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 DESCRIPTION 
 
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 WESTERN TERRITORY 
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 NORTH AMERICA, &c. 
 
 
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 DESCRIPTION 
 
 WESTERN TERRITORY ' 
 
 O F 
 
 NORTH AMERIC Ai 
 
 A succiNcr Acc ou.vr of its 
 
 CLIMATE, NATURAL HISTORY, POCULA- 
 
 TION, AGRICULTURE, MANNERS AND 
 
 CUSTOMS, 
 
 WITH 
 
 dN AMPLE DKiCRIPTION OF THE SSrEK.lt DiriSIONS ISTO 
 mHICa THAT COVNTKY li PARTITIONED, 
 
 And an accurate Statement of the various Tribes of 
 Indians that inhabit the Frontier Country. 
 
 TO WHICH IS ANNlcxtl), 
 
 A DELINEATION OF THE LAWS AND GOVERNMENT 
 
 OP THE 
 
 STATE OF KI^NTUCICY. 
 
 TENDIKG TO SHLW THE PttrUABLE RISE AND 
 GR.iNOUl.'R OK THE AMERICAN EMPIRE. 
 
 IN A SERIES OF LETTERS To A FRIEND IN 
 ENGLAND. 
 
 TJ^, 
 
 BY G;^-f M LAY, 
 
 A Captain in the American Army during the late Wjr, and a 
 Cunimilfioner for layiii^^ cut Laiul in th. liack Sjttltmeiits. 
 
 DUBLI N: ' ^ • * r 
 
 PRINTBD FOR WILLIAM JONES, 86, DAME-STREET. 
 
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 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 •1 ^'.in-;' 
 
 The Author of the following Let- 
 ters hftvlngb^en m e^M'ly wittiols to the 
 fettlement of Kentucky, had frequently 
 fuggefted to me the importance of that 
 fifing country. But I confefs that, with 
 every deference to his judgment, I was 
 not aware how defervedly it had been 
 eftimated as of the utmoft confequence. 
 A momentous asra, during feveral 
 years of which the eyes of the whole 
 world were attentively fixed upon Eu- 
 rope, had fo entirely occupied my mind, 
 that, regardlefs of occurrences ij\ the 
 
 i 
 
f '"^ 
 
 ( ii ) 
 
 remote p;irts of America, I tclt no in; 
 conlkicniblc allonilhmcnt at finding 
 t]-»at Kentucky was to be admitted as a 
 ll'paratc State into the federal govern- 
 ment 
 
 It flruck me as a natural objed of 
 enquiry to what a future increafe and 
 elevation of magnitude and grandeur the 
 fpreading empire of America might at- 
 tain, when a country had thus fudden- 
 1/ rif^n from an uninhabited wild, to 
 the quantum of population neceflary to 
 govern and regulate its own adminiftra- 
 tion. 
 
 It was under this idea that I requeu- 
 ed my friend to fend me, at his Icifure, 
 a complete defcription of the weftern 
 country of America j an enumeration of 
 the laws and government of Kentucky ; 
 
 , 
 
I felt no in; 
 
 It at finding 
 
 admitted as a 
 
 :deral govern- 
 
 Linil objcd of 
 2 increafe and 
 J grandeur the 
 rica might at- 
 [ thus fudden- 
 bited wild, to 
 in ncccflary to 
 vn adminiHra- 
 
 that T requeft- 
 at his Icifure, 
 if the weftern 
 enumeration of 
 of Kentucky; 
 
 y 
 
 ( iii ) 
 and an account of that diftri(5l of coun- 
 try which appeared the moll likely to 
 become a new State. " , 
 
 ; -r '.'.I 
 
 All this he has done in ^o ample a 
 manner, that when the news of the de- 
 feat of General St. Clair was received, 
 I thought that the letters in queftion 
 would prove acceptable to the Public, 
 as imparting to them a more particular 
 knowledge to that country, fo appa- 
 rently the bone of contention between 
 the Indians and the Americans. 
 
 Conceiving a newfpapcr to be the 
 mofl proper channel of communication, 
 I offered a copy of fuch of the letters 
 as I had then received, to the Editor 
 of the Morning Chronicle. But the 
 important crifis of the time, with re- 
 fped; to parliamentary bufinefs and 
 
 \H J **t ti 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 X 
 
. ( 'V ) 
 
 jEuropcaa politics, did not admit of his 
 devoting Co large a rtiare of that excel- 
 lent paper to their Infertion, as the 
 length of the letters would have requi- 
 red i and to have mutilated them, would 
 have been doing irtjuftice to the Author, 
 andleavln^r the information incomplete. 
 Rut as fcvcral otl\er of his iettero 
 h.w*; iJiiVJ cotr.c to iv.y \u\uU, I h-tvtf 
 dc'lci-miucd lo pu'oliili them in a book, 
 not doubtiiirj but that the world will 
 receive as much information and amufc- 
 ment from them as I mylclf have ex- 
 perienced., v,.^„,^„,^.. -aQOr 
 
 ' It is very certain that no work of 
 the khid has hitherto been publiflicd 
 in this country: tnd when original mat- 
 ter is brought before the Public, fure- 
 ly it canrtot fliil to prove acceptable 
 to the philofopher, and entertaining 
 to the curious. 
 
t admit of his 
 5f that excel- 
 rtion, as the 
 d have requi- 
 them, would 
 the Author, 
 n incomplete! 
 f his letter* 
 \uvJu, I h-.\vt3 
 ;ni in a book, 
 ;hc vvoilJ will 
 on and amufc- 
 'klf have cx- 
 
 no work of 
 »een publiflicd 
 n original mat- 
 Public, fure- 
 )ve acceptable 
 i entertaining 
 
 ( V ) 
 
 The occafional remarks, which he 
 has intcrfpcrfed, refpcding the laws, 
 religion, and cuftoms of Europe, arc 
 entitled to the grcateft indulgence, as 
 I believe them to be made with the 
 grcateft candour. 
 
 A man who had lived until he was 
 more than five-and-twenty years old, 
 in the back parts of America ( which 
 was the cafe with our Author, except 
 during the period he ferved in the ar- 
 my), accuftomed to that fimplicity of 
 manners natural to a people in a ftatc 
 of innocence, fuddenly arriving in Eu- 
 rope, muft have been powerfully ftrick- 
 en with the very great difference be- 
 tween the. fimplicity of. the one, and 
 what is called etiquette and good bree- 
 ding in the other. ' ^. 
 
 h 
 
 / 
 

 ( vi ) 
 Perh;aps fuch a perfon is better cal- 
 culated than ourfclvcs to judge of o-.r 
 manners j and doubtlefs hibit very ma- 
 terially a£ts upon the human mind ; 
 and fince it has been too much the 
 pradlice in Europe to confer favours in 
 proportion to the fervility of courtiers, 
 I am apprehenfive that we have im- 
 perceptibly loft much of our energy and 
 manlinefs. . . . . ,?. 
 
 The calculated rife of the American 
 empire, which the letters contain, will 
 not, I think, appear extravagant, when 
 we recoiled the rapid ftrides which 
 have advanced it to its prefent flourifli- 
 ing ftate of wealth and population . , 
 
 In the life of Edward Drinker, 
 which was publiflied in Philadelphia, 
 April 1783, are contained thefe remark- 
 able particulars : 
 
f>i 
 
 is better cal- 
 judge of o':r 
 ibit very ma- 
 iLiman mind ; 
 )o much the 
 fer favours in 
 / of courtiers. 
 Are have im- 
 )ur energy and 
 
 the American 
 ; contain, will 
 ivagant, when 
 ft rides which 
 cfent flourifli- 
 )pulalion. 
 
 /ard Drinker, 
 
 Philadelphia, 
 
 1 thefe remark- 
 
 ( vil ) 
 " Edward Drinker was born in a 
 cottage in 1688, on the fpot where the 
 city of Philadelphia now ftands, which 
 v/as inhabited, at the time of his birth, 
 by Indians, and a few Swedes and Hol- 
 landers. ■ '•" * -' ' - * ^ • • ' 
 
 ..'i "i 
 
 r? " He often talked of picking black- 
 berries, and catching wild rabbits, 
 where this populous city is now feated. 
 He remem.bered the arrival of William 
 Penn, and ufed to point out the fpot 
 where the cabin ftood in which that 
 adventurer and his friends were accom- 
 modated on their arrival. -. 
 
 ** He faw the fame fpOt of earth, in 
 the courfe of his own life, covered with 
 woods and buflies, the receptacles of 
 wild beafts and biids of prey, after- 
 wards become the feat of a great and 
 
 
 I 
 
. ' ( viii ) 
 
 flourlrtiing city, not only the firfi in 
 wealth and arts in America, but equalled 
 but by few in Europe. 
 
 v 
 
 (( 
 
 He faw fplendid churches rife up- 
 on morafles, where he ufed to hear no- 
 thing but the croaking of frogs; great 
 wharfs and warehoufes, where he had 
 often feen favages draw their fifli from 
 the river j he faw that river afterwards 
 receiving fhips and merchandize fi-oni 
 every part of the globe, which, in his 
 youth, had nothing bigger than an In- 
 dian canojc. ,., -r , 
 
 ** He had been the fubjedl of many 
 crowned hands; but when he heard 
 of the oppreflive and unconftitutional 
 ads paffed in Britain, he bought them 
 all, and j^ve them to his grandfons to 
 make kites of; and embracing the 
 
the firfi in 
 but equalled 
 
 V 
 
 :hes rife up- 
 [ to hear no- 
 frogs ; great 
 here he had 
 eir fifli from 
 ;r afterwards 
 landize from 
 /■hich, in his 
 f than an In- 
 
 edt of many 
 :n he heard 
 :onftitutional 
 bought them 
 grandfons to 
 bracing the 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 r 
 
 TB 
 
 ' 
 
 ( ix ) • 
 liberty and independence of his country, 
 after feeing the beginning and end of 
 the Britilh empire in Pennfylvania, and 
 after triumphing in the eftablifhment of 
 freedom, he died in November 1782." 
 
 1 repeat, that when we recoiled: the 
 wonderful changes which had taken 
 place during the life of one man, in 
 Pennfylvania, under all the difadvan- 
 tages with which the population of 
 that country was attended, as well as the 
 reft of America, pofterity will not deem 
 it extraordinary, fliould they find the 
 country fettled quite acrofs to the Pa- 
 cific Ocean, in lefs than another century. 
 
 I will fuppofe that the inhabitants 
 of America amount at prefent to four 
 millions of fouls at leaft, and that theii* 
 population doubtlefs once in twetny or 
 
 ^1 
 
 II 
 
 M 
 
 g 
 
 '.1.4 
 
•( X ) 
 
 twenty-five years ; at the end of a hun- 
 dred years their number will be fixty- 
 foiir millions. i, . .,....,,,.,»,.,. 
 
 This is a very fimplc but very obvi- 
 ous truth. To be fenfible of this, we 
 have only to mark the ftages of its 
 growth. For, whether the fecret of 
 its amazing fecundity is owing to the 
 great proportion of room which the ex- 
 tent of its territory affords, fignifics ve- 
 ry little, as it does not appear likely that 
 any material alteration, in that refpedt, 
 will take place in the courfe of fo fliort 
 a time as a century ; as the expanfion 
 of its dominion will fecure the fame 
 advantages to population. 
 
 The immenfe extent of the American 
 empire abounds with all climates, with 
 every kind of foil, and with rivers fo 
 
end of a hun- 
 vill be fixty- 
 
 it very obvi- 
 ; of this, we 
 
 ftages of its 
 the fecret of 
 )wing to the 
 vhich the ex- 
 , fignifics ve- 
 lar likely that 
 
 that refpedt, 
 rfe of fo fliort 
 Lhe expanfion 
 :ure the fame 
 
 the American 
 :limates, with 
 vith rivers fo 
 
 ( xi ( 
 rarious and extcnlive, that it fcems cal- 
 culated to become a rival to kalf the 
 globe in trade and riches. 
 
 Some obftrudtions have interfered 
 wiih the navigation of the Mifliflippi, 
 which were as repugnant to found po- 
 licy on the part of Spain, as it was dif- 
 treffing to the people of the weftern 
 country. ' "" "^ " 
 
 It was under that coercion that the 
 people of Kentucky in convention, in 
 the year 1788, petitioned the United 
 States, upon the fubjetl of their griev- 
 , ances j who, in confequence, remonftra- 
 ted with the Court of Spain upon that 
 fubjedl, when fome indulgence was 
 granted, though that navigation was 
 not entirely liberated. 
 
( xii ) 
 This petition contains fentiments fo 
 pure, and fo manly, that I think there 
 cannot be a better idea conveyed of 
 their difpofitions and manners, than by 
 inferting it at fall length. 
 
 ..t.^. 
 
 * * Fathers , fellow -citizens^ and " ; t , 
 
 /i Guardians of our rights t ■■.'■. • 
 
 ** As we addrefs you by the appella- 
 tion of fathers, we rely on your paternal 
 afFeftion to hear us j wc rely on your 
 juftice, as men and citizens ; to attend 
 to the urong done to men and citizens ; 
 and as a people recognifed by the 
 folemn ads of the union, we look for 
 protection to the federal head. 
 
 " When the peace had fecured to 
 America that fovereignty and indepen- 
 dence, for which Ihc had fo nobly con- 
 
entiments fo 
 [ think there 
 conveyed of 
 lers, than by 
 
 •::;< ■ J'tr {' * t 
 
 ?nsy and 
 
 rhtSy • ! 
 
 the appella- 
 your paternal 
 rely on your 
 ns : to attend 
 
 and citizens ; 
 
 
 lifed by the 
 
 
 we look for 
 
 
 head. 
 
 
 1 fecured to 
 
 
 and indepen- 
 
 
 b nobly con- 
 
 
 ■ ■ • - . 
 
 .* 
 
 
 
 ( xiii ) 
 
 Ut\kci, we dould not retire with our 
 Atlantic friends, to enjoy, in cafe, the 
 bleflings of freedom. Many of us had 
 expended, in the flruggle for our coun- 
 try's-rights, that property which 
 would have enabled us to polfefs a com- 
 petence with our liberty. On the we- 
 Aeni watcrsi th^ eommon wealth of 
 Virginia pofleffcd a fertile, but uaiii.. 
 habited wild. In this wildernefs wc 
 fougth, after having procured Uberty 
 for our poflerity, to provide for their 
 A^p5pOrfc«i^liH;!>-':;fitl#'roi^Itrt" :i^^^ . .; 
 
 ** Inured to hardship by a long war- 
 fare, we ventured into almoft impene- 
 trable forefts^ — without bread or do- 
 meftic cattle, we depended on the ca- 
 fual fupplies afforded by the chafe — 
 hunger was our familiar attendant. 
 
 TT? 
 
 •HP 
 
 I 
 
 \» 
 
( xiv ) 
 and even our unfavoury meals were 
 made upon the wet furfacc of. the 
 earth, with the cloud-deformed ca- 
 nopy for our covering. Though for- 
 ced to pierce the thicket — it was not 
 in fafety we ti^od — the vile favage 
 thirfted for blood, lurked in our paths, 
 and feized the unfufpedling hunter." .^ 
 
 * ** Whilft we lamented the loft friend, 
 a brother, a father, a wife a child be- 
 came the vidim to the barbarian toma- 
 hawk — Inftead of confolation, a nev^r 
 and greater misfortune deadened the 
 fenfe of former afflidions. From the 
 union we receive no fupport j but we 
 impeach not their juftice. Ineffeiflual 
 treaties, often renewed, and as often 
 broken by the favage nations, ferved on-^ 
 ly ifo upply them with the means of 
 our deflruition. 
 
' meals were 
 irfacc of. the 
 deformed ca- 
 Though for- 
 — it was not 
 vile favage 
 in our paths, 
 g hunter." 
 
 he loft friend, 
 'e a child be- 
 •barian toma- 
 ition, a neW 
 deadened the 
 
 From the 
 ort J but we 
 
 Ineffeiflual 
 and as often 
 IS, ferved on-, 
 the means of 
 
 ( ^^ ) 
 " But no human caufe could controul 
 that Providence which had deftined this 
 weftern country to be the feat of a civi- 
 lized and happy people. The period 
 of its accompliflmient was diftant, but 
 it advanced with rapid and incredible 
 ftridcs. We derived ftrcngth from our 
 falls, and numbers from our lofles — 
 the unparalleled fertility of our foil 
 made grateful returns, far difproportion- 
 ed to the flight labour which our (ife- 
 ty would permit us to bsftow — our 
 fields and herds afford us not only fuffi- 
 cient fupport for ourfelves, but alfo 
 for the emigrants, who annually dou- 
 ble our numbers, and even a furplus 
 ftill remains for exportation— this fur- 
 plus would be far greater, did not a 
 narrow policy (hut up our navigation, 
 and difcourage our induftry. 
 
 ;! i« 
 
( xvl ) 
 *' In this fituation we call for vour at- 
 tention— we beg you to trace the Mi- 
 fllfllppi from the ocean* --furvey the 
 innumerable rivers which water your 
 weftern territory, and pay their tribute 
 too its greatnefs — examine the luxuri- 
 ant foil which thofc rives traverfe. 
 Then weafk, can the Gon of Wisidom 
 AND Nature have created that vail 
 country in vain ? Was it for nothing that 
 he bleflcd it with a fertility fo aftonifli- 
 ing ? Did he not provide thofe great 
 jftreams which enter into the Mifliflippi, 
 and by it communicate with the 
 Atlantic, that other nations might en- 
 joy with us the bleflings of our pro- 
 lific foil ? View the country, and you 
 will anfwer for yourfelves. But can 
 the prefumptuous madnefs of man 
 imagine a policy inconfiftent with the 
 
for vour at- 
 race the Mi- 
 --furvey the 
 \ water your 
 their tribute 
 e the luxuri- 
 ves traverfe. 
 OK Wisdom 
 ited that vail 
 • nothing that 
 yfoaftonifli- 
 e thofe great 
 le Miffiffippi, 
 ;e with the 
 ns might en-» 
 ) of our pro- 
 itry, and you 
 es. But can 
 lefs of man 
 lent with the 
 
 ( xvii ) 
 
 immenfe dcfigns of the Deity ? Anic- 
 ricans cannot. 
 
 ** As it is the natural right to the 
 inhabitants of this country to navigate 
 the Mifliffippi, fo they have alfo a right 
 derived from treaties and national com-^ 
 padts. 
 
 -'!;;■'.' 
 
 j-u; 
 
 r- ,'-1/:,.- . t f. 
 
 
 ** by the treaty of peace, concluded 
 in the year 1763, between the crowns 
 of Great Britain, France, and Spain, 
 the free navigation of the river Miffi- 
 ffippi was afcertained to Great Britain. 
 
 The right thus afcertained was exer- 
 cifed by tha fubjedts of that crown, 
 until the peace of 1783, and conjointly 
 with them by the citizens of the United 
 States. By the treaty, in which Great 
 Britain acjcnowledged the independency 
 
( xviii ) 
 of the United States, fliealfo conceded 
 to them the free navigation of the Mif- 
 fiilippi. . , 
 
 ■ -.... '^ ■ 
 
 ;" •'-• i ■ , " - ■ . . . . . ■ 
 
 ^' ** It was aright naturally and aHln- 
 tially annexed to the polTeflion of the 
 wcftern country. As fuch it was claim- 
 ed by America, and it was upon that 
 principle Hie obtained it. Yet the court 
 of Spain, who polfcfs the country at 
 the mouth of the Mifiiflippi, have 
 obftruded your citizens in the enjoy- 
 ment of that right. ^ ^,,^ 
 
 " If policy is the motive which 
 aduates political condudt, will you 
 fupport this right, and thereby enable 
 us to aflifl in the fupport of government ? 
 
 i ** If you will be really our fathers, 
 ftretch forth your hands to fave us — it 
 
alfo conceded 
 tiofthe Mif- 
 
 lly and aHcn- 
 reflion of the 
 it was claim- 
 /a.s upon that 
 Yet the court 
 ; country at 
 iflippi, have 
 in the enjoy- 
 
 lotive which 
 idt, will you 
 hereby enable 
 "government? 
 
 it t -.ft 
 
 y our fathers, 
 to fave us — if 
 
 ( JKIX ) 
 
 you would be worthy guardians, defend 
 our rights. We are a member, that 
 would exert every mufcle for your fer- 
 vicc. Do not cut us off from your 
 body. By every tic of confanguinity 
 and affedtion, by the remembrance of the 
 blood which wc have mingled in the 
 common caufc, by a regard to juflicc, 
 and to policy, we conjure you to pro- 
 cure our rights. 
 
 ** May your councils be guirded by 
 wifdom and juftice, and may your de- 
 termination be marked with decifion 
 and efFedt ? Let not your beneficence be 
 circumfcribed by the mountains which 
 divide us j but let us feel that you are 
 really the guardians and aflerters of our 
 rights. Then you would fecure the 
 prayers of the people, v^'hofe gratitude 
 
 m 
 
. '■ ( 3fX ) 
 
 would be as warm as their vindications 
 of their rights will be eternal— Then 
 our connexion fluU be perpetuated to 
 to the lateft times, a monument of your 
 fuftice, and a terror to your enemies." 
 
 ' ! 
 
 -Onq 03 uov Ditj[f:o'J W ,^pilon olbri.; 
 x.oricbob /liiv/ mynsm yd ncijnrirrnyJ 
 
 ■f 
 
 "J 
 
 ..(.y' 
 
 
 ,••./ J .1 .•^tCi^^' 
 
eir vindications 
 
 eternal — Then 
 
 perpetuated to 
 
 nument of your 
 
 your enemies." 
 
 r ;^itoq ol'bni: 
 
 •WO^>3 
 
 *t'./r 
 
 • 
 
 bfifi raoKilw 
 
 yd 
 
 nci3f.n!frrj3l 
 
 jtJ 
 
 
 4 :-, 
 
 '^dr'.'l.TH'O'ii'J 
 
 
 ; • nh 
 
 -i-.;: 
 
 iJ,, ._;. :^iw: 
 
 :". 
 
 f'T ..^td^'^' 
 
 
 rlj -io u*rr(.'r,fi 
 
 DESCRIPTION, 
 
 -.: -f- esiv. e^v. &v. .•.,..'/ 
 
 Si^i^-'tvif-;) 
 
 LETTER I. 
 
 MYDSAK FRIEND, 
 
 KIMTWCKr. 
 
 1- HE tafk you have givci 
 me, however difficult, I undertake with the 
 greateft picafure, as it will afford me an oppor- 
 tunity of contrafting the fiinple manners, and 
 rational life of the Americans, in thefe back fet- 
 tlements, with the diftorted and unnatural habitj 
 of the Europeans : which have flowed no doubt 
 from the univerfally bad laws which exift on 
 your continent, and from that pernicious fyftcni 
 of blending religion with politics, which has 
 been produt^ve of univerfal depravity. 
 U 
 
 
 
r- 
 
 ( * ) 
 While ignorance continued to darken the ho- 
 rizon of Europe, prieftcraft feems to have forged 
 fetters for the human mind, and, in the fecurity 
 of its own omnipotence, to have given a ftamp 
 to the writings, and opinions of men, that rivet- 
 ted the tyranny of thofe ingenious fophills— The 
 confequencc has been lamentable in the ex- 
 treme. 
 
 There arc yras favourable to the rife of new 
 governments, and though nature is governed by 
 invariable laws, the fortune of men and ftates 
 appear frequently under the dominion 6f chances : 
 but happily for mankind, when the American 
 empire was forming, philofophy pervaded the 
 genius of Europe, and the radiance of her features 
 moulded the minds of men into a more rational 
 order. ' 
 
 It was the zenith of your power, and the inflated 
 
 ^ grandeur of vifionary plans for dominion, which 
 theremains of gothic tyranny produced, that gave 
 
 > cccafion to the rife of our independence. We 
 claim no merit or fuperior wifdom in avoiding the . 
 
 . complication of laws which difgraces the courts 
 
 - Gf Great Britain, as well as the reft of Europe. 
 
) 
 
 d to darken the ho- 
 eems to have forged 
 and, in the fecurity 
 lave given a ftamp 
 5 of men, that rivet- 
 nious fophills — The 
 entablc in the ex- 
 
 le to the rife of new 
 iture is governed by 
 : of men and ftates 
 iominion of chances : 
 when the American 
 ofophy pervaded the 
 idiance of her features 
 into a more rational 
 
 lower, and the inflated 
 for dominion, which 
 ly produced, that gave 
 • independence. We 
 vifdom in avoiding the ^ 
 1 difgraces the courts 
 IS the reft of Europe. 
 
 ( 3 ) 
 We have only oppropriated the advantages of 
 new lights, as they have fhonc upon us ; which 
 you have an equal chance of doing ; and your not 
 doing it, riuft remain a monument of your folly, 
 calculated to excite the aftoniAiment and indig- 
 nation of a more manly progeny. However, I 
 fliall leave this fubje£t for the prefent, and pro- 
 ceed in order in the hiftory, &c. &c. which you 
 requeft ; hoping that you will be content to re- 
 ceive my remarks by letter, from time to time, 
 as I may find an opportunity of fending them. 
 
 The veftiges of civilization defcribed by Car- 
 ver and others, on this fide of the Allegany 
 mountains, are entirely imaginary. Every mark 
 that is human has the feature of barbarifm, and 
 every comparifon of the natives and animals, 
 with thofe of the old world, tends to confirm the 
 opinion of thofe fenfible men (fome of whom 
 wrote more than a century ago ) who thought 
 that America was peopled from Scythia, by the 
 ftreights of Kamtfchatka: which opinion has 
 been followed by your judicious natural hifto- 
 rian Pennant, in his preftice to his Artie Zoology. 
 They fay, firft,« America has always been better 
 
 ■¥^ 
 
peopled on the fide towards Afia, than on thaf 
 towards Europe: fecondly, The genius of the 
 ^ .Americans has a great conformity to that of 
 the Tartars, who never applied themfelves to 
 arts : Thirdly, The colour of both is pretty 
 much alike; it is certain that the difference is 
 not confiderable, and is perhaps the effeft of the 
 climate, and of thofe mixtures with which the 
 Americans rub themfelves.: Fourthly, The wUd 
 beafts which are feen in America, and which 
 cannot rcafonably be fuppofed to have been tranf- 
 ported thither by fea, could only have come by 
 the way of Tartary."' An addition to thefe ar- 
 guments is, that the bifon of Scythia, and what 
 is called the buffalo in America, are precifely 
 the fame fpecies of animal; befides, the animals 
 of both countries bear the ftrongeft refemblance 
 to each other. 
 
 ' Every thing tends to convince us, that the 
 world is in an infant ftate. If it is fubjed to change 
 only from the gradual wear which the operations 
 of the elements ncceffarily produce, and which is 
 foinfenfible as to require us to contemplate the 
 immcnfity of time and fpace to comprehend » 
 
^ 
 
 Ifia, than on that 
 he genius of the 
 irmity to that of 
 ied themfelves to 
 of both is prettjr 
 t the difference is 
 IS the effeft of the 
 s with which the 
 ourthly. The wild 
 erica, and which 
 ;o have been tranf- 
 nly have come by 
 Idition to thefe ar- 
 jcythia, and what 
 ica, are precifely 
 :fides, the animals 
 angeft refemblance 
 
 rince us, that the 
 is fubje£t to change 
 lich the operations 
 ducc, and which is 
 to contemplate the 
 : to comprehend a 
 
 ( 5 ) 
 taufe for the alterations we difcover, ftill the vt- 
 rious phznomena, which are every where to Be 
 found, both on the furface and in the bowels of 
 the earth, afford fufitient proof that there has 
 been a recent alteration upon the face of the 
 globe. Whether or not" manlcind came origi- 
 nally from the Eafl fignifics little. Itishow- 
 cver^ certain, that Europe was in its infancy 
 three thoufand years ago ; and tliat America was 
 ftill lefs advanced to maturitVr ' believe alfo 
 will be acknowledged; though the barbarifm of 
 the one, and the comparative civilization of the 
 other, is no argument : for,- 1st out hemifphere 
 have been peopled as it would, it had the difiid- 
 vantage of having no polifhed country in the 
 neighbourhood of its vaft extent of dominion ; 
 and if it received emigrants from Tartary, 
 they were equally favage with themfelves ; or if 
 from the wreck of a^Chinefe, or Japanefe velTel, 
 they feem to have been too rare (if ever) to have 
 been productive of much good to the Americans. 
 The ideaof the Incas of Peru being of Chinefc 
 origin merits no confideration,. 
 
 That man poflefles from^aature the talents ne^- 
 
'*. 
 
 i'^ 
 
 ( 6 ) 
 
 reflary to his own civilization, and that pcifctJli- 
 t>n of philofophy and reafon which dignifies his 
 nature, admits, I fliould conceive, of nodifpute. 
 
 Ill all c(iuntries which wear the marks of age, 
 men fecmlalways to hnve been advancing their 
 improvemefn? for the comfort and order of fo- 
 ciety. Adve'lititious circumftances have rapidly 
 iiicreafed them iitiTiodern times in the old world, 
 while they have retarded them in the new, among 
 tlic native*. The improvements in navigation 
 ]n\ to the overthrow of two empires in America 
 which had attained confidcrable Improvcmcntf s 
 and if the natives which ftill remain are barba- 
 rous, we muft, in juftricc to human nature, allow 
 that the contempt with which the Whites have 
 always treated them, and the nefarious policy of 
 encouraging €ieir fury for intoxication, have 
 proved the only caufe of it. This produced fuch 
 an efFta, that the population of the Indian na- 
 tions, had decreafed more than a twentieth nearly 
 » century ago, according to the account of Char- 
 levoix. 
 
 While SpainAis praftifing the moft odious 
 lyranny, and fadnle^ious inhumanity under the 
 
 t,' 
 
and that pci feiSli- 
 hich dignifies his 
 ^e, of no difpute. 
 
 the marks of age, 
 ;n advancing their 
 t and order of fo- 
 ances have rapidly 
 s in the old world, 
 in the new, among 
 cnts in navigation 
 npircs in America 
 le Improvement* s 
 remain arc barba- 
 iman nature, allow 
 the Whites have 
 nefarious policy of 
 intoxication, have 
 rhis produced fuch 
 of the Indian na- 
 a twentieth nearly 
 te account of Char- 
 
 ig the moft odious 
 uimanity under the 
 
 ( 7 ) 
 cloak of a dcteftable religion, over millionj of 
 the mlfciiible Americans, gorging an infatiablc 
 avarice in the glittering miiics of tiic new world, 
 England and France, with mort^ hiimunity, open- 
 ed fettlenients in North America. Other Euro- 
 pean powers h.id fomc part in thtfe fettlenients; 
 but, after fome change* previous to the begin- 
 ning of thi' prefcnt ccjitury, Kiij^land fccms to 
 have been Kit in qiiii-t poflt-ilirn of liie country, 
 
 J)'iii^ iijicM the Atlniitic coafl from I'afl I'lorida 
 to the J)ay of Fiindy. The Franch, in the mean 
 time, were rearing a colony in tlic unhofpitable 
 and frozen forefts of CanaJa. The ambition of 
 J,ewis XIV. and the day.zling fvcnery which the 
 griindtfur of his projefls difplayed, alone could 
 have prompted that peop^ato have pcrfevcred in 
 fo ruinous an undertaking. But in purfuing the 
 f r.Mt objcift of that voracious tyrant, the river 
 St. Lawrence was afcended, Lake Ontario was 
 traverfed, the falls of Niagara were palTed, and 
 following the waters which lead to the MifTiilippi 
 river, the delegable country of Louifiana opened 
 in all the fplendour and variety of its charms. 
 
 After the treaty of Utrecht, both nations con- 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 tmm 
 
r 
 
 T 
 
 ( « ). 
 
 tinued quietly the obje£t of aggrandizcmeoife 
 the plan of France was inildious. In poffef- 
 fion of the mouth of the river Mifliflippi) which 
 empties into the gulf of Mexico in about lat. 
 29", and the river St. Lawrence, which empties 
 into the fea between Cape North and the coaft 
 of Labrador, to the northward of lat. 48'', 
 (he feems to have contemplated the confolida* 
 tion of this vaft empire. Mifllonaries were every 
 where employed to convert the natives \ and fo 
 fuccefsful were they, that a perfon, even in times 
 of hoftility, fpeaking French, will find fecurity 
 from the attachment of the people to every thing 
 which is French. 
 
 The mifcarriage of the celebrated fcheme of 
 Law's for fettling Louifiana, for a time reurded 
 the progrefs of that colofHan plan. But the 
 commut !cation between Canada and Louifiana 
 being fixed and fecured by fortreffcs at Niagara 
 and Detroit, and the Indians being univerfally 
 friendly to the French, the features of the Titan 
 was difcovered in their ere£king Fort Du Quefne 
 at the jundion of the Mononahala and Allegany 
 rivers, which form the Ohio. This led to the 
 
 ^mtf'!ni^' s\w tm m i tasSm's ss^^o>fSi^^^^^^'^^^ 
 
aggrandizctneolt 
 lious. In poiTef- 
 Mifliflippi) which 
 xico in about lat. 
 cc, which empties 
 irth and the coaft 
 ard of lat. 48**, 
 ted the confolida- 
 onaries were every 
 ie natives ; and fo 
 rfon, even in times 
 
 will find fecurity 
 iplc to every thing 
 
 lebrated fcheme of 
 for a time reurded 
 n plan. But the 
 lada and Louifiana 
 rtreffcs at N iagara 
 s being univerfally 
 iturcsofthe Titan 
 ig Fort Du Quefne 
 ahala and Allegany 
 . This hi to the 
 
 ( 9 ; 
 
 war between England and France in the year 
 1755, as you may well recolleft. But though 
 that war terminated To glorioufly for Great Bri- 
 tain, and fecurely for the then colonies, ftill we re- 
 mained ignorant of th<i whole of the fine coun- 
 try lying between the high hills, which rife from 
 Great Sandy river, approximate the Allegany 
 mountain, and extending do\Vn the Ohio to its 
 confluence with the MifTiflippi, and back to thofe 
 ridges of mountains which traverfe America in a 
 S. W. b. W. diredlion, untill they are loft in the 
 flat lands of Weft Florida.- However, certain 
 men, call Long Hunters, from Virginia and 
 North Carolina, by penetrating thefe mountains 
 (which ramify into a country. 200 miles over 
 from eaft to weft, called the wiWernafs), wer« 
 fafcinated with the beauty and luxuriance of the 
 country on the weftera fide, which their enrap- 
 tjired imaginations could not find words fuffi- 
 cicnt to depidt. -i^i, 
 
 m>{,, 
 
 A grant had been fold by the Six Nations of 
 Indians to fome Britifh commifricners at Fort 
 Stanwix in 1768, which comprehended this coun- 
 try, and which afforded the Americans a pretext 
 
 B 3 
 
 f 
 
 .:!■- 
 
 m 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 for aright to fettle it; but it was not yet faffi- 
 ciently known, and thofc Indian natives who 
 w«re not concerned in the grant, became diflatif- 
 ficd with the profpea of a fettlement which might 
 become fo dangerous a thorn in their fide, and 
 committed fomc maflacres upon the firft explor- 
 ers of the country. However, after the expedi- 
 tion of Lord Dunirtore in 1 774* and the battle at 
 the mouth of the Great Kanhaway, between the 
 army of Ccl. Lewis and the confedet ated tribes 
 of Indians (in wliich thefe intrepid people fuffered 
 levctely), thoy were in fome meafure oit>t. The 
 aflembly of Virginia began, now to encourage 
 the peopling that diiVrift of country called Ken- 
 tucky, from the nsaie of a rivea which runs 
 nearly through the middle o£ it. This encou- 
 Tagement coofifted ii offering 400 acres of land 
 to every perfon who engaged to build a cabin, 
 clear a piece of land^ and produce a crop of In- 
 dian corn. This was called a fetdement light 
 Some hundreds of thefe fettlements were made } 
 bat, in the mean time, Mr. Richard Henderfon 
 of North Carolina, a man of no inconfiderable 
 ibilities, and more enterprife, had obtained a 
 
— Jl 
 
 \ 
 
 iS not yet iuflSL' 
 Lit aati'cs who 
 became diflatif" 
 ;nt which tniglit 
 1 their iide, and 
 iic firft explor- 
 ifter the expedi- 
 ind the battle at 
 ay, between the 
 ifedeiated tribes 
 i peo;^Ie fuffered 
 fufeowi't. The 
 w to encourage 
 try called Keii- 
 CB which runs 
 , This encau- 
 Do acres of land 
 to build a cabin) 
 :e a crop of In- 
 fettlement right 
 ;nts were made } 
 hard Henderfon 
 o inconfiderable 
 had obtained a 
 
 { " ) 
 
 grant from the Cherokee tribe of Indian* fur 
 this fame tra£): of country ; and though it was 
 contrary to the laws of the land for any private 
 citizen to make purchafes of the Indiaris, Oil! 
 Mr. Henderfon perfevered in his intention of cf'* 
 tablifliing a colony of his own. To the inhabitants 
 he intended to grant the power of making their 
 own laws, while he retained the executive autho- 
 rity in his own hands. He actually took poniiillon 
 of the country, with many of his followers, where 
 he remained pretty quiet, making very little im- 
 provement, Virginia being at that time entirely 
 occupied with the war which liad commenced be- 
 tween Great Britain and the confederated ftates. 
 Moft of the young men from the hack fettlements 
 of Virginia and Pennfylvania, who would have 
 migrated to this country, ha\'ing engaged in the 
 war, formed that body of men calkd Riile-men; 
 which not only checked the growth of the fettle- 
 ment, but fo dried up the fourccs of emigration, 
 that it was near being annihilated by the fury of 
 the favages, who were hurried on by the emif- 
 farics of the government of Canadii. 
 
 Though a cenfiderable number of inhabitant* 
 
i% 
 
 ( u ) ^ 
 
 had fleJ from the different ftates to this country, 
 In feaichof an afylum againft the calamities ot 
 the war on the other fide of the mountains in 
 1778, 1779* anJ "780, yet fo diftrdlal was 
 the ftttlcmcnt during this laft year, after a ri- 
 gorous winter (which had been more than 
 ulually fevcrc upon the continent), that the fettK-rs 
 judged right, when they determined to abandon 
 the country far ever; but they were diverted 
 from this ftcp by a feafonable reinforcement of 
 emigrants, after having experienced every horror 
 which a fanguinary war can produce. , 
 
 The legality of Mr. ITcndtrfon's claim was in- 
 ▼cftigated by the ftatc of Virginia in 1781 ; and 
 though there could be no fort of equity in it, he 
 having adted in contempt of the ftate, the legif- 
 lature,to avoid feuds or difturbances (for Hen- 
 derfon ttill had influenc«), agrrt:d, as an indem- 
 nification for the expcnce and trouble he had 
 been at, that he (liould be allowed a traft of 
 country twelve milts fquare," lying in the forks 
 of the Ohio and Green rivers : a traft of his 
 own chufing. "*■ 
 
 Virginia gave farther rewards and encourage- 
 
/ 
 
 to this country, 
 the calamities of 
 he mountains in 
 b diftrellcd was 
 year, afar a ri- 
 een more than 
 t), that the fcttlcrs 
 tincd to abandon 
 y were diverted 
 reinforcement of 
 iced every horror 
 )duce. , 
 
 jn's claim was in- 
 iiia in 1781 ; and 
 if cijiiity in it, he 
 E ftatc, the legif- 
 ances (for Hen- 
 t^y as an indem- 
 i trouble he had 
 lowed a tra»St of 
 lying in the forks 
 s : a tra£l of his 
 
 Is and encourage- 
 
 ( '3 ) 
 ments a this time to the firft fettlcr*, for the 
 peril* tivv had undergone in the eftabli(hnicnt 
 of their fcttlcment, of a tiadt of looo acres, 
 called a pre-emption right, to be laid off adjoin- 
 ing to the fettlement of 400 acres, the grantee 
 only paying office fees for the fame. After this 
 period (i.e. 1781), a land office was opened by 
 the (late, granting warrants for any quantity of 
 unlocated land, upon condition of certain fums 
 of the depreciated continental currency being 
 paid into the treafure, at fo much for an hun- 
 dred acres. 1 he great plenty and little value of 
 this money foon caufed the whole country to be 
 located, which was one of the material caufcs of 
 its rapid population. 
 
 It was neceliary, m the management of this 
 buAneft, that care fhould be taken to prevent that 
 perplexity and litigation, which the vague man- 
 ner in which that bufmefs was executed in many 
 inftanccs, would neceflarily produce. For this 
 purpofe, three principal furveyors were appoint- 
 ed, who were to lay, or caufc to be laid o/^ by 
 their deputies, the different locations within 
 *the limits of their diftriits : this being done, 
 
 V 
 
( 14 ) 
 and recorded la the office, the original furvey 
 was fent to the deputy regtfter's office^ there to 
 be recorded; from which it was fent to the prin- 
 cipal rcgifter's office at Richmond, the feat of 
 government, there to remain twelve months, in 
 order that any perfoo having a claim, by virtue 
 of a prior location, might have an opportunity 
 to enter a caveat, and prevent a furrcptitious 
 grant from iffuing. Commiffioners were alfo 
 fent to adjuft the claims of fettlemcnt and pre- 
 cmptioB rights ; by which means order was px-e- 
 ftrved, and the government of a diftrift of coun- 
 try, detached) and' feparated at that time more 
 thaa 200 miles from any other fettled country-* 
 a country which had grown up under the devaf- 
 tation of a moft barbarous Indian and civil war, 
 and under the miferies of famine and diftrcfs, 
 fettled by all orders of men in the United Sutcs, 
 men of different interefls, and different politics, 
 was prefer ved j and the order and quiet, which 
 prevailed in 1784, was fufficicnt to have induced 
 a ftranger to have believed that he was living 
 under* an old fettled government. Such is the 
 fcience of jurifprudence, when it works ugon 
 
 
 
 mm 
 
the orrgtnal furvey 
 r's office, there to 
 as fent to the pria- 
 tmond, the feat of 
 1 twelve months, in 
 ; a claim, by virtue 
 ive an opportunity 
 ;nt a furrcptitious 
 iffioners were alfo 
 fettlemcnt and pre- 
 cans order was pi-e- 
 f a diftri<a of coun- 
 at that time more 
 •r fettled country-* 
 up under the devaf- 
 dian and civil war, 
 limine and diftrefs, 
 I the United Sutes, 
 d different politics, 
 r and quiet, which 
 cnt to have induced 
 that he was living 
 iment. Such is the 
 en it works ugon 
 
 ( 15 ) 
 fimple, but fubflantial fprings. Hence arifes 
 harmony without expence, and equity without 
 litigation. Here are no mufty forms, to lead 
 you into labyrinths of doubt and perplexity, 
 no contradiilory cafes and reports to diflra£t your 
 opinions :— our decidons are governed by a^ 
 of the legiflature, decreed upon the elementary, 
 principles of truth and juftice. ,? - 
 
 After the peace between Great Britain and 
 the United States in 1783, the fettlement of 
 Kentucky was conHdcred as, formed; but it 
 was not yet determined, whether it was to be an 
 appendage of Virginia or not. The United States 
 claimed the back country as the property, of the 
 whole union,, which (hould be appropriated to. 
 the ufeof the federal government ; but Vifginia,,^- 
 urged the right of the charter granted by James fc, t • 
 which dcfcribed its boundaries in this ftrange 
 way. — To commence at a point fouthward of 
 the capes of Chefapeak Bay, in lat. 36^? 
 running due weft from thence, then fetting off 
 from the faid beginning, and running to lat. 37? 4 
 57' upon t^ coaft, which is a little to iht 
 

 ( ifr ) 
 
 northward of the faid capes, and then running « 
 north-weft courfc. This indefinite grant, having 
 no aftual boundaries feems to have originated 
 in the belief of the times of its birth, i. e. that 
 the Atlantic and Pacific oceans were only 
 divided by a narrow traft of country. This 
 grant fontiing a kind of obtufe angle, expand- 
 ing as it advanced weftward, comprehended the- 
 wholc of the fine country on both fides of the 
 Ohio. But, in order to adjuft all difputes, the. 
 ftate of Virginia ofFered to concede the country 
 weftward of the Ohio, provided thai other in- 
 dividual ftates, holding back lands, would give^ 
 up their?, and the whole of the country com- 
 prehended within the prefent limits of the 
 ftate, on the eaftern fide of the river Ohio> 
 ihould be guaranteed to them by Congrefs. 
 This was done ; and thus the federal govern- 
 ment became pofleffed .of all the back landi in 
 America. 
 
 Thus ftood matters refpc^ing Kentucky the 
 latter end of 1783. As it is neceffary for mc 
 to take a retrofpctaivc glance of the progtefs 
 
 ■*<. 
 
d then running t 
 n\te grant, having 
 
 have originated 
 s birth, f. e. that 
 cans were only 
 
 country. This 
 "e angle, expand^ 
 omprehended the- 
 both fides of the 
 I all difputes, the 
 nccde the country 
 id thai other in-^ 
 ands, would give- 
 the country com- 
 nt limits of the 
 ' the river Ohio^ 
 tn by Congrefs. 
 le federal govern- 
 
 the back landi in 
 
 ""^ 
 
 ( 17 ) 
 of peopling fcveral other parts of the weftern 
 country I mufl beg your indulgence and time 
 for another letter. In the mean time, believe me 
 to be devoted to your wiihes. ^ -i s 
 
 xj-dj !-f fft/ 1 I am, moft fincerely, 
 
 Your'i, &«► 
 
 ■a- J.' ' C ', - «>' 
 
 jn:>flr'orti 
 
 U 
 
 ng Kentucky the 
 
 neceflary for me 
 
 :e of the progtefs 
 
( '8^ J 
 
 ;^iii*? I'U t. 
 
 .; Vi^tA .i' 
 
 2l»i> 
 
 •letter It. 
 
 :JW"VKi 
 
 ll<«( 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, aWr i KBMTUCKY. 
 
 1 H E memorable defeat of General Braddock 
 retarded for fome little time, our opportunities 
 of acquiring a further knowledge of the coun- 
 try on the fourccs of the Oliio. But the talcing 
 Kort du Quefne by General Forbes, in 1760, 
 opened to the view of the colonics of that day a 
 new world. Land* were granted by govern- 
 ment to the army, for fcrviccs done during the 
 war, which in a great meafurc, with the gar- 
 rifoning Fortdu Quefne (now called Fort Pitt), 
 contributed to form the iirft Englifh fettlement 
 upon the weflern waters, 
 
 After the treaty of Paris in 1763, by which 
 Great Britain obtained a ceffion of Eaft and 
 Weft Florida, and all the country lying eaft of 
 the Miflifljppi, with a right to navigate that 
 river, frequent incurfions had been made from 
 that time down the Ohio and Mifliffippi to New 
 Orleans. But in thefe excurfions, which were 
 by water, very little knowledge of tl»e Kentucky 
 ^ ■ * 
 
v 
 
 a> KBHTUCKY* 
 
 Jencral Braddock 
 our opportunities 
 :dge of the couii- 
 ). But the talcing 
 ForbeS) in J 760, 
 )i\\e% of that day a 
 anted by govern- 
 s done during the 
 irc, with the gar- 
 callsd Fort Pitt), 
 Kiiglilh fettlement 
 
 in 1763, by which 
 ffion of Eaft and 
 ;untry lying eaft of 
 to navigate that 
 d been made from 
 Mifliffippi to New 
 fions, which were 
 je of tl»e Kentucky 
 
 't? 
 
