Sebastián Francisco de Miranda y Rodríguez (1750-1816)

The Burr law office and house mentioned here is probably the house that was at 11 Reade Street, one of his many law offices in Manhattan over the years.

Hi, I was just looking around Genealogy.com and I found a reference to a Catherine Davis born 1801 in Bishopsgate Middlesex who then moved to Kensington London.  She seemed to be related to a Arthur Cunha and it looks like she could have come from Brazil. Has anyone found any connection like this.

Carol

At nine o'clock in the morning I sailed on the American sloop Prudente, its captain J. Wilson: my good friend Don Ygnacio Menocal came to see me, and say goodbye till the last moment, his behavior offering every day more and more reasons to admire its virtue and clear judgment in the center itself of vice and Corruption... oh grateful idea to my memory! The entire Squadron sailed as well, and the Spanish Convoy now heading for Cadiz under General D. Josef Solano, taking on board the majority of the Army of operations, valued in nearly 60 million pesos in kind, and fruits; its products being retained in our America since the war declaration.

The wind and currents have been so favorable, that at dawn we discovered only two small ships of the entire Squadron and Convoy: at the same time we watched the Pan de Matanzas and aimed our route to lead to the Canal of Bahama - the next day <at dawn> we saw land and acknowledged it to be Cape Cannaveral and being therefore at the mouth of the river. Continuous always fresh wind from the West so the next day we stopped <the> latitude of Charlestown where it was my designated landing; but good Captain Wilson, whether because the wind was not very favorable or because he didn't find it convenient, which is the likeliest, proceeded of course to the Carolina of the North notwithstanding adjustment and promise that he gave to my friend James Seagrove to take me to Charlestown; he does not seem a delicate man in this genre of matters -. On the eight in the afternoon we received Pilot, we passed the Occracoke bar and hit bottom at the Sound next to a small place on the Core Bank and it is the accommodation of the Pilots that sail the ships that reach said Bar... so many people came on board on the Pilot's boat... they seem very robust and stout; I noticed the same about the women and children I saw later; the people of the Country attribute this effect to the food which is nothing but fish, oysters and some vegetables that they harvest from small Gardens near the rooms they inhabit, and which is all the agriculture known to them; the sea people always abhor all idea of agriculture: the sea air contributes I think to the healthiness of the landscape, and I have no doubts that fish, fixed in the simple way they eat it contributes to the extraord procreation, for the same is observed with the poor people in Malaga and other sea ports. It seems the Smallpox is their capital enemy, for before our boat landed they made us made a thousand statements that such contagion did not come onboard. The boats they use are of an excellent construction for the sea, and thus they leave for long in every weather; their Construction, and size is not different, perhaps, of that used by our warships except that these instead of a stern they have a second bow so that they break everywhere without the precision of turning, and they are exceedingly light; their galigos and delgados seem to me very diverse: construction is so cheap in these places that for one of the bests the master asked me eighty pesos and I do not doubt that if we had come down to adjustment he would have given it up for seventy. 

On the ninth at ten o'clock in the morning we sailed in search of Newberne, and having navigated about forty miles in all the rest of this Sound which is really dangerous (a few years ago more than 60 merchant sailboats were lost in it, from a great convoy that was anchored here; without wanting to presume it was due to perhaps lack of good Pilots, since those therein are in my judgment the most careful and able that I have ever seen) the next day early we entered the Neuse River and sailing fifty more miles on it <with> good wind from N.E. we arrived at twelve thirty am to the City of Newberne, Capital of this State - its location is pleasant precisely in the confluence of rivers Trent and Neuse, this one in particular is spacious and its navigation pleasant, both its sides are covered with thick, closed woods very leafy, and some houses with little agriculture in their surroundings. At five o'clock I descended and took lodging at Mr Oliver's Tavern, paying a hard peso a day for food &c.; which price has seemed to me extremely cheap when compared with the cleanliness and good treatment of said lodging.

