UC-NRLF $B 5fi7 17b Hi! ijitvii llliilliliiiiiii: I I I EMIGRANT'S MANUAL. MANUAL EMIGRANTS AMERICA. BY CALVIN COLTON, A.M., OF AMERICA. LONDON : P. WESTLEY AND A. H. DAV18, 10, stationers' hall court. 1832. John Wcstley and Co., 'ZT , Ivy Lane. ADVERTISEMENT. The Author, having received numerous letters of inquiry concerning the United States, since he has been in England, which demanded information in so many particulars, and to such an extent, that he concluded it would be the shortest way to answer them by writing a book. It was this class of facts, which suggested this volume, and seemed to impose upon him the necessity of its production. And he hopes, that those persons, who have been waiting for answers to letters of inquiry on this general subject, addressed to him, will accept this as his apology, and as a discharge of that duty. ADVERTISEMENT. The Author would simply observe : — that, having sat dovrn to this task, he judged it vrorth while to give such a brief and comprehensive picture of the United States, and such items of more minute information, as might naturally seem to be desirable to all classes of per- sons, who might meditate emigration to that country. And if some shall be dis- appointed, in not meeting with answers to all their inquiries, the Author hopes they will appreciate the difficulty of dis- charging such an office for every variety of character — and that they will find enough of valuable information, which they did not expect, to indemnify the CONTENTS. CHAPTER. I. Page Erroneous impressions and romantic expectations of Europeans respecting America — And a decla- ration of the general purpose of this volume .... 1 CHAPTER II. The Canadas — Geographical situation — Physical character — Government — The motives which they present to British emigrants — The parts most inviting, &c 8 CHAPTER III. United States — Geographical description, bcc 17 CHAPTER IV. Climate of the United States 22 Vm CONTENTS. Page CHAPTER V. Government of the United States = 27 CHAPTER VI. The relations of the General Government of the United States to the several minor Republics, which form the Compact of the Union, &c 35 CHAPTER VII. New England 49 CHAPTER VIII. The City and State of New York 54 CHAPTER IX. Other States East of the Alleghany Ridge 66 CHAPTER X. The Mississippi Valley 74 Reason of the name given to this region 76 Steam-boats 81 Other and general Statistics of the Valley 83 CHAPTER XI. General Motives for going to the Valley of the Mississippi 97 CONTENTS. IX Page CHAPTER XII. The best and most inviting Parts of the Mississippi Valley — being the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois — and the Territory of Michigan 103 CHAPTER XIII. Comparative Importance, Capabilities, and pro- bable Destiny of the United States ; and the re- lative Importance of the Mississippi Valley 120 CHAPTER XIV. What may reasonably be expected, and what ought not to be expected in the United States, by Emi- grants from Europe 130 CHAPTER XV. The particular Classes of Persons to whom the United States hold out the strongest inducements for emigration — And the best methods of execut- ing the purpose 150 CHAPTER XVI. The value of Money in the United States, and the facilities of acquiring Wealth 169 CHAPTER XVII. The best way of getting to the United States, and to different parts of them — Some General Esti- mates of the Expenses, with Advice as to the species of Property it may be well to take along 180 X CONTENTS. Page General Advice 187 APPENDIX. Taxes in the United States 193 Advice to those, who wish to purchase Land, or Farms ... 194 The Value of Labour, and General Expenses of Living in the United States 197 Additional information concerning the Canadas . . . 200 Rates of Wages and Market Prices in Lower Ca- nada, for 1831 202 Ditto, for Upper Canada ib. EMIGRANT'S MANUAL. CHAPTER I. Erroneous impressions and romantic expecta^ tions of Europeans respecting America — and a declaration of the general purpose of this volume. Erroneous impressions on this subject are of two opposite classes, and many of them resting in the remotest extremes. And they have been produced, very naturally, by unge- nerous misrepresentations on the one hand, and by too high and extravagant praise on the other. Of those who have been guilty of misrepre- sentation, there are at least two principal classes : Firsts those who have gone to Ame- rica with visionary schemes and extravagant 2: . em'g^ian'tV manual. expectations, and, perhaps, with no commend- able views, and who, of course, have been disappointed, and returned to discharge them- selves of their ill-natured spleen, by traducing the country and the people, their state of society, and all their institutions. Not being, perhaps, sufficiently accredited by their let- ters, or wanting in personal recommendations, or having a taste only for low company and low things, they have necessarily been ex- cluded from the higher conditions and nobler sympathies of society, and qualified them- selves to describe only the worst features of the worst things. For the misrepresentations of this class, there is some show of apology : they were as naturally incapable, as they were morally indisposed to do better. Such writers of travels in America, or in whatever form they have addressed themselves to the public, are easily recognised. I will not name them. Of the second class of traducers, are those travellers, for whom the apology cannot be pleaded, — that they were so unqualified for correct observation ; — who have been well ac^ credited both by their connexions in life and CHAPTER I. 6 by their manners — who have received all the advantages and comforts of American hospi- tality, and who, notwithstanding, and for various reasons, have had sufficient interest to violate the laws of gratitude, and become the abusers of those, who had shown them all convenient kindness. Neither will I name these. They are already sufficiently conspi- cuous. Again : The natural propensity of the hu- man mind to extravagant statements has too frequently been indulged, on the other hand, by the too high colourings and unwarranted praise of things found in America, by emi- grants from Europe, who have happened to be pleased and to do well, and who have wished to present sufficient motives to induce their family connexions and friends to follow them. Especially has this been the case, where the recollections of the unequal state of society in Europe, and of the disadvan- tages they had suffered on that account, have awakened their strongest feelings, and kindled their love of liberty and equality into a pas- sion. All their recollections of what they b2 4 EMIGRANTS MANUAL. have left behind are associated, perhaps, with pain ; while all that they now enjoy, by com- parison, gives new being to their affections, and unwonted power to their imaginations. It is as impossible for them to write to their friends on this side of the Atlantic without extravagant praise, as for the ill-natured or purchased libeller to write without detraction and extravagant censure. Neither the one nor the other are to be trusted. The truth lies between them. If there is not sufficient motive for emigra- tion from Europe to America by a knowledge of the exact truth, then it is unquestionably better^ that those who are meditating this change under romantic expectation, should be undeceived before they are disappointed in having gone too far to retrace their steps. On the other hand, it is due to those who, under the inducements of fair representation, would naturally decide to go to America — it is due to truth — it is due to America herself, and to her States, that the misrepresentations of the interested, or of the ungenerous and malicious, should be corrected, and that Ame- CHAPTER I. 5 rica should be exhibited in her own naked and undisguised forms, in all that she is — for all that is worthy, as for all that is unworthy — for all that is inviting, as for all that is unin- viting. For some (for many^ probably) there are sufficient inducements, well founded, to emigrate to America. For others, there is little, or no inducement. The motives depend upon the various considerations of station, rank, amount of wealth ; the kind of business, trade, or profession which any one is pur- suing, and his comparative prospects of suc- cess in either country ; his family connexions, difficulties of removal, &c. &c. His religion also, his partialities for one form of govern- ment rather than another, and a regard to the comparative and general state of society, will all naturally come into the reckoning. And he ought to have such data before him - he is fairly entitled to such information, if it can be had — as may enable him to settle all and each of these questions, and every other appertain- ing to his interest on this subject, not only to his present full conviction and satisfaction, but, if possible, so that he may never have b3 b E3IIGRANT S MANUAL. occasion to repent of his decision, whichever way it be. These data and this information, in all their variety, and as suited to the most natural inquiries of all classes, trades, and professions, who are meditating emigration to America, it is the conscientious purpose of the author to give in the following pages ; and which he will endeavour to do, according to the best of his ability, and the means of knowledge, of which he has had opportunity to be possessed, and by the additional helps which may come with- in his reach. And it may, perhaps, be proper for the author here to say, as a reason why he ought to be in some degree qualified to speak upon this subject : — that besides having access to the great variety of published records and documents, which have fallen from the Eng- lish and American press, in relation to these inquiries, he has personally visited both the Canadas, and travelled over most of the United States and territories, within a few years past, and has consequently enjoyed opportunities of making himself minutely acquainted with the physical character of the CHAPTER I. 7 different portions of North America, of the relative advantages of one part over another, of the manners and customs of the people, and the state of society in different regions ; of the public improvements actually executed, or in progress, or projected ; and of such other facts as are important to be noticed for the information of emigrants. He has tra- velled extensively in the great Valley of the Mississippi, which is now so much the object of attention, and which is so rapidly peopling, not only by emigrants from Europe, but from the Eastern portions of the United States, and which, from the vast extent of its territories, the richness of its soil, and its other nume- rous and inexhaustible physical resources, opens one of the most interesting and inviting fields of human enterprise, which the world now affords. And the character and prospects of this portion of North America, as they well deserve, will receive a conspicuous notice in these pages. CHAPTER II. The Canadas — Geographical situation — Physical character — Government — The motives which they present to British Emigraiits — The parts most inviting, ^c. It is understood that the British provinces of North America are the most northern of the eastern portions of that continent, which are tenanted by civihzed man ; the lowest parts of them, on the shores of Lake Erie, being in latitude north 42'' 30'. The entire of their southern boundary is the north line of the United States, commencing on the At- lantic at north lat. 45°, running thence in a circuitous westerly direction, till it strikes the River St. Lawrence, on the same line of lati- tude, a little below the outlet of Lake Ontario; thence dividing all the upper great waters (of which Lakes Ontario^ Erie, St. Clair, CHAPTER II. y Huron, and Superior, are principal) into nearly equal portions between the two govern- ments of Great Britain and the United States ; making, of course, a very circuitous route, one of the most southern points of which is the mouth of Detroit river, near Fort Maiden. Of course the winters of Canada are longer and more severe, than in the United States. In the lower Province, especially, taking the regions about Quebec and Montreal as speci- mens, the winters are not unlike those of Russia : they commence suddenly, generally in November, and continue in all their seve- rity, with deep snows and ice-bound waters, till the month of April, when the spring bursts forth as suddenly, as the winter came in. As a compensation for the severity of winter, the spring, summer, and autumn are generally fine, the soil rich, and the climate healthful. The southern regions of Upper Canada, lying between Lakes Ontario and Huron, and especially those bordering upon Lake Erie, are more mild and grateful. It should always be understood that there is more cold weather, and that the winters are 10 emigrant's manual. longer in America, than in Europe, reckoning on the same latitudes ; especially more so, than in the insular territories of Great Britain, where the climate is so much qualified and attempered by the surrounding seas and the Atlantic. There is vastly more humidity of atmosphere, however, in these islands than in North America; and it is commonly remarked, that the weather is much more fickle here. As a general rule, the difference of the amount and degrees of cold between America and Europe, is that of ten degrees of latitude ; that is — there is as much cold at the 40th de- gree of north latitude in America, as at the 50th in Europe ; and the 50th degree of lati- tude, in the insular condition of England, is ordinarily as mild as the 35th in America. The summers in America, any where north of the city of Washington and of the Ohio river, are always fine and salubrious. In the more southern States, a torrid sun is oppressive. The Government of the Canadas is probably the best and most grateful of any of the Bri- tish provinces in the world. The former de- fection, and consequent independence of the CHAPTER II. 11 Other neighbouring colonies, now the United States, have induced the Government at home to remove, as much as possible, all occasion of dissatisfaction, and to support such a pro- vincial administration over the Canadas, as to make their own subjects there contented by a comparison of their own condition with that of their neighbours, citizens of the United States. Especially since the achievement of the inde- pendence of the States, have the King's sub- jects of the Canadas been relieved from burden- some taxes, and the government has generally been, and is still, reasonable and kind. The natives of Great Britain, partial to the govern- ment and institutions of their own country, would probably find very few reasons to be discontented under the Government of the Canadas. The British provinces of North America which first present themselves are Newfound- land, Cape Breton, Prince Edward's, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The first three of these are islands, the fourth a peninsula, and New Brunswick, a somewhat extensive territory, bordering upon the State of Maine 12 emigrant's manual. and Lower Canada. The motives for emigra- tion from the mother country to these parts are few and feeble, and rest principally with those, who may happen to have in those pro- vinces connexions of family, or of business. I shall, therefore, pass by them for a more con- spicuous notice of those provinces, which are known under the name of the Canadas. Lower Canada, being the most northern, and the province first entered by the^ emigrant going direct from Great Britain to those parts, lies upon either side of the river, and extends around upon the north side of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The most common port of de- barkation for the Canadian emigrant is Que- bec, which is reached by a somewhat difficult and often protracted navigation up the gulf and river above named. Indeed the remainder of the voyage, after making the American conti- nent, to Quebec, is altogether the most painful and hazardous, and is entirely closed during the winter months. The population of Lower Canada, by the census of 1831, is 504,598, composed princi- pally of French Catholics, and very unlike in CHAPTER II. 13 manners, customs, and temper, to the English, Scotch, and Irish. The whole line of popula- tion, on both sides of the St. Lawrence, from the Gulf up to Lake Ontario, which compre- hends the great bulk of the population of the Lower Province, is French and Roman Ca- thohc. The city of Quebec, with a population of about 30,000, is composed principally of those, who speak English, from the mother country. In Montreal, a city of equal mag- nitude, the French are most numerous, and the French language is generally spoken. The Lower Province, therefore, all things considered, and the elements of society being principally French Catholics, and of the lowest order, the prevailing genius of the institutions also being French, can hardly be considered so inviting to emigrants from England, Scot- land, or Ireland. It is true, there are a few settlements of English in this province, and there is English society in Quebec and Mon- treal for all who may have an interest to settle in those places and cities. The winters in the Lower Province are also more severe, and the c imate, on the whole, less tolerable. c 14 emigrant's ftlANUAL. Generally speaking, the motives to emigrants are much more interesting and more attractive in Upper, than in Lower Canada. The popu- lation of Upper Canada is 234,064 — making the joint population of the two provinces 739,662, by the census of 1831 : and this population must be considered as rapidly in- creasing, not only by the ordinary registry of births, but by the present increasing tide of emigration. The emigrants landed at Quebec in 1828 were 12,000 1829 .... 16,000 1830 28,000 1831 50,000 And, from present probabilities, it is estimated that those of the present year (1832) will be 100,000. A large fraction of this emigration, however, probably much more than a moiety, pass directly through the Canadas into the United States, principally from the disappoint- ments and discouragements they meet with in the Lower Province, on their first arrival. Upper Canada is not only blessed with a CHAPTER II. 15 healthy climate, but it is a rich and desirable agricultural country, where good land can be purchased at a price within the reach of the poorest man, if he is honest and industrious, ranging from four to fifteen shillings per acre; and it is open to the market of Europe, and of all the world, by the waters of the St. Lawrence. There are rising towns and flourishing settlements on the lakes and on the rivers, an open and easy navigation^ important canals, and other public improve- ments^ executed, or in progress. In a word, there is abundant encouragement in Upper Canada for every class of emigrants, who find themselves straitened in the mother country, if they have the resolution to accommodate themselves to the new circumstances, which may reasonably be expected in such a change. There is encouragement and necessity for all the common and useful arts of life. It is a country in which any honest man may prosper, and be useful and happy. And Canada is a wide and interesting field for the benevolent enterprise of faithful minis- ters of the Gospel, for teachers of common c2 16 emigrant's manual. schools, and for instructors of youth in the higher branches of education. It is to be feared, nay, it is an undoubted fact, that the intellectual and moral culture of the people of Canada has been too much neglected, and their spiritual wants overlooked by those, upon whom that community has the most natural and the strongest claims. For further particulars of Canada — See the Appendix. CHAPTER III. United States — Geographical Description^ Sfc. It would not accord with the design of this work to attempt minute information on any topic, which does not come within the imme- diate scope of the most natural inquiries of emigrants. Emigrants from England, or any part of Europe, to America, may well be sup- posed to wish to know where and what sort of country America is. And although there is little danger, that such persons would frequent- ly embark for India by mistake, yet it does sometimes happen that emigrants know little of the geography of the country, to which they are going. The territorial jurisdiction of the United States is very extensive — em- bracing all the most valuable portions of North America, and extending from 24" 27' to 50' north latitude, and from 67' to 125' west longitude — comprehending nearly all D 2 18 emigrant's manual. the territory within these extended bounda- ries ; that is, extending from the Atlantic on the east, to the Pacific on the west ; and from the Gulf of Mexico on the south, to the Canadas on the north. The higher latitudes of the territory of the United States, are to- wards the Pacific — the lowest, on the Atlantic. ' Miles The northern line of the United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, is . 3600 The maritime coast on the Pacific . . 625 The southern boundary, from latitude 42° north, on the Pacific, along the Mexican territories, first running east a few hundred miles, and thence southerly to the mouth of the Sabine River, thence along the coast of the Mexican Gulf to the extreme point of Florida 3400 The Atlantic coast is 1800 Making an entire outline of ... . 9425 This immense territory — immense to be comprehended under the jurisdiction of one CHAPTER m* 19 nation, and that nation controlled entirely by the popular will, as expressed at the periodical elections, which are ordinarily annual — embraces, in its superficial measurement, 2,457,000 square miles, and is naturally di- ^;^ided into three grand geographical sections ; Has tern, Middle, and Western — or the At- lantic Declivity, the Mississippi Valley, and the Pacific Declivity. The former section comprehends the Atlantic States of the Re- public, embracing all the territory between the Atlantic Ocean and the Alleghany, or Apalachian Ridge, the latter line cutting the United States nearly parallel with the Atlan- tic coast ; that is, from north-east to south- w^est — defining a superficial territory of 350,000 square miles. The second section, named above, being the Middle^, or the Mis- sissippi Valley, is by far the most extensive, and prospectively the most important, com- prehending 1,500,000 square miles ; and lying between the Alleghany Ridge on the east, and the Chippewayan, or Rocky Mountains, on the west. Through the heart of this immense 20 emigrant's manual. the magnificent river of the Mississippi, receiv- ing all along, from the east and from the west, its numerous, and themselves in many instances, magnificent tributaries. The third grand section, being the Western, or the Pacific Declivity, embraces the whole of the remaining territories of the United States, and lies between the Chippewayan Mountains, on the east, and the shore of the Pacific Ocean on the west — all its waters running into the Pacific, of which the Columbia River is most considerable ; this region, as yet, being prin- cipally occupied by native Aboriginal tribes of North America. The Oregon territory lies in this district. The principal attentions of civi- lized man, heretofore directed towards these Western territories of the United States, have been for the purposes of discovery and trade. Some speculations and efforts, however, are now being made for colonizing and settling the Oregon territory, at the mouth of Colum- bia River. And the time is probably not far distant, when flourishing towns will spring up on that shore of the Pacific, and the inter- course between those regions and the waters i CHAPTER III. 21 of the Mississippi, across the mountains, open, free, and frequent. But at present that terri- tory is of little interest to emigrants from Europe to America. I shall therefore dismiss it here from any more particular notice. The two great fields of inquiry with emigrants to the North American States, are the Atlantic States, and the Mississippi Valley. N. B. The word States or State, as it fre- quently occurs in this volume, is not used in the common political sense — but as indicating one, or more of the several United States of North America. CHAPTER IV. Climate of the United States, I HAVE before observed, generally y that the temperature of North American climates may be estimated, as differing from Europe by ten degrees of latitude ; that is, the latitude of 50^ in Europe is generally as mild as 40^ in America. I, of course, speak of the Atlantic coasts of America, and of the European con- tinent. And this observation is to be consi- dered as general. There are many local causes and insular, or remote inland condi- tions, and mountainous regions, which make exceptions to the general rule. Nor is it to be inferred from this statement, that the more northern parts of the United States are very uncomfortable, by the severity of cold in win- ter. The winters are, indeed, longer than in the same latitudes of Europe, and somewhat more severe perhaps. But it is not the degree CHAPTER IV. 23 of cold, that makes a winter uncomfortable, where the people are well housed and have plenty of fuel. It is rather fickleness of weather, and the consequent frequent alter- nations of frost and humidity. The climate of the New England States, for example, will perhaps, bear a close resemblance to that of Scotland, in general temperature ; while the win- ters of New England are probably much more uniform and unbroken,^ and consequently more tolerable and healthful. The insular condi- tion of England, Scotland, and Ireland, ren- ders them much more liable to frequent, and often severe and trying changes of weather, than the continental regions of America. The summers of the middle and northern parts of the United States are very grateful. I think I may say with truth, that all those portions of the United States, north of the city of Washington, on the east of the Alleg- hanies, and north of the River Ohio on the west, are among the most salubrious and grateful climates of the world. And Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, might also be compre- hended in this reckoning. There is, indeed. 