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AN
ENGLISHWOMAN
AMERICA.
LIVERPOOL :
liEO. SMITH, WATTS AND CO.
PRINTERS.
AN
ENGLISHWOMAN
AMERICA.
SARAH MYTTON MAURY,
AUTHORESS OF THE " STATESMEN OF AMERICA IN 1846.
Je reviens parmi vous;— l'ame constante, le coeur fidele.
APPENDIX
CONTAINS THE HISTORY OF THE
EMIGRANT SURGEONS' BILL.
LONDON : THOMAS RICHARDSON AND SON,
AND 9, CAPEL STREET, DUBLIN :
LIVERPOOL :
GEO. SMITH, WATTS AND CO.
1848.
ARGUMENT.
A room in Antonio's Hoi
Enter Antonio and Panthin
Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad* talk was t\vdX//j , Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister ? * V £j jJO /
Van. 'Twas of his nephew, Proteus, your son.
Ant. Why, what of him ?
Tan. He wonder'd that your Lordship
Would suffer him to spend his youth at home ;
While other men, of slender reputation,
Put forth their sons to seek preferment out ;
Some to the wars, to try their fortune there ;
Some to discover islands far away ;T V. Some to the studious universities. V. For any, or for all these exercises, ^ He said that Proteus, your son, was meet ; > And did request me to importune you, ^-To let him spend his time no more at home, V Which would be great impeachment to his age,
In having known no travel in his youth.
Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that Whereon this month I have been hammering. I have considered well his loss of time ; And how he cannot be a perfect man, Not being try'd and tutor'd in the world : Experience is by industry achieved, And perfected by the swift course of time: Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him ?
Shakspeare — Tivo Gentlemen of Verona.
* Sad, i.e. grave, serious.
•f Iu Shakspeare's time, voyages for the discovery of the islands of America were much in vogue. And we find in the journals of the travellers of that time, that the sons of noblemen, and of others of the best families in England, went very frequently on these adventures. — Note by Warburton,
TO THE HONOURABLE
JAMES BUCHANAN:
SECRETARY OF STATE,
AT WASHINGTON.
My Dear Mr. Buchanan, Visited in my household with sickness and sorrow, and surrounded by the deepest gloom that has ever been known in England, daily beholding my friends and neighbours plunged into irretrievable ruin ; it affords me some consolation to retrace my steps through a country which, though like all other portions of the globe it may be occasionally visited with reverses of fortune, yet contains in its robust youth the principle of regenerate pros- perity.
The " Englishwoman in America/' grate- ful for your past kindness, has again adorned her pages with your name.
I congratulate you on the return of Pennsyl- vania to her first love, and I hope her con- stancy will prove equal to her good sense. The Journals declare that Ohio is a tie ; and can it happily he true that an inkling of Democracy has crept into Massachusetts ? New York pre- sents a strange anomaly ; with the " most democratic government that has ever existed/' that eccentric State has appointed Whigs to the guidance of her administration. There is a tale extant of a certain Phaeton, a son of Phcebus, who for reasons of his own tormented his father to permit him for a single day to guide the chariot of the Sun. The miserable parent hav- ing sworn by Styx to grant his request could not retract. The inexperienced boy, positive in
■ - * his will, unconscious of the speed . and strength
of the Coursers/ and ,of the weight of Wheels and Fire they' dragged along, regardless of the admonitions of the* disconsolate God of Day, with unheeding (confidence, but with uncertain hand, drove on until" the flying horses, becoming sensible of the confusion of their driver, de- parted from the track. Already Heaven and Earth were threatened with universal conflagra- tion, when Jupiter struck the ambitious Cha- rioteer with a thunderbolt, and hurled him into the Eridanus. .Now Jupiter forefend that such a catastrophe should ever happen in New York and the Hudson.
The Session before you will be arduous ; and important in its bearings upon the future state of your continent. Mexico and Abolition seem the existing subjects of discussion, and divide the United States into many political factions.
a 2
But the Ministers of America repose on beds of roses compared with the uneasy couch on which is tost the Government of England. Eecent Famines, Taxation, Kailway Speculation, Con- tracted Currency, the Bank and its Enormi- ties, ominous schisms between Church and State, the clamour of the unemployed labouring classes, the deficiency of Kevenue, and con- tinuance of the Income Tax, distant, and ex- pensive, and interminable Wars, the ruined West India Proprietors, Commercial and Manufac- turing Stagnation such as was never known before, aggravated by an entire want of confi- dence in the commercial capacity of the Administration ; the wrongs and woes and crimes of Ireland, and the perplexities of European politics; — all these lie heavy on the souls of her Ministers, and weigh down the mighty heart of England to the dust.
It is boldly said, that English Whigs, like American Whigs, however learned in the Theory, do not understand the Practice of Government. As in a Bepublic, the fundamental and dominant party must he democratic, so in a Monarchy, the fundamental or dominant party must be conservative; when the reverse occurs, it is an experiment, and though a necessary is not always a successful one.
Among other important changes, long antici- pated and now impending, it seems highly pro- bable that the Canadas will assert their Independ- ence. The injuries that Province received at the hands of the Mother Country, through the Immi- gration of disease and pauperism during the last season, are foil and sufficient reasons for declining her protection for the future. I am gratified to see that the accomplished Louis Lafontaine is the present representative of Montreal. The
Canadas must very shortly present the interest- ing spectacle of a French and Catholic Com- munity asserting its Independence in the imme- diate vicinity of the Colonies of the English Pilorims : and soon that nohle hut ill-used Pro- vince will form an additional family in the great Continent of Eepuhlics.
The Colonial Department in vain issue apo- logies for their supineness ; they have overlooked the all-important fact that there are two par- ties to a bargain ; and in their anxiety to get quit of the miseries of Pauperism at home, they have forgotten the results of imposing such an infliction upon the Provinces. A separation is however desirable on all accounts, and therefore it cannot he a matter of regret that England has neglected to profit by the lesson she received from the United States.
The excellent regulations made for Passenger
vessels by Mr. Walker, by reducing the numbers allowed to be carried about one-fourth, will greatly alleviate the miseries of the Emigrant to the United States, and will materially contribute to the safety of your citizens. We are in hopes that such a measure will shortly be enacted by our Government. They have hitherto been too much and too expensively engaged with measures concerning the Slave trade in Africa to think of their own outcasts.
Some English and American Journals are reprobating the reported annexation of the Island of Cuba to the United States. Whether this should ever take place or not, to me, being equally the well-wisher of the white man and the black, it is satisfactory to know that America will never suffer the Cubanos and their slaves to become the spoil of English Abolitionists.
Canadas must very shortly present the interest- ing spectacle of a French and Catholic Com- munity asserting its Independence in the imme- diate vicinity of the Colonies of the English Pilgrims ; and soon that noble but ill-used Pro- vince will form an additional family in the great Continent of Piepublics.
The Colonial Department in vain issue apo- logies for their supineness ; they have overlooked the all-important fact that there are two par- ties to a bargain ; and in their anxiety to get quit of the miseries of Pauperism at home, they have forgotten the results of imposing such an infliction upon the Provinces. A separation is however desirable on all accounts, and therefore it cannot be a matter of regret that England has neglected to profit by the lesson she received from the United States.
The excellent regulations made for Passenger
vessels by Mr. Walker, by reducing tbe numbers allowed to be carried about one-fourth, will greatly alleviate tbe miseries of tbe Emigrant to tbe United States, and will materially contribute to tbe safety of your citizens. We are in hopes that such a measure will shortly be enacted by our Government. They have hitherto been too much and too expensively engaged with measures concerning the Slave trade in Africa to think of their own outcasts.
Some English and American Journals are reprobating the reported annexation of the Island of Cuba to the United States. Whether this should ever take place or not, to me, being equally the well-wisher of the white man and the black, it is satisfactory to know that America will never suffer the Cubanos and their slaves to become the spoil of English Abolitionists.
The American demonstrations in favour of their country and their Pope have conferred happiness on the heart of many an Italian exile here. On my desk lies a letter from one who was for three years the inmate of an Austrian Dungeon at Parma, and an exile in England for ten. He begs me to offer to you and the American people his respectful and grateful homage.
But there is a body of Englishmen who feel still more deeply the liberality of the Americans. Many of the most eminent Catholics of this country have expressed to me their high sense of the respect and regard which is paid to the professors of their Faith in the United States.
During the past year I have learned the de- parture of many from the land of the living ; of several whom I knew. Their absence will be
sorrowfully felt by me, when I again revisit the scenes which were graced by their society.
With every respectful sentiment, every kindly wish, towards yourself and all those to whom such remembrance will be acceptable, I remain, My dear Mr. Buchanan,
Your affectionate Friend
And obedient Servant,
SARAH MYTTON MAURY.
Liverpool, 31st January, IS48
After diligent enquiry I have learned that the Declaration of American Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Farewell Address of General Washington ; have never been published in England. It is time that these noble Docu- ments should be made known to the British Public ; and I cannot too highly appreciate the distinction of being the first to present them in an English garb to my Countrymen and my Countrywomen.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
In Congress, July 4, 1/76-
THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of man- kind requires, that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident : — that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ; that whenever any form of govern- ment becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles,
xiv DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes ; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves, by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw oif such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies, and such is now the neces- sity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government.
The history of the Present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this let facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws the most whole- some and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of imme- diate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. xv
operation till his assent should be obtained ; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legis- lature— a risfnt inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the repository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly for opposing with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise, the State remaining, in, the mean time, exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States ; for that purpose obstructing the laws of naturalization of Foreigners ; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the con- ditions of new appropriations of lands.
xvi DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
He has obstructed the administration of Justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary- powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers, to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military, independent of, and superior to, the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a juris- diction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws ; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation :
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us :
For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punish- ment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States :
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world :
For imposing taxes on us without our consent :
For depriving us in many cases of the benefits of Trial by Jury :
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. xvii
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pre- tended offences :
For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighbouring province ; establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies ;
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments :
For suspending our own legislatures and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow-citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to b2
xviii DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms : our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.
A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwar- rantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our Common Kindred to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connexions and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must therefore acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our sepa-
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. xix
ration, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind —
ENEMIES IN WAR, IN PEACE FRIENDS.
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connexion between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; and that, as Free and Independent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with
A FIRM RELIANCE ON THE PROTECTION OF DlVINE
Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honour.
John Hancock.
New Hampshire. Massachusetts Bay.
Samuel Adams, Josiah Bartlett, John Adams,
William Whipple, Robert Treat Paine,
Matthew Thornton. Elbridge Gerry.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
Rhode Island, &c. Stephen Hopkins. William Ellery.
Connecticut.
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntingdon, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott.
Delaware.
Csesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas M'Kean.
Maryland.
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, C. Carroll, of Carrollton.
New York. William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris.
New Jersey. Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark.
Virginia.
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr. Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton.
North Carolina. William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn.
Pennsylvania.
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross.
South Carolina.
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr. Thomas Lynch, Jr. Arthur Middleton.
Georgia. Burton Gwinnet, Lyman Hall, George Walton.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
PREAMBLE.
We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.
ARTICLE I. — Of the Legislature.
Section I.
1. All legislative powers herein granted, shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section II.
Of the House of Representatives.
1. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states : and the electors in each state shall
xxii CONSTITUTION
have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most ' numerous branch of the state legislature. • 2. No person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty five years, and have been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.
3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be appor- tioned among the several states which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole num- ber of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative ; and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three ; Mas- sachusetts eight ; Rhode Island and Providence Planta- tions one ; Connecticut five ; Neio York six ; New Jersey four ; Pennsylvania eight ; Delaware one ; Maryland
OF THE UNITED STATES. xxiii
six ; Virginia ten ; North Carolina five ; South Carolina five ; and Georgia three.
4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
5. The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment.
Section III. Of the Senate.
1 . The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legisla- ture thereof, for six years ; and each senator shall have one vote.
2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in con- sequence of the first election, they shall be divided, as equally as may be, into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expira- tion of the second year, of the second class at the expira- tion of the fourth year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third may be chosen every second year ; and if vacancies happen, by resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the legis- lature of any state, the executive thereof may make
xxiv CONSTITUTION
temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen.
4. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
5. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of Presi- dent of the United States.
6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the chief justice shall preside ; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.
7. Judgment in case of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualifica- tion to hold and enjoy any office of honour, trust, or profit under the United States ; but the party con- victed shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to
OF THE UNITED STATES. xxv
indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law.
Section IV. Manner of Electing Members.
1 . The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators.
Congress to Assemble Annually.
2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
Section V.
Powers.
1. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members ; and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do busi- ness ; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide.
xxvi CONSTITUTION
2. Each House may determine the rules of its pro- ceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.
3. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the members of either House, on any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.
4. Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section VI.
Compensation, &c. of Members.
1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to or returning from the same ; and for any speech or debate in either House they shall not be questioned in any other place.
OF THE UNITED STATES. xxvii
2. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased, during such time ; and no person holding any office under the United States shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.
Section VII. Manner of Passing Bills, &c.
1 . All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments, as on other bills.
2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States ; if he approve, he shall sign it ; but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objec- tions at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, to- gether with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-
xxviii CONSTITUTION
thirds of that House it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of hoth Houses shall he determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
3. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the con- currence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary, (except a question of adjournment,) shall be presented to the President of the United States ; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Represen- tatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill .
Section VIII. Power of Congress.
The Congress shall have power — 1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common
OF THE UNITED STATES. xxix
defence and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform through- out the United States :
2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States :
3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes :
4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies, throughout the United States :
5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures :
6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States :
7. To establish post offices and post roads :
8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and dis- coveries :
9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court :
10. To define and punish piracies and felonies com- mitted on the high seas, and offences against the law of
nations :
c 2
xxx CONSTITUTION
11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water :
12. To raise and support armies; but no appropri- ation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years :
13. To provide and maintain a navy :
14. To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces :
15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions :
16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplin- ing the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively the appointment of the officers and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress :
17. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square,) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased, by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of
OF THE UNITED STATES, xxxi
forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings : and,
18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or any department or officer thereof.
Section IX. Limitation of the Powers of Congress.
1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.
2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless when, in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.
3. No bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, shall be passed.
4. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration here- inbefore directed to be taken.
5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported
xxxii CONSTITUTION
from any state. No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one state over those of another ; nor shall vessels bound to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.
6. No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of appropriation made by law ; and a re- gular statement and account of the receipts and expendi- tures of all public moneys shall be published from time to time.
7. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States, and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without the consent of Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.
Section X.
Limitation of the Powers of Individual States.
1. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation ; grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts ; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts ; or grant any title of nobility.
OF THE UNITED STATES. xxxiii
2. No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lav any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may he absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws ; and the nett produce of all duties and imposts laid by any state on imports or exports shall be for the use of the Treasury of the United States, and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of Congress. No state shall, without the consent of Con- gress, lay any duty on tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or com- pact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such immi- nent danger as will not admit of delay.
ARTICLE II.— Of the Executive.
Section I.
i . The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows : —
Manner of Electing.
2. Each state shall appoint, in such maimer as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors,
xxxiv CONSTITUTION
equal to the whole number of senators and representa- tives to which the state may be entitled in Congress ; but no senator or representative, or person holding any office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector.
