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I'fllKTXJ

• • •

Si. \

HISTORICAL.
TOPOGUAPHICAL, AND DESCRIPTIVi:

VIEW

OF THE

UNITED STATES

AMERICA,

AND OP . '

UPPER AND LOWER CANADA,

WITH AN APPENDIX,

Containing a brief and oompreheniire Sketdi of
THE PB£SENT STATS OF

^EXICO AND SOUTH AMERICA,

AND ALSO OF THB

NATIVE TRIBES OF THE NEW IVORLD.

COLLECTED, AftnAKGED, AND DIGESTED,

From the bat recent AHtharUlet and origi»at ComnumkaHotUt

BY E. MACKENZIE,

Author of the History of Egypt, and Editor of the History of Northumberland,
'*■ Select Biography, Statistic Tables, Modem Geogn^hy.'&c. &c.

f # '■^.

EmbeUtshsd and illustrated hy a large correct Map, a Plan qf
the City of Wathinfftonf and seven fine Engravings.

. •*}ifetffAiftk upork Tjf^^ •
I'&INTEp V^D!^V}ILISU£o'BY.MAjCflfpNZIE AKD D^Vt,

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FREFACE.

America, sinee she conquered her independeiM^,
has risen into importance with a rapidity unparal-
leled in the history of mankfaid* In her plains and
forests an industrious, enterprising, and intell^ant'
population are daily creating new and extcnrive
eemmunities, and exhibiting, the whole mysteiy of
the generation as well as the growth of nations.
The spectacle is imposing and instructive, notwith-
standing the senseless ravings of animosity, or tlie
affected sneers of a despicable enmity.

IPhis marvelfous eraphre already embraces a r«ige
of territory above thirty times the extent of Gieat
Britain; and will, within one hundred and twenty
years, if population increases in the same ratio as it
has lately done, contain upwards of ibur hundred
millions of human beings ! Yet,, even then it would
not be equally populous wHh England. Without

PREFACE.

i'v't

supposing the intervention of some great and im-
probable political convulsion, no rational argument
can be assigned why the capital and population of
the Americans should not progressively accumulate,
until the boundless extent of their fertile and unoc-
cupied land be brought into cultivation.

' Where/ exclaims a popular journalist, ' is this
prodi^ous increase of numbers, this vast extension
of dominion, to end? What bounds has Nature
set to the progress of this mighty nation ? Let our
jealousy burn as it may; let our intolerance of
America be as unreasonably violent as we please;
still it is plain that she is a power, in spite of us,
rapidly rising to supremacy; or, at least, that each
year so mightily augments her strength, as to over*
take, by a most sensible distance, even the most
formidable of her competitors. Jn foreign com*
merce, she comes nearer to England than any other
maritime power; and already her mercantile navy
is within a few thousand tons of our own ! If she
goes on as rapidly for two or three years, she must
overtake and outstrip us.*

But instead of viewing every step America^d-
vances in renown with absurd and groundless dis-
may, England ought to rejoice in the growing
strength and happiness of her daughter, who has
become respectable and. glorious by exercising the
virtues of her parent. Their interests, whether
moral, political^ or commercial, are inseparably

PKBFACB;

iinited;* and should hordes of barbarians again
thread the existence of liberty and civilisation in
the west of Europe, America may become the right
arm of British strength, or perhaps the last asylum
of British liberty. *When the nation,' says Dr.
Smollett, *\m enslaved by domestic despotism, or
foreign dominion; when her substance is wasted,
her spirit broken, and the laws and constitution of
England are no more; then these colonies, sent oS
by our fathers, may receive and entertain their sons^
as hopeless exiles and ruined refugees/ i

The writer has no* intention of exhibiting emi^
gration in a tempting and illusive point of view.
Such attempts are certainly bhuneable, though their
consequences are far from being alarming; for^
under ordinary drcumstances, the emigrants from
any community must always bear a small propor-
tion to the whole population. - After all, says Dr.
Smith, man is of all luggage the most difficult to
be transported. <In truth, he takes such root
wherever he has been planted, that, long after al.
most all'* nourishment has been extracted from it,
we*^d him cling to the bare rooks, and rather

• The eminent importance of the American trade is evinced by
the 0MJt, that of the whole exports from the United States in 181 6,
one half went to Great Britain and her dominions ; and in 1815 the
amount of goods imported was eighty-six millions o£ dollars, of
which seventy-one milliotis was imported from Gr^ Britain and
her dependencies !

PREFACE.

wither than be torn away. It 19 in vain to remind
him how bleak the sky, how scanty the tiutriipent*
how exposed to tempests the position. We find
him rebuilding his cottage upon the half-eooled lava
which has swept all his possessions away, dikl obsti>
nately refusing to quit a spot of earth which the
perpetual conflicts of the elements hardly leave at
rest for a day.' He knows all his privations, hii
sufferings, his risks; but he deems it all not too
high a price for the endearing idea of Aome— the
love of country — ^and the thousand ties of society
and friendship. Thus has Frovideoce, by a power-
fiii instinct, provided against an excess of emigratian.

Let not the dissipated, the ambitious, the petu-
lent, or the discontented, deceive themselves, and
wander into other climates and ntuations in search
of happiness. * The wilds of America will yield no
repose to tlieir perturbed spirits. The fiends will
migrate with them.'^- vi^); ':•

However, the industrious labourer, the raechamc*
the farmer, the man of moderate eapitfd, and the
father of a family who feeis solicitous about settting
his children ; in short, all those who are prepared to
encounter the numerous privations and inconve-
niences of emigration, in order to enjoy the great
and acknowledged advantages which America offers
to adventurers, will find this work a Faithful
AND Useful Guide. And this is extremely diffi-
cult to obtain, notwithstanding the numerous, ex-

-^ Ttiia-rr><i rr "" '^'^ ''i'*-ii-i>iAwifcii

■<iHMi iMiiiit iiftn

PRSFACE.

pennve, and valuable works recently published on
the subject. Travellers and emigrants have viewed
America with different feelings. Some observe
every object with delight and admiration, while
others experience all the chagrin of disappointment
It, however, has been the aim of the editor to coin*
pare with candour the contradictory evidence of
different writers, and to draw such conclusions as
the case seemed to justify.

The editor has also paid particular attention to
the rate of wages and of the markets, the expences
of living, the comparative advantages of difierent
states and settlements, and the cautions necessary
to be observed by new settlers. The present state
of the wealth and resources, and of the commercial
r^;ulation8 of the United States, is dravyn entirely
from authentic documents.

The judicious reader will readily appreciate the
attention and diligence employed in compiling this
work, and acknowledge the value of the original
matter which it contains ; and wliich embraces the
substance of upwards of 07ie hundred letters lately
received by different individuals from their corres-
pondents in America. Some gentlemen have been
in the habit of c(41ecting copies of interesting letters
from the New World; and the liberality with
which the editor has been favoured with the loan of
their MSS. merits his best thanks, and will in the
proper place be acknowledged.

VIU l\

PREFACE.

In collecting materials for this compilation, the
editor has consulted every recent and valuable pub-
lication on the present state of North America, and
to which references will occasionally be made. Ex-
clusive of the information derived through private
channels, he has been most indebted to the foUowing
able and instructive works, viz. — mUam tji^i'^f *i^

Morse's American Geography. ! -■ * ;- '«>•. ');»X

Madure's Geology of the United States of America. , ,.

Imlay and Filson's Account of Kentucky.

Travels through the United States and Canada, by Isaac Weld, jun.
Michaux's Travels in Nwth America, 1802.
Grey's Letters from Canada, 1806,' 7, and 8.
Lambert's Travels through Canada and the United States, 1808.
, Travels in North America in 1809> 10, and 11, by John Brad-

bury, F. L. S.
Travels in Canada and the United States in 1816-7, by lieutenant

Hall, 14th light dragoons.
Palmer's Journal of Travels in the United States of North America

and in Lower Canada. ■

Bnsted's Resources of the United States.

Mellish's Travels and Directory through the United States for 1818.
Statistical View of the United States, by T. Pitkin, Representative

firom the State of Connecticut, 1817.
Hints to Emigrants, by the Shamrock Society of New York, 18i6.
A Year's Residence in the United States, by Mr. Cobbett, 1818.
Morris Birkbeck's Notes on a Journey in America, 1818.

Letters from the Illinois, 1818. "* ■'mnny^'.t

Feuron's Sketches in America, 1818. ;• H"; , jf' !•

'Hf' ui :\i-ii tuu, .>.i-

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h'l\ •■! v:|?

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01 f
Al

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COl^TiJNTS.-,.,,

■^•Mh

ites for 1818.
[epresentative

Page Page

GENERAL View of America 1 Discovery and ancient popu-

North America
Soath America

Boundaries

Extent

Divisions

Climate

Seasons

10 ' lation of America
Id

UNITED STATES.

35 Cataracts

36 Canals
S7 Forests

39 Swamps

40 Mineraloi

1 ■itv'-'ijl ;

Face of the Country Hiwrn^ »b. Mineral Waters

Soil . . , 41 Botany

Affriculture . . 42 Zoology ♦

Rivers . • ib. Natural Curiosities

'^'

y.i'{

STATES AND TERRITORIES.

^,^^^ New England.

Extent and Boundaries 80 Natural Productions

Face of the Country 81 Manners and Customs

Rivers . * 83 History

49
52
58

■■uM

64
ib.
68

86
«9

Natural Geography
Population
Manners, &c.
Chief Towns

New Hampshire.

93 Trade and Resources ''" ''"id

94 Religion . ib.
ib. Government , , ib.

95 History . '"!'' 97
b

CpIfTENTa

Matmhuuettt.

SiC^ikkm and Extent
Nitunl Gcognpl^r
PopuI«ti<^ and Maiuten
C^nief Towns
Trade and Reflouroes

Page

100 Rdigion

Ik Educatiim

IQS Government

ibi Iflands

109 History

Sitiiation and Extent' ' '- ' ti$ Ttkde
Natural Geography
Population and Manners

ib. Government
118 History

Sit4ati(ni and Extent
Natural Gec^graphy
Po|pulation and Manners

Sttuatifm and Extent
Natural Geogrrahy
Population and Manners
Chief Towns .

Trade and Resources

119 Chief Towns
ibt Trade and Resources
ISO Government

Pagt

'. 1^

110

111

118
ib.
ib.

ISl
ib.
ib.

1S8 Education
ib. Rieligion
1S4 .Government

'M-

<ii i^iu* ii

Cdm^^ticui.

flttoation and Extent
Natural Geography
Fspulation and Mamiers
€wef Towns
Bducati(m

Situation and Extent
Natural Geography
Bopulation and Manners
CiSef Towns
l^de and Resources •

Situation and Extent
Natural GeqjflHbhy
nfmladaik and Mtoneis
OWaf Towns J^»

ib.
ib.

■ ^mmm

Trade and Resources ^^ "f^i

ib. R^ion . . 184

181 Government. '"■' *i;'-; ;■''■ ' .' •/ ■•• ftL

■flk History '^^^'^Ht!T'm

Neiv York. y-<.T ^-^J*^/

186 Education . . ' 149

tt>. Religion . .150

188 Govemment:r>; ^1 ; i)^ iw 181

"■140> Islands '.i'.ti'riitfH'^iiMi« ^t*-' ibi'

-.149 Hislofy •• • :rv»^'«''' ^>>i<--'«U.:*«.ii89.

Nen JwHu.

154 Trade and ResourfC^ . 157

155 Government
}3^ I^»tory

i(~\:

botnxsie:

Sknation and Extent »i

Nytnnl OeogTMhy ' ' 'J
FiBDulation and MainiM' '
CUefTowns

mde and

Education anfl

GwvsruunBM

Histary

iSitnation and Extent
NiM^iral Geography
Canal .

Pqpulati(m .
CIuefTowns

''iti ilrade and Reaoprcea

189 Education vvV'l^.
ib, IMdigion . ' ,

'- ib; Gbvenunoit

190 History '^

Stale qf Ohio.

lift lh»

» I

.'■U,'<:.>."'.bil

>)1

m
191

Situation and Extent . l^t f'qifulation

Natural Geog|«phy '*»'"' '^'m

DiviriiHis

Tnde and Rfttpyctt

i. -rH^.rvjj^ eWvernmrot ■^'"■;

Situation and Extent
]!ib|Niral Geography'

.;tf ^ --

Situation and Extent
Natural Geography
Population and Alanners
Chief Towns

008 Towns, &c.
. ih» Govornment

It !■ <• \

,a;.)

SO9
ib.

■ * ■. *

■ ! 'A

■ ' A,

'{■

fl>.

ibi

216

Sanation and Extent
Natural Geography
Population and Manners
Chief Towns
Trade and Resources

Situation and Extent
Natural Geography
population and Manners
Chief Towns

ib. Education and Religion

918 Gwenunent .

gl7 Education , «w»«!i ■'■

ib. Religion

S80 Oovimment

^ Hiflory

lij ■ - ■ '' • •

885

886

ib.

888 Trade and Resources

ib. Education and Religion

9(99' Gofemment

881 History

North Carolina.
Situation and Extent 83$ TrMle and ResoMXces

Natural Geography
PimuUition and Manners
CUefTowns

ib. Education and Rdjgion
841 Oovemment ,

848 Aislpiy •

887
fbi
ib.

843

ir->'

tir

CONTBNTSi

Sifejuition and Extent

Natural ^^f^gmfay
Emulation and Mai
Cbief Towns

tmcn

Situation and Extent
Natural Gebgrapiiy
H^opulation and Manners
chief Towns ,,

Trade and Resources

TheFloridas

Sakih OanOkik. .

Page

9^ Trade and B<aou r ci »

,}\h Education and Kd^(ifln

SflA OoremniMit i , .,^

SA4 History <<7»oi

S0(> Education . .

lb. It^^igion

'9$3 Government

S6$ History

m ; '

ttiiijHV^t*^

Page
fiS9

266

lb.

267

ib.

Siiuatiain an^ Extent
Katural Geography
Populati<m and Manners
Chief Towns

Situation and Extdn^' ' '
Natural Geography
Population and Manners
Chief Towns

Vpper Louisiana

Situation and Extent
Natural Geography
Ff^ulation .

Siiuation and Extent
Natural Geography
Population
Towns

lii' .

•mv
I ■

Situation and Extent
Natural Geography
Population

, Tennesjfee.
^i TMe and ftewurc^w
ib^ ^ucaticm and Religion
273 Government
83:4 J^tory

Louisimoa.

276 * Trade and Resources
ib. Rflijigion
279 Government
Ane History

274
275

ib.

28S

ib.

284

ib.

287

i«n.hJ« WJfe:

Miiiissippi.

288 Chief Towns
ib. Trade and Resources

!T.i;'.')j§0 Government

TDj

l^tuatioa and Extent
Natural Geography
^opulation^ .

AHbanm Territory.

1t§^ Commerce .

ib. Government

2^ History
295

ISinoiik
296 Towns

ib. Government
299 History

Michigan.
301 Chief Towns

291
ib.
ib.

295

296

ib.

999

300

ib.

303

ib< Manufactures and Commerce ib.

Nii>«ii»liii

CONTINTi^

Page

• '' if'

•OO!

1
ion

•
•

S74
875

ib.

•

ib.

284

iij.

287

291
ib.
lb.

ru"

*.'. .

29$

296
ib.

899

300

ib;

UBI

30t

lerce ib,

304

SHaation and Extent 304 Chief Towns

Natural Geography 305 Commerce

Population . 30l6 iGopiremment

Nonhjuut Territory.
Situation and Extent' T 309 fdpulation and Manners
K(jtural Geography ib, Towns . %„,ft»ji<i

308

CWumMa Settlement ;

' . Co/iMfiftKt Territory.

Situation and Extent 3l6 Gebrgetown

Natural Geography 817 Alexandria ib.

Population . 318 General Description of WaeH-

Cilty of Washington ib. ington

State and Resources of the United Statee^^'^'^

337 Po8t«fRce £«tabIidMnent
339

^-^

Population
Education, Arts, &c.
Manners and Habits
ileliffion
Pubuc Lands
Agriculture
Manufactures
Commerce

347
374
385
388
895
400

Federal Government
Territoriid Govemmqi^.

Judiciary
Revenue and "Bey^
W«r Departi»ant
Navy D^epartment
Mint Establishment

m
mt

428
485
428
431

IS
4sq

Caiials and Turnpike Roads 413 IJtistorical Summary
Advice to Emigrants.

Directions respecting ihf , <! Prices in Pennsylvania 477

Voyage . ^,j.^ ,. 446 — — Kentudty . 47$

On the Preservation of —~ Illinois *v„t. .i Wv

Health 454 -^ New EngUnd ' ^'^ ''"^J

The best Mode of Settling 456 Ckvil Rights of Settiers 482

Prices of Land, Labouiv

and Provisions . 463

— at New York . ib.

Philadelphia . 470

— — Alexandria . 472^

Pittsburg lb.

Ohio . . 473

— Albany . 474
— *— Western Country ib^

State of New York 477

Pro^mects of Emigrants 494

— Gentlemen ^ . ' ib»

— Farmers ■'■■''■-• gfif;^

— Merchants and Manufac-
turers . . 531

— Mechanics . 533

— Labourers . 554
•—Artists 542
Conclusion 544

!(?'

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a§«

iKmiiNva

BRITISH. NORTH AMERICA.

•-.tt Pate

Bxtent . .Avv.i'i*

^540

B«Ugion . ']fll6S

Climate ai^d Seuons

ib.

Government

ib.

N^ral Gtognphy
Pdpulation

549
551

Military Forc^ ^
Itevenue ^-'''v'^

Ib.

lifiamen and Custonu

552

Hiitoiy . sv

, V ib.

Language .

556

Diatrict of Gaspe

567

Towns

lb.

Remarks <

568

Conunerce • ^^.^

:4* ; '-'■.'■ '
New Brunstpiok .

' •

J^jova Scotia

- •

. . tm

Cape Breton

•

. 571

prince Edward's J*ian^^

>-T^<'\

• . i^f^l ^

Netffbmdkmd

:-.l . :

, f n Mrs

Bermudtu

•

^v . , tars

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA

£sient , .

57*6

eSSSS :^'-'T^- ^

Climate

577

Face of the Country

ib.

Cities

588

Siven
Lakes

lb.
578

Trade

Religion ^'^^'^

Mountains . .

579

Government ,

Botany and Zoology

580

Army

M{neral<wy
Natural Curiosities

581
582

Navy
Revenue

: '" t

Papulation .

583

Histoay

598

Maimers and Customs

ib.

SOUTH AMERICA,

Spanish Dominions.

Extent and Boundaries

606

Language ,

6l4r

Zoology
Botany

Cities
Commeroe .

615
681

Mineralogy

609

Government

685

Population .

611

History ,

686

612

CONTENTS. «^

Extent and BonncbriM w6 Tnde and ComnMNe ^5

Mines 66? Government and Rcfvenue 687

Agriculture 679 Amy . . w.

Population and Manners 676 Hittoiy . 9bk

ChiefTowns 677

Frtneh Dominiom . $Q9

Demetary . 691 Berbioe . $gi

EMoquebo . 695 Surinam . ^6

Paragwuf
Ptfkiffonia
Islands

698

ikm'tklBES . -^^'f^;^'^f^';^^

■• ■, <

i:>IH:'Il/i. fj

^v ^ •

t " . ■

;.v..'.fo'>

'"•wolf.

' >"v: ,'■.

; \ina'J

■■' ' ■ ■ '-^ ■ '

'm^b

ii' .V .: ■ , !. 1 • *" '. : * .

c-rf '--,„--.y

•■''.-'■('i'V.

- f "> :-\

h'HHmn- frr t

( \.

.?^TH»T5?0r)

' li

t"»nii.'.

:i»

eai)

DIRECTIONS FOB PX^^CINGyTHE PLATES.

," 1

lilRtH :

^eip qfihe UnUed States^
P'aUa qf Niagara
The Rock Bridge
Country round PUUburg
Mount Vernon
CifyifWaehingkm
CapUol of Washington -
Bank (fthe United States
American Stage Waggon

i»',t . ... .

^ '^^'A

' -^.'iHI

Tajiice Ae TUk.

177

m m

«t9

1 •»

sao

. 895

;

GENERAL

VIEW OF AMERICA,

PREVIOUS to entering upon a detailed description of the
great American commonwealth, it will be proper to take
a general view of the extennve continent tff which it forms a
part, and of the epochs of the various discoveries.

America, or, as it is frequently denominated by way of emi-
nence, the New Worid, has, in many respects, been peou>
liarly favoured by nature ; and seems destined, in the course'
of human affairs, to assume an important rank, both natural
and political.

The first circumstance that strikes us on viewing the New
World is its immense extent. It constitutes a new honiqphere,
lai^r than either Europe, Asia, or Africa, the three noted
divisions of tbe ancient ocmtinent; and is not much inferior in
dimensions to a third part of the habitable globe.

The division of this continent into two piurts, called North
and South America, is strongly marked by the hand of nature,
in a narrow isthmus, and by a great variety in the languages
and manners of the ori^nal inhabitants. The general consi*
deration of this quarter of the globe will, therefore, receive far
more clearness and precision by being thus divided. Those
authors who blend the whole into one description confound their
to{Hcs by a heterogeneous mixture. ^

GENERAL VIEW

■0-9

The Mmthem limit of the American continent is deiriy esti-
mated from the strut of Magellan ; but the northern extent b
not ascertained with' equal precision. Its limit may extend to
80 degrees, or perhaps to the pole. The joumies of Heame
and Mackenzie have, indeed, imparted some idea of its confines
on the Arctic ocean ; but Baffin^s bay remains to be explored,
except the late discovery ships have effected part of this desi-
deratum in geography. Amidst existing uncertainties, it will,
however, be sufficient to estimate the northern limit of America
from the 72d degree of north latitude ; a space of 126 degrees.
In South America the greatest breadth is from cape Blanco in
the west to St. Roque in the east, which, according to tha best
maps, is 4f8 degrees. But in the north the breadth may be
computed from the promontory of Alaska to the most eastern ,
pl^nt of Labrador, or even of Greenland, whifeh would 'add
more thini a third part of the estimate. In British miles the
length of America may be estimated at 8800 ; and the breadth
of North Americfi at 4400, and that of the southern continent
at 3800. 1^

NORTH AMERICA. \

• Climate. — The climate of North America is extremely va-
rious, as may be conceived in a region extending from the
Ticinity of the equator to the arctic circle. In general, the
beat of summer, and the cold of winter, are more intense than
in moat parts of the ancient continent. The predominant
winds are here from the west ; and the severest cold is from
the north-west. The middle provinces are remarkable for the
unsteadiness of the weather, particularly the quick transitions
from heat to cold. Snow falls plentifully in Virginia, but sel-
dom lies above a day or two ; yet aflcr a mild, or even warm
day, James river, where it is two or three miles in breadth,
has in one night been clothed with ice, so as to be passed by
travellers. Such surprising alterations seem to proceed from
the sudden change of the wind to the north-west The pro-
vinces of South Carolina and Florida are subject to unsuftra-
ble heat, furious whirlwinds, hurricanes^ tremendous thunder,

■ ^

QF AMERICA.

il|d fttal lightnings; and the sudden clianges of the weitliel*
are alike pernicious to the human frame. A violent tufRwm
hi^ipened near Cbarlestown in 1761, appearins like a column
of smoke, with a noise like thunder, ploughil% the very bedft
of the riTers, and diihiring universal destruction throughout
its progress. Few opportunities have yet arisen for accurate
accounts of the climate in the western parts of North America.
That of California seems to be in general fhoderate and ple«*>
sant, though somewhat incommoded by the heat of summer.
In lat. 89 deg. the land has a most barren and wintry appear^
ance, even in June: the gloom is increased by frequent fogs,
and the glaciers seem perpetual.

Inland Seag.'— Among the inland seas of North America
may be mentioned the gulfs of Mexico, California, and St.
Lawrence; with Hudson's and Baffin's bays. Of all these
seas the gulf of Mexico is the most celebrated, as lying in A
more favourable climate, and presenting at its entrance that
grand archipelago of North American islands called the West
Indies. From this gulf a singular current sets towards the
north-east : this current, called the gulf stream, passes to tlie
banks of Newfoundland, and is supposed to proceed from the
accumiAition of waters by the trade wind. It is distinguished
fnrni other parts of the ocean by the gulf weed ; is eight or
ten degrees warmer; never sparkles in the night; and, when
it arrives in cool latitudes, produces thick fogs. The trade
wind, or diurnal sea' breeze, is from the east and its collateral
points, with little intermission, for nine months in the year.
To the south of the gulf of Mexico is the bay of Honduras,
well known in the annals of English commerce. The opposite
shore presents the gulf of California, which seems an e^tuarv
of two large rivers.

The gulf of St Lawrence is the well known estuary of a
liver of the same name, generally frozen from December to
April. This noble gulf is closed by the island of Newfound^
land, and by numerous sand-banks, particularly what is called
the Greet BanJc. This celebrated fishing station is more thart
400 miles in lengthi*by about 140, in breadth ; the water being
from ^ to dO fathoED^ wiWi a-greftt W^IH and frequently a

<^'

.*"•,

:::

'.ih'rsis^

GENERAL VIEW

I (

)

thick fug. The chief fishery begins on the 10th of May, and
cmtinues till the end of September ; the greatest number of
cod fish taken by a single fisherman being twelve thousand,
but the average is seven thousand : the largest fish was four
feet three inches in length, and weighed forty-six pounds.
More than 500 English vesseb commonly fish on the bank.
By a late regulation, the Americans are prohibited from fishing
here ; but perniisdon is given to the subjects of Louis XVIII.
There are also great fisheries on the banks which lie off the
coasts of Nova Scotia.

Hudson sea extends from the entrance westward 1060 Bri-
tish miles; thus exceeding the Baltic in length as w^ll as
breadth. The shores are generally rocky and precipitous, and
the climate almost the perpetual abode of winter. Davis^ gulf
or sea may be considered as part of Hudson's sea, and proba-
bly joins the arctic ocean. Baflin's bay is 870 British miles in
length, and nearly as much in breadth.

Lakes. — The ibkes Superior, Michigan, and Huron, consti-
tute one large inland' sea, which might be called the sea of
Canada, or that of Huron. This expansion of water is about
850 miles in length, and more than 100 at its greatest breadth.
Lake Superiob is not less than 1500 miles in circumference.
The greater part of the coast seems to consist of rocks and
uneven ground. The water is pure and transparent ; and the
bottom generally composed of large rocks. There are several
islands, one of which called Minong is about 60 miles in
length : the savages suppose that these islands are residences
of the Great Spirit. More than thirty riifvft fall into this
lake, some of them of considerable size. The chief fi»h are
sturgeon and trout ; the latter being caught at all seasons, and
said to weigh from twelve to fifty pounds. This part of the
sea of Canada opens into the lake Huron, by the straits of St.
Mary, about 40 miles in length, and in some [^iaees only one
or two miles in breadth ; with a rapide towards the north-west
extremity, which may, however, be descended by canoes ; and
the prospects are here delightful. The storms on this largo
expanse of water are as dangerous as those on the ocean, the
waves breaking moito.qaif;}c, ajid i^uitfiiog nearly as high. The

OF AMERICA.

circumference of that part cdled lake Huron is jsaiil to be ,
about 1000 miles i and on the northern ude are some islands
called Manatulan, implying the place of spirits. Another
short strait leads into th« third lake, called Michagan, also
navigable for ships of any burthen. When the population of
Nor^ America shall have diffused itself towards the west,
these lakes may become the seats of flourishing cities, and of
arts and sciences now unknown in Europe. Their latitude
conreaponds with that of the Black sea and the gulf of Venice ;
nor are the rigours of the Baltic here to be apprehended.
From the descriptions, it does not appeiir that these lakes are
ever impeded with ice.

The lake of Winnipeg or Winipic may also well aspire ta
the name of an inland sea : but it yields considerably to the
great Slave lake» or rather sea, a recent discovery, from which
Mackenzie's river extends its course to the arctic ocean. The
Slave sea, according to Mr. Arrowsmith''8 maps, is about SOO
miles in length, by 100 at its greatest breadth.

The smaller lakes shall be briefly dei^ribed in the divisions
of territory to which they belong. It may here suffice to ob«
serve, that there are probably above two hundred lakes of
considerable size in North America ; a singularity which dis^
tinguishes it from any lUher portion of the globe.

Rivers. — ^All the features of nature in America are upon a
grand scale. The rivers are peculiarly noble. The source of
the Mississippi has been traced to three small lakes above lat.
47 deg. and it enters the sea in lat. 29 deg. after a comparative
course of about^2000 British miles. Nay, of late, the sources
of the Missouri (the chief stream) have been detected about
3000 British miles more remote. The account of ttiis noble
river shall be transcribed from a recent system of American
geography, by Mr. Morse, who must have had several oppoiw
tunities of being well informed.

*The Mississippi receives the waters of the Ohio and Illi-
nois, and their, numerous b/anches from the east ; and of the
Missouri and other rivers from the west. These mighty
streams united are borne down with increasing majesty, through "
vast forests and meadows, and discharged into the gulf of

-..tw.dlMaAiiWK.tUu

GENERAL VIEW

Mexico. The great length and uncommon depth of this river,
lays Mr, Hutchins, and the excessive muddiness and salu-
blAous quality of its waters afler its junction with the Missouri,
are very singular. The direction of 4]le channel is so crooked,
that from New Oleans to the mouth of the Ohio, a distance
which does not exceed 460 miles in a straight line, is about
856 by water.

* In the spring floods, the Mississippi is very high, and the
current so strong, that it is with difficulty it can be ascended ;
but this disadvantage is remedied in some measure by eddies,
or counter currents, which are generally found in the bends
close to the banks of the river, and assist the ascending boats.
The current at this season descends at the rate of about five
miles an hour. In autumn, when the waters are low, it does
hot run faster than two miles; but it is rapid "un such parts of
the river as have cl,usters of islands, shoals, and sand banks.
The circumference of many of these shoals being several miles,
the voyage is Jonger, and in some places more dangerous, than
in the spring. The merchandise necessary for the commerce
of the Upper Settlements, on or near the Mississippi, is con>
veyed in the spring and autumn, in batteaux, rowed by
eighteen or twenty men, and carrying about forty tons. From
New Orleans to the Illinois ihe voyage is commonly performed
in eight or ten weeks. A prodigious number of islands, some
of which are of great extent, intersperse that mighty river.
Its waters, after overflowing its banks bclqw the river Ibber-
ville oa the east, and the river Rouge on the west, never re-
turn within them again, there being many outlets or stiiiims
by which they are conducted into the bay of Mexico, more
esp^ially on the west side of the Mississippi, dividing the .
country into numerous islands. These singularities distinguish
it from every other known river in the world. The island of
New Orleans, and the lands opposite, are to all appearance of
no long date, having evidently been formed by the mud and
trees carried down the river, aJxA having an appearance similar
to the Delta In Egypt. ^'

< Nothing can be asserted with certainty respecting the length
<lf the nver. Its source is not known, but supposed to be up-

ffl

OF AMERICA.

^th of this river,
diness and salu-
ith the Missouri,
lel is so crooked,
Ohio, a distance
;ht line, is about

ry high, and the
san be ascended ;
easure by eddies,
ind in the bends
', ascending boats,
rate of about five
s are low, it does
l^iin such parts of
and sand banks,
ihg several miles,
i dangerous, than
for the commerce
[ississippi, is con-
eaux, rowed by
►rtytons. From
monly performed
of islands, some
lat mighty river,
the river Ibber-
|e west, never re-
lUtlets or stti^Eims
»f Mexico, more
pi, dividing the
irities distinguish
The island of
lU appearance of
by the mud and
►pearance similar

icting the length
jpbsed tobe up-

wards of three thousand miles from the sea as the river runs.
We only know that from St. Anthony's falls in lat. 46 deg. jU
glides with a pleasant clear current, and receives many large
and tributary streams, before its junction with the Missouri,
without greatly increasing the breadth of the Mississipfn,
though they do its depth and rapidity. The muddy waters
of the Missouri discolour the lower part of the river, till it
empties into the bay of Mexico. The Missouri is a longer,
broader, and deeper river than the Mississippi, and affords a
more extensive navigation ; it is, in fact, the principal river,
contributing more to the common stream than does the Mis-
sissippi.

< The slime which the annual floods of the river Missisappi
leave on the surface of the adjacent shores, may be comparecl
with that of th/Nile, which deposits a similar manure, and for
many centuries past has insured the fertility of Egypt. When
its banks shall have been cultivated, as the excellency of hn
soU and temperature of the climate deserve, its population will
equal that of any other pact of the worid. The trade, wealth,
and power of America may at some future period depend, and
perhaps centre, upon the Mississippi. Whoever will for a
moment cast his eye over a map of the town of New Orleans,
and the immense country around it, and view its advantageous
situation, must be convinced that it, or some place near it,
must in process of time become one of the greatest marts in
the world.

* The Ohio is a most beautiful riyer. Its current gentle,
watm clear, and bosom smooth and unbroken by rocks and
rapids, a single instance qnly excepted. It is one quarter of a
mile wide at fort Pitt; 500 yards at the mouth of the Great
Kanaway ; 1200 yards at Louisville ; and the rapids half a
mile in some few pidces below Louisville: but its general
breadth do^s not exceed 600 yards. In some places its width
is not 400 ; and in one place particularly, far below the rapids,
it is less, than 300. Its breadth in one place exceeds ISOO
yards ; and at its junction with the Mississippi, neither river
is more than 900 yards wide.'

GENERAL VIEW

il I

Mr. M(»se states the precise measurement of the length of
the Ohio, with all its windings, from fort Pitt to its juncti6n
with the Missisappi; amounting to 1188 miles. The inun-
dations commonly begin with April, and subside in July. A
vessel drawing twelve feet water might safely navigate from
Pittsburg to the sea. Two great rivers unite to form the
Ohio, namely, the Monongahela and the Allegany, both of
them subservient to- navigation.

From this it appears that the Missouri is the chief river of
what is called the Mississippi. Charlevoix has described the
confluence as the grandest in the world. Each river is about
half a league in breadth ; but the Missouri is the brbadest
and most rapid ; and Mr. Hutchins observes, that the natives
still call it Meschasipi. The same author adds, that the Mis-
souri * affords a more extensive navi^tion, and is a longer,
broader, and deeper riv;pr than the Missisappi.^

The noble river of St. Lawrence b universally regarded a«
the second in North America, being not less 'than 90 miles
wide at its mouth, and navigable for ships of the line as fax as
Quebec, a distance of 400 miles from the sea.' New Quebec
it is five miles in breadth ; and at Montreal from two to four.
Though there be some rapids, yet this grand river may be
considered as navigable to Kingston, and the hike Ontario,
748 miles from the sea. It is difBcult to define the predse
source of the St. Lawrence, though that name be- generally
confined to the river issuing from lake Ontario; while the
Niagara, which flows from the lake Erie, is regarded as ftdis-
tinct stream. The length of the St. Lawrence may therefore
be above 700 British miles, the breadth being the grand cha-
racteristic.

The other chief rivers in North America are the Saskasliawtn,
the Atliabasca, the (Jnjiga or Mackenzie's river, the Rio Bravo,
which flows into the gulf of Mexico ; that of Albany, which
joins Hudson's bay : Nelson river and Churchill river are also
considerable streams which flow into that sea ; but their geo-
graphy is far f)*om being perfect. The same observatioki must
be extended to the Oregan, or great river of the west, whidi

,..**„

OF AMERICA.

if the length of
t to its junctibn
les. Theinun-
ide in July. A.
y navigate from
nte to form the
llegany, both of

the chief river of
has described the
lach river is about
ri is the brbadest
fi, that the natives '
dds, that the Mts-
,, ahd is a longer.

Dpi.'

ersalW regarded «•
less -than 90 nnles
of the line as for as
Isea. Near Quebec
il from two to four.
^ river may be
the laUe Ontario,
odeBne the precise

name be^ generally

[Ontario; whUe the
regarded as |dis-

-rencc may theflfore
jing the grand cha-

jtheSaskasliawin,

[Tver, the Rio Bravo,

It of Albany, which

iirchill river are also

aea; but their geo-

ne observation must

of the wcat, wWch

omfined by a chain of mountains, runs south, till by a western
bend it join the Pacific. But the discovery of the western re-
gions of America may disclose some considerable streams in
that quarter.

Mountains.-~The centre of North America seems to present
a vast fertile plcun, watered by the Missouri and its auxiliary
streams. On the west, so far as discovered, a range of moun-
tains proceeds from New Mexico in a northern direction, and
[joins the ridge called the^Stoney Mountains, which extend to
the vicimty of the arctic ocean. The Stoney Mountains are
said to be about 3500 feet above their base, which may per-
, haps be 3000 feet above the sea. In general, from the ac-
[ counts of navigators who have visited this coast, it seems to
[resemble that of Norway, being a wide alpdne country of great
extent ; while the shore, like that of Ncnrway, presents innu-
lerable creeks and islands. This alpine tract, from the Stoney
[ountains and Mackenzie's river westwards to the source of
Oregan and Beering's strut, may perhaps contain the
Bst inoumains in North America, when explored by the
ire of science. On the north-east, Greenland, Labrador, and
le countries around Hudson sea, present irregular masses
^vered with eternal snow, with black 'naked peaks, resembling
form the spires of the Alps, but of far inferior elevation,
fountains genendly decreasing in height towards vhe pole,
[r. Mackenzie observes, that a high ridge passes south-west
>m the coast of Lalnrador to the source of the Utawas, divid-
the rivers that fall into the St. Lawrence and Hudson's
^y. The Stoney Mountains run paraHel with the Pacific
Ban from Cook's entry to the river Columbia, where they are
ore distant from the coast and less elevated.
The most celebrated mountains in North America are those
led the Apalachian, passing through the territoiy of the
Inited States from the south-west to the north-east. Accord-
tig to the best maps, they commence on the north of Georgia,
^here they give source to many rivers running south to the
ilf of Mexico; and to the Tenassee and other rivers running
jrth. There are several collateral ridges, as the Iron or Bald
lountains, the White Oak Mountains, and others; the exte<

GENERAL VIEW

rior skirt mi the north-west being the Cumberland Mountainf.
The Apalachian chain thence extend? through the western
territory of Virginia, accompanied with its collateral ridges^
the breadth of the whole being often seventy miles, and pro-
ceeds through Pennsylvania v then passes Hudson river ; and
afterwards rii^es to more elevation, but seems to expire in the
country of New Brunswick. The chief summits appear to be
in the province of New Hampshire, where the White Moun-
tains are by some reported to be 9000 feet above the sea. But
it may weU be affiimed that they caimot much exceed 4000
feet : and the glaciers of the Pyrenees at 9000 feet shew th»
futility of the calculation.

The Apalachian chain may thus extend about 900 geogra-
phical miles, a length unrivalled by any European mountains,
except the Norwegian alps. In no chain perhaps are the col-
lateral ridges more distinct;, and a naturalist would at once
pronounce that the central, or highest, must be granitic, the
next schistose, and the exterior belts calcareous. The height
of the chief summits does not appear to be precisely ascertain-
ed, but probably does not exceed 3000 feet above the sea;
and they are often clothed with forests.

The mountMns in the isthmus, as well as those in tlie west-
ern part of North America, are certainly of far superior eleva-
tion: and in most maritime divisions of the old and new
continents, the highest mountains are towards the west, as
their most precipitous sides uniformly front the west and south.
But of the isthmus, the kingdom of Mexico, and California,
the natural history and gcograj^y are far from being clearly
illustrated.

Such are the most striking and peculiar features of nature
in the North American continent. The botany, mineralogy,
and zoology of this grand division of the New World, will be
detailed when we come to exhibit the natural histoiy of the
United States.

SOUTH AIMER^ICA.

Climate. — The boundaries and extent of this division of the
new continent have been already explained. The climate of

OF AMERICA,

;ures of nature

die southern extremity, extending. &r beyond that of Africa,
is exposed to all the horrors of the antarctic frosts ; and Terra
del Fuego in the south lat. of 55 deg. seems exposed to the
almost perpetual winter of Greenland in north lat. 70 deg.
Patagonia, consisting mostly of open deserts and savannas^
with a few willow trees on the rivers, seems to enjoy a tempe-
rate but rather cool climate. On proceeding towards the
north, the great chain of the Andes constitutes real zones and
climates, which strangely contradict the theories of ancient
geographers ; the chief inconveniences of the torrid zone being
extreme cold on the mountains, and extreme moisture in the
plains. Near Callao the months of October and November
form the spring. In Peru what is called summer is the dry
season, often extremely cold; and the rainy season is called
winter. The former begins in May, which is nearly the be-
ginning of winter in the lower parts, and continues till Novem-
ber, when the slight fogs, called winter in the vales, begin to
disperse. On the mountains winter begins in December, which
in the plains is the first month of summer ; and a journey of
four hours conducts the traveller from one season to another.
At Quito, situated between two chains of the Andes, on a plwn
of remarkable elevation, tli^ months from September to May
or June constitute the winter, and the other months the sum-
mer ; the former being exposed to almost constant rains, which
are also frequent, but at longer intervals, during the summer
season. At Carthagena the winter, or rainy season, extends,
on the contrary, from. May to November; and the summer,
or dry season, from December to April. At Panama the
summer begins rather later, and ends sooner. At Lima, in a
southern latitude corresponding with the northern of Cartha-
gena, the heat is far more moderate ; and spring begins witli
December, winter with July : the summer is in February, the
autumn in May.

In general, the confined regions on the west of the Andes
are dry, the clouds being arrested by their summits; while
the wide countries on the east of the chain are exposed to tor-
rents of rain, from the eastern or trade winds blowing over
the Atlantic. In Brazil the rainy season begins in March or

GENERAL VIEW

April, and ends in August, when the spring begins, or rath«r
the summer ; the distinction being only between wet and dry
seasons.

Lakes. — No part of the globe displays so great a number of
lakes as North America ; and the southern part of the new
continent is perhaps equally remarkable by their rarity. Many
slupposcd lakes, as that of Zarayos or Sbarayos, in the course
of the river Paraguay, only exist during the annual inunda-
tions, which are on a far grander scale than those of the Gan-
ges, and may be said to deluge whole provinces. In the most
noi'tbern part the lagoon of M aracaybo is remarkable, bein^ a
circular bason about 100 British miles in diameter, receiving
numerous rivers and rivulets, and communicating with th6 sea
by a considerable creek. The celebrated lake Farima, called
also Poranapitinca, or the White sea, is represented by La

,,■ Cruz as more than 100 British miles in length by 50 in breadth.

P^' tfj This size, and even its existence, have been doubted, as it was

the seat of the hited city El Dorado, the streets of which were
paved with gold ; a fable which seems to have arisen from a
rock of talc reflecting, like a mirror, the golden rays of the sun.
In Amazonia and Brazil there do not appear to be any
' < lakes of consequence. That of Titiaca, in the kmgdom of

Peru, is regarded As the most important in Soutli America.
Ulloa says that it is of an oval figure^ the circumference about
240 miles ; and the depth 70 or 80 fathoms. It receives tert
or twelve rivers and several rivulets ; but the water, though
not saline, is nauseous, being probably tainted with sulphur
or bitumen. It contains two kinds of fish, and is frequented
by geese and wild fowl. In an isle of this lake. Mango Capac,
the founder of the Peruvian monarchy, reported that the sun,
his father, had placed him, with his sister, and consort, Oello ;
and here a temple was dedicated to the sun, the most splendid
in the kingdom, and profusely decorated with plates of gold
and silver. On the Spanish invasion, these treasures are said
to have been thrown into the lake.

A few small lakes are found near the course of the river
Parana ; and towards the south of Chili there are -some of
considerable size.

'♦^ #-i4f*^» J^ •i'; >»jtn»

OP AMERICA.

«!'

ksures are

River3.'^*rh^ titer of Amazons, so called firom a feoiide
tribe inured to arms, discovered on its banks by the -first navi-
gators, but more properly by a native term, the Maranon, is
celebrated as the most distingtushed river, not only in South
America, but in the whole world : and this reputation is no
doubt just, when its magnitude is considered. The source is
not yet absolutely ascertained. The original and proper Ma*
ranon is supposed to be the Apurimac, which joins another
large river west of the great lake Titicaca, south lat. 16 deg.
30 min. This noble river, in struggling through the Andes,
must afford many striking scenes still lost to scientific observa>
tion. Ulloa calculates the course of the Maranon at 3900
miles ; but it is probably much more. Like the Missouri and
St. Lawrence, the Maranon is discolour<Hi with mud. The
breadth at the Portuguese boundary is said to be a league^
but it is generally about two miles ; and no bottom is found at
108 fathoins. The effect of the tides is perceivable at the dis-
tance of 600 miles, but Condamine thinks that the swell is
occasioned by the progress of the tide the precedmg day. Th«
banks are generally crowned with vast forests of lofly trees»
among which are many of a rare and medicinal nature. Ser-
pents of prodigious size are found in the marshes, and alliga-
tors are also common. It seems certain, from the disquisiticm
of Condamine, that some female warriors still exist toward!
the north of this great river. Afler it has received the Shihgu,
the breadth from shore to shore cannot be discovered by the
eye. Near its mouth the Bore rises from twelve to fifteen feet
in height ; and the noise of this irruption is heard at the dis«
tance of two leagues.

The Rio de la Plata, or river of Silver, is the conjunct flood
of the Paraguay, the Pilcomayo, the Parana, and th^ Urucuay.
The main streams are the Paraguay and the Parana; and it
would seem that the latter is the longest and most considerable,
riang in the great mine mountains of Brazil, lat. 19 deg., and
bending south, then west, till it receive the Iba Parana, after
which it bends south-west till it is joined by the Paraguay,
while the Conjunct rivers are still called the Parana by the na-
tives, and the Rio de la Plata by the Spaniards. The grand

GENERAL VIEW

cataract of the Parana is in lat. 24 deg. not far from the city
of Cuayra ; but is rather a series of rapids, for a space of
twelve leagues, amidst rocks of tremendous and singular forms.
This noble river is also studded with numerous islands ; and
the Spanish vessels navigate to the town of Assumption, about
1200 miles from the sea. The breadth of the estuary is such,
that the land cannot be discovered from a ship in the middle
of the stream.

The third great river in South America is the Orinoco, of a
most singular and perplexed course. According to La Cruz,
it rises in the small lake of Ipava, north lat. 5 deg. 5 min. ;
and thence winds almost in a spiral form, until it enter the
Atlantic ocean by en extended delta opposite to the isle of
Trinidad ; but the chief estuary is considerably to the south-
east of that island. Many rivers of great size flow into the
Orinoco ; and in addition to its singular foAn, there are other
remarkable peculiarities. There exists a communication be-
tween the Orinoco, the Maranon, and the Black river ; a cir-
cumstance so uncommon, that when it only had been asserted
by Spanish authors, it was rejected by geographical theorists
as contrary to the usual course of nature. Little doubt can
now remain concerning these wonderful inland navigatio^r
thus prepared by the hand of nature, and which, in the pos-
session of an industrious people, would render Guiana, or New
Andalusia, one of the most flourishing countries in the world.

The other rivers of South America are comparatively of
small account, the chief j^ing the Magdalena, running north
to the Caribbean sea; and that of St. Francis, which waters a
great part of Brazil. To the south of the greab Parana there
is the river Mendoza, and the Rio de los Sauzes, or river of
Willows ; followed in the furthest south by the Chulclau and
the Gallegos, the last entering the Pacific opposite to the Ma-
louin or Falkland islands.

Mountains. — The mountuns of South America constitute
some of the grandest objects in natural geography, being not
only the most lofly on the face of the globe, but intermixed
with volcanoes of the most sublime and terrific description.
The extent is also prodigious, the Andes stretching in one line

OF AMERICA.

from the capes of Isidro and Pilares, in the southern extremity
of the continent, to the west side of the gulf of Darien, a spaca
of not less than 4600 miles, as they generally follow the wind-
ings of the coast, at the medial distance of about 100 milea.
The chief summits are near the equator, not far from the city
of Quito.

The highest part of the American alps is Chimborazo, about
100 miles south of Quito. It is computed to be 20,280 feet
above the level of the sea. The next in height is supposed to
be the volcano called Cotopasha, estimated at about 18,600
feet, about twenty-five miles to the south-east of Quito.—-
Humboldt, a French naturalist, says there are three remarka-
ble chains of mountains, which proceed from west to east,
parallel to the equator. Several branches extend northward
r^-om the great chain in the high plain of Quito. The greatest
height in the province of St. Marta is 14,000 feet. Several
mountains of this chain are perhaps equal in height to Mont
Blanc ; perpetually covered with snow, and often pouring from
their sides streams of boiling sulphureous water : and the high-
est peaks are solitary amidst mountains of little height. That
of Merida is near the plain of Caracas, which is only 260 feet
above the sea. The second chain divides the waters that fkU
into the Esquibo and Orinoco ; and is inhabited by a numbor
of savage tribes, little or not at all known in Europe. Th«
third chain unites the Andes of Peru and Chili with th«
mountains of Brazil and Paraguay.

Between these three great ridges are, according to our au-
thor, three immense vallies ; that pf^rinoco, that of the river
of Amazons, and that of the Pampas of Buenos Ayres, from
19 to 52 deg. south lat., all opening to the east, but shut on
the west by the Andes. The middle valley, or that of the
Amazons, is covered with forests so thick, that the rivers alons
form roads ; while those of Orinoco and Pampas are savannas,
or grassy plains, with a few scattered palms; and so level,
that sometimes for 800 square leagues there is no inequality
above eight or ten inches in height.

On reviewing the grand physical features of the New World,
its fine adaptation for commercial intercourse is very striking.

GENERAL VIEW

« The gulf of Mexico/ lays Dr. RobertMm> ' which flowi in
between Nortli and South America, may be con«idered ae a
Mediterranean K%t which opens a maritime commerce with aU
the ferlile countries by which it is encircled. The islands
scattered in it are inferior only to those in the Indian archipe-
lago, in number, in magnitude, and in value. As we stretch
along the northern division of the American hemisphere, the
bay of Chesapeake presents a spacious inlet, which conducts
the navigator far iuto the interior parts of provinces no l«a»
fertile than extensive ; and if ever the progress of culture and
population shall mitigate tlie extreme rigour of the climate in
the more northern districts of America, Hudson's bay may
become as subservient to commercial intercourse in that quar«
ter of the globe, as the Baltic is in Europe. The other great
portion of the New World is encompassed on every side by
the sea, except one narrow neck, which separates the Atlantic
from the Padfic ocean ; and though it be not opened by spa.
cious bays or arms of the sea, its interi<Nr parts are rendered
accessible by a number of lar^e rivers, fed by so many auxili-
ary streams, flowing in such various directions, that, almost
without any aid from the hand of industry and art, an inland
navigation may be carried on through all the provinces from
the river de la Plata to the gulf of Paria. Nor is this bounty
of nature confined to the southern division of America; its
northern continent abounds no less in rivers which are navig».
ble almost to their sources, and by its immense chain of lakes
provision is made for an inland communication, more extensive
and commodious than in any quarter of the globe. The
countries stretching from the gulf of Darien on one side, to
that of California on the other, which form the chain that
binds the two parts of the American continent together, are
not destitute of peculiar advantages. Their coast on one side
is washed by the Atlantic ocean, on the other by the Pacific.
Some of their rivers flow into the former, some into the latter,
and secure to them all the commercial benefits that may result
from a communication with both."

y>*^.

OF AMERICA

Ui'i

D18C0VKBY AND AKflENT POPULATION OF AMF.HICA.

America was first discovered by th Norwcginns in llic year
982, when these adventurers visitetl Grcenhind, which, it is
now universally admitted, forms n part of this grand division
of the earth. This was followed, in the year 1003, by the dis-
covery of Vinland, which seems to have been a part of Labra>
dor, or Newfoundland. The coKmy of Vinland was soon
destroyed by intestine divisions ; but that in Greenland conti-
nued to flourish till maritime intercourse was impeded by the
encroaching shoals of arctic ice. Though the firrt Em-opean
colonies in Araeriia were thus lost, the Danes asserted their
right by settlements on the western coast, called New Green-
land, to distinguish it from the original colony on the castem
shores, or what is called Old Greenland.

After this there seems a long pause, for no further discovery
in America has hitherto been traced, by the utmost exertion of
learned research, till the time of Colon. But the Portuguese
discoveries in the fifteenth century had gradually enlarged
knowledge and encouraged enterprise. The Canary islands
appear to have been faintly known to the Spaniards about the
middle of the fourteenth century : and the Normans of France,
in the usual enterprising spirit of their progenitors, had made
piratical excursions as far as these isles. Their discovery, so
far to the west, proved an important motive to the further re-
searches of Colon ; who was also instigated by the numerous
Portuguese discoveries in Africa, where the cape of Good
Hope had been seen by Diaz in 1486.

Colon, or, as he is usually called, Columbus^ sailed from
Spain in quest of the New World on Friday the 3d day of
August, 1492. On the 1st of October he was, by his reckon-
ing, T70 leagues west of the Canaries. His men began to mu-
tiny, and he was forced to promise to return in three days, if
land did not appear. Fortunate pi-esages soon arose, as land
birds, a cane newly cut, a carved piece of wood, and the branch
of a tree with fresh ^d Arries. These and other symptoms

■WI*"^*^»W«W

'"mimmi'mf^

GENERAL VIEW

\nduced Colon to order the ships to lie to in the evening of tlie
11th of October, in the certainty of seeing land on the approach
of daylight. The night was passed in gazing expectation ; and
a light having been observed in motion, the cry of land! land!
resounded from the headmost ship. With the dawn of Friday,
October ISth, a beautiful isle appeared, two leagues to the
north. Te Deum was sung with shouts of exultation, and
every mark of gratitude and veneration to the admiral. Colon
was the first who landed, to the great astonishment of the na-
tives, who regarded thdr visitors as children of the sun, the
astonishment on both sides being indescribable. The first dis-
covery was one of the group called the Bahama isles, being the
Cat island of our mariners.

In his second voyage he discovered several of the Caribbee
islands ; and in his third voyage he fell in with an island which
he called Trinidad, and viewed the estuary of the Orinoco.
He then returned to Hispaniola, or St. Domingo ; and in Oc-
tober, 1500, was sent back to Spain in chains !

When Colon arrived at the West Indies, he conceived that
he was in the neighbourhood of Japan ; and the name of India
was imposed in a new and improper sense. The discovery of
Vinland could scai'cely have been known to him ; and that of
Greenland was so remote, that there was no room for a sug-
gestion that this region formed a part of a prodigious continent.
As to the Atlantis of Plato, and the ridiculous Welsh tale of
Madoc, which Southey has succeeded in rendering interesting,
they cannot deprive Colon of one atom of his glory.

Ojeda, an officer who had accompanied Colon in his second
voyage, sailed to America with four ships in 1499, but disco-
vered little more than Colon had done. One of the adven-
turers was Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine man of science,
eminently skilled in navigation, who perhaps acted as chief
pilot, an office on such expeditions of high account, and pro-
bably only inferior to that of commodore. On his return,
Amerigo published the first description that had yet appeared
of any part of the new continent : and the caprice of fame has
assigned to him an honour above the renown of the greatest
conquerors ; that of indelibly impressinf his name upon this

OF AMERICA.

xultation, and

vait portion of the earth. It is idle to accuse his vanity, which
never could have established such a claim : it was, on the con-
trary, the ignorant and thoughtless gratitude of others, which
alone could have imposed the appellation, from regard to the
first man of letters who had disclosed this discovery to the ge-
neral eye, as it seems before to have been concealed by jealousy
and intrigue ; and the name is, at any rate, better than that of
New Holland, or New South Wales, assigned in our own more
enlightened times : nor do we esteem it any want of gratitude
to Cook that no land has yet received its denomination from
his i:ame. As the titles of the three other quarters of the
world spread, by mere accident, from small districts, so when
the name of America was imposed there was not the most dis-
tant idea of the prodigious extent of the territory ; and it was
only understood that this appellation was given to a large
island. If any continent were adjacent, it was understood to
be the large land of India.

Cabral, on his voyage to the East Indies in 1500, accident-
ally discovered Brazil : and in 1513, Vasco Nugnez de Balboa
descried, from the mountains of the isthmus, the grand Pacific
ocean ; and he afterwards waded into the waves, and took pos-
session of it in the name of the Spanish monarch. This disco-
very seems to have terminated the vain expectation that America
formed part of Asia.

It seems unnecessary to trace with minuteness the other
epochs of discovery in thjs quarter. In 1515 the continent
was explored as far as Rio de Plata ; but even in 1518 little
was known concerning its western parts ; and twenty-six years
had elapsed since the first voyage of Colon, before the existence
was rumoured of the empires, or kingdoms, of Mexico and
Peru. Hispaniola and Cuba still continued to be the chief
seats of the Spanish power. In 1519, Cortez, with eleven
small vessels, containing 617 men, proceeded to the conquest
of Mexico, which was accomplished in 1521. Magalhaens, at
the same time, having explored the Pacific ocean, the discovery
of the western coast of America became a necessary conse-
quence. After many reports concerning the riches of Peru,
that country was at length visited in 1526 by Pizarro, at the

ri^W^^'ft

GENERAL VIEW

head of 36 cavalry and 144 infantry : and in ten years that
empire was divided among his followers. In 1543 the first
Spanish viceroy appeared in Peru.

In NoETH Amkrica the epochs of discovery were more
slow.

In 1497, Giovanni Gaboto, a Venetian, called by the Eng-
lish John Cabot, who had received a commisi^n from Henry
VII., in the view of tracing a nearer passage to India,
discovered Newfoundland, so called by his sailors; and in-
spected the American shore as far as Vir^ia : but this land
forming merely an obstacle to his wishes, he returned to
England.

In 1500, Corte de Real, a Portuguese captain, in search of
a north-west passage, discovered Labrador, which he af^iears
to have so called from the seeming industry of the natives.
' Florida was discovered by Ponce, a Spanish captain, in 1513.
The powerful kingdom of France had hitherto taken n*
shai'e in these discoveries; but in 1524, Francis I. sent Vere-
zano, a Florentine, who examined a great part of the coast of
North America.

In 1534', Francis I. sending a fleet from St. Maloes, to esta-
blish a settlement in North America, Cartier tlie commander,
on the day of St. Lawrence, discovei-ed the great gulf and river
to which he gave the name of that saint. In the folkiwing
year he sailed about 300 leagues up this noble stream to a great
cataract, built a fort, and called the country New France.

The Spanish captain Soto proceeded in 1539 from Cuba to
complete the conquest of Florida. He travelled northward to
about lat. 35 deg., but died in 1542, and was buried on the
bank of the river Mississippi.

In 1540, Jean de la Roque, lord of Robcrual, a gentleman
of Picardy, was appointed lieutenant-general of the new lands
of Canada, Hochelaga, and Saguenay, who soon returned
without success. Koberual again went in 1543. In 1556 the
French also attempted a settlement in Brazil. The industrious
and venerable Ilakluyt has published the accounts of these
French voyages; and though merely a private clergyman,
perhaps did more than any potentate to gromote a similar i^i*

OP AMERICA.

ten years that
1543 the first

ry were more

d by the Eng-
ti from Henry
ige to India,
ilors; and ia-
: but this land
le returned to

in, in search <^
ich he appears
he natives,
iptmn, in 1513.
lerto taken no
s I. sent Vere-
of the coast of

if aloes, toesta-

le commander,

gulf and river

the following

earn to a great

France,
from Cuba to
northward to
uried on the

a gentleman

ibe new lands

jn returned

In 1556 the

ke industrious

mts of these

clergyman,

similar spi-

lit in England. The other French voyages during dus
tury were of little moment.

. It will now be proper to conuder the progress of the diief
settlements.

In 15?6, Frobisher, in search of a north-west passage, dia>
covered the straits which retain his name.

In 1678, Sir Humphrey Gilbert obtained a patent for set-
tling lands in America; and, in 1583, he discovered and took
possession of the harbour of St. John and the country to the
south, but was lost on his return. The voyage of Drake round
the world served to kindle the enthu»asm of the En^ish; and
Raleigh obtmned a patent similar to Uiat of Gilbert.

Two small vessds dispatched ljy Raleigh in 1584 unfortu-
nately bent their course to that country now called North Ca-
rolina, instead of reaching the noble bays of Chesapeake or
Delawar. They touched at an island, ppobaUy Ocdcoki, su
tuated on the inlet into Pamlico sound; and afterwards «t
moke, near the mouth of Albemarle sound. These veuds

tamed to England, with two of the natives ; and EUeabetk

^assigned to this region the name of Virginia, an iqipellatioa

which became kixly applied to the British settlements in North

America, till it was confined to a different country iioni the

original Vii^inia.

In 1585, Raleigh sent a small cdony, under the command
of Sir Richard Grenville, w1k> settled in the isle of Roanoke, a
most inc(Hnmodious and useless station, whence they returned
in 1586. He made other unsucces^ul attempts to colonize
ithe country, and afterwards resigned his patent to some mer-
chants, who were contented with a petty traffic. At the death
fof Elizabeth, 1603, there was not one Englishman settled in
America ; and the Spaniards and Portuguese alone had fbrmed
any establishment on that vast continent.

The venerable Hakluyt, anxious that his countrymen i^ould
partake of the benefit of colonies, procured an association of
men of rank and talents for this purpose ; and a patent was
granted by James I., April the 10th, 1606, that monarch be-
ing wholly unconscious diat he was about to establish an inde-
pendent and mighty empire. The bay of Chesi^ake was

GENERAL VIEW

discovered in 1607 ; and the first lasting settlement was found-^
ed at James Town, in modern Virginia. Captain Smith, who
afterwards published an account of his voyages, displayed re.
markable spirit and enterprise : yet the colony was about to
return to England when lord Delawar arrived in 1610 ; and
though he remained only a short time, yet his prudent conduct
firmly established the settlement.

The discovery and progress of the other English settlements
will be noticed when we come to the description of the different
American states. Here it may be sufficient briefly to state the
epochs of a few other remarkable discoveries, rather uncon-
nected with these settlements. In 1585, John Davis, an ex-
perienced navigator, visited the western coast of Greenland,
and explored the narrow sea, absurdly enough called Davis^s
strait, while it is as wide as the Baltic. On another voyage he
proceeded as far north as the island of Disko, and the opposite
shores of Greenland, which he named London coast. He also
discovered Cumberland strait ; and, upon the whole, the three
voyages of this navigator are of great consequence. His fur-
thest point of discovery appears to have been Sanderson''s
Hope, lat. 72 deg., whence turning to the west he was impeded
by fields of ice.

In 1607, Hudson made his first voyage ; and is said to ^ve
proceeded along the eastern coast of Greenland as far as lat. 8S
deg. ; but probably not above lat. 80 deg., or the furthest ex-
tremities of Spitzbergen. On his voyage in 1610, Hudson
discovered the straits which bear his name ; and that inland
sea, approaching the Baltic in size, which has, however, been
called Hudson's bay.

In 1616, some public-spirited gentlemen sent captmn Bilot
to attempt a north-west passage. William Baffin suled with
him as pilot : and this voyage is one of the most singular in
the whole circle of geography. He is said to have proceeded
in an inland narrow sea as far as 78 deg. ; though the accurate
and learned Pinkerton doubts the fact. Some curious disco-
veries have, however, been just made in the arctic seas by
captain Ross, who fell in with a party of Indians that were
so ignorant of the world, and the existence of other men;

OP AMERICA.

«s to suppose that the English had descended from the

moon

Mr. Hearne, under the direction of the Hudson's bay com-
pany, in an expedition which lasted from the 7th of December,
1770, to the 30th of June, 1772, proceeded from Prince of
Wales's fort, on the Churchill river, in iat. 58 deg. 47^ min.
north, and long. 94 deg. 7^ min. west of Greenwich, to the
mouth of the Copper-mine river, which, according to some
accounts, is in Iat. 72 deg. north, and long. 119 deg. west from
Greenwich ; but is laid down by others in Iat. 69 deg. north,
and long. 112 deg. west from Greenwich. But the Hudson's
bay company, acting upon a contracted policy, did not render
all those services to the subject of American geography which
might have been expected. The enterprising spirit, however,
of certain Canadian traders, afterwards united under the name
of the North-west company, amply supplied the deficiency.
Prior to the year 1789, they had extended their discoveries
^|and establishments along the numerous lakes and rivers situ-
^ated north of that high tract of country which divides the
Mississippi and Missouri waters from those which run towards
the north and east, to within a short distance of the Rocky
mountains.

In the summer of the year 1789, Mr. M'Kenzie made a
voyage from fort Chepavyan, on the lake of the Hills, in Iat.
58 deg. 40 min. north, and long. 110 deg. 30 min. west from
Greenwich, by the way of the Hare river. Hare lake, and a
river by which this lake discharges its waters, since called
iM'Kenzie's river, to the mouth of that river, where it falls
[into the North sea, in Iat. 69 deg. 14 min. north, and long.
136 deg. west fi*om Greenwich.

Mr. M'Kenzie again, in the year 1793, penetrated from an
establishment on the Peace river, in Iat. 56 deg. 49 min. north)
and long. 117 deg. 35 min. west from Greenwich, to the Pacific
ocean, in Iat. 52 deg. 24 min. north, and long. 128 deg. 2 min.
west from Greenwich.

By the discoveries above alluded to, and those occasionally
made during the rapid settlement of the country and the pro*
gress of enterprise, the principal divisions of this northern con-

mmm

GENERAL VIEW

tinent have been explored and become known. The unknown
and unexplored countries (except so far as the surveys made
by navigators of the coast of the Pacific ocean, and the imper-
fect accounts of the travellers who have ascended the Missouri,
have furnished infbnnation) comprehend the tract enclosed by
this line, containing, in breadth, 1000 miles, and in length
about 1800 miles in a direct line ; and, by the way of the
Missouri and Columbia rivers, nearly twice that distance.

In the year 1804, the American government sent out a corps
of discovery under the command of captains Lewis and Clarke,
of the army oi' the United States. They passed from the
mouth of the Missouri, through tlie interior parts of North
America, to the Pacific ocean, and have materially illustrated
the geography of that river. Major Pike, in 1805, successfully
explored the course of the Mississippi, and in a second expe-
dition, penetrated the interior of Louisiana, surveying the
whole of those majestic waters which rise in the rocky moun-
tains of that district, and run westward into the Missouri and
Mississippi. The recent and splendid contributions of M.
Humboldt to our scientific information respecting the equinoc-
tial regions can hardly be ranked with the expeditions of dis-
covert^ above mentioned ; but we shall not fail to avail ourselves
of them in the progress of this work.

Inhabitants. — The next topic which occurs is the ancient
population ; but our knowledge of the American languages is
still so imperfect, thut the subject is involved in great doubts.
None of the native nations of America displays the smallest
trace of the oblique eyes, and other remarkable features, by
which the inhabitants of eastern Asia are distinguished. Far
from this, Pallas, Lesseps, Tooke, and other skilful enquirers,
have pronounced that the Techuks and Koriaks undoubtedly
proceeded from America, as they have not one Asiatic li^
neament.

It is to be regretted that, neither in North nor South Ame-
rica, have the languages been coinjiared, analysed, and classed,
as has been done with regard to the numerous tribes subject
to Russia and China. Hence, instead of solid knowledge, we
axe overwhelmed with petty distinctions, and names without

OF AMERICA.

ideas. Upon one point only do investigators seem to be agreed,
that the friendly and helpless people in the furthest north,
called Esquimaux, are the same race with the Samoiqds of
Asia, and Laplanders of Europe. These, with the Peruvians
and Mexicans, Dr. Forster chuses to consider as strangei's who
have settled in America.

*The curious question concerning the population of Ameriei^
says Finkerton, * can only be duly examined after the various'
dialects have been compared with those of Africa ; for to those
of Europe or Asia they certainly bear no resemblance. To
trace the population from the north of Asia, not to menticm
the positive contradiction of facts, would be an unnecessary
restriction of the subject, as the progeny of so cold a latitude
is ever found rare> feeble, and unenterprising; while if we
consider the proximity of Africa, and the many copper colour-
ed nations which are there to be found, there will be little rea-
son to hesitate concerning the progress of the Africans to
America, as well as to New Holland. This resource alone
remiuns ; for it has already been seen that the language of the
Malays, who extended themselves so far to the east of Asia,
has no connexion with that of the Americans Amidst th^
wonderous dreams of antiquaries, it is surprising that none has
attempted to prove that the Mexicans and Peruvians were de-
scendants of the Carthagenians, who fled to the Hesperides in
their abhorrence of the Roman yoke.'

Dr. Robertson has enumerated several strong reasons which
render it highly probable that America was not peopled from
any civilised part of the ancient continent. He supposes that
the Esquimaux proceeded from the north-west of Europe, and
the other inhabitants of America from the north-east of Eu-
rope. Tliis supposition is corroborated by the ingenious cap-
tain Burney, who considers Beering's strait hot as the separation
of two great continents, biit merely as the entrance to a vast
bay. Mr. Bailey, the astronomer, who, with captain Burney,
accompanied the celebrated Cook in his voyage of discovery
northward, also conceives that Beering's straits is an inland
sea. This opinion of the actual junction of the Old and New
World simplifies the question of how the latter was peopled ;

V—--

GENERAL VIEW, &c.

unless it be found, on investigating the American languages,
that they have, as Mr. Pinkerton conjectures, originated in
Africa.

The present population of this immense continent does not
probably exceed thirty^ix millions; by which calculation
North America will contain twenty millions^ and South Aroe>
rica sixteen millions.

Having exhibited all the great features of American geo-
graphy, it now remains to turn our attention to that most im-
portant portion of the North American continent called the
UNION. Observations which cannot with propriety be intro-
duced in a General View, will be inserted when we come to
treat of the respective states and territories that compose this
empire,

t \

. DESCRIPTION

OF THE

PHYSICAL FEATURES,
CLIMATE, AND NATURAL PRODUCTIONS

OF THE

UNITED STATES.

Boundaries. JN the treaty of peace, concluded in 1783, the
limits of the United States are thus defined : —
* And that all disputes which might arise in future on the sub-
jetSt of the boundaries of the said United States may be pre-
Tented, it is hereby agreed and declared, that the following are
and shall be their boundaries, viz. From the north-west angle
of Nova Scotia, viz. That angle which is formed by a line
drawn due north from the source of St. Croix river to the
highlands, along the said highlands, which divide those rivers
that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence, from those
which fall into the Atlantic ocean, to the north-westernmost
head of Connecticut river ; thence down along the middle of
that river to the forty-fifUi degree of north latitude; from
thenue by a line due west on said latitude, until it strikes the
river Iroquois or Cataraquy ; thence along the middle of the
said river into lake Ontario, through the middle of said lake,
until it strikes the communication. by water between that lake
and lake Erie ; thence along the middle of said communicaticxi
into lake Erie, through the middle of said lake, until it ar-
rives at the water communication between that lake and lake
Huron ; thence through the middle of sud lake to the water

VIEW OF THE

communication between that lake and lake Superior ; thence
through lake Superior northward ui' the isles Royal and Phil-
lipeaux to the Long lake ; thence through the middle of said
Long lake, and the water communication between it and the
lake of the Woods to the said lake of the Woods; thence
through the said lake to the most north-western point thereof,
and from thence, on a due west course, to the river Mississippi ;
thence by a line to be drawn along the middle of sud river
Mississippi, until it shall intersect tnc northernmost part of the
thirty-^t degree of north latitude. South, by at line to be
drawn due east from the detenu ination of the line last men-
tioned, in the latitude of thirty one degrees north of the equa-
tor, to the middle of the river Apalachicola, or Catahouche ;
thence along Hie middle thereof to its junctioTr with the Flint
river ; thence straight to the head of St. Mary^s river ; and
thence down along the middle of St. Mary^s river to the At-
lantic ocean. East, by a line to be drawn along the middle of
the river St. Croix, firom its mouth in the bay a£ Fundy to its
source; and from its source directly north, to the aforesaid
highlands, which divide the rivers that fall into the Atlantic
ocean from those which fall into the river St. Lawrence, com-
prehending all islands within twenty teagues of any part of
*he shores of the United States, and lying between lines to be
drawn due east from the points where the aforesiud boundaries
between Nova Scotia on the one part, and East Florida on the
other, shall- respectively touch the bay of Fundy «id the At-
lantic ocean, excepting such isles as now are, or heretofore
have been, within the limits of the said province of Nova Scotia.'*
* ' Extent. — The United StiAes are situated between 25 deg.
50 min. and 49 deg. 37 min. north lat., and between 10 deg.
-^east and 48 deg. ^ min. west long, from Washingtota. The
most northern part is bounded by a line running due west from
the north-west corner of the lake of the Woods, and the south-
em extremity is the outlet of the Rio del Norte. The eastern
extremity is the Great Menan island, on the coast of Maine ;
and the western extremity is cape Flattery, north of Colum-
bia river, on the Pacific ocean. Their greatest extent, from
itorth to south, is 1760 mties, and from east to west, 2700.

UNITED STATES.

perior; thence
oyal and Pbil-
niiddle of said
veen it and the
^oods; thence
a point thereof,
er Mississippi ;
le of siud river
most part of the
by a line to be
e line last men-
rth of the equa-
or Catahouche ;
r with the Flint
iry's river; and
river to the At-
jg the middle of
of Fundy to its
to the aforesaid
into the Atlantic
Lawrence, com-
of any part of
ween lines to be
id boundaries
|t Florida on the
idy wid the At-
>, or heretotbre
of Nova Scotia/
stween 85 deg.
e&a 10 deg.
>hingtoto. The
due west from
", and the south-
The eastern
\t of Maine ;
•th of Colum-
(t extent, from
to ireit, 2700.

Their surface coven more than 3,500,000 square miles, or
1,600,000,000 acres

In 1788, the number of square acres in the United States
amounted to 283,800,000, of which only about 1,250,000
were cultivated ; and in 1808 to 600,000,000, of which about
2,500,000 were in a high state of cultivation. At the presedt
time, the American writers estimate tliem at the enormous in-
crease of 1,600,000,000 acres. Of this it can only be remark-
ed, tliat the accession of Louisiana and tlie knda cleared
westward hardly account for so vast an addition of territory.

Divisions. — There appear to be now nineteen United States
of North America, including Indiana, and six Territorial Go>
vernments, so called, as not being yet regularly organized into
states, but under the general government of the Union ; dis-
trilmted into the following four grand divisicms ;

I. TJie Northern, New England, or Hastem States.

Vermont,

New Hampshire,

Massachusetts, including

the District of Maine ;
Rhode Island,
Connecticut.

New York,
New Jersey,
Pennsylvania,

II. The Middle States..

Delaware,

Ohio,

Indiana.

III. Tfic Southern States.

Maryland,
Virginia,
Kentucky,
North Carolina,

South Carolina.
Geor^a,
Tennessee,
Louisiana.

IV. Territorial Governments.

District of Columbia,
Mississippi Territory,
Missouri ditto.

Illinois Te/ritory,
Michagan ditto.
North-west ditto.

■<-»

VIEW OF THE

The following table will shew the exte«t of territory within
the Union, and the increase of population which has taken
place during twenty-seven recent years*

Statci.

Square Miles.

Number of Inhsbitwti. j

11 Wi.

1H17.

Vermont -

10,000

85,539

296,450

New Hampshire

9,800

141,885

302,733

Maine . \
Massachusetts /

81,750

96,540

3U,647

8,500

878,787

564,392

Rhode Island •

1,700

68,825

98,721

Connecticut

4,500

237,946

349,568

New York

54,000

340,120

1,486,789

New Jersey

6,500

184,139

345,828

Pennsylvania

48,700

434,873

986,494

Delaware •

1,800

59,094

108,334

Maryland -

14,000

319,728

502,710

Virginia - \
Kentucky - J

75,000

747,610

1,347,496

52,000

73,677

683,753

North Carolina -

49,000

393,751

701,224

South Carolina -

32,700

240,073

564,785

Georgia

64,000

82,548

408,567

Western Territories

» ~

85,691

...

Districtof Columbia

100

. . _

37,892

Tennessee -

63,000

...

489,624

Ohia

45,000

. - -

394,752

Louisiana -

49,000

- - .

108,928

Indiana

38,000

...

86,734

Mississippi
Illinois Territory

55,000
66,000

- - -

104,550
39,000

Michagan ditto

47,500

...

9,743

Missouri ditto

1,987,000

- - -

68,794

Total -

2,814,550

3,929,336

10,405»547

In estimating the e;itent of such immense regions, accuracy
is not attainable ; but perhaps the above calculation may not
be far from the truth. However, after making every reasona-
ble deduction, the survey before us offers matter for reflections

UNITED STATES.

af territory within
which has taken

MT of InhabtuntK.

1>*17.

B5
40
87
25
46
20
39
173
194

577

173
;48
191

296,450
302,733
3U,647
564,392
98,721
349,568

1,4«6,739
345,822
986,494
108,334
602,710

1,347,496
683,753
701,224
664.786
408,567

37,892
489,624
394,762
108,92S

86,734
104,650

39,000
9,743

68,794

10,406,647

regions, accuracy
lalculation may not
ling every reasona-
latter for reflections

the most condolatory and imprenHive. England containn one
hundred and eighty persons to a fiquarc mile ; and when the
territories at prcivnt comprehended in the Uniim shall become
equally populous, the population will amount io Jive hundred
millions I while few writers on Statistics have ventured to esti-
mate the inhabitants of Europe at more than one hundred and
seventy millions. This shews the futility of the European
rot/al associations for the purpose of impeding the marcn of
knowledge, and of restoring the age of ignorance and bupersti-
tion. The people of the Western Hemisphere will soon be
qualified, whatever may happen in tiie Old World, to support
and defend the ark of science and libertv.

Climate. — The climate of the United territories, m already
mentioned, is chiefly remarkable for sudden transitions fn)ia
[heat to cold, and the contrary. The wind from the north-east
violently cold, as it passes a wide expanse of the fro/en ^on-
inent. In the plains on the east of the Apalachian chain the
jmi>ier heats are immoderate ; and in some places even ice
vill not preserve poultry or fish from putrefaction. Towards
Ithe mountains the climate is salutary, even in the southern
Ifitates, as is evinced by the bloom of the damsels in the back
Isettlements of Virginia. In the northern states the winter is
[longer and more severe than in England, but the sunnner heat
[more intense. A north-east wind commonly attends rain,
while on the west side of the Apalachian mountains a south-
I west has that effect. In Georgia the winter is very mild, snow
Lbelng seldom seen, and the east wind is there the warmest.
This excessive heat of the plains must be regarded as one
bause of that fatal pestilential malady called the yellow fever,
Iwhich first appeared at Philadelphia in 1793, and has since too
frequently repeated its ravages in various cities of the com-
monwealth. Several medical men have treated this subject
! with considerable care and ability^ but do rot seem to have
ex&mined whether any similar disease was before known on
I the continent, and what method of cure was practised. Alzate,
in his fugitive remarks on the natural history of Mexico, has
mentioned an epidemical distemper, called in the Mexican lan-
I guage matlazahualt ; but at Vera Cruz, Carthagena, and otlier

VIEW OF THE

places, known by the name of the black vomit, which is the
chief scourge of the king4oni c£ Mexico. In 1736 and 1737
it swept away above one-third of the inhabitants of the capital ;
and in 1761 and 1763 it almost depopulated the kingdom.
Alzate thinks that this disorder proceeds from the Inle mixing
with the blood, the patient often bleeding «t the nose and
mouth ; and a relapse is extremely dangerous. He dissuades
purgatives and bleeding, as when used for other disorders they
superinduce the meUlazahualtt which in Mexico always begun
among the Indians, and was chiefty confined to them. May
not this disorder be as much allied with the yellow fever as
the black and yellow jaundice ? The Spanish phyaoians might
at any rate be consulted, as they have long been accustomed to
the American maladies ; and it is hoped that this hint may not
be unsubservicnt to the interests of humanity.

Seasons.— The seasons in the United States generally cor-
respond with (hose in Europe, but not with the equality to be
expected on a continent ; as, even during the summer heats,
single days will occur which require the warmth of a fire. The
latitude of Labrador corresponds ^\ iih that of Stockliolm, and
that of Canada with France ; but what a wide difference in the
temperature ! Even the estuary of the Delaware is generally
, frozen for six weeks every winter. Nor does the western coast
of North America seem warmer than the eastern. The nume-
rous forests, and wide expanses of fresh water, perhaps contri-
bute to this comparative coldness of the climate, which may
gradually yield to the progress of population and industry. In
fact, a favourable change in the climate is already very per-
ceptible. In the oldest cultivated parts of the country, the
cold in winter has sensibly decreased, tlie mow has diminished,
and the frosts are neither so severe nor of so long a continuance
as formerly.

Face ofilie Coimh-y. — The face of these extensive territories
is not so minutely diversified as might have been expected, tliu
features of nature being here on a larger and more uniform
scale than in Europe. Nor are there any scenes of classical or
historical reminiscence, which transport the mind to remote
p^nluries, and impart a crowd of relative ideas. The abuiu

UNITED STATES.

daiute of timb^, md the diversity of the foliage, contribute
greatly to enrich the landscape ; but it is here reputed a weed,
atid the planter fieldoni spares trees near his habitation, as the
Todis havmg no great room to spread or penetrate, they would
be dangerous during a violent wind. *What a bcautiivl
country^ ttot disgraced by a single tree,' is an idea purely
American. The landscape is-less ennobled by lofty mountiuns
than by rivers of great magnitude; and is frequently injured
by the barren aspect of large fields, which have been exhausted
by the culture of tobacco, and which scarcely produce a weed
or a pile of grass. The northern provinces, called New Eng-
land, are generally hilly, as they approach the skirts of th«
Apalachian chain, which has, by no unfit sintilitude, beeu called
the spirte of the United territory. The vales in these northern
regions are thickly clothed with wooti, and often pervaded by
considerable rivers ; and many romantic cascades are formed
by rivulets falling from the rocks, while towards the s^re th«
land is kvel and sandy. In Virginia, a cdntral state, the Blue
mountains. Mid other ridges of the Apalachian, add great
charms and variety to the prospect, which is further enlivened
by many beautiful plants and birds, particularly tlie humming
Inrd, sucking the honey of various flowers, and rapidly gtonc-
it^ in the sun ibs indesoribiLble hues of green, purple, and gold.
Here a plain from 150 to 200 miles in breadth, reaching from
the mouoiains to the sea, is studded with the villas of rich
proprietors, the ancient hospitable country gentlemen of the
United States. Similar levels appear in the Carolinas and
Geor^at Beyond the Apalachian ridges extends another rich
plain of amazing sise, pervaded by the muddy waves of the
Mississippi, which does not appear to be table land, but on
nearly the same level with the eastern plain. In Kentucky
the surface is agreeably waved with gentle swells, reposing on
a vast bed of limestone ; and a track of about twenty miles
along the Ohio is broken into small hills and narrow vales.

Soil.-^ The soil, though of various descriptions, is generally
fertile, oflen, on the east of the Blue mountuns, a rich brown
loamy earth, sometimes a yellowish clay, whieh becomes more
and more sandy towards the sea. Sometimes there arc consi*

VIEW OF THE

derable marshes, and what are called salt meadows, and spot»
called barrens, Mrhkh, even in the original forests, are found to
be bare of trees for a considerable space. On the west of the
Apalacbian chain the soil is also generally excellent ; and in
Kentucky some spots are deemed too rich for wheat, but the
jnroduct may amount to sixty bushels an acre : and about six
feet below the surface there is commonly a bed of limestone.
The vales in the northern states are also very productive.

Agriculture. — In agriculture the Americans are well skilled,
and are eager to adopt the advantages of English experience.
It is computed that three-fourths of the inhabitants of the
United States are employed in agriculture. This free and vi-
gorous yeomanry may well be regarded as the chief glory of
any state; and commerce will impart sufficient opulence to
enable them to promote every possible improvement. In the
year 1816, the value of agricultural products exported amount-
ed to thie sum o/i jvfly-tlvree millions^ three hundred andjifty'
Jbur thousand dollars. But this subject must be reserved
un;il we come to treat of the present state and resources of the
Uniox, when it will receive an attention commensurate with
its vast importance.

Rivers. — The chief rivers in the United States have already
been described in the brief general view of North America ;
but a few additional particulars may be here noticed, and an
account given of those of a more confined course, which parti-
cularly belong to the United territory.

The Mississippi generally affords fifteen feet of water, firom
the mouth of the Missouri to that of the Ohio ; but, in time of
flushes, a first-rate man-of-war may descend with safety. The
mean velocity of its current may be computed to be four miles
an hour. Its breadth is various, from one and a half to two
miles : its mouth is divided into several channels, which continu-
ally change their direction and depth. The ArTcansaw^ which
runs into this mighty riven has been recently explored by major
Pike, who c(»nputes its course^ from its junction with the Mis-
sissipfn, about north lat. 34 deg. 10 min., to the mountuns, at
1981 miles, and thence to its source, 19S additional miles. It
receives several rivers, navigable for upwards of 100 mUes.

■f^A

UNITED STATES.

The Missdiirit with its eastern branches, waters five-aghths
t>f the United States. It rises in the Rocky mountains to the
north-west of Louisiana, in north lat. 45 deg. 24 min., and
reckoning from its most extreme branch, the Jefterson, joins
the MisMSsippi after a course of above 3000 miles, in west
long. 90 deg. and north lat. 39 deg., when, forming one mighty
stream, they pursue their way conjointly to the gulf of Mexico.

The Ohio, less sublime and majestic in its course than those
already noticed, is also less interrupted in its navigation. Its
general breadth is about 600 yards; but it varies from 300 in
the narrdwest to 1200 in the widest part. Tl»e course of the
Ohio, from fort Pitt to its junction with the Mississippi, fol-
lowing all its windings, is, by Morse and other American geo-
graphers, computed at 1188 miles. This river commences at
the junction of the Alleghany and Monongehala rivers. It
has been described as, bevond competition, the most beautiful
river in the world : its mear T'^g course through an immense
re^on of forests ; its ele^ * iks, which afford innumerable
delightful situations for ciLta, villages, and improved farms;
with its various other advantages, well entitle it to the name
originally given it by the French of < La belle Riviere.'' Since
that period, tlie Ohio has greatly improved both in beauty and
utility. The immense forests which once lined its banks have
gradually receded; cultivation smiles along its borders; nu-
merous villages and towns decorate its shores ; and it is not
extravagant to suppose that the time is not far distant when its
«ntire margin will form one continued series of villages and
towns. Vast tracts of fine country have communication with
the Ohio, by means of its tributary navigable waters ; extraor-
dinary fertility, marks the river bottoms; and the superior
excellence of its na'cigation has made it the channel through
which the various productions of the most extensive and fertile
parts of the United States are already sent to market. At its
ounimencement at Fittsport, or Pittsburg, it takes a north-west
course for about twenty-five miles; then turns gradually to
west-south-west; and having pursued that course for about
500 miles, winds to the south-west for nearly 160 miles; then
turns to the west for about 260 miles more ; thence south-west

VIEW OF THE

ibr 100, and empties itself into the Mississippi in a fiouth di-
rection, nearly ISOO miles below Pittsburg. In times of higli
freshes, and during the flow of ice and snow from the All«i>
ghany and other mountains, vessels of almost any tonnage may
descend this river : it is never so low but that it may be navl.
gated by canoes, and other light craft, not drawing move than
twelve inches water. The highest floods are in spring, when
the river rises forty-five feet ; the lowest are in summer, when
it sinks to twelve inches at the bars, ripples, and shoals, where
waggons, carts, &c. frequently pass over.

The largest stream that flews into the Ohio is the Termes«ee
river, whose remotest sources are in Virginia, north lat. 97
deg. 10 min. It runs about 1000 English miles south and
south-south-west, receiving considerable accessions of minor
waters on each ade, and then turning circuitously northward,
blends itself with the Ohio at about 60 miles from the mouth
of that river. It is navigable for vessels of large burden to the
distance of S50 miles from its junction with the Ohio.

The Alkghany river rises in Pennsylvania, on the western
side of the Alleghany mmintains ; and after nmning alxiut 200
miles in a south-west direction, meets the Monougehala at
PittsUarg, and the imited streams now form the Ohio. In
this course it is increased by many tributary streams. Few
rivers exceed the Alleghany for clearness of water and rafm^ty
of current. It seldom fails to mark its course across tlie mouth
of the Monongehala, in the highest freshes or floods, the water
of the latter being very muddy, that of the former very clear.
In high floods, the junction of these rivers presents a pleasing
view ; the Monongehala flowing sometimes fiill of ice, the Al-
leghuiy transparent and free. Its banks arc delightfully in-
terspersed with cultivated farms and increafnug towns. In a
course of 80 miles, however, from a place called Envalt's De-
feat to Frt'eport, it is full of eddies, rapids, rocks, and other
dangers, to a^'oid which requires the utmost attention. In
some of the ripples the water runs at the rate of ten miles an
hour; and a boat will go at the rate of twelve miles, without
any other assistance than tlie steering oar. The waters of this
river are recommended by the medical practitioners of Pitts.

UNITED STATES.

burg, both for the parpoms of bathing and of drinking; but
the peculiar medieinftl qualities of the \Ileghanv water ore,
perhiips, more to be attributed to the faith of those who use it,
than to any iidierent character of superior salubrity.

The Memmgehaia ri^er rises at the foot of the Lanre(
mountain, in Virginia ; thence, through A-arious meanderinga,
Lpasaes into Pennsylvania, reoeiring in its course the Cheat and
lYougheogheny rivers^ and man^ smaller streams. It has al-
ready been stated that this river unites with the Alleghany at
|I^ttsburg. Twelve or fifteen miles from its mouth, it is about
[fOO yards wide, and is navigable for boats and small crafl,
Iparticularly in autumn and spring, when it is generally covered
[with what are called trading and family boats; the former
led with flour, (ader, whiskey, apples, and various kinds of
wrought materials ; the latter carrying furniture, domestic
tensils, and agricultural instruments, destined ibr Kentucky

New Orleans.
i Another principal river of North America, and the most
bnsidcrable one in the eastern states, is the Connecticut. It
Bs in the highlands to the south of New Brunswick, in west
»ng. 72 deg. and north lat. 45 deg. 10 min. After a lingering
jurse wif eight or ten miles, it has four separate falls ; and
fuming west, keeps ck)se under the hills wlndi form the
jrthern lioundary of the vale through which it runs. The
imonoosaek and Israel rivers, two principal branches of the
;;onnecticut, fall into it from tlie east, between tl»e latitudes 44
ind 45 deg. Between the towns of Walpole on the east, and
Testminster on the west side of the river, are the Great falk
Che whole river, compressed between twa rocks, scarcely thirt}'
set asunder, shoots with amazing rapidity into a broad basin
Blow. Over these falls, a bridge, 160 feet in length, was
juilt in 1784, under which the highest floods may pass with-
3ut diificuhy. This is the first bridge that was erected over
Ithis noble river. Above Deerheld, in Massachusetts, it re-
[ceives Deerfield river from the west, and Miller's river from
jthe east ; after which it turns westerly, in a sinuous course, to
f Fighting Ms, and a little af^er tumbles over Deerfield falls,
[which are impmsible by boats. At Windsor, in this state, it

VIEW OF THE

receives Fanaington river fit>m the west; And at Hiurtford
meets the tide. From Hartford it passes on in a crooked
course, until it falls into Long island sound, between Saybrook
and Lyme. The length of this river, in a stnught line, is nearly
800 miles. It is from 80 to 100 rods wide, 130 mile^ from its
moutis where there is a bar of sand, which considerably ob.
structs its navigation. On this beautiful river, whose banks
are peopled almost, if not now entirely, to its soUrce, stand
numerous well-built towns.

Charles River has its sources, five or six in number, in the
state of Massachusetts, on the south-east ude of Hopkinton
and Holliston ridge. The main stream runs north-east, then
north and north-eastwardly, round this ridge, until it mingles
with Mother-brook. The river thus formed runs westward,
passing over numerous romantic falls. Bending to the north-
east and east, through Watertown and Cambridge, and pass-
ing into Boston harbour, it mingles with the waters of the
Mystic river at the point of the peninsula of Charlestown. It
is navigable for boats to Watertown, seven miles. «

Taiunion River rises in the Blue mountains, forming the
principal drain of the country lying east of those mountiuns.
Its course is about 50 miles from north-east to south-west;
and is navigable for vessels to Taunton. It finally empties
into Narragauset bay, at Tiverton. The rivers Concord,
Mystic, MeAfbrd^ IptuAch, and many others, contribute to the
beauty and commercial interests of Massachusetts.

To the state of New York belongs the noble stream called
Hudson River, and frequently North River. It rises in a
mountainous country, between the lakes Ontario and Cham-
plain. In its course, south-easterly, it approaches within six
or eight miles of lake George ; then, after a short course east,
turns southerly, and receives the Sacondago from the south- .
west, within a few miles of the Mohawk river. The course of
the river thence to New York, where it empties itself into
York bay, is almost uniformly south. Its whole length is
about 250 miles.

The banks of Hudson, or North river, especially on the
western side, as far as the highlands extend, are chiefly rbcky

UNITED STATES.

417

: in number, in the
side of Hopkinton
ins north-east, then
ge, until it mingles
aed runs westward,
mding to the north-
imbridge, and pass-
I the waters of the
Bf Charlestown. It
1 miles. «

ntains, forming the
of those mountains.
ist to south-west;
It finally empties
|he rivers Concord,
8, contribute to the
usetts.
Inoble stream called
Iver. It rises in a
intario and Cham-
proaches within six
la short course east,
from the south-
rer. The course of
empties itself into
ts whole length is

cliffs. The passage through the highlands, whidi is sixteen to
eighteen miles, affords a wild romantic seme. In this narrow
pass, on each side of whidi the mountains toWer to a great
height, the wind, if there be any, is collected and compressed,
and blows continually as through a bellows : vessels, in pass-
ing through it, are often compdled to lower their sails. The
bed of this river, which is deep and smooth to an astonishing
[distance, through a hilly, rocky country, and even through
Iridges of some of the highest mountains of the United States,
Imust undoubtedly have been produced by some mighty con-
jvulsion of nature. The tide flows a few miles above Albany ;
■to which place it is navigable for sloops of eighty tons, and for
Iships to Hudson. About 60 miles above New York the water
Becomes fresh, and is stored with fish of various kinds. The
Ivantages which this river affords to the inland trade of the
ate, and those which, by means of the lakes, it renders to the
tde with Canada, are very great. These have been consi-
rably enhanced since the invention of steam-boats, of whidi
pre are several, of amazing size, on this river, on which that
pmorable invention was first successfully tried, in the year
107. Some (^them, though equal in length to a ship of the
lie, travel throu^ the Narrows, and along the whole coune
^ this river frt^ New York to Albany, at the rate of seven or
ght miles an hour, against wind and tide. The distance, it
I said, has been run down the stream in seventeen hours : for-
lerly an uncertain voyage of three or four days, or even a
leek or two, according to the state of the winds and tidtfs.
Ihe average time is twenty-four hours. Ferry-boats, propel-
Y by steam, and so constructed that carriages drive in and
It at pleasure, may be observed at every large town on this
fce river. These, convenient vehicles are likely to supersede
^ use of bridges on navigable -vaters. They are, in fact a
brt of flying-bridge, with this advantage over the numerous
hd costly structures of that kind which now span the broad
brface of the Susquehannah, in the interior of Pennsylvania
Uheydo not require such expensive repairs; they may be
t:ured from the effects of sudden floods ; and, what is of far
ore importance, they present no obstruction to navigation.

VIEW OF THE

The growini; population of the fertile lainds upon the nortbern
blanches of the Hudson must aanually increase the amaung
wealth that is conveyed by its waters to New York. In a£
most every pmnt of view, this river is on* of the greatest utility
in the United States. •imiu ?!lv;

The Onondago river rises in a lake of the same name, and,
running westerly, falls into lake Ontario, at Oswego. With
the exception of a fall, which occasions a portage of twenty
yards, this river is navigable for boats from its mouth to the
head of the lake ; thence batteaux go up Wood creek, almost
to fort Stanwix, whence there is a ptMtage of a mile to Mo-
hawk river. Towards the head waters of this river sakn^n
are caught in great quantities.

The Mchaxiik river rises to the northward of fort St&nwix,
about eight miles from Sable river, a water of lake Ontario,
and runs southerly SO miles to the fort; then eastward 110
miles, and, afl^ recdiving many tributary stretfns, fidls into
North river, by three mouths, c^posite to the cities' of Lausin>
burg and Troy, from seven to ten miles north of Albany,
This is a very fine river, and is navigable for boats nearly the
wh(^ of its course. Its banks were formerly thickly settled
with Indians, but now cultivation and civUizatimi have ren«
dered its course a busy scene of mercantile pursuit and in-
erearing population.

The Delawfwe, the Susquehanaafi, Tyoga, Seneca^ GemMe^
and the north-east branch of the AlleglMny river, all belcmg to
the state of New York ; and such is the intersection of the
whole state, by the various branches of these and other rivers,
that there are few places, throughout its whole extent^ that are
more than fifteen or twenty miles from a navigable stream.

The river SavannaJt divides the state of Geoi^ia from South
Carolina^ and pursues a course nearly from north-west to
south-east. The freshes of this river will sometimes rise from
thirty to forty feet perpendicular above the actual level of the
stream.

The New Piscata^ua, having four extensive branches, all
0^ them navigable for small vessels, furnishes the commence*
ment of » line, which, diiawii from it» nort^evn koAy until it

i^Nm the nortleni

Tease the Muasing

^ewYork. In al- ■ ^^^f^

the greatest uiiiky

e same name, and,
at Oswego. With
portage of twenty
m its mouth to the
/"ood creek, ahnost
; of a mile to Mo-
' this river solmdn

d of >fort Stiinwix,
er oS lake Ontario,
then eastward 110
streuns, falls into
le cides' of Lausin-
north of Albany,
X boats nearly the
srly thickly settled
lization have ren-
e pursuit and in.

I, Seneca^ Gemtae^
river, all belong to
ntersection of the
e and other rivers,
>le extent^ that are
igable ^reani.
eoi^ia from South
om nortb-west to
)metimes rise from
actual level of the

isive branches, all
les the oommence-
lein head, until it

;-;w^

IINITKD STATES.

meets the boundary of the province of Quebec, divides New
Hampshire from the province of Maine. The Mcrrimaik, re>
markable for two conoiderable falls, Amaska^'f; and Pantiickct,
bean that naiiie from its mouth to the confluence of the Perni-
sewasset and Winipisikee rivers, which unite in about lut. 43
deg. 30 mill. The first of these rivers forms the only port of
New Hampshire. Great Bay spreads out from Piscataquu
river, between Portsmouth and Exeter.

Columbia River is the principal stream which has In-'cn ex-
plored on the north-west coast of America. It is called, by
the Indians, Taiwutche-Tesse, and is tlirmed by innumerable
streams from the llocky «»ountains, rmug between the 4!Jd
iuid 58d deg. of north lat The principal stream has a course
of 700 British miles to the (K-ean, which itx'nters at north lut.
46 deg.

Caforocf*.— Some of the chief wonders of this western he-
n\isphere are found in its cataracts, or falls, which do not con-
sist of single streams precipitated from hill to vale in picturesque
beauty, as in the Alps, but of whole rivers tossed from broken
mountains into immense basins below. The first in magni-
tude are

Tha Cataracts ofNiagartti between the lakes Erie and On-
tario, distant about eighteen miles from the towu of Niagara,
and situate upon a river of the same name. These falls may
be regarded as presenting one of the motit interesting of all the
phenomena in the natural world. ' At Queenstoii," says lieu-
tenant Hall, ' seven miles from the fulls, their sound, ur'ted
with the rushing of the river, is distinctly heard. At the dis-
tance of about a mile, a white cloud, hovering over the trees,
indicates their situation: it is not, however, until the road
emerges from a close country into the space of open ground
immediately in their vicinity, that the white vohnnes of foam
are seen, as if boiling up frimi a .sulphuri>ous gulf Here a
foot-path turns from the road towards a wooded cliff'. The
rapids are beiield on the right, rushing, for the space of a mile,
like a tem}X'stuous sea. A narrow tract descends about sixty
foet down the cliff*, an<( continues across a plashv meadow,
8 G

r*-

«0

VIKW OF THE

through a copse, encumbered tvith niaNseK of limestone; uxtrU
cated from which, I found mjself on the Table Rock, at the
very point where the river precipitates itiielf into the abyRs.
The rapid motion of the waters, the stunning noise, the moun-
tain clouds, almost persuade the startled senses that the tock
itself is tottering, and on the point of rolling down into the
gulf, which swallows up the mass of descending waters. I
bent over it, to mark the clouds rolling white beneath me, as
in an inverted sky, illumined by a most brilliant rtiinbow, — one
of those features of softness which Nature delights to pencil
amid her wildest scenes, tempering her awfulness with beauty,
and making her very terrors lovely.

* There is a ladder about half a mile below the Table Rock,
by which I descended the cliff, to reach the foot of the fall.
Mr. Weld has detailed the impediments and difficulties of i\\\n
approach, and M. Volney confesses they were such as to over-
came his exertions to surmount tiiem. A few years, however,
have made a great change ; the present dangers and difficulties
may be easily enumerated. The first is, the ordinary haKard
every one runs who goes tip or down a ladder ; this is a Very
good one of thirty .steps, or about forty feet ; from thence the
path is a rough one, over the fr^ments and masses of rock
which have gradually crumbled, or been forcibly riven from
the cliff, and which cover a broad declining space, from its base
to the river brink. The only risk in that yiart of the pilgrim-
age, is that of u broken shin from a false step. The path
grows smooth as it advatices to the fall, so that the undivided
attention may be given to this imposing spectacle. I felt a
sensation of awe as I drew near if, like that caused by the first
cannon on the moniing of battle. I pdssed from Sunshine into
gloom and tempest: the spray beat down in a heavy rain ; a
violent wiud rushed from behind the sheet of water : it was
difficult to respire, and, for a moment, it seemed temerity to
encounter the convulsive workings of the elements, and intrude
into the dark dwellings of their power : but the danger is in
appearance only ; it is jiossible to penetrate but a few steps
])chind the curtain, and in these few there is no hazard ; the

UNITED STATES.

footing is good, and the space sufficiently broad and free:
there is not even a necessity for a guide ; two eyes amply suf.
ficu to point out all that is to be seen or avoided.^

The most stupendous of these cataracts is that on the British,
or north-western side of the river Niagara, which, from its re-
semblance to the shape of a horse-shoe, has received the appel-
lation of ' the Great, or Horse-shoe fall ;' but this name is no
longer strictly applicable. It has become an acute angle, and
the alteration is estimated at about eighteen feet in thirty years.
The height of this fall is 142 feet. But the two others (for
there are three falls, owing to the circumstance of small islands
dividing the river Niagara into three collateral branches) are
each about 160 feet in height. The large; t has been reckoned
nt about 600 yards in circumference. Thi width of the island,
which separates the * Great falP from the next in magnitude,
is estimated at about 350 yards. The seamd fall is said to be
only five yards wide. The next island may be estimated at
about thirty yards in size ; and the third, commonly called tht^
* Fort Schlopvr fall,^ is about 350 yards. According to these
calculations, the islands being included, the entire extent of the
precipice is 1335 yards in width. It is supposed that the wa-
ter carried down these falls amounts to no less a quantity than
670,255 tons per minute. A kind of white ibam surrounds
the bottom of ' Fort Schloper fall,' and rises up in volumes
from the rocks : it does not, however, as at the Horse-shoe fall,
ascend above in the form of a cloud of smoke and mist, but the
spray is so abundant that it descends like rain upon the oppo-
site bank of the river. The whirlpools and eddies immediately
below are so dangerous as to render the navigation completely
impracticable for six miles. The river Niagara, above the
falls, however, is navigable by boats and canoes as far as fort
Chippaway, which is about three or four English miles from
them. But, on approaching nearer, the waters are in such a
state of agitation, as to require the boat or canoe io be kept in
the middle of the stream, and, without skilful management,
would inevitably dash it to destruction. The middle of Sep-
tember is considered as the most pleasant time of the year for
the examination of these celebrated falls, the surrounding fb.

VIEW OF THE

rests being richly variegated with the autumnal colouring. At
this season the traveller is not exposed to the danger of meet-
ing with noxious reptiles and insects of the country, which
completely disappear in the chilly nights.

St. Anthonifit Falls^ in the river Mississtp{u, are situated
about ten miles from the mouth of the river St. Pierre, which
jcNns the Mississippi from the west. These falls were first
discovered by Louis Hennipin, in the year 1680, and received
their present name from that traveller, who was the jfirst Eu-
ropean ever seen by the natives in these parts. The river fall»
perpendicularly above thirty feet, and is about S50 yards in
width. The rapids, which arc below, in the space of about
300 yards, render the descent apparently greater when it i^
viewed at ai>y considerable distance. These falls are so pecu-
liarly situated as to be approachable without any obstruction
from a hill or precipice ; and the whole surroundii^ scenery is
singularly pleasing.

The CoheZj or falls of the river Mohawk, between two and
three miles from its entrance into North river, are a very great
natural curiosity. The river, above the falls, is about 300
yards wide, and approaches them from the north-west in a
rapid current, between the higli banks on each side, and pours
the whole body of its water over a perpendicular rock of about
40 feet in height, M'hich extends quite across the riVer like a
milUdam. The banks of the river, immediately below the falls,
are about 100 feet high. From a noble bridge, erected in
1794 and 1795, ihe spectator may have a grand view of the
Cohez ; but they have the most romantic and picturesque ap-
pearance fixMii Lausinburg hill, about five miles east d:' them.
The river, immediately below the bridge, divides into three
branches, which form several large islands.

Caruds. — The rivei*8 and lakes of North America are in
many places connected together by Canals, which furnish an
artificial assistance to the commuiu'ation establislied in other
instances by Nature. The principal interior canals, which
have been uinady couipleted in the United States, are, the
Middlesiw coital^ uniting the waters of the Merrimak riyer
uith tlie harbour of Bustim; and the canal Carondekt, ex-

s«a

UNITED STATES.

S»

between two and

tending front Bayou St. John to the fortiBcations or ^iA of
New Orleans, and opening an inland communication with lake
Pontehartrain.

On the 17th of April, 1816, and the 15th of April, 1817,
the state legislature of New York passed acts appropriating
funds for opening navigable cummunicationH between the Iake«
Erie and Champlain and the Atlantic ocean, by means of ca-
nals cwmected with the Hudson river. This magnifiqent un-
dertaking is already begun, and promises to make effectual
progress under the auspices of ^vemor Clinton. We have
beibre ua, at this moment, the ollieial report of the canal com-
missioners ; but the extent and the capabilities of these works
will be noticed at greater length, when we come to speak of the
physical resources of the United States. '«

Fen-e^s. — Aboriginal forests are so numerous throughout
the United t«rritiwy, that none seem to be particularty distin-
guished. There does not appear to exist, on the whole oonti-
luent of America, any i^ those sandy deserts which are so
premarkable in A»a and Africa. There is, on the contrary, an
exuberance of water even in the most toirid re^ons ; which
might be added as a [miof of the theory that this continent has
m(Ni-e^ recently emerged. Even the volcanoes in South America
often pour down torrents of water and mud, and no where
occur the sandy ruins of plains, after the fertile soil has been
totally lost, or the rocky skeletons of ancient mountains. The
large tract in the eastern part of Virginia and North Carolina,
calked the Ksmal swamp, occupies about 150,000 acres; but
it i^ entirely covered with trees, juniper and cy\:ress on the
more moist parts, aid on the drier white and red oaks, and a
variety of pines. I'hese trees attain a prodigious size ; and
among them there is often very thick brushwood, so as to ren-
der the swamp impervious, while other forests in North Ame-
rica are connnonly free from underwood. Cane reeds, and tall
rich grass, soon fatten the cattle of the vicinity, which are
taught to return to the farms of their own accord. In this
swampy forest bears, wolves, deer, and oilier wild animals
iibound ; and stories are told of children having been lost, who
have betm seen, after many years, in a wild state of nature.

VIEW OF THE

Some parts are so dry as to bear a horse, while some are over,
flowed, and others so miry that a man would sink up to- the
neck. A canal has l)een led through it ; and, even in the dry
parts, water of the colour of brandy, as is supposed from the
roots of the junipers, gushed in at the depth of three feet. In
the northern part the timber supplies an article of trade, while
in the southern rice is found to prosper ; and in the neighbour-
hood none of these diseases are known which^ haunt other
marshy situations.

^^ Swamps. — Georgia presents a singular marsh, or in* the wet
season a lake, called Ekansanoko, by others Ouaquafenoga, in
the south-east extremity of the province. This marshy lake is
about 300 miles in circumference, and contains several large
and fertile isles, one of which is represented by the Creek In-
dians as a kind of paradise, inhabited by a peculiar race, whose
women are incomparably beautiful, and are called by them
daughters of the sun. These islanders are sud to be a remnant
of an ancient tribe, nearly exterminated by the Creeks. Sudi
events may not have been uncommon among savage tribes ;
and the more industrious people who erected the noted forts
may have been passing, like the Mexicans, to a comparative
state of civilization, when an unhappy defeat, by more savage
tribes, extinguished their name and power. That the natives
have no memory of such transactions is not matter of wonder,
for their traditions can scarcely exceed a century or two at the
utmost.

Mineralogy. — This most important subject has not yet been
illustrated in the manner it deserves. Every substance pre-
cious to industry has been found in abundance ; and there is
no doubt but that further researches will discover the more
rare and beautiful production.^! of nature.
, Volney, who wrote on the climate and soil of America, makes
a suppositious division of the United States into five distinct
regions,->-thc granitic, the sandstone, the calcareous, the sea-
sand, and river alUivions.

The granitic commences at the mouth of the river St. Law-
rence and ends at Long island. It is mixed with sandstone
and limestone, in New Hampshire and Maine, except the White

UNITED STATES.

mountains in New Hampshire, which are granite, '''he Aver
Mohawk appears to be the dividing line of the granite and the
sandstone; but in the river Susquehannah some granite is
found ; and at the base of the south-west chain of the White
mountains in Virginia.

The whole of the Apalachian mountains are sandstone ac-
cording to this arrangement; and, towards the north-west, thef
sandstone ends in slate and marl. The Katskill mountains are
of the same sandstone as the Blue ridge. «?

The calcareous region commences at the west of the Apala-
chian mountains, and runs to the Mississippi, and, as some
have supposed, to the Rocky mountains. This stratum lies
horizontally, at depths proportioned to the depositions of soil.

The region of sea-sand runs alcmg all the shore from Long
bland to Florida. It is bounded towards the land side by a
iseam of granite, full of large mica, or raiher talc; and this
Iboundarv runs uninterruptedly along the coast from the west
Ibank of 'the river Hudson to the river Roanoke in North Ca-
rolina ; its breadth is from two to six miles, its extent 500.
'This boundary generally marks the limits of the tide, and fre-
i quently occasions falls in the rivers. The land Iietween the
cranite ridge and the sea varies in breadth from 30 to 100
miles, and is evidently sand recently brought by the ocean,
whose limits were originally determined by this hill of granite.
The bare rocks projecting into the sea are granite, which seems
to indicate that the sand brought in by the sea merely covers
rocks of this description.

The region of the river alluvions extends from the granitic
ridge to the base of the sandstone mountains ; hence it appears
that the ridge of granite in the Apalachian chain is narrow and
lower than in the sandstone. ' .ml :>"

Mr. Maclure has recontly publii^hed much highly interesting
ini'ormation on this im|)ortunt department of science, ami seems
to have studied the geology of the United States with great
success. Accordir.;- to this writer, throughout the greatest
part of the nort! in and north-eastern states, the sea washes
the |>rimary ro( ! • ; but at Long island there commences an
alluvial forraatioii, which, increasing in breadth as it stretches

VIEW OF THE

southwtrd, covers a great part of both the Carolinas and Geor-
^a, and almost the whole of the two Floridas and Lower
Louisiana. This vast alluvial formation is bounded on the
east by the ocean, and by a line commenciitg at the eastern end
of Long island and passing through Philadelphia, Washingtonv
Richmond in Virginia, Halifax in North Carolina, Columbia in
South CaroKna, Augusta on the Savannah, and thence to Nat.
ohez on the Mississipfn. The tide water ends in all the rivers
from the Mississippi to the Roanoke at the distance of from 30
to ISO miles from the western limits of the alluvial formatioh ;
from the Roanoke to the Delaware, the tide penetri^es thrcnigh
the alluvial, and is stopped by the primitive rocks. In all the
northern and eastern rivers, the tide runs a small distance mto
the primitive formations. In the southern states the alluvial
formation is elevated con^derably above ^he level of the sea;
but as it approaches the north, it rises very little above it.

On the western side of the great range of mountains, there
is a long narrow zoue of transition rocks, banning mi the
eastern side of lake Champlain, and extending in an undulating
line in a south-westerly direction, to a point between the Ala^
bama and Torolngbee rivers, in about 34 dcg. north lat. and
about 85 dcg. west long. It is generally broadest where the
primitive formation is narrowest, and via; verm; and runs
from SO to 100 miles in breadth.

On the north-west of those transition rocks commences an
immense region of secondary rocks, extending beyond lake
Superior to the north, and some hundred miles beyond the
Mississippi to the weHt, not fur distant from the foot of the
Stoncy mountains, forming an area of about 1500 miles from
cast to west, and al)out 1200 miles from north to south.

The volcanic fires which constitute so grand a feature in the
geological history of South America, have not extended their
dominion to the no»'them continent, nor have any productions
been di8a>vered which indicate that volcanoes have at any time
existed there. '-umA .*">fKi i •

Of the primitive i-ocks granite for>ns hut a small part; but
it is found both «)n the tops of the mountains and in the plains.
There arc many varieties of it, in regard to the size' of its con-

UNlTEDi STATES.

llarolinas and Cieor.
loridas and Lower
is bounded ott the
r at the eastern end
Iphia^ Washington^
rolina, Columbia in
and thence to Nat«
ids in all the rivers
iistanoe of from 30
alluvial formatioh ;
penetrates through
i rocks. In all the
small distance into
1 states the alluvial
le l6vel of the sea ;
little above it.
r mountains, there

banning an the
ig in an undulating
: between the Aku
icg. north lat. and
roadcst where the

verm; and runs

iks commences an
ting beyond lake
miles beyond the
in the ibot of the
1500 miles from
h to south.
Id a feature in the
lot extended their
any productions
have at any time

small part; but
md in the plains.
lie si'/eof its con-

stituent parts; and it is oct^ionally mixed with hornblende;
The granite generally divides into rhomboidal masses, and,
except in some very small^rained varieties, there is no appear^
ance of stratification. It is frequently so far decomposed as to
have lost tl« adhenon of its particles, to the depth of 30 w 40
feet below the sur&ce; each crystal b in its places and' kxyksr
as if it were solid ; but when jou take it up, it foUa into sand.'
gbiass extends orer a half of the primitive formation. It in>
eludes in a great many places beds from three to three hundred
feet thick, of a very large-grained granite, which run in the
same direction, and dip as the gneiss does. .;! (huhtr tliiuimb

Within the limits of what may be termed the primitive
country, there are found several partial and detached- Ibrmatione
of the traoMtion and secondary rocks. A transition formation
occupies nearly the whole of Rhode island, and runs from
Rhode island to Boston, fifteen miles broad. There is a range
of secondary rocks^ ex:te^ding, with some intervals, from the
Connecticut to the Rappahannock rivers, a distance of. nearly
400 miles ; and in width, generally fnmi fifteen to twenty-fi^'e
miles. It appears to belong to the old red sandstone formation
of Werner. A fiwmtUiion of transition rocks runs nearly south*
west from the Debware to the Yadkin river, from two to fifteen
miles broad, consisting of beds of blue, grey, red, and white
small-grained limestone, alternating with beds of greywacke
and greywacke slate, quart»>8e granular rocks, and a great va-
riety of the transition class. Much of this lime.stone contains
80 much smalt-gTiUned sand^ as to resemble a dolomite ; and,
in many places, considerable beds of fine-grained white marble,
fit for the statuary, (xxur. About ten or twelve miles west of
Richmond in Virginia, diere is a coal ibrmation, lying upon,
and surrounded by primitive rocks. It is situated in an ob-
long basin, from twenty to twenty-five miles long, and about
ten miles wide, having the whitish freestone, slaty clay, &c.
with v^>tabJe impressions, as well as most of the other at*
tendants of that formation. t,i

Great varieties of mineral substances are found in the primi-
tive formation ; anil, from the number already found, in pro-
portion to the limited researches that have been made, it is

VIEW OF THE

probable that, in so great an extent of rocks of a crystalline
structure, almost every mineral substance discovered in similai
situations elsewhere will be found in this country. Metallic
substances are found in considerable abundance in the primi-
tive rocks — iron, copper, manganese, and cobalt. The general
ndture of metallic repositories in this formation appears to be
in lie<ls, disseminated through the rock, or in lying masses.
Veins to any great extent have not been discovered in any part
of this formation.

The immense basin to the west of the Alleghany mountains,
through which so many mighty rivers flow, is wholly composed
of secondary rocks, without having their continuity interrupted
by any other formation, except the alluvial deposites on the
lunks of the large rivers. The stratification is almost perfectly
horizontal.

The alluvial country, eastward of the Alleghany mountains,
is composed of .beds of sand, gravel, and clay, differing in their
nature, according to that of the adjoining rocks, from the dis-
integration of which they have been produced. They contain
both animal and vegetable remains, which are found to the
depth of nearly a hundred feet below the surface. Considera-
ble banks of shells, mostly bivalves, run parallel to the coast,
imbedded frequently in a soft clay or mud, resembling that in
which the living animal is now found on the sea shore, and
which makes the supposition probable that they are of the
same species.

Coal exists in several parts of the United States in great
abundance. We have already spoken of the vast series of coal
strata westward of the Alleghany range, and of an extensive
coal formation near Richmond in Virginia. In Pennsylvania,
it is found near the west branch of the Susquehannah ; in va-
rious places west of that branch; also on the Juniata, and on
the waters of the Alleghany and Monongehala. In Connecti-
cut, a coal formation, conimenciug at Newhaven, crosses Con-
necticut river at Middlctown, and, embracing a width of
several miles on each side of the river, extends to some distance
above Northampton, in Massachusetts. There are also indi-
cations of coal in the states of New York and New Jersey. In

UNITED STATES. \

Rhode island anthracite is found, accompanied by ar^llaccous
sandstone, shale with vegetable impressions, Szc. similar to the
usual series of coal strata. The coal at Middletown, in Con-
necticut, is accompanied by a shale which is highly bituminous,
and bums with a bright flame.

It abounds with very distinct and perfect impressions of
fish, sometimes a foot or two in length ; the head, fins, and
wales, being perfectly distinguishable. A single specimen
sometimes presents parts of three or four fish, lying in different
directions, and between different layers. The fish are some-
times contorted, and almost doubled. Their colour, sometimes
grey, is usually black ; and the fins and scales appear to be
converted into coal. The same shale contains impressions of
vegetables, sometimes converted into pyrites.

Neither Mr. Cleaveland nor Mr. Maclure give us any in-
formation respecting the extent to which the coal has been
wrought in any of the numerous places where it has been
found, or the thickness of the seams. A scarcity of wood for
fuel must be felt before coal will be sought after with much
spirit ; and there is probably still wanting in the United States
that profusion of capital which can be risked in the uncertain
operations of mining.

Iron is found in the United States in a great variety of
forms, and is worked to a considerable extent. In the year
1810, there were 530 furnaces, forges, and bloomeries, in the
United States, 69 of which were in the State of New York ;
and the iron manufactured at Ancram, New York, is said to
be superior, for many purposes, to the Russian and Swedish
iron. It is mode from a hematitic brown oxide. Mr. Madure
informs us, that there is a bed of magnetic iron ore, from eight
to twelve feet thick, wrought in Franconia, near the White
hills, New Hampshire ; that there is a similar bed in the di-
rection of the stratification, six miles north-east of Philipstown,"'
on the Hudson river ; and, still following the direction of the
stratification, that the same ore occupies a bed nearly of the
same thickness at Ringwood, Mount Pleasant, and Suckusanuy,
in New Jersey ; losing itself, as it approaches the end of the
priiiiitivf ridge, near Blackwater — a range of nearly 300 miles.

VIEW OF THC»

This immense deposite of iron ore is eontained in gn^itM, and
is aocompMiied by garnet, epidote, and 'hornblende. In the
atate of New York, magnetic iron ore is found in immense
quantities on the west ude of lake Champlain, in granitic
mountains. The ore is in beds, from one to twenty feet in
thickness, and generally unmixed with foreign substances:
large beds of this ore extend, with little interruption, from
Canada to the neighbourhood of New York. Clay ironstone
is met with in considerable quantities. In Maryland, there are
extensive beds of it three miles south-west of Baltimore, com<
posed of nodules formed by concentric layers. Bog iron ore
occurs in such abundance in many places, as to be smelted to
a great extent.

Copper in the native state, and most of its ores, have been
found in different parts of the United States ; but there are no
mines of this metal except in New Jersey, and these do not
appear to be worked with much success.

Lead has been discovered in a great variety of forms ; and
.there are several extensive mines of it. In Upper Louisiana,
at St. Genevieve, on the western bank of the Mississippi, there
are about ten mines. The ore, which is a sulphuret, is found
in detached masses of from one to five hundred pounds, in al-
luvial depontes of jrravel and clay, immediately under the soil ;
'«nd sometimes in veins or beds, in limestone. One of the nnnes
• produces annually about 245 tons of ore, yiekUng 66^ per cent.
There are mines also at Perkioinen, in Pennsylvania, 24 miles
from Philadelphia. The ore is chiefly a sulphuret; but it is
; accompanied by the carlwnate, phosphate, and molyMate. In
*. Massachusetts, there b a vein of galena, traversing primitive
"rocks, six or eight feet wide, and extending twenty miles i\rpm
'^Montgomery to Hatfield. The ore affords from 60 to 60 per
cent, of lead.

Gold has only been found in North Carolina. It occurs in

grains or small masses, in alluvial earths, and chiefly in the

' gravelly beds of brooks, in the dry season ; and one mass was

found weighing 28 lb. In 1810, upwards of 1340 ounces of

' this gold, equal in value to 24,689 dollars, had l)een received

xit the mint of the United States, pjrJti tK»Hi ;»«jhrf j«iit!.ifW|

UNITE® STATES.

ined ingne'iM, and
lornUende. In the

found in immense
mplain, in granitic
le to twenty feet in
foreign substances:

interrupUon, from
ric. Clay ironstone
Maryland, there are
of Baltimore, com-
bers. Bog iron ore

as to be smelted to

■ its ores, have been
B8 ; but there are no
y, and these do not

iriety of forms ; and

n Upper Louisiana,

he Mississippi, there

I sulphuret, is found

idred pounds, in al-

lateiy under the soil ;

e. Oneofthennnes

iekUngOC^ percent.

nnaylvaiiia, 24 miles

sulphuret; but it is

and molylxlate. In

traversing primitive

g twenty miles fVpm

Is from 50 to 60 per

roUna. It occurs in
\, and chiefly in the
and one mass was
Is of 1340 ounces of
I, had l)een received

Native silver, in small quantities, i& vf\et with At diifev^ftt
places, but in no other form. Mercury and tin b«ive not he^a
found. Cobalt occurs near Middletown in Connecticut ; mod
a mine of it was at one time worked. Manganese and W\i'
mony are foimd in several situations. Sulphuret of zinc it
found in considerable quantity in Maryland, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, and Massachusetts. In New Jersey, a new va-
riety of this metal has been discovered, in such abundano«,
that it promises to hi a very valuable acquisition to the United
States. It is a red oxide, composed, of oxide 76, oxigen 16,
oxides of manganese and iron. 8. It is reduced without difli-
culty t») the metallic state. ,.nrm^

The chroiTiate ol' iron, both crystallized and amorplieus, oc-
curs in dift'erunt situations; particularly near Baltimore, and
at Hcbt>ken, in New Jersey. This mineral is employed to
furnish the chromic acid, which, when united with the oxide
of lead, forms chroniate of lead — a very beautiful yellow pig-
ment, of which there is a manufactory at Philadelphia. « It is
sold under the name oi' chromic yellow, and is etnployed for
painting furniture, carriages, &c. ,

We have l)efore noticed the vast extent of limestone of dif-
ferent species that is spread over the United States; and profes-
sor Cleaveland of Bawduin College, in an Elemtuitary Treatise
on Mineralogy and Geology, enumerates several varieties o£
the primitive limestones in the eastern stiUes, which are used
as marble in ornamental architecture and in sculpture ; but Iw
remarks that the state uf the arts has not yet caused them to
be extensively quarried, or even sufficiently explored. Some
of the Vermont marbles are as white as the Carrara, mth a
grain intermediate between that of the Carrara and Parian
marUes. At Middlebury, in Vermont, during the years 1809
and 1810, ^0,000 feet of slabs were cut by one mill, containing
65 saws; and the sales of marble, during the same period,
amounted to about 11,000 dollars, In Rhode island it is
found snow white, of a fine grain, translucid, ,and. perfectly ro-
sembles the Carrara marble.

Gypsum, or plaster stone, is found in Virginia, Maryland,
and Connecticut. It is very abundant in several parts of the

VIEW OP THE

Btate of New York, particularly in Onondago and Madison
counties ; also in the vicinity of Cayuga lake, whence, in 181S,
6000 tons of it were exported to Pennsylvania. In many partn
of the United States, it has been found an important article of
manure, in the cultivation of grasses, roots, and grain.

Rock salt has not hitherto been discovered ; but there arc
numerous salt springs. These sometimes flow naturally ; but
are more frequently formed by sinking wells in those places
where the salt is known to exist, us in certain marshes and in
salt licks, so called from having been formerly the resort of
wild animals to lick the clay impregnated with the salt. These
springs are chiefly iitund in the country westward of the Al
leghany mountains, near the rivers which flow into the Ohio.
They occur also in the state of New York, near the Onondago
and Cayuga lakes, associated with tiie great gypsum forma^
tion already noticed. This brine is strong, and yields about
S00,000 bushels of salt annually. The whole quantity of salt
annually obtained from saline springs in the United States, ex-
ceeds 600,000 bushels.

Nitre of potash, or saltpetre, is met with in considerable
abundance. Mr. Cleaveland gives the follo\ving descripti<m of
the places where it is principally obtained.

* The calcareous caverns whith al)oiind in the state of Ken-
tucky furnish large quantities of nitre. The earths which exist
in these caverns, and which contain lx)th the nitrate of potasli
and the nitrate of lime, are lixiviated ; and the lixivium is then
made to pass through wood ashes, by the alkali of which the
nitrate of lime is decomposed. After due evaporation, the
nitre is permitted to crystallize. One of the most remarkable
of these caverns is in Madison county, on ('rooked creek, al)out
60 miles south-east from Lexington. This cavern extends
entirely through a hill, and affords a convenient passage for
horses and waggons. Its length is 04() yards, its breadth h
generally about 40 feet, and its average height about 10 feet.
One bushel of the earth in this cavern commonly yields from
one to two pounds of nitre ; and the same salt has been found
to exist at the depth of 15 feet: even the clav is impregnated
with nitrate of lime '^ii^mm^- n .jWj^-jiot^ > wm

UNITED STATES.

Eigo and Madison
whence, in 181S,
I. In many parts
nportant article of
Eind grain.
«d ; but there arc
9W naturally ; but
Is in those places
in marshes and in
nerly the resort of
h the salt. These
estward of the Al
low into the Ohio,
lear the Onondago
at gypum forma^
, and yields about
ole quantity of salt
United States, ex-

th in considerable
sving description of

the slate of Ken-
I earths which exist
nitrate of potash
le lixivium is then
lilkali of which the
evaporation, the
most remarkable
oked creek, alwul
Is cavciu extends
tiient passage for
Itls, its breadth is
|ht about 10 feot.
louly yields from
|t has been f()un(l
Iv is impregnated

* Kentucky also fumishe* nitre under a very different form,
and constituting what is there called the rock ore, which is in
fact a sandstone richly impregnated with nitrate of potash.
These sandstones are generally situated at the head of narrow
valleys which traverse the sides of steep hills. They rest on
calcareous strata, and sometimes present a front from 60 to
100 feet high. When broken into small fragments, and thrown
into boiling water, the stone soon falls into sand, one bushel of
which, by lixiviution and crystallization, frequently yields 10
lb. and sometimes more than SO lb. of nitrate of potash. The
nitre obtained from these rocks contains little or no nitrate of
lime, and is said to be superior for the manufacture of gun-
powder to that extracted from the afore-mentioned earths. *
' Masses of native nitre, nearly pure, and weighing several
pounds, are sometimes found in the fissures of these sandstones^
or among detached fragments. Indeed, it is said that the»e
masses of native nitre sometimes weigh several hundred pounds.
Similar caverns occur in Tennessee, and in some parts of Vir.*
ginia and Maryland.'

With the exception of the red oxide of zinc, and the native
magnesia, discovered by Dr. Bruce, no simple minerals have
hitherto been discovered in the United States that were not
already known to exist in other part$« of the world. There are
some of the simple minerals, however, which are found in a
state of great perfection, such as the cyanite, green tourmaline
and rubellite, inelanite, precious serpentine, garnet, and beryl.
A mass of native iron has recently been found near Red river
in Louisiana. The form is irregular ; its length being three
feet four inches, and its greatest breadth two feet four inches —
its weight exceeds 3000 lb. Its surface is covered with a
blackish crust, and is deeply indented. It is very malleable
anil compact ; but is unequally hard, some parts being easily
cut by a chisel, while others have nearly the hardness of steel.
Its specific gravity is T'40. It contains nickel, and is less
easily oxidated than purified iron. This is rendered particu-
larly interesting, by its containing in its interior octahedral
crystals, which may be easily cut by a knife, and are striated

6$^

VIEW GF TUB f

lik« magnetic iron^ The Uurge»t crystal is more than half an
inch in length.

Amethysts are ibund in Virginia ; but it is pmbabW tiiat the
emerald mentioned by Mr. Jefferson is only a green crystal.
No mineralogic discovery has been made in Georgia, besides a
bank of oyster sliells, 90 miles from the sea.

Mimral Waters. — There erre sereral mineral waters, of va-
rious virtues, in different provinccfi of the United States, but
none of distinguished emiiience like Bath, or Aix-la-Chapelle.
In the province of Vermont, or the Green mountain, there is
a remark-'Me sulphureous spriiig, which dries up in two or
three years, and bursts out in another piave. There are seve-
ral mineral springs in Massachusetts, but little frequented, and
there is another at Stdlbrd in Connecticut. Those of Sarato-
ga, in the province of New York, are remarkably co|»ous, and
■urrounded with singular petrifactions. They are considerably
frequented, as well as those of New Lelwnon in the same
country. New Jersey boasts of some chalybeate waters ; and
near Isle creek in Pennsylvania on the river Alleghany, or
Ohio, there is a spring which yields pef;roleu«i, said to be use-
ful in rheumatic complaints. Two warm springs occur in Vir<
paiB, one of them IIS dcg. These are called the springs of
Augusta ; but others more frequented ore near the river Poto-
mak. A bituminous ^ring was discovered on the estate of
general Washington, which easily takes fire, and oontinues
burning for some time. The salt springs in Kentucky also
deserve mention ; and there are others in the province of Ten-
nessee. In Georgia, near the town of Washington, there is a
remarkable spring rising from a hollow tree, which is encrusted
with matter probably calcareous.

Botany. — A country that experiences on the one frontier the
severity of the Canadian winters, and on the other baaks in the
full radiance of the West Indian summers, may naturally be
expected to contain no small variety of native plants, So nu-
merous and important indeed are they, as to render it impos-
sible, in a work not devoted particularly to the subject, to
notiee them m they deserve; we must therefwe be contented

UNITED STATES.

nan than kalf an

pmbabW that th«
y a green crystal.
Georgia, beside* a

sral waters, of va-
Jnited States, but
r Aix-la-Chapelle.
mountain, there is
ries up in two or
There are seve-
ile frequented, and
Those of Sarato-
kably copious, and
ey are considerably
tanon in the same
rbeate waters ; and
ivcr Alleghany, or
km, said to be use-
MPinga occu? in Vir-
lled the springs of
tear the river Poto-
j on the estate of
re, and continues
in Kentucky also
le province of Ten-
ington, there is a
which is encrusted

ie one frontier the

other baaks in the

may naturally be

ye plants. So nu-

io render it impos-

|to the subject, to

^fore be contented

with the selection of such alone as, from their utility and
hcoiity, have the strongest claim to our attention.

The Ixjtany of these states, including the Floridas, or, in
other words, of the whole region extending eastward from the
Mifisissippi to the <x:ean, and southward from the river St.
I^wnnce with its lakes to the gulf of IVIexico, may be divided
into those vegetables which are common to the whole country,
and th("*<' ^^ occupy only particular parts.

The most generally diffused H))ecies among the timber trees
are the willow-letivcd oak growing in the swamps ; the chesnut
oak, which in the southern states attains an enormous size, and
is almost as valuable for its sweet farinaceous acorns ns for its
wood ; the white oak ; the red and the black. Next to these
in rank are two kinds of walnut, the black, and the white or
hiccory, esteemed for its oily nuts. The chesnut and beech of
Europe arc also found almndantly in the American forests.
The tulip tree and sassafras laurel, mure impatient of cold than
the preceding, appear as shrubs on the Canadian borders, rise
into trees in Uie midland states, and on the warm banks of the
Altahama attain the full perfection of stateliness and beauty.
The sugar maple, on the contrary, is seen only on the northern
sides of the hills in the southern states, and increases both in
size and frequency in the more brainng climate of the New
England provinces. The sweet gum tree, the iron wood, the
nettle tree, the American elm, the black poplar, and the tacca-
mahacca, ap{)ear in every state of the Union wherever the soil
is suitable, without being much affected by variety of climate.
The light sandy tracts, l)oth wet and dry, are principally inha-
bited by the important and useful family of pines : of these the
chief species are the PennBylvanian tir, the common and the
hemlock spruce fir ; the black, the white, and the Weymouth
pine ; and the larch : nearly allied to which are the arbor vita;,
and the juniperus virginiana, the red cedar of America. The
smaller trees and shrubs thnt are dispersed in all parts of the
United States, among a multitude of others, consist of the fol-
lowing; the fringe tree, the red maple, the sumach and poison
oak, the red mulberry, the persimmon plum, and robinia pscu-
dacacia, and the triple-thorned acacia.

VIEW OP THE

Such of the common herbaceous plants and low shrubs as are
best known to the generality of readers, from their introduction
into the gardens of Great Britain, are the coUinsonia, used by
the Indians against the bite of the rattlesnake, several gay spe-
des of phlox, the thorn-apple, the Pennsylvanian lily and
martagon, the biennial Oenothera, with many species of aster,
mouarda, and rudbeckia.

The mountainous ridges are not sufficiently high to be rich
in alpine plants ; their climate, however, is sensibly cooler tbkn
that of the plains, on which account those of the south are in-
habited by the vegetables of Pennsylvania and the northern
states, while the highlands of these abound in the plants of
Canada.

But the glories of the American flora are principally confined
to Virginia and the southern states ; it is here that the unfad-
ing verdure of the wide savannas, the solemn magnificence of
the primeval forests, and the wild exuberance of the steaming
swamps, offer to the astonished admiration of the botanist every
thing that by colour, by fragrance, and by form, can delight
the senses and fix the attention. >>

.M- Among the vegetables that inhabit the low shores of the Flo-
ridas, Georgia, and South Carolina, may be distinguished the
mangrove tree, the only shrubby plant that can flourish in salt
water, the fragrant and snowy-flowered pancratium of Carolina,
and the splendid lobelia cardinalis.

The low ridges of calcareous soil running parallel with the
rivers, and rising from ^he level savannas into extensive lawns
and swelling hills, are generally covered with open or entangled
woods, except where they have been converted into tillage by
the industry of the inhabitants. In these rich tracts grow the
lofty palmetto, the evergreen oak, the sweet bay, the benzoe
laurel, the common laurel, the white shading broom pine, and
the red cedar. The strait silvery columns of the papaw fig,
rising to the height of twenty feet, and crowned by a canopy
of broad sinuated leaves, form a striking feature in this deli-
cious icenery ; while the golden fruit and firagrant blossoms of
the orange, here realize the ancient traditions of the groves of
the Hesperides. Superior, however, to all th' e is the tower-

UNITED STATES.

d low shrubs as are
1 their introduction
allinsonia, used by
ie, several gay spe.
sylvanian lily and
ny spedes of aster,

ktly high to be rich
sensibly cooler tbwn
)f the south are in-
and the northern
id in the plants ci

principally confined
ere that the unfad-
nn magnificence of
ice of the steaming
f the botanist every
r form, can delight

r shores of the Flo-
i distinguished the
can flourish in salt
'atium of Carolina,

parallel with the
X) extensive lawns
open or entangled
ed into tillage by
2h tracts grow the
bay, the benzoe
broom pine, and
of the papaw fig,
ned by a canopy
oture in this deli-
;rant blossoms of
of the groves of
' e is the tower-

ing magnificence of the great magnolia: in this rich marlcy
soil it rises above a hundred feet, with a perfectly erect trunk,
supporting a shady conical head of dark green foliage : from
the centre of the coronets of leaves that terminate the branches
expands a large rose-shaped blossom of pure white, which is
succeei^ed by a crimson one, containing the seeds of a beautiful
coral red colour, and these falling from their cells remain for
several days suspended from the seed-vessel by a silky thread,
six inches or more in length, so that whether in this state or in
blossom it is second to none for grandeur and beauty.

The level plains by the sides of rivers, and therefore genc>
rally in a flooded state during the whole rainy season, are called
savannas. The trees that grow upon them are of the aquatic
kind, such as magnolia glauca, or beaver tree, American olive,
and gordonia lausianthus, silvered over with fragrant blossoms :
these are generally either single, or grouped together into small
open groves, while the larger part of the meadow is overgrown
with long succulent herbage, intermixed with shrubs and plants ;
die candleberry myrtle, with numerous species of azaleas, kal-
mias, andromedas, and rhododendrons, arranged by the hand
of nature into thickets and shrubberies entwined and over-
arched by the crimson granadilla, or the fantastic clitoria, here
display their inimitable beauties in full luxuriance. The sides
of the pools and shallow plashes are adorned by the bright
cserulean flowers of the ixia, the golden blossoms of the canna
lutea, and the rosy tufts of the liydrangia, while the edges of
the groves, and the dubious boimdaries of the savannas, rising
imperceptibly towards the forests, are fringed by innuincrable
gay varieties of the phlox, by the shrinking sensitive plant, the
irritable diono^a, the glowing amaryllis atamascu, and the im-
penetrable ranks of the royal palmetto.

The swamps are at all times, even in the height of summer,
for the most part under water, and are distinguished from the
rest of the country by the crowded stt^ms of the cane, the light
foliage of the tupclo tree, the taccamahacca, the fiinge tree,
and the white cedar. This last is perhaps the most picturesqne
tree in all America : four or five enormous buttresses or rude
pillars rise from the groimd. and unite in a kind of arch at the

VIEW OF THE

height of about seven feet, and from this centre there sprinj^s
a straight column eighty or ninety feet high, without a branch :
it then divides into a flat umbrella-shaped top, covered will)
finely divided leaves of the most delicate green. This })latforin
is the secure abode of the eagle and the crane ; and the oily
seeds contained in its cones are the favourite repast of the par-
roquets that are constantly fluttering around.

Hundreds more of interesting plants yet remain, and wo
might go on to describe with unabated pleasure the profusion
of \ arious coloured lupines and dwarf palmettt)s that relievo
the dusky hue of the pine forests in which they live; the wild
vines, the gourds, the bignonias, and other climbers that dis-
play to the sun their fruits and glowing blossoms above the
summits of the tallest trees; we might describe the tent-like
shade of the plantanus, the regal splendour ol" the crimson-
flowei'ed horse-chesnut, and the humbler, less obtrusive, yet
not less exquisite beauties of the mcadia, the spigelia, and
gaura; but these our limits will not admit :^ it is enough for
the present purpose to have sketched some of the characteristic
features in the botany of a country, the most accessible of all
the warmer climates to the investigation of European science.

Zoology. — The domestic zoology of the United- States nearly
corresponds with that of the parent country, with some few
sliades of difference in size and colour. Among the larger
wild animals may be mentioned the bison, large herds of which
used to be seen near the Mississippi, and thev were once
very numerous in the western parts of Virginia and Pennsyl-
vania. The musk bull and cow only appear in the more
western regions, beyond the Mississippi Among the animals
now lost are classed the manmioth, whose cnoniKHiis bones are
particularly found near the salt springs upon the Ohio; and
teeth of the hip{)opotamus are said to have been -dug up in
Ijong island: but the labours of a late French naturalist have
evinced that such remains often belong to animals long since
extirpated, and of which he has traced more than twenty kinds.
The mammoth of America, though armed with tusks oi' ivory,
has been supjjowd to be even five or six times larger than the
elepliant ; but tiie bones are probably the same with those ot

UNITED STATES.

the supposed elephant found in Siberia. The moose deer are
become extremely rare, and will probably in no long time be
utterly extirpated, as the wolf and boar have been in Britain.
The black moose deer are said to have l>een sometimes twelve
feet in height, while the species called the grey seldom exceed
the height of a horse. Both have larj'e pahiiated horns, weigh-
ing thirty or forty pounds. Mr. Pennant mentions a pair that
weighed fifty-six pounds, the length being thirty-two inches.
The moose deer is only a large species of the elk, and is found
in the northern parts of the United States ; while the rein deer
inhabits the northern regions of British America. The Ame-
rican stag rather exceeds the European in size, and is seen in
great munbers feeding in the rich savannas of the Missouri
and Mississippi, where there are also herds of that kind called
the Virginian deer.

In the northern states are two kinds of bears, both black ;
but that carnivorous animal called the ranging bear is found
in all the states, as is the wolf. Several kinds of foxes are also
seen : and the wolverine seems a kind of bear. ' The animal
most dreaded is the catamount, or cat of the mountains, found
in the northern and middle states, and is probably the same
with the puma of Pennant, which he says is sometimes in North
America called the panther. One killed in New Hampshire
was six feet in length, and the tail three ; but the length of the
leg did not exceed twelve inches. The cougar is about five
feet in length, and in the southern states is called the tiger:
but it is well known that the ferocious animals of the new con-
tinent are totally duierent from those of the old, there being
neither lions, tigers, leopards, nor panthers, in the whole extent
(.F America. A German missionary, who resided twenty-two
years in Paraguay, describes the tiger of that coimtry as marked
with hia.-jk spots, sometimes on a whitish, sometimes on a yel-"
low' ;ii ground ; and says that as the lions of Africa far exceedP
those of Paraguay, so the African tigers greatly yield in si/e to
the American ; which may be just, as the royal tiger seems
peculiar to Asia. But he adds that he has seen the skin of a
tiger three ells and Iwt) inches in length, or equal to that of a
large ox. This animal easily carries off a horse or an ox ; and '

IfO

VIEW OP THE

seems to exceed in size any American beast of prey admitted
in the system of Buffon^ whose fondness for theories is jften to
be lamented ; and his Jaguar^ or American tiger, seems only
a diminutive species. Captains Lewis and Clerk frequently
encountered the white and brown hour in the north-west inte-
rior ; an animal of a most ferocious description : they also saw
herds of antelopes, buffaloes, and wolves.

The lynx, the ocelot, and the margay, are smaller beasts of
prey, of the cat kind. These and many other animals supply
furs. The beaver is well known from the fur, and the singu-
lar formation of his cabin, built in ponds for the sake of secu-
rity ; but he seems to feed on the twigs of trees, and not on
fish, as commonly supposed. This industrious animal is found
in all the states, and is somewhat imitated by the musk rat,
which likewise builds his hut in shallow streams. Some kinds
of monkies are said to be found in the southern states. The
morse, or sea cow, and the seal, used to frequent the northern
shores; and the manati, common in South America, is said
sometimes to appear on the southern coasts : this animal, which
has fore feet like hands, and a tail like a fish, while the breasts
of the female resemble those of a woman, seems to be the mer-
maid of fable.

Among the birds there are i*»""^' kinds of eagles, vultures,
owls, and numerous sorts called by European names, though
generally different in the eye of the naturalist. The bird called
a turkey is peculiai' to America, and abounds in the north.
They were brought from Mexico to Spain, and from Spain to
England about 1524 ; the African poultry, or meleagrides of
more ancient authors, being Guinea fowls. There are also
birds which resemble the partiidge, ptarmigan, and quail, of
Europe. Virginia abounds with beautifuJ birds, among which
is the humniing bird, as already mentioned, while the wakon
il%sembles the bird of paradise : and it may be conceived that
vast varieties of acjuatic birds crowd the numerous lakes and
rivers, the largest being the wild swan, which sometimes weighs
thirty-six pouruKs.

Upwards of one hundred acid thirty American birds have
I»r«"u cmimenitcd. and niany r>f them descTil)od bv (atesbv.

UNITED STATES.

ist of prey admitted
r theories is rMen to
m tiger, seems only
id Clerk frequently
the north-west intew
ption : they also saw

are smaller beasts of
>thcr animals supply
fur, and the singu-
for the sake of secu-
:)f trees, and not on
ious animal is found
d by the musk rat,
reams. Some kinds
uthern states. The
equent the northern
th America, is said
: this animal, which
sh, while the breasts
items to be the mer-
it .'.

of eagles, vvdtures,
)ean names, though
St. The bird called
unds in the north,
and from Spain to
or meleagrides of
s. There are also
gan, and quail, of
irds, among which
while the wakon
be conceived that
imerous lakes and
|i sometimes weighs

licrican birds liave
ril)od bv Catesbv.

Jefferson, and Carver. The Mowing catalogue is inserted to
gratify the curious, to infbnn the inquisitive, and to shew the
astonishing variety in this beautiful pa t of the creation.

The Blackbird

Razor-billed ditto
Baltimore Bird
Bastard Baltimore
Blue Bird
Buzzard
Blue Jay
Blue Grossbeak
Brown Bittern
Crested Bittern
Small Bittern
Booby

Great Booby
Blue Peter
Bullfinch
Bald Coot
Cut Water
White Curlew
Cat Bird
Cuckow
Crow
Cowpen Bird

Sheldrach or Canvass Duck

Buffels head ditto

Spoon bill ditto

Summer ditto

Blackhead ditto

Blue-winged Shoveller

Little Brown Duck

bpngtail

White-faced Teal

Blue-winged Teal

Pied-bill Dobchick

Eagle -^^^

Bald Eagle

Flamingo

Fieldfare of Carolina, or Robin

Purple Finch

Bahama Finch

American Goldfinch

Painted Finch

Crested Fly-catcher

Black-cap ditto

Little !>rown ditto

Chattering Plover or KiWeeRea-eyed ditto

Crane or Blue Heron Finch Creeper

Yellow-breasted Chat

Conaxx&xA

Hooping Crane

Pine Creeper

Yellow-throated Creeper Goose

Slorm Finch

Goat Sucker of Carolina

Gull

Laughing Gull

Dove

Ground Dove
Duck

Ilathera Duck
Round-crested ditto

Canada Goose
Hawk

Fishing Hawk
Pigeon Hawk
Night Hawk

72 VIEW OF THE

•

The Swallow-tailed Hawk

Soree ' \

' Hangbird

Snipe

Heron

Red Start

Little white Heron

Red-winged Starling

Heath-cook

Swallow '

Humming-bird

Chimney ditto

Purple Jackdaw, or Crow Snow-bird

Blackbird

Little Sparrow

King Bird

Bahama ditto

JKing-fisher

Stork

Loon

Turkey

• Lark

Wild Turkey

Large Lark

Tyrant

Bm<? Linnet w

Crested Titmouse

Mvtck-bird

Yellow ditto

M"'v-bird

Bahama ditto

Purple Martin.^

Hooded ditto

Nightingale

Yellow Rump

Noddy

Towhe Bird

Nuthatch

Bed Thrush

Oyster-catcher

Pox-coloured Thrush

Owl •

Little Thrush

Screech Owl

Tropic Bird

Amer. Partridge, or Quail Turtle of Carolina

Pheasant, or Mountain Water-wagtail

Partridge

Wator-hen

Water Pheasant

Water-witch

Pelican

Wakon Bird

Water Pelican

Whetsaw

Pigeon of Passage

Lnrgewb it^bellied Woodpecker

1 • White-crowned Pigeon

Ltrr^e red-crested dkito

Parrot of Paradise

Gkld winged ditto

! Paroquet of Carolina

Red-bellied ditto

Raven

Hairy ditto

I Rice-bird

Red-headed ditto

J Red-bird

Yellow-bellied ditto

Summer Red-bird

Smallest-spotted ditt»

Swan

• •

Wren ■,:*«.•

%^-**^

UNITED STATES.

Some of the frogs are of remarkable size ; and the torUnse,
or turtle, supplies a delicious food, while the alligator is not
unknown in the southern rivers. Of serpents Mr. Morse enu-
merates near forty kinds found in the United territories ; Vir-
ginia, in particular, producing great numbers. The rattlesnake
is the largest, being from four to six feet in length, and is one
of the most dreaded. Among the fish are most of those which
are esteemed in Europe ; and among those that are peculiar
may be mentioned that large kind of white trout found in the
lakes.

Natural Curhsities.-^The natural curiosities of the United
States are numerous, and have been investigated witli that
laudable attention, which has been particularly directed by the
English towards such interesting appearances. The following
account of the irruption of the Patomak through the Blue
mountmns is from the pen of Mr. Jeu'erson.

< The passage of the Patomak through the Blue ridge is
perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature. You
stand on a very high point of land. On your right comes up
the Shenandoah, having ranged along the foot of the mountain
an hundred miles to seek a vent. On your left approaches the
Patomak, in quest of a passage also. In the moment of their
junction, they rush together against the mountain, rend it
asunder, and pass off to the sea. The first glance of this scene
hurries our senses into the opinion, that this earth has been
created in time, that the mountains were formed first, that the
rivers began to flow afterwards, that in this place particularly
they have been jammed up by the Blue ridge of movmtains,
and have formed an ocean which filled the whole valley ; that
continuing to rise, they have at length broken over at this spot,
and have torn the mountain down from its summit to its base.
The piles of rock on each hand, but particularly the Shenan-
doah, the evident marks of their disrupUon and avulsion from
their beds by the most powerful agents of nature, corroborate
the impression. But the distant finishing which nature has
given to the picture is of a very different character. It is a
true contrast to the fure ground. It is as placid and dehghtful
as that is wild and tremendous. For the mountain being cloven
4k K

▼lEW Of THE

asunder, she presents to your eye, through the cleft, ft sniall
catch of smooth hitre horizon, at an infinite distance in the plain
country, inviting you, as it vrere, from the riot and tumult
roaring around, to pass thn^ngh the breach, and participate of
the calm below. Here the eye ultimately ccnnposes itself; and
that way too the road happens actually to lead. You cross
the Patomak above the junction, pass along its side through
th^ base of the mountain for three miles, its terrible precipices
hanging in iVagments over you, and within about twenty miles
reach Frederick town and the fine country round that. This
scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic. Yet here, as in
the neighbourhood of the natural bridge, are people who have
passed their lives within half a dozen miles, and have never
been to survey these monuments of a war between rivers and
mountains, which must hare shaken the earth itself to its centre.'
In the township of Tinmouth in Vermont, on the side of a
tmall hill, is a very curious cave. The chasm, at its entrance,
fs about four feet in circumference. Entering this you descend
104 feet, atid then opens a spacious room, 20 feet in breadth
and 100 feet in length. The angle of descent is about 4>5 de-
grees. The roof of this cavern is of rock, through which the
water is continlially percolating. The stalactites which hang
from the roof appear like icicles on the e%'es of houses, and are
continuidly increasing in number and magnitude. The bottom
and sides are daily incrusting with spar and other mineral sub .
stances. On the sides of this subterraneous hall are tables,
chairs, benches, &c, which appear to have been artificially
iearved. This richly ornamented room, when illuminated with
the candles of the guides, has an enchanting effect upon the
eye of the spectator. If we might be indulged in assigning
the general cause of these astonishing appearances, we should
conclude, from the various circumstances accompanying them,
that they arise from water filtrating slowly through the incum-
bent strata ; and taking in its passage a variety of mineral
substances, and becoming thus saturated with metallic particles,
gradually exuding on the surface of the caverns and fissures,
in a quiescent state, the aqueous particles evaporate, and leave
the mineral substances to unite according to their affinities.

fi the cleft, ft small

istance in the pUun

le riot and tumult

» And participate of

imposes itself; and

• lead. You cross

ng its side through

) terrible precipices

about twenty miles

round that. This

Yet here, as in

re people who have

3S, and have never

between rivers and

fi itself to its centre.*

It, on the side of a

sm, at its entrance,

ng this you descend

20 feet in breadth

cnt is about 45 de-

through which the

ites which hang

of houses, and are

ude. The bottom

other mineral sub-

s hall are tables,

e been artificially

n illuminated with

ig effect upon the

iged in assigning

ranees, we should

lompanying them,

rough the incum-

ariety of mineral

metallic particles,

s and fissures,

porate, and leave

o their affinities.

■,'i:

.■'*■:■..■

.»■=■•

'Will *

llM

H nfi' ' Ku

ft .

■1 I^B

11 IH

^B^v' I

:»i- li*:'

IMkCI^O for M4CKBirZIBS AMSRICA.

%j^'

View of the Rock Bridge ,

HeigAt Bia ^0t. 4>»« ^ dn r/ki^Ht/9 c^thi arch 4a tU.

>«RICA.

UNITED STATES.

At the end of this cave ist* circular Jiole, fifteen f«et cleep, ap-
parently hewn out, in a conical ibrm, enlarging gradually as
you desceodi in the form of a nug;&r loaf. At the Iwttoni is a
spring of fresh water, in contiiitiul motiuii, like the boiling of ,a
pot. Its depth has never been (lunded. t,,

In the county of Hockbridge is a remarkable natural bridge
of rock, from which the county tukos its inme. « Tliis hridge^^
says Mr. Weld, ' stands about ten niilus trom Fluvanna river,
and nearly the same distance from the Blue ridge. It extends
across a d^<ep clefl < n a mountain, which, by some great con-
vulsion ot nature, has been split asunder from top to bottom^
and it seems to have been left there purposely to aflPord a pas-
sage from one side of the chasm to the other. The deft or
chasm is about two miles long, and is in some places upward^
of 800 feet deep ; the depth varies according to the height of
the mountain, being deepest where the mountain is most lofty.
Th« breadth of the chasm also varies in different places : but
in every part it is uniformly wider at the top than towards the
bottom. That the two sides of the chasm were once united
appears very evident, not only from prajecting rocks on tb^
one side corresponding with suitable cavities on the other, but
also from the different strata of earth, sand, clay, &c. being
exactly similar from t<^ to bottom on botli sides : but by what
great agent they were separated, whether by fire or by water»
remains hidden amongst those arcana of nature wliich we vainly
endeavour to devdope.

* Thr arch consists of a solid mass of stone, or fiff^veral
stones oen>ented so strongly together that they appear but us
one. This mass, it it to be supposed, at the time that the hil)
was rtnt asunder, was drawn across the fissure, from adhering
closdy to one side, and being loosened from its bed of earth at
the opposite one. It seems as probabk, I think, that the mass
of stone forming the arch was thus forcibly plucked from^no
side, and drawn across ^he fissure, as that the hill should havo
remained disunited at this one spot from top to bottom, and
that a passage should afterwards have been forced tltDwgh it
by water. The road leading to the bridge runs through a
thick wQod^ and up a hill ; having ascended which, nearly at

7d^.

„ *

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

[If 124

140

Ilii M^ IJ4

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WIST MAIN STRICT

WfBSTIR.N.Y. 14S10

(716)t72-4S03

^^ ^\ ^r\V

*t6

VIEW OP THE

tile top, yf/a pause for apaMNnent at finding a sudden diMODtU
nmunoe i£ the treee at one mde ^^t the amasement which fills
the roiiMT i^j^eat indeed, when an going a few paces towards
the polrt which appears thus open, you find yourself on the
brink of a tremendous precii»ce. You involuntarily draw
hmk, stare around, then again come forward to satisfy yourself
that what you have seen is real, and not the illusions of fancy.
You now peiceive that you are upon the top of the bridge; to
the very edge ipf which, on one side, you may appibach with
safety, and look down into the abyss, being protected from
fidhng by a parapet of fixed rocks. The walls, as it were, of
the bridge, at this side, arc so perpendicular, that a person
leaning over the parapet of rock mi|^t let fall a plummet from
the hand to the very bottom of the chasm. On the opposite
side, this is not the case, nor is there any parapet; but from
the edge of the road, which runs over the l^idge, is a gradual
slope to the brink of the chasm, upolt which it is somewhat
dangerous to venture. This slope is thickly covered with large
trees, principally cedars, and pinee. The opposite ride was
idso well furnished with trees formerly, but all those which
grew near the edge of the bridge have been cut down by dif-
ferent people, for t|ie sake of seeing them tumble to the bot-
tom. Before the trees were destroyed in this mann^, you
might htive passed over the bridge without having kad any
idea of ^ng upon k; for the breadth of it is no less than
eighty ^set. The road runs nearly in the middle, and is fire-
quenti^daily by waggons. * ^ * ,f,^

■<>.* At the distanee of a few yanU from the bH«^ « nartow
pa^ appears, winding along the sides if the fi«(ure,. amidst
immense rocks and trees, down to^the bottom of the bridge.
Here the stupendous arch appears in dl its glory, and seems
to touch the very skies. To behold it without rapture, indeed,
is impossible ; and the more critically it is examined, the more
beautiful and the more surprising does it appear. The height
of the bridge to the top of the parapet is ftlS feel^ by admea-
suremeUt with a line; the thickness of the arch 40 feet; the
span of the arch at top 90 feet ; and the distance between the
abutments at bottom 50 feet. The abutments conrist of a

•olid

archi

art

tomi

oftl

mma|
error

UNITED STATES.

iudden diaooDti.
ment which fills
r fMoea towards
irounelf on the
tluntariJy di«w
satisfy yourself
tisioDs of fancy,
the bridge; to
appivMch with
protected from
as it were, of
that a person
plummet from
1 the opposite
pet; but from
») is a gradual
It is somewhat
rad with large
Mite side was
1 those which
down by dif-

to the hot-
mannw, you
ing AuKiany
no less than

and is fire-

e, « narrow
lure, amidst
the blidge.
and seems
ire, indeed,
:lt the more
The height
by admea-
feet; t^
etween the
msist oi a

•olid mass of limestone on cither aide, and, togeUier with the
arch, seem as if they bad beta chisdled out by the hand of
art 'A small stream, called Cedar creek, running at the bot-
tom of the fissure, over beds of rocks, adds much to the beauty
of the scene.

* The fissure takes a very sudden turn just above the Irndp^
according to the course of the stream, so that when you stand
below, and \ock under the arch, the view is intercepted at the
distance of about 50 yards from the bridge: Mr. Jeflbwn^s
statement, in his notes, diat the fissure continues stnught, ter.
minating with a pleasing view of the North mountains, is quite
erroneous. The sides of the chasm are thickly, covered in
every part with trees, excepting where the huge rocks* t>fHme.
stone appear.

* Besides this view from below, the bridge is seen to very
great advantage from a pinnacle of rocks, about 50 feet bdow
the top of the fissure ; fer here not only the arch is seen in aH
its beauty, but the spectator is impressed in the most forcible
manner with ideas of its grandeur, from being enabled at the
same time to look down into the profound gulf over which it
passes.^

In Vermont there is a remarkable impendent ledge of rocks,
about SOO feet high, on the west bank of the river Connecticut.
Rattlesnake hill, in New Hamp^ire, presents a stalactitic cave ;
and near Durham is a rock so poised on another, as to move
with one finger ; a natural remain of a ruined hill, though in
England it would be called druidical. The rivulet in Masi^^
chusetts, called Hudson^s brook, has excavated in a fantastic
manner a large rock of white marble. The falls of the river
Powow, in the same jMrovinee, are not only curious in them-
selves, but present many grotesque mills, and otiier monuments
of industry; and a similar appearance occurs on the river
Pautukit in Rhode island. In Connecticut is a cave which
was for some time thdk retreat of Whaley and Gofie, two of the
judges of Charles I. : and in the town of Pomfret is another,
rendered remarkable by a humourous adventure of general
Putnam.

-^i

V|]p;W OF THE

,,; In th9>|^viBce of N^w Yffric a rivulet runs uiider » hUl
4diput 7Q ywds in diimoter, forming a beautiful arth in the
rock ; iliHi there ia a stalactitic cave in wImqIi was , found tlie
petrified ^MeAon of a large «nake. The lalls of the Mohawi
river, called Cohez, are more remarkable for the width elf ^
,||ream, than from the height of the desoent. There is a beau-
,'^ul Qftsqade in Fayette oounty, Penntylvania, over a semieir-
Cfilar roekof marble. In Peansylvaiua there are also aooie
re.markable oaves, one of which resembles a church with pillars
and motHiments. In the territory on the northtwest of the
C^io, the gavannas, or rich' plains, extend for 80 or 40 miles
without any tree ; they are ciowded with deer, wild cattle* and
.tUEk,eys, and often visited by bears and wolves : but this dis-
trict is chiefly remarkable for a number of old forts, of an ob*
long form, with an adjtnning tumulus or tomb. As the
Mexicans have a tradition that they passed from the north,
these forts m^y perhaps beremains of their first residence, or
cjf spme jo^on which they subdued. In the western part of
Maryland there are smd to be some rem^kable caves: and
others occur in Virginia, particularly that called Madison^s
cave, on the north-west side of the Blue ridge, extending about
300 feet into the jsolid limestone. The blowing cave emits a
strpi^g current of ur, particularly in frosty weathtf . In Ken«
tqQky, th^ banks of the river so called, ami of ])ick''s river, are
sometimes^ 4QQ feet in height of limestone, (mt white marble ;
and then) are said to be caverns of some miles in length, thus
itvaUyipg the celebrated cave in Carinthis; The territmry on
the aou^of the Ohio (Tennessee) presi^nts $ rein4irkable ledge
^f rocks m ^^ Cumberland mountains, about 30 miles in
ll9i9Sthvan4 •^00 feet thick* with a perpendicular face to the
8«mthHef»st.< The whirl is mpre grand than the irruption (^
t^e Patpm^k through the Blue ridge: the .Tennessee, which a
^^;ipilje8 above is half a nule wide, contracts to 100 yards,
and forces it:); way through this outer ridge of the Apalachianj
forming a whiji^lpapl by striking against a large rock. In
Geovj^ the chief ^euriosity is a large bank of oyster shells, 90
miles fi-om the sea, to which it runs nearly parallel: if the

UNITED STATES.

I lUMlctr » hUl
U web in the
r«8 found llie
the Mohawk
e widUi 0S tbe
here is « foeau-
i\&r a semieir-
are also aiMne
cb with pillars
thtwest of the
90 or 40 miles
rild cattle, and
: but this di»-
>rtfi, of an obh
Aib. As the
om the north,
t i«endence, or
vestQrn part of
Ae caves: and
led Madison's
(tending aboul
ig cave emits a
i«r. In Ken*
ik's river, are
hite marble ;
lengthy thus
le territory oQ
rkaUe ledge
30 mile9 in
ir fece to the
irruption ij€
!, which a
100 yards,
Apalachianj
rock. In
Iter shells, 90
r^llel: if the

river Savannah never passed in that durection, it is probable
that the land has gained so fi|r on the ocean. So late as the
year 1771 there was an excellent harbour, which might receive
one hundred ships in a good depth of water, at cape Lookout,
North Carolina. It is now entirely filled up, and is solid
ground.

Such are the most striking features of nature in this exten-
sive empire; where, if there be no interesting objects of anti-
quity, yet tl|e ioven of ^he saUime and beautiful ui th^ creation
may find sufficient to contemplate and admire.

.mn.T:^ (iwnvi'j

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PARTICULAR ACCOUNT

OF THE S£V£BAL

STATES AND TERRITORIES

COMPREHENDED IN THE

UNITED STATES.

NEW ENGLAND.

IgEVERAL things are common to all the states east of New
York. Their histoiy, religion, manners, customs, and cha^
racter; their climate, soil, productions, and natural history,
are in many respects similar. These oonriderations have led
to the following general description of New England.

Eatent.^^TYixs fine province is in length 350 miles, by a me-
dial breadth of 140.

Boundaries. — New England is bounded, north by Canada;
east by Nova Scotia and the Atlantic ocean ; south by the At-
lantic und Long island sound ; and west by New York. It
lies in the form of a quarter of a circle. Its west line, begins
fling at the mouth of Byram river, which empties into Long
island sound, at the south-west comer of Connecticut, latitude
41 deg., runs a Uttle east of north, until it strikes the 45th de>
gree of latitude, and then curves to the eastward almost to the
gulf of St. Lawrence.

Civil Divisions. — New England is divided into five states,
viz. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode island, Connecti-

VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES.

JNT

ITORIES

TES.

he states east of New
en, customs, and cha-
and natural history,
nriderations have led
!w England.
350 miles, by a me.

), north by Canada;

^n; south by the At-
by New York. It

I Its west line, begin*

empties into Long

[Connecticut, latitude

strikes the 45th de.

Btward almost to the

kded into five states,
le island, Connecti-

cut, and Vermont. These states are subdivided into counties,
And the counties into townships.

Faceqfihe Country^ Moimtmna^ ^c. — New England is a
high, hillyj and in some parts a mountainous country, formed
by nature to be inhabited by a hatdy race of free, independent
republicans. The mountains are comparatively small, running
nearly north and south in ridges parallel to each other. Be-
tween these ridges flow the great rivers in majestic meanders,
receiving the innumerable rivulets and larger streams which
proceed frohd the mountains on each side. To a spectator on
the top of a neighbouring mountain, the vales between the
ridges, while in a state of nature, exhibit a romantic appearance.
They seem an ocean of woods, swelled and depressed in itjs
surface like that of the great ocean itsdf A richer, though
less romantiief view, is presented, when the vaHie^ by industrious
husbandmen, have been cleared of their, natural growth ; and
the fruit of their labour appears in loaded orchards, extennve
meadows covered with large herds of sheep and neat cattle,
ati<3 rich fields of flax, com, and the various kinds of grain.

These vallies, which have received the expressive name of
interval, lands, are of various breadths, from two to twenty
miles ; and by the annual inundations of the rivors which flow
through them, there is frequentiy an accumulation of rich, fat
soil, left ujpon their surface when the waters retire.

There are four principd ranges of mountains passing nearly
from north-east to south-west, through New England. These
consist of a multitude of parallel ri(^s, each having many
spurs, deviating from the ocmrse of the general ran^; which
spurs are again broken intd irr^ular, hilly land. The main
ridges terminate sometimes in high bluff heads, near* the sea
coast, and som^imes by a gradual descent in the interior pairt
of the country. One of the main ranges runs betw^n Con-
necticut and Hudson^s rivers. This range branches, and
bounds the vales through which flows the Housatonick river.
The most eastern ridge of this range terminates in a bluff head
at Meriden. A second ends in like manner at Willingford,
and a tlurd at New Haven.

L ■

4«

VIEW OP THE

'In Lyme, on (he east eide of CooiifcUcut nvve, fwotlwr
range of mountains commences, farnung the eaatfum l^ndwj
pf Cqnnecticut vale. This range trtnda nmtberly, «| the dis-
tance generally of about ten or twelve miles e■^t fron^ the revert
ai}d passes through Massachusetts, whfre the nmg^ ti^«a the
naine of Qhicabee mountain ; tlienoe onNising into N^w HiwP"
shire, at the di#tance of about twenty m^les irom the Ma^aaicbur
setts line, it runs up into a very high peak, called Mcwadniek,
which terminates this ridge of the range. A western ridge
eontinues, and in about latitude 43 deg. 90 min. rq^a up in^
Skinipee mountains. About 50 miles further* in th^ sane
ridge* is Moosooog mountain.

A third ra;pge be^^ns near Stonington in CtUMiecticut, It
takes its course north-easterly, and is sometimes broken and
discontinued ; it then rises again, and ranges in Uie sanie di->
leetion into New Hampshire, where, in lat. 43 deg. £5 mim^
it l;^ns. up into a high peak, called Cowsawaakpc^

The Ikurth range has a humble beginning ajbout. Hopk,iwtpw»
in MaM%chusetls The eastern ridge pf thjia range vonA QovUh
by Watertown and Concord, and crosses Merrimaek river at
Pantueket fidls. In New Hampshire it rijwa into several Ingh
peaks, of which the White roountwns are the principal. Frvw
thesei White mountains a range continues nor^-east, eroi9wn|;
the east boundary of New Hampshire, in lat 43 deg^ Sjftmii^,
and fonma the height of land between Kennebeek and Chau-
diece rivers.

These ranges of mountains ate full of lakes, pcwdq, and
tarings of water, that give rise to nuinberless streams of varioua
sives which, interlocking each other in' every directiQn,, and
falling over the rocks in romantie cascades, flow n^eandering
into the nvers bebw. No country on the globe w better wa-
tered than New England.

Qn the sea coast the land is low, and in many pwts levdl and
aandjii. In the vallies* between the ibrementieoed ranges of
mountains, the land is generally broken, and in nmny phiqcs
rodi^ but of a. sUsoog ri(j» spi^ oapable of being cultivated tf>
good advantage, which also is the eMQ with many spots, eyen
m tlie tops of tlie mounUuns.

tmitEO StAtfiS.

m-.

itti^j.^l'he only river which will be described utider Nfcw
fengland is CSomieeticut ritelr. It rises in a swutnp oh the
heigbt of hind, in lat. 46 deg. 10 min. Aflfl* a sleepy tovtuk
of «g(ht or tdn miles, it tumbles Over four sepahkte fktlls, aM
ttiniing #«it, Veepa dote UHd6i^ fhe hills whi^h form the north-
tta bcAmdaty of the Vale through which it runs. Th« Amo-
nooBuck and Israel rivers, two prin<;ipal brahchesbf Contieciicut
riv^r, fkll into it (\rom the east, between the IiititttdM 44 ^nd
45 d^. Between the towns of Walpde on the east, Und
Westminster on the west side of the river, afk ih6 gr^t ftkIR'
Tfhe whole rivei?, compressed between two rocks scafcely 90
feet asunder, shoots with amazing rapidity int6 a broiid bason
below. Over these falls, a bridge 160 feet in len^h, was built
in 1784, under which the highest floods may pas«r without de-
triment. This is the first bridge that wAs ever erected over
this noble river. Above Deerfleld, in Massachusetts, it 1^
ceives Deerfield river from the west, and MilleK'S rivet* lh»m
the east ; after which it turns westerly in at sinumi^ comise to
Fighting falls, and a little Sfler tumbles over DeteHleld fdhi,
which are impassable by boats. At Windsoi^, in Cotmettictit,
it receives Farmington river from the west ; and at HiiH;ford,
meets the tide. From Hartford it passes oh in a crooked
course, until it falls into Long island sound, bctweeii Saybhiok
and Lyme.

The length of this river, in a straight fine, is nearly 9f ^s
miles. Its general course is several degrees west of south. It
is from 80 to 100 rods wide, 180 miles from its mouth.

At its mouth is a bar of sand which considerably obstructs
the navigation. Ten feet watdl^ at full tides is fbund on this
bar, and the same depth to Middleton. The distance of the
bar from this place, as the river runs, is 96 miles. Above
Middleton are several shoals which stretch quite across the
river. Only six feet water is found on the shoal at high tide,
and here the tide ebbs and flows but atiout eight inches. About
three miles below Middleton, the river is contracted to about
40 rods in breadth, by two high mountains. Almost every
where else the banks are low, and sprea<l into fine extensive
meadows. In the spring floods, wliicli generally happen in

VIEW OF THE

May, these meadows are coyered with water. At Hartibrd
the water gometimes rises SO feet above the oomndan surface of
the river, and having all to pass through the above-mentioned
•trait, it is sometimes two or three weeks before it returns to
its usual bed. These floods add nothing to the depth of water
on the bar at the mouth of the river ; this bar lying too far off
in the sound to be affected by them.

On this beautiful river, whose banks are settled almost to its
source, are many pleasant, neat, well-built towns. It is navi-
gaUe to Hartford, upwards of 50 miles from its mouUi ; and
the produce of the country, ibr SCO miles above, is brought
thither in boats. The boats which are used in this business
are flat-bottomed, long, and narrow, for the convenience of
going up the stream, and of so light a make as to be portable
in carts. They are taken out of the river at three different
canying places, all' of which make fifteen miles. Sturgeon,
salmon, and shad ar? caught in plenty, in their season, from
the mouth of the river upwards, excepting sturgeon, which do
not ascend the upper falls ; besides a variety of small fish, such
as pike, carp, perch, &c.

Nittural Prodtuiions.— The soil, as may be collected fro^
what has been said, must he very various. Each tract of dif-
ferent soil is distinguished by its peculiar vegetation, and is
pronounced good, middling, or bad, from tiie species of trees
which it produces; and one species generally predominating in
«ach soil, has originated the descriptive names of oak land ;
birch, beech, and chesnut lands ; pine bari*en ; maple, ash, and
cedar swamps, a& each 6pcx;ies happen to predominate. ' Inter-
mingled with these predominating species are walnut, firs, elm,
hemlock, magnolia, or moose wood, sassafras, &c. &c. The
best lands produce walnut and chesnut ; the next, beech and
oak ; the lands of the third quality produce fir and pitch pine ;
the next, wliortleberry and barberry bushes ; and the poorest
produces nothing but poor marshy imperfect fthrubs, which is
the lowest kind of siiffnitcx ve«j;etation.

Among the flowering trees and slirubs in the forests, are the
red flowering maple, the sassafras, the locust, the tulip tree,
the chesnut, the wild cherr>', prune, crab, sloe, pear, honey-

UNITED STATES.

fi water. At Harttbrd
I the oonranan surface of
g;h the above-mentioned
)ks before it returns to
Dg to the depth of water
\hn bar lying too far oif

are settled almost to its
soilt towns. It is navi-
es from its mouth ; and
miles above, is brought
e used in this business
for the convenience of

make as to be portable
river at three different
fteen miles. Sturgeon,
y, in their season, from
ting sturgeon, which do
iriety of small fish, such

may be collected frojn
[)us. Each tract o{ dif-
iiliar vegetation, and is
Iron) the species of trees
orally predominating in
e names of oak land ;
rren ; maple, ash, and
predominate. ' Inter-
s are walnut, firs, elm,
ifra.s, &e. 8ec. The
the next, beech and
|uce fir and pitch pine ;
shes ; and the poorest
rfect shrubs, which is

in the forests, are the
[locust, the tulip tree,
lb, sloe, pear, honey-

suckle, wild rose, dogwood, elm, leather tree, laurel, hawthorn;
&c. which in the spring of the year give the woods a most
beautiful appearance, and fill them with a delicious fragnmoei

Among the firuits which grow wild, are the several kinds of
grapes, which are small, sour, and thick skinned. The vines
on which they grow are very luxuriant, oflen overspreading
the highest trees in the forests. These wild vines, without
doubt) might be greatly meliorated by proper cultivation, and
a wine be produced from the grapes equal, if not superiw, to
the celebrated wines of France. Besides these, are the wild
ch^ries, white and red mulberries, cranberries, walnuts, hazlo>
nuts, chesnuts, butter nuts, beech nuts, wild plums and pears,
whortleberries, bilberries, gooseberries, strawberries, &c.

The soil in the interior country is ^culated for the culture
of Indian com, rye, oats, barley, flax, and hemp, for which
the soil and climate are peculiarly proper ; buck-wheat, beans,
peas, &c. In many of the inland parts wheat is raised in large
quantities ; but on the sea coast it has nev^ been cultivated
with success, being subject to blasts. Various reasons have
been assigned for this. Some have supposed that the blasts
were occasioned by the saline vapours of the sea ; others have
attributed them to the vicinity of barberry bushes ; but per-
haps the sandiness and poverty of the soil may be as efficacious
a cause as either of the others.

The fruits which the country yields from culture are, apples
in the greatest plenty ; of these cider is made, which consti-
tutes the principal drink of the inhabitants ; also, pears of va-
rious sorts, quinces, peaches, from which is made peach brandy,
plums, cherries, apricots, &c. The culinary plants are such as
have already been enumerated.

New England is a fine grazing country ; the vallics between
the hills are generally intersected with brooks of water, the
banks of which are lined with a tract of rich meadow or inter-
val land. The high and rocky ground is, in many parts, ooi-
vered with honey-suckle, and generally affords the finest of
pasture. It will not be a matter of wonder, therefore, that
New England boasts of raising some of the finest cattle in the
world ; nor will she be envied, when the labour of raising them

VIBW OF THB

it tkkm into tMW. Two months of the hottcit Masoti in ihc
jfwr, dM fknncn are employed in procuring food fbr their
dtthi; and the cold winter i» qient in dealing it out to Unmi.

Matmifi and Cttskms.—'Scm England it the most populous
port of the United States; the greater proportion of^Mdi
BDMiii t t of A Strong and lipaltliy yeomanry and eulUfMors of
the soil. They arc alnioHt univerBally of English descAM.
Learning, from the esubliBhment »f schocrfs in every township,
is very generally diffused among all ranks of people ; io th«t •
parson who cannot read and write is rarely to be found. Like
all people who are confined to a domestic life, they have heeit
aooused of on impertinent imiuieiilveneas. Their polities reh*
der them independent, proud, and dictatorial ; from which orit.
ginates that restless, liti^^niis, complaining spirit, which forms
a dark shade in the character of New Englandmen. lliey
have been depicted in the following manner by an Americaa
writer. J>

*The New EnglanderA nrc generally tall, stout, and well-
built. They glory, and pei'haps with justice, in postiesMng
that spirit of freedom, nhich induced their ancestors to leave
their native country, and to brave the dangen of the ocean,
and the hardships of settling a wilderness. Their education,
laws, and situation, serve to inspire them with high notions of
liberty. Their jealousy is awakened at the first motion toward
an invarion of their ri^s. They are indeed often jealous to
excess ; a circumstance which is a fruitful source of imagmary
grievances, and of innumerable groundless susfMcions, and tin<
just complaints against government. But these ebullitions of
jealousy, though censurable and productive of M>me poKtieal
evils, diew that the essence of true liberty exists in New Eog-
land ; tor jealousy is the guardian of liberty, and a character,
istic of free republicans. A law, respecting the descent of
estates which are generally held in fee simple, which for sab-
stance is the same in all the New England states, is the chief
foundation and protection of this liberty. By this law, the
possessions of the father are to be equally divided among all
the children, excepting the eldest son, who has a double por-
tion. In this way is preserved that happy mediocrity among

UNITED 8TATB9.

Um (MPpK wbicli» by inducipf toonomy and indiutry, rtnovat
frm tlhem twpto t' wiw to luyuiy, and forms them to habita of
•oixistyaiul t«iB|ieranc«. At th« aaiiia tiina, tbeir industry
and frMgality axempt them from want, and from tha neoaiiity
of submitting to any «ncroachm«Bt on tbeir libarties.

* Th« fMople ^f New England generally obtain thtir estataa
by bard and persevering labour : tbey of consequence know
their value, and spend with frugality. Yet in no oountiy do
the indigent &re better. Their Uws obbge every town to
{provide a oumpetent maintenance for their poor, and the no*
cessitoua stranger is protected and relieved from thar hunumo
iiwtitutions. It may in truth be sud, that in no pan of the
world are the people happier, better fuminhed with the neoea*
sturies and conveniences of life, or more independent than the
fiurmers of New England. As the great body of the pei^ are
hardy^ indepeodmt freeholders, their manners are, as they
ought to be, congenial to their employment, plain, simple, and
unpolished. Strangers are receivsd and entertained aniOBg
them with a great deal of ardess sincerity, inendly and un-
formal hospitahty. Their cliildreo, those imitative creatures^
to whose education particular attention is paid, early imbibe
the manners and habits of those around them ; and the stranger*
with pleasure, notiees the honest and dec^U respect that is paid
him by the ohikhcen as lie passes through the country.

' Am the people^ by representation, make their own laws and
appoint their own officers, tliey cannot be oppressed ; and living
under governments in which few have lucrative places, thoj^
have lew moUvea to bribery « corrupt canvasungs, or uttngue.
Real, abiKiUes and moral character unblemished, are the qualifr*
Mtiona requisite in the view of most pet^le for officers of puUio
trust The expression of a wish to> be {Hronioted is the direct
way to be disappointed.

' 'i i.» inhalutants of New England are generally fond ci the
arts» and have cultivated them with great suceess. Their o^
leges have flourislied beyond any others in the United States.
The illustrious characters they hawe produced, who have dis*
tinguished themselves in politics, law, divinity, the mathematiea

«8

VIEW OP THE

And philosophy, natural and civil histoiy, and in the fine art?,
particularly in poetry, evince the truth of these observadons.
> ' Many of the women, of New England are handsome. They
generally have fair, fVesh, and healthful countenances, mingled
with much female softness and delicacy. Those who have
had the advantages of a good education (and they are consi.
derably numerous) are genteel, easy, and agreeable in their
manners, and are sprightly and sensible in conversation. They
are early taught to manage domestic concerns with neatness and
economy. Ladies of the first rank and fortune make it a part
of their daily business to superintend the afiairs of the family.
Emplo3mient at the needle, in cookery, and at the spinning
whed, with them is honourable. Idleness, eve" in those of
independent fortune, is universally disreputable. The women
in the country manufacture the greatest part of the clothing of
their families. Their linen and Woollen cloths are strong and
decent. Thdr butter and cheese is not inferior to any in the
world.

* Dancing is the prindpal and favourite amusement in New
England ; and of this the young people of both sexes are ex-
tremely fond. Gaming i*^ practised by none but those who
cannot, or rather will not find a reputable employment. The
gamester, the hors&>jockey, and the knave, are equally despised,
and their company is av(nded by all who would sustmn fair and
irreproachable characters. The odious and inhuman practices
of duelling, gouging, cock-fighting, and horse-radiig, are
scarcely known here,

* The athletic and healthy diversions of cricket, foot-ball,
quoits, wrestling, jumping, hopping, foot-races, and prison-
bass, are universally practised in the country, and some of
them in the most populous places, and by people of almost all
ranks. Squirrel-hunting is a noted diversion in country places,
where this kind of game is plenty. Some divert themselves
with fox-hunting, and others with the more profitable sports of
fishing and duck-hunting: and in the frontier settlements,
where deer and fur game abound, the inhabitants make a lu-
crative sport of hunting them.

UNITED STATES.

*In the winter beasm, while the ground is covered with
snow, which h cbmnionly two or three months, sleighing is the
general diversion. A great part of the families throughout the
country are furnished with horses and sleighs. The young
people collect in parties, and with a great deal of sodabiHty,
resort to a place of rendezvous, where they r^ale themselves
for a few hours with dancing and a social supper, and then re-
tire. These divernons, as well as all bthers, are many times
carried to excess. To these excesses, and a sudden exposure
to extreme cold after the exercise of dancing, physicians have
ascribed the consumptions, which are so frequeint among the
young people in New England.''

History. — New England owes its first settlement to reli^ous
persecution. Soon afler the commencement of the reformation
in England, which was not until the ^ear 1584, the protestaiits
were divided into two parties ; one th^e foIioWers of Luther, and
the other of Calvin. The former had chosen gradually, and
almost imperceptibly, to recede from the church of Romie;
while the latter, more zealous, and convinced of the imp6rtanee
of athorough reformation, and at die same time possesringmuch
firmness and high notions of religious liberty, were for eiFect>
ing a thorough change at Once. Their consequent endeavours
to expunge froln the church all the inventions which had been
brought into it since the days of the apostles, and to introdode
the * Scripture purity,' derived for them the name of Piteitaks.
From these the inhabitants of New England descended.

During tne successive reigns of Henry VIII., Mary, Eliza-
beth, and James I., the protestants, and especially the puritans,
were the objects of bloody persecution ; and thousands of them
were either inhumanly burnt, or lefl more cruelly to perish In
prisons and dungeons.

In 160S, a number of religious people in the north of Eng-
land, finding their ministers urged with siAscription^ or si-
lenced, and themselves greatly oppressed with the commissary
courts and otherwise, entered into a sblemn covenant with each
other, ' to walk with God and one another, in the enjoyment
of the ordinances of God according to the primitive pattern,*
whatever it might cost them.

M . .

VIEW OF THE

.*»

Among, the ministers who entered into this association, was
Mr. Robinson, a man oi' eminent piety find learning, and the
father of New England..

In 1608, Mr. Robertson's church moved to Amsterdam in.
Holland, and the next year to Leyden, where tbey^ved m
great friendship and harmony among themselves and their
neighbours, until they removed, to New England.

As early as 1617, Mr. Robinson and his church meditated
a removal to America. Their motives for this were, to pre-
serve the morals of their youth; to prevent them, through
want of employment, from leeving their (Mirents, and engaging
in business unfriendly to religion-;, to avoid the inconveniences
of incorporating with the Dutch ; and to lay a-ibundation for
propagating the gospel in remote parts of the world. Such
were the true reasons of their removal.

Their agents went to England, and in 1619 obtained of th&
Virginian company a patent of the northern parts of Vir^nia -y.
but the ki^g could not. be prevailed upon to grant tliem liberty
of conscience. However, at last he agreed to connive at theic
nonconformity. Mr. Brewster, a minister, headed the first
band of adventurers, who on the 9th of November, afler a
dangerons voyage, arrived at cape Cod. It is alleged by the
historians of the time, that the Dutch had bribed the master
to create various delays, and to land tliem thus far north, to
discourage them from venturing to the place of their destination..

As they were not within the limits of their patent, and con-
sequently not under the jurisdiction of the Virginia company,
they concluded it necessary to establish a separate government
for themselves. Accordingly, before they landed, having on
their knees devoutly given thanks tQ God for their safe arrival,
they formed themselves into a body politic, by a solemn cok-
TBACT, to which they all subscribed, thereby making it the
basis of their government. They chose Mr. John Carver, a
gentleman of piety and approved abilities, to be their governor
for the first year. This was on the 11th of November.

