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BUREAU OF STANDARDS STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIAL 1010a (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2) »*iffWB5ESKiiS!wwi«?x'Ar«iir^«r«^^^^ s t-- iV*T7r r" ( . .1^' ./T MEBIOllR /J OF TUL NORTHERN KINGDOM, WRITTEN, A.D. 1872, I!\ 1 HL I. \T.i RKV. WILLIAM>ON JAllNSi::'YKF,S, LL.D. AND HON. JIEMDEU Of TII^ KOVAL KMT.KICXS UOAHD Oi LItEUA I lun, IN SIX LETTERS TO HIS SON. ••Olii't inciniiiissr juva'''/." sow FI1ST PUBLISUEO, QUEBIXK, i"'^" A.D. 1901 /'^t "h M « I i^- ■'^■■. ^te^ ';-» V" iCv A'^^M-i K. MAR IS 1^57, SALVS • PVBLiCA • MEA • MERCEs. i ♦>*- . , -^^^^ .:*;* i 1936 ;. PUCA.tL £A' Hm^i^ ^ -. to THE KING. Permit me, in congi^itulating- m^^ CO'" '^^ 0!i Your fortunate accession to ih e of Your Royal Father, to lay at ^' feet with all humility a small work of th ; venerable man, to wliom I owe my existence. I am persuadotl that Your Majesty will pardon its frankness, and extend to it the indulgence, which Your Princely Race have ever mani- fested for manly sentiments, and with which Your Royal Father was pleased to honour its authour. I should liot, under other circumstan- ces than the present, have presumed to approach the throne with an offerings of this nature ; but havini»; been hon- oured with Your Royal Commission in an attempt to unite with Your subjects a distracted and divided people, I pre- sumed that the faithful history, my fath- er left, as a legacy to his children, of the ■mpi IV troubles, of wliich hi? was a witness, but whieh happUy ended in the estabhsh- mcnt of Your Majesty's illustrious House, would be no unacceptable pre- sent to future times. In discharj^ino-, Sire,t]iisduty, permit me also to declare that, under a kind and gracious Providence, the people of this Northern Empire are indebted for all the prosperity they enjoy to the prompt, vigorous yet clement measures of Your Majesty's Royal ancestors. That this kingdom, formed by their wisdom, and transmitted to Your Royal hands, may long flourish, that its bound- aries may still increase, and thus diffuse the happiness, Avhich those experience, to whom Your Imperial qualities are known, and that every enemy to Your Majesty's government may be trans- formed into a warm and zealous ser- vant, is the hearty prayer of. Sire, Your ^Tajesty's most humble, most affcctioaate, aiul most devoted subject, JULIUS DE BARRI, Ld. Jursscnkclls. PREFACE, f IT mmi not he anim to hiform the fmhliek, that the Editor of the fho fJloxvun^ h'tters has lon;r retained them, uiid would Drohahhj have amtuiuvd to keep them private, had mt recent occurrences rendered it, m his opinion, excec'fi'urh/ useful to exhibit them to the world. For, whatevi r sources of informatiun may have been obened in general histories, it is plain that private me- moirs, separate from the circumstance of authenticity, must enter more into the detail of those causes, which, thousrh they develope themselves only to the curious eye of an intelligent and attentive observer, produce ultimate- ly the greatest events. And as these letters faithfully paint the miseries offor'uer times, it was hoped that the publishiiw of them 'at the present day might tend to open the cues of our infatur-d neighbours to their real in- Of these interests the FAlitor hopes he shall be allowed^ to have formed a proper estimcfe. Forty five years of bickering, or open warfare, might have convinced the Illinois 'Republicans, that it were far better to renounce, as did their ancestors, the phantom of a governtient, which they have not virtue to protect. For the Repuh- lick is a prey to the dissentions of her ambitious chief. Confiding in the population or territory they have ac- quired or maintained, animated by an anfient grudge, and still more by a desire of attracting to themselves m- dividually the manugemeni of the Stu/.\ in the midst of such eoiwulsions, these factious demagogues, for siirh must they be named, are for protracting a war, which puts to the proof all the mildness and moderation of oui Sovereign '; a war too, v.'h'rh conn-t e^id hut in thr'r subjugaf""'. I VI jVor can this event he far distant. The immense power of the Northern., and the preponderating interests ( "the Southern Kingdom, point out for each of them a d,.^ t path to their object. JVor is his Firginian Ma- jesty so inattentive to the security of his frontiers, or so fond of repose and quiet, as to omit any method of re- ducing such an obstinate enemy. The league too, which has of late been happily formed between the two Mon- archies, and in which th" Editor is well knorwn to have borne an honorable part, must teach these enthusiasts, that it is vain to resist. On the whole, our population of twenty millLns, with the command of the navigation of .he lakes, which we indisputably posiess, joined to the poxver and martial prmvess of a late reconciled indeed, but doubtless faithful ally, who is able to shut the Mississippi to their eastern commerce, and leave them only the shores of the Pacifick, still at an immense distance, and with several intervening nations — these advantages of the Allies, together with the history of former Republicks, and especially of the once confederated Jmcl-^an States, must, one would think, bring them to their reason. JVhatever viervs may influence the Northern Court, every one must grant, that sound polwy absolutely re- quires, that a neighbour so capable of doing Imrm, as the Republick of the Illinois, must he brought to peace ; on equitable terms, if possible, if not, by force. For many years, it is well known, their territory has been the com- mon receptacle of intriguing, discontented and abandoned men, from both the .imerican Kingdoms ; nor ivoukl his Majesty of the South have ever espoused their cause, but for the deadly feuds of civil ivar ; feuds, which ren- dered any auxiliary acceptable, yet which have at length but served to establish forever the Royal Houses derived of Britain and of France. J. de B. JAHNSEm'KES. Lordship of JurssenkcUs, A.D. lof' ■ INDEX. .