24 emigrant's manual. a great variety of climate within this exten- sive district, sufficient to suit all those who come from the more northern and more southern regions of Europe. And experience proves, that it is not indispensable to the health of emigrants, that they should seek a climate exactly of the same temperature, as that to which they have been accustomed — provided they are careful not to settle down in a region of a known and prevailing malaria. And such regions are very rare and very limited in the northern and middle portions of the United States, arid may easily be ascertained and avoided. Some of the new settlements on the rivers and prairies of the western States have been subject, more or less, to inter- mittent and other fevers. But these gradually disappear by the clearing away of the forests and the advance of general improvement, and are by no means to be considered, in ordinary cases, as endemic. There is nothing so for- midable in these diseases, as to aiford any apparent check to the spirit of domestic emi- gration from the eastern States to the West. The more unhealthy regions can easily be CHAPTER IV. 25 avoided by those who are afraid. But ordi- narily, when emi^ants go and look for them- selves, the reports of malaria are disproved, and their occasions of fear vanish. All evils of this kind are more formidable on the wings and in the mouth of distant report, than in any experience of people upon the premises. I have travelled over many of those parts of the western States, reported as unhealthy, but could not find the sick. The people were all well enough to laugh at such stories, and say with triumph, and in the use of the best and the most convincing argument, — ** look at our faces,'' '' And. besides," they would say, '*ask the doctor, and he will tell you, that he is obliged to go to work upon his farm for a living." Ordinarily, therefore, the stories of the unhealthfulness of certain portions of the western States, are not worthy of much regard. And, besides, the country is so wide, and the parts so numerous and so extensive, which are known and admitted to be perfectly healthy, that if any emigrants are afraid of the lower grounds, they may choose the higher. The climate of the more southern of the 26 EMIGRANT'S MANUAL. United States is not generally reckoned favourable to European constitutions ; and the existence of slavery in those States — an entailed, grievous, and lamented evil — gene- rally constitutes a sufficient objection against a voluntary emigration there, so long as such vast and healthful regions of the north and west are open, and free, and unoccupied. From the shores of the Atlantic to the Alleg- hanies, and from the Alleghanies to the Chip- pewayan Hills, embracing a region of nearly 3000 miles in a direct measurement across the country, there is every variety of geographical feature; mountain, and hill, and valley, and dale — forest and prairie — plains and interval grounds — magnificent and smaller rivers — creeks and running brooks — high country and low — out of which a selection can be made, and all of them in the Northern, Middle, and Western States, generally healthful. It is true, that men die in the United States. And so they do in all other countries, so far as I know. CHAPTER V. Government of the United States, It is generally understood that the govern- ment of the United States is Republican. It is even de?nocratic, so far as this epithet indicates the people as the source of power. It is not democratic, however, in the wild and turbulent sense of this term. As the people of. the United States have been accustomed to govern themselves for more than half a century, by a periodical election of their legislators and rulers, which period is for the most part an- nual, the use of this prerogative has long since (I might say from the beginning) become a sober and practical business. It is true, in- deed, that in the conflicting interests of politi- cal parties, nearly equal, popular elections are not unfrequently conducted with great spirit. But whenever the will of the majority is an- nounced, the minority submit as to the deci- d2 28 EMIGRANT'S MANUAL. sion of irrevocable law. It is their own law, which may yet turn to their advantage, and will, at least, always secure their equal rights. The government of the people, by a majority of voices, is an acknowledged and sacred principle. And no one thinks of rising against it, any more than against a decree of heaven. And there is never a necessity for the majority to violate law, because it is always in their power to change it, when it does not suit them. Even Constitutional, or fundamental law, may be changed and modified by the people, and has actually been done in many of the States, not through the ordinary constitutional legis- lators, but by a special convention, chosen by the people for this purpose. And experience proves, that it can be done as dispassionately, and with as much safety, as the ordinary busi- ness of legislation under the Constitution itself. When the Constitution of a State is found, by experiment, not to work to the best advantage, on account of some defects, and when the people are generally convinced of it, the legislative assembly orders a convention of delegates to be chosen, to revise and amend CHAPTER V. 29 this fundamental and sacred instrument, ac- cording to their wisdom. And it is apt to be made better. And the Constitution of the General Government has been three several times amended, and still has some defects, v^^hich will doubtless yet be removed, and that without difficulty or danger, before many years. The reasons why these attempts to amend Constitutional law in the United States are perfectly safe, if a government of popular in- fluence may be supposed to be best, are two : First, It is impossible that the General, and State governments, should be more purely democratic, than they actually are ; — and next, The people being naturally jealous of their rights, and having governed themselves so long, it is morally impossible, that they should resign it to other hands. That a few men should have a leading influence, is na- tural, necessary, and best in any community. But when in the government of the United States, these few are seen to abuse that in- fluence, which may easily be shown to the people, (for there is always an opposition to D 3 30 emigrant's manual. every government in popular hands), the people have only to wait for the return of the next election to change their rulers. The govern- ment of the United States, therefore, must, by moral necessity, for ever act in accordance with the wishes of the majority of the people. And if the government be bad, it is only because and so far, as the people are bad. It is still the government of the people. And as the legitimate objects of a government, in its domestic policy, is to protect the people against each other, every community, left to the uncontrolled and sovereign election of their own rulers, will always find it conve- nient to have a good government. And as to the foreign policy of such a government as that of the United States, if at any time it happens to be bad, it will soon begin to operate disadvantageous! y upon the people — and the same remedy of a change of rulers is open to them by the elective franchise. The only imaginable peril of such a govern- ment arises from two assumptions: one, that the people, having the power to remodel the constitution of their own government, have CHAPTER V. 31 nothing to defend themselves against them- selves, when they may happen not to be wise and good enough to take care of themselves ; — the next, that the fickleness of the popular mind is liable to embarrass and defeat any good system of domestic or foreign policy. As to the first assumption, it may be ob- served : — -first, That the prevailing popular desire of a change in the Constitutional law of a popular government, is not very naturally a desire to make the government less popular, or essentially to affect its radical principles, bu^l^her to remedy incidental and substan- tial evils, and to secure a more effectual and easy administration — to remedy evils which have forced themselves upon the public, as a grievance, by a satisfactory course of actual experiment. And, secondly, if the majority of such a community should happen to be so unnatural, as to turn and prey upon them- selves (which is not very probable), the mi- nority will have just cause of complaint. And ^n such an event, the minority are likely soon to make the majority ; and, of course, will have it in their power to rectify the mischief. 32 ExMigrant's manual. And as to the peril of any good system of domestic or foreign policy, arising from the fickleness of the popular mind, it is a paradox, that the mind of the many is more likely to change than the mind of a few. Indeed, it would be as impossible to produce a sudden change in the mind of a great community, on any great question of state policy, foreign or domestic, as to root up a mountain from a continent, and throw it into the sea. Such a thing never was done, and never can be done. The objection, if there be any, must lie on the other score — that public opinion cannot be made to yield soon enough to meet the un- expected and sudden exigencies of state policy, which may sometimes occur. And these are exigencies in which a popular government must assume the responsibility of acting on its own discretion, and make its appeal and await its trial before the popular mind. And whether it is better to make a government in- dependent of the people, for the sake of securing some of the advantages, which might rarely accrue from a sudden change of state policy, or to abide the issues of the more steady CHAPTER V 33 and uniform course of a general and popular opinion, may safely be submitted. I might extend these observations, but my object is only to give a general notion of the government of the United States, as being of popular construction, for popular control and uses. I am aware, that tlie belief has been enter- tained, and frequently uttered and recorded on this side of the Atlantic, by those who know little either of the government or people of the United States, that the permanency of the institutions of that Republic is yet pro- blematical ; and that the example and fate of all former popular governments are against the probability of the permanency of this. To make this argument sound, requires to establish the likeness between the cases re- ferred to and the United States. The truth is, there is little or no likeness, except in name. It is true, indeed, that the permanency of such a popular government depends upon the ge- neral prevalence of that amount of intelli- gence and virtue among the people, which are indispensable to self-government. And there are good and sufficient reasons to expect, that 34 emigrant's manual. such will continue to be the character of that people. They have actually governed them- selves successfully and triumphantly for more than half a century, and have risen to a con- dition of unexampled prosperity. And it is time that the symptoms of dissolution should begin to show themselves, if they are likely to appear at all. But the progress of the Govern- ment and the experiment of its institutions have only rendered them more compact and firm. They have been so long enjoyed and cherished, that they have become incorporated with the affections and sympathies of the people, and identified with their dearest earthly expectations. They have not been shaken by time and change, but only settled down upon a firmer basis. The intelligence and virtue of the people have grown with their growth. And they are consequently not the less, but more capable of governing them- selves^ than at any former period. The cha- racter and prospects of the people of the United States are not to be estimated by the example and fate of any nation that ever existed. They are radically and thoroughly diverse. CHAPTER VI. The relations of the General Government of the United States to the several minor Republics, which form the Compact of the Union, — Sf€» EverV separate State, of which there were originally thirteen, and now twenty-four, forms an independent Republic in all respects, except as regards those particular rights of state sovereignty, which have been resigned for the great national objects of the Union and which are exactly defined in the Compact of the Union ; and this compact makes the Constitution of the United States, or of the General Government. The General Govern- ment assumes and employs only those specific prerogatives, and discharges only those offices, which are literally defined in the instrument of its organization. It never assumes — the jea- lousy of the minor States, whose representa- 36 emigrant's manual. tives compose the General Government, would never allow it to assume — any constructive pre- rogative whatever. It is a well-known, a uni- versally-acknowledged and practical principle in the legislation of the General Congress, and in the administration of the General Govern- ment, that the rights and offices literally de- fined in the Constitution of the United States, are their only rights and their only offices. Every other right and every other office, pro- per to an independent State, which are not literally defined and expressed in this general compact, are considered, and practically as- sumed and used, as belonging to each and every State, in its own sovereign capacity. Hence there is not, and cannot be, the slightest interference between the General and State Governments. Every separate State is interested alike and ^equally in the mainte- nance of its own independent sovereignty, so far as the rights of such sovereignty have not been resigned in the general compact. And as the General Government itself is an equal and component representation of the several States, the very membcfs of that Government, CHAPTER VI. 37 in its three several and co-ordinate branches of the executive^ legislative, and judiciary, are interested in defending the rights of the several States from all encroachments, or im- proper assumptions of the national authorities. ' Here, then, is literally and actually imperium in imperio — or, rather, imperia in imperio — many governments in one. We cannot pre- dict all that is possible, but it is not very pro- bable, that a government so nicely, so equally, and so admirably organized and balanced, is likely soon to be disturbed by the operation of its own internal and constituent elements. Every separate State has its own Executive in a Governor and his Council, in most in- stances elected annually by the immediate voice of the people; — a legislative assembly, composed of a senate and house of represen- tatives, also elected annually by the people ; — and a j udiciary , commissioned by the j oint autho- rity of the governor and legislature, the judges of the higher courts retaining their office for life, — or during good behaviour; — and the en- tire machinery proper to an independent State. The General, or National Government, is E 38 emigrant's manual. vested in the President of the United States, as the executive, who constitutes his own cabinet, or counsellors, ordinarily and by custom, of the Secretaries of state, of the treasury, of the navy and war departments, the Attorney-general of the United States, and the Postmaster-general; — the President being elected for a term of four years, by a college of electors, themselves chosen by a general ballot of the people of all the States ; — or if the votes of the college are so divided among the several candidates, as not to give a majority to one, the election is thrown into the House of Re- presentatives in the General Congress. The President is re-eligible, at the popular will. The legislative branch of the General Govern- ment is composed of a Senate and House of Representatives, called the General Congress of the United States. The upper House, or Senate, are chosen, two, and only two, for ever, from each State, either by a general ticket, or by the legislative assembly, as each State may determine, the Senators holding their office for six years. The lower House are chosen for two years, by a general vote of the CHAPTER VI. 39 people of all the States, their term of service making what is called one Congress of the representatives of the people of the United States, the present Congress being the twenty- third since the adoption of the present Con- stitution in 1789. Till this period, 1789, the first years of the independence of the United States were occupied under the administration of what is called the Confederation, Every forty thousand souls of each State are entitled to one member in the lower house of Congress. The present House of Representatives in Con- gress, by this rule, is a little less than three hundred. The Senate, of course, is forty- eight, there being twenty-four states. The third branch of the General Govern- ment, or judiciary, are commissioned during good behaviour, by the President and Senate of the United States, making one Supreme Court at the city of Washington, and district judges for the different States of the Union. All public officers, both of the General and State Governments, are removable during the period of their incumbency, by impeachment for mal-conduct, or mal-administration. E 2 4t) emigrant's manual. The patronage of the President of the United States is very extensive and very influential, and his executive powers and functionaries pervade the entire Union, to maintain the jurisdiction and execute the administration of the National Government^ under the prescribed and well-defined limits of the Constitution, which is at the same time the fundamental and supreme law of the land. And all questions arising from the conflicting powers of the National and State administrations ,or between the General Government and individuals, are brought by the aggrieved party before the Supreme Court of the United States, whose decision is final ; or, in certain cases, they are submitted to the Second or legislative branch of the General Government, whose de- cisions are yet subject, if necessary, to the interpretation of the Supreme judiciary. The judiciary is the last tribunal of appeal, the high and sacred Court, except in cases of the impeachment of public functionaries, when its own members are amenable to the senate of the nation, or to the Senate of a State, accord- CHAPTER VI. 41 ing as they are parts of the national, or of a State justiciary. It is proper to observe, that in all popular elections of the United States, whether for national or State purposes, there are always certain prescribed qualifications of freemen or voters, designed to exclude from the elective franchise the base and unworthy, and all those who are not supposed to have any inte- rest of real property and other valuable consi- derations at stake in the commonwealth And such ordinarily is the collision of party interests, and what generally operates as a salutary check, that any unworthy person, who comes to offer his ballot is immediately chal- lenged and excluded. The definition I have here given of the re- lations of the General and minor Governments of the United States to each other, ought to rescue the nation from 'some of the scandal, which has been attempted abroad to be attached to certain items of the national policy and administration, foreign and do- mestic. The Government of the United States has been held responsible before the world, E 3 42 emigrant's manual. and has been blamed for not doing certain things, which it could not do from the nature of its organization. Take, for instance, the matter of slavery. It is charged as an incon- sistency on the professions, and a libel on the character of the people of the United States, that they should tolerate in their very bosom, and on so large a scale, this acknowledged crime against the human race — this egregious violation of the rights of man. And far be it from me to make any apology for such an outrage on the rights of fellow-beings. It is well known, however, as a matter of fact, al- though shocking to our best feelings, that in all those communities, where the crime and curse of slavery have been introduced, the slave has been recognised in law as the pri- vate property or goods of his master, and his person held disposable in the market, and sub- ject to the common law, which defines the right and regulates the control of private estates and chattels. And such was the law, under which the Southern States of the Union came into the compact of the Federal Govern- ment, a great portion of the property of their CHAPTER VI. 43 citizens being vested in the persons of slaves, those States themselves retaining all original rights of sovereignty, except such as were resigned in common by all the States, with and without slaves, for the purposes of a general union, under a National Government, It was impossible to secure a union on any other basis, than an equality of sacrifice — certainly impossible, by demanding of the Southern States the relinquishment of a spe- cies and an amount of property, and that property being of such materials, that, if imme- diately released to the satisfaction of the rights of man, would go to the very disorganization of that state of society, under which these un- happy and unlawful relations had so long subsisted. And it has consequently never been in the power of the General Government of the United States, as a government, to touch the question of slave property, which has been held under the responsibility and sovereign control of some of the separate and indepen- dent States. And the temper and sentiments of the people of the United States, as a whole, and in relation to this subject, are not 44 emigrant's manual. to be judged by the existence of slavery in some of the integral parts of the great com- munity. However much the General Govern- ment and the people generally may deplore this fact, as they unquestionably do, they have no other remedy in their power than a declarative reprobation — which they have made — and the common influence and increas- ing strength of public opinion, operating against this crying sin. I say, the people of the United States, through their Government, and in various ways, direct and indirect, have, as a body, declared their reprobation of this offence against humanity. It is recorded in their public Declaration of Independence ; it is implied in the constitutional frame of their Government ; it is announced in their legisla- tive enactment of the abolition of the slave trade, and decreeing it piracy ; it is seen in the voluntary and benevolent organization of the mighty and combined hosts of the citizens over the entire Union, from north to south, to assist in wiping away this scandal, and re- moving this calamity. On the 1st of January, CHAPTER VI. 45 1808, the Congress of the United States de- creed the abolition of the slave trade, and pronounced it piracy. On the first of March of the same year, the British Parliament did the same. Since that period, 1808, nine of the original thirteen United States have abo- lished slavery for ever from their several com- monwealths ; while out of thirteen chartered and seven crown colonies of Great Britain, not one of them has yet abolished slavery. Others of the United States are about to fol- low in the same track of domestic abolition. The abhorrence of slavery is rapidly increas- ing over the land, and extending and exerting its influence through all the slave-holding States ; and nothing can now arrest the pro- gress and final triumph of this public opinion. And it is due both to the Government and people of the United States, that it should be understood over the world , that they are not insensible to this stupendous evil ; that they are not asleep over this terrible volcano. Slavery will be abolished in the United States — utterly and ybr ever» Of this all the world may be assured ; and the tendencies to this 46 emigrant's manual. result are accumulating in power, and increas- ing in the rapidity of their advancement every day. There is one other item of the domestic policy of the United States, which is misunderstood and often misrepresented abroad. And that is: — their treatment of the aboriginal tribes, which are found upon and scattered over their terri- tories, amounting in all probably to about 350,000, most of whom are west of the river Mississippi. There is a difference of opinion in the United States, as to the treatment, which is best calculated to save and redeem those scattered and wasting tribes, and ele- vate them to the condition and enjoyments of civilized society. But it is not true, either that the Government or people of the United States are insensible to their responsibility, in the measures they adopt respecting these once mighty, but now dependent and helpless na- tions. Although I do not approve of the policy of the present Government, in endea- vouring to extinguish the territorial rights of these nations on this side of the Mississippi, and removing them to the west ; yet it is CHAPTER VI. 47 due to the Government to allow them that credit for kindness and parental care which they profess, in believing, that this is the most benevolent course which could be devised ; viz. to allow them the full value of these lands, where they can no longer be distinct and independent; to secure them permanent and indefeasible territorial rights on the west of the Mississippi ; to separate them from all their disadvantageous connexions with a white population (the most unprincipled of whom will contrive to sell them ardent spirits to their ruin) ; to establish them in a wide and suffi- cient country, more natural to their habits ; to defend them thoroughly against injurious encroachments ; to give them a government of their own, retaining over them such a parental guardianship, as their dependent condition may require ; and bestowing upon them all pos- sible intellectual and moral culture, and endeavouring to raise them to the enjoyments of civilized society. Such are the professions, and such, we hope, are the honest intentions of the Government of the United States. And it should be added, that the benevolent sym- 48 emigrant's manual. pathies of the American public are so tho- roughly roused for this fallen and suffering race, that they will follow them continually by their prayers and labours, and if it be possible to save them — will save them. CHAPTER VII. New England, New England is a legitimate child of Old England, although in its minority it became undutiful, and broke the bonds of parental restraint. Draw a line north and south, from fifteen to twenty miles east of the Hudson river, beginning on Long Island Sound, a little east of the city of New York, until it cuts the boundary line of Lower Canada ; and all that part of the United States east of this line is New England, comprehending the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, and containing a population of 2,500,000. This district is indeed but a small portion of the territories of the Union ; but it is an important fraction, physically, intellectually, and morally. Its principal towns are Newhaven and Hart- ford, in Connecticut ; Providence, in Rhode 50 emigrant's manual. Island; Boston and Salem, in Massachusetts ; Portsmouth, in New Hampshire ; and Port- land, in Maine ; besides which the whole of New England is sprinkled with numerous smaller, yet beautiful towns, and flourishing villages, not important for the design of this work to mention. This