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LETTERS ON KENTUCKY, 1825 
 
Heartman's Historical Series Number 22 
 
LETTERS ON THE 
 
 CONDITION 
 
 OF KENTUCKY 
 
 IN 1825 
 
 Reprinted from the Richmond Enquirer 
 
 Edited by Earl Gregg Swem, 
 Assistant Librarian, Virginia State Library 
 
 Sixty-six copies printed for 
 CHARLES F. HEARTMAN, ui New York City 
 
 Nineteen Hundred and Sixteen 
 

 Number . . . i of 66 copies printed on Fa- 
 
 briano hand-made paper 
 
 Also seven copies printed on Japan Vellum. 
 
 Qltl 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 '^ The letters, reprinted in the present volume, 
 
 K» appeared in the Richmond Enquirer, April 5, 8, 
 
 ^^ 12, 19, 26, 29, May 3, 6, 1825. At the head of 
 
 each letter is the statement "Communicated for 
 the Enquirer." The letters are all unsigned, and 
 it has not been possible to establish the identity 
 of the author. He was certainly a Virginian, 
 but apparently not a resident of Richmond. In 
 one instance only does he give a clue to his pro- 
 fession. In his description of his visit to the 
 Transylvania University at Lexington, he speaks 
 of attending the lectures on medical jurispru- 
 dence with profit, since they were suited to his 
 vocation. He may have been a member of the 
 Virginia General Assembly, for he writes with 
 knowledge and pride of the good order and 
 Roman dignity of the Virginia Senate. In his 
 account of the political condition of Kentucky of 
 the time he does not miss the opportunity to inti- 
 mate that the woes of which he speaks may be 
 due to universal suffrage. A vigorous agitation 
 had been going on for some years in Virginia for 
 the purpose of calling a convention to adopt a 
 new constitution. Among the changes demanded 
 by some was the abandonment of freehold for 
 universal suffrage. The letters reprinted in this 
 volume constitute a very able argument against 
 universal suffrage, though it does not appear that 
 they were written with the distinct purpose of 
 opposing this particular feature of the convention 
 propaganda. 
 
The first four letters give a clear picture of the 
 political distress of Kentucky in the early part of 
 1825. At the close of the War of 1812, the Com- 
 monwealth found itself unable to adjust itself to 
 the shifting financial conditions of the Eastern 
 States and of Europe. A large debtor class arose, 
 and among other expedients to lighten the burden 
 of this class, the legislature chartered forty 
 banks, giving to each the privilege of issuing 
 notes. This step led inevitably to more debtors. 
 To aid them, a number of stay and replevin laws 
 were enacted. The crisis had been reached a 
 short time before our author's visit. The three 
 judges of the supreme court of the common- 
 wealth had decided that the replevin laws were 
 contrary to the constitution of the United States, 
 being directly in conflict with that clause which 
 forbids any state from passing a law that impairs 
 the obligation of contracts. The decisions of the 
 three judges appear in the case of Lapsley vs. 
 Brashears and Barr (4 Littell, 47) and furnish a 
 good introduction to these letters. In con- 
 sequence of this decision the state was divided 
 into two political parties. Relief and Anti-Relief. 
 The former opposed the judges and succeeded, not 
 in impeaching and removing them, but in 
 repealing the law establishing the Court. An- 
 other law was enacted, providing a new Court, 
 to which new judges were appointed. Of this 
 event our author writes in detail. Later, the 
 names of Relief and Anti-Relief became merged 
 into New Court and Old Court. The Old Court 
 party established itself in power and succeeded 
 in restoring the state from this unusual situation 
 of judicial anarchy. 
 
LETTERS ON KENTUCKY, 1825 
 
 NO. I. 
 
 February , 1825. 
 
 Dear F: I reached home on the 30th ultimo, 
 from the State of Kentucky, where I went on the 
 last of November. 
 
 As the weather was fine, and I had made ar- 
 rangements to be absent from home several 
 weeks, I determined to avail myself of the time 
 and opportunity then afforded me, of becoming 
 acquainted with the politics of the State, its insti- 
 tutions, whatever else was worthy to be known, 
 and to see whatever was worthy to be seen. 
 With these objects in view, I remained in the 
 State two months. From the town of Rich- 
 mond I Vv^ent to Lexington, a distance of 
 twenty-five miles; at the latter place is es- 
 tablished the Transylvania University. — This 
 Institution is patronized by the State, though 
 not with very liberal endowments; it has several 
 professorships of Lav/ and Medicine. As I shall 
 hereafter, take occasion to mention this Institu- 
 tion, I shall say nothing more concerning it at 
 present. I remained in Lexington and in its 
 vicinity, two weeks. From this place I went to 
 Frankfort, a distance of twenty-five miles, where 
 the Legislature of Kentucky was then sitting. 
 This place presented a wide field, for the specula- 
 tions of the moralist and politician. The State 
 House a very splendid edifice, was burnt a few 
 days before my arrival at Frankfort; the two 
 
Branches of the Legislature v/ere then sitting in 
 different temporary, and inconvenient apart- 
 ments ; there was, therefore, nothing imposing in 
 the gravity, splendor or suitableness of those 
 which they occupied ; there are an hundred mem- 
 bers in the House of Representatives, and thirty- 
 eight in the Senate. I v/as fortunate in reaching 
 Frankfort in tim.e, to hear the most interesting 
 part of the debate, upon the "Judge Breaking 
 question." But, before, I represent to you the 
 scenes that were acted, on this political Theatre, 
 it is necessary, to a full understanding of the feel- 
 ings and motives by which the Dramatis personae 
 were influenced, to let you into a history of the 
 times and the spirit, which has convulsed that 
 state for some years. 
 
 The State of Kentucky is divided into two par- 
 ties; the "Relief and "Anti-Relief" party; the 
 former have acquired that name, from professing 
 to advocate measures of Relief, to the embar- 
 rassments of the people ; this is much the largest 
 party; the latter as the adjunct imports, those 
 who are opposed to such measures. The Leaders 
 of the Relief party, and for the most part their 
 adherents, are involved in the general pecuniary 
 embarrassments of the state; Messrs. Rowan, 
 Barry and Bibb, have acted the most conspicuous 
 parts in this political drama, are men of Talents, 
 and are said to be irredeemably Insolvent; des- 
 perate in their circumstances, they cannot be 
 worsted, but may be benefited by throwing the 
 state into confusion. So bold have been its lead- 
 ers, that one of them Mr. Barry, on a late occas- 
 ion, at a public dinner, toasted the Agrarian law, 
 and to make it more palatable, was guilty of the 
 profanation, of connecting with it, the name of 
 
 10 
 
Jefferson, In the ranks of this party, are enlisted, 
 some, who are stimulated by ambition, and 
 anxiety for office, without feeling the severe pres- 
 sure of debt. The minority are headed in the 
 Legislature, by Wickliffe, Benjamin Hardin, Rob- 
 inson and Flournoy; to this list, tho' not of the 
 Legislature, may be added John Crittenden, men 
 of integrity, talents and patriotism. Before I 
 take leave finally, I shall introduce you to a more 
 particular acquaintance with these gentlemen. It 
 would, however, require a more able pen, and 
 more intimate acquaintance than I have with 
 their private lives and political histories to pre- 
 sent a full portrait, and to do justice, to the merits 
 and demerits, of the Leaders of these two parties. 
 All that I shall attempt, will be the general out- 
 lines of their characters ; you will not, therefore, 
 be disappointed, should you find my pictures mere 
 skeletons. I shall endeavor, however, in my draw- 
 ings to be faithful to the originals, as presented to 
 my own eye, or as seen through the medium of 
 public opinion. 
 
 The measures of Relief, were commenced some 
 years ago, and to aid their reach at this grand 
 object the Legislature of Kentucky have annually 
 adopted other measures. But they have proved 
 the Ignis-f atuus of the dreaming politicians ; these 
 measures have been delusive, and the object is 
 now as far from their reach, as it was, when 
 Legislative attention was first fixed upon it. So 
 far these provisions have produced nothing but 
 disappointment, disgrace and chagrin. 
 
 The first measure, adopted in this grand scheme 
 of Relief, was I believe, the incorporation of a 
 "commonwealth's bank"; this vv^as a "Baseless 
 Fabrick"; and altho' it now supplies the state 
 
 11 
 
with its circulating medium; its paper is at the 
 depreciation of two dollars for one specie. Its 
 effects, on the body politic, have been like those 
 produced on the human system, by the injudicious 
 administration of stimuli to the debilitated pati- 
 ent ; instead of removing the original cause of dis- 
 ease, it excites for a moment and leaves the pati- 
 ent in greater morbid debility. Valuation, stay, 
 and replevin laws, I believe, followed in succes- 
 sion; as these all contemplated a security to the 
 creditor, before advantage could be taken of them 
 by the debtor, they have had no other effect, than, 
 to involve innocent persons as securities and by 
 adding to the number of debtors, to render the 
 system more popular; to those who are in extre- 
 mities and not able to give the security required, 
 these provisions can be of no advantage. Unless, 
 indeed, from the generality of the feeling in be- 
 half of such persons, the Judges of the inferior 
 courts were so deeply involved, that they retarded 
 the operations of the court and the decisions of 
 suits brought before them; this may postpone, 
 but the day of retribution will come. The oc- 
 cupying claimant law of which you have heard 
 so much, together with its various auxiliary pro- 
 visions, are branches of the same system. The 
 Relief Party have gone on from one step to an- 
 other, in the violation of constitutional law, till 
 it has no binding authority, and those who fly 
 to it for refuge, are mocked and derided. Indeed, 
 Mr. Rowan, is reported on a late occasion to have 
 said, that the people have a right, not only to 
 change their constitution whensoever they please 
 but that the expression of the Legislative will, is 
 evidence of the v/ill of the people, and therefore, 
 that the Legislature are not bound by the Consti- 
 
 12 
 
tution; this, and that the minority "have no 
 rights," are the leading maxims of his political 
 creed. Unable to limit the extravagancies and to 
 resist the impetuosity of the majority, by the 
 energies of their state constitution the minority 
 look to the strong arm of the General Government 
 for safety, and for succour. — They trust that like 
 the Sun, which by its superior powers, keeps the 
 planets in their Orbits, the Federal Judiciaiy will 
 be competent to keep the Legislature and Ju- 
 diciary of their state in their proper sphere: 
 Whilst the majority feeling, on past occasions, the 
 paralizing influence of the Federal Judiciary view 
 it with jealousy and detestation. — A desire to 
 rid themselves of its superitending control, to 
 which thej'- feel themselves obnoxious, has pro- 
 duced the Resolution lately offered, in the House 
 of Representatives in Congress by Mr. Letcher 
 from Kentucky, which provided, that when any 
 State Constitution shall be drawn in question, in 
 the Federal Court, the dissent of a single Judge, 
 shall be sufficient to decide the question in favour 
 of the Constitution of the State. Should this 
 proposition prevail, it will blot the Sun from the 
 political firmament. 
 
 These measures of relief, have been originated 
 with the demagogues of that State ; they are the 
 hobbies on which they have rode into office ; they 
 have also been favourite subjects of inflammatory 
 newspaper discussions, and the themes, which 
 have vaunted through the speeches of a host of 
 stump declaimers. 
 
 The populace, who are always more ready to 
 act than to reflect, caught the influence and were 
 kindled into a flame, which spread itself far and 
 near. "Down with the Judges," "down with the 
 
 13 
 
Laws," was reverberated from one extremity of 
 the State to the other. 
 
 The Judges of the Court of Appeals are men of 
 integrity, firmness, and patriotism, though per- 
 haps, not conspicuous for talents; in their de- 
 cisions, they have been guided by the light of wis- 
 dom borrowed and native, a regard for consti- 
 tutional and moral obligations, and the reputation 
 of their State. They have in most instances, in 
 defiance of the storm which raged around them, 
 marched to the point to which their lights have 
 directed them ; hence they have been constrained 
 to declare many of the most energetic Relief Laws 
 unconstitutional. Finding their measures frus- 
 trated by the Supreme Judiciary of the State 
 these demagogues saw it was necessary to get rid 
 of this Spartan Band, without which, they would 
 in vain attempt the pass of Thermopylae. — Argu- 
 ment would not do. They were therefore de- 
 nounced amongst the people, as Judicial Despots, 
 who gave Laws to the Country and who had us- 
 urped authority to control and decide the des- 
 tinies of the State, Deaf to the tumult of popular 
 discontent; and fearless of the denunciations of 
 these ambitious factitionists, and the intemper- 
 ate declamation of this host of stump orators, the 
 Judges held their course, with calm and dignified 
 firmness. 
 
 By the influence of this excitement, Desha, the 
 present Governor of Kentucky, was elected. A 
 man who is said to be destitute of private worth 
 or political honesty, and had nothing to recom- 
 mend him, to the notice of the people, but the as- 
 siduity of his attentions to them, and the ardour 
 with which he espoused the relief measures. Al- 
 though I saw him frequently, I have no personal 
 
 14 
 
acquaintance with him. He is said by some to 
 possess talents; I have never been furnished 
 with the evidence. His stature is robust and 
 over the common height, his features are strong 
 and protuberant with a small deep sunken eye; 
 his step is light and active, his deportment evin- 
 ces boldness in his purposes, his manners the con- 
 descension of a courtier restrained by the pride 
 of office. He stoops but to conquer. — His smile 
 is to win you to his purposes, or the presage ol 
 some new design; whatever you see in his man- 
 ners to approve, comes from the head, whatever 
 to disapprove comes from the heart. If his fea- 
 tures are a faithful index to his mind, it is ele- 
 vated above mediocrity, though not to the higher 
 circle of genius. His enemies say many harsh 
 things of him; whilst his friends, either feeling 
 too little interest, or fearing the strength of the 
 evidence against him, believe that silence is their 
 m.ode of defence, and say but little for him. He 
 is the father of the man of the same name, v/ho 
 was arrested under the charge of robbery and 
 the murder of Baker; the circumstances of 
 which, you have seen detailed in the papers. If 
 report be true, he received the intelligence of his 
 son's arrest, without any extraordinary emo- 
 tions; and on the same day, he was seen in the 
 streets of Frankfort, and in the Hall of Repre- 
 sentatives, with an undisturbed countenance. 
 The only concern which he has shown, has been 
 to defraud the Law of its victim; and it is said 
 if the Legislative interference by changing the 
 venue, has not affected this purpose, that he will 
 interpose his arm, as Governor of the State, to 
 prevent the just execution of the Law. Such is 
 the man, who wields with undivided control, the 
 
 15 
 
Executive authority of the State of Kentucky: 
 Whose assent, is required to every Law that is 
 passed, and who nominates to the Legislature, all 
 the Officers which they appoint. 
 
