Travels in the United States of America Part 5

Since writing the above, the general a.s.sembly has ordered fifty thousand dollars be raised by lottery, which are laid out in paving the town, and clearing the Basin. Two enormous machines have been constructed on the dutch plan, to work with oxen, which make such progress in clearing the channel, that it is expected in a few years it will be sufficiently deep, to admit the largest merchantmen to come up to the wharfs of the town. And since my landing in England, my brother informs me, Baltimore is at last incorporated; a vigorous police established; and improvements are going on with spirit.

_Baltimore, November 27th, 1794._

DEAR SIR,

Yours of the 21st of August I received.--So I find you fall into the commonplace notion of the English, that manufactories are forming here, which will in a short time render all importation of british goods unnecessary. Take my word for it, you have nothing of that kind to fear, whilst the United States have so few inhabitants, and so _much_ of their best land uncultivated. It is not their _interest_ to engage in manufactories; and when the country is sufficiently populous, it will be easier to conquer South America, and procure thence the _means_ of purchasing commodities, than to go through the _drudgery_ of their _fabrication_: but at present such is the cheapness of land, and the high price of wheat, and other produce, that it has raised the value of labour beyond the profits of almost any manufacture. If they could be established with effect in any part of America, it would be in the _New England states_, where the population is more than double those of the south; and provision much cheaper; but the New Englanders, when they fancy themselves too populous, rather than engage in a laborious trade, prefer emigration to the _Genasee_[Footnote: The Genasee is a rich tract of country, a considerable distance west of New York, much resorted to by New England emigrants since the peace with the Six Nations. Kentucky is at least one thousand miles from the nearest of the New England states, two hundred of which are through a wilderness, which cannot be pa.s.sed during an indian war, without great danger.], or even Kentucky. The same restless, enterprising spirit, which brought their ancestors from Europe, carries them to these remote western settlements; and I have no doubt their descendants will continue the same in that direction; till the Pacific Ocean[Footnote: A distance of more than two thousand miles from the most remote western settlement.] stops their further progress; unless, as I before observed, lured by a _golden bait_, they go to the _south_: let the Spaniard look to that.--The manufactories in this country that have fallen under my observation are one of rifles at Lancaster, another of musquets at Connecticut, and at German Town, in Pennsylvania, a peculiar sort of winter stockings. An American has lately procured a patent from Congress, for cutting brads out of sheet iron with an engine. The american iron is of an excellent quality, and possesses a great degree of malleability, which perhaps suggested the first idea of this invention. The following extract from the advertis.e.m.e.nt of the patentee will enable you, to form some judgment of this singular undertaking: "He begs leave to observe their superiority to english-wrought brads consists in their being quite regular in their shape, so much so, that ten thousand may be drove through the thinnest pine board, without using a brad-awl, or splitting the board.

They have the advantage also of being cut _with the grain_ of the iron; others are cut _against_ it. He has already three engines at work, which can turn out two hundred thousand per day."

Another patent has been granted for making the teeth of cotton and wool cards by an engine, which is supposed to be a similar process.

There are also manufactories of cotton, sail cloth, gun-powder, gla.s.s, &c., but of no great consequence.

Their sawing-mills are numerous, and well constructed; this circ.u.mstance, and the great quant.i.ty of timber, mast, spars, &c., with which this country abounds, enable them to build vessels considerably under what you can afford in England, though the wages of a s.h.i.+pwright are now two dollars and a quarter per day. Theirs s.h.i.+ps, in point of model and sailing, if not superiour, are at least equal to the best european-built vessels, and when constructed of _live oak_, and _red cedar_, are equally durable. Vessels of this description are scarce. Live oak is rarely met with north of the Carolinas: that used in the Boston s.h.i.+p-yards is brought from Georgia; a distance of more than a thousand miles,

Yours sincerely, &c.

_Philadelphia, February 21st 1795._

DEAR SIR,

You know one motive for my coming to this country was, that I might have an unlimited range in my two favourite amus.e.m.e.nts, shooting, and fis.h.i.+ng, and in both I have had tolerable sport. But as few except emigrants, follow the european method of shooting, I cannot purchase a pointer for any sum: pray send me one by an early fall s.h.i.+p, and if possible smuggle me half a dozen pounds of Battel powder; for since you have begun to cut one another's throats in Europe, I find it impossible to procure any but dutch, and that unglazed, at the _moderate_ price of two dollars a pound.

