165 W69w GIFT OF SEELEY W. MUDD and GEORGE I. COCHRAN MEYER ELSASSER DR. JOHN R. HAYNES WILLIAM L. HONNOLD JAMES R. MARTIN MRS. JOSEPH F. SARTORI to the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 4 SOUTHERN BRANCH JOHN FISKE THE WANDEREH IN A ME M I C A OR art COMPRISING A STATEMENT OF OBSERVATIONS AND FACTS RELATIVE TO THE UNITED STATES & CANADA, NORTH AMERICA ; The Result of an Extensive Personal Tour, and from Sources of Information the most Authentic; INCLUDING SOIL, CLIMATE, MANNERS, & CUSTOMS, OF ITS CIVILIZED INHABITANTS & INDIANS, Anecdotes, fyc. of Distinguished Characters. BY C. H. WILSON. I will a round unvarnished Tale deliver." -** v>.-s.-vw.-v-v-,-.>.-w'w-.->,nothing extenuate, Or set down aught in malice. SHAKESPEARE, THIRSK: Printed for the Author by Henry Masterman, 1823. To General the Sight Hon. THE EARL OF DALHOUSSE, &c. &c. &c. K. C. B. GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OP HIS MAJESTY'S POSSESSIONS AND FORCES IN May it please your Excellency, PROMPTED by no interested motive, or ques- tionable adulation, permit me, my Lord, to intreat your acceptance of the following pages, as a trifling testimony of gratitude, which every man, acquainted tcith the Government over which you preside, will cheerfully corroborate. Your infllexible and sound policy as a RULER, and your unbounded benevolence and commisseration in private life, are equally con- spicuous. Whether in the Senate or the Field, wis- dom and courage are your'* ; and the hapless Euro- pean Stranger, or dusky resident of the Wilderness are joint partakers of your sympathy and advice, all concur as a completion of evidence to apologise for the obtrusion of, My Lord, Your Excellency's, Obedient, devoted, humble Servant, Quebec, 1821, THE AUTHOR. TO THE READER. THE Reader who condescends to peruse the following pages, is respectfully requested not to anticipate that in such compilation he will find the classic elegance of a distinguished education, or the finished explanation of refined philosophy ; but he may rest assured, the title of the Travels, ornarative truth shall be the POLE-STAE of such statements; and though numerous have beeo the publications en the same subject, yet unawed by prece- dent, and the Author an unlettered Adventurer, the ob- servations fearlessly contained shall defy contradiction. I am not meandering towards MOUNT PARNASSUS, but have traversed COLUMBIA'S REGION ; and if my re- marks, rude and simple as they may appear, serve as a preventive or beacon, in the cause of emigration, I solemnly declare my motive will be obtained, and highest ambition fully gratified. C. H, W&SON. I THE in CHAP, I Emigration is a wholesqme drain on a redundant population BURKE. JIT is a subject of much, and indeed serious regret, that English writers, and would-be-considered American travellers, have been found so base, either from mercen- ary motives, or a decided and determined enmity to their native soil, that thousands of British subjects have be- come sacrifices on. the alter of sugh cupidity. The most recent Authors of Travels in North Ame- rica, since the works of the Duke de la Rouchefoucault, and Mr. Weld, are Messrs Hall, Birkbeck, Fearon, Palmer, Bradbury, and CobbetU A 2. 6 THE WANDERER. The writings of Mr. Hall are correct, and often ele- gant, but not connected with advice or opinion relative to emigration. Mr. Birkbeck.-- The tragic anxiety of this gentleman to decoy to the Illinois Territory every devoted lunatic who on his arrival was found furnished with money, and possessing a head unfurnished with brains, cannot be sufficiently execrated ; and I am bold enough to pain- fully assert, in melancholy remembrance of the many bro- ken-hearted sorrows I have witnessed, that I know no criminal in vice's catalogue who merits suspension more than this unblushing yea and nay adventurer. Mr. Fearon writes like an Englishman, with truth and caution. Mr. Palmer's observations are chiefly mere garbled extracts from Mr. Bradbury. As his own Tour was ex- tremely limited, his information therefore cannot be of any public utility ; but his publication might have been less objectionable, because of less injury to society, if his borrowed ideas had possessed generally an ingredient called veracity. Mr. Cobbett is such a weathercock and unchaste poli- ticianto-day kneeling a.t the shrine of Monarchy, and IN AMERICA 7 to-morrow at that of Republicanism that it appears doubtful whether he means what he writes, or a premedi- tated hoax upon the public; but I am happy in thus offering my willing testimony, that he never encouraged emigration as a general specific, for the promulgation of his sentiments on that subject where confined to Long Island ; and I am inclined to believe his enmity to Mr. Birkbeck's specious villainy saved the lives and property of many individuals. Inoculated with the mania of transportation, and, I confess, infatuated with the plausible imposition of de- linquent writers, and having a family, which according to the destructive doctrine of such writings, I had the chance of making for a present and future provision,, by the application of ordinary industry, inclined me to favor the change: and at this unlucky period my feelings were unhappily and unfortunately wounded by the Tin- merited and unwarrantable neglect of those who, accord- ing to the laws of nature and humanity, and the accept- ed etiquette of society, I had a right to claim as friends, aiot to painfully recognize as enemies, this regret gave a decision to the contemplated departure ; but the public, I humbly entreat, will allow ine to aver, that no political motives had any share, directly or indirectly, with the transfer. Arrived at Liverpool, a town at once the seat of ele- gance, opulence, commerce, refinement, industry, and 8 THE WANDERER enterprize, and where I had, in happier days beguiled many a social hour, my first enquiry was a ship destined for New York, and I soon found accommodations on board the American Ship Magnet, burden 350 tons, and a finer sea boat never kissed the Atlantic wave. Having ten days for preparation, all was in readiness for the voy- age, and we assembled on board, passengers to the num- ber of sixty-three, men, women, and children, and imme- diately left our dock birth, and proceeded with a light breeze from the N. E. to sea ; and I soon found knavery in the collection of our migrating companions. A boat from the Cheshire side of the River Mersey augmented our number by the addition of a respectable looking man, who it appeared was the parent of half a dozen then on beard, some of them grown-up young men but they were so transformed by the trumpery addition of ear-rings and other external appendages of Yankee costume, that every vestige of Cambridgeshire rusticity had vanished; and I am afraid nay am confident, a breach in the moral principles of the father had suggested this harlequinade, to avoid an unpleasant visitation from Messrs. Doe $ Roe, at the suit of a much-injured wife and that departure from right gave an unlimited latitude- of wrong to the rude manners of this amiable family. We soon cleared the Rock, and about 4 p. M. our pi- lot left us; the following morning we descryed theTus- IN AMERICA 9 car light-house, and as the wind veered round to the westward, we bid not adieu to the last point of Erin's domain, Cape Clear, until the third day of our departure from Liverpool ; then commenced a specimen of Ameri- can honor and equity : previous to our sailing as there was only one cabin passenger, twelve of us occupied the state or dining room, agreeable to the influence of an additional number of dollars the grand pivot upon which alone moves the whole machinery of Yankee rec- titude. The chief mate was then ordered to stow away these here 1 cables, according to the erudition of our accomplished captain, in vain did we remonstrate against such an outrage, our limited space being the ap- pointed receptacle, which nearly closed the avenue of in- gress and egress. The only replication was, " I am cap- tain." "Then, Sir," said I, " you are bound in that capacity, to say nothing of honor and humanity, for the credit of your ship and advantage to its proprietors, to fulfil the contract between yourself, your employers, and the passengers." No material circumstance took place or observation occurred during the passage, except an unusual number and variety of the inhabitants of the deep, for as the weather was fine, the whale, shark, grampus, dolphin, and innumerable shoals of less visitors frequently surrounded us, and the floating monuments of "Urctic waste," buoyant and glittering beneath the orb of heaven, had a fine effect. " These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good, " Almighty ! " 10 THE WANDERER Neptune sometimes in an ang-ry mood, and sometimes in a frolicksome one, disturbs the harmony of aquatic tra- vellers. The natal day of a female on board was celebra- ted by a genei-al tea-party on deck ; hyson and bohea^ Yorkshire cakes, biscuits, pickled tripe, and salt beef, abundantly furnished the sumptuous gala, interspersed with a profusion of chat, and some scandal, usual in such converzat tones. Mr. Boreas not gallantly or politely regarded the supreme happiness of ladies thus engaged, blew unexpectedly a hurricane; this sudden derangement created more confusion on May 15, 1819, at 8 p. M. on board the gallant Magnet, than I believe was on boaid the blazing L'Orient at 10 p. M. on the memorable 1st of August, 1798. Crockery became brokery ; to lee- ward lay extended our sable six-foot cook, and prostrate alongside, his sooty mansion called " a cabouse ;" pots, kettles and cans, with all the appendages of tea equipage, and all the lumber of a tolerable larder, became dispersed in one wild chaos, and the sweet tones of gossip were superseded by Haul in the main sheet Down top- sails Reef the foresail Now my brave ship, she rides handsomely through-; Cheerly, my hearts, now she rights again My Timbers, what a squall was there /Forecastle in and a tremendous sea rolling over, is not exactly captivating ; however in ten minutes all was calm, and the violin reassembled the company, dancing commenced, and all the variety of the capering was exhibited from the graceful attitudes of the IN AMERICA 11 catabaws to the spread eagle monotony of the minuet dt la cceur. The "light fantastic toe" became exhaust- ed, and then Apollo struck the lyre, the muses sung in strains alternate An Old Woman clothed in grey, The Chapter on Noses, Now we are going to Botany Bay, And Love among the Roses. About our 30th day at Sea, our ruler, who was neither a gentleman nor a seaman, stated we had gone to the southward of the Banks of Newfoundland; 1 doubted snch, and was corroborated in my opinion by both mates and seamen, not being a novice in the navigation of the Atlantic, or an immediate stranger to some nautical in- formation. In eighteen hours after we were on those celebrated Banks, distinguished by a continual dense fog or mist, and in general extremely cold. On the 42d day the Headlands of Nova Scotia were seen from the mast head ; the 43d day we made Sandy Hook, and re- ceived a pilot on board, and anchored that night on the Quarantine ground, nine miles from New York. Th following morning, after the indispensable examination 12 THE WANDERER of a medical officer had been satisfied as regarded the health of all, we proceeded with the tide, and anchored at 11 A. M. close to the grand emporium and pride of Columbia NEW YORK. rir AMEBIC& CHAP. II. Now, thought I, for this far-famed land of liberty, this region of freedom and virtue, and only Republic on earth : but soon my feelings were alarmed, and I found correct my friend Dennis Brulgruddery's opinion, that this same arrogance was only produced by "rubbing one dirty shilling against another, for we were guarded by the Argus eyes of custom-house officers; and the first de- mand of the American Government is a palpable robbery on the purses of all foreigners a dollar is exacted fromr each person, from infancy, and we were told it was for the Hospital support ! Ah ! said I, such in England is the voluntary contribution of the friends of humanity, not levied upon the stranger, often without a dollar to sa- tisfy such injustice ; and I will venture to assert, that this indirect mode of maintaining, as is is called a Charitable Institution, is amply remunerated in every department, including calomel, rhubarb, helebore, and Gruel, by the THE WANDERER stated demands on British subjects only, which in twelve months, from January 1819 to January 1820, amounted in Emigrants to the port of New York alone, to 27,000 ! Having obtained a receptacle for my family a board- ing-house, I became impatient to reconnoitre; and pas- sing the principal street, "Broadway," the Bond-street of London iu America, I came to the City Hall, or Court House, and found it surrounded by the mobility, and enquiring the cause, I was informed an ill-fated negro woman was going to be executed for an attempt to poi- son the family of her employer, or boss the term master being exploded and scouted in the American diction. " Indeed ! what, do they hang people here for less crimes than murder?"" Oh yes, often." I returned home and alternately ruminated, in a kind of melancholy reverie, on the wretched criminal and Governmentcomparisons as they concerned John Bull and his younger brother, Jonathan. On the stranger's entering- New York, the first im- pression is certosnly pleasing; streets generally wide, wearing, by their innumerable stores or shops, the appear- ance of wealth and industry, and as it is literally an island, the beautiful East aud North, or Hudf j. River IN AMERICA 1# are tertainly imposing, bearing on their gliding surface ships and boats of all tonnage, from the smallest market craft to the boasted invulnerable steam ship of war, the horrible invention of PLUTO an infernal instrument too savage to depict. * Having visited the principal buildings, externally, Churches, Theatre, and Hall dedicated to Justice, I felt disposed to view the interior. The Theatre is, both in point of beauty and magnitude, far inferior to several of our provincial Theatres.The Churches are all modern, and in their structures, or architectural designs, simply elegant ; but the materials, like two-thirds of buildings of every description in America, are wooden monu- ments of bad taste and improvident speculation, mere birdcages, formed of perishable matter. The City Hall is a handsome building, the pride of all well bred Ame- ricans, and I have been gravely told by some of them, the largest upon earth ; such novel information I once received from a professional descendant of Hippocrates. " You have then," I replied,"seen in England Blenheim, * The timbers of this vessel are so enormously thick, that she is pronounced impregnable ; and any attempt to board her, would be opposed by a terrible annoyance of boiling water! H THE WANDERER Stow, Belvoir, Wentworth, Wobuni, Lowther, Burleigh, Wollaton, Chatsworth, and Dunham."" Oh, no, 1 have .not travelled farther than the Jerseys to a Camp Meeting'." " Then, Sir, I respectfully wish to correct your mistaken, ideas; those mansions the residences of honor, benevo- lence, and hospitality, are equal in size, and St. Paul's In London, or St. Peter's in Rome, would admit the whole within their walls !" In a short time I had an opportunity to witness their forms and manners in this building of jurisprudence, Pre- judice, I admit has its influence over the human passions ; and although a wig -may not impart wisdom to the wearer, I felt an impression in favor of iciggery. In a court of Justice in England it adds a degree of solemnity ; But in America neither wigs, nor decorum are requisite; it is certainly true, the judge is indeed exalted upon a higher s . seat, by which alone you can distinguish him from the poor captive, and the cause, civil or peccant, is invari- ably decided by the influence of dollars; and will not any European foreigner condemn the non observane of decency ? The segar is in continual requisition, the eternal companion of judge, counsellor, jury, and spec- tators; you are consequently stupified with smoke, and spit upon as an especial mark of freedom. The Civil Code is so grossly imperfect that it gives birth to endless litigation and unnatural aggravation; husbands, wives, IN AMERICA 17 fathers and children are in daily contention and ridicu- lous prosecution, such as I am positive no English Magis- trate would sanction, but humanely reprehend. Again, in all pecuniary suits, the decision is a mere farce j the defeated party demands srxty days (the expences and debt probably not sixty shillings) to pay this prodigious amount ; if he remain honett so long, a second respite is obtained, thus prevaricating/from time to time , the plain- tiff, like the Irish comedian, is a loser by his benefit. It is highly honourable to the children of Saint Pat- rick, in the recollection that a distinguished countryman, exiled by the politics and consequent affliction of the day is now as a professional man, the Cicero of America the Eiskine of England, both as an orator and a lawyer, and with humble deference, in their national chronicle of illustrious characters, enrolled with a Wellington, a Char- lemont, an O'Keeffe, a Swift, a Burke, a Sheridan, a Grattan, &c. I record on its imperishable page the elo- quent advocate of mercy, and the powerful opponent of oppression and injustice ; such a character acknowledged by all, is Ma EMMETT. In my perambulations I found a new object of attrac- tion ; red flags at several doors, and " vendue" inscribed thereon a Dutch term for auction. Unwilling to lose B2. 18 THfe WAKDERER the meaning and nature of such traffic, I entered these abodes of fraud and robbery, and painfully witnessed the sale of British goods to a great amount, for less than half the cost to the manufacturer ; and this system is not novel, but general, This, then, said I peevishly to my- self, accounts for the publication of a majority of names in a certain periodical exposition called a Gazette* We must either condemn the merchants and manufacturers of Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Shef- field, and the Potteries, as common idiots or as they say in America, of that respectable class of society, they are wide awake, and find even a bankrupt market in Ame- rica convenient to supply a little immediate cash ; but it is my humble opinion, though ignorant ef the secrets of counting houses on either side oi the atlantic, the Bri- tish merchants finds out his mistake, like the deluded emigrant, when the thunder of disappointment and ruin rattle in his ears. The Police of New York is a strange mixture ofincon- sistences. The streets are miserably dirty, as to them is consigned the filth of most houses, and suffered to re-
