LETTER V. Origin of the inhabitants of New-York-Their industry-Rapid increase of the city-Economy of the citizens-Their hospitality-Respect for Religion-Intelligence-Language-Amusements-Religious character--Police-Receipts and expenditures of the treasury-Water-Ferry-boats-Appearance of the city and the adjacent country--Distinguished men. Dear Sir, THE inhabitants of this city are composed of the following classes, arranged according to their supposed numbers. 1. Immigrants from New-England. 2. The original inhabitants, partly Dutch, partly English. 3. Immigrants from other parts of this State; a considerable proportion of them from Long-Island. 4. Immigrants from Ireland. 5. Immigrants from New-Jersey. 6. Immigrants from Scotland. 7. Immigrants from Germany. 8. Immigrants from England. 9. Immigrants from France. 10. Immigrants from Holland. 11. Jews. To these are to be added a few Swedes, Danes, Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, and West-Indians. The children, born of immigrants, are numerous. Among so many sorts of persons, you will easily believe, it must be difficult, if not impossible, to find a common character: since the various immigrants themselves, and to some extent their children, will retain the features, derived from their origin and their education. In an account of the character of the citizens of New-York, these varieties are of course to be included; and wherever, to avoid prolixity and repetition, they are not specified, are still to be carried along in your own mind, as being always intended. VOL. III. 60 The first trait, which I shall take notice of in the character of these citizens, is their industry. This characteristic spreads through all classes, and is every where visible. The bustle in the streets; the perpetual activity of the carts; the noise and hurry at the docks, which on three sides encircle the city; the sound of saws, axes, and hammers, at the ship-yards; the continually repeated views of the numerous buildings, rising in almost every part of it; and the multitude of workmen employed upon them; form as lively a specimen of "the busy hum of populous cities," as can be imagined. A fine variety is added to this display of energy by the vast number of vessels and boats, continually plying in the bay, and the rivers. Almost all the marketable articles of New-York are brought to it by water; and nearly the whole of its imports are conveyed into the different parts of the country in the same manner. The coasting vessels of the Hudson, New-England, and New-Jersey, appear to the eye to be numberless. So long ago as 1793, six hundred and eighty-three vessels entered this port from abroad: and one thousand three hundred and eighty-one, coastwise; in 1794, seven hundred and ninety-one foreign, and one thousand five hundred and twenty-three coasting, vessels; in 1795, nine hundred and forty-one foreign. Independently of the restrictions upon commerce, adopted by the National government, the number of both has been continually increasing; and in all probability will continue to increase through centuries to come. Hardly any sight is more rare, or more beautiful, than the steam-boats, which move on the waters, connected with NewYork; and which began their first operation, deserving of any notice, at this place. Another object delightful to the lover of fine scenery, and to the patriot also, is the rapid increase of the number, and beauty of the buildings, both public and private. The gayest landscape is less cheerful than this interesting display of prosperous energy. In the year 1784, the number of inhabitants was 18,400; in 1810, 96,000:* more than five times the first number in twenty-six * By an official return of the census of New-York, taken by order of the Corporation of the city in 1819, the whole number of the inhabitants was 119,657.—Put. years. It is hardly necessary to add, that the business, and buildings, have been increased in a still greater proportion. In consequence of this fact, New-York almost every where wears the vivid appearance of an entirely new city. Indeed, a great part of what was old has been either pulled or burnt down; and, wherever this has been the case, has been rebuilt in a handsomer man ner. The economy of the inhabitants is I think less remarkable, and less universal, than their industry. A magnificent and expensive style of living is adopted by many of the citizens; which in a considerable number of instances has plainly outrun the convenience, and sometimes the property, of those, by whom it has been practised. Still by far the greater number are economical, and continually increasing their property. Where wealth is accumulated so rapidly, as for a considerable period it was in New-York, it is rather to be considered as extraordinary that so much frugality should prevail, and so many temptations to luxury be resisted, than that the actual expensiveness of living should have grown up in so flattering circumstances. The furniture, and carriages, of many of the inhabitants are rich, and beautiful. A great number of good horses are continually seen here, bred chiefly on Long-Island, in New-Jersey, and in the Counties of Dutchess, and West-Chester. Until lately, almost all the coaches were private property. Hackney coaches are now employed in considerable numbers; and riding is a favourite amusement of the citizens. New-York is distinguished for its hospitality. Its original inhabitants imperfectly merited this character. Tables are spread here with a luxury, which must, I think, satisfy the demands of any epicure. A great part of the citizens merit the character of sobriety; and the number is not small of those, who on the best grounds are believed to be religious. Many of the churches are regularly filled, when the weather is tolerably pleasant; and the number of those, who frequent them, has been increasing for a series of years. The Clergy are highly esteemed, and treated with great respect. Every thing of a religious nature is regarded with becoming reverence by a great proportion of the citizens; and few, even of the licentious, think it proper to behave disrespectfully towards persons, or things, to which a religious character is attached. The sale of religious books is probably the most profitable branch of business to booksellers. These, however, are to a vast extent conveyed into the country, not only in this state, but in New-Jersey also, and particularly in New-England. In every large city there will always be found a considerable number of persons, who possess superiour talents and information; and who, if not natives, are drawn to it by the peculiar encouragement, which it holds out to their exertions. The field of effort is here more splendid, and the talents are more needed, honoured, and rewarded, than in smaller towns. New-York has its share of persons, sustaining this character; men, really possessing superiour minds, and deserving high esteem. Together with these, there is not a small number, here as elsewhere, who arrogate this character to themselves, and some of whom occasionally acquire and lose it; men, accounted great through the favourable influence of some accident, the attachment of some religious or political party during a fortunate breeze of popularity, or the lucky prevalence of some incidental sympathy, or the ardent pursuit of some favourite public object, in which they have happened to act with success. These meteors, though some of them shine for a period with considerable lustre, soon pass over the horizon; and are seen no more. The citizens at large are distinguished, as to their intelligence, in the manner alluded to above. To this place they have come with the advantages, and disadvantages, of education, found in their several native countries. Some of them are well informed, Others scarcely do either and read, converse, and investigate. not a small number are unable to read at all. Most of these are, however, Europeans. When The language, spoken in this city, is very various. passing through the streets, you will hear English, French, Dutch, and German, and all the various brogues, spoken by the numer |