Their next object was to fix on a convenient place for settle-
]^nt. In dmng this they were obliged to encounter numerous
difficulties, and to suffer incredible hardships. Ma^y of them

UNITED STATES.

ifi

trere ack in consequence of the fatigues of a long voyage—
their provisions were bad — ^the season was uncommonly cold —
the Indians, though afterwards friendly, were now'hOsdIe — ^and ,
they were unacquainted with the coast These diffictilties they
surmounted ; and on the Slst of December they were all safely
landed at a place, which, in grateful commemoration of Piy-
mouth in England, the town which they last left in their native
land, they called Plymouth. This is the first English toMm
that was settled in New England. '

In some of their exeundons in search of a stiitablie' place for
settlement, they found buried several baskets of Indian com,
to the amount of ten bushels, which fortunately served them
for planting the next spring, and perhaps was the means of
preserving them from perishing with hunger. They made
diligent enquiry for the owners, whom they found, and. after-
wards paid the full value of the corn.

Before the end of November, Susanna, the #ife' of William
White, was delivered of a son, whom th^ called Peregrine.
He is supposed to have been the first /child of European ex-
tract bom in New England." ^mf' ^^ f^^nJ

The whole company that landed consisted of but 101 souls:
Their situation was distresung, and their prospect 4ruly dism'&l'
and discouraging. Their nearest neighbours, except the na-
tives, >^ere a French settlement at Port Royal, -and one of the
Engli^ at Virginia. The nearest of these was 500 miles froim
them, and utterly incapable of affording them relief in a time-
of famine and danger. To add to their distresses, a general
and very mortal sickness prevailed among them, which swept
off forty-six of their number before the opening of the next
spring.

On the dd of November, 16S0, king James signed a patent
incorporating the duke of Lenox, the marquisses of Bucking-
ham and Hamilton, the earls of Arundel and Warwick, Sir
Francis Gorges', with thirty-four others, and their successors,
styling themy 'The council established at Plymouth in the
county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, (Nrdering, and go-
verning of New England in America.' To this council he
granted all that part of America which lies between the 40lh

VIEW OF THE

and 4i5th degrees of north ladtude. This patent is the ff&ii
civil bam of all the grants and pa^ts by wl^h ^^^^ ^iwlf^4
was afterwantls divided.

The Plymouth council retained the power vested in them
fay the cro^vn until the year 1635, when they resigned their
charter. Previous, to this, however, the council had made se-
veral grants qf land to adventurers, who proposed to settle in
New England. They granted New Hampshire to captnifi
John Mason, in 16S1 ; the province of Maine, to Sir R. Ck)^-
ges, in 16^; and Massachusetts bfiy to Sir Henry Ro^well
and five others, in 1627.

In defiance of every difficulty, the colony gradually increased
in strength. The Indians were condliated, several quaker and
liaptist refugees fled to within the Plymouth bounds, apd in
1629 another company of Leydeners came over. New Engr
land now began to flourish ; and in forty years from this time*
one hundred aiid twenty towns were settled and forty churdies
establistied. This rapid increase of the population was occfu
aoned by t)ie persecution of the puritans in England, and the
inroads made upon the civil liberties of the subject ; and which
induced lords Brook, Say and Seal, the Pejhams, the Hamp-
dem, and the Pyms, to obtain and settle upon large tracts of
land in New England.

The jealousy of the Dutch, and the successive plots of the
surrounding Indians, in 1643 compelled the colonies of Ply-
mouth, Massachusetts, and New England, to enter into an
alliance and confederacy for their mutual defence. Two com-
missioners from each colony formed a congress, and were con-
sidered as the representatives of * The United Colonies of New
England.'* It is worthy of ranark, that this arrangement
seems to have been exactly copied in the confederation agreed
upon by the United States in 1778.

UNITIED $TATP8.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

I^EW HAMPSHIRE is situated between 43 deg. 43 min.
and 45 deg. 13 min. north latitude, and 4 deg. 28 min.
and 6 d^. 10 min. east longitude. Its greatest length is 18S»
and its greatest breadth 93 miles. Its area is 9800 squares
miles, contwiing 0,373,000 acres.

Civil Divisions. — The state is divided into six counties, and
S19 townships, of six miles square each.

Natural Geography. — The state has about 1^ miles of sea
coast, frpin whence it extends in breiadth, and is generally level
towards the sea, rising gradually from 30 to 30 miles, when the
mountains commence, and these are more lofty than in any
other part of the United States; the White mountains bang
visible 30 miles out at sea, and computed by Dr. Belknap at
10,000 feet, by Mr. Williams at 7800. There are several
lakes in the state, but n<me of any great; importance, except
Winiupiseogee, near tlie centre, 34 miles long, and of unequal
breadth, from 8 to 13 miles. It is full of islands, and being
navigable in summer, and frozen over in winter, it proves a
oonaiderable convenience to that part of the country. The
principal river is Connecticut, which is the boundary line be-
tween this state and Vermont. The Piscataqua is the boun-
dary line, for a little way, between this state and the district of
Mune ; and forms the harbour for the only shipping poft in
New Hampshire. There is a singular curiosity in the state
called the Notch, which is a pass through the mountains, at
one place only 33 feet wide ; and, being bounded by rocks al-
most perpendicular and of great height, presents a scene strik-
ingly picturesque.

The soil, near the sea coast, is in some places sandy, but
near the banks of rivers generally good, as is likewise the case
in the valleys among the mountains. The mountains are,

VIEW OF TUB

many of them, rocky and barren ; but others are fertile on the
brows, and nearly all are covered with timber.

The climate is healthy ; but the winters are long and severe,
and there are great extremes of heat and cold. Mr. Belknap
has observed the thermometer at 18 deg. below 0, and in sum-
mer it has risen to nearly 100 deg. : its average is about 48 or
50 deg. Snow lies on die ground from three to four months,
and the use of sleighs, during that period, is general. The
. spring is rapid ; and the summer and fall are generally pleasant.

Agriculture is the chief business of the state, and is Well
conducted. The principal products are beef, pork, mutton,
poultry, wheat, corn, and other grain; butter, cheese, flax,
hemp, hops, vegetables, apples, pears, &c.

The minerals quoted are, ochres, isinglass, 'crystals,' sul.
phur, freestone, lead, black lead, and copper; but the most
valuable is iron, which is found in many places, and is wrought
in considerable quantities.

Papulation. — The population of this state, in 1817, amount-
ed to S96,450, being above 30 to the square mile. Although
this appears but a thin population,' yet it is to be observed that
a great part of the state is covered by mountains, which are in-
capable of cultivation. The sea coast, valleys, and fertile
spots, are said to be thickly settled; and these places have
kept pace in improvement with the other New England states.

Manners, 6^c. — The inhabitants are represented as hardy,
robust, and active. They are in general well educated ; and
the population is not mixed with negroes or foreigners from
the different states of Europe.

Education. — In the township of Hanover, in the western
part of thb state, is Dartmouth college, situated oh a beautiful
plain, about half a mile east of Connecticut river. It was
named after the right honourable William earl of Dartmouth,
who was one of its principal benefactors. It was founded by
Dr. Eleazer Wheelock in 1769. It is supported by a grant of
80,000 acres of land. It has, in the four classes, about 130
students, under the direction of a president, two professors,
and two tutors. It has twelve trustees, who are a body cor-
porate, invested with the powers necessary for such a body.

UNITED STATES.

9fi

then are fertile on the
imber.

re are long and severe,
d cold. Mr. Belknap
. below 0, and in sum-
Eiverage is about 48 or
three to four months,
riod, is general. The
are generally pleasant,
the state, and is Well
e beef, pork, mutton,
; butter, cheese, flax,

EC.

singlass, 'crystals, suU
copper ; but the most
places, and is wrought

itate, in 1817, amount-

|uare mile. Although

is to be observed that

tuntiuns, which are in-

t, valleys, and fertile

tid these places have

New England states.

Irepresented as hardy,

well educated; and

!s or foreigners from

lover, in the western
Isituated on a beautiful
cticut river. It was
earl of Dartmouth,
It was founded by
apported by a grant of
ir classes, about 130
Ident, two professors,
who are a body cor-
ry for such a body.

The library b elegant, containing a large collection of the mott
valuable books. Its apparatus consists of a competent number
of useful instruments) for making mathematical and philoio.
phical experiments. There are three buildings for the use ai
the students ; one of which was erected in 1786, and is not yet
finished. It is 150 feet in length, and 50 in breadth, three
stories high, and handsomely built. It has a broad passage
running through its centre from end to end, intersected by
three others. In front is a large green, encircled with a num-
ber of handsome houses. Such is the salubrity of the ur, that
DO instance of mortality has happened among the students
since the first establishment of the college.

At Exeter there is a flourishing academy, and at Portsmouth
u grammar.«chool. All the towns are bound by law to sup-
port schools.

Chief Towns. — Portsmouth is much the largest town in thb
state. It stands on the south-east side of Piscataqua river,
about two miles from the sea, and contains about 6000 inha-
bitants. The town is handsomely built and pleasantly atuated.
Its public buildings are a court-house, two churches for con-
gregationalists, one for episcopalians, and one other house for
pubKc worship. Its harbour is one of the finest on the ^nti-
nent, having a sufRcient depth of water for vessels of any bur-
then. It is defended against storms by the adjacent land in
such a manner, as that ships may securely ride there in any
season of the year. Besides, the harbour is so well fortified by
nature, that very little art will be necessary to render it im-
pregnable. Its vicinity to the sea renders it very convenient
for imval trade. A light-house, with a single light, stands at
the (entrance of the harbour.

Exeter is a pretty town, fifteen miles south-westerly from
Portsmouth, on the south side of Exeter river. It has a har-
bour of eight and a half feet water, and was formerly famous
for ship-building. Dover Neck, which makes a part, of the
town of Dover, is situated between two branches of Piscataqua
river, and is a fine, dry, and healthy situation ; so high as to
command Uie neighbouring shores, and afibrd a very extensive
and delightful prospect.

VIEW OF THE

€oiiookI is the seat of government, and contains 9050 inh*.
Mtants. Dover contain» S062; Amherst, S150; Hanover,
)9S0; Keene, 1645; Charleston, 1634; Durham, 11S8;
Mid there are three others, containing from 500 to 1000.

Small villages and farm houses are numerous, and the ooUn.
t^ is pretty well supplied with good roads, and some elegant
Inidges, of which the chief is across the Piscataqua, seven miles
above Portsmouth. It b 2600 feet long, and cost 68,000
dollars.

Trade and Resources. — By an act of congress, which passed
in 1796, in New Hampshire, 3,749,061 acres of land were va>
tued at 19,088,108 dollars. In 1814 and 1815, the value of
houses and lands, as revised by the assessors, was 38,745,974
dollars, which is nearly at the rate of nine dollars per acre.

The net revenue of New Hampshire, in 1815, was 92,316
dollars. The registered tonnage employed in foreign trade
amounted to ^4,532, and the enrolled coasting trade to 205^j[.

The country people generally manufacture their own cloth-
ing, and make conuderable quantities of tow cloth for exporta*
tion The other manufactures are ashes, ihaple-sugar, bricks,
pottery, and iron ware.

A great part of the surplus produce of this state is carried
to Boston, which prevents it from making a great figure in the
scale of exports ; the amount, in 1805, was 608,408 dollars,
but it seldom exceeds half a million.' All the export tiWIe
centres at Portsmouth.

Jii'Ugion. — The churches in New Hampshire are principally
for congregationalists ; some for presbyterians and baptists,
and one for episcopalians. Ministers contract with their pa-
rishes for their support. No parish is obliged to have a minis-
ter ; but if they make a contract with one, they are obliged by
law to fulfil it. Liberty is ever given to any individual of a
parish to change their denomination ; and in that case they are
liberated from their part of the parish contract.

Government. — The government is founded upon a bill of
rights, declaring that all men are born equally free and inde-
pendent; and that all government originates ftotn the people:
that every man has a right to worship Ood ateording to the

UMITBD STATES.

nd conttuns 9050 inha.
erst, 2150; Hanover,
34; Durham, 11S8;
•om 500 to 1000.
imerous, and the ooUn-
tads, and some elegant
Piscataqua, seven miles
long, and cost 68,000

congress, which passed
acres of land were va>
and 1815, the value of
sssors, was 38,745,974
me dollars per acre.
, in 1815, was 92,316
loved in foreign trade
casting trade to S05^f
facture their own cloth*
f tow cloth for exporta.
ps, tnaple-sugar, bricks,

of this state is carried

ig a great figure in the

was 608,408 dollars.

All the export tiWIe

ipshire are principally
lyterians and baptists,

mtract with their pa*
)liged to have aminis-
le, they are obliged by
Ito any individual of a
Id in that case they are
mtract.
lunded upon a bill of

j[ually free and inde-
)ate8 from the people:
bod fttedrding to the

dictatea of (ut conscienoe : that all electbna oi^t to be free;
and that evtry inhabitant of the state, having the proper qua*
lificationsi haa an equal ri^^ to elect, and be elected, into
office: that there shall be no herfiditary rights^ and that the
press shall be frcse.

The.eaerdie of the government is vested in f legislature,
oonaistuig of a senate and house of representatives ; a governor
and oouodl to execute the lawa; and a judiciaiy to promote
justice between man and man. The senate cooai^ts of thirteen
inembers, chosen annually by the peqple ; each meaaber must
he possessed of a freehold estate of SOQL The representatives
are apportioned according to the population, eyqry town which
has 150 rateable polls bdng entitled to one representative;
having 4^t they are entitled to two. They are also elected
annually^ ;|ui4 must be possessed of a freehold oHOO/. The
govemcir is in ilike manner elected annually^ and must be pos-
sessed of a freehold of. BOOL • There are five counseliers, who
are chosen annually, who must be possessed of freeholds of 300JL

The following extract from the constitution ought to be ge-
neratly known.

* Knowledge and learning, generaUy diffused through a
community, being essential to the preservation of a %^ gp.
vemment; and spreading the qpportunitiea and advantages of
education through the various parts ^f the c«iuitry» beiQg
highly conducive to promote thia end ; it shall be th« duty of
the legislators and magbtrates, in all future panoda of this go-
vernment, to cherish the interest of literature and the sdeupes,
and all seminaries and public schools, )o encourage private
and public institutions, rewards ^nd immunities for the pf»>
motion b( agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trade, manu-
factures, and natural history of the country ; to countenance
and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevo-
lence, pubtic and private charity, industry and economy, ho-
nesty and punctuality, sincerity, sobriety, and all social affec-
tions and generous sentiments, among the people.^

History. — The first discovery made by the English of any.
part of New Hampshire, was in 1614, by captain John Smith,
who ranged the fkion from Penobscot to cape Cod ; and in this
5 ' N

VIEW OF THA

route discovered the river Piscataqua. On his return to Eng-
land, ho published a description of the country, with a map of
the coast, which he presented to prince Charles, who gave it
the name of New Enfflaruk

In insi, captain John Mason obtained fVom the council of
Plymouth, a grant of all the land from the rit'cr Naumkeag
(new Salem) rbtind cape Ann, to the river Merrimok, up e|iieh
of those rivers, and from a Uih' connecting the furthwrt sources
of them inclusively, with all islands within three miles of the
coast. This district was called Mariana. The next year,
another grant was made to Sir Fcrdinando Gorges and Mason
jointly, of all the lands between the Merrimak and Sagadahok,
extending back to the great lakes of Canada. This grant,
which includes a part of the other, was called Laconia.

Under thc! authority of this grant, in 1623, a settlement was
made at Littll^ harbour, near the mouth of the Piscataqua.

In 1629, some planters frorri Massachireetts buy, wshing to
form a settlement in the neighbourhoodbf Piscataqua; procured
a general meeting of the Indians, at Squamscot falls, where,
with the universal consent of their snhjecis^ they purchased of
the Indian chieft, for a valuable consideration, a tract of land
tomp*l»hended between the rivers Piscataqua and Merrimak,
and « line connecting these rivers, drawn at the distance of
abot!t 90 niifbs from «he sea coast. The same year. Mason
procured a new patent, under the common seal of the council
of Plymouth, of the above-mentioned Indian purchase.

In 1635, the Plymouth company resigned their charter to
the king; but this resignation did not materially affect the
patentees under them, as the several grants to companies and
individuals were mostly confirmed, at some subsequent period,
by charters from the crown.

In April, 1641, the principal settlers of Piscataqua, by a
formal instrument, resigned thc jurisdiction of the whole to
Massachusetts, on condition that the inhabitants should enjoy
the same liberties with their own people, and have a court of
justice erected among them. The property of the whole patent
of Portsmoutli, nnd of one-third of that^of Dover, and'of all
ithe improved lands therein, was reserved to the lords and gen-

UNITEB STATES.

of Piscataqua, by a
btion of the whole to
Labitnnts should enjoy

and have a court of
Ity of the whole patent
Tof Dover, and of all

to the lords and gen-

tieimn proprietore and their heirs for ever. These reiervations
were acceded tq oiv the part of Massachusetts ; and what is
extraordinary, and manifested the fondness of the government
for retaining them under their jurisdiction, a law of Massachu-
setts, declaring that none but dfiurch members should sit in the
general court, was dispensed with in their favour. While they
were united with Massacliusetti!;, they were governed by the
general laws of the colony, and the conditions of the union
were strictly observed. During this period, however, they had
to struggle with many difficulties. One while involved, toge-
ther with Massachusetts, in a bloody war with the Indians ;
and repeatedly disturbed with th^ Warm disputes occasioned
by the inefiectuiil efforts of Ma8on''s heirs to recover the pro-
perty of their ancestor. These disputes continued until 1679,
when Mason^s claim, though never established in law, was pa-
tronised by the crown, and New Hampshire was erected into a
separate government.

In the year 1691, Mason^s heirs sold their title to their lands
in New England to Samuel Allan, of London, for 2750^- ; and
in 1692, colonel Samuel Allan was commissioned governor of
New Hampshire. < Eight years after, he came over to America
to prosecute his claim, bpit died before the affair was concluded.

The inhabitants about this time suffered extremely from the
cruel barbarity of the Indians : Exeter, Dover, and the fron-
tier settlements, were frequently surprised in the night; the
houses plundered and burnt ; the men kilted and scalped ; and
the women and children either inhumanly murdered, or led
captives into the wilderness. The first settlers in other part&
of New England were also, about this time, harassed by the
Indians; and it would require volumes to enumerate their
particular sufferings.

Although New Hampshire was under the jurisdiction of the
governor of Massachusetts, yet they had a separate legislature.
They ever bore a proportionable share of the expences and le-
vies in all enterprises, expeditions, and military exertions, whe-
ther planned by the colony or the crown. In every stage of
the opposition that was made to the encroachments of the Bri-.
tisli parliament, the people, who ever hod a high sense of lu

100

VIEW or THE

btrty, cheerftiUy bore theii^ part At the eomwncawial dt
hostilities, indeed, while their council was appointed by royal
^mamkumUi their ardour wae checked by these crown oAeers.
But whcM freed from this restraint, they iew eagerly lo the
American standard when the voice of their country declared
for war ; and their troops had a large share of the hasard and
fatigue, as weH as of the glory, of aoconplishing the kite
revolution.

, MASSACHUSETTS.

Sihiaiim and Extent ||{ASSACHUB£TT8 is situated be-
tween 41 deg. 13 min. and 49 deg.
52 min. north lat., and 3 deg. S8 min. and 7 deg. east long.
Its extreme length is 190 miles, and its grratest breadth 100.
Its square contents is 8500 miles, beii^ about 5,440^000 acreH.
Bounded horthwardly by New Hampshire and Vermont ; w^st
by New York; southwardly by Connecticut, Rhode islanti,
and the Atlantic ; east by the Atlantic and Massachusetts bay.

Natural OeoffrapHif.— The face of the country is strikingly
diversified. The coast on the cast side is indented with bays,
and studded with islands, which afford ample harbours for
shipping, and support a hardy race of sailors and fishermen.
Toward the middle the surface is agreeably uneven, and the
west swells out into mountains, some of which are of consider-
abld height. The state is well watered, abounding in rivers
and small lakes.

Merriniak river, before described, runs through the north-
eastern part of the state. Charles river rises from five or six
sources, on the south-east side of Hopkinton and Holliston
ridge. The main stream runs north-east, then north and
Dorth-eastwardly, roiitid this ridge, until, in Natick township.

UNITED 8TATE9.

101

U BiB^ witli MoClMr brook, wkitb U a oooMiiWitbU braneh
of Churlcs river. The rivw, thus fomitd, runs wMtward*
tunbliag in fallt mtom the •outh.vv'st end of firooklyn hills,
tfd pMMkig near Franingham pond, turn north-east to Ctm-
liridg*; hence winding round in a sinuous course, falla into
Bofton harbour. Taunton river risen in the Blue nouotabs,
whieb fie back of Mihon and Braintreey and fomui the princi-
pal drunofthc country lying east of these mountains: the river
run» nearly a straight course south-west, under llle foot of the
nountains, to Tiverton on Narraganeett bay. CtMicord river
ia formed by three branches, one issuing iirom Framinghaoi
pond, and the other two from the mountains about Marlbo-
rough. These streams united run north, and fall into the
Merrimak river, a little below Pantucket falls.

Mystic and Medford rivers run from north to south into
Boston harbour. Ipewach river, rising in Wilmington in Mid-
dlesex oaunty, runs eist and then north-east into the Atlantic
at Ipswich. . Westfield river, from the north-west, empties into
Connecticut river at Springfi«M. A little above, the Chioabee
from the north-east empties into the same river. Deerfkld
river rises in Venaont, and running southwardly through Wil-
mington, Chariemont, and between Shelbume and Conway,
enters and passes through a large tract of the tiniest meadow in
the world. In these mountwns it receives Green river fhnn
the mountains, which is about four rods wide : hence they pass
on together, in a broad smooth stream, about three miles into
Connecticut river.

The only capes of note on the coast of Massachusetts are,
cspe Ann on the north side of Boston bay, and cape Cod on
the south. The latter is the terminating liook of a promon-
tory, which extends far into the sea, and is remarkable for
having been the first land which was made by the first settler^
of Plymouth on the American coast in 1620. In the barb of
the iKwk, wliich is made by the cape, is cape Cod harbour.
This promontory circuraHcrlbes Barnstable bay, and forms
Barnstable county. This county is almost an island. The
isthmus which connects it to the continent is between Sandwich
bay on the north, and Buzzards bay on the south. The dis-

"^^i

lOS

VIEW OF THE

tance between them is but six or seven miles. Herrii^ brook
almost crosses this neck or isthmus, so that a canal of about one
mile only would insulate the county, and save sevek'al hundred
miles dangerous navigation in passing from Newport to Boston,
and be otherwise of immense advantage to trade. Such a canal
has been talked of for more than an hundred years past. The
eastern coast of this promontory is subject to continual changes.
Large tracts of sand bank, in the course of 40 or 50 yeari^ by
the constant iiccumulation of sand and mud, occasioned by the
coil and recoil of the tides, have been transformed into solid
marsh land. The sand banks extend SOO miles into the sea,
forming dangerous shoals.

The soil of Massachusetts is various. Towards the sea coast
it is simdy and barren ; in the interior it improves ; and toward
the western parts, where the country is hilly, it is best adapted
for grazing. Wheat crops are not abundant, but it produces
Indian corn, rye, barley, and oats. Vegetables and fruit come
to great perfection, and are of much value in the state. Flax
and some hemp are cultivated ; and hops grow luxuriantly.

The climate is very much assimilated to that of Rhode island.
Toward the west, the winters are more cold and severe than on
the coast, but the weather is more steady, and the whole is
healthy.

The principal mineral is iron, of which the state produces a
great quantity. A copper mine has been discovered; and
there are considerable quantities of clays and ochres, and slate,
marble, and limestone.

Population. — In 1817, the population of this state was esti-
mated at 564,39^, which yieldsaliove 66 persons toa square mile.
Manners^ ^-c— The inhabitants of Massachusetts are de-
scribed as being extremely cleanly, industrious, and contented.
The females, in particular, appear to great advantage, having
a glow of health, an air of cheerfulness, aud a neatness of as-
pect, not to be surpassed. Tlioufrli much attached to subjects
of religion, tliey are in general liberal, and cultivate the bene-
volent affections.

Chief ToKmi: — Boston is an irregular built town, situated
on a peninsula whose surface is broken by small hills ; and,

UNITED STATES.

103

except where the isthmus appears in sight, seems completely
environed by a beautiful river. It cannot boast of much uni-
formity and elegance ; but, with respect to situation, it is ex-
tremely beautiful.

Boston bears considerable resemblance to an old dty in
England. It is two miles in lengthy but oi* unequal breadth,
being 7S6 yards at the broadest part. It contains about 4000
dwelling-houses, many of which are built of wood, besides a
great number of store-houses. ^

From an elevated part of the town, the spectator 6njoya a
succession of the most beautiful views that imagination can
conceive. Around him, as far as the eye can reach, are to be
seen towns, villages, country seats, rich farms, and pleasure
grounds, seated upon the summits of small hills, hanging on
the brows of gentle slopes, or reclining in the laps of spacious
valleys, whose shores are watered by a beautiful river, across
which are thrown several bridges and causeways.

That portion of the town called West Boston contains meat
of the dwelling houses of the gentvy and principal merchiints.
A number of these elegant buildings of red brick have witliin
these few years been erected ; and wide spacious streets, con-
sisting of handsome private houses of similar construction, are
yet forming throughout that end of the town. These streets
are mostly in the vicinity of Beacon hill, a rising ground of
considerable elevation, situate behind the new stat^^-house. On
this hill a monumental pillar is erected, with a gilt eagle at the
top, bearing the arms of the United States. On the pedestal
of the column are inscriptions commemorating the most re-
markable events of the revolution.

The new state-house is, perhaps, more indebted to its situa-
tion for the handsome appearance it exhibits, than to any merit
of the building itself. It is built upon' part of the rising ground
upon which Beacon hill is situated, and fronts the park, an
extensive common planted with a double row of trees along the
borders. The lower part of the building is c<mstructed in a
plain and simple style of architecture, with red brick, and sur-
mounted by a large circular dome of the same materials, co-
loured yellow. The whole has a neat and ornantental appear-

104

VIEW OF THE

•Bce ; but if stone had been substituted for brick} it would
thai have been a structure worthy of admiration, and honour. {
Me to the peofAe of Boston.,

The park was formerly a large common, but has recently I
been enclosed, and the borders planted with trees. On the
cast side there has been for muiy years a mall, or walk, plant,
ed with a double row of large tress, somewhat resembling that
in St Jameses park, but scarcely htdf its length. It affords
the inhabitants an excellent promenade in fine weather. At
the1x>ttom (^ the park is a branch of the harbour ; and along
the shore, to the westward, are several extensive rope-walks
built upon fuers. At high water, boats and barges can be ad-
mitted between the walks, which are all roofed in, and have
large brick warehouses at the eastern end. Considerable quan>
tities of excellent cordage are 'manufactured at these walks,
and form an article of exportation to the other states. In the
street next the mall, at the upper end of the park, there is a
stand of hackney coaches, superior in every respect to vehicles
of that description in London.

The other part <)f Boston, which may with propriety be
called the Old Town, is the seat of trade and commerce, and
contains numerous streets, lanes, and alleys, crowded with
stores, shops, warehouses, wharfs, and piers; taverns, coffec>
houses, and porter-houses ; insurance offices, banks, and state
buildings ; churches, chapels, and meetings.

Of late years, considerable improvements have taken place
in East Boston. Towards the harbour, an extensive range of
lofty warehouses have bcjen erected upon India wharf: they
are built of red brick, with much neatness and uniformity.
Offices for the merchants are below, and the upper part of the
building is appropriated to the reception of goods. A short
distance from these warehouses to the northward, is Long
wharf, or Boston pier, which extends from the bottom of State-
street, upwards of 1750 feet into the harbour. Its breadth is
above 100 feet. On the north side of this immense wharf is a
range of large warehou.scs,extending the whole length of the pier.
Along the water side there is a great number of other piers,
\vbi<*h extend a considerable way into the harbour ; these fonn

ited for brick} it would
idmiration, and honour.

nraon, but has recently
ed with trees. On the
s a mall, or walk, plant,
mewhat resembling that I
' its length. It i^ordg
le in fine weather. At
he harbour ; and along
al extensive rope-walks
s and barges can be ad-
ill roofed in, and have
d. Considerable quan.
ictured at these walks,
ie other states. In the
of the park, there is a
very respect to vehicles

nay with propriety be
de and commerce, and
alleys, crowded with
piers; taverns, coffee-
lices, banks, and state
ngs.

dents have taken place

an extensive range of

on India wharf: they

tness and uniformity.

the upper part of the

in of goods. A short

northward, is Long

n the bottom of State-

bour. Its breadth is

iS immense wharf is a

lolc lenjjtl) of the pier.

umber of other piers,

harbour; these form

UNITED STATES.

105

as many open docks, or slips, which admit vessels of almost
evCTy size and draught of water up to the very doors of the
houses. Viewing this sight from an eminence, it has a singu-
lar and beautiful effect ; the crowded masts and rigging of the
vessels appear in the midst of the streets, and the colours of all
nations are seen flying over the tops of the houses.

Boston is well paved, and has excellent foot-paths of flag
stones. The streets, which in the old town are generally nar-
row and irregularly laid out, are for the most part clean and
in good order. The markets are situated near each other,
dose to the water side ; and are supplied with every descrip-
tion of provisions in the greatest plenty, and at a moderate
price. But they are crowded and confined by the surrounding
buildings, and the narrow lanes in the vicinity. This, together
with the number of shabby shops and ale-houses in the neigh-
bourhood, gives t(j this part of the town an unseemly appear-
ance, which is still further increased by the litter and confusion
unavoidable in a market place.

The bridge connecting Boston and Charlestown is a sur-
prising work. It is of wood, with a draw for the admission of
vessels, and is 3483 feet in length, and 40 feet wide. On the
same river, and not above two miles further up the country, is
another bridge of this nature, lo03 feet long, and 42 in width.
The principal manufactures of Boston are, sail-clotli, cordage,
hats, wool and cotton cards, pot and pearl ashes, paper hang-
ings, plate and common glass, loaf sugar, tobacco, chocolate,
and an immense quantity of playing cards, on which they coun-t
terfeit the English figures with great exactness. Above forty
distilleries are employed in making that detestable spirit called
Yankee rum ! which is u.sed in preference to that agreeable
and nutritious beverage, malt liquor, two breweries for which
can barely be supported by this large town and its populous
vicinity.

The population of Boston, according to the census of 1800,
was 24,937 ; about three years after, it amounted to 28,000 ;
and very lately was computed to he upwards of 35,000. The
majority of the people are coiigregationalist3 ; the remainder
I'onsi&tofepiscopalifuis, baptists, quakers, univcrsalists, Homun

lae

VIEW OF THE

catholics, and Sandemanians. They have twenty places oi'
worship, of which nine belong to the congregationalists, and
/&ttr to the episcopalians.

< Sundays are observed,^ says a late traveller, 'with the
strictest decorum ; the town appears as if cbmpletely deserted ;
;and scarcely a person is seen walking the streets, except in go.
ing to or coming from a place of worship. This strict observ.
ance of religious duties disposes a stranger to judge favourably
of the moral dituracter of the people ; nor has he any reason to
alter his opinion, until he hears of so many unfortunate females*
in the cities.'

The inhalMtants are distinguished for their domestic habits,
regularity of living, integrity in their dealings, hospitality to
strangers, strict piety and devotion, and respect for the moral
and social virtues ; upon which depend the happiness and well
being of a community.

Several daily and weekly newspapers, and a few magazines
anid reviews, «re published in Boston. Like those of other
towns, the newspapers are attached to the principles of the two
parties which at present divide the people ; and in their poli.
tical animadversions, they are by no means tender of the cha-
racter of their opponents. The fanatical spirit of this city
seems gradually to subside; and Mr. Burke observes, afler
narrating the witchcraft delusion, 169^, in which so many in.
nocent pe(^e perished by the bigotry of two clergymen called
Encrease and Cotttm Mather, ' that the people there are now
grown somewhat like the rest of mankind in their manliers,
and have much abated of their persecuting spirit."* This city
is even already ranked by some among the most pleasing and
sociable in the United States.

The amount of tonnage owned by the port of Boston in
1810 was 149,1S1. The number of vessels that enter and
' clear out annually is immense, carrying on a trade to Europe,
;the East and West Indies, and China, besides a very extensive
coasting trade. The exports annually froro this port probably
amount to upwards of 8,000,000 dollars. There are in Bos-
ton three incorporated banks, besides a branch of the United
States' bank, whose joint capitals amount to upwards of

UNITED STATES.

107

kve twenty places oi'
mgregationalists, and

traveller, *with the
cbmpletely deserted ;
streets, except in go.
, This strict observ- •
r to judge favourably
has he any reason to
y unfortunate females*

their domestic habits,
salings, hospitality to
respect for the moral
lie happiness and well

and a few magazines

Like those of other

5 principles of the two

le; and in their poli-

ms tender of the cha-

spirit of this city

Jurke observes, after

in which so many in.

two clergymen called

people there are now

id in their manners,

g spirit.' This city

e most pleasing and

port of Boston in
isels that enter and

a trade to Europe,
ides a very extensive

this port probably

There are in Bos-
fanch of the United
int to upwards of

5,000,000 dollars ; and there toe three or four insurance of-
fices, with capitals of S or 400,000 dollars each.

There are a number of public societies in Boston^ among
which may be mentioned the American Academy of Arts and
Sciences, Massachusetts Historical Society, BiMton* Library
Society, Agricultural Society, Mechanic Society, Marine So-
ciety, Charitable Fire Society, Humane Society, Medical So-
ciety, Dispensary, and the Female Asylum. Public education
is on an excellent footing; there are eight or nine public
schools, supported at the expence of the town, which are ac-
cessible to all the members of the community, free of expence ;
they are managed by a committee of twenty-one gentlemen,
chosen annually, and are under good regulations. Besides
these, there are a number of private seminaries, at which all
the various branches of education are taught ; and, upon the
whole, Boston may challenge a competition on this branch with
any city in Europe, Edinburgh in Scotland perhaps excepted.

Sahm is, next to Boston, the largest town in Massachusetts,
and one of the earliest settled in the state. It is situated on a
peninsula formed by two branches of the sea, called North and
South rivers, and consists of about 1500 houses, and contained,
in 1800, 9547 inhabitants. The houses are built partly of
wood, and partly of brick ; and many of them are uncommonly
elegant. The principal public buildings are a court-house,
five congregational churches, and one each for quakers and
episcopalians. Salem carries on a very extensive shipping
trade, more business being done here in that line than in any
town in the New England states, Boston excepted. There ia
a ship-yard in Salem, and a considerable manufactory of sail-^
cloth. A bank has been long established. The inhalMtanta
are sud to be industrious and frugal, and the appearance of
the town indicates a considerable accumulation of wealth. Sa-
lem is remarkable as. lieing the residence of Mr. Gray, reputed
the greatest ship-owner in America, having a vast number of
square-rigged vessels, many of which are in the India trade.

Cambridge is handsomely situated, and contains a univer>
nty, which is reputed the best literary institution in the United
States. It was established in 16^, and has now four large

108

VIEW OF THE

buUdingS) with accommodations sufficient to contain upwards
of SOO students, who attend it annually, and are instructed in
all the various branches of human knowledge. The library is
very extensive, and the philosophical apparatus is said to be
the most elegant and complete of any in America. Five pro.
fessors and four tutors discharge the dutieh of the university,
which is generally well atterided by students. The vilUigeof
Cambridge contains about 1000 inhabitants. The houses are
mostly built of wood. The public buildings are, besides the
university, a court-house, an episcopal and a congregational
church.

Worcester is a pretty place, and said to be one of the largest
inland towns in the state. It is the capital of a county to
which it ^ves the name, and is situated in a plocsant valley,
/mostly on one street, which is broad and handsome. The
houses are g^ierally of wood, punted white; and are in num.
ber about 400. The inhabitants amount to about S500. The
public building are, a court-house, jail, and two congregational
churches. They have a pretty extensive inland traJe at 'this
place, and the printing biisiness has been long established here
by a Mr. Thomas, who is reputed to be the oldest printer in
•America. It is proposed to open an inland navigation between
tliis place and Providence, distant about 40 miles; and if it
should take place, it is supposed that it will be attended with
great advantage.

Springjield is a handsome and thriving town, situated on
the east. side of the Connecticut river, 97 miles from BostiU).
It contains about 1500 inhabitants, who carry oh a considerable
inland trade, and have established a respectable manufactory
of fire-^rms. The public buildings arc a court-house and a
congregational church.

Brook field is a beautiful town, situated on the Quebang
river, and in a rich, fertile country, which aim contains great
quantities of iron ore. Of the remainder of the towns, the
most important is Marblehead^ a sea-port, containing upwards
of 5000 inhabitants. Neu^ryport is a handronje sea-purt,
containing nearly 6000 inhabitants, and has several manufac-
tories, and a large shipping trade. Ipswich contains 3000

UNITED STATES.

109

iohabitantfl ; and Concord, a flourishing town on Concord river,
is remarkable as being the place where the provincial congren
held their deliberations during the war. Taunton, North-
amptony Stockbridge, PHt^fieldj and Barmtaple, are all towns
of considerable note. The state is intersected in every direc-
tion with good roads, and the bridges are numerous and very
important.

Trade and iResowces.-^The amount of the internal revenues
of Massachusetts in 1815 was 528,455 dollars, and the num-
ber of carriages taxed was 14,184. The value of lands and
houses, as stated by the 'assesses, amounted to 143,765,560
dollars, which made the aver^ige value of land equal to 18 dol.
laFs per acre.

.By the .returns of the same year, the gross amount of du^es
OD merchandise was 6,168,448 dollars. The registered ton-
iiage employed in foreign trade was 199,659, and the enrolled
tonnage, employed in the coasting trade was 2995, besides ves-
sels under SO tons.

The greater part of the manufactures have already .been

enumerated in the account of Boston ; but it thay be noticed,

that, in the interior, there is a vast variety of domestic manu-

factwres ; and several others upon a larger scale, particularly

of woollen and cotton.

The exports of the state are, provisions, timber, ashes, flax-
seed, bees^ wax, fish, oil, saddlery, cabinet work, boots and
shotis, nails, tow-doth, iron utensils, glass, spirits, he. The
imports are, British manufactures, tea, win<e, silks, spirits, :
coffee, cotton, &c. Commerce is pursued with an ardent spirit
in the state ; and it is said that Massachusetts owns more ship-
ping than any other state in the Union. The state has very
extensive fisheries, the product of which is annually of great
value. -

Religum. — The legislature of this state are empowered to
require of the several towns to provide, at their own expence,
for the performance of public worship, and to require the at-
tendance of the subject on the same. But these affairs are
managed by each religious sect in its own way, who are not
suffered to interfere with the civil ri^^ts of their neighbours,

110

VIEW OF THE

flo that the sting is drawn out of the tail of the 8oor|non of i«.
ligious discord. No sect is elevated above another ; and all
have reason to be thankful for the blessings they enjoy, in the
protection of equal laws. The great body of the (lurches an
established on the congregational plan.

Education^ Sfc. — Dr More says, * Acocnrding to the' laws of |
this commonwealth, every town having 50 householders ot up-
wards, is ' to be provided with one or more schoolmasters, to
teach children and youth to read and write, and instruct then
in the English language, arithmetic, orthography, and decent
behaviour ; and where any town has 200 families, there is also
to be a grammar school set up therein, and some discreet per>
son, well instructed in the Latin, Greek, and English languages^
'procured to keep the same, and be suitably paid by the inha.
bitants. The penalty for neglect of schools, m towns of 50
families, h lOl.; those of 100 families, SO/. ; and of 150, SOL
Besides the college of Cambridge before mentioned, there are
several respectably endowed academies. Those established tX
Newbury, Andover, Leicester, and Hingbam, deserve particu-
lar mentbn.

Government. — The commonwealth of Massachusetts u di.
vided into 14 counties, and subdivided into 355 townships.
The whole country is divided into districts, of about nix miles
square each, and these are called towns, whether they b^
thickly settled or not. The arrangement of these towns is
somewhat assimilated to the parishes in Scotland, having each
a separate jurisdiction within itself, which r^ulates the affairs
of religion and of education, and makes provision for the poor.
They are also of great importance in the elections, which are
conducted throughout the whole state in one day,> the pet^le
voting in their respective towns, which has a tend«icy to pre-
vent all bustle and confusion.

The state government is vested in a senate and house of re-
presentatives, styled the General Court; a governor, lieute-
nant-governor, and council. The senators are 40 in number,
and are elected annually in districts ; and the voters must be
possessed of a frediold estate of the value of 3/. or any estate
of the value of €0/. The representatives are elected annually,

UNITED STATES.

Ill

in townships: every corporate town containing 150 rateable
polls elects one, those containing 375 elect two, those oontun.
ing 600 elect three, and so on, making SS5 the number for
every additional representative. The electors must be pos-
sessed of the same property as for senators. The governor is
styled h%8 excellency, and must be possessed of a freehold of
1000/. He is elected annually by those qualified to vote for
senators and representatives. The lieutenant-governor is styled
Jut honour, and must have the same qualificatkms, and ^
Netted in the same manner as the governor. The council
consists of nine persons, chosen from the senators by joint bai-
lot of the senators and representatives.

Islands. — Among the islands that border uponjtheextenuve
oosst of this state are, Ka^^wak, Martha's Vineyard, and
Nantucket. Kappawak, now Duke's county, and the nagh-
bouring isles, were discovered as early as 1602) by Bartholo-
mew Gosnold. In honour of queen Elizabeth, he called a
[•duster of small islands near the cape, Elizabeth isles. To an-
other neighbouring island he gave the name of Martha's Vine-
yard. Duke's county is 20 miles in length, and about four in
breadth. It contains seven parishes. Edgartoii, which in-
cludes the island Chabaquidick, is the shire town. This little
island is about half a mile from the harbour, and renders it
?flry secure. This county is full of inhabitants, who, like their
neighbours at Nantucket, subsist principally by fishing. They
send three representatives to the general assembly., and one
senator.

Nantucket lies south of cape Cod, about 30 miles from the
coast, and is about 15 miles in length, and two or three in
breadth. Before the revolutionary war, this small island had
65 ships, of 4875 tons, annually employed in the northern,
and 85 ships of 10,200 tons, in the southern fishery. From
1787 to 1789, it had only 18 ships, of 1350 tons, in the north-
I em, and 18 ships, of 2700 tons, in the southern fishery. Fur
many years past, this fishery has been carried on from this
I island, and frtmi New Bedford, a large commercial and flou-
rishing town on the coast, in its neighbourhood, and has em-

lis

VIEW OP THE

ployed from 15^000 to 18,000 torn of shippug, prineipaUy in
the Southern seas.

'•^^Hittotyi — In 16S8, the first regular settlement was made in
the Massaehusetts near Salem by Mr. Endioot Two yean
after thisj 1500 people arrived from England, amongst whooi
were several persons of distinctioik These were followed by
sevoral others^ amongst which were Messrs. Cotton, Hooker,
and Stxme, three of the most famous pillars of the church.
Mr. Cotton settled at Boston, and the otlmr two at Cambridge.
Mr. Hooker and 100 others removed in 1686, and settled at
Hartford, on Connecticut river.

* In 1636," says Mr. Morse, * Mrs. Hutchinson, a veiy ex«
traordinary woman, whe came to New En^and with Mr. Cot-
ton, made great disturbances in the ehurohes. Two capital
errors with which sbo was charged were, **That the Holy
Ghoist dwells personally in a justified person ; and that imthing
of sanctification can help to evidence to believers their justifi.
cation.'" Disputes ran high about the covenant of workfi, and
the covenant «f grace, and involved both the civil and religious
afikirs of the colony in great confueaon. The final result was,
a synod was appointed to be held at Cambridge, \n August,
1697» where were present both mi/'^ters and messengers of I
chunihes and magistrates, who, afler three weeks' disputing,
condemned, as erroneous, above eighty points or opinions, sud
to have been maintained by some or other in the ctmntry.
The result was signed by all the members but Mr. Cotton,
In consequence of this, Mrs. Hutchinson and some of her
principal followers were sentenced, to banishment. She, with
her husband and family, shortly after removed to A^uidnick,
(Rhode island) where, in 164S, Mr. Hutchinson died. She
being dissatisfied with the people or place, . removed to the
Dutch country, beyond New Haven ; and the next year, she
and all her family, being sixteen souls, were killed by the In-
dians, except one daughter, who was carried into captivity.''

The year 16B7 was distinguished by the Pequot wars, in
which were slain five or six hundred Indians, and the tribe
almost wholly destroyed. This struck such terror intp the

UNI1<ED 8TATBS.

118

ihipping, prineifMUy in

lodiMiif, that fer forty years luoceeding, they never openly
commenoed hoetUitict w'lih the English.

In 1640, the motives for emigration to New England ceased,
by a change in the afturs of Enghuid. The popuktion df this
colony then amounted to 81,000; and the present inhalntanU
are mostly the oApring of these original settlers.

The religious prejudices of the colonists were the source of
violent disputes and great cnielties. In 1648, they were in-
fected with the fear of witchcraft; and Margaret Jones, of
Charieston, was accused of having so malignant a quality, as
to cause vomiting, deafness, and violent pains by her touch.
She was accordingly tried, condemned, and executed. The
scrupulousness of the pec^le appears to have arisen to its
height in 1649, and was indeed ridiculous. The custom of
wearing long hair, * after the manner of ruffians and barbarous
Indians,^ as they termed it, was deemed contrary to the word
of God, * which says it is a shame for a man to wear long hair.*
This expression of the apostle Paul induced this pious people
to think this custom criminal in all ages and nations. In a
• clergyman it was peculiarly offensive, as they were, required in
an espedal manner to go patmiibua awrUnUi with <^pen ears.
The use of tobacco was prohibited under a penalty ; and the
smoke of it, in some manuscripts, was compared to. the smoke
of the bottomless pit. The sickness frequently jHroduced by
smoking tobacco was considered as a species of drunkenness,
and hence what we now term smoking, was then ofton called
* drinking tobacco '* At length, some of the clergy fell into the
habit of smoking, and tobacco, by an act of government, * was
set at liberty.^

This was succeeded, 1656, by a persecution against the
quakers; and though none were actually put to death by
public execution, yet many were confined in prisons where
they died in consequence of the rigour of ttie law. King
Charles II. also, in a letter to the colony of Massachusetts,
approved- of their severity. The quakers were undoubtedly
enthu^ts, as the following instances will testify. * Thomas
Newhouae went into the meeting-bouse at Boston with a couple
of glass bottles, and broke them before the congregation, and

VIEW OF THB

thrmtmait Tkui wiM th» Lord bnak you in fkett, Anolbar
time M. Brewster came In with her Awe meinred as bhnk m •
coeL Deborah Wilaon went through the itneta of Salun
naked aa ohe was born.' But the quakere were und with the
meet unjuetifiabk severity, whidi, fltmi exciting sympathy, in-
creased their numbers. These unhaj^y diaturbanoes oonti*
nued until the (Hends of the quakers in Kqgland hiterposed,
and obtained an order from the king, September 9, 1661, re-
quiring that a slop should bd put to all capital or corporal
punishments of his subjects called quakers. This order was
prudently complied with, und the disturbanoea by degrees
subsided.

In 1699, the colony obtained, after many disputes with the
mother countiy, a new charter, which was productive of much
good, particularly in diminishing the power of the clergy.
During the same year, the spirit c£ infktuation raqiecting
witchcraft was a^in revived in New England, and raged with
uncommon violence. Several hundreds were accused, many
were condemned, and some executed. Various have been the
opinions respecting the delusion which occasioned this tragedy.
Some fuous people have believed there was something super-
natural in it, and that it was not all the effect of fl«ud and
imposture. Many are willing to suppose the accusers to have
been under bodily disorders which affected their imaginations.
It is very possible that the whole was a scene of fraud and im-
poMure, began by young g^rls, who at first thought of nothing
more than exciting pity and indulgence, and continued by adult
persons, who were afiraid of being accused themselves. The
one and the other, rather than confess thdr fraud, sufiered the
lives of so many innocents to be tidien away through the ere-
dulity of judges and juries. At last, the witch-finders grew
bold, and accused some of the judges of exercising infernal
arts. The rich were now struck with alarm, and the persecu-
tion ceased.

V From 1675, when Philip's war began, to 1713, five or six
thousand of the youth of the country had perished by the
enemy, or by distempers contracted in the service of their
(Country. The colonies, which usually doubled their inhabit-

UNITED STATES.

lis

wtpkem* AdoUmt
itmd M bbok « a
le itrNto of SaiMn
were uaad with the
siting eynpathy, in-
diiturlNuwee oonti*
^latid interpoeed,
ember 9, 1661, i«-
capitel or corporal
n. This order wai
rbancM by degrees

ly diqMitee with the

fNToductiTe of much

>wer of the clergy.

fktuatioii ref^Mcting

ind, and raged with

rere aocuied, mai^

iriouB have been the

uiioned this tragedy.

as something super.

effect of ftaud and

he accusers to have

their imaginati<Ni8.

e of fraud and im-

thought of nothing

continued by adult

themselves. The

fraud, sufiered the

through the ere-

witch-finders grew

exercising internal

, and the persecu-

1713, five or sh

perished by the

le service of their

}]ed their inhabit-

ants in five and twenty years, had not at this time double the
number which they had fifty years before.

In 17tl, the small-pox mode great havock in Boston and
the adjacent towns. Of 5889, who took it in Boston, 884 died.
Inocidadon was introduced upon this occasion, contrary, how-
ever, to the minds of the mhaUtants in general. All orders of
men, in a greater or less degree, condemned a practice which is
now universally approved, atid to which thousands owe the
preservation of their lives.

In 17i5, according to a prt^posal and plan of the governor
of thb colony, Louisburg was besieged and taken. The pos-
session of this place appeared necessary for the security of the
English fishery, and prevented an attack upon Nova Scotia,
which the French had meditated and threatened.

The reduction of Loubburg by a British colony surprised
Great«Britain and France, and occanoned both powers to form
important plans for the next year. Great Britain had in vieyr
the reduction of Canada, and the extirpation of the French
from the northern continent. France, the recovery of Louis-
burg, the conquest of Nova Scotia, and the destruction of the
English sea coast fifom TJova Scotia to Georgia. Great prepa-
rations were accordingly made by both monardu. A very
formidable French fleet sailed for the American coast ; a Bri-
tish squadron was long expected to oppose them, and to pro-
tect the colonies ; but expected in vain. The colonies were in
immediate and imminent danger. Fortunately for them, th^
French, fleet was rendered unfit to accomplish their deugo, by
a violent storm, which damaged most of the ships so much,
that they were obhged to return to France, or retire to the
West indies to refit.

After this, nothing material occurred in the colony until the
general revolution, in which Massachusetts acquired a consi^
derabie share of glory.

116

VIEW OF THE

DISTRICT OF MAINE. *^rW

Situation and Extent, ^HJ[S Idistrict is bounded on the

north-west by the high lands whicft
separate the rivers which fall into the St. Lav^ence, from^ose
which fall into the Atlantic ocean ; on the east by the riy<*r St.
Croix, and a line drawn due nordi frond its soured to the sud
high lands, which divides this territory from Noya Stotia^
on the south-east by the Atlantic ocean ; and on the west by
New Hampshire. This divisicm is of great extent, being about
S50 miles long by about 19S br^ad, and contains Sl,750 square
miles.

NatwraX Geography. — St. Croix is a short and intonsidera-
ble river, forming the eastern boundary of the United States.
It falls into Fassamaquoday bay. Penobscot river rises in
some ponds in the heart of the country, and passing through
several small lakes, it tumbles for n^ar two miles overfalls,
which eflRictually prevent any further maiiii^ navtgatiqn. To
these falls, which are about 50 utiles fVom the sea, this river is
navigable for vessels of 100 tons. It empties into PenobscJot
bay.

Kennebek river rises fitnn a little pond ih the high lands,
in north lat 45 dieg. 90 min. Its geneiial ooune is ftom north
to soudi. It is navigable for vessels of lOQl tons to Hallowell,
50 miles from Small point, at the mouth of' the river.

Sagadahok, which, properly speaking, is but the main west,
em branch of the Kennebek, rises in lat. 44 deg. 50 min.
north-eastward of the White hills, in lake Umbagoog. Pea-
body river and another branch fall into this mun stream from
the east nde of the White hills. Its course is south about S6
miles, then east-north-east 60, when it meets a second main
•tream from the north-east, 84 miles from its sourpe. Hence
the river runs into Merry Meeting bay ; from thence, with the

UNITED STATES.

117

fl'ji »

JNE.

B'lmundecl on the
the high lands whidi
LiaWrenoe, from those
! east by the ritpf St.
its soured to the sud
firom Noya Stotia;
; and on the west by
t extent, bdng about
•litains Sl,750 square

lort and ineonmd^n-
f the United States,
jbscot river rises in
ind passing through
two miles over falls,
in^ navigatictn. To
the sea, this river is
ities into PenobscJot

rh the hi^ lat^«,
xiune is ftom north
Qi tons to Hallowell,

the river.

but the main west-
44 deg. 50 min.

Umbagoog. Peop
main stream from
is south about S6

sets a second main

its sourpe. Hence

m thence, with the

vatersof the Kennebek, which likewise &11 into this bay, with
several other small streams, it passes off to the sea, 16 miles,
by the name of Kennebek, or Sagadahok river,

Saco river has two sources, which sooa unite ; and the rivef ,
{keeping in a general south-eastern course for 60 or 70 miles,
passes between PepperiUborou^ and Biddeford townships,
into Saco bay, near Winter harbour. Marine navigation is
slopped by Saco falls, seven or eight miles from the sea. At
ibeae falls, which are about 80 feet in height, are the greatest
board-works in this part of the country. The river here b
broken by small islands in such a manner as to afford a num-
ber of fine saw-mill seats, Besides these are a number of
I smaller rivers.

The sea coast is indmited with innumerable bays. Those
worth notUdng are Penobscot bay, at the mouth of Penobscot
river, which b long and capacious. Its east side is lined with
I a cluster of small islands^ Casco bay is between cape. Elba^
beth and cape Small Poipt? It is S5 miles wide, and about 14
in length. ' It is a most beautiful bay, interspersed with small
islands, and forms the entrance into Sagadahok, It has a suf-
I ficient depth of water for vessels of any burden, Welb bay
lies between cape Neddik and cape Porpoise.

Agamemticus, a noted land-mark for sailors, is about eight
I miles from the sea, in lat 43 deg, 16 min., and lies in the
township of York, a few miles westward of Wells.

The heat in summer is intense, and the cold in winter
Iqually extnme. All fresh water lakes, ponds, and rivers,
are usually passable on ice, from ChrUtmas until the middle of
March. The longest day is..fifteen hours and sixteen minutes,
and the shortest eight hours and forty-fuur minutes. The
climate b very healthful. Many of the inhabitants live ninety
years.

On the high lands are oak in some places, but not plenty,
maple, beech, and white birch. The white birch in this part
of the country is unlike that which grows in other parts. It
is a fine large tree, fit for many uses. Its bark, which is
composed of a great number of thicknesses, is, when separated,
smoothef and. sof^r than any paper. The clay lands produce

118

^iVIEW OF THE

fir. The timber of this tree is unfit for use, but it yields tiki
balsam which is so much admired.

Iron and bog-ore are found in many places, in ^reat plenty, I
and works are erected to manufacture it into iron. There is a |
Atone in Lebanon, which yields copperas and sulphur.

PcpukUion.—'The population of this district in 1817 amount. |
ed to 318,647, which is ten persons to a square mile.

Manners, ^. — The inhabitants are a hardy^ robust race; I
and being early taught the use of the musket, are expc(t|
marksmen, and form a very useful militia.

Chief Towns. — Porthnd is the most etmsiderable town, anjl
contains nearly 5000 inhabitants. It is situated on a penio.
sula, and has an excellent and capacious harbour. , Ship«baild.l
ing and the fishery constitute the chief em[^ynient of- the
inhabitants. York is the second in importance, and is a place
of oonuderable business. HcUhweU, Wtsatssett and Afoc^
«re oonuderable }dace8, to say nothing of JPummaquoddif, i
sort of Land^s End in Cornwall, or Johnny Groafs House, K
the very extremity of the Union, and whidi sends ot^ a consi.
-dcrable number of small vessels. .Ai* »*»• ,tijs-

Trade and Resources. — The principal trade consisti^^iQ lun
bcr and fish, of wliich the inhabitants carry great quantities to I
tlie sea-ports of America^ and to the West Indies. The ma. |
nufactures are principally of tlie domestic kind.

Governmeni. — The Distbtct of Maive is politically coo. I
nected with Massachusetts ; but as the population b rapidly in.
creasing,a8eparat(^ government mayprobablybe soon demanded

History. — The first settlement made in the province of
Maine was about the year 1^0. Disputes with the propiie.
tors and the Massachusetts court, and war with the Indiani^ |
harassed the colonists so much, that in 1675 all the settlements
were in a manner broken up and destroyed. Several rein. I
forcements arrived after this; but the whole country, down to
the year 1702, exhibited a continued scene of killing, burning,
wid destroying. Even so late as the year 1748, persons were
murdered and captivated by the Indians in many of the towni
on the sea coast. Since that time, the inhabitants have lived in
peace, and their numbers and property are rapidly augmenting.

UNITED STATES.

«ir

r use, but it yields the I

places, in ^reat plenty, I
t into iron. There is }|
IS and sulf^ur.
listrict in 1817 amount. |
I square mile,
a hardy, robust race;!
le musket, are expcnj
tia.

cmisiderable town, and I
is ntuated on a penin.|
\ harbour. . Ship«haild.|
ief employment of the
lortaDce, and is a place
ViscMMti andAfoc^
I of Pasmmaguoidy^ i
linny Groafs House, K
rfaidi sends out « consi.
'/*"^' - ..-.., I

(I trade consists in lum.
Eurry great quantities to
Test Indies. The ma. I
ic kind.
AiKE is politically con- 1
lopulaUon is rapidly in.
ably be soon demanded
le in the province of
nites with the proprie.
WM with the Indians, '
>75 all the settlements '
royed. Several rein.!
country, down to
le of killing, burning,
1748, persons were |
m many of the towni
abitants have lived in
rapidly augmenting*

VERMONT.

^Uvati&ii and Extent. yERMONT iiT^l^unded north, by

Canhda ; east, by Connedticut ri^'^
rer, which divides it from New Hampsbire ; south, by Mii.'^
ehusetts; west, by New Yoirk. It is situated between 4S
I. 4Jl mbi. and 421 deg. north lat , aYid S deg. 38 mill, and
i d^. S7 min. ea^ long. It is 166 miles long, and its great*-
; breadth is 93 myet^. Its area is about 10,000 square milcal^^
pr 6,400,000 acres. r

Natturci4ieografhy.-i^T\vi& state, on the eaflt side of the
itaH, k wMered tly PaUpanhoosak, Quechey, Wdte^B,
^ite, Black, and West rivers, which tuti fttrni west to eaat
|nto Connecticut riv«r ; and west df the moutitaitis hf the river
il, over which is a natoml stone bridge, seven or eight
in length, by Onion river and Otter evebk, which empty
by and ittouth into lake Champkin, SO or 80 miles south of
. John^. Otter creek is navigaMe for boats 50 miles. Tb«
is adjacent are of -an excellent quality, and ane annukll|f
led by the overflowing of the water, occasioned by ttlw
eltqig of Ae snow on the Green mountains. ' •"'

A chain of high mountains, running tiorth and south, divide
bis state neariy in the centre between Connecticut rivor land
ake Champion. The h^ht ^ lend is genersiUy IVom HO tb
I miles frdm the river, and i^out the same distance from tliC
4ew York line. The natural growth upon this mountain is
hemlock, pine, spruce, and evergreens ; hence it has always ti
appearance, and on- this account has obtained the de-
iptive name of Mans Ver^ Green mountain. On some hi^
arts of this mountain, snow lies till May, and sometimes till
June. '

The country is generally hilly, but not rocky. It is finely
vatered, iond afibrds the best <if pasturage for cattle. On t^

ISO

VIEW OF THE

banks of the lakes, rivert, and rivulets, are inter sp er s ed many
fine tracts of rich land. The heavy growth of timber, which ig
common throughoift ^e state, evince the strength and fertility
cf the soil. Elm, black Urch, maple^ ash, and bass-wood,
grow in the mmst lov^ ground $ atid die banks of the rivers are
timbered principally with white frfoe, intermingled with vales
of beech, elm, and white oak. The inhabitants cultivate wheat,
rye, Inrley, oats^ Indian com, Sic. The com, however, ii
frequently cut off by the early frosts, espedally on the moun.
tains and hills. That wUch grows on the banks of the rivoi
b not so fi'e(|ualtly injui^d. Flax is rmsed in considarable
quantities, and the soil is j;Dod fo^ hemp. Potatoes, fnimpkim^
and garden roots and v^tableSj grow here in great pkmy.
Laige qowitities of sugaf, of a good quality and flavour, are
made from the sugar maple.

Iron U found in abundance throughout the state Lead,
oof^nn, flintt and vitri<J have been toaod ; and the lyest ode
of the state Abounds with marble.

Thi» state is extremely healthy; Snow Ifegaa to fall com.
raottly iu the beginning of November, and is geperally gone bj
the nuddle of April Baring this season, the inhabitaati
usuaUy enjdy a serene aky, and a. keen, cold air. Th« ipround
18 scMora frmwn to aily great dtfpth, b^ng covered with a great
body of snow b^re tfie sev«« frosts b^;in. In the sfHring
the snow, in common, is gradually dissolved by the warm in.
fluences of the sunt la this way the earth is enridied and
mwstened, and spring advances with surprisiii^ quickness.

Fopultt^tm.—JThe populatimi of VeroKmt in ISlTaniounted
to S96»40O, which is abov<l t9 persons to a squaie mile. Al
though it b off the sea coast, &r froni a market, and without
any populous towns, yet its inbalntants h<tve iMarly doubkd
within the huit 90 ydars.

Manners. — Most of the inhabitants of this state conust
emigrants from Massachusetts and Connecticut, «xi9ept
settlement ftmned by people from Scotland. The Yermooi
are represented as being hardy, robust, full-featured, and
ih theit" complexions : as they are mostly all agriculturalnts
mechanics, they are independent in their sentiments ; and

UNITED STATES.

181

wants bang mostly supplied among themselTes, they are not
subject to great vidssitudes of fortune, and are generally
wealthy in proportion as they are industrious.

Chkf 7Wn«.-i- -Bennington is the principal town in Vermont.
It is situated in the south-west corner of the state ; near the
foot of the Green mountain. Its public buildingfare a church
for congregationalists, a court>house, and jul. It has a num-
ber of elegant houses, and is a flourishing town. Near the
centre of the town is mount Anthony, which rises very high in
the form of a sugar-loaf. The assembly commonly hold thnr
sesnons at Windsor.

Montpellier is the seat of government, and contains 1600
inhabitants; Bennington, S250; Windsor, 8200; Rutland,
3130; Newbury, 8000; Manchester, 8000; .Newfane, 1700;
St. Albans, 1400; Middlebury, 1860; Turlington, 1100;
St. Hero, 1000; Craftsbury, 1000; Brunswick, 1000.

Trtide and Resources. — The chief business of this state is
agriculture ; and great quantities of beef, pork, butter, cheese,
and wool, are raised for market. The principal manufactures
are of a domestic kind, consisting of wool and flax for family
use. Iron is manufactured, and also a considerable quantity
of pot and pearl ashes.

The principal external trtide is with Canada, which, during
the late war with Great Britun, was carried on to a great ex-
tent. The state has likewise a convenient channel of commerce,
through the medium of its rivers, with New York, Hartford^
and Boston.

The value of lands and houses in this state, as revised by
the assessors in 1815, was 38,461,180 dt^lars ; and the ave>
rage value of land was 6 dollars 40 cents. In the same year,
the gross amount of the customs was 845,195 dollars.

Government. — The state is divided into twelve counties, and
S45 townships of six miles square. In every township u a
reserve of two rights of land, of 350 acres each ; one to be ap-
propriated for the support of public schools, the other to be
given in fee to the first minister who settles in the township.
A part of the townships were granted by the governor of New
Hampshire, and the other part by that of Vermont. In those
6 Q

VIEW OP THE

.(!

townships granted by the former, a right of land is resenred
for the support of the gospel in foreign parts ; in those granted
by the latter, a 0(mU^ right, and a right for the support of I
county grammar schodb, are reserved. In these reservations,
liberal provision is made for the support of the goi^pd, and for
the promotion of common and collegiate education.

The territory composing Vermont was long clumed by the
ac^oining states of New Hampshire and New York ; but the
inhabitants wished it to become an independent state in 1777,
and the Green mountain hoys, as they were called, took a veiy
active part in the war of the revolution ; but they did not sue
oeed in establishing their claim of independence till 1791, when
they were admitted, a 14th state, into the Union. The con.
stitution was adopted in 1793, and Vermont now sends two
senators and four representatives to congress.

The declaration of rights is nearly the same as that of -New
Hampshire ; but they have an article declaring that no male
bom in the country, or brought over sea, can be held in bond>
age after 21, and no female after 18 years of »^.

The plan of government is le^slative, executive, and judi.
ciary. The legislative power is vested in representatives,
chosen annually ; every free male of 21 years and upwards,
who pays taxes, having a vote. The executive is vested in a
governor, lieutenant>govemor, and council of twelve, chosen
annually, in like manner : and in order * that the freedom of {
the ctHumonwealth may be kept inviolate for ever,^ a ocAmcii
of censors is chosen once in seven years, whose duty itf is to see
that the constitution has been preserved inviolate ; whether the
taxes have been paid, and the public monies properly disposed
1^; whether the public servants have done their duty, and the
laws been duly executed : and they are empoweied, if they
judge it necessary, to call a convention, to meet two years after
their sitting, to revise and ainend the constitution.

• *

UNITED BTAT£S.

RHODE ISLAND.

SUuation and Extent. J{^HOD£ ISLAND is bounded aii

the itortb and es^t by the ooninoiw
wealth of Massaohusetta; on the south by the Atlantic; and
on the west by Connecticut These limits comprehend frhat
has been called Rhode island and Providence plantations. It
is situated between 41 deg. 2S min. and 4S deg. north lat, and
5 deg. and 5. deg. 50 min. east long., being 45 miles in length*
and 43 in breadth, and contuns 1700 square miles, or 1,(]|88^0QQ
acres. -■.,, ,>.,..?

Natural Geography. — Providence and Taunton liveM both
fall into Narragansett bay, the former cm the west, tb< latteH
on the east side of Rhode island. Providence river rises Ui
Massachusetts, and is navigable as far as Provid«M»i SO.miies
from the sea. One branch of Taunton river praceeda frpni
Winisimoket ponds; the other rises within, about a mile, of
Charles river. In its ouurse,. southerly, it passes by the temvk
of Taunton, fiom which it takes! itsn&mc. It is navigable Sour
small vessels to Tauntcxi. CdmmoU ^tides rise about finic fee^

Narragansett bay b 33 miles im length from south to northjil
and towards Newport about 12 mil6s in breadth, induding the
islands which it embosoms, pf which tiie principal are, Rhode,
island, Canonicut, Prudence, Patience, Hf^ie, Dyer\ ind
Hog islands It receives the waters of Providence, Tauntcm^
andi Patuxetf rivers; and contains five. harbours, besides those
of Newport iind Provkienoe. Its banks are clad with settle*
uients, and there are a number of pretty Utile towns, the view
of which from the water has a fine effect

In the town of Bristol is mount Hope, wluch is remarkable
only on account of its having been the seat of king Philip, and
the place where he was killed.

VIEW OF THE

The face of the country is agreeably uneven, some places
bang hilly, but not mountainous. It is, generally speaking, a
country for pasture and not for grain. It, however, produces
com, rye, barley, oat8» and flax, and culinary plants and roots
in great variety and abundance. Its natural growth is the
taine as in the other New England states. The western and
north-western parts of the state are but thinly inhabited, and
are barren and rocky. In the Narragansett country, the land
is fine fer grazing. The people are generally farmers, and
ruse great numbers of the finest and largest neat cattle in
America. They keep large dairies, and make butter' and
cheese of the best quality, and in laige quantities, for. exporta.
tion. Narragansett is famed for an excellent breed of pacing
horses. They are strong, and remarkable for their speed,
aERd for their excellency in enduring the fatigues of & long
J<Mimey.

Iron ore is found in great plenty, and tlie state abounds
with liraestorie and marble. Some copper ore and loadstone
have fdso been found ; and there are several mineral springs,
but 01^ no gr^t importance.

•- ' The dknate' i» salubrious and healthy ; but the winters are
tMnMines long and severe, commencing in November, and
ending in M^roh or April. There is a very short spring, but
the Bumiier and autumn ariB delq^htfuL Volney remarks on
this tulgeet, *1Vere I obliged t» select the most favourable
spot in America as the |rface of liay abode, toy^choice would
fidl upon the southern point t/i Hhode islandi.^ ' : : .
^ PoimlaiUm.-^T:he population of Rhodes island in 1817
attiouiited to 96,7S1, which is 98 persona to a square mile.

ManMrs, — ^The inhabitant!^ of this state 9ice generally pro.
prietora of the farms they^ cultivate, and are therefore inde>
pendent The inhabitants of the towns are mendiants, roanu.
faoturers, mechanics, seamen, and fishermen. * The lands ate
not entaUed, and hence there are no aristocracy, but indepen.
dence is easily attained by industry. The women are sakl to
be very polite and beautiful ; and the state being esteemed the
Edtn 0i America, is much resorted to by strangers, which
gives a peculiar openness and urbanity to their manqers.

■iff

r,T'

UNITED STATES.

1115

There are stiU a few ImUans scattered through the country;
but thdr ill-oongtructed and miserable huts exhibit but a small
remove towards civilization. ^''

Chief Towns.'— Newport is situated on the south-west paint
of Rhode island, in lat 41 deg. 29,min. It extends about a
mile from north to south, along Narragansett bay, and is a()oif\
one-third of a mile in breadth, rising, as it proceeds from the
water, by a considerable ascent. The streets cross one another
at right angles, and are all well paved. The number of inha^
bitants, by the census of 1810, was 10,071, and the number of
houses is about 1600, chiefly built of wood, and painted white.
The public buildings are, a state-house, academy, public li-
brary, four baptist churches, two for oongregationalists, and
mie each for episcopalians, quakers, Moravians, and Jews.

The situation of this city is beautiful, and the salubrity of
the climate is proverbial, in consequence of which it becomes a
great resort for strangers, particularly from the southern states,
during the summer season. It is also noted for the excellent
supply of provisions in its market, particularly offish, of whieh
there is said to be 50 or 60 different kinds. The packets
which ply between this place and New York, and Providence,
are of great service to the city and to the public. They are
generally under excellent regulations, and afford better accom-
modations and travelling at a cheaper rate than is to be found
in most places of the world. The distance from hence to New
York is about SOO miles, which is often sailed in little more
than 80 hours ; and the fare, including bed and provisions, is
only nine dcJlars. From hence to Providence, 30 miles, it is
one dollar.

Newport is a favourable situation for commerce, and has one
of the most safe and commodious harbours in the world. On
the opposite side of the harbour is Goat island, on which there
is a fort and military station. The trade of Newport is prin-
cipally in shipping ; and there is a manufactory of cotton, and
one of duck, both of which are atdd to be in a thriving state.

Providence, the capital of Rhode island, is beautifully situ-
ated on the head of Narragansett bay, and is divided into two
parts by the Providence river, over which there b a good

1X6

VIEW Of TH»

Iwidge, with a draw b it, to allow vesaels to pass. The we»t
side of the town is low, but the east side rises, by a 'nqsid
ascent, to a considerable elevation. The number of inhabit.
$jBfM, in 1815, was 11,600, and they are rapidly increasing.

*In its appearance,^ says a late En^ish traveller, 'itoom.
Kined the attractions of Soutbpinpton and Doncaster. There
are manufactcMies in the neighbourhood. All places of public
social wmrship are, in the state of New York, called churches;
not, as with our dissenters, chapels. In these states, the old
English distinction c£ ** church,^ and ** nieeting4ious^,^ conti-
nues. Here is an excellent niarket^ouse, a workhouse^ four
or five public schools, an university with a tolerable lilnrary, a
public library, and an hospital. Several of the churches are
very handsome : they, as well as many private houses, are built
of wood, painted white, with green Venetian shutters, present,
ing a neat elegance very superior to our soMjky brick buildings.
I have not seen a town in £)urope or America, which Ixve the
appearance of ^general prosperity equal to Providence. Ship
and house-builders were fully employed, as indeed were all
classes of mechanics. The residents are native Amwicans.^

The college is situated on the hill, and commanding a fine
view of the town, bay, shij^ii^, and country for many miles
round. The building is of brick, with a ^ed roof, 160 ftet
long, 46 wide, and four stories high ; and contains lodgings for
upwards of 100 students. It has a valuable philosophical ap-
paratus, and a library containing upwards of SOOO volumes.
Providence has a pretty extensive shi|9^ing trade, and sends
veiy large ships to tlie East Indies and other distant parts of
the world.

The other principal towns are, SouA Kingttofiu situated on
the west side of Narragansett bay, nearly oppoute Newport,
and ccmtains 3000 inhahitents. Bristol is pleaswitLy situated
on the bay, about half way between Providence and Newport,
and contains 1678 inhabitants. It has a little shipping trade,
Warren is a flourishing little town, enntaining about 1600 in-
hahitents. It is on the west side <^ the bay, on the Warren
river, and carries cm a brisk coasting and foreign trade. Little
Comptoni East Greenwich^ and Compt(ri^ arc also gsxtwiog

UNITED STATES.

197

el« to pass. The west
•Kle rises, hy a rapid
lie i|umber of inhabit
rapidly increasing,
lish traveller, ' it com.
id Doncaster. Thei«
All places of public
rork, called churches;
n these states, the old
meeting-house,'' conti.
Be, a rwrhhouset four
a tolerable library, a
il of the churchea are
ivate houses, are built
ian shutters, present,
■oky brick buildings,
erica, which bore the
o Providence. Ship
, as indeed were aU
lative Americans.'
i commanding a fine
intry for many miles
Bkted roof, 160 ftet
contains lodgings for
)le philosophical ap.
Is of 8000 volumes.
ig trade, and sends
tber distant parts of

mgaUnu tituateri on
opposite Newport,
pleaswtly situated
ence and Newport,
ttle shipping trade,
ling about 1600 in-
ly, on the Warren
«ign trade. LitUe
arc also ^wiog

towns. The state is supplied with good roads and bridgea,
some of which have been constructed on an ingenious plan,
and at great expence. No canals have yet been made, but sb-
veral are projected.

Trade and Reaourcn.^'ThxB state is very favourably situ-
ated for commerce, of which it has a large share. The export!
are gnun, flax-seed, lumber, horses, cattle, beef, pork, fish,
poultry, onions, butter, cheese, s|Mrits, and cotton and linea
goods. The imports are European aud India manufactures,
West India produce, and logwood.

The manufactures are cotton and linen goods, bar and sheet
iron, steel, nails, anchors and other iron work for diipping',
sail-cloth, paper, rum, &c. The cotton manufacture is ex^
tending ; but it is yet in its infancy, and, being subject to a
competition with the organized manufactures of Britain, it
must be attended '■ ith a considerable degree of inconvenimcc^
and perhaps of risk.

The writer above mentioned says, *At Pautucket, finir
miles fVom Providence, are 18 cotton manufactories; six of
which are on a large scale. They are not the propeity ti
individuals, but of companies. I visited three of these.
They had excellent machinery ; not more than one half of
which was in operation. Children from» six to ten yean
of age, of both Mxes, are paid 6s. 9d. per week ; ditto eleven
to sixteen, 10;. per week ; women, 12«. ; men, S7#. to 81«. 6d»
Very few of the latter are employed. Several of the manufao.
tones of this place are situated on a fine fall of water, 60 feet
in length, and passing through several chasms in a rock which
extends across the river.'

The value of houses and lands in Rhode island, as equalized
by the assessors in 1815, was 80,907,766 dollars. The value
of land was estimated at 89 dollars an acre. The gross
amount of the duties of merchandise, at the same time, waa
287,167 dollar . The registered tonnage in foreign trade was
S9,019, and the tonnage employed in the coasting tvade 589;

Education. — The state of education is said to be consider»>
bly behind that of the other New England states, but is im^
proving. The chief seminary is the college at Providence,

1»

VIEW OP THE

already mentioned ; and there is an academy at Newport, un.
der good regulations, besides various seminaries throughout
the state.

Religion. — There is no distinction made on account of reli.
gious opinions ; but every man worships God in any way his
conscience dictates, without interfering with his civil rights.
There are several benevolent and useful societies in the state,
among which may be noticed one * for the abolition of the slave-
trade, and for the improvement of the African race/

Government.— The state is divided into five counties and SO
townships. The legislature ooi.aists of a governor, deputy
govefnor, ten senators, and a representative from each town-
ship. They are chosen by the people twice every year, and
they bold two sessions annually.

Uistory.-^The men who fled from their native homes to
Massachusetts, to avoid persecution for their religious senti.
ments, were no sooner settled than they began to imitate their
tyrants, by enfordng an uniformity of opinions. This induced
Mr. Boger Williams, a minister, and twenty others to fly from
their Christian brethren, and to seek an asylum amongst the
m<Nre mereiful Indians in Rhode island, about the year 1636.
These fugitives built a village, which they called Pbovidkmcs,
and were somi jtnned by many others, particularly quakers and
baptists. But. being destitute of a patent, or any legal autho-
rity, Mr. Williams went to England as agent in 1648, and by
the assistance of Sir Henry Vane, jun. obtained of the earl of
Warwick (then governor and admiral of all the fdantations)
and his council, * a free and absolute charter of dvil inoorpora.
tion, by the name of the incorporation of Providence planta-
tions in Narragansett bay.^ This lasted until the charter
granted by Charles II. in 1663, by which the incorporatioD
was styled, * The English colony of Rhode idand and Provi-
dence plantations in New England.^

The free and liberal toleration established in this island
soon brought it into a highly flourishing state. The inhabit,
anta, during the •-evolution, acted with grctt spirit, and pro*
duced the second general in the field.

..•^*.'

UNITED STATES.

nny at Newport, un.
eminarici throughout

je on account of reli.
God in any way his
with his civil rights,
societies in the state,
auoUtion of the slave-
Prican race."

five counties and SO
a governor, deputy

tive from each town,
wice every year, and

heir native homes to
thnr religious senti.
began to imitate their
inions. This induced
nty others to fly from
asylum amongst the

1 about the year 1635.
r called Pkovidbmck,
Ocularly quakers and
, or any legal autho.

nt in 1648, and by
ttained of the earl oP
all Uie frfantations)

of dvU inoorporap
Providence plimta-

until the charter
:h the incorporation
le island and Provi.

ished in this island
btate. Theinhabiu
rcHt spirit, and pro*

COJSTNECTicUT.

SUtuUioH mnd Eirtitd. 'Jlpm^ state is hoUhd^ dh (l^« hbrth

by MasMChuii^ts ; on tK^ ^t t>y
Rhode island ( on the soiith by Uie sound, which divides it
from Long island ; and on the west by the state of N)^w Yorlc^
It is situated between 41 and ¥t^eg. north 1M., tttid $ deg. iO
min. and 5«lef /^^at long. Its greatest length is 89 milei; anid
its greatest braadlii 7S. Its an* is 4500 squhre tniles, or
it,880,000 MMii

Natural Gea^aphgf^^The principal rivers in this state ar^,
Connectieuly Housalbnick, the I'hames, and their branches.
One branoh of the Houtatonick pame^ through a number of
pleasant towaaji i and «inpt&ct into th^ sound between Stratfbrd
and Mil&rd^ It is navigable 'tWelVe miles to Derby. A bar
of shells at its mouth obstructlr'ttk Navigation for larg^ vessels.
In this river, between SsiislKiry and Canaan, is a cataract,
where the water of the whole river, which is 150 ynrds wide,
falbibout 60 feet perpetvdtcukriy, in a j^HMly white sheet.
A copious mist arises. In whidl floating nilnbows are Seen in
various. pladBs atthe same time^ exhibiting a sc^ne exceedingly
grand and beantiftiL ^^^

The Thames empties into Limg inland Round at New Lon-
don. It is niavigable 14 miles to Norwich landing. Here it
loses iu name, and branches into Shetu<iket on the east, ahd
Norwich or Little rivier on the weirt. Little river, about a
mile from its mouth, has a rMnarkablc and verj^ romantic ca-
taract. A rock, ten or twelve' feet in ])crpendicular height,
extends quite aeross the channel of the river. Over this the
whole river pitches, in one entire sheet, fkpon a bed of rocks
below. Here the river is compressed into a very narrow chan-
nel between twocr^^gy eliflfl, one^ of which towers to a consi-
derable height. ' The channel desceiids gi^a^ually, is very
crook^, and covered with pointed rocks. Upon these the

yimiA^v 51HE

water swiftly tumbles, foaming with Uie most violent a^tation,
15 or SO rods, into a broad bason which spreads before it. At
the bottom of the perpendicular falls, the rocks are curiously
^cavated by the constant pouring of the water. Some of the
cavities, which are dl of » circaliur &tm^ tkt five or ^x feet
deep. The sm«)othness of the water above its descent; the
rf;g^V^ri|y W<i be»^ty of tl^? .perpnidicu)iw fMl V U>e txwffm-
^qus rpii^l^etf^ of 4he pther; iui4 the craggy, towering cliff
which i^p^di^ the whole, pretAnt tp ;(he view of Mm ^p^fsta^
a ^eiieiade^ribiibly delightful 4|b4 fiW^^ Qa M» vivav
i^ sfQone of tbe fijnest situations for n^]^ •se^ i^ Nfiw I^Iaiti^
f^ fhqse immediately below the ^Is, qccm)M.))y Iirftthrop^
)jip(ill8j are perhaps not exoee4^ h|y any in^ l^ W4rkl< Across
the mouth of this river is a broad, commodious Jiridge, in the
f^ gsfa wbar^ buikat a gre«t expencft,rt,» ^ * vi u -

Sh^t^cket river, the other bra^b cC tb» Thfun0s» tuiables
•ov(tr m^y falls, and affords a vast nurobw of piUl seats. Tlus
river is. fed by numberless brouk^s tiom every pm^of the adja<
<pent «6unbry. At the mouth ^f (>hetucket is 9. bndgi? of ^nk-
ber, 1S4 feet in length, si^porte4 M each en4 by ]«lkir^ and
kept up in the middle by braces Ofj^ the t(^ in the nature.ot'

an«rch.. .- ,, , ^ , ■•■ ; ■ ':-.,K:<>.-;.i ■'^',-fv,u

Naugatuk, Farmington, MiU, and West nver, and Nol^Ui
jHaven river, are too small to merit a parUcular description.

The face of the country is agreeably uneven. To the south
the coast extends along the sQund the whole length of tlie state,
and has many fine inlets, which ase higlUy advantageous to
commerce. Towards the north-west the country swells out
into high, broken, hilly lands, but there are no mountains.
This hilly country is siud to he very romantic. The state is
remarki4)ly well watered, abounding in small streams.

The soil is various, some parts being poor and sandy, and
some very fertile ; generally speaking, there is a great deal of
good land, and the state is remarJutbly well calculated for
grazing. -rivmki

The climi^te is subject to great and sudden chfuiges, passing
to the extremes of heat and cold ; but it is very healthy, and
the state abounds with remarkable instances of longevity.

UNnTED STATES.

Ivan oreiB Aund 'm Hhe^mem^nsA abtMidanod; tuid tond^
eopper, mnI s'inc» have dbo betmcHiodvc^ed, though in tid'gtMitf
^^IkititiciK Pit^Mal has be«nfdmid^ hatiM'tb Buffloi^tiquAH^
4ty t(yiiKhid»tbe itihsUtantv t64lig Mm < Tttkre aM aifiudtiu
fwr df ininera]! springii in thl# mtne : 4li« hmhd iiM)ibH&AC i« ity
lAthMd oounty, vrhich is MgMy knprtgnttt^ wiOi ciM(bMk0&
acid gas and btilfkharaMd h;j!idtog«n>giis;< and ii aikl^to^tw vtry!
useful in cuni^ various disaaaett, |Nirtiicul«r))i dys(ii4plto; rhini^
inatisni|and'd»se<if'thecutanemiB kind/ '
> il^qMfJb#Joflli'-/nie numbdr^i^ inhiiitttitB'lii thb atite in<
1817 was 849,568^ Vj^hichwiieaaly '78 persons!to A iquai«'inil«.i

Mwtnera^'-ni^ popuIation-dPConnciodeiit oon8iatS'«if Atfin-
era^ mecfaanios^ nianufactureirs, mdasten of reH^^oivin^traottH«i
of youths dbctiors of Uiediinnci, md lawyei^^ Tbc^ aire no idl«<
peofde to be s^, aMioughit is'sud' that too nuHiy>ali»engag«d'
inithe leanicdiprofesrions't and Cdihneetieiit siends!oul<B'sfiifi<
proportion of iuminaries annuaUy, to enlighten oihar states^ ;^<

The absence of «rant and poverty in this state, «idflirly>^vinees>
the e^ilr that arise from the foudal syatean and theiaW)of'.p4fi^
mogenitbire. Itt contains no ovdrproiin'estates^ imdi eadiibitB no'
revokii^ soenesi of wretehedMess and misery. The cultivators
are a hardy, industrious race, whose labour is rewarded in^
' peaces and healthy and sweet oontent/

It must, however, be confessed, that they have created evils
which tend td embitter the happiness whidi » superficial ob>^
server might conclude they possessed. The dergy are nume-
rous, and constitute a kind of sdfish, overbeuihg aristocracy {
while their rage for theological disputation gaperates the worst
passions amongst their fiocks. This infatuation is, howeverj
rapidly abating ; but it has probably been the origin of that >
litigious disposition, which rages here as well as in the states of:
Massachusetts and Hhodc island. Every trivial dispute must
l)e settled according to law; which renders it an inviting
profession. M'jatwiw ■

Chief Tmimx,-~Hartford is a handsome city, the capital of
Connecticut, and is, aitematdy with Newhaven, the seat of
legislation for the state. It is situated on Connecticut river,
at the head of slnop navigation, 50 miles above liong island ■

las

yiEW OF THE

wwvdi :it;i»i^ulaitly:liMd oiit, the strocCSiiB^^
th«r At light angles; ^ but they, «« not paved. :; The eitjF^on.
siate of . about 44)0 houset, aiid.ooiitaiiis betwecK Sand' 4000
inha^taiit*^ . The publioi buUdiniie are»t Uie itabKhoiMe^ an
el^(ant edifipe^ tirai congregatiooal chttraheB,'and>oMe eiMicuiMi
chundi. . The titisaqpi ewrry on mi active comnmve, iajdl thi
products of tha stale,, to the southern stipes and the WetithiM
dies; and, ;theyhavQ;iaihKge shave of ooimtiy' trade. Caam.
derable manufactures ) are carried on with -spfailj^aud lare
increanng4 I The JDaidn^ ww m^ supf^iedtWith whalcotane
provisions, whidiiWe sold attmasondble rates. «< .-..^^t
Neickamm as a i handsome > dty.^ The survevnding tsoeMry
is: yery^ jfin^i^aiid the situation pleasant, and finvurable $ar>
oQttinMVoe. It is buUtonaiooBMderabte-'bay^ on IJonft!iriand>
sound, and covers psrt of .a pretty extanaivenplaint havimg'ai
rivw;<m-«adit«de «rit r The istiiieets cross oneoiothiBr at r^jht
angles^, andthieve is ft square in. the middlejisrounld whkh' are;
thepubtiiQ buildings^ whidi have a very handsoraeiappearanoe.
Th^y aie, the colleges, stateNhousc, three 4ai^[nsgational, and
one episcopal diurch. The coUege is estecmedt dne of: the best*
seminaries in the United States,. and, by themtisena o£jNew.^
haven* is «onaidered die vary best. . The tatyreontflans nearly
6000 inhabitants, who cany on a very active trade with New
York and the West Indies ;. and they have estabiisbed ooim.
derable manufactures, which are said to be in a thriving state/'
There are three other incorporated cities, visi New Londim,
Nciwich, and Middletown. Nete Loitdon is hamkomely situ-
ated on lihe Thames, and has an excellent haribour and exten.
sive trade. It contains upwards of 3000 iuhabitants, and has
a bank, and three houses for public worship. Norwich is on
the same river, at the head of navigation, and has numerous
manufactures and an extensive trade. It cmitains nearly 8000
inhabitanta, and has a court-house,, a bank, an insurance com-
pany, an academy, and three places fur public worship. Mid-
dl2^/0Bm| situated on Connecticut river, 15 miles below Hartford,
contains about 2000 inhabitants, and carries on a (x>nsider&ble
trade; I There is a bank, an insurance company, a court-house,
and' two phifces for public worship in the city. lA^hfield is a

UNITED sm^^ES.

18t

lets I momng om «u>
Bved. : ; TW eity «on.
bet«recild«Dd'4Q0O
i^ stat«JMNiae^ on
m, and one «jMiet)pri
comnm^ev iaiUl th^
M and the Weat fow
imtiy' trade. Cmuk
rith apfaii^viqid are

liad^wit]i irhaMme
itea;' .* ■ ; J'-*

survawiding tfloaUbry
and laviaiinUe ^
M^^ on Longii«laiid>
invei?plain« haviki|^a{
lonetaMthiar at i%ht
le^iirounid whkb' are

) 4cn^iKgationid, and
mfldt 6ne of ; tM brat*
:be«tiaen» of ^ew^
dtj aontmns nearlj
ive taade with Ncmit
f e established oonsi.
in a thriving states

visi Hew London,
is hambomely situ-
haiixtur and exten.
habitants, and has
ip. Norwich is on
and has numerous
ntains nearly 8000
an insurance com-
lie worship. Mid-
|e8 below Hartford,

on a (x>nsiderable
ny, a court-house,

ty. IMhJield is a

Sne'tawnv «nnUiimng^ upwards of 4000 pcofik}. - Itl^beatitit
fully utvf^ted io an elevated part «£tiie states* and has a couitJi

tier maeting'-house^ and aeadkonj^ We^tmvfUiM is the oldeM
jtown io ibe state, and is; remarkable for the.oultuiredfoittonai
jxhe other valhiges areiuunerous, tlie whtrfestate being studded
(with them, contaming from 500 to 1500 (» JM^OO^it^abitanta?
ig a^htns taay be mentiiQiMd JDttn^ry, xJVtfidimmt Hud-
|(2b%<<aivi Tatfand. The homes rare^ generally biult tif wood;
loo a haodsome plan^ and are praited white; which gives ^
Icountrjii ^ aairvt great ckanlinesa and Matawes. Thia entici»*'
[prising little state first set the exaosple. of making turn^ikei
jroads in>Ne1v England^ apd* these andothevgdud roads a)^ so
labunctaot, l^t tiaveUing is tfdcihtated; in all tiMreotions. There
■are a number lof bridges in, the state^ iiome of thetn constructed
lat great cxpenee, which we of great utiHty# ;> i') (■,•.•■ ■ ^ > ; •

i;(ftica<ton.>-r£ducatian iauponan eyct^llentfootiog, and dewt
Ischool' fwnvi more ample than that of aaiji; lotiier states The
I'ooUegeaf i tyen» whtcliiis nomed Yah'coiUfgei wasibtmd'
led in ITQi'.rf'i.jhe pfcwenl iei»ilege edifice, which is of brick,'
|wsi<buUt)in 1750, and is;I0OfeetiQng,naid 40 leet wide, three
jstoiies high,, and coBitains^i& chambers, aiad<64 stupes, convex
Inient for the reception o|>; 100 studeiHs. The eoU^^ chapely
Iwhichia^sO'ef briekf, was built in 1761, h^mg 50 teet by 40,
Iwitha.staeple IS5' feet hi^ In this baiktiqg is the public,
llilmury and the philosophical apparatus. The oolfege museum*,
■to whiqh additions are constantly making, c«aitfHoa eome great
iDatura) curiosities. . -; ■- .•-.;' - ..

Academies have been establ^hed at Greenfield,' Plainfield,
ICaoterbury^ Norwich, Windham* and Pom^t. The law
[directs that a grammar school shall be kept in every county
[town throughout the state ; but the great, po)iular, and per-
[uianent advantage on this branch, arises from the establishment
lof schools io every township, bdiiig an arrangement similar to
[the parish schools in Scotland, and which produced similar ef-.
[fects ; a general diffusion of knowledge, * steady hahits/ aOd
[sobrietv of manners.

Trade and Mesourcw. — The fanners of Connecticut and
[their ftunilies are generally dressed in doth of, their manufaic-

,*■

1S4

VIBW^OF THE*

ttire, trfmsH u MbMmtitf and gbod'jmdidhflM'flni comidiiil
fate and verjT' important nanufeotuvesy <m» m ^ugtt mM
AhNighoutti^vfftate, iriz. wooUim^ IkMna^'eoitcMnNi^clMtiMr J
cref^^ dsseription, liatS) itookkig^ papar* vni«v <lwil8^ gdi|i||
t a a i dfai ^ oUv dteksand watches^ ' earthai aad> -atdnii* ivirj
ehttwis, iiarn^. &c. ^^ > .r{ii<)tli<d

The. Btatto has a \9ry DoffifidemMef eoaating and ftv«igni'tiNrii.[
'J%e export* ire princtpally to die WestI India ilAaiidiv>iioaiAtlL|
ing of live stock, timiier^ gnuny Iriiii^ fiahi* aQd< pi i uMto i m l
Thft imports oenstst of raanuflMtuMd piece gaedr«(ir»tl|a duel
kindss wines, and grooerifM. >i
< The valaeiof JiottSes and hrnds^'afscoiding to the rettirti q(|
the assessors in 1815, amounted »to Q8,634s971 ^kwst tiNl
iaad falsing valtiild at M dollars per> aore. The dutibsion mtt.\
• chandise was S47,S83 dollara. There^waa empkiyed "hi "tnneiagA
tnU)^ 8d,4^ toh«i,' itnd in the ooasttng* trade 1^5. - ^^^

jre/i^g«i6M.^-^I«< religion, the iiMMr it^diurch* gt)V0rahi«nti»|
genersdiy c n^^^tkmal 'or presbytarian^; hat ' tf^etf other
fiH-m may be: freely exeroised wlthotirt nH>lesti^n,<lf ill is^iot
ni>direct Tarifl^M witli the geni»rtil(<»{]iitfont The ^piise«palii6s
aps irespecteble r astid the faapiist^ arfc- ' irametotift.f ' i^^eK'tit
adaraely any oihcff tect wtMrtb' mentioiiing. ■'>^t ^^'^^ «»» jmyJ
,^*G<fffef*nffi^.~-Tb&4stm of g<»¥emtiientlsideHi«dt#ftititliM
aiident ehkrtkr{>t'by<#hieh tbeiIegialativ#4iuthdiKty is Ttltttdk
a govertfdr, deputy governor, twelve assi^nts or oMflai^KiiH)
Bind the vepi«s«MMtive9 >«f tl^ p^le^ styled the Gmeral At.
sembly. They are dtvidcd into two branchMv'of'#hidi''tlK
go^nor, def^ty governor j and assistants' form cme^ and the
reptesentativei) 1^ dtlier: and no law can pass wilbout the
concurrence of both. The governor and assistants are chosen
anmiaitly ; and the representatives, who must' nod exceed two
f%ir,each town, are chosen twice each year. Thesi^lhigeM
universal, every freeman who is of age having a vaae$ without
regard to property. . .l: ,' , ;i'.<-ri«j«

'^Xri«^(^.-— The first grant of Connecticut was made by the
Plymouth council, to the earl of Warwick, in 16B0, and con.
ihtned l^ his majesty in council the same year. The year
following, the earl assigned this grant to lord Say and Seaij

UNIWED' STAINES.

m»A^^^tMi<w» cmnidiiil
\imi Oft m htgtt* «tM

MMtiiig'Mid fiiveigii?tnri(.l

eMi India kSiulidi^wiNMlilLl

ik, fi«bi «iid< ]ii;MilniM;^

piece giiedrofnliir^fliinl

- ^'4\ .. •• ',l:h: ■■('•

icording to thvNttirtiotl

88^534^1 ^krsttiN
M. THe d(itilii>on mer.
>wiM» cmpidyed-hi "f^Misi^l
:<twid(e 1«76. ^-
^'ohurch' gbireratniint kl
»tian<; bek' ttietf othtr
i umlestiitbn, ■# iti is twt
tfotti IHtt fe]^i8e«|MliMt

Hg; .J VJ't- -ilb •!»>*. „■

(tent ift'ilel>h;«d>#§iti^lii I

v#«uthd!lity- 19 TVittodiit

Mii^nts or cOfifiMttMiit

Myled the OwMral At. I

tnmchMv 'of #hicih' the

tnt# form «mej and the

can plus wtlbout the

id assistants are chosen

lo must' not exceed two

year. The svShtgo ii

having « vole$ without

ficut was made by the

ick, in 16^, and con-

tme yiear. The year

:o lord 8ay and SrO;

Brookv; aiid QMie others;' No Bnglist^ settleiiieiita were
Biopteil ^'n Cknmecticut until the year 1683, when a nuinbei»
Indiaii' tnklersy having piirohased of two prinoipal fiaeheiM
, trac^ of iaridat the moutb of Little rWer in Waidser, btiill
house and fortified it, and ever aftar maintained th^r right
|of soil upon the river.

The same ^'^ar, a little before the arrival of the English, a
loompany of Jjutch tfS^n came to Hartford, and built a house
I which they called the Hirte tfGood Hope, and erected a small
|f(»t, in which they planted two cannon. The remains of this
laettlement are still viub^ on gthe bank ^jof Connecticut river.
[This was the only settledrbm 6f the Butch in Connecticut in
[those ancient times.

Iii>1684ir kird^Say aoid Seal, &c. sent ov«r a small ntmibe^

lof iBdto* who.fawilta; fort at ^ay brook, and held a treaty with •

|th« Pequot ' Liibns, wIio,i in a fiiraial nuumen, gave to tbtf

|£B|;lish thftfTfi^htto Conneetiout river and the a^aoent oquhu

try. In Uieijrear Allowing, a numherof persons eame and

I settled ia Hartfbni^ Wethen^dd, and Windsor. '<> /

In the yites li837,. tl^e eoloaisU took the field against tl»»

I Indians. AU dte males of a whole tribe were' kiMed, > except a

few that escaped ; and the women and cliildren were sent to

Beraittdas^ and aukl for iriaves ! Two yeurs after, the first

churdi wa3 fomed at Newhaven^ the memliers of whieh bad

all tibings ia oommon, and formed themselves into a civil cotut^

I which decided aU tilings aceosding to the law of Moses.

The histcay of Connecticut exhilnts the same intolerance^
ignorancv^ mid aoistaken zeal^ as that of their neigl^bowpSi
They pwJiibited the use of tobacco, and persecuted the quakers.
In 166S» this state obtained a charter from Charles II. ; but
so ignorant were the £u«^ans of geography, that the patents
ofleft exiended ibey knew nut where; and the people of Con^
necticut conrtrued their charter literaUy, and passing over New
York, mode purchases of land from tlie Indians on tlie Ddlu
ware rivet, within theu* supposed limits, which they ooncemd
extended to the South sea. But after many disputes, thii
state ceded to congress all their lands west of Penn^lvanit^
except a reserve of SO miles square.

199

VIEW OF THE

otin l(i>7% the IftWs of the state were iwvistd^ pKbtecT^ and
overy fumily wan obliged to pucbase a copy.; . HMgr: have
^pce been judiioiouBly revised and simpliiied. , Dunogihe re>
yfdutioa, the pecqpU were very active and sufTered gi^ly.

h'i

t\ nin.U.ii.

A!.

-1

•i-^ M

KEW'

jJly^W^

<SMtia<«o» and Extent* ^HIS interesting s^teii siiuatkl be-
ttu^ /u/<.i i : tween 40deg. 3Sii»n. aisd 46deg.

Qobrtk.lat, and 3 deg. 48 min. east, and S deg.^tS n^n. west
long. ; its extreme length, from east to west, beii^ '340, and
^treme. breadth, from north to south, 317 miles; but it is
very irregular. The square contents amount ii> about 34,000
sq^iare miles, or 34,560,000 acres. This flourishing state is
laisger than both England i^d Wales, the extent of which \%
computed at 49,450 square miles. - ^ .

. New York is bounded on the soudi-east by the Atlantic
ooean; on the east by Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Ver-
mont; on the north l^ the 45th degree of latitude, which di-
vides it firom Canada ; on the north-west by the river Iroquois,
(NT St Lawrence, and the lakes Ontario and Erie; and on the
southrwest and south by P«msylvania and New Jersey.
.; Natural Geography. — There is a vast variety in the face oi
the country. From the highlands, about 50 miles above New
York, the state is hilly, in many places mountainous; and the
bills, continue to the extremity of the state northward, and to
Utiea westward : from thenoe to its western extroni^, nearly
300 miles, there is a most elegant country, rich and well wa-
tcwd^ having spurs of the Alleghany mountains on the one
side, and cm the other the lakes Ontario and Erie, two of the
finest sheets of water in the world. The lakes are so nume-
rous, and having been before described, the bare mention of

IJNITED 8TATBS.

167

the mumM a£ t&e most imparttDt must 8i|ffioe in ih» pUoti
BnidiMtbt large kkei, theM ave Uke Cbamplain, llkke Gmi^
Ohddiii* Ononilagoi, fflceMjatoleBs, Owaica, Cay«iga» BeMca^
Oamfl^ili^ua, and €3litaughquej

'l^'prinopal mitNl are the Hadson, the MohAwk, the
Oneida, and the Gencieej The head waters of the All^^aiv^
Susquehanna, and Delaware riversr are also in the southern
part of tlua state. /\.

Theitate abounds- with iron ore and*lead; ixippcr and flinc
have Jbieen found in various places. Silver has be^n found*
but in no great quantity. Marble abounds, and is ; of an es>»
oellent quality. Freestone and jlate aie in plenty. Flastetrpf
Paris is found in 'great variety, and b used with good el^ as
manure. Innglass and sulidiur are common in many planes :
and coal' has abb been found, but in no greiit quantity. The
sah sprii^ it Onondago are very strong, and. produce an im-
mense quaniitjrof that useful article. There are many sul-
phur springs, and several' air spraigSj which last are prdbably
the.giis aris^ from the combwition of pit coal : there is a me*
dicint^l spring at' Lebanon, vrluch i^i^s a plenant bath^ at
the temperature of 7£d^., and is much JfVequented; but the
most remarludile iqprings in this state, or indeed in the United
States, are those of Ballstfm and Saratoga. These waters are
highly miecUcinal, and are of great efficacy in-dyspepsin and
otb^r ooitaplaints; and are much frequented in the summar
seasbn.' "'■'■.■'

The sml, in sudi ah extent of country, must be various.
The southern and eastern part is a^ dry gtvi^, mixed i^
loam, and is not very rich; the mountainiKis part is [H^y
w^ adapted for gnunng, add there are ridb valleys on the
rivers. The whole of the mnrthem and western part is rich
and' fert£tei except a smaQ portion bordering cm the state of
Pennsylvkii^.: wiiiclt, however, is interspersed with fertile landa^i

The dSmate is various. In that part which lies td the south
of dke l%hUmds, it is remarkably changeable; it experienoea
til die vicisntude^ of best and cold, and sometimes a chm^
of 80 d^riees in the course of 84 hours. Amoag the moan>
tains, and akmg !ake Champlain, towards Canada, the wiMen

VIBWOFTUE

hng and wvcm, hmI flit mnmidni «« ImwtmMi ycr^
miHry otad hot Ii» thto ^MMCem distnc^ th« dawila b jiioM
tei»perate« and the winteN are ralyaci lb a goddtdifeL of mbj
biit the whole country is healtf^y,; tha>M^b6iii^aQdL<>C|iandi
and undndikflid mbraMca excefMed^ TIm winter; emnaaMioes
abottd ChfMtttiaa, and ends wittt Fefaniary;.but Mattli and
April are mxnaiimeB oold rnmitha.

Popukttian. — The total population of thia state JiJK 1819
anMiiiiad tci l,486t730t which is ftt panenB to a square mile.
In lt90, the population waa onfy 940,120^ sa that in 47 yeara
ithasbc«ni)*Mretl|anqttadrdf^e4 >^))

' . JflMM«r« imd CutUmt.-^^tht uMktffmi )thb ^alala it i^
Muteb mixed; To the west the majority are New Bnglandwri ;
while the city and southeihif part of d>a state, and along the
Ht^soH' and Mohawk riters^ are mmtly ef JAitdi, SealtiJi^
and iridi ^xtradsM. Kalm^ in desorilAi^ tha Dutch in this
state, nbaerres, that this people. <aie evei^ where w^ known
fiir their, avarifa^iiid selfidbicsa. They are ui^iospitalMkj and
nevw dispoied to obfige beyond a proqpectof interest** , An
American' writer on this passige aay^ * The design of the
Dytdi, in coming to this country, was not to' improve ^ti^r
ininds, noi* t(» erect public scannaries of aaamee^ilkii to increase
their ferttinesi Thus did their duil^ng passion^ and the oto^
bqipy dopcumstance of their ntfaation, debar tbem from emi«
■MNte, or cren progvcas, in the .field of scienoa. A want of
schools and seminaries furnished with aUe instructors of their
own nation; their ignonmoe of the Englidh haguage;
and tbeir national pride, have all oanqared to leeptbem.ifi
tbair inativa ^oorance of every mental improvement. This
wiK account for many unliivoundrie peouliaiities in their rian-
ners and eustqms.''

< It is not to be doubted/ continues thia writer, *that tbore
itt« maiiy bright geniuses among them, who, through the dif*
Acuities of obtaining an education, have remuned unpolished
and toaimproved. There are many indeed who, by tiwir assi-
duouis application, sukisiount every obstade, burst through the
doud that overshadows them, and shine with disti^guidied
histK in the first offices of church and state} and thdr lustre

imiTBD'SV'ATCS.

i»M$^tgiWfd"hy hmg cqiMrMMid wUh the total ^knM in
which others are involved; ibr^ .fir^km ^ causes already mi-
.cip)edtii9|M9|)U!avt 10 igm>rant as the lower class.

«>Anolh«r cpune ^ tllMtr. nHsisoiahiUtry 4mm1 apparent reserrc,
ili.aQeou«ip9g,afld ^Modarting wi^ ftvimgen, is their want of
enter|jntie,. r.VHfir fnfighbe;i«rH, vwn ^nterpriflbig, emignite
«nd re^p ihe.^Mit of ^how iidfantages which iheirlocAl sntWf
•tioii puts^n^thcir own power*' Thiaiexcitcs jealousy and liyal-
4bip> ' 1«h0 ibalmce of this irivalshlp th^ i^ 19 «gainst them.
The prps«rvatioB of their inteteit and of their dignity calla
them to unite in <^posing tbnr rivals. But it i^ ^vfdent thkt
their uniea and (riendi^p,!in th^ rc|B^rd, have too oflai thekr
{Mime source in interest, are continued through interest, and
have intetiest for their ultim Ate ohjcQt. The intended effect of
this union is in a greet m^sUre lost, through the natural jea-
lousies And clashing interests of heads of fapnilies and their
par^; for «lUiough they are all combined by the generiil
bond of netienel prejudice, nationid customs, and natirael relU
gbn, they are split into numerous and warm parties. And
among them, he who has the gieatest interest and the strong-
est par^k not he who has the moet merit, is the greatest man,
the most homHinible maoy and the best qualified for public
<rfSce. In their meetings^ th^ are ever led to think and say
the wofst f^ their of^fionents, «nd recal all the little circum^.
stances of burlesque, itaalioe, or mistake in tliem, which persons
of more liboral sentiments would wish diaritably to vdl and
bury in oblivion. Thus it is that the f^acticeof slanderii^
iBid injuring each othw^s characters becomes common, and
furnishes a great part of their daily conversation; while that
sweet and friendly interooiirse which mends the heart, and that
dignified and sensible oonvoraation that improves the viind, are
almost wholly neglected.^'

The labouring classes are generally well clewed, and have
an air of independence and carelessness not usually seen in
Bngland. The dress of the genteeler classes is more slovenly
and loose than that of men in the same rank in this country.
The ladies are handsome, but have not that animated glow of
health which distinguishes the British fair. But this subject

140

vrEwortHW^

will be omiMdered mora at length, when we omne t» draw t
portrait of the Amerken dunricter.

Chitf 7V)irae.— New York, the capital of the prannee, ii
aitttated on a pronHMitory, on die extrenritj of Yoric iahmd, at
the moath of Hudson river, a noble and pioturMquo streaiti.
The bay it about nine niile» kmg, and three broad, without
reckoning the branches of the rivers on each ride of the town.
From the oeean at Sandy Hook to the city is not mora than
t8 miles. The water is deep enough to float the lini;est vea-
sels. ' Ships of 90 guns have anchored oppaeite^ tb^ dty.
Thera they lie Umd-Iocfced, and well secured fimn winds and
atiHins ; and fleets of the greateet number have amfrie apace
for mooring.

New York is the first city in the United SUtes ibr wealth,
cbmmerce, and popiilation; as it aIso is the finest and most
agreeable for its situation and builditigff, It has nrither the
narrow and o^nfined irregularity of Boston, nor the monoto.
nous regularity of Philaddphia, bdt a happy medium between
both. When die intended improvements are completed, it will
be a very elegant and commodious town.

The Broadway and the Bowery road are the two finest ave.
nues in the city,' and nearty of the same width as Oxford street
in London. The first oommencr firom the Grand Battery,
situate at the extreme point of the town, and (Kvides it into
two unequal parts. It is upwards of two Itiiles in length,
though the pavement does not extend above a mite and a
quarter: the remainder of the road consists of 'straggling
bouses, which are the commencement of new streets already
planned out. The Bowery road commences at Chatham street,
which branches ofi' from the Broadway to the i^ht, by the
ride of the park. After proceeding about a mile and a half,
it joins the Broadway, and terminates the plan which is in-
tended to be carried into effect for the enlargement of the
city.

The houses in the Broadway are lofty and well built.
They are constructed in the English style, and difi'er but little
from those of London a1 the west end of the town ; except
fhgt they arer universally built of red bricH. In the vicinity of

UVITBD STATES.

141

tm ''cMnc 't& oMw u

the Bftttery, Mid for mim diatanw up the Brotdfray» tbey an
Mtrly all private hooMa, and oocu|]4ed by the principal mer-
ehanta and gentij tf Naw York v after which the Broadway ii
lined with large eommodioui ihopaof every descripUon^ well
stocked with European and Indba goods, and exbilnting as
splendid and varied a show in their windows as can be met
with in London. There are several ejctenrivc l^ook stores,
print shopst muse shops, jewdlWrs, and rilversmiths; ksttars,
linen drapers, miUiners, pastry cooks, eoadumakers, bot4[d%„
and oofl^housea. The street is weU paved, and the foot-
paths are chiefly bricked. In Rolnnson street, the pavement
before one <^ the houses, and the steps-of the door, are cqm»
posed entirely of raarUe.

•This fine street and the other prindpal ones are thus de-
scribed l^ Mr. Melish. * Braadway is the finest street in the
city ; and from its importance and great beauty, it merits a
particular description, it commences at the Battery, qd the
southowest point of tha cityf and runs in a north-east directum
about two miles and a half, where it forma a junction ^rith the
Bowery road. The breadth of this street, including the side
pavements, is about 80 feet, and it is regular, during ita whole
lei^;th. K is mnamented with rows of popkr trees on each
nde, and a number of public buildings are situated on it, par-
ticularly, the custoro*house, trinity church, St FauPs church,
the city public buildings, the mechanics' hall, and the hospital.
The street rises by a gradual ascent from the Battery, about
half a mile, and bat its greatest elevation opposite the dty
buildings. Its course is through the highest part of the island.
Greenwich street is next in importa^^e : it rises also at Uie
Battery, and, running nearly due north upwards of two miles,
connects the city with the village of G««enwich. Pearl street
is one of the most important in the city, in pmnt of trade : it
rises also near the Battery, and runs nearly parallel with the
East river to Cherry street ; from thence it runs to the north-
ward, and falls into Chatham street. Cherry Btr3et is a conti-
nuation of Pearl street, and runs along the East river till it is
terminated by a bend of the river. Bowery lane is upwards
pf 100 feet wide, rises at Chf^ham street, and, connected with

:VIBW OF'THfBT

tbe Boston rtmd, fonnt a )iinotiou wilb BiMdwiqr* •• kdm
mtntioned. The other most impovtant •IneU arc WaU Umti,
where the nuMt of the bank* and piihlio oftoet am wUiated,
C^thani-itreet, where the tbeaira is Aituatcd, Frwt ilvw^
Water street, and Broad stfcet.

* That part of the cky whiob hae been «tcently laid OMt «■
£ait river is omsuueted on a handsome fAan, the stmets emm,
ing one another at nght «iigki4 and there are several pMblie
e^ua***:. ^^ <tbe8e there are by fiir too f»w in the oilj^, mi
sDey hardly melnt notice. The Batteiy before nentMnad is a
pretty pieoe x)f ground, and oomauuMU an elegant view of the
bey, islands, narrows, and sh4>ping; but it b quite snudl,
consisting of a few acres only/

A court.houBe on a large scale, and worthy of the improved
state dt the city, has recently been .built at the end of theperk^
between the Broad wayand Chatham street, in a stj^ of meg.
nificence unequalled in many of the kujger.oities of £urope.
The exterior consbts wholly of ime maiibler oenamaiited in a
very n^at and elegant style of architecture; and tlie whole is
surmounted by a beautiful dome, which Cisuns a inoble oroa.
ment to that part of the town, in which ave also situated the
theatre, mechanic hall, and some of the beet private houaes io
New York. The park, though not remarkable |br its mze, is,
however, of service, by dispkiying the surrounding buildings
to greater advantage; and b also a ceUef Io the confined ap-
pearance of the streeta in general, It oniusta cf about lour
acres, planted with dms, planes, willows, and. catalpast and
the surrounding footrwalk b apoompassed by rows of peplan:
the whole is inclosed by a wpoden pidiag. Thb city has its
Vauxhall and Ranelag^ ; 'but Ibey aoe poor ioiitationaof IJM«e
near London. They are, however, plensant plaees of leeafa*
tion for the inhabitants.

Tlie other public buildings are, the Fed^ balU ooUege,
coffee-house, liospital, prison, bridewell. Theore are seven
episcopal churches ; Ave presby terian, t«ro Dutch, ithree me-
thodist, two baptist, and two quaker meeting-houses; one
German, one Lutheran, and one .French Calvinistio church;
one seceder and one Scots refona^ chunch ; oqe church each

UWITSD 8TATSS.

for MMfwnybiit miigKpgntoui>bto> MomvuMi* md AIImmm»
IMM^ doe Jawiib lyM^logu*.

Tlwrt «« ihirljMNw fc <«t¥o lw K viMHwtiMif hi New York.
Upwenk of UrwMgr «e«qMpeie mm puMiehed m thfo cky,
Biarly half of vImoK we «UUy piyeti; hciidee wvtMl weekly
tod Hioiilhly magAmtMe-MMl eM«y*. A publie KkrMy ii alw
utiMiikMl beM, whioli coniiMe of afadut l<MttO v«lune%
BNHiyof thenrereiMlinilMMebooke. Tli« bUiklihg which
gtptMM tbe« kl ritiMled k» NaMMVtMvet, aMk the tntttoctere
iiMorporeted> by en aet of the legwlature. Thera ue ako
three or tmrn^ p«Uie reediig*n)eiM end circvlalHif l^ririee,
ebieh am eupyovtcd hy loaie ef the |NiiMi|Ml bookielierr , froKk
the aMMUd •ubaeviplionv of the whabhanto. There b a mtt-
temn of paUirtl ctriantiee i» New York, but it containe iie<
tking wertky of pattieukr notice.

There are at namher of sabodein the <nty« a*d the eoUege^
Id wMdi two of tbo profinaore are Seotemrh, ia reckoned ft
tery ejHa^enl' oenitiBry of edneotion. Ta the north of the
city, neat Qrecnwich« stamda the state prison, modelled upon
the i^an of thai of Philadelf^ia ; and it ia said to be one oir'
the meat benerdeni kistitutions erer established in any country.

The water ndto i» lined with shippings ^.hieh lie akmg the
vharfiv Of in the small dook» oaUed slips, of which there are
upwards of twelve towards the Best river, beudes nn.nerous
piers. The wholfsare lai^ and commodioue, and the \r«ce-
bousea, whic^ are nearly all new buildings, are lofty and sulv
itantinL The merohMlSk ship4wokers, lie/ have thar uflices
in front on the groiHid ieoc of their wareliouses. These ranges
of bttiklii^ and' wharii^ extend fVom the Orand bt. !.-^y, on
both sides of the tawBt tt|^<the Hudson and East nvirs, and
encompasB the hoa«a with shipping, whose forest of masts
gives a stranger e. lively idea of the immense tt -.ie which this
city osrriea en 'liritb every pert of the gloV« New York ap-
pears to him the Tyre of the new world.

An intelligent English traveller thus describes his first im-
pressions on landing in New York. * I have walked almie
through the streets, for the purpose of forming an independent
judgment. Every object is new. I hardly dare trust myself

VmW OP THE

in forniii^ oondodant :»^ine inott ehemng fint is mdiipatflble,
' die abpeoce of JrivmflKaMf distoreak Thle ptreet population
lllara Aft tffpMt^«iieBlili% dUferenl ftonr tliat of LondMi, or
r littge Ifo^^ ^toiwiii. > €lHe strikiiig'liMliire /eonnsto ■ in the
Ali^«riaf ^l|ck|^ mahyr of wkfikn n^fiiiely 4Mi|ed{ tfa^ females
t«»y lo^^iNlbs^ ^ fliiow^

wetiuU^ fldfNlMi^ an^tibk «liMfe I law but f«« weU^Jlraiied
iHBtft'l«|idi^>lm^iMii inibnttwcl that the glMtariplirl arirjit.pre-
iant at'ttnt-apvit^aof Batetan and Sanitiig^ ; lE^b* ilteM^4h«
nlin ii'iMlwr' defifilBnt; Ik *peilft eC neatness aiid< feolility.
The^'ip|)ii«lMMei boooinioairitk that of the kdies and chU.
di^»salin«tiMi^^ Our^aecd

B^i^M^ ietis ml tliarte haireeolocir m the ohceks' it an inlUlible
crilenon bgriribieli tolttiiiseoilieiied as an EngMsbman; In a
British town of any importancey yonvannot iraU( along H lead.
ing dticet Aii^lialf an-lumtJ «ntMt ineetii^ with almost eveiy
▼ainely%^ilM^v^r«ae»-«Vid a|^^ aaonif the inbalntants;
wl^t» oit lil^ WHUilBfmy, -faerte tbe|t'8eem all of one family ; and
timugbiMf^lj^liHit^dval^^ leeliogs they

■^6ll»'''mt'fi&*nltaif 4fegCiee removed liran the uninteieating
neiaatiiiihs '€iisi^]^*hf-^m^p^^ '■ !l?lie' young men are
^^I^thilH irtidlolimui^ tli|ir^^bMa is umirenaily tmwser^ and
y^^^jBoi/alif h^ eontsif^ 01dimtii^'jn o*ir EngUsh

idei of that ^lMiM^«|^peir4%>iti^

< ^nt^fc age' tmJMa malaA I m ml i M i iia s tip mterior of one
trfudi I htfrie'liMt^viiiiisd W^BMod^y^^^^^
ilttid apwitlinH>i«liulef ifMd^iir, aii4|ll>^^ expenee,
Ihan many in Londut. Severiil^lmlrili ape mi an eactensive
scale V the C%ii(MeliB as 1hi|e«i the i4»dMt^«v«»V the
dhaiBg, and someiof th^pnvatevomnii.aestfiMuplilMrd-
IeM.of mtpence. 'Fhe price of boiidinf ait |biptfitibiii|bment
iis I nndemtHMl, cfacapeirthaB whem i raid*;' ^['heihops (or
itqhia; ns they are et^ed) hihrenoldb^ In dicir enterior to re-
commend diem : there is nof eteft en attanptiit tasteftd dis-
play. The li»ini>mid wooUoi «hiipers fdiy good stores^ as
they afe denominated) leave quantitks of theie goods loose on
boves in the ttieet, without tmf pleeaution i^nst theft.
This prac^, though a ptooftf their ^arekmness, it also an

UNITEIi STATES.

f*f

145

tioD/' die ISaeliogs they

99 : tiaS' mterilir o^ one
I ^if tdfegaat, bang

evidence 89 to the polUiced state of aocie^ worthy of attentkni.
Masses of the population cannot be unemployed, or robbery
would, here be inevitable. A great number of excellent pri-
vate dwellings are built of red planted brick, which g^ves them
a peculiarly neat and clean appearance. In Broadway and
Wall street trees are planted by the nde of the pavement
The city-hall is a large and elegant building, in whicti the
courts of law are held. In viewing this structure, I feel some
objections which require farther observation either to remove
or confirm. Most of the streets are dirty : in many of them
sawyers are preparing wood for sale, and all are infested with
pigs, — circumstances which indicate a lax police.

' Upon the whole, a walk through New York will disappcnnt
an Englishman : there is, on the surface of society, a careless-
ness, a laziness, an unsocial indifference, which freezes the
blood and disgusts the judgment. An evening stroll along
Broadway, when the lamps are alight, will please more than
one at noon-day. The shops then look rather better, though
their proprietors, of course, remun the same': their cold indif-
ference may by themselves be mistaken for independence, but
no person of thought and consideration will ever concede to
them that they have selected a wise mode of exhibiting that
dignified feeling. I disapprove most decidedly of the obse-
quious servility of many London shopkeepers ; but I am not
prepared to go the lengdi of those in New York, who stand-
with their hats on, or ut or lie along their counters, smoking
segars, and spitting in every direction, to a degree offenave to
any man of decent feelings.

*The prevalence of Dutch names tells me I am here a
stranger ; but this impresuon is oflen counteracted by yj^wing
the immense quantities of British manufactured goods, with
which the shops are crowded, as also the number of English Hfr
works which are advertised, and such placards as "Honeys
Riot in London,"^ " Prince's Russia Oil,^ " Reeves and Wood-
yer's Colours,^ and ** Day and ]\tartin''s Blacking.^ *

Another traveller observes, * The situation of New York I
should reckon very healthy ; yet it is sometimes dreadfully
afflicted with sickness ; whiph circmnstance, I am rather in-

14^

VIEW OlP THE

olined to think, arises from a deRsct in the police, which doc«
iiOJt seem to be conducted in a manner becoming t^e weaHh amd
splendour of this fine citj. The buiMings are, in many places,
too crowded : many of the frlmrfs are ill constructed, and some
of the docks project into the city, espedally ftom the East
mer, to the great annoyiuice df the inhabitants. The common
sewers are incomplete, and diere is no supply of ftesh water to
sweetm and purify the stveets; but, beyond all, they have
adopted the system of sinking necessaries, which accumulates
such a cdlection of latent fihh, that tfte steams of it are some,
times perceptible at two miles distance.^

The commerc6 of New York is of great importance, and is .
Itl ^t high state of prosper!^ and progressive improvement.
There are frequently about 600 veissels in the harbour at one
time. The monies collected in New York, for the national
treasury on the imports and tonnage, have for several years
amounted to 9ne-fourth of the public revenue. The popula-
tion at present is estimated at 1S0,000 ; though in the year
1697 it only amounted to 490S. The number of deaths is at
least one thirtieihy whereas the deaths in London are only
about ^LJiftielh part of its population. It must, however, be
oibserved, that suicides are much more nunierous in New Ywk
than in London.

There are about 4000 negroes and people of colour in New
York, 1700 of whom are slaves. These people are mostly d"
tlw iMthodist persuauon, and have a chapel or two of their
own, with preachers of then* colour ; though some attend other
places of worship, according to their inclination.

AVbcmy is the seat of government of the state of New York,
and li situated on the west side of the Hudson river, at the
^ead of tide Avater, 180 miles from the sea. It runs nearly a
mile along the river, and about half a mile back from it. The
city is divided into streets, some of which are spacious, but
others rather narrow and irregular. They are, however,
pretty convenient, and thei^e is a line of excellent wharfs and
warehouses. The houses amount to about 1500, and the in-
habitants to nearly 12,000. The houses are mostly built of
brick, and many of them are elegant. . The state-house stands

commerc

UNITED STATES.

It are some.

on an elevated situation at the head of State street, and is a
very handsome building, with ;j.^.o«t splendid and convenient
apartments for the legislature to meet in. ^The old statprhous^
b also in State street, and is occupied by the several different
public offices. The other public buildings are the arsenali
powder-house, city library, three banks, ten churches, two
market-houses, ' two masonic lodges, a theatre, and Cook's
reading-room, an institution probably better supplied withi
newspapers, and other periodical publications, tiian any othdl
in the United States.

The city is well supplied with water. There are two excel-
lent springs three miles to the westward, from whence it is
conveyed in pipes to every part of the city. X^ots in the prin>
cipal streets are as high as in New York, and the rent of
houses and stores is in proportion. This bdng the great
mart, in which the trade of an extensive back country centre.s»
it is well supplied with provisions ; but the outlet to the great
commercial city. New York, is so easy, by the fine river Hud>
son, that all articles which can be easily shipped are kept pretty

high. . n

The principal manufactures W Albany are those of grain,
brewing, and distilling. There are no manufactories of cloth
in the city, but there are several in the neighbourhood, and
there is a disposition in the citizens to encourage them, though,
apparently against their interest, the trade of the city bding,
almost wholly commercial. The principal trade is by tho
river, on which is sent down grain and provisions, timber,
malt liquors, and spirits ; and they receive in return groceries,
dry goods, hardware, and crockery, to supqply a great part of
the country. American manufactured glass, however, biej^n^,
to make a prominent appearance in the warehouse ; and they
will, no doubt, feel the advantage of other articles of American
manufacture soon. Albany, frqm its situation, cnust be always
a place of extended commerce. At present it s'lffer^^ by the
re-action of an overstrained foreign commerce ; but that will
be but temporary. Internal manufactures and commercci be-
ing once organized, will more thaa compensate for the loss of
the other.

148

VIEW OF THE

citizens,
branches.

The citizens of Albany are very mixed. The original set-
tlement was by the Dutch, and their descendants form a very
prominent part of tin society ^^ Of Scottish settlers there are a
great many, and the rest are principally New Englanders. In
such an assemblage, we may naturally look for industry and
enterprise, and a general attention to education and the im-
provement of the mind, all of which are very perceptible in the
There are good mechanics in all the different
The schools are numerous ; the library and read-
ing-room have been already noticed. Two newspapers are
published, each twice a week, which have a pretty extensive
circulation. That the place is healthy, appears in the counte-
nances of the ladies, many of whom are handsome, with beau-
tiful florid complexions. That it is cold in winter is indicated
by the general U"^ of stpves, and the quantities of fuel that are
collected for s^le.

Hudson is of modem construction, and consists of one very
long street. The houses are of wood or brick ; many of them
built with taste, and all spacious and commodious. Shops
and warehouses are numerous, and there are several large inns.
' It has every appearance of a thriving settlement ; and its si-
tuation is elevated and advantageous for commerce. There
are several large brick warehouses near the wharfs tor the re-
ception of goods ; and a great many small vessels sail continu-
ally upon the river between this town and New York. Ship-
building is carried on here ; and vessels of 3 or 400 tons come
into the harbour, The population of this flourishing place is
at present estimated at about 5000. '^^

Skfnectady is 16 miles north-west of Albany, in Albany
county, situated on the banks of the Mohawk river. The
town is compact and regular, built principally of brick, on a
rich flat of low land, surrounded with hills. The windings of
the river through the town and the fields, which arc oflcn
overflowed in the spring, aflbrd a beautiful prospect about
harvest time. As it is at the foot of navigation on a long river,
which passes through a very fertile country, and is the medium
of idl the western trade through the lakes, that comes down
the Hudson, it must grow rich in proportion as the country

\ ^♦-vs.'-fHBisjH'

UNITED STATES.

west of it populatcfg. It at present con. ins between 6 and
7000 inhabitants.

The other most important towns and vilkges are Netehurff,
Poughkeqmet Trot/t Lantm^urgh^ and Waterfbrdt on the
Hudson ; Utka, Herkimer ^ and Romey on the Mohawk ; and
Skeneaielew, Genevot Canandoffuat and Bvffaloy to the west-
ward. The houses are generally substantially built, and are a
good deal similar to those in the New English states. The
roads, bridges, and canals are numerous, and of great im-''
portance.

Trade and Resources. — The manufactures of the state are
considerable and increasing ; particularly the articles of glass*
ashes, iron ware of various descriptions, leather of all kinds,
hats, carriages, paper and printing, pottery ware, umbrellas,
mathematical and musical instruments. From what has been
said of New York, it will be seen that the commerce of this
state is very extensive.

The internal revenue in 1815 amounted to 1,233,231 dol-
lars, and the value of houses and lands to 273,120,600 dollars ;
land being valued at 6^ dollars per acre. The increase of the
value of property in tliis state, in the course of fifteen years,
has been from 100,000,000 to 270,000,000.

In 1815, the gross amount of duties on merchandise was
14,867,311 dollars. The registered tonnage employed in fo-
reign trade was 180,664, and the tonnage in the coasting trade
3240.

Education. — There are many flourishing academies and
grammar schools, l&tely established in the state ; but many
parts of the country are either unfurnished with schools, or the
sch(X)ls which they have are kept by low ignorant men.

King^s college, in the city of New York, was principally
founded by the voluntary contributions of the inhabitants of
the province, assisted by the general assembly, and the corpo-
ration of Trinity church, in the year 1754, a royal charter be-
ing tlien obtained, incorporating a number of gentlemen therein
mentioned, by the name of " The Governors of thfe College of
the Province of New York, in the City of New York, in
Amtrica;^ and granting to them and their successors for ever/

■d^

■%A

ISO

viBW oy THE

'^ lunong^ various Qther rights and privileges, the puwer of ooiw
ferring all such degrees, as are usually conferred by either of I
the English UQiverstties. The buil4ing consbts of an elegant
^ iltffnfe edifice, thrfi&''completc stories high, with four s^r-caset,
t,wclve apwtments in each, a chapel, halU lib|rary, museum,
l^tongiicxtl theatre, and a school for experimental philosophy.
. It ia situated op. a dry gravelly soil, about 150 yards from the
hvoik. of Hudson^s river, which it overlooks ; commanding a
mv»^ extensive and beautiful prospect. This college is now
called Colombia college, aiid, since the revolution, has been
plac^ under the superintendence of 24 trustees.

There are several academies in the state. One is at Flat^
liush* in King^s county, on Long island, four miles from
Brooklyn ferry. It is situated in a pleasant, healthy village.
The build'mg is large, handsome, and convenient, and is called
J^rasmus haU. There is another very flourishing academy at
East Hamptbn, on the east end of Long island. Besides these,
the state can boast of several excellent grammar schools.
There is oiie at Kingston, in Ulster county ; one at Goshen,
iQ, the county of Orange ; two at Albany ; one at Skenectady ;
(Xfifi 0$. Lansingburgh ; and another at West Chester. There
are also schools erected in many parts of tlie state, which are
^taiKi^tained by the voluntary contributions of the parents.

Rfiligion. — A late writer thus expresses himself upon this
ipt^resting topic. * There is no state religion, a^d no govern-
ment prosecution for conscience sake. The presbyterian aod
qpiscopulian, or church of England, sects take the precedence
ip nuuibers and in respectability. Their ministers receive
from 2 to 8000 dollars per annum. All churches are well
filled : they appear the fashionable places for display ; and the
sermons and talents of the minister offer never-ending subjects
of, interest when social converse has been exhausted. The
perfeQt equality of all sects seems to have deadened party feel-
ipgi: .cwJtrovcrsy is biit little known. The great proportion of
f^teudants at any particular church appear to select it either
because they are acquainted with the preacher, or that it is
frequented by fashionable company, or their great grandmo-
ther went there before the revolution, or because (what wU

UNTTEIJ StAtfiS.

Ifti

genetft^ have ft greater weight than all t^ ilMtoAs) ihi^
•interest ttfiU he promoted by ao doififf.

* Licences are not necessary for either the jpreaeher or )()la66
of meeting. According to the constitution df the State of V^
. York, no tnhiister of the gospel, or priest of any deodmhiation,
can ever hdd any civil or military office or platoe withitt thb
state. In 1806, a law was passed, authorising any religibtift
denomination to appmnt trustees, for the puirpoSe of sup^^.
tending the temporal concerns of their respective congregaticMii.
These trustees become by that act a fa^y corporate, and ck-
pafole of all legal transactions, on behalf of the congr^tidkl :
they are allowed,' on the part of the whole, to hold estates,
which may produce 3000 dollars annually. The episcopalians
difltr, I believe, in nothing from their established brethren ih
England, except that they do not form a part of the state :
they have their bishops, &c. as in Great Britain. Ministers of
all parties are generally ordained : they are exempt from mili-
tary service.'

Government. — The government of the state is vested in a
governor, lieutenant-governor, senate, and house of representa-
tives. The governor and lieutenant-governor are elected for
three years, the senators for four, and the assembly-men are
chosen annually. The necessary qualifications for the electors
are, six months residence in the state prenous to the election ;
the possession of a freehold of SO/, value, or to have rented a
tenement of the value of 40«. yearly ; and to have been rated
on the polls, and actually paid taxes to the state.

Islands. — Long island, a part of the state of New York, is
chiefly occupied by farmers : their populous capital affords ft
ready market for produce. This island in length is ISO, and
in breadth 13 miles. It is divided into counties, two of which
retain the names of royalty ; the first being called King's, u. '^
the second Queen''s county — such inveterate tyrants are ancient
customs. The west end has a good soil, and is in a state of
moderate cultivation: the east has a considerable portion of
sandy plains. The introduction of gypsum, and other im-
provements in their mode of agriculture, have much increased
the annual produce. Within the Inst 14 years, farms have

,»

IBM

VIEW OP THE

in value S5 per cent. Land is worth from 317*. 94. to
991. ISs. per acre. A choice of farms may now be purchaaed
i^ this island at from 15/. ISa. to 8S/. 10». per acre, including
necessary buildings. Farmers do not live extravagantly : few
of them have money in reserve. The high price of labour,
in^fiercnce of the soil, and general want of capital, must cause
a long continuance of this state of things. The agriculturist,
who alone can, in this island, entertain rational hopes of profit,
must have sons that will work, and be himself among the fore,
most by labouring with their own hands. Their being no tax
upon horses, their labour is preferred, and mules and asses are
seldom if ever used.

This interesting island, which is called the garden of Ame-
rica, is separated from the city of New York by East river,*
which, at the ferry, is about one-third wider than the Thames
at Greenwich.

Staten island lies nine miles south-west of the city of New
York, and forms Richmond county. It is about 18 miles in
length, and between six and seven in breadth. The land, in
general, is hilly and uneven; but there is some good level
ground on its southern extremity.

York islajid is 13 miles long, and from one to two miles
wide. The port and city of New York is ntuated on its
southern end, and is closely built from shore to shore. This
is a most delightful district ; and the scenery, particularly on
the mar^n of the East river, is pleasing and diverufied. It is
■thickly studded with country i>eats and gardens ; and the fruit
is so plentiful, that people are at liberty to pull apples, &c. on
the road side. As most of the genteel families have country
retreats, where they reside during the hot or sickly season,
beautiful and handsome seats are rapidly multiplying, and the
value of property increasing.

Historij. — Hudson river was first discovered by Henry
Hudsctn, an Englishman, who sold his claim to the Dutch. A
few years after, several merchants in Holland joined and built
a fort near Albany, which they called fort Orange.- In 1615,
a fort was built on the site of the present city. But, in 1664,
the colony was surrendered to colonel Nicolls, who landed at

UNITED STATES.

iJto

the head of 800 British addiers. The name of the city waa
now changed from New Amsterdam to New Vork, and tort
Orange was called Albany, in honour of his roytd highneia
James duke of York and Albany.

In the year 1673, the Dutch retook this settlement ; but it
was restored at the peace in the following year. The English
hac^ hapfnly succeeded in retaining the friendship of the nx
Indian tribes inhabiting the territory west of Albany ; but in
the winter of 1690, the Frendi sent 800 soldiers and a party
of Indians tQj||ack Skenectady, in order to detach the confe*
derate tribes Iroin the British interest. For twenty days they
marched through the snow, carrying their provisions on their
backs. Such was the extreme distress to which they were re-
duced, th^t they had thoughts of surrendering themselves pri-
soners of war. But their scouts, who were a day or two in t}.e
village entirely unsuspected, returned with such encouraging
accounts of the absolute security of the people, that the enemy
determined on the attack. They entered, on Saturday night
about eleven oVlock, at the gates, which were found unshut ;
and, that every house might be invested at the same time, di-
vided into small parties of six or seven men. The inhabitants
were in a profound sleep, and unalarmed, until thor doors
were broke open. Never were people in a more wretched
consternation. Before they were risen from their beds, the
enemy entei^ their houses, and began the perpetration of the
most inhuman barbarities. No tongue can express the cruel-
ties that were oomn^tted. The whole village was instantly in
a blaze. Woiiien with child were ripped open, and th^ in-
fants cast into the flames, or dashed agunst the posts of the
doors. Sixty persons perislied in the massacre, and 27 wefe
carried into<ca{Aivity. Therek fled naked towards Albany,
through a deep snow which fell that very night in a taiiUe
storm ; and ^ of the fugitives lost their limbs in the flight,
through the severity of the frost. The new.<i of this dreadful
tragedy reached Albainy about break of day, anc universal
dread seized the inhabitants of that city, the ene*-.^ t>aing re-
ported to be 1400 strong. A party of horse was immediately
dispatdied to Skencctady, and a few Mohawks then in town»

VIEW OF THE

ftoful of being intiioepted, were with diffioultj sent ta Uftm
their own ourtles.

In 1709) this province expended large sumt in pKeparations
to reduce Canada ; but not being properly seconded by the
Engluh government, the enterprise was abandoned. In the
ibl^wing year, governor Hunter arrived with 3000 Gormans,
who had fled from a reli^ous persecution, which opened the
road for emigration from that part of Europe.

Excepting internal disputes between the episcopalians and
presbyterians, and struggles against the extenrion of the French
interest amongst the Indians, nothing material occurred in this
state until the revolution.

NEW JERSEY.

Siimtion and Extent. ]^£W JERSEY is situated between

39 deg. and 41 deg. 20 min. north
lat., and 1 deg. 30 min. and 3 deg. 5 min. east loilg. It is
bounded on the east by Hudson''s river and the sea; on the
south by the sea; on the west by Delaware bay and river,
whicb divide it from the states of Delaware and Pennsylvania ;
and (HI the north by a line drawn from the mouth of Mahak-
kamak river to a point in Hudson^s river in lat. 41 deg. Its
length is 145 miles, and its breadth 60. It contains 6500
square miles, being 4,160,000 acres.

Natural G&)graphy. — The state extends along the sea-coast
upwards of 100 miles, which, with the exception of the high,
land of Never Sink, is low and sandy ; but it is more elevated
and more diverafied towards the interior. The northern pilrt
swells out into high kmds, and, towards the extremity of the
State, there are conuderable mountains. The princi[Ml rivers

UNITED STATES.

have been already noticed, and there are no other of any note^
thpu^ small streams are nuiaerous, and supply the state
abundantly with mill seats.

The climate is strikingly different in the dilTcrent sections of
the state. In the northern part there is dear settled weather,
and the winters are excessively cold, but the whole is very
healthy : in the southern part, particularly towards the extre>
mity, the climate approaches to that of the southern states^
and is sul^t to very sudden changes.

About one-fourth part of the state is sandy and barren:
there are in the southern parts extennve pine barren?, and
cedar swamps. Large tracts of salt meadow run along Dela-
ware bay, and the rivers which fall into the Adantic. Along
the rivers and small streams in the interior of the state there
is much good land ; and the hilly district abounds with fertile
valleys.

The state abounds with minerals; produdng iron, lead,
cupper, gypsum, coal, and slate ; and there are several useful
clays and ochres.

Population. — The populaiion of New J^isey in 1817
amounted to 345,8SS, which is above 53 persons to a square
mile. •

MemnerSf S^c. — The inhabitants of this state are a oollecUon
of Low Dutch, Germans, English) Scotch, Irish, and New
Englanders, or their descendants. National attachments and
mutual oonvenience have generally induced these several kinds
of people to settle together, which has tended to preserve their
peculiar national manners, customs, and character. Beli^pion
has also contributed to render this difference more striking :
the presbyterian, the quaker, the episcopalian, the baptist, the
Germim and Low Dutch Calvinist, the methodist, and the
Moravian, have each something peculiar in their worship, dis-
cipline, or dress. Besides, the people in West Jersey trade
to Philadelphia, and of course imitate their fashions, and im-
bibe their manners. The inhabitants of East Jersey trade to
New York, and regulate their fashions and manners according
to those of New York: so that the difference in r^^ard to
fashions and manners between East and West Jersey, is iMfDrl>

156

VIEW OF THE

u grtat as betwctn New York and Philadelphia. On the
whole, the people of this state are in general sober, firupi,
and industrious ; though not remarkable for activity and m-
telligence.

Chiff Toams.-~TVenUm is the capital of New Jersey, and
is situated on the Delaware river, 80 miles fVom Philadelphia,
and 66 from New York. It is n handsome little town, con-
taining about aoO hnusesv The public buildings are tfte state,
house, a court-house, an episcopal church, a presbyterian
church, a quakcr meeting-house, &nd methodist meeting-house.
Trenton bridge, which crosses the Delaware, being one of the
most elegant in the United States, merits a particular descrip-
tion. It consists of five arches of 194 feet span each* built of
white fnne, and supported on strong stone piers : the whole
length is 970 feet, the breadth 36. The arches are elevated
over head by substantial rafters, and the platform, or carriage
way, is suspended by these arches, and forms a plane the
whole length of the bridge. Above the top of the arches the
roof is covered in, so as to secure the whole from tJie weather ;
and the carriage way is divided into two sections, each of which
is appropriated to travellers in one direction. At the entrance,
passengers are directed to take the road on the right hand.
Upon the whole, this is a very elegant piece of architecture.
It was commenced in 1804, and is the plan of a mechanic of
the name of Burr. In the neighbourhood of this state are se-
veral pleasant seats, finely situated on the banks of the Dela-
ware, and ornamented with taste and elegance.

Burlington extends three miles along the Delaware, and is
SO miles above Philadelphia by water, and 17 by land. The
river is her^ about a mile wide, and under shelter of Mittinni-
cunk and Burlington islands, afibrds a safe and convenient
harbour. Part of the city is built upon the latter island,
which is connected by bridges and causeways with the main
land. The principal streets are spacious and ornamented with
trees. Here is an excellent jail, a court-house, and two mar-
ketSiouscs. This port is well situated for trade ; but is too
near the opulent city of Philadelphia to admit of any consider*
•ble increase.

UNITED STATES.

IfiT

Perth Jmbojf took iu name from James Drommond, earl of
perlh, and Ambo, the Indian word fur point; and standa on
a n«ok of land included between Karitan river and Arthur
KuU sound. Its situation is high and healthy. It lies open
to Sandy Hook, and has one of the best harbours on the con-
tinent Vessels fWmi sea may enter it in one tide, in almost
any weather. Great efibrta have been made, and l^slatiyc
encouragements offered, to render it a place of trade, but with-
out success. It was formerly the capital of East Jersey.

BruMwidc is an incorporated city, containing about 8000
inhabitants. The greater part of it is low, and it is not tery
handsome, but seems to be improving. It was originally set-
tled mostly by Dutch people, and there are three Dutch
churches. The other public buildings worthy of notice are,
the court-house and academy ; which last is stud to be a very
thriving seminary. The lands in the neighbourhood appear
rough and rocky ; but they raise pretty good crops, particu-
larly of grass, which has, throughout the whole of this district,
flourished very much of late, in consequence of the application
of plaster of Paris.

Newark is a beautiful town, regularly laid out in broad
streets, on a fine pUun, and contains nearly SOOO inhabitants.
The public buildings are two places for public worship, a
courthouse, and academy. Considerable manufactures are
carried on here, particularly of leather. The inhabitants have
likewise a pretty extensive inland trade ; and have a bank to
facilitate their commercial operations. The country is well
cuhivated in the neighbouriiood, and Newark b remarkable
for the goodness of its cyder, of which a large quantity is made
annually.

Six miles from Newark is Elixahethtywn^ containing two
churches and an academy. It is a pretty little place, and the
land in its neighbourhood is fertile and well cultivated.

Trade and Resources. — This is neither a manufacturing nor
a commercial state. Though many attempts have been made
to encourage the trade at Amboy and Burlington, yet the
merchants of New York and Philadelphia continue to be the
factors for New Jersey. The principal articles of manufacture

<it'

ISB

VIEW OF THE

ire iron, lefttfaer, glass, and paper, of wliidi largd quantities
«re exported. But the resources of the state consist ijnostly of
agricultural produce; though the unemterprising haUts of the
£unnen prevent the adoption of new and useful improvonents.
The produce of the state n wheat, rye, barley, oats, Indian
corn, potatoes and other vegetables, and a vast quantity of
iruit ; and buttet and cheese are made in great quantities, fur
the supply of the New York and Philadelphia markets.

The value of houses and lands, by the returns of the as.
sessors in 1S15, was 98,612,083 dollars ; the average value of
land being 35 dollars per acre. The internal revenue
amounted to £11,705 dollars; the gross amount of duties
upon merchandise was only 17,666 dollars, the tonnage em.
ployed in foreign trade 2465, and in the coasting trade 2668.

Education. — The general disseminatbn of knowledge through
the state has not been attended to according to its importance,
There are numerous seminaries fbr die higher branches of li-
lerature; but the state seems defective in common schools.

Religion. — The presbytenans, quakers, and baptists, are
very numerous in this state. There are also noany that belong
to the episcopalian, Moravian, methodist, and Dutch reformed
churches. But, according to the law, none are compelled to
attend or support any worship contrary to their own judgment.

Government.-'^The state is divided into 13 counties and
100 townships. The government is vested in a governor, le-
gislative council, and general assembly. The council consists
of one member, and the assembly of three members, from
each county, chosen annually by the people. The governor
is chosen annually by the coundl and assembly. 1'he qualifi-
cation for a voter is 50/. The state is prospering, and in-
creasing in population and wealth.

History. — The first settlers of New Jersey were a number
of Dutch emigrants from New York, who came over between
the years 1614 and 1620, and settled in the county of Bergen.
Next after these, in 1627, came over a col ny of Swedes and
Fins, and settled on the river Delaware. The Dutch and
Swedes, though not in harmony with each other, kept posses-
Mon of the country manyjrears.

;>-■,

UNIiraD STATBS.

uliiah large quantities
state consist mostly of
■rfMrising habits of the
useful improv^nents.
barley, oats, Indian
d a vast quantity of
1 great quantities, fur
ilphia markets.
ie returns of the as.
the average value of
he internal revenue
ss amount of duties
irs, the tonnage em-
coasting trade 2668.
of knowledge through
ing to its importance,
ligher branches of li-
I common schools,
rs, and baptists, are
ilso numy that belong
I and Dutch reformed
tone are compelled to
their own judgment,
ito la counties and
^ in a governor, le-
The council consists
iree members, from
pie. The governor
nibly. I'he qualiii-
irospering, and in-

rsey were a number
came over lietween
e county of Bergen,
ny of Swedes and
The Dutch and
other, kept posscs-

In March, 1634, Charles II. granted all the ter ritoty, called
by the Dutch New Netherlands, to his brother the duke of
York, who, in 1674, had this grant confirmed by a new patent
In the same year, New Jersey waa divided : West Jersey was
granted to the assigns of lord Berkeley, and East Jersey to ^
G. Carteret, In the following year, a factory vns settled at
Salan in. West Jersey, and these were the first Engliah settlers
in West Jersey. In 1682, East Jersey was sold to 24 pro*
prietors ; which division caused so much confusdon, that the
proprietors surrendered the government to the crown in 1702,
in which state it continued till the revolution.

■■•f.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Situation and Extent. ^HIS fine state is situated between

39 deg. 4fS min. and 42 deg. nortli
lat., and 2 deg.. 20 min. east, and 3 deg. 30 min. west long.
It is bounded on the east by Delaware river ; on the north by
uie parallel of 42 deg. north lat., which divides it from the
state of New York ; on the south by the parallel of 39 deg.
43 min. 18 sec. north lat., which divides it from the states of.
Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia ; and on the west by a me»
ridian line, drawn from the termination of 5 degrees of longi- ^
tude, from a point on Delaware river, near Wilmington, in the'
parallel of 39 deg. 43 min. 18 sec., to intersect the parallel of
42 deg. This line divides die state from a part of Virginia,
the Western Territory (so called), and from a tract of land^ m
20 miles square, which was confirmed to Connecticut by conni
gress. The north-west corner of Pennsylvania extends about
one mile and a half into lake Erie, and is afbout 20 miles weat
of the old French fort at Presque isle. This state is 320 milea

160

VIEW OF THE

long from east to west, and 162 miles broad ; and contains
48,700 square miles, being 31)168,000 acres.

Natural Ge<^raphy. — The face of the country is retuarkiu
bly diversified. The south-east part, to the distance of about
60 or 70 miles from Philadelphia, is an undulating country,
swelling in some places into considerable hills ; but it is not
mountMnous. The mountainous re^on then commences, and
extends across the country about 120 miles. The mountains
are generally in long chains, running north-east and south-west.
Between the chains, the country is rough and hilly ; but there
are many fine rallies, and the whole abounds with picturesque
scenery. To the north and west of the mountiuns, the coun- .
try is elevated, abounding with hills, valleys, and rich scenery,
which continue about 120 miles, to the extremity of the state.

The country is remarkably well watered. Lake Erie is si-
tuated on the north-west, and the Delaware bay on the south-
east, by both of which there are fine outlets, the one affording
direct and speedy communication with the Atlantic ocean, the
other connnunicating with it by the more advantageous course
of the river St. Lawrence ; while it is a link in the chain of
an inland navigation, extending through the lakes upwards of
a thousand miles. Tc the south-v/est tlie state communicates
with the Ohio, having an outlet, through the Mississippi, to
the gulf of Mexico ; and from the middle there is an outlet
through the Susquehannah to the Chesapeake bay.

The Delaware is the piincipal river of this state. From the
mouth of Delaware bay, at cape Henlopen, to Philadelphia, is
reckoned 118 miles. So far there b a sufficient depth of water
for a 74 gun ship. From Philadelphia to Trenton falls is 35
milas. This is the head of sloc^ navigation. The river is
navigable, for boats that carry eight or nine tons, 40 miles
further, and for Indian canoes, except several small falls ur
portages, 150 miles. At Easttm it receives the Lehigh from
tlie west, which is navigable 30 miles. The ide sets up as
high as Trenton falls, and at Philadelphia rises generally
alx>ut six miles. A north-east and east wind raises it higher.
On capo Henlopen stands the light-house, with a few other
houses. Opposite the light-house, on the Jersey shore, 12

UNITED STATES.

1€1

miles, is cape May. Between these capes is the entrance into
Delaware bay. The entrance into the river is SO milefr further
up, at Bombay Hook, where the rivw is four or five miles
wide. From Bombay Hook to Reedy island is SO miles.
This island is the rendezvous of outward bound sh^M in au-
tumn and spring, wmting for a favourable wind. This river
is generally frozen one or two months in the year so as to pre>
vent navigation. At Philadelphia it is about a mile broad.
The banks are level and covered with wood ; and the landa
rise to a considerable height at a distance, aflbrding in some
places pretty good views.

The Schuylkill rises north-west of the Kittatinny mountains,
through which it passes into a fine champaign country, and
runs, from its source, upwards of ISO miles in a south-east di-
rection, and falls into the Delaware three miles below F ia-
delphia. It is navigable from above Reading, 85 or 90 miles,
to its mouth. There are three floating bridges thrown across
it, made of logs fastened together, and lying upon the water.

The Lehigh rises among the mountains, between the Deku
ware and Susquehannah, and running a very crooked passage,
emerges from the mountains about 50 miles from its source,
and from thence runs through a fine country SO miles, during
which it is nav'gable to Easton, where it falls into the Delaware.

The Susquehannah is a noble river, and appears on the
map like a large crooked tree, with numerous branches. The
head waters of the eantcrn branch are numerous, and rise in
the state of New York, not far from the waters of the Mo-
hawk river. Passing into the state of Pennsylvania, it makes
a remarkable bend, called appropriately the Biff Btnd; from
thence it makes a stretch into New York, and passing to the
westward, about 40 miles, turns again to the southward, and
passes into the state of Pennsylvania, where it formtf a junction
with the Tioga river at Tioga point. It then runs a south-
east course, about 70 miles ; when making a sudden bend, at
a right angle, it runs a south-west course, about 80 miles, and
unites with Uie western branch at Northumberland. The
river is now nearly half a mile broad, and flows through the
mountains, nearlv a south course of 40 miles, to where it re-

VIEW OF THE

ceive» the Junita river. From thence it makes a CbAsidier&ble
bend to the eastward, and running al)out 10 miles, it emergen
from the mountains above Harrisburg ; and keeps a 80Oth'«a8t
course about 80 miles, when it falls into the Chesapeake bay.

The Tioga river has its head waters partly in Pennsylvania,
and partly in New York, where some of the streams approach
within a few miles of the waters of the St. Lawrence. These
all unite in New York state, towards the Paints Post, and
run a south-east course of nearly 40 miles^ to the junction
with the Susquehahnah.

The western branch of the Susquehannah is formed by
many streams, beyond the Alleghany mountains, some of them
approaching within a few miles of the waters of the St. Law.
rence, and otliers within a few miles of the waters of the Ohio
and Missis^ppi, and runs a very circuitous course, upwards of
200 miles, principally among the mountains, to its junction
with the east branch.

The Junita river rises on the Alleghany mountains, near
the head waters of the Conemaugh, a branch of the Ohio, and
passing through the mountains to the eastward, by a very
serpentine course, it falls into the Susquehannah as aforesaid,
its length lieing nearly 200 miles.

The length of the Susquehannah, from the Chesapeake bay
to the h<ri< ! of the eastern branch, is upwards of 4>50 miles;
and the whole river, including its branches, waters a country
nearly SOO miles square. It is navigable for large vessels only
a few miles, and there are many islands, rocks, and falls, which
obstruct the navigation for boats; but it is presumed that
these can be removed, and that, by the aid of some locks and
canals, it can be rendered navigable, almost Id the source of
the eastern branch. The western branch is navigable for boats
nearly 150 miles, and the Junita river nearly 120. From this
short account, the importance of improving the navigation of
this fine river will l)e readily inferred.

The Alleghany river rises on the highest land in the state,
to the westward of the mountains, within a few miles of the
head waters of the Genesee river, and the western branch of
the Susquehannah. It is here called Oswaya creek, and runs

UNITED STATES.

103

nakes a CbAsidier&ble
10 miles, it emergen
d keeps a soath.«ast
he Chesapeake bay.
tly in Pennsylvania,
le streams approach
Lawrence. These
Paints Post, and
[es^ to the junction

nnah is formed by
itains, some of them
ers of the St. Law-
! waters of the Ohio
\ course, upwards of
dns, to its junction

ny mountains, near
ich of the Ohio, and
astward, by a very
lannah as aforesaid,

the Chesapeake bay
i^ardsof 450 miles;
s, waters a country
or large vessels only
ks, and falls, which

is presumed that
i of some locks and
io the source of

navigable tor boats
ly 120. From this
the navigation of

land in the state,

a few miles of the

western branch of

ya creek, and runs

^ north-west course into the state of New York, and, posnng
again into the state of Pennsylvania, it recaves the waters of
Conewongo creek and Chataughque lake. From thence it
runs a winding "ourse, but generally south-west, to Frtuiklin,
where it receives the waters of French creek. From thence it
runs a circuitous course about 100 miles, receiving in its pro-
gress many tributary streams, particularly Toby^s creek apd
Kishkemanetas rivers, and at Pittsburg forms a junction with
the Monongtdiela, which together constitute the Ohio.

The Alleghany is a navigable river, and the navigation is
continued through French creek to Waterford, from whence
there is a portage of only 14 miles to lake Erie. The naviga-
tion is exWuded into the country SO or 25 miles, by the Kish-
kemanetas river.

The Monongahela rises in Virginia, near the Laurel moun-
tains, and, running by a meandering course about 70 miles,
passes into this state ; soon after which it receives the waters
of Cheat river. From thence it continues, by a serpentine
course, but nearly in a northern direction, about GO miles,
where it forms a junction with Yoxhiogeni, and thence runs
north-west about 14 miles to Pittsburg. It is navigable in
large boats to Brownsville and Morgantown, 100 miles from
its mouth ; and from thence by small boats 40 miles farther.
The western branch is also navigable in high water.

The Yoxhiogeni rises in Maryland, and runs a course east
of north, about 40 miles ^jefore it passes into this state. From
thence it r ms a north-west course, and, passing the Laurel
hill and ^'iiesnut ridge, forms the junction with the Mononga-
hela above mentioned ; its whole length l)eing about 100 miles.

The soil to the east of the mountains is generally good, and
a considerable part of it is bedded on limestone. Among the
mountains the land i" rough, and much of it poor; but there
are a great many rich and fertile valleys. To tlie west of th^
motintains the soil is generally excellent.

The climate is very various. On the east side of the Aiie-*
ghany mountains it is pretty similar to Jersey, already de-*
scribed. It is, in common with tlie other countries east of the
mountains, subject to great and iiuddeu changes; but U is

lai

VIEW OF THE

eonaidered moire settled than immediately on the sea-bour d,
and is perfectly healthy. The winter commences about the
SOth of December, and the spring sets in about two weeks
earlier than at New York. Among the mountains there is a
sharp atmosphere, with a clear, settled sky. There is frost
almost every month in the year in some places ; and the ex-
tremes of heat and cold are considerable. The winters may
be reckoned a month longer than to the eastward. The whole
region is healthy. — The country beyond the mountuns has a
temperate climate, with a considerable portion of cloudy wea-
ther; and the winters are more humid and mild than on the
Atlantic.

The agriculture of the state has improved rapidly, and is m
an advanced state. The staple article is wheat, of which the
quantity manufactured into flour annually is immense. It is
reckoned the best in the United States, and surpassed by mme
in the world. The mountainous district is pretty much ap-
plied to raising stock. The breed of horses is reckoned the
best in the United States. Sheep have of late greatly in-
creased, and thrive remarkably well. All the grains, grasses,
and roots common to the other states thrive here. The stock
of fruit, particularly peaches, is excellent ; and some progress
has of late been made in the culiivstion of the vine.

This state is well supplied with iron ore ; and coal abounds
in many places, particularly in the western country. Slate is
found in several places ; and marble and freestone, of an ex-
cellent qualit)\, are found in great abundance. Limestone is
also in great plenty; and some copper and lead have been
found, but not in sufHcient quantity to he wrought. Tliere
are many mineral springs in the state.

Populatirtn. — Th« population of this state in 1817 amounted
to 986,494, v< hich is above 20 persons to a square mile.

Manners, S<c. — A late writer, in speaking of the manners of
the citizens oi Philadelphia, says, ' The habits of the people
are marked by caution and secresy. Although the eyes and
ears of a stranger are not insulted in the openness of noon-day
with evidence of hardened profligacy, I have, nevertheless,
reason to beliew in its existence to a very great extent ; though

UNITED STATES.

165

perhaps there is no Philadelphia parent would say to me what
a respectable inhabitant of New York did : " There is not a
father in this city but who is sorry that he has got a son.'"

* There is, of course, here no rank of society correspondent
to the peerage, or the " haut-ton,"" in England ; but there are
many who keep carriages, have truly elegant houses, and su-
perb furniture. These are called of the "first class ;^ and
although they have not the pomp or the titles, they have the
pride of an aristocracy. The small and middling tradesmen
do not make much exertiim, live easily, save no money, and
appear to care nothing about either the present or future. If
they find business getting bad, they do, what is called, " sell
out," and pack up for the " back country." The labourer and
mechanic are independent, not in purse, but in condition.
Neither they nor their master conceive that any obligation is
conferred by employing them. They live well, and may al-
ways have a dollar in their pockets. Men are here indepen-
dent of each other : this will shew itself even in half an hour's
walk through the streets of Philadelphia.

* The dress of the gentlemen is copied from the fashions of
England ; that of the ladies from France, — who very modestly
believe, and indeed have no hesitation in declaring, that they
combine the excellences of the French and the English charac-
ter, without possessing the defects of either. For myself, I
can trace no resemblance to the former, unless it consist in kid
gloves and artificial flowers; nor to the latter, except in a
fondness for lady Morgan''s writings, and an admiration of
lord Wellington's achievements. Could American ladies be
content to despise instead of copying the vanity of their coun-
trymen, and take a few practical lessons from the English
female in the management of domestic concerns, and the culti-
vation of their minds, then indeed ttieir fine forms might l)e-
come peculiarly interesting, at kast to the man a£ sense.'

About one-third of the inhabitants are friends and episcopa-
lians, chiefly of English extraction. The Irish are mostly
presbyterians, and are very numerous : they inhabit the west-
ern and frontier counties. The Germans compose at least
one-fourth of the whplie ] lopulatipp of the state ; they are ge-

166

VIEW OF THE

nerally employed in agriculture, and are diHtinguished for in.
dustry and frugality; but the poorer class are extremely
ignorant add superstitious. They mostly reside in the neigh-
bourhood of Philadelphia.

Mr. Fearon says he * passed through an extensive, fertile,
well-cultivated, and I)cautiful tract of land, called the " Great
Valley.^ Farms in this district are chiefly owned by Dutch
and Germans, and their descendants. They consist of from
50 to 200 acres, each acre worth 200 dollars (45/.), and are
cheaper at that price than the 50 cent and dollar and half
lands, which encumber other parts of the eastern states. The
substantial barns, fine private dwellings, excellent breed and
cunditiun of live stock, and superior cultivation of the ** Great
Valley,^^ place it decidedly in advance of the neighbouring
lands, and put it fairly in competition with Old England.
The proprietors are wealthy. They have the reputation of
being practicfil opponents of the desolating system of paper
money, by keeping their hard cash safely locked up in their
*• old countrtf boxes. Be this as it may, their property, un-
like that of their follow citizens on the sea-side, has not va-
nished into air by the late mighty political changes. They
have been blessed by heaven with excellent land and good
markets ; and although their progress in the acquirement of
*'this world^s goods^ has not been like the rise of Jonah''s
gourd, neither has it shared the fate of that transitory plant.''

Chief Toions. — Philadelphia is situated between the Dela-
ware and Schuylkill rivers, about four miles above their junc-
tion. It is laid out on an elegant plan, with streets crossing
one another at right angles, and extends between the two
rivers, being upwards of two miles in length from east to west,
and a little more than one mile in breadth. There are large
suburbs to the north and south, on the Delaware river, called
the Northern Liberties, Kensington, and Southwark; and
these extend upwards of a mile to the north, and half a mile
south of the city, making the extreme length on the Delaware
river nearly three jniles. But the city is closely built to the
westward only about a mile ; tlic buildings on the remaining
part, towards the Schuylkill, being very thi»ly scattered, It

UI4ITED STATES.

167

distinguished for in.
class are extremely
r reside in the neigh-

un extensive, fertile,
d, called the " Great
fly owned by Dutch
rhey consist of from
hilars (45/.), and are
and dollar and half
eastern states. The

excellent breed and
vation of the " Great
of the neighbouring

with Old England,
(re the reputation of
ing system of paper
ly locked up in their
, their property, un-

E[-side, has not va-
1 changes. They
lit land and good
the acquirement of
the rise of Jonah's
at transitory plant.^
between the Dela<
es above their junc<
vith streets crossing
s between the two
th from east to west,
1. There are large
laware river, called
1 South wark ; and
th, and half a milu
th on the Delaware
closely built to the
s on the remaining
Jiinly scattered, It

is, however^ tajndly filling up in that direction. High or
Market street is about 100 feet brood, and running the whole
length of the city, is terminated by the Schuylkill bridge to
the west. A street of equal breadth, called Broad street,
crosses it in the middle, where there is a large area, called
Centre square, on which the water works are built. The
streets running parallel to High street are named after various
trees said to have been found on the ground on which they are
laid out. To the north are Mulberry, Sassafras, and Vine ;
to the south, Chesnut, Walnut, Locust, Spruce, Fine, and
Cedar. The cross streets are numbered according to situation
from die rivers, thus. Front, Second, Third, and m on, to
Thirteenth, on the Delaware side ; and from Front to Eighth,
on the Schuylkill side. Mulberry street is 60 feet wide, and
all the other streets are 50. It was the intention of the bene-
volent prelector of the city that Front street, on the Delaware,
should have been the eastern boundary, and that the space
between that and the river should have been converted into
public ground, useful and ornamental to the city; but this
elegant plan has given way to the avidity for commercial gun,
and this spot is now thickly built up with wharfs, warehouses,
and dwelling houses ; which form a street on the low ground
along the margin of the river, called .Water street. In the
original plan there were a great number of public squares, but
several of them have also been infringed upon, though there
are still many left, which are very ornamental to the city.

An English writer observes that the city, on approaching it
by water, looks extremely well ; which impression is, however,
dissipated on coming nearer, ' as nothing is visible from the
water but confused heaps of wooden storehouses, crowded
upon each other, the chief of which arc built upon platforms
of artificial ground, and wharfs which project a considerable
way into the river. The wharfs are of a rectangular form,
and built of wood; they jut out in every- direction, and are
well adapted for the accommodation of shipping, the largest
merchant vessels being able to lie close alongside them. Be-
hind these wharfs, and parallel to the river, runs Water street.
This is the first street which you uitually enter after landing.

108^

VIEW OF THE

aind it does not serve to give a stranger a very favourable opt.
nion either of the neatness or commodiousness of the public
ways of Philadelphia. It is no more than fit) feet wide ; and
immediately behind the houses, which stanf^ on the side far.
thest from the water, a high bank, supposed to be the old bank
of the river, rises, which renders the air very confined. Added
to this, such stenches at times prevail in it, owing in part to
the quantity of filth and dirt that is suffered to remain un the
pavement, and in part to what is deposited in waste houses, of
which there are several in the street, that it is really dreadful
to pass through it. It was here that the malignant yUow
fever broke out in the year 1793) which made such terrible
ravages ; and in the summer season, in general, the street is
found extremely unhealthy.^

The city is composed almost wholly of brick houses, covered
with slate or shingles ; and they are generally ornamented with
marble steps, with soles and lintels for the doors and windows ;
which form an elegant contrast with the brick, and add much
to the beauty of the buildings. Some of the public buildings
are wholly composed of marble, and 'others are much orna-
mented with it, which gives the city an elegant and even mag-
nificent appearance.

The public buildings are very numerous. The bare men-
tion of a. few of them will be sufficient to convey an idea of the
importance of the city. The state-house, with the court-
houses and philosophical hall adjoining, the dispensary, alms-
house, hospital, jail, carpenter's hall, college, academy, library,
two theatres, four banks, five quaker meeting-houses, six prcs.
byterian churches, three episcopal churches, four Roman ca-
tholic churches, three methodist ehurches, and one each for
German Calvinists, German Lutherans, Swedish Lutherans,
Moravians, baptists, unitarians, Jews, and universalists.

The state-house is remarkable as being the place from
whence the independence of the United States was first pro-
claimed ; and the legislature of the United States held their
■neetings in the adjoining buildings, while Philadelphia was
the seat of the general government. When the legislature of
Pennsylvania continued at Philadelphia, they held Uieir meet"

UNITED STATES.

109

ingi in the state-house ; but the seat of government has been
removed to Lancaster, and that bvtilding now contains Peale'a
museum.

There are three market-houses in the city, the principal of
which \b m High street. It is a very handsome building,
about a quarter of a mile in length, and U well supplied with
provision;}. The price of provisionH is somewhat c\ eaper than
in New York. Beef, mutton, and veal, may be quoted at
from 6 to 8 cent^ per pound , and, generally speaking, all
other articles of domestic production may be qutjted as one-
fiflh cheaper than in the latter city.

The markets are large and well suppli* the chief is in
Market street. The time of sale is from daylight to two
o'clock from the 1st of April to the Ist of September, and
from daylight to three o''clock the remainder of the year. No
butchers are allowed to kill in the cny, nor are live cattle to
be driven to the city markets.

The water-wurks of this city are excellent. The building
which contains the reservoir is in the Centre square, being the
must elevated ground in the city. It occupies a square of 60
f«et ; from the middle there is a circular tower, 40 feet in dia*
muter, and 60 feet high, which contains the reservoir; and
this tower is terminated by a dome, which gives it a very
handsome appearance. The water is conveyed to this building
from the Schuylkill, a distance of nearly a mile, through a cir<
cular brick tunnel, of six feet diameter, having a fall of six
inches towards the Schuylkill. The water is received from
the Schuylkill into a substantial basin and canal, and from
thence is raised by a steam engine to the level of the aqueduct,
which conveys it to the Centre square. It is there received
into another basin, and thence, by anoUier steam engine, is
elevated to the circular tower, from whence it issues through
wooden pipes, in all directions, to supply the city.

The whole expence of the works was about 150,000 dollars

(33,750/. sterling.) The work was undertaken by the corpo^

ration, who raised the funds partly by a tax, and partly by

loan, allowing the subscribers to the loan six per cent, interest

8 Y

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

Uit2A mis

S ta 12.0

IL25 m 1.4

1.6

Hiotographic

Sciences

Corporalioii

•ss

4^.t

'^f^^

23 WBT MAIN STRUT

WeftSTeR,N.Y. MSSO

(716) •72-4503

170

VIEW OF THE

for their money, aad the use of the water free for three years,
for every 100 dollars subscribed.

The city is supplied with water by contract, and the emi-
tractor is obliged to supply three millions of gallons per day,
if required. The annual expence is six thousand dollajrs for
one million of gallons per day ; and for any additional quantity,
up to two millions, the expence is at the rate of half that sum
The en^ne is 40 horse power, and can raise, if necessary, four
millions and a half (^gallons per day; so that the supply
must be abundant for every purpose.

The water is soft and good ; but it is not filtered, and is, of
course, sometimes muddy, though never so much so as to ren-
der it unfit for use ; and it is always wholesome. It is of great
importance to these works that they are the property of the
public, and not subject to individual speculation, in consequence
of which the supply is liberal, and there ara fountains in every
street, to which, the whole public have access. The water can
be used for watering tlie streets, or extinguishing fires, as often
as may be necessary; while every householder, by paying a
reasonable compensation, can have a hydrant in any part of
his premises that he pleases, even to the attic story. In short,
this water is a groat- luxury, and is of incalculable advantage
to the health, as it certainly is to the convenience and comfort
of the community.

The supply of cities with water is a subject of great im-
portance;- and it is to be hoped that the inhabitants of other
places in the United States will profit by the laudable example
set them by the citizens of Philadelphia, and the happy effects
which have resulted from it. The power of the steam engine,
properly applied, can send water to any city, and cities are
generally sufficiently opulent to bear the expence.

The Philadelphiav hospital, for its airiness, for its con-
venient accommodation for the sick and infirm, and for the
neatness exhibited throughout every part of it, cannot be sur-
passed by any institution of the kind in the world. The plan
of the building is in the form of the letter H. It is two stories
high, and underneath the whole are cells for luiMties. Per^

UNITED STATES^

wms labouring under any disorder of body or rn'md are received
into this hospital, exoepUng euch as have diseases that are
ocmtagtous, and of a malignant nature; such patients, how-
ever, have the advice of the attending phymdans gratis, ttid
are supplied with medicine from the hospital dispensary. The
hosfnial stands within the limits of the city, but it b more than
a quarter of a mile removed from any of the other buildings.
There are spacious walks within the inclosure for such of the
patients as are in a state of convalescence. '"^i

The Bettering house, which is under the tmre of ^e
overseers of the poor, stands in the same naghbourhood,
somewhat farther removed irom the houses of the aty. It is
a spadous building of brick, with extenrive walks and gardens.
The poor of the city and neighbourhood are here* fumislied
with employment, and oomfort»bly lodged and dieted. Du-
ring the severity of die winter season, many aged, and reduced
persons seek refuge in this place, and leave it i^ain on the re-
turn of spring. Whilst they stay there, they are Under very
little restrmnt, and go in and out when they please: they
must, however, behave orderly.

The poor-laws are administered by sixteen citizens, whp are
chosen annually b^ the corporation, to superintend the provi-
sion for the poor. They are empowered, with the approbation
of four aldermen and two justices, to levy an assessment not
exceeding, at any one time, 100 cents (4^. Qd.) on 100 dollars
(S2/. 10».), or one per cent. ; nor more than three dollars per
head, on every free man not otherwise rated. The average
annual number of paupers supported in almsJwouses of this
city is 1600; the expence of kiee^ng them 70jOOO dollars a
year ; the [nroduce of the poor-tax for the city land county 'Uf
Philaddphui-iOO,000 doliam; i • ^J

liiie^jail is a spacious building of common stone, 100 feet in
front/- It is fitted up with solitary c6lls, on the new plan, and
the apartments are all arched, to prevent the communication
of fire. Behind the building are extetteivb'^ ^ards, which are
secured by lofty walls. This pri8on> is well regulated. Its
object is to receive the vicious, andy i|*|tossible, to reclaim them
to virtue ; and is an admirable contrast to the sanguinary pu-

<**■ 1

31B

P/VIEW OPTHB:

inishmento of oM govcnlmeiitf, who, &r -evsn peonuary ia&
ienoea, send them off to the «^ar world to f jc iredaimed there.
Thb iostitution doe* not admit offendem tbU after eonvi£tb%
when they are received Irom the different part« of the state
It is hence called the StaMfprison. When :a' criminal^ is i»-
onved, his nam* is put upon the record, or, to use a admmer-
cial idea, herbeoames a partner in the ooneem, and an aooount
ia accordingly raised for him in the books. Inquiry is then
made what he can do; if he can work a/t any trade, he is taken
to the apavtment where that branch is carried on, and has. his
task asi^ned him., If he can work at no trade, he is sent to
aaiir marble. As a stimulus to industry, the convicts get credit
in the books for the proceeds of their labour, and are debited
iwiih the expence of their board and clothing, whidi, however,
is not very expensive, as every thing is conducted upon an
economical plan; and when they are released, should their
■earnings he m^e than the expence of maintenance, the balance
is paid to them. <i*j^»

\ Almost every trade is carried on in the prison; and the io-
stitution is so organized that every necessary of life is attended
to by the convicts themselves : baking, cooking, scrublmig the
rooms, and so on ; and every thing is kept remarkably clean.
The food is wholesome and nutritive, con»sting of Indian
meal, bread, and meat The drink is molasses and water;
and no spirituoius liquors are admitted within the walls of the
prison. , «Hm f:/'.rif •■a^t)«?< ?«#■•* ^'Mi^is'- ■■.■:■
' There is a separate apartment Rn the reception of female
ONivicts, where the various parts of female labour are carried
on, and it is otherwise under the same system of management
as that, for the males.

This benevolent institution is inspected twiee every week by
twelve perscms appointed tor that purpose, who are chosen
annually from amongst the citizens of Philadelphia. Nor is it
a difficult matter to procure these men, who readily and vo..
luntmrily take it upon them to go through the troublesome
functions of the office without any fee or emolument whatever.
They divide themselves into committees ; each of these takes
it .in turn, for a stated period, to visit. every part of the prisons;

UNWElfti 6Tl4lf £S.

and a riefibn k made to tbe kisfMctora at large, who mitet tog».
ther at times regularly afipointed. From the report of tba
committee an opinioa is l^imed by the inspectors) who, with
the consent of the judges, regulate the treatment of each indi^
vidual prisoner duiing his oonfineroent. THis is varied accord-
ing to his crime, and according to his subsequent repentance.

*The keeper,' says a late traveller, < accompanied me into
every apartment, giving, as we proceeded, the most full expla^
nations. The scene was novel, mid I had almost said delight-
ful ; but a recollection that I was viewing the consequences of
vicious pursuits, checks the expression, and draws a tear for
the weakness of humanity : yet I could not but be pleased,
and highfy so, on drawing a comparison between what I sa#
here, and what I have witnessed in the London prisons. Here,
instead of the prisoners passing their time in idleness, or in low
debauchery and gaming, all was solniety, life^ and activity. A
complete manufacturing town was in fact collected within tha
narrow precincts of these otherwise gloomy walls. The open
court was occupied by stone-cutters, chiefly negroes. It would
appear, on first seeing this department only, that these were
either more vicious, or more hardly dealt with in the courts of
law, than their white countrymen. But the true reason of
their numbers in the yard is, that few of them being mechanics,
they are set to labour upon those things for which they are
fitted, and which they can undertake with little previous in-
struction. The rooms in which the mechanic arts are carried
on have a very great proportion of whites, so that crime would
by no means seem to be monopolized by our darker brethren.
The produce of the labour of prisoners nearly supports the
whole of this extensive establishment. Some have earned a
sufBoiency by their own work to enable them to commence
business on the expiraticm of their term of confinement. Those
who conduct themselves with industry and propriety receive a
remission of part of their sentence. Several have become ho-
nest and useful members of society. When the jailor spoke to
the prisoners, they addressed him with confidence, but with
proper respect. He is a plain intelligent man, liberally, though
not profusely pud for his services. To have offered him mo-

174

VIEW OP THE

nejr ibr bis trouble, would,- 1 am sura, have been ooOi&dered an
insult What a contrast does such a man afibrd to our piisono
keepers, the miyority of whom are ^perhaps greater criminab
than those over whom they tyrannize. One fact, in connectimi
with the fHrison, I have omitted to mention ; and as it is a
characteristic trait of national character, it ought to be reooid-
edp— white criminals will not eat with the negroes, the latter
therefiwe have a separate taUe ! ! !

* The medical reputation of the gentlemen connected with
thb establishment would be highly estimated in the first Eu-
ropean cities.*

The library, founded by Franklin about the year 1731, now
contains more than 14,000 volumes in all the various branches
of literature, a philosophical i^paratus, and a good bq^ning
towards a collection of natural and artificial curiosities, beades
landed property of considerable value. The building is ele*
gant and comn^ious, and has a statue of Franklin in fronty
the donation ^ the late Mr^ Bingham. The library is divided
into shares of 4|0 dollars each ; but the number is unlimited.
The subscribers are at present uqswards of 600. Besides the
purchase of the share, each subscriber "pays two dollars annu-
ally, to tbe support of the institution.

The library is open every di^, except Sunday, from two
o^dock to sunset, and the subscribers may either read in the
library, or be acCDmmodated with books to read in their houses.
The rule relative to strangers and nim-subscribers is very libe-
ral. They may have the use of the books in the library, while
it is open, free of expence, or, on depositing the value, may
borrow books and peruse thetn at home, on paying a small
sum for the use of them.

Peale^s museum contains an extenave collection of the cu-
riosities usual in soeh establishments, divided into three de-
partments. The mammoth skeleton complete is a most
tremendous object. There are several quart bottles filled
with ashes of the paper called * Continental money.* This
was the circulating medium of the revolution, and by the
means of which they carried on that glorious stru^le. Here
is Talleyrand's oath of allc^ance to the United States in his

UNITED STATES.

IIS

MMideredan
our priion->
«r criminals
(i connection
id as it is a
o be record-*
B, the latter

inected with
he first £u*

ir 1731, now
)us branches
odbc^nning
liues^ beaded
tiding is elfr*
IcUn in fronty
ury is divided
b unlimited.
Besides the
lollars annu-

r, from two

read in the
thdr houses.

is very libe«
ibrary, while

value, may
ring a small

»B of the CU"
ito three de->
is a most
:Ues filled
iney.* This
and by the
[le. Here
Itates in bis

own handNrriting ! a cake of portable soup, which was sent
from England in 1775, (br the use of the British army !
Penn^s curtains ;> and a scrap of poetry called *The Cow
Chase,? in the hand writing of the gallant and intoresting An.
dr^ written a few years before his execution. The p(Hrtnut8
in this establishment are very numerous, including those of
Americans of great, down to those of very limited celebrity ;-
also, the likenesses of Paine, Arthur 0*Conner, and Dr.
Priestley. The style of their execution is but little creditable
to the talents of the artist (Mr. Peale), and would seem to be
below the standard of his ability, if we judge at least frxmi the
specimen which he has ^ven in a fine portnut of Napoleon,
alter David ; where, by the way, he has committed the error
of substituting an American horse, marked by the very long
shaggy hair near the hoofs, by which they are distinguished.
The painting of the Anaconda, which was exhibited in Spring
Gardens, is now here, at the house of Mr. Earl. It is cer-
tainly a first-rate production. — Mr. Sully^s collection of punt*
ings is small, but «elect. They are chiefly of his own execution.
— The Academy of Fine Arts is a highly respectable institu-
tion, which, without the pretence and puff of its sister esta-
blishment in New York, possesses a most decided superiority.
There are numerous excellent paintings, and a hall of statuary,
in which are 8(mie fine specimens of Venus, the Gladiator,
Apollo, &c.

This city is under great obligations to the quakers, who
have given a tone to the manners of the people, different fttmi
what is to be found in most other places of equal extent. They
are industrious and sober ; and, though sufficiently commer-
cial, they do not conduct their business in the same dashing
style which is done by some commercial cities; but confine
themselves within bounds, and secure what they gun. Edu-
cation is on an excellent footing : besides the larger seminaries,
there are numerous academies and schools throughout the city.
The arts and sciences have been long cultivated. A Philoso-
phical Society was established in the year 1769, and they have
published several volumes of their transactions. The other
societies of greatest importance are, the Cdlege of Physicians^

VIEW OF THE

inttituted for the purpoir of promoting medkml, «iatoinicaI,
and cheoucAl knowledge ; the PeaBsyivaniaa Society for pro>
moting (hjB Abolition of Slavery, md the Relief of free Negroes
unlawfully held >n Bondage i the Pennaylvaeia Academy of
Fine Arts,; the Agricultural Society; Premium Society; a
Society for idleviating the Miseries of public Prisons; Hu-
mane Society ; Marine Benevdent Sodety ; St. Andrew''8 So-
ciety ; Scots TbistW Society ; St. Patrick's Society ; Hibernian
Soeiety; ^t George's Society; Welsh Society; French Be-
nevolent Society; German Society. The Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania is established here,, and there are 15 or 16 lodges
qf free-masons

The police of the city is said to be better regulated than that
of any other on the continent. It appears to be much better
tjkan New York. There are public scavengers, who clean the
streets at^ state^ times, and the side pavements are generally
vashed every moniing. Th .'se are broad, and generally well
paved with brick ; and, the streets being lined with rows of
tjrees, a walk through the tity in a Hummer morning is delight-
ful. The city is elevated 50 or 60 feet above the river, in
consequence of which there is an ample descent for the water ;
and the streets are well supplied with common sewers, which
serve to carry off the 61th ; and they are kept sweet by the
supply of fresh water from the water-works, which js constant-
ly pouring into them from every part of the city. This sup-
ply of water also keeps the streets pure by running along the
gutters, so that almost every street has a little stream on each
side of it; and this circumstance, though apparently trivial, is
probably of more importance than is generally imagined.
^> There are fourteen constables and two high constables,
whose business it is to perambulate the streets, which they do
with a mace in their hands, and to examine all sus{Hcious look-
ing persons. If such refuse to give a satisfactory account of
tliemselves, they are taken before the mayor. There are 36
watchmen who cry the hour (to imitate which, subjects the
oAender to immediate imprisonment), and six other who vbit
their lioxes to see that they perform their duty. The whole
are under the direction of a captain^ who attends to receive

giatomical,
iety for pro-
free Negroes
Academy of
I So(»ety ; a
'risons; Hu-
!!Lndrew''s So-
; Hibernian
French Be-
id Lodge of
; or 16 lodges

ited than that
i much better
who clean the
are generally
generally well
with rows of
ing is delight-
tbe river, in
for the water ;
sewers, which
sweet by the
ijs constant-
y. This sup-
ung along the
tream on each
sntly trivial, is
nagined.
;h constables,
which they do
ispicious look-
ary account of
There are 36
, subjects the
»ther who visit
|r. The whole
(nds to receive

♦ .

ENIiiRAVIBD FOB MACSlRNZQiB'S AMfiMCA,

VIEW of the COUTNTEY round FlTTSBlTlRO ;

■•' 1^W3'^

UNITED STATES*

177

>agrants, rioters, and thieves. Watchmen are paid fourteen
dollars (63f.) per month, fourteen.pence extra for every lamp
under their care, and are supplied with a great coat : they are
fined for neglect of duty« The cost for li|;hting and watcl^g
Philadelphia ii 45,000 dollars per annum. Circumstances
have recently occurred, which, if true in all particulars, would
prove the magistracy to be as corrupt as that of London in the
days of Fielding.

The manufactures of this city are rising into great import-
ance. The principal are leather of every d^ription, a great
variety of wood and iron work, ships, ropes, fermented and
distilled liquors, earthen ware, tin plate, hats, stockings, and a
vast variety of cloths of various descriptions. The printing
business is better established here than in any other place oil
the continent, and gives employment to a great number of pa- "
per-mills, and all classes connected with the book trade:
printers, type-founders, engravers, bookbinders, and booksel-
lers and stationers.

The accommodations in the inns and taverns of this city are
very indifferent i but strangers usually go to private boarding
houses, of which there are nearly 2000. It is only since the
year 1779 that any public amusements have beenHuffered ;
the old corporation being mostly quakers. There are now two
theatres and an amphitheatre, 'i'he lilew theatre is tolerably ,
handsome, and weU supported.

The population of this city in 1817 was estimated at
130,000 ; and i^ii new buildings were erecting in different
parts of the suburbs.

