Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/65

 and opinions: he feels sure that British {33} farmers and labourers, of steady habits, must, and do benefit by emigration, to so good and flourishing a country as America, and says, that Englishmen are esteemed far above all other Europeans. I said I thought that feeling was mutual between the people of both countries, but that little goodwill existed in our government towards revolted America: he thought so too. "I wish you to call on the British consul, an amiable man, to whom I will introduce you; he lives near my country seat; and, sir, any advice or money of mine, is much at your service. I regret I cannot pay you better attentions, for I am greatly pleased to see English gentlemen come amongst us, to witness, as to-day, the fairness, freeness, and openness of our elections, which you see are conducted in an orderly, respectable manner. Here is no confusion; a voter has only to choose his ticket, and give it as and to whom he pleases, and that secretly, and unknown, if he thinks proper." While I was thus snugly closetted with my honourable friend, a gentleman abruptly entered and joined our conversation. He was at the head of a manufactory of broad cloths, equal, he thought, to any imported. An establishment of this kind, till lately, was almost a novelty; he wished me to view it. I now said, for the present, farewell; and was introduced by a professional gentleman, to the floor of the supreme court, then in judgment assembled, in a large and goodly building. I heard {34} but little eloquence, and saw nothing interesting about their proceedings; all seemed plain, simple, and undignified, like a vestry meeting in England. The lawyers or counsellors were easy and colloquial, and the judges by no means awful, nor in anywise distinguished, but by a higher bench and a silk gown. The former gentlemen are both wigless