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William Priest - Travels in the United States of America
with these "mortal engines."
I have heard a hundred improbable stories relative to what was done with the rifle by famous marksmen
in America, such as shooting an apple from a child's head, &c; to which I could not give credit: but, I
have no reason to doubt the following feat: as it was actually performed before many hundred inhabitants
of this borough, and the adjacent country. - During the late war, in the year 1775, a company of riflemen,
formed from the back woodsmen of Virginia, were quartered here for some time: two of them
alternately held a board only nine inches square between his knees, while his comrade fired a ball
through it from a distance of one hundred paces! The board is still preserved; and I am assured by several
who were present, that it was performed without any manner of deception.
Lancaster was originally a german settlement; the inhabitants were so desirous of perpetuating their
language, that they established german schools for the education of the rising generation; but their
descendants, finding the inconvenience of being without a knowledge of English, now send their children
first to the german, and afterward to the english schools; by which means they acquire a tolerable idea of
both languages. They still retain many characteristics of their ancestors; such as frugality, plainness in
dress, &c. At our first concert, three clownish-looking fellows came into the room, and, after sitting a
few minutes, (the weather being warm, not to say hot) very composedly took off their
coats: they were in the usual summer dress of farmers servants in this part of the country; that is to
say, without either stockings or breeches, a loose pair of trowsers being the only succedaneum.
As we fixed our admission at a dollar each, (here seven shillings and sixpence,) we expected this
circumstance would be sufficient to exclude such characters; but on inquiry, I found (to my very
great surprise!) our three sans culottes were german gentlemen of considerable property
in the neighbourhood!
They manage these matters better at Hanover; (a settlement of germans about forty miles hence.) One of
the articles of their dancing assembly is in these words; "No gentleman to enter the ball-room without
breeches, or to be allowed to dance without his coat."
All the back parts of Pennsylvania were in general cleared, and settled by german, and irish emigrants;
but the former are commonly more prosperous than their neighbours, whom they excel in sobriety and
economy, and have also a much better understanding amongst themselves.
An irish family often arrives, and purchases a plantation; which for some years brings them good crops,
but for want of manure will in time be worn out (a very common case in America.) When in this situation
they offer it for sale, the adjacent german families club a sum of money, purchase the land, plough it
well, and let it remain in this state for three or four years: they then place an emigrant family from
their own country upon the farm, who, by indefatigable industry and manure, soon bring the land
round, pay for the estate by installments, and live very comfortably. Some of the best plantations in
Pennsylvania were originally left in this manner. The irish family go two or three hundred miles up the
country, where they can purchase as much land as they please, from sixpence to a dollar per acre: here
they literally break fresh ground, and begin the world again. To some timorous people, their new
situation would be thought dangerous, as they are liable to a visit from the Indians, and perishing by the
scalping knife and tomahawk. - See a former letter on back settlers.
Aug. 6th. - We returned to Philadelphia, not overloaded with cash, but with more
than was sufficient for our expenses, which, owing to several excursions from Lancaster, were not
trifling. - Farewel. - Believe me
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