In the country parishes these prejudices of race had
never been so strong as in the city, and were fast giving way;
intermarriages and family relations were beginning to identify the
people, and this to some extent was true in the city. But here there
was a conflict of interest, and this seemed on the increase. The
improvements made in the Faubourg were suggested by the necessities of
commerce, and this naturally went to these. There was a superior
enterprise in the American merchant, there was greater liberality in
his dealings: he granted hazardous accommodations to trade, and made
greater efforts to secure it. This had the effect of securing the
rapidly increasing commerce of the city to the American merchants, and
of course was promoting the settlement and improvement of the Faubourg
St. Mary. It excited, too, more and more the antipathies of the
ancient population. These, controlling the city government constantly
in a most envious spirit, refused to extend the public improvements of
the Faubourg.
There was not, forty years ago, or in 1828, a paving-stone above Canal
Street, nor could any necessity induce the government of the city to
pave a single street.
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