distanced, and are taken out, and not suffered to run again in the same race.

.

While the horses were running, the whole ground within the circus was spread over with people on horseback, stretching round, full speed, to different parts of the circus, to see the race. This was a striking part of the show, for it was supposed there were about 800 on horseback, and many of them mounted on excellent horses. There were about 200 carriages and between 3,000 and 4,000 people-black, and white, and yellow; of all conditions, from the President of the United States to the beggar in his rags; of all ages and of both sexes, for I should judge one-third were females. It was said the toll collected from carriages and horses (people on foot passed free) was 1,200 dollars. Mr. Tayloe, of this city, is one of the most famous of the Jockey Club. He had five horses run, one on each day; all come near winning, but failed. He is said generally to be lucky. He is very richhis horses are valued at more than 10,000 dollars. It is said that Holmes has sold one of his winning horses for 3,500 dollars. So it is that these Nabobs sport with their money. Vast sums were bet on the ground by individuals. It is said one member of Congress lost, in private bets, 700 dollars. Such are the evils attending these races. But in one respect I was much disappointed. Among the numerous rabble, I saw very few instances of intoxication. I am tired, and can only add, that I am, Your affectionate parent,

M. CUTLER.]

It is said another race is to be run this day, for a purse of 2,000 dollars.

Nov. 19, Saturday. No sitting. General Wadsworth, Colonel Hough, and myself took a walk up to the Cannon foundry and the lower locks. Much entertained at the foundry. We walked about ten miles, out and in-pretty well tired.

Nov. 20, Lord's Day. At the Treasury. Mr. Laurie preached.

Nov. 23, Wednesday. Attended Committee on the Fisheries. Bill for repeal of the Bankrupt law. After dinner, we all walked to the Navy yard. On board U. S. frigate, John Adams-just come up.

MRS. TORREY.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 1803.

Since you are quite a

My Dear Daughter:gardener, I will mention a visit I made, on my journey, near Philadelphia, to a garden, which in many respects exceeds any in America. It is at the country-seat of Mr. Hamilton, a gentleman of excellent taste and great property. The visit was accidental. The fever rendered it necessary to avoid the city. We hired the stage to drive us through the suburbs, on to a tavern called Gray's Inn, over the Schuylkill, about 3 miles from the city. We found the inn, although very large, so crowded, that not one in our stage could have a bed; we could be furnished with blankets if we would consent to sleep on the floor. We were ten in number, and no tavern within 6 or 8 miles. It was about 3 in the afternoon when we arrived. The state of my side was such as to render it impossible for me to get rest without a bed. Mr. Pickering was indifferent with regard to himself, but felt much concern for me. As soon as we had dined, he called me aside, and told me he had been acquainted with Mr. Hamilton, who was noted for his hospitality, and who lived but half a mile up the river, where he did not doubt we should be kindly entertained. We immediately set out, and arrived about an hour before sunset. His seat is on an eminence, which forms on its summit an extended plain, at the junction of two large rivers.

Near the point of land a superb but ancient house built of stone is situated. In the front, which commands an extensive and most enchanting prospect, is a piazza, supported on large pillars, and furnished with chairs and sofas, like an elegant room. Here we found Mr. H., at his ease, smoking his cigar. He instantly recognized Mr. Pickering, and expressed much joy at seeing him. On Mr. Pickering introducing me, he took me by the hand with a pretty hard squeeze. "Ah, Dr. Cutler, I am glad to see you at last. I have long felt disposed to be angry that I should hear of you so often at Philadelphia, and passing to and from the southward, and yet never make me a visit, and Dr. Muhlenburg, of Lancaster, a few days ago, made to me the same complaint. Come, gentlemen, walk in and take some refreshments, for I have much to show you,

re

and it will directly be night." This, and much more, was said as fast as he could utter it. We declined refreshments, and Mr. Pickering told him our situation. "Ah," says he, "I joice the inn was full, I am indebted to this circumstance for this visit. There is my house, we have plenty of beds, and whatever it affords is at your service." We then walked over the pleasure grounds in front and a little back of the house. It is formed into walks, in every direction, with borders of flowering shrubs and trees. Between are lawns of green grass, frequently mowed to make them convenient for walking, and at different distances numerous copse of native trees, interspersed with artificial groves, which are set with trees collected from all parts of the world. I soon found the fatigue of walking too great for me, though the enjoyment, in a measure, drove away the pain. O, that I had been well! We then took a turn in the gardens and the green-houses. In the gardens, though ornamented with almost all the flowers and vegetables the earth affords, I was not able to walk long. The green-houses, which occupy a prodigious space of ground, I can not pretend to describe. Every part was crowded with trees and plants from the hot climates, and such as I had never seen, all the spices, the tea-plant in full perfection; in short, he assured us there was not a rare plant in Europe, Asia, or Africa, many from China and the islands in the South Seas, none, of which he had obtained any account, which he had not procured.