3. The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with them- selves. And they shall make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if there be more than one who have such a majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for President ; and if no person have a majority, then, from the five highest on the list, the said House shall in like manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by
OF THE UNITED STATES. xxxv
states, the representation from each state having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. In every case after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the elec- tors shall be Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice President.*
Time of Choosing Electors.
4. The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors and the day on which they shall give their votes ; which day shall be the same throughout the United States.
Who Eligible.
5. No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President ; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty- five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
* See Amendment, page 50.
xxxvi CONSTITUTION
When the President's Power Devolves on the Vice President.
6. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President ; and the Congress may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resigna- tion, or inability, both of the President and Vice Presi- dent, declaring what officer shall then act as President ; and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed or a President shall be elected.
President's Compensation.
7. The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them.
8. Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation : —
" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully
OF THE UNITED STATES. xxxvii
execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section II. Powers and Duties.
1. The President shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States ; he may require the opinion in writing of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices ; and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two- thirds of the senators present, concur : and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public minis- ters and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law. But the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they
xxxviii CONSTITUTION
think proper in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
3. The President shall have the power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions, which shall expire at the end of their next session.
Section III.
1 . He shall, from time to time, give to Congress in- formation of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them ; and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambassa- dors and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed ; and shall commission all the officers of the United States.
Section IV.
Officers Removed.
1 . The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on
OF THE UNITED STATES. xxxix
impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours.
ARTICLE III.
Section I.
Of the Judiciary.
1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may, from time to time order and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour ; and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
Section II.
1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and equity arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority ; to all cases affecting am- bassadors, other public ministers, and consuls ; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to contro- versies to which the United States shall be a party ; to controversies between two or more states ; between a state and citizens of another state ; between citizens of different states ; between citizens of the same state
xl CONSTITUTION
claiming lands under grants of different states ; and between a state, or the citizens thereof and foreign states, citizens, or subjects.
Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have original juris- diction. In all the other cases before mentioned the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as Congress shall make.
Of Trials for Crimes.
3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeach- ment, shall be by jury, and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been com- mitted ; but when not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as Congress may by law have directed.
Section III. Of Treason. 1. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their
OF THE UNITED STATES. xli
enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or confession in open court.
2. Congress shall have power to declare the punish- ment of treason ; but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.
ARTICLE IV.— Miscellaneous.
Section I.
State Acts.
1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And Congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
Section II. Privilege of Citizens.
1. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.
2. A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice and be found
d 2
xlii CONSTITUTION
in another state, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed from the state having jurisdiction of the crime.
Runaways to be Delivered up.
3. No person held to service or labour in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be dis- charged from such service or labour ; but shall be deli- vered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labour may be due.
Section III.
New States.
1 . New states may be admitted by Congress into this Union; but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state, nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of Congress.
Territorial and Other Property.
2. Congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory,
OF THE UNITED STATES. xliii
or other property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any par- ticular state.
Section IV.
1 . The United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion ; and, on applica- tion of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.
ARTICLE V.
Amendments.
1 . Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution ; or, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this con- stitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three- fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three- fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratifica- tion may be proposed by Congress ; provided, that no
xliv. CONSTITUTION
amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
ARTICLE VI.— Miscellaneous. Debts.
1 . All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this constitution, as under the confederation.
Supreme Law of the Land.
2. This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land ; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.
Oath — No Religious Test.
3. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and
OF THE UNITED STATES. xlv
all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this constitution : but no reli- gious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, under the United States.
ARTICLE VII.
Of the Ratification.
1 . The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this consti- tution between the states so ratifying the same.
Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the states present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the twelfth. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
President, and Deputy from Virginia.
NEW HAMPSHIRE. MASSACHUSETTS.
John Langdon, Nathaniel Gorham,
Nicholas Gilman. Rufus King.
xlvi
CONSTITUTION
NEW JERSEY.
William Livingston, David Brearly, William Patterson, Jonathan Dayton.
PENNSYLVANIA.
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Governeur Morris.
DELAWARE.
George Read, Gunning Bedford, jun. John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom.
NEW YORK.
Alexander Hamilton.
MARYLAND.
James M 'Henry,
Daniel of St. Tho. Jenifer,
Daniel Carroll.
VIRGINIA.
John Blair,
James Madison, jun.
NORTH CAROLINA.
William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
John Rutledge, Chas. Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler.
CONNECTICUT. GEORGIA.
William Samuel Johnson, William Few, Roger Sherman. Abraham Baldwin.
Attest,
WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary
OF THE UNITED STATES. xlvii
AMENDMENTS
To the Constitution of the United States, ratified according to the Provisions of the Fifth Article of the foregoing Constitution.
Free Exercise of Religion.
Art. I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press ; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Right to Bear Arms.
Art. 2. A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
No Soldier to be Billeted, &c.
Art. 3. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered
xlviii CONSTITUTION
in any house without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Unreasonable Searches Prohibited.
Art. 4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated ; and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Criminal Proceedings.
Art. 5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be put twice in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
OF THE UNITED STATES. xlix
Mode of Trial.
Art. 6 In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an im- partial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; to be con- fronted with the witnesses against him ; to have com- pulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favour ; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence.
Right of Trial by Jury.
Art. 7. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved; and no fact tried by jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the com- mon law.
Bail, Fines.
Art. 8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor ex- cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
1 CONSTITUTION
Rights not Enumerated.
Art 9. The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Powers Reserved.
Art. 10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively or to the people.
Limitation of Judicial Power.
Art. 1 1 . The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
Election of President.
Art. 12. § 1. The electors shall meet in their re- spective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inha- bitant of the same state with themselves ; they shall name
OF THE UNITED STATES. li
in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice President ; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President and of all persons voted for as Vice President, and of the number of votes for each, which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate ; the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted ; the person having the greatest number of votes for President shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have such a ma- jority, then from the persons having the highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose im- mediately by ballot the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the represen - tation from each state having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two- thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Repre- sentatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth
lii CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
day of March next following, then the Vice President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.
2. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list the Senate shall choose the Vice President : a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice.
3. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice Presi- dent of the United States.
WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS
TO THE
PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Friends and Fellow Citizens,
The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in desig- nating the person who is to be clothed with that im- portant trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprize you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.
I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be assured, that this resolution has not been taken e 2
liv WASHINGTON'S
without a strict regard to all the considerations apper- taining to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his country ; and that, in withdrawing the tender of sendee which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest ; no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness, but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both. The acceptance of, and the continuance hitherto in the office to which your suffrages have twice called me, have been an uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I con- stantly hoped that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea. I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as inter- nal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incom- patible with the sentiment of duty or propriety, and
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lv
am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that in the present circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove my determination to retire.
The impressions with which I first undertook the arduous trust, were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I have, with good intentions, contributed towards the organization and administration of the government, the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious in the outset of the infe- riority of my qualifications, experience, in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strength- ened the motives to diffidence of myself; and, every day, the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.
In looking forward to the moment which is to ter- minate the career of my political life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my beloved
lvi WASHINGTON'S
country, for the many honours it has conferred upon me ; still more for the steadfast confidence with which it has supported me ; and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolahle attachment, by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let it always be remembered to your praise, and as an instructive example in our annals, that under circumstances in which the passions, agitated in every direction, were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging ; in situations in which not unfre- quently, want of success has countenanced the spirit of criticism, — the constancy of your support was the essen- tial prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans, by which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows, that heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its benificence — that your union and brotherly affection may be per- petual— that the free constitution which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained — that its ad- ministration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue — that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these states, under the auspices of liberty,
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lvii
may be made complete by so careful a preservation, and so prudent a use of this blessing, as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation which is yet a stranger to it.
Here, perhaps, I ought to stop. But a solicitude for your welfare, which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehension of danger, natural to that solicitude, urge me, on an occasion like the present, to offer to your solemn contemplation, and to recommend to your frequent review, some sentiments, which are the result of much reflection, of no inconsiderable observation, and which appear to me all important to the permanency of your felicity as a people. These will be offered to you with the more freedom, as you can only see in them the disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who can pos- sibly have no personal motives to bias his counsel.
Nor can I forget, as an encouragement to it, your in- dulgent reception of my sentiments on a former and not dissimilar occasion. Interwoven as is the love of Liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attach- ment.
The Unity of Government which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so ;
Iviii WASHINGTON'S
for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real inde- pendence ; the support of your tranquillity at home ; your peace abroad ; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But, as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes, and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the convic- tion of this truth ; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively, though often covertly and insidiously directed, it is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness ; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it ; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity ; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety ; dis- countenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can, in any event, be abandoned ; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to sever one portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts. For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. Citizens by birth, or choice, of
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lix
a common country, that country Las a right to concen- trate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appel- lation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, man- ners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause, fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess, are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes. But these considerations, however powerfully they address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly outweighed by those which apply more immediately to your interest. Here, every portion of your country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the union of the whole. The north, in an unrestrained intercourse with the south, protected by the equal laws of a common government, finds in the productions of the latter, great additional resources of maritime and commercial enter- prise, and precious materials of manufacturing industry. The south, in the same intercourse, benefiting by the same agency of the north, sees its agriculture grow and its commerce expand. Turning partly into its own channels the seamen of the north, it finds its particular
lx WASHINGTON'S
navigation invigorated; and while it contributes, in different ways, to nourish and increase the general mass of the national navigation, it looks forward to the pro- tection of a maritime strength, to which itself is un- equally adapted. The east, in a like intercourse with the west, already finds, and in the progressive improve- ment of interior communications by land and water, will more and more find a valuable vent for the commo- dities which it brings from abroad, or manufactures at home. The west derives from the east supplies re- quisite to its growth and comfort — and what is perhaps of still greater consequence, it must of necessity owe the secure enjoyment of indispensable outlets for its own productions, to the weight, influence, and future maritime strength of the Atlantic side of the miion, directed by an indissoluble community of interest as One Nation. Any other tenure by which the west can hold this essential advantage, whether derived from its own separate strength, or from an apostate and unnatural connexion with any foreign power, must be intrinsically precarious. While then every part of our country thus feels an immediate and particular interest in union, all the parts combined cannot fail to find in the united mass of means and efforts, greater strength, greater resource, proportionably greater security from
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lxi
external danger, a less frequent interruption of their peace by foreign nations ; and, what is of inestimable value, they must derive from union, an exemption from those broils and wars between themselves, which so frequently afflict neighbouring countries not tied together by the same government ; the rivalships alone of which would be sufficient to produce, but which opposite foreign alliances, attachments, and intrigues, would stimulate and imbitter. Hence likewise, they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establish- ments, which, under any form of government, are inau- spicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty. In this sense it is, that your union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other.
These considerations speak a persuasive language to every reflecting and virtuous mind, and exhibit the con- tinuance of the union as a primary object of patriotic desire. Is there a doubt whether a common govern- ment can embrace so large a sphere ? let experience solve it. To listen to mere speculation in such a case were criminal. We are authorised to hope that a proper organization of the whole, with the auxiliary agency of governments for the respective subdivisions, will f
lxii WASHINGTON'S
afford a happy issue to the experiment. It is well worth a fair and full experiment. With such powerful and obvious motives to union, affecting all parts of our country, while experience shall not have demon- strated its impracticability, there will always be reason to distrust the patriotism of those who, in any quarter, may endeavour to weaken its bands.
In contemplating the causes which may disturb our union, it occurs, as matter of serious concern, that any ground should have been furnished for charac- terising parties by geographical discriminations — northern and southern — Atlantic and western ; whence designing men may endeavour to excite a belief that there is a real difference of local interests and views. One of the ex- pedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart-burnings which spring from these misrepresentations : they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection. The inhabitants of our western country have lately had a useful lesson on this head : they have seen in the negociation by the executive, and in the unanimous ratification by the Senate of the treaty with Spain, and in the universal satisfaction at the event
FAREWELL ADDRESS. briii
throughout the United States, a decisive proof how un- founded were the suspicions propagated among them of a policy in the general government and in the Atlantic states, unfriendly to their interests in regard to the Mississippi. They have been witnesses to the formation of two treaties, that with Great Britain and that with Spain, which secure to them everything they could desire, in respect to our foreign relations, towards con- firming their prosperity. Will it not be their wisdom to rely for the preservation of these advantages on the union by which they were procured? will they not henceforth be deaf to those advisers, if such there are, who would sever them from their brethren, and connect them with aliens 1 To the efficacy and permanency of your union, a government for the whole is indispensable. No alliances, however strict, between the parts, can be an adequate substitute ; they must inevitably experience the infractions and interruptions which all alliances, in all times, have experienced. Sensible of this momentous truth, you have improved upon your first essay, by the adoption of a constitution of government better calcu- lated than your former for an intimate union, and for the efficacious management of your common concerns. This government, the offspring of our own choice unin- fluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and
lxiv WASHINGTON'S
mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting security with energy, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties en- joined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty. The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution which at any time exists, until changed by an authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish govern- ment, pre-supposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.
All obstructions to the execution of the laws ; all Combinations and Associations under whatever plausible character, with the real design, to direct, con- trol, counteract, or awe, the regular deliberations and actions of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force, to put in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lxv
according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill- concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common councils, and modified by mutual interests. However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men, will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and usurp for themselves the reins of government ; destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
Towards the preservation of your government and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppo- sitions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its prin- ciples, however specious the pretext. One method of assault may be, to effect, in the forms of the constitu- tion, alterations which will impair the energy of the system ; and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments, as of f 2
lxvi WASHINGTON'S
other human institutions, — that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country : — that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion ; and remember, especially, that for the efficient management of your common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigour as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, little else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.
I have already intimated to you the Danger of Parties in the state, with particular references to the founding them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortu- nately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind — it exists
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lxvii
under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries, has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism — But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual, and, sooner or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight j the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. It serves always to distract the public counsels, and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies, and false alarms ; kindles the animosity of one part against another; ferments occasional riot and insurrection. It opens the door to
lxviii WASHINGTON'S
foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facili- tated access to the government itself through the chan- nels of party passions. Thus the policy and the -will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.
There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the govern- ment, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true ; and, hi governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favour, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in govern- ments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their national tendency, it is certain there will alwavs be enough of that spirit for every salutary pur- pose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, demands an uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest instead of warming, it should consume. It is im- portant likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those intrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exer- cise of the powers of one department, to encroach upon
FAREWELL ADDRESS. Ixix
another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consoli- date the powers of all the departments into one, and thns to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power and proneness to abuse it which predominate in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position. The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositories, and constituting each the guardian of the public weal against invasions of the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern : some of them in our own country and under our own eyes. To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute them. If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected in the way which the constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation ; for, though this in one instance may be the instrument of good, it is the cus- tomary weapon by which free governments are destroyed. The precedent must always greatly overbalance in per- manent evil, any partial or transient benefit which the use can at any time yield.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are
lxx WASHINGTON'S
indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for pro- perty, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? and let us with cau- tion indulge the supposition that Morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be con- ceded to the influence of refined education, on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. It is substantially true, that Virtue or Morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indiffer- ence upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric ?
Promote, then, as objects of primary importance, Institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge.
FAREWELL ADDRESS. bcxi
In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion it should be enlightened.
