7.-\o^ ^.."i* ♦ 'jvS- . '.^'X '« 0' .'JL*.. ^. ^* ^•"• '-.^■ O*. ***if * ^0- r- ^ ti. 1:f :^^°. c°\.i^^':-°o /*\:^^-.\, >^.-^<>- ./ ^^ AT ♦ .^^• ■v^. W.'^^'X ' ■\/ '' ON EMIGRATION^ New Vork^ Juli/Siy 1818, OH, 4Jll TEAR OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. Dear-Sir, It is now upwards of twelve months since I landed in this count ry, during; which time I liave b(^en a silent, tliou^h chjsc observer of liie character and manners of the people, to reside among whom I left my country and friends. I ha\e been studiously anxious about the situation of my country men wlio liave emi- grated in the hope of belterinp; their condition; au 1 I feel it my duly to transmit to Kuro{)o the result of my observations on the Anieric;ui cliaracter, with tlie situa- tion of emigrants, and tluir future prosi»ccl.s, for the in- formation of those, whose minds are undetermined as to the propriety of rmi^iratinf; to the United Slates. To do tliis belore 1 had been an inhabitant one year, would justly have been thou;j;!it premature. The Am(!rican charactiTj in some respects, is truly ad- mirable ; in others, so strongly marked witli prejudice, that in some States, it is more disgust in;r than the charac- ter of any people on the face oftlie earth. It isadmiraldo in their superlative love of country. From the oldest to the youngest, this trait is the most prominent. Their prejudice consists in their hatred of the Englisli people, not the goKpniwont — their favourite theme of coversar, tion is, how ire (the people of England) endeavoured to crush them in the re\ olutionary war, how ive " got V hipped^' how t/'e subsequently impressed their seamen, how cruelly rce waged war with them, and how we ^^ got uluppecr again on land and at sea for our pains. When one or more native* of Britain are present, this Is their darling ^.opic ; and thi^ ib what I 'I'.iiominale J? Ignorant prejudice, for il is well-known that no Wars ^vere ever entered into by the British government from the t ime of the First William to the pre- sent period, so unpopular as the American revolu- tionary war, and the war in 1812. There were, during the struggle for American independence, as many, and 1 believe more, advocates for American emancipation, in Britain, than in America. The people, from many parts of England, sent deputies, who were examined by the ministers, and some, at the bar of the House of Lords, on the impropriety and injustice of the continu- ance of the war. Petitions were also sent by the people, praying for its discontinuance. That part of the American character, which to me is disgusting, is their continuance and extension of slavery, in a republican country ; but as it is my intention to de- vote one letter to this subject, I shall say no more on it here. The dress, habits, and manners of the people, are, in America, more diversified than, perhaps, in any othei' country in the world — the people of each State have some peculiarities by which they are known, and the linglish are distinguished from all, though speaking the same language, which is called, and considered Ameri- can ! They pride themselves in speaking more correctly, and in pronouncing their words more distmctly and ele- gantly than the English!! The great fault they find with the English, is their not sufficiantly aspirating the h, in Aat, Aorse, Aouse, and in other words in which that letter should have its full sound, and aspirating it where it should be omitted, as, in " Aerror'^ for error, " /iopher, and possessed more ta- lents than any of his countrymen* ^Jr, Duane, k the oiiiy editor of a public journal (Piiiladelpliia Aurora) in America, wlio is independeiit in liis principles and really talented, he is more vilified and hated, than all the editors in tliis country put together, for three reasons ; the first, that he will not be made the tool of any men or party ; the second, that he is the best writer in the country ; and lastly, that he has made a decided stand against the present administration, for not assisting the people of South America in their struggle for freedom. Mr. Pvlmiroe's administration is remarkable for inatten- tion to internal improvements, for being worse than neuter, in the cause of South America, and for the chartering of swindling establishments, called Banks^ from which the country has suffered so mucli. The Americans evince as much hatred to learnings reason and wisdom, as one who has the liydrophobia does to water. To be sure, they have public establish- mentSj called " Colleges," but what man of talent or erudition has been produced? none! positively none!! go to their courts oi' justice, and hear their lawyers ta- citly admitting their own inferiority by quoting prece^ dents from the English courts, almost every action in a court of law, is decided by English judges ! that is, the most pointed or strong precedent quoted by American lawyers from the English reports are made law in Re- publican America ! ! ! Can ycm believe, my dear Sir, that under a radically reformed government in Britain, lawyers would waste their time, in poring over the huge piles of musty law cases, to find precedents to determine cases, in an age generally thouglil wiser ! would it not be admitting our own inferiority in intellect? or do you think a judge would disgrace himself by referring to the decisions of a Jid^ries, a Kenyon, a Mansfield, or an Ellenborough ? I think not. My opinion is, every decision, every re- cord, disgraceful to honest men would be burnt. How- ever, English prejudiced decisions answered very well in the following cases I ha\ e no doubt. They were quoted witli the greatest eclat to the prejudice of the accused, and subsequently convicted being, who, perhaps, a few years before fought and bled to make his country in- dependent of British law, and British tyranny ; then ia biB old age to be consigned to a dungeon, and compeliad to pay a fine for swearing an oath common to all sailors, on the authority of an " English Precedent !" The first case is, that of Cornelius Brown, a common sailor, who in 1802, was convicted in the penalty of ten pounds, and sentenced to imdergo a servitude of three months, and pay the costs of the prosecution ! for swearing by the 5 ? in Philadelphia. In the year 1806, in the same city, a lawyer by ihe name of Lloyd, was prosecuted for using what is termed blasphemous language ! ! and in 1807, in the city of New- York, one Foster was indicted as a *^ public nuisance," for lecturing on natural religion on the sabbath-day ! ! ! The number of lawyers and doctors in this coun=^ fry, are twenty times as great as in England. In New- York, cellars, such as the cobiers in London work in, are occupied by ^'counsellors at law, doctors, and surveyors/' To an emigrant, on his first arrival, the number of doctors appears unnecessary, tliey are not so as he will unfortunately experience, should he reside here long, the climate being so deleterious, the sudden transitions from cold to heat, and heat to cold, and the extremes of each being so great as to destroy the be^^t constitution, that to preserve life, medical aid is indis- pensibly requisite. The pestiferous air is such, that a corpse cannot be kept in summer more than tweh e, or twenty-four hours in winter, they are never kept more than three days, and tlien buried with their cloathes on I Those persons who write to encourage emigration, studiously keep out of sight tlie dreadful effects; of the American climate. Those who have experienced the burning sun of June, July, and i*iugust, the intense cold of January, February, and March, must be devoid of principle, not to inform their enquiring friends in Eu- rope, the suflerings incident to emigrants on their ar- rival here. Most emigrants for the first two summers are tormented with small poisonous insects, called Mus- quitoes, which are more numerous than flies in England ; wherever they bite, a swelling is caused, some are so punished by their sting, that they are rendered incapable of walking without ^reat difficulty; or using their handi when stung. I was lasf summer at Preakuess, New- Jersey, where for more than a month, I could not hold a pen, and for a fortnight I had recourse to a stick, to enable me to walk, occasioned by the bites of these noisy poisonous insects ; a fortnight since, I was again attacked by them, and my right hand was so swollen, I could not close it for four days, A gentleman, by whom you sent a letter, arrived here ten days since, he is now sitting opposite me, with his arm in a sling, incapable of putt- ing on his coat, his arm being so painful and inflamed, by the repeated stingings of Musquitoes. A young lady, Miss , presents at present a very different ap- pearance from ihat which we beheld, when we had the pleasure of her company at , she earnestly requests me to state how she has suffered by the heat and Musquitoes , she has not been out during the last three weeks^ her face, arms, and hands, are so swelled as to present a disagreeable, rather than pleasing ap- pearance^ I could add sevefal cases similar to the above, but what I have mentioned are sufficient to prove that comfort is not always experienced by those who have been so im- prudent as to leave their homes to come to America. It is true we have few beggars, it is true we never see or hear of the military being employed at the place of election as it is sometimes in England, it is true we have fewer soldiers in the United States, although thirty times larger than England, as a standing army is there considered as a necessary part of the state establishment, without which it might be dangerous to hang for sedition those who have been treasonable enough to complain of oppression and hunger. It is true they have few taxes, but this is a natural effect of a Republican government ; but it is also true, that the white Americans buy, sell, and keep in slavery, their black brethren, whom they call "negers,'^ which is morally more disgraceful to a people than begging. In opposition to the standing army of Britain, I shall place the drunkenness, profligacy, and superstition of the present race of Americans, which are more injurious to virtue, morality, and reason, than a standing army of one hundred thousand men is to politi- cal freedom. The unquenchable thirst for ardent spirits is greater in America than England. An account of the quantity of ardent spirits, used in America, has been published iii the " American Eat^le," which states that ' sixteen mil- ' lion gallons are distilled annually in this country, the ' same quantity imported from the West Indies and Europe, ' making thirty-two million gallons. The United States, ' when this estimate was made, containe^l about seven ' million people of all ages and complexions, A man^ ' if he is economical and buys bj' the quantity, may get ' drunk for a penny ! while in the commercial of Atlantic ' States, where it is saddled with a heavy duty, it will ' cost a sliilling or two to produce the same effect. We ' cannot calculate the cost of this poisonous drug, at less ' than two dollars tlie gallon : taking all the sorts from ' old cogniac to potatoe whiskey, and as most of it is *- drank by the gill, with the profits of the dram sliop, ' and in a great variety of compound and expensi/e *^ forms, such as punch, toddy, flip, sling, bitters, &c* ' at