EHER of dialect which dishonoured both head, heart, and country. Spirit of Burns ! I muttered to myself, rise and confront this confounder. "Soon, my friends," said he, " an invincible navy, the pride, glory, and bulwark of our country, will remove the stain and dishonor confer'd on it by these haughty tyrants, which they, my friends, not having the fear of visitation before their eyes, have presumed to call and designate Musquito Fleet /' Thus, without cause or reason assigned, they are conti-. uually at work in opprobrious dirt " I do not like you, Doctor Fell, The reason why, I cannot tell ; But this I know quite full well, I do not like you, Doctor Fell," The parade next demanded a visit ; the commanding officer I found a tailor (General Mapes) and I perceived a great want of discipline and subordination- a mere batch, if I may use the gallant General's phrase. The scgar, with the officers and in the ranks, seemed an in- separable companion in this " cream coloured collection of narrow-shouldered warriors." Honor and education arc component materials in the British Officer, and these qualities crtatea stimulus of unshaken fortitude and un- daunted courage ; the reason is obvious, as they are gen- tlemen of rauk and family, generally speaking; asuspi- IN AMERICA 29 scion only of their want of those requisites would close against them the door of even the society of their rela- tives. Again, the liberal patronage of the British Go- vernment raises and honors by a proud distinction, her gallant sons. NELSON and ABERCROMBiE,the immor- tal and legitimate chieftains of distinguished talent, were not the instruments of faction, or the favorites of a Court, but rose form subalterns in their professions, by virtue, genius, and irresistible galleutry Peace to their manes ! and their names are recorded, not only in a peoples affectionate gratitude and remembrance, and a peerage in regular descent, supported by appropriate an- nuities and honors, to tell of Trafalgar, and the Plains of Alexandria ; but the Monument, while the sacred Tem- ples of Britain's Metropolis remain, will proclaim their deeds to wondering generations. Blush, blush, Colum- bia, the great, the brave, and illustrious WASHINGTON, respected by all good men on earth, sleeps in the dust, without the common distinction of a grave 1 The singularity of a tailor commanding five thousand 'men, I considered strange, because the old adage with us is, that for the manufacture of one man, nine snippies are requisite. Do not, ye Knights of the Thimble, feel offended with the freedom of my remark, but let my 30 THE WANDERER taxing, like a wild goose, fly unclaimed of any tailor. Curiosity led me therefore to enquire if such was usual for officers to be mechanics, or other occupations, and found it was so; Generals, Corporals, Colonels, Fifers, Majors, Drummers, Captains, Privates, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Ensigns, Pioueers and all, when divested of the pride and pomp of glorious war, retire inglorious to ignoble avocations, with their " blushing honors thick upon them," and recount their chivalrous deeds," hair- breadth 'scapes," and all the gallantry of the deadly breach, in the saw-pit or the cobbler's stall. This is not a libellous rhapsody, bear witness, much injured maid Bel/ona; indeed all classes of the community follow some employ. An English country gentleman, I believe the happiest and most respectable man on earth, would be considered an useless character; honor isavir- tue of little estimation there : yet as equality is the order of the day, its name is often profaned and prostituted :~ shop-boys and petty cfticers will frequently demand satis- faction for imaginary injury. A nautical puppy, belong- ing to the Washington, requested from me an accommo- dation of thiskind, and suggested pistols; nowl thought, (and in my turn suggested) pestles as equally convenient ; but in order to appease his urgent demand, and satisfy all in iny power, I practically explained the newest system fa la Crib) in a victorious manner, and in far less time than perforating a fellow-creature's body with an eternal passport; and I seriously recommend the plan. My children were dearer to me than disguised murder, and IN AMERICA 31 of more consequence than the chattering of an American monkey. The remainder of this festive day, and only Jubilee in the 365, a few of us, all English, spent at the village of Hoboken, where fell the virtuous and la- C mented Hamilton in a duel with Colonel Burr. " Honor, thou blood-stain'd God, At whose red altar sit war and homicide." COLEMAN. Plain English harmony, respectably performed by the vocal powers of the party, dishonored not our national anthems, nor the combined excellence of Messrs. Bra- ham, Incledon, Sinclair, or that happy son of Momus? Grimaldi. Having received the decided opinion* of respectable characters in favor of Canada, in addition to the honor of recommendations brought from England, we prepared for our journey, after I had visited numberless farms for sale or rental, of at least sixty circular miles, which 32 THE WANDERErR I found barren and savage, wild and dearer, both as re- garded rent and purchase, that the immediate neighbour- hood of London, exclusive of the tax for crossing the rivers at the different ferries, for yourself, live and dead stock, which would not be less than twenty pounds f er annum. The females of New York, as in all America, are straight, thin and well proportioned, features regular, often very pretty, but void o animation, and iu com- plexion fading lilies no tint of the opening rose, or crim- son blush of the red cabbage ; the males are invariably slender, and extremely emaciated in appearance. .\ Females are not taught common industry; it would degrade those gentry, of any rank, to assist in the hay and corn field their utility and knowledge extends no farther than the manufacture of a pumpkin pye, or the outlines of a silly romance, or ridicu- lous novel. The continual use of ardent spirits from the cradle, on the part of the males, ruins the con- stitution, for at thirty, nature becomes torpid. All la- bour is done by the children of Africa, or the dusky off- spring of St. Domingo that is, the most servile employ IK AMERICA 33 who are extremely numerous in some parts of the Union, and generally property. Slavery, thou greatest curse of heaven ! foul offspring of sanguinary and venal injustice, I write to tell theehow I hate thy beams ! Honor me, ye who read, ye sons of Albion, with a belief in the following statement a single selection from hundreds of specimens, and but a few weeks old : The Savannah, a large town in the south- ern States of the Union, is supposed to be inhabited by a population of 15,000, black and white, and promiscu- ously of all creeds and circumstances in life ; the late dreadful fire, which unhappily took place, naturally pro- duced sorrow, poverty, and all the embarrasments inci- dent to such a calamity ; a liberal subscription in behalf of the sufferers took place in New York, and remitted by the Mayor to the Mayor of Savannah, to be disbursed, without exception, according to the losses and wants of the sufferers, resting with the proper Committee for such laudable purpose. Would any man suppose, who pre- sumes to arrogate to himself the title of humanity, that the contributed sum was insolently returned, because the poor blacks (equal partakers in the bitter cup of afflic- tion), were to participate in the sympathy of benevo- lence ! Before I left New York, I found a new vocabulary re- quisite, for these reformers of Sheridan, Walker, Ash 4 34 THE WANDERER Johnson, and Bailye, had given a novel reading, not only to things, but re-baptized animals ; for a cock, I found a rooster, a female of the dog species, a slut, and other ridiculous Republican innovations. Thus tbej " Nick-name God's creatures, and make their wantonness their ignorance." IN AMERICA CHAP. V- We embarked on board a small sloop for Albany, a dis- tance by water of two hundred miles, and in three days we pleasantly navigated the most beautiful part of the Hudson ; its lofty banks or barriers, truly romantic, are studded on each side with several small Towns Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Newburgh, Catskill, &c. Al- bany is the seat of Government or Legislature, for the State of New York, situated upon an uneven ground, and possessing in its Stale-house and Academy a laughable attempt at grandeur. The Capitol, so named from the celebrated temple of Ancient Rome, is an un-finished proof of poverty broken windows, broken steps with- out railing, serve as a shade in summer and shed in win- ter to pigs, cows, marbles, tops and school-boys. This city, so dignified, retains a kind of feudal or manorial right in the family of Ransaalaer, anda most excellent man now presides, who like a distinguished English Baronet, 30 THE WANDERER (Sir Francis Burdett) can feel for misfortune, and com* mute for years' rentthe highest reward of heaven. The people are the same, and stores, law and physic support the majority. The weather now became intensely hot, almost to suffocation and we observed continual tempests daily, for six weeks ; such rain, thunder and lightning-, I had never witnessed in the West Indies. As a specimen of American justice, from the conduct of an American jurist, the following- is a brief sketch. Sacred Goddess of Truth ! let me not ofteud or violate thy hallowed name; thee I invoke to sanction by thy di- vine assent the following detail. I am a plain matter-of- fact fellow, unaccustomed to ambiguity ; nor do 1 anti- cipate or fear contradiction *' Let the gall'd jade wince, our withers are unwrung." I found it requisite, in order to convey my family to Canada, to purchase a horse, and a light or Jersey wag- gon; having made a contract for such waggon, price forty-five dollars, upon consideration of a trifling addi- tion, at the time appointed for the completion pay and receive, Mr. Gold, the vender, a coachinaker, made a de- mand before such completion should take place ; I object- ed, and his inaoknce annihilated the agreement. In th* IN AMERICA 37 ^Tewing a myrmidon, a jack-in-office, honored ine with his lettre-de-cacket, or warrant; its peramble began " You are to apprehend''' Unwilling to oppose rule, 1 immediately accompanied him to the rendezvous of en- quiry-- the hall of midnight robbery. The assembled group of " tag, rag, and bob-tail" in the office of a pettyfogging attorney, honored by the presidence of a drunken magistrate or " squire," properly of the name of Hempstead, would huve presented a fine opportunity to Hogarth, Woodward, or Rowlandson, In the sanguin- ary days of the French Revolution, Robespiere and his associatesnor the plotting demons in the Grecian horse* could form for the painter's art so rich a subject, and Milton's sable angels would be no more remembered. Such was this nocturnal Junto! The plaintiff, or rather prosecutor, Gold, told his tale in the posture of sitting 1 before this honorable menagerie of ruffians, and when permitted to reply, custom, consistent with die rules of my country and good manners, induced aie to rise; though in this instance such respect was prostituted^ which was 'observed by an amateur in propriety, and fiattermgly appreciated as a nevelty, and as I felt the force and effect of a good cause, which could wot, was not, confronted, the fire of indignation gave me language and eloquence to dictate to this arbitrator of the night even American laws, and soch was corroborated by an ex-magistrate then present, Mr. Waring, who referring to* the law-book, expressly read, that no contract was D 38 THE WANDERER complete until the property, with all its stipulated addi- tions and alterations, was in the purchaser's possession ; yet notwithstanding this decision, the sum often dollars was awarded to Gold, and one dollar seventy-five cents became the purloined booty of this scoundrel squire. Remonstrance was laughed at; and in the language of a once M. P. for Sussex, this consolation was added! ' It's a good country and let those who don't like it, leave it." Could I, Promotheus-like, have stolen from Heaven the ignited flash, like him I would have anima- ted this unjust composition of clay with something like integrity. Leaving Albany, we proceeded by way of Schenectady, Cherry valley, Bridgewater, Utica, and Watertown, to Sacket's Harbour. The land we found generally very indifferent, even that they called cleared, in appearance like an English church-yard : stumps of trees from one to three feet high ^ resembling grave or head-stones, which incumbrance literally occupies half the land. We found the Log Hut thinly scattered by the road side; such edi- fices in general require no permission, but, like Robin- son Crusoe, build where they like, and range where they please, with the darling rifle or fowling piece; but should time and industry make any improvements, the 1 IN AMERICA 39 lord of the soil removes these squatters, as they are caVl- ed, or imposes an adequate rent. Between Bridgewater and Utica we observed some ex- cellent land, an old settlement, in possession of originally Dutch emigrants, but it is almost without exception, in every part of the States, covered with immense stones, which, in addition to stumps, led me to suppose the scis- sors or penknife were substitutes for the scythe and sickle, which circumstance, amongst other remarks, I hope, will, in the recapitulation, enable me to plainly point out to the emigrant agriculturist, future or present prospects, advantages and disadvantages, In Utica, a kind of Joe Miller doggerel, the produc- tion of some inspired American bard, appeared over the door of a tobacconist; three grotesque figures served as a vehicle for this sublime composition, represented in the act of chewing, smoking, and taking snuff, and un- derneath the following attempt to rival aByronora Scott: " We three are engaged in one cause;* I snuffs, I smokes, and I chaws." 4 THE WANDERER I remember to have seen in the neighbourhood of Stockport, Cheshire, a similar production over the door of a barber and wig-maker, illustrated by a well-exe- cuted corresponding painting, representing the flight of Absalom and his fatal suspension, thus lamented : "If Absalom had wore a wig, He would not thus have danc'd a jig-.'* Arrived at Sacket's Harbour, a naval and military de- pot, 1 felt a desire to visit the ships of war, and being about to pass the sentinel--" Are you an American?"