Book Overview

Published in 1839, "Society, Manners and Politics in the United States" is presented as a series of letters written by the Earl of Dartmouth (John Francis Rigaud) to an American friend. The Earl, who was British Secretary of State for the Colonies, offers his observations and reflections on American life during the era preceding the Civil War, commonly referred to as the Jacksonian period. He explores the evolving nature of American society, its manners, and its politics, providing insights into the unique character of the nation from a foreign perspective.