Star. — London, England, 1818-11-05 00:00:00

‘. . CHARACTER OF•TIIE AMERICANS. . FORM MR.NEAROW'S "SKETCHES." The portions of this miscellaneous and amusing narrative which afford a view of society and manners in the United States are not less interesting than those which relate to the other objects of Mr. FEARON exploratory tour. The estimation which his state ments enable us to form of the Americans Offers little from that in which they are held by the Chi nese of Canton, who denominate them second-chop Englishmen. They do not seen t 6 be either so well informed or so well bred as their relatives on this side the Atladtic ; their morals are somewhat less strict, and their sense of honour by no means so perfect. They are not so industrious in their habits; they are not so friendly and social in their dispositions. With re spect to their indolence, it may partly be accounted for by the easy means of subsistence afforded in a plentiful country, under an economical Government, and their frigid and unaccommodating reserve, of which Mr. FLA RON has so frequent reason to com plain in his intercourse with them, may in a great measure arise from their migratory propensities. Ac-! mated by a restless passion for change, a great pro- 1 portion of the population are continually on the move for new settlements ; and these transitions co operating v. ith the incessant influx of strangers, can hot fail to produce among them a general feeling of mistrust, or at least indifference to each other's con cerns. It senald not be paradoxical to deduce from this cause their rude and impudent inquisitiveness ; for they seem to have adopted the practice of guess lag and questioning, as a convenient mode . of dix 'wining th eir own designs, and of parrying any at tempt to penetrate them. In illustration of these re marks, which have been suggested by the perusal of, Ni'. FitatioN's book, we present to the reader the fol-' Issuing picture of an establishment for public accom modation, and of its ordinary inmates: " HorEts.—Having been twice at Louisville, I boarded at the hotels, (Allen's Washington-hall, and Gwathing's Indian Queen). They are similar estab lishments, both upon a very large scale—the former having an average of 80 boarders per day, the latter of 140. Their charges are:—breakfast, Is. Bd. din ner; `2s. 3d. supper, ]s. Bd. bed, 13d. If fi re in room, an extra charge of eid. per night. Board and lodg ing, per day, 6s. 9d. ditto per day, for three months certain, 4s. 6d. These charges, with such an im mense extent of business, must insure a man, mode rately careful, a large fortune. These hotels are con ducted differently from those with which you are ac quainted. A person desiring to put up at one of them applies to the barkeeper, and he must not feel disappointed should he be refused admittance from want of room. The place for washing is in the open' yard, in which there is a large cistern, several towels, and a negro in attendance. The sleeping-room com-. monly contains from four to eight bedsteads, having matrasses, but frequently no feather-beds ; sheets of calico, two blankets, a quilt (either a cotton counter pane or made of patchwork); the bedsteads haire no curtain, and the rooms aregeiterally unprovided with any conveniences. The public rooms are—a news room, a boot-room, in which the bar is situated, and a dining-room. The fires are generally. surrounded by parties of about six, who gain and keep possession. The usual custom is to pace up and down the news room in a manner similar to walking the deck at sea. Smoking segars is practised by all without an excep tion, and at every hour of the day. Argument or discussion, in this part of the world, is of very rare occurrence; social intercourse seems still more un usual. Sonversation on general topics, or the tak ing enlarged and enlightened views of things, rarely occurs: each man is in pursuit of his own individual interest, and follows it in an individualized manner. But to return to the taverns.—At half-past seven the first bell rings, for the purpose of collecting all the boarders; and at eight the second bell rings: break fast is then set, the dining-room is unlocked, a gene ral rush commences, and some activity, as well as dexterity, is essentially necessary to obtain a seat at the table. A boy, as clerk, attends to take down the names, in order that when bills are settled no impro per deduction should be made. The breakfast con sists of a profuse supply of flail, flesh, and fowl, which is consumed with a rapidity truly extraordi nary. Often befin-e I had finished my first cup of ..tea, the room, which when I had commenced was crowded to suffocation, had become nearly empty.