--! answered in the negative. "Then you cannot proceed." Proud to declare my country, I returned disappointed, but not dishonored. But, said I to myself, a time there was, and not seven years ago, I might like the gallant Sir R. Wilson, in answer to the Freneh Advocate, have said, J am of that country that conquered America, by trans- posing France and America. Such a position as this, a statement of such a nature, may appear erroneous; but if the veracity of the American Prints themselves may be credited, and the divided opinions of her factions and party taken into consideration, her poverty and embar- rasment* aad defection of some of her commanders, such a change of politics appear feasible, a short time previ- IN AMERICA 41 ous to the close of hostilities between her and Great Britain : simply two i-easons (positive facts) need only he required to sanction the argument from the pulpit at Boston, and the whole line of sea board on her eastern frontier, the people chiefly Federalists, were exhorted to oppose the ruinous system of their Government, and seperate from the Union. And the credit of her Govern- ment found it difficult to raise a million of dollars at the enormous interest of forty per cent. Contradict me, if ye can, ye mercenary usurers of Wall-street, New York* Finding-, according to information, the American side, the lines or boundary of seperation between the United States, and Canada superior roads, we took our route for Canandagua, Lewistown, Qucenstown, Niagara, &c ; but American roads are at best like American mannersvery unpleasant ; their wooden bridges tottering- beneath you, are extremely dangerous, often rudely formed of trees placed, or resting only upon their extreme ends, and fre- quently a vacancy of a foot between, which obliges your horse to plunge or leap, and you and carriage ex posed to the favourable chance of axle-tree or neck breaking-.. Such public erections are aptly denominated, and clearly defined; gridiron bridges ; yet although thus continually THE WANDERER exposed to the exquisite anticipation of a delightful Jtnish, you pay toll. Lewistown and Queenstown, during the late war, trere the scenes of action between the hostile troops of England and America, and heroes sleep no more remem- bered; the gallant and generous Brock, and no less ferave Pike, the American General, once contending, by sanguinary deeds and crimsoned glory, ambition's cause, and every foot of ground now lie lodged in peace, nor willow bound their graves, or weeping cypress to mark the bed of honor. The Falls of Niagara are at once sublime and terrific-- one of nature's majestic phenomena ; a minute description requires the philosopher's pen, or the poetic description of a Milton or a Thomson. ** The roar of waters ! from the headlong height Velino, cleaves the wave-worn precipice; The fall of waters ! rapid as the light The flashing mass foams, shaking the abyss ; The hell of waters ! where they howl and hiss, And boil in endless torture ; while the sweat Of their great agony, wrung- out from this Their Phlegethon curls round the rocks of jet That gird the gulf around in pitiless horrors set," IN AMERICA 43 " And mounts in spray the skies, and thence again Returns in an unceasing shower, which round With its unempty'd cloud of gentle rain, Is an eternal April to the ground, Making in all one emerald : how profound The gulf! and how the giant element From rock to rock leaps with delirious bound, Crushing the cliffs, which, downward worn and ret, With his fierce footsteps, yield in chasms a fearful Tent'* " To the broad column which roils OB, and shows More like the fountain of an infant sea, Torn from the womb of mountains by the throes Of a new world, than only thus to be Parent of Rivers, which flow gushingly, W r ith many windings through the vale: Look back! Lo ! where it comes like an eternity, As if to sweep down all things in its traek, Charming the eye with dread, a matchless cataract/' " Horribly beautiful ! but on the verge, From side to side, beneath the glittering morn, An Iris sits, amidst the infernal surge, Like hope upon a death-bed, and, unworn 44 THE WANDERER Its steady tlyts, while all around is torn By the tlistiacltd waters, bears serene Its brilliant hues, with all their beams unshorn r Reseiiibiing, 'nail the torture of the scene, Lore watching madness with unalterable mien. * * The above quotation from the Fourth Canto of CHILDE HAROLD (words of fire) are applicable; they are worthy the mighty genius of the greatest modern poet, and will outlire their noble author, and keep pace with time. Those lines, read by any person of a warm fancy in a. fine Summers morning in view of Niagara, and while the Iris beams on his eye, would ex- claim" This indeed is the language of enraptured poetry !'' IN AMERICA 45 CHAP. VI. We crossed Lake Ontario in a steam-boat, and found ourselves iu York, the seat of Government for Upper Canada; it is somewhat ludicrous to call it so, but so it is, and an amiable character presides as Governor Sir T. Maitlaud. I know not exactly the nature of the accusation brought by Mr. Gourlay against its executive, before the Bi'itish House of Commons ; but I will hazard an opi- nion, Sir Peregrine Maitlaud is not directly included, in any complaint of a perversion of duty, or obliquely cen- sured as guilty of a connivance at the defection f others. I cannot propose such humbk responsibility for the virtue 46 THE WANDERER of some of its members, because I am confident disho- nourable and interested corruption has taken place. Sir Peregrine had, and has yet, much to contend with : the Senators, Representatives and Magistrates are nominally British subjects, but it would be a bold assertion to say, they possessed British bosoms, prone to cherish Britain's weal. I am of opinion, no, but like the Vicar of Bray, would change sides with indifference ; several of them are Yankees from Connecticut and Vermont, in the ma- gisterial department ; and unfortunately their boyhood was in those days ere the existence of Charity Schools, Mr. Gourlay's affairs was thus mildly communicated by Sir P. : " In the course of your investigation you will, I doubt not feel a just indignation at the attempt which has been made to excite discontent, and to organize sedition. Should it appear to you, that a Convention of Delegates cannot exist without danger to the Constitution, in fra- ming a law of prevention, your dispassionate wisdom will be careful that it shall not unwarily trespass on that sacred right of the subject to seek a redress of his grievances by petition." The absence of Sir P. and the Hon Judge Powell, (an excellent character) from the seat of Government, detain,- IN AMERICA 47 cd us at York a short time, as I had the honor of letters to each; during which vacation I took staff in hand, or rather a fowling- piece, and accompanied by an affectionate friend he whom no sinecure or splendid patronag-e could corrupt he whom the wintry wind or summer's torrid hi-at could not alienate his faithful sin- cere attachment, (lesson to mankind.) Gratefully 1 re- cord thy name, for ever absent, lost, ever-remembered ROLL A.; not the virtuous Peruvian, but of a race equally hmiest. Thus attended, and in appearance rather grotesque an enormous chapeau, manufactured of a kind of silky grass, possessing the properties of elasti- city, lightness and strength, bombazeen jacket and trowsers, yellow mockasons, no stockings and bare neck, 1 traversed the banks of Lake Erie, an inland sea, which evolves a mighty volume of pellucid expanse, and through bush, brake, bog and brier, visited the busy fast improving towns of Maiden, Sandwich, Amherst- berg, River Thames, Sec. and the extreme boundary of Canada to the westward. The land I found excellent ; rich loams, limes, and a frequent mixture of a sandy soil upon a rich clay; such variety exists in the neighbour- hood oi Doncaster and Tuxford (England,) and a deep Wack soil, like the prolific Lincolnshire fens, was oiten* observable. Thus blessed with the best climate of that unbounded Continent, seemed only to require British in- dustry to reap the abundant bounty of an Almighty Be- nefactor. Here, were it possible to cement in bonds of friendship three or four families, who like Castor and 48 THE WANDERER Pollux, could suffer no change, and like the laws of the Metles and Persians, remain unalterable, in sickness or in lie;. ill) ; to such 1 could pronounce and warrant com- plete success. Surrounded by plenty, .in retired and social happiness, here taxation tortures not, nor legions of excisemen desolate the land; *' But o'er their labour liberty and law impartial watoh-" Returned to York, the object of my mission being- ra- tified, we prepared for our departure, agreeable to a prior engagement I had made, and descended Lake Ontario by the steam boat, Frontinac, to Kingston, the distance two hundred miles ; and this beautiful charming Lake affords many views which might have delighted a Claude. We found Kingston a military station, like York, but more extensive and populous, being likewise a naval depot; and the fine ships St. Lawrence, and Psyche, now on the stocks, I hope are destined to transmit unsullied to pos- terity a NELSON'S fame an EXMOUTH'S fortitude. In the neighbourhood farms were to sell or let, and I again repeat, decidedly for an English farmer, from hence to the western boundary is the most eligible situation ; yet, and I speak doubtingly, I am apprehensive the wil- derness is little understood in England, Let me observe, it is a bold undertaking to seek in its mazes an English Home. The Americans are excellent forest pioneers . with axe on shoulder, (and no men can use that instru- ment like them,) they fae the labyrinth not so John Bwjl H,e wants neighbours shaped something like him- self; not the gaunt wolf, or rugged bear, whose domici- liary visits by night are dissipated by day, with the an-. no.yance of armed musqwitos, and th,e Just; inat ing con- of countless choirs, of crickets, grasshoppers, ajoi^. During my stay here, the invitation of some country- men, led me to suppose the sport of shooting I should find and enjoy ; but the continual apprehension of dis- turbing the repose of some ugly inhabitant ef the desert, or my legs coming in contact with the twinittg affec- tions of snakes and serpents cooled the ardour of n iv propensity. From Kingston we descended the RiYer St. Lawrence, by the steam-boat, as far as Prescot, a small military station, and the remainder of the distance, 140 miles, in an aquatic vehicle, called a Durham boat. The rapids, as they are called, are truly astonishing', and re- specting these singular curiosities, various have beeiUhe conjectures, and many vague ? and even superstitious opinions, assigned as the cause ; the principal ones are, Langsojult Cedars, Split Rock, and Cascades; the former of these is considered nine miles in length, yet such wa$ the velocity of speed, that in twelve minutes fifteen se- conds we completed the distance ; the others are not so. long, nor have they that rapidity of distracted stream, but more frightful than a gale of wind and the Bay o,f Biscay ; an endless, unceasing, unniitigating, violent E 50 THE WANDERER agitation, in short broken billows, foaming in milky rage, are the characteristics, and such appeared to my shallow comprehension could only be thus briefly accounted for : At some period, from some unknown cause, large frag* ments of broken rocks have become concentrated at the different places, in irregular positions, or a rocky bottom has become rugged, from some violent concussion of na- ture, probably an earthquake, as such are not affected by season or weather. It is a compliment due to the Canadians employed in navigating the numerous boat* and batteaux up and down this fine, this second river in the world, that no men on earth labour more; yet the ditty (in corrupt French) serves as a stimulus to exertion. We passed several small towns, both English and American, on ei- ther side of its banks, the land generally improving in cultivation. On entering lower Canada, the change is visible ; the crucifix at every turn, or at the doors, the grinning wooden spectres of mutilated saints, from the Holy Virgin down to Madam Bridget, or the poor devil- worried St. Anthony. Hail, hail, imposing Bigotry ! artthou really a blessing or a curse to man ? said I ; the idol answered an affirmative to the former, be- cause, like Ignorance, my votaries are happy. On the right bank of the river we left our boat at an Indian settlement, called Cochenouaga, and crossed the river to IN AMERICA 51 La Chine ; and this we found the most dangerous part of our river excursion, for our ferryman was either a criminal or a stupid student of Charon, as a leaky boat placed us, in a very cold afternoon, ankle deep in water ; at length we discovered two distinct holes in the boat's bottom, which cavities were filled with two dis- tinct thumbs still Monsieur Jean Baptiste gaily rowed away and sung in French, while I surly thumbed away and d d in English. Arrived at length in this Cana- dian Mart, Montreal, supper and retirement closed the day. Montreal is a large city, on a regular plan, in its ori- ginal design, but very irregular, and in a disjointed manner jumbled together ; streets extremely filthy, are dedicated to some saint, without exception, the prin- cipal one to St. Paul ; but I believe that saint, in the course of his pedestrious mission through Greece, Tarsus or Jerusalem, never found a more pointed one. I had often heard that Montreal was an elegant place ; it is no compliment, and far from flattery, to tell its inhabi- tants that it is the dirtiest place in all America, and unequalled both in public and private nuisances, and want of common convenience, at once obnoxious to health and decency. The Canadians, who form the majority of its community, are passionately fond of garlic ; their houses are consequently impregnated with the sickly eftiuvia of that root, highly offensive to passengers in 5(2 THE WANDERER their narrow streets. in Summer time, happily of shoit duration, the heat is intolerable ; the thermometer, fre- quently at 105, is coolly and deliberately augmented by a custom which would be " more honored in the breach than in the observance ; that is, their churches and roofs <>f houses are covered with tin, and their doors and shut- ters cased in sheet Iron ; the glittering of the former, I suppose, is to attract thieves and the latter to puzzle them, such being combined together, impart a -kind of furnace-like atmosphere. The principal church \f>Notr*c Dame, or Catholic Church, and a very handsome build- ing it. is ; but its interior demands a few observations, which I shall briefly makesuch that would, a few months ago, (had I been in his power) have conferred on me all the honors and blessings of the righteous Inquisi- tion he the gal (ant Ferdinand, -whose'embroidered piety and the imperishable sanctity of an Apotheosis, and for -crimes and ingratitude yields to the ambitious degrada- tion of a man-milliner, and attempts 'to bribe the rageof ill-requited Heaven with ft petticoat ! IN AMERICA 63 CHAP. VII. SUCH enlightened and distinguished characters as a FINGAL, a NORFOLK, a PETRE, a STOURTON, a SHREWSBURY, an ARUNDEL, a THROCKMORTON, and an amiable Gloucestershire worthy and benevolent CANNING, are not slaves to dogmas and bigotry; such they consider truly what they arepowerful auxiliaries to politic rule in all countries : and of all creeds, the Catho- lic religion is almost invisible in the United States;-harm- less, loyal, faithful, and brave, in Canada; in Ireland, oppressed; in France, bedridden ; Portugal and Italy still retain their expiring vitality ; and in Spain pro- bably, the recent transfer of politic power may induce men to think for themselves not by proxy, on the most essential point and import ; but as the Methodists ob- E 2. "54 THE WANDERER serve, " Fait ft" is every thing-. It is not my province to offend, and far, far indeed from a desire, but surely as a traveller, I may promulgate any trifle gleaned on my way. The interior of Notre Dame is truly elegant; but I am such a stupid, incorrigible rascal, that I pre- fer, in spite of tyrant custom, nature to art. 1 am not a connisseur of fashion, but rather an ungallant antiqua- ry : one mistake appeared to me visible ; either such was the excess of enthusiasm in others, or a proof of my want of modern taste, therefore to the score of ignorance on my part I will add this deficiency of judgement. The Virgin, according to the Bethlehem costume, eigh- teen hundred and twenty years a^o, would ; greeable to her rank as the betrothed wife of a carpenter, be habi- ted in simple, unadorned attire the pure emblem of chaste atfectioa ; not as portrayed, a giddy girl of fif- teen, decorated with artificial 'flowers, white satin shoes, and all the appendages of English fashion, for the year 1820, thus resembles more a female opera dancer, than a serious and sedate Syrian matron. This Church, like itsextensive Academy, gives bread to numberless priests ; here too are some half dozen convents for blushing vir- gins, who have abjured the world, and the shocking men who reside in it. Some of these tender damsels, those particularly of .the order of St. "Ursula, I considered 70 ; .but a life so recluse soon wears the marks of time. These inconsistent abodes of misanthropy and spotless virtue are externally considered the final close of human passions; IN AMERICA 55 it may be so ; but 'I have frequently indulged an unchari- table thoughtthat as several of the priests are well-look- ing- young 'men, and some of these immaculate ntfiup/is young and beautiful, ('I do not mean bylhe'bye, Ihe an- tiquated dames of -St. 'Ursula,) 'but the youthful victims at the shrine of >t. Antoinette, or -White Nuns ; -ya, verily, 1 have thought as these 'happy rogues have -by spiritual legation, free access to these handmaids of Vesta, whether the unconquerable power of smilingir- resistible 'Cupid, or the stern gravity of Monastic rule, has predominated.