 But to return from this disgression. The Con- 
 stitution of Kentucky provides, that there shall 
 be a Supreme Court, to be called the Court of 
 Appeals, and such Inferior Courts as the Legis- 
 lature, shall from time to time establish. It also 
 provides, that the Judges shall be removed from 
 office, by impeachment or address by the Legis- 
 lature, to the Governor, in which if either mode, 
 there must be a concurrence of two thirds of the 
 Legislature. At the last election in August, 
 some of the counties elected their Representatives 
 with a view to the removal of the Judges, and 
 as it was believed that their firmness should 
 yield to the popular fury, by which they were 
 assailed, it was thought that the Judges would 
 resign their offices. But they assailed Hearts of 
 Oak; patriotism was the impulse, liberty the 
 prize ; "they nailed their colours to the mast, and 
 determined to sink with the ship." Such was 
 the state of things when the Legislature met. — 
 But I tire you with the length of my letters. — 
 Adieu, you shall hear from me again shortly, 
 when I will resume this subject. 
 
 NO. II. 
 
 February—, 1825. 
 Dear F : In my last, I promised that you should 
 hear from me again, and that I would resume the 
 subject of that letter. I now redeem my pledge. 
 On the meeting of the Legislature, measures 
 were adopted under the constitution, the provi- 
 
 16 
 
sions of which I gave you in my last, to deprive 
 the judges of their seats. Impeachment and ad- 
 dress were tried in vain. Altho' there was a 
 plurality of the Legislature in favour of removal, 
 there was not a constitutional majority. Disap- 
 pointment served only to increase the tur- 
 bulence of the friends of the measure. 
 Now was the time for the political necrom- 
 ancer, to show his Legerdermain ; now for 
 the hectors of the party, their courage in attack- 
 ing the Fortress of the Constitution. Achilles- 
 like, the judges felt that they could be assailed in 
 one point only, through the means of the consti- 
 tution, and having, as they supposed, guarded 
 themselves in that point, they sat in conscious 
 security on their seats. But anon, it was sug- 
 gested, that altho' the constitution prohibited the 
 removal of the judges from their seats, unless in 
 the modes mentioned, there was nothing in that 
 instrument to prevent, by a plurality of votes, 
 the removal of the seat from the judges! ! The 
 idea took, and ran through their heated ranks 
 v/ith the rapidity of thought. Immediately the 
 match was prepared to blow up the temple of 
 the Supreme Court of the state. Being most ac- 
 customed to mischief, Mr. Rowan's hand was 
 the most steady, his heart the most unrelenting 
 in its purposes, and his mind being the most 
 plastic, he was appointed to prepare and apply 
 the match. He wrote a "Book" consisting of a 
 preamble and resolutions, suited to the occas- 
 ion. Invigorated by ambition, and reckless of 
 the consequences to his countr^^, he threw this 
 torch far and near; doubtless expecting Salam- 
 ander-like, to rise with increased strength from 
 the flame which he kindled to consume others. 
 
 17 
 
A caucus was held, and a bill was introduced in 
 the other branch of the Legislature where it was 
 passed and sent to the House of Representatives 
 for its concurrence. This Bill "uno flatu" de- 
 stroyed and re-created the Court of Appeals and 
 provided also, for the Election of another set of 
 judges; the re-creating provisions of the bill 
 were, totidem verbis, the repealed law. 
 
 The judges who were then holding their courts 
 in Frankfort, were eye-witnesses to the passing 
 scene. Steady to their purposes, they looked 
 with calm and undisturbed serenity on the dis- 
 graceful subterfuge by which they were depriv- 
 ed of their offices, and the conflagration which 
 threatened destruction to the Supreme Temple 
 of Justice. But they felt not for their personal 
 safety or dignity ; this was as dust in the balance, 
 contrasted with the consequences to their coun- 
 try. 'They were willing to seal their opinions 
 with martyrdom ; Curtius-like, they were willing, 
 for the safety of their country, to leap into the 
 gulf prepared for its destruction; but that were 
 vain; — the chasm was to be filled with nothing 
 less, than the constitution of the state, the In- 
 dependence of the judiciary and the dignity of 
 the commonv/ealth. 
 
 Disdaining any other weapons of defense than 
 those of reason; and anxious that the people 
 should be properly informed, and that the ques- 
 tion should not be prejudiced by presenting but 
 one side of it to them, that the bane and antidote 
 should go together, the judges asked the Legis- 
 lature to suspend further proceedings on the sub- 
 ject, till they had an opportunity of preparing 
 and presenting to that body their reply ; but this 
 was denied. Mr. Rowan's "Book," was in the 
 
 18 
 
meantime printed and disseminated into every 
 part of the state, with unwearied and unpre- 
 cedented industry. The judges, however, pre- 
 sented their response to Mr. Rowan's "Book" 
 in which, they exposed its errors and refuted its 
 political heresies, with a calmness which did 
 them honor, and a force of reasoning, irresis- 
 tible and conclusive. Feeling the force of its 
 reasoning and knowing the response was calculat- 
 ed to frustrate the designs of Mr. Rowan and his 
 party, he asked an opportunity of rejoining, be- 
 fore the response was printed ; this was granted. 
 
 Mr. Rowan withdrew from the House and was 
 several days engaged in preparing his second 
 "Book" ; during his absence, his party were 
 chuckling in anticipation of the complete over- 
 throw of the judges' "Response," "Sed montes 
 parturiunt, &c." By some it was said that Mr. 
 Rowan's object was, more to gain time for the 
 poison which he had sent forth, to take effect, 
 than to rejoin; by others it was said, that the 
 more he weighed the arguments of the Response, 
 the more weak was his own faith, and these 
 would not have been surprised, if indulged a few 
 days longer, he had returned to the House a con- 
 firmed Anti-Relief man ; whilst others who knew 
 him better, had no doubt of the perfect assent 
 of his mind, at all times to the doctrines con- 
 strained in it, and judging from his previous 
 apostacies believed, that if the opposite party had 
 had it as much in their power, to reward him for 
 his services, that he would have been found in 
 their ranks. 
 
 During this time, party spirit waxed hotter and 
 hotter in both branches of the Legislature; the 
 individuals of each kept aloof from the others; 
 
 19 
 
this spirit of party manifested itself, not only 
 on the Arena of debate, but it was seen and felt 
 in private friendship; nor was it confined to the 
 members of the Legislature. All who breathed 
 the atmosphere of Frankfort, who lived in the 
 neighborhood, or who visited the scene felt its 
 exciting influence. The ladies of the neighbor- 
 hood were in the daily habit of visiting the 
 House of Representatives, by which means, they 
 were acquainted with the leading arguments, 
 urged by both parties, and you seldom fail to find 
 them enlisted on one side or the other. — Much to 
 their credit the largest portion of them, I believe> 
 were opposed to the Relief measures. 
 
 Such was the state of excitement, and the crisis 
 of this question when I arrived at Frankfort. I 
 repaired to the House of Representatives on the 
 succeeding morning without loss of time; on be- 
 ing invited within the bar of the house, I had 
 some opportunity of observing what passed. 
 From the course of the debate I found that there 
 had already been several skirmishes between the 
 contending parties; but they were the irregular 
 and scattered firing of the undisciplined troops 
 of the outpost. — The veterans of either party 
 were holding back for the general engagement, 
 which was now brought on, by several young 
 gentlemen, who witnessed by their zeal "the 
 spirit within them." Mr. Wickliffe now took the 
 floor; he rose in the presence of a crowded and 
 impatient lobby. The buzz of conversation was 
 hush'd, silence prevailed in every part of the 
 House, and every countenance expressed the most 
 lively interest. Altho' a short time in the coun- 
 try, I was no stranger to the character of Mr. 
 Wickliff"e ; his fervor, boldness, talents and weight 
 
 20 
 
of moral character, rendered him a fearful op- 
 ponent of the "Reliefs" and the favourite of his. 
 own party. Under these circumstances, you may 
 well suppose that my interest, was not less than 
 that of those who surrounded me. Mr. Wick- 
 liffe presented a person tall, erect^ and well pro- 
 portioned; when standing, his appearance is ele- 
 gant, his look eloquent; his features are uncom- 
 monly striking, tho too irregular to be hand- 
 some; their irregularity gives them more force 
 of expression. His whole appearance indicates 
 a proud and dauntless heart of conscious purity, 
 a mind exalted by labour, and enlightened by 
 genius. Mr. Wickliffe occupied the floor nearly 
 five hours, my expectations of him were disap- 
 pointed; in debate his action is unsuitable and 
 ungraceful, his style is diffuse, his arrangement 
 loose and immethodical, and the ardour of his 
 patriotism makes him too bold in his crimina- 
 tions and too severe in his denunciations. His 
 manner evinces too little respect for his adver- 
 sary and the dignity of the House. He is a well- 
 read politician of the Jefferson school, and there 
 are few men of the age better acquainted with 
 the history of our political institutions, in what 
 consists the welfare, honor and glory of his 
 country than Mr. Wickliffe. He is devoted to 
 his country's honor, and welfare, he loves its 
 friends, and abhors its enemies, with the ardour 
 of personal friendship and the bitterness of re- 
 venge. 
 
 Mr. Wickliffe is not an ingenious debater. By 
 the excursiveness of his range, he exposes many 
 points of attack, and an adroit adversary would 
 thrust him to the vitals, whilst Mr. Wickliffe was 
 making his wide-circling sweep to bring him to 
 
 21 
 
the ground. Although too diffusive in his 
 speeches, Mr. Wickliffe is listened to with plea- 
 sure; he always speaks good sense, and the only 
 objection to what he says is that it has some 
 times, too little connection with the question in 
 debate. He never fails before he closes his 
 speech to touch the strong points in the cause 
 and to urge them with force. — Mr. Wickliffe is 
 a gentleman of large fortune, and a lawyer of 
 eminence. He has signalised himself by the act- 
 ivity and firmness with which he has uniform- 
 ly opposed the measures of the Relief Party in 
 Kentucky. 
 
 I shall not attempt to sketch the arguments on 
 either side, lest I may do injustice to the speak- 
 ers or weary your patience. Suffice it to say, 
 that the question was discussed on both sides 
 with ingenuity, ability, and eloquence, and that 
 the debaters evinced a profundity of knowledge 
 in the science of politics instructive to others, 
 flattering to themselves, and honourable to their 
 state. Mr. Wickliffe was succeeded by Mr. 
 Samuel Davis of the Relief Party; he is the 
 brother of Joe Davis, who was killed during the 
 Indian War at the Battle of Tippacanoe ; with the 
 name of Joe Davis is associated in Kentucky, 
 virtue, talents and military genius; he was a 
 statesman, a lawyer, and a soldier of the first 
 order in his state ; he was the pride and boast of 
 his country. His brother Samuel suffers by a 
 comparison with him ; the twinkling lights of his 
 genius are lost in the splendour of his brother's 
 reputation; his candour is suspected and the 
 ardour with which he espouses the Relief side of 
 the question is ascribed to sinister motives, a de- 
 sire to be made a judge. There is little in his 
 
 22 
 
manners worthy of commendation or stricture; 
 his stature is low and his person ungraceful ; his 
 manner is marked by self -complaisance ; his mat- 
 ter lacks originality, and his voice is harsh and 
 unpleasant; he made several speeches; in the 
 last he occupied the floor an hour and one half; 
 when he closed by saying, he had not said half 
 he intended, but that he would write the balance 
 which he asked leave of the House to publish. 
 As a man of talents, Mr. Davis occupies that 
 middle station which is too high for contempt 
 and too low for admiration ; his intimacy and in- 
 fluence with the lower orders of society make him 
 popular and useful as a partisan. If we recol- 
 lect that Mr. Davis was a few years ago an il- 
 literate waggoner, and that he is self-taught, we 
 must approve his industry and wonder at his 
 present elevation. 
 
 It was nov/ nine o'clock at night, the House sat 
 till a late hour the night before and were weary 
 of the debate ; the Relief Party had used various 
 expedients to put an end to the discussion, and 
 it was agreed that the question should be taken 
 before another adjournment; these circumstances 
 combined to produce great impatience. Mr. 
 Hardin rose under these disadvantageous circum- 
 stances, and succeeded Mr. Davis in the debate. 
 You will remember that this gentleman, Mr. 
 Hardin, v/as several years a member of Congress 
 from Kentucky, and that it was of him, Mr. 
 Randolph is reported to have said, that his "wit 
 was like a butcher's knife whetted on a brick- 
 bat." 
 