 ( 19 ) 
 country had been obtained, except at the Rapids 
 
 and fomc few other places upon the banks of the 
 
 river, 
 
 Louifiana was well known, and many fcttle- 
 nients were forming, previous to the late war, 
 on the eaftern fide of the Mifltflippi, above and 
 below the Natchez : fome troops had been fta- 
 tioned in the Illinois, and at Poft St. Vincent 
 on the Wabafli river, where the French inha- 
 binnts lived and cultivated their little planta- 
 tions, in the flylc of the Patriarclis of old } en- 
 joying the charms of nature, decked in all the 
 foft fimplicicy which the genial current of the 
 human foul, unfophidicated by the alloy of 
 European artifice, produces in fuch elegant and 
 fafcinating variety. They pofllficd all the focial 
 talents in an eminent degree : and their hofpi- 
 tality was ever enlivened with the charms of wit, 
 and the exhilarating juice of the vine ; which 
 grew and flouriihed to fuch a degree as to pro- 
 duce wine for exportation. Thefe fettlements 
 ftill exift ; but the fettkments upon the MiM- 
 fippi that were made previous to the war, 
 were broken up by Indians, who inhabit the 
 
( ^0 ) 
 
 eountry between Georgia and Weft Floriida, 
 called the Cherokee, Creeks, Chackuw, and 
 Chichafaws nations. Befides, by the treaty of 
 1783 between Great Briuin and the United 
 States, we acquired, the country on the eaftern 
 fide of the Miffiffippi river, only as low as the 
 commencement of the Jldeg. or to the Natchez;. 
 {o that thofe fettfements could not be renewed 
 by the Americans, as both Eaft and Weft Flo- 
 rida fell into the hand* of Spain by the fiune 
 peace, 
 
 The fouthero limits of Virginia,, being lat^ 
 36i deg. arc divided from North Carolina by 
 a line of demarkation in a direA weft line, until 
 it ftrikes the Miffiffippi a little below its junftion 
 with the Ohio. The fame ridge of mountains 
 which feparates Virginia from the weftern coun- 
 try, feparates the Carolinas alfoj and on this 
 fide of the mountain, within the limits of North 
 Carolina, the luxuriance of the foil, in fome 
 pj.rts, is equally aftonifliing as that of Kentucky. 
 When Lord Comwallis penetrated into the back 
 parts of that ftate, many of its inhabitants began 
 to fly over the mountiuns for fecurity ; and thus- 
 
 ':?-:wi3Ki^Ji^C*^''''''-'^'^*^''*'*'^"''^'''"'^' 
 

 i Weft Florida, 
 I Chackuw, and 
 by the treaty of 
 and the United 
 try on the eaftern 
 nly as low as the 
 r to the Natchez}, 
 not be renewed 
 ft and Weft Flo- 
 «>n by the fiune 
 
 rginia,. being lat^ 
 orth Carolina by 
 % weft line, until 
 below its junAion 
 idge of mountsuns 
 the weftern coun- 
 aifo i and on this 
 e limits of North 
 he foil, in fome 
 that of Kentucky. ^ 
 ated into the back , 
 inhabitants began 
 ecurity ; and thu»- 
 
 ( U ) 
 
 commenced the fettlement called C«mberland 
 from the name of its river, which is a con- 
 fiderable branch of the Ohio, and joins it not a 
 great way from its mouth. This fettlement 
 began to form in 17I0, and was encouraged by 
 the fame means as the fettlement of Kentucky, 
 /'. e. by fettlements and pre-emption rights; 
 and now promifes to become fecond in mag- 
 nitude to Kentucky, of all the fettlements upon 
 the weftern waters, and in a few years, from its 
 rapid growth, doubtlefs will become a diftina 
 ftatc. Such is the rapidity with which this part 
 of the world is peopling. 
 
 There are fettlements ftlll to the fouthward 
 of this, in what is called the Great Bend of 
 the Tenafee, or the Mufcle Shoals, which 
 have been made without the permilHon of * 
 the federal Government. This is a fine tra£t- 
 of country, and in time muft become very - 
 valuable from its particular fituation, and the 
 peculiar manner in which the navigation of 
 this country muft be conduiaed, concerning 
 which I fhall expatiate in its proper place. 
 Its proximity to the fouthern Indians renders 
 
 iriliHiiHii 
 
( " ) 
 
 it rather dangerous at prefent ; but the growing 
 ftrength of Frenchbroad and Nolachufky above, 
 upon the waters of the fame rivers will foon 
 afford fecurity to every part of the Tcnafee 
 country. 
 
 The country of Holfton is ftill above thefc 
 fettlements upon the head waters of the fame 
 river, on the borders of Virginia and North 
 Carolina; and that you may form fome idea of 
 the prowefs of thofe people, I will relate a cir- 
 cumftance, which, perhaps, is not generally 
 known on your fide of the water. When Lord 
 Cornwallis had advanced, in 1780, into the back 
 parts of North Carolina, he detached Col. Fer- 
 gufon with about 500 Britilh troops, to a place 
 called King's Mountain, in order to give fecu- 
 rity to the faithful md loyal (ubjcSis of his Ma- 
 jefty, who were confiderably opprcffed by their 
 «:^tf//A/i»/countrymen the rebels. Col. Campbell, 
 a Virginian, who lived in thofe back fettle- *^ 
 ments, heariag of the rendezvous of the loyaU 
 ifts, under the banner of Col. Fergufon's de- 
 tochment, at King's Mountain, aflembled what 
 militia he could, and began his march on horfc- 
 
* W' 
 
 ; but the growing 
 ^olachulky above, 
 ; rivers will foon 
 t of the Tcnafee 
 
 is ftill above thefc 
 Iters of the fame 
 irginia and North 
 form fome idea of 
 I will relate a cir- 
 , is not generally 
 Iter. When Lord 
 [780, into the back 
 JetachedCol. Per- 
 il troops, to a place 
 order to give fecu- 
 fubjefls of his Ma- 
 f opprefled by their 
 els. Col. Campbell, 
 thofe back fettle- 
 tvous of the loyal-k 
 jl. Fergufon's de- 
 tain, aHemblcd what 
 his march on horfe- 
 
 { 23 
 
 ^bac-fc in the evening, without mentioning their 
 deftination, and by continuing their march, 
 without interce/Eon for upwards of one hundred 
 miles, came up with them the feeond morning, 
 about the break of day, when their horfes were 
 
 ' left at the foot of the mountain with a fmall 
 guard; his little army, divided into three detach- 
 ments, were led to feparate attacks, aad in 
 lefs than half an hour the hill was carried. Col. 
 Fcrgufon killed, and the greater part of his de- 
 tachment made prifoners. Col. Campbell's army 
 amounted to about 500 : he took more prifoners. 
 From fuch fpecimens, I think thofc people can 
 have nothing to fear from M'Gilvery. 
 
 I have not related this ftory from vanity, or from 
 the moft diftant idea than the Americans are in 
 any refpedl fupcrior to Englifhmen ; fo far from 
 it, that no man can more warmly admire the 
 true Englifli than I do: but I have told it as a 
 circumftance tending to prove, that men feel- 
 ing the fpirit of liberty are always fuperior to 
 flavei', and that a well regulated militia are 
 equal to the defence of a country without the ex- 
 pence of fupporting a (landing army, which is 
 
( u ) 
 
 not the only inconvenience flowing from Rich a 
 fyftem. How much of the labour and inge- 
 nuity of a (late is facrificed by fuch a policy! 
 In how many inftances have the laws and civil 
 authority been trampled upon by the contumely 
 and ignorance of men educated with none but 
 military ideas and habits, and thereby the re- 
 fpeft due to laws contaminated, and an indig- 
 nant people awed by a martial phalanx! While 
 a good citizen fcels his own infignificance, the 
 patriotic heart mourns for the (acrilege commit- 
 ted upon their privileges with that impunity, 
 which the patronage of a (landing army affords 
 to the executive power of a (late. 
 
 We will now return to Kentucky which is the 
 key-ftone of the fettlements upon the watew 
 of the Miffiffippi. The years 1783 and 1784 
 brought out vaft numbers of emigrants from all 
 parts of America; particularly the latter year, 
 when it was fuppofed than in Kentucky alone, 
 not lefs than 12,000 fouls became fettlers i feve- 
 ral Europeans from France, England and Ire- 
 land were among the number. The Indians gave 
 us a refpite, and there fecmpd to be nothing 
 
■;¥» 
 
 nring from fuch a 
 labour and inge- 
 )y fuch a policy ! 
 the laws and civil 
 by the contumely 
 ed with none but 
 i thereby the re- 
 ed, and an indig- 
 l phalanx ! While 
 nfignificance, the 
 (acrilege commit- 
 th that impunity, 
 ding army affords 
 ite. 
 
 tucky which is the 
 
 upon the waters 
 
 :s X783 and 1784 
 
 emigrants from all 
 
 ly the latter year, 
 
 Kentucky alone, 
 
 imefettlersi fevc- 
 
 England and Ire- 
 
 The Indians gave 
 
 cd to be nothing 
 
 ( as ) 
 wanting to make us the happieft people upon 
 earth. , . ,_ . , 
 
 In 1782 the Sate of Virginia had given us a 
 Genera! Court, with judges and an Attourncy- 
 (Jeneral, to manage all legal affairs rcfpeiSing the 
 diftriifl, without the trouble and expence of tra- 
 velling to Richmond, which is diftant between 
 five and fix hundred miles, two hundred of 
 which were through an uninhabited wildernefs. 
 In 1783, 1784., and 1785; great part of the coun- 
 try was Ajrveyed and patented, and the people 
 in the interior fettlements purfued (heir bufi- 
 nefs in as much quiet and fafety as they could 
 have done in any part of Europe. Court-houfes 
 were built in the different counties, and roads 
 were opened for carriages, which feven years be- 
 fore had not been fcen in the country. The 
 only roads hitherto were for fingle horfes. 
 
 In 1785 the diftriil had grown fo confiderable 
 from the great number of emigrants which had 
 arrived, and that refpeftahility which it had ac- 
 quired produced a difpofition in the inhabitants 
 to become an independent .State, and to b« 
 admitted as another link in the great federal 
 Q 
 
 f 
 
 
 tt^s^ 
 
( 46 ) 
 chain. A convention was immediately Termed 
 by fending deputies from tUc different coun- 
 ties, who met at our metropolis, Danville, for 
 the pufpofe of taking the matter into confidera- 
 tion i when it was determined, after fome debat- 
 ing, to petition Virginia for th»t purpofc. An 
 Aa had already paffed that State, authorifing 
 any diftria of country over the mountains to fe- 
 parate whenever a majority of the inhabitants 
 ^{hould wi(h it : but in this inftance it was urged, 
 by thofe who were not friendly to the fcparation, 
 that it was not the wifti of tbe majority of the 
 inhabiunts of Kentucky to become independent. 
 In faa, many gentlemen holding .onfidcrable 
 traas of land in the diftria, v ho were not rc- 
 fidents, thought our reparation would beprema- 
 tare, particulariy as we had courts of juftice, 
 whofc jurifdiaion was diftina from that of 
 Virginia, and the only folid complaint (which, 
 indeed, was a ferious one) was the diftancc 
 to which we muft fend our reprefentatives, 
 and our local fituation requiring in fome in- 
 ftances a legiilation, which the majority of the 
 Alftmbly gf the State would no^ be competent 
 
unedlatdy formed 
 e difTcrciit coun- 
 ilis, Danville, for 
 :er into confidera- 
 , after foitic debat- 
 thit purpofc. An 
 State, authorifing 
 e mountains to fe- 
 of the inhabitants 
 tance it was urged, 
 y to the fcparation, 
 be majority of the 
 ;come independent. 
 )lding fonfiderable 
 v-ho were not re- 
 in would be prema- 
 I courts of juftice, 
 inft from that of 
 I complaint (which, 
 ) was the diftancc 
 jur reprefentatives, 
 uiring in fome in- 
 thr majority of the 
 d no"^ be competent 
 
 ( 27 ) 
 to judge of. However, this bufmefs 5 was pro- 
 craftinated ; for finding, though we might fcpa- 
 ^ate whensver wc chofe, yet that it was optional 
 with the Icgiflatwre of Virginia to recommend us 
 to be taken into the federal government (which 
 they were not liliely to do, and which it was cer- 
 tain could not be done without), wc were content 
 to remain as we were for that time. 
 
 The federal government in the courfe of this 
 year undertook to lay off the country weft of the 
 Ohio, i.^ fuch manner at would anfwer the pur- 
 pofc of felling the land, and fctting the conn- 
 try. Peace had been made the preceding year 
 at Fort M'Intoft, between the United Stotesand 
 the Indians, in which the country upon the 
 Muflcingum, Scioto, and the Great and Little 
 Miami rivers, had been ^nven up by the Indians 
 as a confideration for former maflacres, and at 
 neceflary to produce permanent tranquillity; 
 they finding the United States, by ceffion from 
 Great Britain, had a rigiit to all the country 
 within the limits defcribed in the treaty of 
 1783, and that it would be in vain for them t« 
 remonftrate againft their peopling it, particu- 
 C a. 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 larly as it was to Great Biitain they wero to 
 look to for rcftitution, who hasl abr.nJoned them 
 (When allies, pud Cold their country without cvc»i 
 confuitiiig tlum. But when the fuivcyors began 
 to aa, the Indians difcovered immediate and 
 
 hoftilc figns of diHipprobation, fome maflacrcs 
 ,werc committed, and the buriii|cj-s. ,wf J^t "f 
 
 until the following Spring. ,^ ^^. yvolsn-j <>i 
 
 .-Gongrcfs as yet had taken no decided mea- 
 fures as to the organization of this country, or 
 'the mode of parcelling it out and difpofmg of 
 i.ti the difcontinuance of the late war was ftiU 
 recent, and the multifarious objefts which pre 
 fentedthemfclves to an infant (Jovernment, not 
 recovered from the ftiocks of a doubtful cre- 
 dit, together with the habitual idlenefs which 
 "the profwffion of arms produces, threw an em- 
 barraffment over all their proceedings. It was 
 in this dilemma that they recommended tlie 
 meeting of a convention, to be compofed of de- 
 puties 'from the different States, to afTemble in 
 *Philf.dclphia in May,. 1787, to take into their 
 confidcration the nature and defeAs of the fe- 
 deral government as it then exifted. In this ex- 
 
) 
 
 Biitaiii they were 10 
 hasl abr.iiJoned them 
 lountry without cvc»i 
 n the furvcyors began 
 ered immediate and 
 itiori) fome maflacrcs 
 bufiiv^s. ,V'*s jut off 
 
 en no decided mea- 
 1 of this country, or 
 
 oat and difpoHng of 
 the late war was ftiH 
 us objeds which prc- 
 ant (Jovernment, not 
 s of a doubtful cre- 
 ibitual idlenefs which 
 )duces, threw an em- 
 • proceedings. It was 
 ley recommended tlie 
 to be compofed of de- 
 
 Statcs, to affemble in 
 87, to take into their 
 
 and defeas of the fe- 
 en exifted. In this ex- 
 
 I 
 
 ( 9 ) 
 amination they fou' J that the old government 
 wanted efficiency, and the total abfcnce of unifon 
 between the different States, from local laws and 
 cuftoms, was producSlive of delay, and a vaHcty 
 of obltruc^ions, tending to counteract the coni 
 cord of confederation. ' • . 
 
 It was under thcfe confiderations that the pre- 
 fcnt federal government arofe. It has cftabjifhcd 
 one great and important principle for the bene- 
 fit of mankind, and the extenfion of civiliza- 
 tion, which is, that a power may fo exift in a 
 government, as to admit of alteration or change, 
 without danger to the tranquillity of the Statci 
 by government recommending to the conflltuent 
 powers of that State, the deputing men to in- 
 quire into the radical defers of their conftitu- 
 tion, and making fuch alteratrons as the im- 
 proved wifJom of experience may lind nccef- 
 fary. It is thus in the progreffion of things 
 that governments will arrive at perfcdion. .. 
 
 I muft beg that you will excufc this digrcffion, 
 as it was neceflary to account for the delay in 
 pioceeding to the fettlement of the country weft 
 
( 30 ) 
 •r the Ohio. This hixfmek took up the greator 
 part of 1787, fo that it was a year of more be- 
 fore much was done. la the meantime the In- 
 dia9B continued to incrcafe their depredations, 
 ■nder a belief that, if once the Whites were fuf- 
 fered to eftabliflied themfelves on their fide of the 
 Ohio, there would be no end to their incroach- 
 ments until they became extirpated. In this 
 opinion, they were not a little encouraged by 
 the Englifli traders at Detroit and Niagara, who, 
 from an avarice in human nature hard to be ac- 
 counted for (but as it degenerates under bad 
 laws aad worfe morals), feek, in murder and 
 Woodflied, for the fah of a few extra pounds of 
 gun-powder and lead. However fome land had 
 been furveyed in 1786 and 1787, and in the lat- 
 ter year z fettlement was formed upo» the Muf- 
 kingum, which may be looked upon as the com- 
 mencement of the American fettlements upon 
 the weftern fide of die Ohio. In 1788 and 
 1789 fome farther furveying was done; but lit- 
 tle fince has been tranfafted in thofe parts, ex- 
 cept wars between the Indians and the fettlcrs. 
 
lok up the greator 
 year or* more be- 
 meantime the In- 
 :heir depredations, 
 t Whites were fuf- 
 on their fide of the 
 to their incroach- 
 tirpated. In this 
 tie encouraged by 
 and Niagara, who, 
 ure hard to be ge- 
 nerates under bad 
 k, in murder and 
 tw extra pounds of 
 ever fome land had 
 '87, and in the lat- 
 icd upo» the Muf- 
 d upon as the com- 
 i fettlements upon 
 lio. In 1788 and 
 was done; but lit- 
 in thofe parts, ex- 
 ns and the fettlers. 
 
 ( 
 
 ) 
 
 Vet it is to be hoped that the decided meafurck 
 taken by the United States will fccure peace, 
 which cannot fail to pomote profpcrity. 
 
 Nature in her pride has given to the regions 
 of this fair river a fertility fo aftonifliing, that 
 to believe it, ocular demonftration becomes 
 ncceflary. During thefe times of barbarous war 
 and maflacre, the people of Kentucky and Cum- 
 berland, fecured by their numbers and ftrcngth, 
 except in their outermoft plantations, enjoyed 
 perfect fecurlty. The former continued to keep 
 in view the objed of he independemce, and 
 from the rcfpeAable figure ihe has made In tR6 
 adminiftration of her afTairs, it is at leh^fii 
 agreed, that Ihe is to be admitted into the fd- 
 deral union in June 1792. i 
 
 • ft 1- 
 
 nt 
 
 Having fumiihed you widi only an imperfe£^ 
 hiftory of the manner in which this back coun- 
 try has been fettled, I will endeavour, in com- 
 pliance with your requeft, to give you a defcrip- 
 tioR of its natural and artificial produdlions. 
 
 Believe me to be, finc^relyi 
 
 Yours, 6cc. 
 
 
( 32 ) 
 ,?i^ 3iv LETTER IIT. :u- 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, KENTUCKY. 
 
 IN cafting your eyes over the map of America, 
 you will difcover that its weftern (or middle) 
 country is divided from the Atlantic country by 
 a chain of mountains which rife in the remote 
 parts of the States of New-York and New Jer- 
 fcy, and run a fouth-wefterly courfe, until they 
 are loft (as I obferved before) in the flat lands of 
 Weft Florida. The weftern country is thofe 
 parts which are watered by the ftreains running 
 into the Mifliflippi. ■ ;, - 
 
 ' It isabout fifty miles over the Allegany Moun- 
 tain, crofling by the rout which General Braddocic 
 took from Fort Cumberland near the Potowmac, 
 at the defcent into tha country of Redllone on 
 the Monongiihala, the foutnern branch of the 
 Ohio. This river rifcs in the fame mountain 
 confiderably to the fouthward, runs nearly pa- 
 rallel with it, the oppofite way, upwards of 
 one hundred miles, and is navigable for boats 
 nearly to its fource } the whole of this country 
 
iir. , u- 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 : map of America, 
 ftern (or middle) 
 ;lantic country by 
 
 rife in the remote 
 ork and New Jer- 
 
 courfe, until they 
 in the flat lands of 
 I country is thofe 
 c ftreams running 
 
 3 Allegany M'tun- 
 Gencral Braddoclc 
 ear the Potowmac, 
 :ry of Redllone on 
 :rn branch of the 
 the fame mountain 
 1, runs nearly pa- 
 way, upwards of 
 avijable for boats 
 )le of this country 
 
 i 
 
 ( 33 ) 
 
 beyond the mountain is extremely fertile, well 
 watered, and abounding with all kinds of tim- 
 ber calculated for building houfes, beats, cabi- 
 net work, &c. &c. The fugar maple-tree is 
 intermixed in great quantities. From the foot of 
 the mountain it is about fourteen miles to Rcd- 
 flone Old Fort, which is on the banks of the 
 Monongahala, and the ufual place of embarka- 
 tion of people coming down the Ohio, who tra- 
 vel Braddotk's road; from thence to Pittiburg 
 is about fifty miles by water. Large traiStsofflat 
 land lay all along upon the banks of this river 
 •from the Old Fort to I'ittflburg, which arc capa- 
 ble of being made into extenfive and luxuriant 
 meadow ground. ^ ■ ' " 
 
 Jx. 
 
 . n'Si^ii#,i 
 
 This country Is populous, it being the olJcd 
 fettlemcnt, and made immediately after taking 
 Fort du Quefne. The Yohogania empties 
 itfelf into the Monongahala about twenty- 
 five miles above its junction with the Allegany 
 river : the country on this river is more uneven, 
 but in the vallics the foil is extremely rich. Near 
 to Pittiburg the country is well-people, and 
 there, as well as in Redftone, all the comforts of 
 
( 34 ) 
 life are in the greateft abundance. Flour is ma- 
 nufaaured in as good a ftyle as in any part of 
 America-, and butter, cheefe, bacon, end every 
 kind of provifions can be had in the greateft 
 quantity. This wrhole country abounds in coal, 
 which lica almoft upon the furfacc of the ground ; 
 the hills oppofite Pittfburg upon the banks of 
 the Monongahala, which are at leaft three hun- 
 dred feet high, appear to be one folid body of 
 this mineral. ' 
 
 This muft become in time the moft valuable 
 graning country in all America from the fertility 
 of its foil, its capability of being formed into 
 extenfive meadows, and its proximity to the 
 mountains which attrait the clouds, and produce 
 t^at moifture fo neceflary to grafs ;— befides 
 which, its fituation is above three hundred miles 
 •from Philadelphia, about two hundred and forty 
 fiom Baltimore, arvi above two hundred and 
 twenty from the federal city on the Potowmac, 
 A diftance wliich is too great to carry by land 
 the bulky articles of hulbandry; but to which 
 cattle may be driven with the greateft eafe. 
 
 * This country has derived no inconfiderabls ad- 
 
ice. Flour is tna- 
 ,e as in any part of 
 , bacon, and every 
 lad in the greatcft 
 y abounds in coal, 
 'ace of the ground } 
 jpon the banks of 
 at leaft three hun- 
 one folid body of 
 
 • the moft valuable 
 
 ;a from the fertilit/ 
 
 being formed into 
 
 proximity to the 
 
 loads, and produce 
 
 to grafsi — befides 
 
 three hundred miles 
 
 > hundred and forty 
 
 two hundred and 
 
 on the Potowmac, 
 
 lat to carry by land 
 
 idry ; but to which 
 
 greateft eafe. 
 
 o inconfiderabls ad- 
 
 ( 35 ) 
 vantage from the fettlement of Kentucky, and 
 the other fettlements which are making on the 
 Ohio and MiflHiTippi, the great road of migrat- 
 ing from the northern dates lying through it : 
 and indeed it is moft convenient, -both from 
 Maryland and Virginia, stall feafons of the year, 
 provided that there be any thing bulky to carry, 
 the paflage being for the greateft part, by 
 water, and the Potowmac navigable, a few 
 places excepted, to fort Cumberland j all of 
 which obftru(5lions will be removed in a few 
 years by canals which are cutting. From Fort 
 . Cumberland it is about fixty miles land carriage 
 to Rcdftone Old Fort; but fo friendly has 'na- 
 ture been to this country, that though it is with- 
 out feas, yet the rivers run in fuch direction!!, 
 tiiat there is fcarcy any place in ail the back 
 parts of America, where art may not reduce the 
 land carriag^e to a very fmall diftance. I cannot 
 (peak upon fo general a fubje£l definitively, but 
 I mean to be underftood within fifteen leagues. 
 It is aiTerted from the befl authorities^ that ths 
 land carriage between the Potowmac and Ohio 
 may be reduced to lefe than twenty miles. .«,,. -^ 
 
 Til 
 
 ti 
 
 _L 
 
t' 1 
 
 ( 36 ) 
 
 Such is the progreflion of things in this 
 •country, that while there was apparently no 
 market for its fuperfluous p: oduftions, every ar- 
 ticle has fold extremely well, in confcquencc 
 of the number of emigrants who have been con- 
 tinually paffing down the Ohio. 
 
 Down from Pitlfburg the country is flat on 
 the banks of the river ; but a little dillance from 
 them it is confiderably broken, particularly on 
 the north-weftern fide. Much good land, how- 
 ever, is interiperfed on the fouth fide as far as 
 the approach to the little Kanhaway, where the 
 nature of the foil feems rcvcrfcd, and the good 
 l.md is then found on the wcflcrn fide upon 
 the Mufkingum. There arc fome ftrips of rich 
 land upon the littlci^Kanhavvay ; but, farther up 
 t'ls river, the country is broken and ftcril, pro- 
 ducing fcarce any other timber then the fir tree, 
 or pine and knotty black oaks, which are gene- 
 rally deemed fymptoms of a bad foil. This tradt 
 of bad land extends quite into the mountains in a 
 fouth dircaion, and runs fouth-weftcrly as far as 
 Great Sandy river, with little or no variation, 
 - except en the bcttcms cf the Great Kanhawajs 
 
 ■■-Ijitj. 
 
if things ill this 
 as apparently no 
 uftions, every ar- 
 , in confcquencc 
 lO have been con- 
 
 ountry is flat on 
 ittle dirtance from 
 J, particuhirly on 
 1 good land, hovv- 
 luth fide as far as 
 laway, where the 
 fed, and the good 
 eflcrn fide upon 
 fome ftrips of rich 
 ' ; but, farther up 
 :n and ftcril, pro- 
 ■ then the fir tree, 
 5, which are gcne- 
 d foil. This tra£t 
 the mountains in a 
 -wefterly as far as 
 e cr no variation, 
 Great Kanha\va^', 
 
 ( 37 ) 
 which arc extenfive and rich. The bottoms on 
 the Ohio are every where extenfive and luxu- 
 riant. On the wcftern fide of the river, the coun- 
 try beyond the rich vein of land on the Muf- 
 kingum, is only tolerable on this fide of the 
 head waters of the Sciota, which are fucceeded 
 by as fine a body of land as the imagination ran 
 paint. This extends confidcrably near to the 
 Ohio, and running weftward quite to the Miami, 
 now approximates its banks, and difplays, in iis 
 verdure and variety of majcftic forefis, all that 
 beauty and richnefs, which have been fo much 
 celebrated by travellers v/ho have pafild through 
 them. The country on the eaftern fide, except 
 on the banks of the rivers, is indifferent. There 
 is a body of good land on Great Sandy ; but 
 leaving that in a fouth-weftvvard courff, high, 
 ru<!gcd, and broken hills arifc, which ajII 
 hardly ever be capable of cultivation : thcfe 
 hills extend between thirty and forty miles and 
 open into the fine lands of Kentucky. . ^ • 
 
 We have travelled now about five hundred 
 miles down the Ohio in its meandering couifc, 
 and we will fuppofrf outfelves at Liincllone, 
 
 11;^ 
 
 
{ 38 ) 
 vrhere the champaign country on the eaftc.n fide 
 of the river bcg'uv I !iis is the ufial landing 
 place for people cornier down in boats, who 
 mean to fettle in the upper part of the State, a* 
 I {hall in future call it. It is now neceflary to 
 loolc back to that country, which we have travel- 
 led through with fuch rapidity. Pitt(burg lies in 
 about lat. 40" 40', the general courfe of the Ohio 
 if about W. S. W. and thediftance by land from 
 Pittlburgto Limcftone is nearly 300 miles. But 
 •OS the northern limits of the ftate, are Great 
 Sandy, which is fome diftance above Limcftone, 
 we may fix them as nearly as can be, in lat. 39*' 
 30'. I am forry I cannot fpealt with more pre- 
 cifion, but thefe things have not yet been afcer- 
 taincd from obfervation. 
 
 ? The caft fide of the Ohio for about ten or 
 4wcnty miles below Whealing, which is about 
 one hundred below Pittfburg, is generally well 
 fittled. There arc few fettlements on the oppo- 
 fite (hore until you came to the Mulkingum, and 
 the country now wears the face of a wildernrfs 
 on both fidos of the river, there being no habi- 
 
•^ 
 
 3n theeaftcin fide 
 the ufial landing 
 ■n in boats, who 
 rt of the State, as 
 
 now neceflary to 
 ;h we have travel- 
 Pittfburg lies in 
 rourfe of the Ohio 
 ance by land from 
 y 300 miles. But 
 I ftatc, are Great 
 
 above Limeftone, 
 :an be, in lat. 39" 
 alt with more pre- 
 lot yet been afcer- 
 
 I for about ten or 
 g, which is about 
 , is generally well 
 nentson the oppo- 
 le Mulkingum, and 
 ace of a wildcrn«fe 
 biere being no habi* 
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 tations worth notice, except at the mouth of the 
 Great Kanhaway, until we arrive at Limedonc. 
 
 Every thing here alTumes a dignity and fplcn- 
 dour I have never fecn in any other part of the 
 world. You afcend a confiJerablc didancc from 
 the (horc of the Ohio, and when you would fup- 
 pofe you had arrived at the fummit of a moun- 
 tain, you find yourfelf upon an extenfivc level. 
 Here an eternal verdure reigns, and the brilliant 
 fun of lat. 39^, piercing through the azure hea- 
 vens, produces, in this prolific foil, an early ma- 
 turity which is truly aftoniftiing. Flowers full 
 and perfe£l, as if they had been cultivated by 
 the hand of a florifl-, with all their captivating 
 odours, and with all the variegated charms 
 which colour and nature can produce, here, in 
 the lap of elegance and beauty, decorate the fmil- 
 ing groves. Soft zephirs gently breathe on 
 fweets, and the inhaled air gives a voluptuous 
 flow of health and vigour, that fcems to raviHt 
 the intoxicated fcnfes. The fweet fongfters of 
 the forefts appear to feel the influence of this 
 'genial clime, and, in more foft and modulated 
 toneS} warble their tender notes in unifon witk 
 
( 40 ) 
 love and nature. Every thing here gives delight j 
 and, in the mild effulgence which beams around 
 u», wc feel a glow of gratitude for the elevation 
 which our all bountiful Creator has beftowcd 
 upon us. Far from being difgufted with man 
 for his turpitude or depravity, we feel that dig- 
 nity which nature beftowed upon us at the crea- 
 tion; but which has been contaminated by the 
 bafe alloy of mcannefs, the concomitant of Eu- 
 ropean education, and what is more lamentable 
 is, that it is the confequcncc of your very laws 
 and governments. ^ ^^ , , , ^. ^ 
 
 ' You muft forgive what I know you will call 
 a ihapfody, but what I really experienced after 
 travelling acrols the Allegany mountain in M:irch, 
 when it was covered with fnow, and after find- 
 ing the country ;vbout Pitt(burg bare, atid now 
 recovered from the ravages of winter ; there was 
 fcarcely a blade of grafs to be fcen, ev;;ry thing 
 looked dreary, and bore thofc marks of melan- 
 choly which the rude hand of froft produces. 
 I embarked immediately for Kentucky, and in 
 hk than five days landed at Limeftone, where 
 1 found nature robod in all her charms. 
 
hercgivcsdcligh*-, 
 hich be.ims around 
 Ic for the elevation 
 ator has bcftowcd 
 lifgufted with man 
 , wc feci that dig- 
 jon us at the crca- 
 jntaminated by the 
 ancoinitant of Eu- 
 is more lamentable 
 of your very laws 
 
 know vou will call 
 \j experienced after 
 mountain in March, 
 ow, and after find- 
 3urg bare, and now 
 f winter ; there was 
 le feen, every thing 
 )U marks of melan- 
 
 of froft produces, 
 r Kentucky, and in 
 t Limcftone, where 
 
 her charms. 
 
 C 4' ) 
 
 It naturally llruck me that there was fomething 
 in climate that dcbafcd or elevated the human 
 foul. That chill penury which a ftcril country 
 and damp cold climate produces, in accumulat- 
 ing the wants of men, had incrcafed their drpend- 
 ancc, which at once faf » the firft principles of 
 man. I conceived tliat in the infancy of the 
 world men in temperate climate* had retained 
 their freedom longeft. Thus in England you 
 have enjoyed a confiderable (hare of liberty, 
 while almoft all Europe have fufFercd under 
 the fetters of an odious dcfpotlfm. The perfec- 
 tion of arts will meliorate the condition of man 
 in every part of the world \ but the amelioration 
 of goveiriment and education muft take place, 
 before he will be able to refumc his priftine 
 dignity. 
 
 1 
 
 »■'■; 
 
 ill" 
 
 From Liiticftone to Licking creek the coun- 
 try is immenfely rich, and covered with cane, 
 rye graf^, and the native clover. The cane is a 
 reed which grows to the height frequently of fif- 
 teen or fixteen feet, but more generally about 
 ten or twelve feet, and is in thicknefs fiom the 
 fize of a goofc quill, to that of two inches diii- 
 
 1 
 
 n 
 
 V 
 
 i 
 
 ^m 
 
( 4» ) 
 mster; fometimes, yet feldom, it is. larger. 
 When it is flender, it never grows higl^er than 
 from four to feven feet ; it (hoots up in one 
 fummer, but produces no leaves until the follow- 
 ing year. It is an ever-green, and is, perhaps 
 the moft nourifhing food for cattle upon earth. 
 No other milk or butter has fuch flavour and 
 (ichnefs as that which is produced from cowf 
 which feed upon cane. Horfes which fed upoi.v 
 in work nearly as well as if they were fed upon 
 corn, {»-ovided care is taken to give them once 
 «n three or four days a handful of fait, other" 
 wife this food is liable to heat, and bind their 
 fcowels. The rye grafs, when it arrives to ma- 
 turity, is from two feet and a half high to three 
 ■nd a half, and the head arid beard refembles 
 the real rye, and fometimes produces a fmall 
 grain long and flender not unlike rye. Whe- 
 ther cultivation would bring it to the fame per- 
 Fe£lion, I can form no idea; it is howrever cer- 
 tain that it is a very good and valuable grafs. 
 The clover is In no refpe£t diflferent from the 
 clover in Europe, but as it is more coarfe and 
 luxuriant. There is a variety of other kinds of 
 
 i 
 
lorn, it is. larger, 
 grows higlier than 
 : (hoots up in one 
 es until the fdlow- 
 cn, and is, perhaps 
 r cattle upon earth, 
 as fuch flavour and 
 reduced from cowf 
 rfes which fed upoi.v 
 they were fed upon 
 1 to give them once 
 idful of fait, other* 
 leat, and bind their 
 len it arrives to mt- 
 a half high to three 
 rid beard refembles 
 es produces a ftnall 
 unlike rye. Whe- 
 ; it to the fame per- 
 i it is however cer- 
 I and valuable grafs. 
 b different from the 
 t is more coarfe and 
 ;ty of other kinds of 
 
 ( 43 ) 
 graft, which arc found in different places ; but I 
 have only mentioned the two former, they being 
 efteemed the moft valuable. 
 
 In order to travel into the interior parts of 
 the State the rout lies acrofs the branches of 
 Licking creek. There are feveral of them which 
 take their rife in the high hills of G.reat Sandy 
 rivers, and the fpurs of the Allegany mounuinj 
 they traverfe a moft delightful country, and form 
 a junftion a fmall diftance below the Lower 
 Blue Lick. A fait fpring is called a Lick, from 
 the earth about them being furrowed out, in a 
 moft curious manner, by the buffalo and deer, 
 which lick the earth on account of the faline 
 particles with which it is impregnated. The 
 country from the Fork to the Ohio is confiderably 
 broken, but generally rich, and continues un- 
 even, except on the banks of the river, quite to 
 the mouth of the Kentucky, which is about one 
 hundred and ten miles below the mouth of Lick- 
 in» creek by water, and feventy above the Rapids 
 of the Ohio. Between the mouths of Licking 
 and Kentucky lies the Great Bone Lick, whick 
 is jufily celebrated for the remarkable bones 
 
 '.^'■ri 
 
 
 %: 
 
8 
 
 ? 
 1/ ■ 'I 
 I'" 
 
 Hi' ! : 
 
 In 
 
 W M! 
 
 6' ! 
 
 ( 4+ ) 
 which are found there, and which gave rtame to 
 the place. Several of thofc bones have been fent 
 to Europe ; but I believe no natural hiftorian has 
 been able to give any decided opinion to what 
 clafs of animals they belonged. BufFon has called 
 them the Mam.nouth i but I am at a lofs to 
 know from what authority, as we have no tradi- 
 tion either oral or written, that gives an account 
 of any fpecies of animals which were as large as 
 thofe muft have been, judging by the magni- 
 tude of* the bones. Buffbn fays, that fimilar 
 bones have been found both in Ireland (if I am 
 not miftaken) and in fome part of Afia. It ap- 
 pears fomewhat extraordinary, at the firft view, 
 that we fhould difcover manifeft proofs of thsre 
 having exilled animals of which v/e can form no 
 adequate idea, an4 which in fize muft have far 
 exceeded any thing now known upon earth; and 
 thofe figns too, in climates where the elephant 
 (the largeft animal now in exiftence) is n:ver 
 found. Every phsenomenon upon the earth tends 
 to confirm the idea, that it ever has been fub- 
 jea to revolutions, befides its diurnal and an- 
 nual motion from eaft to weft. 
 
 -I 
 
 After pairing tlie Blue Lick, the foil, if pof- 
 
"W 
 
 lich gave rtame to 
 »es have been fent 
 tural hiftorian has 
 I opinion to what 
 
 BufFon has called 
 I am at a lofs to 
 we have no tradi- 
 it gives an account 
 :h were as large as 
 ng hy the magni- 
 
 fays, that fimilar 
 in Ireland (if I am 
 rt of Afia. Itap- 
 , at the firft view, 
 "eft proofs of thsrc 
 ich v/e can form no 
 fize muft have far 
 wn upon earth ; and 
 where the elephant 
 
 exiftence) is never 
 apon the earth tends 
 : ever has been fub- 
 
 its diurnal and «n- 
 ft. 
 
 ,ick, the foil, if pof- 
 
 ( 45 ) 
 fiblc, increafes in richnefs. From thence to 
 panville is about fifty miles. Lexington lies 
 about midway, and is ncarl.y central of the 
 fineft and moll luxuriant country, perhaps, on 
 earth. From Lexington to Lecfburg is about 
 twenty miles j to Booufbuiy it is about twenty; 
 the Upper l?!ue Lick nearly thirty. This fquare 
 which is nearly fifty miles, comprehends entirely 
 what is called firft rate land. I/Ccfburg lies on 
 the Kentucky, about twenty miles from its mouth 
 by land, and nearly forty by water. The coun- 
 try bet^»cen that and the Ohio is broken, but 
 rich, though it is not deemed a valuable body of 
 land. The Kentucky is bound every where by 
 high rocky precipices, which are generally two 
 hundred feet and upwards perpendicular, and 
 which makes its pafles difficul^. Few places on 
 it have any bottom land,Xas the rock rifes 
 moftly contiguous to the bed of the river ; which 
 confinement, after heavv^rains, renders it very 
 formidable from the impetuofity of its current. 
 On afcending the bajiks of this river, the land on 
 tither fide is equally g6od for a confiderable dif- 
 tance above Boonfburg j but adjacent to the 
 
 i. ■ 
 
 ■i,''i 
 
 
 ij 
 
( 46 ) . 
 
 mountains fri>m whence the river rifes, the coun- 
 try becomes broken, fteril, and of little or no 
 value. Boonfburg lies on the Kentucky, about 
 fixty miles above its mouth by land, and about 
 one hundred and thirty by water. From Leef- 
 burgdown the river on the fouthfidc, for about 
 ten or twelve miles, the hills are confiderably 
 high and fteepi but when you pafs the waters of 
 Drinnon's Lick creek, you full into a body of 
 good Champaign land, which extends with little 
 variation to the Rapids of the Ohio. From Leef- 
 burg to Danville, the country for the firft 
 twenty miles, is of an inferior rate of land for 
 this country; but farther on, you get into the 
 rich country I have mentioned, comprehended 
 within the fquare of fifty miles. 
 
 r 
 
 Large bodies of good land lie on every fide of 
 Danville for twenty miles and upwards ; but in 
 the courfe from thence to the Rapids of the 
 Ohio, on the waters of Salt river (which takes 
 its name from a fait (pring, called Bullit's Lick, 
 that is on its banks, about twenty miles from 
 the mouth of the river) the country is, in fome 
 places, broken into ridges of hills, which are in 
 
i 
 
 •r rifes, the coun- 
 ,nd of little or nO 
 Kentucky, about 
 y land, and about 
 ter. From Leef- 
 uthfidc, for about 
 s are confiderably 
 pafs the waters of 
 all into a body of 
 extends with little 
 )hio. From LecC- 
 itry for the firft 
 or rate of land for 
 , you get into the 
 led, comprehended 
 :s. 
 
 lie on every fide of 
 
 id upwards ; but in 
 
 the Rapids of the 
 
 river (which takes 
 
 :alled Bullit's Lick, 
 
 twenty miles from 
 
 :ountry is, in fome 
 
 if hills, which are in 
 
 ( 47 ) 
 general good land, but not well watered. As 
 you approach the Rapids the country becomes 
 more level, better watered, and the foil more 
 fertile. The country of Beargrafe is beautifiil and 
 rich i as indeed, is the land on Coofe and Har- 
 rod's creeks. In the fork of the CMiio and Salt 
 rivers, which form a jun£bon above twenty miles 
 below the Rapids, the country is flat, and inter- 
 fperfed with fmall lakes or ponds, occafioncd by 
 the extreme lownefe of the banks of the Ohio in 
 this fork, which, when flooded, overflows the 
 country, and the water fills thefe ponds periodi- 
 cally, or as often as thofe inundations happen, 
 which are frequent from December until April. 
 
 The Rapids of the Ohio lie about feven hun- 
 dred miles below Pittfbiirg, and about four hun- 
 dred above its confluence with the Mifliflippi. 
 They are occafloned by a ledge of rocks which 
 ftretch acrofs the bed of the river from one fide 
 to the other, in fome places projefting fo much, 
 that they are vifible when the water is not high, 
 and in moft places when the 'river is extremely 
 low. The fall is not more than between four and 
 five feet in the diftance of a mile ; fo that boats 
 
I! 
 
 ( 48 ) 
 
 of any. burthen may pafs with fafety when there 
 is a flood } but boats coming up the river muft 
 unload} which inconvenience may very eafily be 
 removed by cutting a canal from the mouth of 
 Beargrafs, the upper fide of the Rapids, to be- 
 low the lower reef of rocks, which is not quite 
 two miles: and the country a gentle declivity the 
 whole way. »' *.'-" * ' . 
 
 The fituation of the rapids is truly delightful. 
 The river is full a mile wide, and the fall of wa- 
 ter, which is an eternal cafcade, appears as if na- 
 ture had defigned it to ftiow how inimitable and 
 ftupendous are her works. Its breadth contri- 
 butes to its fublimity ; and the continually rum- 
 bling noife tends to exhilerate the fpirits, and 
 gives a cheerfuln?fs even to fluggards. The view 
 up the river is terminated, at the diftancc of four 
 leagues, by an ittand in its centre, which is con- 
 trafted by the plain on the oppofite (hore, that 
 extends a long way into the country ; but the eye 
 receding, finds new beauties, and ample fubjefts 
 for admiration, in the rifmg hills of Silver creek, 
 which, ftretching obliquely to the north-weft, 
 proudly rife higher and higher as they extend, 
 
III' 
 
 fafety when there 
 up the river muft 
 may very eafily be 
 from the mouth of 
 the Rapids, to be- 
 which is not quite 
 gentle declivity the 
 
 is truly delightful. 
 , and the fall of wa- 
 e, appears asif na- 
 how inimitable and 
 
 Its breadth contri- 
 he continually rum- 
 ite the fpirits, and 
 luggards. The view 
 
 the diftancc of four 
 entre, which is con- 
 
 oppofite (hore, that 
 country ; but the eye 
 ;, and ample fubjefts 
 
 hills of Silver creek, 
 ^ to the north- wefV, 
 rher as they extend, 
 
 u --!h» ,„..<> .,.4. ^ "^9 ; 
 
 until their fummits are loft in air. Clarkville 
 on the oppofitc^ ftore completes the profpedl, 
 and from its neighbourhood, and from the 
 fettlement forming upon the Officers land, a few 
 years muft afford us a cultivated country, to 
 blend appropriate beauty with the charms of 
 the imagination. There lies a fmall ifland in 
 the river about two hundred yards from the 
 eaftcrn fhore ; between which and the main is 
 a quarry of excellent ftone for building, and 
 which in great part is dry the latter part of 
 fummcr. The banks of the river are never over- 
 flowed here, they being fifty feet higher than 
 the bed of the river. There is no doubt but 
 it will foon become a flouriftiing town : there 
 are already upwards of two hundred good 
 houfes built. This town is called Louifville. 
 
 I omitted to mention, that when the State of 
 Virginia conceded the country weft of the Ohio to 
 the United States, (he rcferved a tra£J: of country 
 lying, oppofite to the Rapids, for thofe officers 
 and foldicrs which were called State troops, and 
 who had been immediately employed in the 
 Wcftern country. 
 
 ;. " 
 
( 50 ) 
 Having W. .1,0 country on .hc^cftc a Me of 
 
 .heOh;oa.,heMian,i,lM""''«"J^'- 
 fcripticn of .h= country on ,hU nac. - f- 
 .n/knowkJg. extends, and will -hen proceed 
 upwards. 
 
 In leaving the Rapids in a fouth-wcfterly di- 
 .caionthe country isflaNitW6rd.nng upon the 
 
 country I have defcribed in the for. of the Oh.o 
 
 and Salt rivers. After pafling the mam bran h 
 of the S..lt river near Bullitt's Lick, ten rndes 
 aiftant, in the fork of the north and fouth 
 branches, the country becomes broken and h.lly . 
 but between which and the Cumberland road, 
 
 that leads from tlie upper parts of Kentucky, 
 there Is a confiderable extent of fine land ; but 
 travelling a few leagues farther fouthward, you 
 .rrive at extenfi've plains, which extend upwards 
 cf one hundred and fifty miles in a fouth-weft 
 courfe, and end only when they join the moun- 
 talnous country. Some few clumps of trees, 
 and a grove here and there, are the onlyobftruc 
 tionsto aboundlefs horizon. It is pleafant to 
 behold the deer bounding over the fcraggy Oirubs 
 which cover the earth. While the fetting fun 
 
 i 
 
If 
 
 ) 
 
 n the vvcftc n fide of 
 hull continue my de- 
 n this fide, as far as 
 id will then proceed 
 
 1 a fouth-wcfterly di- 
 itW6rdcring upon the 
 , the fork of the Ohio 
 Ting the main branch 
 illitt'9 Lick, ten miles 
 the north and fouth 
 )mes broken and hilly ; 
 the Cumberland road, 
 ;r parts of Kentucky, 
 tent of fine land ; but 
 farther fouthward, you 
 which extend upwards 
 y miles in a fouth- weft 
 m they join the moun- 
 few clumps of trees, 
 ;re,are the onlyobftruc- 
 izon. It is pleafant to 
 y over the fcraggy (hrubs 
 . While the fetting fun 
 
 ( 51 ) 
 gilds thofe cxtenfive plains, the mild breezes of 
 a fummcr's eve, playing upon the enraptured 
 fenfes, foftens the heart to love and friendfliip. 
 Unperceived, upon forae eminence, you may enjoy 
 the fports of wild animals, which here rove un- 
 concerned lords of the field. Heavens ! what 
 charms are there in liberty ! Man, born to en- 
 flave the fubordinatc animals, has long fince en- 
 flaved himfelf. But reafon at length, in radiant 
 fmilcs, and with graceful pride, illumines both 
 hemifpheres ; and the bright Goddefs in golden 
 plumes, and in her triumphal car, muft now re- 
 fume her long lolt empire. 
 
