About two miles from Adamsville is a fine cotton manufactory, which has constantly 1700 spindles in action, moved by thirty machines turned by water. Near at hand is a bleaching ground for cotton cloths, where the bleaching is done by a chemical process for one or two cents a yard.
Tanneries, potteries, paper making, soap making, and lumber yards surround this city on all sides, which in 1786 did not exist; which in 1801 was nothing but a small village; did not acquire the distinction of city until 1816, and in 1820 was ravaged by a fire, the damages of which amounted to more than 360,000 dollars! In the sixty days following this catastrophe, the insurance company faithfully fulfilled its engagements, amounting to 110,000 dollars; and in a short time the burnt buildings were replaced by others more elegantly, more commodiously, and durably constructed. At present the city daily increases according to a regular plan; all the streets are large, right-lined, and furnished with fine pavements.
The inhabitants of Troy are not less remarkable for their love for letters and science, than for their activity and intelligent industry. They have in the city three periodical journals, four printing-offices, five considerable libraries, and a great number of public schools.
Troy also possesses many other sources of happiness and prosperity, concerning which out short stay in this city prevented me from obtaining positive information. It appears that the canal works for facilitating commerce are worthy of particular attention. But perhaps I shall have an opportunity of returning to this subject, as we expect to visit the greater part of the canals in the state of New York.
I remarked, with pleasure that the black population, which is not very numerous, (about 300) freely united their wishes for the Nation’s Guest, with the white people. At present there are scarcely thirty slaves in the city; from 1827 liberty will no longer have to blush in the presence of coloured men!
In returning to Albany, whither we went back by land, we visited governor Yates and De Witt Clinton, who was also governor of the state in 1817 and 1818. The latter, who has already passed through a long and brilliant political career, is destined, unless I am deceived, to play an important part in the affairs of his country. He has already successively been secretary to his uncle George Clinton, member of the New York legislature; senator of the United States; thrice mayor of New York; member of the committee of internal navigation; president of the canal board; lieutenant governor, and then governor of the state; many benevolent institutions owe their existence to him; he is member of almost all the scientific societies, and I shall not be surprised to hear his name one day, among the candidates for the presidency of the United States. He is at present 55 years old. It is difficult to find a man of more imposing figure, or of a nobler countenance. Every one agrees that his ruling passion is to augment the good of his fellow creatures. These are his titles of recommendation to a nation that knows well how to reward those who devote themselves to her service.[[15]]
It was very late when we left Albany: we came out of the city as we entered it by the light of bonfires, and went on board the steam-boat Kent at the place where we first landed. A few moments after we began to redescend the Hudson for New York, where we arrived at day-break on Monday, after a navigation of thirty-six hours, only interrupted by the short visits we made to Newburg, West Point, &c.
CHAPTER VIII.
Streets of New York: Drunkenness: Prostitution: Lotteries: Hospitality: Bankruptcy: Women and young girls: Luxury: Hotels: Police: Anecdote: number of passengers arriving at New York from 1818 till 1819.
On returning from our voyage up the Hudson, general Lafayette expressed his desire to enjoy the calm of private life, that he might consecrate some moments to the kind intimacy which a great number of his old friends demanded. In consequence public entertainments were suspended, the citizens resumed their usual occupations; and I had leisure to examine with advantage the customs and physiognomy of the people of this great city, which until now I had only beheld in gala dress.