 Mr. Hardin's person is over the common height 
 and rather slender ; his manner though not rude, 
 is uncourteous, though not refined is manly and 
 
 23 
 
evinces abstraction; his eyes beam with genius, 
 while the rest of his features indicate a mind cap- 
 able of intense thought, and disciplined to severe 
 labour. Mr. Hardin is a lawyer of high stand- 
 ing, and he has been more engaged in the duties 
 of his profession than in the scenes of politics; 
 his efforts therefore to resist the present policy 
 of the state have been more sparing than Mr. 
 Wickliffe's ; since you hear him spoken of less fre- 
 quently ; his disinterestedness as a politician and 
 the energies of his mind have secured for him the 
 confidence of both parties. I have said sufficient 
 of Mr. Davis that you may understand what sub- 
 ject this whetted kitchen knife had to operate 
 on. It was directed by the hand of an artist. 
 When Mr. Hardin rose, there was the most pro- 
 found silence, every eye was fixed and every ear 
 given to him. If in the case of Mr. Wickliflfe, 
 my disappointment was unpleasant, Mr. Hardin 
 made amends. His action though not refined by 
 study, was impressive and dignified, his style 
 plain, his arrangements rational, his arguments 
 original, his conclusions just, and his wit, what 
 Mr. Randolph has described it. Mr. Davis sat 
 on Mr. Hardin's left and in his view, and as the 
 former seemed to consider himself the Ajax of 
 his party, and had indulged in crimination and 
 personal invective, Mr. Hardin condescended to 
 direct some of his arguments, though more of 
 the shafts of his wit, to Mr. Davis. When Mr. 
 Hardin commenced, Mr. Davis was sitting with 
 an uplifted head, elevated by self-approbation of 
 his own speech, and the respect shown him by 
 his own party. But presently he was seen to 
 contract his dimensions, his head to fall, and 
 gradually sink himself in his seat as if, to avoia 
 
 24 
 
the sarcastic leer and electric force of Mr. Hard- 
 in's wit. He was however not willing to let Mr. 
 Davis escape, and when not able to see him other- 
 wise, Mr. Hardin rose on tip toe, as though de- 
 termined not to miss his aim, and sent his shafts 
 with unerring hand and unrelenting severity. His 
 arguments were as weighty as his wit was 
 severe. — Although he treated his adversary's 
 arguments with respect, he traced them into their 
 dark winding labyrinths, detected them in their 
 webs of sophistry, brought them forth to the 
 light of truth, stripped off their coverings, and 
 exposed their nakedness and deformity. Others 
 of the same party trembled with fear for the 
 safety of their measures; well might they fear 
 Mr. Hardin's strength; for it was the irritated 
 Lion roused from his slumbers, breaking the pack 
 threads by which his enemies were attempting to 
 bind him, and threatening destruction to all who 
 disturbed his repose. Mr. Hardin spoke more 
 than an hour, and when he closed, the House re- 
 sounded with peals of approbation. But I have 
 forgotten myself and drawn this letter to an un- 
 expected length. I will therefore close it, and 
 if you are not tired of the subject, I will devote 
 another to it. 
 
 NO. HI. 
 
 February — , 1825. 
 My Dear F: My last letter was concluded 
 with a notice of Mr. Benjamin Hardin and the 
 part he took in the debate. I will now present 
 you with a more particular notice of Mr. Rowan 
 who succeeded Mr. Hardin. You have seen the 
 part which Mr. Rowan has hitherto taken in 
 
 25 
 
these proceedings, and that he is the main pillar 
 by which this system of Relief is supported. 
 
 Mr. Rowan's fame is co-extensive with a 
 knowledge of Kentucky policy. He has acted so 
 distinguished a part in its establishment, that the 
 friends of Relief measures ascribe to him all the 
 credit, and the enemies all the Odium of originat- 
 ing them. His reputation for talents was un- 
 rivalled in the legislature, and perhaps in the 
 state ; he presents a melancholy proof of the mis- 
 chiefs which are to be apprehended from the con- 
 nexion of superior talents with great ambition. 
 Mr. Rowan's moral character has been tarnish- 
 ed by the devious course of his life, and his 
 political career has been marked by political 
 tergiversation. The superiority of his talents 
 and the pliability of his mind, make him useful as 
 a partisan, keep him in demand with all parties 
 and enable him to float always on the popular* 
 current; were his principles equal to his talents, 
 his usefulness in Kentucky would be felt by gen- 
 erations yet unborn. 
 
 Mr. Rowan is said to have studied with suc- 
 cess the human character, the various motives 
 by which man is actuated; and that few better 
 understand what chord of the heart will vibrate 
 in harmony with his wishes, than Mr. Rowan. 
 By these means, combined with a profound 
 knowledge of his profession, he is pre-eminent as 
 an advocate, and successful without precedent as 
 a lawyer. 
 
 Mr. Rowan is advanced in years. His stature 
 about the ordinary height, with a large frame 
 somewhat inclined to corpulence, and owing to 
 a defectiveness of vision he is seldom without 
 spectacles. His features are large and heavy, 
 
 26 
 
and indicate more solidity than sprightliness of 
 mind. It is however, said that his fancy is lively, 
 and his imagery sometimes splendid ; his deport- 
 ment is grave and dignified, and the heaviness of 
 his features indicates a moroseness and severity, 
 which I am told does not belong to his character. 
 During the debate, and when I was present, Mr. 
 Rowan was seldom in his seat ; but was generally 
 traversing some vacant part of the lobby, with- 
 in hearing of the Speakers, holding but little 
 communion with others, and apparently absor- 
 bed in reflection. Great anxiety was expressed 
 during the day, by the "lobby members," that he 
 should speak; whether he would do so, depended 
 as it was understood upon Mr. Hardin's speak- 
 ing. Mr. Rowan at length rose, amidst the 
 plaudits of Mr. Hardin's address; he occupied 
 the floor but a short time, indeed, not long- 
 enough to afford me an opportunity to form a 
 correct judgment of his merits or peculiarities 
 as a Speaker. His mind had not time to be 
 warmed with the subject; of course he was 
 guarded at all points. His exordium was ap- 
 propriate, and his language decorous and temper- 
 ate, though slightly seasoned with Attic Salt. 
 He evinced a familiar acquaintence with political 
 science; and if it was evident he was espousing 
 error, it was equally evident, that it was not for 
 want of better light. He was prompt in his rec- 
 ollection of the authorities introduced by his 
 opponent, acute in discriminating between the 
 features of the cases adduced against him and 
 the case under discussion; and ingenious in re- 
 pelling and breaking the force of his adversary's 
 argument; and in some instances successful in 
 throwing it back upon them. If his exordium 
 
 27 
 
was appropriate, his conclusion was graceful and 
 dignified. As he had exhibited his view of the 
 question to the house on paper, he said he did not 
 intend to have spoken to the question; though 
 fearing as it was said, that the faith of his dis- 
 ciples had been shaken by the force of Mr. Hard- 
 in's appeal, and the strength of his argument, 
 Mr. Rowan was constrained to speak, more as it 
 was believed, with a hope of reviving the droop- 
 ing courage of his own troops, than of 
 making an impression on the enemy. He 
 concluded his remarks by saying, as to 
 charges made impugning the purity of his 
 motives, "he shook them from his shoulders 
 as the Lion doth the dew drop from his mane." 
 On taking his seat the House again resounded 
 with plaudits on the one side, and hisses on the 
 other. Mr. Rowan's party have rewarded him 
 for his services, by electing him to the Senate of 
 the United States. The debate was closed with 
 Mr. Rowan's speech, and the ayes and noes be- 
 ing called, the friends of the bill had a large 
 majority. The Relief party proved victorious; 
 but it was a victory over the constitution of the 
 State, the Independence of the Judiciary, and the 
 best interest of their country. Whilst taking 
 the votes and calling the name of a certain mor^ 
 ber, whose name or county I do not recollect, he 
 rose and asked to be excused from giving his 
 "vote alleging, that his conscience and his duty 
 were opposed to each other ; he came, he said, in- 
 structed to vote for the measure then acting up- 
 on, believing it constitutional, but that now he 
 was clearly satisfied that the measure was uncon- 
 stitutional." He was excused from voting 
 amidst shouts of applause and hisses of discon- 
 tent. 
 
 28 
 
So eager were the friends of this measure to 
 secure their victory, that they had the bill en- 
 grossed, read a third time, and signed that night 
 by the governor, who stood in v/aiting pen in 
 hand, to give it the sanction of his name. Al- 
 though it was rendered certain before the final 
 vote was taken, that there would be a majority 
 in favor of this bill, yet, when the result was an- 
 nounced disappointment and dismay hung upon 
 the countenance of every member of the opposite 
 party. An awful silence succeeded, such as pre- 
 vails amongst the shipwrecked crew, who hear 
 amidst the storm, the cry, that "all is lost," and 
 see before them the gulf of their destruction. 
 Civil war and bloodshed were anticipated, but the 
 slumber of a night calm'd the storm, and pru- 
 dence dictated submission to the majority. The 
 minority, however, drew up a remonstrance to 
 the proceedings which they proposed to enter on 
 the journal of the House, but this was refused. 
 As it has been published in the newspapers, you 
 have probably seen it. It contains the outlines 
 of the argument urged on the floor, and evidence 
 in favor of the talents of those who used them. 
 
 On the passage of the bill the judges closed 
 their session and adjourned to meet again in Feb- 
 ruary, when it was understood, they would re- 
 pair to the place of holding courts and peace- 
 ably attempt to take their seats ; but if obstruct- 
 ed would retire to their homes, and submit the 
 matter to the grand inquest of the people, at the 
 next August Election. 
 
 It was understood before the passage of the 
 bill that Messrs. Barry and Bibb would be two 
 of the judges; this opinion was strengthened by 
 the fact, that during the pendency of the mea- 
 
 29 
 
sure midnight caucuses were held by members 
 of the House friendly to the bill, where these 
 gentlemen attended, and made elaborate speeches 
 in support of it. Accordingly, Mr. Barry was 
 elected Chief Justice of the Court; though Mr. 
 Bibb, not thinking the salaiy sufficient, refused 
 to be nominated by the Governor. The other 
 offices were filled by gentlemen from the ranks 
 of the majority, all of them are respectable for 
 their talents. 
 
 In noticing the debaters on this measure, in 
 the House of Representatives, I have mentioned 
 only the most conspicuous and leading members 
 of either party. I should, however, do injustice 
 to many others and some young gentlemen, who 
 also took part in the debate, were I to omit to 
 say, that many of them on both sides, advocated 
 their opinions, with sprightliness, ingenuity 
 and force, and in some instances with eloquence. 
 
 Previous to the rising of the Legislature, as I 
 understood, remonstrances were received from 
 various sections of the State, disapproving in 
 strong terms, the proceedings of the Legislature ; 
 similar steps were adopted in many other 
 counties, too remote to be heard from before the 
 Legislature rose. Although many of the coun- 
 ties were favorable to Relief Measures, and were 
 willing to rid themselves, by Constitutional 
 means, of the judges who had obstructed the 
 operation of their favorite system of laws, yet, 
 they were not willing to accomplish this purpose, 
 by marching to it, over the ruins of their con- 
 stitution. The people of Kentucky, are too dis- 
 criminating not to see through the thin veil of 
 sophistry under which these Demagogues have 
 attempted to conceal their designs. It is be- 
 
 30 
 
lieved, that at the next Election, in August, all 
 those who voted for this measure, will be dis- 
 claimed by the people, and others more deserving 
 of their confidence, will be sent in their places. — 
 It is mortifying to the friends of peace and 
 social order, to the reputation and prosperity of 
 Kentucky, to witness such scenes as I have de- 
 scribed and observe in this State, "the disastrous 
 consequences of the measures of the Relief 
 party." To the citizens, the scenes are humbling 
 and appalling. — When the storm of passion 
 which now agitates shall be hushed, and the bil- 
 lows of ambition which now lift their lofty heads, 
 shall be sunk to rise no more, and posterity shall 
 look up the stream of ages to the present crisis, 
 and behold the widespread desolation of their 
 country, what think you will be their award 
 to the bold polluters of the Temple of their 
 Liberties? What think you will be the fate of 
 those, who with Gothic rudeness now trample on 
 the constitution of their country, when this grand 
 inquest, shall be held, when the motives of act- 
 ions shall be weighed in the balance of impart- 
 iality, and when those whose deeds have been 
 good, shall be called forth to the resurrection of 
 "deathless fame," and those that have done evil 
 to an endless execration? 
 
 But amidst this scene of desolation, when view- 
 ing the pollutions of their temple, posterity will 
 find something to console them. They will see 
 its walls sprinkled with tears of blood, shed over 
 its ruin by a few choice spirits who nobly breast- 
 ed the storm, and fearlessly resisted the invad- 
 ing enemy. From the mildness of her climate, 
 the unequalled richness of her soil, the uncom- 
 mon force of Intellect of her citizens, if regulat- 
 
 31 
 
ed in her politics, by principles of moral right, 
 Kentucky may yet rear her head amongst the 
 proudest of her sister states. But the baleful 
 consequences of her present policy are now seen 
 in all her institutions. Torn by party spirit, her 
 domestic peace is destroyed, the confidence of 
 friendship is banished from the social circle, and 
 individual happiness and prosperity involved in 
 the wreck of the moral character, and Bankruptcy 
 of the state. Look but to their Banking system, 
 and you may at once, read the history and con- 
 dition of the country. I have said that the paper 
 of their Banks is a depreciation of two dollars 
 for one in specie and well may it be so, whilst it 
 represents nothing but the credit of the State 
 of Kentucky. 
 