part of the United States is more or less diversified with hills and mountains, as Scotland and Wales, and gene- rally devoted to agriculture, manufactures, and commerce. The population is spread over nearly its whole extent. It is England and Scotland again in miniature and in child- hood — not so mature, not so much crowded, and with less of the refinements and luxuries of overgrown estates. There are many rich, and even very wealthy, especially in the larger towns. The great bulk of the population are perfectly independent, and none, not probably a family in New England, necessarily suffer- ing from want, unless it be some of the de- praved poor of a few large towns. New Eng- land has its Manchesters, its Birminghams, its Sheffields, and its Leeds', &c. &c., on a smaller scale, but fast rising into importance, CHAPTER VII. 51 by the vast capital transferred from the city of Boston, and other large towns, into their manu- facturing establishments. New England is remarkable for its intellectual, moral, and reli- gious culture ; for its colleges, public schools, and the advantages of common education ex- tended to all — to the children of the poor as well as of the rich ; the rich being obliged to pay for the education of the poor, by main- taining common schools, which are brought within the reach of all. New England has also proved an immense hive, out of which swarms have been constantly and for a long time teeming to people the new and Western States ; and they have always proved the best pioneers for opening and cultivating the wil- derness ; and it would probably be speaking within the bounds of truth to say, that she has sent out a greater population for this purpose, including their increase, than what she now retains within her own bosom. If, then, the people of New England have found such motives to emigrate to the west, it will very naturally be inferred, that New Eng- land is not the most inviting field for emigrants r2 52 emigrant's manual. from OZc? .England. And this inference is a very just one for common and general pur- poses, and taking into consideration the com- parative inducements which lie farther west. Those, however, who wish to find England and Scotland in America, as near as may be, will more likely be satisfied with New Eng- land. '' And yet there is room," notwith- standing so many have found motives for going away. There is room for farmers, mechanics, tradesmen, merchants ; manufac- turers especially will find employment ; and scholars, the learned professions, and the sacred — provided always these emigrants can take along with them a good name. Those who are wanting in this commodity had better stay at home, or bury themselves in a large town, or in the wilderness, where people are not so particular. New England is a pure atmosphere, and holds a good name at great «^rice ; and they who wear it will be honoured, whatever be their calling. But, as compara- tively few now emigrating from Great Britain to the United States, will be likely to stop in New England, so long as such interesting and CHAPTER VII. 53 attractive inducements are held out from the farther west, especially to enterprising spirits, I will only say, — that New England is the Paradise of America, a cradle of virtue and piety, the nursery of a sound and healthful morality, a pattern of industry, the glory of all lands, her sons of a fixed and stable cha- racter, known to the world's end, free as her mountain air, buoyant and bounding as her clouds, and, like her clouds, often taking wing for distant and generous enterprise. CHAPTER VIII. The City and State of New York, The city of New York is the great commer- cial emporium of North America, and destined to rival any city in the world, in population, in wealth, and in commercial intercourse. Like Tyre of old, she is planted in the midst of the waters, and is for ever surrounded by a dense forest of shipping, whose traffic connects her with every part of the globe ; and her capa- cious harbour and outstretching arms of the sea, are ever covered with wings of open and swelling canvass, and with swift and majestic steamers, darting in every direction. Man- hattan Island, on which the city is founded, looming up from the surrounding waters, is capable of crowding together a population of many hundred thousands, more even than are now counted in the metropolis of the British empire ; and when that is filled, the city can CHAPTER VIII. 55 Still extend itself backwards on the north, and spread itself out to the east on Long Island, from which it is separated by a deep arm of the sea, but a little wider than the Thames. In the event of the perpetual prosperity of the United States, imagination itself cannot set limits to the growth of this city. Its present population is not far from 230,000. For artists, mechanics, and tradesmen of every sort, of good character and industrious habits. New York will always be an inviting field. For the poor, accustomed only to manual drudgery and grovelling pursuits, it is not so bad as London, neither is it much better. Never let the poor and destitute emigrant stop in New York — it will be his ruin. But let him push into the country : he may find employ- ment somewhere, if he is honest and willing to work. There never has yet been a time, when an honest and industrious man has ne- cessarily suffered from want in America, nor is that time likely soon to arrive. And every such man may thrive in the acquisition of pro- perty, even with a family upon his hands, with ^ proper economy. 56 emigrant's manual. The State of New York is the largest and most important in the Union — its population now (1832) is more than two millions, still in- creasing, there being large tracts of unoccu- pied territory yet in the market, especially in the Southern and Western districts. In geo- graphical relations, this State has New Eng- land on the east, Canada on the north — from which it is separated the greatest distance by the watery boundary of the River St. Lawrence^ Lake Ontario, and Niagara River, — Lake Erie on the west, — and the States of Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey on the south. Its open- ing to the Atlantic is on the south-west point, where stands the city of New York, at the mouth of the Hudson ; the harbour of New York being created by the favourable position of Long Island on the east, and Staten Island on the south — the principal passage for fo- reign commerce, lying between these islands ; while another, for eastern navigation, and foreign, if necessary, passes through Long Island Sound, opening into the Atlantic. Another passage towards Phila4elphia, to cross the Peninsula of New Jersey, lies to the CHAPTER VIII. 57 west, while the great channel of internal trade runs up the Hudson, 150 miles, to Albany, thence by the grand Erie Canal, 360 miles long, running east and west, and connecting the waters of the Hudson with Lake Erie ; and the waters of Lake Erie are again con- nected with those of the Mississippi to New Orleans, by a canal across the State of Ohio to the Ohio River, which is this year being completed, itself equally important and mag- nificent as the Erie Canal. So that, in fact. New York is not only connected with New Orleans by the Atlantic, but also by an unin terrupted inland navigation, between 600 and 700 miles of which are artificial. The Erie Canal, running through the State of New York, is a stupendous work, physically, mo- rally, and commercially. It connects New York immediately, not" only with all the western territories of her own State, but with all the Western States, and with all the vast regions lying around, and upon all the upper lakes, Erie, St. Clair, Huron, Michigan, and Superior — which are so many great inland seas of fresh water, already covered with ship 58 emigrant's manual. navigation, running to the utmost extent of their shores, all connected by deep and navi- gable channels, excepting only the falls of St. Mary, at the foot of Lake Superior, of one mile in length — which will soon be overcome by a ship canal. The shores of these lakes^ and the wide countries bordering upon them, are rapidly settling, both on the Canada side and in the States, and must pour all their pro- ducts into the lap of the city of New York — except the small fraction, which goes by the way of Montreal. In the summer and autumn of 1830, I passed through all these lakes, except Superior (the outlet of which I visited), and returned,, by steam, commencing at Buffalo, the foot of Lake Erie. Here are at least a dozen steamers, most of them of a large and heavy class, besides some hundreds of sailing craft, most of them schooners (though ships are also found), doing the business of these upper lakes, and connected immediately, by the Erie Canal, with the trade of New York. I left Buffalo in July, and in a passage of twa days made Detroit, through Lake Erie, 300 CHAPTER VIII. 59 miles. In August I embarked in a steam-boat for Green Bay, North- West territory. In three days we had passed through St. Clair, and Lake Huron, and came to St. Mary's, foot of Lake Superior, 500 miles from Detroit. After landing a company of troops at the garrison, we returned by the Strait, fifty miles, and went up to Fort Michillimackinack, at the head of Lake Huron, and landed another company of troops. We had also left one company at the foot of Lake Huron, as we passed up. We then sailed across Lake Michigan to Green Bay, 300 miles from the last named fort, and landed another company of troops at a garrison at the mouth of Fox River, North- West territory. Here I spent six weeks adfong the wild Indians of North America, and attended a grand council of several tribes, which lasted two weeks, and witnessed every day their wild and expressive oratory. The latter part of September I re- turned by another steam-boat, the same route. The length of ship navigation, through these lakes, from Buffalo to the head of Michigan, *s about 1300 miles, all bordered by the finest 60 emigrant's manual. country, large portions of which are already yielding the fruits of agriculture — though the upper regions are yet more or less wild, and exceedingly romantic, and tenanted only by the Aborigines. But to the State of New York, — the western sections of which were the first field of emigra- tion from New England, some thirty to forty years ago. Those regions were then wild and scarcely known, but now filled with flourishing settlements, rising villages and towns, some of them grouping a population of from 5000 to 12,000. A large portion of the country is reduced from a wilderness to a very improved and productive state of agriculture. And, although the spirit of emigration has more re- cently pushed on still further west, and poured down its tens of thousands into the Valley of the Mississippi ; yet the physical resources of the single State of New York are capable of sustaining many millions of people ; — and its middle and western counties are still an in- viting field of emigration. The towns and villages, which are springing up on the line of the grand canal, on its several branches, and on CHAPTER VIII 61 the minor lakes, with which its territory is sprinkled, some of them 20, and 30, and 40 miles in length, — all present openings for the various trades and useful arts. The princi- pal towns lying on a single route from the city of New York to the western part of the state — are Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Hudson, Albany, Troy, Skenectedy, Utica, Auburn, Geneva, Canandaigua, Rochester, and Buf- falo — besides scores of minor, yet rising and flourishing villages. The population of the towns, above named, ranges from 3000 to 25,000. The whole region, from east to west of this State, presents one bustling, stirring, scene, not unlike a May-day hive of bees — all moved to activity by their connexions with the city of New York, which receives their products, and renders them their delicacies. The people, however, are careful not to ex- pend all for delicacies. They collect and amass wealth with great rapidity, if they are ordinarily industrious and economical. Merely to live never satisfies the ambition of an Ame- rican ; — and no man, in America, with health and virtue, is ever necessarily doomed to such G 62 emigrant's manual. a condition. It is accretion to his worldly- estates and goods, which inspires and con- stitutes the spring of his industry and enter- prize. And he sees spread before him, for his own election, a great variety of the certain means of accomplishing his purpose. It can never be said, in America, for the blasting of hope and enterprize, that every station is oc- cupied and every place is full. In America a man may create stations and make places, and may always find such already open, as might satisfy any reasonable ambition. And the city and State of New York, for a long time yet to come, will present wide and inex- haustible fields of enterprize. Poor people, however, emigrating from Eu- rope, should always be cautioned against stopping in the city of New York, or in any large commercial towns. They can rarely rise in such places, and are likely to be doomed to the lowest, most groveling, an4 vicious pursuits — and those often con- nected with crime. And next comes the Penitentiary, and, perhaps, the gallows. Cooks and servants in houses, however, if CHAPTER VIII. 63 meritorious and faithful, — and all persons accustomed to be retained in the service of the rich and wealthy, — if they choose still to continue in such service, may do well in New York, or in any American city. But for out-door, manual drudgery, and the most laborious occupations, foreigners in Ameri- can cities are the worst of managers, equally for themselves and employers. And for want of a better occupation, they are apt to give themselves up to the low pursuit of orange and fruit hawkers — from which the pride of a native American revolts, and he is never found in it. And the reason is obvious : — He knows he can find a higher and more profitable employment. Indeed, the igno- rant and laborious poor of England, and especially of Ireland, are, in almost all cases, bad managers in America. Their minds have been so thoroughly subdued by their former depressed condition, that they seem utterly incapable of recovering elasticity, and of ma- naging well for themselves in circumstances entirely new and unwonted. And, hence, we find all over America, that the most ser- G 2 64 emigrant's manual. vile stations are occupied, and the heaviest drudgery of life performed by foreigners of this class. Who digs the canals of America, and builds the foundations of her railways ? — ^They are almost exclusively Irish labourers, who contrive to spend all their wages as fast as they receive them — ignorant, groveling, intemperate, and addicted to fighting. They go from a bad condition on this side of the Atlantic, to make themselves worse, if pos- sible, on the other. This ignorance and stu- pidity unfit them to keep pace with the quick and rapid movements of American habits, and they are easily discouraged, and sink down and die in the lowest conditions of life. Common sense might teach, that there must be some degree of cleverness, some spirit of enterprize, some self-respect, and vigour of character, for a poor man to make his way prosperously in a foreign country. For when men go out into a selfish world to seek their fortunes, they are not to expect the aids of hospitality, and sacrifices from others, to help them alang. Certainly they must not rely on such uncertainties. But CHAPTER VIH. 65 they should go prepared, by good conduct and perseverance, to make their own way. As clouds of Europeans of all sorts are flocking to America, a foreigner there is no novelty. And as too many of the dishonest and of outlaws have gone there for refuge, without mending their manners or their ways, all emigrants to America should be careful to carry with them proper certificates of cha- racter, or expect to submit to the ordinary course of earning a reputation. There are many important and rising manu- factories in the State .of New York, although New England is by far the most inviting field for those Europeans, who wish to connect themselves with such establishments in Ame- rica. 3 CHAPTER IX. Other States East of the Alleghany Ridge. New Jersey, which is a Peninsula, or tongue of land, running down between the Hudson River and Atlantic on the east, and Delaware River, and bay on the west, is a small and comparatively unimportant State, presenting little to invite the attention of emigrants from Europe. There are some important, and even great manufacturing establishments of woollen and cotton fabrics, situated on the Passaic Falls, about twenty miles west of the city of New York, which may claim the con- sideration of those devoted to such occupa- tions. The State of Pennsylvania, having Phila- delphia for its chief city, is a large and flourishing commonwealth, not inappropri- ately called the garden of the United States, before the Mississippi Valley was better CHAPTER IX. 67 known, and containing a population of nearly 1,500,000. It is the second State of the Union in population and relative impor- tance — New York being the first. The com- monwealth was founded under the auspices of William Penn, by the Quakers, who still make a predominent element of the com- munity — more especially at Philadelphia. Next to the Quakers, and even more, taking into consideration the whole extent of the State, the Germans constitute a great portion of the society — so much so, that throughout all the German districts, the language of their parent country is almost exclusively used. Their common schools, their pulpit, their newspapers, and most of their literature are generally sustained through the medium of the mother tongue — all doomed, however, to the gradual encroachments of the English, which must ultimately supplant the German. Philadelphia, whose population, including its liberties, or suburbs, is a little less than 200,000, standing on the west bank of the Delaware, is the second city in the United States Projected by William Penn on the 68 emigrant's manual. exact rectangular plan, and lying upon an extended plain, its growth has been made to conform to this rule — so that all its parts, especially its principal streets, and in the night season, when lighted up, present to the eye, in every open line, one intermina- ble vista of brilliant and enchanting perspec- tive. It must be confessed, however, that the eye often tires of the uniformity of such a scene. To have seen a few streets is seeing: the whole city — one part is so nearly the per- fect type of another. The principal market of Philadelphia, running through its heart from east to west, and being erected in a street left wide for the purpose, is nearly two miles in length. The influence of the Quakers, abhorring church steeples, has been so great, as to deprive almost the whole city of this beautiful ornament of a large town — even among those religious sects, whose conscientious scruples do not forbid them. Only two are to be seen in approach- ing the city from any direction — one Episco- palian, the other Presbyterian, There are a few modest ones, however, and here and CHAPTER IX. 69 there a tower to be found by close inspec- tion, in walking over the town. But what is wanting, in this sort of show, is richly in demnified by the exemplification of the purest taste and some of the finest and most perfect models of architecture, ancient and modern, in many public edifices, and in a vast num- ber of private mansions. The best streets of Philadelphia are, perhaps, equally satisfac- tory to the eye, for their demonstrations of elegance, and for their indications of dura- bility and convenience, wath any city in the world. And the internal of the best houses is as perfect, in all respects, as any thing of the kind can be. The most remarkable of the public edifices of Philadelphia — of which there are many most exemplary patterns — > is the Bank of the United States — it being of pure marble, and after one of the grandest models of architecture. Philadelphia is a quiet city, compared with New York, exhibiting less of the external dis- play and bustle of commerce — but its capital is more substantial, its citizens more wealthy, and it is greatly in advance of New York in 70 emigrant's manual. the culture and perfection of the useful and fine arts, in its science and literature, in the tone of its morality, and in purity of manners. It is in all respects a prosperous, agreeable, and healthful city, having a good share of foreign commerce, and drawing into its bosom, not only the vast products of the interior of its own State, but of more extended regions, and supplying them in turn with every thing de- sirable from foreign countries, as well as the productions of its own domestic arts. For those emigrants from Europe, who have rea- sons for desiring a city life in America, either for business or retirement, Philadelphia has a large share of attractions. There are many large and flourishing towns in the interior of Pennsylvania — of which are Harrisburgh, the seat of government, on the Susquehannah, — Lancaster, — and Pittsburgh, west of the Alleghanies, at the head of steam navigation on the Ohio River — the latter being a manufacturing town of 30,000 inhabitants, and fast rising into great importance. The State of Pennsylvania, being of wide extent, and having the richest soil, is more es- CHAPTER IX. 71 pecially an agricultural district. To give an idea of its internal improvements, for the pur- pose of connecting all its parts with Philadel- phia, it is sufficient to remark that, its canals and railroads, in the aggregate, measure more than 800 miles — ^most of which are in actual use, and the whole to be completed probably in the current year, 1832, at an expense of not less than 15,000,000 of dollars — five dollars being equal to a guinea. The city of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania are, on the whole, not unworthy the attention of emigrants from Europe — more especially^ if they have any friends, or connections of busi- ness to lead them there. The States immediately south of Pennsyl- vania, are Delaware and Maryland — the for- mer being the smallest, the most unimportant and altogether the most undesirable in the Union, having a population of only 70,000, and lying upon a low ground peninsula, be- tween the Bays of Delaware and Cheseapeake, with a climate for the most part unhealthy, besides being cursed with slavery. Maryland is naturally desirable, but also 72 emigrant's manual. labouring under the evil of slavery. It is, however, approaching the period, when eman- cipation will be unavoidable. The large com- mercial and flourishing city of Baltimore, at the head of the Cheseapeake Bay, lies in the heart of this State, and is now connecting it- self with the vast interior of the West by a rail-road of 300 to 400 miles in length, across the Alleghanies down to Wheeling on the Ohio, with a branch to Pittsburgh — a consider- able fraction of which is already in use, less, perhaps, than 100 miles. The population of Baltimore is about 70,000 — that of the State 450,000. The city of Baltimore is not unin- viting to those who wish to engage in trade and commerce, in the various manufactures, and in the useful arts. For the purposes of agriculture, none but natives can manage plantations to advantage, which are worked by slaves. The slave States are all uninviting to emigrants ; and will naturally be avoided. We have, therefore, no occasion to be any longer detained on this side of the Alleghany Ridge, as all other parts of the United States, on the East of this boundary, not already CHAPTER IX. 73 brought under review, are labouring under the' disadvantages of slavery, and are comprehend- ed in Virginia, the two Carolinas and Georgia. These States are generally divided into large plantations, cultivated for the most part by a coloured and slave population ; and excepting the Western and high grounds of Virginia and North Carolina, are considered unhealthy for European constitutions. CHAPTER X. The Mississippi Valley, We come now to the most important and most interesting part of the United States of North America, as opening a wide, hopeful, and exhaustless field of human enterprise. The fact, that the people of the Eastern States are annually flocking by tens of thousands into this vast region, with their families and substance, and scattering themselves over these new States and territories, clearing the wilderness, building towns and villages, and securing a home and a larger estate for them- selves and their children — is a suflficient indi- cation of the high expectations, which are en- tertained in America of the physical resources of this Valley, and a sufficient proof of the public estimation of its comparative import- ance. It is not to be inferred from this fact, however, that the older and Eastern States are CHAPTER X. 75 fall, or that the materials of industry, and the motives of enterprize, on the east of the Al- leghanies, are exhausted. On the contrary, if this Western region were struck out of ex- istence, or had never been, there would still be room enough in the Atlantic States for a great empire — an empire long to increase in population and in wealth, and long to de- velope its energies, and assert its growing importance among the nations of the earth. Indeed, it is only this Atlantic region, which has heretofore been known as the United States of America — this only, which has im- posed itself upon the notice of the world, as comprehending the North American Republic — this only, which originally asserted and secured its own independence, and took rank in the community of nations. All beyond, till within a generation past, was principally an unexplored region, unknown in its import- ance, and presenting little temptation to those, who had been absorbed in events and scenes immediately around them, and whose domestic and public interests claimed, for a while, their principal attentions. It is only by comparison, H 2 76 emigrant's manual. that the Mississippi Valley rises to such im- portance, by a recent discovery of its physical resources, and a prophetic discernment of its prospective political sway. Reason of the name given to this region. It might seem strange that so vast a ter- ritory as 1,500,000 square miles, extending from south to north, through twenty -Jive de- grees of latitude, and covering, from east to west, forty degrees of longitude, should re- ceive the small and unpretending name of Valley, which, in its ordinary acceptation, may be found wherever two opposite hills are found, even though so nearly ranged, that the human voice might send its echo across the intervening region. Proper names are often accidentally and uncontrollably arbitrary. So in the present instance. When the citi- zens of the United States first began to peep over the Alleghany