Excursions in North America : described in letters from a gentleman and his young companion, to their friends in England

Front matter

SEYMOUR DURST

When you leave, please leave this hook

Because it has heen said " Ever'thing comes t' him who waits

Preface

The variety of natural productions in North America, both animal and vegetable, and the connection it formerly had with this country, give it a peculiar claim to the notice of British youth; a consideration that has induced the author to attempt a general description of it, in the form of a tour, adapted to the taste and capacity of young readers.

When the difficulty of selecting from such a fund of materials is considered, she trusts she shall obtain the same indulgence she has been favoured^ with on former occasions. She considers it a sanction to the work to acknowledge, that the chief sources of her information have been derived from Jefferson, Weld, Rochefoucault, Bartram, Michaux. Carver, Mackenzie, and Hearn.

The jv PREFACE.

The curious and original information contained in the chapter concerning the war with the Indians, was communicated by an Indian chief, and will doubtless, be esteem- -ed a valuable addition ; as it is completely authentic, and is conveyed in the expressive language of the Indian tribes.

Pai^ i6j, line f, /or Cohog rt id Coboz.

Contents

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION. Motives for the Voyage. Arrival in America • 1

Letter « Philadelphia. Tavern. Buildings. Inhabitants. Carriages. Franklin ....«...'. 6

Introduction

EXCURSIONS

IN

NO]R.TH AMERICA.

AFTER Mrs. Middleton had concluded the tour of the British Empire, she laid a plan for the completion of her children's education, adapted to the situations she intended for them.

Arthur had always shown a disposition for an active life, and a desire for novelty, which inclined her to accept the offer of a friend, to procure for him a writer's place in the East Indies ; but several circumstances combined at the same time to unsettle his mind, and excite an eagerness to undertake a voyage to America, much earlier than she approved of his abandoning his studies, or being released from the paternal care of Mr, Franklin. In the hours of relaxation, both Arthur and Edwin were indulged with a variety of books, calculated at once to instruct and entertain : amongst these, none delighted Arthur so

B much mach as travels, and the description of foreign countries, which he read with the greatest avidity, always placing himself, in idea, in the situation of the hero of the tale, and declaring that, as soon as he should have the direction of himself, he would make a voyage round the world. It happened that Robertson's History of i^merica, amongst others, fell into his hands, which, though he was shocked at the barbarities inflicted on the natives, interested him extremely, and made him earnestly wish to see a country, that had been the scene of such extraordinary exploits ; and where the rivers, the mountains, and forests are upon a grander scale than those in Europe. This work inflamed him with curiosity to visit the Indian nations that inhabit the interior of that extensive continent: he longed to see their warriors, and partake with them the pursuits of the chace.

Whilst these wishes engaged his attention, Mr. Henry Franklin arrived in England, and having been unaccustomed to the confinement of domestic life, and free from all connexions but his brother, had no inclination to sit down inactively at home. Soon after his return, a proposal was made to him by a nobleman of high rank, to explore North America, with a view to procure authentic information concerning the customs of the natives, as well as those of the European settlers ; the productions of the soil, the animals, the face of the country, and in short, every thing that

could could contribute to a complete description of that vast portion of the terraqueous globe. This was an undertaking for which he was particularly qualified by his natural endowments, habits, and acquired knowledge. His understanding was clear, his constitution strong, his courage undismayed, his pursuit of knowledge insatiable, and he w-as in the prime of life. He had read a great deal, travelled much, and observed accurately what he had seen : with a mind so enriched, and a disposition congenial to the task, he was the man peculiarly adapted to his patron's design. The offer was no sooner made than accepted; for how could he refuse a scheme so agreeable to his taste. During the short time that was necessary to arrange his private affairs, he was a frequent visitor at Mrs. Middleton's, where the conversation generally turned upon his voyage, or some circumstance relative to it. Arthur always listened attentively to this subject, would often bring the map, and request him to trace his intended route; his eyes sparkling with pleasure, whilst he mentioned different objects likely to occur in various parts of the country.

His desire to accompany his friend at length be. came so ardent, that Mrs. Middieton changed her views for him, and yielded to his inclination ; a measure in which she more easily concurred, from the high confidence, she placed in the character and conduct of Mr. Franklin. Her consent once *' ~ B 2 obtained, obtained, Arthur's joy was excessive; he could speak on no other topic but his journey : sleeping or waking his mind was full of the same images, and in his dreams he was continually accompanied by Indians, or people in grotesque habits, pursuing some wild animal through the pathless deserts.

Every preparation being adjusted, and the vessel in which they were to embark ready to sail, an affecting parting took place between Mrs. Middleton and her son, with many injunctions from her, and entreaties from his sisters and brother to write regularly an account of whatever occurred to him, whether he was situated where his letters could be conveyed by mails to England, or not ; as an unbroken chain of events might thus be preserved, which might be sent to them in packets, as opportunity offered. Mr. Henry Franklin made a similar promise to his brother, and the moment of separation being arrived, after affectionate embraces on all sides, Mr. Henry Franklin conducted his young charge on board the vessel, destined to convey them across the Atlantic to America.

The confinement of the ship, the want of variety, each succeeding day being nearly like that which went before it, with the delay of expectation, rendered the voyage insufferably tedious to Arthur; and never were his ears more agreeably struck, than with the sailor's cry, of *' land, land,'* as the shores of the Delaware were first perceived,

like like a small blue cloud, at the edge of the horizon.

As they drew nearer, the tops of trees became visible, and resembled small islands ; till, by degrees, the majestic forest was seen clothing the shores to the brink of the water.

Arthur would gladly have been put on shore, but the captain dared not infringe a law, (enacted on account of the dreadful pestilence, that raged in Philadelphia in 1793, and has so often desolated it since,) that no person shall leave any ship till it has been examined by the officer of health.

Having surmounted all delays, they at length put their feet on that vast continent, which was not known in Europe, till 1497, when it was discovered by Americus Vesputius, and presently entered Philadelphia, the ancient capital of the United States, with emotions of curiosity and interest, scarcely to be described.

The captain conducted them to a tavern, as all inns are called in this country, where they refreshed themselves with repose, change of linen, &c. A day or two's experience convinced Mr. Franklin, that as he intended to pass some time in this city, a more comfortable and settled habitation was necessary. The master of the inn recommended him to a respectable widow, who kept a boarding-house for strangers, where he was agreeably sup-

B 3 plied plied with apartments, and every other convenience.

Before he extended his views to any other part of the country, his first care was to see every thing worth notice in Philadelphia, which he did with the best directed attention, as will appear by the letters transmitted to England.