The next considerable place in this province is Pittsburgy
distant above 350 miles from Philadelphia. It is the gate of
the western empire, and has risen into importance with a ra-
pidity almost unparalleled. It is situated at the confluence of
the Alleghany and Monongaliela rivera, the junction of which
forms the Ohio. It extends about three quarters of a mile
along the Alleghany riva*, and about half a mile along the
Monougahela. The site of the town i» narrow, being hem-
med in by hills to the eastward, about half a mile from the

r fc'»i.» -^V)**. Hi . ify iS>ir-tr>t'-

--»,.•''—-• .—-■

VIBW OF THS

AUeghimy river ; but there is room for it to extend along that
river two miles.

. The town wm first hud out in 1765 ; but was surveyed and
l(dU out on a new plan in 1784. The plan was meant to ac<
commodate the town to both rivers ; but itia by no means |o
well designed as it might have been. The streets are gene-
rally too narrow, and they cross one another at acute angles,
which is both hurtful to the eye and injurious to the buildings.
The value of the situation may be determined by a notice of
the progress of the town. Iq 1800 it contiuned S400 inhabit-
ants; in 1807 it oontuned about 500 houses; and in- 1810 it
contained 11 stone buildings, S88 of brick, and 473 of frame
and log : making in all 767 ; and the number of inhabitants
was 4768. Pittsburg has, of course, nearly doubled its popu-
lation in ten years ; and there is every probability that this
ratio will continue for a considerable time to come : so that
Pittsburg will in all probability become one of the largest
towns in America.

*This town,'* says Mr. Fearon,, *is interesting in several
points of view : from its natural situation, being at the termi-
nation of two, and the commencement of a third river, whidi
has a diiect communication with the ocean, though at the al-
most incredible distance of 2500 miles ; its scenery, which is
truly picturesque ; itf exhaustless possession of that first-rate
material for manufactories, coal; its original situation as an
early military post, and remarkable for two defeats of the Bri-
tish, more especially that of general Bradock by the French
and Indians, in which the great Washington first distingubhed
himself, though but a youth and only a militia colonel ; and
lastly, its present importance as being the connecting, link be-
tween new and old America ; and though it is not at present a
*' Birmingham,'" as the natives bombastically call it, yet it cer-
tainly contains the seeds of numerous important manufactories.
The published accounts of this city are so exaggerated and out
of all reason, that strangers are usually disappointed on visit-
ing it.'*

Agricultural produce finds here a ready and an advantage-
ous market. Farming, in this neighbourhood, is not the most

UNITED STATES.

179

pro6table mode of employing capital ; but it ii herei as in all •
other parti ok' the union, an independent mode of life. The
fanner must labour hard with his own hands. The *help* i
which he pays for will be dear, and not of that kind to be to-
lied on, in the mod^ of its execution, as m England. This
may not proceed from a worne state of character, but a differ'
ence m contit^Mfi, as oomf ^ 'iirith our working class. They
are paid aliout fourteen dollars per month, and board. In
many instances they expect to sit down with tl^e master, to
live as well, and to be upon terms of equality with every
branch of the family ; and if this should be departed from, the
scythe and the sickle will be laid down in the midst of harvest.
There is a class of men throughout the western country, called
< merchants,^ who, in the summer and autumn months, collect
floiir, butter, cheese, pork, beef, whiskey, and every species of
farming produce, which they sent in ilats and keel-boats to the
New Orleans market. The demand created by this trade,
added to a large domestic consumption, insures the most re-
mote farmer a certain market. Some of these speculators
have made large fortunes.

In the cual hills, the mineral is found in a horizontal posi*
tion, lying at present above level. It is worked by adits or
openings into the side of the hills, which draw off the water.
ThJa stream being boarded over, the coal is wheeled out in
barrows, and tripped from an overhanging stage into one-horse
waggons. The waggons are without -wheels, and the horses,
if blind, are preferred, the hills being so steep, that in case of
the least start, nothing can save them from destruction.

Rai.i falls here almost incessantly. The smoke is also ex-
treme, giving to the town and its inhabitants a very sombre
aspect ; though it is said to be very healthy. The diseases are
bilious remittent fevers, rheumatic among the aged, a few cases
of bronchocele which affects tlie theroid gland of females, and
inflammatory sore throat in wet weather. Medical aid is easy
of attainment, though not always of the most valuable kind.
There is of doctors, as of lawyers, too large a supply, and of
course many of them very inefficient. A physician here is
also a surgeon, prepares his own medicines, and practises in

180

VIEW OF THE

every department of the profession : generally they are neither r
8o well educated, nor in such i-espectable circumstances, as our <
medical men.

Bendes the supply of the town and country round with ma-
nufactures, Pittsburg has a vast export trade, prindpally down
the Ohio. As die greister part'of the manufactures are in a
progrMsive stat^ of improvement, workmen can hardly go
wnmg by coming to this place. They are sure of work and
good wages at all times. The following new branches of n^am
nufacture mi^t be established to advantage : chuse and chair
making, upholstery, piano-fprtes and other musical instru-
ments, stocking frames ; and the fi^owing are susceptible of
ai^metitation : cotton and wool spinning and weaving, and
stoiking-making. .>

* The manufacturing interest of Pittsburg is that of the
United States, i Many of the manufactories orif^nated during
the- late war, and all of them flourished during its continuance.
At present they are generally upon the wane. A document
was issued from thdr committed in 1817, setting forth their
distress in the strongest language — from which it would appear
to equal thst of our manufacturing classes, even during the
•wont p^ilod of thor sufierings. Mr. Ephrim Portland, the
prothonotbry of this town, presented Mr. Fearon with the foU
lowing list of manufactories up to January, 1818, published
by the authority of the committee.

UNITED STATES.

Mamfbetories in and near ihe city of PUtfbufff, in iHe State
"" * ■ in the Y ew 1817 .

TSiSS«r
of Man

Bluufiwtuiet.

emi

ifw&yBu.

1 Aucar-maker «...
1 Beuows-maker . . k.
18 Blacksmiths . . .

S Brewers > . i. .
8 Bnish^nuikers . .

1 Button-maker .

2 Cotton-spinners and carders -
11 Copper-smidis and tin-plate- 1

workers - . . J

7 Cabinet-makers <- ■ -

1 Currier ....

8 Cutlers . .

4 Iron-foondcn . . .

8 Gun-smiths and bridlebit makers

2 Flint-glass manufiMsturers

3 Green (window) ditto - -
2 Hardware - . .

7 Hatters . . i .

1 Locksmith > . . .

1 Linen ....

7 Nafl - - .

1 Paper . . .

1 Pattern

5 Plane • - . .
1 Patten

1 Rope manufacturer •> r

1 Spinniagmachine

1 Spanish Brown ...

1 Silver plater ...

2 Steam-engine-makers -

6 Saddlers »

5 Silverftniths and watch-menders
14 Shoe and boot ...

7 Tanners and curriers -
4 Tallow-chandlers •

4 Tobacconists

5 Waggon-makers
2 Weavers

8 Windsor diair
2 Woollen
i Wire-drawer
1 White Lead

3
74
17

6
86

100

48
4
6

40
7

21
6
5
8
6

, 2
40
70
60
17

109

21'

Yeufy
Amoont

Oollm.
S>500.

ib.odo

75,100

72,000

8,600

6,2^

25,dl8

200,0(iC

40,000
12,000
2,400
180^000
13,800
110,000
130,000
\8,000
. 44,640
12,000
25,000
174,716
23,000
1,500
57,600
8,000
15,Q0a
6,000
6,720
20,000
125,000

aMoo

12,000
120,000
58,800
32,600
21,000
28,500
14,568
48,600
17,000
6,000
40,000

•^m

Total number of workmen, 1280.— Ditto, amount,
1,896; Sgo Dollars.

ViU

19»

VmW OP THE

Mt. F6aron, wfaenmiPittsbui^j says, < AiM^sr». Page and'
BakewelKs glass wairebouse I saw chandelinv and numerous
articles in ciit glass of a very splendid description ; among the
latter wa> a pair of decanters, cut from a London pattern^ tMe
pric^. of which will be eight guineas. It is well to bear m
mind, that the demand for these articles of elegantinxury li4s
«fi iHe western states! the inhabitants of eastern America beiifg
still ^importers from the <*nld country.^ What interesti4g
Ihenles of reflection are offered by such facts to the philosophy
as 1^1 as to the politician ! Not thirty years once, the whae
ligm li|uika^ the Ohio was termed the " Indian ude.^ Spots
in ijl^nessee, in Ohio, and Kentucky^ that within the life tiiie
of eiren young men, witnessed only the arrow and the steip-
ing-l^nife^ now present to the traveller articles of elegance and
moiC|es of 'luxury which nught rival the displays of London
andjPinriigi; while, within the last half century, the beasts bf
the forest, and man more savage than the beast, were the orAy
inht^itmits of the whole of that immense tract' peculiarly ^-
fiomlnated the "Western Country;" which is now partiaHy
inhibited, and promises soon to be generally so, by man — ci-
vilised man, possessed of the arts and the pursuits of dvilizcd
life.|- It is already the refuge of the oppressed from every
othir' nation. May it become the seat of enlightenment, of
prii^ite virtue and public liberty; and it may then, ha not till
then, expect to raftik among the greatest, the most powerfal,
andfthe most respected of the nations of the earth !
'*: * {The rapid and unexampled progress of this countiy, pre--
sens a valuable and an eKtraordinary political lesstm to tbe
woifd jat \atg<s. If shews us what a nation maaf beooime when
the |)rinci]4e8 of its government are cheap and liberal, when its
rescMirdes are called forth, and its powers expanded by the
me4ns of a system emanating from the people, and' not re-
pressed by establishments whose only recommendation is their
antiquity, nor compelled to contribute towards the support of
a 83|8tem which deprives them of the legitimate reward of their
industry. But' to return to less speculative and more practical
det^.

"*»»»«'*. IIIIW . *iij ! HW«»"W .II »« ltH « nl llW W I»w<

'?tS •l,:U!fUii lUi. i'

UNITES^ STA!rES.

h Page and'

numerous
among the
pattern) tlie
to bear hi
luxury liU
lerica beii|g
interestiiig
philosopher
B, the whole
der Spots
the life tin^e
id the s^t^
ilegance and
; of London
the beasts bf
rere the orfy
leculiarly de-
low partiaMy
by man — ci-
s of dvilized
from every
itenment, of
I, bui not HU
ist powerful,

! i

* The «tate of trade is at preaent 4uU ; but that'there i« «
great deal of bunness done must be evident from the quanUl^
of ** diy goods'* and ** grocery stores,"* many of the proprietwt
of which have stocksttt lai|;e as the. majority «^Ijondai:'i
dealers. They are Uterally stuffed with goods of EngHi
nufacture, oonusting of articles of the most varied kind, fin
a man's odat or a lady's gown, down to a whip w an oyi|ar
\m{e. RenU, of course, vary according to situation : houaaa
in the best stands for business are from 400 to 800 doUars^pir
aiwum; others are from 150 to 350: two rooms, or a;v^Ry
small house a short distance from town, would be 80 doQsBn
per annum. . v-

* It is difficult to form a judgment whether there b aipi, open-
ing in any of the present established businesses. One fapt
strongly in favour of the stability of the town is, ihaiVm'$h»t
not been a bankruptcy m Mjbr three years III z Mngular oaiiK
trast this with New York, in which the last published list of
insolvents contained upwards of 400 names.'

Ijmcaster b situated on a fertile plain, 62 miles to the west,
ward of Philadelphia. It is built on a regular plan, the streeCa
crossing one another at right angles. The houses are mosdy
constructed of brick, but some few are of stone. The inh»>
bitants amount to 5405, and are mostly of German trngin.
The public buildings are seven places for public worship, a
court-house, jail, and market-house ; and there b a poor-house^
a very humane institution, situated on the Concstoga creek, «
mile from the town. The principal manufactures axe fire'«nn%
particularly rifle-barrelled guns; and there ace several tan-
yards, distilleries, and breweries. This is^ at present, the seat
of government for Pennsylvania, but, by an act of the legisla-
ture, it is to be Removed to Harrisburg; and 39,000. dollars
have been appropriated to erect public buildings there.

Harrisburg b ntuated on the east branch of the Susque-
hannah, 97 miles from Philadelphia. It b handsomely laid
out on the plan of Philadelphia, having ibur streets running
parallel with the river, named Front, Second, and so on; and
these are cro.<;sed by others at right angles, called Mulberry,
Chesnut, Market, Walnut, liocust, and Pine. The houses

184

VIEW 6V*tlStE

are mostly built of bric^, and have a good appeannoe, and the
towik is rapidly increanng, partioulariy rinoe the act of le^da-
ture oonstitutii^ it the seat of goTcrmnent tat the Mate. The
inhabitaiits of the towndiip amouot to SS87. There is an de-
gant ooort-house and stone jaU built ; and the pubfic buildings
for the aceammodation of die state government, now erecting,
will be the most elegant structures in the state. Harrisbui^
was laid out in 1785, and has made great progress ever since ;
and from its commanding and coitral situation, it will, in
all fwoba^Uty, become one of the largest inland towns in

CurUtk is.fttttiatcd on a large plain, having somewhat the
appeai^uiec c^ Lampaster; it is regularly laid out, with streets
crosung on^ another at nght angles ; and contuns, by die last
ceofnSf!^ f 401 iiifaalntants. Tlie houses are partly budt of
fanQk and partly of wood, and have a very respectable appear-
Imte. The public buildings are, a college,: a Court-house, jail,
and five places for public worship. The college is named
Bickensonj in honour of a gentleman of that name who was its
founder, and is esteemed an excellent seminary of learning.
Its funds are about 10,000 dollars in certificates, and the state
made a grant in support of it, of 10,000 acres of land. A
philosc^hical apparatus, and library, consisting of nearly 3000
volumes, are attached to it. Dr. Nesbit, a Soots gentleman of
high estimation, was several years preadent of this college.
There are a principal and three professors, and the students
amount to above one hundred.

York and Reading are also considerable towns, and are in^
creasing in wealth and population.

Trade amd Rtnources. — Pennsylvania is said to be one of the
gr^test manufacturing states in tlie Union. , Domesdc manu.'
factures are general throughout the state ; but there are many
manufactures on a large scale, some of which may be enume-
rated. Of iron there are about 30 furnaces, besides numerous
foiges, slitting mills, and trip hammers. Of wood, ail sorts of
furniturt^, and implements <^' husbandry. Of leather, boots,
shoes, saddles, bridles, harness. Sec. Of wool, a variety of
cloths, stockings, and bats. Together with a variety of other

■^

"■'■■*;,

UMfXjBD STiAO^EB.

iWi

noe, «nd the
etoflegya-
•tate. The
ere is an ele-
lic building
low erecUng,
Harrisburg
8 ever since ;
r,.it will, in
nd towns in

omewhat the
:, with streets
18, by the last
irtly bnilt ef
stable appear-
rt>house, jail,
?ge is named
[ie who was its
V of learning,
and the state
of land. A
nearly 3000
gentleman of
this college,
the students

\y and are in«

I be one of the
Imestic manu-'
Lere are many
Ety be enume-
jes numerous
Id, nil sorts of
father, boots,
a variety of
trietv of other

artidet, such as malt liquors, spirits, glass, ashes, mt^e«aig«r»
musquets, powder, shot, balls, cannon, bells, &c. &6.

The exports conast principally of grain,iflour, ironutensilai
flax-seed, soap and candles, lumber, beef, pork, Ice. The
principal articles of export to Britain are grain and flour, aod
some cotton flrom the southern states. The imports oonrist of
East and West India and China goods ; wine, gin, i&c. from
the continent of Europe; and manufactures' from iBritain; '«f
which the quanti^ imported is immense, and is yearly inor9«a-
ing. The value of impcHrts is about 19,000,000 cUdlart anna-
ally, of which those fipom Britain are a full half ; from wheooe
we may infer the utility of the trade to both countries^ a^d the
importance of a good understanding between them.

According to the report of the assessors, the value of houses
and lands in this state in 1815 was estimated at 846^688,989
dollars; the land being valued at S9 dollars an acre. TlMl
gross amount of duties on merchandise in the same year wii
7,267,450 dolkrs. There were 77,199 tons of shippmg em-
ployed in foreign trade, and 650 tons of small vessels employed
in the coasting trade.

Education. — Thore are four colleges, bendes a number of
academies, in this state. A large tract of land is appropriated
for the estabUshments of free schools; yet many of the' Gtf*
mans and 'Irish are extremely ignorant.

Religion.— ^We have already mentioned the prevailing seeti
in this province, which consist of quakers or friends, presbyte-
rians, episcopalians, German Lutherans, and Moravians. The
latter are of' German extraction, and are collected in distinct
societies under peculiar laws. Nazareth, Bethlehem, and' Lfltit
are their principal settlements. The tunkers, dippers, or tum-
blers, are a harmless sect of Grerman baptists. The men wear
the White Friars^ dress, and the women that of the nuns ; and
both, like them, take the vow of celibacy. When they break
this vow>and marry, they are obliged to leave their cells and
live amongst t\^e married people: they mostly reade at
Ephrata, in the county of Lancaster. The Mennonistf lure
also Germans ; they reside at Germantown.

2 A

•

- VIEJHT OF THE

, Govemmita.^*>^ThB civil government i« tested inalegid*.
ture, conttstingof « senate and house of representatives. The
senaitors are chosto for four yiears, and the representatives an-
jillally,. by the people. The executive authority is vested in a
governor, who is also elected by the people, and hdds hiapfiice
libr three years. The constitution declares, * That all men are
bom equidly free and independent ; that all power is inherent
in the pe^le; that all men have a natural and indefeaable
jri^t ,to worship God according to the dictates of their own
.conscieooes,* and no man can of right be compelled to attei^d,
^«rect, or suppcnrtaity place of worship, or to maintain any mi-
instry* against his eonsent; that no human authority can, in
any ease whatever, control or interfere with the rights of con-
-flcienoe, and that no preference shall ever be given, by law, ta
fHOy religious establi^ment, or modes of worship; diat elec-
^ticms shall be free and equal; that trial by jury shall be invio-
.late ; that no law shall ever be made to restrain the liberty of
the press; that the people shall be secure agiunst all unwar-
rantable searches, and expesenve bail shall not be required;
that the legisUuiure shali^rovide by law foe the establishment
.of schools tiaroughout the state, in such a manner as the poor
may be taught gratis ^ the arts and sciences shall be prmnoted.^
All this is certainly very excellent in theory ; but a late in-
telligent traveller, who examined the political machine of this
slate with great attention, |^ves a very unfavourable opinion of
the modtf of its operation. It appears that the governor has
. the ff£t of from forty to fifty offices, amongst which are those
qf recorder, alderman, and indeed every minor as well as im-
portant civil occupation. The office is therefore an object of
severe contest ; and each of the different contending parties
endeavour to secure the choice of inspectors of the ballot to
Sli^ir own friendsj as upon this they judge of the remit qfthe
general election !

- . The whole state is divided into 87 counties, and upwards of
^500 townships.

.; .i.Hw^y' — Pennsylvania Was granted by king Charles II. to
William Penn^ son of the famous admiral Penn, in ponsidera-

#■

UMiTED STATES.

wn of his father^s aervioeB to the ^rovn. Mr, Peim^B petitkoi^
finr the grant was presented to the kmg in 1680 ; and after! '
considerable ddays, occauoned Ijy lord Bahimore^s agent, wbot
ajqinvhended it might interfere with the Maryland patent, t|ie
barter of Pennsylyania rec^ved the royal signature cii the.
4th of March, 1681. To secure his tide against all ulaimi((
and prevent fixture altercation,. Mr.; Penn procured a quit-clalm
deed from the duke of York, of all the lattda, covered by hi^
own patent, to which the duke could have the.least pretennons.
This deed bears date, August 21, 168S. On the S4th of th«
same month, he obtuned from the dukeij by deed of 'leoflStDent^
Newcastle, with twelve miles of thp a^acent territorjjr, and th^
lands south to the HoaiiuU?. , In December fojlow^ing', Ml'.*
Penn effected an Umon of the lower oountMs with ;the,|»roviaci^
of Pennsylvania. ,[; », ' '=»:i**'

The first frame of government for Pennsylvania is dated in
168S. By this form, all legislative powers were vested in the
governor and freemen of the province, in the form of a provin-
cial council, and a general assembly. ^ ^''he council was to con-
^t of 72 members, chosen by the freemen ; of which the
governor, or his deputy, was to be perpetual preudent, with a
treble vote. One-third of this coundl went out of office every
year, and their seats ,wB|ff|^|ttu^ied by c^w elections.

The general assembly wa?at first to consist of all the free-
men, afterwards of SOO, and never to exceed 500,

In 1683, Mr. Penn offered another frame of^.g^vemipaeQt,
in which the number of representatives was reduced, and the
governor vested with a 9^g»^iz;« u|^n^ bUlt passed Uitlssc^
bly. ^y several specious, argumwta, ^he {leOpIs ^9^ pMS
suaded to accept this frame of government. ,4 f i' . Li ;]•.•/

Not long after, a 4ifpute between Mr. Penn a»d )<ird,-3<dtiit
more required, the formet'io.go tp England, and %'OQil^lnit^
the administration of government to five commisdi<merst takw
from the council. J^ 1686, Mt. Penti required the oommisf
sioners t(]^issulve the frame of gpvernment.; but Hot being
able to dmsct his purpose, he, in ;li(|B3, a(^int<^ <^tain4^Ni
Bakewell his deputy. From this p||-iod, .the propriet<n;«usu^
ally resided ii) ]^figland» andidminvit^red thegovonlineilt by-

#■

VIEW or Tim

dflfiutitfi, who wett devoted to their interest. JeiUoumes «roie

between the pe6ple and thor govonnon, which never cteaed

' till the hite revolution. The primary cauw of these jeakmsies

m^ an attempt of the proprietuy to extend his own power,

and abridge that of the assembly ; and the consequence wais

/ incessant disputes and dissdnsions in the legiskture.

.^- In 1608 the king and quMn assumed the government in

' ' thifir oi^n hands ; and th'ree yearq after, a new form of govem;i

metit was ^tabltshed. Iii 1701, the pHiprietor, Mr. Penn,

9 gramted a charter of privilege, which continued till the rei«^

lation. The Indians, about the same time, confirmed the

^ratots of land made to the pronators in former yeiirs. Al-

dibiigh the goverdment of the proprietaries wa^ abdished at

the revolutiido. yet they stiU possess mttny laige tracts of ei-

cellentlan4

DELAWAHE.

SUualiim dnd Eaient. fHE state of Delaware is situated

between 88 d^. S9 mih. and 89
d^. 47 tiob. north lat, and 1 d^. 15 min. and 1 d^. 56 min.
east long. It b bounded on the north by the territorial, line,
~ which divides it frcnn Pennsylvania ; on the east by Delaware
nver and bay ; on the south by a due east and west Kde, from
cape Henlopen in lat 88 deg. 30 min. to the .middle of tht
peiiiilsula, which line divides the state from Worcester county
in Mafyland ; and on the west by Maryland, from which it is
divided by a line drawn from the western termination of the
seMitihem boundary line, northwards up the Said poaiinsula, till
it touch or form a tiangent to the western part of the periphery
of the above-mentioned teiritorial circle. Its greatest length

UHITED STATES.

180

umtsttONT
iver oiawd
(jeakmnes
»wn power,
;[ueno6 w#i

ernmeni in
I of governni
Mr. Penn,
U the revet-
iflnned the
yekrs. Al-
Rbdished At
nicM of ei-

is situated
lih. and S9
1^. 56 min.
itoriid line,
»y Delaware
It fine, from
ddle of th^

Iter county
which it it

ition of the
linsula, till

le periphery

ittat length

it 100 milei, and greatest breadth S7; its area being aboHt
1800 square miles, or about 1,152,000 acres.

Natirdi Gec^aphjf.— The face of the greater part of th« ^
country is level, abounding with swamps ami stagnant wmteii} •
but toward the northern part it is more elevated, and near its
extremity diere b a conuderable chain of hills. There art
numerous creeks in the state, but no rivers of consequeneew
The principal one is Brandywine creek, which falls into tW
Delaware at Wilmiq^on, and on which there are numeroua
mills and manufactories.

The soil, in the southern part, is low and sandy, and en-
tirely free of stones ; in the northern part it is more divernfied,
and mixed with clay and loam.

The climate partakes of the configuration of the oountiy^
The southern part has a humid atmosphere, .ollten foggy and
unwholesome ; but it is mild and temperate in winter. The
northern part is agreeable and healthy.

The greater part of the inhabituits of this state ok devdte^
to agricultural pursuits, and they have rendered it very prcK
ductive. The principal produce is wheat, rye, Indian com, ,
barley, oats, and flax. Grrasses are abundant, and thrive veiy
luxuriandy, furnishing food for many cattle ; aad every sort
of vq^table, common to the states already described, thrive ,
well here.

CancU, — A canal was projected across this state and put df
Maryland, to form a junction between the Delaware and Ch^
sapeake, and it is partly cut ; but the work was stopped for
want of funds. It m^y probably be well that it is so ; for it
was projected on too small a scale, and, in process of time, will
probably give way to one that will admit of sloop navigation. #
There cannot be a finer atuaition for a canal. The dbtance
between the Ddaware and Chesapeake is only about 18 or SO
miles, and the country is nearly level, so that few locks will be
requisite; and wiere a canal cut, it would form a connection
between two of the finest rivers in America, and be a link ih
the chain of an internal navigation of vast extent.

Pt^nUaHont l^c.»^The population of this state in 1817 was
108^834, which is 60 persons to a square mile. There are no«

4|" ■'^

VIEW OF THB^

di^ui chi^raoteristical differenoes between the inhabitaiits of
Ibis ftate and the Pennsylvanians.

' Chi(f Towna,— 'There are no towjis of much importance in
tkis district. Dover^ in the county of Kent, is the seat of go-
▼emment. It stands on Jones^ creek, a few miles fronit the
Delaware river, end consists of about 100 houses, princfpally
of brick. Fbur streets intersect each other at right angles, in
the centre of the town, whose incidencies form a spacious pa-
rade, on the east side of which is an elegant state-housu of
brick. The town has a lively appearance, and drives on a
considerable trade with Philadelphia. Wheat is the principal
article of export. The landing is five or six miles from the
town of Dover. Newcastle^ WUmingUmy Lewittowny and
GeorgekMiin, are lively, thriving little towns.

Trade and Redowrcet. — Flour is the principal manufacture
earried on in ^e state. The mills on Brandy wine creek are in
great periection, giving employment to upwards of 600 hands;
jind they manufacture upwards of half a million of bushels an-
nually. The other articles consist principally of iron, paper,
and lumber. In these a very extensive trade is carried on,
principally with the other states and the West Indies.

The value of houses and lands in this state in 1817 was
14,493,620 dollars, the land being valued at 13 dollars per
acre. The gross revenue was 43,S82 dollars. There were
7543 tons of shipping employed in foreign trade, and 74S in
the coasting trade.

Education. — A very connderable fund is appropriated by
the state to the support of schools, which are pretty numerous,
and there ai e two flourishing academies ; one at Wilmington,
and the other at Newark.

ReUgion. — Presbyterianism is the principal religion in this
state. The episcopalians are also numerous; and there are
some quakers, baptists, and members of the Swedish church.

(roz'^rnmlm^.—- Delaware is divided into three counties and

24 districts, called himdred». The constitution guarantees

equal rights to ail the citizens, without regard to property or

religious opinions. The government is voftted in a governor,

, a senate, and house of representatives, which are elected by

UNITED STATES.

«n

rabitaiits of

I !rt'

iportance in
5 seat of go-
>s frorii the
principally
It angles, in
spacious pa-
tate-housti of
drives on a
the principal
tiles from the
loittowny and

i manufacture
\e creek are in
)f 600 hands;
of bushels an-
f iron, paper,
is carried on,
ndies.

J in 1817 was

.3 dollars per

There were

le, and 748 in

jpropriated by
Btty numerous,
t Wilmington,

religion in this
and there are
redish church.
Be counties and
ion guarantees
to property or
in a governor,
are elected by

ballot, and 'every whiU freeman, 6f the age of fl> whe Ml
rMded in the state two years next before the election, shall
enjoy the right of an elector. The 8ons of persons so qualified
shall, betwixc the ages of SI and S2, be entitled to vote, though
they have paid no taxes.^ ' •>

History. — This state was first settled by a colony of Swedaa
and Finns about the year 16S7 ; but in \Q&5 they were dit*
possessed by the* Dutch. After the capture of New York ;by
the English, the authority of the Dutch was superseded ; and
this state in 1674, which was then called the New Netherianeht
was granted by Charles II. to his brother the dul|e of York,
who sold it to William Penn. The. three counties which con-
stitute this state were therefore considered as part of Pernio
•ylvania until the revolution, when it was declared aiti inde*
pendent state.

STATE OF OHIO.

Situation and Extent. ^HIS state is bounded on the north

by lake Erie and Michigan tern- '*^
tory ; on the south and south-east by the Ohio river; on the
east by Pennsylvania ; and on the west by the Indiana terri«>
tory. It extends from north lat. 38 deg. 30 min. to 39 dkg.
57 min., and from 3 d^. S5 min. to 7 deg. 37 min. west long. #
Its length is SS8 miles, and its breadth 3S7 ; its square con-
tents about 45,000 square miles, or S8,800,00Q acres. * >h ^

Natural Geography. — That fine river the Ohio has been
already described. It is 795 miles from Pittsburg to the falls,
and its medium breadth is 650 yards. It receives the waters
of very considerable rivers between the fall and the Mississmpi,
viz. on the Kentucky side. Salt river, navigable 50 miles;
Green river, navigable 160 mile^ ; Cumberland river, naviga*

TIEW OF THE

Ut 800 or 100 milw ; and TmncMee river, navigable li(A> or
1400 aoilet: on the Indiana tide, Blue river, navigaUe 4o
miMn and the Wabash, navigable upwards of flOO miles.
Tht vdooity of the current depends upon the quantity of wq.
ter, wliish is exceedingly various. .In spring and fall> pilrticu>
krly in spring, it rises to the astonishing hnght of froin 40 to
60 feet, when the velocity is augmented in proportion. The

, greatest vdocity seems not to exceed four miles an hour. The
Ohio abounds with a great variety of fish, among which are
catfirii, pike, perch, and sturgeon ; and on the banks are great
numbers o&wild turkies, geese, ducks, pheasants, partridges, &c.
The Miatni of the ]tke» runs through the northern part of
the state, and appears to be a very interesting river, with rich
binks. It riHos in the Indiana territory, a little beyond the-
state line, where there is a portage of eight miles only to the
Wabash. It continues a north-east course to fort Defiance,
where it is joined by the Au Gl'aise river, a considerable stream
nom the southward, which rises near the head of the Great
- Miami. From fort Miami the river runs a north-east course
of 60 miles, when it falls into lake Erie, through Miami bay.
The bav extends about IS miles into the interior of the coun-
try ; is from half a mile to three miles wide, and deep enough
for vessels of SO or 40 tons. The river is navigable for long
boats more than 100 miles.

The section of eountry bounding on the Ohio river,

^ Utom 26 miles on eitlier nde of Cincinnati, and extending
back about 100 miles directly north, to the late Indian
boundary line, (which, according ta treaty, is now extin-
giushed,) is generally an excellent body of land, and is well

^ Mitled, though but small improvements are yet made, except
in a fkw particular places near towns. The land is closely

* timbered, except neat* the head waters of the two Miamis,
i^i«« there is a beautiful champmgn country. ' The pnuries,
or natural meadows, are here of considerable extent Grazing
is the chief occupation of the ihhaibitants. The price of land
vai^ very much, accwding to situation and the proximity of
town^ips. Farms which are called tTN^roved can be bought
at from 8 to SO dollars per acre : the imprtmemtnis often con-

UNITED 8TATB&

lUelMOor
avtgaUe 40

too milM.
intity of wo.
fall, pdrticu-
rf{hmi4fOto
)rtion. The
hour. The
ig which are
nks are great
artridges, &c.
them part of
rer, with rich
le beyond the*
es only to the
Fort Defiance,
lerable stream
of the Great
rth-east course
h Miami boy.
»r of the coun-

deep enough
[gable for long

Ohio river,
knd extending
late Indian
lis now extin-
I, and is well
made, except
[and is closely
two Miamis,
The prwries,
It Grazing
price of land
le proximity of
jean be bought
often con-

flift of the erection of rough log buikUnga, and aboot ftma It
to 90 acrea under middHng cultimtion. Bdildings ait in-
cluded in the price per acM. The next claia of fnrmu hav«
htm 90 to fiO acres under cultivation :' the proportion of craUe
and wood ia about two^hirds, of meadow and pasturage nearly
equal proportions. Any of the land b here capable, by cul-
ture, of being turned into meadow. Limeetone abounds : aoal
and iron have not yet been discovered, except in the eastern
part of the state.

There are large prairies in Roas county, on the north branch
of Paint creek, near XDhillicothe ; these prairiea are from five
to eight miles square : in them there is not a shrub to be seen.
They produce a grass growing thick, and about four ieet high,
which makes excellent fodder : it is similar to Massachusetts
upland grass, and is there called English hay. These prairies
are filled with herds of cattle fattening for the Baltimore and
Philadelphia markets, which are sold in this state, on the hoof,
for about three dollars per hundred weight. The chief ex-
pcnce of pasturage consists in a man^s wages to look after the
herds, twice a week, giving them salt, &c.

The banks of the Ohio are generally heavily timbered. The
principal kinds of timber are oak, hickory, walnut, mulberry,
cbesnut, ash, cherry, locust, sugar-tree, &c. ; and the syca-
more, towering above the whole, grows here to an astonishing
»2e. * I npticed,^ says Melish, * the remains of a very large
sycamore tree in the neig^bourho<xl of Pittsburg, and I saw
most surprising specimens on the banks of this river. I did
not measuiv any of them ; but the editor of the Pittsburg Na-
vigator, to whose testimony full faitli may be given, mentions
that he measured several from 10 to 16 feet in diameter^ A
gentleman from Marietta told him that he knew of one 60fieet
in circumference, and that, in the hollow of another, he had
turned himself round, with a pole in his hand 10 feet long.
Into the hollow of another 18 men rode on horseback, in June,
1806, and the fourteenth was only prevented by tlie skittish-
ness of his horse !^

The trees produced by the best class of land are honey-
locust, black walnut, and beech; by second quality, sugar-
9 SB

194

VIEW OF THE

tree, sycamore or butter-wood, and white-wood, used for
building and joiners^ work ; the third quality produces oak.
Throughout this state there is little under or brush-wood,
caused by the height and spreading tops of the trees, which
prevent the sun penetrating to the ground, and nourishing in-
ferior articles of vegetation.

With regard to the seasons, they are said to have severe
winters of from three to four months, with a keen dry air, and
cloudless sky ; during summer excessive heat, (thermometer in
the shade, 80 to 96 deg.) with heavy dews at night ; springs,
cold and heavy rains; autumns, fine, followed by * Indian
summer^ which is truly delightful. In this state there is
scarcely an elevation which can- be called a hill, with exception
of slight Muffs on the mar^n of rivers. The dreary monotony
of limited views of such endless uniformity producies sensations
of the most depressing melancholy. The atmosphere, afler a
hot day, causes head-aches, which frequently terminate in an
intermittent f^ver. A man^s being »tcAr, (the term applied to
every spedes of illness,) is as common in this country, as being
in distress is in England. *■ In regard to healthiness of situa-
tion,^ says a late writer, * there is considerable variety, as the
appearance of the inhabitants will in some measure indicate ;
though as a general characteristic, I would say, there is a want
of sound regular health, at least if our English ideas of ruddy
cheeks are to be taken as a criterion. The people are of a tall,
vaulty aspect, and seem, even during their most active occu-
pations, to be the victims of fever and ague.

* Of the existence of minerals, and to what extent and va-
riety, at present but little is known. Judging from the beds
«f the rivers, and quality of the water, I should presume that
coal must be abundant. Salt is found in several situations,
particularly on the Kenhaway. The common order of the
strata is, first, sandstone, then limestone, argillaceous schist,
and coal. The wild animals are neither numerous nor trou-
blesome; though the wolf and the squirrel are still depreda-
tors: but the sport afforded in capturing them, and the
addition which the flesh of the latter makes to the faniilv

5ii'

•e-.

UNITED STATES.

195

I, used for
oduces oak.
brush-wood,
trees, which
surishing in-

hav« severe
; dry air, and
ormometer in
5ht; springs,
by * Indian
state there is
nth exception
ary monotony
ices sensations
phere, after a
jrminate in an
jrm applied to
tntry, as being
liness of situa^
irariety, as the
isure indicate ;
tliere is a want
ideas of ruddy
e are of a tall,
St active occu-

jxtent and va-
from the beds

presume that
>ral situations,

order of the

[laceous schist,

■rous nor trou-

still depreda-

lem, and the

Ito the family

stock of provisions, compensate for their lawless invarions of
the rights of property.^

Ohio is a new settled country, and has long been the fa-
vourite district to which the current of emigratioa has been
' directed. We have hitherto avoided giving any particular
direction or advice to the emigrant, as we intend to reserve
this subject, and to make it a distinct article. We, will, how-
ever, in this place give some account of the different districts
into which this state is divided, and an enumeration of the
chief towns in each.

Districts.
Connecticut Reserve,
Steubenville District,

Zanesville District,

Marietta District,

Ohio Company's Purchase,

Chillicothe District,

Virginia Military Lands,

Symmes** Purchase,

Cincinnati District,

Chief Towru.

Warren.

Canton, New Lisbon, Steuben-
ville, St. Cliursville.

New Philadelphia, Coshocton,
Zanesville.

Marietta.

Athens, Galliopolis.

Newark, Worthington, New
Lancaster.

Franklinton, Chillicothe, Zenia,
West Union, Williamsburg.

Lebanon, Deerfield, Hamilton,
Cincinnati.

Dayton,

Symmes** Purchase is one of the most judicious that has
ever been made in the state of Ohio. It lies between the two
Miami rivers, about 20 miles in breadth ; and extends from
the Ohio into the interior of the country, about 30 miles. It
contains one of the l)est bodies of land in the whole state, and
is now nearly settled up. Land is consequently pretty high,
and may be rated at five dollars per acre, uncleared. In this
purchase, like that by the Ohio company, there is a reserve
for a school, and another for a church.

The Cincinnati District is situated to the westward of
Symmes' purchase, and the United States land<office is in Cin-

108

VIEW OP THE

ciniiati. This ^tiiet is partly in the Indiana territory, but
mostly in the state of "Ohio, and contains a body of most ex-
eellent land. It is bounded on the west by a line drawn from
cpposhe tKe mouth of Kentucky river, to where the Indian
north boundary line intersects the western line of the state oi^
Ohio, and contains about 9000 square miles.

These two districts constitute what is called the Miami
tmintty, which, in pomt of soil, climate, and natural advan>
tages, if piobiMy inferiw to none in the United States, and
few are equal to it. The soil of this district is reckoned^ upon
the whole, as the best in the state of Ohio. It is rated, in the
state books, in this way: in 100 parts, 6 are first mte, 70 se-
cond rate, and 24 third rate land. The face of the country is*^
agreepUy uneren, bnt not mountainous ; and the country has
a plentiful supply of useful minerals, particularly iron. There
are abo sevend mineral sprii^.

The whole of this country has been settled up in little more
than 20 years, and it will affbrd an idea of the value of the
country to state, that the inhabitants^ of course mostly all emi-
grsnts, now amount to near! / 40,000. Hamilton county, a
small district, consisting of little more than 300 square miles,
oontMns upwards of 15,000, being more than 50 to the square
nile.

The town of Cindvmali is elegantly situated on a first and
second bank on the north side of the Ohio river, along which
it extends nearly half a mile, and as far back in the country.
The site of the town is elevated from 70 to 120 feet above low
water mark, and is never overflowed. The land and water
around it exhibit a very handsome appearance. The Ohio is
here three quarters of a mile wide ; and Licking river, a con-
siderable stream in Kentucky, falls into it right opposite. The
streets of Cincinnati are brood, crossing one another at right
angles; and the greater part of the houses being of brick, it
has a very handsome appearance. The streets, however, are
not yet paved, except the side walks, on which account they
are unpleasant in muddy weather ; but that is an evil which
will soon be remedied! Cincinnati was laid out about 21 years
agos since which it has made rafnd progress, and now contains

UNITED STATES.

197

grritory, but
Off most ex-
drawn from
i the Indian
* the state o^

the Miami
itural advan- .
[ States, and
ckoned^ wfoa
rated, in the
t rate, 70 se-
the country is*"
e country has
iron. There

in little more

B value of the

nostly all emi-

ton county, a

square miles,

to the square

on a first and
, along which
n the country,
feet above low
id and water
The Ohio is
river, a con-
lite. The
►ther at right
|g of brick, it
however, are
account they
an evil which
Ibout 21 years
ftavr contains

about 400 houses, and S283 inhabitants. The public baUd-
iogs are, a court-house, jail, bank, three market-houses, And
some places for pulilic worship, two cotton factories, and some
considerable breweries and distilleries. The taverns are not
numerous, but there are upwards of 30 dry goods stores, in
which from ii00,000 to 250,000 dollars worth of imported
goods are disposed of annually.

This is, next to Pittsburg, the greatest place for manufae-
tures and mechanical operations on the river, and the profcs-
Aons exercised are nearly as numerous as at Pittsburg. There
are masons and stoneucutters, Inrick-makers, carpenters, caln-
net-makers, coopers, turners, machine-makers, wheel-wrights,
smiths and nailors, copper-smiths, tin-smiths, nlver-smiths,
gun-smiths, clock and watch-makers, tanners^ saddlers, boot
and shoe-makers, glovers and breeches-makers, butchers, ba-
kers, brewers, distillers, cotton-spinners, weavers, dyers, tailors,
printers, bookbinders, rope-makers, tobacconists, soap-boilers,
candle-makers, comb-makers, painters, pot and pearl ash-
makers.

These branches are mostly all increasing, and afford good
wages to the journeymen. Carpenters and cabinet-makers
have one dollar per day and their board ; masons have two
dollar!} per 1000 for laying bricks and their board ; when they
board themselves, they have about four dollars per lOOf.
Other classes have from one to one dollar twenty-five cents
per day, according to the nature of the work.

Porter brewing could be augmented, but it would first be
necessary to have bottles, as the people here prefer malt liquor
in the bottled state. A manufactory of wool hats would pro^
bablj succeed, and that of stockings would do remarkably well,
provided frame smith-work were established along with it-—
not else. As the people are becoming wealthy and polished in
their manners, probably a manufactory of piano-fortes would
do upon a small scale.

The ViBGiNiAK Military Lands are bounds by the In-
dian boundary line on the north, by the Ohio on the south,
by the Cincinnati district and Symmes^ purchase on the west,
and by the Chillicotbe district on the east. It is about ISO

198

VIEW OF THE

miles long, and nearly 60 broad; and contains upwards ef
6Q00 square miles, or nearly 4,000,000 of acres. The princi-
pal settlers are from Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and
Jersey; the inhabitants amount to about 48,000, and are ra-
pidly increasing in number, in wealth, and improvements.
The country in the immediate neighbourhood of Chillicothe is
really beautiful. The plain on which it stands, consisting of
about 10,000 acres, is as level as a bowling-green ; and it is
bounded on the west, north-west, and south-east by pretty
high hills, from whence there are charming views. The
Sciota is a clear stream, about 200 yards broad, with a gra-
velly bottom, and abounds with fish, so that it is both useful
and ornamental to the town.

The town CMUicotJie is built on these lands, and is laid
out on a pretty large scale, and a great number of out-lots are
attached to i(. The plan is regular, the streets crossing one
another at right angles, and every square is divided into four
parts by lanes crossing one another also at right angles, and at
equal distances between the streets. This must be a great
advantage, as it gives the possessor of every lot a back entry.
The streets are 66 feet wide, the alleys 16^ ; the lots contain
four acres each.

Chillicothe was one of the first settled towns in the state of
Ohio, and was for « considerable time the seat of government ;
it now consists of about ^0 houses, and contains 1360 inha-
bitants, of whom 1S6 are free people of colour.

The public buildings are a court-house, jail, academy, three
churches, and a market-house. There are two rope walks,
one cotton factory, one wool factory, one nail factory, one pot-
tery, several distilleries, and four tan yards, and these are all
thriving establishments. There are good mechanics in all the
other branches calculated for the country. There are six ta-
verns and nineteen stores ; and this is a very general market
for the surplus produce of the country, consisting mostly of
flour of an excellent quality, pork, &c. A great proportion of
the inhabitants are from Virginia and Maryland, and a num-
ber from Pennsylvania; there are but few New Englanders or
foreigners. ,._.,•,

UNITED STATES.

19»

18 upwards ef
1. The princi-
nsylvania, and
M), and are ra-
improvements,
f Chillicothe is
s, consisting of
rreen ; and it is
east by pretty
r views. The
ad, with a gra-
t is both useful

ds, and is laid
r of out-lots are
ets crossing one
ivided into four
it angles, and at
ftust be a great
ot a back entry,
the lots contain

IS in the state of
of government ;
tains 1360 inha-

CHTLLicotHE DISTRICT IS faounded by Canton district on
the north ; by Zanesville district and the Ohio company^s pur-
chase on the cast ; by the Ohio river south ; and by the Vir-
ginia military lands on the west; which are divided from
Chillicothe district by the Scioto river. The length from
north to south is 145 miles, and the breadth from east to west
4S : it contains about 5000 square miles, or about S,SOO,000
acres. The northern part, being nearly one-third of this dis-
trict, is part of the United States military lands, and is gene-
rally a good soil. Part of it is level and marshy ; but it is free
from swamps, and, being nearly all approptiated to agricul-
ture, will soon be drained and healthy. It abounds with
springs of excellent water, and numerous rivulets. To the
south of this run£i a stripe of land about three miles broad, and
42 miles long, which was appropriated to the relief of such as
had to abandon their settlements in the time of the war, and
take refuge in other places, and is thence called refugee land.
It is al^ good land ; but there is a large swamp in the middle
of it, between Walnut creek, a branch of the Scioto, land Lick-
ing creek, a branch of the Muskingum. From thence to
Chilticothe is an undulating country, abounding in hill and
dale, and so continues to the Ohio, the hills increasing in size
as the country approaches that river. The soil is in general
good throughout the whole tract, the best of it being along the
Ohio and Scioto rivers, which for that reason has the greatest
number of settlements; but the whole is settling rapidly.
There are large beds of limestone and freestone in the district,
and these are interspersed with beds of clay, which retain the
\vater, and this circumstance gives the country a preference
over Kentucky. Iron ore is plentiful, and it is supposed the
hills abound with coal.

The whole is well watered, abounding in springs and small
streams, having excellent situations for mill seats ; the Ohio
washes it on the south, a distance of 60 miles ; and the Scioto
washes it on the west its whole length. The Scioto is a very
heautiful stream. It has a fine gentle current throughout its
whole course, and is navicrable for keel-boats to Chillicothe,
und for smaller craft nciiriv to its source. There are several

soo

VIEW OP THE

mineral ^rings in the district ; the chief are a salt spring, and
a 0Mlphur spring, not for from Chillicothe.

The Ohio Company^ Purchase extends along the Ohio
rivOT, including its windings, about 140 miles, but in a direct
line it i&only about 70. It extends west from Marietta 48,
and north about 12 miles, the whole length from south to
north being 80 miles. The area is about 1700 square* miles,
containing about a million of acres. The territory is laid out
into townships of six miles square, and in each there is a re-
servation of 640 acres of land for a church, and as much for a
school ; and two townships near the centre of the purchase, on
Hockhocking river, have been reserved for a college. On this
reserve Athens is now built.

This tract was purchased from tlie United States for one
dollar an acre, and the company were principally guided in
their choice pf the situation, by the commercial advantages
which appeared to result from having the command of several
fine rivers, particularly the Ohio and Muskingum; without
perhaps duly reflecting that agriculture takes the precedence
of commerce. Before there can be trade there must be some-
thing to trade in. Certain it is they fixed upon one of the
worst situations in the state of Ohio, and, notwithstanding the
cheapness of the purchase, most of the proprietors have found
it a losinp; concern. The population is increasing, but not
nearly in an equal degree to other parts of the state. The
inhabitants amount at present to about 12,000. The climate
is very agreeable, and is quite healthy. The whole district
abounds with finely variegated scenery.

The largest town in this district is GaUiopolis, which is
beautifully situated on a second bank of the Ohio. It is l^d
out on a good plan : there is a square of eight acres in the
centre, and the building ground is divided into squares of five
acres each, by streets of 66 feet wide, crossing each other at
riglit angles. The number of houses is about 70, and the in-
habitants 300. The public buildings are a court-house, and
the academy ; which last is to contain a room for a church,
one for a military academy, and one for a masonic hall.

UNITED STATES.

le whole district

Mabhtta Disteiot is situated between the Steubemrilki
district and the Ohio company^s purchase. It extends into thef
interior of the oountiy about 80 miles, and contains about 860
square miles. The Ohio washes it on the south'«a8t abdut 60
wdles. The soil here b mudi superior to the Ohio companyV
lands. , It is handsomely watered, the prindpal river bong tibe
Little Muskingum ; and though it u only a^ut half as laige
as the company^s purchase, it oontMns nearly as many inhaint-
ants, and is more likely to increase.

The town of Marietta is very handsomely situated at the
confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, of both Of
which it commands a fine view. That part of the town wfaidi
lies next the Ohio is elevated above the bed of the river 4S
feet; and yet, such is the rise of th? water in some seasons,
that it has heea twice flooded ; on which account the town has
lately increased most towards the north-west, on a second
baiftk, and a conaderable number of buildings have lately beca
erected on the opposite side of the Muskingum, which is some
feet higher than the lower bank on the east aide. The whde
is handsomdy laid out, and there is a greater portion of puUic
ground for walks than is to be found about most of the toWna
in this country.

Marietta, for a number of years, flourished in a very emi-
nent degr^, increasing in commerce, wealth, and splendour ;
and, though nearly 8000 miles from the ocean, ship-yards were
erected, and ship>building carried on with spirit. But, of late,
its commerce aiHl diip>building has ceased, and it is now a dull
{dace, though inhalnted by a gay, lively people, mostly natives
of Massachusetts. Its population is 1468. It contains a
number of handsome buildings on the Massachusetts j^an,
whidi is elegant, light, and comfortable. The prindpal pub-
lic building is a very handsome church. A bank was esta-
Uished in 1807, and also a steam-mill. There are several
^p.vems and stores. .

Zanesvillb DiSTBiCT is bounded on the north by Canton
district, on the south by the Ohio company^s purchase, oa the
east by Steubenville and Marietta districts, and on the west by
Chillicothe district. Its length, from soudi to north, is about

. « C

VIEWOPTHB

72 miles ; its breadth it about 50 miles ; and its area about
8600 square miles, or 2,904,000 acres.

Upwards of two-thirds of this district is occupied by tht
army lands, and a small portion is refugee lands. The face of
the country is beautifully diversified. To the south, along the
Muskingum, the hills are pretty high and rough ; to the north
die surface is agreeably uneven, with. some pretty hi^ hills;
to the north-west it is more level. The spil is various, but a
great portion of it is good ; the bottoms on the rivers are very
rich, and the hills are generally covered with a strong mould,
which answers well for wheat. The whole is abundantly sUp-
plied with freestone, limestone, iron ore, tod inexhaustible
beds of coal.

The district is remarkably well watered. The Muskingum
runs through it from one extremity to the other. The natural
timber is y&n^ fine, and of great variety. The chief kinds
may be noticed : oak, walnut, hickory, cherry, sugar-mai^e,
poplar, elm, ash, sycamore, hoUey-locust, &c. Fruit-trees of
every kind thrive remarkably well : peach trees, raised irom
the stone, bear fruit in three years. Grain, grass, and vege-
tables, are rmsed in abundance. The climate is healthy and
agreeable. People from the eastern state say that the summers
are not so oppressive as in Vermont and Massachusetts, while
the winters are generally so mUd, that cattle mostly graze in
the fields.

It is little more than twelve years ^nce this di^rict began
to settle, and it now contains about 20,000 inhabitants. The
people are very mixed. The greater part are from Pennsyl-
vania, and the remainder mostly from Virginia, Maryland,
•Jersey, and New Epgluid.

ZemesviUey the chief town, is situated on the Muskingum
river, about 64 miles from the Ohio by land, and from 70 to
80 by water. This toim was hid out in the year 1804. Five
years afterwards it contained 9^ houses, and 600 inhabitants :
it now contains about 250 houses, and upwards of 1200 inha-
bitants. The whole township contains 2154. Many of the
houses are built of l)rick, and a few of stone.

UNtTEt) StATES.

«08,

8 area about

ipied by iht
The face of
th, along the
to the north
yhighhilb;
unous, but a
ivero are very
trong mould,
indantly tUp*
uiexhaufftible

; Muskingum
The natural
\e chief kinds
sugar-maple,
Fruit-trees of
if raised from
B88, and v^e-
18 healthy and
it the summers
[husetts, while
kostly graze in

diittrict began

Ibitants. The

irom Pennsyl-

la, Maryland,

Musldngum

from 70 to

1804. Five

inhabitants:

lof l^OOinha.

Many of the

SnciTBEKf iLtx DisTAicT ejtt^uds frimi the Connecticut re-
servation on the north to the Marietta district on the south, a
distance of 72 miles ; and its extreme breadth at the north end
is 00 miles, at the south end 4S. Its area is about S900
square miles, and embtnces Uearly fbur codnties, contdriing
about 43,000 inhabitantil, ail' settled here within SO years.
The Ohio river washes the eastern part of the district upward^
of 00 miles, And in all this distance, except in the bottoms^ ihe
country on the margin of the river is rather rough ; but fur-
ther back there is much good land, aiid the settlements on it
are numerous and very important ; it is remarkably well wa.
tered, there being upwards of 190 streams that run into the
Ohio, beside^ those that ruA into the Muskingum and lake
Erie ; and the head waters of all these being situated in the
district, shows that it must be an elevated country. Thesft
rivers are mostly fed by springs, and they drive a great quiu-
tity of machinery. The timber is oak, hickory, walnut, ma-
ple, cherry, locust, 8ec.

The town of SteftbewoiUe is situated on an devated second
bank of the river. It was laid out in 1798, and consists rm^
of nearly 900 dwelfing-houses, and 880 inhabitants. The
buildings are handsome and commodious, a great many of
them being of brick. The public buildings are, a court-house,
jail, church, a bank, a land-office, post-office, and printing-
office. There are seven taverns, and twelve stores ; and thfe
town is increasing, but not rapidly.

Canton District was lately purchased from the Indians,
and extends from the Tuscarawa river about 68 miles to the
westward, and ftom the Connecticut reservation to the north
boundary of Zanesville and Chillicothe districts, its average
breadth being S8 miles. Its area is about 1800 square miles,
or 1,168,000 acres.

The district is nearly all level, and fit for cultivation, but it
is in many parts very muddy, a circumstance common in the
districts situated on the head waters of the rivers in this state.
On this account it is difficult to make good roads, and it re.
quires a pretty thick population to drain the country, and
make it agreeable; but there is a sufficient descent for carry-

VIEW OF THE

iag cff the water, and this will ba a very desirable oouatry
ioine time heooe. It is abundantly supfdied with springs, and
ttnams of pure water. There is a great deal of (nrairie or
meadow land interspersed through it The principal timber
n walnut, poplar, «rii, elm, oak, sugar maple, and hiekory.
The soil is w^l adapted to the culture of grain, grass^ tobacco,
ncnp, fco.

The CoNNKOTicoT Westrbit RasanvATiow is bounded
by lake Erie on the north ; by Steubenville and Canton dis.
tricts OB the south ; by Pennsylvania on the east ; and by a
line drawn through Uie middle of Sandusky bay on the west
It is in length about IfUSt miles, its average Inreadth about 45 ;
and its area is about 5^40 square miles, or S,4fi3,S60 acres.

The face o£ the country is generally level, in some places
nearly flat, and in othera swelling out into gentle hills, <^
which the greatest is the ridge that divides the waters of the
lakes from those of the MississipfM. To the south of these is
a gentle descent towards the Ohio ; and in the tract to the
north, which is by far the greatest, there is a similar descent
towards lake Erie The sml is generally loam intermixed
with clay, and smnetimes with gravel. Very little of it cai;« be
called the best, but it is nearly all At for cultivation, ana it
answers well for grazing : it also ruses grun, vegetables, and
fruit, in abunduioe. There are considerable beds of freestone
throu^bout the district, and coal and iron are also found, but
in no great abundance ; though several iron-works are in ope.
ration, and it is presumed that a plentiful supjdy of both could
be found if properly sought for.

It is most beautifully watered on the north by the lake, and
there are a number of very useful rivers. The principal
stream that runs to the south is Beaver creek, a very import-
ant one, which drives a great quantity of machinery. The
whole district is well supplied with springs. of good water, and
there are several salt springs, sulphur springs, and one of a
bituminous substance, that bums like oil.

The principal timber is oak, chesnut, beech, maple, walnut,
luckory, sycamore, and in some places pine ; but the last is
not common here, and is hardly to be found any where else in

UNITSI>< STATES.

the sUte. The climate u temperate, and the seaioBt are nearly
aMunihitcd to othen already noticed in the state ; but there it
a drcumstance which renders the country here not so healthy
as that ftrther south. The prevailing winds are fton the-
south, particularly in summer and fall, and these, as they Uoir
over the high lands of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Vir^nia, art
dear and ekstic in all the southern part of the state, which is
lully and undulating. Towards the head waters of the rivevi»
however, the country beoMnes flat and marshy, in some few
places, indeed, swampy, and the south winds reach this district
loaded with the effluvia arising from these marshes and swampsi
The effect produced is greatest about the Cayahoga river, op^
posite to which the lands at the head waters are most flat ; t»
',''irdH the west they get more elevated, and the elevation it
gxroator still to the eastward ; and this may in part account for
the fever being more common in Portage county and Cayahoga
county, than any where else in the district There are, how-
ever, no marshes or swamps but what may and will be droned,
when the country is settled up ; and the whole will then be a
very fine climate, and a most agreeable place of residence.

The daim of Connecticut to thu territory was founded
upon the charter of the state, granted by king Charles II. of
England, in 166S ; which defined their boundaries to be the
line of Massachusetts on the north, Narraganset bay on the
east, and thence IJM) miles broad to the South sea. This was
interpreted to be the Pacific ocean, and of ccmrse included a
part of the state of New York, a oonriderable portion of Penn-
sylvania, and thence along the state of Ohio and the territories
to the westward. The state of New York resuted the daim,
and succeeded. In Pennsylvania a number of settlements
were made under Connecticut titles, which occarioned a dis-
pute, that was referred to congress, and by them to oommis-
sioners, who reported against the Connecticut claim. To the
westward Connecticut yielded her claim to the United States^
with the exception of the territory in question, which being
accepted by congress, the matter was settled. In 1798, the
legislature granted 500,000 acres of the western part of it to
indemnify the sufferers by fire during the war, and thu tract

VIBW OF THE

it called the Fire lendf. In 179S* they lold the remainder to
Oliver Phelps and others, for 1, 800,000 dollars; which is ap-
propriated for the support of schools within the state. The
purdiasera of the lands made a division of the jiropertj, and
the settlements commenced a short time afler, and Imve been
going on pretty rapidly since the year 1799, by emigration
from the New England states, principally from the state of
Connecticut. The district is now divided into six counties,
and contains 16,04$t inhabitants The people have generally
the frugal, industrious habits of the New England states, and
are civil in their manners, and moral in their de^rtment.
Education is generally attended to, and they seem also to he
religious, although the thin state of society does not admit of
many churches or dergy.

There are as yet but few villagea in this district. Warren
is the chief, and it is but a small place. The houses are mostly
of wood, a great part of them indeed being log houses.

PopuhUion. — In 1817, the inhabitants of this state amount-
ed to d04,75S persons, which is nearly four persons to a square
mile. The population is rapidly increasingv and it is supposed
will be nearly doubled in ten years. A considerable part of
the state is still inhabited by the Indians ; but as daily en-
croachments are making upon their territory, their numbers
must naturally decrease.

Trade and Resources. — This being a new settled country,
the manufactures arc mostly of the domestic kind. The im-
pcNTts are nearly every description of English goods, and some
French and India. They are received by way of New Or-
leans, Baltimore, or Philadelphia. The exports are flour,
beef, pork, and butter.

The value of houses and cleared land in this state, in 1815,
was stilted at 61,847,815 dollars ; and 505 dollars were ex-
pended above the sum collected for duties imposed upon mer-
chandise. The vessels belonging to this state are all small,
and employed in internal trade.

Government. — The government is legislative and executive,
with power to provide ibr, and regulate the judicbl and mili-
tary authority. '

UNITED STATES.

tot

maind^r to
'hich M afv
late. The
iperty, and
Imve been »
emigration
he state of
% counties,
re generally
states, ami
j{e|)ortnient.
n also to lie
lot admit of

it. Warren
m are mostly
uses.

tate amount-
is to a square
t is supposed
rable part of
as daily en-
eir numbers

led country,
Theim-

|s, and some

New Or-

are flour,

Ite, in 1815,
^rs were ex-
upon mer-
le all small,

executive,
il and mili-

Thc legislature conuatt of two branches ; a annate and houie
of representatives. The rqaresentativea must not exceed 7S
niembert, and are diosen annually bv the people, in which
every five white male who is a ciiirei t of the United Stately
and has resided a year in the state, and paid taxes, shall hav«
a vote. The representatives roust have the same qualificationi»
and be S5 years of age.

The senators are chosen biennially by qualified voters for
representatives, and one half vacate their seats every year.
They shall never be less than one-third nor more than one-ludf
of the representatives. They must, besides the other qualifi-
cations of the representatives, have rended two years in th«
country, and be 30 years of age. '

The governor is chosen by the electors fpr the members of
the general assembly for the term of two years, and is not eli-
gible for more than six years in eight. He must be 30 yean
of age, and have been a citizen of the United States IS years,
and an inhabitant of the ;-itate four years.

l^he judicial power is vested in a supreme court, in courts of
commorr pleas for each county, in justices 6f the peace, and
such other courts as the legislature may appoint. The su-
preme court consists of thi'ee judges, appointed by the assem-
bly, who hold their offices for seven years. The courts of
common pleas consist of a president and associate judges,
chosen in like manner, and for the like term. A justice court
is held in each township, and the justices are elected by the
inhabitants of the respective towns, and continue in office three
years. The powers and duties of the justices are from time to
time regulated and defined by law. This last regulation is a
peculiar feature in the local jurisprudence of the state, and
goes far to do away all petty litigation.

The justices originally had cognizance of all cases where the
sums did not exceed 30 dollars. By an act of the legislature
their powers were extended to cases not exceeding 60 dollars,
which gave rise to a very singular transaction in the state.
The^udges of the supreme court refused to put the law in
execution, alleging that it was contrary to the constitution of
the United States. They were impeached by the house of re-

VIEW OP THE

pretenUttTes; but it requires two-thirds of Ae senate to oon-
iriet, and they were saved bj a very narrow majoritj. The
legislature, to mark their disiqiprobation of the conduct of the
judges, raised the sum from 50 to 70 dollars; and when the
seven years for whidi they were appointed expired, they were
not reelected. The justice courts have now cognizance of all
cases where the sums do not exceed 70 dollars.

The l^^lature of this state, Uke many other similar ones,
are too fond of making laws, and interfering with the private
affairs of individuals. Swearing is prohilnted by law, at the
rate of a dollar for an oath ; and the law is strictly put in ex.
ecution. Ille^timate oommeroe between the sexes is also pro*
bibited, under pretty heavy penalties; and a law has lately
been enacted to eoforee the marriage covenant, in cases where
people are disposed to plead a disannullment on the score of
rdigion.

INDIANA.

SHttationand Eartent. TNDIANA is ntuated between north

lat. d7 deg. 47 min. and 41 deg. 50
min., and west long. 7 deg. 40 min. and 10 deg. 45 min. Its
greatest length is 284 miles, and its breadth 155. Its area is
38,000 square miles, or 24,820,000 acres.

Nahirai Geoffrapfuf. — The face of the country is hilly, not
mountainous ; and the scenery is said to be rich and varie-
gated, abounding with plains and large prairies.

The principal river is the Wabash, which is said to be a
beautiful stream, 280 yards broad at its outlet, and navigable
upwards of 220 miles. It rises near the boundary line between
the state of Ohio and Indiana, about 100 miles from lake Erie,
where ther^ is a portage of only eight mifes between it and the

UNITED STATES.

200,

Miami of the lakes. Its course is nearly south-west, and the
distance it runs, including its windings, is not less Jian 500
miles. A great many tributary streams flow into it, the chief
of which is White river, upwards of 200 miles long. Tippa-
eanoe river, near which are the largest settlements of Indians
in the territory, falls into the Wabash ; and it is near the out-
let of that river where the Prophet is at pnesent collecting hit
forces.

The soil is said to be generally rich and fertile. The cli-
mate is delightful, except in the neighbourhood of marshes,
chiefly confined to the lower parts of the territory.

The settlements commenced about 22 or 23 years ago,
and have made considerable progress, though they have been
retarded by the settlement of the fertile and beautiful state
of Ohio, which is situated between this and the old states.
The greater part of the territory is yet subject to Indian
claims. Where they have been extinguished, and the white
settlements have been made, it is divided into four counties,
and 22 townships, the greater part of which are on the Ohio ;
and some few on the Wabash and White-water river. The
inhabitants amounted, by the census of 1800, to 5641 ; they
now amount to 86,734, being an increase of 81,093 in l7 years.
The agriculture of the territory is nearly the same as that
of the state of Ohio. Every kind of grain, grass, and fruit
comes to maturity ; and towards the southern part of it consi-
derable crops of cotton are raised, though only for domestic
use.

Towns. — The principal town is VincenneSy on the Wabash.
It is an old settlement, and the inhabitants are mostly of French
extraction; they amounted, by last census, to 670.

Trade. — As the inhabitants make nearly all their own cloth-
ing, they have little external trade. What little they have is
down the river to New Orleans.

Government. — The constitution or government in this new
country is similar to that of the other neighbouring states, —
excellent in theory, but too often vile «nd corrupt in practice.
It declares, in pompous language, that all men are free ; but
if their skins be black, they are not included in this declarao

2 D

SIO

VIEW OP THE

tion, slaves being necessary for the ease and comfort of the
freemen of Indiana.

We will now proceed to view the Southern States of the
Union, agreeably to the arrangement we have adoptad.

MAKYLAND.

Situation and Extent. ^HIS state is situated between 88

and 39 deg. 4B min. north lat,
and 2 deg. eas^t and 3 deg. 30 min. west long. Its extreme
length from east to west is 212 miles, and its extreme breadth
from north to, south is 123 ; but it is very irregular. It is
computed to contain about 14,000 square miles, or 8,960,000
acres, of which about one-fourth is water.

natural Geogrofihy. — The face of the country is remarka>
bly variegated. It is bounded on the south-west by the river
Patomak to its extremity ; and the fine Chesapeake bay, with
its numerous waters, passes through the middle of it. On the
east side it presents a coast of about 35 miles to the Atlantic
ocean : the eastern shore is low, level, and sandy. The coun-
try continues to rise by a very gentle ascent, biit is generally
level to Baltimore ; it then swells out into a hilly country, and
the western part stretches across the mountains.

The Chesapeake bay has already been noticed ; but it merits
» more particular description, from its vast importance to this
state, and indeed to the United States generally. This bay it
formed by the outlet of the Susquehannah river, where it re-
mves French creek, and a number of smaller streams; it is
there about seven miles broad, and so continues to near the
branch that leads up to Baltimore; ttova thence it assumes
various braadths, from ten to fifUen miles, during a course
downwards of about 70 miles, to near the Patomak river :

UNITED STATES.

fVom thence it stretches out to S5 or 80 miles, during i& jpassage
of 90 miles more, and finally passes into the AtlanUe ocean bj.
an outlet of SO miles broad : the whole course, from north to
south, is nearly 900 miles, and it receives in its passage the
whole waters of this state, nearly the whole of the eastern part
of Vir^nia, a great part of those of Pennsylvania, and some of
Delaware ; exhibiting, upon the whole, a greater confluent of
waters than is to be seen in the United States, or almost in the
world. The principal rivers in Maryland that run into this
bay, besides the Susquehannah and Patomak, are the Patapsco
and Patuxent, on the west side ; and on the east side. Elk
river. Sassafras, Chester, Choptank, Nanticoke, and Poco-
moke, the last of which issues out of Cyprus swamp. There
are numerous islands in the bay, and the waters abound with
various kinds offish. The state is generally well watered, and
abounds with mill-seats.

The soil is very various, and a great portion of it is but
poor : towards the eastern shore it is low and sandy, abound-
ing with swamps : in the interior there are many fertile spots ;
but the greater part of the land is poor until you pass the first
ridge of mountains, where there is a fertile valley of twelve or
fourteen miles broad: from thence the soil is pretty much as-
similated to the mountainous district of Pennsylvania.

The climate is as various as the soil : the eastern part is
pretty similar to Delaware, indicated by a pale, sickly colour
in the inhabitants. It improves as the land gets hilly, and
among the mountains is delightful, the summers being cooled
by fine breezes, while the winters are tempered by a southern
latitude, which renders them much more mild than to the
northward.

Maryland is well supplied with iron ore, and some coal has
been found, but not in sufiicient quantity to make it an object
of importance.

This is the first state in which there is a material difference
of agriculture i'rom the northern states: still, however, the
staple crop is wheat; but they raise a considerable quantity of
tobacco, and some cotton, though none of the latter for ex-
portuiion. All the other grains, grasses, and roots, that grow

S12

VIEW OF THE

•»-*

in the northern state, floinish here ; and the sweet potatoe, tt
root belooging to a warm ctimate, conies to considerable
maturity.

Population. — According to the returns made in 1817, the
population of this state amounted to 502,710, which, when the
proportion of water is subtracted, will be about 45 persons to
a s/{uare mile.
/ Manners^ Sfc. — The inhabitants of this state are distin-
guished for that gaiety, extravagance, and iiospitality, which
is usually exhibited by slave masters; but this character is
only applicable to the inhabitants of the most populous disr
tricts. Those who reside in the more remote parts of the
state 'live (says an American writer) very retired and unsocial
lives. The effects of this comparative solitude are visible in
the countenances, as well as in the manners and dress, of the
country people. " You observe very little of that cheerful
sprightliness df look and action which is the invariable and
genuine offspring of social intercourse. Nor do you find that
attention paid to dress, which is common, and which decency
and propriety have rendered necessary, among people who are
liable to receive company almost every day. Unaccustomed,
in a great measure, to these frequent and friendly visits, they
often suffer a negligence in their dress which borders on slo-
venliness. There is apparently a disconsolate wildness in their
countenances, an^ an indolence and inactivity in their whole
behaviour, which are evidently the effects of solitude and sla-
very. As the negroes perform all the manual labour, their
masters are left to saunter away life in sloth, and too often in
ignorance. These observations, however, must in justice be
limited to the people in the country, and to those particularly
whose poverty or parsimony prevents their spending a part of
their time in populous towns, or otherwise mingling with the
world.*

The Baltimorians lay claim to a superior reputation for en-
terprise and bravery ; and, it must be confessed, they appear
entitled to it, judging from their shipping*, much of which is
engaged in hazardous pursuits, together with the speculative
-improvements of their town, and their having, by superior ac-

■ »
UNITED STATES.

S18

potatoe, ft
msiderable

isn, the

, when the

persons to

are distin-
il'itv, which
:haracter w
pulous di*r
>arts of the
ind unsocial
ire visible in
ress, of the
lat cheerful
i^ariable and
rou find that
lich decency
ople who are
(accustomed,
visits, they
•ders on slo-
iness in their
their whole
;ude and sla-
ibour, their
too often in
in justice be
particularly
ing a part of
ng with the

lation for en-

I they appear

of which is

speculative

superior ac-

tivity, supplanted Philadelphi)Ei in p^t of the western country
trade ; yet the merchants of this city are sud to be deficient in
capital. Of their bravery, history will speak when recording
their gallant and successful defence of their city, though at-
tacked by the. combined naval and military forces of England.

Chief Tenons, — Baltimore stands on the north side of the
river Patapsco, which may rather be regarded as a creek of
the great bay of Chesapeake, and has rapidly risen to its pre- ■
sent consequence. The situation is rather low, but it has
been rendered by art tolerably salubrious. A creek divides it
into two parts, Baltimore town and FelPs point, to the latter
of which .vessels of 600 tons can sail; but only small vessels
can come up to the town. The bason, as it is called, is very
capacious, and capable of holding 2000 sail.

At the commencement of the American wac, Baltimore wai
but an inconsiderable village ; but such has been the rapidity
of its growth, that it is now the fourth commercial city in the
United States. The houses are mostly built of brick, and
many of them are elegant: the principal public buildings arc, '
thirteen places of public worship^ a court-house, a jail, three «
Hmarket-houses, a poor-house, the exchange, theatre, observa-
tory, assembly-rooms, and library. . The manufactures of Bal-
timore are considerable, and consist chiefly of ships, cordage,
iron utensils, paper, saddlery, boots and shoes, hats, wool and
cotton cards, &c. In the adjoining country there are nume-
rous mills, furnaces, and forges, which contribute much to the
trade of the city.

There are several religious sects, the most numerous of
which arc Roman catholics. Episcopalians, baptists, presby-
terians, methodists, and quakers, have each a respectable num-
ber of partisans ; and an unitarian church is now building.
The architecture of several of the churches displays first-rate
talent ; and it seems not a little surprising, that such ability
should have been overlooked by the conductors of the national
buildings at Washington. ^ -

Although this city 70 years ago consisted of only ten houses,
it now contains 60,000 inhabitants ; and as it is the emporiqm
of the state, it must necessarily increase In wealth and import-

tl4

VIEW OF THE

«noe. A great pc»tion of the ixpori trade is flour, much of
which is rqceived from the state of Pennsylvania, through the
medium of the Susquehannah river ; and the dtizens have a
brisk trade in importing and reshipping foreign articles, parti-
cularly West Indian produce — rum, sugar, and ooffW. A
great portion of the imports are manufactured goods from
Britain, and, having the supply of an immense back country,
this is an increasing trade. Many of the people in the western
states ^ve Baltimore the preference to Philadelphia; it is 50
miles nearer to Pittsburg than the latter dty, which has a na-
tural tendency to secure a preference ; and the inhabitants of
Maryland, who seem to appreciate the importance of this
trade, have acted with a laudable zeal in making good roads.
The trade of Baltimore is fadlitated by three banks, having
all ample capitals. One is a branch of the bank of the United
States.

The affair^ of the city are under the management of a city
council, consisting of two branches, and a mayor. The police
seems to be under good regulations, and the streets are kept
)>» very clean, which secures good health to the citizens. Educa-
tion is pretty well attended to ; and the <ntizens are said to be
hospitable and industrious. The men rank as correct men of
business.

North and east of the town the land rises, and affords a fine
prospect of the town and bay. Belvidera ex-hibits one of the
finest landscapes in nature. The town, the point, the shipping
both in the bason and at FeU's point, the bay as far as the eye
can reach, rising ground on the right and left of the harbour,
a grove of trees on the declivity at the right, a stream of water
breaking over the rocks at the foot of the hill on the left, all
conspire to complete the beauty and grandeur of the prospect.

Annapolic is the capital of Maryland, and the wealthiest
town of its size in America. It is situated just at the mouth
of Severn river, 30 miles south of Baltimore. It is a place of
little note in tbe commercial world. The houses, about 300
in number, are generally large and elegant, indicative of great
wealth. The design of those who planned the city, was to
l»ive the wjioie in the form of n circle, with the streets, likf

%■

UNlIpP STATES.

815

r, much of
ibvough the
zens have »
[icTes, parti-
ooff^> A
goods from
ick country,
\ the weRtem
hia; it is 60
ich has a na-
nhabitants of
ance of this
7 good roads.
Anks, having
of the United

mentof adty
. The police
rcets are kept
zens. Educa.
are sud to be
correct men of

1 affords a fine
►its one of the
It, the shipping
far as the eye
.f the harbour,
[tream of water
m the left, all
►f the prospect.
ithe wealthiest
t at the mouth
lit is a place of
U, about 300
icative of great
le city, WHS to
he streets. liU

radii, be^nning at the centce where the stadt-house standi,
and thence diverging in every direction. ' The principal part
of the buildings are arranged agreeably to this awkward plan* .
The stadt-house is the noblest building of the kind in America*
There is a college, a theatre, and two places of public worship
in the city. It has a harbour, though no great commerce ;
but, being a pleasant place, it is the residence of a great many
wealthy people.

Frederkhtown is a large inland town, containing a court-
house, jail, academy, market>house, and seven places of public
worship. The inhalntants are about 6000 ; and the town has
considerable manufactures and inland trade. HagersUmn,
situated beyond the mountains, contains 2100 inhabitants.
Besides these, there are a greater number of smaller towns and
villages, containing from 100 to 1000 inhabitants. A great
number of the farm-houses are built of ivood, and they are
not so substantial, nor so elegant, in general, as those in
Pennsylvania.

Tradet ^c. — The value of houses, lands, and slaves, in this
state, in 1815, was estimated at 122,577,573 dollars; the land
being valued at SO dollars per acre.

The trade and manufactures of this state have been noticed
in the account of Baltimore. The duty on merchandise in
1815 produced 4,202,4fG3 dollars. The tonnage employed
in foreign trade amounted to 88,161, and in the coasting ti^e
to 8529.

Education. — There are considerable funds appropriated to
the support of education. There are five colleges, and a
number of very respectable academies in the state, mid com-
mon schools in every county.

Religion. — The Roman catholics, who were the first settlers
in Maryland, are the most numerous religious sect. Besides
tiicse, there are protestants, episcopalians, English, Scotch,
and Irish presbyterians, German Calvinists, German Luther-
ans, friends, baptists, methodists, Mennonists, Nicolites, or
new quakers.

Government.— 'T\\e state is divided into 19 counties. The
civil government is vested in a governor, senate, and house of

S18

VIEW Of0Rti

delegates, all ehoseii annually. ^TThe qualification to vote for
ddbgates is a freehold of 50 acres of land, or property to the
value of 301 cCirrency. The principles of government are si-
milar to those of Pennsylvania. x

History. — Maryland was granted by Charles I. to Cecilius
Calvert, baron of Baltimore, in Ireland, June ^, 1632. The
goverranent of the province was, by charter, vested in the pro-
prietary ; but it appears that he either never exensised tliese
powers alone, or but for a short time. The hon. Lemiard
Calvert, esq., Iprd Baltimore's brother, was the first governor,
or lieutenant-general. His lordship evinced his wisdom, and
the liberality of his reli^ous opinions, by providing for the free
exercise of all other religious opinions iii the colony. In 164S,
one Ingle excited a rebellion, and three years passed before
order was restored. Under the government of Cromwell, the
exercise of the Roman catholic religion was restrained ; which
must have been felt extremely oppressive, as the first and prin-
cipal inhabitants were Catholics. In 1692, the prqtestant re>
li^on was established by law. At the commencement of the
revolutionary war, the state was declared to belong to the citi.
zens, who delegated five of their number to the first congress.
The state constitution was framed in 1776, which, with a few
trifling amendments, still continues. When the independence
of the United States was acknowledged by England, Henry
Harford, esq., the natural son and heir of lord Baltimore, pe-
titioned the le^slature of Maryland for. his estate; but hii
petition was not granted. Mr. Harford estimated his loss of
quit-rents, valued at twenty years purchase, and including
arrears, at 259,488/. 55., dollars at 7«. 6d. ; and the value of
his manors and reserved lands at 327,441/. of the same money.

UNI^D STATES.

fl7

to vote ior
erty to the
lent are si-

to Cecilius
68«. The
in thepro-
nrased ihese
n. Leonard
Bt governor,
asdom, and
(forthefiree
r. In 1642,
used Ibefore
Kimwell, the
ined; i^ich
irst and prin-
prqtestant re-
ement of the
ig to the citi-
irst congress.
I, with a few
independence
;land, Henry
laltimore, pe-
tate; but hit
led his loss of
tnd including
the value of
• same money.

VIKGINIA.

SiUiatwn and Extent. yiRCrlNIA* is situated between 86

deg. 30 min. and 39 deg. 48 min.
north tat., and 1 deg. east and 6 deg. S5 min. west long. The
extreme length of the state from east to west is AASt miles, and
the extreme breadth firpm the North Carolina line to the Penn-
sylvania line is 235 ; but it may be observed that there is a
small part of the state that stretches along the banks of the
Ohio, to the west of Pennsylvania, about 60 miles long, and
on an average 10 broad; and there is another small part,
about 56 miles long and 12 broad, to the east of the Chesa-
peake. The area is computed at 75,000 square miles, being
nearly as large as the whole island of Britain, computed at
77,243. The number of acres in Virginia is 48,000,000.

Natural Geography. — The face of Ike country is somewhat
assimilated to Pennsylvania, including Jersey, Delaware, and
Maryland. The eastern part extends along the sea coast
about 115 miles, of which the outlet of the Chesapeake, al-
ready noticed, occupies 20; and this elegant confluence of
waters, so oilen referred to, forms a great variety in this part
of the state. From the sea coast to the head of the tide wa-
ters, about 100 miles, the country is mostly level, and abounds
with swamps. From thence to the mountmns it is agreeably
uneven, and affords delightful prospects. The mountainous
district is about 100 miles in breadth, and the ridges continue,
as in Pennsylvania, to range from north-east to south-west.
Beyond the mountains the country is much variegated, here
swelling out into considerable hills, there subsiding into agree-

* The geography of this important state has been ahly illustrated in Mr. Jefo-
son's Notes, written in 1781. Though many altcrutions have been made in the
circumstances of the state unce that time, still this work contains much valuable
and interesting information.

10 2 E ^

VIEW OP THE

able Tallies; ^nd so continues to the Ohio, about 60 miles.
The Alleghany chain is the ridge which divides the waters of
the Atlantic from the Mississippi, and its summit is more ele-
vated above the ocean than that of the others : but its relative
height, compared with the base on which it stands, is not so
great, because the country rises behind the successive ridges
like steps of stairs.

The whole of the Atlantic rivers have been already noticed ;
-the others are but few. The state is watered to the westward
by the Ohio upwdrds of S4iO miks, and the Great Sandy rivet
ibrms the boundary, for upwards of 100 miles, between H and
Kentucky. The must important river to the westward is the
'Great Kanhaway, * a river of considerable note for the fertility
of its lands, and still more, as leading towards ihe head waters
of James river. Nevertheless, it is doubtful whether its great
-and numerous falls will admit a navigation but at an expenoe
to which \t will require ages to render its inhabitants equal.
The great obstacles begin at what are called the great falls, 90
miles ifbove its mouth, below which are only five or six rapids,
and these passable, with some difficulty, even at low water.
From the falls to the*h)outh of Greenbriar is 100 miles, and
thence to the lead mines 1^. It is S80 yards wide at its
mduth.*

The little Kanhaway is 150 yards wide at tbe moilth, and
is tiavigable for 10 miles only.

The Shenandoah river rises in the interior of the country,
and running a north-east course, of about S50 miles, through
the great Limestone valley, parallel to the mountains, falls into
the Patomak just above the Blue ridge. The junction of the
rivers, and the passage through the Blue ridge, is said to be
one of the finest scenes in nature, and has been described in
our general view of the United States.

There are a great variety of minerals and mineral springs in
the state. Iron is very plentiful, and several mines of lead
have been opened. Some copper, black-lead, and precious
stones have been found, and in one instance gold wds disco-
vered. Limestone is plenuful, and coal is abundant at Rich-
mond, in some places among the mountains, and in the western

UNITED STATES.

»»

it 60 miles.
he waters of
is more ele-
t its relative
ds, is not so
essive ridges

ttdy noticed ;
he westward
t Sandy rivrtr
stween it and
stward is the
r the fertility
e head waters
>ther its great
at an expence
bitant«i equal,
^at falls, 90
or six rapids,
at low water.
[)0 miles, and
Is wide at its

moiith, and

the oouritlry,
iiles, through
lins, falls into
motion of the
is said to be
described in

Lral springs in
I mines of lead
land precious

old wds disco*
|dant at Rich-

in the western

country. Of the mineral springs, the warm and hot springs
and the sweet spring, are the most remarkable. Th«y are
situated near the sources of James river, at the foot of the Al^
l^hai^y roounti|ins, about 43 miles apart. They are now well,
known, and much resorted to. There are sulphur springs in
several place&; AUtton.the Kanhaway river, 67 miles from its
outlet, there is a very remarkable air spring.

The soil in the low part of the state is sandy, except on the
bunks of the rivers, where it is very rich. Between the head,
of the tide-water&and the mountains, it exhibits a great variety,
and a cpnsideraMc portion is good. Among the mount«ns
there is a great deal of poor land, but it is interspersed with
rich vallies. Beyond, the mountains the soil is generally rich
and fertile.

The climate of Virginia is \ery various, and is subject U>
great and sudden changes. In the greater part of the country,
below the head of the tide-waters, the summers are hot and
sultry, and the winters mild. From thence to the ibot of the
mountains the air is pure and clastic, and both summers and
winters are several degrees of temperature below the low
country. Among the mountains, the summers are delightful,
though sometimes the heat is very great. To the westward
the climate is temperate, the summers being cooler and tbo
winters warmer than on the nea coast. Except in the neigh*
bourhood of stagnant waters in the low country, Vir^nia has,
upon the whole, a healthy climate.

The state has of late been considerably improved by roads,
but in that branch much remwns to be done. The canal con-
templated by Mr. Jefferson l)etween the waters of the Chesar>
peake and Albemarle sound has been cut. It is 16 miles in
length, and answers a most valuable purpose. Considerable
improvements have been mad^ upon the navigation of the
Slienandoali river ; and there i.:c several very important roads
and canaU projected.

Tile principal branches of agriculture for exportation are
wheat and tobacco ; and the farms produce in plenty, Indian
corn^ rve, barley, buck-wheat, &c. Hemp and flax are abun-
dant, and considerable quantities of cotton are raised in the

VIEW OF THE

southern part of the state. Indigo is cultivated with success,
and the silk-worm is a native of the country, though not much
attonded to. The fields likewise produce potatoes, both sweet
and common, turnips, parsnips, carrots, pumpkins, and ground
nuts ; and of grasses, there are clovers, red, white, and jellow,
timothy, ray, greensward, blue grass, and crab- grass. The
orchards abound in iVuit ; apples, pears, peaches, quinces,
cherries, nectarines, apricots, almonds, and plums. The do-
mestic animals thrive well, horses, cows, sheep, hogs, p lultry ;
and there is a great variety of wild game.

PojAtlation. — The population of this state in 1817 amounted
to 1,347,496, which is 18 persons to a square mile.

Manners^ Sfc. — The character of the Virginians has been
often described; but all writers agree in ascribing most of
their errors and crimes to the system of slavery established
amongst them. An English writer says, that * the climate and
external appearance of the country conspire to make them in-
dolent, easy, and good-natured ; extremely fond of society,
and much given to convivial pleasures. In consequence of
this, they seldom show any spirit of enterprise, or expose
themselves willingly to fatigue. Their authority over their
slaves renders them vain and imperious, and entire strangers
to that elegance of sentiment which is so peculiarly character-
utic o" refined and polished nations. Their ignorance of man-
kind and of learning exposes them to many errors and preju-
dices, especially in regard to Indians and negroes, whom they
scarcely consider as of the human species ; so that it is almost
impossible, in cases of violence, or even murder, committed
upon those unhappy people by any of the planters, to have
the delinquents brought to justice ; for either the grand jury
refuse to find the bill, or the petit jury bring in their verdict^
not guilty. '

' The display of a character thus constituted will naturally
be in acts of extravagance, ostentation and a disregard of eco-
nomy : it is not extraordinary, therefore, that the Virginians
outrun their incomes ; and tliat having involved themselves in
difficulties, they are frequently tempted to raise money by bills
c^ exchange, which they know will be returned protested, with

UNITED STATES.

10 per cent interest The public or political character of th*
Virginians corresponds with their private one: they are
haughty and jealous of their liberties, impatient of restraint,
and can scarcely bear the thought of being controled by any
superior power.

* The women ere, upon the whole, rather handsome, though
not to be compared with our fair countrywomen in England.
They have but few advantages, and consequently are Sdidom
accomplished ; this makes them reserved, and unequal to any
interesting or refined conversation. They are immoderately
fond of dancing, and indeed it i' almost the only amusement
they partake of: but even in this they discover great want cf
taste and elegance, -and seldom appear with that gracefulness
and ease which these movements are so calculated to display.
Towards the close of an evening, when the company are pretty
well tired of country dances, it is usual to dance jigs ; a prac-
tice originally borrowed, I am informed, from the negroes.
These dances are without any method or regularity. A gen-
tleman and lady stand up, and dance about the room, one of
them retiring, the other pursuing, chen perhaps meeting, in
an irr^ular fantastical manner. After some time, another
lady gets up ; and then the first lady must sit down, she bei-
ing, as they term it, cut out. The second lady acts the same
part which the first did, till somebody cuts her out. The
gentlemen perform in the same manner. The Virginian la-
dies, excepting their amusements, and now and then a party of
pleasure into the woods to partake of a barbacue, chiefly spend
their time in sewing and taking care of their families. They
seldom read, or endeavour to improve their minds. However,
they ore in general good housewives ; and though they have
not, I think, quite so much tenderness and sensibility as the
English ladies, yet they make as good wives, and as good mo-
thers, as any in the world.^ This character was drawn from
personal observation, and, in general, appears to be just

*The young men,' another traveller observes, 'generally
speaking, are gamblers, cook-fighters, and horse-jockies. To
hear them converse, you would imagine that the grand point
of all science was properly to fix a gaff, and touch, with dexter

fSSt

VIEW OF THE

nty» the tittl of « cook while in combat. He who won the \an%
match, the last game, or the last horse-race, assumes the airi
of a hero or German potentate., The ingenuity of a Locke,
or the discoveries of a Newton, are considered as infinitely in-
ferior to the accomplishments of him who knows when to
dioulder a blind cock, or start a fleet horse.'* A spirit for lite-
rary enquiries, if not altogether confined to a few, is, amcwg
the body of the people, evidenUy subordinate to a spirit of
gaming and barbarous sports. At almost every tavern or or-
dinary on the public road there is a billiard table, a backgam-
mon table, cards, and other implements for various games.
To these public houses the gambling gentry in the neighbour-^
hood resort, to Mil iime, which hangs heavily upon them ; and
at this business they are extremely expert, having been accus-
tomed to it from their earliest youth. The passion for cock-
fighting, a diversion not only inhumanly barbarous, h\^
infinitely beneath the dignity of a man of sense, is so predo?
minant, that they even advertise their matches io the public
newspapers. This dissipation of manners is the fi'uit of indo-
lence and luxury, which arise from the system of African
slavery.

Chief Towns. — Kichmond is handsomely situated on James
river, immediately below the falls. It is a large elegant city,
consisting of more than 1200 houses, and contains about
10,000 inhabitants. * The state-house stands on an eminience,
and is considered the handsomest building in the state,^ having
spacious apartments for the meetings of the legislature, and
commodious rooms for the transaction of the public business of
the state. The other public buildings are, the court-house,
jail, and theatre, two places for public worship, a free mason^s
hall, and three tobacco warehouses. Richmond is situated in
a fertile healthy country, and i^ well supplied with provisions;
and it is flourishing in manufactures and commerce. There
is an armoury in the neighbourhood, said to be the best in the
United States, The city is remarkably well situated for mill-
seats; some of the finest flour-mills in the state have lately
been erected, and the quantity of flour manufactured annually
is immense. There are also rolling imd slitting mills, oil-mills,

UNITED STATES.

ron the l«st
(ues the lari
sf a Locke,
infinitely in^
WB when to
pirit for lite-
', is, among
) a spirit of
tavern or or-

a backgam-
rious games.
le neighbour-^
n them ; and
g been accus-
sion for cock-
rbarous, h\4

is so predo-?
in the public
fruit of indo-
m of African

itcd on James
J elegant city,
ontains about
1 an eminience,
(State, having
islature, an^
ilic business of
court-house,
free mason's
is situated in
Ith provisions;
lierce. There
he best in the
ted for mill-
e have lately
ured annually
iijlls, oil-mills,

and several others; and several extensive diiltilleries ind
Igreweries. !l^chmond carries on a oonndcrable trade» princU
pally in tobaoco and flour, with many placet of th# United
States, particularly New York, which in mum supplies itiritU
dry goods and "^groceries. The inhabitants here, Hke those ift
the sea-ports, ar;^mostly dressed in Brkish manitfactuf^s. And
are very gay. Crambling is the favourite diversion of the pe6-
fAe, and is constantly practised without the smallest degree df
secresy. <Ob alighdng at a tavern," says Mr. Wdd^ *the
landlord iranliediatcly asked what game was most congenild to
my incHnation& as he could conduct me, according to my wii^
either to a faro, hazard, or billiud table. These apaitmenCi
are always crowded with gamesters, and the doors are only
shut to exclude the lowest order of the people, who, however,
contrive to find a similar amusement at some petty house of
accommodation. The taverns bang thus infested is a disagree-
able circudistance to a traveller who is blest with a different
bent of inclination, as every room is considered common, and
the place where a stranger wishes to seclude himself from the
eye of public observation, is always the most frequented.*

NorfbOc is a large town, containing nearly the same numhett'^
of inhabitants as Richmond. It is a place of very attended -
commerce, principally in flour and tobacco, lind its commerde
and population will probably continue to eocrease for a lon^
period. Mr. Jefferson remarks, in his Note8,^*that it wiB
probably be the emporium for all the trade of the Chesapeake 1
bay and its waters, and a canal of eight or ten miles will bring
to it all that of the Albemarle sound and its waters.'' But it is
to be observed, that the Chesapeake bay and its waters are
.navigable a long way into the interior of the country, in conse*
quenoe of which, probably no nngle town or city will be the
emporium for all the trade ; it will be divided among many.
We accordingly find numerous towns upon these waters, of,,
which the following may be noticed.

On Rappahannoc, Urbanna^ Port Royaly Falmouth. Flhe-
derich'iburg is situated on the south-west side of this river. 1%.
is regularly laid out, the streets crossing one another at ri|^t
angles,, and consists of about 300 houses, containing about

S24

VIEW OF THE

J.*!

1600 inhabitdhts. The principal public buildings are an epis-
-copal cburch, an academy^ court-house, and jaiL It carries OA -
ft isonmderable trade^ principally in flour and tobacco.

On ^atomakand ils waters, Dumfries, Colchester, Winches-

4erp,Siaunton4 * . ' '

On York river and its waters, York, NewMstU, Hcmaoer.

On James river and its yir&teTa,PortsmouiW, Hampton, Su^

JhXk, SmUfifield, William^rg,'^ Manchester, CharlottesviOe,

^Petersburg is situated on this river, immediatdy below th#

falls, and is a place of conaderaUe wealth an^ iinportanee,^

farrying on a great trade in tobacco and flour^ a considerable

||ortion of which is with New York. The |)opulation, in

1800, was S034 free people and 1461 slaves. l*he' population

is said to be composed principaSy of Irish peoplcj-^and thejr^

lire distinguished .jBent frank liberal manners, and high«4pirited

patribtinn. The principal public buildings are, two ijdaces

for public wdrship, a court-house, jail,, and: free mason^s hall.

The market is well suj^ed with povisions; and Uiere are

jiumerous mills in and about the town.

There is no very important town in the western part of the

Wlieelingf on the Ohio, will probably increase more

«Qy other.

^^P0^adeamd Resources. — The interior trade of this state, was

jJMBver of much importance. The manufactures are mostly of

the domestie %ind ( and »uch is the attachment of the Virg^-

\ mans to agriculture, that there is no doubt they wiH continue

' for a considerable time to exchange the raw ipaterial for the

1^^ jpeinufacture of foreign nations.

TJ^ value of liouses, lands, and slavp*^, in this state in 1815,

by tl^ assessors'* return, was 263,737,699 dollarai die averaga

^alue of land being estimated at 4 dollars 13 oents per acre^

The gross revenue arising from duties on merchandise was

^^1,854,144 dollars. The shipping employed in foreign trade

amounted to 31,1 5S tons, and in the coasting trade to 6640

tons. ^

^ Education, — There are two colleges in the sta^te; one cS

't|iem the college of William and Mary, very liberally endowed.

There are several academies and schools in each county ; and

Idings are an cpis-
jail. It carries «l*
[tobacco.
Hchester, Wiiuilm-

yMstle% Hcmaoer.
t% Hampfmt Suf
tTn CharlottesviUe.
ediatdy below tW
h anA unportance^
our^A conw^erablc
rhe fopi^atjion, in
8. fh^rpttpulation
»h people, and they^
i, and high*»pmted
%8 are, two places
id free masorfs hall,
ions; and there are

I western part of the
bably increase more

ade of this state was
ictures are mostly of
[hment of the Virgi-
bt they win continue
raw material for the

\n this state in 1816,

lollarsi Ihe averaga

15 isenlS per acrew

.i merchandise was

[ed in foreign trade

isting trade to 6649

the state; one of

\y liberally endowed.

each county ; and

there
The m
ainl ext
^' far I
portant
legislati
lodce of
the oth
knowlet

Reliff
copalian
ranee of
the vigil
establish
people
state; ai
selves su

An ac
1786, in
mighty (
influence
incapacity
meanness
^or of o\
yet chose
it theref<
shall be
ship, pla
strained,
otherwise
but that
maintain
same she
ca];}acitiei

The c
' Anglica
them; ai
than one

UNITED STATES.

there are numerous teachers m** private families, as tutora^^
The means, in short, for educating the wealthy are amjde,
{y(i4 extenuVely applied ; but the system s^ms to be defectivflt^
siei' far as the mass qf ihe people are o6noemed, and that imM
portant branch deserves the early attention of an enl%htened
le^slature; as the pride, the independence, and the ind(^
lence of one class, and the 'boughtlessness and poverty of
the other, present formidable obstacles to the progress of
knowledge.

Religion. — The first settlers in this state were English epis*
copalians, and they seemed to emulate the bigotry and intole>
ranee of their presbyterian brethren in New England. But
the vigilance and activity of the government in supporting the
established church begot security and indolence in the clergy ;
people of various reli^ous opinions began to creep into the
state ; and, within a century, the episcopalians found them*
selves subdued by superior sfkv'it and determination.

An act passed the Virginia assembly, in the be^nningof
1786, in which it is declared, that, being * well aware that Al^
mighty God hath created the mind free ; that all attempts to
influence it by temporal punishments or burthens, or by civil
incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and
meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the holy Au-
^or of our religion, who being Lord over both body an^nind,
yet chose not to propagate it by coercions in either, SccT^ ^
it therefore enacted by the general assembly. That no m^tn
shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious wor-
ship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, re*
strained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall
otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief;
but that all men shall be free to profess, and by arguments to
maintain their opinions in matters of religion ; and that the
mme shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil
capacities.^

The episcopalians, or, as Mr. Jefferson calls them, the
'Anglicans,^ have, comparatively, but few ministers amoi^
them ; and these few, when they preach, which is seldom more
than once a week, preach to very thin congregations. The

8 F

XXD

VIEW OF THE

Presbyterians, in propcxrUon^ their numbers, have more mi-
nisters, who ofliciatc oftener, and to lai^^ audiences. The
baptists and methodists are generally supplied by itinerant
preachers, who have large and promiscuous audiences, and
preach al'most every day, and often several times in a day.
The buiK of these religious sects are of the poorer smrt of peo^
pie, and many of them are very ignorant, (as is indeed the case
with the other denominations,) but they are generally a moral,
well-meaning set of people. They exhibit much zeal in their
worship, which appears to be composed of the mingled effu-
sions of piety, enthusiasm, and superstition.

■Gmwnmeni. — The following are the outlines of the form of
state government :

* The executive powers are lodged in the hands of a go-
vernor, chosen- annually, and mcapahle of acting any more
than three yeai^s in seven. He is assisted by a council of eight
members. The judiciary powers are divided among several
courts. Legislation is exercised by two houses of assembly ;
the one called the' Hou'<e of Delegates, composed of two mem-
ben from each county, chosen annually by the citizens pos-
sesnng an estate for life in 100 acres of uninhabited land, or
525 acres with a house and lot on it, or a house or lot in some
town. The other, called the Senate, consisting of 24 members,
chosen quadrenially by the same electors, who, for this pur-
pose, are distributed into S4 districts. The concurrence of
both houses is necessary to the passing of a law: they have
the appointment of the governor and council, the judges of the
superior courts, auditors, attorney-general, treasurer, register
of the land-office, and delegates to congress.''

The state is divided into an eastern and western district, and
90 counties.

HiHoty. — ^^We have already noticed the first settlement of
Virginia. On the arrival of lord Delaware in 1610, the colony
acquired permanency and respectability, which was llirther
increased by a young gentleman named Rolf, who married the
daughter of an Indian chief. In 16S1, the company of pro-^
prietors obtained a charter for settling the government of the
state; but shortly after, the king and company quarrelled.

VNIIOSD 8TATBS.

and, by a mixture of law and force, the latter were ousted of
all their rights, without retribution, after having expended
100,000/. in establishing the colony, without the smallest aid
from government King James I. took the government into
his own hands. Both udes had their partisans in the colony :
but the people of the colony in general thought them-
selves little concerned in the dispute. But they did not re-
main so long. The northern parts of thar country were
granted away to the lords Baltimore and Fairfax, the first of
these obtaining also the ri|^ts of separate jurisdiction and go-
vernment. And in 1050, the parliament, considering itself as
standing in the place <^ thdr deposed king, and as having
succeeded to all hu powers, without as well as within the
realm, b^^n to assume a right over the cokmies, pasung an
act for inhibiting their tQMle with fordgn nations, This suc-
cesrion to the exerdse of^the kingly authority gave the first
colour for parliamentary interference with the colonies, and
produced that fatal precedent which they continued to follow
after they had retired, in other respects, within their proper
functions. When this colony, therefore, which still maintain-
ed its opposition to Cromwell and the parliament,^ was induced,
in 1661, to lay down thdr arms they previously SBCured their
most important rights, b^ a solemn convention.

This convention was, however, infringed by subseque|$
kings and parliaments, until the revolution, wbichr the Viigji«
nians supported with great energy and success. They still
midntain great influence in the public cojinciis, and bav*
thereby incurred the jealoiuy of their neighbours. ". i

VIEW OP TilE

KENTUCKY.

SUuatwn and Extent. {[ENTUCKY is situated between 86

deg. SO min. and 89 deg. north
kt, and 5 and IS deg. west long. Its greatest length is 8S8
tailes, and its greatest breadth 188. Its area is 52,000 square
miles, or 83,S80«000 acres.

Natural Geography. — The face of the country is generally
uneven, some of it rough and hilly ; and towards the east there
are considerable spurs of the Alleghany mountains, which di-
vide the state from Virginia. The Ohio river washes the state
to the north and north-west, 874 miles ; and the Mississippi on
the west, 57 ; the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers pass
plirtly through it. Big Sandy river forms the boundary line
a considerable way on the cast ; and Licking river, Kentucky
river, Rolling river, and Green river, are all very considerable
streams. There is a vast variety of small streams, and the
state has the appearance of being well watered ; but in some
ftfaces it is not. The stratum under the soil is limestone,
throughout the whole state: it has a great depth, and seems
to be chequered with innumerable fissures, which let the water
peu^i On tins account, there are some places where water is
not to be found in summer, and the greater part of the rivers
have worn down their beds from 100 to 800 feet below the
surface of the earth. From the circumstance of the rivers
being so confined between high banks, they roll down their
waters to a great depth in freshets : it is no uncommon thing
for the Kentucky river to rise from 40 to 50 feet.

The state is said to be rather dcfer^tive in iron, the most
useful of all the metals : but there are, notwithstanding, nu-
merous iron forges. Marble is found in the state,' but is not
plentiful: coal is found in some places; and a few specimens
of lead, copperas, and alum have been found : limestone is a

TC •,-

UNITED STATES.

889

ed between 86

)9 deg. north

length is 888

62,000 square

iry is generally
Is the east there
luns, which cU-
ivashes the state
B Mississippi on
see rivers pass
5 boundary Une
iver, Kentucky
>ry considerable
[reamsir and the

; but in some
|il is limestone,

>th, and seems
fch let the water

where water is
of the rivers

feet below the
fe of the rivers

•oil down their

neommon thing

tet.
iron, the most

thstanding, nu-

^tate,^ but is not

, few specimens

limestone is a

most plentiful commodity. There are various mineral springsi
but the most useful are the salt springs ; though they are now
of less importance, since the discovery of the valuable salt
springs upon the Kanhaway.

The soil in this state has all the gradations from the very
best to the very worst ; but there is, upon the whole, a great
body of good soil in the state. The general character is chalk,
covered with a stratum of vegetable earth from eight to twelve
feet in depth. A want of water in the summer season is much
felt, except in the vicinity of great rivers and their principal
dependent streams.

Indian corn is raised here in vast abundance, and almost
without labour. Stock of various kinds is raised for the New
Orleans, southern, and Atlantic markets. Pork is well fed,
and of excellent quality. Beef is also of good quality, and the
stock has received considerable attention by the mixture of
English breeds. '

The climate is more steady than in the eastern states, and is
upon the whole favourable. Heat and cold do not go to ex-
tremes ; the thermometer in summer being seldom above 80
degrees, or in winter below 85. The climate is said to agree
well with English constitutions.

Population.-— The population of this state in 1817 amounted
to 688,758, which is rather more than 13 persons to a square
mile. In 1790, the population was estimated at 73,677. As
the emigrations are still going on, and likely to continue, par-
ticularly from the southern states, the inhabitants will yet
greatly increase, though probably not so rapidly as heretofore.
The i: .security of the land-titles, and the slave trade, arc so
many barriers in the way with the pet^le from the northern
states, from whence there is the greatest degree of emigration ;
and there being so much fine land to the M'estward, a number
of the poorer people will go there, where they can get land
cheap. However, it is to %e presumed that this latter circum-
stance will have a tendency to improve the morals of the state,
as it will purge it of many of the pioneers. ,«

Manners^ ^c — The character of the inhabitants of this state
is always represented in a roost unfavourable light. A late

VIEW OF THE

tnTisller, who viewed the United States as the garden of Eden^
and the people as the elect of the earth, oonfeises that the vices
of gaming and swearing are carried to a most inconoavable
height. * At Frankfort/ says he, * I saw a vagabond in the
penitentiary, who had picited out his neighbour's eyes ; and a
man who sailed down the river with us told me he saw a fight,
in which the combatants grappled one another with their teeth :
one kMt his lip, and the other his nooe* In Kentucky, and
indeed in the western country generally, there is a vast ma-
jority of civil, discreet, well-disposed people, who will bold the
lawless and disobedient in check, and in time correct the roo>
rals of the whole. Slavery is no doubt hurtful to society, but
it is probably more ameliorated in this state than in any other
part of the world. Indeed, so much is this the case, that the
blacks are generally as well fed, and nearly a» well clothed, as
the white pet^let and it is questionable whetlier they work so
hard. A gentleman of very excellent information told me that
he did not think the produce of their labour was equal to their
maintenance. Tr me it appeared that they were better fed,
better lodged, and better clothed, than many of the peasantry
in Britain. Still, however, slavery, under any amelioration, is
a bitter draught ; and though thousands in all ages have been
made to drink of it, it is no less bitter on that account. The
insecurity of land titles has also been mudi against the state,
not only by preventing emigrants of property from going to it,
but also by encourafping litigation, a most bimeful circumstance
in any country ; but it is to be remarked that the legislature
have lately taken measures to place this business on a solid
and respectable form.

* Being sprung frmn the state of Virginia, the manners of
tliat people have given the tone to those of this state, which
appears in a spiiit of high independence, quick temper, and
frank generosity. The only serious evil that I had to com-
plain of in my journey through the country arose from the
proneness of many of the natives to swearing. This vice is
too common ; and though 'tis true that "it will neither break
a man's leg, nor pick his pocket,'' yet it may stun his ears
most unmercifully. This was literally the case with me: I

found t\
Indeed,
between
than thii
gfee, th(
went, an
Anothi
petent to
to genero
wish to a
swear a g
to a very
with whici
have good
another pr
This diver
greasing iti
ceeds in pu
crown. 1 1

in Holland
teristics.

*6n ieai
mains to be
my soul tii<
theoretic coi
thev form a
men are ent
privileges fr
services; thi
worship Goc
cannot, I sa
down such p
hoaat of the
tures like bi
cattle at a fai
Chief To:,
county, and
«» a branch

UNITED STATES.

»1

Sclen* V
!\ioe»
ivable
in ihe
and a
fight,
teeth:
ff and
M nta.
old the
;he mo-
>ty, but
ly other
that the
thed, as
work BO
me that
I to their
tter fed,
leasantry
ration, is
avebeen
It. The
Lbe state,
Mng to it,
lumstance
igislature
n a solid

found tlie country as bad, in that respect, as Ireland itself.
Indeed, it appears to me that there n a considerable similitude
between the Irish people and the Virginians, in more respect*
than this : frank, affable, polite, and hospitable in a high de-
gree, they are quick in their temper, sudden in their resent-
ment, and warm in all their affections.^

Another English traveller says, * I do not feel myself com-
petent to confirm or deny the general claim of the Kentuckians
to generosity and warmth of character ; of thdr halnts I would
wish to speak with diffidence ; that they drink a great deal,
swear a great deal, and gamble a great deal, will be apparent
to a very briuf resident. The barbarous practice oK gouging^
with which they are charged, I have not seen occur, though I
have good reason to believe in its existence. They have also
another practice, nearly akin to this, called ** gander-pulling."
This diversion consists in tying n live gander to a tree or pole,
greanng its neck, riding past it at full gallop, and he who sue*
ceeds in pulling off the head of the victim, receives the laurel
crown. I think I have heard of a similar pastime as practised
in Holland ; but these are not to be taken as unmixed charac-
teristics.

* On leaving Kentucky, I have to regret that so much re-
mains to be done for the habits of the people, and to feel frokn
my soul the most sincere sorrow, that men who can form a
theoretic constitution, in which it is declared, that " men when
they form a social compact arc equal ; that no man or set of
men are entitled to exclusive, separate public emoluments or
privileges from the community, but in consideratbn of public
services ; that all men have a natural and indefeasible right to
worship God according to the dictates of their consciences ;" I
cannot, I say, but feel sorrow that men who can in theory lay
down such principles, can in their practice continue, and even
boast of the most demoralixing habits, treat their fellow crea-
tures like brute beasts, and buy and sell human beings like
cattle at a fair.^

Chief Towns. — Lexington is the seat of justice of Fayette
county, and is situated in the heart of a most beautiful country,
OH a branch of Eikhorn river. It is one of the earliest settle-

VIEW OF THE

ments in the western country, and it coeval with the battle ot'
Lexington, the news ut' which having reached the early Rettlen,
they conferred on it the present name. It has since fluurished
in a wonderful degree, and now contains 43^27 inhaUitants.
By the census of liSOO, it contained 2400, so that it has nearly
doubled its population in 10 years; and as it is increasing in
manufactures and wp".l'.Ii, and liic adjoining country rupidly
settling up, there is every probability that it will increase in
the same ratio for a considerable tinie to come. Lexington
has a very neat court-house, market-house, jail, four churches,
and a Ijank. There is a very excellent seminary of learning,
under the management of special trustees, which is supported
by about 70,000 acres of land ; and there is a public Tihrary,
a valuable establishment, with a youth^s library attached to it.
Three newspapers are published in the town, and papers are
received by mail from all quarters of the union. There are a
number of valuable manufactories ; and a steam-mill was re-
cently put in motion, which is of great advantage to the town
and neighbourhood. There are four principal taverns, all
under good management, and there are about 30 retail stores,
and two book-stores.

The principal manufactures of Lexington are of hemp, to
which the labour of the black people is well adapted, and of
which the country yields amazing cropsj at the low price of
four dollars per cwt. ; being at the rate of 18/. sterling per
ton. There are thirteen extensive rope-walks, Bve bagging
manufiictories, and one of duck. The manufactures of hemp
alone are estimated at 500,000 dollars. The other principal
manufactories are, eight cotton factories, three woollen manu-
factories, and an oil-cloth factory. The other professions are,
masons and stone-cutters, brick-makers, carpenters, cabinet-
makers, coopers, turners, machine-makers, smiths, nailors,
copper and tin-smitlis, brass-founders, gun-smiths, silver-
smiths, wntch-makers, tanners, curriers, saddlers, boot and
shoe-makers, butchers, bakers, brewers, distillers, stocking-
makers, dyers, tailors, tobacconists, soap-boilers, candle-mak-
ers, brushrmakere, potters, painters, confectioners, glovers and
breeches-makers, straw-bonnet-makers, and hatters. As tli'u'

plaee

workn

trious

•Tl
steam
acde:
the ma
as in i
stock
00,000
monthi
Englan
journey
them tl
house a
and att4
shipmen
commiss
from sis
specified
Shopkee
over-don
mark wl
error in
ti'adesmc
by bad <
opinion t
succeed,
employet
*Thei
and some
leans, Ba
The exp
contains
spectable
also just
beyond a

UNITED STATES.

battle ot'
^ nettlerii,
ioiuished
tiabitanis.
las nearly
reasing in
ry rapidly
increase in
Lexington
r churches,
f learning,
. supported
ilic Rhrary,
ached to it.
papers are
rhere are a
mill was re-
to the town
taverns, all
retail stores,

l^aee it nqpidly increasing, manuActures are ao of ooune;
workmen are mostly always )n demand, the more so as indui-
trious journeymen very soon become masters.

*The woollen manufactory,^ says a recent traveller, *th»
steam grist-mill, and a glass-house, are on a tolerably large
scale : the two former are said not to pay the proprietors. In
the main street, English goods abound in as great pr^usion
as in CheapHde. A first-rate shop sells every thing; keeps a
stock of from SO to 90,000 dollars ; annual returns may be
00,000 ddlars, upon half of which they give from 6 to 18
months^ credit. Some of their goods they import direct from
England, but more commonly purdiase at Philadelphia ; their
journey for which purpose, to and from that city, occupies
them three months : goods average 50 days in arriving. A
house at Pittsburg advances money in payment of carriage,
and attends to the receipt of the goods by waggon and their
shipment by boats, for wluch the dealer here pays 5 per cent,
commission. The credit which they receive at Philadelphia is
from six to seven months; but they can seldom pay at the
specified time, and are then charged 7 per cent, interest.
Shopkeeping has been very profitable, but it certunly is i.ow
over-done : all complain that trade is extremely dull. I re*
mark what appears to me an universal and most important
error in all the 8tores,-~too large a stock: by this means,
ti'adesmen, in every country, are exposed to lose as much as
by bad debts. Some of the best-informed inhabitants are of
opinion that cotton, woollen, linen, and stocking-making would
succeed, if large capital, with competent and varied skill, wei^
employed ; but in these opinions I place little confidence.

' The imports are, nearly every description of English goods,
and some French and India : these are received via New Or-
leans, Baltimore, or Philadelphia ; chiefly the two latter c'ti ^.
The exports are flour, beef, pork, and butter. The town
contains two chartered banks and one unchartered, all in re-
spectable credit ; a branch of *' The United States^ Bank^ is
also just established there; the paper money system has gone
beyond all bounds throughout the we!<tern country. Specie

2 G

VIlWOPTHfi

of the smallest amount is rafely to be seen, and the little which
does exist is chiefly cut Spanish dollars, which are divided into
bits of 50,- 25, and U^ cents. Notes of S\d., 6^<2., ISd., and
Sf. 2c/. are very common ; indeed they omstitute an important
part of the circulating medium.*

* The town is built upon the model of Philadelphia ; and
should it ever become as large, which I think not improbable,
its whole appearance will be more pleasing. There are five
churches belonging to methodists, episcopalians, presbyterians,
quakers, and baptists : two others, large in mze and handsome
in appearance, are now erecting. The school-house, when the
whole plan is completed, will be a fine and extensive structure.
In the first apartment, on the ground-floor, the Lancasterian
plan is already in successful operation : I counted 150 scholarsj
among whom were children of the most respectable persons in
the town ; or, to use an American phrase, "of the first stand-
ing.^ The school-house is, like most establishments in this
country, a joint stock concern. The terms for education, in
the Lancasterian department, are, to share-holders, 11«. 3d.
I^r quarter ; others, 13«. 6d. There are in the same building
three other departments (not Lancasterian) ; two for instruc-
tion in history, geography, and the classics ; and the superior
department for teaching languages. Males and females are
taught in the same rooms, but sit on opposite sides. The
terms for the historical, &c. department are, to share-holders,
32». 6d. per quarter; others, 27*. There were present 21
males and 19 females. In the department of languages, the
charge is, to share-holders, 36«. per quarter; others, 45^.
Teachers are paid a yearly salary by the company: these
men are, I beUeve, New Englanders, as are the schoolmasters
in the western country generally.

*I also visited a fKwr half-starved, dvil schoolmaster: he
has two miserable rooms, for which he pays 22*. 6d. per
month : the number of scholars, both male and female, is 28 :
the terms for all branches 13*. 6d. per quarter : he complains
of great difficulty in getting paid ; and also of the untameable
insubordination of hit scholars. The superintendant of the

UNITED STATES.

Lancasteriiu) school informs me, that they could hoi attempt
to put in practice the greater part of the punishments as di-
rected bv the founder of that svstotn.*

Siuce part of the works were published, from which the above
account is extracted, the population of this place has greatly iti-
creased, and at present amounts' to about 10,000. But this
rapid advance cannot continue, as property is as high here as
in Philadelphia, and all occupations are filled. The future
progress of this town, though certain, must be gradual.

The country for £0 miles round Lexington b remarkably
beautiful and fertile, and will probably become very populous.
LouisifUle is situated opposite the falls of the Ohio, on an
elevation of 70 feet above the river, and extends along it from
'Bear Grass creek nearly half a mile. Its breadth is about half
that distance. It is regularly laid out, with streets crossing
oiie another at right angles; but the principal buildings are
confined to one street. It consists of about 350 houses, many
of them liandsom^ brick buildings. Being a place of great
resort on the river, it has an ample number of taverns and
stores. Except the manufacture of ropes, rope-yam, and cot-
ton-bagging, which are carried on \rith spirit, there are no
other manufactures of importance at Louisville, and the trades-
men are such as are calculated for the country. The price of
labour here is nearly the same as at Cincinnati. Some articles
of provision are dearer, this being a more convenient port for
shipping than any above it Flour sells for 5 dollars 50 cents
per barrel ; meal 50 cents per cwt. Boarding is firom 1 dollar
25 cents to 2 dollars per week. Louisville, being the princi-
pal port of the western part of the state of Kentucky, is a
market for the purchase of all kinds of produce, and the quan-
tity that is annually shipped down the river is immense.

* As to the state of society,^ observes Melish, * I cannot sf^
much. The place is composed of people from all quarters,
who are principally engaged in commerce ; and l great num-
ber of the traders on the Ohio are constantiy at this place,
whose example will be nothing in favour of the young ; and
slavery is against society every where. There are several

VIEW OF THE

fid^ools, but none of them are under public patronage ; and
education seems to be but indifierently attended to. Upon the
whole, I must say, that the state of public morals admits of
•onnderable improvement here ; but indeed I saw Louisville
fUt a season when a number of the most respectable ^people
were out of the place. Those with whom I had business were
gentlemen, and I hope there are a sufficient number of them
to check the progress of gaming and drinking, and to teach
the young and the thoughtless, that mankind, without virtue
■and industry, cannot be happy .^

This town is favourably situated, for trade, being the con-
necting link between New Orleans and the whole western
country. It must soon take the lead of Lexington in extent
of population, as it has already done in the rapid rise of town
property, the increase of which since the year 1814 is said to
have been 200 per cent. The population of this town is from
4 to 5000. 66od brick buildings are fast increasing. One of
the hotels (Gwathway^s) is said to be rented at 6000 dollars
per annum : from 150 to 200 persons dine at this establish-
ment daily. About every tenth house in the main street is a
doctor^s: yet this place is said to be improving in health.
The prevalent diseases are fever and ague : besides which, the
common disorders of this state are, consumption, pleurisy,
typhus, remittent and intermittent fevers, rheumatism, and
dysentery.

Besides these towns, there are seven containing 400 inhabit-
ants and upwards, viz. Beardstown, 821 ; Winchester, 538 ;
Russelville, 532; Greorgetown, 529; Versailles, 488; Dan-
ville, 432 ; Newport, 413 : there are ten containing from 200
to 400 ; and thirteen containing from 100 to 200.

Trade and Resources. — The trade of this state has become
of some importance. In 1816, there were shipped 30,000
hogsheads of tobacco, 80,000 barrels of flout, and aboi a
million gallons of whiskey. The export of cordage, yarn, and
bagging, has materially decreased in consequence of European
competition. There is a class of tradesmen who purchase
agricultural produce, and then convey it to Orleans.

UNITED STATES.

997

i; and
)onthe
mitsof
uisville
people
8s were
f them
» teach
it virtue

the con-
western
n extent
of town
is said to
1 is from
One of
10 dollars
establish-
itreet is a
n health,
rhich, the
pleurisy,
ism, and

inhabit-
fr, 638;

; Dan-
^romSOO

become
30,000

aboi a
^am, and

European
Ipurchasc

The value of houses, lands, and slaves, in 1815, w^ esti-
mated at 87,018,837 dollars, the land being valued at 4 dol-
lars per acre.

Edtscation.'-The le^lature of Virginia made provision for
a coil^^ in Kentucky, and endowed it with very considerable
landed property. The state of education is improving. The
terms are various : the best is 45/. per annum, including board.
Schoolmasters of talent and respectability are in demand in
Kentucky. Instances exist of their realising from 700 to 1400
dollars per annum.

Religion. — The baptists are the most numerous sect in this
state. There are also several presbyterian congregations, and
some few of other denominations. But rational religion is at a
very low ebb among the Kentuckians.

Government. — This state is divided into 54 counties. The
government consists of three parts ; le^slative, executive, and
judiciary. The legislature consists of a house of representa-
tives, the members of which are chosen annually ; and a se-
nate, of which the members are elected for four years, one
fourth being chosen every year. Every /"ree male above 81
years of age has a vote for the representatives, and also for the
governor, who is elected for four years, and is ineligible to fill
that office for seven years thereafter. The judiciary is vested
in a supreme court, and such inferior courts as may be ap-
pointed by law, and the judges hold their offices during good
behaviour. The constitution declares, among others, the fol-
lowing fundamental principles: all power is inherent in the
people ; all men have a right to worship Grod according to the
dictates of their own consciences; all elections shall be free
and equal ; trial by jury shall be held sacred ; printing presses
shall be free.

History. — The first white man we have certain accounts of,
who discovered this province, was one James M*Bride, who in
company with some others, in the year 1754, passing down the
Ohio in canoes, landed at the mouth of Kentucky river, and
there marked a tree, with the first letters of his name, and the
date, which rem': ns to thb day. These men reconnoitered
the country, anf^ yvturned home with the pleasing news oi their

VIEW OP tHfe

discovery of the best tract of land in North Aiherica, aff^ pro-
bably in the world. From this period it rem&ined concealed
till about the year 1767, when one John Finley add some
others, trading with the Indians, travelled over the fertile re-
gion now called Kentucky, then but known to the Indhins by
the name of the Dark and Bloody Grounds, and sometimes
the Middle Ground. This cquntry greatly engaged Mr. Fin-
ley^s attention. Some time after, disputes arising between the
Indians and traders, he was obliged to decamp; and returned
to his place of residence in North Carolina, where he commu-
nioited his discovery to colonel Daniel Boon and a iew more,
who conceiving it to be an interesting object, agreed in the
year 1769 to undertake to explore it. After a long fatiguing
march, over a mountainous wilderness, in a westward direction,
they at length arrived upon its borders ; and from the top of
an eminence^ with joy and wonder, descried the beautiful
landscape of Kentucky. Here they encamped, and some went
to hunt provisior*}, while colonel Boon and John Finley made
a tour through the country, which they found far exceeding
their expectations, and returning to camp, informed their com-
panions of thdr discoveries. But in spite of this promising
beginning, this company, meeting with nothing but hardships
and adversity, grew exceedingly disheartened, and was plun-
dered, dispersed, and killed by the Indians, except colonel
Boon, who continued an inhabitant of the wilderness until the
vcar 1771, when he returned home.

About this time, Kentucky had drawn the attention of se-
veral gentlemen. Dr. Wftlker of Virginia, with a number
more, made a tour westward for discoveries, endeavouring to
find the Ohio river ; and afterwards he and general Lewis, at
fort Stanwix, purchased from the Five Nations of Indians the
lands lying on the north side of Kentucky.

Colonel Henderson, of North Carolina, being informed of
this country by colonel Boon, he and some other gentlemen
held a treaty with the Cherokee Indians at Wataga, in March,
1775, and then purchased fVom them the lands lying on the
south side of Kentucky river, for goods, at valuable rates, to
the amount of 6000/. specie.

Soon I

alaim, ai

a private

However,

having be

to Virgin]

(^lancl at

acres; am

quantity ii

Inl79C

into a sepa

was reviset

into the un

sentatives t

in consequc

Situation au

and 36 deg.

'"»g. Its gi

greatest hrea

tains 49,000

Batumi G

versified. Tc

nearly 300 ni

principal of w

receive the gr«

>»und8 are so

tape Hatteraa

cape Fear. 1

''mm

UNITED STATES.

tl pro-
cealed
[ some
tile re-
mans by
letimes
[r. Fin-
eeti the
Bturned
w>minu-
w more,
I in the
atiguing
lirection,
\c top of
beautiful
oine "went
ley made
exceeding
Lheir com-
promising
hardships
svas phm-
it colonel
until the

Soon after this purchase, the state of Virgidia took the
alai'm, and disputed colonel Henderson^s right of purchase, as
a private gentleman of another state, in behalf of himself.
However, for his eminent services to this country, and for
having been instrumental in making so valuable an acquisitiqn
to Virginia, that state was pleased to reward him with a tract
(^ land at tlie mouth of Green river, to the amount of S00,000
acres ; and the state of Nortli Carolina gave him the like
quantity in PowePs valley.

In 1790, Kentucky, was, with consent of Virginia, formed
into a separate state, and adopted u state constitution, which
was revised and amended in 1799. The state was admitted
into the union in 179^, and sends two senators and six repre*
sentatives to congress : the latter are now to be nearly doubled,
in consequence of the increase of {population.

NORTH CAROLINA. ,

Situatim and Extent. ]^ORTH CAROLINA is situated

between north lat. 33 deg. 4>7 min.
and 36 deg. 30 min., and 1 deg. east and 6 deg. 45 min. west
long. Its gret^test length, from east to west, is 472, and its
greatest breadth, from north to south, is 188 miles. It con-
tains 49,000 square miles, 31,360,000 acres.

Natural Geography. — The face of the country is much di-
versified. To the east and south-east, there is a sea coast of
nearly 300 miles, indented with a great number of bays, the
principal of which are Albemarle and Pamlicoe sounds, which
receive the greater part of the rivers. On the outside of these
sounds are some of the most remarkable c^pes in America,
cape Hatteras, and cape Lookout, and to the southward is
cape Fear. The whole country below the head of tide water.

*»

VIEW OF nate

lAout 100 milet into the interior, is low and sandy, alwunding
in swamps, and presents an evident a{qpearance of having been
at bne period overflowed by the sea. The country from the
bead of the tide waters, towards the mOuntuns, is agreeably
uneven, and much improved in value. Among the mountains
it is exactly similar to the state of Virginia ; but being a few
degrees to the south, the value of the country is improved, and
the seasons in that district are delightful.

The state is, upon the whole, well watered. The rivers fall
into the Atlantic ocean, and have been all noticed. It is ^up<
posed that the state is well supplied with valuable minerals,
particularly in the mountainous district. Iron ore is very
plentiful, and gold has been found in considerable quantities.
There are various mineral springs.

The soil of North Carolina is very similar to that of Virgi-
nia. The low part of the state, which is a considerable portion
of it, is low, sandy, and barren, abounding in pine trees ; and
the swamps, which are very large, produce cedars and bay
trees. There are, in this district, good tracts of meadow land
along the rivers, which are well cultivated, and produce abun-
dantly. From the head of the tide waters to the mountains,
the soil improves, and is very various. The mountainous dis-
trict is very similar to that in Virginia.

The climate in the low country is subject to great and sud-
den changes, and is often unhealthy in the fiill. Generally,
die winters are mild, but v^ changeable. The spring is
early, but subject to occasional frosts. The summers are hot
and sultry, and the autumns are serene and beautiful ; but the
exhalations from the decaying vegetable matter in the marshes
and swamps are very injurious to health. In the upper coun-
try, the weather is more settled, and, being free from swamps,
is healthy. Among the mountains, the climate is remarkably
pleasant.

The country is generally covered with herbage of various
kinds, and a species of wild grass. It JEibounds with medicinal
plants and roots. Among others are the ginseng, Vir^nia
snake root, Seneca snake root, an herb of the emetic kind, like
the ipecacuanha ; litmus heart, which is a sovereign remedy for

^bit(
found Y
ihk froa
again in
turn am
the alari
two min
situation
rich boi
green all
They ai
which th
Popul
amoi'.ute<
a square
Manm
Virginia,
and their
vices that
try are nc
usually a
Sunday is
bitants, ai
except in
course wit
bloom am
Time t
every cou
cises, accc
parties,
employed,
dice, in co
are filled
quently \n
The dg
called goh
weaned wi
it is called
11

UNITED STATES.

tlie bite of a serpent A species of the sensidve plant is also
found here : it is a sort of brier, the stalk of which dies with
th^ frost, but the root lives through the winter, and shoots
i^n in the spring. The lightest touch of a leaf causes it to
turn and cling close to the stalk. Although it so easily takes
the alarm, and apparently shrinks from danger, in the space of
two minutes afler it is touched, it perfectly recovers its former
situation. The mucipula veneris is also found here. The
rich bottoms are overgrown with canes. Their leaves ar«
green all the winter, and a£Pord an excellent food for cattle.
They are of a sweetish taste, tike the stalks of green oom«
which they in many respects resemble.

Population, — The number of inhabitants in this state
amoiViited in 1817 to 701,284, which is about 14^ persons to
a square mile.

Manners^ Sgc. — The state <^ society is somewhat similar to
Vir^nia. The inhabitants are mostly fanners and planters,
and theu: frankness and hosjHtality are mixed up with all the
vices that distinguish slave masters. Temperance and indus-
try are not to be reckoned among their virtues. Their time is
usually consumed in drinking, idling, and gaming. Even the
Sunday is devoted to the convivial visitings of the white inha-
bitants, and the noisy diversions of the negroes. The women,
except in some of the populous towns, have very little inter-
course with each other, and are almost entirely destitute of the
bloom and vivacity of the north.

Time that is not employed in study or useful labour, in
every country, is generally spent in hurtful or innocent exer-
cises, according to the custom of the place, or the taste of the
parties. The citizens of North Carolina, who are not better
employed, spend their time in drinking, <»> gaming at cards or
dice, in cock-fighting, or hcwse-racing. Many of the interludes
are filled up with a boxing match; and tl.ese ..-^ttches fre-
quently become memorable by feats oigotiging.

The dulicate and enUrtaming dvoersum^ with propriety

called gouginffy is thus performed. When two bowers are

weaned with fighting and bruisii^ each other, they come, as

it is called, to ckm quarters, and each endeavours to twist his

11 8 H

sue

VIEW OP THE

fore>fingers in the ear-locks of his antagonist. When these
.are fast clenched, the tliumbs are extended each way to the
nose, and the eyes gently turned out of their sockets. The
victor, for his expertness, receives shouts of applause from the
»porUve throng ; while his poor eyekas antagonist is laughed
at for his misfortune.

* The general topics of conversation among the mien,* says
an American, * when cards, the bottle, and occurrences of the
day do not intervene, are n^jroes, the prices of indigo, rice,
tobacco, &c. Tliey appear to have as little taste for the sci-
ences as for rel^on. Political enquiries, and philosophical
disquisitions, are attended to but by a few men of genius and
industry, and are too laborious for the indolent minds of the
people at large. Less attention and respect are paid to the
women here, than in those parts of. the United States where
the inhabitants have made greater progress in the arts of civi-
lized life. Indeed, it is a truth, confirmed by observation,
that in proportion to the advancement of civilization, in the
same proportion will respect for the women be increased ; so
that the progress of civilization in countries, in states, in towns,
and in families, may be marked by the degree of attention
which is paid by husbands to their wives, and by the young
men to the young women.*

Chief Towns.— Netobem is situated at the confluence of the
Nuse and Trent rivers, on a level point of land, somewhat i^e-
sembling Charleston, South Carolina ; and it carries on a con-
siderable trade with other places in the state, <and the West
Indies. The populaUmi is about 4000, of whom above one
half are slaves.

WilmingUm is the most commercial town in the state. It is
situated at the junction of the two branches of cape Fear river,
35 miles from the sea ; and, being the place of dep6t' for a
large back country, it carries on a considerable trade, foreign
and domestic. The town contains about SOOO inhabitants.
The houses are mostly built of wood, and the town has suffer-
ed severely from fire at various times.

Edentwif on Albemarle sound, is one of the oldest towns in
the «tate,«'and wiem ibrmerly the seat of the royal governors.

UNITED STATES.

948

theMr

to the

The

»m the

iighed

; says
of the
), rice,
thesci-
ophical
iusand
I of the
\ to the
s where
of civi-
rvation,
I, in the
ised; so

towns,
attention

young

ItowoB in
Lvemors.

It ii favourably situated for tracle, but is loir aiid unhealthy*
It contains about ^50 inhabitants.

The other towns of most note are, Washington, Tarbo*
rough, isnd HUMorough, on the Tar river ; Hali/ttx, on the
Roanoke ; Salem, on the Yadkin ; Morgantotcn, on the Ca-
tawba; and Bau^brd, near cape Lookput. The population
of these places is from about SOO to 700 ; and there are many
villages containing fhrni 100 to 300.

The roads and bridges are yet in an imperfect state, and
much remains to be done to make travelling comfortable.

J^ade and Resowcet.-^The inhabitants produce on their
farms every necessary of life. The principal commodities for
sale are, tar, turpentine, pitch, roun, timber, bees^ wax, com,
cotton, and tobacco. Almost every family in the country
manufacture their own clothing, so that the British trade to
this state is not great, nor important. The greater part of it
is carried on through the medium of Charleston, or the north-
em states.

The value of houses, lands, and slaves in this state, in 1815,
amounted to 93,7S3,031 dollars, the land beiiig estimated at
two dollars and a half per acre. The duties oh merdiandise
were 357,804 dollars. Th»e were, at the same time, S5,85i6
tons empbyed in foreign trade, and 8S84 in the coasting trade.
Eckication.i-^The North CaroKnians are in general so much
absorbed in dissipated pursuits, that the improvement of thdr
minds is usually neglected. Considerable efforts have^ how-
ever, been made to {dace education on a respectable footing. A
university has been founded, and endowed by the state ; and
there are sc vend respectable aoadianies. But the most import-
ant brar ju, that whi^ has for its object the genered diffusion of
knowledge, has been neglected until of late. In 1808, how.*
eveis an act passed the legislature to establish common schools
throughout the state, which, if followed up, will produce good
effects.

Af/ijgvon.— Previous to the revolution, most of the inhabit-
ants of this state professed themselves of the episcopal church ;
but when the clergy emigrated in consequence of their attadi- ti.
meut to £ng)«nd» the people never thought it necessary to

'Is?'*'

VIEW OP THE

ham their p1ao«t filled up. There ift now ytry little efifictr-
fence of religion existing. The baptists «nd BMlhodists have
indeed sent a number of missionary preachers into various
districts, and in some instances they have been tolerably suo>
<;essful. The Moravians have several flourishing settUrments
in this state, Jiad a number of Irish presbyterians have settled
in the Vtestem parts.

Government. — The legidative authority is vested in a senate
and bouse of commons, together styled the General Assembly,
and chosen annually. Senators must be possessed of 800
acres of land ; representatives of 100. The electors of sena-
tors most be possessed of 50 acres of land ; and of representa-
tives a freehold in some town. The executive is vested in a
governor, deoted by the general assembly, and he is not eligi-
ble to serve more than three years in six. He is assisted by a
council of state, consisting of seven persons, elected by the as-
sembly annually. The judiciary consists of a supreme court,
a court of equity, and a court of admiralty. The judges are
appointed by tbfi assembly. This state is divided into eight
districts and 60 counties. '

Hiatory. — The liistory of North Carolina is less known than
that of any of the other states. The first permanent settle-
ment was made about the year 1710, by a number of Palatines
from Gemuu^, who had been reduced to cireumstanoes of
great indigence by a calamitoiu war. The fwoprietors of Ca-
raiina» knowing that the vahie of their lands depended on the
strength of their settlements, determined to give every possible
encouragenn^nt to such emigrants. Ships were accordingly
provided for their transportation ; and instructions were g^ven
I to governor Tynte to allow 100 acres of land for every man,
woman, and child, free of quit-rents for the first ten years ;
but at the expiration f^ that term, to pay one penny per 'acre,
annual rent for ever, according to the usages and customs of
the province. Upon their arrival, governor Tynte granted
them a tcact of land in North Carolina, since called Albemarle
and Bath precincts, where they settled, and flattered themselves
with having found, in the hideous wilderness, a happy retreat
from the desolations of a war which then raged in Europe.

In the
the Core
expel thi
with grea
their prin
lies. He
From this
different r
friendship
agreed to
When the
demanding
murdering
tinction.
were a Swi
lately com(
Such was I
dition, tha
tite barbar
ever, escat
arms, and
disaster re
Craven loc
assembly v
600miUtia
Indians of
ed with gr«
assistance,
killed 300,
Tuacororai
after surrei
After th
nued to flo
lina, till a
their prope
was erectei
Carolina,
George II.

UNITED STATES.

In the ytar 1713, a dangerous conspiracy was formed by
the Corec and Tuscorora tribes of Indians, to murder and
expel this infant colony. Tliey managed their conspiracy
with great cunning and profound secresy. They surrounded
their principal town with a brenst.work, to sivure their fami*
lies. Here the warriors convened to the number of 1900.
From this place of rendezvous they sent out small parties, by
different roads, who entered the settlement under the mask of
friendship. At the change of the full m(M)n, all of them had
agreed to begin their murderous operations the same night
When the night came, they entered the houses of the planters,
demanding provisions, and pretending to be ofionded, fell to
murdering men, women, and children without mercy or dis-
tinction. One hundred and thirty-seven settlers, among whom
were a Swiss baron, apd almost all the poor Palatines that had
lately come into the country, were slaughtered the first night.
Such was the secresy and dispatch of the Indians in this expe-
dition, that none knew what had befallen his neighlwur until
tlie barbarians had reached his own door. Some few, how*
ever, escaped, and gave the alarm. The militia assembled in
arms, and kept watch day and night, until the news of the sad
disaster reached the provitKe of South Carolina. Governor
Craven kiet no time in sending a force to their relief. The
assembly voted 4000/. for the service of the war. A body of
600 niiUtia, under the command of colonel Barnwell, and 866
Indians of different tribes, with different commanders, march-
ed with great expedition through a hideous wilderness to their
assistance. In their first encounter with the Indians, they
killed 300, and took 100 prisoners. Afler this defeat, the
Tuscororas retreated to their fortified town, which was shortly
after surrendered to colonel Barnwell.

After this, the infant colony remained in peace, and cohtl>
nued to flourish under the general government of South Caro-
lina, till about the year 1729, when the proprietors vested
their property and jurisdiction in the crown, and the colony
was erected into a separate province, by the name of North
Carolina, and its present limits established, by an order of
George II. In 1785, the inhabitants of the counties <^ SulU-

846

VIEW OF THE

van, Washington, and Greunc, erected themselves into a nev
state, by tlie name of the New State ^FrenMin ; biit, after
many warm disputes, which lasted nearly three years, their
pretensions to independence were relinquished. North Caro-
lina was greatly distinguislied for spirit, activity, and bravery,
during the revolutionary war.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

Situation arid Extent. ^HIS state is utnated between north

lat. 32 deg. 6 min. and 36 deg.,
and west long. 1 deg. 30 min. and 6 deg. S5 min. Its extreme
length from saat to west is 236, and breadth from north to
south SIO miles; and it is computed to contidn an area of
33,700 square miles, being i20,9S8,000 acres.

Natural Geography. — South Carolina has a sea coast on the
Atlantic, extending nearly SOO miles, to which all its rivers
flow. The angle of the coast \u from north-east to south-west ;
and nearly parallel with this, at about 190 miles from the
coast, the first high land commences. The whole of the inter.*
mediate space is nearly a continued level, the angle of ascent
being so trifling, that the rise at the extremity does not exceed
15 or SO feet. From the commencement of the high lands the
face of the country is variegated, and agreeably uneven, swell-
ing sometimes into considerable hills ; and this continues to the
north-west extremity of the state, where it is bounded by the
mountainK.

The stale is remarkably well watered. The Savannah river
forms the boundary line between it and Georgia, through its
whole coin-se. This river has been noticed; besides which
there are —

Santet)
two very h
terior of th
in an east
Atlantic oc
rises at the
is dcnomim
is joined
with the
Tho (,'ong(
of tlie Cat
miles, whet
50 miles ; i
the junctioi
na, it receiv
are large ri'
ri\'ers.

TImj Grc
tee, the lar^
among the i
kin river.
afl:er being
Little Pede<
sea, IS mile
of 300 milei
is navigable
vessels 100
Its banks a
very unheal

Cooper ai
ton. Coopc
Charleston,
nine miles t
from whenct
t(» the north,
portance froi
b<»m- of that

UNITED STATES.

oanew
It, after
tn, their
th Caro-
bravery,

een north
35 deg.,
B extreme
I north to
1 area of

ast on the

its rivers

ath-west ;

-rom the

the inter-^

of ascent

ot exceed

ands the

n, swell-

iies to the

id by the

Santee^ the largest river in South Carolina, is formed by
two very large streams, the Congeree and Wateree, in tlie in-
terior of the country. Thence running upwards of lOQ miles,
in an east-south-east direction, it divides, and falls into the
Atlantic ocean by two channels not far apart. The Wateree
rises at the foot of the mountains in North Carolina, where it
is denominated the Catawba, and, puri^uing a south-east course,
is joined by many tributary Htreaius, and forms a juncUoii
with the Congeree, upwards of 200 aiiles from its source.
Thu Congeree rises alno in North Carolina, within a few milos
of the Catawba, and pursues a south-cast course about 70
miles, when it crosses the state line, and runs due south about
.50 miles; it then runs soutli^cast alMUt 130 miles, and forms
the junction aforesaid. In its passage through South Caroli-
na, it receives a great many tributary streams, some of which
are large rivers, particuiurly the Tyger, Enneree, and Reedy
rivers.

Tl)c Great Pedee is a fine flowing river ; next to the San-
tce, the largest in South Carolina. It rises in North Carolina
among the mountains, and has in that state the name of Yad-
kin river. From thence it continues a south-east course, and
after being joined by large tributary streams, particularly
Little Pedee, Lyncfa's creek, and Black river, it falls into the
sea, IS miles below Georgetown. Its whole length is upwards
of 300 miles, and it waters an extensive tract of country. It
is navigable for sea vessels to Georgetown, and for smaller
vessels 100 miles higher up. It flows with a strong ^rrent.
Its banks are said to be fertile; but in the low country are
very unhealthy.

Cooper and Ashley river, which form a junction at Charles-
tun. Cooper river rises about 50 miles north-north-west of
Charleston, not far from the Santee river. It is a mile wide,
nine miles above Charleston, and is navigable to its source,
from whence there is a canal to the Santee. Ashley river rises
t(» tht! north-west of Charleston, and derives its principal im-
purtanue from the circumstance of its forming part of the har-
bimr of that city.

248

VIEW OF THE

= I, -

Edisto river rises near the extremity of the low countty, and
runs a south-east course, including its windings, of 150 miles,
when it enters into the Atlantic, by two principal channels,
called north and south Edisto. The space between them
forms the Edisto island.

Cambnhee river rises near Edgefield court-house, and run-
ning a south-east direction, upwards of 130 miles, falls into St.
Helena sound.

Coosaw river rises in Orangeburg district, and running a
south-east course, through Black swamp; falls into Broad river,
which last is an arm of the sea, in some places seven or eight
miles broad, and forms, at Beaufort, one of the Hnest harbours
in the United States. Beaufort and St. Helena islands are
formed by the confluence of these rivers and inlets ; and there
is a spacious entrance by Port Republican, formerly termed
Port Roya).

The whole of the low country presents an even regular soil,
formed by a blackish sand, and pretty deep in those places
where there are no stones. Seven tenths of it is covered with
pines of one species, which, as the soil is drier and lighter,
grow loftier an?^ not so branchy. In some places they are in-
terspersed with oaks. The pine barrens are crossed by little
swamps, in the midst of which generally flows a rivulet ; and
they have different degrees of fertility, indicated by the trees
that grow on them. In the upper country, the most fertile
lands are situated upon the borders of the rivers and creeks ;
the lai^s that occupy the intermediate spaces are much less
fertile. The latter are not much cultivated; and those who
occupy them are obliged to be perpetually clearing them to
obtain more abundant harvests. The forestt^ are chiefly com-
posed of oaks, hickory, maples, and poplars. Chesnut-trees do
not begin to appear for 60 miles on this side of the mountuns.
Michaux, who travelled through this country in 1803, says,
'Columbia is about ISO miles from Charleston. For Jae
whole of this space, particularly from Orangeburg, composed
of 20 houses, the road crosses an even country, sandy and dry
during the summer ; whilst in the autumn and winter it is su

^overc

ten mi

or thi\

road, i

•talks c

and wl]

four or

ing its I

acre.'

The

abound

English

Chariest

except a

savannal

siderable

are. cut ti

southern

forest. .

middle s^

and habi

if hedges

very mm

•The

for 80n]

most imp

is said to

forms the

state. T

little or 1

the groui

This is pi

the custoi

hasten eai

shrubs, w

derwood

frequentli

uni-Ad states.

S49

covered with water in several places, for the space of eight or
ten miles, that the horses are up to their middles. Every two
or three miles we met with a miserable log-house upon the
road, surrounded with little fields of Indian corn, the slender
stalks of which aro very seldom more than five or six feet high,
and which, from the second harvest, do not yield more than
four or five bushels an acre. In the mean time, notwithstand-
ing its sterility, this land is sold at the rate of two dollars per
acre.^

The extenuve and dreary forests called pine barrens^ which
abound in thb state, are thus described by Mr. Lambert, an
English traveller : * On entering the road leading from-
Charleston to Savannah,* says he, * I never felt myself more
disposed for gloomy reflections. A habitation is seldom seen,
except at intervals of IQ or 12 miles, or when you approach a
savannah or swamp ; for the plantations are all settled a con-
»derable cUstance from the road, and paths of communicajj^s
are: cut through the woods ; so that, in travelling through the
southern states, you are enveloped in almost one continued
forest. A contrary practice is adopted in the northern and
middle states, where a succession of farms, meadows, gardens^
. and habitations, continually meet the eye of the traveller ; and
if hedges were substituted for rail fences, those states would
, very much resemble some of the English counties.

'The piub LatTens are without any stones on their surface,
for 80 miles or more from the sea. The land rises by an al-
most imperceptible ascent to that distance, where the elevation
is sud to be near 200 feet above the level of the ocean, and
forms the boundary between the middle and lower parts of the
state. Through this tract of country the pine burens have
little or no underwood, some species of shrub oak excepted,
the ground being generally covered with coarse wild glasses.
This is probably not its natural appearance, but is caused by
the custom of burning the dry grass in the spring, in order to
hasten early pasturage, at the same time destroying the young '
shrubs, which would otherwise shoot up and form a thick un-
derwood between the pines. From this practice, the forests
frequently exhibit on each side the road a dismal appearance,

2 I

sso

VIEW 0F\'HE

Irom the great number c^ trees half burnt and scorched and
blacked by the fire i others lying on the ground, or ready to
iMl with the first high wind ; and in several places it is rather
hazardous travelling in stormy weather. Almost every week
the driver of the stage coach has to cut away laige tlrunks or
branches that have fallen across the road; or, if there is an
opening sufficiently wide among the trees, he chooses rather to
go round than trouble himself to use his axe.

* The pines are chiefly of the pitch and yellow species, and
grow to the height of 100 feet and more, with a handsome
strught stem, two-thirds of which, upwards, are free from
branches. They make excellent masts and .timber for vesselsi,
and yield abundance of pitch, tar, rosin, and turpentine.
The stumps of several which have been cut down were covered
with the resuious matter that had been extracted from the top
by the heat of the sun. Where the soil improves, which is
flefietimes the case even in the midst of these barrens, the
eye is relieved from the monotonous solemnity of the lofty
pine, by a variety of other trees, consisting principally of live
oak- red, white, and chesnut oaks; hickory, elm, beech,
maple, &c. and numerous shrubs, plants, and flowers. In
several places, natural hedges are formed of the shrubs and
underwood that escape the ravages of fire ; these are intermin.
gled with a variety of flowers, among which the honeysuckles,
woodlnnes, and yeibw jessetoines are most conspicuous. When
I passed, they were in full blossom, and the flowers at once
pleased the eye, and impregnated the air with their ddightful
odours.

* As I proceeded on my journey, the pine trees, ichich have
their branches towards their summits, formed a complete grove
over my head, and almost excluded the sky from ray view :
in the morning this shady walk was extremely pleasant, but as
the day b^an to close I would willingly have preferred a less
gloomy retreat. Every st^ I took was still the same, and

W nothing disturbed the solemn silence of the forest,' save the
whistling murmurs of the wind, the skipping of a few deer
across the road, and the rustling of tho black snakes amid the
grass and fallen branches of the trees. Now and then, indeed.

UNITED STATES.

2S1

the crash' of an enormous pine tree tumbling to the earth would
ruffle the stillness which prevailed, and arouse me from a reve-
rie of thought into which I had fallen, as I pensively measured
my steps through the gloomy wilderness; but the c. 'uid, after
reverberating for a few seconds, died away in distant iiiL.rniurs
through the woods, and all was again silent."

The climate in the low country is materially different from
that in the upper country, the former l)eing much less conge>
nial to health than the latter. The sumnici's are exceedingly
hot and sultry, and the heat abates but little, except in the
evenings and mornings, till past the middle of October. From
the first of July to that period, the country is in m<iny places
subject to much sickness, particularly bilious fevers, agues, &c.
The fall weather is generally bewitiful, and continues till past
Christmas ; the average temperature is greater than an Eng-
lish summer. The winters are generally mild, and there is
very little frost, but the weather is sometimes subject .to gfeat
and sudden changes. The spring commences about the mid-
dle of February, and they have often green peas in the market
by the middle of March ; but the weather intermits very muck
till about the first of May, when it gets steadily warm, and
continues increasing with the season till September, when it
begins to abate. Almost every person who can afford it, re-
moves to a more healthy situation during this period, and a
vast number go to the northern states in summer, and return
in the fall. I'he period of going north is mostly from the
middle of May till the middle of July, and of returning, from
the middle r^ October till the middle of November. The
anxiety that prevails during that period is extreme ; and when
it is over, the inhabitants congratulate one another with the
full prospect of 10 or 11 months being added to theii exist*
e'.ice. In the upper country, the summers are much more
temperate, and being removed from the swamps, there is no
sickness. Towards ihe mountains, the climate is delightful.

The principal mineral is iron, which, indeed^ is found in
<;reat plenty in uU the states ; and gold, silver, and copper ores
have been fo'^nd here. Marble has been found in some few

ftSft

VIEW OP THE

places, and also black lead. There are several valuable mine-
ral springs in the state.

Population.— The population of this state in 1817 amounted
to 564,785, which is upwards of 17 persons to a square mile.

Manners, 6^c. — The character of the Carolinians has been
well described by a late traveller. He acknowledges that the
planters are hospitable, but always in want of money. * When
th»y receive cash in advance,^ says he, * for their crops of cot-
ton or rice, it is immediately squandered away in the luxuries
of fashion, good eating or drinking, or an excursion into the
northern states ; where, after dashing about for a month or
two, with tandems, curricles, livery servants, and outriders,
they frequently return home in the stoffe coach, with scarcely
dollars enough in their pocket to pay their expences on the
road. If their creditors of ten or a dozen years standing be-
come clamorous, a small sum is perhaps paid them in part,
unless the law interferes, and compels them to pay the whole
debt and as much for costs. Thus the planter proceeds in his
career of extravagance, which in the midst of his riches ren-
ders him continually poor. With an estate worth S00,000
dollars, he has seldom a dollar in his pocket but what is bor-
rowed upon an anticipated crop : hence it may be truly said,
that he lives only from hand to mouth.

'Unlike the farmer and merchant of the northern states,
who are themselves indefatigably employed from morning to
night, the Carolinian lolls at his ease under the shady piazza
before his house, smoking segars and drinking sangoree;
while his numerous slaves and overseers are cultivating a rice
swamp or cotton field with the sweat of their brow, the pro-
duce of which is to furnish their luxurious master with the
means of figuring away for a few mouths in the city, or an ex-
cursion to the northward. Property thus easily acquired is as
readily squandered away ; and the Carolinian, regarding only
the present moment for the enjoyment of his pleasures, runs
, into extravagance and debt.

'The -merchants, traders, and shopkeepers of Charleston
are obliged to lay a profit, frequently of 150 to 200 per cent.

^**i

luiGible nune-

17 amounted
quare mile,
ans hfis been
ges that the
By. * When
crops of cot-

the luxuries
rsion into the
• a month or
ad outriders,
with scarcely
jences on the

standing be-
hem in part,
)ay the whole
roceeds in his
lis riches ren-
orth 200,000
t what is bor-
be truly said,

thern states,
n morning to
shady piazza
ig sangoree;
ivating a rice
row, the pro-
ster with the
ity, or an ex-
icquired is as
jgarding only
jasures, runs

if Charleston
200 per cent.

UNITED STATES.

S68

and more, upon their goods, for the long credit which the gen-
try are accustomed to take. Where they meet with good pay-
ments, they seldom fail to realize an independent fortune, for
they sell nothing under 50 per '^'^nt., even for ready money:
but it oAen happens .that, fifter they retire from business, they
have a number of debts to collect in.^

*The Carolinians,^ observes our author, *are particularly
expert at rifle-shooting ; and articles, instead of being put up
at vendue, are often shot for, with rifles, at a small price each
shot, which is a more useful and honourable mode than the
practice of rafiling adopted in the lower country. This me-
thod of disposing of goods is worthy of imitation in England,
and would soon render the people excellent marksmen.

* In the southern states, the incomes of the planters and
farmers are various, ranging from 80,000 to 40 dollars. Very
few, however, receive incomes of the magnitude of the former
sum. Many receive from 12,000 to 20,000 dollars per an-
num ; but the majority of the planters are only in the annual
receipt of from 3000 to 6000 dollars.'

Like all other inhabitants of a warm climate, the Carolinians
arrive sooner at maturity than the natives of colder regions.
They possess great quickness and vivacity of genius ; but the
ladies are pale and languid, though the softness and delicacy
of their appearance and manners render them very engaging.

' There is perhaps no instance,' says Mr. Morse, ' in which
the richer class of people trespass more on propriety than in
the mode of conducting their Tuaerals. That a decent respect
be paid to the dead, is the natural dictate of refined humanity ;
but this is not done by sumptuous and expensive entertain-
ments, splendid decorations, and pompous ceremonies, which
a misguided fashion has here introduced and rendered neces-
sary. In Charleston and other parts of the state, no persons
attend a funeral any more than a wedding, unless they are
particularly invited. Wine, punch and all kinds of liquors,
tea, coffee, cake, &c. in profusion, are handed round on these
solemn occasions. In short, one wculd suppose that the reli-
gious proverb of the wise man, '* It is better to go to the houee
of mourning than to the house of feasting," would h<: unintel-

.#■;

95*

VIEW OF THE

ligiUe and wholly inapplicable here, as it would be difficult to
^c^guish the bouse of mounung from the house of feasting,
^f The Jews in Charleston, among other peculiarities in bu-
rying ^eir dead, have this : After the funeral dirge is sung,
and just before the corpse is deposited in the grave, the coffin
is opened, and a small bag of earth, taken from the grave, is
carefully put under the head of the deceased ; then some pow-
der, said to be earth brought from Jerusalem, and carefully
kept for this purpose, is taken and put upon the eyes of the
corpse, in token of their remembrance of the hcAy land, and of
their expectations of returning thither in God's appointed
tiras.'

Chief Towns.-— Charleston is built upon a level sandy soil,
and 7S elevated but a few feet above the height of qning tides.
The streets extend east and west between the Ashley and
Cooper nvpn ; and others intersect at right angles firom north
to south. From its open exposure to the ocean, it is subject
to stoitRs and inundations, which affect the security of its har-
bour. The city has also suffered much by fires : the last, in
l')^6, destroyed upwards of 500 houses, and occasioned
300,000Z. sterting damage.

The number of dweiling-houses, public buildings, and ware-
houses, &C. at present in Charleston, is estimated ?t 5000.
With the exception of Meeting street. Broad streel, an.'! the
Bay, the streets are in general narrow and confined. They
are all unpaved ; and in blowing weather whirlwinds of dust
and sand fill the houses, and blind the eyes of the people.
The foot paths are all constructed, of bricks ; but a few years
ago not even this convenience existed.

The houses in the streets near the water nde, including that
part of the town between lixtiw^ street and the street called
East Bay, are lofty and CL0s«ly built The bricks are of a
peculiar nature, being of a porous texture, and capable of re-
sisting the weather better than the firm, close, red brick of the
northern states. They are mnde in Carolina, and are of a dark
brown colour, which gives the buildings a gloomy appearance.
The roofs are tiled or slated. In this part of the town the
principal shopkeepers and merchants have their stores, ware-

UNITED STATES.

255

diificttlt to
»f feasting.
Lties in bu>
ge is sung,
, the coffin
le grave, is
1 some pcfw-
Bd carefully
eyes of the
land, and of
s appointed

»l sandy soil,
gpring tides.
Ashley and
88 fipom north
, it is subject
•ity of its har-
: the last, in
id occaaoned

houses, and counting-houses. Houses here bear a very high
rent: those in Broad and Church streets for shops, let for up-
wards of 300/. per annum; those along the Bay with ware>
houses let for 700/. and more, according to the size and situ*-
tion of the buildings. The shipping, as at New York, Ue
along the wharfs, or small docks and slips along the town.

The houses in Meeting street and the back parts of the tourn
are many of them handsomely built ; some of brick, others of
wood. They are in general lofty and extennve, and are sepa-
rated from each other by small houses or yards, in w)iich the
kitchens and out-offices are built. Almost every house is fur-
nished with balconies and verandas, some of which occupy the
whole side of the building from top to bottom, having a gal-
lery from each flocnr. They are sometimes shaded with Vene-
tian blinds, and afford the inhabitants a pleasant cool retreat
from the scorching beams of the sun. Most of the modem
houses are built with much taste and elegance ; but the chief
aim seems to be, to make them as cool as possible. The town
is also crowded with wooden buildings of a very inferior de-
scription.

Three of the public buildings, and the episcopal church of
St. Michael, are situated at the four corners formed by the
intersection of Broad and Meeting streets, the two principal
avenues in Charleston.

The principal public buildings, besides those which have
been already enumerated, are, the exchange, a large respecta-
ble building situated in the East Bay, opposite Broad street ;
a poor-house ; a college, or rather grammar-school ; a theatre ;
and an orphan-house. This latter building is worthy of the
city of Charleston. It contains about 150 children of both
sexes, and the annual expence for provision, clothing, firewood,
&c. is 14,000 dollars, which is defrayed by the legislature of
the state of South Carolina.

The market of Charleston is well supplied, and the expence
of living nearly the same as at New York. The population
is reckoned about 28,000, of whom 20,000 are negraes and
I)€ople of colour.

S56

VIEW OF THE

There are a great number of Jews settled in Charleston ;
and they live principally in King street, where their shops are
crowded together, and exhibit as motley a collection of clothing
and wearing apparel as can be found in Houndsditch or Rag-
fair. They are sufficiently numorous to have a synagogue :
and one company of the volunteer militia is formed entirely of
Jews. They are, as is the case in most countries, monied
people : and on their sabbaths the young Jewesses walk out
in fine flowing dresses, that w^ld better suit the stage or
ball-room than the street.

Of the traders and shopkeepers settled in Charleston, a great
number are Scotch, who generally acquire considerable pro>
perty, by close and persevering habits of industry ; after which,
they most commonly return to their native country. There
are also several Irish traders, but their number is far inferior
to the Scotch. There are no white servants in Charleston.
Every kind of work is performed by negroes and people of co-
lour. The importations of Africans into the States ceased by
law on the 1st of January, 1808. This caused, about the
time of the prohibition, a rise in the price of slaves, who are
usually disposed of by auction.

During the wars of the French revolution, Charleston was the
medium of the greatest part of that trade which has been carried
on between the French West India islands and the mother
country, under the neutral fl|g of the United States. The
number of vessels that entered the port of Charleston in 1801
amounted to 1S74, of which 875 belonged to that port ; the
rest were chiefly British vessels. At the time the embargo
reached Charleston, the number of vessels in port were, ships
'TSf brigs 42, schooners and sloops 85 ; total S05.

CoktrnkMy on the Coiigeree river, 120 miles from Charles-
ton, is the seat of government, and is a place of considerable
trade. The number of its houses does not exceed 200 i they
are almost all built of wood, and painted grey and yellow;
and, although there are very few of them more than two sto-
ries, high, they have a very respectable appearance. The in-
habitants of the upper country, who du not approve of sending

UNITED STATES.

SI87

thdir provimons to Charleston, stop at Columbia, where diey
dispose of them at several respectable shops established in the
town.

Georgetown is situated at the confluence of Podee and Black,
rivers 12 miles from the sea, and contuns about 2000 inhabit-
ants. It is the only sea port in South Carolina,' except
Charleston, and has a considerable trade, particularly in rice,
of which it is said that the lands in its neighbourhood produce
30,000 tierces annually. The houses are mostly built of wood,
and are but indifferent. The principal public buildings are,
a couit-house, jail, an episcopal church, a presbyterian church,
one for baptists, one for methodists, and a flourishing academy.

Trade and Resourcea.-^ViYaXe agriculture is so much at-
tended to, and the means of engaging in it so easy, it is not
surprising that few direct their attention to manufactures.
Some, years ago a cotton manufactory was established near
Statesborough, which bid fair to rise into consideration. It
was, however, soon perceived that the price of labour was too
great to permit its goods to stand any competition with those
of similar qualities imported from Great Britain : consequently
the proprietors were obliged to discontinue their operations.
A numerous population and scarcity uf lands must first be ex-
perienced in a country before its inhabitants will resort to ma-
nufactures, while a more eligible mode of subsistence exists.
In the upper country, however, necessity has obliged the in-
habitants to provide for their respective wants from their own
resources, in consequence of the difiiculty and expence of con-
veying bulky articles from the sea coast into the interior. The
traveller there soon becomes accustomed to the humming mu-
sic of the spinning-wheel and the loom. Cottons and woollens
of various descriptions are made in suflicient quantities for
domestic use ; and if we except the articles of salt and sugar,
the ])eople in the upper parts of the state may be considered
independent of foreign support ; for carpenters, smiths, ma*
sons, tanners, shoemakers, sadlers, hatters, millwrights, and
other tradesmen, are conveniently situated throughout the
country ; and the materials necessary for tlieir respective pro-
fpsdons are met with in abundance.

3 K

VIEW OP THE

In every ptrt of this state cotton is produced. Rice and
Indian -com alao grows in abundance in the low sv ampy dis-
tricts, and quantities of tobacco arc annually exported from
Charleston.

The total value of lands, houses, and slaves, in 1815, was
estimated at 123,416,512 dollars, the average value of land
being stated at 8 dollars per acre. The gross duties of mer>
chandise were l,466,i907 dollars. The shipping employed in
foreign trade amounted to 12,380 tons, and in the coasting
trade to 287 tons.

Education.-^Thc operation of slavery to so great an extent
produces, of course, the same effects here an in other places ;
but the people have considerably improved in education and
morals since the revolution. It was customary, for a long pe-
riod, for the more wealthy planters to send their sons to Eu-
rope for education ; and even now tliey frequently send them
to the northern states ; but the prac^ce is gradually declining,
and the desire has become general to have respectable semina-
ries in the state. A college has been founded, and very re-
s])cetably endowed, at Columbia; 4nd there are several other
colleges and academies tlirOt^ghcKit fbe state. The towns are
pretty well supplied with coiwnoli'^oob; but they are de-
fective in the country; and th^ brittit'ol^cducation, being the
basis of the morality of the state, \i 30tiii n the early attention
of the legislature. ;'

Beligi(m.—The state of religiiti w^ttcl^ly the Aaitie as in
North Carolina. The high country iklni^y settled by pres.
byterians, baptists, and methodists; B|ifV'l|pon ^|e sea coast,
the inhabitants generally profess to be l^li|!cbpalid%>

Gov^mrnm^— South Carolina is diVi^p into 26 Judiciary
districts^ and some of these are subdivided Into parishes. The
civil government is, like that of the other states, legislative, ex-
ecutive, and judiciary. The legislative power is vested in a
general assembly, consisting of a senate and house of repre-
sentatives. The senators are chosen for four years, and ont
half vacate their ' ats every two years : they must be 35 years
of age, and possessed of a freehold estate of the value of 300/.
sterling, clear of debt ; and the electors must be possessed of

UNITED STATES.

SO acres oi' laiid, or a town lot, or have paid a tax of three
shillings sterling. The representatives must be S^l years of
age, and be posnessed of a freehold estate of 150/. clear of
debt; and the electors must have the same qualifications as
fot! senators. The executive government is vested in a go-
vernor, chosen for two ye. rs, by the legislature ; and the qua-
lifications, to fill that office are, that he be 30 years of age, and
be possessed of 1500/. sterling. The judges of the superior
courts, commissioners of the treuHury, secretary of state, and
surveyor-general, are all elected by the legislature.

History,— In 166S, Charles II. granted to lord Clarendon,
and others, a tract of land extending from north lat. 29 dt ^^
to 3G deg. 31 min., and from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean,
which they called Carolina. The first permanent settlement
was made at Charleston, under their direction, in 16<^'), for
the government of which the famous Mr. Locke drew up a
constitution. It was aristocratical and impracticable, tliough
very ingenious in theory. Three i classes of nobility were to
be established, viz. barons, cassiques, and landgraves. The
first to possess twelve, the second twenty-four, and the third
forty-eight thousand acres of land, which was to be unalienable.

During the continuance of the proprietary government, a
period of 50 years (reckoning from 1669 to 1719), the colony
was involved in perpetual quarrels. Oftentimes they were
harassed by the Indians, sometimes infested with pirates, fre-
quently invaded by the French and Spanish fleets, constantly
uneasy under their injudicious government, and quarrelling
with their governors. But their most bitter dissensions were
reacting religion. The episcopalians, being more numerous
than tl)e dissenters, attempted to exclude the latter from a seat
in ih^legislature. These attempts so far succeeded, that the
chuM^ of England, by a majority of votes, was established by
^vi| )r1^his illiberal act threw the colony into the utmost con-
fu^i^and was followed by a train of evil consequences, which
provod^Ao be the principal cause of the revolution. Notwitli-
staod^ the act establishing the church of England was rc-
pQw^i^ranquillity was not restored to the colony. A change
of 'gig^i^tnment was generally desired by th^ colonists. They

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VIEW OF THE

found that they were not sufficiently protected by their pro-
prietary constitution, and effected a revolution about the year
1719) and the government became regal.

In 1198, the proprietors accepted SS,5007. sterling from the
ttcovm, for the property and jurisdiction, except lord, Gran-
ville, who reserved his eighth of ihe property, which has never
yet been formally given up. At this time the constitution was
new mo(|lelled, and the territory, limited by the original char-
ter, was divided into North and South Carolinas. From this
period the colony began to flourish. It was protected by a
government, formed on the plan of the English constitution ;
and between the years 1763 and 1775, the number of inhabit-
ants was more than doubled.

South Carolina took an early and decided part in the strug-
gle for independence, and sent delegates to the first congress.
In 1790, she adopted the present state constitution; and now
sends two senators and eight representatives to congress.

GEORGIA.

SUuatim and Extent. QEORGIA is situated between north

lat. 30 deg. 30 min. and 35 deg.,
and west long. 3 deg. 60 min. and 9 deg. 5 min. Its extreme
length from north tp south is 306 miles, and its extreme
breadth 259. Its area is ^Wt 64,000 square miles, or
40,960,000 acres.

Natural Geographrf.—Thh state, llHe the Carolinas, is na-
turally divided into two districts, the upper and the lower; of
which the boundary is remarkably well defined. Augusta is
on this line, on the Savannah river, from whence it passes to
the westward by Louisville, and, at the extremity of the state,
passes the Flint river, about the latitude of 32 deg. The re-

th«ir pro-
it the year

ig from the
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X7MTED STATES.

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inas, is na-
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Augusta is
it passes to
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The re-

apective piMtiona are so much asamilated to South Carolina,
diat it is uhneoessary to describe them here. The state has a
aea coast of 100 miles, whidb is indented with bays and inlets,
and studded with idstnds, well known by the name of Sea
islands. In the southern part there is a portion of £oke&-
noke swamp, one of the most remarkable in the world. To
the north-west are the Alleghany mountains, which terminate
in this state.

The state is remarkably veil supplied with rivers and sma)!
streams. Savannah river is one of the most important in
America. Its head waters consist of two small rivers which
rise near the mountains, and form a junction about SSO miles
from the sea; from thence it runs a south-east course, and
falls into the ocean 17 miles below Savannah. It receives se-
veral smdl streams in its progress, and is the boundary line
between Georgia and South Carolina, during its whole course.
.It is navigaUe for ships of any burthen to within three miles
of Savannah; for ships of 250 tons to Savannah; and for boats
of 100 feet keel to Augusta. Above Augusta are the rapids,
and, after passing them, the river can be navigated 80 miles
higher, in small boats, to the junction of the head waters. It
may be remarked that through the medium of this river a con-
siderable part of the produce of South Carolina is carried to
the Savannah market. It abounds with fish, and the water is
s^ and good ; but the country on its banks is by no means
healthy, especially in the lower part of the state.

The Ogeeche river rises a little above Greensburgh, SOO
iniles from Savannah, and pursuing a south-east course, falls
into the Atlantic, ^ miles south of Savannah.

The Altahamais composed of a number of branches, of
which the largest is the Oconee. It rises near the mountains,
about dOO miles from Savannah, and running a south-east
course, is joined by the Appalachy, and thence continues its
course, augmented by a great number of tributary streams, till
it form.'^ a junction with the Oakmulgee, 100 miles from the
ocean : from thence it runs an east-south-cast course, and fiills
into the Atlantic below Darien, to which it is navigable for
large vessels.

mmm

■MBPM

VIEW OP TUB

The Oakmulgee is a large river rising near the Appalacby,
frofot wbeno^ to its confluence with the Oconeej it runs up*
^irards of 800 miles. The Little Ogeeche u a considerable
rivefy and falls into the Altamaha, Iram the northward, after
this junction. :: ■ , r

The Chatohouchy is a very large river, and forms the west-
em boundiry of Georgia from the Florida Une, 1S5 miles iip
the country. It rises at the foot of the mountains, neat' the
h/^ of Savannah river, and runs soutb-westwardly, above SOO
miles, 4p where it forms the state line. From thence it (pur-
sues a course a little east of south, to Florida, where it forms
a junction with Flint river, and assumes the name of Apala-
chicola. From tlience it runs a south by east course, 80 mileai,
to the gulf of Mexico, which it enters by several mouths.

Flint river is about 300 yards broad, and 12 or 15 feet
deep. It rises near the Oakmulgee river, and runs, with a
clear gentle current, a course to the west of south, upwards of
200 miles. ,,

St. Mary's river rises in Eokefanoke swamp, and running
about lOQ vfi'ihs by a very crooked course, but east upon the
whole, forms the boundary between the United States and
East Florida, during its wliole passage, and falls into the sea
at St. Mary''s, where it ibrms a good harbour.
. The soil and climate arc both assimilated to South Caroling.
There is a great proportion of good land in upper Georgia,
and the sea islands are numerous and rich. Lower Georgia,
being farther to the south, is a little warmer than South Ca-
roUna.

Popuiatiofi. — Tile number of inhabitants in Geor^a in 1817
amounted to 408,567, which is nearly 6^ persons to a square
mile. In 1790, the population did not exceed 64,000 persons.

Manners, djc. — No general character will apply to the inha-
bitants at large. Collected from diiierent parts of the world,
as interest, necessity, or inclinatipn led them, tlieir cliaracter
and manners must of course partake of all the varieties which
distinguish the several states and kingdoms from whepce they
came. There is so little uniformity, that it is difficult to trace
ai\y governing principles among them. An aversion td ^x>ur

j*i^?r*#N'7;Sllife"

* 1

inWMO STATES.

is too (MKdMiiiiiifit, owing in ptrt to the relsxiiig heat of the
dinwte, and pmeHy to the wuA of neoesnty to excate iidustiy.
An open and fnendly hospitality, particulariy to Btrangers, b
an ornamental characteristic of a great part of this people.

Their diversions are various. With some, dandng is a fa-
vourite amusement Others take a Ikncted pleasure at the
gaming table, which, however, frequently terminates in the
ruin of then* hap|nnes8, fortunes, and constitutions. In the
upper counties, horse-racing and cock-fighting prevail, two
cruel diversions imported from Virginia and the Can^nas,
from whence those who in*actise them principally emigrated.
But the most rational .and universal amusemmt is hunting;
and for this Georgia is particularly well calculated, as the
woods abound vith plenty of deer, racoons, rabbits, wild tur-
kies, and other game ; at the same time, the woods are so thin
and iree from obstructions, that you may generally ride half
speed in the chace, without danger. In this amusement plea-
sure and profit are blended. The exercise, more than any
other, contributes to health, and fits for activity in business
and expertness in war ; the game also affords them a palatable
food, and the skins a profitable article of commek ce.

Chief Towns.— Savannak is situated in 3S d^. S min. north
latitude, on a high sandy bank, or blufl^, on the south side of
the Savannah river, 17 miles frcnn the sea. The city is laid
out on an elegant plan, and is about a mile in length fVom east
to west, and about a quarter of a Inile in breadth. It consists
of 30 streets, 16 squares, and 6 lanes, containing about 1000
houses, and 5600 inhabitants ; of whom about S500 are slaves.
The public buildings are, a court-house, jail, academy, bank-
office, and five places for public worship. There has lately
been built a very handsome exchange, with a spire and obser-
vatory, from whence vessels may be seen out at sea 10 or 12
miles. The situation of Savannah is favourable both for health
and commerce. The blufi^' on which it is built is from 50 to 70
feet high, so that there is a fine descent to the river. This
bluff is a bed of very fine sand ; and by digging wells about
60 or 70 feet deep, a supply of excellent water is procured,
probably a filtration from the river. The streets are broad

"&'",'

964

VIEW OF THE

and airy, and the dtj, bmg only 17 milis horn th* aft, ft«-
quently #njoy8 a sea breese, wUeh is oool and refreshing in
the summer season.

The houses are mostly built of wood, and stand separate
fVom each other, divided by court yards, except in two ot
three streets, where they are close built, many of them with
brick, and opotain several shc^ and stores. One large range
, of brick buildings stands near the marketoplaoe, and at a dis-
tance has the appearance of an hosfntal. The prim^pal stneet
is that called the Bay, where there are several very good
houses of brick and wood* S<Hne contain booksellers', grocers^
and drapers' stores; others are private dwellings. • This range
of buildings extends nearly three quarters of a mile altmg the
town ; and opposite to it is a beautiful walk or mall, planted
with a double row of trees, the same as those at Charleston.
This agreeable promenade is situated near the margin <^ the
height or bluff upon which the town stands,; and the mer«
.^ chants' stores, warehouses, and wharfs, for landing, housing,
and shipping of goods, are built immediately below, along the
shore, forming in some degree a sort of lower town. From
the height there is a fine commanding view of the Savannah
' river a;^ far as the sea, and for several miles above the town.
About the centre of tlie walk, and just on the verge of the diff,
stands the exchange, a large brick building, which contains
some public offices ; and an assembly room, where a concert
and ball are held once a fbrtni^t during the winter.

Augusta is situated on a handsmne f^n, (m the south side
of Savannah river, 127 miles from Savannah, ai^d contains
'about 2400 inhabitants, of whom above one half are slaves.
The public buildings are, two churches, an academy, a court-
house, jail, a market-house, and several puUic warehouses.
The town is at the head of large boat navigetion, and carries
on a very exten»ve and profitable trade, both with Savannah
and the back country. Many of the merchants are wealthy,
and import their goods ; and the greater part of the others
purchase in New* York. The town was originally settled by
emigrants from Scotland : but the society is now very mixed,
and probably those of Irish extraction are the most numerous.

UNITED STATES.

>fm

'TThe iohaUtants are in general MrelUnformed) and have a conr
Mderable taste for literature. They are affable in their de-
poltment, and polite and hos{Htable to strangers.

The country round Augusta is agreeably diversified, and
well 'cultivated. The whole plain on v<hich Augusta stands is
remarkably fertile ; and towards the south-west, the country
rises into considerable hills, interspersed with fertile plains, re-
ntarkably favourable for the culture of cotton ; and the cotton
plantations are in a very thriving state. This is reckoned the
boundary lietween the high and low country. The falls in
the river are three miles above Augusta, and immediately on
leaving the town for the westward, the great contrast between
this and the low country is seen : in place of swamps, marshes,
and- sandy deserts, the senses are gratified by high rising
grounds, rich verdure iu the woods, and clear streams of water.
The river is here 600 yards broad, and very deep.

Besides Savannah and Augusta, there is, on the Savannah
river, a little town called Petersburg; and in the interior, be-
tween the Savannah and Ogeeche, is Washington. Both these
are thriving places. On the great Ogeeche, there are, besides
Louisville, Sparta and Greemhurg. On the Altahama and its
waters, Darien^ a new seaport, Milledgeville, the new seat
of. government, and Atliens, the seat of a college. On St.
Mary's river is the town of St. Mary's, at the southern extre-
mity of the state.

Trade and Resources. — The valuation of the property of
the state of Georgia, subject to the direct tax, amounts to
67,746,771 dollars, 16 cents, of which considerably more than
one half is raised on the valuation of slaves.

The exports in 1810, were 2,424,631. The chief articles
of export are live stock, maize, rice, tobacco, indigo, flour,
sago, tar, naval stores, canes, leather, deer skins, snake root,
myrtle, and bees wax.

The imports consist of foreign merchandise, brought directly

from France and England ; and also from New \"ork and

Philadelphia. The New England states furnish butter, cheese,

fish, potatoes, onions, apples, cyder, shoes, and New England

. rum. ' Between St. " Mai-y's and the neighbouring island oi

M0*

VIEW OP THE

Amelia, an active smuggling trade was carried on during thfi
late war. English merchandise w^ landed there, and after,
wards sold as Spanish to the Americans.

Education. — A great degree of attention has been paid in
Georgia to education ; and very considerable funds have been
appropriated to the support of it. The college at Athens is
amply endowed, and provision is made for establishing and
keeping up an academy in every county in the state. In the
towns, there are very good common schools ; but the state is
yet defective as to the establishment of these most useful se-
minaries throughout the country. It should be mentioned,
however, that in this, and all the southern states, the popula*
Cion is too thin to admit of the establishment of schools upon
the plan of the townships of the northern states. By looking
at the census, it will be seen, that in this state, for example, a
tpwnship of six miles square, or 36 square miles, only contains
about 112 pe^rsons ; from which if we deduct the .proportion of
black people, it leaves only 75 ; and this number would not
be sufficient to support a school. On the other hand, there is
much waste land^ and those districts that are settled up, often
contain much more than this proportion; sometimes, indeed,
ja sufficient number for the purpose mentioned.
' The constitution declares, that * arts and sciences shall be
promoted, in one or more seminaries of learning ; and the le>
jg^slature shall give such further donations and privileges to
those already established, as may be necessary to secure the
- objects of their institution.*

Religwu. — On the subject of religion, it is declared, that
* no person within the state shall, upon any pretence, be de-
prived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping God in a
manner agreeable to- his' own conscience, nor be compelled to
attend any place of worship, contrary to his own faith and
judgment ; nor shall he ever be obliged to pay tythes, taxes,
or any other rates, for the building or repairing any place of
worship, or for the muntenance of any minister or ministry,
contrary to what he believes to be right, or hath engaged to
do. No religious society shall ever be established in this state
In preference to any other : nor shall any person be denied the

tJNItfiD STATES.

iMjayioent of any civil rights merely mi account of religious
iNinciplcf.'

y.^ Government* — The itate is divided into !i4 counties, and
these compose two judiciary districts. The civil goTemment
is vested in an assembly^ consisting of a senate and house of
represcntadves^ » governor, and a judiciary. The assettibly
are elected annually, and all free white persons, who are of
age, and who have paid taxes, have a vote. The governor is
appointed for two years by the legislature. The judges are
dccted by the Ic^slature for three years.

Hutory. — The settlement of a colony between the' rivers
Savannah and Altahama, was meditated in England in 1739,
for the accommodation otf poor people in Great Britain and
treland^ and for the further security of Carolina. Private
con^ssion and pidilic spirit conspired to promote the benevo-
lent dengn. — Humane and opulent men suggested a plan of
transporting a number of indent fwmiilies to this part of
America, free of expence. For this purpose th^ af^ed to
the king, Gkorge II. and obtained from him letters patent,
bearing date June 9th, 1732, for legally carrying into execu-^
tion what they hod generously projected. They called the
new province Geor^a, in honour of the king, who encouragtd
the plan. A corporation, consisting of SI persons, was ooo-
stitnted by the name of the trustees, for settling and establisb-
ing the cuAoay of Greorgia, which was separated from Carblina
• by the river Savannah.— The trustees having first set an ex^
ample themselves, by largely contributing to the scheme, un-
dertook dso to solicit benefactions from others, uid to apf^
the money towards clothing, arming, purchasing tttensils iot
cultivation, and transpcvting such poor people as should con-
sent to go over and begin a settlement. They did not confine
their charitable views to the subjects oS Britmn alone, but
wisely opened a door for the indigent and (^pressed protestants
of other natums. . To prevent a misapplication c^ the money,
it was deposited in the bank of England.

The trustees for Georgia granted l«uid as a military fief,
and established such regulations as proved most pernicious to
the growth and prosperity of the colony. Besides the large

■MM

VIEW OF THE

sums expended for its settlement by these gentlemen, 86,000r
was granted by parliament for the same purpose. A number
of Scotch and German labourers were sent over; but all the
hopes of the corporation were vain. Their injudicious r^uhu
tions and restrictions — the wars in which they were involved
with* the Spaniards and Indians — and the fVequ^nt insurrections
among Ihemselves, threw the colony into a state of confunon
and wretchedness too great for human nature long to endure.
Their oppressed situation was represented to the trustees by
repeated complunts ; till at length, finding that the province
languished under their care, and weary with the complaints of
the people, they, in the year ^752, surrendered their charter
to the king, and it was made a royal government. Great had
been the expence which the mother country had already in-
curred, besides private benefactions, for supporting this colony ;
and small haye been the returns, yet made by it. The vestiges
of cultivation was scarcely perceptible in the forests, and in
England all commerce with it was neglected and despised.
At this time the w'hole annual exports of Georgia did not
amount to 10,000/. sterling.

In the year 1740, the Rev. Greorge Whitefield founded an
Uphan house academy in Georgia, about IS miles from Savan>
nah. — For the support of this, in his itinerations, he collected
large sums of money of all denominations of Christians, both in
England and America. He afterwards made his assignment
of the orphan-house in trust to the countess of Huntingdon.'
Soon after his death a charter was granted to his institution in
Geor^a, and the Rev. Mr. Percy was appointed president of
the college. Mr. Percy accordingly came over to* execute his
office, but, unfortunately, on the 80th of May, 1775, the
orphan-house building caught fire, and was entirely consumed,
except the two wings.

From the time Georgia became a royal government, in 175S,
till the peace of Paris, in 1763, she struggled under many diffi-
culties, arising from the want of credit, friends, and the frequent
molestations of enemies. The good effects of the peace were
sensibly felt in the province of Georgia. From this time it
began to flourish, under the fatherly care of governor Wright.

UNITED STATES.

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During the late war, Georgia was over-run by the British
troops, and the inhabitants were obliged to flee into the neigh-
bouring states for safety. The sufferings and losses of her
citizens were as great, in proportion to their numbers and
wealth, as. in any of the states. Since the peace, the progress
of the population of this state has been astonishingly ra|nd.
Its growth in improvement and population has been checked
by the hostile' irruptions of the Creek Indians.

THE FLORIDAS.

n^HE Floridas has now become a province of the United
States ; and must prove an invaluable acquisition, whether
we consider the cecession in a natural, or political point of view.
It has been effected by a roaster-piece of policy, and must
cause some agitations in many of the European courts. The '
American government dispatched agents to visit the states in
South America, which were shaking off the Spanish yoke, and
lest this should be a precursor to the acknowledgment of their
independence, Spain agreed to surrender the Floridas. This
event was also no doubt accelerated by a party of the American
army, by way of employing themselves, seizing upon the key
of this country, which shewed, that whenever the order was
issued, its conquest could be easily effected. What makes
this bargain more valuable to the States, is, that the purchase-
money is to be paid by the government to its own citizens for
past injuries received from Spain.

