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L  I  B  R.  A  R.  1 

OF    THL 

UNlVER.ilTV 

or    ILLINOIS 


I 


917.3 
J26s 


[t[:i\%  Historical  Survey 


r 


1807, 


'^n^ 


THE 

STRANGER  IN  AMERICA: 

COXTAINIXG 

OBSERVATIONS  MADE  DURING  A  LONG  RESIDENCE  IN  THAT  COUNTRY. 

ON    THE 

GENIUS,  MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS 

OF  THE  PEOPLE  OF  THE 

UNITED  STATES; 

WITH  BIOGRAPHICAL  PARTICULARS  OF  PUBLIC  CHARACTERS; 

HINTS  AKD  FACTS  RELATIVE  TO  THE 

AliTS,  SCIENCES,  COMMERCE,  AGRICULTURE,  MANUFACWRES,  EMIGRATION, 

AND 


%i)t  g)lat)e  %xm. 


BY  CHARLES  WILLIAM  JANSON,  ESQ. 

Late  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  Counsellor  at  Law. 


ILLUSTRATED  BY  ENGRAFINGS. 


ALBION  PRESS : 


PRINTED   FOR  JAMES   CUNDEE,  IVY  -   LANE, 

PATERXOSTER-ROW,    LONDON. 

1807. 


PREFACE. 


TrHEN  the  Author  of  the  folloxmig  sheets,  previous  to  his  taking  up 
the  pen  to  commence  his  contemplated  work,  rejiected  on  the  many  volumes 
which  have  already  appeared  on  the  subject,  he  must  acknowledge  that  he 
felt  no  very  strong  inclination  to  add  his  own  lucubrations  to  the  list. 
Year  after  year  has  this  impression  contributed  to  restrain  a  rising  desire  to 
communicate  to  the  public  the  result  of  his  observations  respecting  our  once 
trans-atlantic  brethren,  but  now  the  only  remaining  republicans  in  the  civi- 
lized world.  The  persuasions  of  friends,  together  with  the  favorable  oppor- 
tunities of  obtaining  a  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  true  character  of 
the  Americans,  afforded  by  a  long  residence  among  them,  arid  the  avo- 
cations he  pursued  during  that  time,  have  at  length  induced  him  to  give 
to  the  world  his  ideas  on  the  subject.  He  disclaims  the  vanity  of  aspiring 
to  a  place  in  the  class  of  authors;  had  this  been  his  ambition,  he  might 
have  gratified  it  several  years  ago  with  equal  facility. 

In  perusing  the  contents  of  this  volume,  the  reader  should  bear  in  mind 
this  circumstance,  that  the  author  did  not  visit  the  United  States  for  the 
purpose  of  making  a  regidar  tour  through  the  territories  comprized  in 
them.  He  removed  to  that  country  with  an  intention  of  passing  a  con- 
siderable part  of  his  life  there  ;  but  the  disappointments  he  met  toith  often 
caused  him  to  change  his  residence,  occasioning  a  journey  Jirst  in  this  di- 
rection. 


489329 


u  PRKIACK. 

reclioii,  then  in  tin:  otjiir,  and  his  nlnin,  several  ti/nts,  to  tlic  samt 
point.  To  this  cause  must  be  ascii/jed  the  unnt  of  irgulaiiljj  and  of 
plan  zchich  some  mat/  think  Jit,  at  fist  slight,  to  a/ledge  against  thin 
liork.  On  a  nearer  examination,  hojcevcr,  it  nill  he  found  that,  in  his 
remarks  on  each  state,  the  author  has  preserved,  as  nearhf  as  possible,  the 
geographical  arrangement,  commencing  at  the  north,  and  ending  at  the 
south.  In  zchat  i/ear,  month,  or  day  this  observation  uas  made,  or  that 
circumstance  happened,  7nusf  be  matter  of  perfect  indiff'erence ;  in  their 
accnraci/  alone  can  the  reader  feel  interested,  and  on  this  subject  the 
i:riter  assures  him,  that  he  has  introduced  nothing  into  his  work  but  i:hat 
resulted  from  personal  observation,  or  rested  on  the  most  indubitable 
authoritu. 

To  a  portion  of  the  readers  into  xchose  hands  this  book  may  chance  to 
fall,  some  of  the  anecdotes  contained  in  its  pages  may  probably  be  familiar. 
For  the  younger  and  the  most  numerous  class,  he  falters  himself  that  they 
will  have  the  charm  if  novelly ;  the  circumstances  to  which  he  alludes 
having  occurred  while  they  were  yet  unborn.  If  lie  has  occasionally  had 
recourse  to  the  writings  of  others,  it  has  only  been  for  the  purpose  of 
illustrating  the  subject  under  review,  or  supporting  his  opinions  by  their 
testimony.  In  soine  ijistances,  it  is  true,  it  will  be  found  that  he  has  en- 
deavored, and,  as  he  hopes,  with  success,  to  refute  error,  and  to  combat 
niisreprescntation. 

The  great  length  of  time  to  zchich  the  authors  visit  to  the  United  States 
was  prolonged,  was  far  from  being  agreeable  to  his  inclination,  for  an 
English  traveller  xcill  find  his  curiosity   thoroughly  satiated  in   as  many 

moons 


.  PREFACE. 


moons  m  fortune  assigned  years  to  him,  in  a  count ry  in  even/  respect  un- 
congenial to  English  habits,  and  to  the  tone  of  an  Englishman's  consti- 
tution. During  the  early  part  of  his  residence  in  America,  and  about 
the  time  he  was  planning  his  return  to  Europe,  specious  and  tempting 
offers  induced  him  to  risk  a  considerable  sum  in  a  land-speculation,  (a  fatal 
snare  laid  for  every  emigrant)  and  the  hopes  of  again  reali::ing  some 
portion  of  it,  prevented  his  departure.  He  is  obliged  to  confess  the  com- 
mission of  a  second  act,  equally  injudicious— the  embarkation  of  another 
sum  in  mercantile  concerns,  which  eventually  proved  unfortunate,  ouing, 
in  a  great  measure,  to  the  unprincipled  conduct  of  the  commanders  of 
the  vessels  in  his  employ.  Thus  were  his  hopes  beguiled,  from  day  to  day, 
for  more  than  thirteen  years  ! 

The  rooted  aversion  in  the  hearts  of  the  Americaiis  against  the  inha- 
bitants of  Britain,  was  to  the  author  a  source  of  perpetual  uneasiness. 
Among  the  lower  order,  in  spite  of  his  endeavors  to  adapt  his  behavior  to 
their  satisfaction,  he  was  regarded  as  proud  and  haughty  ;  while  a  dis- 
tant kind  of  envious  obsequiousness,  tinctured  with  an  affectation  of  supe- 
riority, was  but  too  evident  in  the  jnajority  of  his  equals.  Such  being 
the  case,  it  cannot  be  surprising  that  he  nas  never  so  happy  as  to  form  a 
true  friendship  xcith  an  American.  From  Germans  and  Frenchmen,  num- 
bers of  whom  are  found  in  different  parts  of  the  United  States,  he  received 
many  civilities,  and  these  he  doubts  not  would  have  been  extended  to  acts 
of  friendship,  had  he  needed  them. 

His  opinion  of  the  American  character  is  not  the  effect  of  premature 
prejudice,  nor  is  it  founded  on  precarious  observation.  Had  the  author,  like 
an  ordinary  traveller,  merely  rolled  through  the  country,  in  the  stage  wag- 

3  gons. 


viii  TRErACK. 


sons,  his  strictures  might  uitli  some  shnc  of  justice  huvc  been  challenged 
as  the  elf'itsiotis  of  spleen,  or  unbecoming  partialifi/.  So  far  from  beitig 
influenced  bt/ feelings  of  this  nature,  he  trusts  he  shall  he  believed  when 
he  asserts,  that  he  never  uould  have  embarked  for  America,  had  not  his 
mind  been  jwnrrf  all  1/  biassed  in  favor  of  the  United  States  and  their  in- 
habitants. Nor  7ias  it  till  long  experience  had  uniformly  edhibited  them 
in  a  point  of  view  veri/  different  from  what  he  Jiad  fondly  expected,  tliat 
he  adopted  his  present  sentiments,  which  have  been  strengtiiened  and  con- 
firmed by  an  attentive  study  of  tfie  genius,  fiabits,  and  manners  of  t/iese 
people,  during  a  constant  intercourse  with  individuals  of  every  class  and 
description. 

The  aullior  is  perfectly  azcare  of  the  reception  ttiese  remarks  unll  expe- 
rience in  America,  and  that  a  liost  of  scribblers  will  rise  up  in  arms  to 
attack  fiis  work.  He  will,  howeter,  anticipate  an  answer.  Americans 
make  a  point  of  denying  every  truth  that  in  any  way  tends  to  expose  a 
defective  habit,  or  a  national  error.  They  bow  before  the  shrine  of 
adulation,  fondly  conceiving  tfiemselves  the  merited  favorites  of  heaven  ; 
and  the  United  States  "  a  country  wfiere  triumph  the  purest  principles  of 
leoislatian  which  ever  adorned  civil  society ;  a  country  in  which  the  human 
character  is  already  elevated  to  a  superior  species  of  man,  compared  with 
tfie  miserable  zcretcfies  of  Europe."* 

All  nations,  it  is  true,  liave  tJieir  follies,  their  caprices,  and  tJieir  im- 
perfections ;  but   the  manner  in  whicli  tliey  are  affected  by  tfie  exposure 

*  Austin's  Letters  from  London,  Boston,  1804. 

^  of 


PREFACE.  ix 

of  them,  is  uicleli/  dijf'ereiit.  For  instance—  John  Bull*  laughs  at  the  recital 
of  his  oicn  follies;  xvhik  the  slightest  sarcasm  rouses  a  spirit  of  resentment 
-in  the  bosom  of  the  sullen  Yankee. 

Though  the  Americans  declaim  so  loudly  in  favor  of  liberty  and  equality, 
yet  no  where  are  those  terms  more  unworthily  prostituted.  That  equality, 
the  establishment  of  which  was  a  favorite  object  of  the  revolutionary  re- 
publicans of  France,  is  still  the  idol  of  the  mob  in  the  United  States. 
The  meanest  plebeian  zcoald  he  quite  ungovernable,  did  he  barely  suspect 
you  of  harboring  the  idea  that  he  was  inadmissible  to  equal  rank  with  the 
best  informed  of  his  fellow-citizens.  Hence  you  are  accosted  by  people  of 
the  lowest  description  with  familiaritj/,  and  answered  with  carelessness. 
This,  it  is  obvious,  cannot  be  a  very  enviable  state  of  society  for  a  person 
educated  in  European  notions  of  the  decorum  necessary  to  be  observed  in 
civilized  life. 

With  such  chimerical  ideas  of  liberty,  the  degradation  of  the  slaves, 
and  the  large  proportion  of  their  numbers  to  that  of  the  zchite  population, 
in  some  parts  of  the  American  republic,  must  form  a  striking  contrast  in 
the  mind  of  every  reflecting  reader.  It  will  be  seen,  with  horror,  that 
the  cruelties  practised  on  this  unfortunate  race  in  that  land  of  freedom, 
can  scarcely  be  exceeded  in  the  West  India  Islands.  That  this  state  of 
things  cannot  be  of  long  duration,  must  be  evident  to  the  most  superficial 
observer;  and  accordingly  it  appears,  that  very  just  apprehensions  begin 

*  This  humorous  personification  of  the  English  character  is  most  ably  delineated  in  the  coniedv  under 
the  same  title,  written  by  tlie  ingenious  Mr.  Colnian,  who  does  not  hesitate  to  lash  the  vices  and 
follies  of  his  countrymen,  with  unrelenting  severity  ;  and  tlie  universalapprobation  this  piece  has  expe- 
rienced proves  the  good  temper  which  John  preserves  under  this  kind  of  castigatiou. 

b  already 


3t  PREFACE. 

alrcnfli/  (o  he  enter  fii'nicd  on  this  siilject  in  I  lie  Ameiiean  States.  Tlie 
principle  of'  the  tnule  in  hinnan  flesh,  is  too  liorrihle,  even  for  those  most 
deephj  interested  in  it,  lo  defend  :  huueier  theij  mail  vidiie  its pnifits,  thei/ 
cannot  possibly  rcithstand  the  conviction  of  its  injustice.  It  is  rat  In  r  a 
sini-nlar  circinnstance,  that  the  hist  discussion,  at  rclfteli  the  author  tids 
present,  in  the  house  of  representatives,  in  the  eitif  of  Jf  ashingfon,  rc- 
I(ded  to  this  almininable  traffic,  and  that,  on  his  first  entoini:  the  house  of 
commons,  after  his  return  to  London,  he  there  heard  an  interesting  and 
animated  debate  on  the  same  subject.  The  eyes  of  governments  appear  to 
he  opened  to  a  serious  consideration  of  the  mischiefs  nhich  the  prosecution 
of  the  slave  trade  must,  sooner  or  later,  entail  on  the  regions  to  zchieh  its 
influence  extends;  hut  xvhether  the  present  ben  seasonable  moment  for  its 
.suppression  by  the  administration  of  Britain,  he  does  not  attempt  to 
decide. 

yhner/ca,  hotcevcr,  labors  under  none  of  the  embarrassments  nhich  an 
implacable  enemi/  has  found  means  to  throrv  in  the  uaj/  of  the  commerce 
of  England.  The  question  under  the  consideration  of  congress  last  year, 
Zias  the  propriety  of  imposing  a  tax  on  imported  slaves,  till  an  entire  stop 
is  put  to  the  nefarious  trajjic,  tchich,  by  a  provisionary  act  passed  some 
years  since,  zcill  take  place  in  I  HOB.  Though  no  one  can  be  a  more  decided- 
advocate  for  an  amelioration  if  the  condition  of  these  ziretched  blacks, 
than  the  author,  yet  he  is  convinced  that  their  emancipation  zcould  be 
attended  with  imminent  danger,  as  he  has  endeavored  to  shou'  in  the 
subsequent  pages  treating  of  South  Carolina.  Some  evil  cvoi  attended 
the  manumission  of  the  slaves  of  the  late  General  If  ashington.  The 
author  has  frequently  heard  the  measure  reprobated  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Mount  Vernon,  where  he  died.  //  ith  a  great  part  of  them,  liberty 
3  Kfls 


PREFACE.  xi 

Has  prostituted  to  the  purposes  of  licentiousness,  tchich  teas  supported  hi/ 
plunder.  Many  robberies  tcere  committed  at  this  time,  and  great  ?nis- 
chief  done  to  the  negroes  still  in  bondage  ;  zcho,  doubtless,  xcere  an.xious 
to  participate  in  the  outrages  and  idleness  Gommitted  and  indulged  in  by 
their  free  brethren. 

The  author  has  been  at  some  pains  to  unfold  the  prospects  that  arcait 
the  European  emigrant  in  America.     On   this  subject   he  is  qualified  to 
sjyeak,  not  only  from  his  own  experience,  but  from   that  of  man?/  other 
perszns,  whose  delusive  hopes  have   terminated   in  disappointment.     He 
has  endeavored  to  ejpose  the  knavery  of  American  land-jobbers,  and  to 
shew  the  fallacy  of  all  that  native  writers  have  advanced  relative  to  the 
facility  and  small  expence  of  forming  an  establishment  in  the  western  re- 
gions of  the  republic.     The  history  of  the  author's  friend,  Mr.  Gilpin, 
furnishes  a  striking  and  melancholy  example  to  such  as  repair  lo  the  new 
Tiorld  on  agricultural  speculations^ 

The  United  States  may  still  be  considered  as  a  nezv  country,  m  eiery 
acceptation  of  the  term.     As  such,  therefore,  it  is  but  natural  to  suppose 
that  those  arts  which  supply  the  prime  necessities  of  man,  would  there  ex- 
perience the  greatest  encouragement,  and  be  held  in  the  highest  estima- 
tion.    Accordingly,  the  farmer  and  the   mechanic   must  stand  a  better 
chance  of  success  than  any  other  classes  of  emigrants,  and  when  we  so 
often  witness  the  failure,  even  of  their  hopes,  can  we  be  surprised  at  the 
yet  more  frequent  disappointments  of  the  professors  of  the  liberal  arts  and 
sciences  ;   or  of  sucJi  whose  occupations  are  subservient  only  to  the  luxuries 
of  life  ?     These  can  prosper  only   in    the  countries  where  society  has  ar- 
rived at  a  high  degree  of  civilization,  and  where  flourishing  manufactures 

h  t  ami 


-J  PRliFACK. 


and  commerce  have  difiised  ease  and  opulence.  Sockiy  h  still  in  a  .state 
of  infancy  in  America.  What  encouragement  is  held  oat  to  the  studij  of 
architecture,  for  in.^tancc,  in  a  region  zchere  many  of  the  inhahifanfs  are 
satisfied  with  log-hou.^es  ;  or  nhat  progress  can  be  expected  in  the  arts  of 
design,  if  from  want  of  education,  or  dejiciencij  in  taste,  their  beauties 
are  neither  felt  nor  relished  ?  America  has,  comparativehj  speaking,  no 
manufactures  ;  and  hnzi^   intimatchj  the  prosperity  of  arts  and  sciences  is 

connected  with  these,  it  is  unnecessary  for  the  author  even  to  attempt    to 

demonstrate. 

All  his  ob.scrvafions  on  emigration  fow   from  no  other  jnofive  than  re- 
gard for  the  icelfare  of  his   country,  and   the  happiness   of  his  deluded 
fellow-subjects.     Impressed  with  this  sentiment,  he  has  developed  the  illicit 
practices  of  American  traders  on  the  northern  coasts  of  Ireland,  and  the 
injury  which  not  only  the  revenue,  bat  likewise  the  empire  at  large  mast 
sustain  from  their  continuance.     He  falters  himself  that  he  may  be  the 
means  of  directing  the  attention  of  the  B/ifi.^h  administration  to  a  subject 
which  appears  to  him  of  no  tripling  importance ;  and  if  his  endeavors  shall 
lead  to  the  application  of  a  remedy  to  this  national  mischief,  or  shall  pre- 
vent  only  one  discontented  fellow-citizen  from   quitting  the  substantial 
blessings  he  enjoys  at  home,  in  order  to  seek  imaginary  comfort,  happiness, 
and  wealth  amidst  the  unproductive  zcastes  and  unsociable   inhabitants  of 
another  hemisphere,  his  time  and  trouble  will  not  have  been  bestowed  in 
vain. 

During  his  residence  in  America,  the  author  was  no  inattentive  ob- 
server of  passing  objects  and  event. '<  in  the  eTtcn.sive  territories  of  the 
United  States.     Accordingly,  the  notes  and  observations  which  he  made 

2  arc 


PREFACE.  xiii 

are  both  copious  and  varied.  From  them  he  has  selected  the  sidjecfs  of 
the  following  sheets,  and  on  the  reception  ihey  may  experience  will  depend 
the  publication  of  a  second  volume,  much  valuable  matter  still  remaining 
unemployed  in  his  possession. 

With  respect  to  the  engravings  which  illustrate  his  work,  the  author 
can  assure  the  public  that  they  exhibit  correct  representations  of  the  ori- 
ginal, subjects.  He  was  induced  to  give  a  preference  to  those  of  which 
they  principally  consist,  namely,  remarkable  buildings,  as  affording  a 
means  of  comparing  the  progress  of  the  arts  in  America  with  that  of  other 
countries.  Should  it  be  objected  that  too  g7'eat  a  proportion  of  them  are 
taken  from  one  city,  the  author  s  excuse  is,  that,  in  truth,  scarcely  any 
other  city  in  America  contains  any  edifice  worthy  of  delineation. 

Aware  that  many  impurfections  may  be  found  in  the  follozmig  sheets, 
yet  conscious  of  the  rectitude  of  his  motives  for  publishing  his  observations, 
in  which  he  has  been  guided  by  a  sincere  desire  that  they  may  prove  bene- 
ficial to  his  countrymen,  the  author  throws  himself  upon   their  candor, 
and  solicits  the  exercise  of  their  indulgence  in  the  perusal  of  them. 


CONTENTS. 


ERRATA. 


Page  108,   for  CHAP.  XI.  read  CHAP.  XII. 

Page  L\9(5,  instead  of  llie  two  last  lines  in  the  second  column,  read 
17.  Oliio         ...         -  1 

Mississippi  Territory  -         1 

Indiana  Territory       -         -         1 

Total  \4J 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP.  I. 

MOTIVES  of  the  Author  for  going  to  America — He  embarks  in  au 
American  Ship — Chased  by  a  French  Privateer — Conduct  of  her 
Crew — Seizure  and  Recovery  of  the  Author's  Papers — Specimen 
of  American  Manners — A  Squall — Singular  Manner  of  catching  a 
Shark — Treatment  of  the  Passengers — American  Duplicity — Noc- 
turnal Adventure — Arrival  at  Portsmouth — Curiosity  of  the  Ame- 
ricans— Boston       .-.------  1 — 21 

CHAP.  II. 

Excessive  Heat — Bed-bugs  and  Musquitoes — Processions — Orations 
— Bunkei's  Hill — Death  of  Major  Pitcairn — Vaults  containing 
the  Remains  of  the  Officers  who  fell  at  the  Battle  of  Bunker's 
Hill  .......         22— 3» 

CHAP.  III. 

Extent  of  the  United  States — Present  Number  of  Inhabitants — Ac- 
quisition of  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas — Conjectures  on  the  Du- 
ration of  the  Federal  Government — Statistical  Survey  of  the  United 
States  -  -  -  -  -  -  -         51 — 34 

CHAP. 


16  CON  :  EN  !  S. 

CHAP.  IV. 

General  Observations  on  the  History  of  America — Province  of 
Maine  fnst  explored  by  the  Englisli  in  Search  of  Gokl — Artilice  of 
the  Natives — Anecdotes  of  Sir  William  Phijjps — Freebooters — 
Productions  of  the  Province — Portland — Fahnouth  -  -         3J— 41 

CIIAF.  V. 

Connecticut — New  London — Rigby's  Mountain      -  -  -         40 — 44 

CHAP.  VI. 

Adventures  of  Generals  Whalley  and  Goffe,  two  of  the  Judges  who 
condemned  King  Charles  I. — Their  long  Concealment  in  various 
Parts  of  New  England — Whalley's  second  Childhood  described  by 
Qoffc— Account  of  Colonel  Dixwell — Strictuies  on  Dr.  Stiles's 
Publication  relative  to  these  Regicides     -  -  -  -         45 — 56 

CHAP.  VII. 

Extremes  of  Heat  and  Cold  in  New  England — State  of  Vegetation 
and  the  Produce  of  the  Field— Direction  of  the  Winds — Meteor- 
ological Observations  on  Rain — Uncertainty  and  State  of  the 
Weather -         -         57 — 66 

CHAP.  VIII. 

Multiplication  of  Wild  Pigeons  in  New  England — Their  Abundance 

in  Carolina — Fecundity  of  Fisli  in  New  England         -         -         -         67 — 69 

CHAP.  IX. 

Mountains  of  the  United  States— The  Blue  Ridge— The  White 
Mountains— Alleghany  Mountains — Lakes— Survey  of  those  with- 
in the  Territory  of  the  American  Republic — Lake  Superior — 
Huron — Eric — Ontario — Last  Engagement  between  the  American 
Troops  and  the  Savgges  -         -         -         -         -         -  -  .     ■         70 — 79 

CIIJP. 


CONTENTS.  -i: 

CHAP.  X. 

Excursion  in  Connecticut — Substantial  Breakfast — Dinner — lloise- 
Corn — General  Aspect  of  the  Country — Frogs — Manners  of 
the  Inhabitants— Effect  of  Republican  Principles — Dangerous 
Passage  of  Hell  Gate — New  York — Description  of  the  City — 
Machinations  of  Genet,  the  French  Ambassador — Dallas,  the 
American  Secretary  of  State     -         -         -         -         -         -         -         80 — 91* 

CHAP.  XL 

State  of  Religion  in  the  United  States — Sundays — Generosity  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Bishop  of  Maryland — Shakers — Baptists,  Anec- 
dotes of  them — Camp  Meetings  of  the  Methodists     -         .        _     loo — 107 

CHAP.  XII. 

American  Public  Characters — General  Gates — General  Hamilton — 
Colonel  Burr — General  Pinckney — General  Putnam — Mr.  Albert 
Gallatin — Mr.  John  Randolph — Mr.  Levi  Lincoln —Lord  Fair- 
fax— Sir  John  Oldmixon — Tiiomas  Law,  Esq, — Paul  Jones — 
Captain  Hacker — Captain  Peter  Landois — General  Arnold         -     108 — 164 

CHAP.  XIIL 

Retreat  of  General  Washington  from  Long-Island — Execution  of 
Captain  Hale,  an  American  Spy — The  Army — Opposition  to 
capital  Punishments — Pay  of  the  Army  Establishment         -         -     16.5 — 16<? 

CHAP.  XIV. 

Journey  to  Philadelphia — Stage-Waggon — Miserable  Roads — Com- 
municative Passenger — Philadelphia — Population  of  tlie  City 
— The  Market — Metliod  of  rearing  Hogs — Extremities  of  the 
Seasons — Punishments  inflicted  on  Criminal  Offenders — Advan- 
tages of  the  Criminal  Code  of  America — The  Jail — The  Eetter- 
ing-House — The  Hospital — The  Bank  of  the  United  States — 
Beggars — Waterworks— Bridges — The  Library— Peale's  Museum 
— American  Manufactures       .---...     j^q — J97 

c  CHAP. 


n  CONTENTS. 

CHAP.  XV. 

Washington,  the  Federal  City  and  Seat  of  Government — Slander  of 
its  Founder — Extract  from  the  American  Hudibras — "Wretched 
State  of  the  Roads  about  Washington — Disappointment  of  S|)ecu- 
Jators — The  Capitol — The  President's  House — Causes  of  the 
deplorable  State  of  tlie  City — Ilorse-Races — Mount  Vernon — 
Alexandria 198—214 

CHAP.  XVI. 

Embassy  from  Tunis — Extraordinary  Conduct  of  the  Turkish  Ne- 
gociator — Drunkenness  of  his  Attendants — His  Departure  from 
America — Deputation  from  the  Creek  and  Osage  Indians — Their 
Appearance  in  the  House  of  Representatives — Their  Song — 
Dance  of  Savages  in  the  Washington  Theatne — Sudden  Death  of 
one  of  the  Chiefs — Particulars  of  the  Expedition  for  exploring 
the  Missouri -     -         -         -     215—233 

CHAP.  XV n. 

The  LaAV — Judges — Procrastination — Term  Reports — Bankrupt- 
Law — Facility  of  evading  it — Exanjple  of  fraudulent  Bankruptcy 
— Necessity  of  a  different  Svstem 234 — 246 

CHAP.  XVIII. 

Drama— Its  Rise  and  Progress  in  Philadelphia— Mr.  Cooper 
—The  New  York  Theatre— Mr.  Ilodgkinson— Poverty  of  Ame- 
rican Managers— Charieston,  the  Grave  of  American  Performers 
— Mrs.  Wrii^litcn — Miss  Broadhurst — Miss  Fontenelle— Mr.  Vil- 
liers — Eminent  Living  Actors — Indecorous  Behaviour  in  an  Ame- 
rican Audience — Theatrical  Criticism       ...         -         -     247     258 


CHAP.  XIX. 

Artifices  and   Frauds  of   Land-Speculators — Method  of  Cooking 
Land— Difficulties  of  new  Settlers  in  Kentucky— The  new  Mis- 

2  sissippi 


CONTENTS.  l» 

sissippi  Bubble — Grant  of  Land  by  the  State  of  Georgia—  Infa- 
mous Fraud  practised  on  the  Purchasers — Altercation  between 
General  Jackson  and  a  Printer — Proceedings  in  Congress  relative 
to  the  Mississippi  Company's  Claims        -----     25g — 269 

CIJAP.  XX. 

Conjectures  on  the  Existence  of  the  Madogians,  or  Welch  Indians — 
Narrative  of  Maurice  Griffith — Expedition  of  the  Shawnese  to 
explore  the  Missouri — Discovery  of  a  Nation  of  White  Indians 
— Natural  Abilities  of  the  Indians — Dialogue  between  an  Indian 
Chief  and  an  American  Agent — Adoption  of  a  ^\'arrior  by  the 
Canadian  Indians 270—283 

CHAP.  XXL 

Order  of  the  Cincinnati — Satire  on  this  Institution — Imaginary  Ad- 
ventures of  one  of  its  Members — The  Eagle — Burlesque  on 
American  Elections — Badge  of  the  Order  -         -        -         -     284 — 296 

CHAP.  XXII. 

Deplorable  Effects  of  the  uncontrolled  Liberty  allowed  to  Youth  in 
America — Smoking — An  Academic  Frolic — Slingers — Elevencrs 
— Gouging — Biting — Kicking — Picture  of  a  Carolina  Loghouse       297 — 30.5 

CHJP.   XXIII. 

Bee-Hunting — Adventures  of  an  American  Quarter-Master  Serjeant 
— Alligators — Establishment  of  a  Carolina  Farmer  and  Inn- 
keeper— The  Locust — The  Cock-Roach — Ants  _        -         .     306 — 312 

CHAP.  XXIV. 

Miranda's  Expedition — His  Operations  in  America — Judicial  Pro- 
ceedings against  Mr.  Ogden,  Proprietor  of  the  Leander — Tyran- 
nical conduct  of  Judge  Tallmage — Spirited  Defence  of  Mr.  Og- 
den's  Counsel — Singular  Notions  of  Liberty  displayed  by  a  Re- 

c  2  publican 


C»  CONTENTS. 

publican  Ji\ihe — Failure  of  Miranda's  Enterprise— Particulars 

uf  his  early  J.ul-     - 313— 32G 

CfhlP.  A' AT. 

Norfolk,  in  ^'irginia — Tlie  Great  Dismal  Swamj) — Lake  Drummond 
— Deer-hunting  in  the  Swamp — Extraordinary  Dilemma — Little 
Dismal  Swamp — The  Panther — Dreadful  Conflict  between  Plan- 
ters and  Bears — Canals — Cultivation  of  Tobacco — Frauds  of 
Americans  in  that  Commodity — Natural  Bridges  in  \'irginia       -     3'27 — 34.T 

CIIJP.  XXVL 

The  Mocking-Bird — ^The  Red-Bird,  or  Virginia  Nightingale— The 
Woodcock  of  the  Southern  States — The  ^^'ood pecker — The  Whip- 
poor- Will      340'— 348 

CHAP.  XXVIl. 

Eccentric  Advertisetnents — Of  a  Publican — A  Lottery-Office  Keeper 
— A  Hair-dresser — A  Negro  Oyster  [Merchant — A  Poetical  Fri- 
seur — A  Political  Barbacue — Porter  Seller — Itinerant  Parson — 
i\Iatrimony — Divorce      _-..-.--     349 — ^SS 

CHAP,  xxvni. 

South  Carolina — Value  of  Plantations — Houses  of  the  Plantei-s — 
Slaves — Tlieir  Treatment — Plan  for  improving  their  Condition — 
Slavc-Trade — Dangers  to  be  apprehended  from  its  Prosecution — 
Intended  Insurrections  of  the  Slaves — Influence  of  Slavery  on  the 
Political  Representation  of  the  States — Propensity  of  the  Inha- 
iiilants  of  Carolina  to  Duelling — Gold-Mines  discovered  in 
North  Carolina — Gold  Company — Cultivation  of  Cotton — In- 
digo        -         -         -         .     3J6— 372. 

CHAP.  XXIX. 

liTatmcnt  of  Slaves — Barbarities  exercised  on  them — Punishment 


inriicied  on  a  Negro  for  a  Rape — Singular  mode  of  Cure  adopted 


with 


CONTENTS.  8f 

with  another — Tiie   Dying  Negro—Observations  on  Slavery,  by 

Jefierson  and  Dr.  -Morse 373 — S8-i 

CHAP.  XXX. 

Aariculture — Prospects  for  the  Emigrant  Farmer — History  of  Mr. 
Gilpin — Yellow  Fever — Symptoms  and  Treatment  of  that  dreadful 
Complaint — Land-Jobbers— Squatters — A  Log- House— Fences 
— The  Culture  of  Indian  Corn — Journey  to  the  Blue  Ridge — 
Orange  Court-House — The  Dancing-School — IMadison  Court- 
House — Alarm  of  an  Insurrection  among  the  Negroes — Night 
Expedition  in  pursuit  of  them — Their  Punishment     -         -         -     385—401' 

CHAP.  XXXI. 

Indian  Corn — Precarious  Produce  of  that  Grain — Husking  Frolic 
— Breeding  of  Sheep — Prospect  for  the  Emigrant  Mechanic  iiv 
America — The  Law — Physic — The  Church — Observations  on 
Mr.  Toulmins  Plan  for  purchasing  and  stocking  a  Farm  in  Ken- 
tucky— German  Settlers — State  of  Literature  in  America — Book- 
sellers— Typographical  Society — Book  Fair — Arts  and  Sciences — 
Strictures  on  Austin's  Letters  from  London — Funeral  of  General 
Washington 405—41:4! 

CHAP.  XXXII. 

The  American  Captain  Little  takes  a  French  Corvette — Tried  on 
Charges  brought  against  him  by  the  Prisoners,  and  superseded  in 
liis  Command — The  French  Ship  repaired  at  the  Expence  of 
America,  and  restored  by  Congress — Blockaded  in  Boston  by  a 
British  Ship — Action  off  Sandy  Hook  between  the  Ambuscade 
and  Boston — Circumstances  attending  the  return  of  Adet,  the 
French  Ambassador— Blockade  of  a  French  Frigate  in  Newport 
by  the  Asia— John  Pierce  killed  by  a  Shot  from  the  Leander — 
Proclamation  of  President  Jefferson  on  the  Occasion  -         -     425— 43G 

CHAP.  XXXIII. 

Gypsum — Large  quantities  of  that  substance  imported  from  Ca- 
nada 


22 


CONTENTS. 

nada  into  the  United  States,  and  employed  as  Manure— Pittsburg 
—General  Observations  on  the  A\'estcrn  Territories — Military 
Tavern-keepers — Quality   and   Produce  of  the  Soil  in  Kentucky 

Reason  for  the  loss  of  Teeth  among  the  Americans — Difficulty 

of  bringing  Produce  to  Market  from  the  Western  Countries 


CHAP.    XXXIF. 


Thomas  Paine 


CHAP.    XXXV. 

Emigration — Smuggling — German  Redemptioners 


437— 445 


446—451 


452—462 


APPENDIX. 

Abstract  of  a  Report  on  American  Roads     -        -         - 
Abstract  of  the  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
Duties  of  the  several  Ports  of  the  Union      -         -         - 
Salaries  of  Public  Officers  ------ 

Public  Expences  of  the  United  States,  for  1805    - 
Message  of  the  President,  commuuicated  December  2,  1806 


465—470 
470—477 
477—478 
478—479 
479—481 
482—489 


THE 


THE 


STRANGER   IN  AMERICA. 


CHAP.   I. 


MOTIVES  OF  THE  AUTHOR  FOR  GOING  TO  AMERICA — HE  EMBARKS  IN  AN  AME- 
RICAN SHIP — CHASED  BY  A  FRENCH  PRIVATEER — CONDUCT  OF  IlER  CREW  — 
SEIZURE  AND  RECOVERY  OF  THE  AUTHOR's  PAPERS — SPECIMEN  OF  AMERICAN 
MANNERS  —  A  SQUALL — SINGULAR  MANNER  OF  CATCHING  A  SHARK — TREATMENT 
OF  THE  PASSENGERS  —  AMERICAN  DUPLICITY  —  NOCTURNAL  ADVENTURE — AR- 
RIVAL   AT    PORTSMOUTH — CURIOSITY    OF    THE    AMERICANS — BOSTON. 


Fifteen  years  have  elapsed  since  I  first  entertained  the  idea  of. 
undertaking  a  voyage  to  the  United  States  of  America.  In  early  life, 
mv  mind  was  inflamed  with  a  desire  to  visit  foreign  countries.  Under 
this  influence,  I  first  proceeded  to  France  ;  and  there  my  ardor  to  cross 
the  great  Atlantic  was  encreased  by  the  description  of  America,  given 
to  me  by  some  French  officers  who  had  served  in  Count  Rochambeau's 
armv  in  the  revolutionary  war  of  that  country .  INIy  fortune,  Avith  a 
little  frugality,  was  adequate  to  carry  my  designs  into  execution.  I 
accordingly  hastened  my  departure  from  France,  and  returned  to 
London  to  make  preparations  for  this  important  undertaking.  I  was 
advised  to  place  my  property  in  the  American  funds.  This  step,  I  was 
told,  would  not  only  be  the  safest  remittance,  but  I  might  calculate 
upon  considerable  gain,  from  the  late  great  demand  for  that  stock.  I 
therefore  lodged  all  my  ready  cash,  having  sold  my  English  stock,  in 
the  hands  of  Messrs,  Bird,  Savage,  and   Bird,  who  procured  for  me 

American 


f  THE   AITIIOR    EMBARKS    FOR    AME:11CA. 

American  six  per  cents,  and  sliares  in  the  National  Bank.  So  far, 
however,  from  beinij  a  gainer  by  this  measure,  when  1  had  occasion 
for  monev,  I  was  obliged  to  sell  at  from  five  to  fifteen  percent,  loss. 
The  breaking  out  of  the  French  war  had  a  fatal  effect  on  the  American 
funds,  which  having  been  arlificialh'  raised  to  a  great  height  at  the  time 
of  my  purchase,  fell  considerably  previous  to  my  arrival. 

An  American  vessel,  called  the  Snow  Industry,  of  Wiscasset,  in  the 
province  of  Maine,  under  the  command  of  David  Trask,  w-afted  me  to 
the  happy  land,  as  my  imagination  had  pictured  it.  iNIy  fellow-pas- 
Kcngei-s  in  the  cal)in  were,  a  Mr.  ^linchin,  his  wife  and  child,  Mr.  John 
Plank,  and  Mr.  Lemuel  Cravath.  The  first  of  these  gentlemen  repre- 
sented himself  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  British  navy,  and  as  having  served 
under  the  Duke  of  Clarence.  Mr.  Plank  had  been  a  diamond  mer- 
chant, and  had  suffered  much  from  the  depreciation  in  the  value  of  the 
article  in  which  he  dealt,  at  the  beginning  of  the  French  revolution. 
Mr.  Cravath  was  a  Boston  merchant,  on  his  return  from  a  visit  to  dif- 
ferent parts  of  Europe,  on  his  commercial  concerns. 

I  had  tlattered  myself  withthe  hopes  of  gainiiTg  much  information 
respecting  the  new  world,  from  Mr.  Cravath,  the  only  American  jws- 
senger  on  board.  The  captain  was  completely  a  salt-water  boor ;  the 
mate  somewhat  communicative,  with  ideas  which  did  not  extend  far- 
ther than  the  ship's  way  and  his  logbook;  and  the  seamen  were  an 
ianorant,  motley  crew,  collected  from  the  various  American  States. 
1  was  farther  encouraged  to  prosecute  my  enquiries,  from  the  circum- 
stance, that  our  vessel  was  bound  to  Boston,  the  place  of  residence  of  a 
leilow-passenger ;  but  I  had  the  disappointment  to  find  Mr.  Cravath 
extremely  reserved  nj)on  every  subject  relating  to  his  country  ;  and, 
though  for  some  time  I  neglected  uo  opportunity  to  lead  him  to  my 
favorite  topic,  I  generally  received  evasive  answers.  lie,  however, 
promised  to  introduce  me  to  a  good  Lwarding-house  on  our  arrival  in 
Boston. 

3 


CHASED    BY   A   FRENCH   PRIVATEER.  3 

Our  voyage  was  prosperous  for  a  week  ;  but  on  the  eighth  day,  when 
the  passengers  were  at  breakfast,  the  man  at  the  helm  called  out  "  a  sail 
astern."  Not  having  yet  beheld  any  thing  but  the  immense  Atlantic 
and  the  sky,  we  hurried  upon  deck ;  and  by  means  of  my  telescope, 
(the  only  one  on  board)  discovered  a  vessel  under  a  press  of  sail,  evi- 
dently in  chase  of  us.  The  war  of  1793  had  commenced,  for  it  was 
now  the  latter  end  of  the  month  of  May,  in  that  year.  Finding  the 
strange  sail  gaining  fast  upon  us,  and  fearing  an  interruption,  we 
determined  to  take  an  early  dinner,  before  she  spoke  us.  During  this 
repast,  the  chasing  vessel  fired  a  gun,  though  at  such  a  distance  as  to 
have  been  scarcely  perceived  by  those  on  deck.  We  continued  our 
course  for  half  an  hour,  when  another  gun  was  fired  from  the  same 
quarter,  which  left  us  no  doubt  of  their  intention.  Our  captain  there- 
fore ordered  his  crew  to  hoist  the  American  flag,  and  to  back  the  to|> 
sails,  for  we  had  no  defensive  weapon  on  board,  unless  my  fowling-piece 
could  be  so  denominated.  In  an  hour  the  enemy  Avas  nearly  along-side, 
with  English  colours  ilying  at  the  main-top,  and  we  were  hailed  in  our 
own  language.  After  the  usual  interrogatories  and  answers,  we  were 
ordered  to  hoist  out  our  boat,  and  the  captain,  with  his  papers,  was 
directed  to  come  onboard.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  chase  our 
commander  was  decided!}^  of  opinion  that  the  enemy  was  English,  but 
by  constantly  using  my  telescope,  I  perceived  the  greasy  cap  of  liberty 
ornamenting  the  mast-head  of  the  sans-culottes,  and  therefore  told  him  to 
prepare  for  a  liaternal  hug. 

We  represented,  by  means  of  our  speaking-trumpet,  that  our  boat 
was  leaky,  and  therefore  to  comph'^  with  their  demand  would  be  dan- 
gerous ;  at  the  same  time  inviting  them  to  board  us.  To  this  we  were 
answered  :  "  Out  with  your  boat,  or  we  will  sink  you."  Our  captain, 
who,  like  a  great  majority  of  his  countrymen,  was  an  inveterate  enemy 
to    England,    could   no   longer   contain   his  passion ;    he   cursed   the 

iLnglisli,  and  swore  that  nothing  but  one  of  their  "  d ^d  privateers" 

would   act   in   this   manner.      "  Go,    captain,"    I    replied,    to    your 

B  friends 


4  CONDUCT  OF  THE  CREW   OF  THE  PRIVATEER. 

friends  the  INTonsieiirs,  and  receive  the  lienodittlon  of  equality."    "While 
lie  went  bcUiw   lor  his  jjapers,  and   his  sliore  coat,  the  privateer  hred 
anoth(  r  nun,  lowered  her   Knylish  colors,  and  hoisted  the  tri-colored 
ila"-of  France.     I  ininiediateiy  hastened  after  the  captain,  and  told  him 
that  his  friends  were  impatient ;    lor  they   now  spoke  the  language  of 
his  heart,  which  was  legible  at  their  main-top  mast-head.     He  under- 
stood me,  and  in  sullen  silence  put  his  bill  of  sale,  manifest,  and  clear- 
ance inio   bis  pocket;  and  then  came  upon  deck,  while  the  crew  were 
launchino-  our  leakv   boat.     The  mask  being  thrown  off.  Monsieur  le 
capitdiitc   ioudlv    vociferated,  "  Depcchcz  vous,  depecliez  voim !"     Botlv 
vesseK-,  their  sails  a-back,  had  now  edged  within  a  stone's  throw  of  each 
other,  when  l>ieutenant  Minchin,  on  their  again  threatening  to  fire  into 
us,  roared  out,  in  the  true  style  of  a  British  seaman,  "  Fire  and   be 
d l'  ■     "^I'lus.  fortunately,  was  not  understood,  except  by  an  English- 
man, in  "  durance  vile,"  on  board  the  privateer,  and  wlio,  by  threats, 
was  compelled  to  fulfil  the  derogatory  olfice  of  hailing  our  vessel.     His 
miserable  companions  in  captivity  were  confined  below  the  deck. 

Half  an  hour  luid  Capt.  Trask  undergone  the  ordeal  of  Gallic  scrn- 
tinv,  when  we  perceived  ibur  armed  sum-culoltes  descend  into  our  shat- 
tered boat,  which  puslied  off,  rowed  by  two  of  our  crew,  who  had  con- 
ducted their  captain  on  board  the  privateer.  They  were  soon  on  the 
deck  of  the  Industry,  lor  the  sea  was  not  much  agitated.  It  is  not  in 
mv  |)Ower  to  describe  the  appearance  of  this  gang  of  raggamuffin  ma- 
rauders. The  leader  was  a  tawny,  squat,  savage-looking  Frenchman, 
in  height  not  more  than  four  feet  and  a  half  Over  his  shoulders  was  a 
thread-bare  blue  coat,  with  red  facing.  His  paunch,  and  posteriors, 
which  were  disproportionably  enormous,  were  covered  with  a  greasy 
and  coarse  red  cloth.  This,  as  well  as  his  coat,  glared  with  yellow 
buttons  of  extraordinary  size,  on  which  were  embossed  the  WTetched 
emblems  of  liberty  and  equality.  Round  his  waist  was  girt  a  monstrous 
sabre,  which  a  trooper  would  find  it  difficult  to  wield.  At  least  a  third 
of  this  instrument  of  death  he  dragged  after  him,  while  he  strutted  and 

3  gasconadeil 


THEY   SEARCH  THE  A31ERIC  \N   SHIP.  5 

gasconaded  on  our  quarter-deck.  A  pair  of  large  ship  pistols  were 
stuck  in  his  belt.  On  his  head,  in  Avhich  nature  had  sported  until  all 
proportion  -was  lost  in  overgrown  size,  was  an  enormous  cocked  hat,  sur- 
mounted with  a  monstrous  plume  of  coarse  feathers.  Though  at  the 
mercy  of  this  ludicrous  figure,  we  could  not  restrain  our  risibility.  His 
seh-importance  was  evident  to  all,  though  no  person  on  board  under- 
stood one  word  of  his  menaces,  save  myself,  nor  could  I  immediately 
adjust  the  features  of  my  face  to  accost  him.  I  had,  however,  suiHcient 
command  over  my  feelings,  not  only  to  subdue  the  strong  impulse  I 
felt  to  throw  the  animal  overboard,  but  even  to  offer  a  complimentary 
introduction.  I  told  him,  in  French,  that  I  thought  the  gallantry  of  a 
Frenchman  would  have  restrained  him  from  intimidating  a  lady.  3rlrs. 
Minchin  was  near  me.  Having  in  some  degree  appeased  the  affected 
wrath  of  the  intruder,  who  charged  us  with  altering  our  course  to  avoid 
liim,  he  insisted  on  searching  the  trunks  of  the  passengers,  asserting, 
that  he  was  sure  we  were  English.  This  I  stoutly  denied ;  and  believe 
me,  reader,  it  was  the  only  time  I  have  been  reduced  to  this  choaking 
humility.  Looking  up  at  me,  his  saffron  face  nearly  in  contact  with 
my  breast,  he  sarcastically  replied,  Jedis,  encore,  je  suis  sur  au  contraire. 

It  Avas  not  till  this  moment  that  I  recollected  having  the  day  before 
been  employed  amongst  my  papers,  and  that  they  lay  in  a  deranged  state 
and  uppermost  in  my  trunk.  The  fellow  fortunately  did  not  observe 
my  confusion,  yet  nothing  could  have  preserved  my  devoted  papers. 
After  ransacking  various  trunks  of  the  other  passengers,  during  which 
outrage  he  spared  not  even  the  linen  of  the  lady,  he  came  to  my  unfor- 
tunate property.  Again  looking  up  in  my  face,  he  roared  out  with  the 
voice  of  arrogant  authority,  Poiirqiioi,  faquin,  navez  vous  pas  expose 
cette  malle  la  ?  The  other  trunks  had  all  been  opened  in  rotation  by 
their  respective  owners. 

To  what  indignities  had  I  reduced  myself!  The  idea  of  revenge 
flashed  with  redoubled  force  across  my  brain— a  moment  might  have 

E  2  over- 


SEIZURE  OF   THE   Al'TIIOR'S   PAPERS. 


ovenvhelmtdnic,  and  blasted  all  my  golden  prospects  in  the  happy  land 
for  which  I  was  embarked.  An  involuntary  menacing  motion  with 
my  hand  was  interpreted  as  an  effort  to  iind  the  key.  He  hastily  de- 
mandefl  it,  and  I  peevishly  answered  that  I  had  lost  it.  lie  then  jr^ve 
orders  to  his  savage  ibllowers  to  break  open  my  trunk.  At  this  instant 
one  of  the  gang  had  taken  up  Mr^.  Minchin's  child,  and  the  fears  of 
the  mother  afforded  me  time  to  recover  my  calmness.  The  key  was  pro- 
duced ;  seeing  no  alternative,  l  opened  the  trunk,  and  the  result  was 
such  as  I  had  apprehended.  He  scrambled  up  the  i)ai)ers,  uttering  an 
hundred  sacrc  /J/V»'s,  and  grinned  at  me  the  most  insulting  sarcasms, 
Avhile  another  of  the  crew  ran  upon  deck  to  announce  to  his  comrades 
uue  bonne  prise. 

With  my  pajiei-s  crammed   into  a  dirty  handkerchief,  taken  fi-om  a 
still  more  dirty  neck,  the  plunderers  were regainingthe  deck.  To  me  alone 
they  were  of  the  utmost  consequence,  yet  I  knew  that,  without  expla- 
nation, we  might  all  be  involved  in  trouble.     I   followed  them,  and 
after   intreating  my  fellow  passengers,    in  vain,    to     accompany  me, 
I  jumped  into  the  boat  amidst  the  Frenchmen,  and  again  offended  the 
captor  by  my  presumption.     I  now  used  a  more  haughty  tone— insisted 
on  going  on  board  the  privateer,  observing  to  ray  misshapen  tormentor, 
that  there   I  would  require  justice  of  his  superior.     The   Frenchmen 
nimbly  got  on  board,  and  handed  the  bundle  to  the  captain;  then  like 
true  sons  of  equality,  indiscriminately  crowded  round   the  companion- 
way,  where  the  examination  began.     1  followed,  but  found  little  pros- 
pect of  gaining  the  place  of  search.     The  privateer  was  full  of  men,  of 
a  description  calculated  to  recal  to  the  imagination  I'alstaff's  picture  of 
his  company  of  soldiers.     \Vithout  exertion,  I  saw  that  I  might  be 
condemned,  and  our  vessel  also,  without  a  hearing ;  for  the  Mmsienrs 
were  confident  the  papers  w  ould  make  us  a  good  prize.    Takmg,  there- 
fore, one  of  the  ragged  rascals  by  the  collar,    and    pushing  anotlier 
aside,  at  the  same  time  calling  out  avec  permission,  I  reached  the  com- 
panion-way.    I  fijund  the  French  captain,  dressed  a  la  mode  Angloise, 


BECOVERY  OF  THEM.  7 

in  plain  clothes.     I  addressed  l)im  in  French,  and  he  answered  me  v,  ith 
politeness.     He  had,  by  this  time,  given  a  parchment  (the  counter[)art 
of  a  lease  T  had  granted  of  a  house  in  England)  to  an  a])ostate  American, 
one  of  the  crew,  and  who  was  recognized  by  one  of  our  people  to  be  a 
native  of  Connecticut.     This  fellow,  who  scarcely  knew  his  own  name 
on  paper,  blundered  out  the  first  line  of  the  deed,  as  far  as   "  in  the 
thirtieth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  sovereign  lord   George  the  Third," 
when  he  threw  it  down,  and  swore   it  was  a  commission  from  old 
George.     After  the  uproar  of  diahle'^  and  mon  Dicit's  had  ceased,    I 
perceived  the  captain  looking  at  me,  as  if  for  an  explanation.     On  this 
point  I  gave  him  entire  satisfaction  ;  and  finding  no  instrument  remain- 
ing which  looked  so  formidable  as  the  lease,  he  returned  my  papers, 
and,  with   Parisian  complaisance,  apologized  for  the  trouble  he  had 
given  me.     He  then  invited   me  to  drink   a  glass  of  claret  with  him, 
which  the  hurry  of  my  spirits,  and  the  exertions  I  had  used,  rendered 
most  grateful.     I  therefore  filled  a  large  tumbler  to  the  brim,  thanked 
him,  and  drank  it. 

This  privateer  was  called  L'Esperance,  and  had  taken  some  prizes. 
I  was  highly  gratified  in  reading,  a  short  time  after  my  arrival  in 
America,  that  she  did  not  long  remain  a  pest  to  the  ocean  ;  but  that 
being  taken  by  a  vessel  belonging  to  her  enemj'',  she  was  conducted  into 
an  En  glish  port.  I  could  not,  on  this  occasion,  restrain  a  wish  that  my 
little  dingy  hero  had  been  consigned  to  the  voracious  inhabitants  of  the 
deep. 

On  taking  leave  of  the  privateer,  I  Avas  accosted  in  English  by  a 
respectable  looking  man,  who  had  been  confined  until  it  appeared  that 
there  was  no  danger  from  our  resistance,  and  who  informed  me,  that 
he  had  been  taken  by  the  Esperance  a  few  daj  s  before,  in  an  American 
vessel  which  he  commanded.  This  man  gave  me  his  name,  with  that 
of  his  ship,  and  requested  me  to  hand  it  to  a  printer  on  my  arrival.  I 
accordingly  gave  the  particulars  to  Major  Benjamin  Russell,  printer  of 

2  the 


8  sPi;cniEN  of  amkrican  mannkrs. 

the  C'olmnbiaii  Centinel,  wlio  inserted  it  next  day  in  his  paper.  These 
names  I  have  forgotten;  indeed,  at  this  remote  period  they  would  be 
but  of  httlc  use.  Tiiis  captain  hkewise  informed  me,  that  Ave  had  ex- 
perienced a  hicky  escape,  as  the  most  triflin;;-  suspicions  circumstances 
wouUl  l)ave  thrown  us  into  *'  tlie  liloody  jaws  of  ^larat."  * 

The  privateer  veered  round  while  I  was  again  getting  on  board  the 
Industry:  the  crew  manned  the  yards,  and  g-ave  us  three  cheers.  This 
manceuAre,  however,  the  lady  was  prevented  from  witnessing,  for 
many  of  the  Frenchmen  were  literally  sons  culottes,  and  being  in  this 
situation  elevated  on  the  yards  and  shrouds,  ])resented  objects  not  ex- 
actly adapted  to  the  eye  of  female  modesty.  We  returned  them  three 
hearty  curses — but  not  before  we  thought  them  out  of  hearing. 

>A'c  had  contracted  for  our  passage  with  Capt.  Trask  for  thirty 
guineas  each,  including  our  provisions.  This  was  a  large  sum  to  a  man 
who  confessed  that  he  never  had  carried  a  passenger  across  the  Atlantic. 
He  was  to  lay  in  an  ample  stock  of  provisions,  a  certain  quantity  of 
wine  and  porter,  to  which  were  added,  at  oin-  own  expense,  some  bot- 
tled cyder,  and  spirituous  liquors.  We  had  also  requested  him  to  pro- 
cure a  plentiful  supply  of  other  article  s,so  that  we  might  not  suffer  by  a 
vovage  of  longer  duration  than  usual,  and  promised,  in  that  case,  an 
additional  remuneration.  We  were  greatly  surprised  to  find  on  the 
first  day  a  dinner  of  salt  beef,  but  as  he  apologized  by  observing  that 
■  things  were  not  vet  in  order  to  cook  fresh  pro\  isions,  «  e  n)ade  no  com- 
ments. While  at  this  our  first  meal  on  board,  a  specimen  of  American 
effrontery  was  given  us  by  Bob,  the  cook-boy,  a  sprig  of  a  true-born 
Yankee,f  who,  reaching  his  dirty  arm  across  the  table,  took  a  tumbler 

•  See  Burke's  Spi-ecli  on  the  French  Revolution. 

t  This  is  so  far  from  being  considered  a  term  of  reproach  by  the  inhabitants  of  New  England,  that  it 
is  employed  by  them  in  the  same  manner,  and  perhaps  with  greater  complacency,  than  a  native  of  Old 
England  applies  to  his  countrymen  the  appellation  of  "  John  Bull."  It  should  likewise  be  observed,  that 
the  term  is  confined  only  to  the  people  of  the  New  England  states,  who  are  even  called  Yankees  by  those 
of  the  southern  states, 

and 


CELEBRATION  OF  THE  FOURTH  OF  JUNE.  9 

and  deliberately  filled  it  with  equal  parts  of  rum  and  water.  Amazed 
at  this  behavior,  we  waited  the  result.  He  looked  round,  and  laniili- 
arlv  noildinu'  his  head,  "  Good  Iblks,"  said  he,  *•  here's  to  ve."  Then 
with  jDerfect  sangfroid,  he  swallowed  the  contents,  and  looked  round 
for  aj)probation.  We  stared  at  each  other,  but  no  one  spoke,  till 
Cratvath,  the  American  passenger,  exclaimed,  "  Ah  !  pure  nature  !" 
We,  however,  perceived  that  Bob's  countryman  was  not  well  pleased 
with  this  first  exhibition  of  American  equality.  Bob  was  laughed  at, 
and  soon  found  that  he  had  not  hit  upon  the  right  plan  to  obtain  a  glass 
of  grog.  In  return,  he  sometimes  muttered  among  his  companions, 
"  the  proud  English  !" 

A  few  days  after  our  a^lventure  with  the  privateer,  arrived  the  fourth 
of  June.  It  was  not  til!  alter  dinner  that  we  were  aware  of  the  circum- 
stance, on  which  we  agreed  to  have  a  bottle  of  wine  each,  in  honor  of 
the  day ;  but  under  a  resolution  of  subsequent  economy  in  the  consump- 
tion of  our  store  of  that  grateful  beverage.  The  first  glass  was  scarcely 
filled  before  the  Englishmen,  with  one  accord,  toasted  "  The  King,"  in 
which  the  American  passenger  joined.  We  then  gave  "  The  President 
of  the  United  States,"  in  compliment  to  Mr.  Cravath,  who  seemed 
highly  gratified.  The  great  and  good  Washington,  who  then  filled  that 
office,  merited  the  remembrance.  Sentiments  were  then  proposed,  and 
Mr.  Plank,  in  his  turn,  gave  "  Bloody  noses  to  the  French."  This  too 
was  drunk  by  Mr.  Cravath,  without  comment;  but  when  he  was  called 
upon,  he  reversed  the  toast,  and  drank  "  Bloody  noses  to  the  English." 
This  had  nearly  put  an  end  to  our  conviviality.  The  impropriety  of 
my  countiyman's  behaviour,  in  our  then  situation,  forcibly  struck  me  the 
moment  he  pronounced  the  toast;  but  I  had  hoped  it  would  have  been 
passed  over,  and  therefore  took  no  notice  of  it.  I  mention  this  trifling 
circumstance,  to  shew  the  reader  the  sentiments  entertained  at  that  time 
by  Americans  towards  England.  Mr,  Cravath  was  a  mild  man,  of  few 
words,  and  never  introduced  politics,  yet  rancour  against  his  mother- 
country  was  not  eradicated  from  his  mind ;  and  I  fear  its  seeds  still 

vegetate 


10  A   SQUALL. 

vegetate  in  those  of  tlircc-lourtlis  of  liis  conntiymcn.  Mr.  Plank  was 
al)out  to  make  a  severe  retort,  Avheii  I  interfLicd,  by  observing,  that  he 
had  himself  qiven  occasion  to  the  obnoxious  sentiment,  by  inconside- 
rately wishing  discomfiture  to  his  enemies,  in  the  presence  of  one  whose 
country  was  at  peace,  and  in  treaties  of  amity  with  them.  Here  the 
matter  rested;  the  Englishman  was  good-natured,  and  the  American 
joined  in  wishing  that  nothing  had  been  said,  at  such  a  time,  by  either 
of  them,  respecting  the  IVench.  Thus,  hilarity  was  restored,  and  the 
day  concluded,  as  it  always  should  with  Englishmen — in  good  humour. 

Fourteen  days  we  had  run  before  the  wind ;  not  a  sheet  or  a  tack  had 
been  altered :  we  were  one  evening  congratulating  each  other  on  the 
liiir  hopes  of  a  very  short  passage,  when,  on  retiring  to  our  respective 
cabins,  i\Ir.  Minchin  observed  that  the  vessel  heeled  a  good  deal.  He 
immediately  ran  upon  deck,  and  ibund  a  heavy  squall  coming  on,  while 
the  mate  at  the  helm  was  giving  directions  to  take  in  the  tojvsails. 
American  mariners  do  not  always  follow  the  example  of  the  English  in 
taking  in  their  small  sails  before  night  approaches,  and  we  severely  felt 
the  consequences  of  this  omission.  The  braces  and  sheets  having  been 
long  neglected  in  consequence  of  favorable  gales,  great  confusion  and 
delay  took  place  in  securing  the  vessel.  The  wind  had  suddenly  shifted, 
and  it  now  blew  a  heavy  gale.  The  noise  on  deck  alarmed  us — the  ladj^ 
was  shrieking,  and  fear  seized  all  the  inmates  of  the  cabin.  It  Mould 
be  ridiculous  to  deny  that  I  was  not  in  a  state  of  great  dread ;  for  it 
w  as  the  fn-st  gale  I  had  ever  encountered  upon  the  ocean.  Tlie  captain 
■was  roused  from  his  sleep,  and  ran  uj)on  deck  with  no  other  doathing 
than  his  shirt;  he  seized  the  helm,  while  the  mate,  vith  ^Ir.  IMinchin, 
used  every  exertion  to  get  in  the  sails.  This  was  accomplished  in  about 
half  an  hour,  when  the  latter  relieved  our  fears  in  the  cabin,  by  inform- 
ing us  "  that  the  vessel  was  now  snug."  I  then  ventured  upon  the  deck, 
where  the  foaming  of  the  waves,  and  the  whistling  of  the  wind,  by  no 
ineans  tended  to  dispel  my  apprehensions.  1  applied  to  the  mate,  who 
had  resumed  his  |>ost  at  the  helm,  for  consolation.     IIo  laughed  at  my 

anxietv. 


ALARM  OF    THE   AUTHOR.  11 

anxiety,  and  said   it  was  only  a  sudden  puff;  adding,  "d n  bcr, 

she  did  to  be  sure  run  off  like  a  scalded  hog." 

Such,  however,  are  the  perils  of  the  ocean,  that  the  mind  of  a  pas- 
senger can  never  be  said  to  be  truly  at  ease.  When  lie  lies  down  to 
rest,  he  dreads  the  dangers  of  the  night;  ^^bile  bis  meals  are  often  in- 
terrupted by  the  unpleasant  call  of  "  All  hands  upon  deck."  1  his  gale 
continued  four  daj'^s,  during  which  the  vessel  lay  to,  under  a  double- 
reefed  fore-sail.  On  the  morning  after  the  squall  overtook  us,  I  \veut 
upon  deck,  and  was  greatly  alarmed  at  fniding  no  person  there,  and  a 
heavy  sea  running.  I  fancied  the  crew  had  abandoned  the  ship,  and, 
under  this  impression,  I  called  out  for  the  captain  or  the  mate.  "  What 
do  you  want?"  replied  one  of  the  seamen,  stretching  out  his  neck  from 
behind  the  binnacle.  I  told  him  mj^  apprehensions,  at  which  he  laughed 
immoderately.  I  fancied  the  fellow  an  insulting  savage  ;  but,  when  he 
had  sufficiently  indulged  his  risibility  at  my  expense,  he  told  me  that  the 
crew  could  do  nothing  while  the  Avind  continued  in  that  point,  and  no- 
thing more  was  required  than  "  a  hand  to  look  out."  I  now  jiroceeded 
upon  the  main  deck,  and  looking  down,  saw  the  mate  busily  engaged 
with  his  reckoning,  some  of  the  crew  asleep,  and  others  employed  as 
thej'  thought  fit. 

We  had  now  to  contend  against  adverse  winds,  and  a  tremendous  sea, 
till  we  reached  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  of  which  we  were  apprized 
by  the  thick  fog  that  enveloped  us.  The  sea  became  tranquil ;  and,  as 
it  were,  yielded  to  the  influence  of  the  fbs:. 


^o- 


The  following  incident  occurred  not  long  before  to  a  ship,  in  the  la- 
titude in  which  we  now  were  :  The  cook  had  slung  overboard  a  piece 
of  salt  beef,  in  order  to  wash  and  freshen  it  for  dinner;  and  not  as  a 
bait  for  the  rapacious  tenants  of  the  deep.  The  barrel  being  nearly 
empty,  he  was  unable  to  reach  the  beef  without  the  assistance  of  a 
harpoon,  which  happened  to  be  at  hand,  and  which  he  had  struck 

c  so 


IS  A   SHARK   CAUGHT. 

SO  forcibly  into  it,  that,  fiiulinq;  some  difficulty  in  drawing  out  the 
instrument,  he  threw  the  whole  over  tiie  side  of  the  sliip,  first  fasten- 
ing it  to  a  rope.  A  shark  of  an  enormous  si/.e,  must,  unperceived, 
have  followed  their  track,  for,  in  a  very  i'cw  niiiuites,  one  of  the  seamen 
observed  the  coil  of  rope,  to  which  the  cook  had  attached  the  meat,  di- 
minishing at  a  great  rate.  Ignorant  of  the  use  to  which  it  had  been 
put,  he  seized  it,  and  finding  a  great  resistance,  called  for  aid,  by  which 
the  course  of  the  ravenous  animal  was  checked,  and  they  soon  discovered 
it  writhing  in  agony.  It  was  drawn  alongside,  and  with  considerable 
diificulty  hoisted  upon  the  deck.  On  the  cook's  explanation,  it  became 
a  matter  of  surprise  how  the  shark  could  be  held ;  but,  upon  examina- 
tion, tlle\'  found  that  a  bone  in  the  beef  had  been  started  by  the  introduc- 
tion  of  the  harpoon,  in  such  a  direction,  that,  on  being  swallowed,  it 
completely  operated  as  a  hook,  and  thus  rendered  all  the  animal's  attempts 
to  disengage  itself  utterly  unavailing. 

This  circumstance  affords  another  confutation  of  the  assertion  of  Lin- 
nrens,  who  says,  that  the  shark  devours  her  own  young.  On  extracting  the 
beef,  three  young  sharks  followed,  in  full  vigour.  I  lad  the  old  one  received 
them  into  the  stomach  as  food,  life  would,  undoubtedh^  have  been  ex- 
tinguished before  the  expiration  of  half  the  time  that  had  elapsed  from 
her  being  hooked,  to  the  extracting  of  the  bait.  We  find  that  Sir  Ri- 
chard Hawkins,  in  his  account  of  his  voyage  to  South  America,  upwards 
of  two  centuries  ago,  says,  that  he  has  observed  the  young  sharks  have 
free  egress  and  regress  into  the  mouth  of  the  dam,  and  that  he  has  found 
them  in  the  stomach.  Of  late  years.  Dr.  IMosely  on  the  subject,  asserts, 
that  the  young  sharks  retreat  into  the  stomachs  of  the  old  ones,  in  time 
of  danger.  In  this  instance,  the  young  ones  struggled  upon  the  deck 
with  great  activity ;  and,  small  as  they  were,  they  excited  so  great  a 
terror,  that  few  chose  to  venture  too  near  them-  The  cook,  to  whom 
they'were  consigned,  dressed  them  for  dinner,  and  it  required  but  little 
effort  in  the  crew  to  banish  their  prejudice,  when  placed  on  the  table. 

3  In 


INADEQUATE   ACCOMMODATIONS.  13 

In  the  stomach  of  the  old  shark,  which  measureid  fourteen  feet,  two 
inches,  in  length,  were  found  a  variety  of  both  finny  and  testaceous  fish, 
a  turtle  half  digested,  several  cray-fish,  two  of  which,  having  been 
lately  swallowed,  were  eaten  at  supper;  and  several  large  bones.  They 
were  unable  to  determine  the  species  of  animal  to  which  many  of  the 
latter  had  belonged. 

I  have  already  obsen  ed  that  Captain  Trask  was  to  receive  thirty  gui- 
neas per  head  for  our  passage,  and  that  he  was  promised  a  further  re- 
compence  in  case  of  a  long  voyage  and  sufficient  sea  stores.  He  pur- 
chased about  three  dozen  fowls,  the  greater  part  of  which  died  from 
improper  treatment,  the  first  week;  two  dozen  ducks;  two  dozen  bottles 
of  port  wine  ;  t\^o  gallons  of  rum;  two  of  brandy;  not  more  than  two 
or  three  dressings  of  iresh  beef,  and  a  single  joint  of  veal ;  with  some  tea 
and  sugar,  potatoes  and'  cabbages.  We  often  calculated  the  cost  oi"  these 
articles,  and  found  they  could  not  amount  to  the  price  of  one  passage. 
The  vessel,  too,  was  not  accommodated  lor  i>assengers,  being,  in  fact,  a 
lumber-carrier,  trading  with  timberof  every  description  from.  AMscassett, 
one  of  the  most  northerly  ports  of  the  United  States,  to  Great  Britain. 
Neither  the  want  of  accommodation,  nor  the  rudeness  of  the  captain, 
was  regarded  at  the  moment  of  embarkation.  J  know  not  to  how 
much  greater  inconvenience  we  ^vould  have  submitted,  to  be  blessed  with 
a  sicht  of  the  far-famed  land  to  which  we  were  bound.  How  sweet  are 
the  delusive  dreams  of  imagination !— But  to  return  to  our  captain. 

Our  fresh  provision  of  butchers'  meat  were  consumed  before  the  end 
of  a  single  week,  while  the  fowls  were  dying  at  the  rate  of  three  or  four 
a  day.  We  A\ere  therefore  already  upon  what  is  called  "  Ship's  allow- 
ance." This  was  beef,  pork,  and  biscuit.  Such  is  the  constant  fare  of 
seamen;  and,  being  used  to  no  other,  they  look  not  for  variety.  We 
too,  though  now  for  the  first  time  obliged  to  live  like  seamen,  should 
have  been  content,  had  the  provisions  been  good.  To  our  vexation, 
we  found  them  difficult  to  masticate,  and  disairreeable  to  the  palate. 

(-•  2  the 


14  A    IMORTII'VING    DISCOVI-RY. 

The  mate,  whose  name  was  Nye,  told  me,  that  the  beef  was  American, 
and  by  no  means  the  best — that  it  had  crossed  and  re-crossed  the  Atlan- 
tic he  knew  not  how  often ;  the  pork,  he  added,  was  not  worth  mention- 
ing, because  there  was  but  very  httle  left;  the  biscuit,  to  which  we 
Avere  also  reduced,  was  of"  a  similar  description  with  the  beef,  being 
worm-eaten  and  rotten  ;  while  our  water  was  nearly  in  a  state  of  putri- 
dity. Our  wine  and  spirits  too  were  entirely  gone.  It  a|)peared  that 
Citizen  Bob  made  free  with  our  liquors,  notwithstanding  the  rebuff"  he 
experienced  upon  his  first  attempt,  changing  only  the  mode,  by  taking 
his  glass  behind  our  backs.  Now,  Bob  had  almost  as  many  different 
offices  to  fill  on  board,  as  Scrub  enumerates  to  Archer:  he  was  steward 
as  well  as  cook,  and  in  this  capacity  he  had  the  care  of  our  cabin-stores. 
He  was  also  the  onlv  individual  of  the  crew  who  had  for  yome  time  en- 
tered  the  cabin;  for  our  captain  had  long  fled  from  our  reproaches,  and 
had  made  himself  a  birth  in  the  steerage.  This  stewardship  in  a  consi- 
derable degree  contributed  to  the  pi'emature  exhaustion  of  our  liquors; 
for  Bob,  (and  I  never  met  with  an  American  who  did  not)  loved  his  glass. 
This,  however,  could  not  have  made  such  obvious  ravages  in  his  charge, 
had  he  confined  his  glass  to  himself  We  discovered,  when,  alas !  too 
late,  that  our  Yankee  "  helpmate," — for,  reader,  we  must  not  use  the 
word  servant,  as  j'ou  shall  hereafter  know, — had  made  frequent  repetitions 
of  "  Here's  to  ye,"  with  company  more  suited  to  his  taste.  In  short. 
Bob  had  not  only  made  pretty  free  himself,  but  had  been  most  liberal 
to  his  shipmates,  taking  our  liquor  by  wholesale  in  return  for  our  laugh- 
ing him  out  of  his  glass.— A  cork  was  jH-obably  drawn  as  often  under  the 
(ore-scuttle  as  in  the  cabin  ;  and  thus,  our  store  of  liquor  was  exhausted 
before  we  reached  the  banks  of  Newfoundland. 

The  discovery  of  these  misfortunes  greatly  encreased  our  clamours 
against  the  authors  of  them.  Our  captain  now  seldom  came  even  upon 
the  deck,  except  when  called  by  his  indispensable  duty ;  in  the  perfor- 
mance of  which  he  took  care  to  shield  himself  against  our  attacks.  I 
have  omitted  to  mention,  that,  very  early  on  our  voyage,  our  captain 

contrived 


AMERICAN   DUPLICITY.  15 

contrived  to  obtain  from  each  of  us  the  whole  of  our  passage-money. 
This  business  Avas  moved  by  the  captain's  countryman,  our  fellow-pas- 
senger, Cravath,  who  first  paid  up  the  balance  of  his  thirty  guineas  before 
the  whole  commonwealth  of  the  cabin.  Americans  are  a  people  who 
seem  to  gather  from  the  habits  of  every  European  nation,  something 
which  they  turn  to  their  own  advantage ;  and  to  elucidate  this,  it  is  only 
necessary  to  observe  "  that  they  stick  together  like  Scotchmen  when 
abroad."  The  example  of  Cravath  was  followed  without  suspicion,  and 
a  week  previous  to  the  discovery  of  the  rapid  decay  of  our  subsistence 
the  whole  of  our  passage-money  was  paid.  Now,  had  I  been  taking  my 
passage  from  a  British  port,  and  in  a  British  bottom,  for  Lisbon— nay, 
even  for  Calais,  I  should  not  have  paid  a  shilling  till  I  was  safely  landed 
at  mv  destined  port.  The  case  was  hei'e  far  different :  and,  with  Doc- 
tor Pangloss  I  would  mentally  exclaim,  "  Am  I  not  with  the  true  sons 
of  freedom  r — am  I  not  about  to  pay  them  a  domestic  visit  ?"  The  idea 
of  that  caution  which  I  had  ever  found  most  useful,  when  a  separation  was 
to  take  place  between  my  purse  and  my  cash,  I  would  not  now  for  a 
moment  endure.  With  what  jjleasure  did  I  pay  my  balance  to  the  cap- 
tain !  How  eagerly  did  I  then  question  him  upon  the  distance  still  before 
us !  My  heart  beat  with  a  sensation  not  to  be  described,  when  this  diild 
of  nature  was  flattering  me  with  the  fair  prospects  of  a  short  passage, 
while  he  pocketed  my  money. 

Our  situation  was  a  constant  source  of  discontent,  and  the  English 
passengers  appeared  impatient  to  land,  that  they  might  wreak  their  ven- 
geance on  the  captain,  the  moment  they  should  catch  him  out  of  his 
vessel.  The  esteem  1  entertained  for  him  w  as  converted  into  indigna- 
tion ;  and  being,  perhaps,  of  too  sanguine  a  constitution,  it  was  w ith 
some  difficulty  I  forbore  taking  some  revenge  on  his  person  while 
on  board.  I  however  repressed  the  impulse,  but  on  every  opportunity 
loaded  him  with  reproaches.  In  his  society,  for  he  now  messed  with  his 
crew,  by  way  of  retaliation,  he  branded  me  w  ith  the  appellation  of 
"  The  Grumbler ;"  and  I  am  ready  to  confess  that  I  put  myself  foremost 
2  in 


iG  Tint  GRUMBLER    PAID  FOR   GRUMBLING. 

ill  our  stnii>;t;l(;  tor  a  redress  of  yrit'vances.  This  new  title  wiis  soon 
haiulid  by  liuh  into  the  cabin:  my  companions  at  first  made  them- 
selves merry  npon  it ;  while  I  could  not  cordially  join  with  them,  lor  it 
served  rather  to  irritate  than  to  soothe  my  mind.  I  replied,  in  order 
that  l^ob  "might  carry  my  observation  back  by  way  of  answer,  that  if 
ever  we  arrived  at  Boston,  he  should  have  an  opportunity  of  calling  me 
The  Flogger,  as  well  as  the  grumbler;  tor,  unless  he  returned  me  a  good 
pait  of  the  monej'^  of  which  he  had  completely  swindled  me,  be  the 
consequence  what  it  might,  I  would  exercise  my  horsewhi|)  upon  him. 
In  a  few  minutes  the  captain  was  in  full  possession  of  my  threat,  with 
as  man}'  aggravating  circumstances  as  Bob  could  invent;  but  on  the 
next  day  a  negociation  was  opened  between  him  and  the  malcontents, 
through  the  medium  of  Mr.  Cravath.  After  some  time  spent  in  de- 
bate, a  restitution  of  five  guineas  each  was  proposed,  together  ^^ith  the 
contrition  of  our  commander;  and  this  was  accepted.  I  had  now  not 
only  the  gratification  of  playing  off  my  adopted  name  with  great 
advantage,  but  observed  to  the  crest-fallen  ca])tain,  that  I  had  worked 
his  shame,  and  that  he  had  paid  me  five  guineas  for  my  grumbling. 

Peace  was  now  restored  ;  the  captain,  in  order  to  insure  his  entire 
safety  on  landing,  told  us  that  we  might  most  likely  procure  some  sj)irits, 
or  spruce-beer,  trom  the  fishing  vessels,  which  began  to  apj  e  ir  in 
sight.  This  observation  was  made  in  consecpience  of  two  large  hallibuts, 
a  rich,  fine-flavored  fi^h,  being  caught,  from  the  Industry ;  yet,  after 
regaling  on  them,  we  had.  nothing  to  drink  but  stinking  water :  for  a 
breeze  springing  up,  favorable  to  our  course,  the  captain  would  not  hail 
the  fishermen.  We  would  have  compounded  with  the  sacrifice  of  a 
Avholc  week  longer  in  our  unpleasant  situation,  and  even  offered  a 
guinea  each  for  a  single  gallon  of  spirits  and  a  barrel  of  fresh  water;  yet 
we  could  procure  no  tiirlher  supply  till  our  arrival. 

We  now  approached  the  land,  which  was  evident,  as  well  from  the 
birds,  as  from  an  alteration  in  the  color  of  the  water.     The  reckoning, 

both 


LAND— NOCTURNAL  ADVENTURE.  17 

both  of  the  captain  and  of  the  mate,  v/as  run  out ;  but  Mr.  jMinchin, 
Avho  also  kept  one,  declared  that  we  were  not  so  near  as  the  others  as- 
sei'ted.  The  long-wished  lor  object  was  the  next  day  descried  ii'oni  the 
mast-head  by  the  mate,  wlio  called  out  "land  under  the  starboard  bou." 
Those  alone  can  form  a  judgment  of  our  sensations,  who,  for  tlie  first 
time  have  been  plowing,  during  six  weeks,  the  uncertain  ocean,  and 
who  have  been  ojjjjosed  by  advei'se  wind:?,  with  intervening  discord  on 
board  their  httle  bark.  The  land  descried  was  the  mountain  called 
Agnamenticus,  in  New  Hampshire,  a  land-mark  for  mariners.  We 
made  the  shore,  with  a  fi-esh  gale,  and  gained  the  river  Piscata\^ay, 
on  which  is  situated  tlie  town  of  Portsmouth.  We  were  boarded,  on 
our  entrance  into  this  river,  by  a  custom-house  boat,  with  an  officer, 
who  exhibited  a  grotesque  appearance.  He  was  clad  in  the  fashion 
prevalent  among  the  lowest  class  of  the  country  people  of  England  in 
the  earliest  years  of  my  youth,  and  his  garments  had  suffered  much  in 
his  service.  Our  captain,  anticipating  our  well-grounded  complaints, 
a|;ologized  to  him  lor  a  lack  of  entertainment,  by  observing,  that  our 
long  passage  had  entirely  exhausted  our  stores  of  liquor.  This  iniAvel- 
come  information,  added  to  our  only  making  the  river  for  a  harbour, 
(being  bound  to  Boston,)  soon  caused  him  to  take  his  leave.  Before 
we  could  come  to  our  moorings,  the  wind  blew  hard,  and  the  rain 
drove  the  passengers  into  the  cabin.  Another  night  were  we  doomed 
to  pass  without  relief  in  our  prison,  for  so  the  vessel  now  appeared  to 
us.  About  midnight,  honest  Bob  roared  out  in  the  midst  of  his  sleep, 
and  his  cries,-  predominating  over  the  wind  and  the  rain,  roused  us  from 
our  cabins.  Hastening  to  that  part  of  the  vessel  Avhere  he  lay,  I  found 
that  he  had  been  bitten  by  a  rat,  and  his  upper  lip  was  much  swelled, 
and  bleeding.  He  was  soon  thrown  into  convulsive  fits,  and  it  was  with 
difficulty  that  we  could  confine  him  to  his  bed.  The  captain  wished 
him  to  be  bled,  but,  such  is  the  wretched  state  in  which  many  Ameri- 
can vessels  are  fitted  out,  though  the  government  have,  by  law,  pro- 
vided to  the  contrary,  that  no  kind  of  article  of  relief)  medicinal  or 
surgical,  was  to  be  found  on  board.     In  my  pocket-book  was  a  lancet, 

and 


18  PORTSMOUTH— CURIOSITY   OF  THE    AMEIIICANS. 

and  on  making  this  known,  the  captain  intrcatcd  me  to  produce  it,  and 
to  hleed  the  patient.  As  I  could  not  reconcile  the  idea  of  this  opera- 
tion to  my  present  situation,  I  declined  the  proHored  honor  of  draw  nig 
American  blood.  Mr.  Nye,  the  mate,  then  took  the  lancet;  after 
many  unsuccessful  attempts  he  opened  a  vein,  and  jwor  B(.b  revived. 
He  had  been  more  terrified  than  hurt  by  the  disgusting  animal. 

The  morninu'  arrived,  and  the  passengers  prejiared  to  go  on  shore. 
To  Mr.  Minehin  this  |)ort  was  more  agreeable  than  that  of  Boston, 
inasmuch  as  it  was  about  sixty  miles  nearer  the  place  of  his  destination. 
He  informed  us  that  he  was  bound  to  Halifax,  of  which  i)lace,  his  wife's 
uncle,  Mr.  Wentworth,  was  the  British  governor.  INIr.  Cravath's  at- 
fairs  in  Bo-ton  requiring  every  possil)le  dispatch,  he  determined  to  take 
the  stage,  by  which  conveyance  he  might  arrive  there  in  one  day.  A 
boat  was  procured,  which  received  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Minehin,  the  child, 
and  their  baggag*',  while  the  remainder  of  the  passengers  got  into  the 
shiji's  boat,  which  had  been  repaired,  and  after  rowing  two  miles, 
landed  us  at  Portsmouth,  in  New  England. 

This  town  is  beautifully  situated,  about  four  miles  from  the  mouth  of 
the  river  Piscataway.  It  is  nearly  as  large  as  Gravesend,  but  built 
<:hictly  of  wood ;  and  about  twenty  sail  of  vcsselswere  lying  at  the 
wharfs. 

On  landing,  we  were  surrounded  by  a  motley  group,  from  the  well- 
dressed  merchant,  down  to  persons  whose  appearance  bespoke  the  most 
squalid  indigence.  The  first  salute  we  received,  was  from  at  least  a  dozen 
voices,  inquiring  the  news  from  England.  We  had  been  apprised  that 
unbounded  curiosity  was  a  prominent  trait  in  the  character  of  the  Ameri- 
cans. While  I  was  attempting  to  satisfy  one  party,  another  had  gathered 
round  Mr.  Plank.  This  gentleman  had  a  little  of  the  humorist  in  his 
composition.  He  answered  his  surrounding  enquirers,  with  much 
gravity,  that  there  was  great  news  from  England.     "  Pifty  thousand 

men," 


CUx^IOSIlY   OF   THE    AMERICANS.  19 

ineii,"  continued  he,  "  rose  in  the  town  where  I  embarked,  the  morn- 
ing we  sailed."  Here  again  it  was  very  evident  what  satisfaction  a  large 
majority  received  from  a  supposed  misfortune  to  old  England.  "  Wliat 
then  ?  what  did  they  do  then  r"  was  the  next  question.  "  Why,"  re[)lied 
Plank,  "  I  do  not  know,  but  1  judge"—"  What:  what?"— "  That  at 
night  they  went  to  bed  again  !" 

It  would  have  required  the  pencil  of  a  Hogarth  lo  depict  the 
various  countenances  of  the  Yankees.  Rage,  it  is  true,  appeared  but 
momentary — the  sense-  of  rebuke  drove  some  away — some  laughed — 
and  one,  with  a  better  turn  of  mind,  observed,  that  he  was  glad  to  fmd 
Englishmen  merry  on  their  arrival  in  the  country.  IMr.  Cra\'ath,  no 
doubt,  dreading  delay,  hurried  to  the  post-house,  and  we  saw  no  more 
of  him  till  our  arrival  at  Boston.  Good-humor  being  in  some  measure 
restored,  the  intelligence  of  the  tranquillit}'  of  England,  of  the  distrac- 
tion of  France,  of  our  detention  on  our  voyage,  with  a  variety  of  other 
particulars,  was  received  by  oura  uditors  with  apparent  gratification. 

The  impression  made  by  this  inquisitive  disposition  upon  the  mind  of 
a  stranger,  is  at  first  favorable.     He  concludes  that  these  interrogatories 
will  lead   to  acts  of  kindness ;  conscious  that  Englishmen  would   not 
take  the  trouble — nay,  would  not  dare  to  question  each   other  with- 
out making,  at  least,  an   otler  of  services.     In   England,  every    one 
appeai-s  to  find  full   employment  in  his  own  concerns; — here,  it  would 
seem  that  the  people  are  restless  until  they  know  every  person's  business. 
If  the  Americans  have  any  national  trait,  which  has  been  denied   by 
some  writers,  it  is  this  intrusive  curiositi/.     Nor  is  it  to  acquire  useful 
information  that  these  people  pester  strangers ;  it  is  habit,  for  they  act 
in  the  same  manner  towards  each  other;  and  on  meeting,  they  projjose, 
as  it  were,  in  one  breath,  a  long  string  of  questions  to  each  other.     If, 
however,  a  question  is  asked  them  by  a  person  apparently  a  foreigner, 
they  hesitate,  and  avoid  giving  a  reply   by  demanding  his   business, 
leaving  the  stranger  under  that  most  unpleasant  sensation  which  is  pro- 

D  duced 


20  porvTSMOUTii  :makket. 

duced  by  a  doubtful  and  ambi^^iious  recei)tion.  This  habit,  to 
those  unacquaintfd  witli  tliem,  indicates  suspicion  that  he  comes 
amonj]^  theni  to  gain  unfair  information,  or  to  outwit  them  in  some 
favorite  speculation.  If  he  would  avoid  ins-ult,  he  must  bear  with  this* 
and  have  in  readiness  an  uniform  set  of  answers,  for  which  in  travelling 
he  will  have  abundant  occasion,  wherever  he  stops  in  his  progress 
through  New  England. 

No  farther  attention  was  paid  us,  but  we  were  left  to  continue  our 
•way  to  the  market  to  purchase  fresh  provisions.  As  every  principal 
town  in  America  has  a  daily  market,  we  found  no  difficulty  in  sui>ply- 
ing  ourselves,  ha\ing  submitted  to  all  impositions.  We  purchased 
<  tolerably  good  beef  at  fbur-penc^  per  pound ;  lobsters  at  three-pence, 
according  to  weight ;  and  bread  was  nearly  the  same  price  as  in  Eiigland 
at  our  departure.  The  dollar  is  here  at  six  shillings ;  the  reader  may 
therefore  rate  the  beef  at  three^nce,  and  tlie  lobsters  at  two-pence 
farthing  sterling  per  pound.  We  soon  discovered  that  we  had  paid  at 
least  a  halfpermy  per  pound  more  than  the  market  price  ;  but  in  other 
countries,  the  perversion  of  the  scriptural  expression  "  I  was  a  stranger, 
and  ye  took  me  in,"  is  perhaps  still  more  strikinglj^  exemplified. 

On  the  next  day  we  again  continued  our  voyage,  and  anchored 
in  the  harbor  of  Boston,  witliout  meeting  with  any  incident  worth 
relating.  All  animosity  being  now  at  an  end,  Mr.  Plank  and  myself,  the 
only  passengers  remaining  on  board,  invited  the  captain  and  mate  to 
regale  with  us  in  tlie  cabin. 

Boston  is  a  large  commercial  town  ;  the  port  ^^as  full  of  shipping,  and 

the  bustle  of  business  ajipeared  in  all  tiie  streets  leading  to  the  harbor. 

Mr.  Cravath,  agreeably  to  his  promise,  soon  came  on  board,  and  con- 

,.ducted  me  to  a  lodging-house,  kept  by  Mrs.  Archbold,  behind  the  old 

church,  at  the  head  of  State  Street,  one  of  the  best  in  the  town.     Mrs. 

Arclvl)old  was  an  elderly  married  lady,  but  her  hiu^band  was  a  mere 

cypher 


,    EXTRAVAGANT   CHAR(;ES   AT  BOAIJDIXG-HOL'SES.  21 

cypher  in  the  house,  while  three  or  four  daughters  completely'  filled  the 
circle.  Her  price  was  seven  dollars  per  week,  but  the  extra  charges, 
which,  in  all  such  houses  in  America,  are  unconscionable,  amounted, 
during  the  week  I  remained  there,  to  four  more,  making  two  pounds 
and  twelve  shillings  sterling  money  !  For  washing  I  was  charged  one 
dollar  each  dozen  pieces,  and  the  smallest  handkerchief  is  charged 
equal  to  a  shirt.  It  is  not  the  price  of  pro\  isions  which  causes  these 
exorbitant  charges,  nor  public  taxes,  nor  house-rent ;  all  these  things 
are  moderate.  It  is  on  the  score  of  tmuble  that  every  thing  is  rendered 
dear  in  America.  If  you  comment  upon  the  price  of  an  article,  you 
are  sure  to  have  the  answer  end  with,  "  and  then  consider  the  trouble." 
If  I  had  judged  them  at  the  time  by  my  own  feelings,  I  could  not  have 
demurred,  for  I  confess  it  was  great  trouble  to  me  to  move— to  eat— I 
had  nearly  said  to  drink ;  which  would  have  been  a  gross  falsehood,  for 
I  drank  the  whole  day  long,  and  at  night  still  craved  for  drink.  Tiie 
heat  to  me,  just  landed  from  the  cool  sea-breezes,  and  ever  used  to  tem- 
perate climates,  was  almost  insupportable.  So  profusely  did  I  perspire, 
that  I  changed  my  shirt  several  times  in  a  day,  until  I  was  cautioned 
against  a  too  frequent  repetition  of  that  comfortable  practise,  and  told 
to  remain  with  it  thoroughly  wet,  rather  than  run  the  risk  of  checking 
perspiration  by  putting  on  cold  linen.  In  Carolina,  where  the  ther- 
mometer is  much  higher,  I  did  not  suffer  in  such  a  degree.  The  reason 
was  evident ;  my  constitntioi^  was  in  some  measure  inured  to  the  cli- 
mate before  I  visited  that  unhealthy  country.  Had  I  landed  in 
Charleston,  instead  of  Boston,  I  am  of  opinion  that  nature  would  have 
sunk  under  the  effects  of  the  excessive  heat. 


D2  CHAF. 


«2 


CHAP.  11. 


EXCESSIVE  HEAT — BED-BUGS  AND  MUSgUITOES — PROCESSIONS — ORATIONS — 
bunker's  hill  —  DEATH  OF  MAJOR  PITCAIRN  —  VAULTS  CONTAINING  THE 
REMAINS    OF    THE    OFFICERS    WHO    FELL    AT    THE    BATTLE    OF    BUNKER's    HILL, 


W  E  landed  in  Boston  on  the  third  of  July,  and  the  fourth  w  as  the 
day  of  Jubilee — the  anniversary  of  the  declaration  of  American  inde- 
pendence. The  fatigue  of  getting  my  baggage  on  shore  in  the  exces- 
sive heat  of  a  meridian  sun,  had  nearly  exhausted  me  before  I  reached 
my  lodgings.  I,  however,  met  with  no  detention  or  aggravating  circum- 
stance at  the  custom-house — no  extortion — no  demand  of  tees.  An 
oath  was  administered  to  me,  that  the  baggage  "was  for  my  own  pri^•ate 
use ;  and  this  was  the  only  ceremony  I  underwent. 

By  dinner  time  I  had  lost  all  appetite,  and,  suffering  under  a  most  pro- 
fuse perspiration,  had  thrown  myself  upon  my  bed,  from  which  I  had 
no  inclination  to  rise.  Instead  of  dinner,  I  substituted  large  draughts 
of  weak  punch;  and  for  supper,  tea.  I  now  endeavored  to  compose 
myself  to  sleep,  but  soon  found  the  night  to  be  more  intolerable  than 
the  day.  No  cool  breeze  accompanied  it — not  even  a  breath  of  air ; 
tormented  with  myriads  of  bugs  and  musquitoes,  which  blistered  me  all 
over,*    I  contended  against  their  united  efforts  until  the  morning's  dawn 

drove 

•  The  bite,  as  it  is  called,  or  rather  the  puncture  of  the  musquitoe,  thoagh  seldom  felt  at  the  inenicnt 
it  is  inflicted,  is  altendcd  with  great  irritation  ;  and  sometime'!,  if  improperly  treated,  with  dangerous 
r(>(ise()ueuces.     It  is  tlie  buinng  noise  the  insects  make  while  on  the  wing,  added  to  the  seusc  of  having 


BOARDING-HOUSE   MISSES.  23 

drove  them  from  their  prey.  Thus  relieved,!  had  fallen  into  a  refreshing 
sleep,  from  which  I  was  soon  roused  by  one  of  the  Miss  Archbolds,  a  pert 
virgin,  though  growing  a  little  antique.  She  summoned  me  to  rise  and 
join  in  the  festivity  of  the  day— a  most  unwelcome  message  for  a  man 
in  my  situation.  I  craved  a  respite,  and  requested  more  tea ;  but  I 
found  that  nothing  could  be  obtained,  without  a  promise  of  rising. 
On  mj'^  entenngthe  parlour,  the  ladies  were  seated  at  breakfast,  dressed, 
and  ready  to  join  in  jocund  sports;  than  which,  nothing  could  just 
then  have  been  more  irksome  to  me.  ]  found  their  anxiety  for  my 
presence  arose  from  the  use  they  intended  to  make  of  me  as  their  gal- 
lant to  the  Mall,  the  Parade,  and  the  Orations ;  while  they  intimated 
how  much  [  might  think  myself  favored  by  their  preference,  adding  a 
torrent  of  empty  compliments  and  insipid  jokes.  I  shrunk  with  disgust 
from  the  fitmiliarity  of  persons  to  whom  I  had  been  known  but  a  few 
hours,  and  whom  I  expected  to  have  found  attentive  to  the  accommo- 
dation which  a  stranger  on  landing  from  a  long  voyage  must  naturally 
require.  To  add  another  wound  to  my  feelings,  my  body  still  smart- 
ing  from   the   attacks  of  my  midnight  tormentors,  one  of  the  young 

fflt  tlip  effects  produced  by  their  bite,  which  causes  a  most  unpleasant  sensation.  A  traveller  who  visited 
part  of  the  United  States  some  years  ago,  Mr.  Weld,  speaking  of  this  insect,  says:  "  General  Washington 
told  me,  that  he  never  was  so  much  annoyed  by  musquitoes  in  any  part  of  America  as  in  Skenesboraugh? 
for  that  they  used  to  bite  through  the  thickest  boot."  This  is  told  with  an  air  of  gravity,  and  no  doubt 
the  author  meant  that  it  should  be  believed.  I  confess,  though  I  have  been  in  a  part  of  the  countrv 
through  which  this  autlror  never  penetrated,  where  the  climate  and  situation  are  more  favorable  to  the 
musquitoe,  I  never  saw  or  heard  of  sucK  dangerous  wounds  as  those  must  he  which  are  inflicted  by  an 
insect  capable  of  biting  through  the  thickest  boot.  This  i^  more  than  even  a  rattle-snake  has  the  ^trem^tli 
{O  do  ;  for  I  have  seen  the  marks  of  the  teeth  of  one  on  the  leather  breeches  of  a  man  in  North  Carolina, 
which  entire!)  resisted  tlie  bite.  1  have  often  heard  this  assertion  of  Mr.  Weld's  conjinnntea  upoa  ia 
America— not  as  to  the  possibility  of  the  fact  itself,  but  as  an  instance  of  the  misrepresentations  of  Euro- 
peans with  respect  to  their  counti'v.  It  has  even  been  treated  in  a  contemplumis  manner  in  their  pio- 
Tincial  newspapers  ;  and  in  some  places   1  have  heard   it   quoteil,   when   an   improbable    anecdote   was 

elated,   "  that's  like  the  musquitoes  tliat  bit  General  Washington  through  his   boot  !"     Some   observed 
jhat  it  must  have  been  a  joke  ;   while  others  replied,    that   the  General   was  no  jcter.     In  makii:g  tliis 
comment,  1  would  not  be  understood  to  decry  Mr.  Weld's  p\iblication  ;  it  arises  from  a  duly  I  owetosom 
friends  in  America,  and  to  fultil  a  promise  I  made  them  of  e.\plaining  mistakes.     There  ia  truth  in  most 
of  Wr.  Weld's  observations. 

lailies 


24  ANNIVERSAUY    OF    AMERICAN    INDE1>ENDENCE. 

Ivulies  begaii  to(juestion  me  in  the  usual  manner  of  the  country.  I  hiid 
jxtssed  the  ordeal  on  my  iii-st  interview,  while  hargaining  tor  my  apart- 
ments, hut  unluckily  one  of  the  family  was  not  present,  an<l  I  lound 
that  1  must  satisly  the  absent  lair  one  on  this  all  inipoitantsuhject.  (.'on- 
tcmplatinii;,  therel'ore,  the  advantage  I  should  derive  from  gttting 
thruut;h  tlie  business  expiilitiously,  1  immediately  repeated  my  tale. 
This  had  a  good  eftect ;  and  in  order  to  evade  the  favors  intended  to 
have  been  heaped  U|X)n  me,  1  pleaded  a  promise  made  to  tny  fellow- 
passenger,  who  lodged  in  anotlier  part  of  tlie  town,  to  call  upon  hini 
inmiediatelj'  alter  breakfast. 

My  friend,  before  I  could  give  him  an  idea  of  my  situation,  began 
his  lamentable  story' of  his  suHierings  during  the  night,  and  I  had  only 
to  reply  that  my  case  was  exactly  similar.  He  approved  of  my  declin- 
ing to  attend  the  ladies,  declaring  that  he  should  feel  some  repugnance 
at  parading  alx)ut  with  boarding-house  misses.  Little  did  we  then 
know  the  etiquette  of  equality.  We,  however,  concluded  that  it  was 
good  [)olicy  to  appear  in  public;  and  that  on  no  account  should  we  give 
cause  of  offence  to  the  people  whom  we  were  now  among.  The  thirteen 
stri|)es  were  flying  before  the  window — guns  were  firing,  and  the  drums 
beating,  giving  notice  to  attend.  In  no  very  pleasant  mood,  we  sallied 
out,  once  more  to  encounter  the  rays  of  the  sun,  first  providing  our- 
selves with  umbrellas,  an  indispensable  article  in  America,  in  the  heat 
of  summer.  We  now  joined  a  crowd  which  led  us  to  the  Mall,  from 
which  we  had  a  view  of  the  military  parade.  Here  were  assembled  a 
great  number  of  citizens  of  both  sexes,  and  of  all  descriptions.  The 
ladies  appeared  in  the  fashions  of  England  about  two  j'cars  antecedent, 
but  more  gaudy  ;  the  gentlemen  had  their  hair  dressed,  and  full  pow- 
dered, and  their  clothes  of  the  best  materials.  During  the  hot  weather 
it  is  a  custom  here  to  wear  light  dressing  or  morning  gowns,  but  very 
few  were  to  be  seen  on  this  day  of  jubilee. 

Of  the  military,  about  five  hundred  infantry  made  a  fine  appearance; 

2  and 


ORATIONS— BUNKER'S   HILL  25 

and  as  many  more,  w  thoiit  regimentals,  formed  a  perfect  conf^rast. 
The  manoeuvres  consisted  oi  salutes,  marching  in  columns,  and  firing 
feu  dejoyes. 

A  part  of  the  duties  of  the  day  weis  to  move  in  procession  to  some 
church,  to  hear. an  oration  pronounced  from  the  pulpit,  hy  a  layman. 
That  to  which  we  repaired  was  greatly  crowded,  and  not  being  early 
apprized  of  the  circumstance,  we  could  barely  get  within  the  doors,  and 
consequently  heard  the  orator  but  indistinctly.  From  what  we  could 
collect,  however,  his  address  was  abundantly  interlarded  with  invective 
against  England  for  her  oppression  before,  and  cruelties  during  the 
revolutionary  war.  I  could  not  see  the  policy  of  this  method  of  [)ro- 
ceeding.  The  two  countries  were  at  peace,  and  their  faith  was  plighted 
to  each  other  to  continue  on  terms  of  amity.  The  very  Indian,  on 
making  peace  Avith  his  enemy,  buries  the  hatchet — which  denotes  an 
oblivion  of  all  animosities  ;  yet  the  descendants  of  Britain  to  this  day 
continue  to  impress  on  the  minds  of  the  rising  generation  the  most 
rancorous  hatred  against  the  country  from  which  they  sprung. 

Next  day  I  presented  my  letter  of  credit  to  "  the  honourable  Thomas 
Russell,  Esq."  Titles  of  honour  are  given  to  legislators ;  and  that  of 
bishop  to  the  dignified  clergy,  in  America.  I  found  in  jNIr.  Russell,  a 
sensible  and  attentive  gentleman,  and  I  greatly  regret,  that  my  short 
stay  in  Bo.ston,  and  his  death,  which  happened  before  I  again  visited 
that  town,  deprived  me  of  his  farther  acquaintance.  He  offered  me  his 
services  in  the  most  friendly  manner,  and  gave  me  some  information 
which  proved  of  iBuch  utility  in  my  progress  through  the  country. 

Having  somewhat  recruited  myself,  1  became  anxious  to  ascend  Bun- 
ker's Hill,  where  so  many  gallant  men  lost  their  lives.  Mr.  Archbold, 
whom  I  must  call  my  landlord,  offered  to  be  my  guide.  Accompanied 
by  Mr.  Plank,  we  set  out,  crossed  the  bridge  which  divides  Boston  from 
Charlestown,  and  follow^ed  the  track  of  the  British  troops  till  we  reached 

the 


26         BA'ITLE   OF   lUlNKER'S   HILI.— TIKLKS   or   IJR.TISH   OFFICERS. 

the  summit  of  the  hill.  The  old  gentleman,  our  conductor,  perlectly 
rememhered  the  event ;  indeed  he  was  a  spectator  of"  some  part  of  the 
transactions  of  the  desperate  and  unfortunate  engagement  which  there 
took  i)lace.  "  Here,"  said  he,  j)ointing  to  the  spot,  "  Major  Pitcaira 
lell, — and  here  General  ^\'arren  died.  There  are  the  remains  of  the 
redoubt, — and  (pointing  to  the  river)  from  thence  the  English  men  of 
war  covered  the  landing  of  their  troops."  The  scene  excited  melan- 
choly sensations — it  could  not  otherwise  have  ati'ected  an  American — 
for  brave  men  on  both  sides  fell  on  the  ground  we  trod. 

B}^  a  man  whom  we  met  on  the  road,  we  were  informed,  that  when 
the  British  forces  rallied,  and  again  ascended  the  hill,  led  on  by  Major 
Pitcairn,  they  had  advanced  near  to  the  redoubt,  when  the  major  called 
to  his  soldiers  to  hasten  their  speed,  as  the  enemy  had  abandoned  the 
fort.  A  bo\%  who,  he  observed,  was,  then  a  shoemaker  in  Boston,  re- 
plied from  behind  the  trench  :  "We  are  not  all  gone,"  and  instantly  tired 
his  musket,  which  proved  the  death  of  Maj(jr  Pitcairn.  No  officer  fell 
more  regretted,  for  he  was  beloved — even  by  his  enemy.  Previous  to 
the  war,  he  had  been  the  military  commandant  at  Boston;  and,  in  that 
situation,  had  endeared  himself  to  the  people. 

On  our  return,  we  visited  the  vaults  of  the  church  in  Boston,  which 
contained  the  bones  of  some  of  the  British  officers  who  lost  their  lives 
in  that  memorable  battle.  The  tomb  in  which  were  deposited  the  re- 
mains of  the  gallant  Pitcairn,  was  empty.  The  sexton  inlbrmed  us, 
that  his  brother.  Dr.  Pitcairn,*  of  London,  had  obtained  permission  to 
remove  them;  but  we  saw  many  skeletons,  which,  we  were  tokl,  were 

*Tliis  gentleman,  who  was  highly  esteemed  for  his  professional  skill  and  ability,  was,  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  in  October,  1791,  treasurer  of  Bartholomew's,  and  physician  of  Christ's  Hospital.  Early  in 
life  he  hati  been  tutor  to  tlie  Duke  of  Hamilton,  with  wliom  he  made  the  tour  of  the  continent.  On  the 
oijening  of  the  Ratclill'e  library  in  171!',  he  was  presented  with  the  degree  of  doctor  of  physic,  and  a  year 
or  two  afterwards  was  elected  physician  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  in  opposition  to  Dr.  Barrowby. 
He  was  several  yeare  president  of  Iho  College  of  Physicans,  and  fellow  of  the  Royal  Society. 

the 


SINGULAR  CUSTOM   AT  BOSTON— SITUATION   01'  Tlli-    TOAVN.  ^7 

the  relics  of  some  who  held  commands  under  the  Major.  On  one  of 
them  hung  the  remains  of  regimentals,  and  a  pair  uf  leather  breeches, 
in  high  j)reservation.  The  pipe-clay,  with  which  the  latter  had  evi- 
tlently  been  cleaned,  probably  for  the  fatal  occasion,  appeared  Ircsh  and 
white ;  but  the  flesh  of  the  body  was  entirely  decayed.  Another  pre- 
sented a  fractured  bone ;  and  the  whole  formed  a  painful  picture  of 
mortality.  The  ertect  it  produces  on  the  spectator  is  so  much  the  more 
powerful,  as  these  bodies  are  not  deposited  in  coflins,  but  lie  exposed  one 
upon  another  in  the  vault,  without  any  farther  covering. — Gallant,  but 
unfortunate  men!  No  weeping  relative,  no  beloved  wife,  no  fond  sis- 
ter, no  dutiful  child,  was  at  hand,  to  close  your  eyes  in  death !  Sepa- 
rated by  the  wide  Atlantic  from  all  the  objects  of  earthly  affection,  ve 
had  no  friends  to  superintend  your  obsequies,  or  to  drop  the  tributary' 
tear  on  your  untimely  graves  ! — 

The  remainder  of  my  week's  stay  in  Boston  was  princi|jally  passed 
in  my  room,  where  I  employed  myself  in  reading  such  publications  as 
treated  of  the  country  of  which  I  had  become  an  inhabitant.  I  was 
informed  of  a  singular  custom  appertaining  to  the  charter  of  this  town, 
but  it  was  not  practised  upon  me.  It  consists  in  a  warning  given  to 
strangers  to  leave  the  place ;  and,  after  this  ceremony,  they  are  debarred 
from  ever  receiving  parochial  relief 

Boston  is  the  capital  of  New  Erigland,  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in 
North  America,  and  the  third  in  size  and  rank  in  the  United  States. 
It  is  built  upon  a  peninsula  at  the  bottom  of  Massachusets  Bay,  of  an 
irregular  figure,  connected  with  the  continent  only  by  a  narrow  isthmus, 
on  the  south,  which  leads  to  the  town  of  Roxbury.  When  the  town 
was  threatened  to  be  stormed  by  the  Americans  under  Washington,  the 
British  commander.  General  Gage,  cut  oft"  all  communication  with 
the  inhabitants  by  placing  a  chain  of  sentinels  across  the  isthmus;  but 
he  soon  found  it  expedient  to  give  it  up,  on  consideration  of  its  not  being 
pillaged,  and  a  quiet  evacuation  by  his  army. 

E  I  Boston 


28  PlSTil.I.KRIES— TIlEATlilCAL  EXHIBITIONS. 

Boston  beai-s  consitlemble  resemblance  to  an  oUl  city  in  England.    It 
is  two  miles  in  len,t,4li,  but  of  unequal  breacltli,  being  seven  hundred 
and  twenty-six  yards  at  the  broadest  part.     It  contains  about  3500 
dwelling-houses,  many  of  which  are  built  of  wood,  besides  a  great  num- 
ber of  store-houses,  and  nearly  :28,OO0  inhabitants.    This  town  is  famed 
i;)rawharf,  leading  from  State-Street  into  the  harbor,   1743  feet  in  a 
direct  line,  and  in  breadth  104  feet.     On  approaching  it  from  the  sea, 
it  appears  to  the  greatest  advantage.     At  the  back  part  is  Beacon  Ilill, 
Avhich  greatly  adds  to  the  prosjjects.  On  the  top  of  this  hill  is  a  column, 
on  which  are  inscribed  the  achievements  of  those  who  fell  by  the  swords 
of  the  British  during  the  revolutionary  war.     At  Boston  they  distil  large 
quantities  of  that  detestable  spirit,  there  called  New  England,  but  in 
the  Southern  States,  Yankee  rum,  and  in  this  employment  there  are 
near  forty  large  distilleries.     It  is  made  of  the  worst  and  the  damaged 
molasses,  and  its  baleful  effects  are  severely  felt  in  every  part  of  the 
union.     In  Virginia,  the  Carolinas,  and  Georgia,  it  foments  quarrels, 
which  produce  combats  like  those  of  bears  and  wolves— gouging,  biting, 
kicking,  and  tearing  each  others'  ilesh;  of  which  I  shall  make  more 
particular  mention  when  I  speak  of  those  states.     It  is  sold  for  about  an 
English  half-crown  per  gallon,  is  strong,  and  has  the  most  execrable 
smell  with  which  any  kind  of  spirit  ever  assailed  my  nasal  organs. 

The  first  dramatic  exhibitions  at  Boston  were  performed  in  a  tempo- 
rary wooden  theatre,  a  short  time  previous  to  my  arrival;  under  the 
management  of  Mr.  Harper.  lie  met  with  great  opposition  from  the 
puritanical  sects,  who  even  proceeded  to  pull  down  his  building.  He 
was  summoned  to  answer  for  his  conduct  before  the  select  men  *  of  the 
town,  and  found  it  necessary  to  employ  counsel  in  his  behalf.  The 
afilixir  became  the  principal  topic  of  the  day;— those  of  a  liberal  educa- 
~  tion,  and  generally  the  younger  part  of  the  inhabitants,  taking  a  de- 
cided and  active  part  in  favor  of  the  children  of  Thespis;  while  the 

*  Magistrates  viliose  duties  are  equivalent  to  those  of  aldermen  of  London. 

3  Quakers, 


THEATRES— BRIDGES,  21) 

Quakers,  Presbyterians,  Bajitists,  and  Methodists,  strenuously  opposed 
them,  declaring  them  vagrants,  and  their  pursuits  an  abomination. 
The  matter  at  length  came  before  the  court,  and,  chief!}'  through  the 
influence  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  bar,  the  muse  triumphed;  and  a  sub- 
scription was  o[)ened  for  the  erection  of  a  large  brick  theatre  in  Federal- 
Street.  This  was  soon  filled ;  and  when  the  building  was  finished,  a 
company  from  England,  under  the  management  of  j\Ir.  Powell,  cele- 
brated for  his  performance  of  Bagatelle,  at  the  Theatre  Royal,  Covent- 
Garden,  opened  the  season  with  Brooke's  patriotic  tragedy  of  Gustavus 
Vasa.  The  novelty  of  these  rational  amusements,  rendered  the  season 
so  productive,  and  so  great  was  the  rage  tor  theatricals,  that  another 
place  of  performance,  larger  than  the  first,  but  of  wood,  -was  built  in 
the  Haymarket;  where  the  New  York  company,  under  Mr.  Hodglcia- 
son,  performed.  The  town  of  Boston  has  frequently,  of  late  years, 
suffered  by  fire,  which  makes  dreadful  havock  amongst  the  old  wooden 
buildings.  In  a  calamit}'^  of  this  nature,  the  old  theatre,  as  it  was 
then  called,  was  destroyed,  but  the  proprietors  immediately  erected 
upon  its  ruins,  one  still  more  commodious.  It  has  been  discovered 
that,  in  many  instances,  towns  in  different  parts  of  the  United  States, 
have  wilfully  been  set  on  fire;  and,  from  Boston  to  Savannah,  suspi- 
cions to  that  effect  have,  at  different  times,  been  entertained ;  but  I 
never  heard  of  a  discoveiy  being  made  of  the  perpetrators  of  such 
dreadful  and  atrocious  offences. 

The  bridge  connecting  Boston  with  Charlestown,  over  which  we 
passed  to  view  Bunker's  Hill,  is  a  surprising  work.  It  is  of  wood, 
with  a  draw  for  the  admission  of  vessels,  and  is  3483  feet  in  length, 
and  40  feet  wide.  On  the  same  river,  and  not  above  two  miles  farther 
up  the  country,  is  another  bridge  of  this  nature,  1503  feet  long,  and  4:2 
in  width.  The  principal  manufactures  of  Boston  are,  sail-cloth,  cord- 
age, hats,  M'ool  and  cotton  cards,  pot  and  pearl-ashes,  paper-hangings, 
plate  and  common  glass,  loaf  sugar,  tobacco,  chocolate,  and  an  immense 
quantity  of  playing  cards,  on  which  they  counterfeit  the  English  figures 

E  2  with 


iiO  BREWERIES. 

with  great  exactness.  The  reader  may  judge  of  tlic  propensity  of 
Americans  to  the  abominable  spirit  above-mentioned,  in  preference  to 
that  agreeable  and  nutritious  beverage,  malt  liquor,  when  he  finds  that 
only  two  breweries  can  barely  be  supported  by  this  large  town  and  its 
populous  vicinity  ;— in  fact,  by  all  New  England,  for  I  never  heard 
of  another  brewery  in  the  four  states  and  one  province  which  form  it : 
namely,  New  Hampshire,  Massachusets,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut, 
and  the  Province  of  Maine. 

The  annexed  view  will  convey  an  idea  of  the  situation  of  Boston  ; 
a  town,  noted  as  well  for  being  one  of  the  first  settled  by  Europeans, 
as  for  its  taking  the  lead  in  opposing  the  measures  of  the  mother  coun- 
try,  which  brought  on  a  war,  so  long  distressing  to  Americans,  but 
which  terminated  in  the  acknowledgment  of  their  independence. 


CHAP. 


Iv 


31 


CHAP.  III. 


EXTENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. —  PRESENT  NUMBER  OF  INHABITANTS. —  ACQUI- 
SITION OF  LOUISIANA  AND  THE  FLORIDAS. —  CONJECTURES  ON  THE  DURATION 
OF  THE  FKREKAL  GOVERNMENT. — STATISTICAL  SURVEY  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES. 


1  HE  United  States,  according  to  an  American  geographer,  are  esti- 
mated to  comprise  upwards  of  a  million  square  miles,  or  six  hundred 
and  forty  million  acres  of  land,  exclusive  of  the  lakes,  and  other  large 
waters  of  that  country.  This  estimate  was  made  previous  to  the  pur- 
chase of  Louisiana,*  the  extent  of  Avhich  has  never  been  accurately 
defined.  Already  a  region  too  extensive  to  be  subject  to  one  general 
government,  the  people  of  the  northern  and  southern  states  differing  as 
much  in  manners  as  in  climate,  they  have,  by  this  acquisition,  added  an 
extent  of  territory  nearly  equal  in  magnitude  to  the  federal  states.  Since 

*  The  cession  of  Louisiana  by  Spain  to  the  ruler  of  France,  formed  one  of  the  articles  of  the  treaty  of 
Saint  Ildefonso,— a  treaty  which  has  never  yet  been  carried  into  full  effect  on  the  part  of  the  latter.  The 
purchase  of  that  extensive  country  by  the  United  States,  is  an  event  too  recent  and  too  v  ell  known  to 
tequire  any  farther  notice  from  me.  Though  the  acquisition  of  the  Floridas  has  not  been  ofticially  an- 
nounced by  the  American  government,  yet  no  doubt  exists,  that  the  sum  of  two  millions  of  dollars,  ship- 
ped for  France  about  a  year  ago,  on  the  demand  of  Buonaparte's  diplomatic  agent  Turreau,  was  tlie 
price  of  those  provinces.  The  conduct  of  Napoleon  in  this  transaction,  is  well  worth  an  observation. 
By  means  of  a  treaty  which  he  never  intended  to  execute,  he  obtained  the  sovereignty  over  those  vast 
jegions;  but  knowing  that,  from  the  naval  superiority  of  England,  iie  could  derive  no  advantage  from 
these  distant  possessions,  he  transferred  them  on  the  point  of  the  sword  to  the  Americans,,  whom  he  bul- 
lied into  a  purchase,  in  order  to  recruit  his  exhausted  treasury.  From  the  readiness  with  which  they 
have  complied  with  all  his  requisitions,  I  should  not  be  surprized  to  hear  that  he  had  disposed  of  his 
imperial  island  of  Hayti,  as  another  good  bargain,  to  these  complaisant  republicans. 

the 


M  POPULATION   OF  HIE   UNITED   STATES. 

the  j)eace  of  l78i,  this  coiiiitiy  has  been  fxtciitling"  its  limits  on  tlie; 
irontiers  by  purchase,  and  treaties  with  the  tUH'erent  tribes  of  Indians. 
The  thirteen  states  are  already  swelled  into  sixteen,  and  the  territories  of" 
INIississippi  and  Indiana,  eaeh  sending  a  delej^ate  to  congress, \\  ill,  doubt- 
less, vt-ry  soon  be  added  to  the  number.  The  province  of  ]Maine,  in 
the  north,  lias  also  long  looked  forward  to  become  an  indejiendent  state; 
and  when  Louisiana  is  incorporated  with  the  union,  it  is  not  improbable 
that  we  may  find  twenty-six  united  states  of  America  for  some  short 
time  recorded  in  history. 

The  present  population  of  this  extensive  country,  justifies  the  asser- 
tion, that  many  centuries  must  elapse  before  the  whole  is  under  cultiva- 
tion. In  the  year  1791,  a  census  was  taken  by  order  of  government; 
when  the  inhabitants  were  found  to  be  in  number     3,9^9,326 

In  180 1,  by  another  census  then  taken,  there  were     5,:30o,{i38 


Making  an  increase  in  ten  years  of  -        -        -       1,37(),312 

According  to  this  average,  exclusive  of  the  great  increase  of 
population  by  emigrations  from  Europe  since  the  year  1801, 
there  must  be,  exclusive  of  Louisiana,  6,337,072  souls,  under  the 
federal  government.  If  the  whole  of  this  country  were  under  im- 
provement, it  would  require,  allowing  forty  acres  of  land  to  each, 
sixteen  millions  of  families ;  and,  estimating  such  families  at  five 
persons,  it  would  support  eighty  millions  of  souls.  In  this  way  it 
has  been  calculated  in  America,  that  to  people  the  whole  territories 
belonging  to  the  United  States,  including  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas, 
it  would  require  three  hundred  and  twenty  millions.  It  likewise 
aj)pear.s  that  were  the  population  of  this  immensely  extended  re- 
pul)lic  proi>ortioned  only  to  that  of  Greiit  Britain,  instead  of  five  or 
six  millions,  it  ought  to  contain  two  hundred  and  thirty-nine  millions 
of  inhabitants. 

Notwith- 


TROBABILITY   OF   A   SEPARATION  OF  THE  STATES.  33 

Notwithstanding  this  vast  disproportion  between  the  population  and 
the  territory  of  the  United  States,  the  Americans  are  still  farther  ex- 
tending their  limits.  Considering  the  opposite  interests  of  the  northern 
and  southern  states,  it  is  surj)rising  that  the  federal  constitution  has  so 
long  maintained  itself,  and  triumphed  over  contending  parties.  Some 
of  the  best  informed  men  are,  however,  of  opinion,  that  the  com])act 
will  not  hold  much  longer,  and  that  the  next  election  of  a  president 
will  sever  the  states,  and  leave  New-York  or  Pennsjdvania  the  boun- 
dary between  them.  The  northern  states  are  firm  federalists;  that  is, 
of  Washington's  system :  in  the  south,  they  are  violent  democrats, 
bawlers  for  liberty  in  the  very  midst  of  slavery.  The  latter  have  t\A'ice 
elected  Mr.  Jefferson  as  president;  and  it  is  conjectured  that,  should 
the  federals  fail  in  their  majority  at  the  next  election,  it  will  be  the 
•iocsin  of  disunion. 

For  the  information  of  the  statistical  inquirer,  I  have  subjoined  a  table 
which  affords  a  perspicuous  and  comprehensive  view  of  the  relative  ex- 
tent, population,  &c.  of  the  various  states,  and  their  newdy-purchased 
possessions.  Though,  in  some  of  the  amounts,  it  may  slightly  differ 
from  the  preceding  statement,  yet  I  believe  it  to  be  as  correct  upon  the 
Avhole,  as  it  is  possible  to  make  such  a  survey  of  so  extensive  an  empire. 
Every  reader  must  be  aware  that,  on  subjects  of  calculation,  scarcely 
any  two  writers  are  agreed ;  and  this  cannot  be  surprizing  when  the 
difficulty  of  procuring  accurate  data  is  considered.  I  shall  further  pre- 
mise, that,  from  my  personal  knowledge,  in  this  table  the  number  of 
slaves  is  under-rated.. 


STATISTICAL 


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35 


CHAP.  IV. 

GEKERAL  OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  HISTORY  OF  AMERICA — PROVINCE  OF  MAINE 
FIRST  EXPLORED  BY  THE  ENGLISH  IN  SEARCH  OF  GOLD  —  ARTIFICE  OF  THE 
NATIVES — ANECDOTES  OF  SIR  WILLIAM  PHIPPS — FREEBOOTERS  —  PRODUCTION* 
OF    THE    PROVINCE — PORTLAN  D— FALMOUTH. 


1  HE  outlines  of  the  general  history  of  America  have  been  so  often 
traced  and  described,  that  it  is  needless  to  enlarge  on  that  subject. 
Every  reader  knows,  that  Columbus  claimed  the  merit  of  discovering 
the  New  World— that  the  Spaniards,  led  on  by  Pizarro  and  Cortes, 
accompanied  by  priests  bearing  the  cross  of  Christ,  for  gold,  destroyed 
a  race  of  their  fellow-creatures,  far  exceeding  the  population  of  Old 
Spain.  It  is  equally  well  known,  that  Canada  was  wrested  from  the 
French  in  battle,  and  that  the  conquest  was  sealed  with  the  blood  of 
the  brave  General  Wolfe,  at  Quebec.  Various  religious  sects  first  took 
possession  of  New  England.  The  revolt  of  the  thirteen  colonies — 
their  declaration  of  independence — the  seven  years*  war  in  which  they 
struggled  against  the  mighty  arm  of  their  mother  country — the  treachery 
of  the  King  of  France  in  aiding  the  colonics  against  her,  by  which  the 
acknowledgment  of  their  independence  was  obtained,  but  which  even- 
tually brought  down  ruin  upon  his  devoted  head,  and  all  those  distrac- 
tions that  long  rent  the  bosom  of  France ;  while  they  involved  nearly 
the  whole  of  Europe  in  the  flames  of  war — are  well-known  to  be  events 
connected  with  the  history  of  America. 

It  appears,  from  more  ancient  records,  that  several  years  had  elapsed 
from  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  Columbus,  before  human  nature  was 
disgraced  by  the  rapine  and  murder  committed  upon  tlie  unoffendiug 

F  natives 


.It)  PROVINCE  OF   MAINE   EXPLOfRED   IN    SEARCH    OF   GOLD. 

natives  of  Mexico  and  Pern,  by  the  Spaniards.  'I'lie  Spanish  com- 
manders liaving  discovered  the  mines  of  precious  metals,  tlie  exercises 
of  chivalry  were  neglected — the  knights  preferring  adventures  in  the 
New  World  ;  while  tilts  and  tournaments  gave  place  to  the  mure  inte- 
resting game  of  plunder. 

A  party  of  adventurers  inflamed   by  the  success  of  the  Spaniards  in 
the  south,  determined  to  exj)lore  the  regions  of  the  north,  not  doubt- 
ing that  the  earth  produced  gold  in  every  other  part  of  the  continent. 
Tradition  reports,  that  a  number  of  Englishmen  landed  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Casco  bay,  in  that  division  of  New  England,  now  called 
the  Province  of  Maine,  subject,  however,  to  the  State  of  Massachusets. 
It  is,  at  this  time,  a  flourishing  coun'ry,  abounding  Mith  the  best  tim- 
ber, of  which  large  quantities  are  exported  to  the   British  dominions. 
The  climate,    however,    like  almost  every  other  part  of  the  United 
States,  is  unfavorable  to  the  English  constitution.     To  strangers,  the 
heat  in  the  summer  is  almost  insuj)portable,  while  the  severity  of  winter 
is  scarcely  to  be  endured.     The  spring  and  autumn  are,  certainly,  de- 
lightful ;  the  month  of  November,  which  is  proverbially  fatal  to  Eng- 
lishmen, is,  in  America,  one  of  the  most  delightful  in  the  year.     The 
sun  has  then  declined  to  such  a  point,  tliat  his  rays  diffuse  a  most  com- 
fortable temperature,  the  frosts  of  winter  being  no  farther  advanced  than 
to  act  as  a  bracer  to  the  relaxed  constitution.     In  this  month,  I  could, 
Avithout  the  least  inconvenience,  pass  the  whole  day,  from  morning 
until  sun-set,  either  in  the  active  sports  of  the  field,  or  seated  upon  the 
rocks,  angling  for  the  various  species  of  fish,  with  vhich  the  coast  ot 
New  England  abounds. 

The  European  adventurers  who  first  explored  this  province,  it  has 
already  been  observed,  were  in  pursuit  of  gold.  At  what  period  their 
enterprize  was  undertaken,  I  could  not  learn.  Circumstances  appear, 
however,  to  concur  in  fixing  it  during  the  religious  persecutions  in 
England,  in  the  reignofqneen  Mary.  They  landed  on  different  jjartsof  this 

coast. 


ARTIIICE   OF  THE  SAVAGE?.  37 

coast,  and  some  appearances  of  their  search  are  said  to  remain  until  the 
present  time.  It  is,  however,  very  certain  that  success  did  not  re^vard 
their  labors;  for  no  gold  or  silver  has  ever  been  discovered  npon  the 
"  iron-bound  coast "  of  New  England. 

An  American  writer,  after  describing  the  hardships  which  the  first 
settlers  here  met  with,  and  particularly  the  disappointments  of  the  gold 
searchers,  relates,  that  the  natives  were  drawn  near  to  the  spot  where 
the  English  were  perforating  the  earth,  in  a  hunting  excursion,  and 
thus  thev  first  beheld  the  white  man. 

The  savages,  it  seems,  were  at  first  inclined  to  smoke  the  pipe  of 
peace  with  the  strangers.     They  soon  discovered  the  leading  passion  of 
their  visitors,  and  encouraged  their  fruitless  attempts  by  informing  them 
of  mountains  of  ore  which  never  existed,  and  of  riches  in  the  interior 
of  the  country  which  have  never  been  found.     Ttie  White  Mountains, 
north-west  of  Casco  bay,  ht  ve  a  singular  appearance ;  their  tops   are 
white  like  snow.     There  was  an  early  expectation  of  finding  a  gem  of 
immense  magnitude  and  value  in  this  mountain.     It  was  rumoured 
that  a  carbuncle  was  suspended  from  a  rock  over  a  pool  of  water,  at  the 
foot  of  the  mountain.     While  this  belief  was  current,  every  one  was 
afraid  lest  his  neighbor  should  become  the  fortunate  discoverer  and 
proprietor  of  the  prize.     To  keep  them  as  Jong  as  possible  in  suspense, 
a  tale  was  invented  by  the  natives,  that  the  place  was  guarded  by  an 
evil  spirit,  who  troubled  the  waters,  and  raised  a  dark  mist  on  the  ap- 
proach of  human  footsteps.     Thus  the  savages,  by  their  cunning,  ob- 
tained presents  from  the  credulous  adventurers,  more  valuable  to  them 
than  the  gold  sought  for  would  have  proved,  if  found,  to  Englishmen. 

Another  tradition  reported,  that  three  hills  of  rocks,  situate  up  Saco 
river,  about  forty  miles  from  the  sea,  were  as  full  of  silver  as  the 
mountains  of  Peru.     Impressed  with  this  belief,   William  Phipps,  of 

F  2  Saco, 


3^  ANLCDOTES   OF  SIR   WILLIAM   PIllPPS. 

Saco,  purcliasecl  these  mountains  in  lOfiO,  but  neither  he  nor  his  pos- 
terity have  ever  discovered  the  expected  wealth. 

Under  an  influence  so  very  unfavorable  to  the  interests  of  society,  as 
well  as  subversive  of  the  quiet  of  individuals,  an  accident  produced  m 
the  minds  of  the  people  of  New  England  a  still  more  powerful  impres- 
sion. A  Sp-.uiish  galleon  had  been  lost  near  the  Bahama  Islands.  The 
vessel  had  a  great  quantity  of  bullion  on  board,  and  the  expectations 
of  vaNt  numbers  were  fixed  upon  obtaining  a  treasure  by  finding  the 
wreck.  William  Phipps  was  supposed  to  have  been  the  fortunate  ad- 
venturer. In  those  days,  the  puerile  delusions  of  visions,  dreams, 
witchcraft,  and  spirits,  were  current  in  New  England.  They  who 
had  dreams,  which  the  distempered  mind  interpreted  into  the  miracu- 
lous, or  that  the  wandering  imagination  supposed  to  have  been  verified, 
were  considered  as  prophets,  and  believed  to  be  in  the  secrets  of  the 
Lord.  INIany  innocent  persons  fell  victims  to  this  strange  delusion ; 
under  an  accusation  of  their  having  entered  into  a  league  with  the  Devil, 
and  of  deriving  miraculous  power  from  the  foul  fiend.  Mr.  Phipps  had 
removed  to  Boston,  where  he  followed  the  business  of  ship-building. 
It  was  reported  that  he  had  been  informed  in  a  dream  of  the  situation 
of  the  galleon.  Whether  animated  by  an  extraordinary  spirit  of  enter- 
prise, and  taking  advantage  of  the  temper  of  the  times,  he  pretended 
to  the  favor  of  a  vision  which  he  never  had,  in  order  to  procure  assist- 
ance in  an  undertaking  which  a  rational  calculation  might  not  consider 
worthy  of  the  hazard  attending  it ;  or  whether,  having  fixed  his  imagi- 
nation upon  the  scheme,  his  mind  embraced  the  object  in  an  agreeable 
manner  when  he  was  asleep,  is  not  decided.  It  is,  however,  certain,, 
that  be  attempted  it,  and  that  his  success  raised  him  to  honor  and  wealth. 
lie  was  afterwards  governor  of  IMassachusets,  and  had  the  dignity  of 
knighthood  conferred  upon  him.. 

The  spirit  of  the  people  about  this  time  in  America,  would  not  bear 
a  debate  on  the  greatest  absurdit}',  or  a  contradiction  of  the  most  pal- 

3  pable 


I REEBOOTERS— EXTENT  AND  PRODUCTIONS  OF  MAINE.  39 

pable  error,  without  the  danger  of  contentions  or  commotions.  It  was 
doubtless,  owing  to  this  superstitious  folly,  that  Sir  William  Phip[)s 
never  disclaimed  the  idea  of  a  divine  interposition  in  his  favor. 

In  the  early  period  of  civilization  in  America,  her  maritime  power 
was  unable  to  protect  her  seas  from  pirates;  and  the  infant  government 
was  too  feeble  to  prevent  depredations  on  the  sea-coast.  Rovers  of  this 
description  were  numerous,  and  long  enjoyed  an  unmolested  plunder 
with  impunitv ;  but  necessity  will  bring  every  thing  witbin  the  power 
of  human  exertion.  They  were  at  length  subdued,  and  numbers  were 
executed — no  less  than  thirty  suftered  death  together  at  Newport,  in 
Rhode  Island.  Some  of  them,  between  the  time  of  condemnation  and 
execution,  flattered  the  persons  to  whom  they  had  access  with  stories 
of  great  wealth  being  concealed  by  them  in  different  places.  These 
confessions  Avere  made  only  with  a  view  of  obtaining  pardon,  for  no 
money  was  ever  found  where  they  pretended  that  it  was  deposited. 

After  the  death  of  Charles  the  First,  the  district  of  Maine  under- 
went many  changes,  both  in  proprietors  and  forms  of  government;  and 
was  finall}'^  purchased  by  the  colony  of  Massachusets.  The  trifling 
sum  of  1,^001.  was  jmid  to  the  grandson  of  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges 
for  his  patent.  The  wars  with  the  Indians  rendered  this  country  a  scene 
of  blood,  from  the  year  1691  to  1702 ;  even  so  late  as  the  year  174B» 
the  English  were  molested  by  them,  and  some  lives  lost.  The  grow- 
ing importance  of  Maine  will  soon  produce  a  political  separation  from 
ISIassachusets;  when  it  w^ill,  in  all  probability',  raise  itself  to  the  rank  of 
an  independent  state.  It  is  three  hundred  miles  long,  and  two  hundred 
and  four  miles  in  breadth,  lying  between  43  and  46  degrees,  north  la- 
titude, and  extending  to  the  British  dominions.  The  climate  is  healthy 
to  the  natives,  but  subject  to  extremes  of  heat  and  cold.  The  inhabi- 
tants often  live  to  a  great  age.  The  land  produces  Indian  corn,  rye, 
barley,  oats,  pease,  beans,  potatoes  in  astonishing  quantities ;  and  of 
fruit,  apples,  pears,  plumbs,  peaches,  cherries,  &c.     The  butter  made 

!»  '  here 


40  PORTLAND,   TUP.   CAPITAL   OF   MAINE— FALMOUTH. 

here  is  said  to  excel  that  of  every  other  part  of  New  Enc;Iand,  owinsf 
to  the  sweetness  t)f  the  frpass.  This  is  a  wonderful  coniitry  for  timlx  r, 
al)0unding  in  stately  and  extensive  forests,  and  the  lumber  trade  iscon- 
se(]uentlv  ^ery  lucrative.  The  numerous  rivers  atibrd  ahundance  of 
salmon,  and  the  sea  coast  furnishes  such  quantities  of  cod^  that  their 
fisheries  are  very  extensive  and  profitable.  The  country  produces  deer 
of  various  kinds,  beavers,  otters,  sables,  bears,  Avolves,  ralibits,  moun- 
tain-cats, porcupines,  and  other  animals.  The  sportsman  may  find 
sutficient  amusement  among  the  partridges,*  squirrels,  and  an  infi- 
nite variety  of  water-fowl.  There  are  no  venomous  serpents  to  the 
eastward  of  Kennebeck  river.  The  peo})le,  as  in  every  other  part  of 
New  England,  are  very  inquisitive  to  strangers. 

The  principal  town  in  the  province  of  Maine,  is  Portland.  It  has 
grown  into  consequence  within  a  few  years;  being  till  1786,  a  part  of 
Falmouth.  The  town  of  Portland  is  beautifully  situated  on  a  neck 
of  land,  at  high  -water  nearly  insulated  by  the  sea,  which  renders  it 
healthy  and  pleasant.  I  have  not  met  with  a  more  agreeable  place 
in  America,  and  have  ever  thought  that  this  town  claimed  a  preference, 
in  many  respects,  to  all  others  which  I  have  ^  isited  on  this  vast  conti- 
nent. The  harbor  is  always  open,  very  commodious,  and  the  trade 
and  inhabitants  rapidly  encreasing.  A  spirit  of  enterprise  and  industry 
prevails  in  Portland,  which  cannot  fail,  with  its  natural  advantages,  to 
render  it  a  poi)ulous  and  wealthy  place. 

The  town  of  .Falmouth  adjoins  Portland,  and  before  the  incorpora- 
tion of  the  latter,  was  the  capital  of  the  i)rovince.  The  contention  of 
politics  between  England  and  America  did  not  extend  to  Falmouth  till 
the  year  1770.  At  that  time  it  had  a  custom-house,  and  various  offi- 
cers under  the  crown.  The  appearance  of  a  change  Avill  too  frecpicntly 
alter  a  man's  political  opinions.     The  crown-olficers  had  no  doubt  that 

•  The  partridge,  througliout  all  the  states,  is  similar  to  what  is  called  in  England  the  quail.     It  is,  in 
fact,  a  partridge  in  miniature. 

2  the 


ANIMOSITY   OF  POLITICAL  PARTIES   AT  FALMOUTH.  41 

the  parliament  possessed  a  right  to  legislate  for  the  colonies  in  all  cases, 
and  the  committee  of  the  town  was  as  clear  in  the  reverse  of  the  pro- 
position. Added  to  this,  the  episcopalian  minister  conceived  the  hierar- 
chy to  be  in  danger,  unless  the  supremacy  of  the  king  was  supported  in 
church  and  state.  To  have  an  ecclesiastical  head,  without  civil  autho- 
rity, would  be  a  fundamental  error,  according  to  the  dogmas  of  the 
church;  the  minister,  therefore,  took  a  decided  part  in  favor  of  the 
parliamentary  claims.  Civil  disputes  can  generally  be  managed  with 
calmness  and  humanity,  unless  there  is  a  mixture  of  religious  tenets 
with  political  opinions.  The  animosity  between  the  parties  denomi- 
nated Whis:  and  Torv,  dailv  encreased,  and  finally  became  so  ex- 
tremely  bitter,  that  the  episcopalian  minister,  the  custom-house  officers, 
with  numbers  of  the  Tory  party,  fled  for  protection  to  the  British  army 
at  Boston.  This  was  a  prelude  to  the  hostilities  which  caused  the  de- 
claration of  independence. 


CHAP. 


42 


CHAP.  V. 


CONNECTICUT — NEW    LONDON — BIGBY  S    MOUNTAIN. 


The  reader  will,  doubtless,  think  it  high  time  to  return  to  my  nar- 
rative. 

Wearied  with  my  situation  in  Boston,  particularly  on  account  of  the 
excessive  heat,  I  determined  to  seek  a  place  visited  by  cooler  breezes ; 
and  for  this  purpose  took  my  passage  in  a  sloop  bound  for  New  London, 
in  Connecticut.  The  place  of  my  immediate  destination  was  imma- 
terial, and,  pleased  with  the  manners  of  the  captain,  I  agreed  with 
him  for  eight  dollars,  and  to  fmd  my  own  provisions.  Our  course  lay 
over  the  dangerous  shoals  of  Nantucket,  which  we  passed  in  safety. 
On  our  voyage  we  caught  a  quantity  of  haddocks,  of  an  excellent 
quality. 

At  New  London,  I  went  to  Minor's  Tavern,  but  wishing  for  more 
quiet  than  an  inn  aftbrded,  I  took  two  rooms  in  the  house  of  Mrs.  Wilson, 
who  was  stigmatized  by  the  appellation  of  an  old  Tory.  The  uncon- 
scionable charges  of  boarding-houses  were  now  apparent,  for  I  lived  as 
well  by  catering  for  myself,  and  infinitely  more  to  my  satisfaction,  at 
one-fourth  of  the  rate  charged  me  in  Boston. 

New  London,  a  high-sounding  name,  is  not  larger  than  a  middle- 
sized  English  village.  It  is  situated  four  miles  up  a  river,  called  the 
Thames,  which  empties  itself  into  Long  Island  Sound.  It  is  pleasant, 
healthy,  and  gratefully  refreshed  by  the  sea  breeze.     The  inhabitants 

evinced 


FISH   OF   NEW   ENGLAND— RIGBY'S   MOUNTAIN.  43 

evinced  a  disposition  to  sociabilitj^  and  I  was  frequent!}^  invited  to  join 
in  shooting  and  fishing  parties.  Here  I  shot  the  woodcock  in  the  month 
of  July,  similar  to  that  in  England ;  but,  some  years  afterwards,  I 
found  that  the  bird  so  named  in  the  Southern  States,  resembles  the  jay, 
both  in  its  size  and  chatter,  though  of  a  more  beautiful  plumage.  The 
fish  we  caught  by  angling  from  the  rocks,  were  various  and  excellent. 
One  kind  resembles  the  tench,  but  is  of  a  superior  flavor.  The  Indian 
name  of  this  fish  is  totog,  but  it  is  commonly  called  the  black  fish.  The 
bottom  of  the  Avaters  here  must  be  nearly  covered  with  lobsters;  a  great 
number  of  vessels  being  employed  in  cariying  them  to  Ncav  York,  and 
other  places.  The  price  of  them  is  about  twopence  sterling  per  pound, 
and  they  are  equal,  in  all  resjiects,  to  those  caught  upon  the  English 
coast.  In  the  Bay  of  Fundy  they  are  taken  of  an  immense  size.  In 
order  to  give  me  some  idea  of  their  magnitude,  a  person  informed  me 
that  ten  hungry  men  sat  down  and  supped  on  one  lobster,  and  that  the 
fi-agments  would  have  served  another ! !  * 

Near  Middletown,  in  this  stiate,  is  some  mountainous  land,  called 
Rigby's  mountain,  which  I  was  induced  to  ascend.  The  road  lay 
through  a  forest,  winding  and  rocky.  On  the  opposite  side  is  a  frightful 
cliff,  in  many  places  nearly  perpendicular.  The  vale  beneath  affords  a 
pleasing  variety  of  landscape,  but  the  view  was  frequently  interrupted 
by  shrub-oaks  and  cedar,  until  we  reached  the  summit.  Our  horses 
had  been  left  at  a  considerable  distance,  and  our  ascent  was  attended 
with  much  labor. 

At  the  top  we  enjoyed  a  prospect  of  a  beautiful  country  as  far  as  the 
eye  could  view,  terminating  with  Long  Island,  a  distance  of  near  thirty 
miles.  When  on  the  brink  of  this  precipice,  Shakespear's  description  of 
the  view  from  the  Dover  Cliffs  forcibly  recurred  to  my  mind.  Ours, 
however,  was  a  land  prospect — the  cattle  grazing  in  the  plain  appeared 

*  The  public  prints  of  America  have  likewise  recently  given  an  account  of  a  lobster,  on  whicii  seven 
persons  dined,  and  yet  left  sufficient  to  satisfy  another  hungry  man. 

G  no 


44  RIGBY'S  MOUNTAIN. 

no  larger  than  sheep — horses  at  plough,  at  a  farther  distance,  were  dimi- 
nished to  the  size  of  a  child's  toy — the  driver  to  an  atom  scarcely  visihle. 
One  of  our  company  durst  not  approach  within  many  yards  of  the 
verge — he  said  he  felt  a  dreadful  |)ropelling  sensation,  as  though  he 
could  with  difficulty  restrain  himself  from  rushing  forward,  and  plunging 
into  the  tremendous  abyss,  I  soon  felt  giddy,  and  retired;  but  others 
amused  themselves  with  throwing  stones,  and  observing  their  progress, 
with  the  loose  rocky  fragments,  which  tumbled,  on  being  touched,  to 
the  bottom.  The  sound  occasioned  by  their  fall  was  awful,  and  the 
whole  formed  a  scene  that  was  truly  sublime. 

Among  the  curiosities  of  Connecticut,  "where  we  must  now  consider 
ourselves,  are  the  caverns  and  other  hiding-places  where  three  English 
parliamentary  officers,  who  served  under  Cromwell,  secreted  themselves 
for  a  great  number  of  years.  These  were  the  Generals  Whalley  and 
GofFe,  and  Colonel  Dixwell,  three  of  the  judges  on  the  mock  tribunal 
which  condemned  King  Charles  the  First.  The  account  of  the  hard- 
ships they  underwent,  collected  and  transcribed  on  the  spot,  is  here 
presented  to  the  reader. 


CHAP, 


45 


CHAP.  VL 


ADVENTURES     OF     GENERALS     WHALLEY     AND     GOFFE,     TWO    OF    THE    JUDGES    WHO 
CONDEMNED   KINO  CHARLES   I. — THEIR  LONG   CONCEALMENT    IN   VARIOUS   PARTS 

OF    NEW    ENGLAND — WHALLEy's    SECOND     CHILDHOOD     DESCRIBED    BY     GOFFE 

ACCOUNT     OF    COLONEL    DIXWELL  —  STRICTURES    ON    DR.    STlLEs's    PUBLICATION 
RELATIVE    TO    THESE    REGICIDES. 


1  HE  restoration  of  Charles  II.  in  1660,  it  is  well  known,  proved  fatal 
to  all  those  who  had  taken  an  active  part  under  the  parliament.  The 
most  obnoxious  could  only  appease  the  young  king  by  their  death;  and 
sixteen  of  those  who  sat  in  judgment  on  his  father  saved  themselves 
by  flight.  Three  of  the  fugitives.  Major-general  Edward  Whalley, 
Major-general  William  GofFe,  and  Colonel  William  Dixwell,  took  re- 
fuge in  America.  They  all  had  commanded  in  the  army  of  Cromwell, 
and  were  among  the  most  enthusiastic  enemies  of  the  crown.* 

'i  il  ley  and  Goffe  landed  at  Boston  on  the  27th  of  Julj^,  1660, 
having  escaped  only  a  few  days  before  King  Charles  the  Second  was 
restored  to  the  throne,  the  intelligence  of  which  event  they  received 
in  the  English  Channel.  GofFe  kejit  a  journal  of  every  remarkable 
incident  which  happened  to  them  for  seven  years  from  the  day  they  left 
Westminster.  After  his  death,  this  journal  came  into  the  possession  of 
Governor  Hutchinson ;  who  kept  it  till  the  populace  demolished  his 
house,  in  the  tumults  occasioned  in  Boston  by  the  stamp-act,  when 
this  curious  manuscript  was  destroyed.  It  was  written  in  characters, 
but  which  were  readily  decyphered.  The  governor,  however,  had 
fortunately  taken  from  it  some  extracts ;  these,  together  with  the  parti- 

•  Cromwell  himself  once  contemplated  a  flight  to  America.     The  circumstances  which  prevented  his  ' 
embarkation  is  well  known. 

G  i2  culars 


46  ADVENTURES   OF   GENERALS   WHAl.LEY    AND   GOFFE. 

iiilai-s  related  to  me  on  the  suhjcct  in  Connecticut,  enable  me  to   give 
an  accurate  account  ot"  the  sutVerings  of  these  unlortunatc  men. 

When  they  first  arrived  at  Boston,  they  did  not  attempt  to  conceal 
their  persons  or  characters,  but  immediately  ^vent  to  Mr.  Endicot,  the 
governor ;  -who  received  them  courteously.     They  were  visited  by  the 
principal  inhabitants;  even  Colonel  Crown,  a  staunch  royalist,  intro- 
duced himself  to  them,     They  resided  at  Cambridge,  a  village  four 
miles  from  Boston.     They  attended  public  worship,  and  recei\ed  the 
sacrament.     They  were  grave  and  devout ;  and  such  was  the  respect 
paid    them,    that   being   once  insulted,    the  offender   was   bound    to 
keep  the  peace.     It  is  not  strange  that  they  should  thus  have  experi- 
enced so  favorable  a  reception  upon  their  landing ;  for,  though  they 
Avere  known  to  have  been  two  of  King  Charles's  judges,  yet  no  official 
news  of  the  restoration  had  reached  America.     Reports  soon  afterwards 
arrived  by  way  of  Barbadoes,  that  all  those  who  sat  in  judgment  on 
their  sovereign  would  be  pardoned,  except  seven.     When  it  appeared 
that  the  royal  clemency  was  not  extended  to  Whalley  and  Goffe,  the 
officers  of  government  at  Boston  were  alarmed ;  while  pity  and  com- 
passion pervaded  the  bosoms  of  the  inhabitants.     By  some  they  were 
assured  that  the  general  court  would  protect  them ;  and  others  advised 
them  to  make  a  speedy  retreat.     On  the  22d  of  November,   1660,  the 
governor  summoned  a  general  court  of  assistants,  to  take  into  con- 
sideration tlie   propriety  of  putting  them  under   confinement,  but   it 
broke   up  without  coming  to   any  decision.      Finding  it  unsafe  to 
reside  longer  at  Cambridge,  they  left  the  place,  and  arrived  at  New- 
haven,  (about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  distant)  on  the  7th  of  March. 
Information  of  their  retreat  having  been  given  in  England,  a  hue  and 
cry,  as  Goffe  terms  it  in  his  journal,  was  set  on  foot;  the   day  after 
tliey  left  Cambridge,  a  warrant  was  issued  against  them;  and  they 
were  pursued,  but  witliout  effect. 

At  Newhaventhey  were  at  first  received  as  at  Boston  ;  but  on  the  arri- 
val 


THEIR  CONCEALMENT  IN  A  CAVE.  47 

valof  the  king's  proclamation,  they  were  obliged  to  abscond.  On  the  27th 
of  INIarch  they  removed  to  New  Miltbrd,  Avhere  they  made  themselves 
known ;  but  at  night  they  privately  returned  to  Newhaven,  and  were 
concealed  by  Mr.  Davenport,  the  minister,  until  the  30th  of"  April. 
About  this  time  the  intelligence  reached  Boston  that  ten  of  the  judges 
had  been  exeeuted ;  and  the  governor  received  a  royal  mandate  to  aj> 
prehend  AVhalley  and  Goft'e.  This  alarmed  the  country,  and  the  most 
diligent  search  was  made,  but  the  fugitives  found  friends,  who  gave 
them  intimation  of  their  danger.  It  was  now  too  hazardous  for  Da- 
venport to  secrete  them  any  longer:  they  therefore  went  into  the  woods, 
conducted  by  two  of  the  inhabitants  of  Newhaven.  They  first  took 
refuge  in  a  mill — then  in  a  jilace  called  Hatchet  Harbor,  where  thc}^ 
concealed  themselves  till  their  friends  had  prepared  a  cave  on  the  side 
of  a  hill  in  the  Avoods,  where  they  remained  from  the  15th  of  May  to 
the  11th  of  June.  To  this  place  they  gave  the  appropriate  appellation 
of  Providence  Hill;  for  while  they  resided  there,  a  most  diligent  search 
was  making  after  them  ;  and  many  of  the'king's  messengers  passed  near 
to  the  spot.  There  existed  proof  of  their  having  been  at  Davenport's, 
and  large  rewards  were  offered  for  information  by  which  they  might  be 
secured.  Davenport  was  threatened,  and  the  unfortunate  but  gratefiil 
wanderers,  offered  to  deliver  themselves  up,  rather  than  that  any  one 
should  suffer  for  the  hospitality  afforded  them.  The  hardships  they 
had  suffered,  and  to  which  they  were  still  exposed,  together  with  the 
little  chance  they  saw  of  escaping,  would  not,  perhaps,  have  proved 
sufficient  to  induce  them  to  make  such  an  offer.  Honor  has  often  been 
found  to  prevail  even  over  the  love  of  life.  Influenced  by  this  princi- 
ple, they  actually  gave  notice  to  the  deputy  governor  of  the  place  of 
their  concealment :  but  he  paid  no  attention  to  their  magnanimous  in- 
timation, and  the  next  day  they  were  advised  not  to  surrender. 

In  this  solitary  abode  they  met  with  several  disasters,  some  of  which 
had  nearly  proved  fatal.  One  dark  night,  when  they  were  both  laid 
down  to  rest,  they  were  suddenly  terrified  by  an  animal  of  the  tiger 

genus 


4G  ADVENTURES   OF  OENl'RALS   WIIALLEY   AND  GOFFE. 

ijcniis.  It  liad  advanced  to  the  cave,  forced  its  head  throiigli  the  aper- 
ture, and  presenting  its  horrid  eyes,  which  appeared  to  flash  fire  upon 
them,  gave  a  dreadful  roar;  but  departed  witlmut  attacking  them.  At 
another  time  they  were  in  still  greater  danger,  but  from  a  different 
cause.  I  laving  ventured  too  far  from  their  concealment,  they  were  over- 
taken by  iNIr.  Kiniberly,  the  sheriif,  with  a  warrant  in  his  pocket  for 
their  apprehension,  They  defended  themselves  with  their  sticks,  and 
repelled  the  ollicer,  who,  leaving  them  to  obtain  assistance,  afforded 
them  an  ojiportunity  of  regaining  the  woods.  On  another  occasion, 
being  closely  pursued,  the}'  hid  themselves  under  a  bridge;  while  their 
pursuers  passed  over  their  heads.  At  Newhaven  they  were  several 
times  concealed  in  houses,  while  they  were  searched  by  the  officers  of 
government. 

As  soon  as  they  thought  that  their  enemies  had  given  up  their  search, 
they  ventured  to  the  house  of  one  Tomkins,  near  jMilford,  where  they 
remained  two  years,  without  even  daring  to  walk  into  the  orchard  ad- 
joining the  house.  Hearing  that  commissioners  from  the  king  had  ar- 
rived at  Boston,  Whalley  and  Goffe,  thought  it  necessary  to  retire  again 
to  their  cave.  Soon  afterwards  some  Indians  in  their  hunting  excursions 
discovered  the  place  of  their  concealment,  which  caused  them  to  bid 
a  final  adieu  to  Providence  Hill.  They  wandered  about  in  the  night 
and  retired  to  the  woods  in  the  day,  till  they  arrived  at  Hadley,  in 
Massachusets,  near  one  hundred  miles  from  the  cave.  Here  they  were 
received  by  Mr.  Russell,  the  minister  of  the  place,  by  whom  they  were 
concealed  between  iifteen  and  sixteen  years.  They  frequently  re- 
ceived remittances  I'rom  England,  and  some  friends  to  their  cause  often 
relieved  them.  One  donation,  by  Richard  Saltonstall,  Esq.  who  was 
in  the  secret  of  their  concealment,  amounted  to  fifty  pounds.  It  is, 
therefjro,  to  be  presumed  that  parson  Russell  found  them  profitable 
boarders. 
'< 

These  unfortunate  men  were  said  to  have  lived  in  constant  terror, 
7  even 


WHALLhY't;    DOTAGE   DESCRIBED   BY   COFFE.  49- 

even  when  all  enquiry  after  them  was  at  an  end.  A  strange  reverse  of 
fortune  from  the  times  of  Cromwell !  Several  years  they  had  been 
principal  actors  in  the  affairs  of  a  great  nation.  Whalley  defeated 
Prince  Rupert,  and  Goffe  turned  the  members  out  of  the  house  of 
parliament,  and  was  intrusted  by  Cromwell  with  the  custody  of  the 
king. 

At  Hadley  they  complained  that  they  were  banished  fi'om  societ\-» 
and  that  their  lives  were  miserable  and  burthensome.  Goffe  married 
Whalley's  daughter,  with  whom  he  corresponded  by  the  name  of 
Walter  Goldsmith,  addressing  her  as  Frances  Goldsmith  :  and  the  cor- 
respondence was  carried  on  as  between  a  motlier  and  son.  Tlieir  letters 
are  replete  with  fanaticism,  and  crowded  with  quotations  from  the 
Bible.  The  tbllowing  extract  from  a  letter  from  Goffe,  describing 
Whalley's  second  childhood,  in  which  he  continued  the  last  few  years 
of  his  life,  is  interesting: 

"  Your  old  friend,  Mr.  R.  (Whalley)  is  yet  living,  but  continues  in 
that  weak  condition  of  which  I  have  formerly  given  you  an  account, 
and  I  have  not  much  to  add.  He  is  scarce  capable  of  any  rational  dis- 
course ;  his  understanding,  memory,  and  speech  doth  so  much  fail  him, 
that  he  seems  not  to  take  much  notice  of  any  thing  that  is  either  done 
or  said,  but  patiently  bears  all  things,  and  never  complains  of  any 
thing,  though  I  fear  it  is  some  trouble  to  him  that  he  hath  had  no  letter 
for  a  long  time  fro.n  his  cousin  Rich,  but  he  speaks  not  one  word  con- 
cerning it,  nor  any  thing  you  wrote  in  your  last ;  only  after  I  had  read 
your  letters  to  him,  being  asked  whether  it  was  not  a  great  refreshmeiit 
to  him  to  hear  such  a  gracious  spirit  breathing  in  your  letters,  he  said  it 
was  none  of  his  least  comforts ;  and  indeed,  he  scarce  speaks  of  any 
thing  but  in  answer  to  the  questions  that  are  put  to  him,  which  are  not 
of  many  kinds,  because  he  is  not  capable  to  answer  them.  The  com- 
mon and  very  frequent  question  is,  to  know  how  he  doth,  and  his  an- 
swer, for  the  must  part,  is,  very  well,  I  praise  God,  wl)ich  he  utters  in 
a  very  low  and  weak  voice.     But  sometimes  he  saith,  not  very  well 

or 


50  ADVENTURES   OP   GENERALS  WHALLEY   AND  GOFFE 

or  very  ill ;  and  then  if  it  be  furtlur  said,  do  you  feel  pain  any  where  i 
to  that  he  always  answai-eth,  no.  When  lie  wants  any  thing,  he  can- 
not speak  well  for  it,  because  he  forgets  the  name  of  it,  and  sometimes 
asks  for  one  thing,  when  he  means  another,  so  that  his  eye  or  his  finger 
is  his  tongue  ;  but  his  ordinary  wants  are  so  well  known  to  us,  that  most 
of  them  arc  supplied  without  asking  or  making  signs  for  them.  Some 
help  he  stands  in  need  of  in  every  thing  to  which  any  motion  is  re- 
(juired,  having  not  been  able  for  a  long  time  to  dress  or  undress  himself, 
nor  to  feed,  nor  ease  nature  either  way,  orderly,  without  help,  and  it's 
a  very  great  mercy  to  him  that  he  hath  a  friend  that  takes  pleasure  in 
being  helj)ful  to  him.  1  bless  the  Lord  that  gives  me  such  a  good 
measure  of  health  and  strength,  and  an  opportunity  and  a  heart  to  use 
it  in  so  good  and  necessary  a  work ;  for  though  my  help  be  poor  and 
weak,  yet  that  ancient  servant  of  Christ  could  not  well  subsist  without 
it ;  and  I  do  believe,  as  you  are  pleased  to  say  very  well,  that  I  do 
enjoy  the  more  iiealth  for  his  sake.  I  have  sometimes  wondered  much 
at  this  dispensation  of  the  Lord  towards  him,  and  have  some  expecta- 
tions of  more  than  ordinary  issue.  The  Lord  help  us  to  profit  by  all, 
and  to  Avait  with  patience  upon  him,  till  we  see  what  end  he  will  make 
with  us. 

"  Thus  far  I  write  for  myself.  I  will  now  ask  him  what  he  would 
have  me  say  to  his  friends  concerning  him.  The  question  being  asked, 
he  saith,  1  am  better  than  I  was.  And  being  asked  what  I  should  say 
more  to  his  cousin  R.  or  any  other  friends ;  after  a  long  pause,  he  agkin 
said,  the  Lord  hath  visited  me  in  much  inercv,  and  hath  answered  his 
visitation  u|)on  me.  (I  give  you  liis  own  words.)  Being  desirous  to 
draw  more  from  him,  I  proposed  several  questions,  and  the  sum  of  his 
answers  was,  that  he  earnestly  desires  the  continuance  of  the  fervent 
prayers  of  all  friends  for  him." 

During  their  residence  at  Hadley,  these  unfortunate  men  received  a 

pretty  regular  consolation  in  letters  from  England ;  and  this  was  the 

5  only 


ANECDOTES   OF  GOFFE.  5l 

only  remission  of  the  highest  degree  of  mental  anxiety  and  distress  they 
experienced  since  their  proscription.  Their  fanaticism  strengthened 
their  hopes,  as  they  expressed  it,  of  the  fulfilment  of  the  prophecies; 
and  this  delusion  kept  alive  the  idea  of  their  deliverance.  They  ap- 
peared to  he  greath'^  disappointed  when  the  year  1666  passed  Avithout 
any  remarkahle  political  event,  but  flattered  themselves  that  the  Chris- 
tian oera  might  he  erroneous. 

During  their  abode  at  Hadley,  the  most  famous  and  memorable 
Indian  war  of  New  England  took  place.  This  was  called  King  Philip's 
war.  Philip  was  a  powerful  sachem,  and  resided  at  Mount  Hope,  in 
Rhode  Island  ;  where  he  was  soon  after  this  war  put  to  death  by 
Colonel  Church.  All  the  new  frontier  towns  of  New  England  vsere 
attacked,  and  Hadley  was  then  exposed  as  a  place  of  that  description. 
The  time  the  savages  fixed  upon  to  make  the  assault  was  while  the  in- 
habitants were  assembled  in  the  meeting-house  to  observe  a  fast-dav ; 
but  fortunately  it  had  been  some  time  a  custom  for  the  men  to  attend 
public  worship,  armed.  Had  the  town  been  taken,  the  discovery  of 
Whalley  and  Goffe  would  have  been  inevitable.  The  men  took  up 
their  arms,  and  attempted  a  defence,  but  were  soon  thrown  into  con- 
fusion, when  (as  it  is  related  to  this  day)  a  stranger  suddenly  appeared 
among  them,  of  venerable  aspect,  and  different  in  his  apparel  from  the 
inhabitants ;  who  rallied,  and  disposing  them  in  the  best  militar}^  man- 
ner, led  them  to  the  charge,  routed  the  Indians,  and  saved  the  town. 
In  the  moment  of  victory  their  deliverer  vanished.  The  inhabitants, 
unable  to  account  for  the  phenomenon,  believed  that  they  had  been 
commanded  by  an  angel,  sent  from  heaven  for  their  protection. 

This  supposed  angel  was  Goffe,  who  never  before  ventured  from  his 
concealment.  Whalley  was  then  in  a  state  of  second  childhood.  Such 
was  their  caution  to  prevent  a  discovery  of  their  retreat,  that  the  in- 
habitants never  knew  them,  or  who  it  was  that  so  ably  led  them  against 
the  savages,  until  they  both  had  paid  the  debt  of  nature.     In  a  country 

H  where 


52  ANECDOTES   OF  fiOFFE. 

Avliore  the  leading  feature  of  the  mind  is  the  most  familiar,  and,  indeed, 
impertinent  curiosity;  it  is  a  matter  of  wonder  how  they  could  for  so 
lont::  a  time  conceal  themselves  from  the  prying  eyes  of  the  inhabitants. 
What  rigid  confinement  they  must  have  endured !  What  solitary 
houi-s  they  must  have  i)assed  !  But  their  fanaticism  animated  them 
vith  the  hope  of  better  days. 

Another  story  of  Goffe  is  still  current  among  the  old  inhabitants  of 
Boston,  which  proves  him  to  have  been  very  exj)ert  at  the  exercise  of 
the  sword.     It  is  thus  related  in  a  print  which  fell  into  my  hands  there. 

"  Wliile  the  judges  were  at  Boston,  there  aj)peared  a  gallant  person 
there,    some  say  a  fencing-master,    who,  on  a  stage  erected  for  that 
j)urposc,  walked  several  days,  challenging  and  defying  any  person  to 
play  with  him  at  swords.     At  length  one  of  the  judges,  disguised  in  a 
rustic  dress,  liolding  in  one  hand  a  cheese  wrapped  up  in  a  napkin, 
and  in  the  other  a  broomstick,  the  end  of  which  he  had  besmeared  in  a 
dirtj'  puddle  of  water;  and  thus  equipped,  he  mounted  the  stage.    The 
fencing-master  railed  at  him  for  his  impudence,  asked  what  business  he 
had  there,  and  bid  him  begone.     A  rencounter  ensued ;  Golie  received 
the  sword  of  his  antagonist  in  the  cheese,  while  he  drew  the  dirty  end 
of  his  stick  across  his  mouth.     Another  pass  was  made,  and  again  re- 
ceived in  the  cheese  ;  and   in  return,  he  gave  another  mark  across  the 
fencer's  eyes.    At  a  third  limge,  the  sword  was  again  received  as  before, 
and  the  stick  rubbed  over  the  other  parts  of  his  face.     The  enraged 
master  of  arms  then  threw  aside  his  weaj)on,  and  took  up  a  broad 
sword,  with  which  he  advanced.     Upon  this,  Gofie  told  him  to  stop, 
and  added,  that  he  had  hitherto  only  played  with  him,  without  attempt- 
ing to  hurt  him  :  but  as  he  came  on  in  rage,  with  the  broad-sword,  his 
life  would  pay  the  forfeit.    The  fencer,  struck  with  the  manner  this  was 
said,  and  (earing  the  event,  asked  Goffe  who  he  was;  adiling,  that  he 
must  be  either  Whalley,  GofTe,  or  the  Devil,  as  no  other  could  beat 
him.     The  disguised  conqueror  retired,  leaving  the  boasting  champion 

to 


COLONP.L  DIXV/EIX— STraCTURES   OF  DR.   STILES,  53 

to  the  diversion  of  the  spectators.  Hence  it  became  proverbial  in  New 
England,  in  speaking  of  a  champion,  to  saj^  that  no  one  can  beat  him 
but  Whalley,  GotFe,  or  the  Devil." 

