CHAPTER IX. The selection by the Emigrant of a particular trade or callingCourse recommended-Business dealing in the west-City of New Orleans-Its great commercial importance-Its annual exports Commanded by the Island of Cuba-Importance of this island as a territorial acquisition-Climate of the United States-Its extreme variation-Controlled by the prevailing winds and other causes-Doctor Rush and late President Jefferson on the American climate-Bank accommodation and money brokers - Frequent destruction of property in the United States by fire-Fire department-Its organization— Insurance companies-Want of capital and general insolvency -Remarks and parting advice to the merchant-Observations on the general misstatements of Americans on all matters of national concern. PRESUMING the emigrant to have already lodged his money in some place of security-in the government funds, or elsewhere, and to have followed the suggestions that we have submitted, by which to regulate his conduct with his fellow-boarders, he will be enabled by inquiry, and his own observation, and provided that he has not already made up his mind, or decided the question, to determine the business calling most advantageous for him to pursue. This being dependent on so many local and fortuitous circumstances his own aptitude and peculiar capabilities, together with the resources at his command, which it were impossible to anticipate, that no fixed rule can be well laid down for his future guidance and instruction; or that could obviate the necessity ADVICE TO EMIGRANTS. 403 for the further exercise of his own judgment. If he should embark himself in trade, in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, or in any other of the large commercial cities, he will have to contend with many difficulties in the experience-the peculiar aptitude and industry of his contemporaries—his numerous competitors in the same pursuit, who, somewhat better instructed than he is, in the habits and customs of the people-their mode of trading or transacting business, so different in many respects to that which he has been accustomed to, will possess many advantages that are denied to him as a stranger. The delay recommended to him on his arrival is therefore all important and necessary in leading him to a discreet and prudent selection of whatever he may determine shall be his future pursuit. Nothing is so detrimental to the future prospects of foreigners generally, as the breathless haste with which so many risk their all, in frequent and ruinous speculations, that too often leave them pennyless before that they have had time to reflect on their rashness and precipitancy. There is no time that the emigrant can turn to better account, than the first six or twelve months subsequent to his arrival, and which may be profitably employed in acquiring such a full and accurate knowledge of the country-the modes of life and general business habits of its population, as may subsequently enable him to commence in some useful and profitable branch of trade, or manufacture, with at least some comparative degree of safety to himself. VOL. II. 2 D 404 ADVICE TO EMIGRANTS. If the emigrant is successful in forming connections with a mercantile house of standing and respectability in New York, or in some other of the large seaport towns, of easy communication with the interior, whose acknowledged character may present some guarantee for their general good faith and honourable dealing, he will always find it more conducive to his interests to locate himself somewhere inland, and will probably succeed better in the interior, or western sections of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, or other more southern, or western states, than in any other. other. In In many of these situations, money is not in such free circulation, or quite so abundant, as in the eastern or sea-board districts; while his principal trade, especially farther west, will, in all probability, be carried on by barter, than by receiving cash payment for his goods. But even this mode of merchandising, if skilfully conducted, will present him with many countervailing advantages; whilst he may count on a double return, first, on the goods of his general trade, and next, on the produce he will receive in payment, in its judicious application, or when subsequently forwarded to its final destination. It is in this manner that a large proportion of the flour, cotton, tobacco, naval stores, and other staple products of the south and west are shipped to European and other markets, principally on account of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore merchants, who frequently receive it at its usual marketable value, in payment of their supplies to the inland trader, for all general and imported manufactured goods, sugars, wines, teas, &c. &c. A situation that commands a ready access to the sea-board is therefore, all important to the merchant's future success; while the vast improvements of late years in all internal means of communication, has so facilitated the opportunities of transport, that he can never be at a loss on this account, or lack means, or ready opportunity, at nearly all seasons, of forwarding his goods to the most advantageous market-those from the northern and midland states, by the outlets of Boston, New York, or Philadelphia, and of the southern and western states of the Republic, by the Ohio, the Mississippi, and their confluent streams, by the important commercial city of New Orleans. This city is the capital of the state of Louisiana, and entrepôt of the south, generally. It is also the principal port of entry in the Mexican Gulf, as also the great place of export of all produce of the south, and a large portion of the extensive territory of the west. It has risen of late years to a degree of extraordinary prosperity and is now considered, the second port in commercial importance in the United States. The land on which the city is built, is considerably lower than the adjoining river of the Mississippi, and is backed by an extensive swamp, which renders the climate most unhealthy, except in the winter season, when it is usually crowded with strangers of every grade-visitants from all the nations of Europe, as well the enterprising natives of the eastern and northern states of the American Republic. Several of the Boston and New York merchants, continue branch establishments in this city, where they visit and carry on a lucrative trade, for at least four months in each winter season; returning on the approach of summer to New York, &c., as their principal head quarters. The exports of Louisiana, of which New Orleans is the principal outport, for the year ending September 30th, 1840, amounted to the sum of 34,263,963 dollars, of which 32,998,059 were of domestic produce. The population of this city in 1840, amounted to 102,193 inhabitants. The extreme rapidity of the current of the Mississippi river, and consequent difficulty of ascent, has heretofore operated to some extent to the disadvantage of New Orleans, and detracted from its situation as a commercial place of import. But these objections have been partially removed, by the application and use of steam-power. The first steamvessel that appeared in these waters was in 1816; in 1834, upwards of three hundred were employed in navigating this gigantic river, and the several others that are tributary to it. The number has annually increased to the present day. As the population enlarges to the westward, so also in a direct ratio will New Orleans advance in commercial prosperity and greatness; being to these extensive districts, what Liverpool may be considered in relation to Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, and the other middle and manu |