation, and the
+association of ideas excited in my mind.</p>
+
+<p>The Americans, in general, are not fond of
+comparisons between England and their own
+country, except in cases where the balance is in
+their favour; but still, I have often observed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>that there is no subject of conversation more
+gladly discussed by an American gentleman, and
+more particularly by those who have country
+houses of their own, than the splendour of the
+seats of our nobility and gentry, and the perfection
+of society which is enjoyed at them.
+There is nothing in England so apt to elicit
+from them a remark of honest regret, as their
+knowledge of the very remote probability, I may
+almost add, the utter hopelessness, of their ever
+being able to boast of seats and villas at all equal
+to those on this side of the Atlantic, so long as
+the present form of government exists in full
+force. Who would build a really splendid
+mansion, which, after his death, will probably
+either become a ruin, or be sold, and converted
+into an hospital? or who would clear and beautify
+a park of any extent, to be divided and
+ploughed up by his needy successors? I have
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>seen country houses in America, whose delightful
+situation, and gentlemanly appearance,
+(although it must be allowed, they often look
+their best at a distance), only serve to render
+the prospect of division the more melancholy. I
+have been kindly received at many of them: I
+have usually noticed a due attention to comfort
+and elegance, and invariably, to kindness and
+hospitality; but I have not been able to avoid a
+remark, that there did not appear to be much
+difference in the size of the houses, or the extent
+of the grounds, as if there existed a general and
+mournful acknowledgment, that a just medium
+was to be observed between the expense incurred
+with reference to present enjoyment, and the
+probability of an ultimate loss of capital, when
+the future was regarded. I could name a few,
+but very few, exceptions.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever the Americans may think of their
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>institutions in other respects, there are many sensible
+Americans—and I have met with them—who
+will acknowledge the inefficacy of these
+to counteract the disadvantages, not to say
+miseries, sometimes arising from the non-existence
+of the law of primogeniture. The object
+is, to exclude the preponderance of wealth,
+because it tends to generate an aristocracy of
+political power. The non-existence of the law
+of primogeniture is, I think, with great deference,
+but lamely defended by Chancellor Kent,
+in his admirable Commentaries on American
+Law, and which, by the way, are most richly
+deserving of a place in every library, if it be
+merely on account of the learned dissertations
+on the history of every republic of note that
+has ever existed. He quotes Adam Smith in
+support of his opinions; the Marquess Garnier,
+his French translator; and the Baron de Stael
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>Holstein,—and although he acknowledges the
+attendant evils, yet he says it would be an error
+to suppose that they have been already felt.
+But surely there are some which he does not
+contemplate in his work; but which must be
+acknowledged to have a miserable effect upon
+the state of society. A sale, not unattended
+with sacrifice, takes place at the decease of nearly
+every person who dies in possession of landed
+property. This is followed by a minute division
+of the proceeds amongst the next of kin. As
+to the law of dower, it is much the same as
+that of England generally; but where the sale
+has been made, the produce is considered as
+real estate so far, and the widow receives an
+annuity from one third in lieu of her dower.
+This does not effect the distribution of the
+remainder, which is divided as in England. It
+often happens, that the share of each person,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span>if young, is just enough to purchase his destruction.</p>
+
+<p>Very frequently, but in some States more
+than others, its most prominent application is
+detected by the effects of a vicious indulgence
+in ardent spirits, principally among the second
+and lower classes. Drunkenness still prevails
+to an alarming extent, notwithstanding the
+benign presence of the temperate societies. I
+have heard the most melancholy and appalling
+accounts of its ravages in private life; and in
+one place I was informed of its disgusting influence
+over judicial morality. The root of the
+evil is in the expectations which are formed:
+it is the certainty of actual possession of property
+at a future time, accompanied by ignorance
+as to its amount, that so often cherishes
+in the children the most dissolute habits of idleness,
+with all their attendant evils. Supposing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>both of them in the same easy circumstances as
+country gentlemen, and fathers of families, how
+different must of necessity be the sentiments of
+an American and an Englishman, when they survey
+their respective fire sides! Both see around
+them their wives and children, in the possession
+of affluence and comfort, and happy in the
+<ins class="corr" id="TN4" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;original text: enojoyment">enjoyment</ins> of each other’s society. But in the
+event of his death, how gloomy may be the
+picture drawn by the one, in opposition to that
+contemplated by the other! A divided estate
+and a dispersed family, present themselves to
+the mind of the American; or perhaps a small
+part of them living together, but unable to command
+any share of the luxuries, and not many
+of the comforts they enjoy during his lifetime,
+in consequence of a secession of property by
+marriage, or decrease of it from dissipation.
+The Englishman feels a debt of gratitude to the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>constitution of his country: in the event of
+his death, his house, in the possession of his
+eldest son, will be a home for his widow and a
+place of meeting for his children. His younger
+sons have been brought up under the idea that
+they are to be the architects of their own fortunes,
+and such a doctrine has not rendered them
+unhappy, because it has enforced the virtue of
+contentment. The law of primogeniture perpetuates,
+through the eldest son, a species of
+parental affection and authority; and where there
+is a title to descend, there is a further inducement
+to the eldest son to emulate the virtues
+or the actions of an illustrious father; or, if that
+father has brought disgrace upon a distinguished
+name or sullied the escutcheon of a distinguished
+family (which, be it added, is sometimes the
+case), the son may be naturally desirous of
+wiping away the stain, and of giving the benefit
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>of his example to society, by his imitation of the
+character of a nobler ancestor. There is yet a
+further deficiency of inducement to exertion
+existing in the American, and in every other
+democracy. In England, a young man in the
+enjoyment of a sufficient income, and who
+is consequently not obliged to labour at any
+profession with a view to its increase, yet with
+the possibility of obtaining a title, will exert his
+abilities to the utmost; but in America, the
+stimulus of titled distinction being unknown, it
+must often happen that the finest talents are
+doomed to remain unemployed.</p>
+
+<p>I crossed the north branch of the Susquehanna,
+and passed on to the town of Sunbury,
+on the bank of the main river, and about two
+miles distant from Northumberland. Sunbury
+is a very pretty country town, with a delightful
+promenade along the side of the river. In all
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span>parts of the vicinity there are some beautiful
+prospects: near it, a very large dam has been
+thrown across the stream, where, by the junction
+of its two branches, it spreads out, and forms
+a basin three quarters of a mile across. I observed
+some fishermen hauling their nets, and
+went up to them. They had taken some cat-fish,
+and several salmon. The cat-fish has obtained
+its name from its appearance: its head,
+which is out of all proportion to its body, is
+large and round, with the addition of two worm-like
+appendages projecting beneath the eyes,
+like the whiskers of a cat. It is altogether a
+dark, ugly-looking fish; but is eatable, with a
+flavour something like that of an eel, but inferior.
+In the larger western rivers it sometimes
+attains a weight of eighty or one hundred
+pounds. The fish improperly called the salmon,
+in no respects resembles the real salmon of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>Great Britain. It has none of the peculiarities
+of the salmo genus; and does not rise at a fly.
+In figure it is not remarkable; in colour it is
+more similar to the pike than to any fish I am
+acquainted with. The weight of those usually
+taken, is about a pound; but some of them are
+larger. A fly-fisher would have but moderate
+sport on the Susquehanna; but he might kill a
+great variety of fish, if he condescended to use a
+bait, and might occasionally take a large trout
+with a minnow. The river contains pike and
+eels, of immense size; trout, not numerous;
+rock-fish, cat-fish, suckers, common and silver
+perch—a beautiful fish; and a very small species
+of lamprey, that is only used as a bait. The
+shad is also found in great quantities in this and
+almost all the rivers of the Eastern States. It is
+excellent eating, and usually weighs about four
+pounds; but I thought the flavour of the Susquehanna
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>salmon equal, if not superior, to any
+fish I tasted in the United States. I should
+almost presume that it was peculiar to that river,
+as I have frequently met with natives of other
+States who had never heard of it.</p>
+
+<p>At Sunbury, I chanced to be told that three
+Yorkshiremen had just been taken up. I would
+bet three to one, said I to myself, that their
+crime is horse-stealing! and so it proved when
+I made inquiry.</p>
+
+<p>I here turned my steps away from the Susquehanna,
+which for placid beauty surpassed in
+my opinion any other river in the States, and
+proceeded towards Philadelphia, by way of
+Pottsville and Reading. Scarcely more than a
+year ago there were but a few houses at the
+former place; but in consequence of the immediate
+vicinity of enormous beds of anthracite
+coal, and the improved means of conveyance
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span>to Philadelphia, its size and importance had increased
+in a most extraordinary manner.</p>
+
+<p>The country around Philadelphia is very
+flat; so that I could not find a rising ground to
+take a sketch from, at what I considered the
+best distance. But, I think, in passing down
+the river, in my way to Baltimore, I perceived a
+small cliff on the left bank, that would have
+answered the purpose, being distant about two
+miles and a half. A view in a flat country
+requires great minuteness, if it be taken correctly,
+and would have occupied too much time;
+besides, before commencing a drawing of either
+of the larger cities in the Union, it really
+became a matter of consideration, that I had
+but one cake of “Newman’s light red” in my
+colour-box.</p>
+
+<p>A fine steamer carried me down the Delaware.
+About thirty-five miles from Philadelphia,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span>we passed Wilmington and Brandywine. We
+were then landed at the mouth of the Chesapeake
+and Delaware canal, and were towed onward, at
+a brisk trot, in one of the canal boats, and
+soon entered the Elk river, near the head waters
+of Chesapeake bay. The country was flat; and
+a great proportion of it was covered with forest.
+Here we went on board another steam-boat,
+that rattled us along at a tremendous pace down
+the Chesapeake, passing the mouth of the Susquehanna.
+The captain assured me that upon
+one occasion, during a camp-meeting, he had
+carried no less than fifteen hundred persons at a
+time; he landed them during the night, and
+about two hundred got away without paying
+their passage.</p>
+
+<p>In an hour or two, the North Point, at the
+entrance of the Patapsco river, became visible.
+General Ross landed here, with the British
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>force of 5000 men, on the 12th of September,
+1814, and met his death in the skirmish that
+ensued shortly afterwards. I rode from Baltimore
+to the spot where he fell, marked by a
+small plain stone-monument, by the side of the
+road. The last four miles out of fourteen
+lay through a very pretty wood, affording a
+most grateful shade. When we were within
+two miles from the city, we passed Fort Mac
+Henry, which was bombarded upon the same
+occasion, almost from the extremity of the
+range of a shell. Some of them, where they
+fell, penetrated the ground to a depth of five
+or six feet.</p>
+
+<p>Baltimore, when viewed from the Chesapeake,
+appears to be built over several low hills,
+or slopes, and surrounded by others that are
+considerably higher. Its situation is much finer
+than that of Philadelphia. It is not so fine as
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>that of New York; but in some respects, is,
+I think, superior to Boston. When approached
+by water, the most conspicuous objects are—Washington’s
+monument, the shot-towers, the
+Roman Catholic cathedral, and the Unitarian
+church, all scattered in different parts of the
+city. Washington’s monument is a plain column
+of marble, raised on a square base, 175
+feet in height, and surmounted by a colossal
+statue of Washington. It is seen from a great
+distance on every side, and commands the finest
+and most extensive prospect; but I am very
+much inclined to doubt the taste that placed any
+other than an allegorical object on the top of a
+lofty pillar. The size of the column, and its
+simplicity, are calculated to excite admiration;
+but in my humble judgment, it would have been
+much better to have had a really fine statue
+placed inside the base of the column, than to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span>perch the General upon a height that would
+make a living Admiral feel giddy. Lord Hill’s
+monument, near Shrewsbury, and that to the
+memory of General Brock, at Queenstown, are,
+I think, objectionable, for the same reasons.
+The battle monument is much prettier, although
+it is somewhat florid in its ornaments: it is
+fifty-four feet in height. The column is a circular
+fasces, symbolical of the Union, twined
+round with fillets, bearing the names of those
+who fell on the 12th and 13th of September,
+1814; and supporting an allegorical statue of a
+female, personifying the city of Baltimore, with
+a bald eagle, the United States’ emblem, at her
+side. The Archbishop of Maryland is the metropolitan
+of the States. The Catholic cathedral
+is a handsome building, with a dome in imitation
+of the Pantheon. The inside, which is divided
+into pews, contains two very good pictures from
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>the French school: a descent from the cross,
+by Paul Guerin, presented by Louis XVI.;
+and St. Louis burying his dead officers and
+soldiers before Tunis, by Steaben, presented by
+Charles X. The descent from the cross is much
+and deservedly admired. It has the merit of
+being free from that tedious detail that is usually
+to be observed in the works of French artists,
+who paint every thing as it is, and not as it
+appears. It occurred to me, that the body of
+Christ did not sufficiently rest on the ground,
+as intended. The latter picture displays more
+of the French taste. I did not like it so well,
+but many prefer it to the other. At Baltimore,
+is the University of Maryland, which ranks very
+high as a medical school. The average expenses
+of a student are one hundred and twenty dollars
+per annum. It has also professors in law and
+divinity. St. Mary’s College and Baltimore
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>College are also justly celebrated throughout
+the Union; the latter will accommodate one
+hundred and fifty students, who are instructed,
+by twelve professors, in the ancient and modern
+languages, mathematics, natural philosophy, &amp;c.
+The city also contains a good museum, which
+I did, and many more public buildings, which I
+did not visit, as I could not learn that there was
+any thing in them particularly deserving of
+attention. The theatre was not open.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>The waters of the Chesapeake and the
+Patapsco are the favourite resort of the canvas-back
+duck, which I had always been told was
+the greatest delicacy imaginable; and, “like
+nothing else, sir! I assure ye!” The sporting
+commences early in November, and affords most
+excellent sport. An experienced shot will sometimes
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span>kill three dozen in a morning with a
+single gun; and occasionally they are shot on the
+wing with a single rifle. The canvas-back duck
+very much resembles the red-headed wigeon, or
+common dun-bird. Lucien Bonaparte, who has
+so well continued Wilson’s work on American
+Ornithology, has successfully shown that it is
+quite a different bird. It is about half as large
+again, with a black and different formed bill and
+black legs. Those of the red-headed wigeon are
+of a dark lead colour. They breed on the borders
+of the great lakes, or about Hudson’s Bay;
+but in the winter months, they are found in
+prodigious quantities on the Chesapeake, the
+Patapsco, and the Potamac. Its flavour is owing
+to the root of the Vallissneria Americana, or
+wild celery, on which it feeds, and for which it
+will dive to a depth of eight or ten feet. The
+red-headed wigeon, when in company with the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>canvas-back, will often wait till it has risen from
+the bottom, and then snatch from it the hard-earned
+morsel. The <i>bons vivants</i> of America, talk
+of the canvas-back with an interest that borders
+on affection, and is sometimes very amusing.
+“Sir,” said an old fellow to me, “I wished
+to give a duck feast, and accordingly I bought
+nine couple of them, all fresh killed, and all of
+the right weight. I stuffed them into every
+corner of my gig; and would not suffer the cook
+to touch them, except in my presence. I dressed
+them all myself, in different ways, in my parlour,
+so as to have them all done according to figure,
+sir! Well, sir! all my company had arrived,
+except an old German; we could not wait, and
+sat down without him. When he came, he
+exclaimed, ‘What! noshing but duckhs!’ I
+started up in a rage, sir! a violent rage, sir!
+‘Noshing but duckhs!’ I repeated after him:
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>Why, you d——d old scoundrel, said I, your
+own Emperor of Austria never had such a
+dinner: he could not, sir, though he gave the
+best jewel in his crown for it.” I tasted these
+birds several times before I quitted America,
+and they certainly are extremely good. The
+meat is dark, and should be sent to table underdone,
+or what in America is called “rare.” I
+think the flavour might be imitated by a piece of
+common wild duck, and a piece of fine juicy
+venison, tasted at the same time. The word
+“rare” used in that sense, and which is given
+by Johnson, on the authority of Dryden, is no
+doubt one of many which have retained in
+America, a meaning in which they are not now
+used in England, but which was doubtless carried
+over the Atlantic by the settlers of a
+hundred years ago. I confess that I was for
+some time in error. I heard every one around
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span>me giving orders that his meat should be “rare,”
+and I thought it a mispronunciation of the word
+raw.</p>
+
+<p>The environs of Baltimore are exceedingly
+pretty: almost every eminence is crowned with
+a country house, surrounded by gardens and
+pleasure grounds richly wooded, and laid out to
+the best advantage, so as generally to afford a
+peep through the trees at some part of the
+Patapsco, or the Chesapeake. They are admirably
+adapted for a fête champêtre, or a strawberry
+party, as it is called at Baltimore. I had the
+honour of an invitation to the only one that was
+given during my stay in that city. The company
+assembled about six o’clock. Quadrilles
+and waltzes were kept up with great spirit, first
+on the lawn, and then in the house till about
+eleven. In the mean time strawberries and
+cream, ices, pine apples, and champagne, were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>served up in the greatest profusion. I had
+understood, and am quite ready to admit, that
+Baltimore deservedly enjoys a high reputation
+for female beauty. I am speaking of the
+American ladies in general, when I remark that
+it is no injustice to them to maintain, that where
+you will see twenty pretty girls, you will not see
+one really handsome woman. I have frequently
+observed the prettiest features,—such as more
+reminded me of England, than of any other
+country; but I think that most Europeans who
+have formed a correct taste from the “stone ideal”
+of Greece, would agree with me that ladies with
+pretensions to that higher degree of beauty, are
+not so often to be met with in America as in
+England. There is one particular in which they
+would do well to imitate my fair countrywomen.
