Newspaper Page Text
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VOL. II.
ATHENS, GEORGIA, OCTOBER Id, 1833.
Dottra.
F. om the Farmer’s Register. (
It ia without the permission oftho fair and accom-
plishod authoress of the “ Song of the Bees,” that<I
oiler it to be placed in the “ poet’s comer,” of your
publication. This little effusion of poetic fancy,
written in an hour of sorrow, may servo to cheer
•tho swain, who v. hilo he imitates the industry of the
bee, may not always possess its patience.
The circumstances under which tltcso lines were
written, would, if known to your readers, serve to
throw a charm around them, even greater than is
given them by a mind that adorns whatever it touches.
SONG OF THE BEES.
Wo watch for the light of the mom to break,
And color the Eastern sky,
With its blended hues of saffron and lake,
Then say to each other, “ Awake ! Awake !
For our winter’s honey is all to make,
And our broad for a long supply.”
And off we hio to the hill and the dell,
To the field, to the meadow and bower,
We love in the Columhine’s horn to dwell,
To dip in tho lily with snow white bell,
To search the lulm in its ordorous cell,
The mint, and the rosemary flower.
Wc seek the bloom of the eglantine,
Of the painted thistle and brier,
And follow the stops of the wandering vine,
Whether it trail on the earth supine,
Or round the aspiring tree top twine,
And reach for a state still higher.
While each on the good of his sisters bent,
Is busy, and cares for all.
We hope for an evening with heart’s content,
FoTthe winter of life ; without lament
That summer is gone, its hours misspent,
And the harvest is past recall.
JfHUfiiCcUaus.
AMERICAN PORTRAITS.,
The following sketches of distinguished
Americans are taken from a work lately pub
lished by Mr. Hamilton, the author of Cyril
Thornton, and lately of the British army :
President Jackson.—We found the Pres
ident had retired with a headache, but in
few minutes he appeared, though from the hea
vines* of his eye, evidently in a stale of con
sideruble pain. This, however, had not influ
once on his conversation, which was spirit,
cd rind fuli oi vivacity. He informed us that
he had been unwell fur several days, and hav
ing the fatigues of a levee to encounter on
the following evening, he had retired early, in
order to recruit for an occasion which requi-
red the presence of all his bodily powers.—
When this .subject was dismissed, the conver
sation turned on native politics, the Indian
question, the powers of the supreme court,
and a recent debate in tne Senate, which had
excited considerable attention.
Of the opinions expressed by this distin
guished person, it would be unpardonable
were I to say any thing; but I heard them
with deep interest, and certainly considered
them to be marked with that union of bold-
ness and sagacity, which is generally suppo
sed to form a prominent feature of his charac
ter. General Jackson spoke like a man so
thoroughly convinced of-the justice of his
views, that he announced them unhesitatingly
and without reseive. This openness might
be increased, pcrhaps,by the knowledge of my
companion being a decided supporter of his
government; but sincerity is so legible both
in his countenance and manner, that I feel
convinced that nothing but the strongest mo
tives of state policy could make him hesitate
under nny circumstances, to express boldly
what he felt strongly.
Mr. Calhoun.—My visit to Washington
brought with it the advantage of forming ac
quaintonecs with many distinguished individ
uals, of some of whom I would williugly be
permitted to record my impressions. First in
tho rank is Mr. Calhoun, the Vice President
of the United States. This gentleman was
formerly a candidate for the Presidency, but
resigned his pretension in favor of General
Jackson. Subsequent differences, however,
with that eminent person, have produced a
separation of their interests, and it is not gen
cjrtUly supposed that he has much chance of
succeeding at the next election. Mr. Cal
houn is alxmt the middle height, spare, and
[slouching in bis person. His countenance,
[ though not handsome, is expressive, and en.
livened by a certain vivacity of eye, which
! might redeem plainer features. His head is
large, and somewhat disfigured by a quantity
of stiff, bristly hair, which rises very high
above his forehead. In conversation he is
pleasant, and remarkably free from that dog
matism which constitutes not the least of tho
social sins of the Americans. Mr. Calhoun
evidently disregards all graces of expression,
and whatever be the subject of discussion,
comes directly to the point. His manner and
modo of speaking indicate rapidity of thought,
and it struck me, with full confidence in his
own high talents, Mr. Calhoun would proba-
bly find it more agreeable to carry troth by a
coup dc main, than to await the slower pro-
cess of patient induction. It is evident, in
deed, that the Vice-President is no' ordinary
person. His mind is bold and acute; his
talent for business confessedly of the first or.
der; and enjoying the esteem of |iis country,
men, there can be little doubt that he is yet
destined to play a conspicuous partin the poU
itics of the Union.