 We now have arrived upon the waters of Green 
 river : at the mouth of which, and between that 
 and the Ohio, lies Henderfon's grant of twelve 
 miles fquare, as I mentioned. The plains ex- 
 tend beyond the head waters of this river quite 
 into the limits of North Carolina ; but at the 
 mouth, and for forty miles above, there is a 
 large proportion of good land, particularly upon 
 Panther creek. From the mouth of Green river 
 up the Ohio to Saltj-ivcr, the land upon the 
 banks of the Ohio is generally fertile and rich; 
 
 D2 
 
 1 
 
 ijj 
 
( 5^ ) 
 but leaving its banks you foon fall into the plain 
 cm.ntrv, which is couf.dcred as little better th:m 
 barren hnd. However, it is moft likely that 
 they will prove excellent for ftcep to feed 
 upon, the climate being nearly the lame as that 
 of Spain, wh:rc the finelV wool in Europe is 
 produced. And though the land is not reckoned 
 valuable in this country on account of its com- 
 parative ftcrility, yet it is of a fuperior buality 
 to great part of the foil in the lower parts ot 
 Virginia, the Carolinus and (leorgia. It abounds 
 with hazel, which, it is well known, never grows 
 kindly in a poor foil. 
 
 The native ftrawbcrry is found in tliefc plains 
 n-vthegreatell abundance, as arc likcNvifc plumbs 
 of different forts; nnd, if we can form any idea 
 of the native grape that grows fpontancouHy 
 here, what the fame foil is capable of producing 
 when they are cultivated, it would appear that 
 no climate or foil in the world is more congenial 
 to the vine ; for I have never tafted more deli: 
 cious grapes, and it is the opinion of fome ju- 
 dicious foreigners, who have vifited thefe Area- 
 dian regions, that A% good wine as can be made 
 
n fall into the plain 
 as little better th:m 
 Is moft likely that 
 
 for (heep to feed 
 rly the fame as that 
 
 wool in Europe is 
 hi ml is not reckoned 
 iccount of its com- 
 o( a fiipcrior buality 
 I the lower parts ot 
 lieorgia. It abounds 
 1 known, never grows 
 
 i found in thefc plains 
 IS are likcwife plumbs 
 we can form any idoa 
 grows fpontancouHy 
 5 capable of producing 
 1, it would appear that 
 !oM is more congenial 
 ever tafted more deli; 
 le opinion of fome ju- 
 uve vifited thefe Arca- 
 d wine as can be made 
 
 ( 53 ) 
 in any part of the gloln*, might be produced 
 irom the native ^rapc properly cultivatcj. Thtic 
 Is nothing more common than to meet with a 
 plcifant wine made iuie by the fjtikrs, who 
 know nothing of the ufe of vats, or thi dejjicc 
 cf fermentation ncccfiary to the pcrfeclion of the 
 art of wine making. Hut, I flatter myftlf fomc 
 progrcfs will be made in this bufmcf'^, as feveral 
 foreigners have long had it in agitation to under- 
 take it. ' ' 
 
 The country between Green and Cumberland 
 rivers is in general rich, and finely watered. There 
 is in it a moft valuable lead mine, aiid fevwial 
 fait fprings, and two of a bitumen, whidi, wher> 
 analyzed, is found to be amber. JJut, fomuch 
 do we fland in need of chymifts, and mincraliHs, 
 that we remain ignorant of the properties and 
 value of many foilils which have been difcovered; 
 and many continue unknown, I apprehend, from 
 the want of curioCty of men whoft; only objcdl 
 fcems to be cultivation and the fcience of -a- 
 vernmeht. Perhaps thefe arc the moft cflcntial 
 to the happinefs of men in the wild ftate which 
 this country is in: Arts appear to follow popu- 
 
 li 
 
 I ' 
 
 i. :;i 
 
 J Jl 
 
( 51 ) 
 lation. Ncccflity has been llic mother of inven- 
 tion, it is true; hut from the attainment of that 
 perfcdUon to which we have arrived in arts anJ 
 philofophy, wifdom and fcicncc muft go forward. 
 It is phyficaily impotTiblc for man to dtijcneratc 
 to barbarifm. 
 
 When the grcatcft merit confiflsinthc excrcifc 
 of the moft ufcful and appropriate talents, I 
 think that it is likely that the ingenuity of men 
 will feel a more lively ftimulus to the excrcifc of 
 invention from the love of fame, the love of 
 mankind, and regard to their own dignity, than 
 it ever yet experienced from nccefTity. While 
 odious diftinaions cxift, and men arc rewarded 
 in proportion to their fervillty, human nature 
 muft be robbed of h'alf its mnnlincfs, and confe- 
 qucntly men will be flothful. How many 
 drones do we obfervc in every part of Luropc, 
 who feed upon the induftry of the ncccfatcu"^, 
 who work only as it is ncce{rai7 to their cxift- 
 encc ! Such have been the cPta^i of the faai- 
 tious duties of man in youT hemifpl^cre, that 
 every thing has become perverted ; and govern- 
 ments, inftcad of fecurin? happinefs to mcn» 
 have only tended to aggraj .dizs individuals, ai^d 
 
■apfi 
 
 lie mother of inveii- 
 ic attainment of that 
 E arrived in arts anJ 
 ICC muft go forward, 
 ir man to dtijcncratc 
 
 ronfiflsintheexcrcife 
 ppropriatc talents, I 
 the ingenuity of men 
 ulus to the cxcrcife of 
 3f fame, the love of 
 eir own dignity, than 
 )m neceffity. While 
 nd men are rewarded 
 vility, human nature 
 mnnlinefs, and confe- 
 lothful. How many 
 every part of Luropc, 
 ry of the neccfritcu"^, 
 Tcffar)' to their cxlft- 
 scffeits of the fadti- 
 ,'oiiT hemifphcre, that 
 ;rvcrttdi and govern- 
 i£r happinefs to mcn» 
 ; .dizs individuals, and 
 
 ( ss ) 
 
 thus has flowed In that debarment of charai>»r 
 which has marked half the inhabitants of Eu- 
 rope with little more dignity tliau biutc crea- 
 tures. - ••■ • ; ' I 
 
 Cumberland river rifcs among the mountains, 
 confiderably to the north-cad, an^, after its 
 feveral branches have joined it, runs a long way 
 fouth, and enters the limits of North Carolina. 
 After a courfe of half a degree within thofe li- 
 mits, it Mutns to the north-weft, and empties it- 
 felf into ihe Ohio, at fomc diftance above its 
 junction with the Mifliflippi. I'he Tcnafce runs 
 into the Ohio, not a long way below the mouili 
 of Cumberland. The 'I'enafee is the mod im- 
 portant of the fouthcrn branches of the Ohio. 
 Its northern fork, called Holfton, rifcs in the 
 country of the fame name (v/hich I have before 
 mentioned), and after pafling through Nola- 
 chucky, is joined by the main or fouth branch. 
 This branch liies in the remote parts of the 
 State of Georgia, and, after traverfing the borders 
 of the Cherokee country, is Joined by the Hol- 
 fton branch when it is called the Tenafcc : from 
 thence it runs fouth-wcfterly, quite tlirough the 
 
 u 
 
 j> 
 
n 
 
 ( 56 ) 
 
 Jimits of North Carolina, and approaches the 
 head waters of the Mobile, which empties itfclf 
 into the gulf of Mexico. In its courfe, which 
 is very rapid thus far, from the material declivity 
 of the high country, which from mountains gra- 
 dually fink into a flat, there is a number of fill?, 
 but none of them confiderabl?. It now turns 
 again to the northward, and from its lazy motion 
 it is obvious that there is very little fall of water 
 from this to the CXiio. This turn conftilutes 
 what is called the Great Bend of the Tenafee, or 
 Mufcle Shoal, from the number of fhoals in tliis 
 part of the river, which arc covered with thcfo 
 iliell-fifli. The river is here from two to three 
 and a half miles wide. Its In:iportance will con- 
 fift in its beinT the m'oft convenient inlet from 
 the upper parts of Virginia and the Carolinas to 
 the MifTiflippi, it being navigable for boats cf 
 forty tons bufilwn from Holfton, the fdls ex- 
 ccpted, where carrying places will anfwer until 
 there are canals made, which can be done with 
 very little expence. 
 
 Holttoa is a narrow ftrip of country furroupd- 
 ed on every fide by moimtalns ; but there is a 
 
 Ufi- 
 
»nd approaches tlie 
 which empties itfclf 
 n its coiiiTe, which 
 le material declivity 
 rom mountains gra- 
 is a number of fall?, 
 al?. It now turns 
 from its lazy motion 
 ■y little fall of water 
 "his turn conftilutes 
 d of the Tenafee, or 
 ber of (hoals in t^is 
 covered with thefa 
 e from two to three 
 Importance will con- 
 onvenient inlet from 
 and the Carolinas to 
 vigable for boats cf 
 olfton, the fdls ex- 
 es will anfwer until 
 :h can be done with 
 
 )f country furround- 
 iLns J but tbere is a 
 
 ( 57 ; 
 
 pafilige which winds through them, fo as to ad- 
 mit of ^ palTage this way, and down tlie river, 
 without any difficulty of bad roads whatever. 
 Should you continue your route by land in the 
 road to Kentucky (which I fliall " defer ibe in 
 another place), you would have fcveral mountains 
 to pafs, and at leaft two hurjdrcd miles of bed 
 road. . 
 
 After you leave the plains which extend into 
 the Cumberland country, in your courfe to the 
 Tenafee, the country is fomev/hat broken, but 
 moftly rich. Great part of thr land lying be- 
 tween thefe rivers and the Ohio, and between 
 Cumberland and Green rivers, was in military 
 grants, made by Virginia to their ofiicers and fol- 
 diers, and is efleemed a \aiuablc fituation for its 
 proximity to the jimftion of the Ohio and Mif- 
 fiflippi. Their grants extend as low on the 
 Mifliflippi as the partition line between Virgi- 
 nia and North Carolina: all of which is a beau- 
 tiful country : and the banks of the river, which 
 are very high, prevents it from overflowing-, 
 which is not the cafe a great way lower down. 
 
 The land in the great bend of the Tenafee ii 
 D3 ' - 
 
 lit 
 
 
( 58. ; 
 
 >very fine i but when you ap,--roach the country 
 efthe Chickafaws, it becomes broke.., light, and 
 fandy } and, as you extend to the fouthward, I 
 have been informed (I never travelled farther 
 than this by land) the foil grows ftill lighter, 
 and except a large body of good land on the 
 Miffiflippi and the bottoms of the fevcral ft reams 
 which run into the Gulf and the Miffiflippi, it 
 is little better than Weft Florida ; which has 
 been celebrated in Europe for its fertility ; but 
 fo fine a country have I been endeavouring to 
 defcribe to you, that, judging by comparifon, the 
 people in Kentucky and Cumberland look upon 
 that as an indifferent foil. 
 
 This letter has imperceptibly' grown to a con- 
 Aderable length. I was anxious to comprehend 
 within this fkctch, aU the country denominated 
 the weftcrn country on both fides of the Ohio to 
 the Mijimi, and then the whole of the Kentucky 
 and Cumberland countries, and the country upon 
 the Tenafee, in order that I might proceed up 
 the Ohio on the weftern fide, comprehending the 
 whole of the country between that and the Mif- 
 fiiTippi, back to the Miantii, ?.nd coatlnuing north- 
 
 , 
 
 -«»^. 
 
1 
 
 oach the country 
 jrolce.., light, and 
 the fouthward, I 
 travelled farther 
 rows ftill lighter, 
 Tood land on the 
 .he fevcral ft reams 
 the Miffiffippi, it 
 lorida ; which has 
 r its fertility ; but 
 1 endeavouring to 
 by comparifon, the 
 berland look upon 
 
 y grown to a con- 
 )us to comprehend 
 mtry denominated 
 fides of the Ohio to 
 )le of the Kentucky 
 id the country upon 
 might proceed up 
 comprehending the 
 1 that and the Mif- 
 id coatlnuln^ north- 
 
 ( 59 ; 
 
 ward to the lakes: afterwards to fliew the 
 probable rife and grandeur of the American em- 
 pire, before I proceeded to an account of the ar- 
 tificial produaions, &c. of Kentucky and Cum- 
 berland. Farewell. *- 
 
 "sit 
 
 *-.*-. 
 
 Believe, my Friend, ' 
 II . - . . I am yours fincerelv. 
 
 •*■>. 
 
 \."''U 'if", r .'* . "I I rT'V ' ,5tt "Ty n; !•■.■;,; 
 
 ! , 
 
 .'• »■ , - t -.) ■", i'^-'3 1-*.-=; « -■* ; -. ,' , 
 
 
;i rrr 
 
 r 60 ; 
 
 ^i4-' 
 
 '•; ^r,^.^t 
 
 ,7 ,^jC i.L E T T E R IV. ; ,,i 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, ' / . KENTUCKY. 
 
 In contemplating the vaft field of the Ameri- 
 can empire, what a ftup;;ndous fiibject does it 
 afford for ipecuiation 1 government, ethics, and 
 commerce, aaing apon principles difl^rcnt in 
 many rcfpe^s from thofe of the (,ld world, and 
 entirely in others ! A government \v!uch, wich its 
 fpreading branches, feems in its mighty grafp to 
 promife liberty and protedion to one hemlfpherc ! 
 A government which, from its Hmplc conftruc- 
 tion, and the unity and efficiency of its aaion, 
 is not lefs remarkable in the political, than its 
 natural hiftory is to the phyfical world ? 
 
 In ten years more, perhaps, a fettlement will 
 be formed fufficiently populous, to become a fe- 
 deral ftate in the country into which I am now 
 gnin<r to advance ; the limits of which, from the 
 confluence oftheMiffiffippi and Ohio to Detroit, 
 is between five and fix hundred miles i and talc- 
 ing the medium diftance between Pittlburg and 
 
 . 
 
IV., ' , . ■ 
 
 KENTUCfCr. 
 
 Id of the Amcri- 
 i fubjea: does it 
 Ticnt, ethics, and 
 iplcs difxtrcnt in 
 e old world, and 
 Mit which, wich its 
 :s mighty gnil]i to 
 one hemllpherc ! 
 5 fimple conftruc- 
 Micy of its a£t»or, 
 political, than its 
 il world ? 
 
 ■, a fettlement will 
 s, to become a fe- 
 ) which I am now 
 af which, from the 
 id Ohio to Detroit, 
 ;d miles ; and talc- 
 reen Pittfburg and 
 
 ( 61 ; 
 
 the inouth of the Ohio, acrofs to the MiiTiffippI 
 from the Ohio is very little lefs. The inhabitants of 
 which imnienfe diftrict do not, including French, 
 amount to five thoufand. The country in this fork 
 (if I may fo call it) is various. Great part of it has 
 been described by Charlevoix, Hutchins, and 
 Carver. Charlevoix Items to have gone rapidly 
 from Detroit by water the greatcft part of the 
 way to New Orleans. Hutchins to have done 
 nearly the fame from Pittfburg, down tlie Ohio 
 to the MiiTifiippi, and up that river to tlje Illinois; 
 fo up that, and from thence to Detroit. He has 
 given a tolerably good account of the Illinois 
 country. Carver confined his travels and re- 
 marks to the lakes t!ie upper part of the Miflif- 
 fipp', particularly the river St. Pierre, and the 
 north-weftern branch of that river, and to the cuf- 
 toms and manners of the Indian nation?. Thefe 
 authors have all confiderable merit. They have 
 written fo agreeably, that their books hav« -been 
 generally read ; vvhich has tended to difleminate 
 a knowledge of thi-s country in a favage ftate. 
 This part of it islittlebetter; but you muft view 
 it as a creation burfting from a chaos of hctcrg- 
 
 i : . 
 
 
( C^^ ) 
 geneous matter, and exhibiting the {h.nins tifTue 
 with which it abounds. 
 
 ' Immediately in the fork the land i. flat and 
 liable to overflow, but as you advance on either 
 river the br.nksrifc, and the country expanding, 
 difplays a luxuriant foil for a long diftance above 
 the Wabafh on the Ohio fide, and quite to the 
 Illinois on the Miffiffippi fide, which is about 
 two hundred and thirty miles above its junaion 
 with the Ohio, and twenty above lue mouth of 
 Mifiburi. This country lies nearly in the fame 
 parallel of latitude of Kcntuclvy, From the 
 mouth of the Wabafli the bottoms on the Ohio 
 are extenfive and extremely fertile, as is the coun- 
 try fromthcucc to Pofl St. Vincer.ti but to- 
 wards the rapids of the Ohio, and beyond the 
 bottoms of this river, the country is confidera- 
 bly broken, and the foil of fome places light and 
 indifFerent. After leaving Poft St. Vincent, in 
 the route to the Illinois country, you foon fall in- 
 to thofe extenfive plains which bave been de- 
 fcribed in fuch glowing colours by Hutchins. 
 This is certr.inly a beautiful country, and the 
 '■ immcnfe number of deer, elk, and bufFalo, 
 
 Lil<| 
 
T the Ihininj tifllie 
 
 he land h flat and 
 a advance on either 
 :ountry expanding, 
 long diftance above 
 :, and quite to the 
 e, which is about 
 1 above its junction 
 above t'ne mouth of 
 
 nearly in tlie fame 
 tucky, From the 
 Dttoms on the Ohio 
 ;rtile, as is the coun- 
 
 Vincer.t; but to- 
 io, and beyond the 
 ountry is confidera- 
 »me places light and 
 ^oft St. Vincent, in 
 try, you foon fall in- 
 lich bave been de- 
 )lours by Hutchins. 
 il country, and the 
 , elk, and bufFalo, 
 
 ( 63 ) 
 wblchare feen grazing in thofc natural meadows, 
 renders even wiiJnefs enchanting. The air in 
 this climate is pure, and the almofl: continual 
 unclouded fky tends not a little to charm the 
 fenfes. The country between Port St. Vincent 
 and Kadcafliies is flat and plain, with little va- 
 riation. As you afcend the Illinois river the foil 
 grows more fertile, and on either fide you find 
 immenfe forefts. ' * ' " ' ■"' 
 
 I muft now beg you will travel with Hutchins 
 from hence to Detroit. He will conduft you up 
 the head branches of this river, and, after a fliort 
 pafTage, you will embark again on the waters of 
 lake Erie; difcovcringhowthe operations of this 
 great country will be facilitated by the peculiar 
 courfcs of its immenfe and numerous rivers. His 
 obftrvations I have been told are confiderably ac- 
 curate, and as I have not had the advantage of 
 travelling this route, I recommend you to read 
 his book, which was originally publiflied in Eng- 
 land, and no doubt is ftill to be had. 
 
 Detroit lies between lat. 42" and 43*' upon the 
 Like Erie, confiderably to the weftward of Pittf- 
 burg. The country lying between them is not 
 
 i 
 
( 64 ; 
 
 remarkable for any thing but being a wlldernefs. 
 The foil and climate is fuch as would entitle it 
 to the reputation of a 6ne country in any part 
 of Europe, except in winter, when the froft is 
 extreracJy fevere, but lefs intenfe than that of 
 Canada, Quebec lies nearly in the fame lati- 
 tude of Paris, and from the defcript^ion which 
 the Emperor Julian has given of the winters 
 he quartered there, duringhis command in Gaul, 
 there fcems to be little difference between the 
 winters of France at that period, in .refpeft to 
 cold, and the prefent winters of Canada. Per- 
 haps the extent of continent b'i"g to the north- 
 weO, and the immeirfe lakes of frelh water 
 which cover it, will not admit of the climate 
 of that part of America btmg fo rapidly melio- 
 rated as the climate of Europe has been by cul- 
 tivation. However, it is certain, that as the 
 country has been more opened in America, and 
 thereby the rays of the fun have afted more 
 powerfully upon the earth, rhefe benefits have 
 tended greatly already tofc ften the winter ftafon: . 
 fp that F'^-opliiig Canada (ior which we are much 
 obliged to;'j« is a double advantage to «i. Firft, 
 
■w^ 
 
 icing a wlluernefs. 
 as would entitle it 
 mntry in any pnrt 
 
 when the froft is 
 )tenfe than that of 
 |r in the fame lati- 
 
 clefcript,ion which 
 :n of the winters 
 command in Gaul, 
 rence between the 
 riod, in refpeft to 
 i of Canada. Per- 
 lying to the north- 
 :es of frefli water 
 lit of the climate 
 g fo rapidly mclio- 
 pe has been by cul- 
 ;rtain, that as the 
 ed in America, and 
 i have afted more 
 
 rhefe benefits have 
 en the wrrrter fcafon: , 
 r which we are much 
 vantage to «5. Firft, 
 
 ( 65 ; 
 
 it is fellliniT and populating a country, which 
 niuft, fooaer or later, from the natural order of 
 things, become part of our empire, and imme- 
 diately meliorating the climate of the northern 
 .State?. But, to return to Detroit. Our courfe 
 from thence to the liead waters of the Miamis is 
 fouth-wefterly. The country for fome diftancc 
 is flat, and the foil heavy and damp 5 but, upon 
 the waters of thofe rivers, it is beautiful, and 
 rich in the gifts of nature. 
 
 r. )-r- 'I »».>%.? # *-r 
 
 Th« ooipflnun'wcatioi) between Lalce Erie »n4 
 the Ohio by wijiter tfaip way, will be up the 
 foutJj€m branches of the lake, and by a fhort 
 paflagc you arrive upon the waters of the great 
 Miami, whicli is navigable when it is flooded. 
 It mull: be obferved that the rivers I have been 
 mentioning are not navigable, throughout the 
 year, for boats of above ten or lifteen tons. Great 
 part of the country between this and the Wabafh 
 is champaign ; but In travelli-ng towards the Ra- 
 pids of tlie Ohio you pafs confiderable plains, 
 and then fall into a broken and billy tra«Jt of poor 
 laad., which continues with little variation until 
 you approach the Rapids, when all the variety 
 
 ^i'U:- 
 
r 66 ; 
 
 and charms, whidi this river proJucc?, prcrt-nt 
 thcmfdvcs aRaln. Irom Deiioit to the Rapids 
 is nearly four hundred miles. 
 
 I have gone curforily over the weftcrn coun- 
 try which is peopled, and about to be peopled j 
 but have purpofely avoided taking any notice of 
 thofe parts which are fo little known, and of 
 which I could fay nothing but from the infor- 
 mation of hunters and favages, which has been 
 induftrioufly coUcfted and publiflied by Carver, 
 Jcfferfon, and others. Befides, as it is your wifti 
 only to be informed of the advantages of fettlc- 
 ment, it would have been idle to have troubled 
 you with accounts of countries which will not 
 be fettled, or at leaft formed into States, in our 
 time. -• 
 
 ■ The rapid population of the weftern country 
 has not only aftonlfted America itfelf, but it 
 muft amaze Europe, when they enter into the 
 views and increafe of this growing empire. 
 The firft fcttlement on the weftern waters- 
 by theEnglifh was in 1760, and, under the 
 influence of almoft continual Indian wars, 
 that fcttlement (I am now fpeaking of th« 
 
'WW 
 
 proJucc*, prcfent 
 ■oit to the Rapids 
 
 the weftcrn couii- 
 lut to be pcopleJ i 
 king any notice of 
 c known, and of 
 It from the infor- 
 s, which has been 
 bliflied by Carver, 
 ;s, asitisyourwifh 
 [vantages of fcttlc- 
 e to have troubled 
 •ies which will not 
 into States, in our 
 
 3C weftcrn country 
 icrica itfelf, but it 
 they enter into the 
 ; growing empire, 
 the wcftern waters- 
 0, and, under the 
 nual Indian wars, 
 V fpeaking of the 
 
 ( 67 ; 
 
 upper fcttlcment on the Ohio) now contains 
 not lefs tlian an hundred thoufand fouls. The 
 State of Kentucky did not make a perma- 
 nent fettlement before 1 780, which now contains 
 not lefs than an hundred thoufand. The Cum- 
 berland fettlement began about thfs time, but 
 it was at leaft three years afterwards before there 
 was fccurity given to that fettlement, and there 
 are fettled about fifty thoufand fouls more. Be- 
 fides the fettlement in the great bend of the Te- 
 nafee, which will join them in their feparation 
 from North Carolina, the fettlement ofNola 
 Chucky and French-broad, made on the branches 
 of the Tenafcc in the years 1782, 1783, 1784, 
 and 1785, contain between thirty and forty thou- 
 fand fouls J feveral other fettlements arc form- 
 ing at the Iron Banks on the Miffiffippi, befides 
 thofe upon the weftern fide of the Ohio, which 
 including the inhabitants at Port St Vincent 
 and the KiHcaflcics (I judge from the bed in- 
 formation) do not fall fliort of fifty thoufand. 
 I have not mentioned the number in the fettle- 
 ment of the great bend of the Tenafee, as I 
 have not been able to colka any fatibfaftory in- 
 
I 
 
 ( <58 ; 
 
 formation rcfpcdting them ; but I fuppofc the 
 nggrcgatc number of iauls in the wcftcrn coun- 
 try is very lltt!.-, \f at all fliort of four hundred 
 thouranil, incUnlifi.f the fcttlnmcnts of Holfton, 
 Chiiick river, ami Powcl's valley, which taken 
 togetl):' may amount to feventy thoufand fouls, 
 and which arc properly on the wcftcrn waters. 
 
 The fcttlcmcnts on the wcrtcrn fide of the 
 Ohio have been greatly haraf'ed rnd rctaided 
 by the Indian war, which h..i8 continued with 
 little variation fince 1785; but the vigorous 
 mcafures which ihcir dcprcdatioiK have obliged 
 Coi^u'fs to fidopt, muft efid with a permai«:nt 
 pi::»C£, or m a f«w years their provocations wi)! 
 lead to the extirpation of the whole of the Miami 
 and Illinois tribes. Their prowcfs and determin- 
 ed i-efolution will, no doubt, confidcrably annoy 
 our army, which, having been moftly recruited 
 from tlie Atlantic country, are not acquaint- 
 ed wit'i fuch dexterity and courage, or indeed 
 habituated to their manner ci fighting ; but our 
 nui.ibers have grown too conHderablcj for, dc- 
 fieats only invigorate our mcafures, while the lofs 
 of every maiv, to nations whofe population is 
 
lit I fuppofc the 
 he wcftern coun- 
 t of four huiu'icd 
 nent$ of Holfton, 
 ley, which taken 
 ty tlioufand (ouls, 
 kvcftcrn waters, 
 
 flcrn fide of the 
 fed r,nd retaided 
 s continued with 
 but the vigorous 
 ioi>s have obliged 
 with a pertnsdicnt 
 provocations wi)! 
 jole of the Miami 
 I'cfs and dctcrmin- 
 onfidcrably annoy 
 n nioftly recruited 
 ire not acquaint- 
 ouragc, or indc'td 
 %hting i but our 
 iderablej for, dc- 
 rcs, while the lofs 
 lofe population is 
 
 'si 
 

 V!^ 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.! 
 
 iti 
 
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 2.2 
 
 ■yuu 
 
 1.8 
 
 
 1.25 1.4 
 
 m 
 
 
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 6" - 
 
 
 ► 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4S03 
 
 '<i 
 
 iV 
 
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 N? 
 
 
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<^ 
 
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 CIHM/ICMH 
 
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 Series. 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
( 69 ) 
 
 v..4.!{>. ^^f 
 
 fo extremely tardy as that of the farages of 
 America, is a lamentable confidetatioii. 
 
 In the peopling this country new States will 
 naturally arife, and thus, in contemplating the 
 continent of America, we may form an adequate 
 idea of what will be the magnitude of its fede- 
 ral empire. The upper fcttlenicnt on the Ohio, 
 though more populous than the fcttlement of 
 Cumberland, is not likely to become a feparatc 
 State fo foon. Thegreateft part of it is within 
 the limits of Pennfylvania, and not fo remote 
 from the capital of that State, as the Cumberland 
 fettlement is from the capital of North Carolina. 
 The intercoutfc is continual, and the produc- 
 tions of the country, or at Icaft their cattle may 
 be driven to Philadelphia, &c. &c. as I have ob- 
 ferved before; and their influence isnotfufficient 
 to procure them an zci of feparation, fiioul I they 
 defire it. In the cafe of North Carolina and 
 Cumberland there is little or no communication 
 between them, nor is it to be expected that it ever 
 can be the intereft of either to continue the con- 
 nedionj therefore, it is moft likely, thatdiftrici 
 
 I' 
 
( 70 ) 
 will follow Kentucky in the links of the great 
 federal chain. 
 
 I muft now proceed uponconjedure, as there 
 are no definite limits prefcribed by the federal 
 government for the lines of demarkation, which 
 are to be the different boundaries, or limits of 
 new States which will arife. However it is eafy, 
 by confulting natural boundaries, to form a pret- 
 ty juft idea where will be their difFercnt divi- 
 fions. I have already remarked that Kentucky 
 and Cumberland are divided by a line in lat. 
 36^^, which will be tlie boundary of Cum- 
 berland to the northward. The mountains will 
 moft likely be its eaftern limits : its fouthern li- 
 mits will be, either the partition line continued 
 between North Carolina and Georgia (South 
 Carolina never pofieffed any weftern land), or it 
 will run foutherly, until it ftrikes that ridge of 
 hills which divides the Tenafee country from 
 the country of the Chacktaws ; thence a due 
 weft courfe to the Miffifiippi, or following fome 
 one of thofe branches which rife in thofe hills, 
 and purfuing its courfe to that river. This will 
 comprehend a diftri^Sl of country of nearly two 
 
inks of the great 
 
 njedure, as there 
 )ed by the federal 
 imarkation, which 
 aries, or limits of 
 However it is eafy, 
 es, to form a prct- 
 leir difFercnt divi- 
 Lcd that Kentucky 
 by a line in lat. 
 aundary of Cum- 
 he mountains will 
 ts : its fouthern li- 
 fion line continued 
 \ Georgia (South 
 iveftern land), or it 
 ilrikes that ridge of 
 lafee country from 
 iws ; thence a due 
 , or following fome 
 1 rife in thofe hills. 
 It river. This will 
 mtry of nearly two 
 
 ^1B 
 
 ( 7» ) 
 hundred miles in length from eaft to weft, 
 and nearly an hundred and fifty from north to 
 fouth. I cannot fpeak here with accuracy, as it 
 is that part of all the weftcrn country which is 
 leaftknown. .,, , , - , > : 
 
 The country upon the head waters of the Te- 
 nafee (lands next in the lift of advancement. 
 This country includes the fettlement of Holfton, 
 the fettlement of Clinch, and the fettlcments of 
 Powcl's Valley, which are part in Virginia and 
 part in North Carolina ; bcfides the fcttlements 
 of Nola Chucka and French-broad. This laft 
 fettlement will be extended to the borders of the 
 Cherokee country, which will bind this State to 
 the ibuthv^rd. Its weftern boundary will be 
 Cumberland mountain, which will divide it from 
 the State of Kentucky and Cumberland. Its nor- 
 thern limits will be the ridges of hills which di- 
 vide the waters of the Tenafee and the Great 
 Kanaway, and its eaftern boundary will be the high 
 hills which divide the eaftern from the weftcrn 
 waters in this part of America, which are called 
 in Virginia the north mountains, and which con- 
 tinue their courfe through the Carolinas. This 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
State will be in extent upwards of two hundred 
 miles from north to fouth, and the average width 
 from eaft to weft, nearly an hundred and fifty. 
 
 This country has mountains on every fide but 
 the South-weft, and is interfperfed with high 
 hills in moft parts of it. The valleys are ex- 
 tremcly fertile, and every where finely watered. 
 The climate in the upper part of the country is 
 not fo temperate as that of Kentucky, though it 
 lies in the fame latitude, which is owing to the 
 neighbouring mountains. Many parts of this 
 diftria are well fettled, and cultivation was 
 brought to fuch confiderable perfeaion, that the 
 inhabitants had it in contemplation to become 
 independent feven years fince, under the diftinc- 
 tion of the State of Franklin, which very proba- 
 bly you may have read of. Its population is not 
 only confiderable, but its refpeaability in every 
 refpea will very foon intitle it to the rank of a 
 diftina State ; though it may require feme time 
 to efFea a unity of fentiments, and a confolida- 
 tion of its various and detached fettlcments 
 into that order which the organs of government 
 
^, ' i.,.tL. .i' / -f. .-.wl^i^i' 
 
 rds of two hundred 
 d the average width 
 Lindrcd and fifty. 
 
 tis on every fide but 
 rfperfed with high 
 he valleys are ex- 
 here finely watered, 
 rt of the country is 
 lentucky, though it 
 ch is owing to the 
 Vlany parts of this 
 nd cultivation was 
 perfe£tion, that the 
 nplation to become 
 D, under the diftinc- 
 > which very proba- 
 Its population is not 
 fpeiStability in every 
 it to the rank of a 
 ,y require feme time 
 it=, and a confolida- 
 ietachcd fettlcments 
 :gans of government 
 
 ( 73 ) 
 Before I leave this fide of the Miffiffippi, I 
 muft beg leave to digrefs, and fliew what will 
 be the probable deftination of the Indian nations, 
 who live between the fouthern limits of the coun- 
 try I have been mentioning, and the Floridas, 
 and which may amount to thirteen thoufand, 
 inclufive of men, women, and children. The 
 Chcrokees are about two thoufand five hundred ; 
 the Creeks three thoufand five hundred ; the 
 Chacktaws are about fix thoufand ; and the dif- 
 ferent vagrant nations may amount to a thoufand 
 more. The fettlcments making in the upper 
 parts of Georgia, upon the fine lands of the 
 Oconee and Okemulgee rivers, will in a very 
 few years bid defiance to them in that quarter. 
 The Georgian troops have already defeated them, 
 and forced them to be quiet. The fettlement of 
 French-broad, aided by Halfton, have nothing to 
 fear from them ; and the Cumberland is too puif- 
 fant to apprehend any danger. The Spaniards 
 are in pofFeffion of the Floridas (how long they 
 will remain fo muft dvpcnd upon their modera- 
 tion and good manners), and the fettlcments at 
 the Natchez a:vd above, which will foon extend 
 E 
 
 i 
 
 :'1 
 
 ■■gi 
 
 MM 
 
( 74 ) 
 to the fouthern boundaries of Cumberland i fo 
 that they will be completely enveloped in a few 
 years. Our people will continue to encroach 
 upon them on three fides, which will compel 
 them to live more domeftic lives, and affimilate 
 them to our mode of living, or crofs to the wcf- 
 tern fide of the Mifliffippi. 
 
 In the fettlement of Long Wand, in the State 
 of New York, fome of the tribes of Indians re- 
 inained, and lived in continual intercourfe w.th 
 the whites. Whether it was from any cruelty 
 praftifed upon them, or from their predominant 
 paffion for ardent fpirits, I will not pretend to 
 fay i but it is certain that very few of them re- 
 „ain, and they are a flothful, degenerate order 
 of beings, compared with the aborigines of that 
 countrv. In the fettlement of South Carolma 
 the Catawbas were allotted a traa of country, 
 
 and though they have retained their courage, 
 their numbershave greatly declined. Thecaufe 
 of civilization proving repugnant to their popu- 
 lation, I think, maybefufficiently accounted for 
 
 in the whites encouraging their thirft for intoxi- 
 
 cation. 
 
of Cumberland ; (o 
 
 enveloped in a few 
 
 )ntinuc to encroach 
 
 which will compel 
 
 lives, and aflimilate 
 
 orcrofstothe wcf- 
 
 r Wand, in the State 
 tribes of Indians re- 
 inual intercourfe with 
 was from any cruelty 
 om their predominant 
 will not pretend to 
 t very few of them rc- 
 hful, degenerate order 
 I the aborigines of that 
 cnt of South Carolina 
 ;d a traft of country, 
 retuncd their courage, 
 ly declined. Thecaufe 
 ipugnant to their popu- 
 fufficiently accounted for 
 ,g their thirft for intoxi- 
 
 ( 75 ) 
 I will next take notice of the Genafee coun- 
 try, which lies upon the waters that run into 
 lake Ontario, and which it is expefted will be 
 peopled as foon as the Six Nations of Indians 
 are peaceable. This is a very rich and fertile 
 traa of country, lying in the remote parts of 
 New York, bounded by Pennfylvania to the 
 fouth-eall, by the lakes to the north-weft, and 
 high hills and a wildernefs from the Ohio coun- 
 try. I have hitherto omitted taking notice of it, 
 as not properly belonging to the weftern country ; 
 but as I am going to proceed to partition the 
 country weft of the Ohio into feparate States, I 
 thought it moft confiftent to keep up the chain of 
 connexion; and without mentioning this dif- 
 tria, there would have been a chafm between 
 New York and the uppermoft State upon the 
 waters of the Ohio. 
 
 I will now retun; to the Ohio. That ridge 
 of hills which divides the waters of this river 
 from that of the lakes running fouth-wefterly, 
 until they run north-wefterly, and divide tlic 
 fources of the Wabafh and Illinois rivers from 
 .the fouthern branches of the lakes, will moft 
 
 E 2 
 
 1 
 
{ 76 ) 
 likely mark the limits to the weft of the Upper 
 State upon the weftern fide of the Ohio. The 
 ridge of hills which divides the waters of the 
 Allegany river from thofe of thcGcnafee, will 
 bound it to the north i the Allegany river and the 
 Ohio to the eaft, and the Mufkingum to the 
 fouth. The next State I (hould form between 
 the Mufkingum and Sciota, the Ohio and that 
 ,idge of hills between the fources of thefe r.vers 
 and thofe of lake Erie. The third, between the 
 Scioto, the Great Miami, the Ohio, and the 
 fame ridge of hills. The country lying between 
 the Miami, Wabafh, the Ohio, and the fame 
 hills. I would put into another State ; and the 
 country lying between the Wabafh, Ohio, M.f- 
 Mppi,andIllinois rivers, I would eftablifcuuo 
 
 a fifth State. 
 
 Betweenthe mouth of the Illinois river and 
 
 «,aters of lake Michegan, lies a diftria of coun- 
 try equally fertile with any part of the weftern 
 country -.but, in the progreffion of our fettle, 
 
 „.ents, it will be fome years before any fettle- 
 „icnts can be formed there, except in the fork of 
 the Miffiffippi and lUinoisj which maybe ere«. 
 
weft of the Upper 
 f the Ohio. The 
 the waters of the 
 f thcGcnafce, will 
 legany river and the 
 Mufkingum to the 
 lould form between 
 the Ohio and that 
 ncesofthefe rivers 
 : third, between the 
 the Ohio, and the 
 untry lying between 
 )hio, and the fame 
 ther State ; and the 
 VTabafh, Ohio, Mif- 
 [ would eftabliftx into 
 
 he Illinois river and 
 iesadiftriaofcoun- 
 part of the weftern 
 rreffion of our fettle^ 
 irs before any fettle- 
 , except in the fork of 
 i which may be crea- 
 
 ( 77 ) 
 ed into a State, by running a line from St. An- 
 thony's falls, in fuch a direction as to ftrike the 
 head branches of the Illinois. But it is nioft like- 
 ly that the country on the MifliiTippi and Alifouri 
 will be fettled before this diftriift, though it is 
 confidered as the empire of Spain. However, I 
 will not be fo indecorous as to parcel out the ter- 
 ritories of other nations : it is fufficiently pre- 
 fumptuous to have gone fo far as I have. 
 
 I have now marked out thcimaginary bounda- 
 ries of fix new States «xclufive of thofe on the 
 eafternfide of the Ohio, theGenafce fcttlemcnt, 
 and without including the country between the 
 northern limits of Kentucky and Pittfburg, or 
 the country between Niagara, Detroit, and the 
 fources of thofe rivers which run into the Ohio. 
 
 The upper fettlement on theeaftern fide of the 
 Ohio, will moft likely follow the Cumberland 
 and Holfton in its independence. In peopling 
 the new States I conclude the lowermoft will be 
 firft fettled, and confequently the firft to be ad- 
 mitted into the federal government. The diftri(ft 
 of country that will be laft fettled in all probabi- 
 lity, between the Ohio, the lakes, and tlie Mif- 
 
( 78 ) 
 fiflippi, to the fouth of St. Anthony's Falls, is 
 perhaps, that which lies between Niagara and 
 Detroit, and extending to the ridge of hills which 
 divides the waters of lake Eric and Ohio, by rea- 
 fon of its damp and cold foil. The furrcnder of 
 the fort«! <'f Niagara ?nd Detroit (which I under- 
 Hand is about to be done), may increafe the fet- 
 tlcmcnts upon the borders of lake Erie i but I 
 think it is not likely that unhofpitable clime will 
 find inhabitants, while the genial regions of the 
 Mifliflippi are in a great meafure uninhabited. 
 
 It is next neceffary to take notice how, and in 
 what probable time, thefe States will be inhabit- 
 ed. The firft fettlement upon the Ohio and the 
 progrcfs made in agriculture was extremely tardy. 
 But it is ncccffary torccollea that America was 
 not only in an infant ftate at the conclufion of 
 the war in 1763, but that the continual wars 
 with the Indians greatly retarded the progrefs of 
 that fettlement i and if the fame obftruftions 
 have been given to the fcttlements on the weftecn 
 fide of the Ohio, it is equally certain that the ex- 
 hauftcd condition of the finances of the United 
 Sutes, until within a ye»r and a half paft, did 
 
) 
 
 Anthony's Falls, is 
 jtween Niagara and 
 c ridge of hills which 
 ric and Ohio, by rea- 
 1. The furrcnder of 
 troit (which I undcr- 
 may incrcafc the fct- 
 of lake Erici but I 
 iihofpitable clime will 
 : genial regions of tlie 
 'afure uninhabited. 
 
 ,ke notice how, and in 
 States will be inhabit- 
 jpon the Ohio and the 
 •e was extremely tardy, 
 eft that America was 
 • at the conclufion of 
 it the continual wars 
 •etarded the progrefs of 
 the fame obftruftions 
 lements on the weftecn 
 ally certain that the ex- 
 finances of the United 
 w and a half paft, did 
 
 ( 79 ) 
 
 not permit them to take tliofc vigorous nicUuiM 
 ncccrtiiry to their tranquillity, and that peitnaiKiit 
 ffttlemeiits on that fule of the river, and the iii" 
 creafe of the nccefl'aiics oflifc (which arc now 
 in greater abundance in the wcilci ti country than 
 in any other part of America) will enable ihem lo 
 fupport their fituation with infinitely more cafe, 
 than when we were obliged to bring almoll every 
 thing for ufe over the mountain. 
 
 I have eftimatcd the number of fouls on the 
 wcftern waters at 400,000. I fliould fuppofe* 
 from the difpofition to early marriages, which is 
 general, and the extraordinary fecundity which. 
 is every where obferved, with the addition of the 
 emigrants who may be expelled from the eaftern 
 States, that the inhabitants will double once in 
 15 years for the next 60 years to come at leaft-— 
 which in the firfl 15 years will be equal to 
 peopling four or five of thefe States } and I think 
 we may expeft to fee at the end of 30 years the 
 whole country I have been defcribing inhabited. 
 
 The ratio of increafe after the firft 30 years 
 appears almoft too aftonifhing for belief: 
 6,400,000 fouls increafe in the courfe of 60 yearSj 
 
^ .. ( 8° ) 
 when it is notorious that all America added to her 
 population little more than 2,0(; ^,000 in the 
 courfe of a century, no doubt will appear a calcu- 
 lation too extravagant ; for which reafon it will 
 be neceflary for me to ftatc the rife of the one, and 
 the probable growth of the other. 
 
 Mr. Jefferfon, in his notes on Virginia (ta 
 which I fliall have frequent occrfion to advert 
 in my fubfcquent letters), allows a duplication 
 only once in 27 -i- years. He takes the fpace of 
 118 years inclufive from 1654, until the year 
 J 702, when the tythes of Virginia had encreafed 
 from 7209 to 153,000; which eftimate he fays 
 is corroborated by the particular"" uniformity of 
 the intermediate enumerations taken in 1700, 
 1748, and 1759. According to this increafe, 
 he fuppofes the inhabitants of Virginia alone will 
 amount to between 6 and 7,800,000 within nine- 
 ty-fix years. 
 
 It appears, by a ftatcmcnt which he has made 
 of the emigrants in different years to that coun- ' 
 try, that the greatcft number in any one year 
 was 3000, which was the year 1628. From the 
 year 1654 the diffolution of the Virginia Compa-. 
 
 J 
 
 < '. 
 
merica added to her 
 2,o« ^000 in the 
 vill appear a caicu- 
 fhich reafon it will 
 : rife of the one, and 
 icr. 
 
 :es on Virginia (to 
 occrfjon to advert 
 lows a duplication 
 takes the fpace of 
 14, until the year 
 rginia had encreafed 
 lich eftimatc he fays 
 lulaf uniformity of 
 ans taken in 1700, 
 ng to this increafe, 
 • Virginia alone will 
 00,000 within ninc- 
 
 : which he has made 
 years to that coun- ' 
 r in any one year 
 ar 1628. From the 
 he Virginia Compa- 
 
 L 
 
 ( 81 ), - ^'^ 
 
 ny took place, and importations ilmoft ceafcd 
 until it became the pra<aice of your givernment 
 to tranfport convifts to the Colonies ; fo that it 
 does notappear that the peopling of Virginia was 
 materially owing to the migrations from Europe: 
 whereas I have known upwards of 10,000 emi- 
 grants to arrive in the fingle State of Kentucky 
 within one year, and from 4 to 10,000 ir fevcral 
 other years. ^;, , -; t ^;' ,,.. j>:-J'jfevX ■,; ^-\ ? ' 
 
 Great part of the country from the Bay of 
 Fundy to Cape Florida upon thefeacoaft is un- 
 favourable to agriculture. New England has 
 never yet produced corn fufficient to fupply its 
 inhabitants with bread; which muft proceed 
 either from the ignyanceofthe arts of hufbandry 
 in that countr]', or from the poverty of the foil : 
 I believe both h«vc helped to retard the progrefs 
 of agriculture. Long Ifland is chiefly a fand 
 heap, where the inhabitants fcem for a great 
 length of time to have been content to live upon 
 hfli. The State of New- York for a confidera- 
 ble diftance back is a continuation of hills and 
 ftones. The country from Poloufhook to the 
 capes of the Delaware is a flat of nothing but 
 
 E 3 
 
( 84 ) " 
 
 fait marflies and pine barrans, which extend for 
 twenty miles up the country; and the whole 
 country from thofe capes fouthward to the Gull 
 of Florida is no better, for a confiderable dif- 
 tancc from the fea, the bottoms of the rivers 
 excepted ; fothat the firft fettlers of America had 
 not only the natives to contend againft, but alfa 
 extreme poverty. 
 
 The extenfion af the Dutch fettlement from 
 New York up Hudfon's river to the fine lands 
 about Albany, and to the fertile banks of the 
 Rariton, in Jerfey, and the fettlement of Penn- 
 fylvania by the celebrated Penn, firft produced 
 that plenty which is not onlyneceflary to com- 
 fort, but is effential to pccafion that fecundity 
 which diftinguiflies the rai>id population of moft 
 infant countries, after they have overcome the 
 firft difl&culties of eftablifliing a fetdement. 
 
 As the natives were driven back, the fetders 
 began to penetrate into the fertile regions of the 
 ouddle parts of the States j which lie at fome. 
 diftance from the fea coaft. But, fever?l caufes 
 now combined to retard die population of die 
 country. The unfiivowaUe appearance of the 
 
 J 
 
, which extend for 
 '} and the whole 
 iward to the Gulf 
 confiderable dif- 
 »ms of the rivers 
 ers of America had 
 1 againft, but alfo 
 
 :h fettlemcnt from 
 rer to the fine lands 
 irtile banks of the 
 fettlement of Penn- 
 *enn, firft produced 
 yneceflary tocom- 
 ifion that fecundity 
 [ population of rnoft 
 have overcome the 
 g a fettlement. 
 
 ;n back, the fettlers 
 fertile regions of the 
 ; which lie at fome. 
 But, feverjd caufes 
 le population of the 
 (e appearance of the 
 
 ( 83 ) 
 
 foil of New England induced moft of its inhabi- 
 tants to lead fea-farmg lives, which not only 
 tend to check the natural increafe of men by the 
 lofles incidental to fuch an employment, but, 
 hinder, in a material degree, the propagation of 
 the fpccies, by the feparation of the fexes. 
 