The main inhabitants that were there which are Mr Ogden, Mr Blount, Marquis of Britigney (French officer at the service of this State) Mr Oram, Mr Cooke, Mr Seatgreaves, Mr Ellis, Mr Schibeack, Mr Goff, Monsieur Heró, Dr Mc Clure, Dr Halling, Mr Johnston, Monsieur Mayoli &c. came to visit me and regaled me with the greatest hospitality; whose good treatment has lasted all the time of my residence; notwithstanding that their ideas in general are not yet very liberal, and that the Social Services is still in diapers. Women (especially those wearing caps) keep a monastic seclusion and such submission to the husbands that I have never seen: they dress cleanly and their entire life is domestic. After they get married they segregate from all intimate amity and their goals turn entirely to the keeping of their Home and family; the first year of Marriage they play the role of Lovers, the second they are Nannies and the third and rest they are housekeepers. The Single ones on the contrary enjoy every freedom and go alone to promenade wherever they please, without their steps being watched... Men dress with negligence, and grossly; they all smoke tobacco generally / in pipe, and furthermore, they chew it so often that some assured me that they could not go to bed and reconcile Sleep without having the chew in the mouth.

A few days after my arrival to this land, I took knowledge of Mr Nash and Col. Spaight, who live in their Country houses at two and three miles from the City up the river Trent; the first one is an excelent Jurist and ex-governor of the state in the past emergencies, his manner and demeanor as well as that of all his family (even Young Witherspoon) provided me with many moments of pleasant society and education - the other one is a Young man of good ideas, and excellent disposition for outstanding instruction if he continues in his study plan, and for travel: both are elected Delegates to the Congress for the next year.

The Population of this City may comprise five hundred families of all kinds: the Houses are such, and regularly small, if comfortable and clean; they are almost all made of wood - the Church and Assembly House are made of brick and correspond to the place. The best building of them, and which really deserves the attention of an educated Traveller is the one they call the Palace, build 18 years ago by an able English Architect (Mr. Hauks) which to such purpose came from England with Governor Trion and still remains in town; I have dealt with him very particularly and he possesses an admirable Character; he provided me an exact chart of said building and Gardens that gives a full idea of it all (Plane No. 1). The factory is all made of Brick; all its ornaments very simple and placed with excellent taste, and intelligence: in the great Hall of audience, or assembly, there is the fireplace ornament in a marble of good taste, worked in England; and as inferred by an inscription read on the inner Door, it is the gift made by Sir William Draper; who was here upon his return from the Manila Expedition in the year of '63, to visit his friend Trion. The location of the building on the borders of the Trent River on a somewhat elevated landscape commands it over a prospect of more than 12 miles over the other Nuse River, and makes its situation quite pleasant.

This day was declared in the field by bugle revely, a company of Milicians in arms (each soldier, and officer, with dress and gun of different kinds) and discharge of four small Pieces of Campaign, which to this effect were carried out in advance: suspension of guns and preliminary treaties with England. To close the party at about one o'clock there was a Barbecue (this is a roasted Pig), and a barrel of Rum which promiscuously they ate and drank the first magistrates and people of the country, with the lowest and most vulgar sort of the People; shaking hands, and drinking from the same glass - it is impossible to conceive, without seeing it, an Assembly more purely democratic; and comprising everything we have been told by Poets and Greek historians  tell us of other similar among those free People of Greece. Towards the end there were a few drunks, they had a good fight, there was an injured and at dusk they each went to bed; with which, and burning a few empty barrels by means of feu-de-joy the party ended.