Edward Livingston.—Mr. Edward Liv.
ingston, tho Senator for Louisiana, shortly
Alter my departure from Washington, became
Secretary of State. Bred to the N. York bar,
he early took bis station in the very first line
of his profession. As a philosophical lawyer,
he stands not only unrivalled, but unapproach
ed. His experience in public Hfe has been
very great; and his high talents, extensive
knowledge, and amiable character, have de
servedly acquired for him the admiration
and esteem of a people not prompt in the pay-
ment of such tribute.
Mr. Livingston’s fame, however, is not
Americ in,but Europea, The criminal code
which he has framed tor Louisiana, is confes
sedly a magnificent specimen of philosophical
legislation,and places the reputation of its au
thor on a secure and permanent foundation.
From this code the punishment of death is ex
cluded, and Mr. Livingston is a warm advo
cate for its removal from the statute books of
other states. .
The labors of Mr. Livingston in the contpi-
lation of his code were for many years unwea
ried and assiduous. Men of more limited
knowledge, and inferior powers, would have
been unfit to such a task. Men of less en-
thusiasm would have shrunk from * it in dis
may. Mr. Livingston, fortunately for him
self and his country, braved all difficulties, de
voted to it the whole energies of his mind,
and brought it to a happy completion.
Animated by the zeal of a philanthropist, he
made himself acquainted with the laws of all
nations, and the contents of every treatise on
crime and punishment which could be discov
ered in Europe. He maintained an exten
sive correspondence with the most eminent,
political philosophers of the age, and among
others; with Bentham, by whose enlightened
advice he professes to have largely profited.
One incident in the life of Mr. Livingston
is worthy of record, as affording a fine illus
tration of the character of the man. His la-
bors connected with the code were already
far advanced, when his whole papers were
destroyed by fire. This happened at ten
o’clock at night, and at seven on the follow
ing morning, with unbroken spirit, he began
his task afresh ! Few men are endowed with
such buoyancy of spirit, and indomitable per
severance.
In person, Mr. Livingston is rather above
the middle height. His countenance, though
without elegance of feature, is peculiarly
pleasing, from the benevolence of its expres
sion, unusual at his years, which lights up
his eye when he discourses on any interest
ing subject. His manners are those of a
finished gentleman ; yet rather, I should im
agine, the spontaneous result of an innate
and natural delicacy of thought and feeling,
than of intercourse with polished society.—
To the courtesy and kindness of this eminent
individual, I feel deeply indebted. It is with
pleasure that 1 now give public expression
to those sentiments of admiration and respect,
Which 1 shall ever entertain for his character
and talents.
Daniel Webs* eh.—The person, however,
who has succeeded in riveting most strongly
the attention of the whole Union, is undoubt
edly Mr. Webster. From the Gulf of St.
Lawrence to that of Mexicd, from Cape Sable
to Lake Superior, his name lias become, as it
were, a household word. Many disapprove
his politics, but none deny his great talents,
his unrivalled fertility of argument, or his
power, even still more remarkable, of rapid
and comprehensive induction. In short, it is
universally believed by his countrymen, that
Mr. Webster is a great man; and in this
matter I certainly make no pretension to sin
gularity of creed. Mr. Webster is a man of
whom any country might well be proud. His
knowledge is at once extensive and minute,
his intellectual resources very great; and,
whatever may be the subject of discussion,
he is sure to shed on it the light of an active,
acute, and powerful mind.