+They have great charms for the breakfast table;
+but yet, elegant and lady-like as many of them
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>undoubtedly are, how often have I been compelled
+to wish, that the breakfast table had not
+quite so many charms for them. They <i>must</i>
+know that to eat is unfeminine; and that ladies
+should in the presence of gentlemen, appear <i>very</i>
+hungry, is a decided proof of a deficiency in
+national manners,—just as much, or even more
+so, than that men, be they who or what they
+may, should sit with their hats on in the dress
+circle at New York. The influence of a court
+would extend to, and would remedy all this. I
+should here again remark, that the first society
+is seldom seen at the theatre, and would not
+be guilty of such behaviour.</p>
+
+<p>It is a matter of great surprise to a stranger,
+that there is not one single promenade at Baltimore.
+There are some very eligible situations
+immediately adjoining the city, and which to all
+appearance are so easily convertible into a public
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span>walk, that it is difficult to understand why the
+ladies do not insist upon its commencement.
+I would most humbly advise them to do so.</p>
+
+<p>I was honoured with an invitation to “the
+Manor,” the country residence of Mr. Carroll,
+of Carrollton. The house was built long before
+the revolution, and is a curious specimen of
+Anglo-American architecture, somewhat resembling
+one of those large old parsonage houses
+which are to be seen in some parts of England.
+It stands in the midst of an extensive domain,
+in a high state of cultivation, and extremely
+well and neatly kept, considering that it is
+worked by slaves. I could have fancied myself
+in England, but for the loose zigzag fences of
+split logs, which offer to the eye but a poor
+apology for the English hedge row. Hedges
+of any kind would not, generally speaking, thrive
+well in the United States. It would be necessary,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>I was told, that they should be banked up,
+in order to keep them from being washed away
+by the heavy rains; and it is probable that
+during the extreme heat of the summer months,
+they could not obtain moisture sufficient to
+preserve them from being dried up entirely.
+They are, however, often to be seen close to a
+gentleman’s house, where they can be constantly
+attended to. I should conceive that the aloe
+hedges of Spain and Portugal, might succeed in
+the United States. It is neither a fault, nor a
+misfortune, that there is no water scenery at
+“the Manor.” The rivers and lakes of America
+are usually on a vast and magnificent scale, fitted
+either to bound or to deluge a continent; small
+streams are also common; but a lake for instance
+of a mile or two in length, is seldom to be seen,
+excepting in New England, where they are
+plentiful. Before I arrived there, I do not think
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>that I had seen more than half a dozen ponds,
+and those all in Kentucky. Instead of being
+thought an advantage, a piece of water is
+avoided; no American, from choice, would build
+on its banks, as the exhalations in the hot
+weather render such a situation very unhealthy,
+excepting in the more northerly states.</p>
+
+<p>At the manor I partook of that hospitality
+which is so kindly and universally extended to
+every foreigner who visits Baltimore with a
+proper letter of introduction. Mr. Carroll himself,
+is the most extraordinary individual in America.
+This venerable old gentleman is in his ninety-fifth
+year, is exceedingly cheerful, enjoys most
+excellent health, and is in good possession of his
+faculties. He is the only survivor of the patriots
+who signed the Declaration of Independence on
+the 4th of July, 1776. He has always adhered
+to the federal principles, and his valuable estate
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>is one of the very few that have descended in
+a direct line from the first possessor. Mr. Carroll
+is the grandfather of the Ladies Wellesley and
+Caermarthen.</p>
+
+<p>No one who visits Baltimore should omit
+seeing the vessels known by the name of clippers.
+They are uncommonly neat single-decked
+schooners usually, but sometimes are rigged
+like a brig. Their burden is commonly about
+200 tons. They are cut remarkably sharp at the
+bows, with a great breadth of beam. When lying
+in the water, the head is considerably elevated
+above the stern, so that, although the masts
+are nearly at right angles with the hull, they
+appear to rake much more than they really do.
+They will sail on a wind at the rate of seven
+knots an hour, when other fast sailing vessels
+can make only five and a half, or six; but few
+of them are good sailers before the wind. They
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>usually make a voyage to the Havannah, where
+they are sold for slave ships, or to South
+America, where they are bought by smugglers
+or pirates, for whose occupations they are admirably
+adapted. They are built nowhere so
+well as at Baltimore.</p>
+
+<p>Two rail-roads had been commenced at Baltimore:
+one called the Baltimore and Ohio rail-road,
+because it was intended to join that river.
+The exact line of country through which it
+would pass, was as yet a secret with a select
+few, who would thus be able to secure from the
+owners a refusal of the land through which it
+passed without being obliged to pay an increased
+price. The other is called the Susquehanna
+rail-road, and was intended to join that river
+at York-haven, about sixty miles below Harrisburg.
+Deputations have been sent from Baltimore
+to Philadelphia, to obtain the necessary
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>permission to carry it into the state of Pennsylvania;
+but their applications have been, I was
+informed, twice refused. The rail-road, however,
+is still continued, from a well-grounded persuasion
+that the inhabitants of the western parts of
+Pennsylvania, convinced of the advantages that
+will accrue to them by its affording them another
+means of carriage for their bituminous
+coal, iron, and timber, will ultimately succeed
+in obtaining a majority in Congress in favour
+of its completion. But does not a jealousy of
+this kind arise, after a contemplation, however
+distant, of the political horizon? Has it not a
+prospective reference to the interest of the State
+separately, when the federal government shall
+be no more?</p>
+
+<p>By the constitution of Maryland the governor
+does not possess the right of a veto over the
+Acts of the general assembly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span></p>
+
+<p>More flour is annually inspected at Baltimore,
+than at any other port in the United
+States excepting New York. The amount for
+the year 1830, was 597,804 barrels; but by the
+returns made since the first of January, 1831,
+it is supposed that the quantity in this year will
+exceed 600,000 barrels. The wheat that is
+shipped, is sent almost exclusively to England;
+but it bears a very small proportion to the flour,
+although it sells better in the English market—about
+70,000 bushels of wheat were shipped
+this year for England. The quality in general
+is good, excepting that a portion of it is sometimes
+tainted with garlick; a nuisance that is
+almost unavoidable, because the plant grows
+spontaneously in the wheat districts. It is said
+to have been first introduced by the Hessians,
+during the revolutionary war, and it has since
+increased so much, that it cannot be got rid of.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span>The wheat exported from Baltimore is grown
+in the State of Maryland, and in many parts
+of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Money had
+been plentiful for the last two years, and investments
+that would produce five per cent. were
+not easily to be met with. A market overstocked
+with imports from Europe and India,
+was the assignable cause: trade was comparatively
+less brisk, and many capitalists withdrew
+their funds from active business, for the purpose
+of investment in the stock of bank insurance
+and rail-road companies. A great quantity of
+money was likewise lying in the market in consequence
+of the national debt being in a course
+of reduction by the payment of government
+loans. However, when I was there, money was
+more scarce, and worth more than six per cent.;
+the exchange on England had risen as high as
+eleven per cent. per annum, and a large quantity
+of specie had been exported to that country.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span></p>
+
+<p>At Baltimore, I first saw the fire-fly. They
+begin to appear about sunset, after which they
+are sparkling in all directions. In some places
+ladies will wear them in their hair, and the effect
+is said to be very brilliant. Mischievous boys
+will sometimes catch a bull-frog, and fasten
+them all over him. They show to great advantage,
+while the poor frog, who cannot understand
+the “new lights” that are breaking upon him,
+affords amusement to his tormentors by hopping
+about in a state of desperation.</p>
+
+<p>About thirty miles from Baltimore, on the
+western shore as it is termed, stands Annapolis
+the capital of Maryland. It is situated at the
+bottom of a fine bay, and contains several
+curious old houses, built long before the revolution.
+The most conspicuous object is the
+capitol, which is surmounted by a fine steeple.
+The general assembly of Maryland, hold their
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span>sittings there, and it was there that General
+Washington resigned to the federal congress
+the command he had so nobly used. It sat
+there for some time after the independence of
+the United States was established.</p>
+
+<p>At Baltimore, I visited the studies of two
+very promising young artists: Mr. Hubard, an
+Englishman, is certainly the better painter; but
+has the advantage of four or five years of experience
+over Mr. Miller, who is an American,
+quite a boy; and whom, I think, at least an
+equal genius. He has had little or no instruction.
+If sent to Europe, as he certainly ought
+to be, I will venture to predict, that at some
+future period he will be an ornament to his
+native city; and which he certainly never will,
+or can be, if he does not leave it. Will it be
+credited, that in America, with all her pretensions
+to good sense and general encouragement
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span>of emulation and enterprise, the voice of public
+opinion is a bar to the advantage of drawing
+from a living model? Without it, historical
+painting cannot thrive, and sculpture must be
+out of the question.</p>
+
+<p>I left Baltimore with regret: I had been
+kindly and hospitably treated there,—and in a few
+hours the mail carried me to Washington. This
+city of distances—this capital that is to be—is
+laid out upon an open piece of undulating down,
+on the north side of the Potomac. The capitol of
+the United States is built upon the most lofty
+part of it, which is ascended by a fine flight of
+steps, and altogether has a very imposing appearance,
+being visible at a great distance from almost
+every side. It is of free-stone, which is found on
+the river about thirty miles below the city. In
+front is a magnificent portico of Corinthian
+columns, and behind it there is another; in the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>same style, (though larger), as that at Wanstead
+House in Essex, or Wentworth Castle in Yorkshire,
+which is a copy of Wanstead. On the top
+are three domes; that in the centre would look a
+great deal better if it were deeply fluted, like the
+dome of St. Paul’s; at present it would be much
+better out of the way, as it gives a general
+appearance of heaviness, to what would otherwise
+be deservedly thought a very fine building.
+From the balustrade is obtained a delightful
+view of the river, and the surrounding country.
+The centre of the interior of the capitol, is
+occupied by a large open space under the dome,
+containing four pictures, that look very well at
+a little distance: the subjects are the Signing of
+the Declaration of Independence, the Surrender
+of General Burgoyne, the Surrender of Lord
+Cornwallis; and General Washington resigning
+his command at Annapolis. They are painted
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span>by Col. Trumbull. The remainder of the capitol
+is occupied by the apartments and offices
+connected with the senate, the house of representatives,
+and the supreme court of the United
+States. The pillars which support the roof of
+the chamber of representatives, are of breccia,
+or pudding-stone; perhaps the most singular
+formation of the kind that is to be found anywhere,
+not excepting that at Monserrat in Spain,
+which is entirely composed of breccia. Fragments
+of granite, quartz, limestone, and other
+rocks, have been pressed together in the most
+extraordinary manner, by some stupendous
+power, and from a little distance the composition
+might be mistaken for the <i>verd antique</i>. It is
+found on the Potomac, about thirty miles above
+Washington. The president’s house is a handsome
+building, with an Ionic portico; and the
+only one in the States that resembles the modern
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>residence of a British nobleman. It is
+exactly at the distance of one mile and a half
+in a straight line from the capitol, and the
+houses are continued beyond it for nearly
+another. Numerous large streets radiate from
+the capitol and the president’s house, as centres—a
+method of laying out a city far handsomer
+than that which has been adopted at Philadelphia,
+where the streets cross each other at right
+angles. Who that has seen the “Perspective”
+at Petersburg, can ever forget it? where the
+principal streets are all pointed towards the
+beautifully gilt steeple of the Admiralty, that is
+seen glittering at the end of each of them. It
+must be allowed that this arrangement has its
+disadvantages in the shape of the houses, and
+apartments, one end of which, if they are
+regularly divided, must be larger than the
+other.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span></p>
+
+<p>In the dock-yard at Washington, I saw a
+sixty-gun frigate in a state of forwardness, and
+a small schooner constructed on a plan that had
+never been applied to a vessel of war, being of
+the same shape fore and aft, and having no
+internal timbers. The blocks made there, are
+not all of one piece, as they are at our dock-yard
+at Portsmouth. A double block for instance, is
+composed of seven pieces of wood, exclusively
+of the sheave. They are, no doubt, much
+stronger when made in this manner; but a man
+can make but one in half an hour.</p>
+
+<p>The college at George Town, adjoining the
+city, is a Catholic establishment; its members
+are Jesuits, and who, as usual, are increasing
+their influence, by purchasing lands, &amp;c. Attached
+to the college, is the nunnery of the
+Sisters of Visitation, containing about fifty nuns.
+They tell there of a Hohenlohe miracle.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span></p>
+
+<p>Washington, like most of the American
+cities, can boast of several beautiful rides and
+walks in its vicinity. Arlington, the seat of
+George Washington P. Castis, Esq., occupies a
+most conspicuous and commanding situation, on
+the south bank of the Potomac. It is visible
+for many miles, and in the distance has the
+appearance of a superior English country residence,
+beyond any place I had seen in the
+States: but as I came close to it, as usual, I
+was wofully disappointed. It contains a valuable
+portrait of Washington, when a Major in
+the British service, and wearing of course the
+blue-and-buff uniform.</p>
+
+<p>Not far from the race ground, and about
+three miles from George Town, is the residence
+of a gentleman who has paid greater and more
+indefatigable attention to the culture of the vine
+than any other person in America. The vineyards
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>around his house produce several different
+kinds of grapes; from which, considering how
+few years have elapsed since the attempt was
+first made, he may be said to have been very
+successful in producing some very good and
+palatable wines. Amongst others, the best is
+dignified by the very aristocratic name of
+“Tokay.” It is made from the “Catawba”
+grape, which he himself first found in a cottager’s
+garden, not far from a tavern bearing the
+sign of the Catawba Indians, distant about
+twenty miles from Washington. From this
+circumstance he called it the Catawba grape.
+The Catawba is a river of South Carolina, but
+no grape of the kind is found near it. The
+cottagers could give him no satisfactory account
+of it, and he never could find out whether it was
+indigenous, or, which is most likely the fact, imported.
+It is rather a large grape, thick-skinned,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span>but at the same time very transparent, with a
+fine purple blush, and far more fit for making
+wine than to form part of a dessert. As yet it
+appears to thrive better than any kind of grape
+that has been tried in the United States; so
+much so, that at Pittsburgh, and Lancaster, and
+other places where there are vineyards, they
+have cleared away a large proportion of the
+European plants, in favour of the Catawba vine.
+He informed me that he had sent cuttings of it
+to every State in the Union excepting Florida,
+Arkansaw, and Kentucky. A long time, however,
+must elapse before the Americans can
+compete with the wines of Europe: as yet, comparatively
+speaking, little can be known there,
+either with reference to the best fruit, or to the
+soil and temperature necessary to bring it to
+perfection. Upwards of seventy kinds of the
+wild vine are found in the American forests, but
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>not more than half of them bear fruit. At
+Boston I tasted a grape called the Isabella grape,
+whose flavour was still harsh, but was a great
+and decided improvement in every respect, upon
+the sourness of the fox-grape of the woods, from
+which, I was informed, it had been originally
+produced. I am, of course, speaking of the
+Catawba and other grapes, only in their wine-making
+capacity; the grapes raised in the
+United States for the table, are exceedingly
+good and very plentiful.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of course, I visited Mount
+Vernon. A steam-boat conveyed me to Alexandria
+in an hour. Alexandria was taken by the
+British squadron on the 29th of August, 1814,
+and the stores of flour, tobacco, and cotton, were
+carried off by them. It contains a population of
+9000 persons, and carries on a trade in flour,
+tobacco, fish, and lumber, to the southern States
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span>and the West Indies, although Baltimore has
+run away with the greater part of its commerce.
