The first and by far the most prominent one is the lack of supplies to live, and its consequent distress. The next, perhaps, is dissatisfaction under real or fancied political grievances (upset with the government). Some few emigrate for a warmer, dryer, or healthier climate, and others for no reason but a love of change (They don't emigrate just for the sake of change).
Formerly religious persecution was the main cause of emigration, but happily that barbarous age is over; yet, unfortunately, there is another cause of late years in operation, although not of so violent a character, more dangerous from its insidious and constantly increasing power.
I rented a farm previous to the end of the late war (about 1813), on a seven years' lease (he rented it for 7 years), and of course at a high cost. The year following, the war ended, and with it, the ruin to nearly one-fourth of the farmers. My landlord compelled me to hold the farm for the term I had taken, with but a small and insufficient drop of the price of rent. The consequence was, that with strict attention to economy and industry, at the close of my lease I had lost one-half of my little money, the remains of which not being enough to get supplies for the farm, I had to sell the farm, even though the owner offered to lower the rent to half of what I have previously agreed. I then took his Majesty's ministers' advice, that "if farming would not answer, farmers must engage in some other business." I engaged in another business, but through the lack of money, and a combination of unfortunate circumstances, I lost the remainder of my property (Went broke). I now was determined to leave a country that no longer afforded me a respectable and comfortable living, thinking no person with one spark of independent spirit, could wait a moment in a choice between honorable, though even laborious, exertion and dangers, with independence, to a dronish uselessness in society, or a mean ignoble dependence on friends. (He had a choice between working in a boring job with little pay, or go to the United States.)
He leaves in October of 1824, on a small ship.
Dec. 16.--Made land this morning opposite Roanoke Inlet, North Carolina, near the borders of Virginia, seventy miles too far south of the Chesapeak Bay; ranged within five-miles of the shore all day, with a light breeze, and fine clear cold air. Cannot see anything of the country, but clay and sand banks, covered with pines and other trees; it is apparently a flat land along the sea-board; vessels sailing in different directions, and numbers of wild ducks seen along the shore.
Dec. 18.--After a wet, blowing night, it cleared up soon after day-light this morning, when we weighed anchor, and proceeded up the Patapsco River. As beautiful a day as ever shone, with a serene mild air, and pleasant light breeze. Vessels of all sizes sailing in various directions, with well-dressed people on board; and Baltimore, with its white buildings rising to our view on the sides of the hills, as we approached it, had a most exhilarating effect on one whose vision had been confined to the monotonous rolling of the unstable waters for sixty five days, which is deemed a very long voyage.