 This bufmefs was in fome meafure common 
 to the whole colonies. Befides which, the wars 
 in which England was often engaged againft 
 France and Spain, and in which we were alfo 
 concerned, with the frequent Indian wars, and 
 the late American war, helped not a little to ob- 
 ilruft the natural proportion of the increafe of in. 
 habitants. America had only croffed the line be- 
 tween poverty and afRuence when the late unfor- 
 tunate war commenced. However, there was a 
 ftill more nefarious and deteftable caufe for this 
 flownefs of population arifmg from the introduc- 
 tion of African flavery. Men began then to. 
 look upon it as infamous to labour— amufements 
 were invented to fill up their time— diffipatioa 
 followed in all the excefs of idleneis and foliy. 
 
 J 
 
( 84 ) ^ 
 
 The| fair fex were ncgkaed : marriases 
 werelefs early, and lefs frequent. And thus it 
 happened that the inhabitants of Virginia were 
 found to double only once in 47 ^ years, and 
 which has been adopted by fome perfons as a cri- 
 terion to eftimate the increafe of the inhabitants 
 of all the other States ; but it is not a fair 
 criterion, for it is notorious that Pennfylvania 
 is much better peopled than Virginia, though 
 its firft fettlement was at a later date. But, 
 ,iow, for the revcrfeT Though wc enjoy an 
 extenfive inland navigation, we arc not liable 
 to the fame lofs of men which the perils of the 
 lea produces j nor any of that lofs which ma- 
 ritimc countries fufFer by their citizens enter- 
 ing into foreign fervice, or fettling in fure.gn 
 countries : our voyages will be regulated by the 
 periodical floods, and the «r.s of abfence will 
 be more determinate and certain ; fo that ab- 
 fence here cannot fo materially interrupt do- 
 „,eftic happinefs, and cannot in the leaft retard 
 the increafe of inhabitants. It is impoffible that. 
 WC can experience any thing like poy«rty, for no 
 
c£Ved : marriages 
 ent. And thus it 
 
 of Virginia were 
 in 47 ^ years, and 
 nc perfons as a cri- 
 : of the inhabitants 
 t it is not a fair 
 i that Pennfylvania 
 I Virginia, though 
 a later date. But, 
 lough wc enjoy an 
 
 we are not liable 
 :h the perils of the 
 lat lofs which ma- 
 icir citizens entcr- 
 
 fcttling in foreign 
 be regulated by the 
 eras of abfence will 
 :trtain ; fo that ab- 
 :rially interrupt do- 
 )t in the leaft retard 
 
 It is impoffible that, 
 jlikepoyerty, for no 
 
 ( 85 ) 
 
 country, perhaps, upon the globe is fo rich in 
 the comforts and neceffaries of life. As to wars, 
 we can have none after a few years more are 
 paft. The Spaniards may put us to fome in- 
 convenience for a few years to come ; but, in 
 doing this, they will not only ri(k the lofs of 
 New Orleans, but the whole of Louifiana, 
 which they confider as the key to Mexico. 
 Thus fecured from wars, and the inland naviga- 
 tion of the country not fubjeding us to material 
 loflcs in that bufmefs ; with the propenfity to 
 early marriages, produced by the fimplicity and 
 innocence of youth, tutored under the pure max- 
 ims of virtue and reafon ; it cannot be confider- 
 ed as a fanguine calculation, when we add the 
 additional confideration of the probable number 
 of emigrants we may receive, that our population 
 will double once in fifteen years. 
 
 Having endeavoured to give you an idea of 
 the country north-weft of the Ohio, omitted in 
 my laft ; and what will be the probable partitions 
 of the New States to be laid ofF on that fide of 
 the river, the population, and expcAcd increafe 
 
. ( 86 ) 
 of the inhabitants of the weftern country } I (hall 
 take leave of you for the prefent, and in my next 
 you (hall have an account of its productions, nar 
 vigations, &c. 
 
 I remain, afFeftionatcly, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
( «7 ) 
 
 n country; I (hall 
 
 it, and in my next 
 
 productions, nap 
 
 ionatcly, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 vmvjj-ffj. - 
 
 ,4^1-4^ 
 
 LETTER V. 
 
 MY DEAII FRIEND, -■ KENTUCKY. 
 
 In the advancement of civilization, agricul- 
 ture fcems to have been in every country the 
 primary objeft of mankind— Arts and fciences 
 have followed, and, ultimately, they have been 
 relevant to eachj other. Fortunately for man- 
 kind, the prefent aera of reafon, not only admits, 
 but makes it neceflfary that they fhould go hand 
 in hand. The decency of life is not the fmalleft 
 of fublunary blandifliments. Purity is to the 
 body what virtue is to the foul } — an eternal in- 
 vigorating germ, whofe blofToms difFufe the mofl: 
 fragrant odours, and give a vivacity to the mind 
 equally manly and delightful. 
 
 The weftern limits of the federal empire are 
 bounded on the north by the lakes, Ontario, 
 Erie, St. Clair, Michegan, Superior, and the 
 lake of the wood ; to the weft by the MiffifTippi, 
 and extending as ht fouthasthe Natchez, or lat. 
 3Z deg. then is bound by the Floridas to the . 
 
( 8S ) ■ 
 fouth. What is called the weftcrn territory lief 
 on this fide of the Allegany mountoin, within 
 thefe limits. 
 
 Here is found all the variety of foil and cli- 
 mate neceflkry to the culture of every kind ot 
 grain, fibrous plants, cotton, ft-uits, vegetables, 
 9pd all forts of provifions. The upper fettlements 
 on the Ohio produce chiefly wheat, oats, barley, 
 rye, Indian corn or maize, hemp and flax. The 
 fruits, are apples, pears, cherries, peaches, 
 plumbs, ftrawberries, ralberries, currants, goofc- 
 berries and grapes j of culinary plants and vege- 
 tables, there arc turnips, potatoes, carrots, parf- 
 nips, cymbiline or fqualh, cucumbers, pcafc, 
 beans, afparagus, •abbagcs, brocali, celery 
 and fallads; befides which there are melons 
 and herbs of every fort. The provifions confift 
 of beef, pork, mutton, veal, and a variety of 
 poultry, fuch as ducks, Mufcovy ducks, turkeys, 
 geefe, dunghill fowls and pidgcons. The fu- 
 perfluous provifions are fold to the emigrants 
 ^ho are continually paffing through thofe fettle- 
 ments, in their route to the different diftrifts of 
 country, and which I have enumerated, Some 
 
Icrn territory lies 
 mount-iin, within 
 
 y of foil and cli- 
 of every kind ot 
 fruits, vegetables, 
 • upper fettlemeius 
 heat, oats, barley, 
 ip and flax. The 
 ;herries, peaches, 
 s, currants, goofc- 
 y plants and vegc- 
 oes, carrots, parf- 
 :ucumbcrs, pcafc, 
 , brocali, celery 
 there are melons 
 e provifions confift 
 , and a variety of 
 ovy ducks, turkeys, 
 idgcons. The fu- 
 I to the emigrants 
 irough thofe fettle- 
 lifferent diftrifts of 
 ;numcrated. Some 
 
 ( 89 ) 
 confiderable quantity of fpirits diftilled from 
 rye, and likewife cyder, are fcnt down the river 
 to a market, in thofe infant fettlements where 
 the inhabitants have not had time to bring or« 
 chards to any perfedion, or have not a fuper* 
 fluity of grain to diftil into fpirits. The beef, 
 pork, and flour are difpofed of in the fame way. 
 The flax and hemp are packed on horfes and 
 fent acrofs the mountain to the inland towns of 
 Pennfylvania and Maryland, and (as I hinted in 
 a former letter) in a few years when grazing 
 forms the principal objeft of thofe fettlers, they 
 will always find a market for their cattle at Phila* 
 delphia, Baltimore, and Alexandria. 
 
 Thefe fettlements might produce a conftder- 
 able quantity of fugar, but hitherto what they 
 have made has ferved for little more than home 
 confumption, as every part of the back coun* 
 try from lat. 42 to 36° produces an abundance of 
 the fugar maple-tree as would be equal to furnilh 
 fugar for the inhabitants of the whole earth : and 
 to fend it to any of the market towns on the At- 
 lantic, is too far to be profitable until the canals 
 of the Potowmac fhall have been finiflied. That 
 
( 90 ) 
 country produces alfo all the pot-herbs which 
 are common in Europe : feveral kinds of nuts 
 grow in the forcfts, fuch as chefnuts, hickory, 
 and black walnuts. The mountains, hills, and 
 uninhabited parts abound in deer, wild turkeys, 
 and a fpecies of groufe which are called by the 
 Americans promifcuouny partridge or pheafant. 
 There is an abundance of wild fowl, as is indeed 
 the cafe in every part of the weftern country : 
 to enumerate thefe could prove neither amufe- 
 ment or inftruftion. 
 
 Linen and woollen cloths, leather, and hats, 
 for home confumption, are manufadured with 
 confiderable fuccefs. The two firft articles are 
 only made in fiuniUes for their awn ufe ; but 
 the latter are made by men of profeffion in that 
 bufmefs, and are of a quality that would not 
 difgrace the mechanics of Europe. Blackfm.th. 
 work of all forts, even to making fire arms, is 
 done there ; as is alfo cabinet work, wheel- 
 wright, mill-wright, houfe carpentry, jemery* 
 (hoc-making, &c.&c. in (hort, all the trades im^ 
 mediately neceffary to the promotion of the com- 
 fort? of new fettlements, are tobe found here.. 
 
 I \ 
 
m 
 
 e pot-herbs whicii 
 eral kinds of nuts 
 chefnuts, hickory, 
 ountains, hills, and 
 deer, wild turkeys, 
 ;h are called by the 
 rtridgc or pheafant. 
 lid fowl, as is indeed 
 • weftern country : 
 rove neither sunufe- 
 
 is, leather, and hats, 
 manufaftured with 
 two firft articles are 
 their own ufc ; but 
 I of profeffion in that 
 dity that would not 
 Europe. Blackfmiths 
 making fire arms, is 
 abinet work, wheel- 
 fi carpentry, jeinery, 
 hort, all the trades im-^ 
 promotion of the com- 
 je to be found here. 
 
 1 
 
 ( 9» ) 
 
 After pairing to the fouthward of lat. 40 deg. 
 the climate becomes favourable to the culture 
 of tobacco. It will, no doubt, grow farther to 
 the north i but neither its flavour is fo aromatic, 
 or the crop fo certain or produaive. Indeed 
 the farther fouth tobacco grows, generally the 
 finer its quality : hence it is, that the facgars of 
 Cuba arc fo much admired for their peculiar 
 fcent, and the Oroonookoo for its mildnefs. How- 
 ever, this is of little confcquence to any country, 
 as it is certain no cultivation is fo pernicious to 
 the foil, and of fo little real advantage to the 
 cultivator. It continually impoverifhes the land ; 
 and every additional fcafon, inftead of producing 
 riches to an eftate, tends to beggar it : every vef- 
 tigc of its growth is mifery and devaftation, 
 and no foil, but one as prolific as that of the 
 Nile, would be capable of producing it for any 
 length of time, according to the fyftem which has 
 been purfued in Virginia and Maryland. How- 
 ever the whole of the Ohio and Miffiffippi coun- 
 try below lat. 40 deg. is perhaps better adapted to 
 produce tobacco in quantity than any other coun- 
 trj' upon the face of the globe. 
 
 "ituVH 
 
I 
 
 ( 9» ) 
 
 ,« Kentucky produces, biTides tobacco, aft the 
 different kinds of grain, which I have dcfcrihcd, 
 in the upper fcttlcmcnt ; all f^c fruits, with the 
 addition of apricots and nedtarines i thcfc and 
 peaches grow here to very great pcrfcdion, 
 particularly when planted upon a light foil, 
 which ftiould always be the cafe when it can be 
 found i but however extraordinary it may ap- 
 pear, it is not often the cafe in this diCuiO. of 
 counti'y. 
 
 Thofe culinary plants, vegetables, &c. I have 
 enumerated above, are produced in the whole 
 weftern country. In fome parts they grow to 
 greater perfetSion than in others, as in this the 
 cucumber, turnips, peas, and many others are 
 much finer than I ever faw them any where be- 
 ftde. The cantilope melon is only to be equal- 
 led by thofe in Perfia. We arc not at the trouble 
 and expence of forcing. Every thing put into the 
 ground of the vegetable kind, grows in a moft 
 wonderful manner. 
 
 - The foil is uncommonly favourable to hemp 
 and Indian corn. I have known 12 cwt. of the 
 former produced from an acre of ground, and as 
 
IS tobacco, aft the 
 h I have dcfcrihcd, 
 ^: fruits, with the 
 tarines 5 thcfc and 
 
 great pcrfc£lion, 
 ipon a light foil, 
 ,fe when it can be 
 Jinary it may ap- 
 
 in this dl&siSt of 
 
 Btables, &c. I have 
 uced in the whole 
 parts they grow to 
 lers, as in this the 
 i many others are 
 lem any where bc- 
 » only to be equal- 
 re not at the trouble 
 •y thing put into the 
 , grows in a moft 
 
 Favourable to hemp 
 iwn 12 cwt. of the 
 e of ground, and as 
 
 ( 9J ) 
 much «> 100 bufhcb of the latter. Thi?' has not 
 oitly been done from an ur'^conunon fertile fpot ; 
 but there are large bodies of land adjoining, 
 which are equally prolific. I believe, that, 
 were I to mention upon an average the produce 
 of the whole country, it would be found to be 
 nearly as follows ; 
 
 Hemp per acre • 800 cwt. 
 
 Indian corn, or maize, ditto 60 bufhels. 
 
 Wheat, ditto - , , ^ 30 ditto. ; 
 
 Barley, ditto j^ *,^n • 40 ditto: > 
 
 Oats, ditto - 50 ditto. , 
 
 Clover and timothy grafs, ditto 25 cwt. 
 Befidcs hemp and flax for manufacturing, 
 cotton is cultivated with confidcrable fucccfs, 
 particularly in the fouthern parts of the State 
 and Cumberland ; and, no doubt, in a few years, 
 when our fettlements extend to the Natchez, cot- 
 ton will be produced in as great perfection as 
 in the Eaft or Weft Indies. No foil or climate 
 can be more congenial to this plant than the re- 
 gions on the lowermoft parts of the Miiliflippt. 
 We have it in our power to promote the cul- 
 ture of nik alfo. The mildnefs of the climate 
 
 m 
 
( 94 ) 
 and the great quantity of the mulbe.ry trees, 
 which are every where interfperfed -.n our forefts, 
 renders this matter extremely eafy; but how far 
 this will be politic, when the ufe of filk is going 
 out of falhion, is a matter that requires fome 
 confideration. Cotton has fupplied its place, 
 and its fuperior excellence, I apprehend, wiU 
 always make it a more profitable manufaaory. 
 
 The growth of wool will form an important 
 
 canftderation with us. The plains I have de- 
 
 fcribed, extend quite to the mountains, fo that 
 
 fteep here may have every advantage which the 
 
 flocks of Spain enjoy. If we can form any idea 
 
 from the famples of wool produced in many 
 
 ' parts of tVe country, we may conclude that our 
 
 moft fanguine expeaations will be fully an- 
 
 (wcred. 
 
 The buffalo are moftly driven out of Ken- 
 tucky. Some are ftiU found upon the head waters 
 of Licking creek. Great Sandy, and the head 
 waters of Green river. Deer abound in the 
 extenfivc forefts i but the elk confines itfelf 
 moftly to the hilly and uninhabited places. 
 The rapidity of the fettlement has driven the 
 
 / 
 
) 
 
 the mulbfiiy trees, 
 perfed 'n our forefts, 
 y eafy i but how far 
 e ufe of filk is going 
 r that requires fome 
 5 fupplied its place, 
 !, I apprehend, will 
 table manufailory. 
 
 II form an important 
 he plains I have de- 
 e mountains, fo that 
 advantage which the 
 we can form any idea 
 il produced in many 
 day conclude that our 
 US will be fully an- 
 
 r driven out of Ken- 
 id upon the head waters 
 Sandy, and the head 
 Deer abound in the 
 he elk confines itfelf 
 inhabited places. 
 
 ulement has driven the 
 
 ( 95 ) 
 wild turkey quite out of the middle countries ; 
 but they are found in large flocks in all our ex- 
 tenfive woods. 
 
 Amidft the mounuins and broken countries 
 arc great numbers of the groufe I have defcribed ; 
 and fmce the fettlement has been eftabliflied, the 
 quail, by following the trail of grain which is ^ 
 neceffarily fcattered through the wiWernefs, has 
 migrated from the old fettlements on the other 
 fide the mountain, and has become a conftant 
 refident with us. This bird was unknown here 
 on the firft peopling of the country. 
 
 There is a variety of wild-fowl in every part 
 ef this State, particularly, teal and the fummer 
 d ".ck. The latter breeds with us. Its incuba- 
 tion is always in temperate climates, which is 
 the reafon of its being called the fummer duck. 
 1 The productions of Cumberland are nearly 
 the fame as thofe of Kentucky. The quality of 
 tobacco is perhaps fomething better; but the 
 climatt being confiderably warmer, it is not fo 
 favourable to wheat and barley, nor does graft 
 grow there fo luxuriantly as with us. 
 
 The country below Cumberland foon becomes 
 
 J 
 
I 
 
 ( 96 ) 
 
 warm enough for indigo and rice ; and perhap« 
 thefe articles, in a few years, will be cultivated 
 on the Mifliffippi with as much fuccefs, if not 
 more, than they ever were in South Carolina or 
 Georgia} particularly the former, as the foil on 
 the Miffiffippi is infinitely more luxuriant than 
 any in the Carolii»«. Some eflSiys were made in 
 this bufinefs, previous to the late war; but the 
 objed was abandoned in the deftruilion of the 
 fcttlement I mentioned in a former letter, made 
 below the Natchex. 
 
 Oranges, and other tropical firuits, grow at the 
 Natchez, and fome diftance above, toconfiderablc 
 perfeaion. There are a variety of nuts which 
 grow both in Kentucky and Cumberbnd, fome 
 of which are common to both ; the moft re- 
 markable of which is the Pacanc ; but as they 
 have all been noticed, both by Carver and Jeffer- 
 fon, I fhall refer you to them for their parti- 
 cular defcriptions and properties. Grapes, 
 plumbs, goofberries, and ftrawberries, grow alfo 
 fpontaneoufly in the fouthern parts of Kentucky, 
 and in moft parts of Cumberland. 
 The produce of the vw^ftern country will be 
 
I rice ; aiwl pcrhap* 
 , will be cultivated 
 uch fuccefs, if not 
 I South Carolina or 
 rnwr, as the foil on 
 [lore luxuriant than 
 effiiys were made in 
 elate war; but the 
 e deftruAion of the 
 former letter, made 
 
 J fi-uits, grow at the 
 bove, toconiiderablc 
 xiety of nuts which 
 I Cumberkuid, fome 
 both; the moft re- 
 Pacanc; but as they 
 y Carver and Jeffer- 
 Irem for their parti- 
 operties. Grapes, 
 awberrves, grow alfo 
 n parts of Kentucky, 
 rland. 
 
 tern country will be 
 
 f 97 ) . 
 
 nearly the fame in the fame parallels of latitude 
 throughout; fo that comparing my imaginary 
 States, with the fettled country fouth-eaft of the 
 Ohio, you will be able to form a juft idea of 
 what they will be capable of producing. But 
 to comprehend the objeft of the commerce of 
 this country, it is firft neceflary to contemplate 
 it, abounding in all the comforts of life, limited 
 in its variety of climate only by what is not 
 defireable ; with a foil fo prolific, a navigation fo 
 extenfive, and a fecurity fo permanent from being 
 inland, that it fcems this vaft extent of empire 
 is only to be equalled for its fublimity but by 
 the objea of its aggrandizement. 
 
 Provifions, tobacco, and raw materials will 
 
 confiitute the firil articles of our trade. Such a 
 
 quantity of beef, pork, bacon, butter, cheefe,&c. 
 
 &ic. might be furnifted from this country as 
 
 will, one day, no doubt, furnifh the Weft India 
 
 iflands, and afFord relief to the miferable Chi- 
 
 nefe, whofe fcanty portion of rice is only fuflU 
 
 cicnt to keep foul and body together. Our 
 
 niounta incus countries muft alwr.ys prove ex- 
 
 cclJej-.t ranges for herds of cattle; thegrafj, in the 
 ... J" 
 
( 98 ) 
 fummcr, affording fufficient food to fatten then^ 
 without the expencc of cultivated meadows, and 
 the winters are feldom fo fevere as to requ.rc 
 any other food than the cane and pea-vme. 
 
 The navigation of this country has been much 
 talked of. The diftance from one place to ano- 
 ther has been computed with fome degree of ac 
 curacy, and the various experiments which have 
 leenmadeconfirmthe opinion that its difficulty 
 
 is merely imaginary. 
 
 The commonmodc of dcfcending the ftream is 
 in flat-bottomed boats, which may be built from 
 ,,to 500 tuns burthen. But, as far as I have 
 beenabletojudge,Ifhouldfuppofe, that about 
 
 ,0 or 60 tuns burthen would be the moft convc- 
 Lt,wieldy,andconfe.uentlyfafc,parUcul^^^^ 
 when the waters are very high, for mfuchafs 
 
 lerapidityofthecurrentmakesitd^fficulto 
 n^anage an unwieldy mafs with fac.l.ty.Thefe 
 boats are built of oak plank, withacertam pro- 
 portion of breadth to their length, /. .. nearly 
 L 12 feet to 40 •,^vhich will be a boat of nearly 
 
 .Otons. They are covered or not as occafion 
 Ly require. The objea is to build them a. 
 
 ^! 
 

 ) 
 
 ,t food to fatten theni, 
 tivated meadows, and 
 , fevcre as to require 
 le and pea-vine, 
 rountry has been much 
 Tom one place to ano- 
 ith fome degree of ac- 
 periments which have 
 ,inion that its difficulty 
 
 Jefcendingtheftreamis 
 rhich may be built from 
 But, as far as I have 
 )uld fuppofc, that about 
 rouldbethemoftconvc- 
 uenUy. fafc, particularly 
 |r high, for in fuch cafes 
 :nt makes it difficult to 
 jfs with fiicility. Thefe 
 ank, with a certain pro- 
 their length, /. e. nearly 
 h will be a boat of nearly 
 jvered or not as occafion 
 jea is to build them a« 
 
 ( 99 ) 
 cheap as poffible for their unwicldincfs prevents 
 thp poffibility of their returning, and they can 
 only be fold as plank. 
 
 Several of thefe boats fetting out together, let 
 us fuppofe 5, 10, 15, or 20, of 60 tons burthen 
 each, which would require each 6 hands to navi- 
 gate them. Ten boats then of 60 tons each will 
 cmiJoy 60 hands, which will be equal to navi- 
 gate up the ftream 3 boats of 5 tons each, and 
 which would be more than fufficient to bring 
 back the cargo which the produce of the ten 
 boats would purchafe; as the articles we ex- 
 port are grofs and bulky, while we want only in 
 return fuperfine goods: the coarfer goods of 
 every fort will always be manufaaured in the 
 country. We alfo make our own fait, fugar, 
 fpirits, malt liquor, and fhall foon make our 
 own wine. Thefe boats muli ht worked up 
 with fleam and fails. 
 
 The invention of carrying a boat againft the 
 flrcam by the influence of fleam, is a late im- 
 provement ill philofophy by a Mr. Rumfey of 
 Virginia, whofe ingenuity has been rewarded by 
 that State with the exclufive privilege of navi* 
 Fa 
 
( 100 ) 
 gating thofc boats in her rivers for lo years; 
 and as this grant was given previous to the inde- 
 pendcnce of Kentucky, the aft of reparation 
 guarantees his right. Some circumftance or 
 other has prevented his bringing them into ufe. 
 However there can be no doubt of the fuccefs of 
 hisfcheme, for the Aflbmblyof Virginiahad tlie 
 moft unequivocal affarances before.they gave the 
 privilege, in a certificate figned by General 
 Wafliington and Man Page Efquire i fctting 
 forth that they had fecn a boat which they be- 
 lieved to be conllruaed by Mr. Rumfey, afcend 
 a ftream without the aid of manual l.-.bour, but 
 without mentioning the operating caufe, which 
 has fmce appeared to be ftcam. If this prin- 
 ciple fhould fiil (and from fuch authority I do 
 not conceive how it is to be perfumed), I flatter 
 myfclf that philofophy is capable of fupplying 
 the place in the appropriation of fome one of the 
 fecrets with which mechanics abound. 
 
 In taking a retrofpeaive view of the world, 
 we are fori moment furprifed when we recollea 
 tint fome thoufands of years had clapfcd before 
 ,, • ,.j ,. ..va: inv.r;tcd, and that ths only way of 
 
rers for lO years; 
 ;vious to the inde-- 
 aft of feparation 
 ; circumftance or 
 ;ing them into ufe. 
 bt of the fuccefs of 
 jf Virginia had the 
 )efore.they gave the 
 igned by General 
 e Efquire; fetting 
 •at which they be- 
 r. Rumfcy, afcend 
 manual l.'.bour, but 
 -ating caufe, which 
 cam. If this prin- 
 fuch authority I do 
 perfumed), I flatter 
 apable of fupplying 
 1 of fome one of the 
 s abound. 
 
 view of the world, 
 bd when we recoUeil 
 rs had clapfcd before 
 that ths only way of 
 
 ( 101 ) 
 accumuluting the copies of art and genius was by 
 the tardy method of tranfcribing ; and that the 
 art of navigation was for nearly as long a time 
 devious, and regulated by no certain laws, the 
 flars and head lands of different countries being 
 the only guides to the adventurous mariner, who 
 often periflied when the heavens were obfcured. 
 O Liberty ! how many bleflings haft thou 
 brought us ! Man in promulgating his opini- 
 ons, now finds fecurity under the wings of an 
 cftablifhcd freedom ; and the difmal dungeon 
 whidi cclipfed the luminous mind of the cele- 
 brated Italian, would now be ereded Into a 
 fchool for him to letSlure in, inftead of a prifou 
 to bewail thfc miferable ignorance and depravity 
 of his fellow-creatures. Truth and reafon have 
 led to this melioration of manners, it will lead to 
 more benefits to mankind. — But Ihould we ftill 
 be obliged to row our boats againft the ftream, 
 it is not only pra<Sticable but cafy. 
 
 The frequent turnings in the Mifliffippi pro- 
 duce in every bend eddy water, which with the 
 advantage the wind affords (which blowing the 
 greater part of the year from the fouth-weft, and 
 
( 102 ) 
 
 direaiyup the windings of the river, which, by 
 reafon of the vacancy between the banks and 
 xifing forefts on either fide, afford a channel for 
 the current of the air) is fufficicnt with fails, 
 keeping as much as poffible in the eddy water, 
 to carry a boat 50 miles a day up the ftrcam. 
 
 To, account for thofe winds philofophically 
 would be extremely eafy i but, as it is a circum- 
 ftancc notorious from the teftimony of voyagers 
 in the Miffiffippi and Ohio, I prefume the teft of 
 experience will be preferred to any philofophicjil 
 difquifition upon the fubjeft. 
 
 Should this navigation prove too tedious, and 
 no improvements appear likely to be made in it, 
 the importing into the country maybe facilitated 
 by another channel, from the Gulf of Mexico 
 up the Mobile, which is a lazy current; 
 from the principal branch of which there is but 
 a fliort paffage to a branch of the Tenafee, when 
 you will have the advantage of the ftream quite 
 into the Ohio. I have enumerated this circum- 
 ftance merely for the fake of information, for 
 I have not the fmalleft doubt of the eligibility 
 ef the navigation of the Miffiffippi, which is 
 

 ) 
 
 the river, which, by 
 vecn the banks and 
 afford a channel for 
 fufficicnt with fails, 
 e in the eddy water, 
 ay up the ftream. 
 
 winds philofophically 
 but, as it is a circum- 
 eftimony of voyagers 
 , I prefume the teft of 
 d to any philofophicjil 
 
 t. 
 
 irove too tedious, and 
 ikely to be made in it, 
 ntry maybe facilitated 
 1 the Gulf of Mexico 
 is a lazy current; 
 , of which there is but 
 lof the Tenafee, when 
 ige of the ftream quite 
 numerated this circum- 
 ce of information, for 
 doubt of the eligibility 
 B Miffifftppi, which is 
 
 ( i®3 ) 
 proved from the experiments which are daily 
 making. ' • 
 
 The diftance from Pittlburg to the Muflcin- 
 gum is 173 miles ; to the Little Kenhaway 178; 
 to the Great Kenhaway 285; to Great Sandy 
 342 } to the Sciota 390 ; to Limeftonc 5C0 ; to 
 the Little Miami 510 ; to Licking creek 5241 
 to the Great Miami 550 ; to the Great-bone 
 creek 582; to the Kentucky 626; to the Ra- 
 piers 703; to Salt river 723; to Green river 
 922; to the Wabafh 1019; to Cumberland river 
 11131 to the Tenafee 1126 j to the Miffiflippi 
 1183} from thence to New Orleans is about 
 1200. 
 
 I have mentioned that it is about S30 from the 
 mouth of.^the Ohio up the MiHlfTippi to the 
 mouth of the Mifouri, and about 20 from thence 
 to Illinois, which is navigable for batteaux to its 
 fource. From thence there is a portage only o£ 
 2 miles to Chickago, which is alfo navigable for 
 batteaux to its entrance into lake Michegan, 
 which is a diftance of 16 miles. This lake af- 
 fords communication with the river St. Law« 
 rencc through lake Erie, paffing, Niagara by su. 
 
 -i Hgw ' ' ■•' 
 
\ 
 
 V C »04 ) ' 
 portage of 8 miles. The lakes Erie and Michc- 
 gan are navigable for vcfltls drawing 6 and 7 
 feet v/atcr. This is one of the routes by which 
 the exchange of commodities between the 
 jiorthern and fouthcrn ^af ts of this empire will 
 be facilitated. 
 
 In continuing the plan of intercourfe, it will 
 be found extremely eafy to pafs through lake 
 Ontario to Wood creek, up Wood creek, and 
 by a portage of about 3 miles you arrive at a 
 creek, which in 3 miles more brings you to Fort 
 Edward upon the Mohawk river, which is a 
 branch of Hudfon's river. There are feveral 
 carrying places between that and its junftion with 
 Hudfon i but very little labour would remove 
 them, an i T have no doubt but the Stote of New 
 York will be judicious enough to fet early about 
 It. It is certoin that they have ordered furveys 
 to be made, and plans are forming for the re- 
 moval of thofe obftruclions. It has been long in 
 embryo with them. It was impoffible a plan of 
 fo much utility could efcape that fage and pene- 
 trating politician General Schuyler, whofe vaft 
 eftstte lies moftly in that part of America. 
 
) 
 
 kes Erie and Michc- 
 'ds drawing 6 and 7 
 tlie routes by which 
 iJitics between the 
 i of this empire will 
 
 if intercourfe, it will 
 o pafs through lake 
 p Wood creek, and 
 niles you arrive at a 
 irc brings you to Fort 
 k river, which is a 
 There are feveral 
 t and its junftion with 
 labour would remove 
 but the State of New 
 ugh to fet early about 
 have ordered furveys 
 r forming for the re- 
 . It has been long in 
 s impoffible a plan of 
 pe that fagc and penc- 
 Schuyler, whofe vaft 
 t of America. 
 
 ( IDS ) 
 There arc alfo portages into the waters of lake 
 Eric from the Wahafli, Great Miami, Muflcin- 
 gum, and Allegany, from 2 to 16 miles. The 
 portage between the Ohio and Potowmac will be 
 about 20 miles when the obftru(£tions in the Mo- 
 nongahala and Chen rivers are removed, which 
 will form the firft objeft of the gentlemen of 
 Virginia when they have completed the canals 
 on the Potowmac. 
 
 The obftru(5lions to the navigation of the Great 
 Kanhaway arc of fuch magnitude, that it will 
 require a work of ages to remove themj but if 
 ever that fliould be done, there will be an eafy 
 commimication between that and James river, 
 and likewife with the Oroonooko, which runs 
 through North Carolina. But this is an event 
 too remote to deferve any conCderation at prc- 
 fent. 
 
 All the rivers in this country of 60 yards wide 
 and upwards, are navigable almoft to their 
 fources for flat-bottomed boats during their 
 floods, and for batteaux the greater part of the 
 year, the great Kanhaway and little Miami ex- 
 cepted. The Tenafee has a confiderable -fall 
 
 F3 
 
( io6 ) 
 where it pafle* through Cumberland Mountain, 
 where there muft be a portage alfo. Fromthcnct 
 it is navigable quite to Holfton. 
 
 The rapiJs of the Ohio I have dcfcribed in a 
 former letter. They arc no obtlruftion in high 
 water to boats going down the river, and indeed 
 batteaux may pafs almoft at any time. There 
 arc two fmall rapids in the Wubafh between its 
 mouth and St. Vincent's, but they arc no impe- 
 diment to navigation, except at times of low 
 water. The Kftflcafkia is a fmall river which 
 runs into theMiffiffippi below the Illinois, and is 
 navigable a confiderable way above the plains. 
 The Miffiflippi is navigable to St. Anthony's Falls* 
 without any obftruaion. Carver defcribes it as 
 navigable above them as far as he travelled. 
 Wc have too little knowledge of the Mifouri to 
 form any decided opinion of the extent of its na- 
 vigation. It is however certain, that it is a more 
 powerful ftream than the Miffiflippi, and in en- 
 tering that river, it tiiumpJiantly rufties'lfcrofs, 
 and its turbid waters, unmixed, feem todifdain a 
 connexion fo inferior. From the beft informa- 
 tion that wc have been aUctocollea, it.il navi- 
 
 
berland Mountain, 
 alfo. Fromthenc6 
 in. 
 
 ave defcribed in a 
 obllrudlion in high 
 c river, and indeed 
 any time. There 
 Vabafh between its 
 t they arc no impe- 
 >t at times of low 
 1 fmall river which 
 kV the Illinois, and is 
 ly above the plains. 
 I St. Anthony's Falls 
 larver defcribes it as 
 ar as he travelled. 
 Ige of the Mifoiiri to 
 ' the extent of its na- 
 rtain, that it is a more 
 liffiffippi, and incn- 
 )Jiantly ru{hcs*lbrofs, 
 xed, Teem to difdain a , 
 ■om the bed informa- 
 •tocollea, ji<,iJnavi- 
 
 ( 107 ) • 
 Table for I a or 1 500 miles above its mouth wllh- 
 mtt obftrudion j and I think it is not unlikely 
 that in fettling the country towards its fource, 
 we (hall find it is not remote from the fourccs of 
 the ftreams running into the Pacific Ocean, and 
 that a communication may be opened between 
 them with as much eafc as between the Ohio 
 and Potowmac, and alfo between the fcttlcments 
 on the Miffiffippi and California. This circum- 
 ftancc is the more likely to happen, as it docs 
 not appear that the ridges of bills which divide 
 the waters of the Pacific Ocean from the waters 
 of the Mifliffippi, are either fo high or fo rugged, 
 as the Allegany mountain. . 
 
 You will obfervc, that as far as this immenfe ■ 
 continent is known, the courfes and extent of 
 its rivers arc extremely favourable to communi- 
 cation by water ; a circumftance which is highly^ 
 important, whether wc regard it in a fecial or 
 commercial point of view. The intercourfe of 
 men has added no inconfidcrablc luftrc to the 
 polifli of manners, and, perhaps, commerce has 
 tended aiore to civilize and embelllAi the human- 
 
 ■ - .■^. 
 
( '0? ) 
 
 mind, in two centuries, than war and :liivalry 
 would have done in five. 
 
 The federal government regulating every thing 
 commercial, muft be produaive of the grcatctt 
 harmony, fo that while we are likely to live in 
 the regions of perpetual peace,, our felicity will 
 receive a zefl from the aaivity and variety of our 
 trade. We OiaU pafs through the Mifliffippi to 
 the fca— up tlie Ohio, MonongahaU and Cheat 
 rivers, by a fmall portage, into the Potowmac, 
 which will bring us to the federal city on the 
 line of Virginia and Maryland— through the fe- 
 vcral rivers I have mentioned, and the lakes to 
 New York and Quebec— from the northern 
 lakes to the head branches of the rivers which 
 run into Iludfon's-bay into the Arftic regions— 
 and from the fources of the Mifouri into the 
 Great South Sea. Thus in the centre of the 
 earth, governing by the laws of reafan and hu- 
 manity, we fecm calculated to become at once 
 the emporium and protcaors of the world. 
 
 Before I finifh this l-tter, I (hall jutt enter 
 into fomc of the minutis of the diftance and 
 
 J 
 
) 
 
 I war and :luvalry 
 
 juhting every thing 
 :ive of the grcatelt 
 ire likely to live in 
 e,. our felicity will 
 y and variety of our 
 h the Mifllffippi to 
 ngahaU and Cheat 
 nto the Potowmac, 
 federal city on the 
 id— through the fe- 
 d, and the lakes to 
 from the northern 
 of the rivers which 
 he Arftic regions— 
 le Mifouri into the 
 1 the centre of the 
 s of reafjn and hu- 
 to become at once 
 , of the world. 
 
 , I (hall juft enter 
 of the dtftance and 
 
 C '09 ) 
 time of defcending down the Ohio, which will 
 fcrve for an account of all the other rivers. Mr. 
 JefFerfon has flatcd that "the inundations of 
 the Ohio begin about the laft of March, and 
 fubfide in July. He has written his notes on 
 Virginia like a man of erudition, and confider- 
 ing that he never was in this country, he has 
 given fuch an account ot it as cannot bo dif- 
 pleafing to an European. But, as in every thin» 
 which has charadlerized his political life, his 
 judgment in this appears fuperfirial, and his 
 mind attached to the theory of its own fabrica- 
 tion. Frequent rains in the latter end of the 
 autumn produce floods in the Ohio, and it is an 
 uncommon feafon when one ot thofe floods 
 does not happen before Chriftmas. If there is 
 much frofty weather in the uppc-r pvts of the 
 country, its waters generally remain low until 
 they begin to thaw. But f the river is not 
 frozen over (which is nc very common'', there 
 is always water fufEcitsit for boats ofaiiyfize 
 from November until May ; when the waters 
 generally begin to lubiidc; and by the middle 
 of June in moft feafons they are too low for" 
 
(110 ) 
 
 boats above forty tons, and thefe muft be flat- 
 bottomed. The froft feldom continues fo 
 long as the middle of February, and immediate- 
 ly upon its breaking the river is flooded; this 
 flood may in a degree fubfide, but for no length 
 of time; and it is from that period until May 
 that the boats generally come down the river. 
 The diftance ofdefcendingisin proportion to the 
 height of the water; but the average diftance 
 is about eighty miles in twenty.four hours, and 
 from fixty to one hundred arc the extremes : fo 
 that the mean time of going in a flat-bottomed . 
 boat from Pittfourg to the Rapids, is between 
 eight and nine days, and about twenty days 
 more to New Orleans : which will make a paf- 
 fage from Pittfburg to that place nearly a month. 
 ■ The inundations of the Miffiflippi commenca 
 fomething later than thofe of the Ohio; but it 
 is very certain they begin in March, and fubfide 
 in July. This is the moft proper time to af- 
 cend the river, as you avoid the (hoals, have 
 finev vreather, but above all, when the water .3 
 high, you have ftrongcr eddies ; and with taking 
 Aefe advantages, and with dexterous watermen^ 
 
thefe muft be flat- 
 Jom continues fo 
 ry, and immediate- 
 cr is flooded; this 
 , but for no length 
 t period until May 
 le down the river, 
 sin proportion to the 
 lie average diftance 
 nty-four hours, and 
 .re the extremes : (6 
 ig in a flat-bottomed 
 
 Rapids, is between 
 
 about twenty days 
 lich will make a paf- 
 )lace nearly a month, 
 .lifliflippi commenco 
 
 of the Ohio j but it 
 1 March, and fubfide 
 I proper time to af- 
 oid the ihoals, have 
 11, when the water is 
 dies ; and with taking 
 
 dexterous watermen*, 
 
 f ni r 
 
 you may proceed fifty miles a day which will 
 bring you back to the Rapids of the Ohio in 
 forty days, making a large allowance for contin- 
 gencies. 
 
 I (hail take leave of you for the prefent, with 
 obferving, that the fmaller rivers have no ftated 
 periods to govern their inundations; but are 
 fubje£t to be flooded by all heavy rains, which 
 is a great advantage to the country, as it af- 
 fords the inhabitants frequent opportunities of 
 fending their produce to the fevcral markets 
 upon the large rivers. 
 
 I am>. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 ftWMWMMliMMMNIMl 
 
( na ) 
 
 »4. 
 
 LETTER VL 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 In the ceconomy of the creation how won- 
 derfully is the wifdom of Providence difplayed ? 
 Son:e animals are formed with particular fto- 
 machs, as in the inftance of the camel which 
 has one adapted to contain water. It is abori- 
 ginal in the torrid zone, where the rarefaaion of 
 the air is fo great, and confequently more fub- 
 jeft to drought. In the Artie regions we find the 
 muflc bufFalo, or goat, clad with long wool which 
 fecures it againft inclement cold. Man the 
 moft defencclefs, nalced, and hclplefs of all in 
 an infant ftate, in his maturity is fuperior in 
 reafo« ; and thus the faculties of his mind and 
 body, unite in making him fovereign of the 
 world. « Born to deftroy the inferior race of 
 animals, he would exhauft all nature, if, by a fe- 
 cundity fuperior to his depredations, (he did not 
 
.i'^- 
 
 . VL 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 ;reaiion how won- 
 ividence difplayed ? 
 with particular fto- 
 )f the camel which 
 water. It is abori- 
 re the rarefaftion of 
 fequently more fub- 
 ; regions we find the 
 rith long wool which 
 It cold. Man the 
 id hclplefs of all in 
 irity is fuperior in 
 cs of his mind and 
 m fovereign of the 
 the inferior race of 
 ill nature, if, by a fe- 
 •edations, (he did not 
 
 ( H3 ) 
 repair the perpetual havock he makes. But 
 death is only the minifter oflife, and dellrudion 
 is the parent of reprodudlion." ' 
 
 The articles of fugar and fait, though not ab- 
 folutely neceflaries of life, have become, from 
 habit, fo eflential, that I doubt if any civilized 
 people would be content to live without them. 
 The cxtenfive climate of this country 1 believe 
 is no where warm enough for the cultivation ef 
 the fugar cane with fuccefs; and to import it 
 would be too expenfive by reafon of its great 
 weight! but nature has fupcrfeded that neceffity 
 in the fupply of the fugar maple-tree. It has. 
 been long known that fugar could be made from 
 the juice of this tree; but from the imperfeft 
 knowledge of the bufinefs of fugar-making, the 
 famples from this liquid were fuch as promifed 
 no great expedlations in future experiments: 
 however the neceffity which the people were 
 under of making them or doing without fugar, 
 proved, that with care and proper management, 
 it could be made equal to the fincft fugars of the 
 Weft Indies or Brazil. Some famples (hewn to 
 
 •teiakMrililii^MKaaa 
 
( IH ) 
 
 a fugar refiner in Philadelphia (which aftoniftied 
 him) produced feveral inftruaions in the art, 
 which occafioned immediate fuccefs. The peo- 
 ple began to treat the fugar-trees more tenderly; 
 and inftead of chopping a large gap in their 
 trunk, which had always been the praaice, and 
 which was fufficient to deftroy a lefs tender tree, 
 the juice was found to ooze as cfFcaually from 
 an incifion made with a fcrew augur of \ of an 
 inch diameter. But this was the fmallcft of the 
 improvements. All the means tnade ,ufc of in 
 the Weft Indies for the perfeaion of the art 
 were loon afcertained and praaifed : fo that 
 the country is not only equal to fupply itfelf 
 with fugar, but might with increafe of hands, 
 fupply the inhabitants of the globe. 
 
 The fugar maple-tree not only grows in the 
 greateft abundance throughout this country, 
 within the limits I have mentioned; but it is 
 known to be the hardieft, and the moft difficult 
 to deftroy of all the trees in our forefts (the 
 beech not excepted) by the planters, who have a 
 method of chopping or girdling the trunks of 
 
, (which aftoniflicd 
 idtions in the art, 
 fuccefs. The pco- 
 rees more tenderly; 
 large gap in their 
 en the pra^itice, and 
 :)y a lefs tender tree, 
 e as efFcaually from 
 ;\v augur of ^ of an 
 is the fmallcftof the 
 :ans made ,.ufc of in 
 )erfe£tion of the art 
 I praftifed: fo that 
 qual to fupply itfelf 
 th increafe of hands, 
 : globe. 
 
 )t only grows in the' 
 rrhout this country, 
 nentionedj but it is 
 and the moft difficult 
 s in our forefts (the 
 planters, who have a 
 irdling the trunks of 
 
 ( 115 ; 
 
 trees about one foot and a half above the greund, 
 in order to kill them, and thereby they prevent 
 their crops from being (haded. 
 
 It is known that old trees produce the moft 
 and the riches juice ; and it is alfo known that 
 trees which have been ufed for years are better 
 than frefli trees. It is a common remark that 
 whenever you fee a black tree of this fort, it is 
 a (lire fign it is a rich one. The blacknefs pro- 
 ceeds from the incifions made in the bark by 
 the pecking of the parroquet, and other birds, in 
 the feafon of the juice rifing, which oozing out, 
 dribbles down its fides and ftains the bark, which 
 in the progreffion of time becomes black. 
 
 I have mentioned thefe particulars with a 
 view to prevent your falling into the general 
 error, that tlie refource of making fugar from 
 the maple will foon be deftroyed from the very 
 nature of producing it ; believing, as many do> 
 that it is impoflible for the tree to be able to 
 bear the annual wounds which are neceflary to 
 be made in its trunk in order to draw off the 
 juice; and that a few years muft neceflarily ex- 
 tirpate them ; now, fo far from there being any 
 
( ii6 ; 
 
 danger of that, experience has (hewn that the 
 longer they are ufed in a proper manner, the 
 more plentiful and rich will be their juice to a 
 certain age, which will be in proportion to the 
 life of thofo trees. No exa£l eftimate can be 
 made of that ; but I conclude their decay is not 
 earlier than other trees. 
 
 Both in the animal and vegetable world it has 
 been obferved that the exiftence of life, accord- 
 ing to the natural order of things, is in propor- 
 tion to the period of time required to produce 
 maturity. There are exceptions to this princi^ 
 pie to be fure ; as the crane for inftance, which 
 feems to acquire maturity as early as moft other 
 birds, is known to live a century and upwards. 
 However, it is very certain that the life of a fu- 
 gar maple, is as long as an oak, or any other 
 tree. 
 
 If there is any analogy between animal and 
 vegetable fubftanccs (and which there moft cer- 
 tainly is), the increafing plenty and richnefs of 
 the juice from the ufe and age of the fugar tree, 
 will it not be thought more extraordinary, than 
 that the quantity of milk is greater and more 
 
has fhcwn that the 
 )roper manner, ths 
 be their juice to a 
 in proportion to the 
 atS eftimate can be 
 e their decay is not 
 
 'getablc world it has 
 nee of life, accord- 
 hings, is in propor- 
 rcquired to produce 
 tions to this princL- 
 '. for inftance, which 
 early as mod other 
 intury and upwards, 
 that the life of a fu- 
 1 oak, or any other 
 
 between animal and 
 iiich there moft cer- 
 enty and richnefs of 
 ge of the fugar tree, 
 i extraordinary, than 
 s greater and more 
 
 ( "7 ) 
 rich produced from a cow which has been ufed 
 for years, than from one which had been neg- 
 Icdled or prevented from breeding annually. 
 
 The feafon of tapping is moftly about the 
 middle of February, in Kentucky, but not until 
 the latter end of the month, about Pittfburg, in 
 the remote parts of Pcnnfylvanin, on the head 
 branches of the Sufqiiahana, and Delaware, 
 and in the State of New Yvuk. Frofty morn- 
 ings and bright funftiinc are neccfiary to pro. 
 duce copious exudations. The feafon continues 
 in this climate about fix weeks, when the juice is 
 found to be too thin and poor to make fugar j but 
 it is ftill capable of making molafles, fpirits by 
 diftillation, vinegar, and an agreeable table beer. 
 
