The debts contracted by the state in 1814, amounting with the interest to more than 30,000 dollars, have been paid; and the state has at present considerable funds in the bank of the United States.
The wisdom and economy of the administration, and the equity of the government have borne their fruits. The happiness of the people of New Hampshire is indubitable; it is attested by the diffusion of knowledge, by the wealth of commerce, the prosperity of agriculture, and the rapid increase of population. This increase in spite of the constant emigration towards the new countries of the south, and especially of the west, is still very remarkable. In 1755 the population was about 34,000 souls; in 1790 it was 141,885; in 1800 it was 183,858; in 1810 it was 214,460, and at present it amounts to 244,161 souls. Of this number about 800 are free persons of colour. Although there is no special law against slavery, the philanthropic spirit of the inhabitants, and a correct view of their interests, have done justice in regard to this monstrosity, and we may say at present, slavery does not exist in New Hampshire: we may say the same indeed of all the New England states.
This population of 244,161 souls, furnishes 2,384 persons devoted to agriculture, 8,699 to manufactures, and 1,068 to commerce.
The state of New Hampshire could bring 25,000 men into the field from the class of citizens from 16 to 45 years old. In case of need this force could be considerably augmented by the men who are on the alarm list, which is formed of men from 45 to 60 years old, and of all those exempt from ordinary service by the militia regulations. The exemptions are the same as those of Massachusetts.
I have said that the diffusion of knowledge in New Hampshire was great. The advantage of a good general education is owing to the care of the government and the foresight of the constitution, which directs the legislator and magistrate always to regard as a sacred duty the advancement of the interests of letters and science and of all the public schools; to encourage private institutions; to give rewards and privileges for the encouragement of agriculture, the arts, sciences and commerce; the natural history and manufactures of the country.
As in all the rest of the Union, absolute liberty in religious concerns is declared by the constitution to be a natural and inalienable right; no one can be disturbed or interfered with on account of his religious views. The law does not acknowledge any dominant sect. All the ministers of the different communions have equal right to the protection of the government, and receive their salaries from their parishioners, whose good will they are obliged to acquire, and they only obtain it by setting a virtuous example. Thus their manners are generally pure, marriages common, and celibacy but little esteemed. It is rare in the interior towns to find a bachelor over thirty years old. The girls marry so young, that it is not uncommon to see the mother and daughter both nursing their infants at the same time. We may also readily find the grandfather, father and son, at work together in the fields.
Many other particulars remained to be learned relative to New Hampshire, but the general having promised to make a second visit in the ensuing spring, I shall profit thereby to collect the information I could not procure during so short a stay.
We left Portsmouth for Boston, as already stated, at midnight and arrived there at two o’clock; we set out again at four, through Lexington, Lancaster, Worcester, Tolland, and Hartford. In each of these places, Lafayette received from all the citizens evidences of regard, which vividly affected him, but to which he had scarce time to respond, so rapid was our journey. We slept the first night at the charming country house of Mr. Wilder, near Boston, whose kind hospitality will never be effaced from our memory. On the second, we stopped at Stafford, after having been present at the brilliant festivities of Worcester, and on the fourth day, at 10 A.M. we arrived at Hartford, a pretty and very commercial town, situated upon the west bank of the Connecticut river, fifty miles from its source. The population of Hartford is 4726 souls, and it divides with New Haven the advantage of being the seat of government of the state of Connecticut.
Lafayette entered Hartford preceded by a numerous escort of troops, and welcomed by the whole population with the most lively demonstrations of veneration and love. The municipal body came to meet him, and the mayor delivered an address. He was then conducted with great pomp to the State House where he was received by Governor Wolcott, who in receiving him, addressed him in the name of the state.
After his discourse, to which Lafayette made an affectionate reply, numerous introductions of all the persons who could come into the hall, took place. The assembly could scarcely retain their emotion, when old general Wadsworth entered, bearing the epaulettes and scarf worn by Lafayette at the battle of Brandywine, where he was wounded. The scarf still retained traces of his blood. These epaulettes and scarf were given to General Swift after the peace, and his family had preserved them carefully, in memory of him who wore them, and the cause he defended.