From the diary of Philip Jacob Maurer, during the sea voyage to America in 1833 -
"The thought came to me early in the month of October 1832 that I should go to America with my children. From the moment I resolved to go I became happy and carefree. It seemed as though that I was transformed. At work and in marching I was never tired. I could make a two hour march in one and a half hours. Thank God for the wonderful gift of health and for a light and happy heart.
The conditions that influenced me to go to America are as follows:
1. The bad housekeeping of the State where the expenses are so great, and the princely household, the officers and the state officials are paid too high also the customs and the toll. The land is cut into small parts so no one gets into a new land with each day's journey, and each land is encircled by a toll line. Commerce is hindered. The last cent is taken away from the common people. Also the money must be changed and the people are again the losers.
2. Of complimenting and politeness and saluting there is no end. One hardly knows how to frame his sentences so as not to offend. Everyone wants to be addressed as THOU.
3 In the field and in the home one is robbed. One cannot be careful enough.
4 Poverty is so universal that one has to hand out 10-15 pounds of bread daily. Among these are many beggars. One knows them but dares not to refuse them, because of what they may do. They live in the next village and are very dangerous.
5. One cannot be too careful in the lending of money and grain. One is cheated often. There is no such thing as keeping one's word among the people. When people need money or other things they give you angel words (Engleworte) but if you ask them in return what they borrowed, they become your enemies and call you heartless. The returning of things is hard because they are so needy. Many times one loses. All confidence is gone and one dreads to help anyone, but still one has no peace from the borrower.
6. The Sabbath is deserated. The good and upright person has to battle to stay in the straight and narrow path.
7. In spite of extraordinary taxes, the State debt gets higher and higher every year. What will things come to when it must be paid? According to the speakers at the Hambacher Festival, the State debt amounted to 124 million florin on the 27 May 1832.
8. The military duty is worrying me because of my five sons.
9.Friendship is seldom foung. Greed and selfishness have taken the place of true friendship.
10. When it is necessary to go to the law,there is so much expense that many a lone loses his right.
11. When one buys land for 100 Fr, the State 14 Fr and 14 crowns
12 In the several states of Europe one is robbed of all freedom. A chain is thrown around the people and they are led like animals. For instance, one may not take a dog to the field with him without a fine of 5 Fr. One may not catch a rabbit, for the fine is 3 Fr. Because of these things and many others, I am leaving Europe. For these reasons, wealthy, prominent, and worthy men also officials and spiritual leaders, who are dissatisfied, resolved to migrate to the United States of America, where there is freedom."
Reprinted in the Palatine Heritage newsletter of November 1998.
Were these some of the issues that influenced Johann Friedrich Elling to leave Germany more than 25 years later in 1859?
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