Travels in the United States of America and Canada, Containing
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Library of Congress Travels in the United States of America and Canada, containing some account of their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those countries. To which is added, an essay on the natural boundaries of empires. By I. Finch. TRAVELS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA. 6665+ C.3 Finch, John TRAVELS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA, CONTAINING SOME ACCOUNT OF THEIR SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS, AND A FEW NOTICES OF THE GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY OF THOSE COUNTRIES. TO WHICH IS ADDED AN ESSAY ON THE NATURAL BOUNDARIES OF EMPIRES. BY I. FINCH, ESQ., Cor. Mem. Nat. Hist. Soc. Montreal; Lit. & Hist. Soc. Quebec Hon. Mem. West Point Lyceum; Delaware, West. Chester, &c. &c. LC LONDON: LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMAN. 1833. 3 1 23 53 Copy E165 F49 Copy 2 Travels in the United States of America and Canada, containing some account of their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those countries. To which is added, an essay on the natural boundaries of empires. By I. Finch. http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.26802 Library of Congress G. SMALLFIELD, PRINTER, HACKNEY. TO MOST NOBLE MARQUIS OF LANDSDOWNE, EARL OF SHELBURNE, &c., &c., &c., My Lord, I Dedicate to your Lordship this Volume of Travels in America, convinced that if it meets with your approbation, it will attain that of every liberal and intelligent mind. I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most faithful, And most obliged Servant, I. FINCH. ADVERTISEMENT. When the MS. of these Travels was sent to the Printer, it was supposed sufficient to constitute a volume of the ordinary size; but being informed that it fell considerably short of what was anticipated, I resolved to annex the Essay on Boundaries. This having some relation to the boundaries of the United States, and also to those of England, may perhaps be acceptable to the general reader. I. F. London, August 1 st , 1833. CONTENTS. Page CHAPTER I. Voyage—Deal—Isle of Wight—Storm at Sea—Calm—Phosphorescence of Ocean— Newfoundland—Scene of War—Gulf Stream—American Coast 1 CHAPTER II. Travels in the United States of America and Canada, containing some account of their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those countries. To which is added, an essay on the natural boundaries of empires. By I. Finch. http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.26802 Library of Congress New York—Hotels Communipaw—Vestiges of Indians—Hudson River—Commerce—Ship Yard—Battery—Bay—City Hall—Government 12 CHAPTER III. Scientific Institutions—Columbia College—Medical College—Botanic Garden—Athenæum —Historical—Literary—and Philosophical Society—Lyceum—Public Museums— Conversaziones—Lunch—Poets—Novelists 23 CHAPTER IV. Churches—Climate—Amusements—Serenades—Sleigh Rides—Theatres—Broadway— Castle Garden—Flowers—Coaches 31 x CHAPTER V. Nassau Island—Brooklyn—Battle ground—Intrenchments—Navy Yard—Men-of-War— Frog Concert—Geology—Hoboken—Weehawken—Kingsbridge Marble Quarries—Staten Island 37 CHAPTER VI. Basaltic Rocks—Steam-boats—Tappan Sea—Highlands—West Point—Fort Montgomery —Kosciusko—Newburgh—Temple—July the Fourth 45 CHAPTER VII. Albany—Fortified Mansion—Harbor—Capitol—Institute—De Witt Clinton—Patroon— Elections—La Fayette 53 CHAPTER VIII. Travels in the United States of America and Canada, containing some account of their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those countries. To which is added, an essay on the natural boundaries of empires. By I. Finch. http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.26802 Library of Congress Falls of the Mohawk—Helderberg Mountain—Caverns—Dropping Well—Farms—Dutch Hospitality—Schenectady College 63 CHAPTER IX. New York Canals—Troy—Mount Olympus—Jda—Waterford—Cromwell—Saratoga Monument 68 CHAPTER X. Philadelphia—Penn—Commerce—Tomb of Wilson—Swedish Church—Franklin 74 CHAPTER XI. State House—Council Hall 80 xi CHAPTER XII. American Philosophical Society—Academy of Sciences—Charles Bonaparte—Say— Harlan—Athenæum—Library Museum—Medical College—Professor Hare—Wistar Parties —Chess 82 CHAPTER XIII. General Bernard—Botanic Garden—Bartram—Birds—Delaware—Schuylkill—German Farmer—Militia—Bridges—Fair-Mount Water-Works—Summer Heat—Fire-Flies— Humming-Birds 90 CHAPTER XIV. Geology—Gneiss—Tulip-Tree—Locust—Kalmia—German Town—Canals 97 Travels in the United States of America and Canada, containing some account of their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those countries. To which is added, an essay on the natural boundaries of empires. By I. Finch. http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.26802 Library of Congress CHAPTER XV. Easton—Fertile Soil—Minerals—Sandstone Rocks—Blue Mountains—Bethlehem— Moravians—Schweinitz—Music 100 CHAPTER XVI. Anthracite—Lehigh Mines—Bears—Arks—Navigation—Reading—Muhlenburgh, the Botanist 109 CHAPTER XVII. Rapids—Stonington—Flowers—Sabbatarians—Providence—Governor—Mount Hope— New-port Harbor—Redoubts—Fort