this rate it Costs tlie country annually sixty -four mil- ^ lion dollars, an enormous sum ! which if expended in ' useful industry, would in a few years convert our coun- ^ try to a garden, and in a single year dig out a great ' canal.' It is a notorious fact, that, for the last few years, it has become fashionable among a certain class of >Vriters to eulogise America, and every thing American, at the expence of truth and candour: the situation of emi- grants, agricultural and mechanical, have been contrast- ed with those in England, to present to the working men the advantages they will derive by emigrating to this country. Thousands liave been fatally deceived, as has been proved by their return at the expence of the British Government, and that too pennyless, with not a second coat or shirt in their possession. When I waited on the British Consul at New York to obtain a copy of the " Address of Condolence on the Death of the Princess Charlotte," he entered into conversation w itli me on the impropriety of protesting against it. (See Note A.) declaring tliere was as much distress here as in England, and that " British subjects were more distressed here than they were in England," I dissented from what he 10 md. He replied, that he had the iiames of upwards of seventeen hundred poor emigrants, who petitioned ium to be sent home, and, added he, " If, Sir, you wish to satisfy yourself, you are welcome to sit down and read over their names and places of address/' There are hundreds of others who came to this coun- try with money in their pockets, or goods to be converted into money, with plenty of clothes, their money is ex- pended, or swindled from them, their goods sold at auc- tion for little more than is sufficient to pay the duty on manufactured articles, and the auctioneers commission for selling them, thus their resourses are gone. They are left with empty pockets and good clothes to seek em- ployment. If tliey are clerks tliey will seek in vain, if mechanics or labouring men their success is more likely, thoughthen it is very doubtful; when they are so fortunate as to obtain employment, they s,re promised certain wages, but it is a tiiousand to one if these wages are paid them, for Americans are famous for promising, and breaking their promises ! Those men who liave reputable friends in Europe, will not, can not, pray to be sent home as paupers from parish to parish. '' While there is lif© there is hope,'' it is said, they keep parting with |their clothes to pay their board and wasliing, each day or week, hoping something will occur, till at last the delusion is over and they lind themselves without money, without elothes, and in debt for their living, in a country where a '-^foreignef is despised and hated ; the horrors of the climate come upon them thick and fast, and they have little need of being plunged deeper in the abyas of misery. This is the principal cause why their friends in their na- tive country seldom receive commanications from them. They have, by emigration, worsted their situation, and it is natural ibr people to iiide distress. Had tliey suc- ceeded, there is no doubt but their friends in Europe would have had frequent intelligence of their prosperity and happiness. This being the first of a series of Letters on Emigration, I will suppose a man to have determined on leaving Great Britain, the country of hii* birth — the country, containing all that are dear to him — the country, in which tbe tender emotions of love first warnied \\\% heart ii hnd soul and made an impression never to be eradicated by place or time, and in which the best principles had their origin. Thi3 man feels disgusted, as every good man must, at tlie misery to which his country is brought by the ignorance and imbecility of those who misrule it : he reads of America inhabited by people speaking the same language as himself, possessing what is dear to every rational being, and without which life is a curse — free- dom, lie sells his " all,'^ takes leave of his dear con- nections (a heart-rending scene) proceeds to the most convenient port, selects the vessel he intends to go in, pays his passage-money, loiters about tlie town till the time of sailing, his mind harrassed at the expellee he is at in a sea port town, of wliat he lias done, and the uncer« tainty of w^hat he will experience when landed in a foreign country, going through the Alien Office or Cus- tom Hou^e, view^ed by the land-waiter, examined b3'the searcher previous to the pilot leaving the ship, expe- riencing, what to me is really dreadful, a sea-sickness, encountering the dano-ers of the ocean, and landinoj in a country where every thing is dilTerent to what he has been accustomed to, with, perhaps, a pocket full of '' introductory letters^ which are generally worse than useless to the possessor. The people of England and Ireland are proverbial for their hospitality to foreigners. It is not so with the people of America, Aviio consider every foreigner an in- terloper. Rich men are courted for their money, but hatel for their foreign extraction. Poor emigrants are both de- spised and hated. I scarcely know whether the rich or poor emigrant loses most by the change. The rich one leaves behind him comfort, ease, happiness, and, I may add, intellectual enjoyment, for it is not to be had in a country, the inhabitants of which are speculating traders of the worst description — friends he has none, nor w ill he ever find one in an iVmerican, unless it be for their principal god — his money. He has exchanged, a beau- tiful, fertile, and renowned country, possessing all the most extravagant imagination can desire for the various wants of man ; for one peopled with the descendants of the vilest race, who to a\ oid their just deserts, came here, and to liide their inikmyj put on the convenient 12 garb oi religion. Bodily comfort, aiul mental happine.-js are unknown in the United States. The poor Emigrant has heard, or read, of nleat being on the working man's table three times a day — it is, but when he witnesses it, and partakes of it, he finds the reality and his sanguine expectations at variance, the meat being inferior to English oi* Irish. An American ox, weighing ten or twelve hundred weight, is called a '' mammoth ox :" when they have one this weight it is de- corated with ribbons, led through the city or town, escorted by the butchers, accompanied by bands of mu- sic, to be stared at by the astonished spectators. Lamb, Ifiiutton, and veal, very inferior to the same in England and Ireland. Pork good, though not equal to what you see bought in the London markets. Bullock's liver is publicly sold in the markets and eaten by the people! In England it is, as you and every Enolishman knows, given to the cats and dogs. Vegetables worse than the meat, and made still worse by cooking. Beet root is here boiled and eaten as a vegetable, or, as it is called, '' sauce.'' In England, cabbages before they are brought to table are boiled — in America, they are cut in small pieces, hot vinegar poured on them, then served up as *-' sauce," and eaten immediately. This disagreeable mess is called ^'cold slaw." Another favorite "5////ce" very common here is the '' squash^^ — think of a large rotten turnip, and you can have an idea of the ^' squashy Thus the poor emigrant gains in quantity of animal food, but loses in quality. Blackguaixlism, drunkenness, and im~ morality are characteristics of American workmen and labourers — honesty that of the English ; though I am sorry to say the Americans would be justified in applying the same chaiacter to many of my countrymen here, as they are generally the worst w orkmen and most disso- lute men who take up their permanent residence and become citizens* Manly exercises, as cricket, fox-hunting, and tennis, he cannot have in this country but at the fisk of life. Who but madmen would think of such exercises in Ame- rica when the thermometer in summer is from eighty to one hundred degrees above zero in the shade, and in winter to twenty below it? At this moment I am writ- 13 ing in a parlour between two windows, in a thorough drauglit of air, nearly naked, and the tliermorneter is at 98 ! This, to me excessive heat, has been of near tive weeks continuance, and is likely to continue two months longer ; on me it has produced an indescribable langour, on others it has proved fatal. 1 did intend to forward to you, by embodying in this letter incontrover- tible proofs * of the truth of what I have said of the ex- cessive heat, with its horrid effects ; but at present I am so fatigued and overcome with the oppressive heat I am unable to do it. I, liowever, will send them by the iiext ship to London from this port, in the mean time believe me to be your's w ith respect, WILLIAM CLARK. LETTER II. Provost Street, Neiv York., Aurj. 29, 1818. Sir, I have been informed you expected more general information from me on agricultural, manufac- hiring, and mechanical occupations, than I have written hitherto. That I have not sent the information you ex- pected, is true, but am I blameable for not giving you that information I myself was ignorant of? Information received in Europe Irom persons here but a few weeks or months, is not lo be implicitly depended on; however anxious the informant may be to communicate the truth to his friends. To give correct information, close ob- servation is necessary, personal enquiries of those imme- diately concerned in that particular occupation witii which we w ish to make ourselves acquainted, and this is not to be done without considerable time and trouble. This I have done, and the information I will now com- mujuicate to you for your and the public's use may ex-^ culpale me from any ai)parent neglect. * I have since my icluru lo Lon^lon embodied Ihem in my letter descrii)tivc of New York. 14 the middle classes, and what are stigmatized as the '^^ lower orders'^ of society, are the most interested about the United States, and the farmers, manufacturers, and tradesmen who are generally deluded about the state of thii country, and whom I will endeavour to undeceive. I will also shew to those inclined to leave their homes, allured by the exaggerated false and interested statements of a few rich men, who have bought land cheap to inveigle their counirymen (profiting by their credulity and distress) to join them in the happiness they are likely to experience. These men well knowing when once arrived, the impos- sibility of a poor man's returning, v»ho having sold what little properly he possessed to cross the Atlantic, and having attained the goal of his infatuated and sanguine expectations, is doomed to find things ?wl as they were described. Then it is, ^' curses not loud but deep," are uttered by the unfortunate beings who have thus been betrayed into misery for tlie purpose of raising these land speculators fortunes on the ruins of their own comfort, independence and happiness. There are hundreds of in- stances in the western country of duped emigrants and tlieir families lingering out a miserable existence under *^ ws" and our brother land jobbers. A Mr. Jones, who left Yorkshire about eighteen months since, and has travelled through all the western stales, arrived in this city the day before yesterday, on his return home ; and I spent last evening with him by accident, at in