+A ride of nine miles on a well-shaded road,
+conducted me to Mount Vernon, now in possession
+of John Augustine Washington, Esq.,
+nephew to the General, and to the late Judge,
+whose worth and learning are recorded by an
+inscription in the court-house of Philadelphia.
+Of the house itself there is little to be said. I
+saw there a piece of an old mug, which bears
+upon it a small head of the General, said to be
+the best likeness of him that is known anywhere.
+From the lawn, there is a fine view of the
+Potomac with Fort Washington nearly opposite,
+which was abandoned at the approach of the
+British squadron in 1814. In passing Mount
+Vernon, the ships fired a salute it well deserved.
+I must confess that I was greatly disappointed
+at the sight of the tomb that contains the ashes
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span>of Washington. I did not expect grandeur, but
+I thought to have seen something more respectable
+than either the old, or the new tomb, to
+which the coffin was removed two years ago.
+But for the inscription, I should have taken
+them for a couple of ice-houses. An avoidance
+of every thing like pretension is desirable only
+so long as it is attended with neatness;—but
+there is not even what can be fairly called a
+path to either of them. Instead of feeling as I
+wished, whilst in contemplation of the last long-home
+of this really great, because good man, my
+mind was only occupied by intrusive reflections
+on the insignificant and pauper-like appearance
+of the whole scene before me. The tears of
+La Fayette, when visiting the tomb in 1825,
+might have partly flowed from other sources
+than the mere consciousness that he was standing
+in the presence of the mortal remains of his
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>old friend and companion in arms. There has
+been some talk of removing the coffin to the
+centre of the hall in the capitol, and of a monument
+to be raised over it, but I have understood
+that it is not seriously contemplated. If it were
+placed there, it might one day be the means of
+saving the Union. How forcible, how effective,
+in a moment of danger, might be an eloquent
+appeal to its presence, made by the Judges
+of the supreme court, or the orators of the
+American congress!</p>
+
+<p>I was never fortunate enough to hear a
+mocking bird in its wild state; I had frequently
+heard them in cages, but nowhere in such perfection
+as at Washington. This bird, one of
+the noblest in nature, is an inhabitant of the
+southern states only, and is thus described by
+Wilson, the celebrated Ornithologist. “The
+plumage of the mocking bird would scarcely
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>entitle him to notice, but his figure is well
+proportioned, and even handsome. The ease,
+elegance, and rapidity of his movements—the
+animation of his eye, and the intelligence he
+displays in listening and laying up lessons from
+almost every species of the feathered race within
+his hearing, are really surprising, and mark
+the superiority of his genius. He has a voice
+capable of almost every modulation, from the
+clear mellow notes of the wood-thrush, to the
+savage scream of the bald-eagle. In measure
+and accent, he faithfully follows his originals;
+in force and sweetness of expression, he greatly
+improves upon them: his admirable song rises
+paramount over every competitor. His own
+native notes are bold and full, and varied beyond
+all limits. In the height of his song, his ardour
+and animation appear unbounded—he sweeps
+round with enthusiastic ecstasy—he mounts or
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span>descends as his song swells or dies away; and
+as my friend Mr. Bartram, (an American
+naturalist), has beautifully expressed it: “he
+bounds aloft with the rapidity of an arrow, as
+if to recover or recall his very soul, expired in
+the last elevated strain. While thus exerting
+himself, a by-stander destitute of sight would
+suppose, that the whole feathered tribe had
+assembled together, each striving to produce his
+utmost effort, so perfect are his imitations. He
+many times deceives the sportsman, and sends
+him in search of birds that are not within a mile
+of him, but whose notes he exactly imitates.
+Even birds themselves are imposed upon by his
+admirable music, and are decoyed by the fancied
+calls of their mates, or are driven with precipitation
+into the depths of the forest, at the screams
+of what they suppose to be the sparrow-hawk.”
+He is of a size between the thrush and the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span>nightingale, but shaped like the latter bird.
+His plumage in general is of a cinerous brown
+colour, with a broad bar of white on the wing,
+which he is very fond of displaying. I am
+afraid that I never heard them in perfection; but
+to judge from what I did hear, I should suppose
+that although infinitely more varied, his natural
+notes were neither so full nor so rich as those of
+the nightingale. But there are many who think
+differently.”</p>
+
+<p>One morning I was much amused by the
+debut of a new volunteer corps, calling themselves
+the Highlanders,—Washington being one
+of the flattest places in the States. The dress
+would have looked well enough had it been
+uniform, but I was told there was not plaid
+enough of the same pattern to be obtained in the
+city. The bonnet had a very theatrical appearance,
+and would not have been half so bad, had
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span>not the eye been attracted by the waistcoat and
+the broad lacings of the coat, all of which were
+of a very dark sky-blue. I have a great respect
+for the tartan; and I thought it might have
+looked decent, even when converted, as it was,
+into small-clothes, had they not been made
+extremely tight. Still, however, the costume of
+the nether man might have passed unnoticed,
+had not the enormous bows at the knees been
+composed of tri-coloured ribbon, and the general
+effect much heightened by the long nankeen
+gaiters, which covered the leg from the knee
+to the shoe.</p>
+
+<p>In the capitol, as all the world knows, sit
+the senate, the house of representatives, and the
+supreme court of the United States. And here
+I may be permitted to remark, that when writing
+generally on such a subject as the United
+States, every candid person will make allowances
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>for the impossibility of avoiding a repetition
+of things already well known and well
+described. Under the apprehension that I shall
+frequently be in error on this head, I think the
+safest mode is to apologise at once, and beforehand.
+None, however, is necessary for not
+entering at large upon a subject so tedious and
+so endless, as that of the courts of the different
+states in their separate capacity as to the federal
+judiciary. I may mention, that the United
+States are divided into seven judicial circuits, and
+thirty-two judicial districts. Each state is one
+district, with the exceptions of New York, Pennsylvania,
+Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and
+Alabama; which are each of them divided into
+two districts. There are three courts belonging
+to the general or federal government: the district
+court, the circuit court, and the supreme court.
+The district court possesses a civil and criminal
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span>admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, and also
+takes cognizance of all cases affecting the revenue,
+and all crimes and offences committed
+within the district, which are punishable by
+moderate corporal punishment, or fine and imprisonment.
+It is held by a district judge (there
+being one in each district), sitting alone, four
+times a year: his salary varies from 1000 to
+3000 dollars a year. An appeal lies from his
+decision in cases where, exclusive of costs, the
+matter in dispute exceeds the sum or value of
+fifty dollars, to the “circuit court,” possessing
+an original jurisdiction, civil and criminal. The
+civil jurisdiction extends to all controversies
+between citizens of different states, and between
+a citizen and an alien. All offences against the
+penal laws of the United States, can be tried in
+this court. It is also a court of equity. The
+circuit court is held before the district judge,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>sitting twice a year with the judge of the
+supreme court. An appeal lies from its decisions
+to the supreme court of the United States,
+where the matter in dispute exceeds 2000
+dollars. In criminal cases, a point may be
+reserved for the opinion of the judges of the
+supreme court, which is sent down to the circuit
+court to be proceeded upon afterwards. In six
+of the states, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
+Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, there is no
+circuit court, because the judges of the supreme
+court could not find time to sit there twice a
+year; but the district courts possess the powers
+and jurisdiction of a circuit court.</p>
+
+<p>The supreme court of the United States, is
+a very high and honourable tribunal, composed
+of a chief justice, with a salary of 5000 dollars
+(1125<i>l.</i>), and six associate justices, with a salary
+of 4500 dollars each, who hold a sitting once a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>year, at Washington, commencing on the second
+Monday in January. The court sits five hours
+every day for two months, deciding in that time
+usually about eighty causes, which are reported
+as those of the law courts in England used, and
+ought still to be, by an officer of the court.
+Its original jurisdiction is confined to all such
+cases, affecting ambassadors, consuls, and vice-consuls,
+as a court of law can exercise consistently
+with the law of nations; and it has original,
+but not exclusive jurisdiction of all suits brought
+by ambassadors, and other public ministers, in
+which a consul or vice-consul is a party. But
+its dignity rests chiefly on its appellate jurisdiction,
+which extends to all cases and appeals, and
+writs of error from the circuit courts: likewise
+in all cases where the constitution and laws of
+the federal government, or the construction of
+any treaty entered into by the federal government,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span>or its validity, or any right or interest
+under a treaty, has been a subject of controversy
+in the state tribunals. Its decisions and
+opinions on the construction of the constitution,
+are the safeguard of the Union. But its appellate
+jurisdiction is defined, and extends to no
+cases but where the power is affirmatively given.
+In order to enable it to issue a mandamus,
+proof is required that it is an exercise, or
+necessary to an exercise, of its appellate jurisdiction.
+The supreme court has jurisdiction
+in all controversies where the United States
+shall be a party in controversies between two
+or more states; between a state and the citizens
+of another state; between citizens of different
+states; between citizens of the same state claiming
+lands under grants of different states; and
+between a state, or the citizens thereof, and
+foreign states, citizens, or subjects. A strict and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>admirable attention to justice, is observable in
+these arrangements. Every description of case
+which might be partially decided by the courts
+of the litigant states, is brought to the bar of
+the great national tribunal to be disposed of.</p>
+
+<p>During the last sittings of the supreme
+court, a case of great constitutional interest was
+heard before it. It was entitled “The Cherokee
+Nation, <i>versus</i> the State of Georgia.” The
+Cherokee nation having been repeatedly harassed
+by the incursions and other unneighbourly
+proceedings of the inhabitants of Georgia,
+applied to the supreme court for an injunction
+to restrain the state, its governor, and other
+officers, from executing and enforcing the laws
+of Georgia within the Cherokee territory. The
+counsel for the Cherokees argued, that not being
+a state of the Union, the Cherokee nation was
+to be considered as a foreign state, and was rendered
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span>capable of suing in the supreme court by
+virtue of the clause I have mentioned above, in
+which the judicial power of the court is extended
+to controversies between a state and the citizens
+thereof, and foreign states’ citizens or subjects:
+but Chief Justice Marshall decided, that the
+relation of the Cherokees to the United States
+resembled that of guardian and ward; that they
+could not be considered either as a foreign state,
+or as a state of the Union; and that therefore
+they were rendered incapable of suing
+in that court. His judgment was strengthened
+by the wording of the articles of the constitution,
+in which Congress is empowered to regulate
+commerce with foreign nations, and the
+several states and the “Indian tribes,” who
+being in this manner specifically mentioned,
+could not have been considered as a foreign
+state or nation by the original framers of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>constitution. Imagine the astonishment of the
+poor Cherokees upon being told, that the highest
+tribunal at the city of their Great Father could
+afford them no redress. The affair will, of
+course, come before congress. Chief Justice
+Marshall decided according to the letter of the
+constitution; but the opinion of Chancellor
+Kent, of New York, is surely deserving of the
+greatest attention, as containing an exposition
+apparently more agreeable to justice. He considers
+the Indian tribes “not only as states, but
+as foreign states, because they do not constitute
+any ingredient or essential part of our own body
+politic.” He considers the clause just referred
+to, may have contained the additional grant
+of power to regulate commerce with the
+“Indian tribes” out of abundant caution, and
+to prevent any possible doubt of the application
+to them of the power to regulate commerce with
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>“foreign nations.” The last words, he apprehends,
+would have reached the Indians; but the
+constitution, in several other instances, has gone
+into a like specification of powers which were,
+by necessary implication, included in the more
+general grant. Thus, for instance, power is
+given to congress “to declare war,” and it is
+immediately subjoined “to grant letters of
+marque and reprisal.” They have power to
+“coin money,” and “to regulate the value
+thereof:” they have power “to raise armies,”
+and “to provide and maintain a navy:” and it
+is immediately subjoined “to make rules for
+the government” (and not government only,
+but it is added) “and regulation of the army
+and land force.”</p>
+
+<p>All the judges in the American courts enjoy
+an immunity from wigs, and the judges of the
+supreme court alone are clothed in “silk attire.”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span>Their robes are black, and fashioned according
+to the taste of the wearer. I examined four or
+five of them which were hanging up in the
+court, and found that although perfectly judicial,
+they displayed no small attention to taste in
+their cut and general appearance. A proper
+degree of dignity is required and observed in
+the supreme court; business is there conducted
+as it ought to be in every court of justice; but
+some of the state courts are remarkably deficient
+in this respect: even in the court-house at
+Philadelphia, during the sitting of the circuit
+court, I have seen a gentleman, a counsellor of
+eminence, coolly seat himself on the table whilst
+a judgment was being given, and in that attitude
+I have heard him address some interlocutory
+observations to the court, and press them upon
+its attention with great earnestness and ability.
+I cannot understand why more dignity, both
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span>judicial and forensic, should not be observed in
+the courts of the United States. I have often
+been in the company of American lawyers, who,
+as individuals, were men of gentlemanly manners,
+and excellent general information, which
+they have ever evinced a readiness to impart;
+but I do not remember one who ever mentioned
+the subject at all, without admitting that a
+proper want of the respect due to the time and
+the place is frequently but too visible in the
+American courts; and yet there is no improvement.</p>
+
+<p>Silence, being indispensable, is well preserved;
+but counsel and attorneys may be occasionally
+seen with their legs dangling over
+the back of a chair, or possibly resting on the
+table. A corresponding carelessness of manner
+is of course exhibited by the spectators. I
+have even observed persons with their hats on
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>in court, and upon inquiry have been told they
+were Quakers; but once or twice I remember
+having taken the liberty of doubting the information.
+I hope I shall not be supposed to
+mean, that no greater decorum is observed in
+the principal courts of the larger cities than in
+those held at places of minor importance; I am
+speaking of them generally as I found them
+when in travelling. I happened to arrive at
+some place where a court was sitting, and “just
+dropped in” for half an hour <i>en passant</i>; but
+still there is always a something even in the
+best of them which, to an English eye, appears
+undignified and indecorous; although there can
+be no doubt that their appearance is not mended
+by the total absence of wigs and gowns from all
+of them.</p>
+
+<p>The spirit of equality renders it allowable,
+and the impossibility in distant towns of making
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>the profession answer by any other arrangement,
+renders it necessary, that a barrister and solicitor
+should frequently commence business as partners,
+and play into each other’s hands. A judge
+will frequently travel from town to town unattended,
+in his gig, or on horseback, with his
+saddle-bags before him, or in the stage-coach,
+and dine at the village table d’hôte with shopkeepers,
+pseudo majors, and advertising attorneys.
+Human nature will out. In the absence
+of other titles, it is the pleasure of the Americans
+that they should be dignified by the rank of
+General, Colonel, or Aide-de-camp; but more
+especially I found by that of Major. An English
+gentleman assured me that, being on board
+a steamer on the Ohio river, he was first introduced
+by a friend as plain Mr., then as Captain;
+soon after he was addressed as Major, and before
+the end of the day he was formally introduced
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span>as a General. There is usually a Major, or an
+Aide, as they call themselves, in every stage-coach
+company. The captain of a steam-boat,
+who was presiding at the dinner table, happened
+to ask rather loudly, “General, a little fish!”
+and was immediately answered in the affirmative
+by twenty-five out of the thirty gentlemen who
+were present.</p>
+
+<p>One would have imagined, that in the
+United States, where an equal partition of the
+rights of mankind is the boasted foundation of
+the government, Justice would have been treated
+with peculiar courtesy; but she is not properly
+honoured there. Justice is not exclusively a
+republican in principle, whatever the Americans
+may think. She must remain unaltered, whatever
+may be the form of government, as the
+value of the diamond is the same whether its
+possessor be a prince or a peasant. During my
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span>occasional visits to the courts of justice in the
+United States, I could not help thinking how
+fortunate it was that Justice was blind, and could
+not therefore be shocked by the want of decorum
+I observed there. What was my surprise on
+entering the supreme court in the capitol at
+Washington, to perceive her wooden figure with
+the eyes unfilleted, and grasping the scales like
+a groceress! With great deference, I would
+suggest that the whole of this unworthy group
+should be removed. The day may arrive, as I
+have said before, when the supreme court may
+be the means of saving the Union.</p>
+
+<p>Any suggestions recommendatory of an
+amendment or additional clause in the constitution,
+emanate from the judges of this exalted
+tribunal. When it is thought necessary that
+the constitution of any particular state should
+be altered or amended, the legislature authorizes
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>the people to express their opinions as to whether
+they are or are not in favour of calling a
+general convention. This is usually arranged
+at the time of a general election. If there be a
+majority in favour of the convention, the legislature
+then calls upon the people to elect persons
+to serve as members or delegates, and it
+fixes the time of meeting. If any amendments
+are made by the convention, they are submitted
+to the people for their approval; and if a majority
+decide upon their adoption, they forthwith
+become part of the constitution.</p>
+
+<p>When it is considered that the supreme
+court has a federal jurisdiction extending over a
+union of twenty-four states, many of them as
+large or larger than England, whose humble and
+individual importance are increasing, and which
+are divided and subdivided by party, and by
+conflicting and annually arising interests, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>which are becoming more and more democratic
+in every succeeding year, and consequently
+more and more opposed to the spirit in which
+the constitution was originally framed, some
+idea may be formed of the importance that is
+attached to the decisions of this court, whose
+authorities, from first to last, are intended as a
+safeguard to the Union. The independence of
+this court, and, in fact, of all the federal judiciary,
+may be termed the sheet anchor of the
+United States. Its power constitutes their chief
+hope; the abuse of it is the only medium of
+tyranny, and is therefore the principal source of
+apprehension. The judges of all the federal
+courts hold their offices during good behaviour,
+and are removable only by impeachment. It
+would reasonably be supposed that the individual
+states would follow the example of the general
+government in the appointment of their judges;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span>but this is not the case. In seven of the states
+they are elected for a term of years only; in
+Rhode Island they are elected annually; in five
+of the states they are obliged to go out of office
+at sixty, sixty-five, or seventy years of age.
