demned to the public works. The little state of Delaware followed this noble example. New York has sanctioned nearly the same regulations in their favour as Pennsylvania. A society, connected with one in London, and others in the American states, formed for the express purpose of promoting the abolition, has greatly ameliorated their condition, in all respects; especially by affording numbers of them a degree of instruction in religion, and the useful arts of reading and writing, which they acquire with as much facility as white men brought up in the same manner. From this information we may encourage the hope that the time approaches when their shackles shall be removed, and they shall participate with the other races of mankind, in the common benefits of liberty and independence: that instead of the treatment of beasts of burthen, they shall be considered as rational beings, and co-heirs with us of immortality: that a conscientious care of educating their children in the great duties of Christianity, will produce a happy change from the vices in which, from ignorance and a combination of unfavourable circumstances, they now live, to the practice of reli gion and morality, and entitle them to rank on an equality with their fellow-creatures. Besides these public acts in favour of the negroes, many individuals have generously given liberty to their slaves; amongst others that have fallen under my notice, I shall mention the instance of Messrs. David and John

John Barclay, respectable merchants in London, who received, as an equivalent for a debt, a plantation in Jamaica, stocked with thirty-two slaves. They immediately resolved to set these negroes free; and that they might effectually enable them afterwards to provide for themselves, the surviving brother, David, sent an agent from England to manage the business, and convey them to Philadelphia, having first supplied them with all necessaries; where, under the fostering hand of his friends in that city, with the assistance of the Abolition Society, they were apprenticed to mechanic trades, and the children sent to school to be properly in structed. This benevolent act was rewarded with extraordinary success. Except two, these liberated slaves prospered, and became useful members of the community.

Many of those who are free, gain a great deal of money; as I conclude, from a ball given among themselves, at which we were present, where, though all of a sooty black, the company was well dressed, came in coaches, and were regaled with a good supper and variety of refreshments. There is another species of bondage practised here, that rouses the indignation of an Englishman. Numbers of European labourers and mechanics, in hopes of making a fortune, emigrate to America ; and having no money to pay for their passage, or settle themselves, on their arrival, in any profitable employment, consent to be sold, by the captain or

Owner

owner of the vessel in which they came, to the highest bidder, for a certain number of years, the term being regulated by the value of their labour. If they understand a trade, they are sold for a shorter time; but if they can only dig, they must endure the hardships of their condition for a longer period, during which they are so much at the disposal of their masters, that they may sell and resell them at their pleasure. We saw a whole cargo from England sold a few days ago; and Arthur was so provoked at the sight of a high-spirited lad of his own age, driven before his purchaser, that he endeavoured to rescue him; and if I had not had powerful friends, both he and the youth must have gone to prison for the offence.

You well know that the United States of America were formerly colonies of Great Britain; but a dispute arising between them and the mother country, a civil war ensued, which terminated in the Americans becoming an independent people, in 1783. Since that period, the states have been united into what is called a federal government, forming one great nation by the union of the provinces, which each enjoy a separate jurisdiction, subject at the same time to the decrees of a general congress, composed of representatives from the different states, and headed by a president chosen every four years.

At the commencement of the independence of America, the union consisted of thirteen states

only,

only, but three have since been added; and as the interior parts become more cultivated, it is likely the number of states will increase. Believe me, with compliments to the Middleton family, your affectionate brother,

HENRY FRANKLIN.

LETTER III.

Arthur Middleton to his Mother.

Washington.

DEAR MOTHER,

WE made our first excursion from Philadelphia, through the states of New Jersey and Delaware.

The South Mountain, which is one ridge of the great Allegany range, crosses New Jersey, and contains amazing quantities of iron ore. The interior part of the country is agreeably varied with small hills; but towards the south, near the sea, it is flat and sandy, with few trees, except shrub oaks, and the white and yellow pines. Apple orchards are very frequent; and produce fine fruit, as I suppose, from the excellent cider which we found in almost every house where we stopped in the province.

Trenton is the capital of the state, from being the place where the legislature and the courts of justice hold their sittings. It has a flourishing college; and in its neighbourhood are several gentlemen's seats, finely situated on the banks of the Delaware. Burlington is another principal town, extending along the Delaware, which, opposite to it, is a mile wide. The chief streets make a pleasing appearance, from rows of trees being planted in the fronts of the houses. There are several other towns, but we saw nothing very remarkable in them.

The state of Delaware is a peninsula, bounded on the east by the river that bears its name, and the ocean; the bay of Chesapeak encloses it on the western side. To the south, it is a low, flat country, abounding in forests of pine, which, when sawed into planks, form a profitable article of commerce. The northern side is more fertile, and produces rich harvests of wheat. Dover is the seat of government; but Wilmington is the largest and most agreeable town in the state. We rested there one day, for the purpose of examining some of the mills in the neighbourhood, which stand upon Brandywine River, there being no less than thirteen, almost close to each other; some of them grind flour, others saw wood or stone. The construction of these mills is extremely ingenious, and so contrived, that a great many operations are performed with a very little labour. There is also

machinery