\%e territory to the nordiward of i^e do- minions «jf those states, which had gloriously efiected their independence of her, and become sovereign, by a long and bloody struggle, that renders immortal the memory of those, w ho maintained it, and achieved their object, ^hiny of tlie hihabitants of the colonies \\ere, however, disafilcted to the idea of emancipaiion from a regal go\ernment, and chose to reside among those, who remained loyal tr) their king. The population, lliert lore, of the loyal slates increased not only In the eonunon process of inuuigrations from England, Scot- land, and lul.ind, but by removals of disaffected re- publican ,, uneasy or enteiprising men, farmers, who expected Intler barg:iins in land, especially in the coun- trv i!'.! '.\ c;;!!; d Upji'T Cap.ad;!, ■\'"\ artis:!!!!-. who found 11 home, than thev could obtain This latter case I will less encouraj^ement among the British subjects. explain hereafter. While the English trade to the continent of Europ< was occluded by the decrees of the first Emperor of France, of the present djnasty, it was seriously cnquir ed in Britain, wluit benefit might be derived to the mother country from her American possessions. Al- ready a Prince of the house of Brunswick had been in- vested with the office of Govemour ii'. general, and had won the affections of the colonists at large. It was now proposed, that a kind and fostering hand should be stivtched out, cftectually to raise this \'aluable coun- try to the rank, it has since attained. A prince, then, of the reigning family, was, aftt r a \ cry considerable scries of preparations, w hich it is not necessary to re- count, placed, as Viceroy, at the head (jf all the British dominions in North- America and tiie West- Indies. Aii expectation was held out, that offices of trust, and of honour and emolument, would be bestowed on those noble minded Britons, who would embark, with their families and fortimcs, for a country, w hich already seem- ed to assume the name and dignity of a gieat and flour ishing empire. Monopolies were abolished. A free trade iKgan to be estaljlished. A fleet was in pixpara- tion ; and the spirit of enterprise, \\ isdom, and deci- sion, which all at once burst, as it were, on the aston- ished continent, though, in truth, many had long fore seen it, promised to the rising state a vigorous ma turitv. « * Mil 12 !i!. t fimnirc seemed now decidedly Avcstering. The ex- jxUriuced Portuguese, roused into energ\- by the cir- cumstances of their country, and enlightened by a free and confidential intercourse with the English, who fre- quented th' irnew court in crowds, shook off the emas- culating shackles c*' a bigoted superstition, entered, with emulous earnestness, into die liberal A'iews of their faithful allies, and retrieved the character, they once bore under Kmanuel and Henry. Nor did dieir friends repent the kindnesses, they had she\vn. In fact, there had been, for a long series of years, such a mutual good understanding between the two countries, even before the removal of the court, as redounded to the honour of bodi. And in America the attachment was renewed w ith the most brilliant advantages. Imjwrtant privileges A\ere granted to the American subjects of Great- Britiiin, and %\ealth flowed profusely into the northern provinces. 'J'hat coinitry was thus acquiring sinews, to brace its already poweiful arms. Nor were the American Spaniards, in their extensive possessions, idle spectators of their neighbours, i'-ng- land liad generously ;issisted the j)atriots of the mother country, in their glorious slrugt^ie to maintain their rights against Napoleon I. whose overwhelming ambi- tion prompted him, at one period, to attempt the utter subjugation ()]■ diat aulient and brave people. Spain was gnileliil, and Knglish commerce, Kiiglish manners, and I'.nglish politicks, began sensibly to pervade ' ;• coin;, lur people, and hercoic/ ,ies. Hut at home they wiir held in I heck by IViUuc, and abroad they were .liii eniiMrraNsed, iiolwiilistintting the financial arrange 13 merits of their magnanimo- iix r iaries ; nor coi ' they make an effectual impression on the power, by >\hich they were kept at bay. Stiii, howc\ei-, their wide spread domains were opened to the advtnturous Brit- ons ; and the raw materials so richly furnished by their several states as well, as b\ the Brasilian ten itories, sup- plied copiously the manufacturing interest of Ensrland. All this commerce, with but little exception, passed through the han'ls of colonial earners, for they were taught the policy of almost restricting this advantage to the new empire ; having seen with env}- the growing prosperity of New-England, during the neutrality- of the United States, while the nations of Europe were at war. The carrying trade, so termed, was now there- fore taken from foreig lers. It was placed in the Vicc- ro\''s power ; and this circumstance alone had gi'eat influence in increasing not only the wealth, but die population and strength of the British territories in America, to tin government of wliich he devoted greal prudence, vigour and judicious moderation. It was not long, tlieriff)re, before a more perfect con- solidi on of these several territories was sought with earnestness by almost :\11 the prineiiwl eol*)nists. Tlv provincial and colonial ;f)vernours, who had been alway dei)uted from themodier country, were often found un ac(|uaintef' »vitii tlie inti rests of the communities, they .ame to nourish and defend. It began, <^f course, to Ik' perceived, that it would l)e better to place the nomi nation of person \o all these p«)sts in die N'iceroy him- self, who had near!