+This law in the enlightened state of New York
+has deprived it of the valuable services of Chancellor
+Kent, the author of the admirable Commentaries
+on the laws of America. There are
+many democrats who actually wish that the
+judges of the supreme court should be elected
+for a term of years only. This custom is notoriously
+productive of sufficient hardships in some
+of the more remote states, where, on account of
+the smallness of the salary, amounting to not
+more than two or three hundred pounds, the
+bench is sometimes filled by young and inexperienced
+men, who are the children of party,
+and whose decisions must be occasionally affected
+by the hope of re-election.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span></p>
+
+<p>Entailed estates are but little known in the
+United States: in South Carolina, Georgia, and
+Louisiana, not at all. In many of the states
+they are nothing in effect but an estate in fee;
+the limitation in tail being of no value, except it
+be in special tail. But in all cases estates tail
+may be barred by a simple deed of bargain and
+sale, and which is, in fact, the almost universal
+assurance; lease and release being but little
+known. In other respects the doctrine of the
+statutes of uses is in full operation, excepting in
+the state of New York, where it has been discontinued
+since the new code passed in 1829.</p>
+
+<p>The proceedings of the courts of equity are
+for the most part similar to those practised in
+England. Many of the states have chancellors,
+whose offices are held like those of the other
+judges. The state of New York had just been
+obliged to appoint a vice-chancellor, on account
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>of the increase of business. The duties of the
+chancellor, as far as they go, are the same as
+those of the lord chancellor of England; but
+in many of the states the jurisdiction in bankruptcy
+or insolvency is separate. The terms
+bankruptcy and insolvency are used indiscriminately,
+although the distinction is of course
+generally known and understood among lawyers.
+By the articles of the constitution, the general
+government is enabled to pass uniform laws on
+the subject of bankruptcy. No general bankrupt
+law has, however, been passed, although
+such a measure has been often contemplated.
+In the United States a proportion of the people,
+large beyond that of any other country, is engaged
+more or less in traffic of some kind or
+other in the course of the year, and the difficulty
+of coming to any equitable decision as to who
+may or may not be considered a bankrupt, has
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span>been the reason why no general law on the
+subject has been passed by the federal congress.
+The states likewise have the power of passing
+bankrupt laws; but they would only be productive
+of confusion, as they would not be allowed
+to have the effect of rescinding a contract
+between citizens of different states; the supreme
+court having decided that a discharge under the
+bankrupt or insolvent laws of one state, could
+not affect contracts made or to be executed in
+another. As a matter of necessity, the states
+have insolvent laws of their own, which are
+generally recognized and respected in all of
+them as far as they conveniently can be. In
+some cases the person only, not the debt, is released
+by them; in others, the debt is discharged,
+but future acquisitions by gift, devise, or descent,
+are liable, though not the produce of
+future industry. The whole law on the subject
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span>of bail in the United States is much the same as
+that of England. A debtor to the United States
+can only be released by obtaining a release
+under the United States’ insolvent law. In
+order to be enabled to apply for a release under
+the insolvent laws of any particular state, a
+debtor must have resided in that state for a
+certain period, generally one year; and on the
+surrender of all property (if he has any), he obtains
+a discharge from prison, which is also a discharge
+from the debt itself, and as a personal
+discharge, is respected throughout the Union;
+but as a discharge from the debt, it often operates
+as such only in the state that grants the discharge.
+Between citizens of the same state it
+releases the debt as well as the person; between
+citizens of different states, or between a citizen
+and a foreigner, or between foreigners, the discharge
+depends on circumstances. If the suit be
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>brought in the courts of any particular state,
+and the party has been released by the laws
+of that state, the debt is considered equally
+cancelled as if the controversy had been between
+citizens of the same state. If the
+debtor to the United States has applied for,
+and obtained the benefit of the United States’
+insolvent law, it can only be in cases where
+a judgment has been obtained against him,
+and he has been taken in execution. He must,
+however, remain in prison for thirty days,
+and surrender all his property, which he must
+swear does not exceed thirty dollars, over and
+above his necessary wearing apparel; for if he
+has property beyond that amount, he cannot
+obtain the benefit of this law. By this discharge,
+the person only is released, so that property
+subsequently obtained from any source is
+responsible. In all other cases of discharge,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span>under the insolvent laws of individual states,
+before noticed, the person or the debt are discharged
+(as mentioned above), but still with the
+reservation, that all property acquired by descent,
+gift, or devise, shall be subjected to execution,
+but not the future acquisitions of the debtor by
+other means.</p>
+
+<p>Fugitive debtors from other countries can
+be sued and imprisoned only as if they were
+citizens of America, that is, by exhibiting against
+them a bailable cause of action. They must
+remain in prison, if taken immediately on their
+arrival, until entitled by a residence in the state
+(usually for one year) to apply for the benefit
+of the insolvent laws. State citizenship is required
+only in a few of the states, the more
+general law being, that they may be discharged
+after a year’s residence in the state in which
+they happen to be sued, whether they have
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>become citizens or not. Foreigners become
+citizens of the United States after five years’
+residence. The acts of naturalization, the last of
+which was passed in 1816, require that an oath
+be taken before a state-court by a foreigner of
+good moral character three years before his admission,
+of his intention to become a citizen, and to
+renounce his native allegiance; and at the time
+of admission he must satisfy the court, that he
+has resided five or six years, at least, within the
+United States, and likewise take an oath to
+renounce and abjure his native allegiance, and
+to support the constitution of the United States.</p>
+
+<p>America is in some respects, a laboratory for
+the rest of the world. It is the fittest region for
+experiment. From the first of January, 1832,
+imprisonment for debt has ceased in the state of
+New York; the fact is, there is so much more
+false capital in the United States than in England,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span>that a creditor is not often one dollar the
+richer for having put his debtor into confinement.
+The example, if it succeed, will probably soon
+be followed in Massachusetts, where there is a
+strong party in favour of a similar experiment.
+Whilst I was in that state, a meeting was held
+at Boston, to consider of its propriety; but the
+united arguments of many speakers, tended to
+prove nothing more than what was most probably
+acknowledged beforehand, by three-fourths of
+those who heard them, and into which all that
+can be said on the subject must ultimately
+resolve itself, namely, that the sufferings of an
+innocent debtor are highly unjust, and much to
+be lamented; but that it would be very objectionable
+to have no means of confining one whose
+conduct had been fraudulent. By the constitution
+of the state of Illinois, imprisonment for
+debt is disallowed, except in cases of fraud, or
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span>the refusal of the debtor to deliver up his property
+for the benefit of his creditors.</p>
+
+<p>The question as to the power of any court
+or officer to remove a child from his parents on
+account of their misconduct, remains unsettled;
+but if either of the parents were dead, and the
+survivor an unsuitable person to take care of the
+child, application would be made to the orphan’s
+court, which exists in every state. Its authority
+resembles that of the lord chancellor in cases
+of infants being wards of court. Wills, both
+of real and personal estate, are proved there;
+and all executors and administrators pass their
+accounts in this court, from whose decisions
+an appeal lies to the chancellor. All deeds are
+by law required to be registered. Wills are
+proved and witnessed as in England; and a
+similar law prevents a witness from taking a
+legacy. A case of fraud used in obtaining a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>will, the only fraud of which the English court
+of chancery does not take notice, is decided by
+the chancellor in some states; in others, it is
+usual to send it, as in England, to a jury.</p>
+
+<p>The whole law of mortgage is, generally
+speaking, much the same as in England.</p>
+
+<p>The proceedings in a chancery suit, differ
+only in the pleadings being a little more simple:
+a bill for instance, contains merely the stating
+and interrogating parts, and the prayer. Witnesses
+are examined, as in England, upon written
+interrogatories. The effect of an answer and
+the mode of using it in court, are also similar.</p>
+
+<p>There is no such officer as an accountant-general.
+Masters in chancery are known only
+in some of the states. Their duties are somewhat
+similar; and matters are referred to any
+one of them whom the parties may agree upon.
+In New York, I observed that “Mr. A. master
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>in chancery,” was almost as frequently to be
+seen on the door, as the names of a counsellor
+and solicitor. In those states where there are no
+masters in chancery, the court has a “Permanent
+Auditor,” who discharges nearly all the duties
+assigned to the masters in England.</p>
+
+<p>The form of an action, the pleadings, and
+the method of obtaining evidence, are essentially
+the same as those used in England, generally.
+In some states the action of ejectment is unknown;
+in others, it has merely undergone some
+modification. Real actions, such as writs of
+right, writs of entry, are much used; the period
+of limitation has, however, been altered from
+that of England. The English law of prescription
+is acknowledged, with a very few necessarily
+constitutional exceptions. The period of limitation
+allowed in an action of assumpsit, also
+varies in different states; in some it is three
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>years, in others it is six, as in England. Where
+the action of ejectment is in use, the period of
+limitation is in some states twenty years, as
+in England; in others, seven years is thought
+sufficient.</p>
+
+<p>Juries are generally constituted as in England,
+with the exception of special juries,
+which are never formed.</p>
+
+<p>Throughout the United States a counsellor is
+allowed to make a speech for the prisoner, and
+act generally in his behalf, as in a civil cause.</p>
+
+<p>Every state in the Union has its rules for
+the admission of counsellors, solicitors, and
+attorneys. They generally require that a student
+shall have studied law with some counsellor
+for at least three years. On application for an
+admission as an attorney, the court usually
+appoints three gentlemen of the bar to examine
+into the moral and legal qualifications of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>applicant. If he be previously and favourably
+known to them, the examination is almost nominal.
+If he be unknown, or be known, but
+with unfavourable impressions, the examination
+is proportionably more strict. When admitted
+as either counsellor or solicitor, he can generally
+practise in both characters, the distinction being
+nominal, excepting in the supreme court of the
+United States, where no person can be counsellor
+and solicitor at the same time. In the country
+particularly, it is usual for a lawyer to assume
+the duties of attorney, conveyancer, proctor,
+solicitor, and counsellor; but after having practised
+some time, he usually confines himself to
+the practice of a counsellor only. A barrister
+and solicitor are frequently partners: as I have
+before remarked, it would be impossible for any
+practitioner to obtain a livelihood, excepting in
+the larger towns, without exercising his abilities
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span>in both capacities. For the “materiel” of a
+great part of the foregoing remarks I am indebted
+to the kind and able assistance of a gentleman
+of the Baltimore bar, and I have endeavoured
+that their accuracy should not suffer
+under my pen.</p>
+
+<p>It would be tedious to enter into any detail
+of the different state constitutions. It is sufficient
+to remark, that their affairs are usually
+administered by a governor, a senate, and a
+house of representatives. The executive authority
+is vested in the governor, who has in
+some states the benefit of a council. In some
+states he is elected for a period of four years,
+but more usually for two. The legislature
+consists of a senate, and house of representatives:
+both, or the latter, are usually elected annually;
+but sometimes for a longer period, with
+modifications. In the state of Rhode Island,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>whose government is founded on the provisions
+of the charter granted to the colony by Charles
+the Second in 1663, and which is the only state
+in the Union that has no written constitution;
+the governor, senate, and judges are elected
+annually; the members of the house of representatives
+are elected every six months, or semi-annually,
+as they term it. In general, no other
+qualifications are required of voters but those of
+colour, age, sex, and residence. In nearly all the
+states the right of suffrage is enjoyed by free
+white citizens, who have resided for one year
+in the state, and six months in the country. In
+some of the states, colour is no bar. As to age,
+that of twenty-one years is the usual requisition.
+Every voter must of course be a citizen of the
+United States.</p>
+
+<p>Without entering at large upon the hackneyed
+subject of universal suffrage, it may be
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span>sufficient to remark, that the intrinsic evils of the
+system are more or less acknowledged by a very
+large proportion of the better class of Americans,
+although they of course diminish in the same
+ratio with the increase of virtue and intelligence;
+the objection is not merely, that the uncultivated
+and the ignorant part of the community should
+be allowed the unqualified right of suffrage; but
+it lies in the corrupt influence to which it is
+open. Both the rich and the poor man have
+rights to be protected; but it must be unreasonable,
+that the wealthy and enlightened should be
+controlled by the needy. The object of my
+charity goes to the poll; and not only exercises
+as much political liberty as myself, but a great
+deal more; because the poorer classes being the
+more numerous, the government is, in effect,
+under their direction. If in addition to this it
+be considered, that they must frequently vote in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>compliance with the wishes of a superior, it
+follows, that the most corrupt, or the most successful
+at intrigue, must enjoy the greatest share
+of political power. A person who does not in
+such a country as America, gain some sort of
+qualification by his industry is, surely, unworthy
+to be trusted with the right of suffrage. I was
+informed that votes were very rarely bought
+with money, and believed it; because where
+the voters and the candidates are so numerous,
+the disbursements must be very large, and the
+difficulty of concealment proportionately increased.
+They are rather commanded by considerations
+of place; and it is very evident, that
+a person who could be influenced by interest
+in one way, could easily be bribed in another,
+were it not for the fear of detection. The
+system of treating is common enough. “Why,
+Sir!” said an old woman to a gentleman of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>South Carolina, my informant, “I guess Mr. A.
+is the fittest man of the two, but t’other
+whiskies the best.” The influence of petty
+demagogues is very great; there being usually
+two or three in every village. Naturalized
+foreigners, as a body of voters, possess great
+power in some places: in New York, where there
+are said to be nearly 30,000 Irish, their influence
+over the elections is much complained of.</p>
+
+<p>The house of representatives of the United
+States is composed of members chosen every
+second year, by the people of the several states.
