Isa's Blog - America 1854 - Boston

~ The train tracks ended at the Mississippi River.

~ The Civil War had not yet been fought.

~ There were 31 states (green on the map below).









~The 1850 Census - 23,263,486




~ By the 1850s nearly all Native Americans, roughly 360,000, lived west of the Mississippi River.

Lynn B. Connor - Adventures in History

Boston
American House Hotel



A five hour train ride from Portland brought me to Boston. I came to American House and entered through the ladies's door. I wrote my name in a book and was given a key with a nUmber attached. "...my identity was lost-merged in a mere numeral."

Supper was in an immense hall. I must mention "the rapidity with which the Americans despatch their meals." My neighbor at the table finished was replaced my another and then another before I finished. "The effect of this at a where 400 or 600 sit down to dine, is unpleasant, for the swing-door is incessantly in motion. Indeed, the utter absence of repose is almost the first thing which strikes a stranger."

I next went into the ladies' parlor....""as I was proceeding to write a letter, a porter came in and told me that writing was not allowed in that saloon. 'Freedom again!'"

Tomorrow my journey to the far west begins.

THE UNITED STATES IN 1854

19,630,738 whites
3,204,089 slaves
428,661 free colored