Ridge, and look down into the regions beyond, where the waters changed their course to the west, and, as was well known, ultimately found their way into the great Mississippi, it was very natural to CHAPTER X. 77 give those regions a distinctive name, although their extent had never been surveyed, nor even computed. And that name happened to be the Valley of the Mississippi, which is now understood to comprehend all the vast regions which lie between the Alleghany Ridge on the east, and the Chippewayan summits on the west, and extend from the Gulf of Mexico on the south, to the northern sources of this mighty river, which disembogues its measure- less torrents into the sea at New Orleans. This immense valley contains within its bosom other valleys, created by the numerous tribu- taries of the Mississippi, some of which are themselves of vast extent. One of these is the Missouri Valley, 1200 miles in length, and 437 in breadth, with a surface of 527,000 square miles. Another is the Valley of the Ohio, more than 1 000 miles long, and spread- ing out a surface of somewhat more than 200,000 square miles. The valleys of the Arkansas and of Red River must also be large, as each of them runs a course, esti- mated by its channel, 2,500 miles, before it falls into the Mississippi. The last two rivers H 3 78 emigrant's manual. come from the west, as also the Missouri. On the east are the Yazoo, the Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers, creating long and exten- sive valleys ; also, White River, with a course of 1200 miles — the Kaskasia, 200 miles — the Illinois, 400 — and other numerous branches both of the Mississippi and of its principal tributaries, all creating a variegated and un- dulating surface over the entire of these ex- tended territories. There are not only hilly, but mountainous, districts in the Valley of the Mississippi, lying between the principal rivers. As a general aspect, however, could an ob- server be favoured with an elevated seat in the regions of the clouds directly over the channel of the Mississippi, and survey at a glance the territories we are now describing, beginning at the Alleghany Ridge on the east, as the eye rolled on to the west, the mountains would gradually sink into hills, and, after a passage of some hundreds of miles, the hills finally be merged in one vast plain, spreading out from the Mississippi on the east and west, and rising again towards the setting sun, till the eye should rest on the CHAPTER X. 79 summits of the Chippewayan, or Rocky moun- tains. And as the Mississippi rolls on to the south, the plain would be seen to extend itself wider and wider, till the hills disappear, and the whole region merges in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. And it is a remarkable fact, that the rivers of the Mississippi Valley are so numerous and so accessible, by an uninterrupted navigation, that all parts of the entire region are near and convenient to market — or, which is the same thing, near to an outlet for the produc- tions of the soil and mines — for an easy and rapid egress and ingress to and from the city of New Orleans, and, of course, in relation to all the world. All the larger tributaries of the Mississippi are navigable by steam for many hundred miles ; and often the tribu- taries of these tributaries may be ascended a great distance into the country, in different directions, by the same craft, and then a class of smaller boats penetrate still farther into the forests of the wilderness. It is only a year ago, now that I am writing, that I found myself able, in the midst of the mountains of 80 emigrant's manual. Virginia, to take a steam-boat on the Kanawa river, sixty miles above its junction with the Ohio, and from 300 to 400 miles above the city of Cincinnati, v^ith the most commodious accommodations. And yet, it so happened, although I had supposed myself acquainted with the geography of my own country, that I had never heard of that river till I got there. And there are numerous steam-boats plying every day upon waters, in the Valley of the Mississippi, which, as yet, have no name, or place, in the ordinary charts. The Missouri river, which is the largest tri- butary of the Mississippi, is navigable, without interruption, 2300 miles above its junction with the latter ; and thence to New Orleans, by the Mississippi, is 1200 miles, making the longest river navigation in the world, except by the Amazon, in South America, — the whole distance being 3500 miles. The river Ohio is navigable for steam-boats of the largest class, even to 500 tons, when the waters are swollen, as far as Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, which is 948 miles above its junction with the Mis- sissippi, and 1950 above New Orleans. The CHAPTER X. 81 Arkansas and Red Rivers are also navigable for steamers of a large size, for some hundreds of miles — I am inclined to believe at least a 1000, perhaps more — before they fall into the Mississippi. The tributaries of the Mississippi, navigable by steam, and penetrating the dis- tant regions of the valley, in almost every direction, are very numerous, the names of which it is not convenient here to mention. The Mississippi itself is penetrated by steam- boats to the Falls of St. Anthony. Its dis- tance from New Orleans I do not remember, though not far from 2000 miles. All these reckonings, are, of course by the channels of the respective rivers, and not in a direct line. And by this line, the distance from the source of the Ohio, down across the Mississippi, up to the source of the Missouri, is 5000 miles. Steam-boats. The first steam-boat built for the waters of the Mississippi (and by the waters of the Mis- sissippi I mean the principal river and its tributaries) was launched at Pittsburgh in 1811. Not many, however, were brought into 82 emigrant's manual. use previous to 1817. Since 1817 they have been rapidly multiplied, so that the whole number which has been launched on those waters, down to the present time (1832), by the latest estimate, is more than 450, about 15 of which were built last year (1831). Many of these, perhaps one-fourth, have been worn out and laid aside. The largest class measure 500 tons ; the ordinary size is 300 tons, and so down to 100 and to 75 for the smaller rivers. They are, for the most part, of large dimensions, and, on account of their peculiar structure, erecting two, and some- times three, stories above deck, they are of majestic and imposing appearance. As they are built exclusively for river navigation, and being never exposed to the gales of an open sea, these stories above deck are appropriated to cabins for passengers, while the space be- low is used for freight. And their appearance, in moving through the water, has often been compared to floating castles. The population and business of the Valley have increased so rapidly, and to such an extent, within a few years, that all these boats, with all their CHAPTER X. 83 facilities of expediting their trips by the ama- zing power of steam, have a constant and full occupation upon the Mississippi and its ex- tended branches. Other and general Statistics of the Valley, Those parts of the United States which lie within the Mississippi Valley, as already de- fined, are the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Some of the western portions of Georgia, Virginia, Penn- sylvania, and New York — the organized dis- tricts of West Florida, the Arkansas, Missouri Territory, Michigan, and North West Territory, together with extensive regions, over which no Territorial Government has yet been estab- lished. It is proper, perhaps, to explain here, that the territorial jurisdiction of the United States is generally of three sorts : — That which is asserted by the General Government, over their wide domains, in relation to foreign powers — that which is asserted by each individual member of the Federal Union, over its own 84 emigrant's manual. geographical bounds, in relation to other States, and the General Government — and that which is set up by special provision of Con- gress, over a particular district, which is con- sidered a candidate for admission into the independent prerogatives, and under the Fe- derative obligations of the General Union. The latter is called a Territorial Government, and is organized, in all its parts, under commission of the Executive of the General Government, with a governor and council, two houses of le- gislative assembly, with the customary powers of a state jurisdiction, except being amenable, in all respects, to the General Government. And by a provision of the Constitution of the United States, these organized Territories, when grown to a sufficient importance (the measure of that importance being left in the breast of the General Congress to determine), are accus- tomed to claim and receive from Congress the full charter of a State Government, and are solemnly installed in all the privileges, and invested with all the prerogatives of members of the General Union, by special acts of Con- gress ; after which they hold this charter in CHAPTER X. 85 their own sovereignty, the same as the ori- ginal States, and can no more be deprived of it. Every State in the Mississippi Valley, of which there are nine, has been formed and erected in this way ; and so also the States of Vermont and of Maine, in New England. And there are five Territorial jurisdictions in the Valley, as enumerated and described above, which are growing with a rapidity, that promises soon to entitle them to the usual charter of an independent State. Those por- tions of the territory of the United States yet unorganized, comprehending the whole of that immense region which lies between the west- ern margin of the Mississippi Valley and the Pacific Ocean, as also large districts in the western and northern portions of the Valley itself, remain under the general and a dis- tinct jurisdiction, executed immediately by the General Government. It will be seen, therefore, that the United States of North America, — which originally were thirteen, and which have since grown to twenty-four, having now jftve organized Territories candidates for admission into the 8b EMIGRANTS MANUAL. Federal Union, — are destined still to be multi- plied by the increase of population, and its extension westward, until they shall cover and embrace, each in its own defined boundaries, the entire territory of the Union, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Gulf of Mexico to the British and Russian dominions on the north. The number of the United States ultimately will probably be about j^/ify. And from the nature of their relations to each other, and to the General Government, as de- fined in the Federal Compact, extensive and vast as the Republic is likely to become, there is no apparent probability of any future con- vulsion, that shall dissolve the Union, provided a suitable intellectual and moral culture can be made to keep pace with the amazing and rapid growth, which evidently awaits the na- tion. The interests of the Union are so com- mon and so important to all, that no consider- able portion of the Republic can be expected to make a voluntary and successful defection But to return to the Valley. Nine of the twenty-four States, and j^ve organized Territo- ries, making virtually fourteen States — together CHAPTER X. 87 with no inconsiderable fractional parts of four other States — lie in the Mississippi Valley. By the census of 1830 the population of the United States was 12,856,171, and is now (1832) more than 13,000,000. Somewhat less than 5,000,000 of this population are in the Valley of Mississippi. The following comparative estimate of the increase of popu- lation in the United States, from 1790 to 1830, and of the two districts now under consideration, comparatively, will show the rate of increase in the Valley over that of the Atlantic States. In 1790 the entire po- pulation of the United States was 2,929,000 ; in 1800 it was 5,309,000; in 1810 it was 7,240,000; in 1820 it was 9,638,000; in 1830 it was 12,856,000. In 1810 the popu- lation of the Mississippi Valley was l,(i78,000; in 1820 it was 2,234,000 ; and now (1832) it is somewhat less than 5,000,000 ; — these es- timates for the Valley being integral parts of the foregoing estimates of the entire popula- tion of the United States at the same periods. The population of the Valley for 1800 is not worth reckoning, there having been only a I 2 88 emigrant's manual. few scores of thousands at that time, in that region, under the jurisdiction of the United States. And the motives for emigration from the Atlantic States to the Valley are still in- creasing, drawing over continual floods, be- sides the natural increase upon the premises. And, inasmuch as the population of the United States doubles every twenty-five years, assu- ming the rates of increase during their past history, as a basis of calculation, it is reason- able to conclude, that in one quarter of a century from this^ the majority of the people of the Union will be in the Valley, and, of course, the preponderance of influence in the national counsels will be there. And the city of Washington, the present seat of govern- ment, will be found not only out of the centre, but upon the very margin of the extending and extended Republic. The immense Valley of the Mississippi, which, at the first forma- tion of the Government, was never looked upon as a region to be tenanted by the citi- zens of the States, much less to make members of the General Union by a sub-division of its territory, is doubtless destined, in a short CHAPTER X. 89 period, to draw into its bosom the great cen- tral and all-pervading influences, and to make the great body of the nation. What has contributed greatly to hasten the relative im- portance of the Valley was the purchase of Louisiana from the Government of France, under the administration of Jefferson, and the more recent purchase of the Floridas from Spain. New Orleans is the key of the Valley, and the possession and control of Louisiana, by the Government of the United States, were indispensable to the most advantageous occu- pation and uses of the great Mississippi Valley. But for this successful negociation the whole of that vast region would have been shut up by a foreign power, but now it is open to all the world. And the cession of the Floridas has completed the circle of the physical and moral capabilities of the Republic, endowing it with advantages in relation to all the world, the value of which cannot be computed. For all the purposes of information import- ant for emigrants from Europe to the Valley of Mississippi, we may pass over, with very slight notice, all those parts of it, which lie I 3 90 emigrant's manual. south of the river Ohio, and west of the Mis- sissippi, — as those districts, so far as they are reduced to organized Governments, are unfor- tunately afflicted with the evil, and are la- bouring under the disadvantages of slavery. And besides, the southern regions of the Valley are in a low latitude, are generally low coun- tries, and comparatively unhealthy. There are few inducements for Europeans to emi- grate to the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, or the Floridas, except for com- mercial purposes. These districts are most southerly of any of the Western States, or States of this Valley, and their climate is apt to be unkind to Europeans. The whole of Louisiana lies below north latitude 33**, the Floridas below 31"*, and the States of Missis- sippi and Alabama below 35**, — and their natu- ral products are the fruits of tropical climates — their staples, as grown by culture, sugar and cotton. New Orleans, in latitude 30'' (nearly ), is the capital of Louisiana, and the great com- mercial emporium of the Valley, connected with an interior incomparably more vast, and CHAPTER X. 91 prospectively more important, than the inte- rior relations of the city of New York, and destined — we should say, but for its low and unhealthy position — to be the greatest and most important city in North America. How far it may be able, by art, to overcome these disadvantages, it is impossible to say. It can well afford any improvements, and any arti- ficial protections, which it is in the power of man to create. As yet, however, it annually proves the grave of many thousands from the north and east, whose commercial enterprise and business detain them there too late in the summer to escape the indigenous or endemic diseases, or who attempt to inure themselves to the influences of the climate. New Orleans is the natural port of entry for all importations from any part of the world — for the remote and extreme parts of the vast interior of the Mississippi Valley ; and it is equally the out- let for all its exports. Here all the steam navigation of the Mississippi and its tributa- ries meets the ship navigation from the ocean, and from whatever distant seas and foreign lands, as well as from all the ports of the 92 emigrant's manual. Atlantic States. Here is the place where all commodities, going and coming, change their bottom. Already an active population of nearly 5,000,000, scattered over the Valley, and in- creasing annually by hundreds of thousands, is pouring the teeming products of their in- dustry into the lap of New Orleans, and re- ceiving in return, through the same channel, nearly all their imports and foreign luxuries. A generation to come, and the Mississippi Valley will probably contain a population of tens of millions, all necessarily retaining the same commercial connections with New Or- leans, except the slight diversion in the north- eastern parts, towards the cities of New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, by canals and rail-roads. The natural course of the rivers, after all, is the natural channel of commerce, which must for ever give to New Orleans the great bulk of the commercial business of the West. The present population of this city is about 60,000, increasing with great rapidity. North of Louisiana, on the west of the river Mississippi, is the Arkansas Territory, with the CHAPTER X. 93 Jong and navigable river of the Arkansas and its tributaries, as also other considerable and navigable streams. This Territory will soon be entitled to the charter of a separate mem- ber of the Union, and presents a wide and hopeful field of enterprise. Immediately on the north of the States of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and east of the river Mississippi, lies the State of Tennessee, with an industrious, thriving po- pulation of 684,000, connected with New Orleans by its numerous and navigable rivers, exuberantly bounteous in the productions of its soil, and most of its territory lying under a mild and healthful climate. It is by no means the least inviting of those regions for agricultural enterprise. It contains many flourishing towns, and an active population. Kentucky, having Tennessee on the south, the Mississippi river on the west, Ohio river on the north, and the State of Virginia on the east, but for slavery, is altogether the garden of the West. And this State has already in- stituted generous measures for the abolition of 94 emigrant's manual. slavery, and in a few years will be exempt from the scandal of the name, although it will take a longer time to get rid of the evil con- sequences. The population of this State is 688,000. The soil of Kentucky is the richest imaginable. It contains within its bosom, and upon its northern border, many beautiful and rising towns ; its citizens are character- ized for generous sentiments and hospitality ; and the city of Lexington sustains a repu- tation for intellectual culture and refinement of manners, which would do honour to any community, in whatever part of the world. The southern line of this State is in latitude 36^ 30' North of the line of latitude 36*^, and west of the river Mississippi, lies the state of Mis- souri, with a population of 140,000; and St. Louis, for its principal town, being a port on the Mississippi, and containing 12,000 souls. This is an infant, and as yet a western border State, divided into nearly equal portions by the great river after which it is called, coming down from the distant west, and mingling its CHAPTER X. 95 mighty floods with those of the Mississippi, coming' from the north. At the confluence of these two rivers, the Missouri is greatly the largest, and ought reasonably to have re- tained its own name to the Gulf of Mexico ; but by the accident of previous discovery, the Mississippi has for ever assumed that honour. Missouri is also a slave State, and cannot be regarded as presenting many in- ducements to emigrants from Europe. It may be remarked, that the French language is much in common use in the lower regions of the Mississippi Valley, more especially in Louisiana, and at New Orleans, for the same reason, that it prevails in Lower Canada: — the French were the first settlers of those regions. Louisiana, it will be recollected, was pur- chased from France by the government of the United States. We have now made a brief and general survey of all those parts of the great Valley , which lie west of the river Mississippi, and south of the river Ohio, and which are prin- cipally important to our present purpose, on account of their relations to those other parts. 96 emigrant's manual. which we shall by-and-by consider. And these last are especially inviting, as a large and rich field, tempting the enterprise equally of the people of the Atlantic States, and of emigrants from Europe. CHAPTER XI. General Motives for going to the Valley of the Mississippi, There are a few leading and capital con- siderations, claiming to be well weighed and discreetly settled by those, who are meditat- ing so great a change in the condition of their earthly existence, as the abandonment of their native country and the breaking up of all their wonted relations of society, for a re- moval and establishment in a country new to them, in circumstances new and unwonted, and where the relations of society and of general interests are to be formed and set- tled anew. I am now writing for the information of those, who are supposed to meditate a removal from Europe to the United States. And when they have once resolved upon so great a change, for reasons best known and satis- 98 emigrant's manual. factory to themselves, and concluded hence- forth to identify themselves and their inte- rests with the people of the United States ; the choice of their particular place of des- tination, and of the circumstances, in which they are to be placed, cannot be considered immaterial. The country of the United States is wide, presenting a great variety of unequal degrees of inducements from different quar- ters. As a general consideration, to settle the question oi particular destination, it is doubt- less wise, in an emigrant from Europe to the United States, to inquire where he can settle himself and his children, if he has any, or expects to have any, so as to be found, within the reasonable scope of human ambition, in the future heart and soul of the influence and prosperity of the new community, to which he proposes to attach himself? — And if this be the first and principal question, let him, by all means, go to the Valley of the Missis- sippi, For Providence has evidently decreed, that within the limits of a single generation, the great bulk of the population and the in- CHAPTER XI. 99 fluence of the North American Republic, will be found in that Valley. All the peo- ple of the United States are aware of this, and feel it, and know it, they consider the question settled. And it is especially an ob- ject of ambition, among the citizens of the Atlantic States, whose circumstances will con- veniently admit of such a change, to trans- plant and identify themselves with the people of the West. And from motives of this des- cription, as well as from the prospect of en- larging and improving their worldly estates, a flood of immigration is perpetually pouring in- to the west from the east. A few years ago, to remove into the Valley of Mississippi, was considered, comparatively, as going out of the world. But now, it is considered, as go- ing into the world — so great is the change, not only in the increase of the western popu- lation, but in the general prospects of the western country. Its physical resources are ascertained and known to be inexhaustible ; — the market of its products always sure, and easy, and quick, by the almost innumerable and navigable ramifications of its waters; — K 2 100 emigrant's manual. and the sudden rise and unequalled growth of its towns, and cities, and villages, have demonstrated unequivocally its capabilities of boundless wealth and illimitable prospe- rity. If the emigrant from Europe, there- fore, would wish to plant himself in the heart of the United States (soon to be so), and even now beating as with the original pulse of life, let him look for a place in the Valley of the West. Those regions are, at this mo- ment, the grand theatre of bustle, and acti- vity, and enterprise. They are like one im- mense summer-hive, where every bee is on the wing, and collecting and returning with its treasures. The actual employment of be- tween 300 and 400 steam-boats upon the waters of those regions, as before mentioned, darting up and down the rivers with incon- ceivable industry, and penetrating the obscure and distant retreats of the Valley, is a suffi- cient proof of the amount of business, that is transacted. And these boats, not a few of them, bear a burden equal to the heaviest ships, which are ordinarily employed in the navigation of the oeean. CHA^TiSR XI IG-l If, however, there are special reasons for stopping short of the Mississippi Valley, such as family or business connexions, or a desire to to settle in the neighbourhood of old acquain- tances, or any other motives having a govern- ing influence in the mind, the field is suffi- ciently wide, and not uninviting in the Eastern and Northern States ; — especially where the desire of being established in an older and more settled state of society may be predomi- nant. But with whomsoever young ambition is buoyant, and the spirit of enterprise is the moving spring of the passions ; — with whomsoever the reasonable prospect of dis- tant, prospective good, on a larger scale, as the reward of present sacrifice, and persever- ing, patient effort, is dear ; — for all such, the Valley of the Mississippi opens the widest, richest, most hopeful field. All who enter there in the infancy, in the first budding of its prospects, are placed upon an equal foot- ing, and their success is made to depend alone upon their virtue. If they are honest and industrious, and blessed with health, they may acquire wealth, and rise to become im- K 3 102 emig^rant's manual. portant and influential members of the future community. It may be added, that fox the most profita- ble investment of funds in land, and