+In Virginia and Kentucky they are voted for,
+<i>vivâ voce</i>, and not by ballot, as in the other
+states. At present, one member is returned for
+every forty thousand persons, five slaves in the
+slave states counting as three whites. The
+present number is 216. As the number of representatives
+might be too large, in consequence
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span>of the increasing population, the constitution
+provides that the number should not exceed one
+for every 30,000, but that no state shall be
+without a representative. As the minimum only
+is there mentioned, the federal congress has
+the power of extending the number of electors
+necessary for the return of a member.</p>
+
+<p>The senate of the United States is composed
+of two members from each state. They are
+chosen by the legislature of the several states,
+for the term of six years; one-third of them
+being elected every two years. The only qualifications
+necessary for a senator are—that he
+be thirty years of age, in conformity with the
+age of the Roman senator; and that he have
+been for nine years a citizen of the United
+States, and an inhabitant of the state for which
+he is elected.</p>
+
+<p>The qualifications required of a member of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span>the house of representatives are—that he be
+twenty-five years of age; seven years a citizen
+of the United States, and an inhabitant of the
+state where he is chosen. No property qualification
+is required in either case; and the consequence
+is, that the house of representatives is
+half filled with young lawyers. The only privilege
+it enjoys in its legislative character, which
+is not shared by the senate, is, that it has
+the exclusive right of originating all money
+bills.</p>
+
+<p>Chancellor Kent, in his Commentaries, observes,
+“that the great object of the separation
+of the legislature into two houses, acting separately,
+and with co-ordinate powers, is to destroy
+the evil effects of sudden and strong excitement;
+and of precipitate measures, springing from
+passion, caprice, prejudice, personal influence,
+and party intrigue, which have been found, by
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span>sad experience, to exercise a potent and dangerous
+sway in single assemblies.”</p>
+
+<p>No one can, for a moment, doubt the force
+of these remarks. It is the best arrangement
+that can be adopted in a republic: still it is but
+splitting one pillar into two; the interests and
+inducements are co-extensive. The senate of
+the United States and the British house of
+lords are, or may be, equally influenced by the
+love of their country, and both are intended for
+its protection; but the one is little more than
+another house of representatives, the other a
+most essentially distinct part of the government:
+both are bound by the ties of honour, and the
+duties of both are defined and exacted by the
+constitution; but those of the house of lords
+are dictated by the further necessity of consulting
+their own security, by a proper and constant
+interposition between the throne and the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>people. The interests of the one are the same
+as those of the house of representatives, the
+only additional power they enjoy consisting of
+an association with the president, for the purpose
+of making treaties, and in the appointment
+of government officers. The interests of the
+house of lords are identified with those of
+the house of commons, not merely with reference
+to property up to an extent usually far
+exceeding the amount of the qualifications
+necessary for obtaining a seat in that house;
+but they purchase an additional security to the
+constitution, by obliging the peers of Great
+Britain to keep a watchful eye on every attempt
+at encroachment upon the dignity of the crown,
+their own rank in the country, and their rights
+as “hereditary lawgivers.” In these times, when
+speculation is afloat, not as to what they will
+do, but as to what they dare do, how true
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span>should they be to themselves. Their obligations
+are far more weighty than the “legal presumption”
+(to use the words of Chancellor Kent,
+when speaking of the senate with reference to
+the houses of representatives), “that the senate
+will entertain more enlarged views of public
+policy, will feel a higher and greater sense of
+national character, and a greater regard for stability
+in the administration of the government.”</p>
+
+<p>The president of the United States must
+be a citizen of the United States, must have
+attained the age of twenty-one years, and
+have been fourteen years a resident in the
+United States. He holds his office for four
+years. He is elected at the same time as the
+vice-president, who is president of the senate,
+but who has no vote, unless the votes be equally
+divided. The president, vice-president, and all
+civil officers of the United States, are removed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>from office on impeachment for, and conviction
+of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and
+misdemeanours. The president is commander-in-chief
+of the army and navy: he has the
+power by, and with the advice and consent of
+the senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds
+of the senators present concur: he can convene
+both houses of congress, on extraordinary
+occasions; and adjourn them in case of their
+disagreement as to the time, to any time he
+may think proper: he appoints ambassadors,
+other public ministers and consuls, judges of
+the supreme court, and all officers of the United
+States whose appointments are not otherwise
+provided for by the constitution, and which shall
+be established by law, &amp;c. &amp;c. The president
+and vice-president are elected by electors appointed
+in each state equal to the whole number
+of senators and representatives to which the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>state may be entitled to in congress; but no
+senator, or representative, or person holding an
+office of trust or profit under the United States,
+shall be appointed an elector. The method of
+choosing these electors is threefold: by the
+state-legislatures; by general-ticket; and by
+districts. The two latter are more generally
+preferred, as the choice emanates more directly
+from the people. Four only of the states,—Delaware,
+South Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee,
+adopt the former. I think it would be
+tedious and unnecessary to give an analysis of
+these three methods; suffice it to remark, I have
+heard it regretted that the constitution did not
+limit the choice to one mode. Chancellor Kent
+says “there would be less opportunity for dangerous
+coalitions and combinations for party,
+or ambitious or selfish purposes, if the choice of
+electors were referred to the people at large; and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>this seems now to be the sense and expression
+of public opinion.” When the electors have
+made out the requisite lists, they are sent up to,
+and opened in the presence of the senate and
+house of <ins class="corr" id="TN5" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;original text: representatives">representatives</ins>; and the president and
+vice-president are chosen in the manner prescribed
+by the twelfth article of the amendments
+to the constitution. In the year 1801, the federalist
+candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency
+were Mr. Adams and General Pinkney;
+the republican favourites were Mr. Jefferson
+and Colonel Barr. The two latter obtained
+a small, but equal majority over the former;
+and to decide between them was the allotted
+office of the house of representatives. Mr.
+Jefferson was chosen after no less than thirty-five
+trials. In the mean time the people were
+kept in suspense; the tranquillity of the Union
+was endangered; the possibility of a recurrence
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span>of similar difficulties was forcibly impressed upon
+the minds of Americans; and an alteration of the
+clause regulating the mode of election of the
+president and vice-president was resolved upon.
+The old clause contained these words, “The
+person having the greatest number of votes to
+be president, if such number be a majority of
+the whole number of electors appointed; and if
+there be more than one who have such majority,
+and have an equal number of votes, then
+the house of representatives shall immediately
+choose by ballot one of them for a president,
+&amp;c.” The mode of election was altered; but
+it may still happen that the vote of a single
+member of the house of representatives may
+decide it. In President Jackson’s Message of
+December, 1830, he says, that “the necessity
+for an amendment is made so clear to his mind
+by the observation of its evils, and by the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span>many able discussions which they have elicited
+on the floor of congress, and elsewhere, that he
+should be wanting in his duty were he to withhold
+another expression of his deep solicitude
+on the subject. A contingency which sometimes
+places it in the power of a single member
+of the house of representatives to decide
+an election of so high and solemn a character,
+is unjust to the people; and becomes, when
+it occurs, a source of embarrassment to the individuals
+thus brought into power, and a cause
+of distrust of the representative body. Liable
+as the confederacy is, from its great extent, to
+parties founded upon sectional interests, and to
+a corresponding multiplication of candidates for
+the presidency, the tendency of the constitutional
+reference to the house of representatives
+is to devolve the election upon that body, in
+almost every instance; and whatever choice
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span>may thus be made among the candidates thus
+presented to them, to swell the influence of
+particular interests to a degree inconsistent with
+the general good.” The election of the president,
+immediately by the people, without the
+intervention of electors, is here hinted at. There
+is a levelling spirit abroad in the United States,
+that sheds its influence over new laws and institutions:
+if there be a possibility of a tendency
+towards either the federal or the democratical
+principles, that tendency is sure to be democratical;
+and it is by no means improbable, that
+such a mode of election may, at some future
+day, be contended for and adopted. Chancellor
+Kent says, “that the mode of appointment of
+the president, presented one of the most difficult
+and momentous questions that could have occupied
+the deliberations of the assembly which
+framed the constitution; and if ever the tranquillity
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>of this nation is to be disturbed, and its
+peace jeopardised by a struggle for power among
+themselves, it will be upon this very subject of
+the <ins class="corr" id="TN6" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;original text: choise">choice</ins> of a president. It is the question
+that is eventually to attest the goodness and try
+the strength of the constitution, &amp;c.” Should
+the mode of election be altered, as I have just
+supposed it may be, we may bid adieu to the
+Union forthwith. When we consider the increasing
+population of the United States, the
+immense variety of interests, and that every free
+inhabitant feels, I may say, personally concerned,—whether
+he be really so or not,—in the
+success of his favourite candidate, we can, in
+some measure, foresee even under the present
+mode of election, how violent, how convulsing,
+at no very distant period, will be the struggle
+and party-feeling exhibited at the election of an
+officer, whose opinions on the construction of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span>the articles of the constitution, during his short
+ascendancy of four years, will affect millions with
+a sentiment of attachment or disgust. When
+General Jackson came into office, he immediately
+thought proper to turn out several
+hundred subordinate officers, whose places were
+filled up by his own party. The number of
+those who lost their places at the commencement
+of any preceding presidency was extremely
+small, bearing no proportion whatever
+to those dismissed by the General. The increasing
+weight and importance of the affairs
+of the United States rendered it partly a
+matter of expediency to do so; and, in all
+human probability, future presidents will find
+themselves obliged to follow the example. I
+make no remark on the late petticoat confusion
+in the United States’ cabinet; like the
+battle of Navarino, the best that can be said
+of it is, that it was an “untoward event.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span></p>
+
+<p>The salary of the president is 25,000
+dollars (5625<i>l.</i>) a year, with the president’s
+house at Washington for his residence; but
+his expenses do not equal his income. Mr.
+Calhoun, the vice-president, receives but 5000
+dollars (1125<i>l.</i>) a year. The secretaries for
+state, treasury, war, and navy, and the postmaster-general,
+receive a yearly salary of 6000
+dollars (1350<i>l.</i>) each, and work very hard
+for it, their time and attention being fully
+occupied, and often till a late hour of the night.</p>
+
+<p>In the Message of 1830, to which I have
+before referred, General Jackson invites the
+attention of congress to the propriety of promoting
+such an amendment of the constitution
+as will render the president ineligible after one
+term of service; and yet General Jackson is
+again a candidate, and most probably a successful
+candidate, for the office of president at the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span>next election, on the first Wednesday in December,
+1832, preparatory to his taking office
+for the twelfth presidential term of four years,
+commencing on the 3d of March, 1833.</p>
+
+<p>The election of the next—and heaven knows
+how many future presidents!—will depend upon
+the known opinions of either candidate upon
+<ins class="corr" id="TN7" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;Added closing ”">“the Cherokee case;”</ins> upon the question of the
+renewal of the charter of the United States’
+Bank, to which I have before adverted; on
+Masonry; on whether there is or is not a power
+granted by the constitution to lay out the federal
+funds upon internal improvements throughout
+the Union; and lastly, on the still more important
+question as to the continuance or modification
+of the existing tariff. The candidates
+will most likely be General Jackson, the president
+of the day, Mr. Clay, Mr. Wirt, and
+Mr. Calhoun.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span></p>
+
+<p>The opinions of General Jackson are in
+favour of the removal of the Cherokees: he is
+averse to the renewal of the charter of the
+United States’ Bank: he is a Freemason, and
+believes that the application of the federal funds
+to internal improvements would be unconstitutional.
+His opinions on the tariff question are
+oracular and uncertain.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Clay is opposed to the removal of the
+Cherokees; he is in favour of the renewal of the
+Bank charter; he is a Mason; is an advocate
+for internal improvements; and a staunch friend
+to the protecting, or, as it is called by its supporters,
+the American system.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wirt, a gentleman of Maryland, was
+the counsel for the Cherokees before the
+supreme court. He has lately been started as
+a candidate by the Anti-masons. Since the
+abduction and supposed murder of William
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span>Morgan, who, a few years since, wrote a book
+revealing the secrets of Freemasonry, the Anti-masons
+have become gradually more and more
+numerous. They profess a hatred of all secret
+societies as dangerous and unconstitutional; and
+although they will not be able to secure the
+presidency to themselves, yet it is probable
+they will be sufficiently strong to defeat the
+election of either of the more obnoxious candidates.
+Mr. Wirt’s opinions are supposed to
+coincide with those of Mr. Clay generally; but
+with respect to the internal improvement system,
+and the tariff question, he is at present uncommitted.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Calhoun, the vice-president of the day,
+is the great champion of the interests of the
+southern states, the nullifiers, and the anti-tariff
+party; and in that character, if at all, he
+will be elected to the presidency. His opinions
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span>are in favour of the removal of the Cherokees,
+and of the existence of the United States’
+Bank. On the subject of internal improvements
+his opinions are said to be changed, he
+having been originally an advocate of the system
+when secretary at war in 1819. He is
+a “Nullifier,” although his situation as vice-president
+has prevented him from showing himself
+in that character so uniformly as he would
+have done. The term “nullifier,” which, like
+the word “radical” in England, has now grown
+into common use, was first adopted by the members
+from South Carolina, in congress, about
+two years ago; the doctrine they profess was
+broached at the same time. A nullifier is a
+person who holds that the federal constitution is
+merely a compact or league between the several
+states; and that each state has a right to
+decide for itself concerning the infractions of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span>that league by the federal government, and to
+nullify or declare void an act of the federal
+congress within its limits.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever may be urged by the party who
+are opposed to the opinions of General Jackson,
+with reference to the advancement of prosperity
+in the United States by his internal policy
+merely, his administrations of the affairs of his
+country with regard to its relations with foreign
+powers, has certainly been generally successful.
+He has obtained for her the command of a
+profitable trade with the British West Indian
+and North American colonies, thereby settling a
+question which had already been the subject
+of six negociations. The president, in his
+Message, at the second sitting of congress,
+on the 7th of December, 1830, says, that this
+desirable result was promoted by the liberal
+provision of congress, in allowing the ports of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>the United States to be open to British shipping
+before the arrangement could be carried into
+effect on the part of Great Britain, thereby
+requiting a similar act of liberality on the part
+of the British government in 1825.</p>
+
+<p>He has recovered claims upon the Brazils,
+Columbia, and Denmark, from which kingdom
+the payment of 650,000 dollars is secured to
+the citizens of the United States, for spoliations
+upon their commerce in the years 1808, 9, 10,
+and 11. Similar claims upon France, for injuries
+during the war, have also been lately adjusted
+with that power.</p>
+
+<p>He has concluded a treaty of commerce with
+Mexico; and by another with Columbia, he has
+freed the American merchants from the discriminating
+duties which had been imposed upon
+them; and by another with Turkey he has
+secured a free passage for American merchantmen,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>without limitation of time, to and from the
+Black Sea, by which their trade with Turkey
+is placed on an equal footing with that of other
+nations.</p>
+
+<p>By a compact made between the United
+States and the state of Georgia, on the 24th of
+April, 1802, and long before any gold mines were
+thought of, the United States engaged to extinguish
+for the use of Georgia, “as early as the
+same could be peaceably obtained on reasonable
+terms, the Indian title to the county of Talassee,
+and to all the other lands within the state of
+Georgia.” As gold mines, within two or three
+years, have been discovered in that state, it has
+naturally followed, that the inclination of the
+Indians to remain, and that of the Georgians to
+get rid of them, has become far more decided
+than formerly. The Indians (Cherokees) however,
+claim a voice in the affair of their removal from
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>the land of their fathers; and that their assertions
+have other foundations than those of an
+appeal to common justice and humanity, is
+proved by the fact, that from the 28th of
+November, 1785, the general government has
+made with them no less than fifteen different
+treaties, thereby plainly acknowledging their independence,
+and their capacity and power to
+treat. Within the last two or three years, however,
+gold, as I have before remarked, has been
+discovered on the territories of the Indians;
+and the state of Georgia has applied to the
+general government to fulfil the contract, and
+rid them of the Cherokees. The general
+government would be willing to come to a
+proper arrangement with the Cherokees, but
+they are unwilling to go. The number now left
+is about 15,000; the remainder of the tribe,
+since the year 1809, having acceded to the offer
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>of the United States, and removed to the
+lands provided for them beyond the Mississippi.
+When this part of the tribe petitioned to be
+allowed to remove, the answer of the president
+(Mr. Madison) contained the words, “those who
+are willing to remove may be assured of our
+patronage, our aid, and our good neighbourhood.”
+The Georgians, however, happen to
+think that this is just the time for them to go,
+and they forcibly prevent them from digging
+for gold on their own land, saying, that every
+year will but increase their anxiety to remain;
+and that they have no right to dig for gold
+when the reversion of the land is in the state.
+These disputes yet remain unsettled.</p>
+
+<p>The Cherokees are far advanced in civilization;
+and have among them men of very
+superior abilities. They adopt in part the
+costume of Europeans; they have schools, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span>churches, and a printing press among them;
+and were fully competent to understand the
+following precious piece of humbug, forming
+part of President Jackson’s message to congress,
+in 1830. “Humanity has often wept over the
+fate of the aborigines of this country; and
+philanthropy has been long busily employed in
+devising means to avert it; but its progress has
+never for a moment been arrested, and one by
+one have many powerful tribes disappeared
+from the earth. To follow to the tomb the last
+of this race, and to tread on the graves of
+extinct nations, excites melancholy reflections.
+But true philanthropy reconciles the mind to
+these vicissitudes, as it does to the extinction of
+one generation to make room for another. In
+the monuments and fortresses of an unknown
+people spread over the extensive regions of the
+west, we behold the memorials of a once
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>powerful race, which was exterminated, or has
+disappeared, to make room for the existing
+savage tribes, &amp;c. &amp;c. The tribes which occupied
+the countries now constituting the eastern
+states, were annihilated or have melted away
+to make room for the whites. The waves of
+population and civilization are rolling to the
+westward; and we now propose to acquire the
+countries occupied by the red men of the south
+and west, by a fair exchange, and at the expense
+of the United States, to send them to a
+land where their existence may be prolonged
+and perhaps made perpetual. Doubtless it will
+be painful to leave the graves of their fathers;
+but what do they more than our ancestors did,
+or than our children are now doing? To better
+their condition in unknown lands, our forefathers
+left all that was dear in earthly objects; our
+children by thousands yearly leave the land of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span>their birth to seek new homes in distant regions.