 The ruinous effects of national extravagance 
 and political immoralities are so severely felt in 
 this state, that experience ought to teach her, 
 and all others, the lessons of wisdom, and in 
 future, to avoid the folly of resorting to tempor- 
 ising measures; the iniquity of violating moral 
 obligation and that "honesty is the best policy." 
 The present political condition of Kentucky, is 
 imputed by some of its most judicious citizens, 
 to the unlimited rights of suffrage, guaranteed 
 by their constitution. I pretend not to decide on 
 the correctness of this opinion, but if it be just, 
 I say, good Lord deliver my country from such 
 a constitution! ! 
 
 NO. IV. 
 
 February , 1825. 
 Dear F: Although I have already occupied 
 much of your time, in reviewing the proceedings 
 
 32 
 
of the Legislature, I have not yet more than 
 glanced at the Senate of Kentucky. As the 
 drawings which I am attempting w^ill be incom- 
 plete, without presenting a full view of this 
 branch of the legislature, I shall now take a more 
 particular notice of it. 
 
 The morning after the foregoing scenes were 
 closed, I went to the senate chamber, and was 
 here, also, invited within the bar. Previous to 
 my arrival, one of the members, whilst advo- 
 cating a local measure, complained of the influ- 
 ence of party spirit on all the measures brought 
 before that body, and stated that on his way to 
 the house that morning, he had been informed 
 that a caucus had been held on a preceding night, 
 by the members of both branches of the Legis- 
 lature, friendly to the bill which had passed in 
 the other branch the night before, to which 
 gentlemen not belonging to the Legislature had 
 been invited, who had addressed the caucus in 
 favour of the bill; that by these unfair means 
 the measures of the Legislature, whether general 
 or local, were carried. This produced a call to 
 order and an admonition from the chair. At 
 this moment I entered the House. Whatever 
 may be the general conduct of that body, it pre- 
 sented at this moment, and whilst I was there, 
 a scene of irregularity and confusion which 1 
 neither expected, nor ever before witnessed. 
 Accustomed as I had been, to witness the orderly, 
 solemn and Roman dignity of the Senate of 
 Virginia, I could not but feel the force of the 
 contrast. The members seated themselves upon 
 their tables, or elsewhere as convenience suited, 
 without regard to decorum; they were equally 
 regardless of the order of their speaking, as in 
 
 33 
 
some instances there were several members ad- 
 dressing the chair at the same moment. 
 
 The Lieutenant Governor, Mr. McAfee, pre- 
 sides at this body ; he is elected by the people, and 
 by virtue of his office, is president of the Sen- 
 ate. He is a member of the popular party, and 
 I know but little of his history or the grade of 
 his talents. — I did not hear any discussions cal- 
 culated to elicit the talents of the members of 
 this body; it is said there are but few able men 
 in it. Major Flournoy, whose name has been 
 already mentioned, deservedly ranks high in this 
 body; he is an interesting gentleman, his deport- 
 ment is energetic, his manners ingenuus and 
 genteel, and his style of conversation is nervous ; 
 possessing a fund of anecdotes and a well stored 
 mind, he is an interesting companion; his feel- 
 ings are ardent, and in debate, he is said, to be 
 chaste, ingenious and forcible. He is an intelli- 
 gent well bred gentleman. 
 
 Finding but little to interest me, I left the Sen- 
 ate Chamber and returned to my lodging to pre- 
 pare to leave the town of Frankfort; but before 
 I do so, I will pause for a moment at the Rep- 
 resentative Hall. — In the laudable spirit of pat- 
 riotism and regard for the character of General 
 Lafayette, the Legislature adopted resolutions, 
 with the ordinary expressions of veneration for 
 his character, and inviting him to visit the state. 
 They also authorized the Governor in such event, 
 to draw on the Treasury for any sum necessaiy 
 to defray the expenses of the General's recep- 
 tion: presently after, a long-faced Treasuiy Re- 
 port came in, announcing the insolvency of the 
 treasury for thirty thousand dollars! Through 
 a similar channel it also appeared, that the con- 
 
 34 
 
victs in the penitentiary, in the language of 
 Wickliffe, were starving and naked, and that for 
 want of public funds, they had been supported 
 by the private credit of the Keeper. To rid the 
 state in future of the expense of this institution, 
 a law was passed, I was told, authorizing a sale 
 of the convicts and penitentiary; a sale has been 
 effected, upon what terms I did not understand. 
 I promised in a former letter to present you 
 with a view of the portraits of Messrs. Barry and 
 Crittenden. Although not immediately connected 
 with the subject of this letter, the latter is too 
 distinguished a gentleman in Kentucky, to be 
 passed over without further notice; and as the 
 former is now placed in the seat of the chief 
 justice of the state, it is due to the dignity of his 
 office, as well as to himself, to present him more 
 fully. This is as suitable an opportunity as any 
 other. I now lift the curtain. Mr. Barry is 
 rather under the common height, and slender, and 
 is, I suppose, more than fifty years old, though 
 younger in appearance; his mode of dress and 
 his manners are of old fashioned neatness, blend- 
 ed with modern gentility, his deportment is un- 
 assuming, and when acquainted with the rank he 
 occupies for talents, and the great deference 
 shewn him by his own party, you would wonder 
 at his modesty, and perhaps, suspect it to be as- 
 sumed, to secure to himself the promised reward 
 to him "that humbleth himself:" he who wears 
 disguise is apt at some moment of unguardedness 
 to drop the mask; Mr. Barry is always modest. 
 This and a kindness of manner, gives him ready 
 access to the heart. His complexion is darkened 
 by a slight sallowness, his features in general 
 would impress you with a favourable opinion of 
 
 35 
 
his talents, whilst his eye, which is small, of the 
 doubtful color, betwen the hazel and the black, 
 imparts a sprightliness, and throws a light over 
 his features which enables you to see the super- 
 iority of his intellect. I have heard much more 
 of his qualities of his head than of his heart; I 
 can but say little as to the last; he is said to be 
 ambitious and intriguing, looking more to self- 
 aggrandisement than to the good of his country. 
 He has emerged, by his own exertions from the 
 depths of obscure parentage to the heights of 
 the chief judicial chair. I never heard him in 
 debate; he is said to be eloquent, and more re- 
 markable for the powers of declamation than of 
 argument; hence he is more successful as an ad- 
 vocate than as a lawyer ; he is, however, eminent 
 in the latter branch of his profession. His 
 powers of declamation give him an influence over 
 the passions of the people, which he has used to 
 great personal advantage, and his poverty and 
 plebeian birth, are said to be his favourite 
 themes before the populace, and the means by 
 which he opens the avenue to their hearts and 
 obtains their confidence. He has been a leader 
 in his party and active in bringing about the 
 present measures of Kentucky. The kindness of 
 my feelings to the reputation of this gentleman, 
 induces a wish that his virtues were less sus- 
 pected and that his motives were less disguised. 
 When appointed a Judge, Mr. Barry was the 
 Secretary of State, an appointment made by the 
 Governor; he resigned this office to accept the 
 one he now holds. 
 
 Mr. Crittenden is a native of Virginia, and the 
 descendant of a respectable family, who were dis- 
 tinguished for their intellects. This gentleman 
 
 36 
 
is, perhaps, forty years old, in neither form or 
 size uncommon. His personal appearance is that 
 of a Lawyer and one fond of bodily ease; he is 
 civil without being polite, and seldom approaches 
 others; yet is accessible himself. His face, 
 altho' good is homely, which is increased by the 
 defective arrangement of his teeth ; his forehead 
 is high and his eyes are black, but not sparkling. 
 From his general appearance you would not be 
 surprised should Mr. Crittenden exhibit extra- 
 ordinary powers of mind, nor disappointed to 
 find him in the humbler spheres of genius; but 
 were you to hear him in debate; you would not 
 longer doubt what station to assign him ; your en- 
 raptured faculties would award to him the 
 highest elevation of genius; the fire of his eye, 
 the expression of his features, the volubility of 
 his speech, and the superior force of his mind, 
 would fill you with astonishment. Archimedes- 
 like, he wants only a fulcrum on which to rest 
 his lever, to overturn his adversary's system. 
 
 Mr. Crittenden has a strength of moral char- 
 acter which secures approbation and renders 
 what he says or does, authority with others. 
 Such is the respect and confidence of both parties, 
 in his integrity, that they are willing to confer 
 on him the highest oflSce in their gift; he has 
 filled every office he has chosen, even as a Sen- 
 ator in the Congress of the United States; he 
 fills no office at present except perhaps that of 
 President of the "Kentucky Bank." His stand- 
 ing as a lawyer, is equal to any at the bar, and 
 as he is not rich, his necessities require all the 
 aids of his professional industry; he has, there- 
 fore, of late years, concerned but little in the 
 politics of the State. Mr. Crittenden's feelings 
 
 orr 
 O / 
 
are temperate, and, altho' opposed to the relief 
 party, he has done but little to resist their mea- 
 sures. In his character there is much to emul- 
 ate, and but little which a friend would desire 
 to alter. 
 
 Having made my arrangements, as before in- 
 timated, I left Frankfort, and in company with 
 others, rode to George-Town about seventeen 
 miles ; here I remained all night, and was then in- 
 .troduced to Mr. Ward the Speaker of the House 
 of Representatives. He is under thirty years of 
 age, is a handsome and genteel young man with- 
 out striking talents, though amiable; he is 
 thorough-going in relief principles, and it is 
 said, he was placed in the Chair, because his 
 party were unwilling to spare a stronger man, 
 and because he could render them but little aid 
 on the floor. From George-Town I returned to 
 Lexington. 
 
 NO. V. 
 
 My Dear F: I have hitherto presented the 
 dark side of the Picture of Kentucky. My fut- 
 ure letters will present it in more pleasing as- 
 pects. 
 
 There is, probably, no state in the Union, con- 
 sidering its infancy and finances, who has done 
 so much, to patronize Literary and Benevolent 
 Institutions, as the state of Kentucky. Her fost- 
 ering care has been extended to eveiy section of 
 the state, to every class of schools, and her en- 
 downments have, in some instances, been liberal. 
 From the University at Lexington, to the lowest 
 grade of schools, all feel the influence of her good 
 will, for the promotion of Literature and her de- 
 
 38 
 
sire to shed the rays of light upon the shades of 
 ignorance and obscurity. Nor has she been less 
 sparing in the endowments of Humane Institu- 
 tions. There are now in Kentucky two Hospitals 
 for the reception of Lunatics, one in Lexington, 
 the other in Louisville; in addition to these, 
 there is a school established by the state, for the 
 Education, exclusively of the deaf and dumb, 
 where the poor, of this class of unfortunate be- 
 ings, are educated at public expense, and where 
 the children of the rich may be instructed with- 
 in their own state. This Institution, is located 
 at Danville, where I went to visit it. I shall 
 hereafter give you more particular account of it. 
 
 This zeal for the advancement of Literature, 
 is not confined to the Legislature. It is observ- 
 able, amongst the citizens in every village, every 
 county, and in every neighborhood; here there 
 are schools established and conducted by compet- 
 ent teachers, wherever necessity or convenience 
 renders them desirable. The number of the 
 schools, the cheapness of board and the low 
 charges for tuition, afford facilities unequalled 
 any where else, of obtaining, and puts within the 
 reach of both sexes of all classes the opportunity 
 of acquiring, a knowledge of any branch of 
 science. 
 
 Owing to these facilities and the spirit of am- 
 bition which pervades all ranks in that State, the 
 population of Kentucky are the most intelligent, 
 and are the best informed in all matters con- 
 nected with the politics of the state, of any whom 
 I have met with in any other country. The un- 
 restrained freedom of election guaranteed by the 
 constitution, gives to the hireling journeyman 
 equal rights with his employer, and opens the 
 
 39 
 
road of preferment, alike to the pennyless and the 
 rich. This interest in the government awakes 
 within them a spirit of inquiry, which in some 
 instances conducts them to the heights of science, 
 and as you have seen, sometimes to the highest 
 offices of the Government. Owing, also, to the 
 facilities of acquiring education and professions, 
 the departments of each profession furnish a full 
 list of supernumeraries. These to get into em- 
 ployment in their professions or in public life, 
 become the courtiers of the populace who are 
 thereby taught to feel their influence in society, 
 and an equality with the most respectable citizens 
 of the state. Hence, you sometimes find them 
 arrogant in their conduct and obtrusive in their 
 conversation. These circumstances, combined 
 with the collision which now exists between the 
 contending parties of Kentucky, are calculated to 
 call forth the energies of the mind in a most 
 powerful degree; to render that state the best 
 theatre for the boundings of the aspiring genius, 
 or for the machinations of the ambitious intri- 
 guer. 
 