Tammony—Count D'Estaing—Coal-Mines 117 xii CHAPTER XVIII. Boston—Bridges—Park—Hancock House—State House—Breed's Hill—Bunker Hill 125 CHAPTER XIX. Harvard College—Commencement—Botanic Garden 131 CHAPTER XX. Ancient Forts—Cops Hill—General Burgoyne—Prospect Hill—Standard—Dorchester Heights 134 CHAPTER XXI. Dr. Channing—Bigelow—Athenæum—John Quincy Adams—Déjeuné—Commodore Hull —Webster—Everett—Brooks—Medford—Autumnal Scenery—Farm—Salt-Works 139 Travels in the United States of America and Canada, containing some account of their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those countries. To which is added, an essay on the natural boundaries of empires. By I. Finch. http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.26802 Library of Congress CHAPTER XXII. Ex-President Adams—Christmas-Day 148 CHAPTER XXIII. Militia—Assumption of Power—Parliament—Petitions—Education Schools—Annual Dinner—153 CHAPTER XXIV. Blue Hills—Porphyry—Sienite—Danvers—Salem—Nahant—Promontory—Newbury Port —Waltham 158 xiii CHAPTER XXV. Chester—Wilmington—Brandywine Mills Battle Field—Snakes—Indians 169 CHA PTER XXVI. Elk Town—Lord Howe—Sessill—Havre de Grace—Maryland—Iron-sand—Ravines 177 CHAPTER XXVII. Baltimore—Fountains—Exchange—Battle Monument—General Ross—Battle—Militia— Intrenchments—British Fleet—Greek Ball—Prince Murat—Mr. Carroll 180 CHAPTER XXVIII. Geology—Carolina Slaves—Battle of Bladensburgh—Willow Grove—Cedars—Cocoons 190 Travels in the United States of America and Canada, containing some account of their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those countries. To which is added, an essay on the natural boundaries of empires. By I. Finch. http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.26802 Library of Congress CHAPTER XXIX. Washington City—Potomac—Secretary of State—Capitol—Hall of Representatives— Speaker—Hall of the Senate—General Jackson—Supreme Court—Columbian Institute— Patent Office President's Levee—Parties 196 CHAPTER XXX. Fort Washington—Fossil Shells—Mount Vernon—St. Mary's River 213 CHAPTER XXXI. Virginia—Pecatone—Stratford—Somerville—Birth-place of Washington—Fishing Party— Election—Fredeficksburgh—Rappahannoc 224 xiv CHAPTER XXII. Treatment of Slaves—Field Negroes—Caverns 235 CHAPTER XXXIII. Montpelier—Madison 243 CHAPTER XXXIV. Monticello—Jefferson 250 CHAPTER XXXV. Valley of Shenandoah—Bivouac—Coal Mines—Pseudo Volcanoes—Canals—Rapids 259 CHAPTER XXXVI. Travels in the United States of America and Canada, containing some account of their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those countries. To which is added, an essay on the natural boundaries of empires. By I. Finch. http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.26802 Library of Congress Richmond—Hon. Judge Marshall—James River—Williamsburgh College—Flowers—York Town—Redoubts—Cave—Shell Rock—Norfolk 265 CHAPTER XXXVII. New Jersey—Rattlesnake Hill—Belleville Copper Mines—Passaic Falls—Patterson— Basaltic Columns—Long Branch—Princeton College—Newark—Valley of Retinasphaltum —Trenton—New Brunswick 276 CHAPTER XXXVIII. Hope—Sparta—Franklin—Minerals—Monteferro—Marksborough—Snow Pond—Camp Meeting 285 xv CHAPTER XXXIX. THE PILGRIMAGE. Rennselaerville—Middleburgh—Valley of Scoharie—Hermits—King Caucus—Waterville —Delhi—Walton—Port Deposit—Timber Rafts—Delaware—Unadilla—Belmont— Laccawanna—Valley of Wyoming—Wilkesbarre—Arks—Commerce—Wild Lands— Berwick—Danville—Northumberland—Dr. Priestley's Tomb 295 CHAPTER XL. NATIONAL POWER OF AMERICA. Clearing Land—La Raysville 318 CHAPTER XLI. Canada—Thousand Isles—Prescot—Montreal—Quebec—Plains of Abraham— Montmorenci—Sleigh Ride—Kingston—York—Maelstroom—Niagara Falls 322 ERRATA. Travels in the United States of America and Canada, containing some account of their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those countries. To which is added, an essay on the natural boundaries of empires. By I. Finch. http:// www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.26802 Library of Congress Page 165, for ‘280 tons,’ read, 900 tons. —174, 175, for ‘Maniton,’ read, Manitou. —245, for ‘Les Casas,’ read, Las Casas. —248, for ‘Thapsis,’ read, Thapsus. TRAVELS IN AMERICA. CHAPTER I. VOYAGE.—IDEAL—ISLE OF WIGHT.—STORM AT SEA.—CALM.— PHOSPHORESCENCE OF OCEAN.—NEWFOUNDLAND.—SCENE OF WAR.—GULF STREAM.—AMERICAN COAST. There are some objects of curiosity in the United States of America! Let us see the Ex- Presidents, go upon a pilgrimage to the Susquehanna, and view the fields of battle where the liberties of a continent were won. Wishing adieu to my friends in London, I embarked in the packet-ship Acasta, bound for the port of New York. The first moments were devoted to becoming acquainted with my companions on the voyage, taking a hasty survey of the vessel, and making arrangements about the berths. On the same evening we anchored opposite Deptford. Our pilot had sailed in a man- of-war, and gave his orders in an excessive tone B 2 of authority; he seemed pleased to exercise some of that power to which he had formerly been obliged to submit. On the 20th, our ship anchored near Gravesend, and the permits or some Custom-house papers not having ar. rived, we remained there during the 21st.