ants: all planted in it within twenty-six years, and almost all within twenty-two. To a prodigious extent, these people possess all the necessaries, almost all the comforts, most of the conveniences, and not a few of the luxuries of life. A great number of beautiful villages have risen up, as by the power of enchantment: and the road for one hundred and twenty miles is in a sense lined by a succession of houses, almost universally neat, and frequently handsome. Throughout most of this extent an excellent soil, covered deep with vegetable mould, rewards every effort of the farmer with a luxuriant produce.

Throughout this extent, also, schools are established with a celerity, delightful to the eye of benevolence; which cannot fail to foresee in this propitious institution the elevation, not of a few privileged individuals, but of the whole rising generation; the children of the poor, as well as of the rich to intelligence and worth; the exaltation of man; and not of those merely, by whom man is usually controlled.

To complete the picture, a numerous train of churches, and those often handsome buildings, are planted on the very ground, devoted a little while since to the ravages of the scalping knife, and the celebration of the powaw. Here religious assemblies are gathered; Ministers are settled; and God is worshipped in the ordinances of his own appointment. Here men in great multitudes are prepared to become better inhabitants of this world, and formed for the happiness, and the hopes, of immortal existAll these efforts are marked with industry, and vigour; with an energy of mind, proceeding regularly, and firmly, from a state of society, rendered by its original circumstances necessarily imperfect, towards the utmost degree of improvement, hitherto attained by civilized men.

ence.

It is impossible, that such a spirit as this, should not have efficacy wherever it is found; or that its effects should not be generally auspicous to the most valuable human interests. Where the greatest number of such men are assembled, its consequences will be suddenly, and universally seen. In the region, to which I have confined myself, they have burst upon the eye; and spread

through a vast extent with a rapidity, which leaves the spectator lost in astonishment. Where the numbers are small, the influence is of course less. Even here, however, it is often strongly visible, and the instances are not few, in which a single individual has diffused it happily over a considerable circle around him.

Nor is this efficacy perceivable only in the important concerns of mankind. It extends to those also, which are of inferiour magnitude; and to many, which would elude every expectation. It furnishes better mechanics, and manufacturers; happier modes of directing human labour; and ingenious expedients, by which labour may be abridged. A New-England contractor formed a canal at Richmond in Virginia. New-England contractors, and labourers, are by public advertisements invited, in form, to make important turnpike roads, and bridges, in this and other States; and the proverbial enquiry of persons travelling in this State, and those both natives and foreigners, is "Where shall I find a NewEngland inn?""

The Irish Colonists in this State differ from each other, as they did in their native country. Those who are descended from the English and Scotch, are better informed, and, therefore, of a superiour character. They are also generally habituated to a just sense of the importance of good order, and good government; are usually industrious, sober, and possessed of apprehensions, not incorrect, of the nature and value of religion. This is particularly true of those, who are descended from the Scotch. It will be easily believed, that persons of such a character must, of course, be extensively good subjects, and prosperous in their business. The Western and Southern Irish are, often, almost absolutely uneducated. This renders them liable to many impositions, and consequent misfortunes. They are also to an extensive degree hostile to the government, under which they were born; and very naturally transfer some portion of that hostility to any other government, under which they may live. So far as they know any thing concerning religion, they are generally Papists. From the dissocial nature of Popery it can scarcely be supposed, that here, more than elsewhere, they should view Protestants with compla

cency. From their extreme ignorance, their apprehensions concerning moral obligation must be essentially defective; and this defectiveness must be increased by the doctrines taught in the Romish church concerning absolution, indulgences, and other li centious tenets, easily comprehensible, even by men growing up in these unhappy circumstances. As they have been originally, and only, directed by others; it is hardly possible, that they should direct themselves. With these things in view, it will follow of course, that in very many instances they must be bad managers, poor, and vicious.

The evils, which I have specified, are not, however, derived from the native character of these people. From what I have read, and heard, and particularly from my own observation, I am persuaded, that the native character of the Irish is in feriour to that of no other people. To me they appear not to be surpassed in native activity of mind, sprightliness, wit, good-nature, generosity, affection, and gratitude. Their peculiar defects, and vices, I am persuaded, are owing to the want of education, or to a bad one. Give them the same advantages which are enjoyed by others; and they will stand upon a level with any of their neighbours.

The Scotch Colonists preserve, unaltered, the character, which they brought with them. They are industrious, frugal, orderly, patient of hardship, persevering, attached to government, reverential to religion, generally moral, and often pious. At the same time they are frequently unwarrantably self-complacent, rigid in their dispositions, unbending in their opinions, sequestered, avaricious, ready to unchurch those who differ from them, and to say, "Doubtless we are the people." Most of them acquire property, and leave it to their children. As a body, they are better citizens than any other class of immigrants. Such as are well educated and liberally disposed, are as agreeable neighbours, and friends, as are furnished by any nation; and such, as give themselves up to vice, are as absolute profligatcs. The number of these is, however, very limited.

The Germans, who settled themselves in this State, were among the most ignorant inhabitants of their native country; and VOL III.

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a great part of them have transmitted this unfortunate characteristic to their descendants. A small collection of these, at Germantown, in the South-Western corner of Columbia, have been mentioned to me by authority, which I cannot dispute, as a very worthy and respectable body of plain people; distinguished for their industry, good order, sound morals, and attachment to religion. Those on the Mohawk are, in many instances, of a different character.

The French Protestants who colonized New-Rochelle, have chiefly, if not wholly, become mere Americans; in no way distinguishable, except by their surnames, from the descendants of the English Colonists. It is a fact, deserving of notice, that a considerable number of these people have been persons of high respectability, and have been elevated to very honourable stations; and many others have acquired ample fortunes, and sustained very desirable characters in private life. A prophet might attribute their prosperity to a particular blessing of GOD; who on many occasions has been pleased to shower his favour upon the descendants of those, who have been persecuted for their piety.

Of all these classes of Colonists it is to be observed generally, that they will soon be so entirely amalgamated with those from New-England, as to be undistinguishable.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

END OF VOLUME III.