The general welfare of the people, contributes to augment between all classes, that equality which the constitution establishes between individuals, in the eye of the law. At church on Sunday, and at public meetings, it is impossible to distinguish by his dress, and it might almost be added, by his manners, an artisan, from what is called a gentleman, in society: the multiplicity of schools, and the right which every man enjoys of attending to public affairs, diffuses among this class of Americans a knowledge and a correctness of judgment, which would be sought in vain in the middle classes of France. In Boston, what is called the best society, that is, companies of literary men, rich merchants, government officers, and professional men, offer the surprising contrast of a rare degree of information, with great simplicity of manners. The excessive severity of character which distinguished the first settlers of New England, is gradually becoming effaced by communication with other people, and especially by the introduction of religious toleration; the rigorism of the puritans has given place to a mild harmony between the numerous sects, which are not only numerous in New England, but the whole Union. But it must not be supposed, however, that indifference has succeeded to fervor; religious exercises are observed with scrupulous exactitude; and it would be difficult to find in Boston a pleasure house open on Sunday. The chains which were formerly stretched across the streets during divine service, are gradually disappearing. The government never interferes in any way in religious matters; the pastors of the different congregations are paid by their parishioners, and if an especial respect be publicly paid to those who frequent the churches, those who never attend them are never persecuted. Finally, there is but one remaining trace of the religious tyranny of the first settlers, and unfortunately that trace occurs in the state constitution. The 1st article of the 6th chapter, excludes from the offices of government all candidates who are not christians, and who will not swear that they are convinced of its truth.—“I, A. B. do declare that I believe the christian religion, and have a firm persuasion of its truth.”
We can scarcely comprehend how, in a society so free and enlightened, where the progress of philosophy is every day evident, the state still can continue to refuse the services of a virtuous man, because the individual may be a Jew or a Mussulman.
CHAPTER IV.
Camp of Savin Hill. Visit to John Adams: review of the regulations of the Massachusetts militia.
On the 28th of August general Lafayette was invited by the governor to visit the camp at Savin Hill, a few miles from Boston; he accepted the invitation, and we arrived there at noon. Savin Hill is a very picturesque situation on the borders of the sea, where during the fine season the volunteer militia companies of Boston go successively to pass some days in camp, for the purpose of military exercise. On our arrival we found them under arms. The young officer in command came to receive the general, and after a brief address he returned to the head of his troops, which manœuvred with much precision. After various movements of infantry, the artillery commenced firing at a mark. Most of the shots were fired with great skill, at a target floated at a sufficient distance on the water. The artillerists invited the general to aim one of their pieces, which he did, and his shot knocked the target in pieces. This successful shot, which no one expected from a man of his age, procured him the applauses of all the young soldiers, and of the ladies who usually visit the camp to see their brothers and husbands, but on this occasion had flocked in greater numbers to see Lafayette.
The guns of the artillerists attracted our attention from the moment of our arrival; after the exercises were finished I approached to examine them more attentively, and was considerably surprised to recognize our French models, which were perfectly imitated. From the officers who observed the interest with which we examined these pieces, we learned that this improvement was owing to general Henry Lallemand, who was forced by the proscriptions of 1815 to seek a refuge in the United States, where he died in 1823, universally esteemed and regretted. The militia of Massachusetts are indebted to him for great improvements in their artillery; and he has left a treatise on the subject, in three volumes, in which, it is true, he has only reproduced in part the regulations already known and practised in France, but which he has admirably adapted to the use of those for whom he wrote. He married in Philadelphia the niece of a French gentleman, who during 50 years residence in that city, had by his success in commerce, amassed one of the largest fortunes in the United States. The situation of general Lallemand, however, was not improved by this marriage, as he died poor. His amiable and interesting widow, with her only daughter, continues to reside at Philadelphia, under the protection of her uncle.
After visiting the camp at Savin Hill, the governor took us to dine at his country seat; whence we returned to attend a brilliant ball, which Mr. Lloyd, senator of the United States, gave to general Lafayette.
John Adams, whose name is so gloriously connected with all the great epochs of the American revolution, and who had the honour of succeeding Washington in the first magistracy of the republic, was then detained at his retreat by the weight of eighty-nine years. Lafayette who had been acquainted previously, and even maintained a strict friendship with him, was unwilling to depart without paying him a visit: a feeling of delicacy, easy to be understood, made him wish that this visit should be unattended by any of that triumphal pomp, by which his slightest movements had been accompanied. In consequence, he set out in a carriage, merely accompanied by two gentlemen of the city, and followed by his son and myself. We arrived about two o’clock at Quincy. Our carriages stopped at the door of a very simple small house, built of wood and brick, and but one story high. I was somewhat astonished to learn that this was the residence of an Ex-President of the United States. We found the venerable John Adams in the midst of his family. He received and welcomed us with touching kindness: the sight of his ancient friend imparted a pleasure and satisfaction, which appeared to renew his youth. During the whole of dinner time, he kept up the conversation with an ease and readiness of memory, which made us forget his 89 years.
The long life of John Adams has been exclusively devoted to the service of his country and liberty, which from his youth he passionately loved.
He was born at Quincy, the 19th October, 1735, and studied at Cambridge, which he left in 1755, to take charge of a grammar school at Worcester, where, at the same time, he applied himself to the study of the law, under James Putnam. In 1758, he was admitted to the bar. In 1770 he was chosen as a representative of the town of Boston, in the Assembly of Massachusetts. When the quarrels between the English soldiers and the citizens of Massachusetts became sanguinary, he showed his full strength of character, by defending captain Preston and his soldiers, for firing on the people; in this defence he was assisted by Josiah Quincy, jr. and S. Blowers. He was unwilling that the love of liberty should transcend the love of justice, and his eloquence secured the safety of those unfortunates, who were in fact nothing but the blind and ignorant instruments of English tyranny.