 The bufmefs of fugar making is moflly ma- 
 naged by women and boys : the men generally 
 having nothing more to do with it than to tap 
 the trees, prepare the (hades, and different appa- 
 ratus. So that our agricultural employments 
 are very little obftruiaed by this bufmefs, which 
 produces fo important an article for domeflic 
 ufes. The perfe(£Hon to which we have brought 
 our fugars has induced many people in the up- 
 
( "8 ) 
 
 per parts of the States of New York and Penn- 
 fylvania to make a bullnefs of it duiing the fea- 
 fon cf the juice running i and confiderable quan- 
 tities have been fent to the markets of Philadel- 
 phia and York, not inferior to the beft clayed, 
 French, and SpaniJh fugars. 
 
 The fait fprings which have been found in the 
 fmgle State of Kentucky, under proper manage- 
 ment, would be fufficicnt to produce fait for all 
 the inhabitants which the weftern country could 
 fupport. There are at leaft twelve of thofe 
 fprings between Great Sandy and Cumberland ; 
 the principal of which are the upper and lower 
 blue licks, on Licking creek ; one on the Great- 
 bone creek} one on Drimnon's lick creek, about 
 a mile and a half from the mouth of the 
 Kentucky; and Bullit's lick, on Salt river, 20 
 miles from the rapids of the Ohio. This fpring 
 i? the firft that was worked in the country. 
 The firft eflays in this bufirtefs were alfo im- 
 perfea, which, however, proceeded more from 
 poverty than ignorance. The great principle 
 by which the falinc particles are chryftalizcd, 
 is univerfally known to be by the evaporation of 
 
 J 
 
) 
 
 IV York and Penn- 
 f it duiing the fea- 
 I confidcrable quan- 
 arkets of Philadel- 
 to the beft clayed, 
 
 /e been found in the 
 der proper manage- 
 
 produce fait for all 
 cftcrn country could 
 aft twelve of thofe 
 ]y and Cumberland ; 
 the upper and lower 
 :; one on the Great- 
 Mi's lick creek, about 
 
 the mouth of the 
 k, on Salt river, 20 
 : Ohio. This fpring 
 ked in the country, 
 ifirtefs were alfo im- 
 proceeded more from 
 The great principle 
 cles are chryftalizcd, 
 by the evaporation of 
 
 ( "9 ) 
 the humid; and the greater the fuperficial fur- 
 fact- of that evaporation, the more rapidly the 
 chryftals will form. But the fiift fettlcrs could 
 not procure fait pans, and were obliged to ufe as 
 a fubftitute the pots and kettles which they had 
 brought out for domettic purpofes. 
 
 Such was the commencement of making fait 
 in this country i which, from its fcarcity and 
 high price, in fome meafurc difcouraged ihe fet- 
 tlement of the country. However, the great im- 
 provements fince that aera have done away all 
 thofe fears, and fait is now manufadtured in 
 plenty, and fold cheap. 
 
 The water is by no means fo ftrong as fea 
 water. It requires nearly four hundred gallons 
 to make one bufhel of fait, which is more by 
 one half than would be wanted of fea water to 
 produce that quantity. 
 
 The water is not colle<aed immediately from 
 the fpring. An area of from five to ten acres 
 round thofe fprings is found to be impregnated 
 with this mineral, fo that by digging wells in 
 any part of that fpace fait water is difcovered. 
 From this circumftance I am of opinion, that by 
 
^ ( 120 ) 
 
 dlgjring pits a body of earth would he found 
 ftioiialy impregnated with fait, from wliich the 
 faliac particles might be more cafilj fL-paratcd 
 than from water-, audit is certain, that if the 
 water receives its particles of fait from the earth 
 which it (' (T: • through, fuch earth muft contain 
 a lar-<: -;.■ portion of fait, othcrwife the ftrength 
 of tlic watei would not be fo confiderablc. 
 However it will require fo iie time to determine 
 this matter, as the infancy of our country will 
 not permit us to fpcculate too largely in experi- 
 ments which would be attended with 'cavy ex- 
 pencts, were they not to prove fuccefsful. 
 
 Salt fprings have beei found in every part of 
 the weftern country which has been well ex- 
 plored, and I have no doubt that time will prove 
 that every part of it is well fapf lied with them. 
 The manner by which they are moftly found in 
 uninhabited places is, by the large bufflilo roads 
 which lead to them. Whenever the ramification 
 of thofe roads begins to concentre, it is almoft 
 an infallible fign that a f-^lt lick is near. Thofe 
 animals reforting to them throughout the tempe- 
 rate part of the year for the benefit of the fair. 
 
m < < ' 
 
 ) 
 
 h would be found 
 It, from wliich the 
 jre tafilj feparatcd 
 certain, that if the 
 full from the earth 
 carih mud contain 
 icrwife the ftrength 
 c fo confiilerable. 
 : time to determine 
 ;.f our country will 
 ) largely in cxpcri- 
 idcd with 'leavy ex- 
 e fucccfsful. 
 
 id in every part of 
 has been well cx- 
 that time will prove 
 fupplied with them, 
 are moftly found in 
 large buffalo roads 
 ever the ramification 
 icentre, it is almoft 
 ick is near. Thofe 
 roughout the tempe- 
 ; benefit of the fair. 
 
 • ( lai ) 
 make large roads, which leading from the lick, 
 branch different wayi into the country* 
 
 Wc have various other minerals, fuch as iron 
 (which is the mod ufcful), copper, lead, ful- 
 phur, nitre, Sec. SiC. Iron ore is found in great 
 plenty upon the northern branches of Licking 
 cieek, aiul likewifc upon the waters of Cjrccn 
 river. A lead mine has been worked many 
 years with conftderable profit, which lifs in the 
 county of Montgomery, upon the waters of the 
 G reat Kanhaway. There is another between the 
 Cumberland and Tenafcc rivers which is faid to 
 be very valuable, and its ore is more pure than 
 any other which has been difcovered in America. 
 But the lead mine on the Miffiffippi muft prove 
 inexhauftiblc. It extends from the mouth of 
 Rock river more than lOO miles upwards. Bc- 
 fides thefcthr:re arc feveral others, fome of which 
 lie on the Spanifh fide of the Mifliflippi, and 
 have been ufed for years paft. Copper mines 
 have been difcovered in feveral places, but tlie 
 mine on the Wabalh is, perhaps, the richeft 
 vein of native copper in the bowels of the whole 
 
 ■?f> 
 
 wlmr jiTir^-t — 
 
^ earth; and no doubt v.iU render all the others of 
 
 r ■ ^ little or no value. Sulphur is iound in ftveral 
 pbccs in abundance; and nitre is made from 
 
 earth which is coUeftcd from caves and other 
 places to which the wet has not penetrated.. The 
 n^aking this fait, in this country, is fo common, 
 that many of the fettlers manufaaurc their own 
 gunpowder. This eartli is difcovered in greater 
 plenty on the ^^raters of Green river, than .t .s m 
 any other part of Kentucky. But, perhaps ftdl 
 : farther fouthward, it will be found in greater 
 plenty. However, it is fo common in every part 
 of the country that it might be made a confider- 
 .ble article for exportation. I have heard of 
 black lead mines upon the head waters of the 
 Kentucky, but I have not been able to procure 
 
 J^ certain information refpeaing them. But 
 (hould conceive that there can be little doubt that, 
 when the country, and particularly the moun- 
 tainous parts of it, are well explored, all the ufc- 
 ful minerals will be found in abundance. ^^^^ 
 
 I have already mentioned the coal mines in the 
 upper parts of the Ohio country j bcfiacs whick 
 
; 
 
 ;nd<^r all the others of 
 ur is lound in feveral 
 
 I nitre is made from 
 From caves and other 
 i not penetrated^ The 
 )untry, is fo common, 
 nanufafturc their own 
 is difcovered in greater 
 reen river, than it is in 
 ky. But, perhaps ftill 
 
 II be found in greater 
 , common in every part 
 rht be made a confider- 
 ion. I have heard of 
 :hc head waters of the 
 lot been able to procure 
 refpeaing them. But I 
 e can be little doubt that, 
 
 particularly the moun- 
 rell explored, all the ufe- 
 ,d in abundance. 
 
 med the coal mines in the 
 ) country i befiiics v^hick 
 
 ( "3 ) 
 there are gret; luantities of coal upon the upper 
 branches of the Mifliffippi. It is particularly fa- 
 vourable that this mineral lies at the heads of our 
 larger rivers, as it can be fent down with the 
 greateft facility; and it is very certain that the 
 great body of it which the Ohio country alone 
 contains, as equal to anfwer all the purpofes for 
 which it may be wanted throughout this exten- 
 five empire. !nrj!<? 
 
 Though the champaign part of this country 
 has no ftone on its furface, yet every where 
 limcftone is found from 6 to 15 feet below it. 
 Moft of the bottoms of our rivulets and fJreams 
 are paved with this ftone. It is very eafily cal- 
 cined, when it becomes excellent lime. It is 
 alfo convenient for building, by reafon of its pe- 
 culiar fmoothnefs, and the eafe with which it 
 may be worked into any form. Belides this 
 ftone, which is the moft common, every other 
 kind of ftone is found which is either ufefuJ or 
 ornamental, fuch as flint, griiidftone, and mill- 
 ftoncs, of a very good quality, which have been 
 reckoned equal to French burrs. There is the 
 
( 124 ) 
 
 .rcatcft plenty of marble upon the banks of the 
 Kentucky, particularly at Lcefburg. I have not 
 fccnanywhich has been polilhed-. but judges 
 i„thatbufmefssiveusthemoftflattermg.deas 
 
 of its quality. 
 
 Clay is very common in every part of this 
 country which is proper for bricks; and there 
 
 is a fuperior kind on the Beech fork of Salt r.- 
 " ver, which no doubt might be manufadured mto 
 
 eood porcelain. Carver has mentioned a clay of 
 
 this fort which hefaw above St. Anthony's falls. 
 
 Marie, chalk, gypfum, and ochres are found m 
 
 various parts. 
 
 Mr JefFerfon has defcribed the medicinal, m- 
 
 flammable, bituminous, and other fprings, very 
 accurately, and as there have been no difcovenes 
 or light thrown upo.^ the fubjea fmce he wrote, 
 I (hall refer you to his book for a particular ac- 
 countofthem. Indeed, his account of the natural 
 hiftory of this country is generally to b= depended 
 upon, fo that it is fcarcely poffible to n..ke any 
 i„,provement upon it, until farther d.fcoveries 
 flwU have arifen: I thcictbre co.Uiu-- myrdt to 
 
 mmmm 
 
.• ^^■i£/j'iaMMbm.fwiRiiiV'iJnailtVmlaisaK/t^. 
 
 ) 
 
 ,on the banks of the 
 cefbiug. I have not 
 )oli(hed ; but judges 
 
 moft flatterhig ideas 
 
 in every part of this 
 or bricks; and there 
 ieech fork of Salt ri- 
 be manufaftured into 
 as mentioned a clay of 
 ve St. Anthony's falls, 
 id ochres are found in 
 
 ibed the medicinal, \n- 
 ind other fprings, very 
 avc been no difcoveries 
 fubjea fmce he wrote, 
 )ok for a particular ac- 
 lis account of the natural 
 renerally to be depended 
 ly pollible to niuke any 
 until fartlicr difcoveries 
 ictbrecoiUiii-. myre'f to 
 
 ( ns ) 
 
 fuch objects as he has not taken notice of, and to 
 fuch as have prcfcnted t'.iemftlvcs fiiice he wrote, 
 occariunally m.ikiiig forr.e ftri«5lures and animad- 
 venlons upon his opinions and information. 
 
 I have obfervcd that the climate of this coun- 
 try is variou'5. But, as climate is frequently 
 diiicrcfnt in the fame parallels of latitude, I will 
 endiavour to give you fome idoa of the differ- 
 ence between the climate on the upper pnrtscf 
 the Ohio, Pennfylvania, and Maiyhmd, of Ken- 
 tucky and Virginia, and of Cumberland and 
 North Carolina, which lie in nearly the fame 
 parallels one with another. 
 
 It is well known that the climate upon the 
 Atlantic coaft of America is in the extreme of 
 heat and cold, and that it is more variable than 
 when it was firft fettled by Europeans ; but the 
 winters are milder. The extremes proceed no 
 doubt from the immenfe continent, which lies 
 to the north-weft, and which is interfperfed with 
 frefli water lakes. The rarified air of the torrid 
 zone rufliing in currents through the upper re- 
 gions to the Arflic circle, leaves a vacancy for 
 
 II 
 
 * 
 
 1 ' 
 
m'^' '■MHilt!, 
 
 r »26 ) ; • 
 
 the cold air, which, in fiipplying its place, caufes 
 thofo frequent chills or variations in the fpring 
 and autumn, and alternate froft, rain, and mild 
 weather in winter, which are fo common in the 
 middle parts of that country. The cold is more 
 fteady to the north of Hudfon's river ; but the 
 power of the fun to the fouth of 41**, by counter- 
 afting the influence of the northern winds, occa- 
 fions thofe fudden changes from heat to cold. 
 Opening the country has greatly tended already 
 to leflen the cold, by confequence of the greater 
 power of the fun upon the earth } and a general 
 cultivation, by producing a warmer atmofphere, 
 through which the north wind paffes, muft tend 
 to moderate the climate generally upon the At- 
 lantic fea. 
 
 The grealeft part of Pennfylvania which lies 
 between latitude 41*^ and 39** 40' fhould, from its 
 fituation upon the globe, be a very excellent 
 climate} and no doubt in time it will. At 
 prefent it is too fubjeft to extremes ; and by tbe 
 too frequent and violent bracing, and fudden re- 
 laxation of the animal fyfteni, the claflicity of the 
 
) 
 
 >lying its place, caufes 
 Illations in the fpring 
 e froft, rain, and mild 
 are fo common in the 
 ry. The cold is more 
 udfon's river ; but the 
 th of 41**, by counter- 
 northern winds, occa- 
 es from heat to cold, 
 greatly tended already 
 fequence of the greater 
 e earth ; and a general 
 ; a warmer atmofphere, 
 wind pafTes, muft tend 
 generally upon the At- 
 
 'ennfylvania which lies 
 39** 40' fliould, from its 
 ;, be a very excellent 
 in time it will. At 
 extremes ; and by the 
 bracing, and fudden re- 
 teni} the elafticity ofthe 
 
 ( '27 ) 
 nerves Is injured, and thus the marks of age the 
 vifiblcat an earlier period in fomc parts of Aiiic- 
 rica thsn in others. 
 
 Farther fouthward the colJ is lef* ; hut as th« 
 herit is proportionally greater* (he t-xtiTiTies are 
 iruch the fame quite to South C;'roliiia. As 
 you approach the ridge of mouniai( s which run 
 through Amtrlea from iiorth t{> fftuth, tl»«? iidu- 
 bitants look more healthy, which h the confe- 
 quence of the climate beii^g more temperate and 
 fteady. 
 
 The country on the upper parts of the Ohio, 
 and between Pittfburg and lake Erie, is confider- 
 ably colder than Pennfylvania and Maryland, 
 .which no doubt is occaHoned, in a great degree^ 
 in the former, from its proximity to the moun- 
 tains ; but in a greater degree, in both, from the 
 country around tliem being a coiuinual forefl:. 
 
 When you arrive in Kentucky you experience 
 a greater temperature of air than in any country 
 ' I liave ever travelled in, Fahrenheit's thermo- 
 meter ieldom falling below 35 deg. in winter, nor 
 rifing above 8 in fummer. The approach of the 
 
 ik 
 
T 
 
 ( 128 ; 
 
 fcafons is gradual. The fummer continues moflly 
 to the middle of Otftober. The autumn, or mild 
 weather, generally continues until Chriftmas, 
 when wc have fomc cold and froft until Vcb- 
 ruary ; when fprir.g approaches, and by the be- 
 ginning of March fcvcral fhrubs and trees begin 
 to (hoot forth their buds ; by the middle of the 
 ir.oi.th, the buck-eye or horfc chefnut is clad in 
 its fummcr's livery i and by the mi J Jlc of April 
 the foliage of the forefts is completely expanded ; 
 which is a fortnight earlier than the leaves 
 arc fliot in Virginia and Maryland. Cumberland 
 is proportionally more temperate than North Ca- 
 rolina, as Kentucky is to V irginia. ^W ^a ^ 
 
 The rarefied air from the (outhern regions mult 
 be more confiderable from that trad or fpace of 
 the globe covered by fait water than from the 
 countries covered with forefts. Now, as alnioft 
 all America may be confidcred as one foreft, it 
 appears to me that the vacancy occafioned by 
 rarefadion in fouthern latitudes muft be greater 
 in the regions of air, both over the Pacific and 
 Atlantic oceans, than upon the continent j aiid 
 
T 
 
 )ntinucs mofl'.y 
 utumn, or mild 
 iitil Chriftmas, 
 rod until l''cb- 
 and by the be- 
 and trees begin 
 : middle of the 
 efnut is clad in 
 tniJJlc of April 
 jttly expanded ; 
 fiau the leaves 
 . Cumberland 
 than North Ca- 
 a. ■,»?wt'?*rf**si8^' 
 
 v: ■ -pMi „ 
 
 ern regions mult 
 trad or fpace of 
 r than from the 
 Now, as alnioft 
 ,s one foreft, it 
 f occafioned by 
 muft be gneater 
 the Pacific and 
 : continent j aiid 
 
 ( ilg ; 
 
 thjt the cold air from the polar circlcrufhes both 
 to the fouth-eaft and fouth-wcH-, and confe- 
 quently the miildle parts of our continent nnift 
 be Icfs fubjeft to cold and variation, by being 
 more out of the courfe of the cold winds, than 
 the cnu tries either upon the Atlantic or Pacific 
 fta-Loafts. ' 
 
 How far this theory may prove fatisfaclory, I 
 can form no idea. If it is unphilofophical I hope 
 you will treat it accordingly ; it is the only way 
 that I can account for the very great difference 
 between the climate of this country, and that of 
 Virginia. 
 
 Another caufe for our greater temperature in 
 fummer is, doubtlefs, owing to our lying-fomuch 
 higher. It is one continual but gradui-l rife 
 from Richmond for ano miles back. There are 
 ftveral rifi,i|js and fallings afterwards, and fevc- 
 ral mountains in ihe v.iluerncfs ; but I have ai- 
 wayj cbfcrved that the rife from the caft to their 
 fummits, wi-.p greater than the dcfcenf wert, to 
 their bafo, which makes the ekvation of Ken- 
 tucky confiderably above that of Virginia. Be- 
 fides Kentucky has no marlhes or boo-s, which 
 . O3 
 
 
 Hi 
 
( 130 ) 
 are very confidcrable in the lower parts of Vir- 
 ginia, and the exhaled vapours from them pro- 
 duce deleterious air, which appears hotter than it 
 really is. 
 
 Mr. Jefflrfon's Table of average heat and 
 cold for the different months, made from 
 the obfervationsoffive fucceflive years, though 
 it furniflied bim v»ith a data to eftimate 
 theoretically the climate of Virginia, can af- 
 fprd you no idea of its ten[«pc,rature. Perhaps, 
 jn fQipe of thcfe yws, the mercyry was be- 
 low o during the winter. But when he ha» 
 ftated the leaft and greateft daily heat by Faren- 
 heit's thermometer for January to be from 38^* 
 to 44" you can have no conception that there 
 can be any froft in Virginia. I do not mean to 
 fay that it is common for the mercury to fall be- 
 low o in that country, but I mean to be under- 
 ftoodthat froft is very frequent there, and that by 
 taking the average of the greateft heat and the 
 greateft cold, when the extremes are fo great as 
 they are in Virginia, it is impofSble for a ftranger 
 to form a juft idea of its climate. Mr. Jefferfon 
 allows that the extremes are very confiderablc. 
 
 'mw7 
 
^ 
 
 parts of Vir- 
 om them pro- 
 hotter than it 
 
 rage heat and 
 made from 
 years, though 
 to eftimate 
 jjnja, can af- 
 ure. Perhaps, 
 rcyry was be- 
 ; when he has 
 heat by Faren- 
 > be from 38^** 
 :ion that there 
 o not mean to 
 xury to h\\ be- 
 in to be under- 
 >re, and that by 
 \ heat and the 
 are fo great as 
 le for a ftranger 
 Mr. Jefferfon 
 ry confiderable. 
 
 ( ijl ) 
 
 and that the mercury has been known to defcend 
 from 9a deg. to 47 in thirteen hours. 
 
 A journey to the Illinois will prevent me from 
 writing you again as foon as I could wUh } but 
 I (hall ever remain 
 
 Your?-, 3tc. 
 
 1 t 
 
 
 !" 
 
 i 
 
 ? 
 
( '3* ) 
 
 t-^i^r, M) 
 
 •v 
 
 "^fy.'^«4 
 
 ■^ 
 
 iriai^ Off' t;"; •!■.•• 'f A "* 
 
 v-4 M«,n» l»iM4 T T E R VII. niiinr 
 
 MV DEAR FRIEND, KENTUCKY. 
 
 Ir is natural, I think, that you (liould exp<:a 
 by tliis time fi.m-.' account of the inhabitants 
 thc.r manner of living, the mode of fettling the 
 couiury, the rout..-, dlihnce, and mcdeoftni- 
 velling to it, wit'i fome inrormation refpc-aing 
 religion and politic J fcntinicnts; and the focial 
 • pi .urures cf the ^'opk-; all of whi.'.i, I am afraid, 
 will require to". ^luchtime for a letter, and there- 
 fore I beg that you will be content to receive the 
 information in the dofuUory manner in which I 
 (hall be enable to fund it. 
 
 In fome of my firft letters I gave you an ac 
 cou;it of the firft fettlement of this country. 
 The pertuibed Uate of that period, and tiie fa- 
 vaj^c ftatu of the country, which was one entire 
 wildern J5, maU. the obj.d uf the firft emigrants 
 'that of kcurity and lufteiiance, which produced 
 
■>.!i ^es-iff* 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 >u flioiilJ expi:>rt 
 the inhubitaiits 
 Jc of fettling the 
 mJ mcde of tra- 
 lation refpcdting 
 \; uiid the focial 
 lich, I am afraid, 
 letter, aivd therc- 
 nt to receive the 
 inner in which I 
 
 gave you an ac- 
 vi this, country. 
 rioJ, and die fa- 
 :h was one entire 
 he firft emigrants 
 
 which produced 
 
 '7.,3 ) 
 . the fcheme of f, v't;,! fam lie? living together in 
 
 :what\vcrc t;.l!(d Stations. '1 u f: Uatiwin; were 
 a kind of nuadraniiiiiar, or f'rn timts ohliuig 
 forts, . formed by huil iinu lo^-hnuf; connedcd- 
 ly, only h.iving opcninj;s for i;ate-w.iy< in \\\k as 
 
 . they miaht have occafion. 'llicy were ^. nerally 
 fixed in a favyurable iitualion for water, and in a 
 body of ^';().)d land. Frequently the head oflbrne 
 party of connc6tii>rs who had a (ettlemcnt and 
 pre-emption right, feized upon thcfe. opportuni- 
 ties to h:u'e his land cleared, which was nece/Tary 
 
 for the fupport of the flation ; for, it was not 
 
 til ' . . ' ■ ' 
 
 /only prudLnt to kccj) clofj in their forls .it times, 
 
 , but it was alio nectdliry to keep their hurfes and 
 
 ''cows up', other'A'ife the Indiiiis would carry off 
 
 ' the lioffes, and flioOt a'riJ de!lroy the cattle. 
 
 *> ' . •.;?,•..' ; ; W* q*>''vi ■), 
 
 Undej'.fwth circumftince^, tlie. firft fottlcment 
 ';i.of Kc/jtucky was formed, whi(Jh fuon opened a 
 , conliderable quantity of land in the country of 
 ,.LiHColn> whit h lies, in the upper part of the ftate, 
 .^ifd cojitjguous to the wildernefs, which ends in 
 ytliis *l«;lp->able region. .;, ^.^ ■ 
 
 r- As'thc country gained ftrength, the flations 
 began to break up in that part of the country, 
 
 ; !: 
 
 1 i 
 
( 134 ) 
 
 and their inhahltaiits to fpread themfelvei, and 
 fettle upon their rcfpcftivc eftatef. But khe em- 
 barralfinont they were in fur moft of the i onvc- 
 nKsnces of life, diJ not admit of their building 
 any other houfes but of logi, and of opening 
 fields in the moft cxpcdiriout way for planting 
 the Indian corn; the only grain whiclv was culti- 
 vated at thattimo# * nf ;1tl! *^^ *ii 
 
 ■' A log-^oufe 18 very foon ere£ted, and In con- 
 fcquence of the friendly diljpolmon which exifts 
 among thofc hofpiuble people, every neighbour 
 flew to the afliftance of each other upon occafioni 
 of emergency. Sometimes they were built of 
 round logs entirely, covered with rived aih 
 fliinglcs, and the interfticcs flopped with clay, 
 or lime and fand, to keep out the weather. The 
 next objea was to open the land for cultivation. 
 There is very little under- wood in any part cf 
 this country, fo that by cutting up the cane, and 
 girdling the trees, you are fure of a crop of com. 
 The fertility of the foil amply repays the labourer 
 for his toil i for if the large trees arc not very 
 numerous, and a large proportion of them the 
 fugar inaplc, it is very likely from this imperfcA 
 
hemfelvei, and 
 . But \he em- 
 \ of the I onvc" 
 if their builiUng 
 and of opening 
 ay for planting 
 iirhictvwas cuUi- 
 
 ted, and in con- 
 ion which exifts 
 every neighbour 
 r upon occarion* 
 y were built of 
 with rived alh 
 pped with clay* 
 I weather. The 
 d for cultivation. 
 )d in any part cf 
 ip the cane> and 
 )f a crop of com. 
 pays the labourer 
 Bes arc not very 
 ion of them the ; 
 >in this imperfcA 
 
 ( »35 ) 
 
 cultivation, that the ground will vicld from ;e 
 to 60 iuftcls of corn to the acre. The f.tDiiJ 
 crop will be more ample; anJ as the (hade is 
 removed by cutting the timber away, great part 
 of our land will produce from 70 to 100 bu(hcli 
 of corn from an acre. This extraordinary ferti- 
 lity ciiablcii the farmer who has but a fmall capi- 
 tal to incrcafc his wealth in a moft rapid manner 
 (I mean by wealth the comforts of life). His 
 cattle and hngs will find fufRcicnt food in the 
 woods, not only for them to fubfift upon, but to 
 fatten them. His horfes want no provender the 
 greateft part of the year except cane and wild 
 clover ; but he may afford to feed them with, corn 
 the fecond year. His garden, with little atten- 
 tion, produces him all the culinary roots and 
 vegetables neceflary for his table ; and the prolific 
 increafe of his hogs and poultry, will furnifh 
 him the fecond year, without fearing to injure 
 his ftoclc, with a plenty of animal food ; and in . 
 three or four years his ftock of cattle and (heep 
 will prove fufBcient to fupply him with both beef 
 and mutton ; and he may continue his plan at 
 the fame time of iocreallng his flock of thofe uft- 
 
 ! , 
 
 I ! 
 
 i I 
 
 
 m 
 
( n(> ) 
 
 ful nnlmals. By the fourth year, provided !.p is 
 induftrious he lauy have his plantation, in fuffi- 
 cieiugoodord . to build a better houfo, which 
 he can do either of f^on., brick, or a framed 
 wooden Ix.ilding, iur ;>.nK:ipal articles of which 
 will cofl him little more than the labour of him- 
 felf and dca.aUcs •. and h. may readily barter or 
 fell fame part of the fuperfluous -roduaions of 
 his farm, which it will by this ti;ne aiTord, and 
 procure fuch things as he may iland in need of 
 for the completion of his building. Apples, 
 peaches, pears, &c. &c. he ought to plant when 
 hehnds afoil or eligible fituation to place them 
 in, as that will not hind-r, or in any degree di- 
 , ve'rt, him from the objea of his aggrandize- 
 ment. 1 have taken no notice of the game he 
 'rtivpt kill, as it is more a facriftce of time to an 
 induftrious man than any real advantage. ^ 
 
 Such has been the progrcfs of the fcttlement 
 of rhi. country, from dirty ftations or fort?, and 
 fnioaky huts tliat it has( expanded into fertile 
 fie.as blulhing orchards, pUaCant gardens, luxu- 
 riuuv fugar groves, neat -nd c ,inn-.odious houles, 
 nfing villages, and trading towns. Ten years have 
 
 I 
 
provided ^f is 
 tation in fuffi- 
 
 houfo, which 
 k, or a framed 
 rticles of which 
 labour of him- 
 cadily barter or 
 <v nduvSlions of 
 Tie ailord, and 
 land in need of 
 Iding. Apples, 
 It to plant when 
 n to place them 
 a any degree di- 
 his aggrandize- 
 if the game he 
 ice of time to an 
 'antage. 
 
 of the fcttlement 
 ons or forts, and 
 nded into fertile 
 >t gardens, luxu- 
 
 iin-,odious houles, 
 !. Ten years have 
 
 ( 137 ) 
 produced a difference in the population and com- 
 forts of this country, which to be pourir.iyed in 
 juft colours would appear marvellous. To have 
 implicit faith or belief that fuch things have 
 happened, it is firft necellary to be (as i have 
 been) a fpedlator of fuch events. t^ 
 
 Emigrations to this country were moftly 
 from the back parts of Virginia, Maryland, 
 Pcnnfylvania, and North Carolina, uniil 1784: 
 in vvliich year many officers who had ferved in 
 the American army during the late w.ir came 
 out wit^i tlicir families; fcveral families came 
 alfo from England, Phil.idelphia, New Jerfey, 
 York, and the New England States. ■ The 
 country foon began to be chequeied after 
 that aera with genteeJ men, which operated 
 both upon the minds and actions of'the back 
 woods people, who conftituted the firft emi- 
 grants. A tafte for the decorum and elegance 
 • of the table was foon cultivated ; the pleafurfes 
 of gardening were confidered not only as ufe- 
 ful but amufing. Thefe improvements in the 
 comforts of living and manners, awakened a 
 fenfe of ambition to inftrud their youth in ufe- 
 
( X38 ) 
 ful and accompliflied arts. Social plcalures 
 were regarded as the moft ineftimable of human 
 poffeflioiis— -the genius of friendlhip appeared to 
 fofter the emanations of virtue, while the cor- 
 dial regard, and fuicere defire of pleafing, pro- 
 di^-ed the moft harmonised effeib. Sympathy 
 was regarded as the effence of the human foul, 
 participating of celcftlal matter, and as a fpark 
 engendered to war.n our bsnevolence and lead to 
 i the rapture* of love and rational felicity. 
 
 With fuch fentiments our amufementg flow 
 from the interchange of civilities, and a recipro- , 
 cal defire of pleafing. That famenefs may not 
 cloy, and make us dull, we vary the fcene as the 
 nature of circumftances will permit. The open- 
 ing fpring brings with it the profped of our 
 fummer's labour, and the brilliant fun actively 
 warms into life the vegetable world, which 
 blooms and yields a profufion of aromatic odours. 
 A creation of beauty is now a feaft of joy,' and 
 to, look for araufcmsnts beyond tliis genial tor- 
 rent of fwcets, would be a perverfion of nature, 
 and a facrilege againft heaven. 
 
 ' ' The feafon of fugar making occupies the wo- 
 
 V^fTi 
 
social plealures 
 
 mable of human 
 
 (hip appeared to 
 
 while the cor- 
 
 f pleafuig, pro- 
 
 siXs. Sympathy 
 
 the human foul) 
 
 a«d as a fpark 
 
 iknce and lead to 
 
 felicity. 
 
 imufements flow 
 18, and a rccipro- , 
 imenefs may not 
 f the fcene as the 
 mit. Theopen- 
 ! profpeil of our 
 iiant fun aftively 
 e world, which 
 f aromatic odours, 
 feaft of joy,' and 
 d tliis genial tor- 
 rverfion of nature, 
 
 occupies the wo- 
 
 f »39 ) 
 men, whofe mornings are cheered by the mo- 
 dulated buffoonery of the mocking bird, the 
 timeful fong of the thrufli, and the gaudy 
 plumage of the parroquet. — ^Feftive mirth crowns 
 the evening.— The budnefs of the day being 
 over, the men join the women in the fugar 
 groves where inchantment feems to dwell.— The 
 lofty trees wave their fpreading branches over 
 a green turf, on whofe foft down the mildnefn 
 of the evening invltei the ntighboutitig youth to 
 fportive playi while our rural Neflort, wit cal- 
 culating minds, contemplate the boyi(h gambols 
 of a growing, progeny, they recount the exploits 
 of their early age, and in their enthufiafm forget 
 there are fuch things as decrepitude and mifery. 
 Perhaps a convivial fong or a pleafant narration 
 clofes the fcene. 
 
 Rational pleafures meliorate the foul ; and it is 
 by familiarizing man with uncontaminated fe- 
 licity, th^t fordid avarice and vicious habits are 
 to be deftroyed. . : . ^ . ^i., ; ,« ; . y..^.,._i 
 
 Gardening and fifliing conftitute (otne part of 
 the amufcments of both fexes. Flowers and 
 thejf genera form one of the iludies of our la- 
 
C HO ) . 
 
 dies; an.d the cmbclliihmciit of tliir houniS 
 with tlioi'e which arc kaov-ii to be (Juta-y, con- 
 ftitute a part of their cmplviyiTicnt. — Duincf-- 
 flic cares and nuilic fill up the renuu-Kltr of the 
 day, and focial vilits without (.x-rcnony oi form, i. 
 leave them without ennui or ilif^ulK Our 
 young men ai-e too galliul to pan.it the wo- i 
 men to have fcparatc aniuibinents, and thus it 
 is that we find that fuavity and polit?ncfs of 
 mauncfi uuivcrfa), which can only be ctFccicd by 
 feminine poliih. 
 
 The autumn and winter produces not lefs 
 pleafure. Evening vifits moftly end with danc- 
 ing by the young people, while the more aged 
 indulge their hilarity, or difieminate informa- 
 tion in the dilquifition of politics or feme ufeful 
 art or fcience. 
 
 Such are the amufements of this country, 
 which have for their bafis hofpitality, and all 
 the variety of good things which a luxuriant foil 
 is capable of producing, without the alloy of 
 that diftrefs or mifery which is produced from 
 penury or want. Malt liquor, and fpirits dif- 
 tilled from com and the juice of the fugar tcee 
 
 rmr^-- 
 
; Lluta-y, con- 
 ncnt. — Dusnuf- 
 ;mai.Kli.r of the 
 L.nony oi form, 
 ilif-ulK Our 
 pcnr.it the wo- 
 nts, And thus it 
 id polit?ncfs of 
 ybectFvCicdby 
 
 Dduces not lefs 
 end with danc- 
 ! the more aged 
 ^inate iriforma- 
 s or fome ufeful 
 
 if this country, 
 vitality, and all 
 1 a luxuriant foil 
 at the alloy of 
 produced from 
 and fpirits dif- 
 f the fugar tcee 
 
 ...... ( MI ; .,; 
 
 mixed with water, conftltutc the ordlnnry be- 
 verige of the country. Wine Is too dear to be 
 drank prodigally } but that is a fortunate clr- 
 cumftance, as it will be an additional fpur to 
 ns to cultivate the vine. 
 
 The routes from the different Atlantic States 
 to this country are various, as may be fuppofed. 
 From the northern States it is through the up- 
 per parts of Pennfylvania to Pittfburg, and then 
 down the river Ohio. The diftance from Phi- 
 ladelphia to Pittfburg is nearly three hundred 
 miles. From Lancafler about two hundred and 
 thirty. The route through Redflone and by 
 Pittfburg, both from Maryland and Virginia, is 
 the mofl eligible, provided you have much bag- 
 gage ; except you go from the fouthern and 
 back counties of Virginia ; then your boft and 
 niofl expeditious way is through the Wildernefs. 
 Fron. Baltimore palTIng Old I'own upon the 
 Potowmac, and by Cumberland Fort, Br. Jdock's 
 road to RetiiT;onc01d Tort on the Mo;ioiigahnla, 
 is about twc Iiun.iicd and forty miles; and from 
 AlexaiK'da to the flmie place ^y Winchefter 
 Old iown, aiid then the fame route airofs the 
 
 li* 
 
( Hi ) 
 mountain is about two hundred and tventy 
 mi!«. This laft muft be the mod eligible for 
 all Europeans who may wifh to travel to this 
 country, as the diilance by land is ihor- 
 tcr, the roads better, and accommodations 
 good; J. e. they are very good to Old Town 
 which is one hundred and forty miles from 
 Alexandria, and from the ice to Redftone com- 
 fortable, and pleiiMfflly fuppHed witlx provifi- 
 ons of all farts : the read over the mountain is 
 rather rough, but no where in the leall dange- 
 rous. 
 
 Travellers or emigrants take diflcrent methods 
 of tranfportiijg their baggage, goods, or furni- 
 ture, from the places thty may be at to the 
 Ohio, according to circum (lances, or their objeft 
 in coming to the country. For inftancc, if a 
 man is travelling only for curiofity, or has no fa- 
 mily or goods to remove, his beft way would be 
 to purchafe horfes, and take his route through 
 the Wildernefs ; but provided he has a family or 
 goods of any fort to remove, his beft way, then, 
 would be to purchafe a waggon and team of 
 borfes to carry his property to Redftone Old 
 Fort, or to Fittft)urg, according as he may come 
 
ed and tv^enty 
 lod eligible for 
 :o travel to this 
 land is Ihor- 
 iccommodations 
 1 to Old Town 
 •ty miles from 
 Redftone com- 
 d with provifi- 
 :he mountain is 
 hz leall dange- 
 
 (Tcrent methods 
 ;oods, or furni- 
 y be at to the 
 1, or their objeft 
 ' inftance, if a 
 f, or has no fa- 
 l way would be 
 
 route through 
 has a family or 
 beft way, then, 
 I and team of 
 
 Redftone Old 
 IS he may come 
 
 ( H3 ) 
 from the northern or fouthern States. A good 
 waggon will coft at Philadelphia about lol (I 
 fhall reckon every thing in tterling money for 
 your greater convenience) and the horfcs about 
 12I. each ; they would coft fomething more both 
 at Baltimore and Alexandria. The waggon may 
 be covered with canvas, aiid, if it is the choice 
 of the people, they may flecp in it at nights with 
 the greatcft fiifety. But if they fliould diflike 
 that, there are inns of accommodation the --vhole 
 diftance on the different roads. To nllow the 
 horfes a pltiity of hay and corn would coft about 
 1 s per uiertjy each horfc ; fuppofing you pur- 
 chafc you forage in the hioft (Economical man- 
 ner, /. e. of the farmers, as you pals along, from 
 time to time as you may want It, and carry it in 
 your waggon; and no of inn-keepers, who muft 
 have their profits. The provifions for die family 
 I would purchafe in the fame manner ; and by 
 having two or three camp kettles, and flopping 
 every evening when the weather is fine upon the 
 bank of fome rivulet, and by kindling a fire 
 they may foon drefs their food. There is no im- 
 pediment to thefe kind of things, it is common 
 
( 144 ) 
 and may be done with the grcatcft fccurityi 
 and I would recommend all perfons who wifli 
 to avoid cxpcnce as much as poffible to adopt 
 this plan. True, the charges at inns on thofc 
 roads are remarkably reafonable, but I have 
 mentioned thofe particulars as there are many 
 unfortunate people in the world, to whom the 
 faving of every (lulling is an cbjcd, and as this 
 manner of journeying is fo far from being dif- 
 agrccable, that in a fine feafon it is extremely 
 pleafant. 
 
 Provifions in thofc countries are very cheap, 
 beef, mutton, and pork., are fomething left 
 than 2d. per lb. ; dunghill fov.'ls are from 4d. 
 to 6d. each 5 duck, M. ; gccfe and turkeys, is. 
 3d. ; butter, 5d.; checfe, I will fay nothing about, 
 as there is very little good until you arrive in 
 Kentucky. Flour is about 12 s. 6 d. per cwt. 
 
 The beft waty is to corr) uitir tea and cofFee 
 from the pbce they may kt out atj giod green 
 tea" will be from 41.. 6d. to 6 s. per \h.; lou- 
 chong f- or ■. 3 s. to 5 s ; coftec will coW f' cm I s. 
 3d. to ,s. 6d. y.u lb, ; lo.f iiJ!r;ti fm- 7^;!. to 
 ' lO-^d. But I v^ul'i not reiouimen'; U'-i; tar- 
 
;icatcft fccurityj 
 erfons who wifli 
 poinble to adopt 
 at inns on thofe 
 )le, but I have 
 there arc many 
 Id, to whom the 
 3Jv.>d, and as this 
 r from being dif- 
 I it is extremely 
 
 are very cheap, 
 ; fomething left 
 As arc from 4d. 
 ; and turkeys, is. 
 ay nothing about, 
 ntil you arrive in 
 ;. 6 d. per cwt. 
 
 .ir tea and cofFee 
 ic .It} |}iod green 
 I s. per ll>. i lou- 
 wiU cert from I 8. 
 iirar fi 
 
 :[<•'■■ 
 
 to 
 
 iiimen<; tt. •.•.;■ tar- 
 
 ( M5 ) 
 rying much fugar, for as the back country is 
 approached, the maple fugar is in abundance, 
 and may be bought from 4 d, to 6 d. per lb. 
 Such are the expcnces to be incurred travelling 
 to this country by Redftone and Pittfburg. 
 
 The diftance which one of thofe waggons may 
 travel one day with another is little fliort of 
 twenty miles. So that it will be a journey from 
 Alexandria to Redftone Old Fort of eleven or 
 twelve days, from fialtiemore a day or two 
 longer, and from Philadelphia ta Pittfburg I 
 fhould fuppofe it would require nearly twenty 
 days ; as the roads are not fo good as from the 
 two former places. 
 
 From thefe prices the expence of removing 4 
 family, from either of the fea ports I have men- 
 tioned to the Ohio, ihay be computed with to- 
 lerable exaiSihide. 
 
 The beft time for fetting out for this country 
 from any of the Atlantic ports, is the latter end 
 of either September or April. The autumn is 
 perhaps the moft eligible of the two ; as it is 
 moft likely that the roads acrofs the mountain 
 will be drier, and provifions and forage are 
 « 
 
 I 
 
 ■X 
 
 ' >i 
 
( h6 ; 
 
 then both nwre plentiful and cheap than in the 
 fpring. 
 
 If this mode (hould not fuit the convenience 
 of the party, by reafon of their not wanting a 
 waggon or horfes when they arrive in this coun- 
 tryrtheymay have their goods brought out to 
 Redftone Old Fort from Alexandria for 15 s 
 per cwt. and in like proportion from Balti.norc 
 and Philadelphia. 
 
 At Redftone Old Fort, or Pittfturg, they can 
 either buy a boat, which will coft them about 
 5s. per ton, or freight their goods to Kentucky 
 for about I s. per cwt. There is no regular 
 bulinefs of this fort; but as there are always 
 boats coming down the river, 1 s. per cwt. is th-: 
 common charge for freight. But more frequer.t- 
 ly when there is boat room to fpare, it is given 
 . to fuch as are not able to purchafe a boat, or 
 have not a knowledge of the navigation. How- 
 ever, that is a bufmefs which requires no fkill, 
 and there arc always numbers of people com- 
 i,-.g down, who will readily condad a boat for 
 the fakeof apaffagc. 
 
 The diftatice from Philadelphia by land to 
 
 -i=iu 
 
cheap than in the 
 
 t the convenience 
 eir not wanting a 
 rrivc in this coun- 
 jds brought out to 
 Alexandria for 15 s 
 jn from Baltimore 
 
 Pittfburg, they can 
 vill coft them about 
 goods to Kentucky 
 here is no regular 
 IS there are always 
 , I s. per cwt. is th-i 
 But more frequer.t- 
 to fparc, it is given 
 purchafe a boat, or 
 : navigation. How- 
 lich requires no fkill, 
 ibers of people com- 
 ,y condadl a boat for 
 
 lladelphia by land to 
 
 ( '47 ) 
 Kentucky is between fcvcn and eight hundred 
 miles i from Baltimore nearly fcvcn hundred ; 
 nearly fix hundred from Alexandria; and up- 
 wards of five hundred from Richmond. The roads 
 and accommodations are tolerably good (o the 
 borders of the Wildcrnefs ; through which it is 
 hardly pofliblc for a carriiige to pafs, gr;::it part 
 of the way being over high and lleep hills, upon 
 the banks of the rivers and along defiles, which in 
 fome places (cem to threaten you at every ftcp with 
 danger. This is the only route the people com- 
 ing from the upper parts of Virginia and North 
 Carolina can take at.prcfent to get into the coun- 
 try; the gap of Cumberland mountain being the 
 only place it can be pafled without the greateft 
 dilHciilty. The opening the Tenafce will afFord 
 a convenient communication with the Mi/Ti/Tippi. 
 The VVildernefs, which was formerly two hun- 
 dred miles through, without a fingl- habitation, 
 is reduc<;d from the fottlement of Powel's Val- 
 ley, to nearly one half of that din.incc; and it 
 is to be expeded that in a kw years more that 
 the remainder of the diftancc will afFord fcttle- 
 
 mcnts for the accommodation of peopi;; travel- 
 Ha 
 
 I'll! 
 
 y 
 
' '♦ 
 
 ( U8 ) 
 ling that route > when a good road may be miiJc 
 quite to Kcntuclcy. The canals I have fpoken 
 of which arc cutting on the Potowmac, and the 
 removal of the obftruaions in Cheat river, will 
 render the paflagc from Alexandria, or the fe- 
 deral city to the Ohio, both cheap and cafy. 
 
 Upon the arrival to emigrants in the country 
 they generally take a view of that part which it 
 is their objca to fettle in, and according to their 
 (tircumflanccs or calling, fix upon fuch a fitua- 
 tion as may appear eligible for their bufmeft. 
 But as the greater proportion of the emigrants 
 who come to this country arc hulbandmen, I 
 (hall only take notice of their manner of pro- 
 ceeding and fettling a farm. Land is to be 
 purchafed in every part of the country, the 
 prices are various according to the improve- 
 ments there may be upon it, its quality, and 
 local fituationi the general price of land with 
 fomc improvements is from 12 s to 15 s. per 
 acre. Plantations with orchards a:id other im- 
 provement., may be purchafed from i 1 to 1 1. 
 5s. per acre; good land without improvements 
 may be purchafed from is. to 8s. per ditto. 
 
 T 
 
road may be inaJc 
 als I have fpokeii 
 otowmac, and the 
 Cheat river, will 
 indria, or the fe- 
 cap and cafy. j 
 
 nts in the country 
 r that part which it 
 according to their 
 upon fuch a fitua- 
 for their bufinefs. 
 1 of the emigrants 
 ire hufbandmen, I 
 :ir manner of pro- 
 . Land is to be 
 the country, the 
 g to the improvc- 
 t, its quality, anJ 
 price of land with 
 J 12S to 15 s. per 
 lards a;id other im- 
 ed from I 1 to 1 1. 
 :hout improvements 
 ;. to 8 s. per ditto. 
 
 ( 149 ) 
 which price will bs; ai-corJiiig to its rate or Pua- 
 liiy ana fituation. 
 
