Immigration into the United States IMMIGRATION INTO J'U e UNITED STATES. I BY JESSE CHICKERING. \ BOSTON: CHARLES C. LITTLE AND JAMES BROWN. 1 S48. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, BY JESSE CHICKERING, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court in the District of Massachusetts. Hewes & Watson’s Print., 60 Congress St. FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. The subject of the Immigration of Foreigners into the United States has of late particularly engaged the atten- tion of a large portion of the community. In fact, for a long time, its importance has not been overlooked nor regarded with indifference. This country was settled by European immigrants, in the beginning of the seventeenth century ; and from time to time additions have been made, for over two centuries. It would be difficult to trace the steps of these adventurers, and to show distinctly and specifically the localities of their abiding influence during most of this period. It is obvious, however, that it is owing to them and their descendants, united with the riches of the soil, that this country has become what it is. It was natural that few restraints should be put upon the coming of those, whose circumstances induced them to seek a dwelling for themselves and their children in a country different from that of their birth. Those who had arrived welcomed others to join them in the wilderness; and local causes in Europe have always at times operated to induce its inhabitants to emigrate ; and particularly has this last been the case since the establishment of the Amer- ican government in 1789. From that date, liberal encour- agement has been constantly given, in various ways, to those of other countries, to settle within our widely ex- tended territory. After a few years residence here, they have it in their power to become citizens and owners of real estate, and thus to be entitled to nearly all the priv- 1 2 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. ileges of those whose fathers achieved our national inde- pendence. It was proper to have shown a liberal policy towards foreigners, to have sympathised with them in their wants and sufferings, and to a certain extent to have encouraged their settlement on our soil. It is proper that those who possess this abundance of soil and of natural resources, should be disposed to share it with others who are less favored by nature. But while such encouragement has been properly given, the question has presented itself to some, whether we have not given too great encourage- ment? These foreigners have been educated under influ- ences very different from those in our country ; and when mixed with our citizens, and forming an integral part of our population, are likely essentially to modify the social and political character of the mass of our people, and the character of our institutions and laws. In this essay, we propose to inquire into the number of foreigners who have settled in the United States, especially since 1820, and to make some suggestions in relation to the effects of such immigration upon our country. An act passed Congress, March 2, 1819, “ regulating passenger ships and vessels,” by which the collectors of the several custom-houses were required to make quarterly returns, to the secretary of state, of the number of passen- gers from foreign countries arriving in the collection dis- tricts. Pursuant to that act, the returns have been annu- ally reported to Congress by the secretary of state, and published in the executive documents. These returns are imperfect. There are omissions in the printed reports for whole quarters, during which it is reasonable to suppose some passengers have arrived. For example, for the 4th quarter, ending Dec. 31, 1832, in the printed report of the secretary of state, there is no return of a single passenger arriving in any district of the country ; in 1 830 there was OFFICIAL RETURNS. 3 no return from New York ; in 1823 none from Philadel- phia : and in 1831 and 1832, none from Charleston ; besides these, there are omissions of returns for quarters for the districts of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Charleston and New Orleans. The omissions for Boston and New York have been mostly supplied by information from the custom-houses there. In these returns, the number of passengers arriving in each collection district, the sex, the age, the occupation, and the country where they were born, are required by law to be specified. The only particulars, however, which can be depended upon for much accuracy, are the number, the sex and the country ; but the specification of these par- ticulars is imperfect. We propose here to speak of the number and country , merely remarking that the number of the males has been considerably larger than that of the females, apparently in the proportion of about three to two. Of the whole number of passengers arriving at the several ports, a portion are specified as “ born in the United States;” the rest are 'presumed to be foreigners, and to come here with a view to live and die here. A small por- tion, it is true, return to foreign countries, having come here for business or for travel, or having been disappointed in their expectations of bettering their condition in this country. The omissions in these returns are confidently believed to amount to many more than the number of those who leave our shores and go to other countries. It appears that the number of foreign passengers arriving at New York, during the nine months, commencing Oct. 1, 1845 and Oct. 1, 1846, as shown by the books of the health officer, and for whom bonds were given,* was greater by nearly 11 per cent, in the last period, than the number registered at the custom-house. *See Hunt's Merchants’ Magazine, Vol. XVII., p. 311. 4 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. Health Office 4th quarter in 1845—12,567. ...In 1846—22,663 1st “ “ 1846— 5,360.... « 1847— 9,882 2d “ “ 1846—41,624....“ 1847—74,310 59,551 106,855 Custom-House 4th quarter in 1845—12,407. ...In 1846—22,005 1st “ “ 1846— 5,027.... « 1847— 8,707 2d « “ 1846—41,407.... “ 1847—66,095 58,841 96,807 Difference, 710 10,048 Besides the foreign passengers who arrive in the collec- tion districts, and are reported at the custom-houses, many are landed elsewhere, or pass into the states directly from Canada and Nova Scotia, without being so reported. What the number of these last is, it is impossible to tell. Vari- ous opinions are entertained upon the subject, making it range from 25 to 50 per cent, of the number registered at the custom-houses. In ordinary years, we may suppose that 50 per cent, is to be added to the number returned by the collectors, in order to obtain the probable number of foreign emigrants who have settled in the United States. In extraordinary years, as in 1846 and 1847, when unusu- ally large numbers of emigrants came over from Europe on account of the scarcity of bread-stuifs and for other causes, this proportion to be added to those registered, may not have been so great as 50 per cent. In Table I. are exhibited the number of foreign passen- gers who arrived at the several ports of the United States, and are registered at the custom-houses, for each year, beginning July 1, and ending June 30, for a period of 26 years, from Oct. 1, 1820 to Sept. 30, 1846, distinguishing those arriving in the free states from those arriving in the slave states. The whole number for these 26 years, registered at the custom-houses, and reported in the congressional docu- NUMBER OF FOREIGN PASSENGERS. 5 merits, with a few additions explained in the next para- graph, has been 1,354,305, of whom 1,085,477, or 80-15 per cent., arrived in the free states, and only 268,828, or 19 85 per cent., arrived in the slave states; that is, in the proportion of four to one nearly. In this table, the number for the 4th quarter of 1832 and 1834, for Boston, for the 3d and 4th quarters of 1829, for the 1st and 2d of 1830, for the 3d of 1831, and for the 2d, 3d and 4th of 1832, for New York, have been respectively obtained at those custom-houses. The registry of New York does not discriminate the place of birth of the pas- sengers for the above eight quarters ; and in this and the following tables, the whole number is adopted as that of foreigners. The 8,353 for the 3d quarter of 1830, are added, in order to make up 30,224 foreigners who landed in New York during the year ending Sept. 30, 1830,* the record for that quarter, and also for the 4th quarter of 1830, being lost. *See Hunt's Merchants’ Magazine, Vol. VIII., p. 159. 6 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. TABLE I .—Exhibiting the Number of Foreign Passengers that arrived in the United States, and are Registered at the Custom-Houses, for each year, begin- YEARS. MAINE. N. H. MASSACHUSETTS. Passama- quoddy. French’ans Bay. Portland & Falmouth. Kennebunk 1 n | Waldoboro’l Bath. | Portsm’th. j Boston and Charles- town. Salem, &c. | T3 h OJ § C3 £ | Gloucester. | Newbury- port. | Plymouth. | Barnstable. 1820-21 37 209 5 45 _ 1 521 _ _ - 3 1821-22 . - 20 - 54 37 . 36 703 • 13 . 1829 66 1822-23 54 21 25 2 9 _ .. . 573 33 7 . 27 4 229 1823-24 373 . 42 . _ _ _ 2 420 . . - 14 . 67 1824-25 57 - 28 3 _ . _ 18 530 _ . - 17 . 27 1825-26 5 5 13 . . - _ 2 515 . 5 . 1 2 . 41 1826-27 28 66 31 _ . _ _ 19 1,086 . . . 7 - 19 1827-28 . - . _ _ . _ . 1,197 . . . . . - 1828-29 760 - 44 . 7 . - L 1,775 . . . 1 . - 1829-30 728 . 13 . _ 14 1,143 . - _ . 1830-31 55 . 109 . _ . - 1 1,217 . . - 126 - 1831-32 1,512 - 11 . - . 54 . 1,241 . 4 - - 3 - 1832-33 1,662 - 2 . . 16 _ 2 2,269 . _ - 4 5 - 1833-34 1,038 . 28 _ . . . 1 2,951 _ 18 . 1 - . 1834-35 4 081 - 46 . . . . 3 2,162 . 6 5 . . - 1835-36 1.653 _ 340 _ . _ _ . 2,815 . 3 - 28 - - 1836-37 2^833 - 1,342 _ . . . 2 2,976 . . - . . - 1837-38 2,370 . 79 _ . . _ _ 2,272 . . - . - . 1838-39 1,770 . 39 . _ . . . 1,769 . . - 6 . - 1839-40 2,070 . 67 _ . - _ 37 2,906 . - - 3 . - 1840-41 1,859 . 21 . . _ _ 19 5,070 . . - 4 6 . 1841-42 3,795 . 676 . . _ . 49 7,447 . . _ - . . 1842-43 2,305 - 88 1 - . . 209 4,786 . . 5 . - - 1843-44 3,340 - _ . _ . 262 4,020 . - - - - - 1844-45 2,763 121 . . . . 6 8,298 . 3 . - - - 1845-46 4,912 _ 40 . . . . 27 10,567 . . . . - - 1846 3d q. 2,259 109 - - - - 4 3,975 - - - - • - 26 years, 42,282 129 3,543 6 75 98 54 714 75,204 33,59 10 133 76 449 REC APITULATION. 1820-25 484 58 324 5 68 82 57 2,747 33 20 . 76 36 389 1825-30 1,521 71 101 _ 7 . - 35 5,716 . 5 . 10 - 60 1830-35 8,348 . 196 . _ 16 54 7 9,840 _ 28 5 6 34 . 1835-40 10,696 . 1,867 . . _ - 39 12,738 - 3 . 37 - 1840-45 14,062 . 906 1 . _ . 545 29,621 - 3 5 4 6 - 24 3-4 yrs., 35,111 129 3,394 6 75 98 54 683 60.662 33 59 10 133 76 449 1820-30 2,005 129 425 5 75 82 . 92 8^463 33 25 - 86 36 449 1830-40 19,044 . 2,063 . _ 1 16 54 46 22,578 _ 31 5 43 34 - 1820-40 21,049 129 2,488 5 75 98 54 138 31,041 33 56 5 129 70 449 1835-45 24,758 . 2,773 1 . _ 584 42,359 6 5 41 6 _ Deduct 5 q. 2,506 - 1,478 - - - - 2 3,924 - 3 - 28 - - 23 1-2 yrs. 22,252 . 1,295 1 . _ 582 38,435 _ 3 5 13 6 Add 5 qrs. 7,171 v - 149 - - - * 31 14,542 - - - - - - Oct. 1} 1836-46. 29,423 - 1,444 1 - - - 613 52,977 - 3 5 13 6 - NUMBER OF FOREIGN PASSENGERS. 7 ning July 1, and ending June 30, for 26 years from October 1, 1820 to Sep- tember 30, 1846, distinguishing the Free from the Slave States. MASSACHUSETTS. R. ISLAND. CONNECTICUT. NEW YORK. Fall River. N. Bedford. | Nantucket Dighton. Edgartown. Provid’nce. Newport. | Bristol. N. Haven. N. London. Fairfield. New York. Sag Harb’r. Newburgh. Oswegat- chie. 3 1 7 31 2,304 6 4 18 5 22 12 134 3,143 13 368 1 45 6 11 4 26 9 3,144 5 5 28 61 56 4,080 29 2 1 7 8 10 1 31 5 5,103 79 17 122 13 6 64 5,688 1 6 4 11 2 59 8 6,563 17,592 . 2 7 9 # 11 2 14,338 19 , 18,400 *5 111 19 93 12,412 15 12 3 *5 44 28,189 68 70 19 8 76 62 38,490 *15 22 36 103 17 ' 8 82 80 44,085 112 42 2 23 12 33 1 43 3 35,520 . 20 127 1 13 26 49 13 46,859 4 37 35 2 94 3 38 15 52,169 24 27 23 5 22 1 32,387 46 * 7 5 28 2 24 1 32,317 39 8 29 35 30 3 55,365 14 12 8 24 3 54,741 67 14 1 19 # 26 4 68,438 25 10 1 22 5 23 48,371 8 19 . 43 3 *4 28 52,969 12 2 . 119 J 1 26 67,460 36 27 4 120 2 91,118 27 37 • 39,098 345 355 14 228 376 779 192 32 878 370 134 880,343 180 13 397 RECAPITULATION. 3 1 66 24 67 17 171 82 134 17,774 13 397 . 80 2 7 23 135 24 8 153 ! 10 . 62,581 57 114 59 257 61 14 264 238 158,696 180 113 72 *5 162 30 187 71 163 33 219,097 112 59 2 215 16 5 127 7 291,979 282 328 10 228 376 622 192 30 878 370 134 750,127 180 13 397 83 3 7 89 159 91 25 324 92 134 80,355 13 397 170 186 5 221 287 248 85 427 271 377,793 180 170 269 8 228 376 407 176 25 751 363 134 458,148 180 13 397 225 131 7 162 30 402 87 5 290 40 511,076 35 159 28 29 78 27 66,255 225 96 7 3 29 374 58 "5 212 13 444,821 63 27 4 157 2 • 130,216 288 123 11 3 29 531 58 7 217 13 575,037 8 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. TABLE I. — Continued. YEARS. N. JERS’Y. PENN. FREE STATES. DEL. MARYL’D VIRGINIA. N. C. Perth Am- boy. | Newark. | Philadelph. Total. Wilming- ton. Baltimore. Norfolk & Portsmth. Richmond. | Petersburg.] | Hampton. | | Newbern. 1 a "ho I 1820-21 88 833 4,088 646 44 1 1821-22 1,060 5,761 499 166 38 3 46 1822-23 752 4,982 707 36 3 1 5 1823-24 468 5,650 378 108 17 2 1824-25 957 6,805 852 73 1825-26 1,658 8,235 1,068 95 16 1826-27 2,204 18,114 1,163 96 4 1827-28 3,457 22,246 1,772 55 4 1828-29 105 2,602 19,663 1,507 56 2 1829-30 1,045 21,362 * 65 1,960 680 . 1830-31 ' 74 1,500 15,623 4,531 198 9 1831-32 528 4,071 35,760 5,092 535 5 1832-33 53 3,492 46,230 6,558 100 1833-34 4,773 53,370 439 6,959 110 . 1834-35 2,176 44,158 5,065 118 1835-36 494 1 1,646 54,088 4,255 146 146 4 5 1836-37 2,832 2,309 64,691 5,254 145 1 6 1837-38 2,174 3,619 43,003 203 7,087 36 147 1 1838-39 1,780 37,794 188 4,896 15 . 1839-40 4,721 65,313 471 6,627 90 1840-41 3,117 64,898 787 5,818 161 1841-42 3,266 83,892 1,404 4,194 29 . 1842-43 2,421 58,272 286 4,662 3 1843-44 3,562 64,258 18 3,601 6 5 1844-45 5,299 84,110 24 6,000 187 1845-46 5,942 112,795 5 8,662 14 *3 1846 3d q. 2,897 48,406 4,986 9 26 years, 6,348 1 71,627 1,085,477 3,890 105,799 3124 552 4 46 48 11 RECAPITULATION. 1820-25 88 4,070 27.286 3,082 427 59 4 46 7 1825-30 105 . 10,966 81,620 65 7,470 982 26 1830-35 655 16,012 195,141 439 28,205 1061 14 0 1835-40 5,500 1 14,075 264,889 862 28,119 432 293 . 6 11 1840-45 £ 17,665 355,340 2,519 25,275 199 187 5 24 3-4 yrs., 6,348 1 62,788 924,276 3.885 92,151 3101 553 4 46 44 11 1820-30 193 15,036 108,906 ' 65 10,552 1409 59 4 46 33 1830-40 6,155 1 30,087 460,030 1,301 56,324 1493 307 m 6 11 1820-40 6,348 1 45,123 568,936 1,366 66,876 2902 366 4 46’39 11 1835-45 5,500 1 31,740 620,229 3,381 53,394 631 480 11 11 Deduct .5 q. 494 1 2,924 77,972 6,274 146 116 4 5 23 1-2 yrs. 5,006 . 28,816 542,257 3,381 47,120 485 334 7 6 Add 5 qrs. 8,839 161,201 5 13,648 23 3 • Oct. 1, 1836-46. 5,006 37,655 703,458 3,386 60,768 508334 10 6 NUMBER OF FOREIGN PASSENGERS. 9 TABLE I. — Continued. s. c. GA. LOUIS'A. ALA. FLORIDA. TEX. D. c. SLAVE STATES. ! UNITED STATES. d o m {g c3 rd ci Q § a Q fS 2 g 5n $ d o a? *00,997 —67,190 1,379,645 —51,261 2,407,928 +8,443 ' 3,929,552 j +7,400 Total Foreign Population in U. S. • 307,678 4168,187 , 1,430,906 2,399,485 3,922,152 There is a remarkable agreement between these results and the censuses of the United States. The rate of 26*28, &c. per cent, is a very little too large for the result in 1830 and 1840. At the preceding dates, the numbers from for- eign immigration are less than the estimated numbers from this source, as appears in the line of differences ; from which it seems that the proportional increase of the whole white population of the United States was greater in the first two decennial periods than in the last two. It should, however, be observed, that some have supposed that the census of 1790 was more defective than the subsequent 22 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. ones, on account of the reluctance with which the people furnished the facts to the agents of the government. But when we consider the rate of increase, according to the censuses, from 1790 to 1800, was less than from 1800 to 1810, we may dismiss this idea of there having been com- paratively great defects as to the number of persons in the first census. The whole increase of the white population of the Uni- ted States from 1830 to 1840,, was 3,658,428, of whom 888,705, as above estimated, consisted of immigrant for- eigners during the decade and their children, or 24-29 per cent, of the whole number. From what has been said, we are inclined to the following as a nearer approximation to the numbers and proportions since 1790, than has just been given : Proportion per cent, of the Foreigners to the Foreign immigration from 1790 to 1800, includ- ing the immigrants and their children, from their arrival to the next census, - 307,678 Their natural increase at the rate of 26*28, &c. per cent, in 10 years, 80,872 Foreign immigration as above, from 1800 to 1810, 379,637 Increase of the whites. Total wht. popul. 27*18 24*36 7*14 Foreign population in 1810, ... - 768,187 Their natural increase at the above rate, in 10 years, - 201,916 Foreign immigration as above, from 1810 to 1820, - 460,803 23*04 13*10 Foreign population in 1820, - - - 1,430,906 Their natural increase at the above rate, in 10 years, 376,110 Foreign immigration as above, from 1820 to 1830, 592,469 22*04 18*20 Foreign population in 1830, ... 2,399,485 Their natural increase at the above rate, in 10 years, - 630,699 Foreign immigration as above, from 1830 to 1840, 891,968 24*32 22*77 Foreign population in 1840, - - - 3,922,152 - - 27*62 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION SINCE 1700. 23 This result for the foreign immigration from 1830 to 1840, including the immigrants and their children after their arrival to June 1, 1840, considerably exceeds the ag- gregate of those registered at the custom-houses, and the addition of 50 per cent We feel sure from this result, that the number of persons arriving here and becoming resi- dents in this country, during these 10 years, cannot much fall short of being 50 per cent, greater than that registered at the custom-houses ; neither can it be much less than the above aggregate. We do not pretend to numerical exact- ness, but we think the result is sufficiently so for all prac- tical or scientific purposes. Of the whole increase of the white population of the United States, from 1790 to 1840, in consequence of foreign immigration, was . . . . . . . 