OF SOCIETY AND MANNERS IN AMERICA; IN A SERIES OF LETTERS FROM THAT COUNTRY TO A FRIEND IN ENGLAND, DURING THE YEARS 1818, 1819, AND 1820. Chooke LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1821. то CHARLES WILKES, Esq. OF NEW YORK. MY DEAR SIR, ALTHOUGH I am uncertain how far the sentiments contained in this little volume may be in unison with yours, I cannot resist that impulse of the heart which induces me to inscribe its pages to you. Viewing, as I did, your adopted country with the eyes of a foreigner, I may have been sometimes hasty, and, therefore, mistaken in my judgments. Though I do not apprehend that my inaccuracies can extend to facts of any importance, it is possible that a citizen of America may detect slight errors which the foreign reader cannot be aware of, and which the Author herself could not wholly guard iv against, however authentic the sources whence she drew her information. may have Where, in the following letters, I expressed opinions at variance with yours, I am persuaded that you will view them with candor; and that, notwithstanding the defects you may find in this little work, you will pardon my seizing this opportunity of openly expressing the high respect I feel for your character, and my grateful remembrance of the many proofs of friendship with which you have honoured me. Permit me to subscribe myself, My dear Sir, Most respectfully and Affectionately, yours, THE AUTHOR. London, 20th April, 1821. |