— At half-past one the first bell rings, announcing the approach of dinner: the avenues to the dining-room become thronged. At two o'clock the second bell sings, the doors are thrown open, and a repetition of the breakfast scene succeeds. At six tea, or what is Mere called .supper, is announced, and partaken of in e same manner. This is the last meal, and usually iffei'ds the same fare as breakfast. A billiardtable adjoins the hotel, and is generally well occupied. At ten o'clock nearly all have gone to bed, or what they call " turned in." At table there is neither conver sation nor yet &hiking: the latter is effected by indi viduals taking their solitary eye openers,' toddy,' and phlegm dispersers,' at the bar, the keeper of which is in full employ from sun-rise to bed-time. A large tub of water, with a ladle, is placed on the bar, to which customers go and help themselves. • When spirits are called for, the decanter is handed, and you take what quantity you please: the charge is always sixpence three farthings. It is never drunk neat, or with sugar or warm water. :The life of boarders at an American tavern presents the most senseless and comfortless mode of killing time which I have ever seen. Every house of this description that I have been in is thronged so excess, and there is not a man who appears to have a single earthly object in view, except spitting and smoking segars. I have not seen a book in the hands of any person since. I left Philadelphia. Objectionable as these ha bits are, they afford decided evidence of the prospe rity of that country, which can admit so large p. body of its citizens to waste in indolence three-tiiimirs of their lives; and would also appear to hold out en couragement to Englishmen with English habits, who could retain their industry amid a. nation of in-, dolence, and have sufficient firmness to live in Ame rica, anti.xet bid defiance to the deadly example of its natives. The toleration of shivery, in this rnost tolerant of all commonwealths, is another forbidding shade on she portraiture of the American character. LONDON. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1818. Gortowoin Pcor.--11oliday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South-Sea Ilowe. THE FUNDS. The depression of yesterday was occasioned by the alarming accounts received of the state of the French funds. Consols, at one time, were done at 76k, but towards the close of the day rallied to 76i This morning they commenced at 761. Much busi ness has been done, the House being open, although a holiday at the Bank. Every nerve appears to have been strained by the Bulls, but the gloomy appearance of things on the Continent has thrown a damp upon confidence, which is likely to increase. In France, it is said, the greatest difficulty is experienced to get good Bills discounted at any price, and the sale of Stock in the French Funds continues to an immense amount. by orders not only from this country, but from all other parts of the world. Indeed the report on 'Change is, that scarcely any price can be named for French Stock. At one o'clock, the price of Con sols had risen to 77.1. PRIVATE SARGAINS Tills DAT: 3 per Cent. Reduced 76 76i-1 per Ct. Cons:76i 77 Cons. for Acc. 77 77{,-4 per Cent. 94f 95. 5 per Ca. Navy 1071/—lndia Bonds 87 88 pre. Omnium 1 dis.—Exchequer Bills 19 '2O pre. By his Majesty's ship CHILDERS, arrived at Ports mouth, we have received accounts from the West In dies to the date of her departure. She left Trinidad on the 17th of September, having been out nearly three years, and is, we understand, to be paid off in a few days. Left at St. Vincent's the AKTELOPE, Rear-Admiral HARVEY, the only ship remaining on that station, very healthy, as were also the inhabi tants of that Island. The accounts which she has brought respecting the Independents in South Ame rica, have been mostly anticipated by previous ar rivals ; but we learn one fact from them, which we believe is not yet known here. A great many Eng lish Officers volunteered their services on board Ad miral BRION'S fleet in the attack on Guiria, but they all left him at Trinidad, after the capture of Guiria, in consequence of some difference concering p•ly and prize-money. The Governor, Sir R A L PII WOODFOR D, MOIL generously, has afforded them assistance and support at a time when they stood much in need of it, not having been able to get their promised allow ance of pay or prize-money from BRION ; who re fused them in consequence of being under, he said, a necessity of laying out all the specie he had on board, in the puachase of another vessel, supplies, &c. We formerly mentioned that Colonel Wit.sosr, who had been detected in some intrigue or conpiracy against BOLIVAR, had been pardoned, and dismissed the Patriotic service. It has been since stated, on the authority of letters from the West Indies, that he had actually suffered death. This gentleman, however, is alive, as we are assured by an Officer just arrived from Margaretta. It was also lately reported that Admiral %tog had cursed Colonel GILMORE and a brother of Colo nel CAMPBELL to be shot; but this rumour, like many others from the West Indies, is unfounded.