America, Historical, Statistic, and Descriptive - James Silk Buckingham - Google Books

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CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

Motives for visiting the United States.-Intercourse with various Classes of Society.-

Extensive geographical Range of the Country traversed.-Names of the several

States and Territories examined.-Form of Narrative adopted in Description.-His-

torical and statistical Sketches blepded with this.-General Topics chiefly dwelt on

in Cities and States.-Pictures of Manners and Customs in public and private Life

Departure from England.-Arrival at New-York.-Address to the American Public is-

sued on Landing.-Different Courses of Lectures delivered in the City.-Attendance

at Public Meetings for Benevolent Objects.-New-York State Temperance Society.-

New York Peace Society.-Meeting on the Subject of Public Education.-New-

York City Tract Society.-Total Abstinence Society.-Ladies Meeting for the Or-

phan Asylum.-Meeting of the Friends of Sailors' Homes-Visit to one of the Es-

tablishments of this Institution-Admirable Arrangement for the Comforts of Sea-

men.-Political Excursion to Newark with the Hon. Dan. Webster.-Visit to Polling-

places at the Time of Election.-Legal and Clerical Parties.-Intellectual Soirées 19

History of New-York from 1609 to 1838.-Topography and Plan of the City and its

Environs.-Astonishing Rapidity of the Increase of Population.-Comparison of its

Shipping at different Periods.-Augmentation of its Revenue and Foreign Commerce.

-Admirable Situation chosen for the City.-Great Advantage of extensive Water-

margin.-Outline of the Plan, and general Form of the City.-Public Squares and

open Spaces in New-York.-Public Buildings: City Hall, Custom-house, Exchange.

-Churches, and Style of Architecture in general Use.-Hotels, and general Accom-

modation in them.-Private Dwellings: Interior, Style, Furniture.-Streets, and their

Peculiarities compared with ours.-Appearance of the principal Shops or Stores.-

Number of elegantly-dressed Ladies in Broadway.-Absence of the splendid Equi-

pages of England.

Population of New-York.-Strangers, Residents, Merchants, Traders.-Public Convey-

ances, Omnibuses, Hackney-coaches-Private Equipages, Carriages, Servants.-

Male and Female Society, Differences between them.-Private Parties, Balls, and

Suppers.-Comparison between English and American Soirées.-Expensive and pro-

fuse Entertainments given.-Condition of the humbler Classes in America.-Political

Parties, Conservatives, Reformers, Radicals, Americans, Whigs, Democrats, Loco-

focos.-Politics of the wealthy Mercantile Classes.-Causes of the recent Panic or

Embarrassment.-Extravagant Habits engendered by the Credit System -Effects of

this on all Classes of Society.-Loss of $20,000,000 by the great Fire at New-York.

Newspapers of New-York.-Organs of Parties.-Penny Newspapers, Character and

Influence.-Proceedings of the Election for State Legislature.-Public Meetings to

support Candidates for Office.-State of Political Parties.-Deadly reciprocal Hostil

ity.-Gross Misrepresentations of the Motives and Ends of each-Difficulty of ex-

tracting Truth from such conflicting Statements.-Attendance at the Polls during the

Election-Deficiency of a previous Registration of Voters.-Vote by Ballot, not se-

cret voting generally.-Reasons why this is not necessary in America.-Success of

the Whigs in the New-York Election.-Intoxication of Joy in the triumphant Party.

-Extravagant Projects of Political Demonstration.-National Character and Taste

exhibited in this

Deep-rooted Prejudices on the Subject of Slavery.-Murder of Mr. Lovejoy, the Abo-

litionist, at Alton.-Conduct of the New-York Press and People on this Subject.-

Imperfect Views of the Value of a Free Press.-Sentiments of leading Men in Con-

gress on this Act.-Resolutions of Legislatures refused Reception by the Senate.-

Rejection of all Petitions on the Subject by the House of Representatives.-Deserv.

edly bitter Reproach of Thomas Moore the Poet.-Contrast between Democracy and

Slavery in the United States.-Threats of Senators to hang up Abolitionists by Law.

