Atwater, Caleb. Remarks Made on a Tour to Prairie Du Chien; Thence to Washington City, in 1829 . Columbus, OH: Isaac N. Whiting, 1831. [format: book], [genre: history; narrative; travelogue]. Permission: Illinois State University
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=atwater.html

This little volume is offered with great deference to the public. Employed as I was, on my Tour, I had only leisure to reduce to writing a few leading facts, at the time, the remarks were made. From my original remarks, I have selected only a part of them, for the public eye. Whether the selection has been a judicious one, is left to the reader. I have had in View, constantly, in this volume, the aim, to be useful to my readers, of all ages, and both sexes; and in order to be so, I have dwelt, upon subjects, that were either new, to most ot them, or, I have endeavored to present, a new view of them. I hare avoided, as carefully as I could, technical terms, and have used popular language, throughout.

To relieve the mind of my reader, amidst my most, serious reflections, I have not unfrequently, thrown into my book, something of a lighter cast of character. And, I will not dissemble the fact, that I wrote sometimes, to cheer my own spirits, depressed by ill health, and almost sinking under that depression. Indeed, I hesitated not a little, about presenting my lighter remarks, at all, to the reader. But as those incidents, to which such remarks refer, interested me, when they occurred, and enlivened my spirits, when I related them, I entertained a faint hope, that the reader would be kind enough to the author, to be pleased with them also. The remarks, withheld now, may yet be presented, to the public, in some form. They relate mostly to the dismissed members of the late cabinet, and "the scenes at Washington." Whether those remarks will yet appear, must depend on the future conduct of those men. Sunk as they have, by their own leaden weight, perhaps, no public good

would be produced, by raising them again, above the surface.

If I had done injustice to any one, I can only say, I did not intend it. As I travel along through this world, I would not, knowingly, tread even on a worm, if I could avoid it. I endeavor to upturn the sturdy oak, on the Alleghanies, not the bending willow, on the brink of the Wisconsin.

It is unnecessary to say, I have fearlessly given my candid and honest opinions, on all subjects, discussed by me, in this volume; and in so doing, have excercised a RIGHT, guaranteed to every citizen.

Where I have condemned, I have taken no pleasure in doing it — quite the reverse; and where I could praise, I have done it, cheerfully. To this general rule, my picture of Philadelphia, is remarkable exception; otherwise, I must have dealt out unbounded praises only. In that city, I found all the faults, I could, and praised as sparingly as possible. The artists in the city, need not be told, that every picture to be perfect, must have shade, as well as light thrown upon it. The eye must be relieved by shade, if possible.

Fearlessly examining every thing, for myself, it is quite possible, than no reader will always agree with me, in opinion. He must do, as I have endeavored to do, select what he does like, and lay the rest aside, for further consideration.

Partly, politics, and narrow, and selfish views, I have endeavored to avoid. A person who finds any inmodest or immoral ideas, in this volume, may be assured, that the page, is as pure, as the plaster is, which has been mutiliated, and in the Academy of Fine Arts, in Philadelphia. The impurity is in the mind if the person, not in the plaster. That very mutilation more effectually points out, the obnoxious parts of the statues.

On perusing my remarks, I feel assured that political opponents, will rise from their sifas and easy elbow-chairs

elbow-chairs, and cheerfully extend to me, their right hands, in token of cordial friendship. I have extended, and still do, heartily and cheerfully extend mine to them, one and all.

For the expression of my opinions, I make no apology, further than to say, I have intended to do no evil, and if I have done any, it is sincerely and deeply regretted by
THE AUTHOR.
Columbus, O. November, 1831.

NOTE. — Having shown the character, I have drawn of a Clergyman in Philadelphia, to a gentleman formerly of that city — he informs me, that there is no such Clergyman there, though there is one, whose conduct is generally condemned for his imprudence, by every one. I am happy to learn that I was in part misinformed and take a pleasure in saving so. — The same informant, suggests to me, that, I was not correctly informed as to any person's making a fortune by the Sunday School Union — so I stand corrected in that paticular, likewise.

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