— Colonel CAMPBELL had no brother in South Ame rica ; but he had two sons, one of whom tell a vic tim to fever at St. Bartholomew's, and the other has since returned to England. Colonel CAMPBELL him self, after being a short time at Margaretta, and sub sequently on board Admiral BRION% flag ship, the Victory, quitted the Insurgent service, and proceeded to North America, not on a mission from BOLIVAR, as reported, but entirely on his own affairs, and he is now in England. Colonel ENGLISH is also in London, and has been very successful in procuring officers and men. Colonel HIPPISLEY, who commanded an Hussar Brigade, has likewise returned. He was a short time rt Ihnivart's head-quarters, but was commanded to depart from the Main, in consequence of a personal quarrel with that General. Thus the five Officers who left England, in December 1817, at the head of Brigades, have abandoned the service of the Patriots through disgust, harsh treatment, or despair, New York Papers to the 11th of October, arrived this morning. It appears from Detroit Goodies, that an unsuccessful attempt was made at 'Sandwich, in Upper Canada, on the 7th ultimo, to try the long pending cause between Lord SELKIRK and the Bri tish North West Company. The Grand Jury rejected an indictment preferred against Lord SELKIRK, for resisting legal process at Fort William. Another bill was thou preferred against his Lordship and seve ,ral others, for a conspiracy to destroy the Company ; in support of which a great multitude of their ser vants were Brought forward as witnesses. The Grand Jury were occupied till Saturday evening in discussing the merits of the case, and came not to a determination. —On Monday morning, the 14th, they met again, but on account of the bad weather, some of them were not in attendance at the usual hour. About noon the. Chief Justice observed, that the Court had already shewn an unusual degree of indulgence to the Grand Jury, and had waited an unprecedented lusigth al time for that deliberation : that it was un7 reasonable to wait any longer without any Ist:sinew before the Court, and therefore adjourned sins die. The Attorney-General then went into the Jury-room, took the Bill off the table, and told the Gentlemen of the Jury that they need not continue their delibe rations any longer. These circumstances are so extraordinary, that they could not be expected to pass without animad version. It is surmised that some other mitten, not agreeable to the ticrth-West Company, were in the hands of the Grand Jury, and likely to be brought forward by way of presentment, particularly a charge of perjury against some of the witne s ses, and a charge against Mr. StmoN NFGILLIVICAY, for resis tance to legal process, and as..aulting a Constable in the execution of his office. A detachment of 220 of the 4th United States In fantry, under the command of Major BIRD, left Bal timore on the Ist October for the frontiers of Georgia. By the latest advices from these frontiers, we learn that General GAINES arrived at Fort liawkias about the . 2oth September; that the hostile Indians, in great numbers, were surrendering at discretion; and that about three hundred who had surrendered, were ascending the Catahoochie, under Lieut. LEFTWICH. The New York Gaulte of the 3d of October, an• nounces it as almost certain, that a Mr. Martinez, who• had recently arrived there in the brig Bourdeaux, had brought out a Treaty from the Court of Madrid, ceding the Floridas to the United States. The fact is said to be mentioned in a Postrciipt of a letter, re ceived from France by the same vessel, which also states that Mr. Martinez is the bearer of this highly important news. A great sickness is stated to prevail at Amelia Island. According to the latest information, half the troops on that island were confined to the hospi tal with sickness; and numbers of the inhabitants were also suffering under the disease. Four American citizens, captured by the Spa niards, while iu the service of the Patriots, are said to be confined at Ceuta, and treated with greitt cruelty, viz.