Nassau Street. He informed me of women and children perishing for want of medical aid ; the ?iext neighbour in many parts living several miles off', and this is the situation to which avaricious land speculators would bring those who are inclined to emigrate. Besides which, the dangers and difficulties of traversing the w estern country are incalculable, there are ten times as many lives lost in going from the shores of the Atlantic to the western states, than there are, in crossing the Atlantic ocean from Europe. The best way and the one the most recommended is up tiie Ohio, for families who generally buy boats called '' family- boats.'' The writers who encourage emigration and are interested in it, forget to inform the people in Europe that this ^' noble river'^ h in the summer and autumnal months u generally impassable for want of sufficient nater ! andf hundreds of families every summer are by dire necessity compelled to waste the healthy season by encamping for months on the banks waiting for a rise, when it often happens that they must wait till the inclement season sets in. During this time numbers perish, some for w^ant of sustenance, some of the fever and ague, and some by the inclemency of the weather. A young man^ Mr. D \ whose friends live at Kennington, Surrey, was frozen to death the last winter on his way to tlie western country. Such are the sufferings of the emigrants, that an American nati^'e of Indiana asks, ^ Who is there so ' unfeeling, as not to sympathize with the annual thou- ' sands of disappointed and suflering emigrants?' Let any tender father or husband reflect before he fol- lows the advice of those whose interest it is to represent a wilderness a paradise, a dismal unhealthy swamp, a healthy English prairie ; in placing the partner of his life, and the young innocents to whom he has given birth, where he and ihcy will inevitably be visited periodically by the fe\ er and ague. The yellow fever in these pestilential marshes would be a blessing rather than a curse, for it would dispatch at once the wretched victims of a lingerins: disease. Where is the afiectionate parent but would vent his execration on that avaricious wretch whose sole aim is to deceive his countrymen by writings encouraging emigration to the Illinois, to en- hance the price of his land under the specious pretext of forming an " English Selllement !" when in the result it proves to be little better than a hecatomb of human misery and disease ; the mere Golgotha of English emi- grants in the " Western Territory.'^ The questions you sent I will now answer ; to the cor- rectness of the statements I pledge myself, as I collected the information from the most respectable sources, and when I had any doubts I enquired of others in the same condition. I purposely made enquiries of native-born Americans in preference to emigrants ; the name of each I have by me with his address. You wish to know — ^^ What would be the rent of a farm of one hundred acres, twenly of m_eadow, eight of mchard^ forty of ploughing^ and thirty of wood?' Most 10 farms are occupied by their owners. Those near cities and towns are the best suited for Enolish farmers, and their price is or may be averaged at from fifty to eighty dollars per acre, or from eleven pounds five shillings to eighteen pounds sterling. '-' What taxes does the farmer pay V^ — At present no United States tax ! The taxes he pays are on house and land, levied by the state legislature in which he resides ; there is also a tax for the support of the poor, such as you in England call a " poor's rate ;" all the taxe.s he pays will not be three pounds for an hundred acres. Til is is a natural effect of self or republican government, where the poor labourer and mechanic votes for his law- maker. I know a Dutch farmer, at PreaknesvS, New Jersey, who has a farm of a thousand acres, with a house as large as any you see in Skinner-street, London, This man pays not quite thirty dollars, or six pounds fifteen shillings per annum, for dogs, horses, house, land and slaves, '* What is the price of a good cart horse?" — There m )iot the same difference in horses here as in England, there being no heavy draught horses, similar to those in London. The horses are very good for their size. The largest are those of Pennsylvania, which are the size of an English coach horse. The price is from sixty to one hundred dollars generally, or from thirteen pounds ten shillings, to twenty^two pounds ten shillings. ''What are the wages of a farmer's labourer ?" — Their nominal wages are ten dollars per month, or one hundred and twenty per year ; though none receive such high wages in tact. There is more deception here than you would imagine in such a case ; thus a man instead of re- ceiving money as in England, is paid in kind, that is, he receives so many bushels of apples, indian corn, rye, buck-W'heat, or potatoes, with this he has to travel to market or the '' next store" several miles distant, there to sacrifice it for one half at what he had taken it at, as the farmer let's his man have it at the price it is sold at in market, which is sometimes several hundred miles from Ilia farm ; then there is the expence of waggon and horse to carry it to the ^'next store," hislobs of time, the depricated price the store keeper allows lor what he liaa It to find room till he goes to market, which he generally does twice a year, with his travelling expences and profit to remunerate him for the money he has advanced, and will not have returned for some months, after this the poor labourer has for his wages one third of the nominal iamomit which was stipulated, then he is paid for it not in cash, but in articles of cloathing for himself and fa- mily at an exorbitant price, such as a man may suppose a trader will charge, where there is little or no compe- tition. Farms are worked by slaves mostly ; the ex- ceptions are the five New-England states and Penn-^ pylvania. A "^/ree negro'^ has less wages than a white man. The American labourer and meclianic in no part of America, except the large cities, receive money for their labour, the farmer's labourer is paid as I have stated above the mechanic, somewhat differently^ he having an " order on the store'' for what he wants given him by his employer, which order entitles him to receive from the " store" what is absolutely necessary to his support, such as bread, tea, meat, flour, &c. ; you will at one glance, see the swindling effects of this mean system. A workman is engaged in the cities or towns to go " up the country" to work at seven or eight dollars per week, for every article of provision, he has to pay from ten to twenty per Cent, more than he would, had he ready money. In the article of cloathing, he is, to use an Americanism, compleatly *' bilked ;" lor mstance, if he wants a coat, he solicits from his employer " an order on the store" which is evaded for some time, under the pretext of not knowing how his and the store keeper's account stands, and if, after examining both accounts, he shodld find he owes his journeyman double the price of one, he gives him an '^ order" for the coat, and for which the poor wretch is charged twenty-five per cen- tum more than if he had paid " cash*" This is the uni- versal practice in small towns or villages in America, except as in the case of weavers, w ho to obtain pay, hawk their ow^n w^ork ; among the settlers^ or " squatter s^^ in the most unfrequented parts of the Union. " What wages for women servants ?" — From two to six dollars per month, if white women, but house work c IS i« generally done by ^\wenches'^ who are negresse^ and slaves. " What is the price of a good chaise?'^— -A handsome one with a leather head^ from four to five hundred dol- lars, without that convenience, and being otherwise in- ferior, in pomt of elegance, strength, and utility, from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty dollars. Sledges, or as they are called sleighs, are in winter used in preference to wheel carriages. " What is the climate of America?'^ — A very indefi- nite question, as in some parts it is never cold, and in others never hot, but always deleterious to health. In the middle states, we have the extremes of heat and cold with greater or more sudden transitions than are known in any other part of the world. On the 30th of June last; I tried the following experiment, I procured a bar of iron, fourteen feet long, two inches wide, and five eighths thick, laid it in a yard where the sun shone the whole day, it remained there from half past ten in the morning, till half past three in the afternoon, and it had increased three quarters of an inch in length ! ! " New- York being the London of America, and the place to which most persons from Great Britain emigrate, I wish to have answered the following questions : Wliat is the rent of a house the size I occupy ?" — It depends entirely on the situation; If in the busy trading part of the city, from two to three hundred pounds. In the Bowery or Grccuwlch, nm far fiunx ilit; busy scenes of trade as our Somers Town or Kennington, from sixty to eighty pounds per annum. Our friend T paid two hundred dollars for his in the Bowery, consisting of two parlours, two rooms on the first floor, and a kind of loft, with a wash-house, and a few feet of ground as a small yard. " What taxes ?" — In a republic, taxes are of course very trifling. The trifle you do pay, levied by the legis- lature of this state, as well as all the others, are abso- lutely necessary, for the improvement of the city, roads, cutting canals, and erecting of bridges. Mr. T paid, I think, five dollars and a few cents, or about one pound three shillings. The largest and best house in the city does not pay twenty pounds yearly ! '^ What conveniences foi: water?" — This eity is very 19 badly supplied with fresh or soft water, being situatect oti ah island between the east and north rivers, very conti- guous to the sea, and the water in those rivers for many miles above the city being salt, you must be content with hard or pump water for brewing, washing, &g. unless you are willing to pay two or four pence per pail for rain water. " What are the prices of nine, eighteen, and thirty^ six gallon casks ?" — It is not customary to make casks of those sizes, unless particularly ordered. Five, fifteen and thirty-two gallon casks are here made. The prices are as foUow^s in Enghsh sterling money : — A five gallon cask, from four to five shillings. Fifteen ditto, from five and sixpence to six and sixpence* Thirty^two ditto, from seven aud sixpence to eight and sixpence. Ten ditto, iron bound, from five and sixpence to six and sixpence. Thirt^^-two ditto, ditto, thirteen and sixpence to four- teen shiUings. Sixty ditto, from one pound-two and sixpence, to one pound five. Rum puncheons, iron boiind, from one pound thirteen to one pound fifteen. Ditto, wooden bound, from fifteen and nine-pence tq eighteen shillings. Cedar water pails, from three and fourpence, to four and sixpence. Oak ditto, from foul" and sixpence to five and seven- pence* " Are there any pleasant gardens to second or third rate houses, as in the out-skirts of London V^ — No ! a neat well laid out garden, such as are common round London, 1 have looked for in vain since I left that coun- try, which, (but for her corrupt and wicked government) might and would be an earthly paradise, " What places of amusement?" — A theatre near the City Hall, which on the outside has more the appearance of a prison than a play house, the performers mostly English or Irish^ third rate. It is generally believed by the people here. Miss O'Neill or Mr. Kean, will be enga- ged to perform in America, for two or three years. I trust ^either will come, both for their sake, and for the awk-» q2 ^ 20 Ward situation tlic miserable actors and actresses wlil be placed in by saying their parts, for it is saying^ com- pared with the performing of either that lady or gentle- man. — Young actors or actresses in England could not act more imprudently than in leaving that country for this ; there emulation is excited by competition, here it is destroyed, or becomes nugatory for want of it. Phillips the young Irish singer, who could not be tolerated in a duet with Eraham, before a critically correct audience in London, is here considered superlatively excellent. — A Circus in summer well conducted, tlie company consists of French, Italian, and English. A Museum, respectable, the curiosities chiefly the collection of Mr. Scudder, tvhose exertions are indefatigable to please the public. " Wliat rural amusements ?