Whalley  died  at  Hadley  in  the  year  I688.  After  about  a  year  from 
the  time  of  his  decease,  all  tradition  of  Goffe  is  lost.  The  only  con- 
jecture that  can  be  formed  is,  that  he  did  not  long  survive  his  friend, 
and  was  privately  buried  near  him  at  Hadley. 

Colonel  John  Dixvvell,  another  of  the  members  of  the  court  which 
condemned  King  Charles  the  First,  also  fled  to  America.  He  visited 
Whalley  and  Goffe  in  their  retirement  on  the  lOth  of  February,  1664, 
after  which  he  went  to  Newhaven,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  under 
the  assumed  the  name  of  James  Davids,  Es([.  Cautiously  concealing 
his  character,  he  was  not  molested.  He  married  in  America,  and  left 
several  children;  but  upon  his  death-bed  he  discovered  his  real  name 
and  former  situation  in  England;  and  executed  a  will,  signed  "John 
Dixwell,  alias  James  Davids."  He  acquired  some  property  by  luar- 
riage,  on  which,  with  occasional  remittances  from  England,  he  lived 
comfortabl}^  and  left  some  property  among  his  children. 

A  learned  American  divine,  Esra  Stiles,  S.  T.  D.  L.  D.  President 
of  Yale  College,  published,  in  1795,  a  large  volume,  which  he  calls 
"  The  Historv  of  the  Three  Juds^es."  A  work  more  eccentric  I  never 
saw.  A  variety  of  subjects,  from  the  rebellion  in  the  time  of  Charles, 
to  the  recent  revolution  in  France,  are  there  jumbled  together,  inter- 
spersed with  old  women's  tales,  in  the  most  trite  and  barren  language ; 
and  spun  out,  by  an  insufferable  tautology,  to  three  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven  pages.  But  the  doctor  published  by  subscription,  and  something 
voluminous  was  liberally  paid  for  before  it  went  to  press.  Had  not  this 
work  been  eagerly  read,  and  by  some  greatly  admired,  I  should  not 
have  noticed  it.  Of  my  American  readers,  some  may  be  gratified, 
while  others  will  be  displeased  at  my  comments ;  but  upon  subjects 

H  2  collected 


M  specimi:n  of  American  literature, 

coUoclecl  in  my  travels,  I  hold  it  my  duty  to  notice  whatever  I  may 
thinlv  worthy  of  observation.  After  reading  Governor  Hutchinson'^ 
account  of  M'halley  and  Goffe,  1  found  notiiing  in  the  performance  of 
Dr.  Stiles  but  what  provoked  my  risibility,  or  created  my  contempt; 
for,  indeed,  nothing  more  could  be  added  on  the  subject.  Lest  my 
friends  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  however,  may  think  I  treat 
their  collegian  with  too  much  asperity,  and  to  give  my  countrymen  ;v 
specimen  of  this  production  of  a  literary  character  of  the  new  world, 
I  shall  quote  some  of  his  paragraphs. 

The  learned  divine  is  solicitous  to  ascertain  where  the  remains  of  hi* 
heroes  were  interred ;  and  in  about  twenty  places  he  impresses  his  rea- 
der with  the  importance  of  this  discovery,  as  though  it  were  of  any  con- 
sequence where  a  man's  bones  are  consigned  to  their  parent  earth. 
Cromwell's  carcase  rested  as  quietly  under  the  gallows  as  it  did  in  West- 
minster Abbey;  and  where  I  may  moulder,  or  to  what  unworthy  uses 
Alexander's  dust  may  have  been  converted,  is  matter  of  the  utmost 
iiidifference.     On  this  subject,  the  Doctor  thus  narrates : — 

"  What  I  have  before  narrated  *  is  delivered  upon  sure  documents. 
I  shall  now  narrate  what  is  only  conjectural,  and  leave  it  to  every  one's 
judgment,  only  observing,  that  if  it  ever  did  take  place,  no  one  will 
doubt  but  that  Dixvvell  was  concerned  in  it.  There  is  somehow  pre- 
served, not  in  universal  or  general,  but  in  particular  and  strong  lineal 
tradition,  at  Newhaven,  which  is  to  be  considered  more  largely  hereafter, 
that  another  of  the  regicides,  besides  Dixwell,  lies  buried  in  our  burying- 
place,  and  that  this  other  was  Whalley.  This  is  particularly  preserved 
among  the  sextons  or  grave-diggers,  who,  it  seems,  for  many  years,  and 
perhaps  ever  from  the  time  especially  of  Dixwell's  death,  have  shewn 
the  stone  marked  E.  W.  for  Whalley,  as  they  have  that  marked  J.  D. 
for  Dixwell.     I  have  not  foimd  the  least  tradition  of  Gofte,  till  I  my- 

♦  This  narration  consisted  of  extracts  from  Ilutcliinson,  copies  of  old  records, .letters,  &c.  kc. 

5  self 


SPECIMEN  OF  AMERICAN  LITERATURE.  55 

self  conjectured  it,  Januar}^  1793,  inferring  in  my  own  mind,  without 
a  doubt,  that  if  Whalley,  who  certainly  died  at  Hadley,  was  afterwards 
removed  here,  Goffe  must  be  here  also.  But  of  this,  I  mean  as  to 
Goffe's  being  here  also,  I  can  find  no  tradition,  yet  I  find  it  tenaciously 
adhered  to,  especially  in  the  line  of  the  grave-diggers,  that  Whalley  is 
here.  I  have  often  examined  the  E.  W.  stone,  but  consider  the  matter 
without  proof,  yet  possible,  but  by  no  means  certain.  Nor  do  I  wish, 
and  least  of  all  attempt,  to  gain  any  one's  credulity  to  it,  leaving  every 
mind  perfectly  free  and  unprejudiced.  But  as  I  know  that  whoever 
takes  the  pains  that  I  have  done,  to  trace  out,  and  collect,  and  digest  the 
traditions  in  Newhaven,  will  find  this  among  others,  however  it  origi- 
nated among  us;  so,  alter  this  precaution  and  notification,  I  shall  pro- 
ceed, &c. ! ! 

"  It  is  then  supposed  by  some,  that  Whalley  lies  buried  in  Newhaven. 
If  so,  his  corpse  must  have  been  taken  up  and  secretly  conveyed  here, 
for,  without  repeating  the  proofs,  it  is  certain  he  died  at  Hadley.  Who 
will  doubt  this  removal  was  at  the  procurement  of  his  friend  Dixwell ; 
None.  If  done  before  1685,  none  but  DixwelU,  Jones,  and  Bishop, 
in  Newhaven,  and  Russell,  Tilton,  and  perhaps  Smith,  were  privy  to 
it;  and  yet  probably  it  was  after  Randolph's*  rage  burned  and  became 
dangerous,,  which  was  after  l680,  when  Goffe  was  either  dead  or  abdi- 
cated. At  all  events,  the  five  or  six  I  have  mentioned  must  have  been 
the  persons  concerned  in  this  removal.  If  so,  Dixwell,  must  have  been 
deeply  concerned  in  the  affair ;  and  this  event  and  transactioi;,  however 
secretly  performed,  must  become  an  important  anecdote  in  his  life,  as 
being  the  last  care  and  office  of  surviving  friendship  to  the  memory  and 
to  the  security  of  the  ashes  of  a  venerable  fellow-exile  and  brother  judge. 
In  this  Governor  Jones  was  unquestionably  the  efficacious  agent.  He 
and  Mr.  Tilton  must  have  been  the  men  who  procured  the  corpse  to  be 
conveyed,  Scc.f 

*  One  of  the  officers  of  King  Charles  the  Second. 
t  The  Doctor  must  have  forgotten  that,  a  few  lines  above,  he  fi.xes  thii proturemtnt  upon  Dixwell. 

"I£ 


50  SPECIMEN   OF   AMERICAN   LITERATURE   AND   PIET\ . 

"  If  Goft'e  died  at  Hadley  in  I68O,  as  is  probahle,  the  same  reasong 
M  hich  would  induce  tlic  removal  of  one,  would  induce  the  removal  of 
the  other,  and  jierhaps  from  a  preconcerted  plan,  that  all  the  three  exiles 
should  be  deposited  and  sleep  in  the  dust  tos^ethcr,  until  they  should  rise 
together  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just." 

The  Doctor  concludes  with  some  incoherent  ravings,  truly  indicative 
of  a  mind  labouring  under  religious  phrenzy.  He  is  a  most  violent 
enthusiast  in  the  cause  of  his  heroes ;  and  would,  if  possible,  immorta- 
lize the  arch-traitor  Cromwell.  He  calls  Monk  the  Dumouriez  of  Bri- 
tain ;  and  places  Bradshaw,  Ireton,  and  the  rest  of  the  judges,  as  he 
calls  them,  among  the  martyred  patriots.  Of  Cromwell's  character, 
after  lavishing  encomiums  too  gross  to  offer  at  the  shrine  even  of  a  saint, 
he  concludes  in  these  words  : — 

"  O  Oliver !  how  I  love  thine  open,  thine  unabashed,  thy  undissem- 
blcd,  and  undisguised  religion !" 

The  frontispiece  of  this  learned  and  pious  work  is  ornamented  M'ith 
the  portrait  of  its  author,  in  sacerdotal  robes.  As  I  turned  over  the  pages 
1  hoped  to  meet  with  similar  representations  of  his  heroes,  or,  at  all 
events,  of  his  liiend  Oliver,  but  in  this  1  was  disappointed. 


CHAP. 


^7 


CHAP.  VII. 


EXTREMES  OF  HEAT  AND  COLD  IN  NEW  ENGLAND  —  STATE  OF  VEG  ETATION  AND 
THE  PRODUCE  OF  THE  FIELD — DIRECTION  OF  THE  WINDS — METEOROLOGICAL 
OBSERVATIONS    ON    THE    RAIN  —  UNCERTAINTY    AND    STATE    OF    THE    WEATHER. 


Considering  the  latitude  of  the  New  England  states,  the  ex- 
tremes of  heat  and  cold  can  neither  be  conceived  by  an  European,  nor 
fairly  accounted  for  by  an  American.  Some  of  the  latter  writers  on  the 
suliject  ascribe  the  intense  cold  to  their  back  lakes,  and  high  lands. 
That  this  mav  contribute  in  a  small  degree  towards  that  extreme  is 
is  not  impossible,  though  I  am  not  inclined  to  adopt  the  opinion;  but  I 
have  not  met  with  even  a  probable  conjecture  as  to  the  other. 

New  England  is  situated  in  latitude  41"  to  46°,  yet  in  the  months  of 
July  and  August  the  heat  is  often  as  intense  as  in  the  West  Indies.  An 
American  geographer,  in  describing  the  climate  of  this  region,  says, 
"  The  heat  in  summer  is  intense,  and  the  cold  in  winter  equally  severe. 
All  fresh- water  lakes,  ponds,  and  rivers,  are  usually  passable  on  ice, 
from  Christmas  till  the  middle  of  iNIarch.  The  longest  day  is  fifteen 
jiours  and  sixteen  minutes;  and  the  shortest  eight  hours  and  forty 
minutes." 

For  several  days  together  in  the  hottest  weather  there  is  not  a  breath 
of  air;  and  the  nights,  with  the  additional  annoyance  of  swarms  of  that 
aggravating  and  poisonous  insect  the  musquitoe,  upon  which  some  ob- 
servations 


^3  NOCTURNAL  ANNOYANCE.^. 

servations  have  alreaily  been  made,  are  nearly  insupportable  to  an  Eu- 
ropean. He  will  undergo  a  com[)lete  perforation  of  the  skin,  and 
every  wound  will  poison  to  the  diameter  of  half  an  inch,  till  his  blood 
is  reduced  to  the  state  of  that  of  the  natives,  or  the  temper  of  the  cli- 
mate, when  he  may  find  resi)ite  from  their  nocturnal  attacks.  They" 
make  a  buzzing  noise  nearly  equal  to  that  of  the  honey-bee,  and  yet, 
w  ith  this  notice,  you  cannot  guard  against  their  assaults.  The  croaking 
of  the  toad,  of  which  there  are  infinite  varieties— the  crceking  of  the 
locust— and  the  no  less  offensive  chirping  of  the  grasshop|)er,  together 
with  the  noises  of  many  other  restless  reptiles,  join  in  dismal  discord  to 
deprive  the  way-worn  traveller  of  his  rest.  With  these  his  disturbed 
fancy  may  associate  the  birds  and  beasts  of  prey  under  his  window. 
Custom  will,  however,  reconcile  man  to  all  things.  He  will  soon  find 
that  these  inharmonious  sounds  will  as  effectually  lull  him  to  rest,  as  the 
most  soft  and  soothing  strains.  In  addition  to  all  these  inconveniences, 
he  will  be  sure  to  find  his  bed  overstocked  with  bugs*  and  lleas,  which 
will  attack  him  in  one  quarter,  while  the  musquitoes  seize  him  in  ano- 
ther. Curtains  of  thin  gause  are  some  defence  against  the  latter,  but, 
fi-om  the  harbour  the  former  find  in  the  coarse  woollen  bed-chamber  fur- 
niture, they  rove  at  large  and  uncontrouled. 

To  many  days  intense  heat,  a  violent  storm  of  wind  and  rain  will 
perhaps  succeed,  attended  with  tremendous  thunder  and  hghtning;  which 
often  sweeps  away  whole  fields  of  corn,  and  deluges  the  earth ;  then 
again  will  the  heat  break  out  with  redoubled  violence,  causing  fevers, 
dysenteries,  and  agues,  which  of  late  years  have  proved  a  dreadful 
scourge  in  America. 

The  following  observations  on  the  atmosphere  in  New  England  will 
shew  the  heat  of  the  summer  of  1795. 

On  the  first  of  August,  the  thermometer,  being  placed  in  the  north 
shade,  was, 

•  The  inhabitants  call  bed-bugs,  chintie*. 

At 


HEIGHT  OF  THE  THER^JOMlTKR— I  UEL.  59 

At 8 O'clock,  A.M.  74.         At3,  T.  M.     70. 

2nd  of  August  -    .  78.         88. 

3rd 72 74. 

4th 73.        ..."   -    .  76. 

5th 72.        88. 

6th      -    -    -    ^    .  85.        921. 

On  the  last-mentioned  day,  when  moved  where  the  sun  shone  upon 
it,  in  a  few  moments  the  mercury  rose  to  124— and  when  moved  back 
again,  into  the  north  shade,  it  fell  to  92. 

When  we  consider  that  98  is  blood-heat,  and  112  fever-heat;  we  may 
conceive  what  eftect  such  a  climate  would  have  upon  an  English  con- 
stitution. The  diurnal  prints  of  New  England  about  this  time  were 
full  of  accounts  of  people  being  suddenly  killed  by  the  coup  de  soldi, 
or  stroke  of  the  sun.  Strangers  would  do  well  to  provide  themselves, 
during  the  hot  weather,  with  white  hats,  the  advantages  of  which  are 
obvious. 

The  houses  in  America  are,  for  the  most  part,  built  of  wood, 
slightly  put  together,  and  covered  with  the  same  materials,  made 
into  shingles.  This  is  but  an  indifferent  protection  from  the  cold. 
Added  to  this,  though  the  continent  in  many  parts  abounds  with  coal, 
yet  they  use  but  little  of  that  comfortable  article.  Wood  is  almost  their 
only  fuel,  and  though  the  country  is  abundantly  furnished  with  that 
also,  yet  the  consumption  renders  it  daily  more  difficult  to  be  procured. 
This  article,  before  you  get  it  to  your  fire-place,  in  the  state  of  Rhode 
Island,  will  cost  seven  dollars,  or  one  guinea  and  a  half,  a  cord  ;*  and  a 
cord  a  month  is  the  calculation  for  one  fu-e.  Several  masters  of  iamiiies 
have  told  me,  that  their  Avood  alone  costs  them  three  or  four  hundred 

*  On  the  vast  influx  of  French  people  from  St.  Domingo,  this  article  rose  considerably,  with  every 
other  necessary  of  life,  at  the  sea-port  towns.  TJie  strangers  never  questioning  the  demanls  of  the 
dealers,  they,  of  course,  made  the  most  of  the  circumstance  ;  and  have  since  tenaciously  kept  up  llie 
greatest  proportion  of  the  advance  then  demanded. 

I  dollars 


60 


COMPARATIVE   STATE  OF   VEGETATION. 


dollars  per  year ;  a  sum  uj)on  which  many  iamilies  comfortably  subsist 
ill  England. 

Water  will  freeze  within  a  few  yards  of  a  large  fire  in  ten  minutes, 
and  out  of  doors  in  two  minutes.     In  the  year  1790,  the  thermometer, 
on  the  l8th  of  December,  was  IG  below  0. 
26th  of  January,  1792,     -     151  ditto. 
28th  ditto  -,----     II   ditto. 

In  the  succeeding  winter  to  that  in  which  I  have  above  given  the  ob- 
servations on  the  summer's  heat,  the  thermometer  was. 


January  3 1 
February  1 


ID  below  0. 
7  ditto. 


Another  view  of  the  climate  may  be  taken  from  the  common  opera- 
tions of  nature,  the  vegetable  and  animal  productions.  The  times 
when  the  trees  and  plants  put  forth  their  buds,  leaves,  flowers,  and 
fruit;  or  when  the  different  seeds  are  planted,  spring  up,  are  in  blossom, 
produce  their  fruit,  and  are  gathered;  also  when  the  birds  of  passage,  or 
other  migratory  animals,  make  their  approach  or  departure.  Observa- 
vations  upon  such  phenomena  are,  perhaps,  the  truest  that  can  be  made 
to  ascertain  the  relative  temperature  of  different  climates. 

Tiic  following  tal)les  of  the  state  of  vegetation,  taken  from  an  Ame- 
rican writer,  will  shew  the  seasons  of  harvest  in  New  England. 

TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


Elder  .... 

I5ikIs. 

l^i'uves. 

I'lowijrs. 

Maluiitv. 

April     5 

April  14 

June   Id 

Gooseberry  . 

(j 

16 

Mav     9 

July  20 

Currant  .   .   . 

....    r, 

16 

] 

1 

Raspberrx  .   . 

() 

17 

27 

5 

Strawbcrrv   . 

-JO 

20 

4 

June  28 

^^■ild  Chorrv 

20 

28 

4 

28 

U'ild   IMumb 

20 

:May      4 

1  . 

Aug.  12 

Apj)le  Tree  . 

22 

I 

12 

18 

rRODUCE 


COMPARATlVi;  STATE  OF  VEGETATION— rno~!T. 


61 


PRODUCE   OF   THE    FIELD. 


Flax 

Spring   \Vli«^at 
Winter  Wheat 

Oats 

Pease 

I'arley 

Rye 

Indian  Corn    - 
Hay 

Sov-n. 

Flowers. 

Gathered. 

April  1() 

15 

Sept.     I 
April  20 
---.    10 

20 

Mar.   20 
Mav    15 

.lune  25 
Mav    .SO 
-  -  -  -  20 

June     7 
May    2() 
June    10 
Mav    27 
July    12 

Aug.      1 
----   15 
1 

20 

July       1 

28 

28 

Oct.        1 
Julv     10 

The  frost  commences  about  the  beguming  of  October,  and  continues  • 
in  a  slight  degree  till  the  middle  of  May;  but  it  is  seldom  severe  till 
December,  and  generally  ceases  at  the  end  of  March.  The  first  ef- 
fects are  not  sufficient  to  freeze  the  leaves  of  the  trees,  or  other  vege- 
tables; it  only  produces  the  congelation  of  the  dews  and  vapors,  and  as 
these  are  only  to  be  found  in  low  and  moist  land,  such  places  first  feel 
the  effects  of  the  frost.  Where  the  ground  is  not  covered  with  snow, 
the  frost  penetrates  three  or  four  feet,  and  waters  have  been  frozen  thirty 
inches. 


"  God  tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb,"  is  a  saying  not  more 
trite  than  true.  Accordingly,  we  find  that  the  severest  weather  never 
kills  the  5^oung  trees,  and  rarely  freezes  the  young  cattle,  although  they 
are  seldom  housed  during  the  winter.  The  human  constitution  too, 
seems  inured  to  the  cold,  the  winter  season  being  the  most  healthy. 


The  winds  in  North  America  receive  their  general  direction  from  the 
situation  of  the  sea-coast,  mountains,  and  large  rivers.  Hence  south- 
west, and  north-east  winds  prevail.  The  former  are  warm,  moist,  and  re- 
laxing— the  latter  dry,  cooling,  and  bracing.  They  sometimes  rage 
with  great  fury  for  two  or  three  days,  and  whirlwinds  are  too  frequent. 


I2 


The 


•  )-. 


WIND-;— QrANTiTV    OF    KAlN. 


Tlu'  followint,'  Table  of  the  directions  of  the  winils,  at  ditterent  places 
on  tli;^  continent,  will  give  the  best  view  of  their  comparative  courses  — 
deduced  from  a  nund)er  of  observations. 


N. 

N.I  . 

v.. 

S.  1., 

s. 

s.w. 

^^ . 

N .  W 

.Alarvland  -  - 

9 

59 

71 

72 

53 

45 

8 

207 

524 

Viryinia-  -  - 

122 

110 

104 

45 

22 

185 

70 

82 

740 

Pennsylvania 

31 

56 

25 

32 

45 

97 

69 

ill 

466  , 

Massachusfcts 

61 

127 

111 

36 

86 

271 

177 

226 

1095 

Vermont  -  - 

153 

13 

16 

76 

272 

182 

125 

258 

109.5 

Quebec  -  -  - 

1 

194 

0 

1 

14 

26 1 

2 

35 

508 

Hudson's  Bay 

169 

78 

86 

51 

83 

70 

159 

359 

1055 

Rhode  Island 

59 

127 

109 

50 

93 

280 

166 

220 

lOOo 

The  quantity  of  rain  Avhich  falls  in  America,  where  meteorological 
observations  have  been  made,  is  found  to  be  more  than  double  that 
which  generally  falls  in  the  same  latitude  in  Europe;  and  yet  the  lantis 
often  surter  bv  drought  in  some  places.  These  observations  are  best 
explained  by  a  general  Table. 


RAIN    IN 

January  - 
February  - 
March  -  - 
AiDril  -  -  - 

iMay 

June 

July 

August-  - 
September 
October  - 
November 
December 

MEAN     ALIITI'DK     IN     INtllK.-. 

b.    ^_aio.uij. 

\'iiL'  'iJ.        1     MaiJ^tiii^oi-.    ,        Venn. Mil 

2,6'J4 
3,735 
3,329 
2,074 
3,975 
6,009 
5,840 
6,964 
4,944 
2,450 
1,195 
1,523 

3,195 
2,049 
3,950 
3,680 
2,871 
3,571 
4.497 
9.153 
4,761 
3,633 
2,617 
2,877 

3,503 
2,6 18 
2,51 6 
2,725 
5,8G1 
2,083 
2,221 
2,278 
3,791 
2,466 
l,8.')l 
3,483 

3,497 
2,784 
3,102 
3,112 
4,716 
3,914 
2,313 
2,313 
2,481 
5,662 
4,101 
3,491 

47,666 

47,038 

35,396 

41,179 

On 


ALTERATION    OF   THE   CLIMATE.  63 

On  the  2:2d  of  October,  1785,  was  the  greatest  fall  of  ra'm  ever  rc- 
membsred  in  one  day  in  this  part  of  the  globe,  being  5,217  inches. 

The  climate  lias  altered  considerably  within  a  few  years,  and  the  same- 
observation  is  made  in  Europe.  Ceesarsays,  that  diu'ing  the  winters  of 
his  wars,  he  passed  with  his  army  the  frozen  rivers  of  Germany  and 
Gaul,  in  his  line  of  march,  with  his  baggage,  &c.  A  similar  circum- 
stance favored  the  French  in  the  year  1795,  but  that  winter  was  uncom- 
monly severe  in  Europe,  and  mild  in  America.  Instead  of  remaining- 
fixed  and  settled  as  formerly,  the  climate  is  perpetually  changing  and 
altering,  in  all  its  circumstances  and  affections;  and  this  change  of  late 
has  been  so  rapid  and  constant,  as  to  become  the  subject  of  common 
observation.  This  has  been  remarked  in  every  part  of  the  United  States,, 
but  it  is  most  sensible  and  apparent  in  a  new  country,  suddenly  changing 
from  a  state  of  vast  uncultivated  wildness,  to  that  of  numerous  settle- 
ments and  extensive  improvements.  When  the  settlers  move  into  a- 
new  tov^nship,  their  first  business  is  to  cut  down  trees,  clear  the  land,  and 
sow  grain.  The  earth  is  no  sooner  laid  open  to  the  iuiluence  of  ihesim 
and  winds,  than  the  effects  of  cultivation  begin  to  appear.  The  surface 
of  the  earth  becomes  \\arm  and  dry;  and  as  settlements  increase,  these 
effects  are  more  general  and  extensive.  The  cold  decreases,  .the  earth- 
and  air  become  warm,  and  the  whole  temperature  of  the  climate  be- 
comes more  equal  and  moderate.  The  stagnant  pools  disappear,  and 
redundant  waters  are  every  where  carried  off.  The  snows  decrease  ;  the 
winds  receive  new  directions ;  and  the  seasons  become  much  altered. 
These  changes  every  where  attend  the  cultivation  of  the  country,  and 
have  produced  a  remarkable  change  of  the  climate  in  those  states  which, 
have  been  long  settled. 

The  effect  of  cultivation  with  regard  to  the  heat  of  the  earth,  so  far 
as  it  can  be  collected  from  experiment,  is  great.  The  exposure  of  the 
land  to  the  full  force  of  the  solar  rays  in  tliis  latitude,  will  produce  heat 

at 


04  VARIATION   OF  SEASONS. 

at  tlie  dci)th  of  ten  inches  below  the  surface,  ton  or  eleven  degrees 
i>Teater  than  that  which  prevails  in  the  uncultivated  parts  of  the  coun- 
try;  and  this  effect  continues,  so  that  such  rays  are  sufficierit  to  increase 
the  heat  of  the  earth.  This  additional  heat  in  the  earth  will  sullice  to 
effect  the  same  alteration  in  the  temperature  of  the  air;  for,  whatever 
degree  of  heat  prevails  in  the  earth,  nearly  the  same  will  be  communi- 
cated to  the  lower  parts  of  the  atmosphere.  Thus,  the  earth  and  air, 
in  the  cultivated  parts  of  the  country,  are  heated  in  consequence  of  their 
cultivation,  ten  or  eleven  degrees  more  than  they  were  in  their  natural 
state. 

In  new  settlements,  this  change  is  effected  in  two  or  three  years. 
Fields  of  corn  and  wheat  are  attended  with  the  most  rapid  vegetation, 
and  the  greatest  increase  on  land,  which,  a  few  years  betbre,  had  been 
inundated  with  standing  waters.  One  of  the  best  effects  of  cultivation 
is  the  dispersion  of  these  waters,  by  which  a  swamp  is  changed  into  a 
fertile  meadow. 

Though  the  seasons  have  become  more  variable  and  uncertain,  yet 
the  heat  and  cold  in  the  different  seasons  are  as  intense  as  at  the  first 
attempt  to  plant  New  England  ;  but  not  perhaj)s  of  such  long  duration. 
The  w  inter  season  is  of  late  years  subject  to  great  and  sudden  thaws. 
The  spring  is  veiy  uncertain  :— after  two,  and  sometimes  three  weeks  of 
inviting  weather,  which  tempts  the  gardener  to  commit  his  seed  to  the 
earth,  a  sudden  and  severe  storm  of  snow,  attended  with  frost,  will,  in 
a  night,  blast  his  hopes  of  an  early  crop.  In  the  year  179.5  I  experi- 
enced the  vexation  produced  by  such  a  flattering  spring.  I  had  culti- 
vated my  little  garden,  and  was  anticipating  the  pleasure  I  hoped  to 
derive  in  beholding  the  progressive  advances  to  maturity  of  some  bota- 
nical and  culinary  i)lants  not  common  in  England,  when,  on  thetwentj'- 
sevenih  of  March,  there  fell  the  deepest  snow  for  the  time  I  had  ever 
seen.     This  was  preceded  by  a  sharp  frost,  which  destroyed  my  work, 

and 


SEASONS   AND   WEATHER. 


65 


and  almost  discouraged  me  from  a  second  attempt.  This  variation  be- 
tween heat  and  cold  is  not  only  unfavourable  to  vegetation,  but  attended 
with  danger  to  the  health  of  the  inhabitants.  Tempted  b)^  a  succession 
of  warm  spring  weather  for  a  few  weeks,  they  throw  off  their  winter 
garments,  and  are  too  often  unexpectedly  caught  by  a  cold  north  wind, 
bringing  along  with  it  a  heavy  fall  of  snow. 

The  spring,  from  the  month  of  April  to  the  end  of  June,  and  the 
autumnal  season,  are  delightful.  The  harvest  is  not  fmished  till  the 
end  of  November ;  indeed,  this  month  is  one  of  the  most  agreeable  of  the 
year.  The  distressing  fogs  usual  in  England  about  this  time,  are  rarely 
to  be  seen;  they  are,  however,  frequent  in  the  summer. 

Annual  courses  of  meteorological  observations  properly  reduced,  will 
afford  the  most  complete  information  of  the  M^eather  and  meteors  in 
different  parts  of  North  America.  The  following  statement  is  taken 
from  a  philosophical  work  lately  published  in  New  England. 


The  state  of  the  Weather  at  mndrij  'places  in  North  America,  deduced 

from  annual  observations. 


Places. 

Time. 

Fair 

Cloudy. 

Rain. 

Snow. 

Hail. 

Fog. 

Thun- 
der. 

39 

Aur. 
Bor. 

,,             No.  ot 
""^y-  Observ... 

Marvland  -     - 

1753  Scl  754 

314 

179 

14.J 

21 

7 

10 

—      493 

Philadelphia  - 

l748tol749 

235 

141 

83 

21 

2 

11 

13 

7 

376 

Massachusets  - 

1784  to  1788 

564 

531 

71 

25 

4 

16 

22 

22 

1095 

Vermont   -     - 

1789 

452 

643 

89 

41 

7 

37 

15 

21 

1095 

Quebec     -    - 

l743Scl744 

277 

128 

88 

32 

4 

14 

7 

405 

Hudson's  Bay 

i768&1769 

360 

432 

36 

76 

25 

31 

4 

5 

155 

792 

I  have  observed,  that  the  winters  become  less  severe  in  America  as 
the  country  increases  in  population.  In  some  degree,  this  effect  contri- 
buted to  the  alteration  of  climate  in  many  parts  of  Europe.     The  vast 

forests. 


G(J  SEASONS  AND   WF.ATHEK. 

forests,  into  which  Cocsar  with  difiiculty  jK-netrated,  are  now  cut  down, 
and  the  dreary  wastes  over  which  he  marched  are  now  luxuriant  fields 
of  corn.  It  is,  ho\\'evcr,  certain,  that  in  tlie  poi)ulous  cities  of  New  York 
and  Philadelphia,  the  cold  is  much  more  intense  than  under  the  same 
latitudes  in  the  regions  of  Europe. 


CHAP. 


67 


CHAP.  VIII. 


MULTIPLICATION    OP     WILD    PIGEONS    IN     NEW    ENGLAND — THEIR    ABUNDANCE    IN 
CAROLINA — FECUNDITY    OF    FISH    IN     NEW    ENGLAND. 


JVIR.  Richard  Hazen,  a  land  surveyor,  who,  in  1741,  drew  the  Hne 
which  divides  Massachusets  from  Vermont,  gives  an  interesting  account 
of  the  multiplying  power  of  nature  in  the  wild  pigeon : — 

"  For  three  miles  together,"  says  he,  "  the  pigeons'  nests  were  so 
thick,  that  five  hundred  might  be  reckoned  on  beech  trees  at  one  time  ; 
and  could  they  have  been  counted  on  the  hemlocks  as  well,  he  did 
not  doubt  but  that  five  thousand  might  be  seen  at  one  turn  round. 

"  Twenty-five  nests  were  frequently  found  on  one  beech  tree  in  New- 
England.  The  earth  was  covered  with  these  trees  and  with  hemlocks, 
thus  loaded  with  the  nests  of  pigeons.  For  an  hundred  acres  together, 
the  ground  was  covered  with  their  dung,  to  the  depth  of  two  inches. 
Their  noise  in  the  evening  was  extremely  troublesome,  and  so  great, 
that  the  traveller  could  not  get  any  sleep  where  their  nests  were  thick. 
About  an  hour  before  sun-rise  they  rose  in  such  numbers  as  to  darken 
the  air.  When  the  young  pigeons  were  grown  to  a  proper  size,  it  was 
common  for  the  first  settlers  to  cut  down  the  trees,  and  gather  a  horse 
load  in  a  few  minutes.     The  markets  at  this  season,  even  at  Philadel- 

K  phi  a, 


68  ABL'NDANCF.   OF   WILD    PIGEONS   IN    NEW   ENGLAND. 

phia,  arc  often  overstocked  with  them  ;  a  score  liaving  lately  been  pur- 
chased for  sixpence.  But  as  the  land  becomes  settled,  they  retire  into 
the  back  forests,  where  they  are  at  this  day  in  equal  numbers." 
In  North  Carolina,  wild  f»igeons  or  doves  pass  over  the  country, 
in  such  numbers  as  to  darken  the  air,  devouring  all  kinds  of  grain  in 
their  progress.  A  large  musket,  loaded  with  small  shot,  fn-ed  among 
them,  has  killed  scores ;  and  boys  knock  them  down  with  sticks  and 
stones.  I  did  not  see  this  destructive  phenomenon,  but  was  credibly 
informed  at  ]ulenton,  that  it  occurs  about  once  in  seven,  and  sometimes 
in  ten  years.  During  my  residence  in  that  state,  I  cut  holes  in  the  toj) 
of  my  barn,  and  by  placing  food  on  the  roof"  soon  inticed  about  half 
a  dozen  from  the  adjacent  woods.  In  a  short  time  they  became  do- 
mesticated, and  fed  with  the  fowls  ;  affording  a  constant  and  an  agree- 
able food.  When  I  left  my  residence,  they  had,  notwithstanding  the 
use  I  made  of  the  young  ones,  increased  to  many  score.  They  grew 
so  familiar,  that  they  would  watch  my  appearance  in  the  morning,  and 
perch  vipon  me,  in  hopes  of  obtaining  food,  with  which  it  was  my 
practice  to  supply  them.  They  distinguished  me  from  my  domestics, 
whom  they  would  not  suf^c^r  to  approach  them.  They  would  jiermit 
me  to  go  into  their  dovecote,  without  retreating,  and  the  dam  would 
often  oj)pose  my  taking  her  young  ones. 

In  the  production  of  fish,  nature  seems  to  have  been  equally  prolific 
in  ever}'  part  of  America,  Almost  all  the  difierent  species  that  inhabit 
the  European  seas,  arc  found  there  in  great  numbers ;  but  I  have  not 
observed  the  turbot  or  the  sole.  This  deficiency  is  amply  supplied  in 
New  England  by  a  firm  and  delicious  fish  called  the  sheepshead;  also 
the  black  fish,  ortotog,  which  we  have  not  in  England;  the  sea  bass, 
abundance  of  halibut  and  sturgeon.  The  rivers  of  New  England  abound 
with  salmon,  shad,  trout  of  different  sorts,  and  nearly  every  other  species 
of  fish  found  in  those  of  Euix)pe.  Testaceous  fish  are  also  in  the  greatest 
plenty.  There  are  oyster  beds  on  the  siiores  of  New  York,  Boston, 
and  almost  every  other  sea-|)ort,   of  an   unknown  thickness    producing 

2  '     ovsters 


FECUNDITY    OF  FISH   IN  THAT  COUNTRY.  69 

oysters  five  times  the  size  of  those  esteemed    in   Lotulon ;    a»d  which, 
■with  the  same  maiiagemeut,  would  prove  equally  good. 

The  natural  quality  of  the  uncultivated  soil  in  this  part  of  the  globe  is 
such  as  wonderfully  to  promote  the  increase  offish.  A  dam  was  formerly 
built  across  a  brook  in  New  England,  between  twenty  and  thirty 
feet  wide,  and  two  or  three  deep,  in  which  were  the  trout  and  the 
sucker.  This  dam  was  built  for  the  purpose  of  supplying- water  for 
a  saw-mill,  and  covered,  by  estimation,  al)out  a  thousand  acres,  where 
the  trees  were  thick,  and  the  soil  had  never  been  cultivated.  In  two 
or  three  years,  the  fish  were  multiplied  to  an  incredible  number.  They 
had  become  so  numerous,  that  at  the  upper  end  of  the  pond,  where 
the  brook  fell  into  it,  in  the  spring,  the  fish  were  seen  running  one  over 
another,  embarrassed  with  their  own  numbers,  and  unable  to  escape 
from  any  attempt  that  was  made  to  take  them.  They  were  caught  by 
the  hand  at  pleasure;  and  the  swine  could  catch  them  without  difficulty. 
With  a  net,  the  fishermen  often  take  a  bushel  at  a  draught,  and  repeat 
their  labor  with  the  same  success.  Carts  are  loaded  with  them  in  as 
short  a  time  as  the  people  could  gather  them  up,  M'hen  tiirown  upon 
the  banks  ;  and  it  is  customary  to  sell  them  in  the  fishing  season  for  a 
shilling  per  bushel.  While  they  have  thus  augmented  their  numbers, 
they  have  become  more  than  double  their  former  size.  This  extraor- 
dinary increase  seems  to  be  derived  from  no  other  cause  than  that  of 
collecting  the  waters  in  such  a  quantity  as  to  form  the  pond,  and  thus 
augment  the  means  of  subsistence  by  carrying  the  water  over  a  large  tract 
of  rich,  uncultivated  land.  Circumstances  of  a  similar  nature  generally 
take  place  when  an  artificial  pond  is  made  in  any  part  of  the  country, 
not  before  cultivated,  and  probably  from  the  same  cause." 


K  2  CHAP. 


70 


CHAP.  IX. 


MOUNTAINS  or  THE  UNITED  STATES  —  THE  BLUE  EIDGE — THE  WHITE  MOUN- 
TAINS—THE ALLEOANY  MO  U  NTAl  NS— L  A  K  ES  — S  U  R  V  E  Y  OF  THOSE  WITHIN  THE 
TERRITORY  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REPU  BLI  C— L  A  K  E  SU  PERIOR  — HURON  — E  R  1  E  — 
ONIAKIO  — LAST  ENGAGEMENT  BETWEEN  THE  AMERICAN  TUOOl'S  AN  D  TH  B 
SAVAGES. 


Nature  is  exhibited  upon  a  large  scale  in  America.  The  lakes^ 
rivers,  and  mountains  are  of  a  greater  extent  and  magnitude  than  in 
any  other  known  parts  of  the  earth,  and  the  quadrupeds  are  larger  and 
stronger  than  those  of  Europe. 

The  loftiest  part  of  the  Andes  or  Cordilleras  mountains  in  South 
America,  has  been  found  by  some  geographers  to  be  20,66:3  feet ;  and 
by  others  20,590  feet  in  height,*  which  is  4,917  feet  higher  than  Mount 
Blanc,  in  Savoy.  This  is  the  highest  known  mountain  in  the  world, 
and  though  in  the  torrid  zone,  is  constantly  covered  with  snow.  In 
Virginia,  according  to  Mr.  Jefferson,  the  mountains  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
and  those  of  the  Peaks  of  Otter,  are  thought  to  be  of  the  greatest 
elevation,  measured  from  their  base.  "  From  data,"  saith  he,  "which 
may  be  found  a  tolerable  conjecture,  we  suppose  the  highest  peak  to  be 
about  4000  lect  perpendicular." 

*  The  American  Geography,  by  J.  Morse,  describes  the  Andes  in  South  America,  to  stretch  along 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  from  the  Isthmus  of  Darien  to  the  Strtighls  of  Magellan,  4300  miles  :  and  the  height 
•if  Chimhorazo,  the  most  elcvatt-d  point  of  this  vast  chain  of  mountains,  to  be  20,280  feet,  which  is 
above  h  ,000  higher  than  any  other  mountain  of  the  known  world. 

3  III 


MOUNTAINS  OF   THE  UNITED  STATES.  71 

In  New  England,  the  White  Mountains  of  Ncav  Hampshire  are 
the  highest.  The  history  of  that  state  by  Belknap  does  not  give  their 
height  by  geometrical  observation,  but  says,  that  their  summit  is  below 
the  point  of  perpetual  congelation.  On  the  19th  day  of  June,  1774, 
on  the  south  side,  in  one  of  the  gullies,  the  snow  was  five  feet  deep. 
On  the  the  first  of  September,  1783,  the  tops  of  the  mountains  were 
covered  with  ice  and  snow.  In  July,  1784,  snow  was  seen  on  the 
south  side  of  the  highest  mountain  ;  as  it  also  was  in  August,  1790. 
These  are  the  hottest  months  of  the  year  in  America.  In  general,  the 
mountains  begin  to  be  covered  with  snow  in  September  ;  but  it  goes  off 
ai-ain,  and  seldom  becomes  fixed  until  the  end  of  October,  or  the  be- 
ginning  of  November.  These  mountains  are  in  latitude  44  deg. 
lo  min.  north. 

The  Allegany  IMonntains  are  also  of  surprising  extent.  They  reach, 
with  but  few  broken  ridges,  from  Hudson's  River  to  Georgia,  from 
about  45  to  32  deg.  north  latitude.  In  these  mountains  are  large  veins 
of  coal ;  and  though  that  article  is  procured  with  far  greater  facility 
than  at  Newcastle  and  Sunderland,  it  is  more  than  three  times  the  price, 
and  of  a  much  inferior  quality.  Iron  and  other  metals  are  supposed  to 
he  buried  in  these  mountains,  but  the  variety  of  objects  which  are  daily 
presenting  themselves  to  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  in  trade  and 
■speculation,  have  hitherto  prevented  their  being  explored. 

An  American  bard,  who  styles  himself  M'Fingal,  but  whose  doggrel 
proves  him  to  be  no  relative  of  the  ancient  Caledonian  bard  of  that 
name,  in  a  poem  written  during  the  late  war,  and  greatly  admired  by 
his  countrymen,  comparing  the  extent  of  Great  Britain  with  the  size 
©f  their  lakes,  says, 

"  Its  «»i«K  extension,  longsupply'd 
By  vast  immensity  of  pride  : 
So  small,  that  had  it  found  a  station 
In  this  new  world  at  first  creation  ; 

Ahd 


•72  LAKES. 

And  for  its  crirtiM  transported  over,  ) 

\\'f'd  liiul  full  room  for't  in  Lalie  Erie,. or      > 
That  larger  water  pond,  Sii]'eiinr,  j 

yXhcrt  \ortli,*  on  margin  taking  stand, 
Would  not  see  shore  from  either  strand." 

The  late  gcosfrapher  to  the  United  States,  Mr.  Hutchins,  has  given 
the  following  survey  ol  those  parts  t)t'  these  lakes,  or  inland  seas,  within 
the  territories  of"  the   American  republic: 

ACRES. 

Lake  Superior, 2l,ij52,780 

.          Lake  Michigan, 1 0. ^68,000  [SlfsulS 

Lake  Huron,   -.--:-.  5,00!),920 

Lake  Erie, 2,66£,800 

Lake  Ontario, 2,390,000 

Lake  of  the  Woods,       -     -    -    -  1,333,800 

Bay  Puan, 1,216,000 

Red  Lake, 551,000 

Lake  Rain, 165,000 

Lake  St.  Clair, 89,500 

Lake  Champlain,.  which  was  crossed  by  General  Burgoyne's  army, 
is  not  noticed  in  this  report.  Its  length  is  two  hundred  miles,  reckon- 
ing from  Fairhaven  to  Saint  John's.  It  is  from  one  to  eighteen  miles 
broad,  and  the  mean  width  about  five  miles.  It  therefore  will  be  found 
to  cover  one  thousand  square  miles,  or  640,000  acres.  It  is  of  suffi- 
cient depth  for  large  ships;  and  loniains  several  islaiiils,  one  of  which 
called  Grand  Isle,  is  twenty-lour  miles  long,  and  ti'om  two  to  four 
miles  wide. 

The   survey  of  Mr.  Hutchins   extends  only  to  that  part  of  these 

•  Lord  North — Imputing  to  him  the  long  continuance  of  the  war,  the  Americans  by  no  means  venerate 
his  character. 

waters 


LAKE  SLTERTOR.  73 

waters  comprised  within  tlie  territory  of  the  United  States.  As  the 
division  Hne,  or  boundary,  strikes  nearly  through  tlte  middle  of  these 
lakes,  except  Lake  Michigan,  we  may  infer  l.hut  they  are  nearly  twice 
as  large  as  the  idea  convejed  by  this  computation  ;  but  this  may  be 
made  more  clear  by  pursuing  the  American  geography. 

I^ake  Superior  is  confessedly  the  largest  body  of  fresh  water  upon  the 
earth.  Accordii]ig  to  the  French  charts,  it  is  fifteen  hundred  miics  in 
circumference;  but  ]Mr.  Carver,  one  of  the  most  accurate  Avriters  on 
America,  supposes,  that  if  the  utmost  extent  of  every  bay  was  taken, 
it  would  exceed  sixteen  hundred.  A  great  part  of  the  coast  is  bounded 
by  rocks  and  uneven  ground.  The  water  is  pure  and  transparent,  and 
appears  generally  throughout  the  lake,  to  lie  upon  a  vast  bed  of  rocks. 
Dr.  Hallev  has  given  it  as  his  opinion,  that  all  perennial  lakes  are 
saline,  either  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  and  that  this  saline  quality 
increases  with  time  ;  and  on  this  foundation  he  proposes  a  method  for 
determining  the  age  of  the  world. 

There  are  lakes  in  many  parts  that,  from  their  vicinity  to  the  sea, 
are  impregnated  with  salts.  But  this  wonderful  body  of  water,  called 
Lake  Superior,  has  been  Ibund  by  chemical  process  to  be  as  free  from 
salt  as  an  inland  brook ;  and  although  the  surface,  during  the  heat  of 
summer,  is  affected  by  the  sun,  yet  on  letting  down  a  bottle  to  the 
depth  of  a  fathom,  the  water  drawn  up  is  so  excessively  cold,  that  when 
taken  into  the  mouth  it  has  the  same  effect  as  ice. 

This  lake  lies  between  46  and  57  degrees  north  latitude,  and  be- 
tween 9  and  1 8  degrees  west  longitude  from  the  meridian  of  Philadel- 
phia. It  contains  many  islands;  one  of  them,  called  Isle  Royal,  is 
about  an  hundred  miles  long,  and  forty  miles  broad. 

The  Nipegon  and  Michi[)icooton,  two  large  rivers,  empty  themselves 
into  Lake  Superior.     Not  far  from  the  former  is  a  small  river,  remark- 
able 


74  LAKE   HURON. 

al)lc  i'or  a  jjcM-peiulicular  fall,  of  upwards  of  six  hundred  feet,  from  the 
top  of  a  mountain.  Surveyed  at  a  distance,  it  appears  hke  a  white 
ribband  suspended  in  tlie  air.  Upwards  of  tliirty  other  rivers  discharge 
themselves  into  this  lake.  On  the  banks  of  one,  there  is  abundance  of 
virgin  copper,  and  cop|)er  ore  in  immense  beds.  It  is  ascertained  that 
this  valuable  metal  might  be  conveyed  through  the  different  lakes  and 
rivers  nearly  to  Philadelphia;  yet  it  lies  neglected.  Lake  Superior 
abounds  with  fish,  particularly  trout,  which  have  been  caught  of  the 
stuprising  weight  of  filty  pounds.  It  is  agitated  by  storms,  like  the 
Atlantic  Ocean ;  and  like  that  sea,  is  in  many  places  unfathomable, 
or  out  of  soundings. 

There  is  but  one  outlet  to  this  great  body  of  water.  It  is  called  the 
Streights  of  Saint  Mary,  through  which,  it  is  conjectured  that  not  one 
tenth  part  can  pass.  How  the  su})erabundance  is  disposed  of,  is  yet 
unknown.  Nearly  forty  rivers  are  constantly  running  into  it,  and  some 
of  them  almost  as  large  as  the  outlet  of  St.  Mary. 

From  Lake  Superior,  through  the  Streights  of  St.  Mar}',  we  come 
to  Lake  Huron.  The  American  Geography  says  that  this  lake  "  is 
next  in  magnitude  to  Lake  Superior."  The  boundary  line  through 
Lake  Huron  reserves  the  greatest  part  of  it  to  Great  Britain  ;  in  this, 
partis  an  island  called  Manataulin,  or  the  place  of  spirits,  which  is 
held  sacred  by  the  Indians.  This  lake  communicates  with  Lake 
Michigan  by  the  Streights  of  Michillimackinac.  It  is  remarkable  that 
although  there  is  no  diurnal  flood  or  ebb  to  be  perceived  in  the  waters 
of  these  streights,  yet,  from  an  exact  attention  to  th(Mr  state,  a  ))eriodi- 
cal  alteration  has  been  discovered.  It  has  been  observed  that  they  rise 
by  gradual,  but  imperceptible  degrees,  till,  in  seven  years  and  a  half, 
tliey  have  reached  the  heigiil  of  about  three  feet ;  and  in  the  same  space 
of  time  they  gradually  fall  away  to  their  former  state,  so  that  in  fifteen 
years  they  complete  this  inexplicable  revolution. 

From 


LAKES— FORTS.  /J 

From  Lake  Huron,  through  the  small  Lake  of  St,  Clair,  (though 
this  small  lake  is  ninety  miles  in  circumference)  we  come  to  Lake  Erik. 
"  It  is  nearly  three  hundred  miles  long,  and  about  forty  in  its  broadest 
part,"  The  American  bard  -v-sould  therefore  have  been  puzzled  to 
place  Great  Britain,  or  even  that  part  of  it  called  England,  in  these 
dimensions. 

Poets,  however,  must  in  all  parts  of  the  world  have  unlimited  li- 
cence :  and,  doubtless,  England  might  have  floated  on  Lake  Erie  in 
this  bard's  brain.  Were  we  not  to  allow  the  poets  their  flights  of 
fancy,  we  might  have  lost  the  Trojan  wars,  Milton's  heroic  devils,  and 
many  other  sublime  productions  of  the  human  mind. 

Lake  Erie  is  the  most  dangerous,  both  for  navigation  and  the  nume- 
rous species  of  serpents  with  which  it  abounds.  It  was,  perhaps,  on 
this  account  that  the  American,  M'Fingal,  wished  to  assign  this  situa- 
tion to  England.  "  The  margin  of  this  lake  in  many  places  is  covered 
with  the  large  pond  lily,  the  leaves  of  which  float  on  the  surfac'5  of  the 
water  so  thick  as  to  cover,  it  entirely  for  many  acres  together.  On 
these  leaves,  in  the  summer  season,  lie  myriads  of  water  snakes,  bask- 
ing in  the  sun."  jMr,  Carver's  account  of  the  hissing  snake  is  sup- 
posed to  be  fabulous. 

This  lake  at  the  north-east  communicates  with  Lake  Ontario,  In'  the 
river  Niagara.  On  the  eastern  shore  of  this  river  the  British  established 
a  fort,  and  kept  possession  of  it  until  the  commercial  treaty  with 
America,  though  decidedly  v.  ithin  the  boundary  line  of  the  United 
States.  Another  fort  was  in  like  manner  maintained  by  Great  Britain 
on  the  banks  of  the  ]Miamis  river,  near  Detroit,  between  the  Lakes 
Erie  and  Ontario.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  latter  fort,  the  last  battle  took 
place  between  the  troops  of  the  United  States  and  the  savages.  This 
engagement  was  an  interesting  event  to  America,  and  having  nearly 
involved  a  question  that  might  ultimately  have  been  attended  with 

L  serious 


\ 


76  WAR   WITH    THE   INDIANS. 

serious  consequences  to  England  and  tiie  United  States,  a  short  sketch 
of  the  event  may  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  reader. 

The  cause  of  this  war  is  well  known  ;  and  it  is  scarcely  necessary 
to  observe  tliat  the  Americans  charge  the  Indians  with  being  thq 
aggressors. 

In  the  summer  of  1794,  Major-Gcneral  Wayne,  at  the  head  of  an 
American  army,  amounting  to  about  three  thousand  effective  men, 
marched  against  the  warlike  tribes  of  Indians,  on  the  north-west  of  the 
Ohio,  consisting  of  the  Delawares,  the  Shawanese,  the  Miamis,  the 
Wyandotts,  and  some  others,  then  at  war  with  tlie  United  States, 
They  w^ere  assisted,  according  to  the  general's  report,  by  the  Canadian 
militia,  and  some  volunteers. 

On  the  13th  of  August  he  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  the  enemj',  when 
he  issued  a  proclamation,  inviting  them  to  terms  of  jieacc ;  "\\  hich  was 
disregarded.  On  the  iOth  his  army  marched  in  columns.  Alter  his 
advanced  party,  which  consisted  ot"  cavalry,  had  proceeded  five  miles, 
they  received  so  severe  and  sudden  a  fire  from  the  Indians,  who  were 
concealed  in  the  woods  and  high  grass,  as  compelled  them  to  retreat. 
The  general  immediately  formed  his  army  in  two  lines,  principally  in  a 
thick  wood,  which  extended  several  miles  on  his  left,  and  for  a  consider- 
able distance  in  front.  The  ground  was  covered  with  fallen  timber,  pro- 
bably occasioned  by  a  tornado,  which  rendered  it  impracticable  for  his 
cavalry  to  act  with  effect ;  he  therefore  attempted  to  turn  the  flank  of 
the  savages  with  them,  by  a  circuitous  route.  He  had  discovered  his 
enemy  drawn  up  in  three  lines,  within  supporting  distance  of  each  otlnT. 
At  the  same  time  he  ordered  his  front  hue  to  advance,  and  charge  with 
trailed  arms,  to  rouse  the  Indians  Irom  their  coverts,  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  and  when  u|),  to  fire  and  charge,  so  as  not  to  give  them  time 
to  load  again.  Another  legion  of  cavalry  was  directed  to  attempt  (o 
turn  their  left  flank.     By  these  manoeuvres  the  Indians  wejre  soon  dii- 

lo'Jged; 


SPIRITED  COKDUCT  OF   MAJOR   CAMPBELL.  77 

lodged;  but  thev  killed  many  of  the  general's  troops  in  their  retreat. 
The  vanquished  fled  hrough  the  wood,  and  the  Americans  pursued  them 
under  the  guns  of  the  Briti  h  garrison  on  the  banks  of  the  Miamis.  The 
American  army  destroyed  all  the  houses  and  corn-fields  for  a  consider- 
able distance,  both  above  and  below  Fort  Miamis.  They  lost  in  this 
action,  one  captain,  one  lieutenant,  three  Serjeants,  and  twenty-eight 
privates,  killed;  also  four  captains,  two  lieutenants,  one  ensign,  four 
sergeants,  four  corporals,  two  musicians,  and  eighty-four  privates,  wound- 
ed. The  loss  on  the  part  of  the  savages  was  not  ascertained.  The 
bodies  of  more  than  thirty  of  them  were  found  after  the  engagement ; 
and  from  their  sudden  retreat,  it  is  probable  that  this  was  nearly  the 
whole  loss  they  sustained. 

•  The  Indians  alledged  that  they  were  taken  by  surprize ;  for,  having 
waited  in  ambush  two  daj's  without  food,  and  conceiving  that  General 
Wa  vne  had  pursued  a  different  route,  they  were  taking  some  refreshment 
at  the  very  moment  he  suddenly  came  upon  them,  and  began  the  ac- 
tion. This  is  highly  probable,  for,  had  the  Americans  fallen  into  their 
ambush,  they  might  have  shared  the  fate  of  Braddock  and  St.  Clair. 
Be  it  as  it  midit,  the  savasres  received  the  Americans  with  a  resolution 
which  induced  their  commander  to  believe  that  they  were  assisted  by 
the  British  from  P'ort  Miamis,  in  sight  of  the  field  of  battle.  Under  this 
impression,  a  detachment  advanced  in  a  m.enacing  manner  to  within 
pistol-shot  of  the  fort.  Upon  this,  the  commanding  officer,  Major,  since 
General  Campbell,  of  the  24th  regiment  of  foot,  wrote  to  General 
Wayne  to  know  in  what  light  he  was  to  view  such  conduct,  observing, 
that  he  knew  of  no  war  between  the  king  whom  he  served  and  the 
United  States.  The  general,  in  his  answer,  alluded  to  the  battle  of  the 
preceding  day  with  the  hordes  of  savages,  in  the  vicinity  ot"  the  fort 
and  asserted  that,  in  case  the  Indians  had  been  driven  under  the  influ- 
tnce  of  the  British  cannon,  they  would  not  much  have  impeded  the  pro- 
gress of  his  victorious  arm}'.  After  this,  Wayne,  in  person,  descended 
to  approach  the  fort,  and  insult  the  British  flag,  as  it  were  to  provoke  the 

L  2  garrison 


78  TREATY   WJTd   TUE   INDIANS. 

garrison  to  fire,  and  thus  involve  the  two  countries  in  the  calamities  of 
a  new  war.  Major  Caiiii)bell  then  wrote,  that  if  lie  should,  after  that 
notice,  "  approach  his  post  in  the  threatcninf>-  manner  he  was  at  that 
moment  doinjx,  his  indispensable  duty  to  his  king  and  countrv  wouUl 
oblige  him  to  have  recourse  to  those  measures  which  thousands  of  both 
nations  might  have  cause  to  regret,  and  which  he  solemnly  appealed  to 
God  he  had  used  his  utmost  endeavours  to  avert."  This  spirited  remon- 
strance appears  to  have  irritated  the  American  commander,  as,  in  reply, 
he  domainlcd,  in  the  name  of  the  president  of  the  United  States,  that 
he  should  innnediately  desist  from  acts  of  hostility  or  aggression,  by  for- 
bearing to  fortify  the  place,  and  withdrawing  the  troops,  artillery,  and 
stores,  under  his  command.  The  major,  whose  force  did  not  exceed 
two  hundred  effective  men,  answered  in  these  words,  "  permit  me  to 
inform  you,  that  I  certainly  will  not  abandon  this  post  at  the  summons 
of  any  power  whatever,  until  I  receive  orders  from  those  I  have  the  ho- 
nour to  serve,  or  the  fortune  of  war  should  oblige  me.  I  must  still  add 
here.  Sir,  to  the  purport  of  my  letter  this  morning,  to  desire  that  your- 
army,  or  individuals  belonging  to  it,  will  not  approach  within  reach  of 
uiy  cannon,  without  expecting  the  consequences  attending  it." 

The  Americans  charged  the  British  with  assisting  the  Indians,  and 
General  \Vayne,  in  his  account  of  the  battle,  makes  use  of  this  ex- 
pression, "  the  Indians  and  Caimdian  MU'itiu,  and  J^oluiitcers,  were 
driven  from  all  their  coverts."  There  might  probably  have  been  some 
young  Canadians,  who  are  scarcely  a  degree  removed  from  the  savage, 
in  the  Indian  army,  but  the  charge  of  militia  or  volunteers,  organized 
under  the  British  government,  assisting  them,  was  \\'ithout  foundation. 
It  has  since  appeared,  that  when  the  Indians  found  the  English  did  not 
ijrc'  upon  General  \Vayne's  army,  which  they  were  taught  by  the  Ca- 
nadians to  expect,  should  he  shew  himself  before  the  Ibrt,  and  that  no 
assistance  whatever  was  given  to  their  cause  by  the  British,  they  sued 
ibr  peace,  and  commissioners  soon  settled  the  terms  with  the  savage 
chiefs. 

The 


STRATAGEM  OF  GENLRAL  WAYNE.  79 

The  Americans  having  buried  their  dead,  marched  ofF  the  ground, 
without  replying  to  Major  Campbell's  last  notice,  or  making  any  at- 
tempt upon  the  fort.  Thus  happily  ended  this  very  critical  affair,  which 
might  have  been  attended  with  the  most  dreadful  consetiuences  to  both 
countries, 

"  In  naming  this  subject,  Mr.  ^'\'eld  says  :  "  Before  they  began  to 
eat,  the  Indians  had  divided  themselves,  I  must  observe,  into  three 
divisions,  in  order  to  march  into  another  quarter,  where  thej'  hoped  to 
surprise  the  army  of  the  United  States.  In  this  situation,  however, 
they  were  themselves  surprised  by  General  Wayne,  He  had  received 
intelligence  from  his  scouts,  now^  equally  cunning  wnth  those  of  the 
Indians,  of  their  proceedings,  and  having  made  some  motions  as  if  he 
intended  to  move  to  another  part  of  the  country,  in  order  to  put  them 
off  their  guard,  he  suddenly  turned,  and  sent  his  light  horse  pouring 
down  on  them  when  they  least  expected  it.  The  Indians  were  thrown 
into  confusion,  a  circumstance  which  with  them  never  fails  to  occasion 
a  defeat;  they  made  but  a  faint  resistance,  and  then  fled  with  precipi- 
tancy."— And  again, 

"  How  absurd  this  whole  plan  was,  however,  was  plainly  to  be  de- 
duced from  the  following  circumstance,  allowed  both  by  the  general 
and  his  aides-de-camp,  nameh",  that  during  the  whole  action  the  Ameri- 
can army  did  not  see  fifty  Indians;  and  indeed,  every  person  who  has 
read  an  account  of  the  Indians,  must  know  that  they  never  come  into 
the  field  in  such  regular  array,  but  always  fight  under  covert,  behind- 
trees  or  bushes,  in  the  most  irregular  manner," 


CHAJP. 


80 


CHAP.   X. 


EXCURSION  IN  CONNECTICUT — SUBSTANTIAL  BREAKFAST — Dl  NN  ER— HORSE  — CORN 
GENERAL  ASPECT  OF  THE  COUNTRY — FROGS  —  MANNERS  OF  THE  INHABI- 
TANTS—  EFFECT  OF  REPUBLICAN  PRINCIPLES — DANGEROUS  PASSAGE  OF  HELL 
GATE — NEW  YORK  —  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  CITY  —  MACHINATIONS  OF  GENET, 
THE    FRENCH    AMBASSADOR — DALLAS,    THE    AMERICAN    SECRETARY    OF    STATE. 


An  excursion  through  Connecticut,  and  part  of  Massachusets,  afford- 
ed me  an  opportunity  of"  observing  the  mode  of  travelling,  and  tlic  ac- 
commodations on  the  road.  In  order  to  view  the  country  at  n)y  leisure, 
I  purchased  a  horse,  which,  with  a  tolerable  bridb-  and  saddle,  cost  me 
sixty  dollars.  Upon  my  new  purchase  I  set  uut,  before  the  break  of  day, 
from  New  London,  in  order  to  arrive  at  Norwich  before  the  smi  ac- 
quired his  full  power.  After  riding  three  hours,  I  stoj)jicd  at  a  decent 
looking  house,  with  a  vile  daub  of  General  Washington  for  a  sign,  in 
order  to  feed  my  nag,  which  had  ingratiated  himself  in  my  favor  by 
this  morning's  performance,  and  to  take  breakfast.  I  was  greatly  sur- 
prized to  see  a  hot  beef-steak,  swimming  in  grease  and  onions,  brought 
upon  the  table ;  and  still  more  so  to  find  this  substantia!  dish  fbllo^ved  by 
another  of  fried  eggs  and  bacon.  My  ride  liad  sharpened  my  appetite, 
so  that  the  fume  of  these  smoaking  dishes  was  by  no  means  unpleasant, 
They  remained  upon  the  table  till  nearly  cold,  before  a  single  person 
came  into  the  room.  IMy  patience  was  exhausted — hunger  drove  away 
ceremony  ;  I  could  no  longer  restrain  its  calls,  and  therefore  commenced 
an  attack,  for  the  first  tiihe  in  my  lifl',  upon  a  clumsy  beef-steak,  at 
2  eight 


SUBSTANTIAL  BREAKFASTS.  81 

in  the  morning.  I  sa^v  no  appearance  of  tea  or  coffee,  and  concluded 
that  I  must  make  a  dinner  instead  of  a  breakfast,  but  in  a  Httle  time  the 
room  began  to  fill  with  country-looking  people  of  l)0th  sexes,  to  my 
confusion — for  I  was  stared  at  with  looks  not  very  prepo^^sessing,  till  I 
observed,  that  being  a  stranger,  in  haste  to  pursue  mv  journey,  not 
knowing  company  were  expected,  and  above  all,  the  steak  cooling,  I 
had  began  to  eat.  Very  little  notice  was  taken  of  my  apology,  but 
each  followed  my  example,  with  stomachs  not  a  whit  less  keen  than  my 
own.  If,  methought,  looking  round  the  table,  and  fixing  my  eyes  upon 
a  pretty  girl,  who  was  too  deeply  engaged  with  a  plateful  of  eggs  and 
bacon  to  notice  me, — if  you  make  a  practice  of  breaking  your  fast  thus, 
pretty  damsel,  you  must  surely  be  a  maiden  of  the  days  of  Queen  Bess, 
preferring  "  to  such  slip-slops  as  tea  the  leg  of  an  Ox."  A  few  days 
convinced  me  that  this  is  the  daily  custom  in  the  morning  with  this  class 
of  people,  who  must  have  something  hot  and  substantial.  Besides  this 
fere,  let  me  not  forget  to  mention,  we  were  served  with  some  most  de- 
testable coffee.  I  wished  for  ale  or  porter  after  my  steak,  but  was  of- 
fered "  Yankee  rum,"  the  most  execrable  spirit  ever  distilled ;  and  at 
length  I  allayed  my  thirst  with  a  glass  of  sour  cyder. 

Again  mounted,  I  proceeded  on  my  excursion  till  I  came  to  a  place 
where  the  road  branched  out  in  different  directions;  one  of  them  was 
to  be  pursued,  and  confident  that  I  could  not  miss  the  stage-road,  I 
had  made  no  minute  enquiries,  and  not  a  soul  appeared  to  direct  me. 
After  several  minutes  consideration,  I  chose  the  wrong  branch,  and  thus 
did  not  get  under  shelter  till  between  two  and  three,  greatly  fatigued  by 
the  heat,  and  the  length  I  had  contrived  to  make  the  stage.  On  asking 
for  dinner,  I  was  roughly  answered  by  the  landlord  that  they  /tad  all 
dined  long  ago ;  and  was  about  to  make  him  understand  that  I  had  not, 
but  betbre  I  could  do  so,  he  espied  some  swine  in  his  garden,  which  the 
window  overlooked,  and,  upon  this,  ran  roaring  out  the  disaster,  and  left 
me  to  entertain  myself  as  I  pleased.  In  vain  I  might  have  waited  his 
return,  for  1  saw  him  very  deliberately  take  a  spade  and  begin  to  repair 

the 


1)2  \Ci  OMMODATIONS  TOR  TRAVELLERS. 

the  tlisordrr  made  anionj?  his  cabbat^es.  I  now  beoan  to  explore  the 
house,  but  met  not  a  sint^le  individual  till  I  reached  the  kitchen,  where 
a  girl  was  clearing-  away  the  fragments  of  the  family  dinner.  The  in- 
mates had  dispersed,  as  usual  in  America,  inuncdiatelj^  after  a  meal  has 
been  hastil}'^  dispatched,  in  several  directions,  and  to  their  different  avo- 
cations. To  this  Maid  of  the  Kitchen  I  made  known  my  wants,  and 
though  greatl}'  out  ot"  humour,  I  was  aware  if  I  betrayed  myself)  my 
situation  would  not  be  mended.  Assuming,  therefore,  a  pleasant  air, 
through  the  medium  of  a  little  flattery,  I  succeeded  so  ftir  as  to  hear  her 
express  concern  that  there  was  nothing  for  me  to  eat  in  the  house.  I 
pointed  to  some  fowls  scratching  on  the  dunghill,  and  observed,  that 
one  of  those,  accompanied  by  a  piece  of  bacon,  might  soon  be  con- 
verted into  an  excellent  repast.  'J'he  good  creature  took  the  hint,  and 
in  an  instant  twisted  off  the  head  of  a  fine  chicken.  To  pass  the  time 
until  the  business  of  cooking  was  concluded,  I  returned  to  the  stable  to 
view  the  condition  of  mv  horse,  who  was  still  gaining  favor  with  his 
new  master,  and  I  was  determined  to  be  grateful  by  attending  to  his 
accommodations.  The  food  they  give  horses  here  is  the  leaves  of  the 
Indian-corn  stalk,  which  is  a  substitute  for  hay,  and  what  Englishmen 
call  a  feed  of  oats  and  a  few  beans,  is  here  half  a  gallon  of  the  corn 
which  grows  upon  that  stalk.  Thus,  the  whole  food  of  a  horse  is  pro- 
duced from  one  single  plant !  but  it  is  not  so  good  as  hay  and  oats.  The 
corn  is  of  so  heating  a  nature,  that  an  over-feed  often  founders  the  cat- 
tle, so  as  to  render  them  unable  to  proceed  on  a  journey.  They  are  so 
f(.)nd  of  this  grain,  that  they  would  eat  to  an  excess,  which  would  prove 
fatal ;  while  the  leaves  are  given  them  to  use  at  pleasure.  Thanks  to 
the  pigs,  1  saw  nothing  more  of  my  landlord,  and  I  afterwards  found 
that,  in  this  respect,  I  was  very  fortunate,  these  fellows  in  Connecticut 
being  more  troublesome  to  their  guests,  by  prying  into  their  business, 
than  persons  of  any  other  description. 

The  land  over  which  I  this  day  rode  was  almost  all  under  cultivation. 
Every  fixmi-house  had  a  large  orchard,  from  the  produce  of  which  they 

make 


CONNECTICUT  SCENERY^SUPPER.  8!J 

make  cyder,  and  distil  brandv\  This  is  another  vile  spirit  when  ne\v» 
and  it  is  seldom  suffered  to  acquire  age  in  America.  The  people  hero, 
are,  however,  more  sober  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  United  States — 
indeed  thev  rarely  drink  to  intoxication,  and  thus  they  are  enabled  to 
export  spirits  to  the  southward. 

Having  made  a  good  dinner,  and  being  refreshed  by  two  houi-s'  sleep, 
a  practice  iiere  in  the  afternoon  with  travellers,  \vhen  they  can  spaie 
time  for  such  refreshment,  I  determined  to  proceed  to  Middietown,, dis- 
tant only  a  few  miles.  As  the  sun  declined,  this  part  of  my  day's  jour- 
ney was  delightful,  through  a  tine  cultivated  country  on  the  banks  of 
.the  beautiful  river  Connecticut.  Could  the  English  quick-thorn  hedges 
have  been  added  to  the  scene  before  me,  I  could  have  fancied  myself 
travelling  along  the  bye-roads  of  Kent.  Crossing  the  ferry,  I  arrived  in 
Middletown  as  the  family  of  the  inn  were  sitting  down  to  supper.  This 
meal  in  America  is  also  very  different  from  the  usage  of  England.  It 
is  prepared  and  on  the  table  between  seven  and  eight  o'clock,  and  con- 
sists of  broiled  salt  tish,  slices  of  ham,  the  relics  of  the  dinner,  bread  and 
butter,  with  coffee ;  and  this  is  their  last  meal  for  the  day,  after  which, 
the  female  part  of  the  family  generally  take  a  walk,  or  pay  visits.  To 
tliis  I'ecreation  I  was  invited  by  two  pretty  daughters  of  the  landlord, 
having,  during  supper,  gratified  them  with  the  history  of  my  move- 
ments, as  usual ;  and  by  these  means  I  avoided  a  it'te  a  tete  with  mine 
host — of  all  things  the  most  irksome.  On  my  return,  having  visited  the 
stable,  I  retired  to  bed,  and  had  my  choice  of  half  a  dozen,  in  a  room 
the  full  length  of  the  house,  being  fortunately  the  only  guest  for  the 
night.  It  was  scarcely  dark,  when,  on  lying  down,  my  ears  were  sud- 
denly assailed  by  a  noise  perfectly  new,  and  for  which  I  was  at  a  loss  to 
account,  till,  by  enquiry  in  the  morning,  1  learned  that  it  had  proceeded 
from  the  frogs  in  an  adjacent  pond,  and  the  creeking  song  of  the  locust. 
*  Among  the  discord,  like  the  bass  in  a  band  of  music,  was  a  kind  of  roar- 
ing, which  particularly  surprized  me.     It  resembled  the  distant  hello w- 

M  ing 


84  TJIE  BULL-FUOf!. 

iii;^  oi"  tlip  cnni.4C(l  IniU ;  and  this  I  (omul  pi'dccedcd  from  what  they 
aptly  call  tho  bull-frog.  Tlicse  animals  are  ibur  times  the  size  of  the 
l',nt(lish  Irog,  and  raise  their  heads  above  the  water  tor  the  space  of" two 
minutes,  at  interAals,  (for  I  have  since  particularly  noticed  them,)  when 
they  continue  this  most  discordant  noise.  1  couJd  seldom  lind  tl.-em  out  of 
water,  anil  when  I  came  upon  them  by  surprize,  on  the  margin  of  a 
pond,  they  fled  to  it  by  prodigious  jumps.  1  had  made  many  efforts  to 
catch  one  of  them  in  vain,  but  returning  one  evening  from  a  shooting- 
partj',  being  about  to  draw  my  charge,  and  observing  one  in  a  marsh 
iK'ar  me,  rising  to  make  his  roar,  I  discharged  the  contents  of  my  piece, 
and  immediately  saw  it  floating  on  the  water.  A  dog  which  had  ac- 
companied us  brought  it  to  me.  It  measured  six  inches  in  length,  and 
its  hind  legs  were  nearly  as  long  as  the  body.  In  colour,  and  sqmewhat 
in  shape,  it  more  resembled  the  toad  than  our  green-speckled  frog.  I 
severed  its  hotly,  and  brought  home  the  hind  quarters,  more  delicate  in 
appearance  thati  those  of  a  chicken.  In  France  I  had  conquered  my 
repugnance  to  the  flesh  of  a  frog;  and  having  heard  that  some  people 
in  America  extolled  such  food,  I  resolved  to  have  a  little  fricassee  made  of 
this  part  of  the  bull-frog.  In  accomplishing  my  purpose  I  had  many 
difficulties  to  combat.  Not  a  domestic  of  the  house  would  touch  it,  and, 
determined  to  carry  my  point,  I  seized  the  stew-pan,  procured  the  ne- 
cessary ingredients,  and  cooked  a  dish  greatly  to  my  satisfaction — and  I 
can  assure  my  I'eadcr,  that  if  he  could  conquer  that  enemy  to  the  mind, 
prejudice,  he  would  find  the  legs  of  a  frog  nearly  as  excellent  as  those 
of  a  woodcock, 

r  have  been  thus  prolix  in  order  to  draw  a  picture  of  my  first  day's  pe- 
regrination in  the  interior  of  America;  but  shall  hereafter  avoid  repeti- 
tions of  this  subject,  there  being  little  variation  in  the  treatment  you 
meet  with  in  New  England.  I  must,  however,  obsen'e,  that  I  was 
greatly  indebted  to  fortune  throughout  the  twentj'-four  hours;  therefore, 
to  give  a  general  view  of  travelling  in  tfiis  part  of  the  Avorld,  in  the  pri- 

3  vate 


POLITENESS   or   NEW   ENGLAND  INN-KEEPERS.  85" 

vate  manner  I  had  adopted,  I  shall  now  shew  the  reader,  without  the 
most  distant  idea  of  giving  otlence,  what  must  sometimes  be  endured 
from  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people. 

Arrived  at  your  inn,  let  me  suppose,  like  mj^self,  you  had  fallen  in 
with  a  landlord,  who  at  the  moment  would  condescend  to  take  the' 
trouble  to  procure  you  refreshment  after  the  family  hour,  and  that  no 
pig,  or  other  trifling  circumstance  called  off  his  attention,  he  will  sit  by 
your  side,  and  enter  in  the  most  familiar  manner  into  conversation; 
which  is  prefaced,  of  course,  with  a  demand  of  your  business,  a-id  so 
forth.     He  will  then  start  a  political  question  (for  here  every  individual 
is  a  politician),  force   your  answer,  contradict,  deny,  and,  finally,  be 
ripe  tor  a  quarrel,  should  you  not  acquiesce  in  all  his  opinions.     When 
the  homely  meal  is  served  up,  he  will  often  place  himself  opocsite  to 
you  at  the  table,  at  the  same  time  declaring,  that  "  though  he  thought 
he  had  eaten  a  hearty  dinner,  yet  he  will  pick  a  bit  with  you."     Thus 
will  he  sit,  drinking  out  of  your  glass,  and  of  the  liquor  you  are  to  pay 
for,  belching  in  your  face,  and  committing  other  excesses  still  more  in- 
delicate and  disgusting.     Perfectly  inattentive  to  your  accommodation, 
and   regardless   of  your  appetite,  he  will    dart  his  fork  into  the  best 
of  the  dish,  and  leave  you  to  take  the  next  cut.     If  3'ou  arrive  at  the 
dinner-hour,  you  are  seated  with  "  mine  hostess"  and  her  dirty  children, 
with  whom  you  have  often  to  scramble  for  a  plate,  and  even  the  servants 
of  the  inn  ;  for  liberty  and  equality  level  all  ranks  upon  the  road,  from 
the  host  to  the  hostler.     The  children,  imitative  of  their  free  and  polite 
papa,  will  also  seize  your'drink,  slobber  in  it,  and  often  snatch  a  dainty 
bit  from  your  plate.     This  is  esteemed  wit,  and  consequently  provokes 
a  laugh,  at  the  expence  of  those  who  are  paying  for  the  board.     No 
check  must  be  given  to  these  demonstrations  of  unsophisticated  nature ; 
for  the  smallest  rel^uke  Avill  bring  down  a  severe  animadversion  from 
the  parent.     ]\Iany  are  the  instances  that  could  be  pointed  out,  where 
the  writer  has  undergone  these  mortifications,  and  if  Mr.  Winterbottom 

w  I  has 


80  NEW  ENGLAND  FARMLRS. 

has  ever  travelled  in  the  country  parts  of  the  IJaitcd  States,  he  can,  it 
lie  pleases,  attest  the  truth  of  these  observations. 

"  The  American  farmer,  (says  this  gentleman)  has  more  sim|)licity 
and  honesty — we  more  art  and  chicanery;  they  have  more  of  nature, 
and  we  more  of  the  world.  Nature,  indeed,  formed  our  features  and' 
intellects  very  much  alike  ;  but  while  we  have  metamorphosed  the  one, 
and  contaminated  the  other,  they  luive  retained  and  preserved  the  na- 
tural symbols  of  both." 

If  we  credit  these  assertions,   we  must  admit  that  the  inhabitants  o{ 
the  new  world,  far  excel  us,  also,  in  mental  ac(]uirements ;  but  I  take- 
the  very  contrary  to  be  the  fact,     A  republican  spirit  makes  them  for- 
ward and  impertinent — a  spirit  of  trade  renders  them  lull  of  chicanery 
— and  under  a  shew  of  liberty,  they  are  commonly  tyrants  to  each 
other.     This  is  observable  at  their  public  meetings,  when  the  fumes  of. 
whisky  or  apple-brandy  begin  to  operate— the  more  opulent  will  lord  it 
over  his  poor  neighbor;  while  the  robust  will  attack  the  weak,  till  the  • 
w^hole  exhibits  a  scene  of  riot,  blasphemy,  and  intoxication. 

An  English  farmer,  in  the  north  cspeciall)^  when  asked  the  price  of 
his  crain.  will  answer  with  modest  diliidcnce :  nav,  will  often  be  al)ashed . 
at  the  attempt  to  undervalue  the  article.  In  America,  the  meanest 
plariter  must  go  through  his  routine  of  interrogatories,  and  perhaps 
mount  his  political  hobb3'-liorse,  before  you  receive  an  answer  to  your 
question.  Should  you  happen  to  observe  that.you  can  purchase  for  less 
than  he  demands,  he  will  give  you  the  lie,  accompanied  with  a  grin 
and  an  oath,  and  tell  you  to  go  where  you  can  obtain  it  cheaper. 

With  the  other  sex,  whose  curiosity  is  generally  admitted  in  other 
countries  to  be  by  no  means  inferior  to  that  of  the  men,  you  may  natu- 
rally expect  to  fare  no  better.     Tliis  I  likewise  found  by  manifold  ex- 
perience. 


FEMALE   CURIOSITY — REPUBLICAN  PRIDE.  87 

perience.  One  instance,  wliich  occurred  during  tlie  excursion  de- 
scribed in  this  chapter,  shall  here  suffice.  Seeing  a  pleasant  httle  cot- 
tage on  the  river  Connecticut,  and  understanding  that  it  was  to  be  let, , 
I  knocked  at  the  door,  which  was  opened  by  a  woman,  of  whom  I  en- 
quired the  rent  of  the  house — "  And  where  are  you  from  ?" — was  the 
reply. — "  Pray  madam,"  I  again  asked,  "is  this  house  to  be  let i" — 
"  Be  you  from  New  York  or  Boston  r"  said  the  inquisitive  dame.  The 
place  was  situated  about  half-way  between  those  two  towns.  Impatient 
at  this  mode  of  reply — "  I'll  thank  you,  madam,"  I  repeated,  "  to  ac- 
quaint me  with  the  price  demanded  for  this  little  placer" — "  Pray  what 
may  you  be  ?"  rejoined  she,  as  if  fully  determined  not  to  satisfy  my  en- 
quiry till  I  had  gratified  her  curiosity.  I  was  not  less  resolute  tliau 
herself^  and  turned  my  back  in  disgust. .  ' 

Among  the  females,  a  stranger  may  soon  discover  the  pertness  of' re- 
publican principles.  Divested,  from  that  cause,  of  the  blushing  modesty 
of  the  country  girls  of  Europe,  they  will  answer  a  fiimiliar  question, 
from  the  other  sex  with  the  confidence  af  a  French  Mademoiselle.  I 
Avould  not,  however,  be  understood  to  question  their  chastity,  of  which 
they  have  as  large  a  portion  as  Europeans;  my  object  is  merely  to  • 
shew  the  force  of  habit,  and  the  result  of  education. 

The  arrogance  of  domestics  in  this  land  of  republican  libertj'-  and 
equahty,  is  particularly  calculated  to  excite  the  astonishment  of  stran- 
gers. To  call  persons  of  this  description  sei'ixmfs,  or  to  speak  of  their 
master  or  mistress,  is  a  grievous  affront.  Having  called  one  day  at  the 
house  of  a  gentleman  of  my  acquaintance,  on  knocking  at  the  door,  it 
was  opened  by  a  servant-maid,  whom  I  had  never  before  seen,  as  she 
had  not  been  long  in  his  family.  The  following  is  the  dialogue,  word 
for  word,  which  took  place  on. this  occasion: — "Is  your  master  at 
home?" — "  I  have  no    master." — "  Don't  you  live  here?" — "  I   stay 

here."—"  And  who  are  you  then?"' — "Why,   I  am  Mr.  ■ 's  help. 

I'd 


88  BINDI.ING— TARRYING. 

I'd  have  you  to  know,  inan,  that  I  am  no  savvant  \  none  but  negen  are 
mrvunts" 

I  liave  frequently  heard  of  an  amusement  in  New  England,  and  par- 
ticularly in  the  state  ot" Connecticut,  called  bundling.  It  is  described  as 
bcintj  resorted  to  by  lovers.  The  young  couple  retire  to  bed,  with  their 
clothes  on,  «nd  there  the  lover  tells  his  soft  tale.  One  author  says,  that 
"  bundling  has  not  its  oric^in  in  New  England,  as  supposed.  It  has  beep 
practised  time  immemorial  in  Wales,  and  is  also  a  general  practice  in 
the  Isle  of  Portland.  I  was  informed  that  servant-girls  in  Connecticut 
demand  liberty  to  do  so  on  hiring — they  receive  their  gallants  in  the 
night  in  bed,  with  their  petticoats  tied  to  their  ancles.  In  Holland,  too/ 
this  is  practised  amongst  the  peasants,  who  call  it  (jucestiug." 

Another  author  mentions  tai-rijing  in  New  England.  If  parents  ap- 
prove their  daughter's  choice,  the  lover  is  permitted  to  tairtj  with  his  love  a 
night  in  bed,  but  not  undrest;  and  there  they  either  agree  to  marry  or 
part  for  ever.  Sometimes,  however,  a  child  has  been  the  fruit  of  this 
tan-ijing,  in  which  case,  the  lover  must  marry,  or  be  excommunicated  ! 

I  confess  I  never  knew  a  single  instance  of  this  bimdling  or  tarrying ; 
indeed,  during  my  residence  in  New  England,  I  was  not  happy  enough 
to  become  a  lover. 

From  New  London  I  took  my  passage  to  New  York,  in  Captain 
Harris's  packet,  wishing  to  view  Long  Island  sound,  and  to  pass  through 
the  narrows,  calletl  Hell  Gate.  We  were  becalmed  soon  after  we  had 
cUared  the  river  Thames,  and  at  noon  had  proceeded  on  our  voyage  no 
farther  than  the  Long  Island  shore,  nearly  opposite  to  New  London. 
Several  of  the  i)asscngers,  and  I  among  the  rest,  went  ashore  to  make 
an  excursion  in  this  beautiful  spot,  till  the  tide  should  favor  our  proceed- 
ing for  New  York.     A\'e  were  hospitably  received  by  a  Dutch  farmer, 

who 


(1^ 


Vi 


^ 


^ 


<.^ 


PASSAGE   OF   HELL   GATE..  89 

who  gave  us  milk  and  cyder ;  but  before  we  could  avail  ourselves  of  such 
information  as  he  might  communicate  respecting  the  country,  a  breeze 
sprung  up,  Avhich  was  the  concerted  signal  for  us  to  return  to  the  boat. 
This  we  accordingly  did  with  all  expedition,  the  sails  were  immediately 
hoisted,  and  the  gale  proved  propitious.  We  passed  the  town  of  New- 
haven  at  a  great  rate,  and  before  dark  were  at  the  head  of  Hell  Gate. 
Our  captain  was  not  inclined  to  pass  these  streights  that  evening,  as 
there  is  great  danger  unless  the  tide  suits,  or  the  wind  enables  vou  to 
stem  the  current.  We  pressed  him  to  make  the  attempt,  and  giving 
way  to  our  solicitations,  though  with  reluctance,  he  contiiiued  his  course. 
This  passage  may  well  be  called  Hell  Gate,  for  it  lias  a  most  teniHo 
appearance.  In  one  place  the  water  boils  up  with  a  great  fjam,  and  this 
they  call  the  pot,  a  place  extremeh'^  dangerous  when  approached  too 
near;  on  one  side  are  sunken  rocks,  called  the  Hog's  Back,  and  on  the 
other,  (a  place  of  equal  danger,)  denominated  the  Frying-pan.  I  fan- 
cied myself  between  Scylla  and  Charybdis;  and  grew  very  uneasy  on 
observing  the  countenance  of  our  captain,  who  at  length  evinced  evi- 
dent signs  of  ai)prehension  for  the  safety  of  his  vessel,  and  reflected  on 
himself  for  being  persuaded  against  his  own  judgment  to  pass  through 
at  such  a  time  of  tide.  In  fact,  we  were  in  greater  danger  than  we  con- 
ceived; for  the  Avind,  which  was  brisk  on  our  entrance,  at  once  lulled, 
and  we  were  irresistibly  drawing  towards  the  Gridiron,  a  place  equally 
fatal  with  those  already  described,  where,  in  our  crowded  state,  many- 
lives  might  have  been  lost,  though  within  a  few  j-ards  of  Hancock's  rock. 
On  this  place,  perhaps  one  hundred  yards  in  circumference,  we  observed 
fragments  of  the  rock  that  had  been  piled  up  by  the  crew  of  a  vessel 
which  had  the  misfortune  to  strike  upon  the  Gridiron,  to  shelter  them- 
selves fi'om  the  inclement  wind  until  the  tide  permitted  a  boat  to  come 
and  take  them  off. 

The  annexed  engraving,  with  its  references,  affords  an  accurate  idea 
of  the  dangers  of  this  tremendous  passage,  tliough  these  cannot  be  duly 

estimated 


00  IMMINENT   DANGliR. 

estimated  but  hy  naval  men,  or  such  persons  as,  from  actual  observation, 
are  acquainted  uitli  the  perils  ol"  this  hazardous;  enterprize,* 

In  this  situation,  such  was  the  ai)prchension  of  our  crew,  that,  with  one 
accord,  they  got  out  their  sweeps,  or  long  oars,  and  the  passengers  as- 
sisted in  tugging.  AV'ith  great  labor  we  checked  the  sloop's  way,  by 
which  her  head  swung  round  towards  the  city,  and  thus  we  fortunately 
avoided  tliis  iniininent  danger.  Our  captain  now  swore  and  protested 
that  he  would  never  again  be  "  over-|)ersuaded,"  as  he  termed  it,  by 
any  set  of  passengers.  The  wind  had  fallen,  and  we  had  to  wait  the 
return  of  the  tide,  being  now  at  anchor,  and  safe,  at  any  rate,  from 
being  swung  on  this  watery  gate  of  hell ;  yet  the  idea  of  remaining  on 
board  all  night  was  far  from  one  of  the  most  pleasing,  as  there  was  not 
a  third  part  of  the  births,  or  places  to  lie  down  to  rest,  required  by  the 
passengers.  At  midnight  we  were  abreast  of  the  city,  and  at  that  late 
hoin-,  \\  hen  the  sober  inhabitants  are  in  bed,  the  boat  was  soon  filled  by 

*  The  following  anecdote  is  related  of  a  black  man,!  lie  pilot  of  the  Experiment  of  50  guns,  who  took  her 
through  IIcU  Gate,  a  passage  before  deemed  impracticable  for  ships  of  war,  to  the  great  astonishment  of 
Lord  Howe,  then  commander-in-chief  of  the  British  naval  force  in  those  parts.  At  the  moment  of  the 
greatest  danger.  Sir  James  Wallace,  the  Captain,  gave  some  orders  on  the  quarter-deck  which,  in 
Mungo's  opinion,  interfered  with  the  duties  of  his  oflice.  Advancing,  therefore,  to  Sir  James,  and  gently 
tapping  him  on  the  shoulder — "  Massa,"  said  he,  "  you  no  peak  here."  The  captain  felt  the  full  force 
of  the  poor  fellow's  remonstrance;  and,  to  the  extreme  surprize  of  all  those  acquainted  with  the  difliculiy 
of  navigating  a  ship  through  Hell  Gate,  the  negro  carried  the  Experiment  safe  to  Sandy  Hook.  The 
addition  of  this  ship  was  a  most  seasonable  reinforcement  to  the  little  ileet  under  Lord  Howe,  and  so 
highly  did  his  lordship  appreciate  the  skill  and  adventurous  spirit  of  the  negro  pilot,  that  he  settled  oi» 
him  an  annuity  of  lifty  pounds  for  life,  Had  the  Experiment  taken  any  other  than  this  unusual  route, 
she  would  have  infallibly  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  as  she  afterwards  did  in  the  course  of 
the  war. —  A  British  frigate  which  attempted  this  passage  during  the  same-contest,  less  fortunate  than 
the  Experiment,  was  totally  lost. 

Two  French  frigates  blocked  up  last  year,  (1S06)  in  New  York,  by  the  Lcander  and  another  English 
ship  of  war,  gave  their  antagonists  the  slip,  by  pushing  through  this  dangerous  channel.  The  perils  of 
the  land,  air,  or  ocean,  dwindle  into  nothing  in  the  estimation  of  the  French,  when  compared  to  those 
of  a  meeting  with  the  unmannerlij  tars  of  Old  England. 

such 


NEW   YORK— FRENCH  TAVERN.  9l 

such  of  the  passengers  as  chose  this  alter)iati\  e  to  remaining  on  board 
till  morning.     I  stepped  into  the  boat,  and  landed,  but  soon  lost  sight 
of  all  my  companions,  who  had,  for  the  most  part,  some  friend  or  rela- 
tive to  whose  house  thej'^  could  repair.     Behold  me  then  at  this  unsea- 
sonable hour,  in  the  extensive  city  of  New  York ;  the  night  was  dark, 
a  few  straggling  lamps  reflected  a  dim  light,  and  the  watchmen,  in 
monotonous  discord,  announced  the  hour.     I  had  gone  through  two  or 
three  streets  without  seeing  a  single  house  open,  when  two  well-dressed 
men  before  me,  knocked  at  a  door.     I  determined  to  avail  myself  of 
this  opportunity  ;  for  by  a  lamp  I  discovered  that  the  house  at  which 
they  were  demanding  admission,  was  a  tavern.     I  stopped,  and  hearing 
them  converse  in  French,  addressed  them  in  that  language,  and  ac- 
quainted them  with  my  situation.     They  behaved   Avith  a  degree  of 
complaisance  peculiar  to  Frenchmen,  and  requested  me  to  follow  them. 
I  soon  found  that  I  was  in  a  French  house  ;  several  of  these  lively  peo- 
ple being  in  conversation,  while  others  were  amusing  themselves  with 
the  game  of  domino.     I  was  invited  to  join,  but  urging  want  of  rest, 
I  was  shewn  to  a  good  bed  in  a  very  filthy  room,  with  which  I  was, 
nevertheless,  well  pleased. 

The  cit}?^  of  New  York  is  built  upon  an  island,  fourteen  miles  long, 
aud  about  a  mile  in  breadth,  formed  by  the  north  and  east  rivers ;  a 
situation  which,  to  a  stranger,  would  appear  to  insure  the  health  of  its 
inhabitants.  The  southern  part  opens  to  the  sea,  and  the  tide  flows 
with  great  rapidity.  From  the  battery,  which  is  now  used  as  a  public 
walk,  there  is  a  charming  view  of  the  Jersey  shore,  and  Long  and 
Staten  Islands.  New  York  is  a  place  of  great  trade,  several  hundred 
sail  of  vessels  being  generally  at  the  wharfs  and  at  anchor.  It  is  the 
depot  of  European  goods,  for  the  supply  of  retailers  in  every  state  in 
the  union ;  and  of  late  years  it  has  far  exceeded  Philai^elphia  in  a 
commercial  point  of  view. 

N  The 


9-2  YELLOW   FEVER. 

The  diiUfs  paid  at  llio  |)(jrt  of  New  York  during  four  i  °  ''"*        *'*""'*' 

years,    coniineiiciug    A[)nl    I,   l80l,    and  ending  >  12,86:2,020  14 
March.")!,   ItiO.'),  amounted  to        -             -             -\ 

I'or  the  hke  time,   Phihidelphia  produced      -             -  7,777,9(35  14 

Boston,  (htto              _             .            .             -             .  6,408,400  28 

Baltimore,  ditto         .            .            -            -            -  3,86 1, 06j  08 

Charleston,  ditto        ....             -  3,06 J, 693  54 

This  at  one  view  sliews  the  comparative  trade  of  tlie  five  largest  conv 
mercial  towns  in  America. 

New  ^'ork  was  built  bj^  the  Dutch,  who  called  it  New  Amsterdam  ; 
and,  following  their  usual  mode  of  building  in  Europe,  the  houses 
presented  their  gable-end  or  back  to  the  streets,  which  were  laid  out 
according  to  the  fancy  of  the  owners  of  the  ground.  Thus  they  be- 
came narrow,  crooked,  and  inconvenient  in  many  parts,  and  some  of 
the  old  Dutch  tenements  still  continue  to  disgrace  the  city.  This  cin- 
cumstance,  however,  cannot  give  rise  to  those  pestilential  fevers  which 
have  raged  tliere  every  summer,  in  some  degree,  since  the  year  1794. 
\'olumes  have  been  written  on  this  subject.  Medical  men  have  op- 
posed each  other's  opinions  with  much  asperity,  so  that  the  patient  is- 
bewildered  in  their  contradictions.  On  its  first  appearance,  it  was 
generally  believed  to  have  been  imported;  but  its  regular  return,  par- 
ticularly in  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  clearly  shews  it  to  be  engen- 
clered  there  by  the  operation  of  excessive  heat  upon  uncleanliness.. 
Great  attention  has  of  late  been  paid  to  the  cleansing  of  those  cities  so- 
subject  to  the  fever;  yet  we  find  it  at  an  alarming  Iveight  in  both,  so 
late  as  in  the  year  1805.  It  is  a  singular  circumstance,  that  this  scourge 
never  appeared  in  the  country  until  1793,  the  very  year  of  the  revolt  of 
the  negroes,  and  the  massacre  of  the  white  people  in  St,  DomingOi 
when  thousands  of  French  lied  to  the  United  States  from  that  devoted 

'     L  island ; 


TRENCII   INTRIGUES— GENET.  Q,! 

island;  and  very  few  indeed  suffered  by  it,  though  raging  in  I'hiladel- 
phia,  where  numbers  of  them  landed. 

New  York  has  greatly  increased,  both  in  size  and  population,  not- 
withstanding the  havoc  made  by  the  yellow  lever.  The  distracted  state 
of  Europe  has  caused  an  influx  of  inhabitants  scarcely  credible;  and 
as  the  summer  destroj'^s,  the  winter  brings  in  a  fresh  sup|)lv.  The 
Broad-way,  leading  from  the  south  battery  through  the  j)ark,  and  the 
whole  length  of  the  city,  is  a  wide,  handsome  .street.  I  was  informed, 
that  a  piece  of  ground  in  the  park,  which,  seven  j'ears  ago,  was  not 
worth  fifty  dollars,  had  been  recently  disposed  olj  l()r  the  purpose  of 
building  upon,  for  five  hundred  pounds,  currency  oi'  the  state,  which 
is  eight  shillings  to  the  dollar. 

The  time  of  my  arrival  in  New  York  was  during  the  reign  of  terror 
in  France;  the  baleful  consequences  of  which  were  severely  felt  in 
America.  Robespierre's  taction  sent  an  ambassador  to  the  United 
States,  who  would  have  brought  immeasurable  evils  on  the  country, 
had  not  the  wisdom  and  firmness  of  President  Washington  counter- 
acted his  plans.  This  minister  was  Genet,  whose  embassy  was  in- 
tended to  sow  the  seeds  of  a  second  revolution,  to  cause  a  rupture  with 
England,  and  by  availing  himself  of  the  consequent  anarchy  and  con- 
fusion, to  secure  to  France  an  ally,  by  means  of  a  treaty  offensive  ancf 
defensive.  The  encouragement  he  met  with  from  the  Jacobin  in- 
terest, then  espoused  by  the  most  numerous,  though  least  rcs^)ecta- 
ble  part  of  the  community  greatly  encouraged  him  in  prosecuting 
the  object  of  his  mission.  From  Charleston  to  New  York  he 
was  flattered  by  success  equal  to  his  most  sanguine  wishes.  A 
thread  may  lead  a  multitude ;  a  bauble,  be  it  a  crown  or  a  greasy 
red  cap,  is  suflicient  to  procure  the  adulation  of  a  mob,  when  held  up 
to  view  by  such  a  plitical  juggler  as  Genet  Fie  well  knew  the  tem- 
per of  the  people  he  was  among— unstable  and  violent  in  political  dis- 
cussions, yet  tenacious  and  jealous  of  that  liberty,  of  which  it  was  his 
aim  to  deprive  them.     This  required  great  art,  consummate  hypocrisy, 

N  i  a\4. 


P4  MACHINATIONS   OF  GENET. 

and  undaunted  resolution,  joinetl,  in  case  of  eniergenc\%  to  the  most 
desperate  measures.  Tliat  lie  was  com[)ctent  to  the  task,  and  that  he 
would  too  well  have  succeeded,  had  nut  Washington  counteracted  his 
machinations,  the  event  fully  proved.  This  great  and  gooil  man,  an 
Achilles  in  war,  and  a  Mentor  in  peace,  agairi  saved  his  country  iiom 
the  rapacious  grasp  of  insatiable  France. 

Clubs  upon  Jacobin  principles  were  formed  in  tlie  large  commercial 
cities  ;  the  Hag  of  France  and  America  supported  the  cap  of  liberty  in 
the  club-rooms,  and  the  tri-colored  cockade  was  assumed  bj'  the  whole 
party  of  Genet. 

General  Washington  was  invested,  in  many  instances,  with  power 
equal  to  the  king  of  Great  Britain.  Fie  saw  with  pain  the  rapid  strides 
of  taction,  and  Avas  determined  to  crush  the  monster.  He  was  aware 
that  foreign  influence  was  subtle  and  I'atal  poison  to  the  states  of  America ; 
and  the  deplorable  condition  of  the  countries  conquered  by  France  has 
since  fully  justified  his  opinion. 

An  army  was  raising  in  the  western  country,  and  privateers  were 
fitting  out  in  the  ports  of  the  Lhiited  States,  commissioned  by  the  French 
ambassador;  and  when  Dallas,  one  of  the  officers  of  state,  attempted" 
to  remonstrate  with  him,  and  to  express  the  disapprobation  of  go- 
vernment upon  this  infringement  of  the  law  of  nations,  he  flew  into 
a  rage,  and  declared  that  he  would  "  appeal  to  the  people  from  the 
decisions  of  the  president."  This  was  the  language  of  the  French 
generals  in  Europe,  where  they  imagined  that  art  would  avail.  Wash- 
ington, however,  was  neither  to  be  duped  nor  intimidated.  He  fii'st  dis- 
missed Duplaine,*  the  vice-consul  of  the  French  republic  at  Boston, 

*  Duplaine  was  the  principal  engine  of  Genet  in  New  England.  The  district  attorney  for  Massa- 
ehusets  had  already  presented  tlirce  bills  of  indictment  against  him  to  the  grand  jury  of  the  circuit  court, 
but  the  French  faction  had  found  means  to  throw  them  out.  It  was  therefore  high  time  for  the  executive 
to  begin  with  Diiplaiue. 

by 


JACOBINS— li'RANKLIN'S  PREDICTION.  95 

by  revoking  anrl  annulling  his  di|jlomatic  functions.  Against  this  pro- 
ceeding Genet  protested,  in  a  furious  remonstrance  to  IVIr.  Jefferson, 
then  secretarj''  of  state.  He  declared,  "  that  he  did  not  acknowledge* 
its  validity,  because  the  constitution  of  the  United  States  has  not  given 
the  president  the  right  which  he  now  appears  desirous  to  exercise." 

This  proclamation  drew  forth  the  pen  of  the  whole  faction.  The 
underlings  ad(jpted  the  language  of  their  chief:  they,  too,  questioned  the 
right  of  the  president  to  dismiss  a  foreign  vice-consul  :  they  reviled, 
insulted,  and  abused  the  virtuous  magistrate.  Who  then  can  expect  to 
avoid  the  shafts  of  calumny  ?  Where  is  the  man  that  may  hope  to  escape 
censure  ? 

These  vipers  to  their  country  asserted,  that  the  English  had  agents 
there,  whose  business  it  was  to  seduce  them  from  the  friendship  of  their 
great  and  good  allies — to  break  the  bonds  of  rational  compact  by  rousing 
an  unjust  indignation  against  the  majesty  of  their  sister  republic.  Every 
deceitful  art  was  used,  every  sophistical  argument  advanced,  to  incense 
the  people  against  the  president.  The  ghost  of  P'ranklin  was  brought 
forward  uttering  the  following  extract  of  his  letter  from  Paris,  to  Dr. 
Mather,  in  the  year  1784,  which  was  with  great  industry  circulated 
through  the  public  prints  of  the  union. 

"  This  powerful  nation  (speaking  of  France)  continues  its  friendship 
for  the  United  Stales.  It  is  a  friendship  of  the  utmost  importance  to  our 
security,  and  should  be  carefully  cultivated.  Britain  has  not  yet  well 
digested  the  loss  of  its  dominion  over  us ;  and  has  still  at  times  some 
flattering  hopes  of  recovenng  it.  Accidents  may  increase  these  hopes, 
and  encourage  dangerous  attempts.     A  breach  between  us  and  France 

*  The  proclamation  of  the  president  of  the  lOth  October,  1703,  declared,  that  Diiplaine  had,  under 
colour  of  his  office,  committed  sundry  encroaclinients  and  infractions  on  the  laws  of  the  land  ;  and  in 
eoniiequence  he  did  no  longer  recognize  the  said  Duplaine,  &c.  Sec, 

2  would 


y(j  GENET'S- CUARGES  AGAINST  THE  AMERICAN  MINISTERS. 

uouKl  inlallibly  bring  the  English  again  iii)<)n  onr  backs  ;  and  yet  we 
have  some  wild  beasts  among  our  conntrymcn,  who  are  endeavouring 
to  weaken  that  connection.  Let  us  preserve  our  reputation,  by  per- 
forming our  engagements  and  our  contracts ;  antl  our  Iriends  by  grati- 
tude and  kindness,  for  we  know  not  liow  soon  we  may  again  liave 
occasion  for  all  of  them." 

Could  the  ghost,  thus  conjured  up,  have  been  again  animated,  and 
vital  warmth  once  more  have  been  restored,  old  Tranklin  \\  ould  have 
recanted  this  political  prognostication;  and  have  called  those  fools  and 
rebels  who  thus  unseasonably  brought  forward  lus  prediction. 

The  curious  remonstrance  and  daring  threat  of  Genet,  was  followed 
by  a  demand  from  him  to  the  attorney-general  of  the  United  States,  to 
prosecute  John  Jay,  the  chief  justice,  and  Rufus  King,  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  congress.     His  charge  against  these  gentlemen  was,  laughable 
to  relate,  that  they  had  falsely  asserted  that  he,  "  Citizen  Genet,  as  mi- 
nister plenipotentiary  of  the  French  Republic,  one  and  indivisible,  &c. 
declared  his  resolution  of  appealing  frum  the  president  to  the  people." 
These  gentlemen,  friends  to  their  country,  came  forward,  and  not  only 
pul)licly  attested  the  truth  of  Genet's  threats,  but  gave  the  names  of 
Hamilton  and  Knox,  men  at  that  time  high  in  office,  who  confirmed 
the  fact.  A  confutation  like  this,  would  have  brought  the  blush  of  shame 
and  "uilt  into  anv  other  cheek  than  that  of  a  revolutionary  Frenchman. 
In  the  mind  of  Genet  it  added  fuel  to  the  llames  of  discord:  he  even 
had  the  temerity  to  repeat  his  applicatiori  to  the  attorney-general  in  dic- 
tatorial terms,  charging  Messrs.  Jay  and  King  with  the  additional  crime 
of  a  coalition  with  the  secretary  at  war  and  the  secretary  of  the  treasury, 
Messrs.  Knox  and  Hamilton,  whom  he  called  authors  and  abettors  of 
vile  machinations  against  him,  and  threatening  lo  ajjpiy  to  the  head  ot 
the  executive   power  to  oblige  him  to  carry  on  the  prosecution.     The 
answer  to  this  demand,  till  then  new  in  the  United  States,  with  Genet's 

reply,  1  shall  give  at  length. 

"  Philudelpliia, 


RA^"DOLPH's  LETTER  TO  GENET.  97 

"  Philadelphia,  December  Wh,  179o. 

"  I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  yesterday  the  second  communication 
which  you  purposed  to  make  to  me.  When  we  conversed  together  on 
Friday  the  1 3th  instant,  I  doubted  for  a  moment,  whether  you  did  not 
mean,  that  I  should  wait  for  the  instructions  intended  to  be  asked  for  me, 
from  the  president  of  the  L^nited  States;  but  as  I  want  no  special  order 
to  discharge  my  real  duty,  and  the  opinion  which  you  request  must  be 
the  result  of  my  own  conviction,  I  do  not  think  it  proper  to  delay  my 
answer. 

"  You  applv.  Sir,  to  me  as  the  attorney-general  of  the  United  States 
to  prosecute  Mr.  Jay  and  Mr.  King  for  their  pubhcation  on  the  Hth  of 
August  and  26th  of  November,  1793.  The  act  constituting  my  office 
declares  my  duty  to  be  "  to  prosecute  and  conduct  all  suits  in  the  su- 
preme court  in  which  the  United  States  shall  be  concerned,"  and  I  have 
been  sworn  to  its  faithful  execution.  But  while  I  admit  it  to  be  incum- 
bent on  me  to  prosecute  without  distinction  of  persons,  when  the  law 
Avill  support  me,  I  do  not  hold  myself  bound,  nor  do  I  conceive  that  I 
ought  to  proceed  against  any  man  in  opposition  to  my  decided  judgment. 
With  these  impressions,  I  must  beg  leave  to  decline  the  measures  which 
you  desire,  persuaded,  as  I  am,  that  this  case  will  not  sustain  the  prose- 
cution which  you  meditate. 

"  But,  Sir,  if  it  would  not  seem  modifying  with  an  apology  this  de- 
termination of  mine,  founded  upon  principles  which  need  none,  I  would 
take  the  libertv  of  adding,   that  any  other  gentleman  of  the  profession, 
who  may  approve  and  advise  the  attempt,  will  be  at  no  loss  to  point  out 
a  mode  which  does  not  require  my  intervention. 

"  I  have  the  honor.  Sir,  to  be,  with  sincere  respect  and  attachment  for- 
the  nation  whom  you  represent, 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

EDM.  RANDOLPH. 
"  M..  Genet,  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the 
French  Republic. 

P.S. 


t)8  WASHINGTON  DISMISSES  GENPT. 

"  P.  5.  December  lOtli,  1793. 
"  Since  I  wrote  the  above>  I  have  received.  Sir,  a  letter  from  the  se- 
cretary of  state  on  the  subject  of  your  request.     As  no  change  is  ren- 
dered necessary  in  the  foregoing  sentiments,  I  do  myself  the  honor  of 
sending  my  letter  as  it  originally  stood. 


"  riiihidelphia,  9.\d  December,  1793, 
"  M  near  of  the  French  Republic. 

"  Cilizen   Genet,    ^-c.    to   Mr.   Jxanchlphy   Attorney-General  of  the 

United  States. 
"  Sir, 
"  Since  you  refuse  cause  to  be  rendered  to  my  nation,  the  ally  of 
yours,  the  justice  claimed  by  its  representative,  I  will  apply  immedi- 
ately to  the  judges,  and  should  they  refuse  to  admit  my  complaint,  I 
will  cover  myself  with  the  mantle  of  mourning,  and  will  say  America  is 
no  longer  free. 

"  Accept,  Sir,  my  profound  respect  for  and  my  attachment  to  the 
United  States,  of  which  you  are  attorney-general. 

"  GENET." 

The  penetrating  eye  of  the  president  had  some  time  been  fixed  on 
the  motions  of  the  French  party :  he  was  now  convinced  of  the  danger 
of  Genet's  mission  ;  and  he  therefore  deemed  it  his  duty  to  extend  that 
power  which  he  had  already  exercised  upon  Du[)laine.  Jt  was  also 
the  best  answer  that  could  be  given  to  the  threatening  remonstrance  to 
the  secretary  of  state,  and  it  was  the  seal  of  approbation  of  the  coiKlnot 
of  the  attorney-general.  The  functions  of  the  dread  minister  pleiiij.o- 
tentiary  himself  were  suspended,  and  a  com|  laint  against  him  forwarded 
to  France,  in  due  time  he  was  superseded  by  Fauchet,  and  recalled  to 
Paris  to  answer  for  his  conduct ;  but  the  wily  republican,  regarding  the 

bloody 


genet's  diplomatic  IN:5TRUCTI0NS.  99 

bloody  scenes  tliere,  which  he  had  but  lately  assisted  in,  declined  obey- 
ing the  latter  part  of  the  mandate.  He  chose  rather  to  sink  in  soft 
repose  in  the  arms  of  beauty,  than  to  meet  the  pikes  of  enraged  repub- 
licans. AJopting  the  country  he  had  attempted  to  divide,  he  married 
into  a  respectable  American  family,  retired  to  a  snug  private  seat,  "  far 
from  the  court  and  the  tumultuous  city,"  where  he  can  shed  with  impu- 
Bity,  no  other  blood  than  that  of  his  own  mutton. 

The  conduct  of  this  man,  in  his  official  capacity,  will  not  appear  extra- 
ordinary, when  we  recur  to  his  instructions.  As  a  justification  of  his 
proceedings,  he  published  them  in  America.  Consummate  art  and  deep 
intrigue,  are  the  leading  features  of  the  whole.  A  few  lines  may  give 
the  reader  an.  idea  of  modern  repubhcanism. 

"  In  this  situation  of  affairs,  we  ought  to  excite,  by  all  possible  means-, 
the  zeal  of  the  Americans,  who  are  as  much  interested  as  ourselves  in 
discouraging  the  destructive  projects  of  George  III.  in  which  they  are 
probably  an  object.  Their  own  safety  still  depends  on  ours ;  and  if  we 
fail,  they  will  sooner  or  later  fall  under  the  iron  rod  of  Great  Britain," 

Such  were  the  inflammatory  orders  of  President  Monge  to  Genet, 
and  such  was  his  encouragement  to  carry  them  into  full  effect  by  the 
American  faction  ;  at  the  head  of  which  appeared  Dallas,  then  a  secre- 
tary of  state.  This  man  is  described  by  Cobbett,  who  published  the  best 
diurnal  print  in  America,  under  the  name  of  The  Porcupine  Gazette, 
to  have  been  a  strolling  player,  of  such  inferior  abilities  as  to  have  been 
hissed  off  the  stage  m  the  island  of  Jamaica.  "  Wonderful  turn  of  the 
wheel  of  fortune,"  continues  Mr.  Cobbett.  A  man  rejected  as  a  divert* 
ing  stroller  in  a  British  colony,  is  found  very  fit  for  a  secretary  of  state  in^ 
the  republic  of  America  1" 


0  CHAF. 


100 


CHAP.  XL 


tTATE  or  RELIGION  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES — SUN  DAYS— GE  MEBOSITY  OI  THE 
KOMAN  CATHOLIC  BISHOP  OF  MARYLAND  —  SHAKERS — BAPTISTS,  ANECDOTES  Of 
ITHEM  — CAMP  MEETINGS  OF  THE  METHODISTS. 


oOON  after  ISIr.  Jeffei"son's  advancement  to  the  presidency,  the  tvthes 
of  the  episcopal  clergy  were  entirely  abolished,  and  the  church  lands 
sold  for  the  use  of  government.  All  religious  sects  are  therefore  on  the 
same  footing,  without  supremacy,  or  limited  salaries.  In  the  New 
England  States,  Presbyterians  and  Baptists  are  the  most  numerous. 
New  \'orlv  has  a  large  proportion  of  adherents  to  the  church  of  England, 
which  many  of  the  Dutch  also  attend.  New  Jersey  contains  a  mixture 
of  Quakers,  Baptists,  and  Presbyterians.  In  Pensylvania,  founded  bj' 
Williaui  Pcnn,  a  rigid  quaker,  a  great  part  of  the  inhabitants  are  con- 
sequently of  that  persuasion.  Being  subject  to  no  restraint,  this  non- 
resisting  sect  are,  by  many  Americans  of  other  denominations,  charged 
with  overbearance  in  all  matters  where  they  are  concerned,  and  with  a 
busy  intermeddling  meanness  in  the  affairs  of  other  sects.  Mar\  land, 
like  Pensylvania,  follows  the  religion  of  the  ancient  jiroprietor,  Lord  Bal- 
timore. About  one  half  of  the  people  are  therefore  Roman  Catholics, 
In  Virginia,  the  Methodists  bawl  out  their  tenets  with  the  greatest  suc- 
cess amongst  the  lower  orders  of  j)eople.  They  are  said  to  tlo  great  mis- 
chief among  the  slaves,  whom  thej'  receive  into  their  congregation,  and 
place  among  the  most  select  part  of  their  white  brethren.  They  certainly 
terrify  the  uninformed  negroes;  and,  in  many  instances,  serve  to  aggra- 
vate the  hardsliips  of"  their  situations,  by  disordering  their  minds.     In 

S  the 


SUNDAY  IN  CONNECTICUT.  10 f 

the  Carol inas,  (to  use  Dr.  Morse's  observation)  "  Religion  is  at  a  very 
low  ebb."  The  inhabitants  of  these  states  he  calls  Northingarians. 
Sundays  are  there  passed  in  riot  and  drunkenness;  and  the  negroes  in- 
dulge uncontrolled  in  tumultuous  sports  and  licentiousness.  At  night 
thev  prowl  about  stealing  wherever  they  find  opportunity,  at  the  risk  of 
a  severe  flogging  in  tlie  morning.  At  Charleston,  they  make  some 
shew  of  religion  on  the  sabbath,  but,  perhaps,  with  as  little  devotion  as 
in  the  other  parts  of  the  state.  Of  Georgia,  I  cannot,  from  my  own 
observation,  say  much  ;  but  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that,  with 
respect  to  religion,  it  is  nearly  on  a  par  with  the  Carolinas ;  gouging 
being  in  equal  vogue  in  the  four  southern  states. 

In  Connecticut,  the  sabbath  is  kept  in  the  most  rigid  manner;  a 
great  majorit}^  of  the  people  being  Baptists  and  Presbyterians.  There 
the  traveller  is  compelled  to  take  his  rest  at  the  miserable  tavern 
where  he  may  have  arrived  on  the  Saturday,  until  Monday  morning  ; 
for  the  running  of  stages  is  prohibited  on  the  Lord's  day.  I  actu-' 
ally  sustained  a  considerable  loss  by  being  detained  at  Newhaven  on  a 
Sunday  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1794,  on  my  road  to  New  York, 
which,  in  consequence  of  this  delay,  I  reached  too  late  to  transact  ray 
contemplated  business.  Many  instances  have  occurred  of  travellers  on 
horseback,  who  have  attempted  to  pass  a  meeting-house  during  service, 
being  forcibly  dismounted,  and  compelled  to  hear  a  doctrine,  perhaps, 
repugnant  to  their  tenets.* 


♦This  kind  of  religious  persecution  has  been  noticed  by  different  English  anthers,  and  denied  by  Ame- 
Kicans.  I  can,  however,  affirm,  that  as  late  as  the  year  1793,  such  cases  as  that  described  above  frequently 
orcuired.  Mr.  Harper,  manager  of  a  company  of  comedians,  informed  me  that  an  attempt  was  made  to 
stop  him  on  passing  a  small  building,  which  he  supposed  to  be  a  meeting-house,  on  a  Sunday  forenoon. 
in  Connecticut,  and  that  he  preserved  his  freedom  by  hastening  his  speed.  The  player  was  witty  iti 
commenting  on  his  situation,  observing,  that  he  was  taken  by  surprise,  for  had  he  only  told  them  liis 
errand,  (he  was  going  post  to  Boston  to  open  a  tiieatre)  the  Puritans  would  have  avoided  iiim  as  a  pesti- 
lence. 

o2  In 


10^  CATHOLICS— SHAKER?. 

Ill  all  the.  other  states,  Maryland  excepted,  the  principal  merchanti 
and  nun  of  property  are  chiefly  of  the  church  of  England.  The  Ro- 
man Catholics  are  the  most  moderate  and  orderly  of  the  other  sects. 
They  have  handsome  churches  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  At 
Baltimore,  a  Metropolitan  cathedral  is  building,  on  an  extensive  scale, 
under  the  patronage  and  protection  of  Bishop  Cleggett,  a  man  of  good 
sense  and  erudition,  vho  governs  the  Catholic  church  throughout  the 
United  States  uith  much  projjrietj'.  To  provide  funds,  he  prevailed 
upon  the  government  to  grant  a  lottery,  in  which  the  Bishop  drew  the 
highest  prize,  and  magnanimously  a[)propriated  it  lo  the  use  of  the 
church,  aflbrding  a  brilliant  example  to  the  other  dignified  clergy  to 
*'  go  and  do  likewise." 

Amongst  the  numerous  religious  sects  in  the  United  States,  there  is 
one,  which  for  extravagance  of  action,  during  their  orisons,  is  certainly 
pre-eminent.  These  peo[)le  are  called  Shakers.  The  first  society  was 
formed  at  Harvard,  in  the  State  of  Massachusets,  by  Ann  Leese,  who 
denominated  herself  their  mother;  and  she  associated  hersel  iwith  Wil- 
liam Leese,  her  natural  brother,  as  her  second;  John  Parkinson,  who 
had  formerly  been  a  baptist  preacher  in  England,  the  chief  speaker ;  and 
James  Whitaker,  second  speaker. 

These  people  had  converts  in  numbei-s,  and  from  distant  parts,  who 
laid  up  stores  of  provisions  for  such  as  tarried  at  Harvard.  Their 
meetings,  which  continued  day  and  night  for  a  considerable  time,  con- 
sisted of  preaching,  singing  and  dancing;  the  men  in  one  apartment, 
the  women  in  another.  These  meetings  were  attended  by  converts 
from  a  great  distance,  who  staid  from  two  to  twenty  days.  They  had 
missionaries  in  the  country  making  proselytes,  and  confirming  othei-s  in 
this  fancied  inillenium  state.  Those  were  taught  to  be  very  industrious 
at  home,  that  they  might  be  able  to  contribute  to  the  general  fund,  and 
many  devoted  their  whole  substance  to  the  society.  They  vary  their 
exercises  of  devotion.     Sometimes  they  dance,  or  rather  jump,  up  and 

down 


SHAKERS— NORTH   CAROLINA   MARRIAGES.  103 

•clown  in  a  heavy  manner  till  they  are  exhausted  by  the  A'iolence  of  the 
exercise.  The  chief  speaker  Avill  sometimes  begin  to  pray,  they  then 
desist  to  listen  to  him,  and  when  he  has  finished,  immediately  renew 
their  dancing  with  increased  vigor.  Then  generally  follows  the  shak- 
ing, as  if  shuddering  under  an  ague,  from  which  they  have  received  the 
name  of  shakers.  They  sing  praises  to  David  during  the  dancing;  but 
I  could  not  learn  what  holy  man  or  saint  they  invoke  in  their  shaking 
fits.  The  women  are  equally  emploN'^ed  in  the  fatigues  of  these  exer- 
cises under  the  eye  of  the  mother  in  another  apartment,  where  they 
jump  and  scream  in  dreadful  concert.  Sometimes  there  will  be  short 
intermissions,  but  in  a  minute  or  tAvo,  one  of  the  chiefs  will  spring  up, 
crving,  "  as  David  danced,  so  will  we  before  God ;"  the  others  follow 
this  signal ;  and  thus,  alternately  dancing,  praying,  and  singing,  they 
pass  night  after  night,  and  often  until  morning.  Mother  Leese's 
followers  have  formed  societies  at  New  Lebanon  and  Hancock,  in  the 
state  of  New  York,  and  in  other  parts  the  shakers,  who  call  them- 
selves believers,  are  spreading  Avith  enthusiastic  rapidity. 

At  Edenton,  in  North  Carolina,  the  people  are  so  far  lost  to  the 
sense  of  religion,  that  they  have  suffered  a  handsome  brick  e|)iscopaliaii 
church,  the  only  place  of  public  worship  in  the  town,  to  fall  into  decay. 
In  many  parts  of  the  southern  states,  there  is  a  total  neglect,  not  only  of 
religious,  but  often  of  moral  duties.  The  church-yard  at  Edenton  is  open 
to  the  carnivorous  beasts  which  prowl  about  that  country;  and  when 
cattle  have  grazed,  and  hogs  rooted  in  it,  they  retire  to  rest  in  the  neg- 
lected church.  Having  driven  their  minister  awa}',  the  ceremony  of 
marriage  is  performed  by  a  justice  of  the  peace,  Avho  having  fir^t  freely 
indulged  at  the  festive  board  of  the  hai)|jy  couple,  and  generally  late 
in  the  evening,  hiccups  over  a  few  lines,  and  this  serves  is  a  bond  lor 
life.  The  baj)tisra  and  the  burial  service  are  dispensed  Avith.  This 
church  was  built  and  flourished  under  the  British  government,  when 
benevolent  and  spirited  merchants  gave  a  rank  and  consequence  to  the 
town,  when  hospitality  and  unanimity  spread  their  benign  influence, 
1  and 


104  BAPTISM   BY   IMMERSION. 

and  somewliat  ameliorated  an  unfriendly  clime,  by  the  exercise  of 
the  social  and  moral  virtues. 

These  religious  liberties,  like  the  civil  code  of  republicanism,  is  often 
grossly  abused.  The  episcopalians  in  many  of  the  states  have  their 
bishops,  and  even  the  ranting  methodists  have  their  Lord's  anointed; 
n(»t^vith^tanding  Doctor  Currie  boldly  advances  that  there  are  no 
ecclesiastical  orders  in  the  country.  The  baptists  are  also  a  formidable 
sect  in  some  parts ;  and,  like  the  other  seceders,  are  bitter  enemies  to. 
the  old  established  code  of  religion. 

I  was  present  at  a  baptism  according,  as  they  say,  to  the  doctrine  of 
Saint  John,  in  Rhode  Island.  The  day  was  one  of  the  severest  in  the 
month  of  January,  and  in  that  part  of  the  world  it  is  many  degrees 
colder  than  in  England.  The  thermometer  was,  at  the  time,  10  be-. 
lowO. 

A  concourse  of  people  near  the  water-side  attracted  my  attention.  I 
joined  the  crowd,  and  found  that  it  was  assembled  to  witness  a  baptism 
by  immersion.  The  ice,  which  was  about  a  loot  thick,  had  been  cut 
through  to  the  distance  of  twenty  or  thirty  yards,  but  so  intense  was 
the  frost,  that  some  of  the  elect  were  obliged,  witli  poles  and  staves,  to 
keej)  the  hallowed  water  from  freezing.  A  few  minutes  would  have  ce-. 
raented  the  whole  again.  In  order  to  turn  the  hearts  of  unbelievers, 
and  to  reclaim  such  as  hav'e  gone  astray,  the  baptists  on  these  occasions 
are  particularly  prolix.  They  assert  that  the  spirit  enures  them  to  this 
rigid  penance,  making  to  them  the  day  mild,  and  the  water  of  the 
inimmer's  temperature.  I  had  waited  for  the  end  of  the  minister's  ex- 
hortation, after  which  he  was  to  lead  his  flock  to  the  water,  until  my 
litnbs  ached  with  cold.  At  length  the  penitents  appeared.  They  con- 
Msted  of  the  members  of  the  meeting,  two  and  two  ;  then  followed  the  • 
devotees,  about  twelve  in  number,  of  both  sexes,  in  long  gowns,  resem- 
bling a  robe  de  chumbve.     At  the  head  of  the  noviciates  was  the  priest, 

alternately 


CIRCUMSTANCES  ATTENDING  BAPtlSM  BY  IMMERSION.  105 

alternately  praying  and  singing,  in  honor.of  Saint  John  the  baptist:  and 
thus  without  slackening  his  pace,  or  altering  his  dress,  he  plunged  into 
the  freezing  stream,  till  he  was  nearly  breast-high  in  the  water.  His 
disciples,  with  wonderful  resolution,  hand  in  hand,  followed;  while  the 
members  who  had  already  been  purified  by  immersion,  ranged  them- 
selves along  the  margin  of  the  deep.  The  pastor  then  turned  round, 
and  began  a  solemn  exhortation  on  baptism,  which  continued  a  few 
minutes;  a  dreadful  interval  in  his  situation !  He  then  seized  the 
nearest  devotee,  and  with  great  dexterity  immersed  him  entirely  in  the 
water.  Another  short  praj^er  succeeded,  then  another  immersion ;  and 
this  was  repeated  till  the  whole  had  thus  received  the  holy  sacrament. 
They  retur«ed,  giving  thanks  to  God,  after  suffering  the  severity  of  the 
freezing  water,  at  such  a  season,  about  ten  minutes. 

During  this  unnatural  ceremony,  I  was  no  less  entertained  with  the 
remarks  of  the  spectators.  On  of  them  observed  that,  severe  as  the 
discipline  was,  they  seldom  took  cold,  or  suffered  subsequent  bodily 
pains ;  adding,  that  their  enthusiasm  was  so  great,  and  their  minds  were 
wrought  up  to  such  a  degree  of  religious  phrenzy,  that  no  room  was  left 
for  reflection,  or  sense  of  danger.  Another  related  a  story  of  a  public 
baptism  of  this  nature  in  Connecticut,  which  was  attended  with  a  fatal 
circumstance.  "  It  was  about  the  same  time  of  year,"  continued  the 
narrator,  (tor  the  severer  the  weather  tbe  greater  their  faitb)  "  when  I 
was  present  at  one  of  these  duckings,  (as  he  termed  it.)  it  was  performed 
in  a  small  but  rapid  ri\er,  then  covered  with  ice,  except  a  place  cut  for 
the  purpose.  The  minister,  with  his  followers,  advanced  to  the  proper 
distance  into  the  water :  alter  the  usual  introductorj'^  prayer,  being  in  the- 
act  of  immersing  the  first,  he  accidentally  lost  his  hold  of  the  unfortu- 
nate person,  who  was  in  an  instant  carried  down  the  stream,  still  run- 
ning under  the  ice,  and  irrecoverably  lost.  I'he  good  man  finding  his 
subject  gone,  -with  a  happy  serenity  of  mind  exclaimed,  "  'J'he  Lord 
hath  given,  the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 

Lord: 


IOj  MLTHODIST   CAMP-MEETINGS. 

Lord:— ooino  auollier  of  you,  my  children."     The  remainder,  asto- 
nished and  confounded,  lost  their  faith,  and  fled. 

A  third  spectator  declared,  that  one  of  his  relations,  an  elderly  man, 
had  sviddenlv  hecome  a  irequenter  of  the  baptist  meetings,  and  offt;red 
himself  a  candidate  lor  a  place  among  the  elect.     The  penance  neces- 
sary to  endure  is  severe,  and  the  probation  arduous,  before  the  repent- 
ant sinner  can  pass  the  ordeal  of  the  ministers  and  elders.     The  old 
man  had,  it  seems,  obtained  the  blessed  sanction,  and  a  distant  day  was 
appointed  for  his  regeneration  by  baptism.     U))on  reflection,  finding 
that  it  would  happen  in  the  greatest  severity  of  winter,  at  the  next  meet- 
ing he  petitioned  that  the  ceremony  might  take  i)lace  in  wjirmer  wea- 
ther; alledging,  that  it  would  certainly  prove  his  death  to  be  put  under 
water  in  time  of  frost  and  snow.     The  congregation  murmured,  while 
the  priest,  without  a  reply,  read  his  sentence  of  excommunication,  with 
the  most  severe  anathemas  on  his  head  as  an  unbeliever,  possessing  nei- 
ther faith  nor  the  holy  spirit;  and  never  could  he  recover  the  ettects 
of  his  indiscretion,  or  be  again  admitted  into  the  number  of  the  elect. 

The  methodists  assemble  in  the  summer  season  in  surprising  num- 
bers, in  different  pans  of  the  United  States.     These  are  called  camp- 
meetings,  and  converts  will  travel  to  attend  them  several  hundred  miles. 
A  place  is  fixed  upon  at  a  convocation  of  the  preachers,  at  which  their 
bishop  sometimes  presides,  and  a  distant  time  appointed  for  these  meet- 
ings, which  also  draw  together  the  neighboring  inhabitants  for  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  motives  of  curiosity.    They  sometimes  continue 
during  a  fortnight,  and  this  time  is  passed  in  the  field,  in  prayer.  They 
bring  with  them  provisions,  tents,  or  blankets,   and  support  the  nume- 
rous body  of  preachers,  who  continue  bawling  to  the  people  in  tur  is, 
day  and   night.      When   signs  of  conversion   begin  to   be   manifest, 
several   preachers  crowd  round  the  object,   exhorting   a  continuance 
of  the  efforts  of  the  spirit,  and  displaying,  in  the  most  frightful  images 

the 


ADVERTISLMEXT   OF   A   CAMP-MEETING.  107 

the  horrors  which  attend  such  as  do  not  come  unto  them.  Tlic  signs  of 
regeneration  are  displayed  in  the  most  extravagant  symptoms.  I  have 
seen  women  jumping,  striking,  and  kicking,  hke  raving  maniacs;  while 
the  surrounding  believers  could  not  keep  them  in  postures  of  decency. 
This  continues  till  the  convert  is  entirely  exhausted;  but  they  consider 
the  greater  the  resistance  the  more  the  fiiith ;  and  thus  they  are  admit- 
ted into  what  they  term  the  society.  The  men  under  the  agony  of  con- 
version, find  it  sufficient  to  express  their  contrition  by  loud  groans,  Avith 
hands  clasped  and  eyes  closed.*  The  following  is  an  exact  copy  of  an 
advertisement  of  a  camp-meeting,  taken  from  a  newspaper  printed  at 
Trenton,  in  New  Jersey. 

"  CAMP-MEETING. 

"  The  public  is  hereby  informed,  that  a  Camp-Meeting  will  be  held 
near  Mr.  Minard  Farley's,  in  a  grove,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
New  Germantown,  in  Hunterdon  County.  To  commence  on  Satur- 
daj^  the  iQth  of  September,  and  to  continue  three  days,  under  the  su- 
perintendence of  the  ministers  of  the  methodist  church. 

"  As  camp-meetings  are  generally  attended  by  several  thousands  from 
far  and  near,  and  commonly  continue  day  and  night,  it  will  be  best  for 
those  who  may  come  a  distance  to  brino-  j>rovision  for  themselves  and 
horses  if  possible,  and  to  tarry  on  the  ground  till  the  meeting  ends. 

"  All  friendly  ministers  and  praying  people  are  invited  to  attend  said 
meeting.  "  thomas  ware, 

"  JOSEPH  1  otten. 
"  Trenton,  Sept.  10,   1804." 

*  That  such  things  should  take  place  even  in  America,  excited  in  me  a  considerable  degiee  of  asfonish- 
ment.  But  who  would  expect  to  find  extravagancies  equally  ludicrous  practised  in  this  enlightened  age 
in  South  Britain  I     In  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  Dec.  1 806,  I  find  the  following  passage  : 

"  In  a  town  called  Bala,  in  North  Wales,  (here  is  a  sect  of  enthusiasts  called  Junipers,  who  asbenible 
together  once  every  year  to  the  amount  of  four  or  five  thousand  persons  ;  when,  after  being  inflamed 
almost  to  madness  by  venting  their  fanatical  doctrines,  they  begin  to  groan,  and  howl,  and  foam  at  the 
mouth,  and  then  jump  violently  about,  and  struggle  witli  each  other  till  they  are  quite  spent  and  ex- 
hausted, and  obliged  to  be  carried  home  to  their  lodgings  to  recover  their  strength  for  the  next  day, 
when  the  same  frantic  scene,  and  savage  cries,  and  extravagant  gesticulations,  and  junipings  are  repeated." 

P  CHAF. 


105  MiniODIST   CAMP-MEETIXOS. 

I^onh— ooiiu^  anotlicr  of  you,  my  childnni."     The  remainder,  asto- 
nished and  c«)nlt>tHided,  lost  their  faith,  and  Ikd. 

A  third  spectator  declared,  that  one  of  his  relations,  an  elderly  man, 
had  suddenly  heeome  a  frequenter  of  the  haptist  meetings,  and  offered 
himself  a  candidate  for  a  place  among  the  elect.     The  penance  neces- 
sary to  endure  is  severe,  and  the  jnobation  arduous,  before  the  repent- 
ant sinner  can  pass  the  ordeal  of  the  ministers  and  elders.     The  old 
man  had,  it  seems,  obtained  the  blessed  sanction,  and  a  distant  day  was 
appointed  for  his  regeneration  by  baptism.     Upon  reflection,  finding 
that  it  would  happen  in  the  greatest  severity  of  winter,  at  the  next  meet- 
ing lie  petitioned  that  the  ceremony  might  take  place  in  warmer  wea- 
ther; alledging,  that  it  would  certainly  prove  his  death  to  be  put  under 
water  in  time  of  frost  and  snow.     The  congregation  murmured,  while 
the  priest,  without  a  reply,  read  his  sentence  of  excommunication,  with 
the  most  severe  anathemas  on  his  head  as  an  unbeliever,  possessing  nei- 
ther faith  nor  the  holy  spirit;  and  never  could  he  recover  the  effects- 
of  his  indiscretion,  or  be  again  admitted  into  the  number  of  the  elect. 

The  methodists  assemble  in  the  summer  season  in  surprising  num- 
hers,  in  different  parVs  of  the  United  States.     These  are  called  camj)- 
meetinss,  and  converts  will  travel  to  attend  them  several  hundred  miles. 
A  place  is  fixed  ujjon  at  a  convocation  of  the  preachers,  at  which  their 
bishop  sometimes  presides,  and  a  distant  time  appointed  for  these  meet- 
ings, which  also  draw  together  the  neighboring  inhabitants  for  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  motives  of  curiosity.    They  sometimes  continue 
during  a  fortnight,  and  this  time  is  passed  in  the  field,  in  prayer.  They 
bring  with  thera  jjrovisions,  tents,  or  blankets,  and  support  the  nume- 
rous body  of  preachers,  who  continue  bawling  to  the  people  in  tur  is, 
day  and  night.      When   signs  of  conversion  begin  to   be  manifest, 
several   preachers  crowd  round  the  object,   exhorting   a  continuance 
of  the  efforts  of  the  spirit,  and  displaying,  in  the  most  frightful  images 

the 


ADVERTISEMENT   OF   A   CAMP-MEETING.  107 

the  horrors  which  attend  such  as  do  not  come  unto  them.  The  signs  of 
regeneration  are  displayed  in  the  most  extravagant  sj-mptoms.  I  have 
seen  women  jumping,  striking,  and  kicking,  \'\ke  raving  maniacs;  while 
the  surrounding  believers  could  not  keep  them  in  postures  of  decency. 
This  continues  till  the  convert  is  entirely  exhausted;  but  they  consider 
the  greater  the  resistance  the  more  the  faith ;  and  thus  they  are  admit- 
ted into  what  they  term  the  society.  The  men  under  the  agony  of  con- 
version, find  it  sufficient  to  express  their  contrition  by  loud  groans,  with 
hands  clasped  and  eyes  closed.*  The  following  is  an  exact  copy  of  an 
advertisement  of  a  camp-meeting,  taken  from  a  newspaper  printed  at 
Trenton,  in  N  ew  Jersey. 

"  CAMP-MEETING. 

"  The  public  is  hereby  informed,  that  a  Camp-lNIeeting  will  be  held 
near  Mr.  Minard  Farley's,  in  a  grove,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
New  Germantown,  in  Hunterdon  County.  To  commence  on  Satur- 
day, the  :29th  of  September,  and  to  continue  thi'ee  days,  under  the  su- 
perintendence of  the  ministers  of  the  methodist  church. 

"  As  camp-meetings  are  generally  attended  by  several  thousands  from 
far  and  near,  and  commonly  continue  day  and  night,  it  will  be  best  for 
those  who  may  come  a  distance  to  bring  provision  for  themselves  and 
horses  if  possible,  and  to  tarry  on  the  ground  till  the  meeting  ends. 

"  All  friendly  ministers  and  praying  people  are  invited  to  attend  said 
meeting.  "  thomas  ware, 

"  JOSEPH  1  OTTEN. 

"  Trenton,  Sept.  10,   1804." 

*  That  such  things  should  take  ])lace  even  in  America,  excited  in  me  a  considerable  degree  of  astonish- 
ment. But  who  would  expect  to  find  extravagancies  equally  ludicrous  practised  in  this  enlightened  age 
in  South  Britain  I      In  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  Dec.  1  806,  I  find  the  following  passage  : 

"  In  a  town  called  Bala,  in  North  \Vales,  (here  is  a  sect  of  enthusiasts  called  Jumpers,  who  assemble 
together  once  every  year  to  the  amount  of  four  or  five  thousand  persons  ;  when,  after  being  inflamed 
almost  to  madness  by  venting  their  fanatical  doctrines,  they  begin  to  groan,  and  howl,  and  foam  at  the 
mouth,  and  then  jump  violently  about,  and  struggle  with  each  other  till  they  are  quite  spent  and  ex- 
hausted, and  obliged  to  be  carried  home  to  their  lodgings  to  recover  their  strength  for  the  next  day, 
when  the  same  frantic  scene,  and  savage  cries,  and  extravagant  gesticulations,  and  junipings  are  repeated." 

P  CHAP. 


108 


CHAP.  XL 


AMEIIICAN  PUBLIC  CHARACTERS,   LIVING  OR  RECENTLY 

DECEASED. 

GENERAL  GATES — GENERAL  HAMILTON  —  COLONEL  BURR — GENERAL  PINCKNEY — 
GENERAL  PUTNAM  —  MK.  ALBERT  GALLATIN  —  MR.  JOHN  RANDOLPH — MB.  LEVI 
LINCOLN  —  LORD  FAIRFAX — SIR  JOHN  OLDMIXON — THOSIAS  LAW,  ESQ. — PAUL 
JONES CAPTAIN    HACKER — CAPTAIN    PETER    LANDOIS  —  GENERAL    ARNOLD. 


1  HE  avidity  with  -which  the  particulars  of  the  hves  of  conspicuous 
characters  are,  in  general,  perused  by  the  public,  has  induced  me  to 
devote  a  portion  of  my  work  to  the  subject  of  American  biography. 
Presuming  that  it  will  not  prove  uninteresting  to  the  majority  of  my 
readers,  I  shall  not  apologize  for  the  length  of  this  chapter.  To  many, 
perhaps,  it  may  appear  too  short.  Some  may  be  inclined  to  find  fault 
with  the  omission  of  such  names  as  Washington,  Adams,  and  Jefferson; 
and  to  these  I  would  say,  that  I  was  more  solicitous  to  collect  facts 
which  are  not  universally  known  in  this  country,  than  to  repeat  what 
every  individual  must  already  be  acquainted  with.  This  being  pre- 
mised, I  shall  now  proceed. 


GENERAL  GATES. 


This  venerable  officer  paid  the  debt  of  nature  on  tlie  lOth  of  March, 
180G,  full  of  honors,  and  greatly  lamented  in  America.  He  had  at- 
tained the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and,  like  his  great  commander, 
Washington,  passed  the  winter  of  his  life  in  retirement  on  his  estate. 

General 


ANECDOTES  OF  GENERAL  GATES.  109 

General  Horatio  Gates  was  by  birth  an  Englishman,  and  when 
very  young,  entered  into  the  British  army,  where  he  acquired  his  first 
knowledge  of  military  tactics  under  the  late  Duke  of  Brunswick,  at  that 
time  Prince  Ferdinand.  He  went  to  America  as  caj)tain  of  infantry 
under  General  Braddock,  and  continued  in  that  service  till  the  peace 
of  1763,  when  he  returned  to  his  native  countr^^  It  appears  that  during 
this  time  he  had  imbibed  so  great  a  partiality  for  the  new  world,  that 
he  sold  his  commission,  and  purchased  an  estate  in  the  colony  of  Vir- 
ginia, Avhere  he  resided  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  unfortunate  M-ar, 
and  upon  that  event  he  joined  the  standard  of  his  adopted  country. 
The  qualifications  he  possessed  gained  him  so  rapid  a  promotion,  that 
he  was  appointed  commander  in  chief  of  the  Northern  American  army; 
and  in  this  situation  he  obtained  distinguished  celebrity  by  the  captura 
of  General  Bnrgoyne,  and  the  English  army  under  his  command. 

His  humanity  to  his  captives  was  equal  to  his  success ;  and  tiie  atten- 
tion he  sheAved  to  I^ady  Harriet  Acland  will  ever  render  his  name  re- 
spected in  England.  The  complicatt-d  distresses,  the  extraordinary 
fatigues,  and  the  heroic  resolution  of  that  amiable  lady,  were  subjects 
of  astonishment  to  the  contending  armies.  The  particulars  of  her  ad- 
ventures were  given  in  the  publications  of  that  day.  Thirty  years 
having,  however,  elapsed  since  the  fatal  turn  of  this  conflict,  and  her 
history  being  in  some  measure  connected  with  that  of  her  generous 
enemy,  a  brief  sketch  of  it  will  give  the  reader,  then  unborn,  some 
idea  of  the  miseries  attending  that  unnatural  war. 


"O 


In  the  year  1775,  the  regiment  of  which  John  Dyke  Acland,  esq. 
of  Devonshire,  was  major,  was  ordered  on  the  American  station  and 
his  wife.  Lady  Harriet  Acland,  determined  to  accompany  him.  This 
resolution  was  not  to  be  shaken  by  any  intreaties  to  relinquish  so 
dangerous  a  project ;  and  in  the  beginning  of  the  ensuing  year  she  was 
in  Canada,  where,  during  the  first  campaign,  she  traversed  a  vast  ex- 
tent of  country,  in  different  extremes  of  the  season  ;  encountering  dif^ 

P  2  ficulties 


no  HEROISM   OF   LADY   HARRIET   ACLA^■D. 

ficiiltics  that  ail  European  traveller  will  not  easily  conceive,  for  the  pur- 
pose of"  attending-  tlie  major,  who  was  confined  by  sickness  in  a  wretched 
hut  in  Chamblee. 

On  the  openini^  of  the  campaifjn   of  1777,  she  was  restrained  from 
oflering  to  share   the  fatigue  and  hazard  expected  before  Ticonderago, 
by  the  positive  injunctions  of  her  husband.     The  day  alter  the  conquest  , 
of  that  place,  he  was  badly  wounded,  and  she  crossed  the  lake  Cham- 
plain  to  join  him. 

As  soon  as  he  recovered,  Lady  Han'iet  insisted  on  following  his  for- 
tunes through  the  campaign.  The  artificers  of  the  artillery,  for  this 
purpose  made  her  a  two-wheeled  tumbril.  Major  Acland  commanded 
the  grenadiers,  who  were  always  the  advanced  post  of  the  army.  From 
tiieir  situation,  these  troops  were  obliged  to  be  so  often  on  the  alert, 
that  none  of  them  slept  out  of  their  clothes.  In  one  of  these  positions, 
a  tent,  in  which  the  major  and  Lady  Harriet  were  asleep,  suddenly 
took  fire.  An  orderly  serjeant  of  grenadiers,  with  great  hazard  of  suf- 
focation, dragged  out  the  first  person  he  laid  hold  of.  It  proved  to  be 
the  major.  At  the  same  instant  his  wife,  unconscious  of  what  she  did, 
and  perhaps  not  perfectly  awake,  providentiall)^  made  her  escape  by 
creeping  under  the  walls  of  the  back  part  of  the  tent.  The  first  object 
she  beheld  on  the  recovery  of  her  senses,  was  the  major  on  the  other 
side,  and  in  the  same  instant  again  in  the  fire  in  search  of  her.  The 
Serjeant  once  more  saved  him,  but  not  before  the  major  was  very  se- 
verely burned  in  the  face  and  different  parts  of  the  body.  Every  thing 
they  had  with  ihem  in  the  tent  was  consumed. 

This  misfortune  befel  them  shortly  before  the  army  ))assed  Hudson's 
River.  It  neither  altered  the  resolution  nor  the  cheerfulness  of  Lady 
Harriet ;  and  she  continued  her  progress,  sharing  on  every  occasion  the 
fatigues  of  the  advanced  corps.  The  next  trial  of  her  fortitude  was  of 
a  different  nature,  and  more  distressing,  as  it  was  of.  longer  duration. 

On 


MAJOR   ACLAND   WOUNDED   AND   TAKEN   PRISONER.  Ill 

On  the  march  of  the  iQth  of  September,  the  grenadiers  became  liable 
to  the  hazards  of  an  action  at  every  step.  She  had  been  directed  by 
the  major  to  follow  the  route  of  the  artillery  and  baggage,  which  was 
not  exposed.  At  the  commencement  of  the  action  she  found  herself 
near  a  small,  uninhabited  hut,  where  she  alighted.  When  the  en- 
gagement was  becoming  general  and  blood}%  the'  surgeons  of  the  hos- 
pital took  possession  of  the  same  place,  as  the  most  convenient  for  the 
care  of  the  w'ounded.  Thus  was  this  lady  in  hearing  ot"  one  continual 
fire  of  cannon  and  musquetry  for  four  hours  together,  with  the  pre- 
sumption, from  the  post  of  her  husband  at  the  head  of  the  grenadiers, 
that  he  was  in  the  most  exposed  part  of  the  action.  She  had  here 
three  female  companions,  the  Baroness  of  Riedesel,  and  the  wives  of 
IVIajor  Harnage  and  Lieutenant  Reynell.  Major  Harnage  was  soon 
brought  to  the  surgeons,  very  badly  wounded  ;  and  a  little  afterwards 
came  intelligence  that  Lieutenant  Reynell  was  shot  dead.  Imagination 
can  scarcely  conceive  the  state  of  the  whole  group. 

From  the  date  of  that  action  to  the  7th  of  October,  Lady  Harriet 
stood  prepared  for  new  trials,  and  it  was  her  lot  that  their  severit\'  should 
increase  with  their  number.  She  was  again  exposed  to  tlie  hearing  of 
the  whole  action,  and  at  last  received  the  shock  of  her  individual  mis- 
fortune, mixed  with  the  intelligence  of  the  general  calamity,  that  the 
troops  were  defeated,  and  that  Major  Acland,  desperately  wounded, 
was  a  prisoner.  The  8th  was  passed  by  Lady  Harriet  and  her  com- 
panions in  inexpressible  anxiety — not  a  shed,  not  a  tent  was  standing, 
except  what  belonged  to  the  hospital;  their  refuge  was  among-  the 
wounded  and  dying.  The  army  retreated  that  night,  and  at  break 
of  day  on  the  9th,  reached,  very  advantageous  ground.  A  halt  was 
necessary,  to  refresh  the  troops,  and  to  give  time  to  the  batteaux, 
laden  w  itli  provisions,  to  come  abreast. 

When  the  army  was  on  the  point  of  moving.  Lady  Harriet  sent  a 
message  to  General  Burgoyne,  proposing  to  pass  to  the  camp  of  the 

enemy, 


112  DISTRESSING   SITUATION   OF   LADY   HARRIET   ACLAND. 

enciny,  and  request  General  Gates's  permission  to  attend  her  wounded 
hubbund.  General  Burgoyiic  was  astonished  at  the  proposal.  Ti)at  a 
wonuui,  after  so  lonj:f  an  afi;itation  of  the  spirits,  exhausted,  not  only 
for  want  of  rest,  but  absolutely  ibr  want  of  food,  drenched  in  rains  for 
twelve  hours  together,  should  be  capable  of  delivering  herself  up  to  the 
eneniv,  probably  in  the  night,  and  uncertain  into  what  hands  she 
might  fall,  a|i|)eared  to  him  an  effort  too  great  for  human  nature.  The 
assistance  which  he  could  render  her  was  small  indeed ;  he  had  not  even 
a  cup  of  wine  to  offer  her.  All  that  he  could  furnish  was  an  open  boat, 
and  a  few  lines,  written  upon  dirty  and  wet  paper,  to  General  Gates, 
recommending  her  to  his  protection. 

Mr.  Brudenell,  the  chaplain  to  the  artiller}',  readily  undertook  to 
accompany  her,  and  with  one  female  servant,  and  the  major's  valet-de- 
chambre,  Avho  then  had  in  his  shoulder  a  ball  received  in  the  late  action, 
*he  was  rowed  down  the  river  to  meet  tiie  enemy.  But  her  distresses 
were  not  at  an  end.  The  night  was  advanced  bett)re  the  boat  reached 
their  out-posts,  and  the  centinel  refused  to  let  it  pass,  or  even  to  come 
on  shore.  In  vain  Mr.  Brudenell  offered  the  flag  of  truce,  and  rej)re- 
sented  the  state  of  the  extraordinary  passenger.  The  guard,  apprehen- 
sive of  treachery,  and  punctilious  to  his  orders,  threatened  to  lire  into 
the  boat  if  it  stirred  before  day-light. 

Here  then  behold  a  delicate  female,  who  had  all  her  life  been  a 
stranger  to  bodily  hardship  of  even,^  kind,  who  had  never  known  the 
want  of  any  of  those  indulgences  that  are  usually  enjoyed  by  the  daugh- 
ters of  affluence — behold  her,  destitute  of  every  earthly  comfort  and 
convenience,  exjx>sed,  for  seven  or  eight  dismal  hours,  in  an  open  boat, 
beneatli  an  inclement  American  sky,  to  the  accumulated  horrors  of  the 
most  cruel  anxiety,  of  darkness,  hunger,  rain,  cold,  and  fatigue ! 
Say  then,  ye  beauties  \\  hose  presence  gladdens  the  crowded  assemblies 
of  this  brilliant  metropolis,  ye  gay  votaries  of  dissipation,  who  know  no 
fatigue  but  what  ye  experience  in  devising  new  pleasures ;  whose  keen- 
est 


HUMANITY  OF  GENERAL  GATES.  115 

est  disappointments  proceed  from  the  negligence  of  your  milliner,  jew- 
eller, or  coach-maker  ;  who  are  strangers  to  vexation,  save  that  which 
ye  feel  w^hen  eclipsed  by  some  more  ingenious  fair  one  in  the  vanities  and 
elegancies  of  fashion; — which  of  you  could  renounce  the  allurements  of 
the  great  world  ;  which  of  you  could  resolve  to  encounter  all  the  dis- 
tresses incident  to  a  military  life,  purely  from  motives  of  affection  to 
the  man  of  your  choice?  Few,  very  few,  I  fear,  would  be  found 
among  you  to  imitate  the  example  of  the  virtuous  and  heroic  Lady 
Hamet  Aclaud  ! 

The  reflections  of  that  lady  during  so  long  an  interval  of 'painful  sus- 
pense, could  not  inspire  her  with  very  encouraging  ideas  of  the  treat- 
ment she  was  afterwards  to  expect. 

Morning  arrived,  and  General  Gates  being  apprised  of  her  situation 
sent  instant  orders  to  conduct  the  fair  sufferer  to  liis  quarters,  where  he 
set  before  her  every  refreshment  which  he  could  procure,  lamented  that 
he  had  not  been  informed  of  the  conduct  of  the  centinel,  and  treated 
her  with  all  the  humanity  and  respect  that  her  rank  and  her  merits 
deserxed.  She  was  then  conducted  to  her  husband,  who,  through  her 
tender  care,  recovered  from  his  Avounds. 

It  was  not  many  days  after  this,  that  General  Burgojne's  A^hole 
army,  worn  out  with  fatigue,  destitute  of  provisions,  and  greatly  re- 
duced by  losses,  were  compelled  to  capitulate.  The  British  officers 
bore  testimony  to  General  Gates's  moderation  and  humanity  on  this- 
occasion.  He  endeavored  to  sooth  the  distress  of  mind  in  which  tiu- 
circumstance  involved  his  adverse  conimander,  and  sought,  by  every 
possible  means,  to  render  his  situation  and  that  of  his  officers  less 
irksome. 

Having  conquered  in  the  north.  General  Gates  was  invested  by  con- 
■5  gress 


114  ANECDOTES   OF  GENERAL   HAMILTON. 

gress  with  the  command  of  their  southern  army ;  but  there  fortune  did 
not  second  his  exertic)ns.  He  was  defeated  in  his  turn  by  Lord  Corn- 
waUis,  who  thus,  for  a  time,  suhdued  the  Carofuias.  Being  superseded 
by  General  Green,  lie  retired  to  liis  estate  in  Virginia,  quitting  "  the 
trade  of  arms,"  perhaps  not  altogether  without  disgust  at  the  manner  in 
which  congress  deprived  him  of  his  command.  I  have  conversed  on 
the  subject  of  this  his  last  engagement  with  American  oHiccrs,  who 
ajrrecd  that  no  blame  could  attach  to  their  commander,  whose  orders 

1    * 

were  to  check  the  rapid  progress  of  the   British  force,  superior  to  his 
own,  both  in  number  and  appointment. 

The  private  virtues  of  General  Gates  were  many  and  eminent.  He 
was  charitable— humane— just  in  all  his  dealings— intlexiblc  in  his 
friendship— and  ever  acted  under  the  impulse  of  a  good  heart.  He 
was  the  scholar,  the  soldier,  and  the  gentleman. 


GENERAL  HAMILTON. 


The  talents  and  integrity  of  the  much-lamented  Alexander  Hamilton 
raised  him  to  an  estimation  which  no  man,  Washington  excepted,  has 
obtained  in  America  since  the  revolution.  He  was  descended  from  a 
respectable  Scotch  family,  but  was  born  in  the  West  Indies,  and  came 
into  the  British  colony  of  New  York  at  the  age  of  sixteen.*  Early  in 
life  he  displayed  a  taste  for  literature,  and,  on  his  arrival,  entered  upon 
a  course  of"  studies  with  such  assiduity,  that,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  he 
was  qualified  to  take  the  degree  of   Bachelor  of  Arts,  in  the  college  of 

»  His  grandfatlior  was  Alexaiuk-r  Hamilton,  of  Grange  in  Ayrshire,  who  married  Elizabeth  Follotk, 
daughter  of  Robert  Pollock  of  Renfrewsliirt-,  by  whom  he  had  a  numerous  family.  James  llamiltou, 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  fourth  son  of  Alexander,  and  went  to  the  West  Indies, 
where  he  was  born,  in  the  Island  of  St.  N'incent.  His  mother  was  an  American  lady,  and  to  her  friends 
(he  vouth  was  sent,  as  related  above. 

New 


HUMAXITi^  AND  FIRMNESS  OF  HAMILTON.  115 

New  York,  and  to  lay  a  foundation,  by  preparatory  reading,  for  the  fu- 
ture profession  of  the  law.  About  this  time,  the  American  revolution 
caused  him  to  exchange  his  pen  for  the  sword,  and  his  principles  in- 
duced him  to  join  the  American  army,  which  he  entered  as  a  captain 
of  artillery.  His  abilities  soon  attracted  the  notice  of  General  Washing- 
ton, Avho  appointed  him  his  aid-de-camp.  In  this  situation  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton served  until  the  peace.  Though  this  appointment  impeded  his  pro- 
motion, yet  the  gratification  of  possessing  the  confidence  of  the  com- 
rnander-in-chief  was  greater  than  the  acquirement  of  rank. 

INIr.  Cobbett,  speaking  of  General  Hamilton,  says,  "  that  he  entered 
into  the  American  army  at  a  very  early  period  of  the  contest,  and  was 
soon  distinguished  for  his  discretion  and  his  valor.  His  high  reputation 
for  both  procured  him  the  post  of  aid-de-camp  to  General  Washington, 
■whose  fame  is  perhaps  more  indebted  to  Mr.  Hamilton  than  any  other 
intrinsic  merit  of  his  own. 

"  In  the  history  of  the  war,  we  find  Mr.  Hamilton  rising  from  rank 
to  rank,  till,  at  the  siege  of  York  Town,  we  see  him  a  colonel,  com- 
manding the  attack  of  one  of  the  redoubts,  the  capture  of  which  de- 
cided the  tate  of  Lord  Cornwallis  and  his  army.  Mr.  Hamilton's  con- 
duct on  this  occasion  was  such  as  marks  the  true  hero.  Previously  to 
the  attack  being  made.  La  Fayette,  who  was  high  in  command  in  the 
American  army,  proposed  to  Washington  to  put  to  death  all  the  British 
officers  and  soldiers  that  slxould  be  taken  in  the  redoubts.  AVashington 
replied,  '  that  as  the  marquis  had  the  chief  command  of  the  assault,  he 
might  do  as  he  pleased.'*  This  answer  encouraged  the  base  and  vindic- 
tive Frenchman  to  give  a  positive  order  to  Colonel  Hamilton  to  execute 
his  bloody  intention.  After  the  redoubts  were  subdued.  La  Fayette 
asked  why  his  order  had  not  been  obeyed,  to  Avhich  the  gallant  and  hu- 
mane Hamilton  replied,  '  that  the  Americans  knew  how  to  fght,  but 

*  If  this  statement  be  correct,  such  compliance  must  be  a  great  drawback  in  the  public  opinion  from 
tRf  fame  of  Geueral  Wasliitigtoii. 

Q  not 


Ilri  lIAMII.ToN    AI'l'OINTHO   SDRET.MiV    ol    '1  UK   TREASLBY. 

not  to  nil  I  rihr ;"  in  which  seiitimciit  he  ^\  as  joined  by  the  Aiueiicaii 
soldins,  who  hciutl  the  remonstrance  ot"  La  laj'ctte  with  indignation 
and  ahhorrencc." 

Mr.  Cobbett  refers  the  reader,  for  a  detail  of  these  facts,  to  the  Ame- 
rican acconnt  of  the  revohitionary  war,  pubhslied  Ijy  iJobson  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  inserted  in  the  American  edition  of  the  Eiicyclopa:;dia 
liritannica. 

On  the  peace,  the  legislature  of  the  state  of  New  York  appointed  this 
officer  one  of  their  re[)resentatives  in  congress.  He  now  settled  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law  with  great 
ability  and  reputation,  when  he  was  again  reluctantly  drawn  into  pub- 
lic life,  lie  became  a  member  of  the  convention  which  framed  the 
present  cop.stitution  of  the  United  States,  and  having  taken  part  in  that 
measure,  he  considered  himself  under  an  obligation  to  lend  his  utmost 
aid  to  set  the  machine  in  motion. 

General  Washington  was  unanimously  called  u|)on  by  his  country  to 
exert  his  talents  in  the  cabinet,  and  accepted  the  troublesome  office  of 
President.  Here,  as  in  the  field  of  battle,  he  summoned  the  aid  of  Ha- 
milton, whom  he  appointed  Secretar\'  of  the  Treasur}''.  Though  qua- 
lified for  this  situation  by  the  most  eminent  abilities,  yet  neither  he  nor 
the  President  could  escape  the  shafts  of  calumny.  He  met  with  many 
intrinsic  difficulties,  and  many  artificial  obstacles,  engendered  by  passions 
not  very  commcn(lai)le,  and  which  act  with  the  greatest  force  in  repub- 
lics. He  raised  his  country  to  a  commercial  rank  among  distant  nations, 
by  establishing  public  credit,  and  introducing  order  into  the  finances. 
Public  offices  need  not  to  be  eagerly  sought  in  the  United  States.  The  in- 
come of  Mr.  Hamilton  at  this  time  was  scarcely  a  thousanil  pounds  ster- 
ling per  annum,  a  sum  inadequate  to  defray  the  expenses  attending  an. 
office  of  such  importance.  The  love  of  his  country  superseded  all  other 
considerations:  from  this  motive  he  relinquished  his  practice  at  the  baiv 

3  which 


Illij   LITERAHY   ABILITIES.  117 

which  would  iiifunibly  have  led  to  affluence.  Having  established  a  re- 
gular sj^stem  of  finance,  the  consideration  of  an  increasing  family  de- 
termined him,  as  soon  as  his  plans  were  matured,  to  withdraAv  ficm 
office. 

Accordingly,  in  the  year  1705,  Mr.  Hamilton  resigned  his  ofllce  of 
Secretarj-  of  the  Treasury,  Avith  a  reputation  high  in  the  estimation  of 
every  friend  to  his  country ;  yet  under  the  opprobrious  slander  of  the 
iVench  faction,  which  at  that  time  was  at  the  zenith  of  its  influence. 

During  his  services  in  the  arm}',  he  became  acquainted  with  the  ami- 
able family  of  General  Schuyler,  and  married  his  second  daughter,  by 
whom  he  had  several  children.      To  his  abilities  alone  he  was  indebted 
for  his  rank  and  eminence,  and  early  in  life  were  they  displayed.     On 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  was  not  eighteen  years  of  age,  his 
juvenile  pen  asserted  the  claims  of  the  colonies,  against  the  political 
Writers  in  favor  of  the  British  government.     The  unknown  author  was 
sought  after,  and  for  some  time  his  performances  were  imputed  to  Mr. 
Jay,  since  chief  justice,  and  ambassador  to  the  court  of  London.     The 
truth  could  not  long  be  concealed,  and  it  was  discovered  that  in  her  rank 
of  sage  ad\"ocates  and  patriots,  was  a  j'outh  whose  pen  gained  more  par- 
tizansthan  their  ablest  leader.    Jn  General  AVasliington's  fiimilj',  he  had 
op))ortunities  of  studying  one  from  whom  no  other  man  was  too  great 
to  learn— of  analyzing  those  qualities  which  were  combined  in  his  cha- 
racter, and  of  improving  his  own  exalted  mind,  by  an  unrestrained  in- 
tercourse with  the  magnanimous  chief 

When  he  retired  from  office,  in  the  duties  of  which  he  had  expended 
a  considerable  portion  of  his  private  fortune,  the  idols  of  faction  actu- 
ally accused  him  of  purloining  the  public  mone5^  This  will  no  longer 
remain  a  matter  of  surprise,  when  it  is  known  that  Duane,  an  Irishman, 
and  printer  of  a  daily  Philadelphia  newspaper,  styled  the  virtuous  \Va- 
sliington  the  man  who  is  the  source  of  all  tnisfoi'tiaies  to  the  countiy,  (the 

Q  2  United 


\20  ODATIOK   OF    MR.  OTIS. 