—Mr. THOMAS C. CONKLIN, and Lieu tenant THOMPSON, of Baltimore ; Captain SEARS, of Boston ; and Mr. WESTON, of Philadelphia. A faint hope was entertained that their release might be effected, which, it not realized, their situa tion would be worse than Algerine slavery, as they were to be removed in the course of a week to the most abject place perhaps in the woild—a small bar ren spot on the Barbary coast, called Zafferine opposite Malaga, and a little to the Eastward of Cape Tres Forcas. The Public are already aware that a class of Com mercial Speculators, residing in Baltimore, have been accused cf purchasing commissions issued by ART! - , I GAS, and availing themselves of that cover to plun dePortuguese vessels of every description, and in many instances to an enormous extent. The subject is likely to undergo a strict investigation in Balti more ; we shall, therefore, considering the affair of some importance, extract the following letter horn a New York Paper, wherein the whole plan and operation, whether truly or not we are of course un- ' able to state, are distinctly developed and described : (From the New nre Ecelang Yuri of dept. t 3.) EXTRACT OP A LETTER FRONI A GENTLENIAN IN BAL• TIMOaE, TO THE EDITOR, DATED SEPT. O. " As I perceive that the system of privateering, which our Merchants have carried on fur some time past, has been repro bated by you, I now communicate some of their proceedings fur your information. It seems that the Spanish property having been swept from the ocean, their cupidity has been attracted by the valuable Portuguese vessels and cargoes which navigate be tween Portugal, the Brazils, and the East Indies. Blank com missions are procured from Artigas, who occupies the banks of the river Plate, opposite Buenos-Ayres ; under colour of which, vessels, armed, equipped, and owned in the United State's, an d more particularly in this city, attack aU the Portuguese and Spanish vessels they fall in with, plunder them of the specie which they find on board, and if the vessels have valuable car , goes, order some for St. Bartholomew's, where it appears an arrangement of mutual convenience has been made with the Governor ; others, fur small ports in the West Indies ; and some even fur the ports of the United States. " Two privateers which lately arrived at this place have car ried on their depredations to a most ruinous extent. One •of them, called La Fortuna, (formerly the Fourth of July), has captured from eight to twelve Portuguese vessels, among which are the Rayuba dos Anjos, from which he took out 112,000 dol lars: a large ship of 900 toes, called the Monte Alegra, loaded with a cargo valued at half a million of dollars ; the brigs Vasco da Gorua and I)on Joao Lest*, valued at 100,000 dollars each, besides others of less value. Another privelber. called &Irresis tible, which left this place in January last, returned a few days ago, having pillaged, distressed, and taken 29 sail of Portuguese vessels, among which were three And amen of great value. This privateer is said to have brought into this port upwards of 200,0u0 dollars in speckle. " The Portuguese Consul-General has conunented sundry suits, to endeavour to procure the restitution of some of this prOperty. lie is said to have attached a quantity of specie de posited In one of the banks, and to have libelled a large Portu guese ship and cargo, which lately entered this port as a prize to the Fortuna: he has, however, directed prosecutions to be undertaken against the reputed owners of the privateers in this city, to recover the value 9f four of the captures ; and the Judge of the District Court has ordered them to give bail each to the amount of 5110,000 . dollars. TLe following persons have been held to bail—John S. Skinner, the Postmaster of this city ; Mat thew Murray, the Sheriff of Baltimore court y ; Joseph Kuria, John Snyder, and Joseph Patterson. " The affair has assumed a serious complexion, and if the ('unsul is successful, as cab scarcely be doubted, must, frum Or magnitude of the claim, tie attended with Almost certain ruin to the parties, and probably to thei: bail, who, it is said, are liable to the full amount of whatever may be the recovery against the persons prosecuted; there b, int in this respect a difference be tween the Admir.dty LINV and common law. The same persons have al4o been arrested upon criara.l charge 4 sivlsting the Act of Contest, In puttirt oat the pieneet Pa and have bent held to bail by order of the Judt i pig In November-wit." The Path Papers of Sunday arri re d The principal heads of their contents err in our preceding columns. The latesfo Marshal the Duke of FkLTillt, is dead, being the Fete de la &walla, none of were to appear, so that we shall be new arrivals to day.