 It will be perhaps unfortunate in a political 
 point of view, that so large a proportion of the 
 young men of that state enroll their names on 
 the professional lists. Its effect may be to with- 
 draw from the labouring and farming interests 
 of the country too many of its legitimate sub- 
 jects. Were they to carry into the spheres to 
 which nature has destined them, the energies of 
 their minds, and the advantages of their Educa- 
 tions, they would render those vocations more re- 
 spectable, and society might be benefited by the 
 discoveries and improvements which they might 
 make in them, — The professions of law and medi- 
 
 40 
 
cine will be rendered less profitable and honor- 
 able in that state, in consequence of the number 
 which hang around the bar, and of the empy- 
 ricks which crown the medical department. Al- 
 though a superior genius is now and then seen to 
 rise like a meteor from the humble spheres of 
 life, and to make its way through the constellat- 
 ed firmament of talents, this is not sufficient to 
 compensate for the loss which society sustains 
 by the withdrawal of so many of the lawful sub- 
 jects of mechanics and agriculture. It is, also, 
 much to be feared that disappointment will drive 
 some of them to dissipation. Too proud to 
 labour, and too poor to live without it, they may 
 close their useless lives in the abodes of proflig- 
 acy, or with the cup of intemperance. I would 
 not, however, have you to believe that these re- 
 marks are made with reference to any evidences 
 which occun-ed within my own observations of 
 dissipation. Far from it! Those, with whom 
 I had an acquaintance, were discreet, intelligent, 
 arid respectable, and by their civilities and gen- 
 tility of deportment entitled themselves to my 
 good will and respect, 
 
 I will now conduct you to the University of 
 Kentucky. This Institution, as I have before 
 stated, has attached to it a grammar school, a 
 department of moral philosophy; of law and of 
 medicine. In the grammar school, the Langua- 
 ges are taught; in the department of philosophy, 
 Ethicks, and especial attention is paid to mental 
 Philosophy; the department of law, includes 
 civil, municipal, maritime and perhaps national 
 Law, and also politics. The medical department 
 embraces a course of lectures, upon diseases 
 and their causes; their remedies; anatomy and 
 
 41 
 
surgeiy; medical jurisprudence and chemistry, 
 i'he University is a large and spacious three 
 story building, situated in the centre, of perhaps 
 an acre of ground, on a back street of Lexington ; 
 in the rear and in the same enclosure, is a large 
 two-story house for the accommodation of the 
 President. The whole area is neatly enclosed and 
 set with grass, with walks intersecting and run- 
 ning in different directions. There is no steward- 
 ship attached to the college, and, I believe, the 
 grammar boys, as well as the students of Law, 
 and Medicine, board in private houses and else- 
 where in town. 
 
 Mr. Holley, a gentleman from the north, is now 
 the President of this Institution ; he has an intel- 
 ligent family who occupy the house in the rear 
 of the University. 
 
 Mr. Holley fills the department of Philosophy, 
 and lectures on civil and perhaps national law 
 and politics. Mr. Jesse Bledsoe, a judge of the 
 circuit court, lectures on municipal, statute, and 
 constitutional law, and Mr. Humphreys on mari- 
 time law: the latter is an accession made this 
 winter to the institution: From the nature of 
 the subject, and the practical inutility of it to 
 Kentucky lav/yers, Mr. Humphreys will probably 
 find his lectures uninteresting, and, therefore, 
 will withdraw from the institution. I heard 
 each of these gentlemen lecture several times. 
 Mr. Holley on the subject of mental Philosophy, 
 both before his private class and in a public as- 
 sembly; also on civil Law; in the latter branch 
 Justinian is his text book, on the former 
 Brown's treatise on mental Philosophy. This is 
 a late work and is probably written by one of the 
 professors of Edinburg — I will not undertake to 
 
 42 
 
determine on the profundity of Mr. Holley's 
 mind. — Owing to sectarian differences of Religi- 
 ous opinions, Mr. H. has many enemies and many 
 zealous friends; the latter award to him all that 
 vanity or pride could ask, and his enemies deny 
 to him what the most unresisting humility might 
 claim. Were the difference between them submit- 
 ted to my umpirage, I should award to him all 
 that his friends ascribe to him, and what few of 
 his enemies possess. He is liberal yet fixed in 
 his theological opinions; his mind is sound and 
 polished ; his language clear and precise ; his arti- 
 culation distinct, his pronunciation rigidly cor- 
 rect and beautiful. In debate he is able, elo- 
 quent and spirited; his action is suited to the 
 "words and the words to the action." There is 
 a lustre in his face which receives its radiance 
 from his heart. The scope of his Lectures, when 
 I heard him, on mental philosophy, was to prove 
 the unity and identity of the mind, that change 
 of state is not incompatible with this unity, and 
 also that without this unity of the mind, the ex- 
 istence of a God would be but the notion of fan- 
 atics, and the immortality of the soul but the 
 Phantom of a dream; that the body is but a 
 bundle of particles made up from the shambles 
 of the butcher, the basket of the huckster and the 
 shelves of the grocer; that these particles are 
 wasted and resupplied every day, and every three 
 years and a half the body undergoes a complete 
 change, and, therefore, possesses no identity. 
 
 Judge Bledsoe's Lectures were not interesting, 
 for the most part, they were too elementary and 
 general: they were, however, well calculated for 
 the noviciates of whom his class were mostly 
 composed. Mr. Bledsoe has had a rank for tal- 
 
 43 
 
ents which he is now losing ; he was the compeer 
 of Henry Clay, and a few years ago was consider- 
 ed his superior ; but a weakness over which, per- 
 sonal friendship throws her mantle, has injured 
 his standing and induces me to abstain from com- 
 ment. I cannot, however, drop the curtain with- 
 out expressing my sincere regret that such a lum- 
 inary should be shorn of its radiance by an un- 
 timely cloud. These gentlemen lecture an hour 
 everj^ day in the University. 
 
 The medical departments are filled by Messrs. 
 Caldwell, Drake, Dudly, Brown and Richardson; 
 and Mr. Blythe is the Professor of Chemistry: 
 these lecture in apartments separate from the 
 University. I attended them all once, and the 
 lectures on Anatomy by Dudly, and Chemistry 
 frequently ; they were all interesting and some of 
 them highly instructive. I was taught by one, 
 the history of my species, before they see the 
 light, the nature of ossification, and the sub- 
 stances from which it derives its chief support, 
 and the agency which the mother's milk has in 
 carrying on and supporting this process. By 
 another, the Anatomical structure of the body, 
 the various intestinal canals and the functions 
 which they perform in the economy of nature: 
 By another I was informed, why Mount Blanc, 
 whose summit is covered with perpetual snow, 
 has on actual admeasurement, exhibited no in- 
 crease or diminution of height for a centurv 
 past, and many other things equally curious and 
 some more useful. The science of medicine and 
 its dependencies appears to me to have higher 
 rewards in store for its votaries, than that of the 
 law. The bold and diligent searcher in the 
 former has yet ample opportunity of winning the 
 
 44 
 
wreath of fame, by the discovery of new pheno- 
 mena, whilst every nook and corner of the field 
 of legal science has been explored and examined. 
 The lectures on medical jurisprudence being 
 more suited to my vocation, were particularly in- 
 teresting and profitable. — In addition to the sub- 
 jects already mentioned, Dr. Caldwell lectures on 
 Phrenology or Craneology ; he has also published 
 a book on it, in which he throws into the shade 
 the labours of the celebrated Lavater. By this 
 system he undertakes to decide the quality of the 
 intellect, the strength and predominance of the 
 passions with as much certainty, and much in 
 the same way, that a purchaser would determine 
 the quality of a piece of cloth. Lavater read the 
 mind, and determined on the qualities of the 
 heart through the features of the face. Dr. 
 Caldwell by feeling the indentations and protube- 
 rances of the back of the head, discovers the de- 
 velopment of the passions and the unerring index 
 to the properties of the mind! The Doctor is 
 bold and original in his conceptions; he is the 
 strong advocate for the influences of sympathy, 
 and maintains that this affection is sufficient to 
 do every thing. By this means he is said to have 
 rendered himself unpopular with the ladies ; who 
 protest against the introduction of such a princi- 
 ple into their household, insisting that the old 
 way of doing things is better than by the 
 agency of sympathy. 
 
 The lecture rooms are fitted up in the form of 
 an amphitheatre, with a rostrum at the one 
 end ; the lecturer stands and delivers his lectures 
 with all the action, and, sometimes, the graces ot 
 an eloquent haranguer. The majority of the pro- 
 fessors in this department are accounted skilful, 
 
 45 
 
profound and pre-eminent. Had I confidence in 
 my competency to judge on this matter, I should 
 approve this opinion. Having been accustomed 
 to see pupils controled and regulated by the pro- 
 fessor, I was much surprised to find that here, 
 the students controled and regulated the teacher : 
 and, that they hissed or applauded without res- 
 traint, to which the professor bows with sub- 
 mission or returns the smile of gratitude. 
 
 There are about thirty law students, and two 
 hundred and thirty in the medical class: 1 do 
 not recollect the number in the grammar school. 
 The price of boarding for a youth in Lexington 
 is fifty dollars a year in specie, and two dollars 
 and fifty cents in like money per week for the 
 young gentlemen : in each case these charges 
 cover all the expenses of a room, fuel, candles, 
 washing, &c. There are students of law and 
 medicine attending the lectures of this institu- 
 tion from four or more different states. If they 
 are not rewarded for the distance they travel 
 and recompensed for the time and money they 
 expend, it will be chargeable to their want of in- 
 dustry or capacity, and not to the incompetency 
 or inattention of the professors. Were the ad- 
 vantages afforded by this Institution more ex- 
 tensively known, it would attract more general 
 notice and receive, as it deserves, more liberal 
 patronage. 
 
 It was my intention, to have visited Cincinnati, 
 and from thence to have descended the river 
 Ohio to Louisville, but owing to the badness of 
 the weather and other causes not within my con- 
 trol, I was obliged to decline it. Having men- 
 tioned the state of Ohio, and as I am flying from 
 one subject to another, I will mention a flight 
 
 46 
 
which I heard of in that state. Near Cincinnati 
 on the Ohio River stood a nine story factory. A 
 yankee proclaimed at Cincinnati that, on a cer- 
 tain day, he would jump out of the highest story 
 of this factory. The day arrived and a large 
 multitude gathered to see the yankee break his 
 neck: before he took his leap, he said, he must 
 have three hundred dollars for doing so. Each 
 one being willing to contribute to pay the 
 Yankee's passage over the river Styx, this sum 
 was soon made up ; the yankee presented himself 
 at the highest story of the building, furnished 
 with two umbrellas: with these over his head 
 he let himself down from the window. A draft 
 of wind struck him at that moment, and wafted 
 him four hundred yards up the river, into which 
 he gently descended in the presence of a shouting 
 multitude. The yankee was not drowned. He 
 was taken up by boats which were in readiness. 
 
 NO. VI. 
 
 My Dear F: I have hitherto said nothing on 
 the general state of Religion in Kentucky. Know- 
 ing the interest which you feel in this subject, 
 it shall be the next to engage my pen. 
 
 This state, like all others with which I am ac- 
 quainted, is divided into numerous religious 
 sects; Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Epis- 
 copalians, Unitarians, Shakerism and even Deism, 
 all have their adherents. The two first are the 
 most popular, and carry on their disputations 
 with each other, and all other denominations, 
 with an asperity which has characterized the 
 first, in all ages and countries, and with a zeal 
 which I have seldom witnessed amongst the 
 
 47 
 
Baptists any where else: These last are sub- 
 divided into Old and New lights, Christian Bap- 
 tists, &c, &c. 
 
 These two divisions, comprehended I be- 
 lieve, much the largest portion of the 
 community. Methodism is by no means 
 popular in the parts of the country which 
 I visited, and it is there confined to the lower 
 classes of society. The Episcopalians have per- 
 haps a few churches. There is, I believe, no Un- 
 itarian church or preacher. Shakerism is con- 
 fined to a certain order of people, who withdraw 
 themselves from the world and form a separate 
 community. The novelty of their tenets and the 
 peculiarities in their mode of life induced me to 
 visit them: You shall, therefore, hear more of 
 this iDOople. 
 
 I found amongst the favorers of each sect, in- 
 telligence, respectability, and, in some instances 
 worthy friends. Some of those who had attain- 
 ed to the highest degree of faith, and had advanc- 
 ed to the first ranks of the church, were bigotted 
 and intolerant ; but their virtues and piety threw 
 a brightness around their characters, which their 
 intolerance could not conceal. 
 
 From accident, or other causes, I seldom at- 
 tended public worship. I had, therefore, but 
 little opportunity of judging of the state of 
 pulpit eloquence in that country. If correctly in- 
 formed, I fear that some of their preachers are 
 more engaged in pulling do\VTi the systems of 
 others, than in laying the true foundation for 
 the christian religion. There is certainly, yet, 
 space enough unoccupied, on which they may 
 build without pulling down other systems, that 
 they may establish their religion on its ruins. 
 
 48 
 
In my last, I mentioned leaving Lexington, and 
 my return to Richmond. On my arrival there 1 
 was invited to an evening party; the style of en- 
 tertainment was handsome, though not splendid. 
 The particular attentions of the gentleman to 
 whose house I was invited, and of those whom 
 I met there, evinced their knowledge of what was 
 due to a stranger, and placed me under personal 
 obligations. — These attentions and the general 
 scene of hilarity, gentility, and fashion, heighten- 
 ed by the beauty, refinement and intelligence of 
 the ladies, enabled me to spend the evening 
 cheerfully and rationally. 
 
 The ladies in Kentucky are in general larger 
 in stature than in your state. Springing, as it 
 were, from a richer soil, their persons indicate 
 a regular, well-proportioned and a more health- 
 ful growth; they are large enough to be stately, 
 without being awkward ; their symmetry is more 
 the gift of nature than of art or fashion; their 
 features are in general regular and handsome 
 without being beautiful, and are well adapted to 
 convey the impressions of an improved mind. 
 Their deportments are in general dignified, evinc- 
 ing exalted virtues, yet gracefully condescending, 
 easy, candid and unaffected ; though in some few 
 instances, rudely careless of what they say or do, 
 and regardless of the respect due to others. Ac- 
 customed to social intercourse and the frequent 
 introduction to strangers, they are at once af- 
 fable, receive a gentleman as a friend, and a 
 stranger as an acquaintance. The general hos- 
 pitality of their hearts is displayed in the kind- 
 ness of their manners. Their style of dress is 
 neat, easy and fashionable, though sometimes too 
 ornamental. 
 
