Indiana as seen by early travelers; a collection of reprints from books of travel, letters and diaries prior to 1830

Introduction

Many of the first books relating to Indiana were written by travelers whose aim was to tell the Old World what the New World was like. During the first half century following the Revolutionary War many travelers came from Europe to visit the New Republic and to explore the frontiers of America, and during the early decades of the nineteenth century many travelers from the Atlantic Coast states made trips into the interior to learn of the possibilities in the newer regions.

After a lapse of a century these descriptions are of much interest from an historical point of view. Personal estimates of the region vary and opinions were obviously warped in many cases but these descriptions reflect conditions about which we could today secure information in no other way. These books are now out of print and are not available for most people. Because of the growing demand for this material it has been deemed wise to issue a volume reprinting the material which concerns Indiana previous to 1830, in as near the original form as possible. Spelling, punctuation and capitalization have been followed. In some instances repetitions will be noticed, but it seemed best in most cases to give the full account as originally prepared by the author. Practically all of David Thomas' Travels through the Western Country in the Summer of 1816, with his additional notices, has been reprinted, since this Diary was written just one hundred years ago, portraying conditions here just as Indiana became a State, and also because of the particular value of this individual journal.

The object of this volume has been to make available to the people of the State and others interested in Indiana history, material which could not be procured easily otherwise. The original editions can be found in the Indiana State Library.

Included in the volume are four contributions which never before have appeared in print — the Journal of Thomas Scattergood Teas, Letters of William Pelham, Personal Reminiscences of Charles F. Coffin, and Diary and Recollections of Victor Colin Duclos. The Pelham letters have been made possible by Miss

4 Introduction.

Caroline Creese Pelham, of New Harmony, Indiana, a great granddaughter of William Pelham.

The Editor wishes to acknowledge the assistance given him by- Miss Esther U. McNitt, Dr. John W. Oliver and Mr. Henry S. Miller, of the Department of Indiana History and Archives, Indiana State Library, and Dr. Walter C. Woodward, Director of the Indiana Historical Commission.

Harlow Lindley.

Earlham College, October 9, 1916.