A few days later I went to see the rooms of Mr Green, about 12 miles from the place, this is one of the main Farmers of the State; his Temper, probity and age are remarkable; this exceeds 85 years, without bearing the least decadence in his health, robustness and activity; his humor is constantly festive and pleasant. The House is located above a certain height, and at the foot there are two or three fountains that produce extremely clear and beautiful water in aboundance: the agriculture one can notice in the surroundings is a small thing, and consists mainly of corn, sweet potatoes and fruit trees that form an extensive Orchard (fruit garden). Its country houses are usually  comfortable and clean, as well as those noticed in the City, somewhat small. It is undeniable how industrious the inhabitants are, since due to the war, and general scarcity of manufactures, each neighbor established a Weaving-place, where they manufacture cotton fabrics, and wool to dress up their entire family; some I have seen of good cloth and design. With the apples, pears and peaches they make a very good Cider, and Spirits. Among the animals this venerable old man had I noticed a Swan of beautiful shape, and that seemed still young, although by the calculations its Owner made, it was more than 60 years old: rare constitution by the way, in such a small individual! At dusk I returned to Newberne in the company of friend Oram and Cooke, who kindly came along in this excursion, since although my intention was to remain in the company of the old man for three or four days, the chance of having reclined a bit after eating when a bunch of bedbugs came to welcome me in the Bed; this made me change my mind: this insect is so common, and so aboundant in the Country, that all the houses are generally contaminated, which is also helped by the fact that they are made of wood: the entire time of my residence I was forced to sleep on the floor in the middle of a Room, as there was no way to exterminate them from the Bed, and they are of such an extraordinary size, that one alone is the bulge of three or four of the common kind in Europe. Another animal that does not contribute to make more comfortable the ear by night: the amount and species of frogs is so huge that the music can be heard at a great distance, and as the Country is all covered with Rivers, marshes and swamps there is no lack of musicians anywhere: there are some in particular, they call Bull-frogs, whose singing assimilates perfectly the bellowing of a Bull; its size is about four times the size of those common in Europe. Among the singing birds there is one that is certainly admirable, and that is the mocking-bird (or Arrendajo) its melody, and variety of tones is so admirable that there is no description possible; and the best is that they are so common that each neighbor with a tree in the surroundings of their House can be sure of his share of music throughout the discourse of the day... mighty contrast to the nocturnal music of the Frogs! Its shape and color are similar to the Simsontles of the New Spain.

On another day I went to see the plantation of Mr Ogden in his Company, that of Mr Blount, Seatgraves and young Ogden; I saw their crops which usually consist of corn, oat, wheat and sweet potatoes; fruit trees were so laden with fruit, especially apples, pears, and peaches, that was not propped up, the fork was broken and branches broken off by the weight of the fruit. The people watch this show are not pleased like the passengers, since they know by experience that the year of excessive fruit, means tertian fever [malaria] about everywhere; a sickness which is prevalent in the country, and that gradually destroys the constitution, and personal complexion, making the rosiest European skin turn pale. Some ladies however retain their beautiful colors, and their health in the best condition, the number of my most favorites and best known are Mrs. Oram, Mrs. Elis, Mrs. Nash, Mrs. Elis Mr., Mrs. Schilbeack, Mrs. Cooke , Mrs. Cooke Mr., Mrs. Oliver and Mrs. Egliston, their demeanor is somewhat cramped, but their company, when you have gained some confidence and familiarity, is nice and playful: Mrs. Stanley (whose husband was absent, and is the principal merchant of the place) is a lady of very good manners and circumstances, I did not have the pleasure of getting closely acquainted with her; Miss Cogdell, his sister, is one of the most good-looking, and florid complexion I have seen in all America.

On the twelve of July at ten o'clock I finally left all my friends in Newberne, and crossing the Trent river on the ferry (or barge) from the City is taking the road to Beaufort, and at two o'clock we came to the Inn of Allways, distant some 23 miles north, the road is quite good, as are generally all of this country, because the ground is hard and sandy, and even everywhere; but since there had been much rain the previous days, all wooden bridges were destroyed there on him, and not without a great effort I was able to move the horses and Sulky to continue my journey. This was a little tiresome, but a clean and regular meal, and the company of Comfort and Constance, the two daughters of the innkeeper and girls 15 to 18, very good looking, soon made me forget the trip: in the evening, great dinner and even better conversation with the girls, one of which did not hesitate not come to my request to continue it in bed after everyone went to sleep. The next day at six o'clock I set my day again, and having traveled 21 miles by road similar to the previous day, going through a Swamp that must have more than a mile wide, and millions of mosquitoes over, get at ten a.m. to Beaufort. 