* Having business, I left my family in Montreal, and by steam-boat, Lady Sherbrooke, descended the -St. * I am unfortunately so imperfect a Theologist as to reject the power of granting mortal absolution, and am so grossly stu- pid as to suppose such rather increases than diminishes vice; because official perquisites and emancipation are reciprocal con- tracts. ^Expunge the one, the other .will wither. PROMPT 'PAYMENT. A culprit made application in Montreal, , for such white washing ' -the crime hay-stealing, and. for such benediction the fee of half a dollar was demanded a dollar be- ,ing tendered, the absolver not having change, was told with the utmost " sang froid" to keep the whole, as he, the absolved, in- tended to possess himself of the remainder of the hay. 56 THE WANDERER Lawrence to Quebec, by way of Bertheir, Trois Riviere, or Three Rivers, St. Anue, St. Augustine, &c. and found it the slovenly sister of Montreal, and, as usual, law, physic, and auctioneers furnish the catalogue of respectables. On the Plains of Abraham, in its imme- diate environs, you are shewn the stone (as they say) up- on which expired the immortal WOLFE; they may "tell this to the marines, but the sailors wo'nt believe it." A melancholy gloom at this period prevailed at Quebec, and through Canada, from the following- cause. Before quitting this capital, I visited the Cathedral, and paid a tributary respect of sad regret, and such willing homage was increased at the awful uncertainty of human life, while statue-like, I pondered o'er the grave of a recent illustrious tenant that grave which contained the torpid remains of mortality, who but a few weeks before I had seen active and vigorous, and such physical elasticity I had so recently opposed in the tennis-court at Kingston, whose urbanity I can never forget CHARLES Duke of RICHMONO whose untimely death was a public loss and a public sorrow ; he who, it seemed, was ordained by fate to undertake the Herculean task, and cleanse the ** Augean Stable." I returned to Montreal, and now commenced an illness (dysentery and bilious affection,) which yet remains, though less malignant, a ruin- ous companion. The wholesome beverage of duty and industry 1 had fondly raised to drink deep, but the furies dashed the chalice from my lip ere ITU A^fEHicA 57 I 'had tasted ; and then I drank huge draughts of sorrow down, and banquetted on ray tears ; Ah what avails the largest gifts of Heaven, When drooping Health >and Spirits go amiss, How tasteless then whatever can be given ; Health is the vital principle of bliss. THOMSON. as such affliction blighted the fair prospect, and con- signed me a >prey to medical impostors, heavy una- voidable expences, and an inhospitable people. I know not whether such was the effect of an impure atmosphere, or the more impure water of that part of the St. Lawrence ; but I have reason to suspect the latter, if I may judge from its offensive margin, and polluted element, which receives all without purgation of tide, aiad such .is the water in general use for every jpurpose. A singular circumstance took place in Montreal ^November 9, 1819 an occurrence that completely ex- posed prophecy and superstition ; but I must recur to priestcraft, as my story is embodied in its fallibility. The morning was unusually dark, and continued so until 3 o'clock p. M. : blue lightning in a north west- erly direction of the horizon, illumin'd the dense re- gion, in a rapid succession of flash and approach, and after a remarkable vivid stream of this awful element, (like a meteor,) it was succeeded by -such Ihuu- 53 THE WANDERER der as lions tremble at. It has for years been a pre- valent and accepted opinion in Kor^eaJ, amongst th Catholics, cherished and sanctioned by the priests that the island is doomed to total destruction by some terrible visitation, and this they supposed the hour of retribution; from morning early the church was crowded with priests, nuns and laity but, strange to tell, notwithstanding high mass, wax lights, and decorated saints, the electric fluid set their fane on fire, by igniting the tower containing the bells the. only injury done by the tempest; the rain, black as ink, fell in torrents, yet in the immediate environs of the church, many hundreds were kneeling, who could not gain admission, nor dared they have presumed to move, had all the plagues of Egypt assailed their delu- ded, devoted heads. The fire attracted the alarm of the inhabitants, and some seamen belonging to Eng- lish ships, with other individuals, requested, from the Commander of the Faithful, and from a part of his flock, to assist in extinguishing the same ; this reason- able request was forbidden on pain of excommunica- tion. At length the seamen and others succeeded, and received as a kind of salvage, about ten dollars ; but as a climax or ascendancy of enlightened bigotry, many individuals, who could afford flight, crossed the St. Lawrence to a supposed land of safety. Severe winter now commenced her gloomy reign; fuel in great demand, and in price excessive ; and as IN AMERICA 59 wy attendant disease became more confirmed and vi- olent, to remove immediately was impossible, and in six weeks, from a fourteen- stone man ; I became the ghost of an apology for such of nine stone. This kind of transition is one of the superlative advantages of emigration, which authors have delicately with-held from the public ; but as I do not possess such reserve, I think it essential, and, in my humble opinion, of the highest importance and most material consequence, to tell a British people, especially those it nay concern lo know there are, in every part of the American Continent, wholesale thinners of the land continually in existence, in the retinue of fevers, yellow, pur- ple, scarlet, black, bilious and intermittent ague, dysentery, cholera morbus, &c. &c. And now, O stern remembrance, soften thy rigorous detail of hu- man sufferings in a land I blush to acknowledge its rulers, but I am confident, without the concurrence of the Parent Government : such is a part of that vile sys- tem that explains my meaning in my observation, re- lative to that power Sir P. Maitland has and yet com- bats, at Montreal. A spirited remonstrance, appeal, and painful exposition, was made by the grand Jury to the supreme power, that is, the Judges and Magis- trates, relative to the prison and prisoners, which " out-herod's Herod ;" and in the comparison the Parisian Bastile was the sanctuary of compassion I- Blessed Shade of Howard, descend from thy blissful mansion, and teach these deputed guardians of British 60 THE WANDERER subjects thy creed of sympathy ! and tell them the hap- less victims of guilt and sorrow have a claim, consistent with safety and justice, on the pitying 1 alleviation of the children of humanity. " Tis an unweeded garden, That jrows to seed ; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely." But Montreal is not the place for misfortune to seek an asylum in; here are no pitying Institutions ; oh yes, one that is a Sunday School, and an attempt at another, a * Bible Society, which is not so much in demand as the spirit of the book, and sum total of divine precept and sacred history, Charity. Heavenly Maid, this, this is thine.-- If a man supplicates bread, to cram a bible down his throat, it might be considered a pious swallow, but not so easy of digestion as it? magnitude in the shape of roast To Colonel Burer and the officers of the 37th Regi- ment, and to Colonel M'Gregor and officers of the 70th, public gratitude is due; they as British Soldiers felt the misery of their hapless countrymen exiles in an in- * The Imperial " Czar" is a friend to Bibles, yet the mag- nanimous " RHSS" would willingly Pocket Empires; Subjugat* the World and Enslave Mankind. That Garrilous old Woman at the head of the Bourbon Dy- nasty, invokes the God of ,SV. Louis, to enable the Freuek to cut the Spaniards ThrotUs, and winks at the Massacre of Protestants, at Kitmes iu France,-rsuch is Piety, such is Gratitude. IN AMERICA 01 element season, and knowing the vertex of fashion could be transformed into the streanft of Charity, converted the drama into the magic illusion ; thus? while the respective talents of these gallant Sons of Mars honored Melpomene and Thalia, they shed a lustre oil humanity < while pity dropped a tear of gratitude' in behalf of pstle sorrow, and registered a blessing in Heaveri. I am 1 most anxious to recommend to these North- Westers these Montreal dealers in pot-ash, musk rat, and bear-skins, Benevo- lence, and shame their frigid apathy, else I would at- tempt matter more essential. Recent emigrants were pevishingor seeking ,- by bfbken hearts, premature graves! Tell not these truths iri G'ai/t," 6* hide yota 1 dimi- nished heads, ye who know thes thing^. V^otfld the Arab, th6 decry'tf AlgerffYe, or mueh-irtjtrred, libelled African suppose, that in Ja^rarry,- 1820, a mtm (a North- umbrian) and MS wife wer"e on* the rj^d 6f death, limia- tieed but htot unknaifridn one sMe, trte corpise of a chitd, and oh the other sitfe, a younger one, expiring, surronnded by meagre waht, ftJendleSs a'nd forlbr'n ! No no, not friendless ; for thy mercy, Eternal Deify, afceept- ed the sigh and ejaculation of fast fleeting misery; thus they breathed their last, and fled for and found " another and a better world !" Iff qttifting Canada, f catindt but w6n'cFef wn'y llrl^- retains so unprofitable an appendage in her domi- nions ; the only answer that can be made will bear an F analogy with Montreal feelings-- that is, Timber. One half is boundless snow, and the other half literally a wil- derness: it is a colony maintained at an enormous ex- pence. Two distinct branches of Government, a mili- tary and naval establishment, and no direct or indirect, system of taxation to make any return, except a small import duty; but I place enquiry on the shelf, like an unfashionable BillinSt Stephen's Chapel to be read l/tis day six months. In addition, on the bounty of Government, rely numerous Indian Tribes, of little value in peace or war as few of them possess a Tecumseh's lire. This brave, undaunted Indian, alter the death of las friend and patron, Sir Isaac Brocke, found no kindred spirit with whom to act; but stung with grief and in- dignation, after upbraiding in angry, just and bitter sar- casms, the retreat of our forces, his great soul, unequal to the task of fortitude, impetuous he rushed on a corps of cavalry, whose leader he supposed the American Gen- eral Harrison and like the gallant Shaw, of Waterloo ce- iebrity, not until others fell by his arm, was he himself numbered with the dead.* * After the fall of poor Tecumseh, so terrible, while living was his courageous n;:me to the American troops, that although he attacked them singly, and fell at last by the hands of Colo- nel Johnson, om general ihout took place, and they actually, in narrow strips, as memorials, GALLANTLY took off his skin! IN AMERICA US TO THE Memory of Tecumseh. TECUMSF.H has no grave, but eagles dipt Their rav'ning beaks, and drank his stout heart's tide, Leaving his bones to whiten where he died. His skin by Christian tomahawks was stripp't From the bare fibres. Impotence of pride ! Triumphant o'er the earth-worm, but in vaiu; Deeming th' impassive spirit to deride, Which nothing 1 or immortal knows no paiu. Might ye torment him to this earth again That were an agony ; his children's blood Delug'd his soul, and like a firey flood, Scorch'd up his core of being; then the stain Of flight was on him, and the wringing thought, He should no more the crimson hatchet raise, Nor drink from kindred lips his song of praise, So liberty, he deem'd, with life, was cheaply bought. THE CHAP. VIII. After every known recipe and surgical amusement had tortured, ineffectually, my emaciated frame, a return to native air was pronounced by the illegitimate sons of Messrs. Galen Sf JEsculapius, my last resource, and I left Montreal, not as the contemplating sage would thje Ruins of Palmira, or a Grecian Temple, with regret; nor had I the parting curiosity of Mrs. Lot. -In a Sleigh we crossed the river St. Lawrence, which was a carriage without wheels, open sides, ornamented with a kind of curtain, drawn by four excellent horses : and we reached the town of La Prairie, the distance of nine miles, in tint: hour and twenty minutes, through stupendous moun- tains of ice, and chasms of wintry desolation. This mode of travelling was novel, and rather unpleasant at this period; for flesh and bones had dissolved partnership, IN AMERICA 65 and I found myself rather too transparent, to encounter the chance, of limb dislocation ; but wrapt in the skia of a buffalo, and a seal-skin cap, I preferred the pure air, although cold and piercing, to the stewing exalation of stoves within doors. On the following morning, after leaving St. John's, we crossed Lake Champlain, and our driver exclaimed, " There they are." "What?" said I " Why the British ships;" and the scene of action pointed out where England's navy suffered shameful de- feat ; the captive fleet were sad trophies of the fight. My friend Jehu's remarks were true, but rather galling- ly unpleasant: this was the third exhibition of the kind, I had seen the vanquished Flotilla of Lake Erie, and the crest-fallen Guerrier. Neither Nelson nor Cochrane was there a perspective of Westminster Abby, or that monitor, " England expects every man to do hi? duty." We proceeded rapidly on by way of Swanton, Burlington, Vergennes, Cambridge, Salem, Lansingburgh, and Troy, to Albany. Burlington and Salem are pretty towns, formed of wood, elegantly painted, resembling baud- boxes. Returning to our old quarters in Albany, a good fire and a welcome look from mine host and his clean good-tempered spouse, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, State-street, re-animated our frozen frames ; and as a skilful M. D, was recommended, and pronounced infallible, prudence and hope prompted a~halt for a few days* :.:..' r 2, 08 THE WANDERER This being- the season of Legislation for the state of New York, our boarding-house was honored by the M. P. presence of about ten of these dignified Representa- tives; and I flattered myself in proud conceit I should have found Socrates, Cicero, Demosthenes, and a few more such luminaries, and concluded that taciturnity, I had so much condemned in others, was my only retreat, where I could listen and learn. The Hon. Speaker, Mr. Spencer, one of our guests, I found a pleasant, well-in- formed gentleman, animated in conversation, shrewd in. remark, generally correct, and candid in opinion; but I found not a second among his fellow labourers in the vineyard of public good. Nationalities will creep into chat, and when such conclude amicably, they serve to sweeten, enliven, and improve. The British and Ame- rican navy became a topic, and a wise logician, in the shape of a farmer, (an M. P.) observed, after an immense length of fustian had been measured and bestowed on Perry, Decatur, Bainbridge, Macomb, Hull, M'Donagh, Jones, and Lawrence, " the English for years past, had been only accustomed to French and Spanish contests, until the late American war, which had proved the supe- rior tactics and phisical powers of the Americans." n It is a tale told by an idiot, full f sound and fury." Unwilling my friend Chopstick should carry his point IN AMERICA 07 by boarding, I opposed him from the main-chains of truth, and luckily silenced by a broad side the cannonades of his volubility.--" If, Sir, you will refer your memory so far back as the painful recollection of the Shannon and Chesapeake, you will find that the only instance where personal and individual strength was brought into action ; the result of that memorable day all the world knows ; the brave Lawrence flattered much, and promised more-- even the company of captive Broke, to dine with the Bostonians; but alas! the triumphal baked meats did hut coldly furnish forth the funeral table ! The fate of the English ships Macedonia, Guerrier, Java, Frolic, fyc. was the chance of the contest as regarded wind, position, weight of metal, and number of men; and, Sir, you will recollect, an American frigate, rated at 30 guns, is equal in every appointment to an English 50-gun ship." These law-makers are pleasantly situated during the ses- sions, which generally continues four months, enjoying a salary of seven dollars per day, for yea and nay, assent or dissent; but as there was no vacancy, I did not ask for a place. I thought this payment for Representation rather novel, and though quite agreeable 10 the Repre- sentatives, seems a burthen to the people, but public vir- tue is a hollow name ; few, indeed, possess its patriot dignity and courage in any country. The invitation of a gentleman of the American Bar, 68 THE WANDERER not a Bar-lister, but a very respectable worthy publican induced me to accompany him in his S/ei^h, drawn by two beautiful blood horses, to Boston, ai;d \ve skimmed along famously over the blanched surface ; indeed I ad- mire this method of travelling. Boston is a town more ancient in its appearance than any in America, and its inhabitants are a very civil people. On tny return to Albany, we proceeded, wife, children, and baggage, to New York. My old acquaintance and English towns- man, Mr. J. a celebrated glass manufacturer, strongly urged me to accompany him to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, and Washington, adding, no expence should be incurred to me, as " How d'ye do ?" would occur so frequently on our way, that such an unpleasant compa- nion to slender finances would not attend us. Philadel- phia is rather more than handsome, for it is an elegant city; streets much cleaner than New York, run parallel, and as its inhabitants are a far more moral people, kna- very seems less in demand. Baltimore was in the days of Colonial Regime the focus of fashion, and it is now, as is supposed the most wealthy. Democracy reigns here in all its glory ; but their haven has become the rendezvous of pirate s, according to the observations in Congress. Charleston is the abode of planters and deal- ers in cotton, rice, human sorrow and tobacco ; here the pestilence often reigns, and suddenly calls to an eternal account the tyrant, monopolizer, and frees from the despotic ruler, many a burtheiied slave. IN AMERICA 00 Washington is the seat of Government ; this city was not created by a natural course of events, but by a peiitt- cal speculation. The unfinished plan supposes an itn- inense growth, but its situation prohibits that supposition ever being realized. Perhaps if the true interest of the Union was considered, it would rather be held sacred to Science, Philosophy, the Arts, and Legislation, and kept holy from commercial avarice, to which the members of ilui'i vent Stutes may repair to breathe an atmosphere un- tainted by local prejudices, and find golden leisure for pursuits and speculations of public utility. The coun- try around Washington is proverbially barren. The fol- lowing anecdote 1 beg leave to call in, from which I may deduce proof. My friend had about eighteen months before sent a package of glass to his Washington cus- tomer, and followed in person; OB opening this package at the door of the tradesman in the street, a herd of hungry cows, seeing and espying a rich banquet of straw, came full gallop, and without leave or grace, began the glorious gorge; opposition was questionable while thus they stood in apprehension pole, and in council deep; fear suggested fight, on this united supposition Will not those voracious devils eat us ? After this awful ca- tastrophe, my friend and the tradesman were lamenting in doleful narrative the disaster and loss ; for the un- mannered brutes had, in their hasty repast swallowed an elegant decanter \ This complaint being made at the tavern of a Frenchman, he thus consoled their grief ;-~ ' Vat de devel, you grumbel bout you YOU decantaire I 70 THE WANDERER Vat de devel you tink ? My vife vash a de mine nine mffel shirt, and hang 1 a dem at de door to dry upon de line; vel, vat yousuppos? von cot tarn cow eat a dem all np ! Tarn you, von decantaire ! Vat you tink now ?" oJ im-tta 0! Returned to New York, we began to think of Europe, havings wandered sufficiently east, west, north and south; to obtain every information relative to this New World. Indeed, from the many disappointed and ruined returned emigrants 1 had seen from the Western States of Ohio, .Illinois, Tennesse, Indiana, and Missouri, I felt no de- sire to proceed further ; and as such states have been .the attractive point of emigration, I will faithfully ex- .pose the wicked fallacy of Mr. Birkbeck, of whom I have already complained respecting such States, i A circumstance took place at this period ia New York, March, 1820, which occupied public opinion in a very extensive, though not decided manner. A Mr* Stoughton, son of the Spanish Consul at New York, and a Mr. Goodwin, a Yankee citizen, had previously dif- fered in opinion on some trifling occasion, and happen- ing to meet in Broadway, the latter attempted to impose a kind of chastisement, by the application of his cane on the shoulders of the former, which being prevented by the latter catching hold of the same, the former hold- ing fast drew from this tube a sword or blade, and by , IN AMERICA 1 nn allonge, instantly dispatched poor Stough ton, the de- voted victim of his sanguinary disposition. This me- lancholy event occurring in the most public street, and mid-day, was observed by numerous passers by, whose testimony and corroborating evidence authorized the Coroner's Inquest, without hesitation or aoubt, to return a verdict of Wilful Murder against Goodwin, perfectly satisfactery to the public at large; .:. ' .