I confess, however, I did meet Mr. Web-
ster under the influence of some prejudice.—
From the veiy day of my arrival in the United
States, I had been involuntarily familiar with
his pretensions. Gentlemen sent me his
speeches to read. When I talked of visiting
Boston, the observation uniformly followed,
“ Ah! there you will see Mr. Webster.”—
When 1 reached Boston, I encountered con
dolence all hands. «* You are very unfortu
nate,” said my friends, “ Mr. Webster set
out yesterday for Washington.” Whenever
at Philadelphia and Baltimore, it became
known that 1 had visited Boston, the question,
“Did you see Mr. Webster?” was a se.
quence as constant and unvarying as that of
the seasons.
The Tcsult of all this, was, that the name
of Webster became invested in my ear with
on adventitious cacophony. It is not pleas-
ant to admire upon compulsion, and the veiy
pre-eminence of the gentleman hod been con.
verted into something of a bore. To Wash-
in^ton, however, I came, armed with letters
to the unconscious source of my annoyance.
The first night -of my arrival I met him at a
ball. A dozen people pointed him out to .my
observation, and the first glance riveted my
attention. 1 had never seen any countenance
more expressive of intellectual power,
The forehead of Mr. Webster is high, broad
and advancing. The cavity beneath the eye
brow, is remarkably large. The eye is deep-
ly set, but full, dark and penetrating in the
highest degree; the nose prominent, and well
defined; the mouth marked by that rigid
compression of the lips by which the New-
Englanders are distinguished.* When Mr.
Webster’s countenance is in repose, itses<
'pression struck me as cold and forbidding,
but in conversation it lightens up; and when he
smiles, the whole impression it communicates
is at once changed. His voice is clear, sharp
and firm, without much variety of modulation;
but when animated, it rings on the ear like
a clarion.
As an orator, I should imagine Mr. Web
ster’s forte to be in the department of pure
reason. I cannot conceive his even attemp
ting qn appeal to the feelings. It could not
be successful; and he has too much knowl
edge of his own powers to encounter failure.
In debate his very countenance must; tell.—
Few men would hazard a voluntary sophism
under the glance of that eye, so cold, so keen,
so penetrating, so expressive of intellectual
power. A single look would be enough to
wither up a whole volume of bad logic.
In the Senate, I had, unfortunately, no op
portunity of hearing Mr. Webster display
his great powers as a debater. During my
stay the subjects on which he happened to
speak were altogether of inferior interest.—
In the Supreme Court he delivered several
legal arguments, which certainly struck me
as admirable, both in regard to matter and
manner. The- latter was neither vehement
nor subdued. It was the manner of conscious
power, tranquil and self-possessed.
Mr. Webster may be at once acquitted of
all participation in the besetting sins of his age
and country. I even doubt, whether, in any
single instance, he can be fairly charged with
uttering a sentence of mere declamation.—
His speeches have nothing about them of gau.
dincss and glitter. Words wjth him are in,
struments, not ends; the vehicle, not of
sound merely, .but of sense and reason.—
He utters no periods full of noise and fury,
like the voice of an idiot, signifying—nothing;
and it certainly exhibits proof, that the taste
of the Americans is not yet irretrievably de
proved, when an orator like Mr. Webster,
who despises all the stale and petty trickery
of his art, is called by acclamation to the first
place.
In conversation, Mr. Webster is particu
larly agreeable: it seems to delight him, when
he mingles with his friends, to cast off the
trammels of weighty cogitation, and .merge
the lawyer and the statesman in the com
panion ; a more pleasant and instructive one
I have rarely known in any country. As
get an orange, which he pointed on the
mantle piece, and cut it for him, which I did.
He ate two small pieces. He asked tor wq.
ter, and drank two or three times. At times
he showed by his remarks, that his mind was
nearly gone. At one time he said « call
Captain West back.” Captain West had
been an officer on board of one of the pack
politician, the opinions of Mr. Webster are
remarkably free from intolerance. He is one
of the few men in America who understand
the British constitution, not as a mere abstract
system of laws and institutions, hut in its true
form and pressure, as it works and acts on the been disappointed.”
people, modified by a thousand influences,
of which his countrymen in general know
nothing.