As a very important source of strength and security, Cherish Public Credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also, that timely disbursements, to prepare for danger, fre- quently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions, in time of peace, to discharge the debts which unavoid- able wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to your representatives, but it is necessary that public opinion should co-operate. To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, it is essential that you should practically bear in mind, that towards the payment of debts there must be revenue ; that to have revenue there must be taxes ; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant ; that the intrinsic embarrassment inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of diffi- culties) ought to be a decisive motive for a candid con- struction of the conduct of the government in making
lxxii WASHINGTON'S
it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue, which the public exigencies may at any time dictate. Observe good faith and justice towards all nations ; cultivate peace and harmony with all ; religion and morality enjoin this conduct ; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it ? it will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnani- mous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt but, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it ; can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue ? the experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which en- nobles human nature. Alas ! is it rendered impossible by its vices ?
In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipa- thies AGAINST PARTICULAR NATIONS, AND PASSION- ATE ATTACHMENT FOR OTHERS, SHOULD BE EX- CLUDED ; and that, in the place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The nation which indulges towards another an habitual
FAREWELL ADDRESS. Ixxiii
hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity, or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another, disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence, frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody contests. The nation, prompted by ill will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject ; at other times, it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hos- tility, instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace often, sometimes the liberty, of nations has been the victim. So likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for another pro- duces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favourite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate inducements or justifica- g
Ixxiv WASHINGTON'S
tion. It leads also to concessions to the favourite nation, of privileges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the nation making the concessions ; by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained ; and by exciting jealousy, ill will, and a dispo- sition to retaliate in the parties from whom equal privi- leges are withheld ; and it gives to ambitious, corrupted or deluded citizens who devote themselves to the favourite nation, facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country, without odium, sometimes even with popularity ; gilding with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation. As avenues to foreign influence in innu- merable ways, such attachments are particularly alarm- ing to the truly enlightened and independent patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils, — such an attachment of a small or weak, towards a great and powerful nation, dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter.
Against the insidious wiles of Foreign Influence, (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lxxv
of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove, that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican government. But that jealousy, to be useful, must be impartial ; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defence against it. Excessive par- tiality for one foreign nation, and excessive dislike for another, cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil, and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favourite, are liable to become suspected and odious ; while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests. The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our com- mercial relations, to have with them as little Political connexion as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith — Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence, she must be engaged in frequent con- troversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns — Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combina-
lxxvi WASHINGTON'S
tions and collisions of her friendships or enmities. Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course.
If we remain one people, under an efficient govern- ment, the period is not far off when we may defy material injury from external annoyance ; when we may take such an altitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any time resolve upon, to be scrupulously respected ; when belligerent nations, under the impossi- bility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation ; when we may choose Peace or War, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel. Why forego the advantages of so pecu- liar a situation 1 why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground ? why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humour, or caprice ? It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world ; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it ; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense.
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lxxvii
But in my opinion, it is unnecessary, and would be unwise to extend them. Taking care always to keep ourselves by suitable establishments, in a respectable defensive posture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies. Harmony, and
A LIBERAL INTERCOURSE WITH ALL NATIONS, ARE RECOMMENDED BY POLICY, HUMANITY, AND IN- TEREST. But even our commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand ; neither seeking nor grant- ing exclusive favours or preferences ; consulting the natural course of things ; diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of commerce, but forcing nothing ; establishing with powers so disposed, in order to give trade a stable course, to define the rights of our merchants, and to enable the government to support them, conventional rules of intercourse, the best that present circumstances and mutual opinion will permit ; but temporary, and liable to be from time to time abandoned or varied as experience and circumstances shall dictate ; constantly keeping in view, that it is folly in one nation to look for disinterested favours from another ; that it must pay with a portion of its inde- pendence for whatever it may accept under that charac- ter ; that by such acceptance it may place itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal g2
lxxviii WASHINGTON'S
favours, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate upon real favours from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard. In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could wish ; that they will control the usual current of the passions ; or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations, but if I may even flatter myself, that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good ; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism ; this hope will be a full recompence for the solicitude for your welfare by which they have been dictated. How far, in the discharge of my official duties, I have been guided by the principles which have been deli- neated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is that I have, at least, believed myself to be guided by them .
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lxxix
In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my proclamation of the 22nd of April, 1793, is the index to my plan. Sanctioned by your approving voice, and by that of your representatives, in both houses of Congress, the spirit of that measure has continually governed me ; uninfluenced by any attempts to deter or divert me from it. After a deliberate examination, with the aid of the best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, under all the circumstances of the case, had a right to take, and was bound, in duty and interest, to take a neutral position — Having taken it, I determined, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain it with moderation, perseverance, and firmness. The consider- ations which respect the right to hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion to detail — I will only observe that, according to my understanding of the matter, that right, so far from being denied by any of the belligerent powers, has been virtually admitted by all. The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obliga- tion which justice and humanity impose upon every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate, the relations of peace and amity towards other nations. The inducements of interest for observ- ing that conduct will best be referred to your own re-
lxxviii WASHINGTON'S
favours, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate upon real favours from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard. In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could wish ; that they will control the usual current of the passions ; or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations, but if I may even flatter myself, that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good ; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fuiy of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism ; this hope will be a full recompence for the solicitude for your welfare by which they have been dictated. How far, in the discharge of my official duties, I have been guided by the principles which have been deli- neated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is that I have, at least, believed myself to be guided by them.
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lxxix
In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my proclamation of the 22nd of April, 1793, is the index to my plan. Sanctioned by your approving voice, and by that of your representatives, in both houses of Congress, the spirit of that measure has continually governed me ; uninfluenced by any attempts to deter or divert me from it. After a deliberate examination, with the aid of the best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, under all the circumstances of the case, had a right to take, and was bound, in duty and interest, to take a neutral position — Having taken it, I determined, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain it with moderation, perseverance, and firmness. The consider- ations which respect the right to hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion to detail — I will only observe that, according to my understanding of the matter, that right, so far from being denied by any of the belligerent powers, has been virtually admitted by all. The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obliga- tion which justice and humanity impose upon every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate, the relations of peace and amity towards other nations. The inducements of interest for observ- ing that conduct will best be referred to your own re-
lxxx WASHINGTON'S
flections and experience. With me, a predominant motive has been to endeavour to gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institu- tions, and to progress, without interruption, to that degree of strength and consistency, which is neces- sary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes.
Though in reviewing the incidents of my administra- tion, I am unconscious of intentional error ; I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or to mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence ; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service, with an upright zeal, the faults of incompe- tent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as I must soon be to the mansions of rest. Relying on its kind- ness in this as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which is so natural to a man who views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations ; I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment
FAREWELL ADDRESS. lxxxi
of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free govern- ment— the ever favourite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labours, and dangers.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
United States, September 17, 1/96.
PREFACE
The " Statesmen of America in 1846," had the honour of being the most abused book of the last season. This was so exalted a distinction for a " first book/' and an " author's book/' that I may perhaps be indulged with a short hearing upon a subject to me so full of interest. When <( Critics" try to be profound they sometimes overshoot the mark, and expose both to the authors they try to put down, and the public they try to mislead, the shallowness of their pretensions.
lxxxiv PREFACE.
The (( Literary Gazette," the most exquisite bit of mousseline de laine that ever was printed, yielded ten columns (I believe) to the " Statesmen of America." These Honourable Gentlemen have requested me to present their best acknowledgments to the polite "Mous- seline"
The Quondam " Examiner " is elevated to the Board of Trade ; the Members thereof are happy in the addition of so much urbanity, con- sistency, wisdom, and elegance to their Table. It is to be hoped they are aware that all prac- tical commercial men consider those Essays on the Bank as the effusions of a schoolboy. I mention this also for the information of my American friends, lest they should suppose that we deem such lucubrations, gospel. The ques- tion of Currency has perplexed the minds of Pitt and Huskisson : — " Currency is so very simple ". a question that a child, who purchases a shil- ' ' ling's worth of toys at a fair, understands it as " well as Locke and Bicardo themselves;"
PREFACE. lxxxv
quoth the superficial, pedantic, flippant and uncommercial " Examiner.""'"
The London Correspondent of the " New York Courier and Enquirer," describes the " States- men" as written "in very bad language." This erudite professor informs the readers of that Journal, in a letter dated i( London, April 3, 1847" — that his " letters are adapted for the " meridian of London ; " and duly sensible of his own incapacity, he expressly adds, " that " he generally gives the views which obtain " here (i. e., in London) in regard to American
* "The Prose Writers of America," a work executed by Rufus Wilmot Griswold, Esq. of Philadelphia, has been forwarded to me by Messrs. Deighton and Laughton, of Liverpool. This Book is published by Richard Bentley, of London, and is very well got up, with the exception of a few of the portraits. Audubon, though a good likeness, is badly executed, and the portraits of Webster and Prescott are far from rendering justice to the originals.
1 had seen the hastjr, ill-written, and disparaging review of the Examiner, and congratulate the Author upon such a notice; what- ever is excellent in American literature, society, or government, is sure to rouse the anger of the sneering anglo-Frenchman. Mr, Griswold may be sure that there is much good in a collection that has called down such censure. I have perused the Work with much pleasure, recognising the productions of many personal friends; and beg to congratulate the Author and his English Publisher on their courage and success. Every attempt to make America known to England is deserving of the highest praise
h
lxxxvi PREFACE.
" affairs." He does wisely, and having never read the " Statesmen of America in 1846/' in this case he certainly could not do otherwise ! Should he honour the "Englishwoman" with his critical, and grammatical, and philological observations, I would try however to impress upon his mind beforehand, that in British English " bad language" is "profane language." It is certainly somewhat unpleasant for " Statesmen " to be accused of holding profane language ; it would be shocking for a Lady !
The " North American Eeview" first attacks, then ridicules, then copies the London " Spec- tator." It is truly somewhat derogatory to the dignity of a stately quarterly Periodical to break a lance, still less to bandy words, with a seven day's newspaper; — but that is not my affair. Chacim a son mauvais gout. The Whig Editor afterwards rises into an attack extraordi- nary on the Administration at Washington. Take comfort, Oh, ye Democrats ! the arrows are not poisoned.
PREFACE. lxxxvii
I have never been able to wade through the twenty pages of criticism bestowed upon me by that venerable Periodical the (i Church of England Quarterly" — but from the numerous blunders which in three pages I encountered, I came to the conclusion long ago arrived at by wiser heads than mine, that the Church cannot be expected to understand either Commerce or Politics. I quite coincide with a sprightly young curate of my acquaintance, a son of Mother Church, who with more wit than reve- rence observed ; " That the ' Church of England " Quarterly ' is perfectly orthodox for that its " dullness surpasses all understanding !"
The Editor of the Classic " Tribune" of 2sTew York has my thanks for the zeal which prompted him to send his ideas on Free Trade and Labour across the Atlantic for my edification. I have reason to believe that he is a very well inten- tioned individual though a very unsound poli- tician ; and for an American he is singularly deficient in the esprit de corps of a gentleman.
Ixxxviii PREFACE.
In reply to his remarks I Lave only io refer him to an article in the " New York Journal of Com- merce" of April 29, 1847. This paper is the first authority in the United States for commer- cial details.
" The Movement of Capital towards the " business of Manufacturing, now in progress 11 in the State of New York. A phenomenon il wholly incompatible with the oft repeated pro- " testations of the manufacturers, in view of the " contemplated effects of the Tariff of 1846."
I have the satisfaction to inform the bereaved and disconsolate Protectionist, that Free Trade ivill everywhere advance ; and nowhere recede.
The " Tribune" fain would deprive me of the esteem of William Henry Seward. It is beyond his power ; our friendship will abide the test of mortal enmity ; nor shall I hesitate again to praise that Statesman, and in the words of an Englishman ;
" Few things I assure you ever told more on
PREFACE. Ixxxix
" my feelings than that scene you introduced in " the e Statesmen.' Nothing can be more noble " and more touching than Seward's speech on " behalf of poor Freeman. There is a great " future for America foreshadowed by the ap- ee pearance of such men as Seward in the early " stage of her history." — Letter from Dr. Sutherland, of Liverpool, to Mrs. Maury.
Should Governor Seward even be successful in those political measures which to my appre- hension are fraught with danger to his country ; so implicit is my trust in his virtue and his fidelity, that I still should hold him altogether worthy of the Civic Crown.
Of Mr. Calhoun I can only say as I have said before ;
" Go search the land of living men Ye look not on his like again !"
Of Mr, Ingersoll I shall say, for I have a carte blanche from my Guardian, that on public even more than on private grounds, on NATIONAL even more than on personal con-
h2
xc PREFACE.
siderations, I owe to him a debt of gratitude and affection which time and I cannot repay ; but contented I shall remain for ever his debtor.
Neither the Philippics nor the Jeremiads of the " Tribune " can induce me to withdraw one iota from my former words.
The consolation administered to authors by their friends is very satisfactory, though it may lack somewhat of reverence for their Critics.""" Wishing these Dominies good day, and strength
* el Go on ! by all means," said an eminent bookseller, " never think of what they say, your book is read and will be read."
" Laugh at their precious crudities," said another ; " we never take any account of newspapers. Nothing is better for you than abuse ; a thousand excellent books die daily because nobod j' has the good nature to abuse them."
" I congratulate you on your critics ; they nearly flayed me ; but unluckily yours are all second rate" — writes an old acquaint- ance of the Press, who holds a high place among the men of letters of England.
" When the Journalists have had a run of dull numbers of their papers they are thankful for some opportunity of writing an abusive article — it sells their paper."
" This season it is the fashion to abuse every work that appears— next season, probably, it will be the fashion to praise every one that is published — and they all hang together for the profession's sake."
c: How could you expect the 'Statesmen' and Institutions of America to be praised ? Have you forgotten that the existing
PREFACE. xci
to cry " Prodigious" \ so long as unto them it may seem good, I turn to my neighbours and my friends, —
And first I have to thank the Press of Liver- pool for their consideration to a townswoman ; and the Editor of the " Journal " for his cordial good wishes in favour of my future merchant sons.
I have to state, on the authority of Mr. Willan, the highly respected Proprietor of the Circulating Library in Liverpool ; that in this
order of things in England must be supported — and that the Press is pledged to its defence ?"
" Critics do not always think what they write — nor do their readers believe them."
" Provided they do not injure your own peace of mind, they are of no consequence."
" If I had known that you were publishing, I would have procured you some favourable reviews."
" Whatever they may say, your critics know that your book is full of truths."
" Do you wish to know," said a literary friend, " how Reviews of Books are manufactured?" — " There is a person employed who is called a taster; this man is seated daj7 by day at a table on which is heaped all the new publications. — Previously instructed of the line of criticism he is to pursue, the taster commences his task; opens the Works before him in two or three places, quotes a sentence or two, calls the author foolish or wise as he has been directed, designates the book as " new," " striking," and "a valuable addition," &c. or as " weary," « flat," " stale," and « unprofitable,"
xcii PREFACE.
town, where American affairs of every kind are better understood than they are either in London or elsewhere ; " That the i( ' Statesmen of America' have heen more read "than any book of its class" — and that it is pronounced " to be a capital book, written " on the worst subjects ; Slavery, Popery, "and the AMERICANS." Mr. Willan has been connected with the Circulating Library for a period of forty years ; and I as an authoress would prefer his report of the public taste to
and having misguided the public on matters he knows nothing about, judgematically considers himself " a Critic."