I stayed at the house of Mr Cheney, who treated me and took great care of me, < > his kind company was able to an extent mitigate the aridity and unsociability of the place: here I found all my luggage safe, that since Newberne had changed the day prior to my departure by the River; and also I found very well my fried Schilbeak who in order to attend several Tradesmen, and French Passengers coming from Havana, and castaways on the banks of Cape Look-out, had arrived here the day before; with his Society, company and by playing the flute a little I was able to divert somewhat the discomforts of the weather, the mosquitoes and the heat: this is with such excess that I cannot remember ever having suffered such disagreeable impression even in the coasts of Africa, and Province of Extremadura in spain -. The affaires of the tradesmen, and French Passengers were settled with such good order, justice and equity that everyone left satisfied, and I very happy to see myself among people that although poor are human and generous. By the Laws of the Country all individual that with his assistance, and help salvages any effects whatsoever of a wreck on the Coasts, has the right to keep a fourth of it; and this is where the boats of the Piles that I have mentioned before, or Whale-boats, as they are called around here, become highly useful, and display their ability and audacity; when this boat I mentioned was stranded on the Banks of Look-out, the waves covered it, and they crossed from bow to stern, while the Whale-boats, without the least fatigue promenaded on the waves irritated protecting the boat and picking up whatever effects came afloat: even the copper covering they salvaged and brought it to Beaufort -. This place is located on a sandy Beach and quite unprotected, save for some sand banks that sort of block the ocean, and form the Sound: their population is about 80 neighbors, and the houses quite pitiful; there is no trade and thus the Neighbors are Poor, notwithstanding that their situation is considerable better to have it than Newberne, since even frigates may enter the Sound. Mr Parrat, and Mr Dennis who are the instructed individuals of the Place, favored me with their Company during all the time I was here waiting for a boat so I may embark for Charlestown: the first one is general Land surveyor, and gave me a very good Map of the state, in which regards its coasts and ocean surroundings. 

In the meantime I made an excursion in the Country to a distance of 12 miles going up the small Newport River in the rooms of two quaker-brothers, one rich, and ignorant Mr __, the other (Mr Williams) poor, educated, and generous; this one wrote to me a long Letter, sending me the Famous apology of <R. Barclay> by those of his persuasion, and which I insert as proof of the peculiar way of writing they have. I have never endured such misery by heat, bugs and mosquitoes than in these two days of quakerian researches. The agriculture observed in those lands is very scarce (corn, generally, and sweet potato). On the shores of the ocean or Sound there are windmills of very good construction, and conception; they are all made of wood, and yet they last  twelve, and twenty years: there are others on the ravines where by a sidewalk and doors they call Dam they collect water, and generally form two mills, one to saw wood and another one to press grain of this kind / there are infinite of them all over these places, since wood working is one of their main branches of trade.

On the twelve of July at ten o'clock I finally left all my friends in Newberne, and crossing the Trent river on the ferry (or barge) from the City is taking the road to Beaufort, and at two o'clock we came to the Inn of Allways, distant some 23 miles north, the road is quite good, as are generally all of this country, because the ground is hard and sandy, and even everywhere; but since there had been much rain the previous days, all wooden bridges were destroyed there on him, and not without a great effort I was able to move the horses and Sulky to continue my journey. This was a little tiresome, but a clean and regular meal, and the company of Comfort and Constance, the two daughters of the innkeeper and girls 15 to 18, very good looking, soon made me forget the trip: in the evening, great dinner and even better conversation with the girls, one of which did not hesitate not come to my request to continue it in bed after everyone went to sleep. The next day at six o'clock I set my day again, and having traveled 21 miles by road similar to the previous day, going through a Swamp that must have more than a mile wide, and millions of mosquitoes over, get at ten a.m. to Beaufort. 