Mb. Van Buren.—Mr. Van Buren, then
Secretary of State, and now Vice-President,
possesses, perhaps, more of the manner which
in England would be called that of the world,
than any other of tile distinguished individu-
als whom I met in Washington. He is, evi.
dently, a clever man, with a perfect knowl-
edge of character, and the springs of human
action. Neither bis conversation, nor his
manner are marked by any thing of official
reserve. Indeed, where the whole business
of the government is conducted by commit,
tees of the Senate and Representatives, an
American Secretary of State can have few
secrets, and those not of much value. The
opponents of the ministry, however, accuse
Mr. Van Buren of being a manceuverer in
politics—a charge, I presume, to which be is
obnoxious only in common with his brother
statesmen, of whatever party, for, where in
dependence is impossible, finesse is necessa-
But on the detail of party politics I say
nothing; I only know that the Secretary of
State is a gentleman of talent and information,
of agreeable manners, and in conversation,
full of anecdote and vivacity.
From Ur. RagueCs Examiner.
Having promised in our first paper to give
a statement of what occurred during the last
two hours of Mr. Randolph’s life, we now ful
fil the engagement, dropping for the occasion
the editorial use of the plural pronoun toe,
for which we trust an excuse will be found in
the necessity of the case.
The last moments of Mr. Randolph.—
Mr. Randolph arrived at Philadelphia, in
the Baltimore steamboat, on Monday the 20th
of May last, with the view of embarking for
England in the packet, and took lodgings at
the City Hotel, in Third near Arch-st. On
Tuesday he rode out in a hack, and on his
return was so feeble, as to be obliged to go to
bed. Without any personal acquaintance
with Mr. Randolph, but being an admirer of
his political consistency and manly indepen
dence, I made an appointment with a friend
to call upon him, and accordingly went with
him to the Hotel between one and two o’clock
of Thursday the 23d. We sent our names
up to his room on a card, and were then de-
aired to walk up, by the servant who deliyer.
ed it.
On entering the room, which was a front
one in the third story, we iound Mr. Ran-
dolph in bed, lying on his back, with his head
iind shoulders propped up by pillows on a
bed-chair, and his knees bent and elevated.—
He looked thin and emaciated, and more
likea skeleton than a living man. 1 Hiscoun
l.enance, appeared to be almost destitute of
life, and, without turning his head, he put out
his hand as I approached the bed, which I
look, and inquired how he was. I told him
any name, and introduced my companion, Col.
Biddle. He seemed to be in a stupor, and
scarcely noticed us, winch I, supposing to be
the effect of a temporary debility, sat down,
in the hopes that he would soon be able to
converse. Col. Biddle also took a chair
nearer to the side of the bed than the one on
which I sat. There was nobody else in the
room except Mr. Badger, one of the propri.
etors of the hotel, and we all three remained
silent for some minutes, as if in presence
of a dying man, waiting for Mr. Randolph to
signify his wish to converse.
After the lapse of probably five minutes
from our entrance, Mr. Randolph beckoned
to Mr. Badger, who approached near to him.
He said something in a low voice to him,
which I did not hear, and then Mr. Badger
whispered to Col. Biddle, who then approach
ed near to Mr. Randolph who sajif something
in a voice just audible, about “names for the
paper—I will give a hundred dollars towards
its distribution.” This was unintelligible to
us all, and Mr. Randolph perceiving that we
did not understand, repeated “I want to give
names for the paper.” Mr. Badger then
said to us in a low tone, “Mr. Randolph has
sometimes been flighty;” but 1, thinking that
he was under a mistake as to who his visiters
were, said, “I think Mr. Randolph is under
some mistake about Col. Biddle.” Upon this
Mr. Badger said to him, “ perhaps, sir, you
have mistaken this gentleman for Mr. —
naming a gentleman whom he had seen be-,
fore. Mr. Randolph replied, “ no I have not
—I suppose him to be the editor of the State
Rights paper.” This expression instantly
cleared up the difficulty. Colonel Biddle
named me as the individual intended, and I
took his place near Mr. Randolph and said to
him—“ I am not noW, sir, the editor of a pa
per. The one which I conducted was discon
tinued at the end of the last year. It was the
Banner of the Constitution, to which, I pre
sume, you allude.” He replied audibly, «1
knew that paper was discontinued, but I un
derstood that you intended to publish another,
if sufficient patronage were obtained before
the first of July.” 'I replied, that «the first
of May was the period assigned fqr its com
menceraent, but that, as the requisite support
was not offered, the undertaking had been
abandoned. At the North, the cause of State
Rights had been so completely annihilated
that nobody could be found here to support
paper devoted to its advocacy.” I continued
—“ At tho time you came out against the
doctrines of the President’s Proclamation, and
when the cause stood in need of such able de
fenders, I had been in hopes that we should
have been able here to rally a,party, but have
I said, “I was glad to
learn from Mr. T——, a few weeks ag6, that
he did not consider the cause as desperate in
Virginia.” Mr. Randolph then said, “ Mr,
T was here to see me this morning.”