^^ — None that I know of, unless indeed it be a rural amusement to cross the North river, a distance of two miles, in the horse boat to Ho- boken in Jersey, to walk about some brown fields, for the scorching heat prevents them being green, and to take some relreshment at the " Hoboken Hotel," which is a shabby public house, when compared to those at Cum- berland Gardens, Vauxhall, Highbury-barn, Hornsey- tvood and Canonbury. '' Is horse racing, cock fighting, and cricket playing, practised in America ?'' — In this state, horse racing is more fashionable than in any other ; in some slates where biting, gouging and kicking are prevalent, horse racing is consi- dered as " an irreligious practice.'^ Cock fighting, or as the Americans say, " rooster fighting," is not en- couraged, though too often practised. The weather is too hot for such manly exercise as cricket, though the Europeans have twice attempted to form a cricket- club. Billiards, dice, and ninepins are very common ; at those, and such games, smoaking segars, and drinking ardent spirits, form no inconsiderable part. There is too much hard exercise in cricket, fives, tennis, or trap -ball, with too little to drink^ for them to be favourite games in this country. *^ What spirits, and what price?" — Rum is the fa- vourite drink, price, eleven and sixpence currency, per gallon, or six and sixpence sterling by the puncheon. Gin not so common, best hollands, five and tenpence half- penny. Gin distilled in this country, two and ninepencej, 21 peach-brandy, five shillings per gallon when bought by the barrel. When this last liquor is mixed with hot water, su- gar, and current-jelly, it becomes dangerously palateable. " What is the price of cyder?" — Though apples are so cheap, good, and plentifiU, there is but very little good cyder ; it is generally not fit to drink in summer, the retail price is sevenpence per quart, (wine mea?ure.) The best is that made in Newark, New- Jersey, which is equal to English draught cider. " What wines are generally drank, and what is their price ?" — Claret, in bottles, one pound two and sixpence a dozen. Fayal wine, four and sixpence the gallon ; Lisbon, seven shillings ; Madeira, twelve shillings ; Ma- laga, four and sixpence ; Pert, very little drank, four- teen shillings ; Sherry, seven shillings ; Teneriife, six and nine pence. '^ What are the prices of coffee, chocolate, sugar and tea ?" — The best fine green West India coffee, one and sixpence per pound. Chocolate eighteen pence per pound ; white Calcutta sugar, two pounds eigliteen and sixpence, per cwt. White Ilavanna, four pounds five, per cwt. Mucovada, three pounds seven and sixpence, per cwt. New-Orleans, three pounds, per cwt. Lump, per pound, ninepence. Loaf, per pound, one shilling. Of tea, the several descriptions are as follows : old Hyson, six and ninepence, per pound, such as you pay fourteen shillings for, the remaining, or extra seven and three pence in every pound of Hyson tea, is so much tax to support the monopoly of the East India Company, which IS now ui DEBT several millions to the government of Britain. Young Hyson, five and sevenpence halfpenny. Souchong, Bohea, Congo and Campoi, are seldom brought to market, as black tea is never drank in any part of the United States. ^f What \s the price of flour of different qualities V*—^ ' Richmond, superfine^ one pound eleven and sixpenccj per barrel. Philadelphia, one pound nine, Baltimore, the same. New- York, one pound six, Middling, one pound two and sixpence, rye, eighteen shillings. Indian meaJ, one pound. " What are the prices of different articles of wearing apparel?". — English cloths sell for, fiom one pound i^ 22 thirty^six shillings per yard. Linen for shirtuig, from three and four pence, to five and sevenpence. An under, or close bodied coat, such as you pay four guineas for, will cost from four pounds eight to five pounds. A superfine surtout, such as I paid six guineas for the winter before last in London, would cost here from eight pounds ten, to ten pounds. Pantaloons, from Qne pound thirteen to three pounds twelve shillings. Waistcoats, or vests, from thirteen and sixpence to two pounds five shillings. Beaver hats, from one pound seven to one pound eleven and sixpence. Leghorn and straw, are generally wore in summer by gentlemen. Cotton stockings, from three and four pence to eight shillings, per pair. Brown top boots, from two pounds five to two pounds fourteen shillings, Wellington boots, tWQ pounds. Shoes, Uiirteen and sixpence. Leather inferior to what is used in England, owing to bad tamiing. '' What is the price of beef i" — Prime pieces eight- pence, per pound. " What is the price of beer V^ — rSevenpence per quart, (wine measure.) ^' What is the price of bread?"— Sevenpence, per loaf, weighing thirty-four ounces. " What is the price of buck wheat flour ?^' — Fifteen to eighteen shillings, per barrel. '' What is the price of fish?"— Cheaper than in Eng-» Ijand, except salmon, and turbot, of which the prime is scarce, the latter is unknown m the American mar- kets. " Wliat is the price of fruit?" — Apples, cheap, good, and plentiful. Blackberries, three pence per quart* Cherries small and dear. Currants, not so plentiful as in England. Damsons, the size of English sloes, very scarce, sixpence per quart. Egg-plumbs, sixpence per clozen. Gooseberries, very inferior to the English, and dearer, Grapes in this state, Jersey, and the New-r England states, do not come to perfection, in conse- quence of the extremes of cold and heat. They ^re only lit to make pies and puddings, and are by no meaus plentiful. Lemons, dearer than in England. Both musk a|id water melons are very cheap, good and wholesome, fhe latter pj^rticularly so, I have bought musk melons as 23 large as any that grow in England, for sevenpence each, and water melons, the handsomest fruit in the world when cut open, and to me the most delicious eating, as large as a common sized pumpkin, for ninepence. Mul- berries are poor insipid fruit, I have seen them grow but never saw any in the market. Nectarines, are common in England, but rare in America. Good oranges, six- pence each. Peaches come to perfection in Pennsylva- nia, and to the south of it, but not to the north or east of it. In the New-England states, together with the states of Jersey and New-York, the peaches are not larger than the Orlean plumbs in England. I am told by farmers in those states, that the peaches some years since, were as large and as well flavoured as in Pennsyl- vania, but that a small worm novv invariably destroys the trees before they come to maturity. Pears, cheap and good. Raspberries, small, tasteless, and dear, being sold ^r sixpence a half pint pottle. Strawberries, plentiful, but very mferior to the English. One species of which I would name, as you in England considered it superior t© the rest, both in size and taste, but for fear of offending the delicate ear of the Americans, who associate the most iilthy calling performed by the " negroes'"^ in this city, with the name of that delicious fruit. '' What is the price of mutton?'' — Four pence half- penny, per pound. *' What is the price of pork ?"— Seven pence to nine pence, per pound. '^ What is the price of poultry V^ — Ducks, four shil- lings a pair, geese, from four to five shillings each, tur- kies six and nine pence each. Fowls from two and three pence, to three and sixpence. That butter which is eatable, sells at from one and sixpence to two shillings and sixpence per pound. ^' What are the wages of journeymen in different trades V — A book-binder has from one pound eleven and sixpence to one pound sixteen shillings per week, on extra work, two pounds and sixpence. Boot makers, generally work by the piece, their best prices are as fol- lows : — military boots, one pound eleven and sixpence, per pair. Brown top boots ^ I said before, are not jnuch wore in America^ except by Quakers and coacb-^ 24 men ; an old experienced boot maker inforhied m@^ one man would not be half employed to make all the top- boots worn in the state of New- York ; the price, how- ever, is one pound three and sixpence the pair. Wel-i lington boots, thirteen and sixpence. Shoes five an I six- pence the pair. Those are the best prices paid, and none but prize workmen get them. The common price is about half the above. Bricklayers and masons are here the same ; their wages are from five to six shillings and ninepence per diem, three months in the winter they are idle, which reduces their boasted high wages to less than bricklayers receive in England. Braziers receive from four and sixpence to five and sevenpence halfpenny per diem. Cabinet makers, who work by the piece, while in em- ployment, average their earnings at seven and sixpence per day, for they are unemployed near one quarter of the year, in consequence of the great number of apprentices and dulness of trade. Carpenters, per day, from five and sevenpence to seven and threepence, the first they get when working as jour- neymen to master, or as they are styled '' boss'^ car- penters, when they get the last price per day, it is by gentlemen employing them on their own account when a regular tradesman is dispensed with. Coach body makers, receive nine shillings per day, carriage makers the samC; coach harness makers five and seven pence, coach painters, six and nine pence, coach smiths, seven and ten penc«, coach trimmers six and ninepence, and coach wheelers, from four and sixpence to five and sevenpence per day* Compositors, obtain from one pound eleven and six^ pence to two pounds and sixpence per week. Coopers, are paid by the piece, and their prizes are so low, that at any part of the business they cannot earn more than six and ninepence per diem, or two pounds and sixpence per week ; however, they can obtain better wages south of Pennsylvania, or in the West Indies. Journeymen in this trade, if sober, and good workmen, never need be unemployed. Cotton and calico, we^vVcrs, are principally era- 2^ ployed lb Uie stat^ of Rhode- 1 gland, wli^re there ar« about one hundred