What the consequence of this immense addition of empire
and sea-coast may be, it would not be difficult to conjecture.
Commanding the gulf of Mexico, and brought now into the
neighbourhood of the West India islands, and with a powerful
and growing navy, these colonies would fall within the grasp

' r

fro

VIEW OP THE

of America, or be revolutionised at the beginning of the fwy
Hxtt war that may commence between the two countries. At
least, the soil and climate of the Floridas are so excellent)^ si-
tuated for the growth of West India produce, that the enter,
prising citizens of the United States will soon become powerful
competitors with the English planter in the markets of Europe.
Florida is bounded on the north by Geoi^a, on th« east
by the Atlantic, on the south by the galf of Mexico, and on
the west by the Mississippi. East Florida extends much fur-
ther south than West Florida ; the gulf of Mexico washing the
western coast from 25 to 80 deg. north lat. ; whereas the most
southern part of West Florida is in north lat. S9 deg. 80 min.
The form of East Florida is triangular, the base towards the
north being 160 miles in breadth from east to west, near the
southern extremity about 40, and about 850 from north to
south. Alpng the coasts the bays of small islands are nume-
rous. The soil near the sea coast is sandy and barren, but
further inland it improves. The productions are (^iefly rice
and indigo. West Florida is about 890 miles from east to
west, and from 40 to 80 in width from nmth to south ; on the
west it is bounded by the river Mississippi, and on the east
by Appalachicola. The country is pleasant, and the soil is
exceedingly fertile, so that the inhabitants have sometimes two
or three harvests of maize in the same year. Towards the
coast it is flat, but rises gradually into hills, which are covered
with verdure and large trees, such as white and red oak, mul-
berry, magnolia, pine, hiccory, cypress, red and white cedar, &c.
Orange and lemon trees grow here without cultivation, and
produce better fruit than in Spain and Portugal. They have
also vines, which yield grapes equal in size and flavour to the
best muscadine; and they have abundance of other fruits of
excellent flavour. The calbbage tree furnishes a food that is
pleasant and wholesome. Cottmi is produced in great plenty ;
as well as flax and hemp. Among the richer productions of
the country we may reckon cochineal and indigo. The coasts
furnish oysters and amber. The rivers abound in flsh, but
are molested by alligators. In the western parts are nume-
rous herds of cattle and flocks of sheep : hogs also, whose

flesh ace

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the most
. 80 min.
irardt the
near the
north to
are nume-
irren, but
rhiefly rice
MD east to
th; on the
I the east
the 80ii is
etimes two
iwards the
jfe covered
oak, mul-
f cedar, &c.
Eition, and
rhey have
,^>ur tothe
r fruits of
[bod that is
sat plenty;
luctions of
The coasts
fish, but
are nume-
bso, whose

flesh acquires an excellent flavour from the aobms and ches-
nuts on which they feed, are numerous. In the forests and
deserts are found several species of wild beasts, and also a
variety of birds. In summer the air is very hut, but in seve^
ral places it is pure and wholesome ; the winter is commonly
temperate, though the cold sometimes' destroys the orange
trees. The rivers are covered with ice.

The principal town in West Florida is Pensaoola, and in
East Florida St Augustine. The population of West Florida
is very inconuderabie ; Mobile and Pensaoola together not
containing above 1500 souls. The interior of East Florida is
little known, and only inhabited by a few Creeks or Seminols.
— The town of St Augustine in East Florida is less healthy
than some have supposed it to be ; but the 'climate, and also
the general appearance of the country, would be much im-
proved, if industry and labour were bestowed upon it, and
the inland marclies properly drained.

This country is said to been discovered by Sebastian Cabot
in the year 1496, 18 years before it was known to the Spani-
ards; but received its name from John Ponce, who, sailing
from Porto Rico in 1513, landed here in April, when the
country appeared in full verdure and bloom. Florida has
frequently changed its master; in 1564, the French took pos-
session of some part of it, but they were driven from their
settlements in the following year by the Spaniards, who then
began to form establishments for themselves. In the year
1763 Florida was ceded to Great Britain in exchange for the
Havannah, which had been taken from the Spaniards. Whilst
the English were in the possession of it they divided it into
two governments, viz. East and West Florida, separated by
the Appalachicola. During the American war, both the Flo-
ridas were reduced by the Spaniards, and guaranteed to the
crown of Spain by the definitive treaty of 1783.

This country has now added more splendour to the star
spangled banner of the United States.

S7S

VIEW OF THE

TENNESSEE.

Situation and Extent. ([pHE state of Tenessee is situated be-
tween 35 deg. and 36 deg. 30 min.
of north lat. and 4 deg. S6 min. and 13 deg. 9 min. west long,
from Washington. It is bounded on the north by the states
of Kentucky and Virginia ; south hy the states of Mississippi
and Georgia, and the Alibama territory ; east by North Caro-
lina, and west by the river Mississippi. The boundary line
on the south aide is the parallel of 35, on the north side the
parallel of 36, 30, and on the east the Alleghany mountains,
which separate the state from North Carolina. Its ^ength
from east to west is 445 miles, and its breadth from north
to south 104r. Area 63,000 square miles, or 4Q,320,000 acres.
Natural Georaphy. — The state of Tennessee is marked by
bold features. It is washed by the Mississippi on the west,
and the fine rivers Tenessee and Cumberland, pass through it
by very serpentine courses. The western part is mostly level,
the middle, like Kentucky, hilly but not mountainous ; the
eastern part, known by the name of East Tennessee, is wholly
among the mountains. These mountmns are a continuation of
the ridges which pass through the northern states, and arc
said to be very beautiful ; the country among them forming
the most delightful residence of any in the state, in consequence
of which it is rapidly settling. Besides the principal rivers
already alluded to, there are a great number of lesser rivers and
small streams, but they ai*e all tributary to the Tennessee and
Cuihberland, except a few of no great length that run into
the Mississippi. None of the waters of this state run to the
eastward, but the head waters of the Tennessee interlock with
the rivers of Georgia, which determines the boundary be-
tween those states and North Carolina to be the highest land
in tills part of the United States.

UNITED STATES.

«1B

Iron tire is found in abundance in this state, aiid a consider'^
lible part of the country is« like Kentucky, bedded on lime-
stone. Copperas, alum, nitre, lead^ and some silver hare been
found ; and pit-coal is supposed to be plenty through die
state, but, owing to the quantity of ivood, it b not much
sought for. Saltpetre is an article of commerce, and there are
several salt-springs which supply the state with that necessary
article. Some other mineral springs have been discovered.

The soil is different in different parts of the country. In
East Tennessee the land is good along the banks of the river^
and in the valleys ; the mountains site poor in soil, but they
afford good pasture for sheep and cattle. In the middle part,
the soil is pretty similar to that in Kentucky, and the low lands
in the western parts are composed of a rich black vegetable
earth.

The climate in East Tennessee, among the mountains is
delightful. The heats of summer are so tempered by the
mountain ur, diat in point of climate this is among the most
denrable residences in all the United States. The middle
part has a climate very, similar to Kentucky^ but, being farther
to the south, it is wanner « and more congenial to the culture
of cotton, and other articles nused in the southern states. The
western part being low, the aar in summer is hot and moist,
and the people are a good deal subject to fever and ague, and
bilious fever, during the fall.

Popul(xtion.-fln the year 1817, the number of inhabitants
in this state amounted to 489,624, which is above 7§ persons
to a square mile. Amongst these there are about 50,000
slaves.

Manners, ^c. — The population of this state, consisting
chiefly of emigrants from the Carolinas, Virginia, and
Georgia; from the New England states and Europe, has
scarcely any uniform character. They are said to be some-
n^hat rough in their manners, but high-spirited and hospitable.
A taste for reading prevails among many of them ; and be-
udes the Bible uid newspapers, Salmagundy, the Olive Branch,
and the History of the Late War, are works in great request.
They cherish in their hearts a love of liberty, and a strong

274

VIEW OF THE

attachment to their country. They are all good horsemen^
and expert at the rifle. Their stockings, clothes, and bed-
.ding, and even their candles and shoes, are generally of do-
mestic manufacture. Gaming is not so common as it was,
nncc the law was passed, disqualifying persons convicted of
practising it from holding any civil or military oiBce for five
years, and fining him in fifty dollars besides. Licensed tavern-
keepers take an oath not to permit gaming in their houses.
The practice of duelling has ceased, since the act passed against
it by the assembly, subjecting the parties to outlawry.

Chief Towns. — The principal towns are Knoxville, in East
Tennessee, and Nashville, in West Tennessee. Knoxville is.
the seat of government, and contains about 1000 inhalntants.
Nashville is situated on the Cumberland river, and is a place
of considerable commerce particularly in dry goods, groceries,
and cotton. There are a considerable number of smalller
towns, but ithey are of no great importance.

Trade and Resourses. — ^The value of houses and lands in
this state in 1815, was estimated at 34,415,'971 dollars, and
the gross value of manufactures in the preceding year was
stated at 4,000,000 of dollars.

The exports consist of cotton, tobacco, hemp, horses, Kve
cattle, Indian corn, pork, fowls, potatoes, flour, saltpetre, flax,
deer skins, ginseng, lumber, iron. The great staple produc-
tions are saltpetre, tobacco, cotton, hogs, and cattle. The
imports consist chiefly of dry goods and groceries imported in
waggons to East Tennessee from Philadelphia and Baltimore,
and to West Tennessee by land to Pitsburgh, and thence
down the Ohio and up the Cumberland river. Orleans sugar,
and some articles of groceries, are imported thence by the
Mississippi : the freight was 5| dollars per hundred weight b)'
common boats, but is probably reduced since steam-boats were
estaiblished. Nashville, situated on the south side of the Cumber-
land river, 190 miles from its mouth, with a population of
800 inhabitants, has 27 mercantile stores. The great channel
of trade is the Mississippi, and New Orleans the place of de-
posit. Other channels of shorter communication with the
Mobile tide water have been projected ; between the Hudassee

UNiTEI> STATES.

and CooMe riven for the country of East Tennessee, and be-
tween, the Occachappo and Tombeckby for West Tennessee.
. Educaiion.— There are four incorporated colleges,, three of
which in East Tennessee were incorporated by the tercitoriai
govarnment, and a donation of 100,000 acres of land was
gIBnted by congresa for their support. i

Religion. — The religious denominations in this state are
presbyterians, baptists, Roman catholics, protestants, episco-
palians, and methodists. According to the report of the
general convention of baptists, held at Philadelphia, in May
1817, the number of their churches in Tennessee was 169, of
members 9704.

Government. — This state is divided into East and West
Tennessee. East Tennessee is only one fourth part of the
state, and is subdivided into 17 counties. West Tennessee
is subdivided into 21 counties.

The constitution of this state declares, that all power is in>
herent in the people — that all men have a right to worship
God according to the dictates of their consciences, and that no
preference shall ever be given by law to any reli^ous esta^
blishment — that elections shall be free and equal ; — and that
the trial by jiuy shall remain inviolate.

The government is le^slative, executive, and judicial. —
The legislature consist of representatives and senators, who
are chosen for two years, and must be possessed of 200 acres
of land in the county for which they are chosen. The gover-
nor must be possessed of 500 acres of land, and is also elected
for two years. All free males of 21 years of age, who pay
taxes, have a vote. The judiciary is vested in such superior
and mferior courts as tlie legislature may appoint; the judges
are appointed by the legislature, and hold their offices during
good behaviour.

History. — This country, which formed a part of Carolina,
according to the second charter of Charles II. was inhabited
by the Cherokee Indians, by whom the first colonists, consist-
ing of almve 60 fiimilics, in the year 1754, were nearly de-
stroyed. Their settlements were not renewed till 1774, when
the Indians, refusing to join the British standard, were at.

VIEW OF THE

tacked and driven towards the Kenhawa. The country then
belonged to North Carolina, and delegates, in 1776, were
I Bent from this district to the convention held for the purpose
of forminff a state constitution. In 1789 it was ceded by
Carolina* t6 the United States, and in 1796 was reoeived*into
the federal union, and. a constitution formed and ratihed by
the free inhabitants,.

LOUISIANA.

Situation \and Extent. ^HIS is mi immense territory,

bounded by the Mississippi on
the east ; by the Spanish possessions on the west ; by Orleans
territory and the gulf of Mexico on the south, and on the
north by the British possessions. It extends from the gulf of
Mekico, in lat. 28 deg. to 48 deg. north, and from west long.
12 deg. 50 min. to 35 deg. ; being 1494 miles iong, from north to
south, and, though the western boundary has not been clearly
ascertained, the breadth may be assumed at 886 miles. Its
area may be computed at nearly 985,250 square miles ; but
the gtaie of Louisiana proper contains only 49,000 square miles.

The following estimate was made in 1814, the state being
divided into three great sections: 1. The north-west section,
including Red river and the Washita country^ of 21.^49
square miles, 12,700 inhabitants; 2. The south-west, includ-
ing those of Opelousas and Atakapas, 12,100 square miles,
13,800 ; 3. The south-east, including New Orleans and West
Florida, 12,120, 75,200. In all, 101,700.

Natural Geography. — In such an amazing extent of terri-
tory the face of the country must be exceedingly diversified.
Towards the south the land is low, and in many places overf
flowed by rivers. To the north it becomes elevated, in many

■#

UNITED STATES.

try then
6, were
purpose
eded by
ved*mto
tiiied by

territory,
nssippi on
jy Orleans
nd on the
;he gulf of
west long.
>m north to
sn clearly
liles. Its
tiles; but
uare miles,
jtate being
>st section,

(t, includ-

lare miles,

and West

it of terri-

liversified.

ices over-

,, in many

places swelling out into large hills; and towards the west
there are very lofty mountains.

The rivers are numerous and extensive; and form a remark,
able feature in the geography of this country. The Misris6ip]n
wuhes it on the east, including its windings, upwards of 8000
miles, and it has in the interior some of the finest rivers in die
world.

The principal river is the Missouri, ^hich, indeed, is the
largest branch of the Mississippi. The sources of this river
are still unknown, although one of its branches was navigated
by Lewis and Clarke 3090 miles, where it is inclosed by very
lofty mountains, Below this 248 miles, there is a confluence
of diree different branches of the head waters, in lat. 45 deg.
83 min. ; from thence the river appears to bend considerably
to the north-ward, the great falls being in lat. 47 deg. 3 min.,
distant from the mouth of the river 8575 miles. These falls
are 18 miles long, and in that distance descend 368 feet. The
first great pitch is 98 feet, the second 19, the third 48, the
fourth 86, and other pitches and rapids make up the quantity
idxive mentioned. In lat. 47 deg. 84 min., the river forms a
junction with another nearly as large, and it is here 378 yards
broad. In lat. 47 deg., 8870 miles from its outlet, it is clear
and beautiful, and 300 yards wide. At 1888 miles from its out-
let it is 587 yards wide, its current deep, rapid, 'and, full of
sand bars. At 1610 miles a fort has been erected, called fort
Mandan. in lat. 47 deg. 81 min. ; and here the winters are
represented as being very cold. From thence to the mouth
the navigation is very good, the current being deep and rapid,
and the water muddy. Its breadth is various, from 300 to
800 yards ; and at the outlet in 38 deg. 45 min. it is about
700 yards broad. In its progress it is augmented by a vast
number of streams, the principal of which are Yellow Stone,
Little Missouri, Piatt, Kanzas, and Osage.

The Moin, a very considerable river, falls into the Missis-
sippi about 800 miles above the Missouri, and below the falls
of St Anthony, in lat. 45 deg., St. Peter's river, a very large
stream, falls into the Mississippi.

WHB

VIEW OP THE

St. Francis rises near St. Louis, and running nearly a south
course, upwards of 850 miles, falls into the Misassippi, m hit.
44 d^. 45. min., by a channel SOO yards broad. It is sud to
be navigable 900 nUles.

Arkansas is a very large river, riang in Mexico,, and i^n-
mng a south-east course, falls into the Misassippi, in lat.
33 deg. 45 min. ; being navigable 300 or 400 miles.

Red river, and Black river, are two very large strsMns,
rising between the lat. of 35 and 36 deg., about 100 miles
apart ; and running nearly 600 miles, they form a junction
about S3 miles from the Mississippi, which they enter in lat.
31 d^. 5 min , 1014 miles below the Missouri.

There are a great number of rivers to the westward, falling
into the gulf of Mexico ; but owing to the country being little
known, they do not seem to have excited much interest. One
of the principal is the Sabine, the western boundary of the
Orleans territory.

The territory is said to abound in valuable minerals, of
every description : but the branch that seems to have excited
greatest attention is the lead mines, near St. Grenevieve, which
yield annually a vast quantity of that useful commodity.

The soil and climate of Louisiana are said to be similar in
every respect to that of the countries lying parallel to it east
of the Mississippi. Near tl\at river the soil is rich, and the
climate temperate ; but it becomes more cdd to the westward,
and towards the mountains the cold is represented as being
very severe; the soil being sterile, and the brooks in many
places strongly impregnated with salt.

The climate of this country varies in different parts. From
the sea to point Coupee it seldom snows, nor does it ever freeze,
except in the months of December and January and when the
wind is from the north or north-west. It appears to be well
ascertained, that there is here less heat and more moisture
than in similar latitudes on the eastern continent, and the
climate is generally very mild. In winter the thermometer
seldom falls more than two degrees liclow the freezing point.
In .lulv there are heavy rains and thunder, and the heat if

then I

tion ti

tween

Then

the inii

ters ai

frame.

newtet

country

pKxluct

trees, p

of Mane

are ripe

fore the

southern

vegetatia

May, in

in 1780 a

with viole]

oftheMit

the countr

These stoi

stones of u

the works

twelve or t

cabin, hy i

garrisMi fo

where ther«

Popnlaik

■■fi5pt^-,3^55

UNITED STATES.

•b

inlat.
said to

in lat.

I, falling
ing Uttk
fit. One
ry of the

aerals, of
re excited
sye, which
lity.

sinular in

to it east

J, and the

[westward,

as being

in many

then ct its maximum ; but it continues without much dtniinu-
tion Ull the close of September, the thermometer ranging bei^
tween 80 deg. and 87 deg., and sometimes rising above 90 deg.
The most unhealthy months are August and September, When
the miasma exhaled fix>m decaying animal and vegetable mat*
torn are most Abundant, and most injurious to the human
frame. At this season bilious disorders prevail, especially in
new settlements. A more familiar idea of the climate of this
country may foe derived Aom the developement of its vegetable
productions. About the Ist of February peach and plumb
trees, peas, and strawberries, are in blossom. About the l«l
of March, the trees genendly are in leaf, or in Uossom. Peas
are ripe towards the middle of June, and the earlier fruit be-
fore the dote of July. Spring regularly commences with
southern breezes, the warmth of which is so fiivourable to
vegetation, that it is here more advanced in April than in
May, in the northern states. Hurricanea were experienced
in 1780 and 1794, in the month of August. The wind blew
with violence during twelve hours, and so retarded the current
of the MisNssippi, that it overflowed its banks, and inundated
the country from two to ten feet, as high as the Engiith htm*
These storms were accompanied mth thunder, and with hail-
stones of uncommon mze. In 180S the engineer who directed
the works of ^nt Plaquemines^ situated at the distance of
twelve or thirteen leagues from the sea, was drowned in his
cabin, by a sudden rismg of the waters. The workmen and
garriscm found refuge in the most elevated part of the fort,
where there was firom two to three feet water.

PcjmkUion. — In the year 1712 the colony of Louisiana
consisted of 400 whites and 20 negro slaves. In 1817 the
population was estimated at 108,9S3, which is not much above
two persons to a square mile.

Manners, Sfc. — The character of the people in this coun-
try will be given in our description of the cajntal. New Or-
leans. They are gay and lively, and their manners are
pretty much assimilated to those of the French.. But the
brutidizing effects of slavery tend to corrupt the morals of all

VIEW OF THE

Chi^ Towffu.'-'New Orlearu is situated in ht^ 99 dcg^ 5t
min., and it is raguhtfly laid out, the streets croiribg one
'Another at right angles; but they are narrow, being gmi«rally
not more than 40 feet in breadth. The houses in the praid^
pal streets are built of brick, but the others mostly \of w6od^
The middle of the streets are unpaved, and, in wet weather,
are very muddy; but the town is well supplied with good
side pavements. The dty extends^ nearly a mile along the
river, and is about half a mile broad. There is a square in
the centre, which is covered with grass, and contains the
cathedral and towq-house. There is a market-house of emu
riderable extent, and it is well supplied with vegetables, but
the meat and fish are said to be poor.

The city lies below the surface of the river, on ^hieh there
is an embankment, called a lev^e to defend it and the adjacent
country from bdng overflowed. This levde, is of great extent,
running n^ore than 130 miles up the country, and on the top
of it there is an excellent dry road. A plan has lately been
agreed upon for supplying the city with water firom the Mis-
nssippi, which will add much to the comfort and health of the
inhabitants.

A winter residence in this city is said to be vary pleasant;
but it is generally sickly in summer, and many of the people
leave it for two or three months. As it is^ however, the great
mart for receiving the oommodities which are shipped from the
Mississippi river, it will always continue to be a place of great
trade, and will increase, probably, to a greater extent than
any sea-port in America.

Except in domestic manufactures, which do not afqpear to
be carried on to a great extent, there are no material manufac-
tures here, and in all probability the trade of this place will
continue for a long time to be an object of solidtude to the
manufacturing districts; particularly Pittsburg, and Lexing-
ton, in Kentucky ; and on the other hand, from the mcrease
of cotton and sugar, a great trade will always be supported
between New Orleans and the cities on the Atlantic. The
direct exports of 1810 amounted to 1,897,522 dollars; but it
is to be observed, that the greatest part of the exports are by

the n

theci

•T

UNITED STATES.

the way of the t/uUm states, no part of whidi is entered ift
the custom-house.

*The French language," says a recent traveller, *is still
predominant in New Orleans. The population is said to be
S0»000; two-thirds of which do not speak English. The
appearance of the people too was French, and even the ne>
groes evinced, by thar antics, in rather a ludicrous manner,
thor connection with the natives of that nation.

*The general manners and habits are very relaxed. The
first day of my readence here was Sunday, and I was not a
little surprised to find in the United States the markets, shops,
theatre, circus, and public ball-rooms open. Gambling-houses
throng the city : all coffee-houses, together with the exchange,
are occupied from morning until night by gamesters. It is said,
that when the Kentuckians arrive at this place, they are in
thar glory, finding neither limit to, nor punishment of their
excesses. The general style of living is luxurious. Houses are
el^ntly furnished. The ball-room, at Davu^s hotel, I have
never seen exceeded in splendour. Private dwellings partake
of the same character ; and the ladies dress with expensive
elegance. The sources of public amusement are numerous
and varied.

* I visited the theatre : it is an old building, about two-
thirds the size of the little theatre in the Hay market. The
play was John of Calus, well performed by a French com-
pany to a French audience. At a tavern opposite I witnessed
a personal conflict, in which I suppose one of the parties was
dirAfd These things are of every-day occurrence ; and it is
not often that they are taken cognizance of by the police.

* I was present at a criminal trial : the pleadings were a
mixture of French and English. The jury consisted of ten
French, and two Americans. The counsel were equally
divided, being two of each language : the judge was American.
The French counsel requested leave to quote the code
Napoleon, which was granted, on condition that he should
explain to the French part of the jury that it was not law,
and that lie adduced it on the same principle that he would
the works of a poet, merely to illustrate his ideas. The

2 N

VLBW OF THE

Englkih kw ii the law of Louisuuia» with tuob Additions nt
local drcumstanoes have rendered necessary i oAe of wluch
that was dtcd upon .this occasion, is a law against bitidg off
Ihe ei|r, the nose« tearing biit the eyeSi 8ic.

* Provisions ire of very bad quafity, and most enortaousljr
dear. Hsims and cheese from Eng^d, potatoes, butter, and
beef from Ireland, are eommon articles of import Cabbages
are now ten-pence per head; turkeys, three to fiva dollars
each. Rents are also very extravagant Yet to all men
whose desire only is to be rich, and to live a short life but a
merry one* I have no hesita^n in recommending New Orkahs.*

In 1808, the professions and trades at New Orleans were
as follows; metchants, 60; printers, 7; innkeepers, 9; prd*
fessors, 6; apothecaries, 5;' lawyers, 24t; physicians and sur*
gecms, 18; dentists, ft. .

The inhabitants of this city are sensible of the advanttgcs
resulting from thor' connection with the Unitetl States, and
though Composed of men of every counti^ in Europe, they
are united by the strongest zeal in eupport of the government
Free trade is A)und to be far more advantageous than mono-
poly ; trial by jury is acknowledged to be preferable to military
law ; and elective authority far more desirable than the abso*
lute rvAe of a military oommander. In the course of a very
few years, the population of the dty of New Orleans has in-
creased fiom 10,000 to dO,000; and many of the proprietors
who were ib a state of indigaice under the doihinion of Spain,
have risen to sudden wealth by the rise*on the value oi' land,
whkh followed the diange of government. Among the new
buildings are a legislative hall, a hall of justice, and an oflSoe
of insurance. Two banks and an inknd navigation company
have been established ; and what is still of greater importance,
a coUege or seminary of learning. Tliere are five weekly
newspapers ; the Couriery and the Jim des L(My in French,
and the Louisiana Gazetkf the Orleans Gazette^ and a Price
•Current, or Commercial Register^ in English.

This city enjoys the most advantageous situation of any
place upon the face of the earth, and as it must become the
grand emporium of all the interior regions of North America,

UNITED STATfiS.

it' will probtbly aurtNM the mom Aeurfshing dty in ancSent
tinMf and diaputo th« palm of 'eminfiiae with die proudest
oapital in Europe. The BngKth ministry in their late bold,
though unfucotMftil attempt to seise upon thi« place, seemed
to acknowledge its vast importance.

Trait and Remmrces.-^TYw surplus productions of an im*
mense country watered by the Ohio, Missouri, Red river, and
other great branches of the Mississippi, will naturally descend
to New Orleans, and be thence transpoiled to Mexico or tiM
West Indies. « Besides, there will be a constant exchange of
oommoditiet with the more northern states. In 1004, did
exports from New Orleans amounted to 1,600,868 dollars;
The quanti^ of sugar imported into the United States, in
1808, from Louisiana and the Floridas, amounted to
1,576,966 pounds. In 1809, the exports were, cotton,
3fi00 bales; sugar, 19,000 barrels; tobacco, 8000; ilour,
«50,000.

The exports of this state, says the author of die Western
Gazetteer, already exceed those of all the New England states,
by more than 150,000 dollars a.year. Between 800 and 400
sea vessels arrive and depart annually ; 987 vessels of tiX de-
nominations departed during the year 1816, from the Bayou
St. John, a port of delivery in the district of Mississi]^.
The tonnage of these vessels b oalcukited at 16,000 tons;
they are chiefly employed in carrying the produce of that pint
of the Floridas belonging to the United States, consisting of
barks, coals, cotton, com, furs, hides, pitch, planks, rosin,
skins, tar, timber, turpentine, sand, shells, lime, &c. The
produce received at this city from the upper country is im-
mense, 594 flat4x)ttomed boats, and 800 barges, have arrived
within the last year from the western states and territories.
The quantity of sugar made on the Mississippi alone, is esti-
mated by a late writer at 10,000,000 of pounds ; S0,000 bales
of cotton were exported in 1812.

Religion. — The clergy, before the late cession of Louisiana,
consisted of a non-resident bishop, who had 4000 dollars a-year,
from the revenue of certain bishoprics in 'Mexico and the isle
of Cuba; of two canons, with a revenue each of 600 dollars ;

i»4

VIEW OF THE

and of 85 cures,, of which five were for New Orlcant, and 9Q
for the dUf^nt fMurithet of the provinces, having each from
860 to 460 dollars a-year. All these disbursements, except
the pay of the bishop, and the expenoes of the chapel, were
paid by the treasury of New Orleans, and amounted annually
to the sum of 18,000 dollars. The convent of Ursnlines,
established in llHl, by the Company of the West, for the
education of female orphans, contained, a few years ago, 86
nuns. The establishment is under the direction of 18 religku-
tes. In the some building, a public school has been established
for the instruction of day-scholars, at a dollar a^year, of whom
the number, at the above period, was 80.

Govtmmtnt, — The territory of Louisiana, as ceded to the
United States, has been divided into two territorial govenu
ments> Upper and Lower Louisiana. It is the latter which
we are now treating upon, and which is -also called the Orleans
Territory. ' It is divided into 12 counties.

In January 181 S, a convention of the representatives of the
people met at New Orleans, and framed and signed a constitu-
tion, which was afterwards approved by the congress of the
United States. This constitution resembles those of the other
states of the Union, though more precautions seem to have
been taken against corruption and abuse of power. The legis-
lative authority is vested in a house of representatives and a
seHirte. The electors consist of every free white male citizen,
who has attuned the age of 81 years, who has resided in the
county in which he votes one year next preceding the election,
and who has paid state tax the last six months prior thereto.

The judicial power is vested in a supreme court and inferior
court. The jurisdiction of the former extends to all civil cases,
when the matter in dispute exceeds the sum of 300 dollars.
The judges of both hold their office during good behaviour.
The supreme court consists of not less than three, nor of more
than five judges, the majority forming a quorum. The salary
of each is fixed at 5000 dollars. The state is divided into two
dibtricts of appelate jurisdiction, the eastern and western.

History. — The existence of the Mississippi was first made
known to the French colonists in Canada, by the Indians,

UNITED STATES.

aboHtlSBOc In Um year 1680, D« U Salk, in hopm of Aid-
ing an easy route to iJm Southern ocean, by this great river,
pancd down the IllinoiB, and deecended with some of hie
party to the Mexican gulf; while father Hennepin, a Fran-
ciioan friar, Ducan, and othere, aicendcd 800 leagues to the
falls of St. Anthony, by the Ohia The former took posses-
•ion of the country in the name of the king ; and returning to
Montreal, he proceeded to France to solicit his permisuon to
enter the Mississipfn by sea. Encouraged in thb enterprise,
he sailed for the gulf of Mexico, but, owing to the low situft-
tion of the coast and strength of the current, he was carried
considerably to the west of this river, and disembarked at the
mouth of the Guadeloupe, in the bay of St. Bernard, in the
year 1684. He planted the French standard on the river
CiJorado, or the Aux Cannes, and shortly oiler fell a victim
to the perfidy of his men ; but some of his companions retunu
ed to Canada.

In the year 1696 the Spaniards, jealous of the discoveries
of the French, established Pensacola, to the east of the river
Perdido. The first who entered the Mississippi by seA was
Le Moine d''HibberviUe, a CanacUan naval officer of great
reputation, who, in 1699, laid the foundation of the first co-
lony at Biloxi. In order to people the country there .were,
sent from France a number of young women, and soldiers
who had been labourers; who received cattle and grants of
land, and were provided with cattle, poultry, and grain. The
colony was transferred in 1708 from Biloxi to the isle of Dau>
phiu, but did not prosper. In 1708 new colonists were sent
firom France under the direction of the commissary D^Artag-
nette, and two years afterwards isle Dauphin was plundered
by the English. Several different settlements were afterwards
formed in these vast regions; and in 1718, New Orleans, which
previously consisted of a few hovels was extended under the
direction of De la Tour. For some time, French criminals
and women of bad fame were imported ; but this practice was
soon discontinued. At length the impolitic expulsion of the
Jews, and the hostility of the Indians caused a dissolution of
tiie company who claimed this colony.

VIEWOPfPHB^

: In 1762, the cabiiut of V^Mnlle^ fearing that the km of
bcmoitfaern poisesnons in Caoeda would bring about that o^
the country of Louisiana, the ookny, by a secret treaty, was
ceded to Spain) as an indemnity for expences incurred during
the war ; axid at the same time; the Floridas were made over
to England. In 1764, Don Antonio de Ulloa arrived at New
Orleans in quality of Spanish govermNr, widi a detachment of
troops ; and Ending that the inhabitants were strongly inclined
to remain under the French domination, and that the expenoes
of the government would far exceed the amount of revenue,
he wrote to his court against the cession, and remained two
years in the country without taking possession of it in a fwmal
manner.

In the year 1769^ O^Reilly, in quality of governor and
intendant general, arrived with 4500 r^ular troops, a good
train of artillery, stores, and ammunition, with whidi he drove
away all the English protestants and Jews, pn^Uted all
commerce except with Spain and her islands, and established
a court martial for the trial of the French officers who ranun.
ed, five of whom were sh(^ and seven sent to confinement for
ten years in the Moro castle at the Havannah. This ctmduct
inspired a general indignation against him, and the colony was
happily delivered from his vii^ence by his removal in 1770.
}n 1780, the English fort of Mobile surrendered to the Spanish
governor, which led to the reduction of Pensaeola, in conse-
quence of which, West Florida fell into the hands of Spain.
In 1795, a treaty was entered into between the United States
and Spain, by which a line of boundary was agreed to, and
the free navigation of the river secured. In 1796, all the
Spanish posts to the north of the 31st degree were evacuated ;
and the year following, the line of demarcation between Spain
and the United Slates was settled by commissioners. Not-
withstanding these treaties, Spanish privateers and ships of
war committed spoliations on the commerce of the United
States ; and the free navigation of the Mississippi, and the
right of deposit at New Orleans, was refused. This induced
the president of the United States to prepare a force on the
river Ohio to act against this colony, which, however, from «

UNITED STATES.

I Idm of
that of
Ly, WM
during
de fwn
at New
ment of
inclined
ixpenoes
revenue,
ned two
a formal

tior and
.a good
he drove
ibited all
itobUshed
oremun-
ement for
I conduct
[>lony was
in 1770.
Spanish
in con8e>
of Spun.
«d States
1 to, and
all the
acuated;
sen Spain
H. Net-
ships of
1 United
and the
induced
ce on the
from a

cliange «f polttioal ciiraamttanceif waa diibanded in 1800.
The ycttr lidlolving» Mr. ieSSeaai^t who> «raa called to the pra-
lidency, demanded from Spaift the eae^utioo of the treaty;
atid Aity uBwiHing to eamfHyf and fearing a rupture, sold Ihe
colony to the French republic, oh the 21st of Mar^v 1^1-
The French tiipedition, prepared in the ports of Hdhmdlfor
the purpose of taking possession of this country, -i^as prevent*
«d ftom.Maiing by an English squadron ; and the Freneh go-
temfcnent ■eld it on the 8d of Aparil, 1803, to the United States,
for the sum of 60,000,000 of francs, in which sum was to be
includecl the amount of debts due by France to the citizens of
the United States.

Upper Louisiana.

This territory in agriculture and produce doea not vary
from the neighbouring countries. It is divided into the foU
lowing districts : St. Charles, St; Louis, St Genevieve, cape
Gerardeau, New Madrid, Hopefield, and St. Francis, and the
«ettlementg on the Arkansas.

The territory of Orleans being more favourably situated for
trade, and a disposal of their produce, this territory has as
yet made no y&cy rapid progress in improvements* The chief
settlements are near the Mbaouri, and along the Mississippi
to New Madrid ; witli some on the Arkansas and St. Franeiaii

St. Louis is the capital, and contains 1500 inhabitants. It
18 Situated on the Mississipfn, in lat. 38 deg. 38 min., in a fine
healdiy country, on a bed of Umestone, liaving rich settle-
ments around it. It is increasing in population and wealth {
and several manufactories have been recently established. '

St. Chairkst a handsome village, is situated on the left bank
of the Missouri, 18 miles from St. Louis, by an excellent
road, leading through a rich country. In 1807, it contained
500 inhabitants, chiefly French; but many Americans have
lately settled in it. St. Genevieve contfuns about 1200 inha-
bitants, and is increasing in population and wealth; having
about 20 stores, and being the deposite of the produce of the
lead mines. .

VIEW OFITHE

i' Gerardeau » a wnall town, situated on an eminence «m^
light side of the Mississif^ and contains irbm SO to 40
houses only ; but it has a fine back country,, and is improving.
There is a post road from this plaee to fort Massac and the
moutb of the Cumberland river. ■ ^

New Madrid is beautifully situated on the Missisnf^; but
contains a few houses only.

The government is the same as the territories east of the
Missisappi, and to accommodate the white inhalntants, black
men are kept in slavery by the laws.

:^*^.
^

■#

MISSISSIPPI.

*jv'

Situation and Extent. H^HIS state was admitted into the

Union <hi the Ist of March 1817.
It is situated between SOdeg. and 35 deg. of north lat., and
between 11 deg. and 14 deg. 30 min. west long, from Wash-
ington. Its boundaries, as determined by the act of congress,
aaie North by the southern boundary line of the state of Ten*
nessee to the river of the same name, following its channel to
the junction of Bear creek. Easty by a direct line drawn
from this point to the north-west corner of the county of
Washington ; and thence running due south to the gulf of
Mexico. South by the Mexican gulf to the most eastern
junction of Pearl river with lake Borgne, (including all
islands within six leagues of the shore,) up this river to the
31 St deg. of lat., and along this parallel to the Mississippi
river. West, by the Mississippi river. Length, from north
to south about 340 miles ; Breadth, 150, containing nearly
55,000 square miles.

Natural Geography. — A chain of islands stretch along th"
• o.'ist, which is indented with bays, and intersected by numf>

UNITED STATES.

«•

rouB water oounes. From the mouth of Pearl riinee to die
ehtranoe of Motnle bay* the dtstaooe is about 100 nulea.
Twen^-five miles east of the former is the bay of St. Louis,
10 miles in length, and four in breadth. In generalyi the
soil and appearance of the country are very uninviting, and
have been described by the French writers in the most un-
favourable colours. But these accounts apjdy qely to the
sea-coast, where the banks of the rivers, to the distance
of £0 or 225 miles, are nearly on a level with its waters, and ■
the surface bong sandy or marshy, and liable to inundation, '
it is ill fitted for agricultural purposes; but beyond this di8<
tance, or the Slst deg. of lat., the soil along the Pearl and
Pascagoula rivers, from one to three miles in breadth, and
known in the country by the name oi Swamp, is rich i^id
productive, covered in its natural state with a fine growth |||r
different trees, cotton-wood, gum, oak, bay, laurel, and ina»^
nolia, intermixed, in the more elevated parts, with lofty can^,
and, m the low, with cypress. Between these borders the
soil, to the distance of 100 miles, is generally sandy, and
covered with the long-leaved pine ; . but above diis again the
surface gradually rises with a deep vegetable mould, which
nburishes a fine growth of poplar, oak, hickory, black walnut,
sugar maple, buck-eye, e|m, hack-berry, &c. Towards the
murthern line of demarcation, the surface b more unequal, and
more fertile ; it is of the colour of ashes^ and capable of yield-
ing many succesnve crops without manure. The rocks are
calcareous, with some mixture of flint, slate, and sandstone.
The whole surface between the Mississippi river and Yaaoo
branch, to the Tennessee nv&r, is rich, well watered, and
healthy. The authw of the Western Gazetteer considers the
country bordering on this last river, for 100 miles above and
below the Mussel* Shoals, and for 40 north and south, as the
garden of Nortii America, and unquestionably the most fa-
vourable to longevity and human enjoyment. The soil is
adapted to com, sweet potatoes, indigo, cotton, esculent vege-
tables, and fruit. . Even wheat will yield a good productive
crop. But it is the excellence of the waters, mildness and
heajthfulness of the climate, «ad proximity to the navigable
13 »0

Vl«WOPtH»

iMrt«rs of Tennessee and Torolngbee, that render it the most
deumble* to^ new settlers of any of the states or tenritories with-
in the limitb of the Union.

The course of the river Mississipfn, along the western firon^
tier, is &7i9 miles. The Tennessee river forms the north-
eastern boundary, to the junction of Bear creek^ a distance of
about 50 miles. Paseagoula river runs south ftBO miles
through the central parts of the state to the gulf of Mexico^
where it ibrms a broad bay. Pearl river, which s^mrates this
state |Tom that of Louisiana, is navigable to the distance of
IdO miles from its mouth, bat its entrance is obstructed by
ti^ees and logs, and has only seven feet water. Yazoo river
riees from several sources near the northern boundary of this
state, and runs in a south-west course to the MissisupiM,
which it enters nearly at right angles in lat. 82 deg. 28 min.,
lis niiles above Natchez, with an; outlet S80 yards wide.
The Bayo^y Pierre runs into the Mississippi 40 miles above
Natehez ; and abov^ this two other breams, called Cole^s
creek and Catharine's creek, each 40 yards wide. HomoihiUo
river rises near Pearl river, south-east of Natchez, and fidls
into an eld channel of the Mississippi above Loftus^s haghts
in lat. SI deg. 13 min. It is a fine stream 60 yards wide.
There are a number of other streams and creeks. The whole
navigable waters of this territory form a total extent of ^4&
miles. Coed is said to be found on the Tbmbigbee, Tennessee,
Black Warrior, and other streams.

The two great articles of culture are cottum and Indian com.
Cotton is planted in the latter end of February and be^nning
of March. The aven^ produce per acre is 1000 pounds in
the seed. Maize is planted from the 1st of March to the 1st
of July, and is of a fine quality in this state, the bushel in
many parts weighing 70 pounds. Rice is raised in the southern
parts. Wheat, rye, and oats, do not thrive so well as in the
northern states, and are not cuhivtited except for the use of
the establishment. Homed caitk are so numerous, that some
farmers have from 500 to 1000 head.

Pojntlation. — The population of tlus territcnry does not ex-
ceed 50,000 persons, of whom nearly one half are slaves.

UNITED STATES.

lot ex-
Is.

Chief Towns. — Ifatchetiy situated on the bank of the Mls-
nsnpin, in lat. 31 deg. 33 pain-j about 300 miles above New
Orleans, contains about 150 houses, belonging chiefly to oottofi
planters, some of whom, have a revepue of from 600Q Co
30,000 dollars a-year. The plantations extend to the distance
of 9Q miles. East of this town, and near to the possessions of
the Choctow Indians, the progress of society is evinced by the
publication of two weekly newspapers. To the north^enst of
Natehez, on the upper branches of St GatherioeVi creek, is
Setterstownt or Eilicotville, consisting of 15 or 20 hous^.
On the middle, and between the two principal branches of
Golems creek, which unite 15 miles from its entrance into the
Mississippi, stands the town oi Greenville^ the capitel of Jef-
ferson county, consisting of between 60 and 70 buildings,
including the court-house, church, and post-office. A few
miles, in a south-western direction, is the village of Union'
town, which is yet inconsiderable. Two miles below the
mouth of the Bayou Pierre b Brownsbtirg, where a few fami-
lies live ; and, at the distance of 30 miles from its junction
with the Mis»ssippi, is Port Gibson, the chief town of Cliu-
bome county, containing about 60 houses, with an academy.
On Big Black river, which is 12 miles above the former, the
settlements extend to the distance of 40 ihiles along its blanches.
Twenty.«even miles above the junction of this river, on the
upper ude of the great western bend of the Mississippi, is
situated the village of Paimyra, established by emigrants from
New England. Twenty-five miles higher up, on the undu-
lating fertile surface of the Walnut Hills, are fine cotton plan-
tations.

Trade and Resourses. — Natchez is the only place of con-
siderable commerce. Beef, pork, and corn, are sentto Mobile
and Pensacola, from the eastern parts, through the channel
of the Tombigbee. The surplus productions of the western
parts pass through the Mississippi.

Government. — The convention, for the purpose of forming
a constitution and state government, was composed of repre-
sentatives from each county, chosen by all the free white male
dtiz^s, of 21 years of age, who had redded within the tern-*

S92

VIEW OF THE

tory (Hie year prievous to the election, and paid county or
territorial tax. This convention, consisting of 48 members
from the 14 counties, met at the town of Wadiington, on the
first Monday of July, 1817. The constitution is similar to
that of the neighbouring states. ^

ALIBAMA TERRITOKY.

Sitmtion and Extent, "J^HIS territory, including nearly on«»

half of the former Mississippi terri-
tory on the eastern ^de, and situated between the 30th and
d5th c(eg, of nortl^ lat., was established by an act of the
American congress, dated the 3d of March, 1817) with the
follf^wing boundaries : From the {mint where the Perdido river
intersects the 31st degree of latitude, in an easterly direction,
to the western boundary line of the state of Georgia; along
this line to that of the southern boundary of the state of Ten>
nessee; thence westerly to the Tennessee river, and by its
channel to the mouth of Bear creek ; thence by a direct liiie to
the north-west comer of Washington county ; and from this
point, in a southern direction, to the gulf of Mexico, including
all the islands within six leagues of the shore. It has the state
of Mississippi on the west, Tennessee on the north, Georgia on
the east, and the province of West Florid^ on the south. Its
area is not properly ascertained, but probably exceeds 40,000
square miles.

Iifahiral Geography. — The largest river of this territory,
running from north to south, is the Mobile. It is a fine
stream between 30O and 400 yards in width; the current
clear, and running at the rate of two miles an hour. Its two
great branches, which are known by the names of Tallapoose
and Coose, unite at the distance of about 415 miles f^nii the

UNITED STATES.

outlet of the Mobile. It has from four to five feet water to
the junctioii of the Alihama and Tombigbee, a distance of 45
miles. The Alihama branch is always navigable for vessels
dramng nx feet water to Fort Claiborne, 60 miles; and there
is from four to five feet water IfiO miles higher up to the
mouth of the Cawhaba, which falls in on the western side, and
thence to the junction of the Cooseuid Tallapoose, 160 miles,
there is three feet of water in the shallowest places, affording
a good navigation, except along two ripples, which skilftil wa-
termen pass safely by directing the boat with poles.

Above one half of this territory is poor pine land. To the
east of the Alihama river, the soil b generally sandy, and co-
vered with pines, except along the water courses ; and in some
places it is intersected with rich limestone meadows, and
ridges of well-timbered land. Colonel Parmenlier remarica,
that, Binding the river from the town of Molnle, you see the
lands on both ndes constantly overflowed. The first dry
lands are 21 miles above the mouth of the river. Here are
traces <^clay, mixed in layers, or rather in oblique veins, with
the sand. TJ^roughout the 31st degree of latitude the swamps
«F^ amazingly productive. Between these marshes or swamps
and the ferruginous hills, there is a middle tract, rising by a
gentle ascent, the soil of which is a blackish earthy, thickly
spread with small fiint stones, or round quartz. Thti upper
reguxk contuns an infinite number of siliceous stones, covered
with iron in a sulphureous state. The streams also, which
flow through it, oontmn this mineral in a dissolved state. The
sdll of the borders of the Alibama (called pine lands) produces
ni^ize, cotton, and sugar. Above and below the confluence of
this river with the Tombigbee there are extensive swamps,
liable to inundation ; and a tract of poor stiff clay extends
along their borders, a mile in breadth, terminating, in a sandy
^il. About 50 miles above the union of these two rivers, the
];'igh broken lands commence, and extend 60 miles northward,
uivered with oak, hickory, cedar, and poplar. The best soil
for agriculture is between the Alibama and Tombigbee rivers.
Between the waters of the Alibama and those of the Conecah
tjiere is a waving plainy SO miles in length and 20 in widths

te~

S94

VIEW OF THE

with a dark xdayey rich soil, well timbered and watered. Be-
low, tliis it is gravelly and broken, to the extent of fiO miles,
where the pine barrens cxnnmence. Around the sources of
Limestone creek there is a tract of rich land,^ SO miles in
length and eight in breadth, well watered, and covered with
various kinds of trees, of which the dogwood is the most abun-
dant, and hence the lands are known by this name.

A chain of mountains runs across this territory on the south-
em Bade c£ the Tennessee river, from its banks near the mouth
of Bear creek to Fort Deposit on the eastern ude, where it
takes a northern direction across the river and the northern
line of boundary. The breadth of this chain opposite Mussel
shoals is dbout 50 miles, in many places it rises to half a mile
dbove its base, and is every where impassable for waggons.
The hills and mountfuns are all calcareous, except the summit
of the last, which consists of sandsUme. The hills contain a
great quaritity of iron ore.

In the low southern parts of this country the heat is very
great. The climate of the inland and upper parts resembles
that of Georgia.

The wild animals are, the panther, bear, wild cat, deei,
beaver, otter, fox, racoon, squirrel, hare, and rabbit. Alliga-
tors, from twdve to fifleen feet long, abound in the rivers;
snakes in the marshy and woody places.

The Creek Indians, known also by the name of Musoogees,
reiude chiefly on the waters of the Alibama and Chi^ahouche ;
where, before the late war, they counted 30 towns ; but, du-
ring that period, Uieir number was greatly re<^uoed. The po-
pulation is now about ^,000.

PopwZafMw.— The present population of tbe territory is
estimated at 50,000. The emigration is chiefly from Georgia,
the Carolines, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The American
government lately ceded 100,000 acres of land on the Tom-
bigbee, near, the junction of the Black Warrior branch, to a
French company, at two dollars an acre, payable in fuurtecn
years, on conation of their introducing and cultivating the
vine and the olive; but this colony has since removed to ti)c
flmitier country between the United States and Mexico.

UNITED' STATEiB.

d. Be-

1) miles,
iirces of
miles in
red with
igt abun-

ie south-
te mouth
where it
Dorthem
e Mussel
ilf a mile
waggons.
le summit
contain a

«t is very

resembles

cat, deei,
Alligo-
e rivers;

^usoogees,
ahouche ;
but, du-
Thepo-

rritory is
Georgia,
American

Ihe Tom-
ich, tea
fourteen
iting the
ed to tl)e

IGO.

TWtw.^The chief town is Mobile. It is situated at the
entranee of the riter cf the same name, on a fine plain, about '
SO feet above the usual rise of the water. When taken pos-
sesuon of by the Americans, it contained about iSOO houses.
Since that period the population has increased daily, and it
■will probably become a great commercial place, the centre of
trade of an immense ^^ountry, extending to Tennessee and to
the frontiers of Georgia. In July, 1817, the population was
between 1000 and 1500. The houses are of wood, and genen
rally one story high. Pensacola, howirer, affords a better
road for vessels, as they are sheltered from every wind ; and
the depth of water on the bar at it^ entrance, which is never
less than SI feet, will admit nven-of-war of CO guns. The port
of Mobile is the only place in the whole bay which vessels
drawing twelve feet water can> approach. Those that draw
from ten and a half to eleven feet water sail up Spanish river
about two leagues, and descend Mobile riv«r to the town,
which requires but a few hours. Vessels of greater draught
come within one or two leagues of the town, where they dis-
charge and take in their cargoes. A quay is now constructing,
at the eastern extremity of which there will be nine feet water
at low tide. Between Mobile bay and Pensacola, a distance
of 70 miles, the country is yet a desert. A village has been
lately planned, at the mouth of the Tcnsaw river, on a dry
elevated surface, where there are fine springs. St. Slephen^s,
the present gpvemanenC, is situated on the west side of Tom-
bigbee river, 80 miles above the town of Mobile, and at the
head of sloop navigation ; it contains about 50 houses. There
is an academy, with 00 or 70 students, a printing-office, and
fifteen stores. The utuajtion, which is well fitted for trade, is
found to be healthy, .,

Commerce. — It was stated in the American journals of April,
1817, t^at the importations of the preceding year, at Mobile,
from Boston, Niew York, and New Orleans, chiefly by sea,
were estimated at 1,000,000 of dollars; that, during the last
six months, 1700 bales of cotton had been shipped there.
The trade of Madtfison county will centre in this place.

VIEW OF THE

GocwmmM/.— The country watered by the Alibftma is
formed into a district, under the name of Washington, the
extent of which, excluding Indian lands, is estimated at
88,000 square miles. It is subdivided into eight counties.
The governor and secretary are appointed by the president of
the United States, with the advice and consent of the senate.

History. — In 1800, this country (including the present state
of Mississippi) was placed under a separate territorial govern-
ment. In 1818 (April) the country rituated to the west of
Perdido river, being included in the cessimi of Louiriana, was
taken possesinon of by the United States ; and that portion
east of Pearl river was annexed to the Mississippi territory.
In September, 1816, a tract of 18,000 square miles, situated
on both sides of the Mussel shoals of the Tennessee river, was
ceded by the Indians to. the United States.

ILLINOIS.

SUutttion and Eaient. ^HIS territory is situated between 36

deg. 57 rain, and 48 d^. 30 min.
north lat, and contains an area of 66,000 square miles, or 4S
millions of acres. Its length from north to south is 880 miles,
and its breath from east to west 206 miles. It has the north-
west territory on the north ; the state of Kentucky and the
Missouri territory on the south and west ; and the state of In-
diana on the east.

Natural Geography. — The chief rivers are the Illinois,
Kaskaskias, and Stony rivers, all admitting of boat navigation ;
and the Wabash, which divides this territory from Indiana.
The Illinois river rises near the south end of lake Michigan,
and is formed by the waters of the Theakiki and Plein rivors,

which li

a south'

Mississi

of the I

wide at

from the

The 1

the KasI

of lake I

of the II]

ISO of w

craft. It

meadows

These

a id the i

iajndatio

&nd rend(

A tract e]

the Missi

this descri

try is verj

larly betw

and beam

the Little

mould, m

lying on j

cultivation

miles dista

latter, whi

scribes the

tiful, and

cattle and

buffaloes i

drawn froi

grounds coi

at a small c

and a half.

are in man

UNITBB STATES.

S97

which unite in north lat. 41 deg. 48 min. Thence it purtues
a south-west course of nearly 500 miles to its junction with the
Mississippi, 18 miles above that of the Missouri, and 84 north
of the mouth of the Kaskaskias. The Illinois is 400 yards
wide at its mouth, is boatable to the Little Rocks, 00 miles
from the Forks or extreme branches, and 9170 from its outlet.

The next river of this territory, in point of magnitude, is
the Kaskaskias, which issues from the meadows to the south
of lake Michigan, and falls into the Mississippi 84 miles south
of the Illinois, after a south-south-westerly course of 200 miles,
130 of which from its mouth it is navigable for boats and small
craft. It runs through a rich country abounding in extenuve
meadows covered with the richest pasture.

The southern part of this territory between the Mississippi
aid the Ohio is very level, and is, in some parts, subject to
iiiumdation. This increases the depth and fertility of the soil,
and renders it even too rich for many agricultural purposes.
A tract extending from the mouth of the Wabash, and along
the Mississippi, 80 miles in length and five in breadth, is of
this description, and is very unhealthy. The rest of the coun-
try is very similar to Indiana, but more picturesque, particu-
larly between Vincenncs and St. Louis, where rich meadows
and beautiful woods alternately present themselves. Along
the Little Wabash, the soil of the pruries is a rich fine black
mould, inclining to sand, from one to three or four feet deep,
lying on sandstone or clayey loam, and remarkably easy of
cultivation. Between the Kaskaskias and Illinois rivers, 84
miles distant, the surface is level till within fifteen miles of the
latter, where it terminates in a high ridge.' Charlevoix de>
scribes the north-western parts which he visited as rich, beau-
tiful, and well watered. The climate being very temperate,
cattle and sheep would multiply prodigiously ; and the wild
buffaloes might be tamed, and great advantages might be
drawn from a trade in their wool and hides. The high
grounds continue along the eastern side of the Kaskaskias river,
at a small distance from it, to the Kaskaskias village, five miles
and a half. The sides of some of these hills fronting the river
are in many places perpendicular, and appear like solid pieces

2 P

!20»

VIEW OPnHE

of stone masonry of various colours, figures, and siz«s. The
low land between these hills and the river Mississippi is level;
the soil rich, yielding shrubs and fragrant flowers, which,
added to the number and extent of meadows and ponds inter-
spersed through the vnlloy, render it exceedingly beautiful and
agreeable. The lands lietwccn the Illinois and Mississippi
rivers are rich almost beyond parallel, covered with large oaks,
walnut, &c. and not a stone is to Wseen except upon the sides
of the rivers. Alwvc the Illinois lake, the lan<l on both sides,
to the distance of 27 or^3() miles, is generally low and full of
swamps, some a mile wfde, bordered with fine meadows ; and
in some places the high land approaches the river in points or
narrow necks. The alluvial soil of the rivers, the breadth of
which is generally in proportion to their magnitude, varying
from 300 or 400 yards to more than two miles, is so wonder-
fully fertile, that it has produced fine crops without manure
for more than a century. Beyond this, the dry meadow land
without treis, rising from 30 to 100 feet above the former,
stretches to the distance of from one to ten miles. The whole
meadow ground of the Illinois river is supposed to contain an
area of 1,200,000 acres. The north-western parts are hilly
and broken, abounding in ponds and swamps, called wet praU
rieny but well watered and wooded, and containing tracts of
fertile soil.

Copper ore is said to have been discovered on Mine tiver,
which joins the Illinois, 120 miles from its mouth. Millstones
were formerly njade by the French, of a rock which forms a
rapid in the Illinois river. Alum was found on a hill, near
Mine river. Coal was observed extending half a mile along
the high bank of the north-western side of the Illinois river.
According to Ilutchins, quarries of limestone, freestone, and
marble, exist along the Mississippi, from between the Ohio and
the Kaskaskia. White clay is found in the beds of the Illinois
and Tortue. The salt works, on the Saline river, (26 miles
below the mouth of the Wabash,) furnish annually lietween
200,000 and 300,000 bushels of salt, which is sold at the works,
at from 5U to 75 cents per bushel.

fc #

■'. •.'^'^r^

unitA statf^

UO0

What was said of the climate of Indiuua applies alnioit
equally to Illinois. Winter is on the whole an agreeable tea-
son. Extreme cold occurs only when the wind sets in from
the north-west, the thermometer then falling to 7 ur H dcg.
below aero; but when it shifts to tny other quarter, mild
weather and sunshine feturn, with the thermometer fre(|uently
above 50 (leg. in the shade.

Popitlntlon.— In 1810 the |MipuIation was rstiniated at
lS,28'i (K>rsons. In 1H19 it was estimated at 30,000; the ra-
tio of increa»o being 30 per cent, per annum.

Townn. — This being a newly settled territory, it contains no
towns of ony consequence. Shaxvncctoxim^ or SliawanwUmn^
where once stmxl u village of the Indians of this name, is ^\i\x-
ated on the Ohio, below the Wabash, and was laid out at the
expence of the United States. It was injured by an inunda-
tion in the spring of 1813, which swept away the log-housis
and drowned the cattle. The inhabitants escape<l in lK)ats.
It now contains 30 or 40 families, who live in cabins formed
of trees or logs, and subsist by the manufacture of salt. Tliere
are several other villages, which may scxki become places of
some importance.

In the autumn of 1817, Mr. Birkbcck, an intelligent and
enterprising English farmer, removed to this country, and set-
tled in the .south-east parts, between the Giwu and Little Wa-
bash, at a spot to which he has given the name of English
Prairie. In his * Notes on America,'' and ' Letters from Illi-
nois,' he has given a just and striking description of the face of
the country, its soil, prmluctions, mode of culture, and capaci-
ties of improvement ; and he has p)inted out the great advan-
tages it olfers to settlers, especially to labourers, and farmers
of small capital. The extensive circulation of the^e works has
attracted an extraordinary degree of attention to his settlement ;
and the very favourable account he has given of the country,
with the confidence reposed by those who know him, and by
those who have read his Notes, in his judgment and agricul-
tural skill, have induced munhers to emigrate to the neigh-
bourhood, both from England and the United States. It

doo

VIEW 6t THE

appears, from a variety of notices in the American journals,
that population is increasing in this quarter with great rapidity.

Commerce. — Numbers of cattle are raised in the fertile soil
called ' the Great American Bottom,^ between the Kaskaskia
and Illinois river, for the markets of Baltimore and Philadel-
phia. Horses of the Spanish breed are also raised for sale.

Government. — The government of this territory was esta-
blished by acts of congress, dated 3d of February, 1809 ; and
oongress passed an act on the 18th of February, 1818, author-
izing the inhabitants of this territory to form a constitution
and state government, and to be admitted into the Union, on
an equal footing with the original states. The convention to
be chosen for this purpose, were to meet on the first Monday
of August, 1818. Slavery is abolished by law, and by act of
5th February, 1813.

History. — The first settlements were made by the French
at Kaskaskias, Kahokia, Fort Massac, and other places, which
are still inhabited by their descendants, though the country
was under tVe dominion of the British from the year 1756 to
the treaty of peace with the United States. The Indians then
inhabiting and claiming thb territory were the Kaskaskias, the
Sacks and Foxes, and the -Piankashaws. In 1803, the first
tribe ceded to the United States a tract of 12,000 square miles
from the mouth of the Ohio to that of the Illinois, and 80
miles in breadth from the Missis, ppi. Since this time several
other secessions have taken place, until the state swelled to its
present extent.

UNITED STATES.

301

urnals,
ipidity.

MICHIGAN

French
IS, which
country
1756 to
ians then
Idas, the
the first
are miles
and 80
e several
led to it»

Situation and Extent.'Jji/[ICHlGAS, formerly Wayne coun-
ty, was erected into a territory with
a separate government in 1805, with the following limits:
north, by the straits of Michillimakinac ; west, by lake Michi-
gan ; south, by a line running from east to west, which sepa-
rates it firom the states of Ohio and Indiana ; east, by lakes
Huron and St. Clair, to lake Erie. The southern line has not
yet been accurately fixed. It is ^tuated between 41 deg. 50
min. and 46 deg. 20 min. of north lat., and 5 deg. 12 min. and
9 deg. west long, from Washington. It includes a surface of •
47,500 square miles, 30,400,000 acres. Its length from south
to north is 250 miles, its breadth from east to west 160 miles.
This territory forms a peninsula bounded on the north, east,
and west sides by the great lakes Michigan and Huron.

Natural Geography. — This territory is nearly environed by
the great lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan, and a great num-
ber of small pieces of water are interspersed throughout the
interior parts. The total extent of navigable waters, including
rivers, is 1789 miles.

The surface has a gentle elevation from the western and
northern borders towards the middle, which is generally level,
and without hills or mountains. Extensive meadow lands
stretch from the banks of the St. JosephV to lake St. Clair,
some of which, called * high prairies/ are equal in quality to
those of Indiana, and are of very different soil from the low
prunes, which are sandy or marshy. Other parts are covered
with extensive forests. The lands on Saganaum river are of a
good quality ; meadow lands extend from its banks to the dis-
tance of four or five miles. Thence to Flint river, fifteen
miles, the country is level, the soil excellent, and covered with
, trees ; thence to the Huron river the surface is waving, cover-

302

VIEW OF THE

ed with oak without underwood, and intei'spersed with lakss,
resembling the county of Cayuga in the state of New York.
From Huron to Detroit the soil is rich, but low and marshy.
The soil of the banks of the rivers St. Jo8eph''s and Saganaum
is of an excellent quality. Along the straits of St. Clair there
are fine meadows interspersed with rich wood lands. The
banks of the Huron and Rouge rivers are also very fertile and
well wooded. Those of Swan creek are low and unhealthy
within a mile of tlie lake, beyond which there is high and good
soil. That of the uplands of Rocky and Sandy creeks is poor
and sandy. The alluvial soil of the rivers Raisin and Miami
is excellent near their outlets ; but at some distance becomes
light and sandy. Along a considerable part of the coast of
lake Michigan are sandy eminences, formed near the mouths
of the rivers by the action of their current operating against
the swell of the lake. Along the western shore of lake Huron
there is k narrow tract of poor soil, fnmi half a mile to a mile
in breadth. It is believed that this territory contuns twenty
millions of acres of excellent soil, of which eight millions have
been ceded by the Indians to the United States, who have
sold above 200,000 to different individuals.

The banks of Rocky creek and other stream are calcareous.
On two branches of the Saganaum river there are salt springs,
which, it is believed, will be sufficient for the use of the terri-
tory, and all the settlements on the upper lakes.

The northern situation of this country would seem to indi-
cate a considerable degree of cold ; but it is found to be so
modified bv tlie waters of the lakes, that the winter is wanner
than in some more southern latitudes. The season commences
about the middle of November, and lasts till the middle of
March ; and the ice on the jivers and borders of the lakes,
during this period, is generally strong enough to support
sledges. There is but little snow. Towards the state of In-
diana, the climate resembles that of the western counties of |
New York and Tennsylvauia ; but along the coast of lake ,
Huron, the winter commences two weeks earlier thanatDe-|
troit. Lake St. Clair is frozen over every year from Decern-
Ixjr to February. According to the observations of general I

Wilkin«
and Mic
and in tl
Popul
chiefly of
have beei
mercial si
in 1810 t
estimated
Chief.
strait, eig
o( lake Si
half the pt
parts of E
fended by
Several wo<
of the Uni
enough for
ings consist
of three stoi
store is now
io be repla
be establish(
There is a
tlie'Michig
discontinuec
Manufact
territory, in
gress was c
dians. Sidei
l^ey, 19,400
candles, 650(
''""p mixed,
From Deti
In 1817 the
60,000 dollai
I entry. The
M»ef»pork, ch

UNITED STATES.

303

Wilkinson, made in 1797, .the thermometer between St. Claipr
and Michillimackinac never rose higher at noon than 70 deg.,
and in the morning and evening it often sunk to 46 delg.

Population. — The population of this territory, which is
chiefly of French origin, has not increased so rapidly as mi^|t
have been expected from itft salubrity and advantageous com-
mercial situation. In 1800 there were about 3000 inhabitants ;
in 1810 the number did not amount to 5000. In 1816 it was
estimated at 1S,()00, exclusive of Indians.

Chief TmvfUf.—Detroiti situated on the western side of the
strait, eighteen miles above Maldon, and six below the outlet
of lake St. Clair, contains more than 300 buildings. About
half the population is of French ori^n, the rest f^m different
parts of Europe and the United States. It was ori^nally de-
fended by a strong stockade, which was burnt down in 1806.
Several wooden quays, or wharfs, project into the river. That
of the United States is 140 feet long, and the water is deep
enough for a vessel of 400 tons burthen. The public build-
ings consist of a council-house, prison, and store. The last is
of three stories, 80 feet in length, and 30 feet wide. Another
store is now building. The present Roman catholic chapel is
to be replaced by a new one of a large size. A college is to
be established here, and the building has already commenced.
There is a printing office, and formerly a newspaper, called
the ' Michigan Essay ,^ was issued from Utica, but it has been
discontinued for want of encouragement.

Manufactures and Commerce. — The manufactures of this
territory, in 1810, amounted to 37,018 dollars ; but their pro-
gress was checked during the war by the ravages of the In-
dians. Sides of leather, 2720 ; saddles, 60 ; hats, 600 ; wiiis-
key, 19,400 gallons; brandy, 1000; soap, 37,000 pounds;
candles, 6500; woollen cloth, 2405 yards; flax stuffs, 1195;
lienip mixed, 20.

From Detroit the exports in 1810 amounted to 3615 dollai's.

In 1817 the ex}X}rts in cyder, apples, and fish, amounted to

60,000 dollars. Detroit and Michillimackinac are ports of

I entry. The imports are from the state of Ohio, and consist of

beef, pork, cheese, butter, and whiskey.

■^

804

VIEW OF THE

History. — This country, when first discovered by the whites^
vta& occupied by the Hurons, many of whom, about the year
1648, were converted to Christianity by the Jesuit misnona-
lies, who erected a chapel at the falls of St Mary, and another
on the island of St. Joseph. About the year 1670, the Hu*
rons were defeated and dispersed by their implacaUe enemies,
known by the name of Six Naticms; and at the close of the
American war, this territory was occupied by different tribes,
whose warriors amounted to 3500. In 1663 Louis XIV. sent
a small number of troops to this territory to protect the trade
in furs, and some years afterwards a fort was built at Detroit,
and another at Michillimackinac, by which means the traders
were enabled, notwithstanding the opposition of the Iroquois,
to extend this commerce to the borders of the Mississippi ; but
these advantages were lost by the war of 1756, which deprived
the French of all their North American possessions ; and this
territory falling into the hands of the English, was ceded to
the United States by the peace of 1783, and was placed under
the prdtection of a governor, with temporary regulations ex.
tending to all the country north-west of the Ohio. The £ng.
lish fort of Detroit was also ceded in 1796, and the peninsula
received the name of Wayne county. In 1805, a distinct
government was established under its present name.

MISSOURI TERRITORY.

Siituition and Extent. ^KE Missouri territory extends from

the Mississippi on the east, to the
Rocky mountains on the west, and from the gulf of Mexico on
the south, to Canada on the north. It lies between S9 and
49 deg. of north lat., and 19 deg. 50 min. and 32 deg. of west
long, from Washington. Its length, from south to north, h

UNltED STATES,

805

tiJbotit 1400 miles, and ifs breadth, from east to west, 886
miles ; containing an area of about 985,S50 square miles, or
630,660,000 acres.

Natural Geogra^^. — The country upon the north side of
the Missouri river consists of fine rich meadows, or hills
covered with a tolerable good soil, and thinly wooded. Fof
the distance of 200 or 300 miles, from the river Mississippi to
the base of the Rocky mountains, the whole country is one
continued prairie, or level surface, except along the rivers, the
. alluvial soil of which is considerably lower than the surround-
ing country, and the breadth in proportion to the magnitude
of the river. The Missouri river is generally from 150 to 300
feet below the level of the surface.

The country south of the Missouri, and albng the Missis-
sippi, from the mouth of the Arkansas to the head of Ti-*
wappaty Bottom about the mouth of the Ohio, a distance of
nearly 4f50 miles, is low and level. The high grounds
commence about twelve miles below cape Girardeau, from
which a chain of hills stretches across the country to the St.
Francis, dividing the lower from the upper country. The low
lands are generally well wooded, the high grounds very thinly,
and scarcely a shrub is seen on the natural meadows. On the
northern bank of tlte Osage river there is an extensive tract of
rich alluvial soil ; that on the opposite side is inferior, but it
opens into a fine fertile plain, which is seen to great advantage
from the summit of some high mounds or insulated hills near
the Indian village. * From this eminence,^ says Mr. Brown, a *
surveyor, * I am persuaded that, turning round, I could sur-
vey 500 square miles, and nearly all of the first quality ; tim«
ber and springs only are wanting to make this the finest part
of the world I have yet seen.' From this point towards the
woody country, a distance of 130 miles, the land becomes
gradually less fertile to the streams of the Grand river of the
Arkansas, which ij^ns in a western direction. But, upon the
whole, this immense tract of country is wild and uninviting.

Lead ore is Tery abundant in this country ; it is said to ex-
tend through a surface 600 miles in length, and SOO in breadth,
from St. Gknevieve to the mines of the Sack and Fox Indians,

' 2 Q

306

VIEW OF THE

on the Mississippi. Iron ore on the rivers St. Francis, Mara^^
Qiek, and Osage, and in the country watered by White river.
Above Cedar island, 1075 miles from the mouth of the Mis-
souri, where tlie alluvial soil terininates, the brown iron ore
appears on the surface, and prevents vegetation. Copper, a
short distance below the falls of St. Anthony. ^nc-^The
blend pre of this metal is found in the pits formed for working
the lead mines. |*yrites are found on the borders of the Wa«
shita river. Spar crystallized in caves and subterraneous
places from the river Missouri to that of the St. Francis.
Limestone abounds in th? elevated country. Coal, A large
body near the mouth of the Missouri, and at the foot of the
bluffs on the Osage river ; and, according to hunters, ou the
Little Missouri and Yellpw Stone rivers. Alum^ nitre,, salt,
petre, ochres, salt, &c. is found in varioua parts.

Deer and wild horses are numerous in this country, and
travellers say that flocks of bufPaloes, from 40»000 to 50,000,
are seen together. The soil is well adapted for the growth of
wheat and mai^e. I{emp is indigenous, and grows^ t» the
height of eleven feet. About 1500 weight may be obtained
from an acre.

The climate of tlie parts of this territory already settled,; si-,
tuated between the 33d and 40th degrees of north lat., is sub*
ject to extremes of heat and cold, similar to; those which are
experienced in the Atlantic states ; but they are here of much
shorter cjuration, and the general tewperatMre is ntild and
agreeable. The changes are not so sudden as in the eastern
states, and the north-west wind, which brings a chilling' cold,
seldom qontinues more than eight hours. Spring opens with
hesi.yy rai^s, which are frequent till the Istof May, when they
ce^se till th^ 1st of August ; and, during this period, the wea-
ther is warm, with frequent thunder and lightning,

Population. — The population of this territory in 1817 was
estimated at 68,794, including slaves and civilized Indians.

Chi^ TowTMs. — The town oi Si. LouiSf situated in^ deg.
39 min. north lut., and IS deg. 51 min. west from Washing-
ton, extends two miles along th^ western ^de of the Mississip-
pi, at the distance of 14 miles below the mputh of the Missouri,

UNITED STATES.

307

and 18 above that of the Maramek, and about ISfiO above
New Orleans. It was founded in 1764. There are three
streets poralld with the river. Most of the houses are built
of limestone, with a garden or park inclosed with a stone wall.
In 1816, the population of the town of St. Louis was about
£000. The number of dwelling-houses in March, 1817, was
from 350 to 400. Some of the lands near St. Louis are ex-
tremely fertile.

Herculaneumt a village of 200 inhabitants, established l^
colonel Hammond and major Austin, is situated on the borders
of the Mississippi river, at about an equal distance from St.
Louis and St. Genevieve, at the mouth of the Joachim river.
Boats are built here ; there are several mills in the vicinity ;
and a patent shot factory has been lately established by Mr.
Matlock, on the edge of a rock, where there is a fall for the
shot of 800 feet perpendicular.

The village of St. Genevieve, situated about three miles
above the mouth of Gabarre creek, in lat. 57 deg. 51 min.,
contained, in 1816, 650 houses, an academy, eight or ten
stores, and it had a road leading to the lead mines. The an-
nual imports were then estimated at 150,000 dollars. A
tract, extending five miles along the bank of the river, and
containing 7000 acres, is owned by the inhabitants in common,
and called the * Common Field.**

•On Big river, which traverses the tract where the lead muses
arc wrought, there are several compact settlements, of which
the largest is BellevuCy situated at the distance of 50 miles
w^ijt of the town of St. Genevieve. Other small establishments
extend 50 miles up the Maramek, and to the waters of the St.
Francis. Farm-houses arc established on the navigable streams
of this district ; the la Vase, Saline, and Apple creek. Lead
and salt are the chief articles of export. The annual produce
of the former is estimated at 1,5!S5,000/.

The village of St. Charlcts, on the borders of the Missouri,
about 24 miles froni its mouth, and 95 from St. Louis bv
land, contains about 1000 inhabitants. The houses extend a
mile along tlie river, under a hill, which jncvonts an extension
of the town in an opposite direction. This establishment was

308

VIEW OF THE

founded in 1780, by Creoles and Canadians. It is the resU
dence of a numerous class of watermen, called engogees.

The prosperity of New Madrid^ situated on the west bank
of the Mississippi, in 36^ deg. north lat., was impeded in 1811
by an earthquake. There are several other settlements and
villages in this territory, which do not merit a particular de-
scription.

Commerce. — Peltry is the principal article of trade in this
district. The annual average Quantity of this article, from the
'year 1789 to 1804, a period of fifteen years, was as follows :
Castors, 36,900 lbs,, valued at 66,820 dollars. Otters, 8000
—37,100. Bear skins, 5100—14,200. Buffalo skins, 850—
4750. Racoon, wild cat, and fox skips, 28,200—12,280.
Martins, 1300— 390O; Lynx, 300—1500. Deer skins,
158,000—63,200. Total, 203,750. The average yearly va-
lug of the goods sent up the Missouri river, during the same
period, was 61,250 dollars, which yielded an annual profit of
^7per.cerit.

Government. — The act of the congress of the United States,
providing for the government of this territory, was passed in
June, 1812. The executive power is vested in a governor,
appointed by the president and senate of the United States,
for the term of three years. This magistrate is commander-
in-chief of the militia, superintendent of Indian affairs, and is
invested with power to appoint and commission all public offi-
cers, iK)t otherwise provided for by law ; to grant pardon for
offences against the territory, and reprieves for those against
the United States ; and to convene the assembly on extraordi-
nary offences. Delegates to congress are to be elected by the
citizens at the time of electing their representatives to the get
neral assembly, to have the same powers, privileges, and com.
pensation, as are granted to delegates of other territories.

UNITED STATES.

809

le resU
u

t bank
in 1811
its. and
liar de-

NORTH-WEST TERRITORY.

-12,280.
r skins,
jarly va-
the same
profit of

Situation and Extent. npHIS territory is bounded on the

north by lake Superior, and the
water communication between this lake and the Woods, and
from the north-west tiomer of the lake of the Woods by a
direct line to Red river, which it strikes a little below the
junction of the Assiniboin ; on the south by the Illinois terri-
tory, from which it is separated by the parallel of 4*2 deg. 30
rain. ; on the east by lake Michigan and the channel between
lake Htfron and lake Superior ; and on the west by the Mis-
sissippi river to its sources, and thence by the waters of the
Red river to the junction of the Assiniboin, which separates it
from the Missouri territory. It is situated between 42 deg.
30 min. and 49 deg. 37 min. of north' kit., and between 7 deg.
and 20 deg. west long, from Washington. Its breadth, at the
latitude of 46 deg., from east to west, is 48(' miles. Its length
is very unequal. Area, about 147,000 square miles, or
94,080,000 acres.

NcUural Geography. — It is difficult to imagine a finer situa-
tion, with regard to water communication, than that of the
North-west territory. Lake Superior, on the north, is con-
nected with lake Michigan on the east, and with a chain of
small lakes, extending to the lake of the Woods. The Mis-
sissippi-extends along the western side ; and beyond its sources
is Red river of lake Winnipig, running in an opposite direc-
tion. The interior is intersected by numerous rivers, flowing
in different directions, from sources near each other, into lakes
Superior and Michigan, and the river Mississippi, and admit-
ting of an easy commiinication, by means of short canals. The
upper parts are studded with small lakes.

Fox river, a branch of the Illinois, which rises in the south-
eastern parts, is navigable 130 miles. Chicago river is an arm

810

VIEW OP THE

of lake Michigan, at the distance of a mile from which it di.
vides into two branches, both of which, as well as the main
channel, are from 15 to 50 yards wide, and have water suffi.
cient for the passage d large vessels, except on the bar at the
entrance. Green bay, the northern extremity of which is
called Noquet^s bay, is an arm or branch of lake Michigan,
running parallel with it, 120 miles: the int<irjacent land is
from 20 to 40 miles broad. The breadth of Oreen bay varies
from six to SO miles. This bay has water sufficient for vessels
of SCO tons burden, and affords an easy and safe navigation.
Fox river, (called sometimes Outagamy,) which it receives at
the southovestern extremity, is 400 yards wide at its entrance,
with three fathoms water, and is navigable 160 miles to Win.
nebago lake, through which this river passes to its outlet in
Green bay. The river St. Louis, which falls into West bay,
at the bottom of the lake, rises near some of the eastern ex.
treme branches of the Mississippi, and is navigable 150 miles
from its mouth, near which, and towards its source, the North,
west company have established several trading houses.

The Red, Swan, Muddy, and a number of other rivers, in.
tersect this country in every direction. The Ouisoonsin takes
its rise about the 45tli degree of latitude, near the source of
the Montreal river of lake Superior, and north of that of the
Fox river, with which it runs in a southern direction, separated
by a high ridge to near the Carrying place, where it takes a
south-western direction, to its junction with the Mississippi, in
lat. 48 deg. S3 min., a distance, in following its course, of S40
miles. It is more than 100 yards wide at the Carrying place,
and about half a mile near its outlet ; and, throughout all
this distance, it 'flows with a smooth, but strong current'
When the water is low, the navigation is impeded in some
places by bars of sand. The traders of Michillimackinac send
their goods through the channel of the Fox and Ouisconsin
rivers to the Mississippi. The southern parts of this tprritory
.ire watered by Rock river, which is said to rise near Green
bay of lake Michigan, and run a course ot'J.'iO miles, for 300
of which it is navigable Numerous lakes are interspersed
throughout the interior of this territory, which arc gcnerallT

UNITED STATES.

ail

h it di.
le main
er sufR-
r at the
rhich is
ichigan,
land is
ly varies
r vessels
vigation.
<ceives at
entrance,
to Win.
outlet in
Vest bay,
istem ex-
150 miles
lie North-

rivers, in-
[nsin takes
source of
that of the
separated
it toUes a
nssippit in
•se, of«40

ring pl«M«»
ighout all
current'
in some
Ikinac send
luisconsin
kg te-ritory
loar Green
es, for 800
Lterspersed
. gcnernllj

the sources of the principal rivers. The whole extent of na*>
vigaJble waters exceeds 8100 miles.

This territory, stretching across 13 dacrees of longitude and
7 o£ latitude, encircled and intersectdi%y lakes and large ri-
vers, has a great variety of soil. Near the north-western parts
must be the most elevated point of land between the Atlantic
coast, the gulf of Mexico, and Hudson's bay ; for here, within
30 miles of each other, the St. Lawrence, Red, and MisMssij^
rivers Ivave their sources, from which they flow to those seaa
in an eastern, northern, and southern direction respectively,
each tvaversing a. space of more than SOOO miles. Carver d&>
scribes * the land on the south-east side of Green bay of lake
Michigan as but vesy indifferent, being overspread with a
heavy growth of hemlock, pine, spruce, and fir trees ; but ad^
joining to the bottom of the bay, it is v'^ry fertile, the country
in general level, and affording many fine and extensive views*?
On the western side of the territory, below the falls of St. Aa-
thuny» the- high lands and prairies have the appearance of a
tolerably good soil ; but above t'.is paralld, Pike has remavkf
ed, that it gradually becomes poorer. Two-thinds of the ad-
jacent country between the river Des Corbeaux, or parallel of
45 deg. 50 min., and Pine river, is so covered with small lakes,
that it is impassable except in bark canoes. Along the water
courses are clumps of oak, ash, maple, and lynn; and num-
bers of elk deer and buffalo are seen. From Leech lake to
the sources of the Mississippi river, the whole face of the
country is fUfScribcd by Pike * as an impenetrable morass, or
boundless savannah.' The highest mountains are those south
of the Carrying places between the Foy and Ouisconsin rivers,
which Carver ascended, and ' had an extensive view of the
country. • For many miles nothing was to be seen but sepa-
rate hills, which appeared at a distance like hay cocks, being
without trees. Groves of hickor' and stunted oaks covered
some of the vallies.'*

Silver ore has been found on the south side of lake Superior.
The lead mines of Dubuque (the name of the proprietor) ex-
tend from within a few miles of tlie Mississippi, to the distance
of S7 or 28 leagues between the Ouisconsin and Kocky

sift

VIEW OF THE

branches, oecupjring a breadth of fVom one to three mile*.
The annual produce of metal is from 80,000 to 80,000 pounds.
Copper ore and natlnimpper seem to abound on the southern
coast of lake Supeno^Hid on the banks of some of ita tri-
butarv streams.

The elevation and northerly situation of a great portion of
thii territory indicate a considerable degree of cold, which,
however, is modified by the great masses of water of Uket Su-
perior and Michigan. Carver was struck with the luxv riant
growth of the wild rice, which is not seen to the east of lake
Erie, and scarcely ripens near its waters. On leaving Michil-
limackinac, in the spring season, though the trees there have
not even put forth their buds, yet you arrive here in 14 days,
and find the country around the bay covered with the finest
verdure. According to the same traveller, the north-west
wind, whiqh brings intense cold to the New England states, is
much less severe in this country.

Population.-^The number of white inhabitants of this terri.
tory is yet inconsiderable, but no enumeration was made in
1810, and we have not been able to procure satisfactory in-
formation on the subject. A tract of about 8,000,000 of acres
of this territory is clumed by the heirs of the late captain Jo-
nathar Carver, in virtue of a deed in their possession, granted
and signed by two of the chiefs of the Naudowessie Indians,
the Ist of May, 1767.

MarnnerBt ^e. — The people belon^ng to the colony on
Green bay are extremely polite and courteous, strictly pre-
serving the manners of their forefathers, the French. The
women, nine-tenths of whom are of Indian origin, are modest
in their manners. Their costume is grotesque, wearing print*
ed calico short gowns, petticoats of strouds, and mocassins.
1?he men, with few exceptions, have partly adopted the man-
ners of the Indians^ Their dress is that worn by the French
people of Detroit. At the carrying place, between the Fox
and Ouisconsin river», 350 miles east of the falls of St. An-
thony, two or three farailes of French origin are estabUshed,
who charge the extravagant sum of 30 cents per cwt. for the
transportation of goods; for a canoe, five dollars; a boat,

UNITED STATK8.

810

three. It is taid that the United States propose to establish a
military post here.

7W«*.— Here are no towns of any consequence. The
Prairie dea ChienSf or Dog meadow ,«piUishnient, on the east
bank of the Ouiaconsin, and about H imla from its outlet, con-
sists of 60 houses, or about 400 inhabitants, who are chiefly
of Fiynch origin, with a mixture of Indian blood. These
houses form a village of two streets, though some of then* are
scattered along the surface, to the distance of four or five miles.
In spring and autumn this is a place of resort for the white
traders and Indians, whose number * * sometimes equal to that
of the inhabitants.

THE COUNTRY

BETWEEN

THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

AMD THE

PACIFIC OCEAN.

^HESE vast regions will socm be settled by the enterpriong
and restless inhabitants of the United States. Already
has a settlement beien formed at the mouth of the Columbia,
where it jtnns Uie Pacific ocean, and which promises to become
a place of great importance. The area of this country b esti«
mated at S24,000 square miles.

The Rocky mountains were so named by the hunters, on

account of their steep and rugged appearance. They form a

part of the great chain which extends. from the straits of Ma-

gellao, nearly to the polar circle. The American exploring

14 8 R

314

VIEW OF THE

"pa^iHHt hitvhig a batdineter, were unable to ascertain their
heights ; but the perpetual snow on their summits indicates an
elevation oTSOOtf Or 9000 feet.

Another gr6at chf^li^ mouintainis, nearly parallel to the
former, and distant Irdm them about 80 leagues,, stretches
across the country, near the coast. The most elevated parts
of this chain, Mount iJefferson and Mount Hood, betwifcn the
44th and 45th parallels, are also covered with perpetual snow.
These mountains, which have been seen by all the navigators
who have visited this coast, extend more than 3000 miles from
Cook% Entry to California. Between these two great ridges
runs another less elevated range, in a south-west direction,
towards the 45th deg. of north lat., where it terminates in a
level pliun. Another stretches, in a north-western direction,
across the Columbia river, towards the great chain which runs
parallel to the coast. Between the Rocky mountains and
those near,the sea, the country is a wide and extensive plain,
without wood's, except along the narrow elevated borders of
the water courses. Towards the 46th parallel, this tract ex-
tends nearly 400 miles from east to west ; near the 53d paral-
lel, where it was observed by Mackenzie, it is contracted to
200 miles ; and here the uneven surface and woods commence.

Columbia river, which traverses the coutitry situate between
the two great chains of mountains, runs first in a north-west,
and afterwards southern direction, to the 46th deg. of lat.,
where it takes a westerly course to the Pacific ocean, into
which it discharges its waters, a little above the 46th deg. of
lat. The great tributary streams of the Columbia are Clarke's,
Lewis, and the Multnomah rivers. The Columbia, receiving
its watiers through these different channels, and from very re-
mote sources, is of considerable magnitude, severd hundred
miles firom its mouth. At the junction of Lewis river, which
is nearly 400 miles from the sea, in lat. 46 deg. 15'min., its
width is 960 vards; and farther doWn^ it is from one to three
miles, embracing a number of islands, some of whi^ are of
considerable extent. Above the mouth of Lewis river there
are remarkable falls, where the descent, in ISOO yards, is 37
^6t S inches, and the rapids extend from three to four miles.

UNIf ED SXATJSS.

aid

In this doKent the whole maf» of waters paase» thnmgh a
ohannelof black rock, half a mile long, and q^it more than 45
yardb ia,w;idth. Beyond the Umits of the tide the waters were
IS feet higher ip, spring tjian iq November. The Columbia,
like the Missouri riyer, has, in some places, washed away itq
banks, and formed new channels ; and this, perhi^s, accounts
for th^nemarkahle fact noticed by Lewis and Clarke, that neapr-
the Kieshowee river the trunks of large pines are found; stand-
ing upright in the bed of the river, rooted in the soil at the
bottom, though the waters were 30 feet in depth at the time,
(the middle of April,) and are in no season less than 10. Near
Lewis river the waters of the Columbia are s« clear, that the
salmon are seen at the depth of from 15 to 20 feet

The other rivers which discharge their waters into the Far
oifio ocean in the adjacent country south of the Columbia, are
the Clatsop, Chinnook, and KiUamuck. The last, which is
100 yards wide, is rapid, but navigable its whole length, and^
serves as the great channel of trade.

On the west side of the Rocky mountmns, the country, fpE
several hundred miles in length, and about 50 in breadth, is a
high level plain, thinly interspersed with groves of tlie long-
leaved pine. In descending, the soil gradually becomes more
fertile, and, in many parts, is of an excellent quality. The
soil, in general, th>'oughout this country i^ very good. The
Columbian valley, watered by the river, is shaded with groves
of trees. The temperature is mild, and the soil so fertile, that
it is supposed to be capable of giving subsistence to 40,000 or
50,000 persons. The adjacent highlands are also fertile,
having a dark rich loamy soil, and susceptible of cultivation.
One great advantage is the wood, which is sufficiently abun-
dant to supply the wants of a considerable population.

The shore of the Pacific is low and open, with a grassy sur-
face ; but the inner side of the ridge of mountains which runs
parallel therewith, is covered with thick timber

The climate of this region is milder than in the same paral-
lel of the Atlantic states.

The length of the route by which Lewis and Clarke travel-
led to the Pucific ocean was 4134 miles; but on their return,

die

VliSW OF l^E

in 1806, they came from Travellers' Rest creek directly to the
falb of thii MiMouri river, which shortens the distance from
the Mississippi to the Pacific ocean to 8555 miles. Two thou-
sand five hundred and seventy-fivc miles of this distance is up
the Missouri to the falls of that river; thence passif^ through
the plains, and across the Rocky mountains, to the navigable
waters of the Kooskooskee river, a branch of the Columtna, is
340 miles. Two hundred miles of this distance is a good road ;
140 miles over a mountain, steep and broken, 60 miles of
which was covered several feet deep with snow, at the end of
June. Froiin the navigable part of the Kooskooskee, they de-
scended that rapid river 73 miles, to its entrance into Lewis
river, passed down that river 154 miles, to the Columbia, aiid
which conducted them to the Pacific ocean, at the distance of
413 miles. The tide-water met them in the Columbia, 180
miles from the sea. The total distance descending the Co-
lumbia waiters was 640 miles, making a.-totai of 3555 miles, on
the most <Urect route from the mouth of the Missouri to the
Pacific ocean.

COLUMBIA TERRITOKY.

SittuUion and Extent T^HE territory of Columbia, which

formed a part of the states of Vir-
ginia and Maryland, became the permanent seat of govern,
ptent in the year 1801. This territcMry, extending on both
sides of the Patomak, contiuns a surface of ten miles square,
of which the diagonals are north and south, and east and west,
The south angle is at Fort Columbia, situated at Jones's
point, at the mouth of Hunting creek, on the left bank of the
Patomak.

UNIOil^D STATES.

Natural Geography: — The Fatomak, which has i^lroady
been described, traverses the territory of Columbiaf. From
Washington to its mouth) in the Chesapeake bay, it isiiavi-
gable for the largest frigate^ a distance, in following its course,
of about 900 mil^. The tide water flows to the distance <^
three iniles beyond Washington city, where the common tide
rises th the height of four feet. By a survey 6f the Patomak,
made in 1789, it was ascertained, that at the distance cf 15
miles' above the dty of Washington, this river is 143 feet
higher than at tide water; that from the mouth of Savage ri-
ver, near the western limits of Maryland, to Fort Cumbar.
land, a dutance of 81 miles, the descent is 4A5 feet, or 14 J per
mile ; and from Fort Cumberland to tide water, a -distance
of 187 miles, the descent is 715 feet, or 3*82 per mile. By a
survey,' made in 1806, at the expenoe of the Patomak com-
pany, it. was ascertained, that the Shenandoah river, from
its mouth to Port Republc. >;- nearly the same breadth du-
ring all this distance of S(K' . ^!^ in which^ the descent is but
436 feet. i

The Patomak company, by whom the navigation of the
river has been opened, was incorporated for this purpose, by
acts of the states of Maryland and Vir^nia, passed in the year
1784, which authorised the fund to be distributed in shares,
and raised by subscription. The original capital, or stock,
consisted of 701 shares, which at 444| dollars, the value of
each, amounted to 311,560 dollars. In 1807, the expences of
the improvement of the Patomak amounted to 375,648 dollars ;
of the Shenandoah, to 65,000; and of the Conegocheague
creek, to 500 dollars. The annual repairs, when the work
shall have been completed, have been estimated at 20,000
dollars.

In a national point of view, this work will be of great ad-
vantage in accelerating the progress of agriculture, arts, and
manufactures, diminishing the price of carriage, and facilitat-
ing the exchange of the productions and commodities of the
countries watered by those rivers. The treasures of vast
mountainous and woudy tracts, hitherto unknown from the
difficulty of communication, will be rendered accessible and

9)8

v,mw OB qcHE

Hunting to evenjri speculation, whether of a «aen|ifio oe com.
vawial natura.

The dist9Boe from Washington, toi the Uppor oe Matilda
fidb: o£ the Fatomak on> the Virgiiua mde, ii dbouli 14 mites.
The perpendicular descent of the M& k 76 fitet, but the rapids
extend for aevieral miles up the river. Th» scene ia wild and
magnificat The romantic sceony ofi the Qneat falk, 59
miles from Washington, is seea most to- advantage from, the
Virginia side, and is. ac^urcely to b& equalled. There '». a stu-
pendous projecting rock covered with cedar, where one may
sit and gaze at die waters dashing' with impetuosity over the
rugged surface. At the close of winter, vast masses of ice,
rolling over the rocks with a hideous crashing noise, presenti a
scene truly sublime.

The surface of the distarict of WaslungttHii is beautifulLy ir-
r^ular and diversified; in some parts level, in others undu-
lating oi« hilly, and intersected By deep vallies. The soil is so
various, that it is not easy to give lj exact idea of its.oompo8i.
tion. On the level banks of the Patomak there is a deep
alluvion formed by the depositions of this liver^ and am taming
fragments of primitive mountains, pyrites, gravel andi sand^
shells, and the remains of vegetable substances. The stons
with which the basons of the Patomak canal are lined is a spe^
cies of sandstone, similar to what is found in coal beds. The
rock employed to form the foundation, or base, of the houses
of Washington, is a species of gneiss, composed of felspar,
quartz, and mica, of a leafy texture, owing to the abundance
and disposition of the mica.

The fishes which inhabit the river Patomak, at and near
Washington, are sturgeon, rock-fish, shad, gar, eel, carp, her-
ring, pike, perch, mullet, smelt. In a distance of about IQO
miles above and below Washington, 400,000 barrels of her-
rings are caught annually, of which a ooniuderuble quanuty
are cured and exported. They are salted without being gut-
ted, and the blood mixes witK. the brine, which in a few days
is poured off, when the herrings are taken out, washed, and
salted anew. The fisheries continue during the month of
April. In 17(»8 an act was passed by the legislature, which.

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yx^TED OTA^TES.

QHd

of yonil; flidi fcy ir«ws <<r dwoB.

It M a pieruUiig ofMnion throughout the United StMCet, ihit
the dktwte of the biatrial «r W4Mlaii||tttti b uiifaMd% $ %iift
^lH«,0|iiiiioQik iHA fermdl on good gTOMda, for it is 0^lMli»
ttettln ^ WoMoli it It i^igNed b)r Mblttail i^lr endenieil diaeM^.
The hat pMoT ttf the aklaWty «r n fbce is idhe longe^ df
ittiiihaUtMittk Bufing kntuinn MKoin feversottietlnis fi«.
mSki but, at thb^MMdn, it is oommoii u> other parts df Ikis
tPnited Statu. . ;![li Wkft«r chMtikal diiteases often'oectir, 'tum^
sidhed by the sudden ebangei of wcMlier, «^ich check penq^
futbii;; %ilt Iheie live Mt ««iidned to^his eivjr. iti j4ly the
heitt ik ^dfteti' o^[l|fr^Mve ; iMlt it b beKeved, on good grounds,
thit fhte <:Httitite lias ^beeb i«Bprov«d >by the .clearing of lh«
cMMti^, 'anA titft the ^nwnMS both of heat and cold ai^ "now
1MB ^litiklit than 'fbMtieily. Daring the hnit ten yeait^ thfe
avieMige dci)|Mh df th6 6iio# has nat #Xfl«eded ei^ or 4mi
tliefaies, 4h6ii|(h it ^ras Wttieh gMater in the ttemoryef persMMi

jP»^>iiiMitfn;'-^The ^ptttHiliitidli of the territory «f CdluiUhia
in I800%is lt>4^09^; in 1810 it ittndillitad to fk^oa^^i tbut^
l!he aty liras 8M6^ df Gtorge«B«m, 4^; of Alexttidriii^
72!!?; of Wa»htngt(tti canity ^eicdttsife of (owtn,i81dff; thit
df AileBQBAdria ^sbtfiil^i 19C6. In ISlT <>«bi|;elo«vtt iM4
Washingtom -wi^ l(|#iMed to contain ]ia»O0O inbabit^ltt^
and the Whole diatriA 80,6(H). b*^m

Ctl^ ^Tr<MA«7i^tof>.

The city of Washulgton is ntuatisd on the Patonftak, at th^
confluenceof this river with its. eft^tem brancli, whidi formerly
bore the name of Annakostiaf in lat. S^ deg. 55 min. north,
and in long. t6 deg. 5d min. from Greenwich.

From 'Washington to l%iliid^I|^a'the dutance is 144 miles.
To Balthnai^, - - - . • 4S

ToUii^teott^, - - - - - 18« #

To Ailmipdiis,

'tfi^yc^r'^'^m-'^'i'Jf-'MC

«ao

VIEW OF THE

The meridional line which passes through the capitol was
drawn by Mr. Ellicot. The longitude was calculated by Mr.
Xambert.

It is sparcely possible to imagine a situation more beautiful,
healthy, and convenient, than that of Washington. The gen>
tly undulating surface produces a pleasing and varied effect.
The rising hills on each side of the Patomak are truly pic-
turesque; the river is seen broken and interrupted by the
sinuosities uf its course, and the sails of large vessels gliding
through the majestic trees which adorn its banks, give addi.
tional beauty to the scenery.

The site of the city extends from north-west to south-east
about four miles and a half, and from north-east to south-west
about two miles and a half. The houses are thinly scattered
over this space ; the greatest number are in the Pennsylvania
avenue between the capitol and the presidents house, from the
latter towards Georgetown, and near the barracks and navy,
yard on the eastern branch. The public buildings occupy die
most elevated and convenient situations, to which the waters
of the Tiber creek may be easily conducted, as well as to every
other part of the city not already watered by springs. The
streets run from north to south, and from east to west, cross-
ing each other at right angles, with the exception of fifteoi,
named after the different states, and which run in an angular
direction. The Pennsylvania street, op aiienue, which stretches
in a direct line from the president's house to the capital, is a
mile in length, and 16o feet in breadth; the breadth of the
narrowest streets is from 90 to 100 feet.

The plan of this city, of which we have ^ven an engraving,
is universally admired. The most eligible places have been
selected for public squares and public building. The capitol
is situated on a rising ground, which is elevated about 80 feet
above the tide water of the Patomak, and 60 or 70 above the
intermediate surface. This edifice will present a front of 650
feet, with a colonnade of 260 feet, and 16 Corinthian columns
31^ feet in height. The elevation of the dome is 150 feet;
the basement story i^O; the entablement 7; the parapet 6^;
the centre of the building, from the east to the west portico, is

■/"

zapiUA was
ed by Mr.

If,! ' ,

e beflutiful,
The gen-
iried effect,
e truly pic-
kled by the
isels gliding
(, jpiveaddi-

to south-east
o south-west
Qly sciftttered
Pennsylvaiua
use, from the
iks and navy.
gs occupy the
ich the waters
ell as to every
prings. The
west, cross,
ion of fifteen,
in an angular
hich stretches
, capital, is a
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an engraving,
[es have been
The capital
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t 70 above the
.front of 650
[thian columns
is 150 feet;
parapet 6J ;
[est portico, is

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the subscqu(

liiivo risen, I

UNITED STATKS.

2521

5244) feet. The ceiling is vaulted, and the whole edifice is to
be of 9tAid masonry of hewn stone, which, in appearance, re-
sembles that known by the name of the Portland stone. The
centre, or great body of the building, is not yet commenced,
but the two wings are nearly fini8hc>d. The north wing,
whidi contains the senate chamber, has the form of a segment,
with a double-arched dome, and Ionic pillars. It is adorned
with portraits of Louis XVI. and Mary Antoinette. Under
the senate chamber are commodious rooms for the library, and
the judiciary courts of the United States. The south wing,
containing the hall of representatives, and rooms for transact-
ing business by committees, is of a circular form, adorned with
i24 Corinthian pillars, behind which are galleries and lobbies
for the accommodation of those who listen to the debates.

The foundation was laid in 1794, the north wing was finish-
ed in 1801, the south wing in 1807. The interior was origi-
nally of wood, which soon decayed ; and to substitute stone, it
became necessary to change the whole arrangement. This
magnificent edifice is the joint composition of several artists ;
Thornton, Latrohe, Hallet, and Hatfield.

The post-office is a large brick building, situated at about
equal distances from the president's house and the capitol.
Under the same roof is the patent-office, and also the national
library, for the use of members of congress. In the first of
these departments are upwards of 900 specimens of native me-
chanical genius. This would appear to afford decisive proof,
that Americans are not deficient in inventive talent. The
library is small, consisting of but 3000 volumes ; but it h se-
lect and well chosen, and includes various classes of literature,
having been the property of Mr. Jefferson, for which he ob-
tained from the United States 20,000 dollars. The former
library, containing from 7 to 8000, was destroyed by our en-
lightened countrymen. So great has been, at some {leriods,
the depreciation of property in this city, that in 1802, what
had originally cost 200,000 dollars, was sold for 25,000. This
decay continued to go on, until the visit of general Ross, and
the subsequent signature of peace : since that time it seems to
liiivo risen, like the phrenix from the flames, and is once more

VIEW OF THE

partially increasing in prosperity. There are now a number
of two and three story brick buildings, none of which are un.
^ inhalnted; and also some small wooden houses, though* ac-
cording to the original plan, none were to be built less than
three stories high, and all to have marble steps, But the
childish folly of this scheme was soon subverted by the natural
course of events ; and though the exiHtence of * kmer ordertt
even in the captal of the rep"*«lio. may not accord with the
vanity of its legislator^, they ought to be told, that neither
prosperity nor population can be possessed by any nation with,
out a due admixture of the natural classes of society.

The president''s house conusts of two stories, and is 170
icet in length, and 85 in breadth. It resembles Leinster.
house, in Dublin, and is much admired. Even the poet
Moore styles it a * grand edifice," a* noble structure." The
view from the windows fronting the river is extremely beautiful.

One of« the objects embraced by the original plan was the
establishment of a university, on an extensive scale, for the
whole Union. A communication was made on this subject by
the president to the congress in 1817.

The public offices, the treasury, department of state, and of
war, are utuated in a line with, and at the distance of 450 feet
from, the president's house. These buildings, of two stories,
have 120 feet in front, 60 in breadth, and 16 feet in height,
and are ornamented with a white stone basement, which rises
six or seven feet above the surface. It was originally proposed
to form a communication between these offices and the house
of the preudent, a plan which was afterwards abandoned.

The jail consists of two stories, and is 100 by 21 feet. The
infirmary is a neat building. There are three commodious
market-places, built at the expence of the corporation.

The public buildings at the navy-yard are the barracks, a
work-shop, and three large brick buildings for the reception of
naval stores. The barracks, constructed of brick, arc 600 feet
in length, 50 in breadth, and 20 in height. At the head of
the barrack-yard is the colonePs house, which is neat and com-
modious. The work-shop, planned by Latrobe, is 900 feet in
length.

UNITED STATES.

SS3

The patent office^ oonrtruoted •eoording to the plan of J.
Hobaii, esq. (who gained the prise for that of the prekident^i
house,) ooniiits of three stories, and is 190 feet long, and 60
feet wide. It is ornamented with a pedimefit, and six lonie
pilasters. From the eminence on which it stands, the richljr
wooded hills rise on every jude, and preeent a scana of un-
equalled beauty.^

The inhabitants of the city fbrni a body, politic and corpo-
rate, under the title of * Mayor and Council of Washington/
The council, consisting of IS members, not under Sff years of
age, is elected annually by the fVce white male inhaMtants aged
81 or upwards, who hate paid taxes the year preceding the
election, and is divided into two chambers, the first of which
has seven, and the second five members. The fines, penaUie8«
and forfeitures imposed by the council, if not exceeding 80
dolku's, are recov««vd, like small debts, before a magistrate;
and if greater than this sum, by an action of debt In the dis-
trict-court of Columbia. In 1806, the corporation passed an
act to establish an infirmary, for which the sum of 8000 dollars
was appropriated, and trustees appointed for the superintend
dence of this establishment. In August, 1810, a sum not ex-
ceeding 1000 dollars was appropriated, for the support of tha
infirm and diseased ; and the corporation have allotted certain
squares (numbered 100 and 1086) for places of interment,
which are situated at a proper distance from th* populous part
of the city. Two dollars are the price of a grave.

The canal, which runs through the centre of the dty, com-
mencing at the mouth of the Tiber creek, and connecting the
Patomak with its eastern branch, is nearly completed. Mr.
Law, (Inrother to the late lord Eilenborough,) the chief pro-
moter of this undertaking, proposes to establish packet-boats,
to run between the Tiber creek and the navy-yard, a conv: y
ance which may be rendered more economical and comfortaUe
than the hackney-coach. This canal is to be n&vigable for
boats drawing three feet water. If the nett profits exceed 15
per cent, oil the sum expended, the excess is to be paid to the

mayor and city council. .4

324

VIEW OF THE

f?: '

TherPatomak bridge was built under the direction of a
company,, or board of commissioners, and the funds were raised
by a subscription ooneistirig of SOOO shares, at 100 doUurs per
share. Theexpencesofrthe work amounted to 96,000 dollars,
and con^quendy the real value of a share was '48. The
bridge, which iis covered with planks of white and yellow piqe,
is a mile in length, and is supported by strong piles^ from 18
to 40 feet, according to the depth of the water. A neat rail-
ing separates the foot from the horse- way. By means of a
simple crank and pulley, the draw -bridge, for the passage of
vessels, is raised by the force of one individuaL ' it^y^bt-l

The tolls are high ; a four-horse carriage, 1^ dollar; a two-
horse carriage, 1 dollar; a four-horse waggon^i 62^ cents; a
twot-horse waggon, 37| ; a gig, 36^ ; n horse,: 18^.; .a man,
6|. The toll of 1810 amounted to 9000 dollars.. The inte^
rest of the stock has risen to eight per cent. After tl)e lapse
of 60 yeai|;^ thei«orporation will be dissolved, and'th.<^ bridge
become theipropeity of the United: States.,,! u I. )^> 'to Hiro-j^u

; It was an unfortunate circumstance, that, in pTabning this
city^ some provision was not made: for preserving thefine trees
which covered the soil, in those situations where they woold
hAve been useful or ornamental. The whole, of th^ natlural
wood has be^n cut down, and its place is very poorly supplied
by sumerfew. Lombardy poplairs, which afibrd neither shade
lior shelter. This is an. error which nothing but time can
repair. ,:, ' -

The patent office is under the direction of Dr. Thornton, a
native of the We$t Indies, now a citizen of the United States,
who has a salary of 8000 dollars per annum. To obtain a
patent for an art or machine, tlie inventor, if a citizen of the
United States, declares upon oath, before a justice of the
tx>unty where he resides, that he believes himself to be the
true inventor ; and he gives a description of this art or ma-
chine, and the use to which it is applied, accompanied, if ne-
cessary, with a drawing, in a letter addressed to the secretary
^if state of the United States ; and this description is inserted
in tliv patent, for which the sum of 30 dollars is paid to the

;tion of a
rere raised
Ipllars per
H) dollars,
t8. The
lUow piqe,
1^ from 18
neat rail-
leans of a
passage of

If,; a two-

\ cents; a
\.i .a man,
The inte-
riil)e lapse
the bridge | ; m :^

lining this

B-.fine:trees | ■- *'

hey would
It natjural
y supplied
her shade
time can

lomton, a
:ed States,

obtain a
sen of thie
ice of the
to be the
rt or ma-
ed, if ne-

secretary
is inserted I *

id to the I #

sf*^

UNITED STATES.

3S5

trcasur^E; departno^nt. It' the applicant is not a citizen of the
United Statey,. he must declare on oath, that he haa resiAdd
tihereinytnoire tbail two years. The copy-right of bobks^rints,
m^ps, &c. is secured by depositing a copy thereof in the clerk's
office of the' district court, where the author or proprietor re- £
Hides. This is recorded aod published in one or more news-
paipers, during four weeks, commencing within two months of
the datei of the record. The right is thus secured, for the^
ipacepf; 14 years, to the: citizens or residents of th© United''^
S^te^i;; and by a renewal of those. formalities, it is extended to
th<?ir eKeeutors, administrators, and assigns, fur another term
of, 14 years. The patents issued from the 1st of August,
t!700,;to,the 1st of January, 1805, were 698; and the amount
receiikted at the treasury department for patents, from 1801 to
1809 inclusive, was upwards of 27,000 dollars.
,,^}(clusive of the bank of the United Stui^ there are seven
hufika in the district of Coluuibia.; The Marine Insurance
Company of Alexai^dria was incorporated in 1789, with the
pov;er,:of having a capital of 13,500 shares, at 20 dollars a
share, or 250,000 dollars.

By an act of the city council, in Diecember, 1804^ the pub^
lie schools of the city are placed under the direction of a board
pi'thiitteen trustees, seven of wlioni are elected annually by tl^
joint ballot of the council, and six by individuals wlio contri-
bute to the support of the schools. The net proceeds of taxes
on slaves and dogs, of licences for cai'riages, and hacks iot or-
dinaries aiid taverns, for selllug wines and spirits, ibr billiard
tables, for hawkers, and pedlars, for theatrical and other pub-
lic amusements, are cnjployed for the education of the pt>or of
tlie city.

There are two academies in the city, under the direction of
tbe corjKjration, which were established by the voluntary con-
tributions ol" the inhabitants, and are supported by the corpo-
ration. In these two seminaries there are generally from 120
to 150 scholars, in "lading those who pay lor their tuition.
The houses are 1 1 '^e and conunodious, and were intended to
be the germ oft iVfioJial university, in conformity to the plan
described in the l-i,:.t will of general Washuigton. There are,

$36

VIEW OF THE

-;l^

besides, twelve or more schools in different parts of the city,
vhere the terms of tuition are under Ave dollars per quarter.

The«6Btholic college of Georgetown, which was erected, and
is ikuppoi^, by subKsription, commenced in the year 1790,
^ under the direction of the incorporated catholic cler^ of the
state of Maryland; 'It is a fine brick building, consisting of
three stories, in letigth ISS ftet, and 33 in breadth, find is fiu
^ted for the reception of 200 studehts. T^ terms of tuition
""kre as follows: Students above twelve years of age pay S0O
dollars; and under that age, 900; those who atteikl the
classes pay S50, owing to extraordinary expences, and scmie
particular indulgences. The , payments are made half-yearly
in advance. To be admitted as a pensioner, the student must
be a Roman catholic. If a protestanf, he boards in a house
convenient to the college, where he ei.joys equal advantages
with the c| tholic^i except as to admission to the instfuetion
and exercises of the Roman reli^on. The students are in-
structed in the English. French, Latin, and Greek languages;
in geography, arithmetic, al^bra, geometry, and the different
branches of classical education. PuUic examinations are
holden four times a year.

A free school has been lately established by subscription, to
be conducted according to the plan of Mr. Lai^iaster, Who has
engaged tc^^sendvtwo masters from England for its superin*
tendence and direction.

A public library has been lately established, by th« sub>
scription of iiOO individuals, at twelve dollars each ; and the
directors of this association have obtained an act of incmpora-
tion, with powers suitable rx) the direction of the establishment.
Mr. Boyle, a painter from Baltimore, collects objects of natural
history, to form a museum.

There u no reading-room at Washington, which is perhaps
owing to the profusion of newspapers received there by mem-
bers of congress, from all parts of the Union. In 1817, seven
newspapers were published in the district. In one of these,
the National Intelligencer^ the acts, and sometimes the opi-
nions, of the government are first communicated to the public;
~ and it is dwing to this oitcumstance, that, in Europe, it is ge-

Thi$p,

lameic

Of so

Whigi

founded
This las
each, wj]
flannels,
Colonisir
of 1816.
coast of i
own consi
Thei*
opinions,
at Washi
and lot of
the suppo
cumstonce
the other j
The Jaws
admit of n
ordinary ii
sacred fun
Elsewhere,
them from
which ore
oi religious
the supprei
gious worsl
fine and im
our. for
83 cents; a
applicable u
and slaves,
ample) the
too common

UNITED STATES.

lie city,
larter*
id, ftnd
r 1790,
f of the
iating <rf
nd is fit.
f tuition
paylUK)
tend the
ind some
alf-yearly
lent must
n a house
dvanti^s
nstirobtion
Its are in*
languages i
16 different
Ations are

snption, to
jr, ^ho has
its superin-

Ly the 8ub>
and the
incorpora-
iblishment.
of natural

18 perhaps
I by mem-

1817, seven
I of these,

ics the opi-

Ithe public;

Ipe, it is ge-

nerally <wnudered as the organ of the execudve authoiity.
Thi9 paper ia published thrice a week. Other two are on the
fame fcale} two appear weekly, and two daily.

Of societies there are, the Humane Society, the Washington
Whig Society, two mason lodges, the Columbian Institute ■
founded in 1817, and the Columbian Agricultural Society.
This last consists of SOO members, who pay one dollar a year
each, which is expended in premiums for the best cattle, doth,
flannels, stockings, carpets, &c. The American Society for
Colonising Free People of Colour was established in the end
of 1816. Its object is to procure a utuation on the western <
coast of Africa, to which free people of colour may, with their
own consent, be transported.

There are different sects, and a great variety of religious
opinions, but no dissension. The annual salary of a clergyman
at Washington is about 1000 dollars, with a small mansion
and lot of land, — a provision which is said to be inadequate to
the support of a family ; and it is probably owing to this cir-
cumstance, that two clergymen, the one a presbyterian, and
the other a baptist, have clerkships In the treasury department
The laws of Virginia and Maryland, in relation to the clergy,
admit of no external badge or distinction of their order in the
ordinary intercourse of life, but only in the exercise of their
sacred functions in their respective places of divine worship.
Elsewhere, and at other times, it is as impossible to distinguish
them ftova the crowd, as to recognize their places of worship,
which are without steeple, cross, bell, or other distinctive sign
of religious appropriation. By an act of December, 179S, for
the suppression of vice, and punishing the disturbers of reli-
gious worship, persons offending in thnse respects are liable to
fine and imprisonment, and to be bound over to good behavi-
our. For profane swearing and drunkenness, the penalty is
8S cents ; and for labouring on Sunday, 1 dollar and 75 cents,
applicable to all persons, ami especially to apprentices, servants,
and slaves. For adultery (of which there is scarcely an ex-
ample) the punishment is 20 dollars; for fornication (which is
too common) one half of this sum.

3S8

VIEW OF THE

In 1815^ there were in Washingtota nine' pkysioians, and
two apothecaries, who were also physidans ; their f^ in the
city is a dollar a visit; in the country it is regulated by the
distance.

Georgetown is finely situated on the north-east iride of the
Patomak river. It is divided from Washington by Rock
creek, over which there are two bridges. The distance of
Georgetown from Alexandria is ten miles; and there is a
daily communication between these two places by means of a
packet-boat.

In 1810, the population of Georgetown was upwards of
7000. Some trade has been carried on between this port and
the West Indies. Mr. Scott, in his Geographical Dictionary,
informs us, that the exports of 1794 amounted to .128,924
dollars. Flour and other articles are transported to Alexan-
dria in vespls which do not draw more than nine feet water.

The houses of Georgetown, which ore chiefly of brick, have
a neat appearance. Several were built before the streets were
formed, which gave rise to an observation from a French lady,
that Georgetown had houses without streets, — Washington
streets without houses. The bank is a neat building. The
churches, under the direction of trustees, are plain and with-
out ornament.

Alexandria may be considered the port of Washington,
from which it is distant only about seven miles. It was for-
merly named Belhaven, and is pleasantly situated on the Vir-
ginia, or west side of the river Patomak. The streets, like
those of Philadelphia, run in straight lines, and intersect each
other at right angles. The houses are of a neat construction.
Those erected at the expence of the public are, an episcopal
church, an academy, court-house, bank, and jail. Alexandria
has carried on a considerable commerce with New Orleans,
and also with the East and West Indies, and some European
|X)rts. The warehouses and wharfs are very commodious.
Vessels of 5(K) tons he in the basons. Some have sailed from
this port with 120<) hog.shead.s of tobacco on board.

There have been many failures among the principal mer-
r hunts of this place, in consequence of losses abroad, or unfor-

tunate i

employ

Mam

of cut n

and dthi

basons,

not half

ants wer

1047 we

authorise

tiary, a c

There

catholic,

40 schoU

and SI r

ten physi

. may exer<

dollar per

ten miles.

Having

justly be

nowreturi

The eel

ral city :

And even
can, says,
I continuec
seeing non
who made
he told me
of it, and
I did, inde
a city. So
nearly oppe

UNJTED STATES.

8S9

lunate speculations. Those who carry on business at pres«it
employ their capitals in a more cautious manner.

Manufactures are yet in their infancy. Two manufactories
of cut nails have been lately established, and several of woollen
and other cloths. House rent is cheap, for^ except along the
basons, it is not more than six per cent., and in some places
not half that sum. By a census taken in 1817) the inhabit-
ants were found to be, — whites, 6513 ; blacks, S646, (of whom
1047 were free.) Total, 8153. In this year a lottery was
authorised by congress^, to raise funds for building a peniten-
tiary, a city-hall, and two Lancastrian schools.

There are already five churches, protestant, presbyterian,
catholic, methodist, and baptist. In the academy there are
40 scholars, 35 of whom learn Latin anct classical literature,
and SI reading, writing, and arithmetic. There are nine or
ten physicians, but there is no medical society. Any person
may exercise this profession. In the town the usual fee is a
dollar per visit ; and five dollars to and within the distance of
ten miles. ,*

Having noticed Alexandria and Georgetown, which pnay
justly be considered as appendages to Washington, we will
now return to the description of this city.

The celebrated Moore has humourously described the fede-
ral city :

* This famed metropolis, where fancy sees
Squares in morasses, obelisks in trees.'

And even Mr. Mellish, who panegyrises every thing Ameri>
can, says, * Being told that we were entering Washington city,
I continued looking for the houses for some little time ; but
seeing none, I thought I had misunderstood the gentleman
who made the remark, and turning round for an explanation,
he told me, laughing, that we were almost in the very middle
of it, and asked if I did not see the capitol a little before us.
I did, indeed, see a stately edifice, but no other appearance of
a city. Soon after this, the stage stopped, at Steele^s hotel,
nearly opposite the capitol, where I took lodgings.'*

2 T *

"?*^

i ^, i ' ■ •'^

880

VIEW OF THE

siH-

However, this dty is no^ so despicalble as has fas^ re|Nr«,
sented ; though its increase cannot be rapid. * Herev observes
an English traveller, * is fine natural scenery, but no decidedly
great natural advantages; little external commerce, a barrm
ami, a scanty population, enfeebled too by the ^ea^y weight
lof absolute slavery, and no direct means of communication
with'the western country. For the apparently injudicious se-
lection of such a spotj upon which to raise the cajntal of a
great nation, several reasons are given. Some have even gcme
so far as to attribute to general Waslungton the influence of
pecuniary interest, his property being in the neighbourhopd.
But the most common argument adduced in 8U{^rt of the
choice is that it is central, or rather that it ims so ; tor the
recent addition of new states has removed the centre very far
west, so much so indeed, that the inhabitants of Lexington
affirm, that their town must on that ground soon become the
capital; and even the people of St. Louis, in the Missouri,
put in their claim, that city being said to be geographically
the exact centre of the Union. .But assuming that Washing,
ton were central, I do not see much validity in the argument ;
— at least if we are to be influenced in our judgment by any
country in the old world — where is the important nation whose
capital is. placed exactly in the centre of its dominions ? Spain
is per)iaps the only country which can be adduced, and ik> very
favourable conclusion can be drawn from such an instance:
though unquestionably if rivers and soil, if roads and canals,
all united to recommend that situation, it would be in some
other respects extremely convenient ; but this not being the
case, the knowledge of Euclid must be dispensed with for
something of more [iractical, though perhaps more vulgar
utility. • .

:^ There may be other objections to this capital: among
^em I would venture to suggest, that the legislators and
rulers of a nation ought to reside in that city which has the
most direct confmunication with ali parts of their country, and
of the world at large ; they ought- to see with their own eyes,
and hear with their own ears, without which, though possessed
c^ the best intentions, they must often be in error. News-

t JflTED SPATES.

161

pi^Ber tiOBliinwiidations^ letters, aM agents^ are but subetitoteSi
md a^kwCiniev'vetj poot ones; besides which, I conceive that
mere expedients i^iould not be admitted in national le^dation.
Unless the cky increases with a rapidity unsanctioned by the
most sanguine anticipation, the American law-makers will be
half a century behind what they would become by a rendenosf
in New. York at Philadelf^ia. Another objection to )Vash-
ii^glon may suggest itself to some minds, in its neighbourhood
to Vii^iiia. The " Virginian dynasty,^ as it has been called,
is a subject of general, and I think very just complaint
thiQsUghout other parts of America. This state has supplied
four of the five presidents, and also a liberal number of occu"
jMlnts of every other government office. The Virginians very
modestly assert, that this monopoly does not proeeed from
co^upt itifluenoe, but is a consequence of the buoyancy and
vigour of their natural talent. Without entering into the
controversy, whether or not seventeen states can supply a deu
gree of ability equal to that .of Virginia nngle-handed, I must
express my want of respect for a state in which every nan ia
either a slave-holder, or a defender of slavery — a state in whicti
landed property is not attachable for debt — a state in which
human beings are sold in the streets by the public auctioneer,
are flogged without trial at the mercy of their owner or hisf
agents, and are killed almost without punishment ; — yet these
men dare to call themselves democrats, and friends of liberty !
— ^from such democrats, and such friends of liberty, good Lord
deliver us I**

A late intelligent traveller, (lieutenant Hall,) speaking of
the city and the proposed university, says,.* The plan sup-
poses an immense growth ; but even if this were attainable, it
seems doubtful how far an overgrown luxurious capital would
, be the fittest seat for learning,, or even legislation. Perhaps
the true interest of the Union would rather hold Washington
sacred to science, philosophy, and the arts; a spot in some de-
gree kept holy from commercial avarice, to which the members
of the different states may retire to breathe an atmosphere un-
tainted witli local prejudices, and find golden leisure for pur-
suits and speculations of public utility. Such fancies would

38S

VIEW OF THE

be day dreams elsewhere* and are so perhaps heif; hut Ame*
rica is young in the oaieer of knowledge ; she has the light ci
former ages, and the sufferings of the present to guide her ;
she has not crushed the spirits of the many to build up the
tyranny of the few, and the eye of imagination may dwell
upon her smilingly/

The gr(niDd of Washington was originally the property of
private individuals, who, by an arran^ment with the govern-
ment, ceded one half to the public, in consideration of the en-
hanced price of the other, by virtuie of this cession. Four
thousand five hundred lots, each containing 6S65 superficial
feet, are the property of the nation, and have been estimated
at 1,500,000 dollars. Some of these lots have been sold at 46
cents per foot, though the common price is from 8 to 15 cents,
depending on the advantages of situation. Near the centre
market several have been purchased at Ho cents. The ori-
ginal price ^f lots was from !200 to 800 dollars each, which
shows that their value has considerably diminished. This hat
been owing to different causes, and particularly to the project
of some eastern members of congress to transfer the seat of
government to some other place. The value of this property
has also suffered by litigation. In 1804, several purchasers
refused to pay to the commissioners of the government the
sums stipulated in the deed of sale, which were to be dis-
charged, according to> agreement, at certun fixed dates. In
consequence of this refusal, the commissioners ordered the lots
to be sold to the highest bidder, and they were repur-
chased by tlie former proprietors fur one-tenth of the original
cost; by which circumstance the government experienced a
loss of 70,000 dollars. The supreme court, to whom the case
was submitted, decided iu favour of the proprietors, alleging,
that, as a remedy had been sought in the sale of the lots, the
government could not have recourse to another, and it also
became responsible for the expences of the law-suit, amounting
to 2000 dollars. The proprietors united in support of their
mittual interests, which were defended by the ablest lawyers,
except the attorney-general, who stood alone in the behalf of
the government.

UNITED STATES.

^yers,
[lalfof

A houM, oonsiiting of three stories, 86 feet in front, and 40
t«et deep, completely finished, costs from 4000 to 6000 dollars.
A house of two stories, of the same length and breadth, is va^
lued at from 3000 to 4000 dollars.

The rate of house-rent is proportioned to the expence of the
materials of its construction, and the advantages of its situa-
tion. Bribks cost from 5| to 6^ dollars per thousand. Their
dimensions, as fixed by an act of the corporation, are 9f , 4f ,
2f inches.

Calcareous stone, of a bluish colour, is brought from the
neighbourhood of Georgetown, and purchased at a cheap rate.
Unslacked lime costs from 2 to 2| dollars per luurrel. Wood
is cheap ; pine and oak are brought from the eastern shore of
the Chesapeake. A good bricklayer is paid at the rate of
three dollars for every thousand bricks. Some of the houses
are covered with slate, though generally with boards, called
shingles, the use of which ought to be prohibited, on account
of their combustible nature. Wood is chiefly employed for
fuel, and oak and hickory are preferred, which are sold at the
rate of four dollars per cord, except during an unusually se-
vere winter, when the price has been from six to seven dollars.
By an act of the corporation, a cord of wood must be eight
feet in length, four in breadth, and * well stowed and packed.*
A good dray-horse can be purchased at Washington for 60, a
saddle-horse for 130, and a milch-cow for 35 dollars.

The whole exports for the district of Columbia, for the year
I ending 30th September, 1817, were 1,768,658 dollars, of which
1 1,689,102 were domestic produce, and 79,556 foreign.

The inhabitants of Washington are social and hospitable.
[Respectable strangers, after the slightest introduction, are in-
vited to dinner, tea, balls, and evening parties. Tea parties
have become very expensive, as not only tea, but coffee, negus,
Icakes, sweetmeats, iced creams, wines, and liquors, are oflen
Ipreiented; and, in a sultry summer evening, are found too
table to be refused. In winter, there is a succession of
liatnily balls, where all this species of luxury is exhibited.

Both sexes, whether on horseback or on foot, wear an um-
brella in all seasons : in summer, to keep off the sun-beams ;

"#-

VIEW OP THE

in winter, as a shcller from the rain and «mw ; in ipring and
autumn, to intercvpt the dewt of the evening. Peraom of all
ranks canter Cheir hunes, which movement fatigues the animal,
and has an ungraceful appearance. At dinntr, and at tea
. parties, the ladies sit together, and seldom mix with the gen-
tlemen, whose oonversation naturally turns upon politioal sub.
jects. lA almost all houses toddj is offered to jS^dbsts a fvw
minutes before dinner. Gentlemen wear the hat in a oarriagt
with a lady as in England. Any particular attention to a lady
ia readily construtd into an intention of marriage. Boarders
in boarding-houses, or in taverns, sometimes throw 60* the ooat
during the heat of summer ; and in winter the shoes, for tha
purpose of .warming the ieet at the fire ; customs which the
clinMte only can excuse. In summer, invitation to tea partia
is made verbally by a servant, the same day ihe party is given;
in winter, the invitation is more ceremonious. The barber
arrives ton horseback to perform the operation of shaving t and
here, as in Europe, he is the organ of all news and scandal.

On the subject of manners, Mr. Fearon says^ * Tea parties,
and private balls, are now very frequent. Mr. Bagot, the
English ambassador, and his lady, are particularly assiduous
in their attentions to all classes, and miuntain a strict conform.
ity with the habits of the place. Their cards of invitation tre
left at my boarding-house for different gentlemen every day.
The speaker (Mr. Clay) gives puUic periodical dinners. A
drawing-room is held weekly at the' presidents house : it it
generally crowded. There is little or no difficulty' hi getting
introduced on these occasions. Mr. Munroe is a very plain,
practical man of business. The custom is shaking, and not
the degrading one of kissing, hands. Conversation, tea, ice,
music, chewing tobacco, and excessive spitting, afford employ-
ment for the evening. The dress of the ladies is very elegant, ,
though that of the gentlemen is too frequently rather ungen-
tlemanly.

* The theatre is a miserable building. I have attended sfr I
veral representations in it by the same company which I saw
when in Pittsburgh. Incledon has been here — the Washing-
ton critics think him too vulgar, and also an indifferent singer!

nag and
MM of all
e animal,
id at tea
the gen-
itiOBl Bub>
nta afcv
aearriagfe
itoalady
Boarders
iff the ooat
n, fortht
Mfluchthe
t«a parties
y is given;
?he barber
if vagi and
aoandal.
reapartieBt
Ba^, the
y asnduous
ot conform*
vitotion m
every day.
trs. A
it is
r im getting
very plain,
kg, and not
U, tea, ice,
ptA employ-
ery elegant,
|ther ungen-

littended s^
?hich I saw
Washing-
rent singe'-

UNITED 8TATB& - 8|f

< In thia dty I witneMed alto the exhibitioM of Sewim Sbtmi,
the Indian jtigglcrt fWrn London. My chief attention was
directed to the audience; their disbelief of the poMibUity of
performing the numerous fbats advertised, and their incon-
ceivaMe astonishment at witnessing the actual achievement,
appeared extreme, — approaching almost to childish wonder
and astonishment.

* The fbw private famiKes to which 1 have had introductions,
do not evince a more accurate knowledge of that English word
comfort than I have nemarked elsewhere; indeed, I would
class them a century inferior to BoHton, and half a century
behind New York. Tha biHirding^housea and inns partake of
the same characteristics. I first applied at the chief, which is
Davi8''8 Indian Queen tavern : most of the door-haildles are
broken ; the floor of the coffee-room is strewed with bricks
and mortar, caused by the crumbling of the ceiKng ; and the
character of the accommodations is in unison with this unor-
ganised state of things : the charges are as high as at the very
first London hotel .^

In the summer of 1814, this metropolis was taken possession
of by an English naval and land force, which set fire to the
capitol, president's house, public offices, and navy-yard. The
moveable property destroyed at the latter place has been esti-
mated at 41*7,743 dollars ; the loss sustained in buildings and
fixtures at 91,4S5; the expences of rebuilding at 62,370; in
j all, 571,538 dollars. The loss sustained by the partial de-
struction of the capitol, president's house, and oth^r public
edifices, has been estimated at 460,000 dollars ; in all,
1,031,538 dollars. The superintendent of the public build-
ings, in his report, dated the 29th of October, 1814, gave the
following statement of their cost down to the date of their de-
Istruction: —

[North wing of the capitol, including the foundation walls of both
wings, and of the centre or main building, and of alterations and
repairs, - - - . - . 4.57,388 dollars.

[South wing of the capitol, - - - 329,774

jPresident's house, - - - - - 334,334

jPublic offices, - ' 93.613

[Total, - - - - - • - - 1,21.5,109 dollars.

W-

VIEW OP THE, &c.

*Up(m a second visit to the osintol/ sajrs Mr; Fcaron, <I
explored nearly ail its recesses. Marks of the late oonflagrt.
tion are still very apparent, while the walls bear evidence <tf
public ojnnion in relation to that transaction, which seems to
have had the singular fate of casting disgrace upon both the
Americans and British. Some of the pencil drawings exhibit
the military commander hanging upon a tree; others repre-
sent the president running off without his hat ox wig ; some,
admiral Cockbum robbing hen-roosts: to which are added
such inscriptions as, "The capital of the Union lost by cow.
ardiue ;" " Curse cowards ;" ** A — : — sold the city for 5O00
dollars ;^ "James Madison is a rascal, a coward, and a fool;''
" Ask no questions)^ Sec'

An English emigrant, in a letter to the editor, after repro.
bating in severe terms the Gothic barbarity of general Ross,
exultingly obiierves, that the Englishmen employed in repair-
ing thi damages he effected were nearly as numerous as those
that folk)wed him.

THE enu

ten vea

teen years o

of forfeiting

the returns,

some public

tary of state

clerks of th<

duty, or mis

tary, is pun

sistant, gOO.

allowred nine

August of t

eleven monti

l»een estimate

The folloi

American co

Washington,

of mortalitv.

GENERAL VIEW

OF THE

PRESENT STATE AND RESOURCES

OF TftE

UNITED STATES.

QF TILE POPULATION OF TUK UNITED STATES.

'ptiE enumeradon or censusof the inhabitants is made every
ten years. The heads of families, or free persons of six-
teen years of agi^, are obliged to render a true account, on pain
of forfeiting the sum of twenty dollars ; and as a check upon
the returns, a schedule '^f the local enumeration is exhibited in
some public place. A return is made, on oalh, to the secre-
tary of state of the Unit^ States ; and a copy is filed by the
clerks of the districts, or of the superiw courts. Neglect of
duty, or misrepresentation on the pert of the marshal or secre-
tary, is punished by a fine of 800 dollars ; on that of the as-
sistant, SOO. The act providing for the last census (1810)
allowed nine months for its execution, commencing the 1st of
August of the same year, which was ailerwards extended to
eleven months. The whole expence of the enumeration has
been estimated at 40,000 dollars.

The following estimate of the population of the British
American colonies in 1753, inserted in Marshall's Life of
Washington, was deduced ttom militia rolls, poll taxes, bills
of mortalitv, and other documents considered as correct.
15 * « U

. .^^it^'.^-if.-aiiUs.

338

VIEW OF THE

Nova Scotia,

5,000 inhabitants

New Hampshire,

30,000

Massachusetts Bay,

220,000

Rhode Island,

35,000

Connecticut,

100,000

New York, -

io0,qoo

The Jerseys, -

60,000

Pennsylvania and Delaware,

250,000

Maryland,

85,000

Viz^nia,

85,000

North Carolina,

45,000

South Carolina,

30,000

Georgia,

6,000

Toitel,

^,051,Q00

The population of the United States territory, at different
periods, was as follows: In 1753, 1,051,000; in 1780,
2,051,000; in 1790, 3,9^9,326; in 1800, 5,308,666; in
1810, 7,S39,903. The increase in the first ten years was
1,878,326; in the second, 1,379,340; of the last, 1,931,^7.
It appears that the population has more than doubled every
twenty years since the period of the first Americi^ establish-
ments. AccorAng to the enumeration of 1810, there were—

Free whites, under 10 years of age,
of 10, and under l6,
of l6, and under 26,
of 26, and under 45,
of 45, and upwards.

The number of free people of colour
The number of slaves.

In Europe, generally, the proportion of marringes to the
population has been .estimated at 1 to 120 ; that of births, 1
to 27; and that of deaths, 1 to 30. In the United States,
the marriages are as 1 to 30 ; the births as 1 to 20 ; and the
deaths as 1 to 40. The yearly births have been estimated at
5 1 per 100; the yearly deaths at 2|^ per 100. The popula.

Malea.

Femaks. DHferencc.

,035,278

981,426 53,852

468,183

448,.S24 19,859

547,597

561,668 14,071

572,347

544,156 28,191

364,756

338,378 26,358

stated to be 186,446

■t

1,191,364

UNITED STATES.

tS9d

;re were—

tkAi of the iity ftf New York was aoccrtdined with great ex-
actfiess ih 180S, and the number of nliale white inhabitants
was 35,984'; of fetniUeA, 36,978. The annual augmentation
of slave* is about 2J per 100. Of 7,239,903, thfe whole po-
pulsion in ime, l,191f364 were slares, and 186,446 free
persons of colour. The slaves belong chiefly to Maryland,
Virginia, Cardlina, Georgia, and Kentucky, in which states,
tak^n ct^Iectitely, they form nearly one-third of the popula-
tion. In Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, there
are no slaves, and very few in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
By the last census, there were but 108 in the former, and 310
in the latter place.

The whole number of slaves, in ] 800^ was 896,849

In 1»10, - - .- . 1,191,364

Increase in ten years, - 294,515

It appc;«rs from the different enumerations made according
to the population acts of congresis, that the increase is at the
rate of three per cent, per annum ; in other words, that the
population doubles every S3 years ; and it is probable that it
will preserve this rate of increase for a hundred years and
more, owing to the immense extent of country yet unpeopled.
In 1810, it amounted in round numbers to 7,000,000; in
1833, it >^ill be 14,000,000; in 1866, «8,000,000; in 1879,
56,000,000; in 1902, 112,000,000; in 1926, 224,000,000,
This last numb-rj scattered over a territory of 3,000,000 of
square miles, would average about 70 to each mile, a popula-
tion similar to that of Massachusetts proper, arid about the ave-
rage of Europe. ' •

ON THE STATE OF EDIICATir>X, KNOWLEDGE, AND THE ARTS.

The progress of the Americans has been greater in the use-
ful arts than in the fine arts, or the sciences, though their ad^
vances in the latter are recpectable, considering the shortness
of their career. The slate of knowledge and education gene-
rally have bee?j mentioned in the course of the work.

310

VIEW OF THE

The education of youth, which is so essential to the welt-
being of society, and to the developement of national wealth,
has always been a primary object of public attention in the
United States. Since the year 1800, especially, great addi.
tions have been made to the number of schools and academical
institutions ; to the funds for supporting them, and to all the
means for providing instruction, and disseminating information.
In 1809, the number of colleges had increased to 25, that of
academies to 74. Those iiistitntions arc incorporated by the
legislature of each state, and are subject to its inspection,
though placed respectively under the direction of boards of
trustees.

In the western states congress have reserved 640 acres of
the public land in each township for the support of schools,
besides seven entire townships of 23,040 acres each, two of
which are situated in the state of Ohio, and one in each of the
states a^d territories of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missis-
sippi, and Louisiana. In the state of New York, in 1811, the
fund for common schools, subject to the disposal of the legis-
lature, amounted to half a million of dollars, giving an annual
revenue of 86,000 dollars. The school fund of the state of
Connecticut amounts at present to a very large sum. —
Since the year 1800 the numi <x of American students of me-
dicine, graduating in foreign countries, has considerably dinni.
nished, the medical schools of Philadelphia and New York
having acquired a high reputation. The period of college
study is four years. Several medical journals are published at
Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Baltimore ; and there
are American editions of the most celebrated medical works of
Europe. New publications of celebrity, in all departments of
literature, arc immediately republished ; and a quarto volume,
which costs two guineas in London, may be purchased in
America, in a neat octavo form, for the same number of dol-
lars. The Edinburgh and Quarterly Reviews arc regularly
repubhshed, and circulated to a great extent. Throughout
the New England States the schools are supported by a puhlic
tax, and are under the dire-ction of a committee. In these sc-
ninaries the pour and the rich are educated together, and are

UNITED STATES.

341

tanght reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, and geography.
In other parts of tlie Union also, schools are provided for the
education of the poorer class. The system of Lancaster has.
been lately adopted in different places. Various societies have
been lately established for the advancement of knowledge;
particularly of those branches which are connected with agri-
culture, arts, and manufactures. I'he American Philosophical
Society at Philadelphia has already published six volumes on
scientific subjects. An Athenaeum, on the plan of that of Li-'
verpool, has been lately established at Boston. In the space
of ten days a sul>scription-of 40,000 dollars was collected for
the use of this establishment. The Arierican Academy of
Arts and Sciences at Boston has published one volume of
Transactions. The New York Society for the promotion of
agriculture, arts, and manufactures, has published four vo-
lumes. The Philadelphia Society for promoting agriculture
has published two. The Georgetown Society has published
one on husbandry and rural affairs.

The Americans have already given proofs of a taste for
painting. The names of West, Copely, Trumbull, Stewart,
Vanderlyn, Jarvis, Wood, Allston, Leslie, Pealc, Sully,
Morse, Earle, and Todd, the first eight historical and land-
scape, the last portrait ))ainters, are well known in Europe,
j^cademies for the cultivation of the fine arts have been lately
established at Philadelj^ia and New York. Plaster casts of
the principal antique statues, »i>!:afew pictures, have been
procured from Paris for both iudtitiitions. Those of the latter
were presented by the emperor Napoleon, on his being ap-
pointed a memlier. The liberal spirit which fosters these
establishments does great honour to citizens, most of whom
are merchants.

The museum at Philadelphia has been lately enriched with
a variety of objects in natural history, of which the most strik-
ing is the skeleton of the mammoth. \^ithin a few years the
soil and productions of the United States have become thq
subject of [ihilosophical research, and lectures on chemistry,
mineralogy, and botany, are delivere<l in the cities of Phila-
delphia, New York, and Boston.

343

VIEW OF THE

The number of copies wliich are sold of ]n>blie ncork^ ot va-
rious kinds aftcMrds one of the most striking proofs of the pro-
gress of knowledge ; and the newspaper press is the great
argmn of ooinniunication m Anierica. In this destA^iption of
littraturc the United States are entitled to take precedehce of
an ath«r countries, at least so far as relates to number. In
the beginning of the year T810 there w^re 364 newspapers in
Um Uniced States, M of whii<^ were printed daily, 16 thrtee a
week, 3^ twice, and 96SS weekly. Before the American revo-
hition there were but nine newspapers in the Lfnited States.
In tho ritrtte of New York there are lOO printing establish,
mems. and 70 gazettes. The annual aggregate amount of
«fvv^papers is estimated at 2&,S00,000. The following table
v'ilJ aiiovf the number in each state :

New. Hampshire^

Nortli Gorolina,

Mas-vichusetts,

South Carolina,

Kfiode T:3land,

•

Georgia, - - -

ConnectJcut,

Kentucky,

Teimont, -

Tennessee,

New York,

Ohio, - - -

Pennsylvania,

District of Columbia,

Delaware,

Indiana territory.

MuryUnd,

' -

Mississippi do. -

New Jersey,

Orleans, - - *

Vii^ginia, -

•

Louisiana,

In the month of May, 1817, the whole number of newspapers ih
the United States was about 500,, the number printeil weekly,
250,000.

In 1792> the whole number of newspapers in Great Britain and
Ireland was 213.

The expeditions under Le-viu; and Clarke, and major Pike,
have made valuable additions io geography •, and the vessel
now (May, 1819) ready t» sail en a voyage of discovery, shews
the anxiety of the government to promote the interests of sci-
ence. The congress has tdso ordered a trig«)nomctrical and
maritime survey of the American coast.

In mechanics the Americans have been particularly inven-
tive. The number of patents issued at the patent office, from

UNITED STATES.

the ht- of January, 181^, to th« 1st of January, 1818, .
aqiQunted to 235. The machinery of flour-miUs has serenl
ingeoioui) contfivances not known in Burupe^ The machuwt
for making cottpn cards, and for the manu£M:ture of nails, arc
no less ui^iVl to the country than creditable to the inveotarsr
Two Americans are candidates fw the prize of » million of
francs, offered by the French government for the best macbina
for spinning flax. The saving of manual labour by OM of the
American machines is siud to be four-iifUis, but the ooncUtions
of the prize reqMire nine-tenths. The giniuog machine, for
separating cotton from the seed, has been of incalculable value
in reducing the cost of cotton by a vast saving of manual )»•
hour. The method employed of lighting the interior of Ame-
rican merchant vessels, and vessels of war, by means of cyliiu
ders of glass placed in the deck, is found to be very useful at
sea. A new apparatus for the distillation of salt water on
board a£ vessels at sea, invented by nu^or Lamb of New
York, has been found so superior to the contrivances formerly
in use, that it has been adopted by the EngUsli navy board
for the public ships. The American machinery for making
boots and shoes by means of iron wire or nails luts been lately
employed in England ; and an idea may be formed (^ its eci»-
Bomijcal advantages from the cireum.stauce of its being able to
furmsh a paw of shoes in a quarter of an hour.

Perhaj^s, of all the American inventions, the applanation of
steami ^ inland na.vigatiAHi is the most splendid, and promises
to be the most useful, especiaUy to the country which gave
it birth. Steam-boats now ply on the Hudson, I>ela^mre,
Patomak^ $avannali, CMiio, Mis$is.sippi^ and nearly all the
other navigable streams in tW United States. Boats o£ 150
feet in length, aind 30 t& 50 i» breadth, are propelled at the
rate of eigl^t or W^ miles an, hour in still water. Tbe slowness
of navigation, on the giteat rivers by sails and oars renders the
steam-boat invalu^)le. Among otHev purposes, it is employed
to tow large vessels i^unst th« wind and current, and it is
used as Sk ferry-boajt at. Ne\v Yoik and other ports. The
steam frigate, constructed at New York according to the pian
i)i, \h^ hx» Mr. Fulton* is 1)45 feet long, 55 i itet inroad, and

lE^'^^N^^

VlfiW OP Tttfi

has an engine of ISO horse power, moving with a velodty
backwards or forwards at the rate of three miles and a half an
hour. The wheel is placed in the centre, and is protected by
the sides, which are six feet in thickness; in other parts they
are four and a half. This frigate is to carry SO cannon, and
is considered as impregnable. The steam^n^ne of Evans,
now employed in the United States, is considered both more
economical and more simple than that of Watt and Bolton.

The Americans excel in the erection of bridges; and in
ship-building they are now decidedly superior to the European
nations, even to those most renowned for skill in maritime
affairs. Their public buildings are not numerous, because
they are yet but young as a nation. Even foreigners admit,
however, that the capitol at Washington, the bank of Penn-
fylvania, and the city-hall of New York, are very fine edifices.
The last was lately finished, and cost 538,000 dollars. The
coin of ithe United States rivals that of France or of England
in neatness of execution.

Dramatic exhibitions have made a rapid progress in the
United States within the last ten years. Twenty years ago,
great struggles were made against this species of recreation.
The clergy of various denominations petitioned several state
le^slatures to suppress theatrical amusements, as immoral and
profane. In Connecticut this opposition had complete success.
The principal theatre of that stat^, in the city of Hartford,
was converted into a church, and actors are still subject lo ex-
oommunication. In Massachusetts the church and the stage
for a long time maintained a doubtful struggle. Plays were
interdicted, but recitations or lectures were allowed ; and the
players, oUiged to accommodate their proceedings to this ab-
surd restriction, announced plays under the name of lectures.
Thus a tragedy or comedy was advertised in such terms as
these: *A Moral Lecture; the affecting History of Jane
Shore, as narrated in dialc^e by the celebrated Rowe C * The
entertaining tale of the Poor Soldier, as told in song and dia-
logue by the facetious 0''Keefe.^ By a spirited efibrt, how-
ever, in the legislature, the laws against plays were abolished;
and a theatre was erected in Boston in the year 1798. About

UNITED STATES.

1808* great unpravementa were made b the style of Mldinf
and decoration m the AmericaB thaatrei, which bagaa then to
rival the theatres of the (4d world.

All the beit new piece* on the British iti^ are tranaioitteii
to America with groat rapidity ; and in droMai^ dccoratioM^
and style of cntiaem, a great similarity obtaint between the
two Goontriea. There are aiii^t difiereneee, however, in tha
customs of the audience. Ladiea and gentkmen are never
expected, as a pmnt of ^iquette, to wear full drew in the best
bodies. It is usual for females to sit in the pit in the southern
states, but in the northern and middle states they are ncfvet
permiitted to be seen there. The pa^on for speotade, end
far the eilulHtkul of horses and elephanta on the stage, ia al
prevalent in America as in London. In propriety of decora*
tion and costume ibo Americana are particularly delecUve;
they dress with great siirfendour, but aaldoai correctly. The
laL:^ celebrated Mr. Cooke, who died in America, remarked
that the Americans timed their applauses, bettiir than any peo-
(de in the world. With respect to onginal plays they are very
deficient; and, indeed, thia specica of production eannot be
expected to thrive in a country where all the branche* of au»
thorship lie under great discourageweast. Besides, the miu
oagera can pvocure plays without diffieulty from EngLmd, and
have nothing to pay £ar the copyright ; yet many plays hava
been written and acted with success in America.

The pay of aothera ia governed by the same rules as ift
England, but thece is a great prefereneo given to plays firom
the nother.eountry ; and the sterling dnrnMs of the Englisk
stage, especially the works of Shake^are,. seldom fait to bring
full bouses The celebrated actors on the American stage
have almost exclusively enugrated from England. The first
of any decided reputation was the late Mr. Hodgkinson, ori-
g^QslIy from Bath» who was excellent in every variety of the
seeae, iroro the highest tragedy to the loweat farce. The lato
Mrs, Warren, celebrated as Miss Brnnton in Covent-Garden>
vtas the female wonder of tragedy in America for many years ;^
and two comedians, latdy deceased,, by the aamea of Twaita
and Harwood,^ were long at the head of the comic departasaant.

« X

846

VIEW OF THE

Mr. Fennel was a very deserving tragedian, and for some
years contested the palm of superiority with Mr. Coof>er, who
remained master of the field, and at present takes the lead in
the American drama. Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Blissot, Mr. Ber-
nards, Mh. Hilson, and Mrs. Darby, all from England, also
enjoy a high rank at present on the American boards. Mr.
John Howard Payne, the young tragedian known in Europe
and America under the title of the American Roscius, is the
only native who has ever enjoyed a very high degree of suc-
cess. His first appearance at New York, February SI, 1809,
at the age of sixteen, produced an effect equalled by a similar
debut a short time before in England. The pay given to the
best regularly engaged actors does not exceed from '80 to 40
dollars per week. The benefits of such performers may pro-
duce them from 800 to 1500 dollars in addition. Mr. Cooper
receives l^ dollars weekly, and half the profits of every seu
Tenth night, on his regular engagement at New York. Wheh
he travel^, of course the profits vary with the attraction;
sometimes he has received 3000 dollars for thirteen nights*
performance. Mr. Howard Payne has gained for 26 succes-
sive nights* performance in I'liiladelphia, Baltimore, and Rich*
mond, above 5000 dollars.

The English language is spoken with as great purity by the
different classes of society in America as by the corresponding
classes in England ; whiie the strongly-marked dialects of
Scotland and England, and eve^i of the English counties, the
source of so many barbarisms and corruptions, have no paral-
lel in the United States. A Yorkshire or Lancashire peasant
is scarcely intelligible to a Londoner ; but in no district of
America, not even in the extreme west, where savage and ci-
vilized life mingle, is there a language spoken not perfectly
intelligible to an English ear.

There are, however, some peculiar phrases in general use,
which may properly be called Americanisms. The following
is given as a specimen from Mr. Mellish: *I was diverted,'
s^ys he, ♦ by a dialogue between the two drivers, in which the
word guess occurre' so frequently, that I could hardly hear
any thing else. " I ffuesi this string's not long enough."

UNITED STATES.

347

• some
r, who
lead in
r. Ber-
id, also
.. Mr.
Europe
;, is the
of suc-
k, 1809,
I similar
>n to the
30 to 40
nay pro-
•. Cooper
every se-
Wheh
^traction;
n nights'
56 succes-
Lnd Rich.

ity by the
^ponding
ialects of
ities, the
no paral-
le peasant
istrict of
;e and (»•
perfectly

leral use,
(following
liverted,'
rhich the
rdly hear
[enough."

*• O yes, I g%us9 it is." " O yes, i guess I'll make it do."
" There,— I gm9s you have fixed it." " Yes, 1 guesa you
guess right."' But the departure of the learned from the
pure idioms. of the English language is not considerable^
When the antipathy again t this country ran high during the
American revolution, it wus propfised to drop the use of' the
English tongue and chuse another, when u wag recommended
the adoption of the Hebrew.

Of all foreign countries, it is only in America that tlu choice
productions ot Knglish genius are sought after and appreciated,.
On tl • continent of Europe nothing but English works of sci-
ence anil practical utility are extensively known, as in fact it
is these alone which, in any language, can be thormighly un-
derstood by foreigners. Courses of lectures on Englisli '■' Lia-
ture are to this day read in continental universities, iu which
none of the distinguished authors who have appeared within
the last 60 years are ever mentioned. Long before the title of
an English work, in some untranslated quotation from a re^
view, is announced at Leipsig, at Paris, or at Rome, it is rcr
printed at Boston, Philadelphia, or New York, and read on
the banks of the Ohio or Mississippi. This community of
language the American ought also to prize as one of his noblest
privileges, since it ailbrds him access to a literature more ad<p
vanced than his own can be in the nature of things ; and if it
be his firat boast that he is the countryman of Washington and
Franklin, it should be his second, that his forefathers were
countrymen of Shakespeare and Milton, and *■ that Chatham's
language is his mother-tongue.'

» * * .

MANXERS AKD HAIUTS.

The people of the United States have not that uniform cha-
racter which belongs to ancient nations, upon whom time, and
the stability of institutions, have imprinted a particular and
individual character. The general physiognomy is as varied
as its origin is different. English, Irish, German, Scotch,
French, and Swiss, all retain something of the first stamp,
which belongs to their ancient country. A marked distinction,

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(716)I73-4S03

B4B

VIEW OP THA

however, tasti betwetn tht inhabitants of 1h^ oiarithM snd
ewiBie r c i al towns, and thoM of the <Jountr^. The-'fbnner
|)etfeetly resemble the dtitens of the great towns tf. EaHi()c
They have all the luxury and vices of an advanced dvihtAtton.
Thote of the country, who lead an agrieultural life, «njoy all
that ha{)|nness which is procured fh)iA the exercise of the so^
dal virtues in their primitive purity. Their affisetions are
constant; felicity crowns the conjugal union; respect for pa-
ternal authority is sacred ; infidelity on the part of the wifb is
almost unknown; divorce is rare; mendicity and thtsfl nn>
common.

An Englishman may easily be distinguished by his gait and
appearance from an American. The latter have a heavy,
loun^ng, indifferent kind of manner, indicative of ease and
carelessness. * Their whole appearance,^ says a judicious ob-
server, * is sallow, and what we should call unhealthy. Oui:

friend D tells me that to have colour in the cheeks is an

infallible criterion by which to be discovered as an English*
man. In a British town of any importance, you cannot walk
along a leading street fur half an hour without meeting with
almost every variety of sixe, drens, and appearance among the
inhabitants; whilst, on the contrary, l)ere they seem all of one
family; and though not quite a "drab-coloured creation,*
the feelings they excite are not many degrees renroved from
the uninteresting sensations generated by that expression.
The young men are tali, thin, and solemn : their dress is uni-
versally trowsers, and very generally loose great coats. Old
men, in our English idea of that phrase, appear very r«re»*

In such an extensive country, partaking of very different
local circumstances, the raamiers and morals of the community
must exhibit a great variety. Generally speaking, every state
has its o#n peculiar features : and the subjects alluded to have
been noticed in the view of the varioun states and territories.

There is a material diffitrcnce in point of character between
the people of the northern states and .those to the southward ;
there also exists a considerftUe sjnrit of rivalry, jeakiusy, and
oppositinn IxHween them. The former (speaking in genera)
terms) are a plain, honest, and industrious people; regular

'^■^v ,

UNITED STATES.

Oflf

in tkeir habits, fratiotiMl ia their paymente) mA strangly at-
t&ched to agricultural and oommercial puisuiti. But the
iMHithem plantn: acqoircti his wealth not by the isw«at of kU
brow like the New Englander, but by the labour of bis ft<>
gtatB. He lollfe at hift ease in the fihady retreat^ drinking^
smoking, or sleeping, surrounded by his slaves and overseers,
who furnish him with the luxuries of life, without the neoeiA-
sity of his leaving the piaeea. The ncnrtherA merchant, on
the contrary, is strenuously exerting himself from morning till
night; exerdsing his faculties, expanding his mind, and en-
larging his ideas by continual intercourse with people of every
nation, and oiM'respotidence in every quarter of the globe.
The planter is deprived of these cpportuniiies of mixing witli
the world, and acquiring an extensive knowledge of the int«>-
rests of trade. Hence he supposes, that to raise a crop and
sell it sufficiently benefits the country ; nor can he conceive
what difTerence it will make, whether it is taken away in a
ship of his own nation or that of a foreign state. He also
looks upon the tnerchant or trader with contempt, as a mere
plodding fellow who is making a fortune by his assistance ; he
even hates him, when by careful industry and economy the
merchant can leave off business, and becomes, by the aid of his
superior wealth and abilities, a more important personage in
society than himself. Such are, in all probability, the causes
which have created the existing spirit of rivalry, jealousy, and
opposition, between the northern and southern states; and
which, if not quickly extirpated, may one day or other occa-
ifion a separation of the Union.

The higher and middling classes of the Americans, who
reside chiefly in the large towns or their neighbourhood, live,
generally speaking, in a more luxurious manner than the same
descriptitm of people in England. Not that their tables are
more sumptuously furnished on particular occasions than ours ;
but that their ordinary meals consist of a greater variety of
articles, many of which from too frequent use may, perhaps,
t)ecome pernicious to the eonstitution. The constant use of
tegars by the young men, even from an early age, may also
tend to impur the constitution, and ci'cate a stimulus beyond

'^SJ'i

850

VIEW OF thI:

that which nature requires, or is capable of supporting. Their
dread of the yellow fever has induced a more frequent use of
tobacco of late years ; but it is now grown into a habit that
will not be easily abandoned. The other classes of the com-
. munity, who reside in the interior and back part of the coun-
try, are often obliged to live upon salt provisions the greatest
part of the year, and sometimes on very scanty fare ; besides
which, they generally dwell in miserable log huts, incapable
of defending them effectually from the severity of the weather.
Those who hav6 the means of living better are great eaters of
animal food, which is introduced at every meal ; together with
a variety of hot cakes, and a profusion of butter : all which
may more or less tend to the introduction of bilious disorders,
and perhaps lay the foundation of those diseases which prove
fatal in hot climates. The effects of a luxurious or meagre
diet are equally injurious to the constitution, and, together
with the* sudden and violent changes of the climate, may create
a series of nervoiis complaints, consumption, and debility,
which in the states bordering on the Atlantic carry off at least
one-third of the inhabitants in the prime of life.

The general mode of living for those who do not keep
house, is at hotels, taverns, or private boanling-houses. There
are generally two public apartments, one for a sitting, the other
a dining room. The lady of the house presides; the other
ladies, who are boarders, being placed/ on her left. The hours
are, — breakfast, eight o'clock; dinner, half past thi'ee; tea,
seven ; supper, ten. American breakfasts are celebrated for
their profusion ; presenting eggs, meat of various kinds, fish,
and fowls. The charge is usually two dollars per diem, ex-
clusive of wine.

The Americans are much addicted to dissipation. Mecha-
nics and tradesmen swallow daily an enormous quantity of
spirits, so that a temperate man will, even in the morning,
feel the smell of liquor emitted from almost every person be
meets in the streets. Even in the country, peaches grow iq
such profusion that brandy is made at a small expence ; and
as almost every house isjisfuniished with a still, inebriation is
very common. Those who can resist the temptations to in-

UNITED STAINES.

851

temperance possess great advantages over their less prudent
nei^bours. ,

Mr. Lambert ^ves the fo11o\ving account of dram-drinking,
which he received from general Bradley. * A gum-tickler is a
gill of spirits, generally rum, taken fasting. A phlegm-cutter
is a double dose just before breakfast. An antifogmatic is a
nmilar dram before dinner. A gaU-brealcer is about half, a
pint pf ardent spirits. When they enquire how such-a-one
doesj the answer is, ** Oh, he is only drinking gum-ticklers r
If he is drinking phlegm,-cutterSf or antifogmaUca^ the case is
not so good, and he is soon expected to get to gall-breakers ;
but if he is drinking the loiter , they consider him as a lost
sheep,^-say it is all over with him, — and pity his desperate
Indeed, a ihan seldom lives above six months after he

case.

has commenced the gall-breaking dram ! Rum, brandy, or
gin slingf is a common beverage for travellers through the
States ; and the stage-coachmen, in the course of a journey,
take " a special good quantity of it."^ Sometimes it consists
only of the liquor and water, sweetened with sugar, and drank
cold ; but in general it is made of milk, with ganger or nutmeg
grated into it.''

Another traveller says, that in New Yoi k vast quantities of
* Yankee^ rum are sold. * All spirits,^ he continues, * are com-
monly drunk mixed with cold water, without sugar. The
price per glass, at the dirtiest grog-shops, is two-pence, where
the liquor' is of the most inferior description. At the more
respectable, for a superior quality three-pence halfpenny. At
what are called taverns and porter-houses, establishments si-
milar to our second-rate public houses, six-pence halfpenny.
The size of the glass is half a gill. It is estimated that there
are 1500 spirit-shops in this dty ; a tact opposed to my first
impressions of American habits, which, on the point of sobrie-
ty, were favourable, judging from the absence of broils and of
drunkards in the streets : but more attentive observation, aided
by the information of old residents,^ enables me to state that
the quantity of malt-liquor and spifits drunk by the inhabit-
ants of New York, much exceeds the amount consumed by
the same «xtent of English populmon. The beastly -drun-

S5S

VIEW OF THE

kard it • oharieter unknown here; yet but too many are
throughout the day under the influence of liquor^ or what U
not inappropriately termed *^ half and half T a state too pre.
valent among the labouring claMes and the negrooe. Many
date the source of thb to the extremes of the climate. Ano.
ther and a leading eause is, that nuroliers of the lower orders
are European emigrants. They bring their habits with tKero.
They are here better employed and better paid than they were
in the country which gave them birth ; and th«y partake too
largely of the in6rmities of our nature to be provixient during
the sunshine of prosperity.'' ^

Duels are very frequent throughout the States, and all at.
tempts to prevent them havo hitherto failed. At New York,
a law was passed to prohibit the sending of challenges, and the
fighting of duels, under severe penalties ; but it answered no
other end than to {H'oduce a smart piece of satire on the sub.
ject of duels. A slight provocation produces a cbaUtnge^ and
if the parties consider themselves of what is called 'equal
standing,** that is, of families and in worldly circumstances of
equal respectability, they rarely decline the oombat ; and the
Americans being generally good shots, and as remarkable for
their cool deliberation as, too frequently, for deadly malignity^
it is seldom that both parties escape with life.

The Americans are unoommcHUy jealous of tb^r indepen-
dence; and although this be a useful feeling, its excess is
productive of v«ry serious evils. In schools, no species cf
con-ection is allowed, subordination being as foreign to the
comprehension of the youth as to that of the aged. Servants
also feel themselves independent of their employes. This
nuiy be attended with some advantages : it may please when
contrasted with the d^ading slavery of the European world;
but it is not free from serious and peculiar evils. It increases
selfish feelings and pursuits; it individualizes society, and
prevents a developement of those social qualities which are of
important benefit to, as well as the greatest ornament (^ our
nature.

Servants are us\mUy engaged by the week. Enquiry aa to
character is not practisfd. Qlacks and whites are seldom kept

UNITED STATES.

in the same houae. In the middle and southern states they
are chiefly blacks; and, though held in the most degraded
estimation, do almost as they please.

Servients are called * help :' if you call them servants they
leave you without notice. Englishmen often incur their di»<
pleasure by negligence in continuing to use this prohibited
word. ^^The difference, however,^ observes a recent writer*
'would appear merely verbal; for indeed I should misrepre>
sent the impressions I have received on the subject, if 1 stated
that the Americans reaili^ shewed more feeling, or were more
considerate in their eonduct towards this class qf society than
the English : every one who knows them will, I think, pro-
nounce the direct contrary to be the case. A friend of mine,
the other day, met with a rebuff at his hotel, which taught
him the necessity of altering — not his ideas indeed, but his
words. Addresmng the female **help,^ he said, "Be kind
enough to tell your mistress that I should be glad to see her.^
" My mietreaSf Sir I J tell you I have no mistress, nor master
either. I will not tell her. Sir, I guess ; if you want Mrs.
M — '— you may go to her yourself, I guess. I have no mis-
tress. Sir. In .this country there is no mistresses nor masters;
I guess I am a woman citizen.** The term ** boss*" is substi-
tuted for that of master : but these, I would remark, are not
the only instances in this country of the alteration of names,
while thing's remain the same : indeed some very absurd, and
even indelicate changes have been made which cannot well be
communicated on paper.*

A traveller to whom we have frequently referred says,
'When the vessel in which I sailed from England had anchored
at New York, a boy procured us two hackney coaches, 6rom
a distance of about a quarter of a mile. .1 offered him ah
English shilling, having no other small coin in my possesion.
He would not take «(j^ little ; " ^or as how I guess it is not of
value. I have been sUok in going to tlie stand righi away.**
This was said with a tone of independence, whici), although
displeasing to my pride, was not so to my judgment; JVfi*.
Adams satisfied the young republican by giving hini half-a-
dollar, (2«. Sd.)

2 Y

There was no seiise of having received a

'T-<*''*i^,.

354

VIEW OF THE

favour in the boy's countenance or manner; a trtut of charac-
ter which, I have since learned, is by no means confined to the
youth of America. A simple ** I thank you, Sir,^ would not,
however, derogate from a free man's dignity ; but I must not
be too fastidious. We should not expect every thing ; and,
after all, even cold independence is preferable to warm servility.
Another question, and one of leading importance, suggested
itself to me on this occasion ; namely. Is not labour here well
pud f* A great number of people were on the wharf looking
at us and our vessel. Many of them were of the labouring
class. Thev were not better clothed than men in a similar
condition in England ; but they were more erect in their pos-
ture, less care-worn in their countenances; the thought of
" the morrow'' did not seem to form a part of their ideas ;
and among them there were no beggars.

' Funerals are uniformly attended by large walking proces-
rions. Ii the newspapers I have frequently observed adver-
tisements stating the deaths, and inviting all friends to attend
the burial. The dead are seldom kept more than two days.
At the time appointed, intimate friends enter the house, others
assemble outside, and fall into the procession when the body is
brought out. Sorrow does not seem depicted in the counte-
nances of any, but few wear mourning, and m^ny smoke
segars ; none appear chargeable with the hypocrisy described
by the poet of " mocking sorrow with a heart not sad."'

Fair complexions, regular features, and fine forms, seem
to be the prevailing characteristics of the American fair sex.
They do not, however, enjoy their beauty for so long a period
as English women, neither do they possess the blooming coun-
tenance and rosy tinge of health so predominant among our
fair countrywomen, whose charms never stand in need of cos-
metics. The beauty of the American women partakes more of
the lUy than the ro«&,\ though the soft glow of the latter is
sometimes to be met with. Their climate, however, is not so
favourable to beauty as that of England, in consequence of
the excessive heat and violent changes of the weather peculiar
to America.

f a:*"

^ s .-■; j.

'/ ..

UNITED STATES.

355

'DQs, seem

Most travellers >vho have viHited Ameriaa have charged
the ladies of the United States universally with having bad
teeth. This accusation is cei'tainly very erroneous when ap-
plied to the whole of the fair sex, and to them alone. That
the inhabitants of the States are often subject to a premature
loss of teeth is allowed by themselves ; and the cause has even
been discussed in the papers read before the American Philo-
sophical Society ; but it does not -particularly attach to the
females, who are much more exempt from that misfortune
than the men.

Dancing is an amusement that the ladies arc passiAnately
fond of; and many of them are well accomplished in music
and drawing, which they practise with considerable success :
but they do not excel in those acquirements, as they do in
dancing. Among the young men these accomplishments are
but little cultivated.

Marriages are conducted in the most splendid style, and
form an important part of the winter's entertainments. For
some years it was the fashion to keep them only among a se-
lect circle of friends; but of late the opulent parents of the
new-married lady have thrown open their doors, and invited
the town to partake of their felicity. The young couple, at-
tended by their nearest connexions and friends, are married
at home in a magnificent style ; and if the parties are e[Msco>
palians, a bishop is always procured, if possible ; as hb pre-
sence gives a greater zest to the nuptials. For three, days
after the marriage ceremony, the new-married couple see com-
pany in great state, and every genteel person who can procure
an introduction may pay his respects to the bride and bride-
groom. It is a sort of levee; and the visitors, after their
introduction) partake of a cup of coffee or other refreshments,
and walk away. Sometimes the night concludes with a con-
cert and ball, or cards, among those friends and acquaintance
who are invited to remain.

A late writer thinks that the ease with which the necess^
ries of life may be obtiuned, the want of social subordination,
and the desire to be independent, conspire to produce some
inconveniences in tl^e married life, '^arly marriages,V says

300

VIEW OP THE

he, * partly proceed perhaps from thift state of things, though
the great source of their frequency is certainly in conformity
with a well-known theory, — the ease with which the necesaa.
ries of life can be obtained. Arguments are not wanting in
favour of youthful matrimonial engagements; and, without
considering the matter in an individual point of view, it cer-
tainly contributes to the more rapid advancement of a country
requiring population. Yet, strong as such reasons may be, I
should, if morally considered, hesitate in bearing my testimony
to their solidity. The youth of twenty, and the female of
fourteen, are ill fitted for the cares, anxieties, and education of
a family : Neither their bodily nor mental strength has attained
maturity. Those days also which ought to be devoted to the
acquirement of solid information, and to the improving, per-
haps it may be said, to the creating the character, are necessa-
rily devoted to other objects. The cares of life, under such
dKumstaqces, begin to press upon individuals who have not
previously had time or opportunity to learn its duties. No
provision has been made for the support of a rising family — to
this therefore every other object will generally be sacrificed :
by these means a sordid and calculating spirit is engendered—
the more generous feelings of our nature acquire neither
strength nor stability ; and every mental and ennobling pur-
suit is abandoned with a view to the getting on in life.

* The American female character requires our attention : in
mental pursuits it would appear to be at present but little ad-
vanced. This proceeds no doubt from a variety of causes ; all
that has been said of the male population, by a natural re-ac-
tion affecting the female also. The demand, too, (if I may be
excufeed a mercantile phrase upon such a subject,) exceeding
the supply, together with the comparatively less value set
upon domestic comfort, may perhaps have tended to produce
the extreme attention to mere personal ornament, and the uni-
versal neglect of either mental or domestic knowledge, which
appears to exist among the females here, as compared with
those of England/*

In the article of cleanliness the American ladies are certainly
inferior to Europeans, which may perhaps be owing, not bo

UNITED STATES.

85T

though
brmity
lecesHk
ting in
without
, it cer-
country
ly be, I
sumony
male of
•ution of
attained
id to the
ng, per-
necessa-
der such
have not
ies. No
mily — to
icrificed :
idered—
I neither
ling pur-

ttion: in
llittle ad.
lees; all
ral re-ac-
maybe
Lceedinjg;
lalue set
produce
1 the uni-
which
with

|:ertainly
not tio

much to the mixture of people from different nations, as to
the want of authority over servants, with the laziness in which
domestics indulge who set a high value on their services. An
Englishman thus describes an American boarding-house : —

* After a residence of three davs at the hotel, I removed to
a private boarding-house, in one of the lied-rooms of which I
am now writing. The dining-room of this estabUshment a
genteel ; but the other apartments, and more particularly tlie
kitchen, are of a kind not much to excite admiration. I per-
ceived here what — unpleasant as may be the discovery, I
think I have observed elsewhere, and — worse still, what I fear
pervades this new world, an affectation of splendour, or what
may be called gt^le^ in those things which are intended to meet
the public eye ; with a lamentable want even of cleanliness in
such matters as are removed Jrom that ordeal. To this may
be added, an appearance of uncomfortable extravagance, and
an ignorance of that kind of order and neatness which consti>
tute, in the sight of those who have once enjoyed it, the prin-
cipal charm of domestic life. I should rejoice to find myself
in an error in this judgment ; but all I have seen myself, and
all I have collected from the observation of others most com-
petent to form a correct opinion, tend to its confirmation.

*Last evening I drank tea at a genteel private house.
The furniture was splendid, the table profusely supplied, be-
ing loaded with fish, dried beef, and sausages ; the bread and
butter was roughly cut in huge hunks piled zig-zag. The
children's faces were dirty, their hair uncombed, their disposi-
tions evidently untaught, and all the members of the family,
from the boy of six years of age up to the owner (I was going
to say master) of the house, appeared independent of each
other. I have seen the same characteristics in other families
—in some indeed decidedly the contrary; but these latter
would seem to be the exceptions, and the former the general
nile;

The women in, sea-port towns dress very gay, and rather in
the French style ; but from the high wages paid for labour,
and the speculating habits of the merchants, they do not feel
the necessity o£ bong industrious equally v^ith EngUsbwomea.

8^8

VIKW OV THE

On the contrary, they are in general idle and carele^xH ; and
the practice (if Rnuf!-taking, and even the disgUHting one of
chewing tobaca), which in practiHcil by many of the poorer
sort, render them olijects of averHion to strangers accuHtomed
to the neatness anci delicacy of female manners. They also
evince a share of that freedom of expression and conduct prac-
tised by the men; but which in England would I)c condemned
as extremely gross and improper. This remark will l)c par-
tially illustrated by the following advertisement, extracted
from the * Kentucky Reporter,* published at Lexington.

'TAKE NOTICE,
'And beware of the swindler JESSE DOUGHERTY, who mnr-
ried me in November Inst, and some time alter marriage informed
mc that he had another wife alive. and before I recovered, the vil.
Iain left me, and took one of my best horses— one ot' my neighbourn
"was BO good as to follow him and take the horse from him, and
bring hiiK back. The sold Dougherty is about forty years of age,
five feet ten inches high, round-shouldered, thick lips, complexion
and hair dark, grey eyes, remarkably ugly and ill-natured, and
▼ery fond of ardent spirits, and by profession a notorious liar. This
is therefore to warn all widows to beware of the swindler, as all he
wants is their property, and they may go to the devil for him after
he gets that. Also, all persons are forewarned from trading witli
the said Dougherty, with the expectation of receiving pay from my
property, as I consider the marriage contract null and void agreea-
bly to law : you will therefore pay no attention to any lies he may
tell you of his property m this county. The said Dougherty has
a number of wives living, perliaps eight or ten, (the number not
positively known,) and will no doubt, if he can get them, have
eight or ten more. I believe that is the way he makes his living.

' MARY DODD.
•Livingston county, Ky. Sept. .<;, 1817.— 38 at (ch. W. G.)'

The Americans are evidently destined to become a powerful
people, and to exercise a gi'eat influence over the councils of
Europe. The perception of their growing strength and im-
portance generates a high degree of national vanity, which
blazes out on all occasions, in their conversation, newspapers,
pamphlets, speeches, and books. They assume it as a self.

UNITED STATES.

850

'»s; unit
5 one «f
8 poorer
lUHtotned
i'hey al«<)
uct prar-
ndcmned
1 lie par-
extracted
ion.

who mar*

e informed

k1, the vil-

neighbours

n him, anil

ears of age,

complexion

atured, and

B liar. This

|ler, as all he

for lum after

trading with

>ay from my

t'oirf agreea-

lies he may

fugherty has

number not

them, have

his living.

DODD.

|w. G.y

a powerful
councils of
th and im-
iitv» which
lewspapers,
as a self*

evident fact, that they surpass all other nations in virtue,
wisdom, valour, liberty, government, and every other excel-
lence. Europeans they deitpise, uh ignorant paupers and das-
tardly slaves. On this subject u recent writer thus expresses
himself: —

* There are iierhaps no people, not even excepting the
French, who are ho vain as the Americans ; their self-estima-
tion and cool-headed bombast, when s|>eaking of themselves or
their country, are quite ludicrous. An anecdote is told of
general Moreau, who, at the conunencement of the late war
with England^ was it) America : a friend, addressing him, ob-
served that his military talents would be of essential service to
the republic. He replied in the negative ; adding, that there
was not a drummer in the American army who did not think
himself equal to general Moreau. This fact will apply to all
occupations with an ecpial degree of faithfulness. Every man
here thinks he has arrived at the acnit> of perfection ; the me-
chanics themselves possess the same feeling. When at Newark,
I was informed that some choice di^sigas in chair-japanning
and coach-plating were lately produced by two emigrants ; the
natives turned upon their heels, '' Ay, they guessed them ^erc
were fashions they had left off'.'" Every American considers
that it is impossible for a foreigner to teach him any thing, and
that his head contains a perfect encyclopaedia. This excessive
inflation of mind must be attended with many disadvantages ;
though when I look at the various causes which have com-
hined to produce it, I am not much surprised at its existence.
As a people, they feel that they, have got to gain a character,
and, like individuals under similar circumstances, are captious
and conceited in proportion to their defects. They appear to
aim at a standard of high reputation, without the laborious
task of deserving it, and practise upon themselves the self-de-
ception of believing that they really are that which they only
wish to lie. This feeling has not been lessened by their suc-
cesses in the late contest with Great Britain ; for, although in
several engagements on our favourite element they had an
overwhelming superiority, yet there were instances when that
was not the case; and the defeat of English frigates, with

600

▼lEW OF THE

rren any dispoiity of force, was too great an Honour to be csi.
(iiinated exactly as i? merited. The boasting, upon this subject
is so extravagant that it burlesques the object of its praise.
*' America is now the ruler of the waves ;^ and every song and
joke, fact and falsehood, that we have bestowed upon our tars,
arc transferred to the ** Star-spangled banner, and the brave
sons of Columbia,^ with the characteristic fidelity of a natiraial
iritdfect, rendered barren ibr want of culture.'*
. The tyrannical conduct of the British government in naval
affairs, thnr system of impressment and of flogging, and the
absurd and insolent claim of the right of search, might well,
particularly the last, have exasperated the American nation,
and more especially her seamen ; still the Americans are de-
serving of great honour for what, they really achieved. School-
boys in the art of war, they were yet better prepared for it,
and evinced more practical dexterity, than our hoary-headed
practitiobers. But with this limited degree of praise they are
not content; they are, forsooth, *the lords of the ocean!*
*Neptune*s choicest sons!* * Victorious, though the English
had ^reat superiority of force !* * The star-spangled baMier is
the astonishment, the admiration, and the glory of the world !*
—•with volumes more of such frothy, senseless bombast.

Other causes of their great national pride and vanity sug-
gest themselves to the mind. One may consist in their being
so far from the seat of the arts and sdenees, that their acquire-
ments are not tried by the only eflectual stan^urd— compariBon.
They are led in undisputed possession of the beUef that in.
fiincy is manhood ; that puerility is superiority ; and that me-
diocrity is first-rate talent. They have a political republic
within themselves ; but they send scarcely one rejMresentative
to the general repuUic of letters. Eiuropean writers too, who
have never actually visited America, taking their ideas of the
inhabitants, their manners and institutions, from the laws and
political constitution of th» country, have frequently been pro-
fuse in their eulogies. Speculating emigrants, from inte-
rested motives, have followed in the same track. American
authors, in the sincerity of their hearts, have re-echoed the%
praises; and they would be more than homan, were they not

UNITED STATES.

361

injuTed by this powerful combination against their national
improvement.

The old governments of Europe are careful to foster a spirit
of national vanity, as an auxiliary to their schemes of war and
aggrandizement; and perhaps there are few^ stronger symp-
toms of the in<irease of knowledge in England, than the weak-
ened feeling of enmity towards the French people. It is much
to be regretted that circumstances should have so powerfully
conspired to engender such a ridiculous and pernidous vice
amongst the Americans.

From this source arises also ft dislike to strangers. This
feeling is very general in America ; and, however unpleasant
this remark may be to those who have formed a false estimate
of the American character from the lying reports of interested
individuals, it is bur duty to exhibit things as they are, and to
disregard the clamours of those who think that a degree of
moral excellence exists in the United States utterly incompa-
tible with the circumstances of the people. Mr. Birkbeck
says, * National antipathies are the result of bad political insti-
tutions, and not of human nature. Here, whatever their ori-
gijlal, whether English, Scotch, Irish, German, French, all are
Americans ; and of all the unfavourable imputations mi the
American character, jeaJUn^ of strangers is surely thfi most
absurd and. growv^s. The Americans are sufBciently alive
to their own inter^|^ but they wish well to strangers, and are
not always satisfied":<gith wishing, if they can promote their
interest by active services.''

Now, opposied to the authority of this popular writer, we
will offer an address, unanimously voted in 1809, at a meeting
in New York of 500 adopted citizens, from which the follow,
ing are extracts : —

^ At a respectable meeting, consisting of about five hundred Adopted
Republican Citizens of the city of New York, held at Lyon's
Hotel, Mott-Street, — Mr. Archibald Tai/lor being unanimously
called to the chair, and Dr. Stephen Dempsey appointed secretary,
the subjoined address was unanimously adopted, and ordered to
be published.

16 2 Z

VIEW OF THE

' To the Adopitd Republican Citituns of the cUy ofKew York.
' Fellow CitiEens,

' A long traia a£ disagreeable circumatances have called u« tege-
ther, and induced u« to address you on a subject which^ for years,
we have acutely felt and deeply deplored. Some of you, groaning
under oppression in your native land, have voluntarily emigrated
Irom it, whilst others, more afflicted by dei^tisni, and less favoured
by propitious events, find yourselves in the condition of involuntary
exile. All, however, have chosen, as a resting-place in the journey
through life, this " asylum for the oppressed of all nations." Here,
perhaps, mistaking the character of human nature, we pleasingly
anticipated, A-om those who avow themselves the friends of freedom,
exemption from that religious persecution and civil tyranny, whose
inexorable reign had forced us from our native country. Alas !
how greatly were we mistaken ! how egregiously have we been disap-
pointed! Our constitutions and governments are indeed free, but be-
tween these admirable institutions and ourselves a ttfranny is intervened
much less tolerable than that from which we fled. We have made
permanent settlements in the land of our forefathers ; we admire
and we are attached to our republican institutions ; we have com-,
plied with the injunctions of the constitutions and the laws, and we
will support them upon equal terms, with our lives and our ^r.
tunes. J5m< how are we treated f What has been our reception ?
Has good faith been observed ? Have the promises been performed ?
Are not W3, who are citizens by all the solemnities and obligations of
law, treated as aliens — stigmatized as foreigners ? We complain not
of the constitutions and the laws ; they are liberal in principle and
benign in operation. They enjoin an abjuration of former allegi*
ance: have we not with alacrity complied with the injunction?
They require an oath of fidelity to the Union and to the States :
devoted in spirit and in truth to both, we have eagerly taken it
What more is required ? Wliat more can be expected ? The laws
require no more. Shall an under-plol, a counter operation, indivi-;
dual Jealousy, and pale-faced cabal, frotvned upon by the very elements
of the state, subvert the law — put it at defiance — trample it under
foot f The law places upon the same undistinguishable level, the
citizen of native and the citiaen of foreign birth. Are we to be
told, in this enlightened age, that the law is not to govern ; that
the essence of a well-ordered society is not a government of laws,
but ti government of the worst passions t Go l)ack then to a state
of anarchy ; tear out the bowels of society ; revprt to the rude con-

UNITED STATES-

36^

dition of untutored nature, and let the strongest govern. We have
never ceased to cherish and to inculcate those opinions which are
most consonant to the civil and social state. We have remonstrated
against dtstinctions, at once impolitic and unfusl, between native and
adopted citizens ; but have not our remonstrances and efforts been
in vain ? No seal, no exertions, no services, ho w'ever disinterested,
unremitted, or great, have been sufficient to shield us from an epi-
thet which, while it poisons the social and impairs the enjoyment
of political life, must ultimately terminate in the ruin of the repub-
lican party in this eity. Alas f has onr republic turned upon itself^
and in the short period of a few years from the adoption of the
constitution f

' Resolved unanimously, that 500 copies of the above address
and resolution be printed in hand-billa> for the benefit of eur fe\»
low republican and adopted citizens.

'ARCHIBALD TAYLOR, ChairMan.

'S. DEMPSEY, Secretary.'

Nothing can excite in the mind of an emigrant such surprise
and indignation as this ridiculous and selfish antipathy to
strangers, which must originate in the most contracted views.
Liberal minded men must, in America as in other countries,
be above such prejudices; but we here speak of the general
sentiment Some excuse, however, may m th:s case be made
for the Americans, as many strangers join their community
chiefly to escape the consequences of their dishonesty in their
native land: but the national dislike to strangers is shewn in
instances where this cannot pos^bly be admitted as an excuse.

The celebrated Mr. Emmett, notwithstanding his high re-
putation at the American bar, is often mentioned with con-
tempt, as being, a Jireigner. A similar accusation wa»
brought against the amiable general Hamilton; and such
sentiments are always rapturously applauded in the public
forum of New YcMrk, where young men of talent exercise their
oratorical powers.

In all infant colonies, each individual is so dependent upon
his neighbour, that self-interest breaks down minor fedings ;
but in old settled parts, this check does not operate. Hence it
is that in Pennsylvania there exi&ts between the Americans of

364

VIEW OF THE

Irish and of German extraction the most deadly animosity.
In the mind of a German American, the term * Irishman'* is
one of the most foul reproaches with which the range of hb
ideas supplies him. Indeed, Irishmen, as well as Dutchmen,
are very generally despised; and it is a high offence to insi.
nuate to an American that he is not of English descent. Yet
his jealousy of Englishmen is as great as his contempt for the
natives of other countries. Some- travellers, possessing a name
and property, have met with a liberal reception, and have not
therefore noticed this trait in the American character ; for in
no country are riches more sought afler and esteemed than in
America.

. The Americans are very covetous of the few titles which are
allowed by the laws. In Massachusetts a vote is peculiarly
valuable, because an office there makes a man honourable du-
ring life. This and other titles are always ostentatiously pub-
lished. B^t man is the same in all countries. The following
extract from the 'Boston Sentinel,^ of August S7th, 1817,
will illustrate this idea.

' Dinner to Mr. Adams.— -Yesterday a public dinner was given to
the Hon. John Q. Adams, in the Exchange coffee-house^ by his
fellow-citizens of Boston. The Hon. Wm. Gray presided, assisted
by the Hon. Harrison Gray Otis, George Blake, Esq. and the Hon.
Jonathan Mason, vice-presidents. Of the guests were, the Hon.
Mr. Adams, late president of the United States, his Excellency Go-
vernor Brooks, his Honour Lt. Gov. Phillips, Chief Justice Parker,
.Tudge Story, President Kirkland, Gen. Dearborn, Com. Hull, Gen.
Miller, several of the reverend clergy, and many public officers,
und strangers of eminence.'