 49 
 
In general, their minds are stored with sub- 
 stantial and useful knowledge, and in many in- 
 stances embellished with the fashionable accom- 
 plishments. — Cheerful in dispositions, their con- 
 versation is seasonably lively and interesting; 
 the follies and foibles of the sex, and the beau- 
 ties of a beau, or the fashions of a dress yield to 
 more rational and edifying subjects of conver- 
 sations. The ladies of Kentucky possess all that 
 is useful belonging to their sex in any state, but 
 they are destitute of that engaging softness of 
 the southern, and attractive beauty of the north- 
 ern ladies. I met, however, with a few individu- 
 als of the sex who possessed every thing that was 
 necessary to please the eye, to interest the heart 
 and delight the mind. 
 
 The Kentuckians are in general bold and enter- 
 prising ; confiding in their friendships ; acute and 
 judicious in their traffic, ardent and aspiring in 
 their feelings, energetic in their measures, and 
 intelligent, manly and independent in their man- 
 ners ; the gentlemen are courteous, well-informed 
 and cordially hospitable. 
 
 From Richmond I made a tour through the vil- 
 lages of Lancaster, Danville, Harodsburg, 
 Shakerstown and Nicholasville : these villages 
 are from ten to twenty miles apart. At Danville 
 I staid a night and part of a day to visit the 
 Deaf and Dumb Asylum. I have already stated 
 that this institution has been founded by the 
 Legislature of Kentucky, for the exclusive in- 
 struction of the Deaf and Dumb of that state. 
 It is endowed with three thousand dollars a year : 
 the teacher, Mr. De Wit Clinton Mitchell, came 
 on twelve months since from the State of New 
 York, for the purpose of superintending it. 
 
 50 
 
Having had some agency in the management of 
 a similar institution in that State, he under- 
 stands his business, and is competent to dis- 
 charge the duties assigned him. This institution 
 has been founded about eighteen months; it has 
 now between twenty and thirty pupils including 
 both sexes. — The scene which it exhibited was, 
 to me, as novel as it was interesting. To be pre- 
 sented with such a group of human beings from 
 whom nature had withheld two of the faculties 
 most essential to the improvement of the mind 
 and the enjoyment of life, produced feelings of 
 melancholy; but the cheerfulness of their count- 
 enances soon dispelled the gloom of my own feel- 
 ings. 
 
 The school room is fitted up with a suitable 
 number of benches placed at convenient distances 
 across the floor; at each end of the room are 
 placed large black boards ; the pupils are divided, 
 without regard to sex, into classes ; one of these 
 boards is occupied by Mr. Mitchell and his, the 
 eldest class, whilst the other is occupied by Mr. 
 Kerr, an assistant, with the junior class. In ad- 
 dition to these boards the pupils are each 
 furnished with slates; there are books also con- 
 taining a complete system for the instruction of 
 the children, which are used by the teacher and 
 contain the exercises of the pupils. I had scarce 
 entered the door when every eye was turned up- 
 on me, and was seated but a few moments, before 
 I was presented by a half dozen or more of these 
 people, each with a slate with different questions 
 written by them, suggested by their curiosity. — 
 Some enquiring my name, and business in life; 
 others from whence I came, and whither I was 
 going, and one young lady about seventeen years 
 
 51 
 
old, pretty and modest, whether I was married; 
 to all which I gave the appropriate answers. 
 These questions and answers were succeeded by- 
 others which I asked in turn, their answers to 
 which evinced more readiness and information 
 than I supposed they possessed. Many of those 
 who presented their slates, I was assured by Mr. 
 Mitchell had been only twelve months with him, 
 and of course had never before had any oppor- 
 tunity of instruction. Their writing was equal 
 to a lad of eighteen who had enjoyed the best 
 opportunities of education. They write with the 
 rapidity of a regular bred clerk and spell with 
 the correctness of maturer years. 
 
 In the various correspondencies carried on 
 with them, I saw but one word spelt amiss, and 
 in pointing it out to the writer, he corrected it 
 with a blush, evidently shewing it was an error 
 of haste, rather than of ignorance. The modes 
 of communication amongst themselves is by 
 signs, between them and the teacher by this mode 
 and by writing. The class being on the seat 
 fronting his board, Mr. Mitchell commenced his 
 examination by writing questions; his examina- 
 tion was principally on the Grammar and Arith- 
 metic. On these subjects they evinced a readiness 
 and discrimination of the numbers, genders and 
 cases of the nouns, and the persons, moods, and 
 tenses of the verbs truly wonderful. Their accur- 
 acy in the simple rules of arithmetic was equally 
 extraordinarJ^ — These examinations being over, 
 some of them were called forth on the floor to 
 describe the passions; these they exhibited from 
 the tenderness of Love to the violence of Rage, 
 with the intermediate degrees of softness and of 
 vehemence, with an accuracy and a force which I 
 
 52 
 
had never witnessed on the stage, and which 
 could be equalled only by nature. 
 
 The rapid progress of these children was not 
 more remarkable than the accuracy of their 
 knowledge. The latter I ascribed in part to the 
 correctness of their teacher, but mainly to the 
 want of hearing. Relying on their visual organs 
 alone, as the medium of information, their per- 
 ceptions are more clear and distinct than of those 
 who rely on that and also on the faculty of hear- 
 ing, and thereby are often misled by the similar- 
 ity and confusion of sounds. Whether owing to 
 the superiority of the mode of teaching, or to 
 the fact, that the faculties of their minds are 
 strengthened by the want of the powers of speech 
 and of hearing, I pretend not to determine; but 
 certain it is, that the progress of these children 
 is unequalled by those of any other school which 
 I have visited. The teacher is kept constantly on 
 his feet and at his board, whilst engaged in teach- 
 ing. 
 
 After spending two or three hours in the 
 school, and throwing my pittance into the 
 "Charity Box," I left the room, followed by the 
 obeisance and the eyes of the teachers and their 
 scholars. Why is it, my dear F., that Virginia, 
 who has been so liberal in her appropriations for 
 the spread of knowledge in the various depart- 
 ments of society, even to the darkest shades of 
 poverty and of ignorance, has overlooked this 
 class of unfortunate people ? Whilst she extends 
 her fostering care to all those upon whom the 
 Creator has bestowed all the faculties of their 
 nature, why, I repeat, is it, that, Virginia has 
 withheld the torch of knowledge from that class to 
 whom wisdom of their Creator or the sportive- 
 
 53 
 
ness of chance have denied the important facul- 
 ties of hearing and of speaking? Is it because 
 they are deemed incapable of instruction, or that 
 their numbers are too few to deserve legislative 
 notice, or because her attention has never been 
 directed to the subject? I have already borne 
 testimony to the fallacy of the first suggestion, 
 and there is not sufficient evidence to justify the 
 second. It is ascertained, that there are in Ken- 
 tucky near two hundred and in the State of Ohio 
 three hundred deaf and dumb persons, and that 
 a large majority of them belong to indigent fam- 
 ilies. Is there any reason why we should not 
 expect to find in Virginia a number equal to the 
 ratio of her population? The distinguished Gov- 
 ernor of New York thought the subject worthy 
 of his high mind, when making his late communi- 
 cation to the Legislature of New York. Why 
 should Virginia slumber whilst her sister states 
 are active on the subject? Let her rouse up for 
 shame. Humanity cries aloud for her exertions 
 to redeem from brutal ignorance this helpless 
 class of her citizens. A mere Legislative recom- 
 mendation to the county courts, to instruct their 
 sheriffs to take a list of such of these people as 
 were found in their counties, and the condition 
 of their parents, would disclose the number, 
 without much trouble, and without much expense. 
 Children of this description are thought a shame 
 on their families and are therefore kept out of 
 view. — Hence the idea prevails, that there are 
 but few in the state, but I fear that an actual 
 enumeration will disclose unexpected numbers. 
 They cannot speak for themselves, and benevol- 
 ence requires that others should crj" aloud for 
 their assistance. 
 
 54 
 
I left Danville and rode to Harodsburg a dis- 
 tance of ten miles, from thence you will hear 
 from me again. 
 
 NO. VII. 
 
 My Dear F: I remained at Harrodsburg a 
 night and a part of the next day. In the suburbs 
 of this town are several springs of some celeb- 
 rity which are resorted to during the summer 
 season, by the citizens of that state and also from 
 other states, and even from Natchez and Orleans. 
 The Chalebeat and Sulphur Springs, possess the 
 ordinary qualities which their names import: a 
 third, which I can signify only by describing its 
 properties, is, deemed more useful in its medicin- 
 al effects, is stronger, and is most generally used. 
 The latter furnishes a large supply of water, the 
 two former but a small proportion. The water 
 of the large spring when boiled produces mag- 
 nesia and Epsom Salts in combination, and also 
 a slight deposit of white sand ; its taste is not un- 
 pleasant, though strong and active in its effects ; 
 it is light and does not seem to distend the stomach 
 in an equal degree with some other waters. These 
 springs together with the appurtenances are now 
 rented out for eight hundred dollars a year, and 
 to make the most of them the tenant has erected 
 a furnace with several large kettles, near the 
 large spring, into which its water is conducted 
 where it is boiled, and the Epsom Salts are made. 
 Twenty gallons of this water yield but one pound 
 of salts. These are readily sold at fifty cents 
 in specie per pound. The surrounding ground is 
 high and gently slopes to the spring; the foun- 
 tain is concealed by a covering, and you see the 
 water only as it gushes forth from the trunk. 
 
 55 
 
I however obtained an insight of it and found 
 the bottom of the cistern covered with a preci- 
 pitate streaked with red, yellow and bluish colors. 
 I purchased a pound of these salts. They are 
 more palatable, less harsh, though sufficiently 
 active, than the common Epsom. 
 
 The buildings for the accommodation of the 
 visitors to the springs are situated about an 
 hundred yards from them, and although once 
 comfortable, are now in a state of decay. The 
 present tenant, however, intends to make them 
 comfortable by the season of resort. He ex- 
 pects a large company this summer: he is a 
 worthy man, and I hope he will not be disap- 
 pointed. Its contiguity to the town, which I am 
 told, affords good society, the agreeable aspect 
 of the surrounding country, and the cheapness of 
 the fare added to the usefulness of the water, will 
 no doubt render a stay there for a few weeks, 
 during the summer, agreeable to the healthy and 
 profitable to the invalid. 
 
 The attentions I received at Harrodsburg were 
 flattering and I left it with regi*et, on the day after 
 my arrival, for Shakerstown, a distance of five 
 miles. The country immediately in the neighbor- 
 hood of the latter place is more broken than be- 
 tween it and Harrodsburg. Emerging from a 
 valley, and rising a gradual ascent, Shakerstown 
 displays itself to view on the contiguous height. 
 This village is situated on the main road, lead- 
 ing to Lexington from Harrodsburg; from one 
 extremity to the other, it is, perhaps, three hun- 
 dred yards long. On the one side of the road is 
 a large church, a handsome garden tastily laid 
 off, and a few brick work shops. On the opposite 
 side, at the eastern extremity of the town is a 
 frame building in which a tavern is kept; in re- 
 
 56 
 
gular succession from this, and about fifty yards 
 apart, there are three large brick and stone 
 houses for the dwelling of the Shakers, and in 
 the same row, is another large building, larger 
 than those I have mentioned, yet unfinished, 
 which is also intended for a family house : in the 
 rear of these buildings are their offices, other 
 work shops and machine houses. 
 
 These family houses are seventy-five feet long, 
 about forty wide, and are all built on the same 
 plan, and within the same enclosure. The yard 
 and the intervening spaces, between the houses, 
 are set with grass; and has, passing through it, 
 a wide walk, neatly laid with flag stones. The 
 church is situated as before-mentioned on the op- 
 posite side of the road and about the centre ot 
 the town; the garden adjoins it; below this and 
 on the same side, are the barns and stables. 
 
 The Church is a frame building underpinned 
 with superior neatness, with stone ; is about sixty 
 feet long and proportionably wide, plastered and 
 white washed, with chairboards, &c, painted blue, 
 in the neatest conceivable style. The floor look- 
 ed as though it was waxed. The church is 
 warmed by two small stoves, placed at each end 
 of the room. Moveable benches for the worship- 
 pers, are arranged around the back part of the 
 room, and in front are similar seats for the ac- 
 commodation of strangers; in the upper 
 part of the building over the worshiping 
 room at either end, is an apartment each 
 for the accommodation of the Elder and 
 Eldress. These apartments communicated with 
 the interior of the church by a small win- 
 dow which is about a foot square, and 
 near the ceiling of the worshipping room. In 
 
 57 
 
front of the Church is an area paved with flag 
 stones, and enclosed with pailings, which, as 
 well as the exterior of the Church, is painted 
 white. In the neighborhood of the town at var- 
 ious distances and in different directions, are 
 seen other houses, also belonging to the Shakers. 
 These were occupied by them till within a few 
 years, since which, they built their town; these 
 are called, "the Blue houses." The Shakers own 
 three thousand acres of land, lying in a body, in- 
 cluding their town and out houses; they have a 
 large three story mill on the same tract. 
 
 I arrived at their town on Sunday about eleven 
 o'clock : when I got in view of the Church I heard 
 a doleful noise. As I approached nearer, the 
 sound broke with increased strength on my ears. 
 The air was filled with piercing shrieks, shouts, 
 and confused acclamations, resembling the wild 
 and maddened tenants of Bedlam. I was told 
 that the Shakers were at worship. Such were 
 the direful feelings which these sounds produced, 
 that I paused for a moment to consider, whether 
 I should go into the Church. The question was 
 soon decided. I tied my horse and hastened in; 
 at this moment all v/as calm, but presently their 
 worship was renewed; there were about an hun- 
 dred and thirty worshippers including both sexes, 
 black and white. The females were drawn up 
 in the west end of the Church in ranges of eight 
 abreast and seven or eight deep. The men were 
 drawn up in a like manner in the opposite end; 
 the two columns fronting each other, with a 
 space of several feet between the head of each 
 column. 
 