} i)ecome a so\ereigii Prince. But ilie views of the loiiit were vast. And experien(> iiau li 14 taught the British government, that, by indulging to the suggestions of a lil^ral and enhghtened poHcy, more advantage might be derivetl from a country in the striot connexion ot a friendly and mutually beneficial alliance, than for one in the galling bond of colonial dependence. The United States had afforded them this lesson, and they were ready to profit by it. Already it was sur- mised that the total independence of the Viceregcncy would ere long be openly discussed. And events, which will be noticed in a future letter, tended rapidly to realise the suspicion. National concerns arc seldom conducted on a per- fectly consistent plan for any considerable series of yeiU"s ; and hothing but the unvarying niotive of self- interest ciui be assumed, as the clue to ever}- state laby- rinth. VVhen, therefore, interest inclines manifestly to one line of conduct, we may expect to find that line pertinaciously followed. England was wise enough to see her own interest in pursuing the track, which her apparently generous ministers hud now disco' ered. No sooner \vas the right to nominate the se\'eral Crovernours in complete exercise by the Viceroy, than beneficial consequences apjjcarcd to result. His nomi- nations were seldom countervailed by the court, and as they were made, with but very few exceptions, after the strictest scrutiny in regard to cluiracter and talents ; p - a plan of great extent required a powerful eo-opera- u; they gained the alTcclion of the people, and ef- fected in a few years the important measure of leaving tlie appointments soleU to -he discretion of the Prince. 15 A long time elapsed without any material alterations in the plan of govennnent. The views of the British court began to be penetrated by almost every cu!)inet of Europe and America. They, howeve-- w'jo com- prehended these vie\\ s, could not but ascrilie them to political wisdom, and to a prudent regard for securing the good will as well, as prosperity of anaiccpt empire. A consolidation was indeed perfecting, which inspired the neighbouring states with alar.n ; for the haibo\u-s of Newfoundland were thronged with sliips and the smaller craft ; the islands of die vicinity (jvciilorved with inhabitants ; the Dunkirk of America was again rendered impregnable, or supposed so ; active, enter- prising and iira\ e, the inhabitants of N.w-Scodand and Brunswick had Ixcome rich also, not only from im- proviiig dieir maritime advantages, but from an inland commerce v^ith New- England ; the nor'nernmost re- gions of the bay of Hudson began to yield in a degree to cultivation ; Labrador was gro.' /, populous ; the lakes of Upper Canada were whitened with the sails of commerce, :aid die generous encouragement ol" the princely Viceroy allured to his court the men of genius, talents and enterprise, who sought promotion, and the means of affluence. Already, therefore, the imp( -tant moment Avas ardently expected, when this flourishing and broadly extended govennnent s'lould proclaim its independence and uncontrolled sovereignty. But in a future lettt r I must advert to another scene of striking, though long anticipated events, in a difter- ent quarter of the western continent. I have given yon P'^ 16 a liasty sketch, tliough it be on the whole such, as I had contemp.'atcd, of the progress of some of the pre- sent members of the Northern Kingdom, from the inert condition of a crippled, deixndcnt colony, to the expansive activity of a self-mo\ing, enlightened and powerful state ; and am, with unerasing love and anxious concern, your ever affectionate Father. LETTER 11. I KNOW not, Julius, to what precise period of history \ve are to assign the origin of that spirit of jealousy, which has so long raged between die powerful countries of Britain and France. So antient it is, that the bear- ine offlettrs de lis on the coat armour of many old fam- 1 ^ of Wales, that land of genealogies, takes its date from services rendered in the wars between those rival powers. Perhaps the conquest of England by William, which excited the envy of the reigning Rimily in the land h" left, might be assumed as the sera, since wl . like Carthage and Rome, their opposing shores but too .strictly corresponded to their opposite interests and views. Wherever British arms, and British generosity, and maj- I not say, British improvidence have been known, there full soon have followed French intrigue, French selfishness, and French alertness, with a con- summate militarj' skill. Not more distinct are the faculties of the understand- ing and the will in man, than are the characters of Brit- ons and Frenchmen ; and, I had almost said, not more inseparable notwithstanding. But could you unite them fully, what perfection would ensue ! Were die cool deliberations of the head accompanied too by the warm feelings of the heart, that is, did inclination Col- •I.,! 