Sometimes the " maker up of notices" never opens the Book, and I have often heard of reviews being written by persons who had never seen the Works from which they predicate. And as Criticism, like Fortune, is blind, perhaps this is the surer method of proceeding.
Messrs. Saunders and Otley have published a very useful little book called the " Author's Printing and Publishing Assistant." The concluding paragraph informs authors " who may wish to obtain a critical opinion on their productions, that those gentlemen have arranged to place any Manuscripts which may be submitted to them with that view in the hands of a competent critic, who will offer such remarks and suggestions as may be likely to secure to the Work a more favourable reception with the Public."
Where, after this, is the independence or originality of the Author? Between the Critic and the Public he has indeed almost ceased to exist.
PREFACE. xciii
that of any other ; no man has had "better opportunities of testing it.
" The Statesmen of America" have honestly paid their expenses, both in England and in America, though in the latter country no copy- right was taken out, and the sale consisted only of such English copies as were sold before the appearance of the American reprint. I wish the "Englishwoman" may follow so praiseworthy an example.
I have understood that some American Jour- nals have written complimentary notices on the " Statesmen ;" though I have not seen them, I gratefully acknowledge my obligation.
I have to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Catholic Press of this country. In propor- tion as I hold revile rs in contempt, so do I prize the praise, and the reproof of my friends. The Catholics are the most patriotic body in this country. Other Eeligions love her for the loaves and fishes, for the respect and liberty which they enjoy — " Do not the Heathen so ?"
xciv PREFACE.
But the Catholics love her through grief and through danger, in spite of wrongs and scorn. By vindicating slavery, and lauding America, I sinned against their feelings and prejudices as Englishmen, equally with all the rest — hut they have elevated criticism into its legitimate office. If they have differed in opinion they have done so in a manly liberal spirit, they have honoured me ahove my hopes or expectations, have re- garded me as critics should regard an author, have treated me as men should treat a woman.""
* After having been the subject of a highly complimentary notice in a former number of the Dublin Review, I am somewhat chagrined to find the Bishop of New York and myself the joint subjects of a very unmeaning kind of commendatory notice in a recent number of that Periodical.
For statistics of the Catholic Church in America I beg to refer the reviewer to the "Catholic Almanac" published annually in the United States; and am surprised that he should expect from a resident of sixteen months more accurate accounts than can be found in the recognised Reports of the Authorities. It is high time, however, that the reviewer should become acquainted with the " Catholic Almanac" and statistics in the United States.
I refer to the Dublin Review of July, 1047, for a totally different opinion in regard to the " novelty of Mrs. Maury's views." This opinion will be found among the Notices at the end of this Work-
For their own sakes, reviewers should be of one mind in one book.
But the heartburning, evidently, is the position occupied by the
PREFACE. xcv
I have also received much commendation from some of the most illustrious and most accomplished professors of This, the most learned of all Eeligions.
From the shores of Lake Michigan I have
Irish Bishop in the American Hierarchjr; and I will allow that it is somewhat galling to an Englishman, though I had hoped that the large heait of the Catholic rose above such feelings. " The Bishop of New York," I repeat my words advisedly and em- phatically, " The Bishop is the greatest temporal Prince in America, and he is the greatest spiritual Prince in the world" If the reviewer had understood the trammels, both temporal and spiritual, both domestic and foreign, which impede the steps of the exalted Pius IX.; — if he had recollected all the difficulties, legal and social, which lie in the pathway of the Catholic Prelates of England; and if he had been in the smallest degree conversant with the Ecclesiastical polity of the United States, and the con- ditions of the country; most certainly he would never have com- mitted himself to words betraying such hopeless ignorance of his whole subject. " Truly there are more things in America than are dream'd of in the philosophy of this reviewer."
I rejoice to say that my revered friend, not having attained the age of fifty, is as yet wholly unentitled to be saluted as the venerable Bishop. It is unquestionably true that he had never seen my eulogium upon his meiits. In this respect the notice does justice to his Lordship and to me.
Possibly the same critic has pronounced the sentence upon Prescott, (contained also in the recent Dublin Review,) which introduces an abstract of the History of Peru. Truly, Mr. Prescott ma3r say with his own Spaniards; " From my Friends, Just Heaven! deliver me."
It is only fair to acknowledge that this Review is generally dis- tinguished for learned and impartial criticism, and for miscellaneous articles of the highest order of merit.
xcvi PREFACE.
already received sympathy and approval at the hands of many. From a friend in Liverpool I have learned that the Eight Eev. the Catholic Bishop of New Zealand went out in a vessel commanded hy a Captain who had on hoard a copy of the " Statesmen ;" the Bishop read the hook, and on landing claimed it for his own, and would not part with it. From the Nuns of Maracaybo I have received three beautiful drink- ing cups made of bark, and painted. — These are things which come home to the heart of a writer.
And again, the Secretary of State at Wash- ington has not disdained to protect my absent name ; and the approbation of the Statesmen themselves has rendered me invulnerable to the censure of all meaner pens.
Where interest and prejudice rule, truth is a libel, and finds no mercy. The progress of America is the great bugbear of England, and the pens that write in her praise are sure of persecution. I was prepared " to be hewn up
PREFACE. xcvii
as a carcase for the hounds ;" and I do not feel very particularly uncomfortable under the inflic- tion, considering all things.
" Politics in petticoats ! " exclaims one of those ejaculates — (I forget which.) Yes, Poli- tics in petticoats — and let us ask, Why not ? To every thinking mind, politics must be a sub- ject of interest, and particularly so to a Mother who has a stake of eight sons and three daugh- ters in the country. Besides, Politics are but present History, and History is but past Politics. Why do you in the education of girls make them far better Historians than you ever make boys, and then deny them the use of their knowledge ? You give your sons far less preparation for the study of politics than you give your daughters, and yet you deny the latter the privilege of giving an opinion on the vicissitudes of the day, while you expect the former to be the Eulers of the Land. Is this consistency ?
In conclusion I wish to observe, that in no one attack upon the " Statesmen of America in
xcviii PREFACE.
1846 " have I seen a single fact denied, or an argument confuted.
In other respects the reviewers have acted with a marked want of candour. The Extracts from the speeches and works of the Puhlic Men of America which appeared in the " Statesmen" were unknown in England — they spoke for them- selves, and vindicated the fame of their authors. Not one syllable has ever been said of them in such of the English newspapers as I have chanced to see. For this omission the writers of these articles are justly subject to reproach.
I have been accused, both by the English and by the American Press, of having bestowed excessive and indiscriminate praise upon the Statesmen. The animadversions of the London Press go for nothing, because it is notorious that they are profoundly ignorant, not only of the politics, but of the very names of the distinguished men of the United States. The accusations of the American Press are of still less account ; if these gentlemen deny that
PREFACE. xcix
among their millions not two and twenty men of talent, virtue, and honour can be found; — these remarks reflect not upon me, but on their country. If the praise of the British Press is to be procured only by ministering to their national prejudices — give me their censure ! If the praise of the American Press is to be obtained only by yielding to their party jea- lousies — give me also their censure !
" For I can raise no credit by vile means;
a By Heaven, I had rather coin my heart,
tt And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring
" From the hard hands of hirelings, their vile praise
" By any indirection."
I have praised excellence wherever I have found it, for my esteem and my friendship are of no politics, of no religion. My Creed is that of a Puseyite Protestant ; and while I am an uncompromising Piepublican or Democrat in America ; in England alas ! through base and vile and ignominious fear, I am a strict Conser- vative ; for,
" Better it is to bear the ills we have,
" Than rush on others that we know not of."
c PREFACE.
When Time and Death shall set their seal upon the "Statesmen of America;" and when the faithful though feehle woman that traced their portraits shall like them he resting in her long last home ; — it is her humble and affec- tionate hope that these tributes may be recorded when the calumnies of their enemies, the taunts of their rivals, and the envious whisperings of their false friends shall be forgotten.
Thus much in behalf of " The Statesmen ; " — " The Englishwoman " expects no more golden opinions than they obtained ; but sharing the fortune of their honoured names, and associated however faintly with their fame, she will be content with the award ;
" Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas.''"
INTRODUCTION.
Vcxatse per multa pcricula vitae.
In visiting America I had two important objects in view ; the first regarded the health of "my Son (the Doctor) and myself; * the second, the future establishment of a numerous family in life.
* Before committing these pages to the Press, I consulted a well known and experienced medical man as to the usefulness of these details of my own indisposition and that of my son; and as to the propriety of publishing what would certainly provoke the ill nature of criticism. "I consider," said the Surgeon, "these " details as not only highly interesting, but very instructive and " valuable — publish them, by all means; if your experience is of " use to one sufferer, have the good sense to despise your critics." I therefore beg to present them in the shape of a Medical Report.
i2
cii INTRODUCTION.
I am the Mother of eleven children — of eight sons and three daughters. Twelve years had scarcely elapsed between the births of the oldest and the youngest, and during a period of seventeen years my life had been exclusively devoted to the nursery and the school-room. I was the slave of my children ; no hireling rocked their cradle, or soothed their infant tears ; no stranger was their nurse or their instructor. Mine has been the toil and mine the thought ; mine is the reward, for as yet no cloud darkens their bright future. But this unceasing anxiety and labour at length undermined a naturally powerful constitution. Six years ago my mother died, and six weeks after she had been taken from the sorrow to come, my husband, by the caprice of commerce, found himself pennyless ; three weeks after this event my youngest child was born. Sorrow and over-exertion had nearly completed the ruin of my health, when fresh calls were made upon my exhausted powers. Nine of the children, during the winter of
INTRODUCTION. ciii
1844-5, were seized with the whooping cough, and after nursing them successfully through it, I was myself attacked, and suffered of course severely. It left me in a state of nervous depression which I could not have conceived, had I not heen myself the sufferer ; and for the benefit of those who are the victims of so cruel a malady, I venture to narrate the effects which I experienced, not only from this disease (for such it is) of the nerves, hut also the benefit which I derived from a sea voyage, and the change of climate and of scene. The suffering was constant ; I was the cause of misery by day and by night to all around me. I fancied the bed shook under me at night, and I never ven- tured to sit longer than ten minutes on the same chair, believing that it would immediately break down, or else that the floor was giving way under my weight. My household duties were a source of indescribable difficulty — to order dinner required an exertion of mind quite above my capacity, and the household accounts were as overwhelm-
civ INTRODUCTION.
ing and perplexing to my bewildered apprehen- sion as those of the Treasury of the United Kingdom, or that monument of monetary con- fusion, the Bank of England. I wearied my friends with personal complaints, and my hus- band with tears. At last I thought that I carried a weight on my head, my sight became impaired, I fancied that I was deaf, had a noise of water in my ears, and, pour comble, I at length became satisfied that I should immedi- ately have some kind of fit or attack in my head. Often after hours of wakefulness I have nearly sunk to sleep, and then started up in sudden and horrid fright, convinced that I was struck with palsy, and that when I should awaken my limbs would be found deprived of motion and my mind divested of intelligence. Sometimes I have risen in these moments of agony fearful of resigning myself to sleep, lest it should prove the sleep of death, looked on my husband and my children for the last time, and thought of the grief they would endure when in
INTRODUCTION. cv
the morning I should be discovered paralysed or dead.
This state at length became intolerable, and Mr. Maury, who is at all times a firm believer in the efficacy of a sea voyage, determined that, accompanied by our second son, I should try the experiment of a passage across the Atlantic. Upon consulting our medical friends, Mr. Law- rence, of Whitehall- place, London, and Mr. Stevenson, of Birkenhead, Liverpool, they gave a decided approval to the suggestion of Mr. Maury, and it only remained to make the neces- sary arrangements.
Our second son was the only child whose con- stitution was not robust ; — he was not what is called a delicate child, but there were certain irregularities in the system, which until the age of fourteen had baffled all the medical treatment which had been bestowed upon him. The diges- tion was extremely rapid, and his food, though always of the most nourishing description, did not produce the growth and strength which
cvi INTRODUCTION.
should naturally be developed at Ms age. This hurried digestion was accompanied by an irregu- larity in the circulation of the blood, and conse- quently, if in order to add to his strength I fed him too highly, the consequences were a frequent and excessive discharge of blood from the nostrils. Thus the two peculiarities of his constitution were perpetually at variance ; when I checked the one, I produced the other evil consequence ; and their combined effect was a cramped and diminished growth, palpitations, great suffering from the ear-ache, and a general disinclination to the exercises and sports of his age. His father and myself had frequently discussed the advantage of a sea voyage, and Mr. Maury had suggested a year's sojourn in Kentucky among his own relatives, where the child should have entire freedom from all the restraints of study ; but naturally, I who had so long watched each changing symptom from his birth to his boy- hood, could not resolve to part with him — for none could do for him as I had done. His
INTRODUCTION. cvii
absence had therefore ceased for a while to he discussed, until my own illness made it conveni- ent and satisfactory to me, as well as desirable for us both. With the concurrence of Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Stevenson, it was resolved, on the 25th of April, 1845, that the Doctor and I should embark on the 6th of May follow- ing, in the ship Hottinguer, Captain Ira Bursley, for New York ; ten days being thus allowed for preparation. We gave the preference to a sail- ing vessel, because the longer we remained upon the ocean the better for the purposes of health.
After thus briefly explaining the reasons so far as health was concerned of my visit to America, in the sincere hope that all these details may be of service to others who are similarly situated, I will now allude to the second object I had in view; viz., — that of ascertaining if a removal to the United States would or would not present advantages exceed- ing those to be found in England for the esta- blishment in life of eight sons and three daugh-
cviii INTRODUCTION.
ters ; and also if, finding that such advantages do exist in the United States, whether a resi- dence in that country would he congenial to my health and happiness ; to my long-estahlished pursuits, and my inveterate habits of society. This last enquiry was peculiarly dwelt upon by Mr. Maury, who frequently recalled the tender and melancholy reflection of his father, prompted by the sad experience of his own widowhood and also of my husband's — the father and the son had each borne to the shores of England a daughter of their country — had borne them thither but to die ; and the emphatic words of that venerable man still ring in my ear, as he thus addressed my husband, who had alluded to his wish to carry me his English partner to America ; ( ' My son, every exotic will thrive in " a foreign land except a woman."
England is full to overflowing ; * her sole but
* I was strongly tempted, yesterday, to go on board the Steamer for Boston, for it appears to me that you have such a strange struggle for existence going on here, that it would be a relief to be away, even in the woods." — Letter from an English- man, ivho had in a few years realized a fortune in America, and
INTRODUCTION. cix
unnatural relief is found in the exile of her people — the reflection of a parent upon the birth of his child is no longer one of joy but of doubt, and not unfrequent in this country is the song of thanksgiving that the Almighty in his mercy has removed from hunger and thirst, the children of the peasant and the artisan. The Session of Parliament of 1847 was con- sumed in providing for paupers, and the Minis- ters and Eepresentatives of a great country were resolved into a Committee of Poor Law Com- missioners. The result of their deliberations and proceedings convinces all thinking minds that the evils which absorbed their attention, though forced into prominence by the Famine, have their roots in causes over which man has no control, and over which the mere annual cir- cumstances of a limited or of an abundant har- vest can exercise but an evanescent influence.
had recently returned home to spend it. And another friend at the same time, who had just returned from the continent of Europe, exclaimed; "It is impossible for a foreigner to understand the oppression and depression of mind under which the English con- tinually labour."
k
ex INTRODUCTION.
