Letters, 1816-1817.

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Letters, 1816-1817.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/51747510

Letters, original and photocopies, written to parents, brothers, sisters and friend, Morris Birkbeck, while traveling through the United States. He describes the cities he passes through, discussing their people, business, industries and surrounding land and agriculture. After discussing the influx of European goods to America he states that "agriculture is flourishing but commerce is in great confusion". He describes the differences in people from state to state. He relates what he has learned about the "wild animals", bears, panthers, deer and snakes. He tells them of the "ridiculous custom of indiscriminate introduction and handshaking". In a letter to his sisters he describes the differences in the role of the lady of the house in Viginia and Pennsylvania. He met Thomas Jefferson and his family and stayed at Monticello for some time. He describes Jefferson, his dress, his routine, his manner, his house and his slaves. Flower was anti-slavery, but he writes that the treatment of slaves had vastly improved and that Jefferson's slaves were quite happy. He is for emancipation but favors a plan to send all of the free slaves back to Africa to colonize and help civilize the Negroes there. He writes that of all of the country Kentucky and Virginia would be the best place to settle because the manner of the people is more English and they have a higher number of gentlemen than the other states. He does denounce the use of slaves in those states.

.21 linear feet (1/2 box)

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7643216

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Flower, Richard, 1761?-1829

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68k9wc8 (person)

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w60d5jrb (person)

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was an American statesman and third president of the United States. From the description of Thomas Jefferson letter, 1809. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367818629 Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the third president of the United States, born in Goochland (now Albemarle County), Virginia. He was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from 1769 to 1775, and with R. H. Lee and Patrick Henry initiated the inter-colonial committee of correspond...

Flower, George, 1780-1862.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6988jg9 (person)

Founder of Albion, Ill., an English settlement, came from England in 1816, landed in New York and traveled through that state to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. A trip to choose a suitable place for settling his friends and family. Traveled to the major cities in those states learning as much as he could through observation and talking to many people, some of whom he had known in England. In Virginia he met Thomas Jefferson and his family and stayed at Monticello. He met br...

Birkbeck, Morris, 1764-1825

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qn6hw1 (person)

Pioneer, farmer, author, and state official of Illinois. From the description of Morris Birkbeck treatise and scrapbook, 1619-1817. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 123913404 Epithet: of Add MS 33112 British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001439.0x0002af Founder of English settlement of Wanborough, Illinois, 1818; Illinois secretary of state, 1824. From the description of Letter : Englis...