I stayed at the house of Mr Cheney, who treated me and took great care of me, his kind company was able to an extent mitigate the aridity and unsociability of the place: here I found all my luggage safe, that I had sent from Newberne the day prior to my departure by the River; and also I found very well my friend Schilbeak who in order to assist several Tradesmen, and French Passengers coming from Havana, and castaways on the banks of Cape Look-out, had arrived here the day before; with his company, demeanor and by playing the flute a little I was able to divert somewhat the discomforts of the weather, the mosquitoes and the heat: this is with such excess that I cannot remember ever having suffered such disagreeable impression even in the coasts of Africa, and Province of Extremadura in Spain. The affairs of the tradesmen, and French Passengers were settled with such good order, justice and equity that everyone left satisfied, and I very happy to see myself among people that although poor, they are human and generous. By the Laws of the Country any individual that with his assistance and help salvages any effects whatsoever of a wreck on the Coasts, has the right to keep a fourth of it; and this is where the boats of the Piles that I have mentioned before, or Whale-boats, as they are called around here, become highly useful, and display their ability and audacity; when this boat I mentioned was stranded on the Banks of Look-out, the waves covered it, and they crossed from bow to stern, while the Whale-boats, without the least fatigue promenaded on the waves irritated protecting the boat and picking up whatever effects came afloat: even the copper covering they salvaged and brought it to Beaufort. This place is located on a sandy Beach and quite unprotected, save for some sand banks that sort of block the ocean, and form the Sound: their population is about 80 neighbors, and the houses are quite pitiful; there is no trade and thus the Neighbors are Poor, notwithstanding that their situation is considerable better to have it than Newberne, since even frigates may enter the Sound. Mr Parrat, and Mr Dennis who are the instructed individuals of the Place, favored me with their Company during all the time I was here waiting for a boat so I may embark for Charlestown: the first one is general Land surveyor, and gave me a very good Map of the state, in which regards its coasts and ocean surroundings. 

In the meantime I made an excursion in the Country to a distance of 12 miles going up the small Newport River in the rooms of two quaker-brothers, one rich, and ignorant Mr __, the other (Mr Williams) poor, educated, and generous; this one wrote to me a long Letter, sending me the Famous apology of <R. Barclay> by those of his persuasion, and which I insert as proof of the peculiar way of writing they have. I have never endured such misery by heat, bugs and mosquitoes than in these two days of quakerian researches. The agriculture observed in those lands is very scarce (corn, generally, and sweet potato). On the shores of the ocean or Sound there are windmills of very good construction, and conception; they are all made of wood, and yet they last twelve, and twenty years: there are others on the ravines where by a sidewalk and doors they call Dam they collect water, and generally form two mills, one to saw wood and another one to press grain of this kind / there are infinite of them all over these places, since wood working is one of their main branches of trade.

On the 22nd at two o'clock I took leave of my few friends and I embarked on a small schooner - the Captain being J. Addison - to resume on the 22nd to Charlestown: favorable wind blew from the north and the next day at three o'clock we came to Cape Fear, we entered the river at the mouth called New Inlet, and leaving to the left in front of this very entrance Fort Johnston, ten miles above the river on the same left side the Brunswick Place, perfectly located for trade and for the enjoyment of life, but entirely ruined and demolished in the last war. Immediately to the East, about a mile up on the left bank of the said Cape-Fear River is the room and state of the American General Howe, in which lives (while he has fun in dissipations elsewhere) his disgraced family because the woman is divorced in tone, and his beautiful daughter, age 18, just had two children with his black slave .... Heavens, human nature, and unjust laws that afflict it! Continuing our voyage up the river for 20 miles further, with little wind we arrived at eleven o'clock at night to Wilmington, and caused me no little surprise to see here boats from Carolina 600 tons and plus which with all ease go upstream; to Brunswick, War Frigates arrive, for the main mouth of river is at its input over 3 fathoms of water, which is why it is thus no wonder there is much more trade here than in Newberne, and other places in the state, and that these flourish above all.