 * * 'Wl 
 
 nk' \ 
 
 *^' Remtnrtlirr, I take nctJce only of the (Ittlcd 
 country, r.s I apiirchcrid ",o Eurcpca:: weuIJ le 
 hardy cnouj^h to form a filtlcmeiit in a wildcr- 
 m.r<, which will bt left for the Americanr, v/ho, 
 no doubt, from hiubit, arc bell (juullf.cd for that 
 Tort of buCnifs. I;idceJ tI;Lre is a number rt 
 pcopL- v.ho have fo lontj been in ths cuftom of 
 j-emovlu^, fariher and firthtr back as the coun- 
 try becomes, fettled, for tlit; f..:ce (if h'jn^I:)g, an J 
 what ihey call range for ihcli- caulc, vvliicli is 
 that of their feeding upon the natural grafi, 
 fo that they fecm unqualified for any other 
 kind of life. This is favourable to the fet- 
 tling a wild and infant country j and no 
 doubt this difpofition will laft (with fome) as 
 long as there is left a v/ildcrnefs is America. 
 It is however certain, that is advantageous to 
 focicty which will be bettered, and not injured 
 by thefe peculiar habits, fo long as they have 
 new countries to people; for, this adventurous 
 fpirit tends to acceleptc the propagation of do- 
 meftic animals of every fort. . 
 
ii 
 
 id 
 
 1 
 
 i ; 
 
 Peifons of moderate fortune, upon' tikirig pof- 
 fefiion of the land they intend to form into a 
 plantation, procure fach flock as their circum- 
 flances and the extent of their object will admit 
 of. Let us fuppofe an induftrious man already 
 provided with the necefiiiry tools for his agricul- 
 tural employment, and a little money to buy 
 flock. In fuch a fjtuation (after building hii 
 houfe in the manner I have mentioned, which 
 will coft him little more than his labour) he 
 fliould procure fome dunghill fowls, a cow and 
 a breeding fow. The fowls will produce eggs 
 for his fauiily, the cow milk and butter, if fhe 
 is well taken care of; and the fow will produce 
 two, if not three, litters of pigs within the year. 
 Thefe animals are very prolific in this climate 
 and foil ; and it is not a fanguine calculation to 
 fuppofe the fow will have eight or ten pigs at 
 each litter; by which means the family will 
 have pork fufficient for the next year ; and the 
 year after they may barter bacon for beef and 
 mutton, which I will conclude their circum- 
 ftances have not permitted them, as yet, to pur- 
 chafe. His labour will have provided him with 
 
 •iSKW^'Vr'f^''^- """W^IW 
 
 i^rifiii 
 
upon taking pof- 
 i to I'orm into a 
 
 as their circum- 
 
 object will admit 
 rious man already 
 Is for his agricul" 
 le money to buy 
 ifter buildino; his 
 nentionedj which 
 ;n his labour) he 
 fowls, a cow and 
 vill produce eggs 
 and butter, if {he 
 
 fow will produce 
 s within the year. 
 ic in this climate 
 line calculation to 
 ht or ten pigs at 
 1 the family will 
 ext year ; and the 
 icon for beef and 
 de their circum- 
 n, as yet, to pur- 
 irovided him with 
 
 ( IS' ) 
 corn before this time, and in the extcnfion of hi; 
 plantation, and the increafe of his cow and hogs 
 his difficulties will be over, and a few years ci 
 induftry and perfeverance will make him a man 
 of property. The increafing ratio of ftock Is 
 prodigious, where provifions form them cofts (o 
 little as it does here, and where the fertility of 
 the foil is fo wonderful. His fowls will coft 
 about three-pence each, his breeding fow about 
 five (hillings, and his cow, if a very good on^-, 
 of 4 cwt. and upwards, will coft him from thirty 
 to forty (hillings. '• : • • - , 
 
 I have hitherto fuppofed this induftrious man 
 not in circumftances to enable him to ufs horft;s 
 and plough, but obliged to hoe his corn; the 
 only diiEculty of which will be the preparing the 
 ground for the feed. According to this imper- 
 fect cultivation I will conclude that his crop cf 
 corn will not be more than 30 bufliels to the 
 acre. Now an induftrious man making a fettle- 
 ment in the autumn would be able to open three 
 acres of land (in the manner I have related) be- 
 fore the time of planting, which will be in April 
 cr May ; indeed, as late as June will anfwer ; fo 
 
i 
 
 ( i52 ) 
 
 that he may take advantage of this favourable; 
 circumftance, and, by planting at different pe- 
 riods, he will be better enabled to cultivate his 
 crop, as it will not all require his attendance at 
 the fame time. Allowing half an acre for vege- 
 tables and pulfe, and the yield of his labour will 
 be 75 bufhels of corn. Admitting then that he 
 bus a wife and two children, I will allow one 
 l);;lf of this corn for their year's fupport, which, 
 , with the animal food his (lock will afford him, 
 and vep-etablcs, will conftitute a comfortr' le 
 living. The other half he may fell, and pur- 
 chafe thofe artificial neceflaries his family may 
 want. The fecond autumn and winter he may 
 open two acres more, and put the other three 
 into better condition ; one of which (hould bo 
 fown with flax or hemp feed, in order to give 
 employment to his wife, and to provide linen 
 for domeftic ufcs. His crop of corn, the fecond 
 year, with the extended and improved cultiva- 
 tion, will not be fliort of 125 bulhcls. The 
 furplus quantity of this year's crop will go a 
 great way towards purchafing ahorfe and plough; 
 and a$ a third crop will be more ample, he 
 
 ml 
 
lv%tJ£l^l>^h>^i«9rfi^K«4t!Sl^>» 
 
 f this favouublc 
 5 at different pe- 
 :d to cultivate his 
 his attendance at 
 an acre for vege- 
 of his labour will 
 tting then that he 
 I will allow one 
 's fupport, which, 
 : will afford liim, 
 te a comfortr' le 
 ay fell, and pur- 
 :s his family may 
 nd winter he may 
 ut the other three 
 ■ which (hould bo 
 in order to give 
 i to provide linen 
 •f corn, the fecond 
 improved cultiva- 
 Z5 buihels. The 
 's crop will go a 
 I horfe and plough; 
 more ample, he 
 
 ( »53 ) 
 will then find himfelf comfortabls and inde- 
 pendent. I have all along fuppofed this farmer 
 to have made prompt payment for every thing 
 which he has wanted, which is feldom afked 
 from an induftrious man who is anxious to pro- 
 vide for his family. Such a man may not only 
 have credit for horfes and cattle, but even for 
 the land; and, in a very little time, with in- 
 duftry, he may pay the whole off. I have taken 
 no notice of the taxes which he will have to pay, 
 as it is mofl likely they would not, all together, 
 amount to five fhillings. 
 
 Provifions of every fort are both plenty,,and 
 cheap in this country. Flour is from 6 s. to 9 s. 
 per cwt. according to its quality. Indian corn 
 is from gd. to i s. per bufhel. Beef is from i^d, 
 to 2 d. per lb. Veal, 2^d. per ditto. Mutton, 
 3d. ditto; which high price is owing to the ge- 
 neral defire the farmers have to increafe rheit 
 Hocks. Pork is from 2d. to 2^d. per lb. Ba- 
 con, from 3i d. to 4d. Bacon hams, from 4 d. 
 to 5|d. Salt beef, 2d. Hung or dried beef, 
 3d. Neats tongues, 6 d. each. Buffalo ditto^ 
 which arc a moll delicious morfel, 9 i. Dung- 
 H3 
 
 'f3 
 
( Kr ) 
 hill fowls, dufks, Mufcovy ditto, gecfe, turkeys, 
 Guinea fowls, and pigeons, are prcportionally 
 cheap. Butter is fiom 2jd. to 3 id. per lb. 
 Chcefe from ad. to 3 d. per ditto. • 
 
 Wc have a variety of fifli in our rivers ; the 
 moft c deemed of which arc the perch, trout, 
 buffalo f.Hi; and foft turtle. The perch is iu 
 fize from 5 to 1 2 lb. is firm and fat In its feafon» 
 which is from February until July, and is equal 
 to any fait water flfli I ever tafted. The trout 
 is caught from 8 to 30 lb. weight. This fifli is 
 too univcrfally known and admired to require 
 any account of its excellence, particularly as the 
 trout in England is faid to be the exaft miniature 
 of ours. The bufFalo filh is in fize from 4 to 8 lb. 
 is a very fine fifh, but inferior to the two former. 
 But the foft turtle is, perhaps, the moft delicious 
 fifh in the world, and amply compenfates for our 
 having no other teftaceous fifh. This turtle is 
 gelatinous, except a fmall (hell upon its back, 
 about the bignefs of the palm of th<i hand. The 
 Tv'cight is from 6 to 10 lb. 
 
 Moll people make their own fugar ; but when 
 it is fold, the price is from 3d. to 4ii. per lb. 
 
, geefe, turkeys, 
 re proportionally 
 to 3id. per Ih.. 
 to. • 
 
 lour rivers; the 
 :he perch, trout, 
 The perch is i». 
 d fat in its feafon, . 
 uly, and is equal 
 fted. The trout- 
 ht. This fifh is 
 Tiired to require 
 particularly as the 
 le exaiSl miniature 
 ze from 4 to 8 lb. 
 ;b the two former, 
 he moft delicious * 
 mpenfates for our 
 3. This turtle is 
 [1 upon its back, 
 f thi hand. Tlie 
 
 I fugar i but when 
 i. to4ii. per lb. 
 
 
 ( 155 ) 
 according to its finenefs. The bufinefs of fu- 
 gar refining is only conimencing, which makes 
 it impoffible to fay exactly what will be the 
 general price of loaf or refined fugar ; but 1 
 conclude it will be proportionally low with 
 raw fugar, as the bufincfs can be carried on in 
 this country at lefs expence than in Philadelphia 
 and York, where the price of the neceflarics of 
 life is fo much higher. Tea, coffee, chocolate, 
 and fpices, are fomething higher here than in 
 Philadelphia. Good green tea tj* from 5 to 8 s. 
 per lb. Imperial or gunpowder, 10 s. 6d. 
 Pearl and fchoulong from 12 to 16 s. Good fou- 
 chong from 4 s. 6 d. to 7 s. per ditto. Bohea, 
 from 2S. to 3s. 6d. CofFee, from is. gd. to 
 2s. Chocolate, from is. 6d. to is. 8d. Spices 
 are moftly 25 per cent, higher than they are at 
 Philadelphia or Baltimore. 
 
 I have entered into feveral minutiae, in order 
 that you may have a more clear idea of the 
 people and fituation of this country. I have not 
 aimed fo much at being agreeable, as to convey 
 information. 
 
 In a country in the renlth of the perfe(nion of 
 
( iS6 ) 
 arts, arid one juft removing the fliade of Tavage 
 wildncfs, the contraft appears, I knew, greater 
 to an European than it really is. We have more 
 of fimplicity, and you more of art.— We have 
 more of nature, and you more of the wrorld. 
 Nature formed our features and intellefts very 
 much alike} but while you have metamor- 
 phofed the one, and contaminated the other, we 
 preferye the natural fymbols of both. You have 
 more hypocrify— we are fincere. You are more 
 cunning and adroit, which your laws and habits 
 have rendered part of your natures. We arc not 
 fo ftupid as not to fee through the veil; but 
 when an European does us the honour to vifit us, 
 wc have both too much hofpitality and fuavity of 
 manners to inform them they have neither fenti- 
 mcnts nor religion. A few years refidence with 
 us teaches them that important truth, and felf- 
 convi(ftion is always the moft lading. 
 
 However, a delineation of the laws, and fub- 
 
 ftance of the opinions, which our new code will 
 
 contain, will give you a better conception of our 
 
 moral and political fentiments, and their pro- 
 
 ' bable duration i and with hopes that an early op- 
 
 
 1 
 
e (hade of Tavage 
 I knciW} greater 
 . We have more 
 ' art.— -We have 
 e of the world, 
 id intellc£l9 very 
 have metamor- 
 cd the other, we 
 both. You have 
 You are more 
 r laws and habits 
 res. We are not 
 h the veil j but 
 lonourtovjfitus, 
 ity and fuavity of 
 we neither fenti- 
 irs refidence with 
 : truth, and felf- 
 king. 
 
 e laws, and fub- 
 xr new code will 
 :onception of our 
 
 and their pro«. 
 
 that an early op- 
 
 ( ^57 ) 
 portunity will prefent itfelf to forward my letter 
 upon that (ubjed, I fliall take my leave of you 
 for the prefent, my dear friend, with wifhing 
 you every poiEble felicity. Farewell, 
 
 I am. 
 
 With the utmoft regard and efteem, 
 
 Your*»&c. 
 
( rsS ) 
 
 ,1- >*».. 
 
 LETTER VIII. 
 
 MT DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 Our laws and government have for their bads 
 the natural and imprefcriptible rights of man. 
 Liberty, fecurity of perfon and property, refift- 
 ance againft oppreffion, doing whatever does not 
 injure another, a right to concur, either per- 
 fonally or by our reprefentatives in the formation 
 of laws, and an equal chance of arriving to 
 places of honour, reward, or employment, ac- 
 cording to our virtues or talents, conftitute thofc 
 rights. Thefe are the principles of our confti- 
 tution; and laws grafted upon thefe fimple but 
 fubftantial principles, and a fyftem of legal ju- 
 rifprudence organized, and afting accordingly, 
 forms the effence of our government. When- 
 ever the government fwerves materially from 
 thefe fundamental principles, the compaa is dif- 
 folved, and things revert to a co-equal ftate. 
 

 VIII. r 
 
 KENTUCKY.. 
 
 liave for their bads 
 le rights of man. 
 d property, refift- 
 whatever does not 
 mcur, either per- 
 is in the formation 
 ce of arriving to 
 employment, ac- 
 ts, conftitute thofc 
 pies of our confti- 
 II thefe fimple but 
 ^fteni of legal ju- 
 fting accordingly, 
 ernment. When- 
 s materially from 
 the compaft is dif- 
 ) a co-equal {late. 
 
 ( J59 ) 
 Thus, ' by this plain definition of this nature of' 
 laws and government, every capacity, and every 
 individual of the community, can judge with' 
 precifion of the purity of legiflation ; which pro- 
 duces the mod entire convi£lion in the minds of 
 all men, of the neceffity there is of adling in every 
 inftancc according to the code of reafbn and' 
 truth. Every man is equally concerned in the 
 welfare and profperity of his country ; his own 
 felicity can only be co-exiftent with it ; and to 
 fufFer his ambition to run counter to the general 
 weal would be madnefs in an enlightened com- 
 monwealth, as it could only tend to produce his 
 own eternal difgrace or ruin, where the genius of 
 freedom is enthroned in the heart of every citizen. 
 
 Europe has long been enflaved by forms and 
 authorities ; and, while its multifarious laws and 
 cuftoms have ferved only to perplex profcflional 
 men, the fophiftry employed in expounding them 
 has completely bewildered the imaginations of 
 its citizens, and produced an obfcurity of ideas 
 upon the fubjetSt of jurifprudence and govern- 
 ment, which is truly deplorable. There is an 
 old adage which fays, « That too much learning 
 
! h 
 
 ( i6o ) 
 <« makes a tnnn a fool " The pandcfts, and 
 civil law, added to the barbarous codes of the 
 anceftors of men in your hemifphere, have tended 
 not a little to embarrafs the minds of men ; for 
 after a life devoted to the ftudyand inveftigation 
 of abfurdity, the miferable ftudcnt has generally 
 found one foot in the grave before he has been 
 able to difcover the impoflibility of obtaining the 
 obje£l of his purfuit. 
 
 Religion, or what you call an eftablifhment, 
 has had its (hare in rivetting the fetters of ignor- 
 ance. The elucidation of truth has been retarded 
 by the tyranny of the church •, for while priejis 
 have been the pedagogues of religion, morals, fenti- 
 ments and politics, their intcreftcd views have 
 been the caufe of their flattering that govern- 
 ment, whofe iutereft it was to keep the people 
 ignorant, as it fecurcd to them the undifturbed 
 divifion of the fpoil of the induftry of the great 
 bulk of your citizens, while they were offering 
 an indignity as grofs to the Deity as their fyftem 
 was unnatural and unjuft. What can be a greater 
 fupererogation, than prefuming to arraign or 
 ' judge of the fentiments of men, the propriety of 
 
 ■■Pf9*iin*K-<r-'-' ' -" 
 
le pandcfts, and 
 JUS codes of ihe 
 here, have tended 
 nds of men ; for 
 and inveftigation 
 lent has generally 
 fore he has been 
 y of obtaining the 
 
 an eftablilhment, 
 e fetters of ignor- 
 I has been retarded 
 ; for while prlejls 
 riottt tmralst fenti' 
 eftcd views have 
 ring that govern- 
 ) keep the people 
 m the undifturbed 
 duftry of the great 
 they were offering 
 ;ity as their fyftetn 
 hat can be a greater 
 ling to arraign or 
 n, the propriety of 
 
 ( i6i ) 
 which arc to be determined before a tribunal In 
 heaven ? It is an infult too grofs to merit a com- 
 ment. It has been fubvcrfivc of all good 
 morals, by affording a veil to cover the hypo- 
 crifyofthc moft dcl'gning icnavts. 
 
 You muft cxcufe this digreflion ; I have made 
 it for a fubjjed of reflexion for you, th;it your 
 mind may 1^ prepared to judge impartially of ii 
 fyftem fo very fimple, as that upon wiiich the fa- 
 bric of our government adts. It was tirll ncceC- 
 iary to fli«w the caufs which has produced that 
 myftcry which you reverence as wifdom, but 
 which is abfolutely founded in perplexity of opi- 
 nion and ignorance ; or to give you a clue to 
 reflections which would develope its fallacy. 
 
 Every man who is taxed or rated, has a vote 
 in the appointment of the reprefentative of the 
 Sute } which confift of twohoufes, /. e. the houfo 
 of delegates and the fenate, who chufe a Pre- 
 fldent, or Governor, for one year, which Governor 
 chufes his own council to advifc with him in all 
 public matters. It is not immediately neceflary 
 that the legiflature (hould approve of his ap- 
 pointments } but to prevent the poflibility of the 
 
 m 
 
( l62 ) 
 
 exercifc of protligality and contumely, they have 
 icfcrved to thcrnfclvc- the privil"gc of objciStiny 
 to fuch f '-araitcrs for his advifers who have not 
 the pubUc approbation •, which has the good 
 cffeit of producing harmony between the go- 
 vernment and the people— of obliging men who 
 afpirc to the honours of their country to iofpoil 
 the public opinion ; and it prevents the profti- 
 tution of principle, by interdicting the pernicious 
 conf.'i.'i.onces of ffcvouritifm } while no ill can 
 flow hnm this negative, as it is not to be pre- 
 fumed that the collcfted fcntimcnts of a vhole 
 ftatc can ever be prejudiced againfl an indivi- 
 dual i and it is impoflible for the minds of the 
 legiflature to be warped againft their Prcfident, 
 without fufHcient grounds. The very idea is a 
 (bleciftn in reafbn. . . 
 
 ' Mr. JefFerfon, fpeaking of the government of 
 Virginia complains, that the fcnate by its con- 
 flitution is too homogeneous with the houfc ot 
 delegates (our fenate is ele£ted and conftitutcd in 
 the fame manner as th^ fenate of Virginia), be- 
 caufe they are chofcn by the fame dehors, at 
 tlie fame time, and out of the fame fubjeds ; 
 
itumcly, they have 
 vil"gc (»f objciStin^; 
 ifcrs who hnve not 
 lich lias the good 
 ' between the go- 
 obliging men who 
 country to icfpc6l 
 ircvciits the profi- 
 ling the p3rnicious> 
 
 while no ill can 
 it is not to be pre- 
 imcnts of a v'bole 
 
 againft an indivi- 
 
 )r the miiids of tlie 
 
 linft their Prcfident, 
 
 The very idea is a 
 
 f the government of 
 le fcnate by its con- 
 as with the houfi.' ot 
 :dand conftitutcd in 
 te of Virginia), be- 
 le fame eleSors, at 
 ' the fame fubje<2s ; 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
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 ^IM 12.5 
 
 no 
 
 1^ I 
 
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 12.2 
 
 m 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 
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 L25 
 
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 aa WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716)872-4503 
 
 tC 
 
,,*• 
 
 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
I 
 
 ( 1C3 ) 
 
 and therefore he fays the choice falls upon the 
 fame clcfcription of men. It is not cxa<31y thus, 
 though it is liable to be fo. The manner of no- 
 minating the reprefentatives of every country 
 fhouldbc as general as pofliblc. Government is 
 a compaft entered into by every community for 
 the fecurity of the happinefs and profpcrity of the 
 State ; every member of which is one of the ag- 
 gregate body of that ftatc ; tlicrcfore laws ought 
 to emanate from the fentiiuents of the people. 
 
 The wifdom of having two houfcs of reprefen- 
 tatives is, that they may be a mutual check upon 
 each other j and it is expefted that the experi- 
 ence and coUeiSled wifdom of the fcnate, who 
 are alefs aftive body than the houfe of delegates, 
 will more maturely weigh ths probable confe- 
 quences of any a£t, and prevent, by their fuf- 
 penfion, any pernicious cfFeds which might re- 
 fult from its paffing into a law ; or, by giving 
 time to the houfe of affembly, they may correal 
 their own errors. , , j,^, .,„ .,„^, ^.. ,,;;>,,«, 
 
 If the fenate has not always been chofen of 
 men of the greateft experience, it has no doubt 
 originated from the ignorance of its politicjl in- 
 
M 
 
 ( 164 ) 
 
 ititution; but thit is no argument agaiaH: the 
 policy of the fyftcm. It requires time for every 
 government to acquire its proper tone, and thz 
 people muft become familiar v.ich that tone, be- 
 fore they can make a proper ufe of the inflru- 
 mcnt. At any rate, Mr. JelTerfon's opinion ap- 
 pears to me premature; for if it is necelTary to 
 have two houfes of reprefentativcF, clearly they 
 ought to be elected by the people. As to their 
 being eleiftcd at the fame time, and from the 
 fame defcription of men, this can fignify very 
 little, as it adds to the number of reprefentatives, 
 and confequently there is a more general confcnt 
 to the legiflation. However, our fenate will be 
 chofen for three years, and the houfe of delegates 
 will be eletSled annually ; and it appears to me, 
 that the people will not only foon difcovcr the 
 objeiS of its political inftitution, but will carry 
 it into efFeft. They have only to difcovcr the 
 wlfdom of chafing men of experience for the fe- 
 nate, to make it a general praftice ; and it moft 
 certainly is better to have the fyftem thus open, 
 than by confining the eligibility of a fenator to 
 the reftriaion of a particular age, as that would 
 
 
) 
 
 gument ag-iinn: the 
 [uircs tii-ne fur every 
 proper tone, and the 
 
 v.'ich that tone, bc- 
 r ufe of the inftru- 
 .'ITeifon's opijiion ap- 
 
 if it is necefTary to 
 itative?, dearly they 
 people. y\s to their 
 time, ^nJ from the 
 this Clin fiL^nify very 
 er of reprefentatives, 
 nore general confcnt 
 r, our fenate will be 
 he houfe of delegates 
 nd it appears to m^, 
 Illy foon difcovcr the 
 ion, but will carry 
 only to difcovcr the 
 ;xperlence for the fe- 
 raftice ; and it moft 
 le fyftem thus open, 
 ility of a fenator to 
 ir age, as that would 
 
 not only be an Incroacbmcnt upon the liberties of 
 the citizens, but it would frequently deprive us 
 of the exercife of ufeful and fplendid talents, 
 which might have an opportunity of obtain- 
 ing a feat in the fenate, when he could not ia 
 the houfc of delegates by confequence of the 
 greater popularity of the delegates of the diC- 
 tria or country to which he might belong. 
 
 The Prefident of the State Is chofen annually, 
 and eligible for three fucceffive years ; after 
 which he muft remain out of ofEce three years 
 before he can become again eligible. He has 
 a negative voice upon all afts, in confequence of 
 which every ufurpation is prevented fr»m being 
 furreptitioufly pratElifed upon the people by the 
 two houfes of afTembly; and thus a check is 
 given to any inconfidcrate ftepor impetuofity of 
 the legiflaturc, until the fenfe of the people can 
 be made known, and meafures taken according- 
 ly. The Prefident is befides, the guardian of 
 the police of the State, has the power with the 
 advice of his council, to pardon criminals, and 
 by proclamation governs or corrects the influence 
 of all extraneous cafes. 
 
T 
 
 ( l66 ) 
 Such is the organization of our legiflativc 
 power, which originated from a convention of 
 the people, and may be altered, improved, or 
 amended, by another convention of the lame 
 kind, whenever its pra£\ice proves its imperfec- 
 tion or deficiency. Thus it is, that in the pro- 
 greffion of philofophy and politics, as well as in 
 arts, and the appropriation of experimental 
 truths, the perfeaion of government is to be 
 afcertained. ^ . 
 
 All the powers of government revert to the 
 people, and they ought to revert to them. The 
 judiciary having been referved to them through 
 the medium of juries. The legiflative they in- 
 truft to their reprefentatives who are eflentially 
 the fame j and the executive emanates from the 
 Icgiflature, fo that the whole are ultimately re- 
 fponfible to the people. The executive to the 
 reprefentatives, and the reprefentatives to their 
 condituents. 
 
 Such is the influence of education and habit 
 that Mr. Jefferfon, who has given every poffible 
 proof of his attachment to liberty, although 
 educated vi'hen ariftocratical opinions were com- 
 
 rzmi 
 
' ) 
 
 ion of our legiflativc 
 from a convention of 
 iltered, improved, or 
 invention of the lUme 
 :e proves its imperfcc- 
 i it is, that in the pro- 
 1 politics, as well as in 
 tion of experimental 
 F government is to be 
 
 :rnment revert to the 
 I revert to them. The 
 :rved to them through 
 rhe legiflative they in- 
 ives who are eflentially 
 tive emanates from the 
 rhole are ultimately re- 
 The executive to the 
 reprefentatives to their 
 
 of education and habit 
 
 has given every poffible 
 
 It to liberty, although 
 tical opinions were com- 
 
 ( 167 ) 
 
 mon, fays this is " precifely the definition of 
 defpotic government," and he adds, " that it 
 can prove no alleviation that the powers will be 
 exercifed by a plurality of hands and not by z 
 ilngle one," and then he triumphantly begs, 
 *• thofc who doubt it, to turn their eyes on the 
 Republic of Venice." When he wrote this 
 part of his notes, he feems to have been of the 
 opinion of Mr. Burke (vvhofe paradoxical book 
 has found its way out here), when he remarked * v 
 " that government was a contrivance of human 
 wifJom." Otherwife I am at a lofs to conceive 
 how lie could compare a government aiTUng 
 upon the unalienable privileges, and the light 
 of reafon, to a dark ariftocracy which has ri- 
 vetted upon the minds of their citizens thcmofl: 
 diabolical fuperftition, and who have no more 
 chance of judging of the polity of their fenate, 
 than they have capacity : but fpread the rays of 
 philoiophy and truth among the Venetians, and 
 then, if their tyrants praftife the fame defpo- 
 tlfm with impunity, I will allow that Mr. Jef- 
 ferfon's parallel is juft. Yet fuch arguments .*^ .: 
 would deferve nothing but contempt, were not 
 
-^i: 
 
 ( 1^8 ) 
 their author refpeftable for his cardinal virtues, 
 as well as for the career he bore in the glorious 
 ftrugglcs for American independence, How- 
 ever it is a lamentable confideration that men 
 of talents and genius, who have acquired cele- 
 brity among the friends of freedom, fhould, hf 
 vainly circulating their crude fentiments, re- 
 tard the progrefs of reafon. 
 
 What myftery can there be either in politics 
 or religion ? Laws founded upon the rights of 
 men, and executed with precifion, of which 
 every capacity is adequate to judge, conftitiitc 
 the perfcftion of the fcience of government. It 
 is the creation of a diftinaion of powers, with 
 views to intereft, which infallibly leads to the 
 obfcurity of the human mind j a diftinftion to be 
 avoided as much as poffible, for the purpofe of 
 leaving in the hands of the people or their 
 agents the whole powers of government. What 
 fear of a bad adminiftration is to be apprehend- 
 ed, when it is the intereft of every individual to 
 continue the guardian of his country's profpe- 
 rity ? It is promoting a diftinaion where there is 
 none; and by creating a jealoufy of power, a real 
 
 I 
 
) 
 
 lis cardinal virtues, 
 ore in the glorious 
 ependence, How- 
 ideration that men 
 lave acquired celc- 
 ■eedom, ftiould, by 
 dc fentiments, rc- 
 
 be either in politics 
 upon the rights of 
 >recifion, of which 
 :o judge, conftitiitc 
 of government. It 
 jn of powers, with 
 ifallibly leads to the 
 i a diftindtion to be 
 , for the purpofe of 
 le people or their 
 government. What 
 is to be apprehend- 
 ' every individual to 
 tis country's profpe- 
 lition where there is 
 Dufy of power, a real 
 
 ( '69 ) 
 and growing evil is produced, when the danger 
 was only imaginary, What intcreft, but that of 
 the public, can & legiflature have in making the 
 executive part of the government refponfible to 
 them ? What poflible danger or inconvenience 
 can flow from fuch refponfibility in an enlight- 
 ened State ? The maxims of reafon and igno- 
 rance are different. 
 
 The idea which Mr. JefFerfon makes ufe of in 
 another part of his book, that the Aflembly may 
 affume •* all the powers legiflative, executive, 
 and judiciary, and that thefe may come to the 
 linalleft rag of delegation" is perfeftly nugatory. 
 The judiciary power the people never parted 
 with entirely, and the executive by the agents 
 of the reprefentatives, qualified to judge of the 
 1.1 ws and nature of our particular conftitution, is 
 not only a cuftom, but forms a part of the go- 
 vernment. It is one of the fprlngs by which 
 the harmony of the fyftem is preferved ; and 
 fliould it at any time be deftroyed, it is the peo- 
 ple who are to rcftify the abuib. They are the po 
 tentlal fountain of all power i and it is only necel- 
 
( 170 ) 
 fery for them and their agents to know this, in 
 order to prevent every danger of the wheels of 
 government being clogged and impeded by the 
 dcftruaion of any one of iu effential fprings. 
 
 The legiflature is not only unqualified for a 
 tribunal to judge of its own laws firom the 
 plurality of its numbers, but it is impofliblc 
 that it could have any objeft of tyranny in 
 view, when men are familiar with their own 
 righu i and I beg to know what motive, in com- 
 mon fcnfe, could fuggcft the idea, of embarraf- 
 fing government by mutilating one of its 
 branches? Or is it pofliblc that Mr. JefFerfon, 
 when he faid under this fyftem, the Aflembly 
 might «*afiume all the powers of government," 
 could mean, that as the executive power emar 
 nated from the legiflature, it was liable to be 
 fuborned, or under the cor.troul of the rsprefen- 
 tativcs of the State ? This idea appears indeed too 
 childiQi ever to have entered into the head ef 
 even an indifferent (latefman : the executive 
 agents of a government being independent in their 
 appointments of every power ; but the laws, are 
 
 
 **r.. 
 
) 
 
 Its to know this, in 
 er of tiie wheels of 
 ind impeded by the 
 1 cffcntial fprings. 
 
 ly unqualified for a 
 )wn laws from the 
 but it is impofUble 
 bjcft of tyranny in 
 iliar with their own 
 vhat motive, in com- 
 le idea, of embarraf- 
 itilating one of its 
 that Mr. JefFerfon, . 
 "yftem, the Aflembly 
 wers of government," 
 :xecutive power ema^ 
 , it was liable to be 
 "■itroul of the rsprefen- 
 Jea appears in<lccd too 
 ered into the head of 
 fman : the executive 
 ng independent in their 
 wer ; but the laws, are 
 
 ( '7' ) 
 no more liable to be controuled by the Icgifla- 
 ture, than by any other power which might ap- 
 point them. 
 
 Kentucky is divided into counties in like man- 
 ner as the ether States, which are fimilar to the 
 counties in England. It has been the crude 
 praftice hitherto, that each county ihouldhave 
 two delegates and one fenator to reprefcnt them, 
 without any regard to the number of Aiffrages 
 they contained. This imperfeft fyftcm will be 
 changed by our amended plan as foon as it can 
 be finifhed. and a ctnfus taken of the inhabit- 
 ants; and every county will then have its num- 
 ber of reprefentatives in proportion to its popu- 
 lation-which fcems to be the only confiflent de- 
 legation. However our old fyftem as yet has 
 not produced any bad effeas ; and as the fluftu- 
 ations of the populations of the counties were 
 very great, perhaps an attempt at a more exaft 
 equality would have been premiture. 
 
 It is when the local intereft of a State be- 
 comes different or various, that this partial re- 
 prefcntation is liable to abufe of privileges ; but 
 
 I 2 
 
( «7i ) 
 for that reafon it ought to be remedied in every 
 State as early as poflible. 
 
 In every county, magiftrates or juftkes of 
 ihc peace arc appointed by the people, but 
 tommiflioned by the Governor or Pref.dent j 
 they aft without reward. Their number is in 
 proportion to the population of their diftrift, 
 and they arc nominated from time to time as 
 the inhabitants increafe, or a vacancy happens 
 from death or any other caufc i or as their mi- 
 niftry may be required. The moft difcreet 
 and rcfpeaable men for integrity and knowledge 
 are promoted to this ofilce. 
 
 If it (hould happen that an ignonint perfon 
 xvere to acquire popularity funicicnt to fecure 
 his nomination to the office of a jufticc of the 
 peace, the Governor is not obliged to commif- 
 fion him : thus if the people Oiould be ignorant, 
 they are obliged to ftand upon their guard, and 
 from this vigilance fprings the aftivity of invcf- 
 tigation. 
 
 Thefe magiftrates have jurifdiaion both cri- 
 minal and civil. If the queaion be of law only, 
 they a:cide on it themfelves •, but if it be of faft, 
 
remedied in every 
 
 itcs or juftlces of 
 r the people, but 
 lor or Prefidenti 
 heir number is in 
 n of their diftrift, 
 m time to time as 
 a vacancy happens 
 c i or as their mi- 
 rhc moft difcrect 
 rity and knowledge 
 
 n ignorant perfon 
 ndkicnt to fecurc 
 ofajufticc of the 
 obliged to commif- 
 (liould be ignorant, 
 )n their guard, and 
 le aftivity of invef- 
 
 irifdiaion both cri- 
 ftlonbeoflawonly, 
 V butifitbeof faft, 
 
 ' ( >73 ) 
 
 or fadl the law combined, it muft be referred to 
 a Jury : the jurors decide the fa£t, and refer the 
 law arifing on it to the decifion of the judges. 
 However, this divifion of the fubjcft lies with 
 their difcrction only ; and if the qucftion relate to 
 a point of public liberty, or if the judges are 
 fdfpcc^ted of partiality, the jury undertake to de- 
 cide both law and fact, which obliges judges to 
 be regular, prompt, andjuft. 
 
 When laws arc fimplc and underflood, It is 
 certainly better to leave the dcdfion of a legal 
 queftion to twelve upright men, than to the ar- 
 bitrary fiat of interefted or prejudiced judges. 
 But it is by this poife, or balance of power, be- 
 tween the jurors and judges, that fair and equi- 
 table adminiAration is fecured. r -i ; ji (.;>, 
 
 The judges execute their procefs by the flierlff, 
 or by conftablcs. If any perfon commit an of- 
 fence againft the State, if it be below the degree 
 of felony, he is bound by a magiftrate to appear 
 before their Court to anfwer it on indidlment or 
 information. If the oficnce amount to felony, 
 he is committed to prlfon, a court of magiftrates 
 is called, and if on examination they find him 
 
( 174 ) 
 guilty, he is lent to the general court prifon, be- 
 fore which court he is to be tried by a jury of 
 twenty- four, thirteen of whom muft concur i»> 
 opinion : if they find him guilty he is then tried 
 by a jury of twelve of his own county where he 
 offended, and by their verdi(Sl (which muft be 
 unanimous) be is acquitted or condemned with- 
 out appeal. The Governor has the power to 
 pardon, except in cafe of treafon, in which 
 cafe the right refides in the General AfTcmbly. 
 Such do we conceive to be the value of the life 
 of every citizen, that we afford him every poffi- 
 ble chance of proving his mnoccncc. 
 
 In civil matters, if the value indifputc be lefs 
 than twenty fhillings, a finglc magiftrate may 
 try it at any time and place within his county, 
 and may award execution on the goods of the 
 party caft. If it be of that, or greater value, it 
 muft be determined before the county court, 
 when the quorum of magiftrates muft be four at 
 leafti for which purpofe, county courts muft be 
 holden fome day in every month, in the court- 
 houfe of the different counties. From thefe de- 
 tertnipations, if the value be more than lol. or 
 
) 
 
 aeral court prifon, bc- 
 be tried by a jury of 
 vhotn muft concur i»> 
 guilty he is then tried 
 )wn county where he 
 :rdi(Jl (which muft be 
 i or condemned with- 
 nor has the power to 
 >f treafon, in which 
 le General AfTcmbly. 
 e the value of the life 
 ifFord him every pofli- 
 mnocence. 
 
 value in difpute be lefs 
 Gnglc magiftrate may 
 ice within his county, 
 n on the goods of the 
 at, or greater ^'alue, it 
 jre the county court, 
 jiftrates muft be four at 
 , county courts muft be 
 r month, in the court- 
 nties. From thefe de- 
 bc more than lol. or 
 
 ( 175 ) 
 concern the boundaries of land, there lies an ap- 
 peal to one of the fuperior courts. It is optional 
 with the party who brings the aftion, if the de- 
 mand is above lol. to bring it either in the 
 county or general court. 
 
 We have two fuperior courts. The high 
 court of chancery, and the general court. Both 
 receive appeals from the county courts, and alfo 
 have original jurif(Ji£tion, where the value is 
 above lol. or where the difpute is concerning 
 hnd. The high court of chancery is compofed 
 of three judges ; the general court of Hve. The 
 chancery holds its felH^ns twice a year, at ftated 
 periods. The general court feifions are quar- 
 terly ; twice a year for civil and criminal, and 
 twice for criminal only. There is alfo a fupreme 
 court called the Court of Appeals, compofed of 
 the judges of the two fuperior courts, which af- 
 fembles twice a year alfo, at ftated times, at 
 the capital of the State. This court receives 
 appeals in all cafes from each of the fuperior 
 courts, and determines them linally. This court 
 
 has no original judfdidion. Thus far we have 
 
 followed the model and pra^ice of Virginia. Wc 
 
aiiaiia 
 
 ( 176 ) 
 
 have no court of admiralty, nor have we com- 
 pleted our fyftem of jurlfprudence ; but I will 
 endeavour to give you the outlines or principles 
 which will conftitute its bafis. , 
 
 The firft objcd of every free government is 
 fecurity of perfon and property; which is called 
 Freedom. Without fuch a prefervation there 
 can be no pure liberty. Under fuch a govern- 
 ment, every citizen has a right to do. whatever 
 does not injure another. The hinge of fecurity 
 in a civilized ftate is the fecurity of property ; 
 but in the fecurity given to property, it is ne- 
 ceflary that care fhould be taken not to endanger 
 the liberty of even one of the citizens of a ftate. 
 For the prefervation of perfonal liberty fome 
 fafeguard fhould be kept, provided by law, both 
 upon the defigning and unfufpicious, in order to 
 avoid the great inconveniences which have 
 flowed from knavery and credulity, as well in 
 moft of the United States as in Europe. Pri- 
 fons and dungeons have been perverted into 
 both afylums for rapine and fraud, and into cells 
 of foUtary mifery and wretchednefs, which have 
 in no degree checked the career of diffipation and 
 
 ilil 
 
) 
 
 nor have we com- 
 idence ; but I will 
 utlines or principles 
 
 I* , 
 
 free government is 
 ty ; which is called 
 prefervation there 
 der fuch a govern- 
 jht to do whatever 
 be hinge of fecurity 
 :urity of property ; 
 property, it is ne- 
 :en not to endanger 
 ; citizens of a itate. 
 fonal liberty fotne 
 )vided by law, both 
 jpicious, in order to 
 inces which have 
 redulity, as well In 
 s in Europe. Pri- 
 ;en perverted ■ into 
 raud, and into cells 
 ednefs, which have 
 erofdiffipationand 
 
 ( 177 ; 
 
 prodigality, or produced more induftry or care ; 
 and while the refcntment of difappointed avarice 
 has been glutted in the fury of revenge, the 
 world has loft much of the talents and ingenuity 
 offome of its moft valuable citizens. Laws 
 fhould be calculated to prevent diftrefs from in- 
 temperance and folly, and the commiflion of 
 crimes, as much as poflible. Creditors ought to 
 be made cautious in their fecurity, and when 
 they have trufted beyond a certaia fum, or have 
 not taken proper precautions, they fliould be 
 liable to lofe the debt. This would neceflarily 
 make the parties prudent, and fo far from being 
 injurious to trade, it would prevent many incon- 
 veniencies which refult from hafty dealings and 
 infufficient fecurity. Habit and cuftom aft as 
 powerfully in bufincfs as in any thing elfe. Men 
 would foon acquire this fure way of dealing, and 
 thereby their property would be preferved, and 
 the liberty and talents of every citizen made 
 ufeful to the ftate. Every man who lives within 
 his income, and makes prompt payment for 
 what he purchafes, is known to be a more va- 
 luable member of fociety than a man who is ir- 
 
 I3 
 
^ ^ • < 178 ) 
 
 regular and uncertain in his payments ; and it is 
 the rapid circulation of money in the common 
 affairs of life, which tend» to lower the price of 
 its neceffaries as effeftu^ly, as the frequent re- 
 turns in commerce tend to accumulate the ca- 
 pital employed. Laws may be made of this 
 fcrt, I am fure, to regulate the tranfaftions of 
 men, without injuring commerce in the leaft j 
 on the contrary it would render it more profit- 
 able, vigorous, and extenfive. Liberty, and the 
 rights of men have been ihamefully profaned un- 
 der the crude idea of the aggrandifement of 
 commerce. The fallacy of old errors will moul- 
 der away under the radiance of philofopby, and 
 man mud look back with indignation at the f»> 
 crilege which has fuUied his rank and dignity as 
 a h^man being. Examine the catalogue of the 
 ppor and unfortunate debtors who have mifer- 
 ably endured the tortures of cold, hunger, and 
 iickncfs, in a dungepn, loft to their family and 
 friends, prevented from a poffibility of obuining 
 the neceflary means to cancel their penal obliga- 
 tions, and left to brood over the calamities to 
 which the follies of » fanguine youth, bad edu- 
 
 _J 
 
tyments ; and it is 
 ey in the common 
 lower the price of 
 s the frequent re« 
 ccumulate the ca- 
 be made of this 
 the tranfaftions of 
 nerce in the leafl: ; 
 der it more profit- 
 Liberty, and the 
 efiilly profaned un- 
 aggrandifement of 
 Id errors will moul- 
 of philofopby) and 
 dignation at the fa^ 
 rank and dignity as 
 he catalogue of the 
 rs who have mi(er- 
 fcold, hunger, and 
 to their family and 
 iffibility of obtaining 
 ;1 their penal obliga* 
 ;r the calamities to 
 ine youth) bad cdu- 
 
 ( »79 ) 
 cation, and pernicious laws, have reduced them, 
 and which had encouraged them in the career 
 of vice, and punifhed them in the hour of 
 defpair and mortification ; and you mud be in- 
 fenjQble indeed not to deprecate that degradation 
 which indigefted, inhuman, and impolitic infli* 
 tutions have produced in every part of the 
 world. Thefe are feme of the fentiments of fomc 
 
 of our legiflators, and from fuch opinions, I flatter 
 myfdf we (hall afford teftimony fufficient that 
 prifons are unneceflary, except for homicides 
 and traitors, who ought to be tried as immedi- 
 ately as the nature of the cafe would admit. It 
 is the certainty of punifhment, and the terror of 
 inftantly fuffering, which deter men from the 
 commiflion of thofe crimes where the confcience 
 is concerned. It is our nature to look at every 
 thing which is remote with indifference ; but 
 proximity excites fome fenfations of joy or fear 
 in the hearts of the moft callous. 
 
 It is a cruel mortification to the progeny or 
 family of any man, who has difgraced his me- 
 mory by murder, treafon, or any other crim«, 
 againft either the laws of God or the State ^ and 
 
 i 
 
it is a lamentable confideration in human affairs, 
 that it fliould be nccelTary to make examples 
 which are fo degrading to the dignity of our na- 
 tures. Should we then offer infult to misfortune, 
 and reduce to beggary the innocent offspring or 
 connexions of an offending culprit ? Surely not. 
 The State is the tutelary guardian of its citizens, 
 the proteftor of innocence, the promoter of feli- 
 city and profperity, the avenger of wrongs ; and 
 not the fpoiler of comfort, and the tyrant of 
 humanity. For thefe reafons, neither murder, 
 treafon, or any other crime, ought to rob the 
 family of the property of the offender, by for- 
 feiture of lands and goods to the State. . 
 
 Ivlalefaaors, fuch as have been guilty of petty 
 treafon, manflaughter, fodoniy, maiming, dif- 
 fguring, counterfeiting money, robbery, bur- 
 glary, houfe-breaking, horfe ftealing, grand lar- 
 ceny, petty larceny, &c. &c. fliould be con- 
 demned to labour for the State dming fuch a 
 length cf time as would be proportionable to the 
 crimes they had committed, which fliould be de- 
 fined by law i'.and in cafe it fliould be found from 
 experience that this fyftem did not tend to deter 
 
 T 
 
 M ! 
 
T 
 
 ■>•■ 
 
 1 in human affairs, 
 to make examples 
 ; dignity of our na- 
 nfult to misfortune, 
 loccnt offspring or 
 Iprit ? Surely not. 
 dian of its citizens, 
 le promoter of feli- 
 ;er of wrongs ; and 
 
 and the tyrant of 
 s, neither murder, 
 
 ought to rob the 
 e offender, by for- 
 the State. * 
 
 jccn guilty of petty 
 my, maiming, dif- 
 ley, robbery, bur- 
 ftealing, grand lar- 
 cc. fliould be con- 
 tate during fuch a 
 oportionable to the 
 vhich fliould be de- 
 lould be found from 
 d not tend to deter 
 
 ( i8i ) 
 from the commifHon of crimes, and was produc- 
 tive of other bad eflefis, it would then be time 
 enough to Introduce more rigorous meafures. It is 
 however certain, that as yet thefyftem in queflion 
 has not had fufficient time to be experienced in its 
 full effefls in thofe States which have introduced 
 it in part. But fo far as a judgment can be 
 formed, it is reafonable to expcS the moft falu- 
 tary confequences from fuch humane meafures. 
 Our criminal code will be eflablifhed upon thefe 
 lenient principles. Our laws refpefling foreign- 
 ers will be founded on the broad bafis of hofpi- 
 tality, and the friendly principle that the world 
 ought to be governed as one great family. Re- 
 fpefting marriage and fucceflion, more conform- 
 ably to the laws of nature than the laws of Eu- 
 rope, women are permitted to enjoy all the privi- 
 leges, and all that proteftion, to which rcafon and 
 delicacy entitle them. It is upon iimilar princi- 
 ples that property is diftributed in an equal and 
 confiftcnt manner ; and that a father is not fuf- 
 fered to difinherit a child, except he can make it 
 appear, to a court of juftice, that he is radically 
 vicious } and even then, fucJi a dercliaion muft 
 
 ii 
 
r 
 
 ' ( 182 ) 
 
 be coerced with confiderations pointed out by 
 the Uw. 
 
 Such arethccoUeaed fcntiments of the people 
 upon the fubjea of law and government, and we 
 have the fatisfaftion to know they are analogous 
 to the opinions of a wife and judicious European 
 author, whofc virtues and fupcrior good fenfe 
 have given them a confequcnce in your own na- 
 tion which does himthehigheft honour; and 
 therefore I will quote from him to conclude :his 
 letter which will (hew that the fentiments of 
 enlightened men, upon the fubjeft of freedom 
 and government, differ in no refpeft from the 
 fimple ideas of men who have no guide but rea- 
 fon and common fenfe. 
 
 " The true intercft of the people, then, is to 
 be fubjeft to alegiflatlon, which, while it refpefts 
 the enjoyments of the rights of mankind, is fole- 
 ly intent upon procuring it } and which, faithful 
 to the principles of an enlightened reafon, fceks 
 only the fureft and fimpleft means of obtaining 
 this end. Whatever bs the form of govern- 
 ment to which the people are fubjefted, a free 
 commerce, an unrcftrained induftry, civil laws 
 
) 
 
 ions pointed out by 
 
 t'lments of the people 
 government, and we 
 w they are analogous 
 i judicious European 
 fuperior good fenfe 
 ;nce in yout own na- 
 ighcft honour; and 
 him to conclude fhis 
 It the fentiments of 
 5 fubje^t of freedom 
 no refpcft from the 
 ivc no guide but rea- 
 
 he people, then, is to 
 hich, while it refpefts 
 s of mankind, is fole- 
 ; and which, faithful 
 ghtened reafon, fceks 
 ft means of obtaining 
 ; the form of govcrn- 
 are fubjefted, a free 
 d induftry, civil laws 
 
 ( '83 ) 
 
 diftinguiihed for their iimplicity, criminal laws 
 for their juftice and humanity, founded upon 
 the nature of man, and of fociety, and deduced 
 from thefe principles by reafon, ought to be 
 every where the fame."— —Farewell. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 
 ■>>. » 1,. 
 