-State of Slavery and the Slave-trade at Washington.-Resolutions of Episcopal-

Methodist Clergy in Georgia.-Meeting of Democrats in favour of the Canadian

Rebels. Mr. O'Connell denounced at the Meeting as an Abolitionist-Letter com-

plaining of Coloured People sitting with White Men.-Prejudice of Colour not ex-

tended to Indian Tribes.-Mr. Catlin's Lectures on the American Indians Page 62

Mr. Catlin's Museum of Indian Costumes, Weapons, and Paintings.-Course of Lec-

tures on the Indian Tribes.-Names of Indians in Mr. Catlin's Gallery of Portraits.-

Hunting Excursions among the Indians.-Skilful Management of the Horse by them.

-Indian Games of Amusement.-Dances.-Horrid Character of their War-dances.-

Scalp dance of the Sioux Tribe of Indians.-Bloody Scalps of their Enemies sus-

pended by Women.-Dog-dance of the same Tribe.-Heart and Flesh eaten raw.

Flesh of Dogs served as Food at their greatest Festivals

Personal Visit to some Indian Chiefs at New-York. The Sauks and Foxes, Sioux and

Ioway Tribes.-Anecdotes of Conversation with the Indian Chiefs. Offering of

Presents to the Wife and Children of Kee-o-kuk.-Stoical Indifference manifested

by each.-Black-Hawk, the celebrated Warrior, and his Son.-Pantomimic Conver-

sation of Mr. Vandenhoff with an Indian.-Invitation to visit their Camps in the Far

West.-Anecdotes of Life among the Indians.-Arrival of a third Tribe of Indians in

New-York.-Reply of Indian Chief to General Fox.-Anecdotes of Indians respect-

ing Interest of Money.--Belief that the Indians are descended from the Jews.-Facts

and Arguments of Major Noah and others.-Striking Similarity of many of their

Customs to Jewish Rites.-Retention of some of the identical Expressions of the

Hebrews.-Authority of Mr. Catlin in support of this Resemblance

Benevolent Institutions of the Americans.-This a very prominent Feature of the Na-

tional Policy.-Almshouse for the Poor at Bellevue.-Dutch Farm for charitable La-

bour on Long Island.-House of Refuge for destitute Boys and Girls.-Asylum for the

Insane at Bloomingdale.-Instances of ferocious Manners in the Western States.—

Indifference of the American Editors to such things.-Murder of a Member of the

Legislature by the Speaker.-Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at New-York.-Visit

of the Indians to this Institution.-Benevolent Institutions for Seamen.-Quarantine

Hospital on Staten Island.-Seaman's Retreat supported by the Funds of the State.

-Seaman's Snug Harbour, for the Merchant Service.-Benevolent Institutions for

Seamen continued.-Asylum for the Blind at Bellevue.-American Seaman's Friend

Society, in Foreign Ports. - Sailor's Magazine, and Sailor's Library supplied.-

Seaman's Savings Bank, Mariner's Church, Bethel Society.-Institution for the Sup-

port and Instruction of the Blind.-Origin, Progress, and present Condition of this

Establishment.-Asylum for Lying-in Women, and Dispensary.-Society for the ref-

ormation of Juvenile Delinquents

Misery and Crime among the poorer Classes -Levity of the public Journals in record-

ing this.-Bennett's slanderous Paper, the Morning Herald.-Bodies of dead Negroes]

salted for Exportation.-Deaths from Want and Destitution.-American Importation

of foreign Grain.-Reversion of the Order of Nature in this.-Causes which led to

this singular State of Things.-Instances of Robbery, Murder, and Fraud.-Occupa-

tions for the Members of the Law.-Highwaymen in the Suburbs of New-York-De-

pravity of Morals in the Country.-Intemperance and Wretchedness in the Towns.-

Authentic Proofs of this from public Records.-Opinions as to the Causes of so much

