Travels in America performed in 1806, for the purpose of exploring the rivers Alleghany, Monongahela, Ohio, and Mississippi, and ascertaining the produce and condition of their banks and vicinity

Preface

I

T is universally acknowledged, that no description of writing comprehends so much amusement and entertainment as well written accounts of voyages and travels, especially in countries little known. If the voyages of a Cook and his followers, exploratory' of the South Sea Islands, and the travels of a Bruce, or a Park, in the interior regions of Africa, have merited and obtained celebrity, the work now presented to the public cannot but claim a similar merit. The western part ot America, become interesting in ever}^ point of view, has been little knoUn, ami misrepresented by the few writers on the subject, led by motives of interebt or traffic, and has not heretofore Lcrn exhibited in a satisfactory manr.er. jMr, Ahhc, tlic autlior of the present work, and who has now returned to America, here gives an account every way satisfactory. With all the necessary acquirements, he went on an exploratory journey, with the sole view of examining this interesting country; and his researches, delivered in the familiarstile of letters, in which he carries the reader along with him, cannot fail to interest and inform the politician, the statesman, the philosopher, and antiquary. He explains the delusions that have been held up by fanciful or partial writers as to the country, by which so many individuals have been misled ; he furnishes to the naturalist a variety of interesting information ; and to the antiquary he presents objects of absolute astonishment ; the Indian antiquities of the western world, here first brought forward ^o the public, must create admiration. It will be seen that the fallen race who now inhabit America are the successors of men who have been capable of architectural and other work, that would do honour to any people or any age ; and the remarkable antiquities which he describes cannot but induce a still more minute enquiry and investigation ef objects of so great importance.

[English Editor.]

Contents

LETl^ER I.

General character of the north-eastern States of America— -of the middle States— 'the southern— Town of Pittsburg— Alleghany mountains — Lancaster — The Susquehanna— Harrisburg, Shippensburg, and Stratsburg '—interesting account of a tavern and its occupiers-Bedford — Sublijnity and horrors of a night passed in ajoreat — Thoughts on natural hiS' tory—St. Pierre.

Letter II

5wn-rjsg in a deep valley— ^Breakfast at an inn— 'American forests generally free from underwood— The Author kills a large bear in the forest : its deliberate precaution on being shot— An Indian camp ; gradual expulsion of the Indians into the interior, and their approximate exterwination — Grandeur and beautiful tints of an autumnal scene— Laurel-hill — Delightful vale leading to- Pittsburg — Expeuces at the American inns— Comfort a term of very various application,

LEri'ER m.

Situation and description of Pittsburg — its mamfactories, ship-building, and population — State of education here— Character and Persons of the Ladies — Religious sects — Schools — Market lio use, and prices ifprovi'- sions — Price ofland-Auiuicinents.

Letter IV

The subject of emigration from Britain considered — History of an emigrant farmer — Kentucky peopled by a pufHug publication— Lord Sel-^ kirk's colonizations— District least pernicious for emigrants.