In short, we have in Flint’s _Letters_ a remarkable study of American life in the beginning of its new era, at the close of the second war with England. Charitable, comprehending, thoughtful, he does not slur over national faults nor unduly praise local virtues. Dangers, both financial and political, are pointed out; but the basic principles of American society are distinctly and clearly laid bare, and the progress and possibilities of the New West revealed. In the present reprint, the original edition, published in Edinburgh in 1822, has been followed; save that the Addenda given in the latter (pp. 303-330), have been omitted, as being composed of material of small present importance: 1. Two letters from a Jeffersonville (Indiana) lawyer dated Dec. 20, 1820, and Aug. 1, 1821, commenting satirically upon the wildcat currency of that day. 2. Three other letters, by various persons, giving an account of material progress in Indiana. 3. “The American Tariff, with alterations and additions.” In the preparation of this volume for the press, the Editor has had the assistance of Louise Phelps Kellogg, Ph.D., Edith Kathryn Lyle, Ph.D., and Mr. Archer Butler Hulbert. R. G. T. MADISON, WIS., October, 1904. FLINT’S LETTERS FROM AMERICA--1818-1820 Reprint of the original edition: Edinburgh, 1822 [Illustration: LETTERS FROM AMERICA, CONTAINING OBSERVATIONS ON THE CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE OF THE WESTERN STATES, THE MANNERS OF THE PEOPLE, THE PROSPECTS OF EMIGRANTS, &c. &c. BY JAMES FLINT. “From the disorders that disfigure the annals of the Republics of Greece and Italy, the advocates of despotism have drawn arguments, not only against the forms of republican government, but against the very principles of civil liberty. They have decried all free governments as inconsistent with the order of society, and have indulged themselves in malicious exultation over its friends and partizans. Happily for mankind, stupendous fabrics reared on the basis of liberty, which have flourished for ages, have, in a few glorious instances, refuted their gloomy sophisms. And, I trust, America will be the broad and solid foundation of other edifices not less magnificent, which will be equally permanent monuments of their error.”--_General Alexander Hamilton._ EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR W. & C. TAIT, PRINCE’S STREET; AND LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, LONDON. 1822. ] TO JAMES STUART, ESQUIRE YOUNGER OF DUNEARN THE FOLLOWING SHEETS ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR CONTENTS LETTER I Voyage from Greenock to New York--Circumstances of Passengers--Arrival, &c. 25 LETTER II Observations on New York--Removal to Long Island--Miscellaneous Remarks--Return to New York--Farther Observations on the City 30 LETTER III