During these remarks, Mr. Randolph lis
tened with great attention, showing that he
feltadeep interest in the cause of State Rights
up to the latest period of his life, hut he was
too feeble to converse, and thiuking that any
farther observations might disturb him, we
took leave of him, under a Strong persuasion
that he could not long survive. In this im
pression we were confirmed by his man John,
who had entered the room bhfore we left it,
and who accompanied us out, and who stated
in answer to our questions, that he had been
the constant attendant of his master for ma
ny months past, and that ho had never seen
him so low as at that time. He said he thought
at one time in the preceding night -that he
was dying. y,
On the following day, Friday the *24th, I
called at the hotel at about a quarter before
ten o’clock, to inquire after Mr. Randolph’s
health, but without any intention of going to
his room. I saw Mr. Badger, who said he
thought Mr. Randolph was dying, and said
he, “ I believe he inquired this morning for
you. .He desired me to send for some gen
tleman whose name I have forgotten, and I
think it was you.” I then mentioned my
name, when he said “ that was the name.”
I then said, I would go up and see .him.
On entering the room I found two young
gentlemen, who I afterwards learned were
Dr. West, and the younger Dr. Parrish, son
of the attending physician. Mr. Randolph
was lying in bed in the same position in which
1 had seen him the day before, having his
head and back propped up, and his knees ele
vated. He appeared to be almost insensible.
After a little while he asked tor a pencil
and paper, which were given to him. He
then asked % spectacles which were also gi
ven to him, when he began to write very car.
nestly, resting the paper on the back of a
waiter placed against his knees. When he
had filled two-thirds of a page, the lines being
irregular and wide apart, he hnnded it to Mr.
Badger, who entered with me, to read. Mr.
Badger attempted to do so, but found it inco-
herent and in some parts illegible. Mr.
Randolph then said “ send it over the way to
Dr. Coulter.” His mind was evidently wan-
dering, and as he insisted upon the note’s go
ing with haste, Mr. Badger left the room with
it, as if to send it.
Mr. Randolph soon after began to wrjte
again. After he had finished, he beekonc-d
to me to come to him, and giving me the pa.
per he said “ read it loud.” 1 tried to do bo,
but could only make out a part. It commen
ced thus, “ Dying”—4hen followed words
that looked like “ place—home,” and then
these words, as well as I can recollect, not
having the paper before me—“ Randolph and
Betty, my children, adieu—Put me to bed at
Chatham.” He then told me to send the
note quickly to Chatham, and as he was ur
gent upon it, I left the room for two or three
minutes, as ifto execute his wishes.
At one time Mr. Randolph asked me to I force; have made meteorological observations'
have visited all the chains cf mountains in
this region : have been delighted with their
magnitiqpnt scenery, written descriptions ai d
sometimes made rough sketches of them ;
have ascertained the coiqparalive levels. o»*
their summits, as well as oftho principal riv
ers, in reterence to the Atlantic Ocean and
the Mississippi river ; have studied the polit-
ets, in which Mr. Randolph had made a voy- ical, moral and religious institutions, of the
age to England,but was not then in port. At country—men and things—have collected
another, he inquired “ how much do they ask minerals; killed superb serpents, which I will
for all the chairs in this room ?” send (o your Cabinet of Natural History, or
Between 10 and 11 o’clock Mr. Henry E. to Paris ; and finally, in all the Colleges I
Watkins of Virginia, camo -into the room.— I have visited, I hope I have been useful to the
Mr. Randolph seemed to recognize him as professors in facilitating the use of astronomi-
he, took his hand. -The same occured with cal instruments, and in accustoming them to
Mr. John 8. Barbour, who came soon after, the most improved mode of making ohsenra-
Mr. William Barksdale also came in, when j tionS and, calculations.
