INTRODUCTION TO THE JOURNAL. 



offspring protection from the tyrants of my na 

 tive country. There J should have been in 

 constant anxiety about my family. Here I am 

 in none at all. Here I am in fear of no spies, 

 no false ivitnesses, no blood-money men. Here no 

 fines, irons, or gallowses await me, let me think 

 or say what I will about the government. Here 

 I have to pay no people to be ready to shoot at 

 me, or run me through the body, or chop me 

 down. Here no vile Priest can rob me and 

 mock me in the same breath. 



864. In the year 1816 my travelling in Ame 

 rica was confined to the Atlantic States. I 

 there saw enough to determine the question of 

 emigration or no emigration. But, a spot to 

 settle on myself was another matter ; for, though 

 I do not know, that I shall meddle with any 

 sort of trade, or occupation, in the view of 

 getting money, 1 ought to look about me, and 

 to consider soberly as to a spot to settle on with 

 so large a family. It was right, therefore, for 

 me to see the Western Countries. I have done 

 this; and the particulars, which I thought 

 worthy my notice, I noted down in a Journal. 

 This Journal I now submit to the public. My 

 chief motive in the publication is to endeavour 

 to convey useful information, and especially to 

 those persons, who may be disposed to follow 

 my example, and to withdraw their families 



