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

70

[The reason is, that the portrait painter ministers to the gratification of personal vanity, or self-love, and the landscape painter to a refined taste. As the proportion of egotists to men of refined and cultivated taste, is somewhat less than a million to one, it is easy to see which branch of the arts will receive most attention.] – Trans.

71

Kensington was formerly a distinct village, on the Delaware above Philadelphia; the city has now extended thus far, so that it now belongs to the city. The tree was some years ago struck by lightning and destroyed.

72

In service of the Netherlands, on his return from a mission to the new South American republics.

73

Austrian Consul-General to the United States.

74

Whose acquaintance I made on the Mississippi during my trip from Louisville to Cincinnati.

75

[This light is emitted by molluscous animals, which are exceedingly abundant in some parts of the ocean. They are also seen to great advantage during the night, in the Chesapeake bay.] – Trans.

76

A respectable London merchant, and native of Flanders, to whom I am much indebted for very important services.

77

[Now exhibiting in New York.] – Trans.

78

The virtuous indignation of the Duke, at these horrible consequences of slavery, is such as every man, not hardened by long familiarity with such scenes, must feel; those to whom they are daily presented regard them with calm indifference, or even attempt to argue in favour of their continuance and harmlessness. It is not as generally known, as it should be, that the slave trade is carried on, almost as vigorously now, as ever it was, and by citizens of almost every nation; not in the least excepting Americans. The slave vessels sail principally from Havanna and St. Thomas, and land their cargoes on the island of Puerto Rico, and elsewhere, whither purchasers and agents resort, when such an arrival occurs. Two schooners, with large cargoes, arrived in Puerto Rico in February last, and two brigs were daily expected. It is said in the West Indies, that all ships of war, of powers owning West India Colonies, connive at the trade, which is fully supported by facts; as French, Danish, and English cruisers were in the vicinity, when the above mentioned cargoes arrived. The idea of cruising off the coast of Africa, to prevent the trade, is ridiculed by the slave dealers, with one of whom the writer of this note conversed. If the American, or any other government really wished to put an end to this trade, it could be very effectually accomplished, by sending small armed vessels to intercept the slave traders near their places of landing cargoes, which are not very numerous. It is also said, in the West Indies, that the Havanna traders still contrive to introduce Africans into the southern part of the United States; of the truth or falsehood of this, we know nothing. The slave vessels are generally Baltimore clipper brigs, and schooners, completely armed and very fast sailers. Two of them sailed on this execrable trade in February last, from a part visited by the writer. —Trans.