Depravity-Exposition of the Progress of American Embarrassment.-Effects of

these Causes on the general Condition of Society.-Party Misrepresentations of the

public Press-Taste of the Populace for Shows and Sights-Celebration of the An-

niversary of Evacuation-day.-Description of this Festival from an American Pen

The Courts of Law held in the City Hall.-Chancery, Common Pleas, Superior and

Supreme Courts.-Qualifications of Barristers and Attorneys.-Nomination or Ap-

pointment of Judges.-Style of Pleading and Judginent, Official Costume.-Scale of

Remuneration for the Bar and the Bench.-Character of the Medical Profession in

the City.-Clergy and Ministers of Religion in New-York.-Churches, Interior Ar-

rangements, Comfort.-Service, Singing, Absence of Pulpits and Clerks.-General

Character for Learning and Piety of the Clergy.-Benevolent Efforts of the Volun-

tary System.-Extensive Field of Missionary Labour in Foreign Lands

State of Literature and the Arts in the City.-Common Schools.-Statistics of Edu.

cation.-Newspapers and Periodical Publications.-The Knickerbocker.-Monthly

Magazine.-New-York Review, by Dr. Hawks.-Superiority of the Common-school

Assistant.-Model worthy of imitation in England.-Music and Painting-Mr. Cole's

Pictures.-Architecture and the Fine Arts.-New-York Churches.-University.-

-Astor House.-House of Detention.-Building in Egyptian Style.-Columns of the

Portico, after a Temple at Philoë.-Defect in the want of Elevation for its Site.-

Striking Effect of the Massiveness of the whole .

Peculiarities in the Manners and Customs of New-York.-Visits between Residents

and Strangers.-Carriages, Servants, Liveries, &c.-Want of Lamps, Numbers of

Houses.-Naming of Streets, Bell-hangers and Locksmiths.-Song of Chimney-

sweeps in their Rounds.-Excellent Mode of observing Newyear's Day.-Love of

Quaintness and Singularity of Expression.-Examples in Announcements and edito-

rial Paragraphs.-Visit to Newark with Mr. Webster.-Instances of Wit, Cheerful-

ness, and Humour.-Anecdote of Mr. Webster and coloured People.-Memorial of

coloured People against mixed Races.-Boarding-house Life, its Advantages and Dis-

advantages.-Peculiarity of Expression, Phrases, &c.

Climate, Weather, Snows, severe Cold.-Sleighing, private Sleighs, Omnibuses, Carts.

-Peculiarities of American Winters.-Supposed Periods of ten Years for each Se-

ries -Series of severe and Series of mild Winters.-The present Winter of 1837 re-

garded as a mild one.-Supposed Commencement of a mild Series with this.-Ships,

Packets, Steamboats, comparison with English.-Naval Expedition destined for the

Polar Seas.-Environs of New-York, Brooklyn, Long Island.-Staten Island, New

Brighton.-Asbestos Quarries.-Jersey City, Hoboken Ferry, excellent Boats.-Pas-

sengers in Carriages conveyed without alighting.-Separate Apartments for Ladies

and Gentlemen.-Good Fires and comfortable Accommodations for all.-Last Day of

our Stay in New-York.-Farewell Lectures, and parting with Friends.-Visit to the⚫

Public School with the Mayor.-Proficiency of the Pupils in their Exercises.-Vol-

untary Society for Moral and Mental improvement.-Preparations for leaving New-

York.-Friendly parting with our Fellow-boarders.-Mutually strong Attachments, on

Voyage from New-York to Amboy by Steamboat.-Journey from Amboy to Camden

by Railroad.-Crossing the Delaware in Ice-boat to Philadelphia.-Visit to the Penn-

sylvanian Convention, then sitting.-Nature, Object, and Proceedings of Conventions.

-Temperance Festival at the Arch-street Theatre, given as a Public Welcome to

myself and Family.-Preparations and Arrangements for the Entertainment.-Opin-

ions of the Press on the Temperance Festival.-Departure from Philadelphia by

Railroad for Baltimore.-Halt at Wilmington.-Deputation headed by Judge Hall.—

Passing from the Free into the Slave States.-Arrival at Baltimore.-Temperance

Meeting there.-Journey by Railroad to Washington .

Stay at Washington.-Funeral of a Member of Congress who had been shot in a Duel.

