Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/78

 only 35 years. Increase and multiply is here the grand first order of the day. Two men were this day sentenced to die; one for the murder of a white man, and the other for stealing a negro. A man may, here, murder a negro almost with impunity, or by paying a paltry fine to the state; but, if he steals one, he must be hanged for it, and almost without benefit of clergy.

I find, that James Gregory, Esq., a gentleman to whom I brought an introductory letter, stands at present much in the way of my mission. Visited Judge King, my constant friend and adviser. He came hither from lean-landed Scotland, bringing nothing with him but his capacities. He began as a schoolmaster, but, during his leisure hours, gained a knowledge of law, in which, though not great as an orator, he has become eminent as an advocate and judge, because he is wise, honest, and good. He came hither in his own proper name of Michael Kinggo, which, at the request of his American friends, he changed into Mitchel King, {50} his right name being obnoxious to national prejudices.

Sunday, 9th.—Accompanied Mrs. Atkins, a countrywoman of mine, once of St. Ives, a lady of good fortune, and amiable mind and manners, to the new Episcopal church, to which a female friend of hers has subscribed 4,000 dollars. Met a small genteel auditory, in a splendid edifice; but the parson seemed dull. He prayed not for George IV., but for the President; nor for lords temporal and spiritual in parliament assembled, but for the congress, &c. I walked nearly all day through a dissolving heat, and thought myself the better for it. So necessary is exercise to the continuance of health.

10th.—Leaving Planters' hotel for a season, I took my place in the Columbia mail, 15 dollars for 70 miles, and