3,922,152 Their natural increase during the respective decades was : From 1800 to 1810, . 80,872 “ 1810 to 1820, . 201,916 “ 1820 to 1830, . 376,110 “ 1830 to 1840, . 630,699 Amounting to .... 1,289,597 which being deducted from the whole number, there remain 2,632,555 consisting of the foreign immigrants of their increase before the next census , viz. : From 1790 to 1800, . 307,678 “ 1800 to 1810, . 379,637 « 1810 to 1820, . 460,803 “ 1820 to 1830, . 592,469 « 1830 to 1840, . 891,968 By taking the same proportion as we did page 17, we find that the increase, or the number of those born before the next census , be- sides making good the number of immigrants, amounted to nearly ........ *54,354 *The aggregate of the population of the United States from 1790 to 1800, is estimated as equivalent to 443,781,935for one year, to which add 2,632,555, and we have 446,414,490. The total increase was 13,139,557, from which deduct 3,922,152, and we have 9,217,405. We make the proportion : as 446,414,490 : 9,217,405 : : 2,632,555 : 54,354. 24 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. To which add the above, ..... 1,289,597 And we have for the increase of the foreign population, besides keeping good the number of immigrants, . . 1,343,951 If we deduct 54,354 from 2,632,555, we have for the number of im- migrants arriving during the 50 years , and who have been enumera- ted in the last five censuses, .... 2,578,201 And we have, as before, ..... 3,922,152 for the increase of the white population from 1790 to 1840, in con- sequence offoreign immigration. It will be perceived that there was the greatest proportion of the number arising from foreign immigration from 1790 to 1800. This period constituted the first 10 years after the organization of the American government, and also after the breaking out of the French Revolution, the first event being calculated to attract people to this country, and the other calculated to drive many to it as a place of safety. In the next 10 years, from 1800 to 1810, the proportion was less, but yet it was larger than in any of the subse- quent decades, the above causes still operating. In the third decade, from 1810 to 1820, the immigration was suspended during the war of 1812, but revived in 1816, from which time till 1820, owing to the distresses in Europe, and the encouragements held out by the people and institutions of this country, large numbers, particularly of mechanics and farmers, immigrated, though the propor- tion was less than in the preceding decades. From 1820 to 1830, the proportion was 22*04 per cent. of the whole increase of the whites ; and in the last de- cade, from 1830 to 1840, it was 24*32 per cent. ; and from present appearances, the proportion from 1840 to 1850 will considerably exceed that of any decade from 1790 to 1840. It will be perceived by the last column of the last table, that the proportion of the aggregate of the foreign immi- grants from 1790, and of their descendants, to the whole FOREIGN IMMIGRATION SINCE 1790. 25 white population in 1790, and of their descendants to 1800, was 714 per cent., and in 1840 it had arisen to 27*62 per cent. This is over one quarter part of the whole number ; and considering the large number of immigrants since 1840, we presume that the proportion is now (1847) over one third part. It is obvious, that, should the number of immigrants continue to average annually about the same it has done for the last few years, and the present facilities to the bal- lot-box also continue, a few months only will be required for the introduction of foreigners enough to decide any presidential election we have had for many years, and in general to decide any state election also, parties having been so nearly equal in the number of persons supporting them. The rate of 26*28, &c. per cent, for the decennial increase of the white population above (p. 18) obtained, in order to conform to the last results, must be altered to 26*253779, &c. per cent., as will appear by deducting from 3,658,428, the whole white increase, 891,968, the whole increase arising from foreign immigration from 1830 to 1840, and there will remain 2,766,460 as the natural increase of those in the country in 1830. This last number amounts to 26*253779, &c. per cent, of 10,537,378, the white popula- tion in 1830. The difference between these two rates of increase is less than one thirtieth part of one per cent. The following will show the nearest approximation we can make to the number of foreigners and of other white persons in the United States at the dates of the censuses, according to the censuses, and according to the natural increase of 26*25, &c. per cent, for the whole country, and 21*529748, &c. per cent. (p. 27) for Louisiana and Florida, together with the estimated foreign population : 4 26 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. 1790. 1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. 1840. Censuses, Population and natural increase, 3,172,534 3,172,534 4,304,105 4,005,444 5,862,004 5,057,025 7,861,994 6,384,685 10,537,378 8,060,906 14,195,806 10,177,199 Louisiana, - 298,661 804,979 34,311 1,477,309 41,698 2,476,472 50,676 4,018,607 61,591 Florida, .... • - 770,668 1,435,611 2,425,79618,385 3,957,01622,343 Foreign population, - 298,661 770,668 1,435,611 2,407,411 3,934,673 The following will show nearly the number of foreign immigrants, and of their natural increase since 1790, in decennial periods : Proportion per cent, of the Foreigners to the Foreign immigration from 1790 to 1800, includ- ing the immigrants and their children, from their arrival to the next census, ... 298,661 Their natural increase at the rate of 26*25, &c. per cent, in 10 years, 78,410 Foreign immigration as above, from 1800 to 1810, 393,597 Foreign population in 1810, - - - 770,668 Their natural increase at the above rate, in 10 years, 202,330 Foreign immigration as above, from 1810 to 1820, 462,613 Foreign population in 1820, - - - 1,435,611 Their natural increase at the above rate, in 10 years, 376,902 Foreign immigration as above, from 1820 to 1830, 594,898 Increase of the whites. Total wht. popul. 26*39 25*26 23*13 22*23 1 6*93 13*14 18*51 Foreign population in 1830, - - - 2,407,411 Their natural increase at the above rate, in 10 years, 632,037 Foreign immigration as above, from 1830 to 1840, 891,968 3,931,416 Difference, 3,257 Foreign population in 1840, ... 3,934,673 24*38 22*84 27*69 •02 27*71 The whole increase of the white population of the Uni- ted States from 1830 to 1840, was 3,658,428, of which we FOREIGN IMMIGRATION IN THE FREE AND SLAVE STATES. 27 deduced above, for the natural increase of those in the country in 1830, 2,766,460, or 26-25, &c. per cent., and for the increase arising from foreign immigration, 891,968. If this last number be distributed to the two divisions of the states respectively, in proportion to the number of immi- grants registered in them during the time, 708,238 will be- long to the free states and 183,730 to the slave states. After deducting 708,238 from 2,6S6,546, the whole increase of the whites in the free states, we have 1,978,308, or 28-768611, 798,032 /, 609,379 1.155,635 2^779,038 Total in the United States, 298,661 770,668 1,435,611 2,407,411 3,934,673 According to this last table, the free states received from foreign immigration during the 50 years, an accession of 2,777,038 persons, or 146-18, &c. per cent, of 1,901,046 out of 403-04 per cent.; the slave states 1,155,635, or 90-88, er cent, in 10 years, and 2 1-4 percent, in 1 year, which is very near the aver- age of the white population in the United States, its amount would be in 10 years, ------ 77,843 Population in 1841, ------- 374,387 Increase of 374,387, at the rate of 2 1-4 per cent, in 1 year, - - 8,424 Population with the natural increase in 1842, - - - 382,811 * See Sabine's American Loyalists, p. 87, &c. f See Hunt’s Merchants’ Magazine, Vol. X., p. 15. t See Hazard’s United States Commercial and Statistical Register, Vol. VI., p. 2S3. 48 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. Immigration in 11 years, - 123,244 Census of 1842, - 506,055 After deducting from 123,244 one tenth, or 12,324, the increase from immigration in 10 years to 1841, would be 110,920. The population of Lower Canada, in 1831, was ... 501,428 Increase at the rate of 26 1-4 per cent, in 10 years, - 131,625 Population in 1841, ------- 633,053 Increase of 633,053 at the rate of 6 3-4 per cent, in 3 years, - 42,831 Population with the natural increase in 1844, ... 675,884 Immigration in 13 years, - 17,765 Census of 1844, 693,649 After deducting from 17,765 three tenths, or 5,330, we have for the increase from immigration in 10 years to 1841, 12,435, to which we add 110,920, and have 123,355 as an approximation to the number in the two Canadas arising from immigration in the 10 years from 1831 to 1840 inclusive. Now, during these 10 years there were regis- tered in Great Britain, and destined for the British colonies in North America, 322,485, of whom only 123,355 seem to have remained in the two Canadas, and most of the re- mainder (199,130) may be presumed to have settled in the United States. These 199,130, added to the 579,370 who were registered at our custom-houses from 1830 to 1840, we have 778,500, a number less than 891,968 (p. 26) by 113,468 only. But if we take th^ 10 years from 1831 to 1841, we have registered at our custom-houses 639,800, to which by adding 199,130, we have 838,930, which is less than 891,968 by 53,038 only. During the 10 years from 1831 to 1840 inclusive, there arrived at Quebec and Mon- treal 249,776 emigrants,* or 126,421 more than seems to have been the increase of the two provinces from immigra- tion during the time. Moreover, we have supposed the * See Tables of the Revenue, Population, Commerce, &c. of the United Kingdom and its Dependencies, Part XII. p. 255. 1842. London, 1844. / IMMIGRATION FROM CANADA. 49 natural increase 2| per cent, per annum, while Lord Dur- ham* supposes that of Upper Canada to be “at least 3 per cent” and says,f “ no population has increased by mere births so rapidly as that of the French Canadians has since the conquest.” The difference of one quarter per cent, per annum in the natural increase of the population, would in 10 years add at least 59,849 to the amount in 1841. The census of Upper Canada, in 1842, shows 158,720 to have been bom in the United Kingdom, and that of Lower Canada 69,229 ; and the total, including 9,034 born on the continent of Europe, is 236,983. It is fair to suppose that not more than half, or 118,492, were immigrants during the 10 years from 1832 to 1841 inclusive. On this suppo- sition not so many as 123,355 immigrants during these years, out of 322,485 destined for the North American provinces, could have remained in the Canadas in 1841. This view favors our conclusion that certainly not less than 60 or 70 per cent, re-emigrated from these provinces. If we suppose only 199,130 immigrants into the United States from and through the Canadas from 1831 to 1840 inclusive, the proportion would be 61*74 per cent, of the 322,485 destined for the British colonies in North America ; if we add to the number 59,849 on account of 3 per cent. instead of 2\ per cent, increase per annum , it would be 80*30 per cent. The proportion of 199,130 is 79*72 per cent. of 249,776, the number who are registered as having actu- ally arrived at Quebec and Montreal ; and if we add to it the 59,849 on account of the different estimate of the natu- ral increase, the proportion would be 103 68 per cent, of 249,776; in other words, the immigration from the Cana- das into the United States would be greater than that from Great Britain into those provinces during the 10 years. * See his Report on the Affairs of British North America, pp. 76, 77. f Id. p. 105. 7 50 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. From these considerations it is certainly safe to conclude with those referred to by Lord Du*rham in his report, that the proportion of the emigrants to the Canadas who actu- ally settle in the United States is at least 60 per cent, of the whole. The reason why these emigrants on their arrival in the British colonies in North America have not remained there, is the want of sufficient encouragement. The contrast between the provinces and the states leads them to expect better support for themselves and their children by re-emi- grating to the states. Lord Durham says,* “on the Amer- ican side all is bustle and activity.” “On the British side of the line, With the exception of a few favored spots, where some approach to American prosperity is apparent, all seems waste and desolate. The ancient city of Montreal, Which is naturally the commercial capital of the Canadas, will not bear the least comparison in any respect with Buf- falo, Which is a creation of yesterday.” The right of emigration, or of a removal from one coun- try to another for the purpose of a permanent residence, may be considered a natural right. As such it has been generally recognized in modern times in Europe as well as in the United States. The exercise of this right was inter- fered with in France by Louis XIV., when he endeavored to prevent the Protestants from leaving the kingdom. Im- pediments to the exercise of this right were placed in the Way of manufacturers of wool, silk, iron, &c., and also in the way of exporting tools and utensils made use of in pre- paring and working up manufactures of the kingdom, by acts of the British Parliament in 1719, (5 Geo. I., cap. 27,) 1750, (23 Geo. II., cap. 13,) and*1782 (22 Geo. III., cap. 60.) These restraints, however, seem to have been but little regarded, and were removed in 1824, (5 Geo. IV., cap. 97.) See his Report, p. 75. POLICY OF GREAT BRITAIN. 51 The British government, true to the policy of securing to the British nation the advantages of manufacturing and of commerce, imposed these restraints for over a century, and then when, notwithstanding their vigilance, their me- chanics had found their way into other countries, they repealed acts which clashed with the spirit of English lib- erty. Those who emigrated, if they failed to return on being notified to do so, were alienated and deprived of the right of holding property by inheritance, and of being adminis- trators of estates. And those who instigated persons to emigrate, or who sent abroad machinery, were subject to fine and imprisonment. But notwithstanding all these pre- cautions, a large number of mechanics, some under the assumed name of farmers, had contrived to leave the king- dom and come to the United States, and tools and utensils were transported; and thus the mechanic arts and manu- factures were well planted here from 1815 to 1824. It is worthy of remark, that the very means which the British government adopted to secure to Great Britain, in preference to their own colonies, the advantages of manu- facturing, had a reaction, and have produced the opposite effects to what were intended, and will doubtless in the end prove to be a short-sighted policy. The restraints gave dissatisfaction long before our Revolution, and com- pelled us to become manufacturers for the supply of our immediate wants; since then we have felt the importance of becoming more so. The second act of the Congress of the United States, passed July 4, 1789, was entitled an “ Act for laying a duty on goods, wares and merchandises imported into the United States.” The interruptions to foreign commerce before and during the second war with England, indicated anew the importance of manufacturing, and the lesson was not unheeded; and after the second peace, the attempt was made in good earnest, and has been 52 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. attended with remarkable success. Had a different policy been pursued by the British Parliament, the manufactures in the United States might not have had one half the vari- ety, extent or value they now have, and the time of their successful competition with those of Great Britain, might have been postponed to a later day. The British government, very wisely and properly, from time to time, passed acts regulating passenger ships, in order to save the passengers from the sufferings and dis- tresses which might arise from inadequate provision for their comfortable support on their passage. It has been the policy of the British government for many years to encourage emigration to their colonies. Their object has been to relieve the country of a portion of its surplus population, to settle the wild land of their colo- nies, and to build up communities which will afford a mar- ket for British manufactures. In the British colonies in North America,* owing very much to the injudicious system which has been adopted, most of the emigrants instead of being colonists have set- tled in the bordering states ; but still a sufficient number have remained there, especially in Upper Canada, sensibly to increase the population above what it would have been by births alone. The British government have authorized the Poor Law Commissioners to aid poor persons in emigrating to the British colonies, and parishes and individuals have fur- nished means for the same object, so that large numbers have emigrated. The number to the respective colonies has varied considerably, according to the distress in the United Kingdom, and according to the state of affairs in the colonies. In 1838 and 1839 the number was very small in the provinces in North America, in consequence * See Lord Durham's Report. IMMIGRATION FROM EUROPE. 53 of the political disturbances of 1838. Since 1841, the number to the Australian colonies and New Zealand has been very much reduced. The current is now strongly set towards the United States and the British colonies in North America. During the last few years, since the communication has been facilitated between the United States and Great Brit- ain, large sums of money have been transmitted by # immi- grants in the United States and Canada, to enable their friends, particularly in Ireland, to emigrate to this country and to Canada. Of late the subject of emigration has been introduced into the British Parliament. A motion was made and agreed to in the House of Lords, on the 4th of June, 1847, for the appointment of a select committee on the subject of Irish emigration. In the remarks which were made on the motion, a disposition was manifested favorable to the fur- ther encouragement of emigration to the colonies, particu- larly those in North America.