cotton manufactories, and at Patterson, on the banks of the Passaic river, in the state of New- Jersey: I resided in this state betweeijt three and four months, at a Dutch settlement, called Preakness, and while there, I have seen the poor weavers come to the farm houses, and implore the women to buy the pieces they have been employed at, thus hawking the work they have done to obtain a livelihood^ their em- ployers being unable to pay their journeymen in any other manner than letting them have as payment part q£ the work, Dyers are generally engaged by the month, tlieir board, lodging, and washing being included in their wages^ which are from six to twelve dollars per month, or from one pound seven to two pounds fourteen shillings ster-? ling. Lace and fringe makers ; get about four and sixpence per diem. Sadlers, from four and sixpence to five and sevenpence per diem. Ship builders^ or carpenters, best hands, two pounds fourteen shillings per week, (See note B.) for building an American ship of any size. Taylors generally work by the piece; and they com- monly receive for making a close bodied coat from fifteen and nine pence to one pound two and sixpence ; the w o- men make pantaloons, trowsers and vests, the men make nothing but coats and surtouts. Tinmen's wages, are the same as those of braziers* Turners ; — As you wish to receive a minute statement of this tre^de, I have bought " the prices of turning as agreed to by the New- York Turners Society, June 10*, 1817," from which I will extract the prices of some work, for the information of your friend C — who thinks, I am told, of selling his business and emigrating to this country. " Balusters for stairs, plain, per piece, three pence farthing. Ditto, fancy, per piece, sixpence to fourteen pence. Chimney columns, from three and half to five inches 4hm, per piece, three and Iburpence. 36 Columns twelve feet long, twelve indies diam. eighteen shillings per piece. Bed posts, maple, five feet to five feet three inches long, four and sixpence per sett. Ditto, fancy pattern, thirteen and sixpence, per sett. Crooked-back chair legs, tenpenco, per piece. Blind tassel blocks, per gross, one pound seven shil- lings. Banding blocks, for hatters, per piece, ten pence. Cornices, per piece, for gilders, five feet long, four inch. diam. two and three pence. Book-binders screws, three inches diam. eleven and three pence, per pair. Beams for weavers, six inches diam. sixpence per foot. Apothecary's, pine mortars, wood included, ten inches and under, per inch, tenpence. Copper-plate printers, or saddle-press rollers, per inch, in length, thirteen pence. Gauge screws, per piece, sixpence three farthings. Large stenchions, between decks, four and sixpence, per piece. Grape shot patterns, sixpence three farthings, per ball. Splinter bars for coaches, thirteen pence halfpenny, per piece. Table legs, large, one and eight pence, per piece. Tinmen's mallets, thirteen pence, per piece." The above are the prices agreed on by the Bosses and journeymen last year. You will draw the natural conclusion tliat the workmen receive these wages — they do not. As proof, I asked the principal master-turner in this city, what he would charge me for one cornice five feet long^ and four inches diameter, he replied four shil- lings currency ; which is exactly two shillings and three pence sterling, out of which he receives a profit, and ma- terially lessens the wages of the men ! This is not all the proof which I will give you ; the men are never paid their full earnings, either w^orking by the piece or by the day, or w'eekly ; they settle generally once or twice a year, the bill is then brought in, and a deduction of from ten ta twenty per cent is made, for " ready, money !!!'' Ifth^ workman is dicssatisfied he is welcome to leave, as there are plenty ^yoiild -^be glad of the place.'* Should the poor 2r fellow leave and sue for what was deducted, the justifica- tion is, " I guess as how we always do it when we pay casli, when bill's delivered." The swindled though honest journeyman is non- suited with expences, and what is more the whole trade know it, and no " boss^* will em- ploy a man who has sued for his wages. This is not ex- clusively practised by the turners. It is an universal system pursued by ^* bosses^'' in the different trades. You doubtless will laugh at the name of " Boss*^ for an employer. It is a Dutch name signifying mas- ter. But it does not comport with a white Ameri- can to call another master in plain English (I hep, par- don, I should have said in the " American language,") so they substitute this word '' Boss^' from a language the most uncouth ; to express the term master or employer. Bankers, lawyers and store keepers clerks, make use of the word in all parts of the country, as well as journey^ men and labourers. The black American styles his owner w ho possesses only a few shades of lighter colour, master, — strangers " BossJ^ Weavers, when landed here, find the greatest difficulty of obtaining employment, and when they get it, before they begin w ork they have to buy their own bobbins, brushes, lathe, loom, reeds and shuttles ; which cost one third more here than in England, and to pay the rent of the shop. Their earnings are never more than one pound eleven and sixpence ppr week, out of which, besides the deduction mentioned above, they have to pay for board and lodging, which they cannot have for less than fifteen and ninepence per week, washing not included, and then they generally sleep in a room containing, perhaps, five or six beds with a bed-fellow, even during this hot wea- ther : — my thermometer last night at twelve o'clock, iu my bed room, was at one hundred and three degrees above zero ; this roorn is the coolest in the house which is witliin three hundred yards of the Hudson river, in Pro- vost-street. To sleep on a feather bed now is impossible. Fancy weavers, by emigrating to America, are wretch- edly off, as there is no such work done here : what little weaving there is, is coarse work, such aa in England old decrepid men and women, boys and girls are put too. The above is as correct infonnation as can be obtained 28 on those, subjects ; to collect it, I have been at considera- ble trouble, by going to diflferent farmers and tradesmen, (all native born Americans) to make the necessary en- quiries. It will be seen immediately, that in some trades the workmen in America have greater wages than those of the same trade in England. It will also be seen pro- visions are something cheaper, but never so nutritious as in England. Rents are greater than in England, taxes, tythes, and poor's rates included. Clothes of every des- cription dearer. Health more precarious, and I am at last driven to the conclusion, that labourers and me- chanics by emigrating to this country will not improve their situation in a pecuniary point of view, the difficulty of obtaining employment being as great as in England, and much more so to obtain money. It is a practice among the journeymen in the States of Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to " go south" in autumn, that is, to Charleston, New Orleans, Richmond, and Savannah, there" to winter" and return the ensuing spring. I have seen schooners and ships loaded with these itinerant workmen sail out of the port of New York, and though they make greater wages by " going south" than remaining north, all they make extra is taken up by the expence of their passages backwards and forwards. Sometimes they experience great trouble and meet with losses ; for instance, a man has a misunderstanding with his employer, or he is liked, and his employer wishes him to remain, as his business requires more men to exe- cute it, than he has, during what themselves admit the ^ unhealthy months ;" either of these causes will prompt the employer to " be ugly," that is, he will not pay without being sued, which takes up time, and in that season of the year it is dangerous to stay, this the employer knows, and many a poor devil is thus swindled out of his hard earned money, and, should he remain till the issue of the action, his life too often pays the costs. A mechanic who has lived in comfort in Europe can- not be comfortable here ; if a single man he has to reside at a boarding house, where comfort is a stranger, where meat and vegetables, indifterent as they are, are made , disagreeable by bad cooking, negro ^* ivenches^^ be- )jpg the cooks. In the eookiiig of vegetables they ar^ too often disgustingly filthy, boiling al^sorta in one pot, with either beef or pork. 1 may be thought to be preju- diced, and I have often been called so, for disliking cab- bage-plants, savoys, or brocoli, unless brought to table as green as they grew, they are brought up as yellow gallimaufry here. This fault I can always see, and often mention, it is universal. An European in winter will be more uncomfortable than in summer ; and to exist through a winter he must be well clad, and have plenty of food and drink, or he will for ever femember a wmter's residence in America* No varied social amusements in pleasant companies as in England during a long dreary winter's evening. Reading stimulants (if I may use the expression) to superstition, and singing hymns and psalms, constitute the evening's amusement in an American's family. I trust that you, after I have thus shown the eiTects of emigration to the labouring classes, will give up the idea of crossing the Atlantic, and settling here. You have now a good house, a good business, and an excellent connection, by emigrating you will lose each, and all you do and may possess. Stay ! my good Sir, stay ! never leave England. 