JOURNAL 



greatest improvements, they tell me, is the working of their mills 

 and manufacturing machines by steam ; they feel the advantage 

 of this more and more every year. They are now preparing to 

 build a steam-boat ; this is to be employed in their traffick with 

 New Orleans, carrying their own surplus produce and returning 

 with tea, coffee, and other commodities for their own consumption, 

 and to retail to the people of the country. I believe they advance, 

 too, in the way of ornaments and superfluities, for the dwelling- 

 house they have now built their pastor, more resembles a Bishop s 

 Palace than what I should figure to myself as the humble abode 

 of a teacher of the &quot; fundamental principles of the Christian 

 &quot; Religion.&quot; 



921 . The government of this society is by bands, each consisting 

 of a distinct trade or calling. They have a foreman to each band, 

 who rules it under the general direction of the society, the law- 

 giving power of which is in the High Priest. He cannot, however 

 make laws without the consent of the parties. The manufacturing 

 establishment, and the mercantile affairs and public accounts are 

 all managed by one person ; he, I believe, is one of the sons of 

 Rapp. They have a bank, where a separate account is kept for 

 each person ; if any one puts in money, or has put in money, he 

 may, on certain conditions as to time, take it out again. They 

 labour and possess in common ; that is to say, except where it 

 is not practicable or is immaterial, as with their houses, gardens, 

 cows and poultry, which they have to themselves, each family. 

 They also retain what property each may bring on joining the 

 concern, and he may demand it in case of leaving the society, but 

 without interest. 



922. Here is certainly a wonderful example of the effects of skill, 

 industry, and force combined : this congregation of far-seeing, 

 ingenious, crafty, and bold, and of ignorant, simple, superstitious, 

 and obedient, Germans, has shown what may be done. But, 

 their example, I believe, will generally only tend to confirm this 

 free people in their suspicion that labour is concomitant to slavery 

 or ignorance. Instead of their improvements, and their success 

 and prosperity altogether, producing admiration, if not envy, 

 they have a social discipline, the thought of which reduces these 

 feelings to ridicule and contempt : that is to say, with regard to 

 the mass : with respect to their leaders, one s feelings are apt to be 

 stronger. A fundamental of their religious creed (&quot; restraining 

 clause&quot; a Chancery Lawyer would call it) requires restrictions 

 on the propagation of the species ; it orders such regulations as 

 are necessary to prevent children coming but once in a certain 

 number of years ; and this matter is so arranged that, when they 

 come, they come in little flocks, all within the same month, 

 perhaps, like a farmer s lambs. The Law-giver here made a 

 famously &quot; restraining statute &quot; upon the law of nature ! This 

 way of expounding law seems to be a main point of his policy ; 

 he by this means keeps his associates from increasing to an unruly 



218 



