I EMIGRATION, OR 



shortness and cheapness of the passage to the latter pre 

 ponderated, and decided my choice : 1 then had not the 

 least intention of going to Canada, a place I had been led 

 to believe was frozen up two-thirds of the year, and scorched 

 up the remainder ; but on arriving- in the United States, I 

 procured better information, without seeking it. 



In October, 1824, 1 engaged with an American captain of 

 a brig, lying in the London Docks, bound to Baltimore, for a 

 passage in the steerage, for six guineas, my finances not 

 allowing me to go in the cabin ; and being the only passenger 

 on board (excepting two young American seamen who worked 

 their passage) had the privilege of a small apartment to my 

 self, dignified with the name of &quot;state-room.&quot; Some days 

 passed in providing provisions, &c. with great trouble in pro 

 curing the variety of articles wanted, to the best advantage, 

 and on the 18th we sailed with the morning tide and a fair 

 wind, down the river Thames; a frosty morning, but a 

 fine pleasant day ; numbers of vessels going out ; and an 

 chored off Gravesend for the night. I had paid \l. to a 

 person residing near the entrance of the Docks, for procuring 

 me a &quot;cocket&quot; or clearance, which I am inclined to think 

 was rather an imposition, but he said he would have pro 

 cured the same for four or five passengers, had there been 

 as many, for the same money ; went on shore to the custom 

 house at Gravesend, to deliver the above cocket ; was asked 

 my name, and if an Englishman, and for a reference in 

 London. I had nothing to pay, nor was any certificate of 

 my occupation or identity, required, as I had been led to ex 

 pect; some officers came on board, but did not examine my 

 trunks, merely asking if they contained wearing apparel and 

 personals only. The provisions I took for my passage were 

 laid in for eight weeks consumption, and I had no restriction 

 in quantity or variety (there are restrictions in some ports 

 respecting quantity, particularly if a considerable number of 

 passengers are going in a ship) ; in the Appendix I have 

 stated particulars at length. We left Gravesend with a 

 fair wind, and pretty good spirits, my thoughts ranging 

 through the New World I had now fairly embarked for, and 

 then returning again to the land of my nativity, friends, and 

 former home, which, at times, would cause an involuntary 

 sigh ; but the hopes and prospect ever-cheating fancy pre 

 sented to my mind, dissipated all gloom, and I bade adieu to 

 Old England without much regret. The wind being a-head, 