The artificial prosperity of the British Empire I grant you is immense, her wealth is countless, and her grandeur imposing ; but her real pros- perity,— the happiness of her people, their solid comfort, and their consequent virtue, — where shall we seek these ? or rather, where shall we find them ? Let practical Englishmen and Englishwomen reply — for these attributes alone can constitute the real prosperity or greatness of a People, and to the actual welfare of her POOR must this country be awakened, if she wishes to preserve her throne and sceptre invio- late among the nations of Europe ; because it is the Majorities or Masses who must ever ulti- mately overcome ; — and who will sooner or later make good then* righteous claims.
The splendour of our Monarchical and Aristo- cratical Spectacle is unparalleled in any court of any age ; but withdraw the curtain, and behold with pity and dismay the scene- shifters and candle- snuffers of this gorgeous pageant. Labouring hard for scanty pay, taxed and
INTRODUCTION. cxi
despised, the millions of England's Poor and Labouring Classes have for many years been struggling fiercely with each other for sordid employment and scanty wages. They have been compelled to share the one cake of bread and the one cruse of oil among many households, and, as we live no longer in the age of miracles, this measure has been found insufficient. i( They " cannot feed five thousand on five barley " loaves and two small fishes." Too numerous for the produce of the soil, too numerous for the employment furnished by the wants and luxuries of the rich, and ruined by the inordinate and increasing expenses of the Government and Court, the poor of England have become an impracticable mass of paupers — their best, their sole relief is in flight, and in the certain reward which their labours and their talents will receive in that broad continent whose inhabitants as yet, and long may they be blest with such abundance, " muzzle not the ox as he treadeth out the ,l corn.
cxii INTRODUCTION.
I have spoken of the Poor — hut are the Middling Classes in a more thriving - or more easy position ? The same incurable complaint of too many mouths for the same loaf, prevails among them as among their meaner neighbours. I have known this from sad and well- remem- bered experience. I was nursed in the lap of luxury, but I have seen a father and brothers vainly toiling for a competence, have seen a husband, after years of commercial anxiety and difficulty, years too much like each other, and to the general lot of all, to be interesting to my kindly readers, at length become independent, through a visitation of Providence ;* and again four months ago, when he supposed himself in affluence, he has, through the misgovernment and the misfortunes of this country, been hurled with thousands of others into comparative poverty. I have seen my various friends bankrupt, — my- self have known the anguish of hunger and
* The deficiency of the Cotton crop in the Southern States of America.
INTRODUCTION. cxiii
want ; — and what indeed is worse, I have been long a sufferer from the stupid and cruel pre- judices of my country, which exclude all females who labour either with their fingers or with their heads, for remuneration, from the rank and privileges of gentlewomen. By reason of these purse-proud and vulgar prejudices, I was condemned by a Father's pride, and a Mother's tenderness, to abstain from every effort which might have contributed to their comfort or my own, and from gratifying my own feelings of independence by being actively useful.* A woman in England, in consequence of the highly artificial state of our society, who rises superior to the frowns of fortune, in fact she who works, is looked upon as degraded, as sepa- rated for ever from the class in which she was
* Nor was I wholly unprepared for the duty of teaching; — my education had been directed by a distinguished Barrister, who was appointed by Mr. Canning to the Recordership of Bombay, and I was three years in London under the tuition of the first masters of the metropolis.
The consciousness that I was able to fulfil the trust and employ- ment I craved, was an aggravation of my forced but mortifying inactivity.
k2
cxiv INTRODUCTION.
born ; this false pride, and this abject fear of the loss of caste, warp and destroy tbe ener- gies of many of my countrywomen. Poverty, whether inherited or accidental, is no reproach in America — personal exertion, mental or phy- sical labour, is regarded with respect and honour whether in a man or in a woman. Success is rewarded with congratulation, and disappoint- ment is alleviated by sympathy, and by the aid which each is ready to extend to his neighbour. Since I became a parent, and that hopes and fears for the future welfare of my children have become the ruling thought, the controlling mo- tive of each act of my present existence, I have looked around, and thought if their prospects were brighter than my own and those of my father's family had been. I enquired among Merchants — they were sickened of Trade, and recommended Farming to their sons. I asked the Farmer, he recommended Trade. I sought the opinions of Lawyers, Physicians, and Clergy- men, of Professors and Scholars — all were
INTRODUCTION. cxv
overstocked, and I rarely have met with a man who advised his son to follow his own profession. What is the alternative ? Go to America.
But America is as much crowded as we are with merchants, and professions. True, but they have still the soil, fresh and vast, which offers her bosom to the plough, and her golden fruits to the reaper. Disappointed in the Church, the Law, and Physic, and ruined in Trade, a man may yet seek the primitive forest, the SOIL may yet be his possession and his inheritance, he may fall back on Agriculture, and by the sweat of his brow he may live, and offer to those whom Heaven has bestowed upon him the blessed bread of abundance. This is the privi- lege of America — this is her present portion upon earth.
Thus was I informed by all who had seen and known America. A higher motive then than mere curiosity has made me scrutinize with jealous eye, the country, the climate, the insti- tutions, the society ; the past history, the pre-
cxvi INTRODUCTION.
sent condition, and the future prospects, of a country before whose ripening destinies the glory of ancient and of modern empires must fade away.
I went to America, and I returned convinced " that in all the essential advantages of life she <( is superior to England." * The course of travel and observation which led me to this con- clusion I hope to relate in the following pages ; having thus as briefly as the subject would per- mit explained the reasons and motives which led me to forsake for sixteen months my children, my husband, my country, and my home. I sailed in sickness and in doubt — I returned in health, and in the full assurance of ample pro- vision for my children, should Providence ever guide them as settlers to America. The busy East, the exuberant South, the daring West, have each their peculiar attraction — and if each or either obtain the affection of a child of mine, I shall feel fully satisfied that there he will
* Dedication of " The Statesmen of America in 1846."
INTRODUCTION. cxvii
receive the best incentives to do well, and the least temptation to do evil. If we remain in England, my sons must seek their bread, some in the United States, some in China, some in India, some perhaps in England ; they may suffer, they may die far away from my care ; but could I carry them to America, there is room for all ; and many friends to welcome them : and in their sorrow, or their sickness, while the Almighty leaves me on this earth, I could in a few days be at their side. I see English parents daily parting from their sons, without a hope of seeing them on this side of the grave. Surely it is wiser and happier and more in accordance with the laws of God for all to seek together a land where they may retain the blessings of kindred, and of domestic and undivided intercourse.
If you are possessed of rank and money, stay in England ; no where are these advantages so available. If you have neither rank nor money, get away from it as fast as possible.
cxviii INTRODUCTION.
" I am tired of Europe," writes the Bishop of New York from London, in January 1846. " The wretchedness of some and the heartless- s ' ness of others make me desire to return to the f country of medium condition."
This desire is truly mine ; and the commer- cial reverses of the last few months to me are scarcely evils, when I think that they may hasten my return.
From the distinguished Statesman to whom this work is gratefully inscribed, I have received through our mutual friend General Armstrong this generous, hospitable message :
" Tell her to bring her husband and her " children, and to come back among us, and to " be happy."
1 beg a blessing on his name.
PART I.
CONTAINING
THE LADY'S LOG.
THE SMALL POX. NEW YORK— General Observations.
AN ENGLISHWOMAN
IN
AMERICA.
Chapter I.
THE LADY'S LOG.
The Sea is his.— and he made it.
For many days in April, 1845, unfavourable winds had prevailed, and prevented the departure of vessels from the port of Liverpool. At length, on the morning of the 6th May, an easterly wind sprung up, and the Mersey presented a magnificent spectacle. Several hundred ships, adorned with the colours of ever}7 nation on the globe, were moving onwards in their pride, rejoicing in emancipation
B
2 THE LADY'S LOG.
from the wind bound and wearisome port, and seeking once again either their homes, or some foreign mart ; visions of happiness and gain filling the hearts of all on board them. Among these beautiful and triumphant wanderers, conspicuous for her perfect form and gallant trim, was the Hottinguer. Her commander, Captain Ira Bursley, is an accomplished seaman ; he walked her deck with rapid step, and with eager eye and busy hand watched the manoeuvres of his crew, and assisted in their exertions. We had ascended the ship in the dock entrance in order to avoid the crowd, and to spend the few precious moments which yet were ours, with those from whose lin- gering looks we so soon should vanish, and whose farewell blessing we so soon should crave. Poets have versified the parting hour, and philosophers have tendered to more sensitive natures, con- solation drawn from reason and religion ; but all have felt that, compared to the sad reality, the poet's fancy waxeth faint, and the sage's wisdom is but folly.
But time and the hour run through the rough- est day — and this mortal agony had passed. I
THE LADY'S LOG. 3
now sought to enter into the sights and sounds around me ; on each side were still the homes of England; beneath, the unknown sea, and above me fluttered in the sun and breeze the star-spangled banner : with the perplexity of mingled regret and hope I looked on all.
An incident of rather an amusing kind had occurred when we were getting on board. The ship was slowly moving out of the dock entrance, and I was prepared to climb up her side, when, suddenly, the distance became rather too wide for a lady's step, and Captain Bursley, who stood waiting to assist us up the plank, called loudly to Mr. Maury, " No, hand me up the Doctor first."* Whereupon the Doctor, arrayed in a complete suit of pepper and salt, consisting of a surtout coat with tails reaching nearly to the ground, and trou- sers made with feet so as to cover the stockings, a low crowned, broad brimmed, straw hat upon his head, and a pair of yellow slippers, was mounted up to the gaze of the crowd, who regarded with curiosity the urchin that was supposed to be the Esculapius of the ship ; they could have no diffi-
*■ My Son, at that time a shrimp for fourteen years of age.
4 THE LADY'S LOG.
culty in arriving at this conclusion, because the false Hottinguer carried in her rigging a board, on which was painted or chalked in large letters — " A Surgeon sails in this Ship." Our actual surgeon was deterred from offering his services, until requested to lend his aid by the captain, from having seen this deceitful board, and from having also accidentally heard the "Doctor" spoken of. Afterwards, when I was enquiring from Captain Bursley about the law for carrying surgeons, I asked him " Who had put up that board in the rigging." He said ee He did not know."
I saw a poor emigrant who had been too late for the ship engage a boat to bring her alongside ; it was a very little distance ; the men demanded three shillings for carrying herself and her sack of potatoes ; she, poor soul, possessed but a fewr halfpence, which she offered — they were rejected with a loud laugh, and the men rowed away with the potatoes.
At 11, a.m. we got clear of the dock, and almost immediately, at the suggestion of Captain Bursley, the Doctor and I mounted on the top of the house on deck, that we might be out of
THE LADY'S LOG. 5
the way while the muster roll was called. Captain Bursley, with four assistants, stood on high casks, or something of the sort, in different positions among the emigrants, who were all assembled on deck, and each loudly repeated the name until it was responded to. The Hottinguer is 993 tons burthen; she had on board Manchester goods, cutlery, and fancy goods to the amount of 700 tons, and 433 persons, consisting of the captain, first, second and third mates, the steward, (a coloured man,) two black cooks, carpenter, black- smith, and twenty-four sailors, 397 steerage pas- sengers, including adults, children and infants, and three cabin passengers, myself, my son, and Mr. King, a Prussian Pole, resident in New York. We had 26,000 gallons of water, and provisions for ten weeks — the provision for every steerage passenger being, according to the act of parlia- ment, lib of bread stuffs, or 5lbs of potatoes, daily. The rations of food were distributed two or three times a week, the days being regulated occasionally by the weather ; they were apportioned on the deck by the ship's clerk, and were all excellent of their kind. The use of water was abundant, and I b 2
6 THE LADY'S LOG.
have frequently seen Captain Bursley presiding in person over the washing and scouring of the " between decks : " the poop deck was " swobbed" frequently, and every part of the vessel into which I ever went was perfectly clean and fresh. But on no occasion ivould Dr. Fraser ever allow me to go doivn into the steerage, holding it not only dangerous and unwholesome, but as being a spec- tacle wholhj unfit for the eyes of a female unac- customed to behold the strange, and sorry, and demoralizing economy which prevails in those dens of disease and misery — emigrant vessels. Of the actual condition of the between decks I cannot therefore speak, but have often heard Dr. Fraser express the loathing which he felt on visiting his patients there ; and when the skylight of the saloon was opened to give air below, the effluvia was such as to compel me in all weathers to £0 on deck. After bein«; three or four davs on board I was asked by Captain Bursley if I would give up the ladies' cabin to some of the better class of emigrants, which I willingly did, because, be- sides myself and son, Mr. King alone occupied the saloon.
THE LADY'S LOG. J
To return to the muster roll 5— some of these people seemed unacquainted with their own names, and remained forgetful or unconscious when they were called over,— never stirred, nor thought of opening their tickets, though frequently desired to do so. Fell hunger and thirst had blunted their faculties, and all that roused them was either the mere satisfying of their appetites, — or, indeed, watchfulness over their children, — for let not misery be wronged ; the care of the rich for their children is scarcely a virtue, comfort being the easy inheritance of wealth; but how pure and self-sacrificing is the love of the destitute for their offspring ! — and these men and these women of Ireland, themselves epitomes of misery, would give their all of food or clothing to secure a moment's relief to the infants they carried on their backs, or the children they led by the hand. Often have I watched their conduct, and humbly thanked my God that he has never proved my uncertain virtue by afflicting my children with actual want. What- ever may be the law of the world, and whatever the contempt of men for the mother who steals bread for her hungry child, I believe that there is an
8 THE LADY'S LOG.
appeal for her which will be heard ; " if she sin " against thee (for there is none that sinneth not), " hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and " forgive ; for thou, even thou only, knowest the "hearts of the children of men." Thou, O God ! alone canst comprehend a mother. As I then contemplated my poor compagnons de voyage I did not imagine how infinitely happier would be their existence, once landed on the shores of America, But during my travels I arrived at the conviction that all persons who emigrate from Great Britain to the United States have it in their powrer to im- prove their condition in life, provided they strictly p>ractise sobriety and industry.
The calling of names continued. There was one Rose Mahon in a black hood and scarlet petticoat, with six children, — it was half an hour before they were collected, and Rose looked upon them in their rags with as much pride as though they had been Princes and Princesses of the blood royal. There were Patricks and Phelims, and Judys and Cathe- rynes innumerable. Occasionally several shouted at once to the same name, and it required time and ingenuity to discover its real owner.
THE LADY'S LOG. 9
" Thomas O'Leary 1" shouted Captain Bursley.
"Thomas O'Leary I" exclaimed severally the Mate, the Overseer, and the Secretary.
" Here he is !" roared out three fellows at a time.
" Which of you is the real one?"
" Oh ! Pm only Daniel O'Leary/' and " I'm only " Patrick O'Leary — but it's himself that's the real "one, and Pm his cousin."
" Stand down, all of you, and nobody answer " except to their own names."
Here all stood down from the spot where the Captain was stationed, and stood stock still in the passage.
" Keep open that passage ; we shan't have done " for a week. Sam Slick 1"
« Please your honour, Captain, Sam Slick isn't "aboard; but Pm Robert Slick."
" That will do. Mick Flannegan 1"
" That's myself," said a poor fellow with a dozen children.
"'Julia ditto 1" No answer. "John ditto!— « Patrick ditto /— Catheryne ditto /"
After a long pause, "If you please, Mr. Captain, " sir, there's none of they ditto's on board."