for the acquisition of the most extended landed estates, with a given amount of means, the Missis- sippi Valley alone is worthy of consideration. There, any extent of land may be purchased, at the lowest price — one crow7i per acre — and a title obtained from the Government of the United States, as secure and as durable as the Government itself. Wild lands, and good, may be purchased for much less than this, of individual proprietors, and of companies. But it is always safest and more satisfactory to purchase of the General Government, whose price is always uniform, and their title never to be disputed CHAPTER XII. The best and most Inviting Parts of the Mississippi Valley — being the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, — and the Ter- ritory of Michigan. Our views are now to be particularly di- rected to the regions, lying within the Ohio river on the south, the Mississippi river on the the west, the great lakes on the north, and the Alleghany Ridge on the east, embracing the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and the two territories of Michigan and the north west. It is proper to observe, that there are six- teen Counties of Virginia, twelve of Pennsyl- vania, and a small district of New York, which lie west of the Alleghany Ridge, and of course, fall within the Valley proper. And these tracts together make a large and impor- tant section of the country, and contain the 104 emigrant's manual. sources of the great river Ohio. The large and flourishing manufacturing town of Pitts- burg, with a population of 30,000, rapidly increasing, lies within the forks and at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monongehala Rivers — which, being united, receive the name of Ohio — the former coming in from the north, and the latter from the south. Pitts- burgh is the head of steam navigation on the Ohio branch of the Mississippi — and is one of the most active, bustling points of the great West. Pittsburgh is connected with Philadelphia, by the grand Pennsylvania Canal, (surmounting the Alleghany Ridge, however, by a rail-road line of fifty miles,) which ^ in its circuitous course, measures about 400 miles, running in two separate lines a large part of the distance, for the accom- modation of different sections of the State. It is also to be observed, that the east end of this line, from Columbia, on the Susque- hannah river, to Philadelphia, a distance of eighty miles, is a rail-road. So that two parts of the entire line, one eighty miles and the other fifty, are rail-way. Pittsburgh is CHAPTER XII. 105 also to be connected with Baltimore, by a rail-road, now being constructed, through a more southern route, as before mentioned, running a line of some 400 miles. These are two of the great artificial connexions of the east with the west, falling together at Pitts- burgh. The other connexion is by way of the Erie canal, through the State of New York, and across lake Erie, and over the state of Ohio, down to the Ohio river, by the Ohio canal. The stranger, on his arrival at Pittsburgh, finds himself in the smoke of a great manu- facturing town. The furnaces in all directions 1 ift up their lofty chimnies, and are perpetually belching forth their volumes of fire, and cloud- ing the heavens by their pitchy darkness. The Alleghany and Monongehala, as they rapidly approach each other below the town, are covered with all manner of craft and lum- ber, launched from the mountains, scores and hundreds of miles above, in the States of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York; — while, on the bosom of the Ohio, made by this confluence, the majestic steam-boats may 106 emigrant's manual. be seen, coming and going, as if by concert they had assembled from unknown regions to sport among the mountains, and assist in the creation of this vision of enchantment. For it is to be understood, that all this scene lies in the midst of surrounding hills, whose beds of inexhaustible coal have been opened, and portions of them put in requisition to make this smoke and dust, and to set these many wheels in motion. Here, at Pittsburgh, beginneth the first chapter of the bustling ac- tivity of the West — 2000 miles above the city of New Orleans, by the way of the channel. The eastern line of the State of Ohio is about twenty miles west of the city of Pitts- burgh, and, for our present purpose, that part of Pennsylvania, which lies west of the Alle- ghanies, maybe considered as identified with Ohio. All these, regions, forty years ago, were a vast and almost an unbroken wilder- ness ; — and most of the population, which is now found there, has gone in within twenty, fifteen, and ten years. In 1790 the large district, now included under the jurisdiction of Ohio, contained a population of only 3000 ; CHAPTER XII. 107 —in 1800 it had risen to 45,000; in 1820, it reckoned 581,000; — in 1830, there were 937,000;— and now (1832), there are more than one million ; — and that within a terri- tory, 220 by 200 miles, containing a surface of 40,000 square miles. This rapid increase has, of course, been principally effected by immigration. And the growth of the State of Ohio may be taken, as a specimen of the or- dinary increase of the Western States and Ter- ritories — some advancing even with more rapid strides, and others not so fast. The present Territory of Michigan, lying between Lake Erie, St Clair, and Huron, on the east, and Lake Michigan on the west, — and which is about to be erected into a separate State — has far exceeded any other of the western regions in its sudden occupation by emigrants, and is likely to advance in rapidity beyond all former example. The State of Indiana, bordering upon Ohio on the west, and containing about the same (a little larger) amount of territory, had no population in 1790; — in 1800, it numbered 4000 ;— in 1810, it was 24,000 ;— in 1820, it 108 emigrant's manual. was 147,000;~in 1830, it was 341,000;— and now (1832), probably is 500,000. The state of Illinois, west of Indiana, hav- ing for its western border the Mississippi, and being also of nearly equal dimensions with Ohio and Indiana, in 1800, had a population only 215 ;— in 1810, it had 12,000 ;— 55,000 in 1820;— 157,000 in 1830;— and now (1832), probably 250,000. These three states — viz. Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, lying below the latitude of 42^* — and the territory of Michigan, lying immedi- ately above the same line, having for its southern border parts of Ohio and Indiana — are altogether the most tempting regions of the west, for all the purposes of enter- prising emigrants. To this may be added the North West Territory, lying north of the States of Indiana and Illinois, with Lake Mi- chigan on the east, the Mississippi river on the west, and Lake Superior on the north — the latter lake measuring 1000 miles in its greatest length, from east to west. This lat- ter Territory, however, is of vast extent, and much of it yet unsurveyed. Its southern and CHAPTER XII. 109 eastern parts only, and that in small portions, have as yet been occupied by citizens of the United States. These three States and these two Territories I mention especially, as worthy of the attention of emigrants, inasmuch as slavery is excluded; as their institutions of government and of society are, and will be, of the most generous character ; as the land is generally of the best sort, though of great variety in its soil and susceptibilities ; as their physical resources are incalculable, and as they are open equally to the market of New York and of New Orleans. And they em- brace in extent a superficial Territory, pro- bably not less than 500,000 square miles. Large and flourishing towns are destined ra- pidly to rise upon their waters, and, in many instances, in the interior. And it is impossi- ble to say what amount of population they are capable of sustaining. Land of the best quality, and to any extent, may he had at one crown per acre. And there is no com- mendable and practicable object of human ambition, within the ordinary scope of human enterprise and of human society, for which a L 110 emigrant's manual. wide and various field does not open here — such objects, I mean, as may reasonably be selected in the prospects of a new and rising country. And the climate is generally mild, grateful, and salubrious. But to return to Ohio. It might, perhaps, be supposed, that with a population of 1,000,000, the lands of this State are principally taken up, and the Territory nearly filled. But there are yet large tracts in the market, in different sections of the State, and fresh emi- grants may yet, for a long time, have a choice of wild lands, or of farms partially improved, or well cultivated, paying, of course, for the latter, according to the value of the improve- ments. Or if they choose to establish them- selves in the more dense population of the towns and villages, in the use of mechanic arts and of the trades, or for purposes of com- merce, or for professional occupation — a com- mon field and an equal rivalship are open be- foie them. Ordinarily there is no occupation so crowded, as to exclude fair and hopeful competition. The land of Ohio is almost universally CHAPTER XH. Ill good, and generally convenient to some na- vigable waters, natural or artificial. One canal across the State, from Lake Erie to the Ohio River, 306 miles long, is already com- pleted. Another in an adjacent section, far- ther west, connecting the same great waters, 265 miles in length, is projected, and sixty miles of it in use from Cincinnati towards Lake Erie. There are very many pleasant and rising towns and villages scattered over the State, one of which it may be v/orth while here particularly to describe. The city of Cincinnati, situate on the north bank of the Ohio, in lat. 39"* 6', 455 miles below Pittsburgh, by the river, and 504 above its confluence with the Mississippi, has become somewhat prominent in the commer- cial world, and is also remarkable for the rapidity of its growth. In 1810, it was a small village, containing a little more than 2000 inhabitants; — in 1819, it reckoned 10,000;— and now it has risen to 30,000, increasing by thousands every year. The average number of houses built in a year, at present, is about 500. It exhibits all the l2 112 emigrant's manual. show of a compact, well built, and bustling city, extending rapidly in all directions, and demonstrating most respectable improvements in every part. It is thoroughly and well paved, and has a number of well furnished markets. Public edifices are also beginning to show themselves in a good style of architecture. Brick is the principal material for building. The city and the surrounding scenery are altogether picturesque in their relations to each other, — the former resting upon two extended tables of land, the first about sixty feet above low water, and the second 120 — from any part of which the eye beholds a circular line of hills, 200 feet higher than the upper table, and forming apparently a perfect basin, with a diameter of four to five miles, cut in two equal parts by the river Ohio — the northern semicircle, of course, containing the city of Cincinnati, while the southern aspect exhibits two beautiful vil- lages on the Kentucky side, separated from each other by a small river coming in from the south. The time is not distant, when this natural basin will swarm with a popu- CHAPTER XII. 113 lation of some hundreds of thousands — as Cincinnati is evidently destined to take the lead, as the great inland commercial town of the West. The daily arrivals and depar- tures of steam-boats, and the large family of them constantly lading and unlading at the Quay, contribute not a little to the en- chanting eiFect of the entire scene. To see these active, self-moving castles, dashing in and darting out, at every hour of the day, and to think what distances many of them have come from and are going to, through the serpentine and almost interminable chan- nels of that vast region, without ever being obliged to breast an ocean wave — if it is not a sublime spectacle in itself, it is at least so in its associations. There are not, indeed, the lofty mast, and the extended arms, and wide-spread canvass of the ocean bark. But there is a thing whose life is in itself — which waits not for the tide or wind, but by its own independent energies vanquishes the oppos- ing combination of nature's elementary powers, and dashes on its way with a majesty and de- termination, which mock the lazy, or the fitful l3 114 EMIGRANT'S MANUAL. currents of the air above and the deep below. The State of Indiana, lying farther down upon the Ohio River, and stretching up to Lake Michigan on the North, is yet more young than the State of Ohio, and in many respects more interesting and more attractive to the agriculturalist. It contains tracts of a different species of land, called prairie-bottoms, or prairies, which are little to be found farther East. The prairie is an open bottom-ground, vacant of every tree, and even of a shrub, — is of a rich, inexhaustible soil, bearing only a summer vegetation, and that of the greatest luxuriance — and often extending for many miles in breadth and length — skirted with moderate elevations, suitable for the residences of the tenants of the country, bearing wood, or being cleared, fit for such other uses, as make the necessity of higher grounds. These prairies produce, with a very little labour, every species of corn and grass. And the greatest objection to such a country is thought to be : — that a man can live too easy for his own moral benefit, and become independent and wealthy, at too little cost. This State is also CHAPTER Xfl. 115 generously supplied with streams and naviga- ble waters, and is connected with the market of New Orleans on the South, and with that of New York by the way of the Lakes, The State of Illinois is still more remarka- ble, as a prairie-country^ than Indiana — being almost exclusively such — and is generally re- garded as one of the most tempting regions of the West. The settlement of this State is very recent — its present population being probably about 200,000. It is capable of sustaining millions. It has the Ohio River on the South, and the Mississippi on the West, and is penetrated by several important and navigable rivers. Both in this State and in Indiana, the choice of agricultural districts, yet unoccupied, is vast in extent and variety, and the labour required for cultivating the land, is next to nothing. The Territory of Michigan is a physical prodigy, as a great peninsula, surrounded by inland seas in the heart of a Continent, and those seas capable of floating ships of any burthen, to all their parts and to all their shores. Lake Michigan on the West is 400 116 EMIGRANT*S MANUAL. miles long and 250 broad. Lake Huron on the East is not so long, but yet a larger sea. St. Clair and Erie are also on its Eastern border. These waters are nearly 600 feet above the level of the Atlantic Ocean, and make their way into it by the rivers of Nia- gara and St. Lawrence. They are so large, that tides are observed upon their coasts, as the effect of the Lunar and Solar influences. I am aware, indeed, that this is a matter of dispute. But I have observed it myself to my full conviction of the fact. The Michigan Territory is destined to be one of the largest, wealthiest, and most desirable States of the Union. And it is at this moment one of the inviting fields for emigration, and tens of thousands are annually flocking into it. Its land is the very best, and all its waters are as pure and transparent as crystal. It may be observed, in distinction from the waters of the Mississippi and its branches, that all those of the upper Lakes are perfectly transparent, and their foundations so deep- ly and firmly laid, that no storms can make them turbid. And the Territory of CHAPTER XII. 117 Michigan is checkered, over a great portion of its surface, with innumerable little lakes, of the most beautiful and romantic character, on the bosom of which, the tenant of a bark, in a still day, may, by the perfect trans- parency of the waters, v/atch every motion of the fish sporting in their element. The noblemen of Europe create artificial lakes at great expense, and after all the plunge of a frog may cloud them. But here they are found scattered over nature's own lap, surpassing in beauty all the powers of the pencil to describe, and all the art of man to imitate. I have stood upon the shores of these miniature lakes, and of the mightier ones, and seen them lashed by the angry surf, — and yet so free was their gravelled bottoms from any pulverized material, that the wave returned as pure and lucid, as it came. I have looked down from the sides of a steam vessel in har- bour, and watched the fish of every size, far in the deep, now at rest, now springing for- ward, like the humming-bird, that darts from flower to flower in quest of his provided and sweet repast. If this description be 118 emigrant's manual. thought poetic, it is yet the simple narrative of fact. The North West Territory is yet too new and too unbroken for any but the pioneers of the wilderness, although it is rich in resource, as it is vast in extent. I trust I need make no apology for having thus directed the attention of emigrants, first, to the Mississippi Valley, and next, more par- ticularly to those parts of it, which may fairly be considered as most inviting, all things con- sidered. I have already specified what will doubtless be regarded by all as a good and sufficient reason why, when the purpose of abandoning one's native country and adopting another, is formed, the emigrant should en- deavour to make the most of the change — why he should select the place and circum- stances of his new abode so as to secure the greatest possible facilities of accomplishing his objects. It may reasonably be supposed that his primary object is the advancement of his worldly estate for himself and his chil- dren. A nian who is well off in this par- ticular, and in a good state of society, would CHAPTER xrr. 119 be unwise to abandon a certainty for an un- certainty. And next to the improvement of his estate, would be the formation of civil and social relations of the most advantageous nature, immediate, or prospective. In the opening and settlement of a new country, these advantages cannot ordinarily be imme- diate, in all their most desirable conditions. And the grand question, in such case, is, whether the prospect is sufficiently promising, and sufficiently near to indemnify for the temporary sacrifice to be made. And this question can be settled only by the arithmetic o{ probabilities. CHAPTER XIII. Comparative Importance, Capabilities, and probable Destiny of the United States ; and the relative Importance of the Missis- sippi Valley, The importance of a nation is physical and moral. Its physical importance consists generally in the extent and resources of its soil, and its commercial advantages. The moral power of a nation is estimated by the amount and character of the population, and by the nature of its institutions. Population is also a component element of the physical power of a community. The number of square miles in all Europe is about 3,400,000 — Russia claiming nearly half of this. The territorial jurisdiction of the United States is equal to three-fourths of all Europe. And the resources of its soil, and its commercial advantages, all things consi- CHAPTER Xm. 121 dered, cannot be considered inferior to Eu- rope. Each of the twenty-four United States, on an average, is nearly as large as the whole of England proper. And the Territory, not yet organized into States, is vastly larger than that which is. The present actual population of the United States will only compare with some of the individual States of Europe. It is less than half of the population of France, and about two-thirds of the population of Great Britain and Ireland. But the past and prospective increase of population in the United States is prodigious. It doubles at least once in twenty-five years. By this rule, the present population being assumed as 13,000,000, in 1857 it will be 26,000,000 ; in 1882 it will be 52,000,000 ; in 1907 it will be 104,000,000 ; and, in 1932, or in one hundred years from this time, it will be 208,000,000 ! In one hundred and fifty years, it will be 832,000,000 — equal to the present population of the globe ! Assuming the permanency of the Government of the United States — in the maintenance of the integrity of the Union, on the ground of the 122 emigrant's manual. Federal Compact, with an ordinary degree of prosperity, however amazing these results may seem, a large moiety of them may be set down as probable against all contingencies. Bating the effects of foreign war, and of internal and violent disruptions, a growth of this kind would seem to be a physical certainty ; the former of which is hardly to be expected, so as to afford a serious check to such advance- ment, inasmuch as there is no rival power on the Continent of America, and the Republic is too remote to be reduced by invasion from another Continent. And as to internal dis- ruption, it is possible, but not probable to occur, with such calamity in its train, as to disappoint a destiny sufficiently bright and cheering to satisfy any reasonable ambi- tion. The destiny of the United States is reasonably rescued from the ordinary cal- culations of historical data, inasmuch as the providence of God never yet set up a nation of a like character, in like circumstances. It is thrown completely without the pale of ordinary political prognostication. There are no premises in the history of nations bearing CHAPTER XIII. 123 resemblances sufficient to found a prediction of overthrow in the present instance, within the scope of a statesman's ken — unless it be, that that which hath not been, cannot be — which is disproved in the threshold, that that which hath not been, already is; — viz. a nation without a type in character and circumstance. Those who deal so generously in their predic- tions of a disastrous issue to the Republic of the United States, only show their ignorance of the nature of its Government, and of the moral character of the community. Every severe test, as yet, has only contributed to cement and consolidate the Union. And whatever doubt there may have been of the perpetuity of the Government, in all its purity and energy, there is less doubt now than ever. The world at a distance, witnessing the occa- sional violent irruptions of party feeling in the United States from a particular quarter, and on some local, or even general question, and listening to the stormy rancour of some newspaper declaimers, and perhaps of parlia- mentary debates, might imagine that the Republic was in jeopardy, and the Union M 2 124 emigrant's manual. about to be dissolved ; whereas, all these agitations, instead of disjointing the general fabric of the community, only settle it down more firmly on its own proper foundations. Take, for instance, the recent public agita- tions respecting the rights of the Aboriginal tribes. The State of Georgia, in violation of the Constitution of the United States, assumed ju- risdiction over the Cherokees. The question was brought before the Supreme Court of the United States, and that Court, on the third of March, current year, 1832, decreed all the legisla- tion of Georgia over the Indians, unconstitu- tional, and, consequently, null and void. And three days after this decision, a Georgia member of Congress, rose in his place, and declared that his State would never submit — and the State herself, anticipating this decree, had also made the same declaration before- hand. And will the Union therefore be dis- solved? Why, it is a mere wordy quarrel of one member of a numerous family against all the rest. It will only confirm the Union. And the rights of the Indians thus vindicated and asserted, will never again be invaded. CHAPTER XIII. 125 With the people of the United States, as a body, law is supreme, and they know how to respect it. And as to the capabilities of the United States, both physical and moral, such as they are now, in fact, and such as they are in prospect — there is no arithmetic of man that can estimate them. And the great bulk of these capabilities, jorospectively, lie in the Valley of the Missis- sippi. It is there they are to be developed and demonstrated. In twenty years, the bulk of the population will be there. In half a century, the natiori will be there ; so that, every thing found on the Atlantic declivity, east of the AUeghanies, although it was origi- nally itself the nation, and although it shall still be growing in the meantime, will notwith- standing be left only a skirt. There, in the Mis- sissippi Valley, beyond a question, and in a very brief time, will be cities and towns to rival any in the world in population, in commercial enterprise, in the productions of art, in the refinements of cultivated life and manners — and, I fear, in luxury. There, in that vast M 3 126 emigrant's manual. region, compared with which, in geographical extent, the whole of Europe on this side of Russia, is no more than equal, — will be found, within half a century, a teeming, active, industrious population, themselves a world! — still increasing with unexampled rapidity, and crowding still more densely the place, which shall have become too strait for them — and sending out their swarms towards the shores of the Pacific. Then, instead of three hundred steam -boats, more or less, now in active employment, will be thousands, shoot- ing up and down the channels of its rivers — and where the natural channels fail, canals and railways will supply their place, to con- nect every smaller and more remote district with every other, and to bring the market of the world near to every point. There is nothing visionary, or improbable in all this. It is even now as certain, as that the world shall endure, and the family of man multiply upon the face of it. Nor need we trouble ourselves at present to bring in the benefit of Mr. Malthus's theory to save this Valley from being deluged with a population CHAPTER XIII. 127 beyond its physical resources to sustain. Much more would it be a premature anxiety and a rare waste of benevolence, to contrive to bring' in war, and famine, and pestilence, and earthquake, to assist the high Providence above in maintaining his own offspring, and in keeping their increase within just limits, as to save them from starvation, and leave them place to set a foot upon. We hope mankind will yet become too good to kill one another — too temperate and virtuous to fall victims of vice — and so observant of the precepts of Heaven, as not to provoke Heaven's extermi- nating judgments ; — and that that period is not far distant. And as to the earth's being overrun, He who made and peopled it will take care of that ; and, if necessary, will, peradventure, anticipate such a