Travels Through North America, During the Years 1825 and 1826. v. 1-2

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Bernhard. Travels Through North America, During the Years 1825 and 1826. v. 1-2

PREFACE

VOL. I

CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER V

CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VII

CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER IX

CHAPTER X

CHAPTER XI

CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XIII

CHAPTER XIV

VOL. II

CHAPTER XV

CHAPTER XVI

CHAPTER XVII

CHAPTER XVIII

CHAPTER XIX

CHAPTER XX

CHAPTER XXI

CHAPTER XXII

CHAPTER XXIII

CHAPTER XXIV

CHAPTER XXV

CHAPTER XXVI

CHAPTER XXVII

CHAPTER XXVIII

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The following journal was by no means originally designed for publication. I wrote it during my travels, partly to recall past incidents at a future period, partly to give, with more ease and certainty, information to my much-honoured parents, my relatives, and friends, on any subject, upon which inquiry might be made. After my return, the book was read by several, for whose perusal it had not been altogether intended. Many judicious persons imagined that it would be of interest to a larger number of readers, and variously and repeatedly requested its publication, in order to give it a more extensive circulation. As I could not easily withstand these solicitations, and besides met with an experienced and worthy person, Counsellor Luden, to whom, as editor, I might without hesitation entrust the whole manuscript, I yielded; whether with propriety or not, I cannot tell.

As to the voyage itself, I have nothing to say, either with regard to its cause or design. The idea of visiting America, occupied me, almost from my earliest years. Why this idea arose, or why it continued in my mind, is not a matter of much moment. The chief reason was, I wished to see the new world; the country; the people; their conditions and institutions; their customs and manners. The more I became acquainted with the old world, the more my desire to see the new increased.

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The trade in timber and boards is one of the capital branches of internal trade. We saw a great quantity of both on the wharves, and at the dam. At dinner we became acquainted with the Spanish consul of Boston, a worthy young man, who was educated in France. After dinner we took a view of the capitol, or state-house, situated upon a small eminence, and at a short distance from our inn. Albany is the seat of government and the capitol of the state of New York, but it is said to be the intention of the inhabitants shortly to remove the seat of government to Utica, which is situated farther to the west, and in a more central part of the state. The capitol is built of brown sand-stone, and in a quadrangular form; in front it is ornamented with large steps, and four Ionic columns of white marble. The halls of the different branches of the legislature are spacious, but exhibit nothing remarkable. In one of the halls is a full length portrait of Washington, and in another, that of the late Governor Clinton, an uncle of the present governor.9 On the top of the capitol is a cupola, from which there is a beautiful view of the city of Albany, and the valley of the Hudson, which is bounded on the right by the Catskill mountains, and on the left by the mountains of Vermont. On the dome is a wooden statue representing justice, to the back of which is secured a heavy lightning-rod, so that witlings remark that she is standing in the pillory.

At Albany are some remains of the feudal system. The Van Rensselaer family, one of the oldest of the Dutch emigrants, obtained the country around Albany at the time it was first settled, as a fief; it was divided into different portions, and some of these were leased to vassals who were obliged to pay a certain rent, and to render certain services to the owner. The eldest of the Van Rensselaer family has always borne the title of patroon, and enjoys certain feudal prerogatives, for which the family are indebted to the great popularity they have enjoyed ever since the revolution, though every recollection of the feudal system is repugnant to the genius of the American government. By the people in the neighbourhood, the house of the old General Van Rensselaer is always called the manor of the patroon.

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