Negro slavery has spread its baleful influence over a great
part of the Union. Some writers, particularly Englishmen^
who would wish to represent the states as a second Arcadia,
have offered an apology for this detestable ' practice, by con-
tending that it formed a part iif the policy of the colonial sys-
tem : but this excuse does not apply to the new states ; for the
congress has resigned the inhabitants of these vast regions as
victims of its demoralizing effects. The native Indians present,

UNITED STATES.

365

osity.
an' is
Df hb
limen,
} Inn-
Yet
ibr the
I name
tve not
for in
Lhan in

lich are
suUarly
ible Aw-
ily pub-
illowing
, 1817,

given to
, by his
assisted
Ithe Hon.
he Hon.
■ncy Go-
Parker,
[l,Gen.
officers,

a great

(ishineiT,

Lrcadia,

I by con-

lialsys-

for the

;ions as

jresent,

of course, nothing but a [ncture of mere savage life; and the
poor negroes suffer even more than commonly falls to the lot
of their oppressed and degraded condition. What a foul stain
upon the republic, professing, as it does, the principles of
liberty and equal rights, that, out of twenty states, there
should be eleven in which slavery is an avowed part of their
political constitution ; and that in those caUedJree (Sew Eng-
land excepted) the condition of blacks "should practical
amount to slavery ! Like the Greeks of old, they talk of fre^
dom, while the degraded Helot is within their doors.

Upwards of one million seven htmdred ihouscmd negroes are
still held as slaves in the United States ; for, though slavery
has been abolished by a law of the general government in 1803,
and also by most of the eastern and middle states, yet that
< broadest foulest blof upon a nation professing Christianity^
is still tolerated, and prevails over a very large portion of
the Union ; corrupting and debasing U>e public morals, and
communicating its depraving influence to both the slave and
his master. Besides the negroes, there are upwards of 200,000
free people of colour ; both these classes, however, acquire oc-
casionally an admixture of the blood of the white population,
and the mestizos are gaining fast in number upon the blacks.
The great body of slaves are to be found in the southern states.
The experience of all history ptoves that the structure of
society in slave^iolding countries is unfavourable to internal
peace at all times, and still more so to security and strength in
the season of foreign warfare. Besides, a slave is ignorant of
the very elements of industry., which is the basis of all sodal
prosperity. While in bondage he only obeys the impulse of
another'^s will, he is actuated by no other motive but the dread
of the lash ; whereas, when made free, he must think, plan,
provide for himself and family, and perform all the duties of a
citizen. It is necessary to make a slave a man, before he is
made a free man. 'fhe slave, recently liberated, has expe*
rienced only the most laborious and disagreeable of the occu-
pations of a citizen ; and not having learned any forecast, is
unwilling to toil when free. The emancipated negroes of
Massachusetts prove, that such an order of beings have not

806

VIEW OF THE

the capacity to avail themselves of the benefits of civil liberty.
For in that state, where slavery is abolished by law, and whid^
consequently opens an asylum to fugitive slaves from the
neighbouring states, the negroes do noi keep up their stock of
population, by the help both of native breeding and runaway
importation ; so improvident, so helpless, and so deficient in
all those habits of steady and useful industry, which are essen.
tially necessary to-obtain a competent support for themselves
and a growing family, have they been rendered by a long con-
tinuance in slavery.

The treatment of the negroes throughout the slave states is
as villainous as can be well imagined ; and although they are
themselves not insensible to the evils of their condition, they
' do not seem to feel it so acutely as might.be anticipated, or as
the man of common humanity would feel on their account.
This, however, is natural enough, and easy to account for.
As the body is enslaved, the mind becomes degraded, and loses
a sense of its own dignity, and of the value of independence.

A distinguished writer has most justly observed, that <if
there be an object truly ridiculous in nature, it is an American
patriot, signing resolutions of independence with one hand,
and with the other brandishing a whip over his affrighted
slave." Even in Cincinnati, people retain slaves in violation of
the spirit of the Ohio constitution, by first purchasing them,
and then binding them as apprentices. Some are so base as to
take these negroes down the river at the approach of the expi-
ration of their apprenticeship, and sett them at Satchezjw Vifi !
An English traveller, seeing above thirty boat* and keels
pass down the Mississippi at Natchez, says, ' A great many
coloured people, particularly females, being in these boats, I
concluded that they were emigrants, wh6 bad proceeded thus
fiir on their route towards a settlement. The fact proved to
be that fourteen of the flats were freighted with human beings
for sale. They had been collected in the several states by
slave-dealers, and shipped from Kentucky for a market
They were dressed up to the best advantage, on the same
principle that jockeys do horses upon sale. The foUowing is
a specimen of advertisement on this subject : —

UNITED STATES.

807

"TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD
** Win be paid for appirdiending and lodging in jail> or delivering
to the flubacriber, the following daves, belonging to JOSEPH
IRVIN, of/Aem^;—

"TOM, a very light Mulatto, blue ejes, 5 feet 10 inches high,
gppeart to be about S5 years of age, an artful feUow— K»n read and
write, and preaches occasionally.

"CHARLOTTE, a black wench, round and full faced, taU,
straight, and likely— ^bout S5 years of age, and wife of th^ above-
named Tom,

'< These slaves decamped from their owner's plantation, on the
night of the 14th September inst.

" WILLIAM KEXNER & Co."'

But perhaps the estimation in which the unfortunate ne-
groes are held by the free>bom Americans, will be best illus>
trated by the following official document, published at New
Orleans.

•CITY COUNCIL OF NEW ORLEANS.

'An ordinance in reUUkm to slaves in the eiitf and suburbs of Ne«
Orleans, as also in the neighbourhood thereof, and to tto other pert
son* herein mentioned.

' The city council ordains as follows :

' Art. 1. No slave or slaves within the city and suburbs of New

Orleans, and the neighbourhood thereof, shall have, hold, occupy,

reside or sleep in any house, out-house, building, or enclosure,

other than his or her owner's, or his or her owner's representatives,

or of the person whom he is or they are serving for hire, without

first obtaining a ticket or tickets from his, her, or their owner oe

owners, expressly describing the place which such slave or slaves

Is or are allowed respectively to occupy, reside, or sleep in ; and

specifying also the time during which the aforesaid permission or

per missions is «r are granted ; and every slave, holding, occupying,

residing or sleeping in any house, out-house, building, or enclosure,

without obtaiiiing the permission aforesaid, shall be committed to

the jail by any officer of police, or any other white person, there to

receive twenty lashes, on a warrant from the mayor, or fVom a jus.

tice of the peace, unless the otvner or owners of such slaves shall

jireviofisly pay a ^fine ftfjive dollars for each of them, with aU costs

and charges. • .

VIEW OF THE

:rif'

' Art. 6. The assemblies of slaves for the purpose of dancing or
other merriment, shall take place only on Sundays, and solely in
such open or public places as shall be appointed by the mayor ; and
no such asscJknbly shall continue later than sunset ; and all slaves
who shall be found assembled together on any other day than Sun-
day, or who, even on that day, shall continue their dances after
sunset, shall be taken up by the officers of police, constables,
watchmen, or other white persons, and shall be lodged in the pub-
lic jail, where they shall receive from 10 to S5 lashes, on a warrant
from the mayor or a justice of the peace ; the clauses specified in
the preceding article against all owners or occupants of houses or
lots, forming or tolerating such assemblies on their premises, being
in full force against them.

' Art. 7. No perton giving a ball to free people of colour shall, on
any pretext, admit or suffer to be admitted to said ball any slave, on
penalty of a Jine from 10 to 50 dollars; and any slave admitted to
any such ball shall receive 15 lashes.

' Art. 8. Every slave, except such as may be blind or infirm,
who sliall walk in any street or open place with a cane, club, or
other stick, shall be carried to the police jail, where he shall receive
25 lashes, and shall moreover forfeit every such cane, club, or other
stick, to any white person seizing the same ; and every slave car-
rying any arms whatever, shall be punished in the manner pre-
scribed .by the Black Code of this state.

' 'Art. 9* If any slave shall be guilty of whooping or hallooing
any where in the city and suburbs, or of making any clamorous
noise, ixf of singing, aloud any indecent song, he or she shall, for
each and every such oiFence, receive at the police jail, on a warrant
from the mayor, or any justice of the peace, a number of 20 lashes
or stripes ; and if any such offence be committed on board any
vessel, the master or commander thereof shall forfeit and pay a
sum of 20 dollars for every such offence.

'Art 10. Every ilave who shall be giiiUy of disrespect towards
any white person, or shall insult any free person, shall recmc 30
lashes, upon an order from the mayor, or justice of the peace.

'Art. 13. The present ordinance shall be printed in the usual
gazettes, and shall moreover be published by drum-beat, within
the city and suburbs, twice every week during fifleen days, and
once every month after that time.

' Approved, October 1 .'ith. 1817. ' ./. SOULIE, Recorder.

'Nov. 3. . . 'AUG. MACARTY, Mayor.

UNITED STATES.

869

dancing or
id solely in
layor; and
[ all slaves
r than Sun-
iances after
constables,
in the pub-
m a warrant
specified in
Df houses or
naises, being

!our shall, on
%ny slave, on
te admitted to

id or infirm,
ine, club, or
; shall receive
club, or other
cry slave car-
manner pre-

or hallooing
ly clamorous

le shall, for
I on a warrant

of 20 lashes
In board any
lit and pay a

hpccl towards
\U receive 30
|e peace.

in the usual
Lbeat, ^^ithiii
^n days, and

\e, Recorder.
VY, Mayor.'

Wbttt p6ints out very forcibly the degrading effects of liia-
very upon the mind is, that the Americans, even in worship- .
ping the common Father of all, refuse to permit the approach
of coloured people. They are obliged to have churches of
their own. In Philadelphia, * the three " African churches,"
as they are called, are for all those native Americans who are
black, or have any shade of colour darker than white. These
persons, though many of them are possessed of the rights of
citizenship, are not admitted into the churches which are visit-
ed by whites. There exists a penal law, deeply written in the
, minds of the whole white population, which subjects their co-
loured fellow-citizens to unconditional contumely and never-
ceasing insult. No respectability, however unquestionable — no
property, however large — no character, however unblemished
— will gain a man, whose body is (in American estimation)
cursed with even a twentieth portion of the blood of his Afri-
can ancestry, admission into society ! ! ! They are considered
as mere Pariahs — as outcasts and vagrants upon the face of
the earth !^

The diversity of laws in separate states, by which acts con-
sidered as a crime in one part are not punishable in another,
and also many confused impressions of right and wrpng, gene-
rate much evil, while the state of the bankrupt laws, and an
immense and complicated paper currency, are universal and
increasing evils; each of these having opened an extensive
field to the calculations of avidity and the speculations of the
dishonest. The list of insolvencies is enormous. Failure in
trade, so far from being a cause of loss, or a subject of shame,
is generally the means of securing a fortune ; and so callous
upon this subject has the public mind become, that no kind of
disadvantage or disgrace attaches to the individual, who takes,
therefore, little pains to disguise the source of his wealth.

Although pauperism has nut arrived at English maturity,
nor does it often attract the public eye, yet it does exist, and
that to a great extent, which may be seen in governor Clinton^s
most able address to the New York legislature. He there re-
marks, * Our statutes relating to the poor are borrowed from
tbs English system. And the experience of that country, as

3 A

<<^.i

■■■»%J

895

VmW OP THE

well as our own, tthows tluA pauperism increases with ihe vug-
mentation of the funds applied to its reKef. This evil has
proceeded to such an alarming extent in the city of New Yaik,
that the burdens of hearj taxation which it has imposed, me-
nace a diminution of the peculation of that city, and a depve<
ciation of its real property. The consequences wtU be very
injurious to the whole state ; (ar the decay of our gveat market
will be felt in every department o£ productive labour. Under
the present system the fruits of industry are af^ropriated to
the wants of idleness ; a laborious poor man is taxed for the
support of an idle beggar; and die voice of mendicity, no
longer conHidered degrading, infects a considerable portion of
our population in large towns. I am persuaded that the
sooner a radical reform takes place, the better. The evil is
contagious, and a prompt extirpation can alone prevent its
}iernicious extension.*

To pauperism may be added lotteries, which are nume-
rous in all the states; and in many the English exploded ini-
quity of inauranccy and * little goes^ exist in full operation.
To such an extent is this scandalous mode of gaming carried,
that one traveller mentions a lottery, when he was in the Illi-
nois, for building a presbyterian church ! The * scheme* was
preceded by a long addre^i9 upon the advantages of religion,
and the necessity of supporting Christianity by purchasing
tickets in this lotterv !

All these drawbacks upon the general character of the Amew
ricans are the natural result of the materials of which they are
composed. The first civilized pi^ula^n of the States were
emigrants from the several European nations, particularly
England ; the most respectable class of which were those who
fled from religious persecution ; no inoonsideraUe number of
transports; and the rest were, as emigrants ever are, — the
most enterprising, the most needy, but by no means the most
intelligent of their native country. Such then were the seeds
of American society ; let us look at the circumstances in which
these men were placed ; in a country where civilization had
made no progress ; where every man, both in mind and body,
was fully occupied in obtuning the bare means of subsistence;

UNITED STATES.

and when th«ir rdative situation towards the natives of the
soil was calculated to deaden every just, iKiievolent, and hu-
mane sentimrat. As society advanced, indeed, tlic whole po-
puktion n» longer remained ' hewers of wood and drawers of
water/ Classificatif» commenced ; but still those whose views,
means, or hahiti^ could be mental, were extremely limited in
number. They left Europe at a dark period, not themselves
the finest spedmens of the national picture; even those
amongst them who had leisure for literary objects, met with
obstacles at every step— the want of books, the want of so-
ciety, and of communication with learned individuals or of
scientific bodies. There was besides no history attached to
their country ; they lived indeed in a new world, < which was
endeared to them by no recollections, and which could neither
excite nor gratify their curiosity, by the records of the past.^
The first accessions of strength from the *old country^ fur.
nished little besides an increase of the manual labour. The
colonial government introduced some men of information:
public education was attended to ; riches increased ; the slave-
trade was encouraged; negroes were introduced in every
American colony ; the extermination of Indians went on, the
invaders gradually seizing on their country. Literature was
now in some respects advancing, though the colonists depended
for their mental as well as bodily clothing upon the mother
country ; English, Dutch> Irish, Scotch, Germans, and their
several descendants, were becoming to speak one language,
and have one common interest. They were, as colonists ever
and necessarily ar^, inferior to the parent country in the first
class of its intelligence^ but above its grosser ignorance. So-
ciety had at this time acquired stability. The Revolution now
took place. This struggle, chiefly in consequence of Paine's
' Common Sense,^ terminated in a * Declaration of Indepen-
dence.* The friends of liberty in Europe now crossed the
Atlantic to fan their darling flame. Others also emigrated of
a more dubious character : America became the receptacle for
speculators and fortune-hunters, for adventurers and base and
demoraUzed characters df every shade and description. The
peaceful pursuits of agriculture were exchanged for those of

d7S

VIEW OF THE

the sword ; society was shifted from its base, and every thing
became disorganised. Peace was at length proclaimed, but it
failed to bring with it those halcyon days, of which the olive-
branch is generally considered the precursor. America was
now a chaos, bankrupt alike, it was feared, in morals and in
fi^iances ; and it required all the coolnesH and ability of Wash-
ington to preserve the public peace. A reversion of the prin-
ciples of the federal union seemed to become necessary, in
order to increase the powers of government. This question
gave rise to two parties, who still foster in their breasts the
most implacable .hatred. Those who advocated a reversion of
the constitution took the name of FederaliitSt and their oppo-
nents that of Democrats.

America, in the mean time, in her political capacity, was
making rapid advances towards taking her standing as a first-
rate power. Her internal resources were boundless; her
geographical situation secured her from attack during the
weakness, as it were, of infancy ; her population went on in-
creasing in a ratio not paralleled in modem times, but easily
tu be accounted for upon well-known principles of political
economy. At this time it was that the disturbed state of Eu-
rope threw into her hands the carrying trade of the world,
and enabled her to erect a mercantile marine, only second to
that of Great Britain. This unexpected, and unprepared^fbr
influx of wealth, demoralized, while it enriched ; with the peo-
ple, there was no preparation, no pupillage, no gradation, no
step from the primitive log-house to the splendour of the pa-
lace. European luxury and vice, unadorned by European
knowledge, and not ameliorated by European habits of refine-
ment, rapidly overspread the land, and produced their natural
and unavoidable consequences. The pursuits of the whole
people assumed also a hazardous and speculative ca^ir, oppor-
tunities for indulging which were constantly presented by the
disturbed state of European commerce, and by their own vast
unpeopled continent. The means of living were in the hands
of every man, with the occupation of but one-fourth part of
his time. They were in possession of political and domestic
eas^, the sources, or the value of which, their wuit of reflection

UNITED STATES.

878

ca was
and in
Wash-
le prin-
ary, in
[uestion
ists the
rsion of
ir oppo-

ity, was
s a first-
>a8 ; her
ring the
it on in-
ut easily
I political
of Eu-
world,
econd to
)ared^
the peo-

))revented them from estimating; and having at once )h«
means, the time, and the opportunity of gratifying thtir pas-
sions, or indulging their indolence, they hav^ not pursued
learning beyond their school-books. Thus, neglecting to en>
courage any pursuits, either individually or collectively, which
may be called menttd^ they appear, as a nation, to have sunk
into habits of indolence and indifference; they are neither
lively in their tempers, nor generous in their dispositions.

Looking furly therefore at all these circumstances, wc
ought not to be surprised to find that American theory is at
least two centuries in advance of American practice. We
have usually connected with our ideas of republicanism and
unpolished manners, a simplicity and honesty of mind which
more than compensate for all minor defects. . That we should
not meet with even an appnmch to these characteristics in
America is by no means extraordinary, when we reflect upon
their origin and the materials from which their present charac-
ter is derived.

Upon the whole, it will be seen that the Americans are not
possessed of a superior degree of intelligence and moral feel-
ing. With regard to information, men are almost upon a
dead level, that gradation of intellect which exists in England
being unknown. The American labourers possess more intel-
ligence than those of the same class in England ; but the mid-
dle ranks fall short, from the causes before mentioned, of our
standard.

What is here said relative to the character of the inhabitants
of America, does not apply to the circumstances of the coun-
try. As to America generally, it possesses some most im-
portant advantages, among which are to be enumerated, an
extensive and, in parts, a very fertile country — a population
not filled up — and, above all, a reasonable and a cheap go-
vernment. These give to the poor man a recompense for his
labour proportionate to his deserts : they also open numerous
sources for the valuable employment of capital ; and they g^ve
a solid satisfaction, as to the future^ in the mind of a -man of
family or of property, which it is impossible to derive from a

VIEW OF THE

contenpbitien of the present coadLte>n» and the present policy,
of anjr of the old governments.

In fenmng an estimate of the American character, tt is ne-
cessary to take into the account the prejudice and the interests
of those who have undertaken to enlighten us oo the subject.
Some emigiants,. in order to increase the population in their
neighbourhood, and consequently the value of their property ;
and othcfa from a deep-rooted dislike -to the govenunents un-
der which they have suffered, describe America as a political
dysium, and its inhabitants, as exempt from the fatUngs and
vices that they imported from Eurc^. Others agtun, in tra-
vc^g through the States, exclaim that all is barren. An in-
telligent traveller met an Englishman in New England. *■ My
feUow-countrynan,^ says he, * was so full of the importance
and superiority of Engbnd, that any thing American did not,
m ius eves, seem worthy c^ notice. A man passed us on
honcbaoL without bowing or speaking; my fnvnd exclicmed,
** There, you see they have neither manners nor common sense
in this country ; if we were in England, you know, and a man
passed the stage, he would bow and say. How do you do?""
To thb gentleman the dd story was strictly apphcabte of twu
Englisbmcn and an American travelling in a stage from Boston.
They indulged their patri(rtism by abusing every thing Ame.
riean. The butter was not so good as the English— nor the
beef— nor the mutton — nor the peaches — nor the laws— nor
the people — nor the climate — nor the country. Their fellow.
tvaveUer was displeased, but he remained silent. At length
there came on a tremendous storm of thunder and lightning.

He then burst forth, bmling with ri^, '' There, d you !

I guess that that thunder and lightmi^ is ^ good as any you
have in England.'"'

RELIGION.

An estimate has been lately made of tlie proportion ol
churches and clergymen to the population, by the rev. Mr,
Beecher, in his Address to the Charitable Society for the edu-

UNITED STATES.

93S

cation atC pbus young men for the miniittrf of the gospeli
This autlior proceeds on the assiunption that there i^ioald be
a regular pastor for every ISO faniiies ««> 1000 souls. Tlie
present ratio in the New England state* is one to every 1500
persons. In Great Britain and Ireland, the piupoition cf
ministers to the number of souk is found to be one to every
800 or 900. An American population of «ight millions would,
of course, require 8000 ministers; but tlie whole Dumber of
regular well educated ministers does not exceed 9000. In
New York, the actual number of pastors is about 500, the
p(^ulati<m of a million would require double this number. In
New Jersey, thore is a deficiency of at least 50 pastors. In
Pennsylvania and Delaware the ^eficienfiy is very oonsideridjle.
Virginia, with a population of 974,000, has but 60 regular
ministers, i^onsequently, 914,000 persons are without adequate
religious instruction. The situatimi of Maryland is sirailur to
that of Virginia^

With respect to the state of religion in Ohio, Kentudky,
and Tennessee, no accurate infonjiation was obtained. North
CardKna, with a population of 555,500, which would require
550 clergymen, has but 20. South Carolina, with a popula-
tion of 415,000, has but S6 ministers. Georgia has but ten
clergymen.

Mr. Beecher^s enumeration, it is to be obsared, includes
only regulaiiy educated clergymen ; but there are, besides, a
number of itinerant preachers in the United States, and many
persons among the di^rent sects, who officiate occasionally as
religious teachers, though they derive th«r subsistence from
oAcr profossions. ■ *-

The same author informs us, that one-third of all ministers
wIk) receive a regular collegiate education in the United States,
are educated at Harvard and Yale colleges.

The highest clerical stipend in the United States is 5000
dollars, with a dwelling-house, and the fees of marriage, which,
tiiough voluntary, are always liberal. The common salary of
a respectable cletgytnan in New York, Philadelphia, and Bal-
timore, is ISSOO ddlars ; and the value of the house and fees
varies from 900 to 500 dollars and upwards. In the country

VIEW OF THE

the stipend is much lower. In the state of Connecticut it sel-
dom exceeds 1000 dollars per annum, but with a house and
small glebe, and occasional presents. This affords a very de-
cent support to a clergyman, and enables him to give his sons
a college education.

The principal religious denominations in the United States
are, congregationalists, presbyterians, episcopalians, friends or
quakers, methodists, baptists, German Lutherans, Dutch re-
formed, Roman catholics, Moravians, Mennonists, jumpers,
universalists, and shakers. If the whole population were
divided into twelve parts, three of these would be Calvinists,
chiefly of the congregaUonal and presbyterian sects ; two bap-
tists ; two methodists ; one episcopalians and Lutherans ; the
rest include persons of many various fonrs of belief, and a
considerable number who follow no religious profession.

Of the Congregationalists^ a few years since, there were
1000 congregations in New England, and 200 in the middle
and southern states, with 120 ministers and candidates for the
ministry. Their system of church discipline is derived chiefly
from that which was established in 1700, and is known by the
name of the Say Brook Platform. Each church chuses its
own minister, but is associated with others for mutual advan-
tage, and the termination of disputes. Meetings are held fur
this purpose twice a year.

Presbyterians. — In the year 1810 there were 772 congrega-
tions of presbyterians, with 434 ministers, and a number of
licentiates. This denomination prevails in the middle and
southern states. Their highest ecclesiastical court is siyled
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, under
which are synods, presbyteries, and church sessions. In 1810
there were five synods and 36 presbyteries. At Princeton
there is a theological school for Calvinists, well endowed, with
a good library.

The Episcopalians^ before the revolution, were obliged to
send their preachers to England for ordination, at the average
expence of 100/. sterling each. Dr. Chemeler, in his appeal
to the public in behalf of the church of England, stated, * that,
of 52 who went home for orders, only 42 returned in safety,

UNITED STATES.

owing to sickness, or the accidents of the voyage.^ This ab-
surd regulation kept many of the churches unprovided with
clergymen. In the year 1808, the number of episcopalian
churches in New England was 65, that of ministers, 48 ; in
the middle states, 68 churches, and 66 ministers; in the
southern, 105 churches, and 101 ministers; in all, Sl^
churches, and S15 ministers. The churches are under the
general direction of the Convention of the Protestant EpiscOii.
pal Church, which is composed of two houses; the one of
bishops, the other of delegates, consisting of clergym^ and
laymen.

Of the Quakers or Friends there were about 400 congregi*-
tions some years ago, and chiefly in the middle states. In iht
northern tliere are few, except in Rhode island. In Nwth
Carolina there is a quaker settlement at New Garden, and
congregations at Pasquotank and Wood creek.

Methodiats. — The number of methodists in 1809 amounted
to 159,500. Thev are more numerous in the middle and
southern than in the northern states. Their churches are as-
sociated under the title of the United Societies of the Method'
ist Episcopal church. The whole country is divided into
religious districts and circuits ; the former under the direction
of a presiding elder, the latter under the inspection of an iti'=
nerant preacher ; both of whom are appointed at the annual
conference. The seeds of methodism were first sown in this
country by the celebrated Whitefield. It is believed that this
sect is increasing very considerably.

Baptists.^^ln the year 1799* there were 45 baptist associ*.
(ions in the United States, 1082 churches, 1291 ministers, and
^3,471 members. In May, 1817, the general convention of
the baptist denomination in the United States held their first
triennial meeting at Philadel[^ia ; and in their report the
number of churches and of members was thus estimated:
1 2727 churches; ministers, 1936; members in fellowship,
183,245. In the state of New York the number of churches
I was 321, of members, 28,558 ; in Kentucky, 421 churches,
I and 22,432 members ; in Georgia, 202 churches, afid 16,884
{meMbets; in Virginia, 314 churches, and 11,838 members.

3 B

^W-

.rl^

'W!^-

S78

VIEW OP THE

Lut?ieram. — In the states of New York and Pennsylvania,
the Lutherans, chiefly of German origin, have a hundred con.
grcgations ; the German Calvinists nearly the same number.
Several of the clergymen of this denomination have distin.
guished themselves by their literary and scientific attainments;
the late Dr. Muhlenburg of Lancaster, as a botanist. Dr.
Kunzie of New York, as an oriental scholar and mathematU
cian, Mr. Melsheimer of Pennsylvania, as an etymologist.

The Dutch Refbrmed church, under the name of the Re*
formed Synod of New York and new Jersey, consists of about
80 congregations. The canons of Dordrecht are adopted as a
Eule of discipUne, and the Heidelburg Catechism as the rule
of faith.

Roman CatJiollc». — This denomination is more numerous in
Maryland and in Louisiana than in any of the other states.
The Homan catholics of Maryland are chiefly of Irish, those
of Louisiana of French origin. Some years ago, the number
in^Maryland was 7>'i,000. In Baltimore there is an archbishop
and four bishops, and three churches; in Boston, a church
and a bishop; in New York, two churches and a bishop; in
Philadelphia, four churches and a bishop'; In Bardstown,
one ; in Kentucky, one ; in Louisiana, one, with two canons,
and S5 euratcs, who receive each about 500 dollars a year.

Moravians^ or United Brethren. — In the year 1788, the
number of. this denomination was about 2000. Their princi-
pal establishments are at Bethlehem and Nazareth in Pennsyj.
vania, at Hope in New Jersey, and at Wachovia, on the
Yadkin river, in North Carolina. In the last state they pur-
chased 100,000 acres of land from lord Granville. They are
styled the United Brethren of the Protestant Episcopal
Church. The first person of this sect arrived in the United
States in 1741, under the protection of count Zinzendorf.

At Bethlehem, in Pennsylvania, the Moravians have a large
society, occupying a number of farms. There is a great hall
in which all daily assemble for the purpose of public worship,
The single men and women have each a separate dwelling.
The latter, are occupied in various domestic employments,—
in fancy and ornamental works, and occasionally in musical

UNITED STATES.

370

nsylvania,
adred con-
le number,
ave distin.
tainments;
tanist, Dr.
mathemati-
>logist.
of the Re.
sts of about
idopted as a
I aft the rule

numerous in
other states.
Irish, those
the number
in archbishop
}n, a church
a bishop ; in
Bardstown,
1 two canons,
irs a year.

practice under the direction of a superintendent. The walls
of the large hall where the society dine are adorned with
puntings, chiefly Scripture pieces, executed by members. Va-
rious branches of trade and manufacture are carried on, the
profits of which go to the general stock, from which ail are
supplied with the necessaries of life. Their whole time is
spent in labour and in prayer, except an hour in the evening,
which is allotted for a concert. Marriage is contracted in a
singular manner. The young man who has an inclination to
marry makes application to the priest, who presents a young
woman designated by the superintendent as the next in rota-
tion for marriage. Having left the parties together for an.
hour, the priest returns, and if they mutually consent to live
together, they are married the next day ; if otherwise, each is
put at the bottom of the list, containing, perhaps, 60 or 70
names, and, on the part of the girl, there is no chance of mar-
riage, unless the same young man should again feel disposed
for matrimony. When united, a neat habitation, with a plea-
sant garden, is provided, and their children, at the age of six,
are placed in the seminary. If either of the parents die, the
other returns to the apartment of the single people. In the
Moravian establishment there is a tavern with large and excel-
lent accommodations. There are Moravian establishments
also in South Carolina, at Bethania, Salem, and other places
on the Moravian branch of the river Yadlin.

Unwersalists. — We have not been able to procure any esti-
mate of the number of persons of this persuasion. They form
two divisions ; the followers of Dr. Chinery, and those of Mr.
John Murray.

ShaJcers. — The first of this sect came from England in 1774.
Their number is inconsiderable. Their principal establish-
ments are at Nisqueunah, and New Le'ianon, in the state of
New York ; at Enfield in Connecticut, and at Canterbury in
New Hampshire. . ' .' "

The TunkerSf a sect in Pennsylvania, took their origin
from a German, who, weary of the busy world, retired to a
solitary place about 50 miles from Philadelphia, where he
formed a colony on a»river named Euphrates. Their religious

880

VIEW OF THE

practices resemble those of the quakers, none but these vrho
feel the divine influence having a right to preach and exhort.
The women live separate from the men, and never associate
except for the purpose of public worship, or public business.
Divine service is performed twice a day ; and the whole time,
except a few hours given to sleep, is spent in labour and
in prayer. They hold as injurious the doctrine of ori^nal
sin, and deny the eternity of future punishment ; though they
admit of a hell and a paradise. They believe that the souls
of Christians are employed in the next world in the conversion
of those who left this without enjoying the light of the gospel.

In their conduct they show a stoical indifference to the good
and evil of life. They never complain or retaliate, even when
insulted or robbed of their property. The dress of both sexes
consists of a long white hooded gown, a coarse shirt, and thick
shoes. The men wear wide breeches resembling those of the
Turks ; and never cut the beard, which, in some, reaches to
the waist. Their food consists of vegetables only, the produce
of their own labour, which is deposited in a common stock for
the wants of the society.

Sajidemaniam. — Of this sect there is a small society at
Portsmouth, in New Hampshire.

Mennonists, who derive their name from Simon Menno, a
German baptist, live in Pennsylvania. In the year 1770,
their number amounted to 4fOOO, forming thirteen churches,
and 40 congregations.

In New England clerical gentlemen have an astonishing
hold upon the minds of men : the degree of reverential awe
for the sanctity of their office, and the attention paid to the
external form^ of religion, approach almost to idolatry : these
feelings are, [lerhaps, never encouraged without becoming the
substitute o't real religion, and expelling the active and mental
principles of Christianity. A man who values his good name
in Boston, hardly dare be seen out of church at the appointed
hours ; — this would be viewed as a heinous crime by men who
would, consider the same individuates cheating his creditors as
of small import. Indeed, throughout the whole of the United
States, there exists a kind of cold indifference in matters reia-

UNITED STATES.

381

tive to religion, as far as concerns discussion and controversy.
Every man is expected quietly to choose one of the churches ;
and when that is done, he must abide by it as solemnly and as
regularly as he does his segar, his rum, and his business.
WluUever degree of religious intelligence exists^ is confined to
tlie clergy ; who, perhaps, have lost no advantage by the abo-
lition of a state religion.

Religious fanaticism is very general in the States, and is
parried to a degree of extravagance almost inconceivable in
this country. We have before us some account of Camp
Meetings^ which are occasionally held in different states ; but
the description is too indecent and gross to bear repetition.
We will, however, as a specimen of these improprieties, relate
a few such like occurrences from the pen of two recent and
respectable travellers.

*The Sunday after my arrival at Savannah/ says Mr.
Lambert, 'I was passing a methodist meeting, and was in-
duced, by the vehemence of the preacher, to go in and hear
his discourse. He uttered such terrible imprecations upon
sinners unless they were born again in faith, that one half of
his congregation were groaning and weeping in the most piti-
able manner. Such an assemblage of wretched looks, and pale,
ghastly countenances, I never before saw ; they seemed, indeed,
to have suffered severe castigation for their sins even in this
world. Instead of benefiting by the mild and consolatory pre-
cepts of Christianity, these people appeared to be lost in a sea
of doubt and perplexity ; and seemed to think of nothing but
everlasting damnation, unless perchance they construed a grip-
ing of the bowels into the Toorkings of' divine grace.''

Another writer describes the mode in which the artful and
designing impose upon the ignorant and unwary in the fol-
lowing words :—

* Having heard that American methodists were distinguished
for an extreme degree of fanatical violence in their religious
exercises, I visited the African church, (ail houses of religious
assembly being denominated churches,) in which were none
but blacks ; and in the. evening, " Ebenezer church/^ in which

86i2

VIEW OF THE

were only whites. As the latter possessed all the characteris«
tics of the former, witli considerable additions of its own, to
that only it is necessary that I should call your attention. I
went at eight oVlock in the evening. The door was locked ;
but the windows being open, I placed myself at one of them,
and saw that the church within was crowded almost to suffo-
cation. The preacher indulged in long pauses, and occasional
loud elevations of voice, which were always answered by the
audience with deep groans. When the prayer which followed
the sermon had ended, the minister descended from the pulpit,
the doors were thrown open, and a considerable number of the
audience departed. Understanding, however, that something
was yet to follow, with considei'able difficulty I obtained ad-
mission. The minister had departed, the doors were again
closed, but about four hundred persons remained. One (ap-
parently) of the leading members gave out a hymn, then a
brother was, called upon to pray : he roared and ranted like a
maniac; the male part of the audience groaned, the female
shrieked ; a man sitting next to me shouted ; a youth stand-
ing before me continued for half an hour bawling, " Oh Jesus !
come down, come down, Jesus J my dear Jesus, I see you !
bless me, Jesus ! Oh ! oh ! oh ! Come down, Jesus !" A
small space farther on, a girl about eleven years of age was in
convulsions : an old woman, who I concluded was her mother,
stood on the seat, holding her up in her arms, that her exta-
cies might be visible to the whole assembly. In another place
there was a convocation of holy sisters, sending forth most
awful yells. A brother now stood forward, stating, that,
'-although numbers had gone, he trusted the Lord would
that night work some signal favours among his dear lambs.^'
Two sisters advanced towards him, refusing to be comforted,
♦* for the Lord -was with them :" another brother prayed — and
«iiother. " Brother Macfaddin^ was now called upon, and he
addressed them with a voice which might rival a peal of thun-
der, the whole congregation occasionally joining responsive to
his notes. The madness now became threefold increased, and
such a scene presented itself as I could never have pictured to

UNITED STATES.

883

my imagination, and as I trust, for the honour of true religion
and of human nature, 1 shall never see again. Had the inha-
bitants of fiedlam been let loose, thev could not have exceeded
it. From forty to fifty were praying aloud and extemporane-
ously at the same moment of time : some were kicking, many
jumping, all clapping their hands and crying out in chorus,
" Glory ! glory ! glory ! Jesus Christ is a very good friend !
Jesus Christ is a very good friend ! Oh God ! oh Jesus !
come down ! Glory ! glory ! glory ! Thank you, Jesus !
thank you, God ! Oh, glory ! glory ! glory ! ! r Mere ex-
haustion of bodily strength produced a cessation of madness
for a few minutes. A hymn was given out and sung ; pray-
ing then recommenced ; the scene of madness was again acted,
with, if possible, increased efforts on the part of the performers.
One of the brothers prayed to be kept from enthusiasm ! A
girl .of six years of age became the next object of attention.
A reverend brother proclaimed that she " had just received a
visit from the Lord, and was in awful convulsions — so hard
was the working of the spirit !^^ This scene continued for
some time; but the audience gradually lessened, so that by
ten o'clock the field of active operations was considerably con-
tracted. The women, however, forming a compact column at
the most distant corner of the church, continued their shriek-
ings with but little abatement. Feeling disposed to get a
nearer sight of the beings who sent forth such terrifying yells,
I endeavoured to approach them, but was stopped by several
of the brethren, who would not allow of a near approach to-
wards the holy sisterhood. The novelty of this exhibition
had, at first sight, rendered it a subject of amusement and in-
terest ; but all such feelings soon gave way to an emotion of
melancholy horror, when I considered the gloomy picture it
represented of human nature, and called to mind that these
maniacal fanatics were blaspheming the holy name of Christi-
anity. Notwithstanding my warm love of liberty, 1 felt that,
were I an absolute lawgiver, I would certainly punish and re-
strain men who thus degraded their nature, who set so wicked
an example of religious blasphemy, and so foully libelled the
name and character of revelation.

VIEW OP THE

< I have since understood that one of the female converts
upon this occasion had been turned away from her situation
the previous evening for stealing five dollars.

* A gentleman informed me that he was at " Ebenexer"* a
few days since, when the preacher stopped in the midst of his
discourse, and directed those among his audience who were for
King Jesus to stand up. Numbers of men and women imme-
diately rose, shouting <' I am for Jesus.** " I am for Jesus.^
" I am for King Jesus."^ " Oh, that I could press him to my
bosom r " There he comes.*^ ** I am for King Jesus.*" I
am informed that these exhibitions are neither singular in oc*
currence nor {utftial in extent, and feel at a loss to account for
such fanatical enthusiasm in this country : it is by no means
an essential part of the creed of either Wesley or Whitefield ;
and, in Great Britain, few bodies of men conduct their meet>-
ingfl with more order than the methodists. In Wales, I un-"
derstand, ancjl perhaps in some country parts of England,
there may be occasional exhibitions of the same kind; but
they are of rare occurrence, and comparatively moderate in
their excesses. In Ireland I have also witnessed occasional
violence ; but never any thing at all equal to that exhibited at
** Ebenezer.^ In the latter country, too, we make s >me aU
lowance for national character : they are all fir6-^all feeling ;
but with Americans, whatever may be their excellences or
defects, they are certainly not chargeable with pos^ssing a
superabundance of warm blood: they are, on the Contrary,
most remarkable for complete and general coldness of charao^
ter and disposition. That, therefore^ t?i^ should be enthusi-
astic, even in matters of religion, would appear a matter of
difficult solution. In the individuals, it would seem to burst
forth upon prepared occasions, and to exist in common with*^
perhaps actually td spring from, a cold-blooded callousness of
disposition. The general theory which attributes warmth of
filling to the fanatic is perhaps, after iJl, a false one. Who
so bigoted, so exclusive, so illiberal towards others, so wholly
devoid of every generouii sentiment ? The extreme fanaticism
of these maniacal saints may perhaps therefore actually spring

UNITEl) STATES.

S85

from the absence of r^a^ enthusiasm, combined, of course, with
gross and excessive ignorance.^

PUBLIC LANDS. ,

Before we enter upon the important subject of agriculture,
it will be necessary to notice the regulations adopted respecting
the sale and occupation of lands belonging to the States.

The United States have obtained, by cession from the dif-
ferent states of the Union, all their respective rights to public'
lands. The Indian title to extensive tracts has been extin-
guished by treaty, and all the vacant lands of Louisiana have
become national property. According to the statement of the
commissioner of the general land office, dated the 30th De-
cember, 1813, there are upwards of 400,000,000 of acres of
national domain undisposed of

1. Lands of which the Indian title has been extin-

guished, ....

2. Lands of which the Indian title has not been ex-

tinguished eastward of the Mississippi, -
S. Lands of which the Indian title has not been ex-
tinguished in Louisiana and the Missouri terri-
tory, estimated at -

56,225,000
148,876,000

200,000,000

Total, - - 405,101,000

This land is of every quality of soil, and extends through almost
every variety of climate.

The law for the sale of public lands was passed in the year
1800, and has since undergone some modifications. The
lands having been surveyed, are divided intb townships of six
miles square, each of which is subdivided into 36 sections, of
one mile square, or 640 acres. The dividing lines run in the
direction of the cardinal points, and cross one another at right
angles. This business is under the direction of two surveyors,
the one having the title of * Surveyor-general,' the other that
of 'Surveyor of the public lands south of the state of Tennes-
see.' The powers and duties of the first extend over all the
public lands north of the river Ohio, and over the territory of
17 , 3 C

886

VIEW OF THE

Louisiana ; those of the second over the territories of Orleans
and Mississippi. A return of the surveys is transmitted to
the proper land-ofllice, and also to the treasury-office at Wash-
ington. A 36th part, or 640 acres of each township, is allotted
for the support of schools within its limits ; and seven entire
townships have been given in perpetuity, for the support of
seminaries of learning ; two in the state of Ohio, and one in
each of the territories of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missis- »
sippi, and Louisiana. In every act or deed, lead mines and
salt springs are reserved, and may be leased by government.
The rivers Mississippi and Ohio, and all the navigable streams
that lead into either, or into the St. Lawrence, remain as com>
mon. highways, and free from all tax, to all the citizens of the
United States. The lands are offered at public sale, in quar-
ter sections of 160 acres each. The minimum price is two
dollars per acre. The lands not purchased at public sale may
be sold privately at this price. In either case the purchase-
money is paid in four equal instalments ; the first within 40
days, and the others within two, three, and four years, after
the date of the purchase. If the payment be not made ac>
cording to the terms, interest is paid at the rate of six per cent,
per annum. On each instalment a discount of eight per cent,
is allowed for prompt payment ; so that, if the amount be paid
at the time ol' purchase, the price is reduced to a dollar and
C4 cents per acre. If the whole of the purchase- money be not
paid within five years after the date of the' purchase, the lands
are offered at public sale, but cannot he disposed of for less
than the arrears of principal and interest due thereon. If this
amount cannot be obtained, they revert to the United States,
and the partial payments are forfeited. If they sell for a
greater sum, the surplus is returned to the original purchaser.
The lands purchased from the Indians are divided into dis.
tricts, and a land-office estaUished in each, under the direction
of two officers ; a register, who receives the applications and
sells the land ; and a receiver of public monies, to whom the
purchase-money is paid, if not transmitted to the treasury de-
partment. The patent is not issued until the whole purchase-
money, with interest, is paid. The president of the United

UNITED STATES.

S8t

States is authorised, if necessary, to remove intruders from the
public lands, by military force. Rights of pre-emption, mili-
tary bounties, nnd donations, are regulated by acts of congress.
From the opening of the land-^offices to the Itt of October,
1818, the aale of public lands in the districts of Marietta, La-
ncsville, 8teubenville, Canton, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Jeffer-
sonville, and Vincennes, amountec^to 4,006,488 acres, and
produced 8,/>08,394 dollars. The lands sold in the Missis-
sippi territory, in Mudison county, and west and east of Pearl
river, from the 1st of October, 1812, to the 30th of September,
181S, amounted to 514,422 acres, which produced 1,063,831
dollars. From the Ist of July, 1800, to the Ist of the same
month, 1810, the whole quantity of land sold amounted to
3,386,000 a< res, which pnKluced 7,062,000 dollars, of which
4,880,000 dollars had been received in payment, and the ba-
lance remained due by the purchasers.

In 1812, the committee on public lands recommended the
repeal of such part of the public laws as allows a credit on
part of the purchase-money, and that in future the lands be
offered for sale in tracts of 80 acres, at a dollar and 25 cents
per acre, which would prevent their monopoly by large capi-
talists*, and enable the industrious poor man to become a pur-
chaser. In the state of Ohio alone, the receipts, on account of
forfeitures in 1811, amounted to nearly 50,000 dollars. The
forfeiture is generally one-fourth of the purchase-money. If
the purchaser take the credit allowed by law on the three in-
stalments, he pays interest of more than ten per cent, per an-
num ; and if he have no other resources than those arising
from the land, he forfeits the whole amount of money paid,
and all his agricultural improvements are finally lost. This
circumstance induced the congress of the United States to pass
an act, in February, 1814, in favour of the purchasers of pub-
lic lands, who had not completed their payments, according to
which, those who, prior to the 1st of April, 1810, had pur-
chased lands not exceeding 640 acres, portional sections ex-
cepted, were allowed the further time of three years for
completing the payment. ^ .^

388

.vje;w ,qf Tip;

A proposition for increasing the prioe ^f public lands wt»
under the consideration of ^congress in 1817 ; but the commit-
tee, in their repoi^t, felt sonjewhat apprehenuve, that the
United States, so far from being enable^ to increase, would
find themselves compelled to lessen the price of the public
lands, or to Sorego the golden dreams they indulge (^ an .enor>-
^mous revenue to arise from their ^^\e.

^GRICULXUHE.

The United States, over their whole extent, are truly an
agricultural country. The number of persons .engage4 m
commercial pursuits is very small, in proportion .to the ipopu-
lation ; and the manufactures are chiefly carried pn by farinens.
Agriculture is and must long continue the first and prini^pi^
object both of the natives and of fpre^n emigrants. Immense
fertile regions, yet uncleared, with every variety of soil and
ten^perature, invite settlers ; imd the low price of lands on^tbles
every industrious man, with a very sm^ll ctipitld., to purchase
Sfiiiii^ few hundred acres, and establish him^lf m 9 comfortable
and independent situation. During the jiate wt^r, the ejiLcludon
of British goods gave a great stimuhjis to domestic manufac-
tures, and the disposition to embar^ in tbem w^s jopcouraged
by the government; but, since the retuni o£ peace, the influx
of foreign articles, at inferior prices, h^s .occasioned a great
proportion of them to be abandoned. The progress of Ame-
rican agriculture, since the ye^ 1800, 1^9 beep very consider-
able. Immense tracts of forests have been brought under the
plough. The principles of agriculture have also become an
object of attention ; and several societies have been established
for its improven^ent. That qf Philadelphia h^s published
three octavo volumes. Those of New York, Qoston, and
Colurpbia, have alsi> pubUshed useful memoi|:s.

For t)ie p^rpose of difllising agricultural knowledge through-
out the United States, an association wa^ formed* in 1803,
under the :>a{nie of th^ *■ Aipericaa Bo^rd of Agriculture/ C9m-
posed chiefly of the members of both houses of congfeas.

imiTBDSfDA'WES.

^tB0

Sulphatof lime, or gypsum, ao useful as a manuve« has been
lately found, and of a very fine quality, in the state of New
Yoxl(, jnthe oountiesof Onandago and Madison, on the bor.
dersof the Cayuga and Seneca iakes, and in the territory of
Missouri. Sulphuret of barytes has been successfully en-
ployed as ;a manure, and is manufactured for this purpose, at
the rate of S5 cents per bushel. The cultivation of the sugar-
cane has been introduced into X«ouieaana, and lately into the
L^lands on the coa^t of Geor^. It is believed that all ^lae
land favoiunble to ithe cuUivatMm of sea island cotton, may be
ri?nvert«d into sugar plantations. Dumng the late war, tfae
jlgriqultural system underwent various changes, depending an
n&w kinda of industry to whioh it igave birth. In the southerli
states, tbfi culture of wheat has been substituted for that «f
tobacco* which, in time of peace, <was one of the great artioleB
of exportation. It .was found that, at t^ dose of the war,
th^e iras about S&jOOO hogsheafds in t^ state of Maryland,
and irow 3£,0e0 to 40,000 in Virginia. The whole value
exported in 1BX3 did not exeeed 330^000 dollars. In the
alate of Pennsylvania an association has been fermed 'Sat the
purpose of ancoura^^kug the cultivation of the vine. A apedes
brought from the Cape of Good Hope, c^ which the wine is
Agreeable, and the brandy of a superior <|uality, tbrives in the
open field. Other species are cultivated in the same state by
Mr. Z^^paux, the wine of which is also of a good quality, it
is observed by this gentleman, that in the United States die
temperature and vegetation m the 40th degree of iatituds, are
^ilar to those of the 48th and 49th of Europe.

It is believed, thai the vine will succeed well in- Kentuc&T,
Virginia, Tennessee, and upper parts of the Carolinas, parti-
cularly in the natural meadows or barrens, where the wild
grape is similar to that of the suburbs of Paris in France.
Tlie white Italian mulberry was long since introduced into the
southern states, and the silk-worm was found to thrive; huA
the high price of labour renders the manufacture of silk un-
profitable. The Sesamum Onentaky or bennyseed^ is now
cultivated in Virginia and the CaroUnas for domestic purposes.
Th? oil which the seed affords is equal to olive oil of the best

VIEW OF THE

quality, and it is difficult t6 distinguish the one from the other
by the taste. Sugar is now cultivated in Georgia, and to a
great extent in Louisiana. The quantity made in Louisiana,
in 1810, was estimated at ten millions of pounds ; and in the
same year, according to the reports of the marshals, more than
nine millions and a half of sugar were made from the maple-
tree in the United States. In 1814, the quantity of sugar
made in Louisiana was not less than fifteen millions of pounds ;
and in 1816, 10,833,704 pounds were exported coastwise from
New Orleans, principally to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New
York, and this was in addition to the quantity carried up the
Mississippi, and consumed in the state of Louisiana. It has
lately been ascertained, that several species of plants, from
which barilla, or carbonat of soda, is extracted, grow sponta*
neously in different parts of the United States. The Sahoh
kali, in the island of New York, near the East river, in the
environs of Boston, at Richmond in Virginia, and on the bor.
ders of the Rappahanoc. The Salicorma Jructicom, one of
the materials of the fine Alicant barilla, grows in almost all
the salt marshes, and fuci of difierent species abound on the
lea-shore. The rearing of sheep has become a great object of
rural economy. The Merino species, of a pure as well as
mixed breed, are now multiplied throughout the whole extent
of the United States. The first that were imported were sold
at 1000 dollars each, and the present average price does not
exceed 45 dollars. It is a curious fact, that in the United
States they are not subject to the fatal disease so well known
in Europe under the name of rot. In the western parts of the
•tate of New York, they thrive remarkably well, and it would
uppear that the ravages of the wolf are not more destructive
there than those of the dog in countries peopled at an earlier
period. They do not require as much food as the common
sheep; and it is well known that the wool is not only finer,
Iwt more abundant. Hemp is now cultivated in certain dis.
tricts of the states of New York and Kentucky ; some of the
low or bottom grounds have yielded 600 pounds per acre.

The breed of American horses has been improved by inter.
mixture with those of Europe. In the northern states they

UNITED STATES.

891

le other
nd to a
luisiana,
i in the
ore than
e maple-
of sugar
pounds ;
wise firom
and New
id up the
I. It has
nts, fifom
»w sponta.
he Scdsoh
irer, in the
»n the bor-
Ma, one of
almost all
und on the
Bit object of
as well as
hole extent
were sold
does not
the United
rell known
larts of the
id it would
[destructive
jt an earlier
ie common
only finer,
;ertain dis.
tome of the
ir acre.

by inter-
states they

partake of the qualities of the Norman and English hunter ;
in those of the south, of the Arabian, or English race-horse.

The breed of oxen has also been improved for the purpose
of agricultural labour. Dr. Mease, in his introductory dis-
course on the diseases of domestic animals, states, that, in
South Carolina and Georgia, cattle brought from Europe, or
from the interior to the vicinity of the sea, were invariably at-
tacked by a disease which is generally fatal, and that those
from a particular district of South Carolina, infect all others
with which they mix in their passage to the north, although
the former are in perfect health. The hogs of the southern
ore smaller than those of the northern states, and the pork is
sweeter; particularly in Virginia and Maryland, though some
of those animals, in the southern states, grow to an enormous
size. A hog was killed at Au<;usta in Georgia, in 1814, four
years old, which weighed 698 pounds net. The beef and
mutton of the northern states are of a better quality than those
of the south. lu the former the cattle have also multiplied in
a wonderful manner. In the state of New York, the number
of neat cattle, in 1814, was 863,298 ; that of sheep, 1,410,044 ;
of horses, 527,570; of fattened swine killed annually, 140,000;
of beeves slain or driven to market, SSO,000 ; according to
Mr. BlodgetOs calculation, the number of horned cattle in
1809 was 3,660,000.

The failure of European projects for agricultural establish-
ments in the United States has excited very unfavourable im-
pressions against such enterf)rises. This failure is generally
ascribable to two causes. 1st, The impostures practised by
companies and their agents; and, Sdly, To the habits of the
purchasers or occupants, who were strangers to agricultural
pursuits. The speculation of the Scioto company was infa-
mous beyond expression. I^ands belonging to Indians, or
other proprietors, were sold to French emigrants at the rate
of six livres per acre. Many of the unfortunate purchasers,
who were watchmakers, jewellers, hairdressers, finding no em-"
ployment in the way of their profession, were obliged to seek
1 lefuge and subsistence in the sea-port towns.

s»

1«EW OP THBT

Land is sometimes partially cleared, by what is rather lud!.
crously termed ajhlic. A man having purchased a quarter,
or half section, for' the purpose of settling dortin, his neigh,
hours assemUe upon an appointed day: one cuts the trees ; a
second lops them ; a third d^ags them to the spot upon which
a log mansion is to be erected ; others cross the logs, roof the
habitation, and in three days the emigrant has a * house over
his headr — ^thus ends the American ^o/te. Hie raising of
food is the next point with the new settlers in this he must
rely upon his own resources. If he be strong-handed, (has
property,) he has the trees felled, about one foot from the
earthy dragged into heaps, and made into an immense bonfire.
Should he be wecJe-handed, (poor,) he is compelled to be con-
tent with what is termed girdling ; which consists in cutting
the bark, thereby, of course, killing the trees ; and he after-
wards clears away the underwood, which is seld6m considera-
ble. These preliminary operations being effected, according
to either mode, grain is sown, and the produce reaped with a
fruitfulness of production, and a dexterity truly extraordinary,
considering that these operations are carried on amidst stumps,
(which decay in from eight to twelve years,) stones, and sur-
rounded by entire trees. The beauty of an Indian corn crop
cannot be exceeded. When cut and carried home, the neigh,
hours assemble to assist in husking ; this is called a husking
jrolic. In some parts of the country the term JYolic admits of
a different application; — the reli^ous females present their
minister with a variety of gifts, each accorditag to their taste or
means: some send a coat, others a hat, and some a goose.
They are invited to the preacher's house, to partake of a sup-
per, as a return for their liberality : this is termed a knitting
Jrolic. Very little agricultural labour is performed by women.
The slender means of many settlers not enabling them to pur-
chase British goods at the high price at which they are sold,
the females are therefore chiefly employed in making articles
of domestic clothing.

The interior population may perhaps be divided into three
classes: First, the squatter, or man who ^ sets himself down'

UNITED «STATES.

quarter,
is neigh-
trees; a
m which
roof the
puse ofver
rjdsing of
5 he must
Kfed, (has
from the
se bonfire,
to be con-
in cutting
d he after-
considera-
, according
jped with a
;raordinary,
dst stumps,
s, and sur-
n com crop
the neigh,
a husking
\ic admits of
•esent their
leir taste or
le a goose.
;fe of a sop-
a knitthig
by women,
lem to pur-
ley are sold,
ing articles

upon land which is not bis own, atid for which he ptj^ no*
thing ; cultivates a sufficient extent to supply himself and fa-
mily with the necessaries of life ; remains until he is dissatis-
fied with his choice, has realized a sufficiency to become a
land-owner, or is expelled by the real proprietor. Second,
the small fanner who has recently emigrated, had barely suf-
ficient to pay the first instalment for his 80 or 160 acres of
two-dollar land ; cultivates, or what he calls improves, ten to
thirty acres ; raises a sufficient * fced^ for his family ; has the
females of it employed in makir;g or patching the wretched
clothing of the whole domestic circle ; is in a condition which,
{(comfuUed hy legislative acts, or by external Jbrce to endwre,
would be conudered truly wretched ; but from being his own
master, having made his own choice, from the having * no one
to make him efriud/ joined with the consciousness that, though
slowly, he is regularly advancing towards wealth ; the breath
of complaint is seldom heard to escape from his lips. Third,
t^he wealthy or *' strong-kanded' farmer, who owns from five to
twelve hundred acres, has one-fourth or one-third under culti-
vation, of a kind much superior to the former ; raises live
stock for the home, and Atlantic-city markets; sends beef,
pork, dieese, lard, and butter to New Orleans; is perhaps a
legislator, at any rate a squire (magistrate) ; is always a man
of plain business-like sense, though not in possession, nor de-
sirous of a very cultivated intellect ; understands his own in-
terest, and that of his country ; lives in sufficient affluence,
and is possessed of cornet, according to the American ac-
ceptation of the term, but to which * old country'' folks
mubt feel inclined to take an ^kception: but in concluaon,
and a most important conclusion it is, the majority of this
class of men were, ten or fifteen years ago, inhabitants of the
eastern states, and not worth, upon their arrival in Ohi«,
twenty dollars.

8 D

into three
\mself doKn

994

VIEW OF THE

A Tdbk of the Value of the Exports of the proceeds ^Agri-
culture in 181S.'
Products of Animals.

Beef, tallovr, hides, live cattle, «
Butter and cheese, ...
Pork, pickled bacon, lard, live hogs,
Horses and mules, ...
Sheep, - - - -

Products of Vegetables.
Wheat, flour, and biscuit,
Indian com and meal, . .

Rice, --.---
Rye, oats, pulse, potatoes, •

Tobacco,
Cotton,

DoUan.
524,000

329,000

604,000

191*000

9,000

1,657,000

13,687,000

I,939>000

1,544,000

627,000

17,797,000
1,514,000
3,080,000

-IJ .

£2,391,000

1^ All other Agricultural

Products.

ludigo, - - - . ,

5,000

Flax-sec'd> . - .

455,000

Maple sugar^ - . .

13,000

Hops, - ' .

7,000

Poultry, flax, mustard.

. - 7,000

Sundries,

20,000

507,000

Total amount, - . 24,555,000
The value of the flour exported in the year ending 30th Septem-
tier, 1817, was 17,751,376 dollars; of the cotton, 22,627,614; to-
Wco, 9,230,020; rice, 2,378,880; timber and lumber of all
^68crintions, 3,381,349; pot and pearl ashes, 1,967,243.

The value of the whole products of agriculture, in all the
states, was estimated to amount to 511,000,000 dollars yearly.
The value of houses, lands, and slaves, as revised and equal-
ised by the prindpal assessors in 1814 and 1815, was stated at

UNITED STATES.

995

1,90S,S96,961 doliara, exclusive of Louinana. Such calcula-
tions cannot be made with great precision ; but they afford a
sufficient data for ascertaining the progress of the States, and
establishing the quota of taxes which each ought to pay to-
warda the support of the general government.

MANUFACTURES.

The restrictive commercial regulations of Europe, and the
late war with England, gave a great stimulus to American
manufactures, and their progress during the course of a few
years was almost incredible. Many new branches were intro-
duced, and these which had been already established were car-
ried to a much greater extent. The principal cause of the
neglect of manufacturies formerly was the great profits aflbrded
by agriculture, with the high price of labour. All the mate-
rials for manufactures are found in America. Fuel is inex-
haustible; the ores of the most useful metals are in great
abundance, and dyes of all kinds are procured from the vege-
table and mineral kingdoms. In the year 1809, the secretary
of the treasury unfolded the resources of the country in rela*
tion to the raw material, and proposed various means for the
promotion of manufactures, protecting and prohibitory duties,
drawbacks, premiums, bounties, encouragement to new inven-
tions, arrangements for facilitating pecuniary remittances, &c.

In 1810, the secretary of the treasury of the United States
presented to congress a report on the manufactures, in which
the following are mentioned as being adequate to the con-
sumption of the United States : — Manufactures of wood, or
those of which wood is the principal material; leather, and
manufactures of leather; soap and tallow candles ; spermaceti
oil and candles ; flax-seed oil ; refined sugar ; coarse earthen
ware ; chocolate and mustard ; snufF Hud hair-powder. The
following branches are mentioned as being firmly established,
supplying, in several instances, the greater, and in all, a con-
siderable portion of the consumption of the United States:
viz. Iron, and manufactures of iron ; manufactures of cotton,
wool, and hats made of flax ; manufactures of paper, printing

S8i

VIEW OP THE

types, printed books, playing cards ; of hemp and gunpowder,
window-glass, jewellery, and clocks; of lead, wax candles,
Straw bonnets and hats, spirituous and malt liquors. The
ships, and vessels of more than twenty tons, built in the
United States from 1801 to 1807, measured, at an average,
110,000 tons a year, giving a value of more than six millions
i>f dollars. Two-thirds of these vessels were registered for the
foreign trade; the other third for the coasting trade and
fislieries. The annual exportation of furniture and carriages
amounted to 170,000 dollars ; the annual exportation of pot
and pearl ash was 7400 tons. The annual value of manufac-
tured articles from leather was estimated at twenty millions of
dollars. The greatest portion of soap and tallow is of domes-
tic manufacture. The whole annual value of manufactures
was estimated by the secretary of the treasiiry at eight millions
of dollars, fn 1803, there were but four cotton mills in the
United Stfites; in 1809, the number was 87, and most of
them water mills. In 1811, there were 80,000 spindles run-
ning. The capital employed in this kind of manufacture
amounted to 4,800,000 dollars; in the cotton singly to
9,600,000 pounds, and valued at 720,000 dollars; the yam
spun to £,880,000 pounds, valued at 3,240,000 dollars. The
number of men fipployed was 503,000, with 500 women and
children.

In some places cotton 3^:i)ni is offered fur exportation. The
art of printing o6tton and calico is carried to great perfection
at Philadelphia, by means of rollers moved by water, which
stamp 10,000 yards a day. The wool of the United States
has been greatly improved hy the introduction of the Merino,
or Spanish race of sheep, which is now seen all over the coun-
try. The Paula and Negritti breed, and that of the Escuriai
and Infantado, were procured in 1802; the whole number
imparted till 1801 amounted to 5000. The first were sold at
1000, and even 1500 dollars ; but they gradually full, during
that period of time, to 25 and 30 dollars each. The price of
the wool was from three-quarters to two dollars per pound.
Various manu^tories of fine woollen have been established
within the last seyen years. In the state of New Jertwy^

tJNITEI> STATES.

county of Essex, there are ten woollen manufactories, oonta'.n-
ing d600 spindles, capable of manufacturing cloth to the
amount of 650,000 dollars per annum. The woollen manu- '
factory at Danville, on the Susquehannah, after its first esta-
blishment in 1809, gave a net profit to the company of 40 per
cent, on the capital The broad cloth manufactured neat
Wilmington, on the Delaware, is said to be equal to the best
quality imported from England. The number of fulling mills,
in 1810, was 1630 ; that of wool-carding machines, going by
water, 1885; the number of looms returned 330,000. In
1810, twelve millions of pounds weight of sheep''s wool were
wrought into goods. -' Manufactories of flax have been lately
established in different sditiv"; one near Philadelphia produces
annually 72,000 yards of canvas ; another, 500,000 yards of
cotton bagging, sailcloth, and coarse linen.

The next important branch of manufactures are the medals.
In 1810, the furnaces, forges, and bloomeries of the United
States amounted to 560, of which the state of New York fur«
nished 69. The annual value of iron and its manufactures
was estimated by the secretary of the treasury (M. Gallatin)
at twelve or fifteen millions of dollars. The a^rage value of
imported metal in bar iron and steel was four millions. The
Fronconia iron-works in New Hampshire, established in 1810,
employed a capital of 100,000 dollars. The Vergennes iron-
works in Vermont promise to be very important. The price
of bar iron at this establishment is 140 dollars per ton ; the
ore three dollars ; charcoal, four dollars and a half per hun-
dred bushels. Nineteen thousand muskets are annually made
at the two public armories of Springfield and Harper^s Ferry.
There is now a considerable surplus of small arms. In 1810,
the quantity of gunpowder prepared annually amounted to
1,450,000 pounds ; the number of gunpowder mills was S07.
The manufactory of gunpowder at Brandywine furnishes
SS5,0()0 pounds annually ; two, others, near Baltimore,
450,000 pounds. The salt springs of Onondago, Cayuga,
&c. in the state of New York, furnish 700,000 bushels of salt
per annum, valued at 200,000 dollars ; those of the western

♦

S98

VIEW (W THE

states and territories an equal quantity. The Wabash saline,
belonginji; to the United States, gives ld(),()0() bushels, which
is sola there at 75 cents per bushel. The manufactories of
refined sugar have kept pace with the increase of population ;
in 1816, the annual quantity was estimated at five millions of
pounds, valued at one million dollars. The manufactories of
candles and spermaceti oil at the town of Nantucket, New
Bedford, and Hudson, supply the domestic consumption, and
furnish annually for exportation 26(),()00 pounds of candles,
and 44,000 gallons of oil. In 1810, the annual quantity of dis-
tilled ardent spirits amounted to 23,720,000 gallons. Brandy
is made from peaches, whisky from rye and maize, and a spirit
also from cyder. Whitemore's machine for making wool cards
has excluded the imfwrtation of this article. The machine for
making nails, now in oiieration at £llicot''s Mills and other
parts of the United States, cuts 12,000 nails in a minute.
The ma^iufuctories of cotton, wool, copper, brass, nails, and
glass, belonging to Baltimore, are valued at two millions of
dollars. The manufactories of New York, in 1811, were es-
timated at thirty millions of dollars, twelve millions of which
were produce<| by domestic industry. There are ten glass
manufactories, which produce annually 5,800,000 feet of win-
dow glass, valued at 1,200,000 dollars ; ten sugar refineries,
the manufactures of which are valued at 500,000 dollars ; 50
cut-nail factories, the manufactures valued at 300,000 dol-
lars. In 1805, the foreign articles re-exported amounted to
15,384,883 dollars; in 1810, to 6,313,715 dollars, while the
domestic had increased to nearly 11,000,000.

The state of Ohio, which, 24 years ago, was a wilderness,
frequented only by savages, in the year 1810 manufactured
two millions of yards of woollen, flaxen, and cotton cloth; one
million of gallons of whisky ; thirteen millions of pounds of
sugar ; with other articles, forming two millions and a quarter
of dollars. From the 5th of October to the 5th of May, 1811,
a {)eriod of seven months, 800 boats passed the falls of the
Ohio, laden with the productions and manufactures of this
country. ,

UNITED STATES.

TheJbUomng Table exhibit^ the Value <^ each Specie^ tf

Mant^aciure^ according to the Returns qf the Marehalt

and Secretaries (^tlie States and Territories.

Dollwn.

1. Goods manufactured by the loom from cotton, mtooI,

flax, hemp, and silk, ... 39*497,057

2. Spun goods of the same materials, - - 2,052, ISO

3. Instruments and machinery manutactured, 186',650

Carding, fulling, and floor cloths stamped

by machinery, • • 5,957,816

6,144,466

4. Hats of wool, fur, &c. and of mixtures, - 4,323,744

5. Manufactures of iron, • - - 14,364,520
b*. Manufactures ofgold, silver, set work, mixed metals, &c. 2,483,912

7. Manufactures of lead, ... 325,560

8. Soap, tallow, candles, wax, and spermaceti, spring

and whale oil, . - - . 1,766,292

9. Manufactures of hides and skms, - • 17>935,477

10. Manufactures tVom seeds, ... 858,509

11. Grain,fruit,and case liquors, distilled and fermented, 16,528,207

12. Dry manufactures from grain, exclusively of flour,

meal, &c. - - - - 75,765

13. Manufactures of wood, • - . 5,554,708
R Manufiictuces of essences and oils, of and flrom wood, 179>1 50

15. Refined or manufactured sugar, - - 1,415,724

16. Manufactures of paper, pasteboard, cards, &c. 1,939,285

17. Manufactures of marble, stone, and slate, - 462,115

18. Glass manufactures, ... 1,047,004

19. Earthen manufactures, ... 259,720

20. Manuft.ctures of tobacco, ... 1,260,378

21. Drugs, dye stuffs, paints, and dyeing, . 500,382
3i. Cables and cordage, - - - 4,243,168

23. Manufactures of hair, ... 129,731

24. Various and miscellaneous manufactures, . 4,347,601

Total, - 127,694,602

The articles which have been conBidered as of a doubtful
nature, in relation to manufactures, are work done by cotton
presses, wheat-mills, grist-mills, fulling-m'lis, mills for pearled
barley, wind-mills, clover-seed mills, horse-mills, hemp-mills.

VIEW OP THE

■lahoguiy •aw-mills, common «aw.4ni!lt, mapte tree, sugar
eampst cane planters' sugar^works, also molasses, rosin and
pitch, pot and peurl ashes, slate quarries, brick kilns, tiles,
salt-petre caves, indigo works, red ochre, yellow ochre, fishe*
ries, lime-kilns, plaster of Paris mills, tobacco hogsheads.

The total value of manufactures exported in 181i2 was esti.
mated at 1,841,000 dollars, and in 1817 at S,847,69d dollars.

COMMERCE.

Mr. Pitkin, in his invaluable work upon the Statistics of the
United States, has given the most ample information on this
important subject ; and to which we refer such of our readers
as wish to obtain a minute and detailed account of the rise and
progress of the different branches of trade. Another Ameri-
can writer says, * In commerce and navigation, the progress of
ihe United States has been rapid beyond example. Besides
the natiiral advantages of excellent harbours, extensive inland
bays, and navigable rivers, it has been greatly in favour of
their commerce, that it has not been fettered by monopolies or
exclusive privileges. Goods or merchandise drculate through
all the states free of duty, and a full drawback, or restitution
of duties of importation, is granted upon articles exported to a
foreign port, in the course of the year in which they have been
imported. Commerce is considered by all those engaged in it
as a most honourable employment. In the sea-port towns,
the richest members of society are merchants. Youths of
sixteen are sent abroad as factors, or supercargoes, to every
commercial country, intrusted with the management of great
concerns. Stimulated by the prospect of independence, they
study the manufactures and markets of foreign states; the
quality, value, and profits of every commercial aricle ; while
the youth of other countries, of the same age and rank, have
not formed a thought of a provision for future life. Maritime
and commercial business is laxecuted with more celerity and
less expence than in any other country. Vessels in the ports
of the United States are laden and unladen in the course of a
few days ; whilst in those of other countries, as many months

UNITED STATICS.

401

tree, sugar
, rosin and
kilns, tiles,
)chre, fishe-
theads.
im was esti.
,693 dollars.

atistics of the
lation on this
f our readers
f the rise and
lother Ameri-
ie progress of
iple. Besides
tensive inland
r in favour of
monopolies or
ulate through
or restitution
exported to a
»ey have been
engaged in it
la-port towns,
Youtlis of
;oes, to every
lent of great
iudence, they
states; the
aricle; while
id rank, have
;e. Maritime
celerity and
in the ports
le course of a
lany months

tre required for the same purposes, owing to tedious regula-
tions and less enterprise. Merchant vessels are built and pre-
pared for sea in the course of four or five months, and they
sail faster than those of any other country. We have seen it
announced in an American newspnfKT, that, on the 11th of
April, 1814, a ship was launched at Vergennes, on lake Cham- >
plain, of 15U feet keel, measuring 50() tons; the timber of
which was cut down in the forest the Sd of March preceding.
The Peacock, of 18 guns, was built at New York in 18 days.
The Wa.sp, at Portsmouth, in SO days. The Superior, of G4
guns, on lake Ontario, in 30 days The schooners constructed
at Baltimore, and known hy the name of " pilot-lxmt schoon-
ers,^ have often sailed with a cargo from an American to an
English or French port in 17 or 18 days. The American
seamen are extremely active and enterprising. Sloops of GO
tons, and eleven men, have sailed from Albany, (160 miles up
the Hudson's river,) to the coast of China. The irst of this
tlescription which arrived there was believed by the natives of
the country to be the long-boat of a large merchant vessel,
which they vainly looked for during several days. Nantucket
sloops of 80 tons, with ten men, double cape Horn, and pur-
sue the whale fishery in the South Seas. With similar ves-
sels, numerous voyages have been made from the port of New
York to the cold regions of southern Georgia, for the skins
and oil of seals and sea-elcphunts. The American whalemen,
after visiting the south-western coast of New Holland, and
California, the Malouin, or Falkland, and other isles, touch
for refreshments at the Cape of Good Hope, at the Sandwich
islands, or ports of Chili. A conmicrce with the Fegee islands
has been carried on by small vessels in trifling articles of hard-
ware, which they exchanged lor sandal-wood; ami with this
article they proceeded to Canton, where it was sold for the
purpose of incense in religious ceremonies, at the rate of 400
dollars per ton. The American pilot-boats have lately visited
the ports of Santa Fe, Curaccas, anti Buenos Ayres, for the
commerce in dollars and raw materials. Without any pre-
vious knowledge of routes, winds, tides, or harlwurs, the
American whalemen and pilot-boat seamen have visited every

402

VIEW OF THE

coast, and* to the astonishment of Europe, have made shwteir
voyages than old and experienced navigaitors. Falkland's
inland, which seemed too remote and romantic an object for
the grasp, of national amlntion, is but a stage and resting place
^. in the> progress of their victorious industry. **No sea but
p^hat is v«ced with their fisheries, no dimate that is not wit.
ness to their toils.* Since the commencement of the war iq
181S, the American put^c and private armed vessels have
visited every sea, from Kamschatka to the Irish channel, and
have captured British merchant ships at the very mouths of
JBritish harbours. The great injury done to the cpmiherce of
£n|;land during that war, notwithstanding her powerful navy,
bears strong testimony to the activity and enterprise of Ame.^
'rican seamen. More than 1700 of her vessels were captured
during the course of tiie :war; and it lias been stated, that
<mly one out of three American vessels employed in commerce
, were taken by the English during the same period. The
state of European warfare, from the year 1803 to 1811 S, gave
io America almost aU ihe carrying trade, or freight of the
commercial world, valued at ten per cent, upon tthe capital.
IJ^he United States also gained five per cent, by exchange, so
that the annual, profits of commerce and foreign navigation
jbave been estiinated at fifteen per cent, uppn the capital.'

/Summ^ <ifUie Vdue (jf Exports Jrom each fStcOe in 1811

STATES.

New Hampshire^

Vermont,

Massachusetts,

Rhode Island,

Connecticut,

New York, ,

New Seniey^

Pennsylvania^

Delaware,

Maryland,

Ooinestte. , Fordgtu Total

170,699 «6,885 197,424

918,301 913,301

6,908,416 6,009,^1 11,937,997

677,911 372,566 960,467

574,290 39,849 604,139

18,660,738 5,046,700 18,707,433

5,849 6,849

5,638,006 3,197,689 8,736,692

38,771 6,083 44,864

5,887,884 3,046,046 8,933,930

District of Columbia, 1,689,103 79,566 1,768,658

»■

tTNITPEI) STA1JES.

P 108

" STATES.

OomMtie.

Fot^gn.

Tptd.

.Virginia,vy,r'vMr.

5,56PL,888

60,804

5,^1,4^

North Caroling

955,Sil

1,369

956,580

South Cardinm

iffv^'VyOWv

428,270

10,372,613

Georgia,

8,530,831

859,883

9,790,714

Ohio,

,T,749

7,740^:

Louinana,

8,841^4

783,568

9,084,8W/^

Michigait territory,

64,288

64,22^

MissisaipiH do.

43,^87

48^^

S.^

These exports in 1817 yhst% : —

Oomcttie.' FmrdgD.

To the northern countries of Europe, 3,888,563 2,790,408

Dominions of the Netherlands, ^^mUTl^i 8,387,548

do. of Great Britain, 41,431,168 8,037,074

do. of France,
do. of Spain,
do. of Portugal,
To all other countries.

9,717,483 8,717,895
4,530,156-3,893,780
1,501,837 833,586^
3,907,178 5,198,883

68,313,500 19,358,069

» ■■•''•.

In the year 1808, the tonnage of the United States was

1,887,000, and the number of seamen 50,000. Jn 1816, the
tonnage amounted to 1,378,218. In the same year, the ton-
nage of vessels built in the states amounted to 131,667. • In
1815, th^re was employed in the foreign trade 700,035 tons (^
American vessels, and 212,501 of for^gn vessels, of whidi
148»710 tons belonged to Britain.

The proceeds of die customs in 1811 was 36^Sb3,88il dol-
lars; but in 1816 it fell to 87,569,769 dollars.' The nett re-
venue of 3860 poBt4>ffices in 1816 amounted to 155,579
ddlars. The extent of the post roads was 48,976 miles.

404

VIEW OF THE

Duties pa^iMe by Law on all Goods, Wares, and Merchan-
dise, imported into the United States ^America, (ommenc'
in^ on the 30th June, 1816.

Alum, I dollar per cwt.
*^Ie, beer, and porter, in bottles, 15 cents per gallon.

, Alcf, beer, and porter, imported otherwise than in bottles, 10 do.

Almonds, 3 cents per lb.

Aiichors, 1 dollar 50 cents per cwt.

Animak imported for breed, free.

Antimony, regulus of, do. ^-

Apparatus, philosophical, instruments, books, maps, eharts,
statues, busts, casts, paintings, drawings, engravings, speci-
mens of sculpture, cabinets of cmns, gems, medals, and all
other collections of antiquities, statuary, modelling, painting,
drawing, etching, or engraving, specially imported by order,
and for^the use of any society, incorporated ibr philosophi.
cai or literary purposes, fiee.

Arms, fire and side, and muskets, 20 per cent, ad val.

Articles imported for the use of the United States, free.

Brass wire, and articles of which brass is the material of chief
value, 20 per cent, ad v^.

Brass, old, free.

Bristles, 3 cents per lb.

Blank books, 30 per cent, ad val.

Bonnets and caps for women, <30 do.

Boots, I'dollar 50 cents per pair.

Bottles, black glass quart, 1 dollar 44 cents per gross.

Bristol stones, or paste work, and all articles composed wholly
or chiefly of gold, silver, pearl, and predous stcmes, 7,i per
cent, ad val.

Buckles of all kinds, 20 do.

Buttons, and button moles, 20 do. - '

Brushes, 30 do. '

Burrstones, unwrought, free.

Bullion, and gold and silver coin, free.

Cabinet wares, and all manufactures of wood, 30 per cent, ad val.

Cables and cordage, tarred, 3 cents per lb.

»'

UNITED STATES.

40fi

terchan-
am/menc-

68,10 do.

)s, charts,
ngs, spea-
ils, and all
5, painting,
J by order,
philosophi-

val.
free,
rial of chief

sed wholly
les, 7^ per

ccnt.adval.

twines, packthread^ md aast&n, 4 doi
■eserved in sugar or l|>randy, 30 per

Candles of tallow, 3 do.

. of wax and spermaceti, 6 do.

Cannon, 9.0 per cent, ad val.

Carriages of all descriptions, and parts thereof, SO do.

Cards, playing, 30 cents per padi.

Canes, walking sticks, and whips, SO per cent, ad val.

Capers, SO do.

Cassia, Chinese, 6 cents per lb.

Cheese, 9 do. ;

China ware, SO per cent, ad val.

Chocolate, 3 cents per lb.

Cinnamon and cloves, 25 do.

Clay, unwrought, firee.

Coal, 5 cents per heaped bushel.

Cocoa, S do. per lb.

Coffee, 6 do.

Cordage, untarred, y:

Comfits, or sweetm ;

cent, ad val. ; : i

Copper and brass in plates, pigs, and bars, suited ta thiei

sheathing of ships, free. «

Copper, ardcles manufactured of, <»* of which copper is the

material of chief value, 20 per cent, ad val.
Copper rods, bolts, spikes^ or nails, and compdsitioti rods,

holts, spikes, or nails, 4 cents per lb.
Copper, in any shape, for the use of the mint, free. > »

Copper, old^ fit only to be renianufacturfd, free. )

Copperas, 100 cents per cwt. c

Cork tree, bark of, manufactured, free.
Cotton, 3 cents per lb.

Cotton manufactures of all descriptions, or of which cotton is

the material of chief value ; and on cotton twist, yam, or

thread, as follows : for 3 years next ensuing tlie 30th June,

1816, a duty of 25 per cent, ad val.

Cotton, after the expiration of the 3 years aforesaid, a duty of

20 do.
Cosmetics, 30 do.
Clothing ready made, 30 do. • ,

wy*

*■

4oe

VIEW OF THE

Currants, 8 cents per lb.

Cutlery, iM) per cent, ad val. '

Drugs for dyeing, and materials for oomponng dyes, not sub^

jeot to other rates of duty, 7i do. '
Duck, Rusria, not exceeding 62 archeens each jnece, 2 dollars

per piece.
Duck, Ravens, do. 1 dollar ftS cents da
Duck, Holland, do. 2 dollars 50 cents do.
Earthenware, SO per cent, ai^ val.
Embroidery, 7^ do.
Epaulettes, 7^ do.
Fans, SO do.

Feathers, and other ornaments for head dresses, 80 do.
Figs, 3 cents per lb.

Fish, fbrdgn caught, 100 cents per quintal.
Fii^, mackerel, 1 dollar 50 cents per barrel.
Fish) sahnbn, 200 cents do.
— ^ all other pickled, 100 d .
Flowers, artificial, 80 per cent, ad val.
Floorclodis, painted, 30 do.
Furs, <^ every kind, undressed, free.
Glass, window, not above 8 by 10 inches, 2 doilats 50 cents

per 100 square feet.
Glass, not above 10 by 12, 2 dollars 70 cents do.
Glass, above 10 by li, 8 dollars 25 cents do. •
Gold leaf, 15 per cent, ad val.
Goods, wares, and merchandisej not free, and not subject to

any other rate tif duty, 15 do.
Glue, 5 cents per lb.
Gunpowder, 8 do.

Gum Arabic, and gum Senegal, 7| per cent, ad val.
Hairpowder. 8 cents per lb.

Hats or caps of wool, fur, leather, chip, straw, or silk, 30 per
' cent, ad val.

Hemp, 15 per cent, ad val.
Hides and skins, raw, free.
Indigo, 15 cents per lb.
Iron or steel ware, not exceeding No. 18, 5 do.

UNITED STA;TES.

409

Iron or steel ware, over No. 18, 9 do.

Iron sheets, rods, -and hoqn, 8 dollars 50 cents per cwt.

Iron bars and bolts, excepting iron manufactured by jrolling,

45 cents do. >
Iron bars and bolts when manufactured by rolling, and on

anchors, 1 dollar 50 cents do.
Iron, cast, and all manufactures of which inm is the material

of chief value, SO per ent. ad val.
Jewellery, '1| do.
Laces, 7^ do.

of gold and silver, 7^ do.

Lace veils, lace shawls, or shades of thread or alk, 7g do.
Lapis calaminaris, free. - , .^

Leather, and all manufactures of leather, or of which leather

is the material of chief value, 30 per cent, ad taL
Lead in pigs, bars, or sheets, 1 cent per lb.
Lead, manufactures of, or of which lead is the chief article,

20 per cent, ad val.
Lead, red and white, dry, or ground in oil, 3 cents per lb.
Mace, loo cents per lb.
Mats of grass or flags, 30 per cent, ad val.
Millinery of all sorts, 30 do.
Molasses, 5 cents per gallon.
Mustard, 30 per cent, ad val.
Nails, 3 cents per lb.
Needles, SO per cent, ad val.
Nutmegs, 60 cents per lb.
Ochre, dry, 1 cent per lb.

in oil, lucent

Oil, olive, in cask, ^ cents per gallon.

Oil, spermaceti, foreign fishing, 25 do.

Oil, whale and^ther fish, do. 15 do.

Olives, and sallad oil, 30 per cent, ad val.

Paper of every description, 30 do.

Paper hangings, 80 do.

Parchment and pasteboards, 30 do. . -

Pewter manufactures, 2 do.

old, free.

VIEW OF THE

Pepper, 8 cents per lb. "*

Perfumes, washm, balsams, SO per cent, ad val.

PimeBto, 6 cents per U>.

Pickles, do per cent, ad val.

Pins, 80 da ,

P. ums and prunes, 3 cents per lb.

Plaster of Paris, free.

Porcelain and glass manufactures, other than window glass,

and black quart bottles, 20 per cent, ad val. •
Precious stones and pearls of all kinds, set or not set, 7} do.
Prussian blue, SO do.

Raisins, Muscatel, and raisins in jars and boxes, 8 cents per lb.
Baisins, other kinds of, 2 do.
Rags of any kind of doth, free.
Saddles, bridles, and harness, SO per cent, ad val.
Salt, 20 cents per bushel of 56 lb.
Saltpetre,<7^ per cent, ad vai.
Sail or hempen cloth, except Russian and Grerman linen, and

duck, 20 do.
Segars, 2 dollaiv> oO cents per lOOO.
Shoes and slippers of silk, 90 cents per pair.
Shoes and slippers of leather, 25 do.
Shoes and slippers for children, 15 dp.
Shot manufactured of lead, 2 cents per lb.
Specimens in natural history, botany, mineridogy, anatomical

preparations, models of ipachinery, and other inventions,

plants, and trees, free.
Silver ware, 7^ per cent, ad val.
— — lace, 7 J do.
Snuff, 12 cents per lb.

Spirits from grain, first proof, 42 cents per gallon.
Spirits from grain, second proof, 45 do.
Spirits froiA grain, third proof, 48 do.
Spirits from grain, fourth proof, 52 do.
Spirits from grain, fifth proof, 60 do.
Spirits from grain, above fifth proof, 75 do.
From other materials, first and second proof, 38 do.
From other materials, third proof, 42 do.

UNITED STATSS.

From other oiaterials, fourth proof, 48 do.

From other materials, fifth proof, 57 do.

From other materials, above fifth proof, 70 do.

Spikes, S cents per lb. i ' i, .

Steel, 1 dollar per cwt.

manufactures, or of which steel is the article of chief

value, 20 per cent ad val.

Stockings of wool or cotton, SO do«

Stoneware, 20 do.

Soiqp, 8 cents per lb.

Sugar, brown, S do.

—white, <^ayed, or powdered, 4 do,

lump, lO do.

~- >- -Joaf, abd sugar-candy, 12 do. '

Sulphur, or brimstone, free.

Tallow, 1 cent per lb.

Teas from China in ships or vessels of the United States,

Tea, Bohea, 12 cents per lb.

Tea, Souchong, and other black, 25 do.

Tea, imperial, gunpowder, and gomee, 50 do.

Tea, hyson, and young hyson, 40 do.

Tea, hyson, skin, and other green, 28 do.

Teas from any other place, or in any other than ships or ves-
sels of the United States,

Tee^ Bohea, 14 do.

Tea, Souchong, and other black, 34 do.

Tea, imperial, gunpowder, and gomee, 68 do.

Tea, hyson, and young hyson, .56 do.

Tea, hyson, skin, and other green, 38 do.

1*10 manufactures, or of which tin is the material of chief
value, 20 per cent ad val.

Tin in pigs or bars, free.

Tobacco manufiactured other than snu£P and segars, 10 cents
per lb.

Types for printing, 20 per cent, ad val.

Umbrellas and parasols, or sticks and frames for either, 30

per cent, ad val.
YeUuip,dOdo.

18 3r

■#

■ii^fet

tft

VIEW OF ittflS

<f ;'»Jt;.«(^

Wafers, ao do.
Wares, pit, plated, and japanned, fO per cent, ad val.
Watches, gold, nlver, and other, and parts of watches^ 7| do.
Wearing apparel, and other personal bi^gage in actual use,

and the implements or tools of trade of persons arrirving in

the United States, firee.
Wines, Madeira, Burgundy, Champaigne, Rhettisb, and To.

kay, loo cents per gallon.
Wines, Sherry and St. Lucar, 60 do.
Wines, on other wine not enumerated, when imported in

bottles or cases, 70 do.

i, fft'iM

Wines, Lisbon, Oporto, and other wines <tf Pbttiigri and

Sicily, 50 do.
Wines, TeneriflTe, Fayal, mid other wines of the Western

islands, 40 do.
Wine, all other, when imported otherwise than in cases and

bottles,iS5 do.
Whiting and Paris white, 1 cent per IK
Wood, unmanufactured, of any kind, free.
Wood, Nicaragua, Barilla, Bmil-wood, BraziUetto, red-wood,

cam-wood, fustic, log-wood, and odier dye-woods, free.
Woollen manufactures of all descriptions, or of whidi wool is

the material of );hief value, excepting blankets, wooUen rags,

and worsted or stuff goods, after the SOth June, 1816, un>

til the SOth June, 1819, pay a duty of 26 per cent, ad va).
Wood, on the same after June, 1819, ffO da
Zinc, teutanague, or spelter, free.

A commercial treaty, formed between England and the
Uahed States, was ngned the 8d of Juhr, 1815, to remain in
force during four years, according to which eadi country is to
enjoy reciprocal freedom of commerce. No higher duties to
be iOaposed than those whids extend to all odber nations, in
relation to articles imported and exported, and the vessels
which carry them to be subject to the same duties, and en-
iMed to tha same bounties. Drawbacks to a foreign nation
to be regulated by the parties respectively. The trade with
the East Indies to be firee for American vessels, whidj^are to

UWTEP STATJiS.

«U

be treated u yeuek of the most favourod nation, entitl^' %d
go from oott port to anotlier with the original cargO) or part
Uiereof, and to touch for refreihments at the Cape of Oood
Hope, the island of St. Helena, or other plaioes in the Afinoan
(H* Indian seas. The American trade to be excluded from the
West Indies ; and the privilege of fishing, and of drying th^
fish mOm the British jurisdiction, granted by the treaty qf
peace uf 1783, to cease entirely. With regard to consjuls, th?
laws and statutes of each country to be stiictly observed.
Tlie consul to be approved or admitted by the government to
which he is sent, but subject to its laws, and punishaUe for
ill^al or improper conduct; or to be sent back, the offeqded
government assigning to the other the reasons for this proceed'
ing ; eibh country reserving, at pleasure, particular places free
from consular residence. The contracting parties to put an
end to hostilities with the Indians, and to restore them all the
possessions, rights, and privileges, which they enjoyed in 1811,
provided they observe a peaceable conduct.

An act concerning the navigation of the United States,

sanctioned by congress the 1st of March, 1817, and to operate

from the 1st of October following, is as follows : No goods,

wares, or merchandise, are to be imported into the United

States from any foreign port or place, except in vessels of the

United States, or in foreign vessels truly and wholly belonging

to the citizens or subjects of that country of which the goods

are the growth, production, or manufacture, or from which

such goods, wares, or merchandise, can only be, or most

usually are, first shipped for transportation. But thb r^^ulap-

tion is not to extend to the vessels of any foreign nation which

has not adopted a similar regulatipn. The infringement of

this act to involve the forfeiture of the vessel and cargo. 2.

The l)ounty and allowance granted to the owners of boats and

vessels engaged in the fisheries to be paid to those oifly of

which the officers, and at least three-fourths of the crew, are

citizens of the United States, or persons not the subjects of

any foreign prince or state. The proof to be exhibited to the

collector of the district to which the boat or vessel belongs,

3. No goods, wares, or merchandise, to be imported in

i-.f

♦

VIEW OP THE

vessels from one port of the United States to another. 4. A
duty of /SO cents per ton to be paid upon every ship or vessel
of the United States which shall be entered in the district of
one state from that of another. The exceptions are: 1. An
Adjoining state on the se»«oa8t, or a navigable river or lake.
8. Coasting vessels going from Long island, in the state of
New York, to the state of Rhode island, or the contrary, with
a cargo taken in one state to be delivered in another. 3. Ves-
aels having a license to trade between the different districts, or
to carry on the bank or whale fisheries more than once a year.
4. If it be proved, to the satisfaction of the collector, that
three-fourths of the crew are American citizens, or persons not
the subjects of any foreign prince or state, the duty to be only
•ix cents per ton. 5. Every ship or vessel entered in the
United States from any foreign port or place, of which the
officers, and at least two-thirds of the crew, are not proven to
be Ameritoni citizens; or person not the subjects of any fo.
reign prince or state, to pay 50 cents per ton. In a circular
letter, issued from the treasury department, for the purpose of
explaining and enforcing this measure, * the term country is
considered as embracing all the possessions of a foreign state,
of which the productions and manufactures may be imported
into the United States in vessels owned by the cidzens or sub-
jects of such state, without regard to their place of residence
within its possessions.^ Gold and silver coin and bullion are
not considered as goods, wares, and merchandise ; and may be
imported in foreign vessels, without regard to the place of
production or coinage.

The chambers of commerce of the ports of the United States
receive and pass gold and silver coin at the rates established
by the banks. Bills of exchange drawn upon any part of £u*
rope, an4 returned protested for non-payment, are paid on
demand, with SO per cent, of damages, at the current exchange
then given for bills on the place drawn upon. Bills of ex-
change drawn upon any of the West India islands, Newfound-
land, or the foreign possessions in America, and returned
protested for non-payment, are subject to ten per cent, da-
loages on demand, with the amount of the bill. When no

UNITED STATES.

418

speoiil agreement exists, the following commissions tre charged :
Inland Commiisunu. — On sales, exclusive of storage, two and
a half per cent. ; on returns from a state to any part of the
United States, two and a half per cent. Foreign Cemmu-
siont. — On sales, exclurive of storage, five per cent. ; on re*
turns, if in produce, five ; on l«turiis, if in cash or bills, two
and a half; on making insurance, one half; on recovering
losses, two and a half; on outfit of vessel, five ; on soliciting
and procuring freight, five ; on collecting freight, two and a
half.

In 1817, the value of flour and wheat exported was
17,968,000 dollars; the produce of the forests, 6,484,(HX)
dollars ; the cotton of domestic growth, SS,628,000 dollars ;
the tobacco, 9,511,000 dollars; and the produce of the sea,
1,671,000 dollars.

CANALS ASD TCUNPIKE ROADS.

The United States possess the advantages of inland naviga-
tion in a remarkable degree. Many of the large rivers are
navigable almost to their sources, and some of them, which
have their efllux at points remote from one another, are only
separated by short portaged at particular parts of their course.
Several of the rivers have a sufficient depth of water generally
for boats, but have their channels obstructed by rocks and
falls at certain places. By running canals over the spaces
where these portages and obstructions occur, the most distant
sections of the Union may be united by a system of water
communications; and where this is impracticable, the trans-
portation of commodities may still lie much facilitated by
forming good roads. This subject occujned much attention
in the early part of Mr. JefTerson^s administration ; and Mr.
Gallatin, at the request of the senate, drew up a report on
this subject, which was presented to that l)ody in 1808. The
outlines of the plan of internal communication suggested in
the report are as follows :

1. Canals from nmth to south, in a direction parallel to the
6ea»coast, which would open a communication for sea-vessels

VIBW OF TH£

from BlaMwhuaeUi to Nwth CaroHiM, exteadiiig alo«g tU
tb» princip*! capes, except cape Fear, a distance uf niore than
two-tbirds of the Atlantic coast. The expencc is eMimated at
three millions of dollars.

a A great turnpike road from Maine to Georgia^ extending
•long the Atlantic ooatit, a distance of 1600 miles. The ex.
pences are calculated at 3000 dollars per mile, making, with
the former charge, 7,800,000 dollars.

3. A commuP*'::.iion from east to west bCToss the mountains,
between the Atlantic and western rivers ; and, for this pur<
poscv to improve the navigation of the great Atlantic rivers,
by constructing parallel canals and locks when necessary.
The expence is estimated at 1,500,000 dollars. It is also
proposed to form four turnpike roads from the four great
western rivers, the Alleghany, Monongahela, Kenbawa, and
Tennessee, to the nearest corresponding Atlantic rivers, to the
Susquehannah, or Juniata, the Patomak, James river, and
either the Santee or Savannah. The distance of each route is
about 100 miles, which, at the estimated expence of 7000 do].
iars per mile, (the road being through a mountainous country,)
amounts to S,800,000 dollars. The construction of a canal
along the falls of the Ohio is also recommended, and a com.
pany has lately been incorporated for carrying it through.
The construction of roads to Detroit, St. Louis, and New Or-
leans, is abd recommended, of which the cost is estimated at
800,000 ddlars ; the whole expence of all this extent of com.
munication amounting to 4,800,000 dollars.

4. Inland navigation, in a northern and north-western direc.
tion, between the Atlantic sea-coast and the great lakes, and
the ' St. Lawrence, of which the expence is estimated at
1^,600,000 dollars. The chain of mountains known by the
natne of Alleghany, or Apalaches, of which the mean breadth
is somewhat more than 100 miles, and their elevation about
3000 feet above the level of the sea, render a direct communi-
cation impracticable ; but, on the north, it can easily be formed
by the circuitous route of the Mohawk valley and lake Onta-
rio; and, on the south, by the way of Georgia and the rivers

cwhich open on the gulf of Mexico. The expence of the in-

• « UNrraiD 8TAT£Sr.

Itnd^uivigttion bettetn Um North river And lake
it eatinattd at 800,000 doUMrs ; oanali fixm llw Nurth ri¥fer
to lako Ontario at 8,SOO,000 dollar*; canals akmg tho falla
and rapids of Niagara, opening a sloop navigation from lake
Ontario to the upper li^ as far aa the extreisitiea of lake
Miehigan, a million of dollara; in all» four mUliona of ddlarib
The whole amount for general improvements ia estimated at
10,600,000 dollars; and for tboM; of a local naturs, ttt
8,400,000; making an agfregate of twenty millions of doU
lars. It has been suggested, that, in time of peaee, this giaat
plan oould easily be executed by the annual appiopriation of
two millions of dollars of the existing revenues for the space oC
ten years.

OfTUimpiki Jfoodf.—Since the year 1800, a great number
of turnpike roads have been formed, particularly in the north-
ern, eastern, and the middle states. The cajNtal of dl the
turnpikes and canals in the United States, in 1809> was
11,500,000 dollars ; that of toll bridges, 5,600,000 dollars.
In 1813 the post-master-general of the United States was au-
thorised, by an act of congress, to contract for the regular
transportation of the mail in steam-boats, provided that the
cxpence do not exceed what is pmd for it by stages on the ad-
jacent post-roads, taking into conuderation distance, expedi-
tion, and frequency. In 1801, there were 957 post-ofiices;
in 1809> SOOO. At the former period, -the length of post-roada
was 21,840, at tlie latter, ^4,000 miles. In 1801, the amount
of the yearly transportation of mails in the United States was
9,057,964 miles; in 1809, 4,962,516. The post-roads, with-
in this interval, have increased nearly 45 per cent., and the
establishment of mul coaches nearly 70 per cent.

POST-OFFICK ESTABLISHMEKT.

The general post^iffioe is established at Washington, the
seat of the federal government,' and is under the direction of a
post-inaster.general, who is authorised tu establish branches in
ludi places as he may deem expedient. In his report it is
observed, that the expences o*' <)iv. office, in 1808 and 1809,

■»v-;»'

'W%-

l"i

■■-^

VIEW OT THE

#*■

4uiiiig the suspension of foreiga commerofe, had ett^|edfli Ae
Amount of postage due to the United States, by ixevJf 7000
{dollars^ which was defipyed out of the proceeds of ]^roviou8
years. .■.■.•■.

tx The t'«M>^ great postage roads are, l.'Krhat whic|i extends
jSrom Robinstovm, on the north4iastern extremity of the coast
1^ the United States, to St. Mary^s, on%he south-eastern ex-
tiemity 1^ and^ S. The road which extends from Wadiingtoa
to New Qrieatis. The length of the firA|s 17d8f that of the
second, ^S33 miles. >, • #

The mail travdbi on the great roads ttt the rate of from 60
to ISO miles a day ; on the cross roads its progress is about
|U) miles in the same time.

The following regulations concmning this cstaH|alunent

were adopted by an act of the American congress, on the 9th

o^4|)ril,1816. ^ 1^

i , 4r Milea^ Cents.

iZo/<»ryP(Oi^e.-~L^r of one sheet, 30 6

^ 80 10

150 12§

400 I8i

Any greater distance, - . i 2ff

Double letter, the doubltf of those rates.

Triple letter, the triple.

The yearly ttansportation of them<i*l
pitlo on sulkies and on hor8d[>ack.

amounts to 8|41 1,76p
t ' ^180,892

Total, »,80i^652

Averaging one office to fifteen miles and a half of post-road.

'■»':*i

FEDEBAL GOVEBMMEMT.

The preaideM and vice-preHdent of |he United States i^
elected for the term of four years, commencing on the 4th day
of 'March, and necessarily remain at Wa^ington during the
session of congress ; but, during the recess, they retire to their
usual places of readence. The president, when at the seat of
goverament, lives in the house destined for him* which isjur"

•rlrTfOOO
P previous

'^ oitends
f the coast
eastern ex-
\raalungton
that of the

of frdm 60
*88 is about

, on the 9th

es.

K>
rates.

Centi.
6

10
12i
I8i
i9

»to«|«l,76p
i^l80,8gS

-road.

1^'

States'

the 4th day

during the

etire to their

[at the teat of

ItrWchisfar-

*,.it

fiM:

■■**.:

¥■

,m-'

'?- [M

U-:

■■«'•■-

;ft«

-10 WV"

UNITED STATES.

417

nished at the expence of the nation. The v\ce-p\esident, who
is president of the senate, has no similar marie of distinction,
][)ut lodges at an inn, or private house, like other members of
congress. The yearly salary of the former is 25,000 dollars.;
that of the latter 5000 only ; but he is not subject to any ex-
traordinary expence, while thfe president, according to esta-
blished custom, spends more than his salary in the expences
of his table.

In case of thedeath, resignation, or removal of the president
from office, his powers devolve upon the vice-presideni.

The president is commander-in-chief of the army,,and navy
of the' United States, and also of the militia, when called into
actual service.

He is authorised to require, when he thinks proper, the
written opinion of any of the chief officers of the executive de-
partments, upon any subject which has relation to the duties
of their respective offices.

Except in cases of impeachment, he is authorised to grant
reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States.

He is empowered, by and with the. advice and consent of
the senate, to make treaties, to appoint aml^ti^sadors, ministers,
and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all military and ^
other officers, whose appointments are not otherwise provided
for by law. His appointment or decision must be approved
by two-thirds of the senators present in congress.

He has also power to fill up vacancies during the recess of
the senate, which, during tlie next session, are submitted to
their decision.

On extraordinary occasions, he .may convene or adjourn
either or lioth houses of congress. " -*

He is authorised by usage, tliough not by the constitution,
to suspend, annul, or revoke the powers of a minister, consul,
or other officer, mthout the advice of the senate, and evtn .
without giving any reason for such suspension or removal.
The president himself, (»r any other officer of the United
States, n\n\ he removed from office for treason, bribery, or
other \\\^'. crimes and misdemeanours, ihr wliich they must
previou..!'- ■«? impeached and convicted.

.•3 G

s^-

418

VIEW OF THE

All commissions are signed by the president apd secretary
of state. '

The national council is composed of these two officers, and
the heads of the treasury, war, navy, and post^fiice esta.
blishment.

The Congreaa of the United States^ in whom all legislative
powers are vested, consists of a senate and house of rcpresen.
tatives.

The members of the hou,te of representatives are chosen by
the people every second year. They must have attained the
age of S6, and been citizens of the United States during the
same space of time, and inhabitants of the state in which the^-
^re elected. The number of representatives for the year 1815
is 187, or nearly one representative for every 4<0,000 persons,
according to the last census. When the numlier shall amount
to 200, it is so rcgiflated, that there shall not be more than
one for evcty 50,000 persons,

Vacande<« are filled by writs of election, issued by the extv
cutive authority.

The house of representatives choose their speaker and other
officers, and have the sole power of impeachment.

The senate is composed of two senators from each state,
chosen by the legislature cX that state for the terra of six
years ; and the seats are so vacated, that one- third arc chosen
every second year. A senator must be 30 years of age, nine
years a ciitizen cX the United States, and an inhabitant of the
state in which be is elected. The present number of senators
is 38.

The president of the senate has no vote, unless the votes be
equally divided..

The senate has the sole power of trying all impeachments.
In case of the trial of the chiet' magistrate, the chief justice is
io preside.

Senators and members of the house c^ representatives re-
ceive a «ompensation of eight dollars per day during the ses.
sion, besides travelling expences., fixed at the rate of a day's
pay for every SO miles.

» '

UNITED STATES.

419

Pay qf Hue Officers of the General Governmeni.- ^n^p'ursu-
artce of a resolution of congress, of the 27th of J^0fi\,"\9\Qf
the secretary of state is required to compile and priht, once in
every two years, a register of all officers and agents, civil, mi-
litary, and naval, in the service of the United States, exhibit'
ing the amount of compensation, pay, and emoluments allowed
to each, the state or country in which he was bom, and the
place of employment. The secretary of the navy i& to furnish
the name, force, and condition of all the ships and vessels be-
longing to the United States, and the place and date of their
construction. This register is to be made up to the last day
of September of each year, before the opening of the new con-
gress. Five hundred copies are to be printed, and to be dis-
tributed among the members of congress and heads of the
departments of the general government.

This work is entitled, A Register of Officers and Agents^
Civil, Military, and Naval, in the service of the United States,
on the 30th of September, (1816 ;) together with the names,
force, and condition of all the Ship% and Vessels belonging to
the United States, and when and where built.

Dollars per an.
President of the United

States, - - 25,000

Vice president, - 5,000

Secretary of state, 5,000

Secretary of the treasury, 5,000
ComptroTIer, - , 3,500

Auditor, - - 3,000

Treasurer, - 3,000

Commisiiioner of revenue, S>000

Dollar* per an.
Additional Accountant, S,000
Superintendent-general of

miliiary supplies, 8,000

Secretary of navy, 4,500

Three navy comminion-

ers, each, - 3,500

Accountant of navy, S,S0O

Postmaster-general, 8,000

Secretary of senate, 9J00O

Gkrk of house of repres. 3,000
Comraissionerof land office, 3,000 Commissioner of claims, 2,000
Secretary of war departm. 4,500 Superintendent of Indian
Paymaster-general, 2,500 tradie, - - 2,000

Accuuntant, - 2,000

DoUwy per an.
The governors of the fbur territories, Mississippi, Missoori,

Illinois, and Michigan, each, - • • 2,000

The secretaries, eadiuvn t.. . > » ^ - 1,000

■mo

VIEW OF THE

Dollars per an.
Chief justice, • - - - - 4,000

Six associate justices, .... 3,500

Attorney-general, ;. - - . 3,000

Clerk, ,------ fees, &c.

Seven ambassadors to the following states : — England, France,

Russia, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Sweden, each 9000

dollars, with an allowance of 9000 for outfit. Six secretaries of

legation, each 2000 dollars.

Dollan per an.

- - 2,000

- - 2,000
- • - 2,000

4,000
2,000
2,000

Commissioners of loans, five in number, whose pay is from 500
to upwards pf 2000 dollars. Each has two or three clerks. Their
pay varies from 500 to 1000 dollars.

Collectors of customs, 98 in number, with salaries proportionatp
to the trade of the place, from 1 50 to upwanls of 7000 dollars.

Consul at London,
Consul in France,
Consul-general in Denmark,
Consul-general in Barbary,
Three consuls ditto, each
Director of the mint.

TKRUITORIAI. COVEENMKXTS.

By the ounstittition and certain laws of the congress of the
United States, a territory cannot be admitted into the Ameri-
can union until its population amounts to 60,000 free inhabit-
ants. In the mean time, it is subject to a provisional form of
government prescribed by law, which, though not emanating
entirely from .the choice of the inhabitants, still does not de-
prive them of the personal rights and privileges of freemen.
The administration of the government of the territory is en-
trusted to a governor, appointed by the president and congress,
and invested with extensive powers, similar to those of a En-
rojwan viceroy, for the protection of the interests of the United
States, and particularly the observance of strict faith towards
the Indians, in the exchange of commodities and the purchase
of their lands. The act or ordinance of congress, of the IStli
July, 1787, for the government of the territory north-west ot
the river Ohio, has served as a model for the organization of

UNITED STATES.

Qara per an.
4,000

3,500

3,000

fees, &c.

I, France,

each 9000

retaries of

loilan per an.
2,000
2,000
2,000
4,000
2,000
2,000
is from 500
rks. Their

roportionafcp
I dollars.

the temporary government of new territories established sipqa
that epoch;

Governor. — By this act, the congress reserved to itself the.
power of appointing a governor for the term of three years,
unless revoked before the expiration of that time, who is to
reside in the district, and have therein a freehdd estate of
1000 acres of land.

Secretary. — ^The secretary, also appointed by congress for
the term of four years, with a commission liable to be revoked,
was likewise obliged to reside in the district, and to have a
freehold estate therein of 500 acres of land. His duty is la
keep and preserve the public records, the acts and laws of thei
legislature, and the proceedings of the governor in bis execut
tive department, and to transmit authentic copies of all these
documents, every six months, to the secretary of congress.

The Judicial autlwrity is vested in a court consisting of
three judges, whose commissions continue in force during
good behaviour. Any two of them form a court with a com-
mon law jurisdiction. It is required that each judge shall
reside in the district, and be proprietor of a freehold estate of
500 acres of land, while in the exercise of his office. The go*
vernor and judges are authorised to adopt and put in force in
the district, such laws of the original states, criminal and civi],
as they may think suited to its circumstances, which are tp
continue until the organization of the general assembly, unless
disapproved of by congress. The governor, who is command-
er-in-chief of the militia, is empowered to appoint and grant
commissions to all officers therein, except general officers, who
are appointed and commissioned by congress. The governor
is authorised to appoint such magistrates and other civil ofH-
cers, in each county or township, as he might judge necessary,
until the organization of the general assembly, by which their
powers and duties are to be regulated and defined. He is
also authorised to make proper divisions of the district into
counties jjnd townships, for the execution of civil and criminal
process. The free white male inhabitants of full age, as soon
as their number amounts to 5000, are authorised to elect re-
presentatives in their counties or townships, to represent them

422

VIEW OF THE

in the general assembly of the territory, iW the proportion (^
one representative for every 500 inhabitants, until their num-
ber exceed S6; after which, their number and proportion are
regulated by the legislature. To be eligible to this office, the
person must hate been a citizen of one of the United States^
and a resident in the district, and if he has resided three years
therein, the quality of citizen iff dispensed with ; but in either
case, he must be proprietor, in fee simple, of SOO acres of land
within the territory. To be an elector, the following qualifi.
cations are required : he must be a freeholder in the district,
of 50 acres of land, a resident thereof, and a citizen of one of
the states, or, what is considered as equivalent, resident for
two years therein. The representatives are elected for the
term of two years; and in case of death, or removal from
office, their place is supplied for the residue of the term by a
writ from the governor to this effect. The general assembly,
or le^slature, consists of a governor, le^slative council, and a
house of representatives. The legislative council to consist of
five members, elected for five years, unless sooner removed by
congress, three of whom form a quorum. The members of
the council are nominated in the following manner : The re-
presentatives, after their election, assemble at a certain place
indicated by the governor, and nominate ten persons, rt^sidents
in the district, each possessed of a freehold of 500 acres of
land, whose nameii- are returned to congress, by whom five are
appointed to serv6 as members for the council for the term of
five years ; and vacancies, in consequence of death or removal
from office, are Supplied by two persons nominated by the
house of represeiitatives, one of whom is appointed and com-
missioned by congress for the rest of the term. All bills,
after having passed by a majority in the house, and also in
the council, arc referred to the governor for his assent, without
which they remain without effect. This general assembly is
convened, prorogued, and dissolved by the governor, who is
obliged to take an oath or declaration of fidelity before the
president of congress, and himself to require the sameof»ll
officers-appointed in the district. The legislature and cotmcil
are authorised to elect, by joint ballot, a delegate to congress,

UNITED STATES.

423

with the right of debating, but not of voting therein, during
this temporary government.

JUDICIARY.

The judiciary system of the United States is as follows:
The supreme court of the United States consists of a chief
judge, and six associate judges. This court holds a session
annually, at the city of Washington. The states of the Union
form districts, (with the exception of Massachusetts and Ten>
nessee, each of which is divided into two,) SO in number, and
in every one of these districts there is a court named the Dis-
irict Court, except the state of New York, which has two,
and East and West Tennessee, which have but one. These
courts are held four times a year, at the two principal towns
of the district alternately, except in the states of Pennsylvania
and Maryland, where they are always held at the chief town
of each. Tlie United States are also divided into seven dis-
tricts, and in each division there is a circuit court, which is
held twice a year, under the direction of a judge of the su-
preme court, or the associate judge residing within the district,
and the judge of that district where the court is holden. The
clerk of each district court is also clerk of the circuit court
within the district. The courts are created and organized by
the legislature. The federal judges are appointed by the ex-
ecutive, with the approbation of the senate, and are not to be
removed from office during good behaviour. The judges,
after their appointment, allot themselves as they think proper,
at the session succeeding their appointment ; otherwise, they
are allotted by the president of the United States until another
allotment is made. The district and territorial judges are
obliged, by act of congress, to reside within their districts, and
not to exercise the profession or employment of attorney or
lawyer. The infraction of this act constitutes a high misde-
meanour. There is an attorney-general of the United States,
who is the public prosecutor before the supreme court. In
each district there is also an attorney and marshal, appointed
by, and removable at the pleasure of the president. The su-

4ie4

VIEW OF THE

pernumertry marshals and district attorneys have been dis-
continued. The district attorney is the public prosecutor
before the circuit and district courts. The marshal attends
these courts, in relation to which he has the powers of a she-
riff. The clerks of the courts are appointed by the respective
courts.

Men in the profession of the law are very numerous in the
States, and are, \A general, well supported. This arise& from
the prevalence of a litigious spirit, which extends from the
towns to the country, and has even leached new establishments
in the bosom of the woods. This unfortunate disposition is
thus described by an accurate and faithful observer, the late
judge Cooper, in his * History of the First Settlements in the
Western Counties of New York i' — * The Scotch succeed in
the woods, or elsewhere, being frugal, cautious in their bar-
gains, living within their means, and punctual in their en-
gagement^. If a Scotsinan kills a calf, he will take the best
part of it to market, and husband up the price of it ; if he
consumes any part at home, it will be the coarsest and the
cheapest. The American will eat the best part himself, and
if he sells any, will lay out the money upon some article of
show. The odds are, that when the Scotsman buys a cow, he
pays ready money, and ha» her for a low price. The Ameri-
can pays with his note, gives more, and is often sued for the
payment. When this happens, his cause comes to be tried
before the squire, and six jurors empannelled. Here much
pettifogging skill is displayed. If the defendant has address
enough to procure a note, l)ond, or other matter to be offered
in set-off, he perhaps involves his adversary in costs to the
amount of three or four dollars, and gains celebrity for lii*
dexterity and finesse. This cunning talent, which they call
outwitting, gives him such rc[)utation and lead, that he stands
fair to be chosen a petty town-officer. It is to be regretted
that so mischievous a spirit of litigation should be encouraged
by some of the justices, who, for the sake of a paltry lee, for-
get the great duty of their oflice, that of preserving peace;
and that it should have increased, as it has done of late year-.
*n a shameful extent. I have known more than 100 prcce] t^

UNITEb STATES.

4S5

issued in one day by some of these squirei^ A magistrate
who becomes so ready an instrument of contention, may be
considered as a hving calamity. tSome, however, I have
known of a quite different stamp, who have carried the spirit
of peace-making and benevolence so far, us to leave their own
business, and travel miles for the sake of reconciling parties,
and putting an end to quarrels, and who sought for no other
reward than the satisfaction of doing good.''

PUBLIC REVENUE AND NATIONAL DEBT.

In time of peace the revenue of the United States is derived
from two sources : 1st, From indirect taxes, or duties on ton-
nage, and on goods, wares, and merchandise, at the time and
place of their importation. Sd, From the sale of public lands.
In a state of free commercial intercourse, the first ibrmed the
great source of revenue, and was more than adequate to all
the wants of the government ; but in a state of war, the sup-
ply from this source was greatly diminished, and recourse was
had to other sources ; — to treasury notes, loans, internal taxes,
and an increase of duties on imported articles. The plan of
finance proposed at the commencement of the war was to pro-
vide for the expences of the war by loans, and to make the
yearly revenue sufficient to defray the ordinar}' expences of
the government, to pay the interest of the existing debt, and
that of future loans. But the commercial restrictions, the
stoppage of payment in specie by the banks, and its exporta-
tion and concealment, destroyed the circulation of notes, para-
lyzed the fiscal operations of the government, and obhged it to
have recourse to new taxes.

In the summer of 1813, duties were laid on the following
articles, to commence 1st January, 1814 ; and for the purpose
of collecting them, each state was divided into collection
districts:

1. Duties on licences for stills and boilers.

2. Duties on carriages for the conveyance of persons.

3. Duties on licences to retailers of foreign merchandise,
wines, and spirituous liquors.

3 H

416

VIEW OP THE

4. Duties on sales by auction.
• 5. Duties on refined sugar.

6. Duties on stamped paper of a certain description.

In the session of 1814-15, duties were laid on the following
manufactured articles : pig-iron, costings, bar and rolled iron,
nails, candles, hats, caps, umbrellas and parasols, paper, cards,
saddles and bridles, boots and shoes, beer, ale, and porter,
leather, plate, jewellery, and on household furniture, gold and
ulver watches. After the termination of the war, the most of
these duties were repealed ; those remaining in 1817 were un
licences for stills and boilers, on licences to retailers, on car-
riages, on refined sugar, on sales by auction, on stamp paper
and bank notes.

On the 2d August, 1813, a direct tax of three millions was
laid on * lands, houses, and slaves,^ on the same pkm as the
direct tax imposed in 1798. The lands and houses with their
improvements, and the slaves, were to be enumerated and va-
lued by the respective assessors, at the rate each of them was
worth in money. The proportions allotted to each state^being
determined by a fixed scale, any state was at liberty to assume
and pay its proportion without submitting to the valuation.
Several states assumed their proportions in this way.

OoUvs.
The net revenue for 1815 is stated to be - 49,532,852

of which that derived from customs, 36,308,251
The revenue for 1816, - - - 36,743,574

of which that derived from customs, 87»569)769
The direct tax and internal duties have been abolished,

and the permanent annual revenue ie estimated at 24,500,000

Namely, — Customs, - - 20,000,000

Internal revenue, - 2,500,000

Public \ta\ds, - - 1,500,000

Bank dividends, and incidental rec. 500,000

24,500,000
The expenditure for the support of the civil govern-
ment, and the army and navy.
Sinking fundj ' . - • «

11,800,000
10,000,000

: to;,. .

vlX

21,800,000

on.

le following
rolled iron,
oper, cards,
and porter,
re, gold and
the most of
J17 were on
lers, on car-
stamp paper

mUlions was
i plan as the
les with theic
■ated and va-
of them was
;h state-being
rty to assume
he valuation,
ay.

Dollut.
49,532,853

69
d,

OO
OO
OO
OO

36,743,574

24,500,000

11,800,000
10,000,000

21,800,000

UNITED STATES.

4fr

Progreu of the 2^6/.— The debt of the United States,
created by supplies, forced loans, and paper money, during
the revolutionary war in 1783, amounted to forty-two millions
of dollars ; the annual interest to nearly two millions and a
half. The debt contracted by each individual state was as-
sumed by congress, and made a part of the national debt,
which was to be redeemed by the proceeds of national do-
mains ; and the interest of several species of stock, transferred
to the United States, and appropriated by law for this pur-
pose, under the direction of the commissioners of the sinking
fund.

According to a report of the secretory of the treasury of the
28th February, 1816, the public debt, on the ISth of Febru-
ary, 1816, amounted to 1SS,630,69S dollars, consisting of

■;"*

1. The public funded debt before the war, 38,335,832

2. The public funded debt contracted since, 68,374,744

3. Floating outstanding debt, - - 16,920,115

12.S,630,691

The sum set apart as a sinking fimd since 1803 was an an-
nual appropriation of eight millions of dollars, arising from the
sale of public lands, from the interest of the debt previously
extinguished, which is paid to the commissioners, in whose
name tlie stock remains, and of as much from the proceeds of
the duties of customs as makes up the balance. The amount
of debt redeemed, up to Irl January, 1814, under this system,
was 33,873,463; and the interest on this debt, which was
passed to the credit of the commissioners in 1813, as part of
the sinking fund, was 1,932,107.

On the 3d March, 1817, an act was passed, appropriating
ten millions annually as a sinking fund, and discontinuing the
practice of paying interest on the discharged debt to the com-
missioners. A further special appropriation was made for
that year, amounting to nine millions, with an advance upon
the next year of four millions, so that, after paying the annual
interest of the debt, (amounting to about six millions,) there
would be paid oiF seventeen millions of the debt in 1817.

488

VIEW OP THE

WAS DEPABTMENT,

In 1801, the regular army of the United States was reduced
to a few thousand men, who were chiefly employed in the gar*
risons and at points on the frontiers. The militia, ccmsasting
of the adult males from 18 to 45 years of age, tirith the excep-
tion of clergymen, public functionaries, &c., formed the mill*
tary force of the country. In 1808, rules and regulations
were drawn up for the armies of the United States. The
president was authorised to call upon the executive govern-
ment of the several states, to organize and equip their respec-
tive proportions of a hundred thousand militia, and a million
of dollars were appropriated to their pay and subsistence.
The president has also the power of selecting any number for
actual sei^vice, and of apportioning the field-officers among the
respective states and territories. The officers are appointed
by the state constitutional authorities. The militia have the
same pay and subsistence as the regular army, and the period
of their service is limited to six months from the time of their
arrival at tiit place of destination. In the same year, an ad-
ditional military force was raised for the term of five years,
consisting of five regiments of infantry, one of riflemen, one of
artillery, and one of liglu diagoons. During the recess of the
senate, the president was authorised to appoint the inferior,
but not the general officers, and such appointments were after-
wards to be submitted to the senate for their adyjce and con-
sent. The annual sum of 200,000 dollars waa'^appropriated
for arms and military equipments, to be distributed according
to the regulations of each state or territorial le^slature. In
181 S, a bounty of sixteen dollars was given to each able-bodied
man recruited for five years, with three months^ additional
pay, and KK) acres of land to non-commissioned officers and
soldiers who should have faithfully performed their duty. At
this time an additional military force was raised, consisting of
ten regiments of infantry, two of artillery, and one of light
dragoons. Laws were passed ^ ' the better organization of
the army, with an increase of pay. Twenty additional regi'

tJNlTED STATES.

4S2a

ments of cavalry were raised, and two dollars allowed to the,
recruiting offioer for each nian enlisted. It was enacted in
June, 1813, that five of the regiments authorised to be raised
might be engaged during the penod of the war. In tlya
month of August following it was enacted, that the widowsr
and orphans of the militia killed in war should be entitled to a'
pension of half>pay for the space of five years. Disabled and^
non-commissioned officers were to be placed on the pensioii!
list. An advance of S4 ddlars was granted to eadi recruit dir
account of pay, in addition to the existing bounty of sixteen
dollars, together with 160 acres of land. The pay of the
private soldier was nused from six to eight dollars per month;
the premium for recruiui^ officers was also increased from two
to four dollars. The mili^men were authorised to Enlist
into the regular service, without providing substitutes. Re.
cruits were at liberty to serve during five years, or till the end
of the war, with the same bounties o£ money and land. The
president of the United States was authorised tp nuse ten ad-
ditional companies of rangers for the protection of any stats or
territory threatened with invarion by the Indians, to be armed
and organized as he might think proper, subject to the rules
and articles of war, and entitled to the same compensation as
persons serving in the military establishment. It was also
enacted, ^at the president might accept the services of volun-
teers, not exceeding 50,000 in number, who might be orga-
nized and clothed as artillery, infantry, or cavalry, except that
the latter w^re to furnish hones at their own expence; other-
wise to be treated as regular troops. A law was also passed
fpr the organization of a corps of artificers, to be attached to
toe quarter-master-generars department, and subject to the
orders of its officers. This corps to be selected by the general
from the privates of the army, or engaged from among the
citizens by the superintendant for the space of three years.
Thirty thousand dollars were voted for the expences of this
corps. The militia were not to be subject to corporal punish-
ment ; stoppage of pay and rations were tfi be substituted for
whipping, and the fines were to be coHeoUd by the marshal.
Bjr a law passed in 1808, no person can be a commisuoned or

480

VIEW OF THE

8ti#«offloer who is not a citizen of the United States, or of one
of their territories. In April, 1814, an act was passed to cdl
forth tlie militia to execute the laws of tlxe Union, to suppress
insurrections, and repel invasions. In New York, 20,000
men were raised by a species of classification ; the rich being
to furnish quotas of men in proportion to the extent of their
foitune. A man worth 10,000 dollars was to furnish one sol-
dkr; one worth double this sum to furnish two; and soon
fROgressively. It was calculated that an army of 50,000 men
might be recruited in this way in the course of a year, and this
species of conscription met with general approbation.

In July, 1814, the executive government of certain states
vere invited to hold in readiness for immediate service a corps
of 93,500 men, under the laws of the 28th of February, 1795,
and 18th April, 1814. The detail for militia service under
this requisition was as follows: State of New Hampshire,
3500 troops; Massachusetts, 10,000: Rhode Island, 500;
Connecticut, 3000; New York, 13,600; New Jersey, 6000;
Pennsylvania, 14,000; Delaware, 1000; Maryland, 6000;
Virginia, 12,000; North Carolina, 7000; South Carolina,
6000; Georgia, 3500; Kentucky, 3500; Tennessee, 2500;
Louisiana, 1000 ; Mississippi territory, 500.

A militart^ academy whs established at West point, in the
state of New York, in 1809, with the view of supplying a
corps of en^neers. The present academical staff is composed
of a superintendent of the academy, who is the senior officer
of engineers; a professor of natural and experimental philoso.
phy, of mathematics, of en^neering ; a teacher of the French
language, and of drawing ; a surgeon, chaplain, and professor
of ethics. The number of cadets authorised by law is 250,
and there was this number in the school in 1816.

The expences of the army, in 1810, were about two millions;
in 1813, they were increased to more than fourteen millions;
and the expenditure for 1814 was estimated at more than
twenty-four millions and a half. The military establishment
of this last year, including rangers, sea-fencibles, and troops of
all descriptions, officers and men, consisted of (>3,422. In the
yearly expenoe is included ordnance, fortifications, the Indian

UNITED STATES.

481

department, and permanent appropriation for Indian trefttieS)
and for arming and equipping the militia. ^ '■

By an act of congress of the 3d of March, 1815, the mili-
tary peace establishment was reduced to 10,000 men, consist-
ing of the following proportions of artillery, infantry, and
riflemen. 1. Artillery, 32 companies, or 8 battalions, making
3200 men. 2. Light artillery, 10 companies, or one regiment
of 660 men. 3. Infantry, 80 companies, or 8 regiments, 5440
men. 4. Riflemen, 10 companies, or one regiment of ^0
men. Total, 9980. The chief officers are two major-gene-
rals, with one aid-de-camp each ; four brigade inspectors ;
four bngade quarter-masters. The departments preserved
are, the ordnance department; the purchasing department;
the pay department ; the office of judge advocate ; the hosfn-
tal department; and military academy. The United States
are divided into two military divisimis, that of the north and
of the south, each of which is subdivided into military de-
partments.

NAVY DEPARTMENT.

The American navy is a recent creation. In 1801, it con-
sisted of only 20 vessels. Its first success was gained in 1805,
in the bombardment of Tripoli. Mr. Warden describes its
progress and present state as follows.

* In 1806 and 1807, a number of gun>boats was built and
equipped for the protection of the coast and harbours. In
1809, the marine corps was formed, and privates were enlisted
for the term of five years. In 1812, the subject of a naval
system of defence was discussed by congress ; and, in conse-
quence of the resolutions then adopted, all the frgates were
equipped and put into actual service, and the gun-boats were
distributed in the harbours of the maritime frontier. In 1814,
laws were passed to construct, under the president's direction,
four 74 gun ships, six of 44, a like numl)er of sloops of war,
and SO barges, for the defence of the ports and harbours , and
armed vessels for the service on the lakes. More than three
millions of dollars were voted for this purpose ; besides a hun>

VIEW OF THE

dred thousand for the construction of a dock-yard, or great
naval establishment, on the right bank of the Hudson or North
river, just above th3 high lands, which form a natural defence.

* By another law, 500,000 dollars were appropriated for the
construction of floating batteries, and ^0,000 for the pur-
chase of hulks to be sunk in different harbours for their better
security.

* The government, at this period, availed itself of the newly
ditcovered invention of the sAaam^rigate, which will probably
form an era in the history of warlike operations, as it may
enable a nation, with small maritime resources, to resist the
znost powerful naval force. This immense battery, construct-
ed under the direction of the late Mr. Fulton, was launched at
New York in the month of October, 1814. It measures 145
fact on deck, with 55 feet in breadth of beam, and draws only
eight feet water. The machinery by which it moves back-
ward or fo|:ward is placed in the centre, and is so defended by
a side of six feet in thickness, that it cannot be injured by the
enemy^s shot; while^ by means of tubes which vo(nit forth
volumes of boiling water, and sharp-edged instruments moving
along its sides in contrary directions, the vessel bids defiance
to the courage of the boldest boarders, and is considered by
good judges as impregi. '.'e.

* At the declaration of war against England in June, 1812,
the whole naval force consisted of seven frigates, a few sloops
of war, and other smaller vessels. In May, 1813, the Ame-
rican navy consisted of nine frigates, carrying from 36 to 44
guns ; three ships, one block-ship, four brigs, four schooners,
one yacht, four hired schooners, two block-sloops, twelve
barges, and 160 gun-boats, besides the vessels for the service
on *he lakes ; on lake Ontario, a ship, a brig, and ten schooners,
a bomb and a 24 gun ship on the stocks ; on lake Erie, three
sloops, four gun-boats, and two bloop.i of war building. The
English squadron captured on lake Erie was purchased by the
government for the sum of S55,000 dollars, which was distri-
buted as prize-money among the captors.

* The American navy, in January, 1815, consisted of 28
shijjs of war, from 10 to 74 guns, of which seven were cap-

UNITED STATES.

tared from ihe enemy. The naval force on lake Ontario con-
sisted of 19 vessels, from one to 44 guns, of which two wer^
eaptured from the English. On lake Erie there were IS ves-
sels, from one to 18 guns, five of which were captured in one
engagement. On lake Champlain there were 10 vessels, ffom
eight to S4 guns, four of which were also taken from the Eng-
lish. The whole number of barges and schooners, 9%; that
of gun-boats, ISS. '•

' On the S9th of April, 1816, the American congress votad a
million of dollars a year, during eight years, for the construc-
tion of nine ships, not to carry less than 74 guns e«ch ; 13 not
to carry less than 4A osch.^ including a 74, and three 44 gun
ships, by the act of January, 1813 ; together with tlaree steaia-
batteries for the defence of the ports and harbours.

' None but citizens of the United States, or persons of aa-
lour, natives of the country, are to be employed as seamen
after the war. Naturalized citizens are not to be received on
board of the private or public vessels after this period, unless
they produce to the commander of public ships, or the col-
lector of customs, authentic certificates of naturalization ; and
by the resolution of congress of the 27th April, 1816, they
must declare where they were born, or from what foreign land
they came,'

State of the American Navy in 1817, Jrota the Official Accounts.

[onsisted of 28
leven were cap-

"■■^li, -.

Names and Force.

built or

Wliere built.

State and condition.

captured.

Independence

1814

Boston,

In good order

Franklin

1815

Philadelphia,

In service

Washington

1816

Portsmouth,

Chippena

—

Sacket's harbour,

On the stocks

New OrkatiS

Plattsburg

Constitution

1797

Boston,

Hull in good wd.

Guerriere

1814

Philadelphia

In service

Java

— _

Baltimore,

Wants repairs

United States

1797

Philadelphia,

In service

Superior

—

Sacket's Harbour,

Constellation

1797

Baltimore,

In service

3 I

VIEW OF THE

buffi or
captured.

Where built

State Mtd condition.

Mapies and Force.

Congrew 36

Mac^onian S6

Mohatvk 3S

Cwjttmet 89

General Pike S4

Saratoga 94

Cyanne 24

Liatitrence 20

Detroit 18

Erie 18

Hornet 18

Je^erson 18

fcmef 18

Madison 18

Opieida 18

Nia^ra 18

Ontario 18

r«»cock 18
Fultop Ifit '

Boxer 16

Linnet l6

Saranao 16

^/|)/^ 16
Queen Charlotte 14

Ttcofiiero^a 14
Alert storeship

1812

1814

0,1814

1813

c, 1815
1813

1815

1813
1809
1813
1815

C.1815
1814
1815
1813
1813
1814

C.1814

Ports. N. H.
Entfland,
Sacket's Harbour,

Vergenr a,
Erie,

Baltimore,
Sacket's HArbour,

Eric,

Baltimore,
New York,

Hartford,
Sacket's Harbour,

Hull in good ord.
In good order
HuUgood

In good order

Repairable

Sunk

In service
Wants repairine
Ingood^der^

Much decayed
Receiving vessel
In service

Steam frigate in

ordinary
In service
In good order
In service

Sunk

In service

The Asp, Despatch, S guns ; Enterprise, bomb ; Firebrand
schooner, 6; Hornet schooner, 6; Lynx, 5; Nonsuch, 6;
and Porcupine, 1, are in sernce. The Lady of the Lake, 1,
in good order; the Spitfire and Vesuvius bombs -are con-
demned. The Vengeance unfit for service.

There were four 74^9 on the stocks, beudes frigates and
smaller vessels.

Those ships in italics are on the lakes, and are not consi-
dered as making a part of the navy.

UNITED STATES.

495

THB MINT K8TABLISHMEKT, — THE MONET OF THE UNITED
STATES, — AND THE NATIONAL BANK.

In 179S, the American congress passed an act for establish-
ing a mint, and regulating the coins of the United Stages, in
whidi it was declared, that, three years after the commence-
ment of the American coinage, all fordgn coins should cease
to be a l^al tiaider, except Spanish milled dollars, and parts
thereof: and the infraction of this law was punished by a fine
of ten ddUars, and the forfeiture of the illegal money. Tht
copper purchased and coined from the commencement of the
institution to the 1st of January, 1809, amounted to 8S8,833
pounds, troy weight, and was valued at S66,854 dollars, the
rate being seven pennyweights to a cent. The total value of
gold, silver, and copper coins, was 8,346,146 dollars. The
net amount chargeable to the omnage of gold, ulver, and oop>
per, including the cost of lots, building, machinery, &c. was
350,082 dollars.

A Table of the Coins qftJie United States.

Denor.iinationt.
Gold Coiiu. — Eagle,

Half eagle.
Quarter eagle.
Silver Cotns.— Dollar,

Half dollar,
Quarter,

Cents.

Weight in Grains. Value in DoOan.

270 10

135 5

674 3J

416 1 100

SOS Oi 50

104 Oi 25

Oollan. Cents.
Pound Sterling of Great Britain, • 4 44
Livre tournois of France, - - 18}
Florin, or guilder, of the United Netherlands, 40
Pound Sterling of Ireland, - - 4 10

A national bank was chartered on the 10th April, 1816, the
capital to consist of thirty millions of dollars. The affairs of
this corporation have not prospered, a id ki 1818 a committee
of congress examined their proceedings ; and such regulations

496

VIEW OF THE

have been adopted as ttiay perhaps avert the evils which Eng.
land is suffering from the exorbitant power and bad manage-
ment of our national bonk.

HIStOftlCAL SUMMARY.

We have before noticed the earKest and chief historical
epochs of the 0nited States, and have detailed the history of
each distinct state. It therefore only remains to glance at the
principal events which terminated in the independence of the
Union, and which has indicated its progress towards a high
rabk in the scale of nations. < -m' 4» j.^^ k,

The northern colonies of New England had shewn repeated
sjrmptoms of thdr original spirit of opposition to authority.
The peace of 1763, after a war of immense expence, was
crowned by the cession of Canada, and the consequent annihi-
lation of the French power in North America. Canada was
acquired at the price of about fifty times its rc«I value ; and
the acquisition of Canada was the loss of America : so incapa-
ble is human prudence of presaging events, and so often does
Providence effect objects by the very means which men em-
ploy to avert them! For the colonies were not only thus
delivered from constant fear and jealousy of the French,
which bound them to the protection of the parent country,
but the vast expenditure of that splendid and absurd war oc-
casioned such art increase of taxation, that the country gentle-
men of England were easily induced to wish that a part of it
might be borne by the colonies.

No sooner, therefore, was peace concluded, than the British
parliament adopted the plan of taxing the colonies ; and, to
justify their attempts, declared that the money to be raised
was to be appropriated to defray the expence of defending
them in the late war. The first attempt to raise a revenue in
America appeared in the memorable stamp act, passed March
^2, 1765, whereby it was enaoted, that certain instruments in
writing, as bills, bonds, &c. should not be valid in law, unless
drawn on stamped paper, oq which a duty was laid.

UNITED STATES.

487

Immediately as this act was published in America, it raised
a general alarm. The people were filled with appxehensiona
at an act which they supposed to be an attack on their con-
stitutional rights. The colonies, therefore,- petitioned the
king and parliament for a redress of the grievance, and at the
same time entered into associations for the purpose of prevent-
ing the importation and use of British manufactures until the
obnoxious act shbuld be repealed. This s[Hrited and unani'*
mous oppoution of the Americans produced the desired effect;
and on the 18th of March, 1766, tlie stamp act was repealed^
The news of the repeal was received in the colonies with uni*
versa! joy, and the trade between them and Great Britain waa
renewed on the most liberal footing. ,

The parliament, however, by repealing this act, so odious
to their American brethren, by no means intofided to lay auda
the scheme of raising a revenue iu the colonies, , but merely to
alter the mode. Accordingly, the next year they passed an
act, imposing a certain duty on glass, tea, paper, and paintero^
colours ; articles which were much wanted, and not manufac-
tured in America. This act, as might reasonably have been
expected afler what had passed, kindled the resentment qi the
Americans, and excited a general opposition to the measure,
so that parliament thought it adviseable, in 1770, to take off
these duties, except three-pence a pound on tea. Neverthe-
less, this duty, however trifling., kept alive the jealousy of the
colonists, and their opposition to .parliamentary taxaj^on conti-
nued increasing from day to day.

It will be easily conceived that the inconvenience of paying
the duty was not the sole nor even the principal cause of the
opposition : it was ihe prim^le^ which, once admitted, would
have subjected the colonies to unlimited parliamentary taxa-
tion, without the privilege of being represented. The colonies,
therefore, entered into measures for encouraging their own
manufactures and home productions, and for retrenching the
use of foreign superfluities, while the importation of tea was
prohibited. In the royal and proprietary governments, and
in Massachusetts, the governors and people were in a state of
continual warfare. Assemblies were repeatedly callecytmd

498

VIEW OF THE

suddenly diMolved : employing the time while nitting in stating
grievances and framing remonstrances. As if to inflame these
discontents, an act of parliament was passed, ordaining, Atiii
the governors and judges should receive their salaries of i! c
crown ; thus rendering them independent of t he provincial as-
sOmUies, and removeable only at the pleasure of the kinr^.

In 1773) the spirit of the Americans broke out into open
violence. The Oaspee, an armed schooner belonging to his
Britannic majesty, had been stationed at Providence, in Rhode
island, to prevent smuggling. The vigilance of the com-
mander irritated the inhabitants to such a degree, that about
900 armed men boarded the vessel Under favour of the night,
compelled the officers and crew to go ashore, and set fire to
^ke schooner. A reward of 500/., offered by government for
afyprehending any of the persons concerned in this daring act,
produced no efiRNstual discovery.

Nor did the attempt to evade the resolution of the colonies,
l^ introducing teas through the East India company, succeed.
In Massachusetts, a party of men, dressed like Indians,
boarded the tea ships, and discharged the cargoes into the
water. This induced government to shut the port of Boston,
and to P&9S several acts to repress this growing spirit of op-
position.

AH these steps, however, far fVom intimidating, rather exas.
perated the Americans, ly confirming them in their former
appreliensions of the evil design* of government, and served
only to unite the colonies in a more determined opposition.
A correspondence of opinion, in respect to these acts, pro-
duced ail uniformity of proceedings in the colonies. The
people generally concurred in the proposition for holding a
congress, in order to concert measures for the preservation of
their rights. Deputies were accordmgly appointed, and met
at Philadelphia on the 20th of October, 1774.

It was on the 19th of April, 1775, that the first blood was
drawn in this unhappy civil war, at Lexington and Concord
in New Eng' i«d. This was occasioned by general Gage
sending a body of troops to destroy some military stores that
weskat Concord. They succeeded in their design, but ven

UNITED STATES.

in stating
ime these
ling, i-lint
ies of 5'-c
(rincial as-
king,
into open
I'ing to hia
, in Rhode

the corn-
that about
' the night,

set fire to

jrnment for

daring act,

;he colonies,
ny, succeed,
ke Indians,

»es into the
of Boston,

spirit of op-

I rather exas-
their former
and served
opposition.
|e nets, pro-
>nies. The
ir holding a
jservation of
Id, and met

kt blood was

Ind Concord

Ineral Gage

stores that

but were

extremely harassed and forced to a quick retreat. ImmedU
ately after, numerous bodies of the American militia inveated
the town of Boston, in which general Gage and his troopa
were. In all the colonies they prepared foi- war with the uto
most dispatch ; and a stop was almost every where put to the
exportation of provisioi >. The continental oongress met at
Philadelphia on the 10th of May, 1775, as proposed, and sooa
adopted such measures as confirnuil the pcopK' in their resolu-
tions to oppose the British government to the utmost. i.

In the mean time, a body of provincial adventurers, amount-
ing to aboui '^40 men, surprised the garrisons of Ticondem'
ana Crown point. These fortresses were taken without laa
loss of a man on either side ; and the provincials found in the
forts a considerable number of pieces of cannon, besides mor-
tars, and sundry kinds of military stores. Howevi , ue force
of Great Britain in America was now augmented, by the arri-
val at Boston from England of generals Howe, Burgoyne,
and Clinton, with considerable reinforcements.

On the 17th of June, 1775, a bloody action took place at
Bunker''s Hill, near Boston, in which tlie king^a iraops had
the advantage, but with the loss of 996 killed, and more thaa
800 wounded, including many officers. But after thb action,
the Americans immediately threw up works upon another
hill, opposite to it, on their side of Charlestown neck ; so that
the troqps were as closely invested in that peninsula as they
had been in Boston. About this time, the oongress appoint«l
George Washington, esq. a gentleman of large fortune in Vir-
<:;inia, of great military talents, and who had acquired conn.
derable experience in the command of different bodies of
{ffovincials during the last war, to be general and commander-
in-chief of all the American forces.

During these transactions, the royal army at Boston was
reduced to great distress for want of provisions ; the town was
bombarded by the Americans, and general Howe, Mrho now
commanded the king^s troops, which amounted to upwards of
7000 men, was obliged to quit Boston, and embark for Hali-
fax, leaving a considerable quantity of artillery and some stores
behind. The town was evacuated on the 17th of AlMdi,

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

1.0

128 125

US
lU

|22

1.1 l.-^i

2.0

1^ lii

L2| IIIU 116

HiotogFaphic

Sciences

Corporalion

23 WIST MAIN STUIT

WIBSTIR.N.Y. 14SM

(716) 872-4903

.'•"''^.

<^\ ^\

''^^

410

VIEW OP THE

lt?fl^' and genewl Washington immediately took posaession of
k. On the 4th of July following, the congress publidied a
solemn declaration, in which they asugned their reasons for
withdrawing their allegiance from the king of Great Britam.
In the name, and by the authority ti the inhabitants of the
United Colonies they declared that they then were, and of
right ought to be, * free and independent States C that they
were absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and
that all polidcal connection between them and the kingdom of
Oieat Britain was totally dissolved ; and also that, as firee and
indepmdent states, they had full power to lei^ war, conclude
peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other
acts and things which independent states may of right do.
They likewise published articles of confederation and perpe-
tual union between the united colonies, in whidi they aissumed
the title of < The United States of America.'
r . An attack upon Charlestown was ably repelled by the Ame-
ricans under general Lee; but the British, under general
Howe and'his brother vice-admiral lord Howe, compelled the
Americans to evacuate Long island, from whence their retreat
was conducted with great address by general Washington.
New Yctfk was soou after abandoned, several fints were lost,
the British troops covered the Jerseys, and the period for ser-
vice in the American army had ex(Nred. Thia was the crisis
of American danger. But their army being recruited by vo-
lunteers, Washington, in the night of the S5th of December,
1776, amidst snow, storms, and ice, crossed the Delaware,
and surprised a brigade of Hessians at Trenton ; and while
the British were preparing to attack him at thb post, he, by a
happy stroke of generalship, retreated in the night, carried
the British post of Princetown, and nlfcii]|ed his former
position.

m In September, 1777, after two actions between the armies
of general Hon^e and general Washington, in both of which
the former had the advmtage, the city of Philadelphia surren-
dered to the king's troops. But an expedition, that hal for
some time been concerted, of invading the northern colonies
faMipay of Canada, proved extremely unsuccessful. The

UNITED S7A3SS.

taammAM tbis expeditum had beeagnqen lb fifiMfnint'.
generi^ .^urgoyne, a very experienced officer. He vdi cnil
finn.]Qi^)i!kc tritili kn mrm^ i£mat l<0/)iO meii, and an ^jitn-
ocdiiwy- ;fine tnuQ of jartilery, and was joined hj a baaisid«nu
Ue t b(% 4]C tttie lodifBA For soaK.^me be drisve tlie
Aaiffckiani befiire Iqn, and made biinwTf mastxt- oYl^oomile^
nigo4.,but «t lengtb be eneountered such' difficulties,' and wai
Mu v^gi^rously f^ppoeed by Uie Amerioaas 'linder date* flod
Arsfl^^ tbii^ aftf r two «evere actbns^ in which great nuinbm
fielU general Jl^urgoyne and his army of 5600 men weit obliged
iQiU^vdoijrBjlirar arms, Octdber 17, ITH.

After sieM^ali^yrB, by which ihe animoaty oP the Ameri-i
cans. i|o the British goveinmeitt waa increased, the British
army found k, necessary to evacuate Phiiiadelfiliia. Ceneiral
I|owe retorpcd to fingland, and was succeeded in "the c^-
maud of the amay by general CKiiton. By tfiis time ^e Bri>
tish: mwistsrs began to be alarmed at die fatal tendency' of the
WBr;,,b^4li.e congress refused to treaft with' the cbmniikfidnera
which bis majesty «^ to settle all disputes, and the war coo;
UniijBd. with unabated ^nimqsity. ^ ; ' *'..

The emissaries of Feance had I(Mig beeil actiWly'empiay#l
in forming and wideni^ig the breach between America ttnd
England; and, io 1778, that country qienly ei^jsoiiicd the
Ameifcan cauae* ^ordy after, Spain and Holland joined
ibe.qinlcderacy, and .co-operated with the Americans. Iii the
meau^ time, lord Comwallis gained some advantages in Caro^
Upa;;bttt, >by a weU-«cmoerted scheme, general WashirCgton
suddenly sunrounded bis mnaoy, which was obliged to ciapitu.-
hAit ; and this event may be considered as the closti^ scene of
the>contaq«qtal«AmerieaB war. *

The warMWUHtvihe cc3onies, which had never been fK^iilar
in Britain, ml now become so unisuccessful and etpensive,
that die government was com{;>tlled to Usten to the public
V(Nce. Accordingly, the treaty of peace wais signed on' the
SOtfa NovcoQber, 1782; liy which the independence of the
United States was solemn^ acknowledged, after a strugglie of
seven yews; while that between Sij^in and the United Pn>>
vinces continued, with some intennissionfei, for about (fO years :

3K .^

VIEW OF THE

but the profuse expenoe of modern warfiire oounterbalMioes its
brevity.

The oohfltitution of the United States having been found
imperfect, a new plan was Submitted to the several states, and
received their approbation. On the 80th of April, 1789,
George Washington was inaugurated president of the United
Stat^. The firmness with which that illustrious man opposed
the insolence and impositions of the venal directory of France,
added much to thie glory of his name and the prosperity of
jiis country.

When Bonaparte, flushed with victory, contemplated^ the
ruin and ultimate subjugation of Britain, and to effect which
declared it in a state of blockade, the British ministry, in ret».
liation,' published certain orders, declaring the ports of France
and her dependencies to be blockaded. In this state of things
the trade of the United States suffered^ by the hostile powers,
several vexatious interruptions. Yet the American govern-
ment shewed *a marked partiality to France, and became ex-
tremely clamorous against Great Britain^ aoqusing her naval
ofRcors of impressing their seamen, whom the latter claimed as
British subjects. This dispute, in some instances, occasioned
hostilities between the ships of the two powers. In order to
avoid the insults which the American flag had suffered, con-
^^ess passed a non>intercourse act, by which a stop was put to
£dl trade with foreign powers; but this absurd and impolitio
measure was, in a short time, abandoned.

After much discussion between the got^ernments of England
and the United States, the former revoked the obnoxious
orders in council ; but before the intelligence of this concilia-
tory measure reached America, Mr. Maddison« the president,
had issued a declaration of war against £i||^and, dated the
18th of June, ISIS ; and circumstances appeared so favour-
able to success, that he p^siisted in his resolution to try the
fortune of war.

The Americans commenced the war by fitting out a great
ttumb^* of privateers, and sending an army to invade Canada.
But as the Canadians refused to listen to the revolutionary
prdclapriation of the American general, Hull, he was obliged

UNITED STATES.

448

to sunrerider with his whole army. Various other attemptu
were made by the AmericaQs upon Canada, in which the su-
perior discipline and tactics of the English soldiery compen-
sated for want of numbers, and ensured the defeat of thf!
invaders, who were also much incommoded by the Indians^
that had for some time been in a state of warfara with the
XjTnited States. The spirit of the AmerKans was, however,
supported by some successes which their ships obtiuned over
the British, in which they certainly displayed the skiU %nd
gallantry of their progenitors. ^a^sH o '

The war lingered for some time, until the peace.cn Pans
placed a strong body of veterans at the disposal of the English
niinistry. The British ships of war now blockaded the ports
of the United States, kept the whole coast in continual alarm,
suled up the Chesapeake and Delaware, imposed contributions
upon several towns, and even penetrated to Washington, the
seat of government.

A fflmilar attempt was made upon Baltimore, but feiled.
However, the Ainericans were unsuccessful upon the lakes,
eifcept on lake Champlain, where the whole British squadron
was captured. But this war, so hurtful to both parties, was
at last happily terminated by a treaty of peace signed by the
English and American commissioners at Ghent. Before the
signing of this treaty was known in America, a body of about
5000 English troops made an unsuccessful attack upon New
Orleans,, and suffered the loss of Sir Edward Pakenham,.i^ut
60 officers of rank, and 2600 men in killed, wonnded^, and
prisoner)}.

According to a statement published by the war depart-
ment, the aggregate number of militia, in 1816, amounted to
748,560. The ftllowing comparative view of the loss of the
American and British armies, in the last war, is extracted
from Nile^s Weekly Register/

American :— Killed, 14S2 ; wounded, 8044 ; killed and
wounded, 4466 ; missing, 555 ; prisoners, 4687 ; total, 9888.
British :~Killed, S809; bounded, 5398; killed and wound-
ed, 8S02i missing, 851 ; prisoners^ S484; total, H,387.

VI£W aF THB, ftis.

Bintkh^a$km^ VeH0l» fofimd dunn^ikf. IHfm

■,«^'«;'?'

Srida^ na^oliuil VcMeb cajrtarQd,
Ckityitif, iid M, gmt, - • 010

' In thoie cMe* wh«re tile fofo^ of t^ emitendi%purtiM m ter>
Hkti^ hoiowA, fl Mppttahtf 'lb tlit aggNgalt> tbst ' < \^

TIm BiMalt Ibaght /' ikv 615 gnm.

" ^ 599

General balance in fkvotur of the Britiah, 16
But tfte dillferenoe between the Easex, 46, and the Alert, S6,
bein^ deducted, for the affidr between t^cnda doea not de«
aerve the name of a battle.

And tilt real advantage on the nde of the Britiahvae

Jtnfri^ai^ KifUont^ Vessels cq^iured gr tkstrq^ed.^H'fiiigthe

■ ' , War. ' ,."

Americantgovemment vessels captitted, ' 9ftv 'i« ^^
Canying in all, - ■■ ^^t 'mp-'*^miM*iSSIIIi.gtm.l.

From thoae cases wh«ee the fimce vi dK» oamteniiing futimth
ccafttunly luiownj theae ai^r^cat^a ai^pieiirt

T|te British fought, • Ij^giuw,

AmjirioHMt - •• ,lia

Inlhvottrof dieBriddi, 5S

RecapUuUUwii.
Ameriamnational vessels captured or destroyed by the
British^ - - ' - w ^i*^» S50guhfl.

iiiiuik 14 li f <i««<K«y««l « WaaWiifftoii city, to pn^

Awma* la^fi 1 ^*"* **"* '^^^^^ ***"*** "**** ***• *"*"

fin*"* **"■** i. iB^j hands,
Adams, £4—28, destroyed at Hampd^ m a|w^,^
Wasp, 18— SS, lost, - ■ -' - '^-"■

.iTwo vessels on kke Ontario, lost.

if^^'hrn

76
16

Grand 04>tal,

I9«

'I-

liU

!rt,86,
aotd«-

ADFICE AND mnBCTlONSi

EMIGRANTS

■' ■«,;.■

^B «iH aow pftMBiA togi«t mm plain i

tions to such of our countrymen ai may hereofWf •■■*

gnitf tQ ik9 UnitMl* Slala^ q£ 4u»eiica» mmT ulilqh nitt fall

uncbff Ae iilWkif haadst '^.
■I. Tliniia'ilitaf^^ad^Bf tha »oyiya'-ififc'-<'<s<iH, ,■
8. Fnaaautaena far |—»i»ingith» htallikiii • BMr^dkBalKti r
8. Qnlkebesftaradbefietlluigi Aii

4 The prleea of laai^ lalMor,. and fnmmam.
i. TIm rigbls and dutiM of • naraoMMit aetdafi
€i Tfaaproapectoof vaxiaua.oIaaaataf tmigtants^
Thtae partioulafs gamprbe ewtf.ikan^ tmaaunf to ba

luiBWR .by tha advealuiiar} and will he dataladi fttdi aliifli

imparrtaliqi tfoA a aaiauteaaaa ^onnaiaamte widi li^ Mb

f. MiMt0TlOlta BBSPBCTllKfi ttt VOYAOB.

Il bt alw^A athwabif » befora embarking fov a \fmg voj^tf^
to have all bwineM tranaaoted in good timet so as ti» spare •
few days^ w hieb may be devoted to fiiendship and an attfR-i
Uon to tile little eeoessanes that may be requinte on the voyi^ii

It it not alwaDra m a peraon^s pover to cfaooae • captain, al>
though B good deal of the comfort of the passage d^penda
upon this choiQe. The chief requisites are, that he be a good

44g

VIEW OP THE

seaman; attentive, carefUl, and active in the management of
his vestel : and of theie circumstances, and indeed all others
relative to the passage, yoa must satisfy yourself befwe setting
out, for there is no use in making complaints at sea. It is
sUU more di0icult |o.roaliiei,choi9e of sociable fellow.passengers.
A ship is like a stuge'Coach, it must accommodate all comers;
and one surly fellow may mdest a whole ship^s comfteny.
But a person, by having resources of his own, may make him-
self, in a great measure, independent of other people ; and it
will be wdl, before gmi^; ^on;b(iard, t|» take measures to ac-
complish that desirable object. For this purpose, a small
library of books will be found very entertaining, and if you
have any turn f<Nr the study of mathematics and drawing, you
will have a good opportunity to practise on board ; and a case
of aMthematiMl&iHistruiiients, and a box of pfdntsy inUi bfe ne>
otSBary.ii/'.*i^»ii -. . •/';.■ :-^»!'t^ »»...; .<• • ■

:C%aNV {^*.r#ai0/.rt-A ship is pireferable to a brig, as the
sea motion in the former will be less felt, and the acoommoda^
tions are generally ftuperiori Tha English shtpt in the Ame-
ricM^irade are not equal to those in odier trades; wfaifst, on
the contrary, the best American vessels are in the British
trade; so that it is well to select an American ship, the ao/^
age of which will be aooenliii^ to the quality of the timber and
the building, and these can only be known by persons very
oonversfmit in. those subjects. There <are certain ships of esta-
Uished reputadonj >a ftwi iof which got to the pc^ of London,
aaad a. greater 'number it» Iiv«rpool. < ' From^ the ^port of Liver-
pool there are a very considerable number of first-rate ships
for PhUade^hia, Boston, and New York ; among the latter is
what are c^ed the ^l^fusket Line.^ Qn^ ^^^ifse vessels sails
punctually on the first of every month from Liverpool. The
«iM|vge for passage is, itijiie cabin; 45 guinMs, which includes
wine, land mdeed < almost evdry luxury^ in the steerage, 9^.
esdttsivv of ev«ry thing but water. The house of Crapper,
Benson, md Co. at Liverpool, are the agents for these ships,
which are first-rate 'in every respect, and aSl their commanders
ai« nixa of great experifitioe. There are several odiersofa
sufMg^or class : bttttit'swouldj^be- judieioua in evei^ person to

UNITED STATES.

j^ement of
bU bthere
re setting
«a. It it
assengen.
II comers;
comi^ny.
(nake him-
le; and it
ures toac-
e, a small
ind if you
iwing, you
and a case
wiUbtene-

irig, as the
iceommoda*
n the Ame-
, whifst, on
the British
ip, the *o/J
timber and

make -ttinttte enquiries as to the character d' th* ihip atid
captain with which they propose engaging; for it should be
known that there- are some very indiffencot Araericui shipa,
which go to both Liverpocd and London, and particularly the
latter port. Artgvim' trader is gcneraUy to beprefinrred to
a chance sfasp. The prices (with the ncoeption of thie packet
ships) will vary aoooffding to circumstances; for the cabin
from 80 to 45, and ftMT the steerage from 7 to 10 guineas. It
should be remarked that even this is a subject of barter. A
few ships sail from Bristol and Greenock for New York — ^the
Fanny from the latter p6rt is rather celebrated. A passage
from Havre, in France, to America, is often to be obtained
much cheaper than from this country. Should a lai^pe^ party
engage the same vessel, they would act pudenCly to procure
an extra boat, for in case of acudent or shipwreck, the two
ship-boats would not be found sufBdent ; and upon such me-
lancholy occurrences the crew commonly escape^ and the- pas-
sengers are lost. ■•!. •;■*■?"■!'''■". 4^'
Cainn passtngers, though supplied by the captain, w<;uld
find a small private stock desirable. A plum cake, abda-pow.
ders, a few good apples and orai^^ (the latter will keep if not
previoueJy bruised, and if each orange is carefully rolled in
paper), ' preserves of several kinds, and dderV which will be
found particularly pleasant at sea^

Steerage paeeei^igera should provide for 70, thou^ they
may not be out. more than 50 days. They are compelled by
law to take 80 lbs. of meat. A variety will be adviBable^;
say 30 lbs. of beef, 90 of ham, SO of tongue, 10 of
bacon r herrings are pleasant, and salt cod particularly sc^
when eaten with ec^g^sauce; 50 lbs. of bread, of the best Ihs-
cuit, and loaves cut in slices and toasted r rusks Nrill be found
very pleasant in t^x 30 to 40 lbs. of fk)ur ; a fbw pounds of
oatmeal; ditto of rice; (titto of groats; ditto of arrow>root;
10 lbs. of cheese ; 100 lbs. of potatoes. Have a small net bag
to boil them In;: this will prevent confusion with the cook,
and also tha^' being exchanged for others of, perhaps, an infe-
rior quality. & ?bs. of coffee, ground^ and kept corked in a
bottle, for the purpoaa of excluding the atmospheric air: 1 lb.

▼lEW OF THE

<cf tflfti 14 Ibi. of tdgar: • mall qtniiti^ of i pirt ti)- of wiin^
•tod bottled potter t the latter, niaed irhh an eqwil qoantity
of frater, wMi^ugar and autoMgy will be feand fOiTj agree*.
Ue. rUave a ddfinite utoderitaadiog Hot tfao qoatitily of water
|iet> 4af. A Mteiing maehine can be bought at ^, Titchfield.
■ttfeet^ London, for iOv. Bggs to be Iceft in bnoi, aiid fre-
^oently turned. 10 Mm. of butler. Ililk will keep, if boiled,
rind milled with engar, in the proportion of tt Ibe. to the quart.
If the articles enomerated under the head CoMn pataengen
«an be affbvded, thef would be found particularly pleasant
If there are fenudes in the party, thore dwuld be eume fowls.
''a. few tin articles ibr the purposes of cooking, Ito.

In ehoosing a bhrth, either in the eabin 'Or efeeeMge, the
fliiddfe of the vessel, or as near to it as can be pradured, is
desirable^ on aoeount of the ship^ motion being there lest feh.
3ooks wiU be an occasioMi, and hut an ocoasional, relief to
tile menotonyjof a sea voyage. Those of • l%ht and amusing
character are the most suitable. Reading for nM>re than half
lito-hour at lany one time prodooes the headoacbe, and sennbiy
aftots ^ eyes. Medicines an an important aitide of set
Mores: they should be in pills, and taken frequontly, with
great exactness, at stated periods, «nd in«s small quantities as
oan pessiUy produce ihe efleot. Steerage passei^ors should
have a specific agreement with the captain for the use of the
plabe of oobvenienoe : this is an important consideration, and
great inoonvenienoe is sometimes expnrienoed by audi persons
in being denied this. A flute, a violin, and a pack of cards,
•re pleaaant companions.

, A short tame alfter setting sail, the passeugers generally get
aeai-akk. This complaint, though lightly esteemed, because
not dmgerods, » often very severe while it huts, and, if
^Ipcated improperly, it may cause a rdaxati^n of the stomach,
that -w«U be very trouUeaonle. Winle the siokneM>coattRae8,
people ihavean,av«rrion to all hinds of food and chink. Mairr
idntun firom both tbrae or four days. This is a bad plan.
The storaaoh ahould never be allowed to get eutieely empty.
AMttle dncken broth or water gm«l should be frady used;
and people ahould go upon deck as soon as ipoMble. Breath-

UNITED STATES.

449

of wnMf

I of water
'itobAcld.

add fr«-

ifbaUaA,
the quart.

r plMsant
ume fowtt.

•rage, tiM
rodured, n
re len feh.
il, relief to
nd amusing
re than hatf
md sensibly
[tide ef i«a

^ontlyt vii^
luonti^as

igers should
> use <jf ^
svaUoo, and
indipenom
ick of cards,

lenendly ^
led, because
tsts, and, if
e stomach,
ooMtiuaea,
ik. Many
|«bad plan.
t\y empty.
Ifwiy used;
Lie. Breath-

ing the foul air of the oabin or steerage promotes the ^iacaae ;
whereas exercise «nd free air on decii relieve it A little soda
water will at this time be very exhijirating ; imd as soon as the
stomach is ao fSu* ckansad as to keep free firom retching, a little
Peruvian bark will be very beneficial as a restorative. Care
should be taken to guaed agiunst ooetivences, a very trouble-
some complaint at sea. Attention to diet and exercise wiU
often prevent it; but where that fuls, a little laxative medi»
cine, such as rhubarb, cream of tartar, or castor oil, should be
resorted to.

But as sea-nckness is viewed with considerable alarm by
people uaaccuetomed to the sea, particulariy females, we will
enter into this subject more at large.

This disorder, so far from being injurious to astbmaUc and
consumptive people, has, in general, a beneficial effect ; and
die inatanocs in wlueh it has proved fistal are extremely rare.
It appears to be a spasmodic affection of the stomach, occa>
non^ by the alternate pressure and recess of its conteitfa
sgainst its lower internal sur&ce, according as the rise and fall
of the ship oppose the action of gravity.

The motion of the Atlantic ocean between Great Britain

ind America produces aea-aickness with the greatest violence,

as the waves have an uninterrupted freedom of action, which

causes that regular vadllation that rend^ the head giddy.

A person feels less inconvenience from the disorder in a small

vessel on the wide ocean, on which the slightest motion of the

waves makes a strong impression. He ia also leas exposed to

it in a large vessel deeply laden, as the waves, in this case,

learoely affect the vessel. It is in diips of an ordinary siae,

snd whidi carry but a b|^t cargo, tliat the passenger suffiers

aimt from the aea>sickness. The sooner it takes place after

oDiriMurkBtioo, the continuance of it becomes the more probable.

It does not always xease immediately on landbg, but in some

esses continues for a oonnderable time.

Many methods of preventing, or at least of mitigating thn
disorder, have been recommended, of which the most cffic»>
oous appear to be the following :

S L

450

VIEW OF THE

1. Not to go on botrd immediately aAer eating, and not to
oat, when on board, any large quantity at a time.

H. To take much exerciie, with as little mtermissbn as pes-
sible; as indolent passengers are always the greatest sufferers
from the disorder. v

8. To keep much upon deck, even .when the weather ia
stormy ; as the sea breeze is not so apt to affect the stomach
as the impure air of the cabin, rendered io for want of proper
circulation.

4. Not to watch the motion of the waves, particularly wh^n'
strongly, agitated with tempest.

; 5. To fix the eye steadily on the mast, cabin, or some other
object on deck. This is an excellent method for preventing
this disorder.

6. Carefully to shun all employments by which the mind
may lie harassed, as reading, studying, gaming, &c., «nd to
seek all opportunities of mental relaxation.

7. To drink occasionally liquids containing carbonic acid, as
the froth of beer strongly fermented, or wine and Scl(zer water
mixed together, and sweetened with pounded sugar.

8. It will also be beneficial to take sulphuric acid dulcified,
dropped on a bit of sugar, or in peppermint water, or ten
drops of ether.

The proper diet insists of bread and fresh meat, to be
eaten cold with pepper. All sweet savoured food should be
carefully avoided, and the passenger ought to refrain from fat,
and particularly from such meat as is in the smallest degree
tainted. Even the smell of flowers is injurious, for which
reasons marine productions ought not to be examined; but
the fumes of vinegar may be advantageously inhaled. The
drink should consist of lemonade or tart wines, but never «f
common water. An accidental diarrhoea has often relieved
the patient from searuckness, and therefore a gentle laxsttiv^^
in such a disorder seems to be indicated as proper. ■ It will
also be found useful to apply a tonic anodyne plaster to
the {nt of the stomacli, spread upon leather, and covered with
linen, , j

* media

on hia

vomitii

noted

often n

tic ope

knees t

firm ret

precaut

The^

vent its

able tim

place, re

perspirat

in vinegr

frequent

pure Stat

of wine.

brange p

punch,

which pe

glass of b

agreeable

Personi

llie pipe s

UNITED STATES.

451

When aymptooM of vomiting appear, tliey may oAen be rt-
medied by the patient placing himielf in a horizontal poeition
on his back or bellv, and lying perfectly »tiU. If the 6t* of
vomiting are too violent to be rcpremed, they tlMMild be pro>
moted by a strong dose of twlt water i not, however, to be
oAen repeated, as it debilitates the Htomach. When the eme>
tic operates, the patient should bend his body, bringing his
knees towariis his breast, and supporting his head against a
firm resttog^plaoe. His garters and cravat must be untied, a
precaution which will secure him from the danger of a rupture.

The vomiting having subsided, a state of repose will pre-
vent its return, and the eyes may be kept shut for a oonsider-
able time. The patient must make choice of a co(J ventilating
place, remembering to keep himself warm and well clothed, a%
perspiration is highly beneficial. A gargle of sugar dissolve<^
in vinegar is to be taken in the morning, accompanied with
frequent and spare eating. Water must never be taken in its
pure state, but mixed with wine, vinegar, or brandy. A glass
of wine, may be taken in the morning, with an infusion of
brange peel, gentian root, or Peruvian bark. A glass of
punch, occasionally taken, will be extremely beneficial, by
which perspration is promoted. Dr. Trotter recommends a
glass of brandy, as the best cure for a slight attack of this disr
agreeable disorder. t

Persons accustomed to smoke tobacco, will find the use of
the pipe salutary on such occasions, but the practice of smok-
ing will be injurious to all others. We piay add that warm
clothing, flannel shirts, caps, trowsers, &c. are powerful rem&*
dies against excessive expectoration, with every other symptom
of this dreadful malady.

When the weather is good, people should rise early. The
tax of the calxn is not only affected by the respiration of the
passengers, but it is often contaminated by the bilge water ;
while the sea air on deck is always pure and healtliy. The
breakfast hour at sea is eight o''clock, dinner ome, and supper
six or seven. It is a general rule amongst the passengers, to
b&ve themselves washed and dressed before sitting down to
breakfast. Betwixt breakfast and dinner, the time may be

VIEW OF THE

profitably employed in walking, reading, drawing, Sic. ; and
such aa have a taste for naTigation will have a good opportu* '
nity for practi.^al improvement, as they can have access to the
log-book ; and the ci^tain and mates are generally very oblig-
ing, in lending their navigation books and instruments to those
who wish them.

Temperance at table is necessary every where, and espe-
<iially at sea, where the exercise is necessarily limited. Where
wine is used, three or four glasses will generally be found
more beneficial than a larger quantity ; and people ought, on
no a(^unt, to indulge themselves at the table a whole after-
noort, though it is frequently done. It is much better to take
exercise in the open air on deck.

' Packing' Mp.— A selection should be made in a box by
themselves of clothes intended to be worn at sea^ Those of
the most inferior kind will do as well as the best. A warm
greiat coat will bp found useful. The provision casks should
be written on, *■ Stores.^ Baggage must be entered at the cus-
tom-house ; and in procuring a cocket, care should be taken
that the whole of the packages are enumerated : if this is neg«
lected, an additional expence will N; incurred.

Articles desirable to he taken oi«iJ. —Clothing of every kind,
except silks and silk pocket handkerchiefs. Females would do
well to take no article of dress particular in appearance.
Meti^s trowsers should be of the Wellington' kind only. The
American fashions differ in some things from ours ; and any
deviation fitMn them is much remarked upon. Most conve.
nient and unbreakable articles of domestic utensils. No cabi.
net furniture. A good stock of table-linen and liedding:
whether feather-beds are desirable or not is questionable
Carpeting, if it can be cut to suit other sized rooms ; station-
ery of every kind ; agricultural implements ; musical and phi-
losophical instruments.

" Fees of Officers. — To the collectors and naval officers. Every
port entry, 2 dollars. Permit to land goode, 20 cents. Everjf
bond taken ofiUcially, 40 cents. Bill of health, SO cents,
(There is commonly a demand of two dollars made for this by
the captidn: this is, of course, an imposition.)

UNITED STATES.

46S

he.; And
opfwrtu- *
ess to the
ery oWig-
tft to those

and esp«-
[. Where
be found
ought, on
irhole after-
tter to take

in a box by
, Those of
t. A warm
asks should
\ at the cus-
lid be taken
fthisisneg-

every kind,
iles would do

appearance.

only. The
irs ; and anj
I Most conve-
Is. No cabi.

,d bedding:

[uestionable.
ts; station-

[ical and phi-

Seers, Every
bnts. Every
L 20 cents.
U for this by

PcuKngtri Baggage, 4v>~-Entry ii to be made by paswBt
gers of all dothea, took or implements of trade or prufesMon,
arriving in the Uiiited States to settle, which articles are ex-
empted from duty. The form of such entry, and oath re>
specting the same, as follows : /

' Entry of baggage, wearing apparel, S^c, imported by
in the master, from New York,

(Here the particulars to be inserted.)

'District of ^ «>

* Port of * "

' I, do solemnly, sincerely, and truljf swear, for t0rm,) .

that the entry subscribed by me and hereto annexed, ccmtains, to
the best of my knowledge and belief, a just and true acoimnt of the
contents of the several mentioned in the said

entry, imported in the from and that they

contain no goods, wares, or merchandise whatever, other than the
wearing apparel and other personal baggage (or if the case re-
quire J and the tools of the trade of all which are the
property of who has, or have arrived, Irho is, or
are shortly expected to anrive in the United States , and are not
directly or indirectly imported for any other person or persons, or
uitended for sale.

* So help me God.' ■«

If the articles shall be entered by any other person than the
owner, bond to be given in a sum equal to the amount of what
the duties would be, if impurte4 subject to duty ; that the
owner shall within one year verify such entry on oath, or the
Gollectur may direct such baggage to be examined ; and if any
article is contained therein, which ought to pay duty, entry
must be made thereof; and if an entry is made as aforesaid,
and upon examination thereof, any article is found therein
subject to duty, (not huvinff been expressed at the time ^
nuking the entry y) it is f(»rieited, and the person in whose
baggage the same shall be found, forfeits and shall pay treble
the value thereof.

Before we close this division of the subject of emigration, it
may also be proper to observe, that betbre an emigrant can

454

VIEW OF THE

pass any custom-house in Great Britwn, it is necessary for him
to be furnished with a certificate, to the following purport :

' We, the undersigned churchwardens and overseers of the parish
of in die county of do hereby certify and declare unto

the ofBcers of his majesty's customs, and all others whom it may
concern, that we have known A B of the parish of aforesaid,

for several years last past; and that the trade or business of the
said A B, during all the time that we have known him, hath been
that of a And we do further particularly certify and de-

clare, that the said A B is not, nor hath ever been, a manufacturer
or artificer in wool, iron, steel, brass, or any other metal, nor is he,
or hath he ever been, a watch-maker, or clock-maker, or any other
manufacturer or artificer whatsoever. And we do further certify,
that the said A B is about years of age, stands feet and
inches, or thereabouts, in height, hath hair, eyes, com-
plexion, is of a appearance.

' As witness our hands, this day of
[[To be signed by two churchwardens and two overseers.]]

' I, C D, esq. one of his majesty's justices of the peace for the
€ounty of do hereby certify and declare, that the several

persons whose names are subscribed at the foot of the above-writ-
ten certificate, are respectively the churchwardens and overseers of
the parish of aforesaid ; and that the statement conttune^

in the same certificate is true, according to the best of my know-
ledge, information, and belief.

' As witness my hand this day of

II. PEECAUTIONS ¥OU PRESERVING THE HEALTH IN A NEW

CLIMATE.

(ji

The change of climate is almost sure to affect the health ;
but the temperate will scarcely feel any effect, either from the
extreme heat of summer, or the severe frosts in winter. Rich-
mond in Virginia, Charicstown in Carolina, and the distant
city of New Orleans, are places where an enterprising adven-
turer, who chuses to risk his health and his^orals, may easily
accumulate a fortune. The northern and middle states are
more healthy, and better adapted to the health of an English-
man. Perhaps there is no place in the Union where the t(jm-

UNITED STATES.

455

TH IN A NEW

perature is so similar to that of old England as Long Island.
On this subject we subjoin the advice given by the Shamroclc
Society of New York, which seems to comprise almost all the
precautions necessary to be observed.

* Emigrants from Europe usually arrive here during sum-
mer; and, every thing considered, it is best that they should;
for, in the middle and eastern states, the winter is long, fuel
very dear, and employment comparatively scarce at that sea^
son. In winter they will expend more, and earn less. But if
arriving at this time bear more upon their pocket, the heats of
the summer are undoubtedly more trying to their health. In
the middle states, namely. New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania, and Maryland, a northern European usually finds the
climate intensely hot, from about the middle of June till to-
wards the 1st of October. The thermometer frequently ranges
from 84 to 90, and sometimes to 96 in the middle of the day ;
this, to a stranger who works in the open ur, exposed to the
burning sun, is certfunly dangerous, and requires some pre-
cautions on his part.

< First of all, he should regulate his diet, and be temperate in
the quantity of his food. The American labourer, or working
mechanic, who has a better and more plentiful table than any
other man in the world of his class, is, for che most part, a
small eater; and we recommend to you his example. The
European of the sam^ condition, who receives meat, or fish
and coffee, at breakfast, meat at dinner, and meat or'fish, and
tea, at supper — an abundance of animal food to which he was
unaccustomed — insensibly falls into a state of too great reple-
tion, which exposes him to the worst kind of fever during the
heats of summer and autumn. He should, therefore, be quite
as abstemious in the quantity of food as of strong drink ; and,
in addition to this method of preventing sickness, he should
take a dose of active physic, every now and then, especially in
the hotter months of July and August. By this prudent
course an ardent cKmate will have no terrors; and, after some
residence here, he may preserve his health by regimen and
exercise alone.

456

VIEW OF THE

'The lahdumr or mechahic should put oflT his orduuny
dothes^ tfid #esr next his skin a Iooib flannel shirt, while he
works : k should be taken off again when he is done.

* The stranger, as well as nadre, must be particular^ care,
fy not to drink cold water after bnog heated by exposure to
the sun or ekeraae. Sudden and severe pain at the stomach,
iad even death, are firequciitly the 4!onsequence of such impru-
denee. The Humane Sodetjr 9^ this city has published the

- fi>lki#ing directions to be obssnred in such cases :

*lsC. To annd drinking water while the body is healed, or

diiring profuse perspmition.
*$d. Wash the hands and Ihce with odd water before

drinking.

* 8d. If these preoautioas hare been ne^ected, jind cramps
or conwilaions have been induced, let a tea^poonftil'of lauda*
nam he given immediately in a oip of spirits and water, and
vepeat the doae in half an hour, if neeessary.

'4di. At the eaone Ume apply hot fomentations of spirits
and water to the stomach and bowels, and to the lower extre-
mities, oovering the body with a hianket ; or immerse the body
IB a w«rm bath, if it can be immedi&tely obtained.

' 5tli. Ii^eot into the bowels a pint of warm q>irits and wa-
ter, mixed in the pr(^rtion of one part of the former to two
flflbehrtter.'

in. OM THK BSST MODE OF SSTTLIHe.

Medumics, intending to continue as such, woidd do well to
roo^in in New York, Baltimore, <nr Phtladdphia, until they
beoome fomiUarised with the countiy. Persons designing to
aetde in the western states will save some expences by landii^
in Philadelphia. Those to whom a fow pounds is not an ob-
ject, wiU dioitan (bar "voyage two or three days by arrivii^
at iNew York. The soauner route Aiom thence to Philadel-
phia- is particularly pieesarit, with the eameption of 85 miles
lanri-caixingc, and sleeping one night on the road : the whole
can be completed for about ten ddlars. In winter, tbnre «v

U;NITEI> STATES.

is orduiary
1, wkilehe

•iilarfyanre-
exposure to
he stomach,
such impru-
abUshcdthe

is heated, or

water before

, jindcnunpt
ifiil of lauda*
id water, and

iom of spuitfi
le lower extre-
thehody

G-

excellent fttages (by far the best in America) fieqm Ner York
to IfhUadelphia: the fare is frdm eight to ten dollars, and Uie
journey is completed in fourteen hours,— distance, 96 miles.

The route to the .western country, by way of New Orleans,
is attended with many disadvantages : it is much longer, and
more dangerous, in consequence of a great deal of coasting,
and the difficulties of the gulf of Florida. The voyage from
the Balaize, at the junction of the Mississippi with the gulf of
Mexico, to New Orleans, though but 100 miles, is always te.
dious, and sometimes vessels are three weeks in getting up
that distance. The yellow fever is of annual occurrence at
New Orleans. The steam-boats, though numerous, cannot
proceed at stated periods, and a residence at New Orleans
may be long, and must be expensive ; and to take passage in
a keel-boat tip the stream, would be an almost endless un-
dertaking.

The best mode is to proceed from Philadelphia by way gf
Pittsburg. Horseback is very preferable to the stage, parti-
cularly on the Alleghany mountains. A poor family would
have thl^r baggage conveyed in the cheapest way by the regu-
lar stage<^wa|^n8,-->tbemselves walking; and this they will
find in crosnng the mountains to be better than ri^ng (except
on horseback). They should take with them as good a stock
of eatables as they can with convenience, the charges on the
road being very extravagant. Those who have their own
waggons should have them made as strong as posuble, and
their horses should be in good condition. Small articles of
cutlery, and all the machinery necessary for repairs on the
road, are of first necessity. When arrived at Pittsburg, the
cheapest and easiest mode of travelling is to float down (he
for which purpose there are boats of almost every va-

nver;

riety, (steam-boats excepted,) from S«. Sd. upwards, per hun-
dred miles. Warm cloUiing should be taken, as there is sure
to be some severe weather in every part of America. The
articles required in floating down the river will be nearly as
fdllows: — ^The 'Pittsburg Navigator,^ a small volume, and
which may be had at Cramer and Spears; nails, hammer,
hatchet, tinder-box, box for fire, gridiron, iron pot, cofiee-pot^
20 3 M

40»

viswovrriiE

floffoe-aiill, tefr-^Mt, friates, spoons, kmves and. flwks» mag^
OMidles, odffifie, t«tt, sugar, spirits, meat, potatoes^ ItMad, pens
and ink, paper, medicine, and a gUn. If there i» what it
eallcd <a good, stage of water,^ that is, if the witers of the
-Ohio are lu^, winch they always are 'm the spring widau.
tumn, boats wiH be taken by the stream, without rowii^, ftom
three to (bur unles per hour. Except in oasee of dense fog,
th^ can be allowed to float at night in the Oluo. In the
Misossippi this would not be safe, the navigation of the latter
river b«ng both difficult and dangerous. Unless the waters
of the Ohio are v«7 high at its falls n^ar 1Loui»viUe, a {Hlot
should be engaged to navigate the boat ovdr them.

Mr. Mellish says that families moving to the western coun.
try usually travel by waggtms of thar own, in which case
they provide food for themselves and their hm'ses, and are ac-
commodated with lodgings at the different houses where they
stop all night. The charge for this accommodation is gene>
ndly very moderate, ai^ when the moving family is poor, the
payment is often dispensed with.

The^ are so many different points from whence emigrants
set out, and to which they go, that it is difficult to form an
estimate that will apply to them all. Probably ihe following
view may be the most intelli^ble. '>?'=

A waggon with two horses can accommodate seven persons,
andean travel with tolerable ease 90 mileaa day, the Sundajfs
hong devoted to rest ; and, by travelling eoonomicaUy, the
whole cjcp^nce will not exceed two declare per day, or fourteot
dollars per week, in which the family can travel 180 miles.
At thn rate, a family of seven can travel from Connecticut to
Cleveland, 600 miles, for 70 dollars; or fifom PhUadelirfiia to
Zanesville, in the interior of the state of Ohio, 4M miles, tax
about 60 dollars. On the latter route, a great many Waggons
travel between Philadelphia and Pittsburg, waggon-hire being
about five dollars per cwt. for both persons and fuopetty.
The carriage of a family of sevm, by this conveyance, would
cost about 45 dollars, besides their board; which appears
mcxre in proportion than by the other mode; but it is to be
observed, that in this way it is unneeestaty to purchase horses

UNITED STATES.

^489

» what it
rt oC the
I and an-
11^, fVmii
ignwe fogt
/In the
the latter
thewaten
Be, a pilot

iteraooun*
trlnoh case
and are ao
where they
ion i» gene-
is poor, the

pe emigrants

to fiMrm an

he following

ren persons,
he Sundays
oiically, ^e
or fourteen
180 miles,
tnneoticut to
kladelplua to
miles, for
ly waggons
|n-hirc being
id property,
[anoe, would
;h appears
It it is to be
•haae horses

otWMiypmM, which, in the eastern states* wre pretty dear, and
there it bo wear and tear. A Qonudtrable savii^ can fie*-
quently be i|ude on both mutes by water conveyance : on the
noffth by bd^e Eriej and on tha south by the Ohio river. The
sta^e be^Ffca PUiadelphia a«d Fittsburg is the most agfees^
ble and eap e ditioiiB mode of (ravelhi% on that road, dnd is
preferred b^ such as can aShtd the expenee.

Mfmy Muigrants, particulaiiy those who sail £rom l^eitl^
Shields, Sunderland, Hull, and other ptxrts on tht east of (^
kingdom, find it .prudaat, either ion account (^'thef ^Aapiiess
of oonvteyanoe^ tut the strictness ai the custom-house Officers^ to
sul direct to Qqebeet or Mmtfeal. Those wh^ fkiay cbuie
this route to New Vf^'h will find the cUstanccs and eKpence u
follows:

DoDBia. Haniti
From Quebec to ilf<nitreal, by 8team.boat, 10 1^4
Montreal to St John, « •. - 3

St John to Whithall, steam-boat, - 9
Whithall to Albany, by stages, five 5 doU f ' -
lars, expencev 3, - • • - .8r-
Albany to New Y<»b^> steam-boait, - 7

*#i'

186

160

70 P
166 )

60S

From Quebec to New York, « - S7
Or 8/. 6t. 6d. expenbe, performed in 3 4sys .1^ hours;. or from
Montreal, 6t. U, 6d, expence, performed in % di^s 18 hours, d&|«

tance 517 miles,

. ' , . ■ . I'f'i

Clements Burleigh, esq., who resbied upifrards of 80 years
in the United States, has given the following, judicious direc*
tions to poor emigrants on landing in America.