Mr. Randolph asked him where his son was, I c< Iq every place; the just sentitnents and
and told him to go and bring him, which he the inexhaustible hospitality of the Americans,
did. Betore 11 Dr. Parrish arrived, and from I have been the equal objects of our admiration ;
that gentleman I learned, that up to eight of I every where I have- found them taking
that morning Mr. Randolph’s mind had re-1 the most lively interest in the object of
mained perfectly unimpaired. I my travels, removing every difficulty smooth-
I cannot recollect the whole of the little I mg every obstacle, and never seeing mo
incidents that occurred. Mr. Randolph did I incurring anv danger without being willing
not appear to suffer any pain. At times he to share it. This has been the case, as well
wished the door left open for the air to pass i n the solitude of the forest as ia the city—as
through, one window being all the time open, well iu the poor ‘ settler’ of the highest inoun-
At one time, after eating the orange, he as- tain, , as in the rich planter of the fertile plain,
ked for a toothpick, and then fora penknife to j I will not speak of my fatigues; of my anxie-
mend it, which was giveh him, but he could
not use it. When he wrote the first time, he
used Mr. Badger’s spectacles. His own
were under him on the bed, and could hot be
got at, but an old pair occasionally used by
him was given to him at one time, when he
said “ these are not the best ones.” At oue
period, he insisted upon putting his spectacles
into a tumbler of water that stood on a stand
within his reach, which I afterwards learned
tics, of my privations; I should be ashamed
to mention them in the midst, of a people, who
every where gave me an example of patience,
perseverance and*courage. They told meat
die North, that I ought to provide myself with
arms lor my journey. I had not carried them
a week till I saw they were entirely useless,
and that it would be an insult to. the people
even to show them. Integrity, humanity,
good faith and politeness,/to strangers, seem
was sometimes his pracjjce at home. At I to belong to the religion, almost os much as
times there was a motion of his lips, with a to moral and social virtues, I have every
movement of the hands, os if in devotion. where encountered without exception. Ther-
At about twenty minutes after eleven, his mometers forgotten in the mountains; a beau-
eyes began to become fixed, and he laid from tiful spy-glass lost in the midst of t hose “ mis-
that time without moving*. His breathing erable speculating adventurers which have in-
was easy, and continued so until fifteen min- traded the Cherokee country with a view to gold}'*
uies before twelve o’clock, (noon,) when he books left in taverns; instruments carried to
drew his last breath. He departed without a I a distance, while. I was travelling by another
groan or a struggle. As he ceased to breathe, route, to meet me ; my trunk left by the road-
there was a slight contortion on one side ofI side, in a wood, far 15 days,-on account of
his face, and his legs, which had continued my wagon breaking down in the wilderness;
elevated at the knees, fell oyer from their all have been returned to mq without tho loss
previous position to the left side. I assisted of a pin, and without my being able to force
Dr. Parrish in removing the pilloWs and chair a dollar upon persons who have travelled thir-
from under Mr. Randolph’s head, and before ty miles, to bring them back. Is not all this
I left the room gave to Mr. Barksdale the pa- as touching as it is admirable ! Therefore my
per which Mr. Randolph had handed me to enthusiasm for the United Stales, goes on in-
read, supposing that as it contained the last creasing; therefore I love the people—and
words writteii by that distinguished man, it the more, because I have taken the trouble to .
might be considered as a valuable-relic by I study and understand them before hazarding
somo of his relatives, and especially by those an opinion.’
named in it, who, I have since learned, were
his nephew and niece.
The incidents above related are substan
tially taken' from memorandums made at the
time. If they have no interest attached to
them,* it is because no matter of interest oc
curred. They will, however; answer this
one purpose—they will show exactly what
did happen during the two last hours of Mr.
Randolph's life, and may serve to refute any
false tales that may at any future time he fab
New Work on America.—From the new
work on this country, entitled Remarks oh
the United States of America, by Ilenry
Duhring, a German gentleman, the annexed
paragraph is taken :
! All the fruits of those distinguished talents
! which conducted tho Americans to their ele
vated station—all those advantages which
they derive from the finest situation and com
bination, which on earth are to be met with,
ricaled to the prejudice of that extraordinary ^ bo destoyed by the dissolution of (ho
m „„ - x ] Union. Look on the map of the United S. 1
man.