catastrophe by some change in the economy of his pro vidence — such, for example, as the confla- gration of the world, and the introduction of the human family, when they shall have become worthy, to a higher and nobler state of existence. It is to be hoped, that all 128 emigrant's manual. this reasoning, predicated on the vices of mankind, in its prophecies of the future, will yet find reason to shift its ground, and assume for its premises the virtues of a better era of the world. And, for one, I have no objection that America should present the first example — the first array of facts in the economy of human society, to dissolve this dark and gloomy spell of evil boding to man. It is unnecessary to my present purpose, however^ that I should prove all this — It is enough to have shown that America presents an open field for a mighty and an incalculable population ; — that it is evidently destined to such importance — that the providence of God has set up a state of society and a Government there of hopeful and high promise; — that from the peculiarity of its institutions, and in consideration of its; remoteness from rival interests, it is not likely soon to be shaken, or disturbed in its founda- tions; — and, above all, — if, from thegleamings and faith of divine prophecy, it may be hoped that the world is on the eve of abetter state, — that the American Government and institutions CHAPTER XIII. 129 shall never be overthrown, but still be im- proved in their forms, and ultimately arrive at the perfection of the constitution of human society. That those who have been used only to a Government of physical force, should reason differently, is not strange. CHAPTER XIV. What may reasonably be expected, and what ought not to be expected in the United States, by Emigrants from Europe. We all know there are such things as ro- mance and poetry, getting a place in and stealing upon the human mind ; and such a thing as the beau ideal of society, and of life and manners ; and the beau ideal of being alone : — " Oh, lost to virtue — lost to manly thought, Who think it solitude to be alo7ie,'^ Now, any person, looking at this couplet,, whether he regards its construction and mea- sure, or its sentiment, if he is not very stupid, will see that it is poetry. But is it truth ? Yes ; it may be so, if one does not get too much of it. But he who forgets that man was made for society, and adopts the oppo- site as his moral creed, and follows it up,. CHAPTER XIV. 131 makes a mistake. It will do well enough for those who can afFord it, and who have nothing else to do — who are so fenced in by wealth and circumstance, as not to be obliged to feel the common thorns of life, and the many '' ills that flesh is heir to," — for such, it may be con- venient to luxuriate in the speculative regions of poetry and romance. But those, who me- ditate leaving Europe and going to America to work, and toil, and build a fortune, might as well also leave their poetry behind. It will not be supposed, that I mean their books, but their poetry of expectation. Nor do I mean, that there is no room for poetry in America — no material and no elements. It is as rich as any other region of the globe for such purposes, in materials of its own kind, and as naturally productive, and for this reason : that men every where love poetry, and because they love it, they every where find materials. This faculty, or disposition of the human mind to invest things that are in agreeable forms, and to charge them with the ingredients of happiness — or to create things that are not, and make them the means 132 emigrant's manual. of a fancied, and for the time being, real en- joyment, is more or less the privilege of all — and may be profitably used, if well chastened, and kept within reasonable limits. But for men to set out on a migratory enterprise, under the sole impulse and leadings of such sentiments, with reins thrown loose on the neck of imagination, whether they go to Ame- rica or any where else, are likely to be in- volved in disappointment and trouble. To the point, then, as to what may reason- ably be expected in America, and what ought not to be expected. Towns and cities may be found there, and all the ordinary conveniences, and privileges, and delicacies which they af- ford, in any part of the world. But London is not there — nor Paris. Those who can be satisfied only with such a city as London, and who can command the means of living in it to their utmost gratification, had better stay in London. And yet an American city of equal magnitude does not differ very much from an European city, either in external show, or in the means of enjoyment. There is society in America, as good as in CHAPTER XIV. 133 any part of the world. But notwithstanding all the theoretical notions of Republican equality, society there has its grades, and every one must expect to take his own proper rank. Or if rank be an obnoxious term — his proper place. Unequal relations, in closest contact, are always unnatural and unhappy — - and it is not in man to make them otherwise. It might as well be understood beforehand, as it might reasonably be presumed, that there is no miraculous charm in Republican institu- tions to make minds alike, or to fit them to be society for each other, which are constitution- ally and by education and habit unlike. No person can conveniently have many particular friends and intimate associates ; and it is not only natural, but best, that those who are most intimate should be equal — that they should have common sympathies. He, there- fore, who aspires to a higher place in society than he is fit for, by going to America — who imagines that every body there will make obei- sance to him, or yield him the station, which his own mistakes may lead him to claim, is natu- rally destined to the chastening of experience. 134 emigrant's manual. It is, however, true of society in the United States, that precedence is not so much the award of adventitious rank and of birth, as in Europe ; although these considerations are not without influence. Real intrinsic worth and practical talents for usefulness are most honoured there, and are rarely overlooked. He who possesses and acquires these excel- lencies, may find opportunities to demonstrate them, and is likely to be ^appreciated. And he who aspires to be respected and honoured by the public, must be content to earn his reputation by his virtues, by his industry, and by his persevering devotion to useful and ho- nourable pursuits. And on this condition he will not fail to obtain any privileges of society, to which he is fairly entitled. Religious privileges are as abundant, and the ordinances of Christianity, under all the forms of the leading Christian sects, are as well sustained in the older portions of the United States, as in any part of the Christian world, and on the best foundation ; because they rest solely upon the virtue of the people — having no State patronage, except the pro- CHAPTER XIV. 135 tections of law for the rights of conscience, made equal to all. The first thorough experi- ment, since the days of Constantine, of re- signing the maintenance of the ordinances and the orthodoxy of Christianity to the virtue and pious zeal of its advocates and friends, without enforcing it by State enactments upon the people, has been made in the United States, and made with triumphant success. For in no part of the Christian world does religion receive a more general, or more pure regard from the people ; and in no part of the world have the means and the agencies of Christianity been more effectual in securing their legitimate sway over the popular mind. It is not unknown, even abroad, that Chris- tianity, in the United States, has proved in a very extraordinary degree efficient, in the attainment of great and notable public refor- mations. In the Western and new settle- ments of the country, it is natural to suppose, the ordinances of Christianity are not so gene- rally established, and religious privileges are more rare — although great pains are taken by the benevolent efforts of the Christian public N 2 136 EMIGRANT*S MANUAL. to supply this defect, and to maintain reli- gious culture, as far as possible, in an equal march with the extension and progress of po- pulation. The itinerant preacher of the gospel goes out upon his horse, and endeavours to visit the remotest settlement and cabin of the wilderness. But those who emigrate to the new settlements, or who plunge into the forests, or plant themselves upon the distant rivers of the West, must expect that it will take time for the best and most desirable organization of Christian society. In the older towns and settlements of the East, places of public worship are abundant, and all the means of religion, enjoyed in any part of the world, are brought within every one*s reach. In the cities, in the villages, and in the country, the Christian steeple and its lofty spire may be seen in every direction, pointing the way to heaven, — and the church-going bell invites the wanderer to the house and to the altars of God. The churches (for all places of public worship^ in America, are called churches, and all ministers of religion, clergymen) are not so ancient in the United States ; but they are CHAPTER XIV. 137 often magnificent without and splendid within, and not unfrequently more in taste, as it seems to me, than those I generally see on this side of the Atlantic. The public taste here is reluctant, perhaps commendably so, to emerge from the sombre glooms of antiquity in church architecture. It apes what is old, and often labours ineffectually to make a new thing old ; to create an ugly feature, which was not an original stamp of the pattern, but is the effect of the wasting hand of time. Schools and seminaries of education of every grade, for children and youth, and for every destination of life, from the infant school up to all the privileges of the Univer- sity, are abundantly supplied in the older States of the Union, especially at the East and North. The people of the United States are allowed to have done more to secure the education of the common mass, than any other nation, and, no doubt, with justice. It is a fundamental and just political maxim — that a people must be enlightened to govern themselves. And the necessity of universal education has been imposed upon the people N 3 138 emigrant's MANUA.L. of the United States, from the fact, that they have undertaken to support a popular Govern- ment. To neglect this would be the aban- donment of their dearest and most cherished hopes. It is a principle of practical policy throughout the States — that the rich shall be taxed, as far as is necessary, to educate the children of the poor. The higher seminaries of learning in the middle grades, of which there is every variety, are supported by the patronage of those who can afford, and who desire to give their children a better educa- tion. Of Colleges and Universities, which are both virtually of one class in America, being chartered in the respective States in which they are found, for the purpose of conferring academical degrees, there are forty-six in all, scattered over the Union, most of them in the infancy of existence. The ordinary course of an industrious student, after he has com menced his academical education, to his final graduation for the use of either of the learned professions — law, medicine, or theology — is about ten years. As good and as thorough an education may be obtained at the schools CHAPTER XIV. 139 and Universities of the United States as at the same institutions on this side of the Atlantic. The emigrant from Great Britain, or from any of the States of Europe, to the United States, will doubtless receive this general impression: — that all things in the latter coun- try, as created by man, are comparatively in the childhood of existence. He will find no architectural antiquities. Commercial town* and cities are equally compact, but do not ordinarily exhibit an equal degree of splen- dour. Agriculture, except in the vicinity of large towns, has not been carried to so great a degree of perfection — because the farmer, hav- ing more land, can obtain a greater product with a given amount of culture, by spreading his labour over a larger surface. Roads are not so good ; though, in the older States, im- provements of this and every other kind are constantly advancing. He who has been accustomed to the excellent roads, and who has seen the most cultivated parts of England, would hardly know how to appreciate the modes and degrees of improvement in like 140 emigrant's manual. things in the United States. He must recol- lect, however, that in a new and wide country, where land is plenty and the population sparse, the most profitable product is not by the highest degree of improvement. It is only when a country is crowded with its population, that men are driven to make the most of every foot of land. The prairie farmer of Indiana and of Illinois has no other trouble but to plant his seed-corn and reap his harvest. Such a thing as the necessity and labour of tillage is hardly known to him. His cattle, and sheep, and hogs, and poultry run at large, and multiply and fatten without his care ; and he has only to bring them up, and drive them to market, or pickle them for transportation. Ordinarily, however, and espe- cially in the Eastern States, tillage and the care of cattle are more expensive. But still the labours of husbandry, and the expense of raising cattle and sheep, &c., in America, bear no comparison to the pains and labour devoted to the same objects in Europe. Every thing necessary for life is obtained at a cheaper rate, and of course the general and most ob- CHAPTER XIV. 141 vious appearances of the country exhibit less improvement. For example : — the people of a country, whose population averages two hun- dred to a square mile, must obviously work harder, and their improvements must be of a higher character, to gain a sustenance from the soil, than where the population is not more than ten to a mile, — allowing the soil in both cases to be equally good. This example, it may be understood, is assumed, merely for illustration. The emigrant, who meditates a removal into the wilds of America, or into its new and more unsettled Territories, should calculate the loss, as well as the gain. With a given amount of money he may acquire more land, and ulti- mately he may expect to leave a larger estate to his children. But he should consider the sacrifices he is to make. -He leaves behind him his Church and his pastor — schools, roads, and all the improvements and advantages of a cultivated country,and of a well-organized, and perhaps refined state of society ; — and besides the time, which must necessarily elapse, before he can enjoy them again,, he should recollect,, 142 emigrant's manual. that he must bear his share of the trouble and expense of creating them. And the negative loss to himself and family, intellectually and morally, in the mean time, should also come into the reckoning. Can he well afford all this ? Is the gain in expectancy tantamount to the sacrifice? And is his moral courage equal to the undertaking? He must recol- lect, that his destiny, in such an enterprise, is literally, the patience of labour — and his en- joyment, the pleasure of anticipation. If, after well weighing all these considerations, he can brave the disadvantages of the enter- prise, his ambition will not unlikely be re- warded to his entire satisfaction. To a mind properly constituted and well adapted to such circumstances, there are a thousand cheering and animating considerations in the prospects of a new and rising country. The vast and endless susceptibilities of improvement, and the actual advances of every day — the sure reward of labour, and the increasing value of every species of property — and a common sympathy with hundreds and thousands of others, devoted to the same objects — sustain CHAPTER XIV. 143 the mind, and nourish it continually with the freshness of hope and the joy of anticipation. Especially to be identified with the interests and prospects of such a community, as that which is now organizing and spreading itself over the Valley of the Mississippi, is itself a powerful spring of hope and of enterprise. The mind is at once enlarged and ennobled, and becomes great, by the very contemplation of such a scene. It estimates and limits its own importance only by the importance of its circumstances and relations. Who can esti- mate the difference between the influence of those circumstances on the mind, where a man is for ever cut off from the hope of extending his relations and sphere of importance, what- ever be his efforts, — and of those, in which he knows, that every single effort of laudable am- bition will not only accumulate his personal wealth, but raise him to a higher sphere, and advance him to more honourable relations in society ? And who again can estimate the difference between being a member of a com- munity, which can only hope to maintain its present ground of relative importance, and of 144 emigrant's manual. one, whose prospects of growth are absolutely inappreciable, both for rapidity and extent ? The latter are the animating prospects of him, who aspires to identify himself with the people of the Mississippi Valley, however remote and wild the retreat in that vast region, in which he chooses to set up his tent and fix his abode. What has been called the Republican im- portance of servants in the United States, de- serves, perhaps, a single remark, by way of advice to those emigrants from Europe, who have been accustomed to depend on the obse- quious services and attentions of inferiors. American servants are reputed, and not, per- haps, without reason, to be very scrupulous in the observance of the scriptural maxim : — *' Call no man master/' But, mutato nomine — consult the prejudice — and under different names I am not aware, from any experience or observation — (and I have certainly had some of the first, and no small opportunity for the second), I am not aware, that every and any convenient service, which any persons can reasonably need, may CHAPTER XIV. 145 not be purchased in America. Only let him, who wishes to be served, be kind ?ind gracious — as in all countries and in all circumstances he ought to be — and he need not sacrifice a single feeling which a reasonable man should desire to retain. He may then be served, in all that he may require, as respectfully, as cheerfully, and as thoroughly in America, as in any other country. But if Europeans going to America, or travelling there, will insist upon that obsequiousness and servility in servants, which may have been rendered to them in their own country ; — if they can err so much, as to imagine, that superciliousness towards inferiors is a legitimate emanation of a proper self-respect, and a necessary protection of their own importance against invasion ; — why, then, they must take the consequences. And those consequences will not unlikely be a per- petual annoyance — or the vexation of being served badly, if at all — at least of the perpe- tual change of servants. I do not believe there is a country in the world, where a rea- sonable and an accommodating temper may not get along well enough in matters of this o 146 emigrant's manual. kind — ^and for this good reason, that human nature is the same all the world over — and that those, whose necessities oblige them to sell their personal services, will naturally try to please, not only for their own profit, but because themselves like to be pleased. Those persons, therefore, who have found occasion to complain of the Republican independence of American servants, have by the same word, or by the same dash of their pen, written the severest libel against themselves — and that is : — that they themselves have been the aggres- sors — that they have been guilty of the first impropriety. They had had the indiscretion to forget, that they had got into another country. Society and manners in the United States have sometimes been complained of by tran- sient residents, or flying travellers, from this side of the Atlantic. I have only to reply: — that this also is a libel against the complain- ants, and |)roves, either that their own want of merit had excluded them from good society, or that their own ill manners had provoked a treatment which they well deserved. For it CHAPTER XIV. 147 is evident to all the world, that the greatest portion of the people of the United States are in higher conditions of life than the greatest portion of any State in Europe. And the challenge may be extended yet farther : Select what is considered the highest and most cultivated class of society in any European community, and a greater portion of the com- munity of the United States shall be found whose cultivation of mind and accomplishment of manners are not unequal. If, however, the adventitious show of a Court, of a titled nobility, and of enormous estates, is insisted on as an indispensable element of good society and of good manners, it must be confessed, the people of the United States have slender claims of this sort to assert. But if mind be the measure of the man, associated with sim- plicity and kindness of manners; — if independ- ent wealth and well-provided mansions, and a generous hospitality, go to make up the pleasant things of life ; — then America has at least some claims to good society and to good manners. I would willingly submit this ques- tion to the verdict of the exact impressions o2 148 emigrant's manual. and the honest convictions of those Europeans, who have visited America, and whose merits entitled them to the respect and hospitality of the American public. He must be an un- grateful man, indeed, who could forget the politeness he had received, and abuse the hospitality, the bounty and grace of which he had enjoyed. It may be and doubtless is true, that the habitual occupation of most of the citizens of the United States, in some avo- cations of business, or professional employ- ment, and that of the highest conditions and of the most wealthy — may, in some instances, preclude them from that amount of devotion to strangers which they may perhaps expect. But every reasonable man can make allowance for this — and, if he is truly enlightened, he will admire, rather than reprobate such a state of society. In a word — the emigrant from Europe to the United States should be reasonable and chastened in his expectations. He should ^ remember, that he is going to another country — to a country in many respects unlike to what he has been accustomed; — unlike in its CHAPTER XIV. 149 physical appearances, — unequal, perhaps, in those improvements which age only can create ; whose — Government and institutions of society are somewhat diverse and peculiar ; — and where he will find and feel himself to be in novel and unwonted circumstances; — a country, indeed, of rising and hopeful pros- pects, but not exempting man from inconve- nience, nor from the necessity of labour ; — a country where Government and laws are as indispensable as in any other — and where prosperity is ordinarily the reward of virtue, and ruin the consequence of vice. And he who is honest and industrious in America may do well — well enough to satisfy any reasonable expectations. But he who is unwilling to be doomed to an honest life might as well stay away. Unfortunately for America, Europe has already furnished her with too many of this character. (/^ o3 CHAPTER XV. The particular Classes of Persons to whom the United States hold out the strongest inducements for Emigration — And the best methods of executing the purpose. It may be deemed quite unnecessary to say, that America holds out more encourage- ments to the farmer, or agriculturist, to the cultivator of the earth, than to any other class. It presents wide and yet untenanted regions of the richest, most productive soils. I say, soils — because they are of great variety, and adapted to every species of agricultural and pastoral pursuits. And, for these purposes, it is a country equally inviting to the poor and to the rich. To the poor — because, if he can have a little money at the end of his journey, he can enter immediately upon the possession and culture of a territory, greater or smaller, according to his means, which he may call his CHAPTER XV. 151 own — of which he is the lord. Or, if he has no money, with industry he may soon earn it, and appropriate his gains to the object he has in view. It is not good, however, for those who are entirely destitute, to emigrate to America, simply because they are destitute. Nor is it kind to send them out, unprovided with suitable advice and protection. Their courage is liable to fail them, when they find themselves in a strange land, labouring under all the disadvantages of poverty — and the chances are, that they will not better their condition. They do not know how to manage — and are accustomed either to associate with the miserable dregs of large towns, or to sell their services on the public works, where the society is little better ; and all their wages are ordinarily squandered in vice. There is no object towards which the bounty of an European Government, which is willing to part with its superabundant poor, could better be appropriated, than seeing them well established in the country to which they are advised to emigrate. And they ought to con- sider themselves morally bound to do it. It 152 emigrant's manual. is cruel — it is inhuman — it is a .crying sin — first, to make their subjects poor, by a bad political economy, and then to throw them off from their hands into a worse condition, and perhaps to perish by their own improvi- dence. For, if they are incapable of taking care of themselves, it is not to be expected that America, or any other part of the world, will tax themselves to support the poor of a foreign nation. And I cannot forbear in this place to ob- serve and to suggest, that here is open one of the noblest fields for the display of the kind- ness of rich and wealthy emigrants from Eu- rope to America — and an opportunity, which may be made to turn to their own profitable account, as well as to the advantage of those who are the objects of their benevolence. Let every wealthy emigrant, or an association of such men, collect the honest and industrious poor about them — let them set up a standard and beat for recruits on kind and generous terms ; — and, when they have found enough for a little colony, let them take these families and these individuals under their protection and CHAPTER XV. 153 guidance, and pass over the Atlantic, and penetrate into some of the vacant Territories of the West, and there plant themselves, with their grateful and hsupipy proteges around them. And if, in this way, they do not realize some of the pleasures of doing good, at the same time that they are promoting their own inte- rests, it will only be because