* I wUl take the liberty, as an introduc^n, to {x^t out
some stumbhng blocks that have been in the way dP many
emigrants tq this country. We concdv*e the vessel coming to
anchor, and the passei^ers preparing for gfxog ashore. On
setting their feet on land, they, look about them, see fine
houses, gardens, and orchards, the streeu crowded with weiU
dressed people, every one pursuing his own bunn^ss, Welly
the question now ^S) where shall I go ? I meet a person pass*

460

VftWoF tirri^

ing, ancl addreis myself to Mm, tequesting him^ttfinlbnin ni«
where I can have accomroodationt for tone shdirt' Iwifr. lie
will point ou|.m house which he Mtikn may aniUf^t' ihjr appeiiir*
anoe, &e. I jget my goods c6nveyed to thili hmis^. The
landlord and his familjr recave me i^ k fbire^jAer, atid tio long
as I have cash will' han^ a watchfctl^cj bve^me, idud tr^t me
according to what money I iipend lH^ theiti.: 'Iti'the irteah
time, on the arrival of an ' Irish shi|), a: cribwd of jwdr Irish,
who have been in that country for a hum'btsr of yetfrs, are al-
ways fmvd of meeting their countrjhnen oh iahdingj Md of
eneouraging them to take a shareof grog dr i)brtcir, &6. The
feelings, of di# open-hearted Iriiihman are nKi^ td the invita-
tion, and some days are speiit in ihis wky/ in ttie cotii^ny of
men who are a disgrace to the country they came from, and
who are utterly incapable to procure themselves work, much
les9 the poor emigrant. |, warii, emigrants, therefore, to be
upon their guard. ' r ;

* The plan, therefore, which I would r^porainend, is that
upon landing, as soon as conyeiueut, th^py shpuKl divest them-
selves of any heavy luggage, sucli as ches^ or boxes; and in
the mean time, if, they are deficient of money to carry them to
the ipland parts of the country, «top some time, an^ if they
can get work apply to it, and use what they earn ^ith epono*
iny, and kd^p cie^r of all idle company, and also be particular
in keeping blear of a certain description of their own country-
men. When they have acquired as much money as may help
to bear their expcnces, let them put their bundles on board
one of th6 waggons, loaded with merchandise for the western
country. By being active and obliging to the carrier on the
way, he wijl charge little pr nothing on your arrival at Pitts-
burg, or Greensburg,, or any other town in the western parts
of Pennsylvania, You then take your property fVom th^
wa^^n, if it suits, and make inquiry for labouh*

Emigrants fi'om Switzerland and Germany a^e numerous,
and from patience and industry generally succeed. People of
certain districts sometimes form themselvies into a society a
year or two before they leave, and contribute to a general
fund, which enables them to send a few of the most intelligent

of their 1

settlemen

dentnre i

spectilatio

ventureri

arecarriet

the poor

have been

we haye fi

<Apnu

connection

It is that (

ney, and ]

the captain

tain numb<

'Seeing!

by the capt

ship, in con

"OnboMd
ing to engag
of their pasi
besides worn
S weavers,
nnith, 2 she
1 carpenter,
1 locksmith.'
street, in th
South Whar
"Oct.

'As we
scene of wa
tarily turne
human suffi

UNITiBD STATES.

461

of their miiriber before them in order to select and prepiiM a
settlement Others ore so poor ias to be obliged to iwU' or in.
denture themselves to a captnn, who carries them out on
speculation. Such is also frequently the case with poor ad>
ventureri from Ireland ; and sometimes Scotch Highlaridmeti
are carried out on the same plan. The hardships suffered by
the poor creatures who are conveyed in this wa^ tb America
have been feelin||iy describ^ by an English traveller, to whom
we have frequently referred.

* A praotioBi^ says he, * which has been dtlen referred to in
connection with this country, naturally exdted my att^tion.
It is that of ihdividtials emigrating firom Europe without ndo-
ney, and paying for their p^isiage by binding themselves to
the captain, who receives the produce of their labour for a oer-
tain number of vears.

* Sedng the fbllowing advertisenfient in the liewspapers, pht m
by the captiun and oWnei^ of the' vessel referred to, I visited the
ship, in company with a boot-maker of this city (Philadelphia) :

*^THE PASSENGERS ;^v

"On boiurd the brig Bubona^ from Amsterdamj tad who are will-
ing to engage themselves for a limited time, to defray the expencca
of their passage, consist of persons of the following occupations,
besides women and children, viz. 13 farmers, S bakers, 2 butchers,
8 weavers, 3 tailors, 1 gardener, 3 masons, 1 mill-sawyer, 1 white-
smith, 2 shoe-makers, 3 cabinet-makers, 1 coai-burner, 1 barber^
I carpenter, 1 stocking-weaver, 1 Qooper, 1 wheelwright, 1 brewer,
1 locksmith. — Apply on board of the Bubona, opposite CaIloWhiU>
street, in the river Delaware, or to W. Odlin and Co. No. 38,
South Wharves.
«Oct.«."

f As we ascended the ade of this hulk, a most revolting
scene of want and misery presented itself. The eye involun-
tarily turned for some relief from the horrible picture of
human suffering, which this living sepulchre afforded. Mr.

enquired if there were any shoe-makers on board. The

captain advanced : Iiis appearance bespoke his office ; he is an
American, tall, determined, and with an eye that flashes with

VIBW <W "WE

Algtme anility. He calUd in the Dutch UoiP^iigf* r«r ako*.
inakera^ k4 never can I forget the iceiie wbioh figUowed.
The poor fellows ceme running, up with untpeajcable (Might,
i^ doubt wtiqpntii^ a lelief fc«m their Imtheome duageon.
711^ clod)ee» if rege deserve that denoniiiiati^D, «0t««Ujr per.
fuDMd the «ir. Some were without ehifte, others Ud this
fTtida of dress, bat of a qualitv «s cxMinie as the* worst psciking
doth. I enquired of seysruf if they amid speak > EngUsb.
They smiled, and gabbled, ** No £i^ly, no £ng\y*^ooe £0.
gly talk sbip."" The deck w|u filthy. The oookMig, washing,
wd neoes^ary departments were close tog^ker. Such is the
r n fco enaiy barbarity of the Americans who gre engag^ it
this tmade, that they crammed into oa? of those vessels 500
psasengers, 9O1 of whom cbed on the paasagie. The price ^
women is about 70 dollars, men 80 dollars, boys 60 diJIars.
yVhw thi^ saw at our departure thM we had 4iot purchased,
their count? napqee^ to that standard of atupi^ ^oom which
seemed to place them 9* Knk bolow ra^omd beings, l^com my
heart I execrated the European cause of their removal, which
is thus daily compeHing men to quit the land of their fathers,
to beeome.voluntary exiles in a fbr^gn elkne:—- yet Americans
can think and write such sentiments as the following: **We
rgoice with the patriotic Hollanders at the return of the illus.
trious house of Orange to thrir first magistracy, and do not
wonder at ^eit enthunoiHcjoy upon the bocarion, when they
remember that this ancient family have been always the gal.
lut and iealous defenders of Me ri^ta and liberties ^ the
Dutch peopleJ"

* An interesting occurrence is said to have taken place the
other day, in connection with the German Redemptuners (as
by a strange misnomer the Dutch are denominated). A gen«
tlenan of this city wanted an ohi oouple to tdce care of his
house;— a man, his wifis, and daughter welie oficrcd to him
fior sale ;'-T>he purchased them.— 'They proved to be his father,
his. mother, and sister !! r

UmVfid S'TAl^lS.

?/.rr-H,Iuti>'jit:> :a;.-..! :cj k,'t f.b-

.■.:':t& TUA .■ rf(v[(J»>

IV. TJlX'tlMMU OP LAMO, I.A»0«ft> AMt rBOVIflOHl.

On this fanporlant mil^iM!! it m ntoMmry to itet* pwtieiriwi«
and to l«|Ve the 4khic^uim to tlw rtuder^t judgownt But m
thera it such a oomideniblQ diffnrenec in the vtliie of auHMiy^
and the piiee ef labour and provtakona, in different alatM, ire
will ooB^der peoh place aepenUely.

New York. r,

/V«ee«.— >The comperative expencUture for ddaaeatio iranta

may be eatattated from the fidlowing liat of prioea :— Beef b

firom S|d. to 64. per pound ; mutton, 8|4f. to 5|d ; veal, ML

to 6|4.; baaa and baoon, l^d. to \0\d.\ dried beef, 8|(f.;

fowla, 1«. %\i, to a#. 9d. a pair; ducka, S«. 8d. to 8«. 9kl. «

pair; geeae, £9. SdL to d«. ll<i?. eadi^ turkeys, 8«. 4^ t»

to5f. l\di each; pork, Q{d. to 8d. a pound; butter (fteah)

IM. to 2D|(i; egga, nine for 6{d.; cheeae^ old^ Ofdl, new^

%\d,y English, lOd. to \^. : there is but little of this artidb

used; that whioh is of American manufacture is extremely

bad: potatoes, 8«. 4^. per buahel; cabbagea, %\d» eaeb;

tumipa, 2«. S^d per bushel; peas, 6{(i to lOd. per peck;

lalt, 3«; SA per buahel; milk) 6^' per quart; common fiah.

Si to SJd per pound ; aalmon, 1«. 1^. to 8«. 4sik per pound ;

brown soap, ^<2. ; white ditto dresaed, %\d. per pound ; cam

dies, Sjfd per pound; mould ditto, la.; flour per barrel

(wei^^ing 196 poonda) is, of the best New York, 4&. Qd. to

49». 10}i.; nmUHng ditto, S0«. to 40«. 6dL; rye, 81«. 6d.;

Philadelphia flour, 46ff; \\d. to 47«. dd ; Indian ditto, 88». dd.

to 41«. Gl. ; hogshead of ditto, weighing 800 pounds, 146a. 6dli

to 1589. ; whea^ 7«. \0\di to 99. per bushel ; rye, ^. 4dL

ditto; barley, 6«. M ditto; oat% Is. lOd; hops, 19». to %!$*

0}d( per ppund; foreign feathers, \%\d, to 14(i a pound;

American dittos 8a. Ij^; a loaf of bread woghing: 17 oab^

8)d; a ditto, 84^ os., Id* ; mustatd, 8^. to 4a. a pound; tabl^

beer, ff»i 7^. for 5 gallona; oommon ale^ 6\di per quart'9

bett dittoj 7<l., wine measure ; a cask of 9 gaUons of dittos

1lk»,H\ appUt^ lOd per peak; lolMara^ 2|d Bar poUI)d;$

VIJ^W OF THE

onioni, (an article much med,) S^d. • rope; cucumbm, 5 for
1«. l|d« coinmon brown sugar, 74. a pound; £aat India
ditto, lOfd; lump ditto, IS^d; best ditto, 1ft/.; raw coffee
by the \mg^ lOfdL « ppund ; souchong tea, 4c. 6^. to Ht. Id. a
pound ; hyson» U,. Id, Xio^.%i.\ gunpowder, lOt. 1 ^. The
quality of pcoviiions is, in general, very good: the beef is ex*
eellent, mutton rather infecior to ours ; fowU are much larger
but not better eating than the English. Candles, are inferior
to English; soap perhaps superior, at least less is required
than of ours for any given purpose. ,„^.^.,

n Tradt», WagM, ^o-'-'Building in New York is generally
peirfiNrmed by contract. A person intending to have a house
erected contracts with a professed builder; the builder, with
a bricklayer; and he, with all others necessary to the comple*
tion of the design. In some oast^, a builder is a sort of head
wtorkman, for the purpose of overseeing the others ; receiving
for his i^^em^ seven-pence per day from the wages of each
man ; the men being Employed and paid by him. There are
oooauonal instances in which there is no contract^ every thing
being paid for according to measure and value. In the city,
houses of wood are not now allowed, but in the environs they
are very general ; and many of them handsome in appearance.
They are commonly of two stories, and painted white, with
green shutters. The expence of a frame (wood) house is ma*
terially affected by situation : on an aven^, they ifill cost to
erect about the same as a brick house in England. The
builder is sometimes his own timber-merchant. Indeed, all
men here know a portion, and enter a little into every thing:
•^-*the necessary consequence gf a comparatively new state of
society. ,^

. The timber, or (as the term is here) lumber yards are not
on that large and compact scale with which, in .England, we
are familiar. Mahogany yards are generally separate con-
cerns. Qak boards are 51. 1S«. 6</. par thousand feet Shin-
gles, (an article used instead of tiles or sjates,) Xk 9U> 6</. per
thousand feet, to which is to be added, a duty of 15 per cent.
Honduras mahogany is B\d. to 't\d. the superfidal foot; and
St. Daqiingp, ^Id. to IT^c/. Mahogany b.us^ for cuphoM^f

ddon,'<
aiaple,'
proved,
ehinery,
mahogai
veneer a
cabinet <
nor inldi
instead
ThereU
finished
ten, Witt
and a hai
three an<
ditto betl
18*. Ci
Greenwic
They are
neymen,
perfectly
In th!e cf
the bdl.*
been once
petition.

Chair-n
distant, is
chairs is
n*!; bfc
taiiist hata(
scriptions
binet-mak(
sll siiy tho
a great In
are so alt
fchenge vei
GIsss n
andefegaft
Engliind.

UHITBD STATBS.

ddoii, and beniitcrt, and for all kinds of cabinet work. C^irl
napla, a natire and most beaaliftti wood, i« ako m\H^ ap-
prtrred. Veneer it in general demand, and is iMit by ma^
ehinery. ChMto of draw^ are chiefly madr of 8t. DMmngo
mahogahj, the indde'#ieing faced iHth box-wood: shaded
veneer arid curl mafd^ are ahM> ufted fbr this purpMa. Tha
cabinet work etccuted in this dty is light and elegant, siipa>
nor indieed to English workmanship. Some have cut glassy
instead of brass ornaments, which have a beautiftil eflkioC
The ret«l price of a three ftet rix inch chest of drawers, wdl
finished and of gobd quality, is 8/. 10«. 9rf. ; of a thrae feet
ten, with brass rollers, 5/. 8». A table, three feet long, ftur
and a half wide, 91. 7i. 6it. ; ditto with turned legs, 4/. Ss. 6t/. ;
three and a hatf long, five and a half wide, (plahi,) SLlfU. ;
ditto better finished, 4/. 10». ; ladies^ work tables, (very plain,)
18«. Cabinet-inakers* shops, of which there are several in
Greenwich-street, contain a variety, but not a large stock.
They are generally sniall concerns, apparently owiied by jouiw
neymen, commenced on their own account. These shopa ara
perfectly c^n, and there is seldom ahy person in attendance.
In tl>e cehtre, a board is suspended with the notice, * Ring
the bdl* Several proprietors now state their bumness to hav a
been once good, bUt that there is at present too much coin*
petition. • ' .

ChaiNihaking her^, a^d at the town of Newat'k, ten miles
distant, is'iin extensive business. The retail price of wooden
cliiurs is from 4«. Gd. to 9s. ; of curl maple with rush seat,
11«U bf ditto with cane seat, 13«. 6</. to 1/. fts. 6'/.; of ditto,
toidst haiddsomely 'fltiished, 1/: 9«.; sofas, of the several de-
scriptions enumerated above, are the price of six chairs. Ca-
binet-makers, tinliber-merchants, and builders coniplidtt — they
all s^y that their thides have been good, but that there is now
a great increase iit the numbers ehgaged, and thattHe times
are so altered with the merchants that all classes Mi tha
thSDge very sensibly.

Gbns mirrbk arid picturie fVaihes are executed widl tasta
and dlegailce ; but Still the most superior arc imported from
England. 'Carted (laments are general, though iralnie ccmi-

.3 N

Iji

¥IB!lf!OFTHK

pMltioii Mmiments iire umA' FUte glast l« mpof^tA ffom
Fftmie, HolUod, t^ndlBngUncli the ktter bearing the highwt
prioe. Silvering looking-glMsen is • separate trade : there isi
Ij^t Qfie silverer in New Y(vk, and he is not constantly em-
ployed. Caryers an^ gilders arc paid ^4* per hour. The
side of prints and pictures ict usually coinhined with this busi.?
nesfi. There are here two gold-heaters : one ci them is a Mr.
^ooes 6eom London. Lep^-gold is frequently iwpwted; h^t
they coQwder their own equfd to f^ragn* and it bmrs the same
j^ce, 40f. ^. the packet, containing SO books. The duty
on imported leaf-gold is 1$ per cent A capital of ^m 8QQ|i«
tp 90pOA would be requisite for a moderately respectable oc^
qern. A journeyman ^der would not succeed ; a carver may
do sq; but neither trades are (to use an Americanism) of the
^rst^44^.

n Qgot and shoe-makers'' shops are numerous, some of them
9i(tensive. The price « of sole-leather is lit/, to 13^^.; of
drssse^ upper ditto, 11^. Set;., to 15|. Ac/.; to this is to be
l44edaduty of 30 per cent. Wellington boots at the hest
^ps are charged S/. Of. 6^. ; shoes, 13«. 6d. Spanish is
much worn for Mpper leather. They are made neat and with
taste : the workmanship appears quite equal to the best jAm-
don. The American leather is very inferior in quality. Na*
tive workmen appear as good as English. A capital o( from
I^PO to 1000 dollars is requisite in a mtpderate ampem. A
mjlter shoe-maker will not be ben^ted by coming here; a
jpurneyman may he so.

. A dyer's business, in this city will best accord with an Eng:
lisb scowerer. The price for dyeing black woollen is Ss. per
yaid, $ wide; of brown ditto, 3«.; red, %ii6(^.; yellow, fts.
^; scarlet, S0«. a pound. There is no silk dyed in the
skein, nor are there any silk-weavers in the United States.
Fast blue is not done. Re-dyeing old silk is 6\d. per yard.
English alum is from 33«. 9^'* to 36s. per owt, to wbidi is to
be added a duty of 4is. Qd. ; brazilletto, 140«. to 160«. per.
ton; cochineal, 9Aa. 9d. per pound, with a duty of 7} per
c^nt. ; logwood, 90^. to 11S«. 6d. per ton. The business b of
.^ecesuty limited. It is moderately good> npd weuld DQt tf-

UHll^O STATES.

qiiitd ft ealpilliror mbiie than fh>iii £00/. to fi002L A few jonrfi
heyin«il ir^ isteplo^. They earn S/. 5a. per week.

This ttikcte df tilk»#.«btakller i« unit^ hj some with thai of
ibap-boileh Any dth^ business nw^ be tonnected with it^ at
the law huBM nn AiAculty on the tabject. The operatioh of
tneldng must be remt^ed a specified distarioe ftom the <^Mel^
inhabited ^rtdf the tiity. Th^pickWitcade isof noaccoilnt^
as iiimilies prepwe their own^ ! ;? < ;5'rr ? '

The oi} and eddur business might be combined ^th that of
taUoW-chaiidlcfr, tbough perbafM without iiicreased adi^anti^;
Oil is sold at gto^ry-stores, aiid )xf puntere. The rent of a
house to suit an mV faii^hess, in a fourth.^rate situation^ (a beti
ter being nraifeeetoary,) would be 185/. to 100/. per annum*
A capital df< itcKA 9O01 to 191^1 would suffice. For a jour,
ney man or shopman it i» a bad trade. They are jpwi 4^. fidt
io 58. 7|(/. per diem. The chief work is done by a(^)rentices;
The Irish bavfe ^t the grater part of thii bqnness; and
they M'ill, if possible^' prevent an English journeyman ilraifi
having e^frfbyineit. The wholesale prices of tdlbw are, 'fo.
reign, 6^^. to 7|tf.) with a duty of ^rf.; American, 7|<?.; of
soap, Castile, 8|(/. to 9d. ; turpentine, ^f </., with a du^ of
l|r/. In the eastern states there is a superabundance of na;^
tive tallow, but in the south it is scarce. Barilla is not uaed^
American ashes being substituted; which areiirom iSfd. to
ld|(/. j}er bushel. A tallow-chandler in London Who ckn 8av4
50/. per annum, would not be benefited in his finuices by a
removal to this country. ' ." -

Tailori^ are numerous: they are denominated (in conformi^.
ty with the accustomed vanity of the country) * Merchant
Tailors.^ ^ome'l^eep rather large stocks of Woollen piece*
goods, all of which are of British manufacture. The price of
a superhne coat is From 6/. 6s. to 8/. S«. They are paid for
making a odmihon coat 18«. ; a best ditto, 27«. If a journey-
man find the trimmings, he receives for a best coat 45«. to 51s.
For making trowsers, 9^. Apprentices can be had for the
terms of three, seven, or ten years ; seven is the usual period.
A journeyman can have the work of an apprentice under him.
If a man have not served his time, it is not of consequttice in

468

VIEW OF THE

any bunncsa; comfjetenc^f not legal servitude, being the stan>
dard for employment. A journey i|(ian tttlor w)U rank but
ammig the second-rate trades, so much being ^one by women
and' boys. A man that can cut out will be oecasionally well
paid: the women not bang dever in tliis department, makes
the timployment of men necessary. There are ready-made
clothes shops, as in X«ondic»i, at which articles of a cheaper but
inferior description are sold. Large quantities of clothing are
imported from England, and many individuals have their re-
gular London tailors. Black and coloured Canton crape,
black stuff, white jean, wlnte drill, and Nankin, are worn for
trowsers; jean, for coats; gingham for jackets in the house;
all of which are made by women, at from 9-% to ^ per cent,
cheaper than ii' men were emfJoyed. A man wMl earn, when
empldyed, from; 36a, to 54a, per, week. To carry on this trade
as a master^ and; with a reasonable prospect of success, would
require a odintal of from' 5001. to WOOl. The promts are large.
Moderate credit are received ; long credit i» given,

Booksellers^ shops here are e&tensive. Old works are scarce.
Standard works are nut so; such as Shakespeare, Milton,
Blair, and Johnson. Theological works (those only which
are orthodox) are common, and much in request Hartley,
Priestley, and the religious writings of Locker are scarce,
English novels and poetry form the primary articles of a
bookselier^s business. They are quickly reprinted. Walter
Scott, Miss Owenson, Moore, Miss ^dgewortb. Miss Porter,
and Lord Byron, are favourites. The late Scotch novels
• have been very much read. The f^inburgh and Quarterly
Reviews are reprinted by Messrs. Kirk and Mercien of this
city. EnglUh Tory writers are neither unknown nor unpo-
pular. Booksellers deal in stationery and various fancy arti*
cles. Their stooks arc large, but, what we should call in
England, ill assorted. American editions of many British
writings are lower in price, but not clteaper than those issuing
from the London press i the sisje as well as quality of paper
being reduced. Folio is dimiiiished to quarto, quarto to ocr
tavo, and octavo to duodecimo, The American edition, for
instance, Qf * Lalla Rookh,** bears no comparison to that of

Messra

can mai
importa
wafers,
plain an
bound, ]
to 10,00
Printc
be dep^i
boys. S
The I
schools.
ior ladies
ages, are
this practi
rican fema
ners than
beings, be
Day-schoo
large. A
ments, is ,
man. Thi
Irish; an
iichoolmasti
have recent
they have
to five hun
required,
dancing, ar
latter is rati
cessary, Fr
than in En
sionally Bct(
arithmetic,
geography,
Greek, Latii
''re exclusive

UNITED STATES.

the Stan-
ank but
y women
,ally well
»t, makes
ndy-made
eaper but
ithing «re
B their re-
on crapej
i worn for
he house;
} per cent,
larn, when
i this trade
lesSt would
8 are large.

I are scarce,
re, Milton,
3ijly which
Hartley,
{tre scarce,
•tides of a
Walter
importer,
)tch novels
Quarterly
[cien of this
nor unpo-
fancy avti-r
>uld call in
iny British
hose issuing
ty of paper
lUarto to ocr
I edition, for
to that of

Mesira. lAmgaum and Co. Common atatbnery is of Ameri-
can manufacture ; ihe superior, of British. Books pay upon
importa^n 30 per cent; printing types, 20; paper, 30 (
wafers, SO; playing cards, 80. Native Innding is generally
plain and common : many of the fine Limdon pocket editions,
bound, have been recently imported. A capital of from WOOl
to 10,0002, would be required in this business.

Printers are paid fil. Ss, per week, but empbyment cannot
be depended upon: a great portion of the work is done by
boys. Stereotyping b phustised.

The Lancasterian system of education is confined to free
schools. One or two boarding seminaries exist in New York
for ladies separately; but in general males and females, of all
ages, are educated at the same establishment. The effect of
this practice is not what might have been anucipated. Ame«
rican females are even more distant and reserved in their man-
ners than English: the sexes seem ranked as distinet races of
beings, between whom social converse is rarely to be held.
Day-schools are numerous; some of them respectaUe, none
large. A teacher, that is, an usher, at any of these establish*
ments, is a situation not worth the attention of the poorest
man. The emigrant proprietors of seminaries are Scotch and
Irish; an instance has not occurred of a respectable English
schoolmaster establishing himself here. Two English ladies
have recently commenced a boarding-school for females only :
they have been moderately successful. A capital of from one
to five hundrad pounds is essential: for a day-school none is
required. The dead languages, music, surveying, drawing,
dancing, and French, are taught at the superior schools : the
latter is rather generally understood, and in some measure ne-
cessary, French families being more frequently met with here
than in England, At some of the academies plays are occa-
sionally acted. The charges at several seminaries are, for
arithmetic, reading, and writing, per annum, 40 dollars ; for

gec^aphy, philosophy, and the French language, 60; for

Greek, Latin, and the mathematics, 80 dollars : these amounts

are eitclusive of board.

nuxvofi^m

Rfehtti ^p^iid Miibh tl]}dfl shuatkAi. In th§ iliif ts dT thfe
tomi, a t^ gM^U httaMi dne ikbty hi|phj th« frtttit hldfhft oT i^
tnodemt^ ^zbi the bafck lM«/ bbt stiit^ fbi i)yeA, ihd Mth
6il« tooiki in the «ttie 6tofy, is frdkh lS/« tb 14/. ^ atiiram.
A Meebailid who hai^ is fkHiily dan hav« tw6 ^hittll n^ih^ fof
1M: A yeati Many housef hdve cidfebtis Mweeh th&ii* r(i6n)»,
which serve for a hed, ttr §DinetiHi<^ 4.tB uted as ik pAliti^. li
1» KlflO no tltieonAon tk^cuff^rlTcg ibr ieriiipa/rktf h^^ tdf bd laid
out ih dinitag-i^nks kifd fMitldufs: bfing, (if edufsei, ileihoved
sufficiently early in the morhilt^ tO ]^t-€JVeht iiiconvenieiice.
Gldrrets gAnendly hftvie no pl^^t^fsd editing. A v^ry small
house, if} a 6ituation not conveniii^t for buf^ih^, bbfitain^ng in
all iMx rMffts, in worth fVom 75/. t6 iBO/. a y^af ; a similat
hoiiS6, in a better ^ta^tidA, 95/. to i05/.; a dfHib iti a good
street foir buniiess, 180/. to 14<0/.; a ditto in fi^!»t-rate retail
flttuatioD, IdO/. to aOO/. )9er totiiiitt: bUt this is tde to^Ilrsi
eloMT of hOtfMS. A 'flim-rfittf {)Hvat6 h6us§ i^ fironf SOO/. to
^iSOi p^r Annum: vfkn it ft|jpr6|)i1{ited to bd'sitid^^j' theteiit
Woold b^ higheif. Of a. ))dtt^ in thM piart of ih6 Binsidyray
#hieh is firi»t-fat^ fur retui tt-ad^, th6 r^nt of a shdp «nd cellar
only k 39S/. 10s. i thfr upj^r {mrt of (he hou^ lets for mi
Kto. Ofoutid lots fbr building, eteh ih the sttbOVb^, are cfndr-
indittly dear. ' l"^^ J^: ' '"

^ • •• '. ... ■ .' ' '.' '■ ' ". ■ ■■ ■•■ ■ .ri-.AM',:

Philadelphia. .

IKi^.-^Laboartes are paid 4a. 6d. to 5s. l^di a day ; fe-
male servants^ 4s. 6d. to 9i. per week, with their board ; cooks,
Bs9d. to 9s. i men-«ervants, 84s. to Qts. dd. per jnonth ; car-
penters emrn S6s. to 47«. 3tf. per week, time of work fitMn
sun-rise to sun-set ; cabinet-makers, 361. to 'iBs , Mrorkidg ge-
nerally by the piece ; bricklayers. Sis. 6d. to 45«. ; tinmen,
37*. to 54j.; shoemakers, 31*. ftf. to 40*. ftl.— they work
more hours than in London ; saddlers, 31*. 6d. to 45«.— this
business at present is not good ; coachmakers, 96*. to 45*.— at
present bad here, but tolerably good at Newark in Jersey;
tmknrs, 36*. to 45ff. — a variable business, sometimes good em-
ployment, often not, it is largely in the hondd of women;

UHITi:i| S1^AT66.

ts df ttife

fr atinum.
•^bln^ fat
Slip rddms,
ktitty. It

, ifeitabved
ihveniehce.
v^ry small
htaWirtg m
; a sitnilat
) iri a gbod
t-rate rctal

>irf SOOf. to

^i' the tent
g Bitrtdway
^ tind cellar
etsfor^*??.
)^, are e^ior-

' 'ft*

R a day ; fe-
twrrd; cooks,
jnonth; car-
work frott

Mrorludg ge-
Tys.i tinmen,
—they <»ork

to 4!5«.— this

*. to 4ffl*.— at
in Jersey;
les good em-
of women;

tpl^bly gif9lk Vut no^ c«fta|n ; ^ppreolicsp pfnriSwm a )arg«
pprtioQ of the wori(. f.

Jodiyi4u«l8 piay get emplqyIqe^t w eny of the hIiqv^ trad^
but there is no nctmd wfint of n^eohawcs. Mviy leav^i hetr«;
^r ^southern stiites md the west^iro epiaqtry. Mm of thia'
cla4« <if 8QiB^f:ty |B»y d^dedly m^ke theinselvtt extremely
oQinfoitahle in this pliifi^. Thp9e who are here, iipeakiqg goc
Qcrally, receive higher wages, mre more independent of thw
masters, live better, have le^s lui^^iety for the\Qorrov, drink
more, and are less intelligent than men following the like lOC^
cupations in England.

Prices. — The prices of fish vary from 2c/. to o^d. per
pound ; beef, wlvuteh is of excelleht quality, 4d. to 5\d. ; mut-
ton, Syi. to 4^. ; veal, 5|J. ; pork, 5^^. to Id. ; bacon, 7dl
to 8d ; butter, 17J. to 2Qd. ; cheese^ 9hd. ; English ditto,
I6d.; omons, 13d. per peck; potatoes, S». 4j|d a< bushel;
cabbages, ^|d. each ; fowls, 12^. to S«. Sd. eadi i duoka, 9Qd,
to 2s. 2d. i geese, ds. 4|J. to 4f . 6d. ; turkeys, 5«. Gd. ; thesQ
four last articles are one half larger th^n those of England,
but thar flesh is inferior in quatity; strong beer, SOdL per
gallon ; i^iples, Qs. 4t{d. per bushel ; flour, 10 dollars per bar-
rel of 196 pounds ; dipt candles are lOd. per pound ; moukjs,
\%ld. ; ncHSt sugar, 6|d to 9d. ; lump ditto^ 1«. to \s. 5d. ;
tea, 4tf. 6ii to 9«< ; soap, 6|d. to IQd. ; chocolate, lS|dl to
2(E; raw coCBse, lOd. to. 13^d. ; Liverpool salt, 3^. 4t^d. per
bushel ; loi|f of bread, weig^Bg 2 pound! S ounces,. S^d. ;
Indian corn, per bushel, 4^. 6d. ; buck-wheat flour, 4)8. M.
Mechanics pay 13it. 6d. to 15;. 9d. per weok £at board and
lodging ; many board with their employers :. all eat, wofk^
and sleep in companies. Moderately respectable boarding is
from 90s. Sd. to STIs. ; genteel ditto, Sis. 6d. to 54«. Charge
at the best inns, ^s. per day, exclusive of beer and liquors.

Shoes are YSs. Gd- to 15;. dd. a pair; Wellington boots,
3&i. 3dL to 45«. ;. Hessian ditto, 4^. dd. to 45«. ; jockey ditto^
67«.6d.; ladies^ shoes, 4«. 6(2. ioBs.l^d. — the leather is not
good; upon a fair average, tw<» pwr of English will }ast m

4rm

VIEW OP TBBE

16ng as three pair of Am^can; the best tMi^iar hafii'are
4Qlf. Bd,; supei^ne cloth coats, 91. Is. 6d.i surtout ditto,
11/. 5«. ; pantaloons and trowsers, 4&«. to 54t. ; waistcoats,
W7i. Clothes made of inferior materials, are fnm 525 to 50
per cent, lower. India and French sUks, China crapes for
ladies* dresses, and India handkerchiefs, are one half cheaper
than in England. Other articles of wearing apparel, and
almost every thing used in domestic eotmomy, are of British
manufacture. They pay an import duty of 25 per cent., and
when retailed, are from S5 to 100 per cent, dearer than in
Lcmdon.

Alexandria.

Wages. — In this district, labourers, during harvest, receive
dbout three ddlars per day. Tailors have from five to six
dollars and a half for making a coat ; shoe-makers, one dollar
or <nie and a quarter for making a pair of shoes; blacksmiths
are paid two dollars per day, and are found in proviaons;
jmners and numms are paid from two and a half to three doU
lars per day, and coopers three dollars.

Prices. — House-rent is excesrively high in this part. An
ordinary house costs about SOO dollars per annum ; and wood
or coals costs a small fiunily about four ddlars every month.
Provuions are moderate. Beef, mutton, pork, and veal, are
icom ftd. to 4d. per pound; and bread both n&uch diei^r
and better than what is generally used in England. Milk,
butter, and vegetftbles, are h^. Rum, 8«. 6tl. per gallon;
whiskey, Ss. ; and brandy, 4«. 6<l. Excellent porter is sold at
6d. per botde. Furniture m(Nre elegant and cheiqier than in

England.

. ■ . ■ ' ' ■ ', - . '

PiUthurg.

Prices. — ^Beef and mutton are fid. to 4|d. per pound ;
4^. to Bd. ; cheese, 9^. to 14k;. ; butter, lOd. to gOd. ; tea,
6f. 9dL to 12f. 4d: ; mmst sugar, 18|d. ; loaf, SOdT. to S«. i ' . g
coffee, 90d. ; potatoes, 9a. 3d. to Sj. ^d. per bushel ; porter,
Q^d. per quart; fowls, IS^dL each; ducks, SOcf.; geese, is.

8d to 8i)
9U9Apt
ehanids^bd

now well I
h«k«r, 9U
shoe^hkkelr.
de».,duU;

hatt», Sl^;
31*. 6d. to a

TbeJprioi
dndfn«iito»|
^^</. to 4^i
of 196.pouii
keys, Ss.4^n
ditti^ «0rf.j

galldii; wh^i

Sd.; shoes, 1

SSi.to40ni

blue clottti SI

a»t, S(7*.;.hi

rent of two si

house in a thii

10*. Theger

ti'Ww, is fHitti

Womehf s^i^

meh dittoj eSj
''eek, 13rf. ew.
Ae httt iiins^
proportionate i
deat ciothSng,
iraportahce iti t
^08, add fer

VHVfESl 'S'TAIf £S.

t,rccene
/e to six
me dollar
leksmiths
revisions;
three doU

Hurt. An

and wood

■y month.

veal, are

cheaper

MUk,

gallon;

is sold at

T than in

Si. to a«>4t«l.r««#%^ 8».>4iti. td ifiSA; flbttr, S7«. ib
dU 9A per bMrral'of 196 txHimk; ^d«il; itLptahti^A Me-
ehoMui^ bbnd, ]A». 9ii to 18». fwf wc«k.

Jrii^>-^1?ii)ora tarn from iU Qd: t^ 4lS«. p^i" Week, hte
now well employed ; eArpentev^ Sid- 6d. to ^ 4^. 6i:/., dull ;
briker, tlfli 0(/^lo 40«^ 6d.^id(iU; mason, 8«i. to! 45^. brbk;
8h<W4hkkeri 3l«. 0(/.<t0'66ir>, briski blacksAithi 8U:6(/» to
36t., duU; tinman^ ftam'Sfo. to 46*., duH'; ^rtnt«r^ ftiM
91^. t* ^J, doU; wejwer, no employment ; glas6-blo4^^i',
^1«. 6i/. to 4^;, dull ;f glMis-outter, 31#. 6d'to O"^. 6*1, dull;
hatter, 8>V;6tf. to 40jr.y brisk; brewer, 36ff., dull; nail-cuet^r,
3U 6rf. to36*., briiki >'' 1'"- •

Theipriltte at Ciiidi»imlti in tfaiK ^te are'as foQdwV:-]^eef
flndmwitOfrilr^frotliM todjrf. perpouod; vea)',4ii/.; p^,
^(^. to 4$//i i potato^ 23. 9d.. a bushel ; ft)ur, jrr«. ki barrel
of 196 poundi;' tfafwU^ litdi each ; geese; tSv. Sd. eaish ; ttir^
keys, Ss.^Hi to 4m6it\.i moist sugary 1^^. a.poiAid; loaf
dittos Wft. i porter, 97«i^ to 31#. 6<^. per biilnel of 3!^ gbllobsj
^<i.ple^^iMr«; ddei-, U* 3r/. per barnel; ^, 5«. 7i(f. per
galbki ; whi^kf^^ ^ Sd.'i brahdy, 1S«. 6(/. to 18». ; fiun, lU.
Sd.\ shoe*, 13#. 6//. to 15«. 9</. f>er pair; tVellington booti,
36f. to 40lt 6<li Hessian ditto, 49«. 6d. to 64«.; superfine
blud dbth^ 91 "^.-^ to 3^.7«.6</. per yard ; . mi^kihig *
opat, !ii7«.'t hits^ <]^ AintAcaii tninnuikbtilre, 31|. 6(/; to 45?. ;
rent of two small rooms, 18/. per annum i ditto 6f II ctmhli
house in a third or fourthrrf te^situatuHiy from 33/. IB9. to 67/.
10.9. The general average o^ houses, in good business situa-
tions, is f¥Ma 901. to IStllds. pier anhuril: taxes tif/Uiig.
Wdmeh! ^MtM iite p\d SKU^. 8t/. to SQs. M pet month;
meii dittoj 63^. to tits. Wid^tiiAbi' board and lodging pei
week, 13^. 6itf; ; rti^table ditto, IBs. to S^. dd.; ditto at
the btet iiins^ ils.Sd. Thes6 charged are enormously dis>
proportionate ^fh^ rate of provisiokii; although larg6 rents,
dear clothing, liid high price of hbour, are items of no smsSi
importance ih thii hiotel and bddfdiii^lhouse keepeni* calculn-
tunsi «Ad for w^eh ^owaMcei^ should fidrly be made. This

3 0.

.<*

VISW OF TTHB

wages of mechfUMos, in all trad«t 8(ut«d to tl^ piieqent oMuiie.
tion of the o^uMtry. y^ry fj^om 36»^^i#<5*k>p*r wekwj i TaUoh^.
shoe-makers, carpenters, Uackamij^s, masoiii, . and sadcUifM^
are good trades, (|nd at present are «n full eiqiloyi. these laay
be denominated ^rst^ate ; tinmen,, bakers, and , batters, se*
cond-rate; printer^, third-rate; for the weaver there i« > no
employment. A watch-maker, as such, could not> obtain a
subsistepqe,. watcjies not being maoufactured; in America;
such a. mechanic possibly could get ^ living by. mending
washes, and attending to every departm«dit of Mlversmiths''
work. It.is (hpugbt there is ^n opening for a dyer, there
being but one in the town, — an old womaa>:(}>.t.M:«ri }T«k -M'.

Shopkeepers here compllun most bitterly of the state of
trade. A large body of mechanics recently left here ;£9r want
of employment ;-rthe wages giveo to those who remain are
the same as at New York: their board Jut three dollars per
week. ^ Rent of a house and shop in a good situation is from
500 to 700 dollars per. annum, and the taxes about SO dollars.
There are many small wood houses, ivhi^h are fromt' 5Q to 150
dollars per annum,, accordipg to si;!e andsituatioHi; Beef,
mutton, and veal, are 5d. to 6|e/. per pound; foiyls, Sd. to
9^{/. each; ducks, 13(/. to 16(/.; geese, %s. 3</>; butter, 14k/.
9 pound; potatoes, 20^. a bushel; flour, 45«. a barrel; fish,
4id.tp Id. a po|]n<l; rum. and gin, 4«. Qd. per gallon ; brandy
and hollands, 9s. 6J..

'' WeHiern Cinmtry.

\, Throughout the whole western country, mechanics are well
paid fbr their labour. Carpenters have one dollar per day
and their board; if they board themselves, one dollar and a
quarter. Other trades have, in proportion. Labourers are
paid one dollar per day. Living is cheap. Flour is 5 dollars
per barrel; beef, 4 cents or 2d. per lb. ; fowls, 1S| cents each.
Hou^e-rent for mechanics is about Of) dollars per annum.
Wood, one dollar and a quarter per cprd, laid down. Me>
cjianics' bbard, two or three dollars p^ week. ^Thus^it ap^,

UNITED STATES.

475

$nay

», ae-
w no
tain a
lericli;
ending
uniths'
, there

itate of
or want
min are
Ursper
is from
I dollars.
H to 150
Beef,
8(/. to
sr, 14«/.
si; fish,
br^y.

litre well

sr day

and a

Irers are

dolUrs

Its each.

annuQi'

Me.

ks it ap-

f)earii that an ihdustribuii* healthy, «oher man^ hiay save twd
days* wages «Bch week, or toniB-thihi of his income. There are
indeed few io prcmdefit ; Hut those wh6 iian resist (he tehipta-
tions to drinlt','iiM^ live well and sav^ Monejr.

We could (Mtend this article to a great l^gtli: but too
many partieularsf would' only t^d to perplex the anjcious en-
quirer; and' the preceding will afR!>rd a good criterion for
judging of the' enoouragenkent offered to the labouring classes
in the Stat^, which have been very propetly and emphatically
termed j * The poor' MatlV Country.'' Mudi ' of the foregoing
information is derived from a gentleman who devoted his at-
tention to the subjeiet, tand whose corrcctnedis in matters of fapt
has never been disputed. We cannot, however, close without
quoting the prices as given by Mr. Cobbett, whose informa-
tion on thiii, as w^ll as on every other subject, will be differ-
endy estimated by diffbrenf people. ' "'" ^ ' ,

* Every man may see what this country ii.' 'Otftil'^f 'mould
suppose these facts w^re enough : The common day wages for a
common labourer is k dollar. Beef \s Sd. (English money) a
pound ; mutton, Z^d. ; lamb, 4id. ; veal, 4id. ; Hog-meat, 5d. ;
flour (the b^t), fl^d. ; Spirits, about 2i. a gallon ; su^ar, half
the English price; tea, soap, candles, the same; tobacco and
salt, about an eighth pdf^t of the Engli(ih price ; ' shoe«i, cheaper
than in England by orie-third ; linen and woollen, the same
price as in England; all Indiii ^bods, Ao^thc English price;
malt, Ao^the price;' hbps, a third pari of the pr^ of hops in
England; sweet oil, a tJtird part; claret v^he^ im-f>ence
(English money) a quart, while in England it is ax or eight
shillings ! cheese, butter, eggs, all for two-thirds, at most, of
the English price! Journeymen tradesmen earn, on an ave-
rage, dlx)ut a dollar and three-quarters a dby ; or nine ahil'
lin^Si English money. It is then impossible that any, but the
sick, lame,- or' lazy, should be unfortunate.

The Shamrock Society of New Yoi-k, in their Hints to
Emigrants, say, * Industrious men need never lack employ,
ment ih America. Labourers, carpenters, masons, bricklayers,
stonecutters, blacksmiths, turners, weavers, farmers, curriers,
tailors, and shoe-makei^, and the useful mechanics generally,

49^

VIEW 0¥ fPHM

^e ftlway* sure of work and fri|pi« ^StqavQutMirp pmiinmv,
in thif oity, (New York,) U^ dp)ifMn • idby, nqpiU to- nine
shniingB Merling; cwpentera, one doUiur and «i^btyHi<rven UmI
a half cents; bricklnyers, two 4v4Uni laboMrftfi, , Irom oqe
foliar to one.iind a quarter; ocherf in pinpovtion. At this
time, (July, 1616,) house.carpent^rs, l^ticklayars, niasofis, and
stonecutters, fir paid three dollars per d^y in Pet^rsburgb,
Virginia. T)m town was totally oonsuoMd by fire 'about a
year since, but it is npw rising from its ashes in mora elegance
than ever. Mepbanips will fin4 <VQpl9 employment there for
perhaps two. years to cpme.' t^^H i>t i«»«'ii

It is customary in America for mechanics to woHi from sun-
rise to sup-^t This time appears oppressively lofig |o an
£qglijf|)p)fm, and it is cfrt^Iy an. impolitic ^rrangenient, the
neoessity for which no longer exists. Bi^t then in the northern
states mechanics, in general, take too mifch i^laxation in win.
ter, during Yhich tl^e ipuney accumulfited in a toilsome sum-
pier is too of^pil squandered ^way. In the southern states,
thp heat of the climate renders frequent mterv^js of rest abso-
lutely necessary.

The Apuericans are peculiarly han^y* They know and can
do a little c^ every tiling. In this case, they have .g^ atly the
advantqgf of an English labourer, who has to learn a great
deal before be cs^ expert the smne wf(g^ tb^t axe paid to a
nt^tiye. }o. the doKtpvous u&e of the ^ade we certainly sur-
pass tb^; ^^t then the spade is very ^ttle USisd in the States,
the plough b^g intnqduced wherever it is possible^ : f< • -(
, Pt:ke qfLtf.nd. — The price of Md is various, aopPfding to
situation 4iid quality. The United 3t*tes lands, as before
stated, ar? % dollars per acr^ on credit, or 1 dollar 64i cents
cash ; bqt purchases can oApn be madp of individuals on bet-
ter terms, particularly from those who hold very large tracts.
The land tax on a large tract is heavy, and after paying it a
fiBLW years, without getting any return, the holders, particularly
non-rftsidents, ^re glad to sell out at any price. This circum-
stance, cooBccted with tbftt of the United States holding such
^rge. tr^ct9 pf laod at ^ law price, will always operate against
laa4 speculations c^t a If^gf; scale . Th^ only mode in which (^

UNI17ED STATBS.

land trade can be pro6t«ble is to pvrch«M » tmct for 0Mh»
tubdivide it into farmv of diffennt tiaes (o aooommodat^ dif-
fMent Mttlert, aid ittipoie of them at fair pri^ea aa soon aa
possible. In this way the land trade ia ihir and honourable,
being exactly sinilar to that of buying any other oonimofUtgr
by wholesale, and aelling it by retail { the public are aooopa-
luodated* and the land^ealer has his certain reward. In any
other way speculationa in land are haaardous. Good landa
rise in value certainly: but such as speculate in them on t
large scale, with a view of matcing money, will in all probabi-
lity be disappointed ; for the accumulation of interest, and the
operation o€ the land-tax, will be found, generally, to amount
to more than the rise on the lands.

«^J*«*

New York.

In Long Ishii^d and ^e vipinity of New York, land is rising
rapidly in value. Land is worth fron? 8^. 7^. 6d. to 0^. per
acre. Farmers do not*9Ucceed very well, from the indifference
of soil, high pvffi of labour, and general want of capital. The
breed of hordes is good, but not large : one fit for a wa^^n i^
worth flSa. lOtf. ; a saddle or drawing horse, d5/. ; gig horse,
33/. I5a. to 56/. 5«.; carriage ditto, 9Q/ to 190/.; fine riding
4itto, 901. to ISO/. Cows are worth— lean, 9/.; fat, 11/. 59.
\Q 13/. 10«. Pigs are sold, per pound, alive ; the present
price is 7d. ; ^heep, 99, They are very sunall : an entire car-
case is not vouch larger (ban a Leicestershire leg pf mutton.
A sheep, when fattened for raarVet, is 13^. Qd. A good farm
cart ie wor^ % to 9/. ; a ditto waggon, 92/. to 93/. ; a farmer^s
man-servant, 94*/- to 30/. per year ; a ditto woman, 19/. to 16/.
Early wh^at is cut in the middle of July. The wheat and
rye harvest is ooinpleted by the end of August ; buck-wheat^
in October; Indian com, ditto; oats, middle of August;
grass, from 1st to the end of July. The seed for winter, rye
and wheat, is sown from end of Augyst to end of September.

Pennsylvania.

There are good fiMWS within 90 miles of Philadelphia, which
^ be purchased at {rom 80 to 100 doUars per acre, buildings

4V8

VIEW OP THE

included. Limestone land Mrill lell for SOO ddlaro. In •
farm of AOO «ere», the proportion may be «»timated at 90 acres
of pbughingf fiO of mcadoir^ 10 of orehard, and 00 of wood
land. The /bMrr, near the city, ia worth 8 to 400 dollar* per
•ere. A farm of tlie above description is worth, if within five
miles of the capital, 80,000 dollars; at from XO to 40 miles*
distance, 10,000 dollars. Uncleared lands, in remote pirts of
the state, vary in price from half a dollar to SO dollars per
■•ore. •^•'^ ="■''

The Pennsylvanion horse is a medium between our saddle
end heavy cart horses, and is well suited for most purposes.
They are worth from 60 to 150 dollars (11/. ^.Bd.tnSSl. It.
6(2.). A farm waggon will cost 100 to ISO dollare (SS/. 10«.
to Vtl) ; a family ditto, 70 to 00 duliarH ; ditto with springs,
150 dollars ; neat gig, 800 ; best ditto, 450 ; a farm cart, 50
dollars. The annual expence of keepng a family waggun
and horse is about 50 ^ollars.

Well-improved land will produce, on an average, S5 bushels
of wheat per acre (a farmer within eight miles of the city has
raised 40) ; ditto of Indian corn, S5 to 50. Wheat is sold at
fhom IflO to SaO cents (7». M. to 9«. l\d.) per bushel; Indian
eom, 80 to 100 cents (8«. td. to 4«. fid.) ; oats, 40 to 55 cents
(1«. 9(/. to Its. H^d.) : they are lighter than the English.
Meadows are usualty ploughed in rotation, and planted with
Indian com. Orchards are also put under the plough, grain
not being considered as injurious to the fruit. A good milcb
eow, four years old, is worth 5/. 13«. 6d. Sheep are much
sroaHer than ours. Half-blood Merino are Ws. Sd. ; threes
quarters blood, 13«. 6d. ; full ditto, 829. 6d. ; rams are 4/. 10«.
tb 111. 8«. 6d. ; pigs (bur weeks old are 28. Sd.; a sow and
ditto, 1/. lU. 6d. to £/. 14.?. ; a hog of 100 pounds, 1/. Ms. H
to 8f. 5«. ; a yoke of oxen, 15/. 15«. to 88/. lOs.

.i^ J*ittstmrg,

Land in the neighbourhood of Pittsburg is worth 100 dol-
lars per acre. At a distance of from five to twenty miles,
tracts of from 100 to 500 acres, contuning meadow, pasturage,
arable, and part covered with wood, have been recently sold

UNITED STATES.

at Trom 90 to 00 dolltrs per aihw. Whett bring* « dollar ft
bushel ; Indian com, 7A cento a bushel. A four year old
cart-horse is worth from 90 to 80 dollars ; a gig ditto, 50 t*
100; a saddle ditto, 90 to 150; a farmer's waggon^ 100 dvl^
lNrs;*a family ditto, from 50 U^ 70; cart, 50. Sheep an
from one to three dollars ; Ihrn hogs from 2^d. to 4|dl' •
pound; a good roasting pig, 4«. Gd. Wool is but Utthe in
demand since the termination of the war. Clean Merino is
worth here Ss. Sd. to 6s. dd, per pound ; fleece, 9«. 5d. ; half-
bred, Us. 3d. ; qtiartur. Hid. A brick house, two stories high,
containing ten rooms, may be built, with good manigtaMBl^
in tlie country fbr 4000 dollars (900/.), as the bricks can te
made upon the land, and the * help' boarded in the house. In
towns, a umilar building will cr^t 6000 dollars (1850/.) exelu;
live of the ground, which, in particular situations, as of aA
towns that promise well, iit dearer than the most choice spot in
the city of London ! , . >

The price of lands in this state depends on a variety of cir«
cunistances, such as the convenience of shipping produce, th^
contiguity of the same to some populous town, the quality of
the land, its water privileges, and tlie permanency of such
streams. A general estimadon may be made as follows :<-*-*
Those within 5 miles of its capital are from 9U to 40 dol-
lars per acre; 5 to 10 miles, 10 to 2U dolUurs; 10 to 15
miles, from 5 to 15 dollars. This statement supposes no
improvements to have been made on the land. Such laqd
is computed to produce from 50 to 75 bushels of Indian corn
per acre, and very frequently 100 bushels when well tilled.
As wheat requires land not so rich, its produce is less, Imng
from 20 to 80 bushels per acre ; 30 to 40 of oats ; 20 to 30 of
rye; 1000 to 1500 pounds of tobacco, and about the same
quantity; of hemp, may be taken as fair averages, although
frequently a much greater quantity is produced. * The price
of good field negroes is now about 800 dollars. The annual
expence of such hands may be estimated at from 75 to 100
dollars; ditto ibr clothing, at from 19 to 15 more; — say toge^

vmw OP Tttfi

thiMT 87 to Itti, or an avc^t^e* of 100 ddHart per milium.
I'heir pf dviiuonib di^er bt^t > little from hired itrhite servants.*
Ih Ifenei^, ^mers commatid a r^y ca8h sAe for their proi
dute.' The old custom of cartyln^' k tO the New Orleaiift
flfUfirket h nearly superseded by the «riftatiOn of a new order Of
fraAesfneri, who are A medium between the western farmer and
tbe^rl^atliiimerchant.

.■>;

- ■ i l._

OJm

, Id the ttate of Ohio, the United States' lands sell at twd
, dollars per acre. * Taxes on wild land/ says Fearon, ^are, on
fii^t-nte ^ dollars per hundred a^res; 1^ doUar on secondi
ntte ; one dollar on third>rate. There is also a eounty-ta'x of
half the above ambunti^, as the ciise may be. Thete taxes of
d»i9d. to lSs:6d4 on an hundred acres are oertAinly very
fmall, at least with our English ideas of taxatioik ahd of pro-
duce; yet you would i be astonished to witness the numerous
lots of land which are sold at auction in all the states on ac-
cd'^tit of non-payment of taxes. I have seen lists in the news-
pAjterit, and at the taverns, which could fi6t contain less in
^ach thaMi four hundred names of defiiulters, who^e property
^s to be transferred to the highest bidder.'

Wdl-prepared land in this state produces^ per acre, 50
bushels 0^ i^eitt; 50 to 75 of Indian cOm; 50 to 75 of rye.
Horses at^ worth from 4!0 16 100 doUat's (9/. to %%l. 10».)
Cowk, (four years old,) l2 to 20 dolUirs {5is. to 90*.) The
yearly wages of a labouring man is froni 58?. 10*. to 65/. ; ot
kimxtimyQU. 10*.

Illinois.

t^rivate sales at the land-office are here^ as in all 6ther parts
of the Union, fixed at 2 doUafs, or 1 dollar 64 cents for
prompt pa3rment. The public sales by auction hate not, for
the most choice tracts, exceeded six dollars per acre : the old
French rottlements are from 1 to 50 doUark per acre. The
land-tax is levied on the same principle as desoibed m Ohio.
The military botiilty lands in this state amount to 3,500,000
fleres. They are appropriated to the soldiers who were em-

UNITED STATES.

gaged in the late war, and are frequently sold by them in the,
eastern states, for a quarter and a half dollar per acre. In*
dian corn (maize) is the leading article of prodr ^e. There,
are some ficflds of 500 acres, cultivated in common by the peo-
ple of a whole settlement. Wheat is abundant, except where
the soil is too rich; Flax, hemp, oats, potatoes, and cotton
are, also productive, ^ving very considerable crops. The
French have made excellent wine from a wild grape, which
grows here luxuriantly. Indian corn produces, with moderate,
care, and in a favourable soil, 50 to 70 bushels per acre;
wheat, aO to 30; barley, 20 to SO; oats, 30 to 50; tobacco,/
10 to 13 hundred. Indian com sells from 13d. to 16^d. pei^
bushel ; wheat, 9«« 4|<i ; oats, IQ^d. ; tobacco, SOs. 3d. per
hundred. The price of horses is from 13/. \0s. to 18/. ; cows,
4/. to 51. ; a good sow, S/. 14^. ; beef is isold at 2^. 6d. per
hundred ; pork, IBs. 9d. to 18.v. Labourers are paid 2s. 3d,
per day, and board. Clothing and groceries are extremely
dear. Indian corn is gathered in November. Wheat is cut
in June, and housed in July. Pork for exportation is killed
ia December. Freight from Shawnee town to Louisville (dis-
tance 307 miles) is 5s. per cwt. ; Jrom Louisville, Is. 8d. ;
from Shawnee to New Orleans, (distance 1130 miles,) 4is.6d.i
from New Orleans, 20s. 3d. ; Shawnee to Pittsburg, (distance
1013 miles,) IBs. 9d. ; Jrom Pittsburg, 4«. 6d. This vast
disproportion in charge of freight is produced by the difference
in time, in navigating up and doz&n the streams of the Ohio
and Missisuppi. A log cabin of two rooms can be raised for
11/. 5s. to 16/. ; a frame house, 10 to 14 feet square, for 130/.
to 150/. ; a log kitchen, 7/. to 8/. ; a log stable, 7/. to 9/. ; a
barn, 18/. to 22/. ; fencing, 13d. per rood i ditching, in prairie
land, I6d. to 2s. per rood.

New England,

Arable land, in the immediate neighbourhood of Boston, is
worth from 50 to 100 dollars per acre (11/. 2s. 6d. to 221. 5s.),
farm-house and buildings included. The same quantity of
land, at from 8 to 30 miles from Boston, brings from 20 to 30
dollars ; — meadow and pasturage, from 10 to 30 dollars ; or<-
21 8 P

V!£W OF tttE

chard ditto, 50 to 100 dollars pet acre. Wood land, n^r
towns, is, of course, more valuable than any other, its wrorth
also increasing yearly. ModerAte-sized farms usually contdin
all the different kinds of land, in, of course, varied propor.
(ions. Plaister of Paris is used for manure. There are some
rich farmers in the New England states, but generally it is not
tXi occupation by which more than a living can ht obtained.

Gentlemen-farmers do not make more than from two to
three per c^nt. of their capital. ■ The more wealthy farmers,
from 20 to 40 miles from Boston^ own large pastures, at the
distance of from 30 to 60 miles from th^ir residence; and in
the mountainous parts of New Hampshire and Verttlbnt, cattle
and sheep are fattened for the Boston market.

V. THE EIGHTS AND DUTIES OF A PEUMANENT SETTLEIt.

A person who landft in America with the intention of set-
tling, ought, as soon as possible, to acquire a correct notion of
the laws and duties required of him by the society which he
has adopted. This subject is explained with considerable
clearness by the committee of the Shamrock Society, and
which we will therefore present to our readers.

* Before any other step towards forming a settlement, the
stranger should take the proper measures for acquiring citizen-
ship ; and the advantages of this are important and obvious,
independent of its conferrmg political privileges. Without it
you will remain exempted, indeed, by mild laws, from wrong;
but destitute of some valuable positive rights. The alien, in
most of the states, is not entitled to hold any latids, can ob-
tain no office under the state, nor participate in the shipping
interest of the country.

* It is fit the emigrant should be distinctly apprised (for it
will conciliate his attachment and gratitude to the country of
his adoption) that no where in the world is a well-conducted
foreigner received into the bosom of the state with equal libe-
rality and readiness as in America. When, on the 4th of
July, 1776, the congress unanimously adopted a Declaration
of Independence, and delivered their country from the dumir

UNITED STATES.

489

ETTLEIi.

nion of the king of England, this was one of the ponapliunts
alleged against him : " He has endeavoured to prevent the
population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the
laws for naturalization of foreigners."" The same liberal feel-
ing has prevailed in the government of the United States, froni
that memorable day to this, with one exception, during the
administration of president Adams. The stranger, however,
is certainly exposed to incidents which may lead him to dbubt
the truth of this assertion. He may light upon an ignorant,
a prejudiced, or illiberal wretch, who will manifest an ill will
towards him* because he is a foreigner, and perhtips revive
British and royalists' tauntS:jn a new form: but these, the
scum of a country, are totally insignificant wheit compared
with the'mass of the people. The best men in America have
always been ready to welcome the valuable emigrant, the
stranger of moral and industrious habits. An author, eminent
^ a statesman, a scholar, and philosopher, speaking in his
Discourse to the Philosophical Society of New York, of the
advantages which Cicero boasted that Home had derived from
Athens, adds —

** We are perhaps more favoured in another point of view.
Attica was peopled from Egypt ; but we can boast of our de-
scent from a superior stock — I speak not of families or dynas-
ties ; 1 refer to our origin from those nations where civilizatioo,
knowledge, and refinement, have erected their .empire, and
where human nature has attained its gt«atest perfectipn. An-
nihilate Holland, Qreat Britain, Ireland^ France, and Ger-
many, and what would become of civilized man? This
country, young as it is, would be the great Atlas remaining to
support the dignity of the world. And, perhaps, our mingled
descent frpm various nations may have a benign influence
upon genius. We perceive the improving effects of an analo-
gous state upon vegetables and inferior animals. The extra-
ordinary character which the United States have produced
may be, in some measure, ascribed to the mixed blood of so
many nations flowing in our veins : and it may be.confidently
»aid, the operation of causes, acting with irresistible effect, will
carry, in this country, all the improvable faculties of human

484

VIEW OF THE

nature to the highest state of perfection.^ (See Clinton's In-
troductory Discourse.)

* You will, however, observe, that the privilege of citizen-
ship is not granted without proper precautions; to secure
that) while the worthy are admitted, the unworthy should, if
practicable, be rejected. You will from hence deduce the
importance of g<xxi moral habits, even to the acquisition of
political rights.

* The steps to be taken by a foreigner preparatory to, and
for the purpose of his being naturalized, are these: —

* 1st. He must, at least five years before he can be admit,
ted a citiiten of the United States, report himself at the office
of one of the courts of record, within the state or territory
where he may be; and in that report set forth his name,
birth-place, age, nation, and prior allegiance, together with
the country which he has left to come into the United States,
and the place of hi$ -intended settlement In general, forms
of this report will be furnished by the clerk of the court, who
will also give a certificate under the seal of the court, that the
report has been made and filed. This certificate must be
carefully kept, for the purpose of being produced at the time
of application for admission to citizenship.

* This step of reporting one'*s arrival is indispensable, and
ought to be taken as soon as possible, because the five years of
probation begin to l)e counted only from the date of the report ;
and tlie time which a foreigner may have previously spent in
the country cannot be rendered of any service towards his na-
turalization.

^^. At least three years l)efore the alien can be natu-
ralized, he must appear before some one of the amrts of re-
cord, within the state or territory where he ihay be, and there
declare, on oath, that it is in good faith his intention to become
a citizen of the United States ; to renounce, for ever, all alle-
giance and fidelity to any sovereign ipitmce, potentate, state,
or sovereignty whatever; and particularly, by name, to the
prince, potentate, state, or sovereign, whereof he may, at the
time) be a citizen or subject. This oath, or affirmation, which
must have been made at least three years before the admission

UNITED STATES.

or citizenship, may be m^A

"port of amvd. Ind^ i,"' ""^ "P'^nient lime .(W ft,

%, so as to save troubfc '.„V """"""^ made on the ame

<•".»» negligence or S^^r f' '"T'"'""' ^"'»
-nil be presently pointed n..,.! °"°*" «««»n tliat

a"d the better. Ye ofeJk "f '.^ " *""" " " ^' *» ^T
•hat .his oath or affi™.at If r^" f «> S^'es a „r«i„^
tho former, ™„„ be carlf"llv L^^-'i "^'' "'"'*' «ke
Fofuo"! at the .in,e of alltTl f' *t.P"'T»* of being

'*<• At this pericrf ^ff '« r »»'"™'''»'io«. •

"■ose certificate, 1« fete'SntTh"" '"^L'"^"""8 >»"■
»me of the same courts, XtirT' °'' »«'*««ion, before
of the United Stater^nl 1« .7" '"P^ '"^ '^^"'^
cannot be done by .he affidavTof «™ """f^ "" ""■« f««ch
-".Uy done by ,i affidavit of^'''PP'''=="' '•™»"; •"d »
know and can testify u, thelLwhrr?'"' '''"^™»' "'■o
the United State, five y^„ ", L, '^ ^^ '^^ "'*!»
•cn-'tory where he applfrro L T'- "".^ "'*'» *» ««•« or
"■■" that during such'^te he ha.t^"l" '^" ™- J"',
moral cha^cter, attached to ,L • • ?"' " ' ""»' "^ good
of *e United States. „1 ^e fct,f "lr»"""^
happiness of the same. The ciT 1, V ^""^ ""•«■• »nd

wftich should be carefully keot ,nA j "'* «"■«;

•henever it may be requi^te '^ ' r««dy to be p,«,uced

«<<lTs^:nt1lis;'^;-««'aed.hewt,<tf»hi,

q"isites; for tbe children rf" ''""'' "'"' '*"'°™ *«» re.
«*r.ge, and dwelK„7in ,h, UnTd"^ '""'™"'«'> "^'-S
'heir parents- naturalizai". 2oZ •'" " *' ""■" ^
f-rther, if ,„y .„,„ „^„ 2n tl^Tr""™' ^■«' ««'
™J made oa-h or affirmatil 2i * '^ '*P°"'^ h™»lf.
(*h. as we have ^^Z n^T K^ "^ ■■" '"''-tion,.'
*'«.Vears,) should unfo"ul^^^^'"f °™ '«'™«io„ by
""'nrali^d, his widow Jd hSdre^ ** ^'^^ ''^ "« "ctudly
^-^I as citizens of .he Unit^Tr''' '.'?« ''"'■ "^ ""-
'«h.. .nd privileges as such, ul S.'ihe .u"'"' "■ «"

pon lasmg the oa.hs prescribed

VIEW Of THE

by law. T|iis provision) therefor?, furnishes a. very strqng,
inducemvnt for losing no time in taking the oath declaratory
of the party ^8 intenUon.

* I9 th? interval between the emigrant's choosing a place of
^bode, fpd completing the five years of probationary residence,
whi^ must elapse before he can become a citizen of the United
States, he will do well to familiarise himself with the state o^
parties, and acquire a correct knowledge of our constitutions
of civil goveirnment He will bpcome a respectable and capor
ble citizen in proportion to his information s^d virtue. XAhe-
r^lity and juHk» are the leading principles of pur government,
^j^ijch, as it secures liberty and property, and neither make6
nor suffers reli^ous distinctions, better deserves the fidelity
pf gppd men than the tyrannical governments of Europe.
Pur's OMuntains the rights of the pesople ; their's, the absolute
power of princes.

*No enfi^f^n^ ought to stay more than one week in the
country, without; endeavouring to procure the ooQstituuon of
the United States, and, at least, that of the state in which he
means to reside. The Federal Gonstituticm, and those of the
several states, are printed and bound together in a neat pocket
volume, ^.(h the Declaration of Independence, and form a
Political Bible, well deserving the study of every reflecting
repHblioMO.

* The greater part of our state constitutions were formed
9pon afVer the D^^ration of Independence was proclaimed by
congress. By them, are regulated, the internal local relations
pf citizens in ^c|i state ; they constiitute the 9iain guards of
pur £i:eedom. The general government (whose constitution
was formed by del^ates from twelve states, assembled in con-
vention, at Philadelphia, in 1787) has the sple direction of our
foxeii^n affairs, and the mutual -relations of the states. The
gover^upei^t of the United States is administered by a presi>
dent and vice-president, elected ^r four y^rs ; by a seriate of
twp meqabei's, .fi'om each state, elected for six years; by 9
house of' representatives, chosen for twp years by the people;
ttfkd by judges, &c. appointed a^ording to law. The senators

are elect

deemed

and here

*In ee

tive brar

according

w, byvir

the same.

*Whet

fore the p

or reject i

mon ardo

madie on

of governn

ers nor nail

* During

of some of

ists. But

was in all i

terms, ther

Yet a polii

merely oca

called Fed*

origin of th«

cans or De

popular gov

to speak mo

have a leahii

*Wed(igI

and it will I

P^rty or ttie

«hle, and its

'When th

authorising tl

aliens out of

tervention of

^en Act.

*'ilhout a pre

UNlfifcO StAtES.

jttqng,
vaXoxy

\W0 of
idence.
United
state o^
itutiona
d cap«r
Jjibe-
•rqinent,
^r makes
J fidelity
Europe.

Bk in tl»e
tjtution oi
[ vfbich he
of the
pat pocket
|id form a
reflecting

are elected by the states^ and this feature of the constitutiolh is
deemed federal ; the representatives are elected by the peojple,
and here the constitution is more particularly national.'

* In each of these states there is a goverhor and two Icj^Ut*
tive branches chosen by the people, or their riepjresentatives,
according to each constitution. The governor in each state
is, by virtue of his office, commander-in-chief of tlie militia of
the same.

* Wheh the federal constitution was formed, it was laicl be-
fore the people, who, in each state, chose a convention to adopt
or x'eject it. It Was debated in every convention with uncom-
mon ardour, and finally adopted in 1788. The speeches
madie on those occasions sh^d streams of light on the science
of government, and its just division of power : ndther foreign-
ers nor ntftives can read them too carefully.

* During the discussion of the federal constitution, advocates
of some of its most federative provisions were callled Federal-
ists. But wheit it i^as adopted it became the law to all, and
was in all its parts sincerely agreed to by all ; those oppoidti^
terms, therefoire, ceased tio be properly applicable any longei^.
Yet a political party seized hold of the epithet, which was
merely occasional, and have made it perpetual. They are
called Federalists to this day, without any reference to the
ori|^n of the term ; the opposite party are known as Republi-
eans or Democrats, terms significant of their attachmeht to
popular gov^meilt. The federal party, oti the contrary, or, ■
to speak mord correctty-, mahy of their leaders, are thought to
have a leaning towards aristocrdcy.

* We diight never to be the slaves or dupes of mere names ;
and it will become the duty of a good citizen to act with one
pkrty or tllie other, as far as he thinks its means more honour-
able, and its obji^s i^bre just

* When the federal party were in power, a law was passed
authorising the president of the United States to send iViendly
aliens out of the country, ott mere suspiciorij without the in-
tervention of judge oi jury ! This is remembered as the
Alien Act. Moreover, citizeni^hip could not be then acquired
Without a previous residence of fourteen years.

46S

VIEW OF TUt

.;,tOn the 4th of March, 1801, a democraUc administitttion
came into power ; president Jefferson having been chosen in*
stead of Mr. Adams. The acts of the government soon n^
nifested a more liberal spirit. The following passage from
Mr. Jeffer8on''s message to congress, December 8, 1801, had
its influence on, or harmonised with, the general opinion as to
the impolicy (to say the least) of the inhospitable act^ which
we have just mentioned : —

** I cannot omit recommencing a revival of the laws on the
subject of naturalization. Considering the ordinary chances
of human life, a depial of citizenship under a residence of
fourteen years is a denial to a great proportion of those who
ask it, and controls a policy pursued from their first settlement
by many of the states, and still believ()d of consequence to their
pfosperity, &c. Sec. Shall oppressed humanity find no asylum
oq this globe? The c9nstitution, indeed, has wisely provided
,^u^, for admission to certain offices of important trust, a resi-
^ depce shall bo required sufficient to develope cliara^ter and

deagn. But might not the general character and capabilities
of a citizen be safely communicated to every one manifesting
a bona^fide purpose of en^barking his life and fortunes perma-
nently with usi^

.* Let U9 not be su9pect^ of indulging in narrow prejudices,
of inflaming party feeling, or saying that one Sjet of politicianis
are. exclusively the friends of aliens, another entirely hostile;
w« hdve given you spe<amens of the policy of each. The sen-'
timents of Mr> Jefleraon, jj^st cited, reflect great credit on his
head and heart. So far, however, from inviting aliens to
plimge into polities, we dis^ufide them from it i it is their duty
to.be modest observers of parues and principles; it is their
part tp fprm opinions, but not to medd^i^; to see, but not to
touch; to look on, but not to ji^i^feve ; un^ having been
five years spectators of the busy and important movements of
a nation of freemen, they may become actors in their turOi
uqder the solemn obligi^tion which, citizenship imposes. . ,

\* The spMrce of- every blessing, ^and itself the most valuable
of allv'^jMch 4meriva;offqrft tp.;thf ?migr§nt, is a. degree of
civil and political liberty more,an^>Ie, and better secured, uji

this repul^lio

penacutioQc.

vhi(^ dti>P9

>horM,th0aai

ii«Utoourg)

tynniky therty

ofiibwrlyj «j

sued, fbm« th

*Theprinoij

of gov«miiimit

every d«partB(M

mine (he ^ri

We the efl^ect

individuals, wh

^ndegweefe

servility nd an

those prineipkt,

more oivUised, i

"w^ve, M per«

are also usually i

vnhutmn af fami

' toaocuimilateiii

, ^ggvry- As (h(

I ti>e ampUtude <»f

"•npMtmentt, ci

I Every man's mb

state is heW WW
dengates, but th
I vhere enlarged.

•Nothing is m<
M»een thegenga
plut is alleged «f
vhiistunderthftj
Vork city alone m
I Md Irish, and thi
W; be as many. '

I have an equal nM
Uignuits fnm th

UNITED 9TATJSB.

laluable
tgree of
Ired, 5^

this republic than any whore iq the whole world hm^ TH
peraocutioas pf kinga and priaata* and tba denial of righta»
whiah dttf^ a freedona-loving race from Europe to tbcat
ahorea* Iha samn continue to operate to the preaent Hay. Thia
is aU to our gain { for they who esci^ from the dungeons of
tyrnony there, wiU here be aealous to support the noble edifice
of UbiVtyi while t^ private welftre of each man, furly pur-
sued, forms the benefit of idl, and constitutes the pubhc good.
* Tlie principles of liberty which are embodied in our frame
of government and in our laws, branch out likewise through
every department of aooiety, mould our manners, and deter-
guine the i^raeteT even of our domeatio relatitHM. They
have the effect of producing, generally, in the deportment of
individuals, who know n«ther superiors nor infi^ors, a cer-
tuD de^rea of ease and dignity, that is equally removed/ Aom
servility and arrogaAoe. It is one of the practical results of
those prinaipka, that the poorer classes in this community ar#
more dviliaed, miNre polite and friendly, though not so sub-
misaive, Ha persons of the same fortunea in Europe. They
are also usually followed by impartial justice in the equal difr>
trihu^Mk of family prc^perty. Hence opulence ia rardy seen
to accumulate in one branch, while others languiah in genteel
beggary. As there ia no where an aristocratic establi^mant*
the an)|:4itude of ihe community it never brdcen up into little
eompMrtoients,, cnvioua and contemptuous of eadi other.**-
Every manfs tange of occupation is extended, while every
: state is held worthy of reapeot. Honest indurtry no whani
desogates, but the i&eility of providiug for aiamily ia every
I where enlarged. ,i»mv;>

Nothing is more worthy of r^gBud than the contrast be-

j tveen tibe general demeanour of Europeana Irving here» and

what b alleged of the aaase people, and others nmilar to thea»

J vhtist under the yoke ef tcanaatlantiG governments. In New

I Yttk iky alone are supposed to be not less than twdye thou*

I nad Iridi, and die number of all other forngt^n may prdbn*

1 Uy be as manj. The other great oitiea of the United Statea

have an equal p a op o rtt o n aaoofding to. their peculation ; and

emigrants irem the dd world are settled, and in prograN of

VIEW OP THE

aettlcment, every where throughout the Union ; yet here 4hey
are ne^..^ accused ot' sedition, or rebellion, mr conspiracy
against the gdvemment. They ar^ never disarmed by a ttiili.
Iflry force; and no magistrate trembles when they f)rovide
themselves with ammunition. They are, indeed, the most
strenuous supporters of the government; and it is evident
that a country may exint in the utmost good order, paaee, and
prosperity, under such a system of law as they are willing to
maintain with their lives. It is manifest, therefore, tbat.ifthe
kws were in Europe what they are here, Europe need not
drive her children into e}tile.< Tbe same men who) are called
tdiels there, are esteemed and tranquil dtiz«ns here, without
having changed their nature or their sentiments. But here
the law is made by th« majority for the good of the great
mnnber; and for this reason it is essentially eqnid and impar-
liik It prohibits nothing but what is in itadf morally wrong.
Hence, there are fewer laws, and fewer tran sg r ess ions ; but
when a real transgression happens, an ofibnded community is
always prompt to support the law; for it then vindicates its
own decision, and its own< safety*

* You then, who left the dbject concKtion of European sub.
jeets; who will never encounter the persecution of kings,
lorda, or hierarehtet ; who are now beyond the fantastic ty.
tani^ of tliose governments that exterminate catholics in one j
country, andeonniveat-thenHassacreief protortants in.another;
vkatimoie is requisifee to engage your love and veneration of |
Ihe free oonstitution Of America, than to re m ember what you
wmt^ what you bave witnessed, whiA you have suffered, and
to reflect on what you are about to become, anditbe Uesnngs
jrou have it in yiour power to enjoy P*' • » ''» '5 '^ :tM

Such is die representation made by this Irish socirty as an
encoufragement; for their countrymen to emigiate. By the
tenor of the foe^^oing pages, it will be understood that we
eonsider. the United Stxktes as the best country in the world
for a poor.labourmg man ; though the ardent and enli^tened
lover of freedtwi must not expeci to find that, pure and diiin>
temsted patriotisn/ia men^holdingoffioiid aptUftioF^ which hej
inayiiave.expected. L^-li. .a « ;. x \ ^i^ r iu »a >

um.

j«

In (he a<

plans 0*' go'

'In most of

eieotioQ i$ (»^

the gDvernw

not eseeedinj

whole, geveri

NUALLY,

taste. The <

nous. Jn sbt

of a taai» req
dredpouniU.

'InVirgisi,
slave* ate reoi
the seats in th^
vote; but their
The right of su
sufficient to gu
existing abuse (
here the peopl

Pow'w; while, €
still be two bra
vouU have no d
and Scodand, tl
fid and powerfal
hranrhofth^go

nca. 80 thal^ j
">«3' be truly sa
people aw, ill <,^,
* The oonsequf
chosen do not be
2d. That there,,

Vwtees, pension
•wallow the earnii
That there is qo 1

k a government q
a«d insolent grasp

UNITED STATES.

101

( 4hey
pincy
ittiii-
rovide
t most
evident
ee* and
ling to
it .if the
eed not
« called
ivithout
luC here
he great
A impar-
y wrong,
ona; hut
nnnity is
licatea its

peantub<
of kings,
itaatic ty.
lica in one

«nother;

»radonof

what you !
r«red, and

blessings

, In (be aoQount g^vea of the different atates, the various
plana of government which they have ado|>ted are noticed.
' In most of the etatc-govemmentk,^ aaya Mr. Cohbett, ' the
election in antutal for the,home 4/f' repretentatives. Income,
ihe governor and the senate are elected for a kwger period^
not exeeeding ./bur jfears in any case. But, in some, 4he
whole* governor, senate, and repreaeotatives, are' elected AN-
NUALLY; and this laat apptiant now lo be the /yraiurilHy
taste. Thi9 ai^agf, or gualjfiaUion* qfelet^crst is.very ve^
rioua. In atrnie states every free man, )^at is, every man .who
is not bondman or ^avct has a vote. In otliers, the pa3rmetil
of a taa'iH required. In others, a roan must be worth u htmf
dredpowndt. In Virginia a man must be 9^Jr»iMdtf^

* In Vir^ia»< and the atates where ne,^ slavery exists, the
slaves are reckoned amongst the population in« apportioning
the seats in the gmera) congress. So that, the slavteido not
vote; but their owners have votes for them> * f .::*r^ ^ r.f
The right of suffrage i« An^'^rioa is, however^ upon thewhollB^
sufficient to guard the peopie against any general and r Jong-
existing abuse of power; for, let it betbome ip mind,, that
here-the people eloet aU the persona wluyiave torexerciar
powttr; while* even, if our Reform were obtfuned»<there would
still be two branches out of the three, over whdm the people
vouU have no direct '«ontifoul. Besides, ud England, Xrehvid,
and Scotland, there is an established rchuvdi'; anohtyendtotHr-
ed and powerfal hierarchy t and this^ which is really a fourti)
branch of tht government, has nothii^ to resemble it im Amst-
ricA. So ithaK^ in this country, the whde of tlie ^overnraetH
may be truly said to be in the hands > of the people. . Tk^

lie are, in reality as well as<in name, represented.
'The consequences lof this are, 1st, Thi^ if those who are
do not behave well, th y are not<ciiosen a second time.

That there. are no sinecure placemen and place women,
I grantees, pensioners without service.s, aiuj^big plaoem^n^-wl^P
I iwalbw the earnings of two or three thoMSud men each. 9d)
iThst there is qo miUtary staff to devour mwra tha|i'4he wbttle
of a government ought to t3ost< 4lh, Thitt theie are no proud
land insolent grasping borough-mongers, who make the people

TIEW OF THE

toil and iiiMt to keep them and their fatfiiliei in laxur^f. 5th,
That ieatt in the oongreM are not Hfce ttalli in Smithfleld,
bought and aold, or hired out. 0th, That the membem of
oongreaa do not aell thenr yotet at to much a rote. 7th, That
there ia no tN^ate of the public money, and no expeiKwa ooca-
nbtaed by the bribing of electors, or by the hiring of ipiea and
informers. 8th, That there are no shootings of the paopie,
and B^ legal mtlrdirs eommitted, in order to d«*fend the go
▼emment agaihst the just vengeance of an oppressed and in.
suited nation { but idl is harmony, penM, and ptospetrity.
Every man is aealous in defence of the kws, becaosi every
man knoMrs thai he is governed by faiws, to which he has really
and truly given hit assent.*

The same writer afterwards observes, * But- it kinot the
■ame of nptMkf that secures theso^ or any other of the bless,
(ngs of freedom. M gross acts of tyranny may be committed,
tad as ba^ corruption pfactieed, ander that nama as tinder
the name of absolute monarchy. And it heoMnM the people
of America to guard their minds againAt ever being, in any
ease, amuied with names. It i* the fitor representation of the
people that it the eanse of all the good ; and-, if this be ob.
tauoied, I^ for oaj^ part, will never quarrel with any body about
names.* ' ■''<**'' " t"'^ - '"'"^^ '•''' •J*»iiw**«wi'»<i»»^> pia-s «,<
,f; He oontinue^f i' On the subject of taxes and prie«tS) I will
address inyietf mont immediately to my old neighbours at
Botley, aiid emieavour to make them understand what Ame.
ri(» is as to taxes and pneats. WiNfried, my did neighbours,
aft you are bf tax-gatherers bf all deseriptioM, Irom the coun-
ty.coll0ctor, who rides in his boach and fbur, down to the I
petty window-peeper, tiie little miserable spy, who is con-
stantly on th< looki.oot for you, as 'if he were a thief.«atcher and |
you Were thievM; devoured as you are by these Vermin, big
and litthSj yt>U will with drSculty form an idea of the state of I
AmerioS in fhia Vaipect. It is k state of such blessedness,!
when «Mnp«r«d With the state of things in England, that I
despiir of being ttMe to mak^ you fully ebmprehend what it I
is. He(te« mill iliAy ikakk newwhidows, or shut up old win-
dows, as often a»h« pleases, without being (Compelled under « I

penalty (

Here he

them or d

them, he

as their n

he may ei

garden, oi

fooliah en

watob^eali

and porric

leases, his

and dai^

and India

at law for

things, wit

terfbrencec

when he d

houaesand

his eyes wit

ofplaocmcii

ccrS) bocoi

ready to toi

his children

of a tax up(

* But you

and taxes, oi

every civiiiM

without gov

persons. T

duties impo

the late war

try; but tbi

large towns,

Scrsareneof

defray the ei

ntes and n

ployed for tl

pended amoi

UNITED STATES.

400

penalty to give notice to 10016 insolent tax-gathering ipy.
Here he may keep as many horse* as he likes, he may dde
them or drive them at. his pleasure, he may sell them or keep
them, he may lend them or breed from them ; he may, as far
as their nature albws, do the same with regard to his dogs;
he may employ his servants in his house, in his stables, in his
garden, or in hu fields, just as he pleases ; be may, if he be
fooliah enough, have armorial bearings, on his carriage, his
watoh^eals, on his plate, and, if he likes, on his very buckets
and porridge pots; he may v'rite his receipts, his bills, his
leases, his bonds, and dr^ds upon unstamped p*per ; his wife
and daughters may weas. French gloves and lace, and French
and India silks ; he may purchase or sell lands, and may sue
at law for his rights: and all these, and a hundred other
things, without any dread of the interl6ping and insolent in-
terference of a taX'gatherer or spy of any descriptl jn. Lastly,
when he dies, he can bequeath his money and goods and
houses and lands to whomsoever he pleases ; and he can close
his eyes without curses in hi^ heart against a rapacious band
of placemen, pensioners^ grantees, sinecure holders, staiF-offi-
cers, bocDUgh'jebbers, and bkiod-rooney spies, who stand
ready to take from his friends, his relations, his widow, and
his children, a large part of what he leaves, under the name
of a tax upon legacies.

* But you will ask, ** Are there no taxes in Americjs F Yes ;
and taxes, or public contributions of some sort, there must be in
every civilised state ; otherwise government coyld not exist> and
without government there could be no security for property or
persons. The taxes in America consist principally of custom
duties imposed on goods imported into the country. During
the late war, there were taxes on several things in the coun-
try ; but tbey irere taken off at the peace. In the cities and
large towns, where paving and lamps and drains and scaven-
gers are necessary, there are, of course, direct contributions to
defray the expence of these. There are also, of course, county
rates and road rates. But as the mopey thus nosed is em-
ployed for the immediate benefit of thoee who pay, and is ex-
pended amongst themselves and under their own immediate

T?W*

VIEW OF THE

in^pectioii, it does not partake of the nature ol^ a tax. Tbe
ta^ or duties on ga^d» imported yaeldagraaft sumof monejp^
fod, ffmfig to the persona employed ^ the coUeotion b^og
appointed for thar integrity and abilityv >tttd nolion taceoum
of thdr coBiiection with any set of bribing aad;.comipt boo
rough-moBgers^tlie whole of the money thus imUccted is fairly
applied 0the pubUctUse, and. is an^Iy aufficient foralL the
pttrpes^s of gov<eEiiinciit4 : 'I^e .araiy» if it van ihe (So oallod,
Qostg hut a mere tri6e^ > It.consists of a fewjaien) whouie ab-
iOQ^uMly < niops^ut^ to keep fasts irom crumbting dbwn^ and
guns j&oHiCfittii^ with rust. The navy is an (^ijeet of oare,
and its support and increase a cause ;of oonuderableLeitpenoe.
But thip goyeriunent, relying. on the < good sense : and ialoi^n*
of a peopk»> .^hp : must hate or disregard themselv«s before
they «an kat» or di^^^ard l^t wiueh so manifestly .-promates
,their own hapfHness, has no need to expend mudi on angr ape.
ciod of warHke;prepaca.tuNis. .The government eould not stand
A weok if St' were hated by the people; ^nov, indeed^ ottghljt
|o stand in hour. It has thehearts.of thepeepfe with it,>and
th^"^^ H need expend notlungiin; bkiod*mfloe}\ or in secret
services .€if any kimi. Hooee.tiieit cheapness/ of -tiiia govern-
ment ; hence ;the small amouni< of. the tilxe»i hence ithe ease
and hi^pioeas of the people/iiiv-i to :\<n t-^n-^i^ .u ^biiii.M} -

I We haTa* in the preceding sections, endeavoured to give a
general idea^ the circumstinces respebting which emigrants
must feel the greatest anxiety ; and'will now proceed to detail
the advantages and disadvantages that may attend different
classes of emigrants, such as gentlemen, farmers, mierchants
and mam^turers, mechanics, labourers, artists^ &o.

1. Gentlemen.

America is not the country of gentlemen. Perhaps another
century will elapse before this class of society bi^Qpmes nume-
rous. Here every one is employed io some business, or in
superintending some improvement. Yet as some, possessed

of a compel

and secure

States, we

expect to ei

to the expei

into this sul

Mr. Fear

intends livi

cheaper oou

his choice b

statement oi

six months,

not appear t

•Thisfiut

three Missei

ditto youngc

man servant

* They 00

house in Mai

kitchen indu

per annum.

of thar resid

what little ci

purchase, in

shimis; also,

style of livinj

18
'Sppt. Isl

ini
Sept 8th.
Wine and
Other exj
Wood (fir
Other exf
Wood (fir
Shoes
Other exf
• SehooUiy

UNITED STATES.

40i

of a competency, may in these eventful Umes wish to'emigrate,
and secure their property and their safety in the Utiited
States, we will here notice the advantages which (hey may
expect to enjoy. As these are in a great measure proportioned
to the expenccs of house-keeping, it will be necessary to enter
into this subject more in detail.

Mr. Fearon recommends to the man of small property, who
intends living upon the interest, and wants to remove to a
cheaper country than Englaad, to pause; bef(tt« the object of
his choice be America. This writer has given the fiJlowing

statement of Mr. H ^^s (an English emigrant) expences for

six months, ending the 1st of ' Mar0h, 1818; bat which does
not appear to be very extravagant :*- '■ ■_ • t

* Thisfiimily eonsists of thirteen 2 Mr. H-^^.^^ Mrs H— — >;
three Misses H— -— sixteen years of age and upwards, two
cUtto younger, four boys four to twelve years of age, one wo>
man servant, one girl. ;Vv

* They occupy the whole (store excepted) of an excellent
house in Market-street, Philadelphia ; in it there are 13 rooms,
kitchen induded, and three cellars. The rent is dOO ddkrs
per annum. The following account is for the first six months
of thar residence in the United States. It includes rent, and
what little dathes the females may have found necessary to
purchase, in ccmsequence of the difference of American ik-
shions ; also about 100 dollars for travelling expences. Their
style of living is extremely plun, respectable, and economical

r. ,> 1817, DoUacs.^ Cents.
!'3f!p!t* 1st to 8th. One week's boaid and lodg-
ing at a boarding house - > 80
Sept 8th. Wood for firing . . . 19 76
Wine and spirits 1 •. - • ... 9 50
Other expences i .. . • . 199
Wood (firing) - . - - - 21 18
Other expences - . . . . 149 2
Wood (firing) - - - - - 89 59
Shoes . - . . . . . 2s 00
Other expences - . . . ^ SSl 86
SdMoUng (for two boys) . . . . 15 65

VIEW OP THE

DdUn. Cfivt*.

Wpn« wd «pirit8 - - • , r.,r; J(^,, P

Aurora newspaper - - - - ^,5 0,

Schooliiiff (eldest boy) . . . . 81. SO

Wpod(jmn^) - - - - - 50

Ditto ditto - . .... 59 50

Other expences . . . . - 388 87

Sdtodlhig (for iwo boys) . . . 12

Total, 1st Sept. 1817> to March, 1818 1813 79

* Thb account does not include the expenditure far house,
hold furniture: they have paid fw So^ch oarpeting* yard
wide, (omitnonest qualit^) 170 cents per yard; stair carpet-
ing, narrow, strong, and common, of domestic manufeoture,
100 cents per yard ; oil-doth, yard wide, 175 cents per yard ;
Windsor chair, 216 cents each ; fancy rush bottoms^ ligl^ and
genteel, 375 cents each.^

But the odebrated Cobbett enters into this subject with his
usual jwedsim and boldness ; and which we wiU beg leave to
oAer in his own strong and impressive langui^.

< In the grei^ cities and towns,* says he, < house rent is very
high-'inrioed ; but then nolxxfy but mad people tive there ex*
cept they have business there, and then they are pud b«ck
their rent in the profits oi that business. This is so plain a
matter, that no argument is necessary. It is unnecessary to
speak about the expences of a farm-hnuse ; because the farmer
eats, and very frequently wears, his own produce. If these
be high-priced, so is that part which he sells. Thus both
ends meet with him.

* I ilm, therefore, supposing the case of a man, who tollows
no business, and who lives upon what he has got. In Eng-
land he cannot 'eat and drink and wear the interest of his mo-
ney ; for the borough-mongers have pawned half his ipqome,
and they will have it or his blood. He wishes to escape from
this alternative. He wishes to keep his blood, and ei\|oy bis
money too. He would come to America; but he does not
know whether prices here will not nwkie up for the xoMtery of

UNITED STATES.

497

the borough^villaim ; and he. wishes to know too what ftort of
society he is going into.

<The price of house-rent and fuel is, when at more than
three miles .from New York, as low as it is at the same dis-
tance from any great* city or town in England. The price of
wheaten bread is a third lower than it is in any part of Eng-
land. The price of beef, mutton, lamb, veal, small pork,
hog-meat, poultry, is one-half the London ;»ice} the first «s
good, the two next very nearly as good, and all the rest far,
very far, better than in London. The sheep and lambs that
I now kill for my house are as fat as any that I ever saw in
all my life ; and they have been running in wikl ground,
wholly uncultivated fur many years, all the summer. A
lamb, killed the week before last, weighing in the whole thir-
ty-eight pounds, had five pounds of loose fat and three pounds
and ten ounces of sue*: We cut a pound of solid fat from
each breast; and aft^r ■>'■ ' •< was too fat to be pleasant to eat
My flock being small, n v or thereabouts, of some neigh.
hours joined them; ana they have all got fat together. I
liave missed the interlopers lately : I suppose the ** Yorkers'"
have eaten them up by this time. What they have fattened
on except .brambles and cedars, I am sure I do not know. If
any Englishman should be afraid that he will find no roast
beef here, it may be sufficient to tell him, that an ox was
killed, last winter, at Philadelphia, the quarters nt which
weighed tioo thousand^ two hundred^ and some odd pounds,,
and he was sold to the bvtchkk for one thousand three hun-
1 dred doUars. This is proof enough of the spirit of enterprise,
and of the disposition in the public to encourage it. I believe
this to have been the fattest ox that ever was killed in the
world. Three times as much monen, or perhaps ten times as
much, might have been made if the ox had been shewn for
money. But this the owner would not permit ; and he sold
the ox in that condition. I need hardly say that the owner
was a quaker, New Jersey had the honour of producing this
ox, and the owner''8 name was Job T/ler.

' That there must be good bread in America is pretty evi-
dent from the well known fact, that hundreds of thousands of

3 »

498

VIEW OF THE

barrels of flour are, most years sent to England, finer than
any that England can produce. And having now provided
the two principal articles, I will suppose, as a matter of course,
that a gentleman will have a garden, an orchard, and a cow or
two ; but if he should be able (no easy matter) to find a gen.
teel country-house without these conveniences, he may buy
butter, cheaper, and upon an average better, than in England.
The garden stufi; if he send to New York for it, he must buy
pretty dear; and, futh, he ouerht to buy it dear, if he wiU
not have some planted and preserved.

* Cheese, of ^e North river produce, I have bought as good
of Mr. Stickler of New York as I ever tasted in all my life;
and, indeed, no better cheese need be wished for than what is
now made in this country. Tl)e average price is 7d a pound
(English money), which is much lower than even middling
cheese is in England. Perhaps, generally speaking, the
cheese here is not so frood as the better kinds in England ;
but there is none here so poor as the poorest in England.
Indeed the people would not eat it, which is the best security
against its being made. Mind, I state distinctly, that as good
cheese as I ever tasted, if not the best, was of American pro.
duce. I know the article well. Bread uid cheese dinners
have been the dinners of a good fourth of my life. I know
•the Cheshire, Gloucester, Wiltshire, Stilton, and the Parme-
sata; and. I never tasted better. than American cheese, bought
of Mr. Stickler, in Broad>street, New York. And this cheese
Mr. Stickler informs me is nothing uncommon in the county
of Cheshire in Massachusetts ; he knows at least a hundred
persons himself that make it equally good. And indeed why
should it not be thus in a country where the pasture is so
rich ; where the sun warms every thing into sweetness ; where
the cattle eat the grass close under the shade of the thickest
trees, which we know they will not do in England. Take
any fruit which has grown in the shade in England, and you
will find that it has not half the sweetness in it that there is in
fruit of the same bulk grown in the sun. But here the sun
sends his heat down through all the boughs and leaves. The
manufacturing of cheese i^ not yet generally brought, in this

country, to t

rials, and the

* Groceries

less than half

chocolate, cch

gers' taxes an

reach of every

England, is h(

currants, all (

fifth of the I

enormously to

purchase the ';

price double oi

produce.' WJ

under! Candl

English price.

bum wax candi

by genteel peop

•Fish I have

to be had in ab

and it is so chea

market for the n

"Jd-fisb, I have

English farthing

the country to a

I believe tliey oo

market as the av«

^n short, the var

describe them.

* An idea of tl
^acts: nobody bi
"^nk of eating a

oxen's heads are t
fy- In the coui
'"ge bits and who
New York, for ai
""rally fall to the

UNITED STATES.

499

er thou
rovided
course,
t cow or
I agen-
lay buy
llngland.
lUst buy
f he wiU

t as good
my life;
n what IB
. a pound
middling
king, the
England ;
England,
st security
at as good
ffican pro.
^ dinners
I know
le Parme-
I, bought
this cheese
■he county
hundred
ideed why
iture is so
iss; where
fi thickest
id. Take
L and you
there is in
Ire the swn
res. The
[it, in this

country, to the English perfection ; but here are all the mate-
rials, and the rest will soon follow.

* Groceries, as they are called, aie, upon an average, at far
less than half the English price. Tea, sugar, coffee, spices,
chocolate, cocoa, salt, sweet oil, all free of the borough-mon-
gers^ taxes and their pawn, are so cheap as to be within the
reach of every one. C^ x»Iate, which is a treat to the rich in
England, is here used even by the negroes. Sweet oil, raisins,
currants, all the things from the Levant, are at a fourth or
fifth of the English price. The English people, who jpay
enormously to keep possession of the East and West Indies,*
purchase the produce even of the English possessions at a
price double of that which the Americans give for that very
produce ! What a hellish oppression must that people live
under ! Candles and soap (quaUty for quality) are half the
English (Nrice. Wax candles (beautiful) are at a third of the
English price. It is no very great piece of extravagance to
bum wax candles constantly here ; and it is frequently done
by genteel people who do not make their own candles.

* Fish 1 have not mentioned, because fish is not every where
to be had in abundance. But any where near the coast it is ;
and it is so cheap, that one wonders how it can be brought to
market for the money. Fine black>rock, as good, at least, as
cod-fish, I have seen sold, and in cold weather too, at an
English farthing a pound. They, now bring us fine fish round
the country to our doors, at an English three-pence tc pound.
I believe tliey count fifty or sixty sorts of fish in New York
market as the average. Oysters, other shell-fislr, called cla^.
In short, the variety and abundance are such that I cannot
describe them. - i^>

* An idea of the state of plenty may be formed from these
nobody but the free negroes who have families ever

think of eating a sheep^s head and pluck. It is seldom that
oxen^s heads are used at home, or sold, and never in thecoun-
itry. In the course of the year, hundreds of calves^ heads,
large bits and whole jmnts of meat, are left on the shambles at
[New York, for any body to take away that will. They ge-
inerally fall to the share of the street hogs^ a thousand or two

VIEW OP THE

of which nrf cmwtantly fitting in New York on the meal and
fish flung out of the houses. I diall be told» that i| ia only in
hot weath«' thii{<the shamUes are left thu« garnished. Very
t^e; but are. the shainbles of any other country thus gar.
niched in hot weather? Oh, no{ If it ware not Ibr the
superabundance, all the food would be sold at soine price or

* After broad* flesh) fi»h, fowl, butter, ehetse, and groqeri^,
opm^ friuu ^ A^Ies, pears, carries, peaches, at a tenth part
of the English price. The other cUy J met a man going to
market with a waggon load of winter pears. He had \iMi
boards. on the sides of the waggon, and, his waggon held ab^it
40 or (59 bushels. I have bought very good apples thiS; y^
£of four-pence halfpeiiny (English) a, bushel, 1^ boil fpr lit^t
(Hgs. Resides these,, strawbfnrrias grow wiI4 in alpindaQce;
but Qo oni» will take the trouUe to get them* Huoklerberriea
in the woods lii great abuadance^ : chesnuts f 11 over the coun-
trjF. F9jur-f>ence halfpenny (English) a quart ^ thene liM.ter.
Cranbernes, the finest fruit for tarts that ever grew, are
bought for about a dollar a basM ; <md Uiey will keep, , flting
4own in the comer of a room, fof five mcmths in the year.
As a sauee to venison or mutton, they are -as good as currant j
jelly.' Pine apples in abuodiMKe, fbr seven^ months in the
year, ajb an averi^ of an English shilling each- Melons at
an, average of an English eigI>upQnce, In short, what is there |
not in the way c^ fruit? AH excellent ^ their kinds, and ;
fac a mere tiiiSe compared to what they cost in England.
.V. •< I am afraifk to ^p«ak of drinlc, lest I should be supposed!
|q CQunleiqaaDethe common use of it. But protesting most
decidedly against this conclusion, I proceed to inform those
who are npt content with the cow for vintner and brewer, that]
all the materials fbr making pea|>le drunk, or muddle>headed,
are much cheaper here than in England, Beer, good ale, 1 1
mean, a great deat better than the common public-house beer|
in England ; in short, good, stnmg, clear ale is, at New; York,
eight dollars a barrel ; that is, about fourteen English pence I
a gallon. Brew yourself, in the country, Mid it is about seven!
Engl»h pence a gallon ; that is to say, less than two-peuce<l

UNITED STATES.

quart. No borougb>olloBger8^ l«x or malt, hopf, ot beevj
Portugal win^'is about half the priee that it is in Enf^and.
Fraocli wiixe a uxth part of the £qgUsh ' price. Biandy and
rum about the same in i^portion ; and the oomm<« iqpirita of
the.«oi|i^ ase abput three shillings and six-pence (l&iglish)
a gaUop. Come oir, then« if ygu, love topbg,; ibr here you
may diiak yourselves blind at the pri«e (tf six-pence, i u^^,:^ .'

* Wearing apparel oomea chiefly from England, and all the
materials of dreas are as cheap w they are- there i for, though'
there i« a dnty hud. on the impoietation> the abaence.9f taxes,
and, the cheap fopd fj^nd drinky enaUe the ret«^r to. sell a? low
here as tll^^e* Shoes are cheapw than in England; foe,
though Sfhoe^makera are well paid for their labour, tben^ is no
bovQiigh-villain to tax the laatlier. All the India and French
goo^. are at half the English price. Here no ruifian ean
sMze you by. the thipat and tear off your suspei^ed handker-
chief. Hem Signer WaiUunan, or any body in that line,
might have sold French gloves and, shawlsi without binng
tempted' to quit the field of politics as a compromise with thei
governm^t; and withoiutanybireach of covenants ^^r. being
su^ened to escape with only a gently 8queea«l. :i« a «.»it* m uJt

* Hpusehold furniture, all chefiper than in England. Mae,
ho^ny timber a third part of the English (Ncice. The (Ufrr-
tanoo shorter to bving it, and the tax next, to nothing on
importation. The wopd^ here, the pine, the aah, the white-
oak, the walnut, the tulip*tree, and many others aU e«eeUent
The workman paid high wi^^, but no ti^* No- horougbt
viUuins to share in the amount of the priQ% ^;

* Horses, carriages,, harness, all as good, as gay, ^pd cheaper
than in England. I hardly ever saw a rip in this country.
The hackney coach horses and the coaches themselves, at
New York, befn: no resemblance to tlupgs of the same name
in London. The former are ail good, souwi, cleant, and
handiiume. What tlie latter aipe. I tieed describe in no other
way than to say, that the coaches seem fit foi; nothing hut the
fire and the horses fijr the dog^. ^j^-j m^s^J

^ Domestic servantsi This is a weighty «rticle: not in the
cost, however, so much as in the plague. ,A gopt^man swr

VIEW OF tHE

vant it worth thirty pounds sterling a year; and a good Wo-
man MTvant, twenty pounds sterling a year. But this is not
all ; for, in the first (dace, they will hire only by the month.
This is what they, in fact, do in England ; for there they can
quit at a months warning. The man will not wearti hvery,,
any more than he will wear a halter round his neck. This is
no great matter; fiir as your neighbour''s men are of Uie same
taste, you expose yourself to no humiliation on this score.
Neidier men nor women will allow you to call them servants,
and they, will take especial care not to call themselves by that
name. This seems something very capricious, at the least;
and as people in such situations of life really are servants, ac-
cording to even the sense which Moses gives to the word,
when he forbids the working of theman servant and the maid
servant, the objecticm, the rooted aversion, to the name, seems
to bespeak a mixture of false pride and of insolence, neither of
which belong to thetAmerican character, even in the lowest
walks of life. I wiU, therefore, explain the cause of this di8>
like to the name of servant. . When thw country was first set-
tled, there were no people that hiboured for other people;
but as man is always trying to throw the working part off his
own shoulders, as we see by the oouduct of priests in all ages,
mgeoeB were soon introduced. Englishmen, who had fied
from tyranny at home, were naturally shy of calling other
men thrir slaves; and therefore, **for more grace,^^ as Master
Matthew says in the [day, they called their slaves Servants.
But though I doubt not that this device was quite efficient in
quieting their own consciences, it gave rise to the notion, that
slave and servant meant one and the same thing, a conclusion
perfectly natural and directly deducible from the premises.
Henoa every free man and woman have rejected with just dis-
dun the appdlation of servant One would think, however,
that they mi^t be reconciled to it by the conduct of some of
thor sup^ors in life, who, without the smallest apparent re-
luctance, call themselvto "Public Servants,^^ in imitation, I
suppose, of English ministers, and iiis holiness the pope, who,
in the excess of his humility, calls himself, ** the Servant of
the Servants of the LiMd.** But perhaps the American do-

UJHTED STATES.

mestict have observed that "Public Servant^ really meant
mattitr. Be the cause what it may, however, they continue
most obstinately to soout the name of servant; and thinigh
they still keep a civil toi^(ue in their head, there is not dne of
them that will not resent the afiVont with more Inttemess than
any other that you could offer. The maiii therefore, who
would deliberately offer such an afiVont must be a fooL But
there is an inoonvoiienoe far greater than this. Peq>Ie in ge>
neval are- so comfortably dtuated, that very few, and then mily
4>f those who are pushed hard, will become domestics to any
body. So that, generally speaking, domestics of both sexes
are far from good. They are honest; but they are not obe-
.dient They are careless. Wanting frequently in the greater
part of those qualities, which make their services conducive to
the neatness of houses and cojmfort di families. What a dif-
ference would it make in this country, if it could be supplied
with nice, dean, dutiful English maid servants! As to the
men, it does not much signify ; but for the want of the miuds,
notlung but the absence of grinding taxation can compensate.
As t9 bringing dmn with you, it is as wild a project as it would
be to try to ovry the sun-beams to England. They will
begin to change befoi;e the ship gets on soundings ; and before
they have been here a month, you must turn them out of
doors, or they will you. If, by any chance, you find them
lieie, it may do ; but briiq^ them out and keep them you can-
not. The best way is to put on your philosophy ; never to
look, at this evil without, at the same time, looking at the
many good things that you find here. Make the best selec-
tion you can. Give good wages, not too much work, and re^
solve, at all events, to treat them with civility.

* However, what is this plague compared with that of the
tax gatherer? What is this plague compared with the con-
stant mght of beggars and paupers, and the constat dread of
becoming a pauper or beggar yourself? If your commands
are not obeyed with such alacrity ^3 in England, you have, at
any rate, nobody to command 3rou. You are not ordered to
"stand and deliver^ twenty or thirty times in the year by the
insolent agent of borough^nj^ngers. No one comes to forbid

VIEW OP THE

you to c^NHi or shut up • window. No inM^ent set of oomnris.
tiiHMn aend their order lor you to dance attendanoe <mi them,
to thew cmue why they should not douUe^tax you ; and when
yon have riiewn eause, even on your oath, make you pay the
tax, laugh in your face, and leave you an itppeiU from theta-
flelvei to another setj deriving their authority ftom the same
source, and having a similar interest in oppresmng you^ and
thus laying your property prostrate beneath the hoof of an in.
Solent and remorseless tyranny. Free, wholly firee, from this
tantalizing, this grinding, this odious curse, what need you
care about the petty plagues of domestic servants P

* However, as there are some men and some women, who
can never be at hearths ease unless they have the power of do-
mineering over somebody or other, and who will ratber be
slaves themselves than not have it in their power to treat
others ais slaves, it becomes a man of fortune, proposing to
emigrate to Ameritta, td consider soberly whether he or bis
wife be of this taste ; and if the result of his considerations be
in the aiRrmative, his best way will be to continue to live un-
der the borough-mongers, or, which I would rather recom.
mend, hang himself at once.''

2. Farmers.

The next class of emigrants which we will notice comprises
all those who may devote their attention to agriculture. Many
Europeans, possessed of a small capital, commence farming
upon their arrival in America, although they have been accus-
tomed to some other employment, and consequently cannot be
supposed to be very expert in thar new occupation. If such
experience much difficulty in the commencement, they ought
to recollect that this would also, in some degree, be the case
even in their own country.

The emigrant who goes to America with the intention oi
apfdyihg himself to fanning, should take with him some seed
wheat of the best kinds ; and if he can procure it, perhaps the
Syrian wheat (Triticitm compontfim ) might be worth a trial.
It has a much better chance of answering in America than in
-England, and particularly south of 40 degrees of latitude,

UNlt£:D STATBtS.

86$

Alio « small quantity of ludtftie, siimftin, ahd vetcHef ; either
the weedt dr the roidci of th« two former, but the rooie would-
be preferable; It might also be adirkabte tb take a imall bag
of htty «e«ds AtMil toautcf iht best meadowi. Famiidg im-
pirments can be had in any part of thef United State*, well
adapted to the diflferent pUrpoaM for which they ir^ wanted.
Iff detentfining a rituation, hef haa th« choice of ahy climate,
fWrni hititttde 89 to 44^ degreee, oomprehendhig th« r^ona
suitable for the culture df sUgar, cottoh, and grain. If his
views are governed bythe ddtemunation to adopt any particu.
lar culture, h^ will of comae settle in the rcjg^on suitable: if
sflgar, he win go sbfoth of 81^ deg. ; if cotton, south of 88'
deg. ; fi«r com, the most agreeable is from 86 deg. to 41 deg.,
as further north th^ severity and length of the winters render
the clitnate less demrable. A farmer, on settling in America,
ought not rashly to set up his ojMnions or former practices
agunst thbSe of the dd settlers. Many things, which msiy
appear to him ' at first to be wrong iar unnecessary, will be
found, on farther experience, both right and expedient; but
if he cultivates the good-will of his neighbours, and follows
thdr advice, he will not go wrong. He will soon find the
suocesHnbn of crops and the mode of culture vary much from
what he has experienced in England; and that a difieretitly
modified climate, and a sun more nearly vertical, greatly
change thcf order of the' things to which he has been accus-
tomed: He will find hii rye harvest to commence in June,
and that of ki» -Whekt soon after; the oats follow next; and'
afterwards, if be have af'melidow, his grass will be reidyfor '
the scythe; UlMr cdme* his potatoes, and laitiy his Incfiati
corh. if the emigrant purchases and settles upon what is
cified wifd'hUid; otte of bis first cares ought to be to plant a
peach and 'apple 'ordiatd; and he ought to plant the two sorts
alternate, say one peich betwixt two apple' trees, and not plant
the apjiile'trees lesl' dttti' 80 feet asunder. The peach tree
soon cottiek to ma^ty, and is short lived: they will become'
oflittlevtfu^ by thie tim6*tfaeap{Ae trees ai>e in want of room.
I<il the wnbdy region; the'«tfe is tOe some time the chief im-
pleihedt'in 'dia'hatids of ^e ^settler, and he feels a considerable
22 3 S

VIEW OP THE

degree of repugnance «t the deitruction of lo much fine tim*
her ; but this soon tubudes. If he has courage to {ntxieed as
far west as the Illinois, the North-west territories, or to the
west of the Misnssippi, the prairies afford him the means of
settling without much trouble.

In the early part of the settlement of the rich countries h^
yond the Alleghanies, agues were very prevalent ; and it will
perhaps be found, that all countries in a state of nature are
liable to this disease in the proportion of their fertiUty, which
has a tendency to produce it, from the vast quantity of vege-
table matter which goes to decay in autumn. As this i^f^ies
genovUy in those regions, the new settler has no means of
avmding the consequence, but by precautions and, preventives;
but as it has also a local influence, he may, by a judicious
choice of a situation, render himself and family less liable to
its attacks. As the first settlers have the choice of the whole
country, it is very natural that they should adopt the alluvial
of the rivers, both, on account of the superior fertility of the
soil/ and the facilities it gives to the transportation of fHroduce :
and many, in so doing, sacrifice their health to thdr apparent
interest. It must be admitted, that some of the valleys in
vrhicb the rivers flow are as healthy as the uplands ; but this
depends on whether the river overflows its banks or not, or on
the existence or non-existence of stagnant water in the neigh-
bourhood. As to precautions, the emigrant is apprised that
in these countries the dews are very copious, and b^n to fall
even hekte sunset. Let him avcud, as much as posuble, ex-
posure either to this or run ; or if unavoidably exposed, he
n^ust take off his wet clothes as soon as posnble; and if he
hQs flannei shii^s, in order to change after po^nous perspiration,
he will find benefit in them. An important, contention in
this respect is Uie quafity of the water used in his family : of
course the purer this is the better. The settler cannot be ex-
pected to be capable of analysing it ; but he may discover the
presenee-of tulphur, iron, an acid, or an aUudl, by tests always
in his power to 'procure. Sulphur may be detected by laying
a pi^oe of br^j^ht ulvor in the waiter, which turns black if that
substance is held mlolution. A little 4^ the inper bark of

UNITED STATES.

507

any of the oaks, infuied in a glauful, ^urns the water blaeic,
if iron \% preaent. l*aper, stMned l^lue by the petali of alnMMt
any flower of that colour being rubbed upon ,itf tumi green '
by being dipped in water impregnated with alk«li; or red, if
an add.

The settler who it accustomed to malt liqtibr miy, with very
little trouUe, brew his own ale. Barley is cul^vatcd w«it of
the AUeghanies ^ and hopc'grow wild in abuhdaoce. The use
of this bererage is supposed to be a prevenj^ve to the agui^.
Almost every fiimily has a supposed cure ibr this complaint ;
and etery one who visits or sees those a;(fected Has a favourite
retnedy, all diffbring firom each other; but the phyncians, in
the Wefitem country, treat it with bark and laudamim: of
these the emigrant ought to lay in a sufficiency to administer
to his family in case of need.

It has already been observed, that the emigrants to this

country are almost of every nation in Europe,; but it b a re*

markable aiid striking fact, that the Germans, Dutch, 4nd

Swiss, i^cCeed much better than those from any other country.

This is not so much owing to greater industry or economy, as

to the more judicious mode they adopt in settUng. In gene>

ral, before these people emigrate, they form assoqations, lay

down their plans, and send an agei^t over in whom they car.

confide. He purchases for them a suitable extent of land,

and prepares the way: when their arrangements are made,

they move over in one body. This system has always been

followed by these people, and the consequenpef ar« vM^ble in

almost every part of the United States.; but inore perticul«> '. >

in the states of New York, New Jersey, and P^onaylvaniat i<i

all parts of which they are in possession of the best lands.

The appearance of comfort, ease, ai^d independ^ieei fv/i;ibited

by one of these little colonies, is so visible, that t^tc travdler

who does not perceive it at first sight must be very deficient

in discernment. Some of the colonies of this kind, berfdes the

tie of common interest, have another bond of iinion, which is

a similarity of sentiment and belief in their relij^s 0|HnioDB ;

this, in some instances, has operated as a cause for reguladng

their system of colonization : but peshaps that which has most

VIEW OF THB

generally inflaenoed them n the drcumstance of thdr language
not h&pg the |y;eneraji language of the United States,— a,n in-
ponvemenqe mu^h leaa felt by a colony than by an isolated
Jfan^ny. But let the qiu^. be what it may, th^e effect ju} :very
manifest, and may be easily accounted for. In the eariy set-
tjjeinent of any pqiticular distiict of nfw caiifUiry, its progress
)t^ ns^j^TQvet^^Sf^isjihWf until figriflit an^ saw-^miU are erected ;
af^r which j^f^ j^^ge is yeiy rapid. Every planter ^i the
yicinity^by ti|i^ ^4 P^ ^^^ sakvr-m% i? oi^h to «r^t a handaoipe
fr^kmie-i^ouse., I Tl^e gnst-miU enables hiim to convertjiis wheat
iifip ^Qur.fijt fpi^ fijnarket, and he boldly epgiages and employs .
hands to (^st him in 0Q|iyerting forest, intio^ fields, yielding
lu](uri{mt I9fp>p9> , , These t«vo kind of pill^. ^re the most neces-
sary .(>hifcts. in js pew colpny ; butlhefe are mmy P'hjers, sujch
as roadU, bridges, &c. ail oif which aire, nf^ucb'sppnerefl^ted ]by
a colopy having fU) Mn^Pf) of ipterest, ^jpd' of course an i|Dion

Mr, BirkbepHt io Ms letters froi^ the lUi^i?, (nys, *1 am
fully convinced* that those who are pot scr^w^d up to the full
pitdi pf enterprise had better remain ip Pld i^ngland, than
attempt agriculture, or business of any kipfl (manual operations
^;scepted) in th? Atlantic States. Emigrants from Europe are
too ^pt Xq Mtig^r in tjbe eastern cities, wasting their time, their
mon^y, aj^^ ijieir ;K|sqlutiQn. They sliQuld push put westward
witKput 4e|a^» ,7bief;e they cap live cheaply until th^y iix
th.ap9e)^e^. .Ty^^^^pUars, saved in Pennsylvania, will pur.

chase ft\i fkc^ 9f 9P^ ^^^ ^ ^^ ^^^^W^' ^^'^ ^^^ carriage,
if PIP ^j[|^a4?ilpi(ii| tp Pittsburg, is ^pi seven tp ten dollars
per cwt.^J(V^<^<) Clothing, razoii^, pocket-knives, pencils,
piathematic^ piatruments, and light artides in general, of cop-
»tap|: .i^fu^n^ss, ciught to b^ carried even at this expence;
and bopKs, which are scarce* and much wanted in the west.
Good gup-loc}cs ar? nu'e, and difficult to procure. No heavy
implemjsn^ witi pay carriage* A pocket compass is indispeu-
saplf for every ftranger who ventures alone into the woods of
Apierioi; and he should always carry the means of lighting a
fire; for tbe trqiveller, when hjs starts in the morning on a
wilderness Journey, little knows where next he may lay his

UNITED STATES.

509

head. Tow rubbed with gunpowder i^ good ti^dor. A few
biscuits, a pbiid of spirits, a tom^awk, and a good blanket;,
are neoefwary jartides. Overtaken, by night, or bewildered, if
thus provided, you will be re^ljly oon^fortablie by your biasing
fire; wh^ vit|u»ut them you would feel disnuBl and disconso-
late. Ad<^ IS a> pleasant and useful feUow-traveller in tb^
back woods. Xou should make your fire with a &llen tinep
fur a back log; and lie to leeward, with your &et towards ^
Thie smojie flying over wi)l prei^ve you fromtbe damp air
and mosquitoes. Tie your borsjB with a long rein to.the,e|id
of a b(H«gb, or to the top of a young hickory, tree, which wiU
allow him to graze or browse; and change his position, if you
awake in tbeiiight.V

In a letter to a friend, this enterprising spepulator sayf,
'Make an effort, and extricate yourself and family completely,
by removing into thia country. . If you can honourably maji^
your espape, with the means of transmitting yourself hither,
and 100^ «t^Hing to iqpare, — don>. hesitate. In si^ months
afler I shall ^l^ve welcomed you, barring accideiUf, you shall
discover that you have become rich, fw you shall feel that
you are indepjsndent; and I think that will be, the most de-
lightful sensation yo^ ever experienced ; for you will r^eiv^
it multiplied as it were by the number of your family* as your
troubles now are. It is not, however, a sort of independence
that will eiHzuse you from labour, or afford you many luxuries,
that is, costly luxuries. I ^ill state to you what I have learal,
from a good deal of observation and inquiry, and a little expe-
rience; then you will {ofm your own judgment. In the first
place, the voyage — That will cost, to Baltimore or Pfailadel-
phia, provided you take it, as no doubt you would, in the
cheapest way, twelve guineas each, for a birth, fire, and water,
for yourself and wife, and half price or less for your children ;
bendes provisions, which you will furnish. Then the Journey
—Over the mountains to Pittsburg, down the Ohio to Shaw-
nee town, and from thence to our settlement, 50 miles north,
will amount to five pounds sterling per head. If you arrive
here as early as May, or even- June, another five pounds per
head will carry you on to that pomt, where you may takf

'610

VIEW OF THE

your leave of de|)eodeBce on arty ^ing citrthly but yoiir bwn
exerAopa. At this time I suppose you to haV^ reniaitAttj^'one
bundred pounds (borrowed probably from Bnglkh Mend*,
who rely on your integrity, and who' may have dii^ed the
interest to be pud to me on their behalf,' and the pliih^pal in
due season. We will now, if you piiease, turn if ilr^ dollars,
ttnd consider how it may be disposed of. A' hundred ^unds
sterling will go a great way in dollars. With 60 'dollars you
will ** ent^ a quarter section of land ;^ that is, you will pur.
■chase at the land.-office 160 acres, and pay one-ifbiiihth of the
purchase money, looking to the lahd to rewilrd ym^r pains
'With the means of disdiarging the other three^fovirths iti they
become due, in two, three, and four years. Yofi'WilF build a
house with flO dollars, and you will find it extreuiely comfort.
able and oonvoiient, as it will be really and truly tours.- Ttvo
liorses-will cost«,with harness and plough; 100. C#irSj'alid
hogs, and seed com, and fencing, with' other. expeni:^, will
require the remaining 210 dollars. This beginning; humble
^as it appears, is aifiuenee and splendour compared with the
ori^nal outfit of liettlers in general. Yet n6 marifeitfiuAs in
poverty, who possesses even moderate iijdustry and economy,
and especially of time. You would of oourw brirtg with you
jTOur sea-bedding and store of blutkets, for you will Meed them
on the Ohio; and you should leave England with a ^obd stock
of wearing apparel. Your luggage must be compc^of light
articles, on account of the costly land^arriage from the eastern
port to Pittsburg, which will be from^'seven to ten dollars per
100 lb. nearly six^pence sterling plr pound. A few nmple
inedidnes of good quality are indispensable, such as calomel,
bark in powder, >castop dd, calcined magnesia, and laudanum:
they may be uf the greatest importanoe on the voyage and
journey, as well as after your arrivid. Change of climate and
situation will produce temporary indisposition; but with
pron^ and judicious treatment, which is happily of the most
simple kind, the complaints to which new comers are liable
are seldom dangerous or difficult to overcome.^

In conformity to our foregoing remark, this writer remarics
that emigrants with small capitals are lif^bl^ to great inconvd»

UNITED STATES.

5fK

rbwti

sd the
pflfl in
lollars,
k)uncb
rs you
W pur-
of the
r pains
«^they
bnild a
xjiirfort-
?■ T<»o

DBS, wiU

humble
nrith the

lUAs in

onomy,
rith you
ed them
stock
[of tight

[eastern
liars per
ttmple
I calomel,
Ldanum:
rage and

nateand
Lat with
Ithe most
Ire liable

remarks
I inconve*

nience» unles? they have a particular situation provided for
them by some precursor on whom they can uepcndl Moneys
is powerful in this country in purchasing ittua, but weak m
providing the means of living, except asi t^ the bare necewarie^
of life. Thus the traveUing expences of eA^igrants ate heavy^
in addition to the waste of time in long pere^ranadont.

Mr.Cobbatt says, ^Th^re i^e some, and even many, &nn-.
ers, , who do not work themselves in the fields. But they all'
attend to the thit^* and are all equally civil to their working
people. Tbey manage their affairs very judiciously.' Little
talking. Orders plainly given in few words, and in a. decided
tone. This is, their only secret

<Thie cattle and implements used in husbandry are cheaper
tlum in; England ; that is to say, lower priced. The wear and
tear not nearly half so much as upon a farm in England.of the
same size. . The. climate, the soil, the gentleness and docility;
of the horses and oxen, the lightness of the waggons and cart8»j
the righjtness and toughness-of the wood of which husbandry
implements are made, the simplicity of the harness, and, above
all, the ingenuity and handiness of the workmen in repairing
and in making shift; all these make the implements a tnaitter
of very Utile note. Where horses are kept, the shoeing of
thepi is the most serious kind of expence.

'The first buuness of a. farmer is, bene, and ought to be
every where, to ^live well: to live in ease and plenty; tOf'
"keep hi^pitaUty,'" as the old' English saying was. To save
money is a seeondary consideration ; but any English fanner,
who is f^ good farmer ther^ may, if he will bring his industry '
and care with him, and beiiire to leave his pride and insolence
(if he have any) along wiUi hit anxiety, behind him, live iii
ease and plenty here, and keep hospitality, and save a great
parcel of money too. , If he have the jack-daw taste for heap-
ing little nmnd things together in a hole or chest, he may fol.
low his taste. I have often thought of my good neighbour,
Jolin Gater, who, if he were bere, with his pretty clipped
hedges, his garden-lopking fields, and his neat homesteads,
would hmi visitors from far and near ; and, while every one
woulda(!.. lire and. pniise, no s(pl would envy him his posses-

ABb'

nEW OP THE

■ons.

Mr. QaUst would soon bi^e all tbeie things. The
hedges only want planting; und he wdtild fyA^ab txaafdrtOAf
to Itaow that thef Botley pMton could n^ver again pt^e his
•oie into his shedp-fold or his pig^e. HoMrever, let me
h«pe, rather, that the destruction of the bbrOtk^h-tyranny will
soon make Enj^and a country fit fbr an honest ilnd industtious
mati lb live in. Let me hope that a relief froM grinding taxa-
tion will soon relieve men of their i^rs of dying in poverty,
and will thereby relstore to England the <<hU8piiklity* for
whieb she was once famed, but vi^hich now really exists no
triiere but in America.^

Perhaps there are no modern publications that have made
§0 deep an impression on the minds of British farmers than
dirkbeck^s * Notes on a Journey in America,^ and the 'Letters
ftom the Illinois.^ We have not made much usef of thie writ-
ings of this gentleman, '\:!cause we think they are calculated
todeceive and deooy. * You do indeed^' says a Writer add)%8sing
Birkbeck, * describe difficulties and hardships; but then you
overcome them all with so much ease and gaiety, that you
Utake them disregarded by your English risaders, who, sitting
by their fire-sides, and feding nothing but the gripe of the
borough-mongers and the tax-gatherer^ merely cast a jglance
at your hardships and fully participate in all your enthusiasm.
You do indeed fiurly describe the rugged road^, th^ dirty
hovels, the fire in the woods to sleep by, the pathless wajs
through the wildernesses, the dangerous crossings of the rivers;
but there are the beautiful meadows and rich lands at last;
there is the fine freehold domain aMhe end ! There are the
giants and the enchanters to encounUr ; the slashings and rib*
roastings to undergo ; but then there is at last the lovely lan-
guishing damsel to repay the adventurer.*

* The fkct is,* says another writer on America, *that by his
(Birkbeck^s) style and mantier he has so captivated many of
hts readers (Americans excepted), that they begin to feel the
conveniences and establishments of civilized life a sourse of
misery, instead of an advantage. There is, moreover, some-
tiring very imposing in the drcumstance,' that a man of his
talents .and property should be perfectly sati^Ml' with the

change, notwi

certainly has i(

done, I woulc

very deeply in

derations, why

turally look «

where even a i

inclined to nu|(

be evidently tu

gusted with the

pointment woul

humiliating situ

demess— purchi

final election — fa

profitable — woul

natives qf his au

and in informat:

should advance

can only be effecl

and he having x

iDg, would not i

the founder of a

derations into ou

*ary effect on thiE

be supplied with

the " Notes on a

Mr. Cobbett
Birkbeck^s acoou
esteem for the wi
the interests of E
to the character
'of advanced age,
of settled acquain
not, to use Mr. G
Of all such pen
farmers, English
aorae of the tears^
several months ag

UNITED STAf ES.

518

ehaxJ^, notwithstanding all its attendant privations. Thia
oertaialjr has its weight, but having onoe ti^ken the t>tep he has
done, I would merely suggest (without pretending to enter
very deeply into the recesses of the h^man mind) a few coqsi-
derations, why any man, under his circumstances, would na-
turally lod( with a very lenient eye upon all defects, and
where even a mole-hill in the way of excellence 'existed, feel
inclined to magnify it into a mountain. In leaving England
he evidently turned his back upon it for ever. J9e was dis-
gusted with the government, and hardly any extent of disap-
pointment would probably induce him to place himself in the
humiliating situation of returning. He has gone into the wil-
derness — purchased a large quantity of land — lias made his
final election — has reasonable hopes of the speculation proving
profitable — would not be disappointed with having neighbours
natives qf his own country ^ and similar to himself in property
and in information — must desire that the value of his lands
should advance as largely and as ra{udly as possible; which
can only be effected by emigration being directed to that point,
and he having no claim to the character of a superhuman be-
ing, would not feel his sv.;3se of importance lessened by beii\g
the founder of a large English colony. Taking these consi*
derations into our calculation, and reflecting upon their neceS'
lary effect on th^ mind of any man so circumstanced, we may
be supplied with an explanation of much that is contmned in
the ** Notes on a Journey to Illinois.'"^

Mr. Cobbett has entered into an able examination of Mr.
Birkbeck^s account of ilpierica, which, notwithstanding his
esteem for the writer, he thinks will prove both injurious to
the interests of English farmers wl^o are captivated by it, and
to the character of the United States. * Persons,^ he observes,
'of advanced age, of settled habits, of deep-rooted prejudices,
of settled acquaintances, of contracted sphere of movement, do
Dot, to use Mr. Greorge Flower's expression, ** transplant well.***
Of all such persons farmers transplant worst; and of all
farmers, English farmers are the worst to transplant. Of
some of the tears, shed in the Illinois, an account reached me
several months ago, through an eye-witness of perfect veracity,

3 T

514 vftw OF TltE

L' '

iind a very unoere friend of freedom and of you, and whoic
information was given me, unasked for, and in the presence of
several Englishmen, every one of whom, as well as myself,
most ardently wished you success.

* It is nothing, my dear sir, to say, as you do, in tlie preface
to the " Letters from the Illinms,'^ that, " as litde would I

:4v' encourage the emigration 6f the tribe of grumblers, people
who are petulent and discontented under the every-day evils
of life. Life has its petty miseries in all situations and cli-
mates, to be mitigated or cured by the continual efforts of an
elastic ipirit, or to be borne, if incurable, with cheerful pa-
tience. But the peevish emigrant is peipetually comparing
the comforts h6 has quitted, but never could enjoy, with the
privations of his new allotment. He overlooks the present
good, and broods over the evil with habitual perverseness;.
whilst m the recollection of the past,' he dwells on the good
only. Such peoj^le are always bad associates, but they are an
«^>ecial nuisance in an infant colony.^

* Oive me leave to say, my dear sir, that there is too much
asperity in this language, considering who were the objects of
the censure. Nor do you appear to me to afford, in this in.
fitances, a very happy illustration of the absence of that peevish.
ness, which you perceive in others, and for the yielding to
which you call them a nuisance; an appellation much too
harsh for the object and for the occasion. If you, with all
your elasticity of spirit, all your ardour of pursuit, all your
compensations of fortune in prospect, and all your gratifica.
tionsof fame in possession, cannot llth patience hear the wail.
ings of some of your neighbours, into what source are they to
dip for the waters of content and good humour f

* It is no ** every-day evil" that they have to bear. For an
English farmer, and, more especially, an English farmer's wife,
after crossing the sea and travelling to the Illinois, with the
consciousness of having expended a third of their substance,
to purchase, as yet, nothing but sufferings ; for such persons
to boil their pot in the gipsy fashion, to have a mere board to
eat on, to drink whisky or pure water, to i^t and sleep under
a shed far.inferior to their English cow.pens, to have a mill al

UNITED STATES.

615

twenty miles disUtaoe, an apothecary^s shop at a hundred, and
a doctor no where ; these, my dear sir, are not, to such peiopl^
*(-every^y evibof life.^ You, though in your little/* cabin,*
have your books, you have your name circulating in-the world,
you have it to be given, by and by^ to a dty or a county ;_ and
if you fail of* brilliant, success, you have still a suffiiuenoy of
fortune to secure you a safe retreat. Almost the whole of your
neighbours must be destitute of all these sources of comfort,
hope, and const^tion. As they now are, their change is, and
must be, lor the worse; and as to the future, beiides the un-
certainty attendant every where on that which is to coipe, they
ought to be excused if they, at their age, despair of seeing^
days as happy as those that they have seen.

* It were mudi better for such people not to emigrate at all ;
for while they, are sure to come into a state of some degree of
suflering, they leave behind them the chance of happy days ;
and, in my opinion^ the certunty of such days.

* But leaving this matter for the present, if English farmers
must emigrate, why should they encounter unnecessary difii-
culues? Coming from a country like a garden, why should
they not stop in another somewhat resembling that which they
have lived in beCore? Why should they, at an expenoe
amounting to a large part of what they possess, prowl two
thousand miles at the hazard of their limbs and lives, take
women and children through scenes of hardship and distr^
not easily described, and that too to live like gipsies at the end
of their journey for at least a year or two,- and, as I tlunk I
shall show, without th^ smallest chance of their finally doing
so well as they may do in these Atlantic states? Why should
an English farmer and his family,, who have always. been jog-
^ng about a snug htmiesteed, eating regular meals, and sleep-
ing in warm rooms, push biMsk to the Illinois^ and encounter
those hardships which require all the habitual disregard of
amifort of an American back- woodsman to pvercome ? Why
should they do this ? The undertaking is hardly reeoncileable
to reason in an Atlantic Amnican farmer who has half a dozen
sons, all brought up to use the axe, the saw^ the chissel, and
the hammer from their infancy, and everyi ope of whom, ip

di6

VCeW OF THE

{^lougbDMn, oftr^Mnter, trhMlwright, and batcher, and ean
work fltto sun-riM to «uil-aet) and sleeps if naad b^ upon the
bai« Iftttivh. Whfit then must h be to an English farmer add
hii'ftmUy of h^ifdiM mortah? Hciplesi, I mean, in this
Boene of eoeh; novelty and anoK difficuhy. And trhat is lus
wife to dot she who has been torn fhmi aU her relations and
neighboorB, and from every thing that she liked in the world,
and who perhaps has never, in all hear lifb hefmrey bran ten
ttiies fhxn |he cradle in which she was nursed P An Ameri.
tian farmw mends his friough, his waggon^ his (aclcie of all
lorts^ bb household goods, his lalioes: and, if need be, he
makes th^i idl. Can our people do all j^ns, or any partnf
it? Can they live without bread for months f Can they live
without beer P -Can they foe otherwise than miserable, cut off,
*is they are, feom all intercourse with, and hope of hearing of,
^tfaeir rdations and fViendsP The truth is^ that this is not
transplanting, it is tearing up and^nging weay.

* Society f What society can dieie people have ? ^Tis true
they have nc^body to envy, for nobody van have any thing to
enjoy. But there may be, and there mnst be, mutual com<
|)bunings, upbraidmgs; and evory unhappineas will be traced
directly to him who has been, however unintentiionaHy, the
cause of the imiisappy person^s removal. The very foundation
1^ your plan neoesss^ly oeniained die seeds of discontent and
ill-will. A colony all fi^ the smne country was the very
worst ^H«jeot that could have been ^lon upon.'*

Mr. Cobb^ <^en proeeeds, in a strain of powerful irohy, to
ridicule ^kbeok^s imaginary plans of 'hapfuness in the Illinois.
*In such a situation,^ aays be, ' with so many ciraumslances to
anlioy, what happiness can an £n|^ish family enjoy m that
country, sofar diitant from all that resembles what they have
left behind them P ** The fair enchantress. Liberty^'' of vrhom
you speak with not too much rapture, they would have found
in any of -these 'stutes^ and in a garb too 1^ which they would
bsve teoognised her. Where they now are they are free in-
deed; but their freedom is that of the wild animals in your
woods. Itisnot^Mdbm, it is no government. Thegipnes
in 'England we free; andany «m, who has a mind <• live in

aoave<

maybe

beyond

that is I

Jisfa mil

tbeenm

beanea

was tiiei

of safety

4>ast^ wb

wasarei

Pittapd

twelve jo

for the «

*If,ini

of the bo

thatrapuh

But as tl

fiiUofkii

countiy is

hardships

iiirmer iot

*Iti«tl

tertfaefad

jwi

that pretty

with «fadsia

duit a mai

t^entt an

ment, shou

have s^n

yours, as i

diose prairi

ried, with a

fornisfaed

England)

them, and n

whioh gave

UNITED STATES.

And eaoi
upon the
(rmcradd
1, in this
ImI is lus
mioiisAnd
the world,
been ten
in Aipeii-
cldeof «U
ed be, he
my partuf
n they live
lie, cut off,
heiring of,
this is iMt

► ' Tbtrue
toy ^ing to
nitual oon-
H be traced
kmaHy, the
foundation
kt and
the very

1 irony, to
I the Illinois.
Iimslanees to
Moy m that
pt they have
Vj* of whom
I have found
I they would
are firee «»•
nals in yow
The gipsies
40 live in

a oBve or cabin an mom hidden pbcmi of our Hanipdm«,fontt%
may be firae too. The Engliih fiimer m the Iltiiuna b indeed
beyond the readi oi' the borwighrfndngen; and loia die mail
that is in tfi» grave. When it wm first propoacdi in the Engi*
Ksh minislry* to drop quiatly the title of King of France in
the enimeration of our loQgfa tillae, and when it waa atatcd to
be an eoepedient Ukdy lo itcnd to a peace, Mr^ WindhaM, who
waa then a nramber c^Hm aahiiet, laid, ** Aa this is a neasure
of safety, and as^doabUnsa, we shall hearof others of the aame
4s$att what think yen of fiMBg under ground at once?" It
was a remark entnigh to cut the liver out of the hearvrs; but
Pitt apd hia asioeiatee had no livers. I do not believe that any
twelve journeyman or Ukmrars in Eoghmd would have voted
for the adqitioo of ihu mean and despicable measure.

* If, indeed, the Illiaoia wece the only place out of the veash
of the boraiigbigfospii end if men are resolved to get out of
that reach ; then I should say, Qo to the IlUnms hy idl meana.
But as there isacoiiatry, a settled oountry, a free country,
foil of kind neighboursk full of all that is good, and v4eB this
ooutttiy is to be traversed in order to get at the aoknowledgad
hardships of ike Iltinoia, how oan a sane mind lead an Engfish
fiinner into the exfieditioaP

* It as the enchtating damsel that makes the knight ^
ter die hmr-breadlh eacapeaj the deeping on the ground^ die
oookii^ with orasst.sticksito hang the pot on. It is the prmri§,
that pretty French. word, whidi means green grass be^^ngled
with«hasias«ndoawslipsl Oh, God! what delusion i And
that a man of sense;, a man of siqperior understanding and
ti^nt{. a nun of honesty, htmour, hunaaity, and loAyasnti-
ment, riwukl be the canseof this delusion ( I, my dear ar,
have sten prairies many years ago, in Aina4ca, as fine «s
yours, as fertile as yeum, though not so cKtenmve. I saw .
diose prahies settled on by American loyidisti, who were car-
ried, with all their goods and took, to the spot, and who were
forntsbed with four years* provinoos, aU at the wpenoe of
England; and who had the lands given them, tools given
them, and who were thus seated down on th6 borders of (Hrechs,
whieh gave them easy oommunicatifm with theinhdbked plaips

51$

VIEW OF THE

' near the sea. The settlers that I particularly knew were
Coiinecticut men. Men with families of sops. Men able to
do as much in a day, at the works necessary ih their situation,
as so many EInglishmen would be able to do in a yresk. They
began with a shed ; then rose to a log house ; and next to a
firame bouse; all of theii' own building. I have seen them
manure their land with aaimon caught in their creeks, and
with pigeoHi cftu^t on the hmd itself. It will be a long
while before you will see such beautiful oom>flelds as I saw
there. Yet nothing but the danger and disgrace which at-
tended their return to Connecticut prevented their returning,
though there they must have begun the world anew. I saw
them in their log huts, and saw them in their frame houses.
They had overemne all their difficulties as settlers; they were
under a government which required neltiier tax nor service
from them ; they were as happy as people could b^ as to ease
and pienty ; but still they sighed for Cdnnecticut ; and especially
the Women, young as well as old, though we, gay fellows witii
worsted or silver lace upon our bright red ooats, did our best to
make them happy by telling them entertainii^ stories about
Old England, while we drank their coffee and grog by gallons,
and eat their fowls, pigs, and sausages, and sweetmeats by
wheelbarrow loads; for thoU^ we were by no means shy,
their hMpitality far exceeded our appetites. I am an old
hand at the work of settling ih wilds. I have, more than
once cr twice, had to b^n my nest and go in, like a bird,

'^■. making it habitable by degrees; and if I, or if sudi people a»
'my old friends above mentioned, with every thing found for
them and brought to the spot, had difficulties to undergo, and
sighed for home even afler all the difficulties were over, what
must be the lot <^ an English farmer^s family in the Illinois?'
' This experienced writer next gives his own ideas on the
mode of settling proper for an English fmrmer. ^ All this,^ he
says, *I told you, my dear sir, in London just before your
departure. I b^ged of you and Mr. Richard Flower both,
not to think of the wildernesses. I begged of you to go to
within a day^s ride of some of these great cities, where your
am^le capkiil and yoin* great skill ooul(| not fail to place you

UNITED STATES.

019

upon a footing, at leatt, with the licbeHt amongst the moat
happy and enlightened yeomanry io the world; where you
would find every one to praise the improvementt you would
introduce, and nobody to envy you any thing that you mi^t
acquire. Where you would find society as good, in all re-
fpeots, as that which you had left behind you. Where you
would find neighbours ready prepared for you far more gene-
rous and hospitable than those in England can be, loaded and
pressed down as they are by the inexorable hand of the bo-
rough-villwns. I offered you a letter (which, I believe, I
sent yoti) to my friends the Pauls. ** But,^ said I " you want
no letter. Go into Philadelphia, or Bucks, or Chester, or
Montgomery county ; tell any of the quakers, or any body
else, that you are an English farmer, come to settle amongst
them ; and HI engage that you will instantly have friends and
neighbours as good and as cordial as those that you leave in
England.''

* At this very moment, if this plan had been pursued, you
would have had a beautiful farm of t>yo or three hundred
acres. Fine stock upon it feeding on Swedish turnips. A
house overflowing with abundance ; comfort, ease, and, if you
chose, elegance, would have been your inmates; libraries,
public and private, within your reach ; and a communication
with England much more quick and regular than that which
you now have even with Pittsburg. ,

vYou say that "Philadelphians know nothing of the West-
em countries " Suffer me then to say, that you know nothing
of the Atlantic states, which indeed is the only apology for
your saying that the Americans have no mutton fit to eat, and
regard it only as a thing fit for dogs. In this island every
farmer has sheep. I kill fatter lamb than I ever saw in Eng-
land, and the fattest mutton I saw, I saw in company with
Mr. Harline in Philadelphia market last winter. At Brighton,
near Boston,, they produced, at a cattle show this fall, an ox
of two thousand seven hundred pounds weight, and sheep
much finer than you and I saw at the Smithfield show in
1814. Mr. Judge Lawrence, of this county, kept for seven
years an average of five hundred Merinos on his farm of one

OfO

VIEW OP THB

hundrtd and fiftjr flevdi, besidet raiai^ iwwntj *ei«t of oohi
and bia tnuid pratty luge proportioii of grain f Can jour
WofternfiunambMttlMtP Yoi, in oxlcnt, aa the lurfiwt of
ihro doUan baato dun of a guinta.

* I luiipoae that Mr. Judga Lawranoa^ farm, olose by tha
ude of a bay that givea hiai twro houn of water aHrriage to
New York ; a farm with twenty aena of mc«dow, real prairie ;
a gentleman^B house and garden; bana, iheda, oiderJiouae,
stables, ooaoh-house, oom-crifae, and orcharda that mi^ pro-
duce from four to eight thousand bushels of i^pplea and pears ;
I suppose that this farm is worth three hundred dollars an
acre ; that is, forty.fiTe thousand doUara, or about twehre or
thirteen thousand pounds.

* Now then let us take a look at your estimate of the ei'
penoea oitit^ng damn in the prairies.

ti , , ,

* Copy from my Memorandum Book.

' ' Estimate of money required for the comfortable establishnient of
my family on Bolting bouse, now ISnglish prairie; on which the
first instidment is paid. About 720 acres of woodlandj and 720
prairie—the latter to be chiefly grass :•*-

DolUn!
Second instalment, August, 1819, 730 dolhirs; Third, Au-
gust, 18S0, 720 dollars'; Fourth, August, ISSl, 720

dollars - - - 2l60

Dwelling-house and appurtenances " » ' > - 4500

Other buildings - • 1500

4680 rods of fencing, viz. 3400 on the prairie, and 1280
round the woodland - - - - - - 1170

Sundry wdls, 200 dollars ; gates, 100 dollars ; cabins, 200
doUars - - - - ^ - - - 500

100 head of cattle, 9OO doUarsi ; 20 sows, &c, 100 dollars;

sheep, 1000 dollars - - " - - - 2000

Ploughs, waggons, &c. and sundry tools and imptements 270

Housekeeping until the land supplies us - - - 1000
Shepherd one year's wages, iierdsman one year, and sun-
dry other labourers ..---- \(i(iO

One cabinet maker, one wheelwright, one year, making
furniture and implements, 300 dollars eadh - - 6OO

Sundry articles ol
Sundries, fhiit ti
First instalment
Five horses on hi
Expence of freig

clothing, &c.
Value of articles
Voyage and jouri

Allow about 600

'So here is 1
Judge Lawrence
18,000 dollars e
them; but what
thousand dollars
cost four hundrei
the yeomen of y
your domestics ai
they are here) 1
than swallow up
dollars for buildii
this respect, upoi
til completely fen
trees have six the
to come out in th
at a big^ price to
his market ? W
wll for nine or te
50 dollars each, i
dred, and your
bushel ?

' However, haf
for the gratificati<
he the owner of

UNITED STATES.

DoOmii

Sundry artidei of Airnitare, iron-mongery, pottery, glui, &e. 000

Sundries, fhiit trees, Ace. - - « - • - 100

First iiutalment already paid • . - - • - 790

Five hursea on hand worth • - • - • SOO
Expence of freight and carriage of linen, bedding, booka,

dothing, &c. • - > - . . . lOOO

Value of artides brought from England ... 450O

Voyage and journey - - • • • - SOOO

SS,820
L5S69 sterling.
Allow about 600 dollars more for com and seed 141

1.5500

*So here is more than one>third of the amount of Mr.
Judge Lawrence's farm. To be sure, there are only about
18,000 dollars expended on land, buildings, and getting at
them; but what a life is that which you are to lead for a
thousand dollars a year, when two good domestic serrants will
cost four hundred of the money ? Will you live like oae of
the yeomen of your rank here ? Then, I assure you, that
your domesUcs and groceries (the latter three times aa dear as
they are here) and crockery-ware (equally dear) will more
than swallow up that pitiful sum. You allow tax thousand
dollars for buildings. Twice the sum would not put you, in
this respect, upon a footing with Mr. Lawrence. His land is
•11 completely fenced, and his grain in the ground. His apple
trees have six thousand bushels of apples in their buds, ready
to come out in the spring ; and a large pavt of these to be sold
at a high price to go on ship-board. But what is to ^ve you
his market ? What is to make your pork, as soon as killed,
sell for nine or ten dollars a hundred, and your cows at 45 or
50 dollars each, and your beef at seven or eight dollars a hun-
dred, and your com at a dollar and wheat at two dollars a
bushel ?

' However, happiness is in the mind ; and if it be necessary,
for the gratification of your mind to inhabit a wilderness, and
be the owner of a large tract of land, you are right to seel*

3 IT

$9at

VIEW OF THE

and ehjoy this gratification. But for the plain, plodding Eng.
tish farmer^ who simply seeks safety for his little property,'
with some addition to it for his children ; for such a person to
cross the Atlantic states in search of safety, tranquillity, and
gaih in the Illinois, is, to my mind, little short of madness.
Yet to this mad enterprise is he allured by your capdvating
statements, and which statements become decisive in their
effects upon his mind, when they are reduced to figures.
i?his, my dear sir, is the pait of^ your writings which has
given me most pain. You have not meant to decnve ; but
you have first practised a deceit upon yourself, and then upon
others. All the disadvantages you state; but then you ac.
company the statement by telling us how quickly and how
easily they will be overcome. Salt, Mr. Hulme finds, even at
Zanesville, at two dollars and a half a bushel $ but you tell m
that it will soojQ be at a quarter of a dollar. And thus it goes
ioU through.

' I am happy, however, that you have given us figures in
your account of what an English farmer may do with two
thousand pounds. It is alluring, it is fallacious, it tends to
disappointment, misery, ruin, and broken hearts; but it is
opeti tiid honest in intention, and it afibrd«i us the means of
detecting and exposing the fallacy. Many and many a family
have returned to New England after having emigrated to the
west in search oi tine estates. They, able workmen, exenv
j^^y livers, have returned to labour in their native states,
amongst their relations and old neighbours ; but What are our
poor ruined countrymen to do when they become pennyless ?
If I could root my «ountry from my heart, common humanity
would urge me to make an humble attempt to dissipate the
<:harming delusions^ which have, without your perceiving it,
gone forth from your sprightly and able pen, and which dehi<
sions are the more dangerous jon account of your justly high
and well-known character for understanding anc^ integrity.

* The statement to which I allude stands as follows, in your
tenth Letter from the Illinois.

* A capital of 2000/. sterling, (8889 dollars,) may be invested
fin a sectioi) of such land^ . the following manner, viz.

Purchase of the

tionae and buil

aWe, may be

A rail fence rouj

About 1800 ro(

into 10 fields.

Planting 1800 r*

Fruit trees for a

Horses and othe

Implements and

Provision for ont

Sundry articles c

brought from J

Carriage of ditto.

Voyage and travc

Note.^The firs
960 dollars of the
the expences of ci

Breaking up loO
Indian com for m
Planting ditto
Horse-hoeing dittc
Harvesting ditto,
Ploughing the sam
Seed wheat, sowin
Incidental expence

100 acres of Indian
at 2 dollars per b

Breaking up 100 a

that crop
Harvesting and thrt

UNITED STATES.

5S3

Ptjrchase of the land, 640 acres, at 2 doUan pa acre
House and buildings, exceedingly convenient and comfort*

able, may be built for ... .

A rail fence round the woods, 1000 rods, at 25 cents per rod
About 1800 rods of ditch and bank, to divide the arable

into 10 fields, at 33§ ...

Planting 1800 rods of live fence . .

Fruit trees for (orchard, &c. . . - .

Horses and other live stock . . .

Implements and furniture . . .

Provision for one year, and sundry incidental charges
Sundry articles of linen, books, apparel, implements, &c

brought from England ....

Carriage of ditto, suppose 2000 lbs. at 10 dollars per cwt.
Voyage and travelling expences of one y^crson, suppose

DoIIarq^
1S89

1500
250

600
150

lod

1500
1000"
1000

lOOO
200
S09

8889
Note.'^The first instalment on the land is 320 dollars, therefive
960 dollars of the purchase money remain in hand, to be implied ta
the expences of cultivation, in addition to the sums above stated.

Expenditure afjirst Year.

Breaking up 100 acres, 2 dollars per acre . . 200

Indian com for seed, 5 banrclB (a barrel is five bushels) 10

Planting ditto ... . . 2ff

Horse-hoeing ditto, one dollar per acre . . . 100

Harvesting ditto, li dollar par acre . . . 150

Ploughing the same land fpr wheat, 1 dollar per acre 100

Seed wheat, sowing, and harrowing . ^ . . 175

Incidental expences . ... . . 240

1000

Produce (ffjirst Year.
]00 acres of Indian corn, 50 bushels (or 10 barrels) per acre,
at 2 dollars per barral .... SOOC

Net produce 1000

Expenditure of second year.
Breaking up 100 acres for Indian com, with expences on
that crop ...... 485

Harvesting and threshing wheat, 100 acres . . 350

5S4

VIEW OF THE

Ploughing 100 acres for wheat, seed, &c.
Incidents ....

Dolkn.
«75
290

1400

Produce of second year.
100 acres Indian corn, 10 barrels per acre, 2 dollars

per barrel ..... 2000

100 acres wheat, 20 bushels per acre, 75 dollars per

barrel . ... . . 1600 '3.'50O

Net produce 2100
Expenditure of third year.
Breaking up 100 acres as before, with expences on crop of

Indian corn . .... . 485

Ploughing 100 acres wheat stubble for Indian com . 100
Horse-hoeing, harvesting, &c. ditto . . . 285
Harvesting and threshing 100 acres wheat . . 350
Dung-carting 100 acres for wheat, after second crop of In-
dian corn . . . . . 200

Ploughing 200 acres wheat, seed, &c. . ' . 550

Incidents . . . . . . S30

2300
Produce of third year.
200 acres Indian com, 10 barrels per acre, 2 dollars

per barrel ..... 4000

100 acres wheat, 20 bushels per acre, 15 dollars per
barrel • . ... 1600 5500

Net produce 8200
Expenditure of fourth year.

As the third ...... 2300

Harvesting and threshing 100 acres more wheat . 350

Additional incidents . . . 50

Produce of fourth year.

200 acres Indian corn, as above
!200 acres wheat

2700

4000
3000 7000

must be on fl

Net produce 'i&QO

UNITED •'TATES.

Summary.

First year
Second
Third
Fourth

i^:

Expellees.

Produce.

DoUan.

DoOan.

1000

2000

1400

S^OO

2300

5500

2700

7000

18,000

4000

11,400

Housekeeping and other expences fior
four years

Net proceeds per anniun . . . . l650

Increasing value of land by cultivation and settlements,
half a dollar per annum on 640 acres . . S20

Annual clear profit 1970

** Twenty more : kill 'em ! Twenty more : kill them too i'*
No : I will not compare you to Bobadil ; for he was an inten-
tional deceiver ; and you are unintentionally deceiving others
and yourself too. But really there is in this statement some-
thing so extravagant, so perfectly wild, so ridiculously and
staringly untrue, that it is not without a great deal of difficulty
that all my respect for you personally can subdue in me the
temptation to treat it with the contempt due tu its intrinuc
demerits. '

' I shall notice only a few of the items. A house, you say,
" exceedingly convenient and comfortable, together with farm
bi ."dings, may be built for 1500 dollars." Your own intend-
ed house you estimate at 4500, and your out-buildings at
1500. So that if this house cjf the farmer (an Ei.glish farmer,
mind) and his buildings are to be " exceedingly convenient
und comfortable" for 1500 dollars, your house and buildings
must be on a scale, which, if not perfectly princely, must
savour a good deal of aristocratical distinction. But this j/*
relieves us; for even your house, built of pine timber and
boar^Js, and covered with cedar shingles, and finished only as
a good plain farm-house ought to be, will, if it be thirty-six
feet front, thirty-four feet deep, two rooms in front, kitchen
and wash-house behind, four rooms above, and a cellar be-

6i6

VIEW OF THE

neath; yes, this house alone, the bare ewipty house, witb
doors- and windows suitable, will cost you more than six ||iou-
sand dollars. I state this upon good authority. I have taken
the estimate of a building carpenter. "What carpenter tf*
you will say. Why, a Loiu^ Island carpenter, and the house
to be built within a mile of Brooklyn, or two miles of New
York. And this is giving you all the advantage, for here the
pine is cheaper than with you; the shingles dieaper; the
lime and stone and brick as cheap or cheaper ; the glass, iron,
lead, brass, and tin, all at half or a quarter of the pr^rie
price; and as to labour, if it be not cheaper here than with
you, men wo^ild do well not to go so far in search of high
wages !

* Let no simple Enghshman ima^ne that here, at and near
New York, in this dear place^ we have to pay for the boards
and timber brought^from a distance; and that you, the happy
people of the land of daisies and of cowslips, can cut down
your own good and noble oak trees upon the spot, on your
own estates, and turn them into houses without any carting.
Let no simple Englishman believe such idle stories as this.
To dissipate all such notions, I have only to tell him, that the
American farmers oi. his island, when they have buildings to
make or repair, go and purchase the pine timber and boards,
at the very same time that they cut down their own oak trees,
and cleave up and bum them as fire-wood ! This is the uni-
versal practice in all the parts of America . that I have ever
seen. What is the cause.'* Pine wood is cheaper, though
bought, than the oak is without buying. Tnis fact, v/hich
nobody can deny, is a complete proof that you gain no advan-
tage from being in woods, as far as building is concerned.
And the truth is, that the boards and plank, which have been
used in the prairie, have actually been brought from the Wa-
bash, charged with ten mile.s rough land carriage: how far
they may have come down the Wabash I cannot tell.

* Thus then the question is settled, ihat building must be
cheaper here than in the Illinois. If, therefore, a house, 86'
by 34 feet, cost here 6000 dollars, what can a man get there
for 1500 dollars ? A miserable hole, and no more. But here

UNITED STATES.

8X1

are to be farm buildings and all in the 1500 dollars^ worth !
A barn, 40 feet by 90, with floor, and with stable* in the
^ea, cannot be built for 1500 dollars ; leaving out wi^goiK
houae, com^nib, cattle-hovels, yard fences, pig^sties, smoke
house, ami a great deal, more! And yet you say that all
these, and a fiirm-house into the bargwn,.all "exceedingly
<xnnfortabk and convenient,'' mayl||i^had for 1500 dollars !

* Now you know, my dear sir, that this is said in the face of
all America. Fanners are my readers. They all understand
these matters. They are not only good, but imf»r^ judges ;
afid I call upon you to contradict, or even question, my state-
ments, if you can.

* Do my eyes deceive me ? Or do I really see (me hundred
and fifty dollars put down as the expence of '^ planting one
thousand eight hundred rod of live fence ?"" That is to say,
three-quarters of a cent, or three-quarters of an English half*
penny a rod ! The " enchantress, Liberty,*" must have had
you wholly to herself here; or rather she must have taken the
pen out of your hand, and written this item herself ;r for so
great a liberty with truth never was taken by any mortal In.'-
ing. What plants ? Whence to come ? Drawn out of the
woods, or first sown in a nursery ? Is it seed to be sown ?
Where are the seeds to come from ? No levelling of the top
of the bank ; no drill ; no sowing ; no keeping clean for a
year or two: or all these for three-quarters of a <ient a rod,
when the same works cost half a dollar a rod in England!
Oh, monstrous lale ' To dwell upon such a story is to insult
the good sense of Uie reader. My veaX opinion is, that you
will never have any thing worthy of the name of a live fence
in the prairies ; and that the iiiea only makes part of a delu-
sive dream. No labourer in America will look at a rod of
your banks for three quart* ts ^f a cent.

* Manure, too ! And do you realiy want mMiure then ?
And where, I pray, are you to get manure for 100 acres?
But supposing you to have it, do you seriously mean to tell us
that you will carry it on for two dollars an acre ? The carry-
ing on, indeed, might perhaps be done fi)r that^ but who pays
for the filling and for the spreading ? Ah, my dear sir ! I

5S8

VIEW OF THE

can well imagine your feelings at putting down the item of
dung-carting,- trifling as you make it appear upon paper.
You now recollect my words when I last had the pleasure of
seeing you, in Catherine^treet, a few days before the depaiw
ture of us both. 1 then dreaded the dung-cart, and recom-
mended the TuUian system to you, by which you would ha^e
the same crops every year%j|hout manure ; but, unfortunately
for my advico, you sincerely b lieved your land would be al-
ready too rich, and that your main difficulty would be, not to
cart on manure, but to cart off the produce !^ .

Having thus cut up the Transalleghanian romance, he pro-
coeds to notice an item or two of the produce. * The« farmer,^
says he, *i8 to have 100. acres of Indian com the first year.
The minds of you gentlemen who cross the Alleghany seem
to expand, as it were, to correspond with the extent of the
horizon that opens to your view ; but I can assure you, that
if you were to talk to a farmer on this side of the mountains of
a field of corn of a hundred acres during the first year of a
settlement, with grassy land* and hands scarce, you would
frighten him into a third-day ague. In goes your corn, how-
ever ! " Twenty more : kill ^cm !^ Nothing but ploughing :
no harrowing : no marking : and only a horse-hoeing, during
the summer, at a dollar an acre. The planting is to cost only
a quarter of a dollar an acre. The planting will cost a dollar
an acre. The horse-hoeing in your grassy land, two dollars.
The hand-hoeing, which must be well done, or you will have
no corn, two doUars; for in spite of your teeth, your rampant
natural grass will be up before your corn, and a man must go
to a thousand hills to do half an acre a day. It will cost two
doUars to harvest a hundred bushels of corn ears. So that
here are about 4fOO dollarr> of expences on the oom alone to be
added. A trifle, to he sure, when we are looking through the
Transalleghanian gia:'s, which diminishes out-goings and mag-
nifies in-comings. However, here are 400 dollars.

* In goes the plough tor what ? "In him again ! Twenty
more T But this is in October, mind. Is the corn ufi^P It
may be; but where are the four hundred waggon loads of
eorn stalks ? A prodigiously fine thing is this forest of fod-

UNITED STATJES.

der, w high And «s thick as an ;&igU«h coppiop. But th^mg^
it be of no use to ypuy who have the lucvidowA without boundt,
this 90jp§k9 must he rjemoved, if you jplease, befoce you
plough for ydneat I

- * liet U9 pwse here then ; lejt us look at the battalipn whip
are at work; for there must he littjlii^ort pf a HesfHaa batta*
lion. Twenty vnm and twenty horses may husk the pom, cut
and icart the stalks, plough and sow and harrow for the whieat ;
twenty two-l^ged and twenty fouf-legged aniaials vtflSf do ihe
work in the proper time ; but, if they do it, they must work
well. Here is a goodly group to look at, for an EngUsh
iarmer, without a penny in his pocket ; for all his money is
gone lo0g ago, ev/sn according to your -own estimate ; and
here, besides the expence of cattle and taoklp, are 600 dollftrs,
in bare wages, to be paid in a uiontb ! You and I both have
forgotten the shelling of the coni, wliich, and putting it up, -
will come to 50 dollars more at the least, leaving the price of
the barrel to be paid for by the purchaser of the corn.

* But what did I say ? Shell the corn ? It must go int<t
the cribs first It cannot be shelled immediately. And it
must not be^ thrown mto heaps. It must be put into cribs.
I have had made out an estimate of tlie expence of the cribs
for ten thousand bushels of corn ears : that is the crop ; and
the cribs will cost 570 dolhws ! Though, mind, the farmer's
liouse, barns, stables, waggon-house, and all, are to coat but
1500 dollaj'S ! But the third year our poor simpleton is to
have 2ldO acres of corn ! "Twenty more: kill 'em !"" Ano-
ther 5W dollars for cribs !

< However, crcfw now come tumbling on him so fast, that
he ffliust struggle hard not to be stifled with his own super-
al)undancc. He ha» uow got 200 acres of corn and 100 acres
of wlieat, which latter he has indeed had one year before !
Oil, madness ! But to proceed. The hands to get in these
crops and to sow the wheat, first taking away 200 acres of
English coppices in stalks, will, with the dunging for the
wheat, require, at least, fifty good men, and forty good horses
or oxen, far tliirty days. Faith ! when farmer Simpleton sees
all this (in his dreams I mean), I e \n\\ think himself a farmer
23 a ^

'H,,.

sdo

VIEW OF THK

of the rank of Job, before Satan beset that example of patlehcr,
flo wbrthy of imitation and so seldom imitated.

* Well, but Simpleton must bustle to get in his wheat, /n,
indeed ! What can cover it but the canopy of heaven ? A
bam f It will, at two English waggon loads of sheaves t6 an
acre, require a barn a Hwidred feet long, fifty feet' wide, and
twenty-three feet high up to the caves ; and this barn, with
two proper floors, will cost more than seven thousand dollars.
He will put it in stacks ; let him add six men to his battalion
then. He will thrash it in the field ;. let him add ten more
men ! Let him, at once, send and press the Harmonites into
his service, and make Rapp march at their head ; for never
will he by any other means get in the crop ; and even then, if
he pay fair wages, he will lose by it. .

* After the crop is in and the seed sown, in the fall, what is
to become of Simpleton^s' men till corn ploughing and plantin^^
time ui the spririji;? And then when the planting is done,
what is to become of them till harvest time? Is he, like
Bayes in the Rehearsal, to lay them down when he pleases,
and when he pleases make them rise up again ? To hear yon
talk about these crops, and at other times to hear you advising
others to bring labourers from England, one would think you,
for your own part, able, like Cadmus, to make men start up
out of the earth. How would one ever have thought it pos-
sible for infatuation like this to seize hold of a mind like
youis?

* When I read, in your Illinois Letters, that you had pre-
pared horses, ploughs, and other things, for putting in a hun-
dred acres of corn in the spring, how I pitied you ! I saw all
your plagues, if you could not see them. I saw the grass
choking your plants ; the grubs eating them ; and you turn-
ing from the sight with all the pangs of sanguine baffled liope.
I expected you to have ten bushels^ instead of fifty, upon an
acre. I saw your confusion, and participated in your mortifi-
cation. From these feelings I was ha})pily relieved by the
Journal of our friend Hulme, who informs the world, and our
countrymen in particular, that you had not, in July Irtst, aiiv
rorn at .ill gtowinjj

UNITED STATES.

5B1

* Thus it is to reckon one's chickens before they are hatched :
and thus the Transalleghanian dream vanishes. You have
been deceived. A warm heart, a lively ima^nation, and I
know not what caprice about republicanism, have led you into
sanguine expectations and wrong conclusions. Come, now,
confess it like yourself; that is, like a man of sense and spirit ;
like an honest and fair-dealing John ^a\\. To err belongs to
all men, great as well as little ; but to be ashamed to confess
error belongs only to the latter.'

S. Merclumtft and Mamtfacturers.

There is not now any great scope for mercantile specula*
tion^ '. though those who possess a large capital, and could
become importers, might succeed ; particularly those who un-
derstand the principles of business.

The manufacturers in America have long struggled against
numerous difficulties, in consequence of the government feeling
averse from granting high prohibitory duties, which would
operate to cause an injurious re-action upon the trade of the
country.

The general arguments against manufactures are, that their
encouragement will enhance the price of clothing : that thi»
will operate as a heavy tax upon the whob community, for
the benefit of but a few : that the revenue of the United States
would be materially injured, as its chidf sup[^y is from duties
on imports : that in an extensive country, with but a scanty
population, it is most beneficaal to direct the mass of labour to
the clearing of new lands, and other agricultural pursuits:
that by so doing they will make greater and more rapid ad-
vances in extent of population and amount of national wealth,
than by drawing off a part of their capital and labour, and
devoting it to purposes of manufacture ; more especially while
most of the articles wanted can be imported from England 30
to 50 per cent, cheaper than it is possible for them to be pro>
duced within the Union : that as labour is so high and land so
cheap, there is an ever-existing inducement for men to leave
factories, and free themselves from masters, to become lords of
their own domain ; and that this has been uniformlv found to

m9i

VIEW OF THE

be the caBe,-^che slow adtAnce of manufactufes, and the con>
st^fiienti high price of the articles, having t^en a natural reaiilt
of Ifhe skaart!icnPi of the country : that, in a vi^ord, it h the true
interest of America to continue supplying Europe w'-'h raw
material and whh agricultural produce, bMh of which find
thefe a ceitaity market, whikb labour is ftom S5 to 50 per cent,
l^ghdr than in England, und from ^50 to 75 more than on the
European coMtimeint.

On the manufacturers' side of this truly great natioiial ques-
tion is Mr. De Witt Clinton, governor of New York : in a
speech which has had few equals in comprehensive and philo.
sophio views, addressed to the legislature^ he makes the fol-
lowing able reftections :

* The excessive importation of foreign fabrics watt the signal
of ruin to institutions founded by enterprising industry, reared
by beneficial skill, and identified with the general welfare.
The raw materials'of iron, woollen, and cotton tnanufactiires
are abundant, and those for the minor and auxiliary onet>, can^
in most ua^s, be pnKured at home with equal facility. No-
thing is wauling tu destroy foreign competition but the Steady
protection of the government, and the public spirit of the
country, Hi(j(h duties, and prohifcntmg provisronA applied to
foreign productions, aiford the most efficient encouragentent to
our manuiiectar^s : and these measures appertain to the legiti^
mate fuitctions of tht national governtflent. But much may
be done by the^ state governu^^nt, by liberal accommodations,
by judieioUs exemptions, and by the whole weight of its influ-
ence r and much more m^y be accomplished by the <^rit of
the comtnanity. For I am persuaded, that if every citieen
who adopc^ the fabrics of other nations. Would seriously coiMi-
der that he is not only paying taxeA for the support of foreign
governments, Init that he participates in undermining one of
the main pillars of our produeiive industry, he would ifbitate
the hohouraUe prilctice which you have this day evinced in
fikvour of American manufactures.''

Updtt t' .' whole, it .seems that it is not now the interest of
the United States, artifidfaily tu encourage the growth of ma-
nufactures by gttintifig thetia peeuHtlr advantages. It appears

UNITED STATES.

$ds

cit my nxe certaiil, that ift tlie present state of things, none
oOttM en^g« in the oottOD or woollen establishments without
a cef tAinty of loss.

* In a great many trades ur professinns," says the writer of
the Bmigrant's Guide, * the emigrant who has a capital, and a
trAd« Of profession, nay not meet with much difficulty, if he
dot with taution. Much in this case depends on mokin^ a
judicious choice in determininrr where to establish his business^
tn tTtost trades, the ooantry beyond the Alleghany mountains,
say Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee, hold out greater advan<
tages that! the rest of the Union ; the profits in businei^^ >ing
greater, and the Otpence of living much less: the clinu .^ alno
is tiMfe suitable to European constitutions^ as the extreme be-
twixt th« heat of st^ttlfkicAr and cold of winter \» much less than
in the Atkintic states. In some trades he ma; i expected to
keep journey ItMn, perhaps Americans ; fVom whom he is ad-*
viged not to exact that servility of deportment expected from
subordinates ia other countries. He may be faithfully served
without it. H« loses nothing by this, as those who are his
employers or cuMOmers will make no such exactions from him.*

4> Mec?umics.

On landing, the emigriifit who is too poor to enter into ba*
siness hiMtelf muM of course seek employment. * The com-
mditf hi has to dispoM of^' says the above-mentbned writiv,
<i8 hbtrnti for whieh he wants a market. ^ much of this ii
d(Hly bfoug^t into the M»«port«» by the arrival of emigrants)
that they are hlvifaya over-staked ; he must look for a better
chance :-^this chance the country will afford him. If his
tRute df profession be suoh ai^ is followed in a dty, he may r^-
mtiin t^lto days before he goes into the country ; if unsuccess^
i'ul m his enquiries for w^k, he ought not to remain longer.
During his stay, hit ought to enquire amongst those of his
own profession, where he may hope to obtain employment ; il
is very likely tfiey may furnish references which will be very
useful to him. In travelling, this man ought not to be sparing
in his enquiries 4 he is not in the least danger of receiving a
riide it an uncivil answer, even if h« should address himself

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

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2.5
2.2

lil

14.0

2.0

U£

l'-25 1'-^ Ii4

Sciences
Corporation

33 WKT MAIN smilT

WIBSTIR.N.Y. USIO

(7t6)S72-4S03

534

VIEW OF THE

to a squire (so justiees are called). It is expected, in Amei^ea,
that every man shall atteod to his own ooncernt ; and if a man
who is out of work asks for employment, it is consideieed as^a
very natural tbii^.

<I|e ought to make his utuation and prCifession known at
the tavema n^ho-e he stops, and rather to court than to shun
conversation with any that he may 6nd apsemUed there. He
will seldom or never meet with a repulse^ as it ^ves them an
opportunity of making inquiries re^pe^ting the **(MiPftmihy^
(Uie term usually applied to the British islands)^ o!H - n

* Should he fail in pfoouring employment at his own busi-
ness, he has all the advantages: of the agriculturist. fFhe
countries west of the Alleghany mountains a0brd the greatest
advantages, of any part of the Unite^ States, to ^migivuits of
this description; imdiwhw ,they arrive at the he«d of the
Ohio, the fyeOkty of descending that, river opens to tkeV' a
vast fi^d, in which labour must, for «^;es to come) find i| good
market, as the vairt tract of fine land yet unsettled will induce
such an avidity for farming, that Jubourexs, or men who have
tinulea or professions, will adopt that.lineof life whenever they
can nuse the means of purchasing land. For this reason a
very long time must elapse befbrie th^re can be such a redun-
dancy of labour as to reduce its vidue.^

MediaiMcs may form their own judgment fron« the preced-
ing . statements. Weavers^ stocking-makers, and others, ac-
^mnted on^ with the cotton, wo<)Uen) hardware, and ham
manufactures^ would find empbyment very difficult to obtain.
Those whose trades are of the first necesrity will do well. Id
the western country mechanics complmn of the difficulty which
tbey experience in getting /Motuf for thor labour, much of what
they receive, being given them in orders upon shops for neces-
saries and clothing; the extra. pftje charged by the store-
keeper, under these circumstances,, caunng a clear losp to some ^
amount.

Labourers.

Thb class of emigrants are almost 8ure<ito obtain the means |
of subsistence ; but they have some difficulties to encounter

The fbUo,
^h«ch exh
^ Atterii
^Laboui
w Wt neai
amount of
'^.inboth,
^a«es, a go
year and his
"pon an av
farm-house,
pounds sterJi
®«t the couni
feally it is nc
in England i
pays? and SOI
*Itistoool
Americans ar
tfiere is some c
best that I ei
fye, or barley
in the swartbs
neatness and «
'" a day, and
an average, are
Ihe English .

tp convince him
* The causes
^ng^and, is, fi,
*»ny rather thai
•nan can live,
•nwchinaday

h««boys,-ast
f'^' Here is
fnend, Mr Jame
«^ the head of hi
"",^ though he m
^<* I have hear

UtiiytED STATES.

535

tevy
oaa
as.a

ehuD

inx-an

kbusl-
veaiteBt
of/ the

hotbaye
ver they
reason a
redun-

Ithe n»««ns

The following eontmns Mr. Cobbett^s opinion on this subject,
■#hich exhibits a lively picture of the advantages enjoyed by
tbe American poor, though perhaps it is overcharged.

*^ Labour is the great article of expence upon a fkna ; yet it
is not nearly so great as in England, in proportion to the
amount of the produce of a farm, especially if the poor-rates
be, in both cases, included. However, speaking of the positive ^
wages, a good farm-labourer has twenty-five pounds sterling a
year and his board and lodging ; and a good day-labourer has,
upon an average, a dollar a day. A woman servant, in a
farm-house, has from forty to fifty dollars a year, or eleven
pounds sterling. These are the average of thrj wages through-
out the country. But then, mind, the farmer has nothing (for
really it is not worth mentioning) to pay In poor-rates, which
in England must always be added to the wages that a farmer
pays ; and sometimes they far exceed the wages.

* It is too of importance to know what sort of labourers these
Americans are; for, though a labourer is a labourer^, still
there is some difference in them ; and these Americans are the
best that I ever saw. They mow four acres of oats, wheat,
rye, or barley in a day, and, with a cradle, lay it so smooth
in the swarths, that it is tied up in sheaves with the greatest
neatness and ease. They mow two acres and a half of girass
in a day, and they do the work well. And the crops, upon
an average, are all, except the wheat, as heavy as. in England.
The English farmer will want nothing more than these facts
to convince him, that the labour, after all, is not so very dear.

* The causes of these performances, so far beyond those in
England, is, first, the men are tall and well built ; they are ,
bony rather than fleshy ; and they live, as to food, as well as
man can live. And, secondly, they have been educated to do
much in a day. The farmer here generally is at the head of
his ** boys,** as they, in the kind language of the country, are
called. Here is the best of examples. My old and beloved
friend, Mr James Paul, used, at the age of nearly sixty, to go
at the head of his mowers, though his fine farm was his own,
and though he might, in other respects, be called a rich man ;
And I have heard that Mr. Elias Hicks, the famous quaker

536

VafilW OjPTHE

preacher, who liy«s about tmt miles fyom this spot, "^Iftlu
year, at seventy years of age, oiadlsd down fowr aflres of rye
in a day. I wish sooie of the preaohevs of other 4M»iptioils,
especially our fat pai«oos in ^^land* would think a Mt of
this, and would betake themselves to ^«ork with their hands
the things which be good, that they may have to give to him
who needeth,"" and not go on imy longer gonnaniiii^ng and
swilling upon the labour of those who need.

'Besides the great quantity ^ work prnfonned by the
American labourer, his skill, the versatiUty of his talent, is a,
great thing. Every man can use tua axe, a saw* and a ham^
mer. Scarcely one who cannot do any job at rougli eaifen.
tering, and mend a plough or a wi^gen. Very &w iodead
who -cannot kill and dress pigs and sheep, «nd many lof tbew
oxen and calves. Every &noer is a neat butcher; » butcher
for market ; and, -of course, " the boys^ must korn. This is
a great convenience. It makes you so independent as to a
main part of the means of housekeeping. AH are ploughmen.
In short, a good labourer here can do any ihmg tbait is to he
. done upon a farm.

* The operations necessary in miniature cultivatioo they me
very awkward at. The gardens are plouf^ed in general. An
Ai>ierican labourer uses a spade in a very awkward mmioer.
They poke tlie eartl) about as if they had no eyes ; and toil
and muck themselves half to death to dig as much ground
in a day as a Surrey man would dig in about an hour of
hard work. Banking, hedging, they know nothii^ about.
They have no idea of tlie use of a bill-hook, wbieh is so
adroitly used in tlie coppices of Hampshire and Sussex. An
axe is their tool, aad with tliat. tool, at cutting down trees oi*
cutting them up, tliey will du ten times as much in a day as
any other men that I ever saw. Set one of these men on
upon a wood of timber trees, and his slaughter will astoniah
jou. A neighbour of mine tells a story of an Irishman, wlto
promised he could do any thing, and whom, tJtoppfore, to
begLa with, the employer seat iuto the wood to cut down s
load of wood to burn. He staid a long while away with th
lean), and the farmer went to him fewing some accident ;

hitppenled. **

farmer. The

had not got it

AmencaiH bli

cut down, cm

brtHight hott^,

* So that oui

pect that, in th

surpass, or evei

I ever saw, ar«

•kip ov«r a fen

>g»n«»ftopeii
of nothing.

*A» Amerfe
^ks and wat
tells him when \
«t night. Heh
then it is the wo
hours. "Hourt
really they seen
This is a great i
many disputes.
The AMeiioati 1
I servile^ but ajwa
mark th«ir chan
never rude. En
Aey never cotaic
{liaveiioidttiQfsi
if their plenty dit
en> in all eminti
of thehr labour,
liboureri are alii
onecaae, and no
fitwi th» free inst
l^use h6 is a mi
•w^ey. Andshu
^>py state?

UNITED STATJES.

697

hitpp^nied. "What are you about all thii timeT said the
farmer. The man was hacking aVay at c hickory tre^ hot
had not got it half dowtf; and thiiit was all he had done. An'
AmencaiS blaick or white; would have had half a dosen tueea
cut down, cut up into lehgtha, put upott the carriage, and
bitxight hoMe, in the thne. n u>.' :

< So that our men; who come fM)m EngMfj ditllt nilt at^
pect that^ m theM eommota labours of the qpuntry, they ire to
surpaM, or even equal,- these ** Yankees,** who, of nil men that
I ever saw, are the most active and the most hardy. Thqr
skip oret a fence like a greyhound^ Th^ will catch you a
fMg in an open firid by toeing him down ; and diey arc irfraiid
of nothing. • ^ ^

* An AmerioAh laboaref is not regulated, an to imiy by
ekx:ks and watches. The iHin, who seldom hides lus face,*
tells 1^ -when to bqgki in the morning and when' to leave otf
al ni^t. He has a dollar, a' whole dollar {bv^ hb worii ; but
then it is the work df a whole di^. Here is no dispute about
hours. *^ Hours #ere made Ibr slaveis,^ is an did si^g; and
really they seem here to act upon it as a practical maxim.
This is a great thing in agricultural afihirs. It plevents so
many disputes. It removes so great a catkise of driagreement.
The Americata labourers, tike the tavern-keepers, are never
servile^ but idways dvil. Neither boobbhness nor raetnneas
I nark thiAr character. They never creep and fawn^- and are
I never rude. Employed aboiit your house as day-laboarer%
ihey never come to interlope for victuals or drink. They
have ho ideoi cf such a: thing : their (nide Would restrain them
if thar plenty did not ; aind thai would it be with A\ labour-
en, m all countriies, irere they left to mjoy the fiiir produce
of their labour. Full pocket or empty pocket, these American
laboulrerg are always ^ satifie men : no ilaucy cunning in the
one case, and no base crawling in the other. This too arises
rrom thit free institutions of government. A man has a vmoe
because hfe is a man, and not because he is the possessor of
motley. And shdl I never see our English laboureirs in this
state? ; ♦•

8Y'

888

kVIEVV OF, THE

'>(: f Let those English fanners, who love to see a poor wretched
labdurer stand trenUing before thAn with bis hat ofl^, and
*^who think no more of him than of a dog, remun where they
•re;- er<go <#, on the oavalry horses, to the devil at oupei if
they wish to avoid the tax-gpatherer ; for they would here
meet with so many mortifications, that they would, to a cer.
tttnty, hang themselves in « month.^

Aocording to .tlus account, these American- labourers are «
wond^ul set of tellows. , They surpass our EngluhmeQ
amazingly; for we mte no instance, in this country, of aa
old quaker, at seventy wars of age, cradling down l^r acres
of land in a day,; nor can our ablest rustics mow two acres
and a half of grass in a day. Even although their time be I
not regulated by docks and waitches, and th#y continue at
.'Rfork while th6 sun is above the horizon, yet there is a pant
beyond which human exertion cannot b6 cepeatedly strained.

Connected Moth this subject^ we will also ^ve this popular I
writer^s namarks on American pauperism, because it is com* |
pletely at variance with Bristed's account, and in many parti,
culars differs fi-pm the view we have given of the subjtet.
rs Vlt is notorious,^ he says, * that wiiatevermay be the num* I
ber of persons relieved by poor-rates, the greater part of them
are European^ who have come .hither, at different periods and
under circutnstances of distress, different, of course, in degree.
There is, iiendes, a class of persons here of a description v^
peculiar; namely, the free negroes. Whatever may have
been the motives which led to tb^ir emancipation, H is very
certain tlMt it has saddled the white people with a charge;
These negroes are a disorderly, iinprovident set of beings;
and the paupers, in the country, consist almost wholly of
them., Take put the; foreigners and the negroes, and you will
£nd that the paupers of New York do not amount to a hun>
4redth part of t|iose of Liverpool, Bristol, Birmingham, or I
Xiondon, popalation for population* New York is a sea port,
and the only ^reati sea port of a larg^ district of country. All
th^ disorderly crowd to ^t. It teems with emigrants; but
even th6re, a piiuper who is a white native AmerioHi iss]
great rarity. ^

UNITED STATES.

539

It 18 com-
kny parti-

Ithe num-
t of them
nods and
n degree.
lUon very
Ofty have
His very
El charge,
beings;
rhpHy of
you will
|to ahun>
rham, or
seaport,
try. All
ihts; but
isi

* But do the borough-villains think tHgt the word pkntpet'
bas the same nuNuung here that it has under their scor{Nori '
lod? A pauper under them means a man that is able and
willing to work, and who does work like a horse ; and who is
10 taxed, has so much of his earnings taken from him by them
to pay the interest of their debt, and the pennons of them-
selves and thar wives, children, and dependents^ that he is
•ctualiy starving, and hunting at his workf This is what is
meant by a pauper in England. But at^ew York, a pauper
ii, generaUy, a man who is unabW, or, which is more fre-
quently tbn casBj unwilling to work ; who i& become debilitated
firom a vicious life ; or who, like Iwrough-mongers and priestsi,
finds it in<Mie ^fsant to live upon the labour of othei^ than
upon his own labour. A pauper in England is fed upon
broes, gorbi^e, refuse meat, and "substitutes fbr bread/* A
{•uper here expects, and has, as much fledi, fish, and bread
uid cake as he can devour. HoW^gladly would many a little
tradesman, or even little fiirper, in England, exchange his
diet for that of a New York pauper !

^ Where there are such paupers as those in Engbnd, there
tre beggars; because when they find that they are nearly
starved in the former character, they will try the latter in sjnte
li^^U the vagrant acts that any helUbom funding system can
ngender. And- who ever saw a beggar in America? **I
havei" exclaims some^py of the borough-mongers, who hopes
to become a borough-monger himself. And so have I tqo.
have seen a couple nnce I have been on this island. * * ^
Bat these are different sorts of beggars too as well as of pau-
pers. In England a beggar is a poor ^rcature^ with hardly
(mere rags). su^Scientto cover its nakedness, so far even
ts conunon decency requires. A wretched mortal, the bare
sght of whom would freeze the soul of an • American within
hiin. A dqected, broken down thing, that approaches you
hire-headed, on one knee, |rith a trembling vmce, with ** Pray
bestow your cliarity, for the Lord Jesus Chrises sake haye
compassion upon a poor soul;*** and if you toss a hnlfjpeimy
into his ragged hat, he^xclaims in an extacy, **Gk)d Al-
mighty bless your honour!*' though, you perhaps be but a

.- »"

*wm^ ■'

VIEW OF THE

shoe-bla^k yourself An Anaerioui begg«r, dreised ver^
oiuch like other people, walks up lo you «a boldly at if hii
pockets wei» crammed with money, and, with a half antili
that seems to say he doubts of the propriety of lib conduct,
9Mry civilly asks you, \fyou can help him to a t/marhr ofn j
doUar. He mostly states the pnecHse sum, and never sinks
below silver. Ip sfa(Hrt, there is np beggings properly so
called- There is nothing that resembles Eng^sb bc^og
«ven in the moat dii(|uit degree.

< As to the poor-rates, the real poor-rates, y<Mi must look t«|
^e country, Ib England the poor-rates equal in amount thf
rent of the land I Here I pay, in poor-rates, only seren doiJ
lars upon a rent of six hundred J And I pa|hmy full share,
In diort, how is it possible that there should be paupers to
any amount, where the common wages of a labourer are sit
dollars a wee|(: ; that is to say, twenty-seven shillings steiiiog; I
and where the^necessaries 9f life are, upon an average, of h^f I
the price that they are in Ei^land? How can a man beaj
pauper, where he can earn ten pounds of prime hog-meat a
day, six days in every week ? I was at a horse-race, where 1 1
saw at -least five thousand men, and not <me man in
iciothes.