* On the continent of Europe there exists, we believe, no legal impediment to emigration. In France and in Ger- many the right is secured by law. From the latter coun- try we have received a large number of immigrants, espe- cially of late years. If we can depend upon the newspa- per statements, in some instances whole villages have left, and in large bodies have made settlements in the United States, delighted with the possession of land which they can call their own, and stimulated in their frugal and in- dustrious habits by the prospect of enjoying in peace and quietness the fruits of their labor. A vast deal of anxiety, suffering, sickness and death has been the lot of these emigrants, before they have planted themselves in this country in a manner to be considered in * See Wilmer’s European Mail, June 19, 1847. 54 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. any way comfortably situated. Often it has happened that whole families have perished before arriving at the place of their destination ; and generally we may suppose the chief advantage has accrued to their children, who either born in this new country or brought here when young, have not known the keen sensibility of being forever removed from the sight of father-land, and have only come into the en- joyment of what their parents spent their lives in procur- ing for them. But the sufferings attendant on immigration to America are believed to be now much less than they were in the early periods of its history. The facilities and safety of navigating the ocean have been vastly increased since the first settlement of the country. This continent and the European have, by the rapidity, frequency and regularity of communication, been comparatively made one country. Now-a-days the European emigrants, as soon as they arrive at these shores, have stopping places filled with an abund- ance of the necessaries of life, and when want and sick- ness befall them, as is often the case, the charitable insti- tutions are opened to soothe their sufferings, and often the hand of individual charity is extended to them in a man- ner to touch their hearts with emotions of gratitude. But in the time of our fathers no white man welcomed their coming, no smiling villages cheered their hearts, and, as they advanced to the places of their settlement, they found nothing but a wilderness and wild beasts, and what was often worse than wild beasts—the savages. And now the emigrant, if he plants himself down in the wild lands of America, has the conveniences of an easy transportation, and is furnished at every step of his path with an abund- ance flowing from a bountiful soil and laid up by an indus- trious and frugal people. We have not the means at hand of showing distinctly and exactly the comparative dis- tresses, but if the subject were fully inquired into, we IMMIGRATION FROM EUROPE. 55 have no doubt but that the sufferings and mortality of im- migrants to America are now very much less than they were formerly ; and we regard this as one of the evidences of improvement in the condition of mankind. The government of the United States has never taken any measures directly to encourage foreigners to immigrate to this country. The principle of equality runs through all our laws and institutions. The foreigner who comes here takes his chance of bettering his condition with the natives of the land. Some have succeeded, notwithstand- ing the disadvantages under which they have labored. If, after remaining here for a time, they signify a wish to make this their adopted country, and declare their alle- giance, they are admitted to all the rights and privileges guaranteed to native citizens. One of the incidental results of commerce in modem times has been, the colonization of newly discovered coun- tries. Among the nations which have taken the lead in these enterprises were the Portuguese, the Spaniards, and somewhat later the Dutch and the English. The United States were originally settled by Europeans, for the most part under the auspices of chartered compa- nies and of voluntary associations. In coming here these people hoped to enjoy privileges denied them at home. They formed colonies under the general sovereignty of the governments of Europe. The object of the European governments was at length to derive commercial advantages from building up these colonies; and in particular the British government, by her Navigation Laws and other laws which were in harmony with them, sought to secure to the British nation the ex- clusive advantages of trade with their colonies. The British colonists in North America saw these advantages, and soon experienced impositions and restraints which they conceived clashed with their chartered and natural 56 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. rights, and, after repeated remonstrances, at length resisted the authority of the British government, and became en- gaged in the Revolutionary War, which resulted in the in- dependence of the United States. The people of the United States, considered as a whole, are composed of immigrants and their descendants from almost every country. The principal portion of them, however, derived their origin from the British nation, com- prehending by this term the English, the Scotch and the Irish. The English language is almost wholly used ; the English manners, modified to be sure, predominate, and the spirit of English liberty and enterprise animates the energies of the whole people. English laws and institu- tions, adapted to the circumstances of the country, have been adopted here. Lord Durham very justly says, “ the language, the laws, the character of the North American continent, are English ; and every race but the English (I apply this to all who speak the English language,) appears there in a condition of inferiority. 5 ’* The New England states, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Mary- land and the Carolinas, were principally settled by the En- glish ; New York and New Jersey by the Dutch ; Missis- sippi and Louisiana by the French ; Florida by the Span- iards. The new states have been settled mainly by emi- grants from the older states, with large numbers from for- eign countries,—Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, &c. We have not the means at hand of determining the exact number that have been derived from these various sources. The tendency of things is to mould the whole into one peo- ple, whose leading characteristics are English, formed on American soil. Emigration from Europe has been going on now for over two centuries,—from the first settlement of the British col- * See his Report on the Affairs of British North America, p. 105. IMMIGRATION FROM EUROPE. 57 onies in America. In some instances whole companies perished, and not a single individual remained to tell the story of his companions. By perseverance, one group after another of immigrants arrived ; and, though visited with sickness, with sufferings and with great mortality at first, and afterwards involved in wars with the Indian tribes, they at length planted themselves here in various places, increased and multiplied, and from year to year received others to join them. For years their number was small,* their means scarcely sufficient for their subsistence, and their dangers great. They gladly received the successive new comers, who, on their arrival, partook of what had been provided by their predecessors. From time to time the colonists spread their settlements from the shores into the interior, subduing the wilderness and converting it into cultivated fields. Many of the early immigrants, unable to enjoy civil and religious liberty at home, were induced to immigrate to this country in hopes of enjoying it here. Many of them were poor and sought to better their condition in the wil- derness. The independence of the United States was acknowl- edged by Great Britain, and peace restored, in 1783 ; six years afterwards the American government was organized. The establishment of a republican government in the Uni- ted States of America was an event which astonished Europe, and was calculated to attract to this country many who had formed ideas of civil and religious liberty differ- ent from what they had enjoyed at home. To this was added another cause, arising from the wars and troubles which commenced in Europe soon after the American war closed, and which continued till the second war with En- * In 1630, the number of English colonists in North America did not exceed 4,000 ; in 1660, thirty years after, they were supposed to be not less than 80,000; and in 1701, they were esti- mated at 262,000. 8 58 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. gland in 1812. During this period vast numbers, many in good circumstances, emigrated to this country to save their lives and such few effects as they could convey across the Atlantic. By the combined influence of these two causes immigration to this country was sustained, increasing very much our population and extending our settlements. During the war of 1812 the emigration seems to have been suspended ; but on the return of peace in 1815, other causes arose which were calculated to continue the current of migration. The occupations of people in Europe were changed, and many were thrown out of their accustomed employment. Many were as restless in time of peace as of war, but the impulse was of a different kind. Some sought this country as adventurers, and for the sake of bettering their condition or to guard against evils which might in- volve them and all they held dear,—evils growing out of the feverish and unsettled state of things in Europe. The small factories which had sprung up in the United States, and particularly in New England, during the second war with England, were now prostrated by the importation of manufactured goods at a much cheaper rate than they could be furnished at home. The spirit of our fathers, which manifested itself especially from 1765 to 1776, against the colonial restrictions on trade and manufactures, and which led to the Declaration of Independence, was still alive; and it was seen that the emigration from the older states must continue, unless occupation be found at home in manufactures, which should save us from the in- conveniences and evils our fathers were unwilling to bear before the Revolution, and which during the late war we had felt anew. An effort was made to establish manufact- uring in this country on a basis which should be perma- nent. It was clear that manufacturing must be introduced here at some time; but some thought the time had not arrived for the attempt. The attempt was made. Me- PRESENT CAUSES OF EMIGRATION. 59 chanics sometimes left the United Kingdom as farmers , and other persons signified their intention of emigrating to the Canadas, but some of these last were soon found to have gone into the states. In 1824, the restraints imposing a penalty for enticing away mechanics were repealed by the British Parliament. At this time the mechanic arts were well established in the United States, especially in New England. American ingenuity had been called forth, and American mechanics had availed themselves of the science and skill of foreign nations. During the last twenty or twenty-five years, the number of immigrants from abroad has been much increased. At in- tervals before as well as during this period, there have been seasons of great distress in England and in Europe, during which unusual numbers have emigrated. It is now be- come almost a habit among the dense and distressed popu- lation of Europe for large numbers of persons annually to emigrate. In Great Britain, individuals sometimes pay the passage money for the poor who are desirous of emigrating, and the government authorize parish funds to be used for the same purpose. The question has been introduced into Parliament, of making provision on a large scale for the emigration of the Irish population. The scarcity of provis- ions in Europe this year has very much increased the amount of emigration; and from all appearances the num- ber will increase for some time to come. The signs of distress to the poor in Great Britain, the coming winter, are appalling, and the inducements to emi- grate from thence and from other parts of Europe will probably be as strong next year as this. We shall not be surprised to find that before long the British Parliament should conceive it to be a matter of prudence, no less than of necessity, to aid on a large scale emigration to their col- onies ; and we may expect that at least half of their emi- grants to all countries will very soon find their way to the 60 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. United States. It is said their poor-houses are crowded ; and the expense of the transportation of paupers to Amer- ica is probably not greater than that of their support for a single year; and when they are once landed in America, they will cease to be a pecuniary burden upon their native country. The indications also are equally strong in favor of a large emigration from Germany to America the com- ing year. There will have come to the United States this (1847) year nearly 300,000 foreigners. Most of them arrive at the great ports of entry, as New York, Philadelphia, Bos- ton, &c. Many of them are poor and sick, and humanity forbids our leaving them to perish without afiording them some relief. Already their support has become an import- ant item of expense in many of our large cities. The state of New York seems alarmed at the numerous hordes of foreigners who enter there. She has appointed Commis- sioners of Emigration to attend to the wants and necessi- ties of these foreigners. These commissioners deserve the greatest praise for their faithfulness in the discharge of ex- tremely arduous duties. According to their late report, 101,546 foreign passengers arrived at the port of New York alone, from May 6th to September 30th, inclusive, a period of less than five months. During this time 6,761 were admitted to the hospitals and alms-houses under the authority of these commissioners. All but 443 arrived during the time.* It is not easy to stop the coming of for- eigners, and it is not probable that the spirit of the Ameri- can people will prohibit their landing on our shores. It remains, then, to devise means to aid them in their passage to the thinly populated parts of the country, and to the vast uncultivated regions west, where there is land enough, with a rich soil, for them to procure by industry the neces- * See Report of the Commissioners of Emigration to the Legislature of the State of New York, Oct. 1, 1847. Senate Document, No, 119, pp. 9—12, COMPARATIVE AMOUNT OF IMMIGRATION. 61 saries of life for themselves and their children. Land is there cheap, and many of them may in a few years be- come independent owners of the land they cultivate. In this way they will be better provided for than by remain- ing in and about cities. Assuming that the number of births of the white popu- lation above the deaths amounts to 2\ per cent, annually, the white population in seven years from June 1, 1840, the date of the last census, would amount to 16,588,354 June 1, 1847, exclusive of the effects of immigration ; the in- crease having been in the last of these years 365,025, or one thousand per day. This increase is but a little more than the aggregate number of foreigners who will prob- ably be registered at our custom-houses in 1847, and of those who enter the states without being registered. We are safe in supposing that the number of foreigners coming here, is this year, and will be next year, nearly equal to THE PRESENT NATURAL INCREASE OF THE WHOLE WHITE POPULA- TION OF THE UNITED STATES IN 1840. Besides, in seven years and seven months, from June 1, 1840 to December 31, 1847, the number of immigrants reg- istered will probably be at least 900,000. Supposing the number of white persons in the United States, on the 1st of January, 1848, to be 17,500,000, which is believed to be very near the number, and the number of foreign immigrants to equal the natural increase of this population at 2\ per cent, per annum ; when will the immigrants and their descendants, at the same rate of increase, equal the number of white persons in the country January 1, 1848? We have already seen (p. 44) that in 50 years from 1790, the number from foreign immigration exceeded the whole number of the whites at the commence- ment of the period by 762,139. This foreign population in 26 years to January 1, 1874, will be 17,855,705, exceeding the number of the whites above supposed (17,500,000,) by 62 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. 355,705; and the white population, exclusive of this for- eign portion, will then be only 31,209,322. but including it, 49,065,027. We suggest this view merely to show the integral part which the foreign immigrants constitute of the whole population of the United States. We have thus arrived at a period in the history of for- eign immigration, when the number of foreigners coming here, one half of whom may be considered adults, nearly equals the whole natural increase of the white population of the United States. Such a mass of population annually diffused among these states, must, as they mingle with the people generally, or as they concentrate in cities, or settle in large numbers in particular localities, have most import- ant effects on the condition and character of the people. We have seen that in Boston and New York city about one third part of the population are foreigners by birth. The character of a nation results from the character of individ- uals, and is chiefly determined by the influences that pro- ceed from the central places. By the facilities of suffrage, the naturalized citizens must soon be sufficient to decide all elections and carry all measures on which side soever they may be induced to vote, parties having been nearly equal, from an early period since the organization of our govern- ment, on important measures of policy. The character of those who are elected to office, ar?d of the measures which they adopt, reacts upon the well-being of the people from whom the power originated. The attention of Congress has been frequently directed to the subject of the naturalization of foreigners ; but the conditions of voting, in which resides their direct political power, are determined by each state for itself. In most or all of the states naturalization is a pre-requisite to voting; but, owing to the carelessness and fraud in obtaining natu- ralization papers, the looseness of the state laws and the connivance of partizans, it cannot be denied, as it has been CONCLUSION. 