 *" ■ i. 
 
 H 1 i . "K".! - I 1 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
( r84 ; 
 
 LETTER IX. 
 
 MY DEAR FRIUND, 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 1 H A D the plc.ifure of receiving, within thefc 
 two days, your favour, dated the 34th of Auguft 
 laft, and admire the virtue and humanity of thofe 
 of your citizens you mention to have left off the 
 ufe of Weft India produce, in confcqucnce of 
 your parliament not having adopted any mode of 
 effetSting the abolition of the flave trade. 
 
 The little pamphlet you did me the favour to 
 fend with your packet, addrefled to the people 
 of Great Britain on that fubjcft, with obferva- 
 tions upon the fituation of the unfortunate Afri- 
 cans enflaved, contains the pureft fcntiments of 
 benevolence, and the moft rational ideas, and it 
 is written with a prccifion which does thehigheft 
 honour to the author's head, as well as to his 
 heart. 
 
 We have difgraced the fair face of humanity, 
 
; R IX. 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 cciving, within thefc 
 i thc34thof Auguft 
 id humanity of thofe 
 I to have left off the 
 !, in confcqucnce of 
 adopted any mode of 
 ; flave trade. 
 
 lid me the favour to 
 refled to the people 
 bjcft, with obferva- 
 le unfortunate Afri- 
 pureft fcntiments of 
 rational ideas, and it 
 lichdoes thehiglieft 
 d. as well as to his 
 
 ir face of humanity, 
 
 ( 185 ) 
 and trampled upon the T.icred privileges of man, 
 at the very mon-.ent that wc were exclaiming 
 againft the tyranny of your minirtry ; but in con- 
 tending for the birthright of freedom, we have 
 learned to feel for the bondage of others ; and, 
 in the libations we oflFer to the bright goddefs of 
 liberty, wc contemplate an emancipation of the 
 fla\esof this country, as honourable to them- 
 fclves as it will be glorious to us. ■ 
 
 I have been afhamcd, in reading Mr. Jeffer- 
 fon's book, to fee, from one of the moft enlight- 
 ened and benevolent of my countrymen, the dif- 
 graceful prejudices he entertains againft the un- 
 fortunate negroes. But if he has given Eu- 
 ropeans a flagrant proof of his prejudices, he has 
 afJbrded common fenfe an opportunity of judg- 
 ing from his paradoxes, that fuch cannot be the 
 general fentiments of the people of America. 
 
 • In the revifionof a code of laws propofed for 
 the State of Virginia, it was recommended to 
 emancipate all flaves born after pafling the ait, 
 who were to be brought up, at the public cx- 
 pence, to different vocations, until females 
 Jhould be eighteen, and the males twenty-one 
 
( i86 ) 
 years of age I when they ilioulJ be coloni/cd to 
 fuch place as circumflanccs flioiiUI render mofl 
 proper, giving them arms, implements, &c. &c. 
 to declare ihcm a free and independent pr-oplc, 
 and extend to them their alliance and protcdiun, 
 until they fliouUl have acquired ftrcngth and 
 power equal to f"cir-prote(5lion. 
 
 Concerning which meafure, Mr. JcfFcrfon 
 fays, •« It will probably be a/kcil, Why not re- 
 tain and incorporate the black* ?" He then at- 
 tempt* to give reafonf to prove why it would be 
 In^politic ( by alledging that the deep-rooted pre- 
 judices of the whites, and the recollet^ion of pad 
 injuries by the blacks, would be productive of 
 continual feuds, which would probably never end 
 but in the extermination of one or the other race. 
 
 To fuch objeftions, which he calls political, 
 he fays, «« may be added others, which are moral 
 and phyfical." I will obferve upon his political 
 opinions firft. The great charge fu:h a bufinefs 
 would be to that State, would neceflarily tend to 
 procraftinate its execution, and perhaps render 
 abortive the whole defign, by making it necef- 
 lary to rclinquifli an objedl which the finances 
 
) 
 
 oiilJ be coloni/ed to 
 s flioiiUI render moft 
 implements, &c. Sic. 
 Independent pfoplc, 
 liancc and protediun, 
 quired Arcngth and 
 lion. 
 
 jfure, Mr. JcfFcrfon 
 afhril, Why not rc- 
 iucks ?" He then at- 
 rove why it would be 
 t the deep-rooted pre- 
 the recollc^ion of pad 
 ould be productive of 
 lid probably never end 
 foneorthe other race. 
 
 lich he calls political, 
 ihers, which are moral 
 ;rve upon his political 
 i charge fu:h a bufinefs 
 »uld neceflarily tend to 
 I, and perhaps render 
 n, by making it necef- 
 ',&. which the finances 
 
 
 ( 187 ) 
 of the government would not arfwi' of being 
 carried into execution » and thus .1 moft odious 
 tyranny would be prolonged. Ikfidcs, what 
 could be fo impolitic, in luch a country as Vir- 
 ginia, as banifliing a numerous clafs of men who 
 might be made ufeful citizens, rilking a dci)opu- 
 lationofone colour, in order to fupply their 
 places whh another } an undertaking which, in- 
 dependent of the great cxpence it would be at- 
 tended with, would alfo prove furrounded by 
 many other difficulties. From what country Is 
 the vacancy to be filled / Emigrations have been 
 frequent from Europe to America : but it would 
 require a length of time to recruit 250,000 inha- 
 bitants, which, I fuppofe, is nearly the amount 
 of the llaves of Virginia. 
 
 There are in politics, as well as in phyfic, 
 cafes which require irregular prcfcriptions. 
 There is no law in nature which binds one man 
 to another; and laws which are not founded in 
 the principles of reafon and truth, invalidate 
 themfelves. There is no flatute which gives 
 power to a white man to excrcifedefpotifm over 
 ■A man becaufe he is black. It is contrary to our 
 
( i88 ) 
 bill of rights, ns well as repugnant to the code of 
 nature. But the mifchief lies in the prejudices of 
 the times. A complete emancipation, perhaps, 
 would not be borne in Virginia ; for which rea- 
 fon it .nuft be gradual, as it has been in Pcnn- 
 fylvania. It would therefore be wife in that State 
 to attach their lljves to the land of their refpec- 
 tive maftcrs for a certain term of years; after 
 which they fhould be at liberty to change their 
 fuuations, as their circumftanccs or pleafure 
 would dircd, the fame as any other tenants, i 
 
 Such u fyftem, under falutary regulations, 
 would not only afFord the negroe a confiderable 
 proportion of freedom, but would be highly ad- 
 vantageous to the State -, as, by parcelling out 
 their immenfe wafte tracts of lands into little 
 farms, the low country, which has been impo- 
 verifhed by the pernicious cultivation of tobacco, 
 would become fertilized, and reftored to its prif- 
 tine fecundity. ;>vc,* .-i-. ,.«-/,-•.. .u^^ ';'.?,*-.^--':. 
 
 Let us fuppofe the prcfent flaves of Virginia 
 placed in fuch a fituaiion for their lives, and that 
 all blacks, born after paffing an aft for this pur- 
 jiofe, fhould be free at twenty-five years of age. 
 
[88 ) 
 
 repugnant to the code of 
 f lies in the prejudices of 
 emancipation, perhaps, 
 Virginia ; for which rea- 
 as it has been in Pcnn- 
 forcbe wife in that State 
 the land of their refpec- 
 In tcrni of years-, after 
 t liberty to change their 
 cumftanccs or pleafure 
 as any other tenants. . i 
 
 icr falutary regulations, 
 lie negroe a confiderable 
 but would be highly ad- 
 : } as, by parcelling out 
 a£ts of lands into little 
 , which has been im po- 
 ns cultivation of tobacco, 
 , and reftored to its prif- 
 
 rcfent flaves of Virginia 
 n for their lives, and that 
 ffing an aft for this pur- 
 twenty-five years of age. 
 
 ( '89 ) 
 This would afford time not only to put tliefe 
 little farms in order, but it would reclaim the 
 exhaufted land, leave the proprietors in a better 
 fituation than they otherwife would have been in 
 from a fyftem which encourages indolence, pro- 
 motes ignorance, tyranny, and every radical 
 vice 5 but the blacks, by liberal conditions upon 
 fuch a plan, with induflry, might be able to 
 educate their children, and accumulate a fmall 
 property to encourage and fupport their liberty 
 and independence, and the State would have time 
 to acquire white emigrants, if the blacks did not 
 anfwer the purpofes of cultivation, and the end 
 of the civil polity of an enlightened government ; 
 to fuppofc which would be as uncharitable as 
 the remarks of Mr. Jefferfon. - 3. v.ii. 
 
 It willj doubtlefs, require a length of time to 
 generalize marriages between the whites and 
 blacks ; but that would not prove a material dii^ 
 advantage to the State. There would always be 
 fome whites who would marry blacks for the 
 fdke of property ; and, no doubt, when prejudi- 
 ces are worn away, they would unite from more 
 tender and delicate fcntiments. 
 
 :' 
 
ifl^ 
 
 ( »90 ) 
 A judicious author of this country, who has 
 written on the complexion and figure in the hu- 
 man fpecics, has (aid : « A nation which mi- 
 grates to a different climate will, in time, be 
 impreffed with the charafiers of its new State : 
 The dark colour of the natives of the Weft India 
 ifiands is well known to approach very near to a 
 dark copper. The defcendants of the Spaniards 
 in South America are already become copper- 
 coloured. The Pp'tuguefe of Mitombo, in 
 Sierra Leona, on the coaft of Africa, have, by 
 intermarrying with the natives, and by adopting 
 their manners, become, in a few generations, 
 perfeflly affimilated in afpea, figure, and com- 
 plexion." And Lord Kaims, who cannot be 
 fufpefted of partiality on this fubjea, fays of 
 another Portuguefe fettlement on the coaft of 
 Congo, « That the defcendants of thofe poHflied 
 Europeans have become, both in their perfons 
 and in their manners, more like beafts than like 
 men. Thefe examples tend to ftrenghten the 
 inference from the changes that have happened 
 in the Anglo-Americans; and they (hew how 
 cafily climate would aflimilate foreigners to na- 
 
) 
 
 :his country, who has 
 1 and figure in the hu- 
 A nation which mi- 
 ate will, in time, be 
 iers of its new State : 
 tives of the Weft India 
 pproach very near to a 
 idants of the Spaniards 
 ready become copper- 
 lefe of Mitombo, in 
 aft of Africa, have, by 
 .tives, and by adopting 
 in a few generations, 
 peft, figure, and corn- 
 aims, who cannot be 
 m this fubje£l, fays of 
 ;ment on the coaft of 
 indants of thofe poliflied 
 , both in their perfons 
 )re lilce beafts than liice 
 tend to ftrenghten the 
 ges that have happened 
 s; and they (hew how 
 iniilate foreigners to na- 
 
 ( 191 ) 
 tives, in the cour(e of time, if they would adopt 
 the fame manners, and equally expofe them- 
 felves to its influence." 
 
 Whether the black of negroes refides in the 
 reticular membrane between the fkin and fcarf- 
 flcin, or in the fcarf-fkin itfelf— whether it 
 proceeds from the colour of the blood, the co- 
 lour of the bile, or from that of fome other fe- 
 cretion, the difference is not fixed in nature, but 
 is the mere effeft of climate, which is proved by 
 the daily teftimony of the mott enlightened phi- 
 lofophers of the prcfent age ; who have for their 
 fupport the obfcrvations and remarks of travel- 
 lers upon the efFe^ls of climate in every part of 
 the globe. 
 
 Mr. Jeffcffon fays, it is fixeJ in nature j and 
 afks "if the difl'erence is of no real importance?" 
 I anfwer, that it is of 110 real importance, when 
 compared with the objeiSt of refcuing fome mil- 
 lions of niilcrable human beings from the 
 odious prejudices which have degraded a whole 
 race of men to the rank of beads of burden, be- 
 caufe chey had the misfortune not to have the 
 tinge of red and white. 
 
Ilil 
 
 (* 
 
 ( »92 ) 
 Were a man, who, with all the ardour of a 
 youthful paffion, had juft been gazing upon the 
 fair bofom of a loved and beautiful miftrefs, and 
 afterwards marked the contraft of that paradife 
 offublunaryblifs,to the African or Indian hue, 
 to exclaim in the terms which Mr. JefFerfon has 
 ufed, he might be judged excufable on account 
 of Che intoxication of his heated fenfes— But 
 when a grave philofopher, who has paffed the 
 meridian of life, fits down to meliorate, by his 
 writings and opinions, the condition of the 
 flaves of his country, whofe fetters have fixed an 
 obliquity upon the virtue and humanity of the 
 fouthern Americans, I confefs it appears to n>e 
 not a little jejune and inconfiftent. * - \-^,, 
 
 As to the whites being more elegantly formed, 
 as afferted by Mr. Jefferfon, I niuft confefs that 
 it has never appeared fo to me. On the contrary, 
 I have often obferved in families which have been 
 remarkable for feeding their blacks weU, and 
 treating them in other refpeas with humanity, 
 that their negroes have been as finely formed as 
 any whites I ever faw.— Indeed my admiration 
 has often been arretted in examining their 
 
) 
 
 h all the ardour of a 
 
 een gnzing upon the 
 
 )cautiful miftrefs, and 
 
 traft of that paradife 
 
 frican or Indian hue, 
 
 ich Mr. JefFerfon has . 
 
 xcufable on account , 
 
 t 
 
 i heated fenfes— But * 
 
 , who has paffed the 
 
 to meliorate, by his 
 
 he condition of the 
 
 : fetters have fixed an , 
 
 and humanity of the 
 
 fefs it appears to n>e 
 
 fiftent. ::-i: r, '.^,n 
 
 nore elegantly formed, 
 1, I n.uft confefs that 
 me. On the contrary, 
 nilies which have been 
 leir blacks well, and 
 fpctSts with humanity, 
 en as finely formed as 
 [ndeed my admiration 
 in examining their 
 
 '93 
 
 proportion, mufcular ftrengtfi, and athletic 
 powers. 
 
 If they fccrcte lefs by the kidneys, and more by 
 the glands of the fkin, which gives them a ftrong 
 and difagreeable odour, it is alfo certain that 
 white men, inhabiting fouthern climates, do the 
 fame, more than in northern latitudes; by which 
 means an evaporation takes place from the whole 
 furfece of the body, which produces that degree 
 of cold which is requifite to counteract the heat 
 «f the climate. As there is always a flow of bile 
 proportionate to the degree of heat, the perfpir- 
 able matter will be more or Icfs faturated with 
 that fluid which, from an antifeptic quality, pro- 
 duces that odour which is fuppofed to indicate 
 an original difl=-erence; but which in reality may 
 be difcovered in a degree in all black haired 
 people in all countries. 
 
 No doubt, too, much of that odour is owing to 
 their difference of living from that of the whites: 
 for it is certain, that thofe negroes who arc 
 cleanly, and live in the manner of their mafters, 
 have lefs of it. 
 
 However, there can be no doubt but that the 
 K 
 
I M 
 
 »!^ 
 
 ( »94 ; 
 
 aniniul fyftem maybe fo materially afteae 1 by 
 climate, as to require a length of time to reftore 
 it to its priftine ftate; and whether man was 
 aboriginal to Afia, or whether every continent 
 has hftl its Adam, is of no confequence to the 
 argument:— it is certain we arc effentially the 
 fame in (hape and intslleft. 
 
 «' Comparing tliem by their faculties of me- 
 mory, reafon, and imagination, it appears to 
 me," fays Mr. Jefferfon, « that in memory they 
 are equal to the whites, in reafon much inferior, 
 as I think one could fcarcely be found capable 
 of tracing and comprehending the inveftigation 
 of Euclid i and that in imagination they are dull, 
 taftclefs, and anomalous. It would be unfair to 
 follow them to Africa for this inveftigation; we 
 will confider them here on the fame ftage of the 
 whites, and where the faasarenot apocryphal on 
 which a judg.nent is to be formed." 
 
 Can any pofition be more puerile and ircon- 
 fiftent. " We will confider them on the fame 
 ftage of the whites, and then a comparifon is 
 not apocryphal." Now I beg to know what 
 can be more uncertain and falfe than eftimating 
 
iallyafteaelby 
 f time to reftore 
 iiether man was 
 every continent 
 nfec^uence to tlic 
 •e effentially the 
 
 faculties of mc- 
 n, it appears to 
 
 in memory they 
 m much inferior, 
 be found capable 
 r the inveftigation 
 tion they are dull, 
 vould be unfair to 
 inveftigation; we 
 
 fame ftage of the 
 not apocryphal on 
 ned." 
 
 puerile and ircon- 
 them on the fame 
 ;n a compar ifon is 
 eg to know what 
 dfe than eftimating 
 
 ( 195 ) 
 
 or comparing the intellcd or talents of two dc- 
 fcriptions of men i — one enfaved^ degraded^ and 
 fettered in all their aUs of volition without a vijla^ 
 through which the rays of light and fcience could bi 
 Jhot to illumine their ignorant minds. The other free, 
 independent, and with the advantage of appro- 
 priating the reafon and fcience which have been 
 the refult of the ftudy and labors of the philo- 
 foph'TS and fenfible men for centuries back. If 
 there have been fome folitary inftances where 
 negroes have had the advantage of education, 
 they have fliown that they are in no degree infe- 
 rior to whites, though they have always had in 
 this country the very great difadvantage of aflb- 
 ciating only with their ignorant countrymen, 
 which not only prevents that poliflifoeflental to 
 arreft admiration, but which imperceptibly leads 
 to fervility from the pre\'alence of manners. 
 
 Mr. JcfFerfon's own arguments invaliftate 
 themfelves. «« Homer told us, he fays, nearly 
 30CO years fince," 
 
 " Jovf fixed it certain, that whatever day 
 
 *' Makes man a flave, takes lialf his worth away." 
 
 Now it is moft certain that the negroes in Ame- 
 
( '96 ) ,.,._ ... 
 rica have not only been enflaved, but that they 
 have cxifted under the moft inhuman and 
 nefarious tyranny, particularly in the fouthcrn 
 States. 
 
 Baron de Tott, fpeaking of the ignorance of 
 the Turks, who are alfo Oaves, but whites, faid 
 .c that it was with difficulty that he could make 
 them comprehend how two triangles could be 
 equal to one right one." But it is only neceffary 
 to prove the nullity of Mr. JefFerfon's argu. 
 
 mentstocopyhisownrefleaion. Hea(ks,«.t 
 the world has produced more than two poets 
 : acknowledged to be (uch by all nations ? How 
 „,any mathematicians, how many great inventors 
 in arts and fciences had Europe, north of the 
 Alps, when the Romans crofled thofe moun- 
 tains ?" and t..en he fays, « is was Hxteen centu- 
 ries before a Newton could be formed." And 
 after afklng thefe queftio.is, he abfurdly expcfts 
 that black poets and mathematicians are to 
 fpring up like mulhrooms. 
 
 However, a black in New England has com- 
 « pofed an ephemeris, which I have feen, and 
 ' which men converfant in the fcience of aftro- 
 
ived, but that they 
 noft inhuman and 
 riy in the fouthcrn 
 
 of the ignorance of 
 /es, but whites, faid 
 f that he could make 
 o triangles could be 
 It it is only neceffary 
 Ir. JefFerfon's argu- 
 :aion. Hea(ks,«if 
 nore than two poets 
 by all nations ? How 
 t many great inventors 
 Europe, north of the 
 
 crofled thofe moun- 
 ' is was fixtcen centu- 
 ild be formed." And 
 IS, he abfurdly expefts 
 vithematicians are to 
 
 Sfew England has com- 
 hich I have feen, and 
 in Uk fcience of aftro- 
 
 ( >97 ) 
 nomy declare exhibits marks of acute rcafon 
 and genius. 
 
 To contend, however, that the world has piO- 
 duced but two poets, is rather the afTcrtion of 
 a pedant than a philofopher ; and to maintain 
 thnt no perfons read Milton and Shakcfpcur 
 with ddight but Englifhmen is not ftridtly juft. 
 For every man of tafte and judgment who un- 
 derftands the Engli(h language to pcrfedion, 
 muft read them, and many other Lnglilh pocti 
 with the moft animated pleafure — and if the Je- 
 rufalem delivered, the Henriade, and the Lufiad, 
 have only been generally read by the country- 
 men of the refpedlivc authors, it is not becaufe 
 they have neither genius nor excellence, but be- 
 caufe it has been more the fyftem of education 
 in Europe to ftudy the claffics than the modern 
 languages, which has given a predominant pre- 
 ference among the literati in every country to 
 the Greek and Latin poet. 
 
 *' Religion has produced a Phillis VVhatcIy ; 
 but it could not produce a poet," is another of 
 Mr. JefFerfon's dogmata. Phillis was brought 
 from Africa to America, between feven and 
 
'■? 
 
 ( 198 ) 
 eight years of age, and without anv affiftanc* 
 from a fchool education, and before ftie was fif- 
 teen years old wrote many of her poems. This 
 information is atteftcd by her then maftcr, John 
 Wheatly, dated Bofton, November 14, 177*- 
 I will tranfcribe part of her Poem on ima- 
 gi nation, and leave you to judge whether it is 
 poetical or not. It will afford you an opportu- 
 nity, if you have never met with it, of-eft.' m- 
 ing her genius and Mr. JefFerfon's judgtncu ; 
 and I think, without any difparagement to him, 
 that, by comparifon, Phillis appears much the 
 fiiperior. Indeed, I ftould be glad to be in- 
 formed what while upon this continent has writ- 
 ten more beautiful lines. 
 
 " Imagination ! wlio can fing .hy force 
 * Or who defcribe the fwiftnefs of thy courfe ? 
 Soaring through air to find the bright abode, 
 Til' imperial palace of the ihund'ring God, 
 Wc on thy pinion* can furpafs the wind. 
 And leave the rolling univerfe behind l 
 From ftar to ftar tlie mental oj.tics love, 
 ^ Meafure the Ikiei and range the realms aUo»e ; 
 - There in one view we grafp the mighty whole. 
 
 Or with new worlds .imaicth" unbounded foul. j, 
 
 , Though winter frowns, to fancy's raptur'd eye» , 
 
 The fieldi may flourifb, and gay fctnes arifc j 
 
»ut anv affiftanc* 
 cfoi c fhe was fif- 
 er poems. This 
 len matter, John 
 
 :mbcr 14, 177** 
 Poem on ima- 
 Ige whether it is 
 i you an opportu- 
 th it, of-cft.' m- 
 rfon's judgtncU; 
 ragement to him> 
 ppears much the 
 te glad to be in- 
 ontinent has writ- 
 
 force 
 
 thycourfe? 
 iright abodci 
 'ring God, 
 le wind, 
 :hind t 
 ics love, 
 realms al»o»e ; 
 mighty whole, 
 inbounded fuul. 
 'sraptur'deye* 
 fctnes arifc ; 
 
 ( «9? ) 
 
 The frnicn Jeeps may burft their Iron hanit«, 
 And bidth.ir waters murmut o'er tlic fan It. 
 I'air Flora may rernmr her flagrant rrign, 
 And with her fljw'iy rlihet deck the |iUiii ; 
 Sylvanui may diAiirc his hunouii round, 
 And all the forcft may with Icavci be rrownMi 
 ShoM'ri may dcfccnd, and d«'cll their gcmt difclufc. 
 And ncftar fparkle on the blooming rofc," 
 
 Mr. Jefferfon has been equally fevere upon 
 Ignatius Sancho. But as I have not the ho- 
 nour to be acquainted with Mr. Sancho's writ- 
 ings, 1 (hall conclude that that criticiHn is 
 equally marked with prejudice. His faying, 
 " that Terence was a flave, but not black," is 
 In contradiftin£lion to the teftimony of every 
 other authority ; who all agree, that he was not 
 only an African, but a Numidian, who are all 
 known to be black. 
 
 But, to complete his paradoxes, Mr. Jefferfon 
 has remarked, " that the Indian with no advan- 
 tage of education is eloquent and ingenious," 
 without recollecting that the favage is free while 
 the poor African is enflaved j though he allows 
 
 1 
 
( ioo ) 
 
 ih.it fcrviludc ilclhoys half the worth ol the hu- 
 man foul. 
 
 But to do juftice to his canttoiir ami heart, T 
 will give you his rondufion upon tiiis fuhjccl . 
 «« The whole commerce between nuftcr ami 
 (lave is a perpetual cxercife of the mod boiftci- 
 cus pa.Tions, the moll unremitting dcfpotifm on 
 one part, and degrading fubmilTions on the other. 
 Our children fee this, and learn to imitate it. 
 The parent ftorms, the child looks on, catches 
 the lineaments of wrath, puts on the fame airs, 
 gives a loofe to his worft of paflionsi and thus 
 nurfed, educated, and daily excrcifed in tyranny, 
 cannot but be ftampcd with odious peculiari- 
 ties." 
 
 After making feveral moral reflcai-Ts upon 
 the fubjea of flavcry, he finiflics willi ihcfc 
 emphatical words. " Indeed, I tren.ble for my 
 country, when I reflcft that God is juft :— that 
 his juttice cannot rtcep for ever : that, confidcr- 
 ing numbers, nature, and natural means only, ;i 
 revolution of the wheel of fortune, an exchange 
 of fituation, is among poflible events : that it 
 msy become probable by fupcrnatural inteife- 
 
worth ot ihe hu- 
 
 clmir anJ heart, t 
 ipon tliis fiibjcct -. 
 vccn nuftcr ai>tl 
 the mod boiftei- 
 tting dcfpotifm oa 
 Rons on the other, 
 arn to hnitatc it. 
 
 looks on, catches 
 1 on the fame airs, 
 laflionsi and thu« 
 ffcifed in tyranny, 
 
 odious peculiari- 
 
 il rcflcStl-'ns upon 
 Rniflics vvilli ihcfc 
 , I tremble for my 
 God is juft : — that 
 cr : that, confukr- 
 tural means only, ;i 
 tune, an exchange 
 ible events : that it 
 ipenuiural inteifc- 
 
 201 } 
 
 rcnce! The Almi ity has no attribute which 
 can take fide with u!» in fuch a conteft." 
 
 Vou fee my dear friend, how powerful is the 
 cfFet^t of habit and prejudice i that with ideas 
 and principles founded in reafon and truth, luffi- 
 cicnt to dcmonftrate that flavcry deftroys the 
 energy of the human mind, and with a heart 
 which does honour to Mr. Jefferfon as a man, 
 his mind is fo warped by education and the ha- 
 bit of thinking, that he has attempt^.d to make 
 it appear that the African is a bein/{ between the 
 human fpccies and the oran-outang ; and ridicu- 
 loufly fufFcred his imagination to be carried 
 away with the idle tales of that animal's enibrac- 
 ing the negroc women, in preference to the fe- 
 males of its own fpccies. 
 
 Great God ! how long is the world to be 
 tantalized with fuch paltry fophiftry and non- 
 fenfe ! My pity anJ indignation has been alter- 
 nately excited fintc I have been writing this let- 
 ter. But, I hope thofj dazzling rayi of phi- 
 lanthropiiy which gleam in the flattcriiig account 
 you have give i me of the difpofition of your 
 countrymen, will give a rtab to the principles 
 K3 
 
 H 
 
 Ml 
 
an 
 
 ( let ) 
 of domcftic tyranny, and fix an odium upon 
 thofe leachers of human blood, as flagrant as 
 they are contemptible. Farewell. In the liba- 
 tions of this night, and appropriate hours of 
 love and focial pleafure, the objeft of ufing my 
 feeble powers in attempting to alleviate the op- 
 preffions of the miferable in every part of the 
 world, (hall not be forgotten. 
 
 I remain, mod aiFe<aionately, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
) 
 
 ic an odium upon 
 od, as flagrant as 
 well. In the liba- 
 )ropriate hours of 
 >bje£t of ufing my 
 :o alleviate the op- 
 every part of the 
 
 tionately, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 ( 203 ) 
 
 LETTER X. 
 
 MY DEAR PRIENDy 
 
 1 OUR laft favour gave me the moft lively 
 pleafure i but, I fear, you have been too fan- 
 guine in the expe£lation, that the degree of lofs 
 to the revenue in confequence of the increafed 
 number who have left off the ufe of fugar, will 
 compel your parliament to abolifli the flave 
 trade upon the principle of policy. 
 
 No doubt but the fyftem is impolitic under 
 every confideration ; but when a government 
 afts more upon principles of patronage, than 
 upon a wife and liberal policy, little is to be ex- 
 pe£ted from opinions fo vitiated and controuled 
 by bad habits of thinking. 
 
 Ignorant minds are always the moft incorrigi- 
 ble, and the devaftations which folly and con- 
 tumely have produced in its perfeverance in 
 error, (hews, in theftrongeft of all poflible light, 
 
 
'ii 
 
 ( 204 ) 
 
 the advantage of philofophy. While weak :nen 
 dread what they call innovation, amendments 
 will be very tardy j and until education with 
 you is ameliorated, I expe£t your unnatural fyf- 
 tem of flavery, chartered companies, &c. kc. 
 will be continued. However, an aera will arrive 
 when States who are more wife than your nation 
 appears to be in the appropriation of ufeful 
 truths, will eclipfe the brilliancy of your 
 commerce, and then the fpirit of a people 
 renowned for their magnanimity will tear froin 
 the fair face ofreafon, the odious mafk which 
 has fo long obfcured her luftre. "^ ■ '•' 
 
 It requires no oracular faculties to fee that that 
 period is rapidly advancing, and it is to be pre- 
 fumed that the moft conceited and ftubborn 
 fteward would take fome precaution againft the 
 dangers of an impending hurricane. 
 
 Previous to yourlaft requeft, I had interfperfed 
 in my different letters fome account of the 
 natural hiftory of this country, and had referred 
 you to Mr. Jcfferfon for more full information ; 
 but as it is always with the greateft pleafure I 
 write to you, I fliall give you fuch an account 
 
 i 
 
hile weak :nen 
 1, amendments 
 education with 
 : unnatural fyf- 
 lanies, &c. 5:c. 
 
 aera will arrive 
 lan your nation 
 ilion of ufcful 
 ancy of your 
 t of a people 
 
 will tear from 
 us mafk which 
 
 s to fee that that 
 
 it is to be pre- 
 
 1 and ftubborn 
 
 tion againft the 
 
 le. 
 
 had interfperfed 
 account of the 
 ind had referred 
 'ull information ; 
 eateft pleafure I 
 fuch an account 
 
 of it as the length of a letter and my knowledge 
 of the fubjeft will permit. ' * "' " 
 
 I am too proud to make any apology for 
 being obliged to give you in many inilances the 
 popular names of our vegetables, &c. &c. ; for, I 
 tliink, it is high time that the Linnaean defigna- 
 tion wasanglicifed. 
 
 LinniEus had great merit as firft nomenclator 
 in the fcience of natural hiftory, and no doubt 
 did the world a great and eflential good by pre- 
 fcringthe Latin to the Swedifti language for his 
 purpnfe. But from the perfection which botany 
 and natural hiftory have attained, I think the 
 object of fimplifying, or rendering into Engiifli, 
 the various terms in that fcience, highly worthy 
 the attention of fome enlightened philofopher. 
 
 True, the Latin has hitherto been the moft ge- 
 neral language in Europe amon^. fcientific men, 
 and thus far the infancy of the fludy has been 
 rapidly matured by the happy adoption. But 
 the Engiifli language bids fair to fuperfede it, 
 and when we take a view of the different parts 
 of the globe which are fettled by people who 
 fpeak Engiifli, and compare it with the per- 
 
 1 
 
 ;5 
 
( 2o6 ) 
 fcaion which that language has arrived at, I 
 think it feems probable that in the courle of 
 time it will become univerfal. 
 
 We have a variety of fpontaneous kinds of 
 grafs, for many of which we have no name. I 
 have fpoken of the cane and its properties in a 
 former letter, which the farmer may confider as 
 a grafs, fmce it will anfwer every p«rpofe of 
 grafs to him. I have alfo mentioned our clover 
 and rye-grafs. Bef.des which, we have, of the 
 grafs kind, the pea-vine, which in a fmall de- 
 gree refembles your pea-vine. It has the fame 
 kind of tendril, and runs up the cane, ftrubs, 
 and rye-grafs, which frequently grows mter- 
 fperfed with it. Its bloflbms are of a reddi(h 
 hue, and it produces a fmall and imperfea pea. 
 In the very rich foil, it grows from three to five 
 feet highi but in general it does not exceed 
 eighteen inches or two feet, and is not of fo 
 luxuriant a growth as the vine of the cultivated 
 pea, but has a much nearer refemblance to grafs. 
 
 Our other principal forts of natural grafs are, 
 the buffalo, wchard, fpear, blue, and crab 
 graffes. The buffalo grafs is rather coarfe, 
 
as arrived at, I 
 n the courle of 
 
 aneous kinds of 
 ive no name. I 
 s properties in a 
 mayconfider as 
 every purpofe of 
 itioned our clover 
 we have, of the 
 ich in a fmall de- 
 It has the fame 
 the cane, ftirubs, 
 itly grows inter- 
 are of a reddilh 
 ind imperfeft pea. 
 from three to five 
 t does not exceed 
 and is not of fo 
 e of the cultivated 
 ;mblancetografs. 
 
 f natural grafs are, 
 blue, and crab 
 is rather coarfe, 
 
 ( «07 ; 
 
 grows from nine to eighteen inches high, and is 
 generally found moft plentiful in a middling foil. 
 It has a broad leaf, and feems unworthy of cul- 
 tivation. The latter kinds generally fpring up 
 after the land has been cultivated, and form ex- 
 cellent paftures ; and are alfo capable of being 
 made into hay, particularly the fpear and blue 
 grafs. 
 
 Every part of the country abounds in a va- 
 riety of natural flowers. The crocus, and a pro- 
 fufion of daifies, appear on the approach of 
 fpring, which are fucceeded by the dafFodil, 
 jonquil, hyacinth, tulip, and a multitude of 
 other flowers, fuch as heart's-eafe, lilies, red and 
 white, holly-hocks, pinks, golden rod, cowflips, 
 may-flowers,jenamine,columbine,honey-fuckles, 
 rock honey-fucklcs, tuberofe, ranunculas, marfli- 
 mallows, violets, rofes of different forts, &c.&c. 
 
 Of herbs, &c. we have of the wild fort mar- 
 joram, fun -dew, fage, thyme, Indian leaf, rofe- 
 mary, angelica, fennel, lovage, mugwort, ox- 
 eye, mother-wort, feverfew, cat's-mint, penny- 
 royal, rue, mint, yarrow, burnet, nettle, fanicle, 
 rupture-wort, cudweed, white and black mai- 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 J 
 
( »c8 ) 
 den-hair, colewort, ground-pine, tooth-wort, 
 ground.ivy, lung-wort, mountain-polly, winter- 
 green, hore-hound, ladles mantle, celadine, jew's- 
 ear, horfe-mintMiver-wort, water-creffcs, fcur- 
 vy-grafs, muftard, hyffop, tanfy, dock, afmart, 
 gla(s.wort, hellebore, wolfs-bane, fpikenard, 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 You will obferve, that we have adopted names 
 v^hich arc common in Europe, and I prefume 
 that it is the affinity between your plants of the 
 above names, and ours, which have produced 
 thcfe denominations. How far they are appli- 
 cable, requires a better botanift to determine than 
 I profcfs tobci and to relate their different mi- 
 nutis, would be both tedious and unfatisfadory, 
 as it is impoffible to give a juft idea of their 
 comparative fimilarity by a dcfcription. ,- 
 
 Farinaceous, Leguminous Piants, &c. 
 
 Indian corn Ze* ""y'' . 
 
 Wildcat Zezaniaequatica 
 
 Wild rye , , 
 
 Indian millet Holcus laxus 
 
 Wild pea Dolichus 
 
 Panic f''"'<="'" 
 
 There are macy of this fpecies. 
 
 
le, tooth-wort, 
 n-polly, winter- 
 , celadine, jew's- 
 er-crcffes, fcur- 
 f^ dock, afmart, 
 lane, fpikenard, 
 
 re adopted names 
 , and I prefume 
 our plants of the 
 1 have produced 
 r they are appli- 
 :o determine than 
 leir different mi- 
 nd unfatisfadory, 
 iuft idea of their 
 ription. 
 
 S PtANTS, &C. 
 
 ys 
 
 1 equauca 
 
 laxus 
 
 ds 
 
 n 
 
 fpecies. 
 
 ( 20g 
 
 • 
 
 ) 
 
 Lupine 
 
 Lupinus perennis 
 
 Jerufalem artichoke 
 
 Hciianthus tuberofus 
 
 Cymlings 
 
 Cucurbita verrucofa 
 
 Squaflies 
 
 Cucurbita melopepo ; 
 
 Purflain 
 
 Portulaca oieracca ' 
 
 Lettuce . • ■ •"( 
 
 Lafluca virofa. 
 
 Fibrous 
 
 Pl,ANTS,&C. 
 
 Wild hemp 
 
 Acnida cannabina 
 
 Wild flax "* * ■ 
 
 t ■ ».. . . *jV> 
 Linuni V irginianntn 
 
 Wild hop ' ' ' 
 
 Humului cupului. 
 
 RoOT! 
 
 1, &C. 
 
 SarftpirlUa ^^^?.j 
 
 Sarfaparilb 
 
 Indian phydc 
 
 5pir«a trifoliatA 
 
 Ipecacuanha 
 
 Phychotria emetica 
 
 Pleurify root 
 
 Afclepias decumbeni 
 
 Virginia fnakc root 
 
 Ariftolochia ferpcntaria 
 
 IMack fnake root 
 
 Adxa racemofa 
 
 Seneca rattlefnake root 
 
 Polygala fenega 
 
 Valerian 
 
 Valeriana locufta radiata 
 
 Ginfeng 
 
 Phanax quinquefoliutn 
 
 Caflava 
 
 Jatropha urens ! 
 
 Granadillas 
 
 Pafiiflora incarnata. 
 
 
 •:'-M m-i'V-f .J-^'. 
 
I'*, 
 
 
 ( 
 
 210 ) 
 
 Mulberry 
 Green-river plumb 
 Barren, or red plumb 
 Cherokee plumb 
 
 Wild cherry 
 Wild crab-apple 
 Pernmmon 
 
 Fruits, &c. 
 
 Morut 
 
 Prunus fylveftris ftutSu- 
 minori 
 PrunuB Virginiana 
 Pyrus coronaria 
 Diofpyro* Virginiana. 
 
 There are various kinds of grapes. 
 
 ScarTet ftrawberriet 
 Wortleberriei 
 
 Wild goofeberriei 
 Wild currants 
 Cranberries 
 Black rafberries 
 
 Fragaria Virginiana 
 Vaccinium uliginofum 
 
 [.yefer/oH' 
 Ribes groflularia 
 
 Vaccinium oxycoccoa 
 Rubus occidentalis. 
 
 May-apple. This apple is produced from an 
 annual plant which is among the firft vegetables 
 that come forward in the fpring ; it is about tea 
 or twelve inches high, advancing rapidly to* ma- 
 turity, and the apple grows much in the man- 
 ner of the potatoe feed, and is nearly of the fame 
 fizc. When ripe, it is of the colour of a pale 
 
; fylveftris (t\i&\i- 
 •i 
 
 Vtrginiana 
 coronaria 
 rot Virglniana* 
 grapes. ,, 
 
 ria Virginiana 
 liuRi uliginofutn 
 
 groflalaria 
 
 inium oxycoccoa 
 t occidentalti. 
 
 uced from an 
 (irft vegetables 
 it is about ten 
 rapidly tO'ma- 
 \ in the man- 
 -ly of the fame 
 olour of a pale 
 
 ( 211 ) 
 
 orange. The pulp is of a fiirculent nature, 
 without any H ed, and its flavour very much like 
 tlic pine apple. It is ripe early iii June. 
 
 Acimeiie. This fruit grows upon a fhrub, 
 and is from four to five inches in length, and 
 from OT to one and a half diameter. The pulp 
 is fweet and tender. It ripens in July. 
 
 Peakimine. A fpecies of plumb, nearly th« 
 fize of the mogul plumb, but more delicious. 
 
 Papaw. This fruit grows upon a tree from 
 twelve to twenty-fix ft it high. It is In (hapc 
 more like a feed cucumbfer than any thing elfe. 
 It is ripe about midfummer. Its pulp is yellow> 
 and fomcwhat of the confiftence of an indifferent 
 melon, and its flavour very much like a cuftard, 
 but it is too lufcious to be agreeable; though, 
 when boiled green, it is good eating. 
 
 Nut Trees, &c. 
 Sealybark hiccory Juglans albacorti* fqua- 
 
 mofo [Jf^^ffot' 
 
 Common hiccory Juglans alba frui^u mi- 
 
 nore rancido [Clayton, 
 There are a variety of other kinds of hiccory 
 which have not been dellgnated. 
 
 Jam 
 
Black walnut 
 White walnut 
 Chefnut 
 Hazel-nut 
 
 212 } 
 
 Juglanst nigra 
 Juglans alba 
 Fagus pumila 
 Corybs avellana. 
 
 Befides the above, the Carolina ground-nut grows 
 low down on the Miiiullppi, and the peccane in 
 the Illinois, in the county of Cumberland, and 
 every where near the mouth of the Ohio. It is 
 about two-thirds of the fize of an Englifli wal- 
 nut, and the flicU fmooth and tender. Mr. Jef- 
 fcrfon has given it a defignatlon which is equal 
 in length to the name of a Spanifli cavalier. He 
 fpecifies it as the juglans alba, foliolis lanceola- 
 tis, acuminatis, ferratis, tomentofis, fruftu mi- 
 nore, ovato, compreffo, vix infculpto, dulci, 
 putamine, tenerrimo. 
 
 Poke ' .^ ^:-. 
 
 Plane-tree 
 
 Lime-tree 
 
 Poplar 
 
 Black poplar 
 
 Red flowering maple 
 
 Umbrella-tree 
 
 Buck-eye 
 
 Phytolacca decandra 
 Platanus occldentalis 
 Zilia Americana 
 Liriodendron tulipifera. 
 
 Populus nigra 
 
 Acer rubrum 
 
 Magnolia tripetala 
 
 ^fculus 
 
iipu ^ , 
 
 ilba 
 
 mila 
 
 ivellana. ^ 
 
 und- nut growl 
 he ptccane in 
 mberland, and 
 le Ohio. It is 
 n Englifli wal- 
 kr. Mr. Jef- 
 which is equal 
 1 cavalier. He 
 liolis lanceola- 
 ifls, fru£lu mi' 
 fculpto, dulci, 
 
 lacca decandrk 
 IU8 occidentalis 
 Americana 
 dendron tulipiferii 
 Jus nigra 
 ■ rubrum 
 nolia tripetala 
 ulus 
 
 Afpen 
 
 Reed, or cane 
 
 Locuft 
 
 Honey locuft 
 
 Barberry 
 
 Dog-wood 
 
 Snow-drop tree 
 
 Holly 
 
 Swamp laurel 
 
 Portugal bay 
 
 Catalpa 
 
 Wild pimento 
 
 Red bud 
 
 Saffafras 
 
 Common laurel of this 
 country 
 
 Cockfpur 
 
 Red bay 
 
 Dwarf rofe bay 
 
 Spindle tree 
 
 ( «'3 ) 
 
 Populus trcmulit 
 
 Arundo phragmitis 
 
 Robinia pfcudo acacia 
 
 Gleditlia 
 
 Bcrberis vulgaris 
 
 Cornus florida 
 
 Chionanthus Virginia 
 Ilex aquifolium 
 Magnolia acuminata 
 Laurus indica 
 Bignonica catalpa 
 Laurus benzoin 
 Cercis Canadenfis 
 Leurue faflafras 
 
 Notclafled 
 Crataegus coccinea 
 Lav. t us boilionia 
 Rhododendrur. maximum 
 Euonyn-us Europjeus 
 
 Evergreen fpindle tree Euonymu? Amciicanus 
 
 Elder Sambucu*; rigra 
 
 Candleberry myrtle Myri&i ceriftr,i 
 
 Sumach Rhus. Not ciiUred 
 
 I 
 
Cotton tret 
 Satin-wood tree 
 Coffee tree 
 Dwarf laurel 
 American aloe 
 
 Hemlock (Ir 
 
 Papaw 
 
 Trumpet honey-fuckle 
 
 Upright honey-fuckJe 
 
 Juniper 
 
 ( »I4 ) 
 
 Not claflcd 
 Not claffcil 
 Not claffcd 
 K.ilinia latifolis 
 Agave Virginica 
 Hedcra qui.qucfolii* 
 Pinui Canadcnfis 
 Annona triloba 
 Lonicera Temper firens 
 Azalea nudiflora 
 Junipenis Virginica 
 
 Grows only in the fouthcrn parts of the weftero 
 country. 
 Black oak 
 White oak 
 
 Quercus nigra 
 
 Qucrcus alba 
 Bed oak ?. Quercus rubra 
 
 Willow oak Quercus phellos , 
 
 Chefnutoak ' Quercus pi inus 
 
 Black-jack oak ' Quercus acjuatica ZClaym. 
 
 Ground oak Quercus pumila [7)/«o. 
 
 Live oak Quercus Virjiniana 
 
 The live oak grows only low Jown on the M^tf- 
 ' fippi, on this fide of the mountain. 
 
ifuliiK 
 
 ginica 
 
 liiqucfoliii 
 
 atlcnfii 
 
 iluba 
 
 "empcr fircns 
 
 idiflora 
 
 Virginica 
 
 of the wefteia 
 
 ligra 
 
 ilba 
 
 libra 
 
 phellos 
 
 pvinus 
 
 icjuiaica[C/iay/a«- 
 
 )uinila [/)/««. 
 
 Vir^iniana 
 
 [M.lltr. 
 vn on the MiiUf 
 
 ( »'5 ) 
 Sugar tree Acer faccharinum 
 
 Which it the common name throughout thif 
 country for the lugar maple. 
 
 Beech 
 White afh 
 Black afh 
 Elm ' ' 
 Slippery elm 
 Sweet dm 
 
 *:.^» 
 
 Button-wood tree 
 
 Black birch 
 White birch 
 Sweet gum 
 Pitch pine 
 
 Fagus fylvatica 
 
 Fraxinus alba 
 
 Fraxiniu nigra 
 
 Ulnius Americana 
 
 Not claflld 
 
 Ulmus facchnrina Amc< 
 
 ricana 
 Not cIi/Tcd 
 
 Betula nigra 
 Betula alba 
 
 Liquidambar flyraciflua 
 Pinus txda 
 
 Grows only on the fouthcrn branches of the 
 Ohio, Weft Florida, and the mountainous ' 
 parts of the country. ' ""'" 
 
 White pine pinus ftrobus • 
 
 Grows only in the mountainous country. 
 Yellow pine Pinus Virginica 
 
 Grows alfo in the mountains. 
 Spruce pine finu, foiii, fi„gularibus 
 
 [C/aytoa 
 
cesoF 
 
 ¥» 
 
 ( 2H ) 
 
 Spruce pine grows moftly upon the precipices > 
 ^ river banks, upon the (ides of high hiliss 
 ^^ and never in the champaign coiiiitry. 
 Cyprcfs ., . . Cyprcflusdifticha' 
 
 White cedar Cypreflus thyoides 
 
 The cyprefs and white cedar grow in abund- 
 dancc in the country contiguous to the gulf of 
 Mexico, but in the country high up the rivers, 
 very few of them are to be found. -' '*^'' 
 
 The beft foil produces little timber but the lo- 
 cuft, cherry, walnut, buclt-eye, fugar-tree, elm, 
 beech, afh, fatin-wood, and papaw. The mid- 
 dle rate land oaks, hiccory. dog-wood, fome 
 fugar-trees, and beech. What we call indiiTer- 
 ent land affords moftly black and red oaks, fome 
 hiccory, gum, &c. and the more broken and 
 hilly country (I me*n the worft land;, black- 
 jack oak, fir,&c. 
 