+Does humanity weep at these painful separations
+from every thing animate and inanimate with
+which the young heart has become entwined?
+Far from it! It is rather a source of joy that
+our country affords scope where our young
+population may range unconstrained in body or
+in mind, developing the power and faculties of
+man in their highest perfection. These remove
+hundreds and almost thousands of miles at their
+own expense, purchase the lands they occupy,
+and support themselves at their new home from
+the moment of their arrival. Can it be cruel in
+this government, when, by events which it
+cannot control, the Indian is made discontented
+with his ancient home, to purchase his lands, to
+give him a new and extensive territory, to pay
+the expenses of his removal, and support him a
+year in his new abode? How many thousands
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span>of our own people would gladly embrace the
+opportunity of removing to the west on such
+conditions. If the offers made to the Indians
+were extended to them, they would be hailed
+with gratitude and joy.</p>
+
+<p>“And is it supposed that the wandering savage
+has a stronger attachment to his home than the
+settled, civilized Christian? Is it more afflicting
+to him to leave the graves of his fathers, than it
+is to our brothers and children? Rightly considered,
+the policy of the general government
+towards the red man, is not only liberal but
+generous. He is unwilling to submit to the
+laws of the states, and to mingle with their
+population. To save him from this alternative,
+or, perhaps, utter annihilation, the general government
+kindly offers him a new home; and
+proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal
+and settlement.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span></p>
+
+<p>I will here introduce a few remarks on what
+is called the gold region in the United States,
+with the kind assistance of Mr. Damm, a Swedish
+gentleman resident at New York, and connected
+with the gold mines. I have selected
+them, with a very few alterations, from the reports
+on the subject lately published by the government.
+It is now about thirty years since gold
+was discovered in North Carolina; it was found
+in the sand and gravel of different water-courses,
+first in Cabarras county, soon afterwards in a
+county of Montgomery in that state. Until
+within a few years past, the process of washing
+for gold was principally confined to the two
+counties just named. The greater portion of
+the gold thus procured was found in small
+pieces, varying in size from one pennyweight
+down to particles of extreme minuteness; at most
+of the mines, however, it is not uncommon to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span>find pieces of a much larger size; for example,
+at Cabarras, a single piece has been found
+weighing twenty-eight pounds avoirdupois, besides
+several other pieces varying from four to
+sixteen pounds. The proprietor of the same
+mine affirms, that about a hundred pounds avoirdupois
+have been found in pieces, about one
+pound in weight; these large pieces, however,
+compose but a small portion of the whole product
+of the mines.</p>
+
+<p>At a mine in Montgomery county, a number
+of pieces of about one pound weight have been
+found. One of them weighed four pounds
+eleven ounces, and another three pounds. In
+Anson county, during the summer of 1828, a
+piece of gold weighing ten pounds, another of
+four pounds weight, together with a number
+of small pieces, were taken up out of the sands
+and gravel of Richardson’s creek. These discoveries
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>have been chiefly made in or near beds
+of streams; but in some instances deposits of
+considerable extent have been found on the sides
+and tops of hills.</p>
+
+<p>It was not, however, until about six years
+ago, that the gold mines, properly speaking, were
+discovered in North Carolina, that is, gold in
+regular, well-defined veins. This discovery,
+like that of the alluvial deposits, was in some
+measure accidental. A person, while washing
+the sand and gravel of a small rivulet for gold
+in Montgomery county, observed that he could
+never find it beyond a certain spot in ascending
+the stream; but at the point where the gold
+seemed to cease, he discovered a quartz vein
+running into the hill on one side of the channel,
+and at right angles with the course of the rivulet.
+Having frequently taken up out of the bed of
+the stream, pieces of quartz with bits of gold
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span>attached to them, he came to the conclusion
+that the gold found scattered below, must have
+come out of the vein of quartz; and he determined
+to pursue it into the hill. He had done
+so but for a few feet, when he struck a beautiful
+deposit of the metal in a matrix of quartz,
+and subsequently another in carbonate of lime.
+In following this vein about thirty or forty feet
+longitudinally, and at a depth of not more than
+fifteen or eighteen feet, he found a succession of
+what are technically termed nests, from which
+he took out more than 15,000 dwt. of virgin
+gold. Soon afterwards the mine fell into other
+hands; and the working of the vein has been
+discontinued in consequence of the quantity of
+water which made its appearance; though it is
+understood that it will be resumed in a short
+time. This discovery of the metal in regular
+veins, presented the subject in a new and interesting
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span>point of view; and directed a search
+for gold among the hills and high grounds, and
+particularly for veins traversing the earth.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of the summer, after the developement
+of Barringer’s mine, some valuable
+mines were discovered in Mecklenburgh county.
+The product of these, worked in the rudest
+manner, without skill or capital, was so great as
+to excite general notice; and stimulated the
+land-owners in that section to search for these
+hidden treasures. The mines now began to
+attract the attention of the public; and several
+persons of enterprise, and some capital, repaired
+to the spot. Some of them made investments,
+began to erect machinery, and worked the veins
+with system and regularity. The success of
+the first adventurers in this new enterprise, and
+for a time the attention of every body who
+sought to engage in the mining business, was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span>exclusively turned towards Mecklenburgh county.
+The consequence was, a constant search for gold
+was kept up in that county, and not unattended
+with success, as many very promising veins were
+discovered. These Mecklenburgh mines were
+the first that attracted attention; and the first
+that were examined and worked with skill and
+management. They were, of course, greatly in
+advance of every other part of the region, and
+the products have been greater in proportion to
+the labour, and capital, and skill that have been
+applied to them.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of the succeeding year, a very
+extensive and rich vein was discovered in Guilford
+county; and it was soon operated upon by
+more than one hundred hands, who flocked in
+from the country around, and received permission
+to dig there. The discovery of one vein in
+a district, furnishes the means of finding others.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span>The people of the neighbourhood visit it, examine
+the appearances of the ores, and other signs and
+indications, and thus in some degree are qualified
+to make a search on their own lands or
+elsewhere. This was the case in Guilford
+county; the discovery of the first vein was
+soon followed by the opening of several others.
+The same plan will be followed in every district,
+until the gold region be explored, and the
+places which exhibit any external signs of gold
+be thoroughly known. About this time Cabarras
+county, which had hitherto been only considered
+as productive in its washings, was ascertained to
+be a vein-mining district; and discoveries to the
+same effect were made about the same period
+at Lincoln.</p>
+
+<p>It is less than two years and a half ago, since
+gold in veins was first discovered in Davidson
+county; it having previously been found only
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span>in and near the beds of rivulets and creeks.
+Within the last few months, veins have been
+opened in the adjoining county of Randolph.
+Rowan, situated between Davidson and Cabarras
+counties, embraces a considerable section of the
+gold region, and contains many veins whose
+external appearance is good and promising.
+The metal is also found in the streams: some
+few veins have also been opened in Tredell
+county, and are now in a course of developement.</p>
+
+<p>While progress had been thus making in
+opening veins, and in ascertaining their situations,
+some valuable discoveries of stream deposits
+occurred in a section of the state of North
+Carolina, hitherto not suspected to be within
+the range of the gold region. In Burke county,
+one of the most mountainous of the state, and
+one, two, or more feet under the surface, a layer
+of sand and gravel is found, varying from a
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span>few inches, sometimes to more than a foot, in
+thickness; in this layer the virgin gold is found,
+generally in small particles about the size of a
+pin’s head, and very often as large as a grain of
+corn; it is separated, and collected from the
+accompanying matter, by washing. Water is
+abundant; and the absence of clay and adhesive
+matter in the auriferous layer, makes the process
+of washing exceedingly easy. A number
+of these deposits have already been found, and
+some of them have proved to be very productive.
+It may be here mentioned, that in the adjoining
+county of Rutherford, gold in deposit has also
+been found; but as yet, not much labour has
+been expended in that quarter. One vein,
+which is very encouraging, has been worked
+regularly; another vein of good expectations
+has been discovered.</p>
+
+<p>In short the veins and places of deposit are
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span>very numerous, and scattered over the whole
+country, with a few exceptions; and the gold
+which is produced finds a market so readily, that
+it is difficult to give a very correct estimate of
+the product of mines of the Carolinas, Virginia,
+and Georgia; but it was said to amount to
+500,000 dollars in 1830, from North Carolina
+alone. During that year, nearly the whole gold
+coinage of the United States’ mint, was from
+native gold. The coinage was 643,105 dollars
+in gold coin: of this, 125,000 was derived from
+Mexico, South America, and the West Indies;
+19,000 from Africa, 466,000 from the gold region
+of the United States, and about 33,000 from
+sources not ascertained. Of the gold of the
+United States above mentioned, 24,000 may
+be stated to have come from Virginia, 204,000
+from North Carolina, 26,000 from South Carolina,
+and 212,000 from Georgia.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span></p>
+
+<p>It may not be out of place here to remark,
+that hereafter the quantity of domestic gold that
+will be received at the mint, will bear a less
+proportion to the whole amount found, than has
+been the case heretofore; the reason is this:
+hitherto, Philadelphia may be said to have been
+nearly the only market for the article; goldsmiths
+and merchants at New York, and other cities in
+the Union, were unacquainted with it; and therefore
+for fear of deception, dealt but little in it;
+this occasioned the greater part of the gold to be
+taken to Philadelphia, where, if not sold to the
+goldsmiths or merchants, it was deposited in the
+mint; so that at all events a portion of it always
+contrived to reach that establishment. But now
+the case is different: a market for the gold is
+opening in most of the cities of the United
+States; goldsmiths and jewellers, having ascertained
+its comparative purity, which is said to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span>be greater than that of the gold of Mexico or
+the Brazils, will generally become purchasers
+for their own use.</p>
+
+<p>That there will be an increase in the products
+of the mines every succeeding year,
+admits of very little doubt, when the gradual
+enlargement of the gold region, extending
+through Virginia, North and South Carolina,
+and Georgia—the number of persons turning
+their attention to the business—the mills that are
+now erecting in various places—the improvements
+in the mode of working and general
+management, are made the subject of consideration.</p>
+
+<p>The improvements in machinery have been
+considerable within the last two years: it is
+believed, however, that as yet they are far from
+being perfect. The defects in the present
+mode of extracting the gold are well known
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span>to those most extensively engaged in the business;
+and some of the miners, even at this
+time, are turning their attention towards the
+introduction of other methods, promising more
+economy and greater results. Grinding the
+ore in water with the vertical stone, which is
+the method practised in Chili, is now the
+process most generally used; but the liabilities
+of the vertical, or Chilian mill, to become disordered—the
+waste of gold and quicksilver—the
+irregularity of results from the same ores—the
+want of proper checks on the workmen,
+together with minor objections, will probably,
+in a few years more, cause these mills to be in
+a great measure discontinued, except in small
+establishments, and for certain classes of ores
+in the larger ones.</p>
+
+<p>The auriferous veins of North Carolina and
+Virginia have not yet been sufficiently developed.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span>As yet not a single shaft in the whole
+range of country (except at the Charlotte Mine,
+near a small town of that name, worked under
+the direction of the Chevalier de Rivafinoli) has
+been carried down to the depth of a hundred
+feet. Seventy to eighty feet is the greatest
+depth yet attained; and thirty feet is more than
+an average on the main excavation: as far,
+however, as these experiments have gone, they
+furnish no reason to doubt the durability of the
+mines; for thus far, the well-defined veins not
+only retain their first size, but, in many cases,
+become larger, and more often than otherwise,
+improve in richness. This circumstance has
+given rise to an idea among the common workmen,
+that the vein grows richer about the time
+it reaches water. On the whole, when it is
+considered, that in Mexico, Saxony, and other
+great mining districts, veins have been successfully
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span>followed downwards more than 2500 feet;
+the probability that the veins in the United
+States will improve, is, at least, as great as that
+they will become poorer.</p>
+
+<p>Nor is it in the nature of things, that any
+considerable portion of the whole number of
+veins existing there, much less all of them, have
+already been discovered.</p>
+
+<p>The usual way that discoveries are made, is
+to take some of the earth or gravel lying on the
+top of the rocks, and wash it in an iron pan.
+If any fine particles of gold are found, the vein
+is known to be auriferous, and its degree of
+richness and value is judged of by a variety
+of circumstances. This fine gold without doubt
+comes out of the vein, the top of which had
+been disintegrated, and fallen to pieces. There
+are many bold veins in every district, the tops
+of which show no gold, whilst other indicating
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span>substances are abundant. The probability is,
+that some of them at a greater depth may prove
+highly auriferous.</p>
+
+<p>Reviewing all that has been said on the
+subject, it will be seen that the whole business
+is yet in its infancy; and the only cause for
+wonder is, that so much has been done in so
+short a time. Ignorance and prejudice were to
+be overcome, and ridicule was liberally bestowed
+on the few who engaged in the business.</p>
+
+<p>If the work proceed as rapidly for some
+years to come, as it has for the three years past,
+the changes in the appearance of things will
+become very striking. There are some persons
+of intelligence, mostly however at a distance,
+who seem to apprehend that the mines of the
+United States will produce consequences similar
+to those that followed to Spain and her colonies
+from the discovery of the mines of South
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span>America and Mexico. Without stopping to
+inquire how far these consequences were occasioned
+by the mines of the New World, it may
+be remarked with truth, that no sort of analogy
+is to be found in the condition and circumstances
+of the two countries; and that neither the statesman
+nor the philosopher need anticipate that the
+results will be similar.</p>
+
+<p>That great effects will be produced is beyond
+question: and these will show themselves in the
+increasing prosperity of the country. Among
+the advantages that will follow from the developement
+of the mines, is the encouragement they
+give to agriculture, in the withdrawal of some
+of its surplus labour, and giving it new employment.
+They will create home markets for the
+surplus products of the farmer; and this will
+encourage him to improve his farm, and increase
+the productiveness of his lands. As yet, this
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span>influence has not been much felt; but a close
+observer may see that the improvement has
+commenced, though it will not be generally
+perceptible until the division of labour more fully
+takes place between the farmer and the miner.
+Mining and farming are two very different pursuits;
+and farmers will soon see that it is prudent
+for them to stick to the plough, and sell or
+let the auriferous veins to the miner.</p>
+
+<p>An important change will also take place
+(at a very distant period) in the staples of the
+gold country; cotton will be less and less cultivated
+in the mining districts; while the bread
+stuff, farinaceous, succulent vegetables—and
+stock, will claim the chief attention. This
+change in the staples of the agriculturist, will
+in itself produce important results. The opening
+of the mines, and the prospect of profitable
+employment, will in some degree check that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span>spirit of emigration which has been carrying off
+so many enterprising and useful citizens, and will
+bring into the country men of wealth intelligence,
+business habits, and general enterprise.</p>
+
+<p>The opening of the mines has been attended
+with one primary and bad effect; that of creating
+a mania for speculation. The usually attendant
+failures and mishaps will co-operate with other
+causes, to throw the mines into the hands of a
+distinct class of men, who, having a knowledge
+of the business, and having capital at command,
+will eventually conduct all the mining operations
+in the country.</p>
+
+<p>Whether the effects be good or bad, their
+influence will not be confined to North Carolina.
+It will be felt in Virginia, South Carolina, and
+Georgia,—the people in the upper parts of these
+states having far more interest in the mines than
+is generally supposed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span></p>
+
+<p>When the cheapness of obtaining the timber
+necessary for machinery, the certainty of labour,
+and the security of property under such a
+government as that of the United States, are
+deeply considered; these mines might be far
+more worth the attention of an English company
+than many a scheme in which English capital
+is already embarked. Applications to government
+for charters will most probably be more
+numerous in every succeeding year. The capital
+required to form a company would not, I was
+informed, exceed <ins class="corr" id="TN8" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;original text: 40,000l,">40,000<i>l</i>.</ins> or 50,000<i>l</i>.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>No one can visit the United States without
+hearing of President Jackson’s celebrated “veto”
+on internal improvements, and every disinterested
+individual would, I humbly think, be
+ready to admit that the sentiments it contains
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>are just and valuable, because they display a
+solid attachment to the letter of the constitution.
+By the articles of the constitution, the powers
+of the federal government, with reference to its
+expenditure of the national funds upon internal
+improvements in the Union, are confined to the
+establishment of post-offices and post-roads.