63 proved by abundant testimony, that great frauds have been committed, and many individuals have been admitted to the polls, in times of strong party excitement, who were not entitled to the privilege by a fair construction of the existing laws of the United States or of individual states.* Public sentiment in Boston and its vicinity, is the index of that of Massachusetts, and in a great degree that of New England ; if you would know the politics of the Empire State, learn those of New York city and of Albany; we can tell what to expect from Pennsylvania after learning the party movements in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. If we name a few more principal places, shall we not compre- hend elements enough for materially affecting the destinies of this great republic ? Do not the men who are chosen to office, propose measures and frame laws which regulate all that we hold dear in the states and in the republic ? In listening to the foreign voice, do candidates, when they be- come members, always seek to be controlled by the moni- tions of wisdom, irrespective of party ? Is it not obvious that a few only of the foreigners who come here have any attachment to our institutions'? and do not most of them, in the fruition, find our liberty a dif- ferent thing from the picture in their imaginations before crossing the Atlantic? In their disappointment, are they faultless ? and are they as industrious as they should be to improve our institutions ? or, in their zeal, is not their first step too often to tear them down ? The majority, however, of those who come here, know nothing of a rational or regulated liberty, nor consider the guards necessary to preserve it. The liberty in their minds is a licentiousness which has no respect for the rights of others. They come here smarting under injustice and op- *See Reports of the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate of the United States, Janu' ary 27th and March 3d, 1845, with Testimony relating to the Violation of the Naturalization Laws. 64 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. pression ; to check by salutary restraints seems to them op- pression ; and to hate oppression and oppressive rulers is the only step they, in their ignorance, have thus far taken towards a rational liberty. By our laws they are admitted to political privileges upon easier terms than we admit our own sons,—privileges, which, in almost every state, are denied to a man on account of color, though his father or grandfather was the friend and companion in arms of Washington. Is it that our privileges are too good for us, —too good to be preserved ? Is it that in our exstasy we would, like children, part with our birthright, and, after it is gone, weep for the loss that is irreparable ? When they receive employment, and are well fed, are not they the first to insist on higher wages, in the cant language, to strike ? There may be some few exceptions. There may be those whose enlightened and liberal minds appreciate our institutions, and feel the value of their blessings,—who for- bear taking any undue part in the political affairs of our country,—whose deportment and worth prove them to be worthy of the country of their adoption ? The moral and physical condition of these immigrants, after undergoing many trials, which are to be expected from settling in a foreign country, is generally very much improved. Many of them must for a time remain in sub- ordinate stations. Some are successful and gain wealth, and their children, we may suppose, as they mingle more and more with the people of this country, will derive a rich legacy from the anxieties and privations of their parents. But is the country truly benefitted by this great foreign im- migration ? Have the people been made wiser or better or happier? It has been said that without these foreigners our rail-roads and canals could not have been constructed. These improvements, it is true, may have been made a year or two earlier, (and in many of the states it would have been better if we had hurried less,) in consequence CONCLUSION. 65 of so many foreigners being in the country, whom we were obliged to employ in some way or other, or support them without labor. The progress of the internal improvements, a year or two in advance of what they would have been without this foreign labor, will be a very poor compensa- tion, if offset by the corruption of manners, the forfeiture of freedom, and the transfer of power to those who know not how to use it wisely. There are other things of value in this world besides merely physical aggrandizement. These foreigners come here to benefit themselves, not from any love of us or of our country. They are admit- ted to be partakers of the fruits derived from the institutions of our fathers. They find here a diffusion of the comforts of life, and of the means of education, unknown in the land of their birth. They cannot help being affected, in the course of time, by the blessings which surround them. Some of them have obtained profitable situations, and not unfrequently are they employed in the professions, and as teachers of youth, though it is difficult to see in them qual- ifications equal to those of our own citizens. Finally, this removal of people from the place of their birth to a distant country for a permanent residence, year after year, for over two centuries, leaving their homes in want and in sorrow, with a sea of doubtful trials before them, and, when arriving here, possessed of scarcely the means of subsistence, and often saved from famine and death by the kind sympathies of those who have come here before them, but at length, if not in themselves, in their children, subduing the wilderness and converting it into fruitful fields, establishing the conveniences of civil- ized life, planting churches for the worship of God, diffus- ing over the land the means of education, and founding an empire of equal law from the Atlantic shores to the Pacific ocean, over a population now amounting to twenty mil- lions, and destined to amount to nearly one hundred mil- 9 66 FOREIGN IMMIGRATION. lions upon the opening of another century,—this migration of masses, numbering of late years more than one hundred thousand annually, now to nearly three hundred thousand annually, not in the warlike spirit of the Goths and Van- dals who overran the Roman empire, and destroyed the monuments of art, and the evidences of civilization, but in the spirit of peace, anxious to provide for themselves and their children the necessaries of life, and apparently ordained by Providence to relieve the countries of the old world, and to serve great purposes of good to mankind,—is one of the most interesting spectacles the world ever saw. This move- ment is to go on till the western continent is filled with in- habitants. The future destiny of these states none can tell ; every accession of new comers introduces new elements of moral and political power into the community, besides the insensible changes which are constantly taking place. If past experience has shown the result of this immigration to America to have been a modification of our institutions and manners from year to year, do not the signs of the times indicate some danger of important changes in the very structure of society, as the current becomes more and more swollen in consequence of the facilitated means of conveyance, and of the multiplied necessities of emigrat- ing? The foreigner, as he leaves the place of his nativity, knows not the fortune nor the sufferings that await him; like him, ought not we as a people to feel a deep solicitude, lest the institutions left us by our fathers fail of being transmitted unimpaired to our children ? If the above statements and views are correct, it becomes the people of the United States to give this subject their most deliberate consideration, not merely on account of their own well- being, but on account of that of the foreign immigrants, for they both with their children must be united together as one people, APPENDIX It is the object of this Appendix to present some extracts from several sources, for the purpose of illustrating the his- tory of Foreign Immigration into the United States, and of sustaining the positions taken in the foregoing essay. A large portion of them are derived from Niles’ Weekly Reg- ister, published at Baltimore, the editor of which gave par- ticular attention to' the collection of facts, and of observa- tions relating to the subject, for several years prior to 1820, when the act of Congress was carried into effect, requiring a registration of the passengers from foreign countries, an- nually arriving in the several collection districts. The British government had it under consideration in 1815, whether it might be advisable to offer the next year some degree of encouragement, to persons willing to proceed as settlers to the British provinces in North Amer- ica. — Niles' Register, Vol. IX., p. 309. January 6, 1816 —“Among those who have lately arrived in the United States, as their future home, are several late British officers, who had an op- portunity of knowing something of our country and people during the war.” Id. p. 332. July 13.—“We Understand by a recent arrival from Ireland, that the Amer- ican vessels are put on the Same footing as English vessels, as far as respects the conveyance of passengers to the United States,—that is, that they are al- lowed to bring one passenger for every two tons. Formerly they were only allowed to bring one passenger for every jive tons.” ‘ Numerous emigrations are daily taking place from this country to America. There are about twelve American ships now nearly ready to sail for the Uni- ted States ; and the whole of them are provided with passengers, consisting' of mechanics and persons brought up to agriculture. Some of the ships in question have agreed to take as many as eighty, others fifty, on board. For their passage each person is to pay £10 and find himself. Some say the Amer- ican government, in the end, art to be the paymasters)—(London paper.) 68 APPENDIX. “ It is stated in the London Evening Star, that more than five thousand able seamen have emigrated to America since the termination of the war ! ! ” — Id. p. 346. “ Amofltg the many great and useful men that daily arrive, or are expected to arrive in the United States, from maddened Europe, we hear of Chaptal, the famous chemist, and Lacapede, the celebrated naturalist. We bid them welcome.” — Id.p. 348. July 20.—“Hardy laborers, ingenious mechanics, intelligent merchants, learned doctors, profound philosophers and gallant soldiers are seeking in our country the 1 peace, liberty and safety’ with the right of * pursuing their own happiness’ which the land of their fathers denies them. Among others we hear that Mina, the younger, the famous Spanish general, and Dr. Mier y Guerra, a learned native of Mexico, and a warm friend of freedom, have re- cently arrived from London. We have the following article from the Vevay Indiana Register :— ‘ M. Lakanal, a distinguished French gentleman, (mem- ber of the National Institute of France and of the Legion of Honor, remarkable for his republican principles, has lately arrived here with his family. He has purchased an estate on the bank of the Ohio, two miles above Vevay, on the Kentucky side. M. Vairin, a professor of mathematics, has also arrived from France, with a part of his family ; he has purchased a farm on the river, one mile below Vevay. May happiness attend them in our land of liberty—their adopted conntry.’ ” — Id. p. 352. July 27.—“ The British and other newspapers teem with notices of the em- igration of their people to the United States. The persons alluded to are chiefly farmers and mechanics—to add to the labor, and of consequence increase the wealth of our country in peace, and hold the nerve to assist in defending it in war. We know that the Irish emigrants much aided to fill the ranks ofthe army during the war, and they fought gallantly for freedom, feeling that they had a share in the contest as their own. Several vessels with passengers from Ireland have arrived since our last, and nine more from Newry alone are immediately expected—they are British ships, one of great burthen, had three hundred and fifty engaged. An English paper of May 20th, says : ‘ Several farmers who lately occupied about four thousand acres of land in Lincolnshire, have recently emigrated to America, after having sold all their live and dead stock. They were accompanied by the curate of the village.’ And a Genoa article of the 12th of the same month tells us, that 1 a great many Swiss from all the Protestant cantons are going soon to depart from Basle for America. Commerce and manufactures languish both at Basle and in the parts of Germany next the Rhine. As no Swiss or German man- ufactures are now permitted to enter France, many have almost wholly ceased to work. Last Thursday, many wagons with manufactures, both German and Swiss, having presented themselves at the French custom-house, on the fron- tiers, to pay the duties, were ordered to return back, with the notification that, till further orders, no wagon with goods could enter France.’ ” APPENDIX. 69 “ These are the sorts of men that we want. One Swiss is worth a hundred of the cockney tape-sellers with which our cities have teemed.” — Id. p. 366. August. 10.—“ The vast emigration from England causes considerable alarm. Many persons of fortune are leaving the land of taxation for France and other parts of Europe, and the United States. The street in which the French ambassador lives in London, is crowded by people applying for pass- ports, and thousands have been issued. The state of trade may be judged of by this—that 1 not fifty foreign vessels are in the Thames,’ and the London docks, which used to employ fifteen hundred persons, do not employ five hun- dred.” “Germany, in general, is in an unsettled and very depressed state. France, it is intimated, will be unable to meet the next payment to the allies for her deliverance.” — Id. p. 396. “ Letters from Liverpool give us distressing accounts of their state; twenty thousand hands are out of employ in Birmingham alone, and Manchester is doing only half-work; so it is at Bristol, Bolton, Colne, Gloucester, Worces- ter, London, &c. &c. There are daily failures of those of small capital, and the most wealthy are hardly put to it to keep up.” — Id. p. 397. “ A ship has arrived at New York from France, with passengers, among whom is Mr. Lee, late Consul at Bordeaux, and fifty-two artists and manu- facturers of various descriptions, vine-dressers and husbandmen ; two hun- dred and thirty-two other persons arrived in New York in one day, from Hull, England, and Waterford, Ireland. Vessels are almost every day reaching some of our ports, with passengers from England, Ireland, France, Germany, &c. The Swiss, heretofore spoken of, embarked in Holland, and sailed on the 11th of June. A Liverpool paper complains that the spirit of emigration has reached ‘ the metropolis and the heart of the United Kingdom ;’ and re- lates that a vessel has been seized in the Thames, for attempting to bring out two hundred and thirty-one persons instead of one hundred and seventy-four, all that she was entitled to carry by the law allowing one to every two tons. Many vessels are mentioned in England as being engaged to bring passen- gers to the United States.” — Id. p. 400. August 17.—“We have not exactly added up the amount of the passengers from Europe, who have reached New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, for a week past ; but believe we shall not be far from the truth when we estimate them at from twelve to fifteen hundred persons ; of whom four hundred and ten are Swiss, arrived at Philadelphia, via Holland ; the rest are from Ireland, England and France.” “ The current of emigration to the United States has been very strong for the last six months ; but judging by what we see in the British and other for- eign papers, we can consider it as hardly begun. The people are prepar- ing, in many places, to leave their country by neighborhoods or parishes, as it were, and in the new world, to possess and enjoy the friends of their youth, by settling together.” 70 APPENDIX. “ The proceeding has excited much alarm in England. The papers teem with paragraphs to check the hope of the people to benefit by the change ; and government is loudly called upon to interfere to prevent the 1 ruinous drain of the most useful part of the population of the United Kingdom.’ They note, in detail, the arrivals at New York with passengers, and on sum- ming up the amount, which was only two hundred and twenty-nine for the week stated, they say : 1 these facts certainly are serious ; coupled with the sentiments which are now prevalent in America with regard to England, and with respect to the avowed probability of another war, at no distant period, with this country, they cannot fail to awaken reflections of the most gloomy kind to all who wish for the peace and harmony of the world.’ ” # * # # “We have no reason to fear an excess of labor for many years to come. Our cities are crowded and business is dull, but the interior presents a vast and almost exhaustless field for industry. Every man that arrives may be fairly considered as adding at least three hundred dollars a year to the national wealth, while he also creates a home market to the value of what he consumes ; and increases the national safety by adding to the effective population of the republic. Let them come. Good and wholesome laws, with the avenues to wealth and independence, opened to honest industry, will tame even Mr. Peel’s l untameably ferocious ’ Irishmen, as well as sup- press English mobs, crying out for employment and bread , without the use of the bayonet.” — Id.p. 401. I “ Bankruptcies in the London Gazette for the last month, two hundred and eighteen ! Failures not in the Gazette, at least two thousand ! Compositions cannot be under ten thousand. Insolvents, who have no assets at all, innumerable.” — Id. p. 409. “ The spirit of emigration makes a great uproar in England. Cobbett says, ‘ the hive is in commotion—the bees seem resolved no longer to support the drones and wasps.’ To check it many paragraphs appear like the follow- ing from the Courier “ 1 Every thing is very dull in America. So great is the stagnation of trade, that but very few of the merchant vessels are employed. Our countrymen who have emigrated are in a most deplorable state ; upwards of a thousand of them have applied to the British Consul at New York to be sent home with passports as distressed British subjects.’ ” “ Motto for the new custom-house in Thames street, now nearly finished : 1 Sacred to the Memory of departed Commerce.'1 ” — Id. p. 411. “ It is stated that sixteen hundred men, women and children had engaged passages in different vessels at Newry, Dublin and Belfast, to cross the At- lantic ; and that emigration from Switzerland increased.” — Id. p. 412. August 24.-—* * “We have carefully examined all the columns of ship news which have reached us, in regular succession, for the week ending yes- APPENDIX. 71 terday morning. The result of this examination is given below. The amount will surprise our readers ; but it is certainly rather under than above the true number of persons that have arrived in the United States from Europe within the time stated.” “ The sentiment of Washington is our sentiment. In his reply to a con- gratulatory address from the citizens of Baltimore, he observed : ‘ that so long as this country continued sensible of the blessings, civil and religious, it had attained, so long mould it continue to be the asylum of the oppressed from every land? We wish to the oppressed—the poor man seeking bread,—peace and plenty, and health and happiness. ‘This be a main queer country,’ said a Yorkshireman who, with three well-grown sons and a large family of small children, was travelling from New York to Zanesville, to a gentleman who met him not far from Bedford, Pa., ‘ it is a main queer country,’ said he ‘ for I have asked the laboring folks all along the road horn many meals they eat in a day, and they all said three and sometimes four , if they wanted them. We have but two at home, and they are scanty enough, sir,’ continued he, in his broad dialect, which I know not how to express with English types. ‘Only think, sir,’ added he, ‘many of these people [the laborers ] asked me to eat and drink with them ; we can’t say so in Yorkshire, sir, for we have not enough for ourselves.’ What a field for reflection is there in the facts here stated? What American would have thought of inquiring how many meals the working people eat in a day ? But this was the first thing the poor Englishman thought of, and he had done it ‘all along the road,' to be convinced of the truth of the matter. He was de- lighted with the prospect of a full belly for himself and his children ; the country ‘ was worth fighting for ’ where the laborers eat three times a day ; and he voluntarily declared that he and his three boys would support it as long as they could stand ; ‘ besides, sir,’ said he, ‘ I have some more coming on in the wagon that will soon be able to help us.’ ” * * “ Recapitulation of passengers who arrived at the ports of the United States for one week, ending yesterday, August 23, 1816. The period is fixed at Baltimore, and the account made up from the regular mails arriving there within the time stated :—From Ireland, 1084 •; Scotland, 199 ; England, 59 ; France, 12 ; add for the passenger vessels whose number is not stated, 60 each, 120—Total, 1474.” “ To which we might add from one hundred and fifty to two hundred more, that have arrived in vessels not noticed at all as having passengers, bringing only a few each, besides those which may have escaped our notice, or have not been heard of, coming into other parts.” — Id. p. 419. “In page 419 the reader will observe an interesting account of the number of persons who have reached the United States from Europe in one week. The real number cannot be under sixteen hundred for the space of seven days !” * *—Id. p. 431. August 31.—“ We have several arrivals during the week with passengers 72 APPENDIX. from Ireland, England, &c. The stream is constant, though the number has not been so great as it was for the two or three preceding weeks.” — Vol. XI. , p. 15. September 2.—Eight hundred passengers for the week ending Aug. 30, and one thousand and twenty-seven ending Sept. 6, 1816. — Id. p. 32. October 12.—“ The [English] Courier (to deter from emigration,) says it is the practice of American captains who have claims on the emigrants, to sell them to satisfy such claims.” — Id. p. 105. October 19.—“ Emigration continues at the rate of from four to six hundred per week, from England, Ireland, &c. Another large body of Swiss is ex- pected.”—/^ p. 127. November 9.—“ Emigration continues as lively as at any period we have noticed. Many persons are arriving from Holland, and the current from the British dominions is steady.” — Id. p. 175. November 23.—“ Many emigrants from Holland, England, Ireland, &c., have reached the United States within the last week—and the import of spe- cie continues. Men and money appear happily pouring in upon us at the same time.” “ Many distinguished Frenchmen and others lately arrived in the United States, have associated for the purpose of forming a large settlement some- where on the Ohio or Mississippi. They propose to purchase one hundred thousand acres of land, and will invite emigrants from Europe. They expect to cultivate the vine. Their plan seems well digested and supported, and will probably succeed.”* — Id. p. 208. January 11, 1817 .—“A Greenock paper notices the return to that place of thirty persons who had emigrated to the United States, disappointed in their calculations— several of them weavers, who could not get employ, 1 while British manufactures were selling far below the original cost,’—adding that other descriptions of mechanics and laborers had done better, and found employ, &c., yet that the master of the vessel reported that if he would have brought them back gratuitously, he might have had a thousand passengers from New York.” “ To show the height (says this paper,) to which this emigrating mania has arisen, we may notice that as we are told, among the passengers returned by this vessel, is a gamekeeper, belonging to Yorkshire, who could not believe, until he had ocular demonstration of the fact, that the Yankees had no more use for his services, than the people of Buenos Ayres had for the stoves and * March 3, 1817.—An act (ch. 61,) passed Congress, entitled an ‘ Act to set apart and dispose of certain public lands for the encouragement and cultivation of the vine and olive/ by which four contiguous townships, each six miles square, of vacant lands, lying in the Mississippi ter- ritory, were to be sold to the agent or agents of the late emigrants from France, who have asso- ciated for the purpose of forming a settlement in the United States,—said lands to be paid for at the end of 14 years, at two dollars an acre. APPENDIX. 73 hearth-mats which some of our sage speculators sent out a few years ago, in the infancy of our commerce in that quarter.” — Id. p. 330. May 31.—“ From the 10th of March to the 27th May, there arrived at New York two hundred and fifty vessels, in which came sixteen hundred passen- gers. Many have arrived at other ports—a vessel with one hundred and thirty has just reached Philadelphia from Guernsey.” — Vol. XII., p. 224. June 21.—“Two thousand Quaker Hollanders were about to sail from Antwerp for Philadelphia. One ship with three hundred and fifty of them had actually left that port destined as stated. These emigrants are probably wealthy.” “ Fifteen hundred persons were also embarking at Amsterdam for the Uni- ted States.” — Id. p. 270. “ Among the foreign articles is some notice of a great emigration about to be made to the United States from Holland. Many persons also arrive from England and Ireland ” — Id. p. 272. July 5.—It is stated that from March 10th to May 30th-, 1817, one thousand six hundred and fifty-eight British subjects had arrived at New York, and received from James Buchanan, the British consul, passports to entitle them to grants of land in British North America, chiefly in Upper Canada. Id. p. 304. July 19.—“Very many passengers are arriving in vessels from Europe; in one of them four hundred and nine persons, none over thirty years of age, have reached Philadelphia from Amsterdam.” “A number of French emigrants are about to form a settlement near the confluence of the Alabama and Tombigbee. Commissioners to select the spot have arrived at Mobile.” — Id. p. 336. August 2.—“Account of emigrants from foreign countries arriving in the United States, collected from the shipping lists received at the office of the Weekly Register, for two weeks, ending yesterday morning, Aug. 1. Reca- pitulation : England, 649 ; Wales, 51 ; Ireland, 581; Scotland, 134 ; Germa- ny and Switzerland via Amsterdam, &c, 826 ; France, 31.—Total, 2272.” “ By looking over the ship news to make out the preceding, we have reason to suppose that the number will be considerably greater for the next two weeks, many from Holland being immediately expected.” — Id. p. 359. “ The government of Basle has just announced that it will deliver no more passports for the United States, but to such emigrants as shall exhibit at the chancery a bill of exchange of at least two hundred florins upon Holland, payable at Amsterdam. This measure has the advantage of preventing inconsiderate resolutions and their disastrous results.” — Id. p. 355. August 16.—“Within the last two weeks, ending yesterday morning, we have received accounts of the arrival of twenty-six vessels, at the several ports of the United States, with two thousand five hundred and twelve pas- sengers, viz. :—From Amsterdam, Germans and Swiss, 1896; England, Ire- 10 74 APPENDIX. land and Scotland, 281 ; the same, via Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, 238 ; France, 97. Total, 2512.” — Id.p. 400. August 30.—“ The two weeks ending yesterday gave us accounts of the arrival of twenty-one vessels, with emigrants from Europe, viz. :—From England, Ireland and Scotland, 557 ; Holland—Germans and Swiss, 365 ; France, 25. Total. 947.” “ Of these, one hundred and seventy-one reached the United States via Halifax, though great inducements are held out to settlers there. As for in- stance, a Dutch ship which arrived at Philadelphia, put into that port for pro- visions, when the governor offered to the passengers ten thousand acres of land gratis, in fee simple, and farming utensils, if they would stay there ; but they refused it. Many settlers, as they are called, arrive in Canada, from whence hundreds of them pass up the river, &c., and cross into New York and Ohio. It seems to be discovered that it is more convenient to reach our country through the British colonies than to come on direct. Facilities are afforded for the former which are denied to the latter.” — Vol. XIII., p. 16. September 6.—“ The French Emigrants.—By a respectable Indian agent, now at the seat of government, we learn, that in coming up the Ohio he met upwards of a hundred Frenchmen, at different times, directing their course towards the new settlement on the Tombigbee.” “ General Count Clausel and General Lefebre Desnouettes, have sailed from Philadelphia with a ship-load of passengers bound to the Mobile. Mar- shal Grouchy, the two Generals Lallemand, Generals Vandamme, Lakanal, Penniers, Gamier de Saintes, Count Real, &c. are at the head of this enter- prise. All these distinguished men have the means of doing much good. Never was a project set on foot under better auspices, or entered into, as we learn, with more ardor and fuller determination to make a fair experiment, to show what Frenchmen can do. ‘ I am astonished/ said a capitalist of Phila- delphia to Generals Clausel and Desnouettes, ‘ that such men as you, who have money at command, should undertake such a Don Quixotte expedition, when by taking your stand in the exchange, you would get twenty per cent, for your money without trouble.’ 1 We have been accustomed (replied General Clau- sel,) to labor for the glory and happiness of our country, not to prey upon theirs or other people’s necessities.’ A reply which remarks a noble mind. (Nat. Int.y ’ id. p. 30. September 13.—“ The average number of foreigners emigrating to the Uni- ted States for the last twenty years is not greater, if so great, as ten thousand a year. But, from the result of the facts that have been collected, an opin- ion may be entertained that, for the present year, they may possibly amount to thirty thousand.” # # “ The proportion of the thirty thousand will be about as follows : two thousand French ; twenty thousand English, Irish and Scotch ; eight thousand Germans and Swiss.” * *— Id. pp. 35, 36. September 20. — “A late London paper says : ‘ The numerous emigrations APPENDIX. 75 from Ireland to the United States of America, are much to be regretted ; there are, at this time, three ships at one port in Ireland about to sail. Sure- ly it would have been better, as these persons are determined to quit their native country, to have given them their passage out free of expense to Brit- ish North America.’ ” “ The emigrations are more numerous from England than from Ireland, — the latter seems now to be the least distressed country ; not that Ireland is distressed less than she was, but because England is distressed more.” — Id. p. 59. October 25.—“ The British ship Mary Ann has arrived at Boston in fifty days from London, with two hundred and four passengers. The Mary Ann was bound to St. John, N. B., but the passengers not wishing to go there, rose upon the crew, and brought the vessel into Boston.” — Id. p. 143. November 8.—“ Some of the British writers begin to think that the emi- gration of one hundred thousand persons annually would be advantageous, except that it might tend to strengthen some other country. New British settlements are therefore recommended.” # #—Id. p. 173. January 10, 1818 .— “ European emigrants arrived at Philadelphia during eight months, viz. from April 28th to Dec. 31st, 1817. From France, 66 ; Italy, 22 ; Germany, 53 ; Ireland, 441 ; Great Britain, 1292 ; English, Irish and Scotch, via British possessions in America, 547 ; Holland, 4867.—Total, 7288.” “ Most if not all of the persons that arrived by the way of Holland were Germans. The Dutch ship April has arrived in the Delaware since the 1st inst., and is not included in the above return, with five hundred and fifty passengers. Total British subjects two thousand two hundred and eighty.” Id. p. 314. January 24.—“A gentleman at New York has favored the editor of the Weekly Register, with the following list of emigrants arriving at that port, from the 1st of January to the 31st December, 1817, both inclusive, and assures us that its correctness may be relied upon :—England, Scotland and Wales, 3131; Ireland, 1703; France, 674; Germany and Holland, 252; Spain and Portugal, 64 ; South America, 40 ; West Indies, 464 ; British pos- sessions in North America, 1273 , East Indies, 15—Italy, 14—29 ; Russia, Denmark and Sweden, 4.—Total, 7634.” — Id.p. 360. January 31.—“It is asserted in the Delaware Gazette, that of about eleven hundred passengers, who embarked on board the ship April, Capt. De Groot, at Amsterdam, which vessel is now lying at Newcastle, about five hundred died, many of them before they departed from Europe. Such as were una- ble to advance the money for their passage, who survive, are still detained on board in the most deplorable condition, several of whom are children, who have lost their parents on the voyage.” — Id. p. 378. February 28.—“ Emigration to the British North American colonies, it is 76 APPENDIX. stated, will not be encouraged hereafter by the government, as the condition of the people has been rendered worse by the change. The secret cause, probably, is that they pass into the United States.” — Id. Vol. XIV., pp. 12, 13. May 23.—“ Emigration from Europe has commenced early in the season. In a single New York paper we notice accounts of the arrival at that port of five or six vessels, and notices of the sailing of a number from British ports —one from Glencastle with one hundred and seventy -three, and another from Greenock with eighty-four passengers Another paper, for a succeeding day, mentions the arrival of six vessels from London, Liverpool and Newry, with one hundred and fifty-seven English and eighty-eight Irish passengers.” — Id. p. 223. May 30.—“We have received accounts of the arrival of from eight hun- dred to one thousand emigrants from Europe, chiefly from England, during the past week.” — Id. p. 240. June 6.—“The number of emigrants, an account of whose arrival we ob- served in the papers of last week, is from twelve to fifteen hundred.” “ A New York paper says :—‘ We learn that a gentleman has lately arrived in this city from England, whose object is to settle in the Illinois territory ; that his family and settlers brought over with him amount to fifty-one per- sons that he has furnished himself with agricultural instruments, seeds of various kinds, some cows, sheep and hogs, for breeding, and about one hun- dred thousand pounds sterling in money. This is doing business to a great national as well as individual profit ; and if gentlemen of fortune and enter- prise will emigrate in the same manner, our western states will shortly be the most flourishing part of the world.’ ” — Id. p. 256. June 27.—“Three hundred and eighty-two emigrants, mostly laborers, and many of them having much money, have lately left Dumfries, for America. It is only a year since the mania of emigration spread in that province.” — Id. p. 305. July 11.—“A Dutch ship, with five hundred German passengers, from Amsterdam for Philadelphia, which appears to have been badly provided for the voyage, after a series of dis'vsters, has reached Bergen, in Norway, hav- ing lost one hundred of her passengers on the voyage ; the rest wrere subsist- ing on the charity of the Norwegian government and citizens.” — Id. p. 344. August 1.—“ We ventured an opinion some weeks since that the present emigration to the United States was about at the rate of two hundred persons per day. The following table, though necessarily very imperfect, may serve to support that opinion. That ratio of emigration, it is probable, will hold good for four months of the present year. For the rest of the year it is in- considerable, not amounting, perhaps, to twenty persons per day, except such as arrive via Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, without being re- ported ” This list contains one thousand eight hundred and seventy persons for two APPENDIX. 77 weeks, ending July 31st, from newspapers received at the office of the Reg- ister. — Id. p. 380. August 8.