We have two kinds of partridges; one larger, and the other smaller, than those of Europe: the former reside chiefly in the woods, and is in the southern states called a pheasant; but it is in fact neither one nor the other: the latter is called a quail in the northern states. The flesh of these birds is perfectly rich, white, and juicy, and though it has not a game flavour, is a very great delicacy. In other respects (except their size, and that they occasionally perch on the branches of a tree,) they differ very little in their plumage, call, manner of keeping in coveys, &c., from the partridge of England. They are amazingly prolific; I have often found twelve or fourteen coveys in the course of a few hours shooting; this will appear extraordinary, when you are informed there are no game laws in America, and that all ranks of citizens, or even a negro, may destroy them in any manner he pleases. When the snow is on the ground, whole coveys are taken in traps, and brought alive to market. They fly swiftly, and afford an excellent shot; but if the same covey be shot at a second time, they will often seek a refuge in the woods, whence it is difficult to dislodge them. They are very hardy, and will bear almost any degree of heat and cold; this circ.u.mstance, and their being so prolific, I should think would make a breed of them in England a very desirable acquisition. I am determined to bring over a few couples, by way of experiment.

We are visited by a sort of woodc.o.c.k in July and August; we have also a kind of grouse, plover, dove, and wild pigeon, snipe, wild fowl, and a wonderful variety of small birds; among which, the _reed-bird_ [Footnote: So called from their note resembling the word _reed_.], or american ortolan, justly holds the first place: they visit us from the south, and are found at certain seasons as far as the West Indies in that direction.

The back woodsmen, and indeed all western settlers, affect to despise our mode of shooting; they all use rifles, and throw a single ball to a great degree of certainty. The riflemen in the last war were all of this description, _Their_ game are deer, bear, beaver, and other animals.

The only _bird_ they think worthy their attention is the wild turkey.

An american naturalist (Bartram) says, "Our turkey of America is a very different species from the meleagris of Asia and Europe. I have seen several that have weighed between twenty and thirty pounds, and some have been killed that have weighed nearly forty pounds."

Why do not the Americans domesticate this n.o.ble bird? They are much better adapted to bear this climate than the puny breed their ancestors imported from England. The few that are shot so far to the eastward as to be brought to our markets bear a great price.

The shooting of the back settlers is rather _business_ than _sport_. When they are inclined for a frolic of the latter sort, they meet in large parties to shoot the gray squirrel: the devastation made on these occasions is incredible; the following is from the Kentucky Gazette; and I have no doubt, that it is strictly true:--

"_Lexington, July 13th._

"At a squirrel-hunt in Madison county, on the 29th and 30th ult., the hunters rendezvoused at captain Archibald Wood's, and upon counting the _scalps_[Footnote: By scalp is here meant skin, which is an excellent fur.] taken, it was found they amounted to 5589!"

This sport is not confined to the back woods, but is in such general estimation, as to be preferred to all other shooting. They find this game by means of a mongrel breed of dogs, trained for that purpose; the squirrel, on being pursued, immediately ascends one of the most lofty trees he can find; the dog follows, and makes a point under the tree, looking up for his game. The squirrel hides himself behind the branches, and practises a thousand manoeuvres to avoid the shot; sometimes springing from one tree to another, with astonis.h.i.+ng agility. Nature has given him a thick fur; this circ.u.mstance, and the height of the trees, make a long barrel, and large shot, indispensable in this kind of shooting. The best method of cooking the squirrel is in a ragout; this I learnt of a french epicure, who always speaks with rapture of this _bonne bouche_: it has a high game flavour, and is justly thought by the Americans to be an excellent dish; but we have many English, who, through mere prejudice, never tasted this animal; their antipathy also extends to bear, opossum, rac.o.o.n, and cat-fish:--"Oh!" say the english ladies, "the _sight_ of such frightful creatures is quite enough for me!"'

Fis.h.i.+ng parties among the farmers, and in small towns in some parts of America, are very agreeably arranged: twelve or fourteen neighbours form themselves into a sort of club, and agree to fish one day in the week during the summer; previous: to which they fix on a romantic situation on the side of a wood commanding the intended scene of action. Under some of the large trees they erect a sort of hut, forming a dining-room and kitchen.