+On the 27th May, 1830, in the firm persuasion
+that the words ‘post-roads’ could apply only
+to those which might prove of general benefit
+to the citizens of the Union, and not to those
+which conferred an advantage only upon the inhabitants
+of any particular state, a bill entitled
+“An Act authorising a subscription of stock in
+the Maysville, Washington, Paris, and Lexington
+turnpike road Company,” was returned by
+the President to the house of representatives,
+without having received his signature. In the
+veto by which it was accompanied, he shows
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span>that “grants for internal improvements from
+the national treasury, have been made professedly
+under the control of the general principle,
+that the works which might be thus aided should
+be of a general, not local—national, not state
+character; and that a disregard of this distinction
+would of necessity lead to the subversion of the
+federal system. The road in question had no
+regard to any general system of improvements,
+and was exclusively without the limits of the
+state; starting at a point on the Ohio river, and
+running out sixty miles to an interior town, and
+even as far as that state was concerned, of partial,
+not general advantage.” In another part of the
+veto he adds, “that if it be the desire of the
+people, that the agency of the federal government
+should be confined to the appropriation
+of money in aid of such undertakings in virtue
+of state authority; then the occasion, the manner,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span>and the extent of the appropriations, should be
+made the subject of constitutional regulation.”
+In about three years, the national debt of the
+United States will be paid off, and the government
+will find itself in possession of a surplus
+revenue of ten or twelve millions of dollars.
+To divide it amongst the states, will be unconstitutional,
+because it will render the states too dependent
+on the favour of the federal government;
+and as it is collected chiefly by means of the
+tariff, it cannot cease to exist so long as the tariff
+remains in force.</p>
+
+<p>Without a limited and defining authority,
+arising from a constitutional adjustment of this
+power of distribution upon equitable principles,
+it is beyond a doubt that neither Mr. Clay,
+nor any other person who may be president,
+could give any thing like universal satisfaction
+amid the “scramble for appropriations,”—as the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span>veto has it,—which could not but ensue upon the
+conflicting and uncontrollable variety of interest
+that is annually increasing in the American
+community.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>The progress of reform in England, and in
+Europe generally, is watched with the most
+intense interest by the Americans. A deep
+feeling of regard and sympathy for the mother
+country, as they term it, is still general, and
+I think increasing; and though most of the
+Americans believe their own country is the first
+in the world, they are still reasonable enough
+to assign to Great Britain the second place in
+the scale of nations. Those airs which it must
+be admitted so frequently render an Englishman
+ridiculous, when travelling on the old continent,
+would be entirely thrown away in the United
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span>States. All pretentions to importance are disregarded,
+even without being canvassed, as
+they might be in Europe; but so long as an
+Englishman behaves with propriety, the Americans
+will entertain more respect for his name
+and character, than they care to avow openly.
+They wish us well through our troubles, and
+watch with sincere pity what they consider to be
+the approaching downfal of our constitution:
+but at the same time their national vanity
+receives something very like gratification from
+the belief, that we shall be forced to adopt a
+form of government similar to their own.
+That the American form of government
+is admirably adapted to a new country, that
+that country has astonishing resources, and
+that the Americans lose no time in making the
+most of them, (I speak of America as a country,
+not of the Union, for America must thrive come
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span>what will to the government) that it has thriven
+under its institutions, and is at present enjoying
+an exemption from many evils incidental to
+older countries, it would be an absurdity to
+deny. But the natural causes of prosperity
+which the Americans so pre-eminently enjoy,
+must not be mistaken, as they most fondly and
+frequently are, for the positive effects, and little
+more than the positive effects, of a good government,
+however good and well adapted that
+government may be. The American constitution
+has never been tried. That it was nearly
+a bankrupt at the close of the last war, was a
+trial of the resources of the country, not of its
+institutions. Forty years is no time to test the
+strength of a government like that of the United
+States, when civilization is extended over so small
+a proportion of them. The good is perceived
+at present; the evils are latent, and comparatively
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span>little felt. But there are among the
+institutions of the Union, the seeds of discord
+and confusion, whose growth is only stifled by
+the bustle of commercial pursuits, and that
+panacea for every political disease, a fine country
+abounding in resources, and of small population
+in comparison to its extent. It is possible that
+the mischief will not be felt, so long as there
+is no real motive for disaffection; so long in
+fact as the people are not in want, which may
+not be the case while ground yet remains to be
+cultivated.</p>
+
+<p>In England and America universal suffrage
+would be alike only in name. In America it is
+true, that almost every one can vote; but then
+it is equally true, that excepting in the larger
+cities in which may be always found, even in
+America, a certain proportion of persons without
+any ostensible means of getting a livelihood,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span>every one has at least a prospective certainty
+of the acquisition of property. The poor, comparatively
+speaking, are so few, that universal
+suffrage is, at present, but a mere hydra in
+embryo. Were the present course of improvement
+to proceed without interruption, from what
+the political economists call the disturbing causes,—were
+luxury to be kept at a distance, and a
+forced equality and contentment to be preserved
+by a strong and universal exertion of the democratic
+principle,—it would be demonstrable, that
+the American constitution would last for centuries;
+or in other words, till the country became
+so thickly peopled as to be subject to the evils
+resulting to England, and the older dynasties of
+Europe. If a democracy be essentially the best
+form of government, it would follow that a surplus
+population, that unhappy proof of its
+excellence, would but be called the sooner into
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span>existence. Then will come the real moment
+of trial, whether a democracy can exist under
+the pressure of want—whether those that have
+any thing to lose, would not be at the
+mercy of those that have not—whether an
+equality of condition would not be considered as
+conferring a title to a community of goods—whether,
+when such a state of things is apprehended,
+a standing armed force, be it called by
+what name it may, would not be necessary, not
+to repress foreign invasion, but to put down
+domestic commotions—whether taxes must not
+be levied for its support—and whether those
+taxes would not be found exceedingly troublesome.
+In an article in the American Quarterly
+Review, (July 1831), evidently written in a
+wantonness of spirit that savours of ambition, or
+disappointment, or of both, and in which we are
+kindly told the easiest road to ruin, it is remarked
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>that “our forefathers were habituated to
+the European system, but they built up the republican
+colonies with infinite ease.” But may
+it not be here remarked, that as it is the boast,
+and justly the boast, of the Americans, and of
+the New Englanders in particular, that the
+tone of liberty which pervades their institutions
+is derived through the blood of the Puritans,
+who did build up the colonies with infinite ease,
+and whose descendants are still living; so it
+must not be forgotten that the Hampdens, the
+Hazelrigs, the Cromwells, and others, who were
+prevented from embarking for America by the
+order of their obstinate and ill-fated monarch,
+were men of the same opinions as the “forefathers”
+mentioned above; that they did remain
+behind—that they did fight against the monarchy
+of England—that they did obtain the victory—that
+they did enjoy the ascendancy to their
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>hearts’ content—and that they did establish a
+commonwealth in England, not to flourish for
+ever as an example to the world, but to be overthrown
+by a military force, which brought back
+the son of the last king amid the acclamations
+of every rank of society.</p>
+
+<p>Supposing the blood to be shed, and the
+horrors to be passed through, that must be shed
+and passed through before the experiment of a
+commonwealth could be again tried in England,
+is it possible that it could exist, situated as Great
+Britain is with reference to the other powers of
+Europe, without an unemployed standing army?
+and then again, is it possible that it could exist
+with one? Where in the annals of the world can
+the compatibility of the one and the other be
+pointed to? England is but paying the penalty necessarily
+consequent on her career of prosperity.
+Her constitution can no more be blamed for <ins class="corr" id="TN9" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;original text: Removed a duplicate “the” across page boundary.">the</ins>
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span>existence of a standing army, than for a
+superabundant population, or the enormous size
+of London.</p>
+
+<p>By what then is it probable that the career
+of the Union will be disturbed? Are not wealth
+and luxury to have their due weight? It is to
+the credit of the Americans, that individual
+wealth has never yet been employed for any unconstitutional
+purpose; but it is nevertheless
+true, that an aristocracy is most undeniably
+springing up in every city of the Union. In
+the course of time many large fortunes will be
+amassed, and opulent families will be distributed
+throughout the country. It will be but in the
+spirit of human nature, that a person in possession
+of what in common American would be
+termed “an elegant location,” should wish to
+have upon it a better house than his neighbours,
+and that another should wish to have a still
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span>better; and is it to be believed that the head of
+a rich and ambitious family will be for ever, as
+now, restrained by the voice of public opinion
+from doing his utmost to prevent a fine place from
+going out of his family? Can the inclination
+remain in thraldom, and the man be said to enjoy
+liberty? Will not one example be followed as a
+precedent by five hundred others? and will not an
+hereditary aristocracy be produced in this manner?</p>
+
+<p>The system of entails in England is considered
+by the Americans as highly pernicious;
+but their idea of its extent is far beyond the
+truth. On this head I have heard great ignorance
+displayed by them. Some think that an
+entailed estate cannot be destroyed at all; but
+that an entailed estate cannot, in any case, be
+destroyed without the consent of the eldest son,
+is the more common error; one which is prevalent
+with the uninitiated even in England,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span>and is, of course, still more so among the
+Americans, who are but little aware that an
+estate cannot, in any case, be rendered unalienable
+for more than one generation; or,
+technically speaking, for more than a life or
+lives in being, and twenty-one years afterwards.
+This rule has been a favourite with English
+lawyers, because, on the one hand, it prevents
+landed property from being unavailable
+for commercial purposes for a longer period
+than one generation; and, on the other, it
+makes reasonable allowance for the English
+policy of keeping up the families of our nobility
+and gentry. From whence then does the
+vulgar error principally arise? From this circumstance:
+under the usual form of settlement,
+the father has the present enjoyment of the
+estate, and the son has the inheritance in tail
+in expectancy; and in this case the father
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>and son, as soon as the latter is of age,
+may do what they please with the estate; and
+it is a very common arrangement for them
+to agree to make a fresh settlement, which
+ties up the estate for another generation.
+But this is only an exercise of their absolute
+power of disposal, which they might, if they
+pleased, exercise by selling the estate, or otherwise
+getting rid of it. If no fresh settlement
+has been made, and the son outlives the father,
+he alone may do what he pleases with the estate,
+without asking the consent of his eldest son
+or of any other person. The Americans are
+little aware that there is not a nobleman’s
+estate in the country, with the exception of
+Blenheim, Strathfieldsay, and perhaps half a
+dozen others, where the reversion is in the
+crown under some very old grant, which could
+not be absolutely disposed of, <i>once, at least</i>, in
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span>every generation. That there is a power of
+making unalienable entails in Scotland, (with
+irritant and resolutive clauses, as the Scotch
+lawyers have it), where the person making them
+is not indebted at the time, is a truth which I
+do not conceive could have given rise to the
+error respecting those in England.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>The proceedings at the next session of congress
+will be of the utmost importance, and
+before this work be out of the press, the tariff
+question will probably have given rise to as
+much angry discussion as has ever been heard
+within the walls of the capitol.</p>
+
+<p>The tariff, that is to say, the principle of
+effectual protection to domestic industry, is
+supported by about two-thirds of the American
+people. Manufactures sprung up during the
+late war, and millions of dollars have since been
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span>invested in them on the faith of the tariff. After
+the conclusion of hostilities, the war duties were
+repealed generally; but some of them were
+continued for the protection of domestic industry.
+This was effected in 1816, and by the
+influence of the southern votes; and, strange
+as it may appear, was especially supported by
+the members of South Carolina; whilst the
+northern members were not generally partial
+to the measure. The southern states at that
+period, were averse to the expense of a naval
+establishment: they disliked foreign commerce,
+because it tended to embroil the country in
+disputes with the European powers, and they
+were therefore friendly to a moderate tariff. In
+1824, additional protection was given to manufactures.
+It was opposed by New England and
+the south, and supported by the middle and
+western states. In 1828, still further protection
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span>was given, notwithstanding a violent opposition
+from the southern states, who now felt the error
+they had been guilty of.</p>
+
+<p>The tariff question, then, is simply this.
+The northern states are manufacturers; the
+southern states are cotton growers. The
+southern states have never objected to such duties
+on imported foreign manufactures, as would be
+sufficient for the purposes of a revenue equal
+to the government expenditure; but beyond
+what is necessary for the attainment of that
+object, they are entirely averse to the tariff,
+because Great Britain does not buy so much of
+their cotton as she would if her manufactured
+goods were not excluded from the markets of
+the United States, by means of the protecting
+duties. The inhabitants of South Carolina are
+most violently opposed to the tariff. One-third
+of them would, if they could, secede from the
+Union immediately.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span></p>
+
+<p>In the year 1823, the crop of cotton amounted
+to 420,000 bales. In the year 1831, the crop
+has been ascertained to be 1,070,000 bales, of
+which, 165,000 are consumed in the home manufactories,
+and the remainder is exported, chiefly
+to England.</p>
+
+<p>Certainly, if ever there was a country upon
+earth where the principles of free trade could be
+allowed an existence, that country is the states
+of North America, so long as they remain united.
+When we contemplate their unbounded resources,
+and their endless extent, we must admit
+that they afford scope for a species of energy
+altogether without present parallel in the old
+continent; and it is difficult to believe, that free
+trade should not be a part of their system, not
+only because it would correspond with the
+boasted freedom of their institutions, but on
+account of the certainty of benefit they would
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span>ultimately derive from it. But from the entirely
+different sources of wealth of the northern and
+southern states, there emanates a disparity of
+interests, which, with reference to the enormously
+increasing influence of the new cotton states,
+are, it is plain, but partially developed at present.
+The settlement of disputes arising from the
+differences of soil and climate, in themselves
+uncontrollable by legislative interference, must
+be a subject far more difficult to grapple with,
+than that which merely relates to internal improvements,
+which may be assisted by an alteration
+of the constitution. Many Americans
+will probably tell you as they have told me, that
+the Union is becoming stronger and stronger;
+they will assure you that there is a growing
+conviction, that the complaints of the southern
+states are without foundation, that their sufferings
+are chiefly imaginary, and that their citizens
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span>will, sooner or later, come to the same opinion;
+that four-fifths of all the articles that are taxed,
+either heavily or lightly, are consumed in the
+northern, western, and the tariff states, while
+at the same time a home market exists for from
+150,000 to 200,000 bales of the best cotton of
+the southern states, at the best prices: that the
+party war which rages in newspapers throughout
+the Union, means nothing at all; and that, to use
+the quotation so well applied by Mr. Adams in
+his last 4th of July oration, delivered at Quincey,
+near Boston, “We angry lovers mean not
+half we say.” It is probable that some part of
+what is said by an American country newspaper
+on the subject of party, may be nonsense; but
+one cannot help being a little less sceptical, when
+higher authorities, and the proceedings of public
+meetings, are consulted, which, if we are to
+judge by the excitement they occasion, are not
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span>quite a farce, whatever county meetings may
+be in England.</p>
+
+<p>The report of the committee read at the
+anti-tariff convention, which took place at Philadelphia
+on the 5th of October, 1831, contains
+amongst others, the following strongly worded
+passage, speaking of “that feeling of resentment
+which is goaded into activity by a sense of
+oppression, and embittered by the recollection,
+that it is the hand of a brother that inflicts it,”
+it proceeds, “do you doubt its existence, its
+nature, or degree; look to the character of this
+assembly, and the circumstances under which it
+is convened: give your attention to the history
+of the past, and be admonished by the novel
+and extraordinary spectacle which is presented
+to your view—do not close your eyes altogether
+to the fact, that this assembly is without parallel
+in the annals of the government; that we
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span>are freemen, and the representatives of freemen,
+who speak to you of our violated rights;
+that we have come from different, and distant
+parts of the Union, to join in demanding their
+restoration; that a consciousness of strength is
+the offspring of united counsel; and that our
+purpose is not the less firm, because it is announced
+to you peaceably, and in the spirit of
+conciliation.”</p>
+
+<p>The reports of the different committees of
+investigation, appointed by the opposition or
+tariff convention, which commenced its sittings
+at New York on the 26th of October, had not
+appeared in print when I quitted America.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Adams, a strong tariff man, and residing
+in the heart of the tariff, states, in his last 4th
+of July oration, speaking of the doctrine of
+“nullification,” which, he says, “contains within
+itself an absurdity, importing a pretended right
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span>of one state in this Union, by virtue of her
+sovereignty, to make that null and void which
+it pre-supposes to be null and void before,”
+proceeds, by saying, “that it is a principle
+under which the pillars of the Union are tottering
+while he is speaking.” On the other
+side, Mr. Calhoun, at the head of the anti-tariff
+party, and one of the cleverest men in
+America, in his “sentiments upon the subject
+of state rights and the tariff,” says, that
+“whatever diversity of opinion may exist in
+relation to the principle, or the effect on the
+productive industry of the country of the present,
+or any other tariff of protection, there
+are certain political consequences flowing from
+the present which none can doubt, and all must
+deplore. It would be in vain to attempt to
+conceal, that it has divided the country into
+two great geographical divisions, and arrayed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span>them against each other, in opinion at least
+if not in interest also, on some of the most
+vital of political subjects—on its finance, its
+commerce, and its industry—subjects calculated
+above all others, in time of peace, to produce
+excitement, and in relation to which the tariff
+has placed the sections in question in deep
+and dangerous conflict. If there be any point
+on which the (I was going to say southern
+section, but to avoid, as far as possible, the
+painful feelings such discussions are calculated to
+excite, I shall say) weaker of the two sections
+is unanimous, it is that its prosperity depends in
+a great measure on free trade, light taxes, economical
+and, as far as possible, equal disbursements
+of the public revenue, and an unshackled
+industry; leaving them to pursue whatever may
+appear most advantageous to their interests.