*But some gp back afler they come from England; sndl
the consul at New York has thousands of apj^ications from I
men who want to go to Canada; and little bands of them gol
joff to tliat ^fiae cofmtry very oflen. These are said to be dii.|
appointed *pe(^e. Ves, they expected the people at Netl
York to come out in boats^ I suppose, carry them on shore,!
and give up their dinners and beds to them ! If they villi
work, they viU soon find beds and dinners: if they will not, I
they ought to have none. Mj[hat, did they expect to find herel
the fune faces 9nd the same posts and trees that they left be-l
hind tbcan ? Such fodish people are not worthy notice. The!
lazy, whether male or female, ai| hate a government under!
which every one enjoys bi> earnings, and no more. Low,[
poor, and miserable as they may be, their principle is precis
the same as that of borough-mongQU and priests ; namely, tol
live without labour on the earnings of others. The desire to|

UNITED 8TATBS.

live thus -k almoil tmiverMl ; but with duggartb, thifvis, Ixk
fough-mongen, .and pMctts, it it a piindple of action. Aik «
|^iicit« «ih|P hit it A priest He will «ay (for ha hai wwed it m
tb6 altar !) that he faeUcvts himMlf called ky the Ikly Ohoai
to tak« oa him- the eare of aouls. But put the thing ; cloae to
hkta4 push him hard; and you will find it waa the henafid^
the moneyv >4uid the dtfaev that called him. Aek him what he
wanted them for. That he might a$9t and Kve too witiwat
HHurk. Oh I this work ( It is an «ld saymg, that if the devil
find » fellow idk, he is sure to set him to work ; a aaying the
truth ^ which the priests seem to huve done their utmost to
establish." ■ "»;- . 'ik «i.tst

A wri^ier on America,' who is. fay no means an entravagMit
advocate: for emigration, says, * The classes of British sodety
who would he bene6tlB by an exchange of country, are, I
oonceivev first, that large and much injured body of men who
Are here bhMned to the country and the politacal system^
which oppresses and grinds them to theearth,*^! mean otur
Mtreihe poor^ They would not be in America a week, bdfiire
Ihey would experience a rapid advance in the scale 9$ being.
Instead of depending Amt subsistence upon diarity soup, ocoa*-
rional parochial relief, and bowing with slavish submission to
the tyrant of the p(X>r-house 4 they frm\d, if industrious and
willing to labour, eam 4a. 6d. to 6#. Jo. a day, have meat at
least seven times in the week, arid Icfiow **no one who could
make them afraid.^ The second class would be th^ mechanics,
in branches of first necessity, with the general exclusion, how-
ever, of those acquainted with the British stapln manufactures
iof cotton and woollen only ; but for others, whose earnings
here are under 2lOa. a week, or whose em|^yment is of that
precarious nature, that they cannot reasonaUy calculate, by
the exercise of prudence and economy, on laying by any thing
for ^at is called *^ a rmny day,^ or on making a provision for
old age— -for such persons as these, particularkf if they have,
or anticipak the having ajhmilyy ^emigration to America will
.certainly advance their pecuniary interests, though it flsay nor
enlarge their mental sphere of enjoyments. To these two
■classes, I would further add that of the small farmer who has

54t

VIEW-OP THE •

a> family^ for whoa be can now barely provide tbe neeesMriea
of life, and ooncemini^'A provision foi^hoiii, when bb own
grey haiM are approaching to the grave, he can look ibrward
withibut little confidenee or satisfaction ; to stoeb a man, if h«
should have one hundred pounds clear, that is^ after paying
all.his expenocB of rJemoval, &c., America decidedly offsie iu^
ducemcnta tety supeHor to those aflbrded by this country.
Such a father Would thAe fcd himself relieved firoa « load of
anxiety, the weight of which upon his ipirits, and ita influence
in ireprcssing his> exertions, he is perhaps himself scarcely
aware^ofi till he feels the diflerence by oomparisdn when he
has shaken it off b the New World; — but sUll^to every pro*
posed emigrant, even of these classes, I would say, that he
must not eaqpcci to find cither the country full of gbld, or its
mhabitantS' a* agreeable or as sdMaUeis the pertiaps unequal-
led'people of /England. He must prepare too for many pri-
vationsj and 'should previously have the mind of his family,
particularly that of the mother of his children, so entirely in
unison .with ' his own^ that they can all have the f<^tu€fe and
good atw^c niecessary to bear under the numcinMis privations
they will certamly be subjected to, keeping in mind the sub-
stanUal advantages they will enjoy, and setting off present
evil against their future and increasing prosperity, winch, in
such acouniry, with a soil yet Uncultivated, and in the in-
fancy of its resources, may be considered as almost insured to
them;

m
.. <^The artist,^ says Fearon, ^ mat/ sucoeecl, but the probability

is that he will not do so. I know instances on both sides,
where perhaps.equal talent has beeir jpossessed. A Mr. Shiels,
a portrait-painter^ who was a feliow-passengcr of mine in the
Washington, has been eminently successful in New York ;
Mr. — , who arrived about the same time, has been un-
able to procure his boarding expences. Generally, I should
^ot anticipate, judging from the character and habits of the
^ people, that, at least, the superior artist would find it to hk
advantage to emigrate. The lawyer and the doctor, and,

. y

UNITED I&TATE8.

648

turning to another oIium, the clerk and the shopman, will find
no opening in America.?

- Several Have succeeded well in the business of engraving,
and of piaao-fbrte making ; nor is there much douht of the
success of any artist who joins ingenuity with steadiness and
perseverance. Several instances of great success mig^ be
quoted ; but such cases occur also in all dvtlized European
countries where circumstances are favourable to the devehqpe*
roentoft^nt ^

A literary man will not meet with toy encouragement, the
American library being imported, and newspaper editors hav-
ing no inducement to occupy thdr talents upon any topics
b^ond extracts from English papers, advertisements, and
shipping intelligence.

* Lawyers,^ says the writer quoted above^ < are as commim
here as paupers are in England. Indeed, for those tnends I
see no kind of opening. Prqfisitumal men literalW swam in
the United StAtes. An anecdote is told of a gentleman walk*
ing in Broadway : a friend pasring, he called *< Doctor," and
immediately sixteen persons turned round to answei-iio the
name. This is even more characteristic of lawyers. At al-
most every private door, cellar, or boarding-house, a tin (date
is displayed, bearing the inscription "Attorney at Law."
Clerks are not in demand in this or iny other occupation.
There are here no very large concern^ and most men are ca-
pable of attending to their own business. A shopman or
clerk, who would recrive in London his board and a salary of
froni 80/. to 100/. sterling per annum, would h^e experience
great difficulty in gaining a situation ; and if fortunate enough
to obtain one, he would not receive more than from 3^ to 7
dollars per week, exduuve of board and lod^ng. THb causes
wluch generate so greit a'^number of " legal friends," lie be-
yond the sources of my penetration. Perhaps we may date
the frequency of litigation to the intricacy of the profession,
which is bottomed on English practice ; while the cheapness
of college instruction, and the general diffiiuon of moderate
wealth among mechanics and tradesmen, enable them to gnu
tify their vanity by giving their sons a learned education.

VIEW Of THB, ftc.

Tfab tho 9pam Iha door to tlioMf for as oppoiBtanont ; awf/
by tho woy, tho Amtricoos ore great plaae-huaten/

Fron the loBor oHlhcio ranunrki, it ia ovidoat that tho poor
■an will bo oMut baiio6tad by emigration. Mas doaa not
traaiplaiH cokly. In the haid of hie nativity he acquiraa as*
lociationiy and forms oonncxiona that ai* pleasing and praAc
ahlo. Tho surrender of theao advant^^ requires great
resolution, and, where hope is hhstedj hn disoppoiotmeni
must beievere. The enugrant will, no doubt, find much ig.
norance, iUiberality, and srifishness mixed up in the- American
but on tho other hand, be will find a country poe-
of tho asost enlightened etvil and politieal advantages}
a people reiqnBg the full reward of their own labours ; a peo>
pie not paying tythes, and not subjected to heavy taxation
without representation; a people with a small na^nal debt;
a people without spiee and infinsen; a pooplo without an
oneenKNis standinginrmy ; a peO|rio^ in pnssesiion of an extent
of territory capable of austaiasng an intreasotf milhans and
tensof miUiaBisaf popuktion; and a people rapidly advancing
toward* national woahh and gf a atn ese .

■■\f:&.i 'itOfrt

'mUm

' ' ' «>m

llUlli

. ^

,. , T . _ ,, J t

i.' '!«t'i'i ! t»

^■■^

' ' tTT^TOy IT-nvrTJTK

iT fiywd-vth jTi]

BRETtSH

NORTH AMERICA.

^HOS£ parts of North Ajnerica which still belong to Great
Britain are extensive, and of considerable inportanoe,
though so thinly peopled, and in such a disadvantageous di-
mate, that they sink into insignificance whpn compared with
the great and flourislung colony belonging to Spun, or with
the territories of the United States.

Dtvmom, — The chief of these possessions is Canada, now
divided into two provinces, called Upper and Lower Canada,
the former being the we^^ern division, on the north of the
great hikes or sea of Canada ; while the lower divinon is on
the river St. Lawrence towards the east, and contains Quebec,
the capital, and the chief city of our remaining settlements.

On the east of Canada, to the south of the river St Law-
rence, is Nova Scotia; which in 1784 was divided into two
provinces, that of Nova Scotia in the south, and New Bruna.
wick in the north.

What is called New Britain.oomprehends the most northern
pirts towards Hudson^s bay, and the coast of Labrador. The
large island of Newfoundland; that called Cape Breton; and
the neighbouring isle St John ; complete the chief depomiiuu
tions of Britiiih territory. The regions around Hudson^s bay,
with Labrador ai^d Greenland, are, from the intense severity

3 Z

546

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

of the climate, declared free by nature. The present short
description shall therefore only comprise Canada, and the
other British provinces in the south, which form actual pdls-
sessions or colonies.

/',

CANADA.

Extent. npHIS country is computed to extend from the gulf
of St. Lawrence, and the isle of Anticosd, in the
east, to the Ui{ie of Winnipeg in the wesi, or firom long. 64
d^; 1!o 97deg. west from tiondon, 93 degrees, wMeh in that
hthudle may lie about 1800 geographical mites. The breadth,
from ^ li^e of Erie in the south, or kt. 43 deg., may extend
to lat. 49 d(^., or 860 geographical milek; but the medial
breadth is not above 200.

Climax and Sauons.'^Mr. WcM, ivfao is a great admirer
of ke^ depicts the Canadian climate in the most fiivourable
odours, iHid would persuade \ii that, dioti^ oonmderably
fuHiher to the north, it is at least equal to that of New Engw
land. But even by his account the extremes of heat and cold
are amasing; the thermometer in July and Atigust rising to
96, while in winter the mercury freezes. The snow begins in
NiDvember; and in January the frost is so intense that it is
impossible to be out of doors for any tinw wrthotft the risk of
what is called a frost-Inte, which endangers the limb: and the
warm intervals only increase the sensation ahd the jeopardy.
Btit winter, as in Petersburg, b the season of amosement;
and the sludges, drawn by one or two horses, affbtd a pleairirt
and speedy conveyance. Several stoves are |daoed ill the hall,
whence Hues pass to the apartmenta; and there are djnibk
windows and doors. On going abroad, ^le iHiokr body is co^

BRITISH NCmTH AMERICA.

4f47

V9red tiritb ft^v, exoq)t the eyes and nose. In If ay the,(h|ifr,
generally comes suddenly, the ice on the river bursting wi^
the noiie of ,cannph, and its passage to the ,8^ jis lerrifie, j^ap^
cially when a pile of ice crashes against a rock. Spring is
summer, and 'vegetation aostantaneous. The month of Sep-
tember is one of the most pl^wmt

Mr. Gray, a recent *jraveller Jn this ^untry, spves the follow-
ibg [Mcturesque and aaiuwi^g aepount qf a Canadinn winter: —

*A Canadian winter is truly a subject of curiosity to the
natives <^ Britain, or of any of the southern countries of Eu-
rope. It presents a vievf of iiature perfectly pew^ and a va-
riety of phenomena so highly intepestiog, that they cannot fail
*■■:■ arrest the attention of any Qne at all conversant in natural
philosc^y.

* In Canada tho-e cannot well be said to be more than twp
seasms of the year, summer and winter. The eiiith ha^ili
scarcely Uud aude i^n' mantle of «now, when you begin to fie^l
the force of Htromer heat; imd although th^ weather in; Sep-
tember is mild and pleasant, it fiifutake« mopp^ qf. thft summer
than of the autumn of temperate climate*. The season of ve-
getation seems kindly prolonged, till surprised in a manner at
sDce by the return of winter, withoMt much of what may be
called autumn weather. Frost is felt in October; but the
sun sUll retains enough of power t» make the weather^ (|unng
the day, tolerably warm. During the mopith of J^ovemh^r
the frost becomes daily more severe, afid wow begpps to fall. ,

'There b something very awfuli and tecrific in a jCanadian
sDow stormf A heavy fiiU of snow is generally ■■ aocompsQied
by a violent g^le of wind, which driving along the npif with
immense veiocaty, and forming a thousand eddies atitt tura-
ings, according to the inequalities, pf the surface, and resist-
ance consequent thereon, you are able to form tfli idea of the
velocity of the wind-r-lt becomes, a* it were, visible. The
moat severe snow storms they experience in (Canada oome
iifom the Qorth-«ast, the froseii regions of Hudson^s buy and
ILabratfor. , ^ . ,,^-

' The range of the thermometer, v^ Canada is .very ex^nuvjs.
[The heat in summer runs into as great an extreme as tke:fol4

548

British north America.

in winter. The range, during the last twelve months, has
been no less than ISO degrees ; and what is not a litde sur.
prising, it has reached 60 degrees pirecieely, on each side of
the freezing point (82). In summer the thermometer rose to
9S, and in winter it fell to 28 bel6w zero. I have beeh tdid,
that the cold has been known in this country to freeze mer-
cury, the thermometer having fallen below 40 under zero.

<The effects of frost in this country^ are with difRculty
guarded agidnst, and are really in themselves very curious. I
made an experiment which, to taost people, will appear very I
*ktrpriring. I buent my hand with a cold iron. This may
teem incredible; but a little explanation will convince you of
the truth of what I have asserted.

< In one of those very cold mornings we had in the month I
of January, when the thermometer had fkllen near 60 d^rees
below the freezing point, I put my hand to a piece of ironl
that had been exposed to the frost in the open air ail night.
At first, I felt the sensation iarising from extreme cold ; in a
lew seconds I felt the sensation of heat; and it soon became
80 strong, and so painful, that I was as glad to quit my hold
as if it had been a hot iron. Indeed, I found that I had kepti
it too long, because the part that had been in contact blistered I
in the saide manner it would have done had it been a hot iron,!
and it was cured in the same way. No surgeon in England,!
had he been called' in, could have suspected that it was noti
the effect of coming in contact with a hotrnM. In truth, heatl
was the cause ^ih6 wound; and you will readily allow that l|
am cotrect, when 1 have explained to yoti a few circumstancet,!

' Burning by a hot iron is produced by the he^t, or what isl
technically called coforjc, passing in sudi quantity, and with!
such rapidity, into the part in contact with the iron, that thel
continuity and arrangement of the part is destroyed. Bumingl
with a cold iron arises from the heat passing in such quantityJ
and with such rapidity, out of the part of the body in contact!
with the cold iron, as to produce the same effect. Heat, in|
both cases, is the cause ; and its going into the body ^om the
iron, or into the iron Jroni the body, does not alter tlie natura
of the effect, ' 4a«i f.

BtllTISH NORTH AMEKICA.

549

* There is another effect very frequently produced by odd
in this country, which bears no analoey (as in the preceding
example) to any thing produced b/^exteroal heat; and a
dreadful effect it is—^I meM^/ro»t-biUen.

* When the weather is very cold, particularly when accom-
panied by a smart wind, instances of people being Jrbst-bitten
frequently occur. Not a season passes without some of the
'Sentinels being frost-bitten on their posts. ■ Sometimes their
hands and face, sometimes their f^et, are affected; and a mor-
tification of the part generally fdlows, if the proper remedy b
not applied in time. The remedy will seldom be ap|^ed if
you ate attaclced in the dark, which is often the case with
those who travel at night, as well as with sentinels. Their
owK feelings do not inform them of the presence of the enemy ;
end they are not likely, in the dark, to have him discovered
by other people. He insidiously makes a breach ; and, if he
can keep his ground but for a short time, it is in vun after-
wards to think of dislodging him. In the towns, during the
day, there is less danger, because you will be stopped by the
first person who observes the symptoms. This is readily and
«asily done, as the part frost-tntten becomes white, while the
rest of the face is very red.

* In «o critical a moment, people do not stand oii any cere-
mony, as you may suppose. They know you are not con-
acious of your situation ; and they also know, that before they
could convince you that you are frost-bitten, and on the point
of losing your nose perhaps, it might actually be too late to
apply the remedy ; they instantly take a handful of snow, and
either rub the part themselves, or make you do it.

^ It certainly is enough to startle a stranger, to see a^ person,
perfectly unknown to you, come running up, with a handful
of snow, calling out, " Your ttose^ Sir^ — your nose^ — ^you are
frost-bitten ;^* and without further ceremony, either themselves
rubbing it without mercy, or making you do so.".

River*, — The great river St. Lawrence has been already
described in the general view of North America. The Utawas
is ^ most important of all its tributary streams, issuing from
various lakes, towards the centre of Canada ; its waters are of

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

a bright greenish colour, while the St Lawrence is muddy.
Many rivers «f smaller consequence flotr into the riv^ St.
Lairrenee from the north.

Lakes. — The large lakes have been also already mentioned :
there are many others of Vrhich the enumeration would be te-
dious ; and some difficulty arises from the want of any preose
boundary in the north of Canada.

Mountairu. — Nor have the mounUuns been examined by
any geologist, who could indicate their ranges or illustrate
their structure. The chief ridge seems to be in the northern
part of the province, in a direction south-west and north-east,
giving source to the many streams which flow south-east,
while a few pass to Hudson^s bay. But there are many
mountains between Quebec and the sea, while towards the
Utawas only a few are scattered, and to the south-west there
are ample plains.

Zoology. — The chief singularities in zodlogy are the moose,
the beaver, and some other animals, for which Mr. Pennant^s
Arctic Zoology may be consulted. The rein-deer appears in
the northern part, and the puma and lynx are not unknown.
Both the Canadas are much infested with rattlesnakes. The
humming bird is not uncommon at Quebec.

Mineralogy. — The mineralogy is of little consequence ; and
even iron seems to be rare. There are said to be lead mines
which produce some silver; and it is probable that copper
may be found, as it appears in the south-west of lake Supe-
rior. Coal abounds in the island of Cape Breton, but this
valuable mineral has not been discovered in Canada. If so
wide a territory were properly examined by skilful naturalists,
which /)ught always to be a primary care with every govern-
ment, for the most advantageous position of settlements, and
that every advantage may be secured, it is highly probable
that important discoveries might be made. Little is said of
warm springs, or mineral waters.

SoU and Jgriculture. — The face of the country is generally
mountainous and woody ; but there are savannas, and plains
of great beauty, chiefly towards Upper Canada. In the lower
province the soil mostly consists of a loose blackish earth of

BRITISH NORTH AipERICilu

ten or twdye inches, incumbent on cold clay. Tlui dna
mould is, however, very fertile, and manure was seldom or
never used by the French settlers ; but of^ late marl ha» been
employed, and is found in considerable quantities on the shorai
of the river St. Lawrence. A little tobacco is cultivated for
private use, with many culinary vegetables, and considerable
crops of grain, wheat being reckoned among the exports : a
kind of vine is indigenous, but the grapes are sour, and little
latter than currants. Raspberries are also indigenous; and
there are good currants and gooselierries. A great variety of
trees is found in the forests ; beech, oak, elm, ash, pine, syca-
more, chesnut, walnut, &c. The sugar maple tree abo
abounds, and the sugar is generally used in the country. Of
this tree there are two kinds, the swamp and the mountiun
maple. Mr. Weld points out some difficulties in the tenures
of land, which ought to be removed, as in such a climate there
is no occasion for a barrier against colonization.

Population. — The population of Canada, at the time it came
into the possession of the British in 1759^60, amounted to
75,600 souls, as appears from general Murray^ report to the
British government, immediately after the conquest. At that
time the extensive country now called Upper Canada was not
inhabited by any Europeans. At present the two Canadas
contain at least 400,000 inhabitants : of these, Lower Canada
contiuns about 240,000. The descendants of the old Cana^
dians coni^titme at least nine-tenths of the population of Lower
Canada. In Upper Canada, the population amounts to about
160,000. These are all British, af least they speak English,
and are governed entirely by the laws of England, both in
civil and criminal matters; and in questions relative to real
property, as well as in questions relative to personal property.

From the preceding statement of the population, it is evi^
dent that the increase in Lower Canada for these last fifty
years has been very great ; it has, in fact, nearly tripled. In
Upper Canada the increase has been very rapid, as several
years elapsed after the conquest before any part of Upper
Canada was settled or cultivated. Thirty years ago. Upper
Canada was nesriy a continued forest;— that a population of

SBSi

BEinSH NORTH ABCBRXCA.

160,000 should in that time accumulate, is a proof that the
country and climate are propitious.

The Canadas owe much of their increase of population to
emigrations from the United States of America, and front
Eulpope. These emigrations, to a greater or less extent, take
place every year. The emigrants generally prefer settling in
Upper, rather than in Lower Canada, as well those from the
United States as those from Europe. There are many rea-
sons for the preference given to Upper Canada, which y^il\
'continue to draw a great augmentation to the natural increase
of the population and wealth — whilst the Canadian French
population will only increase in the ordinary ratia

Manners aiid Customs. — The Canadians are but poor
farmers. Indeed, they are generally so, in more senses of the
word than one. They are accused of indolence, and an aver-
sion to experiment, or the introduction of any changes in their
ancient habits and customs, and probably with reason :-— it is
the characteristic of the peasantry of all countries. But one of
the principal causes of the poverty, not only of the Ci^adian
farmer, but also of all ranks amongst them, is the existence of
an old French law, by which the property of either father or
mother is, on the death of either, egualh/ dWided amongst
their children. Nothing seems more consonant to the clearest
principles of justice thani such a law ; yet it is assuredly preju-
dicial to society.

In this country (or indeed in any other) an estate, with a
good hou^e upon it, convenient and appropriate offices, and a
good stock of cattle, may be well cultivated, and support, cre-
ditably, a numerous family. If the head of the family dies,
leaving half a dozen children, the estate and whole property is
divided amongst them, which happens here every day. Each
of the sons takes possession of his own lot, builds a house,
marries, and has a family. The value of the whole property
is very much lessened. He who gets the lot with the dwell-
iiig-house and offices, which served for the whole estate, gets
what is out of all proportion^ to the means he now has of em-
ploying them : he can neither occupy them, nor keep them in
re]^: 'The otheii lots are generally too small to supply the

immmvi^mm) AiwaufciiM

4Mh

expwffli d?4iiM|iUy« or yiajbhs tJlehr ow9«r8. to sMppMrti Ikat
lUSe oC r«ip9ci;«liUity in the otMintvy wJii«h< their fliUier did;
8p thjM, iiprt^Mi pf oii» raspfNftnbb «pdi w«akhy held (^ a fa-
nji^^ who wdd proteot aodt amift the younger branches
givii^ than f^gondeducagion/ and piittwm ^^ ierwasd ii^
tjM wprldi. yewi>.bav«1wjlf a dosenj poor dispirited ore^turep^
who beva not«nei;gy«r power to iof^^rove eidier thi^ lends ov
themn^es^ Without great industry » and iomf ot^pMi new
lende oaBiiot,|>e bwH^t into eultivation, nor can^theee Already
cleared be iff«d^ very fHroduotive.

The Freoqhf hiw supposes that tpatrimray it ft oo-peEtner>
ship; ftpd tluit« ooa^eciuently, on the death of the wife, tho
chMdren bave* ri^ to<deinMwil fxoiq their Sath&e the half v£
his pipopeffty, as hof s to their another. If the .wife^s relations
are i^afe ongpod terms with the fiither, a tUng that sometimes
h^p^M* thiey fiad it. no difficult matter to induce the children
to demand fkfimiage, or division, which often occasions the
total rtMn<of the fatb^, because be loses credit, equal, at least,
to bi« loss of pnoperty, gad o&im to a greater extent His
powers, are dimiidshed^ gnd; bis children still have- a chdm on
him4>c.suppo|i$. ,

0^ effeqt of this law» and not o^e of the least nyaterial, is,
that the affection/ between peJ!^nts and children is likely to be
destroyed by ifei end, in ^ot, it. is rcmarl^ed, that in diis coun-
try the. instances of unfeeling conduct between parents toid
cbildxen e(« esUveiQely freqjuient, and a spirit of litigation is

exrited anwigst tt»em. i^fi 1 4 f oiw^

The vile b«ng by VllWIWgei invested with 9 right to ha&T
the husbwndV propeit(^», apd' l^wg reodered independent of
him, is perhaps the remote cause that (he fair sex have such
iefliiepoe iptFri^ce; 4MSid ii\ |Cia9iule, it i$ well known, that a
great dfaloC <90Pseciue9c^, iM^i even ap w" of superiority to
the hq^bfndyis asijumediby tbem.

The^$U»glijBb.aii4 ^Jpancaa settlers in Canada preserve the
msaneva^aiHil. e^iatrnw oC (b«ir .fe^)ective oountriee. A great
proportieii of (herJViiy^iUint(i of, Up^r Qapada are natives of
Scotland; who,,.by4^rb<lbita<)£i|iduatry, economy, and person
v»KeQce^ieeni»fficMliwr)y Bml^ it;^9v'm8^ this ^ wia^*
24 4 A

«M

BRITISH NOHtH AMERteA;

When the navigation of Uie St. Lawrence beeotaies impne-
tioaUe, little bunneas is done by the merohanti, who then ap»
proffriate a conaderable part of their time to amusements. It
is necessary to do. something to give a little variety to the
sameness of a six months^ winter. They have piUlies of plea,
sure in town, and parties of pleasure in the oountryy in which
are dancing, music, and the social enjoymenta of conviviality.

In winter, when wheel carriages can no longer be used, a
sort of sledge, called a cariole, is substituted. It passes over
the snow without sinking deep. 1% is placed on what they call
runnert, which resemble in form the irons of a pur of skaits,
and rise up in front in the same manner, and fbr the same
purposes. The cariole is generally from nine to twelve inches
above the toow.^ Some, called high runners^ ore about
eighteen inches The body of the cariole varies in shapes ac-
cording to the fanoiy of the owner. It .is sometimes like the
liody of a i^aeVj>n, sometimcH like a chair or gig, sometimes
like a vt#-a-vM, and sometimes like a family coach or ehariot.
The cariole, in short, is the name for all sorts of vehicles used
in winter, from a market cart up to a state coach. The gene-
rality of them are light, open carriages, drawn by one horse.
The snow, after being trodden on for some time, becomes
compact enough to bear the horse, and gives very little resist-
ance to the cariole. It is, however, a very unpleasant convey-^
ance, from the constant succession of inequalities which are
formed in the snow by the cariolea. These inequalities the
Canadians call cafiots (from the French word cahaier, tojoltjy
and they certainly are very well named, for a traveller is jolted
as if he crossed a field with very deep furrows and high narrow
ridges. t

* In all countries,'* says Gray, 'people pass their Insure
hours pretty nuich alike; that is, they dedicate them to
amusement. In Canada, as most of thdr winter hours are
leisure hours, there is, of course, some ingenuity necessary to
give such variety to their amusements as may' prevent them
from becoming insipid by frequent repetition. Hence, in
Quiebpc and Montreal, to the regvimr town parties are added
fCre^i/tfr country^ parties. Ptc-ntc fcMts, where every one

BRITISH NOATH AMERICA.

«ffff

carries with him a raady-dressed dish, are very common ; and
as the place of rtndexvous is generally a few miles out oi iovnk,
the ladies and gentlemen have (Aej9/!raMiir of a little atfiolkiff
before dinner; the roads, it is trtte, are oflen abominably bad,
being a constant succession of cahaia, in which they are jolted
most unmercifully ; not to say any thing of carioles being very
frequently upset, and their contents, ladies, gentlemen, sdup,
poultry, or roast beef, tumbled into the snow, to the no small
amusement of the rest of the party. It is also any thing but
excemvehf pleasant, after having dined, danced, supped, and
passed tjbe evening in festive glee, enlivened by the son|^ and
the catch, to drive home in the middle of the night, let the
wind blow, and the snow drift, as much as they please. Be->
sides, there sometimes come on sudi dreadful atomu, that
neither roan nw horse can shew their face to them. The
consequence is, that the party remain all night ; the fiddlers
again strike up the merry dance, and the whist players cut for
partners ; what cannot be cufed must be endured. Daylight
comes at last, and enables the party to take the road home-
ward without the danger of losing their way, which mostprbb
bably would have been the case with some of them had they
attempted it in the course of the nifii^ht. The little hardships,
^lisasters, or inoonveiuences, of these country parties, give a
zest, however, to the more elegant amusements of the town.^

When it is necessary to deviate from the beaten track, or to

I cross the woods or fields, snow-shoes are used. Tbey are

made of a kind of net-wprk, fixed on a frame, shaped likes

I iwy's paper kite ; they are about two feet long, and eighteen

inches broad, and therefore take in so much of the surface of

I the snow, that they sink but a very few inches. The military

I in Canada are all provided with snow-shoes, and are mardhed

out on them, that it may be qo novelty in case of their taking

the field in winter. For the same reason they are sometimes

encamped amongst the snow.

Could the husbandman, the labourer, and all those whose

I trade or profession in Canada lead them to work in the open

air, follow their occupations all the year round, it certainly

woulcl be of great advantage to the country, and to tiie people.

muff 6H NOtttH AimttVCA.

( N

i*.^

At pttaeoU « gmit proportion of the fwo|4e ire dUiged te
live twelve* months on nx niohths* work, <which implies ifcar
leoeiving douUe wa|g^. This is eertainly the etse; w^ges
•re verj high ; 4*., At., to •». a day afe given, a o uat ili n g to
the kind of wtork, and merit of the workman. The MIciwsb oT
their winter life has other bad cifccts. It gcw eri eB habiti
prejudicial to exertion; so that, even in summer, they d» not
peHbrm so much wmrk as men who are in hiiMts of industry
all the year round ; and the desire they evince ibrSfnriifiNras
liquors is strong and ruinous. Yet, under all these disadvan.
tages, Canada, ta well as Russia, may beoonae a great,- trading,
and populoua country.

Language. — The French language Is still retained by the
descendants of the French settlers in Lower Canada. It it
evidently the interest of the British government, as well as of]
the Canadians, that the- English language only should be I
spoken ; but ^the means of effecting this deswable change have
been strangely negkected. English schools have indeed been
estabKshed in some parts of the country ; but few or none of |
the Canadians have ever sent their children to them.

Togoiw. — Samuel de Champlain, who fbunded Quebec m the j
jfnar 1406, deserves immortal honours for the judiciousness (^
his choice. It ever has been considered, and probably ever
will be considered, as the capital of the Canadas. It certainly
it the key of the river St. Lawrence, which contracts suddenly
opposite to the city, being only about a mile in breadth ; and I
widens immediately above the city. The grand battery ofl
Quebec ia oppontfe to the narrowest part of the river, and isf
an extenave range of very heavy ordnance, which, if properlvl
aerved, roust destroy any vessels which might attempt to pass,!
(or come near enough to injure the town. The river opposttel
to Quebec is about 100 feet in depth, and affords good an-f
chorage : for a considerable way above Quebec it is navigablej
for ships of any size. :<

The MCe of Quebec seems to hav^ been destined by natun
1^ the ca|»Ud of an empire. Above the island of Orleans,
the St. Lawmmee expands, aiyd a bason is formed by
junction of a river eaUed tiie St ChnlM, whioh takes ill

URmSH NORTH AMERICA.

667

•Mrine through a plMti, aepftMlcd from the gritt rivtf by •
ridge «f high hind, about nine aiilet hi length, fttun a plaee
called cape Rot^, to eape Diamond. The general br^th
of thie ridge u fpoin one to two milet. Cape Diamond it t
bold promontory, advancfaig into the river St. Lawreooe, of
aa elevation of 360 feet above the river, nearly perpendicular ;
and the hank the whole way to cape Rouge ti nearly of ^
Hone elevation, rising from the river almost perpendicalar:
die ridge dopes towards the north till it reaches the valley
thrai^ which the river St. Charles runs. This ridge of Uakd
has every appearaace of having been an island, surrounded by
the gteat river.

On the north-east, or lower end of the peninsula, Quebec is
dtualed ; and the line of its fortifications runs from the river
St Charles, across, to the top of the bank which overlooks the
St. Lawrence ; the distance iii about half a mile : and from the
Une cif fortification to the ptnnt of cape Diamond the distance
is about a quarter of a mile : within this space stands the dty
of Quebec. It consists of an Upper and Lower Town : 'the
Upper Town is much elevated above the Lower Town, i^
separated from it by a line of steep rocks. Formerly the river
St Lawrence, at high water, came up close to these rocks ;
but as the tide rises and falls here about fifteen feet, it gave
an opportunity of taking from tlie river a considerable space;
wharfs were buih at low water mark, and^even at some places
lN»yond it, and the intermediate ground filled up to such a
height that it remained dry at high water. Upon this situa-
tion streets were hud out, and houses built. They are of con-
sideraUe breadth, and the houses are large and commodious;
those next the river have attached to them very extensive
warehouses, and vessels come close to the wharfs to discharge
their cargoes.

The Lower Town is not included in the fortifications, but
the passes to it are commanded by tlie batteries in the line of
fortification which surrounds the Upper Town-; so that the
approach by land to the Lower Town will hardly be attempted
by an enemy. The communication from the Lower Town to
the Upp^ T«wn is by 4 winding street ; at the top of which

BRITISH/NORTH AMERICA.

is a fortified gtte. . At the entraoct of thii gate ii a i«rg«i, arcf,
in which is situated the house (dignified with the title of a pa-
lace) in which the bishops of Quebec formerly resided: at
present it is used for public offices, and aoocwaniodates the su-
preme council and house of assembly. Beyond the palace pa
the grand battery. To the left, not far from the entrance of
the gate, is another area or square ; and on the side next the
river is the Chateau de St. Louis, in which the governor re-
Mdes. Opposite to the chateau, on the other ude of the
square, is the English church, a very elegant building; and
the court house, where elegance u not so conspicuous. On
the north side of the square is a very handsome building,
erected for, and used as a tavern, hotel, and assembly room.
From the area of the marketplace different streets diverge,
leading to the different gates of the city. ,

There are three nunneries in Quebec, the Hotel Dieu, the
Ursulines, and thetGteneral Hospital. The nuns here are not
so useless, however, as those in the south of Europe; they
employ themselves in teaching young girls reading and needle-
work. No where do the Roman catholics and protestpnts live
on better terms than here. They go to each other> mar-
riages, liaptisms, and burials without scruple ; nay, they have
even been known to make use of the same church for religious
worship, one party uung it in the forenoon, and the other in
the afternoon. The monasteries are mostly extinct, and many
of the catholic clergy are distinguished for intelligence and
liberality.

There are few objects of curiosity in Quebec. The houses
are generally of stone; small, ugly, and inconvenient. A
large garrison is maintained, but 5000 soldiers would be ne-
cessary to man the works. The inhabitants are supposed to
be 10,000, about two>thirds being French ; and the presence
of the governor, courts, and garrison, conspire to render it gay
and lively.

The Upper Town of Quebec being veiyelevated, enjoys
fine air, and a most commanding view of the surrounding
country. * I have seen most of the fine views of Einvpe,^
writes Mr. Gray ; * and I cftn safely say, t^ey do not SMrp^ss^

BtUtldH Mirra AMtttt&A:

oov

|)trh«pi tl^y do not cquii), that from the flagstaff of Quebec
on cape Diamcnid. The imgestic St. Lawrence under your
ftet, reonving the waters of the river 8t. Charles, and forming
the bason of QuebeCt frtm three to four miles acr<)i«$ — fVirthtf
on you see the river dividing itself into twu branches, fomAng
the bcautifVil island of New Orleans ;-i-on the opposite side o^'
the great river, a finely wooded country, terminating at point
Levi, conceals' the ctkirse and bod of one of the branches of
the river; "-'the island of Orleans, the falls of Montmorency,
strike the' observer; and the villages of BCauport, Charle-
bourg, and Lorette, appear at a distance, and render the
woods in which they are eiuliosomed more interesting. The
eye follows the northern branch of the St. Lawrence till it is
lost amongst the distant mountains. To the nouthward you
look over a leve4 country for upwards of sixty miles, till the
iiew is bounded by mountains. This extenuve tract is still in
a great measure in a state of nature; — imthiug to be seen but
tlie stately forest in all its majesty. It is difficult to imagine a
more happy Uending of art and nature; — villages, country
houses, cottages, corn fielijs, — are combined with primeval
woods, fine rivers, beautiful islands, magnificent waterfalls,
towering hills, and lofty mountains.'*

Commerce has made, and will continue, Quebec as the first
city in the Canadas ; perhaps it may become the first in Ame-
rica, for it has a much more extensive communication with the
interior of America than the new city of Washington, or any
other city in America) Neither the Patomak, Chesapeake,
Delaware, nor Hudson^s river, are at all to be compared to the
St. Lawrence, either in magnitude or extent of back country.
It is worthy of notice, that a person may go from Quebec to
New Orlear.'^^, at the mouth of the Mississippi, by water the
whole way, exce^>t ab<>ut the space of one mile from the source
of the Illii^ois river, to the source of a river which falls into
lake Michigan.

Montreal is situated on an island ; but the island is so large
in proportion to the water which surrounds it, that you are not
sensible Of its insularity. A branch of the river Utawas, ^hich
Mis into the St. Lawrence* above Montreal, tak^ a northerly

mimnn ^n^^ffmAMwuQ^

4ir«etiop» and fon^s i^e »Vin4, wineh. ^ aI^qiH 3d n^m jflh
length by 10 in breadth. Tbci eijtydf; Momtr««l » nikuaUd
Bewr the u|»p«r end of it,, op. the ^outh wde eS tb# idaoJ, ati
thci distance of about 180 mile^ from Quebec.

Moofireal was pnc^ .amroipnded b(jr a wail^ which sen^ to.
defend itagwnst any sudden attack fieom the Indians; but an
tb)» is Qov no longer to be dreaded, the vail is abpuit to be
veaoved, that the towa may be enlarged with the greater fa-
cility. The St, Lawrence comes close> to the town mi the
soiith side, where there is agre^ defnth pf water, but vessek
' have much difficulty to get at it.

Montreal may be said .to be a handsome tpwn. , Its street
are regular aipd air^, and contain many handsome and cfMasmOi*
dious houses. It is fully as kurge and lis populous na Quebec,
containing about 10,000 people, the great mass of whom are
Canadians. Its suburbs, too, are extoisive. It has suffered
gr&itly from $re at different times, and the precautions taken
to prevent Uie s|»eading of conflagraitioo exceed even those of
Quebec ; fur, in addition to the roofs being geieraUy covered
with tinned plates, the windows bf ve outside shuttars, covered
with plate iron.

The island of Montreal is wholly in a state of cultivati(m;
and it is surrounded by a country generally cultivated. What
adds much to its consequence is, its being situated near the
en^otuhure of several riva*s, which bring down from the coun*
tries through which they flow a great deal of very valuahk
produce.

Although the St. Lawrence is navigable for large vessels as
high up as Montreal, yet the navigation above Quebec is at-
tended with so many inconveniences, that in general it ia foiiind
more advantageous for the vessels to stop at Quebec, and for
such of their cargoes as qoxae from Montr^ to be brought
down m river craft.

' The chief trade is in furs. The north-wes^ company ooBp
sists of a number of merchants associated for the .purposes of
trading with the Indians in furs. IJhey fiNrmed the associsr
tion in tli^ ye^r 1734; ond bftvp earned on the trade with
gW»t p|ttrU,*iMl su^ge^, /TboMt wj^Q i^tllBS* Ihjl <joncems of

"»^ i» '• «^'"

.•1 ♦•

BRITISII NOBTH

the compiaiiy rende ui Motitreri { thejr recdve a oompeHSBtioB
for their trouble^ besideB their share of the profits of the eon*
com. Frooi Montreal they tend up the oountry large quanti^
ties of goods, to be bartered with the Indians for Airs. For
the conveyance of these goods, and for brtngiog faaolc the furs»
they have employed, generally, about 50 canoes, and' upwards
of 1000 pec^le ; such as canoe-men (styled voyagmri), guides»
derks, &c. The ca[ntai employed in tlus trade, m goods akme^
is upiwaKds of 100,000^.

At the grand egress of the river St Lawrence, on the lake
Ontario, near what is called the lake of a thousand islaadtk
stands the town of Kwffsiaih more remarkable from its poutton
than any other ciircumstance. The forts of Njtioffcardi and jSIs>
troit beloBg to the f>oQthem side of the boundary. The little
lawn of TroU JUviertta, or Tl^e Rivers, stands between
Quebec bod Monftreal, alid is clu^y remarkable for the vesort
of the savages : but though it contains little more tban 990
houses, it is considered as the diird town in Bri^h Amerioa.
SoPiUe *aa founded in 1787^ the Ameriean loyittists, but
oontains only 100 scattered houses : it is at the dbtanoe of
fifteen Jeagues from Montreal towards Quebec; and the chief
business is ship^building.

Fbr^, ^e capital of Upper Canada, b a small pleasant town,
contaiwag a good many frame houses ; but the land is rather
low and unheaitliy in its neighbourhood. Newark oontunt
about 500 inhabitants, aiKl many of the buildings are hamU
8on<e, beiqg composed of briok and stone. It has two churdiei^
a iail, and iacademy ; six taverns, and about 90 dry-goods
•tores, where every artide can be had on as good terms as in
MoBtveal. The 4brt heire is garrisoned with 500 men, of the
41st regiBMit; and the remainder of the regiment are distri^
buted along the banks of the lake. <iiteemiom% contains
Ikmt 800 inbafaitaiits : it has six stares and several uvems,
todatsonsiderable trade along the lakes. Maiden, at the west
endof hke Eiae, cbnsisis of abotst UM) houses, and hasagar<r
rison, And a graat trade with ttie Indian tribes.

MmmfiKttres.-^A variety of artiokas for domestic purposes,
■iuch ttsed IWmeidv to ht impotKcd from Britain, «re now

4 B

BRfPtlSH NCmtH AMBKVCA'.

ttatiufactured ' in (Dttimda ; ' particularly sCovis, bpNitoh^ and
cooking utensils ; als6 leather, hats, soap, and candles. Ca.
nada has alvrays been famous for the manufacture (^ snuff;
MiA a quantity of sugar, and coarse linens and woollens for
honiecbnsumptjon, are also manufactured.
' Commerce. — Wheat is the most considerable article of ex.
poftatiori from Canada; upwards of one million bushels have
been es^pcnrted in one year ; not half that quantity, however,
was exported on an average of five years ending in 1805.
The next articles of consequence in the list o( exports are,
ftbuir and biscuit. The average amount of flour for five
years, ending 1805, was 19,8S2 barrels at 4^. 6d. per barrel,

4«il^/. 17#. &?.

'The fVir trade of Canada, in point of value . Jid of import,
ance to Crreat Britaiii,' i:^ nearly equal to any other branch of
the Canlada trade. The duty paid in England on furs and
skiAs, iniported* from Canada, amounted, per annum, on an
average of four years, ending 1806, to ^,053/. The lumber
trade is of more real value to Brifsnn, because timber is of
more r^al use in society. The com trade is, perhaps, more
valuable to the Canadian^ than the fur trade ; but the trade in
furs employs a great number of people, and a Urge capital.

: Th^ north- wiest company, wholiave entirely monopolized to
themselves the fur trade, are a self-created company, not ac
knowledged by government, but who have united their capital
and exertions for their mutual benefit. As they have at pre*
aent nobompietitor^ in the north-west territory, they have the
trade in their own power in a great measure: but they are
obliged to pay a considerable price for the skins, because the
irtdians have b^n so long accustomed to the trade, that they
have long ago learned that a beaver skin is worth mwe than a
two-penny knife, or a six-penny trinket.

t When the Berlin and Milan decrees threatened to shut all
the port^ of Europe against Britain, the government took
sovqe pains to introduce the cultivation of hemp into Canada,
a measure which promises to become very successful^ But
the produce of the forests are articles of the greatest import-
ance amongst the exports of Canada. Staves are exported to

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

a grekt amount, and. some very handsome ships are annually

built by. contract at Quebec and Montreal. A quantity. of

fish, and pot and i^rl ashes, is also exported; but as hai

been bhSenred, the export of.fuvs is; of .the. must advanti^

Beffldes the north-west coropatiy, ^ another compafiy .Avfaio^

trades to the soy th-wcst, and' is generally terqi^ .thei)MiohilU

mackinack company, has beeh lately .established. Tlie,Uadp

(on^s bay (iompiany conduct that, business on a very' narrow

scale, and with little benefit to the public, Aviuch hak induce(|

I both Mr. Burke and Mr. Mackenzie to condemn the iDonopoly

I they hold. The latter gentleman hds givien a most interesting,

I account of this cueIous trade. ; :.]m f.kxp'-'Mi£k

The total exports from Quebec alone in 1808 ameuntedflo

|895,949il, and the number of vessels cleared from the' customs

house was 334, equal to 70,275. tons, and pavigated by 3380

seamen. In the year 1806 the tonnage was only 33,996;

which clearly shows the natural amelioration of the pountryv

I arising from the embargo in America. : ti

The pnncipal imports are spirits, wines, tobacco, sugar, salt,

land provisions for the tro(^. Manufactured' articles are also

I'lmported to a great amount from England, v . ^^'^^^i u:?

Rel^ion.-;-'The religion is the Roman catholic; but the

[British settlers follow their own modes of worship. There are

(only twelve clergymen uf the church <^ England, including

I the bishop of Quebec ; while the catholic clergy are 126. v;

Gonemment. — By an act passed in 1791> a legislative oouoh

Icil and an assembly are appointed for each of the prqviftices of

Upper and Lower Canada, having power to make laws with

the consent of the governor; but the king may declave lus

dissent at any time within two years after receiving any bill, ;

The legislative council is to consist of seven members for Up- .

per Canada, and fifteen for the Low^r province, summoned by

I the governor under the king's authority, and npminated du-

Iring their lives, except forfeited by an absence of four years,

lor by paying allegiance to a foreign power. , The house of

I assembly is to consist of fifty members from Lower Canada*

and sixteen froiu Upper Canada, cliosen by the freeholders in

a ■;•?,*■

J Ki *;io«iK& *»js .«*su' Hftjr. r.Mtr

snrrisH north America.

A* towns «nd ^triets. Theae counalt are to uwnUc at
least once every year ; and the house of aSacmUy oontinuti
four yearS) except in case of prior dbscdulaDn. The gawemer,
logeUier with audi of the axceutive coHnd) aa shall be ap^ j
j^ointed by ih^ kmg for the a^^ars of each province, afe to be
a court of civil jurisdiction for hearing and detmnining ap.
peala; subject, however, to audi a|)peals firom thdr senteacc
as heretofore existed. All laods in U^wr Canada are to be I
granted hereaiW in free and common soeeage; aad also ia|
Lower Canada where the grantee skalf desire it, subject ne.
Verthdess to alterations by an aet of the legislature. British I
.America is superintended by an officer styled €ioveFnor..gei)e.
tal of the four British Provincea in North America, who, be.
•idea other powers, is conunandler-in<duef of all the Bri^
troqpa in the four provinces, and the governmeBts attached to I
them, and Newfoundland. Each of the provinces has: a lieu. I
tenant-govempf, who, in the absence of the governor-general, |
has all the powers requisUe to a chief magistrate.

The pdicy of giving Canada such a form of government is i
very questionable. But the Engtiah are lo fond of their con.
Btitution, that they think it is only necessary to shew it to all [
the world, and it must be accepted with joy. The impossibi-
lity of establishing in an instant a free constitution, amongst I
an ignorant and superstitious people, is not considered. And I
bow can Intimate Frenchmen, the descendants of m«i who I
never formed a correct idea themselves of the nature of civil I
$nd vdigious liberty, impress it on the miners of thdr children?!
or how can men who can neither read nor write, which is thej
case with many of the members of the house of asaenibly, dis.1
charge the important duties of a le^isliitor ? This fact, whicbl
is stated by travellers of respectability, of itsdf evinces thatiti
Wits too soon to give the French Canadians a share of the go.|
^vernment. If Upper and Lower Canada had but one house |
•f assembly y the English party would always have the ascen.|
dancy ; but Canada being divided into two provinces, and thel
Fi«nch Canadians in Lower Canada forming the majority, thel
government of the couptry is virtually placed in their bands. I

A uiuon of

BUrnSH NORTH AMERICA.

A umoD o€ the two provik:ic«» in govemment, hm% and lam-
guagc, would be cquitty advyntagemis to the oohuiuta and
Ae mother ODuntfy; « o^J* 8 /»*»♦'»'»*»' ^ •

> ' HiUitary Ftrct.'-^ln Lower Canada there are about 60i,000
nihtia. Thar are mustered at stated pcriodb ; and, iii the tmvna,
iSaef are olothed a»d anncd, and hnve learned the bunness of
aoUiert » wett, that they ara il to be brigaded whb ^ troops
of the line; In the kte wat their courage and oonduct were
escettent; whidi, no doubtv erase from their hatred to the
iifanbitanU of the United Stiates. But, notwithstandinf their
^pdet and inoftmsive halnts, it is doubtful how theyirould act
in eaae Canada waa invaded by the French, for w^UNfei tkey
miist have a natural predilection^. ■ is ^Jt4j .T.fUK ;<»>)* 1m >
Revenue. — The civil list, including the whote civil exfMiidi^
Cun»ofllK^provinoeioif Lower Canada for 1806, amounted to
36^13/; \\». 8|dL sterling; hut of this sum the piwinee paid
only 16,3S7/L \4ts. (l|dL, as appears by the accounts laid before
the house of assembly ; the remainder was paid out of the
0tt2iA»y cheHy from funds raised by draughts or the British
government The military establishment, with repairs of forts,
8ec. is stated at 100,00Qii. ; and the like sum for presents to
the savages, and salaries to officers employed among them for
trade, &c in Upper Canada. But the advantages of the com-
neroe are thought to counterbalance these expences.
r: ''irMtor^->-When we reflect on the number of ye^rs this
eountry has been in the possession of Europeans, we cannot
help being surprised that it should still retain so rouc^ of its
original rudeness : it is now about S60 years since it was taken
possession of by the French. The infant colony Seems to
have been very much neglected by Old France, who did not
by any means w«tch over it with a motherly care; From the
year 1465) when Quebec wiil«first discovert, to the year
166'l», a period of 1£9 years, the ginvemment and trade o^* Ca-
nada were in the possession of private^bterchants holding un-
der patents from the king of France. In the year 1664, the
king assumed the government; a governor was appointed;
but the trade of the country was given exclusively to the com*

urn

BRITISH NORTH AMERtCIAL

pany (fef Indes Occidentales. The English had by thw<tiirie
eataUished colonies in New England jind, at Botton, who did
every thing in their power to weaken and annoy the French
col<irty, whi<*J> they found interfered! in their ti'ade Willi the
Indians. , Indeed^ the English attacked and toolc Quebec so
far back as the year 1689; but it was restored to the French
by the treaty of St^ • Gehnain in 1683. Thd i French govehi.
ment, even after they took the'cokmy ui^der their owiH ininie^
diate cat«, sefem to have paid more attention to th^ fur dttde,
to exploring the interior of the country,- cultivittihg the friend-
ship of the Itidians, and spreading die Roman caithoiic rdi-
gioki, thafn to the improvement of the country in agriculture,
the promotion of the arts, and the domestic pursuits of civil
afkaety. ■'■■,. I - •. . -,,, .'',

' Inl759, geawal Wolfe, Willi infiiiite labour, conitrived to
carry his little army to the top of the heights 6n thei St. Law-
rence,' and took his stand on the plains of AbrahaAii Mont-
calm, the French general, vainly confident, marched otlit of
the city, engaged the English^ and was beat close to the Walls,
{t was very, unaccountable that the French should resolve to
come out of a strong fortification (where they might long have
resisted the assailants) arid put themselves on a footing with
their enemies. Besides the troops in the city of Quebec, the
French had 10,000 men encamped at Beauportj within a few
miles of Quebec. If an arrangement had taken plaiie with
these troops, that they should attack Wolfe at th^ mohient the
garrison sallied forth, his little army must have been cut to
pieces. To this error we owe Quebec. General Montcalm,
as well as the brave Wolfe, fell in the engagement : very dif-
ferent, however, must have been their feelings in their last
moments. The conduct of the Frenchman, in rashly sacrific-
ing his troops and the intere|pbf his cpuntry, could hot bear
reflection. Wolfe saw ju»>tnk)ps triumphant; they had beaten
the enemy : he di^fjli^lie arms of victory.

General Montg<jmery, in the winter of 1775, besieged Que-
bec with an American army, and, when reinforced by general
Arnold, attacked the city by assault on the night of tlie Slst

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA!.

867

December. They were repulsed ; — the general and two of his
aids-de-camp were killed. The blockade continued during
the winter : but on the arrival of troops from England in the
spring, the siege was raised, and the Americans driven out of
the province.

The difil'rent attempts and their failures, lately made by
the Union to separate Canada from Great Britain, are well
known ; and will tend, it is probable, to weaken those prepos*
terous desires for conquest, which seem to actuate the Ameri-
can government.

GASPE.

Before closing this account of Canada, it may be proper to
mention a part of it separately. It is called the * Inferior di^
trict of Gasp^ C and is ntuated to the southward of the river
St. Lawrence, from cape Chat downwards, and comprehends
a o(Himderable extent of country on the west coast of the gulf
of St. Lawrence, in which are found two,deep bays, viz. Gasp^
bay and Chaleur bay. .. :i s ><i

The district of Gasp^ has a governor apptnnted by the
king, and there is an inferior court of king^s bench for the de-
dsioB of such civil suits as do hot exceed SO/., and to take
cognizance of criminal matters that are not capital. At pre^
sent, the population, reckoning resident settlers only, is not
more than 3500. < In the summer time, a great many more
are attracted for the purpose of carrying on the fishery, which
is done in all its different stages. The bays and coasts oi
Gasp^ abound with codfish, salmon, and many other sorts of
fish. There are several fishing stations along the coast ; those
of most importance are at Perc^ and Chaleur bay. The trade
ompioys annually, about a dozen aqitore-rigged vessels, besides
a great many small craft. Fish, to the«value of 60,000/. a
year, including what is sent to Quebec to be re-shipped for the
\/c>st Indies, and elsewhere, or used in the country, are cured
and sent to a market. The greatest part, however, is sent di-
rect from Gaspd to the West Indies or Mediterranean.

BBITISH MfQBTH AUEBKJL

aEMABKS.

"'From the preceding description, an qiinion may be ibnned
respecting tiw present state of British America. Upper Ca-
nada will no doubt soon become a thickly settled country.
Moat of the emigrants to these extensive regions are Scotd^
Irish, and natives of the United States. The cliamte is mild^
the land in general fertile, and the tenure easy. The laws also
appear fair and equal ; but there is a good deal of underhand
management and intrigue, and neither independence of senti-
saenti nor freedom of speech or of the press, are encouraged.
Indeed, they can hardly be tolerated in a country where the
government d^xnds for support upon the military, who arecf
vourae jealous, haughty, and overbetuing.

It is, however, impossible that this state of thingft -tbould
last; and accordingly a very powerful opposition has hrtdy
been made to the unconstitutional conduct of the governor.
This spirit of reastanoe will naturally gather iitrei^h as the
population increases ; and the separation of thn ptet of the
British empire fvom the mother country is perhaps not far dis>
tant. The encouragement latdy altered by our commercial
tegulationB, tfbr the exportation of agricultural produds fton
Canada, will no doubt operate so as to produce a tendpoeary
MMjuiescence to tlie mandates of government; bot if any st>
tamptB to domineer despotically be persisted in, the result n
obvious. The Britiah ships might block np the navigation of
the St. Lawrence against the inhafaitanta of Upper Cknadai
but the grand canal, which is intended to jam the lakes with
the Hudson river, will of!br a stiU moiw eligible outieC ior the
f>roduce c^this country.

T^'Eancie

I^tohia

of Siirliiig; ,

Scotia is well
who aeem ihi
whom it was (
land by the tr
into two piyjvi
former there vi
length, ciJIed ;
Brunswick froi
States. The r

toRs about 60 1
about 80. Th

•»nks, enriche
and covered, wi
and near rouu
which the Grai
The great chaii
west of this pr
I-awrence, IT]
John, about 9(
opposite; aqd t
of Fundy, with
tiinber and iisb.

.flte-

'r»/J^ 9iU V

BRITISH NORT» AMBRIOA.

509

NEW BRUNSWICK.

■THE and^t province of Nova Scotia was granted by Jam|i
I. to hi» secretary Sir William Alexander, afterwards earl
of Stirlidg; and the origin of the title of baronets of No^
Scotia is well known. It was afterwards seized by the French,
who seem indeed to have been the first possessors, and by
whom it was called Acadie ; but it was surrendered to Eng.
land by the treaty of Utrecht, 1713. In 1784, it was divided
into two province, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In the
former there arc two considerable bays, and a river of some
length, ciklled St. John'^s; while that of St Croix divides New
Brunswick from the province of Main, belonging to the United
States. The river of St JcJm ip navigable for vessels of 50
tons about 60 miles, and for boats about SOO ; the tide flowing
about 80. The fish ar^ salmon, bass, and sturgeon : and the
banks, enriched by the annual freshes, are often fertile, level,
and covered with large trees. This river sffordA a common
and near route to Quebec. There -are many lakes, among
wluch the Grand lake is "SO miles long, and about nine broadl
The great chain of Apalachian mountmns passes on the north>
west of this province, probably expiring at the gulf of St.
Lawrence, llie capital is F|rc|derick-town on the river St.
John, about 90 miles from its estuary. St Ann's is almost
opposite; aiifd there are some other settlements nearer the bay
of FundyV with a fort called Howe. The chief products are
timber and fish. ,,

■i iiHt iiumb'-jm H

IBITISH NOETS AMBRICA.

NOVA SCOTIA.

^HIS pvmupt it about 800 miles in length, by about 80 of
medial boe^th, being iafcrior in mze ttf New* Brunswick.
There are several obnoderable riversi among which thitt of
AostapoUa is navigable fifteen miles, for ships of lOO tons.
The bay of Fuvdy, between New Brunswick- toad Novo Sootis,
extends 50 leilgues island ; the eblmig aid flowii^ of the tide
being from^ 4i$ to 90 ieet. It is coiled by the French Acadie,
has New Ei^land and the Atlantic ooean to the south and
l«iuth-west> and the river and gulf of St. Lawrence to the
«orth and north-eaat. Though it lies in a very Atvourable
part of the temperate oone, it has a winter ci an alnmst insup-
portable length and culduess, continuiag at laast seven nionthi
in the year: to this immediately succeeds, without the inter*
vention of any tfasng tiiat may oe called spring, a summer of a
heat as violent as the cold, though of no long coLtlnuanoe;
ami they are wrapped in the gloom of a perpetual fog, even
hmg aftear the summer season has commenoBd* In most parts,
this soil is thin and barren, the corn it produoea is of a shrivel-
led lund like ryo, and the grass intermbmd witii a oold apoagy
moss. However, it is not unifoemfy bad ; these awe tracts in
Nova SiQotia which do not yield to the best land in New Eng.
land The ospital is Halifiw, on the bay of Cliebucto, well
situated for the fishery, with cmnmunications by land and wa- 1
ter with other parts of this province, and New Brunswick.
There is a good harbour, where a small squadron of ships i^ |
war, employed in protecting the fishing vessels, is laid up In
the winter. The town is entrenched, with forts of timber, and
is said to contain 15 or 16,000 inhabitants, a superior popula-
tion to that of Quebec. Shelbume, towards the south>wat,
once contmned 600 families ; Guisbury about S50. The bar» i
hour of Annapolis is excellent; but it is an inconsiderable

hamlet. T

tribe of aboi

phcs of grai:

ported to th

articles, to t

timber and

that of ood, I

ore remarka

(ram the one

of that subs

hilis being m

This strange

blueberries, .

whieh serve

Jiay of Fund

lablime scene

ISLA]

THIS ifllanc
though di
mile in br^ad
cording to the
period, about
aavigated thes
nent, was cal
They did not,
Ihey ereeted fi
tiouisburg wat
Europe, as th<
choose to lea\
(tlten b^ somt

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

hamlM. There are diiny foresu. The MicmacH) an Indiui
tribe df abdut 800 flghters, dwell to the east of HaUAix. Sup-
plies of grain are sent fWbm Britain ; fram #hence also are ex-
ported to these ptovinoes linen and woollen eloths, and olher
artieles, to the atnount <^ about 90<,000l. : and the returns are
timber and fish worth abotit 60,000i: The chief fishery is
that of ood, near the cope Sable oaast Near cape Canoo tfaertf
are remarkable oliflb of white gypsum. About Sd leaguee
from the oape is the isle de Sable, or of Sand, connsting whtrfty
of that substance, mixed with white transparent slofies, the
bills being milk-white oones, and some 146 feet above tlie sea.
This strange isle has ponds of fresh wMer; with jnmpersy
blueberries, and cranberries, and some grass and vetoheft^
whieh eenre to support a few horses, cows, and hogs. The
bay of Fundy presents an infinite variety of picturesque and
ublime scenery ; and the bore rises to the height of 70 ie^.

!««!

ISLAND 01? CAPE BBETON.

THIS island is attached to the province of Lower Canada,
though divided from Nova ScoUa only by a strait of one
mile in breadth. It is ilbout 100 ilnites in lehgth ; And, ac-
cording to the French author^ was discovered at a very early
period, about A. D. 1500, by the Nomtans and Bretons, who
aavigated these seas ; and, being supposed a part of the conti*
nent, was called Cape Bretoh, a name alMurdly retained.
They did not, howevor, take possession of it till 1713, when
they erected fort Dauphin : the hafbour being found difficult,
tiouisburg was built in 1730, the settlers being chiefly from
Europe, as the Acadians, or IVench of Nova Scotia, did hot
ehoose to leave that country. In 1745, Cape Breton waa
liken b^ sottii liwips ftam ^«w England, and has flince re

'57!e

bhitish north America;

nuuned subjtict to the BritiRh crown. The oiiimte U cold wid
toggjt DoC only from the proximity of Newfoundland, but
from aumarous lakes and forests. The soil is chiefly mere
moss, and has been found unfit for agricultpre. The chief
towns are Sidney and Louisburg; the whole inhabitants of
the isle do not exceed 1000. The fur trade is inconsiderable,
but the fishery very important, this island being csteeoMd the
ebtef seat ; and the value of this trade, while in the French
possession* was computed at a million sterling. There is a
very extensive bed of coal in this island, in a hn|iaontal direc
tion, not more than six or eight feet below the surface ; but it
has been chiefly used as ballast : in one of the pits a fire was
liiadled by accident, and remains unextinguished.

The island of St. John is at no great distance to the west of
Cape Breton, being about 60 miles in length by 30 in breadth,
and is attached to the province of Nova Scotia. The French
inhabitants, alx)ut 4000, surrendered, with Cape Breton, in
1745. It is said to be fertile, with several streams. A lieu-
tenant-governor resides at Charlotte town ; and the inhabitants
of the island are dRnputed at 0000.

■4-„—*-

PRINCj: EDWARD'S ISLAND.

rpHIS island is situated in the gulf of St. Lawrence, near the
coast of Nova SooUa. It is about 120 miles long, and
much intersected by arms of the sea, along which is a thinly
scattered population, estimated at about 7 or 8000, The
lands of this island were granted in the year 1767, in several
large lots, of which a great proportion fell into the \ianA» of
persons who entirely neglected their improvement. This place
has lately attracted much attention from the patriotic exertions
of th^ earl of S^kir|c, who, io ord«r tQ< tiun the curtent of

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

5lS

emigration from the Highhmdn of Scotland to tfie United
States, conceived the plan of forming a lettlement here, where
the Higklandert might continue their old cufttomn, and enjoy
all the {Measures that ariae from the pond fipirrit of clanshii^i
About 800 of these people, aceo^ dingly, reached the island
August, 1806, under the supentBtendance of this yonng no-
biemM. Each settler was allowed, at a moderate price, from
50 to 100 acres. This colony has not disappointed the ex-
pectations of the founder, and seems to promise a diesirable re-'
treat to the superfluous population in the Highlands, and also
to constitute a valuable barrier to the British possessions in
America. '' "'»'' *>*» *'

<ir

imtvi

'.r

NEWFOUNDLAND.

rpHIS island was discovered by Sebastian Cabot in 1496,
who also founded the prior claim of England to the North
American shores as far south as Florida. This discovery, like
that of Columbus and others, was unintentional, the design
being merely to penetrate to the East Indies. Those authors
who wonder that no colonists were sent, only shew their igno-
rance of the intentions of the first navigators ; as at that period
there was not one man in Europe who could have formed the
smallest idea of the benefits of a colony. It was the success oi
the Spanish colonies, allured by gold alone, that, towards the
end of the sixteenth century, enlarged the ideas of mankind ;
but, even then, Raleigh^s transcendant mind held out gold to
all his followers, as the sole inducement. The island of New.
foundland is about 320 miles in length and breadth, the shape
approaching to a triangle. It seems to be rather hilly than
mountainous, with woods of birch, small pine, and fir ; yet on
the south-west side tliere are lofty head-land?. The country

BRITISH NORTH AMERICAi

hto scarcely been penetrated abore 90 miles; but there, are
nunierous ponds and morasses, with some dry barrena. The
great, fishery on the banks of Newfoundland begins sibout Ae
10th of May, and continues till the end of Septemb^. The
9od is either dried for the Mediterranean ; or what are called
mwMiah, bamlled up in a pickle of aak, for the En^^lisb mar-
ket. These banks and the island are environed widi cajMteiit
fog, or snow and sket ; the former supposed by sosM w be
OGcauoned by the superior warmth of the gulf stream from the
West Indies. . The fishery is otmiputed to yield about
300,000^ a year, from the cod sold in the catholic countries.
The island of Newfoundland, after many disputes with the
French, was ceded to England 171S, the French' having per-
mission to dry their nets on the northern shores ; and in 1763
it was stipulated that they might fish in the gulf of St. Law-
rence; and the small isles of St. Pierre and Miquelon were
ceded to them. > The French, by the treaty 1783, were to en-
joy their fisheries on the northern and western coasts, the in-
habitants of the United States having the sanae privileges as
before their indepeflenee ; and the prdimtnaries of October,
1801, confirm the privileges granted to the French.

The ehief towns are St. John in the south-east, with Pla-
centia in the south, and Btwavista in the east ; but not above
1000 families remain during the winter. In the spring a small
squadron is wit to protect the fisheries and ibttldnienta, the
adimvdi hmig also governor of the island, its stJe consequence
dependii^ on the fishery ; «nd there wre two lieulcnant^go-
feiMMrs, one at St. J<^n'si, another at Plooentia.
'-. Tliese dreary shores are strongly ooAtrasted by the Bermil>'
daa^ or Somncr islands, lying almost at an equal (tistanoe be-
tween Nova Scotia and the West Indies; but as they are
nearer tn the coast of Carolina than to any other knd, it
seema more {Mroper to arrange them here than under any
other dftviwMk

%*=

„ ■ _ , lit bm > ' ■■■ ' -'■

V/JX^

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

615

BERMUDAS, OR SOMMER ISLANDS.

^H£Y are four in number, and were discovered by the
Spaniardti u^ldr; J«h^ Q^rm^af^' ki lllfT ; but being
afterwards neglected by them, they were again disclosed by
the shipwreck of Sir G surge Sommer in 1609; which event
seems to h^ve induced Shakespeare to describe them as ever
vexed with storms. Another poet, Waller, who rended there
some time, on his being condemned for a plot against the par-
liament in 1643, describes them in very different colours, as
enjoying « perpetual spring. In 1725, the benevolent and
eeeentrieh tofhop Berkeley prapoied to erect a college in tbctt
glands for the ocHivermoB of the savage Americans ! It ap-
pears th«t the iMTgc'st island, called BMnuda, reatmblcs a
hoekt the ^^eat sound fronting tlie oeAh. The lei^b is
about 80 geof^raphioal iniles, the breadth asldom two. The
other iilcs ^xe St. GreorgeV St. I>avid\ aad Somerset ; with
leveval iillBltm and numerous rocks. The town of St. Georjgt
contains ahwiySOO houses, built oft soft firvcatone, probably
tike that etf" B^; the UibaUUBta being about SOOO, and thbse
ef aU thf i$liM perhaps about 9000. There is a goveraar,
council, ani^ feaeral tasembly ; the religion being thai of the
ditureh ef Ekig^and. The people are cAmAy oocupiedl in
buil^bag li^t dlipa of thdr cedars, in whidi they trade to
North America aid the West Indies. It would appear that
these remote isles were oninhabited wlicn settled by the Eng-
lish; but a good bistoffy and descriplion of the Bermudas
might afford a pleasiitg additioB to the geographical library.
Mr. Morse saya that the blacks are here twice a» nnnMrous as
die whites; mmI thiU a great part of their trade conusts in
carrying salt to Araenoa. The wonscn are said to be hand-
lome, and both seiee feed of dress, whieh ia perhi^ moie
laudable than the opposite extreme.

^5^;j

.AaiH3f/:A msiiVA nfunnn.

Ai.Acl

SPANISH

a ' NORTH AMERie4^

imi^ ii'julv ,;."r,'i)X ill 1,^^, , »

'■'"',■"

(Eti! 'J'/|M^ '^-^

Exlutt, 'pHE Spanish dominions in Nortl) America are
'|B if more important, in every respect, than those

they hold in the Muthem half of the new continent. Yet
jealousy of thd Engnsh, and recently of the government of the
United ' Sta«s, has long prevented any precise intelligence re-
specting these regions from appearing. Re ourse, liierefore,
must unavoidably be had to authorities which mi^t, in any
Qthei^'case,' be deemed imperfect, dubious, or a^g^uMed.
i Of this wid« region the chief part is distii^^shed by the
nameof Mexico,' or New Sixain; the provinces^ in ascending
firom the^utb to tht north, being Veragua, Costa Rica, Ni-
caragua, Hondnras (with the Mosquito shoM clamed by the
English), Giiatimala and Verapaz, Chiapa, Tabasco, and the
peninsula of Yucatan, Guaxaca, Mexico proper, including
subdivisions : with New Gallicia, Biscay, and Leon. What
is called the empire of Mexico was in truth only a moderate
kingdom, about 600 miles in length by 140 in breadth. Nay,
the republic of Tlascala was within 60 miles of the capital.
, The provinces further to the north are Cinaloa and others
on the gulf of California, with that large Chersonese itself:
New. Mexico includes the most northern central settlements on
the Rio Bravo. ' ' .i, . •

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

ClMnaie.^^ln California epidemical distempers seeijti to be
Sequent; but the country has not been sufficiently examined
by scientific observers. M(Hsture seems to predominate in the
isthmus ; but not to such a d^ree as in the South American
province of Darien, where it may lie said to rain for nine
months in the year. The rains, however, temper the extreme
heat, wluch would otherwise predominate in this climate. Vio-
lent storms are not unfrequent, and sometimes the lightning
seems to rise from the ground. The maritime districts of
Mexico are, hcvwevcr, hot and unhealthy, so as to occasion
much perspiration even in January. The inland mountains,
on the contrary, will sometimes present white frost and ice in
the dog days. In other inland provinces the climate is mild
and benign, with some momentary snow in winter ; but no ar-
niiciai warmth is found necessary, and animals sleep all the
year under the open sky. There are plentiful rains, generally
after mid-<day, from April till September, and bail.storms arc
not unknown. Thunder is frequent; and the earthquakes
and volcanoes are additional circumstances of terror.

Face cf the Country. — The fece of the coimtry is rather
mountunous than plain, except towards the shores; but the
mountains are interspersed with delightful vnlcs, and the sml
is generally fertile. ,

Rivers.-<-^The streams in the isthmus are of a short course,
and little remarkable in any respect. The principal river of
Spanish North America is, beyond all comparison, the Rio
Bravo, called also del Norte, or of the northern star. The
course o£ this important river, so far as its sources can yet be
conjectured, may be about 1000 British njiies ; but it^ whole
circuit probably exceeds that of the Danube. The nature of
the shores, and the various appearances and qualities r^ the
waters, have not been illustrated.

Next in consequence would seem to be the Rio Colorado,
on the east of the Bravo, whose comparative course may be
about 700 British miles. Towards the west is a large river
which flows into tl>e Vermillion sea, or gulf of California, also
called by D'Anville Cohradoy with tl»c addition de Jos Mar-
tyres ; but the main stream seems rather to be the Rio Gramfe

♦ D

Oft

578

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

de hs Apostolos, barbarous appellations imposed by the Jesuits
ftrho had settlements in' California. The coarse of this river
may be computed at 600 British miles. Among the rivers of
the isthmus may be mentimied those of Palmas, ^f Panuco, Ta>
basco, Sumasinta, St. Juan, all flowing into the giilf of Mexico.
Those which join the Pacific seem mere rivulets ; till, in the
vicinity of Mexico, the mountains rather tend to the eiwt, and
the streams of Yopez, and Zacatula, join the Pacific ocean.
That of Guadalaxara rises to the west of Mexico; and being
considered as passing through the lake pf Chapala, will thus
join the Pacific after a comparative course of 350 British
miles.

Lakes. — The chief lake in Spanish North America, so far as
yet explored, is that of Nicaragua, which is about 170 British
miles in length, north-west to south-east, and about half that
breadth. This grand lake is situated in the province of the
same name, t6wards the south of the isthmus, and has a greut
outlet, the river of St. Juan, to the gulf of Mexico, while a
smaller stream is by some supposed to How into the Pacific,
In the hands of an enterprising people tliis lake would supply
ihc long wished for passage, from the Atlantic into the Pacific,
and in the most direct course that could be desired. Nature
has already supplied half the means ; and it is probable that a
.eomplete passage might have been opened, at half the expenct
wasted in fruitless expeditions to discover such a passage bj
the north-west, or the north-east. This speculation must de-
pend on circumstances ; but if a passage were once opened,
the force of the ocean would probably enlarge it ; and a tri-
bute at tliis new sound would be a considerable source of re-
venue. Among the more northern lakes, that of Mexico ih
not only celebrated, but of considerable extent, being, accord
ing to the best maps, more than 30 British miles in length.
north to south, if tlte pcurt called Chalco be included. To- 1
wards the west in this part, whete tlie isthmus begins to eii- !
large, there are several lakes, the principal being that oi
rChapala, which is abmit 60 British miles in length by 20 in
iireadth. The north-western parts have been little explorwi,
hpt probably ffontflii I soniK' lakes of considerablC'CXtent,

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

570

Mountaim. — The whole of the Spanish territories in North
America may be regarded as mountainous. The grand chain
of the Andes seems to terminate on the west of the gulf of
Daricn in South America, but by others is supposed to extend
to the lake of Nicaragua. Even this extension would totally
differ in its direction from the Andena range, as bending
north-west, then south-west, then again north-west, so that the
main range seems here lost, or passes through the Caribbean
sea in the isles of Mosquitos and others towards Jamaica;
while the mountains in the south of the isthmus, as far as the
lake of Nicaragua, must be regarded as only a branch, declin-
ing much in height, tiJl it finally expire at that lake. In this
point of view the ranges passing from north' to south must be '
regarded as spurs of the main chain ; but as on the one hand '
orology is contbunded by minute and various appellations given
to portions of the same range, so it may be equally perplexed
by too extensive appellations, which, as in the case of the
Taurus of tlie ancients, can only impart confused and crrone>-
ous ideas. The Mexican mountains seem to consist of gneiss,
granite, &c., while the grand chain of the Andes has a most
peculiar character, being cotnposed of argillaceous schistus;
The ridge of Catiatagua passes north and south, between the
provinces of Veragua and Panama. It is followed in the for-
mer province by the range called Urraca, and the volcano of
Varu i and by several ridges in Costa Rica.

To the north of the lake of Nicaragua the main ridges oileit
pass east and west ; and the Sierra of Yucatan north-east.
The chief summit of Nicaragua seems to be the Mamatombo.
The volcano of Guatimala raged furiously during the earth-
quakes which ruined that great city in 1773. In the ancient
kingdom of Mexico, which extended from near the lake of
Chapala in ilxe north, tn Chiapa on the river Tabasco in the
south, the summits rise to a great height, as being the central
parts of a range wholly unconnected with the Andes. Their
direction has not been laid dowii with care or intelligence,
more attention having been paid to the numerous volcanoes,
than to other grand features. D'Auteroche observes that the
mountain of Oriwba is said to be the highest in Mexico; and

580

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

its snowy summit is visible frcmi the capital, a distance of 60
miles. This celebrated mountain is to the south-east of Mex-
ico, not far from the road to Vera Cruz : it became vdcanic in
1545, and continued for SO years ; since which time there has
been no appearance of inflammation. Though the summit be
clothed with perpetual snow, the sides are adorned with beau-
tiful forests of cedars, pines, and other trees. The detached
mountains called by the Mexicans Popacatcpec, and Iztacci.
huaJtl, are also to the south-east of the capital, at about 80
miles distance, being both volcanic. The crater of the former
is said to be half a mile wide, and celebrated for ancient erup.
tions. Both are covered with perpetual snow. There are
many other volcanoes in this singular province ; while others
are only remarkable for height, as the mountain of Tlaaeaia,
the Tentzon, Toloccam, and others; the range now extending
in a north-weal dir^^otion towards Cinaloa, and being called the
Sierra Mada^ or 'Mother range, and the Shining mountains.
It is afterwards, according to the best maps, joined by a ridge
running north-west from Louisiana ; and after this junction
passes through tl)e nurth-west to the proximity of the arctic
ocean, while the centre of North Auierioa consists of extensive
and fertile plains.

The construction of the Mexican mountains has not l)een
Examined by any geologist Among the substances basalt
seems clearlv indicated ; and some otliers will be mentioned in
the mineralogy. There arc numeroiis forests on the sides of
the mountains; and the peninsula of yueotan is particularly
abundant in logwood trees.

Botcmy and Zoology. — Our infonnation respecting the ve-
getable productions of Mexico is very imperfect. It, however,
produces several native plants of great value ; among which
iBay be mentioned a species of Indian fig upon which the co-
chineal insect delights to i'veLU the true jalap, and the two trees
that yield the fragrant gum resins known in commerce by the
names of balsam of Capavi and Tolu. The shores of the bays
of Honduras and Campechy have been celebrated from their
very first discovery for their immense forests of mahc^any and
logwood ; and the neighbourhood of Guatimaia is distinguished

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

for its indigo. The guayacum, the safMafras and tamarind, the
cocoa nut palm, the chocolate nut tree, and a variety of othen,
which are better known as natives of the West Indian islands,
enrich and adorn these fertile provinces. The pine apple grows
wild in the woods, and the shallow rocky smls are inhalMted by
the various species of aloe and euphorbia. A few Mexican
plants have been introduced into European gardens, among
which may be noticed the salvia fulgens, glowing with its crim-
son blossoms, the splendid dahlia, the elegant striated sisyrin-
chium, the gigantic helianthus, and the ddicate nientselia.

Among the most singular animals is the Mexican or
hunchback dog, a kind of porcupine, and some others de-
scribed by several naturalists. What is called the tiger seems
a species of panther, and sometimes grows to a great size«
though Buffim, ever (bnd of theory, assert that American ani-
mals are generally small. In South America it attains the
let^h of a large ox, as appears from the testimony of Dobrie-
hoffer ; but Clavigero says that the largest <|uadruped is the
danta, anta^ or tapir, about the site of a middling mule, being
amphibious. The bison is found in New Mexico; and the
musk cattle may perhaps extend as far. In Catifiimia ther^
are said to be wild sheep. The birds of New Spain are parti*
culariy numerous and curious.

Mineralogsf.'-^The mineralogy of the Spanish empire in
North America is equal, if not superior, to that of Peru, and
the other southern provinces. Even in the northern parte na-
ture has disdosed her treasures : there is abundance of gold
found in the province of Sonora ; and California is supposed
to contain rich minerals. The silver mines in New Spain,
though they do not contend with Potosi, have long maintained
great celelurity. Those of Socotecas, or Zacate<»s, are parti-
cularly distinguished. The produce of the Mexican mines
has by some been computed at ten millions yearly ; but the
whole amount of the American mines probably does not ex<-
ceed seven millions and a half; of which it cannot be supposed
that North America produces more than two-thirds. The
ancient Mexicans found gold in many of their rivers; and sil-
ver was dug up, but little esteemed. The chief silver mines

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

are now to the north>-west of the capital, where there is a town
called' Luis de Potosi, more than ^00 British miles from Mex-^
ico. These mines are said to have l)een discovered soon after
those of Potosi, 1545: they are in a considerable range of
mduntains, Avhioh give source to the river of Panuco. Con-
cerning the natnre of these mines, and the manner of working
theoi, the Spanish writers seem to be silent.
. is Copper is said to abound in some districts to the west of the
capital ; and tin is also mentioned among the Mexican mine-
rals. Mercury is likewise reported to have been found in
Mexico, and there was a celebrated mine in Peru ; but both
seem to be now exhausted, as tiiie chief supply is from Spain.
Amber and asphalt likewise 3ccur in New Spain : and among
the precious, stones a few diamonds, with amethysts and tur-
quoises, but the list is imperfect, and perhaps erroneous. The-
uiountains also ^produce jasper, marble, alabaster, magnety
steatite, jad, talt;. The stone called tetzatttli, red and porous,,
was used in building, being perhaps a kind of tufa. The itzli
is semi-transparent, of a glassy substance, and generally black,
bift also found white and blue: it was used in mirrors, and
al^;(QC, sharp instruments, being the same called pietra del
QaMtrnzzo in ^uth America,, the obsidian or volcanic glass of
modern mineralogy. -. r, .iJ.jjm

There f^r^ several mineral waters of various qualities, sul-
ph^reclU8, vitriplip, and aluminous ; and some ^rings of great
heat; but none seem particularly distinguished.

NaturcU Curiosities. — Besides the volcanoes, there are many
i;iatural curiosities, one of the most remarkable being the Ponte
de Dios, or Bridge of God, resembling the natural bridge in
the te^itory of the United States. It is about lOO miles
south-east from Mexico, near the village of Molcaxac, over a
deep river, called the A(][uetoyaque, and is constantly passed as
a highway; but it seems uncertain whether the river have
worn tlie passage through a rocky mountain, or the fragment
be part of a fallen hill detached by an earthquake. There are
rojEiny romantic cataracts, among which must be mentioned
t^osjQof th^, river Guadalaxara, between the city of the same
nfiQ^e ap^ the lake of Chapala. The Hooting gardens in the

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

ff8d

sul-
great

many
Ponte
ge in

miles
over a
sed aa

have
gment
ere are
itioned
e same

in the

lake of Mexico were artificial curiosities, the bottom bein(*
formed of intertwsted willow*. "'* • '

<>i Population'.' — The population of all the Spanish provinces
of North America, exclusive of Florida and Louisiana^ ha8>
been ' estimated at about six million^,; of whom th« natiwS)'
called Indians, are supposed to amount to three millions'; JEmd
the Spaniards and inhabitants of mixed races are computed at
other tliree, of which the Spaniards may constitute one>third.'
The small-pox is remarkably fatal; and the black vomit,'
which is allied to the yellow fever of the United States, acts at
intervals with the ravages of a pestilence. The number of
priests, monks, and nuns, is also injurious to population,
which, bowever, appears upon the whole to have greatly
increased. ; ,

The population of America, before the European conquest,
appears to have been greatly exaggerated, as usual in every
case of the like nature; and from rough calculations, offered
«ven by classical authors, < perhaps four-fifths maybe alwfiys
deducted. That this is the case at least with the discoverers
of new countries, may be judged from our own enKghtened
limes, in which the English voyagers to Otaheite supposed tiie
inhabitants to exceed 100,000, when, upon actual enumeration,
there were fbuud little more than 16,000. It is probable that
when America was discovered, the whole population, including
the Weiit Indies, did not exceed four millions. Besides the
usual mistakes, there was an additional source of exaggeration,
as the Spanish conquerors, like knights-errant, counted hun-
dreds by thousands ; and the oriental v^n of hyperbole, intro>
duced by the M(X)rs, has tainted the early Spanish authors.
If we allow that a hundred or two of Europeans could subvert
a mighty American empire, we must imagine that its armies
were small, as well as cowardly and unskilful. «

Manners and Cusioms. — For hospitality, generosity, doci-
lity, and sobriety, the people of New Spain exceed any nation
perhaps on the globe : but in national energy or patriotism,
enterprise of character, and independence of soul, they ,are
perhaps the most deficient. Yet there are men who have dis-
played bravery to a surprising degree ; ^nd the< Europeans

SPANISH NOATH AMERICA.

wm» art therie, ohcriih with deli^^ht the idea of their gallant
anoestry. Their women have bksk igres and hair^- fine Iceth,
md •?« gentnUy brunettes. Tbiiy are all Jnoluunga littkla
«ii-^0f»^|iaMi^ Jbul none, or few, are elegant figures. Th«r
dreMW ai« generftily »bort jaoketa and pettieoata* and bigb«
hetl dioei* without any head-dress ; over this they have a eilk
wrapper which (Itey alvaya wear, and when in the preseace of
men aff^t to bring it over thmr faces; but near the Athuitio
vid the frontiera.of the United States, there are s^veral'ladies
who wear the gowna used in France and £nghmd, whieh they
eonoeive to be more elegant than their ancieni ooetume. The
lower class of the men arc generally dressed in broad brmuncd
bail* .ihort coats, large waistcoats and small clothea, always
open at the knees, owing to the greater freedom it |pvcs to the
limbs on horseback, a kind of leather boot or wrapper hound
roiio4 the leg. The boot is of a soft pliable leathar. but not
Cc^QUred. In the eastern provinces the dragoons wear over
thia wrapper a sort of jack-boot made of seal leather, to which
are fastened the spurs by a rivet, the gafia of which are some-
times, near an inch in length. But the spurs of the gentlemen
and officers^ although clumsy to our ideas, are frequently or.
namoitcd with raised silver work on the shoulders, and the
strap embroidered with silvo; and gold thread. Th^ are aU
ways ready to mount their horses, on whioh the inhabitantB of
the internal provinces spend nearly half the day. This de-
acPtption will apply generally fbr the dress of aU the men of
the? pronrinces for the lower class; but in the towns, amongst
the imote fashionable ranks, they dress after the European or
United States mode, with not more distinction than we |we in
oui^ citiea>4nnnoneraix OMtntbs to another. Both men and
women have remarkably fine hair, and pride themaslves in the
dis|»lay of'it*>;hti-**iMn*iJjft "ia-..,»ri».;tHi ^n mu. u^t'^tms, ^,>:ij>;'

^heir aratisements are' music, sin^g, dancii^, and .gam-
blmg:: iheUtteriisstiiutly prohibited, hut the pro>^ibition is
nofe.inui^ attended to. . The danoe of fr-^, is performed by
one jnan aad 4wo women, who Ileal time ^to the music, which
ia soA and vdluptuoiM, but sometimes, thauges to a.livdy gay '
iUE^vviilulQ tiue-^ann pawslonaUy exhibit the moat i^vjelicate

.-Wj!.

.i J.

"■^ — ...

SPANISH N^HTH AMERICA.

,^^

gestures. The vhole of Um dance is calcuJaled to impress a
stranger with the idea of an insulated society of onoe civilised
beings, liut now degenerated into a wedium atate^jbetween tha
improved world and the children of natura. The fiuidango is
danced in various figures and numbers. The minuet is still
danced by the superior class only^ The music made use of ia
the guitaTi violin, and singers, who, in the firat described
dauce, accompany the music with theiri luuuk and voices^
having always some words adapted to the music* whidt are
generally of such a tendency as would, in £ur6pe, oooamon
every lady to leave the room.

Their games are cards, billiards, horse^acing, and gpck-
(ighting, the first and last of which are carried to the most ex-
traviigant lengths, the parties losing and winning immense
sums. At every town of consequence is & public walk, where
the iadies and gentlemen meet and sing songs, which are air
ways oo the aubjeot of love, or the social board. The females
have fine voices, and sing i"^ French, Italian, and ^)aiush, the
whole company Joining in the chorus. In their houses the
ladies play on the guitar, and gienerally accompany it wiUi
their voices. They either sit down on the carpet oross-leggedt
or loll on a sofa. To sit upright in a chair appears to put
them to great inconvenience; and although the bettor class
will sometimes do it on the first introduction of strangers, they
soon demand liWtiy to follow their old habits. Iti their eat*
ing arid dnxiiitQg they are remarkably temperate. Early lin
the morning you receive a dish of chocolate and a cake ; f^
tweive; you iiae on several dishefi of meat, Ibwls^ and fish ;
after which you have a variety of confejctionany^ andii|deed a^
rlegant deslBert: then drii^ a few glasses of wiae» sing a few
songs, and retire to take the siesta, or afternoon oap, which i|
done by rich and poor; ar I about two o'clock the ^indowa
aad doors are all cbised, the streets- deaavtdd, ^|ltlcii the stiUnesi
of midnight reigns throughout. About four o'elodc they mtk
vt&ht and, dress, and prepare lor the dissipation of the mght.
About ekv^» o'clock some refreshments are (^ered, but i&IW
take any, except a iittjt> wine and irater, and ra. iittia oandiad

•Ugar. . •:■. ; , ,,t; . .,•■■ ; uilJ

SPANISH NORTH AMERIOA.

• T|ie govemm«ot have niul(j|fli«A the difficuUie* for Etoio
peans mixing with the Creoles, or Meitis, to suoh a degree,
that it is difficult for a marriage to,, take place, ^n oJflotr
wishing to marry a lady not fmm Europe, is obltged to ae*
quire certificates of the purity, of her descent for 800 yean
back, and tra^Mirit.^hem to the court, when the license wiU be
returned; but should she be the daughter of a person' of the
rank of captain or upwardti, this nicety vanishe^^ a» their rank
puriies the blood of the descendants. ' i !t< ft^ (^ mif. 1 (^H* ' ib -'i*'"

The general subjects of the conversation of the men are
women, money, and horses, which appear to bo the only ob-
jcfta, in their estimation, worthy of consideration. Having
united tlie female sex with their money and their beasts^ and
treated them too much after the manner of the latter, they
have eradicated from their breasts every sentiment of virtue,
or of ambition to pursue the acquirements which would makt
them amiable companions, mstnictive mothers, or respectable
m^pibers of society. Their whole souls, with a few exceptions,
Kkc the Turkish ladicti, are taken up in music, dcess, and the
little blapdishments of voluptuous dissipation. Finding that
the men only require these as objects of gratification to the
oensual passions, they have lost every idea of the feaat of rea-
son and the flow ipf soul which arise from the intercourse of
two refined and virtuous minds, whose ii)niost thoughts are
«qpen to the inspection and admiration of each other and
whose refinements of sentiment heighten the pleasures of every
gratification.

Sutda is the character of tlie Spaniards in North America, «s
given bj^ii; ve«ent4raveUer in that country. Those of the no-
0«nt iftfoxieaiift have been, described by manyauthon, buta
Ipw uiigul#ntic» may b0 Jiere mentioned. A pccotiar feature
of tlvc;rMeX4caii language wa», th*t a termination ^ indicating
iN^pM^ miglift.b(^,4M)ded to^verywoc^ Thus, in sptnking to
Ka^M<*^ the wwd 'iUflier #as Mii but jto a superior tatxm.
T^hi^ hdd alto irevenimial verbs, 4s appears iromAldama'i
Mexiean gMMinar. Thus, as cowards are <a)way8 cruel, tbe
ia0s6<tW-4iito«ifapl0dp1u4ii the workl were at- the same<time alw
^e most servile and obsequious. Their wtur^ iigrere consist

SPANISH NOllTH AMERICA.

nam

men are

and tanguinary ; and thei^anneni, in genera), coitesponded
with tiuR barbarous diftpoaition : the principal wanriora covets-
ing themMlves with the skins of the mcrifioefl ^icttniii, and
dancing through the str^cets. The dreinf was a loose cloak,
and a sash girt round the naked waist. Prom the ancient
paintings it appears that the under lip wM pierced to receive
an ornament of gold. Thib custom La Perouse and others
have observed on the north-west coast of Ainarfte. The jcar
was divided into eighteen mopthr., each of twenty daytt^ and
five days were added, winch were de<licated to fetftivity.
They cultivated maixe and some roots; but their agriculture
was rude, and they were strangers to the use of money. 'On
the death of a chief, a great number of his attendants were
sacrificed.

Langttage.'— Of the Mexican language grammars: and die-
tionaries have been published in the country ; uid firom the.
few specimens contained in European publications, it appears
to differ radically from the Peruvian. The words frequeady
end in tl ; and are besides of a surprising and unpronouncea-
ble length, resembling in this respect the language of the sa-
vages in North America, and some of the African dialects;
but strongly contrasted with those of Asia, in which the inost
polished, as the Chinese, are monosyllabic. According to
Clavigero, the Mexican tongue wants the consonants h^iiftg,
r, and a; \n which respect only, though unobserved by th«t
author, it strictly coincides with the Peruvian ; except that the
latter, instead of the «, is said to want the 2, a mere difibrenoe
of enunciation. But the Peruvian is a fkr superior and more
pleasing language, though some modifications of the 4erbs be
of extreme length. The wild enthusiasm of Claiv^;e1rD com*
pares the Mexican with the Latin and Greek ; though aa lik^
as he to Herodotus. Some of the words are of sixteen sylla.
hle& Their poetry consisted of hymns, and' of heroic and
amatory baUttds. They had also a kind of dramas; btit froiA
the specimen produced, they do not seem tO have been %xxpe*
Hor to those of Otaheite.

Edueation, — There are several laudable institutioM in th^
Spanish settlements for the education of the natiff^ and some

i>mA

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

colleges ov lunivetsities } but th»f«itticBl vpmt of lUm UHtniet
Y '«rs >renden. apsh Ibundaliont of 4ittle value. ' > x^mits^wtv
^ • r. Ci<«M.^t.<llhe chief at jr of New Spa9^ And all Spaimh Ame.
rica, is il«riaQ« oalabrated for tlw singularity of ita siimtion.
Ib a beautiful ;i>ale surroutkleck with mountaina lAie lake of
Tezcuco is joined 0d the aoath to thi^ of Ghaleo by a strait,
on the west side <^ a tongue of land, the whole oireait of diese
lakes being atuiiil 90 miles. In a small isle to the north of
this jlinotion, and upon the west nde of Tezcuco^ roae thi6 old
dty of Mexico, ^accessible by sewral causeways raised in the
shalk>w waters ; b^t on Uie east side there was no commumca.
Uoa^xcept by canoes. It b said by Robertson, from reeent
Spanish documents^ to contain ldO,000 inhabitants ; ci which
probably a third part is Spanish. The most reeent account of
this remarkable city Mems to be that given by Choppe D^Au*
j^rochc, who visited it in 1769, aad in^ms ub that it is built
upon a fen, near the banks of a lake, and crossed by numerous
canals, the houses being all founded m piles. Hence it would
seem that the waters of the lake have diminisbed, so as to
leave a fenny Access on the west. The ground still yields in
many places; and some buildings, as the cathedral, have sunk
six feet. The streets are wide and straight, but very dirty ;
and the houses, resembling those in Spain, are toleraUy built
The chief edifice is the vioeroy^s palace, vdiieh stands near thf
aathedral in a central square, but is rather sc^ than elegant.
Behind the palace is the mint, in which more than a hundred
worJcmen are employed, as the owners of the mines here ex«
change their bullion for coin. The other chief buildings are
the chuM^s, chapels, and convents, which are very numerous,
and richly ornamented The outside of the cathedral is unfi-
. %ushed,. a^ they doubt the i(>undations ; but the rail round the
high altar is of solid silver, and there is a stiver lamp so capa-
cious that threokuien can get in to clean it ; while it is also en-
mched.iyith lions* heads^ and other ornaments, in pure gold.
The images of the virgin, a|id other saints, are either sdid
silver^ or covered with gold and predeus stones,' Beueiss tht
, great aenti*ai: square, there are two others, each with a fountain
ID (he micldjb^ ''To the nortb qf the town/ mw the imotr

SPANISH NOHTH AMERICA.

■bovc mtntiDMd) *- nm^Mkim tuburbs, i» tlie pttUie-ifallr^ ^r
Jiameda. A rivulet mns all rouad it, and fonm > « firetty
ki^aqiiare, wKtksb|i>an andj«lifMum Bightc

walks, inth each two rows of trees, tefwinate at ihis bmson,
like a star; butasthe soil af Mexico is unfit for trees^ tkey
are not iMi a very thriving condition. This is the cmly walk in
or near to Mexico ; all the country about it is swampy grouiid,
and full of canals. • >A ibw paces dff, and ftHing the Alameda,
is the Q»emad!pmi; that is the place whwe they bum tne Jews^
and other unlmppy victims of the awful tribunal of inquintiouw
The Quemadero is an enclosure between |bur walls, and -filled
widi ovdns, into which are thrown over the walls the poor
wretehes who are ccmdemned to be burnt alive ; condemned
by judges professing a religion whose first precept is charity.^
The Spanish inhabitants are commonly clothed in silk,' their
hata being adorned with baits of gold aild roses of diamonds;
for even the shives have bracelets and necklaces of gold, silver,
pearis, and gems. The ladies are distinguished for beauty
and gallantry. Mexico, though inland, is the seat of vast
commerce between Vera Cruz on the east, and Acapttlpo on
the west; and the shops display;, a profumon of gold, silver,
and jewels. In magnificent regularity it yields to few cities
even on the ancient continent. Gage, whose authori<^ is used
by the most recent writers of all countries in the defect of
other materials, says that in his time, 1640, there were siip.
posed to be 15,000 coaches, some of them adcnmed with gold
and gems ; the people bemg so rich thai it was supposed that
one half of the families kept equipages. «'*J'*«^ «"^^W ruui. i -

Santa JFV, the capital of New Mexico, is situate^bn a small
stream which empties into the Rio del Norte, on the eastern
side, at the fbot of the mountains which divide the waters^ of
that river from the Arkansaw and Red rivers of the Missis,
sippi, in 36 deg. north lat. and 109 deg. weKt long, tt is of a
long rectangular form„ extending about onb mile iirom cast to
west on the banks of th^ creek. In the centre is the publie
squure,' one side of wliich forms tlie flank of the soldiers*
square, which is closed, and in some'degree defended by
rottnd lowars in the angles which fiank the cuHidnt}; another

SPANISH NORTH AMBRICA.

side oftthesquareris farmed by^ithe {Mdaee of .the gowemort bik
guard houses, 8ro.; another is occupied by ithe' priests alld
their suite; afld the 'fourth by the chapitcnKB, who readeki
the city^ The houset are generally only one story high^i #ith
flat ruofSf and have a very mean appeacance on the 'outndei
but some of them areiridily fumiahed^ especially ^withi'plailft
The popubtion is estimated at S600. >)!' . > ^

,'' Ampuko was aaeelebrated port un the southof Mexico, en-
^tMHng the chief Indian trade over the Pacific; awhile €ar>
thagona, in South America, on the Caribbean sea; waa «i
bentre of European traffic. Both were in < unhealthy > situa-
tioniv^ias Mexico itself ; for, by a fatal error, the Spaniards^
Dutch, and other Europeans, have in Asia and America
founded cities on plains, in imitation of those in their own
oouBl^es, while high situations ought to have been selected;
,^ji4iechocuMn is a fair commerdal twirn ; and Merithf the ca.
pital of the peninsula of Yucatan, in a bishopric,' and. diie
residence of the governor of the province. Old Vera Crux
)w«s burnt by the buccaneers, and a more advantageous poutton
selected* for the new city. It contains one chureh and three
monasteries, and is enolose^twith ruinous fortifications: lying
to the south-«lt6t of Mexico, and the common port foi* TSn*
vopean goods, where a Spanish fleet used to anive every two
yearsv taking in return silver and other treasuresh On the
north' are barren 'ii^^tnds, and on the west bogs that have been
drained. Guaxaca exports excellent wool and perfumes. St,
Leon land Oranada are both situated on the large lake of Ni>
cavaguA, where the chain of the Andes is supposed to termi.
aate, eveil<by those who carry its extension to the atmost
iiiaili EVen the inferior cities contain, as Robertson observes,
a superior population to those of any other European nations
in Amerioa; that «f ^^igv/irw being computed at 60^000, -and
of Guodynarara 90,000, exclusive of Indians. i«f ;ibfi«; ;^iJJti
' » i Ttadty <S-o.— The trade and commerce of New Spain) «wf
carried oti^^ with Europe and the United States by die port ef
Vera Crus soldy« and with the East Indies and South Ame^
ma by Aoapufeo, and even then under such restrictionsicf
productions, liuiQufactures^ and time, as bi render it almo«l4ir

SPAN1SRf\S0Wm/AMSRlC]/i.

991

no ponBeffOfpoeaB to'the g«MC«l inrosperiiy of; the country*.
rWbre flll the (numerous bayvtandnharbours of die^ gulf of
Mexieoand CidHemifi opened to the'tradeiof lAe world, and
a /genevftl license giren to the cultivati<n»of allthe productions
wbidb /Ih&couirtry is oapf^bleof yielding^ ^th fveedom of exw
fx»rt(|tion and- uimpartaUiea^. with jnroper duties on: <&ra^
goods, the country would innnediately beooroe rich and power-
ful, a proper stimulus would be>held ^ut t(Mhe poor to labour,
wh'dn oertain of fiadingi a quieic and ready sale fiMrthe'pcodue-
tionsv/ofrtbeip plantations or mannfactorieis. The country
aboundeiittifonore, ye^all the iron^nd «steely and avtiolcsof
raanufKtttves; are obliged to ibe brought from Europe, -the
manufactunng or working «f iron being strietly prohibited.
This oecasions tlie necessary utensils of husbandryv am^ and
tools,) to be roormously bight and foms a great dieck to agriw
oulture, . inipruvemvn i im- manufactures^ > and military afcill.
The ^rwkttofrthehM- - >in gold, silver, and painting, shew
them not to be destil, r ^>geniu$, which,- with cultivatimi and
improvement^* might rival the greatest masters of mtherandent
or* modern schools. Thdr dispositions and habits are. pecu-
liarly calculated for sedentary em|^loyments ; i and there \b no
doubt, if proper establishments were made, they wouldi soon
rival, if not surpass, the most extensive woollen, cotton, or silk
manufactures of Europe. Their climate is adapted for rinsing
the fineiNi'Cotton in the world ;^and thmr<sheep possess all the
fmenesa of wool, for which they are so celebrated in. Spain.
Besides this, they have immense quantities of naw materials,
whiob they hanre on hand,> wool selling for a mere <trifle; and
in fact th^ scarcely take the half from the fleece o|tthe she^
for thei-coarse manufactories of the country, wad fot makiag

beds.'.' ■--.>! i- ... ]■■•: ' J •.yiuvi'i ; ■-■ 'X

\ . '. New 'Spain is, ^ in fact, singularly distinguished by . the muU
titude and variety of its productions, in ttU. the thitif^ great
Mgnaiof- nat«re, animal^u ve^table, and mineral; and this
(Sundance of natural productions perhaps eontributes to the
nflglectlofinanufiutiirel. - Even metallurgy is but poorly non-
dnctfedr tdocbmeal and oocoa, wkh alktle silktaad oottoui
forik .articles ^.export; but the chief are (gold, silver, laqd

SPANI^ NOSTH AHBRICA.

pradous ttoaenf <■ Thtan was, a eai^bcaJUMi ifnir 9t Ampakfk 09
the,«ini««i arrival ^ ibe cfaiiM iioni P«ru. and CUiU; «<V^
which Uia noledigalleon, ladeti with th« WMlcb ^v AiQerici^
pursued bfr course to MaDUia. Other iurr^B|peinenl8,ai«|^«
ibUawed, jnd amaUer vessris «npLoy«d'f The. ,gaiIe(MAB i«ei»
iaidaddein 17<W4«nd the late, filfMoish monarch i^tiytn^
oomnifncial inegulaticns on a moce liberal plan.., 'Iii 1764^
moDCbly packets .wer« establiiihed betnreeo Corunna, and Ka*
▼anuAyj whence smaller vessels pass to Vera Cms,! aad.t0 Ppr-
tobeUo in South America ; and an intecichaiige of production*
by these vessels is also permitted. In tlie fiiUowihg year, the
tradeilo Cuba^as laid open to all ^laio ; and the privilege
was afterwardB extended to Louisiana^ and th^ provinoaf.of
Yucatan ^and Campechy. In } 774, free intercourse was per*
inittedi between the three vioeroyalties of Mexioo^ Peru, and
Naw ^ranada^ The courts of justica were alsorefiirmed, and
a fourth vioeroyalty was estaUifilMd, 1776, on Bio da la. Plata.
By.afsir.gul)ur policy a free trade, is permitted between Jll^e^
^lain, and .the Philippines, which adds ooosiderahly ton i /the
wealth cif the former country. Tlie English trade in »the bay
of fionduras ,mfry aow be considered as terminated, the Ic^t
wood- oQ'^e opposite side of Yucatan being fiuiod to, \m af,a
supenor (quality.. '».•'■' ',ti»ii-'M^ ,^«^.'»i,4^^Ti*.

xiM^gioh/r^The rel%ioB of thie Spamsh settlers in these
lunvinoes is well known to he Jlhe Boman. calhoUc, and of sueh
a sort as greatly to impede iadustry or prosperity,, for lit is
computed that one«fifth pai't of the Spaniards oenwats oreoclfr
siastics, monks, and nuns; and that country rauitibe: ndsetfa*
biy defective in. which the Jesuits were of distioguishsd
industfyi The establishment, oi the io(]^iUan,. and the
strange fanaticism of the Spaniards, who disgrace the £!!••
ropean iaanic, hnre not only crushed all spirit of axeiPt}on» but
iuive nievented the admixture of other Europeans, whose iO'
dustryimi^ht improve their settlemante, and »iKise,ooiiiQ||i
night defend tivem..^ .. .... -. ..% ...... .... ^.-.y^ :.U '':\i

Nef>lr Spma is divided iaio four archbishqirici^ vis. ;|iltexipak
fikiddaUlMBra,' Banmga, >aBci St. Luis Potasi Minder ths«^
agan are tha eub-iMshoprics,( deacons, cviratse, &c. eaoh of

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

■H^dfif;^^ Hi it ■ ., -

ivhom is subject and accountable to his immediate chiefs for
the district' cbtnUnitt^d to his dliarg;^, lind th^ whole'irre again
saHjict to the ordinaticbs of the high court of ihqaisitimi, h^ld
at 'th^ d4>itia bP^Mexifo. *Tbe salaries of th^ A'chbisho^M,^ '
ob^e^ei a Iklii wri(^; ' * are superior to those of dther ofReers,
thai C(f th^ bishop (^f Meidcd being estimated kt 150,000 dol.
latiirjiei^'ilhnuni^ tHiile the viceroy has but 80,000, and 0O,OdO
all6w6d fbf his tisbfe, fallt* ^ short of the bishop S0,000 dollars
Thd«te iutontes ai« ridit^ cfntirely (Vom the people, Mi^ho pay
nb tax tb ^ kiti^, but give oine-ttinth of thdr yearly ineome
to the der^ ; beside^ the fees of confessions, bulls, b^iils,
bajpttsnis, marriages, iand a thousand other sources. The inife-
ri(M^eIergy being geniehdty Creoles by birth, atid always; kept
in stibdt'diniite grades^ without the least diadow of a probabi-
lity of risii^ to the superior dignities of the chhrch, their
minds hav6 been soured to such a degree, that they will pro.
bably lead the van whenever the stitndard of independence is
raised iri th6 ctountry.*

The religion of the ancient Mexicans appears to hate been
chi^y founded on fear, the temples being decorated with the
figures df destructive animals ; and fhsts^ penances, voluntary
w6unds, and tortures, formed the'essencie of their rites. Hu-
mail' sacrifices were deemed the mdst acceptable; and every
captive taken in war was cruelly tortured and sacrificed. The
heart and head were the portion of the gods ; while the body
was resigned to thecaptbr, who, Vith his friends, feasted upon
it. The extinction of such a ferocious people 'may not be
worthy of much regret: but tnodern philosophy is apt to de-
cide on a slight and imperfect view.

Thus, ihstead of a benevolent deity, the 1«rorship of the
Mexicans mtiy be said to hav^ been directed to the evil princi-
ple of isome oriental natioiis, whom all their efforts were
stirkched to app^^. In tht Mexican language, 71»^wasa
genet^l tiferm fbr any divinity ; and in obscurti theory they be-
Re^ in a^^ator, wKbm thej styled Ipalnerhoanif that is,
* He by whom we live :' but their supreme deity ^ia rather
tlttfei^il spirit 6tA\ed 'Khcatecolototty or the rational melt
*h6sb ddight whs to injuVe and terrify. Tliey believed in

SPANIflR NORTH AMERICA.

the imttortality of the suul, and a kind of transmigration ; the
good being transformed into birds, and the bad into creeping
iiniihals. The prindpal deitiefe were thirteen in number,
among whom were the sun and moon ; and TIatoc, the god of
"'tter, was the master of paradise ; but Mexilti, the ^;od of
W'ir, received the chief adoration. There were other gods of
the mountuns, of commerce, Sec. ; and the idols, rudely form-
ed of day, wood, or stone, sometimes decorated with genps and
gdd, were numerous. One was composed of certain seeds,
pasted together with human blood. The priests wore a Mack
cotton mantle, like a veil ; and there seem to have been orders
of monks, as among the eastern nations of Asia. The austm.
ties and voluntary wound» of the priests, their poisonous oint-
ments, and other abominable rites, even as related by Clavigero,
evince that the entire system was the most execrable that has
evor appeared on the face of the earth, alike blacf>hemous to
€rod and pernicious to man. The whole is so totally unlike
any system ever practised in any part of Aaa, that there b
«dditionail cause to believe that the people were either indige-
nal, or have pr&jeeded from Africa, in which alone (as among
the Giagas) such cruelties may be traced. The Asiatic reli-
gions seem universally mild, and even gay, as natural in the
■ wonlnp of a being who is benevolence itself; while in Africa
the preponderance of the evil spirit seems to have been ac
knowledged by many nations.

Ckwemfmnt. — The andent government of Mexico was an
hereditary monarchy, tempered, however, by a kind of election
not unknown in the barbarous ages of Europe, by which a
brother or nephew of the late king was preferred to his sons.
Despotism seems to have begun with the celebrated Montezu-
ma. There were several royal councils, and classes of nolulity,
mostly hereditary. The nobles were styled pilli, or tlakkmi;
but the Spaniards introduced the general term of «BurM:, which
Clavigero says rignifies a prince in the langui^ of Hispaniola;
but is by some asserted to imply a priest among the Maho-
metan Malays. Land was not supposed to belong to the ino<
norch, but was alienable by the proprietore. As writing was
, unknown, there was no code of laws, but Clavigero has pre-

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

•erved some traditions on the subject. Their armour and
tactics appear to have been extremely lude.

The Spanish government is vested in the viceroy of Mexico,
whose rank and pomror are far superior to those of Peru, and
the new kingdom of Granada^ The k^ saUry of the vice-
coys of Mexico and Peru is now 40,000 ducats ; but the dis.
posal of lucrative offices, monopdies, connivances, presents,
&C. sometimes awell them to an enormous amount The court
of the viceroy is formed on the r^gal model, with horse and
foot guards, a grand housdiold, and numerous attendants. In
the provinces there are tribunals called Audiences, of which
there are eleven for Spanish Amenca ; and the Council of the
In(Ues, resident in Spun, controls even the viceroys. Some of
the provinces seem to be merely geograptvc, or ecclesiastic de-
nominations of sees, without any municipal or peculiar juris-
dicUon : but some have governors aj^inted by the viceroy.
Besides the laws of Spain, there are particular codes and sta«
tutes, which are consulted in legal dedsions.

The government of these provinces may be' termed military,
the judgmiaits of the inferior civil officers being subject to a
reverMon by the military commandants of districts. The eo>
clesiasdcs indeed divide the government with the miUtary ; but
there exists the most perfect und^'standing between them, and
they mutually asnst each other in defending and extending
their peculiar interests.

Armgf.^^The European troops are of the choicest r^^ents
from Spain, The regular troc^ of the kingdom, who are in
the viceroyalty, acting from the stimulus of ambition and envy,
are supposed to be equal to them. The militia with the regu-
lar ofik«rs are likewise good tnx^, but* are not held iu sudi
high estimation as the other porps. These three corps, form-
ing a body of 23,200 nxn, may be called the regular force of
the kingdom, as the nulitia, which amount to 1S9|500, would
be of no more consequence agmnst the regular troops of any
civiUced power, than' the ancient aborigines of the country
were against the army of Cortes. The appearance of the
Spanish troops is certainly (at a distance) a la mUUaitre,
Their lances are fi^ed to tiie side of the saddle under the left

^■^

SPANISH NORTH* AMERICA:

tiiigh^ land ishuit-^boul 'five ieet idxrw the hone; on the>right
the carbine is slunginia'cam to the' A^nt of the saddle (or
paminel) 'oroeswayft^ the breech to the right hand^ and • on dach
nde of^ the saddle^ behind the rider,* k «* pistol ^beloir the
breeeh of the earhine it sking the ehieUy whicbisimadcolaolt
leather/ trebled^ : sewed 'together with thongs, with a. band- oo
the inside, to slip the left arm through ;> those of the privates
are round, and about twofbet diameter. The<dragoons>of the
viceroyalty do not make use of the hince or^ield^ ibut 'am
armed, equipped, and clothed after the modeni ^ni^inery 'fa^ are
also the dragoons of the eastern provinees^ cr^t oni. imu ci'Midi. ,
'. Their dress is a short blue coat^ widi a^red cope and cuff
without facings, leather or blue cottom velvet siMll>clotIic8 and
waistcoat; the small dothes always open at the kneea; the
wraf]f)ing boo^, with the jack boot and permanent spurs over
it; a broad brimmed high crowned wool hat, with a ribbon
round it of viirious colours, generally received asia present
from some female, which they wear as a badge of, tho ffiTour
of the ifair sex, and a mark of their gallantry. ujHv^.i/iiKJtaihu,
y Their horses are small and slender < limbed, but veryiagile,
and are capable of enduring great fatigue. The' equipments
of thp horses are, to our ideas, awkward* hut perhaps superior
to the English. Their bridles have « strong curb, which
gives them a great mechanical force. The saddle is made
after the Persian model, with a high prqjectiii^ pummel, or,
as, anciently termed, bow^t and is likewise raised behind ; this
is merely the tree. It is theui covered by two or three coats of
carved Icatheir, and embeoidered workmanship, aome with gdd
And silver m a very superb manner. The stirrups are of wood
closed in fsdnt, carved generally in the figure of a.lion'*s head,
or some other' beast; they are very heavy, and to uspreseut
a veiy clumsy appearanoe. The hwseman, seated on his
htifse, has a small bag tied behind him, his blanket* either
under him <x lying : with his cloak between his body< aud the
bow, wihidi makes him at hi8< eas^;. Thus mounted it is im*
passible for the post vicious-animals to dismount them. They
vriU catdi another horse, when both are.xunning nearly At fiiU
speed, with a noose and hair rope, with which they will soon

SPANISH NORTH AlfERiCAi

cliMk down the beutthey are pursuing. IiiAhorl,ftth«y are
probably the most expert horsemen in the' world. > > i > ..u

The disdpHne of their troops, is very diftbrent fromMi>iti»)
as tO' tactics, or 'military manoeuvres, they are not i held rio
much estimatiom. On « march, a detachment of cawaky geDe4
rally encampt. in a circle. Their mode of attack is by-squM
drons on the diifecent flanks of their enemies, but withool
regularity >or concert, shouting-, halloing, and firing tlieir earn
bines, after which, if they think themselves equal to the ene^
my,' they charge with a pistol and then the lance.,

Such was the state of the army of Mexico previous to th«
invasion of Spain by Bonaparte. Since that period, the 4inny
has been I completely disorganized, andiis now incapable of
inaintainii^ the authority of the government. When- the pre*
sent tottering system is destroyed, the military spirit of tbe
Mexicans may revive, and render this fine region re^pectablo
amongst nations, ■. ., . > . . t

. Navyi'-^The navy is tliat of the parent country; but them
are many guard ships and commercial vessels solely appropri*
ated to the American colonies. Four corvettes of twelve guns,
and. one goletta, are stationed at Monterey, to supply the pre*-
sidencies oC North' iCahiornia with necessaries.^ These vesseb
performed the Spanish expeditions to the north-west coast of
America..'.! . ,.„•.. .,, ••■ -..-..i

Bevetme.'—The revenue which Mexico yields to the Spanish .
crown has been shewn by Dr. Bobertson to amount to above a
million sterling, but there are great expences. : By the most
recent account the total > revenue derived by Spain from
America and the Philippines is S,7IOO,(XUML ; of which one half
must be deducted for the extravagant charges ol^ administra»
tion. It has been asserted' that the kikig's fifth of the mines of
New Spain only was two millions sterHng, whiob would swell
the annual produce of the Mexican mines to ten millions. Dn
Robertson shenrs* from Campcmianes, that the whole produce
of the American mines is 7,4i25,000J., of which the king^s fifths
if regularly! paid, would be 1,485,060/.: and it is probable
that the mines of New ^ain or Mexico, prior to the (^mlent

'♦,.'u. . ■. . . , . , . .:

oUd

^ANIiSH NOBTH AMBRICA.

diacoreries in the north-west provinces, did not yield above
one half of the whole amount.

History. — The original population of these extensive regions
vas various, consisting of Mexicans, and other tribes ; consi.
derably civilized in the centre, while to the north and south
were savage races. The origin of the Mexicans remains in
great obscurity, after the fruitless researches of many inge.
nious and learned men. Their language af^ars to be totally
different from that of the Peruvians ; but the Mexican voca*
bularies are very imperfect. There seems not, however, to be
any resemblance between either of these languages, and that
of the Malays, who peopled the numerous islands in the Paci-
fic ocean ; nor are the Tartarian, or Mandshur features to be
traced in any account of the Mexieanti or Peruvians, Uiough
ungularly distinct from those of other races: yet Dr. Forster,
in bis history of the voyages of the north, supposes that these
kingdoms were founded in the thirteenth century, by the
troops contained in some of the ships sent by Eublai Khan
from China, to subdue Japan ; that great fleet having been
scattered, and supposed to have been lost in a severe tempest.
But the animals of America are mostly distinct from those of
the old continent, and could in no pase have descended from
them. If it cannot be allowed that<the great Creator, in like
muiner, ordained a distinct race of men for this continent, it
will be- necessary, before this curious question be determined,
to collect vocabularies of the African languages, as there are
on that continent several nations of a copper colmir, reseni-
bling the Americans ; and the Mexicans and Peruvians might
faecofne niore civilized from mere advantages of situation and
accidents It is, lK>wever» deeply to be regretted that these
Araeriom empires, or kingdoms, were destroyed ; as, not to
mention the cause of humanity, they would have afforded cu.
rious objects fw philosophic observers of human nature. The
general opinion seems to be that the Mexicans and Peruvians
were a. distinct race from the other Americans; and, amidst a
wriety of conjectures, it might be enquired if they did not
proceed from Japan, or be haply of the aame race with tb<i

^a^jivli.

)."

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

899

people of the large island of Tchoka, or Sagalian, whow fe»*
tures, as delineated by La Perouse and the literary men who
accompanied him, bear no resemblance to the Tartaric. In
this case, we may conceive that they are remains of a people
in eastern Asia, who were expelled by the Mandshurs, on
their progress from more western settlements.

The historical epochs of Mexico have been of little moment
since it was conquered by the Spaniards in 1581, when th«
last monarch Guatimozin perished, Montesnma having died
in the preceding year. According to the Mexican traditions,
their ancestors consisted of several savage tribes, who about
the tenth or eleventh century of the Christian era moved in ^
successive migrations from unknown regions towards the north
and north-west, and settled in Anahuac. About the begins
ning of the thirteenth century, a tribe, more polished than the
rest, advanced from the borders of the Califbrnian gulf, and
took possession of the plains adjacent to the great lake near
the centre of the country. They were for a time governed by
chiefs or judges, till the territories becoming more extensive,
the supreme authority centred at last in a single person. Even
from the most extensive accounts the monarchical government
had not lasted above 197 years ; that is, it commenced about
A. D. 1824, the first monarch being Acaraapitzin. Wars and
rebellions, famines and inundations, constitute the chief fea-
tures of Mexican history ; and the Spanish government presents
few events of moment, the natives being confined between the
two seas, and more easily checked than in South America, where
there is a wide extent of territory for retreat and conspiracy.

The extensive peninsula of California was uiscovered by
Cortex in 1536, but was so completely neglected, that in most
charts it was represented as an island. The Jesuits afterwards
explored this province, and acquired a dominion there as com-
plete as in Paraguay. On their expulsion in 1766, it was
found to be a not unfertile region, with some mines of gold
and a valuable pearl fishery. The countries of Cinaloa and
Sonera, on the east side of the Vermillion sea or gulf of Cali-
fornia, as well as the immense provinces of New Navarre, and
x)thers of New Mexico, never were subject to the Mexicai)

000

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

sceptre, but notr acknowledge the power of Spain, though the
lettlersbe few. In 1765, a war broke out with the savages,
which ended in their submission, 1771. During their inarches
the Spaniards discovered at Cineguiila, in the province of i^
nora, a plain of fourteen leagues in extent, in which vast quan-
tities of gold were found in large lumps, at the depth of only
sixteen inches. Before the end of the year 1771, above SOOO
persons were settled at Cineguiila ; and other mines, not infe-
rior in wealth) have been discovered in other parts of Sonora
and Cinalua. It is probable that these discoveries have insti-
gated other settlements in the northern parts of New Spain,
and in New Mexico. These colonizations, and the settlement
of Santa Fe, and others in that vicinity, are important events
in the history of the Spanish territories. It is, however, to be
lamented, that the progress of these settlements has not been
explained with more care and accuracy, for no small obscurity
attends their chronology.

The Mexicans have long evinced a disposition for indepen-
dence. In 16^4, they made a feeble attempt at a revolution.
In 1797, they proclaimed the count de Galves king of Mexico,
in the streets of the capital, and 130,000 souls were heard
proclaiming, * Long live Galves, king of Mexico/ It was then
only for him to have willed it) and the kingdom of Mexico was
lost to Charles IV. for ever. But preferring his loyalty to his
ambiti(jn, he rode out to the mob, attended by his guards,
with his sword in hand, crying out, * Long live his catholic
majesty Charles the fourth,^ and threatening to put to instant
death, Avith his own hand, any persons who refused immedi-
ately to retire to their houses. This dispersed the people. In
another quarter of the kingdom an immense number had col-
lected and proclaimed him king : he sent 10,000 men against
them, dispersed them, and had four l)eheaded. These firm
measures saved the couiftry at that period. Galves received
the greatest honours from the court of Spain, but was poisoned
in a short time after, fulfilling the maxim, * Tluit it is danger-
ous to serve jealous tyrants/

The news of the overthrow of the Spanish monarchy by
.ijonaparte was received in Mexico with great indignation ; and

8I»AWI|f^f^/N0)l^>i^ AMKBfCA.

lhe,iiil^bitifntH o| t^^^nty^f Mp^icoju eleven duyik, 8«^]|^r)|)e4 .
aUmt 700,9|QO/f Co ^jd thciij popijyiip l^ictjjfcn ,in £Uirppfv.<.

by liie creatures of ijn^Prii^f^*? of P^ttct't <»^fool of pun«})firlU)\ , .
the dread ut^ !Preu<;h JD^ifcnQe i^^d, intrigue iu .|ii^,v,^plaQ(^.,| '
producijd tt tiyil ^ar: iWfJ^did ll»v ,|fniPfi^|»;:it: ^wiidi^ct ojf U\e
Sp^^jfh central juiitftte>^atp,ref:;onaj,i? t|ie ejAri^eti, icploni^tfr ,,
In Ijhe jear 1808, the vief^roy^ ^, Mexico, Ijarugary, \»ai,ar<^„f
rested aud deposed by one party of the inhabitants f. w)^Iq tb^
other party espoused and ^'u^cavuurud to suppprt his autho-
rity : but wjiatf is vcrj|r strap^e, the junta ^oo)( party in th'isjpr
stance, with the jnpurgunt^ ..^a. ,.»yH ^vl<

Mexico had felt long and severely the impolitic onp unjust
measures of Spain ; sjie had been inundated by piep sent,fr^
ihen(;e,, in iNrder ti^ retrieve or make their fortunes by th«
plunder and oppression pf the colonists The creol^f iv'ffff ^
neglected; and, as if neglect were not enough to irrit^t^,and
aliepate, t^eii^ their hopes and expectations were repeated{y
raised J>y the Spanish government, and then da»hed. to tl^^
ground., ^ Had the Spai^sh government been actually jdesirouf t
of disgusting and sepf fating, the Mexicans entirely firoj)i,t,be
uiutl^^r country, tliey. pould i)Qt have ^onc; it mqre ef^ectuallj^,
than by the whole tenour of the conduct they adopted. . ,

While tnings were iu this critical statt;, aP .in^iurrecUofi .'
broke out, iiv Septeniher« 1810, at polores,, a town,iq tl^j^ p^yt:
vince of Gu^naxueato, . in the middb of the mining district,^
Mexico. This insurr^tion was begun, spread, and ^aded
principally by the priests ; afYerw^ds several lawyers a|od onir
litary o^ers Joined it; and the latter ib^ught.qyc^ spmo
regimfiUf of the militia. This ijasufrecUon 8pre«|d rapidly
and w'lcieiy : in a,^|^ort time, more tl^ai^ .half the prov|pce ,w^9
overrun uy, the insurgei^ts or^ had joined th^. lJpwarii?><^|,
ip,(k)0 liiai yicte in arms; aod thou|[h t}iey.w^re,:cpvafedjlj^ ,
defeated, they ^^(^istantljf ' rallied and fi^pearc^ wji|(h u^dinii^,!,

In the montn of November they advanced wi^h gre^t coni|-' ,,
dec^e, and iu great force,, aguust the city of Me:|dc9 its^:
they had jppvio|ii8ly taken the pop^}^& tpwp of .Pv>|injBi^^f^^^^^

■■"26''" """ '" " " '4 G' ^ .■■''■''■'

602

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

and been received as friends by the inhabitants of ValladoHd.
Their expectations of gaining possession of Mexico arose more
fihbni the power and intrigues of the partizans within the city
than the (brce of their army. But in these expectations th.ey
were mistaken ; for while affairs were in this precarious state,
Venegas arrived from Spun, as viceroy of Mexico. He was a
man peculiarly fitted for the management of the government
at this period ; for he was possessed in an eminent degree of
activity, firmness, and energy. He soon detected the partizans
of the insurgents within the city of Mexico : he watched all
their movements : he thwarted all their measures ; so that
they had no opportunity to be of the least service to the army
that was advancing against, the city. At this period, too, the
influence of superstition was called in ; the archbbhop threat-
ened to excommunicate all who had joined the insurgents, if
they did not immediately desert them : this kept back their
partizans within the city, and even thinned the ranks of their
army. Venegas, however, did not depend entirely upon these
measures ; he collected as many troops as he could ; and, by
his masterly dispositions, succeeded in baffling all the move-
ments of the insurgents, whom he drove before him, and
greatly weakened as well as dispirited their troops. At length
in March, 1811, the principal leaders of the insurrection, their
army being greatly reduced by defeat and desertion, were
surprised at Saltiilo. Notwithstanding all these disasters, the
spirit still existed, for within a very short period of the battle
of Saltiilo, a body of 12,000 insurgents were collected near
Queretaro, and again defeated.

It would appear that Venegas used his victories with great
cruelty : he inflicted the most severe and barbarous punbb-
ments upon such of the insurgents as fell into his hands. In-
deed the civil war in Mexico was attended with greater
slaughter and cruelty than in other parts of Spanish America:
in this province the jealousy and hatred existing between tbe
Europeans and Creoles is very great ; and when this jealousj
and hatred was increased, and found room and opportunity to
operate without restraint during the civil commotions, it maj
eanly (te supposed that thar effects would be dreadful in tbe

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

60S

arose more

extreme. The country was laid waste : every thing was de-
stroyed that could be destroyed : houses, plantatinns, and even
the miners suffered i, so that even if tranquillity were restored,
of which though the prospect is more likely, it is still very
distant and uncertain, many years must elapse, niuch labour
and capital must be expended, before the country will resume
its former condition, or the inhabitants be restored to their
former wealth and comforts. The destruction of the mines is
principally to be deplored : it must necessarily require a great
outlay of money before they can be put into a condition again
to be wrought with ease, advantage, and profit ; and they will
be unproductive at the very time when the mother country
stands most in need of their wealth.

But notwithstanding the cruelty and activity of the Spanish
officers, the spirit of the. people was not subdued. They again
took arms, and appeared in the field against the old Spanish
troops, which they defeated in several rencontres. In 1816,
they became complete masters of the province of Valladolid,
and summoned a junto, or assembly of the representatives of
the people. They, however, were greatly in want of arms,
and the ports oa the gulf of Mexico were held by the royal
troops. Several enterprising individuals in the western states
of the Union associated together, and formed a rifle corps to
assist the independents ; but before they could arrive at the
scene of action, the patriots were overpowered, and their
armies dispersed. Still the determination to oppose the imbe-
cile and tyrannical sway of the despicable Ferdinand continues
to operate, and large bodies of men are yet traversing this fine
and fertile country, defying all attempts to reduce them to
subjection, and offering a pdint of union for all the resolute
and dissatisfied that chuse to join them. But our accounts
from this country are extremely meagre and unsatisfactory,
and such as cannot afford any proper materials for an histo-
rical detail.

The situation of this opulent empire has, no doubt, occupied
the attention of different governments ; but the critical state
of affairs, both in Europe and America, has prevented the
adoption of any measures which might throw the.i^iches jof

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

Mexico into their power. Captain Pike, an Americaitt, wlto
was sent in 1807 by his government to explore Louisiann, wa«
Arrested by the Spaniards, and conveyed into New Spun, an
account of which he published on his return. In his remarks
on the political situation of the Mexican dominiotis,' he ob>
«erves, that the conduct of England, in her late descent at La
Plata, has induced the Mexicans to turn dieir views for assist-
ance to other quarters. * They have,* he proceeds, • directed
their eyes towards the United States, as brethren of the same
soil in their vicijpity ; who have within thdr power ample re.
sources of arms, ammunition, and even men, to assist in se.
curing their independence; and who in that event would
secure to themselves the almost exclusive trade of the richest
country in the world for centuries, and to be her carriers as
long as the two nations exist. For Mexico, like China, will
never become a natiop of mariners, but must receive the ships
of all the Mr6\r\d into her ports, and ^ve her bullion in ex-
change for the productions of their different countries. What
would hot be the advantages the United States would reap
from this event? Our numerous vessds would fill every port,
and from our vicinity enable us to carry off at least nine-tenths
of her commerce.. Even on the coast df the Pacific no Eu-
ropean nation could vie with us : there would idso be a brisk
inland trade carried on with the southern provinces by the
Bed river ; and having a free entrance into all their ports, we
should become their factors, agents, guardians, and, in short,
their tutelar genius; as the country fears but hates France
and all French men and measures. It therefore remains for
the government of the United States to decide, whether they
will hold out a helping hand, to emancipate another portion ot
the western hemisphere from the bonds of European tyrannj
and oppression, or by a different policy suffer 600,000 people
to become, in the hands of French intrigue, enterprise, and
tactics, a scourge to our south-western boundaries, which
would oblige us to keep up a large and respectable militarv
force, and continually render us liable to a war, on the weakest
and most vulnerable part of our frontiers.'

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA.

605

^uch are the opinions of an American writer, though they
40 not coincide with the present politics oi the United States.
Mr. Cobbett has also addressed a memorial to the prince re-
gent of England, pointing out the advantages which would
result from the Mexicans conquering their independence, and
the ease with which it might be accomplished with the assist-
ance of England. Such views, however, under existing cir-
cumstances, ate quite iniulinissible.

If the affairs of Spain were conducted upon the principles
of wisdom and sound policy, the emancipation of Mexico
would be instantly and voluntarily declared, for which an an-
nual tribute might be procured even more considerable than
the present revenue. The resources of this rich and extensive
country are in a great measure absorbed by useless offices and
emoluments, and the extortions of powerful individuals ; and
the remainder is swallowed up by vast bodies of priests, who,
in return, endeavour to amuse a:;d stupify tlie people l}y reli-
gious processions, festivals, and a variety of holy mummeries.
The march of knowledge is, however, though gradual, sure
and irresistible, and the people are beginning to perceive the
nature of their rights and duties. Their attempts to conquer
their political independence will not, in the present state of
things, be easily repressed. The success of the patriots in
South America will be a sure prelude to their own triumph.
Were they to rensain subject to the creature which at present
rules in Spain, it is probable that they would ultimately be
compelled to receive the law from their more politic, courage-
ous, and enterprising neighbours, the iuhabitimts of the States.

'h\

SOUTH AMERICA.

'ifjii^aiiix

^HIS vast continent has now jecome an object of peculiar
interest, and the theatre of the most gallant achievements.
We will first take a view of the natural and civil state of its
various divisions, and then describe the different governments
into which it is now divided, with the efforts making to, pro»
mote the general cause against Spain.

SPANISH DOMINIONS.

Extent and Boundaries. ^H£ possessions of Spain in the

southern part of America, are of
prodigious extent, from the Caribbean sea to the most south-
ern promontpry, according to the Spanish geographers ; but
the English maps, seem justly to regard the regions to the
south-^ast, inhabited by the Tehuels and other tribes cpnfess-
edly independent, as excluded from the Spanish domain. In
this point of view, the eastern shore, from the south of the

SOUTH AMERICA.

0D7

great river Parana, is open to the settlements of any foreigi^'
nation ; and on the west the Spanish boundary' ends at the
ga\{ of Chonos, south lat. 44 deg. The remaining length
may be 8860 gec^aphical miles; but the medial breadth is
not above 900. The whole length of the Spanish possesnohs
in America may thus be computed at more than 5000 geogro-
phical miles; though not equal in extent, yet far superior, in
every other respect, to the Asiatic empire of Russia. On the
east, the boundary between) the Spanish possesnons and those
of the Dutch and Portuguese is sometimes ascerUnned by
ridges of mountains and rivers, but dften consists of an ideal
line, observed wpan a map at one glance, while a verbal de-
scription would be unnecessarily prolix. In general, the Por-
tuguese territory in South America is perhaps equal in extent
to the Spanish, compensating by its breadth, which includes
the far greater part of the Marancm, for the, deficiency ui

length. • fi''*^>>-'--. >■)•< j ♦tr*^-'; :r^ :< il'^''\:\

Zoology. — ^The chief topics of natural geography have' al-
ready been discussed in the general view of' South America.
A singular circumstance in the zoology is the great abundance
of horses and cattle, though ori^^ally unknown to the new
continent ; these surprii^lng herds having been multif^lied froiil
a few that were turned loose by the first settlers. The cattle
are so numerous that they are hunted merely cm account of
the hides. An author, who rerided twenty-two years in Pa-
raguay, infwms us, that they equal the Hungarian in size, the
standard length of the hide being three ells. The great num-
bers have lately been thinned by the thoughtless avario6 of
the hunters. Horses are also very numerous : ^ and mules
being indispensible in the alpine countries, where they cannot
be reared, about 80,000 are annually sent from the plains of
Paraguay to Peru. To j^rooure this mixed breed, youi^
asses are clothed in the fresh skins of foals, and introduced to
the mares as their own offspring. Flocks of European sheep
also abound ; but of this animal some species are peculiar to
America. Such is the ttamOy or more properly riMia, tat
llama merely implies a beast or quadruped, which resembles a
small camel, and will carry any load under a hundred' -wnght

SOUTH AMERICA.

The vicuna ta aowaewbat amaller, with shortsr and finer wool;
and 1^ a brown ookxir* wbila the others are various* The
guaoaca, on the contrary, is a larger and ooar«er animal than
tho:runa» and chiefly employed in the mining oountnesi whene
othcr^aoiinala cou^ not paae the precipitoux pakbp. A^ong
the:feR)ciou8 animals are distii^uiihed thoas called. h^Bu^oo
the jaguar, by other Hiriter9 the tiger ;, and , the owigart by
Mme- called lh0 Amerioan lion. The latter ia, of a reddish
brafWR oolouki wlule the former it marked withi Uaek spota
upoik' a yn^wisb ground. But from Buffon''s a^cooant of the
ji^^ar» it i» evident that he only judged froiO a NuaU animal
probably aeot frOai French Guiana; but DobrizboflTer informs
UR^'that as the lions of Africa fitr exceed thoas of Paraguay
(the cougars) in siee afid ferocil^y* so the Afriean tigers yield
in tmagnituda to those of Paraguay. He saw the akin of one
killed the day before* which was three eUa and two inches in
length, or equal to that of a large ox ; but he adds, the body
is mere slender than that of an OKi According to the same
author, they kill and carry off oxan and horses ; and he gives
aiicb singular instances of their strengUi as to evince the enw
of ^Buffbn's iheory . Other animals ace, the wild cat^ the «U(,
IheLhHanaeo, or guatiaca, already mentioned, the ant-bear, &c
Ik the great river. Maranmi there appears to be a species of
Ivn^opotaniiiSi In the alps towards Tuouman theiisond<Mris
not unfrequeut, seeminglya kind of vulture, with a,red arest,
the body being black* i^ted with wlute. The ostncb is also
fiMud IB the wide plains of Paraguay, ui. w inmii\inu^i,/

Btlikmy.^lkei natural produetionaof ili^comtry taa^of the
Aaatks iaij^ y^ oesidy imknown to European science. We
koMw, iimn ftbetneporCs of navigators and ocoaMOQal UsaveU^s^
thatiith» nninity of the coast prodiices many o# the tropical
finufea andhrcgelahleB* such aa the oabbage pahd^ the cocoa nut,
thaahoookta ws^ the cotton Mirub, the pine appkv the canna,
aBieHiiiaa» turmeiic, -plantain, aad augar^xme. But in the
jQacna;tenqierate«lnaate of the high' pkin of ((^iutv! and upon
the; sidea^; lb«) Afldes, it is natural to expect pUnts of a har-
disrfleMtitiijiiNt... JP4b'hBpa the best koown.and moat generally
inl s ri n yi s iig t>fedie :tiwfe are tha safianal speoies «f flinchona^ firpiB

SOUTH AMERICA.

two of which at least that valuable medicine the Peruvian or
Jesuits^ bark is procured. The cardana alliodora is a large
timber tree» remarkable for the strong smell of garlic emitted
from the leaves and fresh wood. A kind of coffee, the coffaea
recemosa, is met with in the mountmnous groves of the inte-
rior, whose berries are applied to the same use as the culti.
vated species. The large flowered jasmine and datura arborea
diffuse their evening fragrance round the neighbourhood of
Lima, and braided in the hair of the women give and receive
a reciprocal charm. No Isss than twenty-four species of pep-
per, and fivcor six of capsicum, are reckoned among the Pe-
ruvian natives, besides several esouknt kinds of solanum, of
which the S. lyoopersicon or love-apple, and S. tuberosum at
potatoe, are the be^t known and most esteemed. The tobacco
and jalap abound in the groves at the foot of the Andes, and
many of the ornamental flowers of our English gardens and
green-houses, such as the singular and beautiful calceolaria,
the resplendent salvia longiilora, the graceful trapoelum, or
nasturtium, and the simple nolana prostrata, are indebted to
these countries for their origin.

Mineralogy. — The mineralogy of these extensive r^ons
is universally celebrated as the most important in the world.
In most accounts the mines of silver have been described at
great length, while Brazil is considered as the chief ioountry of
American gold. But the noblest metal also abounds in the
Spanish possessions here, as well as in Mexico: and Groelin
has specially enumerated the following places in Peru and
Chili : Cbpiapo, Quasco, Goqnimbo, Petorca, Ligua, Tiltil,
Putaendo, Caren, Alhu^, Chibato, and Huilli-Patagua. Ul-
loa informs us that the department of Popay an ilbounds in
mines of native gold ; the richest being those of Cali, Buga,
Almaguer, and Barbacoas ; aind there are als6 several mines
m the noted district of Choco, some of which were abandoned
on account of the abundance of platina, a more rare and sin-
singular metal than gold, but at first, as' appears from Bouguiar,
mistaken for an obdurate pyrites. Other gold min^s were
near Zarutna, within the jurisdiction of Loxa; and some in
the government- of Jaen Bracamoros. Near the village of

4 H

0ffi

SOUTH AMERICA.

Angamorca, in the jurisdiction of Latacunga, was a nnna of
jnrddigbus value. ■ GcJd is also found in the sand of many
rivers that flow into the Maranon. But the state of the mines
of Buenos Ayres, as published by Hdlms, wtU convey a com-
plete idea of this subject ; and it thence appears that the silver
mines are there far more productive than those of gcM, except
the produce returned to St. Jago de Catagoita, about SO miles
to the south of Potosi. Those of silver being more numerous,
and more easily worked, have excited the chief attention of the
indolent colonists. > .

The celebrated mountain of Poton has presented, for two
centuries and a half, inexhaustible treasures of nlver; while
the gold seems thinly scattered by nature, and has no where
been discovered in such enormous masses. Hence, if the noted
plain of Cineguilla in North America be excepted, there is
hitherto no example of any gold mine eminently rich, far less
rivalling the proud reputation of Potosi. This mountain, of
a conio form, is about 90 British miles in drcumference, and
perforated by more than 300 rude shafts, through a firm yel>
low argillaceous schistus. There are veins of ferruginous
quartz, interspersed with what are called the horn and vi-
treos ores. Of a peculiar dark reddish colour, this mountain
rises void of all vegetation, blasted by the numerous furnaces,
which in the night form a grand spectacle. This surprinng
mine was cUscovered, 1545, by Hualpa, a Peruvian, who in
pursuing some chaoi^ys pulled up a bush, and beheld under
the root that amazing vein of silver afterwaids called la rica,
or the rich. He shared this discovery with his friend Huanca,
who revealed it to a Spaniuxl hiik master; and the mine was
formally registered Slst April, 1545.

Another celebrated mine is that of mercury, indispensible in
amalgamating the precious metals. While Mexico is supplied
firom Spain, Peru has the native product of Guancavelica, a
district and town not far to the south-west of Lima, near the
great bend of the old Maramm. The cinnabar had been used
by the Peruvians as a red paint ; and the quicksilver was first
detected about 1567. The mine is now so large that there
afe said to be streets, and chilli where mass is celebrated.

SOUTH AMERICA.

Tlus mineral leenit alio to be in ai^llaceous schistus of a pale
red.

Platina is4:hiefly fomid in the mines of Choco and fiarbacoas,
in the vicerayalty of New Granada. Tin, according to Helms,
is found at Chayanza and Paria; and there are also several
mines of copper and lead. The chief copper mine was at
Aroa; but the colonies are mostly supplied from the mines of
Cuba. Among the other minerals may be mentioned the gal*
Unazo stone, so called from its black colour, being a volcanic
glass or obsidian, sometimes confounded with the Inca stone
or mirror of the Incas, both being used as looking-glasses.
According to Ulloa, the Inca stone is of a leaden colour and
soft, being probably a marcaaite or pyritical mixture, not yet
analyzed. In the time of the Incas emeralds were also com-
men, chiefly on the coast of Manta, and in the government of
Atacames, where it is said that there are mines which the In-
dians will not reveal, as they must encounter the labour of
working them. The river of Emeralds flows from the Andes
to the north of Quito : and others of inferior quality are found
near Bogota, where are the chief modem mines of Peruvian
emeralds, justly preferred to all others, rince those of £gypt
have been neglected. Those found in the tombs are worked
into spheres, cylinders, cones, and other figures, and pierced
with great precision; but in what manner this was accom-
plished remains unknown. According to Ulloa, rubies have
also been observed in the jurisdiction of Cuenza. It is unne-
cessary to mention the abundance of sulphur, bitumen, and
vitriol, or sulphate of iron, commercially called copperas.

Population. — It is probable that the population of the Spa-
nish possessions in South America is about 9,000,000. The
use of spirituous liquors, and the small pox, with another en-
demial disease, which acts at intervals like a pestilence, ob»
struct the increase of the natives. The Spaniards and Creoles
are f(|r more numerous in New Spain than in South America,
where it is probable they do not exceed 2,000,000. Thj ne-
groes may constitute about a twentieth part of the population.
As the Spaniards have no settlements in Africa, their colonies
were chiefly supi»lied by the Dutch and English ; but i^ce

61S

SOtfTH AMERICA.

the abolition of the slave trade in England, tlie Portuguese
and Spaniards have carried slaves to their own settlements.

Manners and CfM^om^.— Among the native nations, the
Peruvians are by far the moat interesting, having in some in-
stances advanced nearer to civilization than the Mexicans.
The llama, which may be called a small camel, had been ren-
dered subservient to their industry; and their buildings,
ereeted of stone, still remain, while of the earthen edifices of
the Mexican^, even the ruins have perished. The history of
the Pei'uviaii monarchs b indeed vague and unsatisfactory,
the noted quipos somewhat resembling the wampum of the
North Americans, being brief and transitory records. The
government of the Incas was a kind of theocracy, and the in-
habitants revered a divine descent, not claimed by the Mexican
monarchs. The religion of the Peruvians was that of love
and beneficence ; while the Mexicans seem, in their cruel rites,
to have been wholly influenced by the fear of malignant deities.
Some sacrifices of the »< nailer animals, and offerings of fruits
and flowers, formed the chief rites of Peruvian superstition.

The Mexican monarchy was founded by the sword, the Pe.
ruvian by superiority of wisdom ; and the captives taken in
war were not immolated, but instructed in the arts of civiliza-
tion. An excellent writer justly pronounces, that the Pe-
ruvians had advanced far beyond the Mexicans, both in the
neceasfiry arts of life^ and in such as have some title to the
name of elegant, Manures and irrigation were not unknown,
though a kind of mattock formed the chief instrument of agri-
culture. Their edifices were sometimes of bricks hardened in
the sun ; but other's were constructed of large stones, the waiis,
however, never exceeding twelve feet in height. The great
roads between Cuzpo and Q^ito are indeed slight and perisha-
ble when compared with European exertions; yet become
wonderful, when estimated with the other parts of savage
America.' Their weapons and ornaments also display no
small degree of skill, particularly in cutting and piercing eme-
ralds, a gem of great hardness. Amidst all those laudable
(][ualities, it is to be regretted, that superstition led them to
sa^ifice numerous victims on the death of a chief; andat'a-

SOUTH AMERICA.

vourite monarch wa« sometimes followed to the tomb by a
thousand slaughtered servants. Had tlie conquest of America
been effected by the Spaniards at a period like the present,
when European warfare has lost half its ferocity, the Peruvian
monarchy might have been respected and preserved, for in the
other parts of South America there is a superabundance of the
precious metals to satiate the utmost wish of avarice. Whe-
ther the ruling people be chiefly cut off, or fVom the tUftre de-
pression of slavery, it is impossible to discover in the manners
of the Peruvian natives any marks of their ancient advance-
ment. The methodical tyranny exercised over them is very
severe. They are reduced to become even the slaves of slaves ;
for the Spaniards encourage their negroes to treat them with
the greatest insolence ; and fhey politically keep up a rancour,
now grown inveterate, between these two races of people.
They are forbidden, under the severest penalties, to marry, or
to have an unlawful intercourse together. Division is the
great instrument to which the Spaniards trust for the preser-
vation of their colonies. The native Spaniard alone has all
the lucrative offices, civil, ecclesiastical, and military. He de-
spises the Creolian. The Croolian hates and envies him.
Both condemn and maltreat the Indians, who, on their side,
are not insensible of the indignities they suffer. The blacks
are encouraged to trample on the Indians, and to consider
their interests as altogether opposite; while the Indians, in
their nominal freedom, look with an envious disdain upon the
slavery of the negroes, which makes them their masters.

What is extraordinary, the Spaniards, not content with re-
ducing this unhappy nation under so cruel a yoke, as if they
thought it nothing unless they were thoroughly sensible of its
weight, suffer the Indians to celebrate an annual festival, in
which plays are represented, commemorating the overthrow of
their own state. These are acted with all the horrid and ag-
gravating circumstances which attended this event; and the
peoj^e are at this time so enraged, that the Spaniards find it
dangerous to go abroad. In the city of Lima, there is annu-
ally celebrated a festival of this kind, with a grand procession,
whernn they carry in a sort of triumph the' reBamnlii|[^ de-

614

SOUTH AMERICA.

icendant of the Incas of Peru, «nd hift wife; who at that tint
receive all imaginable honours in the most melancholy pomp,
from a race bowed down with the sense of the common bond-
age of prince and people. This throws the most aiTecting
gloom over the festival, that renews the image of their former
freedom. To this remaining Inca th^ viceroy of Peru does
homage when he enters upon his government. The Inca sits
upon a4ofty stage, and the viceroy makea his obeisance upon
a horse, who is taught to Hneel upon the occasion. This
manner of proceeding may be thought of the most refined
strain of insolent tyrauny, and to be as impolitic as it is insult-
ing; but it is not impossible that those vents, which they
■uffer the indignation of the people to take, may carry off a

' (^rit that might otherwise break out in a much more fatal
manner. Whether by the division they keep up, or by these
vents, or by the management of the clergy, or by whatever
means, the Spaniards preserve their conquests with very little
force : the Indians are even armed, and make a considerable
part of thehr militia : it is true they are interdicted the use of
weapons without licence; but licence is procured without
much difficulty. They have hkewise a large number of free
blacks, and they too are formed into companies in their militia.
Certain it if* that, both in the Spanish and Portuguese colo-
nies, they find slavery contpatible enough with great licence in
some respects, and both with the security of the masters.
Things deserving our consideration; as we do not seem to
excel in the conciliating arts of government in our colonies,
nor to think that any thing is to be effected by other instru-

, ments than those of terror and rude force.

The manners of the Spaniards in South America ore similar
to those in Mexico ; and do nut partake of any peculiar trait
worthy of observation.

Latif^mge. — The language of Hie ruling people in Peru was
called Quichua, and it is still cultivated by the Spanish clergy,
as indispensable in the conversion of the natives. The sounds
bi d^figt r* a'*e wanting; but nlien the Spanish grammarians
add the x and z^ they forget that their x is un % or ah, and
their .^ is equally expresed by <;. The grammar of this lan>

SOUTH AMERICA.

eiA

guago, and it it ttid even that of the Tehueli, ii nearly aa
variegated and artificial aa the Oreek, whence our wonder at
the refinement of the Sanscrit may perhaps tufier considera-
ble abatement.

Citiet and Townt, — In describing the chief cities in the im*
mense regions of Spanish America, it will be most conducive
to perspicuity, to arrange them according to the grand divin
sions to which they belong. A brief account of these divisions
will also, with propriety, precede the account of the cities
which thev contain.

Peru. — The viceroyalty of Peru comprehends the aadiency
of Lima, the province of La Paz, and the presidency of San
Yago. This presidency is, however, separated from the other
parts of the viceroyalty by the audiency of Charcas, which
belongs to the viceroyalty of Buenos Ayres. The two former
occupy the principal part of the ancient Peru.

This great empire, the foundation of which by the Incaa
remains enveloped in the obscurity of a series of fables, and of
an uncertain tradition, has lost much of its local grandeur
since the time when it was stripped, on the north side, of the
provinces which form the kingdom of Quito, and afterwards
of those which, towards the east, constitute the viceroyalty of
Buenos Ayres. Its present extent in length runs, n<nth and'
south, over a space of from 1S60 to 1950 miles, firom 8 dcg,
to nearly 9S deg. of south lat. ; and its greatest breadth is
from 300 to 860 miles, east arijd west, i. e. about 18 degrees of
west long. The river of Guayaquil divides it from the new
kingdom of Grenada on the north side. The depopulated
territory of Atacama separates it from the kingdom of Chili
towards the south. Another horrible desert, of more than
1500 miles extent, separates it towards the east from the pro-
vinces of Paraguay and Buenos Ayres ; and, last, the Pacific
ocean washes its western shores.

A chain of barren and rugged mountains ; several sandy
plains, which in a manner reach from one extremity of the
coast to the other ; and several lakes, of many leagues in ex-
tent, some of which are situated on the summits a£ the ahom
chain of mountains, occupy a great part of the Peruvian terri-

eie

SOUTH AlfERICA,

tary. Throughout^ the breaks and the valHcisi, \4ueh 01^9 j
the benefit of irrigatbn, present to the view an extensive range
of delightful plains, replete with villages and towns, and the
climate of which is highly' salubrious. That of the elevated
spots « of La Sierra is. extremely cold. In the pampas, or
pluns, of Bombou, Fahrenheit's thermometer is constantly at
from 94 to 40 degrees above zero. ' - >/ : i

Th«e are three cities in Peru famous for their, opulence
and trade; Lima, Cusco, aiid Quito. Lima lies in the north-
em part of Peru, in the latitude of 12 deg. south, and S99
east longitude from TenerifFe. It stands about two leagues
from the sea, upon a river called Rimac, small and unOaviga-
ble. This city is the capital of Peru, and of all South Ame-
rica; it extends in length about two miles, and in breadth
about one quarter ; its distant appearance, from the multitude
of spires and domes, is extremely majestic; and when you
enterit, you see the streets laid out with the greatest r^ular-
ity, cutting each other at equal dbtances and right angles;
the houses, on account of the equality of the climate, are
slightly roofed, as they are built low and of light materials, to
avoid the consequences of earthquakes, frequent and dreadful
in this country. But they are elegantly plastered and painted
on the outside, so as to have all the appearance of freestone.
To add to the beauty and convenience of this city, most
houses have a garden, watered by cuts drawn from the river;
each man commands a little running stream for his own use;
in a hot and dry <»untry, as this is, no small matter of conve-
nience and delight. Here is a grand walk by the river side,
SOO fathoms long, consistinc" of five rows of fine orange trees.
To this the company resorts at five in the evening, drawn in
their coaches and calashes. Such is the opulence of this city,
that, exclusive of coaches, there are kept in it upwards <^iM)00
of these carriages. The royal square is extreme^ handsome,
and in the middle is placed a beautiful fountain of bronze,
surmounted by an image of Fame, executed in a very good
style. This square is from ^00 to 600 feet in length, and is
surrounded by superb edifices, ■r-tmh^i-gni." ,rt^%v.isiiai^ ■

one univer

' ?w «*<(|-

.* ^-^i* t.*.^ ^jf'«« -|^- r>

-'^ B'

SOUTH AMERICA.

snr

The climate U here hetdthy, (uad extremely agreeable ; and
though no rain 'falls, the ground is watered by a gentle dew
termed garndi 9L variety of the most delicious fruits abound
in the vicinity ol[ Lima ; and, in short, nothing iS' here wantmg
which can contribute to the Mimfort or the luxiiiry of the i»^
'habitants. ••;' •• ^ i •■■('■« •.5Kt<*.^ifii;>in'is^ is^ii

Lima is divided into four quarters, and onntains 855 streets
andl 3641' houses. The population is estimated ai^ dTifiST
souls; of which number, 17,215 are Spaniards,. 3319 Indians,
8960 negroes^ Biid the remainder people of colour.

It is. evident that the number of inhabitants bears no pro»
portion to the extent of the place, which id this ' climate is at
first 'matter of'surprise; but the cause beoomos pretty obvious,
when the great mortality of children, the frequent earthquakes,
and total want of productive means of livelihood in this appa-
rently briljjbnt metropolis, are taken into consideration. irJ -Mn

Lima has fifty-four churches, taking in the cathedral, the
parochial, and conventual;. thirteen monasteries of men (bor
sides six colleges of Jesuits), one of which contains 700^ and
another 500 friars and servants ; twelve nunneries, the princi-
pal of which has nut less than 300 nuns ; and twelve hospitals^
besides foundations for the portioning of poor girb. There is
one university in Lima, dedicated to St. Mark. o ',smi\

This city is the residence of a viceroy, who it president of
the royal audience : besides an ecclesiastical tribunal, there is
also a supreme^ribunal of audience, composed of a president,
a fiscal, aiid two examiners. A treasury is estaUished here
for receiving the duty on the produce of the mines, as well as
all the taxes paid by the Indians to the king of Spain. Two
newspapers are published ai Lima. The * Gaaeta de Limd|?
which appears twice a week, and is exactly similar to the
'Gazeta de Madrid," and the annual * Quia Politiea, Ecclesias*
Uca, y MiKtar,V in ISmo., which, besides the calendar, and a
list of civil and military officers, contains much valuable geo>
graphical and statistical information.

Nothing can give a true idea of the vast wealth of Lima,
except the churches, which the most judicious travellers speak

4 1 ^

SOUTH AMERICA.

of with astonbhment, and aecm incapable of describing, on ac.
«ount of that amazing profusion of gold, silver^ and precious
etones with which every thing (even the walls)^ is in a manner
totally covered. The tide of this vast wealth is fed ftom
fiouroes as copimis; this city being the great magazine for all
the plate of Peru, which is coined here; for the large inanut
factuws and natural products of that kingdom ; for those of
Chtti ; and for all the luxuries and conveniences brought from
Europe and the East Indies.

The trade «arried on by the merchants of Lima, is rcpre-
•ented by Akedo to be very extensive ; but the author appears
to have overlooked the great decay of this trade, occasioned by
the growing prosperity of Buenos Ayres, which is much move
conveniently situated for the European commerce. Be^des,
the government has established at this lest place, a magazine
for the produce of the mines of Potosi and La Plata; these
are now conveyed thither by the Pilomayo, and the river La
Plata, which is a much shorter and more secure route than
that of Lima.

The beauty of the situation, the fertility of the soil, the
mildness of the climate, and the riches of the inhabitants of
Lima, are not, however, sufficient to compensate for the conti-
nual dangers with which they are menaced. Lima continued
in great splendour until the year 1747, when a most tremen-
dous earthquake, which entirely devoured Callao, the port bt-
Itmging'to it, laid three-fourths of tlus city level with the
ground. The destruction of Callao was the most perfect aiid
teirible that can be conceived ; no more than one of all tlie
inhabitants escaping, and lie by a providence the moot singular
itid extraordinary imaginable. This man was on the fort that
overlooked the harbour, going to strike the flag, when he per
oeived the sea to retire to a considerable distance; and then
swelling mountain high, it returned with great violence. Tlie
inhabitaiHBi ran from their' houses in the utmost terror <i(i
confusion; he hoard a. cry oi Mifierere rise froini all parts of
the city ; and immediately all Mas silent ; the sea had entirely
overwhelmed this cilv^ and buried it i'or ever in its Iwsoin:

SOUTH AMERICA.

619

but the same wave which destroyed the city, drove a little boat
by the place where the man stood, into which he threw hiBk?
self, and was saved. .>^

Whilst this town subsisted, it contained aliout 3000 inha-
bitants of all kinds, had five convents, and possessed the finest
port of all Peru. Here were the rich warehijuses furnished
with all the goods of Europe, which being luidcd by the gal>
Icons at Porto Bello, were brought over land to Panama, and
thence transported by the armadillo, or fleet, with a convoy of
three men of war reserved for this purpose. To this port ai-
rived the annual ship from Acapulco, loaden with all the pro-
ducts of the east ; from Chili it received vast quantities of corn,
dried beef and pork, leather, tallow, plank, and several sorts
of woollen goods, particularly carpets like those of Turkey.
From the southern ports of Peru were brought sugars, wine
and biandy , naval stores, cacoa, Virginia wool, and tobacco.
From Mexico it had pitch and tar, woods for dyeing, and that
balsam which we improperly call of Peru, since it comes from
Guatiniala.

The province of Quito is perhaps one of the most singular
and interesting countries in the universe* The valley of Quito
is situated 14f60 toises above the level of the sea, which is
higher than tlie tops of the most elevated mountains of Pyre-
nees A double range of mountains surround this delightful
valley ; though under the equator, an eternal spring reigns in
this favoured spot ; the trees are perpetually clothed with lux-
uriant foliage, and loaded with fruits of every species; it
abounds with animals, the wool of which is employed in the
manufacture of stuffs, which form its principal article of com-
merce with Peru. They likewise manufacture in this city
cotton cloih, equal in fineness to that which they receive from
England. The province every where alx>unds with mines of
gold, silver, copper, and other nietAJa; the<'« are also several
mines of quicksilver, rubies, aniethystii, erneraUls, rock crystal,
and of beautiful marble of different qualities.

The labouring classes of the inhabitants of the city of Quito
are industrious, and have attained to considerable perfection in
many arts and manufactures, particularly in those of woollen.

620

SOUTH AMERICA.

and cotton cloths, which they dye blue, and dispose of in th€
difTerunt cities and villages oi' Peru. The number of the in.
habitants of this city is estimated at 50,000, of which th« ma-
jority are Mestizes, the offspring of native Indians and Spa-
niards. It is governed by a president, and in it is held the
Supreme court of justice: it is likewise a bishop^s see. The
inequalities of the ground on which it stands aie so great, as
to render the use of carriages inadmissible. The houses are
constructed of brick, and seldom exceed two stories in height.

But this fertile and smiling country is not the abode of
safety and tranquillity. ^ Unfortunate people !'* says the elo-
quent Marmontel, when speaking of the inhabitants of Quito ;
* Unfortunate people ! whom the fertility of this deceitful land
has drawn together; its flowers, its fruits, and its luxuriant
harvests, cover an abyss underneath their feet. The fecundity
of the soil is produced by the exhalations of a devouring fire ;
its increasing fertility forebodes its ruin, and it is in the very
bosom of abundance that we behold engulphed its thoughtless
and happy possessors."*

M. Humboldt, who visited the city of Quito in 1802, de-
scribes the effects produced in its vicinity by the dreadful
earthquake which occurred in 1797. ' Quito,' says this tra-
veller, "is a hands(>'^« city, but the atmosphere is always
cloudy: the neighbounng mountains are only covered with a
scanty verdure, and the cold is very considerable. The tre-
mendous earthquake of February, 1797, which desolated the
whole province, and swallowed up from .S5 to 40,000 indivi-
duals, was also fatal to the inhabitants of this capital. Such
was the change produced by it on the temperature of the air.
that Reaumar^s thermometer, which at present fluctuates from
4 to 10 deg., and rarely ascends to 16 deg. or 17 deg., cf^n-
stantly stood, previous to that catastrophe, at 1^ or 16 deg.
Since this period, likewise, the province under consideration
has been constantly subject to more or less violent shocks;
and it is not improbable that all the elevated parts of it form
a single volcano. The mountains of Cotopaxi and Pinchiucha
are only small summits, of which the crateis form the different
funnels, all terminating in the same cavity. Tlie earthquake

SC^tJttt AMERICA.

681

of 1797 tinfortimately aflbrds but too co»vvitici*g ii proof <if the
justness (if this hypothesis, unce, during that dreadful occur*
rence, the earth opened' in all directions, and ejected sulphur,
water, &e. Notwithsinding the recollection of this afflicting
event, and a probabOity of a recurrence of similar dangers, the
inhabitants of Quito are said \o he gay, lively, and amiable s
their dty is the abode of luxury and voluptuousnesis, and in
no other place can there be displayed a more decided taste for
amusements of every description.''

CiMcOf the capital of the ancient empire, is still a very con-
siderable city ; it is at a good distance from the sea, and situ-
ated in the mountainous part of the country : it has not less
than 40,000 inhabitants, three parts Indians, who are very in-
dustrious and ingenious. Though little instructed in the art,
a taste for painting prevails, and some performances of the In-
dians of Cusco and Quito have met with applause in Italy.
An incredible quantity of pictures are painted here, and are
dispersed all over Peru ai^d Chih. They have here likewise
manufactures of bays and cotton, and they work largely in
leather.

New Grenada. — This vicerovaltv was established in 1718.
It comprehends Terra Firma, Panama, Veraguay, to which
has idso been added the province of Quito. This immense di-
vision presents a great variety of surface. Terra Firms,
though on the coast, is the most unpleasant and most un-
healthful country in the torrid zone: yet the plain grounds
are remarkably ft-rtile, and prcnluce corn enough when culti-
vated, all kinds of the tropical fruits, rich drugs, cacoa, vanilla,
indigo, [nmento, guaiacum, sarsapariila, and balsam of Peru.
No country abounds more In rich and luxuriant pasturage, or
had a greater stock of black cattle. Their rivers have rich
golden sands; their coasts have gootii pearl fisheries; and
their mines foisnerly yielded great quantities of gold : but at
present they arc ucglected or exhaust' d ; so that the principal
wealth of this kingdom arises fiom the commerce of Carthage-
na ; and what treasure is seen there is mostly the return for
European commodities which are sent from that port to Santa
Fe, Popayan, and Quito. Its chief ait is Panama.

SOUTH AB^ERICA.

The city of Pcmama is situated upon one of the best fiar-'
bours^ in all respects, of the South seas. Ships of burden lie
safe at some distance from the town ; but smaller vessels come
Up to the walls. In thu bay is a pearl fishery of great value.
The town, one of the largest in America, is said to contain
6000 houses, elegantly built of brick and stone, disposed in a
semicircular form, and enlivened with the spires and domes of
several churches and monasteries. It is covered on the land
side with an agreeable country, diversified with hills, valleys,
and woods. The town stands upon a dry and tolerably
healthfVd ground, and has a great and profitable trade with^
Fe;u, Chili, and the western coast of Mexico, chiefly for pro-
-visions of every sort, both of the animal and vegetable kinds ;
com, wine, sugar, oil, with tallow, leather, and Jesuits' bark.
In the neighbourhood of this city they raise nothing ; and yet,
hy traffic and thpir convenient situation, there are few cities
mere abundantly supplied with all things for necessity, conve-
nience, or luxury. Their trade with the Terra Firma and
with Europe is carried on over the isthmus of Darien, and by
the river Chagra.

. Car^w^ena is the second town of consideration in Terra
Firma, and stands upon a peninsula, that encloses one of the
best defended harbours in all Spanish America. The town
itifslf is well fortified, and built after the elegant fashion of
most of the Spanish American towns, with a square in the
middle, and streets running every way regularly from it, and
others cutting these at right angles. This town has many
rich churches and convents , that of the. Jesuits is particularly
magnificent. Here it is that the galleons on their voyage
from Spain put in first, and dispose of a considerable part of
their cargo ; which from hence is distributed to St. Martha,
the Caraccas, Venezuela, and most of th ' other provinces and
towns in the Terra Firma.

Vkeroyaity of La Plata. — This portiou of South America
may be said to consist of four distinct and grand divisions ;
viz. that of Buenos Ayres ; the government of Paraguay pro-
per, and Tucuman ; the audiency of Charcas, or the detached
provinces adjoining Peru; with New Chili, or the provinces

SOUTH AMERICA.

«n

«rf €hili which lie to the east of the Andes, and do not bdkxig
to the presidency of St. Jago.

'' The province of Buenos Ay res, which is sometimes called
after the Rio de la Plata, comprises a vast space of territory
on the banks of the great river of La Plata. The eastern port
is drossed by the Uraguay, and it contuns a number of moun*
tains, particularly in the interior: the othsr part is Ha im-
mense plain, which extends to the bases of the Andes, and is
in many parts impregnated with salt and nitre.

Since the period when this province was separated from
Peru, and united to the new viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata,
(1778,) agriculture, manufactures, and trade, have made an
incredible progress. Its prosperity is likewise considerably
promoted by its excellent climate, its vast extent, and wonder..
fully fruitful soil, which is intersected by a multitude of large
and small rivers, whose streams not only serve for the purpose
of irrigation and interior circulation, but also to mtuntain, by
means of their common influx into the Rio de la Plata, an iit-
tercourse with the ocean; and its maritime communications
are tuded by the excellent harbours of Buenos Ayres, Monte
Video, Maldonado la Colonia, and the bay of Barragau.

Buenos Ayres is the capital of the whole province of the
river La Plata. Its site is very handsome. From the north
side may l)c seen the river, the width of which is beyond the
reach of the eye. The environs consist of nothing but exten-
sive and beautiful fields, always covered with verdure. The
port is always exposed to the winds, on account of which ves^
sels cannot a|)proach very near to the town ; while the boats
or small craft which go to it, are oblij^ed to make a detour,
and enter a stream wiiicli empties itself into the main river ;
the water in this is two hx three fathoms deep ; but when the
tide has ebbed in the great river, the branch in question can-
not be entered.

Buenos Ayres is the residence of a viceroy and a bishop,
and may he considered as the second city of South America.
It is supj)osed to contain 3000 houses, and 40,000 inhabitants.
This city is now the grand emporium of all the commerce of
the provinces of Peru ; and the goods arc conveyed thither in

.''%:v'%.

SOUTH AMERICA.

waggons drawn by horses. The conductors traTel in camvana^
on account of the Pampas Indians, who are very troublesome
to travellers. This city is watered by several large rivers, all
ff which empty themselves into that of La Plata. It has a
finei square surrounded with superb buildings, and a fortress
on the river, which is the residence of the governor. The
streets are perfectly regular, with foot-paths on each side.

That the climate of Buenos Ayres is very salubrious, ap-
pears from the proportion of the births to tho deaths; and
consequently the city has not been improperly named. In
June, July, August, and September, however, fogs arise from
the river, which affect the lungs and breast. The vehement
winds too which blow from the pampas, or plains, and arc
therefore called pamperos^ prove very troublesome to the inh«-
bitant& Neither rn the city of Buenos Ayres, nor in Tucu-
man, does any snow ever fall : sometimes it freezes a little, so
as to cu\'er the wl^ater with a tliin coating of ice, which is ciA'^
lected and preserved with great care, for the purpose of arol*
ing their liquors.

Formerly the citizens of Buenos Ayes had no country
houses ; and, except peaches, none of the finer sorts of fruit
were pnxluced there. At present, there are few persons of
opulence but have villas, and cultivate in their gardens aU
kinds of fruit, culinary plants, and flowers. The houses are
in?« general not very high ; but most of them are built in a
light and beautiful manner, and their interior exhibits great
neatness and an abundant supply of good furniture. The
city is well supplied with provisions ; of fresh meat, in parti-
cular, there is so great an abundance, that it is frequently dis-
tributed gratis to the poor. The river water is rather muddy,
but it soon becomes clear and drinkable by being kept in large
tubs or earthen vessels. Of fish too there is great abundance.

At Buenos Ayres, the men as well as the women dress
after the Spanish mode; and the fashions of Cadiz are ge-
nerally copied here, but usually some years after their pre-
valence in the mother country. The ladies m BuenoJ^ Ayres
are reckoned the most agreeable iuul handsome of all South
America.

mftfi JAiMiCA.

great
The

tntll «h« y«iU- 1747, hd itgiilftr post #iii sstabirnlted eh^
Ht'BVHfehM Ayres, dr the whole province of Tucuman, tibti
•WithM&ildh^ the ^at intercourse and tradle with the neigh-
bourfft^ proViticeS : but, in 1748, the viceroy Don Andonaegui
idstitut^ rtijgula)* posts.

t^ thfe Villages round Buenos Ayrlra, it is not uhbommoh to
Meet with pMjsle iil their eightieih yehr, who still retain the'
fuM vigour and health of middle age. Epidemics br other
dAtigerottfl d}*«ate8 are ivholly unknown; and were not tl^
piAisahts, find thoSie persons whosfe aVbcations expose ihhn tdi
such hazafd*^ liable to so rtiaiiy dangerous casualties fitctta thb
e*ttie ahd hohies, j^pleof an hundrcid years old, or u^iWaMs,
wotiM ht nothifig remhrbible in this country. '^

Mmu Vid^. is a tbivti upon the river of La Fliita, about 6K^
miles from itS' motltb. It ha& a large arid convenient harbotii*,'
atid the cDtMte is mild and agreeable. The markets are ptehr
tiftiUy supif^ied with fish arid meat tit a very cheap ^ate. Its
principal trade is in leather. ''

Dori Pemetti has given a curious picture of the ^Mtitsrds of
Monte Video. To sleep, talk, smoke a seger, and ride bft^
hdrsebackj are the occn][Mittion8 in which they pass three-fduVth^
of the dtff. The great alburidance of provisions giv^s facility
to their idleness ; bestdek whTieh, there ar^ a.jOngst them' tA'ajn^
peMon»of property, sb that they all appear anxidus to liV^ in
stylci aiM havt riotWti^ to do; ' fi^^mMfH

The weUiM, driririjg the Whole of the morifiifa^, sit on stbolti
id tlifeir eMMttce htiSi; having undbr their feet, Mlt^ a cxtAW
mitt, iMdl over tke a^i^ df tlie stuff ihVtde by the' Iridilkii!^;
or ft t^^rWdtftif. l^faej^' aMiuse' then/iselve^ with j^T^^ng on a
guitiltt'v oi^ Abm^ sMnilar iAi^rtimerit, Whicli^ th^;^ aticbmpi^
Witfr ibeir* vbi^, WHife' thr hlej^Sey prepkre the di^n^r.

' I A'tn)M^.cOQntrie!^ jedbusy does ndt'dist^d'b either s^x. TH^'
meri puiMtel^ aekViowl^ge their ilte^iinat^ children, whoHei
come the' h»tt bf tttbi^ iiittt«i^. Ther^ is no sh^me attaiched'
tobit^tilrdy ; lJe<Mu#fhb Itfwdf^fai^ authorise prbmiscuous iiAi.'
timwurs^, air tbg^tttt'th^cHifelrefr which resuh frbmitth*'
tiijleof^ileftllk

27 4 K

SOUTH AMERICA.

, The women, though covered by a veil in public places, live
at home with as much freedom, to say the least of it, as female»
do in France ; they receive company as they do in France ;
and do not suffer themselves to bt* pressed to dance, sir^^, or
play on the harp, guitar, or mandoline. In this respctst t'.cy
are much more complaisant than French women, if we may
credit the assertion of Don Pernetti. When they are not oc-
cupied in dancing, they sit i*ontiuually on the stools already
mentioned, which they sometimes place outside the duor. The
men are not allowed to sit among them unless they are invited,
and such a favour is considered as a great familiarity.

At Monte Video, a lively and very lascivious dance is mucb
practised : it is called ccUenda ; and the negroes, as well as the
mulattoes, whose constitutions are sanguine, are excessively
fond of it. This dance was introduced in America by the ilie-
groes who were imported from the kingdom of Ardra, on the
coast of Guineai; and the Spaniards have adopted it in all
their establishments. It is^ however, so indecent, as to shock
and astonish thase who have not been in the habit of seeing it
performed. The accounts which have been given of this licen-
tious recreation are fo different from what is conceived in Eu-
rope, that a particular detail of them would resemble a story
of La Fontaine, rather than a matter of fact.

The common people, in which are included the mulattoes
and negroes, wear, instead of a cloak, a piece of stuff, in stripes
of different coloufs, whi«:h appears like a sack, having only a
hole at top for the admission of the head ; it bangs over the
arms down to the wrist, and reaches, both before and behind,,
down to the calf of the leg ; it is fringed all round at the bot-
tom. The men oS every class wear it when they ride on
horseback, and find it much more convenient than the common
cloak. The governor shewed one of these habiliments to
Messrs. Bougainville, Pernetti, &c., which was embroidered
with gold and silver, and bad cost him upwards of 300 pias-
tres. The same dresses are made at Cbih, in such a style as
to cost 2000 ; and it is from that country that they have been
imported at Monte Video. This dress is known by the name

SOITTH AMERICA.

of poncho or choruf : it secures the wearer from run, is not
ruffled by the wind, and not only serve s him for a coverlid at
night, but also for a carpet when he rests in the fields.

Paraguay. — The subdivisions of this great province are
very imperfectly known. The upper part of the country,
which lies alors; the rivers of Paraguay, Pilcomayo, and Ver-
ro^o, consists of fine plains, watered by a great nunibct of ri-
vulets, agreeable hills, and thick forests; but the lower part
contains a series of barren or swamp)^^ countries, in which there
are large saline pluns. To the east of Parana, the grc^und is
hilly.

The state of the towns in Paraguay is but ' .e known.
Assuncion, in English Assumption^ is the capital of the pro-
vince: it is situated 840 miles from Buenos Ayres, on the
river of Paraguay. Though the residence of a bishop and a
governor, it is but thinly inhabited. A cemboucou is a pretty
town, situated, ar cording to M. d^Azzara, 99 miles from the
town of Assumption. Courottguatif another town mentioned
by d'Azzara, is 108 miles east-north-east of Assumption.

Tucuman. — Tucuman is a very extensive province; its
length by the post roads is about 1580 miles, of which 1306
are very fruitful soil, and 274 waste ; the first part is passable
with waggons, but in the latter only saddle-beasts are employed.

The principal towns in this province are, the Salta of Tu-
cuman, which is the residence of a governor, and is situated in
a very fertile valley ; Jujui, Rioja, San Fernando, Saint Jaques
de TEsterro, San Miguel, and Cordova.

Cordova is the residence of a bishop, and the best town in
the province. It lies on a small sandy plain, between a thick
forest and the Rio Primero, and forms nearly a regular square.
The houses in general have only one story, but are tolerably
good, and are neatly and solidly constructed. The city con-
tains three men^s, and an equal number of women^s convents,
called * CoUegios ;' one of which has the title of * University,*
and formerly belonged to the Jesuits. Many wealthy indivi-
duals reside here, who carry on a lucrative trade in mules.
They purchase the young foals in the neighbourhood of Bue-
nos Ayres, Santa Fe, and Corrientes, bringing them up at first

.t ^.

IMAGE EVALUATION
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Carporalion

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WninR,N.Y. MSN

(7I«)«72-4S03

SQV'Tfl -AlVW^KJA.

in their i)ifrn ^eldj^^ j^om \fhijch ajt a moce adv4iiOfl4 ^0^
they remove them to those near Salta, and sell th«m a yeaft
and a half or two years afterwards, tfi the Jinulj^^fijkra ftqffk
Peru at eight or ten piastres the head.

Sfint laga del Estero is a poor pUu», whioh IjctB op arii^or
of the same name, in a marshy country that is ^ei|ueiMlly> over-
flowed. The inhabitants pass for the h^t 9pldier« in the w^u^e
province ; but, with the exception of some mulfs-de^erjs^ l^v«
in great poverty. Exclusive uf a mfigni^coot Je^uijts! Ofrfl^f
that would lodge the whole place with convenience, th^^ie we
nothing but miserable huts iii the town. The women bebng-
ing tp it ropke very good woollen cai;pets, but unfortunately
there is not much demand for them. \

S^. Miguel is situated in a most bqa^tif^l couptiry, amoqgat
fertile plains of figs and citrops, vying with the pom^raufVtp
a^^d lively orange trees. The inhal^itants qar^y on a gpod
tfade in mules, 'particularly those destined for draMght, wiiich
^re wanted for the land'Carriage tp Buenos Ayres and Ji^ui;
and the vehicles so employed are also constructed here. They
area sort of lofty two-wheeled caravan,, ruiled round withoane,
and covered on the outside with ox-hldes.

Sgita del Tucuman lies in an extremely fenny situation ; it
is scarcely possible tp dig three feel without finding water.;
l^)d, on the other hand, the vale of Lerma, at whose issue the
<^ty is situated, is beautifully covered with iqeadqws ^pd, fields.
Sajta does not p^luihly contain more than SQOO inhabitants,
yet it is of considerable importance op account of its extensive
trade in mules^ but more particularly its great apnual fair,
which is h^ in the months of February, and March, and at-
tracts an extraordinary number of strangers. The sellers
from Buepos Ayres, Cordova, Santa Fe, Corri^ptes, &(;., and
tljifi purchasers out of Peru, come hither in crpwds; apd th^e
are often seen at that period about Salta, 60,00jp{ mules, and
4Q0Q horses, all of which go to Peru. This fadr would in all
probability be still more brilliant, were it not held in tlie rainy
mopths, whep the neighbourhood is scarcely better than a vast
morass, and the number of strimgers, who are obliged to t«k?
up a tempqrajQT.re^d^pce outsic^. t^f iQkwjg, ^ hardly- find a

$0I7TH AMERICA. W

spot c^ ground wheceon to 6x their tents. It is not impMni-
ble but to these mwrshy exhalations may be attvibuteilj the U-
deous goiters wth which the female sex is hcee so firequentty
afflicted. As beautiful as the women are, and distingubhed
(vr their fine oon^lcxioBS, and particularly the floe growth of
the^ hair, no sooner have tiwy attained their twenty.fifth year,
tbtfl their necks pnograsuvely increase in size, till they at
length atuun tp<a most disgusting protuberance ; and in order
to coQoeal this deformity, these poor women envelope them-
selves up to the chin in a thick handkerchief.

Choreas. — ^This attdiena/ is divided into several large pro-
vinces. The climate, in general, is hot and moist; and the
soil very fertile. Great part of this region is inhabited by
hordes of Indians, some of whom are on friendly terms with
the Spaniards, and others are so barbarous that they eat their
enemies.

Sania Cruz de la Sierra is the capital of the province of
that name. It is a modern built place, for the old town, whiiji
was more towards the south, is destroyed. It is a large city,
well peopled, and has a governor and a bishop; the latter,
however, resides at ilf(«^ Pocona.

La Plata is the capital of the province of Chuquisacot and
was first called *La Plata on account of a famous silver mine,
which was in the mountain of Porco, near the city in question,
and from which the Incas derived iiflmense sums. The nobi-
lity of this place are the most distinguished of any in Peru,
and they still retain many privileges. The number of the in-
habitants is about 14,000, amongst whom are many Spaniards.
This city is the residence of an archbishop, whose authority
extends over the whole viceroyalty.

There are several other large towns in this audiency, which
do not merit a particular description.

Potasi. — This corregidory contuns the famous silver mines
which have been so often mentioned. These mines afforded,
between the years 1545 and 1648, the enormous sum of
80,000,000 of pounds sterling ; and they are still far from ex-
haustion. The metal continues to be abundant, though the
BKMt acscessible part has been taken away, and the Spaniards

\AN)

SOUTH AMERICA.

will not give themselves the trouble to sink these mines very
deep, beeause there are in Peru, and even in the vicinity of
Fotofli, many others which can be more easily* worked.

The city or town of Potosi contains, according to Helms,
100,000 souls, inclusive of slaves ; but other writers state the
numbers at not mor^ than 50,000. We ought, however, to
prefer the testimony of Helms, because he rettded many years
in that country. Potosi is the seat of the administration of
-the mines, and the tribunals that relate thereto: it is the cen-
tre of a very considerable comm^ce, which is conveyed by the
river Pilcomayo.

ChiH proper. — This division of Spanish America is in length
fibm north to south between 1500 and 1650 miles; and its
width from east to west about S40 miles, which comprises the
chain of the Andes. It is bounded to the west by the Pacific
ocean, to the north by Peru, to the east by Tucuman, and to
the south by Ihe countries of Magellan. It is separated from
all these re^tms by the Andes.

The climate of Chili proper is temperate and salubrious, its
soil fertile, and it always has a clear sky. The cold of winter
is moderate, and the heat of summer is cooled by the winds
that blow from the sea and the Andes. It contains every
metal, semi-metal, and mineral, that ha^ hitherto been dis-
covered.

Sant lagOt the capitarof the whole kingdom of Chili, is si-
tuated in 38 deg. 40 min. 11 sec. south lat., and is 90 miles
iVom the port of Valparayso. The town is said to be more
than three miles in circumference. The streets intersect each
other at right angles, and some of them are tolerably wide,
and three-quarters of a mile long. Its population is estimated
«:t 30,500 souls. Some of the edifices in Sant lago are worthy
of mention, on account of their magnificence, though the rules
of architecture have not been exactly observed in their con-
struction : the principal are, the mint, the new cathedral, and
some churches, though there are several splendid houses be-
lon^ng to individuals. These all consist only of a ground
floor, though the apartments are capacious and lofty. This
manner of building, which is, as has been observed, adopted

SOUTH AMERICA^

from the fear of earthquakes, is probably in, the end moi*
convenient, salubrious, and even more magnificent, than, the
European method of building several floors above. each other.

Saqt lago is the residence of a captain-general, who is like*
wise the civil magistrate of the kingdom of Chili ; of a bishap^
who.enjoysalarge revenue, and a still greater degree of re-
spect; of a supreme tribunal, an university, and a college of
nobles. There are twelve monasteries and seven nunneries in
tlu9 capital.

The manner of living at Sant lago exhibits all the charac*
teristics of gaiety, hospitality, and good nature, which so ad-
v^tageously distinguish the Spaniards in the New World, as
well as in Europe. The women there are handsome brunette(|,
but a Gothic dress rather disfigures them. The conversation
in the first circles of the town seems to partake of the nmpUr
dty and freedom which prevail in the country parts of Europe.
Dancing and music are here, as well as throughout America,
the favourite amusements of both sexes. The luxury ci dress
and equipages is carried to a great height ; but in the furnbh-
ing and fitting up of houses, more regard is had to pomp than
to neatness and elegance.

The town of La Conception having br>en overwhelmed by
the sea, in consequence of an earthquake, a new one has been
built at some distance from the shore, which is indiscriminately
called La Mocha, or New Conception. The inhabitants are
about 10,000 in number. It is the residence of an intendant
and a military commander, and the authority of these two
officers extends over the province of La Conception, which
comprises tlie south of Chili ; but its limits are not precisely
known.