 The dress of either sex is uniform, resembling 
 that of the old Quakers; from the girls of ten 
 
 58 
 
years old to wrinkled old age, all dressed alike 
 with long waisted gowns of dark colour, long 
 checked aprons extending to the neck, a white 
 long-eared cap, with ii white kerchief thrown 
 over the shoulders, crossed and pinned before, 
 and a checked cotton handkerchief loosely hung 
 over the arm ; every article of their dress was in 
 perfect order, and every individual of the column 
 presented a clean, neat, precise dressed figure. 
 The dress of the men consisted of light coloured 
 domestic cloth, with coats and waistcoats of the 
 longwaisted fashion, with outer pockets in the 
 former, half way down the leg, and those in the 
 waistcoats resting on the hips. Their shirts 
 were of coarse cotton and they were without 
 neckcloths. On this occasion, the coats were laid 
 aside; the blacks of each sex, were arranged in- 
 discriminately in the same ranks, and attired in 
 the same manner with the whites. The counten- 
 ances of the female ranks were pale, their vis- 
 ages thin, and indicating great solemnity of feel- 
 ings; those of the men equal solemnity and de- 
 votion of thought, and more vigorous health. 
 Two singers, from each sex, now took their 
 stands at the head of their correspondent 
 columns. A signal being given, the singers com- 
 menced and the columns got into motion. They 
 gently advanced and receded for some minutes, 
 when on a sudden, they reversed fronts, quicken- 
 ed their motions and danced in a similar manner : 
 suddenly, they wheeled to their former positions 
 increasing in the violence of their actions, as they 
 were warmed by the spirit and animated by the 
 singing. By one impulse they now broke the order 
 in which they stood, and each column whirled 
 within its own limits, in vertical commotion. 
 
 59 
 
throwing their heads, hands, and legs in wild dis- 
 order, occasionally leaping up and uttering a 
 horrid yell. During this time, each individual 
 had chimed in with the singers, who had them- 
 selves fallen into their columns, and were all 
 singing with stunning violence ; presently the two 
 small windows near the ceiling, were seen parti- 
 ally and gently to open, and the face of a male 
 and female were imperfectly presented at the 
 opposite windows. At this instant the motions 
 which were before violent, became furious, and 
 the noise, before stunning, was appalling. 
 Shrieks and yells followed in alternate succession, 
 till by their violence, and the incessant fury of 
 their dancing, the worshippers were exhausted. 
 Some sunk on the floor, whilst others were 
 scarce able to get to their seats. The worship 
 closed, and I left the house with feelings of horror 
 which you can better imagine than I can describe. 
 The singing was "Vox nil praeterea," sound 
 without word, rhyme or sense. 
 
 The Elder and Eldress are individuals of this 
 society, who are supposed to have attained to 
 the highest degree of purity of life, and strength 
 of faith. On this account their persons are es- 
 teemed sacred, and they I'eceive the confession 
 of sins, though they are not supposed to possess 
 the power of forgiving them; they are also sup- 
 posed to possess the power of performing mira- 
 cles, two instances of which, in effecting instan- 
 taneous cures of severe wounds, are said, to have 
 been lately exhibited in their town. These elders 
 occupy the upper apartments of the church, and 
 when it pleaseth them to look down from their 
 sacred abodes on the worshipers below, it is 
 deemed a special act of condescension and grace. 
 
 60 
 
I went amongst them with strong prejudices and 
 I left them with feelings of abomination, believ- 
 ing they were in the gall of bitterness and in the 
 bonds of damning iniquity. I remained in the 
 neighborhood that night, and on the invitation 
 of one of their members, returned the next day, 
 to visit their houses and to learn something of 
 their domestic economy and police. I stopped at 
 the tavern, and from thence was conducted by 
 an intelligent guide, one of their members, 
 through the various apartments of their houses, 
 from the cellar to the garret, and into their 
 kitchens. 
 
 You are to bear in mind that the fundamental 
 principle of the religion of these Quakers is a 
 total non-intercourse between the sexes; con- 
 sequently husband and wife are disunited as 
 soon as they enter into this society. All their 
 domestic arrangements are, therefore, made with 
 a rigid regard to this object. Each family house 
 is divided into small rooms, large enough for two 
 beds, and each has a wardrobe attached to it. 
 There is one kitchen, and dining room, common 
 to the house ; the latter has two doors, on one side 
 leading from the common passage. The house 
 is divided in every story by a wide pass-way ; the 
 one side of the house through each story, is oc- 
 cupied by the females ; the opposite by the males ; 
 there are also two pairs of stairs leading to the 
 apartments on opposite sides of the house ; these 
 houses are neatly finished. The tenants of each 
 live as one family. The women cook, wash, 
 make and mend. The men attend to all the 
 farming, mechanical and out of doors labour for 
 the family. Unless on some domestic necessity, 
 the males and females are never seen in the op- 
 
 61 
 
posite sides of the house: In going to morning 
 and evening worship, which is held in the dining 
 room, and when going to and returning from 
 their meals, they enter the room at their own 
 doors, eat at their own tables, and return on their 
 own sides of the house : before eating they kneel 
 down to grace, each one saying it for himself. 
 Everything about them, within and without their 
 houses, about their farms, stable and barn, in- 
 dicates uncommon neatness, ingenuity and in- 
 dustry; and the countenances of the males and 
 females, when not at worship exhibit meek, con- 
 tented, cheerful and happy minds, though now 
 and then, I met with a dark, sullen, and morose 
 face. Whilst engaged in their labours together, 
 they were active, considerate, cheerful and social ; 
 each evincing a personal interest whilst they 
 were laboring for the common good. Their 
 labours and all their mechanism is performed 
 by their own members. They are a trafficking, 
 humane, honest and thrifty people; each depart- 
 ment has an officer by which it is regulated, who 
 is chosen by vote at convenient seasons, and most 
 frequently against his inclination. They also 
 have officers for foreign, as well as the home de- 
 partments; the duty of the former is, to attend 
 to distant purchasers and sales, and to collect 
 debts. They do not meddle with politics al- 
 though often urged to attend the elections by 
 candidates for offices, and although their number 
 of votes would be often sufficient to decide im- 
 portant elections. They have preachers who oc- 
 casionally visit other similar establishments in 
 their own state, and in Ohio. Between these es- 
 tablishments there is a constant and friendly in- 
 tercourse; these preachers also make frequent 
 
 62 
 
missionarj'^ tours to the distant part of the coun- 
 try, and out of their own state. In this society- 
 are seen persons of all ages from the tenderness 
 of infancy to the decrepitude of old age; they 
 receive all persons, whether rich or poor, and 
 children of any age, that may be given them by 
 their parents, rear them in comfort and with 
 care and give them plain rudimental educations. 
 As all are permitted to join them, so no one is re- 
 strained from leaving them, though having once 
 entered into "the covenant," they cannot reclaim 
 their property. Sudden conversions, to their re- 
 ligion, though not often, sometimes happen. I 
 will give you tvv^o of several instances that have 
 happened. A gentleman of North Carolina, of 
 distinguished family and wealth, being in bad 
 health, travelled through Kentucky, and was led 
 by curiosity to visit these people, in a few days 
 became a convert, joined them, and surrendered 
 to them, all his estate. His connections soon 
 heard of it, with great concern and haste they 
 dispatched, another of the family, to dissuade his 
 brother from his purposes and to bring him 
 home. The messenger had scarce arrived be- 
 fore he became also a convert, joined them, and 
 surrendered his property. It became necessary 
 that these brothers should return to their own 
 state, to make a disposition of their lands. They 
 went, intending to bring the proceeds with them, 
 for the benefit of the society. They, however, 
 never returned, being prevented by the influence 
 of their friends. A compromise was made with 
 the society and a division of the property took 
 place. Although there are but few instances of 
 abandonment, the society increases but slowly. 
 This has been established twenty years, and 
 
 63 
 
there are not five hundred members belong-ing to 
 it. I was introduced amongst the women; they 
 were social, civil and communicative. 
 
 To describe the many useful fixtures and 
 labour-saving machines, which I was shown, 
 would engage too much of my time and paper. I 
 will, therefore, content myself with noticing a 
 few of them. In the kitchens are pumps by 
 which they are supplied with water, kettles fixed 
 in furnaces, besides, an ordinary fire place, and 
 a bake oven. I have already said, they have a 
 large three story and complete manufactory mill ; 
 the wheat being deposited from the wagon, the 
 machinery is brought to act on it, and it is not 
 handled till the flour is deposited in the packing 
 room ; by elevators, it is carried three times into 
 the upper story of the mill before it finally de- 
 scends. Attached to this, is a corn-shelling 
 machine, which with the attention of a lad, will 
 shell four hundred bushels of corn a day. This 
 consists of a circular cast iron plate three feet in 
 diameter, with ridges on the inner side running- 
 like the radii of a circle, are perhaps two inches 
 apart, at the circumference the plate is hung and 
 revolves on an axis like a grindstone, at a small 
 distance from the inner surface of this plate a 
 horizontal spring of wood is fixed upon a firm 
 piece of timber, leaving just space enough be- 
 tween the spring and the ridges of the plate to 
 receive an ear of corn. The axis of this plate 
 is connected with the machinery of the mill by 
 a band ; the ear of corn being thrown between the 
 spring and this plate it is shelled by the ridges 
 of this revolving machine; the spring j'ields and 
 adapts itself to ears of corn of any size. The 
 construction is simple and not expensive. Their 
 
 64 
 
flax is broken and "swing-led" by machinery and 
 without previous rotting. By this machinery 
 they can break 4,000 weights of flax a day. The 
 operation is performed by means of three iron 
 rollers, about the size, and form of the common 
 apple mill, and like it, these rollers are fluted and 
 run into each other, being placed horizontally, 
 and one on the top of the other; it is actuated 
 by a two-horse power: the swingling is done 
 by means of a wheel six feet in diameter with 
 six or more wooden knives fastened to the rim, 
 this is united by a band to the other machinery; 
 the rollers which I have described, are cast in 
 segments, and fastened on a wooden cylinder. 
 Their washing is done by a horsepower, and the 
 ironing by weight and rollers, without the appli- 
 cation of heat. There are three wooden rollers, 
 six inches in diameter; the clothes are wrapt 
 around them, the weight which is a large oblong 
 box three or more feet long, and two wide, filled 
 with sand and weighing a ton, is placed upon 
 these rollers; by small windlass, this box is 
 drawn horizontally on a platform, the two front 
 rollers deliver their clothes at the end of this 
 form, the weight is pushed back and the rollers 
 are replaced under the box. The operation is 
 simple, expeditious and effectual. The silk worm 
 is reared here, and sewing silk of superior 
 quality is made of its web. 
 
 It was my intention to leave town on this day ; 
 but I was so earnestly invited to remain, that 
 I staid till the next morning; by doing so, I had 
 an opportunity of witnessing the evening devo- 
 tion and of conversing with the preacher, and 
 others of the fraternity. The evening vv^orship 
 presented more order and decorum than of the 
 
 65 
 
preceding day. The worshippers were drawn 
 up in the manner before described, and the 
 columns went through similar evolutions, except 
 the whirling, their steps were more orderly and 
 in some instances were graceful; those who did 
 not join in the dance kept time by throwing their 
 hands, palms upwards, up and down, with a 
 motion from the wrist. They never have pray- 
 ers, and preaching but seldom. Amongst the 
 worshippers on Sunday, were a Swiss and a Nor- 
 wegian, neither of whom understood or could 
 speak a word of the English language. Under 
 other circumstances, I should have been amused, 
 to see these two fellows with long, prone, faces, 
 and arms pinioned with awkwardness to their 
 sides, shuffling away in the corner by themselves, 
 with measured time and easy step, whilst the 
 others were leaping, dancing, shouting and sing- 
 ing with the wild extravagance of untamed sav- 
 ages. 
 
 It would require more time and space than 1 
 have, to give you the outlines of the religion of 
 the Shaking Quakers. I must, therefore, refer 
 you to other sources of information. Every 
 effort of their system is to war against the lusts 
 of the flesh ; they believe that the mode by which 
 the world is to be brought to an end, by its 
 Creator, is by preventing the increase of the 
 human species. The novitiates are placed in a 
 state of probation at the "Blue House," and be- 
 fore admitted into full membership, are required 
 to sign a conveyance of their property to the 
 society, for the common benefit ; this is called en- 
 tering into the "first covenant," they are then 
 permitted to live in town. They are an orderly, 
 peaceful, and in general, uninformed, and I be- 
 
 66 
 
lieve, virtuous community; there are no written 
 rules for the government of the society, nor any 
 law to punish the disorderly, and I was assured 
 that no instance of disorder has occurred since 
 the foundation of their institution. 
 
 Is not this a secret in government worth in- 
 vestigating? There is a perfect equality in their 
 burthens and labours, and no distinction of rank 
 amongst them. — They all labour, the preacher as 
 well as the layman, and are governed by the same 
 impulse, the common good. The society is said 
 to be worth three hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 I left Shakerstown the next morning; they 
 refused to receive pay for my accommodations 
 at their Tavern, and urged me to visit them 
 again. I rode to Nicholasville about twenty 
 miles. I have dwelt the longer on the subject 
 of this community of people, believing that you 
 would be gratified with a minute account of a 
 people so peculiar in their tenets, so singular in 
 their mode of life, and who blend so much theo- 
 logical absurdity with practical sobriety and com- 
 mon sense, and of whose moral character, I be- 
 lieve so many unjust slanders have been propa- 
 gated. If I have trespassed on your patience, you 
 may console yourself with knowing, that ere long, 
 I shall close these letters, and bid you a final 
 adieu. 
 
 NO. VIII. 
 