* . *.*., . . 'k ji- '-JT <( But gold from law, it takes out the sting." For would it be supposed a Grand Jury, under such cir- cumstances that is, if they had things called conscien- ces could reject such irrefragable evidence, and call it Manslaughter? and finally smuggle and compromise the business over a segar and a boose of gin toddy, at Judge Spencer's lodgings ! Thy potent charm, mighty Mexican Ore, has wonderful influence over American integrity. THE WASBEfiEft CHAP. ix. <*Eye Nature's walks shoot foHy as it flies." WATTING for a ship, I had leisure to transfer from the daily ledger of lAeniofy to paper, any circumstance of moment, or singular for its eccentricity. Travellers often apologize for not seeing this of that, as it was in-- convenient, and they postponed it until an opportunity *' not to be found in! the hoary reg-istef of Time." America, wnTike Europe and Asia, affords but little t6 gratify the philosopher, or the' man of taste; but the humorist, or military character, may find a wide and am- ple field to indulge whim or professional remarks ; and I am inclined to think, the dangers of an Atlantic trip would be amply remunerated to such by attending the muster of a volunteer corps : for myself I declare, that in the whole course of my existence, I never enjoyed the chuckle so much as upon these occasions, and no occur- rence in the whole range of human life, public or pri- vate events, can furnish matter for the Comic muse in so ample and luxurious a degree as one of these motley exhibitions. f* AMERICA T8 I know not exactly the troops the gatlant Fatstajf refused to march through Coventry with, or his cogent reasons for feeling a kind of shyness his honorable com- tnand imposed on him; but if Mr. President would dub me Generalissimo, I should certainly decline, upon my friend Fnlstaff''s principle " if my troops are not ashamed of me, 1 am of them." (Economy leads them to the parade, habited in their ordinary clothing, and no military appendage except with those called officers, dis- tinguished by a tremendous cocked hat, a gallant strea- mer, a yard long, in the shape of a red feather, red sheep skin sword belt, a dirty start, obtruding on public notice through the apertures of coats and pantaloons, rendered porous and tender by the hand of time, 'boots or shoes, {strangers to the black art, or lustre of those shining characters, Day, Martin, Warren, Turner, and Healy) and the frequent orifices in their impaired understand- ings, seemed to requrre the cobbler's skill, to guarantee those useful ornaments called toes. On one occasion, ia an idle mood, I dissipated two hours in witnessing the evolutions of these champions of Revolution, and it was a treat that neither Butler or Colman ever dreamed of; nor can the variety of incident, both in town and country, that befell Dr. Surtax, find its parallel. The Commanding Officer, a Major, (not the invinci- ble Sturgeon) put them through their tactics. He wore on that occasion a remarkable long face, and like the whole collectively, it seemed sometime siuce it c#m.e itt G 74 THE WANDERER contact with soap, towel, and water. I enquired his name and profession, (civil) and a singular coincidence pre- sented itself in the reply ; for know, O Reader ! he was a manufacturer of tripe ! After an expiration of about one hour only beyond the appointed time for assembling a corps of five hundred, the collection ran thus : 1 Ma- jor 1 Captain Lieutenants, (none) Ensigns, 1 Sergeants, 1 Corp orals, 2 Bugles, (none) reported drunk Rank and File, 26. Major Tripe " Come, Gentlemen, put down your humbercllers, and let's be-, gin; we won't stop long, I guess Tenshnn shoulder fullock fix bagganut. [" That's wrong, Major," was sung from the formidable line.] " Wrong ! wrong ! de d d if it is ; Steuben has it so in his printed men- nuvers; let's see" ( Hauls out the book.J " I am wrong, or Steubens not reet ; well, come, now then, put downy our fullucks, and fix bagganuts now, Gentle- men, make ready puzzent." (Again interrupted from the ranks, " We are not prime or loaded, Major." / " That's true, but I calculated you was ;-- -well, now then, suppose you load, like by motion ; make ready and ground fullucks ; now, Gentlemen, let's have a glass a piece."-- A shower of rain, and ihe complimentary aston- ishment of the gallant commander on the improvement of the corps, closed the arduous service of this memo- rable day. But if Achilles honored not by his patronage these heroes, stern Ferocity had no share in the good-, humoured assemblage, who are there the only soldiery to whom the. people's demands or wrongs are intrusted, not to such sanguinary demons as Colonel KING. <: < * IK AMERICA 75 An enquiry of marked atrocity occupied a portion of the labours of Congress this Session, relative to this modern Pizarro, who, while commanding a body of troops opposite the Spanish frontier, was accused of un- authorized murder ; because, without the shadow or form of a Court Martial, (shooting deserters) the investigation clearly proved the charge, and such was severely censur- ed without the walls of this Sanctum Sanctorum of national justice, and a paucity of members within ; but a majority, equally as ferocious as the savage delinquent, ousted the business, by humanely observing " If we give KING his clue, We must IIAXG KING Jackson too." Come forth, then, King, or General Jackson, rencvm- ed Hannibal of the New World, as I mean to deliver a lecture on your head and heart; aye, and shame them too, if vicious habits have not made them callous-proof and bulwark against truth. This modern Nero, it is said, when yet an infant in the cradle, discovered tran- scendant talent in the science of butchery, (sweet inno- cent babe !) by exterminating within his pretty and gen- tle grasp all \heflies and spiders ; boyhood advancing, . he cried " havoc!" and waged war and desolation against all dogs, cats, pigs, and poultry. We next find him, by the power of intrigue, a Judge of the Supreme Court; and it is a compliment due to him, that in his official or private capacity and character, calumny itself had neves dared even to suspect him of committing an act of- mercy, unless the following circumstance (positive factjF may be admitted as au exception to bis general rule* ami principles. A son of sorrow, a wretched Hibernian, the unhappy victim of want and petty crime, was arraigned before this Bajaret , and so terrified was he with the marked severity of countenance, that poor Pat felt, or fancied he felt a sort of sensation, in contact with the jugular vein a something like the last quietus of the law, designated by those of hempen imaginations a rope! and in- stinctively, without leave or ceremony, coolly and de- liberately left durance vile, and had actually made his exit secure as far as the outward door. How behaved the mild and revered Judge on this occasion ? Did he retain the seat of justice and compassion, and to the proper officers depute the criminal's re-apprehension ?- No, no, his pitying soul felt a nobler impulse than tain* pep and parley with a fellow creature's phrensied agita- tion ; it was, indeed,. an influence far beyond the compre- hension and presence of mind of any mortal dispensers of Heaven's sacred attributes justice and mercy. Chief- Justice Mmos possibly might have thought on a similar expedient - r for impetuous through a crowded court rush* ed this brilliant meteor of pity, and shot the ill-i'ated man dead ! Finding, by this trifling event, the real bent und forte of his genius,, and scorning the retail trade, he doj}ed the gown, sensed the carving knife and truncheon, IN AMERICA-"* 77 and commenced wholesale dealer, which, subsequent to the Pensecola Tragedy, (the murder of British subjects, Arbuthnot and Arbrister)* he accomplished by carrying on an extensive business with the : devoted Seminole Indi- ans. This is not a mystic hyperbole, but an authentic document, from known truth and their own publications .j.; for which benign traits in his moral composition, ear- nestly, I recommend him to the Editor of the Newgate Calendar, as a distinguished and brilliant acquisition to the page of virtuous history. As this spurious son of Mars (as a brave man cannot be an assassin), was handed about and exhibited from place to place by his patron, Mr. Mtmroe, the President, in the summer of 1819, I had an opportunity and the satisfaction to view him, and in silent indignation con- templated the magnitude of his atrocities. Phisiogno- mists, poets, and painters have defined the human face as the index of the mind, where, as in a book, you may read the character of the wearer. Being rather near- sighted, I borrowed the optics of Lavater, and askew I *The New York Gazette briefly decried that sanguinary and atrocious deed such a deed that blurs the grace and blush of honor; one that would tear polluted Fame from the laurelled brow of all the heroes that ever existed. ) >V " '*' Our honor and faith as a nation are of mors consequence to us than a thousand ruffians like GencralJackson. G 2. 75 THE WANDERER scanned with fhe nicety and precision of an admirer of Reubens, Raphael, or Correggio, or while gazing- on the statue of a Cyclops, or a Venus de Medicis the object of my curiosity ; but I discovered not the beams of intellectual light, or the majestic dignity and illumi- ned movements of a noble mind, which invariably ani- mates the God-like countenance of virtue and talent- bat the scowling lineaments of Cain ; such a face was Homer's Pyrrhu, when by the awful blaze of Troy he sought and found the venerable Priam.* But come, like a fair sportsman, either within the purlieus of a cock-pit, or a distinguished levee at Tat" ter&alTs I will give and take ; because it shall not be said, that in imitation of the heroes so lately mentioned I attacked cowardly, or in an unwarranted manner, with- out cause OF reason assigned, -even as an act of retalia- tion. Whea at Philadelphia, a morning's lounge ia one of those repertories of literature a bookseller's, a work fell in my way, an American Edition ot'Baines's History of the French Revolutionary Wars, and an abridged Sketch of the principal Events of the late American Wo* with England ; and after a torrent of *A old ADAGE says give old Nrcff his due, (General Andrew Jackson) with 5000 Raw Militia, did foil defeat and annihilate! JOOOO " Veteran" Troops before * NEW OHLF.ANS" a specimen o GENERALSHIP not to he paralleled in modern times, as NEW ORLEANS was, at a. Garrison' d Place. *ST AMERICA 79 abuse profusely bestowed on that individual, pro- ceeds with unrestrained calumny, false and opprobrious as it is ridiculous. Two liberal and enlightened para- graphs I select, in substance literally verbatim, The gallant Admiral Cockburn is thus spoken of -."Friends, sycophants and courtiers at Carlton-House and the Ad- miralty made him a commander, but nature made him a Robber." Another, equally pregnant with inconsis- tence, breathes its ridiculous anger in the following sapient strain : " It is clearly understood, that the scalp of the American General, Pike, now adorns the Speaker's Chair in the House of Assembly for Upper Canada." These abstracted allusions, such generous hints, correct and noble, it is but a common debt of gratitude to repay, as far as we can, the flattering and infinite obligation. Jonathan, affectionate brother Jonathan, I will, I will have patience with me, and I will pay thee all I THE WA3SDEBEE CIIAF X- ^>. IT is no pleasing task to reflect on human misery, but a more painful one to descant upon its cause and effect. The poor Indians, the aborigines of this vast Continent, are now comparatively few; cajoled, swindled and rob- bed of that Territory kind Providence gave them as an inheritance, are scattered wanderers, and they will find no rest but the Banks of the Pacific, or as yet un- known wilderness ; for if the Christian despoilers can- not betray and juggle their ignorance and innocence by toys, or prematurely dispatch them by the deleterious : poison of unwholesome ardent spirits insult and injury provoke revenge ; that object being promoted and at- tained, sanctions the bayonet. The habits of these sin- gular people are yet original ; and if European science and polish have not found their way into the desert chicanery is a stranger too. Some of the tribes have formed settlements, and their occupation is chiefly hunt- ing and shooting in their seasons, various birds, for the table ; and for their skins, the bear, beaver, wolf, fox, musk rat, and great variety of beautiful squirrels ; and ' IK AMERICA. 81 { the' winter, deer, which are the profitable production* of their certain deadly rifles,, and a compensation for their labour and privations,--as they generally reside near a river, fishing, and gathering a kind of useful beautiful grass, which takes up a summer's portion of their time. Their canoes, though not honored by the architecture of Archimedes, but self-taught genius, exhibit a positive proof they have capacity ; these canoes, or small nar- row boats, require not calking, as the bark of the birch- tree forms an impenetrable exterior. Like all human beings in a state of natural exile, they are fond of finery and when they appear in the towns, are tricked out like gingerbread kings and queens : the females seem in- dustrious aud affectionate, and what is inure, are passive arid obedient to their husbands, although the marriage league was not consummated at the shrine of refined re- ligious form , for suck contracts with them are celebrated iu the forest, founded oa the real basis of reciprocal attachment, not sold or fashionably exchanged for so much money yet they require no Ecclesiastical Court to decide mutual bickerings, or finally by a proceeding of Crim, Con. fatten the heroes of the long robe. The female dress is a strange ludicrous contrast; they wear a kind of pantaloon, no cap or bonnet, remarkably long and thick black hair, profusely adorned with glass beads, feathers, &c. mocJcasonsy. which are a kind of half boots, of yellow sheep, or deer skin, often elegantly ornamented with spangles ; and the mothers carry their sucking infants at their bucks iu a kind of box, or cradle, 82 THE WANDERER decked out often with French lace worth ten giiineas. The manufacture of baskets, hats, brooms, &c. Sec. of the grass mentioned, employs the industry of the females. Religion among them has its votaries ; the Catholics have iu lower Canada found recruits, and different Mis-t sionaries are beating up for volunteers to serve in the army commanded by John Wesley, Georga Whitfield, Martin Luther, and John Calvin ; but I have unluckily seen too much on this subject, that my former friendly opinion has suffered change, and now remains stationary, nor could it retrograde, though attacked by a seconfl ap- peal of Stentorian powers, far exceeding those of Par- son Huntingdon, ( alias a Sinner Saved) of coal-heaving fame. Such powers alluded to, in the month of June, 1816, 1 heard within the walls of a celebrated meeting- house in the city of York, England. The preacher con- vinced those hearers who could discriminate, that he had never seen Oxford or Cambridge, or soared beyond some classic village in the West Riding : for his diction was laughably barbarous. Referring to St. Paul, 1 remem- ber gee/er was a substitute for gailer, and c keens for 1 chains ; but, however, he was a clever man, because he flattered the Elect, and obtained his point.