—“ Emigration continues at the probable rate of two hundred persons per day. A New York paper of Monday last announces the arrival at that port of one hundred and twenty-four persons in eight vessels, for the preceding forty-eight hours. The current is steady. On Thursday, a Rus- sian ship arrived at Baltimore, with seventy passengers, from Ireland.” — Id. p. 408. August 15.—“ Our record of the arrival of emigrants from Europe, at the ports of New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, for the week ending yester- day, amounts to seven hundred and thirty-one persons. The 1 settlers’ that have arrived in Canada the present season is stated at six thousand and twenty-seven, of whom it is probable that at least four thousand have passed or will pass into our territory. It is said that five hundred families from Wales, and the northern and western parts of Scotland, arrived at the ports of Greenock and Glasgow on the 1st of May, for the purpose of emigrating to America. They were compelled to form an encampment upon the banks of the Clyde, where the novelty of the sight attracted many spectators.” “ An English paper states that twelve hundred persons have emigrated this season from Guernsey to America, mostly to the United States. Of these one thousand are natives of Guernsey ; a great number, adds the paper, when it is considered that the whole of the population of that island is not reckoned higher than nineteen thousand.” — Id. p. 424. August 29.—“The amount of passengers from Europe, reported to have arrived at New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, for the last week, amounts to more than a thousand, —from Ireland, England, Holland and France.” Vol. XV., p. 9. September 12 .— “ The current of emigration, from the British dominions to the territory of the United States, never was as strong as it is now. For the week ending the 31st of August, two thousand one hundred and fifty passengers, ‘ nearly the whole of whom were emigrants from Europe,’ arrived at the single port of New York ; and for the subsequent week we kept an account of the passengers reported in the newspapers, (which is far short of the number that arrived,) and found them to amount to nearly three thousand, for five or six principal ports, and the aggregate may be fairly estimated at six thousand for the two weeks preceding the 6th of September. We designed to have published the names of the vessels, with the places they arrived at, with their respective number of passengers, as we have done on several occa- sions, but thought the long list might unnecessarily occupy a page of our paper. Of the six thousand that arrived in the two weeks, about four thous- and were from England, one thousand from Ireland, and the rest from Scot- land, Holland and France,—about one hundred only from the latter. The emigrants from England that we have seen, (and we have conversed with 78 APPENDIX. several,) appear to be of that class of people which lately were the bone and sinew of that country,—respectable farmers; driven from their homes by taxes and tithes, yet generally before they were too much reduced to make in comfort to a strange land. Some of them, indeed, appeared to have consid- erable sums of money, with which they purposed to buy and improve farms of their own, and a number were making their way to the great settlement that Mr. Burbeck is founding on the Wabash, in Indiana. Many of them are persons of intelligent minds ; and, in general, they were decently appar- elled.” “ As we are of those who are always ready to say to the well-disposed but oppressed people of any part of the civilized world, 1 come and partake with us of the blessings of free government,’ very pleasurable feelings have been excited by such a pressure upon our shores,—with such an accession to the wealth and strength of our country. When we hear that the 1 Harmony So- ciety,’ as it is called, raised six thousand bushels of wheat, in the present year, on a field which, three years ago, was covered with its native forests, we cannot refrain from calculating the auxiliary force of such a body of such emigrants in causing the wilderness to smile, and making our woods to resound with the busy hum of men. The emigration of the present year will give us not less than twenty-five thousand days labor ; this labor, pass- ing through all its stages of production, cannot be estimated at less than twenty-five thousand dollars per day, exclusive of the value of the articles consumed by the laborers, and those dependent upon them,—a gross value added to the general wealth of nearly eight millions per annum, with fifty or sixty thousand persons to the population in one year. What a source of rev- enue, if the country’s need requires it ; how great a force, in arms, to repel a foe ! We do exult,—we cannot help exulting, at the great strides the republic is making towards a power to command the respect which its love of peace and justice entitles it to.” — Id. p. 33. September 19.—“ The number of emigrants at present arriving are believed to be nearly four hundred per day.” — Id. p. 63. October 17.—“Many emigrant from Europe are still arriving in the Uni- ted States,—some direct, others by way of Nova Scotia, Canada, &c.” — Id. p. 125. December 12.—“ New York, Nov. 24 : The French brig Minerva was to sail from Havre about the 12th Oct. for Mobile, with about fifty passengers, most of them mechanics, who design to settle in that promising place.” — Id. p. 269. May 29, 1819.—“A vessel has arrived at New York from Havre in France, bringing one hundred and fifty-eight passengers, principally English mechan- ics, who are not permitted to emigrate directly from England to the United States ; five hundred more were expected at Havre for the same destination. ’ r “ The arrival of passengers from Europe gives us about the amount of APPENDIX. 79 fifteen or eighteen hundred, a week. Nt) less than six hundred Irish were at St. Andrews, and are coming in small parties to different parts of the United States. A great number is looked for.” — Vol. XVI., p. 239. June 4.—* # “ It was explicitly stated to you,” says J. Q. Adams, in a letter to Mr. Furstenwaerther, a German, who had intimated a disposition to become an American citizen, u and your report has taken just notice of the statement, that the government of the United States has never adopted any measure to encourage or invite emigrants from any part of Europe. It has never held out any incitements to induce the subjects of any other sovereign to abandon their own country to become inhabitants of this. From motives of humanity, it has occasionally furnished facilities to emigrants who, hav- ing arrived here with views of forming settlements, have specially needed such assistance to carry them into effect. Neither the general government of the Union, nor those of individual states, are ignorant or unobservant of the additional strength and wealth which accrue to the nation by the acces- sion of a mass of healthy, industrious and frugal laborers, nor are they in any manner insensible to the great benefits which this country has derived, and continues to derive, from the influx of such adoptive children from Germa- ny. But there is one principle which pervades all the institutions of this coun- try, and which must always operate as an obstacle to the granting of favors to new comers. This is a land, not ofprivileges, but of equal rights. Privileges are granted by European sovereigns to particular classes of individuals, for purposes of general policy ; but the general impression here is that privileges granted to one denomination of people, can seldom be discriminated from erosions of the rights of others. Emigrants from Germany, therefore, or from elsewhere, coming here, are not to expect favors from the government. They are to expect, if they choose to become citizens, equal rights with those of the natives of the country. They are to expect, if affluent, to possess the means to make their property productive, with moderation and with safety ; if indigent, but industrious, and honest, and frugal, the means of obtaining an easy and comfortable subsistence for themselves and families. They come to a life of independence and to a life of labor ; and if they cannot accommodate themselves to the character, moral, political and physical, of this country, with all its compensating balances of good and evil, the Atlantic is always open to them to return to the land of their nativity and their fathers. To one thing they must make up their minds, or they will be disappointed in every expectation as Americans. They must cast off the European skin, never to resume it. They must look forward to their posterity rather than backward to their ancestors ; they must be sure that whatever their own feel- ings may be, those of their children will cling to the prejudices of this coun- try.” # * “We understand perfectly, that of the multitude of foreigners who yearly flock to our shores to take up here their abode, none come from affection or 80 APPENDIX. regard to a land to which they are total strangers, and with the very language of which those of them who are Germans, are generally unacquainted. We know that they come with views, not to our benefit, but to their own, — not to promote our welfare, but to better their own condition. We expect, therefore, very few, if any, transplanted countrymen, from classes of people who enjoy happiness, ease, or even comfort, in their native climes. The happy and contented remain at home ; and it requires an impulse at least as keen as that of urgent want, to drive a man from the seat of his nativity and the land of his fathers’ sepulchres. Of the very few emigrants of more fortunate classes, who ever make the attempt of settling in this country, a principal proportion sicken at the strangeness of our manners, and after a residence more or less protracted, return to the countries whence they came. There are, doubtless, exceptions, and among the most opulent and the most distinguished of our citizens, we are happy to number individuals who might have enjoyed or acquired wealth and consideration without resorting to a new country and another hemisphere. We should take great satisfaction in find- ing you included in this number, if it shouid suit your own inclinations, and the prospects of your future life, upon your calculations of your own inter- ests. I regret that it is not in my power to add the inducement which you might perceive in the situation of an officer under government. All the places in the department to which I belong, allowed by the laws, are filled, nor is there a prospect of an early vacancy in any of them. Whenever such vacancies occur, the application of natives of the country to fill them, are far more numerous than the offices, and the recommendations in behalf of the candidates so strong and so earnest, that it would seldom be possible, if it would ever be just, to give a preference over them to foreginers. Although, therefore, it would give me sincere pleasure to consider you as one of our future and permanent fellow citizens, I should not do either an act of kind- ness or of justice to you, in dissuading you from the offers of employment and of honorable services, to which you are called in your native coun- try.” * *—Id. Vol. XVIII., pp. 157, 158, April 29, 1820. June 5.—“The manufacturing districts are dreadfully distressed. At Lei- cester, within ten days, it is said that five thousand persons were thrown out of employ, though the, price of cotton was expected to decline further ! There have been some heavy failures.” “ The London newspapers advertise no less than fifteen ships to take out passengers to America, whose tonnage amount to eight thousand two hun- dred tons ; and the Belfast papers nearly as many more. By the returns of the latter port, it appears that about eleven thousand persons emigrated to America from thence last season, amongst whom were upwards of seven hundred families.” “ London, April 10 : Numerous emigrations are now taking place from Yorkshire, chiefly for the United States, but a considerable number have also APPENDIX. 81 recently gone to South America, and many others are preparing to follow them. The mischief of these expatriations is increased by the emigrations alluded to being not composed merely of poor distressed artisans, who are in quest of food and employment, but chiefly of persons possessed of property, sufficient to render them comfortable in their own country.” — Id. Vol. XVI., p. 255. June 12.—“The emigration from England is spoken of as being greater this season than at any former period.” “ The following are the number of families and individuals who have emi- grated from the port of Belfast to America, during the last three years. Those who landed in the British settlements are included : 2143 individuals—239 families—to Jan. 5, 1817. 2811 “ 314 “ 1818. 5601 “ 727 “ 1819.” — Id. p. 269. June 19.—“About five hundred Englishmen are said to be at Havre de Grace, to embark for the United States. The rage for emigration is extrava- gant, and those subject to its influence are very generally manufacturers and mechanics, or of other productive classes. At present, however, we are quite as willing that they should remain where they are. American labor is not appreciated at home.”—Id. p. 286. July 3.—“About two thousand emigrants, chiefly Irish, had arrived at St. John’s, N. B,, in ten days previous to the 17th ult. The destination of the most of them is the United States, into which they are daily arriving by schooner loads.” — Id. p. 319. July 10.—“ From considerable observation of the arrival of vessels from foreign ports, we are of opinion, that the present rate of emigration to the United States, is not less than four hundred persons per day. The greater part are English, reaching us via French ports, &c. ; the rest are chiefly Irish and German.” — Id. p. 336. July 17.—“ We kept a list of the vessels that arrived in the United States, with European passengers, an account of whose arrival reached us through the newspapers received for the week ending yesterday morning ; the aggre- gate is one thousand four hundred and seventy-five, of whom about four hundred reached our country via Halifax and St. John’s.” — Id. p. 346. July 24.—“It is announced in a New York paper, that Mr. Buchanan, the British consul there, is making arrangements for the location, in Canada, of numerous British subjects who had emigrated to the United States. This paragraph may be well ‘ understood ’ by the fact, that on the 20th inst. one hundred and forty-five emigrants arrived at Philadelphia alone, by way of the British possessions in America ; one hundred also arrived at Alexandria, and eighty-five at New York, on the 19th, from Moose Island and Halifax.” Id. p. 368. August 7.—“ We have not this week listed the vessels which arrived in 11 82 APPENDIX. the United States with foreign passengers, but suppose the amount of emi- grants to have been nearly fifteen hundred, a considerable number of whom were Germans.” — Id. p. 400. September 18.—“The tide of emigration still sets to the United States. Never before, perhaps, except in the last year, did so many persons from Europe reach our shores to take up their abode with us, at this advanced state of the season, as are now arriving. We regret that it is so. Hundreds, perhaps, we might say thousands of them, will be incumbrances on us dur- ing the ensuing winter ,- for many tens of thousands of our own people, accustomed to sustain themselves by their own labor, will be out of employ- ment, unless some extraordinary event shall take place.” “We have always until just now greeted the stranger on his arrival here with pleasure. There was room enough for all that would come, and indus- try was a sure road to a comfortable living, if not to independence and wealth. We were glad of the addition which they made to our population, and of the impulse which they gave to the capacity of production, thus advancing our country to its weight of power and extent of resources which the patriot delights to anticipate, but which also every one wishes to see real- ized. Now, however, our population in most of the maratime districts, and in some parts of the interior also, seems to think—there are too many mouths to consume what the hands can find business to do ; and that hitherto sure refuge of the industrious foreign immigrant,—the western country,—is over- stocked by the domestic emigration. Certainly, the present system cannot last long, and the time must come when home industry will be encouraged and protected, in all its branches. If this were the case, all would be busy, money would circulate freely, and happiness abound.” “ It appears that a good many persons who recently arrived from England, being disappointed in their prospects of employment, are on their return home. We have thought that some such were occasionally re-shipped, under sanction and perhaps at the cost of the British government, that they might eheck emigration. But this cannot be suspected now. The poor people are truly alarmed at the prostration of things presented to them, and will rather depend upon the resources they have been accustomed to, than suffer poverty in a land of strangers. Still those who have a little money may certainly do better with it here than at home.” “ It is reported, that to relieve themselves of the support of their paupers, many such will be sent to the United States by the church-wardens, &c. of England ! It will therefore become the state authorities to be careful to take the proper securities of those who bring passengers, that they will not become chargeable on the public.” “ The number of emigrants from Europe, (as reported in the newspapers,) who reached the United States for two weeks, ending on Friday, the 3d of September, 1819, wus three thousand three hundred and seventy-eight.” APPENDIX. 