1 am a daily witness of the wretched- ness of hundreds of our countrymen and women, many of whom like yourself were in Europe, in respectable circumstances. Go to the docks in London, Liverpool, and Bristol, and enquire of those multitudes who came to this country with high, wilh sanguine expectations, and are now returned with broken spirits and empty pockets, ask them their opinion of the writers by whom they have been persuaded to leave England, and they will tell you that they have a deep rooted disgust for those who have either directly or indirectly encouraged emigration to the United States. To expose the folly and wickedness of these writers shall be the aim of, Sir, your Well-wisher, WILLIAM CLARK, 0*^r*r't^^f^*'*r-t^^^ 90 LETTER III. AMERICAN MORALITY AND RELIGION ! Provost- Street y N&iv York, Sep. 1, 1818, JDear ■- Before I took leave of my country and friends, I eulogized in strains of enthusiasm America, and every thing American. This, was very natural in one devoid of practical experience, who had been fired into rapture by the histories of the Grecian and Roman RepubUcs, who felt there was a charm in the name, and who asso- ciated every thing magnanimous and noble with the cha- racter of a Republican. America being a Republic, having thrown off the yoke of kingly tyranny, and havmg declared in the open face of day before God and man, that she was independent, and that all mankind were born equal, I naturally drew the conclusion that Americans would inherit all the noble qualities of the Athenians and Romans, and that with their examples before them, serving as a beacon to warn them of their vices, and keep a watchful eye on the am- bitious and presuming, to see that the true spirit of liberty and republicanism, was not destroyed bj' the minds of the people being prejudiced with superstitious rites and ceremonies. And farther, that the histories of the different nations in Europe would furnish them lessons of sad experience to shun times like the present, as the most inimical to freedom, when parties are seen amalga- mating with each other only to prostrate freedom and rob the people of their inheritance. The glorious spirit which actuated the brave patriots of the revolution, is dead. In lieu of that honest indig- nation at tyranny, which in 1776 was the characteristic of the people, gambling and superstition have erected and established their dominion over the heads and hearts of the Americans. Gain, interest; and religion, are inces- 31 lEaiitiy in their mouths ; they are their alpha and omega, their first aiid last thoughts^ o /, From people of this description, your knoTi^ledge of the human heart must tell you hypocrisy and meanness will predominate with immorality and vice. As great a revolution in the manners and morals of the Americans has taken place in the few years since the revolution, as has been produced in Italy in half as many centuries. — The present race, who inhabit home, may be termed living automata, compared with the republican Romans antecedent to the Christian ^Era. So the present race of people in this country are speculating tmders of the worst description. Principle they have none, unless it be to swindle all the unsuspecting and credulous, who unfortunately have dealings with thera. Gambling to erect places of religious devotion, is here as common as the " sun at noon day.'' In proof read over the following lottery advertisements, and take notice that separate acts of the Legislative assemblies, composed of the real representatives of the people, were passed to " authorise'' lotteries for this specific purpose. " GEORGETOWN EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Poo?* and Orp/ian House Lottery. A Lottery, authorised by an act of the Legislature of the state of »South Carolina, for repairing the Episcopal Church, and building a Poor and Orphan House iii Georgetown, S. C. SCHEME. Dollars 1 Prize of ....... 50,000 1 do. of . 20,000 1 do. of 10,000 2 Prizes of . . 5000 is . . 10,000 8 do. of . . 1000 . . - 8,000 4 do. of . . 500 ... . 2,000 16 do. of . . 100 . . . 1,600 968 do. of ... 50 ... . 48,400 1001 Prizes. 150,000 1999 Blanks. 3000 Tickets, at Fifty Dollars each^ 150,000 The Following Prizes will be sfatmiarij. The first drawn Ticket willbe entitled to 5000 dolls., to be paid in 100 tickets, from x\o. lOOL to 1100, both teclusive. 1st drawn ^Ticket on the 2d day*s drawing, entitled to lOOt) M do. do. 500 4ch do. do. 5000 (to be paid in 100 tickets from l20I to ISO!, both in- clusive) 5th day's drawing entitled to 1,000 6th do. do. 10,000 7th do. do. 1,000 8th do. do. 50,000 AH the Prizes subject to A deduction of 15 per cent, payable sixty-days alter the completion ' of the drawing, at the office of discount and deposit of the United States bank at Charleston ; or at the branch of the state of South Carolina, in Georgetown. *^* The drawing will positively commence on the first Monday in June, and be completed in eight draw-^ ings. All prizes not claimed within six-monlhs after-" wards, will be considered as donations to the Church, Cominissioners, T!lleland Kinlock, | Benjamin Utiger, John L. Wilson I Aaron Marvin, Thomas Carr j Honry Denison. Jacob Meers | All letters addressed to the Commissioners for tickets or information must be post paid. Georgetown^ S, C, 1818* *^5.* Tickets m the above Lottery to be had at th^ Counting-house of Messrs. Isaac Course and Son." " Presbyterian Church Lottery, CLASS 4th. 2500 Tickets at 12dolls. 30,000 1 Prize of ... 7000 1 do. of * , . 3000 ^3 « 1 Priz« of :: , 1000 DoUs, 6 do. of 500 dolls. 3000 6 do. of 250 1500 6 do. of 150 900 8 do. of 100 800 10 do. of 50 «00 26 do. of 40 1040 38 do. of 20 760 750 do. of 14 es amounting to 10,500 853 Priz 30,000 dolls. 1647 Blanks^ not two Blanks to a L Prize 2500 Tkfkets at 12 dolls. 30,000 dolls. The following Prizes will he stationary The first drawn Blank will be / entitled to a Prize of 5 1000 dolls. Do. after 200 Numbers are ( irawii 500 Do. - 500 do. . 500 Do. - 750 do. dOO Do. - 1000 do. . 500 Do. - 1300 do. 3000 Do. - 1600 do. . 500 Do. - 2000 do. . 500 Do. - 2400 do. . 7000 *' The Prizes will be paid in 60 days after the conclu- sion of the drawing, subject to a deduction of 15 per cent. ; but prizes of ever^ aescriptioii, not demanded Trithin six months, will be considered as given to the Church, ^^ Tickets may be had of either of the Commissioners, &nd at the City Treasurer's and City Sheriff's Offices. Commissioners. STEPHEN THOMAS, Chairman. John Geddes, Daniel Stevens, John Robinson, Wm. Smith, Thomas Milliken. Thomas Fiemming^ James Adger, Rich'd, Cunningham, Geo. Macaulay, jun. Wm. Roach, 34 Wm. Walton, Wm. Aikerij Tacitus G, Skrinej George Miller, Wni. Thompson, Wm. Yeadon. April 11 1 am Southern Patriot^ Charlestqn (S. C.)^* LOTTERY NOTICE, BY THE (COMMISSIONERS. April 28^ 1818. A list of Laivs authorizing Lotteries by the Legisla-- lure of Maryland, Dec, mth, 1795, chap, 72. An act authorizing a lottery in Hav re-de-Grace for the purpose therein mentioned — for erecting two public wharfs— -By a supplement passed Jan. 8th, 1803, the commissioners are authorized to build a church, parsonage house, and market house. Dec, %Mi, 1796, chap, 14. An act to enable the vestry of Christ church parish, in Calvert county, to sell and dispose of certain lands therein mentioned, for the purpose of finishing their church. Jan, Ibth,, 1799, ^hap, 69. An act to authorize Richard Tilghman and others of Queen Anne's county, to raise by lottery a sum of mo- ney, to reimburse them for money expended on St. Paul's parish, lying in Quoon Annc'o and Talbot coun- ties. * * Richard Tilghman and " others referred to in the third and fortieth laws, are no doubt lowly, meek and pious souls, and would make admirable members of Ihe '* Vice Suppression Society'* in England. They build churches and are paid by the proceeds of gambling, while the " Vice Society'* persecute and prosecute for mere matter of opinion honest industrious, individuals and yet encourage the erection of a scaffold on the sabbath, in a public situation, where five seduced unfortunate men have been — what ? — I suppose I must say executed ** according to law," though it is believed they were the dupes of one screened, if not Vewar*3d, by that government, which by a great portion of Americans is called, and considered the *♦ Bulwark of Religioa and Liberty*" 2d May 1820. ^ ■ 35 Jan. Sth, IS03, chap. ^l. , An act authorizing the trustees and other members of the German catholic church in the precincts of BaU timore to raise a sum of mon^y by lottery for finishing said church. Jan. 8th, 1803, chap. 87. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the finishing Washington academy in Somerset county, and for the purpose of purchasing the necessary apparatus, and for other objects of improvement. Jan. 8th, 1803, chap. 88. An act to authorize the drawing of certain lotteries within the city of Baltimore, to enable the elders, dea- cons and trustees of the German reformed congregation to finish their church. Jan. 8th, 1803, chap. 88. An act to authorize the drawing of certain lotteries within the city of Baltimore, to enable the trustees of the Roman catholic church to finish their church. Jan. Sth, 1803, chap. 90. An act to authorize the drawing of certain lotteries within the city of Baltimore, to enable the trustees of the Baptist congregation (on Fell's jPoint) to finish their church. Jan. 8th, 1803, chap. 90. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of finishing the protestant episcopal church in Elizabeth town, in WaaLington county. Dec. ^Ist, 1803, chap. 3. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for finisjiing a house of public worship in Baltimore county. _, * Dec. Zlst, 1803, chap. 7, r. An act to authorize a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of finishing the Roman catholic church in Fredericktown, in Frederick county. Dec. Zlst, 1803, chap. 8. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of finishing a house of worship at Ephe<« sus, in Coecil county. Dec. 3ls#, 180S, chap. 9. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money D 2 ■ 36 for the purpose of defraying the expense accruing in Ih-i building a house of worship in the town of Emmitsburgh in Frederick county. Dec. ^Ist, 1803, chap, 10. An act authorizing a lottery for raising a sum of mo- ney to repair a church and erect a parsonage house in Coecil county. Dec. 316^5 1803, chap. 13. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money lo finish the baptist frame meeting house in Baltimore county. Dec. ^Ut, 1803, chap. 27. An act authorizing certain lotteries within the city of Baltimore, for the purpose of aiding the funds of the im- partial free school. Dec. ^\st, 1803, chajy. 27. An act authorizing certain lotteries within the city of Baltimore, to raise a sum of money for the second pres- ibyterian church. Dec. ZUt, 1803, chap. 35. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of finishing the German Lutheran and German presbyterian church in Woodbury , in Frede- rick count} , Jan. Kth, 1804, chap. 43. An act authorizing a lottery to rai^e a sum of money for repairing Shrewsbury church in Kent county. Jan. lih^ 1604, chap. 107. An act to authorize a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of repairing the protestant episcopal church in AU-Iiallows parish in Anne Arundel county. Jan. \Wi, 1805, chap. 104. An act to authorize the vestry of St. Paul's parish in Baltimore county, to draw a lottery within the city of Baltimore. Jan. 2bth, 1806, chap. 72. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the pui-pose of rebuilding the steeple of the Germar^ reformed church in Fredericktown, in Frederick county. Jan- 25^/?, 1806, chap. 74. An act to authorize the drawing of a lottery within the city of Baltimore, for the purpose therein mentioned ^ fiz. for the benefit of the Key. Samuel Juiox, Jan, 26ih, 1806, chap. 86. An act to authorize the drawing of a lottery for the heupjit. of Sf. Man/s College in Baltimore county. Jan- nth, 1806, chap. 102. An act authorizing a lottery for raising a sum of mo- ney, for repairing St* George's church on Deer creek in Harford county. Jan. 21th, 1806, chap. 104. An act to authorize the elders and trustees of the Ger- man evangelical reformed church in Baltimore county, to draw a lottery within the city of Baltimore. Dec. 31, 1S06, chap. 15. An act authorizing a lottery for raising a suiii of mo- ney, for the rector and vestry of St. Thomas' Parish in Baltimore county. Jan. Ath, 1807, c^mp. 82, and Jan. I8th^ 1810, chap. 33. An act authorizing a lottery in the city of Baltimore, to raise a sum of money for the use of Trinity church, Jan. 15///, 1818, chap. 17. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of finishing the steeple of St. John's church, in Elizabeth town, Washington county. .Ian. 29^/i, 1808, chap. 84 and Dec. 27th, 1811. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money to build a church in Charles county; Jan. 20th, 1818, chap. 87. An act authoriiiing a loTiery lo raise a sum of money for the vestry of St. John*s parish in Harford and Balti* more counties, Jan. 20th, 1808^ chap. 90. An act to authorize a lottery to raise a sum of money to purchase a lire engine, Eind Jinish the church in West- minster town in Frederick county. Jan. 20th. 1808, Ma;?. 102. An act to authorize a lottery to raise a siuil of money for the purpose of finishing the Elkton academy, pur- chasing philosophical apparatus for the sdnie, Jan. 20th, 1808^ chap^ 111. An act authorizing the drawing of a lottery for the benefit of the College of medicine of Maryland, Jan. 20th, 1808, chap. 137. An act authorizing th(^ ;iale of 500 tickets in ^ lottery^ 3S in the slate of Pennsylvania^ for the encouragement ^^ the useful arts ! Dec. 2mk, 1808, chap. 27. An act autliorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of rebuilding Benjamin church, in Fre- derick county, formerly known by the name of Cryder's church. Dec. 20th, 1808, chap. 29. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a s^ of money for the purpose of repairing the church therein men- tioned, for the use of the Jerusalem church » Dec. 20, 1808, chap. 31. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of repairing the parsonage house, and the church belonging to the German evangelical lutheran congregation in Frederick Town, in Frederick county. Dec. 24th, 1808, chap. 109. An act to authorize a lottery to raise a sum of money, for building a church for the use of the German lutheran and presbyterian congregations in or near the village of Boonsborough in Washington county. Jan. 6thy 1810, chap. 8. An act to authorise a lottery in Frederick county for the finishing of the house of worship in Liberty Town. ^ Jan. 6th, 1810, chap. 75. An act to authorise a lottery or lotteries in Frederick county, for the purpose of purchasing a lot of ground and erecting thereon ci building for a place of divine wor- ship, and a school, adjacent to the Union mills. Jan. 6th, 1810, chap. 113. An act respecting a tnemorial or statute to the me-- tnory of Washington. Jan. 6th, 1810, chap. 128. An act authorising a lottery for the preservation and distribution of the vaccine tnatter for the use of the Citizens of this state. Jan. 6th, 1810, chap. 142. An act authorising a lottery for raising a sum of money, to remunerate Richard Tilgham and others for * Above half the population of this town are slaves 39 cash expended in building a chureh in Queen Anne's eounty. Jan, nth 1810. chap, 132. An act to authorise a lottery fol" repairing the church in the village of Jerusalem in Washington county. Jan, Wi, 1810, chap, 170, and Dec, 23, 1810, cAap. 27. An act to authorise a lottery to raise a sum of money for repairing the protestant episcopal church in the city of Amiapolis. Jan. 8th, 1810, chap. 201. An act to authorise a lottery to raise a sum of money for building a church for the use of St. Margaret's West- minster Parish, in Anne Arundel county. Dec. 23, 1810, chap. 40. An act to authorize a lottery for purchasing a house and lot, for a clergyman of the German Presbyterian congregations at Emmitsburg, &c. Dec. 26thj 1811^ chap. 19. An act to authorise the drawing of a lottery or lotte» ries in Middle Town in Frederick county, for the pur- pose of building a steeple to the new church and for the purcliase of bells, Dec. 27th, 1811, chap. 82. An act to authorize a lottery, for the purpose of finish- ing the Lutheran and Presbyterian churches in Boonsbo- rough in Washington county, and for building a school house and purohaoiiig a fire pngine. Dec. 27th, 1811, chap. 19. An act to authorize a lottery or lotteries in the city of Baltimore, for the purpose of finishing the Roman Catholic Cathedral. Dec. 15, 1812, chap. 73. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of moneys' to purchase a lot of ground in Coxes' Town in Balti- more county and to erect a building thereon to be used as a school-house, and Methodist meeting-house. Dee. 17 th, 1812 chap. 81. An act authorizing a lottery for raising a sum of money to build a church in the town of Cumberland in Alleghany county. Dec. 23, 1812, chap. 125. An act to authorize a lottery to raise a sum of money 40 for Ihe purpose of completing the Lutheran church ia Middle Town in Frederick county. Dec. 16, 1813. chap. 1. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of completing the German Lutheraa church in Taney Town in Frederick county, and for other purposes. Jan. 2Bth, 1818, chap. 137. An act to authorise a lottery for finishing and complet- ing the Protestant Episcopal church in Frederick Town. Dec. Uth, 1815, chap. 8. An act authorizing a lottery for raising a sum of money for the purpose of purchasing a lot of ground, and erect- ing thereon a building for Divine Worship in Frederick county, Dec. SOth, 1815, chap. 29. An act Authorising a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of completing St. Lucas's reformed church in Frederick county. Dec. mth^ 1815. chap. 30. An act authorizing the drawing of a lottery for the benefit of the Surgical Institution at Baltimore. Jan. 4th^ 1816, chap. 47. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of repairing the Presbyterian and Luthe- ran church in Emmitsburg, in Frederick county. Jrrn. 96M, lftl6^ oJictja. 160. An act authorizing a lottery for rai&ing a sum of money to build a church in St Mark's parish, in Frede- rick county. Jan. TSth, 1816, chap. 186. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for completing an Episcopal church in Baltimore county. Dec. 31, 1816, chap. 24. An act authorizing a lottery for raising a sum of money to repair the churches in King and Queen's parish in St. Mary's county, and to build a glebe. ^' * This expression is somewhat doubtful in il* nature — but it if a true copy. 41 Jan.Sciy ISn.chap. 42. Ah act authorizing a lottery for raising a ssum of money to buy a lot of ground in Frederick-town in Frederick county, and build a church and parsonage house thereon. Jan, I5th, 1817, chap, 86. An act authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money for the purpose of completing a school house and pur- chasing church bells in the town of Boonsborough in Washington county. Jan, I6M5 1817, chap, 90. An act authorizing a lottery for raising a sum of money to build an impartial academy and free church in or near Tane\ town, in Frederick county. ^Jan, 27thy 1818, chap, 125. An act to authorize the raising a sum of money by lottery to aid in erecting a church in Charles countv. Feb. 5th^ 1817, chap, 268. An act authorizing a lottery or lotteries for the pur- pose of purchasing a public library^ and establishing and endowing a free school in Prince George^s county. Does the reading of this ^^ rehgious intelligence^' redden your cheeks with shame for the only nation of misnamed republicans in the world ? Should it produce no severe sensation, I think thf» following will not only rouse your indignation, but will change your respect for the Ameri- can character into contempt, perhaps hatred. The sub- ject is the refusal of one state to acquiesce with another in erecting a monument to the memory of Washington ? Yes Washington, the idolized Washington, he who fouo-ht some of the battles in defence of independence, has "no monuments erected to his memory but from the pro- ceeds of gambling, and so ungrateful is one state (New York) that they have not only refused to erect a monu- ment themselves to perpetuate his fame, but positively by law prohibited the sale of lottery tickets, to prevent people, of the state of Maryland, as far as possible, from evincing their attachment to his memory. Read the *' Report" submitted to the legislature of New York by Dr. JNlitchell. m HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, March 19, 1810. Washington's monument. Dr. Mitchell, from the select committee, to whom was referred the memorial of the Managers of the lottery for raising one hundred thousand dollars to erect a monu- ment to the memory of the late Gen. Washingaon, made the following report— '^ It appears that the attempts were, sometime since, made to raise by subscription a sum of money sufficient to erect at Baltimore, in Maryland, a monument to the memory of the late illustrious George Washington. These efforts were unsuccessful. But the public spirited gentlemen who engaged in the undertaking were not discouraged. They applied to the legislature for a lottery, enabling them to raise in this way the requisite sum. This was immediately granted. They find how- ever, some impediments to the sale of their tickets from the restrictions imposed by law in several of the states. " Among others, the populous and commercial state of New York, has a statute in force against private lotteries, and against all lotteries other than such as shall be authorized by its legislature. Unauthorized lotteries are declared to be common and public nuisances. The judges of the courts are required to charge grand juries to present them. Persons carryinjv them on are liable to a penalty of Ave hundred pounds. The sellers and buyers of tickets are respectively subjected to a penalty of ten pounds with costs. Adventurers are subjected to a forfeiture of their prizes : and informers are not merely exempted from all penalties, but even entitled to re- wards. " Aware of the forbiddance of the law, the memorial- ists apply to the legislature for a suspension of the sta- tute, so far as may be necessrry to allow the sale of tlieir tickets within the state of New York. " The object of their request, the erection of a magni- ficent monument to the memory of Washington, is urged ■with forcible reasoning and patriotic feeling, as a sufficient inducement for the legislature to grant the prayer of their memorial. ^' It may be questioned whether the modern extent of 4^ printing and engraving lias not in a great degree supei ceded the use of monuments. Sculpture and painting may, in like manner, be considered as perpetuating the remembrance of great men, and of tlie events by which they are distinguished, without the aid of cestly archi- tecture. Busts and medals of Washington are already extant. Portraits of him are not imfrequent. Prints and copper plates are widely spread throug'h the civiKzed w^orld. And above all, the faithful statements of history, descending to posterity, and multiplying as they go, are the unperishable monuments of his feme. " Believing that the name of Washington is worthy of being cherished ajid revered, the committee view with satisfaction the exertions of authors and artists, within this nation and beyond its boundaries, to ensure to it all the duration which the condition of man permits. '^ Under these impressions, there may be strong doubts whether the construction of the contemplated monument at Baltimore, is necessary to spread or eternize the indes- tructabie renown of Washington* That, happily, is es- tablished upon a basis as firm and as broad as that of any person of the age in which he lived. " Highly estimatmg the undertaking of the memori- alists, and well persuaded that their design, when ac- complished, will redound to their credit, and be both honorable and ornamental to Baltimore, the committee trust that means will be found to carry it into execution. But fearing that th© evil^ accruing from the suspension of the law, will over balance the good to be expected therefrom, they submit their opinion to the house, in one distinct proposition ; to w it — " Resolved, That it is not expedient to enact a law, for enabling the memorialists to dispose of their lottery tickets in this state.'