18 low the decisions of reason, how blamelessly should wc conduct in life ! Could you form men, in whom the distinctive features of the French and English charac- ters should be happily blended, and superinduce the principles of Christianity to the composition, interweav- ing them with every vital fibre — ah then ! But I prate. Wherever a Frenchman* resides, he remembers Paris. Not that he has more " love of country," than had a Switzer, when Switzerland existed, or than has a Scotsman now. An Englishman loves home indeed, but home is to him the place \%acre his beloved wife and children, his friends and associates reside. And if these migrate with him, his home is portable. " Eng- lishmen on both sides the Atlantick" was a good name for the nation when it sepiu-ated, as it were, into mon- archists and republicans. Americans descended of English ancestors preserve many of the traces of their descent. Hence the wily court of France feared ex- ceedingly that English power, having gained such foot- ing in the North, would travel southward, and over- whelm and subdue the invaluable territories of the United States. Already, therefore, were h;;ard the chatterings of the monkey, amusing but to deceive, and the gnashhigs of the tyger,t whose sluirp fangs were convulsively extended for rapine and for blood. • For these characteristick sketches, and the former strongs, very blroii(f expressions of his honoured Fi'ther, the Esscssed of any distinguishing talents, have been such, because circumstanres precluded tlien\from iK'ing kings, dukes or lords ; and they have been ad- viK'ates for a system, Mhich kept all on a level, because they would not jK-rmit f)thers to rise t(. honours above themselves. But I will except one glorious character, that illustrious man, whose name is em!)almed iii the memory of all the gootl and virtuous, even our Wash- 25 I NO TON, the patriot, the hero, and the Christian sage He, I gruM , might have made himseli" absohite, and did not. But what can be said of that impious farce, die French revohition '^ Had it not bein so blo'jdy, so terrifick. and horrid in its progress and C(jnsef|uences, who could forbear smiling wilii eontemnt on its con- ductors, its dupes, and those, who reaped from it such immense aggrandisement ! And I verily believe, duU republicanism in Knglaad, under die hypocritical Crom- well, iwose mostly from a family compact. Kxamuu- the relations of kinored between those, \sl.o projected antl perpetrated the measures, that caused a civil wan. England, and issued in the death of her lawful king, and } on will see but too much reason to doubt, with lord Clarendon, the purity of even a Hampden. 1 shall indeed sa>- more, in a future letter, of republicans of another stamn ; but I am too much inclined to believe, drat every republican, who is not a humble subject of the King of kings and Lord of lord^, adheres to his political creed and system from arrant "pride and haughtiness of soul." The principles of Christianity lead men " in honour to prefer one another ;" the wis. dom of this world is "earthly, sensual, de\ilisl.," and consults |Hrsf)nal ( niolununt, reputation or power in all its ettbrts. It >\as, in fact, very <:ommon before tin introduction of .lUit system, which now pervades the Northern King- dom, for men in speaking even «»f thi ir connexions to deny merit t(»an\, but tlu msclves, and to be regardless therefore, or iKthaps rather to pretend a disregard ot that most gratilymg species of honour, which ilous IV.. ni ^ m ■Cj-iS-S*".' *l 26 ancestorial worth. A man, whose descent is honoura- ble, and whose family h^is been in possession of ease, affluence and respect for a considerable time, is, cajteris paribus, by no meiins so grasping, so ostentatious, so haughty, assuming and presumptuous, as the child of fortune. He does not regard his advantages, of what- ever kind they be, with wonder, ndmiration and dis- proportionate fondness. At hoi when splendidly surrounded, he is not perfectly abroad if reduced to in- digence. His noble qualities remain ; and that good breeding, which is the most valuable fruit of easy cir- cumstances, enables him, if he have profited by it, to be calm, industrious and honourable, where others would be discouraged, servile, insincere and wicked. But the truth is, no man is indiflerent to personal hon- ours, however he may for the present, and most pro- bably for the sake of obtaining a more abundant share in future, affect to despise them. Ill ])rinciple, then, by far the greater part of the Unit- ed Americans were republican. In manners the most inHueiilial among them were generally aristocratick. Bui I d(j not impute diis eircur'^stance to them as Amer- icuuh, or as republicans, but as men. It is human na- ture, and we cannot expect to change that nature merely by the form oi' a government, (iovernments vary with tlie times, in which they exist, and tlie circumstances of their subjects. Man, in his constituent principles, is e%er the same. LlI me say a word, l)elitrel close, of the writings of our former citizens. These were indeed mostly con- fmed lo the political and conuuercial diaries, those ve- 27 hides of truth and falsehood so indeterminately and promiscuously, that nothing learned from them respect- ing tlie real state of the times can be fully depended on. In them abuse generated abuse, and the conten- tion never closed, till language was exhausted of its epithets of slander. The American newspapers were the vilest, that ever disgraced a nation. Unfounded calumnies, scandalous surmises, and base accusations were multiplied without end on every eminent charac- ter. For as surely, as one paper passed a single com- plimcnt on any man, the opponent blackened his char- acter with aspersion on aspersion. I will nnt pollute this sheet with a record of particulars, nor will I give the printers, who were too generally the editors of them, the honour of even mentioning a name. Thttse prin- ters were mostly needy adventurers, ar.d by no means such, as should dir ct that important engine, the press. They had writers indeed of sterling talent, for in fact very few men published their lucubr.itions, but in the newspapers; except they were of a decidedly religious or literary character, and then they found their way in- to themagazir of the time, which were tot) often but raeagn-' con )ns. I do not rL> ....et more thu.. two works of national interest and importunce written in the times, that pre- ceded the civil wars and