—The following n. of fluctuation of the 5 per Cents. ou Sul 71fr. 7.5 c. 60c. .50c. 60c. 71fr. 50c. 25e. 40c. ssc. 50c. 60c. Our Readers are aware that, from avoid recording instances of suicide in excepting only in cases where the fact is that every one must know it, as in us case of Sir SAIIL/EL ROMILLy. In the e( nearly thirty years observation, we ha , mark, that on almost every occurrence the example has been speedily followed instances, proving, decidedly, the evil bare record of such a crime meeting the di viduak labouring under a morbid mental with %thorn such statements act as an a malady which might not otherwise hal into action. We have stated this fact occasions in the hope that our content' we believe to be generally as stroll ; sentiments favourable to humanity asoui be imluced to follow our example, and t cause of morality,. by abstaining from that unnatural crimes of any description. %V, again to press this upon them, from obs already, since the lamented death of ROMILLT, three or four inqances of liral and some of them with fatal success, ha , corded in the Daily Papers.—Would it to make it penal by law to record such would be no improper restiaint on the press. THE QUEEN. " Kew, wednadal • " To a day of comparative ease, yesten her XlAJtsry.experienced a temporary those severe sufferings which a 1 .,: grad; ing her, a night of heavy lethargic ceeded, from which she awoke uaa morral and unrefreshed. " Throughout the whole of the day . has continued much iu the same debiii; without any pet ceptible ;alteration, eitLer ter or worse. " The Duke of Yuax visited the Pain] The weather tlhf not permit their Roy; to walk out in the grounds, and die lto‘ ter remaining an hour at the Palace, reti " The Paisce Rtocsr has, to-night usual visit, but his Royal Highness has express to receive the evening report , cians ; and the messenger was the bearer from his Royal Highness both to the ~ TA and the Duchess of GLOVCUTE Ile Dowager Countess of CARDIGA tess of 11Aticotrr, Lady CAMPBELL, and ZABETti MuSTAGI;I7, were among the the Palace, to-day." The following Bulletin was issued thi “'Kcw Palace, " The QUEEN has had a restless night. toms of her MAJEM'S disease remain yesterday. (Signed) " iIENBT The Pictscr. REurNr and the Duchess CF:STF.R, were met, on Tiesday, at Wto on their visit to the Princess SOPHIA,' their Royal sister upon the Anniversary t. day, by the Duchess of YORK, from Oadands. Princess SOPHIA of GLOUCESTER cumin visitor with her Royal Cousin. On the arrival of the Duke of Sums Wells, he alighted from his carriage a Bum;lN's, where his Royal Highness di welcomed by a discharge of cannon fro, situation on the Commun. About noon, on Friday, his Imperia' Archduke MAXIMILIAN, with his sui CLARK'S Hotel, in York. 'They vi site. drat, and other objects of public interest the same day proceeded on a tour to the Lady WILLIAMS WVNN has left to% W. Wymes, Hart. seat, 11" ynct.iy, Dem The Duke of MONT ItOSL an ived on house, Grosvenor-square, hum: his :el her Grace and the Ladies (• HA NI air Earl \Vuirw•onru has kit his se: Sussex, on a tour. Lord BINNING at his late visit to to each of the National Schools iu th; food, ti sum of CIO. Our late accounts from Sierra-Leone melancholy in the esti erne. u hi' excluiive of military, do nut exceed of these one-third fell victims to the les rainy season; the Rev. Mr. Juayos, chic• the wife of the Rev. Mr. l'ot.t.tEa, as.istaut ch. Mr.WENzEt, a respectable missionary, Mrs.Dn wife to another missionary, Mt. LEE, Mt. 1111: Mr. SUTHERLAND, Mr. Jot.t.v, Mr.lloutird s. others, have died of the malignant fever whk vails annually in that unfortunate Colony. ) 1 : Mrs.CAIIEW, Mr. and Mrs. OwENsov, and' who have escaped death, gill sutler severely th effects of the fever, which produces such estr,r.r bility as sul,Lian, has been iserfestly :eon e:el. .• I 1 . i ~ _ ' - 1 -.. lio .. A , • - i . .• ' .... . (1 . f 1 1 I, ; , 1 • . , . I .l ... i • • i , . • • k t. el ~i 1 , ; 1 1 I i )ii i ' ..,, • rocrtt to red h st lai allb ek : iinisb 4 . 4ll „ • Moods% Of the J 00,4 re wi t h et Was the et,4 4 zuniq: 71' ;;;; E , ~ I P ri ma* ri n our • : IS co D ik e tLe larnenL4 course ar m lave bad to e , ce of this red in trr: ds d drect, the ey es naelatid &se tt excitement are bee n r i ll ct o n m aw roPorari, lIT actuate/ 4 iv:Lives, sr co d the, *Trete the plenum r.' We me ntr i observing 4. 4 of Sir Su r railar % atany...;. have b ets it not be anial h crimes? This e liberty t f u g :e: day, II y 1.:14:e r dually efr.:.Z4 11:1111)C7 orning, v her Mary :bilitated sr Ler fur ::.e be: Ncrssts • Iyal High - loyal Duke, numed to ocired L as sc. Jrrs - t of the Pa Barer ci lc . le Princess ran. IGAN, C and Lady E he incyan: this day : et, stwele ;ht. The sy tin the SAW U.11.1%)11X: chess of Gt. Vindsor last to congra:u' try u her Bir:b Oadands. tirues rrs;,:e - rit at Tunbtid at Sir G • $ dined. He mm an eler • ial Highness Juke, arrive: site) the C• crest thee, the own for Denbighshire. a Tuesday seat in Scc' rrived Yester seat, 136 C RAClleSt er, that might .eone have ►bite illbAb i I :40 pert , '' 3 fever durog , chief chal. , rs•istaut rv, Mrs. Dirt Mr. Ilk • IfotmatlA fever whia :olonv. oat., and e- • SeVerfly 6.11 THE EVENING STAR.