When the time is fixed to begin fis.h.i.+ng, the steward for the day sends down a negro cook, with bread, b.u.t.ter, wine, liquors, culinary utensils, etc. About ten in the morning the fishermen arrive, and follow the sport in boats, canoes, or from the sh.o.r.e, either with angles or nets; but they seldom make use of the latter, except when they are disappointed in angling: they are then determined the fish, though not in a humour to bite, shall not deprive them of their dinner. At one they all meet at the place of general rendezvous, where all hands are employed in preparing the fish for the cook; by which means the dinner is soon on the table.--When over, and a few gla.s.ses have circulated, those who do not choose to remain drinking, take a nap during the heat of the day, which in this country is from two to four in the afternoon. At five the ladies arrive, and the company amuse themselves in catching fish for supper, walking in the woods, swinging, singing, playing on some musical instrument, &c. I have often been on these parties, and never spent my time more to my satisfaction; which is more than you will be able to say of that spent in reading this scrawl from

Yours, &c.

_Philadelphia, May 7th, 1795._

DEAR SIR,

In answer so your last, respecting the aborigines of this continent, I am almost ashamed to inform you, I have scarcely any particulars on the subject worth troubling you with. Ever since my arrival in America, I have made up my mind to take the first opportunity of going to the westward on a shooting party, for a month or two, among the Indians; for which purpose I procured an introduction to the young _corn-planter_, son to a chief of the six nations, who is here for his education. He was no sooner informed of my intention, than he gave me a cordial invitation to attend him on his return in the fall; or, if I could not then make it convenient, at any other time; but the distance is so great, that, to confess the truth, I have never yet been able to raise the _necessary supplies_, and am likely to leave America without seeing a single wigwam.

The Indians have a fine natural genius for oratory, painting, and sculpture: I have a specimen of the latter cut with a knife on a piece of hickory, which is dest.i.tute neither of elegance of design, nor neatness of execution. But the most extraordinary trait in the character of these _red men_ is their _continence_. We have every year fourteen or fifteen of their chiefs in this city, to form treaties, and other public business.

They are often attended with well-made young men in the prime of life, and yet I never heard but of _one_ instance of their engaging in a love-intrigue of _any kind_. They frequently tomahawk and scalp the most beautiful women, who are so unfortunate as to fall into their hands in time of war.--Each warrior cuts the number of scalps he has taken on his war club, and distinguishes the s.e.x by certain marks. Several of these clubs, and other indian trophies taken from famous chiefs in former wars, are deposited in the Philadelphia Museum. On one war club I counted _five_ fatal proofs of the savage who owned the weapon having butchered as many women!

But whatever cruelties they practise on their female captives, they are never known to take the slightest liberty with them _bordering on indecency_. Mary Rowlandson, a fanatic, who was captured in 1765, has the following pa.s.sage in her narrative:

"I have been in the midst of these roaring lions, and savage bears, that neither fear G.o.d, man, nor devil, by day and night, _alone_, and in company, _sleeping all sorts together_, and yet not one of them offered me the least abuse of unchast.i.ty, in word or action!"

Charlevoix, in his account of the Canadian Indians, says, there is no example of their having taken the least liberty with any of the french women, even when their prisoners. In short, all accounts allow them this extraordinary male virtue, but differ whether it proceeds from education, or what the french call temperament.

But as they do not look upon chast.i.ty as a necessary requisite in the character of the squaws _before_ marriage, these ladies are said by the white traders to be _less eminent_ for this virtue than their warriors.

The works of F---- being little known in England, I send you some specimens of his writing on _indian_ subjects; and, however uncouth, his language may appear, you may rely on the truth and accuracy of his descriptions:--

THE INDIAN STUDENT; or, FORCE OF NATURE.

RURA MIHI ET RIGUI PLACEANT IN VALLIBUS AMNES; ILUMINA AMEM, SYLVASQUE INGLORIUS.

Virg. Georg. 2d. v. 483.

From Susquehanna's utmost springs, Where savage tribes pursue their game, His blanket tied with yellow strings, A shepherd of the forest came.

Not long before, a wandering priest Express'd his wish with visage sad-- 'Ah, why,' he cry'd, 'in Satan's waste, 'Ah, why detain so fine a lad?

'In Yanky land there stands a town 'Where learning may be purchas'd low-- 'Exchange his blanket for a gown, 'And let the lad to college go.'

From long debate the council rose, And viewing Shalum's tricks with joy, To _Harvard hall_[1], o'er wastes of snows, They sent the copper-colour'd boy.

[Footnote 1: Harvard college, at Cambridge, near Boston.]

One generous chief a bow supply'd, This gave a shaft, and that a skin; The feathers, in vermilion dy'd, Himself did from a turkey win:

Thus dress'd so gay, he took his way O'er barren hills, alone, alone!

His guide a star, he wander'd far, His pillow every night a stone.

At last he came, with leg so lame, Where learned men talk heathen Greek, And hebrew lore is gabbled o'er, To please the muses, twice a week.