+From the Potomac to the Mississippi there are
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span>few, indeed, however divided on other points,
+who would not, if dependent on their volition,
+and if they regarded the interest of their particular
+section only, remove from commerce and
+interest every shackle, reduce the revenue to
+the lowest point that the wants of the government
+fairly required, and restrict the appropriations
+to the most moderate scale, consistent
+with the peace, the security, and the engagements
+of the public; and who do not believe
+that the opposite system is calculated to throw
+on them an unequal burthen, to repress their
+prosperity, and to encroach on their enjoyment.
+On all these deeply important measures the
+opposite opinion prevails, if not with equal
+unanimity, with at least a greatly preponderating
+majority in the other and stronger section, so
+much so that no two distinct nations ever entertained
+more opposite views of policy than these
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span>two sections do on all the important points to
+which I have referred,” &amp;c. &amp;c. “The system,”
+he adds in a note, “if continued, must
+end, not only in subjecting the industry and
+property of the weaker section to the control of
+the stronger, but in proscription and political
+disfranchisement. It must finally control elections
+and appointments to offices, as well as acts
+of legislation, to the great increase of the feelings
+of animosity, and of the fatal tendency to a
+complete alienation between the sections.”</p>
+
+<p>The remedy proposed by Mr. Calhoun
+appears exceedingly reasonable. In three years
+the national debt of the United States will be
+paid off, and the government will find itself in
+possession of a surplus revenue of 10,000,000
+or 12,000,000 of dollars, chiefly arising from the
+tariff duties. The applications from the different
+states for its appropriation under the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span>internal improvement system will be innumerable,
+and it will be impossible to grant them
+without adding a stimulus to old causes of
+jealousy, and giving birth to new ones. To
+adopt the system of dividing the money between
+the different states is admitted, on all
+hands, to be unconstitutional, not only because
+no such power is given by the articles of the
+constitution, but because the exercise of it
+would tend to render the individual states
+too dependent on the favour of the general
+government. Mr. Calhoun recommends, that
+the money should be left in the pockets of
+the people, and affirms that there is but one
+“effectual cure—an honest reduction of the duties
+to a fair system of revenue, adapted to the
+just and constitutional wants of the government,
+and that nothing short of this will restore the country
+to peace, harmony, and mutual affection.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span></p>
+
+<p>The example of good citizenship displayed
+by Massachusetts during the existence of the
+embargo in 1807, is now referred to as worthy
+of imitation by the southern states; a total
+stagnation of the trade of that state was the
+consequence of the Berlin decree, and the retaliatory
+orders in council of the British government;
+and in the opinion that the embargo was
+unconstitutional, the question was tried before
+the supreme court of the United States, who
+decided in favour of the authority of the general
+government. Massachusetts behaved with the
+best grace imaginable, conscious that there was no
+medium between submission and separation,—no
+alternative but acquiescence or disunion.
+Her behaviour might be imitated, but under
+very different circumstances. In the case of
+Massachusetts, the cause of the evil was understood:
+it was external: it could be removed;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span>or rather would some day cease as a matter of
+course; but with South Carolina, the disease is
+internal, existing in the time of peace, increasing,
+and most likely, beyond the reach of any but a
+temporary remedy.</p>
+
+<p>The first intimation I had of the existence of
+the tariff was likely to have been a disagreeable
+one. When I landed at New York, I had with me
+an excellent double-barreled fowling-piece; and I
+was told that I must either pay thirty per cent.
+on its full value, or I could deposit it in safe-keeping
+at the custom-house till my return; and
+in the mean time I could purchase an American
+gun cheap; I was indebted to the liberality of
+the gentleman presiding at the head of the
+custom-house, who, upon hearing from a friend
+that I had not brought it to sell, but merely for
+my pleasure, politely and immediately gave me
+an order for it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span></p>
+
+<p>The climate of Washington has undergone a
+considerable alteration within the memory of
+those who have known it for the last forty years.
+Its healthiness has by no means increased as
+the forest has disappeared; on the contrary,
+the reverse effect has rather been produced.
+The real nature of a climate cannot be known
+till it has been rendered fit for the habitation
+of man; and no land can be said to be in that
+condition, till it has been partially cleared and
+cultivated. The process in some places renders
+the climate warmer, and in others it has the
+effect of producing more cold; so that it does
+not always follow that clearing is productive of
+beneficial results. Since the forests of the
+Pyrenees have been gradually cut down and
+destroyed, the south of France is not nearly so
+desirable a residence for invalids as it was
+formerly. In Germany, a good effect has been
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span>produced; but not so at Washington. The
+summer is still excessively hot, (the thermometer
+ranging above ninety in the shade), and the
+winter very cold: originally these two seasons
+almost divided the year between them; but now,
+the weather exhibits far more of the variableness
+of the climate of England. The vicissitudes of
+temperature are often painful, and frequently
+and rapidly produced by the most violent and
+piercing gusts of wind from the north-west.
+The cold of winter, although still very severe,
+has been much mitigated of late years. In 1780,
+the bay of the Chesapeake was solid ice from its
+head to the mouth of the Potomac; and in some
+places, at Annapolis for instance, from five to
+seven inches thick. In 1772, the snow in the
+district of Washington was nearly three feet
+deep, and in some places it drifted to the depth
+of ten or twelve. The length and severity of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span>the winters have much abated; but still the
+climate, as I was informed by a gentleman perfectly
+acquainted with the subject, has not
+become more healthy. In the year 1829, the
+average number of deaths for the last ten years,
+has been one in every fifty-three. The greatest
+mortality prevails in the month of August, and
+the cases are chiefly those of fever. It is owing
+to the malignity and greater variety of diseases,
+accidents, and privations, to which the poorer
+inhabitants of the more thickly peopled cities are
+liable, that the annual mortality at New York
+is calculated as one to fifty; and at Baltimore
+as one to forty-nine. In Charleston, South
+Carolina, it is as one to forty: the situation
+being more southerly, it is not so healthy as that
+of Washington.</p>
+
+<p>Every part of the United States is said to
+be more or less unhealthy during the summer
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span>months; but the inhabitants of the northern and
+middle states, and of the high lands and ridges,
+excepting in the vicinity of water, enjoy a much
+purer air than that breathed by the inhabitants
+of the southern states, and the lower districts of
+the country. An American writer remarks,
+that “The intermitting fever which is confined
+to particular spots, seems to originate from the
+exhalations of marshes, and borders of stagnant
+waters, though it is a curious fact and worthy
+the attention of physicians, that families who
+live in the <ins class="corr" id="TN10" title="Transcriber's Note&mdash;original text: neighbonrhood">neighbourhood</ins> of these places enjoy
+good health, while others who inhabit the summit
+of the adjacent hill, are victims to this
+annually returning malady. When marshy
+places become dry, fish, insects, and decaying
+vegetable substances exposed to the action of
+a burning sun, generate those gaseous miasms
+which, absorbed by the body, produce weakness,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span>sickness, and death. Ascending by their
+lightness they are probably carried by the winds
+to a neighbouring eminence, where settling,
+they form a sickly and noxious atmosphere.”
+I have more than once heard it remarked, that
+the Americans of the present day are not such
+men as their fathers, the soldiers of the war of
+Independence. They can take as true an aim
+with a rifle, but cannot undergo the same
+fatigue, and are not so long lived, generally.
+The inhabitants of the more northern states
+of New England, are perhaps, exceptions; but
+in any given number of the inhabitants of
+Georgia, and the Carolinas for instance, there are
+not so many persons to be found of ninety years
+old and upwards, as among the same number
+of persons living in the country in England.
+I heard this from a gentleman on whose information
+I believed that I could rely: yet it is
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span>singular, that according to the census of 1830,
+the number of persons of a hundred years old
+and upwards, should be larger in the southern
+than in the northern states. The middle states
+could boast of a larger number of whites of a
+hundred years old and upwards, than any other.
+New York in a population of 1,913,508 containing
+fifty-three, and Pennsylvania fifty-seven in
+a population of 1,347,672: the total number in
+the United States was 2654. The largest
+number in any one state was in Virginia, 479,
+but by far the greatest proportion of these are
+blacks. Mungo Park affirms that the negroes
+in Africa are not a long-lived race. Speaking
+of the Mandingoes, the general name for the
+inhabitants of the country watered by the
+Gambia, he says, “They seldom attain extreme
+old age. At forty, many of them become
+grey haired, and covered with wrinkles, but few
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span>of them survive the age of fifty-five or fifty.”
+It is singular that they should attain a greater
+age in the United States. By the table which
+shows the number of persons of one hundred
+years old and upwards, it will be seen that the
+proportion of blacks of that age greatly exceeds
+that of the whites; but it may be remarked, that
+the ages of the blacks are not so well known as
+those of the whites; and the accuracy therefore
+of the census, as it respects the ages of this class,
+is less to be relied on. It may be remarked,
+that Dr. Ramsay, the historian of South Carolina,
+asserts, that those individuals who have been
+born and brought up in the northern states, and
+who have afterwards migrated to the south, are
+usually more robust, more capable of withstanding
+the climate, and are longer lived than the
+natives of the south. Certain it is, that the
+Americans in general have not the healthy look
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span>of the Englishman. The men are often tall, very
+powerful, particularly in Kentucky, and well proportioned;
+but their complexions are not unfrequently
+sallow, and climate-worn, with a countenance
+resembling that of a person just recovered
+from an illness. This is partly the consequence of
+the climate, partly of their mode of living and
+their love of ardent spirits, still fatally prevalent.
+I am speaking of traveller’s fare when I say,
+that the tavern tables are always well and
+plentifully supplied; but no viands are thought
+so palatable as those that are swimming in
+melted butter. A beef steak that would be
+excellent if cooked <i>au naturel</i>, is almost invariably
+placed at the head of the table, and
+in this manner almost invariably spoiled. At
+breakfast the bread and cakes cannot be too new,
+or too hot; and fresh supplies arrive during the
+meal, which is usually despatched with the most
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span>extraordinary rapidity. At New York I once
+had the tablecloth whisked from under my plate
+by the impatient servants. The natural consequence
+is, an extreme prevalence of dyspepsia
+in all parts of the United States, which is not
+lessened by the incredible quantity of soda water,
+sweetened with different syrups, which is consumed
+by the Americans during the hot weather.
+At Baltimore I have drank, I think, the finest
+soda water I ever tasted.</p>
+
+<p>The inns, or taverns, as they are called, which
+I met with were generally good, particularly in
+the towns; those in the country, however, were
+sometimes exceedingly dirty and disagreeable.
+I have almost always found the greatest disposition
+on the part of the landlord to render them
+as comfortable as possible, and have very seldom
+failed in my application for a room with a single
+bed, some of them containing as many as four
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span>or five. The Americans think nothing of this.
+Upon one occasion, in Kentucky, where I had
+secured a single-bedded room, the landlord who
+appeared to have been surprised, and thought
+I must be ill, came up to me shortly afterwards,
+and most good-naturedly told me, that my room
+was ready: “As you’re unwell, sir, I guessed
+you’d like to retire directly.” The expense of
+living at the best inns in the United States
+varies from two to three dollars a day. For this
+sum a person is provided with a bed, and four
+meals at stated hours. A coffee-room in the
+hotel for eating and drinking at one’s own time,
+is a luxury the Americans have not yet attained
+to; at least I do not remember to have seen one
+anywhere. I did not find the regular hours so
+troublesome as I expected, as the great heat
+rendered it impossible for weeks together to
+take any thing like severe exercise, excepting
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span>at a very early hour of the morning, or after
+six o’clock in the evening. I would instance
+Mr. Head’s table at Philadelphia, as the best in
+the United States. There was a quiet gentlemanlike
+style about it, that I never saw surpassed,
+or hardly equalled, by a table d’hôte in any
+country. I wish I could speak as well of the
+bed-rooms in that respect; I much prefer those
+at Mr. Barnum’s at Baltimore, and Mr. Gadsby’s
+at Washington. Take it altogether, the Tremont
+at Boston, is by far the best hotel in the States.
+Ice is to be had in the greatest plenty in all
+parts of the United States; I have even found it
+as a luxury at my toilette. On the subject of
+eating ices, I found that nobody would touch a
+water ice, and that in general cream ices only
+were to be met with, even at the best shops.</p>
+
+<p>The most fearful enemy of health is ardent
+spirits, which, by those who drink them at all,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span>are taken at all hours, from four in the morning
+till twelve at night, and swallowed under the
+various and subdued appellations of bitters,
+egg-nogg, mint-julep, and many others; all
+sounding watery enough to have captivated
+Sangrado himself. The Temperance Societies
+are an honour to the country. There are about
+1000 of them in the United States, composed of
+1,200,000 members, and affecting about 2,000,000
+of individuals directly or indirectly. They have
+caused the suppression of 1000 distilleries, and
+3000 retail stores. The members solemnly
+promise that they will not touch a drop of any
+kind of spirits: of course, the rules of the society
+are sometimes broken, particularly as they
+allow wine and brandy when ordered by the
+doctor. I have heard it observed by those who
+are unfriendly to these associations, that an
+individual who cannot abstain from spirits without
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span>belonging to a temperance society, will not
+refrain when he becomes a member; but there
+is a vast difference between the strength of a
+resolution made to oneself, and known only to
+oneself, and a promise solemnly and publicly
+given, where fulfilment is demanded by honour,
+the fear of shame, and the duty of example.
+It is always observed, that when a member of
+the society has once relapsed into his old habits,
+his course is one of recklessness and desperation.
+That the societies have done good is undeniable,
+by their influence on the wholesale trade
+in spirits at New York.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center">END OF VOL. I.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center">Manning and Smithson, Printers, London-house Yard, St. Paul’s.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<div class="transnote" id="transnote">
+TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE<br>
+<br>
+Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text,
+and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.<br>
+<br>
+Inconsistent hyphenations have been left as is.<br>
+<br>
+Page <a href="#TN1">50</a>. “fifty cents. per annum” <i>replaced by</i> “fifty cents per annum”.<br>
+Page <a href="#TN2">58</a>. “fashionble” <i>replaced by</i> “fashionable”.<br>
+Page <a href="#TN3">85</a>. “cerous virginianus” <i>replaced by</i> “cervus virginianus”.<br>
+Page <a href="#TN4">113</a>. “enojoyment” <i>replaced by</i> “enojoyment”.<br>
+Page <a href="#TN5">201</a>. “represensatives” <i>replaced by</i> “representatives”.<br>
+Page <a href="#TN6">205</a>. “choise” <i>replaced by</i> “choice”.<br>
+Page <a href="#TN7">208</a>. ‘“the Cherokee case;’ <i>replaced by</i> ‘“the Cherokee case;”’.<br>
+Page <a href="#TN8">240</a>. “40,000l,” <i>replaced by</i> “40,000l.”.<br>
+Page <a href="#TN9">252</a>. Removed duplicated the across page boundary.<br>
+Page <a href="#TN10">274</a>. “neighbonrhood” <i>replaced by</i> “neighbourhood”.<br>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78724 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/78724-h/images/cover.jpg b/78724-h/images/cover.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9662cef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/78724-h/images/cover.jpg
diff --git a/78724-h/images/i002.jpg b/78724-h/images/i002.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6bec87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/78724-h/images/i002.jpg
diff --git a/78724-h/images/i104.jpg b/78724-h/images/i104.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56b88de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/78724-h/images/i104.jpg
author	www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org>	2026-05-22 14:03:50 -0700
committer	www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org>	2026-05-22 14:03:50 -0700
commit	3382aca3ecb1698014cee2f91f78a48274a44b3c (patch)
tree	c25b1ab68d468d8804bbd027a8533102a5b446c9 /78724-h