Part 10 (2/2)

PREFACE

Ever since the period of our ith North America, which ended in the independence of the United States, the attention of Europe has been intensely drawn to that portion of the globe; and uine hopes that the declaration of Independence was the commencement of a new era of radical improvement to mankind--that the old Governments of the world, full of abuses, and unable to stand before the light of the new Republic, must soon fall before it; and that from America would triulad and improve the condition of the nations of the earth So ably were the whole negotiations conducted on the adverse side, both before {viii} and after the war, by a few shrewd and determined minds; and so effectually was the war concluded by a Washi+ngton, that the people of the old continent fancied the new one must be covered by States aht examples these were to send forth

'Tis true the subsequent conduct of the Republicans, both to their leaders and towards ourselves, did not tend to keep up the admiration which had been raised; yet, other causes--the late events in Europe, having brought governreat difficulties, and multitudes of the people, from the intoxication of a short-lived prosperity, eventually to drain the cups of privation and poverty, many of these naturally turned their attention to other countries; and leaving their own, sought on foreign shores those coain beca us; travellers of inquiry again went out to make observations; published their accounts,irants fro in the ports of the new Republic

One of the latest a the crowd of travellers who thus have set the fashi+on of eration (Mr Morris Birkbeck) has published his account, and hasthe minds of his countrymen;--his ”Letters from the Illinois,” and previous ”Journal,”

are written in a plain concise style, and yet dictated at the sauine te to nature, and produces a workto the mind

These favourable accounts, aided by a period of real privation and discontent in Europe, caused eh various reports of unfavourable nature soon circulated, and rated actually returned to their native land in disgust, yet still the trading vessels were filled with passengers of all ages and descriptions, full of hope, looking forward to the West as to a land of liberty and {x} delight--a land floith milk and honey--a second land of Canaan

To inquire into the truth of so inviting a prospect as that held up by Mr Birkbeck and some others, and in part to relieve the mind from evils of a domestic nature, the Author was induced in the year 1819 to e accounts in print in order to compare them with his own actual observations; with the intent either to add his confirmation to the favourable side, or otherwise to exert his utmost to undeceive the many of his countrymen misled by specious reports

With these views the journey was undertaken, and the annexed pages are the result; in perusing which the reader is requested to observe, that he will not find, strictly speaking, an eh there are hints which it is hoped may be found useful,) but chiefly facts and reflections for consideration previous to going thither under the inducements held out by Mr Birkbeck and others:--These hints, the Author is conscious, have not been conveyed {xi} in theform, but he trusts, that if the matter be found important the manner will not be looked upon with the severity of a critic's eye

To the Americans the Author wishes to address a feords, in order to assure the observations, he has fully intended to guide his pen by the spirit of hisup to the perfect model of a Republican whichin forgetting that they are not only men, but men placed in a new country, with all its difficulties, natural and iant and find a man of but ordinary proportions, is he to blame for this? Certainly not The North Americans possess a fertile beautiful country and a fine climate: no one can wish for the ies more than the Author; he the e portion of blind conceit in their own superiority, and also the absence of the very essential Christian principle of good-will and benevolence; {xii} under the influence of which the truly great hold out the hand of good fellowshi+p to the rest of ard theood-will toward men”

VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA

THE VOYAGE[1]

May 5th Off Margate on board the Venus, bound for New York This shi+p, which was to have sailed on 29th April, did not drop down the river until the 1st instant; and then, owing to an accident which befel the Stea, did not reach Gravesend until Sunday the 2d We hadunder the extortionate charges of a Gravesend tavern At length, on the Monday evening, the signal was displayed for sailing, and trunks, &c having been previously sent on board, we took a {2} long leave of English ground, and proceeded with other passengers to the shi+p; expecting, like unfledged Voyagers, to find everything in tri with the Captain for the passage, I had inquired if there were ers, and was then told there were ”_a few_;”

previous to going on board the ”few” had increased to ”asthis hint, so inexperienced e, that ere not in the slightest manner prepared for the scene presented to our appalled senses on rising the shi+p's side! Trunks, portes of all kinds and descriptions, piled in all directions and in every way--a crowd of dirty squalid steerage passengers, which appeared to oureyes at least five tiether forh which we could not, without much difficulty, push our way to the cabin; and that accomplished, still more horrors presented theood order which reigned there when I had examined the vessel while in dock, the dirty floor was covered noith nothing but trunks, bedding, and other baggage; giving an effect theto us all: so that we sat down upon broken chair, box, trunk, or anything we could, and glared upon each other {3} desponding as the fallen angels at their first drop!

Our fate, however, not arded our Captain as the arch-fiend and torave him looks of reproach which pretty plainly said, ”you have entrapped us into your aboet out you will not do so again:”--However, I will not suppose he enjoyed our horror, but rather partook a little of the general feeling; for he sat, his eyes glaring as wildly as any of the party until at length, as nothing was offered to relieve the spirits, I proposed a biscuit and soht, and nearly in silence consuht repose

While engaged thiseasily along under a pleasant little breeze, we suddenly felt a shock, followed by a rubbing along the bottom; the Captain started up, and was upon deck in a ers ran in all directions, and the appalling cry ”we are aground” sounded on all sides! Happily, though such a mixed multitude, even the females betrayed but little fear, and most of the men lent every aid in their power; the {4} weather was favorable, and though the shi+p beat reat hopes were entertained that she would get off Had it happened in the night and the wind had come on to blow hard, we should in all probability have been lost; being day, ere descried from the shore, distant about ten miles, and boats of fisher previous altercation ensued between theain was struck: for a service which they acknowledged would not occupy more than half an hour, they first asked one hundred, and then sixty guineas--Such is man when the consideration is the property of his fellow! Our lives they did not conteer, otherwise to save theht of reward: so let us be in charity with huth, after an anxious interval to the passengers, it was agreed that fifty guineas should be the price for getting the shi+p afloat; the as given, and in twenty minutes of alacrity the bower anchor was carried out; the men exerted the round; and after three or four violent buain

Those who have experienced such accidents ratulations went round accompanied with internal thankfulness to that Providence, whose care is over all[2]