* My ob- re- * My Reverend Friend, by a kind of indication of future __ ward, produced a wonderful sympathetic affection between God- liness and Mammon, by coming thus plainly to the point; "My lads and lasses I have rare news to tell ye--the Lord has opeeed a BANK, and ye MUN POSIT BRASS here." IN AMERICA S3 jections I found upon this principle! the missionaries deputed from those sects are men of no education, and possess little more than the hackneyed round of parrot information ; not like a Harder, have five of their own, to make darkness light, and to inspire their hearers by the powerful eloquence of sound doctrine, with a grati- tude and reverence for Omnipotence ; and again, mer- cenary motives are too prevalent with those forest-Jin- ger-posfs to eternal happiness ; their functions gain them admittance, and then their oracles, gloomy predic- tions, and favorite theme, everlasting woe, yields eat- ables, drinkables, wearables, and pocketables ; this is not a tale of falsehood, told of the other side the Atlantic; poor Indians have thus been imposed on, and thus it is these divine tinkers generally return loaded with preci- ous doubloons, eagles, half eagles, and dollars. A sottish creature of this description returned with us, and he had as much gold and silver that would nearly have filled his hat ; tipsy every day, blessed with an uncom- mon share of ignorance, cabin passengers, him and his wife, a lady fond too of the brandy bottle, an abundance of liquors the gratitude of believers ; all this at the ex- pence of enthusiasm quite pleasant ; and as this right- eous man returned from the Bermudas without divine permission from the Hatton Garden Committee, he ex- pected a reprimand ; but he consoled himself with a sanc- tified s/irug, by observing, " Thank God, he could now do without preaching;" but to conclude these observa- tions, it is simply iny opinion, (but I do not wi*h to 84 THE AJ,DEfiEft disseminate suel* as * public doctrine far feom it,) but if Divine Wisdom required the whole human family to .become enlightened, and bring them back to Him, he would not need such agency : but I have my doubts -whether the homage of these " heathens," as they art .called, is aot equally siueere, and equally acceptable at the throne of mercy " Lo the poor Indian, whose untutor'd mind "Sees God in clouds or hears him in the wind."* The Indians, that is the wandering tribes, are accused iff pilfering ! but any calumny is heaped upon them. To um up their character in a few words, they are faithful, hrave, and courageous, affectionate friends, and opew enemies. The children of bondage, the dusky sons of Africa, arc compared with these rangers of the wilderness the very extreme of human degradation. I have little to offer you, my sable brethren, but sad reflection, and Persuasion (if such is necessary) can only be accomplished by 'kind and tender offices of humanity, not by the red hot Bigotry, -and zeal of CREED and its usual ANATHEMAS ; such to the honor of FRIENDS or QUAKERS is their wise and benevolent practise j indeed the INDIAN opinion relative to the Deity or great Spirit, "is so exalted that it admits of no sublime addition, and speaking of CHRISTIANITY the (Savage) " as he is called" throws red INK on the TITLE, " do you Christians Practice what you Preach?" -(when you do) we will profit by your Example. IN AMERICA tfc my whole stock of sympathy ;- if, like an angel, trum- pet-tongued, I could, I would sound an alarm in the souls of your tyrants, and the steeled hearts of your task masters. No more, your averted eye, glistening with tears of bloody torture, wrung from your heart's core by the lash and scourge of barbarous rulers should shun, should hate Christian white man ! Hear me, ye ill-fated creatures of American bought and sold traffic, weep not; rather, in the convulsive agony of your deep-rooted sor- rows, laugh in your chains, that the stripes and indigv nant afflictions you endure, curses the land with ugliness ; bear up but a little while, and your Great Father beyond the moon will take you to your happy, immortal race ! The Americans will tell you, the African niggers have no talent or capacity ;* the French amiable phi- losopher, Montesquieu, ably rebuts the charge. Fie, fie, such are lame apologies for barbarity. " Have we not hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affection.'*, passions ? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed hy the same means, war- med and cooled by the same winter and summer? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh ? If y.ott poison us, do we not die?"- SHAKESPEARE. I am no enemy to the luxuries of those zones where the labour of Africans are required, therefore my moral- ity will be less liable tn animadversion ; all this could be * The Haytian State Papers breathe more exalted sentiments than are to be found in the official documents emanating; from any Cabinet in Modern Europe. II THE WANDERER obtained by kind treatment, periods of servitude, and freedom. It was, and is, generally understood in Europe, that the American Government had determined gradually to abolish slavery, agreeable to the wishes of all good men ; now let us mark the falacy of such promise to mankind. The business or question the most interesting in the Session of Congress (1820) was relative to the State of Missouri being admitted into the Union free and un- shackled, or loaded with the stigma and indelible stain of slavery ? I have read of a Mote and a Beam, and am sorry slavery is not confined to the United Stales alone. Argument in favour of national faith, advocated by a feeling and noble minority, kicked the beam ; while a great majority, in triumphant exultation, laughed at the Reformers, as they termed them ; and strange to tell, a great part of such majority were members from the Free States, enjoying the full blessings of liberty. Qu&re does such decision bespeak despotism or republicanism, as the first article of their boasted Charter of Indepen- dence runs thus: " God created all men free" I am aware my remarks on Slavery will expose me to the censure of its advocates, as such forms paitof the po- litical fabric of America; if so unlucky, my answer is briefly this ;--! have a right, and a holy one, to develope a thrice-told-tale a blot en the name of man, nor would I willingly retract a single iota ; and 1 am confident, the good part of the American people the steady and moral Pensylvanians, the well-disposed of the Eastern and Middle States, will honor me with their full conces- sion of opinion. IN AMERICA 87 But to America belongs a gem richer far than any in the diadein of any monarch upon earth, and while such is a splendid exhibition of humanity, demands the admi- ration of all mankind. Vice is a rank weed of every soil a kind of innate scourge since those days of bliss wl;en angels dwelt, and God himself with man. The punish- ment of death, in the American Penal Code, is seldom resorted to as a sanguinary visitation; murder, piracy, arson, mail robbery, and some part of that act called 'Lord Ellenborough's' are considered henious crimes and the perpetrators sometimes suffer an ignominious death. If memory be correct, I think that lamented excellent character, poor Sir Samuel Uomilly, ever prone to light- en the burthen of human woe, attempted a repeal ef many of our stern statutes, and stated upwards of one hundred and eighty crimes on which the sentence of death on human depravity takes place. It is not a nom- inal twenty shilling scrap of paper ; of no intrinsic valueat best but a*proniissory obligation to meet public confidence lhat consigns to eternity our American fellow- creatures, and in many cases as really implies forgery , extremely doubtful ; strange this in a land first in the list of nations, and boasted innumerable institutions! The contemplative Englishman would ask the question "\Vhy has our mitred and ermine-robed Legislators suffered the Iast 3 the youngest people, to pluck from the brow aud front of majesty itself a nobler prize than Agincourt, Cressy, Blenheim, Trafalgar, or Waterloo could bestow that is, to transform vice into virtnel" The cold moralist in rrply, will say, such 1 wsare essential, are indispensible. His answer would be equally correct to say, our people are worse.* But his ftelings I envy not, and on the practice of Columbia's milder laws, despise them. Vice in many cases in America, is really converted into public? good, and iu all cases reformed, by the following' excel- lent system of prison discipline; The various periods of imprisonment (as none are exiled) are rendered useful to the offender, and a kind of atonement to an injured public. Every male prisoner, if ignorant of all, is bound to learn some trade or occupation ; the females, knitting, sewing and spinning; their state prisons thus exhibiting the most common and useful trades, resemble more a thriving community, than an assemblage of delinquents ; cleanliness is enforced with Mussulman rigour and cus- tom ; order and decorum is rigidly attended to, and a to- tal prohibition of indolence, profaneness and irregularity; and the mild and friendly admonitions of sympathizing clergymen, and serious religious and benevolent visitors, render a willing obedience to such regimen manifest by these gentle means of tenderness and compassion, as coercion is never resorted to; the GREAT EDIFICE is reared and consecrated to the whole celestial HIERAR- *The Americans often make use of a sarcasm, which I am afraid, contains too much severe truth : " Great Britain gave us a shabby population to begin witb, and she yet continues her C ;i IN AMERICA CHY. Each prisoner is charged nine pence per day for provisions, which are of the best quality, and a regular account is kept between him and the Governor of the Prison, as debtor and creditor the Governor receiving all for work done by each respective prisoner, and any surplus in the prisoner's favour, is from time to time ac- counted for, until the final expiration of his sentence, when not unfrequently he receives one hundred dollars at the period of his emancipation, and master of a good trade ; thus led from the path of vice, he assumes re- spectable citizenship, and is seldom known to return. Again, if a prisoner's conduct appear repentant and ex- emplary, a simple memorial or intercession is made to the authorized power, and liberation immediately granted long before the expiration of the sentenced period. The public finances, by so excellent a plan of genuine phi- lantrophy, are not embarrassed with expences ; but vice reclaims itself, at the expence of industry ; and such mercy, like the dew of Heaven, becomes doubly blessed, He that gives and he that receives, H 2. . '. ' f ;7-. . 'Religion, Law and Politics and their minor ramifications form the Constitutions of all Countries, to animadvert seperately on their purity or corruption, advantages or disadvantages, good or evil, would be an endless task, habit does much, and mankind are generally prone to reconcile themselves to its influence. The Chinese considers he is right and on the score of his antiquity, and customs, subscribes to his abso- lute government, pursues with avidity industry, wor- ships his Go.ds y content with this system, thus he passes life's probation. 91 The drowsy Turk charin'd with the voluptuous indui- gencies of Mr. Makomet, sherbet, women, and opium, feels no disposition to alter his code, indeed it would be impossible to introduce a more fascinating excitement to some moral virtues, he certainly possesses in spite of calumny, and the general opinions of the world, freely bestowed upon him than the Koran imposes and guarantees " Sleep on, sleep on, smoke in peace, Paradise will te vour's." The more refined European governments seem, to claim a superior and enlightened plan of rule, courts^ pageantry, intrigues, embassie$,ostentation, jealousies and grasping at power, are the leading characteristics, collectively and individually, if we confine ourselves to a reflection on our own system we may find ample scope for remark. The fabric of our constitution consists of three estates King, Lords and Commons, but we have reason to sup- pose a fourth power, more potent exists, " Wealth" this Power from its irresistible agency, finds its para- mount influence, iu a certain assembly, what is the re- sult? leagued with interest and ambition, it looks to the ultimate climax by a passive obedience to the Minister, 2 - ix. grathu: . .-,..<', >a iVis ; >;i"t ran refuse nolh'i.;g act eyen a Peerage, ifcid ;>:(. ivt cf tin: Crown can thus suppoit its will aucl power u^contvculc d, f ; Uvii a source added to unbounded patronajeand confirmed Sinecures, approaches near Monarchical or a very limited sphere of Oligarchy , and it is sufficiently notorious that all offices and favors in church or state employ, civil or military must emanate from that fountain, but it is not necessary to extend a farther disquisition as regards Home but in the language of a pious Bishop q//?o- chester, to obey is the only province of the people. The wisest institutions ever introduced among'st man- kind however pure and noble, cannot be defended against the insinuating inroads of corruption ; in the primitive days of virtuous Rome she approached perfec- tion closely, and fell by her own faith and fatal credulity : to form an estimate of public institutions we must ana* lize the quantity and quality of the good produced. The government of the United States is certainly the most simple compound and most congenial with the true dignity of that Being called Man fashioned and formed. in the Model of his creator as the noblest specimen and highly gifted proof of his omnipotence. Equality of right is Nature's Plan ; And following Nature is the march of ?Ian. APPENDIX 83 The American^/airzc Phoenix like sprung from its own Ashes its basis is liberty and the four orders employed in its architecture, are wisdom, freedom, equality, and humanity, it wisely recognizes no orders but simply in one philanthropic compact asso- ciates man with man, its executive is the peoples choice, the laws they reverence are their brave fathers legacies, who fired by virtue and indignant at oppression united in the common bonds of friendship and equal interest, fought, bled, and conquered at the shrine of genuine patriotism. . The faith they follow teaches them that a good man requires no express doctrine or the imposing jargon of priestcraft, orthodox, tenets, or sectarian rant, to teach him his duty, as an useful citizen or upright Christian, or to constrain the latitude of his opinions to one principle. " Heaven" has opened a ' Volume"' for the inspec- tion of Man ascending from the poor Beetle which ha treads on, to the dusky Lion, and descending from thq mountain Pine to the humble Primrose and leaves him to draw his own conclusions, this being the case religious sentiments are no bar or hindrance to prevent the holding of any office, such a liberal and politic measure becomes a cement impervious and firm, again on the score, of publifr 04 APPENDIX worship the expence of n Pastor becomes no burden t o the people, because Tylhes are not consider' <1 connected with Man's salvi.liou, but such expence is a voluntary contribution of each and t\eryjiocfc, thus we may fairly conclude the conduct of the reverends comes nearer St. Paul's injunction to Timothy than some of our often plural fed" incumbents," because if the practice of Mi. Preacher is found at variance with his precepts " he is removed" (happy admirable plan) nor is he permitted to become a civilian and by vexatious, litigation and pre- judice divide his fellow men, but standing aloof from all secular pursuits, harmonizes, by friendly and mild affec- tion, the more sordid and speculative passions, by this chaste and virtuous plan of duty spiritual and temporal, he becomes respected, and accepted, as the souls physi- cian, to administer to the mind diseased. The pimple structure of the American political machi- nery does not seem to require a many hands to work it, they are frugal housewives, keep no more cats than catch mice, they see no necessity for a profligate waste of the public money in bestowing pensions on unprincipled debauchees, for doing nothing, and on * Titled Dandies for doing less. * If I mistake not there are some eight Noble Paupers whose Pension Annuities, amounts to more money than the whole Civil Establishment of the American Government. APPENDIX; fl& No compensation by way of pension exists except to (seamen amUolditrs), 1 have often condemn' d this want or" public gratitude on the part of the Americans, for I cannot but suppose the man of talent who for eminent services, has dese;v'd the esteem and approbation of his country should be in some degree remunerated in a pe- cuniary manner, but Englishmen are so accustom'd to a (Red Book) and its monstrous -items that a correct dis- crimination rarely takes place this injudicious system no doubt pleases two parties and is in accordance with the chaste charity of Hamlet " The less they deserve the more Merit is in your Bounty." The American Government having little or no Pa. tronage to bestow, how are the representatives of the peo- ple compensated for theirtime and services ?