There are, nevertheless, a vast number of good shops, and without doubt many are substantial and highly respectable; but still, I never could heartily admire their system of transacting business; it required an Englishwoman to be so provokingly cautious and suspicious, if she wished to prevent the Yankees from being “too smart” for her. A term they use triumphantly on every fresh display of low trickery.
Perhaps there are not, proportionably, a greater number of sharpers here than in London; but there is certainly a marked difference in the treatment they receive. The smile of approbation bestowed upon a clever villain, while relating his witty rogueries is shockingly misplaced; and in my opinion, evinces a species of moral cowardice. A severe castigation would serve the interests of society much more effectually. Indeed, it were better to lead the life of an anchoret at once, than to associate with such characters as I have seen admitted into the company of merchants, judges, and professional men. But, alas! the convenient excuse of “business purposes,” too often serves as a mantle to cover, if it cannot justify, a multitude of sins.
To my great surprise, on the other hand, I found the crime of smuggling held in utter abhorrence. I rejoice at this, and from all I observed, I think it would be exceedingly difficult to find an American that could be prevailed upon to engage in a smuggling transaction of ever so trivial a nature. To cheat “Uncle Sam,” as they term their government, is with them, a crime paramount! And they never fail to treat those foreigners with ineffable contempt, who are so perfidious as to defraud their own governments. I have heard instances of some of our British sharp fellows being sadly taken by surprise, through ignorance of this peculiarity of the national character.
Without hesitation, I allow that every species of villany ought to meet with the unmitigated condemnation of all just men. The question then naturally arises: How is it that those who regard roguery with such indifference, when practised on private individuals—nay, smile with approbation, if the transaction be associated with any thing witty—should single out the vice of smuggling, as the only one that deserves exclusive reprobation? I leave the question open; but the general opinion is, that as this crime is regarded by far too many on this side the Atlantic, as a venial offence, it is placed on the criminal code of “Uncle Sam,” through a pure love of opposition.
This appellation, “Uncle Sam,” is willingly acknowledged as the national soubriquet of the “free-born citizens of the United States,” while on the other hand, the terms, “Brother Jonathan” and “Yankee,” are considered highly offensive. As the origin of this favoured term is not generally known in England, I beg leave to insert a verbatim copy from an American newspaper, of the baptism of this independent personage, together with a description of his sponsors.
“Immediately after the declaration of the last war with England, Elbert Anderson, Esq. of this city, then a contractor, visited Troy, on the Hudson, where was concentrated, and where he purchased a large quantity of provisions—beef, pork, &c. The inspectors of these articles at that place were Messrs. Ebenezer and Samuel Wilson. The latter gentleman (invariably known as “Uncle Sam”) generally superintended in person a large number of workmen, who, on this occasion, were employed in overhauling the provisions purchased by the contractor for the army. The casks were marked E. A.—U. S. This work fell to the lot of a facetious fellow in the employ of the Messrs. Wilsons, who, on being asked by some of his fellow workmen the meaning of the mark (for the letters U. S. for United States were almost then entirely new to them,) said, “he did not know, unless it meant Elbert Anderson and Uncle Sam”—alluding exclusively, then, to the said “Uncle Sam” Wilson. The joke took among the workmen, and passed currently; and “Uncle Sam” himself being present, was occasionally rallied by them on the increasing extent of his possessions. Many of these workmen being of a character denominated “food for powder,” were found shortly after following the recruiting drum, and pushing toward the frontier lines, for the double purpose of meeting the enemy, and of eating the provisions they had lately laboured to put in good order. Their old jokes of course accompanied them, and before the first campaign ended, this identical one first appeared in print—it gained favour rapidly, till it penetrated and was recognised in every part of our country, and will, no doubt continue so long as U. S. remains a nation. It originated precisely as above stated; and the writer of this article distinctly recollects remarking, at the time when it first appeared in print, to a person who was equally aware of its origin, how odd it would be, should this silly joke, originating in the midst of beef, pork, pickle, mud, salt, and hoop-poles, eventually become a national cognomen.”
Besides the little information this long noisy paragraph conveys, it will serve as a fair specimen of the loose and rambling style of their literature, which their oratory somewhat resembles.
When a foreigner decides upon remaining in the United States, and wishes to be naturalized, he first “declares his intentions;” that is, he has his name enrolled in the national records, and receives documents, which will, at the expiration of five years, if he reside in the States during that period, entitle him to the full privileges of a native. The expences of this affair amounts to no more than five dollars.
The immense number of emigrants invests the city with the appearance of a miscellaneous specimen of human beings, from all quarters of the world; yet there is a sufficient majority of native inhabitants fully to establish a nationality of character. By the best information I could obtain, one-fourth of the city are natives of Ireland; and, I think, that all other foreigners may be comprised in one-sixth of the remainder: these, with 50,000 negroes, taken from the gross population returns, will leave about 225,000 native citizens. This may be about a correct estimate; but it is really a very difficult question to answer correctly, the statistical accounts are so much at variance.
Generally speaking, the Irish meet with a much better reception than the English. So indeed, do all other foreigners; for the natives bear a kind of family grudge against John Bull, and it has long been fashionable, for many to evince their patriotism, by discharging their resentment on the English, whom they consider as being more especially his legitimate offspring.