OF FOUR YEARS AND A HALF IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; DURING' 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, and 1802. DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. BY JOHN DAVIS. Je ne connais sur la machine ronde BEAUMARCHAIS. LONDON: DUBLIN; AND H. CARITAT, NEW-YORK ; FOR R. EDWARDS, PRINTER, BROAD-STREET, BRISTOL, 1803. TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY HIS OBEDIENT, HUMBLE SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. BANKS OF THE OccoQUAN, August 31, 1801. SIR, IN frequent journeyings through your country, I have made remarks on the character, the customs and manners of the people ; these remarks I purpose to systematize into a Volume, and to you I should be happy to be allowed the honour of dedicating them. The object of my speculations has been Human Nature; spe. culations that will lead the reader to the contemplation of his own manners, and enable him to compare his condition with that of other men. In my uncertain peregrinations, I have entered with equal interest the mud-hut of the negro, and the log-house of the planter ; I have alike communed with the slave who wields the hoe, and the task-master who imposes his labour. My motto has been invariably, Homo sum! humani nihil a me alienum puto ; and after saying this, whatever I were to say more, would be idle declamation. I am, SIR, Your most obedient, most humble Servant, JOHN DAVIS. THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq. of America, |