-Visit to the House of Representatives.-Funeral Service.-Impressiveness of the

Scene.-Effect on the Auditors.-Publication of an Address to both Houses on Du-

elling.-State Temperance Meeting of Members of Congress.-Specch in the Hall of

Representatives.-Vote of Thanks, and Resolution to publish the same.-Commence-

ment of Lectures in Washington.-Letter on the Subject of Slave Abolition.-Adver-

tised Rewards for runaway Slaves.-Offer of Purchase by Slave-dealers.-Prejudice

of native Americans against Foreigners-Illustration of this in an Editor at Wash-

ington.-Visit to the first Drawing-room of the President -Description and Charac-

ter of that Entertainment.-All Classes, without distinction, freely admitted.-Re-

markable Order and Decorum of so mixed an Assemblage.

History of the City of Washington.-Formation of the District of Columbia.-Seat of

Government established there by Law.-Choice of the Position for the new City.-

Plan and Design of General Washington.-Topography and Details of the Streets,

&c.- Public Buildings.-The Capitol.-Scale of the Edifice.-Style of Architecture.

-Sculptured Subjects in the Rotunda.-Description of the Senate Chamber.-Ar-

rangement and Modes of doing Business.-Description of the Hall of Representa-

tives. Regulation of taking Seats by Members.-General Order and Decorum of

their Proceedings-Great Advantage of Day-sittings over Night-meetings.-Hall of

the Supreme Court of Justice.-Library of the Capitol, History and Present Condi-

tion. The President's House, Size, Style, and Character.-Public Offices of Gov-

ernment near the President's.-State Department.-Original Declaration of Inde-

pendence.-War Department.-Portraits of Indian Chiefs.-Treasury Department.

Standard Weights and Measures.-Arsenal.-Navy-yard, and General Postoffice.

-Indian Department.-Land Department.-Patent Office.-Destruction of Models

and Records.-Places of Public Worship in Washington.--Anecdote of the Congres-

sional Chaplains.-Colleges, Banks, Hotels, and Boarding-houses.-Theatres.-Mr.

Forrest, the American Actor.-Anecdote of Southern Sensitiveness on Slavery.-

Play of Othello and of the Gladiator Proscribed.-Exclusion of Coloured Persons

from the Representations.-Private Buildings of the City, Style and Character.-

Population of Washington.-City Government.-Revenue, Taxes, Licenses, Debt,

and Appropriation.- Regulations respecting the Coloured Population.-Restrictions

as to the Heights of Houses in Building

Diversity of Character in the Population.-Proportion of the black to white Inhabitants.

-Residents, Members, Strangers, and Visiters.-Members of the Senate, Appear-

ance, Manners.-Great Speeches of Mr. Calhoun, Clay, and Preston.-Opinions of

the Newspapers on these Efforts.-Two Days' Speech of Mr. Webster on the Treas-

ury Bill. Opinions of the Press on this great Speech.-Opinions of Mr. Webster's

great Speech.-Anecdote of Mr. Webster's Physiognomy.-Anecdote of General

Washington's Temper.-Character of the House of Representatives.-Remarkable

Members-John Quincy Adams.-Quorum of the Houses.-No counting out.-Pub-

lic Funerals of the Members of Congress.-Specimen of an Oration on such Occa-

sions.-Pay of the Members.-Privilege of franking.-State of the general and fash-

ionable Society at Washington.-Madame Caradori Allan's Concert.-Anecdote of

Mrs. Wood.-Hotels of Washington.-Boarding houses.-Inferiority of both to those

of New-York.-Domestic Attendants.-Style of Apartments.-Manner of living.

Hurry at Meals.-Inattention to Comfort.-Coarseness of Fare.-Coldness and Self-

ishness of Manners

Private Friends in Washington.-Judge White.-Quaker Deputation from Philadelphia.

-Attempted Fraud on the Seneca Indians.-Practices of Land-speculators towards

these People.-Peculiar and remarkable Personages in Washington-Mr. Fox, Rela-

tive of Lord Holland, the British Minister.--Mrs. Madison, Widow of the late ex-

President.-Privilege of franking conferred on her by Congress.-English Gentlemen

arriving in Washington.-Practice of wearing Arms.-Recklessness of Character.-

Instances of Profligacy.-Women and Gamblers.-Influence of Slavery in producing

this State of Things.-Anecdote of Life on the Western Waters.-Shameful Indiffer-

ence and Silence of the Clergy.-Demoralizing Effect of Slavery on Social Life 23

Environs of Washington, Scenery and Views.-Georgetown older in Date than Wash-

ington.-Climate of Washington extremely variable.-Captain Smith's and Jefferson's

