362

DISTASTE OF AMERICANS

with streets, squares, and public buildings, accurately described thereon, as laid out, or in course of erection; while, perhaps, not a solitary dwellinghouse stands upon the entire premises, or even a passage yet opened through the mazes, the nearly impenetrable forests with which they are surrounded. Yet are such things of frequent occurrence, exhibiting one of the reprehensible and very discreditable modes to which Americans sometimes resort, to amend their fortunes in the world. Large sums are even amassed in this way, while the foreigner is more generally made the victim of this deception, and who, unsuspicious of the deceit, parts with a large portion of his means in a culpable reliance on the mendacious falsehoods, the notorious imposture by which he is often betrayed. There is always a numerous bevy of landsharks, the usual hangers-on at every sub-land agency office, for ever on the qui vive, and at all times prepared to take advantage of the ignorance, or misplaced confidence of every bona fide applicant for purchase.

Agricultural pursuits are, nevertheless, the most unsuited to the taste and general habits of an American citizen, particularly of the northern and eastern states. It is an employment of all others the most opposed to his notions of respectability, and ideas of worldly comfort, and, in his interpretation, a mere waste of his time, an utter abasement of his mental and physical capabilities. In an extreme climate, such as the United States, it is considered the most

ungrateful of all occupations; one, wherein the strength and faculties of man are exhausted, the mind restricted in its native energy and freedom, without yielding any fair or adequate remuneration in return. As such, it is avoided by the youth as well as the aged of every class, whose better fortunes may enable them to escape from its severe restrictions; who seek the towns, the throng and tumult of crowded cities, the desk and counter of the merchant, or, indeed, any other business occupation, rather than the quiet, peaceful, and industrious pursuits, with its assumed or countervailing disadvantages, of an American country life. The fact is simply this, that agriculture, with any attendant good it may possess, its unrestricted freedom, and comparative exemption from worldly care, together with its steady remunerating profits, is too tedious in its movements, too slow in its operation, and far too circumscribed in its range, to accord with the speculative turn of the American citizen, or keep pace with his unceasing and active industry.

Impatient of any restraint beyond his own free will, or of limit beyond the bounds of his own calculations, this mode of bettering his fortunes is far too restricted in its means, too circumscribed in its action, either to accord with his inclinations, his thirst for inordinate gain, or to reconcile with the inherent inquietude of his disposition. He turns from it as a waste in his pursuits, and with a belief, that he would receive in almost any other employment within the compass of his attainment, a fairer

364

IMPORT OF FOREIGN WHEAT.

equivalent for the outlay of his capital and exertions his acknowledged assiduity and labour.

To this distaste of the American, and the comparative few, (commensurate with the capabilities of the country,) engaged in agricultural pursuits, may be attributed the otherwise inexplicable fact of the Republic, though with its vast and productive territory, being at any time, or under any casualty or circumstances, dependent upon the labour and industry of foreign nations for their supply of bread stuffs : such, nevertheless, has been the case, especially in the year 1837, immediately succeeding the period of extraordinary speculating and overtrading, with the general bankruptcy which it occasioned. By the official returns of this year, there appears to have been imported into the United States of foreign wheat, to the value of 4,154,325 dollars; and of wheat flour 122,651 dollars. It is true, that the crops of this season were of short produce, but certainly not to that extent, that would justify America, with her capabilities of supplying the wants of every other nation in the world, being dependent on them, for this first necessary of life. The spirit of mercantile speculation and jobbing, had, however, gone abroad, and seized with the tenacity of a confirmed disease, upon the minds of the great bulk of the population; the lands became neglected, the supply lessened in its usual quantity, and four millions twe hundred thousand dollars were sent out of the country, in a season of unusual mercantile difficulty, as of its fruitful consequences.

We shall now conclude this chapter, by reiterating our advice to the emigrant, that in whatever position he may be placed-whatever may be his plans or contemplated arrangements, to proceed with the utmost caution in every step he may advance, preserving at all times a steady watchfulness over his conduct, especially in his intercourse with the native citizen, from whom he will receive no sympathy in any difficulty or unexpected misfortune that may overtake him; but who will rather look upon the success that may reward his labours with an unkind and ungenerous feeling, than with indulgence or good nature. Whatever may be his conduct; however unassuming and peaceable in his deportment, or friendly disposed in his necessary and daily intercourse with them, he should bear in mind, that he is still a foreigner in their sight, that which no American will ever, or can forget, and as such, is often looked upon as an intruder, even upon the soil he has laboured to reclaim, and on which his capital, his industry, and strength, have been freely and cheerfully expended. It is only by the utmost circumspection and prudence upon his part, he can hope to surmount these, with many other of the difficulties that lay strewed in his path, or to pass unscathed in the toilsome and laborious undertaking he has stricken out for himself.

CHAPTER VIII.

The merchant, emigrant trader, or man of business-Rules for the regulation of his conduct on arrival in the United StatesNecessity for extreme caution in his conduct-Money rate of exchanges in the United States-The merchant's first introduction-Business seasons in New York and other Atlantic ports-General mode of commercial dealing-Auctions and Auctioneers-American stores or shops-Boarding and lodging houses-Character of society met therein-Naturalization-Its advantages and disadvantages to the emigrant considered-Naturalization laws of the United States-Mode of acquiring naturalization-Aliens-The laws of each state especially relating to them, and the purchase or acquisition of real estate within each separate jurisdiction.

AMONG the numerous class of emigrants who arrive in the United States, there are none who stand more in need of cautionary advice, than the trader or man of business, who, directed by previously conceived notions, may be induced to seek in the new world a more extended and encouraging field for the exercise of his assiduity and enterprise, and a more advantageous and lucrative market for his exertions and capital. Every step that he may now take, should be marked by unusual circumspection and foresight. The difficulties that at first oppose themselves to his success, are numerous, though generally unobserved, and can only be removed by acquiring an intimate knowledge of the character and disposition-the habits and peculiari