10 THE LADY'S LOG.
Here a sailor stood up on a platform above the crowd, a huge fierce looking Spaniard, with gold rings of an inch diameter in his ears, deeply seamed with small pox, and with a frame like a Hercules ; he held aloft in his brawny naked arms a mannikin baby, and stroking its small head with his enormous fist, shouted in bad English, "A babby." No claimant appearing, he repeated the announcement in Spanish ; still no answer, — and the good natured fellow was becoming somewhat perplexed, when Bursley took the screaming infant, and at last discovered the mother, overcome with weariness, asleep on the deck. It had been left to take its chance among the luggage, wrapped up carefully in an Irish great coat.
This is a specimen of the interrogatory, which continued without intermission for four hours, when the steerage were dismissed to cook their dinners at four enormous grates placed amidships, at the several corners of the main deck. There were discovered on board five men and two boys, with two dogs, stow-aways, who had concealed themselves among the water casks in the hope of getting out free of expense ; they were locked up
THE LADY'S LOG. 11
until the steam tug left us, and sent home in her. This is a constant occurrence.*
At 4, p.m. the steam tug and pilot left us at the Bell Buoy ; at six the watches were divided, half of the crew went to the starboard or right hand of the ship, and half to the larboard or left hand ; the Captain called alternately a name from each side ; the starboard were ordered to keep the first watch, and the larboard dismissed to supper. It afterwards appeared that we had a crew com- posed of ten nations, — Englishmen, Americans, Spaniards, Italians, one Frenchman, one Dane, one Prussian, one Portuguese, two Dutchmen and a Scotchman; and I discovered the circumstance by hearing the Captain call out, during the gale, " stand alongside all you that don't understand
* Captain Bursley mentioned that on one occasion a boy stowed himself away, and, escaping undiscovered, acted without suspicion as cabin boy. One morning Bursley was informed that a cabin boy had fallen while carrying a pan of fried bacon, and had been severely scalded; the boy, added the messenger, was afraid to appear, having been a stow-away. Bursley immediately prescribed for him, and enquired his story. His father lived in London; he had given him five shillings, and turned him out to seek his fortune. The Captain was kind to him during the voyage, and three years afterwards a well dressed youth of eighteen came on board his ship, and asked if he remembered the stow-away cabin boy? He was then a clerk with a good salary.
12 THE LADY'S LOG.
English." Some of the Spaniards were fine look- ing men, and knew the ship's duty. All the foreigners agreed well with the English and Americans. The first mate was a martyr to the inordinate use of tobacco; his appearance was melancholy and his countenance abstracted; he seemed stupified as with opium. I heard that he was endeavouring to give up the habit, but the effort was more than he could accomplish : they told me that men of small size are more acutely affected by the use of tobacco than those of larger proportions.
We paced the deck till 9, p.m.* and watched
* Era gia l'ora che volge '1 disio
A' naviganti, e intenerisce '1 cuore Lo di, ch' han detto a' dolci amici, a Dio; E che lo nuovo peregrin d'amore Punge, se ode squilla di lontano, Che paja '1 giorno pianger che si muore.
Dante— *Divina Commedia.
'Twas now the hour, That on the day when they have said Adieu To their fond friends, softens the hearts of those Who navigate the seas, and the desire Of home recalls; piercing with acutest love The bosom of the fresh departed Pilgrim, If he should hear from far the Vesper Bell Seeming to mourn over the dying day.
Such is the meaning of these verses;— but their intense beauty is untranslatable.
THE LADY'S LOG. 13
the receding shores of England; observed the Black Rock, Leasowe, Bidston and Point of Ayr lights, with the remoter coast of Wales. At mid- night we passed Holyhead, and on the succeeding day we saw the coast of Ireland, backed by a fine outline of hills; passed the Tuskar, and lastly Cape Clear. On the morning of the 8th, forty- three hours after departure, we were beyond sight of land.
The 7th of May was the eighteenth anniversary of our wedding day, and Captain Bursley, whom I had known for fifteen years, produced a bottle of his choicest Madeira in honour of the occasion, informing the officers of the ship that we possess the quiver which holds the blessing.
At an early hour this morning the colony had begun to sing and dance ; they had a pair of bag- pipes, two or three fiddles, and some flutes, and a whole chorus of singers ; they formed their jigs on each side of the caboose, where of course they were constantly in the way of the sailors. " My men, if you set to dancing in that kind of a manner you'll upset the ship," exclaimed the Cap- tain, and the tractable creatures at once sat down. c
14 THE LADY'S LOG.
te You may dance as much as you please when the fires are put out •" and well they profited by the permission, for we had a ball every evening, which usually ended in a fight.
We were now ahead of all vessels leaving Liver- pool. At 4, p.m. on the 7th of May, we saw a cloud of smoke, and soon perceived the forest of masts of the Great Western steamer, which had been expected in Liverpool for two days. We saluted her, showing first our Holyhead signals, 1294, and, being answered, then displayed our private signal, red and white, and were glad to be reported under such favourable circumstances, for we had then passed the Tuskar, and were going at about ten knots an hour, under a fine north west wind. The Captain, in all his hundred and sixty voyages across the Atlantic, had never passed the Tuskar so early by four or five hours. Scarcely had we glided past the steamer when the ship gave a long heave, and Bursley exclaimed with the enthu- siasm of a seaman, " Ha ! ha ! there is the first " roll of the Atlantic." And truly it was unlike all other motion that I had ever experienced in a ship; prolonged, and breathing, and swelling, while the
THE LADY'S LOG. 15
vessel, plunging gently onwards, seemed to recog- nise with joy the friendly welcome of the ocean billow. I watched and waited for the repeated greeting of the wave, and for the first time I felt and understood the rapture of the sea. The night was breezy, with a brilliant crescent and stars ; the wind, which had been north west, suddenly became north, and grew violent; then began a gale. We had come down the Channel with all our studding sails set, so that we had much sail to shorten. I lay on a sofa in the cabin, and there listened to such a collection of noises as nothing on land can rival ; the sea roared and the wind howled ; the belaboured ship creaked and moaned, and shrieked and sighed like a living thing, for she was light upon the waters, and therefore fully at their mercy ; the men were stamping and the blocks banging, and the sails flapping in the wind and dropping upon deck ; above all was heard the Captain's voice of thunder, shouting his orders and cheering his men. The unhappy creatures in the steerage who had passed the day before in singing and dancing, were now screaming with fright, and sick to death ; the children cried, the
16 THE LADY'S LOG.
mothers wept, and the men uttered prayers and imprecations by turns. Presently the Doctor and I felt that we were not to be exempted from the penalty, so I sent the Doctor to bed, desiring the steward to give him a stiff dose of brandy and water, and then thought I would lie still on my sofa ; but soon I became sick and sore, a dead alive wretch, neither hearing nor seeing, nor knowing any thing around me. The good steward managed to drag me to my state room,* and here I lay for thirty-seven hours in mortal sickness. I then recovered, and slept almost incessantly for two days, when I contrived to rise, and crawl upon deck with the Captain's aid ; here I was lashed to my chair with the ship's colours, and the chair to the capstan ; I sometimes fainted, from weakness, but nobody had time to watch my condition ; left to myself, and sprinkled by the waves, and fanned by the winds, I soon recovered my consciousness, and, being tied fast, was never injured. The Doctor had now also recovered, and we began to enjoy the " blowing out " of the gale ; it was favourable
* Fortunately my berth had sacking under the mattresses, not wood, which, to an invalid, is a valuable hint.
THE LADY'S LOG. \J
to our course, and the scene was one of the greatest excitement. The Hottinguer flew before the wind at eleven knots an hour, her bowsprit dipping in the sea, her sails full stretched, the waves on all sides rising high, sometimes crested with white foam, and sometimes coming on like a moving mountain, and threatening to overwhelm us; but as they approached, the winged ship called forth her courage and her strength, and rose calmly and triumphantly upon their bosom. The water was of the deepest blue and green on the side of the ship farthest from the sun, and on the side between us and the sun the whole expanse looked like a sea of moving silver. Two men were still at the helm. I remained the whole day on deck, lashed to my steady friend the capstan — dined heartily — felt better than I had done for months before, and slept all night. The storm was termed, according to its degree of violence, a heavy gale, and, had we not been in the open sea, would have been dangerous. The topsails were close reefed ; the spanker and the royals were shivered to rags, and the main royal got adrift, and c 2
18 THE LADY'S L06.
was cut down to save it. Several strongly twisted ropes snapped like threads.
On Sunday having rested,, on Monday we began to repair our damage and to mend our rags. The sailors squatted on the deck in the sunshine, sung and stitched away, and I admired their skill in patch- ing amazingly. They never lost an inch of stuff. Being in latitude 45° N, — saw a shoal of black fish or porpoises ; they look like small whales from six to ten feet long, and were sporting away in the now calm sea for many hours. There were many hundreds tumbling about their unshapely carcasses, and spouting up water in uncouth play, the noise of which we heard distinctly in the ship. The colonists began to cook and wash, many having only one change, and to mend their tattered gar- ments (there was a Scotch tailor on board), and they renewed their acquaintance among each other ; with the enviable facility of their nation they instantly looked quite happy, and forgot their sickness and their terror. The steward, also, re- sumed his professional functions, which had been suspended from the total want of demand; his customers having come to a dead lock in regard
THE LADY'S LOG. 19
to that universally recognised feature in all legi- timate consumption, — appetite. This man had a most extraordinary, and, in his vocation, an invaluable faculty of walking horizontally as it were ; no matter how the ship might pitch and toss he would carry up the saloon a full glass in each hand without spilling a drop — he seemed to crawl along, his body extended forwards, his legs extended behind, and his hands not a foot from the ground; — dressed in a checked shirt and white apron, with a red and green bandanna tied round his head — he was verily a most whimsical object ; — but he was also a very clever cook, as all black and coloured people are said to be. He was kind, but singularly apathetic : — " Oh! Steward, I'm so sick !" " Well Ma'am, you can't help it, — nobody can't." He is a distinguished linguist, and speaks English, French, Spanish, and sundry African dialects.
• 13th May. The swell had gradually subsided, the sea went down and lost his foaming and dazzling crest ; the mild and peculiar heaving of the Atlantic was again perceptible, and the ocean seemed to say in his benignity, " Go free once
20 THE LADY'S LOG.
more and scatheless." We now had time to listen to the complaints of some of the sufferers in the steerage ; one man had cut his lip most cruelly, another could not walk upright, many had rheuma- tism and toothache; — the women and children had suffered most grievously from sea-sickness, many indeed were internally injured from its effects ; and several children were nearly dead from cold and neglect; some of the sailors had cut their hands with the ropes — many begged the aid of a surgeon ; alas ! we did not know that there was one on board, and they were compelled to suffer on ; — several asked for physic of any kind, castor oil, or brandy, or tea, or jalap, or whiskey, or gruel; to them it was indifferent. Two Irishmen crept up to me and enquired after my health : — " Bless " you, my Lady, we made bold to come and ask " if you were not frightened with the ship ? for " all we was drunk as thunder ?" Some of the people were so injured by the violent straining that for several days they went on all fours. At stated hours ropes were stretched along the deck, and those ladies and gentlemen who possessed the advantage of shoes were privileged to walk there.
THE LADY'S LOG. 21
We have a grotesque assortment of nations. Ame- ricans from all the coasting States, English, Irish, Scotch and Welsh — Germans and Flemings, Spaniards, Poles, West Indians, and native Afri- cans all were there, and all speaking their several tongues in this Babel of men, women, and children ; — we had tradesmen, mechanics, farmers fiddlers, barbers, and gentlemen bagmen ; besides a Baptist Missionary, and, as we most fortunately discovered afterwards, a Surgeon ; the women were cooking, washing, knitting, and most of them were going out on speculation to better their fortunes ; some hoped to find places, some to find husbands ; I often conversed with them, they were uniformly polite, and rarely complained of their lot ; there were many promising girls among them, and I engaged two as servants for the Captain. I had constant amusement in looking down into the scene amidships ; they were for ever " at it ;" and whether singing, dancing, or fighting, it was all for sociability. One Sunday night, immediately after prayers, (for the Captain and the Missionary read the service regularly every Sunday after- noon,) there was a desperate engagement, which
22 THE LADY'S LOG.
was thus reported by the " Daily News" of the ship, the Steward, the next morning, at the break- fast table : —
" The people had a fight last night after prayers ; " first fight they've made, for they've been pretty " decent."
"What did they fight about? "
" About the fire ; same thing they always fight " about, — all will cook at a time."
" Did they make a noise ? "
" Yes, yes, a wonderful noise."
" Did it last long ? "
" About five minutes."
"Did they hurt one another ? "
" No, no, they only threw the hot stirabout at " one another, — when it's all spilled then they " can't never fight no longer."
On the whole, this was a very consolatory account of the belligerents, and of the extent of their warlike resources.
" 15th May. Strong wind from the S.S.E. with " thick weather ; no observations ; ship under a "press of sail, averaging about nine knots per "hour. This is our best day's work yet; two
THE LADY'S LOG. 23
" hundred and fifteen miles on our course, — so far, " at the rate of twenty four days' passage ; lat. by " dead reckoning, 46° 10' N, long, by ditto 29° W." Extract from Captain's log. Wind, though violent, was soft and warm, coming from Spain and Por- tugal and the Azores, from which we are only about four hundred miles.
I was sitting on deck early this morning when I saw an old man from the steerage approach Captain Bursley, who became much excited ; the wind carried their voices to my ear, and I heard the man say " I believe it is the Small Pox!" The tem- pest had not shaken the firm nerves of the Captain, but he quailed at the hideous name of this scourge of God. Mr. King, our fellow passenger, had been amusing himself with visiting the steerage, and had informed me that among them was a surgeon. Bursley came up, and said " Have you heard this " horrid report? " "Yes, but you are more fortunate "than you think, for you have a medical man "on board. I am not afraid, for the Doctor has "been vaccinated twice, and so have I." A messenger was sent down to Dr. Fraser, who immediately volunteered to take charge of the
24 THE LADY'S LOG.
ship. He proceeded with the Captain to examine the child; who was one of two boys named Hickey, in charge of their grandfather Andrew May lone, their father being in New York. The supposition was too true ; the small pox was indeed amongst us.* The patient was seven years old, and the disease was confluent, the throat severely ulcerated, the eyes closed up, the fever violent, with delirium, and the whole body a mass of corruption ; the tongue was so swollen and pustulated that the afflicted child was incapable of articulating the incoherencies of his tortured brain, and the wild unmeaning motions of this dumb and blinded victim alone revealed his agony. The aged grand- father nursed him with the greatest tenderness and patience, sung him to sleep, careless of himself lay by his side in the infected berth, and procured all he could of comfort to assuage his sufferings. Presently his younger brother caught the infection, and two other children sickened. The dismay
* Vaccination appears to be almost unknown to these victims of ignorance and neglect. Of the steerage passengers, one eighth were infants, and very few either of these or of the adults had been vaccinated. These children of course brought the disease on board with them.