TIk'  British  frii^ute  Bost(jn,  lying  at  luiclior  within  Sandy  Hook, 
fjR'ii  niiniito  guns  all  day;  tiic  French  ti'igatcs  off  the  battery  had  their 
colonrs  halt-mast  hioh,  and  also  fired  minute  guns  on  the  occasion. 
'JMie  shops  in  the  city  were  shut,  no  business  Avas  done,  and  all  the 
inhabitants  mourned  his  loss. 

The  coroner's  jury  brought  in  their  verdict  "  Wilful  murder  against 
Aaron  Burr,  Vice-President  of  tlie  United  States,"  and  a  warrant  Avas 
issued  for  his  apprehension,  lie,  however,  chose  to  insure  his  safety  by 
flight. 

I  cannot  take  leave  of  the  lamented  subject  of  the  preceding  pages 
■without  introducing  the  following  eulog\^  on  his  chai-acter,  which  formed 
part  of  the  funeral  oration  pronounced  by  Mr.  Otis  of  Boston.  At  the 
same  time  that  it  does  justice  to  the  memory  of  General  Hamilton,  it 
will  afford  the  English  reader  a  very  favorable  specimen  of  American 
eloquence. 

"  The  principles,  says  Mr.  Otis,  professed  by  the  first  leaders  of  the 
French  revolution,  were  so  congenial  to  those  of  the  American  people; 
their  pretences  of  aiming  merely  at  the  reformation  of  abuses  were  so 
plausible;  the  spectacle  of  a  great  peo|)le  struggling  to  recover  their 
'  long-lost  liberties,'  were  so  imposing  and  august;  while  that  of  a  com- 
bination of  tyrants  to  conquer  and  subjugate,  was  so  revolting;  the  ser- 
vices received  from  one  of  the  belligerent  powers,  and  the  injuries  in- 
flicted by  the  other,  were  so  recent  in  our  minds,  that  the  sensibility  of 
the  nation  w  as  excited  to  the  most  exquisite  pitch.  To  this  disposition, 
so  favorable  to  the  wishes  of  France,  every  appeal  was  made  which  in- 
trigue, corruption,  flattery,  and  threats,  could  dictate.  At  this  dange- 
rous and  dazzling  crisis,  there  were  but  few  men  entirely  exempt  from 
the  general  delirium.  Among  the  few  was  Hamilton.  His  penetrating 
€ye  discerned,  and  his  proj)hetic  voice  foretold,  the  tendency  and  conse- 
quence 


ORATION    OF   MR.  OTiS.  12 1 

quence  of  the  first  revolutionary  movements.  He  was  assured  that 
every  i)eople  which  should  espouse  the  cause  of  France  would  pass  un- 
der her  voke,  and  that  the  people  of  France,  like  every  nation  which 
surrenders  its  reason  to  the  mercy  of  deningogues,  would  be  driven  by 
the  storms  of  anarchy  upon  the  shores  of  despotism.  All  this  he  knew 
was  conformable  to  the  invariable  law  of  nature,  and  experience  of  man- 
kind. From  the  reach  of  this  desolation  he  was  anxious  to  save  his 
country,  and,  in  the  pursuit  of  his  purpose,  he  breasted  the  assaults  of 
calumny  and  prejudice.  *  The  torrent  roared,  and  he  did  buffet  it.' 
Appreciating  the  advantages  of  a  neutral  position,  he  co-operated  with. 
Wasliington,  Adams,  and  the  other  patriots  of  that  day,  in  the  means 
best  adapted  to  maintain  it.  The  rights  and  duties  of  neutrality  pro-' 
claimed  by  the  President,  were  explained  and  enforced  by  Hamilton  in. 
the  character  of  Pacificus.  The  attempts  to  corrupt  and  intimidate 
Avere  resisted.  The  British  treaty  was  justified  and  defeiided  as  au  ho- 
nourable compact  with  our  natural  fi'iends,  and  pregnant  with  advan- 
tages, which  have  since  been  realized  and  acknowledged  by  its  o|> 
j)onents. 

"  By  this  pacific  and  vigorous  policy,  in  the  whole  course  of  which  the 
genius  and  activity  of  Hamilton  were  conspicuous,  time  and  informa- 
tion were  aftorded  to  the  American  nation,  and  correct  views  were  ac- 
quired of  our  situation  and  interests.  We  beheld  the  republic^  of  Eu- 
rope march  in  procession  to  the  funeral  of  their  own  liberties,  by  the 
lurid  light  ol'  the  revolutionar)^  torch.  The  tumult  of  the  passions  sub- 
sided, the  Avisdoni  of  the  administration  was  perceived,  aud  America 
now  remains  a  solitary  monument  in  the  desolated  plains  of  libertj-, 

"  Having  remained  at  the  head  of  the  treasurv  several  years,  and 
filled  its  cotfers ;  having  developed  the  sources  of  an  ample  revenue, 
and  tested  the  advantages  of  his  own  system  by  his  own  experience;  and. 
having  expended  his  private  fortune;  he  found  it  necessary  to  retire 
from  public  employment,  and  devote  his  attention  to  the  claims  of  a 

large 


122  ORATION    OF   MR.  0TI>5. 

large  and  dear  familj'.     Wluit  brighter  instance  of  disinterested  honor 
haij  ever  been  exhibited  to  an  admiring  world!  That  a  man  upon  whom 
devolved  tlie  task  ot"  originating  a  system  of  revenue  for  a  nation ;  of 
devising  the  checks  in  his  own  department;  of  providing  for  the  collection 
of  sums,  the  amount  of  winch  was  conjectural ;  that  a  man  who  antici- 
pated the  effects  of  a  funding  system,  yet  a  secret  in  liis  own  bosom, 
and  who  was  thus  enabled  to  have  secured  a  princely  fortune  consistently 
with  princi|)les  esteemed  fair  by  the  world;  that  such  a  man  by  no 
means  addicted  to  an  expensive  or  extravagant  style  of  living,  should 
have  retired  from  office  destitute  of  means  adequate  to  the  wants  of  me- 
diocrity, and  have  resorted  to  |nofessional  labor  for  the  means  of  de- 
cent support,  are  facts  which  inust  instruct  and  astonish  those  who,  in 
countries  habituated  to  corruption  and  venality,  are  more  attentive  to 
the  gains  than  to  the  duties  of  olhcial  station. — Yet  Hamilton  was  that 
man.     It  was  a  fact  always  known  to  his  friends,  and  it  is  now  evident 
from  his  testament,  made  under  a  deep  presentiment  of  his  approaching 
fate.     Blush  then,  ministers  and  warriors  of  imperial  France,  who  have 
deluded  your  nation  by  pretensions  to  a  disinterested  regard  for  its  li- 
berties and  rights !  Disgorge  the  riches  extorted  from  your  fellow-citizens 
and  the  spoils  amassed  from  confiscation  and  blood !  Restore  to  impo- 
verished nations  the  price  paid  by  tiiem  for  the  privilege  of  slavery,  and 
now  appropriated  to  the  refinements  of  luxury  and  corruption  !  Approach 
the  tomb  of  Hamilton,  and  compare  the  insignificence  of  your  gor- 
geous palaces  with  the  awful  majesty  of  tliis  tenement  of  clay ! 

"  We  again  accompany  our  friend  in  the  walks  of  private  life,  and  in 
the  assiduous  pursuit  of  his  profession,  until  the  aggressions  of  France 
compelled  the  nation  to  assume  the  attitude  of  defence.  He  was  now 
invited  by  the  great  and  enlightened  statesman  who  had  succeeded 
to  the  presidency,  and  at  the  express  re(]uest  of  the  commander-in- 
chief,  to  accept  of  the  second  rank  in  the  army.  Though  no  man 
had  manifested  a  greater  desire  to  avoid  war,  yet  it  is  freely  con- 
fessed that   when  war  ajjpearcd  to  be  inevitable,   his   heart  exulted 

1  in 


COLONEL  AARON  BURR.  123 

in  *  the  tented  field,'  and  he  loved  the  life  and  occupation  of  a 
soldier.  His  early  habits  were  formed  amid  the  fascinations  of 
the  camp.  And  though  the  pacific  policy  of  Adams  once  more  rescued 
us  from  war,  and  shortened  the  existence  of  the  army  establishment, 
yet  it  is  sufficient  to  secure  to  him  the  love  and  confidence  of  oflicers 
and  men,  to  enable  him  to  display  the  talents  and  qualities  of  a  great 
general,  and  to  justify  the  most  favorable  prognostics  of  his  prowess  in 
the  field. 

"  Once  more  this  excellent  man  unloosed  the  helmet  from  his  brow, 
and  returned  to  the  duties  of  the  forum.  From  this  time  he  persisted 
in  a  firm  resolution  to  decline  all  civil  honors  and  promotion,  and  to 
live  a  private  citizen,  unless  again  summoned  to  the  defence  of  his 
country-  He  became  more  than  ever  assiduous  in  his  practice  at  the 
bar,  and  intent  upon  his  plans  of  domestic  happiness,  until  a  nice  and 
mistaken  estimate  of  the  claims  of  honor,  impelled  him  to  the  fatal  act 
which  terminated  his  life." 


COLONEL  AARON   BURR, 

I.ATE    VICE-PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

This  man  has  rendered  himself  more  conspicuous  by  the  fatal  duel 
in  which  General  Hamilton  fell  by  his  hand,  than  by  a  long  reign  as 
a  leader  of  the  democracy  which  still  rules  the  United  States  of 
America. 

On  the  election  of  a  president  and  a  vice-president.  Colonel  Burr 
had  an  equal  number  of  votes  with  Jefferson,  for  the  office  of  chief  ma- 
gistrate. The  house  of  representatives,  by  the  law  as  it  then  stood, 
were,  in  such  case,  to  decide  by  ballot  which  of  the  candidates  should  be 
president,  arid  the  other  was  of  course  to  be  vice-president.  This  busi- 
ness took  up  more  than  a  week,  and  the  house  sometimes  continued 

R  ballotting 


124         OBSTINATE  CONTEST  FOR  THE   ELECTION   OF  PRESIDENT. 

ballotting  (luring  the  night.  It  was  carried  on  with  the  greatest  ob'sti- 
nacy  by  tlie  contending  parties;  nicnibers  were  brought  to  vote, 
from  the  bed  of  sickness,  and  it  was  even  feared  that  there  would  be  no" 
election,  which,  leaving  the  country  without  a  president,  at  such  a  i)e- 
riod  of  political  animosity,  could  not  fail  of  being  attended  with  fiital 
consequences.  The  democratic  party  proceeded  to  threats,  but  the  I'e- 
derals  were  not  to  be  intimidated.  Mr.  Adams,  the  late  president,  and 
]Mr.  Pinckney,  the  candidates  i)roposed  by  them,  having  lost  the  elec- 
tion, the  Federal  party  were  lett  to  choose  one  of  the  Democratic  can- 
didates who  had  been  successful.  They  preferred  Burr  to  Jefferson, 
which  gained  the  former  the  greatest  number  of  individual  votes  in  the 
house  of  representatives.  A  majority  of  the  states  was,  however,  re- 
quired, to  determine  the  matter:  of  these  Jefterson  had  eight,  namely. 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  North  Carolina, 
Georgia,  Kentucky,  and  Tenessee.  The  states  that  voted  for  Burr 
were,  New  Hampshire,  Massachusets,  Connecticut,  Rhode  Island, 
Delaware,  and  South  Carolina.  During  this  singular  contest,  the  votes 
of  the  members  of  the  house  of  representatives  were,  for  Burr  54,  and 
for  Jetierson  51.  Two  states,  Vermont  and  Maryland,  were  divided, 
and  it  therefore  became  necessary  that  a  member  for  one  of  these  states 
should  recede,  in  order  to  put  a  stop  to  the  approaching  scene  of  anar- 
chy andconfusion.  This  ex|)edient  was  actually  resorted  to;  Jefierson 
thus  acquired  a  majority,  and  the  impending  political  tempest  was 
averted. 

The  division  on  this  important  occasion  tends  to  confirm  the  opinion 
I  have  already  expressed  relative  to  a  future  separation  of  the  American 
states.  We  here  find  those  of  New  England  unanimously  voting  the 
same  way,  except  Vermont,  which  was  divided,  and  in  direct  opposition 
to  all  the  southern  states,  save  South  Carolina,  which,  with  Delaware, 
were  with  the  Federal  interest. 

In  order  to  prevent  a  similar  election,  but  more,  as  the  Federals  say, 

-2  to 


VANITY   OF  COLONEL  BURR.  125 

to  secure  Mr.  Jefferson's  re-election  at  the  expiration  of  four  years,  a 
law  was  passed,  by  which  the  electors  are  to  desij^nate  by  name,  in  their 
tickets,  the  person  for  whom  they  A'ote,  as  jsresident,  and  in  like  man- 
ner for  vice-president.  By  the  former  mode  the  man  Mho  had  the 
greatest  number  of  votes  was  president,  and  the  next  vice-president — 
the  Federals  supporting  one  party,  and  the  Democrats  another. 

The  two  presidential  chairs  were  taken  without  farther  resistance,  and 
Colonel  Burr  attended  in  his  seat  as  president  of  the  senate,  generally 
about  one  half  of  the  sessions.  The  inutility  of  this  office  has  long  been 
a  subject  of  private  discussion  and  complaint,  and  many  consider  it  little 
more  than  a  sinecure,  except  that  in  case  of  the  death  or  removal  of  the 
chief  magistrate  the  vice-president  officiates  till  the  time  arrives  for  ano- 
ther election.  In  his  absence  the  senators  elect  one  of  their  own  body 
president  pro  tempore,  and  they  went  more  smoothly  through  their  busi- 
ness when  Colonel  Burr  was  away. 

Vanity  is  a  predominant  passion  in  this  gentleman.  I  was  informed 
by  Mrs.  Slacum,  of  Alexandria,  who  attended  the  balls  given  at  Wash- 
ington during  the  sitting  of  congress,  that  she  saw  the  vice-president  at 
one  of  them,  though  he  seldom  appeared  at  these  assemblies.  Being 
asked  by  a  lady  of  his  acquaintance  why  he  did  not  oftener  favor  them 
■with  his  company,  he  replied,  "  that  he  saw  his  presence  awed  the  com- 
pany, and  he  did  not  wish  to  be  a  restraint  upon  them."  This  was  long 
the  tea-table  chat;  when  the  ladies  turned  up  their  noses  at  the  idea  of 
being  struck  with  awe  at  the  sight  of  so  insignificant  a  being  as  Burr. 
The  colonel  is  certainly  rather  diminutive  in  person,  but  his  ambition  is 
great  indeed. 

On  the  subject  of  these  balls,  I  was  informed  by  the  same  lady,  that 
our  fair  countrywoman,  Mrs.  Merry,  wife  of  the  British  ambassador,  of- 
fended the  American  dames.  Thev  chars^ed  her  with  "reat  reserve,  which 
they  termed  English  hauteur,  and  asserted  that  on  entering  the  room, 

R  2  she 


126  DL'RR'S    n.ICJHT   FROM   JLSTICE. 

she  Avalked  round  it,  chatted  a  little  with  the  diplomatic  characters,  or 
the  ministers  of  state,  and  then  retired.  Such  was  the  ground  on  which 
thev  tounded  their  dislike.  They  were  offended  because  she  did  not 
join  in  their  dances,  and  skip  through  their  reels  with  them.  The  lady's 
dress  wiis  called  in  question,  on  which,  craving  a  truce,  1  took  the  hint 
ot'thc  subject  ot"  their  comments,  and  walked  oft". 

Mr.  Burr,  more  tenified  at  the  popular  clamor  against  him,  than 
alarmed  at  the  verdict  of  the  coroner's  jury  after  liis  attiiir  with 
General  Hamilton,  jjrivately  left  the  city  of  New  \'ork,  and  pass- 
ing into  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  where  the  duel  was  fought,  he  was 
conducted  by  a  friend  to  Cranberry.  Hence  he  was  conveyed  in  a  light 
vasfffon  to  Lamberton  Ferrv,  where  he  crossed  the  Dela\Nare,  and  ar- 
rived  at  Bristol,  about  twenty  miles  from  Philadelphia.  A  newspajjer 
printed  in  one  of  the  towns  through  which  he  passed,  observes,  "  the 
same  route  through  Jersey  was  some  time  ago  pursued  by  Thomas 
Paine,  and  doubtless  with  the  same  view,  to  escape  the  scrutinizing  eye 
and  dreaded  observation  of  the  public." 

It  was  said  that  at  a  tavern  a  few  miles  beyond  the  Delaware,  he  was 
recognized  by  the  landlord,  who,  unapprised  of  his  wish  to  be  con- 
cealed, addressed  him  as  usual ;  and  that  the  vice-president  requested 
him  not  to  use  his  name  while  he  remained  at  his  house. 

"  How  degrading,"  continues  the  editor  of  the  same  paper,  "  to  the 
majesty  of  our  government,  that  its  second  officer  should  thus  be  under 
the  real  or  fancied  necessity  of  travelling  with  studied  privacy,  through 
bve-roads,  and  in  unusual  vehicles.  It  becomes  the  man,  however 
■who  has  extinguished  the  bright  constellation  of  genius  and  worth, 
himself  to  walk  in  darkness  and  obscurity.  It  manifests  some  deference 
to  public  opinion  and  the  energy  of  the  laws." 

INtr.  Burr  proceeded  to  Pliiladelphia,  and  excited  much  private  in- 
1  dignatioa 


CONTINUES  TO   SIT  AS  VICE-PRESIDENT.  127 

dignation  by  a  public  appearance;  but  though  not  pursued  by  t)ie  arm 
of  justice,  his  situation  could  not  be  agreeable,  for  we  soon  find  him  in 
the  s  ate  of  Tenessee.  There  he  was  a  land-holder,  and  he  took  this 
memorable  occasion  to  visit  his  possessions,  which  also  afforded  hini  a 
saferetrtat;  the  victim  of  his  resentment  being  little  known  in  that 
part  of  tlie  Union. 

In  this  retirement  he  was  still  vice-president,  and  it  is  no  less  surpri- 
sing tha;i  true,  that  pending  his  recent  violation  of  the  law,  and  though 
the  warrant  of  one  of  the  federate  states  was  in  force  to  apprehend  him, 
he  still  exercised  the  functions  of  that  office.  I  saw  him  repeatedly  sit 
in  the  vice-presidential  chair,  without  any  other  notice  than  the  whis- 
pers of  resentment  among  the  auditors  in  the  galleries  of  the  senate- 
chamber.  He  presided  during  the  whole  trial  of  the  learned  and  per- 
secuted Judge  Chace.  "  The  guilty  sits  in  judgment  on  the  innocent." 
-—"  The  fugitive  from  his  country,  arraigns  at  the  bar  of  justice  the 
judge  himself."  Such  were  the  comments  I  frequently  heard  among 
the  auditors  during  the  proceedings  of  that  impeachment.  The  vene- 
rable federal  magistrate,  called  to  the  superior  bench  of  justice  by 
Washington,  was  by  a  democratic  senate  honorably — most  honorably 
acquitted. 

For  upwards  of  two  years  after  the  unfortunate  rencontre  with  Gene- 
ral Hamilton,  did  Mr.  Burr  execute  the  office  of  vice-president  of  the 
United  States;  and  not  until  the  expiration  of  the  time  for  which  he  was 
elected  did  he  retire  into  obscurity.  He  returned  to  Tenessee;  but  as 
these  sheets  went  to  press,  accounts  have  been  received  of  his  being 
there  apprehended  on  a  charge  of  attempting  a  revolution,  in  order  to 
separate  the  western  temtory  from  the  federal  union. 

It  appears  that  INIr.  Davies,  attorney-general  for  the  district  of  Ken- 
tucky, on  his  own  affidavit,  moved  the  district  court  of  the  United 
States,  "  that  Aaron  Burr  should  be  arrested  and  compelled  to  find  se- 
curity 


128  BURR*3  OVERTURES  TO  GENERAI-  T.ATON'. 

cnrity  for  his  appearance;  and  that  a  writ  sliouhl  be  issued  for  compel- 
ling the  attendance  of  witnesses,  and  a  stop  be  put  to  all  liirthcr  pro- 
ceedings of  the  said  Aaron  Burr."  The  affidavit  of  the  attorne\'-general 
filed  in  court  stated : — 

"  That  he  was  in  possession  of  the  most  satisfactory  evidence,  that 
Aaron  Burr,  Esquire,  had  formed  an  association  for  making  war 
against  Spain,  invading  Mexico,  and  forming  a  distant  empire  in  the 
western  country ;  and  that  he  was  raising  forces,  and  purchasing  the 
necessary  pro\isions  and  stores  for  that  purpose." 

The  latest  accounts  received  from  America  respecting  this  character, 
say,  that  when  General  Eaton  was  at  Washington  last  winter,  he  was  in- 
troduced to  Colonel  Burr,  who  was  then  at  the  seat  of  government. 
Having  heard  the  bold,  adventurous,  and  enterprising  character  of  this 
hero:  believing  him  to  be  a  mere  soldier  of  fortune,  and  that,  like  him- 
self, he  was  ready  to  engage  in  any  cause,  either  good  or  bad,  which 
promised  a  harvest  of  military  glory.  Burr  proposed  to  him  that  he 
should  join  his  desperate  fortunes — go  with  him  to  the  Mississipi — take 
the  rank  of  a  general-officer  under  him  as  conunander-in-chiet^— erect 
the  standard  of  rebellion  against  the  government  of  the  United  States 
— sever  the  union — and  estiiblish  a  distinct  and  indejicndent  govern- 
ment, t»o  be  composed  of  all  the  states  west  of  the  Alleghany  Moun- 
tains. 

Such  was  the  general  project,  the  minute  details  of  which  were  par- 
ticularly stated.  General  Eaton  was  struck  with  horror,  and  stood 
aghast  at  the  proposal.  He  soon  afterwards,  in  the  true  spirit  of  |)atri- 
otism,  communicated  the  conversation  to  the  j)resident  of  the  United 
States,  who  treated  it  with  perfect  indifference.  Recent  occurrences  in 
the  western  territory,  such  as  the  building  of  boats  on  the  Ohio,  and 
a  variety  of  movements,  indicating  a  spirit  of  revolt,  have  drawn  the 
attention  of  the  government  to  that  (piarter  of  the  union. 

Other 


ANECDOTES   OiF  GENERAL   PINCKNEY.  129 

Other  accounts  state  that  Colonel  Burr  has  come  forward  and  surren- 
dered himself,  but  that  the  attorney-general  of  the  district  of  Kentucky 
has  declined  to  prosecute.  In  addition  to  this,  a  Pennsylvanian  news- 
paper of  the  5th  of  December,  1806,  informs  us,  that  about  three 
hundred  young  gentlemen  from  Pittsburgh  and  the  neighbouring 
counties,  some  of  whom  are  of  the  first  respectability,  had  the  week 
before  descended  the  Ohio,  to  join,  it  was  supposed,  the  expedition 
under  Colonel  Burr.  The  measure  is  represented  as  ver}'^  popular  in 
that  country;  and  it  was  imagined  that  the  general  rendezvous  for  per- 
sons residing  in  the  western  countries,  would  be  at  Natchez. 

Though  this  is  the  precise  statement  of  the  American  prints,  yet  the 
truth  of  it  appears  extremely  doubtful. 


GENERAL  CHAIILES  COTESWORTH  PINCKNEY. 

This  gentleman,  a  character  eminently  distinguished  in  America, 
who  took  an  active  part  in  the  revolutionary  Avar,  and  has  since  been 
employed  in  a  diplomatic  capacity  in  France  and  Spain,  was  supported 
by  the  Federalists  at  the  last  election  for  president,  in  opposition  to 
Mr.  Jeflierson. 

South  Carolina  is  the  native  country,  and  still  the  residence 
of  General  Pinckney.  He  was  born  in  the  year  1740.  When 
that  state  was  a  British  colony,  his  father  was  the  chief  justice 
until  the  commencement  of  the  war.  At  this  momentous  period,  when 
the  best  men  knew  not  which  part  to  take,  or  by  what  means  to 
avoid  enaaifinff  in  the  dangerous  and  destructive  contest,  the  fa- 
mily  of  the  Pinckneys  at  length  determined  to  join  those  who  were 
opposed  to  the  measures  of  their  motlier-country.  Mr.  Pinckney  was 
then  a  member  of  the  general  assembly  of  South  Carolina,  which  situa- 
tion  he  resigned  in  order  to  join  the  American  standard.  He  first  entered 

the 


1:30  HKRVICES   OF   GENERAL    PINCKNEV. 

the  ranks  as  one  of  the  Charleston  vohinteers,  from  which  he  was  ap- 
pointed major  of  the  first  regiment  of  the  hne  raised  hy  the  state  of 
Sonth  Carohna,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Gadsden  ;  on  whose 
promotion  he  succeeded  to  the  command.  The  first  engagement  in 
which  this  regiment  took  part,  was  in  the  defence  of  Fort  Moultree, 
which  was  attacked  by  Sir  Peter  Parker  and  General  Clinton.  The 
gallant  conduct  of  Colonel  Pinckney  was  so  much  approved  by  the 
commander  in  chief,  General  Washington,  that  he  aj)[)ointed  him  one 
of  his  aids-dc-camp,  in  which  situation  he  served  at  the  battles  of  Bran- 
dv-wine  and  German-town. 

The  sout*hern  states  being  again  attacked  by  the  British  forces.  Colo- 
nel Pinckney  obtained  leave  to  return  to  his  native  country,  and  he 
accordinfrlv  resumed  the  command  of  his  regiment,  at  the  head  of 
which  he  made  an  assault  on  Savannah  ;  and  shortly  after  he  was  ap- 
pointed hy  General  Lincoln  commander  of  Fort  Moultree. 

Charleston  being  now  besieged  by  land,  and  bombarded  by  a  part  of 
the  British  fleet,  the  colonel's  regiment  was  ordered  to  its  defence,  when, 
after  a  gallant  resistance,  he  was,  with  the  remainder  of  the  garrison, 
taken  prisoner,  under  honorable  terms  of  capitulation — such,  in  fact, 
as  were  granted  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  on  his  surrender  to  the  combined 
armies  of  France  and  America,  at  York-town,  in  Virginia.  This  event 
appears  to  have  terminated  his  military  career,  as  he  could  not  procure 
himself  to  be  exchanged  till  towards  the  conclusion  of  the  war. 

It  is  with  infmite  regret  t  am  obliged  to  state,  that  while  Colonel 
Pinckney  was  a  jjrisoner  of  his  parole  on  honor,  his  enemy  burnt  his 
mansion  near  Charleston.  With  respect  to  such  shameful  and  flagrant 
acts  of  cruelly  to  individuals,  we  have,  however,  the  consolation  of 
knowing  that  they  \\ere,  with  very  few  exceptions,  committed  by  native 
Americans  who  had  joined  the  king's  forces,  and  were  b\  lliem  called 
Royalists,  but  by  their  enemy  stigmatized  with  the  ap^:>ellation  of  Tories. 

Ou 


FARTHER   SERVICES   OF  GExNERAL  PINCKNEY.  131 

On  the  conclusion  of  the  peace,  by  which  the  independence  of  Ame-- 
rica  was  acknowledged,  Mr.  Pinckney  was  appointed  a  delegate  to  the 
federal  convention,  and  signed  the  present  constitution  of  the  United 
States  in  the  year  1798.  On  the  score  of  gratitude  to  the  rrench, 
though  an  impulse  very  different  from  /Wt'72r/.s/?/^;  caused  them  to  take 
the  part  of  America,  he,  with  many  leading  characters  in  the  United 
States,  was  the  avowed  advocate  of  that  nation,  and  so  continued 
till  their  enormities  changed  those  sentiments  to  the  contempt  and  hatred 
of  all  good  men.  Mr.  Pinckney  has  additional  cause  to  desj)isc  them  ; 
for  the  then  insolent  republic  refused  to  acknowledge  him  as  the  minister 
plenipotentiary  at  Paris. 

We  next  find  him  commander  in  chief  of  the  militia  of  South  Caro- 
lina ;  about  the  same  time  he  was  oftered  by  President  Washington  the 
oflice  of  secretary  of  state,  on  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  and 
after  his  refusal,  a  seat  on  the  bench  of  the  supreme  court,  which  he 
also  declined.  The  aggressions  of  France  increased  to  an  intolerable 
deirree.  The  American  trade  to  the  British  \^'est  India  Islands  was 
almost  ruined,  and  the  French  privateers  committed  depredations  on 
their  very  coast.  Government,  still  pursuing  the  most  pacific  measures, 
determined  to  send  a  remonstrance  by  a  diplomatic  mission,  consisting 
of  iNIr.  Pinckney,  General  jMarshall,  and  Mr.  Gerry,  who  to  a  certain 
degree,  succeeded  in  the  object  of  their  voyage. 

An  insurrection,  called  the  Whisk]/  Jlchelliou,  having  broken  out  in 
the  back  part  of  Pennsylvania,  had  arrived  to  such  an  alarming  height, 
that  President  Adams  applied  to  General  Washington  to  take  the  com- 
mand of  an  army  raised  to  quell  the  insurgents.  That  great  and  good 
man  had  retired  to  the  peaceful  shades  of  Moimt  \'ernon,  having  r^^- 
signed  his  military  commissions,  and  again  become  a  private  i:itizen. 
The  venerable  soldier  and  patriot  replied,  that  though  he  had  antici- 
l)ated  repose  from  worldly  labors,  yet,  when  his  country  called  for  the 
renewal  of  his  services,  he  would  cheerfully  attend  the  summons.     lie 

s  accordingly 


J3i  ANECDOTKS   OF   <;EM'.1«A1.    PI  TNAM. 

acconlinftlv  nguii)  repaired  to  the  scene  of  danger,  appointed  General 
HnniiltDO  the  second,  and  rincknry,  then  a  major-generdl,  third  in 
connnatid.  The  insurrection  was  happily  (|uelled  without  hloodbhed» 
»nd  tlie  newly  nused  army  agaitj  disembodied. 

In  pchtics,  General  Pinckney  is  nnfriondly  to  the  |)rcsent  system  of 
j^vernmcnt,  acting  upon  the  principles  of  his  great  master,  Washing- 
ton ;  and  it  cainiot  he  denied  that  the  minority  contain  the  greatest 
portion  of  men  of  abilities.  Among  them  ai'e  numbered  Marshall^ 
Morris,  Dayton,  Adams,  Ames,  Griswold,  Otis,  Bayard,  Rutledge^ 
Tracy,  Dana,  Pickering,.  Lee,  J.  C.  Smith,  Broom,  Thatcher,  Gcd« 
dard,  Tallmage,  Hastings,  Quincy,  Tenney,  and  many  others  wlia 
have  not  lately  stood  forward  as  members  of  the  legislative  body. 


GENERAL  PUTNA:\I. 


This  officer  was  in  the  British  service  several  years  previous  to  the 
conquest  of  Canada  by  General  Wolfe  ;  and  in  the  revolutionary  war,, 
having  espoused  the  American  cause,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
major-general  in  their  army.     He  was  a  man  of  undaunted  courage,, 
and  of  an  enterprising  chsposition. 

When  the  French  army  lay  encamped  at  the  Ovens  near  Ticonderago, 
the  British  commander  pitched  upon  Putnam,  who  then  held  the  rank 
of  captain  of  a  company,  to  reconnoitre  the  position  of  the  enemy ; 
Lieutenant  Robert  Durkee  was  named  for  his  companion.  The  out- 
set of  this  expedition  had  nearly  proved  fatal,  for  Captain  Putnam  nar- 
rowly escaped  being  taken  prisoner;  and  in  his  flight  was  on  the  point, 
of  killing  his  friend. 

In  the  Canadian  ^vdrs  it  was  customary  for  the  British  to  place  fires- 
round 


HIS   ADVENTURES   IN   CANADA.-  133 

round  their  camp,  which  frequently  exposed  them  to  the  enemy's  scouts 
And  patroles.  The  French  and  Indians  adopted  a  different,  and  more 
rational  practice.  They  kept  their  fire  in  the  centre,  lodged  their  men 
circularly  at  a  distance,  and  posted  their  centinels  in  the  surrounding^ 
darkness.  In  the  present  instance,  the  reconnoitring  party,  on  a|)- 
proaching,  concluded  that  the  centinels  were  within  the  circle  of  fires, 
and  were  creeping  upon  their  hands  and  knees  till,  to  their  utter  astonish- 
ment, they  found  themselves  in  the  thickest  of  the  enemy.  They  were 
discovered  and  fired  upon;  Lieutenant  Durkee  was  slightly  wounded 
in  the  thigh.  They  fled,  and  Putnam,  who  was  first,  from  the  utter 
darkness  of  the  night,  soon  found  himself  plunging  into  a  deep  pit; 
and  Durkee  immediately  tumbled  in  after  him.  Conceiving  himself  to 
be  pursued  by  the  enemy,  he  had  already  uplifted  his  weapon  to  deal  a 
dreadful  blow,  when  Durkee  spoke,  and  he  recognized  his  voice.  They 
now  scrambled  out,  and  effected  their  escape  amid  a  shower  of  random 
shot.  They  passed  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  the  woods,  out  of  the 
reach  of  the  enemy.  Putnam  had  provided  a  little  rum,  which  he  car- 
ried in  acanteen  slung  over  his  shoulder,  and  on  lying  down,  recollected 
the  supposed  treasure,  but  to  his  great  mortification,  found  the  vessel 
empty,  having  been  repeatedly  pierced  with  musket  balls. 

Soon  after  this,  the  subject  of  these  anecdotes  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  major.  A  strong  party  of  observation  was  now  ordered  upon 
the  dangerous  service  of  watching  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  who  lay 
off'  Ticonderago,  under  the  command  of  Majors  Rogers  and  Putnam. 
This  force  was  divided,  and  the  commanders  took  different  !)ositions, 
but  being  discovered  by  the  enemy,  they  again  joined,  and  began  their 
march  in  files  througli  the  woods— the  right  led  on  by  Rogers— tlic  left. 
by  Putnam,  and  the  centre  by  CajTtain  D'J'^ll.  The  first  day  they  reached 
Clear  river,  on  the  banks  of  which  they  encamijed,  near  Old  Fort  Ann, 
^^hich  had  been  formerly  built  by  General  Nicholson.  Next  morning, 
previous  to  quitting  the  ground,  it  is  said,  that  Major  Rogers  imptj' - 
dently  laid  a  wager  with  one  of  the  officers,  to  be  decided  by  tiring  at 

g  2  '  a  mark. 


l.'U  UAlTi.E.JlETWr.F.N    Till-    KNGI.ISIl    AM)    INDIANS. 

;i  mark,  and  which  was  immediately  (Icteruiincd.  Major  Putnam  re- 
tiioustratcd  in  a  \t  ry  pointed  manner  againNt  this  unsoldicr-Iikc  condnct, 
in  the  very  neii>hhourhood  of  tlie  enemy,  hut  as  Rogers  eunmianded, 
he  ct>nld  not  put  a  stop  to  their  proceedings.  After  tliis,  they  conti- 
rnied  their  march  in  cohimns,  Putnam  in  the  front,  D'Ell  in  the  centre, 
and  Ko;;e)"s  in  the  rear ;  circumstances  and  the  nature  of  the  ground, 
rendering  this  disposition  of  the  force  most  liivorahle. 

The  French  liad  received  information  of  this  expedition,  and  had 
sent  Colonel  INIolong,  a  most  active  and  enterprising  officer,  with  five  hun- 
dred chosen  men  to  intercept  it.  lie  was  so  near,  that  he  heard  tlie  firing 
at  the  mark;  and  immediately  placed  himself  in  amhush.  Putnam,  at 
the  head  of  his  column,  had  just  cleared  his  way  through  some  thicli 
l)rush-wood  into  the  more  open  part  of  the  forest,  where  the  enemy 
sj)rung  upon  him,  with  the  most  horrid  yells  and  war-hoops  from  the 
Indians,  who  formed  a  part  of  Molong's  detachment.  Putnam  in  an 
instant  recovered  from  his  surprise,  calmly  drew  up  his  men,  and  re- 
turned the  fire ;  sending  off  at  the  same  time  to  the  other  divisions  to 
come  up  with  all  possihle  speed.  D'Ell  soon  came  up,  and  the  action, 
though  widely  scattered  and  fought  between  man  and  man,  w as  soon 
general  and  desperate.  The  contending  parties  adopted  the  Indian 
mode  of  warfiire,  which  is  irregular  and  ferocious;  indeed  their  situa- 
tion precluded  the  possibility  of  practising  tactics.  During  this  dreadful 
contest  Major  Rogers  did  not  come  up,  assigning  afterwards  as  a  reason 
that  he  formed  his  men  in  a  circular  file  between  the  other  columns  and 
Wood  Creek,  to  prevent  their  being  taken  in  the  rear,  or  enfiladed. 

Major  Putnam  was  not  disheartened.  He  found  he  could  not  cross 
the  creek,  and  therefore  determined  to  keep  his  ground  ;  and  his  oflicers,. 
inspired  by  his  bravery  and  liis  personal  exertions,  encouraged  their 
soldiers,'  who  defended  themselves  against  superior  numbers  w ith  the 
mo.^t  determined  resolution.  Sometimes  they  fought  in  small  bodies ; 
then  each  man  against  his  antagonist ;  and  often  three  or  four  ujion  one, 

while 


PUTNAM    IS   TAKEN    PTJISONER    BY   THE    INDIANS.  \35 

TvhHe  Others  fired  from  behind  trees  and  under  cover.  The  commander 
bad  been  from  the  first  in  the  heat  of  the  battle  ;  and  had  used  his  fiizee  so 
often,  that  it  missed  fire  while  presented  to  the  breast  of  an  athletic 
savage  chief)  who,  taking- instant  advantage  of  the  circumstance,  leaped 
upon  him,  and  with  a  war-hoop  and  uplifted  tomahawk  compelled  the 
gallant  major  to  surrender.  The  savage  disarmed  liis  prisoner,  bound 
him  to  a  tree,  and  then  returned  to  the  battle. 

The  command  now^  devolved  upon  D'Ell,  w  ho  was  bravely  seconded 
by  Captain  Harman ;  but  they  were  soon  compelled  to  give  way,  which 
the  savages  considering  as  a  total  defeat,  rushed  on  with  impetuosity, 
and  with  horrid  hoopingsand  dreadful  cries.  The  British  troops  rallied 
at  the  orders  of  their  officers,  and  gave  their  pursuers  such  a  reception 
as  caused  them  in  their  turn  to  retreat  beyond  the  spot  on  which  the 
battle  began,  where  they  made  a  stand.  This  movement  placed  the 
tree  to  which  Putnam  was  tied,  between  the  fires  of  the  contending 
parties  ;  the  balls  from  either  side  struck  the  tree  and  passed  through  his 
clothes.  In  this  state  of  jeopardy,  unable  to  move  his  body  or  stir  his 
hmbs,  he  remained  above  an  hour — so  equal  and  desperate  was  the 
fight,  ^t  one  instant,  when  the  battle  inclined  in  favor  of  the  enemy, 
a  young  savage  chose  an  odd  way  of  indulging  his  humor.  He  dis- 
covered Putnam  bound,  and  might  consequently  have  killed  him  in  an 
instant ;  but  he  chose  another  way  of  gratifying  his  passion  of  torture. 
He  threw  his  tomahawk  at  the  prisoner's  head,  with  a  view  of  shewing 
how  near  he  could  throw  it  without  touching  it ;  and  he  struck  the  tree 
several  times  within  the  smallest  distance  possible  of  his  mark.  When 
the  Indian  had  finished  his  amusement,  a  French  serjeant,  a  mucli 
greater  savage  in  his  nature,  came  up,  and  levelled  his  musket  within 
a  foot  of  the  major's  breast,  but  it  happih^  missed  fire.  In  vain  did  he 
claim  the  treatment  due  to  a  prisoner  of  w  ar.  The  degenerate  French- 
man did  not  understand  the  language  of  honor,  or  the  laws  of  nature  ; 
but  deaf  to  their  calls,  he  repeatedly  pushed  the  muzzle  of  his  gun  against 

tlie 


^:^{)  PUTNAM'S   SUFFERINGS. 

the  ribs  of  the  bounden  man,  and  completed  these  acts  of  barbarity  b}' 
a  dreadful  blow  with  its  butt  end  on  his  jaw-bone. 

The  intrepidity  of  D'EIl  and  Ilarnian,*  seconded  by  the  valor  of 
their  followers,  at  lenijth  [xevailed,     'I'hey  drove  the  enemy  from  the 

-  scene  of  action,  leavini;-  behiiul  their  dead,  who  were  ninety  in  number. 
As  the  conquered  tied,  the  Indian  who  had  iirst  made  Major  Putnam 
prisoner  came  up,  untied,  and  took  him  away.  Having  been  conducted 
to  some  distance,  he  wasstri|)ped  of  his  regimentals,  stockings,  and  shoes, 
loaded  with  the  eftects  of  the  wounded,  and  strongl)^  pinioned,  his  Avrists 
being  drawn  tight  togetlier  with  a  cord.  After  being  driven  many  miles 
over  the  roughest  roads,  the  part)^  greatly  fiitigued,  halted  to  breathe. 
The  miserable  prisoner  was  now  in  a  dreadful  state  of  torture.  •  His 
hands,  from  the  tightness  of  the  ligature,  were  immoderately  swelled ; 
and  the  pain  had  become  intoleral^le.  His  feet  were  scratched,  bruised, 
and  cut,  and  streaming  with  blood.  The  burtiien  imposed  upon  hira 
was  too  heavy  for  his  strength ;  and,  frantic  with  torments,  exquisite  be- 
yond endurance,  he  entreated  them  to  kill  him  and  take  his  scalp,  or  to 
loose  his  hands.  A  French  officer  instantly  interposed,  ordering 
his  hands  to  be  unbound,  and  some  of  the  load  taken  fi'om  liris  back. 

The  Indian  Avho  claimed  the  prisoner  had  been  absent  with  the  wound- 
ed, but  now  coming  up,  gave  him  a  pair  of  7nacai;ous,  and  shewed  great 
resentment  at  his  unworthy  treatment. 

The  duty  of  this  chief  being  with  the  wounded,  he  returned,  leaving 
the  advanced  party,  consisting  of  about  tAvo  hundred  Indians,  to  go  on 
before  the  P'rench  troops,  and  to  encamj)  for  the  night.  Thej'  took  with 
them  Major  Putnam,  on  whom,  besides  many  other  outrages,  they  had 
the  barbaritv  to  intlict  a  large  wound  on  his  left  cheek  \vith  a  tomahawk. 

*  A  late  American  publication,  from  which  these  facts  are   principally  taken,  says,  that  this  brave 
officer  was  livijtg  at  Marlborough,  in  the  state  of  Massachuscts,  in  the  year  1B04. 

3  His 


H;S   NAlilTOW    LSCAPE.  137 

His  suflferings  in  this  place  were  to  have  been  consummated,  and  a  scene 
©f  far  greater  horror  was  preparing. — The  savages  had  determined  to 
Foast  him  alive ;  and,  in  pursuance  of  this  horrid  doom,  they  led  him 
into  a  dark  part  of  the  forest,  stripped  him  entirely  naked,  bound  him  to 
a  tree,  and  jailed  around  him  dry  brush-wood  and  other  fuel.  They  ac- 
companied their  labours  by  dances  and  the  yells  of  death,  and  then  set 
the  pile  on  fire  ;  but  a  sudden  shower  of  rain  damped  the  rising  flame. 
They  laboured  to  rekindle  it,  and  at  length  it  began  to  blaze  round  the 
circle.  The  victim  soon  felt  the  heat,  and  being  able  to  move  his  bodv, 
he  instinctively  shifted  sides  as  the  fire  advanced.  This  sight,  at  which 
all  but  savages  would  shudder,  afforded  the  highest  diversion  to  his  in- 
human tormentors,  who  demonstrated  the  delirium  of  their  joy  by  every 
extravagant  gesticulation. 

Major  Putnam,  convinced  that  his  final  hour  had  arrived,  summoned 
all  his  resolution,  and  composed  his  mind,  as  far  as  the  shocking  cir- 
Gunistances  would  admit,  to  bid  an  eternal  adieu  to  all  he  held  raosf 
dear.  The  bitterness  of  death,  painful  and  lingering  as  it  would  be, 
was  in  a  manner  past — nature,  with  a  feeble  struggle,  was  quitting  its 
hold  of  sublunar}'  things — when  a  French  oflicer  rushed  through  the 
crowd,  opened  a  way  bj'  scattering  the  burning  brands,  and  unbound 
the  victim.  It  was  the  gallant  Molong,  whom  one  of  the  savages,  unwil- 
ling to  see  another  human  creature  immolated,  had  made  acquainted  with 
the  dreadful  proceedings.  The  commander  spurned  and  severely  repri- 
manded the  barbarians ;  and  fearing  to  trust  the  major  with  tliem  again, 
kept  him  in  safety  till  he  delivered  him  into  the  hands  of  his  master, 
the  savage  chief  who  made  him  prisoner. 

This  providential  escape  will  by  some  appear  to  savor  of  the  fabulous, 
as  it  did  to  me  when  I  first  heard  it  related.  I  took  some  pains  to  make 
enquiries  on  the  subject,  in  passing  through  those  places  where  General 
Putman  was  personally  known,  and  found  the  tale  was  not  doubted.  I 
also  met  with  an  old  officer,  C<^onel  jVIartin,  of  New  Brunswick,  who 

was 


1.^8  INDIAN    METHOD   OF   SEClRINt;    A    I'UISONIR. 

\vijsacquaitiic(l  with  hitu,  and  \vlio  nave  full  oivditto  all  tlic  accounts  ol' 
Ills  siiireriiigs  and  miraculous  escape.  He  added,  tluit  the  general, 
though  arrived  at  that  advanced  j)eriod  of  life  when  men  often  become 
garridous,  generally  declined  a  conversation  on  the  suhject. 

To  return  to  the  narrati\e. — It  a])|)cars  thatthe  savaj^e  ap])roachcdhis 
prisoner  with  kindness,  anil  seeuu.'d  to  treat  him  with  atlection.  He 
oftered  him  some  hard  hiscuits,  but  finding  that  he  could  not  chew  them, 
on  account  of  the  blow  given  him  by  the  Frenchman,  this  more  humane 
savage  soaked  some  of  them  in  ".vater,  and  made  him  suck  the  pulp-like 
part.*  Determined,  however,  not  to  lose  his  captive,  the  retieshment 
being  taken,  he  took  the  macasons  from  his  ieet,  and  tied  them  to  one 
of  his  wrists;  then  directing  him  to  lie  down  on  his  back,  upon  the  bare 
ground,  he  stretched  one  arm  to  its  full  length,  and  bound  it  fast  to  a 
young  tree — the  other  arm  was  extended  and  bound  in  the  same  man- 
ner, and  his  legs  w^ere  stretched  apart  and  fastened  to  two  saplings.  Some 
slender  branches  were  then  laid  across  his  body;  on  each  side  of  him 
lay  a  numbei'  of  Indians,  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  an  escape;  and  m 
this  disagreeable  state  he  remained  till  morning.  In  the  account  given 
of  these  sufferings  by  the  major  himself,  he  said,  that  during  this  night, 
the  most  drear}"^  and  painful,  apparently  also  the  longest  of  his  life,  he 
lelt  a  ray  of  chearfulness  sometimes  dart  across  his  mind,  while  he  en- 
tertained the'  hope  that  he  should  yet  be  restored  to  his  family.  He 
even  indulged  his  fancy  in  retlecting  upon  the  ludicrous  group  around 
him,  in  which  he  sustained  the  most  ridiculous  part;  and  how  fme  a 
subject  it  would  make  for  a  painter. 

The  next  dav  he  was  allowed  a  blanket  and  a  pair  of  macasons,  and 

\ 

*  Though  instances  have  occurred  of  some  traits  of  humanity-  faintly  beaming  from  the  breasts  of 
certain  savages,  vet,  I  cannot  suppose  that  the  chief  in  question  was  entirely  moved  to  this  act  of  good- 
ness bv  pun-  philanthropy.  He  knew  from  Iiis  arms,  cloathing,  and  accoutrements,  that  his  prisoner  was 
a  man  of  rank  among  his  enemy,  aud  consequently  expected  a  considerable  gratuity  by  way  of  ransom; 
and  the  anxiety  he  shewed  to  prevent  an  escape,  serves  to  confirm  this  opinion. 

was 


ANECDOTES   OF   ALBERT   GALLATJN.  139 

■\TOs  suffered  to  jDroceed  with  the  party  without  carrying  a  load,  or  re- 
ceiving insult.  To  allay  his  extreme  hunger  a  little  bear's  flesh  was 
given  him  :  this  he  moistened  and  sucked  through  his  teeth.  At  night 
the  party  arrived  at  Ticonderago,  where  the  prisoner  Mas  j)laced  under 
a  French  guard ;  and  after  having  been  examined  by  the  commanding 
officer,  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  he  was  ordered  to  be  conducted  to 
Montreal,  whence  he  soon  returned  to  the  English  armv. 


ALBERT   GALLATIN. 


Let  the  declaimers  against  the  corrupt  influence  sometimes  employed 
in  monarchical  governments,  turn  their  eyes  to  the  history  of  Mr.  Al- 
bert Gallatin— a  foreigner — a  ti-aitor  to  the  country  which  had  adopted 
hull,  now  exalted  to  one  of  the  highest  and  most  important  oliiciul  sta- 
tions in  the  American  commonwealth  ! 

Mr.  Gallatin  is  a  native  of  Geneva.  He  removed  to  America  about 
the  year  1779,  and  after  surveying  the  United  States  in  different  direc- 
tions, at  length  took  up  his  permanent  residence  in  the  western  part  of 
Pennsylvaiiia.  Whatever  doubts  might  have  existed  respecting  this  stran- 
ger, the  time  and  manner  of  ids  coming  into  this  country  was  certainly 
suspicious  at  least,  yet  no  notice  was  taken  of  him  by  any  of  the  leading 
men  in  America  at  that  time;  nor  was  it  till  many  j^ears atterwards  that 
he  began  to  attract  public  attention.  Settled  in  a  place  where  many  of 
the  inhabitants  were  foreigners,  and  most  of  them  illiterate  and  lawless, 
Gallatin,  with  Fuily,  Breckenridge,  and  Bradford,  undertook,  in  1792, 
to  excite  an  opposition  to  the  law  of  the  general  government  relative  to 
the  excise.  General  Washington,  who  was  then  pres.dent,  used  every 
gentle  means  in  his  power  to  prevail  on  the  insurgents  to  submit  to  the 
law,  but  to  no  j)urpose.  Accounts  were  received  of  immense  crowds  of 
these  people  meeting,  and  resolving,  in  the  language  of  rebellion,  to  op- 

T  pose 


140  TREASONABLE  CONDUCT  OF  GALLATIN. 

pose  the  law.  Gallatin  acted  as  clerk  to  these  meetings,  the  result  of 
which  was,  the  destruction  of  some  houses,  and  the  loss  of  several  lives. 
Thus  then  this  straui^er,  instead  of  gratitude  Cor  the  hospitality  attbrdcd 
liim,  reared  the  baimers  of  insurrection  to  overturn  all  law  and  order. 

The  President,  always  anxious  to  spare  the  sufferings  of  deluded  citi- 
zens, issued  a  proclamation  to  forgive  all  those  who  would  return  to  their 
duty,  and  obey  the  law.  Not  one  accepted  his  proffered  mercy  at  this 
time,  and  it  was  absolutely  necessary  to  march  an  army  against  them. 
Another  proclamation  was  issued,  to  give  them  further  time  to  repent 
their  misconduct.  And  here  it  jnust  be  observed,  that  these  deluded 
wretches  \vere  made  to  believe  that  an  army  would  not  be  raised  to  con- 
quer them,  but  that  the  whole  United  States  would  make  their  opposi- 
tion to  the  laws  a  common  cause.  They  were,  however,  soon  undeceiv- 
ed; and  it  was  at  the  period  when  this  was  ascertained  that  the  great 
Mr.  Gallatin  (as  he  is  called  by  foolish  [)artizans)  let  fall  all  his  bristled 
feathers,  and  sneaked  into  town  to  receive  the  benefit  of  the  amnesty. 
It  was  not  until  the  last  hour  of  the  lad  day,  and  of  the  last  proclamation, 
that  this  man  availed  himself  of  the  condition  of  the  president's  forbear- 
ance. Thus,  Albert  Gallatin  was  first  a  conspicuous  insurgent.  The 
resolutions  published  at  the  time  with  his  name,  and  never  denied,  are 
undeniable  evidences  of  the  fact.*     Another  proofi  if  more  were  want- 

*  These  were  to  the  following  effect : 

"  At  a  meeting  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  Western  Counties  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Pittsburg,  on  the 
21st  day  of  August,  1702, 

Col.  John  Cannon  was  placed  in  thc.chair. 
Aluert  Gallatin  appointed  Qlerk. 

The  Excise  Law  of  Congress  being  taken  into  consideration,  a  committee  was  appointed  lo  prepare  a 
draught  of  resolutions,  expressing  the  sense  of  the  meeting  on  the  subject  of  said  law. 

Adjourned  to  10  o'clock  to-morrow. 

The  committee  appointed  yesterday,  made  report,  which  being  I'^icc  read,  was  unanimously  adopted : 

5  ing. 


APPOINTED  SECRETARY   OF  THE  TRE  VSURY.  l4l 

ing,  is,  that  he  came  into  open  court,  and  confessed  his  guilt  of  treason 
by  subscrihing  the  amnesty.  From  that  time,  to  the  accession  of  Mr. 
Jefferson,  the  conduct  of  Gallatin  was  of  the  same  com|ilexion.  He 
steadil}'"  opposed  the  measures  of  government,  riglit  or  wrong,  and  had 
very  justly  become  hateful  to  good  men  of  all  parties,  who  were  not 
deceived. 

Such  then  is  the  man  to  whom  Mr.  Jefferson  has  thought  fit  to  dele- 
gate the  important  trust  of  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  !  The  office  is 
unquestionabl}^  of  more  importance  in  the  government  than  any  below 
the  presidency ;  since  the  whole  wealth  of  the  country  is  in  his  hands, 
"  Through  all  ages  of  society,"  says  an  American  writer  on  this  subject, 
"  in  every  civilized  country,  the  crime  of  treason  stands  prominently 
infamous  in  the  eyes  of  mankind.  The  hateful  criminal  is  shunned. 
Even  a.  philanthropic  philosopher  would  hazard  his  reputation  by  shewing 
him  any  kind  of  respect.  But  alas !  in  this  age  of  revolution — in  these 
days  of  fatal  delusion,  the  experience  of  the  world  for  many  centuries 
is  to  be  forgotten  and  despised  in  the  rage  for  change ;  and  the  fury  of 
party ! — Posterity  will  blush,  that  the  same  President  Jefferson  who  de- 
livered the  liberal  and  honied  inaiigiiral  speech,  should,  in  the  face  of  his 
countrymen,  and  contrary  to  every  maxim  of  government  lor  the  peace 
and  happiness  of  mankind,  bestow  the  best  olHces  in  his  gift  uj)on  fo- 
reigners,— the  revilers  of  Washington,  the  calumniators  of  our  best  ci- 
tizens, and  the  authors  of  insurrection !" 

"  And  whereas  some  men  he  found  amongst  us  so  far  lost  to  every  sense  of  virtue  and  feeling  for  the 
distresses  of  this  country  as  to  accept  oflices  for  the  collection  of  the  duty  :" 

"  Resolved  therefore,   That  in  future  we   will  consider  sucli    persons  as  unwortliy  of  our  friendship  ; 
flaie  no  intercourse  or  dealings  nit  withdraw  from  them  every  assistance,  and  with- 

hold ALL  the  comforts  OF  LIFE,  whicli  depend  upon  those  duties,  that  as  men  and  fellow-citizens, 
we  owe  to  each  other,  and  upon  all  occasions  treat  them  with  the  contempt  they  deserve,  and  that  it  be, 
and  it  is  humbly,  and  most  earnestly  recommended  to  the  people  at  large,  to  follow  the  same  kind  of 
conduct  towards  them." 

(Signed)  "John  Cannon,  Chairman. 

"  Allert  Gallati.v,  Clerk. 

T  2  Previous 


14^  ANECDOTES   OF   MR.    JOHN   RANDOLl'II. 

Previous  to  the  election  of  liis  friend  Jeft'erson,  (jJallatin  found  means 
to  obtain  a  seat  in  the  lionse  ot  representatives,  and  there  he  had  an  op. 
j)ortunity  of  disphiying  abihties,  wliich  he  possesses  in  an  eminent  degree. 
lie  was  fur  some  time  the  leader  of  opposition,  and  though  his  foreign 
accent  would  often  in  debate  render  liim  almost  unintelligible,  yet  his 
speeches  were  in  the  highest  degree  benelicial  to  his  jjarty.  French  po- 
litics were  then  in  vogue,  and  the  virtues  of  the  sister  republic  were 
echoed  through  the  nation.  At  length  his  party  prevailed,  and  he  ob- 
tained the  summit  oi'  his  wishes. 

Mr.  Gallalin  has  been  charged  with  injustice  towards  General  Miller,* 
who  commanded  a  body  of  troops  which  were  ordered  to  quell  the  in- 
surrection above  alluded  to.  It  is  true  that,  soon  after  his  appointment, 
he  discharged  the  general  from  the  office  of  Supervisor,  without  assign- 
ing any  reason ;  but,  in  other  respects,  Mr.  Gallatin  has  conducted  him- 
self with  abilitv. 


JOHN   RANDOLPH. 


This  gentleman,  the  ex-chancellor  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  administration, 
has  been  many  years  a  member  of  congress,  and,  until  the  last  session, 
was  uniformly  attached  to  the  democratic  party,  of  which  he  was  one  of 
the  chief  supporters. 

From  various  passages  in  this  volume,  the  reader  Mill  j)erceive  that 
i\Ir.  Randolph  is  a  man  of  considerable  talents.  Nature  has,  however, 
been  niggardly  to  him  in  some  respects.  Though  iinty  years  of  age,  so 
juvenile  is  his  appearance,  that,  the  first  time  I  saw  him  in  his  place  in 
the  house  of  representatives,  I  took  him  ibr  the  youthlul  son  of  one  of 

*  The  reader  will  liercaftcr  find  that  General  Washington  rewarded  the  servicca  of  his  ofliccrs  when 
they  were  disbaudcd  after  a  successful  war,  by  civil  a|)poiuliuents. 

the- 


HIS    OPPOSITION  TO   A   NAVY.  143 

the  members,  avIio  had,  for  some  reason,  obtained  permission  to  sit  among- 
them.  He  is  tali,  but  of"  a  slender  make,  of  a  weak  habit,  and,  as  I 
should  judge,  in  a  wasting  consumption.  He  is  ever  complaining  of  in- 
disposition, and  frequently  adverts  to  his  weak  state  of  body  in  his 
speeches,  by  way  of  asking  the  indulgence  of  the  house.  His  voice, 
like  his  person,  is  ver}'  effeminate,  and  his  action  ungraceful. 

During  the  presidency  of  i\Ir.  Adams,  the  appointment  of  a  respec- 
table navy  was  among  the  measures  of  his  administration.  This  was 
opposed  by  the  democrats,  and,  in  a  speech  to  the  house  on  the  ques- 
tion, Mr.  Randolph  animadverted  with  some  asperitv  on  the  naval  ser- 
vice. On  the  recent  debate  on  the  bill  prohibiting  the  importation  of 
English  manultictures,  after  an  interval  of,  nearly  ten  years,  he  perse- 
veres in  this  opinion.  On  that  occasion  he  says,  "  I  am  averse  to  a 
naval  war  with  anv  nation  whatever.  I  was  opposed  to  the  naval  war 
of  the  last  administration,*  and  I  am  readv  to  oppose  a  naval  war  of 
the  present  administration,  should  they  meditate  such  a  measure.  AVhat! 
shall  this  great  jNIammolh  of  the  American  forest  leave  his  native  ele- 
ment, and  plunge  into  the  water  in  a  mad  contest  with  the  shark  ?  Let 
him  beware  that  his  proboscis  is  not  bitten  off  in  the  engagement !  -j-  Let 
him  sta}^  on  shore,  and  not  be  excited  by  the  muscles  and  [periwinkles  on 
the  strand,  or  jtolitical  bears  in  a  boat,  to  venture  on  the  perils  of  the 
deep!  Gentlemen  say, — Will  you  not  protect  your  violated  rights? 
and  I  say,  why  take  to  water,  where  you  can  neither  fight  nor  swim  ? 

*  Mr.  Adams  would  not  suffer  the  French  ta  commit  depredations  upon  his  country  with  impunity, 
lie  raised  a  respectable  navy,  and  sent  frigates  to  make  reprisals,  and  to  protect  the  commerce  of  tlie- 
West  Indies.  Commodore  Truxton  attacked  a  French  frigate  of  equal  force,  and  took  her  after  a  well- 
fought  engagement.  The  enemy  was  brought  into  a  port  in  the  United  States,  repaired,  and  put  in  coin- 
uiission  by  the  government  of  the  captors.  She  was  manned,  and  sent  upon  a  cruise  in  the  same  latitude 
where  slie  was  taken,  but  is  supposed  to  have  foundered,  with  every  soul  on  board,  no  accounts  having 
been  heard  of  her  since  sailing  from  the  United  States. 

f  Several  members  proposed  making  war  upon  Great  Britain  ;  while  Crowninshield,  a  violent  democratj 
ftoiu  Massachusets,  was  for  confiscating  the  national  debt !!! 

1  Look. 


l.\.\  1?AND0LPII    INSULTr.D   BY  NAVAL  OrFlCERS. 

Look  at  France  ;  see  her  vessels  stealing  Irom  port  to  port,  on  her  o\vn 
coast,  and  remember  she  is  the  first  military  power  on  earth,  and  as  a 
naval  power,  s'jcond  only  to  England.  Take  away  the  British  nuvj^ 
and  France  to-morrow  is  the  tyrant  of  the  ocean." 

l\Ir.  Randolph's  former  sj)eerh  ga^•e  great  umbrage  to  the  naval  officers. 
He  was  attacked  by  Captain  ^NI'Knight  and  Lieutenant  Michael   Rey- 
nolds, one  evening  at  the  theatre,  on  the  subject.  They  did  not,  it  is  true, 
strike  him.  for  a  blow  would,  ))erhaps,  annihilate  the  legislator;  but 
they  reflected  upon  his  conduct  in  terms  of  severity.     He  a))pealed  for 
redress  bv  letter  to  the  president,  to  whom  he  complained  that  he  had 
been  grossly  and  publicly  insulted  by  several   officers  of  the  army  and 
navv,  lor  words  of  a  general  nature,  uttered  in  debate ;  conceivino:  it 
to  be  an  attack  on  iiis  independence  and  rights  as  a  legislator.     The 
president  sent  a  message  to  the  house  of  representatives,  with  the  letter 
of  Mr.  Randolph.     The  officers,  upon  receiving  notices,  attended  the 
house,  and  denied  the  allegations  laid  to  their  charge.    A  committe  w  as 
appointed  to  enquire  into  the  matter,  and  Mr.  E.  Goodrich,  the  chair- 
man, reported :  "  that  in  executing  the  task  assigned  to  them,  it  is  ^vith 
great  pleasure  they  noticed  the  respect  shewn  by  the  president  to  the 
rights  and  privileges  of  this  house,  in  the  message  he  had  transmitted 
to  them.     On  the  style  of  Mr.  Randolph's  letter  to  the  jjresident,  they 
forbear  to  make  any  remark,  than  to  express  a  regret  that  he  conceived 
himself  justilietl  in  deviating  from  the  forms  of  decorum  customary  in 
official  connnunications  to  the  president,  Avhich  they  conceive  so  justly 
due  to  his  office  and  character,  and  so  essential  to  that  harmony  which 
should  be  circumspectly  cherished  between  the  dilFerent  branches  of  the 
government,  by  its  respective  members — that  they  consider  the  ap[)eal 
in  this  instance  to  the  executive  authority,  however  otherwise  intended, 
as  derogatory  from  the  rights  of  the  house,  it  being  exclusively  cog- 
nizable by  them,  as  it  respects  the  privileges  which  are  inherent  in  its 
own  bosom,  and  derogatory  to  both  its  honor  and  independence,  and 
the  inviolability  of  its  members— that  having  heard  the  parties,  give  it  as 

their 


HIS   OPPOSITION  TO   IiOSTILIT\'  AGAINST  GREAT  BRITAIN,  145 

their  ojMiiion,  that  although  some  circumstances  took  place  at  the  the- 
atre, \vhich  appeared  to  Mr.  Randolph  and  others  present  to  manifest 
hostility  towards  him,  yet,  as  some  of  those  circumstances  had  been 
sufficiently  explained,  and  others  were  of  a  nature  too  equivocal  to  jus- 
tify reprehension  and  punishment,  there  does  not  api)ear  sufficient 
reason  for  the  interference  of  the  house  on  the  ground  of  a  breach  of 
privilege." 

This  was  a  severe  mortification  to  Mv.  Randolph.  He  was  not  then 
so  eminently  qualified  for  a  statesman  as  he  has  since  appeared,  or  lie 
would  not  have  adopted  a  wrong  course  in  endeavouring  to  obtain  re- 
dress. 

The  intemperate  warmth  shewn  by  the  ruling  party  towards  Great 
Britain,  and  their  tame  acquiescence  in  the  measures  of  Buonaparte, 
at  length  disgusted  their  leader.  He  began  by  rebuking  INIr.  Madison, 
the  secretary  of  state,  for  acceding  to  the  demand  of  Turreau,  the  French 
ambassador,  who  followed  it  by  an  observation — "  that  France  was  in 
want  of  money,  and  that  she  must  have  some  li-om  the  United  States." 
The  pretext,  as  we  have  already  mentioned,  was  payment  for  the  Flc- 
ridas.  *  Mr.  Randolph  next  withdrew  himself  from  the  confidence  of 
the  president,  and  then  repeatedly  told  the  house  of  representati\es  that 

*  On  tliis  subject  an  American  print  has  the  following  observations: — "  We  have  already  informed  the- 
iniblicof  the  issue  of  the  secret  sittings,  a  secret  bill  authorizing  the  purchase  of  the  Floridas.  What 
uill  the  public  say  to  such  conduct?  After  purchasing  and  paying  for  Louisiana,  including  as  we  thought 
a  country  of  almost  unbounded  extent,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  the  Floridas,  we  discover,  to  use  an 
old  adage,  that  we  have  been  buying  a  pig  in  a  poke.  It  now  appears  that  a  secret  article  between 
France  and  Spain,  of  which  our  minister  and  government  were  kept  ignorant,  deprives  the  United  States 
of  all  Florida  and  a  portion  of  Louisiana.  Thus  have  the  government  and  people  been  most  egregiously 
deceived  in  the  value  of  the  purchase.  And  we  are  now  about  to  sanction  tlie  deception  by  appropriating 
millions  more  for  another  purchase  in  the  extent  of  which  we  possibly  may  be  again  deceived  !  It  was  in 
<leveloping  this  business,  that  the  conduct  of  John  Randolph  was  above  all  praise.  The  amor  paliiw  of 
this  gentleman  will  ever  commajid  our  highest  admiration.  The  magnanimity  of  his  spirit,  and  the  in- 
dependence of  his  mind,  shone  conspicuously  in  the  midst  of  the  assemblr-d  sages  of  his  counliy  ;  and  his 
eloquence,  splendid,  luminous,  and  manly,  as  it  was,  failed  to  rouse  those  whose  souls  had  heretofore 
been  moulcWd  to  his  will." 

'  thca-o 


140      RANLOLPII  CIIALLEXGF.D  IN  TIIE  HOUSE  OF  RErRESENTATlVES. 

there  no  longer  oxi^ted  a  cabinet  council.  His  strenuous  opposition  to  ihr 
government  niaUing  restitution  lor  the  sumsofwliicli  innocent  purchasers 
were  sxciiuHed  hy  the  state  of  (jleorgia,  the  particulars  of' which  infamous 
transaction  I  shall  hereafter  mention,  is  an  undeniable  proof  of  private 
rancour.  His  hatred  to  Gideon  Granger,  the  post-master  general,  who 
is  greatly  interested  in  that  business  is  well  known.  The  acrimonious 
manner  in  which  he  conducted  the  impeachment  of  Judge  Chase  is 
another  proof  of  an  irascible  temper;  and  his  attempt  to  abolish  the  se- 
nate because  they  acquittetl  the  injured  man,  displays  passion  bordering 
on  phrcn/y.  Great  as  his  abilities  are,  no  man  in  the  United  States  has 
acquired  more  enemies  than  John  Randolph. 

Mr.  Randolph  has  lately  rendered  himself  exceedingly  conspicuous  by 
his  opi)osition  to  the  non-importation  act  of  congress,  and  deprecated 
their  conduct  towards  Great  Britain.  To  such  a  height  did  the  debate 
on  this  subject  proceed  alter  he  had  delivered  his  celebrated  speech  on 
that  question,  that  his  name-sake,*  in  attempting  to  answer  him,  lost  the 
government  of  his  passions,  and  vehementl)^  called  upon  his  new  anta- 
gonist in  terms  tantamount  to  a  challenge.  A  duel  was  expected  to 
follow;  but  next  day  the  president's  son-in-law  apologizing  in  his  place 
in  the  house,  the  matter  ended. 

The  following  extract  from  the  speech  of  Mr.  John  Randolph,  al- 
luded to,  nmst  be  interesting  to  e^•ery  reader,  both  in  Britain  and 
America: — 

"  But  a  great  deal  is  said  about  the  laws  of  nations.  AMiat  is  na- 
tional law  but  the  national  power,  guided  by  national  interest?  You 
yourselves  acknowledge  and  practise  this  |)rinciple  where  you  can,  or 
where  you  dare — with  the  Indian  tribes  tor  mstance.  I  nngiit  give  ano- 
ther and  more  forcible  illustration.  \\  i\\  the  learned  lumber  of  your 
libraries  add  a  ship  to  your  tlcet,  or  a  shilhng  to  your  revenue?  Will  it 

•  Thomas  Man  Randolph,  son-in-law  to  President  Jeirersoii,  and  little  related  to  John  Randolph. 

pay 


SPECIMEN  OF  HIS  ORATORY.  147 

pay  or  maintain  a  single  soldier?  And  will  you  preach  and  prate  of  vio- 
lations of  your  neutral  right,  when  you  tamely  and  meanly  submit  to 
the  violation  of  your  territory  ?  Will  you  collar  the  stealer  of  your 
sheep,  and  let  him  escape  that  has  invaded  the  repose  of  your  fire-side; 
has  insulted  your  wife  and  children  under  your  own  roof?  This  is  the 
heroism  of  truck  and  traffic— the  public  spirit  of  sordid  avarice.  Great 
Britain  violates  your  flag  on  the  high  seas.  What  is  her  situation  ? 
Contending,  not  for  the  dismantling  of  Dunkirk,  for  Quebec,  or  Pon- 
dicherry,  but  for  London  and  Westminster — for  life.  Her  enemy  vio- 
lating, at  will,  the  territories  of  other  nations — acquiring  thereby''  a  co- 
lossal power,  that  threatens  the  very  existence  of  her  rival.  But  she 
has  one  vulnerable  point  to  the  arms  of  her  adversary,  which  she  covers 
with  the  ensigns  of  neutrality.  She  draws  the  neutral  flag  over  the 
heel  of  Achilles.  And  can  you  ask  your  adversary  to  respect  it  at  the 
expence  of  her  existence  ? — and  in  favor  of  whom  ? — an  enemy  that 
respects  no  neutral  territory  of  Europe,  and  not  even  your  own.  I  re- 
peat that  the  insults  of  Spain  towards  this  nation,  have  been  at  the  in- 
stigation of  France  ?  That  there  is  no  longer  anj'^  Spain.  Well,  Sir, 
because  the  French  government  do  not  put  this  into  the  Moniteur,  you 
choose  to  shut  your  eyes  to  it.  None  so  blind  as  those  who  will 
not  see.  You  shut  your  own  eyes,  and  to  blii|id  those  of  other  people, 
you  go  into  conclave,  and  slink  out  again,  and  say — "  a  great  aftkir  of 
state  !"  It  seems  that  your  sensibility  is  entirely  confined  to  the  ex- 
tremities. You  may  be  pulled  by  the  nose  and  ears,  and  never  feel  it ; 
but  let  your  strong-box  be  attacked,  and  you  are  all  nerve — "  Let  us 
go  to  war ;"  Sir,  if  they  called  upon  me  only  for  my  little  pecuHum,  to 
carry  it  on,  perhaps  I  might  give  it :  but  my  rights  and  liberties  are 
involved  in  the  grant,  and  I  will  never  surrender  them  whilst  I  have  life. 
The  gentleman  from  Massat;husets  (Mr.  Crowninshield)  is  for  spunging 
the  debt.  I  can  never  consent  to  it.  I  w  ill  never  bring  the  ways  and 
means  of  fraudulent  bankruptcy  into  j^our  committee  of  supply.  Con- 
fiscation and  swindling  shall  never  be  found  amongst  my  estimates,  to 

u  meet 


148  SPECIMEN  OF  RANDOLPH'S  ORATORY. 

meet  the  current  expenditure  of  peace  and  war.  No,  Sir.  I  have  said 
with  the  dooFii  closed,  and  1  say  so  when  they  are  open,  "  pay  the  pub- 
lie  debt,"  Get  rid  of  that  dead  weight  upon  your  government,  that 
cramp  upon  J\ll  your  measures,  and  then  you  may  set  the  world  at  de- 
fiance. ?5o  long  as  it  hangs  upon  you,  yoti  must  have  revenue,  and  to 
have  revenue,  you  ^must  have  commerce — connnerce,  peace.  And 
shall  these  nefarious  schemes  be  advised  for  lightening  the  ])ubhc  bur- 
thens? will  you  resort  to  these  low  and  pitiful  shifts?  will  you  dare  even 
to  mention  these  dishonest  artifices,  to  eke  out  your  expences,  wlien  the 
public  treasure  is  lavished  on  Turks  and  infidels;  on  singing  boys  and 
dancing  girls ;  to  furnish  the  means  of  bestiality  to  an  African  bar- 
barian?" 

The  concluding  words  relate  to  the  late  Tunisian  embassy,  the  ac- 
coujit  of  which  will  be  found  in  the  subsequent  pages. 

Another  observation  delivered  on  the  same  occasion  tends  farther  to 
prove  that.  Mr.  llandoljih  is  by  no  means  blinded  by  any  partiality  to 
the  French  interest :— "  The  Marquis  Yrujo,"  says  he,  "  has  bearded 
your  president  to  hi^  face,  insulted  your  government  within  its  own  pe- 
culiar jurisdiction,  and  outraged  all  decency.  Do  you  mistake  thi» 
diplomatic  puppet  for.  an  automaton?  He  has  ordere  for  all  he  does. 
Take  his  instructions  from  his  pocket  to-morrow,  they  are  signed, 
Charles  Maurice  I'allei/rand." 

After  liaving  taken  such  a  decisive  part  in  the  opposition  to  this  mea- 
sure, we  cannot  wonder  to  find  Mr.  Randolph  one  of  the  most  strenu- 
ous advocatbs  for  its  repeal. 


LEVI 


ANECDOTES   OF   LEVI    LINCOLN.  149 

LEVI  LINCOLN. 

This  gentleman  Wcos  bred  to  the  bar.  He  is  of  obscure  origin,  being 
descended  from  a  plain  private  family  in  the  State  of  Massachusets.  lie 
is  indebted  to  the  misplaced  officiousness  of  a  partisan,  for  creeping  into 
public  notice.  From  a  mere  bawler  of  democracy,  he  found  means  to 
ingratiate  himself  \vith  Mr.  Jefferson,  who,  among  many  other  promo- 
tions which  have  sullied  his  name,  appointed  Lincoln  to  the  oftice  of 
attorne5'^-general.  His  fitness  for  this  important  situation  will  appear 
from  strictures  on  his  conduct,  occasioned  by  an  observation  in  Mr. 
Jefferson's  paper,  entitled  "  The  National  Intelligencer,"  printed  at  the 
City  of  Washington.  In  one  of  these  was  the  following  absurd  pane- 
gyric : 

"  The  short  period  during  which  he  (Mr.  Lincoln)  held  his  seat  in 
Congress,  had  not  admitted  of  a  developement  of  his  talents,  but  he 
entered  the  body  with  the  reputation  of  eminent  talents." — We  should 
be  glad  (says  the  writer  who  takes  up  the  subject)  to  know  with  what 
reputation  he  left  it?  The  truth  is,  that  he  entered  the  body  with  the 
reputation  of  being  one  of  the  writers  in  a  Worcester  (Massachusets) 
paper,  called  the  iEgis,  and  was  supposed  to  be  one  of  the  authors  of  a 
series  of  essays,  (if  a  mass  of  slander,  personal,  vindictive  and  unjust, 
deserves  the  name)  called  the  "  Farmer's  Letters ;"  this  was  the  only 
evidence  which  the  public  had  received  of  his  talents,  and  with  this  repu- 
tation he  entered  the  house,  and  Avith  this  reputation  only  he  left  it.  It 
is  true,  that  a  farther  "  developement  of  his  talents"  did  not  take  place 
during  his  stay  in  Congress  ;  but  it  is  not  true  that  it  was  owing  to  "  the 
short  period"  to  which  it  was  confined.  He  remained  sufficiently  long 
to  have  developed  his  talents  on  the  many  important  and  interesting  to- 
pics which  w^ere  each  day  the  subjects  of  discussion.  Awed  by  the 
.splendor  which  surrounded  him,  he  dared  not  expose  his  prate  to  the 
keen  animadversion  of  his  contemporary  opponents.     Ha\ing  just  sense 

II  2  enough 


150  Mn.    LINCOLN'S  SPEEECH   BEFORl'    THE   SIPREMH   tOUKT. 

eiu)U£;h  to  practise  the  maxim  of  •'  v/r  snpit  qui  pauca  loquitur,"  lie 
>liiekl('(l  Iiiiiisclfiii  a  stupid  silence,  and  sat  scowling  at  the  eminence 
which  he  had  not  the  power  to  resist.  lie  therefore  went  out  of  Con- 
gress as  he  came  in,  with  the  reputation  of  heing  a  very  weak  spoke  in 
the  wheel  of  government. 

"  Mr.  liincolu  was  now  appointed  attorn(?3'-^encral  of  the  United 
States,  and  during  the  long  period  in  which  he  has  held,  we  will  not 
sa\  discharged  that  office,  he  has  permitted  a  farther  developcment  of 
his  talents,  by  making  one  speech  and  an  half  in  the  Supreme  Court. 

"  The  first  speech  w^as  a  sufficient  developcment  of  his  talents,  to  in-- 
duce  administration  to  believe  that  in  any  hiture  developcment,  it  might 
be  necessary  for  the  interests  of  the  countr\%  that  he  should  be  assisted  by 
other  counsel,  and  therefore,  in  the  celebrated  case  of  the  Sugar  Re- 
iiners,  Mr.  Dallas  was  employed,  at  the  expence  of  several  hundred- 
dollars,  to  render  this  assistance.  The  cause  was  tried  at  the  capitol,  in 
Washington,  during  the  sitting  of  Congress,  before  Chief  Justice  Mar- 
shall, and  Judges  Chase  and  Washington.  The  hall  of  the  court  was 
crowded  w  ith  spectators,  among  whom  were  obser\'ed  many  foreigners 
of  distinction,  and  members  of  Congress.  The  honourable  Levi  Lincoln 
arose — one  hand  was  rested  on  a  large  pile  of  law  books,  which  it  would 
seem  he  intended  to  use,  the  other  contained  a  roll  of  manuscript  notes 
of  the  case,  to  which  it  would  seem  he  intended  to  refer.  He  neither 
used  the  one  nor  referred  to  the  other.  He  was  on  the  floor  about  ten- 
minutes,  when,  having  concluded  his  prefatory  remarks,  he  said,  "  I 
will  now  inform  this  honourable  Court,  of  the  first  point  which  I  have 
taken  in  this  case." — He  paused,  "  I  say,  may  it  please  your  honours," 
(continued  he,  after  a  little  hesitation)  and  paused  again. — The  court 
listened  with  the  utmost  attention ;  the  spectators  who  were  at  a  little 
distance  fram  the  bar,  anxious  to  w  itness  the  event  which  this  illustrious 
instance  of  the  "  monies  part uriunt,"  seemed  to  promise,  closed  up  in  a 
Semicircle  aroimd  the  balustrade  of  the  forum.     "As  I  was  saying, 

3  (said 


CONTINUATION  OF  MR.   LINCOLN'S   SPEECH.  J51 

(said  iNIr.  Lincoln)  I  have  made  a  point,"— He  had  so.  He  had  reached 
©ne  which  he  could  not  surmount.  He  told  the  court  that  he  begfi^ed 
their  kind  indulgen  ce;  that  he  felt  exceedingly  embarrassed,  and  wished 
a  few  minutes  for  recollection.  The  court  bowed  assent,  and  Mr.  Lin^ 
coin  sat  down. 

"  After  a  pause  of  fifteen  minutes,  during  which  there  was  the  most 
solemn  stillness,  Mr.  Lincoln  rose  again.  He  continued  to  speak  about 
ten  minutes  more.  His  manner  was  wild,  incoherent,  and  unargumen- 
tative,  and  seemed  to  be  an  unconnected,  promiscuous,  and  irregular 
assemblage  of  words,  without  the  smallest  attention  to  the  ordo  verbortnu. 
"  I  have  now  come,  (said  he)  maj^  it  please  your  honours,  to  the  second 
point  proposed— I  say — the  second  point  which  I  have  taken  is  this— I 
have  got  (said  he)  to  the  second  point."  He, .however,  was  never  able 
to  get  any  farther,  and  the  Court  remain  yet  to  be  informed  what  that 
second  point  was.  Mr,  Lincoln  was  obliged  once  more  to  apologize  to 
the  Court  for  being  unable  to  proceed.  He  said,  he  felt  an  embarrass- 
ment which  he  could  not  conquer,  and  that  Mr.  Dallas  would  go  on  with 
the  cause.  A  confused  murmur  was  heard  throughout  the  hall ;  it  was 
the  hum  of  vexation,  disappointment,  and  keen  remark.  Some  of  the 
auditory  felt  chagrined  at  this  debasement  of  our  national  dignity ;  some 
felt  disappointed  and  astonished,  that  this  exertion  of  forensic  eloquence 
should  have  terminated  in  such  a  mortifying  developement  of  the  talents 
of  their  attorney-general;  and  others  laughed  at  the  impotency  which 
they  had  predicted — whilst  the  poor  Mr.  Lincoln  sat  down  at .  the  bar, 
and  covered  his  face  with  his  hands.'.' 

He  was,  soon  after  this  probation,  removed  from  the  attorney-general- 
ship, and  returned  to  his  original  obscurity. , 


BRYAN 


152      ANECDOTES  OF  VISCOUNT  FAIRFAX  AND  SIR  JOHN  OLDMIXON. 

BRYAN  ^'ISCOUXT  FAIRFAX. 

Lord  Fairfax,  who  becomes  an  object  of  American  biography,  from 
his  very  lonij  residence  in  the  United  States,  Avas  a  viscount  oftlie 
kingdom  of  Ireland,  liis  ancestor  being  elevated  to  that  dignity  bv  king 
Charles  the  First,  in  the  year  lt)2B.  The  name  of  I'airl'ax  is  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  of  those  that  occur  in  tlie  history  of  the  civil  war 
which  brought  that  monarch  to  the  block,  in  the  middle  of  the  seven- 
teenth century.  We  hnd  the  very  nobleman  who  was  thus  indebted  to 
the  king  for  his  title,  among  the  most  active  of  liis  opponents.  Mis  son 
also  was  a  most  useful  instrument  in  the  hands  of  the  desiijnin?  Cromwell. 

It  would  appear  that  the  spirit  of  republicanism  had  been  transmitted 
through  the  intermediate  generations  of  this  family.  Br^^an  Viscount 
Fairfax,  settled  in  America  previous  to  the  revolutionary  war;  and  lam 
told  officiated  therein  as  a  chaplain,  having  been  educated  fJ^r  the  church. 
After  the  peace  he  settled  on  his  estate  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Alex- 
andria, and  lived  a  very  retired  life.  He  privately  relinquished  his 
titles,  which  had  become  unfashionable,  when  the  country  assumed  a 
republican  form  of  government.  He  occasionally  exercised  the  sacred 
functions  of  his  office,  and  died  greatly  lamented,  about  the  year  ]80I, 
leaving  several  children;  and  as  the  heir  at  law  has  become  in  every 
sense  an  American,  and  also  renounced  the  title,  I  presume  it  may  be 
considered  as  extinct. 


SIR  JOIIX  OLDMIXON. 

This  gentleman  is  a  baronet  of  Great  Britain  :  with  the  occurrence^ 
of  the  early  p;irt  of  his  liR',  I  am  rmt  acquainted.  I  le  becatne  cnainom-ed 
of  Miss  (icorge,  then  a  pcrtormcr  at  Drnry-Liine  and  the  Ilaymarkct 
theatres;  and  having  obtained  her  hand,  soon  aittr'vards  embarked  with 
Iier  lor  America.     Slje  was  engaged,  at  a  liandsome  salary,  by  Mr. 

2  AVignall, 


SINGULAR   EQUIPAGE   OF   LADY   OLDMIXON.  153 

Wignall,  one  of  the  managers  of  the  Piilladclphia  theatre,  where  she 
became  a  great  liivorite,  ranking  as  a  singer  next  to   the  late  Mrs. 

"W'rightcn. 

Sir  John  took  a  small  farm  near  Philadelphia;  and  being  of  a  domes- 
tic tuni,  and  partial  to  agricultural  pursuits,  he  for  some  years  lived  with 
his  lady  there  in  retiremetit.  Th(  ir  union  was  produ'tive  of  several 
children ;  and  when  her  engagements  required  her  attendance  at  the 
theatre.  Sir  John  accompanied  her  in  his  market  cart,  in  which  heat 
the  same  time  conveyed  the  produce  of  his  farm.  This  he  disposed  of^ 
while  she  was  engaged  at  rehearsal;  and  when  the  entertainments  of 
the  evening  were  finished,  the  ir.arket  cart  was  ever  ready  to  take  her 
home.  In  the  bills  of  the  day  she  dropped  her  title,  calling  herself  Mrs. 
Oldmixon. 

I  could  wish  to  draw  the  veil  over  the  latter  part  of  this  gentleman's 
life.     His  misfortunes  were  not,  however,  of  his  ov.  n  creating ;  they 
have  befallen  all  conditions  of  men,  from  the  peer  to  the  peasant.    Lady 
Oldmixon  long  retained  her  situation  with  no  other  imputation  than  that 
of  being  unhappily  possessed  of  a  violence  of  temper,  which  rendered 
her  disliked  by   her  contemporaries  of  the  sock,  and  of  course  by  no 
means  agreeable  to  her  husband.     At  length  she  fell  into  those  tempta- 
tions to  which  females  on  the  stage  are  so  eminently  and  constantly 
exposed  ;  and  that  too,  at  a  time  of  iiie  when  the  duties  of  a  parent  had 
long  required  her  attention.     She  yielded,  as  common  fame  reported, 
to  the  tender  assiduities  of  one  of  the  theatrical  corps,  who  moved  in 
a  sphere  no  higher  than  that  of  a  scene-painter,  and  Avith  him,  it  is  said, 
she  quitted   Philadelphia,  and  joined  the  companj'"  at  Charleston.     Sir 
John  merited  better  treatment ;  he  was  esteemed  a  man  of  honour  and  a 
gentleman.     The  iady  has  more  recently  removed  the  scene  of  her 
theatrical  labors  to  New  York. 


THOMAS 


l.li  ANECDOTliS  or  THOMAS   LWV,    IISGL 

THOMAS  LWV,    ESQ. 

Tins  gentleman  is  son  of  the  late  bislio|)  of  Carlisle,  ami  lirotlier  to 
"Lord  Ellenborongh,  Jord  chief  justice  of  the  court  of  King's  Bench, 

Tlarly  in  life  Mr.  Law  went  to  the  East-Indies  under  the  patronage  of 
l\Ir.  Hastings,  obtained  through  the  interest  of  the  bishop,  and  there  ac- 
quired a  splendid  fortune.  During  his  residence  in  the  British  posses- 
sions in  the  cast,  Ilyder  Ali  had  been  successful  in  some  partial  en- 
gagements with  the  company's  troops.  lie  had  taken  prisoners  General 
Baird  and  Colonel  Bailey,  and  for  some  time  kept  the  latter  gallant  offi- 
cer bound  in  chains,  weighing  thirty-two  pounds,  which  were  afterwards 
put  upon  Captain  James  Wilson,  late  commander  of  the  British  ship 
Duff,  laden  with  warlike  stores  for  the  squadron  under  Sir  Edward 
I  lughes,  whose  ammunition  had  been  nearly  exhausted  in  his  different 
engagements  with  the  French  admiral  Suflrein.  Wilson  endeavoured 
to  escape  from  Cuddalore  ;  and  after  encountering  the  most  imminent 
dangers,  and  swimming  across  rivers  deemed  impassable  without  a 
vessel,  as  well  on  account  of  their  width  and  rapidity,  as  from  the 
alligators  lurking  in  them,  he  was  seized  by  a  party  of  the  tyrant's 
troops,  sent  back  to  the  prison  whence  he  had  escaped,  and  driven 
back  naked  to  Seringapatam.  Here  he  was  confined  with  a  con- 
siderable part  of  Colonel  M'Leod's  regiment  of  Highlanders,  and  under- 
went sufferings  and  torments  shocking  to  relate.  The  gallant  and  ath- 
letic highlanders  first  fell  under  their  horrid  treatment,  and  several  of 
•them  died  while  chained  to  Captain  Wilson.* 

The 


•  The  extraordinary  adventures  and  the  sufferings  of  this  gentleman,  which  almost  exceed  belief,  wiH 
be  a  sufficient  apology  for  introduciug  here  a  few  farther  particulars  of  his  active  and  usclu  1  life :  — 

Captain  Wilson  was  bred  to  the  sea  from  his  earliest  years,  and  served,  during  the  American  war, 
at  the  batllesof  Bunker's  Hill  and  Long  Island.  He  afterwards  went  as  mate  to  one  of  the  company's 
ships  to  the  East  Indies,  where  he  determined  to  settle.  During  the  war  with  Hyder  Ali,  he  was  em- 
ployed, as  related  above,  to  carry  stores  for  the  British  army,  and  while  on  this  service  was  taken  by 

the 


MR.    law's  mission  TO   SER  IXC  A  PAT  AM.  1.').^ 

The  victories  of  Sir  Eyre  Coote  happily  mitigated  their  sufferings. 
The  tyrant  was  compelled  to  give  uj)  his  prisoners.  Mr.  Law  was  sent 
to  Seringapatam,  and  to  him  the  jirisoners  were  delivered.  He  fiuiud 
his  countrymen  weak,  and  emaciated  with  hunger  and  disease — many 
of  them  covered  with  ulcers,  and  unable  to  support  their  feeble  frames. 
Of  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  M'Leod's  regiment,  only  thirty-two  remain- 
ed, 

the  Freiicli,  and  carried  to  Ciiddalore.  Having  received  information  that  Sufifrein,  their  admiral,  liad 
been  bribed  by  Hyder  Ali  to  deliver  up  to  him  all  his  prisoners,  Captain  Wilson  resolved  that  very  night 
to  attempt  his  escape.  This  design  he  executed  with  his  servant,  a  Bengalese  boy.  They  ascended  the 
rampart,  forty  feet  in  height  ;  the  captain  leaped  down,  and  pitched  on  his  feet,  but  the  shock  of  so 
great  a  descent  caused  his  chin  to  strike  against  his  knees,  and  tumbled  him  headlong  into  the  river. 
Recovering  himself,  he  returned  to  the  foot  of  the  wall,  where  there  was  a  dry  bank,  and  bidding  tli<- 
boy  drop  down,  caught  him  safely  in  his  arms. 

He  had  passed  in  his  flight  three  arms  of  the  river,  encumbered  with  the  weight  of  the  bov,  who  was 
unable  to  swim,  but  in  attempting  to  cross  a  fourth  in  the  same  manner,  they  had  both  nearly  perished. 
He  returned  to  the  shore,  and  recommending  his  attendant  to  the  care  of  a  friend,  pursued  his  route 
alone. 

On  being  retaken  after  he  had  swum  over  the  main  river,  he  was  carried  to  the  head-quarters,  and  in- 
terrogated by  an  officer,  to  whom  he  gave  an  ingenuous  account  of  his  escape.  The  Indian  looked 
angrily  at  him,  protesting  he  was  a  liar,  for  no  man,  he  observed,  was  ever  known  to  pass  the  Coleroon 
by  swimming,  as  the  alligators  would  infallibly  have  seized  him,  had  he  only  dipped  the  tip  of  his  finger" 
in  it.  The  captain,  however,  produced  such  evidence  of  the  fact,  that  he  could  no  longer  doubt  the 
relation  ;    on  which  the  Mahometan  raised  his  hands  and  exclaimed  :  "  This  is  God's  man  !" 

For  twenty-two  long  months  was  Captain  Wilson  confined,  as  described  above,  at  Seringapatam.  The 
prison  was  a  square,  round  the  walls  of  which  was  a  kind  of  barrack  for  the  guard  ;  in  the  middle  was  a 
place  covered  over  head,  but  open  on  all  sides,  and  exposed  to  wind  and  rain.  Here,  with  no  bed  but 
the  earth,  no  covering  but  the  rags  wrapped  round  him,  he  was  chained  to  another  prisoner  ;  and  they 
■were  often  so  cold,  that  they  dug  a  hole  in  the  earth  as  a  defence  against  the  chilling  blasts  of  night.  So 
scanty  was  the  allowance  of  the  wretched  captives,  that  a  state  of  raging  hunger  was  never  appeased, 
and  he  was  often  afraid  to  trust  his  fingers  in  his  mouth  lest  he  should  be  tempted  to  bite  them.  Though 
he  entered  this  abode  of  misery  exhausted  by  fatigue  and  disease,  yet  for  a  year  he  enjoyed  a  better 
state  of  health  than  any  of  his  fellows.  At  length,  the  complicated  wretchedness  he  endured  produced  in 
him  the  symptoms  that  had  carried  off  so  many  others.  His  body  became  enormously  distended,  his 
thighs  swelled  to  the  thickness  of  an  ordinary  man's  waist,  ainl  death  seemed  to  have  marked  him  for 
his  prey. 

Reduced  to  the  extremity  of  weakness,  and  his  irons  being  so  straight  as  to  threaten  mortification,  he 
was  released  from  them  to  lie  down  and  die.  The  soldier  to  whom  he  was  last  chained,  liad  served  him 
vith  great  affection,  and  thinking  it  might  alleviate  his  pain,  entreated  permission  to  spend  his  dijiy 
pittance  of  about  three  farthiiigs  (allowed  to  buy  firing  and  salt  to  cook  his  allowance  of  rice)  for  oil  to 
anoint  his  legs.  To  this  the  captain  objected,  representing  that  he  would  have  nothing  to  dress  the  next 
day's  provision.  The  soldier  shook  his  head.  "Master,"  said  he,  "  I  fear  you  will  be  dead,  and  never 
want  it."    Providence,  however,  snatched  him  from  the  brink  of  the  grave.    The  captain  had  that  day 

X  exchanged 


156  MR.  law's  visit  to  the  united  states. 

ed,  with  Captain  Wilson  and  a  few  more.  It  was  some  time  before 
Mr.  Ltiw,  with  the  assistance  of  the  surgeon,  who  was  in  his  retinue, 
could  prepare  the  wretched  captives  for  a  removal  from  the  scene  of 
miser}'. 

Mr.  I^iw  returned  to  England  with,  or  soon  after  his  patron.  On  the 
celebrated  impeachment,  it  is  well  known  that  his  brother  was  retained 
by  Mr.  Hastings  as  his  leading  counsel ;  and  on  that  occasion  Edward, 
now  Lord  Elkiiborough,  fully  displayed  those  abilities,  which  paved  the 
road  to  the  high  honours  lie  now  possesses. 

It  appears,  however,  that  during  the  trial  it  was  thought  adviseable 
that  the  subject  of  these  anecdotes  should  retire  to  America,  where  he 
invested  large  sums  of  money  in  the  speculative  jjlan  of  building  in  the 
American  capital,  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Potomack,  which  divides 
Virginia  from  Maryland,  and  where  a  great  i)art  of  his  fortune  is  sunk 
in  its  failure.  The  city  of  Washington  will  never  be  made  a  great  or  a 
commercial  place.  Baltimore  on  the  one  side,  and  Alexandria  on  the 
other,  having  a  free  navigation,  are  barriers  to  its  commerce ;  and  the 
products  of  the  extensive  back  countries,  will  ever  be  carried  to  the  mart 
from  which  they  can  be  most  conveniently  shipped. 

About  two  years  ago  Mr.  Law  visited  his  native  country,  and  left  his 
wife  at  Washington.  On  his  return  he  found  that  the  lady  had  given 
cause  to  disturb  his  future  peace  of  mind.  Rumour,  with  "  her  liundred 
tongues "  had  represented  to  him,  that  his  frail  partner  had  become 
particularly  attached  to  the  military,  at  the  marine  barracks  in  Wash- 
ington; nay,  that  she  had  been  seen  dressed  <)  la  in'ditairc  in  company 

excliangi'd  Jiis  allowance  of  rice  for  a  small  species  of  grain  called  ratche  pier,  which  he  eagerly  devoured, 
and  slaked  liislliirsl  with  the  liquor  in  which  they  were  boiled.  The  consequence  was  such  an  amazing 
evacuation,  that  he  was  in  a  few  hours  reduced  to  a  skeleton,  and  though  excessively  enfeebled,  he  was 
completely  relieved,  and  recommended  the  trial  with  success  to  man\  of  his  fellow-prisoners. 

After  his  deliverance.  Captain  Wilson  again  engaged  in  the  sea  service,  and  having  realized  a  fortune, 
settled  at  Ilorndean,  in  Hampshire.  This  retirement  he  voluntarily  quitted,  .and  gratuitously  took  the 
command  of  the  ship  Duff,  equipped  by  the  Missionary  Society  for  a  voyage  to  the  South  Sea  Islands, 
with  the  particulars  of  wliicii  (he  public  js  already  acquainted. 

with 


ANECEOTES  OF  PAUL  JONES.  ]o7 

Avith  the  cflicers.  Be  this  as  it  may,  a  separation  certainly  soon  after- 
wards took  place.  The  lady  \a  as  allowed  a  handsome  provision,  while 
Mr.  Law,  at  the  time  when  this  was  written,  (1806)  hoarded,  as  a  sin- 
gle man,  in  one  of  the  edifices  huilt  by  himself  in  the  Xew  Jersey  Ave- 
nue, which  is  a  boarding-  house  for  the  members  of  Congress,  and  kept 
by  one  IMitchel,  a  Frenchman. 

A  few  years  ago,  Mr.  Law  procured  a  bill  to  be  passed  in  Congress, 
enabling  him  to  raise  a  lottery  to  open  the  Tiber  Creek,  which  runs  up  to 
the  city  of  Washington,  so  as  to  render  it  navigable  for  ships  of  burthen. 
The  lottery  was  drawn ;  Mr.  Atkinson,  a  respectable  merchant  of  Alex- 
andria, having  informed  me,  that  he  had  <;lisposed  of  a  number  of  tickets 
for  Mr.  Law,  and  paid  the  prizes  to  the  fortunate  holders— but  the 
creek  is  not  yet  opened. 

The  large  sums  of  money  which  Mr.  Law  has  expended  in  the  city  of 
Washington,  and  perhaps  the  hopes  of  again  realizing  a  part  of  them, 
are,  I  should  presume,  the  reasons  that  detain  him  in  America.  Poetry 
occupies  many  of  his  leisure  hours ;  and  many  of  his  compositions  are  of 
a  religious  nature. 


PAUL  JONES. 


During  the  American  war,  this  renegado  struck  terror  into  the  minds 
of  the  unoffending  inhabitants  of  manv^  of  the  northern  parts  of  the  Bri- 
tish dominions.  After  all  the  invective  which  has  been  bestowed  upon 
him,  he  certainly  possessed  a  desperate  courage,  enterprize  and  activity 
in  the  cause  in  which  he  had  embarked.  Some  of  liis  exploit^  however, 
have  not  yet  come  to  public  knowledge ;  and  scAeral  of  his  aggressions 
were  not  mentioned  in  the  London  Gazette. 

At  Providence,  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  a  privateer  of  about 
eighty  tons  burthen,  and  carrying  the  like  number  of  desperate  adven- 
turers, was  equip|)ed  under  the  command  of  Paul  Jones.     This  vessel 

X  2  was 


153  ANECDOTES  OF  CAPTMN  HACKER. 

was  named  after  llie  town  where  she  was  built,  "  The  Providence,"  and 
mounted  1()  guns.  Oii  her  first  cruize  she  Tell  in  with  the  British  trans- 
])ort  ship  Melhsh,  hiden  with  niihtary  stores  for  the  army  in  Canada, 
wliich  had  been  recently  augmented  in  consequence  of  the  siege  of  Que- 
bec by  the  Americans  and  Montgomery.  The  Melhsh  defended  iierself 
with  great  bravery  for  nearly  three  hours,  when  Jones  succeeded  in 
boarding  her.  The  prize  was  brought  into  New  Bedford,  in  Massachu- 
sets,  and  amongst  other  valuable  warlike  stores,  were  l'^,000  suits  of 
regimental  clothing.  The  American  army  at  this  time  was  half  naked, 
and  the  clothes  being  sent  to  General  Washington,  the  adverse  parties 
were  soon  in  the  same  uniform.  This  proved  of  great  disadvantage  to 
the  British,  who,  in  several  instances,  being  convinced  that  the  enemy 
were  detachments  from  their  own  army,  fell  unpre])ared  for  resistance 
into  their  hands. 


CAPTAIN  IIACKEU. 


The  privateer  above-mentioned  took  many  more  prizes,  and  greatly  an- 
noyed trading  vessels  on  the  American  coast.  Paul  Jones  had  now  been 
promoted,  and  having  sailed  for  France,  the  command  of  the  Providence 
was  given  to  another  desperado,  named  Hacker.  This  adventurer  swore, 
that  lie  would  surpass  the  achievements  of  Jones,  and,  for  this  purpose 
formed  a  design  of  attackiug  the  island  of  New  Providence,  in  the  West- 
Indies.  This  was  considered  as  a  mad  and  chimerical  scheme,  the  inha- 
bitants possessing  many  privateers  then  cruizing  against  the  Americans, 
aad  being  defended  by  a  garrison.  Hacker,  however,  persisted,  and  pro- 
vided himself  with  every  thing  necessary  for  the  expedition.  He  arrived 
at  a  favorable  time  ofl^'the  island,  and  ran  into  the  harbour  in  the  night 
impercfived,  though  a  sloop  of  war  then  lay  at  anchor,  ^^'ithout  a 
moment's  loss  of  time  he  landed  a  strong  party,  many  of  A\hom  were 
well  acquainted  with  the  situation  of  the  islaiid,  under  the  command  of 
one  John  Trivett.  In  silence  they  reached  the  fort,  and  completely  sur- 
))rised  the  garrison,  m  horn  they  made  prisoners.  This  was  done  with 
sucli  secrecy  and  caution,  that  the  capture  was  not  known  to  the  inha- 
bitants 


ANECDOTES  OF  CAPTAIN  PETER  T.ANDOIS.  159 

bitants  till  the  mornins^,  when  they  were  struck  with  astoni -hment  and 
terror  on  beholding  the  rebel  stripes  flying  above  the  British  ensign,  and 
the  guns  of  the  garrison  turned  upon  them.  The  sloop  of  war  slipped 
her  cable  and  put  out  to  sea,  not  knowing  the  force  of  the  enemy,  while 
Hacker's  i)arty  exercised  the  right  of  conquest  by  an  indiscriminate 
plunder.  Having  laden  their  privateer  with  the  spoils,  they  spiked  the 
guns  of  the  fort,  left  their  colours  flying,  and  sailed  for  the  port  ap- 
pointed for  the  place  of  rendezvous.  This  anecdote  was  penned  bv  the 
auihor  ironi  the  lips  of  Trivett  hin)self)  who  was,  at  the  time,  a  cabinet- 
maker at  Newport,  in  Rhode  Island. 


CAPTAIN  PETER  LANDOIS. 


During  the   last  sitting  of  Congress,  Mhere  my  jirivate  business  re- 
quired my  attendance,  being  interested  in  a  matter  under  the  conside- 
ration of  that  assembly,  I  daily  observed  a  veteran  French  officer  take 
the  same  seat  in  the  gallery  of  representatives.     On  enquirv,  I  found 
that  his  name  was  Peter  Landois,  and  that  he  commanded  the  Alliance 
French  frigate,  one  of  the  squadron  of  Paul  Jones,  when  he  attacked 
the   Serapis  frigate,  and  the  Countess  of  Scarborough  armed  ship,  off 
Flamborough  Head.     He  was  a  petitioner  to  the  house.     It  appeared 
by  his  petition,  that  the  squadron  had  taken  three  valuable   British 
merchant  ships,  and  iiad  sent  them  into  Norway.  On  the  remonstrance 
of  the  British  ambassador  at  the  court  of  Copenhagen,  they  were  seized 
by  an  order  from  the  king  of  Denmark,  under  the  plea  that  America 
had  not  been  acknowledged  as  a  nation  by  that  country.     The  ships 
were  restored  to  their  owners,  and  Landois  prayed  a  compensation  from 
Congress  for  this  loss  of  prize-money.     For  several  sessions  he  had  his 
case  before  thein,  and,  perhaps,  to  stop  farther  clamour,  they  granted 
him  two  thousand  dollars.     This  paltry  sum  the  veteran  refused,  al- 
ledging,  that  it  would  not  remove  his  peciniiarv  difficulties,  great  part 
of  which  had  been  incurred  by  his  attendance  several  sessions  on  Con- 
gress.    The  affair  will  therefore  most  probably  be  revised. 


GENERAL 


160  ANECDOTES   OF   GENERAL  BENEDICT   ARNOLD. 


GENERAL  BENEDICT  ARNOLD. 

The  <var,  in  its  most  friglitful  and  destructive  form,  was  carried  into 
New  London  by  thisofliccr,  who,  after  betraying  the  cause  of  his  coun- 
try, was,  by  stipulation,  appointed  a  brigadier  general  in  the  armies  of 
Britain.  Arnold  was  born  at  Norwich,  a  verj'  tew  miles  from  the  tcjwn 
which  he  destroyed  by  (ire  and  sword.  It  was  believed  that  his  object 
was  to  satiate  his  vengeance  by  proceedir)g  to  Norwich,  and  burnitigthe 
very  roof  under  which  he  first  saw  the  light  of  heaven;  but  that  the  re- 
sistance he  met  with  at  Groton,  opposite  to  New  London,  obliged  him  to 
relinquish  the  horrible  design. 

It  has  been  asserted,  that  "  the  injury  done  by  war  to  the  morals  of  a 
country,  is  inferior  to  none  of  the  evils  which  it  suffers.  A  century  is 
insufficient  to  repair  the  moral  waste  of  a  short  war."  The  hatred  che- 
rished by  the  inhabitants  of  this  part  of  Connecticut  against  Britain,  can 
be  traced  no  farther  back  than  the  conduct  of  Arnold,  w^hen  he  gave  or- 
ders to  burn  New  London  and  Groton. 

On  the  high  land  near  Groton,  were  a  few  rude  trenches,  which  the 
inhabitants  had  hastily  thrown  up,  in  order  to  check  the  movements  of 
the  British  troops,  and  which  they  called  a  fort.  To  this  place  a  few 
score  of  undisciplined  countrymen  repaired,  with  such  arms  as  they  could 
collect  on  the  emergency,  and  placed  themselves  under  the  command 
of  Major  Ledyard,  an  officer  in  the  employ  of  Congress.  While  Ar- 
nold entered  New  London  with  his  main  body,  he  detached  a  party  to 
dislodge  the  enemy  on  the  height,  which,  had  they  been  provided  with 
artillery,  would  have  commanded  the  town.  The  Americans  were  at 
this  time  but  ill  supplied  with  that  formidable  engine  of  war.  Sixty 
dwelling  houses,  eighty  stores,  a  church,  and  many  smaller  Iniildings, 
were  burned  in  New  London;  and  the  fort,  after  a  sjjirited  defence,  was 
stormed.     Major  Ledyard  fell ;  and  his  countrymen  affirm,  that  he  was 

2  killed 


ARNOLD   CHOSEN  CAPTAIN   OF  A   COMPANY   OF  FOOT.  l6l 

killed  with  his  own  sword,  hy  the  British  officer  to  whom  he  had  pre- 
sented it,  on  surrendering. 

From  the  information  collected  upon  the  spot  where  he  was  born,  it 
appears  that  early  in  life  Arnold's  restless  disposition  was  evinced,  by  his 
entering  on  board  a  A^essel  in  the  West-India  trade,  contrary  to  the  wish 
of  his  relations.  From  Connecticut  a  considerable  intercourse  is  carried 
on  with  different  West-India  islands.  Horses,  neat  cattle,  hogs  and 
poultry,  are  exported  in  great  quantities,  and  thus  Connecticut  is  sup- 
plied with  luxuries  in  return.  The  vessels  employed  in  this  trade  are 
called  "  Horse  jockies,"  and  in  this  occupation  Benedict  Arnold  began 
his  career.  He  soon  became  captain  of  a  "  Horse  jockey" — and,  such 
is  sometimes  the  turn  of  the  wheel  of  fortune,  that  from  this  command 
he  was  called  to  be  a  general  officer  in  the  army  of  the  United  States. 
He  was  second  in  command  to  Washington,  when  he  attempted  to  be- 
tray the  army  ;  and  he  died  a  brigadier-general  in  the  army  of  Britain, 
with  a  yearly  pension  of  five  thousand  pounds  ! !  ! 

At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  Arnold  resided  at  NeAvhaven,  a 
sea-port  town  in  Connecticut;  and  from  the  active  part  he  took,  he  was 
chosen  captain  of  a  company  of  volunteers,  who  associated  in  defence  of 
the  American  cause.  He  immediately  mustered  his  company,  and 
found  it  to  consist  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  rank  and  file.  Before  their 
ardour  had  time  to  cool,  the  captain  proposed  an  immediate  march  to 
the  neighbourhood  of  Boston,  where  offensive  operations  were  already 
begun.  They  consented,  the  drum  beat,  and  they  marched ;  nor  did 
they  halt,  until  by  forced  marches  of  150  miles,  they  joined  their  coun- 
trymen now  flying  to  arms  under  Washington. 

This  conduct  could  not  fail  to  gain  the  approbation  of  the  general,  and 
Arnold  was  rewarded  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel,  and  appointed 
to  the  command  of  a  detachment  ordered  to  join  General  Montgomery 
in  an  attack  on  Quebec. 

This 


l62  ARNOLD'S  MARCH  THROUGH  THE  WH.DEP.NESS  TO  QUr.HEr. 

This  expedition  was  planned  Jis  a  retaliation  for  the  defeat  on  Jjun- 
ker's-hill ;  but  neither  the  force  employed,  nor  the  season  of  the  year, 
promised  success.  In  the  middle  of  winter,  which  is  of  a  severity  un- 
known in  Europe,  Arnold  determined  to  set  out  on  a  march  of  nearly 
one  thousand  miles,  through  desarts,  and  across  mountaijis  of  snow. 
Thirty-one  days,  it  is  said,  he  was  in  the  wilderness  vithout  seeing  a 
house,  in  m  hich  tim'c  his  detachment  suffered  severely  from  cold  and 
hunger.  On  the  hanks  of  C'handiore  he  obtained  a  temporary  supply, 
which  enabled  him  to  reach  Port  Louis,  nearly  opposite  to  Quebec. 

On  the  5th  of  December  he  was  joined  by  General  Alontgomcry, 
with  the  main  body,  destined  to  make  an  attack  upon  that  city.  In  the 
attempt,  Montgomery  was  killed,  and  Arnold,  who  led  on  his  division 
with  great  bravery,  was  shot  in  the  leg.  Americans  have  been  heard  to 
declare,  "  that  this  wounded  leg  deserved  military  honours,  but  that  the 
rest  of  his  body  would  have  disgraced  a  gibbet." 

Montgomery  hoped  for  Wolfe's  success — vain  hope  !  The  American 
officer  was  nevertheless  brave,  and  greatly  beloved  by  his  men.*  He  died 
in  the  breach  like  a  soldier;  and  his  remains  were  interred  with  honour 
by  his  conquerors. 

The  command  of  the  Americans  now  devolved  upon  Arnold,  who, 
in  contempt  of  his  wound,  drew  off' the  remnant  of  the  repulsed  army, 
and  retreated  to  Crown  Point.  We  next  find  him  in  the  character  of  a 
naval  commander,  on  lake  Champlain.  His  force  consisted  of  three 
schooners,  eight  gondolas,  and  three  gallics.  AA'ith  these  he  engaged  the 
forces  of  the  Britisli  on  the  lake ;  and  though  he  checked  their  progress, 
yet,  upon  a  second  attack,  he  fled,  and  ran  his  fleet  on  shore,  in  order  to 
prevent  his  men  from  being  made  prisoners. 

Arnold  received  credit  for  both  these  operations,  though  unsuccessful ; 
and,  in  order  to  give  a  greater  scope  to  his  abilities,  he  was  appointed  a 

•  General  Moutgoincry  was  by  birlh  an  IrishiHun.  • 

major- 


GOVERNOR  TYRON   BURNS   FAIRFIELD   AND   NORWALK.  163 

major-c^eneral.  He  was  sent  to  opjDOse  Governor  Tyron  in  Connecticut, 
of  whom,  say  tlie  Americans,  "  Arnold  learned  the  art  of  burning  the 
country  of  the  enemy."  They  also  charge  Tyron  with  setting  fire  to 
several  towns  in  that  state,  particularly  the  flourishing  places  called  Fair- 
field and  Norwalk. 

In  a  poetical  performance,  entitled  "  Greenfield  Hill,"  published  in 
1794,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Dwight,  since  president  of  Yale  college,  the 
author  breaks  forth  into  the  following  apostrophe  on  this  subject : 


"  Say  muse  indignant  r  whose  the  hand 
Tliat  hurl'd  the  conflagrative  brand 
A  foe  to  hiiniaa  feelings  born. 
And  of  cacli  future  age  the  scorn  ; 
TvRON,  acliieved  tiie  deed  malign, 
Tyron  the  name  of  every  sin. 
Hell's  basest  fiends  the  flame  survey'd. 
And  smiled  to  see  destruction  spread  ; 
While  Satan,  blushing  deep,  looked  on. 
And  Infamy  disowii'd  lier  son." 

An  explanatory  note  to  this  poem  says,  "  From  Fairfield  the  British 
troops  proceeded  to  Norwalk,  which  they  burned  the  next  day.  It 
deserves  to  be  remembered,  that  during  the  conflagration.  Governor 
Tyron  had  his  chair  carried  to  the  top  of  an  eminence  in  that  toun, 
called  Grammon's  Hill ;  and  there  at  his  ease  enjoyed  the  prospect,  and 
the  pleasure  of  the  scene," 

Arnold  signalized  himself  in  many  of  the  engagements  which  took 
place  between  the  contending  parties.  In  one  of  them  which  happened 
near  Redsfield,  he  was  unhorsed,  and  escaped  the  point  of  a  bayonet  by 
shooting  with  his  pistol  the  soldier  who  was  about  to  run  him  through. 
His  horse  died  of  its  wounds,  and  Congress  presented  him  another,  a 
singular  mark,  in  those  times,  of  the  high  sense  that  body  entertained  of 

Y  bis 


1(54  ARNOLD  TAKES   POSSESSION   OF    miLAPELPHIA. 

his  sen'ices.  He  relieved  tort  Schuylfr,  then  liesieffed  by  Sir  William 
Jolnison,  and  Colonel  8t.  Le^er;  an  I  made  a  despf  rate  attempt  to 
slf)rm  the  intrenehments  ot"(ieneral  liuryoyne,  wliere  he  waswonmUd 
in  the  thigh,  wliich  oocas-ioned  a  lameness  during  the  renjaindcr  of  his 
life,  by  contracting  the  limb. 

In  the  year  1778,  Arnold  \vas  appointed  to  the  command  of.  that 
part  of  the  American  army,  which  took  possession  of  I'hiladelphia  on 
its  being  evacuated  by  Sir  \\  ilham  Howe.  Here  he  appeared  deter- 
mined to  outdo  the  British  commander  in  his  manner  of  living.  To 
support  the  expences,  he  is  said  to  have  engaged  both  in  trade  and  pri- 
vateering. Being  unsuccessful  in  these  adventures,  and  having  no  funds 
to  support  his  extravagance,  he  set  up  claims  against  congress,  which 
were  disallowed.  This  was  the  lirst  cause  of  his  disaticction,  and 
his  subsequent  conduct  subjected  him  to  a  trial  by  a  court-martial, 
from  which  he  received  a  reprimand.  This  circimistance  served 
to  encrease  his  hatred  to  his  countrymen,  and  from  that  time  he  medi- 
tated destruction  to  their  cause.  He  ibrmed  the  plan  which  involved 
the  fate  of  the  gallant  Major  Andre;  having  engaged  to  deliver  up  the 
American  army  at  West  Point  for  oOOO/.,  the  rank  of  brigadier-general, 
^vith  the  pay  of  a  colonel  in  the  British  army.  The  failure  of  this  en- 
terprise is  well  known. 

Arnold,  on  his  plot  being  detected,  escaped,  and  joined  the  British  ; 
and  in  the  year  1781,  Avas  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  considerable 
force,  with  which  he  attacked  Richmond,  in  Virginia,  destroyed  the 
tobacco  warehouses,  and  did  considerable  damage.  From  that  town 
he  proceeded  to  Portsmni'th,  opposite  to  Norfolk,  but  was  soon  su- 
perseded by  General  Phillips.  He  was  again  saved  by  his  good  fortune 
in  not  being  with  Lord  Cornwallis  at  the  capture  of  York  Town,  .\iter 
the  p;ace  he  came  to  London,  where,  in  1801,  contiary  to  the  predic- 
tions of  l»is  countrymen,  he  died  a  natural  death. 

CHAP. 


165 


CHAP.  XIII. 


RETREAT    OF    GENERAL    WASHINGTON     FROM    LONG-ISLAND  —  EXECUTION    OF     CAP 
TAIN     MALE,      AN       AMERICAN      S1»Y — THE      ARMY  —  OPPOSITION     TO      CAPITAL    PU- 
NISHMENTS—  PAY    OF    THE    ARMY     ESTABLISHMENT. 


During  the  unhappy  American  war,  when  the  field  of  battle  was 
three  or  four  tliousand  miles  from  the  mother  countr\',  it  is  easy  to  con- 
ceive that,  in  some  instances,  many  Europeans  might  adopt  the  grossest 
errors,  and  be  led  astray  by  misrepresentations.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed 
that  the  English  prints  of  those  days  could  be  possessed  of  every  inter- 
esting circiunstance  attending  that  surprising  revolution,  even  favorable 
to  tlieir  cause  ;  much  less  that  they  would  insert  incidents  Avhich  might 
militate  against  the  measures  of  the  government. 

The  fate  of  Major  Andre  will  ever  be  lamented — even  in  America.  The 
commander  of  the  American  army  on  that  occasion  was  reprobated 
in  England  on  the  account  first  being  received,  and  the  execution  of  this 
military  sentence  was  considered  as  the  effect  of  daring  rebellion.  Time 
and  circumstances  have,  however,  set  that  unhappy  circumstance  in 
its  true  point  of  view ;  and  while  we  mourn  the  fate  of  our  countryman, 
we  must  admit  that  the  right  of  judgment  was  vested  in  the  enemy. 

It  remains  yet  to  be  told  to  a  considerable  ])ortion  of  British  subjects, 
that  a  piecedent  for  the  execution  of  Major  Andre  was  recent  in  the  case 

Y  -2  of 


ItJC  CAPTAIN    HALE   A   SPY   IN   THE   BRITISH    ARMY. 

of  Captain  Hale,  an  cntcrjjrising  young  ofticcr,  who  had  joined  the 
American  standard  like  many  others,  unsolicited,  and  for  the  same  i)lain 
alledged  reason — "  that  they  thought  it  Wi;///  so  to  do." 

It  appears  that  in  the  year  1776,  the  American  army  was  posted  on 
Long-  Island,  opposite  to  New  York.  General  Howe,  the  British  Com- 
mander, determined  to  drive  them  from  a  position  of  such  importance 
to  the  iirst  commercial  city  in  America;  and  for  this  purpose  landed  a 
large  detachment,  which  had  already  skirmished  with  the  enemy.    The 
following  day  was  expected  to  produce  the  capture  of  their  army,  which 
lay  entrenched  next  to  New  York.     Washington  saw  his  danger ;  and, 
while  he  displayed  a  preparation  for  battle,  he  was  actually  taking  every 
secret  step  to  cover  a  retreat.     The  armies  were  within  sight  of  each 
other  at  the  close  of  the  day;  and  during  the  night  the  Americans 
shewed  fires  along  their  lines,  from  Avhich  their  soldiers  were  seen  pre- 
paring their  arms.     At  day-light  the  English  trumpets  sounded,  and 
their  drums  beat  to  arms;  their  lines  Avere  instantly  formed,  and  each 
captain  had  his  respective  command  allotted  him.     In  the  American 
camp  reigned  the  most  profound  silence.     The  advanced  guard  recon- 
iioitered  with  caution ;  but  no  enemy  appeared.     Their  wary  chief  luid, 
by  this  manoeuvre,  covered  the  retreat  of  his  whole  army;  except  the 
few  who  remained  to  keep  up  the  liilse  fires. 

This  was  the  most  critical  moment  for  the  American  cause.  General 
Washington,  with  very  inferior  numbers,  was  flying  from  the  British; 
but  want  of  correct  inlbrmation  of  their  movements  appeared  to  be  his 
greatest  difficulty.  To  procure  this,  he  consulted  his  most  enterprising 
officers,  when  Captain  Nathan  Hale,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  be- 
longing to  Colonel  Knowlton's  regiment,  oflered  to  assume  the  charac- 
ter of  a  spy.  He  reached  Long  Island  in  disguise,  examined  every 
part  of  the  British  lines,  and  possessed  himself  of  every  possible  infor- 
mation of  their  situation  and  projected  operations.  He  passed  unsus- 
4  pected 


HE  IS   APPREHENDED  AND  EXECUTED,  l67 

pected  until  the  \ery  moment  of  his  attempting  to  obtain  a  seat  in  a 
boat  which  would  iiave  landed  him  in  safety. 

Andre  owed  his  fate  to  a  too  liberal  offer  to  the  American  militia  who 
stopped  him.  Hale,  on  the  contrary,  was  detected  in  consequence  of 
an  ill-judged  remonstrance  on  the  exorbitant  fare  demanded  for  his  pas- 
sage. Suspicions  arose,  and  he  was  carried  before  Sir  William  Howe; 
w'here,  unfavorable  circumstances  appearing  against  him,  he  confessed 
his  situation,  and  was  hanged. 

An  American  writer  *  says,  that  Sir  William  Howe  at  once  gave  an 
order  to  the  provost-marshal  to  execute  him  the  next  morning — that  the 
order  w^as  accordingly  executed  in  a  most  unfeeling  manner;  that  the 
attendance  of  a  clergyman  in  his  last  moments  was  refused,  and,  that 
the  farewel  letters  he  had  written,  were  destroyed. 

Americans  are  averse  to  a  standing  army, relying  for  defence  on  the  mi- 
htia.  Four  regiments  ofthe  line  compose  their  regular  troops,with  artillery, 
and  these  are  chiefly  stationed  on  the  frontiers.  At  the  seat  of  government 
there  are  seldom  more  than  one  hundred  and  fitt}'^  soldiers.  The  arti- 
clesofwar  by  which  they  are  governed,  are  founded  upon  those  of  Britain, 
though  in  few  cases  the  sentence  of  death  is  delegated  to  a  court-martial. 
Inferior  crimes  are  punished  with  flogging,  imprisonment,  and  the  like. 
On  the  passing  of  tliis  law  on  the  3  Istof  December,  1805,  the  sanguinary 
punishments  met  with  great  opposition  from  some  of  the  members  of 
the  house  of  representatives. 

Mr.  George  Washington  Campbell,  a  member  for  the  state  of  Tenessee, 
moved  to  strike  out  in  the  sections— of  the  bill  for  punishing  mutiny 
and  desertion— for  striking  a  sujierior  officer—and,  in  fine,  every  where 

*  History  of  N\-\v  England,  from  the  scttleinent  of  the  Federal  consitiiiiou,  comprehending  a  general 
sketch  ofthe  American  war. 

the 


1(58  OPPOSITION   TO   CAPITAL   PlNl^^HMENTS. 

the  \vorcl  "  death."     He  said,  that  every  section  of  the  bill  was  stained 
uith  l)loo(l ;  and  compared  a  soldier  to  a  rmich'me,  moving  as  his  ofTiccr 
directs.     "  I  am  astonished,"  continued  Mr.  Campbell,  "  and  it  ouglit 
to  strike  the  world  with  awe  to  find  a  fellow-creature  put  to  death  !" 
Mr.  Southard,  of  New  Jersey,  in  seconding  the  motion,  declared  that 
several  sections  were  unnecessarily  marked  with  blood,  and  that  when  a 
man  saw  so  many  punishments  hanging  over  his  head,  he  would  be  de- 
terred from  serving  his  country.     In  reply.  General  Talmage,  of  Con- 
necticut, was  the  advocate  of  severe  measures,  without  which,  he  de- 
clared it  impossible  to  maintain  an  army  in  any  country.     In  the  revo- 
lutionary war.  he  observed,  the  spirit  of  mutiny  had  gone  to  a  length 
which  had  nearly  proved  fatal  to  their  cause.    A  soldier  struck  adjutant- 
general  Read  in  the  execution  of  his  duty.     General  Washington  in- 
stantly ordered  the  ofliender  to  be  tried  by  a  court-martial,  by  which   he 
■was  sentenced  to  die.     The  commander  m  chief  ajjproved  the  sentence, 
and  preparations  were  made  to  carry  it  into  execution ;  but,  finding 
what  an  effect  was  already  produced  in  the  army,  and  the  horror  with 
which  all  ranks  were  struck,  the  culprit  was  jjardoned  upon  the  spot, 
where  he  expected  to  expiate  the  crime  with  his  \\k.     It  is  well  known 
that  the  American  troops  drawn  up  on  the  execution  of  Major  Andre, 
their  enemj',  were  bathed  in  tears  during  the  dreadful  ceremony. 

INIr.  Campbell's  motion  had  but  twenty  supporters,  and  was  of  course 
lost.     The  followint?  are  the  rates  of  pay  to  the  army  establishment: 


Dollars  per  Monlh. 

A  Major-General  (the  present  liigliest  rank)  ICO 
Hrigadier-Gi'iieral    ---------101 

Qiiarlcr-inaster  General     -------  100 

Adjulant-general  and  Iiispeclor Tj 

LieuU-nant-Coloncl -  "J 

(Tliey  have  no  rank  of  Colonel) 

Major ---.  50 


Dollars  per  Monih. 

Captain 40 

Lieutenant ------  26 

Ensign CO 

Sergeant  ------------  6 

Corporal  ------------  5 

Private  Soldier  (besides  rations)    -    -    -    -  3 


Tlie  General  and  Field-staflf  of  the  Militia  includes  the  following  ranks 
and  numbers  of  (jj'iicers: — 70  major-generals;   183  bi-igadier-generals; 

8  quarter- 


VIEW    OF   THE    ARMY    OF   THE    UMTED   STATES. 


169 


8  quarter-master  generals;  1.5  adjutant-generals;  114  aids-de-camp; 
1  state-engineer;  1  conimissary-general  |)nrciiase;  I  commissary-general 
of  issues;  KiO  brigade-majors;  1  pay-master  general ;  I  physician-ge- 
neral ;  1  apothecary-general ;  1  deputy  quarter-master  general ;  1  wag- 
gon-master general ;  1  forage-master  general ;  2i  brigade  quarter-mas- 
ters. The  second  list,  viz.  of  Field-officei-s  and  Regimental-staff",  com- 
prehends the  following  ranks  and  numbers  of  officers : — 760  lieutenant- 
colonels  commandants;  1509  majors;  432  pay-masters ;  587  surgeons', 
362  surgeons'  mates;  618  quarter-masters;  732  adjutants. 

The  return  of  the  Artillery  includes  14  lieutenant-colonels;  45  ms 
jors;  195 captains;  251  first-lieutenants;    159  second-lieutenants;   17  ad- 
jutants:  16  quarter-masters;  733  sergeants;  91  corporals;    359  musici- 
ans;  148  gunners;  62  alarm-men;  6853  matrosses. 

The  list  of  Cavalry  embraces  37  lieutenant-colonels;  70  majors; 
431  captains;  778  lieutenants;  399  cornets;  28  adjutants;  8  pay- 
masters; 25 quarter-masters ;  [366  sergeants;  433  musicians;  27  farriers; 
30  saddlers  ;  17,675  dragoons. 


Anilleri'. 
New  Hamphire  -        -      2 

Massacinisetts       -     -     -     -  2101) 

Rhode  Island 3G 

Connecticut     -----  487 

Vermont      ------  3'-l 

New  York 11-13 

Ne\vJcT|£\- ISff 

Pennsylvania  -----  310 

Delaware 

Maryland 

Virginia 10^0 

North  Carolina    -    -    -    - 

South  Carolina     .     -     -     -  778 

Georgia      ------  71 

Kentucky    ------ 

Teiuiessee  ------ 

Ohio 43 

2 


Cavalry. 

Foot. 

1629 

19160 

212C 

53316 

37 

4414 

12P0 

13065 

1002 

13708 

1784 

63744 

993 

21742 

2382 

83413 

3006 

61962 

238 

37871 

1743 

29185 

390 

16550 

29886 

G3G 

14285 

30 

8079 

District  of  Columbia 
Mississippi  Territory 
Indiana  Territory 
Micliigan  Territory 
Orleans  Territory 
Louissiana  Territory 


Anillerv 

Civilry. 

Foot. 

81 

43 

1895 

1623 

16 

171(» 

Number  liable  to  militia  duty,  on  the 
30th  of  January  last     -    -     -     -    - 

Number  of  Militia,  exclusive  of  ofli 
cers,    in   those  states   and  terri 
tories  from   whicli  returns    were 
received  at  different  years. 


In  the  United  States     -     708J      17675     476095 

17675 
70S3 

2220 


> 50307 


CHAF. 


170 


CTIAP.  XIV. 


JOURNEY  TO  PHILADELPHIA  —  STAGE-WAGGON  —  MISERABLE  ROADS  —  COMMUNI- 
CATIVE PASSENGER  —  PHILADELPHIA — POPULATION  OF  THE  CITY — THE  MAR- 
KET—  METHOD    OF    REARING   HOGS  —  EXTREMES    OF    THE  SEASONS PUNISHMENT* 

INFLICTED  ON  CRIMINAL  OFFENDERS  —  ADVANTAGES  OF  THE  CRIMIMAL  CODE 
OF  AMERICA — THE  JAIL — THE  BETTERING  HOUSE  —  THE  HOSPITAL  —  THE  BANK 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  —  BEGGARS — WATER-WORKS — BRIDGES— THE  LIBRARY 
— PEALE's    MUSEUM— AMERICAN    M  AN  UT ACTUBES. 


Journeying  towards  the  south,  the  traveller  may  proceed  to 
rhiUulelphia  by  the  stage-waggon,  or  by  Amboy,  which  is  chiefly  per- 
formed by  water-carriage,  at  much  less  ex]3ense.  I  took  a  place  in  the 
-waggon,  wishing  to  see  the  Jerseys.  I  was  directed  to  the  coach-otlice 
in  th.  Broadway,  in  New  York,  where  I  paid  the  full  fiire,  five  dollars^ 
and  wa>  desired  to  attend  at  nine  the  next  morning,  with  my  luggage. 
I  did  so,  and  found  other  passengers  waiting;  when,  to  my  infmite 
astonishment,  we  were  directed  to  cross  the  water  at  the  confluence  of 
tlie  East  and  Hudson,  or  North  Rivers,  which  appears  nearly  a  league 
broad,  and  were  informed  that  we  should  find  the  stage  on  the  other 
side,  at  Paulu's  Hook,  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey;  and  to  add  to  thi& 
imposition,  we  each  paid  our  own  ferryage.  Thus,  though  the  stranger 
pays  for  his  place  tiom  New  York  to  Philadelphia,  he,  in  fact,  is  car- 
ried only  from  Paulu's  Hook  to  the  latter  city. 

I  had  noted  many  particulars  respecting  the  city  from  which  I  wa» 
now  taking  my  departure,  but  on  comparing  them  with  those  made  in 

Philiidclphia, 


BEPARTURK   FROM   NEW    YORK.  l71 

Philadelphia,  the  preference  of  the  latter  in  beauty,  regularity,  archi- 
tecture, and  improvement,  is  so  decided,  that  I  have  suppressed  much 
respecting  New  York.  Another  reason  operated  in  my  mind  in  favor 
■of  this  determination.  The  latter  is  an  ancient  city,  and  consequently 
much  better  known  by  the  accounts  of  various  authors.  It  is  more 
resorted  to  by  the  English,  and,  upon  the  whole,  greatly  resembles  an 
ancient  English  city,  irregularly  built;  and  such  of  the  public  edifices 
as  merited  notice,  have  been  more  frequently  described  than  those  of 
any  other  place  in  America.  However,  as  during  my  long  residence 
in  this  country,  I  have  been  repeatedly  called  upon  business  to  this  great 
commercial  place,  I  may  possiblj'^  hereafter  find  it  applicable  to  enter 
into  further  particulars  on  the  subject. 

Having  been  safely  feri'ied  over  to  Paulu's  Hook,  a  miserable  place, 
supported  by  travellers,  all  the  New  York  stages  and  horses  for  pro- 
ceeding towards  the  southern  states  being  kept  there,  we  saw  a  number 
of  waggons  with  horses  yoked,  ready  to  depart;  and  groups  of  passen- 
gers assembled,  forming  a  truly  curious  scene.  I  now  mounted,  for 
the  first  time,  an  American  stage,  literally  a  kind  of  light  waggon. 
While  I  attempt  to  describe  this  clumsy  and  uncomfortable  machine, 
I  cannot  suppress  the  wish  of  being  possessed  of  one  of  them,  with  the 
horses,  harness,  and  driver,  just  as  we  set  off,  in  order  to  convert  them 
into  an  exhibition  in  London.  I  should  not  doubt  of  their  proving  as 
attractive  and  as  lucrative  as  Lunardi  at  the  Pantheon,  with  his  balloon 
and  his  quadruped  companions  in  his  first  aerial  voyage  over  that  city. 
In  order  to  aid  my  pen  in  this  arduous  task,  I  have  given  a  correct  re- 
presentation of  one  of  them  in  the  view  of  the  Main  Street,  in  Phila- 
delphia, to  which  I  refer  the  reader. 

This  vehicle,  which  is  of  the  same  construction  throughout  the  coun- 
try, is  calculated  to  hold  twelve  persons,  who  all  sit  on  benches  placed 
across,  with  their  faces  towards  the  horses.  The  front  seat  also  holds 
three,  one  of  whom  is  the  driver,  and  as  there  are  no  doors  at  the  sides, 

z  the 


172  HAD    ROADS. 

the  passengers  pet  in  over  the  front  vliecls,  and  take  their  scats  as  thej' 
enter;  the  first,  of  course,  get  seats  hchind  the  rest.  This  is  the  most 
esteemed  seat,  because  you  can  rest  your  shaken  frame  against  the  hack 
j)art  of  the  waggon.  AV  omen  are  therefore  generally  indulged  with  it,, 
and  it  is  often  laugliableto  see  them  crawling  to  their  seats;  and  if  they 
happen  to  be  late,  they  have  to  straddle  over  the  men,  who  are  seated.' 
larther  in  front.  It  is  covered  with  leather,  and  instead  of  windows, 
there  are  flaps  of  that  article,  whicli  in  bad  weather  &re  i<;t  down,  and 
secured  by  buckles  alid  straps.  In  summer  these  flaps  arc  folded  up, 
and  this  is  some  alleviation  from  the  repeated  shocks  you  receive  in 
going  over  roads,  many  of  which  are  never  repaired,  and  stumps  of 
trees  left;  vnn'ooted  for  time  to  consume,  which  yet  ;impede  your  progress 
even  in  the  rauch-freqnented  road  between  the  two  largest  citiesfvrin  the 
United  States..  Several  miles  immediately  before  you  enter  Trenton, 
the  road  is  so  A'ery  bad  in  some  places,  that  the  driver,  with  whom  I 
chose  to  sit,  the  better  to  view  the  country,  told  me,  that  the  last  time 
he  passed,  his  horses  stalled,  that  is,  they  were  for  some  time  unable  to 
drag  the  waggon  through  the  \vor.>t  places.  lie  also  said,  that  the  road 
thtTC  had  not  been  repaired  in  his  memory,  injid  he  did.iiot  ecase  cursing 
and  swearing  till  we  entered  the  city  of  Ti:entof),  which  was  late  in  the 
evening,  a  distance  of  sixty-six  miles.  This  day's  journey  was  rendered 
more  disagreeable  by  alieavy  rain  falling  in  the  very  worst  part  of  the 
road,  and  being  myself,  as  I  have  already  observed,  in  front,  I  was  wet  to 
the  skin,  which  threw  me  into  a  iever  on  my  arrival  in  Philadelphia. 
Those  seated  farther  back  Ayere  in  a  situation  not  much  better;  the 
leather  sides  being  an  indifferent  shelter.* 

One 

*  Since  the  journey  now  under  observation,  I  hare  travelled  many  hundred,  perhaps  a  few  thousand 
miles,  in  similar  carriages,   and  in  almost  every   state  in  the  Union  ;  and,  though  1  find  much  truth  in 
Wr.  Wfld's  Travels,  yet  I  confess  I  never  witnessed  such  a  circumstance  as  is  described  by  him  in  the. 
lollowing  passage  : 

"  The  great  roads  are  so  little  attended  to,  that  the  driver  frequently  has  to  call  to  the  passengers  in 
the  stage  to  lean  out  of  the  carriage,  first  at  one  side,  then  at  the  other,  to  prevent  it  from  overturning 
M  the  deep  ruts  with  which  the  road  abounds.     "  A'o»,  gentlemen,  to  (he  right ;"  upon  which   ail   the 

passengers 


ANECDOTES   OF   THE   AMERICAN    WAR.  17.5 

One  of  m\r  travelling  companions  was  Colonel  Ephraini  Martin,  a 
loquacious  old  gentleman,  who  had  served  in  the  revolutionary  war, 
and  was  then. proceeding  from  his  residence  in  New  Brunswick,  to  at- 
tend the  sitting  of  the  state  assembly  at  Trenton,  of  which  he  had  been 
long  a  member.  After  supper,  having  dried  my  clothes,  still  on  mv 
back,  I  Avished  to  retire  to  rest,  as  the  waggon  was  to  proceed  no  farther 
that  night ;  but  the  old  soldier  detained  me  till  a  late  hour,  and  long 
after  all  the  other  passengers  had  retired.  On  a  more  suitable  occasion 
1  should  have  enjoyed  bis  garrulity.  He  told  me  of  "  the  battles,  sieges, 
fortunes  he  had  pass'd,"  and  sometimes  from  lapse  of  memory  he  reca- 
pitulated twice  over  the  details  of  the  same  action.  We  had  just  passed 
over  a  part  of  the  theatre  of  war,  and  he  frequently  pointed  out,  as  v/e 
proceeded,  the  situation  of  the  contending  armies.  Drenched  with 
rain,  and  fearful  of  being  stalled,  I  could  not  retain  in  memory  much 
of  his  information.  I,  however,  recollect  his  saying  that  a  considerable 
body  of  British  troops  lay  at  Trenton  at  the  time  Washington,  by 
crossing  the  Delaware  ati-Christmas,  took  the  Hessians  by  surprise  at 
Princeton,  only  twelve  miles  distant ;  and  made  them  prisoners.  An 
American  officer  was  a  prisoner  at  Trenton,  when  the  report  of  the 
artillery  in  the  skirmish,  before  Washington  completed  his  capture,  was 
distinctly  heard  at  the  out-posts.  This  man,  after  his  liberation,  re- 
ported, on  joining  his  countrymen,  that  a  Scotch  officer,  whose  name 
I  cannot  recollect,  high  in  rank  in  the  British  army,  had  advised  the 
adoption  of  vigorous  measures,  as  the  enemy  were  in  the  neighborhood ; 
but,  from  the  confiflcnce  of  securrty,  his  suggestions  were  not  attended  to. 
The  North  Briton  now  upbraided  his  superior,  observing,  that  "  while 
they  had  rested  in  apparent  safety,  the  d d  Indian  was  killing  their 

passengers  stretch  their  bodies  lialf  out  of  the  carriage  to  balance  it  on  that  si'Je.     "  Now,  gentlemen,  to 
the  left,'^  and  so  on.     This  frequently  happens  a  dozen  times  in  half  the  number  of  miles." 

1  have  been  frequently  questioned  on  this  subject  in  America  by  persons  who  have  read  Mr.  Weld's 
book  Though  the  roads  are  in  general  very  bad,  yet  the  clumsy  waggon  is  propoctionably  strong  to 
encounter  the  shocks  ;  and  accidents  but  rarely  happen, 

Z  2  people 


174  PHILANTHROPIC   AMERICAN   OFl'ICER. 

people  iit  Princeton."  "By  the  Indian,"  continued  Colonel  Martin,  "he 
meant  Washington."  I  have  related  the  anecdote  just  as  the  veteran 
t»)ld  it,  who  greatly  enjoyed  his  own  story ;  not,  however,  from  a  know- 
ledge that  I  was  an  Englishman,  but  from  that  innate  satisfaction  with 
which  my  Uncle  Toby  narrated  the  battles  in  w  hich  he  had  been  en- 
gaged. Ijike  him  too,  the  colonel  possessed  a  good  heart.  lie  ob- 
served, that  the  commencement  of  ho:?tilities  was  a  fatal  blow  to  his 
circumstances.  He  found  himself  obliged  to  take  some  decided  part, 
and  this  cost  him  much  thought.  He  brought  every  circumstance  to 
view — the  attachment  he  had  professed  to  the  British  crown — the  cause 
of  complaint — and  the  gloomy  prospects  which  then  overshadowed  the 
American  cause.  He  at  length  adopted  the  latter,  but  with  a  heavy 
heart.  He  had  two  sons  advancing  to  manhood ;  one  of  them  fell  in 
battle  against  the  British,  and  the  other,  having  been  bred  to  the  study 
of  physic,  was  appointed  surgeon  of  a  regiment,  and  survived.  He 
added,  that  the  English,  individually,  were  dear  to  him  as  his  own  coun- 
trymen, and,  in  fact,  he  never  had  an  enemy  out  of  the  field  of  battle. 
"  I  forgive  the  man  that  wounded  me — I  saw  him  strike  me  down,  and 
1  think,"  continued  this  worthy  man,  "  I  should  still  know  him.  I 
would,  now  the  contest  is  over,  take  him  to  my  arms,  and  give  him 
the  best  my  house  afforded !"  Would  to  heaven  1  could  saj^  that  I  had 
often  heard  such  sentiments  as  these  during  my  sta}^  among  Americans. 
They  would  have  filled  me,  and  indeed  every  man  who  heard  them, 
with  admiration  and  esteem;  but  alas!  on  the  contrary,  how  often  have 
I  been  branded  with  opprobrium,  because  I  was  born— an  Englishman. 
In  vain  may  they  deny  the  principle;  in  vain  contradict  what  I  advance 
whenever  I  speak  of  localities;  but  still  I  shall  continue  to  aver  that  I 
sit  down  to  write  these  sheets,  not  with  a  view  to  pecuniary  profit,  but, 
in  the  plain  language  of  truth,  to  inform  my  countrymen  of  the  result 
of  some  expa'knce  \\\  the  new  world.* 

•  TravtUing  charges  are  half  a  dollar  for  each  meal.     These  only  differ  in  there  being  vegetables  at 
Mu:  dinner  table,  and  spirits  and  water,  as  an  execrable  beverage.     At  breakfast  and  supper  there  are 


Si^h 


Fiftli 


»Q      See 
^    Fr.i 


■lllllgLIIIflHIIISI 

iiDaaiiim  laiii 

IlilHBIBllBE 

_  SifDss 

SsSHBiJiy !!!!!!! 


FOUNDATION   OF    PHIL ADELPIilA.  175 

On  the  next  day  I  sensibly  felt  the  ill  effects  of  my  journey.  We  set 
off  at  six  in  the  morning,  and  were  conveyed  to  the  I  Vanklin's  Head,  in 
North  Second  Street,  Philadelphia,  at  two ;  having  come  thirty  miles, 
making  together  ninetj^-six  miles  from  New  York.  I  found  accommo- 
dation  at  a  private  boarding-house,  where  I  remained  an  invalid  for  a 
fortnight. 

The  rapid  grov/th  of  this  beautiful  city,  in  size,  wealth,  and  splendor, 
and  its  increase  of  trade,  has  s^^ldom  been  equalled  in  commercial  his- 
tory. The  plan  was  laid  by  the  purchaser  of  the  soil,  the  celebrated 
AVillia-u  Penn.  This  enterprising  man  was  one  of  the  earliest  members 
of  the  religious  sect  who  denominated  themselves  Friends;  and  at  this 
dav  a  large  proportion  of  the  inhabitants  of  Phila'Jel[)hia  are  of  that 
persuasion.  He  obtained  a  grant  from  King  Charles  the  Second,  in  the 
year  1681,  and  the  next  year,  accompanied  by  about  one  hundred  settler?, 
he  arrived  in  the  river  Delaware,  on  the  banks  of  which  stands  the  city, 
at  the  distance  of  \iO  miles  from  the  sea.  The  spot  was  then  covered 
with  timber;  its  foundation  was  a  stratum  of  potters'  clay;  the  harbour 
furnished  a  bed  of  sand;  the  nearest  hills  contained  quarries  of  stone; 
the  vicinity  yielded  lime-stone  and  marble  ;  and  iron  and  coal  were  dis- 
covered upon  the  navigable  branches  of  the  Delaware,  long  before  the 
new  settlement  afforded  hands  to  work  them. 

The  natives,  Mr.  Penn  justly  considered,  had  the  claim  of  nature  to 
the  soil,  and  were  in  possession  of  the  country.  He  accordingly  en- 
tered into  a  negotiation  with  them  for  the  extinguishment  of  such  title; 
and  under  a  tree,  which  is  still  standing,  and  which  is  accurately  repre- 
sented in  the  plate  fronting  the  title-page  of  this  work,  they  transferred 
to  him  their  right  of  possession.     He  also  there  entered  into  a  treaty  of 

also  hot  dishes,  and  generally  very  indifferent  coffee.  The  Englishman  is  said  to  live  too  grossly  ; 
but  the  American  gorges  on  meat  three  times  a  day.  One  alleviation  to  the  fatigue  of  travelling 
in  this  country  is,  that  you  are  not  dunned  for  money  by  the  driver,  but  he  will  often  smoke  a  segar  on 
the  road,  the  fume  of  which,  by  the  progression  of  the  carri::ge,  is  left  among  the  passengers.  The 
average  price  of  conveyance  is  not  quite  four-pence  British  per  mile. 

amity 


176  DESCRIPTION   OV   HIILADEl.IMIi  \. 

amity  with  the  tribe  of  Indiaiis  who  huuted  oij  the  ground  where  the 
city  is  now  built. 

•  o  It  is  situated  40  degrees  north  of  the  equator,  and  75  west  of  London, 
being  in  the  same  parallel  of  latitude  with  Spain,  Italy,  and  Greece; 
climates  whose  happy  temperature  had  indicated  milder  seasons  than 
were  found  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware,  which,  during  the  winter,  is 
frozen  to  such  a  degree,  that  loaded  waggons  pass  over  it  on  the  ice. 

Plhladelphia  is  built  on  an  extensive  j)lain,  five  miles  above  the  con- 
fluence of  two  navigable  rivers,  the  Delaware  and  the  Schuylkill;  the 
former  is  a  mile  in  breadth,  and  of  sullieient  depth  to  admit  ships  of 
1200  tons  to  the  wharls,  after  being  in  part  unloaded  at  a  bar  near  Wil- 
mington, the  only  obstruction  to  its  extensive  navigation.  The  Schuyl- 
kill is  about  half  as  wide  as  the  Thames  at  Lambeth,  and  is  also  naviga- 
ble for  smaller  vessels  as  high  as  the  city. 

The  streets  running  from  river  to  river  are  named  after  the  produce 
of  the  woods  formerly  growing  upon  the  spot,  viz.  Walnut-street,  Ches- 
nut-street.  Pine-street,  Vine-street,  iNIul berry-street,  &c.  Those  running 
from  north  to  south,  according  to  the  original  plan,  were  named  Front- 
street,  second,  third,  fourth,  fifth,  and  up  to  twelfth-street,  and  are  now 
built  upon.  The  centre  of  the  city  is  ]\Iarket-street,  w  hich  also  extends 
from  the  Delaware  to  the  Schuylkill,  and  is  much  wider  than  the  others 
running  in  the  same  direction.  W  here  the  streets  intersect  Market- 
street  they  are  distinguished  by  north  and  south,  as  North  Second-street, 
South  Second-street,  North  Third-street,  South  Third-street,  &c. ;  but, 
in  order  to  give  the  reader  a  correct  idea  of  this  handsome  city,  I  have 
subjoined  an  accurate  plan,  by  referring  to  which  he  will  fully  compre- 
hend my  meaning. 

The  ground-plot  is  laid  out  with  great  regularity.  Nine  streets,  two 
miles  in  length,  (though  not  yet  built  upon  to  the  extremities)  run  east 

and 


I 


:^ 


1 


DESCRIPTION    OF  PHILADELPHIA.  177 

and  west,  from  river  to  river,  and  t\vent3--three  of  a  mile  in  length,  in- 
tersect them  at  right  angles  fi'om  north  to  south.  These  streets  are  fitty 
feet  wide,  and  they  distrihute  tlie  plan  into  squares,  the  interior  of  which 
v/as  designed  for  yards  and  gardens.  Two  main  streets,  of  an  hundied 
feet  wide,  cross  each  other  in  the  centre,  and  form  a  public  square,  of 
Avhich  four  more  were  laid  out  in  different  parts  of  the  city.*  A  range 
of  houses,  for  the  principal  merchants,  was  intended  to  open  upon  the 
water,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  celebrated  Bomb  Quay  at  Rotterdam; 
for  which  purpose,  the  warehouses,  &c.  along  the  river,  were  intended 
to  have  been  kef)t  back  from  the  rising  ground  above  the  bank;  but  cu- 
piditity,  perhaps  convenience,  has  crowded  the  platform, between  the 
streets  with  narrow  alleys;  the  public  squares,  except  the  Centre,  have 
been  otherwise  appropriated;  and  the  bank  of  the  river  has  been  built 
up  with  a  row  of  houses  which  are  a  disgi-ace  to  the  city,  and  which  en- 
tirely intercept  the  view  of  the  port.  This  street  has  proved  a  scourge 
to  the  inhabitants  for  their  encroachment  on  the  noble  plan  of  the  pro- 
prietor. It  is  called  Water-street,  and  is  so  very  contracted  and  dirty, 
compared  to  the  cleanliness  of  other  parts  of  the  city,  that  it  is  alone 
sufficient  to  engender  disease  in  the  hot  months;  and  there  contagion 
first  makes  its  appearance. 

This  is  not  the  only  infraction  upon  the  judicious  plan  of  Mr.  Penn. 
By  referring  to  the  plate,  the  reader  will  perceive  a  distortion  in  Dock- 
street,  which  was  neither  originally  so  called  nor  laid  out.  The  inha- 
bitants are  even  deviating  from  the  original  names  of  the  streets.  They 
now  call  Mulberry,  Arch-atreet  There  being  no  bridge  near,  I  see  no- 
thing waggish  in  the  alteration;  if  intended  lljr  a  stroke  of  wit. 

The  houses  are  well  built,  chiefly  of  red  brick,  and  in  general  three 
stories  high.  In  some  of  the  new  streets  uniformity  is  observed,  parti- 
cularly in  Sansom-street,  which  may  vie  with  those  of  the  fashionable 

•  The  city  extends,  including  Southwark  and  the  northern  liberties,   nearly  three  miles  along  the  De- 
liware,  and  about  a  mile  and  a  half  east  and  west. 

3  parts 


1/8  Di:SCUIPTION    OF    rillJADF.Ll'IIIA. 

parts  of  London.  A  great  number  of  private  liouses  have  marble  steps 
to  tlie  street  door,  and  in  other  respects  are  finished  in  a  style  of  ele- 
gance. 

The  streets  are  paved  with  large  j)ebble-stones  in  the  carriage-road, 
and  the  tout-pavements,  which  are  raised  ten  or  twelve  inches  higher, 
with  brick.  Tliey  are  tolei-ably  well  lighted  and  guarded  in  tbe  night; 
the  watchmen  calling  the  hour  as  in  London.*  Many  of  the  new  streets 
have  of  late  years  been  planted  with  rows  of  poplars,  whose  rapid 
growth,  and  spiral  form,  peculiarly  adapt  them  to  shade  the  avenues  of 
the  city  in  the  sultry  season  of  the  year.  During  the  last  summer,  these 
trees  harboured  a  caterpillar  of  very  large  dimensions,  the  bite  of  which 
was  saitl  to  be  extremely  venomous.  Reports  were  propagated  of  its 
causing  death  in  several  instances,  and  the  demolition  of  the  j)oplars 
was  in  contemplation.  I,  however,  witnessed  the  proof  of  their  being 
i)erfecUy  harndvSS,  having  seen  a  gentleman  in  Walnut-street  suffer  one  of 
them  to  crawl  over  his  hands;  nor  do  I  conceive  that  the  bite,  which,  by 
all  reptiles,  is  never  inflicted  but  under  the  impression  of  fear  or  anger, 
would  produce  at  most  more  than  a  local  inflammation. 

On  the  declaration  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States,  Phi!a- 
delp'.iia,  then  the  capital  and  seat  of  government,  was  estimated  to  con- 
tain 6,000  houses,  and  40,000  iidiabitants.  An  American  author,  from 
whom  some  of  these  observations  are  selected,  states  tbat,  "  since  the 
operation  of  the  federal  constitution,  four  or  five  hundred  houses  have 
been  annually  erected,  no  small  proportion  of  which  (it  is  said  not  less 
than  two  himdred)  have  been  built  by  a  single  citizen,  W.  Sansom,  Esq." 
This  is  greatly  over-rating  the  increase,  as  the  eighteen  years  of  the  com- 
pact of  the  union,  taking  this  writer's  medium  at  450,  would  produce 
8,100;  which,  added  to  the  original  6,000,  would  make  14,100  houses 
in  Philadelphia.  This  writer  is  rather  unfortunate  in  his  calculations, 
for  in  the  very  next  page  he  observes,  that  the  city  is  supposed  to  con- 

•  The  police  is  generally  active  and  well  regulated  in  all  the  large  cities  in  the  United  States.    They 
havejusticesof  the  peace,  constables,  aud  walchnicD,  according  to  the  English  system. 

tain 


J 
^ 


.5 


•J 


"e 


MARKET   OF   PHILADELPHIA,  l79 

tain  13,000  houses,  and  eighty  thousand  peo|)le — but  even  this  is  a  high 
calculation.  From  a  plan  taken  by  a  British  officer  of  engineers,  when 
General  Howe's  army  lay  iu  Philadel[)hia,  it  appears  that  it  is  now  dou- 
ble the  size;  and,  notwithstanding  the  ravages  of  the  yellow  fever,  its 
population  has  increased  in  proportion. 

The  market  is  the  great  boast  of  the  Philadelphians.  It  is  a  covered 
building,  420  of  my  steps,  in  length,  exclusive  of  the  intersections  of 
streets,  an5  I  calculated  mv  step  to  be  a  yard ;  but  onlv  five  feet  in 
breadth,  including  the  butchers'  benches  and  blocks.  It  is  well  sup- 
plied; and  its  regularity  and  cleanliness  indicate  good  living  and  whole- 
some regulations.  No  article  can  be  offered  for  sale  here  without  fii'st 
being  submitted  to  the  inspection  of  one  of  the  clerks  of  the  market, 
who  seizes  unwholesome  articles,  and  a  fine  is  inflicted  upon  the  owner. 
The  fish-market,  fi-om  its  distance  to  the  sea,  is  but  indifferently  supplied, 
though  much  pains  is  taken  to  procure  a  regular  supply.  Light  carts 
are  constantly  coming  in  from  New  York,  and  Burlington  in  New  Jer- 
sey, with  the  most  delicate  fish  of  the  ocean,  and  packed  in  ice  during 
the  summer.  The  beef  is  good,  but  the  mutton  and  veal  far  inferior 
to  that  of  England  and  Ireland.  Butter  and  poultry  are  excellent;  and 
there  is  a  profusion  of  vegetables.  Butchers'  meat,  on  an  average,  is 
ten  to  twelve  cents  (5d.  to  6d.)  per  pound ;  but  poultry  is  not  one-third 
of  the  London  price,  and  of  a  superior  quality.  Fowls  of  all  kinds  are 
within  the  compass  of  the  purchase  of"  the  labourer,  A  turkey  of  six- 
teen pounds  weight  may  often  be  bought  in  Philadelphia  for  a  dollar, 
but  I  have  seen  them  sold  of  this  size,  both  in  New  England  and  in 
Virginia,  for  three  shillings,  and  even  still  less,  British  mone\^  Wild 
turkies  are  sometimes  brought  to  market  of  the  enormous  weight  of 
twenty-five  pounds  and  upwards;  but  these  birds  retire  from  the  country 
as  it  becomes  more  settled.  Geese,  ducks,  fouls,  rabbits,  (there  are  no 
hares  in  the  United  States)  are  of  a  proportionate  price.  Quails,  which 
they  call  partridges,  are  brought  alive  in  large  quantities,  and  sold  fur 
about  two  and  sixpence  per  dozen,*  Negroes,  and  sometimes  white  peo- 

*  Great  ciuaiititios  of  tliis  game  are,  in  the  winter,  cauglit  witii  snares  and  traps. 

2  A  pie. 


^80  JIETilOD   OV    RAISING    AND   KU.LIX3    SWINE. 

pit',  Urinq;  ojwssiims,  wliich  could  not  readily  be  distiufjuishcd  (rom  roast 
^ii(,  when  dressed  in  the  same  manner;  s<|uirr('ls,  wliieLure  by  many  pre- 
lerred  to  the  rabbit,,  and  sometimes  racoons.  Tlie  latter  1  never  could  be 
prevailed  upon  to  ta^te;  indeed,  it  is  not  held  in  any  estimation,  partaking 
too  much  of  the  species  of  tlie  fox,  though,    I  believe  it  is  not  carnivo- 
rous.    Excellent  butter  is  supplied  by  the  German  settlers,  at  about  an 
Engli>h  shillin-i'  per  jmund,  and  eggs  at  sixpence  per  dozen.     The  pork 
throughout  the  United  States  is  excellent,  and,  iioni  the  quantity  of  mast, 
it  is  raised  in  abundance.     Large  herds  of  swine,  'svhieh  run'otl"  at  uiy 
api)roaeh,  have  often  suddenly  surprised  me  when  on  a  shooting  party 
in  the  woods.     They  range  at  large,  and  stray  sometimes  many  miles, 
from  their  owner,  w  ho,  however,  is  anxious  to  accustom  them  to  resort 
to  his  plantation.     To  effect  this,  he  blows  the  conch-shell,,  which  may 
be  heard  at  a  great  tUstance..  x\t  this  signal  the  hogs  that  are  well  trained 
set  off  at  full  speed  ;  luid,  fromits  being  sounded  at  one  |iarticular  spot,, 
the  animals  soon  appear,  and  are  rewarded  with  Indian-corn,  which  they 
prefer  to  all  other  food.*    Aljout  the  end.  of  November  begins  the  pork 
season.     Neighbouring  planters  tuid  fiu'mers  unite,  and  tbcm  a  large 
party  in  quest  of  the  herds  of  swine,  that  are  entirely  wild,,  which  they 
pursue  and  shoot  with  a  single  ball  in  the  head.     Each  person  knows  his- 
hogs  by  marks  which  are  given  them  w  hen  young.     This  pork,  by  the 
quantity,  is  generally  in  price  from  five  to  six  dollars  per  hundred  weight. 
It  is  very  fat,  but  the  flesh  is  not  firm,  from  the  animal  ^ednig  cliieily 
upon  the  acorn ;  this  they  call  mast-fed  pork.. 

Spirituous  liquors  are,  unhappily  for  the  lowest  orders  of  society,  still 
easier  of  attainment.  This  pernicious  article  is  generally  the  cause  of 
those  outrages,  the  narration  of  which  so  much  offends  the  ear  of  all 
civilized  nations,  and  which  will  be  particularly  noticed  in  treating  of 
Virginia  and  the  more  southern  states.  M'indward  Island  Kum,  by  the 
hogshead,  is  generally  under  a  dollar  per  gallon,  and  the  various  distil- 

*  1  do  not  agree  with  the  vulgar  saying,  "  as  slupid.as  a  pig."    I  liave^  from- obsenatiop,  found  swine, 
the  most  sagacious  quadrupeds  of  the  farm. 

4  lations 


DTFnCULTY  OF  OBTAI^^NG   FRESH  PROVISIONS  IN   St'MMER.      ISI 

lations  of  the  country  about  half  that  price.  The  duty  on  imported  spi- 
rits is  very  small,  and  according  to  the  proof,  averaging  an  English  shil- 
ling per  gallon. 

What  I  have  hitherto  said  must  be  understood  to  relate  only  to  the 
market  in  the  winter  season.  It  is  by  no  means  well  supplied  in  sum- 
mer. Fresh  meat  will  then  keep  no  longer  than  the  dinner  hour  of  the 
morning  it  is  killed;  and  the  morning's  milk  turns  to  curd  in  the  even- 
ing. This  they  call  "  boiin)/  clabber,"  and  eat  it  with  honey,  sugar,  or 
molasses.  It  is  by  some  thought  equal  to  custard,  and  the  females  are 
;particularly  fond  of  it.  They  have  their  seasons  for  the  articles  of  life, 
whicb,  in  London,  we  scarcely  perceive.  For  examj^le — after  the  sea- 
son for  fowls  coiwe  the  fisheries  of  the  spring,  Avhich  continue  for  about 
six  weeks,  when  the  people  in  the  country  live  solely  on  s^iad  and  her- 
rings, of  which  they  also  export  large  quantities.  In  the  beginning  and 
middle  of  summer  it  is  difficult  to  procure  fresh  provisions  of  any  kind. 
They  then  live  on  salt  }X)rk  or  bacon,  and  greens.  In  a  progress  of 
many  hundred  miles  in  the  southern  states,  at  this  time  of  the  vear,  a 
traveller  will  fmd  no  other  fare.  This  was  once  a  favorite  dish  with  me ; 
•but  so  long  have  I  been  confined  to  it  at  different  times  in  America, 
that  my  relish  for  it  is,  I  believe,  for  ever  gone.  In  the  spring,  it  is  true, 
you  every  where  meet  with  veal  killed  at  a  month  or  six  weeks  old,  hav- 
ing first  been  almost  starved  to  death  by  the  robbery  committed  upon 
the  natural  sustenance  of  the  calf. 

The  heat  in  summer  is  oppressive^ — more  so  I  thought  than  in  Caro- 
lina. This  is  accounted  lor,  by  the  reflection  of  the  sun  upon  the  brick 
houses  and  the  brick  foot-pavements.  The  thermometer  is  often  above 
90  for  several  days  together,  sometimes  for  a  tew  hours  93  and  95,  which 
alone  is  sufficient  to  proj>agate  disease  in  f>  crowded  cit}'.  With  the 
disadvantage  of  the  fever,  and  the  total  stop  put  to  navigation  several 
weeks  from  the  ice,  in  winter,  Philadelphia  has  sent  from  twelve  to  fif- 
teen hundred  sail  of  vessels  in  oi^e  year  to  every  quarter  of  the  globe, 

2  A  2  some 


182  CRIMINAL    PlNISIIMl-NTS. 

some  of  which,  folUnviug  the  British,  doiihlc  the  i)romontorv  of  Africa, 
and  explore  the  antipodes  for  the  most  costly  productions  of  the  east. 
Add  to  this,  the  Americans,  during  the  present  war,  have  been  the  carriers 
of  the  world,  across  the  ocean.  It  is  said  that  a  gentleman  now  living,  and 
by  no  means  very  old,  remembers  but  three  coaches  kept  in  the  eitv ; 
and  now  there  are  computed  to  be  above  three  hundred. — This  is  not 
improbable,  for,  in  coming  from  the  Theatre,  I  have  seen  a  bustle  of 
carriages  similar  to  that  in  London  upon  these  occasions. 