they have no benevolence. They may not only enlarge their own estates, but they may secure the wealth and independence of the poor. If associations of this sort were sufficiently large in the outset — (and it is evident they might be formed to any extent) all the ele- ments of a good and substantial community, with the means of intellectual and moral cul- ture, and not excepting the refinements and luxuries of the best conditions of society, might be transferred at once from the heart of an European State, into the wilderness of North America. Such an association might, and by all means ought to take along with them the ministry and ordinances of Christianity ; for no community can flourish without them. 154 emigrant's manual. This plan has been executed to a considera- ble extent by emigrants from the Eastern por- tions of the United States to the West. And in this way the otherwise formidable disad- vantages of the new settlements have been greatly relieved. In this way society itself, in its forms of complete organization, mi- grates. And it is evident, that there is no impracticability in this. And certainly it is wisest and best. Religion, literature, refine- ment, and all the best things of a well organ- ized community, and all the means of sus- taining them — an enlightened public opinion in constant and active operation, by the habitual interchange of the accustomed sym- pathies of the association — all travel on to- gether, and take up their abode in the wilder- ness, without ever being obliged to feel, that it is a wilderness. After this manner the first Colonies of America were founded. So Wil- liam Penn laid the foundation of the Colony and city of Philadelphia. And what a spec- tacle do those Colonies and those Cities now exhibit to the world ! And there is yet room for ever so many Colonies, and for ever so CHAPTER XV. 155 many Cities, in the vast regions of the West of North America — and with this advantage, that a wise and salutary Government is al- ready established in thorough operation, where all the securities of property, of personal li- berty, and the rights of conscience are fully and effectually guaranteed. Colonies of this description have not now to wait for genera- tions, as formerly, under a dark cloud of du- bious prospects — but they may instantly rise into importance, turn their energies to im- mediate account, and in a very short period display both a physical and a moral gran- deur to the world around them. For an il- lustration of this truth — look at the present condition and prospects of the City of Cin- cinnati, on the Ohio, and of many other Cities, and towns, and rising settlements, which lie scattered over the bosom of the Valley of the Mississippi. The Germans and other nations of the Eu- ropean Continent seem to understand the ad- vantages of emigrating in groups, or small Colonies by association, better than the En- glish, or the Americans themselves. And 156 emigrant's manual. they are now annually pouring these associ- ated masses into the Mississippi Valley. I happened in the summer of 1830 to pass, in company with one of these Colonies of Ger- mans, across Lake Erie in a steam-boat. The principal, or Chief, was a well-educated gen- tleman, of large estate, himself and family evidently accustomed to all the refinements of the best society in Germany. He had himself gone before, made his purchase of land in the State of Ohio, returned to Ger- many, disposed of his estates there, and was now on his way, with his family, and some scores of the native and hardy German pea- santry, under his protection and guidance — himself the patriarch of the interesting and happy group, all looking to him, as their chief and father. Such an association did not leave their home — they carried it with them. There was no breaking up of fami- lies — no separation of parents and children. And, notwithstanding their long voyage across the Atlantic and up to this place, they seemed as happy on board of the steamer on the waters of the Lake, as if they had been sitting CHAPTER XV. 157 by their own fire-sides in Germany. And I have no doubt, that they are happy still in their new abode, surrounded with cheering circumstances created by their own hands, and looking forward to the most cheering prospects. And this is doubtless one of the happiest modes of emigration. Let others of the rich and wealthy, if they wish to do good, go and do likewise. They may make the poor independent and happy, and themselves richer and wealthier still. While the older commu- nities of Europe seem to have arrived at their ne plus ultra of advancement, until some un- known and yet dubious changes in their forms are effected — there, in the Mississippi Valley, these enterprising emigrants may identify and ally themselves and their posterity with a rising and rapidly extending community, which seems destined, in human view, to a career of unexampled prosperity and impor- tance. Akin to agricultural enterprise, although of minor and comparatively trivial importance in America, it may be proper here to mention, that persons accustomed and skilled in horti- p 158 emigrant's manual. culture, may find abundant encouragement in the neighbourhood of large Cities and Commercial Towns of the United States. In the interior of the country horticulture is more a matter of taste, than of profit, in its highest perfection — and of course is not so much an object, except as people become independent and wealthy. European gardeners are ordina- rily better than Americans — and in the vici- nity of large towns may always find employ- ment. But this is reckoned small business in America, and would rarely satisfy the as- pirations of a mind, coveting the importance of a personal independence. All the various arts of manufacture, which are too numerous to specify, are annually and daily coming into greater importance in the United States. And it is scarcely possible to mention any species of those arts, for which there is not a very ample and generous en- couragement — both for those, who wish to be employed in the use of their own hands, and for those who have capital and skill to set up and superintend such establishments. Euro- pean manufacturers are always preferred in CHAPTER XV. 159 America, if they are honest and skilful, and they may expect a generous patronage. The greater perfection of these arts in Europe, as a general fact, give European emigrants, who are skilled in them, an advantage. With emigrants of this description. New England, or the Eastern States, claim the first atten- tion — and the middle and Western States also are constantly presenting additional en- couragements. The necessary and best infor- mation on these topics will be found upon the premises — that is, after the emigrants have arrived in the United States, if they can af- ford to look round, and visit different places — ^which is always desirable, in order to make the most advantageous selection. Mechanics, of every description, and all persons skilled in the useful arts, have a rea- sonable share of encouragement in the cities, towns, and over the wide country of the United States. The Fine Arts are to a con- siderable extent appreciated, although they do not receive so much patronage in America, as in Europe. It is a sufficient apology — that the people there have not so much time p2 160 emigrant's manual. and wealth to devote to them. The country is too young, and the growth of society too immature, to have developed the highest at- tainments in those arts, which have never flou- rished but in the oldest communities. America, however, presents one of the finest openings, in the history of man, for the exercise of these talents, and for the formation of this character. Those who have capital to invest in trade and commerce, and who wish to devote them- selves to these objects, in any of their branches, have the wide country, with all its towns and cities before them. But they should also be apprised, that all the centres of active com- merce, and all places of profitable trade, are always crowded with competitors. And suc- cess in such business in every market must of course depend upon certain adventitious ad- vantages, which no writer on this part of the economy of human life, can either prescribe, or predict, or secure to those, who choose to engage in it. It is a sort of lottery, always having more blanks than prizes. And there are few large commercial towns in the world, CHAPTER XV. 161 where the Courts of Bankruptcy do not re- cord more names, than do the funded securi- ties of those who have acquired independent wealth by trade. Those, if there be any, who might wish to retire to the United States to live upon the income of their inherited, or acquired estates, may have a great choice in the numerous banking and other monied institutions of the country, for the safe and profitable investment of their funds. There is probably no other country where the investment of funds is equally safe, or more productive, than in the United States. The proof of this lies in the fact, that the enlightened capitalists of Europe are always eager to embrace opportunities for the investment of money in the American funds. On this subject there can reasonably be no embarrassment, and no hesitation, for want of safe investment. And those, who have money, can of course choose their resi- dence, in town or country, and enjoy all the advantages of society, and every luxury of life, that can be found in Europe. p 3 162 emigrant's manual. Of the learned professions — of law, medi- cine, and theology. I coutd not honestly say, all things considered, that there are strong motives to emigration from Great Britain to America, for either of these classes. Emigra- tion from the continent of Europe to America, for the practice of these professions, is of course ordinarily out of the question, on account of a different native tongue. The common law of the United States is indeed substantially the same as the common law of the British Empire. And the codes of Statutes are also as similar as local circumstances, and the dis- crepancy in the nature of the institutions of the Government, would allow. The genius of American a English law is one. But, after all, he who has got into the practice of law in England, with the prospect of rising through the grades of his profession, I should imagine, would find slender motives, except in extraor- dinary circumstances, for a transfer of his pro- fessional relations and practice to the United States. This profession there is already crowded and overrun by native aspirants. CHAPTER XV. 163 But those gentlemen need no information from me. ^ The medical profession in popular language, in America, comprehends surgery — the entire art of treating the animal economy of man for its health and preservation, under all the acci- dents to which it is liable. The profession itself of course recognises the same distinctions, that exist in England, and these distinctions are ordinarily maintained in the cities and larger towns. But, for country and general practice in the United States, medicine and surgery are both united, for the reason, that there is not ordinarily practice enough to sus- tain them separately. I mention this merely to show the qualifications, that would be ne- cessary for the use of this profession in the United States. And if it is expected of me to give an opinion, whether there are encou- ragements for the emigration of physicians and surgeons from England to America, I do not honestly think, they are very inviting. If they are not very skilful, there are enough of such already ; or, if they are skilful, they will still meet in every part of the country a host of 164 emigrant's manual. competitors. The United States, especially all th large towns and principal villages, swarm with lawyers and doctors. Stilly how- ever, a man of professional excellence and of character, may find a place, and a share of patronage. And as for the ministers of religion, it is not so necessary, that they should be able to demonstrate an apostolical descent, through a legitimate Episcopal line, as that they should possess, and evince to the public, a truly apostolic spirit — if they would prosper in the United States of America. And having ob- tained public favour, by the proof of their Christian virtues and ministerial qualifications, they must be contented with a moderate com- petency and the kind affections of the people, whom they serve. For the people of the United States, although respectful and affec- tionate towards a pure and worthy ministry — as much so probably as any Christian com- munity, have yet by some means inherited from their fathers such a jealous watchfulness over their spiritual guides — have from some quarter received such a deep rooted conviction, that CHAPTER XV. 165 money is the bane of a Christian ministry;-— that so far as themselves are concerned, they take good care that their ministers shall never become rich. And to their credit it must also be said, as equally true, that so long and so far as the ministers of religion are pure and faithful, neither they, nor their families, are ever allowed to suffer the inconveniences of want. The people are always wil ling that their ministers should live even better than themselves, taking the middle ranks of life as a standard. But they do not like to see them living in splendour. It is matter of fact, as might be presumed ^ that the rapid increase of population in the United States has created the urgent necessity of a corresponding increase of the ministers of religion. And as worldly motives do not operate to crowd this profession, as those of law and medicine, the present and prospective wants of the people, as to the offices of the Christian ministry, throughout the country^ more especially for the great Valley of the West, have been and still are a subject of 166 emigrant's manual. deep solicitude among those, who know (as every body ought to know and feel) that the adequate maintenance of Christian ordinances, and consequently of a Christian morality, is the only security for private and public virtue, and for the permanency of such a government as that of the United States. The Mississippi Valley is seen to be rapidly filling up with a population, which to a great extent is unpro- vided with any stated ministrations of the Gospel. And as far as there is any present apparent dubiousness, as to the future fate of that growing community, it arises from this alarming circumstance. I cannot, however, honestly think, that the ministers of religion, educated in Great Britain, and with all the habits and feelings which must be the result of their former relations in society and modes of life, are well fitted to enter upon such ^a peculiar and self-denying field of labour, as the Valley of the Mississippi. Not that I would detract from their virtue. But, if they have families, those families must be provided for. And it must be evident, that none, but CHAPTER XV. 167 the young and enterprising, and those who are little or not at all encumbered with fa- milies, can enter upon such a field most ad- vantageously and most efficiently. That ground, apparently, can be cultivated only by native ministers of the United States, who know how to appreciate such circumstances, and who can more easily accommodate them- selves to the necessities of such a condition. And the attention of the Christian world in America is now particularly directed towards this object. As a general truth, it may be said : — There is much room and great demand, in the United States, for the labours of a Christian ministry, of all the principal Protestant denominations. But if any of this profession in Great Britain meditate a removal to that country for good livings, it is no more than fair to inform them that good livings for ministers of the Gospel in the United States, are rare endowments, and bestowed only upon men of superior talents. Or if they indulge this purpose indefinitely yet practically, for a better worldly mainte- nance, they should think twice before they 168 emigrant's Manual. have resolved to go. And one of the inquiries proper to be made is this, Whether the same reasons, which make their support slender and inadequate here, would not be likely to subject them to the same disadvantages there. To all ministers of the Gospel, who think of emigrating to America, it may be said : — Take the Missionary staff and coat, and be content to work on earth for a reward in heaven. CHAPTER XVI. The value of Money in the United States, and the facilities of acquiring wealth. One of the best standards of the value of money in any country, is perhaps the ascer- tainment of the nominal expense of living in a given style, or the ordinary expense of a given amount of those necessaries, comforts, and luxuries of life, which are most in common use. Another rule is : — the value of money is to be reckoned inversely, as the price of labour and the profits of trade. The former rule, however, is more infallible than the last. The price of labour and the profits of trade are known to be comparatively great, in the United States ; — and yet it does not follow, that the value of money is proportion ably di- minished, for all the purposes of life. It is the controlling and irresistible influence of enormous estates, and of the stupendous com- Q 170 emigrant's manual. mercial, monied, manufacturing, and trade monopolies, together with taxation in direct forms — which keeps down the price of labour and curtails the profits of trade in Great Bri- tain, and in other States of Europe. In such circumstances, neither labour nor trade is in a free and open market. And so long as they remain under such constraint, neither the price of the former, nor the profits of the latter, are any sure criterion of the general value of money. It is only where a field is always open to the labourer, in which he can use his physical powers for himseU immediately , with- out running any risk in declining to sell the use of them to an employer, — that he can be sure to command a fair price for his labour. It is only when trade and commerce are exempt from the oppressive burdens of mo- nopoly, that they can breathe freely, and operate equally to all. And such is the rela- tive condition of labour and of trade in the United States. The labourer is not dependent on his employer — he does not serve for his bread simply, but for a reasonable profit — that himself may ultimately be possessed of CHAPTER XVI. 171 an estate. The ocean and the world are equally open to all, who desire to engage in commerce and trade. And as to taxation, it is a mere nothing. An equal competition in every species of business, and in every pursuit of life, is a radical and controlling principle in the economy of American society. And hence, although the value of money for some of the necessaries, comforts, and luxuries of life, is less in America than in Europe — the price of labour and the profits of trade, and of every species of business, are more than proportion- ably greater. The facilities of independence and wealth are brought within the reach of every honest, industrious, and clever man. No man in America is doomed by the necessity of his circumstances to die in the same condi- tion, in which he was born. But he may rise, and spread out himself — he may become rich, and important, and great, if he has wit and virtue, in spite of any body, and of every body. There are no monopolies there to confine the currents of wealth to a favoured few — no legal impediments, or disabilities, in the way of public and professional honours and emolu- Q 2 172 emigrant's manual ments, that they should not be equally open to all the meritorious. For the convenience of society, money is not valuable in proportion as it is precious, and difficult to be got — but in proportion as it is plentiful, and in the power of all. As it is always a conventional representative of pro- perty, and at certain specific rates for every kind, determined by the market, the more free and common its circulation — in other words, the more plentiful — the better for the commu- nity. And although it is technically y or com- mercially less valuable on that account, it is really more valuable for general and public convenience. And in the sense of being plentiful, and within the reach of all the indus- trious and frugal, and thus becoming the re- presentative of any species of property, for the possession of which the owners of money may choose to appropriate it — as also for the ne- cessaries, comforts, and luxuries of life — money may be said to possess the highest value in the United States. That, however, which serves general and public convenience, may operate unfavourably in individual cases. CHAPTER XVI. 173 The interests of the great bulk of every com- munity are always promoted by the plentiful- ness and free circulation of money. But as every species of property, of which money is the representative, and all articles of con- sumption, bear a higher nominal value by such a cause, the income of any given amount of funded investments and the value of fixed salaries are always less. Of course all sala- ried men in the United States, who have no other means of subsistence, and whose salaries have been meted out for a bare subsistence, — such, for example, as the ministers of religion ^— are among the poorest of the land, so far as the means of acquiring wealth are concerned. The more plentiful money may be, and the greater the general prosperity of the commu- nity, unless salaries are raised in proportion, the greater the difficulties of living, with all who are solely dependent on a fixed salary. The reason of this is obvious, most of the com- modities necessary to life and comfort com- mand a higher price. As a general truth : — ^The facilities of ac- quiring property and amassing wealth, open to Q 3 174 emigrant's manual. all, in the United States, are immense, and al- most endlessly diversified. Every virtuous, industrious man, in whatever condition of life, feels the springs of ambition challenging his enterprise, by the prospects opened before him. He is never met by that blighting and appalling influence on his hopes : — that what- ever be his merits, and however great his ef- forts, he is yet doomed to remain and die in the same condition, and to bequeath to his children, and they again to theirs, the inherit- ance of his own poverty and dependence. But it may perhaps be thought that these general remarks do not meet the inquiries, which the emigrant wishes to see answered. He wants, perhaps, the prices current of the entire American market, and in addition to this, house rent, taxes, &c. &c. He wants to know the expenses of furnishing his house, his table, his wardrobe — feeding, clothing, and maintaining a family. Now a reasonable man should know, that it is impossible to do this, except in general — as the views and habits of people differ so essentially, as to what they deem necessary ; as also their places of desti- CHAPTER XVI. 175 nation, their specific occupations, and means are so various. If a man were going to Ame- rica with a family, or without, to live upon his money (which is not perhaps likely often to be the case), he can easily spend as much money there as would be convenient for his purposes in England, or on the Continent. But to maintain a given style of living, he could doubtless do with less money in America. It is impossible to anticipate the views of different individuals of this description. As in the principal cities of Europe there is a wide range in the expenses of domestic establishments, so in the principal cities of the United States. But there is not so much extravagance in the latter. It does not require so much to main- tain what is called respectability » And the notion of respectability itself is also very inde- finite, and so much the creature of circum- stance and place, that in different minds, it may be almost as wide apart as the poles. But it may fairly be supposed, that emigrants ordinarily are under the necessity of economy — that they go out to make a fortune, rather than to live upon it. 176 emigrant's manual. To give examples : — For a single man it will cost twice as much to live in London, allowing himself equal conveniences and comforts, as in the cities of New York and Boston. In the latter cities his wardrobe would cost him more, but his board and lodging, and numerous etce- teras, will be less. The same remark may be applied to the necessary expenses of a family in New York, compared with London. Travelling in America, if a man selects the best conveyan- ces and lodges at the best hotels, is as expensive as in England — and more so than the Con- tinent. But if a man chooses, or if his neces- sities compel him, he may live cheap, and travel cheap, in America — for a very trifle — but he cannot have the same conveniences and comforts. He may retire into any part of the country, either as a single man or with a family, and in the practice of a rigid economy, he may get along with a very little money — ' his bills of expense of course being graduated by the number of persons he may have to pro- vide for. But all this does not settle the great ques- tion. An emigrant from Europe to America CHAPTER XVI. 177 ordinarily goes out to better his condition in life — and he goes on some specific enterprise — as a merchant, or tradesman, or mechanic, or artist, or manufacturer, or farmer, or what- ever may be his occupation. And it does not matter whether this thing costs more, or that thing less, in America, than in the country he has left behind — provided he can find a place and a business, where his income, or the gra- dual and sure accretion to his worldly estate, shall make these minor questions of trifling importance. It is of little consequence to him whether he pays more or less for a piece of cloth, for his bread stuff, for his groceries, for whatever is necessary to life, and for the maintenance of himself and family, if all this aggregate expenditure is only a reasonable and minor fraction of his growing wealth. And, if it were possible for me to give him the prices current of the entire American market for every city, and every village, and district of the country, it would only multiply and extend these pages without the least be- nefit. It would be no sort of sure criterion, by which to determine the advantages, or dis- 178 emigrant's manual. advantages of going to America. The ques- tion to be settled, is not the comparative value of a given amount of money in Europe and America, as appropriated for the pur- chase of any given necessaries and comforts of life. But the question is rather : Is there a richer, broader, and more open field of wealth in America, for those who have need of special exertions to acquire property, than in the older countries of Europe, to rev^^ard the enterprise of the industrious ? Can a man reasonably expect, after meeting the ordinary