TAXES — PROSPERITY OF THE COLONY. 133 



which one-half of the price at which they are sold is demanded : 

 the object of this last impost being avowedly to discourage the in- 

 troduction of that article among them. It has, indeed, operated 

 to a great extent as a prohibition, the importer, to save himself 

 from loss, having to double the price at which he could otherwise 

 have afforded to sell. The result of this policy was, when we were 

 there, to bring up the price of brandy to twelve dollars per gallon, 

 of which the authorities took six ; and of whisky to eight dollars, 

 of which they collected four dollars. The circulating medium is 

 principally gold of their own coinage, and such foreign gold as is 

 brought in by converts from Europe. 



Notwithstanding this heavy, and as it would be to us, insupport- 

 able burden upon industry and enterprise, nothing can exceed the 

 appearance of prosperity, peaceful harmony, and cheerful content- 

 ment that pervaded the whole community. Ever since the first 

 year of privation, provisions have been abundant, and want of the 

 necessaries and even comforts of life is a thing unknown. A de- 

 sign was at one time entertained (more, I believe, as a prospective 

 measure than any thing else) to set apart a fund for the purpose 

 of erecting a poorhouse ; but after strict inquiry, it was found that 

 there were in the whole population but two persons who could be 

 considered as objects of public charity, and the plan was conse- 

 quently abandoned. 



This happy external state, of universally diffused prosperity, is 

 commented on by themselves, as an evidence of the smiles of Hea- 

 ven and of the special favour of the Deity : but I think it may be 

 most clearly accounted for in the admirable discipline and ready 

 obedience of a large body of industrious and intelligent men, and 

 in the wise councils of prudent and sagacious leaders, producing a 

 oneness and concentration of action, the result of which has asto- 

 nished even those by whom it has been effected. The happy 

 consequences of this system of united and well-directed action, 

 under one leading and controlling mind, is most prominently ap- 

 parent in the erection of public buildings, opening of roads, the 

 construction of bridges, and the preparation of the country for the 

 speedy occupation of a large and rapidly growing population, 

 shortly to be still further augmented by an immigration even now 

 on their way, from almost every country in Europe. 



Upon the personal character of the leader of this singular people, 

 it may not, perhaps, be proper for me to comment in a communica- 

 tion like the present. I may nevertheless be pardoned for saymg, 



