St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-06-14

| special attention. de refers to the con-
vention, then assembled, hard at work
upon new constitution. The result no
man could forsee. In this letter he also
| gives some details about the state oil
Vermont, its situation, and its progress,
These details, unfortunately are not
quoted by st. Johns biographer, except
| the following: in 176+ / traversed all
this country with the savages, who were
! then the only inhabitants" The COM
prehensive grasp of M. st. Johns mind
is perhaps as we'll illustrated in this let
ter to the Duke d'Harcourt as any,
where. "They 1.-THE Americans) began to
understand that it was not commerce
with England which enriched them but
national industry; the perfection of all
their exports, and the introduction OF
manufactures most suited to their eli
mate, and to the genius OF the inhabi-
tants the Introduction of merchandise
from France, which they can pay for
with oil, potash, tobacco, and rice.
Necessity, misfortune, the flight of all
specie flowing out of the country to pay
for English merchandise has opened their
eyes. The national fisheries upon the
banks OF Newfoundland, and the pursuit
of the whale have been stimulated by
substantial rewards, and this year they
have been singularly fortunate. The
increased, the profitable and growing
trade in sailed provisions has been per-
fected and many cargoes have been sent
to the Indies, where they have found
ready sale. In all parts their iron works,
their forges, and furnaces, are in full blast,
and with characteristic ingenuity we see
them hunting through all the islands and
the continent for cannon and mortars,
old iron of every description, which they
bring here and convert at little expense,
into bar-iron OF an excellent quality"
We think it difficult to excel this por-
trayal of the hardy enterprise of Ameri-
can people recovering from the wounds
of seven years OF war. This letter also
includes details about the commerce of
the Indies, the approaching construction
of glass factory, the navigation of the
Ohio, and of canals. The entire letter re.
veals so clearly the great range of st.
Johns powers of observation when ap-
piled to American affairs that we feel sure
OF the readers indulgence for the extent
of our quotations.
Ethan Allen wrote to St. John from
Bennington on the 9th day OF August,
1887, a letter which reveals in some
measure the alarm of sturdy patriot.
II imagine that the confusion of the
United States has augmented beyond your
expectations. l have for long
time apprehended that the federal gov
eminent was of short duration. ~
Thirteen independent heads, and a govern.
ment to unite them isa political monster,
and monsters are always short lived"
How little we, in our day, can estimate
the feelings of men, who anxiously
awaited the launch of new constitu.
ton; and who can fathom the mischief
done if that constitution had failed of
ratification. Surely Providence was at
the helm. If people were anxious about
coming events in America in 1887, how
much deeper must the shadow have ap.
peared in France at that time. The ten.
ure of st. Johns consulship was menaced
by events Fastening toward catastro-
phe in France. His friend Castries, min
lister OF marine, resigned. Lafayette
torestaled adverse measures for time,
but letter ofthe 25th ofDecember, 1888,
proved to st. John that political enemies
were threatening attack. For this and
other reasons perhaps he deemed it pru.
dent to appear in his own defense at
Paris. He applied for and received leave
OF absence, and awaiting only the mar
riage of his daughter, sailed on the 31st
of May, 1890, for France. He was des-
tined never again to see the land of his
adoption.