THE LADY'S LOG. 25
which prevailed in the ship surpasses description. For many days we thought and spoke of nothing but the Small Pox. The goodnatured Mr. King was much perplexed. " If," said he, " I had been " at home, there I have as good a physical man " as any body — but here, in the chip" And he consulted me upon the probability of his being a sufferer; "having had," he observed, the Scarlet ec fever, the vaccination twice, the Measles, the " Dropsy ; was it likely after these, that he should " have the Small Pox?"* Dr. Fraser directed the constant use of tar burned as a fumigator ; vessels were placed full of it in various places in the ship, and hot irons constantly put into them ; we used immense quantities of water, and frequent ablutions were commanded in the steerage. When it was known among these forlorn beings that there was a "Doctor" on board, their wants were numberless ; to be sure they were as grateful as they were implor- ing, and they regarded him as a kind of guardian angel. Scarcely a day passed without some opera- tion or other ; while tooth ache, bruises, cholera, low fever, flux, in turn presented themselves.
* He escaped while at sea, but was attacked by the disease after landing,
D
26 THE LADY'S LOG.
Our medicine chest was stored with useless old rubbish; we had neither bark of any kind nor castor oil good for use ; it was rancid and only fit to be thrown into the sea ; Epsom salts in abund- ance ;* neither tape nor lint ; — in fact the medicines furnished to emigrant vessels by some quacking apothecary in New York are well known to be supplied from the cast off stores of the United States' Navy.
On the 17th of May we had run fifteen hundred miles of the distance — or the first half, less seventy- five miles — sixteen hundred and fifty remaining.
The weather varied between light breezes and occasional squalls, somewhat contrary, causing frequent tacking of the ship, until the 22nd May, when a fresh breeze sprung up from the south- ward, but, as the fog continued, we could take no observation. To prevent as far as possible the spread of the infection we had kept to the north- ward, and for the last two days the temperature had become intensely cold. Ice supposed to be near ; fortunately we kept aloof from it during the
* I recollect that these most economical of medicines were in a huge three pint glass bottle — the bottle probably cost Is and the physic 6d.
THE LADY'S LOG. 27
fog ; sounded in fifty fathoms, oozy bottom, lat. by account 43° 28', long, by ditto 50° 55'. Steerage very sickly ; a child dangerously ill of inflammation on the chest. No leeches on board. Many suffering from rheumatic pains and gatherings in the ear ; a woman scalded dangerously.* Conversed with a very respectable woman, who, with her child, was walking on the deck. " Oh ! Madam/5 said she, " we suffer terribly from the want of room and " comfort, Sometimes we cannot cook, for all the " fires are put out by the spray, and the wind, " and the rain, and we have nothing to warm and " nourish us after this dreadful sickness." Children in the Small Pox became rapidly worse ; as yet, no other positive cases appear, though several are suspected.
About 6, p.m. of the next day, 23rd May, the Captain came into the cabin with a look of some perturbation, and said, " After all my care, we are among the ice." All ran upon deck ; the evening was clear and cold, and behold in the East, full in the face of the setting sun, arrayed in dazzling whiteness, and enthroned upon the
* Cured with cotton wool.
28 THE LADY'S LOG.
waters, appeared the glorious Iceberg. In length, it was supposed to be about one hundred and fifty feet ; in height, sixty feet ; the depth below the water is calculated at two-thirds of the height above. The form was that of a gigantic castellated edifice, with turrets at the two corners and a loftier one in the centre, all perfect in their figures and proportion. The horizon beyond this enchanted island was of deep grey approaching to black, and the sea below it was the colour of sapphire ; on the side between the sun and the ship the surface of the water was of dancing silver. In silence, in solitude, and in mystery, refulgent with light, and armed with strength, the majestic form held on its irresistible way, luring all living things to destruc- tion, and bearing in its spotless bosom — shipwreck, and famine, and murderous frost, and relentless and insatiable death. The Scylla and Charybdis of ancient story, the snares of the tideless Mediter- ranean are forgotten in the contemplation of the sublimity and beauty — the treachery and cruelty of the Iceberg of the Frozen Zone. We gazed enraptured until dusk, and some among us felt that had we been the first mariners to whom such
THE LADY'S LOG. 29
vision had been vouchsafed, how hardly we should have abstained from rushing headlong into its fascinating snare, and thus appeasing the insatiable curiosity of rinding out what miracle of the Almighty's power was thus presented to our view. Recollecting ourselves, we rejoiced in thankfulness that we had escaped the danger, for the Iceberg was only about three leagues to the eastward of our course, and had it been night, or had the fog still continued, we might have been unconsciously driven against the invisible mass — lat. 42° 10', long. 52° 0'. Next morning saw a second Iceberg, but much larger, and at a great distance. Read the curious pamphlet upon this interesting sub- ject, and examined the u Chart of Ice" which accompanies it. The Captain had not seen ice before for five years ; he says that these islands of ice are of all forms, sometimes rugged like rocks, sometimes smooth like mountains, sometimes pointed like steeples ; he does not believe that they are annually loosened from the masses of ice accumulated at the North Pole ;* but that a
* Because it would be impossible for the ice to be loosened so early in the season as some vessels have seen it; thus, the ship Roscius, this year, 1845, made a passage in March and April, and
D 2
30 THE LADY'S LOG.
portion being formed or detached, other masses are, by the action of the sea, shoved upon it ; fogs alighting upon these fields of ice become instantly- frozen. Many ships have been lost among them. Bursley saw ice in the Cambridge, in 1840; and an iceberg was seen by the Roscius, supposed (I believe,) to be three miles long, and two hundred feet high. The interviews of the Roscius with the ice have been very frequent, and are all laid down in the " Ice Chart."
Saturday, 24th. — Foggy and cold, with a head wind ; tried to get southward of the ice ; read Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, and dined on pilau. Played at chess, solitaire and whist. The Doctor improves rapidly in health and spirits ; in fine weather he spent his time entirely upon deck, and was often seated for hours together in the rigging. I was also comparatively strong and cheerful. At 9, p.m. we went on deck to see the phosphoric appearance of the waves ; I think the wind was from the south, and there was a kind of crispness in the sound of the waters as they
saw much ice. It is most frequently seen in May and June ; rarely, I was told, in the summer, and never in November and the winter months.
THE LADY'S LOG. 31
rushed -by the ship. The light is pale moonlight colour, and diverges in waves and streaks from the bows of the ship ; hanging over the stern we saw our way behind us like a track of fire, studded with innumerable stars. Some water was pumped up, and we saw the bright spots run over the deck as it was poured out. A little way to the eastward we saw a large immovable body, which we supposed to be a whale ; it was illumi- nated, but was less brilliant than our track. Dr. Fraser told me this evening that we should lose one of the infants afflicted with inflammation on the chest ; its constitution could not stand the severity of the weather, and of the privations it was subject to; — close air, cold drafts, want of nourishment, of clothing, of clean linen, of quiet, &c; it was three years old, the age of the youngest born that I had left behind me. The night was rough; I thought all along of the dying child. About 4, a.m. Captain Bursley, much disturbed, came to my state room door, to tell me of the ill news ; the wearied spirit of the little sufferer had been released.
Sunday. — The interest of the ship is incessant ;
32 THE LADY'S LOG.
every hour brings excitement and amusement. Her time, unlike most merchantmen, is kept like a Man of War's ; the clock is regulated so as to strike the bells ; the sounds are repeated by the steersman, who strikes a bell hung just before him ; this is again repeated forwards by the mate, so that every part of the ship knows the time, and the watches regulate themselves. These bells are very musical, and were distinctly heard during the storm. So exact are sailors that even in the hour of danger they are passively or rather instinctively obedient to their accustomed habits, and to the orders which are given them; they rang the bells as regularly in a storm as in a calm.
This evening saw a Portuguese man of war, so called because the Men of War of that nation are the frailest and least sea worthy of all. Such I was informed is the origin of this whimsical appel- lation. What a reflection upon the present naval degradation of the Portuguese, whose maritime knowledge (actually whose skill in ship building), rendered the fifteenth century so important in the annals of the world ; was the means of checking the influence of the Crescent, and vindicating the
THE LADY'S LOG. 33
power of the Cross ; and which, guiding De Gama round the Cape of Tempests,* poured into the lap of Europe the treasures of the Indies. That country which gave birth to the hero, and likewise to the author of the Lusiad. This little creature is white, and looks like a semi-transparent mem- brane ; it is of oblong shape, but frequently curls its end round ; the inside looks like a collection of threads, and floating upon the water it resem- bles a large bubble. But in any description I attempt of the animal or vegetable world, I must observe, that I have no knowledge of natural his- tory whatever, and merely relate the things which I have seen and heard from those around me. We saw also this evening a single specimen of the Stormy Petrel ; these birds are called by sailors Mother Cary's Chickens ; it flew round and round the ship, sometimes alighting, a familiarity they rarely indulge in. In shape and size they re- semble the house swallow, and before a storm are often seen clustering round the ship in multitudes. This bird has a fan tail, is web footed, and can walk on the water with the aid of its wings. The * The original name of the Cape of Good Hope.
34 THE LADY'S LOG.
plumage is black and white, and the flight is peculiarly dipping and graceful. The little stranger followed the ship at least two hours, and flew as if much exhausted. At dusk we lost sight of it. With what extraordinary powers of flight these birds must be gifted ! At three in the after- noon the Baptist Missionary, (who was on his way to Canada,) performed divine service upon deck; he was a good reader and a fair preacher, and it was a beautiful sight to behold at least three hundred people, separated from all other Christian com- munities, kneeling at their devotions on the decks of a vessel, far far at sea. Many held their children in their arms, and it is to be wished that the true spirit of religion, which prompted people of all nations, of all sects in that ship, to unite in prayer at the word of a Baptist preacher, might be inculcated on land among the church goers and the chapel goers who throng the streets of crowded cities. The coloured steward, however, did not assist at our devotions ; he inquired from me whether the " preacher spoke from the book, or without it?" « From the book." " Oh ! then," rejoined this most critical judge of preaching, " I
THE LADY'S LOG. 35
" dont think much of him ; besides, I was washing " up the dishes, and could not go to church " very conveniently." The African race are en- thusiastic admirers of extempore preaching.
Monday, 26th of May. — At eleven we committed the body of Matthew Hickey to its long last home in the deep sea. The carpenter, who is always the ship's undertaker, had previously stitched it up in canvass, and tied to the feet a heavy bag of coals, in order to sink it at once. The sailors and passengers all contended that the luminous im- movable body seen on Saturday night was the shark waiting for his prey. The parents, being Quakers, did not wish for much display. The Baptist Missionary again lent his aid, he read a chapter from St. PauPs Epistle to the Corinthians ; " This corruptible must put on incorruption, and " this mortal must put on immortality." He then sung a hymn, in which he was joined by all who could sing, and made a short and impressive address. The ceremony took place on the poop deck, the people stood all round, and a small space was left for the Captain and ourselves. The Captain, Surgeon, and Missionary, all put on such
36 THE LADY'S LOG.
slight badges of mourning as they could find in their chests, and all present were clean and in their best clothes ; the sailors whose work could not, of course, be interrupted, were as gentle and quiet as their various avocations permitted ; and one, I saw, who reverently bent his head as he stood aloft in the rigging, when the Missionary closed the Sacred Book from which he had renewed to all the living present, the promise of that brighter and happier world, which the departed infant had been summoned from his earthly woes to enjoy. A port hole was opened in the deck amidships, and there, on an inclined plank sloping to the water, wrapped up in the ship's colours, lay the small dead creature. The chief mate stood by the body, ready to launch it down at the signal ; the service ended, the Captain said aloud, " All is finished \" and the Mate raised the plank, and stripped off the colours. The little body looked like a bundle of straw tied up in a sack ; it rose for an instant, then sunk, and disappeared for
ever. — — — — We were cold and
sorrowful ; and all retired to their state rooms till dinner time. No funeral in a consecrated church
THE LADY'S LOG. 37
yard could be more decent in its circumstance, more affecting in its details, and I think sometimes, for like Angelo, I cannot separate consciousness from death, that I would rather dissolve in the Ocean than moulder in the Earth ; —
-" 'Tis too horrible!
" To lie in cold obstruction and to rot; " This sensible warm motion to become " A kneaded clod;"
e( This day was a complete calm; it was cold " and drizzling. Withfour hundred steerage passen- " gers a calm at sea is much more uncomfortable " than can be imagined by any one who has not " been an eye witness of such a scene. Some of " these evils are an unmanageable ship rolling to " and fro, and baffling all the skill and exertions " of Captain and men to keep her head the right " way ; sailors in constant requisition to brace the " yards about, which seems all in vain, and they " being wet and cold are any thing but amiable. " The filth of the steerage washing about the wet " decks without any chance of escape. The coal " smoke from five different fires filling all parts of " the ship without the slightest draft of air to ignite " the coal or drive the foul odours away ; the wear
E
38 THE LADY'S LOG.
" and tear of rigging is greater than in a storm, ie and formerly, when vessels were built short and " tub like, it has occurred that vessels have been w dismasted in a calm. Mutinies are almost always " started in calms." — Captain Bursley' s log.
I profited by the calm to discourse much with Captain Bursley, for the conversation of a man of natural strong sense and good feeling, especially when he has become experienced both in human life and in his profession, is often far more instruc- tive than that of the scholar, and more amusing than that of the wit. We spoke of Reid's Law of Storms. Mr. Reid had been on board the Hot- tinguer the day before we sailed to inquire about a great storm in March. Bursley is of opinion that Lieutenant Reid's system of the successions of storms being circular is correct ; for instance, our gale began from the South, changed to West, and then to North. The deductions, however, of Captain Reid, that this theory may enable ships to avoid storms by calculating their recognised course will never be of use to sailing vessels, though it may assist steamers.
Bursley has no opinion of economical seamen ;
THE LADY'S LOG. 39
he contends that a man who has heen three months at sea, working hard, and living on salt beef and dry biscuit, is led by his feelings to spend his £12 or £15 among his friends in merriment on land ; and that he who has not heart for this at home, would be good for nothing at sea. (I do not know how this will suit our modern moralists, and educationalists.)
In twenty-eight years of seafaring life, he has only had two men overboard. On one occasion, he was carrying out a large company of females and a professor of divinity, when a man, who was slightly tipsy, in hauling a rope, overbalanced himself; great excitement prevailed; the women laughed and cried in hysterics, and called for brandy ; the divine walked up to the poor fellow, and gravely asked, while he was yet dripping — " What were you thinking of while you were in "the sea?" "Why," returned the sailor, "I was thinking that they would be sure to put the " boat out and take me in." A grievous disap- pointment to the divine, who expected a text to preach from. On another occasion, a man fell overboard in the Mersey ; he, also, was tipsy, and
40 THE LADY'S LOG.
was in a boat carrying some newspapers from one ship to the other — the boat upset, and the fellow instantly presented himself astride upon it, bottom upwards, with the utmost coolness and sobriety ; he was picked up by the other ship.
" Do you see what that man is doing there ?" pointing to a sailor, who, with a strong tarred twine, was attaching behind the rigging a piece of oak hollowed out like a splint to keep the ropes from being chafed. " He is putting on a Scotch- man/' But if he should leave a fag end after he has done his work, the mate will say to him, " Take away that Irishman."
Between the English and the American sailor there is no difference in point of excellence ; the Irish, as seamen, are the worst of all, and this is one of the many incomprehensible incongruities in the composition of Paddy, " God help him \"
Captain Ira Bursley was born, 1798, near Taunton, Massachusetts, and was the son of a yeoman ; he led a farming life until the age of eighteen, when he was seized with the desire of going to sea. He has now made about one hundred and sixty-eight passages, and was never in danger.