^ March 20. The House entered upon the consideration of the re- port of the select commi :ee on the memorial of the ma- nagers of the Maryland lottery, and after debating the same, agreed to a resoi ition, without a division. That the further consideration of the report be postponed to the first Tuesday in IMay next. This is virtually an agreement to the report of the committee, and a refusal to grant the prayer of the applicants.^' 4i Wliat inconsistency in the people of New-York tJ erect in their city, a monument to perpetuate the name of Lawrence, a federal bravada, who with his crew sailed out of port, with the avowed purpose of taking the Shannon frigate, belonging to '-'the bullies of the ocean J' promising to return with her as a prize in " less than tw^o hours to dinner." The circumstanres which followed are well known, he was killed at the commencement of the action, his ship taken in fifteen minutes, and instead of the '^ stripes and stars of America flying over the union jack of England," the British captain took pos- session of the American vessel in presence of the people on shore, who had already anticipated the addition of another laurel to their brows, by the capture of Brooke. The family of Laurence is rewarded with a pension. His being killed in the prime of life is represented in Trinity church yard New- York, by a high monument with the top broken off. Washington is forgotten, or remembered only in words, mere emptt words, by tlie people of New- York, who would not countenance the perpetuation in remembmnce of his usefulness and pa- triotism, even by their favorite mode of gambling, a lot- tery. The people of Maryland however were not de- terred by the example of New -York, they have erected a monument from the proceeds of their lottery, the" scheme of w hich was as follows : — " 50,000 Dollars, " WASHINGTON MOyUMENT LLTTERY, NOW DRAWING. SCHEME. I prize of 50,000 dolls, is 50,000 dolls 1 30,000 80,000 1 20,000 20,000 2 10,000 20,000 a 6,000 15,00(3 20 One Hundred Tickets. 3 2,000 6,000 14 LOOO 14,000 30 500 15,000 25 200 5,000- 45 60 100 5,000dolls. 100 50 5,000 500 .20 10,000 1000 15 15,000 10,000 12 120,000 Not two Blanks to a Prize. Present price of Tickets 12 dolls. Orders for Tickets and Shares, received at JANSEiVS, Lottery Office and Book-Store, A'o. 15, Crag/iam Street^ Where a list of the drawing is regularly received and ^. check book kept for the examination of all Tickets Gratis*/' Nov. 4. The refusal of the people of New- York to sanction the Washington Monument Lottery in Maryland, may be thought to emanate from pure motives, and it may be imagined that the inhabitants of this state were an ex- ception to the states generally in conscientiously opposing gambling. It is not so. It originated in their tory prin- ciples, for which the state has always been notorious from tlie time of the revolutionary war to this moment. From what I can learn, there has been and now is more lotteries in New -York than in any two states in the Union. There are now eight lotteries I think in this city alone, one of them is called the '' Medical Science Lottery !" They are therefore no less culpable than the other states in this respect, but infinitely morp> sn in pnmnraging this w'orst species of g^ambling, for purposes ip which their interest alone is served. When prin ciple independent of interest is spoken of, there is no stimulus for the '^ Yorker" to act. The selling of pews and seats by public auction is an every day practice. Advertisements of their being sold are m almost eveiy paper. Every emigrant must be surprised at seeing how com- pletely priest-ridden the people of this country are. In the state of New Jersey, and the five New England states it is unlawful to travel on a Sunday either on foot, on horseback, or in a carriage. In the state of New York * By referring to page 58, we aec on the authority of the Com- missioners of Lotteries, that the act authorizing the Washingtoc ?lQni:;ii^j!l L'Jttcrv j^^iscd January 5lb, 18iO. 46 cLalus avd put aci'Oiss the streets to prevent riding, during Sunday past churches, chapels, and other reh'gious '• es- tablishments." In all states but Pennsylvania fairs are by law prohibited: and in Pennsylvania I believe there is but one in the year, and that is held by the '' high Dutchers" Germans. The law which prohibits fairs and shows, in this state I have not yet seen, but 1 have that of New-Jersey, and a most prejudiced mind must have conceived it, and a base majority must have voted it. However the people are subservient and they nourish it. I have no hesitation in saying, that no people calling themselves civilized, have so many foibles and vices as the present race of Americans, they are not equalled in superstition (or what is here called religion) and immo- rality, in pride and ignorance, in their boasted generosity and actual selfishness, by any nation whatever ; every superstitious folly finds its votaries in this ^^ most en- lightened country ;'' in fine, this " mo,st enlightened peo- ple" have the worst qualities of the Dutch, the English, the French, the Germans, the Irish, the Italians, tlie Scotch, and the Spaniards, but none of their good and amiable ones. They have not the simple neatness of the Dutch in their dress or their dwellings — ^the honesty of tJie English in their dealings, or honor in their conduct — the gaiety, learning and vivacity of the French — the hardihood of the Germans — the open generosity of the Irish — the fine taste for music, painting and sculpture of the Italian — the priirlAn+ ^oononny of thp Srolch, nor the friendship of the Spaniard. On the contrary, they are the reverse of what in Great Britain they are considered by the people. The man of reason and reflection will ask how should it be otherwise considering the most ignorant and op- pressed of Europe emigrate with an intention of remain- ing here ; and not one in ten thousand of liberal principles and polished manners leaves enlightened Europe for America, either for a transient or permanent resi- dence. There are some men who are so devoid of principle and truth, that after having left England, they endeavour to ingratiate themselves into the favour of the Americans by villifying England and every thing English: Thoae wretches who act in this manner^ are listened to at first, but only to hear what 4r ihey have to say, and to be despised for having said it; for with all the faults and vices of the Americans, they have universally a thorough contempt for those foreigners who libel their native country. The New York Colum- bian of the twenty-fifth of last month contains a letter said to be written by a Mr. Cooper, late of Manchester, (England) stating that the " common people^^ are not ^' so depraved in this country as in Great Britain — that " robberies are very rare f both these assertions are known untruths, and this Mr. Cooper either knew nothing of the people here, or he wilfully penned two falsehoods. 1 hope for the sake of justice, if ever this base slanderer returns to Manchester, the spirited people of that town will remember him for thus insulting them, when he, coward like, could only do it in a foreign land, inhabited by a people proverbial for their hatred of the English name and character. An error the advocates of Reform fall into ?s to repre- sent America as a paradise, and every man in it a friend. In reasoning on the advantages of a free government they draw this conclusion : — That as America has been perfectly free for nearly half a century the people are pro- portionately happy and moral. That they are more happy I am not prepared to say, as I believe to be moral is to be happy, and that the people of this country are immoral in the extreme I am convinced. The word of an American is with caution believed even though his " honor'' were pledged in its varification. The cruelty with which the white American treats his brethren of a darker hue is revolting to humanity. Paternal and fi- lial aftection are here unknown. I have witnessed the sorrow of an English mother at her offspring being in the constant habit of seeing children repelling the counsels of their parents by abuse. Yes, by abuse ! for children partake as well of the same spirit as of the same man- ners which distinguish the Americans from all the i-est of the world. An urchin four or six years old, with a segar in his mouth, is certainly a pretty object for coun- sel to be bestowed on ; it is attended to for the moment to be laughed at among his playmates. Every English- man who has been in this country an attentive observer of the people, will acknowledge I have not exaggerated in stating them to be immoral and superistitious. 48 In conclusion, I must say the constitution and govern- ment of this country are really admirable, the people are represented as fully as possible but owing to the respect of priestcraft paid by all denominations, and their conse- quently beuig ** As tenderly 'ed by the nose as asses are," Laws have been enacted through the apathy of the peo- pie to their political rights, disgraceful to republicans and diametrically opposite to those jusl and pure principles "which produced their constitution. The banking system is replete with fraud and robbery. That of England is purity itself in the comparison* The laws in eighteen states out of twenty-one, respecting creditor and debtor, are unjust in principle and effect; they encourage ro- guery and swindling to a degree unknown in Great Britain. In a letter to Mr. W. 1 intend to treat this subject at length, as also the absurdity of the idea that America will become a manufacturing country. I know it is thought little else than temerity in any Reformer to hint or speak disrespectfully of this country. The epithet " government agent" is immediately fixed on him, who in a comparison of America and England, should venture to give the preference to England, the birth-place of the greatest advocates ofcivil and religious liberty the world has ever produced. But as I am pos- sessed of as much information derived from American sources, as perhaps any " foreij^ner " of the real situa- tion of this country, 1 will give the substance of this in- formation to the people of England ; and as a book when published is the property of the public, any portion of that public have a right to examine the facts and receive or reject the opinions formed by the author ; and so con- vinced am I of the truths and the evidence I have and shall bring in aid of what I assert being not easily con- tradicted, that I here invite a discussion of the subject with any inhabitant of this country, either native or fo- reigner, provided the disputant gives his name and ad- dress, for I have an aversion to literary assassination, be- lieving an honest man would not write in his closet what he would be ashamed of avowing by signing his name. I remain, your's, &c, WILLIAM CLAKK ur a ly >°-^*. J-^-^^J., 6 0, "^ ''^/y-'^ W%^v /'X -.IP/ ^►'^'^ * > « « « *d t ^-..^^ P m * ^o cO^J^vV".** WERT BOOKBINONC CrawviUe Pa Ju/yAugusI 1988