[Illustration: PETER BROWN'S ARMS.] TRAVELS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; Commencing in the Year 1793, and Ending in 1797. With The Author's Journals of his Two Voyages Across the Atlantic * * * * * BY WILLIAM PRIEST, Musician, Late of the Theatres Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston. * * * * * CAPPRICCIO con---- * * * * * LONDON: Printed for J. Johnson, No. 72, St. Paul's Church-Yard * * * * * 1802. Bryer, Printer, Bridewell Hospital, Bridge Street. PREFACE. An elegant writer observes that a preface may be dispensed with in any work, if the author (either from his humility of justice) think that his style be calculated only to put his readers to sleep. Though I do not think the publication of the following sheets will _materially_ affect the price of opium, I cannot intrude this volume on the public without informing them, what all my friends will vouch for the truth of, viz.-- that on my return from America, in 1797, I wrote the work in its present form _for their_ perusal; and, that conscious of my want of talent as a writer, I resisted all their entreaties for its publication, till within these three months. The public, I presume, will not be _wholly_ disappointed; the _extracts_ I have made from _Jefferson_, _Belknap_, and other american writers, are worthy their attention: _I_ have no other merit than having placed them in a tolerable point of view. "The God of Truth, and all who know me, will bear testimony that, from my whole soul, I despise deceit, as I do all silly claims to superior wisdom, and infallibility, which so many writers, by a thousand artifices, endeavour to make their readers imagine they possess." CONTENTS. Introduction JOURNAL--Gravesend--why so called--Deal--Falmouth--Pendennis castle--a gale--a hymn--the gulph weed--sun set at sea--dolphins and flying fish-- first account of the yellow fever--arrival in the Delaware--on shore in the Jerseys--Woodbury--melancholy visit to Philadelphia--arrival at Annapolis ANNAPOLIS--why so called--extract from the charter--situation--loss of the trade--accounted for--Annapolitans partial to theatrical amusements-- produce of Maryland--tobacco--wheat--new species of manure JOURNEY TO THE CAPITAL--filial affection of the negroes--fried squirrels and coffee--Baltimore--the mighty Susquana--intrepidity of a slave--how rewarded--Wilmington--Brandywine--grist mills--the battle--Chester-- arrival at Philadelphia TWO ANECDOTES--a gentleman blacksmith not ashamed of his origin--a high sheriff doing his duty PHILADELPHIA--state of, in 1681--Penn's arrival in 1701--intended plan of the city--not observed--situation--advantages of exports--entries in 1793-- buildings how constructed--houses removed intire--new theatre--pleasure carriages--removal of the state government to Lancaster