troubles of my countiy. These were, the immortal " Defence of the A-uerican Con- stitutions," by the second President, aocompanied, as it now is, l)y its more valuable supplement, his inesli- mable " Lectures on Davila ;" and the hfe of the illus- trious Father of his country, by the Chief Justice, Miu"- ■28 shall. There were indeed "Annals," published by u Doctor in Divinity, of a general nature and ably ex- ecuted, but this snould not be eallcd an original work. There were also sermons almost innumerable, and s)S- tems of ethickrs and thcolo^^y, but many of those are no longer remembered, and now hardly to be Ibund in our libraries. The writings indeed of Mayhew and tdwards, Iklknap, the accomplished historian, and Clarke, his more aceoniplishcd i.knd, as also of sev- eral provincial authors, obtained and yet receive high and deserved applause. So did Franklin's. But we had no Fenelon, no Doddridge, no Montesquieu, no de Mornay, no Newton, Shakesix-re, xMilton, Boyle or (Joupir. >\'e had our iViarmontels, our I nleys, our Chathams, Marlboroughs, Addisons and Swifts, and imitators of Junius by l.undreds. Indeud his assassin- ating periods, his dark insinuations, and bold invectives peculiarly suited oin- nc\\spaper editors, paragraph scribblers, shallow pamphleteers, and theatrical criticks. From this sketch you see tiiat, in such a ehaotick state of character, such a mixture ol Dutch i)hlegm, the sanguine ((,m]>lexion of the Fnglishman, French eholer and vanity, Irish rapidity, German sensibility and patient industry, Negro indiflerence, and Indian indolence, there was "pabuium," assay the naturalists, for any phut whateMT. And a planter, skilful, per- severing and wary, was not long wanting. Your'h aftcctionatclv- LETTER IV. % I My DEAR Julius, If my last letter prcbcnted you an unpleasini? pic- ture, this offers one much more disgustinj; and dis- tressing. But it shall be short, for of all moral paint- ings Unit of the degradation of a free born people is the most humiliating. I have noticed die ("ontinual exertions of the French and their partisans to cause a political diversion in tiicir favouramongthe Southern Statesof the American Union. I observed duit they met success, and the reason is ap- parent. Then had been front a very early period in d»c histor)' of die federation, a decided prediiectioi. foi- France and French mamiers in several indi\ iduals high in otVice.* This preponderance ol' regard to France Hattered that insidious court with thr prospect of a great iicc.ssion ' Tlu f„llouin(Cpass;.Kc Us iKcntak.i. tVon, its (.l-' m tiu- t.Nt, and .s.l,,„..a.,.: u.Mm....... : u nM,..lu,..s „r .1,.. ,„.,..,„ .lay w,„.Ul t;,l an inuT. st in ,.. ..ul it .-.uLl !..^.' l-> n ,„.mwma In n,y (..lu ronlv from h.s ,vn,lk.ti..n of tlu- puliti. k, .,(1... .uil,. r yc.rs. Kn. r. ..lut„.,u. 1,^1.,, au.l V uasMurnM.h i,.pv:n.. .1 ..nl . Muur.M.M, .s ,1k . om .t of il.>- l,m. . Iu,,n . o.a t., sa, tlu- ,.u,Mr,.H,s J . . ^ r. nv. for .. . _ , -.•.!;,■.!;•. !■.:•.!■!'. t' 'Hiii-i.iiis :.i.'''ti-ril, as : ^^^^^mmmim^^iMmr^ St • IP of power. And a circumstance apparently casual pre- pared a train of events, wiiith have issued in the de- struction of the antient federation. While the First Emperour of France was only Con- sul, one of his younger brothers \'isited America, and becoming attached to the daughter of a principal citi- zen of Baltimore obtained her in marriage. As his brother advanced in dignity, however, this marriage was regarded as too low for one, who uught aspire to the liand of a princess, and was accordingly annulled, under pretence of being illegally contracted. But there was issue of the marriage ; and the subsequent fortunes of the Buonapartes rendered this issue exceedingly in- teresting to France and America. For to the family of the mother, and much more to the pariisans of France, who ever abounded in the city of her residence, the violent politicians, who espoused the French in- terests, directed their thoughts. Political dissensions ran high ; and as in the unhap- py capital of the Greek Empire an infotuated partisan would have seen with more pleasure a Turkish turl:«n upon the altar, than a Latin mitre, so diere were men of •ssistcd llip Amrrif alls in llicir stnifTj^lc for independence. 1 do not take iHipon myself to fXtiilputc liiiii, lur u rciirw of liis measures tends ton evidently to a eonvietion, tira', lie inihily. d severe prejiidires a>,ainst Endund. And tlie times, in vvliirli lie lived, admitted of but two dispo- sitions in public men, as r' ^'ardcd forcipn nations. I fully believe, liow- evcr, be sincerely wislit-d well to bis comilry ; and if he erred, am will- in|;^ to impute bis en-.urs to a too speculative view of lier );re:il interests. nut had be ilicd Sfrri'trirv of St^i'ei !>!» name would b.ave Iseen trsns- milti (I to after times, as indispuValdy one of the ffreatcst men, whom America produced ■^raL^.^iy|^ SI the party called democratick, ^\ho openly asserted, they would prefer a French Emperour in America to a federal President. Such insinuations were not lost. The French generals, and those of that nation, who, pretending disgust at the proceedings of the Emperour, feigned to seek an asylum in America, were now san- guine in their views. They gradually offered their services to the administration, and were favourably re- ceived. Intrigue indeed effected a choice of such men, as officers ; and at length, under a pretext of I know not what kind, f'-r it always appeared to me a pre- sumption on the weakness or partiality of the govern- ment, a body of troops, so officered, obtained an es- tablishment in the country. In numbers they now ■| found themselves formidable, and appeared, from the predilection of their partisans, invincible. But, as might naturally be