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THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

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by, and the sunshine which throws the brightness of promise on the terrors of its retiring form.

Most of the gentlemen we met, are warm advocates for reform. They appeared greatly elated by the triumph achieved; and are sanguine in their confidence of a speedy purgation of everything, in the political economy of the kingdom, which they deem inconsistent with the light and liberty of the age.

It is taken for granted, that on this point every American is a brother of the party in sentiment and feeling; and the general principles of our government, though not its particular form, its history and prosperity, and, especially, its freedom from debt, as made known to the world by the last message of General Jackson to Congress, were commented upon with an enthusiasm, that could scarce fail of gratifying the national feelings and patriotism of a citizen of the Republic.

The exposition of the finances of the Union, contained in that able state paper, seems to have excited great and universal notice on this side of the Atlan

tic; and to have been productive of sentiments highly favourable to the, already, exalted reputation of the President, and to the honour of the country whose chief office he fills.

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COUNTRY-SEAT OF MR. BROWN.

LETTER IV.

EMBARKATION OF HON. MARTIN VAN BUREN, AND GENERAL VIEW OF THE CITY.

Breakfast at Richmond Hill-Value of land-Intemperance, its prevalence in Liverpool-Embarkation of Mr. Van BurenHis popularity at St. James's-Comparative view of Liverpool and New York.

DEAR VIRGINIA,

Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool,
June 1st, 1832.

MR. BROWN, the principal of a distinguished mercantile house in this city, was of the party at the Consul's yesterday. I had letters to him from his brother, Mr. James Brown, of New York, and took breakfast this morning at his seat, Richmond Hill, three miles from town.

His place is new, and the improvements and plantations scarce yet completed; still, in addition to the pleasure of an introduction to his family, I greatly enjoyed the sweetness and budding beauty of its shrubbery, gardens, and conservatory. The value of the soil in the neighbourhood, astonished me; and 1 now dare scarce state it, though under the strong impression, that the sum paid by Mr. Brown, for the property he occupies, was a thousand pounds sterling

an acre.

Among the subjects of conversation, at the breakfast table, was that of intemperance. In England, as in America, this vice has, within the few years past, become a matter of deep interest to the philan

HON. MARTIN VAN BUREN.

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thropist and patriot; and, if Mr. Brown's report of its prevalence in Liverpool be made a criterion by which to judge of other cities in the kingdom in the same respect, it is not less extensively the bane of good morals on this side of the Atlantic, than on the other. He states, that during the past year, there have been no less than twenty thousand commitments for drunkenness, before the magistrates of the city and the dock police. A gentleman of his acquaintance, incredulous of the extent of this evil, as thus reported, in order to test the truth of it, stationed himself one day behind a screen in a grog shop, for three quarters of an hour; and, in that time, fifty-seven persons from the poor and working classes called for a dram, two-thirds of the whole being females!

Mr. Brown brought me to the city again, in time to see Mr. Van Buren and his son on board the packet of the day; and, with other of their friends, to give them a parting salutation, on leaving the dock to commence their voyage.

The impression made by this gentleman abroad, is of the most favourable character to himself and his country. A letter from a friend in the royal household, which I fortunately intercepted on its way to America, bears strong testimony to the high estimation in which he is held by those at court, who had made his acquaintance; and expresses much regret at his recall. The king and queen paid him marked attention, and, after he had taken his audience of leave as ambassador, entertained him for some days, as a private guest, at Windsor Castle.

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LIVERPOOL AND NEW YORK.

The afternoon has been devoted by me, to a hasty view of the city. Many American travellers have recognized a resemblance, between this port and New York, which I do not perceive. There certainly is none in its situation, nor in the general aspect of its streets, and the predominating style of building. To my eye, they are alike only so far, as both are modern cities; both active commercial marts, into which merchandise for exchange with every clime, is pouring by ships from sea, and by river, canal, and rail road from the land; and both rapidly increasing in population, and augmenting in their resources of wealth.

New York, in its broad rivers and beautiful bay; in the air of brightness and cheerfulness resting on its dwellings; in the gaiety of its promenades; and the smiling vistas of the Jersey shore, meeting the eye across the Hudson at each angle of its principal streets, is incomparably the most pleasing and attractive place. On the other hand, Liverpool presents evidences of good taste, grandeur and magnificence, in the architectural exhibitions of its various edifices, and in specimens of the arts-in its town hall, exchange, new custom-house, botanic garden, and cemetery-to which the city of the Knickerbackers can furnish no parallel. But all is modern; and thus, to a transatlantic visitor, destitute of the peculiar charm which draws him, from the new world, to the old.

EQUIPAGE AND ROADS.

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LETTER V.

DRIVE TO CHESTER, AND NOTICE OF ITS ANTIQUITIES.

Departure from Liverpool-Character of the scenery—An English village-Country inn-Arrival at Chester-General aspect of the city-Its antiquity-Historic interest-Walls-GatesCastle and promenade.

DEAR VIRGINIA,

Royal Hotel, Chest er,
June 2d, 1832.

It would have given me pleasure to have made the acquaintance of several gentlemen at Liverpool, to whom I had an introduction from Dr. Hosack, Professor Green of Philadelphia, and other American friends; but, Captain Bolton, having already been a week on shore, was anxious to set off for London without further delay. We therefore left the Adelphi this morning, and crossing the Mersey in a steamboat, took a post chaise at Woodside, one of the pretty towns opposite, for this city, sixteen miles distant.

Yesterday and the day before were misty and wet, with a shower at intervals; the character of the weather at Liverpool, we are told, at least half the year. But to day the sun has shone brightly for England, the air is fresh and balmy, and all nature in the mood of spring; and we entered our carriage and rolled off upon a smooth Macadamised road, through the villages of Woodside and Birkenhead, in a state of feeling exhilarated and delightful. With a confidential

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