83 “When we consider that the passengers arriving at many small ports are not reported at all, and the moral certainty that we have overlooked some who were reported even in the newspapers received at our office, it may be fairly presumed that the real number of those who arrived cannot be less than four thousand for these two weeks ; and from what we have learnt, it is also probable that one thousand more may have passed into our country from Canada, in the course of the last month. We observe that the Canadian pa- pers are very zealous to prevent it, and hear of many proceeding to the west- ern states.” “ The returns for the last two weeks would probably have shown an amount of about fifteen hundred per week ; five hundred and sixty-eight arrived at Philadelphia in one day—on Sunday last—many of whom were in one vessel from Antwerp.” “ The New York Gazette says :—‘ We know a gentleman who has made a calculation, grounded upon the emigration of the present year, showing that in the course of five years the number of emigrants to this country will amount to half a million. New York is calculated to receive one sixth of the number, as it has done for the last year. The numerous emigrations, via the Canadas and Nova Scotia, are not taken into this calculation.’ ” “'This is a serious subject, and will naturally excite the attention of gov- ernment.” “This calculation, we apprehend, is much exaggerated. It must be recol- lected, that very few emigrants arrive before the month of May, and less after that of September. Admit that in the whole of these five months the rate should continue at two thousand per week, the amount would be only forty thousand per annum. And this, we feel satisfied, is a greater number than ever arrived in the United States in any one year, even in or for the present, though the emigration has been so very heavy. But how it should ‘ naturally excite the attention of government ’ we cannot tell, unless the British government is meant.” — Id. Vol. XVII., p. 36. September 25.—“ The number of emigrants still arriving is enormous. In the last week, according to the newspapers received at this office, not less than twenty-five hundred, perhaps three thousand, arrived, chiefly at New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Nearly four hundred arrived at the latter on Saturday last. — Id. p. 63. October 16.—“ Quebec, Sept. 27.—Of the twelve thousand British emi- grants who have arrived at the port of Quebec this season, we are persuaded that more than one half have found their way into the United States. The St. Lawrence has already become the channel of communication for those emigrants who are destined for the western states, as it will at a future day become one of the main Channels of their trade. We regret that greater facilities are not given to British emigrants to settle in this province. In Upper Canada, we believe, that great improvements in this respect have been made by Sir Perigrine Maitland.” 84 APPENDIX. “ There a foundation of British inhabitants has been laid. If they thrive, they will soon attract more. In this province little or nothing has been done.” Id.p. 111. “ The following seductive advertisement is recorded as a specimen of the manner in which many poor persons are induced to leave their home in En- gland and Ireland ‘ For St. Andrews, in the river St. John's, that divides the United States of America from the British possessions .—The new, fast sailing cutter (but twelve months built,) Commercial Packet, William Anderson, master, now lying at the quay of Galway, and will sail positively the 22d of June, wind and weather permitting.’ ‘ Persons wishing to go to the United States, or any part of the western country thereof, have a cheap and easy opportunity by inland water convey- ance on arrival. Emigrants will find immediate employment on landing ; laborers from five to eight shillings per day, and tradesmen from twelve to twenty shillings per day, and provisions remarkably cheap. As this may be the only opportunity that may offer from hence this season, those inclined to proceed should make immediate application to E. Evans, Back street, or to the master on board, at the dock.’ 1 Terms five guineas, the ship to find nothing but water and fuel ; children half price. Tradesmen will not be prevented from going in this vessel. Galway, June 14, 1819.’ — Id.p. 112. July 29, 1820 .—“ Passengers .—It appears by the official returns from the mayor’s office that, from December, 1818, to December, 1819, thirty-five thousand five hundred and sixty passengers arrived at this port [New York.] This will give an idea of the great intercourse which is had with this city ; yet it also appears that, out of this number, sixteen thousand six hundred and twenty-eight were Americans, leaving eighteen thousand nine hundred and thirty-two foreigners, which, of itself, is an important amount. There is something also to consider in the national character of these emigrants ; seven thousand six hundred and twenty-nine were English, and six thousand and sixty-seven were Trish. The proportion of Irish to English emigrants, has been heretofore in favor of the Irish ; but this year the English take the lead. It is certain that the Irish have a more sincere attachment to this country than the English ; their associations and feelings, and the success of many of their countrymen, have given a great spur to emigration ; added to this, their wants and enterprise are greater than those of the English ; yet we have in this excess of English emigration, a very strong proof of the misery of the times, and the extremes to which they are reduced,—extremes which the Irish have scarcely arrived at. If it is said that many of these were bound to Canada, to settle on the crown lands, the reply will be, that the expense of transportation from New York to Canada would exceed the value of their possessions, and emigrants bound to Canada generally take APPENDIX. 85 passage for Quebec. If, on the other hand, it is contended that many have returned to Europe, we are satisfied that the number is very trifling, and were not willing to work. Of Scotch there were one thousand nine hundred and forty-two. This is a class of emigrants who are not idle in any part of the world. * *—[Nat. Advocate,]” Id. Vol. XVIII., pp. 388, 389. November 11.—“The following is an estimate of emigration in the first eight months of the present year, from Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales:—To Canada, about 10,000; North America, U. S., 6000; South America, 4000 ; South Africa, 6000 ; New Holland and Van Dieman’s Land, 2500 ; East Indies, all ports and all sorts, 3500 ; Sailors to foreign employ, 2000 ; fixed residents to Flanders, France and Italy, 1500 ; Russia, 350. Total, 35,850.” — Id. Vol XIX., p. 173. April 20, 1822.—“ The Democratic Press says : From official returns ordered to be printed by the House of Commons, we learn that the whole number of passengers who embarked from Ireland for the United States, from the year 1812 to 1821, both years inclusive, was 30,653 ; from England, 33,608 ; Scotland, 4727.—Total, 68,988.” “Also there embarked for the British dominions in North America, from Ireland, 47,223 ; England, 23,783 ; Scotland, 19,971, making a total of 90,977.” Total, 159,960. “It may be added, that a major part of those who embarked for the 1 Brit- ish possessions in North America,’ proceeded almost direct to the United States.” — Id. Vol XXII., pp. 115, 116. August 3.—“ It would appear that many more persons have arrived in the United States during the present season, than in the last. A good number reach New York and other ports direct, but far the greater part arrive via New Brunswick and Canada. Those who take passages for the former come over to Eastport, &c., where they obtain vessels, and re-ship themselves to New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Ac. Many that arrive in Canada pass up the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, and into the state of New York, or proceed further westward. A party of about thirty lately arrived at Buffalo, to join the colony of Mr. Burbeck, in Illinois. They appeared to be substan- tial people, for among their property were cattle, hogs, geese, fee. of the most approved kinds, which they had brought with them from England.” — Id.p. 354. Soon after the insurrection in Canada in 1837, the Earl of Durham was appointed Governor-General of the British Provinces in North America, in pursuance of which appointment he made an elaborate “ Report on the Affairs of British North America,” which was ordered to be printed by the House of Commons, February 11th, 1839. The following extracts, taken from that report, will show some of the reasons why many of the emigrants from the United Kingdom, instead of settling in those provinces, have come to the United States. 86 APPENDIX. * * « The emigrants who have settled in the country [Upper Canada] within the last ten years, are supposed to comprise half the population. They complain that while the Canadians are desirous of having British capi- tal and labor brought into the colony, jay means of which their fields may be cultivated, and the value of their unsettled possessions increased, they refuse to make the colony really attractive to British skill and British capitalists. They say that an Englishman emigrating to Upper Canada, is practically as much an alien in that British colony as he would be if he were to emigrate to the United States. He may equally purchase and hold lands or invest his capital in trade in one country as in the other, and he may in either exercise any mechanical avocation, and perform any species of manual labor. This, however, is the extent of his privileges ; his English qualifications avail him little or nothing. He cannot, if a surgeon, licensed to act in England, prac- tise without the license of a Board of Examiners in the province. If an attorney, he has to submit to an apprenticeship of five years before he is allowed to practise. If a barrister, he is excluded from the profitable part of his profession, and though allowed to practise at the bar, the permission thus accorded to him is practically of no use in a country where, as nine attornies out of ten are barristers also, there can be no business for a mere barrister. Thus, a person who has been admitted to the English bar, is compelled to serve an apprenticeship of three years to a provincial lawyer.” “ By an act passed last session, difficulties are thrown in the way of the employment of capital in banking, which have a tendency to preserve the monopoly possessed by the chartered banks of the colony, in which the Cana- dian party are supreme, and the influence of which is said to be employed directly as an instrument for upholding the political supremacy of the party. Under the system, also, of selling land pursued by the government, an indi- vidual does not procure a patent for his land until he has paid the whole of the purchase-money, a period of from four to ten years, according as his pur- chase is a crown or clergy lot ; and until the patent issues, he has no right to vote. In some of the new states of America, on the contrary, especially in Illinois, an individual may practise as a surgeon or lawyer almost immedi- ately on his arrival in the country, and he has every right of citizenship after a residence of six months in the state. An Englishman is, therefore, in effect less an alien in a foreign country than in one which forms a part of the British empire. Such are the superior advantages of the United States at present, that nothing but the feeling, that in the one country he is among a more kindred people, under the same laws, and in a society whose habits and sentiments are similar to those to which he has been accustomed, can induce an Englishman to settle in Canada, in preference to the states ; and if, in the former, he is deprived of rights which he obtains in the latter, though a for- eigner, it is not to be wondered at that he should, in many cases, give the preference to the land in which he is treated most as a citizen. It is very APPENDIX. 87 possible that there are but few cases in which the departure of an English- man from Upper Canada to the states can be traced directly to any of these circumstances in particular ; yet the state of society and of feeling which they have engendered, has been among the main causes of the great extent of re-emigration to the new states of the Union. It operates, too, still more to deter emigration from England to the provinces, and thus both to retard the advance of the colony, and to deprive the mother country of one of the principal advantages on account of which the existence of colonies is desira- ble—the field which they afford for the employment of her surplus popula- tion and wealth. The native Canadians, however, to whatever political party they may belong, appear to be unanimous in the wish to preserve these ex- clusive privileges.” # *—p. 61. “But as in Upper Canada, under a law passed immediately after the last war with the states, American citizens are forbidden to hold land, it is of the more consequence that the country should be made as attractive as possible to the emigrating middle classes of Great Britain, the only class from which an accession of capital, to be invested in the purchase or improvement of lands, can be hoped for.” # #—p. 62. “ Under such circumstances there is little stimulus to industry or enter- prise, and their effect is aggravated by the striking contrast presented by such of the United States as border upon this province, and where all is activity and progress.” * *—p. 66. “ It is a singular and melancholy feature in the condition of these prov- inces, [New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward’s Island,] that the resources rendered of so little avail to the population of Great Britain, are turned to better account by the enterprising inhabitants of the United States. While the emigration from the provinces is large and constant, the adventur- ous farmers of New England cross the frontier, and occupy the best farming lands. Their fishermen enter our bays and rivers, and in some cases mo- nopolize the occupations of our own unemployed countrymen ; and a great portion of the trade of the St. John’s is in their hands. Not only do the citi- zens of a foreign nation do this, but they do it with British capital. Major Head states, ‘ that an American merchant acknowledged to him, that the capital with which his countrymen carried on their enterprises in the neigh- borhood of St. John’s, was chiefly supplied by Great Britain and he adds, as a fact within his own knowledge, ‘ that wealthy capitalists at Halifax, desirous of an investment for their money, preferred lending it in the United States, to applying it to speculation in New Brunswick, or to lending it to their own countrymen in that province.’ ” “ I regret to say, that Major Head also gives the same account respecting the difference between the aspect of things in these provinces and the border- ing state of Maine. On the other side of the line, good roads, good schools, and thriving farms, afford a mortifying contrast to the condition in which a S8 APPENDIX. British subject finds the neighboring possessions of the British crown.” — p. 71. “In the United States, ever since the year 1796, the disposal of public land, not already appropriated to particular states, has been strictly regulated by a law of Congress ; not by different laws for the various parts of the coun- try, but by one law for the whole of the public lands, and a law which we may judge to have been cdnducive to the prosperity of the people, both from its obvious good effects, and from its almost unquestioned continuance for so many years. In the British North American colonies, with one partial ex- ception, there never has been, until quite recently, any law on the subject.” % # — pp. 73, 74. “ The system of the United States appears to combine all the chief requi- sites of the greatest efficiency. It is uniform throughout the vast federation j it is unchangeable save by Congress, and has never been materially altered j it renders the acquisition of new land easy, and yet, by means of a price, restricts appropriation to the actual wants of the settler ; it is so simple as to be readily understood ; it provides for accurate surveys and against needless delays ; it gives an instant and secure title; and it admits of no favoritism, but distributes the public property amongst all classes and persons upon pre- cisely equal terms. That system has promoted an amount of immigration and settlement, of which the history of the world affords no other example and it has produced to the United States a revenue which has averaged about half a million sterling per annum, and has amounted in one twelvemonth to above four millions sterling, or more than the whole expenditure of the fede- ral government.” “ In the North American colonies there never has been any system. Many different methods have been practised, and this not only in the different colo- nies, but in every colony at different times, and within the same colony at the same time. The greatest diversity and most frequent alteration would almost seem to have been the objects in view. In only one respect has there been uniformity. Every where the greatest profusion has taken place, so that in all the colonies, and nearly in every part of each colony, more, and very much more land has been alienated by the government, than the grantees had at the time, or now have the means of reclaiming from a state of wil- derness ; and yet, in all the other colonies until lately, and in some of them still, it is either very difficult or next to impossible for a person of no influ- ence to obtain any of the public land. More or less in all the colonies, and in some of them to an extent which would not be credited, if the fact were not established by unquestionable testimony, the surveys have been inaccu- rate, and the boundaries, or even the situation of estates, are proportionally uncertain. Every where needless delays have harassed and exasperated applicants ; and every where, more or less, I am sorry but compelled to add, gross favoritism has prevailed in the disposal of public lands.” # #—p. 74. “The results of long misgovernment in this department are such as might APPENDIX. 