By this time it was so dark that no object could be distinctly examined. We retired to the house. The table was spread with decanters of different wines, and tea was served.

Immediately after, another table was loaded with large botanical books, containing most excellent drawings of plants, such as I never could have conceived. He is himself an excellent botanist. O, my unfortunate side! When I had time to think of it, while I sat at the table, I was obliged to bite my lips to suppress my groans. When we turned to rare plants, one of the gardeners would be called, and sent with VOL. II.-10

lanterns to the green-house to fetch me a specimen to compare with it. This was done perhaps twenty times.

Between 10 and 11 an elegant table was spread, with, I believe, not less than twenty covers. After supper, we turned again to the drawings, and at one we retired to bed. Our lodging was in the same style, and I had an excellent night's sleep, to be imputed, indeed, in part, to the opium I had taken.

In the morning, as we had informed him we must do, we rose as soon as daylight appeared. When we came down, we found him up, too, and the servants getting breakfast. We assured him we must be excused, for the stage would leave us, if we were not in season, and the passengers would breakfast at Chester. "Well," he said, "if it must be so, you can not go until you have gone over the apartments in the house."

I can not now describe them, can only say they were filled with a collection of rich and elegant paintings, of all descriptions. A carriage was at the door, with servants, to conduct us to the inn, where the stage was waiting.

At parting with our hospitable and most generous friend, he extorted from us, and especially from me, a promise never to pass again without calling. He is a bachelor, about 54 or 55. He has an aged mother, about 88, of whom he spoke with great affection. An odd expression, however, I can not omit. "My mother is so old she does not know any thing. I suspect she is going to die, but I am sorry for it.” He has with him a nephew, about 24, and two young ladies, his nieces. They took a large share with us in looking over the drawings, were very social, and as much engaged as their uncle. He embarrassed me with a question I did not know how to understand. He inquired after my nephew, Mr. Cutler, of Boston, who had made him a visit with his lady. He said he told him he was my nephew. I was going to rectify the mistake, but he so rapidly went to something else I let it pass. At supper, the young ladies made the same inquiry. I let it go so. My paper is done!

Your affectionate parent,

M. CUTLER.

To REV. DR. DANA.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 1803.

Dear Sir:-The Senate have the amendment of the Constitution still before them. It has been repeatedly called up, and several amendments to the first or principal amendment proposed. It occupied them mostly the whole of the sitting yesterday without coming to any decision. Most probably they will not pass upon the bill until Mr. Armstrong, from New York, and Mr. Sumpter, from South Carolina, arrive.

The designation of President and Vice-President, in voting for those officers, does not appear, at first view, to be liable to any serious objections. At least, it had so struck my mind. But, happening to be on the large Committee, consisting of one member from each state, to whom the motion for the amendment, in the House, was in the first instant committed, I had opportunity to attend to a more minute and satisfactory investigation than the subsequent debates afforded. In the Committee, we had recourse to the minutes of the debates in the Convention for forming the Constitution, and all the documents relating to this article. It appears that scarcely one article in that instrument occupied more time, or was attended with greater difficulty, than the mode of electing the President and Vice-President. Many different modes were, in succession, under consideration and rejected. The smaller states were jealous of the larger, and it was finally made a matter of compromise between them. This compromise is completely destroyed by the proposed amendment, as it went from the House to the Senate; and, should there not be a choice by the electors, and five be the highest number of those voted for, from whom the House are to make the choice, it will always be in the power of the five largest states, if they should be so disposed, to give a President and Vice-President to the nation. Besides, the Vice-President becomes worse than a useless officer, for candidates for the chair may make this officer the mere tool to secure their election. It is evident the rage for the amendment, at this moment, is solely to secure their Man at the next election. It appears, however, quite unnecessary, in order to effect this purpose, for there