~may be ask- ed, why the American representative is paid by the State or County, which he represents, he therefore cannot con- sistently play the knave, and deceive his constituents, or if he did, the period of servitude being so short that is two years fora representative and four for a sc not or ; such defection would not be mischievous. f-MftVVT " V. Education in the United States is of the most liberal kind an useful routine of instruction divested of absurd dogmas : Children in America are first taught to rcver- 9g APPENDIX ence and honor (GoD) only, next their duty to their ftl- low Men in a civil not a servile sense, hence Church Catechisms are considered dead letters, and are not vvant- t'd, are therefore kept within their proper precincts the " Nursery." The simplicity of the American system, twist and tor- ture it as we will, is so just and fine an equlibrium, making no distinction of men, but all equal partakers of its purity and blessing, that it gives fire and energy, life and animation to the whole round of human capacity and exertion, because man feels his leading passion gratify'd (self interest) it is for his own and family's welfare, not to feed others, his talents and industry are brought into action. T have remark'd her jurisprudence appear'd to me im- perfect, such I beg- may not be considered, conclusive but merely as a remark, not perhaps, duly, and properly, ex- amined, but may have hastily become amalgamated with prejudice, but be it as it may, the error being on the side of mercy we will willingly accept an apology and I am happy to find the expence and march of civilization and science extend their influence, as a revision in con- gress has recently taken place in favor of slave emanci- pation and humanity and a repeal of those bloody laws they did not certainly enact. APPENDIX 97 An act passed in the year 1740, and made perpetual in 1783, it commences by a heart chilling- enunciation relative to that odious and detestable deformity Slavery : " Whereas in his Majesty's Plantations, &c. &c. Sla- very has been allowed; be it enacted that all Negroes, Mulattos, &c. &c. who are, or shall hereafter be in this Province, (the Carolinas) and all their issue and off- spring born, and to be born, shall be and are hereby de- clared to be and remain for ever after absolute Slaves." Clause 37lh : " Be it enacted, that any person wil- fully murdering- a slave shall forfeit 100 sterling, and if any person shall on a sudden heat of passion, or by undue correction kill his own slave, or slave of another person, he shall forfeit 50." Clause 38th, enacts a penalty of 14 for cutting out the tongue, dismembering and other tortures inflicted by any other instrument than a horsewhip, cow skin, or small stick. Clause 45th, inflicts a penalty of 100 for teaching a slave to write. At the commencement of the late war with America, and during a great part of its progress, the people were divided into three parties, Republicans, Federalists, I 99 APPENDIX and Democrats, the first forms the most numerous and soundest part of the population (by far) ; the Federalists are a party clinging to titles, crowns, mitres, distinc- tions and aristocracy, exalting the few and humiliating the mil/ion : the Democrats are a few only and of no consequence, a party, I was informed in America, who were jealous of rule and power, and could dispense with all moral organization. The Federalists during the late war opposed the government in the most unnatural and treasonable manner, even preventing in the Eastern States the raising of loans, such was the case until an event took place which reconciled all parties, the destruc- tion of Washington by the British Forces: "John Bull" was pleased because he fancied a victory, and Jonathan was pleased because such event wounded the national honor; after that I am confident no Euro- pean force could have conquered America, and if she steers clear of faction and its destructive coadjutors, if no such contravention takes place, in all human probability, at some period, she must in a great measure, dictate to the world, as it is natural to suppose, the two Republics of North and South America, swayed and actuated by laws and energies the same, and as it were created of the same materials, no jealousies can exist, as no extent of empire on either side can be desired, as they divide nearly a third part of the habitable globe, and as their frontier extends nearly 10,000 miles, ordinary mathema- ticians may form a kind of guess what numbers would be requisite to attempt an invasion, equally as feasible APPENDIX would be the bottling off the Atlantic ; sad experience taught European tactics a different doctrine, and I am persuaded the invisible ambush and the majic rifle would paralyse with horror the stoutest hearts, without the chance of retribution ; such has been the case, and will ever be a barrier, but there exists a cause more potent than rifles or forests: anyybreesent from any European Legitimate would want that something they could exhi- bit any where but America, because seamen and soldieis are not so grossly pampered with royalty and loyalty as to reject feeling ; they know they are destined to oppt>se a host of freemen, self created freemen, and they covet a share of their real or imaginary happiness :* svseh re- flection naturally would and lias enery'd and palsied the arm of sanguine hostility, these considerations and bv great distance ffom Europe will enable her, at a small expence, to guard herself, and laugh at obtruders, and as she has all the resources and conveniences of life within herself, it would be impolitic and futile to at- tempt her subversion. One Volunteer is worth twenty Pressed Men, a good old proverb in American Practice, which imparts a different impulse, from that rotten portion of our system and of itself speaks Volumes. * When the crew of the captur'dGuERRiER Were landed at New London (Connecticut) they were not marched to a loathsome PRISON, but were free to provide for themselves by any industri- ous means and where they pleased, and some of those very indl- ar now- Topping Farmers. 100 APPENDIX I have observed defection to a great extent existed du- ring the late war, yet, strange to tell, although the Pre- sident was armed with full powers, and had at his dis- posal the Habeas Corpus Act, yet he wisely refrained from the exercise of any coercive measure, and oa the jus- tice of the contest and the sober sense of the people firmly relied, he was not deceived, and that fortitude foiled, de- feated and shamefully degraded the pigmy machinations of a treasonable faction, and it is curious that no secret service money was required by, or granted to the chief Magistrate, or the worthy offices of an Edwards or an Oliver, &c. &c. deemed essential, nor in the piping time of peace is it found requisite to maintain a standing Army, that people will not allow it, that people pay and they rule, and as the good Citizen forms the Soldier', " vice versa" the good Soldier forms the Citizen, With respect to the American system, its relativa value, and to the advancement it may be considered as having made in the science of Politics, there will pro- bably exist much diversity of opinion, but none I think as to its utility with reference to the American people, it has survived the tender period of infancy, and out-lived the prophecies of its downfall, its principles have been, fostered into maturity and their application illustrated .by experience, it has borne the nation through a period of domestic difficulties and external danger, it has been found serviceable both in peace aud war, and may well T AHPJHEND-ML 10*1 laim from the nation it has saved and honored ike. votive benediction of In. reference to the climate of America, so extreme is its Continent, or rather the two Hemispheres, (North and South) stretching through all the five Zones, that it possesses every variety of climate, soil and production which the earth affords : the Middle Eastern and North- ern States of North America are, in general, salubrious and compatible with the constitutions of northern Eurc- .peans, but the southern States I should conclude too Ac/, and consequently more suitable for native constitutions south of France, but to be brief, in the States of Peii- sylvania, New York, and province of- Upper Canadtt alone, there is yet convenient vacancy for half the pec- pie in Europe, and a finer climate no where exists, and as the more remote States westward become cleared and cultivated, doubtless a many diseases, now existing, will be removed ; in fact, eveiy thing in America appears to require the mellowing hand of Time to invest her with the Regal " Insignia" as QUEEN OF THE PACIFIC. 12. 102 APPENDIX Now as the hour of final seperation is about to take place between me, the United States, and its people, I shall attempt a kind of impossibility that is a character of a community who have not yet obtained any, and shall add such general information, founded upon actual . personal information, that is most essential to be under- stood, and compatible with my promise and wishes; and such, I hope, will impart advice on the principal object, and lead to a correct decision. To emigrate, or not to emigrate that is the question ; and who, and what trades or occupations are the most eligible, and other miscellaneous remarks connected. After the successive visits of Columbus, Americanus, and the Cabots, a religious sect crossed the Atlantic, and were followed by a race of criminals, vulgarly called transports men of taste and science, whose Jingering propensities gave them sweet powers, far beyond the fabled talent of Master Orpheus ; prodigies in the re- gion of harmony, they rejected the dulcet notes drawn from the fretted chords Oh wonderous genius ? and in ravishing strains upon the ankled manacles, melted the very soul of every sea-god and wood-demon to pity by- ' " Hope told a flattering Tale, And "Fare thee well, Manchester." AFPENDTJC But a solution of (heir pedigrees is tco complex mora difficult to ascertain than Welch progemtoiship, which precedes Adam, or the stable < onsanguiuity of Eclipse t Ifumblctonian, Sir Joshua^ JDitlchess, Joan of Arc t or Miss Bailey* Europe, from war, changes and revolutions, became embarrassed in taxation and debt; such circumstances naturally created a desire to seek emancipation, and the American Quarter of the Globe held out the most flatter- ing 1 invitations, though in fact there was no other asylum ; and many adventurers, who sought that country, from ten to forty years ago, became successful, and they or their descendants are now in competent circumstances. Since that period, she has rapidly increased in population, im- posts and taxes, and decreased in commerce. Her go- vernment first demands notice; for if net the best it is certainly the cheapest upon earth. The elective right rests with the people, as respects its executive ; literally the whole body politic emanates from public choice, but comparatively small as is the patronage of that Govern- mtnt, power and corruption guide that choice ; still, as the period of office is of so short duration, the influence of those evils are less hostile to the present invulnerable fabric of the Constitution. ; - i r .. The Americans are not a yielding passive race of con- tented plodders, to innovating power, and curtailed liber- ty; but like judicious and wary paymasters, see the properly performed, and, as they are tenacious, guard-against any encroachment ; thus that source, front whence springs authority, becomes a barrier or equili- brium between the rulers aud the ruled ; Qualifications, for President, Vice-President, Senators, Representatives, &c. are first, capacity, then possessors of certain pro- perty to different amounts, citizenship, age, &c. &c.-The Constitutions of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ver- mont, New Jersey, Pensylvania, and the Carolinas, re- quire a profession of a belief in Christianity, and several of them limit the species of it to Protestanism ; an act of the Virginia Assembly requires a belief of the Trinity in unity. By the Constitution of Connecticut, all freemen are eligible to all offices ; and the Western States only require the peoples choice. Religion is as free as the air they breathe, that is, all modes of worship are tolera- ted without prejudice to the respective votaries, and as every flock keeps its own shepherd, their churches and chapels are distinguished and known by the names of the respective preachers, and as they can remove their pas- tors, their Temples often change their title; the most prevalent and successful are the doctrines of the Unita- rians, Universalists, and sour unkind, uncompromising Galvanism enemy to health and all social enjoyment. OMNIPOTENCE gave not to man moral propensities to condemn him to eternal misery ! Perish the thought ! These charitable Elect, in the greater part of New Eng- land, exclude all national amusement the fine arts, and $y.en music ;t,b.u S.t> Cecili^ is condemned as a piano- APPENDIX 105 forte playing hussey, and such frigidity of sentiment, freezes the more congenial and generous Avenues of the Soul, except the nearest way to dollars, and to (Heaven.) The solemnization of marriage is seldom consummated in any place of worship, but is considered legal, if per- formed in any private house, or tavern, by a Squire or Magistrate,* who simply demands whether the'party are free, able, and willing, and then pronounces his rivet- ting official injunction; that is, to increase, multiply, and replenish the earth, for which he receives a fee, ac- cording to the circumstances of the happy pair. Baptism is rarely resorted to as a Christian form ; thus it is as parents name their offspring as they think pro* * One of these Versatile gentlemen I met with in the State of New Jersey, whose multifarious occupations I thought an improve- ment on the industrious parish clerk, CALEB QUOTEM; though (to use an American phrase) of a " higher grade." He was a Repre- sentative for the County a Militia Colonel a Magistrate Postmaster of the District Collector of the State Taxes and chief BONIFACE of the neighbourhood; to which, upon this occa- sion, he added a faithful representation of SAM, in " Raising the wind," by honouring us at breakfast with the patronage and luperinteudencG of the tea pot. 106 .APPENDIX per, we meet so many out-of-the-way names in America, that could not be found tven on Mount Olympus on * grand gala day. Cheerfully willing to honor truth with real respect, 1 concede to the Americans a greater portion of external moral principle than is to be found among our lower or- ders of the community : "their taciturnity I have com- plained of, but if tltey are not loquacious, they are not rude, nor in their conversation and manners disgusting 1 . How far the historic placidity of character exists amongst the Gentoos of the east, or our more immediate neigh- bours, the Swiss, a (subject that has attracted the notice of many a muse in poetic song) I know not ; but in Ame- rica I observed an invariable deviation from those rude manners and habits of profane and uncalled-for swearing and obscenity, so frequent and painful in our public streets, and even polluting our village scenes. Public boast often becomes a dreadful satirist, and no where more than in the United States. In their news* papers you are frequently told of Republican gratitude, and such is explained by a public dinner one given here to General this, and another there, to Commodore that; but the less you say, Jonathan, of gratitude t the VlPPI.NDIX IQTt legs you will outrage truth, and court derision. Wher$ are the remains of your WASHINGTON and his collea- gues? Where the recently-consigned dust of your brave PERRY, your naval hero, the first American who ever foiled the English in squadron ? and now a living ru- in gives the lie to your presumption. The venerable TRUMBULL, whose meridian days were spent in your service, as an upright and inflexible Judge, and whose, Poem of " M' FingaV you loudly acknowledge, in ths days of your Revolution imparted more benefit thau thousands of rifles in aid of that memorable event! - now, Jonathan, that j udge, and that author, at the agq of 70, is obliged to publish for subsistence his mental productions! The Americans are an enterprising people, active and industrious, remarkably subtle, and possess a deal of what is called forethought, or look before you leap ; and if by any chance of shuffling deception they can rob you of a dollar, it is a feather in the cap of genius of more honor to the thief, than two dollars obtained by laudable industry ; and such knavery confers on them the envi- able distinction of smart *. fellows and wide awake* Well educated law and medical gentlemen would find V. HO advantage or satisfaction by the change, because every 108 APPENDIX. ffog presumes to explain Bacon ; and any basilicon Luck may usurp M. D. or A. S. S. The Fine Arts, or scientific men, are not much in request; they want no WESTS, MORELANDS, or STUBBS; such luxuries are not consistent with American taste, because inconveni- ent to American pockets. The caricatures of TEGG or FORES are preferred and held in high estimation; two shillings will make any purchase, and the subjects being generally national embarrassments, or personal burlesques in high life, are considered charming by Jonathan, who delights to laugh at poor brother John's mishaps. Me- chanics of every description, (smiths, carpenters, wheel- wrights and millwrights excepted) had, in my opinion, founded on observation