 There is a variety of flirubs in every part of 
 the country, the principal of which are the myrtle 
 and fpice berry ; and a number of different kinds 
 of grafs, &c. that I am unable to defcribe ; for, 
 indeed, they have not al! obtained popular naineis, 
 " and I am too ignorant of botany, as I have con- 
 
 m 
 
nr 
 
 ■iU 
 
 Dii the precipices of 
 {ides of high hiliss 
 jaign country, 
 jrcffus difticha 
 )reflus thyoides 
 iar grow in abund- 
 jous to the gulf of 
 high lip the rivers, 
 lund. 
 
 ; tk itSlS 
 
 le timber but the lo- 
 eye, fugar-tree, ehn, 
 
 papaw. The mid- 
 y. dog-wood, fome 
 'hat we call indiiTer- 
 k and red oaks, fome 
 le more broken and 
 
 worft land;, black- 
 
 irubs in every part of 
 f which are the myrtle 
 \bcr of different kinds 
 ible to defcribe ; for, 
 )taini.d popular nanieS, 
 lotany, as I have con- 
 
 ( ai7 ) 
 fefled, to attempt to clafs then- ; which, per- 
 haps, is the fineft field now open to <t man of ge- 
 nius, in the fcience of bolasy, upon the face of 
 the globe. 
 
 BufFon, Kfllni, D'Abenton, Catefby, and Pen- 
 nant, have all touched upon the natural hiftory 
 of Ame-ica. The firft and laft have confined 
 themfelves chiefly to the defcription of animals j 
 and as they are juftly admired for their talents, I ' 
 fhall confine myfelf merely to giving you a lift of 
 the wild animals which are common to the weft-' 
 ern country, and refer you to their works for the 
 natural hiftory. Such errors as Buffbn had been 
 drawn into from prejudice, Mr. Jefferfon has 
 ably confuted. 
 
 Animals, 
 
 BuflTalo. Bifon 
 Moofe elk. Elan ori^ 
 
 nal, palmated 
 Elk, round horned 
 Caribou. Rennc 
 Red deer. Crof 
 Roe. Chevrccul 
 
 Where coMMO^f. 
 Betweenlat. 4aand37 ' 
 
 To the north of lat. 43 
 Between lat. 40 and 36 
 To the north pf lat. 43 
 To tlie fouth of lat. 40 
 To the north of lat. 40 
 
( 21« ) 
 
 Animal.. Where coMMO«. ■ 
 
 FJlowdcer. Daim To the north of lat. 4» ;, 
 Bear. Ours Every l.art of this country 
 
 Wild cat. Chat fauvage Ditto ^ ^^^ ^^^^ 
 Wolf. Loup Ditto 
 
 Glutton. Carcajou To the north of lat. 4f ,^ 
 
 To the fouth of lat. 40 , ; 
 To the north of lat, 37 .^ 
 Between lat. 45 aod 36 f 
 To the north of lat. 39 „tJ 
 To the fouth of lat. 40 j 
 
 Lynx. Loup cervier 
 Beaver. Caftor 
 Otter. Loutre 
 Red fox. Renard 
 Grey fox. I^i"' 
 
 To the fouth of the lakes 
 Between lat. 4» an<* 36 
 
 Weafel. B:i:tte 
 Water rat. Red d'eu 
 Monax. Marmotte 
 
 latouche "•' ' ' j .<. 
 
 * fi.„wV t-*' -f^' ^t Between lat. 39 »"« S*^" 
 Fox ftuirrei t' » • _j » 1 
 
 f . I 'V; Between lat. 39 M«4*-i^« 
 
ERE COMMO*. 
 
 north of lat. 4t 
 irt of this country 
 
 ,JSO»>V 
 
 'A 
 
 with of lat. 4a 
 buthoflat. 40^ jj-; 
 north of lat, 37 
 lat. 45 aod 36 
 ftorth of lat. 39 
 fouthoflat. 40 • 
 jorthofla*. 40 
 north of lat. 3* 
 ; fouth of the lakes 
 1 lat. 4a and 36 
 
 fouth of laU4»''^'' 
 n lat, 39 and 36 
 ;nlat. 39«ad4* 
 ; fofrth of lat. 49 
 : north of lat, 38 
 :nlat. 38 and 31 - 
 ED lat. 40 and 36 
 
 Animals. 
 Mink 
 Shrew raoufe. Mufa- 
 
 raigne 
 RoccooB. Raton 
 
 Opofliim. Sarique 
 Vilbn. Fouine 
 $(upk. Mouflette. Co- 
 
 aepate 
 Cangar 
 Rabbit 
 
 ( 219 ) 
 
 WhsRE COMMOtr. 
 
 To the fouth of lat. 44 
 
 >ti 
 
 To the fouth of lat. 43 
 
 To the fouth of the 
 
 lakes as far as lat. 37 
 
 To the fouth of lat. 41 
 
 Between lat. 43 and 36 
 Erery part of this 
 
 country, [but no where fo numerous as on the 
 
 other fide of the mounuun.— (N. B. There is not- 
 
 a wild hare is all America.) .^^^ 
 
 Mou(Fette fquafli 
 Mouffette chiache 
 Panther 
 
 Wood chuck ^^:>. 
 
 Porcupiae Mi i, ;'jv. 
 DoriBOufe 
 
 Between lat. 43 and 3Q 
 
 To the north of lat. 33 
 Between lat. 39 and 44 
 To the north of lat. 43 
 To the north of lat. 40. 
 
 'Tfiere are befidcs moles, mice, and bats, fc- 
 
 veral other animals in the extreme parts of the 
 
 country. I have omitted %ing any thing rc^ 
 
 La 
 
 O. 
 
ilii 
 
 Ifii 
 
 
 !l 
 
 ( aio ) 
 fpcaing them, as I could not do it with luffi- 
 cicnt accuracy ; but you will find, in Mr. Je^ 
 ferfon's lift of the aboriginal animals of America, 
 an account of the whole of them. 
 
 I have already taken notice of the great bones 
 which have been found in this country; but as I 
 was not minute as to the eftimate of their fize, I 
 fhall juft remark, that it was the opinion of your 
 celebrated anatomift, the late Dr. Hunter, fropi 
 an examination of the tulks, that the mammouth 
 was an animal entirely different from the ele- 
 phant i and Mr. Jefferfon, who feems to have 
 examined the Ikeleton with curious attention, 
 fays, " the bones bcfpcak an animal of five or 
 fix times the cubic volume of the elephant, as 
 Monf. de BufFon has admitted." And I have 
 been informed by a gentleman who attended the 
 lefturesof Dr. Cline, in London, that this in- 
 genious anatomift ufed to produce one of the 
 tufks of the mammouth, when he was lefturing, 
 and declared that the animal muft have been 
 carnivoroua^^ ,^ y; :.;: .^ ■:< ■■ ^.^jj^ h,i!io<^ n£m3 
 la my account of the birds of this coantrjr, I 
 ' fhall moftly give you-the Linnaean defignation. 
 
lo it with lUffi- 
 id, in Mr. Jef- 
 nals of America, 
 I. 
 
 f the great bones 
 :ountry i but as I 
 te of their fize, I 
 e opinion of your 
 Dr. Hunter, froiin 
 it the mammouth 
 ;nt from the ele- 
 lofeems to have 
 curious attention, 
 animal of five or 
 f the elephant, as 
 d." And I have 
 I who attended Ae 
 idon, that this in- 
 troduce ohe of the 
 n he was ledluring, 
 J muft have been 
 
 J of this country, I 
 nnaean defignation. 
 
 ( "I ) 
 li* preference to Catefby's, though Catcfby's de- 
 flgnation is mod general. 
 
 Popular Names. 
 
 Bald eagle 
 
 Turkey buzzard 
 
 Sparrow hawk 
 
 Forked tail hawk *'j| ' 
 
 Kgconhawk'*^*^'**'^*'* 
 
 Fifliing hawk 
 
 Field martin 5!J <»'«?' M«« 
 
 Little owl Wiiv .1 
 
 Tyrant martin or king 
 
 bird ! >i i j«i- ivf 
 
 Perroquet 
 
 Red headed wood 
 
 pecker 
 Xarge red crefted ditto 
 White bill ditto 
 Gold winged ditto 
 Red bellied ditto 
 Small fpotted ditto 
 'V^w'iellied ditto 
 Hairy ditto "*'" 
 
 ms» 
 
 LiNNAAM DeSICNA- 
 TION. 
 
 Faico leucocephalus 
 
 Vulturauia 
 
 Falco fparverius . ff;;ff{ 
 
 FJco furcivtus '^7 
 
 Falco columbariiJt t. 
 
 Accipiter pifcatorius ^ 
 
 U 
 
 Strix afio rtts^x^ 
 
 Laninus tyranaus i^ntH'. 
 
 Pfittaccus 
 
 Picus erythrocephalus 
 
 Picus pilcatus 
 
 Picus principalis 
 
 Picus auratus 
 
 Pic\is Carolinut 
 
 Picus pubeieens 
 
 Picus varius ' '^^'- « 
 
 Picus villofus ] M*rf^ 
 
( 2" *) 
 
 Popular Names. Linn^ak Designa 
 
 TION. 
 
 Blue jay 
 
 CrowUack bird 
 Baltimore bittl ' 
 Bastard Baltimore dit- 
 
 Corvus criftalut 
 Gracala quifcul#-»»<) '^'^^ 
 Oriolis Baltimori 
 Oriolls fpuriui 
 
 ■v-iid tfon<* 
 
 -," 
 
 itv 
 
 Carolina cuckoo 
 
 Field lark 
 
 Red winged black 
 
 bird 
 Robin redbreait 
 Red thrufb 
 Mocking bkd 
 
 -;)t:jjl 
 
 Cuculuj Amalcanui 
 
 ■ .'I 
 Sturnuj niger allf fuper- 
 
 nerubentibui LCaufi^' 
 
 Turdus migratoiiut 
 
 Turdus rufus 
 
 Turdus miiMr cinercp 
 
 albus noo macidatus , 
 
 Tardus minimus [Catf/ij/. 
 Fringillapwrpjirea^,,,^,^ 
 CardBciis AmericaiHt 
 Pafer. fufcus. IGfltify* 
 Paferculus [Ctt^, 
 
 FringiUa erytbrpljl^lifiUoH 
 
 ™*i- !!a-v,'1 nBDhamA 
 Tans^jw cyane* 
 
ln Designa- 
 tion. 
 riftaluf >'"* 
 
 quifcub <*'■"" 
 
 altimore 
 
 mriui 
 
 Americaain 
 
 nigcr alii fuper- 
 
 )entibui iCUn^. 
 
 migratoiiut 
 
 rufus 
 
 ( «a3 ) 
 
 
 miiMr ciaerco 
 s noo macnlatus 
 
 nunlmuB [Catf/iji, 
 la purpurea ^,,,^ 
 lis AmericaiM 
 fulctts. iCat^* , 
 ius [C«^/. 
 
 a erytbP!^l«lif\l« ,i 
 
 ;i« cy«ac« 
 
 -■: !"•■. 
 
 Si/U'5/- 
 
 Popular, 'Names. 
 
 Painted finch 8i;r];s 
 
 Rice bird «|.j3£i0 
 
 Snowbird .„j4pa^if,p( 
 Red bird . , 
 Blue grofs beak 
 Crcftcd f\y ruff Imr 
 Summer red bird 
 Fedftart 
 
 Cat bir4 ,< 
 Black cap fly catcher 
 Little brown fly catcher 
 Red-eyed fly catcher 
 Bluebird '•^''' 
 
 Wren ""^^ 
 
 Yellow crefted chat» > 
 
 Whippbor Wiij: '"'"'^^'3 
 
 GWat'i^^or^MV' ' '" ' 
 
 drcker 
 Houfe' martin 
 American fwaUow '"' 
 
 LiNN-«AN Designa- 
 tion. 
 
 Emberiza biris ~i »'.'^J 
 
 Emberiza oryzivora .) 
 
 Emberiza hyemalil ■ S. 
 
 Loxia Cardinalij ^^f^f^f\ 
 
 Loxia Carulea 
 
 Miifc!' I'ii et'f.i'.a ,. 
 
 Mufcicipa rubra . i . •» 
 ' ' '.'J biw4 
 
 Mufcicapa ruticilU u 
 
 Mufcicapa CaroIinienHt 
 
 Mufcicapa nigrefcens ^^ 
 
 Mufcicapa fufca » 
 
 Mufcicapa octtlis rubris 
 ....... ••'-iwMi 
 
 Motacilla fians , 
 
 Motacilla regulut 
 
 Motacilla trochiks "r 
 
 Caprimulgus minor Ame> 
 
 ricanus [Cttte/tyi^ 
 
 Caprimufgus {Ca^/iy. 
 
 Hirundo purpereti 
 Hirundo pelaigia 
 
 i jiJwoii' 
 
 nonil sufff 
 
 I 
 
' ' Yelldti' thfdiied creeper 
 
 Hooded titraoure 
 Yellow rump 
 Finch creeper 
 Crefted titmoufe 
 Nut-thatch 
 
 Small nut-thatch 
 Humming bird 
 Hanging bird 
 Pine creeper 
 Kingfifher 
 Kildee 
 Scree 
 
 Ground dove 
 Wild pigeon 
 Turtledove 
 Lark 
 
 "4 ) 
 
 LiNNJEAN PiSIGNA- 
 TION. 
 
 Parus Carolineofis 
 
 ICaleJiy. 
 
 Parus Americanus gut- 
 
 ture luteo {Catfjij' 
 
 Parus cucuUo nigro 
 Parus Virginianus 
 Parus Americanus 
 Parus bicolar 
 Situ capite nigro 
 
 {Catejhy. 
 
 Situ capite fufco {Ditto. 
 Trochilus colubris 
 
 Certhia pinus 
 
 Alcedo alcyon 
 CharadrittS Tociferus 
 Rallus Virginianus 
 Columba pafferina ' " 
 Columba migratoria " '"' 
 Columba Carolinienfis 
 
 MaudaAlpeftrii 
 
 isfejgiiW 
 
}¥ 
 
 BAN r*i.SIGNA- 
 
 TION. 
 
 i ■•" ■'1 
 
 Carolinenfis 
 
 ICateJby. 
 Americanus gut- 
 re luteo iCatfJhj. 
 
 cucullo nigra 
 
 Virginianus 
 I Americanus 
 I bicolar 
 
 capite nigro 
 
 IGUeJh)'. 
 
 capite fufco [Ditto. 
 hilas colubris 
 
 Ilia pinus '^^' 
 
 doalcyon^^^""*''^ 
 idritts TOcifenit'P 
 IS Virginianus • 
 mba paflerina 
 mbamigratoriji' "' 
 nba Carolinienus 
 iida Alpeftris 
 
 aas ) 
 
 Popular Names. Linkjean Obsigna- 
 tion. 
 
 A V!,/i^jlU. 
 
 Night hawk 
 Cat owl 
 Screech owl 
 Crow 
 Crane 
 
 Whet hawk 
 Great grey eagle 
 Feather head turkey 
 
 buzzard 
 Large pouch pelican 
 Raven 
 Houle fwallow 
 
 Ground fwallow 
 Cormorant 
 
 Squatting fnipe jg-iKati 
 Whiftliog plover 
 Woodcock or mud hen 
 Yellow winged fnipe 
 Red bird with black 
 
 Wagtail 
 
 i'-f. 
 
 Strix Americana {Booth) 
 
 Corvus 
 
 Ardea Canadenfi*,^^ 
 
 Hirundo ruftica jH 
 Hirundo riparira [DUtvl 
 
 
 hiJr 
 
 L3 
 
 i 
 
'("«t6 ) 
 
 Wildgoofe : •' 
 Buflicl head duck 
 Siwdl brown duck 
 
 White face teal 
 Blue winged teal 
 Green winged iciil 
 Summer duck 
 Blue winged {hovler 
 
 LlWWJEAwDtSIONA. 
 TION. 
 
 •Anai canadcnfi* ., >juql 
 
 Anasbucepbala icKijlicd 
 
 Anaaruftica Unswl 
 
 Anasdifcros '""" ^ 
 
 Round crefted duck 
 Pled bill dopch'ck 
 
 Anas fponfc 
 
 Anas Americancachnr- 
 
 talufclegans. iCaUjly- 
 
 Colymbua podiccpf , jtich I 
 
 •n, u . ' Ardea carulei 
 
 Blue heron xii . 
 
 Ardea virefcens 
 Ardea xquInofliaUS 
 Ardea ftellarit Amcri«»- 
 na XCatc/hj, 
 
 Woodpelicao ,Ku.n.Tantalusl<K4W, 
 Whitewrlew ■■ ; Tantalus alb<?r..,. .u.un... 
 Brown curlew a ..A .X»aWl«Vf"^J«» : -^vi.U.'. 
 
 Small bittern 
 Small white heron 
 
 Indian hen 
 
 ^ll fiairiw 
 
 lu ! 
 
iinDlSIONA- 
 TION. 
 
 ,j (liiiwrn I 
 
 ericanes clwiC- 
 ;an3. ICatrfiy- 
 iCttUatu» 
 
 podiccp* jncRl 
 odiat -sHj noq« 
 icea 
 
 :fcens 
 
 , .. u.:i; fi3iriw 
 inodliaris 
 
 lUCj 
 
 larls Amcrlca- 
 
 ICatefij. 
 
 xvimf, 
 
 ( aa7 ) 
 
 , Wt have beCdcs th« duck and nuJUrd, wid« 
 gcon, canvaTt back) wood duck, black duck, 
 fprig tail, white head duck, black head duck, 
 ballcoot, water pheafant, mow bird, blue peter, 
 fwan, loon, mountain pheafant or groufc, which 
 I mentioned in a former letter, quail^ wild tur- 
 key, &c. &c. ■t.i.fk**^,*,^!!! 
 
 I have now, my dear friend, complied with 
 your wifh as far as it is in my power, a country 
 fo new and extcnfive requires more time, and 
 more room than a letter will admit of to give 
 you a complete idea of its natural hiftoryi but, 
 I flatter myfelf, it will afford you a general idea 
 upon the fubjedl ; and when the unfolding co- 
 vers of a new creation Juft burlVmg from the 
 womb of nature (hall draw men of fcience, to 
 trace and inveftigate the various p!i?enomena 
 which this country exhibit!^, I have no doubt 
 but the world will receive much pleafure and in- 
 ftruaion. '"•""•' 
 
 The moment I have been able to colIe<£k an 
 accurate account of the prcfent numbers of th'; 
 different tribes of Indians, which have hitherto 
 
will write to 
 an time I fludl 
 
 [lionate friend. 
 
 
 ( «a9 ) 
 
 ^ifl 
 
 ■'■.- f»r»^ 
 
 «ffWt 
 
 LETTER Xr. 
 
 MY OBAR FRIBND, 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 You will, no doubt, have heard of the defeat 
 of our army with the particulars, before this 
 will reach you. It is furprifing, that the expe- 
 rience of upwards of thirty years warfare with 
 the Indians, (hould not have taught us before 
 now, that our fucccfs or lofs in thefc reneantresj 
 was to be expefted alone from the abilities or 
 talents of the Commanding Officer. 
 
 From the time of the defeat of General Brad- 
 dock to the prefent period, tlie Americans have 
 been fuccefsful, or unfuccefsful in thefe expedi- 
 tions, in the exaft proportion to the knowledge 
 which our Generals have had of Indian dexterity 
 and ftratagem. 
 
( 230 ) 
 No man is more wuling to allow to Ge-.icral 
 St. Clair the merit of being an accomplifljed 
 gentleman, a brave and judicious officer, than 
 I am. But I cannot help lamenting, at the fame 
 time, that men are not employed upon thefe oc- 
 cafions (when there are fo m«ny in the United 
 States) who have from their infancy been accuf- 
 tomed to fuch perils, and praftifcd in the necef- 
 fary vigilance, to ward ofF the effects of that Hn-* 
 aularprowcfs of thofe heroic people. 
 
 There is an error fomewhere. I am afrai^l 
 that our General confided too nsuch in the com- 
 parative ftrength and difcipline of his army, it 
 would have been better if he had recolleiflcd an 
 cxpreffion of the late King of Pruffia. " However 
 well-fc>unded any good opinicu of ourfclves may 
 be, fecurity in war is always ddn^efoiis; and ra- 
 ther than be negligent it is better to take fuper- 
 fltious pt-ecaution.** Our army certainly was 
 taken tiy furptife. They ha^' not' '«me to' forih 
 when the enemy commenced their attaclc, which 
 
illow to Ge-.icral 
 an accompliflieti 
 ous officer, than 
 iting, at the fame 
 i upon thefe oc- 
 ny in the United 
 fancy been accuf- 
 ifcd in the necef- 
 iffects of that fitVs 
 
 ere. I am afraid 
 liuch in the c>)m- ' 
 of his army. It 
 lad recoIleiScd an 
 ruffia. "However 
 1 of oarfclves may 
 itiger 0U3 ; and ra- 
 ter to take fuper- 
 •ny certainly was 
 ' not tiime to fbfih 
 heir attadc, which 
 
 ( *3» ) 
 proves the juftnefs of that great foldier's re- 
 ikaion. ^ 
 
 "'Ifcvcry man who ehgages in the perilous vo- 
 cation of a foldief baght to recoHc^l before 
 hand, thefacrifices he will be obliged to make of 
 pleafurable indulgence, and in many inftances 
 of his confthtiiion. But when a fervice of 
 danger calls him to the defence of his country, 
 ■"br to avenge the infults which tyranny or bar- 
 barifni have offered, it becomes ignominious 
 Hot cliserfully to forego every gratiflcdtion 
 which is incompatible wich heroiftn. It is 
 i^ually ignominious to put any confideratiou in 
 competition with tiie certiiijity of fucccfsi < 
 
 TW'rwr H ■■' "fftin'I fr. ■;:''(','' M)r' *;,''! '\n nofiigirjzs 
 I know that it has been much the cafe with us 
 
 to relax in difciplinc for fear of haraffing ovir 
 
 men. In Indian wars it is neceflary to obf<;rvc 
 
 this rule, which infallibly, leads to vi£torj^ when 
 
 the combat otherwife is upon an equal footing— 
 
 Never be furprifed. To prevent wbich» it js 
 
 only neceflary to move with ftrong and a£live 
 
( 33a ) 
 Banks, i^«i('tK>Werful and vigilant guards, *id 
 to have your whole army under arms every morn- 
 ing at leaft an hour before bteak of day } which 
 will efFcaually prevent a furprife, as the Indian* 
 never attack when their enemy is in force during 
 the night. Move in compaa order, and, though 
 you may be haraffed in a #grtt*; yet with an 
 army of two thoufend men well appointed,, it 
 would be no difficult matter to pafs through the 
 whole weftern country. ,j,u^^ .\^ 
 
 I hope I have not appeared too ftrenuous in 
 endeavouring to wipe away the ftain, which our 
 recent defeat has brought upon the valour of my 
 countrymen. There has appeared a langour in 
 the execution of our meafures tefpcdting Indian 
 affairs, which has not only brought an tbhguy 
 upon the wifdom of our councils, but has (ub- 
 jeacd us to lofTes which are as baneful to our po- 
 pulation, as they are affeding to our fympathy. 
 
 Minyofushave caufe to mourn the lofs of 
 ,forae fViehd or dear relation. Among the llairi 
 
mt guarcfe, tfiid 
 [IS every morn- 
 Df day; which 
 , as the Indians 
 in force during 
 :r, and, though 
 r| yet with ?n 
 1 appointed, it 
 ifs through the 
 
 oo ftrenuous in 
 ain, which our 
 le valour of my 
 ;d a langour in 
 fpefling Indian 
 )Ught an tblequy 
 s, but has (ub- 
 neful to our po- 
 3ur fympathy. 
 
 ■»b 
 
 urn the lofs of 
 kmoiig *he flairi 
 
 433 ) 
 was a youth of the moft promifing hopes and 
 fplcndid talents — talents which might have prov- 
 ed ornajnental to his country and ufeful to man- 
 kind* 
 
 - I know you will cxcufc me for appropriating 
 to the death of my young friend, with a flight al- 
 teration, thofe beautiful lines in the Iliad with 
 which Homer defcribcs the death ofEuphorbus, 
 
 * " As the yonne Olive, In fome Silvan fcene, ^'Wt* 
 Crown'dby frefh fountains with eteina! green, 
 Lifts the gay head, in fnowy flow'iets fair 
 And plays and dances to the gentle air. 
 When lo ! a whirlwind fror high hear'n invadc» 
 The tender plant, and withers ail its fliades t 
 It lies uprooted from its genial bed, ^ v.i^- 
 
 A lovely riiin now defaced and dead. 
 Thus young, thus beautiful, •• brave Marlhal" lay, " 
 While the fierce " Indian tore his life away." 
 
 't'he expedition condu£led under the command 
 of General Scott terminated with fuccefs. In- 
 deed from the firft fettlement of Kentucky not 
 i^ne of our expeditions have failed. The watch- 
 ful Indians who are always near us, and fcarcely 
 
 iw 
 
 ■n^ 
 
 ..0'> 
 
 \ 
 
{ «34 ) 
 ev«r to be difcovered but in force, obferv^ the 
 motions of. our army, and fcadily ileterminc 
 from our vigilance whether an attack will prove 
 hazardous to them or not. , . ^j^j j^,|'j^ 
 
 I Ihall begin my enumeration with the 
 fouthern Itidian?, nnd proceed with thofo of th* 
 greatcn proximity j uking care t6 comprehend in 
 the fchcdule the various tribes which we have any 
 diftina knowledge of to the northward of the 
 chain of lakes which bounds our empire to the 
 north, and thofe to the weft of the MiiSfllppi, 
 and fouth of the Mifouri. 
 
 Tribes. WnEat thet r»sidi. No. 
 
 Cherokces In the country between 
 
 ■ , tl.e great bend of tlic ,-■ 
 
 , f. Tenafee and the ridges 
 , i ,>i .* of hills, (which arc 
 
 ■ .11 .ri:»fiJu..1 .ill n. BJOWtains) the wefterP^c.D 
 - ..huKl.5dm.O Ir ,^^^ «f Georgia, and 
 
c, obferv^ the 
 idily tleterminc 
 ack will prove 
 
 ion with the 
 ith thofo of the 
 ) comprehend in 
 ich we have any 
 jrthward of the 
 empire to the 
 the Miffiflliiptj 
 
 msioE. No. 
 
 itry between 
 bend of the ..;/t 
 md the ridges 
 
 (which ar^,|,j^ 
 le AUegany 
 i) the wefterP(.,,{0 
 Georgia, and 
 
 ■ ( 235 ) 
 
 TrI*^1' "^"^ \YhERE they EESIDt'No. 
 
 ^ the eailern branches of 
 the Mobile 2500 
 
 Cfaacktowi Between the faid great 
 
 bend, the MiHiflippi 
 
 "« "^"^ Bfld Natchez firco 
 
 Between the head branch**'? 
 of the river Apaia- 
 
 Uppe^ Creeks 
 
 i; in 'Vlitl':!:' 'i i- '■ 
 
 chies, Eaft Florida, th« 
 
 tlib 
 
 Cherokee nation, and 
 
 the Mifliffippi 2500 
 
 Between the upper Creeks 
 and tlie gulf of Mex- 
 ico 1000 
 A little to the eatt of 
 '^^'-'^"^'■"'^''""^die Natchez 100 
 Alibamoois Between the Natchez and 
 
 .i£^';Ui. uU NewOiIeans 400 
 
 Chekalawi ■' ^'*' (*''^ Between the fouthern li- 
 bnn jRigwO %. ?3i' mits of Cumberland,- 
 
 Lower Creeks 
 
 Natchez '"'^^ '' 
 
 
,ol3jp|HMi 
 
 kh 
 
 Lezars 
 
 r 836 ) 
 
 Where THBY RESIDE. No. 
 the Chacktaw nation, 
 and tlie head waters of 
 the Mobile 500 
 
 Between the mouth of the 
 Ohio and Wabafli 300 
 Piankifhat, Ver> Between the Wabaflt and 
 
 millcna, and Illinois 600 
 
 Mafcontins 
 Illinois Near Cahokia 260 
 
 Kafkafkias Near Kalkalkia 250 
 
 Pianrias Upon the Illinois river 400 
 
 Shakies Near fort Oniatonon upon 
 
 the Wabafli I70 
 
 Upper Pia&kiT- Near fort Oniatonon upon 
 
 has 'rt 0tJ* ftmigoisi the Wabafli 300 
 
 Ouitetonons * '•* ^'*' • Near fort Oniatonon upon 
 
 *'"'"" the Wabafli 260 
 
 »4ij«nis ,, ,. ,,„.,, I, ,,a Near fort St. Jofeph 200 
 
 ■:Ai\o d-jh(i'4i<'ii--' odi 
 
 

 ( 237 ) 
 
 RESIDE. No. 
 
 Tribes. Where they reside. No. 
 
 ktaw nation, 
 
 Twigtwees Upon the great Miami 
 
 lead waters of 
 
 river near fort Miami 200 
 
 le 500 • 
 
 Wyandots Between fort St. Jofeph 
 
 e mouth of the 
 
 and Detroit ioo 
 
 d Wftbafh 300 
 the Wkbftfli and 
 
 Cohunewagas Near Sanduflcy 200 
 Mingoes On a fouthern branch of 
 
 the Sciota 50 
 
 000 
 
 Mohiccons Between the Sciota and 
 
 
 Mufkingum 40 
 
 ahokia 260 
 
 Shawnees On the head branches of 
 
 alkalkia 250 
 
 the Sciou, (reduced by 
 the late adion to lefs 
 
 le Illinois river 400 
 
 than) 350 
 
 rt Oniatonon upon 
 
 Delaware* In the country between 
 
 ^^abafli 170 
 
 lake Erie and the head 
 
 rt Oniatonon upon 
 
 notjL. ffldflOJ*ieA/ ntf i*i- branches of the MuC '' 
 
 • 
 
 Vabafli 300 
 
 oof dlfidfW vi' kingum, who have alfo 
 
 >rt Oniatonon upon 
 Vabafli 260 
 
 fuffered in the late dif- 
 ferent adlions, and it is 
 Juppoled they are re- 
 
 ort St. Jofeph 200 
 
 0^1 'MH fi '^""i " " duced from 600 to ";^^o 
 
 to i«MSV-hKO 
 
 Delawares, or At different villages upon 
 
 »..,i'. 
 
 Linnelinopies the north branch of the 
 
 i 
 
( '38 ) 
 Tribes. Whsre they reside.. No. 
 Suf^uehanna 4fiO 
 
 Aajbquagahs Upon an eaftern branch of 
 
 the vSufquehanna 1 50 ' 
 Nanticoci Between Owegy and the 
 
 , naoft eaftern branch of 
 
 the Sufquehanna 80 
 
 Mohlcconi Between Chagnet and O- 
 
 wcgy, upon a barnch 
 of the Sufquehanna 70 
 Conoies Between Utfanango and 
 
 . Chagnet, to the eaft- 
 ward of the moft eaft- 
 ermoft branch of the 
 ,^., Sufquehanna 40 
 
 Saponin .^j^r^. ^^^, , Upon a north brai»ol».«f , , v 
 ■^lit tflsV*''* Sufquehanna 30 
 
 Munlles At Diahago, upon the 
 
 north branch of the 
 Sufquehanna 
 
 ilm'i 
 
 Senecas 
 
 .''"^L 
 
 120 
 
 Upon the waters of the 
 
 Ohio, lake Erie, lake 
 
 iJv'i 
 
ESIDE.. No. 
 
 ina 400 
 
 iftern branch of 
 [channa 150 
 Kvcgy and the 
 :rn branch of 
 ichanna 80 
 
 hagnetand O-'"*^' 
 ion a barnch 
 fquehanna 70 
 tfanango and 
 to the eaft- 
 the moil eaft- ' 
 anch of the 
 inna 40' ' 
 
 rth braoobtOf >is 
 juebanna 50 
 
 lago, upon the 
 ranch of the 
 laniia 120 
 
 le waters of the 
 lake Erici lake 
 
 ( «S9 ) 
 
 Where thev reside. No. 
 Ontario, and Sufquc 
 
 hanna ^jo 
 
 Upon the Caynga, and 
 near the north branch 
 of the Sufquehanoa 180 
 Near Onondago 300 
 
 , On the eaft fide of Onei- 
 da, and head branches 
 of the Sufquehaana 350 
 Between the Oneidas and 
 ,;; - Onandagoes 170 
 
 Upon the weftern branch 
 of Mohock river 140 
 (The laft-mentioned fix tribes conftitute what 
 are known by the name of the Six Nations.) 
 Orondocs *>"- r- Near the three rivers 100 
 Abenakies Near the three rivers 150 
 
 Little Algonkins Near the three rivers 100 
 
 Tribes. 
 
 Capgai 
 
 Opondagoes 
 Oneidas 
 
 Tufcaroras 
 
 Mohocks 
 
 Fouteotaoiies , Between St. Tofeph's and 
 
 . , Detroit 
 
 Ottawas 
 
 Near Detroit 
 
 270 
 500 
 
 i 
 
 H 
 
 1 ; 
 
 J 
 
C HO ) 
 Tribks wiurk thky reside. No. 
 Chippawas On Saguinam bay of lake 
 
 Huron aoo 
 
 Ottawas (a dif- On Saguinam bay of lake 
 
 fcrent tribe) Huron 150 
 
 Chippawai (fc- Near Michillimackinac, 
 
 veral tribes of) fort St. Mary's, on lake 
 
 Superior, and upon the 
 fouthern (horcs of that 
 
 lake 5500 
 
 Pjuns bay, on lake Michi- 
 gan 4*0 
 
 Near Pauns bay, on lake 
 
 Michigan 3°° 
 
 Ouifconling river 300 
 
 Upon the fouthern head 
 branches of the Miflif- 
 fippi, and the waters of 
 lake Michigan 200 
 
 Between the lake of the 
 Wood and Miflifiippi 300 
 
 Shakies 
 
 Mynomamics 
 
 Ouifconfings 
 Kickapous 
 
 btogamies 
 
-^ 
 
 lESIDB. No. 
 
 nam bay of lake 
 
 800 
 
 nam bay of lake 
 150 
 
 ck'inac, 
 
 Mary's, on lake 
 ', and upon the 
 I (horet of that 
 
 5500 
 
 y, on lake Micht- 
 
 400 
 »uns bay, on lake 
 Igao $00 
 
 iling river 300 
 
 lie fouthern head 
 hc8 of the Miflif- 
 and the waters of 
 Vlichigan 200 
 
 en the lake of the 
 d and Miflifiippi 300 
 
 Mifcotent 
 
 lilifcothios 
 
 Outimaci 
 
 Mufquariet 
 
 Sioux 
 
 Otugaumies 
 
 Winnibagocs 
 
 Killiftinoes 
 Nwidowefiet 
 
 ( H* ) 
 Wbere they kEsioi.' No. 
 On lake Michigan and 
 between that and the 
 Mifliffippi ' 40c 
 
 Between lake Michigan 
 
 and the MiffilEppi 340 
 Between lake M.'c'.iigan 
 and lake' t. Clare 300 
 ) ;. Upon the fouthern waters 
 
 of lake Michigan 200 
 
 On the eaftcrn head 
 
 branches of the MiiEf- 
 
 i- 
 
 fippi, and the iflands of 
 lake Superior 5^ 
 
 On the head waters of the 
 MilHflippi 300 
 
 On the head waters of the 
 MiffiiEppi 100 
 
 On lake Superior ^/^ 
 
 . J* 
 
 Between Michigan and 
 
 M 
 
( a4a ) 
 
 y/TRIBEii. VVhKRB THnV RESIDI. No. 
 
 Like Superior 5^° 
 
 Near Swagitchy, on the 
 
 river St. liawrence loo 
 Neat Montreal fO 
 
 Near Montreal ijO 
 
 On the river St. Lawrence ^oo 
 On tlie river St. Lawrence 400 
 On the river St. Lawrence lOO 
 Near the head waters of 
 
 the Ottawas river jpo 
 
 Towards the headwaters rtr 
 
 of the Ottawas river 250 
 
 Meflafagues ul^;^ Between laiie Superior and 
 lake Huron |}oo 
 
 Kris Upon lake Chriftineau.\ 1200 
 
 Aflinaboes '!'.'>'' 'r Lake Aflinabues 
 
 Barbusi I^laoo or lake Aflinaboes 
 
 Ofeve^atchies 
 
 Connafedagoes 
 
 Cohunnewagoes 
 
 Michmacs 
 
 Ameliftis 
 
 Chalas 
 
 Nipiflins 
 
 Algonquint ^ , 
 Round-headf 
 
 iSOO 
 
 flvl 
 
RESIDE. No. 
 
 lerior 5°° 
 
 igitchy, on the 
 . liawrence too 
 ntrcal 90 
 
 ntreal 1^0 
 
 rer St. Lawrence ijOO 
 k'crSt. Lawrence 400 
 vcr St. Lawrence lOO 
 
 head waters of 
 :awas river 300 
 
 I the head waters 
 
 Ottawas river 350 
 :re aux Tetes bouleSf 
 iind- head liver aooo 
 1 lake Superior and 
 iuron Ijoo 
 
 Ice Chriftineaiix 1200 
 Vflinabues isoo 
 
 ■jV.V.\ I 
 
 ^flinaboei ' 
 
 the lake of the 
 
 ( Hi ) 
 Where thbv REstnr No. { 
 Wood 1400 
 
 On the head anc*, wcftctA^'^- 
 
 branches of the Miffif- 
 
 'W' Mtwibw' 2500 
 
 On the head and wcftern^ 
 
 branches of the MilTif- s 
 %» ... 4000 
 
 Between the i\caJ waters 
 of the Miillflipirt and 
 Mifottrl jnop , 
 
 -^J""" North of the Padoucas ,000 
 
 ^'''««P«'«'» Soufli^aftoftheMirouriisoo 
 
 Sptcfcled PamrfiVM «v.8ovitb of the Mifouri ,200 
 PsdwicM i'.i f*<lt' Soirth of the Mifouri 
 
 1\ mtf. 
 
 Sioux of the 
 Meadows 
 
 Sioun of the 
 Woods 
 
 Sioux 
 
 V* 
 
 Orandtfeault 
 
 fanfes ■ ,• 
 J" 
 
 Ofagcs 
 Mifouris 
 
 Arkanzas 
 
 $o» 
 
 80a 
 
 1000 
 
 400 
 
 South of ihe Mifouri 
 U South of the Mifouri 
 
 I S&Hth of the Mifouri 
 , On. the Mifour^ 
 
 On tlie river Arkaiuw. |0«a 
 There are fcvcral other trihes, known by (he 
 name of Ciouitas, l..inways, ^Vcbings, Oufufoys, 
 
 M 2 
 
-r^ 
 
 ( »44 > ' 
 Lw'^liS FoHc Avohie, Mineamis, &c. kc. 
 But the difFerent tribes have been fo confounded 
 «nc with another, that it is impoffible to colleft 
 any diftina information refpeaing their f.tua- 
 tion or numbers; which I apprehend has pro- 
 ceeded from the imperfca knowledge travellers 
 have had of the weft of the Miffiffippi, and to 
 the north of lake Michigan and lake Superior; 
 «„d which has precluded the poffibility of gain- 
 ing any accurate intelligence from them. How- 
 ever the above lift has been correaed from the 
 accounts of Croghan,Boquet, Carver, Hutching 
 and Dodge, and by the comparative teftimony of 
 the beft informed men 1 have been able to meet 
 Vfithi and whofe knowledge upon this fubjea, 
 though they have not written, I ftiQuld prefer 
 to either of the above authorities, who were 
 obliged to take the greateft part of what they 
 
 have related, from hearfoy, or proceed up^ 
 
 conjeaure. . j^, ix<,'i;}(i iyjsy-ni!, '|fcw 
 
 There are fcveral vagrant tribes, called Chia- 
 kaneffou, Onanakina, Machecous, and Sou^b- 
 
 Miami 
 
lineamis, &c. kc. 
 seen fo confounded 
 mpoffible to collefk 
 waing their fitua- 
 apprehend has pro- 
 nowledgc travellers 
 
 ! Miffiffipp>» an<^ *° 
 and lake Superior i 
 e poffibility of gain- 
 ! from them. How- 
 1 corrcfted from the 
 ;t, Carver, Hutchinf, 
 parative teftimony of 
 ve been able to meet 
 le upon this fabjpft, 
 tten, I ihpuld prefer 
 ithorities, who vrere 
 ft part of what they 
 IV, or proceed upon 
 
 UVJi 
 
 W}r\} ^ftl toJj'J'-i.'. vt«W 
 
 at tribes, called Chia- 
 ichccous, and Souiki' 
 
 ( 245 ) 
 
 h^ from tli^ Cbcrokces,Ch?cktaw?, aiid Q'rccksv 
 bwf, l.-,flxauld fuppofe, thcfc includ*:d, that my 
 deqount of .tbofo tribes is tolerably cx^. ,, . 
 
 ""By this 'lift, which I preftimewrll appear. a? 
 accurate as thefubjciJt will admit of, the aggre>- 
 gate numbers of rnJiaiw will be fourKl Icfs than 
 io,odo who inhabit the country from the gulf df 
 Mexico, on both fides of the MiffilBppil to tftfe 
 gulf of St. Lawrence, and as far weft as ""the 
 country has been explored, that is to the head 
 wafers of the Mifllllippi, and from thence to the 
 
 ' ■ ■ ■ ■ .:,.., -.■;i',: ■■;■, 
 
 jMiioiiri (I do not mean the head of it), and be- 
 
 ■ • ■'■ i 'il.'L. Lac 
 
 •tweei*th»t river and Santa Fe. .-^^„|,,; a,,f ^^ 
 
 * -iV-lave'been able to learn very llttlW Infoi^a-- 
 tion i-erpefting tlie Indians between San'ta'Fe and 
 
 the gulf of Mexico, and ftill lefs of thofe who" 
 
 y-i.'h If. ••■-• 
 
 inhabit the country betw^n the river St. To- 
 ;!0-! • ■ . 
 
 feph's and California. However we are iii no 
 
 way affected by them at prcfent; and' it is h6t 
 v^hr' liTtely that wc ever fiiail-} fori,:.it-i«,,: fo be 
 
I (146 ) 
 
 ^efamedy *at the fedeml governmenty in the 
 txtenfton of its empire, will uke fuch precau- 
 tions as muft prevent the horrors of fuch fan- 
 guinhry warfare and maffacre, as have hitherto, 
 marked the progrefsof its growth. ,,..;!'. 
 
 Certainly it is time that decided mcafures'were 
 taken ; if poffible, to civilize them ; and if not, 
 tQ confine them to particular diftri£ts ; tliat is, 
 by the vigour of our msafures, to fliew them 
 that we are not to be trifled with ; and whenever 
 a trad of country is to b= fettled, let the de- 
 markation be obvious, and the terms of fettle- 
 ment definitive ; and by affording prote£lion to 
 the pacific, and chaftifing the licentiou?, it may 
 b^ exicfted in time, that fome amelioration vtfill 
 tike j)lace in their lavage and fanguinary difpo- 
 
 fitions. 
 
 ■'■M .ji;^i]'-:Jn T-t.'.-; , p'^lill^ipS u;i:k ^.iU'ilJiV 
 
 You will obferve that the mod numerous tribes 
 
 are the greateft diftance from us ; and It is very 
 
 certain, that in proportion to their diftance from 
 
 . the whites, they are unacquainted with iheiife of 
 
rnmenty in the 
 e fucU prec;au- 
 m of fuch fan- 
 have hitherto, 
 
 I mcafures'were 
 ;m ; and if not, 
 [lri£ts ; that is, 
 to fliew them 
 ; and whenever 
 ed, let the de- 
 terms of fettle- 
 ig pr6te6lion to 
 centibuF, it may 
 kineliorationvtill 
 anguinary difpO' 
 
 numerous triUcs 
 i ; and it is very 
 :ir diftance'from 
 ;d with ihe life of 
 
 ( a47 ) 
 fire-arms. All the nations north of Uke ,Sui>€^- 
 rior, and thofe beyond the Mifliffippi, as wcH as 
 thofe on the Mifouri, ufe only bows and arrowjs; 
 of that when you take a view of Iheir Mattered 
 fituation, the various cuftoms and CujierftjlioHS 
 which it is neceflary to reconcile, in order to pro- 
 duce perfeverance and unity of a£lion, and what 
 a fmall proportion of them have the apparatus, 
 or underftand the ufe of mufiquetry, or pofTefs 
 refources fufficient to enable them to carry on 
 lafiing hoftilities againft the power of our in- 
 creafing numbers, it muft be obviouf, tliat even 
 our defeat will haftsn their ruin. ^ , ' 
 
 3... , «f ■^.7- 
 
 Though we (or rather the federal troops) have 
 been defeated fcveral times, yet we (hall fopn 
 eflablifh a permanent fecurity againft ffivagein- 
 vafions and maflacre ; for, though we have iipt 
 adted entirely like Hercules, who ceftroyed the 
 ferpents while an infant in his cradle, ftill, I 
 prefume, w: /hall ilo it in our approach to ma- 
 
 , turity. , - . 
 
 '-> . i '■ .(V/ minifiisfi-jiisM.1 ODi pat |,.a«3aiw sur 
 
 1 
 
 . 5 
 1 
 
^Tlic lF"rench, by conciliating the manners af 
 the?avfiges, and by their c'iffufjJig a nu>re §m«* 
 
 arm's, 'ftrft rn-hleixiJ tiiem ii.inuJuble tothe 
 
 whites; " 'The aniinofity conUU!':d to exirt until 
 
 Ae commencement of the late warj -when, that 
 
 ^ir^"P^Bcy 'Uifii pranifedh)- the E';;:ij7h W'.'fi '% 
 
 hairjiVincrly fi'fiVerely rc'^r abated hi the Frer.clh 
 
 •.■•MV !>iv ■;■?•■■ . , . , ... ... 
 
 ^' In the various fkinnimes ?.nJ actions whidh 
 
 havcbsenfou^^ht between us, they have acquired 
 
 a moft vvonJeifut d'sxterlty aiiilhcifoic iiUrcpiJl*' 
 
 ty ; but, in thefe acquifkions, they profebly 
 
 have hill the foundatioii of their own exthnloji > 
 
 for our d^f*ats but add to our ftrength; and 
 
 y«h?n you recolkta their comparative numbers 
 
 with ours, and the coiTiparative fecundity of our 
 
 women, I thin!: the circumllancc does not appear 
 
 problematical. , ., 
 
 : However, that is not our vvilli. We would 
 gladly teach them the biciiings of peace; and fo 
 far did the Aflembly of Virginia carry this difpo- 
 
If manners ef 
 a n.(>rc guiie- 
 Q ufe of iu'Q-^ 
 uJuble to, the 
 ] to exiil until 
 ?ar» tvhefi, that 
 lij}), iplucb they 
 I the rrj>:c'}, ,^ 
 
 actions whlc^h 
 have acquired 
 folciiurcpitllH, 
 :hey prat>ab!j- 
 wn exiUiU'iOJi > 
 ftrength ; ivid 
 jtive numb'-rs 
 ;utidicy of our 
 oes not appear 
 
 We would 
 peace i and fo 
 irry this difpo- 
 
 ( 249 ) 
 fition, in the year 1784, that, the more eft^KC- 
 tually to accelerate fo defirable an end, they 
 took it into confideraticn to pafs an aft ofFering 
 bounties to fuch men and women as would inter- 
 marry with the Indians. BiU as the animofuies 
 which then exiltcd between them and the back 
 fettlers had arifen to fuch a height, it was thought 
 moft advifeable to poftpone it until there fhould 
 be a ftable peace, and till the whites and they 
 were reconciled \ but that never will be the cafe 
 until we are in poffeffion of Niagara and Detroit. 
 F»r«well. .^^^^ 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 i;;-;"?. : 
 
 bill; 
 
 Ti;j;nin:i*»b 'bib imh I ,-rxriow 
 
 ^Vte. ■ irr I rilililt 
 
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