Mr. Randolph’s remains left Philadelphia
on Sunday, the 26th of May, for his late res-'
idence at Roanoke, in charge of his friend,
Mr. Barksdale.
Dr. Parrish had some interesting conver- r
satioas »ith Mr. Randolph not long before bis t<*tienfor their for extending caiamarcs,
death, which, it ia probable, were reduced 1 from united naval power ? Where
to writing soon after, and may possibly at a
future day be given to the public. %
what part of them would you seperate from
the others, without more or less disturbing
the prosperity; the wealth, the influence and
the happiness of the whole ? Wherefrom
would these States derive that necessary pro
hut
Wherefore
A correspondent of the National Intclligcn
cer has furnished for that paper the annexed
communication, containing opinions of a for-
eigner in reference to the people of this coun
try, sopiewhat in variance with those so free,
ly expressed by English travellers :
The following is a translated extract of a
letter from a distinguished French savant,
who came to' our country for the purpose of
making scientific researches, and has now
been tarrying with us for more than a year.
Its temper and character are .so different
from the betise of the ignorant, and tho pre
determined hostility of most of the better in
formed English writers who have commented
on our country, that it is agreeable to place
them in contrast. While the author has been
diligently pursuing the more immediate ob-
jects of his visit, has been making astronomi
cal observations, or killing “ serpens super-
bes,” he has also had a philosophic eye “pour
les homines et les choses.” Ini remarking
upou the latter, he has shown too much good
sense, to denounce as vulgar and ill-bred, all
peculiarities of habit and manner, differing
from those to which he had been accustomed,
and the consequence.has been that himself
disposed to be pleased, he has every where
met with hospitality and kindness. His un
equivocal testimony to the integrity, good
faith, and disinterestedness of our countrymen;
and the philosophy with which he harf homo
hardships'andprivation, forms a striking set
off to the snarling impertinence of camera Iu-
cida Hall, and the refined and futniniue criti
cisms of the elegant Mrs. Trollope.
“ I have now travelled over a considerable
surface of country, and already cousider my
self “ uutiers de mon enterprise.” 1 1 have
taken.the latitude and longitude of as many
places as I could ; have measured declina
tions, the dip of the needle, and the magnetic
power
were! expended fifteen millions of dollars to
France for Louisiana ?: wherefore five other
millions for Florida? Was it to create new
customhouse officers*, or was it not tore-
move them to the utmost natural boundaries
of the Union ? Are those vexations to which
a merchant is exposed while carryin|j his
goods along tho rivers and roads of divided
Germany, of so enviable a. nature as to be tbo!fc
worthy of imitation by a free and enlightened
nation ? Should the Americans already have
forgotten the difficulties under which their
commerce labored after the peace of 1785,
before its'regulation had been entrusted .to
the Federal Government ? How boundless
are at-present the markets for every industri
ous American, in whatever State of,the Union
he may have fixed the abode of his industry ?
What country is connected by so many, so
easy, and such natural interior communica
tions ? And are not these natural and artifi
cial bonds of the Union yearly increased, or
brought to’ a greater degree of perfection ?
What was New Orleans under the Spanish
Government ? a scanty village •! What is it
now ? after New York, the first and mpst
important mercantile city in the whole Union!
“ The Americans united may defy all .other
nations, separated they are nothing! If there
fore, it should be permitted to suppose, as I
think it is, that a sound judgment with regard
to its true interests docs, or ultimately will
prevail with a nation that perhaps, excels all
other nations in common sense—if one may
also suppose that on such a nation the powers
and intrigues ofpersona'I ambition or party spirit
never will bo permitted, at least for any
length of time, to oxevcise their baneful sway
—the.i one may enter into the opinion I think,
that the Union of North America will not be
disturbed.” ; : . / ktijfaSfagj
The sentiments and anticipations of this ex
tract should be pondered by all Americans.
It is the judgment of an impartial and enligh
tened observer.—Louisville Herald.
