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CONTENTS
OF
THE FIRST VOLUME.
CHAPTER I.
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 divelt on in Cities and States. Pictures of Manners and Customs in public and private Life
Page 13
CHAPTER II.
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.-Meeling 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
45
CHAPTER III.
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
32
CHAPTER IV.
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 Ballol, 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
CHAPTER V.
Deep-rooted Prejudices on the Subject of Slavery.-Murder of Mr. Lovejoy, the Abo-
litionist, at Allón.-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.— Resoluyons of Legislatures refused Reception by the Senate.
Řejection 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 wed 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
CHAPTER VI.
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
72
CHAPTER VII.
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
79
CHAPTER VIII.
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
93
CHAPTER IX.
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
Page 109
CHAPTER X.
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 . 127
.
CHAPTER XI.
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 Philvē.- Defect in the want of Elevation for its Site.-
Striking Effect of the Massiveness of the whole .
139
CHAPTER XII.
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.
150
CHAPTER XIII.
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 Cominencement 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
solid Grounds
• 163
CHAPTER XIV.
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 .
174
CHAPTER XV.
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 —I!lustration 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 .
Page 184
CHAPTER XVI.
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 Supreine 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
196
CHAPTER XVII.
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
. 217
CHAPTER XVIII.
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 Lise on the Western Waters.-Shameful Indiffer-
ence and Silence of the Clergy.-Demoralizing Effect of Slavery on Social Life 23
CHAPTER XIX.
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 ihe Service in the Cap-
itol.-Admirable Sermon of the Rev. Dr. Fisk.- Excursion to a lexandria 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 . .
. Page 240
CHAPTER XX.
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
CHAPTER XXI.
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
263
CHAPTER XXII.
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
. 284
CHAPTER XXIII.
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.