and sad complaint, better stay at home; the Americans are not an ignorant race of uncul- tivated beings look at their naval architecture, the most beautiful symmetry of its kind, as a specimen. The above excepted trades will always meet employ and great wages, because of the continual erection of towns. Such in Upper Canada, or if political prejudices exclude from there, I would recommend the opposite side the western part of the state of New York. I certainly do recommend that part of the American Continent, because it is the most healthy no trifling consideration ; " A bold peasantry is its country's pride." If such a man could, by balloon conveyance, find him- self and half a score stout sons in Canada, 50 in his APPENDIX 109 pocket, a good stock of he 1th and strength, and his happy soul feels no regret, who could hum " Clod Save the King," as an axe stimulant, or whistle " Bnb and Joan," as a spade accompaniment that is the man; but what can I say to the British farmer ? Here 1 am perplexed ; because at the present time it is very unfa- vorable against America, consequently no just criterion exists, as the low price of produce in England seriously affects the American markets. If a farmer decides oti the change, I still will say Canada, or opposite. If he goes to the east, he will there find in the Yankee charac- ter, combined, the tolerable mechanic, the fisherman, and the farmer men who can navigate the globe in a bath- ing tub, or search the womb of horrible Vesuvius, when, a dollar is to be obtained. If he goes to the South, he finds a few rich planters, and a miserable black popula- tion, in bondage a fevered, unhealthy climate, and a system of agriculture he knows nothing about. If he goes to the Westward, led by Mr. Birkbeck's criminal delusion mark the difficulties. On the farmer's land- ing- either at New York, Philadelphia, Alexandria, or Baltimore, one thousand guineas, and no less sum, would be indispensable, and one ton of bark, half a ton of calo- mel, one hogshead of castor oil, and fifty gallons of laudanum. The distance to the domain of this Surrey, and I may add, sorry blade, from any of the above ports, is at least twelve hundred miles, and seven hun- dred from market New Orleans. Arrived in this West- ern Paradise, through difficulties of which he has no con- K 110 APPENDIX ception, he builds, : and plants (after his Midas-blessed purchase has taken place) cows, pigs, horses, &c. Money by this time is gone ; in the course of two or three years he m&y have produce for market ; he sends such to an agent, or consignee is he paid in cash ? No. How then ? Why barter. Thus it is he gets no money, and as they say, he wants no money. The implements or medical working tools I have prescribed, cannot be omitted, as agues and bilious fevers, &c. are certain, and often certain death too ; and it would be desirable a farmer, previous to his Illinois visit should study pharmacy and phlebotomy. Such remarks I have heard made in a similar manner, by very respectable Americans, I there- fore resign Mr. Birkbeck up to public opinion. The fact is Mr. B. aspiring to the rank of a Western Prince, purchased a considerable tract of Land, then finding out his mistake, aimed at a Retrieval, wrote his Letters and (Angled) for "Lunatics." In the Western States, (Virginia, Georgia, Sec.) they have a savage custom of " gov ging ;" that is, for any trifling offence, they will not resent it in a plain and man- ly manner, but the wretched Victim is waylaid, and the knuckles are forced into the sockets of the eyes ! thus the blessed orb of light is for ever removed and extinguished. Provisions of all kinds are much cheaper than in Eng- land; spirits, wine, &c. and clothes, furniture, &c. equally as cheap ; house-rent in the large towns is very APPENDIX 111 high, as also firing; taxes are not worth a cansidera- tioo. Some articles I have ohseived, that is meat, is far inferior to ours; as beef,, mutton, lamb, veal, &c. the oxen are, by labour and neglect, brought to mere skin and bone, then prepared for market, by the application of Indian corn, which (being of an oily nature) hastily loads them with fat ; the meat looks uncommonly fine, thus, fed, but in the cooking one half is waste, the other sinew and gristle; mutton., Sic. becomes dry and insipid ; but pigs and poultry it suits, and they are indeed luxuries. The State of Ohio has been pointed out by such writers, (or rather literary gentlemen as ]\f r. Palmer) as a peculiarly fstvored portion of the American Continent, because of the great advantage arising- from the prairies, (as they are termed) which means an extensive boundary of land without timber $ sort of. marshy plain. Now in order that we may come, to something like correct demonstration, by the power of ratiocination, let us en- quire and consider how fat such recommendations to Eu- ropeans, (expressly Englishmen) accord* with humanity, or tantamount with policy, compared with the other di- visions of the Union, or Canada. Those prairies,, being swampy, or in plain English, boggy laud, exhale agues and fevers innumerable, and such are rather formidable and unprofitable associates, and this scasotimgy (as it is very properly termed by the Ame- ricans) is a kind of human ordeal (unavoidable,) and such are inseparable in all the We&tem States. 11 APPENDIX The great distance from markets, and no population to cause a consumption at home, keeps produce low, and consequently farmers low too. As a proof of my state- ments, the cattle jobbers from New York, Philadelphia, Charleston, and Baltimore, though great the distance, (GOO miles and upwards) find it a profitable speculation to make their purchases in the State of Ohio, &c. &c. : and other productions, such as grain, &c must find those markets by river conveyance, which expence naturally falls on the articles and returned barter to the farmer, such as groceries, liquors, wearing apparel, &c becomes increased in price to him, because of carriage expences. The great distance from market is a serious draw-back and inconvenience; such is the case in Upper Canada, and in every part such difficulty exists, in proportion to the distance from large towns. Though Canada has a superior advantage over the Western country, her in- habitants are settled on or near the banks of her great and navigable lakes and rivers, the same observation is applicable to her opposite neighbours, the Americans, who occupy in like manner. It is generally understood in England, that the ex- pence of clearing land in America of its heavy timber must be very great, and no return towards such expence, those suppositions are erroneous, for, upon enquiry, 1 found that where such clearings are made in the neigh- bourhood of rivers and lakes, the transportation of potash, APPENDIX 113 staves for Coopers use, &c. to the seaports for foreign exportation, leaves a surplus profit to the farmer, an(J the conveyance of water carriage iu America is so gen- eral, that I know no part without navigable waters for boats of some description, or rafts ; these rafts are tim- bers rudely fastened together, say 80 feet long and (50 broad, a temporary cabin in the centre, and some four hands to work it, these rafts are soon constructed at the conflux of different waters on the Mississippi, Ohio, Delaware, Missouri, &c. Stc. and at the foot of Lake Ontario, on the St. Lawrence, descending with an im- mense load of timber down to Quebec, a distance of near 400 miles, the same observation is applicable to other produce as well as timber and potash, flour in barrels, maize, or Indian corn, buck-wheat, pork, &c. &c. ; an4 it is fair to observe, the American and Canadian farmer have a far greater variety of produce than the British far- mer ; he grows his own tobacco,he makes from peaches good brandy, from rye excellent whiskey for home consump- tion and exportation, he grows abundance of apples ; not a house, or log hut, but what have very extensive orch.- ards, consequently great quantities of cyder, he grows his own sugar from the beautiful maple, a process the most simple, ia March au incision is made in the trunk of the trees and the sap is thus drained from, them into proper vessels, the whole being collected together is re- ceived into a boiler and by the action of fire it soon be- comes candied, bat like the poor African or the kind hearted Indian, its complexion depreciates its value, and K 2. 114 APPENDIX all these distillations, extracts, and concretions, are made without that blighting and pernicious wand the EX- CISEMAN'S STICK. I will now, in a concise manner, recapitulate the prin- cipal heads and observations most essential, and finally point out the most convenient ports for embarkation. The British emigrant has to encounter heavy expences and perils as a single plank is the only separation be- tween the inmates of a ship and eternity '. His constitu- tion has to contend with a change of climate, from an unequalled one like that of Great Britain take it for all in all to a health withering hemisphere, to English con- stitutions with the exception of that portion I have point- ed out; the fluctuation of our atmosphere is nothing compared to that of America. On the 10th of January, 1817, the peach and orange trees in the neighbourhood of Charleston were in blossom and bearing ; and on the 18th the crew of a schooner on Lake Ponchartrain, in the same district, were frozen to death ! In the month of Feb- ruary, 1820, 1 was mid-leg in snow and, over head fever- ed with a burning sun ! Hence it is a climate so oppress- ed with terrible extremes, makes mere thread-papers of the living; and the pale. Serjeant Death is seldom in that country disposed to joke or grant indulgencies, by giving warning but sweeps off regiments, often well in the morning, and in the grave at night ! (according to law) lu the summer of 1819, a cargo of emigrants from Bel- APPENDIX lift fast, (07 in number) landed at New Orleans in good health, and in five days the whole were consigned to " that bourne from whence no traveller returns 1" Again, the emigrant has to contend with a shrewd, people, whose customs, manners and habits are inimical to his own, and at the present time a people whose pecu- niary affairs, commerce, &c. are as much, and more embarrassed, (according to their poverty and resources), as any people in Europe : for in the State of New York alone there have been more Sheriff's Sales for taxes (few and so little oppressive as they are) within the last twelve months, and twice the number of bankrupt farmers ; and I am convinced no change for the better can take place in America, unless a famine should des- olate Europe, and America should be blessed with abun- dance, or a war for twenty-five years should again ravage Europe, and America again become a profitable specu- lator and common carrier to half the globe ! such things are not, impossible, but rather improbableunless, 1 re- peat, Jonathan can, from such causes, laugh in his sleeve, and again ridicule his brother John, as contending for the bone, while he runs away with the better part. Ame- rica cannot entertain hopes respecting general improve- ment ; manufactures they cannot establish ; they want capital, and what is a greater obstacle, they want the per- mission of the Southern planters, who, as we say, rule the roast; for planters, merchants and ship-owners are swayed by one motive, and such form Legislators. 116 APPENDIX An observation, not extraneous to the term Legisla~ tors, I cannot omit, it was with surprise 1 noticed at Washington, the President, doubtless the first Magis- trate on the face of the globe, (James Munroe) Senators, ad Representatives, at the sober hour of nine in the morning-, going to their legislative labours on foot with a simple umbrella to shield them from the rain ; but ad- miration exhibits its brilliancy in the person of an Ex- President (Mr Jefferson) the man who drew up the De- claration of American Independence, whom the un-hought voice of his fellow citizens called to the exercise ofadig- nity higher than that of Kings, succeeds with graceful dignity to that of the good neighbour, and becomes the friendly adviser, lawyer, physician and even gardener of liis vicinity, what Monarch would venture thus to exhi- bit himself in the nakedness of his humanity, this, this is indeed the "still small voice" of philosophy, deeper and holier than the lightnings and earthquakes that have preceded it. The laws of Cattadd'are extremely mild and indulgent, as are those of Pensy Ivania, whose inhabitants are chiefly Quakers and Germans ; and the land of the two divisions, and I may add, the State of New York is equal to any ja the country, and ther local circumstances are of superior advantage ; the compensation of mechanics and labourers, of course, will vary according- to the demand for them in different States, Thus have I carefully en- APPENDIX. 117 deavoured to render every information ; but it is impos- sible to positively impose this place or that, because I am sensible, let the emigrant's pursuit be what it may, his choice becomes bewildered on his arrival ; for one will point out the State of Missouri another Massachu- sets, the almost extreme boundaries east and west. The pages I have not swelled or augmented by a prolix detail of pointing- out distances from place to place as there stands a tree, or here runs a stream, which I consider unnecessaiy, and indeed useless. If, therfore, such remarks should be considered worthy of adoption, to remain at home, I have conscientiously, in an unpre- judiced manner, gained my purpose. On the reverse, should a transportation be decided on, I hope I have offered some means of defence and caution ; and I sin- cerely wish those a safe passage, and the blessing of health, peace, and plenty. And now to my distinguished friends, who kindly hon- ored me with their fostering patronage as SUBSCRIBERS, I once more appeal ; I am aware a barrenness of intel- lect, as well as the cold hand of penttry, will appear on the feature of these pages : yet poor as I am, I am still rich in thanks. I humbly, therefore, intreat, (though last, not least) they will deign to accept the permanent and" unfeigned gratitude of their Obedient, devoted Servant, THE AUTHOR. 118 APPENDIX '*.* ; CONCLUSION. PROBABLY the freedom of my remarks respecting some of the American leading characters, may be consi- dered libellous ; bur, 1 presume, the following- will pro- tect me from the Philistine grasp of American ex-officio obtrusion. I have observed, that disaffection was thun- dered from the pulpit during the late war iu America; now as I do not wish to be condemned as a prejudiced aspersor, I respectfully submit the following quotations from different SERMONS during the war period; such language would with us have been pronounced, at least, if not treason, sedition: yet there such was not noticed : " If you do not wish to become the slaves of those who own slaves, and who are themselves the slaves of French slaves, you must, in the language of the day, cut the connection," &c.-~ [Sermon by the Rev. F. Gardener, Boston, preached July 23, Accordiug to tbfcJUev. Dr. OSGOOD " Whoever assisted the Government in any vray to carry on the war, was, in the sight of God, aud his law, 4 murderer."--* [Sei-mon, June 27, 1812. " Were not the authors of this War in character nearly a-kin to the Deists and Atheists of France ? Were they not men of hardened: hearts, scared consciences, reprobate minds, and des- APPENDIX III) perate wickedness, it seems utterly .inconceivable that they should have made the Declaration." Idem. " If at the present moment no symptoms of civil war appear they certainly will soon, unless the courage of the war party should fail them." [Idem. The Rev. ELIJAH PARISH thns exhorts his Con- gregation : " New England, if invaded, would be obliged to defend her- gelf ; do you not then owe it to your children, to your God, to make peace for yourselves." [Sermon, April 7 5 1814. " The full vials of despotism are poured on your heads, and yet you may challenge the plodding Israelite, the stupid African the feeble Chinese, the drowsy Turk, or the fro/en exile of Si- beria, to equal you in tame submission to the powers that be." [Idem. " How will the supporters of this Antichristian warfare en- dure their sentence?- endure that fire that for ever burns, the worm which never dies, while the smoke of their tormtnt as- cends for ever and ever'. [idem. LONDON and LIVERPOOL are the principal; but the latter place is iniinitely preferable, both in respect to ships, and frequency of departure for every American port. Having engaged a passage on board one of those horses of the main, you proceed to obtain stores, ac- cording to circumstances ; a frequent use of rhubarb, or Epsom salts, would be lound beneficial during the pass- age. Finally, let me suppose the emigrant landed in safety, and in good health ; if such intend to purchase land, to be careful ; in Upper Canada it is given con- ditionally to respectable men, but be cautious in the States: let no arrear of taxes be a kind of heir-loom, and be assured of a legal title, before you part with a dol- lar. I am sorry, as in duty bound, to recommend and suggest a modern term in the flash vocabulary of the day, become decpjiles; in one brief emphatic meaning, let GREEK MEET GREEK. Irrevocably fixed in opinion, that such and other precautions I have stated, are indis- pensable I am inclined to admit, that a livelier pen than mine has formed for me an ultimatum. " England with all thy faults, I love thee still." FINIS. Tldrsk : Printed by Henry Masterman. ^dlP* A 001 263 079 4 . Ll^cARY