During  the  extreme  heat,  fvw  would  voluntarily  encounter  the  rays  of 
the  sun;  yet  the  pursuit  of  wealth  stimulates  the  American  to  run  every 
hazard.  The  female  part  of  the  family,  however,  stay  w  ithin  doors  till 
the  cool  of  the  evening.  They  shut  up  the  windows  on  w  hich  the  suti 
shines,  as  well  to  exclude  the  heat,  as  to  render  the  myriads  of  Hies  and 
musquitoes  inactive,  from  the  darkness.  The  streets  of  Philadelphia  m 
the  evening  are  crowded.  The  ladies  emerge  from  their  conliuement, 
and  pay  visits  by  moon-light;  Avhile  the  girls  sport  and  play  without 
hats  or  cloaks,  uninterrupted  often  till  near  midnight. 

The  punishments  annexed  to  criminal  convictions,  throughout  almost 
every  state,  are  worthy  of  imitation.  The  manv  public  executions  which 
take  ])lace  in  England,  after  every  general  gaol-delivery,  are  a  subject 
which  strikes  Americans  with  horror.  Among  the  lower  orders  of  the 
community,  the  spectacle  of  fellow-creatures  executed  by  the  arm  of  the 
law,  generally  tends  to  harden  their  hearts,  and  divests  death  of  its  ter- 
rors; and  upon  the  commission  of  a  crime,  the  offenders,  inured  to  be- 
hold the  extent  of  the  punishment,  console  themselves  under  the  idea  of 
dying  "  as  brave  as  the  best." 

Though  both  the  penal  and  common  laws  of  England  are  generally 
adopted  in  the  I  iiiied  .Slates,  the  punishments  differ  materially;  but 
it  will  be  admitted  that  they  are  sufficiently  proportioned  to  the  crimes. 
In  very  few  cases  indeed,  in  any  state,  is  the  punishment  of  death  in- 

2  flicted 


CRIMINAL   PUNISHMENTS.  183 

flioted.  Legislative  bodies  consider,  that  the  laws  of  man  should  seldom 
extend  to  the  extermination  of  that  life  which  was  given  by  the  Al- 
mii>lity !  In  Pennsylvania,  of  late  years,  ca|jital  punishments  are  re- 
mitted in  all  cases  I  believe  except  treason,  or  murder  in  the  first  degree; 
and,  in  the  latter  case,  death  is  seldom  inflicted;  but  the  culprit  is  sen- 
tenced to  solitary  confinement  in  a  dark  cell  for  a  number  of  years,  or 
perhaps  for  lite.  In  the  second  degree,  light  is  admitted  into  the  cell  of 
the  prisoner,  and  his  confinement  is  limited  to  seven  or  fourteen  years. 
For  burglary,  which  rarely  occurs,  the  punishment  is  also  solitary  con- 
finement. Such  as  are  under  conviction  of  theft  and  petty  larceny  are 
made  to  work  in  their  cells,  at  the  trade  to  which  they  were  bred.  Pri- 
soners^ for  inferior  misdemeanors,  midnight  disturbers,  vagabonds,  and 
such  as  are  detected  begging  or  fighting,  are  kept  at  labour  together. 

The  philanthropic  reader  will  rejoice  to  find  that  there  are  regions 
where  more  humane  laws  seem  to  upbraid  the  severity  of  those  of  Eng- 
land, whose  criminal  code  has  justly  been  said  to  be  written  with  blood. 
From  a  recent  publication  on  the  metropolis  of  the  Austrian  dominions, 
it  appears  that  the  continental  sovereigns  begin  to  perceive  the  inade- 
quacy and  injustice  of  this  s}  stem  of  rigour.  With  the  year  1 804  a 
milder  code  of  criminal  law  there  commenced  its  operation.  Treason, 
insurrection,  if  attended  with  aggravating  circumstances,  forgery  of  bank- 
notes, and  murder,  are  alone  to  be  punished  with  death;  the  penalty 
for  all  other  crimes  being  various  degrees  of  imprisonment,  either  for 
life,  or  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period. 

It  is  curious  and  pleasing  to  see  and  reflect  upon  the  various  useful  oc- 
cupations these  people,  hitherto  dangerous  to  society,  are  obliged  to  fol- 
low in  the  prisons  of  America.  xManufactures  of  most  kinds  are  there  car- 
ried on.  Taylors,  shoe-makers,  and  persons  of  other  trades,  liave  separate 
rooms ;  and  such  of  the  prisoners  who  have  not  followed  any  useful  branch 
in  particular,  are  instructed  to  make  naiis,  by  macUines,  of  whicli  large 
quantities  are  constantly  manulactunng.  The  produce  not  only  maintains 

the 


184  nilMlNAL  PUNISHMENTS  IN   VIRGINIA, 

the  labourers,  but  leaves  a  consUlerabie  profit  to  the  state.  Tiius,  prisoners 
who  are  a  great  expence  to  the  English  nation,  living  in  idleness,  and  |)lot- 
tinq;  and  teaehing  each  other  mischief,  and  new  methods  and  devices  for 
plundering  the  public,  are  there  rendered  valuable  members  of  society. 
The  punishment,  so  far  from  hardening  them  in  turpitude,  reforms  them, 
and  they  generally,  on  their  liberation,  return  to  those  habits  of  industry 
vhich,  fi*om  compulsion,  have  become  second  nature.  'J'Jie  task  assigned 
them  is  so  moderate,  that  each  individual  can  witli  ease  earn  a  daily' 
surplus;  and  in  this  case,  an  account  is  taken  of  it,  and  it  is  delivered 
in  cash  to  the  respective  claimants  on  liberation.  Hius,  the  most  indus- 
trious often  accunuilate  a  suliiciency  to  enable  them  once  more  te 
begin  an  honest  business. 

The  state  of  Virginia  has  adopted  similar  punishments  and  regula- 
tions. A  penitentiary  is  built,  on  an  extensive  plan,  at  Kichmond;  and 
the  prisoners  are  employed  in  useful  avocations.  Tor  particular  oft'ences, 
and  such  as  do  not  amount  to  solitary  confinement,  the  men  liave 
one  half  only  of  the  head  and  beiu-d  shaved,  they  are  obliged  to 
wear  a  party-coloured  dress,  and  are  thus  ex[>osed  at  work  to  si)ectators. 
In  every  place  of  punishment  the  women,  and  tliey  often  constitute  the 
majority  of  the  prisoners,  are  kept  in  like  manner  at  work  with  the 
needle,  making  garments  for  chciritable  institutions,  or  slojvwork  for 
sale  to  seamen ;  and  the  more  refractory  are  compelled  to  beat  hemp,  or 
to  pick  oakum. 

The  Goal  in  Philadelphia  is  situated  in  AA'al nut-street,  at  the  rear  of 
the  state-house.  It  is  a  large,  strong,  stone  building,  atid  in  ever\^  re- 
spect adapted  to  the  purposes  for  which  it  is  destined.  The  regulations 
of  this  place  of  punishment  are  worthy  of  the  imitation  of  European 
nations.  It  is  regularly  inspected  by  a  committee  of  the  inhal)itants, 
who  chearfullv  in  turn  undertake  the  office  without  reward.  'I'hey  exa- 
mine into  the  cleanliness  of  the  rooms  and  the  prisoners,  who  are  regu- 
lujly  washed,  and  in  summer  bathed,  and  tlicn  supplied  with  a  change 

of 


POOR— BEGGARS,  TSJ 

of  linen.  Their  diet  is  also  regulated,  and  no  spirituous  Hqnor, 
doubtless  in  most  cases,  the  primarxT  cause  which  reduced  the  people  to 
their  unhappy  situation,,  is  suffered  to  be  introduced  to  state  pi'isoners. 

In  the  winter,  which  is  very  severe  in  Philadelphia,  the  poor  are  re- 
lieved, and  a  house  is  opened  for  their  reception.  This  is  called  the  Bet- 
tering-house,  but  the  inhabitants  are  not  j:)risoners.  They  are  supplied 
with  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  dismissed  in  the  spring.  Tlie  institu- 
tion is  defrayed  by  a  tax  on  the  eity. 

The  hospital  is  another  noble  institution.  It  is  provided  with  nurse& 
and  with  all  the  necessary  accommodations  for  patients  of  every  descrip- 
tion. The  princi[)al  physicians  of  the  city  attend  ia  rotation,  and  pay 
tihe  strictest  atteutioato  the  diseases  of  the  sick- 
There  are  ver\"  few  beggars  in  the  United  States ;  there  is  indeed  no 
pretext  for  begging  in  a  country'  where  every  individual  can  find  em- 
ployment, and  the  infirm  are  maintained.  By  this  I  do  not  mean  to^ 
assert  that  there  are  no  poor  in  the  United  States,  nor  families  in  dis- 
tress, as  Dr.  Priestly  wrote  to  his  few  converts  who  remained  in  Bir- 
mingham, in  order  to  induce  them  to  follow  him.  The  climate  alone 
twice  a  year,  occasions  a  number  of  poor  people  to  seek  |3arochial  and 
other  relief;  but  not  in  tlie  form  of  street  begging.  The  extreme  cold 
in  winter  for  two  or  three  months,  renders  it  impossible  for  many  of  the 
inferior  class  to  follow  their  respective  avocations — the  intense  heat  of 
summer  debilitates  the  constitution,  and  thus  paves  the  way  tor  bilious 
or  yellow  fevers;  and  where  the  latter  do  not  rage,  the  miserable  victim^ 
will  most  likely  have  to  encounter,  byway  of  substitute,  those  torment- 
ing and  wasting  complaints,  agues  and  levers.. 

1  have  been  asked  for  alms  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States,  thouga 
very  seldom  in  the  large  cities.  These  republican  beggars  generally  prefer 
their  requests  in  the  same  manner  as  a  person  would  ask  a  loan,  but 

certainly 


18G  BANK   OF  THE   UNITED   ST ATl'-S— WATER-WORKS. 

certainlv  "ith  some  moderation.  This  description  of  hoifgars  will  also 
stipulate  with  you  as  to  the  sum  they  expect  to  be  given  them — ihey 
uill  name  a  quarter  of  a  dollar,  a  nine-penny  or  eleven  penny  bit;*  if 
you  were  to  ofi'er  cents,  which  are  equivalent  to  English  halt-j)ence. 
you  might  expect  to  incur  their  displeasure. 

The  Bank  of  the  United  States  does  infinite  credit  to  the  nation.  It 
is  a  superb  etlitice  of  the  Corintliian  order,  with  a  majestic  portico  of 
six  fluted  columns  of  stone,  found  in  abundance  in  many  parts  of  the 
Union,  similar  to  Portland  stone.  This  building  indicates  the  ilourisli- 
ing  state  of  thcjse  finances  which  were  organized  by  the  much-lamented 
General  Hamilton. — A  correct  view  of  it  is  annexed. 

Every  thing  which  can  contribute  to  the  comfort  of  the  inhabitants, 
has  of  late  years  been  supplied  in  Philadelphia,  and  if  it  rests  with  man 
to  avert  the  malignancy  of  the  summer  fever,  which,  however,  he  has 
hitherto  attempted  in  vain,  the  regulations  of  the  police  must  greatly 
contribute  to  the  consummation  of  so  important  an  end.  The  city  is 
well  supplied  by  water  from  the  river  Schuylkill,  by  means  of  a  steam-en- 
gine, in  a  handsome  building  at  the  intersection  of  the  two  principal 
streets;  connecting  ornament  with  public  utility.  A  representation  of 
these  water-works  will  be  found  at  the  conclusion  of  this  chapter. 

The  excess  of  the  water  runs  back  in  a  small  stream  to  the  river 
Schuylkill.  The  water  is  for  a  considerable  distance  so  warm  as  to  be 
of  a  proper  temperature  for  washing  linen,  and  I  observed  many  women 
availing  themselves  of  the  advantage.  Water  is  thus  raised  upwards  of 
thirty  feet  above  the  highest  ground  in  the  city,  and  is  conveyed  by  subter- 
raneous pipes  to  what  they  call  hydrants;  which  are  placed  in  the  streets 

•  Tlic  eighth  part  of  a  dollar  is  of  various  denominations,  according  to  the  currency  of  the  states.  In 
Pennsylvania  it  is  eleven-pence,  the  dollar  there  being  seven  shillings  and  sixpence  ;  hence  it  is  called  an 
cloven-pi-iiny  bit.  In  New  England  and  Virginia,  where  the  dollars  are  six  shillings,  it  is  nine-pence; 
JD  New  York,  one>liilling  ;  in  one  part  of  North  Carolina,  lifteen-pence,  and  in  another  part  of  that  state, 
one  shiiling  and  six-pence.     In  South  Carolina  the  currency  is  sterling. 

at 


I 


I 


.V 


"^ 


^ 


^ 


COVERED  BRIDGE  OVER  THE   RIVER  SCHUYLKILL.  187 

at  equal  distances.  The  water  is  not  suffered  to  flow  constantly,  but 
upon  the  slightest  touch  of  the  small  handle  of  the  hydrants,  it  rushes 
with  impetuosity  through  a  tube  of  a  bore  of  about  an  inch  in  diameter, 
and  continues  as  long  as  you  press  upon  it.  There  are  also  pumps  in  the 
principal  streets,  and  it  was  in  contemplation  to  remove  the  hvdrants 
entirely,  and  supply  their  places  with  them.  There  is  certainly  great 
convenience  arising  from  the  use  of  these  hN'drants ;  but  on  the  other 
hand  they  are  liable  to  abuse,  and  often  stand  in  need  of  repairs.  I 
have  seen  boys,  who  run  all  day  uncontrolled  about  the  streets,  play- 
ing with  them  for  hours  togetlier  opposite  to  the  window  of  my  lodgings; 
passengers  would  sometimes  attempt  to  persuade  them  to  discontinue 
their  abuse  of  the  water,  but  not  till  some  other  j)lan  of  mischief  v.  as 
agreed  upon,  would  they  desist  a  moment. 

A  covered  bridge  has  lately  been  erected  dver  the  river  Schuylkill. 
This  beautiful  wooden  structure,  was  designed  by  William  Weston, 
Esq.  of  Gainsborough,  in  Lincolnshire.  It  contains  800,000  feet  of 
timber,  board  measure;  was  six  years  in  building,  and  cost  40,000  dol- 
lars. The  length  of  this  bridge,  including  the  abutments  and  wing- 
walls,  is  1300  feet,  the  width  52  feet;  the  middle  arch  194  feet,  10 
inches,  two  others  150  each ;  and  the  inclosed  height  over  the  carriage- 
way, thirtN'-one  feet.  The  amount  of  the  toll  for  the  year  1805,  was 
13,600  dollars. 

The  library  is  an  institution  Avhich  does  credit  to  the  country.  It  is 
open  the  greater  part  of  the  day  for  strangers,  who  are  attended  by  a  li- 
brarian, ready  to  hand  them  such  books  as  they  may  select  from  the 
catalogue.*  He  is  paid  by  the  society,  which  is  an  incorporated  body. 
A  handsome  building  was  erected  by  them  in  North  Fifth  Street;  and 
tlie  late  Mr.  Bingham,  of  Philadelphia,  presented  the  society  with  a 
line  piece  of  statuary,  in  white  marble,  representing  Doctor  Franklin  at 
full  length,  and  which  is  placed  above  the  entrance  from  the  street.     I 

*  On  my  return  to  my  native  country,  I  was,  at  Liverpool,  refused  atlmiUanceto  diirercnl  coffce-noiiis, 
lo  read  the  public  papers,  because  J  was  r.ot  a  subscriber  ;  an  iliiueralil)  unkuovvn  in  America,  \f.ierj  all 
places  of  this  nature  are  gratuitously  opened  to  the  stranger. 

2  B  applied 


183  THE   LIBRARY. 

npplicil  to  the  librarian  fur  some  particulars  rcspcctino^  this  liberal  en- 
dowment. On  informing  him  of  my  intention  of  publishing  my  obser- 
vations, he  was  very  assiduous  in  communicating  whatever  respected  the 
origin  and  progress  of  the  institution. 

The  foundation  of  this  library  was  laid  in  the  year  1731,  a  period 
when  Philadelphia  afforded  little  assistance;  to  the  enquiries  of  the  stu- 
dious. A  number  of  gentlemen  having  raised  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
pounds  hy  sul)scription,  a  small  library  was  founded  upon  princi])les  the 
best  calculated  to  disseminate  knowledge ;  the  books  were  not,  as  in  many 
public  libraries  of  lun-oije,  confined  to  the  apartments,  but  the  sub- 
scribers were  allowed  to  carry  them  home  for  a  reasonable  space  of 
time. 

The  plan  soon  became  pojiular ;  additions  to  the  number  of  mem- 
bers took  place,  and  the  stock  of  books  was  annually  encreased  by  pur- 
chases at  the  company's  expence,  and  liberal  donations  from  persons 
both  at  home  and  abroad.  The  then  proprietors  of  Pennsylvania  ap- 
pear to  have  taken  a  patriotic  pleasure  in  the  encouragement  of  the  plan. 
Besides  several  valuable  donations,  they  granted  a  charter  of  incorpora- 
tion in  the  year  1724. 

A  spirit  of  literary  improvement  made  its  way  among  all  classes  of 
people,  and  the  philanthropy  of  that  great  and  amiable  character.  Doc- 
tor Franklin,  who  suggested  the  |)lan,  was  gratified  by  tracing  the  books 
as  well  into  the  hands  of  the  opulent,  with  whom  literature  is  sometimes 
no  more  than  one  of  the  ornaments  of  civil  life,  as  of  those  to  whom  it 
renders  a  more  substantial  benefit.  Letters,  while  they  employ  the  lei- 
sure of  the  artist,  reconcile  him  to  his  labor;  by  removing  gVosser  re- 
laxations, they  promote  liis  health,  while  they  enlarge  his  mind :  and 
prolong  his  life,  while  they  teach  him  to  enjoy  it. 

The  great  utility  and  success  of  this  measure  occasioned  the  formation 
of  otiicr  libraries  upon  similar  principles.     But,   as  it  appeared  more 

conducive 


PARTICULARS   RESPECTING   THE   LIBRARY.  1 89 

conducive  to  the  interests  of  literature  to  be  possessed  of  one  large,  than 
of  several  smaller  collections  of  books,  coalitions  gradually  took  place 
among  them,  till  the  whole  were  blended  with  the  library  company  of 
Philadelphia. 

Since  this  event,  which  took  place  in  the  year  1769,  the  members  and 
the  property  of  the  comjjany  have  continued  to  encrease;  there  being 
now  676  members.  The  number  of  volumes  at  present,  including  the 
Loganian  library,*  amounts  to  20,000,  the  selection  of  which  has,  in 
general,  been  calculated  to  promote  the  more  important  interests  of  so- 
ciety. The  stock  of  books  is  continually  encreasing  by  occasional  do- 
nations, annual  importations,  and  purchases  of  every  publication  of 
merit. 

Some  valuable  machines  and  apparatus  for  the  purposes  of  natural 
philosophy,  and  a  variety  of  other  curious,  artificial,  and  natural  pro- 
ductions, also  belong  to  the  company,  and  are  deposited  in  other 
apartments  of  the  building. 

Besides  the  collection,  the  personal  property  consists  of  some  monies 
at  interest;  the  sales  of  shares,  which  since  the  year  1768,  have  been 
fixed  at  ten  pounds,  and  the  annual  payment  often  shillings  from  each 
member.  A  house  and  lot  of  ground  Avhich  belonged  to  the  union 
company;  two  lots  of  ground  (one  the  generous  donation  of  the  late 


*  Th's  valuable  collection,  consisting  principally  of  ancient  books,  was  begun  by  tiie  late  James  Logan, 
whose  enlarged  uiind  imluced  liim  to  provide  for  extending  toothers  the  means  of  tliose  pursuits  he  had 
bimself  successfully  cultivated.  With  this  view  he  built  a  suitable  house  for  the  reception  of  the  library  ; 
and,  by  deed,  vested  it  in  trustees  for  the  use  of  the  public  for  ever;  this  deed  he  afterwards  cancelled, 
and  prepared,  but  did  not  live  to  execute  another,  in  which  some  alteration  was  made  in  the  funds  and 
regulations.  After  he  died,  his  children  and  residuary  legatees  conveyed  the  whole  estate,  intended 
by  him,  to  trustees,  who  caused  tlie  books,  amounting  to  more  than  2000  volumes,  to  be  arranged  in  the 
building  prepared  for  their  reception.  To  this  collection  was  added,  by  the  late  William  Logan,  of  Bris- 
tol, 1300  volumes,  and  the  whole,  consisting  of  ,3443  volumes,  and  handsomely  endowed  by  the  donors, 
for  the  use  of  the  public  forever,  is  now  annexed  to  the  Philadelphia  library. 

2  B  2  Thomas 


190  REMARKARLE   CLOCK. 

TlioiiKis   Peiin,    Escj.    and   several   ground   rents,    constitute  the  re<il 
estate. 

The  members  hold  their  property  as  tenants  in  common,  and  dispose 
of  their  shares  by  will  or  deed ;  l)ut  the  assent  of  the  directors,  as  well 
in  such  circumstances  as  in  case  of  an  original  purchase,  is  previously 
necessary,  a  restriction  early  adopted,  in  order,  as  much  as  possible,  to 
prevent  improper  persons  from  having  access  to  a  collection  of  a  nature 
so  liable  to  injurs'.  The  directors  and  a  treasurer  arc  annually  elected 
by  the  members  ;  and  the  directors  appoint  a  secretary  and  librarian. 

In  the  year  180.),  the  reverend  Samuel  Preston,  of  Chevening,  in 
Kent,  bequeathed  his  valuable  library  to  this  company,  and  some  mo- 
ney in  the  American  funds,  to  be  applied  to  the  purpose  of  keeping  the 
books,  engravings.  Sec.  in  good  order.  A  portrait  of  this  gentleman,  by 
his  friend  West,  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Elizabeth  West,  and  is  suspended 
in  front  of  his  bequest. 

In  this  library  is  an  antique  clock,  on  which  is  the  following  inscri])- 
tion: — "  This  clock  is  said  to  have  been  made  for,  and  belonged  to, 
Oliver  Cromwell,  the  protector.  It  was  formerly  owned  by  Mr.  Sa- 
muel Hudson,  of  this  city  (l*hiladclphia).  After  his  death,  in  the  year 
1793,  his  son,  William  Hudson,  presented  it  to  the  library  company 
of  Philadelphia.  It  is  believed  to  be  the  oldest  chronometer  in  the  city 
— and  tradition  informs  us,  that  Samuel  Iludsoji's  great  grandtather 
j)urchased  it  at  an  auction  in  England,  when  the  auctioneer  told  his  au- 
dience that  it  had  once  been  in  the  possession  of  Oliver  Cromwell." — 

It  is  no  doubt  at  least  one  hundred  and  forty  years  old."  (1804.)  On 
he  face  are  these  words,  "  Johannes  Fromantecl,  Londini,  fecit."     It 

used  as  the  time-piece  of  the  library,  and  is  in  good  repair. 

This  ancient  specimen  of  the  arts  is,  however,  of  later  date  than  the 
history  affixed  to  it  assigns.     It  appears  from  an  old  record,  that  clocks 

with 


THE   MUSEUM.  l91 

■with  pendulums  were  not  invented  till  l662,  and  of  course  some  years 
after  the  death  of  Cromwell,  by  one  Fromanteel,  a  Dutchman,  and 
who  undoubtedly  made  the  clock  in  question. 

The  librarian  shewed  me,  as  a  favor,  an  ancient  manuscript  Bible, 
dated  in  the  year  10 16;  also  a  Romish  prayer-book,  of  i060,  which 
are  esteemed  great  curiosities. 

The  museum  is  a  striking  instance  of  the  persevering  industry  of  an 
individual,  while  the  grant  of  the  Old  State-House  for  its  exhibition 
does  honor  to  the  city.  The  proprietor  is  Mr.  Charles  W.  Peale,  by 
profession  a  painter,  which  he  relinquished,  and  became  a  virtuoso. 
He  says  "  that  in  the  year  1785,  he  began  his  collections  with  some 
bones  of  the  mammoth,  and  the  paddle-fish,  hereafter  described ;  and 
that  in  the  j^ear  1802,  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  influenced  by 
the  idea  of  its  increasing  utilit}^  granted  the  upper  part  of  the  State- 
House  for  the  use  of  the  Museum." 

Considering  the  short  time  since  this  collection  was  commenced,  it  is 
surprising  to  find  such  a  number  of  natural  curiosities  in  this  i\Iuseum. 
The  paddle-fish,  which  Mr.  Peale  observes  w^as  one  of  the  first  articles,  and 
from  which  he  probably  conceived  the  idea  of  making  the  collection, 
is  four  feet  and  four  inches  in  length.  The  snout  resembles  in  shape 
the  paddle  used  by  Indians  in  crossing  rivers,  and  is  eighteen  inches 
long.  This  fish  is  an  object  of  curiosity  from  its  being  caught  in  the 
Allegany  River,  and  State  of  Ohio,  many  hundred  miles  fi-om  the 
sea. 

The  fossils  were  chiefly  collected  in  England,  and  make  a  handsome 
appearance,  from  the  judicious  manner  in  which  they  are  disposed. 
Several  were  found  near  Christchurch,  in  Hampsliire,  seventy  feef, 
from  the  surface  of  the  earth  ;  and  near  them  is  placed  a  sharks  tootli, 
dug  up  at  the  great  depth  of  one  hundred  feet,  where  it  was  tbund  in  a 

4  bed 


I9i  CUltlOSlTlEb   IN    IIIE   MUSEUM. 

bed  of  chalk  at  Salisbury.  You  are  shewn  what  was  called  the  yolk 
stone,  also  found  in  England.  It  is  a  thin,  polished,  small  stone  re- 
sembling the  cornelian.  Here  are  also  exhibited  petrefactions  of  small 
fish,  found  on  the  toj)  of  a  high  mountain  near  Naples.  On  a  slip  of 
uhite  paper  arc  allixed  several  small  insects,  thrown  up  from  a  woman's 
stomach  in  Maryland  ;*  and  a  horn,  between  four  and  five  inches  in 
length,  which  grew  out  of  another  woman's  head.  I'o  these  curiosities 
are  added,  a  small  ivory  crucifix  of  curious  workmanship,  with  a  hu- 
man scalp,  found  at  the  root  of  a  tree  near  the  Maima  village,  soon 
after  the  defeat  of  General  Ilarmer.  In  a  large  cage,  feeding  vora- 
ciously on  raw  beef)  I  saw  the  Scarlet  Ibis,  of  South  America  ;  a  bird 
of  the  crane  species,  but  smaller,  and  of  a  most  brilliant  colour  ;  and  in 
another,  a  bird  from  Louisiana,  exactly  resembling  the  English  magpie, 
but  much  larger. 

The  eva|X)ration  of  220  gallons  of  pump  -water,  taken  from  South 
Second  Street,  the  most  populous  part  of  Philadelphia,  is  preserved  in 
four  large  glasses.     They  contain : — 

oz. 

Of  Carbonic  Lime  -  -  -     12 

—  Magnesia     -  -  -  -     17 

—  Salt  Petre   -  -  -  -32 

—  Common  Salt  -  -  :     24     ' 

In  the  collection  of  shells,  are  two  of  the  Chama,  from  the  Indian 
Ocean,  Of  all  testaceous  fish,  this  is  one  of  the  most  curious.  The 
.shell  has  been  known  to  weigh  582  pounds ;  and  this  weight  accumu- 

•  The  School  of  Medicine  at  Paris  has  lately  published  in  its  transactions  some  interesting  observations 
of  Doctor  Desfonlaines,  on  a  living  insect  wliich  was  found  in  the  liver  of  a  man  who  died  at  the  age  of 
thirty-three,  of  a  disorder  in  Uie  stomach  and  bowels.  It  is  a  worm  of  a  genus  hitherto  unknown,  being 
of  the  size  ofa  full  grown  silk-worni,  and  of  a  brownish-red.  The  body  moves  by  means  of  rings,  regu- 
larly articulated,  each  articulation  being  marked  with  a  white  point,  surmounted  by  a  hairof  a  firm  tex- 
ture, and  exlreiTiely  acute.  'J'hc  head  of  the  insect  is  armed  with  a  species  of  horn,  and  the  lower  extrc- 
siily  of  the  body  is  teruiinated  in  a  maimer  similar  to  that  of  a  lobster. 

lates 


THE   -MAM.AIOTH    ROOM.  193 

lates  from  the  size  of  a  cocklc-sliell.  It  is  said  that  food  has  been  found 
M  itliin  it  sufficient  for  more  than  one  hundred  men;  and  that  the  power 
of  the  monstrous  inhabitant  is  such,  that  it  can  cut  asunder  a  cable,  or 
sever  the  Hnib  which  might  unfortunately  present  itself  while  the  massy- 
shells  are  opening  to  supply  the  bodj'^  with  nourishment. 

Among  the  quadrupeds  are,  the  long-clawed  grisly  bear,  from  the 
source  of  the  Missouri— the  American  buffalo,  or  bison—the  wreat  ant- 
eater— the  orang  outang-the  crested,  the  American,  and  the  New 
Holland  jwrcupine— the  Madagascar  and  the  hooded  bat— the  lama,  or 
camel  of  South  xVmerica— American  elks — the  j)eccary,  remarkable  for 
a  secretory  organ  on  its  back— the  sloth— a  vai-iety  of  antelopes,  &c.  8;c. 
The  price  of  admission  to  this  part  of  the  Museum  is  one  quarter  of  a 
dollar. 

I  then  proceeded  to  the  Mammoth  room,  and  viewed  the  skeleton  of 
this  non-descript  animal,  Mr.  Peale  calls  the  mammoth  an  antedilu- 
vian animal,  and  says  that  this  skeleton  was  discovered  in  Ulster  counts^ 
in  the  state  of  New  York,  in  the  year  I8OI.  It  is  eleven  feet  ten 
inches  high,  and  nineteen  feet  long.  It  has  carnivorous  grinders ;  in 
many  respects  differs  materially  from  the  elephant,  and  is  much  larger, 
though  formerly  su[)posed  to  be  of  the  same  species.  The  tusks  affixed 
to  the  skeleton  are  artificial,  but  a  part  of  the  real  tusk  is  shewn,  from 
which  the  size  and  shape  are  ascertained. 

Mr.  Rembrant  Peale,  a  son  of  the  proprietor,  attended  me  during  my 
examination  of  these  curious  productions  of  nature ;  and,  by  liis  civi- 
lity, added  greatly  to  tiie  satisfaction  I  derived  fi'oni  the  spectacle.* 

In  the  Model  Room  is  a  case  containing  1400  elegant  casts  from 
antique  gems,  which  are  part  of  the  collection  in  the  Antitjue  Room  ; 

*  This  i^ciiUcman  invited  me  to  accompany  him  to  view  the  works  of  his  brotlier,  a  celebrated  portrait 
painter  in  Pl)iladelphia.  1  tliere  saw  several  portraits  of  public  characters  in  America,  which  I  imme- 
diately recognised.  The  elder  Mr.  Peale,  the  proprietor  of  the  Museum,  has  several  sons ;  and  all  artists. 
ile  named  them  after  eminent  painters— Titian,  Rembrant,  Sec.    They  are  an  amiable  aud  loving  family. 

a  silver 


101  MANUFACTITRES. 

a  silvrr  salt  seller,  Avliicli  belonged  to  Oliver  Cromwell,  presented  by 
Mrs.  ^^'ashint^•ton ;  ;uiti(iue  pots,  household  gods,  and  bas  reliefs,  from 
the  cities  of  Herciilaneum  and  Pomj)eii ;  curiously  fabricated  earthen 
pots  found  in  South  America — (in  case  3  is  a  pot  resembling  these, 
found  in  Tennessee,  2.3  feet  deep;)  Ciiinese  instruments  and  orna- 
ments, and  a  considerable  variety  of  such  as  are  used  by  the  aborigines 
of  North  and  South  America,  such  as  wrought  tubes  of  stone,  crvstal 
hatchets,  &c.  Aroimd  the  room  are  displayed  some  paintings,  and  a 
number  of  Indian  curiosities,  models  of  canoes,  spears,  bows  and  ar- 
rows, clubs,  paddles,  baskets,  the  phoonka,  or  great  C'hinesc  fan, 
Chinese  match  gun,  and  antient  bow-gun,  Sec.  The  price  of  admission 
here,  is  half  a  dollar. 

Manufactures,  the  great  source  of  national  wealth,  are  at  a  very  low 
ebb  in  the  United  States.  The  amazing  tracts  of  uncultivated  land 
draw  the  attention,  even  of  uiechanics.  At  Boston,  Newhaven,  and 
other  places,  some  Englishmen  lost  their  capitals  by  endeavoring  to 
establish  cotton  manulactories.  The  high  price  of  labor  absorbed  every 
contemplated  profit;  and  the  fickleness  of  the  ))eople,  and  their  par- 
tiality for  European  goods,  w^ould  be  great  imj)ediments  to  the  sale  of 
an  article,  known  to  be  of  home  manufacture.  Thus  the  country  girls, 
who  weave  beautiful  cottons  of  various  colors  and  |)atterns,  and  ex- 
tremely durable,  exchange  the  produce  of  their  labor  for  flimsy  Scotcli 
callicoes ;  giving,  to  use  their  own  terms,  "  yard  for  yard."  Though 
this  home-made  cotton  will  outwear  three  or  four  garments  made  of  that 
which  they  eagerly  take  in  exchange,  yet  the  latter  is  British,  conse- 
quently fashionable ;  and  the  American  mountain  girls,  like  the  belles 
of  St.  James's,  study  the  fashions  of  the  day.  Cordage  and  sail-cloth 
are  brought  to  great  perfection  ;  l)ut  the  manufacture  w  Inch  thrives  best 
is,  that  of  nails,  which  they  cut  of  all  sizes,  and  to  considerable  jirofit. 
In  this  branch  they  will  soon  be  able  to  supply  every  part  of  the  Union. 
They  also  excel  in  a  certain  branch,  of  which  Americans  are  great  con- 
sumers; I  mean,  playing  cards,  which  they  make  in  Boston  in  great 
quantities,  counterfl;iting  the  English  devices  and  wrappers  with  great 

exactness. 


COMPANY  FOR  THE  ENCOURAGEMENT  OF  MANUFACTURES,  l95 

exactness.  Some  of  these  are  sold  for  an  English  shilling  per  pack. 
In  Boston  there  is  another  card  manufactory^  and  for  a  very  different 
use.  Here  are  made  wool-cards,  the  teeth  of  which  are  constructed  with 
a  new  and  ingenious  piece  of  mechanism ;  but  as  gamblers  are  more 
numerous  than  manufacturers,  the  playing-card  makers  have  the 
advantage.    . 

.0-:;;;  .,i.-. 
In  Philadelphia  and  the  adjacent  towns  a  considerable  quantity  of 
stockings  are  made,  and  other  small  manufactures  carried  on,  but  for 
Avant  of  a  regular  demand,  the  manufacturers  are  obliged  to  attend  the 
market  twice  a  week.  Thus  they  lose  one  third  of  their  time  in  endea- 
voring to  sell  what  they  make  in  the  other  two  thirds.  This  is  not 
the  greatest  hardship  under  Avhieh  they  labor.  The  contempt  shewn  to 
domestici  manufacture,  generally  prevents  the  manufacturer  from  dis- 
posing iof  his  commodities  in  the  market,  which  obliges  him  to  make 
great  sacrifices.  Thus  this  industrious  part  of  the  community  too  often 
comes  to  poverty  and  distress. 

A  few  j»atriotic  individuals  have  lately  associated  themselves  for  the 
purpose  of  assisting  these  unlbrtunate  people.  They  propose  an  appli- 
cation to  the  legislature  for  a  charter  to  incorporate  a  conii)any  for  en- 
couraging the  sale  of  American  manufactures,  of  woollen,  cotton,  and 
linen.  The  funds  of  the  proposed  company  are,  to  arise  from  a  subscri|> 
tion  of  one  hundred  dollars  each,  one  instalment  of  which  is  to  be  called 
for.  as  soon  as  the  chajter  i^  obtained,  and  the  residue,  if  wanted,  at  such 
times,  and  to  the  amount  which  may  be  necessar5\  A  warehouse  is  to 
be  opened  tor  the  reception  of  finl'-hed  and  marketable  goods  of  the 
alx)ve-nientioned  fabricks,  where  the  articles  shall  be  deposited  at  the 
makers'  prices.  They  ai'e  then  to  be  inspected  by  com[)etent  judges  of 
the  commodities,  who  shall  say  ho.\y  much,  in  their  judgment,  they 
ought  to  sell  t'ov.  The  company  are  then  to  advance  one  half  in  cash 
lon  the  amotmt  of  the  price  fixed,  and  the  other  half  when  the  goods 
are  sold,  suijject  to  a  very  small  deduction,  to  form  a  i'und,  from  A\hich, 
■Ai^y  'i  c  after 


196  MAN'UFACTURES. 

after  subtracting  the  expenses  of  the  establishment,  the  profits  or  inte- 
rest on  the  capital  will  arise.  In  order  to  encourage  and  stimulate  the 
industry  of  persons  of  small  means,  and  who  may  spin  aiiv  yarns  by 
hand,  such  yarns  are  to  be  purchased  by  the  com|)any,  and  paid  for  im- 
mediately. The  owners  of  goods  left  for  sale  at  the  Warehouse  may  at 
any  time  withdraw  them,  on  repaying  the  money  advanced  ajid  the  ex- 
penses incurred;  and  all  goods  that  may  remain  unsold,  and  which  the 
owner  will  not  redeem,  shall  be  sold  by  auction  at  stated  periods,  and  if 
more  shall  be  received  t'ov  them  than  the  money  advanced,  and  the 
charges,  the  surplus  shall  be  paid  to  the  owner  of  the  goods. 

The  advantages,  say  the  society  in  the  advertisement,  resulting  to  the 
public  from  the  foregoing  plan,  are  obvious  and  considerable;  indepen- 
dent of  those  which  arise  to  the  manufacturers  and  the  community  at 
large,  from  the  calling-  into  activity  so  great  a  mass  of  useful  labour. 
Let  it  be  considered  what  satisfaction  and  advantage  e\ery  housekeeper 
will  ex[)erience  from  having  a  warehouse  to  go  to,  stored  with  a  variety 
of  goods  of  the  first  necessity;  where  the  lowest  price  at  which  it  can 
be  sold  is  marked  u|Jon  every  article;  and  where  there  is  no  inducement 
to  the  seller  to  ask  more  from  one  customer  than  another;  besides  the 
additional  gratification  of  knowing  that  every  jjenny  laid  out  here  will 
contribute  to  encourage  the  industry  of  their  fellow-citizens,  and  the 
wealth  and  independence  of  the  nation. 

Gun|X)wder,  iron  ordnance,  fire-arms,  writing  and  printing  paper,  are 
mamifactured  in  the  United  States. 

Hats  and  shoes  are  linade  in  every  state  in  large  quantities,  but  those 
imported  from  England  are  preferretl.  There  are  no  other  manutiictures 
of  any  extent,  or  deserving  notice. 

Before  I  proceed,  I  shall  take  this  opportunity  of  obsening,  that  in 
mv  intercourse  with  the  superior  classes  of  the  inhalntants  of  tlie  large 

American 


IMPERTINENT  CURIOSITY  CONP^NED  TO  THE   LOWER  CLASSES.       197 

American  cities  south  of  New  York,  I  was  not  often  annoyed  with 
that  impertinent  curiosity  wliich  has  already  been  mentioned  as  a 
pecuHar  characteristic  of  these  repubhcans.  This  is  confined  to  the 
lower  orders  in  some  degree  in  every  state,  but  in  New  England  it  is 
generally  prevalent.  Among  well-bred  people,  a  stranger  is  questioned 
only  from  a  natural  and  moderate  thirst  of  information.  Such  circles, 
it  should  however  be  observed,  are  to  be  found  no  where  but  in  towns 
■which  have  connections  and  commerce  with  Europe.  As  the  traveller 
advances  towards  the  south,  he  will  find  a  gradual  diminution  of  this 
species  of  impertinence. 


2c2 


CHAP. 


198 


CHAP,  xr 


rASHINtiTON,    XIIE    FEDERAL    CITY     AND    SEAT    O  F  GO  V  E  P.  N  M  E  NT— S  LA  N  D  EU  OF  IT* 
FOINUER  —  EXTRACT     FIIOM     THE     AMERICA*^     llLWlliUAS  —  WRETLilEU     STATE    U  !• 
THE      ROADS    AUOUT      W  ASHl  N  GTON  — Ul  S  APl'O^  NTNfEN  T      OK      S  I>BCI/I.AT6US  — TU  E 
CAIMTOL  — THE      PRESIDENT'S     HOUSE — CAUSES     OF     THE    JJ  Jf  P  I.OV.^flL  E    STATE    OF" 
THE    CITY  — HORSE-RACES — MOUNT    V  EU  N  ON  — ALEX  A  N  DUl  A  . 


J.  HE  foundation  of  the  present  seat  of  government  of  the  United  States 
vas  one  of  the  last  national  objects  of  the  distinguished  character  whose 
name  it  bears.  The  ingratitude  of  a  certain  portion  of  Americans  to  that 
great  and  good  man,  is  one  of  the  foulest  stiiins  upon  their  character. 
After  successfully  fighting  their  battles,  through  a  seven  years'    war, 
contending  with  the  choicest  troops  of  Europe,  and  gaining  them  inde- 
pendence, he  resigned  his  commission  to  that  Congress  which  appointed 
him  their  commander  in  chief,  and  retired  to  the  peaceful  shades  of 
Mount  Vernon.     A  short  time  only  was  he  allowed  lor  the  enjoyment 
of  tranqnillity  and  domestic  jileasures;  for,  on  the  formation  of  the  fede- 
ral constitution,  he  was  called,  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  the  delegates 
•who  ratified  that  compact  on  behalf  of  their  fellow  citizens,  to  fill  the 
first  post  in  the  executive  department  of  the  state.     For  his  military  ser- 
vices he  had  already  disclaimed  pecuniary  recom pence,  requesting  his- 
country  to  discharge  otily  those  expences  which  the  emergencies  of  war 
had  incurred.     The  office  of  the  president  is  by  law  limited  to  the  term 
of  four  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time,  when  AA'ashington  again 
looked  forward  for  the  enjoyment  of  lys  favorite  retirement,  his  farther 
services  w^re  a  second  time  called  for  more  loudly  and  unanimously 

than 


INGRATITUDE   OF  THE   AMERICANS  TO   WASHINGTON.  199 

than  before.  Four  years  more  he  devoted  to  the  service  of  his  country; 
in  which  time  he  beheld  the  foundation  of  the  federal  city,  the  perma- 
nent seat  of  government;  and  he  survived  to  see  the  legislators  of  Ame- 
rica convened  at  the  capitol.. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  the  French  faction  began  to  raise  its  cla., 
mors,  which  president  Washington  soon  quelled,  by  his  energetic  mea- 
sures; but  the  disaffected  in  secret  reviled  him  lor  saving  their  country 
fi-om  the  merciless  fangs  of  a  set  of  monsters,  who  Avould  have  enslaved 
tliem,  under  the  specious  pretext  of  liberty  and  equahty. 

They  insinuated  that  he  had  pitched  on  a  spot  for  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment near  to  his  estate  of  Vernon,  in  order  to  inhance  its  value,  though 
thev  well  knew  that  his  private  property  was  ten-fold  greater  than  his 
privi\te  expences.  Flis  choice,  I  believe,  was  directed  to  one  object 
only ;  the  capital  is  built  in  the  centre  of  the  United  States. 

One  man  of  this  class  alone,  was  hardy  enough  to  appear  the  public 
defamer  of  Washington  ;  but  this  man  was  not  an  American.  His 
name  is  Duane, — by  birth  an  Irishman — by  trade  a  printer ;  and  wlio^ 
(as  Peter  Porcupine  aliedged)  had  undergone  castigatioii  in  the  British 
settlements  in  India.  But,  that  the  British  reader  may  judge  of  the 
great  extent,  or  rather  abuse,  of  the  liberty  of  the  press  in  America,  I 
shall  furnish  him  with  a  copy  of  one  of  his  libels  upon  a  character,  which, 
for  real  and  disinterested  patriotism,  has  been  seldom  equalled,  and  never 
excelled  in  the  annals  of  history.  On  Washington's  retiring  from  his 
second  presidency,  the  following  paragraph  appeared  in  Duane's  daily 
newspaper,  called  "  The  Aurora,"  of  the  6th  of  March,  1797. 

•'  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine  eyes 
have  seen  thy  salvation  !"    was  the  pious  ejaculation  of  a  man,  who  be- 
held a  flood  of  happiness  rushing'  in  upon  mankind— if  ever  there  was  a 
time  which  could  licence  the  reiteration  of  the  exclamation,  that  time  is 
4  now 


'200  DUANE's  LIBEL   ON    WAPIIIN'GTOV. 

noAv  arrived  ;  for  the  man,  avIio  is  the  source  of  all  the  misfortunes  of  our 
coimtrv,  is  this  ilav  rcdiirod  to  a  level  with  his  fellow-citizens,  and  is  no 
lonq;cr  possessed  of  power  to  multi|)lv  evils  upon  the  United  States.  If 
ever  there  was  a  period  for  rejoicinc^,  this  is  the  moment ;  every  heart  in 
unison  with  the  freedom  and  happiness  of  the  people,  ought  to  beat  high 
with  exultation  that  the  name  of  WAsmxr.TON  from  this  day  ceases  to 
give  a  currencv  to  political  iniipiity,  and  to  legalise  corruption.  A  new 
a^rais  openini;  upon  us — a  new  sera  which  promises  much  to  the  j)ul)lic  ; 
for  public  measures  must  now  stand  upon  their  own  merit,  and  nefarious 
j)rojects  can  no  longer  1)6  supported  bj'  a  name.  When  a  retrospect  is 
taken  of  the  Washington  administration  for  eight  years  past,  it  is  a  sub- 
ject of  the  greatest  astonishment  that  a  single  individual  should  have 
cancelled  the  principles  of  re|)ul)licanism  in  an  enlightened  people  just 
emerged  from  the  gulj)h  of  despotism,  and  should  iiave  carried  his  de- 
signs against  the  public  liberty  so  far,  as  to  have  put  in  jeopardy  its  very 
existence  :  such,  however,  are  the  facts;  and  with  these  staring  us  in  the 
iiice,  this  day  ought  to  be  a  jubilee  in  the  United  States." 

\Vhat  indignation  must  every  good  man  feel,  upon  reading  this  atro- 
cious libel  on  the  virtuous  Washington  !  Mr.  Fessendcn,  the  Iludibras 
of  America;  that  same  Mr.  Fessenden  who  deceived  the  sage  reviewers 
of  London,  in  his  "  Terrible  Tractoration,"  has  resented  the  indignity 
in  the  following  lines : 


"  step  forward,  demagogue  Duane, 
Than  whom  a  greater  rogue  in  grain, 
Ne'tr  fortified  by  mob  alliance. 
Dare  bid  the  powers  that  be,  defiance. 

Law,  order,  talents,  and  civility, 
Before  your  worshipful  mobility, 
Must  bow,  while  you  their  thinking  man, 
Lead  by  the  nose  your  kindred  clan. 

Thou 


FESSENDEN   CHASTISES  DUANE.  201 

Thou  art  iii<ieed  a  rogue  as  sly, 
As  ever  coined  the  ready  lie. 
Amongst  the  Catalines  of  faction. 
None  calls  more  energies  in  action. 

AVith  impudence  the  most  consummate. 
You  publish  all  that  you  can  come  at. 
To  make  for  discord's  sake,  a  handle. 
Of  private  anecdote,  or  scandal. 

Few  good  and  great  men  can  be  nam'd 
Your  scoundrelship  has  not  defam'd  ; 
And  scarce  a  rogue  who  ought  to  hang 
Who  is  not  number'd  with  your  gang. 

And  tl)OU,  audacious  renegadoe, 
^Vith  many  a  libellous  bravadoe, 
Assail'dst  Columbia's,  god-like  son. 
The  great,  th'  immortal  Washington  ! 

Dost  thou  remember  much  about  a 
Droll  'scape  of  thine  once  at  Calcutta  ; 
"When  erst  invited  to  a  breakfast. 
In  noose  you  nigh  had  got  your  neck  fast  ?"* 

Sir  John,  however,  on  the  whole. 
Did  wrong  to  set  you  on  a  pole ; 
For  such  a  patriot  ought  to  ride 
Suspended  from  the  under  side," 


As  this  man  is  the  leader  of  what  is  termed  the  Jeffersonian  Mobo- 
craci/,  I  shall  add  another  note  from  the  same  pen,  by  way  of  shewing 
the  reader  the  character  he  bears  amongst  the  federaUsts. 

*  "  Duane  is  said  to  have  set  up  for  a  patriot  at  Calcutta,  and  commenced  his  useful  labours  as  editor 
ofa  newspaper,  by  exerting  himself  to  foment  a  quarrel  between  the  civil  and  military  departments.  Sir 
John  birore,  (now  Lord  'leignniouth)  who  then  commanded,  paid  so  little  regard  to  the  rights  of  man, 
that  he  merely  rewarded  him  with  a  kind  of  wciodeii-horsical  promotion,  which  is  not  thought  to  confer 
any  great  honour  on  tiiose  who  are  the  subjects  of  that  kind  of  elevation.  He  was  then  sent  to  England, 
from  whence  he  was  imported,  to  teach  Americans  liberty  aud  equality  under  the  auspices  of  Emperor 
Jeft'erson.  Duaiit-  s.iys,  that  he  was  kidnapped  by  Sir  John,  having  been  invited  lo  breakfast.  But  the 
man  is  so  given  to  I>iug,  tl  at  we  wish  our  readers  to  place  no  dependauce  on  that  part  of  the  story." 

2  -  The 


20!  APPROACHES  TO   THE   CITY  OF   WASHINGTON. 

"  The  eftects  of  Duane's,  and  of  the  designing  and  wrong-headed 
scrihblers  who  labour  ibr  the  Aurora,  are  ever  directed  to  the  purpose  of 
destroying  idl  kinds  of  distinction  in  society,  except  merely  such  as  a 
cunning  man  may  establish  as  leader  of  a  mob.  The.  learned  profes- 
sions are  the  constant  objects  of  his  abuse,  and  tliat  ot  the  levelling  sys- 
tems who  dash  in  the  Aurora.  Should  his  strength  succeed,  brutal 
strength  and  savage  cuiiriing  will  be  the  only  foundation  for  emimnce. 
Indeed,  he  has  laid  the  axe  at  the  root  of  civilization;  and,  unless  great 
exertions  are  nnule  to  counteract  the  influence  of  that  vile  species  of  poi- 
son, which  he  publishes,  its  destructive  effects  will  lor  ages  be  lelt  in 
America." 

To  return  to  the  city  of  Washington — I  have  remarked,  that  on  my 
return  to  London,  the  first  general  enquiry  of  my  friends  is  respecting 
this  far-famed  place.  The  descri|)tion  given  of  it  by  interested  scrib- 
blers, maj'  well  serve  to  raise  an  Englishman's  curiosity,  and  lead  him 
to  fancy  the  capital  of  Columbia  a  terrestrial  paradise. 

The  entrance,  or  avenues,  as  they  are  pomj^ously  called,  which  lead 
to  the  American  seat  of  government,  are  the  worst  roads  I  passed  in  the 
country;  and  I  appeal  to  every  citizen  who  lias  been  unlucky  enough 
to  travel  the  stages  north  and  south  leading  to  the  city,  for  the  truth  of 
the  assertion.     I  particularly  allude  to  the  mail  stage  road  from  B!a- 
densburg  to  Washington,  and  fi'om  thence  to  Alexandria.     In  the  win- 
ter season,  during  the  sitting  of  Congress,  every  turn  of  your  waggon 
wheel  (for  I  must  again  observe,  that  there  is  no  such  thing  in  the  coun- 
try as  what  we  call  a  stage  coach,  or  a  post-chaise,)  is  for  many  miles 
attended  with  danger.     The  roads  are  never  repaired ;  deep  ruts,  rocLs, 
and  stum[is  of  trees,  every  minute  impede  your  progress,  and  often 
threaten  your  limbs  with  dislocation. 

Arrived  at  the  oit\%  you  arc  struck  with  its  grotesque  appearance.     lu 
one  view  from  the  capitol  hill,  the  eye  fixes  upon  a  row  of  uniform  lionses, 

ten 


TAlLURi;   OF  THE   CITY  OF  WASHINGTON',  20.3 

or  twelve  in  number,  while  it  faintly  discovers  the  adjacent  tenements 
to  be  miserable  wooden  structures,  consisting,  when  you  approach  them, 
of  two  or  three  rooms  one  above  another.  Again,  you  see  the  hotel, 
which  was  vauntingly  promised,  on  laying  the  foundation,  to  rival 
the  large  inns  in  England.  This,  like  every  other  private  adventure, 
failed:  the  walls  and  the  roof  remain,  but  not  a  window  !  and,  instead 
of  accommodating  the  members  of  C/ongress,  and  travellers  of  distinc- 
tion, as  [)roposed,  a  number  of  the  lowest  order  of  Irish  have  long  held 
the  title  of  naked  possession,  ii-om  which,  were  it  ever  to  become  an  ob- 
ject, it  would  be  diilicult  to  eject  them.  Turning  the  eye,  a  well  fmished 
edifice  presents  itself,  surrounded  by  lofty  trees,  which  never  felt  the 
stroke  of  the  axe.  The  president's  house,  the  offices  of  state,  and  a  little 
theatre,  Avhere  an  itinerant  company  repeated,  during  a  part  of  the  last 
year,  the  lines  of  Shakespeare,  Otwa}',  and  Dryden,  to  emptj^  benches, 
terminate  the  view  of  the  Pennsylvania,  or  Grand  Avenue. 

Speculation,  the  life  of  the  American,  embraced  the  design  of  the  new 
city.  Several  companies  of  speculators  purchased  lots,  and  began  to 
build  handsome  streets,  AAith  an  ardor  that  soon  promised  a  large  and 
populous  city.  Before  they  arrived  at  the  attic  story,  the  failure  was 
manifest ;  and  in  that  state  at  this  moment  are  the  walls  of  many  scores 
of  houses  begun  on  a  plan  of  elegance.  In  some  parts,  purchasers  have 
cleared  the  wood  from  their  grounds,  and  erected  temporary  wooden 
buildings :  others  have  fenced  in  their  lots,  and  attempted  to  cultivate 
them  ;  but  the  sterility  of  the  land  laid  out  for  the  city  is  such,  that  this 
plan  has  also  failed.  The  country  adjoining  consists  of  woods  in  a  state 
of  nature,  and  in  some  places  of  mere  swamps,  which  give  the  scene  a 
curious  patch-work  appearance.  The  view  of  the  noble  river  Poto- 
mack,  which  the  eye  can  trace  till  it  terminates  at  Alexandria,  is  very 
fine.  The  navigation  of  the  river  is  good  from  the  bay  of  Chesapeak, 
till  the  near  approach  to  the  city,  where  bars  of  sand  are  formed,  which 
every  year  encroach  considerably  on  the  channel.  The  frigate  which 
brought  the  Tunisian  embassy,  grounded  on  one  of  these  shoals,  and 

2  D  the 


204  THE  CAPITOL. 

the  barbarians  were  obliged  to  be  landed  in  boats.  Tbis  is  anotluT  ^'r(  af 
disadvantage  to  the  (jrowth  of  the  city.  It  never  can  become  a  place  of 
commerce,  while  Jiultimore  lies  on  one  side,  and  Alexandria  on  the 
other;  even  admitting  the  navigation  to  be  e(|ually  good— nor  can 
the  wild  and  uneven  spot  laid  out  into  streets  be  cleared  and  Ica  elled 
for  building  upon,  for  many  years,  even  with  the  most  indefiiligable 
exertions. 

The  Cajiitol,  of  which  two  wings  arc  now  finished,  is  of  hown  stonr, 
and  Avill  be  a  suj^erb  edifice,  worthy  of  its  name.  The  architect  who 
built  the  first  wing,  left  the  country  soon  after  its  completion;  the  cor- 
responding part  was  carried  on  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Latrobe,  an 
Englishman  ;  *  fi-om  whose  taste  and  judgment  much  may  be  expected 
in  finishing  the  centre  of  the  building;  the  design  of  which,  as  slicwn 
to  me  by  Doctor  Thornton,  is  trul\'  elegant. 

The  president's  house,  of  which  a  correct  view  is  given  in  the  fi-ontis- 
piece  to  this  volume,  is  situated  one  mile  from  the  Capitol,  at  the  extre- 
mity of  Pennsylvania  Avenue.     The  contemplated  streets  of  this  cm- 

*  Mr.  Biiijaiiiiii  L.-itrobc  is  the  second  son  of  tin;  late  Rev.  Mr.  LalroUe,  minister  of  tlic  Moravian 
Chapel  ill  I'ettcr-laiie,  London,  a  man  highly  esteemed  and  respected,  not  only  by  his  own  society,  but  by 
all  to  whom  he  was  known.  His  maternal  relations  were  natives  of  America.  He  received  bis  education  at 
the  school  of  the  United  Brethren  ;it  Fulnrck,  in  Yorkshire,  and  afterwards  went  to  prosecnl?  his  studies 
at  their  seminaries  at  \iesky  and  Harhy,  in  Germany.  On  his  return  he  resided  for  some  years  in  London, 
where  he  held  a  situation  in  tlic  Stamp  Office.  During  this  interval  he  introduced  himself  to  public  no- 
tice as  the  translator  of  the  "  History  of  Counts  Struensee  and  Brandt,"  and  •'  Anecdotes  of  Frederic  the 
Great  of  Prussia."  Mr.  Latrobe  particularly  excels  in  the  art  of  design,  and  to  this  talent  he  is  probably 
indebted  for  his  appointment  to  the  situation  he  holds  in  America,  of  which  country  he  has  been  an  inha- 
bitant, 1  believe,  about  twelve  years.  His  brother,  the  Rev.  Christian  Ignatius  Latrobe,  one  of  the 
present  ministers  of  Fetter-lane  Chapel,  is  distinguished  for  his  knowledge  of  music,  and  their  matirnal 
ancle,  Mr.  John  Antes,  by  birth  an  .American,  and  now  resident  at  Fulneck,  is  welf  known  for  his  me- 
Thanical  genius,  having  received  several  prcnjiums  for  inventions  and  improvements,  from  the  Society  of 
Arts.  This  gentleman  lived  many  years  in  F.gypt,  wlvere  he  made  a  personal  actiuaintance  witli  the  ce- 
lebrated Bruce,  then  engaged  in  his  expedition  to  discover  the  source  of  the  Nile.  Tiiere  too  he  under- 
w^'nt  the  severe  discipline  of  the  bastinado,  tlie  particulars  of  which  transaction,  together  with  various 
•bbcrvatioas  on  the  country,    were  published  by  him,  about  the  jear  1801. 

bryo- 


THE   PRESIDENT'S   HOUSE.  20-5 

bryo  city  are  called  avenues,  and  every  slate  gives  name  to  one.  That 
of"  Pennsylvania  is  the  largest;  in  fact  I  ncvci-  heard  of  more  than  that 
and  the  New  Jersey  Avenue,  except  some  houses  unifurmly  built,  in 
one  of  which  lives  Mr.  Jefferson's  printer,  John  Harrison  Smith,  a  few 
more  of  interior  note,  with  some  pubiic-houses,  and  here  and  there  a  little 
grog-shop,  this  boasted  avenue  is  as  much  a  wilderness  as  Kentuckv, 
with  this  disadvantage,  that  the  soil  is  good  for  nothing.  Some  half- 
starved  cattle  browzing  among  the  bushes,  present  a  melancholy  spectacle. 
to  a  stranger,  whose  expectation  has  been  wound  up  by  the  illusive  de- 
scription of  speculative  writers.  So  very  thinly  is  the  city  peopled,  and 
so  little  is  it  frequented,  that  quails  and  other  birds  are  constantlj^  shot 
within  a  hundred  \'ards  of  the  Capitol,  and  even  during  the  sitting  of  the 
houses  of  congress. 

Ten  years  ago  ]Mr.  Weld,  speaking  of  the  president's  house,  tells  us 
fof  its  being  then  erected;  and  of  an  hundred  acres  of  land  left  for  plea* 
sure-ground,  and  a  park  or  mall,  to  run  in  an  easterly  direction  to\^  ards 
the  Capitol — that  the  buildings  on  either  side  of  this  mall,  were  all  to 
be  elegant  of  their  kind,  and  that  among  the  number  it  was  proposed  to 
have  houses  built  at  the  public  expence  f()r  the  accommodation  of  pub- 
he  ministers.  This  traveller  then  proceeds  with  informing  us  that  other 
parts  of  this  city  are  appointed  for  churches,  theatres,  colleges,  &c.  In 
nearly  the  same  state  as  Mr.  Weld  saw  the  city  so  long-  ao-o,  it  still  remains, 
except  indeed  that  some  of  the  few  houses  which  were  then  building, 
are  now  falling  to  ruin,  the  unfortunate  owner  having  been  ruined  be- 
fore he  could  get  them  roofed.* 

Neither  park,  nor  mall,  neither  churches,  theatres,  nor  colleges,  could 
I  disco\er  so  lately  as  the  summer  of  180(3.     A  small  place  has  indeed 

•  In  proof  of  this  oljsei-vation,  a  traveller  need  only  cast  his  eye  on  what  is  called  the  twenty  buildings, 
at  Greenleaf's  Point,  begun  by  tlie  gentleman  above  alluded  to,  Nickolson  and  others,  first-rate  specula- 
tofs.  A  long  range  of  liouses  there  was  so  advanced  before  they  discovered  their  mistake,  as  to  be  covered 
ill,  but  they  remain  unlniished,  ard  are  dropping  piecemeal. 

2  D  2  been 


206  THE  president's  house. 

been  erected  since  ^Ir.  A\'cld  visited  Washington,  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Avenue,  called  a  theatre,  in  which  Mr.  Green  and  the  Virginia  com- 
pany of  comedians  were  nearly  starved  the  only  season  it  was  occupied, 
and  were  obliged  to  go  off'  to  Richmond  during  the  very  height  of  the 
sitting*  oicongress.  Puhlic  oHlces  on  each  side  of  the  president's  house, 
unilbrnily  built  of  brick,  may  also,  perhaps,  have  been  built  subsequent 
to  that  period.  That  great  man  who  planned  the  city,  and  after  whom 
it  is  named,  certainly  entertained  the  hopes  that  it  would  at  some  fu- 
ture period  equal  ancient  Rome  in  splendor  and  magnificence.  Among 
the  regulations  lor  building  were  these — that  the  houses  should  be  of 
brick  or  stone — the  walls  to  be  at  least  thirty  feet  high,  and  to  he  built 
parallel  to  the  line  of  the  street. 

The  president's  house  is  certaily  a  neat  but  plain  piece  of  architecture, 
built  of  hewn  stone,  said  to  be  of  a  better  quality  than  Portland  stone, 
as  it  will  cut  like  marble,  and  resist  the  change  of  the  seasons  in  a  supe- 
rior degree.  Only  part  of  it  is  furnished;  the  whole  salary  of  the  presi- 
dent would  be  inadequate  to  the  expence  of  completing  it  in  a  style  of 
suitable  elegance.  Rooms  are  fitted  up  for  himself,  an  audience  cham- 
ber, and  apartments  for  Mr.  Thomas  Man  Randolph,  and  Mr.  Ep|)s, 
and  their  respective  families,  who  married  two  of  his  daughters,  and  arc 
members  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

The  ground  around  it,  instead  of  being  laid  out  in  a  suitable  style,  re- 
mains in  its  ancient  rude  state,  so  that,  in  a  dark  night,  instead  of  finding 
your  way  to  the  house,  you  may,  perchance,  fall  into  a  pit,  or  stumble  over 
a  heap  of  rubbish.  The  fence  round  the  house  is  of  the  meanest  sort; 
a  common  post  and  rail  enclosure.  This  parsimony  destroys  every  sen- 
timent of  pleasure  that  arises  in  the  mind,  in  viewing  the  residence  of 
the  president  of  a  nation,  and  is  a  disgrace  to  the  country. 

Though  the  permanent  scat  of  government  has  been  fixed  at  Washing- 
ton, its})rogres3  has  been  proved  to  be  less  rapid  tluui  any  other  new  set- 
5  tlemeut 


DISAPPOINTMENT   OF   SPECULATORS.  207 

tlement  supported  only  by  trade.  The  stimulus  held  out  by  the  presence 
of  congress  has  proved  artificial  and  unnatural.  After  enumerating  the 
public  buildings,  the  private  dwelling-houses  of  the  ofticers  of  go- 
vernment, the  accommodations  set  apart  for  the  members  of  the  le- 
gislature, and  the  temporary  tenements  of  those  dependent  on  them, 
the  remainder  of  this  boasted  city  is  a  mere  wilderness  of  wood  and 
stunted  shrubs,  the  occupants  of  barren  land.  Strangers  after  viewing 
the  offices  of  state,  are  apt  to  enquire  for  the  city,  while  they  are  in  its 

very  centre. 
1.  ■ 
"  The  golden  dreams  of  the  speculator,"  says  an  American  writer  in 
describing  the  city  of  Washington,  "  ended  in  disappointment.  His 
houses  are  untenanted,  and  going  to  ruin,  and  his  land  either  lies  a  dead 
burthen  on  his  hands,  or  he  disposes  of  it,  if  not  at  a  less  price  than  his 
fond  imagination  had  anticipated.  The  present  proprietor  is  obliged  to 
moderate  his  views  of  profit,  and  to  centre  all  his  hopes  in  the  continu- 
ance of  the  government  where  it  now  is."* 

Another  writer  in  Philadelphia  says,  "  The  increase  of  Washington 
is  attributed  by  sensible  Americans  to  its  true  cause,  speculation  ;  a 
field  for  which  being  once  opened  to  the  land-jobbers,  Avho  swarm  in 
the  United  States,  they  made  large  purchases,  and  bent  all  their  re- 
sources towards  running  up  buildings,  and  giving  the  city  an  eccentric 
appearance  of  prosperity.  So  industriously  have  those  purchases  been 
pursued,  that  in  London  five  hundred  pounds  sterling  was  at  one  time 
asked  for  about  the  sixth  part  of  a  single  lot,  many  of  the  prime  of  which, 
in  point  of  situation,  were  originally  purchased  for  twenty,  and  at  three 
years  credit.  If  this  sudden  increase  had  arisen  from  actual  settlement 
alone,  a  more  undeniable  proof  would  be  given  of  the  prosperity  of 
Washington,  than  by  the  magic  appearance  of  uninhabited  structures 
like  mushrooms  after  a  shower," 

*  Many  English  artists,  enciianteU  witli  the  description,  given  by  interested  writers,  left  tlieir  employ, 
which  produced  them  a  competence  and  liappiness;  in  order  to  exert  their  abilities  in  finishing  tliis  scene 
of  contemplated  magnificence,  and  under  the  hopes  of  rapidlv  accumulating  a  fortune. 

It 


*08  IIORSE-RACliS   AT  Till:  ClTV   OV   WASHINGTON. 

It  has  been  asserted  that  a  seventy-four  gun  shi|)  was  l)nililing  on  the 
■waters  of  the  Potomack,  from  ^vhich  circunistanec  no  doubt  was  enter- 
tained of  its  channel  being  deep  enough  lor  shi|)S  of  any  burthen.  This 
hke  most  traveliei*s'  exaggerations,  is  not  trui; — no  ship  of  the  hue,  nor 
even  a  frigate,  was  ever  constructed  on  the  I'otomack.  'J'hf  >hi|)  car- 
|)enters  employed  by  government  have  enough  tt)  do  to  repair  those 
tilreadv  built,  most  of  which  are  in  a  state  of  decay.  I  saw  the  plank 
and  some  of  the  timbers  of  the  li'igate  called  the  United  States,  built  at 
Philadelphia  not  twelve  years  ago,  so  rotten,  that  they  crumbled  ti> 
powder  on  being  handled.  The  timber  of  America  is  not  so  durable  as 
that  of  Europe. 

The  onlv  part  of  this  city  which  continues  to  encrease  is  the  navy- 
vard,  but  this  circumstance  is  entirely  owing  to  the  tew  shi()s  of  war 
which  the  Americans  have  in  commission,  being  ordered  there  to  be 
fittetl  out  and  paid  off.  Tippling  shops,  and  houses  of  rendezvous  for 
sailors  and  their  doxies,  with  a  number  of  the  lowest  order  of  traders, 
constitute  what  is  called  the  navy-yard. 

Among  the  sufferers  b\^  the  Washington  speculation  is  Mr.  Thomas 
Law,  brother  to  Lord  Ellenborough,  who,  as  has  been  already  observed, 
invested  the  greatest  part  of  the  money  he  obtained  in  India,  in  build- 
ing near  the  capitol,  where  he  still  resides,  under  the  mortifying  circum- 
stance of  daily  witnessing  whole  rows  of  the  shells  of  his  houses  gradu- 
ally falling  to  pieces. 

In  November,  in  each  year,  there  are  horse-races  in  the  capital  of 
America.  I  hapj)ened  to  arrive  just  at  this  time  on  horseback  at 
George  Town,  which  is  about  two  miles  from  the  race-ground.  After 
an  early  dinner,  served  up  sooner  on  the  occasion,  a  great  bustle  was 
created  by  the  preparations  for  the  sport.  It  had  been  my  intention  to 
])ass  the  remainder  of  the  day  at  the  far-famed  city,  but,  stimulated  by 
curiosity  I  determined  to  mingle  with  the  sj)orting  group.     Having  paid 

3  for 


A^  AMERICAN   OSTLER.  200 

for  mv  dinner,  and  the  refreshment  for  my  horse,  I  proceeded  to  the  stable. 
I  had  dehAered  my  beast  to  a  yellow  fellow,  jNI'Laughlin,  the  landlord's 
head  ostler.  This  name  reminds  me  of  an  anecdote  of  Macklin,  the 
English  theatrical  Nestor.  It  is  said  that  his  proper  name  was 
M'Langhlin,  but  dissatisfied  with  the  harsh  pronunciation,  he  sunk  the 
uncouth  letters,  and  called  himself  ^Nlacklin.  Be  that  as  it  may,  I  went 
for  mv  hoi-se,  to  attend  the  race,  and  repeatedly  urged  my  dingv  ostler 
to  bring  him  out.  1  waited  long  with  great  patience  at  the  stable-door, 
and  saw  him  lead  out  a  number  without  discovering  mine.  I  again  re- 
monstrated, and  soon  heard  a  message  delivered  to  him  to  sad  lie  the 
horses  of  Mr.  A.  ]Mr.  B.  Mr.  C.  and  so  on.  He  now  appeared  with 
the  horses  according  to  the  recent  order,  leading  them  by  their  liridles. 
Previous  to  this,  I  had  saddled  my  own  horse,  seeing  the  hurry  of  the 
time,  vet  I  thought  it  a  comi^liment  due  to  me  that  the  servant  should 
lead  him  to  me.  I  now  spoke  hi  a  more  angry  tone,  conceiving  my- 
self insulted  by  neglect.  The  Indian  sourly  replied,  "  I  must  wait  upon 
the  gentlemen,"  (that  is  the  sporting  sharpers).  "  Then,"  (luoth  I,  "  a 
gentleman  neglected  in  his  proper  turn,  I  find,  must  wait  upon  j^ou."  I 
was  provoked  to  knock  the  varlet  to  the  ground.  The  horses  which  he 
led,  startled  at  the  sudden  impulse,  ran  otf,  and  before  the  ostler  reco- 
vered from  the  effects  of  the  blow,  or  the  horses  were  caught,  I  led  out 
m\'  nag,  and  leisurely  proceeded  to  the  turf. 

Here  I  witnessed  a  scene  perfectly  novel.  I  have  been  at  the  races 
of  Newmarket,  Epsom,  York,  in  short  I  have  seen,  for  aught  I  know 
to  the  contrary,  one  hundred  thousand  pounds  won  and  lost  in  a  single 
day,  in  England.  On  coming  up  to  an  enclosed  ground,  a  (piarter  of 
a  dollar  was  demanded  for  my  admission.  Rather  than  turn  back, 
though  no  sportsman,  I  submitted.  Four-wheeled  carriages  paid  a  dol- 
lar, and  half  that  sum  was  exacted  lor  the  most  miserable  single-horse 
chaise.  Though  the  day  was  raw,  cold,  and  threatening  to  rain  or  snow, 
there  were  abundance  of  ladies,  decorated  as  if  for  a  ball.  In  this 
year  (1803)  congress  was  summoned  a  ery  early  by  President  Jefferson, 

upon 


210  TflE   NAVY-YARD.  . 

upon  the  conlcmplated  purchaseof  Louisiana,  and  to  pass  a  bill  in  order 
to  facilitate  his  election  again,  as  j^resident.  Many  scores  of  American 
legislators,  who  are  all  allowed  six  dollars  a  day,  besides  their  travelling 
cxpences,  went  on  foot  from  the  Capitol,  alwve  four  Enfj^lish  miles;  to 
attend  the  sport.  Nay,  it  is  an  indisputable  fact,  that  the  houses  of 
congress  adjourned  at  a  very  early  hour  to  indulge  the  members  for  this 
j)urpose.  It  rained  during  the  course,  and  thus  the  law-makers  of  the 
countrv  were  driven  into  the  booths,  and  thereby  compelled  to  eat  and 
pay  lur  w  hat  was  there  called  a  dinner;  while  their  conti^mplated  meal  re- 
mained untouched  at  their  respective  boarding-houses.  J'-conomy  is 
the  order  of  the  day,  in  the  Jetfersonian  administration  of  that  country, 
and  the  members  pretend  to  avail  themselves  of  it,  even  in  their  per- 
sonal expences. 

I  saw  on  the  race-ground,  as  in  otlier  countries,  people  of  every  de- 
scription, sharpers  in  abundance,  and  grog,  the  joy  of  Americans,  in 
oceans.     Well   mounted,    and  a  stranger,    1  was  constantly  pestered  by 
these  sharks;  and  had  I  been  idiot  enough  to   have  conmiitted  myself 
to  them,  I  should  soon  have  been  stripped  of  all  my  travelling  cash. 

On  my  last  visit  to  the  navy  yard,  I  found  six  frigates,  dismantled  and 
laid  up  in  ordinary,  and  one  nearly  equipped  for  sea,  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  back  the  Tunisian  embassy  to  Barbary.    A  small  vessel  of  war, 
pierced  for  iO  guns,  had  just  been  launched.     Mr.  Jefferson,  two  years 
ago,  adopted  an  idea  of  liis  own,  in  order  to  raise  the  credit  of  the  Ame- 
rican navy,  and  for  the  destruction  of  the  powers  of  Barbary.     This  is7 
to  build  a  number  of  small  vessels  of  about  100  tons  burden,  to  be 
called  gun-boats,  each  of  which  is  provided  with  too  heavy  pieces  of 
ordnance— one  at  the  stem,  and  the  other  at  the  stern.     Though  the  in- 
utility of  these  mockeries  of  men  of  war  has  been  manifested  on  many  oc- 
casions, yet  the  president  persists  in  riding  his  naval  hobby-horse,  even  in 
Kentucky;  where  several  gun-boats  are  building  on  the  river  Ohio.  One  of 
them  was  nearly  lost  on  a  voyage  to  the  Mediterranean— being,  the 

whole 


'      'x' 


\ 


(^ 


.^ 


Si 


^ 


^%m% 


MOUNT   VERXON.  211 

whole  voyage,  to  use  a  sea  phrase,  "  wet  and  under  water."  Another, 
gun  boat.  No.  1.  (thus  they  are  named,  to  No.  8,)  in  a  hurricane  in 
South  Carohna,  was  driven  nearly  a  mile  into  the  woods.  These  ves- 
sels must  be  very  unmanageable  in  action.  It  would  not  be  amiss  if  the 
projector  could  invent  a  piece  of  mechanism  which  would  quickly  turn 
them  round;  for,  in  this  case,  the}''  might  as  we  turn  a  wheel,  first  pre- 
sent the  head  gun,  and  then,  while  it  was  loading,  by  a  magic  touch, 
in  a  second  give  a  stern  shot !  Thus,  these  nimble  and  redoubted  gun- 
boats might  chance  to  beat  off  an  Algerine,  or  Tripoline  rover. 

Added  to  these,  the  Americans  have  a  frigate  and  two  or  three  small 
vessels  of  war  in  the  Mediterranean ;  and  which  constitute  their  nav5\ 
One  of  their  fmest  frigates,  in  attempting  to  bombard  Tripoli,  grounded, 
and  every  exertion  of  the  crew  to  get  her  off,  proved  ineffectual.  She 
Avas  taken  possession  of  by  the  armed  boats  of  the  Barbarians,  and  the 
Avhole  crew  led  into  slavery,  where  they  endured  greater  hardships, 
and  bore  heavier  burthens  than  their  own  domestic  negro  slaves. 
Strange  reverse  of  fortune;  that  those  who  from  infancy  have  been 
accustomed  to  hold  the  whip,  are  now  flogged  and  chained  with 
ten-fold  cruelty  ! 

Travellers,  whose  only  business  is  to  view  the  countrv%  and 
make  observations  on  the  manners  of  the  people,  generally  visit 
Mount  Vernon,  once  the  favorite  retirement  of  General  Washing- 
ton, on  their  progress  through  the  United  States.  A  description 
of  this  place  by  various  writers  is  already  before  the  public,  but 
a  correct  view  is  difficult  to  be  found.  The  accuracy  of  the  an- 
nexed may  be  depended  upon.  There  is  nothing  very  striking  in 
the  design  or  execution  of  the  building,  but  the  situation,  com- 
manding an  extensive  prospect  over  the  majestic  river  Potomack,  where 
it  is  nearly  two  miles  wide,  added  to  the  circumstance  of  its  having  been 
the  seat  of  one  of  the  greatest  characters  of  the  last  centur)^  renders  it 

2  E  an 


2!2  MOUNT  VERNON. 

an  object  of  attention.  As  a  tribute  of  respect  to  his  memory,  vessels 
of  war,  and  such  as  are  armed,  on  passing,  salute  the  house.  The  Mount 
Vernon  estate  is  now  in  the  occupation  of  Bushrod  Washington,  Esq. 
a  nephew  of  the  late  general,  antl  one  of  the  associate  judges  of  the 
supreme  federal  court.  The  mount  is  two  hundred  yards  above  the 
level  of  the  water,  and  the  house  stands  within  sixty  vards  of  the  verge, 
nine  miles  below  Alexandria,  and  in  Fairfax  county,  Virginia:  it  is  :2B0 
miles  from  the  sea.  In  front  there  is  a  lofty  portico,  ninety-six  feet  in 
length,  and  supported  by  eight  pillars.  The  rear  is  towards  the  river, 
and  it  is  a  pleasing  relief  to  the  eye  of  the  passenger,  wearied  with  the 
succession  of  woods  that  clothe  its  banks.  On  the  other  side  is  the  state 
of  Maryland,  which  renders  the  view  from  the  mount  more  delighttiil. 
There  are  two  wings  to  the  house,  and  on  either  side  is  a  gro\c  of 
trees,  the  choicest  of  the  forest.  The  shrubberies  and  gardens  are  laid 
out  in  the  English  st3'le,  and  through  them  wind  serpentine  gravel  walks. 
There  is  a  small  park  of  deer,  some  of  which  were  imported  from  Eng- 
land, and  they  entice  the  wild  American  herds  into  their  company,  so 
that  they  may  easily  be  taken. 

There  is  in  the  house  only  one  large  apartment,  called  the  banqueting 
room,  and  this  was  fmished  after  the  general  had  converted  his  sword 
into  a  plough-share.  During  his  absence  it  had  fallen  much  to  decaj'; 
devoting  his  whole  time  to  the  ser\"ice  of  his  country,  for  which  he  ne- 
ver  would  accept  any  remuneration,  it  was  totally  neglected.* 

*  Throughout  his  campaigns  he  was  atlciidcd  by  a  black  man,  one  of  liis  slaves,  who  proved  very 
faithful  to  his  trust.  This  man,  amongst  others  belonging  to  him,  he  liberated,  and  by  his  will  left  him 
a  handsome  maintenance  for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  The  horse  which  bore  the  general  so  often  in 
battle  is  still  alive.  The  noble  animal,  together  with  the  whole  of  his  property,  was  sold  on  his  death, 
under  a  clause  in  his  will,  and  the  charger  was  purchased  by  Daniel  Dulany,  Esq.  of  Shuter's  Hill,  near 
Alexandria,  in  whom  it  has  found  an  indulg'vit  master.  I  have  often  seen  Mr.  Dulany  riding  the  steed 
of  Washington  in  a  gentle  pace,  for  it  is  now  grown  old.  Jt  is  of  a  cream  color,  well  proportioned,  and 
-was  carefully  trained  to  military  maoceuvres. 

In 


BRITISH    EXPEDITION   TP   THE    POTOMACK — ALEXANDRIA.  213 

In  the  course  of  the  war,  three  small  British  armed  shijjs  sailed  up 
the  Potomack  as  far  as  Alexandria,  and  consequently  passed  INIount 
Vernon.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  conjecture  what  object  this  force  had  in  view. 
There  were  no  stores,  nor  any  thing  on  the  river  worth  making  a  prizeof. 
They  did  considerable  damage  in  their  progress,  but  the  commanders 
gave  strict  orders  to  respect  Mount  Vernon ;  and,  to  their  honor,  it  was 
not  molested.  Their  arrival  at  Alexandria  threw  the  people  into  dread- 
ful alarm,  the  seat  of  war  being  far  removed  from  that  place.  They 
mustered  in  haste  at  the  market-place,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
John  Fitzgerald,  one  of  General  Washington's  aides-de-camp,  who 
happened  then  to  be  on  leave  of  absence  with  his  family,  residing  there. 
The  ships  displayed  an  intention  of  landing,  and  Fitzgerald,  leaving 
the  command  to-  a  militia-colonel,  proceeded  at  the  head  of  several  of 
the  citizens  to  Jones's  point,  in  order  to  repel  the  invaders.  Soon  alter 
the  departure  of  this  party,  the  ships  fired  a  few  shot  at  the  town, 
upon  which  the-  commander  of  the  militia  ordered  his  colours  to  be 
struck;  but  for  this  pusillanimity  he  was  chastised  upon  the  spot.  The 
ships  never  seriously  meditated  a  landing,  and  these  were  merely  ran- 
dom-shot t&  create  an  alarm,  on  their  departure. 

Alexandria  was  about  eight  years  ago  a  very  flourishing  place ;  but 
the  great  losses  sustained  from  the  capture  of  American  vessels  by  the 
French  in  the  West  Indies,  occasioned  many  failures.  In  the  j^ear 
1803,  the  yellow  fever,  which  broke  out  there  for  the  first  time,  swept 
off  a  number  of  its  inhabitants.  These  shocks  have  so  deeph'"  affected 
the  mercantile  interest,  that  the  town  has  but  two  or  three  ships  in  the 
trade  with  Great  Britain  ;  and  there  is  little  prospect  of  its  ever  attain- 
ing to  its  former  prosperity. 

Alexandria,  first  called  Belhaven,  is  laid  out  upon  the  plan  of  Phila- 
delphia ;  and  being  well  built  and  paved,  in  point  of  uniformity  and 
neatness  it  somewhat  resembles  that  city  on  a  small  scale.     Its  situation 

2  £  2  is 


214  AMERICAN   NAVY. 

is  elevated,  commanding  a  view  of  the  river  and  the  ojiposite  shore  of 
Maryland.  Tlie  navigation  of  the  Potomack,  on  whose  banks  tlie 
town  is  built,  is  very  good.  I  question  whether  a  line  of  battle  ship 
might  not  come  up  from  the  sea,  and  lie  alongside  of  the  wharfs,  which 
is  a  distance  of  289  miles.  Six  miles  higher  on  this  river  is  the  city  of 
Washington,  but  a  bar  impedes  the  navigation  up  to  the  navy-yard  of 
the  government. 

The  following  appropriations  were  made  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States  for  the  navy  for  1805,  a  year  when  they  were  at  war  with 
Tripoli. 

Pay  and  subsistence  of  onicers,  and  pay  of  seamen  .... 

Provisions      ---------- 

Medicines,  instruments,  hospital  stores       ------ 

*  Repairs  of  vessels  -----  ... 

The  corps  of  marines  ....--.- 

Cloathiiig  for  tlie  marines     -------- 

Military  stores  for  the  marines         ...-..- 
Medicine  and  hospital  stores  ------- 

Contingent  expcnces  -  -  -  -  -  -  -.- 

Navy-yards,  docks,  clerks,  &c.     .  -  -  -  r  -  - 

1,235,799         20 

or  about  278,054/.  15s.  6d.  sterling— not  much  more  than  the  yearly  charge 
of  two  line  of  battle  ships  in  the  English  navy,  manned,  and  with  a  year's 
provision.  This,  too,  was  a  war  year ;  in  peace,  their  appropriation 
will  hardlv  amount  to  a  third  of  this  sum. 

•  Though  the  American  navy  is  scarcely  twelve  years  old,  yet  tl'.«  reader  will  perceive,  by  this  charge, 
that  the  repairs  are  nearly  e<iual  to  the  "  pny  and  subsistence  of  the  ojicers,  and  tlie  pai/  of  tlie  stameu." 


Dollars    1 

Cents. 

-     415,578 

-     2'-n,086 

40 

-       10.750 

-     411,951 

20 

82,593 

60 

16,536 

1,635 

1,250 

8,419 

-      60,000 

CHAF. 


215 


CHAP.  XVI. 


EMBASSY      FROM      TUN  I  S  — EXTR  A  ORDI  N  ARY    CONDUCT     OF     THE    TURKISH    NEGOCI- 
ATOR — DRUNKENNESS    OF    HIS     ATTEND  ANTS— H  1  S     DEPARTURE      FROM     AMERICA 

DEPUTATION     FROM    THE    CREEK    AND    OSAGE      IN  DI A  N  S— THEl  R      APPEARANCE 

IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  —  THEIR  SONGS— DANCE  OF  SAVAGES  IN 
THE  WASHINGTON  THEATRE  —  SUDDEN  DEATH  OF  ONE  OF  THE  CHIEFS — PAR- 
TICULARS   OF    THE    EXPEDITION     FOR    EXPLORING    THE    MISSOURI. 


The  conduct  of  the  Americans  in  maintaining  the  representative  of 
the  Tunisian  tyrant  for  so  long  a  period,  has  doubtless  excited  the  sur- 
prise, and  perhaps  the  contempt  of  civilized  nations. 

The  circumstance  which  gave  rise  to  the  admission  of  a  train  of  bar- 
barians into  the  L'nited  States,  is  certahily  contemptible.  It  appears  from 
a  message  of  the  president  to  congress,  that  during  the  blockade  of 
Tripoli  by  the  squadron  of  the  United  States,  a  small  cruizer,  under 
the  flag  of  Tunis,  which,  with  two  prizes,  (all  of  trifling  value)  attempted 
to  enter  Tripoli,  was  turned  back,  warned,  and  on  a  second  attempt  to 
enter,  was  taken,  and  detained  as  prizes  by  the  squadron.  Her  restitu- 
tion was  claimed  by  the  bey  of  Tunis,  with  a  threat  of  war  in  terms  so 
serious,  that  on  withdrawing  from  the  blockade  of  Tripoli,  the  com- 
manding oflicer  of  the  squadron  thought  itdiis  duty  to  repair  to  Tunis 
with  his  squadron,  and  to  require  a  categorical  answer  whether  peace  or 
war  was  intended.  The  bey  preferred  explaining  himself  by  an  ambas- 
sador to  the  United  States,  who,  on  his  arrival,  renewed  the  request 
that  the  vessel  and  her  prizes  should  be  restored.     It  was  deemed  proper 

2  to 


210  '         TUNISIAN    EMBASSY   TO   THE    UNITED    STATES. 

to  give  this  proof  of  friendship  to  the  bey,  and  the  ambassador  was  in- 
formed that  the  vessels  would  be  restored.  He  afterwards  made  a  requi- 
sition of  naval  stores  to  be  sent  to  the  bey,  in  order  to  secure  a  peace  for 
the  tonu  of  three  years,  with  athreatof  war  in  case  of  refusal. 

This  ambassador,  whose  name  is  Sadi  Suliman  Mala  Manni,  wa» 
taken  ori  board  the  Chesapeak  frigate,  at  Tunis,  with  a  numerous  suite, 
and  landed,  under  a  discharge  of  cannon,  at  the  Navy-Yard  in  the  city  of 
Washington.  Carriages  were  ready  to  convey  them  to  one  of  the  best 
houses  in  the  city,  and  which  had  been  engaged  for  them  by  order  of 
the  president.  The  cavalcade  was  formidable,  and  the  dress  of  the 
ambassador  and  his  two  secretaries  was  a  noveltv  which  attracted  con- 
siderable  attention^ 

The  day  alter  taking  possession,  a  coach  Avas  in  attendance  to  carry 
these  three  personages  to  Mr.  Jefferson,  whose  plain  and  unassuming 
habits  formed  a  striking  contrast  with  the  pompous  forms  of  Turkish 
despotism.  This,  it  appears,  was  merely  a  visit  to  pave  the  way  "to 
better  acquaintance,"  for  the  Turk  was  in  no  hurry  to  enter  upon  the 
subject  of  his  credentials.  He  i^roposed  to  rej^eat  his  visit  in  a  day  or 
two,  and  to  honor  the  president  by  drinking  coffee  and  smoaking  his 
pipe  with  him.  In  all  matters  which  tended  to  his  ease,  this  mockery 
of  diplomatic  functions,  was  extremely  observant;  but  his  appetite  only 
increased  with  indulgence.  He  soon  became  importunate  in  his  de- 
mands  lor  personal  gralflication  and  public  homage.  A  military  guard, 
preceded  by  music,  was  ordered  to  do  dut}-  at  his  house,  while  car- 
riages were  ready  at  his  command. 

The  charge  of  the  embasjiy  was  defrayed  by  the  United  States ;  and 
it  is  the  more  surprising,  oeconomy  being  the  constant  "  order  of  the 
day,"  that  these  diplomatic  drones  should  be  maintained  so  many  months 
at  the  public  cost.  It  was  even  whispered  that  the  mussulman  threw 
out  hints,  which  could  not  be  misunderstood,  of  the  inconvenience  he 

\5  exjierienced 


PARSniONY    OF   THE   UNITED   STATES.  2  l7 

experienced  from  the  want  of  his  seraglio — that  a  few  female  domestics 
would  be  agreeable,  &c.  &c.  It  is  beyond  a  doubt  that  he  found  means, 
in  part,  to  gratify  his  inordinate  sensuality  ;  for  the  fact  was  promul- 
gated by  Mr.  J,  Randolph,  in  his  place  as  a  representative  of  the 
people.* 

The  repeated  and  increasing  demands  of  ^lala  Gianni  began  to  grow 
extremely  troublesome  and  expensive.  His  guard  ^^as  removed,  and 
his  carriage  no  longer  rolled  him  about  at  the  public  cost.  It  now  be- 
came evident  that  the  cunning  Turk  was  "  nursing  the  job  "  with  the 
utmost  circumsppction.  In  order  to  save  a  little  out  of  the  drain  which 
he  had  made  from  the  public  treasury,  an  officer  was  sent  to  make  a 
bargain,  for  a  stipulated  sum  per  week,  for  the  maintenance  of  himself 
and  his  people.  This  was  still  more  agreeable  to  Mala  Manni,  and  the 
only  difficulty  consisted  in  the  sum  to  be  named  for  that  purpose.  Two 
hundred  dollars  were  at  length  agreed  upon  as  a  weekly  provision  for 
these  unwelcome  visitors.  Previous  to  this,  a  purve3^or  was  constantly 
employed  in  providing  for  their  table  ;  but  by  this  mode  they  were 
never  satisfied,  always  wanting  better  accommodations  than  the  country 
would  produce. 

The  Turks  now  condescended  to  cater  for  themselves,  and  it  was  be- 
lieved that  the  ambassador  did  the  job  for  one  Judf  the  sum  appropriated 
to  that  purpose.  He  immediately  observed  a  rigid  oeconomv  ;  ^^'oukl 
allow  no  strong  liquors  to  his  followers;  and,  instead  of  two  or  three 
courses  at  dinner,  a  single  dish  or  two  was  served  up,  and  the  joint  so^ 
exactly  proportioned,  as  to  leave  not  a  single  fragment  behind. 

Under  a  charge  of  drunkenness  -|-  he  drove  liis  two  secretaries  out  of 

*  Seethe  extract  from  his  speech,  page  H8. 

f  These  disciples  of  Mahomet  will  drink  almost  as  large  a  quantity  o(  spirits  w  a  day,  as  :i  London  coal- 
keaver  would  of  porter. 

his 


218  DRUNKENNFSS   OF  THE   TURKS. 

his  liouse  ;  well  knowing  they  would  not  he  suffered  to  starve  amongst 
Americans.  Thus,  it  was  by  some  believed,  that  avarice  was  his  ruling 
passion,  and  that  by  reducing  the  number  of"  his  follow  ei-s,  leaving  them 
thus  doubly  upon  the  public,  he  merely  intended  to  multiply  the  luun- 
ber  of  dollars  that  were  to  accom|>any  him  back  to  Tunis.  Otliers 
scrupled  not  to  say,  that  the  old  Turk  was  jealous  of  his  young  secreta- 
ries ;  lor  it  was  admitte<l  on  all  hands  that  Ik;  had  tbrmed  a  tender  con- 
nection with  a  frail  C'hri^^tian  of  the  softer  sex.  I  was  unwilling  to  credit 
this;  for  a  more  disgusting  figure,  bending  too  under  the  weight  of 
years,  can  scarcely  be  conceived;  but  the  very  dregs  of  prostitution 
aj)j)ear  to  be  emptied  into  the  city  of  Washington. 

One  evening,  during  the  last  s])ring,  I  went  to  Stelle's  Hotel,  on 
the  Capitol  Hill,  in  order  to  secure  a  place  in  the  stage-coach,  or  rather 
waggon,  to  Baltimore.  In  the  bar-room  I  found  the  two  degraded  se- 
cretaries, and  a  third  Turk,  in  the  most  perfect  harmony  with  several 
Christians.  Thev  w'ere  engaged  in  trials  of  personal  strength,  such  as 
wrestling,  &c.  I  was  informed  tbat  the  Mahometans  were  at  first  very 
forward  in  introducing  this  athletic  exercise,  and  prided  themselves  on 
their  nujscular  force;  but  they  had  been  so  often  tripped  up  by  the 
agility  of  smaller  Christians,  and  their  breech  had  so  sensibly  sulTered  by 
suddenly  coming  in  contact  with  the  floor,  that  they  now  were  afraid 
lest  the  feet  of  their  opponents  should  effect  that  which  could  not  always 
be  done  by  the  arm.  They  are  great  drinikards,  for  they  were  every 
ten  or  fifteen  minutes  drinking  gin,  unadulterated  by  water  ;  and  I 
found  myself  under  the  necessity  of  contributing  towards  tbeir  intoxica- 
tion. They  were,  however,  perfectly  good-humored,  or  perhaps,  in 
more  suitable  words,  the  barbarians  were  strongly  inclined  to  sociability 
with  the  Christians.  They  s|)ent  their  time  chieffy  at  the  little  "  grog 
shops,"  and  at  night  were  generally  in  a  state  of  drunkenness. 

About  the  end  of  the  month  of  May  this  mock  embassy  commenced 
its  departure  from  Washington,  after  rolhng  there,  in  luxury  and  slotli, 

between 


DEPARTURE   OF  THE  TUNISIAN   E:MBASSY,  219 

between  five  and  six  months.  The  government  having  with  firmness 
resisted  the  impudent  demand  ot"  naval  stores,  no  valedictory  compli- 
ments jjassed  on  the  occasion ;  on  the  contrary,  in  order  to  fill  up  the 
measure  of  the  farce,  his  Mahometan  highness  hurled  threats  of  the 
vengeance  of  his  barbarian  master. 

The  order  of  departure  was  as  ostentatious  and  expensive  as  could  be, 
devised.  His  highness,  with  a  few  attendants,  set  oti"  the  first  day,  and 
on  the  following,  the  secretaries  had  their  cavalcade  set  in  motion. 
The  first  day's  route  was  to  Baltimore,  where  they  indulged  the  inha- 
bitants with  a  view  of  their  sacred  persons  at  the  theatre  and  on 
the  race  ground.  In  this  manner  did  the  government,  in  spite  of 
the  threat,  conduct  the  barbarians  to  Boston,  at  which  port  the 
frigate  Chesapeak  was  ordered  to  receive  and  convey  them  back  to 
Tunis,  Now,  as  this  ship  was  ordered  from  A\^ashington  to  Boston  for 
this  purpose  alone,  it  follows,  that  the  good  citizens  of  America  were 
not  only,  at  their  own  charge,  to  return  them  to  their  native  land, 
but  also,  while  they  still  breathed  the  threats  of  war,  for  their  gratifica- 
tion, to  escort  them  near  live  hundred  miles,  ^vhen  they  might  have 
been  shij)ped  within  as  many  yards  of  the  ver}'  spot  where  they  insulted 
the  country. 

The  temper  of  the  people  on  this  head  may  be  ascertained  from  the 
following  extract,  coj)ied  from  the  Philadelphia  Aurora,  a  daily  news- 
[:>aper,  devoted  to  the  measures  of  President  Jefferson. 

"  The  information  communicated  to  congress  in  the  message  from 
the  president,  respecting  the  state  of  relations  with  Tunis,  has  been  fur 
some  time  anticipated.  When  the  ex-minister  of  Spaui,  Yrujo,  was  at 
Washington,  it  is  said,  he  labored  very  hard  with  Mali  ]Manni,  llie 
barbarian  ambassador,  to  excite  his  enmity  against  our  government; 
indeed,  he  is  said  to  have  so  fiir  prevailed  as  to  draw  from  the  barbarian 
the  most  brutal  and  contumelious  expressions  to\\  ards  the  United  States, 
die  citizens  of  which  he  denominated  Yerbins,  or  transpuvted  thieves, 

2  F  an 


220      r.Xl'KDlTION   TO  DISCOVER  A  PASSAGE  TO  THE  PACIFIC  OCEAN. 

UM  appellation  derived  from  a  place  called  ^'erbin,  in  Alrlca,  to  whicli 
convicts  arc  transported.*  A  discourse  of  this  kind  passed  in  ])resence 
of  an  American  who  had  been  in  Barbarv  ;  he  rose  and  resented  it, 
saying,  that  as  the}'  were  privileged  characters,  he  could  not  treat  them 
as  they  merited,  but  that  he  could  not  stay  in  the  company  of  men  who 
disgraced  the  country." 

In  the  year  1803,  President  Jefferson  projected  an  expedition  of  dis- 
roverv  to  explore  the  head  of  the  great  river  Missouri,  and  thence  to 
penetrate  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  For  this  purpose,  he  ))itched  upon  two 
skilful  and  prudent  olhcers.  Captain  Lewis  and  Lieutenant  Clarke,  to 
whom  he  intrusted  the  conduct  of  this  interesting  and  dangerous  enter- 
|)rise.  These  gentlemen  having  previously  obtained  the  sanction  of  con- 
gress, took  their  departure  from  Washington  in  the  spring  of  the  year, 
at  the  head  of  S2  picked  men,  well  armed.  The  whole  i)art\^  were 
provided  with  every  article,  as  well  for  taking  astronomical  observations, 
and  ascertaining  distances,  as  for  convenience  and  comfort,  during  their 
contemplated  journey.  Arrived  in  the  heart  of  the  Missouri  conntrv, 
thev  prevailed  upon  the  chiefs  of  the  Osage  nations  to  send  a  depu- 
tation to  Washington.  This  was  a  master-piece  of  polii^y,  as  the 
government  of  the  Ignited  States  were  in  that  case  in  possession  of  hos-- 
tages  for  the  safe  return  of  their  citizens  through  the  savage  territories. 

These  Indians  arrived  at  the  seat  of  the  American  government  in 
October  180/5,  about  the  time  of  the  landing  of  the  other  barbarian  em- 
bassy from  Tunis.  Their  appearance  differing  considerably  from  other 
savage  tribes,  excited  much  curiosity ;  while  they  appeared  perfectly  in- 
different and  unmoved  at  the  most  curious  object  presented  to  them. 
They  were  grave  and  reserved,  a  conduct  always  observed  among  the 
higher  orders  of  savages,  who  consider  it  beneath  the  dignity  of  a  war- 
rior to  betray  emotions  of  surprize,  fear,  or  joy.  lor  this  reason,  the 
most  ridiculous  objecr,  which  would  betray  an   European  philosoplier 

«  From  this  observ.ition,  it  is  evident  tliat  the  barbarian  had  been  apprised  that  the  part  of  the  United 
States  where  he  was  dealing  out  this  invective,  was  originally  peo))led  with  convicted  felons  from  the  mo- 
(her-coumrv. 

fi  into 


VISIT  OF  THE  OSAGE   INDIANS  TO   CONGRESS.  221 

into  a  broad  laugh,  will  barely  excite  a  smile  in  an  Indian  chief.  On 
visiting-  the  navj'-N'ard,  to  -which  they  were  attended  by  the  ofllcers,  they 
viewed  the  frigates  and  heard  their  guns  fired  without  surprize.  They 
conversed  with  each  other  on  their  construction,  and  appeared  gratified 
with  the  idea  of  their  usefulness  in  conveying  a  great  number  of  people 
at  a  time  over  great  waters.  Thus  tliey  also  regarded  the  military  drawn 
out  on  the  occasion;  considering  them  useful  in  defence  against  the 
enemy.  The  muskets  attracted  not  the  slightest  attention ;  but  they 
fixed  their  eyes  on  the  bayonets,  which  they  appeared  to  comi)are  ^^'ith 
one  of  their  imj)lements  of  war. 

I  was  present  when  they  visited  the  house  of  repnesentatives.  1'lie 
present  place  of  meeting  of  that  body  is  only  temporary,  until  the  south 
wing  of  the  Capitol  is  finished,  when  they  will  occupy  it,  as  the  senate 
now  does  the  noi'th  wing.  The  gallery  of  this  temporary  room  is  con- 
sequently small,  and  when  the  Indians  approached,  the  seats  were  taken 
up,  as  usual,  by  American  citizens,  among  whom  were  liiany  genteel 
females,  to  hear  the  debates.  The  speaker,  to  their  great  mortification, 
ordered  this  gallery  to  be  cleared;  and,  not  aware  of  the,  reason,  I  was 
preparing  to  leave  the  house  under  the  impression  that  the  members 
were  about  to  proceed  to  secret  business  with  closed  doors ;  a  practice 
followed  about  the  time  of  passing  the  Non-importation  Bill  with  Great 
Britain. 

The  approach  of  the  Osage  Indians  was  announced  by  the.  jingling 
of  little  bells,  such  as  we  call  hawks'  bells.  These  were  fastened  to  their 
clothes,  as  Mhite  men  wear  buttons.  They  were  ornamented  with  a  va- 
riety of  foxes'  tails  and  feathers,  bones,  ivory  trinkets  in  different  shapes, 
curiously-carved  shells,  and  pieces  of  hard  polished  wood.  From  the 
nose  was  suspended  a  small  piece  of  silver;  some  wore  this  in  the  shape 
of  a  heart,  and  others  round,  and  the  size  of  a  sixpence ;  and  from  each  ear 
hung  a  fish-bone,  a  piece  of  ivory,  or  some  other  fanciful  ornament.  The 
face  of  the  first  chief  was  painted  all  over  the  colour  of  brick-dust— that  of 

2  F  2  the 


i''?i  OJACT:    INDIANS    l-.NTERTAINT.T)   T,Y    DR.    ^rI:CHE^.L. 

the  iK'Xt  ill  niuk  was  luilf  roddciu-d  ;  juiothera  ioiirtli  piirt;  otliPisMere 
half  l)!a(l<,  ami  the  reinaiiuh-r  of  the  iiatmal  colour.  A  single  lock  of  hair 
alone  hmig-  from  the  middle  of  the  hack  of  the  head,  to  which  was  tied 
an  enormous  fox's  tail,  or  a  hunch  of  feathers  of  various  colours  ;  the 
whole  forming-  a  most  grotesque,  yet  iuteresting  grou|). 

During  the  dehate,  which  had  hegun  as  they  were  entering,  they  be^ 
traycd  no  symptoms  of  surprize ;  and  seldom  made  a  remark  to  each 
other  respecting  the  j)roceedings  of  the  house.  A  mission  of  Creek 
Indians  arrived  about  the  time  of  those  from  the  Missouri,  on  a  treaty 
of  trade  and  fiiendsliip  ;  and  they,  in  compliment  to  their  far-distant  bre- 
thren, attended  i\t  the  same  time,  but  each  partv  took  different  sides  of 
the  gallery.  The  Creeks  are  nearly  civilized,  and,  from  the  dress  of  the 
greater  numbor,  there  was  no  distinguishing  them  from  the  American 
eitizens — some  indeed  were  a  little  darker  than  the  inhabitants  of  tlie 
Southern  States.. 

Having  with  much  apparent  attention  hstened  to  the  business  before 
tiie  house,  the  chief  whis[)ered  the  next,  the  purport  of  which  a|)peared 
to  be  instantly  understood,  as  they  rose  with  one  accord,  and  returned  in 
the  ordL'r  they  came,  without  noticing  or  even  seeming  to  observe  any 
other  person  but  themselves. 

Doctor  Mitchell,  a  senator  from  the  state  of  New  York,  gave  an  en- 
tertainment to  the  Osage  Indians  at  his  apartments  in  Washington;  and 
in  return,  they  amused  the  doctor  and  his  friends  with  a  specimen  of 
their  songs. 

The  Indians  from  the  south  of  the  Missouri  are  said  to  have  no  idea  of 
poetry,  as  it  derives  its  character  from  rhyme  or  measure.  Their  songs 
are  short  enthusiastic  sentences,  subjected  to  no  laws  of  composition,  ac- 
companied by  monotonous  music,  jiroduced  from  a  reed  or  cane,  either 
quick  or  slow  according  to  the  subject  or  fancy  of  the  singer.  Tlieir 
4  apologues- 


THEIR    SONG    ON    FRIENDSHIP.  2^3 

anolotiiies  are  numerous  aud  ingenious,  abounding-  with  incidents,  and 
calculated  to  convej^  some  favorite  lesson.  Their  tales  also,  inculcate, 
iu  general,  some  moral  truth,  or  some  maxim  ot  prudence  or  polic3% 
In  one,  the  misfortunes  of  a  great  chief  are  so  linked  with  his  vices,  and 
wind  up  so  fatally  at  last,  that  a  man  of  worth  whom  he  scjught  to  op- 
press, is,  hv  his  own  ayencv,  made  the  instrimient  of  his  destruction, 
and  established  as  his  successor.  The  private  virtues  of  this  successor, 
particularly  bis  respect  lor  the  other  sex,  the  want  of  which  was  the 
great  vice  of  the  deposed  chief,  are  made  the  foundation  of  his  fame 
and  prosperity.  In  another,  the  particular  duties  of  the  sex  are  inforced, 
by  shewing  bow  certain  women  who  deviated  from  ordinary  rules  were 
persecuted  by  tlie  Manitoo  of  the  woods;  in  the  progress  of  the  story 
they  are  made  to  owe  their  safety,  in  various  trials,  to  some  particular 
act  of  female  discretion  or  delicacy,   which  they  had  before  neglected. 

The  Indians  have  their  Circe  as  well  as  the  Greeks;  she  is  very  se- 
ducing, and  the  fate  of  her  votaries  highly  terrible.  The  strokes  of  the 
pencil  by  which  she  is  drawn  are  masterly;  but  the  tales  respecting  tliLs 
lady  are  only  calculated  lor  tbe  ears  of  men. 

A  translation  of  the  songs  sung  at  Dr.  MitcheH's  has  been  inserted  in  the 
American  prints;  they  are  rendered  into  verse,  which  destroys  the  idea  of 
the  energy  with  which  they  were  repeated ;  independent  of  the  fact  of  the 
Missouri  Indians  having  no  idea  of  rhyme  or  measure.  I  have  restored  them 
to  the  style  in  which  they  were  sung,  or  rather  pronounced,  in  energetic 
strains. 

"  My  brave  companions,  and  friends  of  high  renown  !  hither  have  ye 
come  from  far  distant  lands,  to  behold  your  great  sire  of  this  country, 
(the  President)  and  to  listen  to  liis  talk  ! 

"  The  great  master  of  life  (the  Supreme  Being)  hath  preserved  you 
ficom  accidents,  and  from  sudden  death.    He  hath  fed  you,  and  defended 

you: 


224  WAR-SONG    OF  THE   OSAGE   INDL\NS. 

vou  from  your  foes — lioin  the  cold,  and  i'nnn  pieroincf  winds;  that  you 
laiglit  be  made  liuppy  in  tlie  sight  ot'  the  father  oi'  this  land  ! 

"  Ye  red  men  !  Since  ye  came  hither,  ye  have  seen  the  face  of  your 
great  white  father.  He  has  cherished  you  as  his  own  children.  lie  has 
made  your  beating  hearts  rejoice  ! 

"  Great  chief  of  the  Osages !  fear  not  to  follow  our  steps.  Leave 
awhile  thy  sylvan  home.  The  path  which  we  have  trodden  is  free  and 
clear.     For  thee  it  will  grow  A\ider  and  smoother! 

"  \Vhen  thou  art  inclined  to  march,  we  will  form  behind  thee  u 
lengthened  file.  Dauntless  thus  will  we  for  awhile  quit  our  woods  and 
vales,  to  listen  to  the  voice  of  our  white  father !  " 

This  is  a  delicate  compliment  to  the  government  of  the  United  States; 
while  it  conveys  the  real  sentiments  of  their  hearts.  The  following 
composition  on  WAR,  is  admirably  calculated  to  inspire  courage,  being 
supposed  to  come  from  the  mouth  of  their  great  chief: — 

"  Say,  my  brave  warriors,  Avhen  of  arms  we  sing — when  every  tongue 
proclaims  our  martial  deeds — why  intrude  the  thoughts  of  death  r — Why 
mourn  the  common  fate  of  man? — Why  fancy  your  doom  is  sealed; 
and  that,  pursuing  or  pursued,  you  must  fall  ? 

"  Doubt  not  the  care  of  Tea:asal(}ge.  He  will  lead  j'ou  forth,  and  he 
will  shew  you  where  the  enemy  is  concealed.  With  his  own  hand  will 
lie  make  the  attack,  drive  the  foe  fi'om  their  ambush,  or  destroy  them 
on  the  field  of  battle ! 

"  Our  tribes  led  on  b}'-  me,  what  nation  can  withstand  our  arms,  or 
check  our  course  J  Wlien  our  enemies  hear  of  my  A\arlike  deeds,  they 

wiil 


SAVAGE   DANCE— DEATH    OF    AN    OSAGE    CHIEF.  '225 

will  be  struck  with  terror  at  my  name.      They  will  lly  belore  us,  or  die 
with  tear." 

The  evening  of  the  day  on  which  the  Osage  Indians  visited  Congress, 
tliey  made  their  appearance  at  the  theatre  in  the  Pensylvania  Avenue ; 
which  was  announced  by  hand-bills.  Their  performance  here  was  by  no 
means  disinterested ;  for  they  stipulated  w  ith  the  managers  to  be  paid 
half  the  net  proceeds,  with  a  supply  of  rum  during  the  entertainment. 
Their  dance  consisted  of  stamping  in  procession  round  the  stage  in  dif- 
ferent figures,  and  screaming  in  horrid  discord.  The  war-dance  exhi- 
bited something  of  the  terrific  ;  and  the  scalping  scene  was  a  dreadiul 
picture  of  that  inhuman  practice  among  savage  nations.  The  act  of 
taking  off  the  scalp  of  the  supposed  victim,  was  executed  with  such 
adroitness,  a  false  scalp  being  substituted,  that  the  deception  was  not  to 
be  perceived.  One  of  the  chiefs  eminently  exerted  himself  on  this  occa- 
sion. Before  the  conclusion  of  the  entertainment,  the  greatest  part  of 
them  w-ere  intoxicated,  and  the  audience  became  anxious  to  quit  the 
house.  Next  morning,  the  chief,  who  had  been  the  jirincipal  ac- 
tor, was  found  lifeless  in  the  bed  which  government  had  provided  for. 
him  ;  and  his  death  was  imputed  to  excess  of  drinking,  and  his  great 
exertions  during  the  preceding  evening.  His  interment  was  attended 
by  his  tribe,  with  the  Creeks,  and  a  great  concourse  of  people,  among 
Avhom  were  several  members  of  Congress.  ]Much  curiosity  was  excited, 
from  the  hopes  of  witnessing  the  savage  ceremonies  on  such  an  occa- 
sion ;  but  these  expectations  were  disappointed,  very  little  being  said  or 
done  over  the  grave.  In  order  to  guard  against  a  similar  catastrophe, 
the  inhabitants  were  pu!)licly  cautioned  against  giving  these  strangers 
any  strong  liquors;  and  informed,  that  the  allowance  made  them  by  the 
government  was  in  every  respect  abundant. 

To  return.  Captain  Lewis,  who  commanded  the  party  of  discovery, 
was  fortunate  enough  to  fulfil  tfie  object  of  liis  mission,  and  to  return  in 

safety 


22G  PARTICULAHS  OF  THE  KXPEDITION  TO  TTIF  PACIFIC  OCEAN. 

5;itl'ty  to  the  seat  of  government  in  October  h\^\,  alh-r  an  al)senec  of  two 
years  ami  six  nioutJis. 

He  reports,  that  on  the  14th  of"  May,  180  i,  liis  party  entered  the  Mis- 
souri; and  on  the  1st  of"  November  took  up  their  winter  quarters  near  the 
INIandan  Towns,  one  thousand  six  hunth'ed  and  nine  miles  above  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  in  latitude  47deg^.  21min.  47sec.  north,  and  90 
deg.  21  min,  45  sec.  west  from  Greenwich.  On  the  8th  of  April,  180."), 
the  |>arty  proceeded  up  the  river  in  pursuance  of  the  objects  prescribed 
to  them,  lluriui'-  their  stay  amon^-  the  Alandans,  Captain  I^ewis  had 
been  able  to  lay  down  the  Missouri,  according-  to  courses  and  distances 
taken  on  his  |mssage  up  the  river,  corrected  by  frequent  observations  of 
longitude  and  latitude  :  and  to  add  to  the  actual  sursey  of  this  portion  ol" 
the  river,  a  general  map  of  the  country  between  the  INIississippi  and 
the  Pacific,  from  the  3Ath  to  the  54th  degrees  of  latitude.  These  additions 
are  from  information  collected  from  Indians  with  whom  he  had  oppor- 
tunities of  communicating  during  his  journey,  and  residence  witii  them. 

Having  been  disappointed  after  considerable  preparation,  in  tiic  pur- 
pose of  sending  an  ex[)loring  ])artv  up  the  river  in  1804,  it  was  thought 
best  to  employ  the  autumn  of  that  year  in  procuring  a  knowledge  of  an 
interesting  branch  of  the  river  called  the  Washita.  This  was  under- 
taken by  jMr.  Dunbar,  of  Natchez,  who  greatly  aided  the  party  with  his 
disinterested  and  valuable  services  in  the  prosecution  of  their  enterprise. 
He  ascended  the  river  to  the  remarkable  hot  sidings  nearly  in  lat.  34,  3\. 
long.  y2.  50.  west  from  Greenwich,  taking  its  courses  apd  distances,  and 
correcting  them  by  trequent  celestial  observations. 

The  party  were  on  the  23d  of  September,  1805,  at  Saint  I^ouis.  They 
had  passed  the  preceding  winter  at  a  place  which  Captain  Lewis  calls 
Fort  Clatsop,  near  the  mouth  of  Columbia  river.  Tliey  set  out  thence 
on  the  27th  of  ^larch  last,  and  arrived  at  the  loot  of  the  rocky  mountains 

IMav 


EXPEDITION  TO   EXPLORE  THE   MISSOURI.  227 

]May  lOtb,  where  they  were  detained  until  the  24th  of  June,  by  the 
snows,  which  rendered  the  passage  over  these  mountains  impracticable 
till  that  time.  Captain  Lewis  found  it  two  thousand  five  hundred  and 
seventy  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri  to  the  great  fall  of  thai 
ri\er,  thence  by  land  passing  the  rocky  mountains,  to  the  navigable  part 
ot  the  river  Kooskookee,  three  hundred  and  forty  miles,  of  which  two 
hundred  would  admit  of  good  road,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles 
over  tremendous  mountains,  \a  hich  tor  sixty  miles  are  covered  with  eter- 
nal sno\vs;  then  seventy-three  miles  down  the  Kooskookee  into  a  south- 
easterly branch  of  the  Columbia;  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  miles  down 
that,  to  the  main  river  of  Columbia;  and  then  four  hundred  and 
thirteen  miles  to  the  Pacific  ocean  :  in  all  three  thousand  and  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles  fiom  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Columbia,  In  this  last  river  the  tide  flows  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
three  miles,  to  within  seven  miles  of  its  great  rapids. 

Captain  I^ewis  also  reports,  that  this  whole  line  furnishes  the  most 
valuable  furs  in  the  world,  and  that  there  is  a  short  and  direct  course 
for  them  to  China;  but  that  the  greatest  part  of  them  would  be  exported 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri.  His  force  consisted  of  thirty-one  men; 
and  he  observes,  that  he  was  fortunate  in  not  sending  back  from  the  head 
of  the  Missouri  any  |)art  of  his  force,  as  more  than  once  they  owed 
their  lives  and  the  fate  of  the  expedition  to  their  numbers.  One  man  of 
his  party  died  I)elore  he  reached  fort  Mademo  in  the  year  1804,  but  tiie 
remainder  returned  in  good  health. 

The  great  jMandan  chief  accompanied  Captain  Lewis  on  a  visit  to 
the  president  of  the  [Jnited  States.  The  greatest  cordiality  subsisted 
between  the  two  leatlers ;  and  from  their  abilities  the  old  world  may 
soon  hope  to  have  a  particular  account  of  their  discoveries,  'f'hey  left 
the  Pacific  ocean  on  the  2.3th  of  March  last,  previous  to  which  some 
American  vessels  had  arrived  there.  They  represent  the  Indians  near 
the  oc<?an  as  remarkably  peaceable,  and  the  winter  mild, 

2  G  Mr. 


228  EXPEDITION  TO   EXPLORE  THE   MISSOURI. 

INIr.  (now  Sir  Alexander)  Mackenzie,  many  years  ago  explored  the 
country  from  Canada  to  the  Pacific,  but  his  route  was  very  diH'erent 
from  tluit  of  the  present  expedition;  and  in  a  latitude  uidiwourable  to 
the  making  of  discoveries.  Thus,  his  labours  have  been  productive  of 
little  benefit  in  a  commercial  point  of  view,  while  there  is  every  reason 
to  suppose  that  the  Americans  have  discovered  a  source  of  trade  of  the 
utmost  importance;  and  it  is  highly  probable,  that  by  treating  with  the 
Indians,  they  will  establish  a  sate  communication  to  export  their  goods 
to  the  east,  through  the  Pacific  ocean. 

The  river  Missouri  had  long  proved  advantageous  to  the  l.'nited 
States,  in  trading  with  the  Indians  for  castor,  peltry,  hides,  deer  skins, 
tallow,  and  bears  oil ;  but  this  trade  never  extended  farther  than  twenty- 
five  leagues  above  its  junction  with  the  Mississippi,  about  the  forty-first 
degree  north  latitude.  After  thus  uniting,  it  Hows  twelve  hundred  miles 
before  it  emj)ties  itself  into  the  gnl|)h  of  Mexico.  On  ascending  six 
hundred  leagues,  no  diminution  is  perceived,  either  in  its  width  or  rapi- 
dity. The  principal  rivers  which  discharge  themselves  into  the  Missou- 
ri, are  the  Gasconade,  the  river  of  the  Osages,  the  two  Charatuns,  the 
Great  river,  the  river  Des  Canips,  Nichinon,  Batony,  the  great  and  lit- 
tle Nimaho,  the  river  Plate,  the  river  de  JSiouic,  the  L'Eau  Qui  Court, 
and  several  of  inferior  note.  The  banks  of  these  rivers  are  chiefly  hunt- 
ing ground  for  the  Indians;  and  when  the  United  States  make  a  treaty 
with  them,  Avhich,  fi'om  the  success  of  the  expedition  under  Captain 
Lewis  and  Lieutenant  Clarke,  they  will  most  probably  attempt,  the 
trade  will  become  a  national  object. 

The  banks  of  the  Missouri  are  alternately  woods  and  prairies,  and  they 
seem  to  encrcasc  annually  from  the  lires  which  are  kindled  every  au- 
tumn, by  the  savages,  or  white  hunters,  either  by  chance,  or  with  a  de- 
sign of  lacilitatiug  their  hunting.  The  water  is  niudily,  and  contains  a 
fine  sand,  which  soon  precipitates;  but  this  circumstance  takes  nothing 
from  its  salubrity.     Its  course  is  generally  west  by  north  west. 

2  The 


DESCRIPTION   OF  THE   IMISSOURI   COUNTRY.  229 

The  flats  are  covered  with  trees  of  an  enormous  size.  Out  of  the 
trunks  of  one  sycamore  tree  a  canoe  has  been  made  able  to  carry  eighteen 
thousand  pounds  weight.  The  pophTand  the  maple  are  also  found  here 
in  abundance,  as  well  as  the  wild  cherry,  the  red  and  white  elm,  the 
linden  tree,  the  Indian  chesnut,  the  water  willow,  the  white  and  red  mul- 
berry. On  the  shores  of  the  Missouri  are  found,  in  abundance,  the 
white  and  black  oak  for  ship-building — the  pine,  the  cedar,  and  the  tria- 
canthos,  which,  like  the  English  quick-thorn,  forms  impenetrable  hedges. 

The  plants  are  still  more  numerous.  The  Indians  are  well  acquainted 
with  the  virtues  of  many  of  them.  They  make  use  of  them  to  heal 
their  wounds,  and  to  poison  their  arrows.  They  have  one,  which  is 
said  to  be  a  certain  and  prompt  cure  for  the  venereal  disease — another, 
which  renders  them  for  a  few  moments  insensible  to  the  heat  of  fire.  Bv 
using  it,  they  will  seize  a  red  hot  iron,  or  a  burning  coal,  without  injury. 
With  different  woods  they  dye  their  garments  of  beautiful  colours. 

The  lands  on  the  Missouri  are  capable  of  yielding  all  the  productions 
of  the  temperate,  and  even  some  of  those  of  the  warm  climates — wheat, 
maize,  and  every  other  species  of  grain  and  esculent  roots.  Hemp 
seems  here  to  be  indigenous;  even  cotton  succeeds,  though  not  so  well 
as  in  more  southerly  countries ;  its  culture,  however,  yields  a  real  ad- 
vantage to  the  inhabitants,  who  find  in  the  crop  of  a  field  of  two  acres, 
a  harvest  sufficient  for  the  cloathing  of  their  families. 

The  prairies  afford  excellent  pasture.  Different  kinds  of  clay  are 
found  here,  among  which  it  is  believed,  is  the  real  kaolin,  to  which 
the  porcelain  of  China  owes  its  reputation.  N umberless  caves  on  the 
the  river,  abound  in  salt-petre. 

The  stones  are  generally  calcareous  and  grit.  There  is  one  peculiar 
to  the  banks  of  this  river.  It  is  of  a  blood  red  color,  compact,  and  soft 
under  the  chissel,  but  it  becomes  hard  in  the  air,  and  is  susceptible  of  a 

2  G  2  most 


230  DESCRIPTION   OF  THE   MISSOURI    COUNTRY. 

most  beautiful  polish.  The  Indians  make  use  of  it  for  calumets;  hut, 
from  the  extent  of  its  layers,  it  might  he  eiri|)loycd  for  more  important 
juirposes.  'J'hey  have  also  quarries  of  marble,  streaked  with  red;  and 
a  s|)ecies  of  plaisler,  similar  to  that  which  the  Americans  bring  in  large 
quantities  from  the  British  domiruons  on  the  river  St.  Croix.  Volcanic 
stones  are  likewise  found  in  the  Missouri  country,  which  clearly  denote 
the  ancient  existence  of  volcanoes,  though  none  were  heard  ol'  by  C"aj)- 
tain  Lewis  or  his  party. 

Mines  of  leatl,  iron,  and  coal  have  already  been  discovered  on  the 
borders  of  the  Missouri;  and  there  are,  no  doubt,  some  of  tin,  copper, 
silver,  and  even  of  gold,  according  to  the  accounts  of  the  Indians,  who 
have  found  some  particles  of  these  metals. 

At  about  three  hundred  miles  from  the  village  of  the  Great  Osages, 
in  a  westerly  direction,  alter  having  passed  several  branches  of  the  river 
Arkansas,  is  a  flat,  surrounded  by  hills,  of  an  immense  extent,  and 
about  fifteen  leagues  in  diameter,  the  soil  of  which  is  a  black  sand,  very 
fine,  and  so  hard,  that  horses  scarcely  ever  leave  a  trace.  During  a 
warm  and  dry  seasim,  tliis  flat  exhales  vapors,  which  after  being  con- 
densed, fall  on  this  black  sand,  and  cover  it  with  an  incrustation  of 
salt,  very  white  and  line,  and  about  half  an  inch  thick.  Rains  destroy 
this  appearance;  but  about  eighteen  miles  farther  are  found  mines  of 
genuine  salt,  near  the  surface  of  the  earth.  '^I'he  Indians,  who  are  well 
acquainted  with  them,  are  obliged  to  use  levers  to  raise  it.  About  fif- 
teen leagues  from  the  flat,  and  in  a  southerl}^  direction,  is  a  second  mine 
of  genuine  salt,  of  the  same  nature  as  the  other.  These  two  mines  dif- 
fer only  in  colour;  the  first  borders  on  blue — the  other  on  red.  Farther 
south,  and  still  on  the  branches  of  the  Arkansas,  is  a  saline,  which  is  one 
of  the  most  interesting  objects  in  nature. 

On  the  declivity  of  a  small  hill,  there  are  five  holes,  about  eighteen 
inches  in  diameter,  and  two  feet  in  depth,  always  full  of  salt-water, 

4  without 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE   MISSOURI   COUNTRY.  25 1 

without  ever  overflowing.  AMien  any  is  taken  out  the  hole,  it  immedi- 
ately fills  of  itself;  and  what  is  still  more  extraordinary,  about  ten  feet 
lower,  a  large  stream  of  pure  and  fresh  water,  flows  from  this  same 
hill. 

If  this  country  were  peopled,  the  working  of  these  salt  mines  would  be 
very  easy,  by  means  of  the  river  Arkansas.  This  species  of  salt  is  found 
preferable  to  any  other  for  salting  provisions. 

The  fur  trade  from  the  upper  IVIissouri,  hitherto  neglected  by  Ameri- 
cans, is  carried  on  by  the  British,  and  the  commodities  they  purchase 
are  sent  by  them  to  Canada.* 

•  A  recent  letter  from  Lieutenant  Clarke,  to  his  brother,  General  Clarke,  containing  further  informa- 
tion on  this  subject ;  with  an  account  of  the  great  river  Missouri,  higher  up  than  had  hitlierto  been 
explored  by  a  white  man,  appearing  very  interesting,  I  shall  present  it  to  the  reader  in  its  original 
state : — 

"  St.  Louis,  Sept.  23,  1806. 

"  DEAft   BROTHER, 

"  WE  arrived  at  this  place  at  twelve  o'clock  to-day  from  the  Pacific  Ocean,  where  we  remained  during 
the  last  winter,  near  the  entrance  of  the  Columbia  river.  This  station  we  left  on  the  27th  of  March 
last,  and  should  have  reached  St.  Louis  early  in  August  had  we  not  been  detained  by  the  snow,  which 
barred  our  passage  across  the  rocky  mountains  until  the  24th  of  June.  In  returning  through  those  moun- 
tains, we  divided  ourselves  into  several  parties,  digressing  from  the  route  bv  which  we  went  out,  in  or- 
<ler  the  more  effectually  to  explore  the  country,  and  discover  the  most  practicable  route  which  docs  exist 
across  the  continent  by  the  way  of  tlie  Missouri  and  Columbia  rivers.  In  this  we  were  completely  suc- 
cessful, and  have  therefore  no  hesitation  in  declaring,  that  sucii  as  nature  has  permitted,  we  have  disco- 
vered the  best  route  which  does  exist  across  the  continent  of  North  America  in  that  direction.  Such  is 
that  by  the  way  of  the  Missouri  to  the  foot  of  the  Rapids  below  the  great  falls  of  that  river,  a  distance 
of  257  J  miles ;  thence  by  land  passing  by  the  rocky  mountains  to  a  navigable  part  of  Kooskooke,  34  0  ; 
and  with  the  Kooskooke  73  miles;  Louis's  river  154  miles  ;  and  the  Columbia  413  miles  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean  ;  making  the  total  distance  from  the  confluence  of  the  Missouri  and  Mississippi  to  the  discharge 
of  the  Columbia  into  the  Pacific  ocean  3554  miles.  The  navigation  of  the  Missouri  may  be  deemed 
good— its  diflSculties  arise  from  its  falling  banks,  timber  embedded  in  the  mud  of  its  channels,  its  sand 
bars,  and  the  steady  rapidity  of  its  current,  all  which  may  be  overcome  to  a  great  degree  of  certaintv  bv 
using  the  necessary  precautions.  The  passage  by  land  of  J40  miles,  from  the  falls  of  Missouri  to  the 
Kooskooke,  is  the  most  formidable  part  of  the  track  proposed  across  the  continent.  Of  this  distance,  200 
miles  is  almost  a  good  road,  and  140  miles  over  tremendous  mountains,  which  for  GO  miles  are  covered 
uith  eternal  snows.     A  passage  over  these  mountains  is  open,  to  ihe  last  of  September;  and  the  cheap 

rate 


232  LIEUT.    CLARKE'S   ACCOUNT  OF  THE   EXPEDITION. 

rati-  at  which  horses  are  to  be  obtained  from  the  Indians  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  and  west  of  them,  re- 
duces the  expenses  of  trunsportaliun  over  this  portage  to  a  mere  Irille. 

The  navigation  of  tlic  Kooskooke,  Lewis's  river,  and  the  Columbia,  is  safe  and  good  from  the  1st  of 
April  to  the  middle  of  August,  by  making  three  portages  on  the  latter  river,  the  first  of  which,  in  de- 
scending, is  1200  paces  at  the  falls  of  Columbia,  2t)l  miles  up  the  river;  tlie  second,  of  two  miles,  at  the 
long  narrows,  six  miles  below  the  falls ;  and  a  third,  also  of  two  miles,  at  the  great  Rapids,  65  miles  still 
lower  down.  The  tide  flows  up  the  Columbia  1S3  miles,  and  within  seven  miles  of  the  great  Rapids. 
Large  sloops  may  with  safety  ascend  as  high  as  tide-water,  and  vessels  of  300  tons  burden  reach  the 
mouth  of  the  Multnomah  river,  a  large  branch  of  the  Columbia,  which  takes  its  rise  on  the  confines  of 
New  Mexico,  with  the  Callerado  and  Apostles  Rivers,  discharging  itself  into  the  Columbia,  125  miles 
from  its  entrance  into  the  Pacific  Ocean.  I  consider  this  tract  across  the  continent  of  immense  advan- 
tage to  the  fur  trade,  as  all  the  furs  collected  in  nine  tenths  of  the  most  valuable  fur  country  in  America, 
may  be  conveyed  to  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  and  shipped  from  thence  to  the  East  Indies,  by  the 
first  of  August  in  each  year,  and  will  of  course  reach  Canton  earlier  than  tiie  furs  which  are  annually 
exported  from  Montreal  arrive  in  Great  Britain. 

"  !n  our  outward-bound  voyage,  we  ascended  to  the  foot  of  the  Rapids  below  the  great  falls  of  the 
Missouri,  where  we  arrived  on  the  Hth  of  June,  1805.  Not  having  met  willi  any  of  the  natives  ot  the 
Rocky  mountains,  we  were  of  course  ignorant  of  the  passes  by  land  which  existed  through  these  moun- 
taiEis  to  llie  Columbia  river,  and  had  we  even  known  the  route,  we  were  destitute  of  horses,  which  would 
have  been  indispensably  necessary  to  enable  us  to  transport  the  requisite  quantity  of  ammunition  and 
other  stores  to  ensure  the  remaining  part  of  our  voyage  down  the  Columbia,  we  therefore  tltferniincd  to 
navigate  the  Missouri,  as  far  as  it  was  practicable,  or  unless  we  met  with  some  of  the  natives  from  whom 
we  could  obtain  horses,  and  information  of  the  country.  Accordingly,  we  took  a  most  laborious  portage 
at  the  fall  of  the  Missouri,  of  IS  miles,  which  we  elTected,  with  our  canoes  and  baggage,  by  the  3d  of 
July.  From  thence,  ascending  the  Missouri,  we  penetrated  the  Rocky  mountain  at  the  distance  of  7  1 
miles  above  the  upper  part  of  the  portage,  and  penetrated  as  far  as  the  three  forks  of  that  river,  a  dis- 
tance of  180  miles  furllier.  Here  the  Missouri  divides  into  three  nearly  equal  branches  at  the  same  point  ; 
the  two  largest  branches  are  so  nearly  of  the  same  dignity,  tiiat  we  did  not  conceive  that  either  of  them 
could,  with  propriety,  retain  the  name  of  the  Missouri  ;  and  therefore  called  these  streams  Jefferson's, 
Madison's,  and  Gallatin's  rivers.  The  confluence  of  these  rivers  is  2S4S  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Missouri  by  the  meanders  of  that  river.  We  arrived  at  the  three  forks  of  the  Missouri  the  '.'71h  of  July. 
Not  having  yet  been  so  fortunate  as  to  meet  with  the  natives  although  1  had  previously  made  several  ex- 
ertions for  that  purpose,  we  were  compelled  to  continue  our  route  by  water. 

"  Tlie  most  northerly  of  the  three  forks,  that  to  which  we  have  given  the  name  of  Jefferson's  river, 
was  deemed  the  most  proper  for  our  purpose,  and  we  accordingly  ascended  it  248  miles,  to  the  upper 
fork,  and  its  extreme  navigable  point.  On  the  morning  of  the  17th  August,  1805,  I  arrived  at  the 
forks  of  Jell'erson's  river,  where  I  met  Captain  Lewis  who  had  previously  penetrated  with  a  party  of 
three  men  to  the  waters  of  the  Columbia,  discovered  a  band  of  the  Shoshone  nation,  and  had  found 
means  to  induce  35  of  their  chiefs  and  warriors  to  accompany  him  to  that  place.  From  these  people  we 
learned  that  the  river  on  which  they  resided  was  not  navigable,  and  that  a  passage  through  the  moun- 
tains in  that  direction  was  impracticable.  Being  unwilling  to  confide  in  this  unfavorable  account  of  the 
natives,  it  was  concerted  between  Captain  Lewis  and  myself,  that  one  of  us  siiould  go  forward  immedi- 
ately with  a  small  party  and  explore  the  river  ;  while  the  other,  in  the  interim,  should  lay  up  the  canoes 
at  that  place,  and  engage  the  natives  with  their  horses  to  assist  in  transporting  our  stores  and  baggage  to 

their 


LIEUT.  CLARKE'S  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  EXPEDITION.         'ioS 

their  camp.  Accordingly  I  set  out  next  clay,  passed  the  dividing  mountains  between  the  Missouri  and 
Columbia,  and  descended  the  river,  which  I  since  called  the  east  fork  of  Lewis's  river,  about  70  miles- 
Finding  that  the  Indians'  account  of  the  country  in  the  direction  of  that  river  was  correct,  I  returned  to 
Captain  Lewis  on  August  29,  at  the  Shoshone  camp,  excessively  fatigued  as  you  may  suppose:  having 
passed  mountains  almost  inaccessible,  and  been  compelled  to  subsist  on  berries  during  the  greater  part  of 
my  route.  We  now  purchased  seventeen  horses  of  the  Indians,  and  hired  a  guide,  who  assured  us  that  he 
could  in  fifteen  days  take  us  to  a  large  river  in  an  open  country  west  of  those  mountains,  by  a  route  some 
distance  to  the  north  of  the  river  on  which  they  lived,  and  that  by  which  the  natives  west  of  the  moun- 
tains visit  the  plains  of  Missouri,  for  the  purpose  of  hunting  the  buffalo.  Every  preparation  being  made, 
we  set  forward  the  3 1st  of  August,  tlirough  these  tremendous  mountains,  in  which  we  continued  until  the 
22d  of  September,  before  we  renchcd  the  lower  country  beyond  them.  On  our  way  we  met  with  the  Ole- 
lachshook,  a  band  of  the  Tuckapacks,  from  whom  we  obtained  seven  horses,  and  exchanged  eight  or  ten 
others ;  this  proved  of  infinite  service  to  us,  as  we  were  compelled  to  subsist  on  horse  beef  about  eight  days 
tefore  we  reached  the  Kooskooke.  During  our  passage  over  these  mountains  we  suffered  every  thing 
which  hunger,  cold,  and  fatigue  could  impose  ;  nor  did  our  difficulties  terminate  on  arriving  at  the  Koos- 
kooke, for,  although  the  Pollotepallors,  a  numerous  nation  inhabiting  that  country,  were  extremely  hos- 
pitable, and  for  a  few  trifling  articles  furnished  us  with  abundance  of  roots  and  dried  salmon,  the  food  to 
which  they  were  accustomed,  we  found  we  could  not  subsist  on  these  articles,  and  almost  all  of  us  grew 
sick  on  eating  them  ;  we  were  therefore  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  the  flesh  of  horses  and  dogs,  as  food, 
to  make  up  the  deficiency  of  our  guns,  whicli  produced  but  little  meat,  as  game  was  scarce  in  that  vici- 
nity, where  we  were  compelled  to  remain  to  construct  our  perogues  to  descend  the  river.  At  this  season 
the  salmon  are  meagre,  and  form  but  indifferent  food.  While  we  remained  here  I  was  myself  sick  several 
davs,  and  my  friend.  Captain  Lewis  suffered  a  severe  indisposition. 

"  Having  completed  four  perogues  and  a  small  canoe,  we  gave  our  horses  in  charge  to  the  Pollotepal- 
lors until  we  returned,  and  on  the  7tli  of  October  re-embarked  for  the  Pacific  Ocean.  We  descended  by 
the  route  abovementioned.  The  water  being  low  at  this  season,  we  experienced  much  difficulty  in 
descending  ;  we  found  it  obstructed  by  a  great  number  of  dangerous  rapids,  in  pa<;sing  which  our  perogues 
several  times  filled,  and  the  men  narrowly  escaped  with  their  lives.  This  difficulty  does  not  exist  in  high 
water,  which  happens  within  the  period   I  have  previously  mentioned.     We  found  the  natives  extremely 

merous  and  generally  friendly,  though  we  haveon  several  occasions  owed  our  lives,  and  the  fate  of  the 
xpedition,  to  our  number  which  consisted  of  thirty-one  men.  On]  the  17th  of  November  we  reached 
the  ocean,  wht-re  various  considerations  induced  us  to  spend  the  winter ;  we  searched  for  an  eligible  situa- 
tion for  that  purpose,  and  selected  a  spot  on  the  south  side  of  the  little  river  called  by  the  natives  Ncta, 
which  discharges  itself  at  a  small  baron  the  south  side  of  the  Columbia,  and  fourteen  miles  within  Point 
Adams.  Here  we  constructed  some  log-houses,  defended  by  a  common  stockade  work  ;  this  place  was 
called  fort  Clatsop,  after  a  nation  of  that  name,  who  were  our  nearest  neighdours.  AVe  found  here  abun- 
dance of  elk,  on  which  we  principally  suljsisted  duringthe  last  winter.  We  left  fort  Clatsop  the  27th 
of  March.  On  our  homeward  voyage,  being  much  better  acquainted  with  the  country,  we  were  enabled 
to  take  such  precautions  as  in  a  great  measure  secured  us  from  the  want  of  provisions,  and  greatly  lessened 
our  fatigues,  compared  to  those  we  were  compelled  to  submit  to  in  the  outward  journey.  We  have  not  lost 
a  man  since  we  left  the  Mandians,  a  circumstance,  I  assure  you,  which  is  a  pleasing  consideration  to  me. 
As  I  shall  be  shortly  with  you,  and  the  post  is  waiting,  I  deem  it  unnecessary  to  attempt  to  detail  the  oc- 
currences of  the  last  eighteen  months.     I  am, 

"  Your  affectionate  brother, 

"  W.  CLARKE." 


nu 
ex 


234' 


CHAP.  XVII. 


THE  L.\W« — JUDGES  —  PROCRASTINATION  —  TERM  REPORTS  —  BANKRUPT-IA  W — FA- 
flLITV  OF  EVAUINO  IT — EXAMPLE  OF  FRAUDULENT  BANKRUPTCY  —  NECESSITY 
OF    A    DIFFERENT    SYSTEM. 


In  the  United  States  law  is  easy  of  access,  and  the  expence  very  small, 
compared  to  tliat  of  the  English  courts.  The  people  are  naturally  in- 
clined to  litigation,  the  offspring  of  chicanery.  In  the  county  courts, 
which  generally  sit  four  times  in  the  year,  it  is  surprising  to  see  the 
numbers  of  people  asseml)led  in  a  part  which  you  would  judge  to  be 
very  thinly  inhabited.  Most  of  them  have  a  cause  upon  the  docket, 
and  the  reihaindcr  come,  as  they  call  it,  "  for  a  frolic,"  which  produces 
intoxication;  and  in  the  southern  states,  all  those  dreadful  and  savage 
combats,  which  will  be  hereafter  particularly  described. 

Tlie^judges  of  the  supreme  courts,  as  in  England,  are  appointed  for 
life,  and  are  removable  from  their  ofHce  only  by  impeachment.  A  chiefs 
and  four  associate  judges  preside  in  the  superior  court  of  record.  They 
go  the  circuit  of  the  Union  twice  a  year,  and  in  each  state  hold  a  fede- 
ral, or  government  court,  where  all  affairs  relating  to  the  union,  and 
matters  of  great  import,  are  determined.  They  are  associated  and 
assisted  in  these  circuits  by  district  judges.  Every  state  has  a  resi- 
dent district  judge,  and  under  him  arc  courts  of  law  and  equity  which 

take 


SYSTEM   OF   AMERICAN   LAW — PROCRASTINATION.  23.5 

take  cognizance  of  such  business,  arising  in  their  state  onl}',  as  maj^  not 
be  of  suflicient  importance  to  be  brought  before  the  Federal  Court. 
Thus  we  find  that  each  state  is  independent  of  the  rest,  and  yet  the 
vhole  are  subject  to  the  federal  government. 

The  common  law  and,  in  short,  the  whole  jurisprudence  of  the  country, 
is  grounded  upon  the  English  statutes ;  except  where  they  are  re- 
i)U""nant  to  a  republican  form  of  government.  The  distribution  of 
property  is  equalized  in  cases  of  intestacy.  The  right  of  primogeni- 
ture is  taken  away,  and  the  widow  and  the  children  share  alike.  The 
estate  of  the  intestate  is  vested  in  the  courts  established  for  that  purpose, 
and  generally  called  the  Orphan  Court.  A  man  may  by  will  bequeath 
his  property  to  his  family  in  such  shares  and  proportions  as  he  may  think 
fit,  provided  reason  govern  the  deed.  Instances  have  often  occurred, 
■where  a  capricious  or  unjust  demise  has  been  made  to  the  exclusion  of 
children,  that  such  will  has  been  set  aside,  and  an  equitable  distribution 
decreed.  In  demurrer,  and  all  questions  on  law,  American  practitioners 
quote,  and  the  courts  admit,  the  reports  of  adjudications  of  the  courts  of 
record  at  Westminster.* 

The  lawyers  do  the  whole  business  of  their  suits,  from  the  issuing  of 
the  writ,  to  final  judgment.  Though  the  proceedings  for  bringing  a 
suit  upon  the  docket  are  unclogged  with  most  of  the  formalities  which 
render  justice  so  expensive  in  England;  yet  the  lawyers  in  America 
can  find  cause  for  procrastination  as  readily  as  their  European  brethren. 
I  cannot  adopt  a  better  method  of  giving  the  reader  an  idea  of  their 
proceedings,  than  by  subjoining  some  selections  from  their  Term  Reports 
lately  published  at  Philadelphia, 

*  At  the  trial  of  the  impeachment  of  Judge  Cliase,  in  the  court,  the  highest  in  tlie  United  States,  and 
there  operating  like  the  house  of  lords  in  England,  Mac  Nally's  Rules  of  Evidence,  a  recent  authority, 
^ere  frequently  recurred  to. 

*v:  2  H  "SUPREME 


'22(j  IZXrHACTS   OF  TtRM    I(i:i'(»Rrs. 

'•  S-LI'UEMi-  COURT  Ol-   I'KNNSVLVAMA. 

"  Momlni/,   December '2,   1803. 

"  Present — Judges  Yeates,  Smith,  and  Brackenridge. 

"  Tlie  attorney-genera],  in  a  speech  of  two  hours,  concluded  the  cau.sc 
of*  Commonwealth,  vs.  Dennie.  This  speech  might  have  been  d<  li- 
vered,  and  the  cause  concluded  on  Saturday  evening  at  the  nisi  pri-.js, 
but  the  court  adjourned  at  seven,  and  three  hours  were  lost. 

"  Alter  the  charge  was  given,  and  the  juiy  had  retired,  Judge  \  eates 
took  u[)  the  list  of  trials. 

"  Ashley  v.  ^Miller  was  the  first  cause,  it  had  been  depending  six  years. 
Mr.  Rawle  hoped  it  would  be  delayed  for  a  few  days,  as  Mr.  \A'att, 
from  Carlisle,  one  of  the  defendant's  counsel,  had  not  arrived  in  town. 
INIr.  IngersoU  earnestly  remonstrated  against  deranging  the  list,  and 
hoped  that  the  court  would  take  up  and  dispose  of  the  causes  in  their  re- 
gular order,  as  otherwise  he  was  sure  there  would  be  nothing  but  delay, 
irregularity,  and  confusion.  The  court,  however,  ordered  it  to  be  post- 
poned till  \ycdnesday  morning. 

•'  The  next  cause  was  M'Call  v.  Leniaire— six  years  old.  "Mr.  Hop- 
kinson  fur  tlie  defendant  hoped  as  the  former  action  was  fixed  for  Wed- 
nesday, this  might  be  fixed  for  Thursday  morning.  Mr.  Tilghman 
said  there  was  no  reason  for  it  in  this  case,  as  there  Ava.s  in  the  other, 
Mr.  Hopkinson  replied,  that  one  furnished  a  reason  for  the  other.  Judge 
Yeates  said  to  Mr.  Hopkinson,  "  Sir,  the  court  do  not  concur  with  you 
as  to  that  inference. 

"  M'Call   V.   Lemaire   was  fixed  for  the  afternoon.     Adjourned  till 

three  P.  M. 

"  Monday 


EXTRACTS   OF   TI.RM    REPORT>.  •.■?7 

"  Monday  afternoon,  December  2. 

"Jury  sworn  in  M'Call  vs.  Lemaire,  at  about  half  past  three.  At 
seven  the  court  adjourned — the  cause  unfinished —three  hours  lost 
again. 

"  LIBERTY    OF   THE    PRESS. 

"  Respublica  v  Joseph  Dcnnie,   Esq. 

"The  trial  of  this  indictment,  which  has  been  depending  since  1803, 
for  a  libel  on  democracy,  was  begun  on  Friday  la^t  in  the  court  of 
nisi  prius;  and  we  are  happy  to  state  that,  after  an  ingenious  and  ela- 
borate discussion  bv  the  counsel  on  both  sides,  which  was  listened  to 
with  unusual  patience  and  attention  by  an  upright  and  impartial  jurv, 
the  defendant  was  yesterday  pronounced  to  be  "  Not  Guilty." 

"Wednesday,  Dec.  A,   1805. 

"At  the  opening  of  the  court  in  the  morning,  Ashley  v.  Miller,  which 
liad  been  tixed  for  this  day,  was  continued  by  consent  of  parties. 

"The  jury  were  then  sworn  in  the  cause  of  Sparks  v.  Garrigues,  in 
which  the  court  and  jury  were  engaged  until  half  past  one,  when  an 
adjournment  took  place.  At  half  past  three,  P.  M.  the  court  met. 
Sparks  v.  Garrigues  was  proceeded  in;  at  half  past  seven,  in  the  midst 
of  the  speech  of  Mr.  Levy,  of  counsel  with  the  plaintiff,  the  court  ad- 
journed. The  reporter  is  not  sure  whether  tlio  proposal  for  adjournment 
came  from  the  court  or  the  counsel;  he  thinks  it  was  from  the  former; 
two  hours  and  a  half  lost.  Mem. — Judge  Washington*  sat  till  ten 
o'clock,  and  even  eleven,  if  necessary. 

*  k  judge  of  the  supreme  federal  courts. 

2  u  2  "  Thursday, 


-23Q  EXTUACTS   OF  TEK-M    KEl'On^■^^ 

"Thunduij,  Dec.  o, 

"  In  the  niornin^'  Mr.  Levy  rcsiiincd  liis  address  to  the  jury  in  Sparks  v.. 
Cilarrigncs,  which  he  finished  at  twelve.  Mr.  liawle  lijr  the  dtlindant 
(the  conchiding- counsel)  hegan.  his  reply,  aiul  spuke  till  half  past  oikv 
when  the  court  adjourned. 

"Afternoon. 
"  Mr.  Rawlc  continued  in  Sparks  v.  Garrigues,  and  finished  at  four. 

"  The  charge  was  given,  and  the  jury  withdrew. 

"  The  list  of  trials  was  then  taken  up,  Duane  \.  Dunlop  was  called.. 
Counsel  on  hoth  sides  ready — only  six  jurymen  appeared,  six  of  those- 
on  the  pannel  in  this  cause  being  out  in  the  case  of  Sparks  v.  Garrigue^. 
Mr.  Rodney,  of  counsel  with  the  plaintiff)  prayed  the  court  to  award 
a  "  tales."  No  sheriff  or  officer  was  in  court.  On  sending  to  the  she- 
riff, an  officer  came  in;  the  court  reprimanded  him,  and  through  him 
the  sheriff,  for  neglect  of  duty,  saying  they  ought  alwa}'s  to  he  attended 
by  an  ofticer. 

"When  the  "  talesmen"  were  about  to  be  collected,  Mr.  Rodney  said,, 
the  cause  of  Duane  v.  Dunlop  was  of  a  particular  nature,  and  he  Mas 
rather  desirous  of  having  the  jury  from  the  original  jxmnel.     Mr.  In- 
gersol,  for  the  defendant  joined  him  in  this  wish.     Mr.  Rodney,  how- 
ever, said,  he  did  not  desire  any  other  cause  tw  be  tried  first,  lest  it 
should  occupy  the  whole  week,  and  he  should  lose  his  chance,  and 
rather  than  run  that  risk,  he  would  take   "talesmen."     The  counsel  in 
several  other  causes  said  they  were  reatly. — The  court  said,  if  any  short 
cause  couUl  be  brought  on  by  consent,  so  as  to  occupy  the  evening,, 
they  should  have   no  objection.     Mr.   Dallas  mentioned   the   case  of 
Thompson  vs.  Warder,  as  one  of  that  description,  in  which  he  was  ready 
for  the  plaintiff.     Mr.  Ilallowell  ibr  tlic  defendant  said,. he  would  ratber- 

4  be- 


EXTRACTS   OF  TERM   REPORTS.  SJ3t> 

be  excused  from  trying  it  out  of  the  order  of  the  list.  The  court  then 
ailjourned  lictbre  five  o'clock,  saying  they  tliought  it  right  to  wait  till 
morning,  in  order  to  obtain  the  jurors  mentioned  in  the  paanel,  and 
struck  liDr  the  case  of  Duanc  v.  Dunlop;  as  it  was  ;)arUciilarly  circum- 
stanced. The  general  sentiment  seemed  to  be  in  fivor  of  their  adjourn- 
ment for  this  purpose;  and  the  reporter  is  not  disposed  to  withhold  hi& 
approbation,  merely  observing,  tha4:  seven  or  eight  jurors  who  had  been 
summoned  in  Duane  v.  Dunlop,  exclusive  of  those  who  were  out  in 
the  cause  of  Sparks  v.  Garrigues,  did  not  answer  when  called;  that 
they  were  neither  fined  nor  any  notice  taken  of  their  non-attendaiice,, 
altiiouuh  their  absence  occasioned  the  loss  of  live  hours. 


-CIRCUIT  COURT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

"JANUARY    TERM. 

"  Lord  Carteretf  devisee  of 
"  Earl  Granville  v.  Collins  and  Allen. 

"  This  was  an  ejectment  cause,  brought  forward  by  the  devisee  of 
Earl  Granville,  who  claimed  as  proprietor  of  the  soil,  under  an  ancient 
grant  from  England,  long  previous  to  the  American  revolution;  and 
which  came  on  to  be  tried  at  June  term,  when  a  demurrer  was  offered 
to  the  evidence  of  the  defendants,  and  a  joinder  therein,  thereby  taking 
the  trial  of  the  cause  from  the  jury,  and  referrin ;  it  to  the  court  upon 
the  law  of  the  ease  merely.  When  this  demurrer  came  on  for  argument 
at  this  term,  it  was  moved  for  the  defendants  that  the  deauirrer  should  be 
withdrawn,  and  a  repleader  ordered,  upon  the  ground  that  the  parties 
demurring  were  in  the  affirmative  of  the  propositions,  and  the  evidence 
of  the  detendants  was  of  a  negative  nature;  that  neither  the  legality  of 
the  evidence  of  the  defendants  only  was  embraced  by  the  issue,  and 

nets 


•46  liXTKACrs   OF  TLll.M   REPORTS. 

not  that  of  the  plaintiffs,  and  therefore  a  judgment  upon  the  denuurer 
■would  not  he  decisive  of  the  question,  or  else  the  issue  as  joined  must 
admit  the  truth  of  tlie  plaintiff's  own  evidence. 

"The  consideration  of  this  preliminary  question  the  court  reserved, 
without  prejudice  to  either  party,  and  ordered  an  argument  upon  the 
main  (piestion.  This  arginnent  was  opened  on  Thursday,  hy  Mr.  Gas- 
ton, for  the  plaintiffs,  at  great  length,  and  with  much  method,  perspi- 
cuity, elegance,  and  strength — the  defence  was  argued  on  Friday  hy 
Messrs.  Cameron,  Baker,  and  Woods,  with  great  ingenuity,  skill,  and 
force,  and  the  argument  was  closed  on  Saturday  hy  Mr.  Harris  for  tlie 
plaintiffs,  with  much  learning  and  ability.  The  court  have  reserved  the 
consideration  of  the  principal  question  also ;  and  it  is  believed  that 
judgment  will  be  rendered  at  the  next  term,  but  for  wliom  it  will  be 
given  no  hint  has  been  dropped.  The  counsel  for  the  defendants  made 
the  following  points  in  their  defence  : 

••  1st.  That  by  the  mere  effects  of  the  revolution  the  plaintiffs  were 
divested  of  their  right,  and  the  land  in  question  became  the  properly  of 
the  state. 

"  2nd.  That  by  the  2oth  section  of  the  declaration  of  rights,  the 
lands  in  question  are  declared  to  be  the  property  of  the  people  of  this 
state,  and  to  be  by  them  held  in  sovereignty,  thereby  destroying  the 
plaintiff's  right. 

"  3rd.  That  the  plaintiff's  right,  if  not  before  taken  away,  or  lost, 
was  forfeited  and  divested  by  the  confiscation  and  entry  laws  of  this 
state. 

"  4th.  That  the  plaintiffs  are  aliens,  and  therefore  cannot  inherit 
lauds  in  this  state. 

*'  5th. 


EXTRACTS    OF   TERM    REPCiRTS.  24 1 

"  5th.  That  the  plaintiffs  are  barred  of  recovery  by  the  acts  of  limi- 
tation. 

"  The  points  made  by  the  plaintiff's  counsel  were  intended  to  meet 
the  objection  to  a  recovery  arising  out  of  tlie  points  relied  on  by  de- 
fendants. 

"  It  \vas  said  by  them,  that  the  revolution  had  no  effect  on  private 
rights;  that  it  occasioned  on'y  a  change  of  sovereignty  in  the  country  ; 
that  the  21th  article  of  the  bill  of  rights,  Avhich  speaks  of  the  |iro|)ertv 
of  the  soil  being  one  of  the  essential  rights  of  the  collective  bodv  of  tin* 
people,  had  relation  only  to  the  territorial  rights  and  did  not  affect  the 
title  of  Earl  Granville;  that  in  1744,  seven-eighths  of  the  lords  propri- 
etors of  the  Carolinas  having  disposed  of  their  rights  and  immunities 
to  the  king,  the  Granville  family  retained  one-eighth  share  only,  and 
that  divested  of  all  its  sovereign  appendages;  that  they  therefore  could 
be  considered  only  as  common  subjects,  whose  property  was  not  affected 
by  the  revolution.  With  respect  to  the  confiscation-laws,  they  were 
silent  respecting  this  property  ;  the  estates  of  others  had  been  confis- 
cated by  name,  but  this  had  not  been  touched  :  that  the  law  j^roviding- 
for  the  entry  of  lands  had,  it  was  acknowledged,  been  considered  as 
making  this  land  liable  to  entry  ;  but  though  this  had  been  the  general 
opinion,  it  was  no  proof  it  was  a  correct  one.  They  contended  it  was 
not,  as  the  land  had  been  already  granted,  and  all  granted  land  is  ex- 
pressly excepted  by  this  law.  But,  supposing  this  property  had  beea 
forfeited,  either  by  the  revolution  or  the  confiscation-laws,  the  state  had 
never  become  seised  of  it  by  any  office  found,  and  therefore  could  not 
legally  grant  it. 

"  With  respect  to  alienage,  it  was  insisted  that  as  Lord  Carteret,  (the- 
present  plaintiff)  was  born  a  subject  of  Great-Britain,  he  could  not  be- 
come an  alien  to  his  fellow-subjects  by  the  revolution  ;  and  as  they  con- 
3  sidered 


24-3  BANKRUPT    LAW, 

sidcrcd  the  grant  of  the  hind  in  question  us  \  uid,  having  been  alroaciy 
granted  by  the  king  to  the  pUiintitt)  the  act  of  hmitation  could  not 
operate  in  its  favor. 

"  Col,  A.  Martin  spoke  at  some  length,  as  an  amicKs  curia,  in  favor 
of  the  defendants. 

"  The  decision  of  this  cause  is  all  important  to  the  people  of  this  state, 
two  thirds  of  all  the  soil  being  involved  in  it." 

A  bankrupt  law,  modelled  from  those  of  England,  passed  the  houses 
of  congress  on  the  4th  of  April,  1800,  and  was  repealed  in  December, 
1803.  The  enormities  committed  under  the  cloak  of  this  act;  the  in- 
efficacy  of  a  democratic  government  to  carry  their  laM's  into  execution  ; 
added  to  the  facility  with  \vhich  villains  could  with  impunity  defraud 
their  creditors,  loudly  called  for  its  repeal. 

A  regular  system  of  bankruptcy  throughout  so  extensive  a  territory 
as  the  United  States,  was  almost  impracticable.  The  abuse  was  soon 
found  to  exceed  tlie  benefit.  The  district  judge,  one  of^vhom  is  ap- 
pointed in  every  state,  and  who  is  of  a  subordinate  rank  to  the  federal 
judge,  issued  the  commissions  against  the  bankru|)ts,  and  was  supposed 
to  preside  over  the  business  ;  but  the  first  and  the  last  proceedings  -were 
the  whole  that  he  had  occasion  to  concern  himself  about.  He  received 
a  fee  for  the  commission,  and  another  for  the  certificate. 

The  process  was  soon  reduced  to  mere  matter  of  form.  For  instance : 
—Suppose  an //o;je«Miierchant  of  V^irginia  finds  it  either  necessary  or 
convenient  to  avail  himself  of  the  bankrupt  law,  in  a  place  far  distant 
from  the  residence  of  the  district  judge.  A  couple  of  his  good  frkmh 
mount  their  horses,  and  post  away  to  his  honor,  relate  their  case,  take 
the  necessary  oaths,  give  the  names  of  other  good  friends,  as  sccuritj-, 

or 


FRAUDS    COMMITTED    UNDER    THE   BANKRUPl'   LAWS.  243 

or  rather,  in  this  case,  as  pledges  to  prosecute.  This  being  the  whole 
required  in  the  first  proceeding,  his  honor  grants  a  commission,  bonds 
are  filled  up,  and  the  said  friends  are  to  have  them  duly  executed,  and 
returned  to  him  by  post,  with  names  at  least  as  necessary  as  John  Doe 
and  Richard  Roe,  at  the  bottom  of  a  declaration,  in  Banco-Regis,  on 
an  assumpsit,  on  whom,  if  called  upon  for  a  breach  of  condition,  his 
honor  would  fi-equently  find  the  return  to  his  writ,  "  non  est  inventus." 

Commissioners  having  been  named  (three  more  friends  to  the 
business)  they  advertise  in  some  obscure  weekly  newspaper,  or  by 
notice  stuck  upon  the  court  or  meeting-house  door,  a  declaration 
of  bankruptcy  against  their  unfortunate  friend,  with  a  notice  to  him 
to  surrender,  &c.  These  forms  having  been  gone  through,  the 
bankrupt  makes  his  discovery,  assignees  take  possession,  a  dividend 
is  made,  the  certificate  signed  ;"  all  w4iich  actings  and  doings  were  had, 
made,  done,  and  executed,  without  any  lawful  let,  suit,  trouble,  de- 
nial, eviction,  or  interruption  whatsoever."  The  bankrupt  soon  opens 
his  "  store  "  again,  with  a  fresh  assortment  of  goods. 

Such  is  a  faint  sketch  of  the  proceedings  under  an  American  conunis" 
sion  of  bankruptcy.  In  Norfolk,  in  Virginia,  the  evil  was  grow  ing  to 
so  alarming  a  height,  that  Mr.  Newton,  a  young  lawyer  of  good  abili- 
ties, and  the  representative  in  congress  of  that  to\Mi,  at  the  desire  of  the 
more  virtuous  part  of  his  constituents,  brought  in  the  bill  to  repeal  the 
law. 

A  commission  of  bankruptcy  was  declared  in  the  Norfolk  Herald, 
about  the  end  of  the  year  180:^,  to  have  been  awarded  and  issued  against 
John  Proudfit,  of  the  borough  of  Norfolk,  merchant;  and  his  failure 
was  calculated  to  be  for  twenty  thousand  dollars.  Bankrupts  in  Ame- 
rica, as  in  England,  must,  upon  oath,  deliver  up  their  whole  property 
to  their  assignees,  and  make  a  full  disclosure  of  all  debts  due  to  them, 

2  I  before 


244  INSTANCE   OF   ABUSE   OF  THE   BANKRUPT   LAWS. 

before  they  can  obtain  a  certificate.  In  Amcricu,  the  bankrupt,  on  bis 
eftt'Cts  producing  a  certain  ratio  in  the  poutui,  was  allowed  a  small  part 
in  proportion  to  the  dividenel.  Concealment  of  property  is  in  England, 
as  in  the  case  of  Bolland,  a  ca|)ital  otience,  and  for  which  he  suffered 
death.  The  law  in  this  rcs|")ect  in  America  was  severe,  but  very  few 
crimes  are  tliere  punished  with  death. 

So  expeditious!}'  did  ^Ir.  Proudfit's  commission  of  bankruptcy  pass 
through  all  the  legal  forms,  that  we  find  him  certified,  and  advertising 
a  fresh  assortment  of  goods  for  sale,  by  computation  of  the  value  of 
forty  thousand  dollars,  in  about  six  montiis  from  the  time  it  was  issued. 

To  his  invoice  of  goods,  wares,  and  merchandise,  and  (iw  merchants 
in  America  could  produce  one  much  superior,  must  be  added,  a  dwel- 
ling-house completely  furnished,  and  rented  of  John  Taylor,  an  English- 
man, well  known  in  Manchester,  at  one  hundred  pounds  rent  per 
annum !!! 