expected, native Americans, iuid es- pecially those of the middle and northern States, con- ceived a disgust at these measures. They found them- selves neglected, and openly predicted the consequences of the steps then taken. And since politically as well, as philosophically, action and reaction are equal, this conduct created resentment, and paved the way for a separation of interests. Virginia, as a state, found protection against her ne- gro population in the troojis before mentioned, v/hich, for obvious reasons, were quanered in the South. She had ever been indifferent to the Federal Union, except when she herself was the acknowledged head of it. And now, linding that the partuility her cilliicnb had mauiiebled toward the French alienated the confidencr ^^^^g^m 32 of the noiliiern vStatcs, she set up, by her wviters, the luic and cry of " British influence." British influence indeed would naturally be exerted, could it find its ob- jects, wherever French influence was apparent ; for such conduct it is reasonable to expect from rivi'l na- tions. It was now too late to recede, and the cry of war resounded from die south. They too, who were disaftected to Viririiiia and her interests, demanded war. Numerpus publications of mutual defiance issued from nordiern and southern presses. ^'irs;inia was now openly charged, as she had often been !)ef()re, though less directlv, with wilfully taking measures to dissolve the national compact. The charge uas not denied. She claimed her right ; and appealing to the world, and especially to France, placed at the head of her interests a man devoted to the Empire, and cast die gaundet oi" (•i\ il war at the feet of the ) et confederated States. But this was not all. France, to whom the aj)peal was made, demanded a price for her friendshir It nas declared by her resident therefore to Viiginia and her friends, that the urgency of ihv times, and tlie cir- cumstances of the nation ref|uired a decided balance to the English pow er ; that indi.cd a strong aid would be reciuisite to :!ssure to them a defence against the uncer- tainties of domestick \'. ar ; but that France must ha\c some adequate eumpcnsation for her sacrifices ; yet, as she exceedingly Vvished the happiness of her beloved allies, would in kindness wax e that quesli )n, and, as an eiirnest of her good w ill, and of the patt.rn.il re g.ird of her Emperoiir, would condescend, that tli<. Soiuhem Division of the Suites, which had seceded from the late * ^i.M^u>t^y^ -^.ji^- 33 Union, should be the future cure of a son of her Im- perial family, orj allied to the Americans by blood and every tender consideration ; and that, in conse- quence of these gracious determinations, she formally appointed tlie respectable chief, whom Virginia had elected, her Imperial priefect for that purpose, to gov- ern and enlarge the domain, as lieutenant of the king- dom, for the few years that its lawful heir should remain in his minority. Your affectionate Father. I,. I ^^^ ^ a^^^^mkMJkMDH^ m\ \*€r- '-♦T «< LETTER V. It is now time, my Son, after having rapidly drawn for } ou the proccdin.e; ortline of national degradations, for I have omitted many intervening faets, oeeause the narration gave me pain ; it is now time to advert to the North Eastern Slates, and bring down their histor}- to the period, at whieh we left the affairs of the South. Had that \alual)le library of domestick history, col- lected by the friends and associates of Belknap and Minot, survived tlie troubles of civil war, it would have been needless for me to leave you any hints of Uk au tient history of New England. It \mis doubtless a poli^ tick measure of his Mr.jesty's lieutenants to suppress also the publication of those patriotick details of his- tor}-, whieli could serve only to renew die memory of a different form of government from the preseiit, and of purer times, than those, in which we U\ e. But 1 have always spoken and will still speak to you the truth. For should I now forfeit the favour of my Sovereign by concealing facts and sentiments '^ Should I lea^■e your name branded with my derelictions "? It is true I am left alone. Perhaps his Majesty has been inclin- ed to respect in my aged person the Hepublick, whose existence was once incompatible with his satet\ , but which he has long since ceased to fear, because he has 36 i taught its citizens, now his dutiful subjects, to esteem and to love him. Or, perhaps, he bestows his notice on me from an innate nobleness, prompting him with tenderness toward the houry head. The States cast of the Hudson ^\■ere peopled b\- a body of men distinct, in several respects, from the f:;cnerality of the colonists. It was not thirst of gain nor de- sire of contpiest, which instigated llic fathers of New England to kwe their native home. Considerations of religion were the groimd of their removal ; and the nrtjority of the eail\' settlers were n)en (,>f a rigid in- deed, !)ut distinguished piet\. Several of them dcs- cciidcd of resj)ectable f;unilies, w ho had earl\ embraced the doctrines of the Reformation, and had dissented from the Faiglish Church establishment. Others were them- seh es the first of iheir families to dissent. They were modeiiiteiy RepubHcan in piinciple, but ne\ertheless loyal subjects. Nui a man of their comjnmy, perhaps, entertained \ic ws of a distinct, independent sox ereig'it\-. Tliey were attaclied to the country, which a sou* of one of their number emphatically called "the land of our father's se]r,ilehres," and gloried in the rights and pri\iliges of freeborn KiiglishnKn. Their first |)er- manent settlem: nt was at Piymoiuh, where a venerable l)and established themselves ; and in m\ day se\eral ol their descendents held a distinguished rank in the churches and in the state. Tiie next was at