expenses of life, by frugality and perseverance to build up a fortune for himself and his child- ren ? And I shall hope, that all the infor- mation I have attempted to communicate in this volume, may furnish a satisfactory answer to this inquiry. Some rates of wages and market prices may be found in the Appendix. Whatever may be the specific destination and occupation of the emigrant, it will be obvious, that his more immediate success will better be secured, j^r5^, by his excellencies of character, properly certified in his letters, and well sustained in his person ; and next^ if CHAPTER XVI. 179 possible, by carrying along with him funds sufficient for his first establishment. If he be destitute, he must work out and earn his way, by patience and perseverance, through the disadvantages of his necessities. CHAPTER XVII. The best way of getting to the United States, and to different parts of them — Some Ge- neral Estimates of the Expenses, with Advice as to the species of Property it may be well to take along. As to the species of property, which it may be well for emigrants to take into the United States, it may be observed, that all personal and family luggage, to an amount that may be supposed reasonable for each individual, will be admitted into the ports of the United States free of duty. Trunks, however, will be subject to the inspection of Custom House Officers, in order to ascertain whether there are any goods in them liable for duty by the regulations of the Commercial Tariff of the country. But this examination is not very particular, where there are no marks of sus- picion of an attempt to evade the Tariff — and CHAPTER XVir. 181 a generous amount of luggage will always be permitted to pass, in the possession of emi- grants. All tools and implements of labour and of art, which an emigrant may wish to take along with him, are admitted yree. And this regulation is commonly allowed to include the private libraries of professional men. It will be a matter of economy to carry a good supply of wearing apparel, as all goods of this kind, cotton excepted, are cheaper in Europe than in America. Household fur- niture had better generally be disposed of before emigration, as it is not only subject to duty, but inconvenient and expensive for transportation — especially such articles as are cumbrous. If, however, the sacrifice of a sale is likely to be very great on articles deemed precious, the amount of duty upon them may be ascertained at any of the American Consular Offices, which are found in all the principal ports of Great Britain and Europe. If, moreover, emigrants may have reason for taking along with them any spe- cies of goods called merchandize, of whatever 182 emigrant's manual. nature, they can easily ascertain the duty upon them, as exacted in the ports of the United States, at the offices above-named. As a general rule, unless emigrants are en- gaged in trade, the less of goods and the less of merchandize they take, the better. Let all their property, as far as possible, be in ready money — especially, if they are destined to the interior, or to the Mississippi Valley. And money should be in the form of bills of exchange, rather than gold or silver — as specie is more liable to be lost. These bills may be purchased with triplicates at any of the principal ports of Great Britain and Ire- land, and in the large commercial cities of Europe. And emigrants should contrive to transmit the separate copies of their bills of exchange, by different ships. Or better still — to leave one behind, to take one in their own packet, and send the third by another ship — so that if any accident happens to one, or even to two, the third can hardly be lost. Money conveyed across the ocean in this way is scarcely ever known to disappoint the right- ful holder. For convenience, the bills should CHAPTER XVII. 183 be drawn on the port, to which the emigrant is about to sail, and then he can realize his money as soon as he lands. As the bill is made payable to his order, nothing but forgery ly' can cause it to be paid to another hand. For any part of the United States ordi- narily, the emigrant should embark for the city of New York. If he has resolved to settle in New England, he may go directly to Bos- ton, if he chooses — if he can more conveni- ently find a ship going to that port. For the State of Pennsylvania, he might as well em- bark to Philadelphia. For any of the Southern States, to the most convenient Southern port. He may embark to New Orleans for any part of the Mississippi Valley — but the voyage is longer — and if it be in the summer season, the climate, through which he will be obliged to pass, will be hazardous to health. He may cross the country from New York to any part of the Valley with the greatest ease and safety. Indeed, unless there are special reasons for going by the way of New Orleans, all emi- grants to the Valley of the Mississippi, had better go by the way of New York. The city r2 184 EM1GRANT*S MANUAL. of New York is connected with every part of the country, by great facilities for the con- veyance of passengers and goods. From New York to the Valley, there are two principal routes : — one by the Erie Canal, through the State of New York, and across Lake Erie by steam-boats ; the other, by the way of Philadelphia, across the State of Penn- sylvania to Pittsburgh, the whole line of which will soon be opened with an uninterrupted connexion of canal and rail- way. Or if any choose to go as far South, as Baltimore and the City of Washington, they may find a third route to the Valley — all of them nearly equal in expense, to those who wish to select the best and most rapid conveyances. The dis- tance from New York to Cincinnati, which is in the heart of the Valley, is a little less than 900 miles, by the ordinary routes, and may be gone over easily in a week — the expence to each individual, with his luggage, and by the most speedy conveyances, being from seven to eight pounds. But for those, who have families, or who may wish to travel at the least expense, they may go by the way of CHAPTER XVII. 185 the Erie and Ohio Canals, from New York to Cincinnati, at much less than half this ex- pense for each individual. The cheap way, of course, takes a longer time by at least one week — ordinarily more. As a general rule for the expenses of travelling over the prin- cipal and most frequented thoroughfares in the United States, including the fare and the table, the best and most rapid conveyances by stage-coach will average probably about one pound per hundred miles. The best steam-packets, with the best accommodations and the best table, ten shillings per hundred miles; the best canal packets, running 100 miles per day, fifteen shillings for this dis- tance, including the table. For all the in- land navigation by the rivers and canals, there are always cheap fares for half, and 07ie-third of the best. This estimate of the expenses of travelling is supposed accurate enough for all the purposes of the emigrant — as he will not necessarily have occasion to travel over the ground to his place of desti- nation but once — and by this he may calcu- late very nearly what funds he may need for r3 186 emigrant's manual. such purpose. At every point of taking pas- sage, in whatever conveyance, if there is much competition, he should make thorough inquiries, and guard himself against impo- sitions. For a passage across the Atlantic, the re- gular New York packets, which sail from London every two weeks, and from Liverpool every week, are always the best ships, and make the quickest and safest voyages. Those who can afford to take a birth in the cabin, will always find them furnished in the most splendid style, and the tables burdened with every delicacy and luxury. For all these ac- commodations, including the table and wines, they must pay thirty-five pounds. For a pas- sage in the steerage of a New York packet, finding their own provisions, they must pay six pounds. There are numerous other ships, as is well known, constantly sailing to the port of New York — that emigrants may suit themselves, and make their own arrangements with the captain with whom they negociate. And although an ordinary passage to New York, in the best sailing-packets, is thirty CHAPTER XVII. 187 days, it would be prudent for those, who provide for themselves, to calculate for all the delays of contrary winds, which some- times extend a passage to two months. In- deed, it would not be unwise to lay in pro- visions for even three months, as the overplus will not be lost. Let all emigrants be well advised by those, who have had experience, as to the kind and amount of stores, which may be necessary for their comfort in a-n ocean voyage. General Advice, It is proper, perhaps, for the Author, in closing this book, which is addressed to per- sons who meditate emigration from Europe to America, for their information and guidance, being himself an American, to drop a few hints of a moral character and bearing. And, first, he would earnestly advise all persons, who think of going to America, to eject thoroughly from their minds and hearts all romantic expectations. The motives, which induce emigration to America, are various with different individuals — but in all, there are 188 EMIGRANT'S MANUAL. strong tendencies to the indulgence of extra- vagant liopes. Some, who have felt oppressed with the unequal conditions of European so- ciety, and who, perhaps, have been dissatis- fied with the Government of their native country, go to the United States, under the impression, that what is called Republican liberty and equality will elevate them at once to rank and importance — or to a common level and fellowship with the best men in the community. And some, perhaps, ima- gine, that Republican liberty is — that every man may do as he pleases — in other words, that it is licentiousness. It is due to all such persons, and to American society, that they should be informed — that law is as necessary in the United States, as in any other country, and that it is emphatically the guardian of right ; — and that every citizen must be con- tented with that place in society, which his personal merits and qualifications naturally award to him. If a man is not willing to be an honest and sober member of community on these terms, and if he is not resolved to consecrate his energies to some useful and CHAPTER XVI1» 189 honourable pursuit, such as he is fit for, he can neither be welcomed in the United States, nor can he have any warrant, that his con- dition there will be comfortable to himself. All such characters may better conceal them- selves in the dark retreats of a dense and crowded population of an European city. Let them by all means stay where their unlawful desires have been begotten. They will only throw themselves into the light of day, and the sooner meet with their deserved doom, by going to America. Some expect, by going to America, to live without care and without labour — that riches will come pouring into their lap and be forced upon them, without any pains of their own. But the primitive infliction for human apos- tacy : — " In the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat thy bread" — is not so easily avoided. Until the garden of Eden, with all its inno- cence and virtue, can be recovered, exemp- tion from this curse must not be expected. America is a good country — good enough to satisfy any reasonable expectations — but it is 190 emigrant's manual. not a Paradise. American society has a good degree of simplicity and purity. But it wants no importation of worse materials. Patient industry is the source of all its prosperity, and virtue the crowning glory of the com- munity. And he who is not willing to be sober and industrious must not expect to rise, — he is doomed to sink in the United States. It has before been intimated in this volume, that proper testimonials of good character are of no small importance to .those, who go to America with the expectation of being in- stalled in the confidence and affections of the American public. Too many have emigrated from Europe lame in this particular, and the citizens of the United States have been taught by painful experience, that it is safest to re- pose confidence in those foreigners, who being worthy, have also been prudent enough to bring along with them satisfactory credentials of their respectability and worth in the com- munities, from which they have come. Those, who do not respect the Christian CHAPTER XVII. 191 religion, in its own proper garb, and in the legitimate administration of its ordinances, will be little welcome, and find little sym- pathy in the United States. Christianity there has found its own proper basis in the respect and affections of the respectable portion of the community — and the enemy of religion is deemed alike the enemy of the country, and will in vain assert his claims to respect and confidence, so long as such is known to be his character. And the Christian religion is every day acquiring a stronger hold on the mind of the American public ; — and he who does not like such an atmosphere may be warned before-hand to keep away. He will not be esteemed an acquisition to American society. In a word — he, who loves liberty without licentiousness — who indulges reasonable and chastened expectations — who is as willing to be industrious, as he is to be rich — whose virtue is equal to his desire of respectability — and who is resolved to maintain a good conscience in the sight of God, as well as of man — such a person, from whatever part of 192 EMIGRANT'S MANUAL. the world, would be welcomed in the United States, — and would be likely to prosper and be happy there. And so far as the Author is concerned, he can neither desire, nor re- commend any others to go. APPENDIX. Taxes in the United States. The General Government imposes no direct taxes. Its revenue from imposts on articles of commerce and trade, and from various other sources, has not only supported the Government, but during the present year will have liquidated entirely the na- tional debt, contracted by the Revolutionary war, and the war of 1811 — 14. To what purposes the Government will appropriate the surplus Revenue, after the national debt is paid off, is not yet decided; probably to internal improvements. Neither are the State Governments very often obliged to impose direct taxes. The only taxes of this description, to which the citizens of the United States are subject, are for such municipal purposes, * For farther information respecting the British Co- lonies of North America, referred to at the end of Chapter II. see page 200. s 194 APPENDIX. as the majority of the people composing the incor- porations of counties, townships, villages, and cities, agree to impose upon themselves for their own pub- lic and domestic improvements — such as building roads, bridges, public edifices of various descrip- tions, &c. &c the sum of which is ordinarily very light and trivial. And in these improvements every one feels an interest and reaps an advantage, as much as in the improvements of his own estate. In many instances the Municipal authorities are pos- sessed of funds, or are able to create them, by the use of public privileges, so as to exempt the citizens from all taxes whatever. Taxes, indeed, are never felt to be a burden by a reasonable man. Advice to those, who wish to purchase Land, or Farms. There are always improved plantations and farms in the market, in every State and in every settled part of the Union, from the changes which are constantly taking place in society by the deaths of proprietors, or by the motives which some find to remove from one place to another. And he who chooses to purchase an improved farm, or planta- tion, must of course pay for the fair value of the improvements, buildings, &c. — and also for the ad- ventitious value of its vicinity to market, to large towns, and for other relative considerations, which APPENDIX. 195 vary so much in different places and circumstances, tliat it is impossible to specify the price, abstracted from such considerations. If an emigrant wishes to settle in an older and well-organized community, and has money to pur- chase an improved farm, larger, or smaller; — and if he has not decided in what particular State, or district of a State, he will take his position, — let him pro- vide transient accommodations for his family, if he has one, and get upon a horse, and ride over the land, in its length and breadth, if he chooses, and survey the country to his satisfaction. Let him pass over different States and Territories, and the almost endless variety of choice, that will be pre- sented, will abundantly reward him for all his pains and expense. If he spends three, or six months, or a year, and travels thousands of miles, he may be a gainer by it—especially, if he has a few hundred pounds to invest in such property. He had better not be too hasty, nor listen to the first casual ad- viser, that may happen to come in his way. The new establishment of a family, in a new country, for the future generations of one's posterity, is an important step; — and in such a country as the United States, there is a wide field of choice, a thousand circumstances to be considered, and suffi- cient motives for an extensive and thorough inspec- tion. s2 196 APPENDIX. If an emigrant wishes to purchase wild, or unim- proved lands, in the Western Country, he may find public offices established for the purpose, in all the States and Territories, where such lands are in the market. And as has been before remarked, it is generally best to purchase of the General Govern- ment, whose minimum and uniform price for wild land is one dollar and twenty cents, — about one crotan per acre. The public lands are surveyed at the expense of Government, and laid out into districts, called townships, of six miles square, containing 36 square miles. These townships are divided into sections of 640 acres — quarter-sections of 160 acres — and hdiif- quarter sections of 80 acres — to accom- modate those, who wish to purchase more or less. Twenty pounds will purchase 80 acres — and one hundred and sixty pounds will purchase 640 acres — and so on. There are 150 millions of acres of public lands in the Mississippi Valley already surveyed and laid out, and unsold — 80 millions of which are in the market, and presenting the greatest variety of choice. Let the emigrant, who proposes to purchase wild land, if he can afford it, ride on horse back over the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and the Michigan Temtory, and make an actual [survey of the different districts — and thus select his place of habitation. Or if he chooses to purchase a farm, partially im- APPENDIX 197 proved, in the Western States, he may find them at all prices, from ten shillings per acre up to five •pounds^ according to the relative situation and the value of the improvements, buildings, &c. And for such a choice, let him ride far, and make extensive observations, and thorough inquiry. There is no- thing lost, and much may be gained, by taking time to look and consider. Many and most advantageous purchases of unim- proved land, or of farms partially improved, may be made in the Western Counties of the State of New York. Indeed, every species of fixed property may always be found in the market, in almost any part of the United States, advantageous to him, who may have occasion to purchase. The Value of Labour and General Expenses of Living in the United States. There are no questions, more difiicult to answer, than those which regard the price of labour and of living in a foreign country. A specific, market value set upon these commodities, in all their va- rieties of form and substance, as fixed by the money currency on the premises, can never convey to per- sons in another country the relative and real value of these things. As I have elsewhere remarked, except for persons, who have a certain and fixed income, the prices of labour and of the necessaries 9 3 198 APPENDIX. of life, whether they are nominally a little more or a little less, are not very material. Every thing depends upon the chances oi profit, by labour, or by whatever business one undertakes. If a man dis- burses £b a week for his food, lodging, clothing, and other needful comforts, and receives for his services iJl5, he can lay up £10. And this is the only comparison, by which the profits of an indus- trious application to any kind of business, in any country, can be fairly estimated. The great ques- tion is — whether a man has a reasonable prospect of adding to his worldly estate by industry and eco- nomy ? And if he can do this, and do it satisfac- torily to himself, it is no matter what it costs him to live — so long as the profits of his business are pro- portionably great. As these inquiries, however, are always made, and as they are considered of some importance, I will endeavour to anticipate a few of such as have not before come under consideration. The market prices, which will be found in the additional infor- mation concerning the Canadas, at the close of this Appendix, may be considered as a suflScient guide in those items, for all general purposes of inquiry respecting the same things, in the Northern and Western States of the Union. There cannot be an exact agreement— neither is there a very wide dif- ference. The market prices of labour and of the APPENDIX. 199 necessaries of life are constantly fluctuating to some extent, in the same places of every country, and they differ somewhat in different districts, according to their vicinity to, or remoteness from the great marts of trade and commerce. Nearly all articles of clothing are more expensive in America than in England— as much generally, perhaps, as by one fourth. But take all the expenses of living, in equal circumstances, or for the purchase of equal conveniences and enjoyments, they are by very much less. Labour is of higher value in America — and the profits of almost every kind of business are more secure, and ordinarily by very much greater The wages of common labourers in the United States range from £2 to £4 per month, according to the part of the country in which he is employed, and the kind of labour to which he is devoted— board and lodging being found by the employer ; — and a labourer may always lay up three-fourths of his wages, after clothing himself, and meeting inci- dental expenses. The wages of mechanics, accord- ing as they work in town or country, and according to the kind of their art, range from £3 to £10 per month ; — and they too, with good economy, may save an equal proportion, after defraying all their necessary expenses. There is no kind of labour, or service, commonly needed, which may not yield to 200 APPENDIX. him, who is employed, a saving of somewhat more than a moiety of his wages— often four- fifths, and sometimes more. And as to those, who go into speculations and trades, of which themselves are masters and superintendants, there is no calculating for them. They may become rich, if they are in- dustrious and frugal ;— or poor, if they are heedless and prodigal. The common conveniences, necessaries, and com- forts of life, of the same kind and to an equal amount, are generally purchased for much less money in America than in England— especially all such as are of domestic gi'owth and manufacture. House-rent is generally much cheaper, other things being equal— as also all bread stuffs, and meat, — and all provisions for the table, except imported articles, some of which are more expensive, and some less, according to the duties imposed in either country. Additional infonnation concerning the Canadas. J t appears from official information, issued from the Colonial Office, London, as late as February of this year (1832), that the bounties, or premiums, heretofore held out to emigrants for Canada, are withdrawn ;— that the public lands in market are subject to competition, but selling from 4*. to 155. per acre, according to their relative value; — and APPENDIX. 201 that responsible government agents will be found in both the Canadas, to advise and assist emigrants on their arrival, in accomplishing their objects of settlement. Arrangements have also been made with Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smiths, Lombard Street, London, for the accommodation of emigrants to Canada, by giving them drafts on the Montreal bank, and thus saving them the risk of carrying their funds in specie. See the small pamphlet, published by Authority, price twopence, containing information on this subject. The price of passage for each individual from London to Quebec is £6 with provisions, and £3 without — children half- price. From Liverpool, Grenock, and the principal ports of Ireland, the price of passage is about one third less, and in some instances lower still. Those, who supply their own provisions for Cluebec, should calculate on a voyage of at least fifty days — and more safe for seventy-five days. To prevent impo- sition, it is recommended to all emigrants to nego- ciate their passages with respectable houses in the principal ports. They should also be provided with money to pass through Lower to Upper Canada, which is about the same as the expense of the voyage on ship-board; and also, if possible, with enough to purchase their land, and make a settle- ment. Lower Canada, ordinarily, will not be found a pleasant place for emigrants from Great 202 APPENDIX. Britain and Ireland, as the population is principally French. Let them by all means pass directly through to the Upper Province — if they have no special reasons for stopping short. Rates of Wages and Market Prices in Lower Canada, for 1831. Wheat, per bushel . Rye, do. Maize do. ... Oats do. ... Wages of labourers, per day Ship builders, carpenters, joiners, coopers, masons, and tailors, per day . 5. d. 4 6 . 3 . 2 6 . 1 3 . 2 6 5 For Upj:er Canada. — The following table exhibits the loivest and the highest price, which the several articles therein named bore, in 1831, in the district of Niagara : — Wheat per bushel Maize „ „ vJats ,, ,, Barley „ „ Pottitoe^ per c w t. Butter (fresh) per lb. £ Lowest. d. 9 6 3 6 3 7i £. Highest. d. () 6 (> 7i. APPENDIX. 203 Lowest. Biitter(salt)... „ „ 61 Cheese „ ,,004 Eggs per dozen 6 Ducks per pair 13 Fowls „ ,,013 Geese „ „ 3 9 Turkeys „ ,,050 Hay per ton 1 15 Straw per load 5 Bread per 4lb. loaf 7 Meat, per lb. Beef 2 Mutton 2 Pork 3J Veal 2i Flour, per lOOlbs. Fine 12 6 Seconds 12 6 Highest. 7i 6 6 6 9 1 3 1 3 7 6 2 10 5 8 3| 3i 3i 3f 15 15 ft appears, that the wages of labourers in Upper Canada, are from £27 to £30 per year; — from £i 10s. to £S lOs. per month ; — from 2s. to 3^. 9d. per day ; — board and lodging, in all these rates, being found by the employer. The wages of mechanics range from 5s. to 75. 6d. per day. LONDON: PRINTED BY JOHN WESTLEY AND CO., IVY I.ANF. i r I iiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiii lllilll i Hi