That  the  above  is  the  true  amount  stated  in  Proudfit's  advertisement, 
Messrs.  Willett  and  O'Conner,  printei^s  of  the  Norfolk  Herald,  can 
attest ;  that  he  became  a  certified  bankrupt  r.  very  few  months  previous 
to  the  insertion  of  the  advertisement,  every  inhabitant  of  Norfolk  well 
knows;  and,  that  he  rented  and  furnished  a  house  immediately  after 
hi«  bankruptcy,  Mr.  Taylor  can  prove.     "  How  are  we  ruined  !" 

The  bankrui)tlaw  being  repealed,  the  insolvent,  and  such  as  choose  to 
defraud  their  creditors,  can  still  effect  their  purposes,  if  not  so  efl^ectually, 
certainly  with  less  trouble  and  more  speed  by  the  old  law,  which  yet 
remains  in  force  ;  the  diflerence  consisting  in  liberating  the  body  only, 
leaving  the  goods  afterwards  acquired  at  the  mercy  of  the  creditor.  To 
describe  the  mode,  I  shall  quote  the  words  of  a  Philadelphian  on  the 
subject. 

"  The 


BAD  EFFECTS   PRODUCED   BY  THE   INSOLVENT  LAWS.  2^45 

"  The  laws  of  the  American  states  are  much  too  favorahle  to  debtors 
wilhng  to  detiaud  their  creditors.  A  man  who  owes  more  than  he 
chooses  to  pay,  in  America,  may  transfer  his  property,  by  a  secret  as- 
signment, to  some  confidential  friend,  sutl^er  himself  to  be  laid  in  prison 
tor  debt,  then,  after  a  few  day's  imprisonment,  swear  that  he  has  nothing 
in  the  world  wherewith  to  satisfy  his  creditors,  come  out  of  prison  free 
from  any  claims  of  creditors,  resume  the  projjcrty  of  which  he  had  made 
a  trust-transfer,  and  renew  his  business,  a  richer  and  more  flourishing 
man  than  before.*  This  laxity  and  facility  of  the  laws  of  insolvency  in 
America  have  proved  ftital  to  the  reputation  of  American  commercial 
faith.  It  is  certain  that  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  bankrujjtcies  in 
London  are  occasioned  by  disappointments  of  remittances  from  America. 
An  English  merchant,  kiiown  to  trade  largely  with  America,  would  at 
that  moment  be  judged  to  be,  and  for  that  reason  alone,  of  very  sus- 
picious solvency.  It  is  astonishing  that  the  legislature  of  the  United 
States  should  not  perceive  that  it  is  of  the  greatest  importance  to  make 
the  commercial  credit  of  their  country  as  good  as  possible  ;  and  that  it 
is  utterly  impossible  for  any  country  to  be  very  rich  in  commercial  credit, 
unless  its  laws  "be  severe  against  insolvent  debtors,  and  afford  the  utmost 
facility  to  creditors,  especially  to  foreign  creditors,  in  the  recovery  of 
their  debts.  Should  the  merchants  of  America,  in  general,  persist  in 
giving  the  same  trouble,  as  of  late,  to  English  merchants  trusting  them, 
the  necessary  consequence  must  be,  that  within  a  very  short  time,  no 
American  will  be  able  to  procure  one  sixpence  worth  of  goods  to  be 
shipped  for  him  from  London,  unless  he  shall  have  previously  paid  the 
price.  America  will  thus  be,  in  effective  commercial  wealth,  some 
millions  poorer  than  it  is  at  present.  For  to  the  honest,  sensible,  in- 
dustrious merchant,  and  especially  to  every  conmiercial  nation,  credit 

•  Close  imprisonment  is  always  dispensed  with,  on  giving  bonds  for  prison  bounds,  which  are 
generally  of  considerable  extent.  Thus,  men  may  carry  on  their  business  while  the  law  considers 
them  in  prison,  merely  by  removing  within  prison  bounds  ;  nor  can  they  resume  their  property  witliout 
its  being  subject  to  seizure  by  their  former  creditors.  This,  however,  seldom  happens,  for  the  same 
cloak  which  covers  one  iniquity,  generally  conceals  the  other — as  a  lie  often  requires  an  hundred  to  clear 
it  from  imputation. 

2  I  2  is 


24(>  HINTS    rOR  THE   AMENDMIINT   OF   THE   BANKRUPT   LAWS. 

is  more  than  even  ready  money ;  it  is  the  very  lever  of  Arch imectes, 
t-apiihle  of  moving  the  Avorld  from  its  foundation.  To  the  man  who 
has  failed  in  his  wild  speculations,  to  the  s|iendtlirift,  and  to  the  swind- 
ler, it  is  amply  the  means  of  fraud  and  ruin.  We  exhort  the  patriots 
of  America  to  render  their  bankrupt  laws  more  rigorous,  that  their 
public  and  private  credit  may  become  more  worthy  of  a  great  commer^ 
cial  nation." 


CHAF. 


247 


CHAP.  XVIIL 


THE  DRAMA  — ITS  RISE  ANU  PROGRESS  IN  PHI  LA  DELPHI  A  — MR.  COOPER— THE 
NEW  YORK  THEATRE — MR.  HODGKINSON — POVERTY  OF  AMERICAN  MANAGERS 
—  CHARLESTON,     THE     GRAVE     OF     AMERICAN      PERFORMERS — MRS.     WRIGHTEN  — 

MISS      BROADHURST MISS      FONTENELLE MR.    VILLIERS EMINENT      LIVING 

ACTORS  — INDECOROUS    BEHAVIOUR    OE    AN    AMERICAN    AUDIENCE — THEATRICAL. 
CRITICISM. 


JL  HE  first  dramatic  representation  in  the  then  colonies  of  America, 
was  performed  in  Philadelphia,  by  a  small  company  from  England  un^ 
der  the  management  of  Mr.  Douglass,*  father-in-law  to  the  present 
theatrical  veterans,  Mr.  Hallam,  of  the  New  York  theatre,  and  our  fa- 
vorite, Mrs.  Mattocks.  Some  few  years  before  the  commencement  of 
the  revolutionary  war,  Douglass  had  erected  a  regular  theatre  in  Phila- 
delphia, but  that  event, drove  him  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  West  India 
islands. 

*  Williams,  who  acquired  considerable  literary  notoriety  in  Loudon  under  the  assumed  name  of 
Anthony  Pasquin,  and  who  has  since  been  reduced  to  the  drudgery  of  editing  a  Boston  newspaper,  in 
his  late  publication  infilled  "  The  American  Drama,"  shews  that  he  possessed  but  little  information  on 
the  subject.  He  erroneously  asserts  that  "  the  first  theatrical  company  on  record,  who  enacted  in  North 
America,  is  a  little  troop  who  came  from  the  West  Indies,  the  management  of  whitli  devolved  upon  a 
performer  of  the  name  of  Hallam,  who  travelled  and  performed  in  all  principal  towns." 

With  somewhat  more  correctness  he  reprobates  the  custom  of  smoking  segars,  and  drinking,  in  tlie 
American  theatres.  The  ^/</(^  custom  is  now  somewhat  abated — the  ifoi^/y  practice  increases.  The 
lobbies  of  all  American  theatres  are  provided  with  bar-rooms,  to  which  the  men  resort  between  each  act 
to  drink,  and  from  which  the  ladies  are  regaled  in  their  seats  with  glasses  of  their  favorite  beverage. 
Thus,  on  the  fall  of  the  curtain,  the  dashing  fellows  are  in  a  state  of  intoxication.  Smoaking  is  a  still 
greater  evil  in  a  crouded  bouse,  to  prevent  which,  the  managers  are  constantly  making  unavailing 
remonstrances. 

3  '  Peace 


248  THE   OLD   AMERICAN    COMPANY   OF    COMEDIANS. 

Peace  being  restored,  Mr.  Ilallam,  in  rii^litoriiis  fatIuM-in-la\v,  claimed 
the  theatre,  and  went  to  London  for  pertbrriiers.  He  there  acted  Ham- 
let, I  beheve  at  Drury-Uiue,  and  with  .some  success.  Having  formed  a 
connection  with  Mr.  Henry,  who  about  that  time  unsuccessfully  attempt- 
ed the  arduous  part  of  Othello  at  Covent-i^arden,  they  made  up  a  small 
company,  amoni;  whom  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kenna  of  the  Manchester 
theatre,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morris,  ^Ir.  Harper,  a  young  gentleman  of  pro- 
mising abilities,  and  a  few  recruits  from  strolling  companies."  The  thea- 
tre in  Philadelphia  was  fitted  up  and  embellislied  in  a  good  style  ;  the 
scener}',  dresses,  and  decorations,  being  far  superior  to  w  hat  Douglass  had 
exhibited.  The  astonishment  of  the  Americans  at  the  first  representa- 
tion of  a  tragedy  which  required  magnificence  may  easily  be  imagined. 
The  theatre  immediately  became  a  place  of  fashionable  resort,  to  the 
great  emolument  of  the  perlbrmei's. 

In  the  company  was  a  favorite  actor  of  the  name  of  \\'ignal,  who, 
aspiring  to  management,  had  the  address,  in  concert  with  *Mr.  Keinagie, 
a  musician,  and  a  monied  man,  to  obtain  a  large  subscription  towards 
erecting  a  new  and  more  spacious  theatre.  He  saw  the  foundation  laid, 
and  then  embarked  for  England,  in  order  to  form  a  company  w  hich 
might  excel  that  from  which  he  had  lately  seceded.  The  other  mana- 
gers were  not  idle  in  counteracting  his  plans. — ^Ir.  Henry  arrived  before 
him,  and  engaged  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hodgkinson  (late  Miss  Brett)  of  the 
Bath  comjjany,  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Wrighten  of  Drury-lane,  who  at 
that  time  was  under  some  unhappy  domestic  embarrassment,  Mr.  Prig- 
more,  of  the  Rochester  theatre,  and  a  few  others  of  established  re|)uta- 
tion  in  the  provincial  companies.  This  formidable  reinforcement  arrived^ 
and  performed  with  unbounded  applause  a  whole  season  before  the  new 
theatre  opened.  Wignal  was  long  delayed  in  England,  but  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1793  he  arrived  in  the  river  Delaware,  with  a  company  which 
would  have  done  credit  to  a  theatre-royal.  At  this  time  the  yellow  fever 
first  broke  out  in  Philadeli)liia,  and  raged  to  a  most  alarming  degree. 

'J'he 


COMPARATIVE    MERITS   OF   THE   OLD    AND   NEW    COMPANIES.      249 

The  actors  were  landed  at  Wilmington,  30  miles  below  the  seat  of  con- 
tagion, and,  in  the  winter,  opened  their  campaign  in  an  elegant  new 
theatre  in  Chesnut-street.  The  other  theatre,  with  what  was  called  the 
Old  American  Com]:)any,  had  also  commenced  the  season  and  at  no 
period  during  the  management  of  Garrick  at  Drury-lane,  and  Rich  at 
Covent-garden,  was  rivalship  carried  on  with  more  spirit.  The  inhabi- 
tants flocked  alternately  to  each,  tMid  the  comparative  merits  of  the 
companies  formed  the  principal  subject  of  the  day.*  IMr.  Hodgkinson 
had  become  deser\edly  very  j)opular,  and  to  oppose  him,  Mr.  Fennel, 
as  the  champion  of  the  new  company,  came  forward  in  Othello,  and 
was  received  with  bursts  of  applause.  Tu  comic  operas  Mrs.  Wrighten 
had  delighted  the  audience,  su|)ported  by  Mrs.  Hodgkinson,  also  a  hrst- 
rate  singer.  To  these  were  opposed  Mrs.  Oldmixon,  late  Miss  George* 
of  Drury-lane,  INIiss  Broadhurst,  from  Covent-garden,  and  Mrs.  Sey- 
mour, from  the  Portsmouth  theatres;  and  thus  both  houses  gave  a  rich 
musical  treat,  alternately  with  comedy  and  tragedy,  every  night  during 
the  season,  and  to  overflowing  houses.  In  Wignal's  company  were  also 
Chalmers,  formerly  the  harlequin  at  Covent-garden,  but  now  a  first-rate 
comedian;  Darley,  from  the  same  theatre;  young  Blisset,  from  Bath  ; 
Warren,  Francis,  Biddle,  Green,  Finch,  &c.  all  eminent  in  their  line  of 
acting.  Tragedy,  from  the  support  of  Mrs.  Merry,  was  decidedly  in  fa- 
vour of  the  new  companj',  the  other  house  having  no  actress  to  stand  in 
competition  with  her.  On  the  other  hand,  with  the  lively  acting  of 
INIrs.  Hodgkinson,  Mrs.  Henr\%  Mrs.  Hallam,  and  iNlrs.  Morris,  com.edy 
seemed  to  incline  to  the  old  American  comjiany.     The  ballet-dances  at 

•  Mr.  Weld  says,  "  that  it  is  only  a  few  years  past,  since  1770,  tliat  any  public  amusements  liave  been 
suffered  in  tliis  citv  (Philatlelpliia)  ;  the  old  corporation,  which  consisied  mostly  of  the  Quakers,  and  not 
of  the  most  liberal-minded  of  the  city,  having  always  opposed  the  esta'.)lishment  of  any  place  for  that 
purpose."  This  gentleman's  information  on  tiiis  head  is  extremely  defective.  The  year  he  mentions 
was  in  the  very  height  of  the  American  war,  v.  hen  the  mind  of  every  individual  was  engrossed  by 
the  momentous  transactions  of  the  day — when  Philadelphia  was  alternately  in  possession  of  the  contend- 
ing armies.  It  was  this  event  which,  previous  to  1779,  drove  the  comedians  out  of  Philadelphia, 
■whence  they  embarked  for  Jamaica.  There  they  remained  until  the  United  States  acquired  their  inde- 
pendence, and  were  settling  into  tranquillity.  They  had  tlien  been  permitted  to  perform  theatricals  many 
years  previous  to  the  war. 

2  ■  the 


250  PERIORMANCK    AND   TNDUSTnY    OF    MR.   COOPl-R. 

tho  new  theiitre  had  a  powerful  attraction.  Tlu^y  wore  led  hy  Byrne, 
tVom  Covenl-gardfii,  assisted  l)y  Francis,  a  good  dancer,  and  a  favorite 
comic  pertbrmer.  Pliiladelphia,  notwithstanding  the  fever  in  the  sinn- 
iTier,  was  a  scene  of  gaiety  in  the  winter.  Besides  the  attraction  of  the 
theatres.  Rickets  and  Lailson*  had  each  amphitheatres,  where  rival 
horsemanship  and  Burlettas  were  also  well  attended. 

The  next  season,  the  old  company  heing  called  for  in  Xew  York,  and, 
it  is  said,  willing  to  decline  a  further  contest,  left  the  field  to  their  oppo- 
nents.   This  circnmstancc  hy  no  means  abated  the  zeal  of  U  ignal.    Jle 
bronglit  forward  new  pieces  and  fresh  performers.     Among  the  latter 
■\vas  INTr.  Cooper,  whose  abilities  are  known  in   London,  and  who  far 
eclip>-ed  all   competitors  of  the  buskin  ;    but,  as  a  general  actor,   iMr. 
Ilodgkinson  was  the  best  performer  I  have  seen  in  America.    I  lis  death 
Avhich  shall  hereafter  be  particularly  noticed,  was  a  great  loss  to  theatri- 
cal amateurs.     M\\  Cooper  had  a  high  opinion  of  his  own  merit.     lie 
■would  not  enter  into  a  regular  engagement  with  any  of  the  American 
managers;  and  thus  he  lays  them  all  under  contril)ution,  migrating  as 
it  were  in  a  short  space  of  time  from  north  to  south,  and  dividing  the 
profits  of  the  theatre  in  which  he  may  condescend  to  perform.     As  a 
proof  of  this  gentleman's  industry,  alter  acting  his  limited  number  of 
nights  last  season  at  Philadelphia,  he  set  oft'  in  his  phaeton  on  a  Satur- 
day morning,  and  arrived  at  Baltimore  on  IVIonday,  where  he  perform- 
ed on  that  stage  the  same  evening.    He  now  contemplated  a  journey  to 
Charleston,  where  Placide,  formerly  a  rope-dancer  at  Sadler's  Wells, 
has  an  elegant  theatre.     Having  performed  three  nights  at  Baltimore, 
for  the  trifting  consideration  of  a  free  benefit,  he  proceeded  on  his  route 
to  Richmond  in   Virginia,  where  he   performed   the  same  number  of 
nights,    and   on   the   same    terms.     He  arrived  in  Charleston  in  ten 
days,  a  distance    of  between    five    and  six  hundred  miles;    and  after 
skimming  the  theatrical  cream  there,  he  returned  with  eipial  ex|)edition, 
to  the  north,  ready  for  the  opening  of  the  Boston  theatre.     The  great- 

*  I  have  been  informed  that  both  these  men,  at  dinVrcnt  times,  were  drowned  in  returning  to  Europe 
vith  the  property  acquired  bj  their  exhibitions  in  America. 

est 


"HISTORY   OF  THE   OLD   AMERICAN   COMPANY.  2.31 

t-st  part  of  this  rapid  travelling-  lie  performs  with  his  own  horses,  and 
drives  himself  His  horses  fell  sick  at  Baltimore— he  sent  them  to  pas- 
ture, and  purchased  a  fresh  set.  At  Charleston  he  sold  his  new  pur- 
chase at  an  advanced  price,  bought  others,  and  on  las  arrival  again  in 
Baltimore,  he  took  the  former,  being  favorites  and  now  refreshed,  and 
disposed  of  those  he  had  last  driven.  Thus  is  this  theatrical  hero  amass- 
ing a  fortune. 

In  the  New  York  com pan}^  or,  as  it  is  still  called,  the  Old  American 
company,  there  has  long  been  a  kind  of  theatrical  inter-regnum.  On 
the  death  of  Henry,  the  co-partner  of  Hallam,  his  place  was  filled  by 
Hodgkinson,  who  became  joint-proprietor  and  acting-manager,  and  for 
some  time  the  theatre  was  jointly  governed  by  them ;  but  Hallam  grow- 
ing old  and  inactive,  Mr.  Dunlap,  celebrated  as  a  dramatic  writer,  pur- 
chased of  Hallam,  and  entered  upon  an  active  part  in  the  management. 
He  soon  took  the  ostensibility  upon  himself,  the  funds  being  below  par, 
and  Hodgkinson's  extravagant  manner  of  living  rendered  him  unable  to 
maintain  his  ground  as  a  manager.  We  now  find  the  theatre  under  the 
sole  controul  of  Dunlap,  and  Hodgkinson  once  more  merely  a  player. 
AVith  the  pen  Dunlap  did  much,  but,  totally  unacquainted  with  the  in- 
terior regulations  of  a  refractory  company,  he  soon  failed  in  his  specula- 
tion ;  and  at  length  was  obliged  to  give  up  the  whole  to  his  creditors  and 
the  renters,  who  had  subscribed  to  the  building  of  a  large  theatre  in 
the  park  of  New  York,  in  \\hich  the  company  performed  but  a  few 
seasons.  These  proprietoi's  and  creditors  deputed  Tyler  and  Johnson, 
two  of  the  performers,  acting  managers,  Hodgkinson  having  left  the 
company,  and  joined  that  at  Charleston.  They  recalled  Harper,  who 
had  been  some  years  manager  of  the  theatres  in  Boston,  Providence, 
and  Newport  in  Rhode  Island.  Mr.  Harper  is  a  good  [)erformer,  a  great 
favorite,  and  in  his  manners  and  dealings  a  gentleman ;  but  unequal  to 
supply  the  want  of  Hodgkinson.  Sully,  Bailey,  young  Darley,  and  his 
wife,  were  drawn  from  other  theatres.  With  these  performers,  added  to 
tiie  remains  of  the  company,  among  whom  \^as  Mrs.  iMehnoth,  whose 

2  K  name 


23:2  DEATH   OF   MR.  IIODGKIN-ON. 

name  was  a  powerful  attraction,  the  theatrical  campaign  of  180.5  was 
opened  in  New  York.  They  had  not  the  riiihulelpliia  company  to  con- 
tend with  ;  all  opposition  to  them  in  the  same  city,  except  in  respect  to 
Mrs.  Melmoth,  would  now  have  been  in  vain. 

It  appears  that,  notwithstandinjj  the  exertions  of  the  newly-deputed 
managers,  and  their  companv,  matters  did  not  turn  out  to  the  expecta- 
tion of  the  proprietors.  Overtures  were  sent  to  Ilodgkinson,  who  ac- 
cepted the  sole  management,  and  in  consequence  left  Charleston  to  pre- 
pare lor  the  next  season.  He  arrived  late  in  the  summer  in  New  York, 
and  entered  upon  his  oflice.  From  that  place  he  set  off  in  quest  of  per- 
formers, and  a  theatre  being  then  open  in  the  cit)'  of  ^A'ashington,  and 
another  in  Fairfax  county,  Virginia,  he  arrived  at  the  former  place  to 
make  engagements.  It  is  supposed  that  he  had  inhaled  the  pestilerous 
air  of  the  month  of  August  in  New  York,  as,  on  his  arrival  at  the  for- 
mer place,  he  was  seized  with  the  symptoms  of  the  yellow  fever,  which 
in  three  dajs  put  a  period  to  his  life.  At  this  time  it  raged  in  New  ^  ork 
with  dreadful  malignity.  The  people  at  the  hotel  where  he  lodged  tied 
his  chamber  in  affright.  Mr.  Hopkins,  one  of  the  performers  at  Washing- 
ton, who  had  agreed  to  follow  his  fortune  in  New  York,  with  Dr.  May, 
his  physician,  alone  attended  to  him.  'Fhus  perished  John  Ilodgkinson, 
a  man  most  eminent  in  his  profession,  and  highly  respected  by  the  first 
characters  in  America,  His  remains  were  wrapt  in  a  blanket  by  some 
negroes,  who  were  induced  by  a  considerable  re^A■ard  to  perform  the  of- 
fice, thrown  into  a  waggon,  and  conveyed  to  an  obscure  burial  ground 
on  the  Baltimore  road,  where  they  were  left  unnttended,  till  a  shell  of  a 
coffin  was  made,  and  a  grave  hastily  dug,  when  the  same  negroes  return- 
ed, and  consigned  him  to  the  earth. 


■o" 


Some  of  the  most  eminent  physicians  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia 
contend  that  the  yellow  fever  is  not  infectiotis  when  the  patient  is  remov- 
ed from  the  tainted  atmosphere  where  it  is  generated.  A  proof  to  the 
contrary  of  this  opinion  is  demonstrated  in  Hopkins,  who  accompanied 

1  lodgkinson. 


POVERTY   OF   AMERICAN    MANAGERS— CHARLESTON.  253 

Hodgkinson.  There  was  no  fever — no  sickness,  in  Wasliington ;  yet,  in 
a  few  days  Hopkins  sickened,  was  attacked  with  the  same  symptoms 
with  equal  mahgnity,  and  died  in  nearly  as  short  a  time  as  the  friend  he 
had  attended. 

From  the  encouragement  given  to  theatrical  exhibitions  in  Philadel- 
phia, it  would  be  concluded  that  ]Messrs.  Wignal  and  Reinagle,  the  ma- 
nagers, must  have  accumulated  large  sums  of  money,  I  cannot  dehne 
the  cause,  but  it  is  very  certain  that  the  contrary  is  the  case.  Tliey  were 
ever  involved  in  debt,  and  finally  availed  themselves  of  the  bankrupt 
laws;  thus  giving  up  the  theatre  to  their  creditors.  They  were,  how- 
ever, soon  re-invested  with  the  management,  and  after  their  "  white- 
washing" appeared  as  before  ;  a  common  circumstance  in  America.  It 
appears  that  all  the  American  managers  are  losers.  We  have  already 
instanced  those  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  At  Boston,  Powell, 
w^ith  great  encouragement,  made  nothing — Harper  could  barely  keep 
his  ground,  and  was  often  much  reduced — \A  est,  of  the  Virginia  com- 
pany, is  greatly  in  debt,  so  as  to  prevent  the  opening  the  theatre  at 
Alexandria  for  several  years  ;  and  Placide,  at  Cliarleston,  says,  that  he 
can  barely  support  himself  by  his  theatre. 

Charleston  has  proved  a  grave  to  the  theatrical  corps  in  America, 
The  high  salaries  given  there,  from  the  great  plenty  of  money,  and 
riches  of  the  principal  inhabitants,  who  are  great  amateurs,  drew  thither 
numbers  of  performers  on  the  expiration  of  their  engagements  with  the 
northern  managers.  Among  those  of  eminence  who  fell  a  sacrifice  to  an 
unwholesome  climate,  we  have  to  lament  Mrs.  Wrighten,  then  married 
to  Mr.  Pownal,  a  druggist  in  Nev/  York,  and  one  of  her  daughters,  who 
was  following  the  mother  in  the  same  line  of  stage  business.  Miss 
Broadhurst's  death  was  attended  with  melancholy. circumstances.  View- 
ing with  dread  the  havock  made  among  the  performers,  she  intreated 
iher  mother  to  spend  the  sickly  months  with  her  on  Sullivan's  Island,  a 
place  at  those  times  of  great  resort,  and  to  permit  her  to  decline  a  proffer- 

i2  K  2  ed 


254  MORTALIiy   AMONG    PERFORMERS   AT  CHARLESTON. 

etl  eiigatjcnient  as  first  vocal  performer  in  the  concerts  at  the  puhlic  gar- 
dons.  Tlie  parent  refused  to  acquiesce,  and  the  victim  prognosticated 
the  fatal  conseqiiences.  vShe  entered  npon  tiie  duties  of  her  cngage- 
jnent— sung  a  few  nights — was  then  taken  ill,  and  in  a  (t-w  days  expired. 
To  this  vonng  and  accomplished  female  must  be  adde  I  Miss  Tontenelle, 
who  first  ap|>eared  in  iMoggy  M'Gilpin  at  Covent-garden,  and  whose  re- 
mains are  interred  at  Charleston.  In  the  list  of  deaths  in  this  place  are 
also  the  names  of  Mr.  VVilliamson,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones,  from  the 
Salisbury  theatre,  Mrs.  Kenna,  and  her  son,  a  rising  young  actor.  Mr. 
Jones,  liad  risen  to  eminence  in  the  late  Mr.  Edwin's  style,  and  was 
acting-manager  under  Placide.. 

Jones  was  succeeded  in  his  management  by  INIr.  Mlliers,  a  young  mai> 
of  superior  address  and  education,  who,  from  his  own  account,  left  a 
very  genteel  family  and  good  connections  to  become  a  player  in  Ame- 
rica.   I  lis  real  name  was  not  Villiers,  and,  from  the  same  motives  which 
probably  influenced  him  to  conceal  that  of  his  family,  I  decline  making 
the  discovery.     He  was  a  good  low  comic  actor,  studying  nature  in  all 
he  attempted;  and  he  was  a  great  favourite.     In  the  summer  of  1805 
he  caniL'  as  flir  as  New  York  on  the  business  of  his  theatre,  and  was  piXK 
ceeding  up  the  Hudson  river  to  Albany,  where  the  Old  American  Com- 
pany were  performing,  when  he  was  suddenly  seized  with  sickness,  and 
landed  at  a  small  town  called  Esopus,  where  he  died,  with  the  most 
violent  symptoms  of  the  yellow  fever,  imbibed  during  his  short  stay  at 
New  York. 

From  this  mortality,  the  American  stage  is  at  present  somewhat  de- 
preciated, and  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  England  can  spare  a  supply 
of  such  performers  as  have  been  last  named,  with  the  celerity  with  which 
a  Carolina  climate  may  carry  them  off.  At  New  York,  Cooper  has 
lately  been  invested  with  the  theatrical  command,  having  rented  the 
theatre  of  the  proprietors :  from  his  taste  in  selection,  added  to  his  abili- 
ties in  performance,,  much  is  expected. 

The 


BEHAVIOUR   OF   AN   AMERICAN    AUDIENCE.  255 

Tlie  death  of  Wignal  has  thrown  the  direction  of  the  Philadeli)hia 
coni[ydny  into  the  hands  of  Warren,  who  is  well  quahlied  for  the  ardu- 
ous undertaking-.  Wignal  was  also  cut  oti"  suddenly.  He  had  recently 
married  Mrs.  Merry,  and  in  a  very  few  months  she  was  l(!i"t  in  a  state  of 
second  widowliood.  The  performers  brought  forward  last  season  at 
Philadelphia  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodham,  and  Mr.  Bray,  late  of  the 
York  theatre.  The  lady  possesses  a  fine  figure,  and  is  easy  in  genteel 
comedv.  Mr.  Woodham  is  a  good  singer,  and  a  musician.  Bray  is 
one  of  the  laughter-loving  sons  of  Mom  us,  and  manages  his  business  in 
the  manner  of  Emerv,  and  with  considerable  effect ;  his  figure  and  phiz 
being  well  calculated  to  pourtray  the  Yorkshire  clown.* 

While  Tarn  treating  of  this  subject,  I  may  be  permitted  to  add  an 
anecdote  relative  to  tiie  demeanour  of  an  American  audieuce  during  the 
representation  of  one  of  Shakespeare's  tragedies.     I  m  as  present,  in  the 
month  of  May  last,  at  the  pertbrmance  of  Coriolanus  in  the  Baltimore 
theatre,  by  the  Philadelphia  company.     I  took  my  seat  in  the  pit,  an 
invariable  custom  with  me  when  I  go  for  the  purpose  of  giviiig  my  whole 
attention  to  the  performance.     I  was  early  in  my  attendance,  and  on 
mv  entrance,  I  found  the  back  row  in  the  pit  taken  up  by  a  num.ber  of 
boys,  many  of  whom  were  in  an  uniform  of  blue  faced  with  black.     I 
was  afterwards  intbrnictl,  that   this  dress  became  a  fashion  from   Mr. 
M'Henry,  the  late  secretary  of  war,  thus  cloathing  his  sons.      This, 
methougiit,  looked  something  like  a  puerile  badge  of  Aristocracy  in  the 
land  of  democracy.     As  the  house  tilled,  these  urchins  set  up  a  violent 
clamour,  beating  with  sticks,  stamping  with  their  feet,  and   die   house 
echoed  with  their  shrill  pipes  tor  the  music — "  Yankee  Doodle,  Jeffer- 
son's March;"  and  thus  uncontrolled,  they  practised  all  the  routine  of 
the  gallery,  which,  in  fact,  could  not  keep  pace  with  them.     The  occu- 
piers ot  the  boxes  appeared  to  admire  this  juvenile  spirit  of  libert}^ 

*  The  pul)lic  prints  lia  e  just  announced  that  Mr.  Hallani,  who  is  mentioned  in  the  beginning  of  this 
ehaptcr,  after  laving  been  filtyfour  yars  a  faithful  <lrainatic  servant  to  the  public,  at  Philadelphia,  is 
diiniissed  the  theatre,  and  obliged  t«  sell  bis  projgert^  in  it  for  bread. 

4  Behind 


« 


256  INDECOROUS   CONDUCT   AT   A   THEATRE. 

Btliind  me  was  placed  a  viilyar,  noisy,  s(jiiat  fifiurc,  dressed,  it  is 
Irue,  soinewliat  better  than  the  lower  order  oi"  rei)iil)lieaiis.  lie  was 
tlie  oracle  of  three  or  four  more,  to  whom  lie  attempted  to  act  the  criti- 
cal biiHoon.  He  too  was  extremely  clamorous  before  the  curtain  drew 
up,  uttering  the  most  coarse  and  vulgar  phrases,  and  ending  each 
with  d.  loud  and  hoarse  laugh.  He  soon  succeeded  in  interru[)ting  the 
serenity  1  had  assumed ;  and  as  the  tragedy  began,  the  critic  made  his 
comments  in  a  tone  of  voice  louder  than  the  performers.  Often  did  1 
turn  and  in  vain  inlreat  his  silence.  In  London,  a  common  disturber  is 
soon  turned  out— not  so  in  a  land  of  liberty,  where  every  man  tells  you 
that  he  will  do  as  he  may  think  fit ;  and  it  was  this  fellow's  pleasure  to 
damp  my  evening's  entertainment.  Had  I  seized  the  noisy  intruder, 
instead  of  finding  support,  1  might  have  had  the  whole  i>it  upon  me. 
1  repeat  nothing  but  what  I  saw  and  felt,  neither  do  1  "  set  down  aught 
ill  malice ;"  but  1  will,  upon  all  occasions,  speak  the  truth,  and 
"  nothing  extenuate." 

This  buffoon  1  found  to  be  a  bookseller  of  the  name  of  Hill,  who 
continued  his  loud  and  rude  obsers^ations  till  the  fall  of  the  curtain.  The 
inferiors  of  the  theatre,  who  swelled  the  processions,  he  called  "chaff 
and  bran."  The  plebeian  mob  who  elected  Cdriolanus  to  the  consul- 
ship, he  termed  "  dirt  and  straw."  The  chaste  acting  of  Mrs.  Melmoth 
in  the  Roman  matron,  was  in  a  great  measure  lost  to  me  in  his  noise. 
When  Coriolanus  was  killed  by  Tullus  Aufidius  and  the  Volscian 
chiefs,  he  roared  out,  "  that's  not  fair,  by  G— d,  three  to  one  is  too 
much  ;  let  him  get  up  again  and  have  a  fair  chance  ;  one  at  a  time,  I 
sa^-,  by  G— d." 

I  should  not  hiave  descended  to  repeat  such  grossness,  had  not  this 
man  borne  a  nominal  rank  among  those  who  are  deemed  respectable 
people;  and,  what  made  this  outrage  more  reprehensible,  was,  that 
one  of  the  joint  proprietors  of  the  house,  Reinagle,  the  musician,  who 
presided   in  the  orchestra  during  the  perlbrinance,  was  a  lodger  in  his 

house. 


THEATRICAL  CRITICISM.  2.5?^ 

house.  Nor  is  this  a  singular  instance  of  the  kind ;  interruption  by- 
loud  talking  around  you  is  common  in  all  the  American  theatres.  1 
mentioned  my  situation  next  day  to  some  of  the  actors,  with  whom  I 
had  formed  an  acquaintance.  They  had  long  been  mortified  with  such 
kind  of  interruption,  and  were  Avell  acquainted  with  Hill's  enmity.  A 
single  dissatisfied  churl  in  the  English  theatres  must  keep  his  disapprov- 
ing vociferation  to  himself,  or  feel  the  resentment  due  to  the  disturber 
of  others. 

The  following  strictures,  from  the  Norfolk  Herald,  Virginia,  while 
thev  afford  a  specimen  of  American  criticism,  also  display  the  conduct 
of  the  performers  during  the  time  of  representation,  on  any  disappro- 
bation on  the  part  of  the  audience. 

"  The  opera  of  the  Highland  Reel  was  performed  on  Tuesdaj'^  even- 
ing, and  very  fortunately  for  the  credit  of  the  town  and  the  reputation 
of  the  performers,  to  a  very  thin  house — for  never  in  my  life  did  I  be- 
hold such  a  performance.  It  set  at  defiance  all  the  rules  of  propriety, 
and  puzzled  criticism  to  find  out  where  to  begin,  and  where  to  end  its 
strictures.  The  play  is  certainly  pleasing,  entertaining,  and  instructing, 
and  one  which  should  have  called  forth  all  the  abilities  of  the  performers, 
if  any  they  possess.  But,  with  the  solitary  exceptions  of  Mrs.  Hopkins, 
in  Moggy  M'Gilpin,  and  Mr.  Sull)',  in  Shelty,  who  kept  alive  the 
drooping  spirits  of  the  audience,  the  rest  were  "  weary,  stale,  flat,  and 
unprofitable  "  in  the  extreme,  and  it  is  ardently  to  be  hoped  that  we 
never  "  shall  look  upon  the  like  again."  The  play  was  succeeded  by 
the  entertainment  of  the  "  Sailor's  Garland,  or  a  Family  Picture,"  but 
owing  to  some  disturbance  which  took  place  in  the  gallery,  the  audience 
was  unable  to  appreciate  the  merits  of  the  piece.  'Tis  said  that  a  per- 
son present  found  fault  with  some  part  of  the  performance,  for  \^  hich  he 
was  seized  by  the  door-keepers,  and  kicked  down  stairs,  and  that  this 
laudable  exertion  to  screen  the  pei'fonnance  from  censiire  was  seconded 
by  some  of  the  performers.  I  always  thought,  till  now,  that  the  per- 
formers were  employed  only  as  buffoons  behind  the  scenes,  and  not  as 

5  bultiea 


258  ANECDOTES  OF   AMERICAN   MANNERS. 

hii/lii's  before  them.  At  any  rate,  'tis  a  new  way  of  commanding  at- 
tention. The  manageress*  will  do  well  to  look  to  this  evil — and  tlie 
performers  had  better  exert  themselves  to  merit  attention  by  the  correct- 
ness of  their  performance,  than  to  silence  censure  by  the  strength  of 
their  arms,  or  their  dexterity  in  the  piigilisfic  art." 

In  tlieir  private  capacity,  the  performers  arc  treated  by  the  Americans 
with  an  assumed  contempt.  They  will  neither  associate  with,  nor  no- 
tice them  off  the  stage.  IMr.  Harper,  whose  company  I  always  found 
interesting,  one  day  amused  me  with  an  account  of  a  journey  of  the 
Old  American  com|)any,  some  years  before,  to  Riehmond  in  Virginia. 
He  said  the  people  were  assembled  when  the  performers  arrived ;  at  first 
they  were  stared  at  as  though  they  were  so  many  wild  beasts;  but  at 
length  the  gaping  croud  discovered  them  "  to  be  men  and  women,  form, 
cd  and  dressed  like  other  Iblks!" 

From  the  same  gentleman  I  had  the  following  anecdote,  which  is 
truly  characteristic  of  American  politeness,  Mrs,  Dixwell,  the  lady  of 
Colonel  Dixwell,  of  Richmond,  was  returning  a  visit  to  an  English  fa- 
mily who  had  settled  there  alter  the  peace,  at  wliieh  time  he  was  also 
invited.  She  was  dressed  in  on  old  red  eloak,  and  a  plain  bonnet,  which 
originally  had  been  made  of  black  silk,  but  hard  and  long  services  had 
rendered  its  original  colour  and  manufacture  rath  ^  equivocal.  She  was 
asked  to  drink  tea;  she  answered,  "  Tea,  indeed  I  no — I  have  drank 
none  of  that  cursed  stuff  since  the  affair  at  Bt.ston.  I  swallow  a  beet- 
steak  or  a  piece  of  Pat  pork  for  breakfast  and  su[>per,  and  wash  it  down 
with  a  quart  of  cyder — that's  my  way  ! " 

In  order  to  gratify  the  theatrical  amateur,  I  have  procured  a  drawing 
of  the  entrance  into  the  theatre  of  Philadelphia  from  Chesnut-street, 
which  is  aimcxed. 

•  The  conniany  .nt  this  lime  was  uixlir  the  ra.nnagcment  of  a  lady  of  tlie  name  of  West,  who  iisade  tlie 
annual  Ihealrical  circuit  of  Virginia — Norfolk,  Fredericksburg,  Richmond,  IVtcrsliur;^,  and  Alexandria. 
At  these  towns  she  owned  a  part  of  the  theatres,  from  which  sJie  had  an  exclusive  right  of  performance. 

^^""^"^"'^^^^^^^^^^^"^^^^^  CHAP. 


V 

0^ 


1^ 


^ 
^ 

^ 
'^\ 


259 


CHAP.  XIX. 


ARTIFICES    AND    TRAUDS    OF      LAND-SPECULATORS — METHOD    OF    COOKI^fG    LAND  — 
DIFFICULTIES    OF    NEW  SETTLERS   IN   KENTUCKY — THE   NEW    MISSISSIPPI    BUBBLE 

GRANT    OF    LAND    BY    THE    STATE    OF    GEORGIA  —  INFAMOUS    FRAUD   PRACTISED 

ON  THE  PURCHASERS — ALTERCATION  BETWEEN  GENERAL  JACKSON  AND  A 
PRINTER  —  PROCEEDINGS  IN  CONGRESS  RELATIVE  TO  THE  MISSISSIPPI  COM- 
PANY'S   CLAIMS. 


1  HIS  species  of  swindling,  since  the  peace  with  America,  has  been, 
fatal  to  the  emigrant.  Placing  confidence  in  the  reports  of  interested 
men,  he  was  led  to  believe,  that  the  dismal  swamps,  barren  desarts, 
and  pine  woods  of  the  new  world,  flowed  with  milk  and  honey — that  a 
fortune  would  soon  accumulate  from  the  production  of  "some  dunghill 
fowls,  a  cow,  and  a  breeding  sow." 

It  is  no  easy  matter  to  undeceive  those  who,  like  myself)  have  formed 
a  determination  to  visit  a  foreign  land.  They  readily  give  credit  to 
cver}'^  high-wrought  tale ;  which,  while  it  intoxicates  the  imagination, 
creates  a  momentary  dislike  to  their  present  situation.  I  never  con- 
versed with  an  emigrant  who  did  not  admit  the  truth  of  this  observation, 
and  confess  some  disappointment.  Even  those  who  had  successfully 
courted  fortune  in  the  new  world,  yearned  for  that  which  they  had  leit. 
It  is,  indeed,  unnatural  not  to  love  the  country  which  gave  us  existence. 

Soon  after  the  peace,  a  number  of  adventurers  who  had  rioted  in  the 
spoils  of  war,  as  royalists,  finding  their  resources  exhausted,  associated 
themselves,    and  commenced   the   nefarious  practice  of  land-jobbing. 

2  L  lu 


2(J0  FRAUDS   OF  LAND-JOnCLR?:. 

In  this  confctloracy  it  was  necessary  that  some  one  should  assume 
the  character  ot"  a  considerable  land-owner  in  the  United  States  of 
America.  This  man  set  several  pens  at  work  to  produce  travels,  anec- 
dotes, and  varnisiied  descriptions  of  the  glorious  country  containing  the 
lands  to  which  he  j)retended  to  have  a  legal  title.  The  infatuated 
Knglishman,  ever  a  dupe  to  specious  advertisements,  instantly  swallowed 
the  bait,  aiKl  gave  his  cash  to  the  London  agent  for  this  rus  in  nubibus. 
lie  crosses  the  Atlantic,  with  money  to  purchase  the  fowls,  the  cow, 
and  the  sow,  which  he  soon  expends  in  searching  for  his  land.  Tn  many 
instances  he  might  as  well  look  for  "the  philosopher's  stone."  Num- 
bers of  Frenchmen  Ijave  also  suffered  in  this  WQ.\,  from  the  arts  prac- 
tised upon  them  by  the  Paris  confederate. 

The  following  luxuriant  description  of  one  of  the  embryo  cities,  I 
found  copied  into  an  American  newspaper,  from  an  European  publi- 
cation : 

"  It  is  proposed  to  build  public  edifices  in  the  angles  within  the 
lines  forming  the  circus  and  crescents,  and  the  other  public  buildings 
with  suitable  cupolas,  and  built  with  a  sufficient  degree  of  uniformity 
to  give  those  structures  a  handsome  appearance.  Common  sewers, 
aqueducts,  market-places,  granaries,  piers,  and  landing-places,  paving 
the  streets,  planting  the  vistas  with  trees  corresponding  with  their  names, 
embellishing  the  circus  and  crescents,  planting  the  public  garden,  light- 
ing, watching,  cleansing,  &c." 

This  magnificent  city  was  to  be  called  (a  dozen  years  ago)  Franklin- 
ville,  but  the  spot  set  apart  for  those  spacious  buildings,  is  still  tenanted 
by  wild  beasts.- 

How  very  beantiflil  a  city  Washington  appeared  when  laid  out 

on  paper ! 

3  To 


METHOD  OF  COOKING  LAND.  26 1 

To  enumerate  the  different  frauds,  and  to  lay  open  the  arts  practised 
tipon  dekided  Englishmen  by  these  gangs  of"  coalesced  adventurers, 
would  alone  exceed  the  limits  of  these  sheets.  To  such  a  pitch  of  bare- 
faced deceit  did  they  arrive,  that  the  American  government  was  at 
length  obliged  to  be  its  own  land  agent,  and  to  open  offices  for  retailing 
land  to  English  settlers.  To  the  disgraceful  and  villainous  deeds  of 
land-speculators,  Dr.  Priestley,  and  indeed  most  of  the  recent  English 
settlers,  could  bear  testimony.  False  titles,  forged  grants,  fictitious 
patents,  and  deeds  of  bargain  and  sale  of  land  in  the  clouds  were  daily 
imposed  upon  the  unwary.  Sometimes,  indeed,  the  conspirators  would 
discover  a  tract,  which  was  under  some  indispensable  necessity  of  being 
sold,  of  which  they  would  make  a  bond  Jide  purchase,  and  under  this 
cloak  have  they  conveyed  it,  again  and  again,  perhaj)s  a  dozen  times. 
In  other  instances,  the  land  granted  was  described  to  begin  at  a  si/camore 
tree  on  such  a  point ;  from  thence  running  in  a  parallel  line  till  it  struck 
a  mulberry  tree;  from  thence  running  due  south  till  intersected  by  an 
oak.  In  short,  the  described  portion  comprised  the  most  valuable 
timber,  and  rich,  clear  land,  and  all  for  one  dollar  per  acre.  In  these 
cases  the  purchaser  would  often  find  his  land,  and  the  remains  of  the 
trees  described;  but  alas  !  instead  of  rich  meads,  fertile  plains,  valuable 
forests,  and  meandering  rivers,  he  found  a  barren  desart,  not  producing 
a  single  shrub.  The  trees  had  been  planted  for  deception  only,  and 
the  navigable  rivers  had  found  another  course.  Colonel  Michael  Payne, 
of  North  Carolina,  marshal  of  the  state,  informed  me  that  he  was 
obliged  to  attend  a  sale  of  land  in  the  interior  part  of  the  state,  which 
had  been  levied  upon  under  an  execution  issuing  out  of  the  Federal 
Court,  and  that  upon  his  journey  over  one  of  the  most  barren  and  rocky 
counti'ies  he  had  ever  travelled,  he  observed  a  party  of  men  planting 
trees.  So  strange  an  emplo3'ment  in  so  dreary  a  spot  induced  the  colo- 
nel to  enquire  of  the  laborers  what  benefit  they  expected  to  derive  from 
their  labor.  He  also  observed  two  or  three  carts,  loaded  with  young 
ti'ees^  and  a  man  at  a  little  distance,  surveying  the  ground,  who  said, 
in  answer  to  the  colonel's  questions,  that  the  land  was  advertised  for 

2  L  2  sale 


2(j2  PROSPECTS   rOR   SETTLERS   IN    KENTUCKY. 

sale  in  London  at  half  a  guinea  per  acre,  and  that  they  were  "  cooking 
it  np  a  little."  This  cookery  consisted  in  jjlanting  a  few  young  trees, 
the  choicest  growth  of  a  far  distant  forest,  as  divisional  lines  and  inarks. 
The  cook  proved  to  he  a  confederate  land-speculator,  and  a  ci-tltvmU 
congress-man.  The  colonel  added,  that  liom  the  nature  of  the  soil, 
and  unpropitious  situation  of  the  land,  a  colony  of  English  fanners 
could  not  make  it  worth  a  shilling. 

The  new  state  of  Kentucky  is  more  extravagantly  described  and  ex- 
tolled than  any  other  part  of  the  United  States.     From  the  accounts  I 
have  collected   fi'om  such  as  have  explored  that  country,  the  land  is 
certainly  of  a  superior  quality  to  some  of  the  states,  and  well  watered 
by  large  rivers.     It  has  increased  much  in  poi)ulation  since  the  peace 
of  1783,  but  that   it  does  not  equally  allure  all  who  visit  it  to  settle 
there,  is  certain.     Many   have  returned,  after   struggling   against  the 
numerous  difficulties  of  subsisting  in  a  new  country,  one,  two,  and  three 
years  before  they  could  make  their  daily  bread.     A  new  settler  should 
have  what  is  here  termed   "  plenty  of  force  ;"  that  is,  he  should  not  at- 
tempt the  planting  and  farming  business  without  about  a  dozen  laborei-s. 
This  assistance,  with  two  or  three  hundred  pounds,  may  in  a  few  years 
complete  the  clearing  of  a  few  hundred  acres  of  land,  the  erecting  of 
log-houses,  and  other  necessary  work.     This  land,  thus  cleared,  will 
])roduce  tobacco,  hemp,  wheat,  barley,  oats,  clover,   and  most  Euro- 
pean fruits  and  vegetables.     But,  while  we  mention  the  quality  of  the 
land,  another  question  naturally  arises;  namely,  how  is  the  superfluous 
produce  to  be  carried   to  market  ?     It  is  at  present  above  a  thousand 
miles   to  export  produce  from  the  extreme  parts  of  Kentucky,  Ohio, 
and  Tenessee,  by  water  to  the  commercial  cities  in  the    United  States, 
and  a  great  many  hundred  by  land  !     We  fmd  none  of  these  difficulties 
fairly  demonstrated  by  the  writers  and  compilers  of  American  voyages, 
histor>',  and  travels.     The  corn  of  these  states  could  not,  without  great 
loss,  be  sold  in  Philadelphia,  at  the  rate  of  the  grain  grown  in  its 

vicinity. 

^Ve 


GEORGIA    MISSISSIPPI   COMPANY. 


203 


We  have  now  before  us,  reader,  a  state  fraud— land  si)eculations  by 
wholesale— a  scene  of  chicanery  and  inicjuity  hitherto  unknown  in 
the  history  of  nations— a  scene  which  has  excited  in  Congress  more 
odium,  and  created  more  discord  and  intemperate  warmth  in  that  body, 
than  any  question  before  them  since  the  adoption  of  the  federal  consti- 
tution. 

In  the  year  1795,  "  the  free,  sovereign,  and  independent  state  of 
Georgia,"  under  the  great  seal  of  the  state,  and  signed  by  the  governor 
and  commander  in  chief,  for  certain  considerations  to  be  paid  in  Spanish 
milled  dollars,  granted  and  sold  to  certain  individuals  associated  in  com- 
panies, under  the  names  of  "  The  Georgia  Company,"—"  The  Geor- 
gia IMississippi  Company,"  and  the  "  Tenessee  Company,"  a  vast  tract 
of  land  lying  within  the  boundaries  of  that  state. 

As  this  nefarious  transaction  raised  a  clamour  through  the  United 
States,  equal  to  the  bursting  of  the  South  Sea  bubble  in  London  ;  and 
what  is  much  more  material  at  present,  as  a  short  history  of  it  will  prove 
useful  to  those  who  may  hereafter  wish  to  hold  land  within  the  United 
States,  by  putting  them  on  their  guard,  should  they  even  purchase  of  a 
state  ;  I  shall  give  a  copy  of  the  patent,  and  the  n^iles  thrown  out  to  pur- 
chasers in  order  to  advance  the  value  of  the  purchase.  This  document 
I  unluckily  became  possessed  of,  from  being  myself  a  considerable  suf- 
ferer in  the  Georgia  Mississippi  Company  :  a  «a/«e,  however,  is  all  they 
hold  at  the  present  day.  The  other  two  grants  from  the  state  of  Geor- 
gia ran  in  the  same  words,  with  the  alteration  of  names  and  parcels. 

COPY  OF  THE  PATENT. 
"  The  Georgia  Mississippi  Company  having  purchased  from  the  go- 
vernment of  the  state  ot  Georgia,  that  part  of  its  western  territory,  lying 
between  the  rivers  Mississippi  and  Tom  Bigby,  and  extending  from 
thirty-one  degrees  eighteen  minutes  to  thirty-two  degrees  forty  minutes 
north  latitude,  computed  to  be,  at  least,  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles 

ia 


f6i  GRANT>;   TO   THE  OLORGIA    M1S.SIS>IPPI    COMPANY. 

in  lengfth,  ai)il  ninety-five  miles  in  breadth,  did  obtain  a  grant  for  the 
same,  under  the  great  seal  otthe  said  state,  bearing  date  the  twenty- 
sixth  day  of  January,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-five,  in  the 
following  words: 

**  STATE  OF  GEORGIA, 

'•  By  His  Excellency  George  Mathews,  Captain-Gene- 
ral, Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  the 
said  State,  and  of  the  Militia  thereof. 

"  To  all  io  whom  these  Presents  shall  come,  Greeting, 

"  Know  ye,  That  in  pursuance  of  the  Act  of  the  General  Assemblv 
intituled.  An  Act  supplementary  to  an  Act  intituled.  An  Act  for 
appropriating  a  part  of  the  unlocated  territory,  of  this  state,  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  late  state  troops,  and  i'or  other  purposes  therein  mentioned, 
declaring  the  right  of  this  state  to  the  unappropriated  territory  thereof, 
for  the  protection  and  support  of  the  frontiers  of  this  state,  and  for  other 
purposes,  passed  at  Augusta,  on  the  7th  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-tive,  and,  of  the  sove- 
reignty and  independence  of  the  United  States  of  America  the  Nine- 
teenth, and  by  virtue  of  the  powers  in  me  vested,  I  have  given  and 
granted,  and,  by  these  presents,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  said  state, 
do  give  and  grant,  imder  and  b}' virtue  of  the  before-mentioned  supple- 
mentary Act,  and  securing  to  the  state,  according  to  the  directions,  re* 
servations  and  stipulations  therein  contained  and  expressed,  unto  Nicho- 
las Long,  Thomas  Glascock,  Ambrose  Gordon,  and  Thomas  Cumming 
and  their  associates,  their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  in  fee  simple,  as  te- 
nants in  common,  and  not  as  joint  tenants,  all  that  tract  or  parcel  of 
land,  including  islands,  situate,  lying  and  being  within  the  following 
boundaries,  that  is  to  say,  beginning  on  the  river  Mississippi,  at  the  place 
where  the  latitude  of  thirty-one  degrees  and  eighteen  minutes  north  of 
the  equator  intersects  the  same  ;  thence  a  due  east  coui-se  to  the  nmldle 

of 


fiRANT  TO   THE  GEORGIA  MISSISSIPPI   COMPANY.  265 

of  Don  or  Tom  Bigby  river;  thence  up  the  middle  of  the  said  river,  to 
vhere  it  intersects  the  latitude  of  thirty-two  degrees  and  forty  minutes 
north  of  the  equator;  thence  a  due  Avest  course  along  the  Georgia  Com- 
panv's  line,  to  the  river  Mississippi ;  thence  down  the  middle  of  the  same 
to  the  place  of  beginning,  together  with  all  and  singular  the  rights,  mem- 
bers and  appurtenances  whatsoever,  to  tlie  said  tract  or  parcel  of  land, 
including  islands,  belonging,  or  in  any  wise  appertaining;  and  also  all 
the  estate,  right,  title,  interest,  claim  and  demand  of  the  state  aforesaid, 
of,  in,  to,  or  out  of,  the  same ;  reserving,  nevertheless  out  of  the  said 
tract  of  land,  six  hvmdred  and  twenty  thousand  acres,  to  be  subscribed 
by,  and  for  the  use  and  behoof  of  other  citizens  of  the  said  state,  who 
shall  choose  to  do  the  same,  at  such  time,  at  such  rates,  and  to  sucli 
effect,  and  in  such  form  and  manner  as  are  pointed  out  and  expressed  in 
the  before-mentioned  Supplementary  Act;  provided  also,  that  the  said 
Nicholas  Long,  Thomas  Glascock,  Ambrose  Gordon  and  Thomas 
Gumming  and  their  associates,  shall  not  be  entitled  to  dispose  of  the 
said  territory-,  in  part  or  in  whole,  in  any  way  or  manner  to  any  foreign 
king,  prince,  potentate  or  power  whatever ;  to  have  and  to  hold  the  said 
tract  or  parcel  of  land,  and  all  and  singular  the  premises  aforesaid,  with 
their  and  every  of  their  rights,  members  and  appurtenances,  unto  the 
said  Nicholas  Long,  Thomas  Glascock,  Ambrose  Gordon  and  Thomas 
Camming  and  their  associates,  called  the  Georgia  Mississippi  Company,, 
their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  in  fee  simple,  as  tenants  in  common,  and 
not  as  joint  tenants. 

"  Given  under  my  hand  and  the  great  seal  of  the  said 
state,  this  twenty-sixth  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety- 
five,  and  in  the  nineteeth  year  of  American  Inde- 
pendence. 

GEO.  MATHEWS. 
Signed  by  his  Excellency  the  Governor, 
the  ^Qth  daii  of  January,  1795. 

"  Edward  Watts,  S.  E.  D." 

Under 


26G  FRAUD  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT  OF  GEORGIA. 

Under  such  a  title — the  faith  of  a  free  state,  httle  doubt  or  suspicion 
>vas  entertained.  No  wonder,  therefore,  that  monicd  men  stepped  for- 
vard  as  purchasers. 

The  Georgian  government  having  received  into  their  exchequer  the 
full  stipulated  consideration  in  specie  for  their  Mississippi  lands,  pro- 
ceeded at  the  usual  time  of  election,  to  the  choice  of  a  new  governor 
and  assembly  of  representatives.  The  sovereign  people,  at  this  time, 
fermented  by  French  politics,  chose  men  of  congenial  principles,  and 
appointed  one  Jackson,  a  subject  of  the  king  of  Great  Britaiu,  in  the 
place  of  governor  Mathews.  He  commenced  his  career  with  a  bill  de- 
claring the  grant  of  the  Mississippi  lands  illegal  and  void  ;  and  procuring 
an  ex  post  facto  law  fortius  purpose,  seized  the  records,  with  which  he 
marched  in  triumph,  attended  by  his  majority  of  assembly,  and  burned 
them  before  the  court-house  ! 

In  vain  the  defrauded  purchasers  remonstrated.  Georgia  being  "  free, 
sovereign,  and  independent,"  no  redress  could  be  obtained  ;  and  this  fair 
and  promising  structure  of  speculation,  Avhich  had  cost  many  hundred 
thousand  dollars  in  erecting,  was  thus  in  an  instant  demolished.  The 
■whole  of  the  purchase-monej'^  still  remains  in  the  treasury  of  the  state  ! 

The  sufferers  were  immediately  persecuted  by  the  importunities  of 
those  of  whom  they  purchased.  Many  joined  issue  upon  record  in  courts 
of  law,  and  the  question  was  there  agitated  in  various  forms  without  their 
obtaining  relief.  Others  compromised,  and  got  up  their  securities;  while 
the  greater  number  were  plunged  into  ruin. 

ISIr.  Thomas  Hutchins,  geographer  to  the  United  States,  having  at  a 
former  period  sui-veyed  this  land,  made  a  very  favorable  report  of  the 
many  natural  advantages  it  possessed.  It  was  printed,  Mith  other  allure- 
ments, in  the  form  of  a  pamphlet,  and  put  into  the  hands  of  such  as 
were  inclined  to  become  purchasers.  I'he  whole  tract  of  land  sold  as 
5  stated, 


ANIMOSITY  OCCASIONED  BY  THE  SALE  OF  THE  GEORGIA  LANDS.     267 

stated,  contained  many  million  acres,  of  which  the  author,  at  the  sacri- 
fice of  several  thousand  dollars,  purcliased  a  considerable  |K>rtion ;  and 
still  holds  his  claim. 

Soon  after  the  bonfire  frolic,  the  state  offered  the  same  land  to  Con- 
gress. A  bargain  was  struck,  and  fresh  conveyances  Mere  made,  with  a 
reservation  of  five  million  acres  "  to  'quiet  any  claims  on  the  state  of 
Georgia."  I'hus  this  land  is  now  held  by  the  United  States,  and  a  bill 
is  pending  before  Congress  to  make  restitution  to  the  purchasers.  Com- 
missioners, consisting  of  the  secretary  of  state,  and  of  the  treasurer  of  the 
United  States,  with  the  attorne3^-general,  were  appointed  to  enquire  into 
these  claims,  and  reported  in  fa\or  of  the  purchasers  ;  yet  the  bill  for  the 
two  last  sessions  has  met  with  great  ojiposition  from  the  democratic  part}'', 
while  it  is  sup|)orted  with  much  firmness  by  the  federalists. 

These  proceedings  consequently  gave  rise  to  much  political  rancour. 
The  transaction  was  not  only  reprobated  by  the  fedeiaiists,  but  con- 
demned by  every  moderate  man  in  the  country.  One  of  the  leading 
characters  instrumental  in  the  sale  of  the  lands,  was  General  Gunn,  who 
became  an  object  of  the  persecution  of  Jackson's  party.  The  printer 
of  a  newspaper  at  Savannah,  the  capital  of  Georgia,  was  prevailed  upon 
by  two  of  Jackson's  aids-tic-camp,  for  he  was  a  general  of  militia, 
to  insert  an  extract  from  the  Philadelphia  paper,  called  the  Aurora, 
libelling  the  character  of.Gunn.  This  produced  an  answer  from  a  friend 
of  the  injured  party,  retorting  the  scandal  upon  those  by  whom  it  was 
propagated,  which  he  also  admitted  into  his  publication.  The  J'oung 
aids  took  umbrage,  and  insisted  on  the  printer's  giving  up  the  author  of 
the  reply,  but  this  he  resolutely  refused  to  do.  Piinters  in  America 
have  the  virtue  to  keep  authors'  names,  where  necessary,  a  profound  se- 
cret..;;  On  the  «aiaie  dav  the  printer  being  at  the  post-office,  there  met 
Jackson,  who  began  ah  harangue  on  the  blessings  of  democracy,  which 
he  ended,  to  use  the  printer's  words,  "  by  praising  his  own  ex|)Ioits  during 
the  American  revolution,  and  declaring  tiiat  the  country,  and  this  state 

2  M  in 


568  POLITICAL   ALTERCATION. 

in  particular,  ((jJeorf^ia)  was  indebted  to  him  for  its  independence."  lie 
then  observed,  that  he,  the  printer,  was  a  good  repubhcan  wlien  he  came 
to  Savannali;  to  vhich  the  latter  rephed,  that  his  principles  were  then 
what  they  had  ever  been.  The  redonbted  liero  denied  this,  and  charged 
the  wa/i  q/7e//ers  with  being  in  British  pot/;  Tor  which  falsehood  he  was 
by  the  other  denounced  a  liar.  This  produced  a  little  blustering,  and  thus 
the  matter  ended.  Next  day  the  two  young  ?rte/j  o/"  ecrtr,  instigated,  as  the 
printer  alledged,  by  their  commander,  again  called  on  him  for  the  name 
of  the  author  who  had  vindicated  General  Gunn.  A  denial  was  still 
persisted  in,  when  one  of  them  made  a  blow  with  a  loaded  whip,  which 
the  |)ri  liter  seized,  andap|)lied  it  to  the  owner's  shoulders,  with  consider- 
able effect. — "  After  this,"  continues  the  printer,  "  they  collected  a  mob, 
presented  their  pistols  to  my  breast,  threatened  to  pull  down  the  j)rint- 
ing-house,  and  to  throw  the  types  into  the  river,  if  I  did  not  give  up  the 
author's  name  ;  but  they  were  soon  opposed  by  more  than  an  equal 
number  of  citizens,  which  occasioned  them  to  disperse  in  a  terrible  rage. 
They  collected  a  third  time,  but  finding  the  respectable  part  of  the  inha- 
bitants determined  to  protect  me,  they  moved  off,  still  swearing  ven- 
geance." 

The  following  day  Jackson  procured  a  meeting  of  his  party,  where 
it  was  resolved,  "  That  no  printer  in  the  state  of  Georgia  should  be 
allowed  to  publish  any  thing  against  the  President  of  the  United  States." 
The  democratic  chief  was  appointed  one  of  a  committee  to  draw  up 
rules  and  organize  a  society  in  each  county  of  the  state,  for  the  purpose 
of  carrying  such  resolution  into  effect. 

The  career  of  this  turbulent  character,  was  an'ested  by  death  about 
a  year  ago,  at  the  city  of  Washington,  where  he  was  attending  as  a  sena- 
tor for  the  state  of  Georgia.  He  was  the  idol  of  his  party,  as  may  be 
seeiv  from  the  following  disgusting  speech  on  his  death,  pronounced  in  the 
house  of  representatives  by  John  Randolph.  It  will  also  give  the  reader 
an  idea  of  the  proceedings  of  that  house  during  the  reign  of  democracy. 

3  A  bill 


EANOOLPIl'3  SPEECH  ON  THE  DEATH  OPUEN.  JM^SOS.  ilJ!) 

A  bill  had  originated  in,  and  passed  the  senate,  making  compensation  to 
the  defrauded  purchasers  of"  the  Georgia  lands  for  what  was  called  the 
Yazoo  claim,  and  which  was  rejected  in  the  house  of  representatives;  on 
Avhich  Randolph  sprang  up  and  exclaimed — "  I  shall  live  ten  years  longer. 
Mr.  Speaker,  a  few  days  ago  we  adjourned  to  pay  the  last  mournful  tri- 
bute of  public  resjjcct  to  one  of  the  best  men  that  America  has  known — 
I  move  that  we  now  adjourn  to  do  honor  to  his  apotheosis — His  last 
words  to  me  were,  '  could  I  but  survive  to  see  Yazoo  annihilated,  J 
should  then  die  in  peace;  and,  should  it  be  annihilated  after  my  death, 
I  shall  at  least  not  have  lived  in  vain,'  I  move  that  we  adjourn  to  ho- 
nor the  deceased  hero.  General  James  Jackson,  and  to  triumph  in  the 
salvation  of  our  country  from  corruption." — The  house  did  accordingly 
adjourn ! 

This  claim,  which  in  common  honesty  should  have  been  satisfied  many 
years  ago,  was  several  times  before  the  liou^e,  and  on  each  question,  a 
majority  of  the  members  voted  in  favor  of  the  claimants.  On  the  pre- 
sent, Randolph  contrived  to  maintain  a  very  small  majority,  and  took 
the  above  method  of  shewing  his  exultation.  The  question  will  be  re- 
newed in  the  present  sitting  of  Congress.  It  has  become  a  national 
question  of  great  importance ;  and,  if  finally  determined  against  the 
claimants,  many  of  whom  are  distinguished  characters  in  ^ew  Rnglan<l, 
it  is  conjectured  that  very  serious  consequences  may  ensue. 


2  M  2  CHAP. 


«70 


CHAP.  XX. 


CONJECTURES  ON  THE  EXISTENCE  OF  THE  M4D0G1ANS,  OR  WELCH  INDIANS  — 
NAUUAIIVE  OF  MAURICE  GRIFFITH  —  E\l'EDIT|ON  OF  THE  SHAWNESE  TO  EX- 
ri.OKE  ITIE  MISSOURI — 1)1  SCO  V  E  I!  Y  O  F  A  H  ATIO^N  O  F  \VH  ITE  INDIANS  —  NATtltAI, 
AIULITIF.S  OF  THF,  INDIANS — DIALOGUE  BETWEEN  AN  INDIAN  CHIEF  AND  AN 
AMERICAN    AGENT  —  ADOPTION     OF    A     WARRIOR    BY    THE    CANADIAN     ^NDIANS. 


Various  writers  have  asserted  the  existence  on  the  American  con- 
tinent of  a  race  of  Intlians,  descended  from  the  ancient  Britons.  There 
are  traditions  of  a  number  of  people  from  Wales  landing  on  the  conti- 
nent of  America,  as  far  hack  as  tlie  year  1 170;  whose  descendants  are 
said  still  to  form  a  distinct  tribe,  and  to  speak  the  Welsh  language. 
Though  this  conjecture  is  supported  by  no  certain  proofs,  yet  it  is  believed 
that  there  are  civilized  Indians  jjossessing  a  large  tract  of  land  west  of 
the  Mississippi.  From  the  state  of  the  arts,  and  from  the  manners  and 
customs  of  these  tribes,  I  have  reason  to  suppose  they  are  of  European 


origin. 


Many  attempts  have  been  made  to  ascertain  the  truth  or  falsehood  of 
this  conjecture.  The  extent  of  territory,  impenetrable  forests,  obstruc- 
tions of  rivers,  and  the  worse  opposition  from  unfriendly  natives,  have 
hitherto  rendered  them  aborlive. 

In  the  year  1795,  Mr.  Evans,  a  Welchman,  went  up  the  river  INIis- 

souri  in  search   of  this  settlement.     The   Spanish   commandant  at  St. 

Louis   arrested   him,    and  confuied  him  in  prison ;   where  he   might 

still   have  lingered,  had  not  Judge  Turner  interested    himself  in   his 

5  behalf. 


CONJECTURES    ON    THE    EXISTENCE    OF   THE    WELCH    INDIANS.        iJ7l 

behalfl  By  his  influence  ^Ir.  Evans  obtained  bis  liberty — he  also  pro- 
cured him  a  passport  to  go  up  the  river,  and  promised  him  a  reward 
of  two  thousand  dollars  on  his  return,  provided  he  discovered  the  Pa- 
cific Ocean. 

About  the  same  time  a  merchant  of  the  name  of  Mackie,  went  up 
the  river  ^Missouri  to  trade  with  the  Indians.  He  was  met  at  a  place 
called  Cincinnati,  by  a  gentleman,  who  furnished  him  with  a  Voca- 
bulary in  Welch  and  English.  The  merchant  promised,  if  possible,  to 
see  Evans,  and  give  him  the  book,  with  every  assistance  in  his  power ; 
but  nothing  hath  been  since  heard  of  either  of  them. 

Conjecture  on  this  point  has  a  vast  extent  to  traverse,  in  order  to  re- 
concile the  reports  of  travellers,  Indian  traders,  and  interpreters,  on 
the  existence  of  the  tribe  called  the  ]Madogians ;  for  if  proved  to  be  a 
fact,  it  will  place  the  discovery  of  America,  many  centuries  before 
the  voyages  of  Columbus,  The  distance  between  the  river  ^Nlissis- 
sippi  and  the  Pacific  Ocean  is  supposed  to  be  about  two  thousand 
miles,  and  from  the  source  of  the  ^lissouri  about  half  that  distance. 
This  being  the  tract  supposed  to  be  occupied  by  the  Welch  Indians, 
their  ancestors  must  have  landed  or  been  shipwrecked  on  the  coast  of 
New  Albion,  which  was  visited  by  Sir  Francis  Drake.  The  land  in 
the  greatest  part  of  x\merica  is  the  most  barren  next  the  sea-coast,  we 
must  therefore  suiijjose  that  the  strangers,  finding  no  opposition,  nor 
human  inhabitant,  advanced  till  they  found  the  richest  ground  and  the 
best  climate.  Their  bark,  perhaps  dashed  to  pieces,  and  all  hopes  lost 
of  returning  to  their  native  land,  they  might  have  formed  themselves 
into  a  little  commonwealth  ;  and  their  offspring,  cut  off"  i'rom  all  inter- 
course with  civilized  nations,  may  have  degenerateil  into  the  savage 
state,  retaining  the  language  of  their  ancestors,  which  is  said  nearly  to 
resemble  that  still  used  by  the  common  people  of  \\"ales.  That  they 
also  excel  all  other  tribes  in  the  arts,  is  accounted  for  upon  the  same  prin- 
ciple.    It  is  probable  that  their  ancestors  had  sojiie  mechanical  imple- 

ment!> 


27:2     EXPI'HITION   or  TIIU   Sn.\M^NF.>E  TO   rxriORE  TUF.    MISSOURI. 

mnnts,  and  some  of  thetn  miglit  have  been  complete  masters  of  their 
use.  The  couritry  might  also  iiivor  the  cultivation  of  the  arts,  uhich 
in  an  encreasinii;  |)oi)iilatioii  is  an  object  of  the  highest  importance.  Ore 
.of  various  kinds  has  been  discovered  in  the  western  states,  and  even 
iron  is  manulactured  in  large  quantities  in  uiany  parts  of  the  Union. 
Thus  we  account  for  the  specimens  of  mechanism  said  to  come  froni 
the  country  of  the  Madogians, 

These  observations  were  made  some  years  previous  to  the  expediition 
of  Captain  Lewis  and  Lieutenant  Clarke,  to  explore  the  source  of  the 
Missouri,  and  from  them  no  light  is  thrown  upon  the  subject.  We  must 
therefore  conclude  that  the  accoimts  are  fabulous,  or  that  those  gentlemen 
did  not  chance  to  meet  with  their  settlements  ;  and  yet  the  following  ac- 
count, published  by  Mr.  H.  Toulmin,  a  gentleman  of  respectability  at 
Frankfort,  in  Kentucky,  is  worthy  of  consideration  in  the  investiga- 
tion of  this  subject.  He  observes,  that  he  had  it  from  Mr.  John  Childs, 
of  Jessamine  county. 

"  Maurice  Griftith,  a  native  of  Wales,  which  countrj'  he  left  when 
about  sixteen  years  of  age,  was  taken  prisoner  by  a  party  of  Shawnese 
Indians,  about  forty  years  ago,  near  Vosses'  Fort,  on  the  liead  of  Roa- 
noke river,  in  Virginia  county,  and  carried  into  the   Shawnese  nation. 
Having  staid  there  about  two  years  and  a  half"  he  found  that  five  young 
men  of  the  tribe  had  a  desire  of  attempting  to  explore  the  sources  of 
the  Missouri.     He  prevailed  upon  them  to  admit  him  one  of  the  party. 
They  set  out  with  six  good  rifles,  and  six  pounds  of  powder  apiece,  of 
which  they  were  of  course  very  careful.     ( )n  reaching  the  mouth  of 
the  Missouri,  they  were  struck  with  the  extraordinary  appearance  of  the 
muddy  waters  of  the  Mississippi.  They  staid  two  or  three  days  amusing 
themselves  with  this  novel  sight;  they  then  determined  on  the  course 
which   they  should  pursue,   which  happened  to  be  so  nearly  in  that 
of  the  river,  that  they  frequently  came  within  sight  of  it,  as  they  pro- 
ceeded on  their  journey.     After  travelling  about  thirty  days  througli 

good 


THEIR   DISCOVERIES.  273' 

good  farming  woodland,  they  came  into  the  open  prairies,  on  which 
nothing  grew  but  long  luxuriant  grass. — There  was  a  succession  of  these 
varying  in  size,  some  being  eight  or  ten  miles  across,  but  one  of  them 
so  long,  that  it  occupied  three  days  to  travel  through  it.     In  passing- 
through  the  large  prairies,  they  were  much   distressed  for  water  and 
provisions,  for  they  saw  neither  beast  nor  bird ;  and  though  there  was  an 
abundance  ot  old  springs,  fresh  water  was  very  scarce.     In  one  of  these 
prairies,  the  salt  springs  ran  into  small  ponds  in  which,  as  the  weather 
was  hot,  the  water  had  sunk,  and  left  the  edges  of  the  ponds  so  covered 
with  salt,  that  they  fully  supplied  themselves  with  that  article,   and 
they  might  easily  have  collected  bushels  of  it.     As  they  were  travelling 
through  the  prairies,  they  had  likewise  the  good  fortune  to  kill  an  ani- 
mal which  was  nine  or  ten  feet  high,  and  of  a  bulk  proportioned  to  his 
height.     They  had  seen  two  of  the  same  species  before,  and  they  ob- 
served four  of  them  afterwards.     They  were  swift  footed,  and  had  nei- 
ther tusks  nor  horns.     After  they  had  passed  through  this  prairie,  they 
made  it  a  rule  never  to  enter  on  one  which  they  could  not  see  across, 
till  they  had  supplied  themselves  with  a  sufficiency  of  venison  to  last  se- 
veral days.     After  having  travelled  a  considerable  time  through  the 
prairies,  they  came  to  very  extensive  lead  mines,  where  tb.ey  melted  the 
ore,  and  furnished  themselves  with  what  lead  they  wanted.     They  af- 
terwards came  to  two  copper  mines,  one  of  which  was  three  miles 
through,  and  in  several  places  they  met  rocks  of  copper,  as  large  as 
houses. 

"  When  about  fifteen  days  journey  from  the  second  copper  mine,  they 
came  in  sight  of  white  mountains,  which,  though  in  the  heat  of  sum- 
mer, appeared  to  them  to  be  covered  with  snow.  The  sight  naturally 
excited  considerable  astonishment,  btit  on  their  approaching  the  moun- 
tains, they  discovered,  that  instead  of  snow  they  were  covered  with  im- 
mense bodies  of  white  sand.  They  had,  in  the  mean  time,  passed 
through  about  ten  nations  of  Indians,  from  whom  they  received  very 
friendly  treatment.     It  was  the  practice  of  the  party  to  exercise  the 

office 


274  WHITE   INDIANS. 

ofl'ice  of  spokesman  in  rotation:  and  when  the  language  of  any  nation 
thruuah  which  they  passed  was  unknown  to  them,  it  was  the  duty  of 
the  spokesman,  a  duty  in  which  the  others  never  interfered,  to  convey 
their  meaning  by  approj^riate  signs, 

"  The  lahor  of  travelling  through  the  deep  sands  of  the  mountains 
was  excessive,  but  at  length  they  relieved  themselves  of  this  dilhculty 
hy  Ibllowing  the  course  of  a  shallow  river,  the  bottom  of  which  being 
level,  they  made  their  ^^•ay  to  the  top  of  the  mountains  with  tolerable 
convenience. 

"  After  passing  the  mountains,  they  entered  a  fine  tract  of  land,  which 
havino-  travelled  through  for  several  davs,  they  accidentally  met  with 
three  white  men  in  the  Indian  dress.  Griffith  immediately  understood 
their  language,  as  it  was  pure  AA'elch,  though  they  occasionally  made 
use  of  a  few  words  with  which  he  was  unacquainted;  however,  as  it 
happened  to  be  the  turn  of  one  of  his  comrades  to  act  as  spokesman, 
or  interi^reter,  he  preserved  a  jjrofound  silence,  and  never  gave  them 
any  intimation  that  he  understood  the  language  of  their  new  com- 
panions. 

"  After  proceeding  with  them  four  or  five  days  journey,  they  came 
to  the  village  of  these  white  men,  where  they  found  that  the  whole  na- 
tion  were  of  the  same  color,  having  all  the  European  complexion.  The 
three  men  took  them  through  the  village  for  about  the  space  of  fifteen 
miles,  when  they  came  to  the  council-house,  at  which  an  assembly  of 
the  king  and  chief  men  of  the  nation  was  held.  The  council  lasted  three 
days;  and  as  the  strangers  were  not  supposed  to  be  acquainted  with 
their  language,  they  were  suffered  to  be  present  at  their  deliberations. 
The  great  question  before  the  council  was,  what  conduct  should  be  ob- 
served towards  the  strangers.  From  their  fire-arms,  their  knives,  and 
their  tomahawks,  it  was  concluded  they  were  a  warlike  people;  it  was 
conceived  they  were  sent  to  look  out  a  country  for  their  nation ;  that  if 

they 


PARTICULARS   RELATIVE  TO  THE   WHITE   INDIANA.  !2 


:2/.j 


they  were  suffered  to  return,  they  might  expect  a  body  of  powerful  in- 
vaders, but  tliat,  if  tliese  six  men  were  put  to  death,  nothing  would  be 
known    of  their  country,    and  they    should    still   enjoy   their   posses- 
sion in  security.     It  was  finally  determined  that  they  should  be  put  to 
death.     Grillith  then  thought  that  it  was  time  for  him  to  speak.     He 
addressed  the  council  in  the  Welsh  language.     He  informed  them  that 
they  had  not  been  sent   by  any  nation — they  Imd  no  hostile  intentions 
— that  it  was  their  wish  to  trace  the  Missouri  to  its  source,  and  that  they 
should  return  to  their  country  satisfied  with  the  discoveries  they  had 
made,  without  any  wish  to  disturb  the  re[)ose  of  their  new  acquaint- 
ances.    An  instant  astonishment  glowed  in  the  countenances  not  only 
of  the  council  but  of  his  Shawnese  companions,  who  clearly  saw  he 
was  understood  by  the  people  of  the  country.     Full  confidence  was  at 
once  given  to   his  declaration ;  the  king  advauLcd  and  gave  him  his 
hand.     They  abandoned  the  design  of  putting  him  and  his  companions 
to  death,  and  from  that  moment  treated  them  with  the  utmost  fi'iend- 
ship.     Gritiith  and  the  Shawnese  continued  eight  months  in  the  nation, 
but  were  deterred  from  prosecuting  their  researches  up  the  Missouri,  by 
the  advice  of  the  people  of  the  country,  Avho  informed  them  they  had 
gone  a  twelvemonth's  journey  up  the  river,  but  found  it  was  as  large 
there  as  it  was  in  their  own  country.     As  to  the  history  of  the  people, 
he  could  learn  nothing  satisfactory.     The  only  account  they  could  give 
was,  that  their  forefathers  had  come  up  the  river  from  a  very  distant 
country.     They  had  no  books,  no  records,  no  writings. 

They  intermixetl  with  no  other  people  by  marriage ;  there  was  not  a 
dark-skinned  man  in  the  nation.  Their  numbers  were  very  conside- 
rable. There  was  a  range  of  settlements  on  the  river  for  fifty  miles,  and 
tliere  were,  within  this  space,  three  large  water  courses,  which  fell  into 
the  Missouri,  on  the  banks  of  each  of  which  they  were  likewise  settled. 
He  supposed  there  must  be  fifty  thousand  men  in  the  nation  capable  of 
bearing  arms.  Their  clothing  was  skins  well  dressed.  Their  houses 
were  made  of  upright  posts,  and  the  bark  of  trees.     The  only  imj^le- 

2  N  ments 


270  PARTICUDARS   RELATIVE  TO   THE   WHITE   INDIANS. 

ments  they  had  to  cut  them  with  were  stone  tomahaA\ks.  They  had  no 
iron  :  their  arms  were  bows  and  arrows.  They  had  some  silver,  whicii 
had  been  hammered  with  stones  into  coarse  ornaments,  but  it  did  not 
appear  to  be  pure.  They  had  neither  horses,  cattle,  sheep,  ho<(s,  nor 
any  domestic  or  tame  animals.  Tiiey  lived  by  hunting.  lie  said  no- 
thing about  their  religion. 

"  Griffiths  and  his  companions  had  some  large  iron  tomahawks  with 
them.  With  these  they  cut  down  trees,  and  prepared  a  canoe  to  re- 
turn home  in;  but  their  tomahawks  were  so  great  a  curiosity,  and  the 
people  of  the  country  were  so  eager  to  handle  them,  that  their  canoe 
was  com[)leted  w  ith  very  little  labor.  When  this  work  was  accom- 
plished, they  proposed  to  leave  their  new  friends,  Griffiths,  however, 
having  promised  to  visit  them  again.  They  descended  the  river  with 
considerable  speed,  but  amidst  frequent  dangers  from  the  rapidity  of 
the  current,  particularly  when  passing  through  the  White  Mountains. 
When  they  reached  the  Shawnese  nation,  they  had  been  absent  about 
two  years  and  a  half  Griffith  su])poscd  that  when  they  travelled,  thev 
went  at  the  rate  of  about  fifteen  miles  a  day.  lie  staid  but  a  few  months 
with  the  Indians  after  their  return,  as  a  favorable  apj)ortunity  otfered 
itself  to  him  to  reach  his  friends  in  Virginia,  He  came  with  a  hunting 
party  of  Indians  to  the  head  waters  of  Coal  river,  which  runs  into  the 
New  river,  not  far  above  the  falls.  There  he  left  the  Shawnese,  and 
easily  reached  the  settlement  on  the  Roanoke'.  Mr.  Childes  knew  him 
before  he  w'as  taken  prisoner,  and  saw  him  a  few  days  after  his  return, 
when  he  narrated  to  him  the  preceding  circumstances;  Griffiths  was 
universally  regarded  as  a  stead\%  honest  man,  and  a  man  of  veracity. 
Mr.  Childes  has  placed  the  utmost  confidence  in  his  account  of  himself 
and  his  fellow  travellers,  and  has  no  more  doubt  of  the  truth  of  his  rela- 
tion, than  if  he  had  seen  the  whole  himself  Whether  Griffiths  be  still 
alive  or  not,  he  does  not  know." 

Mr.  Toulmiu  investigates  this  subject  with  great  assiduity.     He  says, 

"  that 


TOULMIN'S  OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  EXISTENCE  OF  WELSH  INDIANS.  "Ill 

"  that  by  recurring  to  a  passage  in  history,  it  appears  that  several  years 
before  the  discovery  of  America  by  Christopher  Cohunbus,  a  certain 
Welsh  prince  embarked  from  his  native  country,  with  a  large  party  of 
emigrants ;  that  after  some  time  a  vessel  or  two  came  back,  with  the  ac- 
count that  they  had  discovered  a  country  far  to  the  westward,  and  that  they 
set  sail  again  with  a  fresh  reinforcement,  and  never  returned  anv  more. 
The  country  which  these  adventurers  discovered,  it  has  been  supposed,  was 
the  continent  of  North  America,  and  it  has  been  conjectured,  that  they 
had  landed  on  this  continent  somewhere  in  the  Gulph  of  Mexico,  and 
from  thence  proceeded  northward,  till  they  got  out  of  the  reach  of  the 
hostile  natives,  and  seated  themselves  in  the  upper  country  of  Missouri. 
Many  accounts  accordingly  have  been  published  within  the  last  thirty 
yeai-s,  of  persons,  who,  in  consequence,  either  by  accident  or  the  ardor 
of  curiosity,  have  made  themselves  acquainted  with  a  nation  of  men  on 
the  Missouri,  possessing  the  complexion  of  Europeans,  and  the  lan- 
guage of  Welshmen.     Could  the  fact  be  well  established,   it  would  af- 
ford, perha|5S,  the  most  satisfactory  solution  of  the  difficulty  occasioned 
by  a  view  of  the  various  ancient  fortifications  with  which  the  Ohio 
country  abounds,  of  any  that  has  hitherto  been  offered.     These  fortifi- 
cations were  evidently  never  made  by  the  Indians.     The  Indian  art  of 
war  presents  nothing  of  the  kind.     The  probability  too  is,  that  the  per- 
sons Avho  constructed  them  were,  at  that  time  acquainted  with  the  use 
of  iron:  the  situation  of  those  fortifications,  which  are  uniformly  in  the 
most  fertile  land  of  the  country,  indicates  that  those  who  made  them 
were  an  agricultural  people,  and  the  remarkable  care  and  skill  with 
which  they  were  executed,  affords  traits  of  genius  of  a  people,  w  ho  re- 
lied more  on  their  military  skill  than  on  their  numbers.     The  growth  of 
the  trees  upon  them  is  very  compatible  with  the  idea,  that  it  is  no  more 
than  three  hundred  years  since  they  were  abandoned." 

We  are  equally  ignorant  of  many  other  nations  of  Indians,  in  this 
unexplored  part  of  America.     The  nation  of  the  Snake,  the  Gnacs:- 

2  N  2  taries. 


:^78  TALENTS   OF   MANY   INDIAN    CHIEFS. 

tiiriis,  the  Piuloucas,  the  Kansez,  tlic  Macoutens,  and  niiinorous  other 
tribes  are  known  oiily  by  name. 

Many  Indian  chiefs  have  di^plaj'cd  talents  in  oratory,  and  are  men 
ot"  considerable  natural  abilities.  *  Tiie  fijllowing  conversation  on  a  re- 
ligious subject,  inserted  tlie  oHicial  jraper,  printed  at  AVashiugton,  is 
Avortliv  of" notice. 


♦  Among  many  examples  that  miglit  be  adduced  to  corroborate  this  assertion,  I  >li:ill  coniont  iiivsci? 
Tsith  mentioning  the  Mohawk  chief,  'IVyoninhokeiawcii,  or  as  lie  is  likewise  denominated,  Jolin  Norton. 
'1  his  interesting  Indian  about  two  years  ago  visited  England,  where  numerous  traits  of  an  amiable  dispo- 
sition and  a  vigorous  intellect  produced  the  most  pleasing  impressions  on  all  who  were  introduced  to 
him.  A  proof  of  his  possessing,  in  a  high  degree,  the  cpialitica  of  a  good  temper  and  great  mental  quick- 
ness, occurred  at  the  Upper  Rooms,  at  Bath,  where  he  appeared  in  the  dress  of  liis  country.  A  young 
Englishman,  wlio  had  been  in  America,  accosted  tlie  chief  with  several  abrupt  questions  respecting  his 
place  of  abode,  situation  and  the  like.  To  these  Norton  returned  answers  at  once  pertinent  and  modest. 
The  in<inirer,  however,  expressed  himself  dissatisfied  with  them  ;  and  hinted,  in  almost  plain  terms,  that 
lie  believed  him  to  be  an  impostor.  Still  the  American  preserved  his  temper,  and  endeavored  to  convince 
the  GfH^/e/HrtH  that  his  account  of  himself  might  be  depended  upon.  "Well  but,"  returned  the  other, 
"  if  you  really  are  what  you  pretend  to  be  ;  how  will  you  relish  returning  to  the  savages  of  your  own 
country?"  "  Sir,"  replied  Norton  with  a  glance  of  intelligence,  "  I  shall  not  experience  so  great  a  change 
in  my  society  as  you  imagine,  for  I  lind  there  are  savages  in  this  country  also."  Animated  with  the 
spirit  of  genuine-patriotism,  this  generous  chieftain  was  unweariedly  occupied,  during  the  intervals  of 
his  public  business,  in  acquiring  every  species  of  useful  knowledge,  for  the  purpose  of  transporting  it  to 
his  own  country,  for  the  benefit  of  his  people  ;  and,  what  the  friends  to  the  happiness  of  men  will  hear  with 
$till  greater  admiration  and  pleasure,  he  was  also  engaged,  under  the  auspices  of  ISIr.  Wilberforcc  and 
Mr.  Thornton,  in  the  laborious  employment  of  translating  the  gospel  of  St.  John  into  his  native  tongue. 

Teyoninhokerawen  appeared  to  be  about  forly-five  years  of  age;  his  person  is  tall,  muscular,  and 
well-proportioned  ;  his  countenance  tine  and  intelligent,  illuminated  with  "  an  eye  like  Mars  to  threaten 
and  command."  His  mother  being  a  Scotch  woman,  and  he  himself  having  spent  two  years  of  his  life, 
(from  thirteen  to  fifteen)  in  Edinburgh  ;  he  has  acquired  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  English  to  read  it 
with  ease,  and  speak  it  with  fluency  ;  the  French  language  also  is  equally  familiar  to  him.  Assisted  by 
great  natural  sagacity,  and  habits  of  deep  reflection,  he  appears  to  have  generalised  more  than  could  have 
been  expected  from  the  circumstances  of  his  place  of  birth,  and  the  state  of  society  in  which  he  has  spent 
bss  life,  and  has  not  only  worked  out,  by  the  energies  of  his  own  mind,  many  schemes  for  the  improve- 
ments of  his  country,  and  the  benefit  of  ours,  but  also  acquired  a  very  considerable  share  of  moral,  poli- 
tical, and  philosophical  information.  His  wife  is  a  female  of  his  own  tribe,  by  whom  he  has  two 
children. 

^  "  In 


DIALOGUE  BETWEEN  AN  INDIAN  CHIEF  AND  AMERICAN  AGENT.     279 

"  In  the  year  1797,  Istelioche  (called  by  the  white  people  the  adju- 
tant) visited  the  agent  for  Indian  affairs.  This  old  man  was  esteemed 
bj^  all  who  knew  him,  being  an  honest  man,  communicative  and  jocu- 
lar, and  when  a  boy,  was  appointed  bj^  the  chiefs  of  the  Creek  nation 
to  make  the  hre  of  welcome  for  General  Oglethorpe,  on  his  first  arrival 
to  take  possession  of,  and  establish  the  colony  of  Georgia.  There  were 
then  at  the  residence  of  the  agent,  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  twelve 
towns  of  Lower  Creeks.  Their  object  was  to  prevail  on  the  agent  to 
give  up  the  plan  of  civilization,  and  conform  himself  in  the  manage- 
ment of  Indian  affairs  to  the  caprice  and  insolence  of  the  Indians. 
Their  conversation  on  this  subject  lasted  three  days,  and  became  in- 
solent in  the  extreme  on  the  last  day.  Istehoche  remained  on  his  bear- 
skin, a  silent  hearer  till  the  evening  of  the  third  day,  and  then  had  the 
following  dialogue  with  the  agent. 

"  Istehoche.  Father,  have  not  you  white  people  a  book  which  tells 
when  you  were  created,  and  where:  there  are  two  of  them,  a  small 
one  attached  to  a  large  one,  which  I  remember  to  have  seen  when  a 
boy? 

"  Agent.     Yes,  go  on, 

"  Istehoche.  Is  it  true  that  when  Esangetuh  Misse  (the  master  of 
breath)  made  you  white  ])eople,  that  he  made  two  of  yon,  a  man  and  a 
woman,  and  he  made  a  garden  for  them,  and  put  all  the  good  things  in 
it,  and  gave  it  to  these  two  white  people,  and  is  this  in  the  book  I 

"  Agent.     Yes,  go  on» 

"  Istehoche.  When  he  made  these  two  people,  and  every  thing  for 
them,  he  called  up  the  woman,  and  gave  her  a  talk.  Woman,  says  he, 
I  have  made  all  these  things  for  you,  and  they  are  all  good,  but  the 

grapes 


280     DIALOCrE  BETWEEN  AN  INDIAN  CHIEF  AND  AMERICAN  AOENT. 

grapes  are  not  ripe,  yeu  must  not  eat  them,  and  then  Esaugetuh  Misse 
left  her.     Is  this  in  the  book  ? 

"  Agent.  Yes,  go  on. 

"  Istehochc.  'WXxe.w  Esaugetuh  Misse  left  her,  and  wentofJ',  the  snake 
came  up,  and  asked  :  What !  did  he  say  that  the  grapes  are  not  ripe  ? 
Woman,  they  are  ripe,  they  are  good,  eat  them;  and  the  woman  ate 
them.     Is  this  in  the  book  ? 

"  Agent.     Yes,  go  on. 

"  Istehochc.  Bye  and  bye,  Esaugetuh  Misse  came  back,  and  look- 
ing round  him,  exclaims:  Ha!  ha!  who  has  spoiled  my  tables ?  The 
woman  replied,  the  snake  has  spoiled  your  tables :  he  told  me  the  grapes 
were  ripe,  advised  me  to  eat  them,  and  I  did  eat  them.  *  Did  he  spoil 
my  tables?  Go  then,  woman,  and  mash  his  head,  and  tell  your  cluldren 
to  mash  his  head.'     Is  this  in  the  book  ? 

"  Agent.     Yes,  go  on. 

*'  Istehoche.  Ever  since  I  heard  this  story,  I  have  remembered  if, 
and  that  you  white  people  when  you  see  a  snake  you  kill  it.  The  talk 
was  not  given  to  me  or  my  people:  I  never  killed  a  snake.  In  mv  hunt- 
ing or  travelling  if  I  see  them,  they  generally  give  way  to  me,  and  if  they 
are  cross  I  give  way  to  them,  I  suppose  something  has  vexed  them ;  I  leave 
them;  there  is  room  enough  for  me  and  them.  lam  now  an  old  man  as 
you  see,  can  just  creep  about,  and  my  greatest  pleasure  is  to  crawl  here, 
to  see  and  converse  with  3'ou,  and  take  a  dish  of  coffee  with  you.  Your 
plan  of  civilization  I  think  I  comprehend,  and  I  believe  it  is  for  the  good 
of  iny  nation.  I  am  very  old,  as  you  see,  and  was  a  hardy  lad  when  Ge- 
neral Oglethorpe  first  came  to  ISavannah ;  then  I  was  appointed  by  my 

lather 


ADOPTION   OF    A   WARRIOR   BY   THE   CANADIAN   INDIANS.  281 

father  to  make  a  fire  for  him,  and  welcome  him  to  our  land;  and  when 
I  grew  up  to  manhood,  I  accompanied  him  in  his  attack  on  St.  Augus- 
tine against  the  S|)aniards,  and  h'om  that  day  to  this  I  have  associated 
much  with  white  ))eople,  am  greatly  attached  to  them,  particularly 
those  in  authority,  from  whom  I  have  received  many  acts  of  kindness, 
and  it  is  a  pleasure  in  me  to  he  able  to  say  to  yon,  that  I  never  stole  a 
skin's-worth  of  property  in  my  life,  or  did  any  injury  to  a  white  man. 
I  am  old  as  you  see,  and  have  seen  more  than  an}^  chief  in  my  land.  T 
have  listened  to  your  plan,  I  am  pleased  with  it,  and  if  I  was  young,  I 
would  soon  prove  to  you  that  there  would  be  no  other  difference  be- 
tween us  than  the  color  of  our  skin.  I  am  old  as  you  see;  and  I  firmly 
believe  that  Washington,  like  Esaugetuh  Misse,  has  given  a  talk  fi)r 
the  salvation  of  us  red  people,  that  you  have  brought  and  delivered  this 
talk  to  us ;  that  these  people  are  playing  the  snake,  and  that  unless  you 
take  and  mash  their  heads  (clenching  his  fists  and  knocking  his  knuckles 
together  repeatedly)  you  will  not  succeed  in  your  plan. 

"  After  this  speech  the  old  man  laid  himself  down  on  his  bear  skin, 
the  listening  chiefs  sat  in  silence  for  a  few  minutes,  then  rose  up,  and 
went  oH"  without  saying  one  word." 

In  quitting  this  subject  I  am  unwilling  to  neglect  Mr.  Lang's  extraor 
dinary  account  of  the  adoption  of  a  warrior  bj^  the  Canadian  Indians. 
He  says  that  he  himself  underwent  the  ceremony. 

"  A  feast  is  prepared  of  dog's  flesh,  boiled  in  bear's  grease,  with  huckle- 
berries,* of  which  it  is  expected  every  one  should  partake.  When  the  re- 
past is  over,  the  war  song  is  sung  in  the  following  words — *  Master  of  life 

•These  berries  grow  in  abundance  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States.  Th?y  are  small  and  black,  re- 
sembling those  which  grow  on  moors  and  waste  lands  in  England.  They  are  a  pleasant  and  wholesome 
fruit,  and  when  taken  with  milk,  cool  and  refreshing. 

2  view 


28iJ  ADOPTION   OF   A    WARRIOR    BY   THE   CANADIAN   INDIANS. 

view  US  well !  We  receive  a  brother  warrior,  who  appears  to  have  sense, 
shews  strength  in  his  arm,  and  docs  not  refuse  l»is  body  to  the  enemy." 

"  After  the  war-sonc:,  ifthe  |)erson  docs  not  discover  any  sit^ns  of 
fear,  he  is  regarded  with  reverence  and  esteem — courage  in  the  opinion 
of  the  savages,  being  considered  not  only  as  indispensible,  but  as  the 
greatest  reconniiendatidn.  He  is  then  seated  on  a  beaver  robe,  and 
))resented  with  a  pipe  to  smoke,  which  is  put  round  to  every  Avarrior, 
and  a  wampum  hv\t  is  thrown  over  his  neck.  \Mjen  the  ])ipe  has  gone 
round,  a  sweating-house  is  prepared,  with  six  long  poles  fixed  in  the 
ground,  and  pointed  at  the  top;  it  is  then  covered  with  skins  and  blan- 
kets to  exclude  the  air,  and  the  area  of  the  house  will  contain  only 
three  pei"sons.  The  person  to  be  adopted  is  then  stri|)ped  naked,  and 
entci*s  the  hut  with  two  chiefs;  two  large  stones,  made  red  hot,  are 
brought  in,  and  thrown  upon  the  ground;  water  is  then  brouo-ht  in  a 
bark-dish,  anil  sprinkled  on  the  stones  with  cedar  branches,  the  steam 
Arising  from  which  j)uts  the  person  into  a  most  prol'use  perspiration,  and 
opens  tiie  pores  to  receive  the  other  |)arts  of  the  ceremony.  When  the 
j)erspiration  is  at  the  hciglit,  lie  quits  the  house,  and  jumps  into  the  wa- 
ter. Immediately  on  coming  out  a  blanket  is  thrown  over  him,  and 
he  is  led  to  the  chief's  hut,  where  he  undergoes  the  following  operation. 
Being  extended  on  his  back,  the  chief  draws  the  figures  he  intends  to 
make  with  a  pointed  stick  dipped  in  water  in  which  gunpowder  has 
been  dissolved;  after  which,  with  ten  needles  dipped  in  vermilion,  and 
fixed  in  a  small  wooden  frame,  he  pricks  the  delineated  parts;  and 
where  the  bolder  outlines  occur,  he  incises  the  flesh  with  a  gun-flint; 
the  vacant  spaces,  or  those  not  marked  with  vermilion,  are  rubbed  in 
with  gunpowder,  which  produces  a  variety  of  red  and  blue;  the  wounds 
are  then  scared  with  pinkwood  to  prevent  their  festering. 

"  This  ojicration,  which  is  performed  at  intervals,  lasts  two  or  three 
days.  Every  morning  the  parts  are  washed  with  cold  water,  in  which 
h  infused  au  herb  called  Pockqueeregan,  which  resembles  the  English 

box. 


ADOPTION   OF   A   WARRIOR   BY   THE   CANADIAN  INDIANS.  283 

box,  and  is  mixed  by  the  Indians  with  the  tobacco  they  smoke,  to  take 
off  the  strength.  During  the  process,  the  war-songs  are  sung,  accom- 
panied by  a  rattle  hung  round  with  hawks'-bells,  called  cheesaquois, 
which  they  keep  shaking  to  stifle  the  groans  such  pains  must  naturally 
occasion.  Upon  the  ceremony  being  completed,  they  give  the  party  a 
name;  to  Mr.  Lang,  who  submitted  to  undergo  this  cruel  operation, 
they  allotted  the  name  of  Amik,  or  Beaver. 


2  o  GHAF. 


284 


CHAP.  XXL 


ORDER  OF  THE  CI  N  CI  N  N  ATI— SATIRE  ON  TIMS  I  NSTITUTIO  N  — 1  M  AGIN  AR  Y  ADVEN- 
TURES OF  ONE  OF  ITS  MEMBERS  —  THE  EAGLE  —  BURLESQUE  ON  AMERICAN  ELEC- 
TIONS—  BADGE  OF  THE  ORUEK. 


J.  HE  order,  or  society  of  the  Cincinnati,  is  composed  of  officers  who 
served  in  the  American  war,  and  honorary  members.  The  honors  and 
advantages  are  hereditary  in  the  eldest  sons  of  the  officers,  and  in  de- 
fault of  issue  male,  in  the  collateral  male  heirs;  but  this  does  not  extend 
to  honorary  members,  and  the  latter  are  limited  not  to  exceed  the  ratio 
of  one  to  tour  of  the  officers  and  their  descendants. 

This  institution  was  projected  and  carried  into  effect  upon  the  banks 
of  the  Hudson  or  North  river,  a  short  time  j)revious  to  the  disbanding  of 
the  American  army  on  the  conclusion  of  the  war  in  178:3.  They  fixed 
on  Cinciimatus,  tlie  Roman  dictator,  byway  of  their  titular  saint,  and  di- 
vided themselves  into  state  societies.  Their  annual  meeting  is  on  the 
4th  of  Jul}',  the  day  of  commemoration  of  the  declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence. To  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  cause  in  which  they  had 
served,  and  to  maintain  the  bonds  of  friendship  and  union  between  the 
different  states,  appear  to  be  the  principal  objects  of  this  institution. 
They  have  also  a  fund  for  the  relief  of  the  w^idows  and  orphans  of  offi- 
cers who  fell  in  the  war. 

No  sooner  had  peace  been  jiroclaimed  between  Englantl  and  America, 
than  the  latter  began  to  feel  the  detl-cts  of  their  government,   and  was 

toriv 


INSTITUTION    or   TilE    ORDER    OF   CINCINNATF.  285 

torn  l)j^  intestine  broils  and  civil  commotions.  Jealous  of  power,  and  sus- 
picious even  of  those  who,  at  the  hazard  of  lite  and  tbrtnne,  had  been 
the  more  active  agents  in  contirming  the  independence  ot"  the  thirteen 
states,  the  institution  oftlie  order  of  the  ("incinnati  was  viewed  with  dis- 
trust and  envv.  The  ollicers  were  charged  with  an  attempt  to  create  an 
hereditars^  aristocracy,  by  dignitying  themselves  with  rank  and  title- 
The  press  teemed  with  invective,  and  nothing  could  exceed  the  odium 
which  tor  some  time  prevailed  against  the  men  who  had  saved  their  coun- 
try. I'hey  were  violently  opposed  in  congress,  when  they  [)resented 
their  resolutions  for  the  sanction  of  the  legislature.  The  oflicers  of  go- 
vernment, seconded  by  men  of  liberal  education,  and  possessing  senti- 
ments of  gratitude,  by  argument  and  persuasive  means  appeased  the 
heated  imagination  of  the  mass  of  the  people,  and  obtained  the  act  of 
incorporation.  This  institution,  which  was  magnitied  into  the  great 
foundation-stone  of  despotism  in  a  different  shape  froju  that  they  had  re- 
cently shaken  olf,  has  no  features  resembling  those  of  the  horrid  monster 
which  existed  in  the  minds  of  the  people.  So  little  is  it  esteemed  as  an 
object  of  power  or  gain,  that  many  officers  never  applied  for  their  ad- 
mission, nor  attended  their  amiual  meetings.  It  is  little  more  than  a 
yearly  meeting  in  the  form  and  nature  of  a  society,  for  the  purpose  of 
partaking  of  a  good  dinner  and  a  social  glass;  over  which  they  may  be 
permitted,  like  Alexander,  "  to  fight  all  their  battles  o'er  again,  ami 
thrice  to  slay  the  slain  1" 

Though  the  Cincinnati  prevailed  against  the  clamour  excited  by 
their  institution,  they  are  still  the  sport  of  the  humourist,  and  the 
object  of  satire. — This  is  evinced  by  the  following  burlesque,  from 
the  pen  of  the  Hon.  H.  H.  Brackenridge,  composed  at  a  period  when 
smarting  under  political  disappointments.  He  has  since  been  elevated 
to  the  dignity  of  a  Judge  of  the  superior  courts  of  Pennsylvania,  and  like- 
wise enjoys  a  seat  in  congress.  It  not  only  serves  to  illustrate  the  subject 
under  review,  but  also  affords  evidence  that,  in  political  tergiversation,  the 

2  o  2  statesmen. 


28()  SATIRE   ON    Tlllv    ORDER   Ol-    CINCINNATI. 

statesmen  of  America  are  not  behind  certain   great  men  on   this  side 
of  the  Atlantic. 

"  A  gentleman  travclhng  on  horseback,  attendee!  by  an  Irish  servant, 
overtook  one  of  the  Cincinnati  on  his  ronte  to  attend  the  yearly  meet- 
ing, with  the  Eagle,  the  emblem  of  his  order,  at  his  breast.  The  gen- 
tlemen entered  into  conversation,  and  alighting  at  the  same  inn,  they 
agreed  to  sup  together.  The  people  of  the  iini  had  not  seen  the  badge 
before,  and  |)romptcd  by  the  never-lailing  curiosity  of  the  country,  ea- 
gerly enquired  of  Teague  what  was  the  meaning  of  the  ornament  ap- 
pended to  a  ribbon  worn  by  one  of  the  guests.  Teague,  it  seems,  was  also 
ignorant,  but  unwilling  to  betray  his  want  of  knowledge,  and,  like  the 
clown  in  the  pantomime,  ever  ready  to  turn  each  circumstance  to  the 
advantage  of  his  stomach,  replied  that  it  was  a  goose;  and  that  the 
meaning  was,  that  the  gentleman  preferred  a  roast  goose  for  supper  to 
all  other  dishes  !  This  was  delivered  with  an  affected  sagacity,  and  ac- 
companied with  many  hints  of  the  merit,  rank,  and  consequence  of  the 
guests.  The  landlady  was  greatly  perplexed  at  Teague's  reply,  declar- 
ing she  had  not  a  goose  in  her  hou^e ;  but  re(iuested  his  opinion  whether 
a  couple  of  fat  roast  ducks  would  not  be  a  good  substitute.  He  replied 
in  the  aflirmative;  and  while  the  good  woman  nm  to  deprive  the  devot- 
ed birds  of  lite,  Teague  anticipated  the  idea  of  the  legs,  wings,  or 
breasts,  that  might  fall  to  his  share.  Supper  being  ready,  the  landlady 
entered  with  the  ducks,  followed  by  Teague  with  a  shoulder  of  boiled 
pork  and  potatoes,  in  case  of  short  allowance.  The  good  woman  having 
decoratetl  her  table  to  the  best  advantage,  turned  to  her  guests,  and  with 
an  obeisance  began  her  apology  for  producing  ducks,  assuring  the  gen- 
tleman in  the  ribbon  that  she  was  not  able  to  procure  him  a  goose.  The 
toils  and  perils  by  which  the  officer  obtained  his  eagle,  did  not  more  mor- 
tify and  astonish  him  than  did  the  address  of  the  landlady.  '  A  goose, 
madam !  What  mean  you,  madam  ?'  then  casting  his  eye  upon  his 
fellow-traveller,  which  only  increased  his  confusion,  the  distressed  war- 

3  rior, 


SATIRE   ON   THE   ORDER    OF  CINCINNATI.  287 

rior,  choaking-  with  pride  and  mortification  which  instantly  seized  him, 
made  several  efforts  before  he  could  articulate — *  S'death,  madam,  do 
you  take  me  for  a  goose  ? — You  cannot,  mean  it — one  animal  preys  not 
upon  another  of  its  own  species — dog  will  not  eat  dug.  I  cannot, 
therefore,  be  a  goose  if  I  eat  one  !' 

"  The  good  woman  was  under  similar  embarrassment — she  craved  his 
honour's  pardon,  but  assured  him,  that  though  his  servant  had  informed 
her  of  his  great  partiality  for  a  goose,  and  which  she  found  to  be  true, 
(pointing  significantlj'  to  the  Eagle)  yet  she  was  not  given  to  under- 
stand that  his  honour  could  not  endure  to  have  it  mentioned  to  him. 
'  It  has  been  many  a  poor  woman's  case,'  said  she, — •  The  signs  of  long- 
ing are  different.' — again  looking  with  a  smile  at  the  Eagle. — » 

By  this  time  the  mystery  began  to  unfold,  while  Teague 

retired  towards  the  door  to  avoid  his  master's  horsewhip,  which  he  saw 
him  preparing  to  apply  to  his  shoulders.  It  was  also  highly  necessar}'^  to 
interrupt  the  lady,  who  would  probably  have  given  the  symptomatic 
longings  of  all  the  pregnant  women  in  the  neighbourhood.  Teague 
vowed  by  St.  Patrick  that  what  he  had  done  was  purely  to  get  their  ho- 
nours a  good  supper,  and  not  to  give  offence  to  the  gemman  with  the 
bird  at  his  breast.  This  excuse,  confirmed  by  the  evidence  of  two  fine 
ducks  on  the  table,  was  admitted ;  and  the  captain,  while  he  washed 
them  down  with  a  glass  of  old  madeira,  gave  Teague  an  unlimited  li- 
cence to  use  his  Eagle  for  such  purposes,  as  long  as  he  travelled  AA'ith  his 
master.  The  Hibernian  stared  when  he  heard  the  name  of  the  bird  he 
had  mistaken  for  a  goose;  but  observed,  that  as  an  eagle's  flesh  must  be 
tough  and  black,  he  should  never  call  it  bj'-  its  proper  name  in  the  kit- 
chen of  an  inn,  as  he  thought  geese,  turkies,  ducks,  chickens,  or  even 
pigeons,  more  delicate  food  than  eagles. 

"  Good  humour  being  restored,  the  ofHcer,  notwithstanding  the  irrita- 
bility of  his  nervous  system  when  he  thought  the  honour  of  his  Eagle 

at 


•88  SATIRE   ON    TilE   ORDER    OF   CINCINNATI. 

at  stake,  was  a  man  of  liberality  and  some  humour. — He  began  to  re- 
late tlie  troul)le  he  had  recently  had  with  a  clergyman,  who  took  the 
ivd<>;\e  iov  n  ardien  iniai>:e.  lie  insisted  that  it  was  contrary  to  the  in- 
junction  of  the  decalogue,  which  prohibits  any  such  representation  ibr 
the  pur|io?c  of  worship;  and  he  allcdged  this  to  fall  within  the  meaning 
of  tliat  j)art  of  holy  writ.  The  ollicer,  in  answer,  declared  that  so  iiir 
froni  worshipping  the  image,  he  seldom  prayed  at  all,  and  never  discuss- 
ed religious  tenets  except  now  and  then  with  some  deistical  cha|)lains  of 
the  army,  when,  finding  the  world  to  be  of  no  longer  duration  than  the 
period  fixed  b}"^  Moses,  they  recurred  to  the  Chinese,  and  ibund  the  flood 
had  never  reached  them,  and  consequently  the  story  of  the  ark,  the 
dove,  and  the  other  engines  and  agents  of  inspiration,  were  rendered 
extremely  doubtful ; — that  what  bethought  a  graven  image  was  nothing 
more  than  a  hicroglvphic,  being  the  etligv  of  a  bald  eagle,  a  native  of 
America,  and  which  desi-rnates  the  cause  in  which  he  had  successfullv 
sened.  ']'he  clergyman,  who  was  as  much  the  slave  of  fanaticism  as 
the  captain  was  free  from  the  shackles  of"  religious  austerity,  appearing 
to  demur,  the  Cincinnati  gentleman  continued  : — Was  not  the  eagle  the 
standard  of"  the  Roman  legions;  and  docs  it  not  remain  the  arms  of  se- 
veral Euro|)ean  nations?  Are  not  the  lion  and  unicorn  the  arms  of  Eng- 
land, as  is  the  thistle  of  Scotland,  and  the  harp  of  Ireland  ?  The  eagle 
therefore  hatl  been  chosen  by  the  Cincinnati  for  their  badge,  and  being 
of  this  order,  he  wore  the  device,  and  for  no  other  reason. 

"  It  was  admitted  by  the  holy  man  that  in  rigid  strictness  it  might  not 
be  a  graven  image,  as  the  term  certainly  meant  engraving  on  wood  or 
metal  with  the  ])oint  of  an  instrument;  and  therefore  the  wearer  might,, 
under  this  exposition,  say  it  was  not  a  graven  image.  It  was,  at  all 
events,  continued  the  priest,  a  molten  one,  and  therefore  was  doubtless 
for  the  purpose  of  idolatry.  It  was  the  representation  of  a  bird,  the 
emblem  of  some  heathen  deity.  The  eagle  was  sacred  to  Jupiter,  and 
perhaps  was  now  worn  in  hoiiour  of  that  fiilse  god.     In  vain  the  officer 

maintained 


RURLESQUE   ON    AMERICAN  ELECTIONS.  289 

maintained  his  position  ;  the  priest  persisted  that  it  was  an  idol ;  sheM'infj 
from  scripture  that  in  the  last  times  idolaters  were  to  spring-  up,  and 
concluding  by  an  insinuation,  that  this  order  of  the  Cincinnati  might  he 
the  Gog  and  Magog  of  the  Apocalypse  ! 

"  The  captain  rising  early  next  morning,  and  setting  out  on  his  way» 
had  arrived  at  a  place  where  a  number  of"  people  were  convened,  for 
the  purpose  of  electing  persons  to  represent  them  in  the  legislature  of 
the  state.  A  weaver,  who  was  a  candidate  for  this  appointment,  seemed 
to  have  considerable  interest  among  the  people;  but  another,  who  was 
a  man  of  education,  was  his  competitor.  Relying  on  the  elocutionary 
talents  which  lie  thought  he  possessed,  he  thus  harangued  the  multi- 
tude : — 

"  Fellow  citizens,  I  pretend  not  to  any  great  abilities ;  but  am  con- 
scious within  my  own  mind  that  I  have  the  best  good -will  to  serve  you. 
But  it  is  very  astonishing  to  me  that  this  weaver  should  conceive  himself 
qualified  for  the  trust ;  for,  though  my  acquirements  are  not  great,  yet 
his  are  still  less.  The  mechanical  business  which  he  pursues  mu!-t  ne- 
cessarily take  up  so  much  of  his  time  that  he  cannot  apply  himself  to  po- 
litical studies.  I  should  therefore  think  it  would  be  more  compatible 
with  your  dignity,  and  conducive  to  your  interest,  to  be  represented  by 
a  man  at  least  of  some  letters,  than  by  an  illiterate  handicraftsman  like  this. 
It  will  be  more  honorable  for  himself  to  remain  at  his  loom  and  knot  threads, 
than  to  come  forward  in  a  legislative  capacity ;  because,  in  the  one  case 
he  is  in  the  sphere  where  God  and  nature  have  placed  him,  in  the  other 
he  is  like  a  fish  out  of  water,  and  must  struggle  for  breath  in  a  new  ele- 
ment. Is  it  possible  that  he  can  umlerstand  the  affairs  of  government  whose 
mind  has  been  concentrated  in  the  small  object  of  weaving  webs?  The 
feet  of  him  who  weaves  are  more  occupied  than  his  head;  and  therefore 
the  whole  man  must  be,  at  least,  but  half  accustomed  to  use  his  mental 
powers.  For  these  reasons,  setting  aside  every  thing  else,  the  chance 
is  in  my  favour  with  respect  to  information.  However,  you  will  decide, 
and  give  your  suffrages  to  him  or  to  me,  as  you  shall  judge  expedient. " 

••  The 


290  BURLESQUE   ON    AMERICAN    ELECTIOKS. 

"  The  captiiii),  lieariiiq  tliesc  ohscrvations,  and  looking  at  the  \Vea  ' 
ver,  could  not  forbear  advancing  and  undertaking  to  subjoin  something 
in  support  of  wliat  had  just  been  said.  He  had  not  uttered  many  words 
before  he  heard  a  bustle  among  the  crowd.  Honest  Teague,  hearing 
so  much  about  elections  and  serving  the  government,  took  it  into  his 
head  that  he  could  be  a  legislator  himself.  The  thing  was  not  displeas- 
ing to  the  people,  who  seemed  to  favour  his  pretensions,  owing  in  some 
degree  to  there  being  several  of  his  countrymen  in  the  croud;  but  more 
especially  to  the  fluctuation  of  the  popular  mind,  and  a  disjjosition  to 
what  is  new  and  ignoble. 

"  The  captain,  finding  this  sudden  turn  of  the  tide,  was  greatly  cha- 
grined at  not  having  been  able  to  give  the  multitude  a  better  idea  of  the 
im})ortance  of  a  legislative  trust,  but  more  so  from  an  apprehension  of 
losing  his  servant,    again  harangued  the  the  electors,  telling  them  that 
they  were  making  the  matter  worse— that  they  had  better  choose  a  wea- 
ver than  a  bog-trotter,  who,  so  far  from  being  competent  to  enact  laws, 
could  not  understand  a  single  letter  of  the  language  in  which  they  ought 
to  be  written.     *  A  free  government,'  continued  the  captain,  '  is  a  noble 
possession  to  a  people ;  and  this  freedom  consists  in  an  equal  right  to 
make  laws,  and  to  have  the  benefit  of  the  laws  when  made.     Though, 
doubtless,  in  such  a  government,  the  lowest  citizen  may  become  chief 
magistrate,  yet  it  is  sufficient  to  possess  the  right,  not  absolutely  neces- 
sary, to  exercise  it.     Or  even  should  you  think  proper  now  and  then  to 
claim  your  privilege,  and  exert,  in  a  signal  manner,  the  democratic  pre- 
rogative, yet  is  it  not  descending  too  low  to  filch  away  from  me  my 
hireling,  whom   I  cannot  well  spare,  to  serve  your  purposes?     You 
surely  are  carrying  the  matter  too  far,  in  thinking  to  make  a  senator  of 
this  stable-boy  !  to  take  him  from  an  employment  to  which  he  has  been 
bred,  and  put  him  to  another,  to  which  he  hasseved  no  apprenticeship ! 
to  set  those  hands  which  have  been  lately  employed  in  currying  my  horse 
to  the  draughting  of  bills,  and  the  preparation  of  business  for  the  legis- 
lative assembly  !' 

•'  The 


BURLESQUE   O.N    AMERICAN    IXECTIOX.  291 

"  The  |)e()|*le,  however,  were  tenacious  of  their  choice,  and  insisted 
on  giving  Teagiie  their  suftVages;  nay,  the  frown  upon  their  l)rows 
seemed  to  indicate  resentment  at  what  had  heen  said,  as  iiKhiectly 
charging  tiiem  with  Avant  of"  judgment,  or  calHng  in  (juestion  their  privi- 
lege to  do  what  they  pleased.  '  \\e  will  empower  him,'  said  one  who  ^^ 
spoke  for  the  rest,  'and  we  had  rather  trust  a  plain  man  like  him  than 
one  of  your  highflyers,  who  will  make  laws  to  suit  themselves.' 

"  Finding  that  it  ansA^ered  no  end  to  expostulate  with  the  multitude, 
he  called  Teague  aside  to  try  how  argument  would  \^  ork  upon  him. 
Having  explained  the  nature  and  difliculty  of  filling  the  character  of  a 
statesman,  and  touched  him  upon  the  point  of  honour,  as  to  quitting  an 
honest  calling  to  become  a  member  of  congress;  declaring  he  would  ra- 
ther see  him  digging  turf  again  in  Ireland  than  passing  laws  wliich  he 
knew  nothing  about,  Teague  conquered  his  ambition,  and  told  the  elec- 
tors, that,  upon  considering  the  matter,  he  found  it  would  not  do  to  leave 
a  good  place  for  the  sake  of  going  to  congress.  The  wea\'er  was  there- 
fore elected  by  a  large  majority. 

"  The  captain  having  thus  rescued  his  servant,  proceeded  on  his  jour- 
nev.  He  had  not  gone  manv  miles  before  he  overtook  a  man  drivinu" 
a  horse  loaded  with  two  kegs  or  half-barrels.  The  captain  took  him  for 
a  paek-horse  man  carrying  something  to  market.  A  person  of  a  philo- 
sophic turn  of  mind  never  hesitates  to  enter  into  conversation  with  any 
character  whatever,  because  human  nature  is  the  field  from  which  he 
gathers  thoughts  and  expressions.  The  captain  therefore  accosted  this 
man ;  they  entered  into  conversation,  and  he  soon  found,  to  his  great 
mortification,  that  another  election  was  about  to  take  |)lace  a  little  dis- 
tance forward ;  tliat  this  man  was  a  candidate ;  and  that  the  two  kegs 
contained  whisk\^  for  the  voters.  The  captain  was  thrown  into  a  reve- 
rie, and  began  to  reflect  within  himself  on  the  nature  of  a  republican 
government,  where  canvassing,  by  such  means  as  this,  can  work  so  great 
an  evil  as  to  elevate  the  most  unqualified  persons  to  a  seat  in  the  highest 

2  P  deliberative 


'''^; 


292  BURLESQUE    ON    AMERICAN    ELECTIONS. 

(U'liberative  assemblies.  But  in  the  mean  time  recovering  himself  a  lit- 
tle, he  had  the  presence  of  mind  to  recollect  the  danger  in  which  he 
was  likely  to  be  again  involved  with  his  man  Teague ;  whom,  looking 
round,  he  saw  about  (brty  yards  behind  him.  It  would  have  been  ad- 
visable to  haye  turned  oti"  from  the  road,  and  taken  a  circuitous  route  to 
avoid  the  election,  but  the  lane  would  not  favor  the  attempt.  Ther<i 
was  no  alternative  than  either  to  proceed  or  to  leap  the  fence,  and  strike 
off  across  the  country.  To  the  latter,  his  sober  nag  was  by  no  means  com- 
petent. Besides,  il' Teague  could  not  leap  after  him,  he  would  be  left 
exposed  in  the  lane  to  the  populace,  who  might  again  solicit  him  to  be 
their  representative.  To  turn  back,  would  appear  indecorous,  and 
unless  he  could  drive  Teague  on  before  him,  which  was  not  cus- 
tomary,* and  to  which  he  might  not  immediately  submit,  his  situation 
would  be  of  course  in  the  rear,  where  he  might  himself  be  picked  u[) 
and  sent  to  some  public  body. 

"  In  the  midst  of  this  dilemma,  looking  up,  he  saw  the  immediate 
approach  of  danger ;  the  people  appeared  in  view,  convened  to  choose 
their  representative ;  it  was  therefore  too  late  to  avoid  them.  He  ad- 
vanced, keeping  a  sharp  look-out  upon  Teague,  the  principal  cause  of 
this  concern. 

"  Meeting  one  of  the  electors  near  the  ground  where  the  election  was 
to  be  held,  he  communicated  to  him  the  delicacy  of  his  situation,  and 
the  ai)prchensions  he  had  on  the  part  of  Teague.  The  elector  assured 
him  that  he  might  be  under  no  concern  on  that  head,  as  there  remained 
no  doubt  that  the  man  with  the  two  kegs  would  be  elected.  "  There 
is  no  resisting  good  litpior,"  continued  the  elector,  who  was  of  a  supe- 
rior order  of  beings;  "  it  has  a  wonderful  effect  on  the  judgment  in  the 

♦The  scene  of  this  salire  is  in  Pennsylvania,  where  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people  ditTer  as 
widely  Itom  the  southern  states,  as  those  of  France  and  Spain.  In  North  Carolina,  in  travelling,  the 
servant  goes  bejorc  the  master.  The  reason  assigned  to  me  for  this  deviation  was,  that  the  flics  in  summer 
followed  the  foremost  horse.  , 

choice 


BURLESQUE  ON  AMERICAN   ELECTIONS.  293 

choice  of  a  representative.  A  man  that  has  a  distiller}^  or  two  in  this 
country  cannot  want  suffrages.  He  has  his  votaries  about  him,  Uke 
the  heathen  gods,  and  because  the  fluid  exliilarates  the  brain,  they 
revere  him  who  makes  it,  as  a  deity." 

"The  candidate  who  opposed  the  man  with  the  two  kegs,  was  a  person 
of  gravity,  sense,  and  experience.  The  judgment  of  the  people  was 
in  his  favor,  but  their  appetite  leaned  against  him.  Teague,  seeing  a 
second  instance  of  the  contest  to  be  a  member  of  congress,  began  to 
repent  his  former  conduct  in  declining,  at  the  very  moment  his  election 
was  secure.  He  had  begun  to  make  a  bustle  among  the  electors  before 
the  captain  observed  him,  and  was  actually  gaining  their  attention, 
when  fortunately  the  kegs  were  tapped,  and  the  man  who  brought  them 
was  immediately  elected. 

"  Caligula  made  his  horse  a  senator.  A  man  was  made  a  kniglit,*  in 
modern  times,  for  stuffing  birds.  A  Scotch  university  has  been  charged 
with  granting  diplomas  to  any  applicant  Avho  could  pay  their  fees  ;  and 
also,  with  making  bishops  for  America.  A  man  was  pensioned  for  writing 
a  book  which  contributcdtoset  Europe  in  flames. f  Where,  then,  would 
have  been  the  joke  in  Americans  sending  an  honest  Irishman  to 
congress  ?" 

The  device  of  the  medal  of  the  order  of  Cincinnati  is,  Britannia 
represented  as  a  fine  woman,  with  her  bosom  bare,  afiVighted;  and 
Cincinnatus,  an  accoutred  knight,  attacking  her  thus  unarmed,  as 
Saint  George  did  the  dragon;  the  eagle,  the  bird  of  Jove,  meatiwhile 
grasps  the  lightning  in  his  claws  ;  an  image  that  would  seem  unnatural. 
The  eagle  might  be  represented  in  the  clouds  of  Jove,  where  the  light- 
ning might  be  left  to  work  its  forked  course,  without  the  intervention  of 
the   bird;  and  in  tne  other  figure,  Cincinnatus  miglit  raise  his  lance 


*  Sir  Aston  Lever,  knighted  by  King  George  tlie  'I  liird. 
iimons,  Nov.  23,   1795,  resiieclii 

2  P  2  against 


t  See  Mr.  Strutt's  speech  in  tlie  iioiise  of  commons,  Nov.  23,   1795,  resiieding  Burke's  then  recent 
publication. 


Jt)i  INSIGNIA    OF   TIIH    OliDER   01-    ONCINNA'II. 

;iuaiii>t  the   lion  that  supports  the  crown,  and  not  again>t  the  defence- 
less goddess  ot  the  ishuul, 

'IMio  motto  of  the  hadu'c  is,  Omnht  reliqiiit  servarc  rempnh/ica/ii.    The 
infuiitivc  is  hnv   iis(>d    instead    of  th(!   tjernnd   with  the  preposition,  ad 
sciTdiuliiiii ;  as  if  it  was  intended  to  express  his  motion,  or,  chanpe  ot 
phiee,  and  not  the  object.     But,  in  fact,  the  motto  does  not  at  all  ex- 
j)ress  that  in  which  the  merit  of  Cincinnatns  really  consisted.     It  was 
not  in  his  leaving-  every  thinj?  to  accept  the  commission  ot    the  Roman 
senate;  but  in  resinning  his  commission,  when  he  had  achieved  the  sal- 
vation of  his  country,  and  going-  back  to  his  plough  again.      His  praise 
would  have  been    better  expressed   l)y   the   phrase,  I  ictw  ad  arutrum 
reilit.     In  tact,  it  cannot  apply  well  to  the   American   army,  most  of 
the  othcers  not  having  much  to  leave   wlien  they  accepted  their  com- 
missions; but  discovering  a  Cinriiniatus-like   disposition,  in   returning-, 
after  the  war,  to  the  employments  of  civil  life.      It  is  true,  there  would 
have  been  less  tinsel,  and  more   bullion,  in   the  patriotism   of  retiring 
without  a  badge,  as  Cincinnatus  did;  but  it  is  a  thing  that  can  do  little 
harm,  and  it  is  pleasing  to  indulge  a  whinK 

It  may  doubtless  be  said,  that  there  Avere  officers  that  left  the  plough, 
and  fousht,  and  returned  to  it,  as  well  as  those  -who  are  within  the  limit- 
ations  of  the  institution,  and  are  as  justly  entitled  to  a  badge ;  that  troops 
who  had  served  a  short  enlistment,  and  militia,  -who  have,  at  least, 
fought  a  little,  were  not  wholly  destitute  of  some  claim  to  the  badge  of 
merit.  Even  those  who  lost  property  might  be  said  to  sutfer,  and  ad- 
vance pretensions  to  the  reward  of  honour.  Not  that  all  ot  them 
should  claim  gold  medals,  or  even  silver;  but  some  brass,  some  coj^per, 
pewter,  a  bit  of  tin  or  pot  metal,  just  as  the  specific  value  of  their  ser- 
vices miglit  eivtitle  them.  Perhaps,  while  sonJ£  wore  it  at  the  breast, 
others  might  be  enjoined  to  wear  it  at  the  breeches  pocket ;  and  thus, 
as  well  by  the  point  trom  which  ai)pendant,  as  by  the  bob  itself,  desig- 
nate the  proportion  of  tlieir  honour. 

J  Passing 


SVSTE.M    OF   AMERICAN    REPRESENTATION'.  29,> 

Passing  from  gay  to  grave,  it  nia\-  not  be  amiss  here  to  give  the 
reader  some  idea  of"  the  constitution  of  the  legislative  assemblies  of  the 
Am!:'rican  republic.  The  congress  of  the  United  States  consists  of  t\vo 
houses  of  legislators,  the  senate,  and  the  house  of  representatives. 
Thev  exercise  certain  functions  delegated  to  them  bv  the  people,  re- 
sembling those  of  the  lords  and  couimons  of  Great  Britain.  Acts  of 
congress  must  pass  both  houses,  and  eithei-  house  can  throw  out  a  bill, 
as  in  the  English  parliament.  W'  hen  the  act  has  passed  both  houses,  it 
is  left  for  the^'a^  of  the  president;  in  short,  in  the  manner  of  conducting 
their  public  business,  the  rules  laid  down  in  debate,  and  the  standing 
orders  of  the  house,  they  are  modelled  after  the  usage  of  their  mother 
countrJ^ 

The  senate  is  composed  of  two  members  from  each  state;  and  as 
there  are  already  seventeen  states,  that  house  consequently  consists  of 
thirtv-four  members,  with  the  vice-president  of  the  United  States,  Avho 
sits  as  their  president ;  and  who,  on  an  equal  division  on  a  question, 
has  the  casting  vote. 

The  house  of  representatives  are  elected  by  the  free  and  uninfluenced 
voice  of  the  people  ;  every  freeman  having  a  right  to  vote  at  the  elec- 
tions, which  take  place  every  second  year.  Care  was  taken  to  guard 
against  every  species  of  corruption  in  this,  as  well  as  ever)'  part  of  the 
federal  constitution,  Avhich  was  formed  under  the  auspices  of  the  man 
who  was  the  principal  agent  in  securing  their  independence;  I  mean — 
Wasliington. 

By  this  constitution,  thirty-three  thousand  freemen  are  entitled  to- 
elect  one  of  themselves,  as  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives. 
The  following  is  the  proportion  of  members  sent  by  each  state,  ar- 
ranged in  geographical  order.. 

1  *  From. 


SYSTEM   OF    AMERICAN    REPRESENTATION. 


1  *  From  New  Ilatnpsliire 


2  • 
3 

4  • 

5  • 

6  * 

7  • 

8  • 

9  • 
10  • 


.  Massacliusels 
.  Vermont 
.  Kliode  Island 
.  Connecticut 
.  New  York    - 
.  Now  Jersey  - 
.  Pennsylvania 
.  Delaware 
.  Maryland 


5 

17 

4 

2 

7 

17 

6 

18 

I 

9 


1 1  •  From  Virginia         -        •        -        -        -  22 

12  .  .  Kentucky       -----  (j 

13  •     .  .  North  Carolina      -        -        -        -  II 

14  .  .  Tennessee     -----;) 

15  *     .  .  South  Carolina      -        -        -        -  8 

16  •     .  .  Georgia         -        ....  4 

17  .     .  Ohio 12 


143 


The  Indiana  and  Mississippi  territories. 


The  states  marked  *  composed  the  Britisli  colonies  previous  to  the 
American  war. 

The  territories  of  Indiana  and  jNIississipi^i  had  not,  on  the  taking  of 
the  last  census,  a  sufficient  population  to  entitle  them  to  be  added  to  the 
federate  body.  From  the  great  emigration  to  those  parts  of  the 
country,  there  is  little  doubt  that,  on  the  next  enumeration  of  ci- 
tizens, they  will  be  declared  independent  states.  Estimating  the 
jiopulation  according  to  the  number  of  representatives,  it  does  not 
make  the  whole  population  equal  to  what  I  have  already  stated.  This 
is  easily  explained  : — for  instance,  the  above  territories  might  have 
nearli)  numbered  an  amount,  entitling  them  to  return  each  another  re- 
presentative ;  and  a  large  surplus  over  the  33,000  votes  were  found  in 
other  parts  of  the  Union.  On  this  account,  I  have  no  reason  to  alter 
my  calculations  of  the  population  in  the  third  cha})ter. 


CHAP. 


297 


CHAP.  XXII. 


DEPLORABLE      EFFECTS     OF     THE     UNCONTROLLED    LIBERTY    ALLOWED    TO    YOUTH 

IN     AMERICA SMOKINC AN      ACADEMIC      FROLIC SLINGERS ELEVENERS 

GOUGING  — BITING  — KICKING— PICTURE    OF    A    CAROLINA    LOG-HOUSE. 


One  of  the  greatest  evils  of  a  republican  form  of  government  is  a  loss 
of  that  subordination  in  society  Avhich  is  essentially  necessary  to  render 
a  country  agreeable  to  foreigners.  To  the  well-informed  this  defect 
is  irksome,  and  no  remedy  for  it  can  be  applied.  The  meaning  of 
liberty  and  equality,  in  the  opinion  of  the  vulgar,  consists  in  impudent 
freedom,  and  uncontrolled  licentiousness;  while  boys  assume  the  airs 
of  full-grown  coxcombs.  This  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  where  most 
parents  make  it  a  principle  never  to  check  those  ungovernable  passions 
which  are  born  with  us,  or  to  correct  the  growing  vices  of  their  children. 
Often  have  I,  ^\\th  horror,  seen  boys,  whose  dress  indicated  wealthy 
parents,  intoxicated,  shouting  and  swearing  in  the  public  streets.  In 
the  use  of  that  stupefying  weed,  tobacco,  apeing  their  fathers,  they 
smoke  segars  to  so  immoderate  a  degree,  that  sickness,  and  even  death, 
has  been  the  consequence.  This  is  fully  elucidated  by  the  following 
paragraph,  copied  from  a  late  newspaper,  printed  at  Salem,  in  Massa- 
chusets. 

"  Died  in  Salem,  Master  James  Verry,  aged  twelve,  a  promising 
youth,  whose  early  death  is  supposed  to  have  been  brought  on  by 

excessive  smoking  of  segars  !!!" 

2  That 


<2'9B  AfADHMIC    OlTRACr. 

That  this  jKTiiicious  custom  was  hahitiial  in  an  iiiliiiit,  not  four  year!? 
of  ai;c,  I  was  uiy>;'ira  uitucss.  This  hlllc  l)oy  is  tho  son  of  Thomas 
'J'avlor,  a  scgar-niaUer,  in  Alcxanih'ia,  near  VVashiuiiton.  While  con- 
versing with  the  lather,  I  obsei'vecl  the  son  smoking  a  large  scgar,  made 
of  the  strongest  tobacco.  I  cxj)ressc(l  my  astonishment  ;  on  which  the 
infatuated  parent,  with  an  exulting  smile,  rej)lied,  that  the  child  had 
contracted  the  habit  above  a  year  ago,  and  that  he  smoked  three, 
fiuir,  or  more,  daily,  which  he  was  regularly  su|)j)hed  with,  "  or  he 
vouUl  (TV  tor  them."  In  addition,  he  would  steal  tltem  when  oppor- 
J  unity  oHcred,  and,  in  fact,  he  was  seldom  without  aUghted  segar  in  his 
mouth.  What  was  most  surprising,  the  child  was  fat  and  healtliy  ; 
thus  for  a  time,  and  at  this  early  age,  proving  that  "  habit  is  second 
nature." 

A\'hen  children  arc  thus  indulged,  we  need  not  wonder  at  an  even- 
ing's frolic  of  some  young  students  of  William  and  Mary  College,  at 
^^'illiamsburg•,  in  Virginia,     The  particulars  of  that  abominable  tran- 
saction found  their  way  into  the  public  ne\vspa[)ers.   The  first  intimation 
was  in  the    Norfolk  Herald,  a  paper  of  extensive  circulation,  at  that 
time  conducted  by  Messrs.  Willett  and  O'Connor.     The  per|)etrators  of 
the  outrage  were,  soon  after  the  publication,  proved  to  be  students  of 
the  college.     I  shall  dismiss  this  unpleasant  subject  by  adding  a  copj'  of 
the  paragraph  alluded  to.     The   subsc(|iicnt  [)ublic  conuncnts  on  the 
tfausaction  1  have  not  preserved. 

"  Norfolk  Herald,  April  \5,  1803. 
"  A  gentleman  of  veracity  who  has  been  lately  at  A\'illiamsburg,  in- 
forms us,  that  on  the  first  of  April,  some  youths  of  that  i)lace  i)er|)e- 
trated  some  of  the  most  wicked  acts  that  human  imagination  could  in- 
vent. A  party  of  them  broke  into  the  church,  played  on  the  organ  for 
nearly  two  hours,  and  then  went  to  the  church-yard,  dug  up  the  body 
o\'  a  female  that  had  been  l)tn-ied  for  many  months,  took  it  fi'om  tlic 
CH)lhn,  and  placed  it  on  the  floor  of  an  cm[)ty  house  in   a  situation  too 

1  shocking 


SLING  KRS.  "  299 

shocking  to  describe  ! ! !  The  coffin  being  found,  led  to  the  discoverj'^. 
It  surely  could  not  be  any  of  the  students  of  William  and  Mary  College, 
for  it  is  impossible,  one  would  imagine,  that  they  would  attempt  so 
atrocious  and  villainous  an  act  under  the  eyes  of  their  preceptors.  Cer- 
tainly that  college  must  be  under  better  moral  government ;  yet  we  are 
told  that  strong  suspicions  lurk  toward  that  seminary.  It  is  an  old  say- 
ing, "  give  a  dog  a  bad  name,  and  hang  him  ;"  it  will  therefore  behove 
the  governors  of  that  institution,  to  endeavor,  by  all  means,  to  discover 
the  offenders,  bring  them  to  justice,  and  rescue  the  college  from  the 
reproach  that  will  otherwise  attach.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  parent  and 
guardian  that  have  youths  educating  there,  to  probe  this  matter  to  the 
quick  ;  for  if  the  rules  and  regulations  at  William  and  Mary  cannot 
keep  its  students  within  the  pale  of  decency,  then  education  will  rather 

be  a  curse  than  a  blessing  to  them." 

* 

There  is  a  numerous  set  of  people  in  the  Southern  States,  called 
sUngers,  and  another,  styled  ekveners.  It  is  strange  to  reflect  on  the 
eflects  of  habit,  when  we  give  way  to  indulgences.  Our  verv  appe- 
tites become  vitiated,  and  the  most  unnatural  propensities  degrade  the 
character  of  man. 

I  know  of  no  custom  more  destructive  than  that  which  is  practised  by 
slingers  and  eleveners.  The  European  learns  with  astonishment,  that 
the  first  craving  of  an  American,  in  the  morning,  is  for  ardent  spirits, 
mixed  with  sugar,  mint,  or  some  other  hot  herb  ;  and  which  are  called 
slings.  If  those  who  have  unha])pily  adopted  this  pernicious  practice, 
would  but  for  a  moment  consider  the  effects  of  strong  liquors  on  the 
stomach,  it  would  soon  be  exploded.     A  celebrated  physician  says  : 

"  No  kind  of  poison  kills  more  certainly  than  ardent  spirits.  Some- 
times, by  destroving  the  nervous  energy,  they  put  an  end  to  life  at 
once  ;  but  in  general  their  etiects  are  more  slow,  and  in  many  resjiects 
similar  to  those  of  opium." 

2  Q  Such 


300  r.LEVENERS— GOUGING, 

Such  is  the  opinion  of  the  faculty,  m  ith  reference  onlj''  to  those  wfio- 
indulge  with  the  bottle  in  the  evening,  or,  at  any  rate,  after  a  hearty 
dinner;  a  custom  pre^alent  in  Britain.  No  idea  was  entertained  by 
this  author  of  vionung  drinkers,  because  his  countrymen  never  drink 
wine  or  spirit  until  the  afternoon.  But,  ii"  ardent  spirits  produce  sucli 
dreadful  effects  among  them,  how  much  more  certain  and  speedy  must 
they  prove  to  those  who  swallow  slings  upon  an  empty  stomach.  It  is 
giving  the  poison  a  double  chance  of  proving  fatal — it  is  like  throwing 
aqua  fortis  upon  steel.  I'^.nglishnien,  in  some  measure,  counteract  its 
effects  by  laying  a  foundation  for  the  sjjirits  they  take  to  work  uj)on  ; 
but  the  Virginians,  Carolinians,  and  Georgians  suffer  it  to  prej-  upon 
their  very  vitals. 

A  second-rate  consumer  of  distillations  from  the  sugar-cane,  the 
grape,  and  the  juniper-berry,  is  the  elevener.  Sometimes  I  ha^e  found 
both  these  vile  habits  in  one  unfortunate  fellow-creature  ;  to  such,  ad- 
monitions are  in  vain.  These  eleveners  are  generally  found  strolling 
about  the  corners  of  streets,  or  other  public  places,  at  the  eleventh 
hour,  A.  M.  After  the  common-place  conversation,  they  adjourn, 
and  take  more  spirits. 

"  The  delicate  and  entertaining  diversion,  with  propriety  called 
GOUGING,  is  thus  performed  : — When  two  boxers  are  wearied  out  with 
fighting  and  bruising  each  other,  they  come,  as  it  is  called,  to  close 
quarters,  and  each  endeavours  to  twist  his  fore-fingers  in  the  ear-locks 
of  his  antagonist.  When  these  are  fast  clenched,  the  thumbs  are  ex- 
tended each  way  to  tlie  nose,  and  the  eyes  genthj  turned  out  of  the 
sockets.  The  victor,  for  his  expertness,  receives  shouts  of  applause 
from  the  sportive  throng,  while  his  poor  eyeless  antagonist  is  laughed  at 
lor  his  misfortune."  Such  are  the  very  words  of  Morse,  in  his  American 
Geography,  under  the  head  of  North  Carolina. 

'Ihutthe  European  reader  may  give  immediate  credit  to  the  existence 

5  of 


GOUGING.  301 

of  this  most  horrible  practice  called  ooun-iiig,  I  have  quoted  the  words  of 
a  native  author.  It  is  in  vain  for  later  writers  to  glo^s  over  the  subject; 
to  pretend  that  this  custom  was  once  practised  in  Americ.j;  (;r  that  such 
was  the  revenge  which  once  jirevaiied  in  the  breast  of  civilised  man.  It 
is  my  avowed  purpose  to  paint  "  the  manners  livini>^  as  they  rise  ;"  and 
upon  this  point,  with  pain  am  I  compelled  to  declare,  that  this  more 
than  savage  custom  is  daily  practi:-ed  among  the  lower  classes  in  the 
southern  states. 

Though  Mr.  Morse  gives  frequent  occasion  to  differ  from  him  on 
many  points,  yet  I  admit  that  he  did  travel  tln-ough  the  different  states 
of  the  Union  to  collect  materials  for  the  work  above-mentioned.  I 
farther  admit  a  belief  that  Mr.  Morse  did  not  write  to  serve  any  dis- 
honorable purpose — that  he  meant  to  instruct,  and  not  to  mislead. 
And,  were  he  divested  of  that  strong  prejudice,  so  prominent  a  feature 
in  the  works  of  most  American  authors,  when  speaking  of  their  country, 
his  Geography  might  be  pronounced  an  acquisition  to  the  British 
reader. 

It  is  therefore  evident  that  gouging  is  a  barbarity  still  continued  in 
America;  but,  as  an  author,  posterior  to  Mr.  jMor>e,  and  an  English- 
man, has  attempted  to  insinuate  that  it  is  now  no  longer  practised, 
I  shall  relate  a  few  recent  instances  of  its  existence,  and  a  j)ainlul 
description  of  an  ocular  demonstration  of  the  horrors  of  its  exe- 
cution. 

Passing,  in  company  with  other  traA^ellers,  through  the  state  of 
Georgia,  our  attention  was  arrested  by  a  gouging-mateh.  We  found 
the  combatants,  as  Morse  describes,  fast  clenched  by  the  ban-,  and 
their  thumbs  endeavoring  to  force  a  passage  into  each  other's  eyes ; 
while  several  of  the  bystanders  were  betting  iqjon  the  first  eye  to  be 
turned  out  of  its  socket.     P'or  some  time  the  combatants  avoided  the 

2  Q  2  ihiimh 


302  BrriNG— KICKING. 

thumb  stroke  with  dexterity.  At  length  they  fell  to  the  ground,  and  in 
an  instant  the  uppermost  sprung  up  with  his  antagonist's  eye  in  his 
hand  ! ! !  The  savage  erowd  applauded,  -while,  sick  with  horror,  we 
galloped  away  from  the  infernal  seene.  The  name  of  the  sufferer  was 
John  Butler,  a  Carolinian,  who,  it  seems,  had  heen  dared  to  the  com- 
bat by  a  Georgian  ;  and  the  fust  eye  was  lor  the  honor  of  the  state  to 
which  thej'  respectively  belonged. 

The  eye  is  not  the  only  feature  which  suffers  on  these  occasions. 
Like  dogs  and  bears,  they  use  their  teeth  *  and  feet,  with  the  most 
savage  ferocity,  upon  each  other. 

A  brute,  in  human  form,  named  John  Stanley,  of  Bertie  county. 
North  Carolina,  sharpens  his  teeth  with  a  file,  and  boasts  of  his  depen- 
dence upon  them  in  fight.  This  monster  will  also  exult  in  relating  the 
account  of  the  noses  and  ears  he  has  bitten  oflT,  and  the  cheeks  he  has 
torn. 

A  man  of  the  name  of  Thomas  Penrise,  then  living  in  Edenton.  in 
the  same  state,  attempting  at  cards  to  cheat  some  half-drunken  sailors, 
was  detected.  A  scuffle  ensued ;  Penrise  knocked  out  the  candle, 
then  gouged  out  three  eyes,  bit  off"  an  ear,  tore  a  few  cheeks,  and  made 
good  his  retreat. 

Near  the  same  place,  a  schoolmaster,  named  Jarvis  Lucas,  was  beset 
by  three  men,  one  Horton,  his  son,  and  son-in-law.  These  ruthans 
beat  the  unfortunate  man  till  his  life  was  despaired  of,  having  bitten, 
gouged,  and  kicked  him  unmercifully.     On  the  trial  of  an  indictment 


•  During  the  author's  residence  in  North  Carolina,  Mr.  Standen,  tlie  post-master,  and  a  merchant 
of  Edenton,  had  a  part  of  his  cheek  bitten  off  in  an  artVay  with  O'Mally,  a  tavern-keeper  in  that 
town. 

for 


BUTTING.  303 

for  this  outrageous  assault,  a  Carolina  court  of  justice  amerced  them  in 
a  small  fine  only. 

In  the  county  of  Pitt,  upon  Tar  river,  in  North  Carolina,  lived  a 
family,  by  name  Dtipray ;  of  such  extraordinary  propensity  for  mis- 
chief, that  it  could  not  be  determined  whether  the  father  or  his  sons  were 
most  wicked.  These  ruffians  long  lived  upon  plunder,  and  the  princi- 
pal ol>ject  in  committing  their  depredations  a|>|)eared  to  be  amusement. 
Falling  into  company  one  evening  with  an  Irish  taylor,  at  a  small  pub- 
lic-house, they  insisted  on  his  joining  them  at  a  game  at  cards.  On  his 
refusal,  they  began  to  quarrel ;  when,  dreading  the  consequences,  the 
Hibernian  adroitl^r  put  out  the  candle,  and  crept  under  the  table.  The 
younger  ruflians  seized  their  father,  whom  they  mistook  for  the  tailor, 
and,  from  the  severity  of  beating,  gouging,  biting,  butting,  and  kick- 
ing, actually  killed  their  parent.  This  horrid  outrage,  connected  with 
the  mischief  and  depredations  committed  by  this  family,  drove  tlie  parri- 
cides out  of  the  state,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  more  peaceable  inhabitants. 

Another  bestial  mode  of  assault  used  by  men  in  North  Carolina,  is 
properly  called  butting.  This  attack  is  also  copied  from  the  brute  crea- 
tion, and  is  executed  nearly  in  the  same  manner  as  practised  in  battle 
between  bulls,  rams,  and  goats.  A  traveller  has  endeavored  to  confine 
butting  to  the  negroes ;  but  he  must  excuse  my  implicating  the  white 
man  in  this  brutal  act. 

That  the  reader  may  become  a  little  familiar  with  these  Columbian 
accomplishments,  I  can  assure  him  that  disputes  terminated  in  England 
by  fair  blows,  are  gentralli/  there  maintained  by  the  practice  of  some, 
and  often  all  of  these  dreadful  stratagems,  should  opportunities  offer 
during  the  combat. 

An  American  pugilist  is  equally  dexterous  with  his  feet,  which  are 

used 


304  A   CAROLINA   LOC-IIOl'SE. 

used,  not  onl}'  against  his  antagonist's  shins,  but  are  applied,  with  the 
utmost  violence,  against  those  parts  which  the  contending  beasts  of  the 
field  never  assail.  Hence  rnptures,'  loss  of  eyes,  niutiiateil  noses,  and. 
indented  cheeks  so  ii'ecjnently  surprise  and  shock  the  traveller.  A  fellow 
named  Mic/iie,  in  my  presence,  boasted  "  that  he  could  kick  any  man, 
six  feet  high,  under  the  cliin,  and  break  his  jaws." 

But  let  us  conclude  this  odious  subject,  which  should  never  have 
stained  thes{>  pages,  had  imt  the  author  first  alluded  to,  proclaimed  to 
the  \Aorld  the  cruel  mid  lumatiiral  liicts,  by  observing,  that  these  bar- 
barities appear  not  to  have  been  the  genuine  growth  of  American  soil. 
Nosuch  practices  would  be  endured  by  an  English  mob ;  no  such  disgrace- 
ful revenge  ever  entered  the  breast  of  a  Creek,  a  Cherokee,  or  a 
Kicapoo  Indian. 

The  lower  class  in  this  gouging,  biting,  kicking  country,  are  the  most 
abject  that,  perhaps,  ever  peopled  a  C!hristian  land.  They  live  in  the 
■woods  and  desarts,  and  many  of  them  cultivate  no  ii^ore  land  than  will 
raise  them  corn  and  cabbages,  which,  with  fish,  and  occasionally  a 
piece  of  pickled  pork  or  bacon,  are  tlieir  constant  food.  This  land,  on 
which,  prior  to  their  settlement,  no  human  step  had  ever  marked  a  path, 
required  clearing  of  trees,  \vhose  tops  .'Imost  reached  the  clouds,  before 
a  spot  could  be  found  large  enough  to  erect  a  shelter  tor  the  women  and 
children.  Their  habitations  are  more  wretched  than  can  be  conceived  ; 
the  huts  of  the  poor  of  Ireland,  or  even  the  meanest  Indian  wig-wam, 
disi)laving  more  ingenuity  and  greater  industry.  They  arc  constructed 
of  pine  trees,  cut  in  lengths  often  or  fifteen  feet,  and  piled  up  in  a 
square,  without  any  other  workmanship  than  a  notch  at  the  end  of  each 
log,  to  l<ee[)  them  iu  contact.  When  this  barbarous  pile  is  raised  be- 
tween six  and  seven  feet,  they  split  the  remainder  of  their  logs  to  the 
thickness  of  two  or  three  inches,  and  by  laying  them  over  the  whole  in 
a  sloping  direction,  form  the  roof.     The  chnnney  is,  if  possible,  worse 

than 


REPUBLICANISM   L\   CAROLINA.  305 

than  Dr.  Johnson  describes  the  hole  in  the  roof  of  a  house  in  Scotland, 
throiigli  which  the  smoke  found  a  passage.  The  summer's  scorching- 
sun,  and  the  bleak  winds  of  Avinter,  are  equally  accessible  to  this  mise- 
rable dwelling.  The  interstices  between  the  logs  are  often  left  open  to 
the  elements,  and  are  large  enough  to  give  admission  to  vermin  and 
reptiles,  which  abound  in  this  part  of  the  world. 

Amid  these  accumulated  miseries,  the  inhabitants  of  log-houses  are 
extremely  tenacious  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of  republicanism.  They 
consider  themselves  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  best  educated  people 
of  the  country,  and  upon  the  principles  of  equality  they  intrude  them- 
iselves  into  every  company.  In  the  taverns  in  this  part  of  the  United 
States,  there  is  generally  no  other  accommodation  than  a  large  sitting- 
room,  in  common,  where  the  governor  of  the  state,  and  the  judge  of 
the  district,  in  travelling,  must  associate  with  their  fellow-citizens  of 
every  degree. 


CHAP. 


306 


CHAP.  XXIIL 


BEE-HUNTING  —  ADVENTURR  OF  A.N  AMERICAN  QUARTER-MASTER  SERJEANT- 
ALLIGATORS — ESTABLISHMENT  OF  A  CAROLINA  FARMER  AM)  INN-KEEPER- 
THE    LOCUST — THE    COCK-UOACH  —  ANT». 


In  the  Carolinas,  there  are  innumerable  commonwealths  of  bees,  sub- 
ject to  no  control  from  man.  They  build  their  hives  in  the  hollow  parts 
of  large  trees,  and  as  r^ar  the  summit  as  they  can  find  a  convenient  ca- 
vity. The  hunting  of  these  industrious  societies,  is  an  object  of  both 
|)rofit  and  pleasure  to  the  inhal)itants.  When  their  retreat  has  acciden- 
tally been  discovered,  it  is  marked  by  cutting  notches  in  the  trees  to  the 
nearest  habitation,  and  a  day  is  appointed  for  a  bee  hunt.  Haifa  dozen 
men  or  more,  assemble,  each  provided  with  a  gun,  for  the  double  pur- 
pose of  killing  game  in  their  expedition,  and  lor  defence  against  the  beasts 
of  the  forest.     They  also  carry  axes  to  cut  down  the  tree. 

On  an  occasion  of  this  nature,  as  the  party  cautiously  approached  the 
marked  spot,  they  were  surprised  to  find  the  proprietors  of  the  hive  in 
great  wrath  flying  oxer  their  property ;  and  on  a  nearer  view,  they  wit- 
nessed the  cause  of  the  tumult.  A  be  u-,  of  enormous  bulk,  attracted  by 
the  smell  of  the  ripe  honey,  of  which  those  animals  are  extremely  fond, 
had  scented  the  tree  some  minutes  before  the  arrival  of  the  two-legged 
plunderers.  Bruin  was  in  the  act  of  lapping  the  honey,  which  he  ob- 
tained by  tlHU>tii)g  his  paw  through  a  hole  in  the  centre  of  a  knot,  which 
the  bees  u»ed  as  the  entrance  to  their  cell.  The  insects,  in  their  deRtice 

i  attacked 


BEE-HUNT1\G.  307 

attacked  him  bj'^  swarms,  and  darted  their  stings  into  the  most  vuhiera- 
ble  parts  of  his  face ;  to  guard  which,  he  applied  one  paw  full  ot  honey 
over  the  annoyed  parts,  and  ate  the  next,  in  swallowing  which  he  would 
give  a  few  strokes  amongst  his  antagonists,  and  then  proceed  to  arjotJier 
scoop  of  honey.  A  hall  from  a  rifle,  brought  Bruin,  in  the  midst  of  his 
repast,  to  the  ground,  and  great, was  his  fall.  The  hunters  quickly  felled 
the  tree,  and,  being  pre))ared  to  resist  the  darts  of  the  owners,  soon  se- 
cured the  remainder  of  the  honey,  the  comb  of  which  had  been  dread- 
fully mangled  by  the  paw  of  the  hear,  but  his  carcase  made  them  am- 
ple amends. 

Mr.  Andrew  Nilson,  of  Philadelphia,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  served 
under  General  Washington  in  the  American  army  during  the  whole  of 
the  war,  and  who  is  now  a  major,  informed  me,  that  at  the  time  Lord 
Cornwallis  was  pursuing  the  Americans  through  the  Carolinas,  at  which 
time  he  was  a  quarter-master  serjeant,  he  had,  dui-ing  a  day's  rapid  retreat, 
marked  a  hive  ot  bees.  At  night,  whilst  both  the  pursuers  and  the  pursued 
were  obliged  to  halt  and  rest,  he  privately  singled  out  a  file  of  soldiers,  with 
whom,  carrying  a  barrel  for  the  ipurpose,  he  retrograded  some  miles  to 
attack  the  bee-hive,  which  was  then  at  an  equal  distance  between  the  two 
armies.  He  arrived  with  his  party  at  the  tree,  Avhich  they  felled  with- 
out creating  alarm  ;  and  the  moon  afforded  them  light  to  secure  the  ho- 
ney, which  was  slung  upon  a  pole.  After  proceeding  with  it  two  or 
three  miles,  they  were  su^rprised  by  an  armed  reconnoitering  part\-.  To 
escajie  was  impossible ;  and  resistance,  having  no  arms,  was  in  vain. 
Convinced  that  his  rashness  had  thrown  him  into  the  hands  of  his  ene- 
my, he  prepared  to  surrender  himself  and  party  as  prisoners  of  war.  He 
was  hailed — the  parole  and  countersign  were  demanded,  and  Nilson 
repeated  those  given  out  for  the  night  by  the  American  commander ; 
■which,  to  his  great  joy,  proved  satisfactory.  It  was  a  party  from  the 
American  army  watching  the  early  approach  of  their  pursuers;  and  the 
conmianding  officer  proved  to  be  the  major  of  the  regiment  to  which  the 
offending  serjeant  belonged.     Being  interrogated  as  to  the  motive  of 

2  R  the 


308  AUVAMAf.LS   FHOM  the   INDUi;TRY    Or   Tlir.   BEE. 

the  honey-men  being  from  their  quarters,  ^Jilson  told  tiic  truth,  with  an 
humour  pecuHar  to  his  country,  which  so  pleased  the  major,  that  lie  or- 
dered the  delicious  banquet  to  be  brought  forward,  and  both  i)arties  sat 
down  and  rec^aled  themselves  on  the  fruits  of  the  industrious  bee.  The 
canteens  of  the  armed  men  contained  spirituous  liquors,  which  operating 
on  the  honev,  produced  a  \n\'tt\  mellow  efllect.  The  major,  however,  got 
his  party  oif ;  but  Xilson  continued  so  long  upon  the  spot,  that  his  men 
could  not  reach  their  friends  with  their  booty,  and  were  obliged  to  leave 
what  remained  in  the  barrel,  a  prey  to  the  pursuing  British. 

On  the  great  Alligator  river,  which  branches  out  of  the  large  waters  of 
PamlicoandAlbcrmarle  Sounds,  in  North  Carolina,  the  country  appears 
congenial  to  the  bee.  The  natives  derive  great  profit  from  their  labour; 
every  familv  having  a  number  of  hives  in  their  gardens.  Many  families 
even  de|3end  upon  their  honey  and  wax  to  baiter  for  winter  stores  and 
clothing.  About  midsummer  the  bees  begin  to  swarm.  The  owner 
attends,  and  bv  gently  striking  on  a  tin  pan,  hastens  the  important  busi- 
ness. Having  secured  the  young  bees,  he  proceeds  to  take  the  honey 
from  the  hives  which  they  have  left;  in  effecting  which,  he  destroys  tl>e 
old  ones  with  sulphur. 

At  this  time  a  number  of  trading  boats  arrive  from  Edenton,  Nixen- 
ton,  \A^indsor,  and  the  adjacent  places,  with  merchandize,  tobacco,  and 
large  supplies  of  rum,  in  order  to  exchange  their  commodities  for  honey 
and  wax.  A  scene  of  drunkenness  and  riot  ensues ;  the  traders'  boats 
(Irawiiii;  the  people  from  a  distance,  like  a  country  fair.  They  are  here, 
as  in  most  parts  of  the  southern  states,  dissipated  and  lazy  ;  great  cheats 
and  horrible  blasphemers. 

This  large  river  was  named  "  Alligator  River,"  from  the  quantity 
of  those  dangerous  animals  found  there,  on  its  being  first  explored. 
When  I  was  there  in  the  year  1798,  a  young  one  was  caught,  which 
1  bad  an  oppurtunity  of  examining.     It  was  of  the  same  species  as  the 

crocodile 


A    NORTH    CAROLINA    PLAMATION.  30{> 

crocodile  of  Egvpt,  from  Avhich  it  uiffered  very  little.  It  sei/exl  a  stick, 
and  with  its  sharp  and  monstrous  teeth,  severed  it  into  three  pieces,  leav- 
ing it  shorter  by  a  foot,  and  holding  the  middle  jjiece  in  its  nujuth,  while 
the  end  dropped  on  the  ground,  and  the  remainder  continued  in  my 
hand.  In  this  manner,  though  deemed  very  young,  it  could  liave 
treated  the  limb  of  a  man.  I  am  informed  that  it  was  sold,  and  exhi- 
bited in  different  parts,  to  the  great  emolument  of  the  purchaser. 

On  a  branch  of  the  river  lived  in  the  year  I  hdxe  already  named,  a 
wealthy  ))lanter,  by  name  John  Foster.  With  this  man  I  remained  several 
days;  and  in  him  I  learned  something  of  the  character  of  a  Southern 
planter.  He  cultivated  about  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  liad  built  a  tolera- 
ble house,  which  he  converted  into  a  tavern,  and  thus  he  acted  in  the  dou- 
ble capacity  of  farmer  and  landlord.  He  was  of  a  most  tyrannical  and  cruel 
disposition  to  his  dependents— imperious  and  quarrelsome  with  his  guests, 
as  intoxication  proceeded— a  great  bully,  and,  of  course,  a  great  coward. 
The  force*  of  his  plantation,  consisted  of  a  decent  well-behaved  white 
man,  who  was  the  overseer,  two  civil,  humble  men  slaves,  and  four  or 
five  wenches.f  His  kitchen  was  attended  by  a  cook-wench,  and  two  or 
three  young  wenches,  who  were  yet  unable  to  endure  the  slavery  of  the 
field. 

I  was  greatly  surprised  to  see  these  younger  wenches  going  about  their 
domestic  business  naked — literally  in  pi/ris  naturalibus.  jMine  host  had 
led  me  over  the  plantation,  and  we  arrived,  almost  exhausted  from  the 
effects  of  a  scorching  sun  at  the  hour  of  dinner.  Our  meal  consisted  of 
venison,  anda  vi^iety  of  vegetables,  which  we  diluted  with  apple-brandy 
and  water.  This  is  a  most  detestable  beverage.  I  had  no  choice  of 
spirits;  and  to  drink  water  undiluted,   is  often  of  dangerous  tendency. 