Salem, \vhi( h issued in the formation of the colon\ of Massa- chusells-bay. Then fi^llowed Nexv Hampshire and I 37 Hhodc Island, from different views and causes indeed, lor the former was settled thiouii;h interested speeula- tions, and the 1 .Iter by persecuted religionists. Con- necticut reeei\cd her iuhibitant, principally from the colonists oi the Massachusetts, i. id among her civil and religious fulKis boasted the ijrightest ornaments of die times, Maine was patented to a noble famil\ , and, like New Hampshire, obtai.ied her ILiu-opean population dirough permission of an individual propiietar\ . All these separate tujlonies w ere, at one period of their his- lor}-, united by a federation, of w hieh the traces con- tinued c\ er after. But as the New '".nglanders, so named, were a healthy, hardy race, and possessed a tnict by no nuans the most fertile of die United territories, m any of them migrat- ed into other Statis, and especially after the revolution- ary war, which separated them from I^ngland. New Y(jrk received in this n^aniiir the greater part of her western subjects, and e\en the cap.ilal of diat nante em- braced in it many, who, (kri\iui; tlieir descuit f.om New English ancestors, retail.. 1 a memorial c)f ii in annual celebrations. The^e were conunon in New Kngland, and subserve tl the i)urposes of attaching die inhabitants to each other, of rendering them legiirdful of the religious and political character of their fore- fathers, and of transmilliiig to posterity die n collet lions of deeds of old. A few distinguished indi\ idnals, it mav be, used tin in as nuans of attracting personal no- tice, and thus of obtaining iiiiUieiice aii.l aggrandise nieiit. J8 ■Is ■'* In Inter times there was aixculiar synipath) Ixiween the inhabitants of New England and New York, ground- ed on commercial connexions. Tlie grand mart for a great portion of the produce of the western lands of New England was die flourishing city of New York. Hence that State was ranked with the old confederation of the East in tho:,e alarming calculations of popula- tion, wealth, militar- sucnglh and general resources, which, under the third President, were very imprudent- h and rashly brought forward by indivichuils, who \verc no friends, it is true, io \iiginlan politicks. 1 say im- prudentl}- and rashl\ , because the ciuestion istriUU'<. ii 39 that mutual dependence mif^ht beget and nurture mu- tual charity. But it tended rather to inibuicr don\es tick and ci\ il life. Party lancour prevailed -mow after die ibrniati(}n of a j^erniancnt '^ciural l;()\ ernment. And I was accustomed to think that diey, avIio v. ere denom- inated Federalists, mit^ht thank tliemselves for die rage of its venom. For when, diey had po\\v.r, tluir op- ponents were absolutely trampled upon. Nothing was too base to impute ni. Hence their increase of numlKTs and influe nd, as mimkind naturally fa- vour a persecuted bi,vi\ , hence they became the domi nant party. But iis their jwlitical jMvdeccssors gener- allv possessed the wealth of the- nation, diere arose a struggle between the aristocracy of money and du aristocrac) of office, in which each party was ef]ually tenacious of its rights. Could dierc ha\c been an aristocracy of honour, to check and balance diese two partiis, possibly the form of p;o\ernment might have subsisted much longer. Men love distinction ; and distinction diey v'H ob tain,diough in sonu instances it be by die hardihood ol villainy. Few of the nations of die earth have i hibii- cd a greater loie of it, than the Americans; though among ft w could it e\er be less indulged wnl prn denct. 'I'hi-. circumstance, howexir, letided bill to smothir, not to extinguish llie passion. Hank aiul itUs uere eagcrlv «<>nrtcd,and pertinaciously kept, IVoi th< corporal to the (;ii)tain-general, and from die tide waiter to the President, i am, notwithstanding eontnuA ap pearan.ces. incHntd sli!! tn think, that the love of tilidai distinctions was ,»rr\al< ni ainoii!'- thr Ntw rai;.!;.nd' 's 40 more, than uiuoni^ the \'iririnians and their associates. The latter \\cre generally bred in hal/its of superiority, rmd aceustomeil to dell renee iVoni early years, o\\ ing ' , die |:!;reat prevalence of slavery in those times. Tlic former were commonly accustomed to stand on the r^ound of indi\ idiuil character, and had few adventi- tious circumstances to enhance their personal merits. Far iVom being the mere appendage to his estate, the New-Englander was generally, under Providence, the creator of whatever fortune he enjoyed. Multiplying rapidly, f:om the fecundity conseqi>ent onUieir climate and habits, the people of New- England saw their pro- perty liable to frec[uent and indefmite subdivisions ; while the single heir of the rich southern |)lanter often surve\ed from die same " maison scigneuriale" the hereditary and • ndiminished fields of his family for several generations. Hence die planters were, in fact, a kind r not ii()Wi\er, I can coiiceiw of no better mediod, if jiracticabie, to restrain nithin biuinds one species of shou and paiiule, to n hieh die emulation, I have named, nanirally tends. Our Americans were ri'relv desiroesof ri\ ailing the antieit Ht|>ubiicans of Home in their pmerty. Tluy emulated rather their power and jiersonal inlUience. Ami i^ K. m^ans of ob UiininL' tlwm, tJKhC nere such, as happened to Ik- in 41 fashion. Were I to deckle, my Son, l)et\vcen ihc res- |)ective aristocracies of honour and of wealtli, I think I should gi\ e the fornier a preference, because it natural- ly produces civilit) , since it depends on publiek esti- mation ; whereas the other is the very parent of arro- gance. And I never knew any men demand more no- tice, and practise more ostentation, as I think I observ- ed to } ()U before, than the " hommes