THE LADY'S LOG. 41
Once, having realized a competence, he retired from a sea-faring life to a farm, but, though happy in his domestic relations, he could not rest on land, and returned to his ship. He is a man of immense physical strength, weighing sixteen stone ; and I do not know any one who lives so abstemiously, preferring farinaceous food to all others. I never saw him take either wine, or malt liquor, or spirits, with the single exception of one glass of Madeira. He slept generally about four hours every after- noon, from three to seven — but was up the whole of every night, and in the darkness it afforded the most perfect feeling of security to hear his heavy measured tread on the deck above me. He never played at cards, excepting at solitaire, and occa- sionally spent many hours during a calm in that most quiescent entertainment.
I have been induced to give these particulars of the life of Captain Bursley, and these details of his opinions, because he is an excellent specimen of American ship Captains ; I may add, that he is a consummate navigator, both practically and theo- retically, and a perfect disciplinarian.
To me, whose birthplace was on the shores of E 2
42 THE LADY'S LOG.
the Mersey, the adventures of a seaman are full of
interest ; and perhaps some of my friendly readers
may find amusement in the following short sketch
of a sailor's life, and a sailor's death. — Captain
Allen Bursley, the younger brother of Ira Bursley,
was born in 1S01 — he was a brave sailor, and a
man of great capacity; but constantly unfortunate.
He had been twice wrecked before his final doom;
once at the age of eighteen, on the coast of France,
when he could not swim : the vessel struck on a
reef of rocks. He was the mate, and happening
to have the watch, he and the rest ran up the
rigging ; the vessel went down under them in an
instant ; the other watch never came on deck,
and were all drowned. Bursley clung to the top
mast ; then caught another and a larger spar ;
then a larger one still ; after being seven hours
in the water, he and four others were picked up
alive seven miles from the place where they went
down. This fearless man told his brother that
during this time he had no sensation of alarm ;
he never thought of it, his only idea was to cling
to his frail spar as fast as he could. Afterwards,
going out of the Havana, the vessel being laden
THE LADY'S LOG. 43
with sugar, in a squall, she turned bottom upwards ; he, and several men got on the bottom, where they lived many days without food; at length they caught a fish or two, and Bursley described the horrid eagerness with which he bit the throat of the yet living fish, and sucked its blood ; he never after- wards could eat fresh fish. At last, in a tremen- dous fog, in January, 1835, he had been beating and floundering about in the upper part of the Irish Channel, when a gale came on ; he tried to make the Mull of Galway, but having no point to take a departure from, he mistook the lights, and the ship went right against the rocks. The mate and four men got on the bowsprit and were saved. Bursley, it was supposed, had turned back for some reason, and was never seen again : —
" Yet still shall he find pleasant weather
When He, who all commands Shall give, to call life's crew together,
The word to pipe all hands : Thus death, who Kings and Tars despatches
In vain his life has doff'd, For though his body's under hatches
His soul is gone aloft."
Tuesday, 27th May. — Strong winds from W. to S.W. New York, W.^S. 750 miles;— at night, it
44 THE LADY'S LOG.
blew hard ; some tables and chairs got adrift in the cabin, and a bucket over my head on the deck ; the racket was intolerable ; at twelve, the Captain called to me, that " it would blow a gale." — At five we were making eleven knots the hour. The scene in the morning was magnificent ; the sea ran so high as to be sometimes sixty feet above the sides of the ship ; no one on the deck amid- ships which was constantly filling ; the bowsprit was frequently under water for many minutes ; sometimes I was lashed to my old ally the capstan, sometimes I clung to the rigging, and sometimes I lay on a sail upon deck. We shortened sail as much as possible, going sometimes twelve knots the hour ; saw a ship about a mile off, bound east- ward ; she had only her small storm sail, and the main royal on ; at times we saw her hull labouring and kicking, and at times we could distinguish only her mast heads apparently only about a yard above water. " Give me the trumpet, and we'll hail her," said the Captain, who was standing forward. But, before he could put the trumpet to his mouth, " Ship ahoy !" — roared out a hundred Irishmen, thus entirely defeating the object of hailing her. The
THE LADY'S LOG. 45
wind, though so violent, was soft and pleasant. No object can convey a finer idea of uncontrolled and unlimited power than the approaching wave of the ocean, rising high above the ship, and with stooping crest preparing to engulph her; suddenly the proud swell lowers, bends to the hull, and suffers her to rise unharmed and pass away, as if in generous disdain to injure such a trusting and harmless guest. " She breasts each wave ;" " How " gaily she skims along ;" said the Captain, as his eye glanced down from stem to stern. During the wind, the Doctor sat up in the main mast enjoying the scene ; he pulled away at the ropes very often and evidently gained strength daily. This was the greatest day of trial to the Steward ; — at breakfast we did but clumsily — toast, milk, and mutton chops, and salt fish and eggs, and coffee and tea, reeled on the table in glorious confusion, and at last a basin full of soft sugar fell into an Irish stew. In addition, all his various allies are incapacitated, one of the black cooks being " sick/' the other having fallen down and hurt his knee. My attendant, Mary, for some purpose of female cu- riosity, visited the steerage, and shortly afterwards
46 THE LADY'S LOG.
reported herself in my state room as drownded — I sent her to bed. The cow has been sea sick, and the pigs, of which we have a numerous family, have taken to quarrelling, the elder and stronger ones, like so many schoolboys, abusing the little ones and biting their ears off. The pet kitten of the cabin, sometimes our sole consolation in a calm, had vanished. On board ship, a cat becomes an " individual" and we mourned long and loudly for unfortunate Pussey. After some days she re- appeared, but starved and terrified, with bright glaring eyes, and perfectly nervous or hysterical. Of the subjects of Mr. Pratt (the clerk of the ship,) nothing was to be seen but about forty pairs of trowsers hanging to dry ; the poor creatures are all sick again — and cannot eat or drink. This day much sickness was reported, several women were in continued fainting fits from sickness, many children were much bruised by knocking against chests and other things during the lurches of the ship. An alarming case of flux. A violent storm of thunder and lightning, followed by excessive rain, took place at 6, p.m. ; the lightning played in capricious streaks about the mast head, and seemed
THE LADY'S LOG. 47
to dance upon the yards. Made poor progress on our course. At 9, p.m. Dr. Fraser came to my state room, in much agitation, and told me that one of the children in the Small Pox was dying of convulsions ; he requested me to inform Captain Bursley (whose horror of this complaint it Avas distressing to witness,) while he returned to the child ; but, before he could reach the steerage, they told him it was dead, and he returned to request that I would use my influence with the Captain that it might be instantly stitched up in canvass, and thrown, without any burial service, overboard ; the parents, being Catholics, were of opinion that no burial service was better than one read by a heretic, and the Captain fully acquiesced in the propriety of the measure. Orders were there- fore at once given to the mate, who sent a Spaniard, deeply seamed with the Small Pox, to sew up the little victim, and in twenty minutes after life had fled, the body was cast into the sea. Dr. Fraser considered this the very worst case he had ever seen of Small Pox ; the whole body was incrusted in matter like a shell. The other child much the same. Two or three sailors attacked with scurvy,
48 THE LADY'S LOG.
from exposure to cold and wet. Steward attacked with some violent internal complaint.
// had frequently occurred to me during these scenes that there should have been a regular Surgeon on board the Hottinguer, attached to the ship, for, unless Dr. Fraser had been accidentally on board, I cannot conceive the amount of death and destruc- tion that ivould of necessity have ensued. He was employed, without intermission, the whole of the day with patients in the steerage and with the ship's crew ; and, he told me, that he was always called every night three or four times. The Captain, in the meantime, knew nothing of all that went forward in the steerage pest house ; he ivas properly and fully occupied in attending to his ship, as were also his mates. They knew as much of physic and surgery as they did of the man in the moon, and all with propriety and modesty gave every possible attention to the directions of the Doctor. The carpenter is entitled to especial mention. On Dr. Fraser's representing to him the extreme indelicacy of his prescribing for female jiatients in the general refuge, he gave up his small berth for their use ; (and he was likewise a humane and efficient aid in all
THE LADY'S LOG. 49
cases requiring an assistant.) These various circum- stances fully convinced me that every ship carrying passengers should be provided with a medical man ; and to assure myself that such was not the case, I asked Captain Bursley to show me the Passenger Book. I looked through it again and again in search of some regulation to this effect — but nothing of the kind, nor in any way alluding to the subject, could be discovered. I asked the Captain, who said there was no such regulation existing.
I then resolved in my own mind, to expose, so far as I could, this hideous grievance, and if it lay in the power of so humble a member of society as myself, to obtain some provision in the way of medical assistance for the suffering emigrants. After many difficulties, I have the exceeding- happiness to say that, to a certain degree, my efforts have been successful ; and in order to attain so desirable an end, I shall, at the risk of being dull and prolix to my readers, and probably offensive to ears polite, relate in the Appendix all the steps taken, and their results, both in America and in England.
May 28th. A few symptoms of insubordination.
50 THE LADY'S LOG.
Captain went on deck at 6, a.m. — found both watches below, and no one on deck but the helms- man. A man directed to sweep the decks; he refused : ordered instantly to the house on the poop deck, where he stayed four hours — returned to his duties. Another man ordered aloft, replied, that he could not obey the orders ; " Go up, and " stay there till you can. Stay there for a week." The orders were promptly obeyed. Considerable excitement on board in consequence of the Steward and Cook having been detected in receiving money from the steerage passengers for cooking for them. Captain searched their boxes and found £16, which he took possession of, but gave back to them on landing at New York.
Saw a variety of fish of the Grampus kind ; there were many hundreds, and as the sun shone, their dark red spots looked like gold below the water ; the stormy petrel, with their wild cry and graceful flight, surrounded the ship before the gale : it is said that this bird lives on blubber, and that it can, when attacked, spout a quantity of oil from its bill. Harpooned a porpoise, but could not get him on board.
THE LADY'S LOG. 51
Wednesday, 28th May. — This was a day of enjoyment, the gale still lingered from the west- ward, enabling us to go about three knots an hour, one on our course ; gradually it became calm, and again we saw the ocean in its gentleness, and decked in the rainbow hues imparted by the full blaze of day. The sun set gorgeously in purple and gold, and, in the East, stretched forth a long and unbroken line of azure from one end of the horizon to the other. I remembered the exquisite stanzas of Childe Harold, which, all of us, probably, know by heart, and felt that until I had crossed the Atlantic I never understood their truth, their beauty, and their power : —
" Time writes no wrinkle on thine azure brow;
Such as Creation's dawn beheld, thou rollest now."
And I wished the poet had looked upon the Ice- berg which would have furnished a magnificent stanza for the poem which, of all others, the most nearly approaches in its descriptions to the sub- limity of the Book of Job. As charity covers a multitude of sins, so do these inspired lines atone for many errors, both in the life and writings of this gifted man. We were well ; and the Doctor
52 THE LADY'S LOG.
and I began to feel the pleasurable excitement of our anticipated landing in a new country and among a stranger people.
The next day was Muster Day — the crew and passengers were examined, and the average of actual sickness found to be less than might have been anticipated. There is no doubt that the atmosphere of the sea is highly conducive to health, and that the proportion of disease and death averages less at sea than on land. The people were ordered to produce themselves in clean and neat dresses ; they were happy, also, thinking of the El Dorado they were seeking. Saw their pro- visions served out to them — all excellent; they give a decided preference to potatoes.*
The Mates and Clerk of the ship being very busy, the Doctor and I assisted materially in writing out the ship's manifests.
Passed a vessel with all sail set going to New Brunswick. She looked very well, though only
* The love of the Irish for this article of food sometimes approaches to the pathetic; last winter, I inquired from a serving man in the employ of the warehouse — " What is the price of potatoes?" " Why, Ma'am," said he, " I can only afford to buy one apiece " for us on Sunday; ihey are a halfpenny each, and I buy six."
THE LADY'S LOG. 53
600 tons burthen. The Hottinguer in full sail must look splendid.
30th May. — This day I began to sicken — violent headache and much fever; but I could still keep up. At night, heard my Scotch attendant Mary moaning fearfully ; and calling out, " Oh ! Mrs. Murray " dear, I'm dying." On rising, I could do nothing for her, and proceeded to desire the carpenter, who had the watch on deck, to call Dr. Fraser. Pre- sently the Doctor knocked at my door requesting me to lend him a tape for the purpose of bleeding Mary. " I have neither tape nor lint," said he. " I have nothing but this," rejoined I, handing him my knitted woollen garter : " But who will " help you to bleed the girl !" (i Oh ! the car- " penter." And with this time honoured bandage, and a bit of a pocket handkerchief for lint, he proceeded with his willing helpmate, the carpenter, to perform the operation.
The next day I had much fever and loss of appetite. On Sunday, we coasted along the low sandy shore of Long Island, and soon saw the graceful pilot boats and many other kinds of beautiful craft flitting around us. At length we f 2
54 THE LADY'S LOG.
were boarded by our pilot, and all gathered round him for letters and news. The Oregon Question was already the universal theme, and the belligerent manifestos of the President of the United States and of Sir Robert Peel, then Prime Minister of England, had awakened apprehension in the minds of many. The causes of the Presidential Election also had not ceased to be warmly debated ; and I heard the public and private qualifications of the several competitors sharply argued upon by these Republicans ; not more freely, however, than we Monarchists in England are wont to discuss the merits of crowned Heads, and of the various Pretenders to their thrones.
The colonists in the steerage now began to make preparations for their approaching departure, and it was wonderful to see the various baggage, almost all good for nothing, with which they were incum- bered— every other bundle was a great coat rolled up with a frying pan tied on the top of it. The tatterdemallion* finery which appeared when the
* In these hypercritical days it may be discreet to state that this most excellent word, now almost obsolete, is drawn from the " well of English undefiled." Its origin is Anglo Saxon and Italian; and the example of Dryden authorises its use.
THE LADY'S LOG. 55
ladies turned out full dressed was curious indeed; hats and gowns of indescribable shapes and dimensions made their appearance ; high crowns, and low crowns, long waists, and short waists, flounces, and furbelows, and flowers and feathers of the most venerable and original fashions were paraded by these simple hearted people on the decks with as much self complacency as a Peacock surveys all the eyes in his tail. Generally, they were not a robust set of people, but then truly they appeared under every disadvantage. The Queen of the ship was Kilkenny Mary, a fine woman of twenty-eight, who is carrying out her aged mother, to whom she is devoted. Mary has a pair of raven black eyes, and a redundant head of raven black hair. Her voice is very melodious, and she is the best singer, fighter, dancer, washer, and cook in the whole shij); knocks all the men about, and invariably subdues them into obedience. On one occasion the ladies had made a wash extraordinary, and as was their usual habit, suspended their garments, in spite of rule, on all the ropes indiscriminately around them. Suddenly an order was given to tack the ship, and
56 THE LADY'S LOG.
away flew all these indescribable articles half mast high, where they flapped and fluttered in the sight of the dismayed washerwomen and owners. The ladies, headed by Kilkenny Mary, made a desperate onslaught on the mate, who apologized, and at the earliest convenience released the pendant petti- coats from their aerial struggles. Mary is the very person to emigrate, being a practical and sensible woman, who never hesitates to put a helping hand to the work in progress, of whatever kind,
Monday, 2nd June. — The Pilot mentioned at the breakfast table that he had seen a comet about three o'clock that morning ; the stranger was not announced in the Almanacs, and we determined to rise at three the next morning, and to be our- selves convinced that the portentous sign was indeed visible. So we assembled on deck about half past three, on Tuesday morning, the 3rd of June,