*  Force,  is  here  applied  when  speaking  of  the  number  of  slaves  employed  in  field  labour  on  each  plan- 
tation. 

■f-  Female  slates,  in  this  part  of  the  world  are  uniformly  called  wenches,  and  are  bought,  sold  and 
exchanged. 

2  R  2  Thus 


J 10  NUDITV    Ol'    IKMALE   .SLAVES. 

'I'liiis  is  an  "  Alligator  tavern"  proviuLcl  with  licjuors;  and,  in  fact,  it  was 
as  w  ill  su])|)lio{l  as  any  other  place  of  public  resort  in  the  district. 

A  ditTorent  circumstance,  produced  in  nie,  while  at  dinner,  more  dis- 
trust than  even  the  tumes  oitlie  deleterious  drink  :  this  was  the  ofticious 
attendance  of  two  wenches,  three  parts  grown,  without  even  the  cover- 
ing our  first  mother  made  lor  herself  alter  hen-  expulsion  from  paradise. 
'I'he  etiluvia  arising  from  the  body  of  a  negro  in  the  month  of  July,  are  by 
no  means  odorilerous;  hence  1  could  have  dispensed  with  one  of  these 
being  placed  in  compliment  behind  my  chair.  To  complete  the  scene, 
Mr.  Foster's  daughter,  a  fine  girl  of  sixteen,  dined  at  our  table,  and 
gave  her  orders  to  the  naked  creatures  of  her  own  sex,  with  the  most 
pcrlect  aang  froid.  She  did  the  honours  of  the  table,  her  father  being  a 
widower.  In  order  to  avoid  being  pressed  after  dinner  to  drink  the  trash 
before  mc,  in  which  my  landlord  was  freely  indulging  himself,  I  pro- 
posed another  walk,  when  I  expressed  my  displeasure  at  the  appear- 
ance of  our  attendants.     My  host,  with  a  tremendous  oath,  replied,  that 

he  could  not  make  the  b s  wear   clothes ;  and  that  he  had   two 

months  ago  given  out  their  summer  suits,  which  they  tore  to  pieces  in  a 
tew  days,  to  avoid  the  incumbrance  of  wearing  them.  This  is  common 
in  most  young  negroes  here,  till  the  more  advanced  marks  of  puberty 
render  the  wearing  of  garments  rather  a  comi)ulsion,  than  a  voluntary 
act. 

In  that  neighbourhood,  I  observed  an  unusual  numberof locusts,  which 
make  a  long  creeking  noise,  extremely  unpleasant  to  the  ear.  Being  of 
the  same  colour  ^^  ith  the  leaves  of  the  trees  in  which  ihey  take  shelter, 
they  are  seldom  to  be  seen,  though  their  noise  ai)pears  very  near.  I 
have,  with  dithculty,  succeeded  in  catching  them,  They  are  four  times 
the  size  of  the  dragon  fly,  their  bodies  are  plump,  and  as  large  as  the 
smallest  of  the  feathered  race.  It  is  said  by  an  American  philosophical 
writer,  that  about  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  there  were 
such  swarms  of  these  insects,  that,  in  New  England,  for  the  space  of  tT<o 
1  hundred 


INSECTS    IN    NORTH    CAROLINA.  oil 

hundred  miles,  they  destroyed  all  the  trees.  InnuTneral>le  holes  were 
seen  in  the  ground  out  of  whieh  they  hatl  broken  forth  in  the  form  of 
larvre,  or  masg'ots.  These  being  turned  into  winged  insects,  had  a  kind 
of  tail  or  sting,  which  they  struck  into  a  tree,  and  thereby  envenomed 
and  killed  it.  The  females  pierce  the  tender  branches  of  trees  with  the 
dart  at  the  posterior  extremity  of  their  bodies,  depositing  their  eggs  in 
the  holes  thus  formed.  But  it  is  the  great  voracity  of  these  insects  in 
actually  devouring  the  foliage  that  does  most  harm. 

Another  destructive  insect  peculiar  to  America  is  the  cock-roach— the 
Blatta  Americana  of  Linnteus.  They  are  described  to  be  so  flat,  thatthej'^ 
creep  into  every  chest,  or  drawer,  where  there  is  the  least  crevice.  They 
gnaw  woollen  cloths  of  every  kind,  but  especially  such  as  have  had  hair- 
powder  on  them :  what  is  very  remarkable,  they  will  not  touch  silk  of 
any  kind.  They  frequently  throw  oft'  their  exterior  skin;  and  after 
every  change  of  this  kind,  they  appear  fresh  and  young.  The  Anieri' 
cans  know  this  species  by  the  name  of  kakkerlac.  It  is  sometimes 
brought  over  alive  among  clothes  or  merchandize  from  tlie  West  Indies 
into  Europe.  In  the  houses  of  manj^  parts  of  America  they  often  com- 
mit great  depredations  bj^  gnawing  and  devouring  both  clothes  and  jjrovi- 
sions,  and  it  is  extremely  difhcult  to  guard  against  their  ravages.  With 
respect  to  provisions,  every  thing  that  they  run  over,  contracts  from  them 
so  nauseous  a  smell,  as  to  be  scarcely  eatable. 

According  to  Reaumur,  these  cock-roaches  have  a  formidable  enemy 
in  a  large  species  of  sphex.  He  says,  that  when  one  of  the  latter  en- 
counters a  cock-roach,  he  seizes  it  by  the  head,  pierces  its  body  with  his 
poisonous  sting,  and  afterwards  carries  it  oft' into  his  hole.  Here  the 
female  has  deposited  her  eggs ;  and  the  bodies  of  the  cock-roaches  serve- 
the  lai'va  for  food  till  they  attain  their  winged  state. 

In  North  Carolina,  I  also  observed  a  curious  species  of  the  ant;  very- 
diminutive,  and  in  prodigious  numbers.     If  undisturbed,  they  will  com- 
pletely 


312  LAND  Ti'nn.i". 

pletely  cover  a  piece  of  meat,  bread,  or  suj^ar,  and  iu  a  short  time  carry 
it  to  their  nests,  to  which  they  are  constantly  going  and  retnrning  b\ 
different  tracks.  The  are  chietly  to  be  found  in  houses,  from  which  it  is 
impossible  to  exchide  them.  It  is  said,  that  when  tasted,  which  often  hap- 
pens, from  their  being  concealed  in  victuals,  they  are  an  agreeable  acid  : 
and  1  have  seen  people  eat  them  rather  than  brush  them  away.  These 
verv  small  insects  are  of  different  colors,  red,  and  black?  so  far  from 
associating  witli  each  other,  a  severe  battle  is  fought,  whenever  they 
meet ;  and  thus,  one  house  will  be  pestered  with  the  black,  and  another 
w  ith  the  red  ant. 

The  swamps  produce  a  variety  of  w  hat  may  he  denominated  land  tur- 
tle.    The  natives  call  them  loggerheads,  tarapins,  snappers,  and  IVaws- 
bills.     In  the  summer,  the  slaves  catch  them  in  abundance,  and  bring 
them  to  market.     On  this  account  they  are  but  little  valued  by  their 
masters;  but  I  pronounced  them  the  greatest  luxury  of  the  dog-days  in 
this  burning  climate.     When  well  cooked,  they  are  a  tolerable  substi- 
tute  for  the  sea  turtle ;  though  I  cannot  say  that  there  is  in  the  former 
any  great  appearance  of  the  green  fat  so  highly  prized  by  the  epicure. 
Yet  they  make  an  excellent  dish;  and,  in  Itict,  reflecting  at  this  mo- 
ment, I  think  that  I  could  scarce  have  found  a  substitute  for  fresh  meat 
in  the  scarcity  of  summer,  had  it  not  been  for  loggerheads  and  tarapins. 
I  have  purchased  them  from  ten  to  fifteen  pounds  weight,  for  an  Eng- 
lish shilling  a  piece ;  and  the  females  would  frequently  yield  a  score  or 
more  eggs,  several  larger  than  the  yolk  of  an  hen's  egg,  and  of  nearly  as 
flood  a  llavour. 


CHAP. 


315 


CHAP.  XXIV 


MinANDAS  EXPEDITION  —  H  IS  O  PER  ATIONS  tN  A.MERICA  —  iUDICIAL  PROCEEDINGS 
AGAINST  MR.  OG  O  EN,  PROPRIETOR  OF  THE  LEANDER — TYRANNICAL  CONDUCT 
OF  JUDGE  TALLMAGE  — SPIRITED  DEFENCE  OF  MR.  OGDEn's  COUNSEL  —  SINGU- 
LAR   NOTIONS     OF     LIBERTY    DISPLAYED      BY       A      REPUBLICAN      JUDGE — FAlLiUE 

OF  Miranda's  enterpriz.e — particulars    oi    uis   early   life. 


i  HE  expedition  fitted  out  at  New  York  b}^  General  Miranda  during 
the  last  spring,  has  been  a  matter  of  much  surprise  in  Europe,  and  was 
the  cause  of  great  animosity  in  America.  Early  in  life,  this  officer  en- 
tered the  American  army  during  the  revolutionary  war,  as  a  voluii 
teer;  and,  after  the  peace,  still  continuing  for  some  time  to  reside  there, 
and  to  visit  every  part  of  the  United  States,  he  became  well  acquainted 
with  the  disposition  of  the  inhabitaiits.  ♦ 

The  active  part  which  he  took  in  France,  being  second  in  commands 
to  Dinnouriez,  together  with  the  cause  of  his  leaving  that  service,  are 
well  known.  I  shall,  therefore,  for  the  present,  confine  mvself  to  his  last 
daring  enterprise,  and  then  shew  the  restless  and  ambitious  spirit  which 
j)revails  in  this  singular  character.  Having  served  in  America  and 
France  upon  the  same  principles,  his  revolutionary  visions  were  turned 
upon  his  native  country,  Spanish  America.  It  has  appeared,  since  the 
death  of  that  great  statesman,  tliat  Mr.  Pitt  had  employed  him  in  the 
affair  of  Nootka  Sound,  and  had  listened  with  attention  to  his  plans  of 
operation  against  the  province  of  Caraccas,  where  he  was  born.  Hence, 
it  may  be  supposed,  that  had  Mr.  Pitt  survived,  this  adventurer  would 
have  received  his  assistance.      Deprived  of  his  patron,  he  boldly  deter- 

3  mined 


S\A  MIRANDA   EQUIPS   A   SMALL   VESSl.L   AT    NKW   YOrtK. 

mined  alone  to  attempt  the  enterprizo,  and  for  that  purpose  emharkcd  for 
New  VorU,  where  lie  intended  to  lay  the  foundation  of  his  future  opera- 
tions. 

To  this  end,  he  engaged  a  small  fleet,  among  which  was  a  laroe  ship 
called  the  Lejunler,  mounting  twenty-four  guns,  the  |)roperty  of  INI r.  Sa- 
muel <  )gden,  a  merchant  in  New  York,  in  which  he  carried  his  revolu- 
tionary ilag.  1  le  tlien  proceeded  to  Washington,  the  seat  of  the  Ameri- 
can government;  and  though  his  object  was  knoNvn,  he  was  received  by, 
and  had  an  audience  of  the  president,  who  is  charged  with  being  privy  to 
his  schemes,  and  is  said  to  have  been  cautioned  to  beware  of  him.  He 
was  also  cordially  received  by  Mr.  Madison,  the  secretary  of  state;  and 
he  had  long  and  frequent  conferences  with  that  minister,  as  well  as  the 
.president.  On  the  day  previous  to  his  departure  fi-om  \\'ashington,  Mr. 
Madison  gave  him  a  grand  dinner;  and  it  is  asserted,  that  jirevious  to 
the  breaking  up  of  the  com|)any,  they  were  closeted  together  for  a  consi- 
derable time.  No  orders  were  given  to  the  collectors  of  the  different 
sea-ports— no  step  was  taken  to  prevent  his  carrying  his  plans  into  execu- 
tion ;  nor  was  any  communication  made  to  the  Spanish  diplomacy. 
* 

On  Miranda's  return  to  New  York,  he  found  his  little  fleet  nearly 
ready  for  sea.  The  Leander  had  lately  returned  from  a  contraband  tri[) 
to  St.  Domingo,  for  which  jjurpose  she  was  armed,  with  several  other 
shi|)s,  against  the  cruizers  of  Trance,  and  thus  were  the  revolted  negroes 
supplied  with  provisions  and  warlike  stores.*     She  was,  consequently, 

ready 

•  This  trade  was  not  only  inimical  to  the  views  of  the  American  government,  but  attended  with  immi- 
nent danger  to  the  individuals  that  embarked  in  it.  The  dreadfid  example  of  Mr.  Tate,  the  mate  of  an 
American  vessel  called  the  Pilgrim,  could  not  curb  the  rage  of  speculation.  The  story  of  this  unfortu- 
nate man  is  deserving  of  notice. 

While  the  Pilgrim  lay  at  one  of  the  ports  in  St.  Domingo,  occupied  by  the  negroes,  two  Frenchmen 
and  some  mulatloes,  to  preserve  life,  tied  on  board,  and  were  placed  by  the  crew  among  the  cargo  under 
the  deck.  'I  he  commander  of  the  vessel,  Captain  Ciibsoii,  and  Mr.  Lyncii,  the  supercargo,  were  on 
shore;  and  it  does  not  appear  tliat  the  unfortunate  victim  to  negro  ferocity,  was  even  privy  to  the  con- 
cealment.    C'liristophe,  then  commander  of  tlic  black  army,  received  information  of  this  circumstance, 

and 


me- 


VOLUNTEERS  JOIN  MIRANDA.  3l5 

readv  for  an  enterprise  of  the  nature  planned  b)'  that  officer.  On  his 
departure,  all  communication  between  the  Spanish  ambassador,  the 
Marquis  d'Yrujo,  and  the  president,  was  suspended,  by  an  order  for  his 
removal  from  the  seat  of  government. 

The  o-reat  expencc  attending  the  fitting  out  of  this  armament  was 
defraved  by  Miranda.     He  appeared  to  have  a  plentiiul  stock  of  cash* 
and  this  circumstance  has  added  to  the  suspicions  entertained  in  Ame 
rica  respecting  those  who  aided  his  proceedings. 

A  number  of  American  adventurers  proffered  their  services  to  Miran- 
da; and  he  found  no  difficulty  in  acquiring  his  complement  of  men. 
Every  militaiy  equipment,  stores  of  provisions,  and  even  a  printing 
press,  w^ith  compositors,  were  put  on  board  the  Leander.  Several  young 
men,  of  respectable  families,  were  vohmteers  in  his  service.  It  yet  re- 
mains a  secret  from  what  source  he  derived  the  means  of  making  these 
formidable  preparations.  The  president  was  charged  with  having  re- 
ceived information  of  his  preceedings;  and  a  request  is  said  to  have  been 

and  immediately  detached  a  guard  to  scaicli  tlie  Pilgrim  ;  wlio  tore  up  tlie  deck  over  the  heads  of  the 
unfortunate  fugitives,  and,  together  with  Mr.  Tate,  they  were  forced  on  shore.  On  their  landing,  the 
wretched  victims  saw  but  too  plainly  the  fate  which  awaited  them.  Tate,  addressing  himself  to  some  of  liis 
terrified  countrymen  who  had  been  on  shore,  and  were  assembled  on  the  alarm,  in  agony,  exclaimed: 
"  Americans  I  will  you  see  me  dragged- to  execution  like  a  dog,  without  proof  of  my  guilt  ?— will  no  one 
step  forward  to  assert  my  innocence?"  "  1  will,"  replied  the  noble-hearted  Mr.  Smith,  of  Baltimore,  a 
supercargo  of  a  vessel  from  that  port.  A  centinel  was  instantly  ordered  to  bayonet  the  humane  man, 
who  fortunately  escaped,  by  springing  into  his  boat.  The  unfortunate  Tate,  with  the  two  Frenchmen, 
were  led  to  a  public  place;  halters  were  placed  round  their  necks;  not  a  single  monvont  was  allowed 
tlieni  to  make  their  peace  with  heaven  ;  and  they  were  instantly  launched  into  eternity. 

On  mounting" a  platform  a  little  raised  from  the  ground,  which  served  as  a  scaffold  on  this  murderous 
occasion,  Tate,  in  a  most  heart-rending  fit  of  agony,  called  out,  "  Americans !— friends !— Americans ! 
1  die  this  ignominious  death  for  duly  executing  my  orders  I"  . 

The  Frenchmen  had  been  pinioned  ;  but  Tate's  arms  remained  unconfined.  In  his  efforts  to  preserve 
life,  the  sufferer  laid  hold  of  the  cord  by  which  he  was  suspended,  and  by  repeated  efforts  removed  U 
from  his  throat.  Ashe  grew  weaker,  it  remained  round  his  chin  and  the  back  part  of  liis  neck.  In  this 
manner  he  long  writhed  in  agony  before  life  was  extinguished,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  liis  murderers. 

o  ^  made 


316  ALARM    IN   NEW    YORK  ON  THE   SAILING  OF   MIRANDA. 

made  him,  upon  Miranda's  sailing,  to  send  the  Hornet  sloop  of  war,  then 
Ivine  ready  for  sea,  to  bring  him  hack;  and  hence  it  is  aHirmed,  that 
the  government  connived  at,  if  not  furnished  the  means  necessary  lor 
the  expedition. 

On  the  other  hand  it  was  allcdged,  that  there  is  not  any  law  of  the 
I'nited  States,  by  which  Miranda  could  liave  been  molested,  or  brought 
to  account  for  his  subsequent   conduct  in  the  Spanish  colonies,  even 
if  it  had  been  of  a  dishonourable  nature.     If  the  government  had  been 
acquainted  with  his  designs,  they  could  not  interfere  with  any  man's  pur- 
suits that  were  not  hostile  to  the  country  :  they  had  no  power  to  airest 
Miranda,  or  to  prevent  the  equipment  of  vessels,  the  destination  of  which 
was  decidedly  for  a  port  to  which  it  was  legal  to  sail.     In  answer  to  the 
charge  of  not  communicating  Miranda's  designs  to  the  Spanish  ambas- 
sador, the  friends  of  government  observed,  that  his  conduct  had  been  so 
long  of  such  a  nature,  as  to  forbid  any  respect  due  to  the  quality  of  an 
ambassador;  that  it  had  been  insolent  and  contumacious  in  various  in- 
stances ;  and  that  it  could  not  be  presumed  that  such  a  man  so  conduct- 
ing himself,  could  be  deemed  worthy  of  confidence ;  that  it  could  not 
be  expected  by  Spain,  that  the  conduct  her  government  encouraged  on 
the  frontiers  of  Louisiana,  should  be  returned  by  any  confidential  act ; 
and  that,  iinally,  her  minister,  the  Marquis  D'Yrujo,  had  been  dismissed 
from  the  exercise  of  his  diplomatic  functions.     The  discovery  of  Miran- 
da's interviews  with  the  president,  and  his  being  closeted  with  the  secre- 
tary of  state,  if  such  took  place,   was  insinuated  to  have  been  made  by 
the  spies  of  the  Spanish  ambassador. 

One  of  the  democratic  prints,  the  Aurora,  of  the  7th  of  July,  1806,. 
on  this  subject,  contains  the  following  observations :— "  Spanish  Incen- 
diary. In  the  Philadelphia  Gazette  of  Saturday,  there  is  an  article, 
which,  on  the  face  of  it,  bears  the  impression  of  this  little,  maliciofls, 
political  incendiary*— whom  the  indulgence  and  liberality  of  the  people 

*  AlUidiiig  to  the  late  Spanish  ambassador,  the  Marciuis  d'Yrujo. 

whose 


PROCEEDINGS  AGAINST  OGDEN,  OWNEH  OF  THE  LEANDER.    317 

whose  government  he  abuses — of  whose  hospitality  he  is  unworthy — and 
who  would  have  been  served  hke  his  countryman  Saiicho  in  any  other 
country  than  this,  for  one  twentieth  part  of  the  unworthy  conduct  in 
which  he  indulged  in  the  United  States. 

No  sooner  had  Miranda  with  his  ifleet  sailed,  than  the  danger  likely 
to  result  from  the  expedition  being  fitted  out  in  a  port  of  the  United 
States,  was  discovered  in  New  York.  It  became  a  question  whether 
it  was  sanctioned  by  the  government :  one  party  charged  them  with  an 
underhand  dealing  with  Spain — and  the  other  denied  the  accusation. 
The  charge  was  founded  upon  the  declaration  of  Colonel  Smith,  who 
asserted  that  he  had  sent  a  letter,  written  by  Miranda,  to  the  president, 
communicating  the  nature  of  his  enterprize.  The  New  York  Gazette 
published  the  charge,  and  on  being  called  upon  to  verify  the  truth,  in 
the  next  paper,  the  editor  says,  "  The  substance  of  the  information  re- 
lative to  the  destination  of  the  Leander,  which  was  on  Monday  commu- 
nicated through  the  medium  of  this  Gazette,  is  correct.  We  were  only 
mistaken  as  to  the  channel  through  which  the  secret  was  divulged ; 
instead  of  inserting  the  name  of  Samuel  G.  Ogden,  we  ought  to  have 
said  that  the  evidence  implicating  the  government,  came  through  Colonel 
Smith,  and  we  are  since  informed  that  the  evidence  has  been  corrobo- 
rated by  another  gentleman  of  the  first  respectability." 

These  circumstances  so  greatly  agitated  the  public  mind  that,  at 
length,  a  rigid  investigation  of  the  affair  was  commenced.  The  dis- 
trict judge,  Tallmage,  a  son-in-law  to  Clinton,  the  present  vice-presi- 
tlcnt  of  the  United  States,  directed  his  attorney  to  prosecute  Samuel 
Ogden,  the  owner  of  the  Leander.  They  had  been  previous  to  taking 
this  step,  some  days  employed  in  examining  into  the  law,  and  collecting 
j»)roofs  whereon  to  ground  a  prosecution.  Writs  were  finally  issued,  to 
^dld  him  to  bail ;  and  Mr.  Ogden,  alarmed  at  their  proceedings,  shut 
up  his  counting-house,  and  stopped  payment.  The  following  is  a  copy 
ot"  his  address  to  the  public  upon  this  occasion:— 

"2  s  'i  ^       "  It 


318  OGDEN'S   ADDRESS  TO   Tlir.    PL  ULIC 

"  It  is  xxcU  known  to  the  public,  that  for  some  time  past  a  prosecution 
has  been  depending' ayainst  me,  touching  the  expedition  ot  my  shij)  the 
Ijcander. 

•'  I  am  sensible  that  it  would  be  improper  forme  to  discuss  the  merits 
of  that  caseinaTi  cxtm-judieial  manner;  or  to  make  sufjj^estions,  which, 
bv  any  construction,  might  be  deemed  to  interftirc  with  the  course  of 
justice.  It  is  far  fiom  \uy  intention  to  adopt  any  such  measure.  On 
llje  contrarv,  1  am,  and  always  have  been,  ready  to  subuut  to  the  law^ 
of  my  country;  in  conlidence  that  they  will  be  administered  u[)on  pure 
anil  proper  principles:  and  if  my  conduct  shall  be  found  to  have  been 
letjallv  criminal,  I  know  that  I  am  bound  to  abide  the  lej^al  conse- 
quences. But  yet,  whatever  may  be  the  event  of  the  dependiuj?  prose- 
cution, it  is  a  dutv  which  I  owe  to  my  friends  and  myself^  and  which  I 
can  never  lose  sight  oi',  to  vindicate  my  motives.  And  if  it  shall  appear 
that  I  have  acted  in  good  faith,  that  nothing  has  been  done  but  « ith  the 
knowledge  and  implied  approbation  of  the  present  administration:  I 
trust  that  my  vindication  will  be  complete— though  political  motives 
may  have  induced  a  change  in  the  ideas  of  our  rulers. 

"  Be  that  as  it  may,  as  tlie  ultimate  result  of  the  present  prosecution 
cannot  be  foreseen,  and  tlie  consequences  of  it  may  be  productive  of 
serious  injury  to  my  mercantile  concerns,  I  have  determined,  for  the 
present  to  suspend  all  my  payments,  and  wait  the  issue  with  as  much 
tranquillity  as  possible. 

"  I  am  governed  in  this  decision,  also,  by  other  causes  of  the  utmost 
importance,  which  in  my  mind  render  this  measure  for  the  present  in- 
dispensible.  Any  assistance  that  I  might  have  required  as  to  pecuniary 
matters,  I  have  been  offered  in  the  fullest  extent  by  my  friends,  but  I 
have  thought  it  my  duty,  under  existing  circumstances,  to  decline  tKeir 
offers.  * 

"  The 


THE    OWNER    ARRLSrED.  '319 

"  The  inconveniences  which  this  measure  may  cause  to  those  who 
hold  my  paper,  will,  I  coutidently  hope,  he  hut  of  short  duration;  and 
with  a  view  of  more  fully  explaining  to  them  my  particular  motives,  and 
of  making-  them  acquainted  with  the  state  of  my  afi'airs,  1  request  they 
will  meet  me  at  my  house,  No.  HO,  Greenwich-street,  on  Wednesday 
eveninu',  the  lOlh  inst.  at  seven  o'clock,  when  the  necessary  exj)lana- 
tion  shall  be  given. 

"  SAMUEL  G.    OGDEN. 

New  York,  April!,  1800. 

The  form  of  the  writ  which  held  him  to  bail  was  novel.  It  stated 
that,  "  whereas  there  was  strong  reason  to  suspect  that  Samuel  G.  Og- 
den  had  been  concerned  in  preparing  and  providing  the  means  offitting 
out  a  certain  ship  called  the  Leander,  uj)on  an  enterprise  hostile  to  some 
foreign  nation  (nanje  unknown)  at  peace  with  the  United  States,  the 
marshal  was  therefore  ordered  to  take  the  said  Samuel  G.  Ogden,  and 
him  forthwith  bring,"  &c. 

Mr.  Ogden  was  taken  into  custody  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning^ 
and  he  was  not  permitted  by  the  marshal  to  speak  with  any  person 
whatsoever;  but  was  told  that  the  orders  of  the  judge  were  to  bring  him 
before  him  instantly,  without  sufliering  him  to  communicate  with 
his  friends.  He  was  accordingly  brought  before  Judge  Tallmage, 
whom  he  found  attended  by  the  district  attorney,  and  the  clerk  of 
the  court.  Mr.  Ogden  addressed  the  judge,  and  said  that  he  was 
desirous  of  having  a  friend  present,  or  sending  for  counsel:  when  he 
was  ans^vered  that  he  must  send  for  nobody.  *  The  district  attorney 
then  told  Mr.  Ogden,  that  he  was  brought  before  the  judge  in  a  two-fold 
quality — as  a  party  charged  with  a  crime — and  as  a  witness — and  that 
he  must  undergo  an  examination  in  both  capacities.  A  long  string  of 
questions,  ready  prepared,  were  now  propounded;  some  of  which  lie 

•  This  savors  soniethiug  of  a  star-cliatibcr  proceeding  in  a  republican  government. 

answered. 


320  EXAMINATIONS   OF    MR.  OGDEN  AND   COLONEL   SMITH. 

answered,  and  refused  to  reply  to  others,  allcdj^ing  that  he  could  not 
be  compelled  to  criminate  himself.  The  answers  which  he  gave  as  far 
as  concerned  himself,  were  reduced  to  writing.  He  was  then  informed 
that  he  must  be  sworn  as  a  witness  against  others,  and  in  that  capacity 
he  must  answer  all  questions  put  to  him  on  pain  of  imprisonment.  The 
path  was  accordingly  administered,  and  (juestions  were  put  to  him  re- 
lative to  the  cargo  and  destination  of  the  Leander.  These  he  refused 
to  answer,  alledging  that  he  was  owner  of  the  ship,  and  they  might 
tend  to  criminate  himself,  and  on  this  he  was  threatened  with  commit- 
ment. An  order,  on  his  persisting  in  a  refusal,  was  actually  made  out; 
when,  as  the  prisoner  alledged,  rather  than  suffer  the  inconvenience 
and  disgrace  of  imprisonment,  he  answered  all  the  questions  that  were 
put  to  him.  His  examination  was  then  read  to  him,  and  he  was  ordered 
to  swear  and  sign  it.  This  he  positively  refused,  until  he  was  again 
threatened  with  imprisonment.  He  was  then  ordered  to  find  bail  for 
his  future  ai)pearance. 

Another  warrant  was  issued  against  Colonel  Smith,  who  being  also 
afterwards  brought  fbl•^^ard  in  a  similar  manner,  deposed,  that  he  was 
apprehended  about  nine  in  the  morning,  and  detained  in  a  room,  with- 
out being  permitted  to  see  or  communicate  with  any  person,  till  six 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  he  was  carried  before  tlie  judge,  and  told 
that  he  must  be  sworn  to  answer  all  such  (piestions  as  should  be  put 
to  him;  and  on  refusal  he  should  be  imprisoned.  The  colonel  answered 
by  declaring  his  ignorance  of  the  law,  but  observed,  that  in  case  the 
judge  was  empowered  to  inforce  his  exaniination,  he  would  tell  what 
he  knew  at  once;  to  which  this  second  Judge  Jefi'eries  answered,  that  he 
had  such  power,  nay  more,  in  case  of  a  refusal,  to  punish  him  by  im- 
prisonment.    Colonel  Smith's  examination  was  not  gone  through  until 
midnight,  and  at  that  unseasonable  hour  he  was  comj)elIed,  in  order  to 
obtain  his  liberty,  to  send  tor  friends  to  become  suHCtics  for  his  future  a|>- 
pearance. 

I  liav« 


SPIRITED   DEFENCE   OF   COUNSEL.  321 

1  have  little  doubt  that  every  reader  must  have  become  interested  in 
the  issue  of  the  proceedings  of"  this  inquisitorial  court :  and  more  espe- 
cially as  they  display  the  manly  opposition  of  Mr.  Ogden's  counsel,  in 
supporting  the  law  against  the  oj)pression  of  power :  I  shall  therefore 
continue  a  brief  narrative  of  this  singular  business. 

Mr.  Ogden  being  liberated  on  giving  bail,  immediately  resorted  to 
the  advice  of  counsel.  The  gentlemen  of  the  law,  upon  the  affidavits 
of  the  facts  of  Messrs.  Ogden  and  Smith,  moved  the  court,  that  the  de- 
positions extorted  from  those  gentlemen  be  filed  with  the  proper  officer. 
They  told  the  judge  that  they  had  been  taken  in  a  manner  tyrannical, 
unjust,  and  unprecedented — extorted  by  threats  which  a  judge  had  no 
right  to  make,  and  which  he  should  not  have  dared  to  put  in  execution — 
that  the  parties  had  been  refused  the  benefit  of  counsel,  which  every  man, 
in  such  a  case,  could  claim  as  a  matter  of  right.  Attended  by  counsel 
they  should  not  have  answered  a  single  question  so  propounded — and  in 
case  the  judge  had  been  hardy  enough  to  have  committed  them  to  pri- 
son, he  would  have  been  liable  not  only  to  an  action  for  false  imprison- 
ment, but  to  an  impeachment.  "  The  manner,"  continued  the  coun- 
sel, "  in  which  this  business  has  been  conducted  is  so  glaring,  so  palpably 
wrong,  that  it  is  in  vain  to  seek  for  the  cause  of  it  in  ignorance.  In  no 
instance  has  it  been  known,  that  in  order  to  extort  confession  from  a  man 
under  examination,  and  to  criminate  himself,  was  he  made  to  change 
forms  as  the  prosecutor  might  direct — now  a  party — now  a  witness." 
The  counsel  concluded  by  telling  the  judge  that  it  was  altogether  a 
mockery  of  justice,  dishonorable  to  those  concerned  in  it — disgraceful 
to  the  country.  * 

The  answer  of  the  district-attorney  was  in  unison  with  the  conduct  of 
the  judge.     He  said,  that  the  examinations  spoken  of  were  not  in  court 

•  Had  the  learned  judge  acted  uprightly,  would  he  not  hare  committed  the  counsel  >         Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth  Herald,  April  J»,  1806. 

2  —that 


."522  ARGUMENTS   OF   COl  NSE*. 

— that  he  had  a  ric,fht  to  lay  such  evidence  before  the  grand  jury  as  he 
thoiisfht  proper,  without  heino;  controlled  hy  the  (counsel  for  the  defen- 
dant— that  the  a|)plication  was  novel,  and  tiiis  reason  alone  was  suffi- 
cient for  the  refusal  of  the  court,  and  that  tlie  manner  of  making  it  was 
both  an  insult  to  him,  and  to  the  judge  who  then  sat  upon  the  bench. 

The  connscl  for  the  deftMidants  replied,  that  the  examinations  ought  to 
liave  been  in  court,  and  that  it  was  the  duty  of  the  magistrate  before 
whom  thev  were  taken  to  have  duly  returned  them;  a  neglect  for  which 
he  would  hereafter  become  answerable. 

The  application  was  refused. 

The  circuit-court  of  the  United  States  was  soon  afterwards  opened. 
Judge  Patterson,  of  the  supreme  courts,  then  on  the  circuit,  was  taken 
sick,  and  it  was  therefore  opened  by  Tallmage,  the  district  judge  for 
the  state  of  New  York,  alone,  who  had  already  taken  so  decided  and 
active  a  part  against  Mr.  Ogden.  '" 

The  grand  jury  having  been  sworn,  the  counsel  for  ^Ir.  Ogden  im- 
mediately rose,  and  stated,  that  in  behalf  of  his  bail  he  had  to  move 
the  court  to  surrender  him  in  discharge  of  their  recognizance.  This  the 
district-attorney  consented  to,  and  the  surrender  and  discharge  of  the 
bail  l)ei ng  entered,  he  moved  the  court  for  the  commitment  of  Mr.  Og- 
den to  the  custody  of  the  marshal.  This  was  opposed,  on  the  ground 
that  tlie  motion  could  not  be  granted  unless  some  reason  was  then  shewn 
to  support  it — that  the  defendant  being  now  in  a  very  different  court  from 
that  in  Avhich  his  recognizance  was  taken,  this  court  could  act  alone  upon 
information  now  before  it,  without  regard  to  what  had  ha|)|)ened  elsewhere 
— and  that  it  was  inconsistent  with  the  princi|)les  of  liberty  that  any  citi- 
zen should  be  imprisoned  without  knowing  the  specific  charge  made 
against  him.  6 

Tn 


REPUBLICAN   NOTIONS   OF    LIBERTV.  523 

In  answer,  the  district-attorney  said,  that  as  the  original  recognizance 
had  been  taken  before  the  same  judge  who  was  then  on  the  bench,  and 
was  therefore  perfectly  acquainted  with  all  the  facts,  it  would  be  absurd 
for  him  to  call  for  new  information  to  govern  his  discretion.  The  judge 
ordered  the  commitment  of  INIr.  Ogden.  His  counsel  then  applied  for 
a  habeas  corpus,  which  his  honor*  allowed;  and  the  marshal  immedi- 
ately made  a  return  thereto,  stating  the  commitment  and  other  particu- 
lars. IN'Ir.  Ogden's  counsel  then  moved  for  his  discharge,  on  the  ground 
that  it  did  not  appear  on  the  face  of  the  return  that  he  was  confined 
upon  a  charge  of  having  committed  any  crime;  and  that  his  commit- 
ment could  be  considered  in  no  other  light  than  as  a  general  commitment, 
which  was  odious  to  the  law  of  the  land,  and  dangerous  to  the  libertj'^ 
of  the  citizen — that  the  court  had  no  power  to  remand  him  to  prison 
unless  it  appeared  that  he  was  charged  with  a  crime  upon  oath. 

This  republican  judge  determined  to  this  effect — "  I  know  well  what 
the  prisoner  is  confined  for,  and  that  is  cause  enough  for  me  to  remand 
him.  Liberty,  to  be  sure,  is  sweet;  but,  as  the  court  will  sit  but  a  few 
days,  an  imprisonment  for  that  time  will  be  no  great  hardship ! ! !" 

It  was  then  moved  to  admit  Mr,  Ogden  to  bail,  to  which  the  judge 
replied,  "  Yes,  if  he  can  find  security  for  his  appearance  in  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars."  His  counsel  then  objected  to  it  as  excessive  ;  but  there 
was  no  alternative,  and  bail  was  actually  given  to  that  amount  !-f- 

Tt  was  during  this  state  of  the  proceedings  that  I  quitted  the  country. 
Private  letters  inform  me  that  another  judge  admitted  Mr,  Ogden  to 
bail  on  a  smaller  recognizance;  and  on  his  trial  before  a  jury,  and  a  judge 

*  Judges  throughout  the  United  States  are  addressed — r/our  honors. 

t  During  my  long  residence  iji  the   United  States,  and  my  knowledge  of  some  of  the  courts,  I  have 
not  heard  of  a  similar  instance  oi  such  excessive  bail — in  fine,  of  such  ijroceedings. 

iJ  T  somewhat 


.^:^i  PAlcTlCL  I..\R>    OF   THE    l.lir.    Ol'    MIKANDA. 

somewhat  ili fieri iij>-  from  I'allina^e,  he  was  acqiiittt'd.  On  tlii>  inemct. 
rable  occasion,  my  letters  larther  observed,  that  Counsellor  Kimnett,* 
iate  of  Dublin,  was  retained  by  Mr.  O^^di-n,  and  acquired  ^reat  credit 
ior  the  animated  speech  he  made  in  his  behalf. 

To  return  to  Miramla. 1  ha\e  statcil   that  he  was  at  sea  during 

the  persecutions  against  the  owner  of  the  ship  in  which  he  lloated. 
During  the  equipment  of  his  lleet,  the  Mart|uis  D'Yrnjo  placed  spies 
over  his  proceedings,  li'om  w  hose  ref)orts  the  ambassador  was  convinced 
that  the  armament  of  Miranda  was  destined  against  Caraccas.  He 
secretly  dispatched  a  swiit-sailing  pilot-built  vessel  to  LaGuira,  a  princi- 
pal port  there,  with  information  of  the  hostile  armament,  and  thus  the 
resistance  and  defeat  he  experienced  are  sulHcieutly  accounted  for. 

It  ap|)iars  that  Miranda  arrived  off  Ocumare,  on  the  coast  of  the 
])rovince  of  Caraccas,  and  fourteen  leagues  west  of  La  Guira,  wiiere  he 
made  an  unsuccessful  landing.  The  Spanish  government  being  appris- 
ed of  his  motions,  attacked  him  with  two  vessels  of  war.  The  Leander 
sought  her  safiity  in  flight,  leaving  two  smaller  vessels,  manned  by  Ame- 
ricans, a  prey  to  the  Spaniards,  Avho,  it  has  been  reported,  put  thecrevrs 
to  death.  It  has  also  been  said  that  the  British  Admiral  Cochrane  as- 
sisted this  adventurer  with  a  small  British  vessel  of  war,  but  still  hiis 
force  was  entirely  inadequate  to  carry  his  plans  into  execution. 

The  last  accounts  from  America  state,  that  Miranda  arrived  at  Barba- 
does  in  the  British  sloop  of  war  Melville,  on  the  9th  of  November  last; 
and  that  he  w  ill  remain  there  till  he  hears  the  result  of  some  diii^atches 
w  hich  he  has  forwarded  to  England.  It  is  conjectured  that  the  govern- 
ment of  Great  Britain  have  some  intention  to  take  this  adventurous  of- 
ficer into  their  employ. 

♦  This  gentleman  is  brother  to  the  Mr.  Emmett  who  was  executed  in  Dnblin  for  treason.    He  was  als* 
implicated,  and  pardoned  on  cendition  of  leaving  the  kingdom. 

I  I  have 


PARTICULARS    OF   THE    Ul'l.   OF    M1KAM)A.  325 

\  havealvead5'  observed  that  IMiranda  was  born  in  Caraccas,  a  pro- 
vince  of  South  America  belonging  to  Spain.  lie  cannot,  therefore,  be 
considered  in  any  otlier  hght  than  as  a  S])anish  sul)ject,  and  conse. 
quentlv  a  traitor  to  his  native  conntiy.  He  is  of  an  ancient  and  noble 
familv,  his  grandfather  having  held  the  important  olhce  of  captain-ge- 
neral of  the  Caraccas.  Before  he  had  arrived  at  the  years  of  manhood^ 
he  tbnned  the  resolution  of  exploring  the  vast  continent  of  America,  and 
to  this  end  he  set  out  on  foot  and  unattended.  He  was  disguised  in  mean 
apparel,  a  circumstance  vthich  ensured  his  safety  among  the  ditlbrent 
hordes  of  savages  through  whose  coiuitry  he  passed  unmolested.  The 
savage  will  very  seldom  put  the  passing  stranger  to  death,  being  stimu- 
lated to  that  barbarous  deed  either  by  war  or  the  hope  of  jilunder.  No 
suspicions  were  entertained  that  Miranda  was  either  rich  or  a  warrior, 
and  he  received  many  proofs  of  kindness  from  the  Indians.  It  ^A•as  on 
these  his  first  travels  that  he  joined  the  American  army.  His  courage 
and  his  adventurous  spirit  gained  him  the  esteem  of  some  Frencli  olfi' 
cers,  who  were  engaged  in  the  same  cause  under  Rochambeau.  He  ac- 
companied, or  soon  followed  them,  to  France,  and  was  introduced 
at  the  Court  of  Versailles.  He  made  the  tour  of  P'rance,  then  visited 
England,  and  afterwards  Italy.  Old  Spain  was  the  last  country  which 
he  traversed  in  Europe.  It  has  been  asserted  that  he  went  to  St.  Peters- 
burgh,  and  was  introduced  to  the  late  Empress  Catharine,  with  whom 
he  soon  became  a  favorite,  and  actually  found  means  to  ol)tain  ti-om  her 
money  to  the  value  of  four  thousand  pounds  sterling.  During  these 
different  journies,  Miranda  carefully  gained  every  possible  political  in- 
formation res|)ecting  South  America.  From  this  circumstance,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  he  long  had  it  in  contemplation  to  make  his  own  country  the 
goal  of  his  ambition. 

It  appears  that  he  returned  to  his  native  land  with  a  view  of  compar- 
ing the  intelligence  obtained  in  Europe  with  the  nature  of  things  on  the 
spot.  He  noted  the  towns,  fortifications,  military  strength  of  the  coun- 
try, and  the  disposition  of  the  inhabitants.     Possessed  of  this  informa- 

2  T  2  tion, 


326  I'ARTICLl.ARS   Ol    THE    I.II  E   OI'    MIRANDA. 

tion,  lie  obtained  an  interview  with  Mr.  Pitt,  who,  I  have  ah-eady 
said,  employed  liim  in  the  dispute  between  tliis  eountry  and  Spain 
respecting  Nootka  Sound.  We  next  find  Mn-anda  hii,di  in  eommand  in 
the  l^-eneh  army  early  in  the  revolution.  He  was  seeond  in  eommand 
to  Dumoiniez  at  the  battle  of  Jemappe.  The  event  of  that  business, 
with  the  circumstance  of  the  commander  making  prisoners  of  the  de|)u- 
ties  sent  by  the  convention  to  apprehend  him,  have  often  been  related. 
Miranda  was,  however,  secured,  and  sent  to  Paris,  where  he  stood  liis 
trial,  (a  dangerous  ordeal  in  those  times)  and  as  that  arch-fiend  Thomas 
Payne,  in  a  recent  publication  in  America,  would  lead  the  world  to  be- 
lieve, was  acquitted  chiefly  through  his  evidence.  This  renegado  says, 
"  He  summoned  me  to  appear  to  his  character,  and  also  a  Mr.  Thomas 
Christie,  coimected  with  the  house  of  TurnbuU  and  Forbes  of  London.  I 
gave  my  testimony  as  I  believed,  which  was,  that  his  leading  object  was 
and  had  been  the  emancipation  of  his  country,  Mexico,  from  the  bondage 
of  Spain,  for  I  did  not  then  know  of  his  engagements  with  Pitt.  Mr. 
Christie's  evidence  went  to  shew,  that  Miranda  did  not  come  to  France 
as  a  necessitous  adventurer,  but  believed  that  he  came  from  public-spi- 
rited motives,  and  that  he  had  a  large  sum  of  money  in  the  hands  of 
TurnbuU  and  Forbes.  The  house  of  TurnbuU  and  Forbes  was  then  in 
a  contract  to  supply  Paris  with  flour." 

Since  that  period,  Miranda  has  not  been  an  object  of  public  notice, 
till  this  recent  enterprize  drew  upon  him  the  attention  both  of  the  Old 
and  New  World. 


CHAP. 


327 


CHAP.  XXV. 


SOHFOLK,    IN     VIRGINIA— THE    GREAT    DISMAL    SWAMP  — LAKE    PR  UM  MO  N  D  — D  EER- 
HDNTING     IN    TIIESWAMP — EXTE  AOBDl  N  ARY    DILEMMA — Lll  TLE   DISM  AL  SW  A  M  P 

THE      PANTHER — DREADl'UL      CONFLICT      BETWEEN      PLANTERS      AND    BEARS  — 

CANALS  —  CULTIVATION      OF     TOBACCO  —  FRAl'DS     OF     AMIJRICANS    IN    THAT    COM- 
MODITY—  NATURAL    BRIDGES    IN     VIRGINIA. 


The  passage  from  Alexandria  to  Norfolk  is  generally  made  by  sea,, 
on  account  of  the  distance  by  land  ;  and  it  was  in  a  regular  jDacket  that 
I  proceeded  to  the  latter  place.  The  situation  of  Norfolk,  in  a  com- 
mercial point  of  view,  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  United  States;  for  health, 
one  of  the  worst.  Though  it  has  been  rebuilt  since  the  year  1776,. 
when  Lord  Dunmore  ordered  it  to  be  burned,  yet  the  houses  are  in 
general  mean,  wooden  buildings,  and  the  streets  unpaved  ;  in  summer 
covering  you  with  dust — in  winter,  nearly  impassable  from  mud  and 
filth.  In  the  winter  of  1800,  returning  to  Mrs.  Paterson's  boarding- 
house,  after  dark,  it  was  necessary  to  cross  the  main  street.  I  was  di- 
rected where  to  ford  the  mud ;  but  after  deliberately  taking  my  obser- 
vations, I  lost  my  bearings,  and  nearly  opposite  to  the  spot  where  the 
Borough  Tavern  then  stood,  I  found  myself  almost  knee  deep.  I  plunged 
and  labored  some  time  to  extricate  myself,  which  I  could  not  eifect 
without  the  loss  of  one  of  my  "  shoe  boots."  Here,  the  gentlemen 
find  it  necessary  to  wear  ihkk  shoes  over  their  boots ;  and  even  thus  for- 
tified, it  is  often  a  matter  of  difficulty  to  wade  through  the  mud.  Next 
morning  I  employed  a  black  man  to  seek  my  shoe,  for  I  had  worn 
it  only  twice,  and  went  to  shew  him  the  spot  where  I  had  sustained  my 
loss  ;  but  after  much  raking  and  dragging,  we  were  obliged  to  give  up 

the 


,S28  NDiiroi.k— Tfir:  dismai,  swamt. 

thesrarcli.  Tlic  streets,  except  iSIaiii  aiul  (liiiicU  Streets,  arc  narrow, 
iukI  cvt-n  these  are  irregular.  Those  near  the  water  were  so  lilthv,  tliat 
even  in  w  intor  the  steiicli  was  often  offensive  in  passing.  In  the  hot 
months  otthe  years  1001  ami  1802,  contagion  matle  dreadful  havoc  in 
this  (jiiarter  of  the  town  ;  hut  the  next  year  a  (ire  destroyed  nearly  every 
house  where  disease  had  heen  engendered,  and  thus  also  purifying  the 
air,  the  town  has  heeome  less  dangerous  to  the  constitution.  New- 
streets,  built  of  hrick,  have  been  erected  upon  the  site  of  those  which 
were  burned,  and  more  attention  is  paid  to  cleanliness. 

The  town  is  in  a  low  situation,  adjoining  to  swamps  and  marshes. 
It  contains  about  six  hundred  and  fifty  houses;  and,  with  these  disad- 
vantages, a  great  deal  of  business  is  done,  both  with  the  \A^est  India 
Islands,  and  in  the  exportation  of  tobacco  and  flour.  Here  are  two 
episco|)alian  churches,  one  of  which  has  heen  lately  built,  and  is  at- 
tended bv  the  most  respectable  of  the  inhabitants.  A  handsome  church 
was  about  the  same  time  erected  by  the  presbyterians,  where  1  was  pre- 
sent when  it  was  crowded,  to  hear  a  sermon  preached  by  Doctor  Smith, 
provost  of  Trenton  College.  This  worthy  divine  travelled  through 
Pennsylvania,  IMaryland,  and  Virginia,  raising  contributions  to  replace 
the  library  of  the  college,  which  had  been  consumed  by  fire.  I  never 
heard  more  exalted  pul|)it  eloquence,  more  true  piety,  or  more  sound 
doctrine.  There  is  also  a  church  for  the  methodists,  and  a  Roman 
Catholic  chapel.  Two  banks  have  of  late  years  been  established  in 
Norfolk;  the  first,  a  branch  from  that  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
other  fioin  the  bank  of  Virginia. 


'o' 


In  the  vicinity  of  this  town  is  the  Dismal  Swamp,  a  natural  curiosity, 
of  an  extent  unequalled  in  any  part  of  the  world.  It  reaches  from 
Albemarle  Sound,  in  North  Carolina,  to  the  neighborhood  of  Ports- 
mouth, which  is  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  harbour  to  Norfolk,  and 
contains  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  square  miles,  or  one  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  acres.     It  is  a  vast  [)lain,  slightly  inclined,  the  greatest 

elevation 


THE    LAFCi:    OF   TTIE    DISMAL   SAVAMP.  3:29 

elevation  being  about  thirty  feet.  About  the  middle  is  liuke  Drum- 
mond,  which  is  formed  from  the  drainings  of  this  vast  tiact  of  useless 
land.  For  centuries  unflisturbcd  bj'  man,  the  lake  is  crowded  with 
fish  of  great  size  and  variety.  Surrounded  by  lofty  trees,  it  is  unruffled 
bv  the  wind,  and  so  transparent,  that  its  numberless  inhabitants  are  seen 
in  shoals  by  those  who  have  resolution  and  perseverance  sufficient  to 
visit  them.  Mr.  IMoore,  the  elegant  translator  of  A nacreon,  and  author 
of  Little's  Poems,  who  recently  visited  America,  has,  in  a  volume  of 
bis  compositions,  published  since  his  return,  given  a  beautiful  little 
ballad  on  the  subject  of  a  story  which  he  says  is  current  in  this  neigh- 
borhood, though  I  must  confess  that  it  never  came  within  the  circle  of 
my  observation.  It  is  entitled  "  the  lake  of  the  dlsmal  swamp." 
"  In  the  neighborhood  of  this  dreary  track,"  says  Mr.  Moore,  "  \^  hich 
lies  about  twelve  miles  distant  from  Norfolk,  in  America,  the  inhabit- 
ants have  the  following  story,  which  forms  the  subject  of  this  ballad  : — 
A  young  man  losing  his  senses  upon  the  death  of  a  lady,  to  whom  he 
paid  his  addresses,  imagined  that  she  still  lived  upon  the  above  lake  ; 
thither  he  repaired,  and  probably  perished  in  some  of  its  dreadful  mor- 
rasses,  as  he  was  never  heard  of  afterwards  by  his  family." 

ballad.. 

"  THEY  made  her  a  grave  too  cold  and  damp 

"  For  a  soul  so  warm  and  triu  ; 
"  And  she's  gone  to  the  Lake'of  tlie  Dismal  Swanip,. 
"  Where  all  niglit  long,  by  a  fire-fly  *  lamp, 

"  She  paddles  her  white  canoe. 

"  And  her  fire-fly  lamp  I  soon  sliall  see, 

"  And  her  paddle  1  soon  shall  hear  ; 
"  Long  and  loving  onr  life  shall  be, 
"  And  I'll  hide  the  maid  in  a  cypress  tree, 

"  When  the  footstep  of  death  is  near  !" 

*  The  fire-fly  is  an  insect  common  in  this  part  of  the  country.  Li  its  flight,  at  short  intervals,  it  shed* 
a  beam  of  apparent  fire,  or  lightning — brighter  than  the  glow-worm.  It  is  so  perfectly  harmless,  that 
children  amuse  themselves  in  following  and  catching  it. 

Away 


330  THE   LAKE   OF  THE   DISMAL   SWAMP. 

A«av  to  tlic  Dismal  Swamp  he  speiids— 

His  palli  was  rugged  and  sore  ; 
Through  tangled  juniper-beds  of  reeds. 
Through  many  a  fen  wliere  the  serpent  feeds. 

And  man  ne'er  trod  before! 

And  when  on  the  earth  he  sunk  to  sleep. 

If  sleep  his  eyelids  knew. 
He  lay  where  the  deadly  vines  do  weep 
Their  venomous  tears — and  nightly  steep 

The  flesh  with  blistering  dew  ! 

And  near  him  the  she-wolf  stirr'd  the  brake. 

And  the  rattle-snake  breath'd  in  his  ear, 
Till  he  starting  cried — from  his  dream  awake — 
"  Oh  I   when  shall  1  see  the  dusky  lake, 

"  And  the  white  canoe  of  my  dear  >" 

He  saw  the  lake,  and  a  meteor  bright 

Quick  o'er  the  surface  play'd — 
"Welcome,"  (he  said)  "  my  dear  one's  light  I 
And  the  dim  shore  echoed  for  many  a  night 
The  name  of  the  death-cold  maid  ! 

Till  he  forni'd  a  boat  of  the  birchen  bark, 

Whicli  carried  him  olT  from  the  shore  ; 
Far  he  follow'd  the  meteor  spark, 
Tlie  winds  were  high,  and  the  clouds  were  dark. 

And  the  boat  return'd  no  more  I 

But  oft  from  Ihc  Indian  luinter's  camp. 

This  lover  and  maid  so  true. 
Are  seen  by  the  hour  of  midnight  damp. 
To  cross  the  lake  by  a  fire-fly  lamp, 

And  paddle  their  white  canoe. 

Near  Lake  Drummoiul  the  land  is  firmer  than  in  any  other  part  of 
the  swamp,  and  has  aHTordicl  shelter  for  fugitive  negroes;  hut,  that  zcilj 
men  lime  been  found  in  it,  xclio  uere  lo^f,  as  it  is  supposed,  when  children,  as 
related  by  Mr.M'cld,  is  a  merejoke-— nordo  eattle  go  much  farther  than 
the  skirts  of  the  wood  in  quest  of  food.  This  is  the  eftect  of  a  natural 
instinct,  as  we  find  that  the  dread  of  snakes  prevents  cattle  from  pene- 

2  trating; 


i)EER-HUNTlNG    IX   THE   GREAT   DISMAL   SWAMF'.  3M 

trating;  for,  in  such  case,  they  would  inevitably  become  a  prey  to  tlie 
wild  beasts,  with  which  the  desart  abounds. 

I  was  induced  to  accompany  Mr.  Wm.  Carter,  of  Edenton,  in  pur- 
suit of  the  deer,  into  this  swamp,  a  temerity  which  I  had  reason  to 
repent  before  I  regained  the  cleared  groiuid.  This  gentleman  was  a 
great  sportsman,  and  derived  infinite  satisfaction  from  toiling  the  whole 
day  in  pursuit  of  game.  He  had  with  him  a  couple  of  dogs,  which 
started  and  ran  the  deer  till  they  came  within  shot.  The  sportsmen  ar»^ 
placed  at  certain  breaks  in  the  underwood,  through  one  of  which  the 
deer  will  pass  at  full  speed.  They  sometimes  bound  jjast  so  suddenly, 
that  a  young  sportsman  is  either  startled,  or  cannot  seize  the  moment  to 
fire  with  effect.  I  was  not  put  to  the  test,  for  \<%  had  started  no  game 
when  the  morning  lowered,  and  presently  the  wind  and  rain  rendered 
farther  pursuit  impracticable.  We  had,  however,  penetrated  far  enough  to 
alarm  me  greatly,  and  to  puzzle  m\^  guide  as  to  the  direction  to  be  taken 
for  the  pur|)Ose  of  reaching  the  open  country.  My  fears  were  greatly 
heightened  by  the  knowledge  of  the  following  circumstance  : — my  com- 
panion loved  his  joke,  but,  like  many  ol  her  jesters,  oli:en  carried  it  too  far, 
havingdesignetlly  led  some  oFliis  acquaintance  into  the  swamp;  and,  under 
pretence  of  following  game  in  another  direction,  left  them  in  the  laby- 
rinth, where  they  were  actually  obliged  to  pass  just  such  a  night  as  that 
now  approaching  thi'eatened  to  be.  His  doubts  were  so  evident,  that 
with  some  agitation  T  mentioned  the  trick  lie  had  once  played  his  friends, 
and  threatened  him  with  vengeance  if  he  dared  to  repeat  it  upon  me. 
He  assured  me  I  was  perfectly  safe,  but  for  some  time  appeared  at  a 
loss  in  which  direction  to  proceed  ;  and  such  was  the  effect  produced  on 
my  mind,  that  I  fancied  every  five  minutes  we  had  come  to  the  spot  we 
had  just  left,  and  even  challenged  trees  by  certain  marks  my  eye  had 
caught,  charging  Mr.  Carter  with  having  lost  the  way.  I  observed  him 
walk  round  several  large  trees,  surveying  them  with  great  attention. 
He  would  then  climb  one  of  them,  and  as  the  seaman  from  the  main- 
top looks  out  for  land,  so  he  appeared  to  be  looking  for  some  known 
mark  to  guide  his  course.     My  fears  were  increasing,  and  the  tales  I 

2  u  had 


332  ADVENTNRE  OF  THE  AL'THOR. 

had  heard  of  men  perishing  in  the  swainj),  and  of  others  being  man^' 
davs  in  extricating  themselves,  in  v  hich  time  they  were  nearly  famish- 
ed, drove  me  almost  to  a  state  of  desperation.  All  this  time  my  com- 
panion in  silence  was  a|)parently  employed  in  fixing  upon  our  course; 
at  length  he  called  out  that  he  had  discovered  it.  He  then  |)ointed  to 
a  large  tree,  the  hark  of  uhich,  in  the  direction  in  which  we  stood,  was 
incrustod  with  green  moss.  "  This,"  said  he,  "  is  the  north  side  of  the 
tree  ;  I  now  know  our  course ;  I  was  in  doubt  only  till  I  ascertained 
this  point,  and  the  trees  we  have  lately  passed  did  not  fully  con- 
vince me."*  On  going  round  the  tree,  I  found  the  other  sides  free 
from  the  mossy  appearance.  He  observed,  that  but  few  ol  them 
clearly  shewed  it  in  the  swanij),  but  I  have  since  observed  the  etiect 
on  all  trees  less  expos^  to  the  air,  as  well  as  uj)on  old  houses  and  walls. 
He  said  that  he  was  rarely  obliged  to  recur  to  this  guide,  as  he  never 
ventured  into  the  swamp  but  when  the  day  promised  to  be  fair,  as  he 
could  work  liis  way  by  the  sun.  Few  men  will  venture,  like  Mr. 
Carter,  but  experience  had  made  him  regardless  of  the  conse([uences 
of  being  lost  in  this  desart. 

I  found  in  many  parts  of  it  good  walking  ground,  the  lofty  trees  being 
at  some  distance  from  each  other,  and  the  underwood  by  no  means  so 
thick  as  to  impede  our  road  ;  but  after  thus  proceeding  a  few  miles,  the 
pursuit  of  game  is  impracticable.  Sometimes  we  had  to  cross  where  it 
was  knee  deep,  but  my  companion  had  in  this  case  generally  marked  a 
place  where  we  could  pass  over  on  a  fallen  tree.  I  iiad  mounted  one 
of  these,  of  a  monstrous  size,  and  was  proceeding  heedlessly  along, 
when  I  suddenly  found  myself  sink  up  to  the  middle  in  dust;  the  tree 

•  I  have  siuce  been  informed  that  the  Indians,  by  this  observation,  work  their  way  through  immense 
forests,  when  the  sun  is  obscured  by  thick  clouds.  Mr.  JellVrson,  in  his  Notes  on  Virginia,  mentions  4 
circumstance  of  some  Indians,  on  a  mission,  suddenly  quitting  the  public  roads,  and  striking  through 
the  woods,  in  ordir  to  visit  some  olil  Indian  graves,  at  a  considerable  distance.  A  century,  he  observes, 
must  have  passed  since  that  part  of  Virginia,  where  the  graves  were  made,  had  been  inhabited  by  In- 
dians ;  and  therefore  these  travellers  must  have  found  theirway  from  a  description  of  its  situation  hauded 
down  by  tradition,  and  by  their  observations  of  the  sun,  and  the  mossy  side  of  tlie  trees. 

2  having 


DREADFUL   FIRES   IN  THE   SWAMP.  333 

having  become  rotten,  though  it  retained  its  shape.  This  was  a  good 
joke  for  my  friend,  but  a  sad  disaster  for  me  ;  for  I  had  great  difficulty 
in  getting  out  of  the  hole  into  which  I  had  fallen  ;  the  tree,  like  ice, 
being  more  rotten  in  some  parts  than  others,  I  was  compelled  to  break 
my  way  till  I  came  to  a  part  sound  enough  to  bear  me,  and  having 
fallen  between  two  knots,  T  could  not  conveniently  get  out  of  the  trunk 
into  the  swampy  ground  beneath,  had  I  been  so  inclined.  With  fear- 
ful steps  I  advanced  to  the  end,  but  was  very  wary  how,  in  future,  I 
trusted  to  a  bridge  formed  by  a  fallen  tree. 

During  the  last  summer,  a  tremendous  fire  raged  for  several  days  in 
the  Dismal  Swamp,  consuming  all  the  timber,  and  destroying  large 
quantities  of  staves  and  shingles,  collecetd  for  sale,  for  many  miles. 
The  navigation  of  the  new  canal  was  stopped  by  monstrous  half-burnt 
branches  of  trees  falling  against  it,  to  the  ruin  of  many  families.  In 
clearing  land,  the  planter  often  sets  fire  to  the  woods ;  sometimes  the 
conflagration  passes  the  intended  limits,  and  is  productive  of  much  da- 
mage ;  threatening,  from  the  extent  and  thickness  of  the  woods,  de- 
struction to  the  adjacent  country. 

In  North  Carolina  there  are  a  number  of  swamps  of  this  description, 
but  very  inferior  in  extent.  I  crossed  one  in  Allegator  county,  called 
the  Little  Dismal.  It  was  about  five  miles  across,  which  saved  fifteen 
in  going  the  high  road ;  but  this  difference  of  distance  was  not  so  much 
my  object,  as  a  desire  to  penetrate  into  the  interior  of  this  desart.  I  was 
on  horseback,  and  had  for  my  guide  a  negro  man  on  foot,  belonging  to  a 
planter  of  my  acquaintance,  who  went  before  me,  guided  by  notches 
cut  in  the  trtes.  My  horse  had  frequently  gone  the  road,  and  appeared 
conscious  of  the  difficulty,  recognising  the  marshy  places;  and  trusting 
to  his  judgment,  he  avoided  many  broken  pieces  of  ground  with  a  sa- 
gacity inherent  in  that  well-trained  animal.  I  carried  my  gun  in  my 
hand,  loaded  with  slugs,  and  more  ammunition  slung  across  my  shoul- 
ders. About  midway,  and  about  t\vo  hundred  yards  before  me,  I  saw 
a  large  quadruped  nimbly  climb  a  tree.     The  negro,  looking  in  a  con- 

2  U  2  trarv 


33A  IMMINENT  DANGER  OF  THE  AUTHOR  FROM  A  PANTHER. 

trary  direction,  did  not  perceive  the  motion,  and,  eacjer  to  fire,  I   did 
not  inl'orm  him.     \\e  went  a  foot's  pace,  and  when  within  |2^un-shot,   I 
discovered  tlie  heast  throngh  the  fi^liage  of  the  wood,  and  immediately 
firtd.     The  shot  took  effect,  and   my   astonishment  was  great  to  see  a 
luuii-ster,  of  the  species  of  the  tiger,  suspended  by  his  fore  feet  fi'om  the 
branch  of  a  tree,  growhng  in  tones  of  dreadful  discord.     The  negro  was 
gn-atly  terrified ;  and   my   horse,  unused   to  the  report  of  a  gun  iired 
fi'om  his  back,  phnigcd,  and  was  entangled  in  mire.     Losing  the  reins, 
I  was  precipitated  into  the  morass,  while  the  negro  vociferated  "  Massa, 
ISIassa,  we  are  lost !"     Reco\  ering,   I  beheld  tlie  tijrocious  brute  on  the 
ground,  feeblv  advancing  towards  us.     By  an  involuntary  act  I  pre- 
sented my  empty  gun,  at  sight  of  which,  conscious,  no  doubt,  that  the 
Siime  motion  had  inilicted  tlie  smart  he  felt,  the  creature  made  a  stand, 
gave  a  hideous  roar,  and  turned    into  the  thickest  part  of  the  swamp, 
while,  in  haste  and  great  agitation,  I  reloaded   my  piece.     The  poor 
slave,  whose  life  to  him  was  as  dear  as  mine  could  be  to  me,  held  up  his 
hands,  and  thanked  the  God  he  worshi|)ped  ior  his  deliverance.     I  was 
unconscious  of  the  danger  I  had  courted  till  he  told  me  that  the  beast 
1  encountered  was  a  panther,  larger  than  any  he  had  ever  seen  despoil- 
ing his  master's  flocks  and  herds,  and  that  when  pursued  by  man,  those 
animals  rally  with  great  ferocity.     Had  I  been  apprised  of  this,  I  should 
have  sought  my  safety  in  fhght,  rather  than  have  begun  an  attack  ;  but 
I  conjectured  the  creature  to  be  of  no  larger  dimensions  than  a  wild  cat, 
when  I  fired. 

This  leads  me  to  a  story  related  by  my  friend  Carter. — A  planter,  who 
frequented  the  Edenton  market,  resided  on  the  other  side  of  the  Great 
Dismal  Swamp,  where  it  is  only  eight  or  ten  miles  broad.  He 
had  spent  an  evening  freely,  that  is,  in  these  parts,  not  without  copious 
draughts  »jf  grog  or  toddy;  and,  in.spired  by  these  with  fool-hardy  teme- 
rity, he  determined  to  cross  the  Great  Dismal,  instead  of  going  the 
usual,  but  longest  road.  Few  were  bold  enough  to  proceed,  even  in  the 
day  time,  by  the  route  he  had  rashly  adopted;  but  this  man  was  of  un- 
common strength,  and  of  a  daring  mind.     Resisting  the  entreaties  of  his 

friends,. 


BATfLE   BETWEEN   A   MAN   AND   A   BEAR.  335 

friends,  he  sallied  forth  about  midnight  from  Edenton,  on  foot,  and  with 
a  trusty  stick  in  his  liand.     About  the  middle  of  the  forest,  the  moon 
shining  bright,  he  perceived  the  cub  of  a  bear  before  him,  at  which  he 
threw  his  stick,  with  an  effect  which  caused  tlie  young  inhabitant  of  the 
M  oods  to  roar ;  and  this  brought  the  enraged,  yet  tender  mother,  to  its 
relief     The  man  had  recovered  his  stick,  and  was  proceeding  to  secure 
the  cub,  (dehcious  eating  as  a  young  pig)  when  Mrs.  Bruin  advanced. 
A  battle  immediately  commenced  between  the  savage  matron  and  the 
incautious  man.     The  latter  had,  however,  recovered  from  the  stupidity 
occasioned  by  drinking  ardent  spirits,  yet,  though  he  abandoned  the  pos- 
session of  the  cub,  he  could  neither  pacify  the  mother  nor  avoid  her  em- 
braces.    The  man  survived  the  bloody  conflict,  and  the  account  he  gavi; 
of  the  battle  is  yet  current  in  tlie  district  of  Chowan.     He  related,  that, 
having  delivered  up  the  cub,  he  wished  to  evade  a  contest  with  the  dam, 
but  she  pressed  so  closely  upon  him  that  he  was  obliged  to  prepare  for 
battle.     For  some  time  he  defended  himself  with  his  stick,  in  which 
interval  the  bear  merely  tore  his  jacket.     She  fought  upon  her  liind  legs, 
and  thus  the  combatants  were  nearly  of  the  same  height.     \A  liile  the 
stick  served  him,  he  evaded  the  bite,  as  well  as  the  hug  of  the  bear;  bat- 
on making  a  desperate  blow,  the  weapon  was  shivered,  and  tlien  they 
came  to  closer  quarters.     He  now  substituted  his  fists,  and  with,  lusty  si- 
news dealt  his  blows  upon  the  hard  head  and  tough  hide  of  the  bear. — 
They  closed,  and,  in  the  struggle  which  ensued,  the  man  suffered  most 
dreadfully  from  the  hug  of  his  enraged  opponent.. 

Some  philosophers  assert,  that  the  animals  of  the  for€st  are  superior 
to  man  in  his  primeval  state,  in  cases  of  defence  and  hunger,  the  natu- 
ral instinct  of  every  animal.  I  am  not  inclined  to  discuss  this  proposi- 
tion, conceiving  the  case  in  point  decisive.  The  man  in  question  Avas 
illiterate,  and  in  faculty,  perhaps,  inferior  to  the  wily  matron  of  the  fo- 
rest on  her  own  ground ;  and  yet,  in  the  height  of  contest,  when  ac. 
quired  endowments  are  for  the  moment  lost,  the  biped  conquered  the 
quadruped  of  twice  his  size  and  strength,  and  with  nature's  weapons 

3;  alone. 


335  BATTLE   BE'nVEEN    \   MAN    AND   A   BEAR. 

alopc.  Tlie  first  onset,  vitli  the  stick,  I  consider  merely  defensive — it 
was  soon  rendered  useless  without  in  the  least  de<)^ree  disabling  the  ene" 
my.  It  appeared,  from  corroborating  circumstances,  and  the  "plough- 
ed ground,"  as  it  was  termed  by  those  who  viewed  the  scene  of  action, 
that  tliey  had  wrestled  with  various  success— sometimes  the  bear,  some- 
times the  man,  being  undermost.  'J'he  latter,  almost  exhausted,  dread- 
fully bitten,  torn,  and  squeezed,  by  the  light  of  the  moon  observed  a 
I'allen  tree,  just  such  another  as  I  met  my  disaster  in,  but  in  a  sounder 
state  ;  over  this  tree,  with  a  desperate  ettort,  he  threw  his  antagonist,  and 
falling  on  her,  stifled  the  brute  so  that  she  opened  her  jaws  tor  breath, 
into  which  the  animal-man  thrust  his  hand,  and  choaUed  the  monster. 
Faint  with  loss  of  blood  and  uncommon  exertion,  lie  reached  his  home 
towards  morning,  when  the  neighbours  assembled,  and  proceeded  by  the 
sick  man's  directions  to  the  scene  of  the  contest,  where  tliey  found  the 
old  bear,  attended  by  two  of  her  cubs,  mourning  her  tate.  Tliey  secur- 
ed the  young  ones,  and  dragged  home  the  immense  carcase  of  the  mo- 
ther. 'I'he  diH'erent  weights  of  the  combatants  were  ascertained  by  the 
astonished  countrymen.  The  bear  weighed,  on  being  brought  to  the 
conqueror's  house,  305,  and  the  mail,  wlien  recovered,  191  pounds. 

Another  combat  of  this  nature  was  thus  related  by  Mr.  Lawson  of 
Philadelphia: — "  A  farmer,  named  Wayborne,  in  Ovid  township,  went 
otit  one  afternoon  through  the  woods  in  search  of  his  horses,  taking  with 
him  his  rifle,  with  the  only  load  of  ammunition  he  had  in  the  house. 
On  his  return  home,  about  an  hour  before  dusk,  he  perceived  a  very 
large  bear  crossing  the  path,  on  which  he  instantly  fired,  and  the  beast 
fell ;  but  immediately  recovering  his  legs,  made  tor  a  deep  ravine  a  short 
way  a-head.  Here  he  tracked  him  awhile  by  tiie  blood;  but  night 
couiiug  on,  and  expecting  to  hud  him  dead  in  the  morning,  he  returned 
home.  A  little  after  day-break  the  next  morning,  tukuig  a  pitchfork 
and  hatchet,  and  his  son,  a  boy  ten  or  eleven  years  of  age,  with  him,  he 
proceeded  to  the  place  in  quest  of  theaninud.  The  glen,  or  ravme,  in 
which  the  bear  had  disappeared  the  evening  before,  is  eighty  or  ninety  feet 

fi'om 


ANOTHER  DREADFUL  CONFLICT  BETWEEN  A  MAN  AND  A  BEAR.     337 

from  tlie  top  of  the  banks  to  the  bottom  of  the  brook  below :  down  this 
precipice  a  stream  three  or  four  yards  in  breadth  is  precipitated  in  one 
unbroken  sheet,  and,  forming  a  circular  bason  or  pool,  winds  away 
among  thick  underwood  below.  After  reconnoitering  every  probable 
place  of  retreat,  he  at  length  discovered  the  bear,  who  had  made  his 
way  up  the  other  side  of  the  ravine,  as  far  as  the  rocks  would  admit  him, 
and  sat  under  a  projecting  cliff,  steadfastly  eyeing  the  motions  of  his 
enemv.  Wayborne,  desiring  his  boy  to  remain  where  he  was,  took  the 
pitchfork,  and,  descending  to  the  bottom,  determined  to  attack  him  from 
below.  The  bear  kept  his  position  until  he  got  within  six  or  seven  feet, 
when,  on  the  instant  of  making  a  stab  with  the  pitchfork,  he  found  him- 
self grappled  by  Bruin,  and  both  together  rolled  down  towards  the  pond, 
at  least  twenty  or  twenty-five  feet,  the  bear  munching  his  left  arm  and 
breast,  and  hugging  him  almost  to  suffocation.  By  great  exertion,  he 
forced  his  right  arm  partly  down  his  throat,  and  in  that  manner  endea- 
voured to  strangle  him,  but  wa^  once  more  hurled  headlong  down  through 
the  bushes,  a  greater  distance  than  before,  into  the  water.  Here,  finding 
the  bear  gainingon  him,  Wayborne  made  one  desperate  effort,  and  forced 
his  head  partU'^  under  water ;  and  repeating  his  exertions,  at  length  weak- 
ened the  animal  so  much,  that,  calling  to  his  boy,  who  stood  on  the 
other  side,  in  a  state  little  short  of  distraction  for  the  fate  of  his  father, 
he  sunk  the  edge  of  the  hatchet,  by  repeated  blows,  into  his  brain. 
Wayborne,  though  a  robust  muscular  man,  was  with  great  difficulty 
able  to  crawl  home,  where  he  lay  upwards  of  three  weeks  with  his 
wounds,  his  arm  being  mashed  from  the  shoulder  to  the  elbow  into  the 
bone,  and  his  breast  severely  mangled,  The  bear  weighed  up^^ards  of 
4^0  pounds." 

These  swamps  contain  vast  quantities  of  timber,  but  it  can  never  be 
brought  from  the  interior.     On  the  margins,  abuiidance  of  shingles  are 
made  from  the  juniper  and  cypress  tree;  and  staves  of  every  description 
of  the  oak.    The  shingles  are  for  the  West-India  market,  and  for  home- 
consumption  ; 


J3^  CANALS   THROUGH   TIIF    SWAMPS. 

consumption;  the  houses  in  America,  \\itli   a  fnw  exception^  in  lar^c 
towns,  where  slate  is  used,  beinq;  covered  witii  them. 

A  canal,  which  has  been  several  veal's  in  finishing,  was  lately  opened 
at  Norfolk.  It  is  cut  throngh  the  Great  Dismal  Swamp,  thus  connect- 
ing the  waters  of  Pamlico  and  Albemarle  sounds  with  the  harbour,  and 
removing  former  imj)edimcnts  to  the  trade  between  North  ('arolina  and 
Virginia.  The  color  of  the  water  is  a  deej>  red,  occasioned  by  the  roots 
of  the  trees  through  which  it  passes;  but  it  is  perfectly  clear,  the  taste 
by  no  means  disagreeable,  and  very  wholesome.  Labouring  people  who 
reside  near  swamps,  drink  it  in  preference  to  spring  water,  attributing  to 
its  virtue  the  prevention  of  agues  and  bilious  fevere.  It  is  of  a  diuretic 
fjuality,  and  those  wlio  drink  it  are  generally  healthy,  while  others,  at  a 
distance  from  the  swamjjs,  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  are  suffering  under  those 
complaints.  This  canal  was  cut  by  an  incorporated  company,  who  are 
the  owners  of  about  one  half  of  the  sw  amp,  and  are  called  "  The  Dis- 
mal Swamp  company."  The  shares  in  this  concern  were  at  one  time, 
when  the  plan  was  by  some  conceived  to  be  impracticable,  of  very  little 
worth,  but  they  are  now  become  valuable  property. 

A  canal  is  also  cut  from  Scuppernong  r'wer,  which  branches  from 
Albemarle  Sound,  to  the  Little  Dismal  Swamp  in  North  Carolina,  by 
Messrs.  Collins,  Dickenson,  and  Allen,  by  which  they  drained  a  large 
tract  of  land,  so  as  to  render  it  fit  for  cultivation ;  while  the  lumber  alone 
was  supposed  of  sufficient  value  to  defray  tbe  expence.  This  will  prove 
a  fine  estate  to  the  successors  of  these  enterprizing  men,  who  could  not 
(  xpect  to  reap  much  benefit  fiom  it  themselves  on  account  of  their  ad- 
\anced  time  of  life  when  the  work  commenced.  Messrs.  Dickinson 
and  Allen  are  dead,  and  the  surviving  partner  is  now  full  of  years,  very 
rich,  independent  of  the  swamp-concern,  yet  w^ithal  very  worldly,  tlie 


vice  of  old  age. 


Tlic 


CULTIVATION   OF  TOBACCO.  359 

The  tobacco  for  the  British  market  is  chiefly  raised  in  Virginia.  Its 
cultivation,  but  for  the  enemies  which  attack  the  young  plants,  would  be 
attended  with  little  more  trouble  than  raising  cabbages.  In  spring,  the 
seed,  which  is  very  small  and  black,  is  sown  upon  a  rich  j)iece  of 
ground,  on  which  they  strew  ashes,  in  order  to  kill  the  insects  which  de* 
vour  the  young  plants,  but  with  little  effect.  It  was  a  matter  of  sur- 
prise to  me  to  find  from  many  planters,  that  they  knew  of  no  remedy 
against  the  devastation  produced  by  the  "  tobacco-fly"  which  is  of  the 
beetle  species,  black,  and  large  enough  to  be  seen  committing  its  depre- 
dations as  you  jjass  the  plant.  As  soon  as  the  tender  leaves  shoot  forth 
above  the  ground,  they  are  immediately  attacked  by  the  fly,  and  though 
negroes  are  constantly  attending  to  pick  them  off,  yet  they  seldom  save 
more  than  one  in  a  score,  and  sometimes  they  are  wholly  cut  off. 

When  the  surviving  plants  have  acquired  some  strength,  they  are 
drawn  out  of  the  bed,  and  planted  out  nearly  as  we  plant  c  abbages,  but 
farther  apart;  and  of  course  on  a  much  larger  scale.  I  have  seen  a  to- 
bacco^field  of  fifty,  and  seldom  less  than  five  acres.  In  their  new  situ- 
ation, the  young  plants,  relieved  from  the  fly,  become  a  prey  to  a  worm, 
which  is  called  the  "  tobacco-uorni."  It  is  of  the  caterpillar  kind,  green 
as  the  leaves,  which  renders  it  difficult  to  be  discerned,  though  it  grows 
to  the  length  of  three  inches,  and  is  thick  in  proportion.  In  addi- 
tion to  this,  small  flies  of  different  sorts,  with  which  the  country  swarms, 
deposit  their  eggs  among  the  leaves,  which  alone  often  prove  fatal  to  the 
plant.  The  same  hill  is  frequently  occupied  by  three  or  four  plants 
successive!}^  before  one  of  them  survives  its  numerous  enemies.  These 
insects  constitute  the  principle  trouble;  for  when  out  of  their  power,  lit- 
tle more  attention  is  required  than  to  keep  down  weeds,  to  top  the  plant, 
and  to  break  off  the  suckers,  which  draw  the  strength  from  the  large 
leaves.  I  planted  in  my  own  garden  alternately  a  tobacco  and  a  cab- 
bage plant.  The  fly  would  not  touch  the  latter,  but  I  have  sometimes 
observed  it  attacked  by  another  insect,  and  both  would  often  tall  at 
the  same  time  b)^  their  different  natural  enemies.    The  cabbage-plant 

'i  X  was 


.140  CLRING    AND   PACKING   OF  TOUACCO, 

\\A->,  liowevtr,  rarely  destroyed,  vliilcthe  tobiieco-hill  was  frequently  iv- 
|ilanteil  Iroiii  the  seecl-hed.  The  cabbages  which  were  thus  raised  ac- 
»|uireti  a  strong  taste,  as  though  they  Imd  been  preserved  through  a  se- 
vere winter  in  a  dnvk  cellar;  while  those  out  of  the  same  seed-btd, 
planted  by  themselves,  were  of  the  usual  flavor. 

In  August,  the  tobacco-plants  are  cut  down,  having  then  arrived  at 
maturity,  though  still  of  a  greenish  colour.  They  are  hung  up  in  houses 
built  for  the  purpose  of  drying  them,  but  I  have  seen  them  dried  in  the 
sun,  spread  out  on  rails  and  boards.  In  this  mode  of  curing,  care  nui^t 
l)e  taken  that  they  are  not  exposed  to  the  rain.  When  perfectly  div 
the  leaves  are  of  a  brown  colour,  and  are  tied  up,  ten,  twelve,  or  fifteen 
together,  wliicli  are  called  hands  of  tobacco.  In  this  state  thev  arc 
carefully  packed  in  hogsheads,  and  sent  to  the  nearest  tobacco-inspection. 

These  warehouses  of  inspection  belong  to  the  state,  and  officers  are 
appointed  by  government  to  inspect  and  receive  into  the  store-houses  all 
merchantable  tobacco.  They  then  give  the  owner  a  certificate,  distin- 
guished by  marks  and  numbers  of  inspection,  and  safe  custody.  These 
certificates  are  called  tobacco-notes ;  and  being  payable  to  bearer,  are 
current  payment,  and  frequently  an  object  of  speculation.  When  the 
holder  of  a  note  applies  to  the  warehouse,  and  requires  his  hogshead,  it 
is  rolled  out,  with  very  trifling  charges  upon  it. 

These  hogsheads  are  sometimes  of  a  prodigious  si;^e.  I  have  known 
them  of  eighteen  hundred  pounds  weight,  rolled  by  horses  two  hundred 
miles.  In  order  to  effect  this  least  expensive  mode  of  conveyance,  they 
drive  pieces  of  oak  into  the  head  of  the  hogshead,  to  which  are  fasten- 
ed a  pair  of  shafts,  and  thus  the  hogshead  is  rolled  over  rocky  grounds 
and  mountains  to  a  sea-|)ort.  The  hoops  and  staves  are  sometimes  worn 
even  to  the  tobacco,  which,  however,  remains  firm,  having,  from  pres« 
.,surc,  become  one  s<.)lid  uiiiss. 

Shippers 


FRAUDS  OF  DEALERS  IN  TOBACCO.  541 

Shippers  of  tobacco  should  be  very  particular  as  to  the  quality  and 
weight  of  tiieir  shipments.  The  growth  of  Maryland  is  not  in  equal  es- 
timation in  England  with  that  produced  in  Vii-ginia,  though  they  are 
adjoining  states,  and  though  the  first  is  clearly  the  finest  and  mildest. 
There  is  great  deception  in  weight,  for  the  hogsheads  seldom  in  Britain 
prove  of  the  weight  marked  on  them  at  the  American  inspection-houses. 
In  bargaining  for  tobacco  for  exportation,  the  purchaser  should  stipulate 
to  have  it  re-weighed,  and  to  pay  at  that  rate.  In  three  hogsheads  only 
of  those  I  brought  with  me,  being  advised  to  remit  money  in  this  shape, 
the  loss,  according  to  the  marks,  was  as  follows  : — 

c.  Q.    L. 

WG.  No.  3.     Philadelphia,  mark  of  Barker  and  Annesley,     15  3   10 

No.  6.     Ditto        -        .        -        -    Ditto    -        -     17  0  21 

AK.    No.  8.     Ditto         .        -        -        -    Ditto    -        -     11  1  20 


British  custom-house  mark.  No.  3. 

No.  6. 

....  No.  8. 


Makintr  a  loss  of 


'© 


44 

I 

3 

14  2  0 

15  1  0 

9  3  0 

2 

39 

0 

-      4 

o 

k1 

This  tobacco,  with  other  shipments,  cost  in  Philadelphia  eight  cents 
per  lb.— four-pence  halfpenny  sterling;  and  by  the  deficiency  above  stat- 
ed, there  was  a  loss  of  upwards  of  eight  pounds  British  money  in  only 
three  hogsheads  !  I  certainly  was  aware  of  this  species  of  deception  ; 
but,  in  haste  to  fill  up  a  vacancy  in  the  hold  of  the  ship,  and  relying  on 
the  integrity  of  the  Quakers  of  w  hom  I  purchased,  I  did  not  attend  to  the 
business.  I  also  suffered  in  another  way  in  this  unlucky  transaction.  Be- 
ing pressed  tor  time,  (which  is  always  the  case  when  a  ship  is  about  to 
sail)  I  employed  the  inspector,  Thomson,  to  chuse  for  me  the  prime  to- 

2x2  bacco; 


542  NATURAL   BRIDGE. 

bacco;  and  for  this  service  I  gave  him  a  dollar  per  hogshead.  He  made 
a  great  many  flourishes  of  his  rhetoric  in  order  to  convince  me  that  he 
had  procured  some  of"  extraordinary  quality— such  as  seldom  came  to 
the  British  market — and  that  no  man  was  so  good  a  judge  of  tobacco 
as  himself.     It  proved  to  be  the  worst  of  the  whole  cargo. 

The  greatest  curiosities  in  the  large  territory  of  Virginia  are  two  na- 
tural bridges,  which  may  be  ranked  among  the  most  sublime  works  of 
nature  in  America.     Rockbridge  has  been  d  jcribed  some  years  ago  by 
Mr.  Weld,  in  the  accoimt  of  his  tra;vels  through  part  of  the  United 
States.     The  natural  bridge,  over  a  stream  running  from  Stork  Creek, 
which  rises  in  Clinch  Mountain,  in  the  western  part  of  this  state,  is  far 
more  stupendous.     It  is  three  hundred  and  thirty-nine  feet  in  height, 
while  Rockbridge,  according  to  Mr.  ^Veld,  is  only  two  hundred  and  thir- 
teen ;  but  from  recent  observations,  the  other  exceeds  it  by  one  hundred 
and  thirty-four  feet.     I  never  had  an    opportunity  of  examining  this 
wonderful  production  of  nature,    but  in  an  account  of  it  which  1  met 
with,    its  summit  is  described  to  project   eighty  seven    feet    over    its 
base,    fronting  the   south-west,  and  to  be  arched   as   regularly    as    if 
i'ormed   by   the  hand  of  art.     The  arch  in'  front  is  about  two   hun- 
dred  feet  high,  and  slopes  off  to  sixty  feet,   at  the  distance  of  one 
hundred  and  six  feet  from  the  entrance.     From  its  mouth  in  a  straight 
direction,  it  measures  four  hundred  and  six  feet ;  thence,  at  right  angles, 
three  hundred  feet.     The  roof  is  regularly  arched,  and  gradually  de- 
scends to  eighteen  feet,  which  is  the  lowest  part  at  the  intersection   of 
the  second  angle ;  it  then  rises  to  twenty,  thirty,  forty,  and  seventj'-five 
feet,  which  is  the  height  of  the  north-east  entrance.     The  stream  of 
water  is  from  forty  to  fifty  yards  wide  at  its  common  height,  but  it  is 
sometimes  suddenly  swelled  by  rains  to  ten  or  twelve  feet  perpendicular. 
Tiiere  is  a  waggon-road  over  the  bridge,  which  is, never  used  but  in  time 
of  freshes,  and  then  it  is  the  only  part  where  the  water  can  be  crossed. 
The  approach  to  the  south-west  front  produces  the  most  pleasing  and 
awful  sensations.     The  front  is  of  a  solid  rock  of  lime-stone;  the  sur- 
face very  smooth  and  regular,  formed  in  a  semi-circle,  tlie  rock  of  a 

bright 


THE   FRENCH   FRIGATE   MAGICIENNE   BLOCKED   UP   IN   NORFOLK.   ^43 

bright  yellow  colour.  The  arch  is  partly  obsciired  by  a  spur  of  the  ridge 
which  runs  down  the  edge  of  the  creek.  Across  the  creek  are  several 
loftN^  trees,  which  add  to  the  beauty  of  the  scene.  The  view  from  the 
verge  fills  the  mind  with  horror.  From  the  level  of  the  summit  of  the 
ridge,  where  the  road  passes,  to  the  verge  of  the  fissure,  the  mountain 
descends  about  forty-five  degrees  of  an  angle,  and  is  from  forty-five  to 
fifty  feet  in  perpendicular  height.  The  rock  is  covered  with  a  thick  stra- 
tum of  earth,  which  gives  growth  to  many  large  trees.  To  the  west  of 
the  arch  about  four  hundred  yards,  the  ascent  to  the  verge  is  much  more 
level.  This  bridge  may  be  passed  without  the  traveller's  noticing  it, 
from  the  thick  surrounding  wood,  unless  his  attention  be  attracted,  in  the 
time  of  freshes,  by  the  roaring  of  the  water  below. 

The  French  frigate  Magicienne  was,  during  several  months  in  the  year 
1801,  blockaded  in  the  harbour  of  Norfolk  by  the  English  frigate  Bos- 
ton. The  first  was  a  heavy  ship  of  44  guns — the  other  one  of  the  small- 
est in  the  British  navy  of  her  rate,  mounting  only  32.  On  board 
the  Frenchman  embarked  Jerome  Buonaparte,  and  Miss  Paterson  of 
Baltimore,  whom  he  had  recently  married,  in  order  to  escape  to 
France.  They  pursued  Adet's  plan,  and  in  a  gale  of  wind  got 
through  Hampton  Roads,  having  received  information  that  the  Boston 
had  left  the  coast ;  but  before  they  could  double  Cape  Henr}^  they  espied 
her  bearing  down  upon  them  under  a  press  of  sail.  The  French  thought 
it  prudent  to  return,  having,  without  doubt,  orders  to  avoid  an  en- 
gagement, from  the  brother  and  sister-in-law  of  Napoleon  being  on 
board.* 

During  the  blockade  of  Norfolk,  a  riot  took  place  in  the  public  streets 
between  part  of  the  crew  of  the  Magicienne  and  some  English  and 
Irish  seamen  belonging  to  merchant  ships ;  and  so  much  was  the  scale  of 

•  Recent  accounts  state  that  this  most  amiable  yjiUh  is  about  to  be  again  married  to  a  Princess  of  Saxony. 
I  could  wish,  should  this  tuiie  place,  to  have  him  arraigned  tor  bigamy  in  the  American  courts  of  justice. 

2  politics 


.14  i    RENCOUNTER  BETWEEN  A  PARTY  OF  BRITISH  AND  FRENCH  SEAMEN. 

|)olitios  now  turned,  that  they  were  aided  b)'  American  sailors.     It  hap* 
pened   on  a  Sun<luy,  and   I   rose   from   the  dinner-table  to  witness  the 
canse  of  an  alarm  m  Inch  ran  through  the  town.     'I'he  heat  of  the  battle 
was  over  before  1  arrived  at  the  scene  of  action,  and   the  unfortunate 
Frenchmen  were  pursued  in  all  directions.     Tliey  were  chiefly  marines, 
and  had  come  on  shore  full-dressed,  and  with  their  side-arms,  to  visit  the 
town.     'I'ho  moment  the  British  tars  perceived  them  an  attack  was  me- 
ditated.    They  hastily  procured  a  few  sticks,  and  on  their  road  were 
asked  by  some  American  seamen  the  cause  of  their  proceeding ;  wlien. 
being  told  it  was  to  drub    the  French,  they  followed.     A  gentleman 
who  saw  the  attack  made,  told  me,  that  the  assailants  were  headed  by  a 
little  Irishman,  who  Avas  conspicuously  active  in  spiriting  up  the  Ameri- 
cans against  those  whom  he  called  every  man's  enemy.     Tiie  French- 
men had  received  notice  of  their  approach,  and  assembling  together, 
drew  their  swords.  This  was  declared  by  the  sailors  a  challenge,  and,  in 
defiance  of  their  arms,  they  rushed  upon  their  adversaries  with  an  intre- 
pid desperation  ^^  hich  astonished  my  informant.  Several  of  the  assailants 
Avere  dreadfully  cut  at  the  onset,  but  in  an  instant  the  Frenchmen  gave 
-way,  though  at  the  time  superior  in  numbers,  the  sailors  seizing  and 
breaking  their  arms.     A  jmnic  struck  them,  and  they  fled  in  every  di- 
rection.    I  was  in  time  to  witness  three  or  four  pursued  by  one  sailor, 
with  a  stick  in  his  right  hand,  and  a  sword,  A\'rested  from  the  adversary, 
in  his  left.     This  flight  and   pursuit  continued  up  the  main  street  of 
Norfolk,   a  considerable  distance  from  the  place  of  action,    in  A\'ater- 
street. 

At  this  time  the  French  frigate  was  moored  in  the  middle  of  the  har- 
bor between  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  and  could  in  a  short  time  have 
reduced  both  those  towns  to  ruins.  The  account  of  the  attack  was  con- 
secjuently  very  soon  received  on  board,  when  the  French  instantly 
manned  their  boats,  and  filled  them  with  armed  men.  The  town  was 
also  in  alarm,  and  the  citizens  collected  upon  the  wharfs,  to  view  the 
proceedings  on  board  the  ship.  The  armed  boats,  three  in  number,  soon 
approached  the  shore;   they  were  cautioned  not  to  land,  but  to  send 

an 


RENCOUNTER  BETWEEN  A  PARTY  OF  BRiriSH  AND  FRENCH  SEAMEN.    345 

an  oflicer  with  a  small  party  to  state  their  grievance.  This  was  not 
relished  by  the  French,  who  were  upon  the  point  of  giving  hostile  in- 
forniation  to  the  ship,  when  the  officers  recognised  Mr.  Moses  Myers,* 
their  agent,  standing  near  Mr.  Wm.  Vaughan,  the  mayor,  and  other 
magistrates.  This  brought  on  an  explanation  ;  and  the  officers  hearing, 
as  the  fact  really  was,  that  it  was  a  riot  made  by  the  sailors,  and  which 
ended  before  the  officers  of  the  peace  could  interfere,  they  appeared 
satisfied.  After  waiting  above  an  hour  the  return  of  their  companions 
who  had  been  put  to  flight,  they  returned  on  board.  Some  of  the 
Frenchmen  had  been  dreadfully  beaten  and  bruised,  but  I  saw  no  wound 
that  could  have  been  inflicted  by  a  sword.  It  was  reported  that  one  or 
more  of  them  were  killed,  but  no  public  account  of  such  circumstance 
transpired.  The  officers  had  iraprudentlj',  at  different  times,  permit- 
ted a  number  of  their  men  to  come  together  into  the  town  with  their 
side  arms ;  and  this  class  of  Frenchmen,  since  the  adoption  of  liberty 
and  equality,  are  generally  ferociously  insulting.  On  the  part  of  the  sai- 
lors, this  was  alledged,  and  instances  were  adduced,  in  which  they  had 
conducted  themselves  with  insult  towards  some  of  their  own  body,  as  well 
as  to  the  inhabitants.  Matters  were,  however,  compromised  without 
farther  bloodshed,  and  when  the  Frenchmen  in  future  came  on  shore, 
they  were  accompanied  by  an  officer. 

Jerome  and  his  wife,  driven  back  by  the  sight  of  the  Boston,  were 
landed  at  Hampton,  about  fifteen  miles  from  Norfolk,  whence  they 
returned  to  Baltimore;  and  at  length  escaped  the  vigilance  of  the 
British  cruizers  by  embarking  in  an  American  ship,  in  which  they  passed 
unsuspected.  The  tyrannical  prohibition  of  Napoleon  against  this 
unfortunate  woman's  landing  in  France  or  Holland,  and  the  asylum  she 
found  in  England  until  her  return  to  her  unhappy  parents,  are  circum- 
stances which  must  be  known  to  every  reader. 

•  Tliis  man  is  a  Jew,  and  by  French  agency,  added  to  benefits  received  from  the  acts  of  Virginia,  in 
cases  of  insolvency,  has  contrived  to  liold  considerable  property.  He  sports  his  carriage,  and  is  a  colonel 
•f  the  militia. 

3  ~~"  CHAP 


346 


CHAP.  XXVL 


THE     MOCKING-BIRD — THE     RED-BIRD,     OR     VIRGINIA    NIGHTINGALE — THE    WOOD- 
COCK   Of    THE    SOUTHERN    STATES — THE  WOODPECKER — THE    WHIP-POOR-WILL. 


Of  the  great  variety  of  the  feathered  race  in  Amexica,  but  few  excel  in 
note  and  melody  of  song.  In  this  respect,  if  we  could  except  the  mock- 
ing bird  alone,  the  musicians  of  the  forest  in  Britain  have  a  decided  pre- 
ference; nay,  even  the  nightingale  has  been  frequently  set  up  in  com- 
petition with  that  tirst  of  American  songsters. 

At  the  president's  house,  I  was  highly  gratified,  by  hearing  a  mocking- 
bird in  full  song.    It  was  the  favourite  of  a  little  aviary  belonging  to  the 

steward.    Mons. ,  *  a  Frenchman,  ^ho  acts  in  this  capacity,  with 

a  politeness  and  attention  worthy  a  more  dignified  office,  took  great  pains 
to  encourage  liis  wonderful  warbler  to  go  through  the  full  variety  of  his 
melodious  medley.  As  it  changed  its  imitatirns,  he  would  aimounce 
the  name  of  the  original  songster  of  the  forest,  when  we  appeared  to  be 
unacquainted  with  the  note.  Thus  we  heard,  and  generally  in  an  ele- 
gant, if  not  a  superior  style,  the  strains  of  the  fiivuritcsofthe  woods;  and 
the  mocker  then  descended  to  the  brute  creation,  gi^  ing  us  the  mewing 
of  the  cat,  and  the  barking  of  the  dog.    Thus  far.  Monsieur  inlbrmed  us, 

•  1  forget  this  gentleman's  name  ;  he  was  introduced  to  me  by  M.  Labillc,  of  Georgetown. 

we 


COMPARATIVE  MERITS  OF  THE  NIGHTINGALE  AND  MOCK-BIRD.      347 

w€  had  heard  the  natural  acquirements  of  the  bird ;  it  could,  on  hearing 
any  tune,  give  a  perfect  imitation,  in  a  very  short  time.  He  then  led  it 
to  follow  him  in  some  French  airs;  and  this  was  a  prelude  to  another 
piece,  consisting  of  a  variety  of  Scotch  airs,  and  American  popular  tunes. 
During  the  whole  of  this  concert,  which  for  variety  and  execution,  ex- 
cited our  wonder,  the  performer  appeared  to  be  proud  of  our  attention, 
and  still  anxious  to  detain  us;  for  he  had  begun  anew  as  we  left  the 
house. 

The  colour  of  these  birds,  as  though  nature  had  done  enough  in  the 
song,  is  mean;  they  are  something  like  the  English  hedge-sparrow,  but 
larger.  They  are  delicate  when  young,  and  therefore  difficult  to  be 
raised  ;  but  when  grown  into  full  song,  they  may  be  sent  to  any  part  of 
the  world,  by  attending  to  the  nature  of  their  food,  and  other  precau- 
tions. 

Before  I  dismiss  this  subject,  having  already  mentioned  the  nightin- 
gale, the  only  competitor  of  the  mockingbird  in  Britain,  I  shall  add  a 
few  observations  on  their  comparative  merits. 

The  full  song  of  the  nightingale  is  from  fifteen  to  twenty  parts — or 
beginnings  and  closings;  but  these  are  varied  with  a  sweetness  and  judg- 
ment unequalled.  Its  tone  is  more  mellow  than  that  of  any  other  bird; 
and,  as  an  elegant,  or,  if  we  may  be  allowed  the  term,  a  scientific  warbler, 
superior  to  the  natural  notes  of  the  mock-bird.  It  is  too,  an  original — 
and  such  an  original  as  the  other  must  fail  in  copying.  The  latter  ap- 
pears to  have  no  will  of  its  own,  being  impelled  to  relinquish  a  melodious 
strain,  to  follow  the  lowings  of  a  cow,  or  the  grunting  of  a  hog  rooting 
below  the  tree  on  which  it  may  have  perched.  In  order  to  try  their 
comparative  abilities,  it  would  be  well  to  have  a  mock-bird  within  the 
hearing  ot  the  nightingale,  and  to  confine  it  to  this  object  only.  By 
frequent  repetition,  the  imitator  would  follow  the  nightingale,  and  by 
practice,  their  merits  might  be  decided  upon. 

2  Y  In 


548   THE  RED-BIRD,  WOODCOCK,  WOODPECKER,  AND  WHIP-POOR-WILL. 

In  the  southern  states,  there  is  a  hird  of  both  beautiful  plumage  and 
fine  sonf( — the  Virginian  nightingale,  or,  as  the  natives  call  it,  the  red- 
bird.  Its  form  is  something  like  a  paroquet  in  miniature;  audit  is  of  a 
bright  red  colour,  with  a  tuft  or  crown  on  the  head  of  the  male.  It 
must  be  the  colour  alone,  however,  that  obtains  it  a  pref<?rence;  for  it  is 
far  excelled  in  song  by  the  English  sky-lark,  and  some  of  the  iiuuets.; 
while  the  goldfinch,  in  both,  may  vie  witli  the  red-bird. 

A  traveller  has  confounded  the  mocking-bird  with  the  Virginia  night- 
ingale, and  speaks  of  them  as  the  same  bird  by  different  names;  but 
they  are  very  difierent,  both  in  colour  and  song.  The  red-bird  of  Vir- 
ginia and  the  Carolinas,  is  by  the  English  called  the  Virginia  nightin- 
gale, a  name  not  given  by  Americans  to  any  bird  of  the  woods.  In 
plumage,  a  bird  of  the  species  of  the  woodpecker,  misnamed  in  the 
southern  states,  the  woodcock,  is  the  most  beautiful.  It  has  the  golden 
hue  of  the  English  goldfinch,  variegated  with  crimson,  black  and  white. 
On  its  head  it  has  a  beautiful  tuft,  but  its  notes  are  harsh  and  discordant. 
It  is  of  the  size  of  the  dove,  and  is  generally  seen  on  decaying  trees,  in 
quest  of  insects.  The  woodpecker  is  smaller,  of  a  greenish  tint,  and  the 
noise  occasioned  by  its  bill  against  a  tree,  is  like  the  quick  strokes  of  a 
blacksmith's  hammer  on  his  bare  anvil,  beginning  loud  and  gradually 
dying  away.  The  flesh  of  both  these  birds  is  black,  tough,  and  ill-lla- 
vored.  If  the  name  of  nightingale  were  to  be  given  to  any  of  the  fea- 
thered race  in  the  southern  states,  that  called  the  "  JVIiip-poor-jyUl,"  is 
best  entitled  to  it.  This  bird  sings  a  plaintive  note  almost  the  whole 
night  long,  resembling  the  pronunciation  of  the  words  by  wliich  it  is 
named.  It  has  been  said  to  be  so  very  wary,  that  it  is  seldom  seen, 
much  less  taken  ;  and  that  many  have  imagined  the  noise  does  not  pro- 
ceed from  a  bird,  but  from  a  frog.  This  is  a  wild  conjecture.  The  bird 
is  no  otherwise  shy,  than  because  nature  has  assigned  to  it  the  task  of 
watching  in  the  night,  when  certainly  it  can  seldom  be  seen;  but  its 
existence  is  as  well  known,  as  that  of  the  mocking,  or  other  rare  birds. 

5  .,  CHAP.. 


349 


CHAP.  XXVIL 


ECCENTRIC  ADVERTISEMENTS — OF  A  PUBLICAN — A  LOTTERY-OFn  CE  KEEPER — 
A  HAIR-DRESSER  —  A  NEGRO  OYSTER  MERCHANT — A  POETICAL  FRISSEUR — A  PO- 
LITICAL BARBICUE — PORTER-SELLER — ITINERANT  PARSON — MATRIMONY  —  DI- 
VORCE. 


IN  the  early  part  of  my  residence  in  the  United  States,  I  had  frequent 
opportunities  of  observing  sarcasms  thrown  out  in  the  newspapers  there 
against  those  of  England  for  eccentric  advertisements,  and  particularly 
respecting  quack  medicines.  In  the  course  of  a  very  few  years  I  found 
the  American  journals  even  outdoing,  in  this  particular,  those  of  the 
mother  country.  The  arrival  of  the  self-created  Dr.  Church,  an  obscure 
quack  from  London,  and  a  few  others  of  the  "  cure  killing"  tribe, 
engroiised  many  of  their  columns.  At  the  present  day,  almost  all  the 
nostrums  and  never  failing  specifics,  so  fatal  to  the  incredulous  in  Bri- 
tain, are  advertised  in  America,  with  the  addition  of  those  of  a  numer- 
ous host  of  French,  German,  and  native  quacks.  The  reader  there  is 
constantly  pestered  with  a  column  dedicated  to  the  worm  lozenges  • 
while  others  hold  out  infallible  cures  for  every  incurable  disorder  in  the 
catalogue  of  human  infirmities.  \  enereal  doctors  also,  rise  up  in  print 
like  mushrooms,  asserting  cures,  from  the  Indian  weed,  up  to  Dr.  Solo- 
mon's Balm  of  Gilead,  To  give  a  specimen  of  these  ingenious  imposi- 
tions, would  be  merely  a  repetition  of  the  style  of  our  own  immaculate 
quackeries.     I  shall,  however,  subjoin  a  few  local  curiosities  of  the  ad- 

2  Y  2  vertisement 


i^50  ECCENTRIC    ADVERTISEMENTS. 

vortisernciit  kind,  which,  ibr  eccentric  folly,  stand  pre-eminent.  In  all 
countries  they  are  in  some  measure  characteristic  ofthe  people,  and  from 
them  alone  we  gain  some  idea  of  their  manners  and  customs. 

"   MODERN   PHILOSOPHY  ! ! 

"   Wliat  is  a  name  !" 

That  which  we  call  white. 

By  any  otiier  name  would  look  as  fair. 

"    MY  OWN." 

'•  Joseph  Pilgrim,  in  conformity  to  his  whole  hfe,  viz.  the  conveni- 
ence and  happiness  of  liis  fellow-creatures,  has  erected  a  hooth,  the  se- 
cond on  the  right  hand  turn  ofthe  corner,  on  the  Race  Ground,  Govan's 
Town ;  but  to  prevent  any  mistakes,  (not  with  the  least  reference  to  him- 
sclf.'J  he  has  affixed  over  his  tent,  the  figure  of  the  celestial  goddess  of 
Wisdom  ! 

"  It  has  heen  the  contest  of  ages.  What  can  most  conduce  to  the 
happiness  of  INIan  ? — The  grave  tenant  of  the  j)ulpit,  and  the  deeply 
researching  |)hilosopher,  have  in  vain  advanced  their  different  theories. 
The  discover}^  was  left  alone  to  immortalize  the  name  of  Joseph  Pil- 
grim ;  the  de|)th  of  whose  experience  and  observation  for  many  years, 
has  convinced  him  beyond  a  doubt,  that  nothing  can  insure  and  perpe- 
tuate the  hap|)iness  of  man  but  deep  libations  to  the  rosy  god,  whose 
rubic  nose  and  bloated  eye,  look  with  scorn  at  the  sallow  and  meagre 
visage  of  care.  The  ancients  may  boast  of  Lethean  springs  as  the  anti- 
dote, of  anxiety  ;  but  in  their  days  of  darkness  and  superstition,  they 
knew  nothing  of  good  cool  punch,  and  w^ere  etjually  ignorant  ofthe  enli- 
vening f|uali'ties  of  briin(h/  and  zcater !  Those  beverages,  in  their  best 
style,  together  with  their  requisite  concomitants  of  boiled  ham,  and  well- 
seasoned  relishes,  are  to  be  had  in  the  greatest  profusion,  at  the  booth  of 
the  Moral  Philosopher,  on  the  race-ground  as  above  described,  from  this 
day  until  the  close  of  the  races." 

Baltimore  Advertiser. 
I  "Is 


ECCENTRIC  advertise:ments.  35h 

"  Is  bhc  Rich?  an  E.xiract. 
"  Since  the  question  now  asked  concerning  a  lady  is  not,  Is  she  hand- 
some ?  Is  she  accomphshed  r  or,  Is  she  amiable  r  but,  Is  she  rich  ?  It  is 
otthe  greatest  importance  to  the  sex,  that  this  question  should  be  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative.  Now  there  has  been  no  shorter  method  yet 
discovered,  (not  even  by  Sir  Isaac  Newton)  of  becoming  rich,  (for  sav- 
ing industry  is  not  only  very  slow  and  tedious,  but  is  now  becoming  quite 
unlashionable)  there  is  no  shorter  method  than  that  of  becoming  adven- 
turers in  the  Pncincts  ^larket-house  Lottery,  now  drawing,  in  which, 
notwithstanding  scarcely  four  thousand  tickets  are  yet  drawn,  the  wheel 
has  gained  the  astonishing  sum  of  six  thousand  eight  hvmdred  and  thir- 
ty seven  dollars,  neither  of  the  capital  prizes  being  yet  drawn" — iVez.:'^ 
York  Fapers. 

"  Much  Avanted. — A  neat  well-behaved  female,  to  do  kitchen-work  in 
a  small  familv,  in  Charlestown,  near  Boston.  She  may  pray,  and  sing 
hymns,  but  not  over  the  dish-kettle;  may  go  to  meeting,  but  not  to  be- 
lieve in  the  divinity  of  Elias  Smith ;  nor  belong  to  the  whining  congre- 
gation of  midnight  worshippers. — Inquire  at  the  Repertory  Office,  near 
Boston." — Fjom  a  Boston  Paper. 

"  The  followino-  advertisement,  taken  from  the  United  States'  G.a- 
zette,  is  republished  not  for  the  purpose  of  exposing  a  plagiarism,  but 
of  circulating  so  delicate  a  compliment  to  Mr.  Jeft'erson,  as  is  here  con- 
veyed by  our  ingenious  frizeur,  in  picking  up  the  identical  phrases  of 
that  great  philosopher  and  superb  writer,  from  his  AarioVis  speeches,  re- 
plies and  messages,  and  adapting  them  to  the  humble  purpose  of  an 
advertisement.  That  the  reader  may  distinguish  at  once  how  much  is 
borrowed  from  Mr.  Jefferson,  all  that  pait  is  printed  in  italics." — Neti} 
York  Post. 

"  FASHIONABLE   INTELLIGENCE. 

"  John  Richard  JDehorous  Huggins,  ladies  hair-dresser,  from  New 

York^ 


3j2  eccentric  advertisements, 

York,  takes  the  earl u^st  opportunity  to  inform  the  ladies  of  Philadelphia, 
that  in  compliance  with  earnest  and  reiterated  entreaties,  he  has  arrived 
nt  this  city,  and  intends  to  make  it  the  place  of  his  residence  long 
ttnou^h  to  dcvclope  r/ta meter  ami  design;  or,  in  other  words,  he  means 
to  devote  some  days  to  the  best  emjjloyment  of  his  talents  in  the  line  of 
his  profession.  Of  t/ie  various  duties  of  a  hair  dresser  of  eminence,  none 
excites  more  anxious  concern  tlum  that  of  turninu,-  his  abilities  to  the  most 
proiitable  acconnt  fur  himselti  and  most  tor  the  hap[)iuess  of  others." 

"THE   SUBSCRIBER 

"  IMost  respectfully  acquaints  his  friends  and  the  public  generally,  that 
on  the  1st  day  of  next  month  he  intends  to  open  an  Oyster  House,  where 
he  at  present  resides,  in  King-street,  a  few  doors  west  of  \Vashington- 
street,  -where  gentlemen  can  be  supplied  at  any  time  ^ith  Oysters, 
served  up  in  whatever  manner  they  may  think  proper  to  order  them— 
and 

"  W^here  is  there,  by  land  or  water, 
"  A  nicer  morcel  tlian  an  Oyster. 

"He  also  intends  to  entertain  generally,  for  which  purpose  he  will  at 
all  times  be  supplied  with  liquors  of  a  superior  quality,  and  the  best  pro- 
visions the  market  will  afford;  and  as  it  is  his  determination  to  use  every 
effort  to  give  satisfaction. 

"  He  hopes  the  color  of  his  face  • 
■\Vill  his  calling  never  disgrace. 
But  that  his  conduct  and  attention 
Will  be  a  means  to  gain  him  custom. 

t  "  The  public's  most  humble  servant, 

"  Alexandria,  Scptemher,  28,   1805.  "  JAMES  hammond. 

"  N.  B.  As  a  new  beginner,  I  hope  gentlemen  will  not  expect  credit. 
My  capital  is  very  limited,  notwithstanding  which,  it  is  my  determina- 
tion to  go  in  debt  to  no  person,  I  consequently  cannot  afford  to  credit." 

•  The  advertiser  was  a  negro. 

"  My 


.ECCENTRIC    ADVERTISEMENTS.  353 

"^  My  art  can  lend  new  bfaiities  to  the  face. 
And  spirit  give  to  ev'ry  native  grace ; 
The  magic  of  the  mine  'tis  I  impart ; 
But  for  my  skill  in  the  cosmetic  art. 
What  were  the  pi-oudest  dame? 

"  The  brilliant  talents  and  acquirements  of  Henry  J.  Hassey,  whose 
residence  is  at  No.  128,  Front-street,  and  whose  unrivalled  merits,  like 
the  blaze  of  a  comet,  throws  a  glory  round  the  general  prospect  which 
renders  visible  the  common  herd  of  frizzeurs,  are  universally  acknow- 
ledged; but  the  visibility  of  that  herd  is  very  evanescent;  and  when 
seen,  are  no  more  to  be  regarded  by  the  side  of  the  grand  luminary, 
than  the  constellation  of  smaller  lights,  encircling  the  moon,  when  in 
full-orbed  splendor.  In  the  classical  language  of  ancient  Rome,  Henry  J. 
Hassey  shines  among  the  candidates  for  notoriety  in  his  profession, 

"  Velut  inter  ignes  Luna  minores. 

"  With  me,  presumptuous  miscreants,  do  ye  vie. 
The  brush  and  razor  only  doom'd  to  ply  > 
Or,  haply,  to  revive  the  rotten  locks 

Of  paltry  caxons,  mounted  on  your  blocks.'' 

"  BARBACUE. 

"  The  citizens  generally  of  all  parties  both  in  town  and  country,  are 
respectfully  invited  to  partake  of  a  Barbacue  on  Saturday  next,  the 
17th  inst.  at  the  spring,  on  Monocasy,  near  Stoner's  White  House  Ta- 
vern, two  miles  from  Frederic,  on  the  Lancaster  road.  The  candidates 
are  all  particularly  requested  to  attend,  as  it  is  expected  there  will  be  a 
political  discussion,  that  the  people  may  then  have  an  opportunity  of 
being  fully  informed  on  public  subjects,  by  hearing  both  sides  face  to 
face,  in  a  fair  and  open  manner. 

"  FennsT/lvania,  Sept.  10,  1805." 

A  political  discussion  over  the  fumes  of  whiskey,  is  perfectly  Ame- 
rican.- 

"  PORTER 


\'y:\  rCCENTRlC    ADVERTISEMKNTS. 

"  PORTER. 
"  Dcrp  draughts  of  grog  iiiukcs  your  life  sliorUr, 
Eive  long  and  t\riiik  dct'i)  draugliu  of  good  porter. 
On  the  charms  of  tlie  hop  'lis  needless  to  dwell. 
For  none  but  tho^e  who  taste,  are  able  to  tell. 

"  A  fresh  sup|)ly  of  Philadelphia  hrown  stout,  just  come  to  Itaud,  and 
deliverinu'  at  uiy  store,  at  eighteen  pence  per  bottle.  Also,  a  few  do- 
zen of  Hibbert's  London  porter,  may  be  drank  at  2s.  the  bottle. 

"  THOMAS  DANIEL*. 

"  C/icapsUle,  Fredericksburg.     At  the  Free  Horse  Found. 

*'  The  linest  sifted  meal,  corn,  oats,  hay,  and  Ibdder,  in  an}'  quantities. 

"  Genuine  Spanish  segars,  at  l8d  the  quarter  hundred. 

"  Punch  (tor  the  play-house)  at  Is.  6d  a  bottle." 

"  The  following  is  worthy  of  a  conspicuous  place  for  the  elegance  of  its 
diction,  and  correctuess  of  its  orthography :  the  author,  we  are  told,  is 
a  candidate  for  the  incumbency  of  Lyuhaven  parish,  in  the  county  of 
Princess  Ann,  where,  (as  the  church-wardens  say)  a  minister  of  talents 
is  wanting  !!! 

"  Messrs.  Willet  and  O'conor, 
"  Be  plesed  to  ensert  thee  within  and  oblige 

"  Your  most  humble  St. 

"  RICHARD  EDWARDS. 

"  [Yes,  ]Mr.  Edwards,  we  will  oblige  you  by  inserting  it  verbatim  et 
literatim.^ 

"  This  is  to  give  notice  to  all  the  people  in  this  County  that  is  frinds 
to  the  protistant  E  ])iscopal  Church  that  I  intend  if  I  am  wed  wilt  gods 
leve  to  read  prayers  and  Read  a  small  pice  of  archbishop  Tillotsons  ad- 
vice a  Bout  religion  and  I  should  be  very  glad  the  people  is  friends  to 
the  C'hurch  wauld  meet  me  at  the  Brick  Church,  "2  Sunday  in  August 
3d  Sunday  at  the  Eastern  Shore  l6th  august —the  foth  Sunday  at  Pungo 

*  This  man  is  the  son  of  the  late  Mr.  Daniel,  a  goldsmith,  and  oneof  the  livery  of  tlie  city  of  London  ; 
and  who  failed  there  in  the  business  to  which  he  succeeded  his  father.  Notwithstanding  his  curious  j)!i/?J, 
he  also  became  bankrupt  in  Fredericksburg. 

august 


ECCENTRIC  ad\t:rtisements.  355 

august  23  and  I  weel  teel  you  all  what  is  Reason  of  so  many  decenters 
in  this  Countr}%     This  from  your  most  humble  Sarvent 

"  RICHARD   EDWARDS. 

"  Norfolk  Herald,  Virginia." 

"  MARRIED, 

*'  In  George  Town,  on  Sunday  last,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Balch,  Mr. 
Nicholas  Hingston,  botanist  and  merchant,  of  Alexandria,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Bloomfield,  sister  to  the  celebrated  author  of  the  '  Farmer's 
Boy.' 

"  Lo  !  1  have  seen  a  tender  flower 
In  winter  rais'd,  which  yet  surpass'd 
The  child  of  spring :  and  in  the  bower 
Araonst  the  sweetest  might  be  class'd. 
Thus  may  this  couple  whom  love  has  join'd, 
Tho'  in  the  fall  of  life  they  be. 
In  their  endearments  unconfin'd. 
Bring  up  the  sweetest  progeny." 

This  loving  couple  had  arrived  at  that  period  of  life  when  the  pro- 
creative  faculty  becomes  equivocal. 

"  Elizabeth  Lay  well  doth  hereby  give  public  notice  to  all  whom  it 
may  concern,  that  she  will  petition  the  next  general  assembly  of  the 
state  of  Virginia,  for  a  divorce  from  her  husband,  Abraham  Lay  well,  he 
having,  a  number  of  years  ago,  left  her  in  a  destitute  situation,  and 
without  support;  since  which  he  hath  intermarried  with  another  woman. 
And  she  doth  herebj^  give  the  said  Abraham  Laywell  notice,  that  she 
will  proceed  on  the  29th  day  of  November  next,  at  the  tavern  of  James 
Edmondson,  in  the  town  of  Staunton,  to  take  the  depositions  of  sundry 
witnesses,  to  be  read  in  support  of  said  petition,  when  and  where  he 
may  attend  to  cross-examine  such  witnesses,  if  he  thinks  proper.* 
"  Augusta  County,  Oct.  4,  1800." 


• 


Divorces  through  this  medium  are  readily  obtained  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States. 


2  z  CHAV 


35i) 


CHAP.  XXVI 1 1. 


SOtTIl    CAnOLl.VA — VALUE  OT   PLANTATIONS — HOUSES   OP   THt    PLANTERS — SLANES 

—  THEin    TREATMENT  —  PLAN    FOR  IMPROVING  TIIEIR  CONDITION  —  SLAVE-TJAOE 

—  DANGERS  TO  HE  A  IM-R  EH  E  N  IIE  D  FROM  ITS  PROSECUTION  —  I  NTE  N  DE  D  I  N  SU  R- 
KECTIONS  OF  THE  SLAVES  —  INFLUENCE  OF  SLAVERY  ON  THE  POLITICAL  RE- 
PRESENTATION OF  THE  STATES  —  PROPENSITY  OF  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  CARO- 
LINA TO  DUELLING  — GOLD-MINES  DISCOVERED  IN  NORTH  CAROLINA — GOLB 
COMPANY  —  CULTITATION     OF    COTTON — INDIGO. 


X  HE  state  of"  South  Carolina  produces  abundance  of  rice,  tobacco, 
cotton,  and  indigo,  for  exportation  ;  and  contains  more  slaves,  for  the 
mimber  of  square  miles,  than  any  other  part  of  the  United  States.  It  is, 
indeed,  the  only  one  which  admits  the  horrid  traffic,  and  thousands  of 
these  miserable  i)eople  are  dispersed  over  the  adjoining  states,  through 
the  port  of  Charleston,  Avhcre  there  is  a  greater  slave-market  than,  per- 
haps, was  ever  known  atone  place  in  the  West  India  islands. 

The  richest  planters  in  the  United  States  are  to  be  found  in  South  Ca- 
rolina, some  drawing  a  yearly  revenue  from  the  labor  of  their  slaves  to 
the  amount  of  forty  or  fifty  thousand  dollars,  and,many  enjoy  an  income 
of  from  twelve  to  twenty  thousand  fiom  the  same  source.  A  planter  in 
moderate  circumstances  is  in  the  receipt  of  from  three  to  six  thousand ; 
while  others,  so  capricious  is  fortune,  drag  on  a  miserable  existence  with 
large  families^  on  the  wretched  pittance  of  eighty  or  one  hundred  dol- 

Ttuis  a  year. 

The 


T'LANllvfiS"  .110L.'<l-;,'5    IN    SOUTH    <;.Mi<)I,l.\A.  ^W? 

The  best  lands  are  the  tide-swam psi,  w  here  collon  and  rice  are  grown, 
and  which,  in  high  cuUivation,  luive  sold  us  high  as  one  hundred  and 
sevent}'  dollars  per  acre; — an  (Miormons  price,  wlien  it  is  remembered 
that  land,  capable  of"  producing  (X)rn,  may  be  had,  and  in  good  situa- 
tions too,  from  five  to  fifteen  dollars — while  uncleared  land,  that  is, 
land  in  its  original  state,  inhabited  bj-  the  beasts  of  the  forest  alone, 
is  selling  at  one  third  of  the  last-mentioned  price.  The  value,  in  short, 
rises  as  the  land  is  cleared,  while  in  England  we  estimate  our  estates  in 
proportion  to  the  quantity  of  timber  upon  them.  In  general,  the  tide- 
swamps  command  from  seventy  to  one  hundred— inland  swamps  twentr 
to  fifty — while  such  as  bear  corn,  sweet  potatoes,  &c.  fetch  from  six  t<> 
forty  dollars,  and  fiigh  uncleared  land  from  one  to  six  dollars  per  acre, 
in  South  Carolina. 

The  buildings  on  the  plantations  are  in  proportion  to  the  value  of  the 
latter — from  the  cost  of  thirty  thousand  dollars,  to  a  miserable  log- 
house.  The  best  houses  consist  generally,  of  not  more  than  a  ground- 
floor,  with  bed-chambers  above;  and  many  of  them  of  a  ground-floor 
only;  but  in  this  case,  they  cover  a  considerable  space.  At  the  south- 
front  it  is  an  invariable  rule  to  attach  a  piazza,  which  impedes  the  ex- 
treme heat  of  the  sun  from  penetrating  into  the  sitting  and  lodging- 
rooms  ;  and  in  the  ex^ening  it  afl'ords  an  agreeable  walk.  The  kitchens 
and  out-oflices  are  al\Aa\'s  at  the  distance  of  sexeral  5'ards  from  the  prin- 
cipal dwelling.  This  is  done  as  well  to  guard  against  the  house-negroes 
through  careVessness  setting  the  houses  on  fire,  for  they  generally  sit  over 
it  half  the  night,  as  to  keep  out  their  noise.  Negroes  are  great  and 
loud  talkers;  and  in  this  warm  climate,  having  wood  for  the  trouble  of 
fetching  it,  they  often  sit  np,  after  their  w  ork  is  dojie,  over  a  large  fire, 
in  the  summer,  when  I  could  scarcely  endure  the  excessive  heat  of  the 
night  in  the  open  air. 

The    master    here,    as  in  the    other  southern   states,  regard   their 
slaves,  as  English  farmers  do  their  live  stock.     The  men  are  valued, 

2  z  2  liLc 


S5'd  EMPLOYMENT   OF  THE   SLAVE:?. 

like  horses,  for  tlieir  superior  properties — the  females,  for  their  fecundity. 
The  infant  slave  is  generally  valued  at  a  year's  service  of  the  m  other 
and  as  she  is  compelled  to  work,  three  ])arts  of  the  time  she  is  breeding* 
and  nursing,  planters  are  very  attentive  to  this  mode  of  enhancing  the 
value  of  their  estates. 

The  swamps  and  low  lands  are  so  unhealth}'',  that  they  cannot  be  cul- 
tivated by  white  persons.  Here,  however,  the  negro  is  compelled  to 
work,  uncovered,  through  the  sun's  meridian  heat,  and  labor  till  even- 
ing, often  up  to  his  waist  in  water,  for  these  lands  are  generally  over- 
flowed with  stagnant  pools  ;  while  his  pampered  master  can  barely  sup- 
port himself  in  the  shade  in  such  a  relaxing  atmosphere.  If  he  be  em- 
ployed in  the  rice-grounds,  he  must  toil  all  day  long  in  soft  mud,  ditching 
and  draining  the  ground ;  while  to  a  white  person  such  an  occupation 
would,  in  a  few  days,  prove  certain  death.  The  punishments  they  of- 
ten undergo  are  inflicted  with  savage  ferocity,  and  frequently  at  the  ca- 
price of  a  cruel  overseer.  What  else  can  be  expected  from  the  natural 
brutality  of  man,  in  a  country  where  the  murder  of  a  slave  is  only  pu- 
nished by  a  fine  of  fifty  pounds,  and  if  wilfully  perpetrated,  or,  as  the 
law  terms  it,  "  with  malice  aforethought,"  then  the  line  is  only  doubled 
— but,  in  fact,  the  bloody  deed,  \\hen  committed,  is  seldom  looked 
into. 

Though  I  execrate  the  treatment  of  this  unfortunate  race  of  human 
beings,  yet,  as  they  have  been  brought  into  the  country,  I  would  not 
advocate  an  unqualified  emancipation ;  for  such  a  step  would  be  attend- 
ed with  fatal  consequences.  The  cultivation  of  the  staple  commodities 
of  the  country  would,  in  all  probability,  not  only  be  neglected,  but  the 
galling  injuries  inflicted  on  them  by  white  men  since  they  were  stolen 
or  forced  away  from  their  native  country,  might  stimulate  them  to  break 
entirely  the  bonds  once  loosened,  and  deal  destruction  upon  the  heads  of 
their  oppressors.  Yet  I  would  have  their  condition  ameliorated  by  law 
— their  food  and  clothing  should  be  nourishing  and  comtbrtable — and  as 
2  our 


SLAVES  ADVERTISED   FOR   SALE  AT   CHARLESTON.  359 

our  soldiers  and  sailors  live  well,  and  conquer  the  enemies  of  their 
countrv  on  the  rations  and  cloathing  provided  for  them  hy  government 
— so  might  these  unhappy  people,  by  a  similar  mode,  and  the  same  quan- 
tity and  quality  of  tbod  and  raiment,  be  rendered  fit,  in  bodily  strength 
to  undergo  the  hard  tasks  imposed  upon  them.  I  deprecate  the  end  of 
this  slave-trade,  which  continues  to  be  followed  with  an  eagerness  which 
the  thirst  for  gold  ever  stimulates :  no  matter  through  what  unworthy 
means  it  may  be  obtained.  All  the  other  states  have  prohibited  the  ad- 
mission of  fresh  slaves,  while  South  Carolina  alone,  regardless  of  the 
stigma,  continues  the  importation  with  double  exertion.  The  following 
advertisements,  which  appeared  tlie  same  day,  and  in  the  order  they  are 
placed,  in  one  of  the  Charleston  neA\spapers,  will  shew  to  what  a  dis- 
graceful ^height  the  slave-trade  has  arrived  in  a  land  of  liber  ti/. 

"  ^3^  The  sale  of  the  ship  Margaret's  cargo  of  250  prime  Congo 
slaves,  will  commence  on  board  the  said  ship,  at  Geyer's  South 
Wharf  this  day,  the  9th  inst.  and  will  be  continued  every  day  (Sun- 
days excepted)  until  the  whole  are  sold. 

"  GIBSON  AND  BROADFOOT. 

"  Sept.Q,\ZQ5. 

"  CONGO    SLAVES. 

"13'  The  sale  of  the  ship  Ariel's  cargo  of  260  very  prime  Congo 
slaves,  is  continued  on  board  said  vessel, ,  at  Vanderhost's  wharf. 

"  WILLIAM  BOYD. 
"  August  14. 

"CONGO   SLAVES. 

"  S3°  The  sale  of  the  ship  Esther's  cargo  of  370  very  prime  Congo 
slaves,  is  continued  on  board  said  ship,  at  Vanderhost's  wharf. 

"  WILLIAM  BOYD." 

Thus  these  three  cargoes  make  together  880  fellow-creatures  on  sale, 
2  like 


v)<iO     FATAL  CONSKwrENCLS  APrRKUENDED  FROM  Tdl    <I.\Vi:    I  R ADi:. 

^iko  bea.sts  in  a  pen  on  a  fiiir-day,  in  the  small  city  oi'  Cliarkston  !  !  ! 
'I'his  slave  market  is  open  every  day  in  the  year,  except  Sundavs,  as 
Messrs.  Gibson  and  Broadt'oot  pionsly  observe  by  public  auction,  pri- 
vate contract,  or  byway  of  barter.  A  horse  ihr  a  man,  or  a  man  ibra 
horse,  is  a  common  exchange  ;  and  tluis  these  miserable  objects  are 
driven  about  from  owner  to  owner,  at  the  caprice  of  their  fellow-men. 
Nay,  they  even  become  the  stake  of  the  gamester,  wlio,  with  uncon- 
cern, attaches  their  fate  to  the  cast  of  a  die,  or  the  turn  of  a  card. 

It   was  the  eager  and   boundless   prosecution  of  the   African  trade, 
which,  in  St.  Domingo,  lilled  with  negroes  every  situation  which  ought 

to  have  been  occupied  by  men  of  the  same  complexion  as  the  i)lanter 

that  stationed  a  conspirator  wherever  an  ally  ought  to  have  been  found 
— that  crowded  with  enemies  every  avenue  through  which  succour 
could  arrive  in  time  of  alarm  and  danger.  It  was  in  St.  Domingo 
that  the  standard  of  revolt  was  first  reared  ;  that  it  waved  over  the  most 
flourishing  colony,  and  gave  the  signal  to  her  mass  of  blacks  to  attack 
and  butcher  the  whites.  They  instantly  set  at  nought  her  twenty  thou- 
sand militia ;  bade  defiance  to  her  regular  forces,  and  the  shipping  in 
her  harbours ;  ravaged  her  fruitfid  fields,  demolished  her  commercial 
towns,  and  left  her  inhabitants  weltering  in  their  blood.  Such  were  the 
dire  effects  of  the  African  trade  on  St.  Domingo  ;  and  in  the  Leeward 
Islands  it  menaces  the  same  horrors ;  nor  are  the  southern  states  of 
America  free  from  the  apprehension  that  it  will  one  day  overwhelm 
them.  For  it  is  this  trade,  with  its  dangerous  facility  of  procuring 
slaves,  and  the  treacherous  submission  of  their  demeanour,  that  has 
midtiplied  the  lurking  assassins,  till  they  swarm  wherever  the  planter 
turns  his  eyes.  It  is  this  trade  that  has  excluded  from  his  employment, 
and  driven  fiom  his  society  his  white  brethren  ;  it  is  this  trade  which 
has  cut  him  olf  from  succour  and  from  hope,  when  destruction  is  at 
hand,  when  death  stares  him  in  the  face,  and  remorse  of  mind,  worse 
even  than  death  itself,  haunts  him  the  short  remnant  of  his  lite. 

When 


HORRID    CRUELTIES   INFLICTED   ON    SLAVES.  3Gf 

When  we  contemplate  the  cruel  treatment  which  the  wretched  negroes- 
i^o  often  receive,  it  cannot  be  matter  of  astonishment  that  they  should  pant 
foran  opportunity  of  regaining  that  liberty,  of  which  they  have,  in  general, 
been  unjustly  deprived.  A  white  man— a  monster  in  human  shape — a  few 
months  ago,  at  Charleston,  compelled  one  of  liis  negroes  to  cut  off  the 
head  of  another,  while  the  maister  superinicnded  the  horrid  deed !  He  was 
tried  for  the  offence,  and  convicted.  The  judge,  in  a  speech  which  did 
honor  to  him  as  a  man,  lamented  the  ineflicacy  of  the  law  with  respect 
to  the  punishments  apjjortioned  to  such  a  crime.  The  murderer  was 
fined,  and  then  liberated.*  The  commission  of  such  a  deed  is  alone 
sufficient  to  stimulate  the  whole  of  the  color  of  the  sufferer,  to  revenge. 
The  seeds  of  revolt  were  sown  with  the  information  of  the  massacre  m 
St.  Domingo,  and  their  growth  needs  not  such  dreadful  acts  of  barbarity 
to  quicken  it.  Seven  years  ago,  a  dangerous  insuirection  was  planned  by 
the  negroes  in  Virginia,  which  would  have  certainly  deluged  the  capital 
of  the  state  with  the  blood  of  the  white  inhabitants,  had  they  not  been  be- 
trayed by  one  of  their  own  people  just  time  enough  for  the  governor, 
Mr.  Munro,  the  present  ambassador  in  London,  to  muster  the  military, 
who  took  the  insurgents  by  surprize,  on  the  very  eve  of  the  intended 
attack.  The  Icadei-s  of  this  dangerous  revolt  were  hanged,  as  well  as 
a  mulatto,  at  Norfolk,  convicted  of  conspiring  to  set  fire  to  that  town 
and  harbor. -f-     Yet  even  these  dreadful  lessons  are  not  sufficiently  im- 

•  Tliis  transaction,  with  the  charge  of  the  judge,  was  given  in  the  Lonilon  papers  in  the  month  of 
September  last. 

t  Still  more  recent  is  the  contemplated  insurrection  of  these  people  at  Savannah,  in  Georgia.  Ttte 
True  American,  a  daily  paper,  printed  at  Philadelphia,  says,  "  that  on  the  14th  and  15th  of. 
October  last,  an  insurrection  was  apprehended  at  Savannah,  in  Georgia,  among  tha  negroes.  Several 
meetings  had  taken  place  among  them,  and  an  attack  upon  the  town  was  determined  on.  They  had  ajv 
pointed  generals  and  other  officers.  According  to  their  plans  they  wore  to  make  three  distinct  landings  ; 
namely,  one  at  Wayne's  wharf— one  at  the  Coffee-house  wharf --and  one  at  tlie  fort.  They  were  then  to 
«t  fire  to  the  town,  and  massacre  the  whites.  But  a  diflference  existed  between  two  of  their  leaders,  and 
•ne  of  them  divulged  the  secret ;  in  consequence  of  wliich,  the  different  companies  of  volunteers  were  sta- 
tioned under  the  Bluff,  and  the  militia  at  Spring  ilill,  where  twelve  of  the  leaders  were  taken  prisoriers." 
The  negroes  arc  in  proportion  to  the  whites  as  eight  to  one  in  the  town  of  Savanna^. 

3r  pressve 


362  POLITICAL  INFLUENCE  OF  THE  SLAVE  TRADE. 

pressive  to  teach  Americans  the  danger  of  continuing  this  abominable 
tralHc. 

In  this  boasted  land  of  freedom  there  are,  according  to  calculation, 
nearly  one  milhon  slaves  for  lite  ;  besides  souje  thousand  Eiiro|iean  emi- 
grants, sold  tor  a  certain  term  of  years,  to  defray  the  expense  of  bring- 
intr  them  across  the  Atlantic.  After  what  has  been  already  said  on 
this  subject,  the  reader  will  be  yet  more  surprised  when  he  learns  that 
this  unibrtunate  race  of  men  are  actually  represented  in  eongress,  being 
enumerated  with  the  white  men  in  a  certain  ratio.  Thus  Virginia,  with 
40,160  free  people  less  tlian  Massachusets,  sends  five  representatives, 
and  five  electors  for  a  president  and  a  vice-president,  more  than  Massa- 
chusets; and  tliis  great  influence  arises  from  the  enumeration  of  the 
slaves  in  Mrginia,  while  Massachusets  admits  Jio  kind  of  slavery. 

The  states  which  contain  nine  tenths  of  the  slaves  in  the  United 
States  are,  Georgia,  South  Carolina,  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  Ken- 
tucky, and  Maryland.  Of  late  years,  Georgia  has  doubled  her  number 
of  slaves;  South  Carolina  has  increased  m  the  ratio  of  l46  to  107; 
North  Carolina,  in  that  of  133  to  100;  Kentucky,  in  that  of  40  to  12. 
Maryland  has  increased  but  in  a  smaller  projjortion,  being  the  farthest 
from  Charleston,  where  the  nefarious  traffic  is  exclusively  carried  on.  In 
the  New  England  states,  slavery  is  nearly  abolished.  In  Pennsylvania 
and  Delaware  the  number  of  slaves  has  decreased  ;  and  in  New  York 
it  is  nearly  stationary. 

'•  The  day  is  not  far  off,"  says  an  American  writer,  "  ^vhen  the 
southern  and  western  states  will  have  more  re|)resentatives  in  congress, 
and  electors  for  president  and  vice-president,  for  slaves  only,  than  the 
northern  for  all  their  free  people."  This  is  another  reason  for  the 
opinion    I  gave  m  the  former  part  of  this  work,  that  the  time  was  fast 

approaching 


FivEUUIlNCY    or    DLF.l.S    IN    r  \l{(j|.:.\  \.  _      3{\] 

aj^proaclilng,  which  will  sap  the  foundation  of  the  present  government 
of  the  United  States,  and  se\er  New  llngland  from  the  I'ederal 
Compact, 

While  such  is  the  condition  of  slaves  in  Suuth  Carohna,  their  owners' 
in  some  cases  entertain  such  high  and  strict  notions  of  wliat  they  call 
honor,  and  a  good  name,  that  duels  li-equently  take  place  among  them- 
In  one  of  these  rencounters  fell  the  son  of  a  departed  fi'iend  of  mine, 
and  what  rendered  the  circumstance  more  afflicting  was,  that  his  con- 
duct to  his  antagonist  was  of  such  a  nature  as  to  preclude  commiseration 
for  his  death.     The  stgry  may  i)rove  a  lesson  worthy  of  remembrance. 

Mr.  Rutledge,  a  gentleman  of  South  Carolina,  of  considerable  pro- 
perty, and  a  member  of  congress,  left  his  house,  w  ith  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren, on  the  approach  of  the  hot  months,  to  enjoy  the  salubrious  air  of 
Rhode  Island.  At  Newport  he  became  acquainted  with  the  son  of  my  re- 
spected friend,  the  late  Doctor  Senter,  This  young  man  succeeded  to  his 
lather's  business,  and  had  commenced  the  [H'actice  of  physic.  Mr. 
Rutledge  having  staid  at  Newport  as  long  as  he  had  intended,  re- 
turned to  his  home,  without  any  suspicion  to  the  prejudice  of  his  new 
acquaintance.  Soon  after  their  departure,  the  young  doctor  likewise 
made  his  apj)earance  in  South  Carolina.  Without  entering  into  the 
cause  of  this  step  on  the  part  of  the  latter,  and  unwilling  to  wound  the 
feelings  of  the  survivor,  suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  Rhode  Islander 
was  so  near  being  detected  by  his  injured  friend,  in  a  clandestine 
visit  to  his  wife,  as  to  owe  his  safety  to  immediate  flight.  Mr.  Rut- 
ledge pursued,  and  overtook  him  at  or  near  Charleston,  where  they 
fought.  The  guilty  man  fell,  being  badly  wounded  in  the  thigh,  and 
lie  died  under  am])utation.  This  unfortunate  event  should  not  have 
found  its  way  into  these  pages,  had  it  not  already  jjassed  the  comments 
of  American  editors. 

Another  memorable  duel  took  place  at  Charleston  during  my  resi- 

3  A  dence 


564  THEATRICAL    DUEL. 

dence  in  America,  between  two  "  stage-struck  lieroes ;"  the  subject — 
all  subduing  love  !  The  theatrical  duellists  were  Placide,  the  manager 
of  the  Charleston  company,  who  formerly  was  a  tight-rope  dancer  at 
Sadler's  Wells,  and  one  of  his  troop,  named  Douvillicr,  a  ballet-dancer. 
The  manager  ke|)t  a  lady,  of  whom  the  jierformer  was  also  enamoured; 
on  which  the  "  green-eyed  monster"  took  possession  of  the  breast  of 
Placide,  who,  however,  was  uncertain  as  to  the  actual  commission  of 
the  injury  he  suspected.  At  length,  caution  was  lulled  into  securitv, 
as  it  is  in  all  such  cases,  sooner  or  later,  and  the  conmiander  had  de- 
monstration of  his  being  hrutjjkd.  A  challenge  was  given  by  the  ag- 
grieved |)arty,  and  being  both  expert  swordsmen,  in  fact,  acting  occa- 
sionally as  fencing  masters,  it  was  determined  by  Placide  to  Avipe  away 
his  disgrace  by  the  sword.  A  place  was  appointed,  and  the  next  da\', 
al  noon,  fixed  fijrthe  combat.  Before  the  time  arrived,  half  of  Cliarles- 
ton  were  apprised  of  the  circumstance ;  and  the  combatants  Avent  to  the 
ground,  attended  by  multitudes  to  witness  the  event.  The  attack  was 
begun  by  Placide,  who  furiously  rushed  upon  his  antagonist,  deter- 
mined to  put  him  to  death  in  an  instant.  I  learnt  from  those  who  were 
present,  that  the  science  displayed  by  Douvillier  in  defending  himself 
from  this  imminent  danger,  added  to  his  coolness  and  activity,  interested 
the  spectators  for  the  moment,  though  he  was  knoAvn  to  be  the  offender. 
Having  parried  the  deadly  thrusts,  and  sustained  the  shock  of  the 
onset,  he  maintained  his  ground,  and  the  science  of  fencing  was,  in 
good  earnest,  displaj'ed  for  some  minutes,  without  intermission,  till 
Placide  was  disarmed.  He  affected  now  to  smother  the  disappointment 
of  revenge,  and  to  hide  his  chagrin;  until  suddenly  springing  upon  his 
antagonist,  he  recovered  his  sword,  and  before  the  other  could  put  him- 
self on  his  guard,  he  was  run  through  the  body.  There  was  said  to  be 
something  of  foul  play  in  this  ;  however,  Placide  returned  to  his  lodg- 
ings in  triumph,  and  immediately  turned  the  frail  fair  one  into  the 
street,  from  whence  she  proceeded  to  her  vanquished  lover,  whose 
wound  she  dressed,  and  who  recovered  to  live  many  years  Avith  her  for 
whom  he  had  fought.     Shortly  after  this,    Placide  married  one  of  the 

daughters 


DISCOVERY   OF  GOLD-MINES   IN   CAROLINA.  365 

daughters  of  the  late  Mrs.  Wrighten,  of  Drury-lane,  who  were  then 
performing  in  Charleston.  By  this  lady  he  has  children,  and  is  yet 
manager  of  that  theatre. 

Independent  of  the  valuable  vegetable  productions  of  North  and  South 
Carolina,  it  has  recently  been  discovered  that  some  parts  of  the  former 
state  are  no  less  rich  in  the  most  precious  of  metallic  substances.  In  the 
year  1804  a  bed  of  gold  ore  was  discovered  in  North  Carolina,  in  a 
creek  runnin"-  throu^•h  the  land  of  Mr.  John  Read,  a  native  of  Hesse 
Cassel,  in  Germany,  which  promises  to  prove  a  source  of  great  wealth 
to  the  proprietor.  Some  of  it  was  coined  at  the  mint  of  the  United 
States  in  Philadelphia,  a  few  months  after  the  discovery,  to  the  amount 
of  eleven  thousand  dollars,  and  a  much  larger  quantity  has  been  found. 
It  appears  that  the  children  of  Mr.  Read,  having  been  fishing  in  the 
creek,  were  attracted  by  the  shining  metal,  and  brought  home  several 
pieces  as  a  curiosity,  totally  ignorant  of  their  real  value.  On  being 
tried,  the  ore  was  found  to  contain  gold  of  a  very  pure  quality.  Since 
this  discovery,  these  little  boys  have  picked  up  daily  from  one  hun- 
dred to  one  hundred  and  twenty  pennyweights;  but  Mr.  Read  him- 
self found  a  lump  of  the  ore  weighing  twenty-eight  pounds,  which 
it  was  supposed,  when  fluxed,  Avould  be  worth  fourteen  hundred 
pounds  British  money.  At  the  mint  it  was  regretted  that  the  gold  had 
been  melted  into  very  small  ingots,  for  the  convenience  of  caiTiage,  it 
being  many  hundred  miles  from  Cabarrus  to  Philadelphia.  Thus,  a 
considerable  portion  of  it  was  wasted.  The  finest  particles  yet  remain- 
ed, the  large  lumps  alone  being  sought  after. 

In  consequence  of  these  promising  appearances,  a  company  has  been 
formed  for  the  purpose  of  exjiloring  the  lands  supposed  to  possess  the 
largest  portion  of  these  natural  treasures.  It  is  entitled  the  North  Caro- 
lina Gold  Company,  and  has  purchased  35,000  acres  for  1 10,000  dol- 
lars. An  agent,  Mr.  W.  Thornton,  was  sent  last  summer  by  the  com- 
pany to  visit  these  lands,  and,  from  the  success  of  his  experiments,  he 

3  A  2  reports 


3G(^  «:oi D-MiNEs  IX  Carolina. 

ro(X)rts  very  ruvoraljiv  of  the  probaMe  jMOfliutivfuessof  the  speculation. 
From  liis  account  th(:  followii)^^  particulars  ^vere  extracted  : — 

The  season  of  1800  wasoneoftho  most  imfavourable  tliat  cotikl  have 
been  selected  for  examining  the  runs  of  gold,  as  they  were  all  dry,  so 
that  it  was  necessary  to  carry  the  sand  and  gravel  sometimes  above  a 
mile  before  water  could  be  found.  Some  fine  specimens  were  thus  ob- 
tained, one  of  about  two  penny-weights,  and  some  smaller;  but  after 
obtaining  about  twenty  dollars  worth,  the  want  of  water  to  wash  ior 
more  obliged  him  to  desist.  While  thus  engaged  in  the  lands  adjoining 
to  the  mine  of  Mr.  Read,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  that  concern  observ- 
ed, that  he  thought  the  prospect  of  the  company  as  good  as  their  own. 
INIr.  Read  and  liis  partners  possess  about  400  acres,  and  they  are  said  to 
have  obtained  already,  from  this  small  place,  between  30  and  40,000 
dollars  worth  of  gold.  That  found  on  the  company's  land  requires  no 
purification. 

Mr.  Thornton  visited  iNIr.  Read's  mine,  and  found  that  by  amalgama- 
tion with  quicksilver  a  great  quantity  of  gold  is  obtained  from  the  sand-, 
after  picking  out  all  the  lump  gold.     He  was  informed  that  they  obtain- 
ed about  six  or  seven  ounces  at  a  distillation,  several  times  a  week,  from 
a  very  small  still.     He  afterwards  visited  the  mines  of  Mrs.  Parker  and 
Mr.  Harris.     They  lie  in  a  hill  that  intersects  the  company's  land.     Mr. 
Harris,  in  ploughing  across  a  small  branch  in  his  land,  turned  up  a  good- 
sized  piece  of  gold.     Having  no  regular  weights,  he  tried  it  in  a  pair  of 
scales  against  a  pewter  plate  and  spoon,  which  it  outweighed.    He  then 
searched  the  run,  and  was  successful  injinding  gold.     This  little  branch 
runs  immediately  into  the  company's  land,  lying  between  it  and  Mrs. 
Parker's.     But  as  it  was  dry,  Mr.  Thornton  made  no  search  in  it,  nor 
in  any  of  the  branches  on  that  side,  though  he  was  informed  that  gold, 
had  been  tbimd  in  several. 

Mrs.  Parker's  mine  was  discovered  in  a  very  unexpected  manner. 

Hearing. 


CULTIVATION   OF   COTFON.  367 

Hearing  of  several  discoveries,  she  said  in  a  joking  manner  to  some  com- 
pany, while  drinking  tea  with  her,  "  I  wish,  gentlemen,  anj'  of  you  could 
find  a  gold-mine  in  my  land," — on  which  one  of  the  comj^any  replied* 
"  I  will  go,  madam,  and  search  for  you."  He  went,  and  in  a  little  time 
returned  with  a  verv  good  specimen.  After  this,  they  found  six  hundred 
dollars  worth,  and  in  the  season  of  1806  three  hundred  more,  though 
they  had  not  yet  prepared  any  apparatus  for  even  washing  the  gravel, 
and  sand. 

From  this  examination,  INIr.  Thornton  judges  that  some  of  the  hilb 
are  rich  in  gold.  He  is  of  opinion  that  it  is  not  carried  tar  by  the  cur- 
rents, but  only  falls  down  into  the  small  hollows  and  little  branches,  a^ 
it  has  been  met  with  in  considerable  quantities  in  the  smallest  depres- 
sions on  the  hills,  as  well  as  in  the  deeper  runs  and  branches.  From  the 
number  of  these  runs,  branches,  springs,  and  depressions,  in  which  gold 
has  been  ibund  in  the  premises  of  the  company,  he  is  confident  that  it 
may  be  computed  to  possess  160  miles  of  gold  land. 

There  are  three  sorts  of  cotton  raised  in  the  Carolinas,  viz.  l^aiikeen, 
green-seed,  and  black-seed  cotton. 

Nankeen  cotton  is  principally  grown  in  the  middle  and  upper  country, 
for  family  use.  It  is  so  called  fi-om  the  wool  resembling  the  colour  of 
Nankeen  cloth,  which  it  retains  as  long  as  it  is  worn.  It  is  not  in  much 
demand,  the  white  cotton  having  engrossed  the  public  attention.  Were 
it  encouraged,  however,  cloths  might  be  manufiictured  from  it  perhaps 
not  inferior  to  those  im})orted  from  the  East  Indies,  the  cotton  being 
probably  of  the  same  kind ;  as,  from  experiments  which  have  been 
made,  nankeens  have  been  manufactured  in  South  Carolina,  of  good  co- 
lour, and  of  very  strong  texture. 

Green-seed  cotton  produces  a  good  white  wool,  adhering  much  to  the 

seed,  and  of  course  it  is  difficult  to  be  ginned.     Its  produce  is  greater, 

5'  and 


SQQ  CULTIVATION    OF   COITON. 

and  its  maturity  is  more  early,  than  the  black  seed,  for  which  reason  it 
is  principally  cultivated  in  the  middle  and  upper  country,  as  the  iavora- 
ble  seasons  of  those  districts  are  shorter  by  several  weeks  than  those  of 
the  lower  country,  and  ihe  liosts  are  more  severe. 

Black-seed  cotton  is  that  which  is  grown  in  the  lower  country,  and  on 
the  sea-islands,  prodcuing  a  i'uie  white  cotton  of  silky  appearance,  very 
strong,  and  of  good  staple.  The  mode  of  culture  is  the  same  with  all 
these  species,  and  rich  high  land  is  the  soil  on  which  they  are  generally 
planted.  In  the  middle  country,  however,  the  high  swamp  lands  produce 
the  green  seed  in  great  abundance  ;  and  some  tide  lands  and  salt-water 
marshes,  alter  being  reclaimed,  in  the  lower  country,  have  also  made 
excellent  cro|)sof  this  valuable  article. 

This  plant  is  raised  from  the  seed,  and  is  managed  in  nearly  the  fol- 
lowing manner — About  the  latter  end  of  Ahirch,  or  the  beginning  of 
April,  commences  the  season  for  planting  cotton.  In  strong  soils  the 
land  is  broken  up  with  ploughs,  and  the  cotton  is  sown  in  drills,  about 
five  feet  from  each  other,  and  at  the  rate  of  nearly  a  bushel  of  seed  to 
the  acre;  after  which,  when  the  plant  is  a  iew  leaves  high,  the  mould  is 
thrown  up  in  a  ridge  to  it  on  each  side  by  the  plough,  with  a  mould- 
board  adapted  to  that  pnr|)ose;  or,  in  the  first  instance,  bed>  are  made 
rather  low  and  tlat,  and  the  cotton  is  sown  in  them.  15y  some  it  is  sown 
in  holes  at  about  ten  inches  distance;  but  the  more  general  practice  is 
to  sow  the  seed  in  a  drdl,  along  the  length  of  the  bed,  after  which  it 
may  be  tlunned  at  leisure,  accordmg  to  its  growth.  In  rich  high-land 
soils,  not  more  than  fifteen  of  these  beds  are  made  in  a  (juarter  of  an 
acre;  but  in  interi<jr  lands,  twenty-one  beds  are  made  m  the  same  space 
of  ground.  When  the  plants  are  about  fijur  or  six  indies  high  they  re- 
quire a  thinning,  at  whu  li  time  only  very  few  plants  are  left  at  each 
distance  where  the  cottuii  is  intended  to  grow;  and  Irom  time  to  tune 
those  plants  are  again  thiiuied,  till  two,  and  soinetunes  one  only  is  left  at 
each  distance,  which  is  liom  eighteen  inches  to  two  feet,  and  the  rows 

three 


CULTIVATION  AND   PREPARATION   OF   COT  I  ON.  369 

three  or  four  feet  apart.  At  the  time  of  thinning  also  the  first  hoeing  is 
generall}^  given,  whiclj  is  repeated  every  two  or  three  weeks.  With 
some  planters,  the  practice  of  topjiing  the  main  stalk  has  been  used,  when 
the  plants  are  too  luxuriant;  but  as  it  throws  out  in  this  case  an  abun- 
dance of  suckers,  and  thus  increases  the  toil  of  the  negroes  to  pull  them 
away,  the  custom  has  been  discontinued.  Towards  the  middle  of  Sep- 
tember, however,  it  may  be  advantageous  to  top  the  j)lant  to  the  low- 
est blossoms,  as  from  that  time  no  blossoms  will  produce  cotton.  By 
this  treatment  also  the  sun  has  a  greater  inlluence  on  the  plant,  the  pods 
open  sooner,  and  its  strength  is  not  unnecessaril}'  drawn  from  those  pods 
which  are  likely  to  come  to  maturity. 

Towards  the  middle  of  June,  the  plants  begin  to  put  forth  their  beau- 
tiful blossoms,  and  continue  in  flower  and  forming  pods  till  the  fi-osts  set 
in ;  at  which  time  all  the  pods  that  are  not  well  grown  are  destroyed. 
Early  in  August  the  harvest  of  cotton  begins  on  the  Sea  Islands,  and 
in  September  it  is  general  throughout  the  state,  continuing  till  Decem- 
ber. The  cotton-wool  is  contained  in  the  pod  in  three  or  four  different 
compartments,  which  bursting  when  ripe,  presents  the  cotton  full  blown 
to  the  sight,  surrounding  its  seeds.  It  is  then  picked,  and  carried  to  the 
cotton-house,  and  thence  taken  out  in  a  very  few  days,  and  spread  upon 
a  platform  to  dry,  after  which  it  is  soon  ready  for  ginning. 

For  this  purpose,  various  kinds  of  gins  are  used  for  extricating  this  va- 
luable staple-commodity  from  its  seed.  The  most  common  gin,  because 
of  the  simplest  mechanism,  is  called  the  foot-gin.  It  is  Avorked  with 
cranks,  by  a  foot-board,  almost  resembling  a  turner's  lathe.  It  is  composed 
of  two  small  rollers,  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  which, 
by  puUies,  are  made  to  pull  contrary  ways.  At  each  of  these  gins  is 
placed  a  negro,  w  ho  applies  seed-cotton,  as  it  is  called  before  ginning,  to 
the  rollers,  which,  by  their  motion,  draAv  the  cotton  from  the  seed.  It 
then  falls  into  a  bag,  and  the  seed  is  discharged  on  the  ground.  Thus, 
2  a  negro 


.17»^  Pl<  MM;-rK<)l.irs— INDIGO. 

a  negro  will  gin  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  ponnds  per  day,  anionnting 
to  above  a  thonsand  weight  during  the  cotton-harvest. 

Private  families  gin  their  cotton  by  the  hand,  which  is  called  picking, 
and  this  work  is  set  apart  tor  the  evening.  The  whole  family  of  a  small 
planter  sit  round  the  lire  in  a  winter's  evening,  without  any  other  light 
than  what  proceeds  occasionally  from  a  j)itch-])ine  knot  over  their  task  of 
picking ;  and  this  is  practised  among  the  better  class  of  countrv'-people. 
Sometimes  they  invite  their  acquaintance  to  what  they  call  "  a  picking 
frolic,"  at  which,  after  the  visitors  liave  duly  performed  their  task,  they 
are  regaled  with  a  supper,  and  the  evening  concludes  with  a  reel  or  coun- 
try dance. 

After  the  cotton  is  ginned,  a  number  of  liands  are  employed  in  pick- 
ing from  it  any  dirt  or  pieces  of  broken  seed;  it  is  then  |)acked  up  in 
baers  containing  '250  or  300 lbs.  and  thus  made  readv  for  market.  As 
the  carefulness  of  its  |)reparation  is  the  principal  object  with  manufactu- 
rers, it  is  well  worth  the  planters  while  to  pay  attention  to  have  it  gather- 
ed clean  from  the  field,  and  if  possible,  to  have  every  speck  of  dirt  or 
even  stained  parts,  which  may  remain  after  it  has  passed  through  the  gin, 
picked  out.  Cotton,  thus  prepared,  will  assuredly  command  a  ready 
sate  and  a  good  price,  as,  in  the  extensive  spirming  machines  in  the 
United  Kingdom,  the  smallest  particle  of  trash,  or  fragment  of  the 
seed,  breaks  the  thread,  and  interrupts  the  progress  of  the  manufacture. 

Indigo  is  produced  from  a  plant  indigenous  in  America,  and  is  made 
in  large  quantities,  though  of  an  inferior  quality,  in  South  Carolina.  A 
botanical  author  savs,  that  indigo  is  a  precipitate.d  fccula,  dried  and  re- 
duced into  a  solid  mass,  light,  brittle,  and  of  a  deej)  azure  colour.  This 
substance  is  of  great  utility  in  the  arts.  Great  use  is  made  of  it  in  dying, 
painting,  blcacliing,  and  other  processes  of  different  manufactures. 

The 


MANUFACTURE   OF   INDIGO.  37 1 

The  vegetable  which  produces  this  colouring  fecula,  is  termed  the  in- 
digo plant,  indigofera.  It  is  a  polypetal  plant,  of  the  family  of  the 
leguminous,  and  has  much  resemblance  to  the  galegas. 

There  are  twenty-seven  species  of  the  indigo:  the  best  is  termed  m- 
digo  franc,  indigofera  anil.  In  the  islands  of  the  y\ntilics,  is  found  a 
variety  of  the  best  species  of  indigo,  which  grows  to  twice  the  height  of 
tlie  imhgo  ti'anc.  It  is  termed  the  wild  indigo  plant,  or  niaron,  and  is 
mixed  with  the  indigo  franc,  in  order  to  obtain  a  more  considerable  and 
better  produce. 

Though  indigo  has  been  manufactured  for  nearly  a  centurj',  its  prepa- 
ration is  still  so  imperfect,  that,  even  with  the  best  manufacturer,  gene- 
rally ten,  fifteen,  and  even  twenty-five  tubs,  fail  out  of  a  himdred  which 
he  undertakes.  Sometimes,  inexperience,  or  the  contrarieties  of  tem- 
perature, cause  the  failure  of  a  much  larger  number  of  the  tubs,  and  thus 
entail  ruin  on  the  proprietor  who  reckons  on  large  profits : —hence,  in 
part,  arises  the  high  price  of  indigo. 

In  order  to  obtain  this  colouring  substance,  the  indigo  plant  is  cut 
when  it  has  arrived  at  maturity.  The  whole  is  put  to  macerate  in  a 
bason  of  brick-work,  which  is  termed  the  tub.  To  complete  the  mace- 
ration, requires  from  fifteen  to  thirty,  and  even  to  thirtj^-six  hours,  ac- 
cording to  the  temperature  of  the  atmos|jhere  ;  it  is  also  necessary  to 
consider  the  quality  of  the  plant,  the  nature  of  the  soil,  and  of  the  water 
in  which  it  is  immersed. 

The  first  indication  that  the  maceration  begins  to  approach  its  ulti- 
mate point,  is  the  sinking  of  the  scum,  that  rises  in  the  space  of 
about  half  a  foot,  which  has  been  left  empty  in  the  tub.  A\  hen  this 
scum  has  become  a  kind  of  crust  of  a  copper  blue  colour,  the  plants  will 
soon  be  sufficiently  macerated.  However,  this  indication  is  insufficient, 
and  often  even  fallacious.     A  certain  method  of  ascertaining  this  is,  by 


372  MANUFACTURE   OF   INDIGO. 

accurately  observing  tlic  water  poured  into  a  silver  cup.  Five  or  six 
minutes  after  it  has  been  poured  into  the  cup,  it  forms  round  the  sides  a 
ring,  or  hedge  of  fecula,  whieli  is  at  first  of  a  greenish  colour,  and  after- 
wards becomes  blue.  As  long  as  the  maceration  is  imperfect,  this  ring 
detaches  itself  with  dilliculty  from  the  sides  of  the  cup.  But,  at  last,  it 
is  seen  to  precipitate  and  concentrate  itself  at  the  bottom  of  the  vessel, 
always  touching  the  centre  under  the  water,  which  has  become  limpid, 
with  a  yellowish  tinge. 

These  appearances  indicate  the  success  of  the  first  operation.  The 
water  is  then  drawn  oft"  into  a  second  tub,  placed  beneath  the  first.  Its 
use  is  for  heating  the  water  still  charged  with  the  fecula.  In  order  that 
it  may  separate  quickly,  it  is  agitated.  This  operation  is  performed  by 
the  hands,  or  in  the  largest  tub  by  a  mill.  It  is  of  consequence  not  to 
agitate  it  too  long  :  excessive  agitation  mixes  anew  the  fecula  with  the 
water,  from  which  it  does  not  sej>arate  any  more,  and  the  tub  tails.  In- 
stead of  indigo,  nothing  is  produced  but  muddy  water. 

This  latter  inconvenience  may  easily  be  obviated  by  a  little  attention. 
When  it  is  discovered  that  the  fecula  is  sufficiently  united,  the  water 
should  be  drawn  off"  into  a  third  and  smaller  tub.  The  bottom  of  the 
hattcrie  is  then  covered  with  a  liquid  blue  paste,  which  is  received  into 
bags  of  coarse  linen  cloth,  in  the  tbrm  of  inverted  cones,  which  suffer 
'the  watery  i)art  to  run  off'.  These  bags  are  afterwards  emptied  u))ori 
tables  in  the  drving  rooms,  where  the  blue  paste  is  kneaded ;  and  after 
it  has  acquired  a  denser  consistence,  it  is  spread  out  and  cut  into  small 
Mjuare  cakes,  that  it  may  dry  the  sooner.  The  manufacture  of  the  in- 
digo is  now  comj)leted,  and  it  is  soon  suliiciently  dry  to  be  introduced 
into  commerce. 


CHAP, 


375      ^ 


CHAF.  XXIX. 

