INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. ix and to myself to state, that circumstances, which, at the time, left me free from my usual pursuits, rather than any supposed peculiar fitness for the undertaking, guided their choice of me for the task; although it is among the first pleasures of my life to reflect that they relied, at least, upon my faithfulness and industry. Recurring to the fact of publication, I pretend to few, if any, of the accomplishments which are deemed necessary for the regular traveller, writing professedly for the instruction or amusement of the public. The information, however, which I was deputed to collect, I sought for with all the diligence, and forwarded with all the accuracy, in my power. It was my wish to put my friends as much as possible into my situation to inform them both of what I saw myself, and what I learned from others, where I thought that information might be relied upon. My enquiries were facilitated by various introductions, and aided by some personal friends who had previously emigrated to America. . I arrived in the city of New York August 6th, 1817, and finally quitted that place May 10th, 1818, after having made a tour, including both the Eastern and Western States of the American Union. Returned to England, I have, naturally enough, received applications for information relative to the country I had a INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. visited, from many persons disposed to settle there some of these were parties of respect, ability and capital, not dissimilar in their views and objects from those which my friends had proposed to themselves. To these, therefore, the information I had collected might be supposed to be not unacceptable; many others, for various reasons, may wish to be possessed of these facts such are the motives which have induced me to submit my Reports" to the public. In forming their estimate of this production, I have therefore to request of my readers to bear constantly in mind the view with which I have written, and not expect to find the work that which the author does not pretend it to be. My object has not been to make a book; but circumstances having occurred to give me information which appears valuable because it may be useful, I wish to give it to the world, and am content to do so in a plain, unvarnished manner. The work may have many faults and numerous imperfections. Little accustomed as I am to write for the public eye, the critic will probably find in it much to censure-in style-in arrangement and perhaps in materials; but the object I have had in view will, at least, be a pledge to the public of the faithfulness and sincerity of my statements. My intention in writing has certainly been neither to flatter nor deceive: my Reports were originally composed neither with a view to INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. xi fame nor profit, neither to exalt a country, to support a party, nor to promote a settlement. I have had every motive to speak what I thought the truth, and none to conceal or pervert it. The interests of my dearest friends depended most intimately upon the correctness of my statements. I wished to put them in possession of every thing I knew the public will now decide whether what I have found to communicate be either useful or instructive. SKETCHES OF AMERICA: Voyage in the Ship Washington from Isle of Wight. Celebration of American Independence on board.-Debating Society.-Off Sandy Hook. First Impressions of the People and of the City of New York. - Mrs. Bradish's Boarding-House. Commodore Rogers.- Conversation at Dinner.- Suspicion of Corruption in the American Government Contracts. MY DEAR FRIENDS, - Prices of Articles and New York, August 9th, 1817. I EMBRACE the first opportunity of communicating my safe arrival in this land of liberty, which I am enabled to do by the politeness of Sir James Yeo, who sails this day. We landed here on Wednesday the 6th instant. You are aware that the vessel in which I sailed is the Washington, Captain Foreman, which left, London the 4th of June. I went on board at the Isle of Wight on the 14th, and we proceeded on our course the following day. The cabin was crowded, having nineteen passengers, amongst whom were Mr. or (according to Américan etiquette) The HONOURABLE John Quincey Adams, (late ambassador at the Court of St. James's, but now Secretary of State,) his B |