Account of the Climate.-Last Survey of Washington in an Excursion round it.-

Visit to the Arsenal, and Description of it.-Visit to the Navy-yard of Washington.-

Description of its Resources and Works.-Return to the City of the Capitol.-Bat-

tles of the Giants and the Pigmies.-Last Sunday passed at the Service in the Cap-

itol.-Admirable Sermon of the Rev. Dr. Fisk.- Excursion to Alexandria across the

Potomac.-Embryo City of Jackson, near Washington.-Sale of Lands for non-pay-

ment of Taxes.-Singular names of new-settled Estates.-History and Description

of Alexandria.-Museum and Relics of General Washington.-Mount Vernon, the

family Seat and Tomb.-Disinterment of General Washington's Corpse.-Veneration

for Washington and Lafayette.-Native Indians seen at Washington.-Farewell Vis-

its on leaving the City.

Stay at Baltimore, and agreeable Intercourse there.-History of the First Foundation

of Maryland.-Character of Lord Baltimore, a Catholic Peer.-Settlement of the

Colony by his Son.-Followed by Roman Catholics of Rank and Fortune.--Religious

Toleration the Principle of these Settlers.-Kind Treatment and Gratitude of the

Indians.-Foundation of St. Mary's and Annapolis.-Early Existence of Negro Sla-

very in the Colony.-Origin and Cause of the First Indian War.-Progressive Pros-

perity of Maryland as a State.-First Foundation of the Town of Baltimore.-Eleva-

tion to the Dignity of a City in 1796.-Effects of the Revolution on its Prosperity 255

Topographical Situation of Baltimore.-Finest Points of View in the Panorama.-Form

and Plan of the City.-Private Residences and public Buildings.-Exchange, Cus-

tom-house, City Hall.-Courthouse, Jail, and Penitentiary.-Separation of the Sexes

in the latter.-Night-cells open to constant Supervision.-Workshops for the daily

Labour of the Convicts.-Produce of their Work sustains the Institution.-Plan of

Government and internal Economy.-Places of public Worship in Baltimore.-The

Catholic Cathedral, Beauties and Defects.-Pictures of the Interior, presented by

France.-Unitarian Church, Exterior and Interior.-Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and

Baptist Churches.-Medical College for Students.-Benevolent Institutions of Balti-

more.-Asylum at Calverton, Plan and Condition.--The Hospital under the Catholic

Sisters of Charity.-The Infirmary, Illustration of Catholic Zeal.-Dispensary, Or-

phan Asylum, Marine Society-Penitent Female Refuge Society, and others.-Bal-

timore characterized as the "Monumental City."-Washington Monument, Column

and Statue.-The Battle Monument, in Monument Square.-The Armistead Monu-

ment, near the City Spring.-Fountains or enclosed Springs in Baltimore.-The City

Spring.-The Western Fountain.-The Eastern Fountain, the Centre Fountain.-

Places of public Amusement.-Theatre, Circus, Concert and Ball Room.-Museum,

public Gardens, Racecourse.-Municipal Government, Commerce, and Shipping.—

Capacities for Trade, Banks, and Insurance-offices

Population of Baltimore, white and coloured Races.-Position of Maryland as a Slave-

state.-Maryland Colonization Society.-Severity of the Law against rescuing Slaves.

-Vigilance of the Postoffice on Abolition Publications.-General Liberality of Sen-

timent.-Education of Coloured Children.-Negro Preachers.-Religious Sects and

their Proportions.-Benefits of the Voluntary System of Support.-Institutions for the

Promotion of Education:-Death of the Member of Congress for Baltimore.-Public

-Funeral, and marks of general Respect-Eulogium on the Character of the deceased

Member.-Newspapers in Baltimore.-Party and Neutral Remarks on the Partisan-

ship of Political Writers.-Editorial Taste for Quaintness and Singularity.-Literary

Institutions.-Lectures and Library

Classification of the varied Population of the City.-General Characteristics.-State of

Society and Manners.-Supposed Causes of the Refinement of Baltimore.-Coexist-

ence of depraved and abandoned Classes.-Instances of recent Outrage and Cruelty.

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