The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Notice.
• Letters On North America.
• Introduction.
• Letter I.: Railroad From London to Paris.
• Letter II.: Liverpool and the Railroad.
• Letter III.: War of the President of the United States Upon the Bank.
• Letter IV.: Democracy—the Bank.
• Letter V.: Movement of Parties.—bank Question.
• Letter VI.: Progress of the Struggle.—new Powers.
• Letter VII.: Railroads In America.
• Letter VIII.: The Banks.—the Preservation of the Union.
• Letter IX.: The First People In the World.
• Letter X.: The Yankee and the Virginian.
• Letter XI.: Lowell.
• Letter XII.: The Factory Girls of Lowell.
• Letter XIII.: The Bank.—slavery.
• Letter XIV.: The Elections.
• Letter XV.: Pittsburg.
• Letter XVI.: General Jackson.
• Letter XVII.: Public Opinion.
• Letter XVIII.: Cincinnati.
• Letter XIX.: Cincinnati.
• Letter XX.: Western Steamboats.
• Letter XXI.: Intercommunication.
• Letter XXII.: Labour.
• Letter XXIII.: Money.
• Letter XXIV.: Speculations.
• Letter XXV.: Bedford Springs.
• Letter XXVI.: Power and Liberty.
• Letter XXVII.: Social Improvement.
• Letter XXVIII.: Social Reform.
• Letter XXIX.: The Empire State.
• Letter XXX.: Symptoms of Revolution.
• Letter XXXI.: The Middle Classes.
• Letter XXXII.: Aristocracy.
• Letter XXXIII.: Democracy.

NOTICE.

M. Chevalier was sent to this country in 1834, under the patronage of Thiers, then Minister of the Interior, in France, to inspect our public works. But attracted by the novel spectacle presented by society in the United States, he extended the time of his stay and the sphere of his observations amongst us, and spent two years in visiting nearly all parts of the Union, and studying the workings of our social and political machinery. His letters give the results of his observations, the impressions made on his mind, his speculations in regard to the future destiny of our institutions, rather than a detailed narrative of facts and events, which, however, is introduced when necessary for illustration or proof. The translator is not, of course, to be considered responsible for all the opinions and statements of the original; but it will be found, in his judgment, that M. Chevalier has studied with diligence and sagacity, drawn his conclusions with caution and discrimination, and stated his views in a clear, forcible, and interesting manner. He seems to be perfectly free from any narrowness or prejudice, ready to recognise whatever is good or of good tendency, whether in character, manners, modes of life, political and social institutions, habits, or opinions, without regard to mere personal likes and dislikes; and to be equally frank in condemning, whenever he perceives, in our practices, a violation of our own principles, or of those of an enlightened philosophy. He tells many home truths to all parties and classes. Some passages of the letters and many of the notes, which have no particular interest in this country, have been omitted. M. Chevalier’s work has been very favourably received in his own country, where it has passed through several editions.

T. G. Bradford.

Boston, October, 1839.