Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828 edition. Excerpt: ... stinacy, ignorance and self-interest? The sequel of the transaction will answer. But these terms do not fairly characterize American citizens. Nor can such expressions be supposed to have been applied to any member of the Society without supposing an intention thus early to use the waters of the Passaic. Nor do we think they would have been applied to any person supposititiously, had those gentlemen of the commission, who in their letter to the Legislature speak of themselves as naturalized citizens, honoured by their appointment, resided long enough among us to have been aware that the habit of this people has always been cheerfully to yield their property for public uses and improvements; yet are they so intelligent as to distinguish these occasions from those where it might be taken from one man to be given to another--from one mill owner only to be for other men's mills--from one corporation, guarded by special laws, to another corporation coming after it in date. It requires surely no uncommon sagacity to perceive that the foundations of justice and property might thus be unsettled, and immense investments disturbed. Nor would those gentlemen be understood as applying those terms to citizens received into the bosom of this country to equal participation in its privileges; who coming from abroad are more likely to love enthusiastically our institutions of civil liberty from a lively recollection of oppressions left for ever behind. They did not mean any of those, rich or poor, whom our laws welcome as if certain they can never wish to return--the certainty that their interests will become fixed here--that here they will plant and reap, and feel there is none to molest. Very many, repressed at home, have here found room for talents...