TREATMENT  OF  SL  AVF.S— B  A  RB  ARITIES  EXERCISF.n  ON  THEM  — PU  N  ISHME  NT  IN- 
FLICTED ON  A  NEGRO  FOR  A  R  APE  — SINtt  U  L  AR  MOOE  OF  CURE  ADOPTED 
WITH  ANOTHER THE  DYING  N  EG  RO  — OBS  ER  V  ATIO  NS  ON  SLAVERY,  BY  JEF- 
FERSON   AND    DR.    MORSE. 


Having  shewn  the  great  benefits  which  slave-owners  derive  from 
the  labour  of  this  miserable  race  of  their  fellow-creatures,  we  naturally 
turn  our  thoughts  to  the  treatment  they  receive  to  enable  them  to  un- 
dergo the  drudgery  of  the  field.  When  we  see  men  toiling  in  rice  and 
indigo  grounds,  which  are  generally  overflowed  with  stagnant  water; 
enduring  the  scorching  rays  of  the  sun,  in  raising  tobacco,  and  different 
kinds  of  grain,  to  supply  luxuries  for  their  master's  tables;  we  should  na- 
turally conclude  that  their  food  is  of  the  best  quality,  and  their  raiment 
adapted  to  their  respective  employments.  I  wish  any  thing  could  be 
advanced  to  palliate  the  hardship  of  their  lot — but  on  this  subject  we 
only  find  the  horrors  of  slavery  too  often  aggravated  by  the  neglect  of 
the  owner,  and  the  savage  ferocity  of  an  overseer. 

An  apportunity  once  offered,  which  gave  me  full  demonstration  of 
the  treatment  of  negroes  in  North  Carolina. — I  had  hired  a  small  sail- 
ing boat  to  convey  me  from  the  island  of  Mattamuskeet,  on  Pamlico 
Sound;  the  wind  proving  adverse,  with  the  appearance  of  an  approach- 
ing summer  squall,  the  boatman  proposed  to  make  a  harbour  in  a  small 
creek  which  he  observed  led  to  a  new  negro  quarter  belonging  to  Mr. 
Blount,*  of  Newburn  ;  adding,  that  as  he  was  acquainted  with  theover- 

«  This  man  is,  at  this  time,  a  member  of  the  house  of  rcprescnlutive*  in  coDgress  for  tlie  district  of 
Niwburn,  in  North  Carolina. 

3b'2  seer. 


374  DESCRIPTION   or   A   NF.ORO   QUARTER'. 

seer,  I  might  there  find  sheltc  r  till  the  weather  j)rovcd  favorahle.    This 
I  gladly  agreed  to,  as  these   summer  gusts,  vhich    the}''  call  "  white 
squalls,"  are  often  so  sudden  as  to  upset  a  vessel  before  the  sails  can  be 
handed.    From  the  head  of  the  creek  a  canal  had  been  cut  to  the  quar- 
ter, and  from  thence  it  was  intended  to  communicate  with  the  Great 
Alligator  river,  for  tiie  pur|)o?e  of  transporting  lumber,  with  which  the 
country  abounds,  to  a  sea-port.     For  this  purpose,  Mr.    Bloimt  had 
placed  there  a  gang  of  about  sixty  negroes,  whose  daily  work  was  in 
A\ater,  often  up  to  the  middle,  and  constantly  knee-deep.  The  overseer 
was  a  man  of  some  information,  and  he  gave  us  a  hearty  welcome  to  his 
log-house,  which  was  a  few  hundred  yards  from  the  huts  of  the  slaves. 
He  said,  that  no  human  foot  had  trod  upon  the  spot  till  his  arrival  with 
the  negroes;  who  had  penetrated  about  a  mile  into  the  forest  with  the 
canal,  through  the  haunts  of  wild  beasts.     There  was  an  unusual  num- 
ber of  children  in  proportion  to  the  working  slaves;  and  on  my  noticing 
this  circumstance,  the  overseer  replied,  that  but  few  of  them  belonged  to 
the  gang,  being  sent  thither  '  to  be  raised  in  safety.'     From  the  situa- 
tion of  the  place,  there  was  no  chance  of  their  escaping;  and  being  fed 
at  a  very  small  expcnce,  and  sufiered  to  run  wild  and  entirely  naked, 
he  observed,  that  their  encreased  value,  when  the  canal  was  finished, 
would  nearly  defray  the  expence  attending  it.     An  infant  slave,  when 
born,  is  computed  to  be  worth  thirty  or  forty  dollars,  of  course,  every 
year  increases  liis  value,  and  a  stout  *  field  fellow,'  is  worth  three  or  four 
hundred  dollars;  a  '  field  wench'  a  fourth  part  less.     He  had  already 
been  two  years  in  this  desolate  place,  and  calculated  upon  remaining 
three  more  before  the  canal  would  be  finished. 

'I'hc  day  of  our  arri^•al  happened  to  be  on  Saturday,  when  the  week's  al- 
low ance  is  given  out.  This  consisted  of  salt  herrings,  of  an  interior  quality, 
and  a  peck  o^  Indian  corn  in  the  cob,  to  each,  the  grinding  of  which  occu- 
pied the  remainder  of  the  day.  Such  was  the  daily  food,  without  variation, 
of  these  wretched  people,  and  even  of  this,  the  allowance  was  extremely 
scanty.    No  such  luxury  as  salt  pork,  or  beefj  had  they  been  indulged  with 

for 


FILIAL    AFFECTION    OF   A    NEGRO   BOY.  57.5 

for  many  months;  and  iMr.  Overseer,  with  perfect  indifference,  observed, 
that  he  did  not  expect  any  fresh  supply  for  some  time  after  what  was  brought 
tliem  should  be  consumed.     A  few  barrels  were  at  first  allowed,  by  way 
of  reconciling  them  to  the  place  ;  and  so  accustomed  were  they  to  drag 
on  this  miserable  existence,  that  I  observed  no  repining,  each  receiving 
his  pittance  without  a  murmur.  The  overseer,  however,  took  special  care 
of  himself     His  residence  was  surrounded  with  turkies  and  fowls,  and  his 
cupboard  was  supplied  with  excellent  bacon.     These  provisions  w^ere  set 
before  us,  together  with  a  bottle  of  brandy.     During  our  repast,  we  were 
attended  by  a  stout  negro  boy,  entirelj^  naked,  whom  the  overseer  had  se- 
lected to  be  about  his  person.  The  ]JOor  fellow's  attention  was  so  riveted  on 
the  victuals,  that  he  blundered  over  his  employment  in  a  manner  that 
extorted  a  threat  of  punishment  from  his   master,  who  would  not  attri- 
bute his  momentary  absence  of  mind  to  the  cause  from  which  it  sprung. 
As  soon  as  an  opportunity  offered  after  dinner,  I  cut  o^',  unobserved,  a 
piece  of  bacon,  and  gave  it  to  the  boy,  who  snatched  at  it  in  an  extacy, 
and  instantly  ran  off'  to  tlie   negro  huts.     On  his  return,   I  questioned 
him  what  he  had  done  with  it ;  when  the  grateful  and  affectionate  crea- 
ture rejihed,  that  he  had  given  the  morsel  to  his  poor  mother,  who  was 
sick,  and  could  not  eat  her  herrings.     Hear  this,  ye  pampered  slave- 
holders !  contemplate  the  virtues  of  this  boy;  and  while  you  teach  your 
own  offspring  to  follow  his  example,  treat  his  unfortunate  race  as  hu- 
man beings  ! 

The  day  proving  boisterous,  we  remained  all  night  with  the  overseer. 
He  described,  with  much  apparent  satisfaction,  the  means  he  employed 
to  keep  Im  gang  under  subjection,  and  the  different  modes  of  punish- 
ment which  from  time  to  time  he  inflicted  on  them.  Some  months 
ago,  it  appeared,  that  he  missed  some  of  his  fowls;  and  being  con- 
vinced they  had  been  stolen  by  the  slaves,  he  ordered  them  all  into  his 
presence,  charged  them  with  the  robbery,  and  ordered  them  to  point 
out  the  perpetrator.  This  not  producmg  the  desired  effect,  he  threaten- 
ed to  flog  them  all,  observing,  that  by  so  doing  he  should  get  hold  of 

the 


-^y 


376  ANNUAL   SALE   OP   Nr.GROES, 

the  thief  without  confession;  and  he  acttially  put  this  threat  into  instant 
execution.     The  job,  he  continued,  occupied  the  whole  day,  as  he  took 
his  leisure,  that  it  might  be  complete,  and  serve  as  a  warnincj  in  future. 
Thus  suffered  the  whole  of  those  innocent  miserable  people,  by  way  of 
|)unishing  one,  who  might  have  been  guilty. 

The  first  week  in  the  year,  in  this  land  of  slavery,  is  a  kind  of  fair 
for  the  disposal  of  Degroes,  some  for  lite,  and  others  for  a  limited  time, 
by  public  auction,  the  sheriff'  of  the  county  generally  acting  as  auc- 
tioneer. 

Here  is  often  exhibited  a  spectacle  which  would  soften  the  most 
obdurate  heart,  that  had  never  participated  in  the  horrid  tri^flic.  At 
these  times  slave-dealers  attend  from  a  distant  part  of  the  country, 
making  a  trade  of  their  fellow-men.  Husbands  for  ever  separated 
from  their  wives;  mothers  torn  from  their  children;  brothers  and 
sisters  exchanging  a  last  embrace,  are  subjects  of  mirth  to  the  sur- 
roiniding  crowd  of  bidders.  Indulgent  nature  equally  formed  this 
sable  group;  yet,  it  would  seem,  that  while  the  exterior  of  the  Ethi- 
opian is  tinged  with  the  darkest  hue,  the  heart  of  the  white  man  is 
rendered  callous  to  all  the  tiner  feelings,  which  are  said  to  give  him 
rank  above  the  other  creatures  of  the  Almighty.  Otten  have  1  wit- 
nessed negroes  dragged,  without  regard  to  age  or  sex,  to  the  public 
whipping-post,  or  tied  up  to  the  limb  of  a  tree,  at  the  will  of  the  owner, 
and  flogged  with  a  cow-skin,*  without  pity  or  remorse,  till  the  ground 
beneath  is  died  with  the  blood  of  the  miserable  sufferer.  These  pu- 
nishments are  often  inllicted  for  an  unguarded  expression  of  the  slave, 
while  groaning  under  an  oppressive  task— for  neglecting  to  do  homage 
as  his  master  passes  by — and  too  often  to  indulge  i)rivate  resentment  or 
caprice.  Sometimes  they  are  fastened  on  a  barrel,  the  hands  and  feet 
nearly  meeting  round  it,  arc  tied  together;  thus  the  breech  is  presented, 

•  This  instrument  of  punislimeiil  is  made  of  the  skin  of  an  ox  or  cow,  twisted  hard  when  wet,  and  ta- 
pering off  like  a  riding  wliip;  it  is  iiard  anil  eUblic,  inllicting  dreadful  wounds  when  ^ised  with  severity. 

and 


BARBAROUS  TREATiMENT  OF  NEGROES.  377 

an3  in  this  position  they  endure  their  torments.  Shocking  cruelties  of 
this  nature  have  been  practised,  even  in  the  more  enlightened  state  of 
New  York. 

An  account  of  some  of  these  barbarities  appeared  in  the  New  York 
newspapers,  so  late  as  the  year  1805.  They  related  the  circumstance 
of  a  female  slave,  the  j)roperty  of  a  fellow  at  Brocklyne,  on  Long  Is- 
land, coming  to  a  house  in  Pearl-street,  New  York,  to  beg  for  food. 
She  was  observed  to  exhibit  symptoms  of  much  pain,  and  to  have 
something  concealed  under  a  handkerchief,  which  she  held  to  the 
side  of  her  head.  On  an  examination  of  the  circumstance,  it  was  found 
that,  amongst  other  diabolical  modes  of  punishment  and  torture,  her 
owner  had  gratified  his  brutality  by  hacking  off  a  part  of  one  of  her 
ears,  and  cutting  a  gash  in  the  other,  through  which  he  suspended  a 
large  iron  padlock.  In  this  situation  the  unfortunate  girl  was  left,  and 
thus  she  had  crossed  the  ferry ;  and  wandered  through  the  streets  of 
New  York,  begging  a  morsel  of  bread. 

A  man  of  the  name  of  C.  A.  Hoffman,  was  thrice  arraigned  at  the 
bar  of  justice,  in  New  York,  for  abusing  a  child  who  unhappily  was  his 
slave.  The  facts  proved  against  him  exhibited  horrid  scenes  of  more 
dreadful  cruelties,  than  perhaps  ever  disgraced  human  nature.  Though 
I  learnt  upon  the  spot  everj'-  particular  of  this  savage  treatment,  yet  I 
shall  here  repeat  only  as  much  as  was  published  on  the  monster's  con- 
viction. 

A  witness  proved  that  Hoffman  tied  the  hands  of  the  child  together, 
drew  them  up  above  his  head  with  a  rope  attached  to  the  wall,  and  fas- 
tened his  feet  by  another  rope  to  a  staple  in  the  floor.  He  then  stripped 
tlie  boy,  and  applied  a  horsewhip  with  such  violence,  that  the  first  blow 
drew  forth  a  quantity  of  blood.  The  strokes  were  followed  up  with  the 
same  violence  to  the  number  of  one  hundred  and  forty,  when  the 
rope  broke,  and  the  sufferer  fell  to  the  floor.  Not  having  yet  glutted 
2  his 


378  BARBAROUS   TREATMENT   OF   NEGROES. 

his  fury,  he  gave  forty  more  while  the  victim  lav  prostrate  at  his  feet. 
So  great  was  ths  quantity  of  blood  which  issued  Iroin  the  riiau^led  body, 
that  a  woman  was  called  in  to  mop  it  u|>.  To  cncrease  the  jjoor  crea- 
ture's torture,  he  applied  a  mixture  of  salt  and  brandy  to  the  wounds. 

A  second  witness  testified,  that  having  on  an  another  occasion  beaten 
the  child  in  a  most  barbarous  manner,  he  forced  down  his  throat  two 
table-spoontuls  of  salt,  in  order  to  excite  thirst,  and  then  confined  him 
in  a  small,  uncomfortable,  dreary  apartment,  witiiout  food  or  drink, 
during  forty-eight  hours. 

By  way  of  punishment,  this  monster  w'as  fined  two  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars,  and  put  under  a  recognizance  of  two  thousand  dollars  to 
treat  the  boy  with  more  humanity.  What  aggravated  these  cruelties 
was,  that  the  child  Avas  of  years  too  tender  to  have  given  cause  for  them, 
nor  was  he  conscious  of  having  committed  any  fault  deserving  of  punish- 
ment. Notwithstanding  these  penalties,  and  in  open  violation  of  the 
securit}'^  given,  Hoffman  continued  his  cruelties,  till  the  grand  jury 
again  found  a  bill  of  indictment  against  him;  but  he  chose  to  manumit 
the  boy,  rather  than  stanci  another  trial,  and  thus  the  case  was  dis- 
missed. 

An  American  editor,  in  commenting  on  this  foul  business,  saj's, 
"  The  reiterated  occurrence  of  such  barbarous  transactions  demands  le- 
gislative interference.  Unless  the  strong  arm  of  government  interpose, 
the  evil  will  not  be  corrected.  Sympathy  may  weep,  and  pity  supplicate 
for  mercy — but  vain  will  be  the  attempt  to  awaken  the  seared  conscience 
to  a  sense  of  justice.  As  easilj'^  could  you  rouse  the  feelings  of  huma- 
nity within  the  cold  and  obdurate  marble.  Such  unfeeling  wretches, 
possessing  power  and  forgetting  right,  will  still  indulge  their  savage  re- 
sentment— will  torture  and  mangle  a  fellow-creature,  because,  forsooth, 
they  find  him  guilty  of  having  a  skin  not  colored  like  their  own.  That 
such  beings  siiould  beibund  amongst  civilized  men,  is  a  fact  deeply  to  be 

lamented 


HORRID    PUNISHMENT   OF    A   SLAM-.  .179 

mented — and  that  they  are  to  be  found  in  this  region  is  a  truth  humih- 
ating  to  the  feehngs." 

In  the  district  of  Chowan,  in  North  CaroHna,  a  negro  man  slave,  in 
the  absence  of  his  master  and  mistress,  knocked  at  their  door,  and  de- 
manded admission.  The  parents  having  gone  on  a  visit  to  their  friends 
a  few  miles  distant,  had  left  their  daughter  at  home,  who  having  before 
received  improper  conversation  from  the  fellow,  and  fearing  to  inform  her 
father,  apprehensive  of  the  dreadful  punishment  he  would  inflict  on  him 
for  his  presumption,  refused  to  open  it.  The  negro  persisted,  and  fmallv 
broke  it  open,  seized  the  terrified  female,  and  satiated  his  lust.  He 
immediately  fled  to  the  woods,  and  the  object  of  his  brutality,  exhaust- 
ed with  resistance,  lay  helpless  till  the  return  of  her  parents.  The  dis- 
tracted father  fled  to  his  neighbors,  and  related  the  horrid  circumstance. 
The  inhabitants  quickly  mustered,  and  went  in  pursuit  of  the  villain, 
with  burniug  light-wood,  the  knots  of  the  spruce  pine-tree.  He  was 
after  a  long  search,  discovered.  The  enraged  pursuers  tied  him  to  a 
tree,  collected  wood  around  him,  and  immediately  consumed  his  body 
to  ashes. 

Another  instance  of  punishment,  for  an  attempt  only,  of  a  negro  to 
commit  the  like  crime,  in  the  same  state,  was  related  to  me  by  Doctor 
Frederic  Ramcke,  of  Edenton:— Calling  on  a  wealthy  planter,  whose 
family  he  had  long  attended  as  a  physiciau,  but  whose  name,  though 
then  repeated,  I  have  now  forgotten,  he  observed,  that  he  had  a  danger- 
ous negro  fellow,  who  had  made  attempts  on  the  chastity  of  his  white 
female  neighbors,  and  who  had  been  heard  to  boast  that  he  never  would 
cohabit  with  those  of  his  own  color,  if  he  could,  by  any  means,  possess 
a  white  woman.  The  whole  of  the  planter's  conversation,  while  they 
drank  a  glass  of  grog  together,  turned  on  this  subject,  and  he  conclud- 
ed by  swearing,  that  he  would  give  him  up  to  the  white  men,  unless  he, 
the  doctor,  could  cure  him  of  this  cursed  propensity.  Speaking  in 
plainer  terms,  he  entreated  the  doctor  to  perform  an  operation  which 

3  c  would 


,•^80  MITILNTION   OF    A   NEGRO   TOR   INCOKTINENCE. 

would  answer  his  |)ur|JOse.  The  doctor  hesitated— the  planter  offered 
aa  hundred  dollars — entreated— and  was  violent.  The  doctor  demand- 
ed an  indemnity,  which  was  immediately  given. 

The  planter  now  ordered  the  lihidinous  slave  into  his  presence,  and  at 
the  same  time  directed  his  overseer,  a  white  man,  already  privy  to  his 
crimes,  to  attend.  "NV^hen  in  the  room  where  the  doctor  sat,  the  planter 
tri|>ped  up  the  heels  of  the  sla\e,  and  this  bcimi-  the  sional  li^r  the  over- 
seer, he  rushed  into  the  room,  and  assisted  in  hindinirthe  prisoner,  who 
conceived  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  receiving  an  ordinaiy  punishment, 
wliich  he  was  conscious  of  meriting.  Thus  bound,  they  placed  him  on 
a  table,  and  the  doctor,  in  a  few  minutes,  with  his  ))ocket  instruments, 
performed  the  operation  of  castration.  The  fellow,  when  released,  was 
told  that  he  had  received  the  punishment  due  for  his  abuse  and  insults 
to  white  women. 

The  doctor  added,  that  he  would  not  touch  a  single  dollar  by  way  of 
recompence,  and  was  soon  informed  that  his  patient  had  become  a  cool 
ovckrhj  slave.     About  three  months  after  the  operation,  visiting  a  patient 
on  the  road  near  the  dwelling  of  the  i)lanter,  the  emasculated  slave  sud- 
denly appeared  before  the  doctor.     We  may  conclude  that  no  pleasant 
sensations  pervaded  the  mind  of  the  operator,  for  the  fellow  had  on  his 
shoulder  a  wood-cutter's  axe.      To  turn  back,    or  to  risk  a  meeting, 
was  the  question.     The  doctor  checked  his  horse,  to  view  the  physiog- 
nomy of  the  sla^  e,  and  finding  it  tolerably  gentle,  he  boldly  enquired 
after  his  health,  though   at  a  cautious  distance.     The  negro  replied  : 
"Tank  ye,  massa  doctor,  yon  did  a  me  much  great  good;  white  or 
blackee  woman,  I  care  not  for."     This  expression,  the  doctor  said,  was 
more  acceptable  at  the  moment,  than  the  planter's  offered  fee  of  an  hun- 
dred dollars  would  have  proved  eit  any  period  of  his  life. 

The  following  lines  I  met  with  several  years  ago,  in  some  American 
publication.     Though  I  do  not  think  the  condition  of  this  unfortunate 

race 


THE   DYING   NEGRO— JEFFERSON    ON   SLAVERY.  381 

race  by  any  means  a  sul)ject  for  sport;  yet  as  this  little  piece  affords  a 
true  picture  of  that  levity  which  thev  evince  even  on  the  most  awful  oc- 
casions, I  have  thought  it  worth  preserving-. 

THE  DYING  NEGRO. 

Old  Cato  on  his  death-bed  lying, 

Worn  out  with  worlt,  and  ahiiost  dying. 

With  patience  heard  his  friends  propose 

What  bearers  for  him  they  had  chose. 

There's  Cuff  and  Caesar,  Pomp  and  Plato; 

"  Dey  do  bery  well,"  quoth  Cato — 

And  Bantam  Philips ;  now  for  t'other 

We  must  take  Scipio,  Bantam's  brother. 
"  I  no  like  Scip,"  old  Cato  cries, 
"  Scip  rascal,  tell  about  me  lies,         ' 
And  get  nie  whipp'd" — ki,  'tis  all  one, 

Scip  shall  be  bearer,  Scip  or  none. 
"  Mind  me,"  quoth  Cato,  "  if  dat  cm-, 
Dat  Scip,  come  bearer,  I  wont  stir." 

Mr.  Jefferson,  the  present  president  of  the  United  States,  in  his  Notes 
on  Virginia,  on  the  subject  of  slavery  in  that  state,  says:  "  There  must 
doubtless  be  an  unhappy  influence  on  the  manners  of  our  j)eople,  pro- 
duced by  the  existence  of  slavery  among  us.  The  whole  commerce  be- 
tween master  and  slave  is  a  perpetual  exercise  of  the  most  boisterous  pas- 
sions, the  most  unremitting  despotism  on  the  one  part,  and  degrading 
submission  on  the  other.  Our  children  see  this,  and  learn  to  imitate  it, 
for  man  is  an  imitative  animal.  This  quality  is  the  germ  of  all  educa- 
tion in  him.  From  his  cradle  to  his  grave,  he  is  learning  to  do  what 
others  do.  If  a  parent  could  find  no  motive  either  in  liis  philanthropy, 
or  his  self-love,  for  restraining  the  intemperance  of  passion  towards  his 
slave,  it  should  always  be  a  sufficient  one  that  his  child  is  present.  But 
generally  it  is  not  sufficient.  The  parent  storms,  the  child  looks  on, 
catches  the  lineaments  of  w  rath,  puts  on  the  same  airs  in  the  circle  of 
smaller  slaves,  gives  a  loose  to  his  worst  of  passions,  and  thus,  nursed, 
educated,  and  daily  exercised  in  tyranny,  cannot  but  be  stamped  by  it 

3  c  2  with 


3B'2  Jr.MT.RSON's   oBShRVATlONS   ON   Sl.AVERY. 

witli  oiliotis  pcouliarities.  He  must  be  a  prodigy  who  can  retain  his 
manners  and  morals,  un(le|)raved  by  such  circumstances.  And  with 
what  execration  should  the  statesmen  be  loaded,  who  permittin<T  one 
hair  of  the  citizens  thus  to  trample  on  the  rights  of  the  other,  translbrms 
those  into  despots,  and  these  into  enemies;  destroys  the  morals  of  the 
one,  and  the  amor  pa/riii:  of  the  other.  Tor  if  a  slave  can  have  a  coun- 
try in  the  world,  it  must  be  any  other  in  preference  to  that  in  which  he 
is  born  to  live  and  labor  for  another:  in  which  he  must  lock  up  the  fa- 
culties of  his  nature,  and  contribute,  as  far  as  depends  on  his  individual 
endeavors,  to  the  debasement  of  the  luunan  race,  or  entail  his  own 
miserable  condition  on  the  endless  generations  proceeding  from  him. 
\\'ith  the  morals  of  the  people,  their  industry  is  also  destroyed.  For 
in  a  warm  climate  no  man  will  labor  for  himself,  who  can  make  ano- 
ther labor  for  him,  Tliis  is  so  true,  that  of  the  proprietors  of  slaves,  a 
very  small  proportion  indeed  are  ever  seen  to  labor.  And  can  the  li- 
berties of  a  nation  be  thought  secure,  when  we  have  removed  their  only 
firm  basis,  a  conviction  in  the  minds  of  the  people  that  these  liberties 
are  the  gilt  of  God  ?  That  they  are  not  to  be  violated  but  with  his 
wrath?  Indeed  I  tremble  for  my  country  when  I  reflect  that  God  is  just;, 
t-liat  his  justice  cannot  sleep  for  ever:  that  considering  numbers,  na- 
ture, and  natural  means  onl}^  a  revolutioa  in  the  wheel  of  fortune,  an 
exchange  of  situation,  is  among  possible  events ;  that  it  may  become- 
probable  by  supenuitural  interference ! — Tho  Almighty  has  no  attribute 
uhich  can  take  side  with  us  in  such  a  contests' 

Doctor  Morse,  an  American  divine,  and  author  of  several  geographi- 
cal works,  adopts  the  following  observations  on  slaves,  Avhich  he  tells 
his  reader  he  took  from  the  works  of  an  European  writer. 

"  If  there  be  an  object  truly  ridiculous  in  nature,  it  is  an  AjnericarL 
patriot,  signing  resolutions  of  independence  with  one  hand,  and  witli. 
theothfT  brandishing  his  whip  over  his  aiVrighted  slaves." 

The 


morse's   OBSILRVATIONS   ON    SLAVERY.  ^83 

The  doctor  next,  speaking  for  himself,  sajs,  "  Much  has  been  writ- 
ten of  late  to  shew  the  injustice  and  iniquity  of  enslaving  the  Africans, 
so  much  as  to  render  it  unnecessary  here  to  say  any  thing  on  that  part  of 
the  subject.     We  cannot,  however,  forbear  introducing  a  few  observa-- 
tions  respecting  the  influence  of  slavery  upon  policy,  morals  and  man- 
ners.    From  repeated  and  accurate  calculations,  it  has  been  found,  that 
the  expence   of  maintaining  a  slave,  es])ecially  if  we  include  the  pur- 
chase-monej^  is  much  greater  than  that  of  maintaining  a  free  man;  and 
the  labour  of  the  free  man,  influenced  by  the  powerful  motive  of  gain,  is 
at  least  twice  as  profitable  to  the  employer  as  that  of  the  slave.    Besides, 
slavery  is  the  bane  of  industry.     It  renders  labour,  among  the  whites, 
not  only  unfiishionable,  but  disreputable.     Industry  is  the  offspring  of 
necessity  rather  than  of  choice.     Slavery  precludes  this  necessity  ;  and 
indolence,  which  strikes  at  the  root  of  all  social  and  pohtical  happiness, 
is  the  unhappy  consequence. 

"  These  observations,  without  adding  any  thing  upon  the  injustice  of 
the  practice,  shew  that  slavery  is  impolitic.     Its  influence  on  manners 
and  morals  is  equally  pernicious.    The  negro  wenches  in  many,  perhaps 
I  may  say  in  most  instances,  are  nurses  to  their  mistresses  children. 
The  infant  babe,  as  soon  as  it  is  born,  is  delivered  to  its  black  nurse,^ 
and  perhaps  seldom  or  never  tastes  a  drop  of  its  mother's  milk.     The 
children,  by  being  brought  up,  and  constantly  associating  Avith  the  ne- 
groes, too  often  imbibe  their  low  ideas,  and  vitiated  manners  and  mo- 
rals; and  contract  a  negroish  kind  of  accent  and  dialect,  which  they 
often  carry  with  them  through  life.    A  mischiefcommon,  in  a  greater  or 
less  degree,  in  all  the  southern  states,  at  which  humanity  and  decency 
blush,  is  the  criminal  intercourse  between  tlie  whites  and  blacks,   '  The 
enjoyment  of  a  negro  or  mulatto  woman,'  says  a  traveller  of  observa- 
tion, '  is  spoken  of  as  quite  a  common  thing.'    No  reluctance,  delicac\'^ 
or  shame,  appear  about  tlie  matter.  It  is  far  from  being  uncommon  to  see 
a  gentleman  at  dinner,  and  his  reputed  son  a  slave,  waiting  at  the  table. 
'  I  myself^' says  the  writer,  '  saw  two  instances  of  this  kind;  and  the 

3  company 


.JB4  MORSK'S   OBSERVATIONS    ON    SLAVERY. 

conij)any  would  very  facetiously  trace  the  features  of  the  father  and 
mother  in  the  child,  and  very  accurately  point  out  the  more  character- 
istic resemblances.  The  fathers  neither  of  them  blushed,  nor  seemed 
disconcerted.  They  were  called  men  of  worth,  ])oliteness  and  humanity. 
Strarige  perversion  of  terms  and  Uuif^uaiie!  The  Africans  are  said  to  be 
inferior  in  point  of  sense,  understanding^,  sentiment,  and  feeling-,  to 
white  people;  hence  the  one  infers  a  right  to  enslave  the  other.  Thi; 
African  labors  night  and  day  to  collect  a  small  pittance,  to  purchase  the 
freedom  of  his  child:  the  white  man  begets  his  likeness,  and  with  much 
indirt'ercnce  and  dignity  of  soul,  sees  his  offspring  in  bondage  and  mi- 
sery, nor  makes  one  effort  to  redeem  his  own  blood.  Choice  food  for 
satire  !  wide  field  for  burlesque  !  noble  game  for  wit!  sad  cause  for  pity 
to  bleed,  and  for  humanity  to  weep !  unless  the  enkindled  blood  inflame 
resentment,  and  vent  itself  in  execrations!" 


CHAP. 


oo5 


CHAP.  XXX. 


AGRICULTURE  —  PROSPECTS  FOR  THE  EMIGRANT  FARMER — HISTORY  OF  MR.  GIL 
PIN — YELLOW  FEVER  —  SYMPTOMS  AND  TREATMENT  OF  THAT  UREADFUL  COM- 
PLAINT—  LAND-JOBBERS  —  SQUATTERS  —  A  LOG-HOUSE — FENCES — THE  CULTURE 
or  INDIAN  CORN  —  JOURNEY  TO  THE  BLUE  RIDGE  —  ORANGE  COURT-HOUSE — 
THE  DANCING  SC  HOO  L  — M  A  Dl  SO  N  COURT-HOUSE — ALARM  OF  AN  INSURRECTION 
AMONG  THE  NEGROES  —  NIGHT  EXPEDITION  IN  PURSUIT  OF  THEM — THEIK 
PUNISHMENT. 


J.  HE  descriptions  of  the  back  country  of  the  United  States,  ^vhich, 
during  the  mania  of  land  speculation,  were  most  industriously  circulated 
throusjh  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  by  fatal  experience  have  been 
proved  illusive  ;  and,  like  the  ingenious  effusions  of  our  lottery-dealers, 
calculated  to  lead  you  to  the  end  of  those  who  made  them.  On  the 
faith  of  interested  reporters,  the  English  farmer  has  taken  a  sudden  dis- 
gust to  his  native  soil,  and  imbibed  the  ideal  sweets  of  a  distant  world. 
Intoxicated  with  the  prospect,  he  hastily  disposes  of  his  paternal  farm, 
and  all  his  property.  He  cannot  wait  to  reap  the  crop  already  growing, 
considerinar  every  hour  a  loss,  till  he  arrives  at  the  consummation  of  his 
desires. 

My  friend,  Mr.  John   Bernard  Gilpin,*  with  whom   1   became  ac- 

*  This  gentleman  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  that  celebrated  and  pious  man,  John  Bernard  Gilpin,  arch- 
deacon of  Durham,  denominated  the  northern  apostle.  He  was  doomed  to  martyrdom  in  the 
reign  of  religious  terror,  and  was  ordered  to  London,  where  he  would  in  all  probability  have  met  the 
fate  of  Bishop  Latimer,  and  the  other  pious  preachers  of  the  reformed  religion.  Within  a  stage  or  two 
of  the  capital  he  fell  from  his  horse  and  broke  his  leg,  which  delayed  the  completion  of  his  journey  till 
the  death  of  Mary.  Queen  Elizabeth  restored  him  to  his  church  preferment,  and  offered  him  the  bish- 
opric of  Carlisle,  Nvhkch  he  declined. 

quainted 


•JO 


8()  Ilt.'^TORV  OF  MU.  (-.II.PIN,    AN  F.NGI.I.SIl  EMIGRANT. 

qiiainted  suon  afu-r  his  arrival  in  Norlblk,  is  an  instance  of  tiic  tlillkiil- 
ties  and  fiangers  attending  a  scheme  of  this  nature.  lie  possessed  an 
estate  in  \A  estnioreland,  which  had  descended  from  heir  to  heir  ibr 
many  generations,  and  w  hich  he  sold  nnder  the  influence  of  a  scheme 
of  en)igrating  to  America  ;  and  there  becoming  the  proprietor  of  some 
of  tht>se  inmiense  and  rich  tracts  of  land,  so  luxuriantly  described  on 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio.  He  eng-aged  the  cabin  of  a  large  vessel  at 
AN'liitehaven,  and  provided  himself  with  every  implement  of  husbandry, 
and  whatever  might  contribute  to  the  execution  of  his  intentions.  His 
lamily  consisted  of  an  amiable  wife,  and  two  young  children  ;  a  wi- 
dowed sister,  her  three  d^uighters,  and  a  son.  Being  a  man  of  an 
ancient  family,  and  greatly  esteemed,  several  neighbors,  equally  rest- 
less at  home,  and  yearning  for  a  sight  of  the  new  world,  intreated  per- 
mission to  accompany  him.  Thus  the  ship  obtained  a  cargo  of  respect- 
able English  emigrants ;  among  whom  were  some  husbandmen,  who 
had  bound  themselves  to  Mr.  Gilpin  for  a  term  of  years,  to  assist  in 
the  settlement  of  his  contemplated  domain.  Mr.  Gilpin  was  one  of  the 
most  wary  and  frugal  of  his  countrymen,  and  from  tliis  inherent  dispo- 
sition, he  withstood  the  temptation  of  purchasing  lands  in  America 
previous  to  his  departure  from  England,  though  allured  by  the  most 
specious  offers. 

The  passage  to  the  United  States  is  seldom  performed  under  five  or 
six  weeks,  and  sometimes  adverse  winds  have  extended  the  irksome 
voyage  to  three  montlis.  Mr.  Giljjin  described  the  horrors  of  the  sea, 
the  sutierings  of  the  passengers,  not  one  of  whom  had  ever  been  upon 
salt  water,  and  the  etiiects  of  the  August  sun  on  the  coast  of  Virginia, 
with  the  most  poignant  sensations.  On  the  American  coast  his  sister 
expired,  from  the  effects  of  the  fatigue  endured  in  the  voyage,  and  the 
heat  of  the  latitudes  they  had  approached  ;  and  her  remains  were  com- 
mitted to  the  bosom  of  the  deep.  After  being  becalmed  till  the  situa- 
tion of  the  passengers  was  almost  insupportable,  the  ship  arrived  m 

Hampton  roads. 

The 


DREADFUL   EFFECTS   OF   THE   YELLOW    FEVEH.  .t87 

The  port  and  town  of  Norfolk  I  have  already  mentioned  as  hcinif 
one  of  the  most  unhealthy  on  tlie  coast.  IMr.  (siipin  procured  a  liouse 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  town,  called  the  Old  Fields,  and  near  to  that 
^vhere  I  then  resided,  to  which  he  immediately  removed  i)is  nuuKroiis 
family.  The  yellow  fever  was  then  raging,  and  I  was  at  that  moment 
under  its  baleful  influence.  To  describe  the  misery  of  the  sutferer  af- 
^hcted  with  this  horrible  disease,  is  imj)ossible.  The  symptoms  by 
Vvhieh  I  nas  attacked,  were  sudden.  I  had  supped  with  an  appetite, 
slept  as  well  as  the  heat  would  permit,  and  was  rising  at  my  usual  time 
in  the  morninj^,  when  I  felt  a  most  singular  sensation,  accompanied  by 
a  chill.  I  lav  down  again,  and  soon  felt  a  nausea  at  my  stomach,  which 
]>roduced  vomiting  of  bile,  in  color  and  (juantity  which  astonished  me. 
This  relieved  me  so  much,  that  I  ascribed  the  cause  of  my  sickness  to 
a  foul  stomach,  and  had  dressed  myself  before  I  perceived  new  symp- 
toms. A  lassitude  hung  about  me,  and  was  accompanied  with  a  de- 
pression of  my  faculties,  an  acute  pain  at  the  back  of  the  head,  and  an 
aching  through  mv  limbs.  Medical  assistance  was  now  procured,  but 
on  the  third  day  I  ielt  so  weary  that  I  could  not  remain  a  minute  in  the 
same  pusture  ;  a  sensation  not  to  be  described — worse  to  be  endured 
than  acute  pain,  and  more  irksome  than  the  smart  of  a  festering  wound. 
During  this  tune  the  fever  had  made  great  progress,  and  the  thirst  it  occa- 
sioned could  not  be  appeased,  though  I  drank  large  cpiantities  of  the  juice 
of  limes,  with  watea',  wliich  was  permitted  by  my  physician.  My  stomach, 
however,  soon  refused  the  grateful  beverage;  the  vomiting  continued 
often  so  long,  and  with  such  violence,  that  I  was  exhausted,  and  found  a 
temporary  relief  in  the  deprivation  of  my  mental  faculties.  In  this 
state  1  suffered  several  days,  the  greatest  part  of  which  I  was  insensible 
of  my  situation,  and  the  intervals  of  I'eason  were  horrible.  My  bones 
felt  as  if  they  were  disjointed  ;  a  burning  pain  was  seated  in  the  spine, 
while  the  throbbing  and  tormenting  sensation  in  my  head  drove  me 
again  into  a  state  of  delirium.  The  treatment  of  my  physician  was 
judicious;  by  his  aid,  and  that  of  a  good  constitution,  I  struggled 
through  the  dreadful  disorder.    I  was  copiously  bled  in  the  first  instance, 

3  D  and 


588         METHOD  or  CURE  OF  THE  YELLOW  FEVER. 

aiul  blisters  were  applied  to  my  legs,  my  feet,  and  the  back  of  my 
neck.  This  regimen,  with  the  good  effect  produced  by  strong  doses 
of  calomel,  and  afterwards  of  bark,  effected  my  cure.  During  this 
severe  trial,  in  my  intervals  of  reason  I  readily  complied  with  the  pre- 
scriptions of  my  doctor,  and  the  directions  of  mj^  black  nurse  :  but  was 
informed,  that  in  my  dcliriinn  I  was  most  refractory,  and  evinced  great 
bodilv  strength  in  attempting  to  escape  from  the  chamber — a  common 
symptom  in  the  yellow  lever. 

By  this  malignant  disorder,  were  Mr.  Gilpin  and  several  of  his  family 
seized.  In  a  short  time  it  deprived  him  of  his  wife,  and  reduced  himself 
and  one  of  his  children  to  a  very  low  state.  The  fever  was  now  raging 
in  a  most  alarming  manner  in  Norfolk.  A  part  of  a  common  was  in- 
closed, and  called  Potter's  Field,  for  the  interment  of  its  victims.  Here 
lie  the  remains  of  Mrs.  Gilpin,  and  here  my  bones  would  have  been  at 
rest,  had  I  met  her  fate.  The  dead  were  hurried  to  this  cemetery, 
often  without  coflins,*  in  carts,  or  upon  drays,  by  negroes,  in  the  dead 
hour  of  night ;  and  most  of  the  sea-port  towns  in  the  United  States, 
even  as  far  north  as  Portland,  in  the  province  of  Maine,  since  the 
year  1793,  have  occasionally  been  visited  by  this  infection. 

This  misfortune,  added  to  the  intense  heat  of  the  summer,  had 
nearly  clouded  the  fair  prospects  of  Mr.  Gilj)in,  Avhen  other  obstacles 
presented  themselves,  which  entirely  frustrated  his  plans.  The  husband- 

*  During  my  stay  at  Edenton,  in  North  Carolina,  a  New  England  man,  of  the  name  of  Johnson, 
from  Marblehead,  arrived  there  with  a  number  of  speculative  articles  for  sale,  there  called  "  Yankee 
notions."  Among  these  were  a  number  of  coffins  of  all  sizes,  one  within  the  other,  as  apothecaries  buy 
their  pillboxes.  This  fellow  had  heard  of  the  ravages  of  the  fever  at  Norfolk  ;  and  Edenton  being  only 
sixty  or  seventy  miles  distant,  he  calculated  on  a  market ;  but  the  fever  having  never  visited  the  latter 
place,  the  cotTm  speculation  failed. 

Another  curious  Yankee  speculation  was  made  by  a  merchant  of  Newberry  Port.  He  sent  as  an 
adventure  to  the  West  Indies  a  large  quantity  of  warming  pans  ;  and,  strange  to  tell,  they  fouixl  as  good 
a  market  as  could  b«  expected  for  such  an  article  in  Lapland.   'I'hey  were  converted  into  molasses  ladles! 

man, 


DANGER   IN    DEALING    WITH    LAND-JOBBERS— SQUATTERS,  389 

man,  on  whom  he  had  depended  for  the  management  of  his  farm,  and 
whose  passage  he  had  paid,  breaking  at  once  his  bond,  and  the  ties  of 
gratitude,  absconded.  This  is  the  common  trick  played  by  Redemp- 
tioners,  wbo,  alhjred  by  the  prospect  of  high  wages,  rnn  away  on  the 
fu'st  opportnnity ;  and  lor  that  reason  but  few  emigrants  have  found 
their  way  of  kite  into  the  United  States,  through  this  medium. 

I  shall  not  suppose  that  any  emigrant  arriving  in  the  United 
States  on  agricultural  projects  will  make  any  considerable  stay  ou 
the  coast,  the  land  there  being  mostly  under  cultivation,  of  inferior 
quality  to  that  in  the  back  country,  and  higher  in  price.  The  first  step 
to  be  taken  is  to  purchase  land,  and  in  order  to  do  this,  you  must  apply 
to  a  land-jobber,  the  very  name  of  ^\hom  makes  my  pen  recoil  from  tbe 
paper.  He  will  produce  j)lans  out  of  number,  and  titles,  if  you  choose 
to  believe  him,  indisputable.  Your  route  will  lie  probably  to  Kentucky 
or  Tenessee,  countries  from  which  I  have  seen  very  many  return  disap- 
pointed and  impoverished.  It  will  be  no  more  than  common  prudence 
to  visit  the  land  previous  to  the  purchase,  which  will  of  course  be  attend. 
e,d  with  considerable  expence  and  loss  of  time.  Should  you  find  the 
chosen  spot  free  from  squatters,*  and  from  prior  claims,  you  return  and 
pay  an  exorbitant  advanced  price  for  it  to  the  jobber, — from  twenty  to 
fifty  dollars  per  acre  for  good  land  on  a  navigable  river  or  creek.  There 
are,  indeed,  tracts  daily  offered  at  a  dollar  or  less — but  they  are  good  for 
nothing  to  the  emigrant. 

These  difficulties  surmounted,  1  will  suppose  the  English  farmer  in 
possession  of  his  land  by  a  good  title.     He  will  then  have  to  conduct  his 

*  Families  of  white  people,  \v!io  iiavc  taken  possession,  and  Ijave  liekl  by  this  usurped  right  for  many 
years.  It  is  often  impossible  to  oust  tliem  :  hence  they  are  called  Sciuatters.  The  author  purchased  some 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  district  of  Maine  tliat  was  nearly  covered  with  squatters,  and  which  he 
was,  however,  fortunate  enough  to  dispose  of  to  another  unlucky  purchaser,  without  loss.  The  jobbers 
will  seldom  warrant  the  land  free  from  this  disagreeable  incumbrance  ;  and  sliould  they  do  so,  it  is  ten  to 
•ne  whether  they  prove  of  sufficient  responsibility  on  a  forfeiture  of  the  covenant. 

3  D  2  familv, 


,y)()  Exci  K.sio.N  TO  Till'.  r.i.Li;  ridge. 

tainilv,  with  i)Cople  U)  rlciir  liis  irruiuul  Irom  the  mass  of  heavy  tiinboF 
with  uhich  he  will  MikI  it  covered.  If  he  brings  them  with  him,  lie 
will  he  subject  to  their  (lescrtioii,  and  if  he  dopends^on  liiriiiu,-  them  in 
America,  vain  will  be  his  ho|)es,  unless  he  offers  wages  which  will  ab- 
sorb his  j)rohts.  In  either  ease  he  will  have  to  transport  them  many 
hnndred  miles  through  dreary  forests,  across  swamps,  and  over  tremen- 
dous mountains,  Ft)r  this  purpose  he  must  purchase  waggons  and  horses^ 
or  hire  them,  and  in  either  case  the  expense  will  be  great, 

I\Ir.  Gilpin  expressed  a  great  desire  to  make  an  excursion  towai-ds  the 
long  chain  of  mountains  called  the  Blue  Ridge,  about  three  hundred  miles- 
on  the  road,  but  not  half  the  distance,  to  some  |>artsof  the  Ohio,  and  I 
agreed  to  accom[)any  him.    We  resolved  to  proceed  by  the  way  ot  Frede- 
ricksburg on  account  of  my  former  acquaintance  in  that  town.    From  Nor- 
folk to  that  |)lace  is  near  two  hundred  miles,  which  we  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  going  by  water,  through  Hampton  Roads,  up  the  river  Rap- 
pahannock.    The  charge  of  this  distance  by  water-carriage,    in  most 
parts  of  the  United  States,  is  ten  dollars  each  passenger,     Fredericks- 
burg is  a  gay  commercial  town,  beautifully  situated  on  the  higb  banks  of 
the  river,  and  at  the  liead  of  the  navigation.    Tobacco  is  brought  hither 
ui  large  quantities  from  an  extensive  back-country,  and  conveyed  thence 
down  the  river  to  Hobbs'  Hole,  where  ships  in  the  European  trade  lie 
ready  to  receive  them.     We  were  here  advised  to  proceed  to  Orange 
Court-house,    as  a  healthy  countr\^  and  where  we  might  recruit  our 
health  and  spirits,  which  had  greatly  suffered  by  the  attacks  of  the  yel- 
low fever,     A  waggon  with  five  horses,  which  carries  thirty  hundred 
weight,  costs,  including  the  unconscional)le  quantity  of  whiskey  which 
the  driver  will  consume,  about  two  shillings  British  money  per  mile.    A 
traveller  in  this  country  must  mount  his  waggon  or  walk — there  is  no 
alternative — no  post  horses  or  carriages  are  to  be  hired — no  stages  ever 
travel  the  road  we  were  destined  to  pursue.  Over  rocky  grounds  Avere  this 
fiamily  jolted  for  three  successive  days,  but  that  inconvenience  I  escaped  in 
a  great  measure  by  walking.  Some  parts  of  the  road,  however,  compelled 

me 


ArPEARA>-CE  OF  IIIE  COUNTRY.  oOl 

me  to  mount  this  unwieldy  maoljinc,  to  avoid  wading  through  swamps 
and  runs  ot"  water.  Here  I  had  an  opportunity  ot'  making  some  obser- 
vations on  tlie  countr3\  The  labour  ot"  the  field  is  entirely  performed  by 
negroes,  and  the  business  of  the  farmer  and  planter,  is  carried  on  in  a  very 
slovenly  manner.  The  tences  are  temporary,  being  put  up  on  tilling  and 
planting  the  ground,  and  alter  liarvest  sufllered  to  fall,  or  perhaps  burned, 
to  avoid  die  trouble  of  cutting  fuel,  with  which  every  plantation  is  sur- 
rounded. They  are  composed  of  the  wood  of  the  pine-tree,  s[)lit  into 
pieces,  eight  or  ten  feet  in  length,  and  laid  in  a  transverse  manner  on 
each  other.  These  fences  require  little  trouble,  which  the  Virginians 
particularly  abhor,  and  are  so  slight  that  a  high  wind  often  blows  them 
•  down.  The  wheat-harvest  was  over,  but  the  majestic  stalk  of  the  Indian 
corn  waved  in  yellow  leaf,  denoting  its  near  approach  to  maturity.  The 
wheat  is  generally  cut  down  with  the  scythe,  just  as  the  English  farmer 
cuts  his  hay,  and  the  grain  is  frequently  trodden  out  by  horses  on  the  clay 
floor  ofthe  barn.  It  is  far  inferior  to  English  wheat,  and  if  a  judgment 
were  to  be  formed  from  inspection  alone,  a  stranger  would  be  induced  to 
suppose  it  of  a  different  species.  Itissmall  and  dark-coloured,  j'et  makes 
excellent  white  flour,  which  is  exported  to  the  West  Indies,  andj  in  years 
of  scarcity,  to  Europe.  Indian  corn  is  very  easily  raised,  but  it  is  an 
uncertain  crop,  requiring  the  whole  summer's  heat  to  ripen  it.  From  the 
sreat  heiaht  ofthe  stalk,  the  boisterous  winds  and  torrents  of  rain  often 
lay  fields  for  miles  prostrate  with  the  earth,  and  in  an  earlier  state,  the 
corn  hills  are  Mashed  awaj-,  or  the  seed  scratched  up  and  devoured  by 
racoons,  squirrels,  crows,  and  birds  of  various  descri[)tions.  Tiie  plant- 
ing is  simplv  performed  by  running  the  plough  over  the  ground,  then 
with  a  hoe  making  holes  three  or  four  inches  deep,  and  drojiping  four  or 
five  grains  in  each,  which  is  chiefly  done  by  children.  The  seed  is  then 
covered,  after  which,  no  fiirther  attention  is  required  till  the  stalk  is  about 
a  foot  high,  when  the  ground  is  cleared  of  weeds,  and  the  plants  are 
earthed  or  hilled  up.  At  this  first  hoeing  it  is  usual  to  drop  fresh  grains 
where  the  first  have  failed ;  they  will  all  ripen  before  the  time  of  harvest 
arrives. 


392  ORANGE   COURT-HOUSE. 

As  we  advanced  up  the  country,  the  land  hecame  of  a  l)et*er  quality. 
It  was  sandv  near  the  coast,  but  now  I  ol)served  manv  places  to  be  rirh 
aruiilaceous  earth,  t)n  which  were  planted  vast  fields  o("  tobacco,  and  the 
quantity  of  stubble  ground  indicated  the  large  crops  of  wlieat  which  liad 
been  rcajjed.  A  second  cro|)  of  clover  in  some  places  had  a  gootl  a[>- 
pearance,  but  three-lburths  of  tlie  land  was  still  in  a  state  of  nature. 

On  our  arrival  at  Orange,  we  found  an  old  wooden  building,  which 
is  used  both  as  a  court-house  and  a  place  of  divine  worshi|),  a  tavern, 
and  half  a  dozen  mean  dwelling-houses.     We  could  procure  no  accom- 
modation.    A  dancing-master  occupied  the  tavern  by  his  (|uarterly  at- 
tendance to  teach  the  Virginian  mountain-misses  the  graces  of  his  art. 
His  school  was  numerously  attended,  and  every  corner  of  the  house  was 
filled  bv  the  parents  of  the  pupils.     We  were  now  in  an  awkward  di- 
lemma, lor  the  waggons  were  only  hired  to  this  place,  and  no  entreaties 
or  extravagant  offers  could  prevail  upon  the  drivers  to  proceed ;  they 
were,  as  they  alledged,  under  the  obligation  of  a  penalty  to  go  else- 
where.    They  were  proceeding  to  discharge  our  baggage  in  the  street, 
when  I  enquired  what  punishment  I  should  incur,  or  what  sacrilege  would 
be  committed,  were  it  to  be  [)iit  into  the  court-house.      I  was  referred  to 
the  clerk  of  the  peace,  but  he  was  not  to  be  found,  and  dire  necessity 
impelled  me  to  commit  a  trespass.     The  door  was  not  locked,  and  in  a 
short  time  we  were  in  possession;  which   j)roved  a  seasonable  relief  to 
the  poor  children,  whose  tender  joints  had  barely  escaped  dislocation  by 
the  jolting  over  the  rocks  and  stumps  of  trees  which  had  impeded  our 
progress.     Fortunately  we  arrived  in  the  forenoon,  but  we  were  covered 
all  over  with  dust.     Having  changed  my  clothes,  and  refreshed  myself 
with  the  remnant  of  our  travelling  stock  of  provisions,   I  went  to  the 
dancing-school.     The  gravity  of  my  fi-iend,  contracted  from  the  study 
of  theology,  for  he  had  been  educated  for  the  church,  would  alone  have 
caused  his  declini.ig  to  accompany  me  to  such  a  place.     I  was  agreeably 
surprised  at  the  order  and  the  systematic  mode  with  which  this  part  of 
polite  education  was  conducted,  amid  the  woods,  and  on  the  rising  ground 

of 


A    VIRGINIA    DANCING    SCHOOL.  393 

of  the  vast  mountains  called  the  Blue  Ridc^e.*  There  were  upwards  of 
fift}^  scholars,  though,  from  the  viezi)  of  the  countr\',  I  could  not  have 
supposed  the  existence  of  fifty  houses  within  the  circumference  of  as 
many  miles.  Some  of  the  pupils  I  was  informed  came  from  a  great 
distance,  and  the  carriages  used  for  their  conveyance  formed  the  strang- 
est and  most  uncouth  collection  of  travelling  vehicles  perhaps  ever  col- 
lected together.  A  number  bore  such  strong  marks  of  antiquity,  and 
so  coarsely  were  t1iey  put  together,  that  I  could  compare  them  only  to 
mv  ideas  of  antediluvian  machines.  They  however  conveyed  a  num- 
ber of  prettv  little  modern-dressed  misses,  dressed  and  ornamented 
to  a  ridiculous  pitch  of  extravagance.  Tbey  had  made  great  progress, 
perf3rming  the  minuet,  country  dance,  and  reel,  correctly,  though  this 
weekly  school  had  been  opened  only  four  or  five  times.  After  the  les- 
sons were  finished,  a  number  of  grown  masters  and  misses  joined  in  six- 
handed  reels,  the  favorite  dance  in  the  southern  states,  and,  as  though  I 
had  not  alrevidy  undergone  of  late  sufficient  fatigue,  I  could  not  resist 
the  desire  of  joining  them,  upon  an  invitation,  given  with  Parisian  po- 
liteness, by  the  master.  Thus,  in  the  heat  of  summer,  and  not  a  month 
out  of  the  yellow  fever,  was  I  capering  among  the  girls ;  an  act  of  im- 
prudence which,  happily  for  me,  was  not  attended  with  any  ill  conse- 
quences. 

On  my  return  to  the  Court-hou^e,  I  found  that  Mr.  Gilpin  had  been 
making  provision  for  retaining  the  slender  title  we  had  acquired  to  it. 
He  had  made  up  one  bed  in  the  jury-box,  and  another  on  the  table, 
round  \\iiich  the  counsel  sit,  and  had  composedly  seated  iiimself,  read- 
ing a  Greek  autlior,  in  the  chair  of  justice.  On  my  entrance,  he  was 
compelled  to  relax  a  little  of  his  serious  mood,  and  to  brighten  his  fea- 
tures with  a  smile — the  firs,t  1  had  observed.  The  loss  of  his  wife,  and 
disappointments  resulting  from  the  failure  of  his  plans,  had  plunged 

*  These  mountains  begin  almost  at  the  extremity  of  the  northern  boundary,  and  extend,   with  little 
variation,  to  Georgia,  nearly  through  the  middle  ol  the  United  States. 

2  him 


31)  i  PVR^UIT   OF   (;AMr.. 

him  in  a  state  of  miiul  little  better  than  that  of  settled  melancholy.     y\ 
partition  which  ran  across  the  court-house  formed  a  jury-room.    Ameri- 
can jurymen   seldom  fail  to  retire  from  the  court,  be  the  case  ever  so 
plain,  to  agree  upon  their  verdict.     This  room  had  been  reserved  for 
mv  occupation,  and  accordini^ly  I  sjjread  my  mattrass  onthetloor,  npon 
winch,  being  greatly  fatigued,  I  soon  fell   asleep.      In  the  morning  I 
endeavored  to  procure  waggons  to  convey  us  to   Madison  Court-house, 
distant  between  sixteen  and  eighteen   miles,  without  success.     I  won, 
dered  what  causeil  my  friends  in  Fredericksburg  to  advise  us  to  pioceed 
to  this  dreary  ^jlace  ;  i)ut  I  afterwards  found  little  choice  in  any  part  of 
the  country,  as  to  accommodation.     We  were  favored  if  any  of  the 
neio-hbors  would  sell  us  a  fowl,  or  a  dozen  eggs.     1  had  attended  to  the 
whistling  of  the  quails  all  around  me  the  day  after  our  arrival,  and  being 
always  provided  with  an  excellent  English  ibwling-piece,  I  went  out  in 
the  afternoon,  attended  by  two  youths,  Avho  appeared  anxious  to  see  an 
Englishman  pursuing  game.      I   had   no  dog,  and  the   luxuriant,  but 
coarse  herbage  of  the  cleared  land  was  unfavorable  to  my  pursuit.    The 
young  Virginians,  conversant  with  the   haunts,  soon  sj)rung  the  game, 
and  were  surprised  at  my  success,  two  or  three  birds  falling  at  each  shot. 
The  coveys  had  not  been  broken,  and  they  took  flight  together  at  the 
same  instant.     Americans  do  not  accustom  themselves  to  shoot  game 
upon  the  wing;  but  they  are  the  best  marksmen  in  the  world  with  a  rifle 
gun  at  a  fixed  object.     The  produce  of  my  gun  was  very  acceptable 
in  the  court-house;  the  girls  soon  prepared  the  game  for  cooking,  and 
having  with  us  every  necessary  material,  without  which  no  traveller  must 
attempt  to  penetrate  into  the  interior  of  this  immense  country,  we  made 
a  delicious  repast. 

Mere  we  were  obliged  to  remain  nine  days,  and,  fortunately,  during 
that  time,  our  habitation  was  not  wanted  for  the  dispensation  ot  law; 
but  the  gospel  was  twice  expounded  in  it  during  our  occupancy.  At 
length  we  procured  one  waggon,  which  was  appropriated  to  Mr.  Gilpin 
and  a  part  of  his  family,  wliile  I  remained  with  his  nephew,  waiting 

the 


MADISON  COURT-KOUSE.  39.) 

the  uncertainty  of  another  conveyance.  This  presented  at  the  expira- 
tion of  the  second  day,  and  on  the  third,  I  arrived  at  Madison  Court- 
house. My  friend  had  already  hired  an  unfurnished  house,  and  to  my 
surprise,  for  the  long  term  of  six  months,  though  the  contemplated  ex- 
tent of  the  tour  was  not  to  exceed  six  or  eight  weeks.  I  soon  found  that 
he  had  determined  to  remain  during  the  winter  among  the  rocks  and 
woods ;  a  situation,  at  all  events,  well  suited  to  the  contemplati^•e 
mind. 

In  this  small  place  we  found  some  society.  There  was  a  doctor  and  a 
lawyer;  but  neither  parson  nor  parsonage-house.  A  jolly  justice  of  the 
peace,  however,  supplied  the  place  extremely  well ;  being  a  moral, 
upright  man,  whose  advice  often  reclaimed  the  offender,  when  the  in- 
forcement  of  the  law  might  have  rendered  him  incorrigible.  In  such 
company  occasionally,  and  with  my  giui,  being  in  a  fine  sporting 
country,  I  had  passed  three  weeks  with  advantage  to  my  health,  when 
a  circiunstance  occurred  which  greatly  interrupted  our  peace  of  mind 
for  some  time. 

Passing  the  door  of  Mr.  Alexander  Ilunton,  the  magistrate  above 
alluded  to,  I  was  surprised  at  hearing  his  voice  elevated,  and  the  strokes 
of  the  cow-skin  applied  to  one  of  his  negroes ;  while  at  e\ery  blow  he 
urged  the  obstinate  creature  to  confess  something  which  he  appeared 
anxious  to  discover.  In  a  short  time  we  found  that  a  conversation  had 
been  heard  among  his  negroes  of  a  very  suspicious  tendency,  and  he 
was  endeavoring  to  extort  the  meaning  of  it  fi-om  the  man  by  whom  the 
expressions  had  been  used.  From  what  was  collected,  there  was  every 
reason  to  believe  that  the  negroes  were  planning  an  insurrection;  and 
Mr.  Hunton  privately  requested  every  white  inhabitant  to  meet  liim, 
well  armed,  on  the  same  evening,  at  a  certain  time  and  place.  A 
negro  was  lying  in  the  gaol  under  sentence  of  death  for  murdering  a 
white  man,  and  we  supposed  that  a  rescue,  if  notliing  more,  would  be 
attempted.     With  the  insurrection  at  Richmond  present  to  every  mind, 

3  E  our 


SyG  MMIT    liXFl-DlTiON    AGAINsT   Tlir.   SLAVES. 

our  ft'rti-s  wore  wroiiglkt  up  to  a  l»i<;h  degree  of  alarm.  I  attendid  witFv 
iriy  gun,  and  a  large  supply  of  ball  cart  rid  j^es,  witli  \vhi«  \\  1  w  as  ^.tij)- 
plied,  ainoiij^-  otiicr  iuliahitants,  by  the  cor|)()ralioii  of  Norlblk,  a  tew 
moiktlis  before,  on  a  sinnlar  occasion.*  1  did  not  expect  my  friend 
would  have  mustered,  and  )nore  esj)ecial!y  as  he  was  not  provided  with 
Ih-earms;  but  1  was  greatly  surprised  to  iiud  hin»  among  the  foremost, 
armed  with  a  bayonet,  Avhich  happened  to  be  among  his  travelling 
e(iui|)age,  fixed  to  a  long  pole,  which  he  had  cut  down  fiom  the  woods, 
making  a  very  formidable  weajion.  A  thousand  such,  however,  would 
have  availed  but  little  against  the  determined  opposition  of  the  slaves. 
\V'e  counted  our  ranks  at  twelve  or  littecn  ;  they  could  form  a  phalanx 
of  as  many  hiuulrcds  within  the  circle  of  a  few  miles. 

Of  our  small  force,  six  were  selected  to  make  an  excursion  of  about 
two  miles  to  a  negro  quarter,  where  we  had  intelligence  that  some  of  the 
leaders  were  assembled  to  deliberate  upon  the  measures  to  be  pursued^ 
and  I  was  one  of  the  detachment.  The  night  was  very  dark,  and  I 
found  it  difficult  to  keep  pace  with  my  companions,  who  were  well  ac- 
quainted with  every  step  of  the  road,  to  which  I  was  an  entire  stranger. 
It  was  intricate,  lying  across  ploughed  fields,  and  over  waste  lands ;  so 
that  it  w  as  no  wonder  that  I  lost  my  feet  and  fell ;  and  had  not  my 
companions  made  a  halt  on  a  near  approach  to  the  enemy,  I  should 
neither  have  overtaken  them,  nor  found  my  way  back.  The  party  was 
headed  bv  Mr.  Hunton,  armed  with  a  pairof  my  pistols.  We  surrounded 
the  log-house  ;  and  he  entered,  with  three  more,  while  I  was  stationed  on 
one  side  without,  and  the  sixth  on  the  other  side.  I  soon  heard  a  scram- 
bling about  the  upper  part  of  the  {inside  of  the  house ;  in  a  moment  the 
loose  boards  which  served  as  a  roof  appeared  to  be  removing,  and  a  large 
negro  man  was  making  his  escape.  I  called  to  him  to  surrender,  and 
levelled  mv  gun,  and  gave  notice  to  those  within.  Haj^pily  I  did  not  tire, 

•  On  that  occasion  llic  leaders  were  appreheoded,  tried,  and  condemned  to  suffer  death.  They  were 
accordingly  carried  to  the  place  of  cxeculion,  ia  the  Old  Fields,  atNorlolk;  butoulyone  was  hanged, 
a;  ail  f  xanipic  to  the  rest. 

3  slant 


APPREHENSION   AND   PUNISHMENT  OF   SOME   OF  TIIE-M.  39"/ 

for  instant  death  would  have  ensued ;  thongli  we  had  the  orders  of"  th<" 
magistrate  to  that  effect.  The  unha])j)y  slave  leaped  from  the  roof,  and 
ran  towards  the  woods.  In  his  ihght  he  was  fired  npon  hy  the  man  on 
the  other  side  and  by  others  of  tlie  party  as  they  came  outofthe  house,  witli- 
out  effect.  The  other  slaves  found  there  were  two  old  people  and  their 
daughter,  who  denied  all  knowledgeof  any  conspiracy ;  and  their  asser- 
tions that  the  man  w-ho  had  escaped  was  the  lover  of  the  girl,  being  ad- 
mitted, we  returned  to  the  Court-house,  where  we  fotmd  many  of  the 
slaves  bound  in  fetters,  who  had  been  apprehended  by  the  other  parties, 
together  with  the  man  who  had  escaped  from  us.  They  iniderwent  a 
strict  examination  before  the  magistrate,  but  nothing  appeared  to  con- 
firm our  suspicions.  On  being  asked  why  they  were  out  at  such  an 
unreasonable  hour,  some  said  they  had  been  hunting  the  racoon  and 
opossum;  and  others  replied  that  they  had  been  visiting  their  friends 
and  relations,  which  they  could  not  do  in  the  day-time.  I  really  l)e- 
heved  the  poor  wretches;  but  the  justice  differed  in  opinion,  observing, 
that  he  had  nev'er  known  an  instance  of  so  many  being  out  of  their 
quarters  at  such  a  time.  It  was  between  two  and  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  and,  perhaps,  no  search  o+"  this  nature  had  ever  been  made 
before.  He  found  them  guilty  of  being  out  of  their  quarters  at  an  un- 
seasonable time,  and  ordered  them  all  to  be  severely  tlugged,  which 
sentence  was  executed  by  the  white  men,  in  turns.  I  was  excused 
partaking  in  the  disagreeable  office,  and  thus  the  matter  ended.  The 
house  which  Mr.  Gil[)in  had  hired  Avas  at  the  extremity  of  the  little 
town,  v.'hich  consisted  of  but  ten  or  twelve  houses,  and  it  stood  at  some 
distance  ii'om  the  rest.  About  four  or  five  nights  after  this  punishment 
had  been  indicted,  while  my  friend  and  myself,  after  supper,  were  very 
moderately  indulging  ourselves  with  a  glass  of  apple  brandy*  and  water, 

*  This  is  tlie  common  drink  of  the  country.  It  is  only  l>alf  a  dollar  per  gallon.  Poach  brandy,  dis- 
tilled entirely  from  tliat  fruit,  and  of  greater  strength,  may  be  purchased  for  le^s  than  a  dollar.  Fowls 
were  here  three-pence  British  each  ;  a  fine  fat  turkey  or  goo>e,  half  a  dollar;  butcher's  meat  tfiree-pcncc 
per  pound ;  and  good  uncleared  land  is  from  live  to  twenty  dollars  per  acre. 

3  E  2  we 


308  FALSE   ALARM. 

wc  wtrc  gnally  alanm-d  hy  an  iiiicmitl)  siiit,ni):i-  of  tlie  nep;rfics,  a[)]ja- 
rciitlv  about  a  mile  distant.     Wc  listciud   attentively,  and  limcied  the 
noise  tirow  nearer.     The  remainder  of  Mr.  Gilpin's  (iuiiily  were  in  bed, 
and  in  great  consternation  wo  sallied  out,  myself  willi  my  loaded  gun, 
and  Mr.  Gil[)iM  with  his  mounteil  bayonet.     \Ve  first  ascended  a  rising 
ground,  to  determine  Avith  more  precision  from  what  cjuarter  the  alarm 
proceeded.     Convinced  that   our  surmises  were  just,  apprehending  au 
attack,  and  conceiving  that  it  was  the  negro-war  song,  we  hastily  pro- 
ceeded to  the  tavern,  where  we  found  a  party  playing  at  cards,  the  con- 
stant custom  here  in  the  evening.     They  were  greatly  surprised  on  see- 
ing us  enter,  armed  as  we  were   the  night  of  the  general  search  ;  and, 
upon  our  mentioning  the  cause  of  our  alarm,  they  burst  into  a  laugh, 
inic)rming  us  that  it  was  only  a  liarvest-home  of  the  negroes,  in  one  of 
the  quarters.     We  now  felt  ashamed;  but  they  greatly  commended  our 
activity,  and  thus  we  became  more  respected  by  our  neighbours.     The 
remainder  of  the  time  I  passed  here  was  free  from  molestation,  and  I 
left  my  friend,  who  remained  at   iNIadison   nearly  two  years,  during 
which  a  correspondence  by  letter  continued.     The  last  I  received  from 
this  worthy  man  informs  me  of  his  determination  to  visit  Canada,  and 
then  to  return  to  England. 

On  my  return  from  this  excursion  I  met  with  Colonel  Thomas  But- 
ler, who  was  then  u{)on  his  journey  as  a  prisoner,  in  order  to  take  his 
trial  before  a  court-martial,  at  Frederick  town,  in  Maryland. 

Tliis  gallant  ofTicer,  M'ho  had  with  honor  served  his  country  through 
the  whole  revolutionary  w  ar,  and  shed  his  blood  in  its  service ;  in  the 
decline  of  hfe  Avas  convicted  of  an  ofl'ence  hitherto  unknown  in  military 
service — of  refusing  to  cut  off  his  hair  ;  a  sentence  which  his  feelings 
sunk  under,  and  he  died,  much  lamented, — of  a  broken  heart. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  American  war,  Mr.  Butler  was  a  stu- 
dent of  law  under  the  late  Mr.  Wilson,  then  an  eminent  barrister,  and 

since 


ANECDOTES  OF  COLONEL  THOMAS  BUTLER.  399 

biiice  one  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  fetleral  courts.  He  joined  the 
army  of  the  congress,  as  a  subaltern  officer,  and  soon  rose  to  the  rank 
of  captain.  Four  of  his  brothers  were  engaged  in  the  same  service,  all 
of  whom,  as  well  as  the  subject  of  these  anecdotes,  acquitted  themselves 
with  courage  and  good  conduct.  He  was  in  almost  every  action  which 
took  place  in  the  middle  states  ;  and  at  that  of  Brandywine,  he  received 
the  tiianks  of  the  commander  in  chiefj  General  Washington,  through 
his  aid-tie-camp,  the  lamented  Hamilton.  He  there  rallied  a  de- 
tachment of  retreating  Americans,  and  greatly  annoyed  the  British 
troops.  At  the  severe  buttle  of  iVIonmouth,  he  defiended  a  deliie 
against  the  heavy  fire  of  his  enemy,  and  thus  covered  the  retreat  of  his 
brother's.  Colonel  Richard  Butler's  regiment.  For  this  gallantrv  he 
received  the  public  thanks  of  General  Wayne. 

The  war  being  ended,  like  many  of  his  brother  officers,  he  retired  to  pri- 
vate life,  and  assuming  the  character  of  a  farmer,  he  cultivated  a  small 
plantation,  sufficient  tor  the  support  of  his  family.  In  this  rural  retirement, 
and  in  the  midst  of  domestic  happiness,  he  was  again  called  by  his  country 
into  the  field  of  battle,  and  ordered  to  join  the  army  then  raising  under 
the  unfortunate  General  Saint  Clair,  lor  the  purpose  of  subduing  the 
confederate  tribes  of  hostile  Indians.  That  commander,  from  an  ill- 
judged  coi]tempt  of  his  savage  enemy,  incautiously  marched  into  their 
country,  and  fell  into  an  ambuscade,  which  they  had  with  great  judg- 
ment and  secresy  prepared  for  his  army.  The  slaughter  made  among 
the  Americans  was  great ;  and  being  taken  completely  by  surprise,  a 
great  part  of  them  fell  victims  to  savage  fury.  Major  Butler,  lately  ap- 
pointed to  that  rank,  was  dangerously  wounded;  and  his  brother,  Capt. 
Richard  Butler,  at  the  imminent  hazard  of  his  life,  carried  him  ofi'the 
field  of  battle.  The  eldest  brother.  General  Butler,  was  numbered 
with  the  slain.  Having  recovered  from  his  wounds,  he  was  continued 
on  the  establishment  as  a  major,  and,  in  the  year  1794,  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  coinmandauc  of  the  fourteenth  sub-legion. 


400  SERVICES   OF   COLONEL   BLTLF.R. 

In  the  \\'luskey  insurrection  he  commandcfl  Fort  Fayette,  at  Pittsliurt;, 
and  by  liis  aiklress,  for  he  had  a  very  small  garrison,  prevented  tlie  de- 
luded insurgents  from  storniinp;  the  fort.  In  1797  he  was  appointed  by 
General  Washington,  under  wUomi  he  had  long  served,  to  the  chief 
command  in  the  new  state  of  Tennessee,  and  ordered  to  dislodge  some 
American  citizens  who  had  possessed  thems<^lves  of  land  belonging  to 
the  Indians.  Me  acconhngly  nvarchrd  at  llie  head  of  his  regiment, 
and  bv  that  prudence  aiid  good  sense  which  had  ever  marked  liis  con- 
duct, prevailed  on  them  quietly  to  abandon  their  project ;  for  wl)ich  he 
received  the  thanks  of  that  slate.  On  the  reduction  of  the  army,  which 
took  place  soon  after  Mr.  .]<  tiei*son  had  become  president,  he  was 
ap|iointed  colonel  of  the  second  regiment  of  infantry,  on  the  peace 
e.>lublishment. 

It  seems  Colonel  Butler  had  incurred  the  displeasure  of  General 
^^'ilkinson,  the  American  commander  in  chief;  but  the  cause,  if  any, 
does  not  appear.  On  the  30th  of  April,  1801,  the  general  issued 
the  following  order  : — "  For  the  accommodation,  comfort,  and  health 
of  the  troojys,  the  liair  is  to  be  cropped,  without  exception,  and  the 
general  Avill  give  tlie  exaniple."  It  appears  that  Colonel  Butler  remon- 
strated against  this  order ;  that  he  field  his  locks,  now  groNvn  grey  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  as  tlie  gift  of  nature ;  and  that  he  thought  no 
power  on  etirth  had  a  right  to  take  them  fi-om  him.  To  be  de|)rived 
of  those  hairs  which  he  had  so  often  worn  in  tlie  battle's  front,  was  an 
indignity  vhich  the  veteran  could  not  submit  to.  The  reasons  which 
he  alleg-ed  against  submitting  to  the  order  obtained  him,  for  a  time,  the 
exclusive  privilege  of  retaining  his  hair;  and  an  order  to  that  etiiect  was 
given  by  the  general.  Two  years  afterwards.  Colonel  Butler  was,  l>y 
name,  called  upon  to  conform  to  the  first  order,  with  which  he  refused 
to  com|)ly.  He  was  immediately  ordered  under  arrest  by  the  com- 
mander in  chief;  while  commanding  at  I-'ort  Adams,  on  the  banks  of 

the  Mississippi. 

To 


Ills  TRIAL.  401 

To  the  charge  of  disobedience  of  orders,  two  were  added  for  neglect 
of  duty,  in  the  following  order:— 

1st.  For  disobedience  of  the  general  order  of  the  30th  of  April,  1801, 
regulating  the  uniform  of  the  hair. 

2d.  For  disobedience  of  the  order  of  the  president  of  the  United 
States,  communicated  on  the  8th  of  June,  1802. 

3d.  For  neglect  of  duty  in  not  descending  the  IVIississippi  to  take  the 
command  of  Fort  Adams,  and  organise  the  troops,  agreeably  to  the 
peace  establishment,  and  according  to  the  orders  of  the  president, 
but  proceeding  to  Pittsburg  with  a  military  command  on  his  private 
business,  and  without  permission. 

To  these  charges  the  colonel  made  an  able  defence.  To  the  first,  he 
pleaded  a  justification  that  the  order  was  illegal ;  and  in  support  thereof 
he  advanced  various  instances  where  an  officer  was  not  bound  to  obey 
the  orders  of  his  commander ;  but  these  cases  im])lied  a  supposition 
that  the  orders  were  notoriously  illegal. 

He  underwent  many  mortifying  circumstances  before  he  could  obtain 
a  trial.  He  was  ordered  from  Fort  Adams  to  Frederick  town,  in  Mary- 
land, a  distance  of  many  hundred  miles,  without  any  reason  being  as- 
signed for  putting  him  to  this  tedious  and  expensive  journey.  Upwards 
of  six  months  expired  before  a  court-martial  sat  in  judgment  on  his  case, 
and  from  the  honorable  manner  in  which  he  was  acquitted  of  the  two 
last  charges,  accusing  him  of  neglect  of  duty,  it  becomes  evident  that 
they  were  added  to  magnify  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  the  offences 
which  he  had  committed.  This  circumstance,  added  to  his  being  so 
long  harassed  before  he  Avas  brought  to  trial,  reflects  little  honor  on  the 
present  commander  in  chief  of  the  American  array.     The  following  is 

a  copy  of  tlie  sentence  : — 

"  The 


40:2      SENTENCE  OF  THE  COURT-MARTIAL,    AND  BUTLER'S  MI:M0RL\L. 

"  The  court,  after  mature  deliberation,  are  of  opinion  that  the  pri- 
soner is  <i;iiilty  of"clisol)edience  of  the  general  order  of"  the  aOth  of  April, 
180 1,  and  (taking  into  consideration  the  long  and  faithlijl  services,  and 
his  general  character  as  an  oHicer)  do  hereby  sentence  him,  under  the 
5th  article  of"  the  second  section  of"  the  articles  of"  war,  to  be  reprimanded 
in  general  orders. 

"  The  court  are  also  of  opinion,  after  due  investigation,  that  the  pri- 
soner is  not  guilty  of  the  second  and  third  specifications,  aiul  that  he 
did  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  orders  of  the  Otii 
of  April,  2oth  of  May,  and  8th  of  June,  faithfully  perform  his  dut}', 
and  do  tlierefbre  acquit  him. 

(Signed)  "  J.  Blrbeck,  President. 

"  James  Mouse,  Judge  Advocate." 

From  this  sentence  Colonel  Butler  appealed,  by  memorial,  to  the 
president  of  the  United  States.  The  following  extract  from  the  letter 
accompanying  such  appeal,  will  be  interesting  to  military  readers,  while 
it  displays  the  abilities  of  this  persecuted  old  officer. 

"  I  feel  sensible.  Sir,  how  delicate  this  subject  is,  and  T,  with  e\ery 
military  man,  must  intimately  feel  how  unfortunate  it  is  that  any  gene- 
ral order  should  render  its  discussion  indispensable.  Yet  I  hope  and 
trust  that  it  will  never  be  conceded,  that  any  citizen  entering  into  the 
military  service  of  his  country,  thereby  puts  himself  out  of  the  |)rotec- 
tion  of  the  laws ;  that  his  honor,  his  conscience,  his  moral  principles, 
his  private  and  natural  rights  are  no  longer  under  his  own  guardianship, 
but  surrendered  up  to  whomsoever  may  be  his  military  superior.  With 
deference.  Sir,  I  have  at  all  times  believed  that  the  power  given  to 
every  officer  by  his  commission,  is  the  authority  of  the  laws  and  consti- 
tution of  his  country,  vested  in  him  as  a  legislative  organ.  The  ex- 
pression, then,  of  the  superior  officer's  will,  whilst  confined  to  subjects 
over  which  the  laws  have  given  him  authority,  is  the  command  of  the 

law 


LETTER  OF  THE   SECRETARY   AT  WAR   TO  COLONEL  BUTLER.      403 

law  itself,  and  must  be  implicitly  and  promptly  obeyed.  But  if  directed 
to  subjects  over  which  the  laws  have  given  him  no  autlioritv,  but  which, 
on  the  contrary,  the  laws  and  constitution  of  the  United  States  have 
ensured  as  inviolable  to  every  citizen,  whether  in  a  civil  or  military  ca- 
pacity, then  I  contend,  please  your  excellency,  that  the  order  of  the 
30th  of  April,  1801,  being  unsupported  by  legal  authority,  contains  not 
the  essence  of  a  military  command.  And  had  the  court  entered  into 
an  investigation  of  the  legal  merits  of  that  order,  they  would  not  have 
held  it  in  any  higher  point  of  view  than  the  expression  of  will  from  one 
individual  to  another,  ^^•hich  no  duty  requires  him  to  respect,  and  no 
power  compels  him  to  obey." 

This  appeal  was  answered  by  the  secretary  at  war.  It  shews  how 
far  the  power  of  the  president  could  in  such  case  be  extended,  and  the 
regularity  with  which  the  war  department  of  the  United  States  is 
conducted. 

"  SIR, 

"  The  memorial  accompanying  your  letter,  was,  in  c(jnformity  with 
your  request,  presented  to  the  president  of  the  United  States,  who  re- 
ferred it  to  the  secretary  at  war  for  his  decision  thereon.  It  therefore 
becomes  his  duty  to  make  such  observations  as  the  nature  of  the  case  re- 
quires. Presuming  it  to  have  been  your  intention  that  your  memorial 
should  be  considered  in  the  nature  of  an  appeal  from  the  sentence  of  a 
court  martial,  to  the  president  of  the  United  States,  which  sentence  has 
been  approved  of  by  the  proper  officer,  it  will  only  be  necessary  to  observe, 
that  there  exists  no  law,  custom,  or  usage,  within  the  knowledge  or  re- 
collection of  the  secretary  at  war,  by  Avhich  the  president  is  authorised 
to  take  cognizance  of  such  an  appeal ;  although  the  president  of  the 
United  States  has  by.  law  ultimately  to  decide  on  proceedings  of  courts 
martial  in  certain  cases,  it  does  not  appear  that  he  possesses  any  legal 
x^onu'ol  over  the  sentence  of  any  court  martial  duly  approved  by  the 

3  F  proper 


4<54  DEATH  OF  COLCTNKL  IJUTLKR. 

proper  officer,  except  by  interposing  the  constitutional  power  confided 
to  him  of  pardoning  oftences." 

Signed  by  the  secretary  at  war,  H.  Dearborn,  and  directed  to  Colonel 
Tljoinas  Butler. 

During  these  proceedings,  Colonel  Butler  was  de[)rived  by  death  of 
the  consolements  he  would  have  found  in  an  atiectionate  Avife,  by  whom 
he  had  three  sons  and  a  daughter.  This  unlortunate  circumstance  in- 
creasing his  meutul  suHiiiings  tor  this  tiital  stab  to  his  honour  as  an  offi- 
cer, brought  him  to  his  grave  a  lew  months  alter  the  promulgatioii  of 
the  sentence  of  the  court  martial. 

It  is  certainly  a  matter  of  surprize  to  reflect  upon  the  severity  of  these 
proceedings  towards  a  veteran  who  had  passed  the  greatest  part  of  his. 
IHe  in  the  service  of  his  country.  1  attribute  his  misfortunes  to  a  strict 
adherence  to  the  maxims  of  Washington ;  all  the  followers  of  his  steps 
being  obnoxious  to  the  ruling  party. 


fJHAP. 


403 


CHAP.  XXXI. 

TNDIAN  COBN— PRECARIOUS  PRODUCE  OF  THAT  GRAIN — HUSKINO  FROLIC — BREE»- 
JNG  OF  SHEEP  —  PROSPECT  FOR  THE  EMIGRANT  MECHANIC  IN  AMERICA — TH5 
HAW — PHYSIC — THE  CHURCH  —  OBSERVATIONS  ON  MR.  TOULMIN's  PLAN  FOR  PUR- 
chasing and  stocking  a  farm  in  kentucky — german  settlers  —  state  of 
Literature  in  America — booksellers — typographical  society — book- 
pair — arts  and  sciences — strictures  on  Austin's  letters  from  London — 

funeral  of     GENERAt  WASHINGTON. 


JL  HERE  is  always  an  uncertainty  of  raising  a  plentiful  crop  of  Indiati 
corn,  though  the  daily  bread  of  the  people.  In  those  states  where  wheat 
is  raised,  a  great  majority  of  the  inhabitants,  in  preference  to  the  supe- 
rior grain,  eat  bread  made  of  corn-flour,  which  is  coarser  food,  and  has 
some  resemblance  to  oatmeal.     Indian  corn  would  be  easy  to  raise, 
were  it  not  for  the  numerous  enemies  it  has  to  encounter.     Should  thei 
seed  escape  being  scratched  up  after  sowing,  by  the  birds,  and  the  lesser 
quadrupeds,  a  ni|)ping  and  unexpected  Irost  will  sometimes  destroy  the 
tender  blade,  and  oblige  the  farmer  to  begin  his  work  again.     In  the 
middle  of  summer,  Mhen  the  stalk  has  attained  its  full  height,  often  ten 
and  twelve  feet  in  rich  ground,  sometimes  fifteen  feet,  a  storm  of  wind 
and  rain,  accompanied  perhaps  by  hail-stones  as  large  as  marbles,  will 
sometimes  lay  waste  the  fields  in  particular  directions  for  many  miles. 
The  people  call  these  unseasonable   and  destructive  storms,  »iunmier 
gusts,  or  summer  squalls;  but  they  arc  generally  whirlwinds,  with  de- 
luges of  rain.     In  the  Carolinas,  and  farther  southward,  these  are  more 
frequent,  and  about  once  in  five  or  seven  years  a  dreadful  hurricane, 
similar  to  those  of  the  West-Indies,  totally  destroys  the  grain,  tears  up 
the  loftiest  trees,  drives  the  shij)s  from  tbeir  anchors,  and  ciu-ries  them 
often  a  great  distance  into  the  woods,  or  on  the  beach,  destroying  the 

3  I-  2  unfortunate 


40G  lUSKING   rROLIC. 

imfortiuiatc  mariners.  AVhilethe  corn  is  yet  growing,  it  is  attacked  by  a 
destructive  insect,  which  they  call  the  Hessian  fly,  absurdly  pretending 
that  it  was  originally  imported  with  the  Hessian  soldiers  during  the  revo- 
lutionary  war.  This  insect  insinuates  itself  into  the  joints  of  the  stalks 
where  it  deposits  its  eggs.  When  the  young  ones  are  hatclied,  they 
feed  upon  the  sap,  and  generally  destroy  the  plant.  Some  ears. in 
particular  directions  on  the  surlace  of  the  earth,  will  be  destroyed  by 
amazing  swarms  of  caterpillars.  This  happened  the  verv  last  spring 
in  se\cral  parts  of  Maryland  and  Virginia,  to  the  great  loss  of  the 
planter. 

In  some  provinces  of  the  United  States,  the  farmers,  on  getting  in  the 
corn  harvest,  give  a  rural  letc,  in  imitation  of  the  ancient  English  cus- 
tom of  harvest  home.  This  they  call  a  husking  frolic.  After  the 
Indian  corn  is  gathered  and  brought  into  the  barn,  the  neighbouring 
youth  of  both  sexes  repair  to  the  farm  to  husk  it — that  is,  to  strip  it  of 
the  outside  leaves  in  which  it  is  envelojied.  This  done,  the  grain  is  in 
a  state  of  preservation,  in  what  is  called  the  cob;  in  which  it  will  keep 
much  longer  than  when  the  grains  are  separated,  as,  in  the  latter  state,  it 
is  liable  to  heat  and  become  damaged. 

I  was  particularly  struck  with  an  account  given  some  years  ago,  of  one 
of  those  husking  fetes,  by  Mr.  William  Baxter,  a  considerable  farmer 
at  Quincy,  the  residence  of  the  late  president  Adams,  near  Boston. 
This  account  was  concluded  by  a  copy  of  the  lines  of  the  rustic  bard, 
upon  the  occasion,  which  I  preserved,  and  now  give  them  to  my  rea- 
der, not  doubting  that  they  will  be  perused  with  pleasure  by  such  as 
admire  this  vein  of  poetry. 

imSKIKG  DAY. 

,  Autumn  with  liis  golden  slieaf. 

Kindly  gives  to  care  relief; 
Now  the  village  tusk  is  done— 
Now  the  laughing  sport's  begun. 

Y«ous 


LINES   ON  A  HUSKING   FROLIC.  407 

Venus,  smiling  planet,  leads, 
Printless  o'er  the  fields  and  meads, 
(While  the  western  rays  oblique 
Linger  on  Monadnock.'s*peak, 
The  Moon,  from  ocean  rising,  throws 
Her  lustre  on  Watcliuset's*  snows) 
Frolic  youth  the  country  roujul 
Nimble  stepp'd,  to  beat  the  ground. 

Lo  !  the  hills  of  corn  appear — 
Damsels  seize  the  blushing  ear. 
Laughing  seize,  and  slily  hide. 
Towards  the  favour'd  Vad  to  slide. 
When  the  basket  borne  away 
Gives  the  hint  to  sportive  play. 

Clear  the  floor  and  now  advance- 
Youth  and  manhood  form  the  dance. 
Gay  and  brisk  the  measure  beat. 
Age  with  transport  shakes  his  seat. 
Till  the  herald  of  the  morn. 
Crowing,  warns  him  to  be  gone. 

Antic  gambols  then  succeed — 
This,  to  hide  along  the  mead. 
Those,  in  secret  paths  to  slide. 
These  upon  their  steps  lo  glide ; 
By  her  mimic  fear  betray'd, 
Ev'ry  youth  o'ertakes  a  maid  : 
Dalliance  soft,  and  fav'ring  grove. 
Ripen  fancy  into  love  ; 
Hymen  lights  the  torch,  and  gay 
Pleasure  crowns  the  Husking  Day. 

The  mutton  in  the  southern  states  is  very  indifferent,  but  httlc  atten^ 
■tion  having  hitherto  been  paid  to  the  breed  of  that  valuable  animal. 

Mr.  Custis,  a  grandchild  of  the  late  Mrs.  Washington,  and  to  whom: 
the  general  left  a  considerable  part  of  his  estate,  has  lately  become  emi- 

*  Two  high  mountains  in  Massachusels. 

nent 


408  MR.  CISTIS'S   AfiRICl'LTURAL   MECTING. 


neiit  as  an  agricnlturist.  In  laudable  imitation  of  many  distinguished 
characters  in  England,  he  gives  an  annual  i)rcmium,  and  an  agricul- 
tural teast  at  his  seat  at  Arlington,  on  the  hanks  of  the  Potomack,  near 
the  city  of  \Vashington,  for  the  best  yearling  lamb.  The  following  ac- 
count of  the  last  meeting,  will  give  the  English  fanner  an  idea  of  the 
breed  of  sheep  in  Virginia. 

"  ^Ir.  Custis's  agricultural  meeting  and  annual  shee|>shearing  took"^ 
place  at  Arlington,  and  was  attended  by  gentlemen  from  the  adjoining 
counties.  The  annual  premium  for  the  fuiest  ram  lamb  of  one  year  old, 
was  adjudged  to  a  lamb  bred  by  Ludwell  Lee,  Esq.  of  Belmont,  in 
the  county  of  Loudoun.  The  judges  were  very  minute  in  their  inspec- 
tion, and  we  hope  succeeding  years  will  produce  increasing  exertion  in 
the  improvement  of  this  valuable  race  of  domestic  animals. 

"  The  prize  lamb  possesses  fine  proportions,  with  a  fleece  of  good 
quality,  close  and  well  packed,  though  rather  short.  His  gross  weight 
161  pounds;  weight  of  fleece  seven  pounds  three  quarters.  Fleeces 
weigh  very  light  this  season,  owing  to  the  mildness  of  our  winter. 
Arlington  prime  ewes  average  five  pounds. 

"  The  annual  premium  will  continue  for  eight  years  j'et  to  come, 
together  with  a  valuable  privilege  annexed,  viz.  Any  person  obtaining 
a  premium  has  a  right,  within  the  time  just  mentioned,  to  demand  a 
lamb  of  the  improved  stock,  free  of  charge." 

The  science  of  agriculture,  whatever  perfection  it  may  have  attained 
in  England,  will  not  prosper  in  America.  Emigrating  farmers  and  hus- 
bandmen from  this  country  conceive  that  they  are  perfect  masters  of  all 
the  knowledge  that  can  be  required  for  tilling  the  earth  in  the  imaginary 
paradise  which  they  have  adopted.*     In  this  they  will  find  themselves 

woefully 

•  fettled  lanJs  are  very  far  from  being  much  cheaper  in  Amnrica  than  in  England.     It  verj- oftrn 

happen* 


ADVICE  TO  THE   EMIGRANT.  409 

woefully  deceived,  and  that  they  have  to  acquire  a  new  and  totally  difl 
ferent  mode  of  farming,  extremely  repugnant  to  the  principles  in  which 
they  have  been  educated.  It  will  be  in  vain  for  the  emigrant  to  continue  the 
English  practice;  he  will  soon  find  that  the  sooner  he  not  only  conform^ 
to  the  mode  of  the  country  in  this  respsect,  but  the  more  sj^eedily  he 
adopts  even  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people  among  whom  he 
has  chosen  to  take  up  his  final  residence,  the  sooner  will  they  cease  to 
treat  him  as  a  stranger,  whom,  and  especially  the  English,  they  loolc 
upon  with  a  jealous  eye.  They  are  extremely  tenacious  of  being  thought 
inferior  to  the  ancient  stock,  and  every  comparison  of  this  nature  will  ex- 
cite their  hatred;  for,  however  you  may  knomi  to  the  contrary,  they  i/iink 
themselves  a  superior  order  of  beings. 

The  Americans  may  be  considered  as  a  commercial  people,  displaying 
a  spirit  of  enterprise  and  perseverance,  which,  though  it  may  be  said  they 
commenced  their  career  without  capital,  has  greatly  enriched  the  coun- 
try. Several  adventurous  merchants,  whom  fortune  has  fiivored,  have  ac- 
quired large  properties,  but  a  great  number  have  failed  in  their  specula- 
tions. The  greatest  part  of  commerce  is  still  carried  on  by  a  kind  of 
superficial  capital,  so  that  the  failure  of  a  single  voyage  often  renders 
the  owner  of  the  cargo  incapable  of  taking  up  the  securities  which  he 

happens  that  a  man  does  not  suit  himself  at  the  first  state  he  touches  at,  and  then  he  has  either  to  remove 
Jii-i  laiiiily,  in  a  wandering  and  expensive  searcii,  or  else  to  leave  them  behind  him  in  a  strange  place, 
whilst  he  is  running  aboutto  find  a  home  for  them,  which,  from  his  hurry,  he  generally  does  to  his  dis- 
advantage. I  have  known  several  who  have  never  taken  their  families  from  on  board  the  ship  which 
brought  them  over  ;  not  finding  their  expectations  answered,  they  returned  the  same  way  they  came. 

"  In  the  purchase  of  back  lands,  nothing  can  be  more  infatuated  than  the  practice  which  has  prevailed 
with  emigrating  persons,  of  purchasing  lands  of  British  agents,  previously  to  their  sailing.  A  man  is 
shewn  a  plan  of  a  tractof  land,  with,  of  course,  a  varnished  description  of  the  fertility  of  its  soil,  and  the 
variety  of  its  productions,  plenteous  streams,  mill-seats,  &c.  ;  and  thus  the  freehold  of  the  land  may 
become  his  own  at  four  or  five  shillings  per  acre.  True:  but  then  it  never  cost  the  proprietors  as  many 
pence ;  and  from  natural  causes,  such  as  its  distance  fVom  any  settlements,  or  of  navigable  streams  to 
communicate  with  any  market,,  however  distant,  it  will  be  worth  little  or  nothing  to  the  settler,  even  if 
its  soil  was  exuberance  itjeJf." 

Information  respecting  emigration  to  North  America. 

S  has 


110  LONr.    CKEDIT— franklin's    PICTURE   OF    A.Ml.RIi  A. 

bat>  given  ii)r  his  adventure.  1  found  no  business  done  without  long  cre- 
dit, ii"  I  may  cxeept  the  slave  trade,  in  whieh  tliey  generally  re(]nire 
prompt  payment.  Even  in  this  disgracetiil  IraHic,  barter  is  sometimes 
made  the  cireulaling  medium.  1  was  privy  to  a  negoeiation  of  this  kind, 
vviiere  General  J3embury,  of  North  Carolina,  gave  a  fine  young  negro 
woman,  and  who  was  an  excellent  house-servant,  for  a  horse,  on  wliiclL 
1  have  seen  him  reviewing  the  militia.  In  every  other  transaction,  not 
excepting  the  produce  of  agriculture,  the  farmer  is  obliged  either  to  dis- 
pose of  the  surplus  of  his  crop  by  way  oi  baiter,  or  he  must  sell  it  upon 
a  long  credit. 

This  circumstance  also  bears  hard  upon  the  emigrant.  Having  sur- 
mounted the  diHicukies  already  pointed  out,  which  may  have  reduced 
him  to  liis  last  dollar,  and  with  great  labour  raised  some  grain  for  mar- 
ket, he  nmst  yet  wait  sixty  or  ninety  da)  s  before  he  can  realize  the  pro- 
duce of  liis  industry. 

Doctor  Franklin  laboured  hard  in  his  writings  to  encourage  emigra- 
tion, lie  drew  a  fascinating  picture  of  his  country  wherever  he  found 
an  o[)portumty  of  offering  it  to  the  European.  He  expatiates  upon  il»c 
salubrity  of  an  unfi'iendly  clime,  and  he  urges  the  facility  of  forming  a 
settlement  among  \ns  countrymen.  It  was  his  interest  to  do  so ;  the 
doctor  was  conspicuous  for  his  amor  patr'uc,  which  is  generally  carried 
even  to  enthusiasm.  It  is  true  that  contagion  had  not  visited  America, 
nor  was  the  summer's  heat  so  fatal,  when  the  doctor  treated  on  tlie  sub- 
ject. That  it  is)  a  country  where  great  labour  under  a  burning  sun  must 
be  endured,  jiarticularly  in  the  pursuit  of  agriculture,  we  find  fi-om  his 
own  words: — "  America  is  the  land  of  labour,  and  by  no  means  wiiat 
the  English  call  lubbcrland,  and  the  PVench  paya  de  cocagnc,  where  the 
streets  are  said  to  be  paved  with  half-peck  loaves,  the  houses  tiled  with 
pancakes,  and  where  the  fowls  fly  about  ready  roasted,  crying,  come 
eat  me !" 

1  Having 


PROSPECT  FOR  THE   MECHANIC.  411 

Having  now  sketclied  the  prospects  before  the  emigrant  on  an  agri- 
cultural plan,  I  shall  address  a  few  lines  to  the  mechanic  and  labourer 
who  may  pant  to  behold  the  new  world. 

The  same  cause  which  takes  the  farmer  into  the  interior  of  the  coun- 
try, I  mean  employment,  will  keep  the  mechanic  fixed  to  the  spot  where 
he  may  chance  to  land.  The  latter  cannot  expect  work  in  the  woods, 
and  the  former  must  penetrate  into  them  before  he  can  find  work.  Man 
chuses  the  spring  of  the  year  for  emigration — birds,  the  fall  of  the  leaf. 
The  spring,  comprehending  all  the  delay  unavoidable  in  such  an  under- 
taking, passes,  and  simimer  is  advanced,  before  he  arrives  in  America. 
He  lands  at  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Norfolk,  or  Charleston, 
in  the  very  jaws  of  the  yellow  fever.  The  husbandman  may  perchance 
avoid  it  by  speedy  flight,  but  the  more  unfortunate  mechanic  is  doomed 
to  face  death  in  all  his  terrors.  I  can  aver,  and  I  may  do  so  without 
offence  to  the  natives,  because  I  speak  the  plain  truth,  that  not  one  Eu- 
ropean in  one  hundred  ever  survived  of  late  years  two  summers,  with- 
out undergoing  the  dreadful  ordeal  of  the  fever,  now  attached  to  the 
climate.  This  fever  always  partakes  of  the  nature  of  the  bilious;  some- 
times it  assumes  not  a  more  dangerous  aspect,  but  too  often  arising  from 
local  contagion,  it  proves  fatal.  The  New  England  States,  indeed,  are 
much  more  healthy,  but  there  the  land  is  mostly  under  cultivation,  and 
consequently  bears  a  high  price  ;  and  almost  every  branch  of  labour  is 
sufficiently  supplied  with  hands.  The  mechanic,  then,  having  survived 
this  probation  of  his  constitution,  remains  in  the  port  where  he  landed, 
or  removes  to  another,  follows  his  trade  by  which  he  may  undoubtedly 
earn  a  dollar  and  a  half  every  day  he  is  able  to  Mork.  The  climate  in 
summer,  far  different  from  his  own — the  violent  perspiration  he  must  un- 
<lergo  to  keep  in  health,  (and  this  must  be  supported  by  a  constant  re- 
course to  ardent  spirits) — and  still  worse,  the  exposure  to  the  rays  of  the 
sun,  in  a  tew  \'ears  debilitate  his  constitution,  and  bring  on  a  pre- 
mature deca3^  'Tis  now  he  seriously  curses  his  folly — now  he  sighs 
and  pants  to  return  to  that  genial  clime  which  gave  him   birth,  and 

3  G  generally 


412  THE  LA^v— privsic. 

cjenerallv  in  vain.  He  is  married,  and  his  family  are  a  barrier  to 
his  wishes; — or,  he  is  embarked  so  far  in  business,  that  he  finds  it  imprac- 
ticable to  retire  without  sacrificing  a  large  |)ortion  of  tlie  produce  of 
manv  vears  toil  and  labour.  These  are  the  princii>al  reasons  that  so  few 
Enijlish  emigrants,  Avho  outlive  the  immediate  effects  of  the  climate,  ever 
return  to  their  native  land.  The  labourer's  wages  are  a  dollar  |)er  day, 
lis  long  as  he  can  toil  twelve  hours  in  the  burning  sun  of  August,  or  the 
pinching  fi-osts  of  Januarj-. 

Of  the  learned  professions,  I  am   certain  that  very  few  indeed  will 
quit  their  native  country,  the  region  of  taste,  science,  and  literature,  for 
the  sole  purpose  of  following  their  respective  avocations  in  America.  My 
admission  to  the  bar,  and  practise  in  the  law,  was  a  circumstance  unlook- 
ed  for  when  1  landed  in  the  United  States.     That  pursuit  was  not  at- 
tended with  pecuniary  remuneration  adequate  to  my  labour  in  the  pro- 
fession ;  and  had  I  depended  alone  upon  my  exertions  in  this  capacity, 
my  situation  would  have  been  by  no  means  enviable.     The  lucrative 
business  of  the  courts  is  chiefly  engrossed  by  natives  who  have  extensive 
connections.     A  young  practitioner  there  has  not  the  ample  field  before 
him  which  the  courts  of  Westminster  aHibrd;  and,  as  in  the  case  of  Mr. 
Lincoln,  great  interest  will  leave  little  to  superior  abilities  without  [)atro- 
na^e.     For  these  reasons,  the  profession  with  me  was  from  the  first  a 
secondary  object,  which   I  never  should  have  embarked  in  but  for  tlie 
ill-judged  solicitations  of  a  gentleman  then  at  the  l)ar,  with  whom  I  had 
formed  an  intimacy,  John  Faxon,  Esq.  of  the  state  of  Rhode  Island. 

The  practice  of  physic  is  easier  of  attainment.  Gentlemen  of  that 
profession  have  opportunities  of  pushing  themselves  forward  by  methods 
which  lawvers  cannot  adopt.  A  medical  man,  Avith  tolerable  address, 
may  plant  himself  in  any  town  in  the  United  States,  without  undergoing 
the  probation  required  from  the  lawyer.  His  di|>loma  is  not  necessary 
—it  will  not  be  asked  tor;  nor  will  it  l>e  enquired  whether  he  lias  under- 
gone a  regular  course  of  stu<ly,  and  been  admitted  to  the  royal  college 

in 


1 


THE    CIII-RCII.  4  1.1 

in  London,  or  that  of  Leyden ;  nay.  a  seU-crcatcnl  quack,  like  those 
i)ests  to  the  luiman  race  vho  deliver  their  invitations  to  the  unwary  at 
the  corner  of  almost  every  street  of  the  British  metropohs,  will  tind  no 
impediment  in  this  country  to  the  practice  of  jihysic  or  surgery.  (>t 
late  veai-s,  this  profession  has  in  Philadelphia  been  placed  on  a  more  re- 
spectable footinii-.  In  that  citv  is  established  an  institution  somewhat  re- 
semblitiif  a  college  of  physic,  and  a  suri;et.»ns'  hall,  attended,  in  the  win- 
ter season,  by  about  two  hundred  pupils,  who  come  from  the  distant 
states.  1  have,  however,  witnessed  the  commencement  in  practice  of 
one  of  these  medical  collegians,  and  one  who  had  a  tew  years  served  a 
country  practitioner,  at  the  same  time,  and  in  the  same  town;  and  their 
respective  increase  of  business  depended  alone  upon  friends  or  tortuitous 
circumstances.  The  large  cities,  as  in  London,  swarm  with  tjuacks  ^^ho 
dissemnrate  their  poison  in  all  dn-ect ions,  and  fUl  the  newspapei-s  with 
their  fdthy  falsehoods. 

The  church,  in  this  republican  country,  is  also  open  to  all  who  chuse 
to  enter  it  as  preachers;  upon  whom  there  are  no  restrictions — who  arc 
not  under  the  necessity  of  adducing  any  qualifications  previous  to  an  at-** 
tempt  to  expoimd  the  scriptmvs.  An  enthusiast,  should  he  not  innuedi- 
atelv  obtain  a  tooting  in  a  pulpit  already  tixed.  may,  if  he  has  a  little 
money,  soon  tind  some  dissat^ected  to  their  place  of  \\oi-ship.  who  will 
join  him.  and  in  a  short  time  he  is  enabled  to  build  himself  a  meeting- 
house. Until  a  traveller  from  the  north  reaches  the  Carolinas,  he  will 
tind  the  Tnited  States  the  very  hot-bed  of  religion— but  I  have  alreaily 
devoted  a  chapter  to  this  subject.* 

\o  man  of  indcpeiulcnt  t'ortune,  who  is  not  an  enemy  to  his  country. 

»  In  treating  of  the  Slukors,  tlio  author  oiiiittol  to  mention  that  Anna  Lecse,  whom  these  tanati(-s 
styled  the  Elect  Lady,  asserting  tlut  she  was  the  woman  spoken  of  in  the  tvventietli  chapter  of  Revelations, 
died  in  l7St.  notwithstandiiiji  all  her  prv-dietions  to  the  contrary.  She  was  suceeeded  by  James  Whit- 
aker.  who  also  died  in  1787,  and  their  present  leader  is  J.m-ph  Meacbani,  who  has  obtained  among  them 
the  reputation  of  a  prv)phet. 

3  G  2  ^viU. 


41  I  HESSIAN   SETTl.ERS   IN    AMERICA, 

will,  it  mav  noAv  be  presumed,  emigrate  to  America.  Some  few,  in- 
deed, may  be  tbund  willing  to  make  a  sacrifice,  in  order  to  indulge  a 
desire  to  visit  remote  countries.  It  is,  notwithstanding,  the  pride,  the 
boast  of  its  native  inhabitants,  a  large  majority  of  whom,  happily  for 
them,  believe  themselves  the  lirst  peoph;  upon  the  earth. 

On  a  shooting  excursion  in  the  skirts  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  so  called 
from  the  blue  tint  appearing  at  a  distance  over  them,  I  met  a  German 
inhabitant,  who  invited  me  to  refresh  myself,  with  a  draught  of  cyder. 
I  gladly  accepted  his  invitation,  and  over  the  glass  he  informed  me, 
finding  I  was  an  European,  that  he  came  to  America  with  the  corps  of 
Hessians  that  composed  a  part  of  General  Burgoyne's  army.  He 
proved  very  communicative,  observing  that  instead  of  being  sent  by  the 
Americans  to  Boston  to  be  embarked  for  Europe,  according  to  the 
terms  of  capitulation,  he  was  marched  to  Frederick  Town  in  Mary- 
land, which  proved,  eventually,  a  fortunate  circumstance  for  his  future 
prospects  in  life.  The  industrious  among  the  prisoners  quickly  found 
employment,  and  the  whole,  in  a  short  time,  obtained  their  freedom. 
The  Germans  apphed  to  agriculture,  land  being  then  easy  of  attain- 
ment, and  he  had  become  a  man  of  considerable  property. 

On  this  subject,  one  Richard  Dinmore,  *  who  resides  in  Alexandria, 

neat 


*  Tliis  Dinmore  left  his  country,  as  common  report  states,  at  a  time  when  so  many  fled  to  avoid  the 
punishment  which  awaits  traitors.  Like  Callender,  Duanc,  Antiiony  Pasqulii,  and  a  horde  of  British 
scribblers  in  America,  he  lias  the  direction  of  a  petty  newspaper  at  Alexandria,  which  he  calls  the 
Expositor;  wherein  he  vents  his  rancor  against  liisotTcnded  nation.  Dinmore  was  an  apothecary  at  Wal- 
ton, in  the  county  of  Norfolk,  in  England  ;  and  agreater  enemy  to  the  British  constitution  is  not  in  ex- 
istence. Not  content  with  slandering  his  country  through  his  own  press,  he  has  found  the  means  of 
publishing  his  observations  in  one  of  the  most  respectable  London  monthly  publications.  They  appear 
under  the  shape  of  Letters  to  the  Editor,  and  are  pompously  called  a  Tour  through  the  United  States  of 
America.  He  labors  to  impress  the  reader  with  the  idea  of  his  being  an  American.  This  tour  is  a  dull 
account  of  a  journey  from  Alexandria  to  Kentucky.  Speaking  generally  of  the  present  place  of  his  resi- 
dence, he  says,  ue  Americans,  our  country,  my  felloic-citizens,  and  the  American  war  he  calls, 
our  rtvolutionan/  tear,     lie  certainly  has  abundant  reason  to  value  the  country  which  has  adopted  him, 

for 


HESSIAN   SETTLERS   IN   AMERICA.  415 

near  the  city  of  ^\'ashington,  in  a  letter  published  in  London,  says,  "  la 
Alexandria,  there  are  now  resident  several  of  those  Hessians,  whom  the 

for  America  not  only  proved  to  him  an  asylum,  but  the  present  government,  ever  rewarding  democratic 
bawlers  and  apostate  Englishmen,  actually  employed  him  on  some  internal  negociation,  in  the  execution 
of  which  he  gives  a  tedious  detail  of  his  journey  over  the  Blue  and  Alleghany  mountains. 

There  is  scarcely  a  number  of  his  newspaper  which  does  not  contain  malignant  paragraphs,  and  infa- 
mous falsehoods  respecting  the  British  nation  ;  but  in  a  style  so  wretched,  that  its  circulation  even  with 
democratic  support,  is  very  limited  ;  and  were  it  not  for  the  advertisements  and  favor  of  the  government, 
Mr   Dinmore's  editorship  would  long  ago  have  yielded  to  the  smarting  strokes  of  poverty. 

Among  the  vile  scurrility  of  his  •'  Expositor,"  last  summer  was  the  following. — After  noticing  the  intro- 
duction of  the  American  minister,  Mr.  Munroe,  to  the  king,  he  adds :  For  once  au  honest  man  has  ap- 
peared at  the  court  of  St.  James's."  Another  paper  printed  by  Mr.  S.  Snowden,  in  the  same  town,  but  in 
the  federal  interest,  makes  this  observation  upon  the  paragraph.  "  It  is  no  doubt  difficult  for  an  honest 
man  in  the  doctor's  (Apothecary  Dinmore'-;  esUmatioi)  of  the  word,  to  get  admission  there;  yet  he  cannot 
have  forgotten  that  he  himself  was  within  a  cable's  length  of  having  his  name  announced  to  his  Britannic 
majesty — not  by  Sir  Stephen  Cotterill,  but  by  the  recorder  of  London,  and  ordinary  of  Newgate,  as  joint 
masters  of  the  ceremonies." 

The  following  will  shew  the  principles  and  the  style  of  writing  of  this  man,  in  his  letters,  published  in 
London, 

"  Should  the  present  administration  of  Great  Britain  pursue  towards  the  United  States  the  same  con- 
duct as  was  practised  by  the  last,  this  nation  will  take  such  steps  as  will  be  severely  rued  in  >/oiirs.  Be- 
lieve, and  I  wish  your  politicians  to  believe  me,  that  the  sense  of  this  nation  is  against  you,  more  espe- 
cially since  the  aggression  and  murder  of  Pierce,  by  one  of  your  commanders.  It  is  true  tie  deprecate 
■war,  for  ue  know  if  it  will  not  actually  make  us  miserable,  it  will  retard  the  progress  of  our  national  liap- 
piness ;  but  sooner  than  permit  our  free  citizens  to  be  murdered  and  impressed,  their  property  plundered, 
and  our  national  character  dishonoreti,  ue  will,  in  the  first  instance,  cease  to  deal  with  you,  next  (cry 
havock  and  let  slip  the  dogs  of  war)  let  loose  our  privateers,  and  enter  into  the  unprofitable,  detestable, 
and  impious  contest  of  trying  zvhic/i  nation  can  do  each  other  most  harm." 

It  is  a  very  old  but  a  very  just  observation,  that  wiien  an  unprinc^pled  man  injures  another,  he  in- 
stantly becomes  the  inveterate  enemy  of  the  party  aggrieved.  This  maxim  may  be  extended  farther 
than  the  ordinary  intercuurse  of  individuals.  Have  we  not  seen  Englishmen  who  have  injured  society, 
who,  to  avoid  the  punishment  due  to  their  crimes,  or  the  just  demands  of  their  creditors,  have  either 
crossed  the  Channel  or  the  Atlantic,  exceeding  in  political  rancor  those  who  would  naturally  be  expected 
to  shew  the  most  decided  hostility  to  the  interests  of  Britain  1  'Tisthis  feeling  that  has  impelled  a  Payne, 
a  Dinmore,  and  a  large  discontented  phalanx  in  America,  to  aim  their  envenomed  shafts  at  the  country 
which  gave  them  birth  ;  'tis  this  that  causes  a  Goldsmith,  a  Button,  and  other  expatriated  traitors  at 
Paris  to  surpass  in  the  virulence  and  scurrility  of  the  Argus,  even  the  eflfusionsof  Napoleon's  own  official 
Moniteur, 

English 


4I(>  STATE   OF   LITERATI' III.. 

ICni^lisli  paid  for,  ami  sent  to  conquer  this  coinitiy.  'riiey  staid  heir 
alior  the  war,  and  some  of  theui  are  now  auioui,'  the  weakhieNt  men  in 
this  plaee." 

Literature  is  yet  at  a  low  cbh  in  the  United  States,  During  mv  sta\ 
in  Philadelphia,  where  the  small  portion  of  genius  is  chiefly  to  be  found, 
I  heard  of  very  few  literary  characters,  superior  to  the  political  scribblers 
of  the  day.  .Joseph  Dcnnie,  and  jNIr.  Brown,  of  that  city,  with  Mr. 
Tcssenden,  of  Boston,  are  men  of  genius.  The  former  is  editor  of  a 
literary  periodical  paper,  called  "  The  Port-Folio,"  a  publication  which 
woidd  do  credit  to  the  most  polished  nation  in  Europ<?.  Its  cotempo- 
rary  prints  make  politics  their  j^rincipal  object;  the  Port-Folio  em- 
braces the  belles  lettres,  and  cultivates  the  arts  and  sciences.  The 
editor,  when  he  touches  upon  the  state  of  his  country,  speaks  in  the 
cause  of  federalism  ;  and,  from  his  great  abilities,  he  is  consequently 
obnoxious  to  the  ru  ing  party.  The  government  had  long  endeavored 
to  control  the  federal  prints,  and  had  already  inefl'ectually  prosecuted 
some  of  the  editors.  At  length,  they  denounced  Mr.  Dennie,  who  was 
indicted  and  tried  at  Philadelphia,  for  [)ublishing  the  following  poli- 
tical strictures  ; —  i 

"  A  democracy  is  scarcely  tolerable  at  any  period  of  national  history. 
Its  omens  are  always  sinister,  and  its  powers  are  unpropitious.  With 
all  the  lights  of  experience  blazing  before  our  eyes,  it  is  impossible  not 
to  di>cern  the  futility  of  this  form  of  government.  It  was  weak  and 
wicked  in  Athens.  It  was  bad  in  Sparta,  and  worse  in  Rome.  It  has 
been  tried  in  France,  and  has  terminated  in  despotism.  It  was  tried 
in  Fngland,  and  rej*'cted  with  the  utmost  loathing  and  abhorrence.  It 
is  on  Its  trial  here,  and  the  issue  will  be  civil  war,  desolation,  and  anar- 
chy. No  wise  man  but  discerns  its  imperfections ;  no  good  man  but 
shudders  at  its  miseries;  no  honest  man  but  proclaims  its  fraud;  and 
no  brave  man  but  draws  his  sword  against  its  force.  The  institution 
of  a  scheme  of  j)olity,  so  radically  contemptible  and  vicious, 
I  is 


NEWSPAPERS.  417 

is  a  memorable  example  of  what  the  villainy  of  some  men  can  devise, 
the  folly  of  others  receive,  and  both  establish,  in  despite  of  reason,  re- 
flection, and  sensation." 

This  paragraph  was  copied  into  the  federal  papers  throughout  the 
union,  and  it  became  extremely  obnoxious  to  the  democratic  party. 
The  trial  greatly  interested  all  ranks;  but,  after  much  time  being  con- 
sumed, and  much  party  spirit  evinced  by  the  contending  advocates, 
Mr.  Dennie  was  acquitted.  He  gives  a  sketch  of  the  trial  in  the  Port- 
Folio,  and  thus  concludes  : — "  The  causes  of  this  prosecution,  the  spirit 
of  the  times,  and  the  genius  of  the  commonwealth,  must  be  obvious  to 
every  observer.  The  editor  inscribes  vici  on  the  white  shield  of  his  inr 
nocence,  but  is  wholly  incapable  of  vaunting  at  the  victory  !" 

Mr.  Brown  is  editor  of  the  Philadelphia  Literary  Magazine,  a  work 
greatly  resorted  to  by  the  compilers  of  some  of  the  London  monthly 
publications. 

Printing  and  bookselling  have  of  late  years  been  extended  to  the  most 
remote  parts  of  the  country.  Several  newspapers  are  printed  in  Ken- 
tucky ;  and  almost  every  town  of  more  than  a  few  score  houses,  in  every 
state,  has  a  j)rinting-office,  from  which  the  news  is  disseminated. 
There  is  no  tax  whatever  on  the  press,  and  consequently  ever}^  owner  of 
one  can  print  a  newspaper  with  little  risk,  among  a  peoj)le  who  are  all 
politicians.  These  sheets  are  the  utmost  limits  of  literature  in  most 
country  towns,  and  they  furnish  ample  food  for  dis[)utation.  Several 
hundred  different  newspapers  are  daily  distributed  by  the  public  mail, 
in  all  parts,  to  subscribers,  at  the  small  charge  of  one  or  two  cents,  at 
most,  for  postage  ;  *  but  printers  exchange  their  papers  with  each  other, 
by  that  mode,  free  of  any  charge.  I  have  often  seen  a  printer  receive 
as  many  newsi)apers  b\'  one  mail,  as  would  fill  the  room  of  several  hun- 
dred letters. 

*  The  post-towns  in  tlic  ruilc-d  States,    and  wliicli  arc  rapidly  ijicreasiiig,  in  tlie  year  ISOI  amounted* 
to  1,159. 

English. 


418  PRINTING    AND   BOOKSELLING. 

English  publications  are  reprinted  in  various  parts  of  the  United 
States;  but  in  order  to  make  them  "cheap  editions,"  tliey  are  generally 
on  an  inferior  paper,  contracted  and  garbled  In  tliis  state  tbey  are 
issued  from  llie  press,  often  at  one-liftli  of  the  price  of  the  London 
editions.  A  work  recently  publishetl  here  at  the  price  of  two  pounds, 
five  shillings,  iu  the  last  l*hiladel|)hia  papers  is  advertised  at  two  dollars. 
A  book  of  the  description  of  these  sbt  ets,  with  views  to  illustrate  the 
subject,  will  there  appear  divested  of  those  ornaments,  and  the  whole 
matter  in  explanation  of  the  |)lates  suppressed.  If  works  of  great  ex- 
tent, such  as  the  Encyclopjedia  Britannica,  in  which  a  London  pub- 
lisher will  expend  many  thousand  pounds  before  a  single  copy  can  be 
oflerec)  for  sale,  are  attempted  there  to  be  copied,  many  months  are 
passed  in  procuring  subscril)ers ;  and  for  this  purpose  riders  are  sent  to 
every  large  town,  by  which  means  almost  every  inhabitant  is  solicited 
to  lend  assistance. 

In  some  instances,  however,  much  typographic  spirit  is  to  be 
met  wi:h.  jNIatthew  Car' y,  an  old  estal)lished  bo(jkseller  in  Phi- 
ladelphia, has  announced  the  accomplishmet  of  his  attempt  to  keep 
one  of  his  quarto  editions  of  the  Bible,  standing,  in  the  type;  and 
he  advertises  for  sale,  eighteen  ditterent  priced  qnarto  Bibles.  In 
his  advertisements  he  says  that  "  he  trusts  it  will  be  borne  in  mind 
that  it  is  the  first  attempt  that  has  ever  been  made  to  keep  the  quarto 
Bible  completely  standing.  The  paper,  type,  printing,  engravings, 
and  binding,  are  all  American." 

In  Philadelphia  the  printers  have  instituted  a  typographical  society, 
of  which  Mr.  John  Childs  is  the  president.  This  society  consists  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  members.  They  have  stated  meetings,  and  an 
aimiversary  on  the  first  day  of  November,  The  trade  contril)ute  to- 
wards a  fund  f()r  the  relief  of  the  sick  members,  and  the  burial  of  such 
as  depart  this  life  in  distressed  circumstances.  The  last  report  men- 
tions only  one  death  in  the  fraternity  during  the  last  four  years.     They 

2  profess 


BOOKSELLING— THE   ARTS.  4l9 

profess  the  principles  of  Franklin,  who  is  revered  by  them  as  the  father 
of  the  tvpographic  art  in  America. 

This  trade  have  an  annual  book  fair,  upon  the  plan  of  that  at  Leipsic, 
in  Gennanv.  It  is  lield  in  the  mouth  of  June,  at  Newark,  in  the  state 
of  New  Jersey,  twelve  miles  from  New  York,  Here  the  principal 
booksellers  meet  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  or  send  a  repre- 
sentative, to  arrange  the  general  business,  enter  into  regulations,  an- 
nounce intended  publications,  and  exchange  with  each  other  those  al- 
ready on  sale.  Matthew  Carey,  above-mentioned,  is  the  secretary  : 
but  Matthew  has  threatened  to  attend  no  more,  unless  the  fair  is  alter- 
nately held  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  where  the  booksellers  con- 
sider themselves  as  taking  the  lead  of  any  other  place  in  the  Union. 

In  a  countrv  presenting  agriculture  and  trade  in  their  most  advan- 
tageous points  of  view,  there  is  still  less  encouragement  for  the  arts  and 
sciences.  Few  individuals  have  3^et  amassed  a  fortune  sufficient  to  enable 
them  to  indulge  in  elegant  luxuries  ;  and  where  that  may  have  occurred, 
the  possessor,  of  mean  origin,  remains  still  sordid,  or  is  devoid  of  taste. 
Except  the  public  buildings,  there  is  little  employment  for  the  artisan. 
Haifa  dozen  of  our  best  portrait  painters  would  not  find  employment  in 
the  United  States,  unless,  like  lawyers  on  a  circuit,  they  travelled  from 
one  city  to  another.  As  many  engravei-s  obtain  a  bare  competence 
in  Philadelphia  and  New  York.  Mr.  Edwin,  son  of  the  late  comedian, 
the  best  engraver  iji  the  first  of  tliose  cities,  informed  me  that  he  was  paid 
with  parsimony,  was  obliged  to  give  long  credit,  and  was  undetermined 
as  to  his  longer  residence  among  them.  Mr.  Haynes,  another  artist  in 
the  same  branch,  after  some  perseverance  in  the  execution  of  his  busi- 
ness, was  obliged  to  return,  little  more  than  a  j^ear  ago,  to  London. 

Before  I  quit  the  subject  of  literature  I  cannot  forbear  taking  some 
notice  of  a  publication  which  recently  made  its  appearance  in  Boston, 
under  the  title  of"  Letters  from  London,  written  during  the  years  1802 

3  H  and 


142©  SI nicTU'Rr'?: ON  Austin's  ilttir^ 

*r^' *«♦).%  by -W^nmiHAn^ni."  Were  I  to  pass  it  over  in  siktire,  it 
miirht  |)crlia|)s  be  coiiNtrued  in  Amcri<N\  into  an  adinission  of  the  justice 
of  tbo  remarks  contained  in  tbat  volume.  I'nwilling-,  however,  to  af- 
ford Ml-.  Ai>st>n  o(i(>nsi,on.  ^br  such  u  triumph,  I  hero,  in  the  most  unqua- 
lilied  monher  det^lare,  that  his  book  is  throuGrhout  a  tissue  of  fiiUehood, 
misre^M*$entatforj,S  prejndroie,  -and  sriirrihty.  Tn  support  of  this  opinion 
I  shall  inti-odnce  a  in\t  passajTes,  which,  1  think,  will  prove  quite  sufli- 
cient  tor  every  English  reaUei*. 

Spenkinc;  of  monoiT^ical  governmeMts,  our  republican  says:  "  Kini^ 
and  noiil'js  are  the  severest  libel  which  a:iy  people  can  snfTi'r;  tl>ey  had 
their  origin  in  the  ztxtikncsi  of  mankind,  at  length  usurped  an  liereditary 
authoritv",  ai>d  now  have  tlK'ir  continuance  through  the  Z»£f.«'«i'.«s  of  man- 
kind. And  when  these  orders  are  once  instituted,  it  is  their  constant 
|)Olicy  tadifscourage  every  advance  to  former  virtue." 
h'  r,  '*T.' 

His  observations  on  th<'.  relations  between  masters  and  servants  in 
England,  furnish  not  only  a  corroboration,  but  also  a  contrast  to  what 
has  been  said  in  a  former  part  of  this  volume  concerninor  those  of  Ame- 
rica. *' Wiiat  do  you  imagine  is  tliie  tye,"  says  he,  "  which  restrains 
tbeEnaHsh  seinonis  in  this  ready  senilitv  to  their  masters:  Vou  observe 
I  mse  the  terms  srri<;vjifs  and  viasters.  A  sewant  isjKit  offended  if  you 
ask  hiin  where  his  master  is.  In  the  United  States — a  country  where 
triumph  the  purest  principles  of  leg>islation  Avhich  ever  adorned  civil  so- 
ciety*— a  country  i«  which  the  human  character  is  already  elevated  to  a' 
superior  species  of  man,  compared  with  the  miserable  wretches  of  Eu- 
ro|je — shonld  one  ask  a  person  where  his  master  was,  he  would,  doubt- 
less, meet  with  a  rough  reply :  for,  in  truth,  there  are  uo  such  characters 
in  the  United  Stutes,  as  masters  and  iservanLs.  1  will  now  tell  you  the 
reason  why  the  English  make  such  excellent  servants.  They  have  three 
things  liefore  their  e^•e8,  servitude  for  lile.  Botany  Bay,  luul  the  gal- 
lows. Servitude  they  most  commonly  esteem  the  least  of  the  three 
evils.     But  servitude  has  its  terrors:  lor  if  their  masters  dismiss  them. 

J  without 


STRICTURES   OX   ALSTIK'3   LETTOS.;  4^1 

without  a  charact<>r,  thev  are  undone.  Their  hal>its  ami  educatitm,  or 
rather  want  of  education^  render! ni*  them  useless,  they,  are  forced  to 
enter  the  lowest  class  of  that  great  body  of  men  who  live  at  the  [jiiblic 
expence  in  England." 

The  author  then  proceeds  to  display  his  wit,  as  he  doubtless  imagined, 
though  it  is  obvious  that  he  borrowed  his  ideas  from  the  degraded  situa- 
tion of  the  wretched  slaves  in  the  favored  land  of  republican  eqnalitv. 
"  The  servants  in  England  are  not  exactly  what  they  ought  to  be:  where 
the  fathers  and  sons  for  many  generations  are  likely  to  be  servants  dur-» 
ing  their  lives,  it  is  of  great  consequence  they  should  possess  as  little  as 
possible  either  of  tlie  dress,  m&nners,  form,  or  feelings  of  men.  Thev 
should  be  bred  in  the  most  profound  ignorance,  and  the5'  should  b& 
taught  from  their  infancy  to  consider  themselves  a  distinct  s|:)ecies.  To 
im|>ress  this  more  deeply,  they  should  be  ilisfigured'  as  much  a^  nifsfFit 
be  consistent  Avith  their  usefulness:  both  of  their  ears  might'  be  spai^etV, 
so  might  their  noses.  It  might  injure  their  healths  to  paint  them,  but"  it 
is  a  pity  that  a  certain  dye-stuff"  could  not  be  invented,  through  v/hich 
pers|)iration  might  pass.  '  In  short,  they  shouM  ift^' sni*  respects' be  treat- 
ed like  beasts  of  burden!!'^ "'  ^  "  :8<>i'«  '^'^  .uoian-joo  bsooiJnsm-l^ri  9i\i 

1  -jtii  f:i   doum  hiloubiioo  aiB  hnftlpn!! 

With  such  ribaldry  has  this  sd'ibhler  co^itiiVetl 'ib^'fifl  n p wards  o"f 
three  hundred  octavo  pages,  for  the  amus&mtrtt  of  his  Yafila^e-hrethrcii 
across  the  Atlantic.  Not  even  the  mirSst  solemn  sul^(^6>''ean  claim  an 
exemption  from  his  scun-ility.  He  makes  himself  extferneh'  mei-'i^}'  at  -a 
funeral,  describing  it  as  the  most  humorous  sight  which,  after  a  residoiicc- 
of  tour  months  in  I^ondon,  he  had  yet  beheld.  He  mitto'dk  it,  he  ;4iys, 
for  a  shew,  and  in  the  fulness  of  his  simplicity,  nb  doubt,  tinqniredof  an 
honest  Englishman  what  the  shew  was.-'  The' toter,-  it  seettts,  #Ith  (ii^- 
coming  indignation,  gave  thisblunt  reply^'  **''V'Ou  liid^- know  one  day, 
if  you  do  not  come  to  the  gallows."  Thfe  American  woidd  persuade  u*» 
that  he  took  the  hearse  for  a  baggage-waggon,  and  aodelighted  is  our 
Yankee  with  this  idea,  bright  as  that  of  Polonius,  who  pretended  to 

3  II  2  fancy 


422  STRICTURES   ON    AUSTIN'S   LETTERS. 

fancy  a  cloud  to  be  a  camel  or  a  whale,  that  he  constantly  calls  this  ve- 
hicle a  watrgon.  Now  for  my  part,  friend  William,  I  must  protest  that 
this  is  scarcely  more  ludicrous  than  your  black  boxes  on  wheels,  with 
sculls  and  thigh-bones  on  the  sides,  in  which  you  convey  your  dead, 
and  not  much  worse  than  dragging  them  on  the  shafts  of  an  old  buggie, 
or  in  an  open  cart. 

The  greater  the  decency  observed  in  paying  the  last  tribute  of  re- 
spect to  a  departed  relative  or  friend,  the  more  profound  is  the  impres- 
sion which  the  awful  scene  is  calculated  to  produce.  Had  our  contem- 
plative traveller  followed  the  funeral  to  the  grave,  which  I  sujjpose  he 
did  not,  he  would  there  have  witnessed  the  performance  of  the  last  so- 
lemn rites,  which  perhaps  would  have  furnished  a  new  subject  for  his 
satirical  talents,  because  the  English  have  not  yet  adopted  the  enlight- 
ened custom  of  consigning  their  dead  to  the  parent  earth,  like  some  fa- 
natic sects  in  America,  in  fields  and  gardens,  without  a  burial  service, 
or  even  a  prayer. 

Each  observation  of  this  author  concludes  with  a  comparison.  On 
the  last-mentioned  occasion,  he  adds:  "  I  believe  our  funerals  in  New 
England  are  conducted  much  in  the  manner  as  they  were  in  ancient 
Rome."  If  this  be  the  case,  I  wonder  how  they  came  by  this  tnanner, 
as  this  land  of  fanaticism  was  peopled  by  malcontents  from  Old  Eng- 
land, and  ignorance,  the  handmaid  of  superstition,  prevented  them 
from  distinguishing  the  manners  of  Rome  ti'om  those  of  Grand  Cairo. 

The  truth  is,  that  no  people  upon  earth  make  a  greater  parade  in  the 
burial  of  the  dead,  than  Mr.  Austin's  countrymen.  On  such  occasions 
what  they  call  "  warnings,"  is  the  day  before,  or  early  in  the  morning, 
given  of  the  funeral.  This  is  a  notice  or  warning  of  the  event  in  writ- 
ing, which  is  regularly  carried  from  house  to  house,  and  shewn  or  read 
to  some  of  the  family.  Some  hours  previous  to  the  procession  being  })ut 
in  motion,  the  neighbors  assemble,  and  the  tenement  of  the  deceabcd  is 

soon 


AMERICAN    FUNERALS.  423 

soon  filled;  to  whom  wine,  punch,  toddy,  and  cakes,  are  handed 
round.  During  this  time  some  dissenting  minister  is  frequently  ha- 
ranguing those  within  the  house,  in  what  is  called  a  funeral  sermon, 
while  the  great  body  of  those  who  mean  to  swell  the  procession  gather 
together  on  the  outside.  In  some  places  they  have  a  vehicle  which  may 
be  called  a  hearse,  but  as  rude  in  comparison  to  that  which  diverted  the 
Yankee  in  London,  as  their  stage-waggons  are  to  the  elegant  and  com- 
fortable public  coaches  met  with  on  the  ingh  roads  of  Britain.  It  is  in 
fact,  as  I  have  already  said,  a  kind  of  black  box  on  wheels,  and  some- 
times decorated,  not  with  nodding  plumes  of  feathers,  but  with  misera- 
ble daubings,  meant  to  represent  human  sculls  and  crossed  thigh-bones. 
This  vehicle  is,  however,  seldom  to  be  found ;  carrying  dead  bodies 
upon  men's  shoulders,  the  most  usual  mode,  is  certainly  attended  with 
less  expence. 

The  sermon  ended,  which  generally  consumes  an  hour,  and  sometimes 
two,  the  procession,  if  the  subject  of  the  ceremony  has  died  rich,  is 
conducted  in  the  following  order: — First  comes  the  undertaker,  in  a 
scarf  and  hatband  of  black  silk  or  white  linen,  according  to  the  state  of 
the  deceased,  then  follow,  side  by  side,  the  parson  and  die  doctor,  per- 
sonao-es  deemed  necessary  on  those  occasions,  and  who  are  also  compli- 
mented with  the  insignia  of  mourning;  the  other  clergy  of  the  town ; 
the  bodv,  when  no  hearse  or  chaise  wheels  are  used,  carried  by  four  in- 
ferior republicans,  without  the  smallest  trappings  of  woe,  while  the  pall 
is  borne  by  six  of  their  superiors,  in  hatbands  and  scarfs  similar  to  those 
of  the  parson  and  doctor;*  but  which  are  generally  put  over  a  drab  or 
other  coloured  coat,  presenting  a  motley  view;  then  Ibllow  the  inhabi- 
tants, two  and  two,  beginning  with  those  who  arrogate  to  themselves  in 
this  land  of  liberty  a  superiority  over  the  others,  until  the  whole  is  brought 
up  by  the  slaves  of  the  deceased.     These  processions,  such  is  the  usage, 

*  The  Briiish  Aristop'.ianes,  Foote,  in  one  of  his  ilrainas,  introduces  a  doctor  and  a  taylor.  The  for- 
mer has  just  returned  from  a  funeral,  and  Snip  from  carrying  to  a  customer  a  new  garment ;  upon  which 
he  observes  to  the  doctor  that  they  have  been  both  on  the  same  errand,  "  carrying  home  their  work  !" 

are 


424  AMKRICAN    FUNl-RALS. 

arc  sometimes  the  whole  Icnjjth  of  a  lariijje  town;  and  the  surviving  re- 
latives are  gratified  in  proportion  to  the  number  ot  attendants. 

The  interment  of  inferior  persons  is  also  ffenerallyattended  with  a  pro- 
cession. Instead,  however,  of  scarfs  and  hatbands,  the  mourners  con^ 
tent  themselves  with  a  piece  of  black  ribbon  or  crape,  tied  round  the  arm 
above  the  elbow;  and  on  these  occasions,  the  [)aradinfj^  of  the  priest  and 
the  doctor,  for  reasons  which  need  no  explanation,  is  omitted,  and  the 
corpse  is  committed  to  the  grave  w  ithout  the  reading  of  a  i)rayer,  or 
the  singing  of  a  psalm. 

From  these  customs  it  would  seem  that  Mr.  Ansi'm'^^  admiration  should 
have  been  excited,  at  witnessing  the  superior  solenmity  of  a  funeral  in 
the  metropolis  of  Britain.  A  touch  of  eini/  must  have  rankled  in  his 
breast  when  he  mistook  the  procession  for  afslicic;  especially  when  he 
compared  with  it  the  barbarous  imitation  of  his  countrymen,  which  has 
already  been  described.  Such  is  their  propensity  to  parade,  especially 
on  these  occasions,  that  the}'  would  certainly  adopt  this  slitw  were  the 
Dicans  of  making  it  in  their  possession.  If  any  proof  of  this  is  yet  want- 
ijig,  1  shall  adduce  the  circumstance  of  their  burying  General  Wash- 
ington ///  effigy  in  most  of  their  large  towns.  A  drawing  of  the  proces- 
sion on  this  occasion  at  Philadelphia  I  have  annexed,  which  will  con- 
vince the  reader  not  only  of  the  projiiiety  of  my  remarks,  but  fully  dis- 
play their  proj^ensity  to  pomp,  even  in  the  mockery  of  the  funeral  rites. 


CHAP. 


-^p.. 


-J 


■^^ 
1 


^^  n^ 


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V 


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^ 


■i     -^ 


-X 


^ 


423 


CHAP.  XXXII. 


THE  AMERICAN  CATTAIN  LITTLE  TAKES  A  FRENCH  CORVETTE  — TRI E  D  ON  CHARGES 
BROUCHT  AGAINST  HIM  BY  THE  PRISONERS,  AND  SUPERSEDED  IN  HIS  COMMAND 
— THE  FRENCH  SHIP  REPAIRED  AT  THE  EXPENCE  OF  AMERICA,  AND  RESTORED 
BY  CONGRESS— BLOCKADED  IN  BOSTON  BY  A  BRITISH  SHIP — ACTION  OFF  SANDY 
'hook  BETWEEN  THE  AMBUSCADE  AND  BOSTON  —  CIRCUMSTANCES  ATTENDING 
THE  RETURN  OF  A  DET,  THE  FRENCH  AMBASSADOR — BLOCKADE  OF  A  FRENCH 
FRIGATE  IN  NEWPORT  BY  THE  ASIA — JOHN  PIERCE  KILLED  BY  A  SHOT  FRCJ.M 
THE  LEANDER  —  PROCLAMATION    OF  PRESIDENT  JEFFERSON   ON   THE  OCCASION. 


XN  the  former  part  of  this  vohime  I  have  mentioned  the  vigorous  mea- 
sures resorted  to  by  President  Adams  against  the  depredations  daily  com- 
mitting-upon  the  commerce  of  the  United  States  during  his  administra- 
tion, by  the  French  in  the  West  Indies. 

'The  American  frigate  called  the  Boston,  commanded  by  Captain 
Little,  was  one  of  the  cruisers  sent  by  Mr.  Adams,  to  check  their  ])ira- 
tical  depredations.  Tliis  ship  had  fallen  in  with  a  large  French  corvette 
called  Le  Berceau,  and  took  her  after  a  faint  resistance.  Little  brought 
his  prize  safely  to  the  harbor  of  the  town  irom  which  his  ship  was  named 
and  at  this  time  Mr.  Jefierson  was  seated  in  the  presidential  chair.  On 
a  similar  occasion,  when  Commodore  Truxon  captured  a  French  fri- 
gate in  the  presidency  of  Mr.  Adams,  she  was  condemned  as  a  lawful 
prize,  and  refitted  to  cruize  against  her  fijrmer  owners. 

On  the  arrival  of  Captain  Little  with  his  prize  at  Boston,  the  repub- 
lican prisoners  were  extremely  clamorous  against  him,  and  found  means 

to 


426  CHARGES   AGAINST   CAPTAIN   MTTIE. 

to  send  a  remonstrance  to  President  Jefferson.  This  was  a  proceeding 
natm-al  to  men  who  are  prevented  from  tbllowing  their  nefarious 
career,  hut  that  the  reiu:ning  ruler  of  the  country,  sui)verting  in 
every  instance  the  measures  of  his  predecessors  should  notice  their  com- 
plait-.t  hy  degrading  Captain  Little,  was,  at  tlie  time  the  circumstanco 
happened,  a  matter  of  astonishment.  This  gallant  man,  like  Colonel 
Butler,  was  of  the  school  of  Washington. 

The  Columbian  Centinel,  edited  hy  Major  Benjamin   Russell,  one 
of  the  best  diurnal  prints  in  the  United  Stales,  thus  mentions  this  trans- 
action.    "  The  trial  of  Captain  Little  on  charges  alledged  against  him 
bv  the  oificers  of  the  French  corvette,  Le  Berceau,  has  excited  much 
sensibility  in  the  breast  of  every  real  friend  to  the  American  navy.     It 
has  been  considered  a  new  thing  under  the  sun,  for  a  brave  and  humane 
officer,  without  the  least  previous  investigation  by   the  government  un- 
der which  he  serves,  to  be  deprived  of  his  sword  and  ship,  and  be  com- 
pelled to  stand  a  public  trial,  on  the  bare  com|jlaint  of  the  prisoners  he 
liad  just  captured — \vhose  characters  were  known  to  be  intiiinous,  and 
whose  conduct  to  several  American  vessels  has  been  proved  on  oath  to 
have  been  little  better  than  that  of  pirates.     Yet  such  things  we  have 
seen,  and  on  the  oath  of  such  men  has  a  gallant  naval  commander  been 
subject  to  the  ignominy  of  arrest  and  trial — whether  from  a  desire  to 
rescue   the  American   navi/  from  the  suspicion  of  reproach,   or  from  an 
undue  attachment  to  the  the  French  republic,  let  the  manly,  good  sense 
of  the  American  public  determine." 

Captain  Little  was  brought  to  trial  on  the  charges  of  the  French  ma- 
rauders of  Le  Berceau  and  on  the  following  accusations : 

"  1.  Taking  money  from  the  prisoners. 

"  2.  Plundering  them  of  articles,  their  private  property. 

"  3.  Indecent  conduct  in  searching  them,  and  tlie  corvette  in  which 

they  were  made  prisoners. 

2  "  4.  Cruelty 


CAPTAIN   LITTLE  TRIED   AND  SUPERSEDED.  427 

"  4.  Cruelty  towards  them. 

"  5.  Kidnapping  a  part  of  the  crew  of  the  prize." 

Upon  the  trial  not  a  charge  was  proved.  It  was  evident  they  origi- 
nated in  that  vindictive  spirit  so  conspicuous  among  the  nation  of  the 
accusers.  By  the  judgment  of  the  court-martial  before  whom  he  un- 
derwent this  derogation,  he  was,  of  course,  honorably  acquitted. 

The  publication  above  quoted  farther  observed,  "  that  it  will  give 
pleasure  to  the  public  to  learn  that  not  one  syllable  of  these  charges 
were  founded  in  truth  ;  on  the  contrary,  they  appear  to  have  originated 
in  malice  towards  an  officer  who  had  arrested  the  piratical  career  of  tiie 
complainants;  and  in  the  expectation  that  the  government  would  be  more 
ready  to  punish  than  countenance  an  act  so  degrading  to  the  French  re 
public  as  the  capture  of  a  national  corvette." 

It  appeared  that  the  secretary  of  the  navy  betrayed  emotions  of  dis- 
appointment on  reading  the  sentence  of  the  court-martial ;  and  that, 
failing  in  fixing  the  pretended  indignities  offered  to  the  Frenchmen  on 
the  gallant  commander,  he  transferred  it  in  general  terms  to  his  crew 
in  order  to  convince  the  adverse  party  of  the  high  consideration 
he  entertained  lor  the  sister  republic.  Captain  Little  was,  not- 
withstanding, deprived  of  the  command  of  his  ship,  being  superseded 
by  Captain  Daniel  M'Niell,  and  has  not  since  been  in  the  employ  of  the 
government.  The  Boston,  on  the  7th  of  February,  1800,  was  con- 
demned as  unfit  for  service. 

The  French  shij)  was  immediately  restored,  and  ordered  to  be  com- 
pletely repaired,  at  the  cost  of  32,000  dollars,  and  every  possible  satis- 
faction was  made  by  the  loving  government  of  the  United  States  to  the 
crew,  to  enable  them  again  to  commit  fi-esh  depredations  on  their  com- 
merce. A  Boston  publication  of  that  date  says,  "  Yesterday  the 
Ex-American  corvette  saluted  the  morn,  noon,  and  sun-set,  with  21  guns 

3  I  each. 


AdH      1.E  nr.iuKAi'  biockaded  in  boston  i;y  the  pheasant, 

c-adi.  U'liL'Uirr  in  honour  of  the  destruction  of"  the  Bastille  in  1780, 
t)r  ul' till'  estal)lishmi*nt  of"  Cayenne  bastiles  in  1801;  or,  as  miiiht  be 
conjectured  from  the  luimber  of  guns,  in  connncmoration  of  the  sixty- 
three  revolutions,  constitutions,  See.  &c.  in  France,  we  have  not 
learnt." 

"  It  was  quite  gallant  in  Lc  Berceau  yesterday  to  degrade  the  British 
colours  while  lying  snug  in  a  neutral  port,  es])ccially  when  it  is  known 
that  an  English  ship  of"  inferior  force  has  invited  her  to  sea  to  take  a  trial 
at  flag-striking." 

When  the  corvette  was  ready  for  sailing,  a  small  sloop  of  war  called 
the  Pheasant,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Skipsey,*  tlien  a  master 
and  commander  in  the  British  navy,  was  found  ready  to  dispute  her 
passage  into  the  ocean.  The  Pheasant,  I  thiiik,  is  rated  at  eighteen 
guns,  the  corvette  at  twenty-eight ;  and  yet  iiotliing  could  prev.iil  upon 
the  Frenchmen  to  go  out  of  Boston  harbour.  Here  is  another  instance, 
to  use  the  language  of  Mr.  Juhn  Randolph  in  the  house  of  representa- 
tives, of  Great  Britain  fighting  the  battles  of  the  United  States,  in  seek- 
in?  to  destroy  her  own  enemv.  Le  Berceau  was  blockaded  in  Boston 
many  months  by  the  Pheasant ;  and  without  this  interposition,  she  would 
have  renewed  her  ravages  upon  the  American  trade.  Thus,  in  s]iite  of 
the  government,  did  Captain  Skipsey  save  their  vessels  from  falling  a 
prey  to  the  piratical  crew  of  Le  Berceau,  which  at  length  escaped  in  the 
usual  manner— favored  by  a  gale  of  wind. 

The  day  of  my  first  arrival  in  New  York  was  rendered  memorable 
by  the  severe  engagement  which  took  place  off  Sandy  Flook,  between 
the  Boston  and  the  Ambuscade.  We  heard  distinctly  the  broadsides  as 
we  jiassed  down  Long  Island  Sound,  but  knew  not  on  what  account  they 

•  This  gallant  officer  was  a  lieutenant  on  board  the  Berwick  man  of  war,  one  of  the  British  squadron 
under  Admiral  I'arkcr,  wliich  tngagcd  the  Dutch  fleet  on  the  Dogger  bank  during  tiic  American  war. 

a  were 


ACTION    Bi^TWEEN   THE    AMI3USCADE    AND   THE   EO.STON.  429 

vere  fired.  This  battle  being  premeditated  on  the  jwrt  of  the  FreiieH, 
various  were  the  conjectures  respecting  tlie  cause,  and  I  therefore  took 
some  pains  to  gain  correct  iiilormation. 

The  Ambuscade,  a  hirge  44  gun  frigate,  had  been  some  time  lying 
opposite  to  New  York,  and  it  was  known  that  the  Boston  was  stationed 
on  the  outside  of  Sandy  Hook.  Captain  Bompard,  who  commanded 
the  Ambuscade,  had  given  no  intimation  of  his  intended  departure,  un- 
til, on  a  sudden,  preparations  were  made  to  go  out,  and  a  report  was 
sj)read  that  Captain  Courtenay,  the  British  commander,  had  sent  him  a 
challenge.  The  circumstance  which  gave  rise  to  the  report  was  this : 
A  pilot-boat  had  carried  some  provisions  to  the  Boston,  and  as  the  pilot 
was  retiu'ning  down  the  side  of  the  shi[)  to  his  boat,  a  young  midshi[>- 
man  said  to  him,  "  Give  our  compliments  to  Captain  Bompard,  and  tell 
him  we  shall  be  glad  of  his  company  on  this  side  the  Hook."  This  lost 
nothing  by  the  way  in  being  communicated  to  the  French  commander, 
who  was  even  told  that  it  was  a  direct  challenge  from  Captain  Courtenay. 
It  soon  spread  over  New  York,  and  the  French  faction  began  to  feel 
ashamed  that  their  ship  should  be  blockaded,  and  thus  challenged  to 
come  out,  by  an  enemy  so  inferior  in  force.  This  was  a  spur  to  Bom- 
pard, who,  having  taken  on  board  a  number  of  American  seamen  that 
had  offered  themselves  as  volunteers,  he  promised  to  chastise  the  haughty 
foe.  He  accordingly  went  out,  attended  by  a  great  number  of  vessels 
and  boats  crowded  with  Americans  to  witness  the  tight.  The  Boston  soon 
descried  the  enemy,  and  was  observed  to  alter  her  tacks  and  to  prepare 
for  battle,  which  soon  began  on  the  j)art  of  the  French,  while  her  anta- 
gonist waited  her  nearer  approach.  The  Gallic- Americans  assembled  on 
the  occasion  had  already  begun  to  persuade  themselves  that  the  little 
Boston  was  declining  an  engagement,  when  she  opened  a  tremendous 
and  incessant  hre.  I  was  inlbrmed,  so  rapid  were  her  broadsides,  that 
she  gave  three  to  two  received  ti'om  herenemy  during  the  whole  engage- 
ment. In  the  heat  of  battle  the  brave  Captain  Courtenay  was  killed,  and 
the  tirst  lieutenant  of  the  Boston  badly  wounded.     I'he  latter,  having 

3  i2  passed 


430  VISIT   TO    TME   AMBUSCADE   AFTER  THE    ACTION. 

pa'vsod  throujili  tlie  surgeon's  hands,  was  hrounht  npon  deck,  and  proved 
an  able  substitute  for  his  deceased  ea|)tain  during  the  remainder  of  the 
bloody  conflict.     The  mainmast  of  the  Ainbu>eade  was  shot  through, 
and  could  barely  be  supported  by  the  shronils — a  breeze  would  have  car- 
ried it  by  the  board.     The  Boston  having  lost  her  t()re-to|)-mast,  she  put 
about  to  rei)lace  it,  and  soon  after  descrying  the  I'reneh  fleet  lioni  St. 
Domingo,  she  made  sail  towards  Halifax,  while  the  Ambuscade  de- 
clined Ibllowing,  happy,  no  doubt,   in  getting  back.     The  Democrats 
sft  u[)  the  cry  of  victory,   and  they  publicly  rejoiced  at  what  I  thought 
a    discomfiture.     N<!xt   morning  I  mixed    among  a  group   going   on 
Ix.ard  the  Ambuscade,  and  there,  for  the   only   time,   saw  the  horrid 
issue  of  battle.     The  decks  were  still  in  parts  covered  with  blood— large 
clots  lav  liere  and  there  where  the  victim  had  expired.     The  mast,  di- 
vested of  splinters,  I  could  have  crept  through;  and  her  sides  were  jierfo- 
rated  with  balls.     I  shrunk  from  tliis  scene  of  horror,  thongh  amongst 
the  enemies  of  mv  native  country,   'i'he  wounded  were  landed,  and  sent 
to  the  hospital,      I  connted  thirteen  on  pallets,  and  double  that  numi)er 
less  severely  wounded.     Nothing  but  commiseration  resounded  through 
the  streets,  while  the  ladies  tore  theirchemises  to  bind  tip  their  wounds. 
Advertisenvents  were  actually  issued  for  linen  rags  for  that  purpose,  and 
surgeons  and  nurses  in  numbers  rejiaired  to  the  sick  ward.     1'he  French 
oHicerswould  not  acknowledge  the  amount  of  their  slain.     I  calculate 
the  prpor  tion  to  the  wounded  must  have  been  at  least  twenty.     I  af- 
terwards went  on  board  the  Jupiter,  a  line  of  battle  ship,  and  one  of 
the  St.  Domingo  squadron.     The  sons  of  equality  were  a  dirty  ragged 
crew,  and  their  ship  was  very  (ilthy.     This  was  before  any  contagious 
fever  had  visited  New  York— these  fellows  were  alone  sufficient  to  en- 
gender disease.        I  witnessed   Bompard's  triumphal  landing  the  day 
after  the  engagement.     He  was  hailed  by  the  gaping  infatuated  mob 
vith  admiration,  ami  received  by  a  number  of  the  higher  order  of  De- 
mocrats with  exultation.    They  Icastcd  him,  and  gave  entertainments  in 
honour  of  his  asserted  victory.     He  was  a  very  small  elderly  man,  but 
dressed  like  a  first-rate  beau,  and  doubtless  fancied  himself  upon  this 

occasion 


ATTEMPT  TO   INTERCEPT  ADET.  4.31 

occasion  six  feet  high  !  At  this  moment  I  verily  believe  the  mob  would 
have  torn  me  piecemeal  had  I  been  pointed  at  as  a  stranger  just  arrived 
from  England.  I  ground  this  supposition  on  the  fact  of  a  British  lieute- 
nant of  the  navy  having  been  insulted  the  same  day  at  the  Tontine  col- 
fee-house  ;  but  he  escaped  farther  injury  by  jumj^ing  over  the  iron 
railing  in  front  of  the  house.  The  Hags  of  the  sister  republics  were  en- 
twined in  the  public  room.  Some  gentleman  secretly  remo\ed  the 
French  ensign,  on  which  rewards  were  offered  for  a  discovery  of  the 
offender,  but  he  remained  in  secret. 

In  thepreceding  part  of  this  volume,  I  mentioned  the  dismission  of  Ge- 
net and  Du|;laine  iiom  their  diplomatic  functions  by  President  Washing- 
ton. Not  long  afterwards  he  thought  fit  to  revoke  the  powers  gi-anted 
to  Mr.  Moore,  the  English  vice-consul  at  Newport  in  Khodc  Island. 

Adet,  the  ambassador  from  France,  being  recalled,  a  frigate  of  his  na- 
tion lay  at  Newport  ready  to  receive  him  ;  but  blockaded  by  the  British 
man  of  war  Asia.  He  embarked  in  a  Rbode  Kland  packet  at  New 
York,  in  order  to  proceed  to  Newport.  Of  this,  with  the  most  minute  ac- 
count of  his  suite  and  baggage,  Moore  received  information  troni  a  friend, 
previous  to  the  sailing  of  the  packet;  and  which  he  immediately  commu- 
nicated to  the  captain  of  the  Asia,  with  directions  to  intercept  the  French- 
man. Accordingly,  as  the  packet  approached,  the  British  ship  was  in 
waiting,  tired  a  gun  to  bring  her  to,  and  immediately  manned  a  boat 
and  boarded  her.  This  greatly  astonished  the  Americans  on  board,  \\ho 
had  never,  previous  tiiereto,  been  molested  by  the  cruizers  of  England. 
The  lieutenant  demanded  Adet,  and  upon  being  answered  that  he  was 
not  on  board,  he  was  proceeding  to  search  for  him,  wlien  he  was  assur- 
ed, that  being  becalmed,  the  packet  had  put  into  Stonington,  a  port 
about  twenty  miles  distant,  where  the  ambassador  landed,  with  a  great 
part  of  his  baggage.  The  officer  was  furnished  wiih  a  description,  and 
the  number  of  trunks,  Avhich  he  demanded;  but  they  had,  most  tbrtu- 
nately  for  the  monsieurs,   been  landed.     Adet  passed  along  the  shore 

while 


452  A  ruiNcii  rui'iATr,  ui.ockadkd  in  Newport. 

while  the  packet  was  un(ler2;oing  this  scrutiny.  Tlie  govtrnor  of  the 
State,  Arthur  Feiuier,  a  quakcr,  resented  the  in(h<;nity  ofiered  to  the 
Ainerican  flag,  and  sent  an  account  of  the  transaction  to  President  "W'ash- 
ini^ton,  who  immediately  revoked  the  iunctions  of  ]Mr.  Moore,  antl 
sent  a  strong  remonstrance  to  the  British  government.  I  thus  lost  a 
valual)!e  ac(|uaintance  Avith  that  gentleman's  amiable  family,  who  re. 
turned  with  hnn  soon  afterwards  to  England;  and  1  never  heard  how  the 
aii'air  terminated. 

The  I'rench  frigate  was  moored  in  the  harbour,  Avhile  the  Asia  kept 
her  station  near  the  Naraganset  shore,  about  four  miles  distant.  1  was 
alarmed  one  morning  by  a  great  bustle  in  the  street,  and  enquiring  the 
cause,  was  informed  "  that  iny  cursed  countrynuu  were  going  to  take 
the  French  frigate,  and  to  massacre  the  crew."  1  however  ventured  out, 
and  saw  the  Asia  majestically  a])proaching  the  frigate  under  a  crowd  of 
sail,  while  the  latter  was  warping  in,  nearer  to  the  town.  I  dreaded 
the  consequences,  and  had  every  reason  to  think  that  the  l^ritish  ship 
not  only  contemplated  tlie  seizure  of  the  Frenchmen,  but  even  meant 
to  fire  upon  the  town.  This  conjecture  was  founded  upon  the  circum- 
stance of  a  boat's  crew  from  the  Asia  coming  for  provisions  into  the 
town  being  grossly  insulted  by  the  inhabitants ;  and  the  British  com- 
mander having  threatened  to  bombard  the  town  if  the  least  violence 
was  repeated  to  any  of  his  men.  I  naturally  concluded  that  this  had 
again  happened,  and  that  he  was  coming  to  put  his  threat  into  execu- 
tion. With  great  anxiety  I  regarded  the  maiiceuvres  of  the  Asia,  which 
at  half  gun-shot  wore  ship,  and  returned  to  licr  station.  * 

Adet,  weary  of  being  pent  up  in  Newport,  determined  to  risk  a  flight 

•  On  my  return  I  was  followed  to  my  lodgings  by  a  number  of  boys,  singing— 
"  Englishman  no  good  for  me, 
Frentiiman  figlit  for  liberty." 
I  was  told  that  it  would  be  attended  with  the  utmost  danger  to  chastise  the  urchins— such  are  the  bles- 
sings of  liberty  end  equality  ! 

in 


TEMPER   OF   TIIE  AMERICANS  TOWARDS   BRITAIN.  433 

m  a  gale  of  wind;  and  to  this  end,  early  one  morning  be  hastily  got 
on  board  with  bis  suite,  when  the  frigate  slipping  her  cable,  pushed  out 
to  sea.  Tlie  thickness  ot'tiie  atinospbere  long  sheltered  the  ambassador 
from  a  discovery  by  his  enem3^  At  length  the  British  shi|)  descried  the 
frigate,  but  she  was  too  far  out  of  the  harbor  to  pursue  with  any  hopes  of 
success.  This  was,  however,  attemptetl,  and  from  the  heights  of  the 
island  the  chase  was  visible  as  the  day  cleared,  for  between  t\A'o  and 
three  hours,  when  the  Asia  reluctantly  gave  up  the  pursuit. 

The  French  captain  wrote  by  his  pilot  to  his  agent  at  Newport  an 
account  of  his  safety,  in  the  true  style  of  gasconade.  lie  obscr-^ed, 
"  that  having  the  ambassador  on  board,  his  orders  were  to  decline  an 
engagement,  which  v.as  a  fortunate  circumstance  for  the  English 
ship." 

During  the  latter  part  of  my  residence  in  the  United  States,  the  peo- 
ple grew  extremely  clamorous  against  Great  Britain;  and  their  former 
rancor  was  renewed  with  a  spirit  doubly  vindictive.      This  temper  had 
been  some  time  agitating,  and  from  the  impressment  of  tlieir  seamen, 
and  the  detention  of  their  vessels,  on  their  own  shores,  by  British  ships 
of  Avar.     Their  government,  at  length,  entered  into  an  investigation  of 
the  subject,  and  found  various  causes  of  complaint  against  tjie  conduct  of 
the  British  commanders  stationed  on  their  coast.     A  list  of  impressed 
American  citizens  was  au\cit;5cd,  Mith  directions  to  their  relations  and 
friends  to  transmit  proofs  of  their  citizenship.     Wiiile  these  steps  were 
taking    in  order  to  ground  a  remonstrance   to    Britain,    an    unlucivy 
ball,  fired  from  the  Leander,    man  of  war,   killed  an  American  citizen 
at  the  helm  of  his   vessel,  near  the  entrance  of  the   harbor  of  New 
York.     This  circumstance   bad  nearlj^  inflamed  the  people  to  acts  of 
retaliation,  and  instances  actually  occurred  of  unoffending  Englishmen 
being  menaced  by  the  exasperated  natives.    An  immediate  rupture  with 
Britain   av;is  insisted   on  bv  the  most  violent,  and  the  more  moderate 
deprecated  the  danger  of  the  hostile  steps  which  appeared  on  the  point 

of 


434  DEATH   01'    PlERl  E. 

of  l)(ing  resorted  to.  Tlioy,  however,  wisely  dctenniiicd  to  leave  the 
matter  to  Coni»ress,  Avho  passed,  after  threat  warmth  of  dehate,  an  act 
|)n>hibitin£c  the  importation  of  Ei)gUsh  nianutactures  into  their  ports. 
Tliis  was  coiisidereil  hy  some  as  a  preliminary  step  to  a  declaration  of 
war,  wliich,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  is  averted  by  the  recent  treaty  with  that 
country. 

The  man  whose  death  excited  sncli  an  extraordinary  sensation, 
was  John  Fierce,  who  had  borne  through  Hfe  the  character  of  an  indus- 
trious citizen.  His  remains  were  interred  with  every  demonstration  of 
resentment  against  those  who  caused  his  death,  at  the  pubHc  expencc ;  and 
were  attended  to  the  grave  by  the  state  officers,  corporate  bodies,  the 
mifitarv,  and  great  numbers  of  inliabitants,  in  |)rocession. 

The  following  proclamation  of  the  president,  Mill  sufficiently  shew  the 
temper  of  the  government  on  tliis  occasion  : — 

"  BY  THOMAS  JEFFERSON, 

"  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
"  A  PROCLAMATION. 

"  Whereas  sati^factory  information  has  been  received,  that  Henry 
Whitby,  commanding  a  British  armeil  vessel,  called  the  Leandor,  did 
on  the  ^.^th  day  of  the  month  of  April  last,  within  the  waters  and  juris- 
diction of  the  United  Slates,  and  near  to  the  entiance  of  the  harbor  of 
New  York,  by  a  cannon-shot  tired  from  the  said  vessel  Leander,  com- 
mit a  murder  on  the  body  of  John  Pierce,  a  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  then  pursuing  his  lawful  vocations  within  the  same  waters  and 
jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  and  near  to  their  shores;  and  that  the 
said  Henry  Whitby  cannot  at  this  time  be  brought  to  justice  by  the  or- 
dinary process  of  law. 

"  And 


PROCLAMATION   ON  THE   DEATH   OF   PIERCE.  455 

"  And  whereas  it  does  further  appear  that  hoth  before  and  after  the 
said  day,  sundry  trespasses,  wrongs,  and  unlawful  interruptions  and  vex- 
ations on  trading  vessels  coming  to  the  United  States,  and  within  their 
waters  and  vicinit\%  were  committed  by  the  said  armed  vessel  the 
Leander,  her  officers  and  people  ;  by  one  other  armed  vessel,  called  the 
Cambrian,  commanded  by  John  Nairne,  her  oHicers  and  people  ;  and 
by  one  other  armed  vessel,  called  the  Driver,  commanded  by  Slingsby 
Simpson,  her  officers  and  people  ;  which  vessels  being  all  of  the  same 
nation,  were  aiding  and  assisting  each  other  in  the  trespasses,  interrup- 
tions, and  vexations  aforesaid. 