 My Dear F : Nicholasville presents the appear- 
 ance of a cluster of houses, thrown together by 
 chance. The muddiness of the streets and driz- 
 zling of the weather, whilst I was there, gave the 
 town a dirty sombre aspect. My host, his tavern, 
 
 67 
 
and the company around him, afforded no relief, 
 but added to the offensiveness of the scene. I 
 saw but two decent looking persons in the place. 
 I left it a stranger to others, and without making 
 known my name. Shortly before my arrival, 
 a Dutchman in the neighborhood, having a grudge 
 to a citizen, provoked him to strike, when the 
 former stabbed him with a knife; the perpetra- 
 tor was under arrest, and the wounded man in 
 hourly expectation of death. In the margin of 
 this town, is a large cotton factory, impelled by 
 steam upon a new tubular construction. 
 
 The weather was now wet and the roads deep. 
 The Legislature of Kentucky have as yet done 
 but little on the subject of internal improvement. 
 In wet weather the travelling is deep, and some- 
 times the roads are almost impassable for wheel 
 carriages. This is rendered worse from the cir- 
 cumstances, that through the thicker settlements 
 of the state, the farms adjoining the highways 
 are all enclosed by fences, and the road, for miles 
 together, is a continued lane. If it be difficult 
 of passage in the winter, these lanes render it 
 equally uncomfortable to the traveller in the sum- 
 mer, by his continued exposure to the unshaded 
 beams of the sun. The necessity of good roads 
 is so strongly felt by the people of the state, and 
 those engaged in the commerce of the country, 
 that they are calling on the legislature to make 
 an exertion for their improvement. As a proof 
 of the interest which the merchants of Lexington 
 feel in this subject, I was told that owing to the 
 badness of the roads in winter, they pay nearly 
 as much per hundred for wagonage from Lime- 
 stone on the Ohio, a distance of ninety miles, as 
 it costs them to get their goods delivered at the 
 
 68 
 
latter place, from Philadelphia. A proposition 
 was made at the last Session of the Legislature, 
 to set apart a certain fund for Internal Improve- 
 ment. I do not know how it was disposed of. 
 Amongst the suggestions for the improvement of 
 the roads made in the public prints, was one so 
 singular in its character, that I cannot refrain 
 from mentioning it. The writer, as I under- 
 stood, proposed, instead of making a road, to 
 cover the present road with a shelter, in rope- 
 walk fashion. It was shrewdly suspected that 
 the proposition originated with a carpenter or a 
 dealer in timber. I hope the Legislature will 
 pause before they adopt this mode of wasting the 
 finances of the state. I saw but one road made 
 under public patronage ; this leads from Cumber- 
 land Gap, through the wilderness of Kentucky to 
 Richmond, over a barren, broken country, a dis- 
 tance of an hundred miles; in making the road 
 they have substituted, where necessary, poles for 
 stone; the toll which amounts to 3000 dollars a 
 year, is appropriated to the improvement of the 
 road. Whoever travels through the state of 
 Kentucky, expecting to meet with an unvarying 
 scene of rich soil and luxuriant growth, will find 
 himself disappointed. Although this is the gen- 
 eral character of the soil and growth of the 
 country ; during my tour I found lands which for 
 miles square, presented a striking contrast to 
 the appearance of the country about Lexington, 
 Fayette and Bourbon and other rich counties of 
 the state. These counties present a rich black 
 mould which seems to have no bottom; the soil 
 is also light and porous, resembling in many 
 places alluvion soil. The forest timber is large 
 and tall, without any under growth. It consists 
 
 69 
 
principally of walnut, cherry, buckeye, sugar- 
 tree, locust, oak, and sometimes dogwood, and 
 rarely hickory: other growths are occasionally 
 seen in lands vaiying in quality. 
 
 There are but few minerals found in the 
 bowels of the earth, in this state. The face of 
 the country about Lexington, and for forty or 
 fifty miles in certain directions, presents an uni- 
 form and unbroken plain. Approaching Frank- 
 fort, the eye accustomed and pleased with the 
 varying scenes of mountains, finds relief from 
 this uniformity, in the brokenness of that country. 
 Frankfort is situated on the bank of the Ken- 
 tucky river; the unevenness which is seen in this 
 neighborhood, I am told, characterises the coun- 
 try on both sides of this river from Frankfort, 
 for an hundred miles up, where it rises into 
 ridges and almost into mountain's height. The 
 bowels of these ridges furnish an abundant sup- 
 ply of excellent stone coal, which is taken down 
 the river in flat-bottom boats; by means of 
 which Lexington and Frankfort are mostly sup- 
 plied with fuel. At these places, the coal costs 
 about ten cents in specie by the bushel. The 
 river is navigable for some distance above Frank- 
 fort, with flat boats, two thirds of the year: 
 Marble of inferior quality and beauty is also 
 found in these ridges, and lower down the river. 
 
 Owing to the ravages of the caterpillar, some 
 years ago, and the exposure by the lightness of 
 the soil, of the roots to the heats of summer and 
 frosts of the winter, the forest timber of Ken- 
 tucky is rapidly decaying, without having an un- 
 dergrowth to supply its place. It is thought the 
 day is not very distant, when the people of that 
 state will be obliged to rely on stone coal for 
 
 70 
 
fuel, and on raising timber for other purposes. 
 Locust trees are here large and numerous, rapid 
 in their growth, and spring up in the unculti- 
 vated fields, as the pine of the lower country, 
 succeeds in fields which have been exhausted by 
 cultivation. 
 
 This state which once abounded in herds of 
 Buffalo and other wild animals, now furnishes 
 but little game v/orthj^ of pursuit : a few deer and 
 still fewer bears, are found in the river hills. 
 In my travels I visited a park containing forty 
 deer, three elk, and three buffaloe: of the latter, 
 one was full, one half, and the other, quarter 
 blood. These animals were all raised in their 
 parks; the proprietor sold two elks out of his 
 park, one of them, a buck, for five hundred dol- 
 lars. The park contains fifty acres of land, is 
 shaded with forest trees, covered with grass, and 
 has a stream flowing through it : these animals as- 
 sociate in harmony and feed together, in winter 
 on hay and corn. 
 
 The farms in Kentucky are generally large, 
 and, as in all other countries, where they are 
 cultivated by slaves, these often bear the appear- 
 ance of negligent cultivation; their proprietors 
 rely more on the richness of the soil than on their 
 industrj^ and skill in the management of them; 
 to this general remark, however, there are some 
 exceptions. The country is unfavourable to 
 wheat ; corn and hemp, and in some instances to- 
 bacco, are at present the chief objects of cul- 
 tivation : the present low price of their products 
 is, perhaps, another reason why the farmers are 
 less attentive to the cultivation of their fields. 
 Corn was selling during the winter, near Rich- 
 mond at fifty cents in specie per barrel. Their 
 
 71 
 
hemp is manufactured into bagging and cord- 
 age, and sent to the south. Owing to the rapid- 
 ity of its growth, the tobacco of Kentucky is in- 
 ferior in quality to the tobacco of Virginia ; I am 
 inclined to believe, it is also owing to the want of 
 skill and attention in its management. The peo- 
 ple of this state are strong friends to the tariff; 
 they have sometimes suffered by the prevalence 
 and strength of a different feeling in the south- 
 ern states. A gentleman of my acquaintance 
 sent, during the last fall, two wagons loaded with 
 bagging and cordage to South Carolina. A re- 
 port preceded them, that Henry Clay had three 
 hundred wagons on the way loaded with the 
 same article ; on their arrival these wagons were 
 suspected to be of that number, to belong to Mr. 
 Clay, and that they were passing under feigned 
 names, whereupon the traders in those articles 
 turned their backs on them, and refused to pur- 
 chase, in consequence of this anti-tariff and anti- 
 Clay feeling; this gentleman was constrained to 
 sell at very reduced prices, and perhaps to leave 
 a part of the cargo unsold. 
 
 You have, no doubt, heard it said that Mr. 
 Clay is very largely interested in the bagging 
 manufactory^ and that his exertions to carry the 
 tariff bill, were ascribed to the personal interest 
 he felt in the consequences of this measure. My 
 inquiries on the subject, satisfy me that Mr. 
 Clay is not extensively engaged in the manu- 
 facturing of that article, and that great injustice 
 has been done to his character, by imputing to 
 him such motives. 
 
 The farmers of Kentucky have turned their at- 
 tention of late years to raising of stock. Horses, 
 mules, stall cattle and hogs, are raised, and 
 
 72 
 
driven to Virg-inia, and the southern markets, in 
 great numbers ; of the two former, there were 
 driven through the Turnpike gate, on the wilder- 
 ness road, last fall four thousand; through that 
 gate and during the same season, there were 
 fifty-eight thousand hogs driven. It has lately be- 
 come the custom, for the Kentuckians, to pur- 
 chase hogs in the spring season in the States of 
 Ohio and Indiana, which they bring to their own 
 State, and turn on clover fields, then into the 
 oats and rye, and lastly into their corn fields, 
 where they are fattened and prepared for 
 market; the hogs of this state are often driven 
 to market, at twelve months old, and are seldom 
 kept longer than eighteen months or two years. — 
 The stock raisers rear but one sort of stock for 
 market: those who raise cattle, never pull the 
 corn from the stalk, it is cut up in the green 
 state of the blade, and stacked in different par- 
 cels through the fields, where it remains till the 
 winter, when it is hauled and thrown in ricks 
 to their cattle; to prevent the waste of the un- 
 digested corn, they purchase pigs to follow the 
 steer, during this season, after which, the shoats 
 are sold to another, who prepares hogs for mar- 
 ket. On my journey I fell in with a drove of 
 steers on their way to the southern market; in 
 their rear were driven, as many shoats which 
 gathered their wastings. If the Kentuckians are 
 extravagant in some things, they are saving in 
 others. The exports from Kentucky in the pro- 
 duce of the state during the last year, were esti- 
 mated at upwards of $600,000; this amount in 
 par money appropriated annually, to the ex- 
 tinguishment of their foreign debt, will discharge 
 it in a few years, and redeem her credit : the pre- 
 
 73 
 
sent caution of their merchants, and their diffi- 
 culty in procuring credit abroad, will secure the 
 credit of the State against the increase of its 
 present debt. 
 
 In passing through the State of Kentucky the 
 tourist will be surprised at the number of its 
 villages, respectable for their size, the style of 
 their buildings, and the quantum of their popu- 
 lation, situated too within short distances of each 
 other, and most of them, but little further from 
 Lexington, the emporium of the State. With few 
 exceptions these villages have paved streets, 
 houses built of bricks, large, handsome and often 
 finished in a style of elegance. The population 
 I believe is about 6,000, and many of these vill- 
 ages are equal in size to your Manchester. They 
 bespeak a former extravagance, which the pre- 
 sent condition of the country is unable to sus- 
 tain, and a general decline of trade. 
 
 I have now, my dear F, finished my long, and 
 I fear you will think, tedious tour. If the amen- 
 ities of friendship have urged me to unreason- 
 able limits of detail, I hope, a desire to give you 
 correct information, has rendered me impartial 
 and kept me within the pale of faithful truth. 
 As I have written from memory'-, after a lapse of 
 some weeks, perhaps I have not written with the 
 minute accuracy of a Diarist. I believe, however, 
 that the accuracy of my statements may be re- 
 lied on; where I have relied on the information 
 of others, the statements were accredited by me, 
 though they may not always have been correct. 
 If I have conducted you through the ravages of 
 ■political frenzy and the ruins of private extra- 
 vagance, the scene has been sometimes varie- 
 gated with the pleasing prospect of reform, the 
 
 74 
 
beauties of cultivation, embellished with the 
 bloom of female enchantments. 
 
 To those who have viewed Kentucky through 
 the medium of her government or the prejudices 
 of opposing interests, my representations of her 
 citizens may appear too favourable. Although I 
 feel an insuperable aversion to the political 
 scenes which I have represented; I have endea- 
 voured to exhibit them and their agents, with 
 the pencil of truth and impartiality; and, how- 
 ever much others may be disposed to charge me 
 with flattery, I doubt not, there are some whose 
 portraits I have taken, who will think my pencil 
 has been dipt in gall. — To the latter class I have 
 no other apologj^ to offer, than that I have had 
 no hostile feeling to indulge, and but few friend- 
 ships on the political theatre to gratify; and if 
 justified by truth, I should be more gratified to 
 present a political picture, unsullied by contrast 
 and unvarying in its beauties. I have more plea- 
 sure in contemplating the rose than the blood 
 stained scalping knife. I had no feelings of in- 
 terest to blind me to the virtues, kindness, and 
 hospitalities of those amongst whom, by design 
 or accident, I was thrown, whilst passing through 
 the state, nor any adverse claims to call forth 
 the neglect of inattention, or the feelings of in- 
 hospitality. I was seeking information, and 
 gratifying my curiosity, and I was happy in 
 forming acquaintances, whose attentions placed 
 me under obligations, and whose friendships 
 rendered them dear to my heart and with some 
 of whom I trust those feelings of regard are 
 reciprocal. 
 
 It is possible I have formed opinions of the 
 state and citizens of Kentucky on too partial an 
 
 75 
 
acquaintance and on too hasty a view; of this 
 others will be better judges than myself. In their 
 social circles, I mingled with pleasure and left 
 them with regret, and if what I have written, 
 shall remove from the mind of my Dear F., or 
 from that of any friend into whose hands my let- 
 ters may fall, an unjust prejudice, I shall con- 
 gratulate myself in having by my vindication of 
 their characters, discharged one of the many per- 
 sonal obligations which I owe to the polite cir- 
 cles of Kentucky. — ^Adieu, a final adieu, my Dear 
 F. 
 
 76 
 
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