89 have been anticipated by any person understanding the subject. The admin- istration of the public lands, instead of always yielding a revenue, cost for a long while more than it produced. But this is, I venture to think, a trifling consideration when compared with others. There is one in particular which has occurred to every observant traveller in these regions, which is a constant theme of boast in the states bordering upon our colonies, and a subject of loud complaint within the colonies. I allude to the striking contrast which is presented between the American and British sides of the frontier line in respect to every sign of productive industry, increasing wealth, and progres- sive civilization.” “ By describing one side, and reversing the picture, the other would be also de- scribed. On the American side, all is activity and bustle. The forest has been widely cleared ; every year numerous settlements are formed, and thousands of farms are created out of the waste ; the country is intersected by common roads ; canals and rail-roads are finished, or in the course of formation ; the ways of communication and transport are crowded with people, and enli- vened by numerous carriages and large steam-boats. The observer is sur- prised at the number of harbors on the lakes, and the number of vessels they contain ; while bridges, artificial landing-places, and commodious wharves are formed in all directions as soon as required. Good houses, warehouses, mills, inns, villages, towns and even great cities, are almost seen to spring up out of the desert. Every village has its school-house and place of public worship. Every town has many of both, with its township buildings, its bookstores, and probably one or two banks and newspapers ; and the cities, with their fine churches, their great hotels, their exchanges, court-houses and municipal halls, of stone or marble, so new and fresh as to mark the recent existence of the forest where they now stand, would be admired in any part of the Old World. On the British side of the line, with the exception of a few favored spots, where some approach to American prosperity is apparent, all seems waste and desolate. There is but one rail-road in all British Amer- ica, and that, running between the St Lawrence and Lake Champlain, is only fifteen miles long. The ancient city of Montreal, which is naturally the commercial capital of the Canadas, will not bear the least comparison, in any respect, with Buffalo, which is a creation of yesterday. But it is not in the difference between the larger towns on the two sides that we shall find the best evidence of our own inferiority. That painful but undeniable truth is most manifest in the country districts through which the line of national sep- aration passes for one thousand miles. There, on the side of both the Cana- das, and also of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, a widely scattered popu- lation, poor, and apparently unenterprising, though hardy and industrious, separated from each other by tracts of intervening forest, without towns and markets, almost without roads,living in mean houses, drawing little more than a rude subsistence from ill-cultivated land, and seemingly incapable of 12 9b APPENDIX. improving their condition, present the most instructive contrast to their enter- prising and thriving neighbors on the American side. I was assured that in the eastern townships of Lower Canada, bordering upon the line, it is a com- mon practice for settlers, when they wish to meet, to enter the state of Ver- mont, and make use of the roads there for the purpose of reaching their des- tination in the British province. Major Head, the assistant commissioner of Crown Lands’ Inquiry, whom I sent to New Brunswick, states, that when travelling near the frontier line of that province and the state of Maine, now on one side and then on the other, he could always tell on which side he was by the obvious superiority of the American settlements in every respect. Where the two countries are separated by the St. Lawrence and the lakes, this difference is less perceptible ; but not less in fact, if I may believe the concurrent statements of numerous eye-witnesses, who had no motive for deceiving me. For further corroboration, I might refer indeed to numerous and uncontradieted publications ; and there is one proof of this sort so re- markable, that I am induced to notice it specially. A highly popular work, which is known to be from the pen of one of your Majesty’s chief functiona- ries in Nova Scotia, abounds in assertions and illustrations of the backward and stagnant condition of that province, and the great superiority of neigh- boring American settlements. Although the author, with a natural disincli- nation to question the excellence of government, attributes this mortifying circumstance entirely to the folly of the people, in neglecting their farms to occupy themselves with complaining of grievances and abuses, he leaves no doubt of the fact.” “ This view is confirmed by another fact equally indisputable. Through- out the frontier, from Amherstburgh to the ocean, the market value of land is much greater on the American than on the British side. In not a few parts of the frontier this difference amounts to as much as a thousand per cent., and in some cases even more. The average difference, as between Upper Canada and the states of New York and Michigan, is notoriously several hundred per cent. Mr. Hastings Kerr, of Quebec, whose knowledge of the value of land in Lower Canada is generally supposed to be more ex- tensive and accurate than that of' any other person, states that the price of wild land in Vermont and New Hampshire, close to the line, is five dollars per acre, and in the adjoining British townships only one dollar. On this side the line a very large extent of land is wholly unsalable, even at such low prices ; while on the other side property is continually changing hands. The price of one or two shillings per acre would purchase immense tracts in Lower Canada and New Brunswick. In the adjoining states it would be dif- ficult to obtain a single lot for less than as many dollars. In and near Stan- stead, a border-township of Lower Canada, and one of the most improved, forty-eight thousand acres of fine land, of which Governor Sir R. S. Milne obtained a grant to himself in 1810, was sold p.t the price of two shillings per acre.” * #—pp. 74—76. APPENDIX. 91 “ Still less can we attribute to such causes another circumstance, which in some measure accounts for the different values of property, and which has a close relation to the subject of the public lands. I mean the great amount of re emigration from the British colonies to the border states. This is a notorious fact. Nobody denies it ; almost every colonist speaks of it with ’regret. What the proportion may be of those emigrants from the United Kingdom who, soon after their arrival, remote! to the United States, it would be very difficult to ascertain precisely. Mr. Bell Forsyth, of Quebec, who has paid much attention to the subject, and with the best opportunities of observing correctly in both the Canadas, estimates that proportion at sixty per cent, of the whole. Mr. Hawke, the chief agent for emigrants in Upper Canada, calculates that out of two thirds of the immi- grants by the St. Lawrence who reach that province, one fourth re-emi- grate chiefly to settle in the states. It would appear, however, that the amount of emigration from Upper Canada, whether of new comers or others, must be nearer Mr. Forsyth’s estimate. The population was reckoned at two hundred thousand in January, 1830. The increase by births since then should have been at least three per cent, per annum, or fifty-four thousand. Mr. Hawke states the number of immigrants from Lower Canada, since 1829, to have been one hundred and sixty -five thousand ; allowing that these also would have increased at the rate of three per cent, per annum, the whole increase by immigration and births should have been nearly two hundred thousand. But Mr. Hawke’s estimate of immigrants takes no account of the very considerable number who enter the province by way1 of New York and the Erie canal. Reckoning these at only fifty thousand, which is probably under the truth, and making no allowance for their increase by births, the entire population of Upper Canada should now have been five hundred thous- and, whereas it is, according to the most reliable estimates, not over four hundred thousand. It would therefore appear, making all allowance for errors in this calculation, that the number of people who have emigrated from Upper Canada to the United States, since 1829, must be equal to more than half of the number who have entered the province during the eight years. Mr. Baillie, the present commissioner of Crown Lands in New Brunswick, says : — l A great many emigrants arrive in the province, but they generally proceed to the United States, as there is not sufficient encour- agement for them in this province.’ Mr. Morris, the present commissioner of Crown Lands, and surveyor-general of Nova Scotia, speaks in almost similar terms of the emigrants who reach that province by way of Halifax.” “ I am far from asserting that the very inferior value of land in the British colonies, and the re-emigration of immigrants, are altogether occasioned by mismanagement in the disposal of public lands. Other defects and errors of government must have had a share in producing these lamentable results.” # *—pp. 76, 77. 92 APPENDIX. “ For it mast be recollected that the natural ties of sympathy between the English population of the Canadas and the inhabitants of the frontier states of the Union are peculiarly strong. Not only do they speak the same lan- guage, live under laws having the same origin, and preserve the same cus- toms and habits, but there is a positive alternation, if I may so express it, of the populations of the two countries. While large tracts of the British terri- tory are peopled by American citizens, who still keep up a constant connex- ion with their kindred and friends, the neighboring states are filled with emi- grants from Great Britain, some of whom have quitted Canada after unavail- ing efforts to find there a profitable return lor their capital and labor ; and many of whom have settled in the United States, while other members of the families, and the companions of their youth, have taken up their abode on the other side of the frontier. Iliad no means of ascertaining the exact de- gree of truth in some statements which I have heard respecting the number of Irish settled in the state of New York- but i! is commonly asserted that there are no less than forty thousand Irish in the militia of that state. The intercourse between these two divisions of what is, in fact, an identical pop- ulation, is constant and universal. The border townships of Lower Canada are separated from the United States by an imaginary line ; a greater part of the frontier of Upper Canada by rivers, which are crossed in ten minutes ; and the rest by lakes, which interpose hardly a six hours’ passage between the inhabitants of each side. Every man’s daily occupations bring him in contact with his neighbors on the other side of the line ; the daily wants of one country are supplied by the produce of the other ; and the population of each is in some degree dependent on the state of trade and the demands of the other. Such common wants beget an interest in the politics of each country among citizens of the other. The newspapers circulate in some places almost equally on the different sides of the line ; and men discover that their welfare is frequently as much involved in the political condition of their neighbors as of their own countrymen.”-—p. 96. “ But the chances of rebellion or foreign invasion are not those which I regard as either the most probable or the most injurious. The experience of the last two years suggests the occurrence of a much more speedy and disas- trous result. I dread, in fact, the completion of the sad work of depopula- tion and impoverishment which is now rapidly going on. The present evil is not merely, that improvement is stayed, and that the wealth and population of these colonies do not increase according to the lapid scale of American pro- gress. No accession of population takes place by immigration, and no capital is brought into the country. On the contrary, both the people and the capital seem to be quitting the distracted provinces. From the French portion of Lower Canada there has, for a long time, been a large annual emigration of young men to the northern states of the American Union, in which they are highly valued as laborers, and gain good wages, with their savings from APPENDIX. 93 which they generally return to their homes in a few months or years. I do not believe that the usual amount of this emigration has been increased dur- ing the last [1838] year, except by a few persons prominently compromised in the insurrection, who sold their property, and made up their minds to a perpetual exile j but I think there is some reason to believe that, among the class of habitual emigrants whom I have described, a great many now take up their permanent residence in the United States. But the stationary habits and local attachments of the French Canadians render it little likely that they will quit their country in great numbers. I am not aware that there is any diminution of the British population from such a cause. The employment of British capital in the province is not materially checked in the principal branch of trade ; and the main evils are the withdrawal of enterprising British capitalists from the French portion of the country, the diminished employment of the capital now in the province, and the entire stoppage of all increase of the population by means of immigration. But from Upper Can- ada the withdrawal both of capital and of population has been very consid- erable. I have received accounts from most respectable sources of very numerous emigration from the whole of the Western and London districts. It was said by persons who professed to have witnessed it, that considerable numbers had, for a long time, daily passed over from Amherstburgh and Sandwich to Detroit ; and a most respectable informant stated, that he had seen, in one of the districts which I have mentioned, no less than fifteen vacant farms together on the road-side. A body of the reforming party have avowed, in the most open manner, their intention of emigrating, from politi- cal motives, and publicly invited all who might be influenced by similar feel- ings to join in their enterprise. For this the Mississippi Emigration Society has been formed with the purpose of facilitating emigration from Upper Can- ada to the new territory of the Union, called Iowa, on the west bank of the Upper Mississippi. The prospectus of the undertaking, and the report of the deputies who were sent to examine the country in question, were given in the public press, and the advantages of the new colony strongly enforced by the reformers, and depreciatingly discussed by the friends of the Government. The number of persons who have thus emigrated is not, however, I have reason to believe, as great as it has often been represented. Many who might be disposed to take such a step, cannot sell their farms on fair terms ; and though some, relying on the ease with which land is obtained in the Uni- ted States, have been content to remove merely their stock and their chattels, yet there are others again who cannot at the last make the sacrifices which a forced sale would necessitate, and who continue, even under their present state of alarm, to remain in hopes of better times. In the districts which border on the St. Lawrence, little has in fact come of the determination to emigrate, which was loudly expressed at one time. And some even of those who actually left the country are said to have returned. But the instances 94 APPENDIX. which have come to my knowledge induce me to attach even more import- ance to the class than to the alleged number of the emigrants ; and I can by no means agree with some of the dominant party, that the persons who thus leave the country are disaffected subjects, whose removal is a great advant- age to loyal and peaceable men. In a country like Upper Canada, where the introduction of population and capital is above all things needful for its pros- perity, and almost for its continued existence, it would be more prudent as well as just, more the interest as well as the duty of Government to remove the causes of disaffection, than to drive out the disaffected. But there is no ground for asserting that all the reformers who have thus quitted the country, are disloyal and turbulent men ; nor indeed is it very clear that all of them are reformers, and that the increasing insecurity of persons and property have not, without distinction of politics, driven out some of the most valua- ble settlers of the province. A great impression has been lately made by the removal of one of the largest proprietors of the province, a gentleman who arrived there not many years ago from Trinidad ; who has taken no promi- nent, and certainly no violent part in politics ; and who has now transferred himself and his property to the United States, simply because in Upper Can- ada he can find no secure investment for the latter, and no tranquil enjoy- ment of life. I heard of another English gentleman, who, having resided in the country for six or seven years, and invested large sums in bringing over a superior breed of cattle and sheep, was, while I was there, selling off his stock and implements, with a view of settling in Illinois. I was informed of an individual who, thirty years ago, had gone into the forest with his axe on his shoulder, and, with no capital at starting, had, by dint of patient labor, acquired a farm and stock, which he had sold for £2000, with which he went into the United States. This man, I was assured, was only a specimen of a numerous class, to whose unwearied industry the growth and prosperity of the colony are mainly to be ascribed. They are now driven from it, on ac- count of the present insecurity of all who, having in former times been iden- tified in politics with some of those that subsequently appeared as prominent actors in the revolt, are regarded and treated as rebels, though they had held themselves completely aloof from all participation in schemes or acts of rebel- lion. Considerable alarm also exists as to the general disposition to quit the country, which was said to have been produced by some late measures of the authorities among that mild and industrious, but peculiar race of descendants of the Dutch, who inhabit the back part of the Niagara district.”—pp. 98, 99. Corrections.—Page 10, 16th line, for ‘ quiquennial,’ read ‘ quinquennial” Page 23, 14lh line, instead of ‘ in consequence,’ read ‘ the number in consequence’ ; 23d line, after ‘ immi- grants,’ add ‘ and ’ ; 4th line from the bottom, for ‘ 1800,’ read ‘ 1840.’ Page 24, 23d line, for * 1816,’ read ‘ 1815.’ Page 28, 5th line from the bottom, for ‘2,777,038,’ read ‘2,779,038.’ Page 44, 7th line, for ‘ 762,149,’ read ‘ 762,139.’ Page 80, 26th line, lor ‘ loreginers,’ read ‘ for- eigners.’ . . ' . * » . * * * ' .