"  Now  therefore,  to  the  end  that  the  said  Henry  Whitbv  mav  be 
brought  to  justice,  and  due  punishment  inflicted  for  the  said  murder,  I 
do  hereby  especially  enjoin  and  require  all  officers  having  authority,- 
civil  or  military,  and  all  other  persons  within  the  limits  or  jurisdiction 
of  the  United  States,  wheresoever  the  said  Henry  Whitby  may  be 
found,  now  or  hereafter,  to  apprehend  and  secure  the  said  Henry  ^\'h^t- 
by,  and  him  safely  and  diligently  to  deliver  to  the  civil  authority  of  the 
place,  to  be  proceeded  against  according  to  law. 

"  And  I  do  hereby  further  require  that  the  said  armed  vessel  the 
Leander  with  her  other  officers  and  people,  and  the  said  armed  ^  essels 
the  Cambrian  and  Driver,  their  officers  and  people,  immediately  and 
without  any  delay,  depart  from  the  harbors  and  waters  of  the  United 
States. — And  I  do  for  ever  interdict  the  entrance  of  all  other  vessels 
which  shall  be  commanded  by  the  said  Henry  Whitby,  John  Nairne, 
and  Slingsby  Simpson,  or  either  of  them. 

"  And  if  the  said  vessels,  or  any  of  them,  shall  fail  to  depart  as  afore- 
said, or  shall  re-enter  the  harbors  or  waters  aforesaid,  I  do  in  that  case 
forbid  all  intercourse  with  the  said  armed  vessels,  the  Leander,  the 
Cambrian,  and  the  Driver,  or  with  any  of  them,  and  the  officers  and 
crews  thereof,  and  prohibit  all  supplies  and  aid  from  being  furnished  them, 

3  k  or 


4y/  PROCLAMATION    oN   THE   DEATH   OF    PIERCC. 

or  anv  of  tlietn.     And  I  do  declare  and  make  kii«)\vn,  that  if  any  per- 
son, tioin  or  within  the  jurisdictional  limits  of  the  United  States,  shalt 
afford  any  aid  to  either  of  the  said  armed  vessels,  contrary  to  the  pro- 
hibition contained  in  this  proclamation,  eitlvcr  in  repairing  such  vessel, 
or  in  furnishing  her,  her  olhcers  or  crew,  with  supi)lies  of  any  kind,  or 
in  anv  maimer  whatever;  or  if  any  pilot  shall  assist  in  iwivigating  any 
of  the  said  armed  vessels,  unless  it  be  for  the  purpose  oi"  carrying  them 
in  the  first  instance,  beyond  the  limits  and  jurisdiction  of  the  United 
States;  such  person  or  persons  shall,  on  conviction,  suffer  all  the  pains 
and  penalties  by  the  law  provided  for  such  offences:  And  I  do  heieby 
enjoin  and  require  all  persons  bearing  office,  civil  or  military,  within  the- 
United  States,  and  all  others,  citizens  or  inhabitants  thereof,  or  being 
within    the  same,  with  vigilance  and  promptitude  to.  exert    their  re-- 
spective  authorities,  and  to  be  aiding  and  assisting  to.  the  carrying  this. 
proclamsUion  and  every  part  thereol" into  full  effect. 

•^  Ih  testimony  thereof,  I  have  caused  the  seal  of  the- 
h.  S.  United  States  to  he  affixed  to  these  presents,  and  signed* 

the  same  with  my  hand.. 

"  Given  at  the  city  ofAVashington,  on  the  third  diay  ofMay,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  six,  and  of  the  sove- 
xeignty  and  independence  of  the  United  States  the  thirtieth, 

(Signed)  "  Th.  Jefferson.. 

"  BY  THE   PRESIDENT. 

(Signed)  "  James  Madison. 

"  Secretary  of  State"' 


CHAP. 


457 


<:iIAP.  XXXIIL 


CVPSLM  — LAllGE  OIANTITIUS  OF  THAT  SUCSTANCC  l.Ml'OllTEU  FKOM  CANADA  INTO 
THE  UNITED  STATES,  AND  EMPLOYED  AS  MANURE  —  VITTSBUHCi — GENEHAL  OB- 
SEUVATIONS  ON  THE  WESTERN  TERRITORIES  —  MILITARY  T  A  V  U  R  N -K  E  LI' URS  — 
QUALITY  AND  PRODUCE  OF  THE  SOIL  IN  KENTUCKY — REASON  FOll  THE  LOSS 
OF  TEETH  AMONG  THE  AMERICANS — DIFFICULTY  OF  BRINGING  PRODUCE  Id 
MARKET    FaOM    THE    WESTERN    COUNTRIES. 


It  is  surj")rising  to  observe  the  quantities  of  gypsum,  or  plaister  of 
Paris,  which  is  carried  from  the  sea-ports  of  the  United  States,  into  the 
country.  The  waggons,  of  late  years,  make  a  profitable  return  load  of 
this  article,  which  is  pulverised  and  used  as  manure.  On  certain  lands  it 
produces  a  better  crop  of  w  heat  and  Indian  corn  than  any  other  kind,  and 
is  more  durable.  When  it  is  known  that  this  valuable  substance  is  not 
found  within  the  United  States,  the  trade  in  that  article  becomes  more  a 
matter  of  surprise.  It  is  procured  from  the  British  possessions,  and  not 
from  the  boundary  line  on  the  river  St.  Croix.  Vast  rocks  and  quarries 
of  gvpsum  are  Ibund  along  the  coast;  and  the  Americans,  uumolested, 
piltier  it  ti-om  the  inhabitants,  who,  indeed,  seem  to  account  it  of  little 
value,  ^^'hen  an  owner  of  the  soil,  which  rarely  happens,  prohibits  in- 
terlopers from  taking  it  away,  he  is  satisfied  with  some  small  tribute, 
]Many  scores  of  vessels  are  employed  in  canying  the  stone  along  the  coast 
as  far  as  Savannah,  in  Georgia.  I  have  often  wondered  that  the  British 
government  do  not  turn  the  matter  to  their  profit.  The  Americans 
would  purchase  it  by  weight,  as  they  sell  it,  to  great  ad^  antage. 

I  have  seen  this  valuable  manure  carried  as  far  as  Pittsburg,  on  the 
Ohio,  between  three  and  four  hundred  miles.  This  is  the  principal 
commercial  place  of  the  new  states.  The  river  Ohio  is  formed  b}'  the 
conilux  of  the  Monongahela  and  Allegany,  where  Pittsburg  is  situated. 

3  K  2  The 


4:^8  pirrsBURG. 

The  town  is  \vtll  built,  pnnci|jally  of  brick,  has  a  smoaky  appearance, 
and  contains  about  live  hunclrc(i  lionses.  The  situation  is  saitl  to  be 
hi'allh\',  and  agues  and  intermittent  fevers  rare.  My  stay  there  did  not 
aftord  time  enoiinh  to  ascertain  tlie  trutli  of  this  assertion;  but  the  inha- 
bitants of  Lexington,  and  other  places  in  Kentucky,  are  not  only  subject 
to  those  distressing  complaints,  but  to  bilious  attacks  towards  the  end  of 
autumn. 

Pittsburg  is  a  place  of  considerable  business.  It  is  the  staple  of  the 
trade  to  Philadelpiiia,  Baltimore,  and  Alexandria.  Here  are  two  print- 
ing-offices, each  publishing  a  newspaper ;  a  glass-house,  and  an  iron- 
founderv.  The  exports  consist  of  flour,  Indian  corn,  salted  meat  and 
jbutter,  bar  iron,  and  whiskey.*  Redstone,  an  improving  town  on  the 
river  Monongahela,  and  fifty  miles  above  Pittsburg,  also  sends  a  great 
quantity  of  produce  down  the  Ohio  to  \ew  Orleans. 

Of  late  years,  ship-building  has  been  carried  on  here,  though  upwards 
of  twelve  hundred  miles  from  the  ocean  ;  and  vessels  of  a  size  and 
strength  fit  for  the  trade  of  the  most  distant  parts  of  the  world,  have  been 
steered  safely  down  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi  into  the  gulph  of  Flo- 
rida. Vessels  of  war  are  now  building  on  the  Ohio,  intended  to  have 
been  used  as  gun-boats  against  the  powers  of  Barbary,  with  whom  the 
Americans  are  generally  at  war.  The  cordage  for  these  vessels  is  manu- 
factured at  Redstone  and  Lexington ;  and  the  adjacent  district  contains 
abundance  of  iron.  The  produce  of  the  country  is  transported  to  New 
Orleans  in  large  barges,  which  are  sometimes  forty,  and  even  fifty  days» 
on  their  passage,  going  with  the  current.f     To  return  by  the  same  route 

•  Next  to  Yankee  rum,  this  is  the  most  execrable  of  ardent  spirits  distilled  in  the  United  States. 
Whiskey,  made  of  rye,  and  yt  a  prupir  age,  is  not  so  very  deleterious.  'I'lie  manufacturer  will  swear  to 
the  jmrchaser  that  it  is  genuine  whiskey,  though  made  from  Indian  corn. 

t  lo  the  spring  of  the  year,  the  current  of  the  river  is  so  rapid,  that  there  is  no  occasion  for  oars  or 
t.iils.  They  might,  indeed,  prove  dangerous,  being  liable,  from  the  great  swiftness  with  which  the  boat 
would  then  go,[to  turn  it  out  of  the  current  into  an  eddy,  where  it  might  be  entangled  among  sunken 
hranches  and  roots  of  trees,  rendering  the  situation  extremely  dangerous, 

would 


WESTERN    SETTLEMENTS   OF   AMERICA.  439 

would  require  many  months;  the  barges  are  therefore  sold  at  New  Or- 
leans for  some  trifling  consideration,  being  frequentl}-  cut  up  for  fuel, 
and  the  bargemen  generally  prefer  returning  by  the  Atlantic  ocean. 
Thev  procure  a  passage  on  very  moderate  terms  to  Baltimore  or  Phila- 
delphia, and  return  on  foot  to  Pittsburg.  This  trip,  in  the  territory  of 
the  United  States  only,  requires  two,  and  sometimes  three  months.  The 
increase  of  population  in  this  country,  so  far  removed  from  the  ocean,  is 
astonishing.  Previous  to  the  American  war,  it  was  an  unexplored  de- 
sart,  occasionally  penetrated  by  the  savages  on  their  hunting  excursions. 
They  opposed  the  white  men  on  their  taking  |iossession  of  the  banks  of 
the  Ohio  ;  but  thev  are  no'v  driven  to  a  considerable  distance  ;  and  this 
country,  formed  by  nature  for  a  distinct  empire,  comprising  the  new 
states  of  Ohio,  Kentucky,  and  Tenessee,  with  the  territories  of  Indiana 
and  the  Mississippi,  contain  little  short  of  half  a  million  of  inhabitants! 
The  land  on  the  banks  of  the  river  is  chiefly  improved,  and  it  produces 
on  an  average,  if  entirelv  cleared,  iitteen,  twenty,  and  on  some  spots 
twenty-five  bushels  of  wheat  per  acre.  It  is  the  custom  to  notch  the 
trees  intended  to  be  felled,  the  year  before,  by  which  the  sap  no  longer 
running,  they  perish,  and  are  more  easily  cut  down.  The  stumps  are  ge- 
nerally left  to  the  decay  of  time,  and  on  such  land  the  crop  will  conse- 
quentlv  yield  a  third  less.  This  plan  is  adopted,  from  the  great  scarcity  of 
working  hands.  An  emigrant  eagerly  grasps  the  idea  of  the  cheapness 
of  the  land  in  this  part  of  the  world,  without  ever  reflecting  on  the  great 
difficulty  and  enormous  expence  of  clearing  and  tilling  it.  It  is  like 
calculating  on  the  smns  of  money  the  timber  would  produce  in  Eng- 
land, without  allowing  the  expence  of  land  carriage  to  his  vessel,  and 
for  its  transportation  across  the  Atlantic,  which  would  render  his  oak 
dearer  than  mahogany.  Without  a  sufficient  number  of  labourers,  all 
his  prospects  become  \'isionary;  and  hence  we  find  so  many  removals 
from  one  place  to  another,  and  such  numbers  entirely  abandoning  the: 
enterprize,  and  returning  impoverished  to  the  sea-coast. 

1  Every 


440  EXPENCli  OF   SErTLlNO    IN    kliNTfCKY. 

Every  afticle  of  lite  in  Kentucky  is  about  half  the  price  required  on 
the  sea-coasts.*  Lest  any  reader  should  he  prepossessed  so  irretrievahly 
as  to  he  resolved  to  ascertain  the  truth  oi"  my  oliscrvalions,  I  heg  him  lirht 
to  peruse  the  lollowing,  made  hy  Mr,  11.  Toulmin,  a  district  judge,  and 
residing  at  Tranktort. 

After  descrihing  the  difticulty  and  expense  of  travelling,  which,  by 
the  bye,  he  tells  you,  "  that  Englishmen  Irecpiently  do  not  learn  till  they 
have  spent  all  their  money  !"  or  in  olhur  and  plainer  words,  that  they 
are  ruined  by  the  length,  dilheulty,  and  expense,   of  reaching  the  place 
of  their  destination;  Mr,  Toulmin  descends  to  the  minutite.of  living. 
He  says  that  wheat  is  half  a  dollar  per  bushel;  oats  one  quarter  of  a 
dollar;  potatoes  the  same  price;  beef  M.  to  3d,  |)er  |)ound;  (in  order 
•to  acconnnodate  the  reader,  1  shall  deviate  from  Mr.  Toulmin,  and  men- 
tion the  price  in  British  money);  fresh  pork  (generally  shot,  or  otherwise 
killed  in  the  woods)  2d,;  bacon  3d.  halfpenny  to.4d;  salt  3s,  9d.  per 
bushel;  sugar  and  tea  as  dear  as  in  England;  but  English  and  other 
European  goods  are  one  half  more  at  least  than  in  the  respective  places 
Avhere  they  are  manufactured. 

This  gentleman  next  presents  a  scheme  for  purchasing  and  stocking  a 
farm,  and  laying  in  a  year's  provisions,  with  the  small  sum  of  1721.  I9s. 
British;  and  which,  like  all  other  xXmerican  speculations,  is  extremely 
flattering  when  viewed  upon  paper.     It  is  as  lijllows  :— 

»  At  l.Lxington.  in  Kenluiky,  there  is  a  retail  store,  kept  by  a  Mr.  Trotter,  wlio  is  supposed  to  do  as 
much  business  as  any  trader  in  ti.e  large  towns  on  the  sea  cbast.  He  sends  to  market  immense  quantities 
of  deer  skins,  the  sales  of  which  are  said  to  amount  to  between  thirty  and  forty  lliousand  dollars  annnally. 
This  circumstance  shews  the  numerous  herds  of  deer  with  whicl,  the  immense  forests  of  that  country 
abound.  In  winter,  the  carcases  are  also  frequently  brouglit  to  the  sea-jwrt  towns,  and  sold  at  the  price 
of  fresh  beef,  and  frequently  for  much  less;  the  Americans  not  being  su(Viciontly  skilled  in  F.picuriMU 
to  admire  {[».- haul  gout  of  a  haunch  of  venison,  it  is  frequently  soUl  at  a  much  lower  price  as  it  advances 
to  that  state  which  is  so  much  admired  at  out  city  feasts.  Mr.  Trotter  employs  many  waggons  in  bring- 
ing his  goods  from  Pliiladelphia,  and  returning  tlie  produce  of  the  country,  which  he  receives  in  barter 
for  the  manufactures  of  England,  and  which  cost  him  several  thousand  dollars  yearly. 

<i  80  Acres 


EXPENCE   OF   SETTLLNG    IN   KE>;TUCKY.  441 

L.         S.     D. 
80  Acres  of  land,  with  decent  cabbins,  and  30  of 

whicli  to  be  cleared  (that  is,   tit  lor  sowing 

grain)  _______ 

2  Plough  horses        --..__ 
2  Cows  and  Calves  ------ 

10  Sheep  

I  Plough 

Gecrs  and  saddles     ------ 

A  one-horse  cart        -         -         ^         -         -         - 
Household  furniture  -         _         -         -         - 

One  year's  provisions,*  viz.  1000  lbs.  of  pork     - 

300  lbs.  of  beef 

3  l)nshels  of  salt  ------ 

40  ditto  of  wheat         -        -        -         -         - 

8  ditto  of  Indian  corn  -        -        -         . 

2000  lbs,  of  hay  -         .         -         .         . 

20  bushels  of  potatoes  -         -         _         _. 

Sundries     ------- 

S.  172     ly    0 

All  this  sounds  pleasing  to  the  ear,  and  appears  satisfactory  to  the  eye,, 
but  Mr.  Toulmin  was  no  judge,  it  seems,  of  the  cost  of  this  farmer  in 
arriving  with  his  family  at  the  place  of  purchase.  Indeed,  it  appears 
beyond  his  calculation,  for  he  very  judiciously  puts  it  under  the  sM'eep- 
ing  observation — "  that  Englishmen  frequently  do  not  learn  it  (to  travel) 
until  they  are  ruined."     At  a  nearer  guess,  I  can  inform  him,  that  it  will 


*  In  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  tamilies  lay  in  provisions  of  this  kind  every  winter  for  the  year. 
In  summer  time,  especially  in  the  back  forests,  they  can  have  no  fresh  provisions.  The  heat  of  the  wea- 
ther, and  the  myriads  of  insects,  keep  the  cattle  in  the  state  of  Pharaoh's  kine;  and  the  torment  is  often 
so. insupportable,  that  they  run  off  half-mad,  and  become  wild. 

cost 


90 

0 

0 

22 

0 

0 

4 

10 

Q 

4 

10 

0 

1 

7 

a 

4 

10 

0 

7 

10 

a 

15 

0 

0 

4 

10 

0 

2 

10 

d 

I 

7 

a 

4 

TO 

0 

3 

12 

0 

1 

10 

0 

1 

2 

6 

4 

10 

0 

442  MILITARY    TAVERN-KEEl'ERS. 

cost  nearly  double  the  contemplated  price  of  this  farm  before  he  can  piacr 
his  family  upon  it;  if  I  may  calculate  upon  the  charge  of  one  hundred 
•Guineas  lately  paid  by  a  mercantile  friend  of  mine,*  for  his  passage  to 
New  York.  It  will  also.be  remembered,  that  the  cause  of  the  apparent 
cheapness  of  provisions  arises  from  the  diihculty  of  carrying  the  surplus 
to  market  after  supplying  themselves.  Taking, this  into  consideration, 
together  with  the  advanced  price  of  European  goods,  tea,  and  sugar,  and 
above  all,  the  expense  of  travelling,  there  will  remain  no  very  great  ba- 
lance in  favor  of  the  western  country  over  the  Atlantic  states.  This  is 
a  subject  which  writers,  who  wish  to  flatter  emigrants,  will  not  touch 
upon ;  and  for  the  same  reason,  they  will  be  apt  to  deny  the  truth  of 
these  observations.  It  will  not  be  amiss  also  to  take  in  view  that  Mr. 
'J'uulmin  holds  a  large?  property  on  the  very  spot  which  he  describes;  and 
that,  being  a  man  of  influence,  and  a  district  judge,  every  emigrant  in 
some  degree  adds  to  his  fortune  and  his  power.. 

In  travellinji  these  dreary  roads,  a  stranger  is  amazed  at  the  number 
of  ci-devant  military  officers  and   infatuated  emigrants  he  meets  with. 
The  miserable  places  of  entertaiimient,  which  they  call  taverns,  are  ge- 
nerally kept  by  a  colonel  or  a  major;  and  I  have  known  even  waggoners 
who  had  formerly  been  field-ofHcers.     They  are  extremely  tenacious  of 
their  titles,  and  though   many  acquired  them  merely  by  attending  a 
muster  in  the  militia,  and  were  then  displaced,  yet,  to  omit  the  colonel 
or  the  major  would  imply  disrespect,  and  bring  on  you  some  rebuke,  if 
not  from  the  redoubted  hero  himself,  at  least  some  friend  or  one  of  the 
family  would  inmiediately  supply  the  defect,  or  tell  you  how  to  accost 
your  host.     They  rigidly  adhere  to  the  vulgar  adage,  "  once  a  captain 
always  a  captain."     I  have  had  the  honor  of  being  qucsiinned  by  these, 
men  of  rank,  from  Colonel  Coleman,  landlord  of  the  Bunch  of  Grapes 
inn.  State-street,  Boston,  to  Colonel  Ri[)ey,  who  keeps  the  sign  of  the 

♦  III  the  nn>t  chapter,  I  have  mentioned  that  1  paid  for  my  passage  to  Boston  lliirty  guineas— such  was. 
the  price  in  those  times.  '■' 

General 


QUALITY    AND    PRODUCE   OF   THE   SOIL   IN    KENTUCKY.  443 

General  Washington  at  Shippensburg,  in  the  back  part  of"  Pennsylvania. 
At  the  house  of  the  latter  commander  ended  the  line  of  stages  running 
towards  Pittsburg,  and  the  travellers  were  obliged  either  to  purchase 
horses,  or  to  walk  the  remainder  of  the  road— one  hundred  and  sevent}^ 
miles!  There  were  several  horses,  it  is  true,  kept  for  sale;  even  Colo- 
nel Ripey  could  have  accommodated  the  traveller;  but  then,  aware  of 
his  distress,  he  would  have  exacted  double  price.  I  was  sorry  to  hear 
that  this  lucrative  part  of  the  colonel's  business  was  destroyed,  by  a  re- 
gular stage  being  lately  established  the  whole  way  to  Pittsburg,  for  he 
was  good-humored,  and  dealt  out  his  interrogatories  with  some  decency- 
One  principal  cause  of  the  richness  of  the  land  in  Kentucky  is  tiie 
thick  bed  of  leaves,  and  rotting  trunks  of  trees,  with  which  the  earth  had 
been  covered  every  year  for  many  generations,  and  which  decayed  into 
a  rich  and  deep  vegetable  surface  that  will  endure  manj^  years'  cultiva- 
tion without  being  exhausted.  This  was  in  some  measure  the  case  on 
the  shores  of  the  Atlantic  on  the  discovery  of  America,  but  the  virtue 
has  been  long  extracted,  and  the  planter  is  very  sparing  of  manure, 
though  it  may  often  be  made  from  the  weed  thrown  up  by  the  ocean, 
uhich,  from  its  saline  particles,  is  excellent  for  most  of  the  land,  the 
trouble  being  the  great  obstacle  to  its  employment.  I  have  seen  thou- 
sands of  acres  zoom  out,  as  they  call  it,  and  lying  waste,  particularly 
tobacco-fields,  that  being  a  plant  which  greatly  impoverihhes  wherever 
it  is  cultivated. 

The  goodness  of  the  land  is  ascertained  by  the  description  of  the  tiiri- 
ber  with  which  it  is  covered.  That  of  the  first  qualit}^  produced  black 
oak,  commonly  called  black  jack;  white  oak,  some  of  which  yield 
acorns  nearly  the  size  of  hens'  eggs;  white,  black,  and  blue  ash;  the 
white  walnut;  the  cherry  tree;  the  slippery  elm;  the  coffee  tree,  which 
bears  no  fruit  of  its  name;  the  honey-locust,  j)roducing  nothing  sweet; 
the  sugar  maple,  Ironi  which  sugar  is  made;  the  beech  and  ))lane;  the 
white  and  yellow  poplar;  the  cucumber-tree,  which  bears  not  good  iruit; 
and  the  tall  and  weeping  willow. 

3  L  Land 


444      rRODUCE  of  kentlxky — cause  or  the  loss  of  teeih. 

Laiul  of  the  st'concl  ([uality  beai-sthe  red  oak  ;  hlack  oak,  of  an  infe- 
rior c|uality  to  the  bUick  jack ;  tl»e  sassafrass,  the  root  of  which  is  a  great 
cleanser  and  purilier  of  the  blood;  the  sweet  and  common  ^nnn  trees, 
which  produce  neither  a  gummy  nor  resinous  substance.  On  the  third 
uualily  will  be  lound  some  interior  kinds  of  red  and  black  oak,  pines, 
and  cedars. 

Indian  corn  thrives  in  an  eminent  degree  in  Kentucky;  the  best  lands 
producing  fr(.)m  thirty  to  forty  bushels  per  acre,  each  weighing  from 
lifty  to  sixty  pounds.  Some  writers  on  this  sul>ject  allirm,  that  in  very 
plentiful  years  the  produce  has  been  known  to  yield  an  hundred  bushels 
per  acre.*  I  confess,  that  I  never  knew  such  an  instance,  nor  could  1 
find  any  planter  to  corroborate  the  assertion.  This  grain,  greatly  as  it 
is  esteemed  and  used  where  it  is  grown,  is  not  suited  for  consumption 
either  in  England  or  Ireland.  In  the  latter  kingdom,  during  the  years 
of  scarcity,  1797  and  1798,  when  it  was  brought  over  in  large  quantities, 
it  was  despised  even  by  the  lowest  class  of  the  people. 

Many  reasons  have  been  adduced  for  the  premature  loss  of  teeth 
among  Americans.  I  am,  myself,  convinced,  that  the  principal  cause 
arises  from  the  constant  use  of  Indian  meal,  which  they  make  into  Hat 
pieces  of  dough,  seven  or  eight  inches  in  length,  three  or  four  in  width, 
and  generally  half  an  inch  thick,  and  bake  upon  a  flat  board  before  the  fire. 
This  they  call  Johnny  cake,  and  they  eat  it  with  butter  quite  hot;  in  fact, 
it  is  never  used  cold  but  on  some  emergency.  Their  salt  pork,  |)ickled 
herrings,  and  coffee  infamously  made,  druidc  almost  scalding  hot,  added 
to  the  Johnny  cake,  the  constant  breakfast  and  supper  of  the  lowest 
class,  must  certainly  be  great  enemies  to  the  teeth.  At  dinner,  also, 
the  common  bread  is  this  favorite  hot  cake. 

*  The  climate  here  is  less  subject  to  summer  rains,  gusts,  and  whirlwinds;  and  these  crops  are  the 
produce  only  uf  what  they  term  lucky  scasont ;  yet  the  crops  are  in  some  degree  uncertain,  while  the 
animals  which  destroy  the  seca  in  iho  planting  season  arc  more  numerous  than  towards  the  coast. 

The 


DI^TAXCE   OF    MAKKKTS    I'RO.M   THE    WESTERN    COUNTRY.  445" 

The  quantity  of  Indian  com  raised  in  this  western  countrj',  lias  proved 
another  incentive  to  the  emigrants  to  Hock  towards  the  Oh  o ;  but  they 
do  not  wait  to  calculate  on  the  small  value  it  bears.  A  quarter  of  a  dol- 
lar per  bushel,  is  about  the  medium.  If  the  planter  sends  it  to  a  distant 
market,  ISew  Orleans,  a  barge  load  will  cost  two  or  three  hundred  dol- 
lars. If  sent  to  the  sea-coast,  the  carriage  is  still  more  expensive;  and 
though  the  price  the  corn  may  bring  when  arrived,  should  defray  ex- 
pences  and  leave  a  protit,  yet  no  one  will  undertake  the  long  voyage 
witiiout  an  advance;  and  very  few  emigrants  are  possessed  of  superllu- 
ous  cash  for  a  few  years  after  their  arrival. 

Tobacco,  hemp,  and  flax,  are  also  cultivated  to  advantage  in  the  wes- 
tern territory.  The  price  of  the  former,  where  grown,  is,  on  an  ave- 
rage, two  dollars  per  hundred  weight;  but  when  it  arrives  at  the  port 
whence  it  is  shipjied,  it  is  advanced  to  eight  dollars.  This  fact  I 
had  an  opportunity  of  ascertaining,  having  paid  that  price  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  this  is  about  the  ratio  of  other  kinds  of  produce.  Thus,  it 
costs  three  times  the  expense  of  raising,  to  bring  it  to  market.  When 
in  the  merchant's  hands,  the  emigrant  certainly  expects  to  realize  the 
fruits  of  his  toil.  Here  he  will  meet  with  another  impediment,  for  he 
must  expect  no  remittance  from  his  commercial  agent  for  at  least  six 
months.  The  merchant  ships  it  as  a  payment  ibr  English  goods, 
on  which  he  has,  perhaps,  had  a  year's  credit.  Every  description  of  bu- 
siness on  a  large  scale  in  America,  is  done  on  very  long  credit;  and  it 
you  cannot  give  that  accommodation,  you  must  keep  your  articles  till 
tliey  perish,  or  dispose  of  them  at  an  inferior  price. 


3l2  chap. 


440 


CHAP.  XXXIV, 


THOMAS     PAINE. 


X^  ROjVI  the  commencement  of  this  work,  it  has  been  my  intention  to 
devote  a  page  or  two  to  a  cliaracter  Avho  has  caused  much  disturbance 
in  England,  who  once  acquired  great  notoriety  in  France,  and  who  has 
recently  returned  to  the  United  States  of  America  to  close  a  mortal  ca- 
reer, wliich  has  been  marked  with  efforts  to  cause  anarchy  in  go^  crn- 
ments,  and  to  subvert  even  the  christian  religion.  The  reader  will  per- 
ceive that  I  mean  the  accursed  English  apostate,  Thomas  Paine.  From 
one  chapter  to  another  I  have  contemplated  the  introduction  of  the 
hateful  subject,  until  I  came  to  that  which  gives  some  American  j^ub- 
lic  characters.  Here  I  paused,  but,  after  some  deliberation,  I  consi- 
dered even  the  worst  set  of  men  would  be  disgraced  by  admitting  him 
into  a  classification.  Arnold  was  a  traitor  to  the  country  which 
gave  him  birth — but  Arnold  did  not  add  to  this  crime  that  of  scoffing 
against  the  laws  of  his  God.  He  did  not  subvert  the  religion  in  which 
lie  was  educated;  and  though  he  broke  the  bonds  by  which  he  had 
bound  himself  to  the  service  of  his  country,  he  did  not  attempt  to  warp 
the  minds  of  his  fellow-men,  from  the  homage  they  owed  to  an  over- 
seeing and  indulgent  Providence,  which,  by  Paine's  own  confession, 
snatched  the  infidel  even  from  the  jaws  of  death.  Here  he  alludes  to 
some  interposition  which  saved  him,  though  long  in  prison  among  the 
proscribed,  from  the  axe  of  the  guillotine.  This  interflM'ence  was  the 
mercy  of  Providence,  who,  we  must  suppose,  for  a  while  spared  his 

life, 


JEFFERSON'S   INVITATION    OF   PAINE.  447 

life,  that  his  obdurate  heart  might  be  softened  into  true  repentance, 
in  which  all  christians  found  their  hope  of  everlasting  salvation.  How 
did  this  recreant  employ  the  hours  of  his  imprisonment  ?  With  death 
staring  hmi  in  the  face — with  momentary  expectation  of  being 
called  to  render  an  account  of  his  misdeeds  before  a  judge  omni- 
potent—he com|)oscd  a  part  of  his  blasphemy  called  the  "  Age  of  Jlea- 
son,"  and  when  liberated  through  the  agency  of  the  invisible  and  merci- 
ful Divine  power,  he  fell  to  work  to  disseminate  his  impiety  through  the 
world.  I  have  therefore  determined  that  he  shall  stand  alone,  in  order 
that  the  reader  may  either  point  the  finger  of  scorn,  or  pass  over  the 
despised  subject  of  this  chapter. 

Mr.  Jefferson,  the  present  |)resident  of  the  United  States,  is,  beyond 
contradiction,  in  many  worldly  attainments,  of  superior  abilities — but 
in  Mr.  Jefferson  we  have  another  proof  of  the  fallibility  of  man— ano- 
ther strong  instance  how  imperfect  is  our  nature,  and  that  perfection  is 
in  God  alone.  A  fatal  error  committed  by  the  present  ruler  of  a 
large  democracy,  was  his  inviting  this  apostate  to  accept  an  asylum 
in  the  bosom  of  his  country,  and  procuring  the  means  of  his  esca|)e 
from  France,  after  he  had  made  himself  the  detestation  even  of  that 
nation. 

Americans  have  shewn  their  hatred  to  this  fellow,  even  to  such  a  de- 
gree as  to  attempt  his  assassination.  He  was  fired  at  while  sitting  in 
his  parlour,  and  again  Providence  averted  the  blow.  Much  as  I  despise 
him,  I  reprobate  tliis  worst  of  crimes  which  one  mortal  can  commit 
against  another.  No,  I  would  not  have  even  Thomas  Paine  die  by 
the  hands  of  an  assassin;  but  I  would,  in  pity  to  so  great  a  sinner,  let 
him  die  a  lingering  death,  that  he  might  still  have  ample  time  to  make 
his  peace  with  offended  heaven. 

Finding  at  the  present  moment  that  I  am  near  the  end  of  my  volume, 
I  have  taken  up  the   pen  on   this  head.      PTere  have   I  again  hesi- 
tated 


448  SIRICTLRES   ON    JEFlERSON's    INVITATION    OF    PAINE, 

tutcil,  and  resorted  afresh  to  my  inomorandiims  and  dociunents.  Hap- 
pily I  have  found  myseU"  sparcjd  the  necessity  of  penninf:f  my  own  com- 
ments, which  might  have  |)rovcd  in  their  progress  too  violent  to  be  pre- 
sented to  the  eye  of  the  reader,  by  the  well-applied  sentiments  of  an 
American,  who  signs  himself  "  A  native  Virginian,  and  whicii  are  ex- 
tracted from  a  |)rint  published  at  tlie  very  seat  of  government.  Alter 
many  severe  strictures  on  the  conduct  of  President  Jefferson,  with  re- 
spect to  Paine,  this  author  thus  proceeds : 

"  Citizens  of  America!  I  mean  ye  native  born  and  long-since-adopt- 
ed citizens:  ye  who  have  something  at  stake;  ye  who  believe  in  the 
existence  of  a  God  ;  ye  who  dread  those  distressing  and  those  over- 
whelming scenes  of  anarchy,  rapine,  and  murder,  which  Iiave  so  re- 
cently covered  with  blood  a  great  portion  of  the  ancient  world;  pause 
a  moment,  I  beseech  you,  on  this  most  inglorious  and  insulting  act  of 
the  tirst  magistrate  of  this  great  and  enlightened  nation  :  see  the  out- 
rages offered  to  your  imderstandings,  and  the  sovereign  contempt  in 
Avhich  the  good  opinions  of  the  religious,  the  orderly,  and  most  inde- 
pendent characters  of  our  country  are  held  by  the  man  whom  we  so 
inifortunately  conducted  to  the  most  dignified  seat  in  the  Union.  I 
mean  not  to  attempt  at  declamation  with  a  view  to  inflame  your  pas- 
sions, or  to  beguile  your  understandings.  It  will  be  only  necessary  to 
call  your  attention  to  a  few  plain  and  well  established  facts,  to  satisfy 
you  that  the  invitation  to  this  country  of  that  monster  of  impiety,  Paine, 
by  the  president,  was  an  act  mean,  base,  and  degrading  in  itself,  and 
highly  dishonorable  to  the  nation;  and,  as  such,  be  assured  it  will  be 
viewed  by  all  Europe,  and  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  where  chris' 
tianity  or  morality  shall  be  revered. 

"  Recollect,  that  this  beastly,  drunken  infidel  was  confined  in  one  of 
the  gaols  of  Paris,  under  dailj^  expectations  of  being  dragged  to  the 
guillotine.  Well  knowing  the  temper  of  the  times,  and  the  extreme 
viciousncss  and  licentiousness  of  the  jacobin,  then  the  ruhiig  fiiction,  he 

wrote 


STRICTL'RES   OX   JEFFERSON'S    INVITATION    OF   PAINE.  449 

wrote  and  published  that  detestable  book,  the  '  Age  of  Reason.'  This 
■work  being  congenial  with  the  principles  and  the  new  philosophy  of 
that  faction,  it  was  patronised  and  disseminated  with  great  fanatic  zeal 
and  industry,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  Christian  religion,  and 
of  corrupting  the  morals  ot  the  people,  that  they  might  the  more  easily 
be  brought  within  the  fangs  of  arbitrary  power  and  despotism.  With 
what  success  this  was  done,  let  the  innocent  spirits  of  the  thousands  and 
tens  of  thousands,  of  all  ages  and  sexes,  m ith  whose  blood  it  is  well 
known  that  unfortunate  countr}'  was  deluged — answer.  Let  our  own 
observations  too,  respecting  the  rapid  advances  which  atheistical  and 
deit/tical  sentiments  have  made  in  this  country,  within  the  last  ten  years, 
also,  answer  the  question.  Know  then,  that  for  these  labors,  which  the 
president  of  the  United  States  calls  '  uselul,'  the  sacrilegious  liead  of  the 
author  was  then  spared.  This  is  a  fact  too  m  ell  established  to  be  con- 
tradicted. But  as  the  jacobin  party  sunk  in  France,  that  miscreant, 
Paine,  became  unnoticed  and  contemptible.  He  ^^as  only  seen  and 
known  as  a  drunken  blackguard  in  the  streets,  or  heard  of  in  the  stews 
and  garrets  of  Paris.  And  as  order  and  religion  gained  ground  in 
France,  the  name  of  Paine  became  e\ery  day  more  and  more  abhor- 
rent to  men  of  character,  and  consequently  to  men  in  power.  His  in- 
significance and  brutality  of  demeanour,  of  course,  became  more  and 
more  despised.  Finding  himself  abhorred  by  all  good  men,  and  shunned 
for  his  meanness,  bestiality,  and  perfidy,  by  infidels  like  himself,  he 
saw  that  he  had  at  length  got  out  of  his  element.  Without  any  pros- 
pect of  laboring  again  successfully  in  his  vocation  of  beguiling  the  un- 
informed, or  of  urging  to  deeds  of  Avickedness  and  bloodshed  the  cor- 
rupted portion  of  his  fellow-men  in  that  countr}^  he  began  to  give  him- 
self up  as  a  last  atom.  In  this  situation,  a  situation  truly  miserable  to 
infernal  spirits,  did  he  receive  the  consoling  and  affectionate  letter  from 
our  philosophic  president,  •  written  in  the  eas>/  confidence  of  old  acquaint- 
ance,' cordially  inviting  him  to  the  bosom  of  his  country,  with  prayers 
for  the  '  success  of  his  useful  labors  !!!'     Gracious  Fleaven  !  that  ever  I 

1  should 


4.*)0  STRICTURES   ON    JKITERSON'S    INVITATION    Oi'    PAlNr:. 

shoulil  have  advocated  the  views  of  such  u  man  tu  the  chief  magistracy 
ol  tiie  Luioii ! 

•'  Now  that  Paine  could  no  longer  work  evil  in   Europe ;  could  no 
longer  be  supported  in  reviling  the  idea  of  the  Son  of  God,  the  Saviour 
of  the  world,  and  those  who  believe  in  liim  ;  could  no  longer  be  coun- 
tenanced in  speaking  irreverently  of  your  never  to  be  forgotten  Wash- 
ington, the  unsullied  patriot  and  father  of  his  country,  is  he   brought 
hither,  to  pursue  his  '  im-ful  labors  '   with  the  prayers  of  the  president 
of  the  Ihiited  States  of  America  for  his 'success.'     l*ause,  reader,  and 
think  of  this.     The  impious  and  atheistical  Paine  ;  the  base  calunniiatur 
and  slanderer  of  your  belovetl  Washington,  invited  to  your  bosoms  by 
the  chief  of  your  nation,  with  prayei-s  for  the  'success  of  his  useful 
labors!'      Can  this  be  true  ?     Yes,  fellow-citizens  of  America,  such  is 
the   polluted   hoary  wretch  wliom  your  president  has  brought  to  your 
shores.     But  will  the  people  of  this  country,  no  matter  what  their  poli- 
tics mav  be,  (for  Heaven  forbid  that  every  democrat  should  be  a  jaco- 
bin) submit  to  such  an   outrage  on  their  feelings  and  understandings? 
Will  they  suffer  such   an  infidel   to   insult  them  with  his  blasplemies  ? 
or  will  they  listen  to  the  opinions  of  a  man,  or  men  or  measures,  A\ho 
could,  like  a  detestable  villain,  call   our  (all  but  immortal)  Washing- 
ton  'a  coward  and  a  traitor?'     In   one  word,  will  they  listen  to  any 
thino-  that  mav  fall  from   his  sacrilegious  and  prostituted  pen  ?     Or  will 
thev  hold  in  future  estimation  the  hypoeritical,  pusillanimous,  and  de- 
oTaded  character,  who  has  so  'belittled'  himself;  as  to  invite  him  to  our 
land  ? 

"  1  will  now,  ye  honest,  well-meaning  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
(,nly  call  your  attention  to  another  fact  respecting  this  mammoth  of 
baseness,  this  infidel,  and  despicable  ingrnte,  Tom  I\iine.— It  is  upon 
our  own  records  that  he  was  cashiered  and  degraded  for  |)erfi(iy  of  con- 
duct, while  holding  an  office  of  confidential  trust,  under  the  old  con- 
gress 


STRICTURES   ON   JEFFERSON'S   INVITATION   OF   PAINE.  4.') I 

gress  of  the  United  States,  It  is  equally  notorious  that  he  had  ontlive<| 
in  this  country,  as  it  has  been  proved  he  had  done  in  England  before  his 
migration  hither,  ever}'^  thing  like  reputation  or  respectability  of  charac- 
ter; and  that  he  was  all  but  kicked  out  of  every  honorable  or  rcs|jcctable 
company  in  Philadelphia,  before  he  returned  to  Europe.  Notwith- 
standing these  things — circumstances  well  known  to  our  president — and 
notwithstanding  he  afterwards  became,  every  day  he  li\ed,  moi-e  and 
more  conspicuously  '  infamous  for  his  many  crimes,'  still  he  has 
found,  not  only  favor  and  countenance,  but  protection  in  the  arms  of 
the  man,  whom  the  evil  genius  of  America,  in  an  unguarded  hour, 
placed  in  her  presidential  chair.  To  sum  up,  then,  my  fellow-citizens, 
in  a  few  words,  the  whole  of  this  most  shameful  and  atrocious  act,  it 
will  stand  thus  : — that  the  traitorous  oiHcer,  the  infamous  and  unarate- 
ful  slanderer  of  our  Washington,  the  reviler  and  scoffer  of  our  holy  re- 
ligion, and  one  of  the  most  debauched  and  immoral  beings  in  existence, 
has  been  solicited  by  Thomas  Jefferson,  president  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days  among  you,  with 
praj'ers  '  for  the  success  of  his  useful  labors.' 


3  M  CIIAF, 


452 


CHAP.  XXXV. 


EMIGRATION — SMVGGLING— GERMAN    REDEMPTIONERS. 


The  emigration  from  the  British  dominions,  and  more  especially 
from  Ireland,  to  the  United  States,  is  almost  incredible.  I  took  some 
pains  to  gain  correct  information  on  this  subject,  and  was  astonished  at 
the  numbers  that  of  late  years  have  crowded  the  American  ships  from 
different  parts  of  Europe. 

In  the  year  1801,  fourteen  thousand  souls  were  landed  from  Ireland 
by  the  Philadelphia  ships  alone ;  and  upon  the  moderate  calculation  of 
the  like  number  arriving  at  other  ports,  we  find  the  emigration  to  be 
twenty-eight  thousand  !  These  people  paid,  on  an  average,  for  their 
passage,  ten  guineas  each,  making  294,000/.  sterling.  Many  of  them, 
took  with  them  considerable  property ;  and  almost  the  whole  had  the 
saving  of  a  year  or  two  in  their  pockets  in  specie  on  their  landing  on  the 
American  shore  :  but,  supposing  they  drained  their  country  of  only  ten 
guineas  each  more,  the  loss  to  Ireland  w^ould  be  588,000/.  ! ! ! 

Guinea-men  with  slaves,  were  never  crowded  like  the  American  ships 
irom  Londonderry  to  Philadelphia  with  Irish  passengers.  A  small  ship, 
of  only  215  tons,  took  on  board  five  hundred  and  thirty  passengers,  who 
first  paid  the  captain  above  50001.  for  their  passage.  To  these  must  be 
added  the  ships  crew,  making  Cwe  hundred  and  forty-two  souls,  being 
•nearly  double  the  number  ever  attempted  to  be  sloued  in  a  slave  ship  ot 

that  burthen.  ^ 

By 


EMIGRATION   FROM    IRELAND.  453 

By  an  act  of  parliament,  vessels  are  restricted  to  a  certain  number  of 
passengers,  according  to  which,  the  ship  above  mentioned  could  legally 
carry  only  A3  persons.  American  ingenuity,  added  to  a  little  connivance 
of  those  who  ought  to  carry  the  law  into  effect,  produced  this  destructive 
increase.  The  ship  of  215  tons,  swells  into  400,  on  her  arrival  in  Derry, 
and  thus  it  is  pretended  she  can  carrj''  eighty  passengers.  This  number, 
on  her  departure  from  the  port,  are  mustered  on  the  deck,  before  the 
mayor  and  procurator  of  the  city,  and  permission  is  given  for  her  sailing. 
She  then  drops  with  the  tide  down  the  river,  on  the  banks  of  which  she 
is  expected  by  the  surplus  of  her  passengers,  who  pour  on  board  by  hun- 
dreds. Some,  who  could  not  procure  boats,  fearful  of  losing  their  pas- 
sage to  the  "  land  of  milk  and  honey,"  have  been  known  to  swim  after 
the  ship,  and  sometimes  to  lose  their  lives  in  the  attempt.  On  the  passage 
alluded  to,  thirt}^  of  these  unfortunate  people  perished ;  and  from  their 
crowded  situation,  and  the  uncleanliness  of  the  lower  order  of  the  Irish, 
together  with  their  approach  to  a  warm  climate,  it  is  a  matter  of  sur- 
prise that  pestilence  did  not  sweep  away  the  greatest  part  of  them. 

Arrived  in  the  river  Delaware,  the  strangers  are  set  on  shore  upon  the 
banks,  as  fast  as  boats  can  be  procured  for  that  purpose;  for  the  laws 
here  too  are  strict  respecting  the  landing  of  passengers  of  this  descrip- 
tion— for  instance,  the  owner  and  captain  must  enter  into  bonds,  that 
they  shall  not  become  a  charge  to  the  parish  where  they  are  landed, 
with  some  other  regulations,  which  have  now  escaped  my  memory. 

The  emigration  from  Ireland  was  particularly  increased  by  the  politi- 
cal disturbances  in  that  country.  To  many  who  acted  a  conspicuous 
part  in  the  ranks  of  rebellion,  America  has  afforded  a  refuge.  Among 
these  jNIr.  Emmet,  who  has  been  mentioned  as  the  counsel  of  Mr. 
Ogden,  the  proprietor  of  the  Leander,  is  now  on  the  road  to  fortune  and 
reputation.  I  am  indebted  to  a  most  respectable  friend  for  a  biographi- 
cal sketch  of  that  gentleman,  which,  it  is  true,  is  rather  out  of  its  place 
here,  but  not  having  received  it  in  time  to  be  introduced  in  amoresuit- 

3  M  2  able 


4.14  PARTICULARS   OF   THE    FAMILY    OF   EMMET, 

able  situation,  I  trust  the  indulgence  of  my  readers  will  dispose  them 
to  pardon  the  digression. 

Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  Esq.  is  the  son  of  Dr.  Robert  Emmet,  an  emi- 
nent physieian,  w lio  practised  vith  considerable  cclel)rity  in  the  city  of 
Cork  and  its  vicinity  ibr  several  years.  Having  acquired  an  independent 
fbrtnue,  he  removed  with  his  lamily  to  Dublin,  whore  he  was  appointed 
^tate-physician,  having  been  previously  elected  fellow  of  the  royal 
society. 

Doctor  Emmet  had  three  sons,  Temple,  Thomas  Addis,  and  Robert 
who  was  considerably  younger  than  his  brothers.     They  were  all  edu* 
cated  in  a  most  liberal  manner — were  each  early  matriculated  in  the  uni- 
versity of  Dublin,  and  made  extraordinary  progress  in  every  branch  of 
science  and  of  literature.    In  early  life  they  displayed  strong  evidence  of 
talents,  energy  of  mind,  and  attaehuK^nt  to  democratic  jM'inciples,  which 
pervadetl  the  whole  famil\%  injured  their  father  materially  in  his  profes- 
sion, and  brought  on  his  sons,  Thomas  Addis  and  Robert,  the  most 
serious  misfortunes.     Temple  Emmet  was  bred  to  the  law,  and  was  ad- 
mitted a  barrister  in  the  court  of  Dublin  early  in  life ;  and  from  his  great 
talents  must  have  risen  to  the  zenith  of  professional  emolument  and 
honors,  had  he  not  fallen  prematurely  under  the  malignant  influence  of 
a  putrid  fever,  which  blasted  his  youth,  and  brought  him  to  the  grave. 
Those  who  knew   him,  revere  his  memory  and  praise  his  worth.     His 
forensic  abilities  were  distinguished  by  accurate  and  logical  argument, 
scienti'ic  knowledge,  and  brilliant  eloquence.     He  was  a  powerful  ad- 
vocate, and  though  young,  accounted  an  excellent  legal  opinion. 

The  younger  son,  Robert,  distinguished  himself  in  college  when  a 
very  young  student,  as  a  powerful  orator,  partii-ularly  in  the  historical 
society;  but  his  attachment  to  republican  politi*  s,  and  his  bold  promul- 
gation of  democratic  principles,  raised  him  many  enemies  in  the  univer- 
sity ;  and  at  length  being  strongly  suspected  of  cUsattiiction  to  the  British 

3  government. 


ROBERT  E:sniET.  455 

government,  to  avoid  a  prosecution  with  which  he  was  threatened,  he  fled 
into  France,  in  which  country  his  brother,  Thomas  Emmet,  at  that  time 
resided. 

Early  in  1803,  this  unfortunate  young  gentleman  returned  to  his  native 
land,  where  he  joined  a  band  of  conspirators  who  had  escaped  in  the  re- 
bellion of  1708,  and  who  had  determined  upon  seizing  the  castle  of  Dub- 
lin, and  makuig  the  lord-lieutenant  prisoner.  On  the  -23d  of  JuIn^  180:1, 
this  conspiracy  broke  out  into  an  insurrection  about  nine  at  night,  and 
was  completely  quelled  before  morning.  Lord  Kilwarden,  the  chief 
justice  of  Ireland,  was  murdered  in  his  carriage  by  a  banditti ;  and  Em- 
met, to  adopt  his  own  expression,  instead  of  fmding  himself  a  leader  of  a 
formidable  insurrection,  found  himself  without  any  influence  or  com- 
mand, in  the  midst  of  a  ruffianly  mob.  With  a  few  adherents,  he 
escaped  into  the  mountains,  but  returned  in  a  few  days,  was  taken  near 
Dublin,  tried  for  high  treason,  convicted  and  executed,  being  not  more 
than  twenty-four  years  of  a2,e. 


'a^ 


This  unfortunate  youth  had  early  imbibed,  under  the  tutelage  of  his 
fiither,  those  political  doctrines,  Avhich  caused  his  ruin.  The  object  of 
his  enthusiastic  mind  was  to  separate  Ireland  from  Great  Britain,  and 
this  he  hoped  to  accomplish  without  any  interference  or  assistance  from 
France,  as  appears  firom  his  address  to  the  court  after  his  conviction. 
These  are  his  words : — "  God  forbid  that  I  should  see  my  country 
under  the  hands  of  a  foreign  power.  If  the  French  should  come  as  a 
foreign  enem\',  oh,  my  countrymen !  meet  them  on  the  shore  with  a 
torch  in  one  hand,  a  sword  in  the  other — receive  them  with  all  the  de- 
struction of  war}  immolate  them  in  their  boats  belbre  our  native  soil 
shall  be  polluted  by  a  foreign  foe!  If  they  proceed  in  landing,  fight 
them  on  the  strand,  burn  every  blade  of  grass  before  them  as  they  ad- 
vance, raze  every  house;  and  if  you  are  driven  to  the  centre  of  your 
comitry,  collect  your  provisions,  your  property,  your  wives,  and  your 

daughters ; 


456  THOMAS   ADDIS   EMMET. 

daui^liters  :  form  a  circle  around  them — fight  while  but  two  men  are 
left ;  and  when  but  one  remains,  let  that  man  set  fire  to  the  pile,  and 
release  himself)  and  the  fiimilies  of  his  fallen  countrymen,  from  the  ty- 
ranny o\'  France."  As  Robert  had  then  recently  returned  from  France, 
and  from  communing  with  his  brother,  it  is  but  fair  to  conclude,  that  on 
this  point  they  coincided  in  political  sentiments. 

From  the  conduct  of  this  youth,  he  a|)pears  an  enthusiast  in  politics, 
heated  by  a  sanguine  mind  even  to  a  degree  of  insanity,  which,  though 
it  may  not  excuse,  must  palliate  liis  offences.  His  oratorical  abilities 
were  considerable;  and  his  conduct  at  that  awful  moment  when  death 
stood  before  him,  inexorable  and  inevitable,  proved  his  courage.  He 
directed  the  executioner  in  the  preparations  necessar}'  to  deprive  him  of 
life;  and  did  all  in  his  power  to  impress  on  the  minds  of  the  spectators, 
that  even  in  the  violent  manner  in  which  he  was  about  to  lose  his  life, 
there  was  neither  fear  nor  terror — "  making  a  virtue  of  calamity" — and 
leaving  the  world  without  a  tremulous  nerve. 

Mr.  Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  at  the  time  of  his  (Robert's)  execution, 
was  in  France  ;  nor  is  it  known  that  he  approved  of  his  brother's  expe- 
dition to  Ireland.  This  gentleman  received  his  education  in  the  univer- 
sity of  Dublin,  and  took  out  his  degree  as  a  doctor  of  piiysic  in  Edin- 
burgh, where  he  studied  for  some  time  with  great  reputation,  not  only 
for  his  learning,  but  his  pure,  honorable,  and  moral  conduct.  Soon 
after  his  arrival  in  Dublin,  he  wan  joined  in  the  patent  of  state  physi- 
cian with  his  fiitlicr  :  but  this  patent  was  not  a  gift  from  government. 
Doctor  Emmet  having  paid  his  predecessor  a  full  ])rice  for  the  emolu- 
ment of  the  oHice,  so  that  in  this  point  neither  Dr.  Emmet  nor  his  son 
was  indebted  to  the  benevolence  of  the  state.  On  the  death  of  his 
elder  brother,  Temple,  Mr.  Thomas  Addis  Emmet  resolved  on  quitting 
the  profession  of  physic,  and  to  substitute  that  of  the  law;  and  accord- 
ingly, about  the  latter  end  of  l787,  he  became  a  student  of  the  Middle 

2  Temple, 


THOMAS  ADDIS   EMMET.  457 

Temple,  London,   and  was  admitted  a  barrister  in  the  Irish  courts  in 
INIichaeknas  term,  1790. 

In  1790,  a  confederacy,  calling  themselves  "  The  United  Irishmen  of 
Belfast,"  was  formed  in  the  north  of  Ireland ;  on  the  9th  of  November, 
1791,  the  Society  of  United  Irishmen  of  Dublin  commenced  their 
meetings,  chusing  for  their  chairman  the  honorable  Simon  Butler,  se- 
cond son  to  Lord  Viscount  IMountgarret,  and  for  their  secretar\^  the 
celebrated  James  Napper  Tandy,  who  at  that  time  was  a  citizen  of 
considerable  interest  and  political  influence  in  Dublin,  and  a  member  of 
the  Whig  Club,  This  extraordinary  demagogue  was  afterwards  con- 
victed of  high  treason,  pardoned,  went  into  France,  and  died  at  Bour- 
deaux,  a  general  in  the  service  of  Bonaparte. 

Mr.  Emmet  was  an  early  associate  of  this  society ;  and  their  leading 
resolutions  and  tests  point  out  his  avowed  political  principles.     After  a 
recapitulation  of  grievances,  they  say,  "  In  the  present  great  ajra  of  re- 
form, when  unjust  governments  are  falling  in  every  part  of  Europe : 
when  religious  persecution  is  compelled  to  abjure  her  tyranny  over  con- 
science ;  when  the  rights  of  men  are  ascertained  in  theory,  and  that 
theory  is  substantiated  by  practice  ;  when  iniquity  can  no  longer  defend 
absurd  and  oppressive  forms  against  the  coinmon  sense  and  common  in- 
terests of  mankind  :  when  all  government  is  acknowledged  to  originate 
from  the  people,  and  to  be  so  far  only  obligatory  as  it  protects  their  rights 
and  promotes  their  welfare;  we  think  it  our  duty,  as  Irishmen,  to  come 
forward  and  state  what  we  feel  to  be  our  heavy  grievance,  and  what  we 
know  to  be  its  effectual  remedy."     This  declaration  then  states  several 
resolutions,  complaining  of  the  English  influence  in  Ireland,  the  neces- 
sity of  an  equal  representation  of  all  the  people  in  |)arliament,  the  rejec- 
tion of  a  place  bill,  of  a  pension  bill,  and  of  a  responsibility  l)ill ;  the  sale 
of  peerages  in  one  house ;  the  corruption  avowed  in  the  other;  the  bo- 
rough traffic  between  both,  symptoms  of  a  mortal  disease  which  corrodes 

the 


458  THOMAS    ADDIS   KMMliT. 

the  vitals  of  till'  constitution,  anil  leaves  to  tlic  people  in  their  own  go- 
vernment bnt  the  shadow  of  a  name. 

Tli€  society  then  specially  resolves  "  that  the  weight  of  Eng'lith 
influence  in  the  government  of  Ireland  is  so  great,  as  to  require  a  eor- 
tlial  union  among  all  the  people  of  Ireland  to  maintain  that  balance  of 
pow  er  which  is  esseiitial  to  tlie  preservation  of  liberty,  and  the  extension 
of  their  conmierce. 

"  'I'lmt  the  sole  constitutional  mode  by  which  such  inlluence  can  be 
opjKJsed,  is  by  a  complete  and  radical  reform  of  the  re|)resentation  of 
the  people  in  parliament;  and  that  no  reform  is  practicable,  which  shall 
not  include  Irishmen  o'L  every  religious  pei"suasion." 

From  the  above  resolutions  it  is  clear  that  a  principal  object  of  the 
society  was  completely  to  emancipate  the  Irish  Roman  C-'atholics,  and 
to  admit  them  into  the  house  of  lords  and  commons ;  and,  indeed,  a 
great  majority  of  the  society  were  of  that  religions  persuasion  ;  and  since 
its  origin,  the  catholic  claims  have  been  unceasing,  Mr.  Emmet,  and  a 
few  others,  had,  however,  two  diH'erent  objects — first,  to  separate  Ire- 
land from  England;  and,  secondly,  to  establish  a  republic.  This  party 
formed  a  [jrivate  societ}^  among  themselves,  and  with  them  originated 
the  system  of  insurrection  which  in  1798  broke  out  into  a  rebellion, 
in  which  several  thousands  lost  their  lives,  and  many  of  the  promoters 
su tiered  on  the  scaH'old. 

On  the  19th  of  May,  1708,  Lord  Edward  Fitzgerald,  vho  had  been 
an  officer  in  the  royal  army,  and  had  served  with  great  reputation  in 
America,  was  taken  prisoner,  after  a  conflict  in  which  he  displayed 
uncommon  jicrsonal  courage.  Armed  with  a  dagger  only,  he  o])posed 
no  less  than  four  persons.  Mr.  Ryan,  an  ollicer  in  the  yeomanry,  lie 
slew.  Town-major  Swan  he  wounded  in  several  places;  but  at  last  one 
of  the  party  discharged  a  musket  at  iiim,  and  he  received  the  ball  in  his 

shoulder. 


THOMAS    ADDIS   EMMET.  459 

sbouldtT.     Of  course  he  was   made  prisoner,  and  died  in  goal,  without 
beintj  brought  to  trial. 

A  silk-weaver  of  some  eminence,  and  a  member  of  the  directory  of  the 
rebels,  having  betraNed  his  party,  the  garrison  of  Dublin  was  increased 
by  regiments  from  the  country,  and  a  number  of  persons  were  made 
prisoners  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Oliver  Bond,  an  eminent  linen-merchant  in 
Dublin.     Soon  after  INIessrs.  Shears,  brothers  and  barristers,  were  ap- 
prehended.    Arthur  O'Connor,  Mr.  Emmet,  and  Dr.  M'Nevin,  stood 
their  ground,  and  were  arrested.     Henry  and  John  Shears,  Mr.  Byrne, 
Mr.   M'Cann,  and  others,   were  tried  and  executed.     Mr.   Bond  was 
capitally  con\icted,  and  this  produced  a  very  extraordinary  negociation 
between  the  prisoners  in  gaol  and  the  government  of  the  country.    The 
executive  government  were  certainly  in   possession  _ of  sufficient   evi- 
dence to  convict  all  the  conspirators  in  their  power,  but  they  were  not 
acquainted  with  the  extent,  the  plan,  or  the  strength  of  the  conspiracy, 
to  come  at  which  was  a  material  and  serious  object.     Terms   were 
therefore  proposed  and  agreed  on,  that  the  life  of  Mr.  Bond  should  be 
spared,  on  condition  that  Messrs.  Emmet,  and  M'Nevin,  a  doctor  of 
physic,  should  make  a  fair  disclosure  of  all  the}'^  knew  (names  of  persons 
excepted)  to  a  committee  of  the  house  of  lords,  and  should  remain  pri- 
soners during  the  war,  then  to  have  permission  to  retire  to  any  place  out 
of  his   majesty's  dominion.     The  examination  accordingly  took  place; 
and  from  the  conduct  of  the  Irish  government  afterwards,  there  can  be 
no  doubt  but  the  information  they  received,  and  wdiich  was  printed,  was 
not  only  candid,  but  ample.     On  this  occasion.  Lord  Clare,  their  chan- 
cellor, asked  Mr.  Emmet,  "Had  you  a  committee  of  assassination?" 
He  answered  "  No  : — if  we  had,  you,  my  lord,  would  not  be  here  to  ask 
me  that  questiort." 

Mr.  E  nmet  and  coadjutors  having  performed  their  compact,  were  sent 
prisoners  to  Fort  George,  in  Scotland  ;  and  liere  a  serious  dissention  took 
place  between  him  and  Arthur  O'Connor.     Alter  some  time,  during 

3  N  the 


400  ILLICIT  TRADL   OV   THE   AMERICANS   IN    IRELAND. 

the  temporary  peace  with  France,  these  prisoners  were  permitted  to  ^o 
to  that  coiintrv,  with  the  pohtics  of  which  Mr.  Emmet  soon  hecame 
distrusted  ;  and  he  left  the  tyranny  of  Bonaparte  to  enjoy  freedom  under 
tiie  states  of  America.  Tliere  he  has  heen  permitted  to  practice  as  a  conn- 
sellor-atdaw,  and  his  ahihties  cannot  fail  of  puttinj];  him  at  the  head  of  his 
profession,  particularly  as  he  enjoys  the  triendship  and  patronage  of  Mr. 
Jerterson.  Mr.  Emmet  is  married,  and  has  several  children  :  he  is  now 
ahout  forty-five  years  of  age,  hale  in  constitution,  moderate  in  his  living, 
mild  in  conversation,  amiable  in  manners,  and  probably  Avill  long  enjoy 
the  |)eaceful  situation  he  has  chosen. 

IMie  Americans  carry  to  Ireland,  flax-seed,  tobacco,  and  lumber,  but 
chiefly  contraband  goods;  and  return  with  the  living  cargo  already  de- 
scribed. Every  voyage  is  calculated  to  clear  the  first  cost  of  the  ship, 
which  may  be  estimated  at  ti-om  three  to  five  thousand  pounds— a  better 
voyage,  to  use  a  mercantile  term,  than  to  China,  or  the  coast  of  Guinea. 

Smuggling  is  carried  on  by  these  American  traders  to  a  great  extent, 
and  to  the  shame  of  the  ofTicers  of  the  customs,  in  the'most  bare-faced 
manner.  On  making  Tory  isl4nd,  the  land-mark  for  the  north  of  Ire- 
land, boats  put  ofi'  fi-om  the  shore,  the  crews  of  which  appear  in  the  very 
worst  shape  of  human  degradation— their  outer  garments  more  wretched 
than  London  beggars,  but  the  pockets  within  full  of  guineas.  All  the 
country  jjcople  next  the  sea  are  smugglers,  and  illegal  distillers  of  whis- 
key. These  fellows  0|)en  a  trade  with  the  captain,  the  mates,  and  the 
crews,  all  of  whom  have  a  plentiful  supply  of  tea  in  chests,  nankeens  in 
bales,  tobacco  in  rolls,  bandana,  and  other  silk  handkerchiefs,  spices,  and, 
in  line,  every  kind  of  contraband  commodity.  AVhile  this  fraud  is 
practised  upon  the  revenue,  government  cutters  and  custom-house  boats, 
whose  business  it  is  to  prevent  smuggling,  are  lying  snug  at  anchor  in 
Lough  Foylc,  Lough  Swilley,  or  other  convenient  harbours. 

With  such  case  and  security  have  they  carried  on  this  illicit  traffic, 
1  that 


EUROPEAN   EMIGRANTS.  461 

that  the  ship  Kliza,  of  Baltimore,  began  dehberately  to  unload  her  to- 
bacco in  Lough  Fo3']e,  in  sight  of  a.  revenue  cutter  at  anchor;  and  what 
tended  to  aggravate  the  matter  was,  that  the  crew  had  the  impudence 
to  commence  the  discharge  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  when  the  inhabit- 
ants on  either  shore  witnessed  their  proceedings.  71ie  cutter  was  conse- 
quently compelled  to  do  her  duty ;  and  the  ship  was  seized  and  con- 
demned. Tlie  king's  stores  at  Londonderry  are  full  of  tobacco,  which 
will  not  sell  except  at  a  great'loss,  owing  to  the  great  quantity  of  smug- 
gled tobacco  with  which  the  country  is  supplied.  Surely  this  is  a  fiict 
worthy  the  attention  of  government. 

To  return  to  the  emigrant,  whom  we  must  now  consider  in  his  earthly 
elysium;  and  where,  unless  he  immediately  sets  off  for  the  woods  and 
mountains,  he  viill  find  room  for  his  bones  before  the  hot  season  is  past. 
Look  at  Philadelphia,  New  York,  Baltimore,  Norfolk,  Cbarlcston— in 
short,  most  towns  on  the  coast,  and  you  will  find  them  in  the  latter  end 
of  the  summer  scenes  of  putrefaction.  The  habit  of  a  stranger,  fresh 
from  the  salubrious  breezes  of  England  and  Ireland,  instantly  imbibes 
the  prevailing  disease—and  this  they  call  the  yellow  fever. 

The  English  emigrants  are  not  so  numerous,  yet  the  property  they 
carry  with  them  is  estimated  higher  than  that  drained  from  Ireland. 
Hence,  English  gold  is  in  circulation  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States. 

From  Germany,  of  late  years,  there  have  been  considerable  impor- 
tations of  redemptioners.  These  are  poor  people,  Avho  bind  themselves 
to  the  captain  or  his  assigns,  for  the  price  of  their  passage.  Their  time 
of  servitude  is  from  three  to  seven  years,  which  the  patient  German  ge- 
nerally endures  without  a  murmur.  These  are  the  most  valuable  emi- 
grants to  America ;  for  they  are  generally  honest  and  industrious,  and 
often  acquire  considerable  property  after  the  expiration  of  their  servitude. 
In  some  parts  of  Tennsylvania,  the  country  for  many  miles  is  inhabited 

3  N  2  entirely 


462  CONCLUSION. 

entirely  by  Germans,  who  retain  their  native  language,  and  pursue  their 
ancient  customs. 

The   present  situation  of  the  continent  can  scarcely  he  supposed  to 
have  diminished  the  importation  of  rcdcmptioners.     Oppressed  hy  all 
tlie  miseries  of  war  and   military  tyranny,  his  liahitatiou   hurned,  his 
fields  laid  waste,  his  relatives  j)erhaps  butchered,  or  sold  into  worse  than 
nf'ro  sluverv,  can  it  be  surprizing  that  all  the  bonds  which  attached 
the  peasant  to  his  country  are  dissolved,  nay,  that  he  loaths  the  scene 
of  such  complicated  horrors;  and  having  lost  all  that  he  possessed  in 
the  world,  is  ready   to  compromise  his  liberty  for  a  stated  period,  in 
order  to  obtain  the  present  blessings  of  security  and  rei)ose,  with  the 
prospect  of  future  competence  and  ease !     But  that  men,  who  enjoy 
all  the  blessings  and  privileges  of  British  citizens,  to  whom  the  cala- 
mities of  war  are  known  only  by  name,  should  renounce  those  advan- 
tages to  condemn  themselves  to  a  life  of  mortification  and  toil,  in  an 
unfriendly  clime,  must  be  attributed  to  the  delusions  which  the  human 
mind  is  fond  of  cherishing  with  respect  to  distant  objects,  which  often 
neither  the  evidence   of  facts  nor  argument  is  able  to  remove,  and 
vhich  experience,  like  the  morning  sun  chasing  the  nocturnal  vaporu 
that  shroud  the  horizon,  is  alone  capable  of  dissipating. 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX. 


465 


APPENDIX. 


THE  documents  ichich  the  author  has  thought  proper  to  bring  together  in  the 
forvi  of  an  appendix,  not  only  contain  much  interesting  and  authentic  matter 
relative  to  the  American  republic,   but  zvill   likewise  serve   to  illustrate  many 
of  the  subjects  of  zihich  he  has  treated  in  the  preceding  sheets. 


ABSTRACT  OF  A  REPORT  ON  AMERICAN  ROADS. 

J.  HE  committee  of  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  to  whom  was 
referred  the  examination  of  the  act  entitled  "  An  act  to  enahle  tlie  peo- 
ple of  the  eastern  division  of  the  territory  north-west  of  the  river  Ohio 
to  form  a  consitution  and  state-government,  and  for  the  admission  of  such 
state  into  the  union,  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  original  states,  and  fop 
other  purposes,"  and  to  report  the  manner  the  money  approjiriated  by 
said  act  ought  to  be  applied,  report  as  follows : — 

That,  upon  the  examination  of  the  act,  they  find  the  one-twentieth 
part,  or  five  per  cent,  of  the  nett  proceeds  of  the  lands  lying  within  the 
state  of  Ohio,  and  sold  by  congress  after  the  :50th  June,  180i,  is  appro- 
pViated  for  laj'ing  out  and  making  public  roads,  leading  from  the  naviga- 
ble waters  emptying  into  the  Atlantic  to  the  river  Ohio,  to  said  state 
and  through  the  same ;  such  roads  to  be  laid  out  under  the  authority  of 
congress,  with  the  consent  of  the  several  states  through  which  the  roads 
shall  pass. 

By  a  subsequent  law,  passed  on  the  3d  of  March,  180.3,  congress 
appropriated  three  per  cent,  of  the  said  five  per  cent,  to  laying  out  and 
making  roads  within  the  state  of  Ohio,  leaving  two  per  cent,  of  the 
api)ropriation  contained  in  the  first-mentioned  law  unexpended ;  which 

now 


4b6  APPENDIX. 

now  remains  for  "  tlie  laying  out  and  makinc;  roads  from  the  navi- 
gable waters  emptying  into  the  Atlantic,  to  the  river  Ohio,  to  said 
state." 

The  nett  proceeds  of  sales  of  lands  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  from  July 
1st,  IS02,  to  June  30th,  1803,  inclusive,  was 

DOLLS.      CTS. 

124,400     «)i 
From  l3t  July,  1803,  to  June  30th,  1804        -     176,203     35 
From  1st  July,  1804,  to  June  30th,  1805         -     200,000 
From  1st  July,  1805,  to  30th  September,  1805       66,000 


Amountinir  in  the  whole  to     -         -        -         -     632,604     27 


'o 


Two  per  cent,  on  which  sum  amounts  to  12,652  dollars. 

Twelve  thousand  six  hundred,  and  iifty-two  dollars  was,  therefore,  on 
the  1st  of  October  last,  subject  to  uses  directed  by  law,  as  mentioned  in 
this  report.  The  fund  is  constantly  accumulating,  and  will  probably, 
by  the  time  preparations  can  be  made  for  its  expenditure,  amount  to 
eighteen  or  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

The  committee  have  examined,  as  far  as  their  limited  time,  and  the 
scanty  sources  of  facts  within  their  reach,  would  permit,  the  various  routes 
which  have  been  contemplated  for  laying  out  roads,  pui-suant  to  the  pro- 
visions of  the  act  first  mentioned. 

The  distance  from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg  is  3 14  miles,  by  the  usual 
route,  and  on  a  straight  line  about  270. 

From  Philadelphia  to  the  nearest  jjoint  on  the  river  Ohio,  contiguous 
to  the  state  of  Ohio,  which  is  probably  between  Steubenville  and  the 
mouth  of  Grave  Creek,  the  distance  by  the  usual  route  is  360  miles,  and 
on  a  straight  line  about  308. 

From  Baltimore  to  the  river  Ohio,  between  the  same  points,  and  by 
the  usual  route,  is  275  miles,  and  on  a  straight  line  224. 

I'rom  this  city  (Washington)  to  the  same  points  on  the  river  Ohio, 
2  the 


APPENDIX,  4(J7 

the  distance  is  nearly  the  same  as  from  Baltimore,  prol)abl3-  the   differ 
ence  is  not  a  plurality  of  miles. 

From  Riclimond,  in  \'irgiiiia,  to  the  nearest  point  on  the  Ohio,  the 
distance  by  the  usual  route  is  377  miles,  hut  new  roads  are  opening  vhich 
will  shorten  the  distance  50  or  60  miles;  247  miles  of  the  |)roposed 
road  from  Richmond  north-westerly  will  he  as  good  as  the  roads  usually 
are  in  that  country,  hut  the  remaining  70  or  80  miles  are  bad  for  the 
present,  and  probalMy  will  remain  so  for  a  long  time,  as  there  seems  to 
be  no  jiresent  inducement  for  the  state  of  Virginia  to  incur  the  expence 
of  making  that  part  of  the  road  passable.  From  Baltimore  to  the  Mo- 
nongahela,  where  the  route  from  Baltimore  to  the  Ohio  will  intersect 
it,  the  distance,  as  usually  travelled,  is  218  miles,  and  on  a  straight  line 
about  184.  From  tins  point,  which  is  at  or  near  Brownsville,  boats  can 
pass  down  with  great  facility  to  the  state  of  Ohio,  during  several  months 
in  the  year. 

The  above  distances  are  not  all  stated  from  actual  mensuration,  but 
they  are  sufficiently  correct  ibr  the  |)resent  purpose. 

The  committee  have  not  examined  any  routes  northward  of  that  lead, 
ing  from  Pliiiadelphia  to  the  Ohio,  nor  southward  of  that  leading  from 
Richmond,  because  they  suppose  the  roads  to  he  laid  out  must  strike  the 
Ohio,  in  order  to  fulfil  the  law. 

The  mercantile  intercourse  of  the  citizens  of  Ohio,  with  those  of  the 
Atlantic  states,  is  chiefly  with  Philadelphia  and  lialtimore;  not  very  ex- 
tensive with  the  towns  on  the  Potomack  withm  tlie  district  of  Columbia, 
and  still  less  with  Richmond  in  Virginia.  At  present,  the  greatest  por. 
tion  of  their  trade  is  with  Philadelphia  ;  but  their  trade  is  rather  increas- 
ing with  Baltimore,  owing  to  the  ditierence  of  distance  in  favour  of  Bal- 
timore, and  to  the  advantage  of  boating  down  the  Monongahela,  from 
the  point  where  the  road  strikes  it,  about  70  miles  by  water,  and  50  by 
land,  above  Pittsburg. 

The  sum  apj^ropriated  for  making  roads  is  so  small,  that  the  committee 
have  thought  it  most  expedient  to  direct  an  expend. ture  to  one  route 
only ;  il  ry  have  therefore  endeavoured  to  fix  on  that  which,  for  the  prc- 

3  o  sent. 


4()8  APPENDIX. 

sent,  will  be  most  convenient  to  the  citizens  of  Ohio,  leaving  to  the  fu- 
ture benevolence  and  policy  of  congress  an  extension  of  them  on  this 
or  any  other  route,  and  an  increase  of  the  requisite  fund;  as  experience 
may  point  out  their  expediency  or  necessity.  A  wise  government  can 
never  lose  sight  of  an  object  so  important  as  that  of  connecting  a  nume- 
rous and  rapidlv-increasing  population,  spread  over  a  fertile  and  e^en- 
sive  country,  with  the  Atlantic  states,  now  separated  from  them  by  moun- 
tains, which,  by  industry  and  expense,  moderate  compared  with  the  ad- 
viiutages,  can  be  rendered  passable. 

The  route  from  Richmond  nmst  necessarily  a|)proach  the  state  of 
Ohio  in  a  part  thinlv  inhabited;  and  which,  from  the  nature  of  the  soil, 
and  other  circumstances,  must  remain  so,  at  least  for  a  long  time;  and, 
from  the  hilly  and  rough  condition  of  the  country,  no  roads  can  be 
conveniently  made  leading  to  the  principal  population  of  the  state  of 
Ohio.  These  considerations  have  induced  us  to  postpone,  for  the  pre- 
sent, any  further  consideration  of  that  route. 

The  s|)irit  and  perseverance  of  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  are  such, 
in  road  making,  that,  no  doubt,  they  will,  in  a  little  time,  complete  a 
road  from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg,  as  good  as  the  nature  of  the  ground 
will  permit.  They  are  so  particularly  interested  to  facilitate  the  inter- 
course between  their  trading  capital  Philadelphia,  not  only  to  Pittsburg, 
but  also  to  the  extensive  country  within  their  own  state,  on  the 
western  waters,  that  they  will  of  course  surmount  the  difficulties  pre- 
sented by  the  Allegany,  Chesimt  ridge,  and  Laurel  hill,  the  three  great 
and  almost  the  sole  impediments  which  now  exist  on  that  route. 

The  peoj)le  of  Maryland,  with  no  less  spirit  and  perseverance,  are  en- 
gaged in  making  roads  from  Baltimore,  and  the  western  boundary  of 
tlie  district  of  Columbia,  through  Fredericktown  to  Williamsport. 

VV^ere  the  government  of  the  United  States  to  direct  the  expenditure 
of  the  fund  in  contemplation  upon  either  of  these  routes,  for  the  present, 
in  Pennsylvania  or  Maryland,  it  would  probably  so  far  interfere  with  the 
respective  states  as  to  produce  mischief" instead  of  benefit;  especially  as 
the  sum  to  be  laid  out  by  the  United  States  is  too  inconsiderable  alone  to 
-2  efllbct 


APPENDIX.  4G<) 

effect  objects  of  such  inagnitiide.  Rut  as  TNIarylniKl  has  no  particular 
interest  to  extend  its  road  across  the  mountains,  and  if  it  liad  it  would 
be  impracticable,  because  the  state  does  not  extend  so  far,  the  counnit- 
tee  have  thought  it  expedient  to  recommend  the  making  of  a  road  from 
Cumberland,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Potomack,  and  Avithin  the  state 
of  INIar}  land,  to  the  river  Ohio,  at  the  most  convenient  j)lace  between 
a  |)oint  on  the  eastern  bank  of  said  river,  opposite  to  Steubcnville  and 
the  mouth  of  Grave  creek,  which  emj>ties  into  the  Ohio,  a  little  below 
M^ielen,  in  Virginia,  This  route  will  meet  and  accommodate  the  roads 
leading  from  Baltimore  and  the  district  of  Columbia;  it  will  cross  the 
Monongahela  at  or  near  Brownsville,  sometimes  called  Redstone,  where 
the  advantage  of  boating  can  be  taken,  and  from  the  point  where  it  will 
probably  intersect  the  Ohio  there  are  now  roads,  or  they  can  easily  be 
made  over  feasible  and  proper  ground,  through  the  principal  population 
of  the  state  of  Ohio. 

Cumberland  is  situated  at  the  eastern  foot  of  the  Allegan}^  mountain, 
about  eighty  miles  from  Williamsport  by  the  usual  route,  which  is  circu- 
itous, owing  to  a  large  bend  in  the  I'otomack,  on  the  bank  of  which  the 
road  now  runs  ;  the  distance  on  a  straight  line  is  not  more  than  50  or  55 
miles,  and  over  tolerable  ground  for  a  road,  which  will  probably  be 
opened  by  the  state  of  Maryland,  should  the  proposed  route  be  establish- 
ed over  the  mountains. 

From  Cumberland  to  the  western  extremity  of  Laurel  hill,  by  the 
route  now  travelled,  the  distance  is  66  miles,  and  on  a  straight  line  about 
55.  On  this  part  of  the  route,  the  first  and  very  considerable  expendi- 
tures are  specially  necessary.  From  Laurel  hill  to  the  Oliio  river,  by 
the  usual  route,  is  about  7o  miles,  and  on  a  straight  line  54  or  55;  the 
road  is  tolerable,  though  capable  of  improvement. 

To  carry  into  effect  the  principles  arising  from  the  foregoing  facts,  the 
committee  present  a  bill  for  the  consideration  of  the  senate.  To  take 
the  proper  measures  for  carrying  into  effect  the  section  of  the  law  re^ 
specting  a  road  or  roads  to  the  state  of  Ohio,  is  a  duty  imposed  upon 
congress  by  the  law  itself. 

3  O  2  To 


470  APPENDIX. 

To  enlarge  on  the  high  importance  of  cementing  the  union  of  our 
citizens  on  the  western  waters  with  tliose  of  the  Atlantic  states,  would  be 
unnecessary.  Politicians  have  generally  agreed  that  rivers  unite  the 
interests  and  promote  the  friendship  of  those  who  inhabit  their  banks; 
while  mountains,  on  the  contrary,  tend  to  the  disunion  and  estrangement 
of  those  who  are  separated  by  them.  In  the  preceding  case,  to  make 
the  crooked  ways  straight  and  the  rough  ways  smooth,  will,  in  etfect, 
remove  the  intervening  mountains,  and,  by  facilitating  the  iiiL'rcourse 
of  our  western  brethren  with  those  of  the  Atlantic,  essentially  unite 
them  in  interest,  which  is  the  most  effectual  means  of  uniting  the  human 
race. 


ABSTRACT  OF  THE  REPORT  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY. 

Revciiue  and  Receipts. 

Dollars. 

Nett  revenue  arising  from  duties  on  merchandize  and 
tonnage,  during  the  year  1801      -  -  -  -     1:^,020,^279 

Nett  revenue  arising  from  the  same  source,  during  1802     10,154,564 
That  which  accrued  during  1803  -  -  -     11,306,430 

And  that  which  accrued  during  1804,  deducting  the  ad- 
ditional duties  constituting  the  jMediterranean  fund  -     12,672,323 

The  nett  revenue  accrued  during  the  three  fu'st  quarters  of  1805,  does 
not  fall  short  of  that  of  the  corresponding  quarters  of  1804  ;  and  that 
branch  of  the  revenue  may,  exclusively  of  the  Mediterranean  fund,  be 
safely  estimated  at  twelve  millions  of  dollars,  which  is  nearly  the  ave- 
rage of  1803  and  1804. 

The  defalcation  which  took  place  in  1802,  and  the  increase  in  the 
following  years,  sulFiciently  show  that  no  inconsiderable  portion  of  that 

0  branch 


APPENDIX.  471 

branch  of  the  revenue  is  due  to  the  neutrality  of  the  United  States  dur- 
ing the  continuance  of  war  in  Europe.  Yet  if  the  revenue  of  1802,  tlie 
only  year  of  European  peace  since  1795,  he  the  hasis  on  Avhich  to  form 
an  estimate,  this,  with  an  addition  of  ten  per  cent.,  the  increase  of  po- 
pulation for  three  years,  and  of  near  three  hundred  thousand  dollars 
computed  revenue  of  New  Orleans,  will  give  near  eleven  millions  and 
a  lialf. 

The  revenue  arising  from  the  sale  of  puhlic  lands  has  been  greater 
during  the  year  ending  30th  of  September,  f805,  than  that  of  any  pre- 
ceding year.  During  that  period,  besides  one  hundred  and  forty-five 
thousand  acres  sold  to  persons  claiming  a  right  of  pre-emption,  four 
hundred  and  seventy-four  thousand  acres  have  been  disposed  of  at  the 
ordinary  sales,  making  altogether,  with  the  preceding  sales,  from  the 
time  when  the  land-ofiices  were  opened  in  1800  and  180f,  near  two 
millions  of  acres.  The  actual  payments  by  purchasers,  which,  during 
the  year  ending  the  c30th  of  September,  1804,  had  amounted  to  four 
hundred  and  thirty-two  thousand  dollars,  and  had  not,  in  any  one  pre- 
vious year,  exceeded  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  have, 
during  the  year  ending  30th  September,  1 805,  amounted  to  five  hun- 
dred and  seventj'^-five  thousand  dollars,  of  which  five  hundred  and 
thirty-five  thousand  dollars  were  paid  in  specie,  and  the  residue  in  stock 
of  the  public  debt.  The  specie  receipts  fi-om  that  source  may,  for  the 
ensuing  year,  be  safely  estimated  at  five  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

The  permanent  revenue  of  the  United  States  may, 
therefore,,  without  the  duties  on  postage,  and  other  small 
incidental  branehes,  be  computed,  for  1806,  at    -  -     12,500,000 

The  payments  during  the  same  year,  on  account  of  the 
temporary  duties,  constituting  the  Mediterranean  fund,  to 
the  31st  March  next,  are  estimated  at  nine  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars,  and  about  one  hundred  thousand  may  be 
expected  from  the  arrears  of  internal  duties  and  direct  tax, 
and  from  other  incidental  branches,  making,  for  tempo- 
rary and  incidental  receipts  .  .  .  _       1,000,000 

Balance 


472  APPENDIX. 

Balance  in  the  treasury,  nliich,  on  the  50tli  September 
Inst,  amounted  to  lour  millions,  five  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  thousand,  six  hunilred  and  fifty  four  dollars,  will  (as 
the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  present  quarter  may 
be  considered  as  nearly  equal)  he  diminished,  at  the  end  of 
this  year,  ouly  by  the  payments  on  account  of  the  Ameri- 
can claims,  assumed  by  the  convention  Avith  I'rancc,  and 
as  the  whole  amount  of  those  claims  unpaid  on  the  ;30th 
September  last,  will,  in  this  estimate,  be  stated  among-  the 
expenditures  of  180(),  the  whole  of  the  above-mentioned 
lialance  may  be  added  to  the  receipts  of  that  year,  viz.      -       4,575,000 


INIakino- in  the  whole     ....  -     18,075,000 


'a 


Expenditures. 

Theexpences  of  1806,  defrayed  out  of  those  resources,  arc  either 
permanent  or  temporary,  viz.  the  permanent  expences  arc  estimated  at 
eleven  millions,  tour  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  and  consist  of 

1.  The  annual  appropriation  for  payment  of  the  princi- 
pal and  interest  of  the  public  debt,  of  which  more  than  one 
l)alf  will  go  to  the  discharge  of  the  principal,  and   the 

residue  to  the  payment  of  interest  _  _  .      8,000,000 

2.  For  the  civil  department,  and  all  domestic  expences 
of  a  civil  nature,  including  invalid  pensions,  light-house 
and  mint  establishments,  surveys  of  public  lands,  the  third 
instalment  of  the  loan  due  to  Maryland,  and  one  hundred 
and  iifty  thousand  dollars  to  meet  claims  allowed  by  con- 
gress          -       1,150,000 

3.  For  expences  incident  to  the  intercourse  with  foreign 

nations,  including  the  pcnnanent  aj)pro|)riationslbr  Algiers         200,000 

4.  For  the  military  and  Indian  departments,  including 

the  permanent  appropriations  for  certain  Indian  tribes      -  .     1,030,000 

5.  For 


APPENDIX".  473 

5.  For  the  naval  establishment,  exclusive  of  the  defici- 
encres  for  the  service  of  1804  and  1805,  estimated  at  six 
hundred  thousand  dollars  ....       1,070,000 


The  extraordinary  demands  for  1806,  are 
Thenavydeficienciesof  1804  and  1805        -     600,000 
Balance  of  American  claims  assumed  by  the 
French  convention,  unpaid  the  30th  September 
last 3,400,000 


11,450,000 


4,000,000 
Making  altogether 15,450,000 


It  hence  appears,  that  the  permanent  revenues  of  the  United  States 
will,  during  the  ensuing  year,  exceed  the  permanent  expenditures  by 
more  than  one  million  of  dollars,  and  that  the  money  in  hand,  with  the 
temporary  resources  of  the  year,  will,  after  leaving  the  sum  always  ne- 
cessary to  keep  in  the  treasury,  discharge  the  navy  deficiencies,  and 
the  whole  amount  of  the  claims  assumed  by  the  convention  Avith  France, 
the  large  receipts  of  last  year  rendering  it  unnecessary  to  recur  to  the 
loan  authorised  by  law. 

Mediti^rranean  Fund. 

The  additional  duty  of  two  andahalf  per  cent,  on  goods 
paying  duties  ad  valorem,  which  constitutes  the  Mediter- 
ranean fund,  amounted,  during  the  six  last  months  of  1804, 
to  five  hundred  and  sixty -three  thousand  and  thirty-eight 
dollars.  The  amount  of  the  duty  accrued,  during  the 
year  ending  on  the  30th  June,  1805,  was  nine  hundred  and 

ninctT 


474  APPENDIX. 

ninety  thousand  dollars.  This  product  will,  it  is  true,  bo 
diminished  by  subsequent  cxportatioiis :  but  from  a  vie\V 
of  the  value;  of  goods  iuiportctl  in  IBOo  and  1804,  eharged 
Avith  that  duty,  the  fund  may  be  estimated  at  nearly  nine 
hundred  thousand  dollars  a  year.  The  fund  will,  therefore, 
xiltimately  produce,  during  one  year  and  nine  months, 
commencing  the  1st  July,  1804,  and  ending  the  31st 
ISIarch,  1805 1,575,000 

The  cxpenccs  heretofore  charged  on  that  fund  have  been 

Paid  in  1804,  to  the  said  department,  under  the 
act  constituting  the  fund  ...     525,000 

Paid  in  1805,  to  the  said  department  under  the 
second  section  of  the  act  of  25th  January,  1805     590,000 

Making  a  total  of  .....       1,115,000 

and  leaving  a  surplus  of  four  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  dollars,  but 
which  will  be  more  than  absorbed  by  the  navy  deficiences  above-men- 
tienod.  The  monies  actuall}'  received  or  to  be  received  into  the  trea- 
sury on  account  of  that  fund,  prior  to  the  1st  January,  1806,  are  about 
six  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  residue  will  be  received  between 
that  day  and  the  31st  March,  1807 ;  and  creilit  has  been  taken  for  a  sum 
of  nine  hundred  thousand  dollars,  on  that  account,  in  the  preceding  es- 
timate of  the  receipts  of  1805. 

ruhlic  Debt. 

The  payments  on  account  of  the  principal,  during  the 
year  ending  on  the  30th  September,  1805         -  -     4,vi77,808  63 

The  two  last  instalments  due  to  Great  Britain,  dis- 
charged during  the  same  period  ...     1,77(3,000  00 


Making         ......    0,153,898  63 

As 


APPENDIX.  475 

As  the  exportation  of"  the  sjjecle  necessary  to  discharge  the  last-nieii- 
tionetl  instalment  would  have  been  sensibly  felt,  it  was  found  eligible  to 
pay  it  in  London,  in  contbrniity  to  the  act  of  the  3d  of  March,  180."5, 
and  this  was  effected,  at  par,  by  the  Bank  of  the  United  States. 

Payments  on  account  of  the  public  debt,  from  the  1st 
of  April,  1801,  to  the  3oth  of  September,  1805  -   17,954,790  A9 

Paid  to  Great  Britain,  in  satisfaction  of  what  the 
United  States  might  have  been  liable  to  pay,  by  the 
sixtharticleofthetreaty  of  1794  -  \     "       .     2,004,000  00 

Balance  in  the  treasury  on  the  1st  of 
April,  1801         -  -  -  -  1,794,052  59 

On  the  30th  of  September,  1805         -  4,575,654  37 

Making  an  increase  of  -  -2,781,60178 

Whi(  h,  deducting  proceeds  of  sales  of 
bank  shares         .  -  -  -  1,287,600  00 


Leaves  for  the  increase  from  the  ordinary  revenue     -     1,494,001  78 


Making  a  difference  in  favor  of  the  United   States 
during  four  years  and  a  half  of  -  -  -22,112,792  27 

During  the  four  years,  commencing  on  the  1st  of  April,   1801,  and 

ending  on  the  3 1st  of  March,  1805,  there  has  been  paid  into  the  treasury. 

By  duties  on  tonnage  and  foreign  merchandise  -  45,174,837  22 

By  all  other  sources,  including  1,596,171  dollars,  and 

43  cents,  from  the  sales  of  bank  shares  and  public  vessels     5,492,639  83 


50,667,467  04 


I.   Less  than  one-third  of  this  whole  has  defrayed  all  the  current  ex- 
pences  of  the  United  States,  viz. 

3  p  For 


476  APPENDIX. 

For  the  civil  list,  and  all  domestic  civil  DOLL.      CTS. 

expences  ....  3,780,114  79 

For  the  military  establishment  and  In- 
dian department  -  -  -  4,405,192  26 

For  the  naval  establishment    -  -  4,842,635   15 

For  the  expences  attending  the  inter- 
course with  foreign  nations  -  -  1,071,437  84 


Amounting  to  .  -  -  -  -14,105,38004 

2.  Near  one-third  was  necessary  to  pay  the  interest 

on  the  public  debt,  viz.  _  .  .  .  16,278,700  95 

Part  of  that  sum  (3,l60,000  dollars)  was  paid  on  ac- 
count of  the  interest  on  the  deferred  stock,  a  charge 
which  commenced  only  in  1801,  and  w^as  therefore  in 
addition  to  the  annual  sum  wanted  before  that  year  for 
the  payment  of  interest  on  the  public  debt. 

3.  More  than  one  third,  and  which  may  be  consider- 
ed as  the  surplus  revenue  of  [the  United  States,  during 
that  period,  has  been  applied  towards  the  extinguishment 
of  the  debt,  viz. 

On  account  of  the  principal  -     16,317,663  92 

In  payment  of  debts  contracted  before 
the  1st  of  April,  1801,  under  the  British 
treaty  and  the  French  couvention         -    2,963,782  64 


19,281,446  56 


49,665,527  55 


While  one  third  of  the  national  revenue  is  absorbed  by  the  payment 
of  interest,  a  persevering  application  of  the  resources  afforded  by  seasons 
of  peace  and  prosperity  to  the  discharge  of  the  principal,  in  the  manner 
directed  by  the  legislature,  is  the  only  mode  by  which  the  United  States 

can 


APPENDIX. 


477 


can  ultimately  obtain  the  full  command  of  their  revenue,  and  the  free 
disposal  of  all  their  resources.  Every  year  produces  a  diminution  of 
interest,  and  a  positive  increase  of  revenue.  Four  years  more  will  be 
sufficient  to  discharge,  in  addition  to  the  annual  reimbursements  on  the 
six  percent,  and  deferred  stocks,  the  remainder  of  the  Dutch  debt,  and 
the  whole  of  the  eight  per  cent.,  navy  six  per  cent.,  five  and  a  half  per 
cent.,  and  four  and  a  half  per  cent,  stocks.  As  the  portion  of  the  pub- 
lic debt  which  shall  then  remain  unpaid  will  consist  of  the  six  per  cent, 
deferred,  and  Louisiana  stocks,  neither  of  which  can  be  reimbursed, 
except  at  the  periods  and  in  the  proportions  fixed  by  contract,  and  of 
the  three  per  cent,  stock,  which  its  low  rate  of  interest  will  render  in- 
eligible to  discharge  at  its  nominal  value,  the  rapidity  of  the  reduction 
of  the  debt,  beyond  the  annual  reimbursements  permitted  by  the  con- 
tracts, will,  after  1809,  depend  on  the  price  at  which  purchases  may  be 
effected.  And  should  circumstances  render  it  eligible,  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  revenue,  now  appropriated  for  that  purpose,  may  then  be 
applied  to  other  purposes. 


DUTIES  OF  THE  SEVERAL  PORTS  OF  THE  UNION. 

THE  following  statement  of  paj^ments  made  into  the  treasury  of  the 
United  States,  by  the  several  collectors  of  customs,  during  four  3'ears, 
commencing  April  1,  1801,  and  ending  March  3 1st,  1805,  exhibits  the 
amount  of  revenue  of  the  respective  ports  in  the  Union. 


Ports. 
New  York     - 
Philadelphia 
Boston 
Baltimore 
Charleston 
Norfolk 
Salem  (Mass.) 
Savannah 
Providence     - 
Portland 


Paymeiili 

2,862,020 

87 

7.777,905 

14 

6,408,400 

26 

3,861,9(33 

08 

3,031,639 

54 

1,761,673 

77 

1,034,498 

07 

914,039 

73 

781,556 

12 

545,265 

66 

Ports. 

Payments 

Newhaven 

510,637 

15 

Petersburg      - 

510,506 

17 

Portsmouth 

484,513 

41 

Alexandria    - 

467,761 

23 

Newburyport 

400,614 

30 

Newport 

390,916 

70 

Middletown  - 

382,757 

31 

Wilmington  (N.  C.)     - 

319,110 

07 

Richmond 

290,032 

43 

New  London 

282,049 

88 

3  P  2 

Wilming 

toa 

478 

Ports. 
VViliiiiiigloii  (l)il.) 
Keniifbtiiik    - 
Ni'wbern 
i'.denton 
Brislol  (R.  I.) 
Cloiices(cr 
Bath 

Tap|)ahaiiiiock 
Marblcliead  - 
V.'iscasset 
Faiiiield 
New  Bed  fowl 
\\'asliingloii  (N.  C.) 
Biddeford 
Nantucket 

Plymoutli 
Waldoborougli 

Penob'cot 

Dightoii 

Georgetown  (S.  C.) 

Micliirunackiiiack 

CaiiKk-n 

Fort  Adams    - 

York  (Mass.) 

New  Orleans 

Edgartown     - 

Detroit 

Georgetown  (Col.) 

Barnstaple 

Hudson 

iinowbili 


APPENDIX. 

Pai/tneiils. 

Port?. 

s;30,J27 

87 

Brunswick 

108,984 

64 

Beaufort  (X.  C.) 

1-16,429 

95 

Fully  Landing 

J  29,505 

57 

C'lierrvstonc 

loe.tioo 

East  River      - 

104,049 

Gl 

Great  Keg  Harbor 

9e,iJ27 

19 

Perth  Aniboy 

93,949 

97 

Btraiifort  (S.  C.) 

92,439 

48 

Vc-rniont 

811,422 

45 

Oxford 

70,900 

46 

St.  Mary's     - 

71,227 

52 

Massac 

67,234 

64 

Vienna 

61,941 

62 

Stag-FIarbor 

58,395 

41 

Birlington 

57, '256 

99 

j  Yorktawn 

52,932 

96 

j  Palmyra 

51,301) 

63 

Champlaine  - 

35,200 

61 

j  Alllnirgh 

33,786 

59 

1  Bridgetown    - 

33,005 

05 

'<  Havre  de  Grace 

32,900 

Frencliman's  Bay 

26,900 

Ipswich 

26,698 

72 

Mac  hi  as 

23,791 

83 

Chester  (Md.) 

21,879 

21 

Dumfries 

18,132 

Passamaquoddy 

15,950 

Louisville 

15,042 

58 

14,200 

43 

12,156 

48 

■ 

Total 


Pmjmciit.t. 

11,318     54 

10,000 

8,900 

7,104     63 

6,63* 

5,700 

5,150 

4,500 

4,022     83 

3,840     56 

3,551     27 

3,400 

2,500 

2,456     7& 

3,152 

1,500 

1,370 

1,200 

1,145 

1,000 

950 

614     48 

600 

500 

350 

340 

5212     42 

- 

20 

45,174,837     23 

SALARIES  OF  PUBLIC  OFFICERS. 


THE  President — Twenty-five  Tliousand  Dollars. 
The  Vice-President — Ten  Thousand  Dollars. 
The  Secretary  of  State — Five  Thousand  dollars. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury — Five  Thousand  Dollars.. 

3 


Thi 


APPENDIX.  4/y 

The  Secretary  of  War— Four  Thousand  Fire  Hundred  Dollars. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Navy — Four  Thousand  Five  hundred  Dollars. 
The  Attorney-General — Three  Thousand  Dollars. 
The  Comj)troller  of  the  Treasury — Three  Thousand  Five   Hundred; 

Dollars. 
The  Treasurer — Three  Thousand  Dollars. 
The  Auditor  of  the  Treasury — Three  Thousand  Dollars. 
The  Register  of  the  Treasury — Two  Thousand  Four  Hundred  Dollars. 
The  Accountant  of  the  War  Department — Two  Thousand  Dollars. 
The  Accountant  of  the  Navy  Department — Two  Thousand  Dollars. 
'The  Post-Master  General — Three  Thousand  Dollars. 
The  Assistant  Post-Master  General — One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred 

Dollars.. 

Payable  quarterly — to  continue  for  three  years  from  January  1,  1804. 


611,911 

50 

310,982 

31 

269,550 

942,992 

48 

PUBLIC  EXPENCES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  FOR  IS05. 

DOLLS.    CTS. 

CIVIL  LIST,    including  the  civi|  expenses  of  the  territory  of 

New  Orleans  -  .  .  - 

Miscellaneous  expenses  -  .  - 

Intercourse  with  foreign  nations  _  .  - 

Military  establishment  ----- 
Naval  establishment,   including  71,340  dollars,  76  cents,  as  an 

appropriation  for  the  crew  of  the  frigate  Pliiladelphia     1,240,445     29 

ESTIMATE. 

Legislature,  including  stationary,  printing,  fuel,  &c.        -  -     228,565 

Executive,  president  and  vice-president  _  -  _       30,000 

Department  of  State      -.----       27,304 

Treasury  Department    -  -  -  -  -  -       73,277     27' 

AVar  department  -^  -  -  -  -  -      29;  450 

Naval 


480 


APPENDIX. 


Naval  department 
General  post-ortice 
Compensations  to  loanoflkers,  &c. 
Surveyor  general  department 
south  of  Tenessee 
Officers  of  the  mint 


21,170 

1J,36'0 

2(),250 

2,000 

3,200 
10,600 


GOVERNMENTS    IN    TERRITORIES    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Territory  of  New  Orleans 
Mississippi  territory 
Indiana  territory 
^'aluation  of  lands,  &c. 
Aliscellaneous  - 


21,240 

5,500 

5,500 
13,595     23 

2,000 


JUDICIARY. 


Chief  justice  and  five  associates 

Nineteen  district  judges 

District  of  Columbia    - 

Attorney-general 

District  attornies 

^larshals  -  -  _ 

Expenses  of  courts,  &c. 

Light-house  establishment 


21,500 
26,200 

5,200 

3,000 

3,400 

1,600 

4,600 

126,776     52 


DURING  the  passage  of  the  Non-importation  Act,  the  secretary  of 
the  treasury  was  called  upon  by  the  senate  for  an  account  of  the  imports 
from  Great  Britain.  Mr.  Gallatin,  the  secretary,  in  consequence 
thereof,  made  the  following  reports  of  the  value,  agreeably  to  prime 
cost,  of  goods  paying  duties  ad  valorem,  imported  during  the  years 
1802,  180.'^,  and  1804,  from  the  dominions  of  Great  Britain  in  Europe, 
and  in  the  East  Indies ;  and  also,  from  all  other  parts  of  Europe, 
and  from  China;  and  the  quantity  of  salt,  rum,  and  nails,  imported 
during  the  same  years  from  Great  Britain  and  her  dependencies. 

2  A  STATEMENT 


APPENDIX. 

A  STATEMENT, 


481 


EMbiting  the  value  {agreeably  to  the  prime  cost)  in  sterling  money,  of  Goods, 
paying  duties  ad  valorem,  imported  from  the  dominions  of  Great  Britain  in 
Europe,  and  from  her  dominions  in  the  East  Indies ;  and  also,  from  all  other 
parts  of  Europe,  and  from  China. 


For  the  years  From  the  dominions  of  Gt. 
ISntain  in  Europe. 

From  the  British 
From  all  other  parts  of  (io„,i„io„s  j,,  t^e 
Europe.                      ga^t  [^^i,^; 

From  China. 

Endingonthe 
30th  Sept. 

1802,  <£.  sterl. 

1803, 

1804, 

At   121 
per  cent. 

At  15  per 
cent. 

At  20 
p.  cent 

At  12J 
per  cent. 

At  15 
p.  cent. 

At  20 
p.  cent 

At  124 
p.  cent. 

At  15 
p.   ct. 

a. 
o 

2 

At  121 
p.  cent. 

At  15  At20 
p.  centp.ct. 

3,907,582 
4,091,692 
4,088,450 

1,315,946 
1,254,852 
1,211,060 

49,650 
39,273 
49,923 

1,306,183  343,864 

678,513  259,922 

1,106,564  318,575 

65,976 
40,980 
34,676 

594,506 
;67,718 
733,497 

1,453 
5,162 
9,705 

456,135  37,328 
398,169  58,691 
408,218  34,036 

4 

358 

65 

A  STATEMENT, 

Exhibiting  the  quantity  of  Salt,  Rum,  and  Nails  imported  from  the  dominions 
of  Great  Britain  in  Europe,  from  the  British  JVest  Indies,  and  from  other 
British  dependencies. 


For  the  years 

From  the  dominions  of  Great 
Britain  in  Europe. 

From  the  British  West  Indies. 

From  other  British  de- 
pendencies. 

Ending  on  the 
30th  September, 

1802, 

1803, 

1804, 

SALT. 

RUM. 

NAILS. 

SALT. 

RUM, 

NAILS. 

SALT. 

RUM. 

NAILS. 

Bushels. 

Gallons. 

Pounds 

Bushels 

Gallons. 

Pounds.   Bushels. 

Gallons 

Pounds. 

1,262,039 

1,431,274 
1,260,122 

5,8)6 

45,459 
17,778 

3,051,782 
3,841,185 
3,924,803 

801,802 
758,421 
803,668 

4,213,087 
3,628,264 
4,368,316 

65,811 

4,426 
10,692 

4,608 
12,688 
30,050 

11,872 

7,883 

14,940 

7,469 
6,598 

messag"^ 


482  APPENDIX. 

MESSAGE  Ol'  THE  PUESIDENT,  COMMUNICATED  DECEMBER  C,   I80n. 

"  To  tlie  Si'Udlc  and  Iloitxc  of  Pvcprcsentdf/Dii  of  flic  United   Slates  of 

America  in  Congn'ss  assembled. 

"  VY  woiikl  have  given  ino,  iellow  citizens,  great  satisfaction  to  an- 
nounce, in  tin:  moment  of  ymir  meeting,  that  the  difficulties  in  our  fo- 
reign relations,  existing  at  the  time  of  your  last  separation,  had  been 
amicably  and  Justly  terminated. 

"  I  have  lost  no  time  in  taking  those  measures  which  were  most  likely 
to  bring  them  to  such  a  termination,  by  special  missions,  charged  witli 
such  powers  and  instructions  as,  in  the  event  of  failure,  could  leave  no 
imputation  on  either  our  moderation  or  forbearance.  The  delays  which 
have  since  taken  place  in  our  negotiation  with  the  British  government, 
appear  to  have  proceeded  Irom  causes  which  do  not  tlirbid  the  ex[)ecta- 
tion  that,  during  the  course  of  the  session,  I  may  be  enabled  to  lay  be- 
Ibre  you  their  final  issue. 

"  What  will  be  that  of  the  ncgociation  for  settling  our  differences  with 
Spain,  nothing  which  had  taken  place,  at  the  date  of  the  last  dispatches, 
enables  us  to  pronounce.  On  the  western  side  of  the  Mississippi  she  ad- 
vanced in  considerable  force,  and  took  post  at  the  settlement  Bayou 
Piertre,  on  the  Red  River.  This  village  was  originally  settled  b\^  France, 
was  held  by  her  as  long  as  she  held  Louisiana,  and  was  delivered  to 
Spain  only  as  a  part  of  Louisiana.  Being  small,  insulated,  and  distant, 
it  was  not  observed  at  the  moment  of"  re-deli  very  to  France  and  the 
I'nited  States,  that  she  continued  a  guard  of  half  a  dozen  men,  which 
had  been  stationed  there.  A  proposition,  however,  having  been  lately 
made  by  our  commander-in-chief,  to  assume  the  Sabine  river  as  a  tem- 
jiorary  line  of  sejiaration  between  the  troops  of  the  two  nations,  until  the 
issue  of  our  negotiations  shall  be  known,  this  has  been  referred  by  the 
Spanish  commandant  to  his  superior,  and  in  the  mean  time  he  has  with- 
drawn his  force  to  the  uxstern  side  of  the  Sabine  river.  The  correspond- 
ence on  this  subject,  now  communicated,  will  exhibit  more  particularly 
the  present  state  of  things  in  that  quarter. 

"  The 


APPENDIX.  483 

"  The  nature  of  the  country  requires  indispensably  timt  an  unusual 
proportion  of  the  force  emplovcd  there  should  ha  cavahy,  or  mounted 
infantr^^  In  order  therefore  that  the  commanding  officer  might  be 
enabled  to  act  with  effect,  I  had  authorised  him  to  call  on  the  governors 
of  Orleans  and  Mississippi,  for  a  corps  of  Jive  hiimhcd  vo!i/nfeer  cavalry. 
The  temporary  arrangement  he  has  proposed,  may,  perhaps,  render 
this  unnecessary.  But  I  inform  you  with  great  pleasure  of  the  promp- 
titude with  which  the  inhabitants  of  those  territories  have  tendered  their 
services  in  defence  of  their  country.  It  has  done  honor  to  themselves, 
entitled  them  to  the  confidence  of  their  fellow-citizens  in  every  part  of 
the  Union,  and  must  strengthen  the  general  determination  to  protect 
them  efficaciously  under  all  circumstances  which  may  occur. 

"  Having  received  information  that  in  another  i)art  of  the  United 
States  a  great  number  of  private  individuals  were  combining  together, 
arming  and  organizing  themselves,  contrary  to  law%  to  carry  on  a  mili- 
tary expedition  against  the  territories  of  Spain,  I  thought  it  necessary, 
by  proclamation,  as  well  as  by  special  orders,  to  take  measures  for  pre- 
venting and  suppressing  this  enterprize,  for  seizing  the  vessels,  arms, 
and  other  means  provided  for  it,  and  for  arresting  and  bringing  to  jus- 
tice its  authors  and  abettors.  It  was  due  to  that  good  faith  which  ought 
ever  to  be  the  rule  of  action  in  public  as  well  as  in  private  transactions; 
it  was  due  to  good  order  and  regular  government,  that,  while  the  public 
force  was  acting  strictly  on  the  deiensive,  and  merely  to  protect  our 
citizens  from  aggression,  the  criminal  attem|)ts  of  private  individuals  to 
decide,  for  their  own  country,  the  question  of  peace  or  war,  by  com- 
mencing active  and  unauthorised  hostilities,  should  be  promptly  and 
and  efficaciously  suppressed. 

"  Whether  it  will  be  necessary  to  enlarge  our  regular  force  will  de- 
pend on  the  result  of  our  negotiations  with  Spain.  But  as  it  is  uncertain 
when  that  result  will  be  known,  the  provisional  measures  requisite  for 
that,  and  to  meet  any  pressure  intervening  in  that  quarter,  will  be  a  sub- 
ject for  3'our  early  consideration. 

"  The  possession  of  both  banks  of  the  Mississippi  reducing  to  a  single 

3  Q  point 


484  A    I'ENDIX. 

point  the  d(.tence  of  that  river,  its  waters,  and  the  countrj'  adjacent,  it 
beconncs  hiulily  necessary  to  provide  for  that  point,  a  more  ade(|uate  se- 
curity. Some  position  above  its  mouth,  commandinq;  the  passage  of  the 
river,  should  be  rendered  sufliciently  strong  to  cover  the  armed  vessels 
which  may  be  stationed  there  for  defence  ;  and,  in  conjunction  with 
them,  to  present  an  insuperable  obstacle  to  any  force  att:em|)ting  to  pass. 
The  approaches  to  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  from  the  eastern  quarter, 
also  will  require  to  be  examined,  and  more  effectually  guarded.  For 
the  internal  sup|)ort  of  the  country,  the  encouragement  of  a  strong  set- 
tlement on  the  western  side  of  theMississi[)pi,  within  reach  of  New  Or- 
leans, will  be  worthy  the  consideration  of  the  legislature. 

"  The  gun-boats,  authorized  bjj^  an  act  of  the  last  session,  are  so  far 
advanced  that  they  will  be  ready  for  service  in  the  ensuing  spring.  Cir- 
cumstances permitted  us  to  allow  the  time  necessary  for  their  more  solid 
construction.  As  a  much  larger  number  will  be  wanting  to  place  our 
sea-port  towns  and  waters  in  that  state  of  defence  to  which  we  are  com- 
))ctent,  and  they  entitled,  a  similar  appro|)riation  lor  a  further  provision 
of  them  is  recommended  for  the  ensuing  year. 

"  A  further  appropriation  will  also  be  necessary  for  repairing  fortifi- 
cations already  established,  and  for  the  erection  of  such  other  works  as 
may  have  real  effect  in  obstructing  the  aj)proaeh  of  an  enemy  to  our  sea- 
port towns,  or  their  remaining  before  them. 

"  In  a  country  whose  constitution  is  derived  from  the  will  of  the  peo- 
ple, directly  expressed  by  their  free  suffrages,  where  the  principal  execu- 
tive functionaries,  and  those  of  the  legislature,  are  renewed  l-.y  them  at 
short  [)eriods — where,  under  the  character  of  jurors,  they  exercise  in  per- 
son the  greatest  portion  of  the  judiciary  powers — where  the  laws  are  con- 
sequently so  formed  and  administered  as  to  bear  with  equal  weight  aiid 
favour  on  all,  restraining  no  man  in  the  pursuits  of  honest  industry,  and 
securing  to  every  one  the  [)ro[)erty  which  that  acquires — it  v/ould  not  be 
supposed  that  any  safeguards  could  be  needed  against  insurrection  or 
enterprize  on  the  public  peace  or  authorit3'.  The  laws  however,  aware, 
that  these  should  not  be  trusted  to  moral  restraint  only,   have  wisely 

3  provided 


APPENDIX.  485 

provided  punishments  for  these  crimes  when  committed.  But  would  it 
not  be  salutary  to  give  also  the  means  of  preventing  their  commission  ? 
Where  an  enterprize  is  meditated  by  private  individuals,  against  a  fo- 
reign nation,  in  amity  with  the  United  States,  powers  of  prevention,  to  a 
certain  extent,  are  given  by  the  laws.  Would  tliey  not  be  as  reason- 
able and  useful  where  the  enterprise  preparing  is  against  the  United 
States?  While  adverting  to  this  branch  of  the  law,  it  is  proper  to  ob- 
serve, that  in  enterprizes  meditated  against  foreign  nations,  the  ordinary 
process  of  binding  to  the  observance  of  the  peace  and  good  behaviour, 
could  it  be  extended  to  acts  to  be  done  out  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
XTnitcd  States,  would  be  effectual  in  some  cases  where  the  offender  is 
able  to  keep  out  of  sight  every  indication  of  his  purpose  which  could 
draw  on  him  the  exercise  of  the  powers  now  given  by  law. 

"  The  states  on  tbe  coast  of  Barbarv  seemed  generally  disposed  at 
present  to  respect  our  peace  and  iriendshi|>.  With  Tunis  alone  some 
uncertainty  remains.  Persuaded  that  it  is  our  interest  to  maintain  our 
peace  with  them  on  equal  terms,  or  not  at  all,  I  propose  to  send  in  due 
time  a  reinforcement  into  the  Mediterranean  ;  unless  previous  informa- 
tion shall  shew  it  to  be  unnecessary. 

"  We  continue  to  receive  proofs  of  the  growing  attachment  of  our  In- 
dian neighbours,  and  of  their  disposition  to  place  all  tbeir  interests  under 
the  patronage  of  the  United  States.  These  dispositions  are  inspired  by 
their  confidence  in  our  justice,  and  in  the  sincere  concern  we  feel  for 
their  welfare.  And  as  long  as  we  discharge  these  high  and  honour- 
able functions  with  the  integrity  and  good  faith  which  alone  can  entitle 
us  to  ;/je/r  continuance,  we  may  expect  to  reap  the  just  reward  in  their 
peace  and  friendship. 

"  The  expedition  of  Messrs.  Lewis  and  Clarke,  for  exploring  the  river 
Missouri,  and  the  best  communication  from  that  to  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
has  had  all  the  success  which  could  have  been  expected.  They  have 
traced  the  Missouri  nearly  to  its  source,  descended  the  Columbia  to  the 
Pacific  Ocean,  ascertained  with  accuracy  the  geography  of  that  inte- 
resting communication  across  our  continent,  learnt  tlie  character  of  Liie 

3  Q,  2  country 


486  APPENDIX. 

country,  of  its  commerce,  and  inhabitants;  and  it  is  but  justice  to  say, 
that  ^iessrs.  Lewis  and  Clarke,  and  their  l)rave  companions,  have,  by 
this  arduous  service,  deserved  well  of  tlieir  country. 

"  The  attempt  to  explore  the  Red  river,  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
I'reeman,  thoiiyh  conducted  with  a  zeal  and  prudence  meriting  entire 
approbation,  has  not  been  equally  successlul.  After  proceeding  up  to 
about  six  hundred  miles,  nearly  as  fiir  as  the  French  setdements  had  ex- 
tended, while  the  country  was  in  their  possession,  our  geographers  were 
obliged  to  return  without  completing  their  work. 

"  Very  useful  additions  have  also  been  made  to  our  knowledge  of  the 
Mississippi,  by  Lieutenant  Pike,  who  has  ascended  it  to  its  source,  and 
whose  journal  and  map,  giving  the  details  of  his  journey,  wdl  shortly  be 
ready  tor  communication  to  both  houses  of  congress.  Those  of  Messrs. 
Lewis,  Clarke,  and  Treeman,  will  require  further  time  to  be  digested  and 
prepared.  These  important  surveys,  in  addition  to  those  before  |jossess- 
cd,  furnish  materials  for  commencing  an  accurate  map  of  the  Missis- 
sippi and  its  western  waters.  Some  principal  rivers,  liowever,  remain 
still  to  be  explored,  towards  which  the  authorization  of  congress  by  mo- 
derate appro|)riations,  will  be  requisite. 

*'  I  congratulate  you,  fellow  citizens,  on  the  approach  of  the  period  at 
which  you  may  interpose  your  authority,  constitutionally,  to  withdraw 
the  citizens  of  the  United  States  from  all  further  participation  in  those 
violations  of  human  rights  which  have  been  so  long  continued  on  the 
unofiending  inhabitants  of  Ati-ica,  and  which  the  morality,  the  reputa- 
tion, and  the  l)est  interests  of  our  country,  have  long  been  eager  to  pro- 
scribe. Although  no  law  you  may  pass  can  take  a  i)rohibilory  effect  till 
the  first  day  of  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eight,  yet  the 
intervening  period  is  not  too  long  to  prevent,  by  timely  notice,  expediti. 
ons  which  cannot  be  completed  before  that  day. 

"  The  receijjts  of  the  treasury,  during  the  year  ending  on  theoOth  day 
of  September  last,  have  amounted  to  near  fitteen  millions  of  dollars, 
which  have  enabled  us,  after  meeting  the  current  tlemands,  to  pay  two 
millions  seven  hundred  thousand  dollars  of  the  American  claims,  in  part 

of 


APPENDIX.  487 

of  the  price  of  Louisiana  ;  to  pay  of  the  funded  debt  upwards  of  three 
millions  of  principal,  and  nearly  four  of  interest;  and  in  addition,  to  re- 
imburse in  the  course  of  the  present  month  nearly  two  millions  of  five 
and  a  half  per  cent,  stock.  These  payments  and  reimbursements  of  the 
funded  debt,  with  those  which  had  been  made  in  the  four  years  and  a 
half  preceding,  will,  at  the  close  of  the  present  year,  have  extinguished 
upwards  of  twenty-three  millions  of  principal. 

"  The  duties  composing  the  Mediterranean  fund  v.ill  cease,  by  law. 
at  the  end  of  the  present  session.  Considering,  however,  that  they  are 
levied  chiefly  on  luxuries,  and  that  we  have  an  impost  on  salt,  a  neces- 
sary of  life,  the  free  use  of  which  otherwise  is  so  important,  I  recom- 
mend to  your  consideration  the  suppression  of  the  duties  on  salt,  and 
the  continuation  of  the  Mediterranean  fund  instead  thereof,  for  a  short 
time,  after  which  that  also  will  become  unnecessary  for  any  purpose  of 
contemplation. 

"  ^V'hen  these  branches  of  revenue  shall  in  this  W'ay  be  relinquished, 
there  will  still  ere  long  be  an  accumulation  of  money  in  the  treasury  be- 
yond the  instalments  of  public  debt  which  we  are  permitted  to  contract 
to  pay.  They  cannot,  then,  without  a  modilicatiou,  assented  to  by  the 
public  creditors,  be  applied  to  the  extinguishment  of  this  debt,  and  the 
complete  liberation  of  our  revenues,  the  most  desirable  of  all  ol)jects. 
Nor,  if  our  peace  continued,  will  they  be  wanting  lor  any  other  existing 
purpose.  The  question,  therefore,,  now^  comes  forward,  to  what  other 
object  shall  these  surplusses  be  appropriated,  and  the  whole  surplus  of 
the  impost,  after  the  discharge  of  the  public  debt,  and  during  those  in- 
tervals when  the  purposes  of  war  shall  not  call  for  them  ?  Shall  we 
suppress  impost,  and  give  that  ad\  antage  to  foreign  over  domestic  ma- 
nufactures ?  Of  a  lew  articles  of  more  general  and  necessary  use,  the 
suppression,  in  due  season,  will  doubtless  be  right;  but  the  great  mass  of 
articles  on  which  im|)0st  is  paid,  are  tbreign  luxuries,  purchased  by  those 
only  who  are  rich  enough  to  attbrd  themselves  the  use  of  them.  Their 
patriotism  would  certainly  prefer  its  continuance,  and  application  to  the 
great  purposes  of  the  public  education,  roads,  rivers,  canals  and  such 

1  other 


488  APPENDIX. 

other  objects  of  piihlic  improvement  as  may  be  thoii^lit  pro[)cr  to  add  to 
the  constitutional  enumeration  of  tc'deral  powers.  By  these  O[)erations, 
new  channels  of  communication  will  he  opened  between  the  states;  the 
lines  of  separation  will  disappear;  tlieir  interests  will  be  identihed;  and 
their  nnion  cemented  by  new  and  indissoluble  ties.  Education  is  iiere 
placed  among  the  articles  of  public  care,  not  that  it  would  be  proposed 
to  take  its  ordinary  branches  out  of  tiie  hands  of  private  enterprise, 
which  manages  so  much  better  all  the  concerns  to  which  it  is  ecjual ;  but 
a  public  institution  alone  can  supply  those  sciences  which,  though  rarely 
called  for,  are  yet  necessary  to  complete  the  circle ;  all  parts  of  which 
contribute  to  the  im|)rovement  of  the  countrj',  and  some  of  them  to  its 
preservation.  The  subject  is  now  proposed  for  the  consideration  of  con- 
gress, because,  if  improved,  by  the  time  the  state  legislature  shall  bave 
deliberated  on  this  extension  of  the  federal  trusts,  and  the  laws  shall  be 
passed,  and  other  arrangements  made  for  their  execution,  the  necessary 
funds  will  be  on  hand  without  employment,  I  suppose  an  amendment 
of  the  constitution,  bj^  the  consent  of  the  states,  necessary ;  because  the 
objects  now  recommended  are  not  among  those  enumerated  in  the  con- 
stitution, and  to  which  it  permits  the  public  monies  to  be  applied. 

"  Tlie  present  consideration  of  a  National  Estab/islimerif  for  Educa- 
tion, partivnlnvbi,  is  rendered  |iroper  by  this  circumstance  also,  that,  if 
congress,  approving  the  pro|iosition,  shall  yet  think  it  more  eligible  to 
found  it  on  donations  of  lands,  they  have  it  now  in  their  power  to  endow 
it  with  those  which  will  be  the  earliest  to  produce  the  necessary  income. 
This  foundation  would  have  the  advantage  of  being  independent  on  war, 
which  may  suspend  other  improvements  by  requiring  for  its  own  pur- 
poses the  resources  destined  for  them. 

"  This,  fellow-citizens,  is  the  state  of  the  public  interests  at  the  pre- 
sent moment,  and  according  to  the  information  now  possessed.  But 
such  is  the  situation  of  the  nations  of  Europe,  and  such,  too,  the  predi- 
cameiit  in  which  we  stand  with  some  of  them,  that  we  cannot  rely  with 
certainty  on  the  j)resent  aspect  of  affairs,  that  may  change  from  moment 
to  moment,  during  the   course  of  your  session,  or  after  you  shall  have 

separated. 


APPENDIX.  489 

separated.  Our  duty  is,  iherefore,  to  act  upon  the  things  as  they  are, 
and  to  make  a  reasonable  provision  for  whatever  they  may  be.  Were 
armies  to  be  raised  whenever  a  speck  of  war  is  visible  in  our  horizon, 
v,e  should  never  have  been  without  them.  Our  resources  would  have 
been  exhausted  oil  dangers  which  have  never  haj)pcned,  instead  of  being 
reserved  for  \yhat  is  really  to  take  place.  A  steady,  perhaps  a  quick- 
ened pace,  in  defence  of  our  sea-port  towns  and  waters,  an  early  settle- 
ment of  the  exposed  and  vulnerable  part  of  our  country,  a  militia,  so 
organized,  that  its  elective  portions  can  be  called  to  any  point  in  the 
nation,  or  volunteers  instead  of  them,  to  serve  a  sufficient  time,  are 
means  which  may  always  be  read)',  yet  never  preying  on  resources 
until  actually  called  into  use.  They  will  maintain  the  public  interests, 
while  a  more  permanent  force  shall  be  in  a  course  of  preparation.  But 
much  will  de])end  on  the  promptitude  with  which  these  means  can  be 
brought  into  activity.  If  war  l)e  forced  upon  us,  in  spite  of  our  long 
and  our  vain  appeals  to  the  justice  of  nations,  rapid  and  vigorous  move- 
ments, in  its  outset,  will  go  far  towards  securing  us  in  its  course  ai^id 
issue,  and  towards  throwing  its  burthens  on  those  who  render  necessary 
the  resort  fi'om  reason  to  force.  -r 

"  The  result  of  our  negociations,  or  such  incidents  in  their  course  as 
may  enable  us  to  infer  their  probable  issue ;  such  further  movements 
also  on  our  western  frontier  as  may  shew  whether  why  is  to  be  pressed 
there,  while  negociation  is  protracted  elsewhere,  shall  be  communicated 
to  you  from  time  to  time,  as  they  become  known  to  me ;  with  whatever 
other  information  I  possess  or  may  receive,  which  may  aid  your  delibe- 
rations on  the  great  national  interests  committed  to  your  charge. 

"  TH.  JEFFERSON." 


THE   END. 


INDEX. 


INDEX. 


A 

ACLAND,  Major  and  Lady  Harriet,  their  his- 
tory, 109. 

Adet,  the  French  ambassador,  atternpt  of  the 
English  10  intercept  him,  431  ;  his  escape, 
432-3. 

Advertisements,  eccentric,  349 ;  of  a  publican, 
350;  a  loltery-oftice  keeper,  351  ;  for  a  kit- 
chen-maid, ibid;  of  a  hair-dresser,  ibid;  of  a 
negro  oyster-inercliant,  352;  of  a  poetical 
friseur,  353;  of  a  political  barbacue,  ibid;  of 
a  porter-dealer,  354 ;  of  an  itinerant  par- 
son, ibid;  notice  of  a  marriage,  355;  of  a  di- 
vorce, ibid. 

Alexandria,  description  of,  213. 

Allegany  Nfountains,  account  of  them,  71. 

Alligator,  description  of  a  young  one,  308-9 

America,  general  observations  on  its  history,  35  ; 
infested  in  the  early  period  of  its  civilization 
by  freebooters,  39- 

American  Independence,  ceremonies  observed  on 
the  anniversary  of,  24. 

Americans,  specimen  of  tlie  effrontery  of  the  low- 
er classes,  S  ;  thtir  curiosity,  I S  ;  methods  em-  j 
ployed   by   them   to   perpetuate    their  enmiiy  I 
against  Great   Britain,   25  ;  their  aversion  to  ' 
capital  punishments,  iGS. 

Andre,  Major,  observations  on  his  fate,  l65. 

Ants,  description  of  those  of  North  Carolina,  311. 

Appendix,  46'5. 

Arnold,  General,  biographical  particulars  of  him, 
)  60 ;  his  barbarous  conduct  to  bis  native  coun- 


try during  the  American  war,  ibid;  embraces 
a  maritime  life,  l6"l  ;  commands  a  company 
of  volunteers  at  the  commencement  of  the  re- 
volution, ibid ;  marches  tu  Quebec  under  Mont- 
gomery, 162;  his  operations  on  Lak- Ciiam- 
plain,  ibid;  his  narrow  escape  at  Redfield,  16'3  ; 
takes  possession  of  Philadelphia,  I6i;  detec- 
tion of  his  plan  for  betraying  the  American 
army,  ibid. 

Arts,  slate  of  them  in  America,  419. 

Austin's  Letters  from  London,  strictures  on  them, 
420-424. 


Bankrupt  Laws,  system  of,  in  America,  2i2  ;  fa- 
cility of  evading  them,  243 ;  hints  for  their 
improvement,  245". 

Baptists,  their  baptismal  ceremonies,  104;  fatal 
accident  once  attending  the  performance  of 
them,  105. 

Bee-hunting,  description  of  it,  30^. 

Bees,  abundance  of  them  near  the  Alligator  river 
in  North  Carolina,  308. 

Bembury,  General,  exchanges  a  young  negro  wo- 
man for  a  horse,  410. 

Berceau,  Le,  French  corvette,  blockaded  in  Bos- 
ton by  the  English  sloop  Pheasant,  428. 

Blue  Ridge,  excursion  to  it,  39O. 

Bob,  the  cook-boy,  his  impudence,  8;  embezzle^ 
the  liquor  of  the  passengers,  14;  nocturnal 
alarm  occasioned  by  him,  17. 

Bonny-clabber,  description  of  it,  181. 

3  R  Book-fair, 


492 


INDEX. 


Book-fiiir,  annual,  fit  PhiladelpUia,  419. 

Boston,  exorbitant  charges  of  boarding-bouses 
there,  21;  excessive  heat,  i6i(/;  vault  contain- 
ing the  remains  of  tiie  British  oflicers  who  fell 
at  Bunker's  hill,  26;  situation  of  the  town,  27  ; 
population,  distilleries,  theatres,  28 ;  bridges, 
manufactures,  29. 

Brackcnridge,  Judge,  his  satire  on  the  order  of 
Cincinnati,  287. 

Bridge,  description  of  an  extraordinary  natural 
one,  in  \'irginia,  3+2. 

Broadhurst,  Miss,  the  actress,  her  death,  253-4. 

Bull-frog,  description  of,  84. 

Bunkci's  Hill,  anecdote  of  the  engagement  at 
tluii  place,  26. 

Burgiijiie,  General,  compelled  to  surrender  with 
his  army  to  General  Gates,  113. 

Burr,  Colonel,  bis  contest  with  Mr.  Jefferson  for 
the  presidency,  1 23  ;  elected  vice-president, 
125  ;  example  of  his  vanity,  ibid;  his  flight 
after  the  death  of  General  Hamilton,  12(); 
still  continues  to  sit  as  vice-president,  127  ; 
judicial  proceedings  against  him  on  a  charge  of 
meditating  a  revolution  in  the  United  Slates, 
128;  his  overtures  to  General  Eaton,  ibid. 

Butler,  Colonel,  his  services  during  the  American 
war,  399  ;  his  narrow  escape  from  the  Indians 
when  they  surprized  General  St.  Clair,  ibid; 
be  refuses  to  comply  with  the  order  of  the 
commander  in  chief  for  cutting  off  the  hair, 
400;  tried  by  a  court  martial  for  disobedience, 
401  ;  sentence  of  the  court  martial,  402;  his 
appeal  to  the  president,  ib^d ;  answer  of  the 
secretary  at  war,  403 ;  death  of  the  colonel, 
404. 
Cutting,  practised  in  Carolina,  303. 


Callender,  his  libel  on  Mr.  Adams,  118. 

Campbell,  Major,  coramandiug  ollicer  at  Fort 
Miamis,  bis  spirited  conduct  towards  General 
Wayne,  77-79. 

Camp-meetings  of  the  Methodists,  106;  adver- 
tisement of  one,  107. 


Carey,  Matthew,  a  bookseller  of  Philadelphia, 

418. 
Carolina,  wretchedness  of  the  lower  class  there, 

304  ;  their  republicanism,  305. 
Carolina,   South,    value  of  plantations    in  that 
countr)',   356" ;    houses  of  the  plujilers,   357 ; 
cruel  treatment  of  the  slaves  there,  361  ;  fre- 
quency of  duels  in  South  Carolina,  363. 
Carter,  Mr.  ^V.  accompanies  the  author  in  a  hunt- 
ing excursion  in  the  Great  Dismal   Swamp, 
331. 
Champlain,  Lake,  account  of  it,  72. 
Charleston,  mortality  among  the  theatrical  corps 

there,  253. 
Cincinnati,  account  of  the  order  of  the,  284  ;  its 
institution,  ibid;  public  prejudice  against   its 
members,  285  ;  satire  on  the  order,  2S6 ;  in- 
signia of  the  order,  293 ;  observations  on  the 
insignia,  294. 
Clarke,  Lieutenant,  his  letter,  giving  an  account 
of  the  expedition  to  explore  the  Missouri,  231, 
note. 
Cleggett,  Bishop,  his  generosity,  102. 
Cobbett,  Mr.  his  account  of  Dallas,  the  Ameri- 
can secretary  of  state,  99  i  anecdote  of  Gene- 
ral Hamilton  related  by  him,  1  15. 
Cock-roach,  description  of  that  msect,  311. 
Connecticut,  excursion  in  that  province,  80;  sub- 
stantial breakfasts  of  the  mhabitants,  80-81  ; 
accommodation  for  travellers,  82  ;  horse-corn, 
ibid;  general  aspect  of  the  country,  83 ;  sup- 
per, ibid;  the  bull-frog,  84 ;  rigid  observance 
of  the  sabbath  by  its  inhabitants,  101. 
Cooper,  INIr.  his  industry  as  an  actor,  250. 
Cotton,  different  species  of  it  cultivated  in  the 
Carolina?',  367;  its  cultivation,  368 ;  method 
of  preparing  it  for  manufacturing,  369;  pick- 
ing frolics,  370. 
Coiirtenay,  Captain,  of  the  Boston,  killed  in  ac- 
tion with  the  Ambuscade,  4'-8. 
Cravath,   Mr.  his   rancour  against  England,  9» 
his  example  induces  the  passengers  of  the  In- 
dustry to  pay  up  the  balance  of  their  passage- 
money,  15. 

Custie, 


INDEX. 


4<)3 


Custis,  Mr.   his  annual  meetings  and  premiums 

for  improvins  the  breed  of  sheep,  407-S. 
Custom-bouse  officer,  picture  of  an  American,  17. 


D 


Dallas,  Mr.  secretary  of  state,  his  origin,  59. 

Debt,  public,  of  the  United  States,  statement  of 
the,  47^. 

Dennie,  Mr.  Joseph,  tiied  for  the  publication  of 
some  political  strictures,  4l6. 

Dinmore,  Richard,  paiticulars  concerning  him, 
414. 

pismal  Swamp,  Great,  description  of  it,  328  ; 
hunting  excursion  of  llie  author  in  it,  331  ; 
dreadful  fire  there,  333  ;  obstinate  battle  in  the 
swamp  between  a  planter  and  a  bear,  334  ;  ca- 
nals cut  through  the  swamp,  333. 

Dismal  Swamp,  Little,  dangerous  adventure  of 
the  author  in  it,  333. 

Dixwell,  Colonel,  one  of  the  judges  of  Charles 
the  First,  his  concealment  in  America,  53. 

Dixwell,  Mrs.  anecdote  of  her,  25S. 

Drama,  the,  its  rise  and  progress  in  Philadelphia, 
247  ;  account  of  the  New  York  company,  251; 
mortality  among  the  performers  at  Charleston, 
253  ;  behaviour  of  an  American  audience  at 
the  theatre,  255-257 ;  dramatic  performers 
treated  with  contempt  in  America,  258. 

Drumtnond,  Lake,  description  of  it,  329. 

Duane,  a  printer,  libels  General  Washington, 
117;  his  defamation  of  the  general,  Igp;  re- 
ceives a  poetical  castigation  from  Mr.  Fessen- 
den,  200;  particulars  concerning  him,  201, 
note. 

Duel  between  Mr.  Rutledge  and  Mr.  Senter,  363 ; 
between  Placide  and  Douvillier,  two  players  of 
Charleston,  364. 

Duplaine,  the  French  vice-consul,  dismissed  by 
General  Washington,  95. 

Durkee,  Lieutenant,  his  adventure  with  General 
Putnam,  133. 

Dwjght,  Rev.  Dr.  extract  from  his  poem  of 
Greenfield  Hill,  l63. 


Edenton,  in  North  Carolina,  slate  of  religion 
there,  103. 

Elections,  American,  burlesijue  on  them,  289- 
293. 

Eleveners,  description  of  them,  500. 

Emigrants,  prospect  for  such  as  repair  to  Ame- 
rica on  agricultural  speculations,  389  ;  advice 
to  them, +09;  prospect  for  the  mechanic  and 
laborer,  411. 

Emmctt,  Counsellor,  retained  in  behalf  of  Mr. 
Ogden,  the  owner  of  the  Leander,  324;  bio- 
graphical particulars  of  him  and  his  family, 
451. 

Engagement  between  the  English  frigate  Boston 
and  the  French  frigate  Ambuscade,  428. 

Erie,  Lake,  description  of  it,  75. 

Esperance,  French  privateer,  conduct  of  her  crew, 
3;   taken  by  an  English  vessel,  7. 

Evans,  Mr.  travels  up  the  Missouri  in  quest  of 
the  Welch  ludians,  270. 

Expenditure,  public,  of  the  United  States,  +72. 


Fairfax,  Viscount,  particulars   concerning  him, 

153. 
Falmouth,   animosity  of  political   parties  therft 

previous  to  the  American  revolution,  40-41. 
Farmers,  behaviour  of  those  of  New  England,  85. 
Fessenden,  Mr.  his  poetical  castigation  of  Duane, 

200. 
Fish,  their  fecundity  in  New  England,  68. 
Foster,   Mr.  John,  his  plantation  and  household, 

309-310. 
Franklin,  Dr.  his  political  prognostication,  y5  ; 

his  picture  of  America,  410. 


Gallatin,  Albert,  biographical  particulars  of  him., 
139  ;  takes  an  active  part  in  the  Whisky  rebel- 
lion, ibid;  avails  himself  of  the  amnesty  grant- 
ed by  General  Washington,  140;  appointed  by 
3  R  a  Mr. 


494 


INDHX. 


Mr.  J(fr<noii  socrelarj'  of  the  Ticafiiry,  IH  ; 
his  conduct  in  ihe  house  of  leprcseutiitives, 
and  in  his  ofJicial  capacity,  1  >2. 
Gaits,  Gem Tul,  liis  early  services  iu  tlu-  Hriilsii 
army  in  Gcraiaiiy   and  America,    lOy  ;  joins 
the  American  standard,  ibid;  he  takes  General  ; 
Burgoyne's  army,    113;  liis  humanity  to  his 
prisoners,  ibid;  defeated  by  Lord  Cornwallis, 
and  superseded  in  his  command,  1  l-l. 
Genet,  the  French  ambassador,  his  intrigues  in 
the  United  Stales,  93 ;  bis  remonstrance  on 
tiie  dismissal  of  Duplaine,   95 ;    his  charges 
against  the  American  ministers,  iK)  ;   letter   to 
him  from  the  attorney-geuerul,  Mr.  Randolph, 
07  ;  his  reply,  9S  ;  his  recal  to  Paris,  il'id ;  he 
refuses  to  comply,  and  settles  in   the  United 
States,   99  ;  extract  from  his  diplouialic  in- 
structions, ibid. 
Georgia,  grant  of  laud  by  that  state  to  the  Geor- 
gia Mississippi  company,  i63  ;  fraud  of  its  go-  i 
vcrnment,  ibO" ;  it  sells  the  same  laud  to  con- 
gress, 267- 
Cilp.n,  Mr.  an  English  emigrant,  his  history,  385. 
Goffe,  Major-general,  one  ol  ihe  judges  of  Charles 
the  First,  his  adventures  in  Ameiica,  -15  ;  sin- 
gular anecdotes  of  him,  51-5'2. 
Gold-mines,  discovery  of  some  in  North  Carolina, 

065. 

Gouging,  defrription  of  that  horrid  practice,  300 ; 
various  insiances  of  its  being  employed,  301- 
303. 

Gnffiih,  Maurice,  narrative  of  his  adventures, 
•272. 

Grumbler,  the,  paid  for  grumbling.  l6. 

Gypsum,  large  quantities  ii.iported  by  ihe  .Ame- 
ricans from  the  British  colonies,  and  used  as 
manure,  ^37. 


Jk 


Hamilton,  General,  his  extraction,  I  U;  his  early 
services  in  the  American  urmy,  115;  his  iiu- 
manity  and  lirmness  at  the  siege  of  York-town, 
ibid;  embraces  llie  profession  of  llie  law,  116"; 
appointed  secretary  of  tlie  treasury,  ibid;  re- 
signs that  ofllce,  117;  liis  literary  abilities, 
ibid ;  circumstances  that  led  to  his  duel  with 
Burr,  1  IS  ;  his  death,  '.  !£) ;  funeral  oration  by 
Mr.  Otis,  120-123. 

Ilell-Gate,  perilous  passage  of,  89;  anecdote  of  a 
black  pilot  who  carried  a  British  ship  of  war 
safely  through  it,  90,  note. 

Hessian  settlers  in  America,  4I4'. 

Mill,  Mr.  a  bookseller  of  Baltimore,  liis  indcco- 
rons  conduct  at  the  theatre,  256". 

Hodgkinson,  Mr.  the  actor,  his  death,  252. 

Hothnan,  C.  .\.  his  horrible  barbarity  to  a  negro 
boy,  377. 

Horse-races  at  Washington,  200. 

Huron,  Lake,  description  of  it,  7-J-. 

Husking-fiolics  described,  W6. 

Hutchins,  Mr.  his  survey  of  the  AmericaQ  lakes, 
7^. 


Indian  corn,    its_£uTtivation,    391 ;    precarious 

produce  of  that  grain,  405. 

Indigo,  -de.-cription  ot  the  plant  which  produces 
11,371  ;  method  of  manufacturing  indigo,  i6i(/. 

Inn-keepers,  the  general  behavior  of  those  ia 
New  England,  85. 

Ireland,  astnnishing  emigration  from  that  coun- 
try to  America,  452  ;  crowded  state  of  the 
ships  with  Irish  passengers,  ibid;  smuggling 
carried  on  there  to  a  shameful  extent  by  ihe 
Americans,  4()0. 

isiehoche,  a  Greek  chief,  dialogue  between 
huu  and  an  American  agent,  'J79-2S1. 


Hacker,  Captain,  his  attack  on  the  island  of  New 

Providence,  158- 
Hale,  Captain,  taken  by  the  English,  and  exe- 

tuUd  as  a  spy,  10". 


Jackson,  Jilr.  appointed  governor  of  Georgia,. 
26"6;  his  unjust  and  fraudulent  conduct  to- 
wards tlie  purchasers  of  lauds  in  that  slate, 

ibid; 


INDEX, 


495 


ibid ;  his  persecution  of  a  printer  at  Savannah, 

267  ;  singular  resolution  oi  a  metiing  called 

bv  liim,  2oS  ;  his  death,  ibid. 
Jefleison,    Mr.    his  sentiments  on  negro  slavery, 

381-2. 
Jones,  Paul,  anecdotes  of  him,  1  57. 
Junipers,  a  religious  sect  in  Wales,  account  of 

them,  107,  note. 


Kentucky,  prospects  for  settlers  in  that  country, 
26';  expence  of  furniiug  a  setlleinenl  iheie, 
as  caleulated  by  Mr.  H.  'I'oulmin,  440;  qua- 
lity and  pioduce  of  the  soil,  443  ;  difiicul-)  of 
bringing  its  produce  to  market,  445. 


La  Fayette,  his  barbarous  proposal  to  Washing- 
ton, 115. 

Landois,  Captain,  anecdotes  of  him,  159. 

Land-speculators,  their  artifices  and  frauds  ex- 
posed, ^5S  ;  their  method  of  cooking  land,  26 1. 

Lang,  Mr.  bis  account  of  the  adoption  of  a  war- 
rior by  the  Canadian  Indians,   281. 

Latrobe,  Mr.  Eenjanmi,  (tiriiculars  concerning 
him  aiid  his  farnilv,  ^01. 

Law,    Ihom^s,    esq.   biographical  particulars  of , 
him,   154;   acquires  a  fortune  in  the   East  In- 
dies, ib'd ;  his  mission  to  Seringnpatam,  155; 
returns  to    Eurtipe,    and   fettles  in  America, 
156;  his  speciilalions,  157.' 

Law,  manner  of  administering  it  in  the  United 
States,  234;  procrastination  of  lawyers,  235; 
extracts  of  Term  Reports,  236-24V  ;  bankrupt 
laws,  242  ;  frauds  committed  under  them,  213; 
bints  for  amending  them,  245  ;  general  obser- 
vations on  the  practice  of  the  law  in  America, 
412. 

Leese,  Ann,  founds  the  sect  of  Shakers,  102; 
her  death,  413  note. 

Lewis,  Captain,  sent  by  Mr.  Jefterson  to  explore 
the  river  Missouri,  2'iO ;  particulars  of  the 
expedition,  226". 


Lincoln,  Mr.  biographical  parliculars  of  him, 
149;  appointed  attorney-general,  ibid;  stric- 
tures on  his  public  conduct,  ibid;  his  speech 
before  the  supreme  court  of  the  L'nited  Stales, 
150;  is  removed  from  his  office,  151. 

Literature,  state  of,  in  the  United  States,  416. 

Little,  Captain,  lakes  a  French  corvette,  425  ; 
tried  on  charges  brought  against  him  by  the 
prisoners,  426;  superseded  m  his  command, 
427. 

Locusts,  description  of  those  of  Carolina,  310. 

Louisiana,  observations  on  iis  cession  to  France 
and  to  the  United  States,  31  note. 

-M 

Madison  Court-House,  state  of  society  there, 
395  ;  alarm  of  an  insurreciion  of  the  slaves, 
ibid ;  night  expedition  against  them,  396. 

Madogians,  or  Welsh  Indians,  conjectures  con- 
cerning them,  270. 

Magicienne,  French  frigate,  blocked  up  in  Nor- 
folk by  the  Boston,  3t3  ;  rencounter  between  a 
party  of  her  crew  and  some  British  sailors,  3 14. 

Maine,  province  of,  first  exjilored  by  English  ad- 
venturers in  search  of  gold,  36  ;  artifice  of  the 
savages  there,  b7  ;  changes  its  proprietors,  39  ; 
its  extent,  ibid ;  produce,  40  ;  its  principal 
towns,  ibid. 

Mala  Maniii,  the  Tunisian  amb.ssador,  his  arri- 
val at  Washington,  2l6  ;  his  pirsimony,  217  ; 
his  departure  trom  the  United  States,  2 1 9. 

M'Fingal,  an  American  poet,  extract  from  his 
work,  7  !• 

Manufactures,  state  of  them  in  America,  194; 
proposed  company  for  their  encouragement, 
193. 

Martin,  Colonel,  account  of  him,  173  ;  his  phi- 
lanthropic disposition,  174. 

Mediterranean  Fund,  statement  of  ihe,  473. 

Methodists,  their  camp-meetings,  106;  adver- 
tiseraent  of  a  camp-uieeting,  107. 

Miamis,  Fort,  battle  in  us  vicinity  between  the 
troops  of  the  United  States  and  the  savages, 
75. 

MJchillimackinnac, 


496 


INDEX. 


i\lichillimackinnac,  strtiglit  ot",  rsmaikablu  ele- 
vation uud  depression  of  its  waters,  74-. 
Miranda,  particul.irs  concernitjg  him,  313;  he 
equips  a  naval  force  ai  New  York,  314;  is 
joined  by  Anieriuiin  advunlurers,  3J5  ;  alarm 
in  New  York  aftor  his  departure,  3l6';  failure 
of  his  ex|)e(lillon,  3'J4  ;  his  early  history,  325. 

Missouri,  an  expedition  sent  out  to  exjilore  the 
source  of  that  river,  220 ;  description  of  the 
country  contiguous  to  it,  2'.'S-g. 

Mockingbird,  its  vocal  powers,  346 ;  compari- 
son between  its  notes  and  those  of  the  nightin- 
gale, 3  I". 

Wolong,  Colonel,  forms  an  ambush  to  intercept 
an  English  detachment,  13+ ;  rescues  Major 
Putnam  from  imminent  dtatli,  137. 

Montgomery,  General,  killed  before  Quebec, 
162. 

Moore,  Mr.  his  Lake  of  the  Dismal  Swamp,  a 
ballad,   321). 

Morris,  Governor,  pronounces  a  funeral  oration 
on  General  llaiuilloii,  at  New  York,  11.0. 

ft  orse,  Dr.  his  account  of  the  horrid  practice  of 
gouging,  300  ;  his  observations  on  negro  sla- 
very, 382-38 1. 

Mount  Vernon,   description  of,  211. 

Wusquitoes,  consequences  of  their  bite,  22  ;  not 
so  severe  as  represented  by  Mr.  Weld,  23. 

N 
Navy,  state  of  the  American,  210;  charges  for 
it  in  1805,  214. 
■  Kew  England,  extremes  of  heat  and  cold  in  that 
country,  57  ;  nocturnal  annoyance  from  insects 
and  reptiles  there,  5S  ;  observations  on  its 
atmosphere,  5y ;  price  of  fuel,  ibid;  seve- 
rity of  the  cold  in  winter,  (iO  ;  tables  of  ve- 
getation, ibid.-y  frost,  61  ;  table  of  winds  and 
rain,  62  ;  alteration  of  climate,  63  ;  variation 
of  the  seasons,  64;  general  behavior  of  inn- 
keepers in  New  England,  S5  ;  character  of  the 
farmers  there,  86;  curiosity  of  the  females, 
87  ;  influence  of  republican  principles  on  their 
character,  ibid;  arrogance  of  domestics,  ibid; 
siiigulai  cusloms  in  this  country,  88. 


New  London,  description  of,  42. 

Newspapers,  their  multiplication  in  America,  il6. 

New  York,  the  author's  arrival  there  at  mid- 
night, .01  ;  its  situation,  ibid;  prevalence  of 
tlie  yellow  fever  there,  <)2  ;  increase  of  the 
city,  93. 

Nilson,  Mr.  Andrew,  anecdote  of  him,  307- 

Norfolk,  description  of,  327. 

Norton,  John,  a  Mohawk  chief,  atcount  of,  278, 
note. 

O 

Ogden,  Mr.  owner  of  the  Leander,  proceeding* 
against  him,  317;  his  address  to  tltc  public, 
318;  he  is  arrested,  ibid ;  and  examined,  319; 
is  liberated,  321  ;  spirited  defence  of  his  coun- 
sel, 321  ;  farther  judicial  proceedings  respecting 
him,  322-324. 

Ohio,  account  of  the  countries  bordering  on  that 
river,  439. 

Oldmixon,  Sir  John,  particulars  concerning  him, 
152;  marries  Miss  George  and  removes  to 
America,  ibid ;  singular  equipage  in  which  he 
conveyed  his  lady  to  the  theatre,  153;  her 
infidelity,  ibid. 

Orange  Court-House,  dancing-school  there,  392; 
sporting  e.'ccursion  in  the  neighbourhood,  394. 

Osage  Indians,  send  a  deputation  to  Washington, 

220;  their  visit  to   congress,  221  ;  their  dress 

and  manners,  221-2  ;  specimens  of  their  songs, 

223-4 ;  their   performance  in   the   theatre  at 

Washington,   225  ;  death  of  one  of  the  chiefs, 

ibid. 
Otis,   Mr.  extract  from  his   funeral  oration  on 

General  Hamilton,  120-123. 


Paine,  Thomas,  observations  on  his  character, 
and  on  JetTerson's  invitation  of  him  to  America, 
446. 

Peale,  Mr.  his  Museum  at  Philadelphia,  191. 

Philadelphia,  founded  by  William  Penn,  175; 
description  of  the  city,  176;  its  population, 
1 78  ;  the  market,  179 ;  excessive  heat  iu  sum- 
mer. 


INDEX. 


4P7 


iiier,  181  >  the  gaol,  184;  tlie  bettering-house, 
185;  the  hospital,  jJirf ;  Bank  of  the  United 
States,  1 86;  water-works,  ibid;  covered  bridge 
over  the  Schuylkill,  I  $7  ;  the  library,  ibid  ; 
its  foundation,  188;  number  of  volumes  it 
comprises,  189;  retnarkable  clock,  I90. 

Phipps,  Sir  William,  anecdotes  of,  38. 

Physic,  general  observations  on  the  practice  of 
it  in  the  United  States,  4.12. 

Pierce,  John,  killed  by  a  ball  from  the  Leander, 
4  33;  proclamation  issued  by  the  president  on 
the  occasion,  434. 

Pigeons,  wild,  their  multiplication  in  New  Eng- 
land, 67  ;  their  abundance  in  North  Carolma, 
68. 

Pinckney,  General,  biographical  particulars  of 
him,  leP;  he  joins  the  Americans  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  revolution,  j'Wrf;  taken  pri- 
soner at  Charleston,  130  ;  his  political  and  di- 
plomatic services,  131  ;  appointed  third  in  com- 
mand in  the  army  raised  to  quell  the  Whisky 
Rebellion,  132;  his  political  principles,  z'Wi/. 

Pitcairn,  Dr.  particulars  of  him,  26,  note. 
■  Pitcairn,  Major,  anecdote  concerning  him,  26. 

Pittsburg,  description  of,  438. 

Flank,  Mr.  one  of  the  passengers  in  the  Industry, 
his  altercation  with  Mr.  Cravath,  g  ;  tantalizes 
the  curiosity  of  the  Americans,  IS. 

Portland,  the  capital  of  the  province  of  Maine, 
description  of,  40. 

Portsmouth,  in  New  England,  description  of,  IS  ; 
Its  market,  20. 

Potomack,  British  expedition  up  that  river  dur- 
ing the  American  war,  213. 

Preston,  the  Rev.  Samuel,  bequeaths  his  books  to 
the  library  of  Philadelphia,  19O. 

Printing  and  Bookselling  in  America,  418. 

Proudfit,  Mr.  John,  circumstances  attending  his 
bankruptcy,  243. 

Putnam,  General,  biographical  particulars  of, 
132;  his  adventures  in  Canada,  133  ;  his  con- 
duct in  an  engagement  with  the  Indians,  134; 
is  taken  prisoner  by  tl-.em,  135  ;  his  sufl'erings, 
130 ;  the  Indians  prepare  to  roast  him  alive. 


107;  he  is  rescued  by  a  French  officer,  ibid; 
singular  method  employed  by  the  Indians  for 
securing  hiiu,  138;  rejoins  the  English  army, 
J  39. 

R 

Randolph,  Mr.  Edmund,  his  letter  to  the  French 
ambassador  Genet,  97. 

Randolph,  Mr.  John,  biographical  particulars  of 
him,  142;  description  of  his  person,  ibid;  op- 
poses the  appointment  of  a  navy  during  the 
presidency  of  Mr.  Adams,  143  ;  is  insulted  by 
some  naval  officers  in  consequence  of  his  speech 
on  that  occasion,  144;  appeals  to  the  president, 
and  report  of  a  committee  on  the  subject,  ibid  ; 
he  opposes  hostile  measures  against  Great  Bri- 
tain, 145  ;  extract  from  his  speech  on  the  Non- 
importation Act,  146;  his  speech  on  Governor 
Jackson's  death,  269. 

Read.  I\Ir.  John,  discovers  gold  in  his  land,  3(J5, 

Red-bird,  the,  description  of,  348. 

Redemptioners,  large  importation  of  them  from 
Germany,  46 1. 

Representation,  system  of,  in  America,  29 ">;  num- 
ber of  representatives,  296. 

Revenue,  public,  of  the  United  States,  470. 

Rigby's  Mountain,  in  Connecticut,  description  of» 
43. 

Roads,  wretched  state  of  them  in  America,  172; 

abstract  of  a  report  on  them,  465. 
Rogers,  Major,  his  unsoldier-like  conduct,  133-4. 
Russell,  the  Honorable  Thomas,  introduction  of 

the  author  to  him,  25. 


Savannah,  intended  insurrection  of  the  slaves 
there,  36 1,  note. 

Shakers,  an  extraordinary  religious  sect,  account 
of,  102. 

Shark,  singular  manner  of  catching  one,  11. 

Slaves,  their  employment  in  South  Carolina,  358; 
hints  for  improving  their  situation,  ibid  ;  ad- 
vertisements of  slaves  for  sale,  359 ;  fatal  con- 
sequences to  be  apprehended  from  this  traffic, 

360  J, 


498 


INDEX. 


360;  horrible  cruelties  inflicted  on  slaves,  3Cl 
their  iv>mbrrs  in   the  American   states,  362 
farther   particulars  of  their  treatment,    373 
a    nepro    quarter,     37+ ;    their    food,    ibid 
filial  affection  of  a  negro  boy,  37.5  ;  annual 
sale  of  nfgroes,  37Ct  ;  barbarities  indicted  on 
them,    37  7;  dreadful  punishment  of  a   slave, 
37^  ;   mutilation  of  a   negro  for  incontinence,  i 
ibi'l;    sentiments  of    Mr.   Jcfi'urson   and   Dr. 
Morse  on  slavery,  381-384. 

Slingers,  description   of  the   class   of  people  so 
calle.l.  Q9i). 

Smith.  Colonel,  his  arrest  and  examination,  on 
suspicion  of  abetting  Miranda,  320. 

Squatters,  description  of  them,  38<). 

Stage- waggon,  American,  description  of  one,  171. 

Stiles,  F.sra,  observations  on  his  history  of  the 
three  judges,  .53. 

Superior,  Lake,  description  of  it,  73. 

Swine,  method  of  raising  and  killing  them,  180. 


Talmage,  Jud£;e,  his  sentiments  on  liberty,  323. 

Tate,  Mr.  his  miserable  death  at  St.  Domingo, 
314-310,  note. 

Thornton,  Mr.  W.    his  report  concerning  the 
lands    belonging  to  the  North  Carolina  Gold  | 
Company,  366. 

Tobacco,  immoderate  use  of  it  by  children,  297  ; 
its  cultivation,  339  i  method  of  curing  and 
packing  it,  340  ;  frauds  of  American  dealers 
in  this  article,  3  H. 

Toulmin,  Mr.  II.  account  piibtibhcd  by  him  rela- 
tive to  the  Welsh  Indians,  '27'2;  his  observa- 
tions on  llie  possibility  of  the  existence  of  such 
a  race,  'J77  ;  his  cak  ulation  of  the  expence  of 
settling  in  Kentucky,  440. 

Trask,  Captain,  the  author  takes  his  passage  with 
him  to  America,  C  ;  detained  by  a  French  pri- 
vateer, 3  ;  treatment  of  bis  passengers,  8  ; 
neglects  to  lay  in  a  supply  of  provisions,  13. 

Trivctt,  John,  commands  the  attack  made  on 
New  Providence  by  Captain  Hacker,  158. 


Truxton,  Commodorei  attacks  and  takes  a  French 
(rigate,  143  note. 

I'rotter,  Mr.  of  Lexington,  his  extensive  deal- 
ings, 440  note. 

Timisian  embassy,  account  of  it,  CI 5. 

Turtle,  land,  abundance  of  them  in  the  swamps 
of  Carolina,  312.  ' 

Typographical  Society  of  Philadelphia,  418.         ' 

Tyron,  Governor,  accused  by  the  Americans  of 
barbarity,  1 63. 

U 

United  States,  their  extent,  31  ;  population,  32; 
probability  of  a  dismemberment  of  theai,  35; 
statistical  view  of,  34;  their  mountains,  70; 
lakes,  7?  ;  state  of  religion,  100;  their  mili- 
tary establishment,  167  ;  badness  of  the  roads, 
172;  rarity  of  capita!  punishments  there,  182; 
economy  of  their  prisons,  183  ;  few  beggars  to 
be  seen  in  the  United  States,  J  85;  state  of 
manufactures,  194. 


Villiers,  Mr.  the  actor,  bis  death,  254. 

W 

Washington,  General,  countpracts  the  machina- 
nations  of  Genet,  the  French  ambassador,  and 
dismisses  the  vice-consul  Duplaine,  P-l'  ;  sus- 
pends the  functions  of  Genet,  9^  ;  anecdote  of 
him,  115;  he  assumes  the  command  of  the 
army  raised  to  quell  the  Whisky  rebellion, 
131  ;  his  retreat  frnni  I/nif  Island  during  the 
American  war,  166;  ingratitude  of  a  portion 
of  the  Americans  towards  him,  I.';8  ;  he  is  ie- 
fained  by  Duane,  1£)0  :  directs  all  his  property 
to  be  sold,  in  his  will,  212,  note;  buried  in 
efligy  in  most  of  the  large  towns  of  America, 
424. 

Washington,  the  federal  city,  founded  by  General 
Washington,  198;  avenues  to  it,  202  ;  wretch* 
ed  state  of  the  city,  202-3  ;  total  failure  of  the 
plan,  203:  the  capitol,  204;   the  Pennsylvania 

Avenue, 


INDEX. 


49 


Avenue,  Ibid;  description  of  the  president's 
house,  20C;  the  navy-yard,  208  ;  horse-races, 
ibid. 

Wayborne,  Mn  battle  between  him  and  a  bear, 
336. 

Wayne,  General,  commands  the  American  army 
in  the  last  engagement  with  the  savages,  7t> ; 
his  insolent  conduct  to  the  British  garrison  in 
Furt  Miarais,  77-8. 

Weld,  Mr.  strictures  on  his  observations  con- 
cerning musquitoes,  23,  note  ;  his  observations 
on  the  expedition  of  General  Wayne,  79;  his 
description  of  the  roads,  J72;  his  account  of 
the  president's  house  at  Washington,  205. 

Welsh  Indians,  conjectures  on  their  existence, 
270  ;  pretended  account  of  them,  274. 

Whalley,  Major-general,  one  of  the  judges  of 
Charles  the  First,  his  Adventures  in  America, 
4-5  ;  account  of  bis  second  childhood,  5*). 


Whip-poor-Will,  description  of  the  bird  so  called, 
34-8. 

White-Mountains,  account  of  them,  71. 

William  and  Mary  College,  outrage  committed  by 
the  students  nt  that  seminary,  29S. 

Wilson,  Captain,  biographical  particulars  of  him, 
1 54,  note. 

Wii.terbotham,  Mr.  his  character  of  tlie  Ameri- 
can farnter,  8(5. 

Woodcock,  the  American,  3 VS. 

Woodpecker,  the  American,  313. 


Yankee  notions,  38S. 

Yellow  Fever,  its  prevalence  in  New  York,  92 ; 
dreadful  symptoms  of  that  disorder,  387. 


iiUtS    CUNDF.K,    PRlXtEn, 
I.OMOO.V, 


IS 


Directions  to  the  Binder. 


riates. 

Pug* 

Ho.  1.  View  of  Philadelphia,  and 

2.  Vignette,  to  face  the  title  page. 

3.  View  of  Boston 

- 

30 

4.  View  of  Hell-Gate 

- 

89 

5.  Plan  of  Philadelphia 

- 

-       175 

6.  High-street,  Philadelphia 

- 

-       177 

7.  View  of  Second-street 

- 

-      179 

8.  Bank  of  the  United  States 

- 

-      186 

9.  Vignette           .         .         - 

- 

-      197 

10.  Mount  Vernon 

- 

211 

1).  Philadelphia  Theatre 

- 

250 

12.  High-street— Death  of  Washington    - 

-       424 

POPULAR 


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