Please note that the longitudes used in this text, which predates theestablishment of Greenwich as the reference, used the nation’s capitol,Washington, D.C. (approx. W 77°) as its basis. Thus, Cincinnati, atW 84° 30′ on p. 1, is placed at a longitude of 7° 31′. Also, on p. 33,the location of the state of Indiana is mistakenly given using seconds(″) of longitude, rather than minutes (′). These were corrected.
The spelling of place names was fluid at the time and all are retainedhere.
Footnotes, which appeared on the bottom of pages, have been relocatedto the end of the text. They have been lettered consecutively from A to K,and hyperlinked for ease of reference.
The cover of this book was created by the transcriber and is placed inthe public domain.
Please consult the transcriber’s end note at the bottom of this textfor any other details.
BY THE AUTHOR OF
“AUSTRIA AS IT IS.”
LONDON:
HURST, CHANCE, AND CO.
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH YARD.
1828.
LONDON:
Printed by Bradbury and Dent,
St. Dunstan’s-ct., Fleet-st.
The publication of this tour was intended for the year 1827. Severalcircumstances have prevented it.
The American is, as far as relates to his own country, justly supposedto be prone to exaggeration. English travellers, on the contrary, areapt to undervalue brother Jonathan and his country. The Author has twiceseen these countries, of whose present state he gives a sketch in thefollowing pages. He is far from claiming for his work any sort ofliterary merit. Truth and practical observation are his chief points.Whether his opinions and statements are correct, it remains for thereader to judge, and experience to confirm.
London, March, 1828.
Upwards of half a century has now elapsed since the independence of theUnited States became firmly established. During this period two greatquestions have been solved, exposing the fallacies of humancalculations, which anticipated only present anarchy and ultimatedissolution as the fate of the new Republics. The possibility of apeople governing themselves, and being prosperous and happy, time, thesure ordeal of all projects, has at length demonstrated. Their politicalinfancy is over, they are approaching towards manhood, and fullysensible of their strength, their first magistrate has ventured to utterthose important words contained in his address of 1820: that“notwithstanding their neutrality, they would consider any attempt onthe part of the European Powers, to extend their system to any portionof their hemisphere, as dangerous to their peace and safety; and thatthey could not admit of any projects of colonization on the part ofEurope.” Thus, for the first time, they have asserted their right oftaking a part DE FACTO in the great transactions of European Powers, andpronounced their declaration in a tone, which has certainly contributedto the abandonment of those intentions which were fast ripening intoexecution.
The important influence of American liberty througho