Commerce. — The inhabitants of these immense territories
have, during three centuries, groaned under the severest des-
potism, so that commerce has been injured, agriculture neg-
lected, and the exertions of industry paralysed, and in a great
measure rendered abortive. Galleons, and afterwards register-
ships, were exclusively permitted to carry out European mer-
chandise to the colonies, and in return brought back the gold
and ttlver drawn from the mines of the New World, whidi th0

elF

jBOCJtm 4A^K^^

,,i^.n; Spwiairff »awi«^ pe^eet j|p«l^y go to .^ipp^^l^

• §fmtk did not) however, succeed in her pMje^ls of iQpn^gnljr i
^Ht.t^fi talker BMif^9|)Wn n^tJioDB, which wece prohibited,, b3» the

' mi)f|| aevejpB Uwi fnom filtering ai^ of her <^onial piNrtsy jp||&-
T«fth^l«M ^triyedy, with a boldness oqd pepi^ver«Qo« ,^ud
tibef ikiapiMrtiince of the object they had in view^ to. supply these
cotintneii' with every article of whidi they might stand i^ piaed.
In parti<;ular, our own merchants, as well as those of Holland,
employed by turnp ^Id ai^d the force of amiSito counteract

' iIm vigilance of the Spanish guarda costaSi stationed along the
Mast, to prevent such coii'jraband tra£^c. The idea was ili-^
dlsed equally absurd and impolitic to endeavour to i^ut<;^t

^the ope half of the world from all connection with the other.
.-/From those and other circumstances^ few advantages hiiye
jbitheito been derived from the precious metals, either by
Amenea herself, or the mother country ; since the former/is

^ not penmttea to exchange her gold and silver for those oOm-
ipodittes of which she may stuid in need, and the latter i^ at
np piniM to supply those wants.

In 1778, Galvez, at that time minister of American aflS^rs,
4e.iideavoured to produce some changeif in their ab^t coltmial

'jystem. . Under his administration, thirteen principal ports in
Old SfMin were successively permitted to engage in a free
trade with the colonies. Since this period, the manufactures
or Old SpMn h&ve been greatly improved and mu]|ti]^ed: the
linens of Navarre and of Arragon, the cloths of Segovia^ the
nlks of Valencia, besides various other articles, render the

^Hi'hish cpmmercei less dependent on foreign importations.

• From 1778 to 1788, the number of free ports in Ui? ipotfaer
country had been increased from seven to t#dve. lite ex-
portations of Spanish merchandise had also, during the some
period, been 'More than qtrirttupled, the exports .of foreign
prtMlucits) ifif SpikhMi bbtiton» more than tripled; and'the im-
ports froni- Af&i^iea in return augmented by mor^ than mne-
tentns.

From a tiaftle^en by Mr. Bourgoing^, it appears that the'
total vaiae^«|'t^ imports fooia South' AiuiQricB, during 1768*,

SOUTH J AMERICA.

amounted to !tS,667^90/. 9i«.,'and the total of the exporiiW
7,493*933/. 5s. i so that the imports exceed the exports by
16,173,387/. ia.

From various authorities, it appears certain, that Spaiii has,
since 1788, exported to South America more wines, jQrui^,
and martufaclured productions, than formerly; it is equally
certain, that she has alto since~ imported a greater quantity of
tobacco, sugar, coffee, atid other commodities, from her Ame^
ricah possessions, though these are still fair from having oW
tained that degree of perfection 9f which they are susceptible;
that, in short, the intercourse between the mother country and
her colonies has become much~ greater than at iwy former pe«
riod. Previous to 1778, twelve or fifteen vessels only were
engaged in the colonial trade, and these never performed more
than one voyage in the course of three years; but in 1791»
89 ships cleared out from different Spanish ports for Soutb
America.

It is not easy to ascertain the exact quantity of gold and
silver drawn by Spain from the mines in her American colo-
nies. Part of these metals is converted into .current coin at
Lima, Santa Fe, Carthagena, and especially in Mexico ; but
a part is also sent under the form of ingots, either clandes-
tinely or legally, to the mother country. The most accurate
information respecting this matter is, perhaps, to beTound in
the statement given by M. Helms, which makes the produce^
almost FiVK MILLION'S, in 1790, nearly three of which wfere in'
Mexico.

The following are the official registers of the coinage in
Spanish America, from the first day of January to the last
day of December, 1790:

At Mexico,
At Lima,
At Potosi,
At St Jagp,

Total

In Gold.

638,044

821,168

299i846

721,754

In Silter.

17,435,644

4,341,071

8,983,176

146,132

TotaL
18,063,688 piastres.
5,162,239
4>283,022

867,886

2,470,812 25,906,023 S8,S76,8S5
4 L

SOlPm AlffiRICA.

To eaeouyiit for the great diftfenee of proilluoe from tiM
fluhw ttt Mexico, and from t|)CMe ot^ Peru, Ghili, and Buchoi
A^res, Mr. Helms alleges the following reasoM: 1. BecaiiM
ibe Icing^m of Mexico is ihuch more populoua tiian anj other
pf the American provinces. 3. It b scarcely half the distance
from, the mother eonntry, whence it is enabled the better to
enforce ofapdienee to the laws and regulalione, habits of indus-
try, good pdice, and economy. S. The want of royal md
pny«ie banks in Peru, where every thing is still in iu primi*
^ye ai)4 chaotic state. And, lastly, on account of tht grci^
tnooungemcnt irhich the industrious miner reildily dbisank ih
efwvy commcnnal house of Mexico. If, concludes Rdflis, the
province of Peru, Chili, and Buenos Ayres, were in a similar
fiivoiirabla situation as that of Mexico, there is no doubt that
Ui Peru alone, on account of its incomparably ridier and more
•umerous gold aad silver mines, four times the quantity ti
these noble n^talij might be obtained, and perhaps a still
greater proportion, than what Mexico aibrds at present.
., Since the discontinuance of the galloons, and of the great
finra at Panama and Porto Bello, the commerce of Peru has baen
augmented by the arrival of merchant vessels from Spain by the
way of cap? Horn. Yet, according to Helms, the freedom of
the trade has overstocked the market with Spanish goods.
V From the viceroyalty of La Plata hides and tallow form a
considerable article of export. In 1792, there were shipped td
tlie Spanish ports alone 885,000 hides; and in 1796 there
were collected in Buenos Ayres and Monte Video a stock of
three miUions of hides. The <ea, or herb of Paraguay, con-
stitutes a principal branch of the trade of that country. Of
this plant there are sent to I^eru alone about 100,000 fMaroels,-
called arrobes, each weighing 25 lbs. of 16 oz. to the lb. ; and
the price of the arrobe is equal tQ 28 French livres, or 1/. Ss.
4d. sterling, which makes the total vajiue of this merchandise
sent to Peru^ na,6^6/. 18». 4d.

The people boast of innumerable virtues which tbhi tree
possesses : it is certainly aperient and diuretic ; but the other
qualities attributed to it are doubtful. The ChapetonSt or
European Spaniards, do not mak« much use of this drink ;

SOUTH AMBBICA. ||)

b^^ tJM Cra«l«t «r« p<ssioii|italy fond of H, inloiiiiudi fhat il^
never travel tMithout a iuppty.o£,the lierk; they never fiull ^
drink 4B' infuinon of it at every itoealy prefinriag it to aii ibrts
of footi, and never Mting till ,they have taften this fkvmoAii
beverage. Yniteady howevev, of drinking it aeparatdy, a^ Wi
dlifik tea in £iw>^, they put the' piakit in a calabaclb, mounudd
with silver, which they call male : they add nviffK to it^ ind
poutt on it hot water, whidi they drink off diractly wi(!Iwut
wiuting for a maeeratu>n, because the liquor wottld then be*
eome aa black at kik. In drder not to swallow the (ragmenil
of the plant which swim at the surface, they Use a silver pipi^
the top of which is perforated inio a number of sdittll Hisles,
through which they such the liquor without drawing in tb4
^pt. A whole party i» supplied with the tea by hatidinjj^
round the same pipe and bowl fVoqa one to another, and fHUng
the vessel up with water as fast as it is drunk oui The re^
pugnanoe o^ Europeans to drink irfier all sbH» of people, in a
country where si|ibylidc diseases are very prevalent, luul
caused the introduction of small glass ppes, which had beguA
to get into use at Lima in the time of Frezier. , . t .

On an averi^ of five years, en(ting in 1799^ '^fle lotaf i^i^
of imports into Peru, taken at tlie European invoice pri<iei^
was 3St,2&7t^SS piasters^ The exports in the produce of tke
country amounted, in an average of five years, ending iil
1789, to 31,386,857 piasters.

. ,;<,We have no late returns of the state of the exports and iiii^
portS' of Spanish South America; but firnih various drcUtiad
stances it may safely be concluded, that the commerce of these
colonies is nearly doubled.

Govemmentt-^SpaniBh Amerif» is, or rather wa^ divided
into Foua viceroyalties, of unequal dimehnons ; vFz. ;^ '^^-'■'

That of Mexico, or New Spain, comprehending NeW GalEi
cia. New Biscay, New Navarre, New Leon, New Mexico^ tlM
Fibridas^ and the two C^fomiais.

That of New Grenada, comprehending Terra Pi'rmat Ptit
9sma, Veraguaiy, and the province of Quito.

That of lima, comprehending Peru and Chili*

M HM<

"tfyafi-'f"

"t^.

SOUTH AMBQICA^

^.^

/>^bid that at' La Plata, or Buenos Ay res, oomprehendiBg
Pw^uayi Tucuman, and a part of She former Peru.

In order to facibtate the administration of justice, these pro*
vipc^ were divided into audiencies, which were again subdi*
▼ided iipto porMn. They wei^e also divided into military
districts, which were under the authority- of captainH-general,
geyemprs, and commanders.

The viceroys maintained a splendid court, though thnr
power was extremely limited, from the authority possessed by
the judges, and from their not beii^ permitted to interfWe
with, the oolonial treasures, or the military or marine ftjrces.

The military department was much neglected in all the
Spanish possessions ; the militia being found sufficient to keep
the Indians in subjection: and the marine was confined to ten
corvettes, , or armed galleons, stationed along 4 coast extending
from 9 to 13,000 miles !

All oolonial affairs are finally referred to the council «fihi
indies, which holds its sittings at Madrid, and of which the
minister ^the Indies is the perpetual rendent.

history. — Peru and Mexico wore tho only countries in
Amerioa that deserved the name of civilisedkingdoms. Three
pitizerjis of Panama, Frauds Fizarro,. Almagio, and Ferdinand
IjQcques, a priest and a man of considerable fortune, undertook
the conquest of Peru. Pizarro, after a tedious navigation of
two years, landed on the northern extremity oS Peru ; but was
obliged to return without effecting jsay thing considerable.
But, having obtuned the af^robation of the Spanish govevnr
ment, he again proceeded to the conquest of Peru^ with- 180
mcfh..

The empire of Peru was $§.^ that Ume governed by a race of
kings, which they called Incas, and which, claiming descent
^m the si^n, were respected as divinities. When Fizarro
landed, the unus\)^ appearance of his men. caused a general
alarm. As usual in frightful rumours, new superstitions be.
gin, or old ones are revived, tq increase the Qonfu8ion4 There
subsisted a tradition aqiongst the Peruvians, that one of > thdr
andtpnt princes had a dream, which he ord^rei^ carefully td hf

SOirrR'AMEMCAi

ffndiag
•e pro-
nilitary

h thar
ssed by
nterfltre

aU the

to keep

d to teu

(tending

hicb th«

ntries in

Three

erdinand

[idert(X>k

;a.tion of

lut waa

iderable.

^v«n-

itl^lSO

r-aoe of
descent
Pizarro
genoal
UkMisbe*
i^rhere
of their
l^«0hf

raoorded. He imagined that he taw a man clothed alf 6iirel^
even to his feet, with a long beard, leading in his hand lann^iii;-
mal, such as he had neyer seen before: and that at'thd'stthe
time he was clearly initirmed of the will of the gbds, that siich
a man should rule that country. A Spaniard,' whom Pintfrb
had sent upon an embassy to Atabahpa, «s soon as' he waadii^.
covered leading his horse upon some odcasion that made hlnif^
cUsmount, agreed so well with this dream, 'that it is incr^ibk
how soon it sprvad into the the remotest parts of the country,
and with how great a terror it struck the Whole nation. '-

Atabolipa, the reigning I nca, sent ambassadors to Pizarro;
and even went out to meet him with a vast number of attend*
attta, to whom he gave the strictest charge upon no account to
oifer the least injury to the strangers, as they were those of
wbom hia predecessor had foretold, and of the teme divine ori-
ginal, children of the sun. But Pizarro, who advanced with
other notions to the interview, soon convinced him that a con-
trary caution waa more necessary. They met near a celebrated
temple, the Spaniards, drawn up in order of battle, and a party'
in ambuscade. This circumstance leaves us in no doubt as to
the deagns of Pizarro. The first person who addressed htm-
aelf tp the Inca was father Vincent, a friar. Who was hot
ashamed to make his character the instrument of so bdse a
crime. He advancsed with a cross in bis hand, and be^n a
moat unseasonable discourse upon the birth and miracles of
Christ, exhorting him to become a Christiim, oh the.{)mn of
etarhai punishment. Then he spoke with equal' ekj>quend6' of
the emperor of the Romans, pressing him' with the sanie'
strength of argument to become a subject of that emperor;
tbreatlening him, in case of obstiiillcy, that God wbulH harden
hia heart «s he did Pharaoh^ and then punish him with th^
phigues of Egypt;: with other miserable ^ufP, Wbrse intcir^
preted. The Inda, -though utterly astonikhed at a mattei^ iiD
unaeicountafale, behaved with decency and giiavity, telling; him,
that he believed that he and his oompanioiM were duldmiof
the sun; recommended^ hintse|f and his sulgects to th^ngbi*
tsctibD^; and mode n6 dodbt biit they would behavcrto todH
' «!# m^pnpr Forthy^ thf> offspring of so b^peficwjt a 4«ityii i , u

SOUTH MmmcA.

■) WiUft tkMft cKieoiarM» aontiMied, tH»>B|»ilih aMmh
whow kmt btiMMi* to Feru wm t» hm» mtmnoMt otMerring •
tmmAmbh ^Mnlilgr of goU in UM.iMiiihbouriiig te«pl«, twd
tMr ami winwdiittly tlirwd op» ami « paity, of (htm bcgm
ta pUl^^ iii Tht pcinto >Biad« «Mn« opfiosicioB. A, diilucU
MMe«nsiMdy «hI>« great aoiie^ wiiioh to ajarmed our advtiN
tnrihg apostk, that he let fall bis oroai and bveviarv in hit
irilbt, and tumd hia back upon bis inCaaded proselyte.
TEfaesa Spaniaffda who «»aie <not eonoaniad in Abe pUlage, sesiag
lum dy^mikm ^ktft tiny judged the heathens bad offered tbeis
ftkn/ktaoMf visisnoB, «e that Piaarao made use «f this sipMi to
thna to litt; on, immediatriji deter tb«r swetds*. attached the
gnarda and atttndanta uf the inea^ defenetfesstheBngha.reliM
gbuB obedienoe tn^Wir eaif«otign*s>a)nunand>.and[, with evotyt
tiroinnstance of the toooI delibenite and ihodeing baefanritjr,
daugbtaredr flOOO, which waa near tfao whole number of tha
Indians^ whoifell without an? anxiety for their own livcoy
pttiung ftewafd with' atfi the naal and ottcioitsnesaof a masl
hevoie loyalty ttr tito ehair of their prince, to espiiw at hie ftet;
and aa fiwi aa ane tet of bit supporters were slain, the otbeia
soaieeded- witk eageraaaato sapply thmr pTace*^ and share
Aeirible. Thsilneswasatlast deaggod dowu, and maUba
prisonerv by an eel of the moati nnparailded treachecy,- ex*,
euted wtdiiwcriaehy that has hardly «ny»esample and Canada
Mittof no eKcUat. < llie 'plunder oft his oamp» . nob b^ancl4he
tteaofany SueapsonOf that timev'was their rewavd. '
'il1ie>tahiaMt ombmenta and furniture amassed by a long
fineef'riiagniiotnti<king%' with.^M hdUowed teeaauresof tin
aMMfe^eotaratiid tampka,! were given up aao^ ransom fiv die
Ikkn.^'- Btat'ttiU nzarao deUnnedliiaa apriaenev; and dJMridtd
failkliiMienBe'spnilifwitb the soldiees of iUma^ro^. wbnimving
nOMU'jomtdihini^ bis fbi'oeatns oensideraMe ;; and all wereelattd
iritb*'the(gddbiil >pKMpeela that wereopt^ed beibre tbent.,
:'«Bli|z<tHi»'VasVtMa8urej ths/capital ol^eet^ff alLtheivJafaoun
l^ldiv^iilbsvikiMoner eame into their postessionybutin ittoon*
set^^tiiieiiit'wiBJeory near beingthe utteMruint of their afl^in^
Stvftf aaidj aifd nofinpaobably, . tfaati • the wfaofe exoeeded the
sumoClifiOOVMOf^tierHng^ a^samvast'at'lbe preamt tia>»;

0Otmi AMBAICA;

then k WM A' fNtMKgy. On « dividend, after deductiiif •iftk
Ibr the emperor, and the shares of the ehief eoanmaadefaaMl
t0onn^ each private soldier had aboat 90001. English mno&y.
They had now made afortuae even bejrond their iMMfpnaiioHt
but the fl^ddiery tras ruined, the greatest part of the araiy in-
sisted upon being diticharged, that they might enjoy their Amu
tunes in quiet.

This proposal ill suited with the ambitious views of tha
eomrnanders. Almagro was ibr prooeedii^ in the usual way
to enforce obedience by the severity of nnlitary discipline ; b(|t
Piaarro oppoaed'him. * Let them go,* says he; * they oanaat
do us better service: here we shall have them mutinous and
cowardfy soldiers, at home they will act for us as recruiting
crfRoers with great success; ibr when it dmll be seen that oom-
nton solchers, of so little merit as they, jiave made such large
ibrtunes, we shall not long want bettor men to supply thmr

places.^ ''**• ■^•** f''^ V >f«i»r3jr i itrfi . uUui»^ ni>M .t>,(v ■/■}•

The desire of the soldiers was complied with, and as maay
as ebose to go, who were no inoonsidevable number, depart«d<
In due time, the sagadous prophecy of Piiarro was accom-
{rfiriied, and their army never wanted reinforcements.

In the mean time, the unfortunate AtabaUpa, the greatiurm
of whose ransom only convinced the Spaniards of the necessity
of never releasing him, endeavoured to take advantage a£ his
captivity, to know the genius and manners of this people.
Amongst idl their aeoomplishmentSj there was none he so
ratldi admired as the art of reading and writing* This ap-
peared idmost inromprehemiblo to him, though he- saw clearly
the use of it He was at a loss to know ' whether he should
consider it as a natural> endowment^ or an acqliisitioQ of art.
1^ dfemover this, he one day desired a soldier to write the
nameof^kxl upon his nail: he carried this about the army^.
desired several to* explain it^ which they all did^ to his wonder
and aaiisfheiioA. At last he shewed it to Pisarro, but Piawrro
Uudied, and eould make nothing of it The Inoa then per*,
crtved it 1M» no natural gift, but owing to educatioa; iShn
want of whi^ he thus disoovered in Pizarro, and slighted him
fiar'it This inortified the general, and his disgust, jome^.to

SOUTH^AMCIIfeA.

hflH8!^il«|iinl cnieky titid a fioUo)rlie thmight he tarn i^ fhtfikKu

{eocding^'nMide: him hasten tlie fate be hud sometime -bei^e

.. ^eterwikied far ibia unbappy pritoiier.. • That, witbiiig rniight be

W4jDting . t» tbe: boidnew «tid .atroBiousQeMiaT tbor. barbanty,

they proceeded j^n8tbii»< by way of trial landnbyitbeibnns

A charge was exhibited, digested under several beids. lat,
W4>r being an idoUvUH-. Sdly^ Fw iiavingmany.eoacubineB.
3dLy«i^)er wastiqgt.tbe treasures of. the kingdom^ and raisitig
* taxes^ince^.ibe ooming^in of the Spaniards. Andy ilaatly^ For
ihe^ murder of fafis brother tUuesoar. ; An attorney-general was
appointed tomanage the accusation^ and an advocate i^pointed
%m.Bni{ingait themselves assigned &Mr> his; dafencr. Inrvain
did utbevroqr^ nuwertHis and jbetttr, part of the aimy pnolcat
Dgainst tiiis proceeding,. and lodge, ani^ipea} to Spain ; in v«n
did>they alk^ their wmt of ^power tot judge a ^foreign prince
for any. crimes, and the absurdity of the crimes .with whtebthis
pri^ee "!'«•> charged. . Before s«eh judges^ and with such ran
advoeatetodefend him,;the Jnea wa»,coBdenined/4obe bunwd
aHym,' To complete this voolation And- mockery (tf all 4ans,
|i|im«Q ' and (dt'^iof^* < (he .same, faitlier tVincent» who had so.sigw
l^alisedhimscIC upona.focaieff occaaiou ^ i was senlAto oomfort
.jmd ins^ruc^ hinv in his Ifu^t^ raMmenta- > The chiief: argument
ililbiqli lie used *li) conveet him. to Christianity waa» tbdtt'ORihis
«anbraci^g,^efutb) instead of, being'burned, his .senfeenee
should be mi^gfktcd itok stmpgliiig. ^-.The prince submitted to
baptism*, and .iicaf im!medi«Aely: strangled in {Hiaon.! BisMrvo
gav^ the!i};)al^strqke :^ his hardened iandiishameUsB.nriUttiny,
b^, giving iiimnmagnifioent^neral, and gqing. intooiouniiii^.
Xhei^deethiof the Inca, induped ihe Peruvifins to talieiarms
against the Spaniards, who were obliged to listen Iol* traaiyi
I)^ring tjbis inteiKvid^.peacey Pizaiiro founded.tbjEhfipiottfttftty
of l4in^,N'f Qiult having feoeived reiAforoeme;nts» <he>i%09in-
tneiiced tlie.war^ i^d took Cusca» thetscapital of tbe \empre>.
Aft^r 4hia> the P^uviana <^n CfsvoltjRdt>>«a«i. besieged Cusce
with $200,000 ,Qien, which /was d^ended by Pisaivo, woth^a
fHurrison of 7flt men tiU he JMras. rdieved by Almagro. The
vomiiierors, wbo.hadquacrelledrespflcting the division of the

md,

' ^^S^ im .W . .f.'*r-t:1S'^

flmrfii:<&iinamA.

I*'

Atdntilbidboiit 100 ftiliowiflrB. ^ But thM(iilM^ wkhtiMnOBt
«iaBtltnnMil»«Miimng, rteooveredthesiMiok, cld)Mt<Mlth»bittir«
bM Mrechi^ia Aimignit mh^^Ht theigttof 70 yMr*) Mn vio.
tttt'to kb^bMlMMroui pblby of his feiW* MhreMttmri * ' ^ '

WliUst this dvil war raged, the r^gnmg Inca todrtt'vCl^
4eitt:aerdii)«ty nesolution. Heilisbamied his traops^ind retired
lO)th« iMUBtuns; ^kmsnan,^ s&y»^he^ '*iflR)st iv« ire iil iuvi^
tha#'feR» 6f utt will be' the mcHiis of timting th« Spatiiierdtf
bttft if *• disfwise, tlwf will certainly dtmaoy eaeh other.' j A
*eeolotiE»i tlds^ it4ii«^ at firM view hlH'SoliKthiilf ttktMAy^
iMit kis onhf wbea viewed in 'one Kght. I« wa»'idM Vtrf
riihloas ti» thd Fei'uvianti^ that, h*p)»eiiiiig to b* -divided
«iMti^ tiieiiiMlMtss tthma thb Spaniarde eaind in^ tfa«y «tfilk«d
tdMmtd interfere |aMF'^rtie»; butit w«s (^yet^orfle^ttM-
Mqaemte thitt^ when- the Spaniards W)ereaftierwiAdsdSvid«ii,
theyiMct^ted tfeemselTbS' in th« Spatiiib partiM. AhUt^
«nd Fisilffo knA s^iaies tif^ tndiatMj <by mhish ihMt pm^
wIm habituat«d to obey fehem*^ liiid'to< b* "lAtignAM^ itt'llNSir
BuodeM : iMiij joined' t» the want ef any l«g«rlair {dan df deflbnefe
<m the part of their king and bomutanders, subdued that dm-
(lin to- Piaarr^ But having achieve 8» great i dMiqUM^, It ..
tm^flUide' PiaarM aoquaintsd #itb bthe#'gfliM tt^Mti wtddl ■■
mkr^ axAki and ntgfht be add^ td ^<<fft. He iblldWeil < lUfe
tntoks vf AlmagM ittto €hiU,' arid ttduceda eon^d^rifbi^'piift
oftheo«Mintry. Orelhma, dn« of his 6mnhfnandM«^ j^sitldiljft
Andmi attd sailed down tk^che iftidiMh'df th« rlv«r^^ibii«tfi!»i
m iittnifena^MtvigMtitfh,' which di8obv«!¥edtt Very rii;ih ilhd tlii.
IightAll«iiHKry; bttt» His it is nioi»tly^tt' iAhd lb«i«fbr& ittll
abMBdb% b miueHdl, the Spaidardil tbcM^ iind^^liM sihoe^

' WaiM&i ikA odnt«ttt ^ith' «iiirritory!i^piMtd»<d( 860 ktmi^
l<Nig, and of ;A' {MUdigiMw bM^adth^ iiiahiitl «Uch «^ nonetiP tikt
kinnti «f hil «Miitli#yt)id ev«r |tMM(to^,>K jurJ^didHo^'litttel
less thati myi^HiiMdah abscAtite«(ie«ii4ty fK)tti the'ex4inicftit)ii'^
ihe'tMdy ftndJI whohatA ai^ pl«tett8ton& against hiih^tollk'l
fesohitioii ahtirdly to dut dff all thtil hMd ev«f Adh^f^ 19 Hift
ii<Ni}i fk^ sMaO^ with'^tting iMMy t(»deMb, ht^i^Miidqi

4 M

5?^^

9omwAxgmpA>

|KQcl«iM)tiQQ, inhibiting,, under the s same pcmhy, ^hg^i aiay
pemoQ fhould harbour, or evm relijevei an Abii^gKifii,,wiUv4lhe
jn^«pe4sariie9 of ^)fe. This party was yet nuii)erq|]8»>t^^ugh ^
per%94 andlurkingi abput the C9untry.,.,,T;beh«a4Aqf., them,
finding Pizarro implacable, entered into flkC(m«ini^3i> .tQ^i;^ •
4erhHn« Theydk} not want .adherents in, ;the city, J^ithat
they f<iund means of concealing. theni$eLves.{until .iheic plot
shpuld.be ripe for. execution ; but^by aome qaeans^is^riDrdif-
jOQvered. their daiigh9, and suffered them to ,knpw.,he, had^^
covered, them. Alarmed at this informatipn^ > they, ^w Aching
oould hai^n but death at any, side* ..Twelve «of,tihe (jbiiefs
marched into theL«#eets at npoohdiiy,.wiKh«.th^ swordi di;9'V9y
crying oi4t» sX<ong live the kiflgl butlet the (Ki|itQr)die;?,,«Rd>
crossing the great square QCj;^ima,;qji|^e, directly |^ I'M^'WCR's
palace; the rest followed in different ^parties. Th^,I>fiClF^,4^
tb% iwli»le jsi^sipended, and m'.tiyjX inaictive amusement v^icb
th^ .ejtepution, of ;a; tbold and sudden enterprise genernUy <ija*
l|»ires, mitde inp opposi^on., The iconspiratpirs ,seowr^ the
^itvenues ; tmd Pis^arro, n^t. alarmed until he, >f^^.sMn;oimcii|d
by hip enemies, feW under their swords, after ^vjung sold/his

lifip def^rlyK*:»«ji]^s^(^-f,nu<^i^ff4A' i>f». . .mU 'A h.^-ii^^,mi,t.'j^.'

.. When .FiztMVo. had fallen, the natural son of, AJmi^grpjifas

proclaimed governor, ,3hortly afj^r> Vaca di Castro, w^pjeas
•ppoipted gpvemor,by.the emperor, arrived,, by i/trhomjQupg
Ahn^gro.wa? defeaM* t9(i;en» ^nd beheaded. ,^Ke severity,
:infle«hility, ?W¥ixdisint.ei:^ednes8, of thenew.goYj^mpr, ij?-
duced the Spaniards to an en,tire suhiectipni 3ut.ija,the?.nd
dispute arose, and tbe cqMay ,be9ame;,u]qi9ett^,, $7PP(e4o,
the brother of Pizarro, .availed himself pf the geneilial.disoon-
tenl» and set I himself eit'^hehl?^ Qf;a pai;ty»,by,yrhidih« ac-
quired the government of Peru. Refusii^ to return tio, bis
iiU)^;ieanccw ^«t^r de ^ Gasqi, the goyernpr of Mexi)^ jianded
in^PeriA with a. strong, force, defeated.the invm^S^nts, wd e?(e-
cuted Qonzialp and Itia associates., Thus ^|1 jthe h^t pf thpse
thai hfd a share in the reducdon of the Per^v,ian empire* .^o
, The qew governor, haying by necei^nry, seyeriti^ qMieted
his province, topl(^> effsctual care tp, heal its dispr^erp.by the
art&pf peace, and tp complete whi|t,C.9Sti^ h^ bf|W. obligjed

Mm^^^mwiL

W\me linittfii^ea: 1T« settled tfa^ 6ivll ^l^^^t, tffe
Mittiy,' HAtf th# thihes; updti ^ucha bteis a^ no&dd thb pW>viri^
#tfrthjrwlie|ilaiiHdred b^ ftttdrfe'Vicehiys. M6'<Artied ^^
tiHrtt'inlUidttft t6 ih^toytH tteH^ff, pifid all hi^'dfetitft,^ ilbd kitte
dttiiihDt'as'^pbtt^lH'^lteJh'iish^had left it. ' ••*^^^^^'^^ >' ^^ v-iji
' 'The i«dtictidn of ihe ^fet «itti|Affes df 'Pfe*li 'and^*IBfe«!ift;
Ittttkeft k!mbtt^l;i»hly thing^^ortlVihmsting AjMh \^ihk Aine-
lll^h hfstdrj^" A f^ skihiii^te #ith d savage people; and
ii^kder Voyag^ tod' d!sC(yv«ri£l^ ej^dttly reseihblin^ i^acb b^er,
thkfifglnj^difly'th^'iyfMe^ aild ntuktionB/}8 matt^^ c6m

tii«8 V^'fltrie 6f tither ftiirib^ty'of ittstruetteii. '^'ISat d^ the
- todiif^llioite fhtff'kteljr agitated Euibpe havig blso r^aiifh^d tihi
afflicted the rej^dtlir oifSduth Amende, and pdftend' soiri^ iM.
j^iMtetnt tftoA^, it he^eif ne^eftsUfy t6 Mdtice the^ int^r^ting

'^' In the Month of June, 1806, a squadron dnd^ Sit HBtnte
Po^iimtnV hlaVing'dtf hodt^ pitietbA B^teiiibird tod IKXT'tirobps,
ttpp^t^Mn thl^ iT/va* La Tlata, tod after fit feebti^ re^tstoifce
iHMt Ch4f 9|)toiards/'tbok p6^s«SBibn of Btieiio^ Ayres. This
ib#h, at the time of JtM captUi-e, pbs^sed in it^' treasui^ knd
warehouses a large <]uflntity of specie and valuable iftidtchan*
dise', belonging to tb^'j(iub}ic companies'o'r t^ th&'kin^ of S^n,
Ifhieh vriEis re^siMiabty deemed fair booty to' the cdri^uetbts,
and a^At partof which, to the an^iduht of thcrire thto*a^)iiil.
lioh of dollkrs, was almost immediirtely embarked in the Nar-
cis^Uit; atid dibpatdh^, with' intellig^tieedf the sa6ii»^rdf the
expedition, 'to England. TwolitiSdred thouMnd dollatd re-
tn^'ihdd in the rbyal treasury, tod the pt^|)erty in th^ public
dejtots was estimated co amount to two or three millSohs, '
'^ The proceedings of Sii* Hdrtie Tojiharti and '^nfeWil Bei^s-
fold" wtere' attended with a sense of honour arid equity, highly
gtattfttng tb the filings of Engllfehftteilr. ' Private ftaj^tty
<iras held sact^ by thetti. That 'pdrt'of the shipping' in the
river ^hibh ^consisted df coai^ting vessel;* freighted with iiier-
chandi^ belonging to individual proprietors, and which Was

' iiirjlposed Wot^h rieatly ia tnillion and a half bf dollars, 'wis de-
livened* lip' ^ith the niost 8crupjf0us**And hbnourable ctfTrect-

* ^8. ' Qeiidttrthils siecuritN^ of private propetty, guarantee in

9omn iM^imtcA^

\<.

the fte^' exerciae of relipoa WM atWed ta theiiDbabiUn^aCN'
oor<)ing to tb« tstablished mode«> th? poas^ttbii eS theit oivit; '
ligbtftand inmuulies, and their formf «f DMiaitspal wd jii4iciai< •
administratioo were oontinaed ; heavy duties wave tal^cnx^^ oipl^
mitigated; a free trade was granted to then) aa.it wa^ enjoyed
by the inhabitant^(^ Trinidad, whoae happineatiuadePtMiii ^cih<'«V
Uinnic majesty^s gov^rnnMnt was iteld fbrth as an exan^pbjiiC '^
nrhjirt might resist to his new sid>ject8 of Bu«nos Ayv9$i*rrriM''^'
wane invited to. join in prowoMng the pubUc order and trmM^^^'
quilUty, vhioh th^, trot^ werse in no instance suff^eed tomor"*;
lest; and the. grand"objcct of thfinew poasesaoivr appeared t^^ -^
be, to create thait happy state of. the public feeliag^ywith xesp^)* > '
to the government, itrbich ungbt avvptmn^ .a)l exerqisp of^ ^^
lenee, and which would flow from >inildwthority, and lend tQ
willing obedienca.

After these anraugenents, every thing a^^seared very >qu^t«|
but Fui^don, one of (he munioipalityv and colpnel Luuers, «
j^rench officer in the Spani^ servj^Be and on- his parole, wseie
actively employed in. organizing an insufiect}on« FavoMeed:
by ibe weather, several thousands (^ armed men entered^
town in di^erent. dMreictioos ; and, avoiding an open engage
ment, , joined , the, inhabitants in annoying thi» British t,f oopt -i
from the ohurphes and the tops of the house& General Be«<''
resford, a^r a 8]Mrited resistanee against the niostoverwthelmhr
ing numl^rs,. agreed to evaeuate the town, and. tbai^ his troapa
should be en)lwrked for £ngUnd as prisoners of wal?: but^'
contrary to the terms of capitulationi, they were marched up
the countty*! ' . - t'im '•rr»)i'»-*-iM :'(»t''?tjT^i- iV'^^if^ir- ) '.imi

S«r Home iPoiplwini,. after thia iKsester, madean unsifoeessful
attapl^ upon Monte Video. Ek next landed a detadiment,
which reduced the harbour and peninsula of Maldonado; a
place which, from its stisen^h and situation, was well oaloUlated
for assepbMng the irilups and troops Uiat wese expected from
England. .mM,-

On the 5th of January, 1807, Sir Samuel Auchrouty landed
withal stiiong force at Maldonado; and, aSt&r refreshing hid
troc^ sailed, with a squadron undar adnuind Sterlings tot th» ••

SOiriWIWBBICA.

Wli'5.^

r'tj

Uttcpk of Monle^ Video; whieb, after a vigDrau* sng^^ war (it
gftllnntly earned by etomi. Tliia vioUx^r was foUo^md by the (i.t
arnvalof giaienU Whitkick, with astrong Tcinforeement ; and ' -"■
wbo imnedialely fiM)eeededf with tite fleet under admifal->t
Muvray, to attempt the ve^mpture of Buenos Ayret. > • ' <•

The troops were- landed about 90 m^ from the town ; hitl '^x'
beiiig unprovided;^witb<guide8» and theeommissary departmeBI
bungMiko iaapfoperly conducted, much fatigue and delay enf ^
•udAt which gave the Spaniards time to collect thenr ferces^ '
and > to strengthen their defences. The Spaniarfls^ advanced •
posts were gaUnntly attacked and defeated. The troops, how- -
t^OTi on entering the town, experienced the^most determined
resiB^noe^ bMng^wpposed by a heavy and continued fire of
musketry from the top* 4i|d windows of the houses ; the doors
of which were banricadolirin so strong a manner, as to render
them almost imposable to force. The streets w^reintersected
by deep ditcl^, in the inwde of which were planted cannon^
pounng showers of grape on the advancing columns ; this iMtt^
accompanied by musketry, hand-grenades, bricks, and stones^
from the tops of all the houses ; every householder^ with his
negroes, defended his dwelling, which was in itself a fortress:
yet in defiance of this opposkion, several columns took the im*
portanl posi^ons appointed them, though with the lose of $2506^
men» hi killed, wounded, and prisoners. Aftera p&uae, genet
ral Whitlook signed a treaty with general liniera, the Spanish
commander, whereby the British agreed to evacttate Monte
Video, with all their other conquests* in the LalHata^ within
two months from< the date of the treaty. /

Thus ended the impolitic attempt to add these vast attd pou
pulous coloniea to the crown of Great Britain. Had the Bti*
tisb proclaimed the independence oi this country,' the result '
might hAwe been very difierent : or even had they been conteiit
to hold Monte Video, from which comraMiding the trade of <
the interitH*^ Buenos Ayres would, in the <lhd, have found it
necessary to come to terms of aaximmodation^ highly to the
advantage of British commerces , ,i-uC'

The disposition to emanripate South America was first com* '
munittatad ton British ministw in the begmn'mg of 1790> wfawft

mmm

s(ttT^t*rf iiftiMAiCA.

If met, from that ihiilister, with the most coMi&l re6c>|(^n;
»rd, IIS the dupute respedt'mg Ndotka Sound vftn then subsist^ .
ing, it was resolved, if SpaiM did not pi^V^Mi hostilities by
submission, to carry the plan into iihmcdi^te e)te(iutidn. When
Ml acoottiiAbdatioh was eiFected, and peadeat last db6t-eed/Mr.
Fitt still assured the general, that th6 sch^mie of eln&f]f<iipatin|^
South America was a measure that #ould' not be ibst^i^ight df^
but would infallibly^engage the atteiltidh of 6very miflist^r df
this country. ' '

The man by whom this importaht suggestion wds' made;
and in whose breast the scheme of etnancii^atidta; If not first
conceived, seems at least to have been firdt liliatdred, is a native
of Caraccas in South America; defended firdmbnetif thti
principal families of the countf v> a! the earty iige of sevens
teen, he repmred to Spain, and, by the influence of his famllyj
obtained a commission in the Spanish arntV. Earl^ ivnk by
the love of letters, he wa^ (Uixibus to proceed to Ffance fo^ the
prosecution of his education; but petnii^idn Wa^ dienied him;
and he was forced to bring the masters, 'whom tie contd'ndt
procure in Spain, from France at his own charges'. It iis an
anecddte not unworthy of record, that when the iiA(f]ftii^iti<m
ordered his books to be taken from hiAi and buttit, he applied
to count O'Reilly, inspector general of the' S^atiish ai'^y', to
see if the order could not be recidled; foufC the inspector 'told
him, that all he could do was to condole with hiUi, for thdf the
same misfortune had hAppened to himself -J<^'fw|4ii^ v"**^

When France and Spain resolved t6 take'a ilhfirelfl'th'e war
which was carried' oh between Great Britain ahd her A inerican
colonies, it happened that Miranda Was ih that pdrt df ths
Spanish army which was destined to ico-bperate With the
French. Acting thus, and convenAng with the n^emb^rs of a
ihore enlightened nation than any he had yet seen^' the Ideas
of the young American received that iihprdvement Aftet* which
he aspired ; and, in a scene where the cause of liberty was the
object of all men''s zeal and enthusiastn, and iii a country the
situation of which in' so many respects resembled hiii bWn, a,
similar 'destiny for this last wa9 naturally ^fes^ntdd 1o bis

mmm

SCm^HvAMIlRICA.

wMibcis. r So deeply wa9, the in^resskin struok^ tb^t h^ hua fif.
dicated to, this one design almost the whole of his Me% and bai
been the prime qnover ip every scheme t^iat has bfsen proposed
for the emanciptatioQ of the Spanish colonies in America. ; , !;■

At the termination of the American war, he resigned niis
situation in the service of Spain, and repaired to JSuri^, with
H view.to study tiie ii^titutions of the most enlightened nati(>n%
and to.draM^ from them instruction for the benefit of his native
country. For this purpose, he can\e first tp, ^reat Biitai%
and proceeded afterwards to Prussia, Austria, Italy, Greece^
and Q, part of Xurkey. , ^e then proceeded to Russia, where
he met. with prince Potemkin at Cherson, whose notice hi; at>-
trapt^d; and by him v^as introduced to the empress at Kiow.
A native of Spain, travelling in search of knowledge, and im-
proved, by it, appeared ^tp he^ in the light of a phenomenon.
She invited him to remain in Russia; for, in Spain, she sa^
be would »be burnt ; — Spain was no^.a country for hini. When
Miranda opened r to her, in reply, jhe views to which he had
devoted himself in behalf of his country, she manifested the
strongest interest in the ocuomplishment of his scheme, and
assurefi him, in case of his success,, she wpuld be the foremost
to suppprt the independence of South America. She trans,
mitted 9 circular letter to her ambassadors in Europe, toa^rd
him her imperial protectipn every where ; and gave him an in-
vita^pn to draw upon her treasury for his personal support. , :

I( was aftf^r.thi^ .tour through Europe, in wh^h IS^iranda
spent several years, that he^ ^returned, by the way pf France,
to England ; and being* by his friend governor Pownal, intro-
duced tojiifr. Pitt, proposed .to him the plan, of which |th^
submissipn of Spain o^, t^eque^ionajk.is^ue prevented the ex.
ecution. At the timewhtsn thf^^prpspeqt was thusj, kiraatxf^
definite, perjod, . c)psed upon him in ]^ngland,, a^d ,t|ie fir^
promising movements of; liberty Jn FtaQQ^ >y^re attracting the
curious from every quarter pf,tl^e worl^, |l|iranda returned, to
witness the great , ^nesj that ,^^e there passing, and to pbtai|i,
if pos^ble, from France, in her new aitiiatipn, (he ,s«ne favour
to Souti^ Anierica, which, in hejr old she h^ bestpwed i^pv^
the .Un^ed States. By his<^mpafiioi|u,inarii|f| wb^n|iJio,l^

«)imi AMimcA.

WoMHy blMm in Atii«riei, h« wi« tpiMdUy dMim into Miie
oMinekiofi with the great leaden at that titne in pttbii<; aflUra;
«nd when the twv<riiiti<M was first ddled upon to draw th«
sirord, he was invited and prevailed upon to take a lioinaiittKi
in b«r armies. ' \^<\H'

It was while he was serving with Dumourier in the Nether-
land^ that the scheme ibr revolutionising Spain atid her colo-
nies was first conceived by the republican leaders. Bttt
MiAinda thought the republicans were proceeding too hastily,
«nd refused his co-operation. During sonte years subsequent
to this occurrence, the matteir was sunk fai oblivbn atnid the
violent struggles which agitated Europe. Matty months had
not elapsed when the reign of Robespierre began; and Mi-
-randa, with so many other virtuous men, were buried in the
dungeons of the revolution. Though tried, and dearly ac-
quitted by the revolutionary tribunal, which declared thM not
a shadow i;^ suspicion attached to him, he was still detain^ in
prison, and escaped the guillotine only by one of those acd-
dents by which to many others were delivered up to it.

About the same time, or a little after, MiratMJa was ttti^ at
Paris by deputies and oommissimiers from Mexico, and the
other prihcipal provinces of South Ailterica, who had been
#eiit to Europe for the purpose of concerting with him Jhe
meastifes to be pursued for acdompUshiug the indepefideno^'ttf
thar country. It was decided accordii^y, that Mirirtida
should, iA their tiame, again repair to England, aiid make
auch offers to the British government as, it was hoped, ihight
kdiice it to lend them the assistance r^uiisite fat the gf-eat
object of their wishes ; and it accorded with the plans of Mr.
Pitt, kt that time, to enter with proMptittide into the stheme
proposed for the etaiancipatbnr of South Anierica. The pro*
posal was, that North America should furnish 10,000 troop*,
aittd tlie British government agreed to find money and ships.
But the president Adams decfined to transinit an immcdiaM
flllswer, and the measure vfks, in consequefice, poMpbned.
'^'^Iti the beginning of 1801, during lord Sidriiouth's admlnis^
idttttion, the pro^t was again retived. The pkns of goverh<>
imnt to hi rcakntdended to the peopte of SbtiUi Aio^lctt,

aiMi

SOIJIVH/AMBRIOA.

i^Wr

lwr8i;fiiViU«ifd'/aM^, ^proved; evfln tbe miliUvy opMatipnt
Wf)irp,8l$;^^d and afrangpd; and the preparations fiir «d-
Yimp^sfop U)et«xpeditioQ. Tba prelii^inaries, however,, ^f
thi^,p^tup^ of,Ainieii»;W9re#igoed} wid4be measura woaput
off to a future opportunity.

,' Wiiea war wa»;«gain 4leclnred iigMnst l^rance in !I803| the^bu-
nness gf «Sputb AniericA formed one of the principal designs ^
i^tnisters.} , and nii^m;^« were taken to Cfirry it into effect, the
mowent that tb^,pe««e, which stiUuiiJbusted with Spain jboaH
liie broken. ,This.ey«nt did not occur till 1804, when Mr. Pitt
was ag^in att^ 1^4 of administration. The weMure was
now prosi^^tiediFith ;>;|eal; Jord Melville, and Sir I^me Po|^
bam., w;ere employed, ifi.firnmging with general Miranda tl^
whole d^^uls ftf proieedure ; when the execution was ag^
auspended l^y.thfiaffain^of Europe,, i^id by the hopes and^ex,-
ertioi^qf the tlurd, coalition. ),.4, vimor.rfMiovM ^.!i /.< Umit^-
,.-, ^X^P^PfP^^ U)U9*appefuring shut uppp tbem;in IQHrope,
th^ Spilth 4MXK?ncan exMes from the provinces of Carj^cas and
Santa F^,.r^idiQg in^ the Uiuted States 9fAm^9a>^,and in the
island qfl^rin^d^ pressed general Mjiranda,, and at last pre-
yailei^ , upon , ^i||n, to. qint hjis reai^enqe , \a |bi^ cppntry, anfl
make^^ e%yt in their behalf through ,^he ^if^^djgijn of J^menfi^
ajpi^,,. B})A, on ,arrjiving there* the;pifi^ic aid.qfjhe govj^Hr
m^ni; w^, r^fi^sed, ,le/i^ pffeno^ shpuW b^giyen to ,fer;(^c^
TP^,,^^itfft|pg a?|4 wavering, pglicy qf.the British cpurt alio
deprived Mirantjft ^^ tfie. s^c^^urs l?e ^^^)ected,,li»ff ff^/,6^
yemorpf-iyini^lMJ. _, ■ ;,,,;.. ,,.Vv',;nl!' ^Ilr J;.'..l\oH.-.
He ffuM fron} Trinidad oi]^ tli(f. 2^(11, of Jtuly, With j^j^e
s\>^pB of war, and arriv^. pn the Sd of Augns^ q^ Uie city of
Cpro, where ius t|m)in weif^ landed undier cover of the yes^i^
and witp veryjslight re8istai|ce.^ Corp was ti^kei^ p^^ as^u|^
ai)d spi^|E^^pf|yer;triHii^< advantages w^re,^^^^
gress of this enterprising general was soon cne(|Kea J^y aj^ mjL-
sistible force. Jif ost of his adherents were.taken« and he, hjia*
self with diniculty escaped.
ea

!l->

<lesire of indepei

^papisk coioni^; and Wich' receiviecl addrtiohal .'stimulus,

SOUTH AMERICA.

from the degraded and hopeleaa state the mother^oountry en^
hibited.

This diapo«ition was first evinced in (be Utter end of 1809»
by the deposition of (}ie archbishop of La Plata* who held the
highest dvil authority in La Paz ; and the formation of a de-
mocratic government. This was followed by a movement of
the inhabitants of the Caraccas, who seized their public func-
tionaries, and forced them on board ship. The revolutionary
qpirit spread rapidly through the vast re^ons of Terr^ Firma,
atvl reached the western confines of the contment. At Quito,
upwards of 4000, of all sexes and ages, perished in the strug-
gle; but the revolutionists at last triumphed. The adherents
of Old Spain, however, which comprdiended all the regular
tro(^, and most of the priests and civil officers, formed
a styong party, and kept possession of several important
places.

. When the Spanish natkm rose in arms against the usurpa-
tion of Bonaparte, they were enthusiastically seconded by the
South Americans. But the Cortes treated their generous fel-
low citizens in the colonies with neglect and contempt. They
eVftn manifested unequivocal symptoms of drairing tighter the
bonds in which they had long been kept. The emissaries of
Bonap{|rte in the colonies were thus enabled to form a strong
party. Besides this, there were two other parties; one of in<*
dependents, and a party desirous of retaining thar allowance
to Ferdinand.

While the people of the Caraccas were still angry and dis-
appointed by the imbecility, tyranny, and impidicy of the re-
gency, intelligence arrived that all who had countenanced or
adhered to the late revolutionary proceedings were proclaimed
traitors ; and Uiat the ports were to be in a state o£ blockade
till the province should acknowledge, not merely Ferdinand
VII., but that the regency at Cadiz were his only true and
legitimate representatives. In order to support this bold and
obnoxious measure, the regency, to complete the proofs of
their folly and imbecility, dispatched a lawyer of the name of
Catavania, who, afraid to take up his abode in the Caraccas,
came no further thaa Porto Rico; and from thence issued his

SOUTH AMERICA.

prodamations, which were impotent, and of no avail in any
other Ktpcot, but in provoking and alienating the colonists.

That party in the Caraocas, which had long entertained the
derign of separating the province iVvmi^the mother country,
now conceived that the time was arrived when they could
easily and safely carry their design into execution ; fbr this
purpose, they summoned a general congress of delegates from
ill the principal towns and districts which were favourable to
their viewa Thu congress met at Caraccas on the 2d of
March, 1811. As it was still necessary, for some time at
least, to preset^ the appearance of loyalty and attachment to
their sovereign, they took the oath of fidelity to Ferdinand
VII., and declared th^r wish and resolution to continue con-
nected and in amity with the mother country. At thiscon-
juncture Miranda mode his appearance; he had been long
ambitious to bring about and secure the independence of thd
Spanish bolonies ; hitherto his attempts had not been success-
ful ; he was therefore eager to avail himself of these circum-
stances and events so favourable to his plans ; and having
procured himself to be elected for one of th6 most inconsidera-
ble towns in the province, his influence and spirit soon began
to manifest themselves. Before he appeared to animate and
direct the insurrection, it had been marked with great mildness
and moderation ; and the movers and first leaders of it were
content in cautiously and gradually advancing towards the at-
tainment of the objects they were desirous to attain and secure.
Far different was the character of the insurrection, and the
bcliaviour of the leading members of the congress, after Mi-
randa gained access to it.

One of the first fruits of this change of character appeared
in the deputies, who so lately had renewed their oath of fide-
lity to Ferdinand, abjuring his authority; deiclaring them-
selves, and their country at the same time, absolved from all
dependence upon or allegiance to the crown of Spain ; while
they constituted the provinces, of which they were deputies,
into free and independent states, under the title and designa-
tion of the limited provinces of Venezuela.

SOUTH AMBBICA.

A dvil WW inth all iti horrort'and cruelties mm oom*
menced: eiwh perty pruMiibed the other, and inflicted the
MMMt summary punishment on those who tell into their power.
Many persons were mrested and thrown into prison on susfu*
oion ( some were banished ; others put to def th ; end in short
■11 those scenes which characterised and disgraced the com«
mencement of the French revolution, were acted in the Carac*
cas, with equal violence and ferocity, though in a more conflnod
tbcatrc. The European and Creole families in general, natu«
rally were disposed to renst these proceedings ; they of course
felt th^ prwer and vengeance of Miranda and his partisans.
Valencia, which is principally inhabited by old Creole families, '
at the commencement of the insurrection, had sent deputies to
the congress ; but afterwards disapproving of their proceedings,
and especially of the declaration of independence, it deserted
the party of Miranda. To punish it for this defection, he
marched gainst it with a large body of troops, and inflicted
on its inhabitants a most severe punishment.

These disturbances and violent proceedings naturally alarm*
ed the governors of the neighbouring provinces. On their
first breaking out, the viceroy of Santa Fe de Bogota ordered,
in the most strict and peremptory manner, that all communi-.
eation should be closed and cut ofi^ between his government
and the insurgents. But his efforts to guard the provinces
subject to his jurisdiction from the spreading and overwhelm-
ing evil were unavailing. In them the same causes existed,
which had existed in the Caraccas, and produced there a sepa-
ration from the mother country and a civil war: one party
were afraid and suspicious of their magistrates and governors,
as attached to the French interest ; while another party were
desirous of shaking oiF the authority of Spain, Under such
circumstances, great caution, prudence, and moderation were
necessary in order to preserve the public peace : unfortunately
these qualities did not exist. On the contrary, the corregidoc
of Socono, actuated by a rash and violent spirit, ordered the
troops under his command to fire upon the populace, who had
^semblcd, unarmed,. but mutinous. . Thus was the spark set

to the
lug.

tnhab

outraf

pie

havin

him

SOUTH AMERICA.

to Che inflamnuiblc materiak, which had been long aoeumi^laU
log. Tbt imurraotion broke out and sprMii rapidly, rha
inhabiunta of the naighbouring distfirt, having Ummt tha
outrage whieh the corregidor had committed against the peo^
pie of Soeono, came into the town in great ntirnberi; and
having compelled him to take refuge in a convent, Rtarved
him into surrendering. The town now threw afi its depend-
ance and allegiance \ appointed a junta t and transmitted to
the government cf Santa Fe an account and vindication of ita
proeeedings. Nearly at the same time, the populace of the
capital of this province had manifested strong symptoms of
disaffection and tumult ; the viceroy theretbre, unable to put
down by force of arms the insurgents of Socono, consented
that they should establish a junta, of which he was appointed
the president.

For a very short time after these proceedings in Santa Fe, the
insurgenta appeared disposed to retain the show of allegiance
to Ferctinand VII. : but an event which took place at Quito,
and which excited universal detestation throughout Spanish
America, made them throw aside the mask, and avow thor
determination to be free and independent of the crown of
Spain. This event, so fatal to the cause and character of the
mother country, was the massacre at Quito of a great number
of the principal Creoles of that city, by a body of troops under
the direction and in the service of the viceroy of Lima. As
soon as intelligence of this massacre reached Santa Fe, the
viceroy was deprived of his situation and authority, both as
president of the junta and governor of the province. In order
to follow the revolutionary course regularly and completely,
the ancient name of New Granada was changed into Cundina-
marca. The insurgents of this province, however, still stop,
ned short of the proceedings of those of the Caraccas ; for .
•Ihou^h they abjured the provisional governments of Spain,
they acknowledged Ferdinand VII. as their legitimate sove-
reign : this remnant of loyalty so much displeased the iosur«
gents of the Caraccas, that they remonstrated with them on
die subject, declaring that they will acknowledge no form of
government but what the^ make for themselves,

SOUTH AMBRICit

The events which have occurred in die province df Buenos
Ayres afibrd another proof and ntample of the niis<Mlef and
evil which have resulted from this revolutionary spirit. The
town of Buenos Ayres had many peculiar causes of complaint
against the government of Spain, besides causes which ope*
rated on her, as well as on the restof Spakiish America. The
greatest number of its inhabitants are nwrchants: of ooursd
the absurd restrictions placed upon the commerce of her colo*
nies by Spain were severely felt by them ; and as the articles
which they export are chiefly of a perishable nature, whatever
suspends or interrupts commerce must fall heavily on them.
Suffering from these circumstances, they had frequently com"
plained of the monopoly of the niother country, as pressing oA
them with peculiar seyerity ; nor were the othei^ inhabitants of
Buenos Ayres without their grievances and cause of complaint
against the mother country. Creoles of the oldest families,
and of the,,hig}iest rank and character, saw themselves de-
prived of the ofBces of the state, in ordier that they might be
filled by men of very doubtful character, of mean rank, and
destitute of talents, from old Spain. In shot-t, at Buenos
Ayres, as in every other patt of Spanish America, the conduct
of the government of Spain was the same: it is difficult to
pronounce (h: ascertain whether it was more unjust cm* impolitic ;
whether it was more calculated to injure the eolonies or the
mother country ; whether it was the result of extreme folly ot
of extreme wickedness, or of both conabined.

It is not to be wondered at, that in the town of Buenos
Ayres the revolution was brought about and completed with-
out any difficulty or resistance. The vico'oy either perceiving
qjbjection and resistance useless^ or disposed to coincide with
the principles and views oi' tlw insurgents, gave up his autho-
rity quietly ; but it was otherwise in the other parts of the
province: they did not feel so acutely and extensively as Bue^
nos Ayres the oppression of the mother country ; nor were the
inhabitants in general so much inclined to the princ^>les on
whidi the revolutionists of Buenos Ayres acted* This differ-
ence of opinion and conduct was principally visible at Monte
Video ; the town recogni^d the regency of Cadiz i a civU war

SOUTH AMIRICA.

commence between U and Buenos Ayfes;- and while the lak«.
tec besieged Monte Video by land, Monte Videoi, aided by the>
Spanish marine, the presence and influepoe of which had at
first induced it to acknowledge the regency at Cadiz, threat«i
ened Buenos Avres from the river. In the midst of this civil
war, the British admiral and the British naval officers oa that,
station, had a difficult and delicate task to execute : they were
applied to by both parties, but very judioioudy declined tak-
ing part with either; contenting themselves with protecting?
the. British ships and merchants.

Besides Monte Video, Cordova, another town in the viceroy^,
alty of Buenos Ayres, about 500 miles from it, in the interior,
became the scene 6f a counter-revolution, under Liniers and;
other adherents of Spain. On many accounts this counter-ret^,
volutionary party was dreaded by the insurgents of Buenos:
Ayres ; the leader of it, Iiiniers, was a person of great influ«
ence and considerable talents, he also was deservedly popular,
at Buenos Ayres. Many attempts were made to gain him
over, but these faiUng, a large body of troops was dispatched
from Buenos Ayres against Cordova : on their approach, the'
leaders of the counter-revolution, apprehensive either that the
people were not able to cope with regular forces, or suspiciousr
of their, steadiness and attachment, precipitately fled, andaty
tempted to reach the frontiers of Peril. lu this atten^)!^
however, they did not succeed : they were pursued and taken ;
and, without even the form of trial, put to immediate death..
Liniers surrendered himself; but this did not save his life :
two days after his surrender, be was shot through the head.

In the mean time, the viceroy of Lima, having received in^
formation of the revolutionary proceedings at Buenos Ayres,:
determined to crush them if possible; for this purpose he
rused a considerable army, and marched towards the Andes.
The army sent from Buenos Ayres to attack Cordova heard
of the approach of the viceroy while they were at that city ;
and having completely succeeded in the object for which they
were sent, their leader resolved to advance and meet the vice*
^ roy of Lima. The hostile armies met at Suipacha, in the bet
ginning of November, 1810; an action took place, and the

SOUTH AMERICA.

insurgents .were victorious: the consequence and the reward
of their victory was, the possession of Potosi, and of the
greater part of the upper provinces. The army of Peru,
however, though defeated, was not destroyed, nor even greatly
weakened or discouraged: they rallied; and on the 10th of
June, 1811, completely defeated and dispersed the army of
Buenos Ayres at Desaguedro.

But the state of the Spanish provinces in America was such,
that no permanently beneficial effects to the counter-revolu-
tionists could arise from their victories ; for while they were
pursuing or defeating one hostile army, another rose up : the
victorious army of Peru were prevented from pursuing their
advantage, and regaining possession of the country which they
had lost in November, 1810, by the intellig<;nce that an insur-
rection had broken out at Arequipa on the South sea, agunst
which it was judged expedient that they should immediately
proceed.

In the mean time, the war between Buenos Ayres and
Monte Video continued, and was carried on with great exer-
tion and implacability. We have already mentioned that the
English wisely preserved a strict neutrality ; *at the same time
they conducted themselves in such a manner, as for some time
to prevent the hostilities from becoming violent and cruel.
For a cmisiderable length of time, Buenos Ayres seemed to
gain upon Monte Video ; although the latter, by her superi-
ority at sea, and consequent command of the navigation of the
river, frequently distressed Buenos Ayres very much. In the
beginning of 1811, affairs took « different turn and assumed a
different aspeet. The regency sent out £Iio, an officer of ma-
rine, a man of great activity and .resolution, but of a violent
temper and, character : he at first attempted to persuade the
junta of Buenos Ayres to receive and recognise him as vicero/
of the province; failing in this attempt, he attackect their
ships, destroyed their commerce, menaced the dty itself with
bombardment, and threatened to call in a Portuguese army
from the Brazils to assist him in his designs, and in the sup-
port of his authority. He did not, however, content himself
with these open and spirited measures ; he had also recourse

SOUTH AMERICA.

«fy

i an tnsur-

to' intrigue) iind contrived to introduce or secure portisanls in
BaeiMM Ay res itself. The junta found themselves in a most
^doal and perilous situation ; threatened by a hostile army
from without, and surrounded within by men whom, th^
could not trust, and who were ready to betray th6 city into
the power of Eiio. In this emergency they recalled an army
which they had sent to the Portuguese frontier of Paraguay,
«nd sent it against Monte Video ; and banished 6ll Europeans
who <iouid not find security for theif good behaviour.

After this the war languished. Several affait-s took place,
but Mfthing decisive occurred. At length, the government of
BuolOB Aytes succeeded in establishing a respectable marine,
which was put under the command of one Brown, an English-
mail. But subsequently this adventurer betrayed his tVust,
and sailed to thie West Indies. However, the principal enemy
^ this republic was now linexpectedly subdued from another
^^|««rter, for an army of Portuguese took possession of Monte
Vi^ieo. ||j»The partisan Artigas on this moved around the sur-
roundlUg country, from which he collected subsistence for his
army. '

At l<iigth, when the Bourbons were restored to the thrones
of Spaitt and Frimce, Ferdinand sent a formidable expedition
under Morilla to diUver South America. But although the
royal general commanded a body of veterans, he fiuled in i«<
ducing the m<Mre high-minded patriots, who foiled him iti
scveiral engagements. However, having received' some rein-
forcements, he succeeded in capturing the city of Carthagena,
when he bbdyed the mandates of his master, by sacrificing
hundreds of the patriots, without distinction of age or sex.
But this cruelty only tended to unite and exasperate the peo-
pie, who flew to arms in every direction, and the victorious
general found himself blockaded in this city. After a despe-
rate conflict, he extricated himself, and retired into winter
quarters.

In the mean time, thousands of gallant men, particularly
Englishmen, whom peace had lefl without employment, flocked
to the independent standard, and strengthened the army of
Boliver. Admiral Biron also was indefatigable in organising

6S»

SOUTH AMSRICA.

Ae Yeiiezueliaii fleet, which rode triumphant on tjda aiai^.«i}d
«ven carried the teiTor of the patriotic arm* to the entrance of
4jhe harbour of Cadiz. In fevr instances durst the Spaniards
«ngage the republican vessels, which were mostly mani^.l^j
English find American seamen. ^ .. t^i'y./^^-^i^f^*

. The government of Buenos Ayres now ibund themselves lit
liberty to adopt measures in furtherance of the j^neral <»^usfr;
and acoordiqgly on army was equipped apd ,sent to liberate
Chili, which had been uibdued by an expeditipn s«tt from
Spun. They were met on the frontierfi by the royal anpy,
and A battle took place: hut the enthusiasm of the. |iatriois
was irrenstible; the royalists were defeated «id dispersed, and
the fine province of Chili was instantly liberated. : ( - i .

Early ia Januury, 18^ the hostile armies in the norUl of
South America again came into contact, and Uie UqcMiy Mo*
nlla was defeated near Calaboya* l&to which place he ifitn:94«
He allerwav4s retreated upon Sombrero, foUpwed by the yitMt
rious Boliver, who agfun defeated him in two action%i|pQdi th^
Uock^ him iqa in a most exposied and unhealthy position.
The royalists made a most vigorous effiart to exitricatetMibeir
nun arnjiy ; but a rein^rpement of 3S0P men were diet upon
Iheir mffich, end t^ste whole were ^ther killed or takei. Such
is the MtuatMWki i>f th^ p^ndpal armies «i prasent ( «t¥l > feom
the weaknesiH«nd Ml;lp(^^Iarity of the ^SfNuibh gpiiverammt,
|he insuboidifiatii^ mapif^fd by the; troops, and the finrinida^
lile supj^ies of meif)<|i)4 ^nns procumed by 4ie paltriotsiin Eng-
land and Irel^nd». Hiere remains but little doubti that ^^next
campfiigo will.estidblish thie independence of the South Ameri-
jcans upon a firm basis. ^.j.t

During the suacessfu) eiareef of BoUver in 1817, Sir Gnegor
Macgregor took Am^ island; but the government of the
United States refused to recognise his authority, and this con-
quest was abandoned. The general then returned to England,
purchased a givat quantity of military stores, and raised a
strong body of men, with which he again sailed to the scene
of actum. At Jamaica he was ^ined by great part of a dis-
banded raiment, and from hence he proceeded to Porto Bello^
which he txiok by surprise. However, in a i-^hort time^ eidier

SOCf ft AMERICA.

att,.«iid
iranoe^f

Dn«d bjr

il Clause;
> liberate
H)l fipov
al wrfliy,
»i|ielrioC8
nied,a»d

through neglig^noe <)r treachery, he in his tnm was surprised
by thtt Sjtenish trab'ps, and narrowly e^aped on board of ft
v^Md.'^^'^'Miitigr^m* at the present is at Aux Cayes, with »
'fine'bri^a'nd 1«0 men.

The revolution in Peru first broke butt? tfi^LW'PifeVaiti
Afterwards ih El Cusco, the ancient city of th^ Incas. But
the' patriots iieeni safe on the side of the South Seas, bein|^
if>m(^ted by lord Cochrane, one of the most able and gallant
wi^drflthiftevei' drew a sword. ^^^u W-a iMu

'liird^CbchMihe'has commenced that teasing s6i*t of waHkre
^!#Mch^1lei^(ky well qualified, and by which he kept the
wtol^' fVeiKsfi tcdibst in the Mediterranean seas in^ a state of
alarm and anxlely^'tit} fast ifkr. His mo^rements are made
#itli thi ftt^dlty^^iin ^Id; he haiiscarce pounced upon the
plliee tMd made it his victim, before he replumes his wing and
d||fii«fefnds upon ailotb^, ckrryitig all 'before him. His lord-
pll^s vessete, atthbugh heatvy ih guns, are light in their hullk^
M(d'ihci|^ftfe4e of laiying lilungside of batteries; therefbre his
attacks Are m»(^' diversions and excursions for plunder/ to tie-
cU!(t6m hife men lo harass and be harassed, than any serious
d^Ue of' ok^{>ying the place hie assatils. He is incessaiitl;f
traitiing fcis men to ^e use of the pike, tomahairk, and brdadM
swotti, determined when he meets with to' old Spanish ship, t6
attempt' her by beartling at once, the liides of his ship bein^
tot^ weak for withstanditig a cannonade. Ifc is not forgotten^
by his men, that Ms lordship, in the Sjp(^y brig of 14 gunsf
and 45 men, boarded and catried the Elglmia Spamsh frigate
of 99 guns and 300 men, and they pro^OMkate they will be
now equally successful. i'*^^ ^^^ « «««?" '"«»

The squadron of his lordship bombarded Lima three times,
with a hope of inducing the Spanish squadron to come out and
^ve the' attack, but the wily Donrehained theii* skips to the
shore, ai^ very quietly saw the houtes knocked to pieces and
the' inhabitants killed, over their own mast heads. During thel
last attack, ft gun vessel^ mounting six carronades, pushed out
of ^ harbour, and attempted to cover a ship of -liOO tons
burthto, whose cftblea had been cut by the shot from the
O'Higgins, and was drifted int^ the open bay. Lord Coelu

600

SOUTH AMERICA.

I 'i

ran6, in command of the boats of his squadron, ^f^nrwl thft
ship and sent her off to sea ; he then made a dash ttb the gun
vessel, and succeeded in bringing her off when she btid tiktn

' shelter within pistol shot of a twelve gun battery ; on bMfd of
the vessel were 21 S men, in the boats with his lordship '412»
and several of them boys. The loss on his part was 17 killed
and wounded. The gun vessel, coppered and schooner-rigged,
was immediately manned and commissioned by a lieutenant
The merchant ship was taken out to sea, her cargo was found
to be very valuable, and she had in boxes nearly two million
dollars, these were removed, a party of men sent on board,^
with a lieutenant, who has proceeded to the general rendexvous
for more guns and hands ; she is called the Nostra del Carmen,
and is in effect a trading frigate, will mount 36 guns, and be a
fine cruiser.

His lordship harangued his men, a motley crew of English,
Spanish, mulattoes, and Americans, and distributed to each
100 dollars per man, saying he would trust to fortui|p for his
share at a future day ; the enthusiasm of his crews is only ex-
celled by the state of discipline they are in. His lordship has
burnt and destroyed six small armed vessels^ and upwards of
20 traders, previously taking out of them every thing of value ;
be has also destroyed several small batteries on the coast and
watch-towers. He is in daily ex})ectation of the arrival of a
frigate from the United States, formerly a British East India-
man; it is said she carries 64 guns and 500 men, and will
bring with her 15,000 stand of arms, and a complete battering
train of artillery , thus a competent force awaits the arrival of
old Spain's lazarettos and sinking hulks, of whom his lordship
speaks with the greatest contempt. At'iiched to lord Coch*
ranees squadron, and spread over an extent of coast of moiv
than 500 leagues, are 40 small half-decked vessels with a gun
in the bow, comndanded by petty officers, and about 20 men
in each ; these efiectually enforce the blockade of the porU>,
and are known to have taken several valuable prizes.

A writer in the Edinburgh Review saysj that in looking
around for barriers to resist the spirit of military aggrandise*

' ment in Europe, and resources to 'supply thee6 the channel of

SOUTH AMERICA^

661

I (

ivbioh «rtt closed upon us, every eye, we believe, will rest on
South i^iaerica. *A country,' he proceeds, *fy,t surpftsawg
the vhole oT Europe in extent, and still more perhaps in n<^
tural fertility, which has been hitherto unfortunately exf^lufd^d
from the beneficent uitercourse of natbns, is, after a few pru-
dent steps on our part, ready to open to us the immense re-
sources of her territory, of a population at present great, and
likely to increase with mo^t extraordinary celerity, and of a
pmiition unparalleled on the face of the globe for the astonish-
ing combination of commercial advantages which it appears to
unite* From the maturity for some beneficent change, which
circumstances and events have for a series, of years been work-
ing in Uioae magnificent regions, and from the mighty effects
they are capable (^ yielding for the cpnsolation of afflicted hu-
manity, it seems as if that Providence, which is c^tinually
bringing good out of evil, were about to open a (^areer of happi-
nass in the new world, at the very moment when, by the mys-
teriousjaws of its administration, it apfieftra to have decreed a
period of injustice and calamity in ^e old. , , ,
. * For the mighty benefits to be expected from a just and
wise arrangement of the affairs of Spanish America, we are
not left 10 the results of speculation* clear and unambiguous as
they are ; we can appeal to experienoe ^d tp fact. We have
the grand experiment of North. Am wica before us, which die
inhabitants of the South are so amh^tipus to imitate.. The
states of North Ameiica were our own colonies, apd ^y had
been always beneficently admimf teredo yet has the^ indepen-
dence been far more. profitable to, us than their subjection.
What is the result with regard to commerce alone f — the very
extraordinary fact, that for sev^al pisst) years vre have export-
ed more goods of 3riti9h growUi and maoutacture Uf the
IJnited Suited, of America, than to the whole of Europe taken
together. If such are the benefits resulting from the prospe-
rity of the United States* how many times greater will be those
which must necessarily flow; from the prosperity of South
Amerida? H6w many times more extensive is the country
which the Spanish Americans posvess? . That oountry, from
enjoying A mu^ gf»t9r diversity of climate compared with

SOUTH AMERICA.

Burope thiui North America, is much more richly pravidecl'
with thoM commodities tat which Burope prcitents Ihe moiff
eager ^lemand. Of the soil of South Anif rica^ a greM paM is
much more fiivouhible to cultivatbn, mudi more ihiitfiilv ftiul
cleared by nations who had made some progress in civilisation^'
Of all the countries in the world, South America po8aei6C» the
most important advantages in respect to internal navigations^
being intersected in all directions by mighty rivers, which- 'frili
bear, at little cost, the produce of her extensive pMyvinoes tO'
the ocean. If the population of the United States, amounting*
perhiqpB to 64000,000 souls, afibrd so extraordinary a demand
for British commodities, what may not the populatacAi of Sonth
America, extending already to no less than 16,000,000, ^ b«
expected to afford f It is no doubt true^ that the mera) and
intellectual habits of the people of South America aiv not M
favourable to improvement as were those of North Amtriicfl.' '
Th«r industry has been cramped,— their minds have beeni'
held in ignorance by a bad government; hence (hey are ind^'
lent and superstitious; v But remove the cause, and the effiectt '
will cease to follow. So sweet are the fruits of labour,' where-
ever the labourer enjoys them unimpaired, that the motives to-
it are irresistible,.'-^Bd his activity may' be counted upo^ with
the certainty of a law of nature^ The deduction, therefbre,; is
so vary small which, on this score, it will be requisite to make,
that a very subordinate proportion of the superior advantages
in soil and climate which the South Ameri<»n enjoys, will suf-
fice to compensate t^e better habits with which die inhabitant
of the United States eomimenoed his career. <atM Uo

" * In respect to wants^ th^ two countries eminently resemble
on^anodi^r. From the immense extent of uncultivated sent,
which it will require many ages to occupy, the whde bent of
the peculation will be turned to agriculture; aAd it wUl be
then* interest, and their desire, to draw almost the whole of
the manufactured goods, which their ridies will endble then
to consume, firoih other countries. The country to wluch the
gi^ter part' of this prodi^ous demand will come, is unquc9>
tionably Oreat Britain. So far before all other countries, in
respect to manufacturing advantages, does she stand, that

hh't '

SOUTH AMERICA.

^Nwre thrciroumBtaneeH of Europe much more likely to ^icou-
Tage industry than unbapfnly they are, we could meet with ao
rival; and as we supply North America, so could we South,
<Mi, terms which would infallibly draw to us the greater patrt of
im custom.

'! * In enumerating, however, the advantages of a oomttiercitd
natuve* which would assuredly spring from the emancipation
t»f South America, we have not yet noticed the greatest per-
hapeof all,— the roightitet event, probably, in fevourof the
peaceful interomirse of tuitions, which the phyucal circum-
stancea^of the^ globe present to the enteiprise of man:— 'We
mean, the formation of a navigable passage across the isthmus
of Panama^'-^tbe junction of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
It is renuMrkablej that this magux&cent undertaking, pregnant
witboonaequenoes so important to mankind, and about which
^ Utile ris known in this country^ is so far from heAng a ro-
mantic ,«Qd chimerical project, that it is not* only practicable
bill easyw The river Chagre, which falls into the Atlantic at
tb^. tliwn<!of the same name, about eighteen leagues to the
westHiard of Porto Bella, is navigable as far as Cruzcs, within
five leagues of Panama^ But though the formation of a canal
fnntt' thi» place to Panama, facilitated by the valley through
whiolk the present road. passes, appears tp present no very for-
midable obstacles, there .is still a better expedient. At the
distance of about 6 ve leagues from the mouth of the Chagre,
it recdves the river Trinidad^ which is navigable to Embarca*
dfvo; and from that place to Panama is a distance of about
30 miles, through a level country, with a fine rivei- to supply
waUrfor the oanaK and no difficulty to counteract the nahie
undertaking. The ground has been surveyed^ and Jiot the .
practicability only^ hut the facility of ilie work, completely
asoertatoed. In the next place, the important requisite! of
sale harboursj at the two extremities of the canal, is here sup^i-
plied" to- the extoit of our utmost wishes. At the moudi of.
the Chi^e is a line bay, which received the British 74 gun
ships^finMl 740^ when captain Knowles bombarded the castle of
St; Itoreoao; and at the other extrosnity is the famous harbour

SOtTTtt AMERICA.

of Pamtma. 'Nor islhts the only expedient fbropM#ti|-^
imprntant navigation betwrcen the Pacific and AtlMitic doeanli
Further north is the grand lake of Nicaragua, whicli, by itaelf,
ahOMMt extends the navigation fhom sea lo«ea. ' Into tiicr At-
lantic ocean it falls by a navigable river, and reachea^^ withih
three leagues of the gulf of' 'Papagayo in the Pacific. ' Mr.
Jeflbry^s tells us, it was the instruction of the king of Spidn to
the governor of St.'John^s osstle, n6t to permit luiyBtftiih
subject to pass either up or down this lake; ** for if ever tbfe
English came to a knowledge of itd nnportancdf and vidue,
they would soon qnake themselves masterti of thiii part -of the
country." -i ''S* • • "-^ •

* We are tempted to dwell for a moment npob die pro^peets
which the accomplishment of this splendid, ti^t IMT tKfficuIt
enterpHse, opens to biir nation. It is not merely the kiAnense
commerce of the western shores of Arnica, extendHdg afoott
from pole to 'pole, that is brought, as' it were, to oiur dobr^ it
is not the intrinsically important, though cortiparitiveljr'Mdfel'
rate branch of oar commerce, that of the South sea whiUeriii;
that will aloiic undergo a complete revohltion, hyikf^ii^tht
tedious and dangerous voyage round cape Horn:— -'h'? ^li^htde
of those immense interests which we hold deposited in the 'iH
gions of Asia, become'augmented in value, to a d^rae which,
at present, it is not easy to conceive, by obtaining direct accesi
to them across the Pacific ocean. It is the same thing as if,
by some great revolution of tire globe, our easteM possesions
ifere brought nearer to us. The voyage acrossr the Pacific,
the \^ind8 both for the eastern and western passage bung fair
aiid c6nstaiit, is so expeditious and steady, that the arrival' of
the ships niay be calculated olmosr with the accuracy of 'a mail
coach. Immense would be the traffic whicji would immedi/
ately begin to Cover iKat odean, by denominatioia Pacific. i\i]
the riches of Irtdia and of China wbuld movie towards Ainerivft
The' riches of Tfeurope and of America wlfiuldmoVe toWartfe
Asia. ■ 'Vast depots 'would be formed at the great conttSSrclS^
tbwns'vi^bich would immcdiatety-artsis at tWnWc*!Jti%<iiJt?esf tif
the central canal ;— the goodb wijuld be i1» a cpurse*of j^pte-

► ■'?»..? M->

•>■*• •

tii4 ptMII*^ homAmOM itftat ko the othtr; nw d w<dld U
I mi II id by kbt-shiiM, m thay ^rrivtcl, whibh wera pnv^rcd lo
«iMiyigr thiiiii to tbeir uljdai«t« dpitinttion.

* Is it too Muoh to hopt, that Chiiia and Japan tiiotnMlrffi
thu» brought, to mnch naarcr the influence of Etirppbon oiVili-
■«tioftM4[iiM^ more constantly and poweHjuUy subject to iti
operation— :Would not be able to resist the salutary impw s wfMi
but womMI soon rtcoive important changes in idea^ futs, tnan-
ners, and institutioi»f Tha hope rests, al laast, on tadk
strong ibuMhtti^«4, iJoaiL it seems to rise evien to a eeruiiniy ; —
and then what glorious results might be expected for the whioi4
of Aeia« tiMt vast pre^portion of ihe earth, which, even id' its
most favoured parts, has been in all ages condemned to seinii
bat-baHMiif and tha OMseriesiof, deaftotic power ? Dnie thitij^ at
least, is certwn, that South America, whiob stands so mudh in
need of industrious inhabitants, would receive myriads of labo-
rious Chinese, who already swarm in all parts of the eastern
ard)ipelago in quest of employment and of food. This, to
her, would be an acqH)si.Uoi]| of incredible importance: and
the connexion thus formed between the two countries, would
still further tend to accelerate the acquisition of enlightened
views and dvilised manners in China herself.

* Such jire a few pf the results,, which thefe ij} reason to ex-
pect ftom a regtdatieh of the kffut% of South America: Never,
perhaps, was an opportunity offered to a nation, of effecting so
great a .change in b^alf (if human kind, as Great Airitain,
from a wondelf ul coiiibiiiatibh of arcumstances, is now called
upon, by ao aianyi aH>tives, to help South America l!o aeooitt*
l^sh. The measure hai^ ^oii^ * considerable number of y^urft^
been nungled, in her councils, .attion|f the auttibtr of her jsc^
solves.*

J After reading tbia rapid sketch of the immense advantagci
to be derived, from the iOStaUiahmeal of independemoe in Soutb
Amarica, a man may well view with astonishment the si%
and imfsliltic.biUwbich. lately reottved the sanction of ihe Bii^-
tadile|g^atuiie,;ratdaraining British, subjects ftom entering int^
theaetvice of the patriots, or au^^j^ing them with wfiiiiia
stossea. The. iU .effect of tbia fbolisfa meatore it greatly au^

4 P

SOUXIC AMBRICA.

mended, whan Um diitreiaad sUte of trade and mi^iufaf ton*
u QOMiderad ; and the just displeaiure of t|ia Annericant muit
be heightened, to witn^ En^ish ships qf war affording piy>>
taction to tlie persons and treasures of their enemies.

According to a recent calculation, the following, apoount has
been given of the population and force of the South American
republicans:

The republic of New Grenada and Venesuela $ peculation
three milUons, and the army 25,000 efl^tive man.

The republic of Rio de la Plata ; the population three nvl-
tions, and the army 80,000 effective men.
y. The republic of Chili ; the pogulatiion one. million and a
fiidf; and the army 7000 disciplined mfn. , m ^.^ ,v;i'«

The republic of P^ru; the' population three vmiflionii^uie
strength of the army unknown.

'Ji

y':i

fj^,5 ?ORTUGUlESE DOMl^flONS.

JEaiteni £(nd Boundaries. ^H£ dominions-in Sftuth A^jty i ca,

S*mJ'mii)iW^i' ^^^^ ^y ^^ ■"■" kingdom of

Pmlqgal^ eitend from thq frontier of Dutch Guiana,, lat. 3

d^ fiorth, to port St. Pedro, south }at. 8S deg., bmg 25 de-
greeSr or 3100 geographical miles; and the breadth, from
cape St. Roque to the furthest Portuguese settlement on the
nver .of Amazons, called St. Paul de,Omaguas, equals»if it do
BOt exceed, that extent. This vast territory, rivalling the em-
pires of antiquity, is still more unknown than the Spaniih
possessions; partly from the irant of science and curiosity,
. |)artly on account of the thick . forests which cover the expan-
sive plains of the Maranon and its auxiliary streams. Though
Ipng in.stnct alliance with Portugal, we hav^. little pi^ij^

SOnTR AMBHICA.

knowleclge of Brazil ; and ttiU leM of tha mterior country m>
absurdly called Amazbnia, but more justly by the Spaniards
the Land of the Miaeiont. The chi^ city of Brazil was for*
merly Bahia or San Salvador, whiqh has since yielded to, Rio
Janeiro^ The others are Para and Cayta near the estuary of
the Maranon, with a few small settlements on that river ; Per-
nambooo, Sergippe, Paraiba, Villa Grande, &c.; the chief
settlemients of the Portuguese being only thinly scattered along
the shores. The fanaticism of the Spaniards and Portuguese
is an invincible obstacle to the population of some of the finest
regions of the globe.; while by the free admissloui of all sects,
as in the territory of the United States, industry «H'\ popular
tion would increase with sui^rising rapidity.

Name. — Brazil, aM is well known, derives its name from the
wood so called, which is mentioned by Chaucer, and was
known for centuries before. It is now divided into eight inde-
pendent governments, besides that of Rio de Janeiro, of which
alone the governor retains the style of Viceroy of the Brazils.
Mings. — Concerning Uie celebrated mines of Brazil there
was little information, until Mr. Mawe, an English mineralo*
gist, obtained permission from the prince regent at Rio de Ja«
neiro to vint the principal gold and diamond districts. The
gold mines.are chieiy rituated in the, mountains, which give
source to many streams that flow north and south into the
Tocantine on one side, and the Parana on the other.

The mountain of Villa Rica, which, twenty year^ after Its
diteovery, was reputed the richest place on the globe, owes its
celebrity to a party of men, strongly embued with that spirit
of enterprise that ohiu'actcrised the Lusitanians of former days.
They penetrated from their capital into these regions, braving
every hardship, and Aicountering every difficulty which a sa?
vage country, infested by still more savage inhabitants, op*
posed to them. . They cut their way through impervious
woods, carrying their provisions with them, and occasionally
cultivating smdll patches of land to aflbrd them.food to retreat
to, in dilse of necessity, as' well as to keep up a communication
with their city, St. Paulas. Every inch of ground was dis.-
pitted by .th^ .Ixu'barousl Indian^, here called BootocotMlics,

aaUTHAMBKICA.

viioiwer^ cmtttantly athcrr.attaofciog> them >opdinly or lying in
ambushi and but too firequemtlj^ .suuweded in surprisiiiig tone
of them, or their ncgroei, wlioin they iounedUtely atcrUiottl
to their horrible, appetite for human ffoah. : They /bsUeived the
negto^ to be the great monkim of ik» vioodt The bones df
the. un&Etunate auffereta. were fee<)ucntly .feund exJM>8Ml,
shocking testimouiea of the barbarity of th»r,q)Uivdererii^ whmn
th« Fauliatas, rousodv to revenge, inrariablyi jhot« wherever
they . met them. These examples of vengeance answered th«r
desired end : the Indians, ten;ified as wdl by the noise aaby
the fatal effect of the itce-arms, fled wth pred^itataon^ befiev*.
ing ^bat the white men commanded lij^tning andithunder; > <
On reaching this mountain, the lame of. their suocesabrought
great numbers of adventurers, between :whom> andr the«or^^al
discoverers several battles took, place, until th«i.gQvernneat in-
terposed, and took the mines under tJuar own direction. Bo*
tween the yieara 1780 and 1750, the mines^ were in Uia height
of.tbeir prospsrity ; the king^s fiilth, during some <years of that
pi;iii;d, is said .to havo, amounted to at l^ost one million sterUng
annually. The mine^ which produced . this immense weakk
.at leiq^. became gradually less abundant ; andv as the pre*
dons metal; disappearod, numbers of the miners retired, soma
toj^d mother OQualry, loaded with riohas, whiob tempted
fresli adventureysy and many to Rio de Janmro and other aea«
ports, where they employed their large capitab in commerce.
: Mr. Mawe e^oyed the^c^portunity of visiting the diamond
worics called M<mdango» situated on the river Jigitonhonha,
whiph employs lOOQi B^;roea, and on paiticqlap occasions dou^
hie that number. « This rich rinrer,^ he observes^ ^formed by
the junction of a number of strean»s which will be heresAer
noted, is as wide as the Thames at Witadsor, and in general
from three to nino feet deep. The part now in woi4cing is a
curve or dboWf from which ^he current is diverted intoar^nal
eot aonoss the tongue of land round which it windi^ the river
being stojpptoJi just below the hei^ of the eaual by an embank-
ment formed of several thousand bags of aaad. > This is, a
work of coBsidccable magnitude, and rsqiures the eo*operation
of all the n^rocs to complete it : for, the river being wif|e

SOUlril AMESICTA.

and aot very shaQow, md also cwcanbiisAl^rBubjeiet to ovtetflovl,
they have tb make the embankment so strong as to rifuttthe
prasMirc of the wattt, admitting it to viae four or five feeti
■ * The deeper parta <rf^ the ehaatel df thb river are lud dry
by nieana of large cmbimhis, or chain-pumps, worked by' a iri^
lev-^heel. The mud ia then carried off, laid the cascalhao is
dug' up and rfafmoved to a oonvenienl! place for washing. Tht
atratuHSi- of ciiscalheo consists of the same materials with that
ia the gold districir. On many parttfj by the edge of the river,
ave- hn^ cot^lonerate maisses of rounded pebbles cemented
fay oiiide cf u»n^ which soinetimesr envek>pe gcJd and <£».
monda They ealcoUte on getting as much cascalHaoin the
diy seaaon as will dccupy ad their hands dorii^ the months
which are more subject to rain. When carried from the bed
of the river whence it is dug, it is laid in heaps contuning 8pi>
patently from five to fifteen tens each. ^^^ %^x a^^i^ ^m©ip>;
* Water n conveyed from a distance, and is distributed to
the varioM parts of the work by means of aquedrietSj coni>
ducted with great ingenuity and skiH. The ihethod of
washing for diamonds at this place is asibUows:— A shed b
erected in the form of a paralielt^am, 25 or 30 yards long,
and about 15 wide. con«stmg of upright posts which support
a-Toof thatched with long grass. Down the middle of the area
of diis riled a current of water is oonVeyed through a canal
covered with strong planks, on which the cascalhao is Imd two
or three feet thick. On the other side of die area is a flooring
oB jrfahks, from ibur to five yards kmg, imbedded in d^, ex.-
tending the whole length of the shed, and having a slope from
the canal, of three or four indies to a yard. This fioorii^ is
divided into about twenty compartments or troughs, eadi
about three feet wide," by means of phuiks placed on thdr
edge. The upper end of all these troughs (here called canoes)
comntunicate with the canal, and are so fontied that water is
admitted into them between two planks that are about an incll
sepamte ' Through this opening the current falls about six
inches into the trough, and may be directed to any part bfit,
or Stopped' lit {^asure, by means of a small ^uatktity df day.

SOtltH AMftRlCfA.

IS ai

clinlflef i^^flla^'io

cdihryoff the water. '

*0n the heap of cfucalhao, at'ieqiial distances, 'are pibiced
three hi^ chairs for the officers or: overseers. After th^y are
aeated, the negroes enter th^ troughs, each provided with a
take '6{a peciHiar form and' short haindle, with ivfiich' he rakes
hit6 the trbugh about 50 or 80 pounds weight of cascalhab.
The water being then let in upon it, the cascalhao is spread
abroad and continually ^aked up to the head of the^trou^', so
fas to be kept in constant motion. This operation is performed
fcni the space of a quarter of ian hour'; the water theii tiegins
to run clearer, having washed the earthy particles' away, thie
grareUikc! matter is raked up to ifhe eod of the trough ; aftor
the current flows away quite clear, the largest stones tin
thrown but, and afterwards ' those of inferior size, then the
whole is examined with great care for diamonds. When a
negro finds one, he immediately stands upright and daps his
hands, then extends them, .holding the gem betweep his foie.
'finger and thuihb; an overseer receives it from him, artdde<
posits it in a gamella or bowl, suspended froni' the centre of
the structure, half full of wateh In this vessel all the dia-
monds found in the course of the day are placed, and at the
close of work are taken out and given to the {Mrincipal officer.
Who, after they have been weighed, registers the particulars in
a book kept for that purpose.

* When a negro is so fortunate as to find a diamond of the
weight of ah octavo (17i carats), much ceremony takes pface ;
he is crooned with a wreath of flowers, and carried in proces-
sion to the administrator, who gives him his freedom, by pay-
ing his owner for it. He also receives a present of new clothes,
and is. perinitted to work on his own account.' When a stoiie
of ei^t or ten carats is found, the negro receives 6wo new
shirts, a complete new suit, with a hat arid a handKime knife.
For' smaller stones of trivial amount proportionate premiums
are given. During my stay at Tejuco, a. stone of 16| carats
was found : it was pleasing to see the anxipus desire manifest-
ed by the <rfficers, that it might prove heavy enough to entitle

90V JH; AM^HV^A.

,t|ie ppor negro tP his freedom ; 9nd wbe% on Jb<eii9g cdeliv^i:^
and wdghed, it proved only a carat sliortof the;x<^W9i^
l^agl^t, all seemed to sympathise in. his diwippointmeqt. r,.,

* M^y precautions are taken tp prevent, the negroes fyfm
embezzling diamonds. Although they work in a bent,,ppu>-
tiqn, and consequently never know whethfa* the. overseers are
V'atching them or not, yet it is easy for them to, omit gathering
any which they seve^and to place, them, in a corner of the
trough .for the purpose of secreting them at leisure hour9» to
prevent whkh they are frequently changed while the operation
13 gping on. A word of command being given by the over-
seers) they inM^ntly move in^ each other^s troughs, so that no
opportunity of collusion can take place. If a negro be sus-
pected of having swallowed a .diamond,- he is confined iniii
strong jroom until the &ct can be ascertained. Formerly, the
punishment, in^cted on. a negro for smuggling diamonds was
confiscatipn of his person to the state: but it being thought
too hard for the owner to suffer for the o^ence of his servant,
the, penalty has been commuted for personal irajHrisonmeqJt
and .chasti^ment This is a much lighter punishment than
that which their owners, or any white man, would suffer for jt

wnilar offence. -vt' <;.'..?. •/•---;. >j;;^*.t!v'^«'^';' --.

* There is no particular regulation respectmg the dressca
the negroes : they work in the clothes most suitable for the
nature of their employment, generally in a waistcoat and a
pair of drawers, and not naked, as some travellers have stated.
Their hours of labour are from a little before sun-rise until
sun-set, half an ^our being allowed fur breakfast, and two
hours at noon. While washing they change their posture as
often as they please, which is very ne^ssary, as the work re-
quires them to place their feet on the edges of the trough,^ and
to stoop c(Hisiderably. This posture is particularly pr^udicaal
tp young growing, negroes* as it renders them in-kneed. Fc^r
or five thanes during the day they all rest, when, snuffy ^
which they are very fond, is. given to them.^ ' ,. ^ . },

What is termed the piamond ground extends aboiit. 60
leagues from north to south, and about eight from east to
west. It was first explored by some enterprising miners frpm

souta A^vottteA.

ViUot de Firiiwipe, «f«w jears after the MtablishnMl Q#t,tli«t
Umn^ The number of >diaoion(l« oent 'ov«r dunag die first > flO
y^ars aft«r tb» dttpovery Wmd to be ahnoet ineredible, mid td
fxoeed lOOQ ou«cea id weight. This- lufiply ootM not, fdil to
ditniniah the generid value of , diamonds, «■ none hud ^ver be*'
fMe been known to oomfe from any other port of the> globe,
except India, where the Brazilian diamonds wore >after«rapd6
aent, and found a better market there than in Jt^urofie. •.

About the year 177S, government toold tb« managemeAl df
the mining district into their own hands. In its pvesent 0tflt0
the establishment appinirs to produce much grenler wealth
than it actually does, During a pericd of five- yenM, from
1801 to 1806 inclusive, die expenoes were S04,000A>; Mid the
diamonds sent to the treasury at Rio tie Janeiro weighed
115,67d carats. The value of gold ^und in the >samt pc*i0d
amounted to 17,dO0i^. sterling, from-whioh it appeare that 'th^
«iiaqionda actually cost government 38«. dd. per earat. These
years were esteemed singularly productive; the mines do sot,
Ui gener^, yield to gpvemment more than 90^000< carats -Mm
jMntlly. Frxolusive of this amount, there is ai vast quantity

•mUggled. -• ■', :^ ' -1 r ■ ... ....,.,,,,.,!. f.^; :>,y>>

* The collection pf diamonds,^ says Mr. Mawe,' ^ now: in (the
possessidnofthe {irince regent, is unequalled in number^ size,
and quality, by that of any potentate itt <he worlds tmd I
am credibly inforfned, that it exceeds- in value three snillions
•terling.^ii!(iniVMl1^•! • ' • •' ^^ ; ' f<^Miitl

. Besides iron and precious stones, galena or sulphurits of
lead, as also antimony, platina, and native bismuth, it found
ill considerable quantities. Cof^ier is very 8car«e; and
toaraely any tin, or cobalt, has been met with.

AgrieuUure. — In this extensive empire, land is gmnted in
large tracts, on proper api4icati<m; pnd we may niturally
■ui^iose that the value of these tracts depends foow or lets
vpon their situation. It therefore becomea the first object of
ft cultivator, to look out for unoccupied land aa near as possi-
ble to a large tmms good roads and navigable river* are the
^lenderata next in pmnt of consequence which he 'attends to.
When he haa made choice of a situation) he^applies to the g(^

SOUTH- AMBPICA.

first (10
rfail to
t>globe»

t IC

mem of
!iit8tilt#
wealth
w, from
Md the
wieighc4
• {MriNid
thatth?

}dOM<t,

<|iuintiV|r

•win (the
iFy size,

riiiHiMW

luritA of
I it found

itect i«

aretbe

IteneUto.

thego-

verhoir of' the district, M-ho orders the proper officers to mark
out the CfXtent reqiured, generally a league or a league and a
holf Square, aometimes more. The cultivator then purchases
as mtlny negroes as he can, and cmnmences his operations by
erecting habitations for them and himself, which are generally
miserabie sheds, supported by four posts, and commonly called
ranches. His negroes are then directed to cut down the trees
and brushwood growing on the land, to such an extent as he
thinks they will be able to manage. This done, they set tire to
all they have cut, as it lies on the ground. Much of the sue*-
cess of his' harvest depends upon this burning; if the whole
be reduced to ashes, he expects a good crop ; if, through wet
weather, the felled trees remain only half burnt, he prognosti>
cates a bad one. When the ground is cleared, the negroes
dibble it with their hoes, and ^w their maize, beans, or other
pulse ; during the operation, they cut down any thing very
much in the way, but never think of working the soil. After
sowing as much seed as is thought requisite, they prepare other
ground for planting cassada, here called mandioca, the root of
which is generally eaten as bread by all ranks in Brazil. The
soil for this purpose is rather better prepared ; it is raked up
io little round hillocks, not unlike mole>hills, about four feet
asunder ; into which are stuck cuttings from branches of the
plant, about an inch thick, and six or eight long '^ these soon
take root, and put forth leaves, shoots, and buds. When
enough has been planted for the entire consumption of the
farm, the owner, if he is rich enough, prepares means for
growing and manufacturing sugar. He first employs a car-
penter to cut wood, and build a mill with wooden rollers folt
crushing the canes, by means of water if a stream is at hand,
if not, by the help of mules. While some of the negroes are
assisting the carpenter, others are employed in preparing the
ground in the same way as for mandioca. Pieces of cane con-
taining' three or four joints, and in length about six inches, cut
front the grojiring stem, are laid in the earth nearly horizonr
tally, and are covered with soil to the depth of about four
inches, 't'hey shoot up rapidly, and in three months have a
bi)shy appearance not unlike flags ; in twelve or fifteen months
^ 4 Q

SOtrtH AMERICA.

ihofc they are ready for cutting. In rich virgin soil it is not
uncommon to see canes twelve feet high, and astonishingly
thick.

Th6 Indian corn and pulse are in general ripe in four
ihdnths or eighteen weeks. The average return is two hun-
dred for otaie ; it is a bad harvest when it falls short of one
hundred and fifty. The mandioca is rarely ready to take up in
less than eighteen or twenty months ; if the land be suitable,
it then produces from six to twelve pound weight per plaht.
They gro^v very little indigo in this neighbourhood, and what
they have is a£ indifferent quality. Their pumpkins are of
enormous size, and sometimes are. served up as table vegeta^
bles, but more frequently given as food to the horses. Me-
lons here are scarcely palatable.

In no branch of husbandry are the farmers so defective as
Iri the mana^emenc of cattle. No artificial grasses are culti-
vated, no enclosures are made, nor is any fodder laid up
against the season of scarcity. The cows are never milked
regularly; they seem to be considered rather as an incum-
brance to a farm than a valuable part of the stock. They
constantly require salt, which is given them cnce in fifteen dr
twenty days, in small proportions. Their dairies, if Such they
may be called, are managed in so slovenly a manner, that the
little butter that is made becomes rancid in a few days, and
the cheese is good for nothing. In this essential department
they are deplorably defident ; rarely indeed is there to be seen
a farm with one convenience belonging to it. For want of
proper places in which to store their produce, they are obliged
to lay it in promiscuous heaps ; and it is not uncommon to see
eoffee, cotton, maize, and beans, thrown into the corners of a
damp shed, and covered with a green hide. One half is inva-
riably spoiled by mould and putridity, and the remainder is
much deteriorated, through this idle and stupid negligence.

They feed their pigs on Indian corn in a crude state ; the
time for confining them to fatten is at eight or ten months old ;
and the quantity consumed for the purpose is eight or ten
Winchester bushels each. When killed, the lean is cut off
the sides as clean as possible, the fat is cured with very little

SOUTH AMERICA. f^

salt, and in a few days is ready for market. The ribs^ chiqpt
bone, and lean parts, are dried for home consumption.

The farm-houses are miserable hovels of one story, the floor
neither paved nor boarded, and the walls and partitioijis f<|rm^
of wicker-work plastered with mud, and never under-drawi^;
For an idea of the kitchen, which ought to be the cleanest bv\^
most comfortable part of the dwelling, the reader may iiguri^
to himself a filthy room with an uneven muddy floor, intecj
spersed with poojs of slop-water, and in different parts fire:-
places formed by three round stones to hold the earthen pof^
that are used for boding meat; as green wood is the chief
fuel, the place is alpiost always filled with smoke, wh^oh, find**
ing no chimney, vei^ts itself through the doors apd other apjef*
tures, and leaves all within as black as soot.
. The horses are very fine, and in general docile; when yell
trained they make excellent chargers. Their size is from 12]^
to 14^ ha^ids, bnd they vary in price from three pound^ to
tMvelve. Mules arc considered as more useful beasts of burdeiv
The brt%d of sheep is quite unattended to, and muttoi) i?
rarely or never eaten. Here is a very fine and large breed qf
goats, whose milk is generally used for domestic purposes.
The dogs are very indifferent, and of no distinct race.

The market is generally well supplied ; and in the fruit
seasons is stored with pines, grapes, peaches, gufivas, banfinajl,
a few apples, and an enormous quantity of quinces. Esculenjt
plants are grown in great profusion and variety. Here is ^
favourite bulbous root called the cara, which is equal to thp
best putatoe, and even more farinrtceous ; it grows to about
five inches in diameter, and affords excellent food either boiled
or roasted. Here are. fine cabbages, sallad-herbs, turnips,
cauliffowers, artichokes, and potatoes ; the latter, though very
good, are little used : che sweet potatoe is in greater reques,t
among the natives. Maize, beans, green peas, and every spe-
cies of pulse, flourish amazingly. Fowls are cheap, being
from three-pence to six-pence 6ach ; small pigs from one to
two shillings ; and flitches of bacon, cured afler the mode of
tlie country, ^t about two-pence per pound. Turkies, geese.

erfi

SOtTTk XMEAt^AI

anil'duik'4' A^e at)unt!^t; lind't'l^a^otiabt^ in ^ri«e^ the latter
are of the Musiiovy breed, enorrftously larj^e, some weighing
ten or fourteen pounds. Here is a singular breed of cocks:
they resemble the comirion Bnglish in pluninge and hhape, Hut
they crow very loud, aVid continue their ia^ note for « minute
or two; when their vdice is good, they are nrnch cWeented,
and arc sent for a^ curiosities fi-bm all parts of l)i'n%il. Thfe
cattle are in general gbod, considering that so little attention
is paid to feeding th6ih ;' t^hen their pastiYrcs are full <if grass,
they are tolerably fat, but tvhen otherwise they become leani
A drove may be bought at tWerityifont br thirty »<hillin^ a
head ; beef at about a p^niiy or three halfpence per poiind:
Thie curriers have a sid^ular method of blackening cow-hides
and calf-skins: when thc^ haVe prepared them for that oj^ra-
tioh, they sear(ih for some mud-hole at the bottom of a feiru-
gidous stratum, a ditch for in^ance ; with the mud they tover
that side of the skin required to be stained; and they preftr
this niateri^l td the solutioti of copp(>ras, probably with reason,
as 'the suljihate of iron, formed by the dfeComposetf p\Tite$i
acts more mildly in this state than wIkmi applied in the com-
mon'w&y. ''* ''' "'' ■' '"' '' ' '■ ■• -''^-^i /i^yr-^ o .'t^-^>^

/»opw/iite.-— THe ^piilation bf thfe lat'gfe'pbrtlmi' of'Sontk
America has not beeik accurately detailed. According to
Stauiiton, the whites in tht< firazils were computed at S00,000;
and the negroe* at 600^000. Pinkerton supposes that thie
Portuguese and their descendants cannot amount to half a
milKon, and the natives three or fbur.millions. But, fVom the
pbservations of Mr. Mawe, it would seem that the Portuguese
are more' numerous, and the natives considerably less, than
this statepfient would make them.

Manners. — The inanners of the Eurdpean settlers^ will be
noticed in describing the towns which they inhabit. The in- .
dijgenes are said to be irreclaimable savages, under the middle
size, muscular, but active ; of a light brown comptexion,
straight black hair, ahd long dark eyes. They chiefly subsist
apart, on the coast between Janeiro and San Salvador. Their
language has not been investigated by the incurious Portq.

SOUTH AMERIpA,

C77

guese, who seem destined by nature to cofver the faults of the
S|iaiu8h colonists, and to evince that even European nations
may be found destitute of knowle(l;i;e and intelligence.

Cities and Towns, — The city of Rio Janeiro^ or St. Sef^-
tiaiit in charmingly situated on a projectiug quadrangular prd-
montory of an irregular form, three of whose sides are opposed
to the harbour^ and the fourth sheltered from the prevailing
westerly blasts by a skreen of high hills well covered with
wo'kJ. The side of die town, which is next to that part of
the harbour where the shipping usually lie a1 anchor, is nearly
a mile and half in length, and the depth inwards about three-
fourths of a mile. The northern an^Ie of the promontory is a
bold broken eminence, on one point of which thore is a regular
fortification, and on the other a convent of Benedictine monks,
whieh, being also surrounded with lines of defence, is actually
as well as metaphorically a church militant. These heights
completely command the town and the anchorage ; and they
appear to command also, at least they ace upon a level with,
the strongest work in the harbour, on which the defence of the
place is thought principally to depend. This is the Ilha dos
Cobras^ or Snake island, a rock about 80 feet high at the
point on which the citadel stands, 'Bad slanting to eight at the
opposite end : its length is 30O yards; and it is detached by a
narrow but very deep channel fi;pm the eminence on which the
Benedictine convent is situated. Bound every side of this
strongly fortified island, and close to its shores, ships of the
greatest draught of water may lie in perfect security. Here
also are a commodipus dock-yard, an arsenal of naval stores, a
sheer hulk, and a wharf for heaving down and careening ship-
ping. The largest fleets, however, may anchor in this capa-
cious harbour, entirely out of the reach of any of the guns
that are mounted on the forts.

On landing from the harbour, the first obj^t in the town
that catches the attention is a handsome square, surrounded
on three of its sides with buildings, and the fourth open to the
water. Along this side is erected a noble stone quay, with
flights of steps at each extremity and in the centre, the last of
which is the common landing-place. When this line of ma-

SOUTH AMERICA.

soDry shall be extended the whole length of the town, which is
inteiidec* to be done, it will serve not merely as an ornament
and convenience, but as a considerable defence against the at-
tempt of an enemy to land. Near the central flight of stairs
is a quadrangnlar obelisk, throwing, from each of its four
fronts, a constant stream of pure limpid water, for the use of
the lower part of the town and of the shipping in the luirbour.
The upper side of tiie square, facing the harbour, is entirely
occupied by the palace of the viceroy, a lung plain building,
neither remarkable for elegance of design nor peculiarity of
construction.

The palace, the obelisjc, and the pier^ are all built with
hewn blocks of granite ; and the surface of the square is fi solid
floor of the same material, sprinkled over with quart^ose sand.
The granite being of that kind which contains a large propor-
tion of glistening niica, is highly injurious to the eye, w];)ich is
scarcely ab|e to bear the dazzling rays of tlie sun playing
throughout the whole day on one side or othpr of this open
area^i— glaring, embjem pf the brilliant exploits of the Portu-
guese nation in earlior times !

Many of the houses in St. Sebastian are far from being oon«>
temptible: they a^e mostly two stories high, covered with tiles,
and have wooden balconies extending in i'rout of the upper
stories; but the best of them wear that dull and gloomy ap^
pearance, which all buildings must necessarily Imve whose lat^
ticed windows supply the want of glas». The streets are in
genejral tolerably straight, some of considerable width, though
mpstly narraw. The principal ones are paved on both sides
with broad flag stones of granite. The refineuient of a trot-
toir, so rarely met with out of England, was not expected to
\e found in a foreign settlement of Portugal. The shops are
large and commodious, generally well stocked with the manu-
factures of Europe, chiefly those of Great l^ritain, which, after
being exiiibiled in the windows of the capital and the principal
cities and towns of the empire till their fashion is out of date,
are shipped ofl* to the trading nations on the continent, and
from thence to their foreign settlements. In the catalogue of
wacea exhibit^ ^^ the shops gf I^io de Jani^iro, English ^u^ck

SOUTH AMERICA.

679

mecl'icines and caricature prints are not the least esteemed n6r
the least abundant.

This place is said to he unhealthy ; and instances of longe-
vity are very rare. The unhcalthiness may arise, however,
more from Icxsal and temporary circumstances, than from the
necessary influence of the climate. Water is suffered to stag-
nate in marshes near the town, though they might easily be
drained, or filled with earth. Strangers, particularly, feel
their tormenting consequences in the infinite swarms of mus-
(juitucs, or large gnats, which attack them for some time after
their airival. This is not the only annoyance to strangers, in
the night, at Rio ; for there, as in LislMin, according to the
observation of lord Kaims, the wheels of carts are purposely
constructed to make a most harsh and cioaking noise, to pre-
vent the devil from harming th^ cattlo that arc yoked to them.
The fertile powers of the imagination could scarcely have de-
vised a more effectual method of producing a horrid din.

No real or fancied danger, however, curbs the propensity of
all classes of society hen towards gaiety and pleasure. There
are three convents for men, and two tor women, in this place ;
but little is said to be practised, in any of them, of the auste-
rity and self-denial supposed to be intended by their original
institution. Though the conquest of the country originally
was undertaken with the professed intention of converting the
natives to Christianity, and ample endowments have been
made for mairuaining friars to preach the gospel to those infi-
dc'is, yet not one of the former was now engaged in such a
troublesome, unsafe, and, perhaps, hopeless enterprise. In-
deed, a few Italian missionaries residing here, took pains to
send amongst the Indians such of that tribe who frequent Rio,
as they were enabled to gain over to their faith, by presents as
well as by persuasion, in order, by that means, to endeavour
at converting the India* .; dispersed throughou*: the country.
Neither the friars nor the nuns of this place seem at all di».
posed to run into the gloomy excesses of devotion ; and no.
thing can be more sprightly than the conversation of the latter
with strangers at the convent grates. The men are, certainly,
n^ torrupted by thit writings of free-thinkers. No such exift

880

SOUTH AMERICA.

in the language of the country; ond few Ponugueie^ro. ac-
quainted with any other. There arc but two bookaellei;* in
Kioy whose shops contain only books of medicine and divinity.
But the religious system, which held its empire there with
■uch happy effects no long, bears now some resemblance to a
machbe, of which the spring, by its own internal wori-.ing« is
slackened at length, and wearing out. No inquiMtion, or tri.
bunal of the holy office, as it is eallod, i# established in the
Brazils. The ceremonies of religion are, however^ regularly
kept up, and even multiplied. , In the day time, bells and
sometimes sky.rockets announce, at every hour, some solem-
nity performing in the churches ; and after sunset the streets
are crowded with processions. At every corner is stuck up,
in a glass case, the image of the Virgin Mary, to whieh bo-
mage is regularly paid by those who pass it.

* In one part of the harbour of Rio,^ says Staunton, ' not
far from the town, at a place called Val Loiigo, are- $he ware-
houses for the reception, and preparation for sale, of tbe slaves
imported chiefly from Angola and Benguek on the coast of
Africa. This spot was appropriated to the purpose of cleans-
ing, ancMnting^ fattening, rendering sleek and solcable, and
concealing the defects of, this class of beingi, who seemed little
sensible of the humiliation of their condition. About 5000
were usually sold, every year, at Uio, out of S0,000 purohai>ed
for the whc^ of the Brazils. The average price was about
twenty.eight pounds sterling each, before they were stu^^d
from Africa. A duty of 10,000 reis a head is paid to the queen
of Portugara agent there. The whole amounted to about
60^000/. a year, which goes into her privy purse, and is not
.considered as part of the public revenue. In the whole of the
Brazils there were supposed to be, at least, 600,000 slaves,
born in Africa, or descended from those who were. The
whites were computed to amount to about 800,000. The
propoi-ticm of l>laeks to whitos in the town of Rio was sup-
posed to be at least 40,000 of the former, including such as
had been emancipated, to about 3000 of the latter.'*

St. Salvador is the capital of the capitania of Babia, and is
also called Cidade de Bahia; it was originally the seat olP the

' ^bUJtH AMURTCA.

«n

e<lTP.ae-

ie\kx» in
divinity.
i«i« with
unco tu tt
irkingf is
n, or tvU
>{l in the
r«gulArly
bcUs and
lue golem*
;he streets
stuck up,
wbieb ho-

iton, *not
. the ware-
' the slaives
le coast of
) of cleans-
cabWt and
emed little
bout 5000
purchased
was about
re shipped
the queen
to about
and is not
hole of the
KX) slaves,
ere. The
Oa The
was sup-
ng such as

tna, and is
seat of the

sMpreftie ^T^ritWht bf Brazil. It consists of two parCii, Hat
built on low i^und near the nhore, where the cOrhmercci is
citrfiefVon, af)d the other on a hi^h hill, whith fieiog consider-
ed th« most healthy, w t\\n rcMdenco of nil the people of c6n.
soqfuehce. ' Its population is said to be nearly e(|ual to that of
llio de Janeiro, and w ntatcd at not lew than 70,000 souls.
ThehiHisn are built with laTticed windowH and balconies, fci-
milar to those in Hio du Janeiro The churche" are the pu11>-
lie iHtildings most worthy df notice : they are said to be richly
ornamented within. The government of the city is vested in
a vicer^yi or governor who \t nominated by the court for
thi^ years. ' Here all law proceedings, civil and criminal,
Ibome before the rospcctite mat^iHtrated, whose sentence is in
getieral final, though appeals in certain cases may be made to
the court at Rio de Jatieiro.

Tho to<vff i» tolerably defended, also the bay, as t»cll as cir-
•ounistances will permit, dn the shore is a 'oynl arsenal, and
•numenous houses for stovrs, &c. Thfe custom-house and
wharfs ore conveniently situated. Ships of war have been
built here, also many larg<> and fine vessels i for the merchant
service^ For thcs* purposes, a largfi supply of firte timber was
raadily obtained fnwn the interior by the nttmber of fine rivers
which flow into the bav. The wood holds iron better, and is
superior tu our oak. v

•The manners and customs of th& people differ httis fVdm

t^iQse of the inhalutantfi of. the capital ; but it is > said that in

the best »icieties here, more gaiety and refinement prevail, and

.the higher claHses are more sociable, than in Rio de Janeiro.

A tastai for rouaio is general : there are few houses without the

guHaii and all tlie nir re respectable families have piano-fortes.

Th&ladfcs dress in the EngHsh style, pnd ornament themselves

with gold chains: they weari very few diamonds ; their fa-

vourittiigcfld is tha chrysolite. For diohailnllo at home they

iwear.>» kidd of looee dress, over wluch they throw a veil 9n

tlieieatfance, of! strangers. They are •considered as far lessip-

dustrious than the females of th&&)utliern districts. Tho db-

.itiesticidtetfe of the men consists of a jacket and loose trowsers,

moKleiof light printed «otton.! Jieligious processions take place

4 R

SOCrm AMERKA.

^^B ; «ftd these ft»(ive ocoosions ere 4«stliaguidiet4 iiy variouB
tfithiiseM^ttt* whkh oontiAae fifom rooming tonight. At these
titites the Bm^HUiiJfs Have * oci^tcttn off Coveting the tmlla aui4
kilMhies ef their hcnMes with heautiftll «lks made and nruu
^icltited * IfSMr the pti^rpose. Oiie Of the most memorable seasons
tit Fej^bing, olP late yeai**, y^Bs <when the pi^nce touched At tfii»
i^ty all hift voyage 10 Rio de JaneWo, and remaiMed se^rial
id^ys. 1rh<e JMhabitanto te^ti>^ fhehr loyahy and Mtachnient
<tb yUn >by ev^y fMil^ 'dewolistMtion of joy, and by a dispiiay
of ^1 the gi'andeut' iftd mi^n^cenc(e whidi 1!hey had means to
•foiiiith. As a (more solid ftreof of their attachment and i^-
<gatd, they 'tfnanittieiisly toted to subscribe ^ sum equal to heAt
a Million «t<A^ltng to build a palace for the royi^I fam My, if the
prince would condescend to reside among them.

The dimate » always wafm, but is (refreshed lyjrdie sea-
^bheeee, dHd^is in wtme degree tempered by the ^ng absence of
thi6 sufi, Hhc nights heing almost of uniform leffgth thnsnghout
the yiear. Though hotter thttn Rio de Janeiro, Biihia isobn-
'Sidercd >muclh more he&hh!Ul, tiating a more airy ^uatioi^,
and beitig better supplied with wtfter. The pirMtice fff bath-
ing is very gieneral, and mo^t of the heujes Ihave conveniences
•for ^is pul^pose.

Pernambucot the capital of the capitofria vf 'thdt name
though dilated nearly in the latitudcdf eight tlegnees, isconsi-
'dcred very healthy. The town is built on a rising ground,
'^uch exposed, and constantly r«dfireshed by the flea^breeze. tt
'hrismbi^'^xedlient edifices, and is Mfppmed to contain 'more
oj^iilent 'merchants, in proportion to the population, than any
mhcr-plnce in JBfazil. It produces vanilla, cocoa, and a consi-
dck'al^ quantity df sugar; but the chief article of its trade is
cotton, which for many years had the reputation of 'being su-
<perior'to feiny other, but of late it has much deteriomted, from
negtMt, eithigr in the growth, or in the gatheritig the pods and
denning it fVom the seeds, or probably'from general inattention
to the whole management of it.

Para k also the chief townof a c(lpfto«ita, and is situated
tin the riv«r Q\)cantins, the navigation of whidh is difficult,

and is s

aloop oi

the towi

y«ine.

genend^

Thej

13 dange

next, fro

of the sai

a gn;at ti

2il) inbr

water, j

an inland

north anc

ii. To t

ground, t

tress of S

Rio Gran<

of the in!

immense t

and prepa

is called, i

exported

vessels wi(

ports, and

average mi

Santos i

of the grei

vessels tra(

huUt, and

keepers, ai

situation is

low, wood)

the high ni<

of the clout

St. Paul

miles in ex

land, and m

■*'<

SOUTH AMERICA.

aiiouB
t these
Hb a^i4
1 ntiBi-
sefisons
kt this
scleral
chment
disfiAay
leans to
and 1*6-
I to haAt

fl^e'sea-

Mence of

ftiaghout

iaisoon-

nt'UatioAt

df bath.

(reiiieaces

Eit tmme
is consi-
ipround,
eeze. It
ahi'inope
than any
aconu-
trade-is
being su-
ted, from
pods and
lattention

t situated
difficult,

and is seldom attempted, except by small craft : the ConBanio^
sloop of WW with great care sailed up it, and aneh(Hred max
the town, several days previous to the expeditioiD' against Car
yenne. The town may contain 10,000 inhabitants, who aire m
generid very poor, prob^y from ivant of comm^ice. ; 1

The port of Rio Grande is situated about 02 deg. south ; \t
ifi dangerous to enter, 6rst from its being shoal water, and
next, from a violent sea idways running, and from the sbifting
of the sands. Notwithstanding these inconveniencies, there ia
a great trade carried on from this place toall the ports of ^ra<-
2il, in brigs and small vessels that do not draw above ten feet
water. AtWr passing the bar, which is long, they, enter iato
an inland sea, or lagoon, of deep water, and navigate to th^
north and west to its head, where the principal river runs into
ii. To the southward is the lagoon Meni, and the neutral
ground, a little to the southward of which is the Spanish for-
tress of Santa Teresa, lately put in repair. The vicinity of
Rio Grande is extremely popqlous^ The principal occupadons
of the inhabitants are, the breeding of cattle, for whidi the
immense tract of pasture land is so well calculated ; the drying
and preparing of hides ; and the making of cTiarque, or wh^t
is called, in the river Plata, jug-beef The quantity of hides
exported from hence is almost incredible : they furnish many
vessels with entire cargoes, which are carried to the northern
ports, and from thence embarked for Europe. The annua)
average may be estimated at not less than SOOjdQO.

Santos is a place of considerable trade, being the store-house
of the great captaincy of St. PauPs, and the resort of many
vessels trading to the Rio de la Plata. It is tolerably weU
built, and its population, consisting chiefly of merchants, shop^
keepers, and artificers, amounts to 6 or 7000 souls. Thf
situation is by no means healthy, as the coimtry around it isi
low, woody, and frequently deluged with rain, by reason of
the high mountains in its vicinity, which impede the passa^^e
of the clouds.

St. PaiWs is utuated on a pleasing eminence of about two
miles in extent, surrounded on throe sides by low m«adoW
land, and washed at the base by rivulets, wluch almost in^ii-

SOirttt AMKttlCA;

late it ill raiiiy A^leathw ; -it 4^ (•6nt\6cted with' ttie hi*gfi lavul'by
a narrow ridgel The tivulets flow into iipr^tty lar|ge"Btv«am
call^^ the Tieti, which runs within o mile bf the to«m^ itt^^
south-west direction. Over 'thetn there ari^ several brid^vesi;
some of stone and others of wood, lyailt by the late go)r«rnor.
The streets of St. PauFs owing to itsekvatioti (abmit 50 feet
above the plain), and the water which almu&t surrounds it, are
in general l-uinarl<iahly clean. The pof^ulation amounts to full
15,000 souls; perhaps nearly 20,000: 'the clergy, includiiug
all ranks of religious orders^ may be reckbned' at 500. ' Here
are few manufactures of any consequence : a little c(tarSe oot>-
ton is spun by the hand, and wdven into cloth, <(Vhich serves
for a variety of wearing apparel, sheets, fif p. ' *

Santa Cms is ^tuated oh the iJilartd St. Catherine, which is
separated from tlie continent, in south lat. 27 and 29 deg., by
a narntw strait, in some places scarcely half a league wide,
^^he produce of the island consists in rice; niaiiie, niandioea,
coffee of excellent quality, oranges, perhaps the fi^st ih the
world, and a vanety df other fruits. ? i lo. . fi ,

There are few towns of any coTtseqiiert'ce in tbe intetior.
Those that have been formed 0wc their ' settlement to the
mines, and amongst which Tejuco is the most consideMiftJki'.

Tejuco being ^iituated in a sterile district, whicih |)r«!>duoes
nothing for the maintenance of its inhabitants, in number
about (JOOO, depends, for a supply of provisions, on farms si.
tuated several leagues distant. At no place are there seen a
glreater proportion of indigent people, particularly of females.
Yet, notwithstanding the idleness of the inhabitants, Tejuco
may be called flourishing, on account of the circulation of |)ro-
perty created by the diamond works. The anAual sum paid
by government for the hire of negroes, salaries of officers, and
various necessaries^ such as nitre arid irotis does not amount to
less than 35,000/. ; and this, added to the demand^ of the in-
habitants of the town and its vicinity, occasions a considerable
trade. The shops are stocked with English cottons, baizes,
and cloths, and other manufactured goodi^ ; also hams, cheese,
butter, porter, and other articles of consumption. Mules fironi
Bahia and Rio de Janeiro coipe loaded with them.

fFmd

of comm

zil, the

duties ai

the jud|

disposed

unnecess

- Iron f

constant^

have be<

heat and

is salt, i\

made ani

which is

that brof

Common

larly blu

Cotton g

priced, ri

dress-hat;

of late bt

fefable t

ware, an

some plai

lamps.

ture, tin

gunpowd

low^rice

tongues,

all, Indii

mortars,

and cpttc

fine stock

It is tL

to send

variety o

sisting ch

China gu

S0U^]H; AM$P,I€A.

bridge^
g<yr<jrrtoti
ut i50 feet
ids it, art
nts to Full
incKitWng
10. Her*
:(tflirtie oot^
ich serves

»,' which -ii

9 aeg., by

igufe iwide.
tiiatidiocft,
^f«t iti the

re Ihtet^f.
L»nt to the

1 ^r(!>duoes
in tiuiviber
m rarms si-
heve seen a
of females,
ts, Tejuco
tion of *pro-

sum paid
(ffioers, and

amount to
9 of the in-
soDsitlerable
8, baizes,
ims, cheese,
Mules from

'.:<

., (Trade and Commerce,— Siwce the establishment of the treaty
of commerce between the British government and that of Bi-ai^
zil, the contraband trade has been almost done aiyay ;, for tlie
duties are now much reduced, and the accommodation wtuch
the judge and subordinate officers of the custom-house ape
disposed to allow is such, as to render that nejEarious practice
unnecessary.

- Iron and steel are articles for which there is a general and
constant demand. The smiths prefer Swedish iron, as they
have been always accustomed to it, and do not know how to
heat and work the English. The next article to be mentioned
is salt, in.whicH the Brazilians are by no means nice. It is
made and loaded at one or two places on the co£»t; but that
which is most esteemed comes from the Cape de Verd islands:
that brought from Liverpool is generally used in the sea-ports.
Common woollens, biuzes, and SQme stout fine cloths, particu*
larly blue and l>i. k, are genei^ally worn ; also kerseymeres;
Cotton goodsj >c .^ ■- j^i every description, espedally if low
priced, meet with "-< ; V sale. Hats of all sorts (particularly
dress-hats), and boots and shoes of Englidi manufacture, have
of late been sold in great quantities: the leather is much pre-
ferable to that made in Brazil. Common and finer earthen,
ware, and glass; some sorts of fine and coarse hardware;
some plated gotxls, as candles now begin to be used instead of
lamps. Bottled porter, Cheshire cheese, butter, cheap furni*
ture, tin-plate, brass, lead in various shapes, shot of all sizes,
gunpowder, drugs, some philosophical instruments, books,
low-priced paper, watches, telescopes, salt provisions, as haips,
tongues, and barrelled pork, low-priced sadlery, and, most of
all, India and other goods fit for the African coast Marble
mortars, mirrors, and many fancy articles of less note. Silk
and cotton hosiery, fashionable dresses for ladies, particularly
fine stockings and shoes.

It is to be observed, that the mother country still continues
to send oil, wine, brandy, linens, cottons, some silk, and a
variety of articles of infe^or consequence. India goods, con<>'
sisting chiefly of cottons, are sent from the Malabar coast, and
China goods are in great plenty. From Nort|i America are

^.i-

SOUTH AM|EI9A.

inqwrted flour, salt provisions turpentiQe, tar, staves, house-
hold furij^iture, &c. Naval stores, clothing for sailors, arms,
IiId. may be said t« be generally in demand.
h The staple articles of trade from JBrazil and the river Plate
which are most in demand in England, when its markets are
Bot overstocked, are cutton, coffee, hides, talk>w of good qua-
lity, horns, hair, fur-skins, and feathers. Sugar cannot be
enumerated among them, as exist^ing colonial regulations pre-
vent it from being generally used : but Brazil ia well calculated!
for growing it, having every oonvetUencc of situation, and. all
the materials requisite for machinery. To the above m^y be
added some wood ; that beautiful species called jacaranda,
here denominated rose-wood, is subject to so high a duty, in
this country, that it cannot be generally introduced for cabinet
use, that from the East Indies excepted. Indigo is in general
inferior. Rice of excellent quality is cultivated to great ex-
tent. Tqbacoo, it is to be hoped> will be better cured, to suit
the English market ; for ^ ? where can a soil and climate be
found more favourable to the production of that plant than in
Brazil.

Since the emigration of the court from Lisbon, Bio de Ja-^
neiro may be truly called the mart of South America, and is
likely to become a general depot of goods from the four quar«
ters of the gbbe : yet its commerce to Africa, to India, and
the islands in the Indian sea belonging to the crown of Portu-
gal, as well as its intercourse with China, has scarcely |)een
entered into. So many dis(q)pointraents, caused by the poli>
tacal events in the mother country, and so unexpected an in-
flux of goods from England, occasioned such a stagnation in
commercial dealings, that the opulent merchants were deter-
mined not to speculate. When trade shall have resumed its
ragular channel, Rio de Janeiro will, no doubt, be a grand
and general market for the produce of all the ancient Portu-
guese possessions : it will be a kind of half>way house betvreen
Europe and India, and every description i^ Asiatic pixxluce
mil be found in it.s warehouses. Brazil, freed fruiii u)lonial
imtrictioas, Mrill so(m become doiibly populous ; its gold, in-
•taad of being transported to Ibreign oouotries as lieretofore,

willf^U

lature, it

country :

siune spM

Cowm

at present

not yet e

polities of

over eadi

fonoe to fiu

important

fiincelhe«

RevftUi*

««o percei

branches c

ports are fl

compared
«fe, beside
oiilitia, wh
a feiwnidab
Hieior^.
dental. |j
vent»ren
wasinoveaf
short time,
some mem
of SfMin,
duit pwver
have oven
avohbtshdp
and a few
Dutch con
arrived; a
public neoc
hands of a
saved sevei
into whidh

SOUTtt AMEHICA.

>8, house-
rs, arms,

iver Plate
irkets ore
^ood qua-
Kinnot be
tions pre-
i^cuUted
Q, and. all
re m^y be
lacaranda,
a jiuty in
or cabinet
in general
great ex-
>d, to suit
ilimate be
nt than in

lio de Ja*
[;a, and is
bur quar-
ndia, and
of Portu-i
rcely \iesn

the poU-
ed an in-^
^nation in
ere deter-
sumed its
ic a grand
nt Portu-
e between

pix)duee
II) ci)lonial

gukl, in-
jeretofore,

will pfaretiUrtf among tlie inhabitants; aqd, under a wise'lc
lirture, it is reasonabie to hope, f hat in twenty years this ^at
country will rise in prosperity more than any other In -the
slune spaee of time.' *>' • ' '^

dafoemment. — The government of this important eountry is
at present directed by the prince regent of Portugal, who has
not yet evmced any disposition to rcti'm amidst the stonny
poliHes of Europe. T^ i country is divi ''>d into eapiainciet^
orer eadi of which a governor presides, ho has a military
ibroe to support his measures. Several umi il regulaitions and
important im|>rorcments have been made . the governmcBt,
fiince die emigration of the Portuguese coui <

lievmtte.r^A fifth upon aJl gold obtained . the mines, and
ten per cent, upon the products of the land, iocM the principal
branches of the revenue. The duties upon imports and car-
ports are also conuderable.

Army. — The military establishment of Brassil is oomsiderabie
compared with the population. Every Portuguese and Cre-
ole, besides a ^eat number of free blacks, are enrolled in tlie
militia, which, aided by the nature of tlie country, might uffi»r
a formidable opposition to an invading enemy.

Hittory. — The discovery of the Brazils was merely acd-
dmtal. It was first settled by convicts; but afterwards ad-
*entw>en of dkSkrent descriptions joined the colony, which
was inereaecd by ^iie importation of slaves from AAriea. In a
short time, the wiioie sea coast, upwards of SOOO miles, was in
some neassNre settled. But when Portugid fdl into the power
of Sp«n, the Daifech, who had revolted from the tyranny of
that power, turned tlieir arms upon Brazil : and they would
have overnm the whdle, if Don Midiael de Texiera, the
archbishop, had not taken arms, and at the head of h's monks
and a few scattened foroes, put a stop to the torrent of the
Dutch conquest. He made a gallant stand until succours
arrived; and then resigned the commission with which the
public ncoessity and his own virtue had armed him, into the
hands of a person appointed by authority. By this standi ihe
saved seven of tlie captain^ips, or provinces, out of fourtoea,
into whidh Braeil is divided ; the rest fell into the hands of

«88

«OUTH AMERICA.

ttie'Duteht who conquered and kept them with abftiv«ry'ttui
conduct, which would deserve i|ioi« a^ause if it had heen
l:g(>vemed by humanity. ij-;of .

The famous captain, prince Maurice of Nassau, was the
perwm to whom the Dutch owed this conquegt, theestabKsh-
m0i»t of their oobny there, and that advaritageoul peace which
secured thenrt in it. But as it is the genius of mercantile peo-
ple to desire a sudden profit in all their designs^ and a)) this
oolony was not under the immediate int^)ection of the States,
but subject to the company called the West India company,
the latter acted in such a manner as compelled the! prince to
resign. The impolitic economy and severity of 'the company
at length encouraged the Portuguese, wh<> reconquered the
Brazils; but not till after a struggle in which the States dis-
played great vigour, though too late.

Since this struggle for the sovereignty of Brazil, nothing
remarkable occurred in its history, except aieeble attempt of
the Creoles to throw off the.Fortuguese yoke, until the arrival
of the court from Portugal in 1807. The auuptiuii <^ this
measure, in any case of extreme necessity, had frequently
l)een suggested. But ni the period of the French invasion,
the prince regent evinced the most extreme jreluctance to quit
the shores of that country he had so long governed; though
lord Strangfbrd was indefatigable in his attempts to oonfirm
the resolution of the court, and was perpetually oontrattirig the
independence and gigry of the new empire m South America,
with the abject vassalage and contemptible inngnificauoe which
alone could be expected were the prince to remain in Europe.
At. last, Bunaparte^s declaration, that the house of Braganza
had ceased to reign, removed every objection ; and aocortiing-
ly, on the morning of the S9th of November, the Pt^tuguese
flet>t sailed out of the Tagus, with the whole of the royal fa-
mily of Braganza, and a considerable number of faithful
counsellors, and respectable and opulent adherents. The
fleet consisted of eight sail of the Une and four large frigates,
and several other vessels of war, besides a number of Brazil
ships, and amounted in all to 36 sail, containing about 18,000
Portuguese subjects. As they passed through the British

S0U1?H AMBRICA.

Averyttul
had been

, was the
esUbKsh-
Mce which
intUe peo-
mdaiithis
he States,
company,
E> miikce to
e company
quered the
$tat«s dis-

fil, nothing
! attempt of
i the arrival
iiuil <^ this
frequently
;h invauon,
\nce to quit
sd; though
, to confirm
trattirigthe
America,
Luoe which
in Europe.
Braganza
aocortiing-
IPortuguese
royal fa-
of faithful
ints. The
■ge frigates,
ir of Brazil
Bt 18,000
cho British

sqiiadrop^ aireblprockl salute wa^ fired, and Uie specttfcle ^as,
iu several respects,, grand and intevesting.

On the arrival of the court at Rio de Janeiro, severakpublic
measures w«re suggested by the conde^ de Linhwr^, and
anl^pted by the prince regent, that have «minently tended to
acceki?ate the progress o^ wiprovement in this grand division
of %>m^-,America, which seems destined to f<H*m oneof the
most .wealthy, populous, and powerful empires on earth.
.An unsucce^^ttl attempt- was lately made at Pemambuoo to
revolutioqi^ithe Rraeils :< but although it failed, the ^amplef
of tbe|)atriois in.the neighbouring countries must tend to keepi
l4i(ve the denre for independence, which the imbecile' and i^u-
pidiiourt.at.iRiade Janei|o is'httlecalculated either to sooth
ortarepresa • • •< ■"

^'-"

^H£ French settlements in Guiana were first formed about
the year 163d, and extend from the mouth of a small
river called Amano on- the west, to another called Aracaraon
the east; though recently the limit was attemj^ted to be ex-
tended, at the. expence of tJie Portuguese, to the estuary of
the Maranon. On the south the line seems arbitrary; but
the who^ extent does not exceed SdO British miles in length,
by S4iO in breadth. The chief town is on a small isle called
Gaylmo, whence the whole territory is commonly styled Ca-
yenne. The soil. and climate in general seem unexcep^ona-
ble; but the- situation of the town being ill chosen, in a
swampy isle, its disadvantages have been laxly ascribed to the
whole possession. The inland parts remain obstructed by
thick f<nx;sts and underwood^ and during the rtuqs many

4 S

ff^

SOUTH AMERICA.

parts ore inund«tf(). The dvy season is from June till Octo-
ber, and the heaviest rains in our winter months.
, Difierent French companies were formed, but successively
faUed in their attempts to improve this colony. The Engli^
took it in 1667, and it was i^rwards taken by the Dutch in
1676, but at peac^ restored to the French. In 1688, the co-
lonists undertook a plundering expedition, which failing, gave
a severe shock to the prosperity of the colony, which has evev
since languished at Cayenne. Soon after the peace of 1763,
the I'rench court made vigorous efforts to give importance to
this settlement. Twelve thousand iben, engaged in France as
laboiirers, wens landed ; but as no habitation or proper provi-
sion had been made fof them, ten thousand of these wretched
beings in consequence perished, and the survivors^ demanding
to return to Europe, were unwillingly brought back. About
a; million sterling was uselessly expended on this enterprise.
The fugitijv^e planters, who had fled from St. Domingo at the
revolution, have, however, done some good to the colony.
Cayenne was recently occupied by a Portuguese garrison, but
restored to France in 1814.

The first production of Cayenne was arnotto, a red dye.
Cotton, indigo, and sugar, were next introduced; and, in
1721, coffee was brought fh)m Surinam. Twelve years after,
they planted cocoa. In 1763, the population and production
stood thus: 500 whites, who employed 1500 negroes and
ISOQ native Indians, and produced about 260,000 lbs. of ar.
potta, 80,000 lbs. of sugar, 18,000 lbs. of cotton, 2T,000 lbs.
of coffee, 92,000 lbs. of cocoa, and this is still nearly the
situation of the colony. The cultivation of indigo, which at
one time was carried on successfully, has greatly fallen off.
Ci^enne pepper is the most noted product of this country;
and, the inhabitants using it to excess, a conaderable quantity
is always imported from Peru. The town contains about
1200 white inhabitants, exclu^ve of the garrison. During
the French revolution, several eminent men were banished to
this inhospitable colony.

SOUTH AMERICA.

Octo-

irively

Itch in
the CO*

5. gave
as even
■1763,
anee to
•aiiee a»
r provU
rretched
Danding
About
terprise.
ro at the
> colony,
ison, but

) /

ENGLISH DOMINIONS.

npHESE valuable possessions in Guiana, which Great Bri-
tain recently obtained, were originally settled by the
Dutch. English Guiana is situated to the north-west of the
French settlement. The length, south-east to north-west, is
about 850 British miles alcmg the shores of the Atlantic ; but
the breadth only 160. It is divided into three different go^
v^mments, Surinam, Berbice, and Essequebo, which it may
be proper to notice separately, after taking a general view of
the whole. '

Climate. — Some have reported the climate of Guiana to be
tnild and wholesome, in consequence of receiving the trade
wind fresh from the oceati. All the disorders known in hot
countries are, however, very prevalent.

Animals. — The laubba, about the siise of a large cat, is pe<.
culiar to this part of America. Snakes are numerous. The
aboma, when full grown, is 30 feet in length, and three feet ia
circumference at the middle of the body. The red and yellow
mackaw are also peculiar to Guiana. The galvanic eel is
often found in the river Essequebo. This country likewise
abounds with those dangerous animals and tormenting insects
that usually inhabit the hot regions of South America.

Botany. — In consequence of the swampy soil and mont at»
mosphere of this region, vegetation presents a vigour and wild
exuberance perhaps without parallel. Here are two peculiair
species of palm, the annotta, the quassia, several medicinal
plants, and fatal poisons. The silk-cotton- tree of Guiana ge^
ncrally grows to the height of 100 feet. Its trunk is alwut
twelve feet in circumference. The trunk i^ often made use of
for canoes, which are formed by hollowing them with fire.

Demerary. — This province derives its name from the river
so called. Its extent of sea coast is nearly 100 miles, running

69S

SOUTH AMEBICA.

west and by north, and west : it is bounded on the east by
Berbice, and tu tlic westward by Essequebo. The river, at
its entrance, is nearly a mile and a half broad, and has a bar
four miles without of mud, over which no Vessel drawing more
than nine feet, can pass until half flood : but at high water
and spring tides, there are eighteen feet on ihis bar. Within
the entrance is a battery called Fort William rrcdcric, mount-
ing eighteen heavy pieces of cannon. Haifa mile ^ast f\r(Mn
it is a block-house, which has a commanding view of the sea,
and a communication by signal with Berbice, which gives iiti-
ipediate notice of any vessel being off the coast.

The riyer D^merary is navigable for large vessels about 100
miles above its mouth, It is settled for nearly another 100
miles further inland. At that distance are cataracts, or rapids,
which obstruct navigation; but which, on account of the ro.
mantic mountainous scenery around, are occasionally visited
by parties of pleasure.

This settlement was formed by the Dutch in 1663 ; but
four years afterwards they were expelled by the English,
whose descendants form part of the colony. It was resumed
by the Dutch in 1676. Demerary was first considered a de-
pendency of Essequebo ; but in ITT-t, having extetided itself
to a surprising degree, and offering a superior harbour to the
pther, it was determined to make that the residence of the go-
verpor, and capital of the two colonies : for that purpose the
town of Stabroek was cumm^nccd about a mile from the fort,
and on the same side the river; whilst a commandeur, or de-
puty governor, was now appointed for the Essequebo. Seven
years after this change, an Enj^ish privateer took possession of
the two colonies, in the name of his Britannic majesty ; such
was the weak state in which Holland left her colonies. The
British commanders at Barbado^s were on the eve of sending
troops to the garrison, in order to fortify them, when informa-
tion was received that the English, in their turn, had been
obliged to capitulate to a French corvette. In 1783, at the
general peace, the colonies wpre ceded to the Dutch. During
the late war, these, with the other possessions of the Dutch in
the West Indies, were entirely neglected,

In:

of In(

very ti

dered

in con

plantei

made t

mercan

the me

peace o

ing thei

ber wei

vemor,

British,

howevei

the war

which yt

Paris, ii

Thee

the prin

tries adj

on the

level.

mile bt

quite stj

each sid^

affords

tuated n|

sists of

5000 nej

Dutcl

their livj

general

six, whe

slippers,]

negro is |

planter

no sugar

SOUTH AMERICA.

096

east by
river, at
has a bar
ing more
(gh water
Within
c, mount-
tast 1\rm
f the sea,

gives im-

ttbout 100
other 100
or rapids,
of the ro-
iHy visited

1663; but
e £iigliKi)»
as resumed
iered a de-
eded itself
hour to the
B of the go-
)urpose the
)m the fort,
ieur, or de-
ho. Seven
Kissession of
jesty ; such
jnies. The
J of sending
len informa-
[1, had been
1783, at the
ih. During
;he Dutch in

In 1795, the burghers joined with the rangers and a body
of Indians in suliduing the bush negroes, who had become
very troublesome. In the following year, the colony surren-
dered to an expedition dispatched by Sir Ralph Abercromby,
in conformity to a secret application from several opulent
planters. The British capital now invested in the colonies
made them of serious importance, and a grand object with the
mercantile and monied interest of Great Britain to retain;
the mere claims on them being estimated, at the time of the
peace of Amiens, at ten millions sterling. Yet, notwithstand-
ing these possessions were given up, and on the 3d of Decem-
ber were taken possession of by the Batavian troops, the go.
vemor, who evinced the most ostentatious dislike to the
British, inflicted many serious evils upon the colony ; which,
however, were but of short continuance, a$, on the renewal of
the war, the British flag once more waved over these colonies,
which were ceded in perpetuity to England, at the peace of
Paris, in 1814.

The origin of Stahroek has been already explained. It is
the principal seat of exchange for the produce of all the coun-
tries adjacent to the Demerary and Essequebo, and is situated
on the east side of the river Demerary. Its site is low and
level. It has an oblong form, being about one-fourth of a
mile broad, and one mile long. The principal streets are
quite straight, with carriage roads. A navigable canal on
each side of the town, which fills and empties with the tide,
affords a great convenience to those houses which are not si-
tuated near the water side. The population in Stabroek con-
sists of about 1500 whites, SOOO free people -\i colour, and
5000 negroes.

Dutchmen, and other foreigners, differ in some points of
their living and household economy from the EngUsh. Their
general hour of rising is with the sun, about a quarter before
six, when they make their appearance in a morning gown and
slippers, in the portico or piazza of the house, where a fen* ale
ne^o is in waiting with the coffee equi|)age. After a Dutch
planter haS taken a dish or two of strong coffee, with little or
no sugar in it, the yonge, or boy, brings him his pipe, tobacco.

SOUTH AMERICA.

and flask of gin : with these he enjoys hsnaeif titl between
nine and ten o'clock, when he is visited by the baan, or oveiu
seer of the estate, wrho reports progress, and receives orders.
He then dresses himself, and calls for a glass of water i»nd a
napkin to wash his hands and face with^

About eleven o'clock, the Dutchman mts down to a table
covered with various kinds of animal food, vegetable sou[»,
and fruit. Pepper-pot, a soup flavoured with the juice of the
bitter cassada, and made pungent with red and green pepper,
is a constant concomitant. Madeira wine and water, and malt
liquor, are substituted for tea. Atler this, he» orders his horse
and pays a visit to some of his neighbours, or rides round tha
estate to see the negroes at work ; in eitlier of which cases a
negro boy follows him on foot, with a pouch of segars and a
stick of iire. It is his constant practice, whether on horseback,
walking, or riding in a carriage, to smoke, and be supplied
through the medium of a servant. He dines about three or
four o'clock, and, after taking a portion of claret, retires for
his afternoon's nap, where he sleeps away the fatigues of the
day. He grows tired of the hammock towards evening, wlicn
he comes down and takes his cofTee, afler which, a walk round
the buildings, to enquire into the state of the negroes and their
work, concludes the day. The general hour i'or retiring to
rest in the country, is about eight or nine o'clock ; the inter-
mediate time between this and sunset is occupied by smoking
and drinking gin.

The population presents a strange mixture of Europeans.
Dutch, Germans. Prussians, Russians, Swedes, Danes, Spa-
niards, French, and Americans, may be incorporated as one-
third of the white population, and Great Britain claims the
other two. All national enmity seems to be forgotten, while
the pursuits of the motley group are directed unanimously to
climbing the ladder of fortune. When an European arrives,
he finds it necessary to provide himself with a housekeeper, or
mistress. The choice he has nn opportunity of making is va-
rious; a black, a tawney, a mulatto, or a mcstco; one of which
con be purchased for 100/. or 150/. .sterling, fully ^competent
to fulfil all the duties of her station : some of them are so

SOUTH AMERICA.

much educated as to be able to read and write. They arar
tasty and extravagant in their dress ; but when once an at-
tachment takes place, it is inviolable. They embrace all the
duties of a wife, except presiding at table; su far decorum is
maintained, and a dititinotion made. They employ tbemselvw
in needle-work, and other duincstic afi'uirs. Their usefubiCM
in preserving the arts and diifuHing the h/ibits of cleanlines* ia
felt and allowed by all, there being very few civilized Eu-
ropean WOOMB.

The produce cleared from the port of Demerary, since the
last establishment of the British custonuhouse, is as follows,
viz. — From the 5th of January, 1806, to the fith of January,
1807, in 281 vessels, 19,337 hogsheads, 474 tierces, and 801
barrels of sugar ; 4722 puncheons and 17 hogsheads of rum ;
23,004 bales and 2 bags of cotton; 12,390,102 pounds of
o(^ee ; and 1694 casks of molasses.

Essequfibo. — Nine miles west of the Demerary is the river
Essequeho, which at its mouth, commencing from Borasierri,
and extending to Kapoeja creek, is 21 miles broad ; the for-
mer serves as a boundary to the two colonies. The navigation
here is very dangerous and difiicult, even for small craft, which
arises from banks of sand running in different directions across
the entrance. Many estates and settlements are already made
on its banks, and it is also the residence of several timber-out-
ters and brick-makers, the soil fur which is particularly good, i

The settlements of Essequebo and Demerary, from their
conjunction with each other, are under the directions of one
governor, though two distinct colonies : but each has its court
of justice and subordinate officers.

Berbke. — Berluce river is at the moutli a mile and a half
broad, and in the centre is an islatid called Crab island. A'
bar of sand five miles without the river, running from e;'4 to
west, prevents vessels drawing more than fourteer f ut from^
entering the river; this navigation is more dangerous than
that of the Demerary, from the obstructioas to it being oC
sand.

Bcrbicc, by the old boundary, is bounded on the east by
the Devil's creek, and on the west by Abarry creek, which sew

«B6

SOUTH AMERICA.

parates that colony from Demerary. The river Berbice is
shallow, but broad ; nearly an hundred plantations have been
formed on its banks. The directors of the colony obtain from
it chiefly sugar. It also supplies cotton, coifee, cocoa, tobacco,
and a dyeing stufi^ called rokou. The goods carried thither
are the same as those traded with in the rest of the West
Indies.

New Amsterdam, the name of the town, is built on the
south side of the Canje river, running in that direction up the
banks of the Berbice a mile and a half, with the houses facing
the water. The houses are different from those of Stabroek :
they are not more than a story and a lialf high, very long and
narrow, with galleries on either side, for the purpose of walk-
ing and smoking in the shade.

When Surinam capitulated to the British in August, 1799,
it conceded to Berbice the tract of country between the Devirs
creek an^ the Courintine. This addition of territory was a
favourable circumstance for Berbice. The sea coast, oKteml-
ing. nearly 50 miles, and the west bank of the Courintine,
were immediately surveyed and laid out into regular allot-
ments. British capital, industry, and perseverance, had ac-
complished, in eight years, what would not have been done by
any other means in half a century.

~. Surinarn. — This valuable settlement is bounded on the cast
by the river Marawina, and on the west by the river Courin-
tine: it is. about 150 miles from east to west, and 60 from
north to south. The river, from which it derives its name,
has sand banks at its mouth, over which tliere is about three
fathom water at high tide ; but aliove these banks the water is
much deeper, and the river navigable for large vessels above
90 miles up the country.

This colony was first settled in 1634 by the English and a
party of French. In 1667, it was taken by the Dutch, when
1200 of its oldest inhabitants removed to Jamaica. The pros-
perity of this colony has been much impeded by the inhuman
wars carried on by the settk-i-s against the Maroon negroes.
Since it was taken by the English, peace and commerce have
flourished. . .JA'^fi m%' 3tU u ■

The
lish G
river S
built
beautif
wood,
are det
life, ab(
already
bitants.
S0,000
persons,
colour a
3000 Gt
and Dut
as in all
The ]
822,905*
sum. '
100,000.
tlements
regulatioi
trade of ]
Englisi
millions &
plahtatioi
different :
no very d
Indies in
30

SOUTH JLMEEIOA.

^mt

lerbice i»
lave been
tain from
, t»bacco,
d thither
Jie West

It on the
on up the
ses facing
Stabroek:
' long and
e of walk-

U8t, 1799,
the DeviVs
tory was a
it, ejctend-
;^ourintine,
rulacr allot-
;e, had ac-
;n done by

on the east
er Courin-
d 60 from
its name,
bout three
he water is
ssels above

The principal tovjrn in Surinam, and the capital of the Eng-
lish Guiana, is Parmaribo, situated on the right side of the
river Surinam, at about 16 or 18 miles from its mouth. It is
built on a sand>reef, well arranged, and the streets include
beautiful alleys of orange and lemon trees. The houses are of
wood, and have no chimnies ; the kitchens, for coolness «ake,
are detached ; it is a town far advanced in the arts of civilised
life, above a mile in length, wide in proportion, and swarming
already with an ever-thickening crowd of many-coloured inha-
bitants. The population of Parimaribo is estimated at 18 or
S0,000 persons. Of these, the larger half, at least 10,000
persons, are negro and mulatto slaves. The free people of
colour are supposed to be about 4000. There are from 2 to
3000 Grerman and Portuguese Jews ; and about 1800 English
and Dutch Europeans.' The number of temporary residents,
as in all sea ports, varies with the season.

The products of this settlement, in 1775, amounted to
.823,905/.; but the present amount is above four times this
sum. The population, at the same period, amounted to
100,000. Since the possession of this and the adjoining set-
tlements was guaranteed by treaty to Great Britain, several
regulations have been established, highly advantageous to the
trade of Holland, and favourable to the Dutch colomsts.
, English Guiana is rising rapidly into consequence. Several
millions sterling have recently been employed in forming new
plantations, and in facilitating the communication between the
different settlements. Nor is it at all improbable, but that, at
no very distant period, this fertile country may excel the West
Indies in riches, population, and political consequence.
30 4 T

zlish and a
Etch, when
1 The pros-
le inhuman
\xi negroes,
fierce have

-i/r*;*'^

SOUTH'AMBAICA.

PAKAGUAV.

•rot'hvid^^ ^jlt.t'f'

n^HE wide re^ons so called, and which border on the Ura^
guay, a celebrated as the seat of the wonderful labours of
the Jesuits, who established their power both over the bodies
and the minds of the inhabitants of this province. In 1767,
the Jesuits were driven from America by order of the king of
Spain, and their unfortunate converts degraded to the same
footing as the other indigenous inhabitants of the country.

—~~i —

*> . »ryv

fi\j y\j #^>i

ijO'ii{ -iumviov a qdot feast j6 .

^irA)lAA^MiN JbA»..-3fe«n5irWA '.vtsiM.

npHE aspect of this country is very nngular. There is ah
"<^ i immense tract of territofry* impregnated with nitra, dbout
600 iMlei» in lengtH atvd 150 wide, on the south and weist dP
the river Parana, and even to the junction of the PMiaguay;
all Che springs and rivulets being more or less saline. No
productive mines have yet been discovered, except some of
ulver, near Mendoza, at the bottom of the Andes. The
rivers that wash this country all come from the high moun-
tains of Yacanto, or Sacanto, Champachin, and Achala on the
west of Cordova, which are little inferior in height to the
Andes of Chili, and are a kind of branches of those of Peru.
That part of the Andes which lies west of Mendv .a is of a
vast height, and always covered with snow ; and there are nu-
merous volcanoes in the southern part of the Andes, as that of
St. Clement, lat. 46 deg., and othors in a continued progress
to lat. 31 deg.

-lib f^^^'

■-iT t^t'f'

le Ura-
ix>urs of
e bodies
n 1767,
t king of
;he same
ntry.

tfjlfniiaruj

6i. ifjijurt
3re is Ah
% alxmt
i w«Mof
iraguay;
ine. No
some of
8. The
mottn-
[a on the
it to the
>f Peru,
is of a
are nu-
that of
progress

SOUTH AMERICA.

The Fatagonians are represented to be <i k^'ge and robust
race. Both men and women are dextrous liders. They sub-
sist chiefly by hunting, in which they are assisted by dogs.
They eat raw flesh, and, like most miserable savages, have
little regard for cleanliness.

■ -K^imii m ■ -.'..f

Margaretta. il^HIS mountainous island, situated opposite
'the city of Guruana in the Caraccas, b sup-
posed to be a volcanic production. It is about 30 leagues in
circumference, and is celebrated as being one of the first dis-
coveries of Columbus.

Juan Femandez.'^Snan Fernandez lies to the west of
South America, about 300 miles from the coast of Chili,
^his romantic islei, diversified with woods and watei^ xWit^
craggy hills and^ fertile^ spots, is famous for having given rise
to the celebrated romance of Robinson Crusoe. It afq)eaK9
that Alexander Selkirk, a seaman and a native of ScoUand,
was put ashore, and lefl in this solitary place by lus captain*
where he lived some years, and was discovered by Woodai
Rogers in, 1709. m^M^k^U^iui.MyiiA^W)y---\t'^ii .tf>vife

CJtUoe. — There are two remarkable archipelagos towarda
the southern extremity of this continent : that styled the gulf
of Chonos, or the archipeli^ of Guaytecas ; and that called
the gulf of the Holy Trinity, or the archipelago of Tdledo.
The most remarkable isle in the former is that.of Chiloe, about
140 British miles in length by 30 in breadth, but almost di-
vided in the nuddle by bays or creeks. The diief harbour is
Chacao ' >> the north, and at Calbuco there is a oorre^dor,
nominrU'i by the president of Chili: there are also two mo«

70(>

SOUTH AMERICA.

nasteries and a ehiirch. The isle of Chiloe is said to be well
peopled with Spaniards^ mulattoes, and converted savages.

Terra del Ftiego. — This island^ although never vinted by
European navigators but in the summer months, is described
as among the most dreary and desolate spots on the habitable
earth, and the few inhabitants upon it as the most miserable
and destitute of the human race.

Falkland Islands. — There are two islands of this name, each
about 40 miles square. The soil and climate do not appear to
be good ; but there is a considerable variety of fowls and fish,
and the plants seem somewhat to resemble those of Canada.
In 1764!, commodore Byron was sent to take possession of
these islands, which were^uttdoubted)^ first discovered by the
English ; and a little establishment was made at a place called
Port Egmont; but being four:^ of little or no value, they
were in: a few years ceded to Spain. *3 ..uV>^r.s%,|< ^?

Femandt} W Norkonha, — This small Portuguese island is
situated nearly four degrees southward of the line, and is about
Id milesan length and five or six in breadths It is remarka-
ble on account of a very lofty peak, supposed to be about 700
feet above the level of the sea. It is a bare rook or column of
granite, nearly perpendicular, but slopes a little to its base to>
Wttrds the north. The soil of this island is fruitful; and it
possesses a good open bay, with good anchorage in ten fathom»
watery which is protected by a fort built upon an adjcnning^cliff.
'B^ as this island is mngular in its natural appearance, so it
is perhaps no less remarkable for being the only inhabited spot^
offlimilar extent, on the surface of the globe, where no women
are allowed to come, it being allotted to male eriminak, who,
with a small garrison and a number of priests, compose the
wliole population. Perhaps also there is not any equal body
of men on earth, that exhibit at once so much holy mummery,
and 80 mush human depravity.

This i^nd, from being almost in the direct track of vessels
trading from Europe to the Bi'azils, and its vicinity to the main
land of South America, would, if possessed by a naval power,
disturb the whole pommerce of this part of the continent.

• i

THEabc

the tW4

the infinite

divided, dii

customs; a

distant anti

peculiaritiei

msxe easily

The peo|

beyond the

butc^aspc

ship, than t

arequickJy

rather than

heads are fii

but their o

and as stroi

reddish bro\

constant use

When th

the people q

for the most

they have g«

bu^ from MS

€

'! DESCRIPTION

NATIVE TRIBES

AMERICA.

so It

vessels
ie main
power,
Jt.

'pHE aborigines of America, throughout the whole extent of
the two vast continents which they inhabit, and amongst
the infinite number of nations and tribes into which they are
divided) differ very little from each other in their manners and
customs; and they all form a very striking picture of the most
distant antiquity. By taking a general view of the whole, the.
peculiarities that distinguish the most important tribes will be
more easily perceived and understood.

The people of America are tail, and strught in their limbs
beyond the proportion of most nations : their bodies are strong ;
but <tf a species of strength rather fitted to endure much hard**
ship, than to continue long at any servile work, by which they
are quickly consumed; it is the strength of a beast of prey,
rather than that of a beast of burthen. Their bodies and
heads are flattish, the effect of art ; their features are regular,
but their countenances fierce; their hair long, black, lank,
and as strong as that of a horse. The colour of their skin a
reddish brown, admired amongst them, and improved by the
constant use of beards fat and paint.

When the Europeans first came into America, they found
the people quite naked, except those parts which it is common
for the most uncultivated people to conceal. Since that time,
they have generally a coarse blanket to cover them, which they
bu^ from us. The whole fashion of their lives is of a piece ;

70S

NATIVE TRIBES OF AMERICA.

hardy, poor, and squalid ; and their education from their infancy
is'solely directed to fit their bodies for this mode of life, and to
form their minds to inflict and to endure the greatest erils.

Their only occupations are hunting and war. Agriculture
k left to the women. Merchandise they contemn. When
their hunting season is past, which they go through with much
patience, and in which they exert great ingenuitw they pass
the rest of their time in an entire indolence. They sleep half
the day in their huts, they loiter and jest among th^r firiends,
«nd they observe no bounds or decency in their eating and
drinking. Before wodiscovered them-, they had no spirituous
liquors ; but now, the acquirement of these is what gives a
spur to their industry, and enjw)rtnent to their repose. This
18 the principal end "they pursue in th«r treaties ; and from
this they suffer inexpressible calamities; for, having once bief^
gnn to drink, they can preserve no measures, but continue a
suocession'of drunkenness as long as their means of procuring:
liquor lasts. In this condition they lie exposed on the earth
to all the inclemency of the seasons^ which wastes them by«
train of the most fatal disoixiers; they perish in rirers and
raarshcR; they tumWe into the fire; ^ey quarrel, Mid very
frequently murder each other; and, in short, excess in drinks
iti^f whioh with us is rathet immoral than destructive^ amongst
'this uncivilised people, wfio have not art enough to guard
i^nst the consequence of their vices, is a public calamity.
The f(^w amongst them, who live free from thisevil, enjoy the
reward of their temperance in a robust and heahhy old age.
i The character of the Indians is striking. They are grave
even to sadness in their department upon any serious occasion ;
observant of those in company; respectful to the old; of a
temper cool and deliberate; by which they are never in haste
to speak before they have thought well upon the matter, and
are sure the person who spoke before them has finished all be
had to say. They have therefore the greatest contempt for
the vivacity of the Europeans, who interrupt each other, and
frequently speak all together. Nothing i& more edifying than
their behaviour in their public councils and assemblies. Every
man there is heard m his tum, fuxwrding as his y^ifB, hU

vrisdom,

a .word,

while h

applause

Hereth

ftitHed %

tions of

theintei

'tThen

are more

wiU. T

are not e

tion the^

the enen

oflS»nded,

mentS) h

prise he 1

Noiongti

tance oftr

the steef

forests, a

several h

sons, the

thirst, wi

his enemy

evoito t

Indians f

deed in g

minds.

Notwitl
or at least
From thei
taunts, bli
with a con
objects of
a man of
pronencss
effect, that

Wf'

infancy
, and to
•vils.
icMlture
When
th much
iiey pass
«ep half
friends,
;ing and
sirituous
, gives a
8. This
ind from
oncebl^
yntinue a
irocuring
the earth
Hem by«
iTerfi and
uid very
in diinib'
amongst
to guard
calamity,
mjoy the
d age.
ire grave
xxmsion;
4d ; of a
in haste
ter, and
>d all he
srapt for
her, and
ing than
Every
ears, bU

NATI^ TRIBES OF AMERICA.

906

wisdoni) orhis'Servioea to his country, have ranked him. Not
a. word, not a whisper, not a murmur» is heard from the rest
while be speaks. No indecent condemnation, no ill-timed
applause. The younger sort attend for iheir instruction.
Here they learn the history of their nation ; here they are in**
flakaed with the songs of those who celebrate the warlike ac-
tions of their ancestors ; and here they are taught what are
the interests of their country^ and how to pursue them.

There i» no people amongst whom the laws of hospitality
are more sacred, or executed with nioi e generosity and good*
wiU. Their houses, their provision, even their young women,
are not enough to .oblige a guest. To those of their own na^
tion* they are likewise very humane and beneficent. But to
the euiemies of his country, or to those who have privately
ofEtnded, tho American is implacable. He conceals his s^nti^
mentst he a}i^ars reconciled, until by- some treachery or sur*
prise he has an opportunity of executing an horrible revenge.
No length of time is sufficient to allay his resentment: tio dift.
tance of place great enough to protect the object: he crosses
tjie steepest mountains, he pierces the most impracticable
forests, and traverses tJie most bideousbogs aud desertis for
several hundreds of miles, bearing the inclemency of the sea-
sons, the fatigue of the expedition, the extremes of hunger and
thirst, with patience and cheerfulness, in hopes of surprising
his enemy, on whom he exercises the most shocking barbarities,
evai.to the eating of his flesh» To such extremes do the
Indians pu^ their friendship or their enmity; and such in>
deed in general is the character of all strong and uncultivated
mindsi.;iyu-'*i.ji»ri.'ji>?* *w*r ?Ki > .■ . ..■>.,• i

Notwithstainding I this ferocity, no people have their anger,
or at least the shew pf their anger, more under their command.
From their infancy tliey are formed with care to endure scoffs^
taunts, blows, and eveiy swt of insult patiently, or at least
with a composed countenance. This is one of the principal^
objects of their cducatkm^ They esteem nothing so unworthijf;
a man of sense and constancy, as a peevish temper, and •»
proneness to sudden and rash anger. And this so far has an
effect, that quarrels happen as rarely amongst them when they

■m

NATIVE TRIBES QF AMERICA.

am not iatoaucated with liquor, as does tlie«hief (Btua»«f aH
quarrds) hot a«d dbu^ive language. But Jmnuni nature, is
sttfiht that, as virtues nuiy with proper manageiiteBt be en-
grafted upon almost all swts of ncioua pauioos, so vices natu-
rally geo^ out of the best i^p6atioiis, and are the.omsequenoe
of those regulations that produce antf^itrel^then theoou -This
is the reason that, when the pasuons of tfaa Americans are
roused, being shut up, as it were, and ccmyerg^ng into a nar-
irow point, they become more furious ; th^ are dark, sullen,
treacherous, and unappeasable. qpf^fc a f^umilt .

A people who live by hunting, who inhaint mean cottages,
and are given to change the place of their habitation, are sel-
dom very religious. Some i^pear to have very little idea of
God. Others entertain better notions : they hold the existence
of the Supreme Being, eternal and incwruptible^ who has
power over all. SatisBed with owning this, which is tradition-
ary amon^t them, they give him no sort of worship. There
are indeed nations in America, who seem to pay some religions
homage to the sun and moon; and, as most of them have a
notion of some invisible bdngs, who continually intM^oacddle m
their affaira, they discourse much of demons, nymphs, fauies,
or beings equivalent. Though without religion^ they abound
in superstitions ; as it is common for Uiose to do, whose suh-
mstence depends, like theirs, upon fortune. Great observers
of omens and dreams, and pryers into futurity with great
eagerness, th^ abound in diviners, augurs, and magicians,
whom they rely much upon in all affairs that concern them,
ii^iether of health, war, or hunting. Their physic, which may
be rather called magic, is entirely in the hands of the priests.

The loss of any one of their people, whether by a natural
death at by war, is lamented by the whole town he belongs to.
In such circumstances, no business is taken in hand, however
important, nor any rejoicing permitted, however interesting
the occaaicm, until all the pious ceremonies due to the dead are
performed. These are always discharged with the greatest
sfJemnity. The dead body is washed, anointed, uid painted^
80 as in some measure to abate the horrors of death. Then
the women Jamei^ the loes with the most bitter cries, and the

HMStlM

thegim
Tbe HM

▼JHigBi
Inted in
dbdeee
laadnw
teitake:
battheii
solbmint

•

thedeon

linM^. toi

are. nova

After sea

WW!,} the

the

Of all

lis SI

the: ftast

theitonBi

which ms

ficenoct

sion, and

people an

of the soj

hit sokni

Those wb

theviilagf

readesvc!

horror of

Lafitau; <

striking a

of human

seemato ti

shapes (^

gree in w

manner in

witheriedi

HATVim TRIBES C& AMERIClL

^»

uitura.is
A be en-
ccsnatu-
isequenoe
B. This
icans are
ktoanar-
if luUen,

cottages,
I, are ael-
e idea of
existence
who has
tradition-
I. There
» religions
!in hav«a
meddlem
My fauries,
y abound
hose sub-
observers
ith great
nagicians,
»rD them,
hich may
priests,
a natural
simigs to.
however
iteresting
dead are
I greatest
painted)
Then
and the

I hs da a m howfiags, iiitermixad with ^ngSy ^shieh ealbbUla
the glwat> actioaa of the deceased, anii thoaevof his aa nrBt a iii
The omu aasurn in a lesi^ ^xiAavagynt nanaer. "^he whisla
viHage attaad* di* faady to the gravey^whaseijc ia ialnrred, h»
Inted in their most sunipaK>u» fisumii iiVi With thp^ body of
tfttt daeeaped are yAMed<%tB bow and arraws^ with wiat )& vm*
laed mast ia UMfa, airii, psoif isioas tat the kxig journey he is
toitake: for they hpld the iaanoitalifcy ef q||a souk univcrsaUyi
bat theif idea i» gross. Feaal&ng^ attends this,, ask does everji
selbmmty. AStef the fui|eral,. they who are nearly allied to
the daonsed conceal theippselves ia their buta for a cixisideraUe
linii^. toi indulge theii giicf. The ooaiplinicntB of condolence
an. nsveramit'led, n«r are psesents wanting upontbisi occasieUt
After seme imo, dieyireviatt the gsave ; they renew their aov*
BOW) ; they new clothe the remains oi' the body, aad aclo«wff
the sdeamities of the first fuaeBa!. . ^
Of all the'*r instances of regard to thnr dieceasedl friends^
is aoi strildi^ as what they call the feast of the dead, or
the: ftart of souls. The day of thb ceremony is appointed in
the:toanpl of their ehiefs, wha give ordov for every thing
which may enable diem to ^celebrate it with pomp and magnii*
fioenca The laches of the nation are exhausted on this occa-
sion, and all their ingenuity displayed. The oeighhouring
ptofl^ are invited to partake of the feast,, and to be witaessaa
of the solemnity. At this: time, aU whoi have died since the
last sokmn, feast of that kind ase taken out of thev graves.
Those wha have been interred at ^ gveatest distant ftcnn
the villages axe diligently sought ibr, and bromghft to thia great
rendezvoiie of carcases. It. is not chfficuk to oonceive the
horror of this general disinterment * Without question,* says
Lafitau', ' the opening of these tombs displays one of the BMMt
striking scenes th^t can be concaved ; thi» hujtthlina pectrait
of huasan misery, in so many images of death, w^retn she
seems- to take a'pleasure to, paint herself ia a thousand varioaa
sfai^s of hcM-ror, in the several carcases j; according to-dwdei^
gree in which corruption has prevailed over them^ or the
manner in which it has attacked them. Some appeas dry and
witheri^ ; others have a sort of parchment upon t^eir bones;

4 U

706

N!^TIV£ TRIBES OF AMERICA.

■ome look as if they ^ere baked and smoked, withowt any ap^
pearanoe of rotlennes84. some are just turning towards the
point of putrefaction; whilst '^otb9r8 are all swarming with
worms', and drow^d in^rruptiou. I Jinow not whidi ought
to strike^ most, the h^ipr* of sd shocking a sight, or the
tender piety and affection of these ^r piibple towards their
iepartod friends; ^nothing deservite our jftimiration more,
than that eager dplgence and attention nckh which they dis-
charge this melancholy duty of their tenderness ; gathering up
carefully even the smallest bones; handling ^e carcases, dis-
gustful as they are, with every divpg loathsome; cleansing
tiiem from the worms, and carrying them upon their shoulders
through tiresome journies of several days, without being dis-
couraged by their insupportable stench, and without suffering
any other emotions to arise, than those of regret, for having
lost persons who w^re so dear to them in their lives, and so
lamented in their death.'

This strange festival is the most magnificent and solemn
which they have ; not only on account of the great concourse
of natives and strangers, and of the pon]^pous reinteripent they
give to their dead, whom they dress in the finest skins Uiey can
get, after having exposed them tor some time i|p this pomp ;
but for the- games of all kinds wh\f h they celebi'ate upon the
occasion, iii the spirit of those which tlie ancient Greeks and
Romans celebrated upon similar occasions.
v<uln this manner do they endeavour to sooth the calamities of
hfe, by the hono!irs they pay their dead ; honours which are
the more dieerfuljiy bestowed, because in his turn each man
expects to receive them himself. Though amongst these sa-
vage nations this custom is impressed wkh strong marks of the
ferodty of tlieir nature; an honour for the dead, a tender
feeling of their, absence, and a revival ot' j^eir memory, arc
some of rae most excellent instrum^ts fur smoothing our rug-
ged nature into humanitj^ In civilised nations ceremonies are
leas practised, because other instruments for the same purposes
are less wanted ; but it is certain a regard for the dead is an-
cient and universal.

J'j»fi4'

NATniS TRIBES OF AMERIOX TV?

Though the women in America have generally the laboriout
part of the economy upon themselves^ yet they are («r fVon
bdhg the slaves they appear, and are nut at all subject to the
great subordination in which they are placed in countrica
where they seem to be jalore respected. On the contrary, all
the honours of the natfon are on the side of the womes. They
even hold their councils, and have their #hare in all deliberai-
tiohs whidi concern the state ; nor are they found inferior in
the part they act. Polygamy is practised by some nations,
but it is not general. In most they content themselves with
one wife; but a divorce is admitted, and for the same causes
that it was alloWM amongst the Jewo, Greeks, and Romans.
No nation of the Americans is without a regular marriage, in
which there are many ceremonies ; the principal of which is,
ihe bride^s presenting the bridegroom with a pkte of their corn.

Incontinent before wedlock, afler marriage the chastity of
their women is remarkable. The punishment of the adultress,
as well as that of the adulterer, is in the hands of the husband
himself; and it is often severe, as intl?cted by one who is at
once the party and the judge. Their marriages are not fruit-
ful, seldom producing above two or three children, but they
are brought forth with less pain than our women suffer upon
such occasions, and with little consequent weaknesSi^ Probably:,
that severe life, whldi both sexes lead, is not favouraUe to
procreiation. And the habit unmarried women have of pro-
curing abortions, in which they rarely fail, makes them more
liDiit for bearing children afterwards. This is one of the rea-
sons of the depopulation of America; for whatever losses they
suffer, cither by epidemical (diseases or by war, are repaired
slowly. * •

Almost the sole occupation of the.American is war, or «uch
an exercise as qualifies him for it. His whole glory consist^ in
this ; and no man is at all considered until he has increased
the strength of his country with a captive, or adorned his
house with a scalp of (^e of its enemies. When the ancients
resolve upon war, they do not' always dedare what nation it is
they are determined to attack; that the enemy, upon whom
thdy really intend to fall, may be off his guard. Nay, they

NATIVE TRIBES ^f AMEAUCA/

ev«n't*oinctihie»1«t ytmn "pnt over without <oiiairtiittinK my «ct
0i "hostility, thtit the vigrlanee of aH may be unbent by the
long cofftinuanoe of the watch, «inI the uncertMRty ot' (be

Tkt day appointed fur their departure bting arrivnd, they
take leavie «f thdr friends ; they change* their dothes^ or what-
ever «k»feables they have, in token of mutuad friendsbiip ; their
wives «nd ^ale relMions go out before them, ami attend at
iome (Kstance from the town. The warnors nMieh out nil
drest in their fineet nppan^, and most shewy omanMnta, regu-
larly one after Another, for diey ncTer march in t^nk. Tbe
chief walks slowly on before them, wng^ng the detVh s«mg^
while the rest observe the most profound siienoe. When th«y
come up to their women, they deliver up to them All thnr
finery, put on tbeir worst clothes, and then proooed as their
eommandeQ thinks fit.

The qualities in an Indian war are vigilance nnd atdention ;
to give and to avoid a surprise ; and patience and etrengtb, to
endure the intolerable fatigues and hardshipli which alwnys
attend it. The nations of America arc tt an immense distance
from each other, with ifi vast desert frontier, and hid in the
bolom of hideous, and almost boundless forasti. Tbeee must
be traversed before they meet an enemy, who is often at loeh
A distance as might be supposed to prevent either quarrel or
danger. But, notwithstanding the seeresy of the destination
of the party that first moves, the enemy has frequent notice of
it, is pepared for the attack; and ready to take advantage in
the same manner of the lea8t.^i^nt of vigilance in the aggres-
sors. Their whole art of war consists m this: they never
fight in the open field, but upon some very extraordinary oc-
casions; not fmm cowardice, for they are brAve; but they
despise this method, as unworthy an able warrior, and as an
affair in which fortune governs more than prudenee. > The
principal things which help them to find oiit their enAmies,
are the smbke of their fires, which th^ smell at a distance al-
most incriidible ; and their trades, in the discovery and distin-
guiehing of which, they are possesn^d 6f a 'sagacity equally
astonishing; fbr they will tell in the footstAps, whidi to' us

NA7IVB i:bibe8 of AMEA|0^4

«Mdd NMi «ott cMfiiard, the DiMnliM'.ioCqienjJi^t linini
iMMwd* mm! the kngtli of t»n« since they have }Nified( t)M|y
«v«tigo to far at to (iMtinguioii the several mitioaf by^.dif
fenat marks of their feet, and to pereeive footstep* where ^
eottld difltiognish aothing lees. A mind diligently iiit<;Qt upafi
one Uii«^ and eaeroiaed bv lung experieqoe, will ^ leiigthe at
first Yicw scaroelf ewUWe. .^tf.i iw i^ iv: {

When tkfy discover an army of their ettiamieSi, their way is
to thnow tbeonselvie* Bat, on lh«ir faces among the withered
leaves^ the colour of which their bpdies are painted to resemble
exatilly. They generally let a part paw unmolested ; and
tbeiH rising a little, they take aim, for they ure eKceUent
markmen, and setting up a most tremendous sliout, which
thejr call the War«cryi they pour a storm of musket-bullets
upon the enemy ; for they have long since laid aside the tse
of arrows : the party attacked returns the same cry. Every
man in haste covers himself with a tree, and returns the fire of
the adverse party, #s soon as they raise tbemselvf^^firom t^e
ground Co give the second fire. % 'jfji 'Jift

After fightii^^ome time in this manner, the party which
thinks it has the advantage rushes out of its cover* with sm^U
axes in Uteir hands^ which they dtu-t with great address. and
dexterity ; they i^douUe their cries, intimidating their epemiee
with menaces, and encouraging each other with a boastAil di^
play of their owh brave actions., Thu^ being come hand \o
hand, tfafe contest i]S soon decidedV and the conquerors satiate
their itavagp fi(ry with th» ij^ost shocking insults and barbaii-
ties to the'^dead, Inting their flesh, tearing the scalp from their
ha^ds, and fallowing in their blood like wild beasts.

The fate of their prisoners is severe and cruel. - The people
of every village rilew their attachment to their fnends by their
barbaniiis treatment of these unhappy victims. Afler mourn-
ing for the loss sustained -in (he war, they rush iitt<p an extra-
vagance and fTens;)r of joy for their victory. nfUM^k^.,

In t|)e meuiiame, (he fate of the prisoners remains ufvde-
cided, until the old men ;meet, and determine oonecirning the
distribution. It is udlus^ to offer a slave to each house that has
lo8t a friend; giving the pteferedce aiseotding toithe greatness

■St,

Ho NATlVfi TRIBES Ot AMERICA.

df'tfieloss. The person who has taken the captive attiends
him to the doo!" of the cottage to which he is delivered) and
with him gives a belt of wampum, to shew that he has fulfilled
the purpose of the expedition, in supplying the loss of a citizen.
They view the present which is made them for s6me time ;
and, according as they think him or her, for it is the same,
proper or improper for the business of the family, or as they
take ti capricious liking or displeasure to the countenance of
the victim, or in proportion to their natural barbarity or their
resentment for their losses, they destine concerning him, to
receive him into the family, or sentence him to death. If the
htter, they throw away the belt with great indignation. Then
it is no longer in the power of any one to save him. The na-
tion is assembled, as upon some great solemnity. A scaffold
is 'Raised, and the prisoner tied to the stake. Instantly he
opens his death>song, and prepares for the ensuing scene of
cruelty vnth the most undaunted courage. On the other side,
they prepare to put it to the utmost proof, with every torment
which the mind of man, ingenious in mischief, can invent.
They begin at the extremities of his body, and gradually ap-
proach the trunk. One plucks out his hails by the roots, one
by one ; another takes a finger into his mouth, and tears off
the flesh with his teeth 3 a third thrusts the finger, mangled as
it is, into the bole of a pipe made red-hot, which he smokes
like tobacco. They thert pound his toes and ^ngers to piepes
between two stones; thev'cut circles about his joints, and
gashes in the fleshy parts of his lynbs. which tJiey sear'lmme-
diately with red-hot irons, cutting' and searing alternately;
they pull off this flesh, thus mangled and r_ ^^106] bit by bit,
'devouring it with greediness, and smearing their faces with
the blood, in an enthusiasm of horror and fury. When they
have thus torn off the flesh, they twist the bare nerves and
tendons about an iron, tearing and snapping them; whilst
others are employed in pulling and extending the limbs theni-
selves, in every way that can increase the torment. This con-
tinues often five or six hours together. Then they frequently
unbind him, to give a breathinjr *o their fury, to think what
new torments they shall inflict, and to refresh the strength of

■#'

NATIVE TRIBES OF AMERICA^

711

'e attends
ered, and
IS fulfilled
f a citizen,
line time;
the same,
or as they
tenance of
;y or their
g him, to
\i. If the
.n. Then
The na-
A scaffolU
stantly he
g scene of
other side,
ry torment
an invent,
dually ap-
roots, one
i tears oft'
langled as
ie smokes
s to pieces
)ints, and
ear'lmme-
ternately ;
)it by bit,
aces with
Then they
erves and
whilst
lbs theni-
This con-
requently
link what
rength of

the sufferer, who, wearied out with such a variety of unbmrd?,
of torments, often falls immediately into so profound a il^p^
that they are obliged to apply the fire to awaken him, andrrcK
new his sufferings. > u'

He is again fastened to the stake, and again they renew
their cruelty : they stick him all over with small matches of
wood that easily takes fi]%, but burns slowly ; they omtinuaUjr
run sharp reeds into every part of his body ; they drag out
his. teeth with pincers, and thrust out his eyes; and lastly,
after having burned his flesh from the bones with slow fires.;
^ler having so mangled the body that it is all but one wound ;
after having mutilated his face in such a manner as to carry
nothing human in it ; after havug peeled the skin from the
head, and poured a heap of red-hot coals or boiling water on
the naked skull; they once more unbind the wretch, who,
blind and staggering with pain and weakness, assaulted and
pelted upon every side with clubs and stones, now up, now
down, falling into their fires at every step, runs hither and
thither, until one of the chiefs, whether out of compassion or
weary of cruelty, puts an end to his life with a club or a dag-
ger. The body is then put into the kettle, and this barbarous
employment is succeeded by a feast as barbarous.

The women, forgetting the human as well as the female ns^
ture, and transformed into something worse than furies, act
their parts, and even outdo the men, in this scene of horror.
The principal persons of the country sit round the stake,
smolung and looking on without the least emotion. What is
the most extraordinary, the sufferer himself, in the little inter-
vab of his torments, smokes too, appears unconcerned, and
converses with his torturers about indifferent matters. In-
deed, during the whole time of his execution, there seems a
contest between him and them which shall exceed, they in in-
flicting the most horrid pains, or he in enduring them with a
firmness and constancy almost above human.

They are governed by a council of elders ; but business of
consequence is determined in a general meeting of the whole
tribe. Murder is either revenged, or compromised by the
parties concerned ; and each family claims a full right of judg-

''A

-I '■
^1

.11«

HJi^tVl^ ¥ilI9B9 OF AMEMIOA.

MMMI'fAik^e «» DrinM comnittad b' tkun same cabitf. Tlie
ll^lfani eMt ltoj^» had a Ibng mteraautssi vMh, EoMpoaao
tfi^lo b0 gnta%'«legeiMrat«d, bf^i in phgrsltal and «aeQ«U
qiialities. Those of different nations, and fwwa dii l i wL at parte
itikmemai ooMBPcted with! Canada) conwi anBualif to iQiMibec,
to Mw ii ma li and ^ other miiitorjii poaltt, to recviiv* ^i]^M>-
lifeMtcr ^*<MoU the gavommBUtk aanuallj dsbtrihtate nmiBgtf
fheifti and ih^ art' thus deten|bed. hy a reaenli tmTeUar :-r»>
<C(iiieeive to ycxanelf m parcel of men,, wonaeq, and diaidrenv
h«ddled toother under ai %fig«iaii^ fonned of pieeesi of wood^
Mveft or eight feet in length, the endb fixed io the gflonnd,
and meeting at the top, fonni a kind oS sloping fiame, which
is eo^i«red with the bark of the birch-tree, to keep out; the m-^
d!ieitll«nines of the weathev — a very poor coveringr indeed!
They are Ao^ naked, ivholl^ OMrered with dirt and oiiy paints^
ami ftwanhin^ with vermin ; diminutive, and weakly in their
piBrtomand^ appearance ; and having a physiognomy,, in which
you Iodic in vain for traces of intelligence. I do not nr. oan to
say that t|tey are without the reasoning faculty, but they cer<
tainly are very stupid. I understand that their numbers d»-
cfteaseevei^ year,-— if they were wholly exdnct, ido not think
that human nature would be a great sufferer by it,'
-'The ravages ocoasioned amongst the aborigines of America
by^ the eff^t of spiritKK)H!» liquors and the small-pox, added to
the gradual encroachments (^civilized states, must, at no very
distant period^ annihilate the whole. race. Several tribes have
idready become extinct ; and others, once very powerful, are
much reduced. The Society of Friends, in the United States^
have ktely sent proper persons amongst the inohansj in order
t& teach them the art»of agricu)turi» and eivilieed lifci Thoso
who resign the practice of war and hunting, and apply them-
selves to the culture of the soil, may preserve the existence of
a part of the native race, long after their peculiar habits aru
lost and forgotten.

FIIS^IS.

Printed bji MatkcfuAc and Dent,
Newcastk.

■bpatls

elkr>
itoUren^
ofwoodt
gftmnd,
a, winch
It! the in*
I indeedl
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r in their
in which
i nr.iMua to
th^ cer-
abers d»-
not thiak

America
added to
t no very
ibes have
cful, are
States^
in order
Thoso
y them-
stence of
labits arc

'''.■'■■'J'i'lt'i