The Sun.
London, England, 1818-11-07 00:00:00

UNITED STATES AND BRITISH COLONIES.

Mn.- EDlTOR,—Having a peisonal knowledge
of the United States, I derive considerable amuse-
ment from every thing respecting them ; but more
especially from the lucubrations of the five recent
iy
writers, BRISTED, BIRKBECK, CORBETT, FEARON,
and JAMES—men who have individually observed
and judged of America under a specific difference
of sentiments and views, but whose united testi-
monies, in points where they do unite, ought to
he considered as the standard of truth, and will
.be by all but those who are determined to be blind
to every thing except their own prejudices.
The impartiality of the first on the list, BRIS-
TED, may by some be doubted, as he is an Eng-
lishman but then, as he was resident in America
when his work was first published, we may ven-
ture to surmise from what he does tell, that he
could have told more, not of the most flattering
nature to the vain inhabitants of that Country,
had not pruderiiiiirmotives restrained him., His
object he states to be to give an outline.of the
physical, intellectual, and moral character, capa-
city, and resources of the United States ;-and.his
execution of that plan cannot fail to he. import-
ant to the politician and the man of letters ; nay,
even to farmers, manufacturers., and all likely to
become emigrants, hut who are, no doubt, more
caught by the speCious descriptions of the second,
BIRKEEDK, tvikg•yisited America as an erskliusiasr,
and settled in itaa an ttolinsiast y ;hough Isis last
work on the Illinois cannot fail to convince every
thinking person that experience has convinced
him of the folly of seeking happiness, or even
comfort, in a transatlantic desert.

Even CouBETT's flowery melange is completely
at variance, in its facts, with the sentiments which
that versatile personage wishes to inculcate. In-
deed 1 am in daily expectation of another 'of his
changes, and of perusing a work from his pen
which may, perhaps, contain some truth, at,d be
a complete refutal of his one year's residence,
with all its wonders.

FBAHoN appears to have possessed all the en-
thusiasm of BIR'KBECK ; the partiality, not to say-
prejudice, of COBBETT ; and the turn - for ac-
curate observation of BRISTED. He also pos-
sesses candour and liberality to tell the truth ho-
nestly, even when seemingly holstering up. his old
opinions, and, therefore, we Must not blame him if
be is not yet himself aware of his new ones, though
they speak out in every page of his book. But
that book is most valuable ; and I do not scruple
to aver that Ministers would do an essential ser-
vice to the community were they to purchase Mr.
EaanoN'S copy-right, print off at least 100,000
copies, and distribute them for sale, at the price of
half-a-crown, or eighteen pence; throughout the
Empire.
To those who stay at home, but who fear an-
other contest with America, James's work cannot
fail to give confidence whilst imparting truth.—
Blit-this latter-work is purely military and naval;
yet the facts it contains are highly important.—
Balsa's') touches slightly on that subject ; but he
asserts what I believe remains yet to be proved,
" that the American crews were superior to-those
of the British Navy." That they were:more nu-
merous in proportion to the size of the ships I
will not deny ; but the general claim of superio-
rity is another point. The fact is, however, that
the British Officers and men, at the commence-
ment of the contest, despised the American ships
too much. They remembered the lengthy story of
the Yankee Captain who engaged the French
La Vengeance, with his " long spy-glass," and
his " long speaking-trumpeL" They remember-
ed the Little Belt and ilio.Chesapeitke! So that
the smallest frigate in the BritistrNavy' would not
have scrupled to run .the heaviest. Ame-
rican. But these ships were so high, out .of the
water, that an English frigate, at half:pistol-shot,
could not tire upon herdecl4,`..but atnongst her.
ivater•casks,'whilst the American fired dosv►l.upon
her ; and if engaging at a distance, and shot for
s`►ot had told equally,,, the' Ainerieans were so
over• rigged , nd. the EnglislG,through 'n.listak'en
idea of neatness, _so. _ontler-rigged; t 1 t a'fter
half an hour's action the Yankee would have'
more rigging left: standing than the Etiglish went
into action with.. Oleourse the capture or de?
struction . of every English ship was-preceded by
the , fall of her 'mists, by, which.Sliebecarne un-
managable. . This error. will,, .1 hope, in future
be guarded against ; and now we have only to
investigate the probable 'COnsequences of the
American "restrictions: Let us then examine
what are the indispensable supplies from the
United States,' in lumber and provisions. As for
lumber, whether in square or scantling timber,
in plank, Or in shingles, we may receive a -lull
supply from Canada and Nova Scotia,'at a cheap
freight too, if our light outward bound ships were
to call in the St. Lawrence on their passage oat.
Staves and hoops may be Bqt-tally supplied, with
the exception of white oak staves, which are con-
sidered as indispensable for rum casks. I doubt the
fact however. France is not indebted to America
for her brandy casks.
As for provisions, they may also, be obtained
from Canada and Nova Scotia, with cool from
Newfoundland, herrings lions our own coasts,
beef and poi k from Ireland, and flour from Eng-
land, if it be true that here the Agriculturist cannot
find a market. All these may be sent out at half
freight or less in our own West Indiatnen. The
only thing wanting then is mill timber, and of
that an inexhaustible store may be found, for the
cutting down, in the Isle of Bieque, or Crab
Island, off the S. E. end of Porto Rico. I know
it well, it is almost unclaimed by Spain, for it
wants water, except what is brackish. Cultiva-
tion therefore is impossible, or nearly so ; but as
a depot for mill timber, England should at once
negociate for it, or at least include it in the whis-
pered negociation for Porto Rico.

Butt Sir, 1 fear that we shall not have an op.
portuntty of improving our own American Colo-
nies by a stoppage of Yankee exports. _ . .

The Western States must find a vent for their
produce, and will never cheerfully consent to the
modern syit ern. The markets at New Orleans will