Flint's Letters from America, 1818-1820

Had all the travellers from Great Britain who visited America during the early decades of the nineteenth century been of so discriminating a temperament as the Scotchman whose w...

I observed that my fellow emigrants were much affected when about to take a final leave of their native land: some regretting the separation from their native soil, while others...

{24} _August 5._ Got aboard of the Olive-Branch steam-boat for New Brunswick. This is a large vessel, wrought by an engine of forty-five horses’ power. She may at once be pronou...

In this letter I shall not confine myself to a description of the city of Pittsburg. Occurrences and remarks, with, or without dates, will be promiscuously introduced. This meth...

As a great part of my notes since I last wrote, relate to rapids, bars, islands, &c. I shall omit the description of many of them, as being altogether uninteresting.

[44] It was Washington’s favorite plan to unite the waters of the Potomac and Ohio, and in turn, those of the Ohio and Lake Erie, by means of canals. The Beaver River was always...

On the 29th of October I again got afloat.--The weather clear and fine, but the current of the river in most parts so slow that the eye could scarcely discover its motion.--Pass...

Michaux’s _Travels_, volume iii of our series: Pennsylvania-Virginia boundary line, note 31; Gallipolis, note 34. Harris’s _Journal_, volume iii of our series: Putnam, note 1. C...

[64] The supply of specie in the Western country had always been inadequate. Until the numerous state banks began to flood the country with paper money, about the second decade...

Lexington--Depreciated Paper Currency, and Fraudulent Bankers--Excess of Paper Money destructive to American Manufactures--Aversion to Menial Service--Atheneum--Dirking, Gouging...

I concluded my last letter, dated Cincinnati, 30th December last, without taking any notice of the town; I shall therefore begin the present one with some particulars respecting...

[73] _i. e._ Divination by the wand. This science may be fashionable, but unquestionably it must be a novelty, as the occult sciences, particularly that of divination, can only...

[80] Jeffersonville, on the site of old Fort Steuben at the falls of the Ohio, was laid out in 1802 in accordance with a plan proposed by President Jefferson. It soon superseded...

[93] A canal connecting Illinois River with Lake Michigan was first suggested by Jolliet in 1673, when he and Marquette returned by that route from their exploration of the Miss...

The greater part of my letters from America have hitherto been addressed to our late brother John. Since we have now to deplore that he is removed {168} from all correspondence...

State Legislatures--A predilection for dividing Counties, laying out New Towns and Roads--The influence of Slavery on the habits of People who live in the neighbourhood of Slave...

Passage to Cincinnati--Depression of Trade--Population--Manufactures--Institutions--Banks--Climate-- Temperature--Springs--Quantity of Rain--Thunder--Lightning--Aurora-Borealis-...

In my letter of the 26th of June last, I mentioned that mechanics were leaving the towns of the western country, becoming cultivators in the back woods. In many cases, their for...

In your letter of the 15th of May last, you mention your apprehension that I am living amongst a half civilized people. Perhaps this is partly occasioned by my having, in former...

Passage on Lake Erie--Presque Isle--Buffalo--The Falls of Niagara--Kingston--Youngstown--Newark--Passage on Lake Ontario--Scotch Settlement in Upper Canada--Descend the River St...

[167] Durham boats were heavy freight craft built along the lines of an Indian canoe. Their designer (about 1750) was Robert Durham, manager and engineer of the Durham furnace,...