parvenus," who jrrew up, like mushrooms, w ith sudden exuberance, in the rank scil ol commercial prosperit}-. Tlicrc were families, who cultivated and Ijoasted a lamily interest. Rut this dantrcrous idea spraiis^ from an excess of wealth above the freneral mediocrity, and it tended to e\ cuts the most important. For no soon- er did it ajjpear, from the measures of X'irpjinia and her associates, that a |)olitical so\ ereignty, of whatever name, was about to be formed in the South, than ev- ery exertion wa'^ made amons^ influential men of the North, to increase their inihienci, and form a separate dominion. For this i)inpose there was a sufliciency of means, which were now collectinji^ w ith dili}i,ence. Durinir these discussions and a'ti nipts, the Middle States, as the\ weic- named, i)erse\ered in a steady course of Hei)ul)lic;insm, with jijreat firnmess. The society of Friends, w'l eh nii^ious sect had |jfained a |)repon(l;rance both in wealth and power in the State of lVnns}lvania, iniited their views and exertions with those of the sober, fruj^al, indiistrious (Krmans, and stood uiuiio\ed by either the threats or flatteries of tlkir neidibours. Similarity of interests attached to iIkui the }et disconnected States f>f their imnudi;'' ■ (3 ;:>^:.,.>:^,,;?V,;,;J^,Al| i I 42 vicinity, and the whole body were equally deaf to Northern and Southern overtures. They aiforded thus a desirable and safe asylum to all, Mho preferred the antient state of aftUirs to any inno\ ation ; and though several, entertainin.u; opinions diflerent from those of the majority, quitted dieir territory, the republican im- mij,-rants considerably exceeded them in number. These immigrants consisted of persons of every con- dition, and their motion was continually westward, for the western country increased greatly in value and im- portance. Under such a state of dungs the antient confedera- tion of the colonies of New Kngland was brought for- cibly to view. The hostility manifested by Virginians to commerce, in which consisted the life of the Nordi- castern Slaves ; their hostility also to Kngland and the new Viceroyalty of the North, with both of which the New I'>nglanders were necessitated to maintain a close connexion, and still further, their devotedness to the ^ ieus of France, to which the men oi the north c( '"Id never l^rook a subserviency, all joined to sever the l)onds of connexion, and to prepare the way for a new and distinct goxernment. 1 w ill not enter into a detail of the debates of that c\enlful period. 1 look on all die scenes I have related widi honor ; and you, my dear Son, must esteem it the strongest proof 1 can gi\ e you of die sincerest love, that 1 sit down to a narration \\\\id\ aw akens unheeded and ineftVctual regrets, and will e\er be the Uieme o) mortificaU'.-n and mmiuw. "^^^I'-m^i^ ■ 43 But perhaps it was best, indeed I doubt not it was best, that events should have issued as they did. Tiie contests between rival families, rival systems of gov- ernment, and rival competitors were long and violent. At length a Presidency for life was agreed on ; and since m New Kngland there was a nuitual interest, suf- ficient of itself to attach the se\eral members, this high and responsible office was bestowed on the meritorious Head of one of the most powerful and opulent families of the former State of New Y ork . As a compensation however to the original Confederation, the old metropo- lis of New England was constituted forever the capital of this new and most interesting Commonwealth. Your aged Father. LETTER VT. Having carried you, my Son, thus far, shall I not now tjjiv c vent to my feelings ? But, alas, of what avail Avould it be ! I am deelining to the grave. I have sur- vived my country. I am among the last of those, who saw the golden days of Republican freedom. Yet if kingly power can in any hands conciliate esteem, and re\erence, and duty, certainly these are due to our gracious Sovereign. Ncer, perhaps, could a people look back on so natural a series of e\'ents, as have formed the progression of the northern colonies to a free, sovereign, independent and powerful monarchy. But I, the inhaliitant, as it were, of another countrj^', and the relict of another race, look back with peculiar sensations. The immortal names of Carver, Bradford, VV'inthrop, Ha\ nes. Hooker, Cotton, Higgmson— and a long train of worthies, men of piety, of learning, and of the purest patriotism, swell my l)osom n ith indes- cribable emotions. I'iie eblnng blood thrills through these withered veins with a mrance of the woes, from Mhieh it rescued. But for myself, as I never cc;used repe;;iing • For, c'u'.iei- by ;i louj; m;.1ir/ni;.r ilcsipi, (.r I'n •(.■!;;:' 'V-' -'""i,"-'* "' i.iim-,ili.- IiuKiuiuifiil aiM-iil'fHf of tlic Nc-w F.r.Kruvl ;'uiii>'u - \..'> ii' > .•^Uil)li>ln.-il ,iifiiv(iiii-()faliari-.r ..rCo.incCtil-i» 'l'^^. F.,..sr. ;i:.u,ili-. v. . •■ (■••niii'si,- pr'.ji.ircil f';r t ni. ■■ ! - 1' 48 tomv former compatriots, " Quo, miscri civcs, ruitis V so I shall cv cr sa}' of those, wlio wac oiicc the bi\\)p\ subjects of the United States, '• O furtiinatos nimium, sua --i bona ndrinr !" To Jllii s i)E Bakri, Ld. JursscnkeUs. Sir, THK Pii!)nshers deem it a (hity thev owe voii, to aijolo-rise for the Hl)erty they have" taken in fxirtialh de\ iatini^ from your (Urections, in issuint^- these truh vahiable letters of your mu<:h honoured father. 'I'he\ conceived, how ever, this form w ould i^i\x- them a nmre extensi\e circulation, and would by no means injure their ^;llue. 'riiey embrace this mode of tendering- von a publick acknowledgment for so valuable a liresei.t, and assin-c \ou. Sir, they will e\er keep in \iew your jiatriotick recjuest. lit 1 1 ja I Press, Q r E i: i: c K , 1 OO 1 . Is. to Ih ilV )rv I re c-k IR ck